Liverpool could be missing 7 players after the international break. Salah and Robbo could be joined by the likes of Hendo and Gomez on the treatment table. Some squad players like Shaqiri are also out injured. Wishing Dom Matteo a speedy recovery from a terrible illness.
-
Contact the PP Team
Liverpool FC | 2019/20 Season
- Thread starter MenInG
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jurgen Klopp says he is "not worried" about Mohamed Salah's fitness but Liverpool will wait before deciding if the forward plays against Napoli.
Salah was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday after Klopp said the forward's ongoing ankle injury was "still there".
He was left out of Egypt's squad for their recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya and Comoros in order to continue treatment on the injury, which he aggravated against Manchester City earlier this month.
"Mo looks really good," Klopp said ahead of facing Napoli on Wednesday, when Liverpool will secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a victory.
"We'll see today but I'm not too worried about it."
But Klopp said Joel Matip, who has been sidelined with a knee injury, will not be rushed back.
"Joel is improving but is some time away," he said. "There will be a scan this week and then we will see how it is."
Klopp 'constantly changing plans'
Salah, 27, originally suffered the injury in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Leicester City on October 5, hobbling off the pitch at Anfield after coming under a second-half challenge from Foxes midfielder Hamza Choudhury.
Since that game, he scored in Liverpool's 4-1 away win over Genk in the Champions League and was substituted off after scoring a penalty in the victory over Tottenham.
But after scoring in the win over title rivals Manchester City, he was taken off in the 87th minute.
Liverpool's congested run of fixtures makes uncertainties over injuries even more difficult for Klopp.
The club already facing the unusual dilemma of having to play a Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar less than 24 hours after a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa.
What do Liverpool need to reach the last 16?
Liverpool will be through if they beat Napoli, or if Salzburg do not beat Genk.
A win would clinch first place in Group E.
Defeat to Napoli at Anfield would see the Italian side qualify and leave Liverpool needing a result against Salzburg just a week before.
"We have plans for everything and we change them constantly," Klopp added.
"I have two smartphones, and when one of them is ringing it is rarely good news.
"You only get the messages when a player is not fine. Then you have to make new plans."
Defender Andrew Robertson played down concerns over his ankle issue, insisting he can manage his fitness.
"It's been better, just a bit stiff after matches and something I can manage with. I feel fresh and hopefully that continues," Robertson said.
"I get paid to play games and train and we're all the same, we don't want to miss training sessions and games. It's all about managing. We all want to play games but sometimes it's not possible and someone has to step in and tell you otherwise.
"Sitting up in the stands is no good for me and my heart."
Napoli remain the only club to have beaten Liverpool this season, but have struggled domestically since then and sit seventh in Serie A.
Klopp is expecting a "dangerous" Napoli side, though, and says it would be Liverpool's "biggest mistake" to think they are already through to the knockout stage.
"If there is any manager in the world that doesn't need advice from me, it's Carlo Ancelotti," said Klopp.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ried-about-liverpool-forwards-injury-problems
Salah was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday after Klopp said the forward's ongoing ankle injury was "still there".
He was left out of Egypt's squad for their recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya and Comoros in order to continue treatment on the injury, which he aggravated against Manchester City earlier this month.
"Mo looks really good," Klopp said ahead of facing Napoli on Wednesday, when Liverpool will secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a victory.
"We'll see today but I'm not too worried about it."
But Klopp said Joel Matip, who has been sidelined with a knee injury, will not be rushed back.
"Joel is improving but is some time away," he said. "There will be a scan this week and then we will see how it is."
Klopp 'constantly changing plans'
Salah, 27, originally suffered the injury in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Leicester City on October 5, hobbling off the pitch at Anfield after coming under a second-half challenge from Foxes midfielder Hamza Choudhury.
Since that game, he scored in Liverpool's 4-1 away win over Genk in the Champions League and was substituted off after scoring a penalty in the victory over Tottenham.
But after scoring in the win over title rivals Manchester City, he was taken off in the 87th minute.
Liverpool's congested run of fixtures makes uncertainties over injuries even more difficult for Klopp.
The club already facing the unusual dilemma of having to play a Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar less than 24 hours after a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa.
What do Liverpool need to reach the last 16?
Liverpool will be through if they beat Napoli, or if Salzburg do not beat Genk.
A win would clinch first place in Group E.
Defeat to Napoli at Anfield would see the Italian side qualify and leave Liverpool needing a result against Salzburg just a week before.
"We have plans for everything and we change them constantly," Klopp added.
"I have two smartphones, and when one of them is ringing it is rarely good news.
"You only get the messages when a player is not fine. Then you have to make new plans."
Defender Andrew Robertson played down concerns over his ankle issue, insisting he can manage his fitness.
"It's been better, just a bit stiff after matches and something I can manage with. I feel fresh and hopefully that continues," Robertson said.
"I get paid to play games and train and we're all the same, we don't want to miss training sessions and games. It's all about managing. We all want to play games but sometimes it's not possible and someone has to step in and tell you otherwise.
"Sitting up in the stands is no good for me and my heart."
Napoli remain the only club to have beaten Liverpool this season, but have struggled domestically since then and sit seventh in Serie A.
Klopp is expecting a "dangerous" Napoli side, though, and says it would be Liverpool's "biggest mistake" to think they are already through to the knockout stage.
"If there is any manager in the world that doesn't need advice from me, it's Carlo Ancelotti," said Klopp.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ried-about-liverpool-forwards-injury-problems
With such a heavy fixture list Liverpool need a win tomorrow against a dangerous side. This will give us respite going in to the Salzburg match. Mind you, apart from our trip to the Middle East other top sides also have a very busy December as well. I expect us to defeat Napoli in a closely fought match, they'll be up for it as well no doubt about it. In Origi and possibly Shaqiri we have good replacements should Salah be unfit. Seems the injuries are easing off as well.
sweep_shot
Test Star
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Runs
- 39,950
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jurgen Klopp says he is unsure of the severity of Fabinho's injury, but says the outcome is "massive" after the midfielder limped off in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Napoli.
Fabinho, who has played in all but one of Liverpool's Premier League games this season, limped off in the first half after team-mate Dejan Lovren attempted to tackle Hirving Lozano.
He was replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum in the 19th minute and is banned for Liverpool's Premier League fixture against Brighton on Saturday, but Klopp will be keen to have him back for the Merseyside derby next Wednesday.
"The biggest thing is the Fabinho injury, that's massive," said Klopp.
"It's early and we all hope it's not too serious but it's pretty painful and in an area you don't want to have pain, around the ankle."
Asked by reporters how serious the injury could be, Klopp added: "I don't want to say what I expect because I hope it is not serious.
"He has pain, which is not good. He couldn't continue. I hope it is not that serious. We'll know more maybe tomorrow or the day after."
Draw with Napoli adds to fixture stress
Klopp admits it is never easy at Liverpool and says he had not planned ahead to go to Red Bull Salzburg with a weakened side after their Champions League progress was halted.
The 1-1 draw with Napoli means Liverpool need a result in Salzburg in a fortnight's time, and means Klopp cannot rest some of his star players amid a hectic period of fixtures.
But Klopp said he never expected to have it easy enough to have the luxury of going to Salzburg not needing anything.
"If we have ambitions in the Champions League, we have to show that in Salzburg - and until then, we have to show our ambitions in the Premier League. There are a couple of games to play until then and we have to be focused on them - and we will be, no doubt."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...o-jurgen-klopp-admits-injury-could-be-massive
Fabinho, who has played in all but one of Liverpool's Premier League games this season, limped off in the first half after team-mate Dejan Lovren attempted to tackle Hirving Lozano.
He was replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum in the 19th minute and is banned for Liverpool's Premier League fixture against Brighton on Saturday, but Klopp will be keen to have him back for the Merseyside derby next Wednesday.
"The biggest thing is the Fabinho injury, that's massive," said Klopp.
"It's early and we all hope it's not too serious but it's pretty painful and in an area you don't want to have pain, around the ankle."
Asked by reporters how serious the injury could be, Klopp added: "I don't want to say what I expect because I hope it is not serious.
"He has pain, which is not good. He couldn't continue. I hope it is not that serious. We'll know more maybe tomorrow or the day after."
Draw with Napoli adds to fixture stress
Klopp admits it is never easy at Liverpool and says he had not planned ahead to go to Red Bull Salzburg with a weakened side after their Champions League progress was halted.
The 1-1 draw with Napoli means Liverpool need a result in Salzburg in a fortnight's time, and means Klopp cannot rest some of his star players amid a hectic period of fixtures.
But Klopp said he never expected to have it easy enough to have the luxury of going to Salzburg not needing anything.
"If we have ambitions in the Champions League, we have to show that in Salzburg - and until then, we have to show our ambitions in the Premier League. There are a couple of games to play until then and we have to be focused on them - and we will be, no doubt."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...o-jurgen-klopp-admits-injury-could-be-massive
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he is open to making signings in January, with the club "always ready" in the transfer market.
It comes after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ruled out bringing in any new arrivals during the winter window - despite his lack of options at centre-back.
Asked if he was surprised about Guardiola's comments, with City 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, Klopp said: "I'm not here to speak about the Man City transfer window.
"I'm only hearing this now for the first time. Am I surprised? No. But it's not important.
"We don't speak about it. We are pretty much always ready - if we can do something which helps us, we will try to do it. If not we will not."
Most managers are reluctant to do business in January due to inflated transfer fees, but Klopp is unsure if there is any real difference compared to the summer window.
He is, though, unhappy with the summer transfer window closing earlier for English clubs than the rest of Europe.
"I think the summer window is really difficult because of the different moments when it closes in Europe," he added.
"That makes it really difficult. We'll see how that goes in the future but the summer window only hurts English clubs and doesn't help them. It's not cool."
Klopp is no stranger to making signings in January. In the 2018 winter window, he brought Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool from Southampton for £75m, a record fee for a defender at the time.
It is a signing that has paid off for Klopp and Liverpool, with Van Dijk coming second in the 2019 Ballon d'Or rankings - behind Barcelona forward Lionel Messi - at Monday's ceremony in Paris.
"Lionel Messi, as I have said 500,000 times, is the best player I saw in my lifetime," said Klopp. "He rightly so won it six times and Cristiano won it five times.
"But I can't remember a more impressive season of a defender ever. So I think it would have been right as well if Virgil van Dijk won it. I heard it was pretty close."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...n-klopp-open-to-liverpool-signings-in-january
It comes after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ruled out bringing in any new arrivals during the winter window - despite his lack of options at centre-back.
Asked if he was surprised about Guardiola's comments, with City 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, Klopp said: "I'm not here to speak about the Man City transfer window.
"I'm only hearing this now for the first time. Am I surprised? No. But it's not important.
"We don't speak about it. We are pretty much always ready - if we can do something which helps us, we will try to do it. If not we will not."
Most managers are reluctant to do business in January due to inflated transfer fees, but Klopp is unsure if there is any real difference compared to the summer window.
He is, though, unhappy with the summer transfer window closing earlier for English clubs than the rest of Europe.
"I think the summer window is really difficult because of the different moments when it closes in Europe," he added.
"That makes it really difficult. We'll see how that goes in the future but the summer window only hurts English clubs and doesn't help them. It's not cool."
Klopp is no stranger to making signings in January. In the 2018 winter window, he brought Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool from Southampton for £75m, a record fee for a defender at the time.
It is a signing that has paid off for Klopp and Liverpool, with Van Dijk coming second in the 2019 Ballon d'Or rankings - behind Barcelona forward Lionel Messi - at Monday's ceremony in Paris.
"Lionel Messi, as I have said 500,000 times, is the best player I saw in my lifetime," said Klopp. "He rightly so won it six times and Cristiano won it five times.
"But I can't remember a more impressive season of a defender ever. So I think it would have been right as well if Virgil van Dijk won it. I heard it was pretty close."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...n-klopp-open-to-liverpool-signings-in-january
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 49,026
Not sure about this, Everton might not be in good form but are bitter rivals. Its never an easy game even at home.
Im sure Klopp will change quickly if he needs to.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool have named a strong 23-man squad for the Fifa Club World Cup - which clashes with their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa.
Eighteen of the 19 players named in Jurgen Klopp's two Premier League matchday squads over the past week will travel to Qatar.
Youngsters Rhian Brewster, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams have also been named in the party.
It means the quartet are set to miss the cup match at Villa.
The selection confirms that Liverpool are concentrating their senior player resources on the Club World Cup as they deal with a schedule clash.
Klopp's side will play at Villa on 17 December at 19:45 GMT and will compete in the Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar the following day at 17:30 GMT.
The Premier League leaders are fielding different teams in two separate competitions within 24 hours because they said alternative dates were not considered "suitable without compromising the scheduling of the competition itself or placing an undue strain on our playing staff".
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, named on the bench as Liverpool beat Everton 5-2 on Wednesday, is the only player to have featured in a Liverpool first-team matchday squad this week who will not be at the Club World Cup. Andy Lonergan is instead travelling to the tournament as one of three goalkeepers alongside Alisson and Adrian.
Centre-back Joel Matip and midfielder Fabinho are both injured and have not been included in the Club World Cup squad.
Liverpool squad: Alisson, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Adrian, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Lonergan, Shaqiri, Brewster, Robertson, Origi, Jones, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott, Williams.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50668982
Eighteen of the 19 players named in Jurgen Klopp's two Premier League matchday squads over the past week will travel to Qatar.
Youngsters Rhian Brewster, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams have also been named in the party.
It means the quartet are set to miss the cup match at Villa.
The selection confirms that Liverpool are concentrating their senior player resources on the Club World Cup as they deal with a schedule clash.
Klopp's side will play at Villa on 17 December at 19:45 GMT and will compete in the Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar the following day at 17:30 GMT.
The Premier League leaders are fielding different teams in two separate competitions within 24 hours because they said alternative dates were not considered "suitable without compromising the scheduling of the competition itself or placing an undue strain on our playing staff".
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, named on the bench as Liverpool beat Everton 5-2 on Wednesday, is the only player to have featured in a Liverpool first-team matchday squad this week who will not be at the Club World Cup. Andy Lonergan is instead travelling to the tournament as one of three goalkeepers alongside Alisson and Adrian.
Centre-back Joel Matip and midfielder Fabinho are both injured and have not been included in the Club World Cup squad.
Liverpool squad: Alisson, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Adrian, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Lonergan, Shaqiri, Brewster, Robertson, Origi, Jones, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott, Williams.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50668982
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
European champions Liverpool need a point away at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday to be sure of a place in the Champions League last 16.
Liverpool are currently top of Group E and will guarantee top spot with a win.
Salzburg, who lost 4-3 at Anfield in October, need to win and hope Napoli are beaten by Belgian side Genk.
"Everybody knows it's a final and we're prepared for that - Salzburg has to win against us," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
"We are not a typical Champions League winner, we're still ambitious like crazy, we will go for everything and run for our lives.
"It's not that I expect us to go through, I expect us to play the best game we can play."
Reds midfielder Adam Lallana misses out through injury, but central defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum are both in the 19-man squad.
Liverpool, who beat Tottenham 2-0 in last season's final in June, could have qualified with a game to spare if they had beaten Napoli in their last Champions League match, but the Italian side held them to a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
If the Reds lose to Salzburg, they will need Genk to take points off Napoli or Klopp's side will drop down to the Europa League.
Who needs what in the Champions League?
Group E, Liverpool first, Napoli second, Red Bull Salzburg third, Genk fourth
There is one scenario where Liverpool will still qualify if they lose, but they need to score four away goals or more and only lose by one goal (eg a 5-4 defeat)
Lovren went off just before half-time in Saturday's 3-0 win at Bournemouth but trained on Monday, while Wijnaldum, who missed the game against the Cherries, has also travelled.
When these two teams met in October, goals from Sadio Mane, Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 3-0 lead after 36 minutes.
However, the Austrians fought back to make it 3-3, although Salah then scored again to seal a 4-3 victory.
Salzburg, top of the Austrian Bundesliga, have scored 87 goals in 24 games in all competitions this season, 28 of which have come from 19-year-old Norwegian Erling Braut Haaland in only 21 appearances.
Match facts
Head-to-head
This will be the second competitive meeting between Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool, following their game at Anfield on matchday two in which the Reds won 4-3, despite leading 3-0 after 36 minutes.
Red Bull Salzburg
Salzburg have lost four of their five matches against English opposition in all European competition, conceding at least twice in every match (13 in total). At home, Salzburg drew 2-2 with Blackburn in September 2006 (Uefa Cup) and lost 0-2 to Man City in September 2010 (Europa League).
Salzburg have won 15 and lost one of their last 20 home games in European competition (including qualifiers), with that defeat coming last time out on home soil versus Napoli.
Striker Erling Braut Haaland has scored in all five of his Champions League games so far, scoring eight goals and averaging a goal every 37 minutes. No player has ever scored in their first six appearances in the competition.
Only Tottenham (17) and Bayern Munich (21) have scored more goals than Salzburg (16) this season. Since 2003-04, the most goals scored by a side in the group stage to be eliminated is 16 scored by Chelsea in the 2012-13 campaign - they went on to win the Europa League.
Liverpool
Liverpool have won five of their seven games against Austrian sides in all European competitions (drew one, lost one), losing only to Grazer AK in a Champions League qualifier in August 2004.
Liverpool have only won two of their last 11 Champions League away group stage games (drew three, lost six), losing four of the last five (won one). The Reds last won consecutive away group games in the competition back in September 2008 under Rafael Benitez.
Neither Liverpool or Salzburg has kept a Champions League clean sheet this season. The Reds could become only the second reigning champion to fail to keep a clean sheet in their first six matches of the following campaign, after Real Madrid in 2016-17 (first 10 games).
Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, the two players with the most Champions League assists are Liverpool duo Roberto Firmino and James Milner with 11 each.
Liverpool conceded three goals from five shots on target on matchday two against Salzburg; the most goals they have conceded against an opponent in the Champions League group stage is five, against Galatasaray in 2006-07 and Sevilla in 2017-18.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50667332
Liverpool are currently top of Group E and will guarantee top spot with a win.
Salzburg, who lost 4-3 at Anfield in October, need to win and hope Napoli are beaten by Belgian side Genk.
"Everybody knows it's a final and we're prepared for that - Salzburg has to win against us," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
"We are not a typical Champions League winner, we're still ambitious like crazy, we will go for everything and run for our lives.
"It's not that I expect us to go through, I expect us to play the best game we can play."
Reds midfielder Adam Lallana misses out through injury, but central defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum are both in the 19-man squad.
Liverpool, who beat Tottenham 2-0 in last season's final in June, could have qualified with a game to spare if they had beaten Napoli in their last Champions League match, but the Italian side held them to a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
If the Reds lose to Salzburg, they will need Genk to take points off Napoli or Klopp's side will drop down to the Europa League.
Who needs what in the Champions League?
Group E, Liverpool first, Napoli second, Red Bull Salzburg third, Genk fourth
There is one scenario where Liverpool will still qualify if they lose, but they need to score four away goals or more and only lose by one goal (eg a 5-4 defeat)
Lovren went off just before half-time in Saturday's 3-0 win at Bournemouth but trained on Monday, while Wijnaldum, who missed the game against the Cherries, has also travelled.
When these two teams met in October, goals from Sadio Mane, Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 3-0 lead after 36 minutes.
However, the Austrians fought back to make it 3-3, although Salah then scored again to seal a 4-3 victory.
Salzburg, top of the Austrian Bundesliga, have scored 87 goals in 24 games in all competitions this season, 28 of which have come from 19-year-old Norwegian Erling Braut Haaland in only 21 appearances.
Match facts
Head-to-head
This will be the second competitive meeting between Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool, following their game at Anfield on matchday two in which the Reds won 4-3, despite leading 3-0 after 36 minutes.
Red Bull Salzburg
Salzburg have lost four of their five matches against English opposition in all European competition, conceding at least twice in every match (13 in total). At home, Salzburg drew 2-2 with Blackburn in September 2006 (Uefa Cup) and lost 0-2 to Man City in September 2010 (Europa League).
Salzburg have won 15 and lost one of their last 20 home games in European competition (including qualifiers), with that defeat coming last time out on home soil versus Napoli.
Striker Erling Braut Haaland has scored in all five of his Champions League games so far, scoring eight goals and averaging a goal every 37 minutes. No player has ever scored in their first six appearances in the competition.
Only Tottenham (17) and Bayern Munich (21) have scored more goals than Salzburg (16) this season. Since 2003-04, the most goals scored by a side in the group stage to be eliminated is 16 scored by Chelsea in the 2012-13 campaign - they went on to win the Europa League.
Liverpool
Liverpool have won five of their seven games against Austrian sides in all European competitions (drew one, lost one), losing only to Grazer AK in a Champions League qualifier in August 2004.
Liverpool have only won two of their last 11 Champions League away group stage games (drew three, lost six), losing four of the last five (won one). The Reds last won consecutive away group games in the competition back in September 2008 under Rafael Benitez.
Neither Liverpool or Salzburg has kept a Champions League clean sheet this season. The Reds could become only the second reigning champion to fail to keep a clean sheet in their first six matches of the following campaign, after Real Madrid in 2016-17 (first 10 games).
Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, the two players with the most Champions League assists are Liverpool duo Roberto Firmino and James Milner with 11 each.
Liverpool conceded three goals from five shots on target on matchday two against Salzburg; the most goals they have conceded against an opponent in the Champions League group stage is five, against Galatasaray in 2006-07 and Sevilla in 2017-18.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50667332
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Flights have been cancelled after a private plane came off the runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The airport is expected to be closed until 17:00 GMT and an inquiry has been launched into what happened when the plane landed at about 06:00.
Four people were on board the plane but no-one was hurt, a spokesman for the airport has confirmed.
A source at Liverpool Football Club confirmed the private jet was carrying one of the club's owners, Mike Gordon.
Mr Gordon, who is the president of Fenway Sports Group, was on a flight from Bedford, Massachusetts to Liverpool to attend a regular meeting at the club.
"He was not injured but would like to pass on his appreciation to the staff at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the emergency services for their amazing work," the source said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-50740693
The airport is expected to be closed until 17:00 GMT and an inquiry has been launched into what happened when the plane landed at about 06:00.
Four people were on board the plane but no-one was hurt, a spokesman for the airport has confirmed.
A source at Liverpool Football Club confirmed the private jet was carrying one of the club's owners, Mike Gordon.
Mr Gordon, who is the president of Fenway Sports Group, was on a flight from Bedford, Massachusetts to Liverpool to attend a regular meeting at the club.
"He was not injured but would like to pass on his appreciation to the staff at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the emergency services for their amazing work," the source said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-50740693
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,826
Liverpool interested in Takumi Minamino January transfer
Liverpool are interested in signing RB Salzburg's Takumi Minamino when the January transfer window opens.
The Japan attacking midfielder impressed against Liverpool in their two Champions League group games this season, scoring at Anfield.
The 24-year-old has a £7.25m release clause in his contract, which has alerted a number of Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs, so the Reds are accelerating their interest.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...nterested-in-takumi-minamino-january-transfer
Liverpool are interested in signing RB Salzburg's Takumi Minamino when the January transfer window opens.
The Japan attacking midfielder impressed against Liverpool in their two Champions League group games this season, scoring at Anfield.
The 24-year-old has a £7.25m release clause in his contract, which has alerted a number of Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs, so the Reds are accelerating their interest.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...nterested-in-takumi-minamino-january-transfer
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,826
Jurgen Klopp signs new Liverpool deal until 2024
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50780855
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a new deal with the club that will run until 2024.
Klopp, who joined the Reds in October 2015, signed a new six-year contract in July 2016 and that has now been extended further.
Liverpool won the Champions League under the German last season and finished second in the Premier League.
They lead the top flight this season and have an eight-point lead in pursuit of a first league title since 1990.
"This club is in such a good place, I couldn't contemplate leaving," Klopp, 52, told Liverpool's website.
"For me personally this is a statement of intent, one which is built on my knowledge of what we as a partnership have achieved so far and what is still there for us to achieve.
"When I see the development of the club and the collaborative work that continues to take place, I feel my contribution can only grow.
"People see what happens on the pitch as a measure of our progress and although it is the best measure, it's not the only measure. I have seen the commitment from ownership through to every aspect and function of the club you can think of.
"When the call came in autumn 2015, I felt we were perfect for each other; if anything, now I feel I underestimated that.
"It is only with a total belief that the collaboration remains totally complementary on both sides that I am able to make this commitment to 2024.
"If I didn't, I would not be re-signing."
Liverpool lost only one game in the Premier League last season as they amassed 97 points but missed out on the title by a point to Manchester City.
This time around, they are unbeaten in the league - having won 15 and drawn one of their 16 games - and hold an eight-point lead over second-placed Leicester City and a 14-point advantage over Manchester City.
The Reds host Watford on Saturday at 12:30 GMT before their main squad head off to Qatar to play in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Liverpool have also progressed through to the knockout stages of the Champions League as they attempt to defend a trophy they won in June by beating Tottenham in Madrid.
Klopp, who joined the Reds in October 2015, signed a new six-year contract in July 2016 and that has now been extended further.
Liverpool won the Champions League under the German last season and finished second in the Premier League.
They lead the top flight this season and have an eight-point lead in pursuit of a first league title since 1990.
"This club is in such a good place, I couldn't contemplate leaving," Klopp, 52, told Liverpool's website.
"For me personally this is a statement of intent, one which is built on my knowledge of what we as a partnership have achieved so far and what is still there for us to achieve.
"When I see the development of the club and the collaborative work that continues to take place, I feel my contribution can only grow.
"People see what happens on the pitch as a measure of our progress and although it is the best measure, it's not the only measure. I have seen the commitment from ownership through to every aspect and function of the club you can think of.
"When the call came in autumn 2015, I felt we were perfect for each other; if anything, now I feel I underestimated that.
"It is only with a total belief that the collaboration remains totally complementary on both sides that I am able to make this commitment to 2024.
"If I didn't, I would not be re-signing."
Liverpool lost only one game in the Premier League last season as they amassed 97 points but missed out on the title by a point to Manchester City.
This time around, they are unbeaten in the league - having won 15 and drawn one of their 16 games - and hold an eight-point lead over second-placed Leicester City and a 14-point advantage over Manchester City.
The Reds host Watford on Saturday at 12:30 GMT before their main squad head off to Qatar to play in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Liverpool have also progressed through to the knockout stages of the Champions League as they attempt to defend a trophy they won in June by beating Tottenham in Madrid.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Liverpool: James Milner signs contract extension until 2022
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50789231
Liverpool midfielder James Milner has agreed a contract extension to stay at the Premier League leaders until 2022.
The 33-year-old joined the Reds on a free transfer from Manchester City in June 2015 and is in the final season of his present deal.
He won the Champions League with Liverpool last season, adding a Super Cup winners' medal in August.
"This was obviously the ideal for me - stay and play at the highest level as long as I can," Milner said.
"There's a long, long way to go, but we'll keep striving to keep improving and getting success for this club."
The contract extension was announced on the same day that manager Jurgen Klopp signed a new deal of his own until 2024 and Milner quipped: "Obviously the gaffer waited to sign his dependent on whether I signed mine, so that makes me a feel bit more important!"
Milner made his Premier League debut aged 16 for Leeds in 2002 and is sixth in the all-time appearances list.
He first played for England in 2009 and won 61 caps, announcing his international retirement in 2016.
Milner has made 198 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 25 goals and featuring in five cup finals.
He has played 21 times so far this season as the Reds have opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League and progressed to the Champions League last 16.
The 33-year-old joined the Reds on a free transfer from Manchester City in June 2015 and is in the final season of his present deal.
He won the Champions League with Liverpool last season, adding a Super Cup winners' medal in August.
"This was obviously the ideal for me - stay and play at the highest level as long as I can," Milner said.
"There's a long, long way to go, but we'll keep striving to keep improving and getting success for this club."
The contract extension was announced on the same day that manager Jurgen Klopp signed a new deal of his own until 2024 and Milner quipped: "Obviously the gaffer waited to sign his dependent on whether I signed mine, so that makes me a feel bit more important!"
Milner made his Premier League debut aged 16 for Leeds in 2002 and is sixth in the all-time appearances list.
He first played for England in 2009 and won 61 caps, announcing his international retirement in 2016.
Milner has made 198 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 25 goals and featuring in five cup finals.
He has played 21 times so far this season as the Reds have opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League and progressed to the Champions League last 16.
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 49,026
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has forcibly rejected the idea that the Champions League could be expanded.
Following a 2-0 win against Watford on Saturday, the Premier League leaders will next face Aston Villa in a Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
And less than 24 hours after that, they will play in a Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar.
"We have to cut off games not put more in. Until then we have to do what we do," said Klopp.
Klopp will fly to Qatar with a senior 23-man squad on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's under-23s coach Neil Critchley is expected to take charge of a youthful side for Tuesday's game at Villa Park.
What happened in the Premier League?
Note: This article contains a word some readers may find offensive
Liverpool are among six Premier League clubs reportedly supporting plans to expand the Champions League group stage to 32 teams.
"Today I read the top clubs want more games in the Champions League," said Klopp. "I am not involved in these plans. That's absolute ********."
When asked about the fixture congestion that sees his side play eight matches in four weeks in three competitions on two continents, he said: "We have to deal with it."
Liverpool are competing in seven competitions this season and could play up to 67 games in 300 days if they go all the way in each of them - an average of a game every 4.5 days.
They have already played 27 matches in all competitions and will have played 31 before the new year.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50797114
Following a 2-0 win against Watford on Saturday, the Premier League leaders will next face Aston Villa in a Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
And less than 24 hours after that, they will play in a Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar.
"We have to cut off games not put more in. Until then we have to do what we do," said Klopp.
Klopp will fly to Qatar with a senior 23-man squad on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's under-23s coach Neil Critchley is expected to take charge of a youthful side for Tuesday's game at Villa Park.
What happened in the Premier League?
Note: This article contains a word some readers may find offensive
Liverpool are among six Premier League clubs reportedly supporting plans to expand the Champions League group stage to 32 teams.
"Today I read the top clubs want more games in the Champions League," said Klopp. "I am not involved in these plans. That's absolute ********."
When asked about the fixture congestion that sees his side play eight matches in four weeks in three competitions on two continents, he said: "We have to deal with it."
Liverpool are competing in seven competitions this season and could play up to 67 games in 300 days if they go all the way in each of them - an average of a game every 4.5 days.
They have already played 27 matches in all competitions and will have played 31 before the new year.
Klopp was dealt a blow on Saturday, despite his side battling to victory over bottom-of-the-table Watford, when midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was forced off with a muscle injury after an hour.
On Friday, centre-back Dejan Lovren was also ruled out through injury, with Klopp stating the club "don't have a timeframe" on when he will return.
Liverpool's squad has been heavily rotated this month. Klopp made seven changes in the 3-0 win at Bournemouth and six in the previous victory against Everton.
He has also shown faith in Liverpool's young players, placing importance on keeping the squad fresh.
He handed a debut to 18-year-old Curtis Jones last week before naming Neco Williams, 18, on the bench at Anfield on Saturday.
Williams and Jones could be one of four young players - Rhian Brewster and Harvey Elliott the others - that could fly to Qatar immediately after taking part in the EFL Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa.
"With the Gini's [Wijnaldum] injury today and Dejan's three or four days ago - I don't know who was injured three days before that but for sure, somebody - our squad is not getting bigger," Klopp said.
"Our main problem is about losing players. We are fine with the number of fixtures but losing players does not make it any easier."
'Sensationally good organisation'
Heavy fixture congestion and injuries are not Klopp's only concern - he is worried the conditions in Qatar and the organisation of the Club World Cup, a tournament the Reds have never won, will go against them.
"I think it's raining there which doesn't help the pitch. The one pitch we are all playing on, which is sensationally good organisation - where all the games are on one pitch and it's raining," he said.
"I'm not sure if people in Qatar are used to a lot of rain. We will see how the pitch will be. That's a bit of a problem.
"But we don't have more games. We have one game more and that is it. Until then, we will try to sort it as good as possible for us."
On Friday, centre-back Dejan Lovren was also ruled out through injury, with Klopp stating the club "don't have a timeframe" on when he will return.
Liverpool's squad has been heavily rotated this month. Klopp made seven changes in the 3-0 win at Bournemouth and six in the previous victory against Everton.
He has also shown faith in Liverpool's young players, placing importance on keeping the squad fresh.
He handed a debut to 18-year-old Curtis Jones last week before naming Neco Williams, 18, on the bench at Anfield on Saturday.
Williams and Jones could be one of four young players - Rhian Brewster and Harvey Elliott the others - that could fly to Qatar immediately after taking part in the EFL Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa.
"With the Gini's [Wijnaldum] injury today and Dejan's three or four days ago - I don't know who was injured three days before that but for sure, somebody - our squad is not getting bigger," Klopp said.
"Our main problem is about losing players. We are fine with the number of fixtures but losing players does not make it any easier."
'Sensationally good organisation'
Heavy fixture congestion and injuries are not Klopp's only concern - he is worried the conditions in Qatar and the organisation of the Club World Cup, a tournament the Reds have never won, will go against them.
"I think it's raining there which doesn't help the pitch. The one pitch we are all playing on, which is sensationally good organisation - where all the games are on one pitch and it's raining," he said.
"I'm not sure if people in Qatar are used to a lot of rain. We will see how the pitch will be. That's a bit of a problem.
"But we don't have more games. We have one game more and that is it. Until then, we will try to sort it as good as possible for us."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50797114
Minamino is going to be one hell of a coup - a player of his calibre for £7-8mn is a day light robbery.
I think, these are the type of signing that actually tells about Klopp the manager. Apart from the technical skills & versatility of playing at multiple positions across attacking line, this guy comes with high energy, extreme work ethics and a mentally that’s essential for Klopp’s formation. He is probably going to be 5th singing for Klopp from the soccer school of RB’s football Director - Ralf Rangnick. Other four are Matip, Firmino, Naby & Mane. And, this signing should make an instant fan favourite in Japan.
But, what we impressed me most, is how Klopp thinks, plans his squad and how much he values on a happy squad. Money is not a problem for him now, and he can buy almost anyone available there; but there is a problem with that - something Pep is facing at MCity. There is hardly any forward in world now who can take out one of the spots of Liverpool’s front three; therefore whoever comes will have to spend significant time on bench. This is a major problem if you fill your squad with galacticos from top soccer nations - anyone sitting on bench is risking his national spot. This guy Minamino can seat whole season on LFC bench, still his spot in Japan’s starting XI won’t be in risk. This is where I found Klopp outstanding- he is collecting top quality talents from less stronger countries. Individually brilliant players and regardless of game time, automatic choice for their national team. Sir Alex used same tactics.
We probably will buy one more player in January, but I don’t expect any marque signing. I guess,
Klopp will spend massively in summer window.
I think, these are the type of signing that actually tells about Klopp the manager. Apart from the technical skills & versatility of playing at multiple positions across attacking line, this guy comes with high energy, extreme work ethics and a mentally that’s essential for Klopp’s formation. He is probably going to be 5th singing for Klopp from the soccer school of RB’s football Director - Ralf Rangnick. Other four are Matip, Firmino, Naby & Mane. And, this signing should make an instant fan favourite in Japan.
But, what we impressed me most, is how Klopp thinks, plans his squad and how much he values on a happy squad. Money is not a problem for him now, and he can buy almost anyone available there; but there is a problem with that - something Pep is facing at MCity. There is hardly any forward in world now who can take out one of the spots of Liverpool’s front three; therefore whoever comes will have to spend significant time on bench. This is a major problem if you fill your squad with galacticos from top soccer nations - anyone sitting on bench is risking his national spot. This guy Minamino can seat whole season on LFC bench, still his spot in Japan’s starting XI won’t be in risk. This is where I found Klopp outstanding- he is collecting top quality talents from less stronger countries. Individually brilliant players and regardless of game time, automatic choice for their national team. Sir Alex used same tactics.
We probably will buy one more player in January, but I don’t expect any marque signing. I guess,
Klopp will spend massively in summer window.
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 49,026
From next season Liverpool want to be competing to win in all competitions. Of course we want to win the league first and it will happen this year, there is no doubt. The next step is to win FA cup and League cup too in the same season along with trying to defend the title and get to 7 in the CL. Minamino will not be sat on the bench all season.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jurgen Klopp says he is the "wrong person" to address concerns over Qatar's human rights record.
Liverpool are in the country for their Club World Cup semi-final with Mexican side Monterrey on Wednesday.
Concerns have been expressed about the country hosting this event and the 2022 World Cup because of its stance on homosexuality and immigrant workers' rights, among other issues.
"Organisers have to think about these things, not the athletes," Klopp said.
"When sportsmen have to decide to be part of a competition, it's not right."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50820195
Liverpool are in the country for their Club World Cup semi-final with Mexican side Monterrey on Wednesday.
Concerns have been expressed about the country hosting this event and the 2022 World Cup because of its stance on homosexuality and immigrant workers' rights, among other issues.
"Organisers have to think about these things, not the athletes," Klopp said.
"When sportsmen have to decide to be part of a competition, it's not right."
The Reds won the Champions League in June to qualify for the tournament, held at Khalifa International Stadium, which will also host matches at the 2022 World Cup.
According to a report by the International Trades Union Confederation in 2013, more than 1,200 workers from Nepal and India had died on construction projects in Qatar linked to the World Cup, including non-football infrastructure schemes, in the previous three years.
The ITUC said at the time that if deaths continued at that rate then they could reach 4,000 - although it has now dropped its complaints against Qatar following improvements in workers' rights in the country.
Qatar has always disputed those figures, saying the deaths cannot be linked directly to the World Cup.
In February Amnesty International said that although progress has been made, Qatar "must step up efforts to honour labour rights promises" before the 2022 World Cup begins.
"I have an opinion on football but this is a real serious thing to talk about I think and the answers should come from people who know more about it," Klopp said before Wednesday's semi-final against Mexican club Monterrey.
"I have to be influential in football but not in politics. Anything I say wouldn't help, it would just create another headline, positive or negative.
"I like that you ask the question but I think I am the wrong person.
"My personal opinion, I have one of course, is of course I think we should all be treated equally, that is clear.
"But we don't have the time to judge things when we are here, we only have time for training."
Paul Amman, founder of Liverpool LGBT+ fans group Kop Out, was invited by the organisers of the 2020 World Cup to visit the country last month with his husband.
Amman, who is not in Qatar for the Monterrey match, although other members of Kop Out are, told BBC Sport: "Qatar has moved significantly in recent years, especially in migrant workers' rights and in capacity and capability to host major events.
"I do not feel this has moved enough yet, but there is still progress being made and to be made.
"Football and its fans have a power to help change things for the better in Qatar for migrant workers, for LGBT+ people, and for our experience and safety at tournaments.
"The experience has led my husband to confirm that it was right that we took the chance and visited."
According to a report by the International Trades Union Confederation in 2013, more than 1,200 workers from Nepal and India had died on construction projects in Qatar linked to the World Cup, including non-football infrastructure schemes, in the previous three years.
The ITUC said at the time that if deaths continued at that rate then they could reach 4,000 - although it has now dropped its complaints against Qatar following improvements in workers' rights in the country.
Qatar has always disputed those figures, saying the deaths cannot be linked directly to the World Cup.
In February Amnesty International said that although progress has been made, Qatar "must step up efforts to honour labour rights promises" before the 2022 World Cup begins.
"I have an opinion on football but this is a real serious thing to talk about I think and the answers should come from people who know more about it," Klopp said before Wednesday's semi-final against Mexican club Monterrey.
"I have to be influential in football but not in politics. Anything I say wouldn't help, it would just create another headline, positive or negative.
"I like that you ask the question but I think I am the wrong person.
"My personal opinion, I have one of course, is of course I think we should all be treated equally, that is clear.
"But we don't have the time to judge things when we are here, we only have time for training."
Paul Amman, founder of Liverpool LGBT+ fans group Kop Out, was invited by the organisers of the 2020 World Cup to visit the country last month with his husband.
Amman, who is not in Qatar for the Monterrey match, although other members of Kop Out are, told BBC Sport: "Qatar has moved significantly in recent years, especially in migrant workers' rights and in capacity and capability to host major events.
"I do not feel this has moved enough yet, but there is still progress being made and to be made.
"Football and its fans have a power to help change things for the better in Qatar for migrant workers, for LGBT+ people, and for our experience and safety at tournaments.
"The experience has led my husband to confirm that it was right that we took the chance and visited."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50820195
KingKhan12
Tape Ball Star
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2018
- Runs
- 607
Liverpool's Under-23s boss Neil Critchley has defended the club's decision to play their youngest-ever side in the 5-0 defeat by Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The average age of the team was 19 years and 182 days, with Liverpool's senior side at the Club World Cup.
Critchley, who took charge of the team, said: "Try telling those players it was a bad evening for them.
"My overwhelming feeling was one of immense pride."
'We are the beneficiaries of the first team's success'
Before kick-off, some pundits had felt Liverpool would have been better sending a mix of youth and experience to both the EFL Cup and the Club World Cup, while there some criticisms of the English Football League on social media for not re-scheduling Tuesday's game.
However, Critchley felt the club made the best of unusual circumstances.
"This was decided by the club as the best solution," he added.
"We are the beneficiaries of the success of the first team and we could not have done much more."
Some of the youngsters have now headed out to Qatar to join the first team, while Critchley revealed that Villa boss Dean Smith and his assistant John Terry came into the Liverpool dressing room at the end of the match.
"We just told the Liverpool players, 'well done' and keep working at what they are doing," said Smith.
"I came through coaching those sorts of age groups. It was great to see them on that stage tonight; we had to be very professional.
"It was a bit of a weird game, probably the weirdest one I've been involved in for a quarter-final of a major competition. They had technically gifted players, were tactically switched on and they made it very difficult for us at times."
This was Liverpool's youngest side in their 127-year history, eclipsing the previous youngest team Liverpool fielded, in an FA Cup game against Plymouth in 2017. The average age of that side 21 years and 296 days.
The oldest players in the Reds' side on Tuesday were captain for the night Pedro Chirivella and Isaac Christie-Davies, both 22.
Harvey Elliott, 16, Tom Hill, 17, and Luis Longstaff, 18, made up the front three.
Chirivella started the game with the most senior Liverpool appearances with seven. Herbie Kane had the most first-team appearances with 50, although 49 of those were for Doncaster last season.
Seven of the 11 Liverpool players on the pitch at the end of the game were teenagers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50827321
The average age of the team was 19 years and 182 days, with Liverpool's senior side at the Club World Cup.
Critchley, who took charge of the team, said: "Try telling those players it was a bad evening for them.
"My overwhelming feeling was one of immense pride."
'We are the beneficiaries of the first team's success'
Before kick-off, some pundits had felt Liverpool would have been better sending a mix of youth and experience to both the EFL Cup and the Club World Cup, while there some criticisms of the English Football League on social media for not re-scheduling Tuesday's game.
However, Critchley felt the club made the best of unusual circumstances.
"This was decided by the club as the best solution," he added.
"We are the beneficiaries of the success of the first team and we could not have done much more."
Some of the youngsters have now headed out to Qatar to join the first team, while Critchley revealed that Villa boss Dean Smith and his assistant John Terry came into the Liverpool dressing room at the end of the match.
"We just told the Liverpool players, 'well done' and keep working at what they are doing," said Smith.
"I came through coaching those sorts of age groups. It was great to see them on that stage tonight; we had to be very professional.
"It was a bit of a weird game, probably the weirdest one I've been involved in for a quarter-final of a major competition. They had technically gifted players, were tactically switched on and they made it very difficult for us at times."
This was Liverpool's youngest side in their 127-year history, eclipsing the previous youngest team Liverpool fielded, in an FA Cup game against Plymouth in 2017. The average age of that side 21 years and 296 days.
The oldest players in the Reds' side on Tuesday were captain for the night Pedro Chirivella and Isaac Christie-Davies, both 22.
Harvey Elliott, 16, Tom Hill, 17, and Luis Longstaff, 18, made up the front three.
Chirivella started the game with the most senior Liverpool appearances with seven. Herbie Kane had the most first-team appearances with 50, although 49 of those were for Doncaster last season.
Seven of the 11 Liverpool players on the pitch at the end of the game were teenagers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50827321
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Red Bull Salzburg winger Takumi Minamino will have a Liverpool medical on Wednesday and is set to join the Premier League leaders on 1 January.
The Japan international, 24, is thought to have a release clause of £7.25m.
Minamino has scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 22 appearances for Salzburg this season.
He played in both of his side's Champions League group games against the Reds this season, netting in the 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October.
Liverpool won 2-0 in Salzburg on 10 December to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition, where they will face Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
Despite playing against the Reds in this season's Champions League, Minamino would be eligible to play for the European champions in the knockout stages of the tournament following a rule change by Uefa last year.
The Japanese, who Liverpool believe is worth more than treble his release clause, would also bolster a squad 10 points clear of second-placed Leicester City at the top of the Premier League, as the Reds look to win their first top-flight title since 1990.
Liverpool were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Aston Villa on Tuesday. The Reds' youngest-ever starting line-up - fielded because the first-team squad are in Qatar for the Club World Cup - lost 5-0 at Villa Park.
You can watch Liverpool's semi-final against Mexican side Monterrey in Doha live on BBC Two from 17:00 GMT on Wednesday (kick-off 17:30).
Jurgen Klopp's team also face a tough FA Cup third-round tie against Merseyside rivals Everton on 5 January.
Midfielder Fabinho remains sidelined by injury, along with defenders Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren. Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who went off injured during Saturday's win over Watford, has travelled with the squad to Qatar but will not be available to face Monterrey.
Club World Cup semi-final: Monterrey v Liverpool
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar Date: Wednesday, 18 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50833676
The Japan international, 24, is thought to have a release clause of £7.25m.
Minamino has scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 22 appearances for Salzburg this season.
He played in both of his side's Champions League group games against the Reds this season, netting in the 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October.
Liverpool won 2-0 in Salzburg on 10 December to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition, where they will face Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
Despite playing against the Reds in this season's Champions League, Minamino would be eligible to play for the European champions in the knockout stages of the tournament following a rule change by Uefa last year.
The Japanese, who Liverpool believe is worth more than treble his release clause, would also bolster a squad 10 points clear of second-placed Leicester City at the top of the Premier League, as the Reds look to win their first top-flight title since 1990.
Liverpool were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Aston Villa on Tuesday. The Reds' youngest-ever starting line-up - fielded because the first-team squad are in Qatar for the Club World Cup - lost 5-0 at Villa Park.
You can watch Liverpool's semi-final against Mexican side Monterrey in Doha live on BBC Two from 17:00 GMT on Wednesday (kick-off 17:30).
Jurgen Klopp's team also face a tough FA Cup third-round tie against Merseyside rivals Everton on 5 January.
Midfielder Fabinho remains sidelined by injury, along with defenders Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren. Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who went off injured during Saturday's win over Watford, has travelled with the squad to Qatar but will not be available to face Monterrey.
Club World Cup semi-final: Monterrey v Liverpool
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar Date: Wednesday, 18 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50833676
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool have confirmed they will sign winger Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg when the transfer window opens on 1 January.
The Japan international, who is thought to have a release clause of £7.25m, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal until summer 2024.
Minamino, 24, has scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 22 appearances for the Austrian side this season.
"It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player," he said.
Minamino finalised personal terms and passed a medical on Merseyside on Wednesday.
"To play in the Premier League was one of my targets," he added.
"I think this is the top-class league in the world. I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League.
"But I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I'm really happy about it. I'm looking forward to it."
Minamino played in both of his side's Champions League group games against the Reds this season, scoring in the 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October.
Despite that, he would be eligible to play for the European champions in the knockout stages of the tournament following a rule change by Uefa last year.
"From those games I learned this team has such a high level of technique and intensity," he said.
"Their football is of such a high level and I did feel that they were the champions of the Champions League. Feeling that, it makes me feel even happier that I can play in this team. I'm really happy to be part of that team.
"My target is to win the Premier League and the Champions League, and to make good contributions to the team."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the fans know what to expect from Minamino having seen him face the Reds recently.
"Takumi is a very quick, very clever player - he finds space between the lines," added Klopp.
"He is brave with the ball but also brave without the ball - a proper team player. He makes the best of himself for the benefit of others.
"His Champions League experience is a big bonus and coming from the club and organisation he does, we know he'll be well coached, used to an elite environment and had all the right experiences."
Liverpool only made three senior signings in the summer, with goalkeepers Adrian and Andy Lonergan arriving on free transfers and young defender Sepp van den Berg joining from PEC Zwolle.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50849473
The Japan international, who is thought to have a release clause of £7.25m, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal until summer 2024.
Minamino, 24, has scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 22 appearances for the Austrian side this season.
"It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player," he said.
Minamino finalised personal terms and passed a medical on Merseyside on Wednesday.
"To play in the Premier League was one of my targets," he added.
"I think this is the top-class league in the world. I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League.
"But I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I'm really happy about it. I'm looking forward to it."
Minamino played in both of his side's Champions League group games against the Reds this season, scoring in the 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October.
Despite that, he would be eligible to play for the European champions in the knockout stages of the tournament following a rule change by Uefa last year.
"From those games I learned this team has such a high level of technique and intensity," he said.
"Their football is of such a high level and I did feel that they were the champions of the Champions League. Feeling that, it makes me feel even happier that I can play in this team. I'm really happy to be part of that team.
"My target is to win the Premier League and the Champions League, and to make good contributions to the team."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the fans know what to expect from Minamino having seen him face the Reds recently.
"Takumi is a very quick, very clever player - he finds space between the lines," added Klopp.
"He is brave with the ball but also brave without the ball - a proper team player. He makes the best of himself for the benefit of others.
"His Champions League experience is a big bonus and coming from the club and organisation he does, we know he'll be well coached, used to an elite environment and had all the right experiences."
Liverpool only made three senior signings in the summer, with goalkeepers Adrian and Andy Lonergan arriving on free transfers and young defender Sepp van den Berg joining from PEC Zwolle.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50849473
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola is the "best manager in the world" and says he has no problem finishing second to the Spaniard.
The pair have been challenging each other at the top of the leagues in both England and Germany since Guardiola arrived at Bayern Munich in 2013.
Klopp's Dortmund and Liverpool sides have never won a league title during that time, but the German does not view his relationship with Guardiola as a typical rivalry.
He said: "I'm lucky that I can say that my teams were at least close to his teams because I've said a lot of times, I think he is the best manager in the world.
"What he is doing with his team is incredible. The way they play, I really like to watch.
"Pep and I, we are different, so our teams mirror our character. He is much finer than I am as a person so he is the gentleman and I look how I look on the touchline. Probably a bit more intense maybe.
"There's no rivalry left or right of football. We respect each other lots but on the pitch we want to beat them, that's normal.
"At the end of the season in most of the seasons he has still won the league. In Germany always, and in England so far as well. That's how it is but I can easily live with that because I have no problem with being second even when I want to be first."
Liverpool currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, 14 ahead of City, meaning Klopp is well set to finally triumph over Guardiola.
With a league title looking increasingly likely and alongside last season's Champions League success, Liverpool's current team has the potential to become an era-defining outfit, yet Klopp is unsure they will go on to dominate for years.
He said: "I don't think that something like that is possible still, this kind of domination in periods.
"It's not too long ago that we had the Barcelona of Pep Guardiola dominating pretty much everything.
"Man City dominating the Premier League for the last years since Pep is here at least. They are incredible and they have to fight each week.
"We don't think about ourselves like this. We don't think that somebody has to name us on the same level with any Ajax team, any United teams or other teams in the world.
"We just want to play the best football we can play and we want to have the best time together we can have."
The Reds will miss their Premier League fixture this weekend as they are currently out in Doha at the FIFA Club World Cup, where the will play Flamengo in Saturday's final.
Klopp has put emphasis on the competition, fielding a young side in their Carabao Cup defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday in order to send a strong squad to Qatar.
The 52-year-old would love another piece of silverware to add to his collection as he is underwhelmed Liverpool have only won one major trophy during his tenure.
Klopp said: "We didn't win a lot. We tried a lot and won so far one competition.
"We tried really often and that's it. Maybe people like the people who try constantly and that's what we are. We don't see ourselves as constant winners, we see ourselves as constant challengers.
"My relationship to my players is very close and I expect a lot from them, but appreciate a lot what they do.
"If you win a game it's about the players, if you lose a game it's about me because my message was not right or they didn't understand what I say. But that's not their fault, it's my fault because I have to say it in a way that everybody can understand it.
"I just celebrate with them after the game because I respect their effort. If we lose or draw and I see how much they invest in the game, it's still worth saying thank you for that."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ep-guardiola-is-the-best-manager-in-the-world
The pair have been challenging each other at the top of the leagues in both England and Germany since Guardiola arrived at Bayern Munich in 2013.
Klopp's Dortmund and Liverpool sides have never won a league title during that time, but the German does not view his relationship with Guardiola as a typical rivalry.
He said: "I'm lucky that I can say that my teams were at least close to his teams because I've said a lot of times, I think he is the best manager in the world.
"What he is doing with his team is incredible. The way they play, I really like to watch.
"Pep and I, we are different, so our teams mirror our character. He is much finer than I am as a person so he is the gentleman and I look how I look on the touchline. Probably a bit more intense maybe.
"There's no rivalry left or right of football. We respect each other lots but on the pitch we want to beat them, that's normal.
"At the end of the season in most of the seasons he has still won the league. In Germany always, and in England so far as well. That's how it is but I can easily live with that because I have no problem with being second even when I want to be first."
Liverpool currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, 14 ahead of City, meaning Klopp is well set to finally triumph over Guardiola.
With a league title looking increasingly likely and alongside last season's Champions League success, Liverpool's current team has the potential to become an era-defining outfit, yet Klopp is unsure they will go on to dominate for years.
He said: "I don't think that something like that is possible still, this kind of domination in periods.
"It's not too long ago that we had the Barcelona of Pep Guardiola dominating pretty much everything.
"Man City dominating the Premier League for the last years since Pep is here at least. They are incredible and they have to fight each week.
"We don't think about ourselves like this. We don't think that somebody has to name us on the same level with any Ajax team, any United teams or other teams in the world.
"We just want to play the best football we can play and we want to have the best time together we can have."
The Reds will miss their Premier League fixture this weekend as they are currently out in Doha at the FIFA Club World Cup, where the will play Flamengo in Saturday's final.
Klopp has put emphasis on the competition, fielding a young side in their Carabao Cup defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday in order to send a strong squad to Qatar.
The 52-year-old would love another piece of silverware to add to his collection as he is underwhelmed Liverpool have only won one major trophy during his tenure.
Klopp said: "We didn't win a lot. We tried a lot and won so far one competition.
"We tried really often and that's it. Maybe people like the people who try constantly and that's what we are. We don't see ourselves as constant winners, we see ourselves as constant challengers.
"My relationship to my players is very close and I expect a lot from them, but appreciate a lot what they do.
"If you win a game it's about the players, if you lose a game it's about me because my message was not right or they didn't understand what I say. But that's not their fault, it's my fault because I have to say it in a way that everybody can understand it.
"I just celebrate with them after the game because I respect their effort. If we lose or draw and I see how much they invest in the game, it's still worth saying thank you for that."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ep-guardiola-is-the-best-manager-in-the-world
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised his players for "passing test after test" after they became Club World Cup champions for the first time by beating Flamengo in Qatar on Saturday.
Roberto Firmino scored the decisive goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 win at the Khalifa International Stadium.
It is the second trophy the Reds have won this season after they beat Chelsea to win the Uefa Super Cup in August.
"The boys dug in again and massively put in a performance," said Klopp.
"They keep getting tested constantly - our life is like this. At the moment we pass test after test after test. We have to make sure we pass further tests as well."
Victory was all the more impressive for Liverpool considering it has come in the middle of a busy December for the 2019 Champions League winners.
The Club World Cup clashed with Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa, meaning they had to send separate teams to compete in the competitions.
A youthful Reds side lost that game 5-0 at Villa Park but the first team were able to add another trophy to the cabinet and they return to England with a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League, as well as a game in hand over their rivals.
Klopp said he was proud of his players for putting in such a strong performance in another final.
He added: "I struggle to find the words to express my respect for the boys. It was incredible. We did so many good things.
"I saw so many sensationally good performances and I am really happy.
"It was a very intense game for different reasons; it was not our best game we have ever played but it was enough to win.
"This was a wonderful night for the club. I said before I didn't not know how it would feel.
"Now I know it feels outstanding, absolutely sensational. I am so proud of the boys."
One concern for Liverpool was a potential injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The England midfielder, 26, was seen using crutches and wearing a protective boot during Liverpool's celebrations having earlier been substituted following an awkward fall.
"Hopefully it is not too serious," Klopp said. "Even he was smiling at the end, which helped us all."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50880259
Roberto Firmino scored the decisive goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 win at the Khalifa International Stadium.
It is the second trophy the Reds have won this season after they beat Chelsea to win the Uefa Super Cup in August.
"The boys dug in again and massively put in a performance," said Klopp.
"They keep getting tested constantly - our life is like this. At the moment we pass test after test after test. We have to make sure we pass further tests as well."
Victory was all the more impressive for Liverpool considering it has come in the middle of a busy December for the 2019 Champions League winners.
The Club World Cup clashed with Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa, meaning they had to send separate teams to compete in the competitions.
A youthful Reds side lost that game 5-0 at Villa Park but the first team were able to add another trophy to the cabinet and they return to England with a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League, as well as a game in hand over their rivals.
Klopp said he was proud of his players for putting in such a strong performance in another final.
He added: "I struggle to find the words to express my respect for the boys. It was incredible. We did so many good things.
"I saw so many sensationally good performances and I am really happy.
"It was a very intense game for different reasons; it was not our best game we have ever played but it was enough to win.
"This was a wonderful night for the club. I said before I didn't not know how it would feel.
"Now I know it feels outstanding, absolutely sensational. I am so proud of the boys."
One concern for Liverpool was a potential injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The England midfielder, 26, was seen using crutches and wearing a protective boot during Liverpool's celebrations having earlier been substituted following an awkward fall.
"Hopefully it is not too serious," Klopp said. "Even he was smiling at the end, which helped us all."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50880259
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss at least the Premier League leaders' next two games with ankle ligament damage.
The England midfielder, 26, was forced off during Saturday's Club World Cup final, returning later to celebrate the 1-0 victory over Flamengo on crutches.
Oxlade-Chamberlain missed almost all of the 2018-19 season with a knee injury.
"We have to see how quick it can settle," said Klopp, whose side face second-placed Leicester on 26 December.
"It can take a while, or it can be quicker."
Klopp said there was "no chance" Oxlade-Chamberlain could make Thursday's match at the King Power Stadium (20:00 GMT kick-off). Liverpool then host Wolves on Sunday (16:30) in what will be their ninth game of a packed December.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50901736
The England midfielder, 26, was forced off during Saturday's Club World Cup final, returning later to celebrate the 1-0 victory over Flamengo on crutches.
Oxlade-Chamberlain missed almost all of the 2018-19 season with a knee injury.
"We have to see how quick it can settle," said Klopp, whose side face second-placed Leicester on 26 December.
"It can take a while, or it can be quicker."
Klopp said there was "no chance" Oxlade-Chamberlain could make Thursday's match at the King Power Stadium (20:00 GMT kick-off). Liverpool then host Wolves on Sunday (16:30) in what will be their ninth game of a packed December.
The German also confirmed three other injured players - midfielder Fabinho and defenders Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip - will also not play again this year.
The Club World Cup was the second trophy Liverpool - who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - have won this season, after they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the Uefa Super Cup in August.
They also won last season's Champions League with a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the final on 1 June.
"We have developed at playing in finals. You get used to the excitement and still doing the right things. We have matured," added 52-year-old Klopp, whose side had been beaten in three finals before victory over Spurs in Madrid.
"We went there to Qatar to achieve something special. We did that, it felt brilliant. We went home, had a proper sleep and now we prepare for Leicester."
The Club World Cup was the second trophy Liverpool - who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - have won this season, after they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the Uefa Super Cup in August.
They also won last season's Champions League with a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the final on 1 June.
"We have developed at playing in finals. You get used to the excitement and still doing the right things. We have matured," added 52-year-old Klopp, whose side had been beaten in three finals before victory over Spurs in Madrid.
"We went there to Qatar to achieve something special. We did that, it felt brilliant. We went home, had a proper sleep and now we prepare for Leicester."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50901736
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says it is "a crime" that some Premier League teams have to play two games in three days over the festive period.
The Reds travel to Leicester on Thursday, before hosting Wolves on Sunday but most other sides only have one day off between games.
After winning the Club World Cup in Qatar and defeat in the Carabao Cup, Liverpool will have played nine games in a packed December.
"It's absolutely not OK," Klopp said.
"And we still have it. None of the managers have a problem with matches on Boxing Day, but playing the 26th and 28th is a crime.
"We can say whatever we want and no-one is really interested but every year it is the same for the coaches involved in it."
Download and listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
The Club World Cup was the second trophy Liverpool - who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - have won this season, after they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the Uefa Super Cup in August.
The semi-final and final in Qatar clashed with Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Aston Villa, meaning they had to send separate teams to compete in the competitions.
Klopp's side, who are chasing a first league title in 30 years, will have two days of rest between festive Premier League fixtures, but 14 sides will only get one day off between matches.
"There is no reason to give teams less than 48 hours to play another Premier League game," Klopp added.
"Sports science doesn't give you something to deal with it. The body needs a specific amount of time to go again. It's easy. That's science. But you ignore that completely."
Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace play West Ham at home on Thursday (15:00 GMT) and just 48 hours later face Southampton away on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
"I enjoy the training, the matches themselves somewhat less so as I think it's harsh to play at the level we play at with just a day's rest," said Hodgson.
"It's too much to ask. I don't enjoy that part, it's a very dangerous period - there can be injuries, there can be fatigue. Suddenly you find yourself looking up the table rather than down."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50903118
The Reds travel to Leicester on Thursday, before hosting Wolves on Sunday but most other sides only have one day off between games.
After winning the Club World Cup in Qatar and defeat in the Carabao Cup, Liverpool will have played nine games in a packed December.
"It's absolutely not OK," Klopp said.
"And we still have it. None of the managers have a problem with matches on Boxing Day, but playing the 26th and 28th is a crime.
"We can say whatever we want and no-one is really interested but every year it is the same for the coaches involved in it."
Download and listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
The Club World Cup was the second trophy Liverpool - who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - have won this season, after they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the Uefa Super Cup in August.
The semi-final and final in Qatar clashed with Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Aston Villa, meaning they had to send separate teams to compete in the competitions.
Klopp's side, who are chasing a first league title in 30 years, will have two days of rest between festive Premier League fixtures, but 14 sides will only get one day off between matches.
"There is no reason to give teams less than 48 hours to play another Premier League game," Klopp added.
"Sports science doesn't give you something to deal with it. The body needs a specific amount of time to go again. It's easy. That's science. But you ignore that completely."
Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace play West Ham at home on Thursday (15:00 GMT) and just 48 hours later face Southampton away on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
"I enjoy the training, the matches themselves somewhat less so as I think it's harsh to play at the level we play at with just a day's rest," said Hodgson.
"It's too much to ask. I don't enjoy that part, it's a very dangerous period - there can be injuries, there can be fatigue. Suddenly you find yourself looking up the table rather than down."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50903118
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool tightened their grip on the Premier League title race even further as they produced a masterclass to overpower nearest challengers Leicester City at The King Power Stadium to extend their lead to an imposing 13 points.
Jurgen Klopp's side started the match 10 points clear of the Foxes with a game in hand - then produced a performance of such stature and dominance it is almost impossible to see how they will not claim their first title in 30 years.
Liverpool's slender half-time lead, courtesy of Roberto Firmino's header from a magnificent Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, did not reflect their superiority - but they turned this into a powerful statement victory after the break.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50847252
Jurgen Klopp's side started the match 10 points clear of the Foxes with a game in hand - then produced a performance of such stature and dominance it is almost impossible to see how they will not claim their first title in 30 years.
Liverpool's slender half-time lead, courtesy of Roberto Firmino's header from a magnificent Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, did not reflect their superiority - but they turned this into a powerful statement victory after the break.
Leicester were enjoying their best spell when Caglar Soyuncu handled in the 71st minute, and substitute James Milner scored from the spot with his first touch seconds after coming on.
Liverpool added the flourishes their magnificent display deserved when Alexander-Arnold set up another for Firmino, who scored with a cool finish, before the England defender got his own reward with a thumping right-foot angled finish.
The leaders have now dropped only two points from their first 18 games and, having lost only one league game last season, it would take a collapse of unthinkable proportions from an outstanding team to cast this huge advantage aside.
'Liverpool confirm 30-year wait is coming to an end'
We don't feel, think or mention title - Klopp
Reaction from the King Power Stadium
What else happened in the Premier League on Thursday?
Flawless Liverpool are champions elect
Liverpool have had too many near misses since their last title win in 1990 to get ahead of themselves - but how can anyone see beyond them this time?
They put together a magnificent campaign last season, with their only defeat - by reigning champions Manchester City - proving decisive. But they are in no mood to be denied this time.
Klopp delighted after 'very important' win
From the first whistle here, despite the flashlights and pyrotechnics designed to whip up the home support and team, Liverpool were in control. They could have scored twice inside the first minute through Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane.
Leicester, suffering a dip in form, were pressed out of their stride relentlessly in a performance without a flaw from Liverpool.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were imperious at the back, while full-backs Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson posed a huge attacking threat while being assured at the back.
Liverpool controlled possession and were always a danger in attack. Leicester may have been in this game until the last 20 minutes, but Klopp's men always had extra gears and went through them to produce a victory of champions.
Leicester's brutal reality check
Leicester City have had their season put into perspective by successive defeats against reigning champions Manchester City and now Liverpool.
It will be a bitter disappointment after hopes were raised just a couple of weeks ago that Brendan Rodgers' team could yet mount a title challenge to rival their miraculous victory in 2015-16.
Leicester lacked patience - Rodgers
That will not be happening now. Liverpool emphasised the gulf between the two sides in brutal style here, barely giving the Foxes a chance and subduing the cacophonous pre-match atmosphere within seconds.
While this was a painful night, Rodgers and his players should draw great encouragement from the manner in which they have muscled between the Premier League's two superpowers and put themselves in prime contention for a place in next season's Champions League.
Rodgers looks like he may have to rebuild some confidence, but there has still been much to admire from Leicester City this season - and still plenty to go for in the months ahead.
Man of the match - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold made two assists, scored one goal and claimed a clean sheet as a part of Liverpool's back four
'An important day for us' - what they said
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to BBC Sport: "I am happy about that. I appreciate it because I do not take it for granted and the boys have to do it every three days. We had big chances at the start of the game, did not score with them but stayed in the game and controlled it.
"It is was difficult for Leicester to get into the game, both teams felt the intensity of the season but we controlled it more and maybe Leicester were not as aggressive, maybe because of us and our positioning. We scored a first goal, super, super, cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino can score from that situation.
"We struggled a bit with their build-up in the second half and we won the balls immediately and then scored the second goal, then the boys were flying. It looked really nice.
"1-0 is not even a result, it was a moment and it could have been difficult when they had set-piece but that is OK, I don't expect a game like this to have a free run because they have so much quality and the season Leicester have had. We were very concentrated and the goals were absolutely nice and an important day for us."
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers to Match of the Day: "We played our last two games against two of arguably the best teams in the history of the Premier League.
"We didn't have enough patience in the first half. We never secured the ball which meant we had to defend for long periods really.
"The players gave everything. It's a great learning game for us. Credit to Liverpool they played well.
"We just didn't have long enough periods with the ball. When you don't against a top team - world champions - it becomes difficult for you.
"We are at the halfway point now. We are 19 games in. It is the bigger picture with these guys. We have come a long way in this period. The players have been brilliant and this is another learning game for them, they see the physicality you need to compete.
"People were trying to put us in a race with Liverpool but we know where we are."
Biggest gap between first and second - the stats
This was the biggest margin of victory in a clash between teams starting the day in the top two of the Premier League since league leaders Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-1 in October 2011
Liverpool have won five consecutive Boxing Day matches for the first time in their league history, winning those games by an aggregate scoreline of 15-0.
Leicester have lost a home Premier League game by a four-goal margin for the first time since a 1-6 defeat to Tottenham in May 2017.
Liverpool have won three consecutive away league matches against Leicester for the first time in their top-flight history.
Roberto Firmino's second goal against Leicester was the 500th Liverpool have scored under Jurgen Klopp in all competitions.
Leicester failed to muster a single shot in the first half of a Premier League game for only the second time this season, also failing to do so in their first meeting with Liverpool in October.
Each of Roberto Firmino's last nine goals in all competitions for Liverpool have come away from Anfield.
Leicester have won just two of the 11 Premier League games under Brendan Rodgers in which Jamie Vardy has failed to score.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has registered 20 assists in the Premier League since start of last season, more than any other player.
James Milner has scored 13 of his 14 penalties for Liverpool in the Premier League, with only Steven Gerrard (32) and Robbie Fowler netting more for the Reds (13).
What's next?
Leicester travel to West Ham on Saturday, 28 December (17:30 GMT), while Liverpool host Wolves the following afternoon (16:30).
Liverpool added the flourishes their magnificent display deserved when Alexander-Arnold set up another for Firmino, who scored with a cool finish, before the England defender got his own reward with a thumping right-foot angled finish.
The leaders have now dropped only two points from their first 18 games and, having lost only one league game last season, it would take a collapse of unthinkable proportions from an outstanding team to cast this huge advantage aside.
'Liverpool confirm 30-year wait is coming to an end'
We don't feel, think or mention title - Klopp
Reaction from the King Power Stadium
What else happened in the Premier League on Thursday?
Flawless Liverpool are champions elect
Liverpool have had too many near misses since their last title win in 1990 to get ahead of themselves - but how can anyone see beyond them this time?
They put together a magnificent campaign last season, with their only defeat - by reigning champions Manchester City - proving decisive. But they are in no mood to be denied this time.
Klopp delighted after 'very important' win
From the first whistle here, despite the flashlights and pyrotechnics designed to whip up the home support and team, Liverpool were in control. They could have scored twice inside the first minute through Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane.
Leicester, suffering a dip in form, were pressed out of their stride relentlessly in a performance without a flaw from Liverpool.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were imperious at the back, while full-backs Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson posed a huge attacking threat while being assured at the back.
Liverpool controlled possession and were always a danger in attack. Leicester may have been in this game until the last 20 minutes, but Klopp's men always had extra gears and went through them to produce a victory of champions.
Leicester's brutal reality check
Leicester City have had their season put into perspective by successive defeats against reigning champions Manchester City and now Liverpool.
It will be a bitter disappointment after hopes were raised just a couple of weeks ago that Brendan Rodgers' team could yet mount a title challenge to rival their miraculous victory in 2015-16.
Leicester lacked patience - Rodgers
That will not be happening now. Liverpool emphasised the gulf between the two sides in brutal style here, barely giving the Foxes a chance and subduing the cacophonous pre-match atmosphere within seconds.
While this was a painful night, Rodgers and his players should draw great encouragement from the manner in which they have muscled between the Premier League's two superpowers and put themselves in prime contention for a place in next season's Champions League.
Rodgers looks like he may have to rebuild some confidence, but there has still been much to admire from Leicester City this season - and still plenty to go for in the months ahead.
Man of the match - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold made two assists, scored one goal and claimed a clean sheet as a part of Liverpool's back four
'An important day for us' - what they said
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to BBC Sport: "I am happy about that. I appreciate it because I do not take it for granted and the boys have to do it every three days. We had big chances at the start of the game, did not score with them but stayed in the game and controlled it.
"It is was difficult for Leicester to get into the game, both teams felt the intensity of the season but we controlled it more and maybe Leicester were not as aggressive, maybe because of us and our positioning. We scored a first goal, super, super, cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino can score from that situation.
"We struggled a bit with their build-up in the second half and we won the balls immediately and then scored the second goal, then the boys were flying. It looked really nice.
"1-0 is not even a result, it was a moment and it could have been difficult when they had set-piece but that is OK, I don't expect a game like this to have a free run because they have so much quality and the season Leicester have had. We were very concentrated and the goals were absolutely nice and an important day for us."
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers to Match of the Day: "We played our last two games against two of arguably the best teams in the history of the Premier League.
"We didn't have enough patience in the first half. We never secured the ball which meant we had to defend for long periods really.
"The players gave everything. It's a great learning game for us. Credit to Liverpool they played well.
"We just didn't have long enough periods with the ball. When you don't against a top team - world champions - it becomes difficult for you.
"We are at the halfway point now. We are 19 games in. It is the bigger picture with these guys. We have come a long way in this period. The players have been brilliant and this is another learning game for them, they see the physicality you need to compete.
"People were trying to put us in a race with Liverpool but we know where we are."
Biggest gap between first and second - the stats
This was the biggest margin of victory in a clash between teams starting the day in the top two of the Premier League since league leaders Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-1 in October 2011
Liverpool have won five consecutive Boxing Day matches for the first time in their league history, winning those games by an aggregate scoreline of 15-0.
Leicester have lost a home Premier League game by a four-goal margin for the first time since a 1-6 defeat to Tottenham in May 2017.
Liverpool have won three consecutive away league matches against Leicester for the first time in their top-flight history.
Roberto Firmino's second goal against Leicester was the 500th Liverpool have scored under Jurgen Klopp in all competitions.
Leicester failed to muster a single shot in the first half of a Premier League game for only the second time this season, also failing to do so in their first meeting with Liverpool in October.
Each of Roberto Firmino's last nine goals in all competitions for Liverpool have come away from Anfield.
Leicester have won just two of the 11 Premier League games under Brendan Rodgers in which Jamie Vardy has failed to score.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has registered 20 assists in the Premier League since start of last season, more than any other player.
James Milner has scored 13 of his 14 penalties for Liverpool in the Premier League, with only Steven Gerrard (32) and Robbie Fowler netting more for the Reds (13).
What's next?
Leicester travel to West Ham on Saturday, 28 December (17:30 GMT), while Liverpool host Wolves the following afternoon (16:30).
Hasan123
Test Star
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2016
- Runs
- 38,432
Tittle race over. The PL is coming to Anfield.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool are investigating an alleged incident between Wolves defender Jonny and a ball boy during the Reds' 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.
The club are looking into claims he came into contact with the youngster while trying to retrieve a ball.
In a statement to Press Association, Liverpool said: "The club will follow established protocols in terms of gathering the relevant information.
"While that process takes place we will be making no further comment."
Wolves are aware of the alleged incident, but are awaiting further feedback from Liverpool.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50942494
The club are looking into claims he came into contact with the youngster while trying to retrieve a ball.
In a statement to Press Association, Liverpool said: "The club will follow established protocols in terms of gathering the relevant information.
"While that process takes place we will be making no further comment."
Wolves are aware of the alleged incident, but are awaiting further feedback from Liverpool.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50942494
uberkoen
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2011
- Runs
- 9,985
No need to be bitter.
Mamoon
ATG
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Runs
- 105,206
- Post of the Week
- 12
The FA would celebrate Liverpool’s title win more frantically than Klopp.
Not sure how u decipher that. It's begrudging respect for our rivals
uberkoen
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2011
- Runs
- 9,985
Here come the conspiracy theories.
The resident troll strikes again. It’s amazing how the FA has helped Livarpool win not just 18 games this season but also last years champions league and the club World Cup. The FA is so powerful I bet Livarpool will win the Euros in 2020.
It’s insane how many people refuse to credit Liverpool for their consistency and genuinely believing the dark forces are helping them win every game.
Why must you constantly make a fool out of yourself? I thought you would’ve learnt something after calling Keita a donkey for being injured.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jürgen Klopp has today been awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month accolade for December.
It’s the fourth time in 2019-20 the boss has claimed the prize, having also won it in August, September and November.
Klopp oversaw another flawless month for Liverpool in the Premier League as they opened up a 13-point lead at the top of the table.
The Reds saw off Everton, Bournemouth, Watford, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the division.
Klopp pipped Watford's Nigel Pearson and Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the prize – the seventh time he has collected it during his Anfield tenure.
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/fi...-premier-league-manager-of-the-month-december
It’s the fourth time in 2019-20 the boss has claimed the prize, having also won it in August, September and November.
Klopp oversaw another flawless month for Liverpool in the Premier League as they opened up a 13-point lead at the top of the table.
The Reds saw off Everton, Bournemouth, Watford, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the division.
Klopp pipped Watford's Nigel Pearson and Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the prize – the seventh time he has collected it during his Anfield tenure.
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/fi...-premier-league-manager-of-the-month-december
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 49,026
Liverpool have won 61 points in the Premier League in 2019-20 - the most any side has ever registered after 21 games in a single season across Europe's big five leagues.
More importantly, 16 points clear at the top.
More importantly, 16 points clear at the top.
Another victory for the boys in their relentless chase for the elusive title. Spurs played well too creating many sitters although I knew without Kane they'd struggle to score. Son always seems to blast it over the bar against us when scoring is much easier
We should have put the game to bed before half time, in the second half at home they would naturally come hard at us. Now lets tank those Mancs at home next week!
We should have put the game to bed before half time, in the second half at home they would naturally come hard at us. Now lets tank those Mancs at home next week!
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says moving the Africa Cup of Nations back to January "is, for us, a catastrophe."
The 2021 tournament has been moved from the summer because of "unfavourable" weather in host country Cameroon.
And the Reds face losing Senegal forward Sadio Mane, Egypt winger Mohamed Salah and Guinea midfielder Naby Keita for a month in mid-season.
"If we have to make a decision about bringing in a player, it is a massive one," said the Anfield boss.
"You know for four weeks you don't have them. As a club you have to think about this. It doesn't help African players."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51152641
The 2021 tournament has been moved from the summer because of "unfavourable" weather in host country Cameroon.
And the Reds face losing Senegal forward Sadio Mane, Egypt winger Mohamed Salah and Guinea midfielder Naby Keita for a month in mid-season.
"If we have to make a decision about bringing in a player, it is a massive one," said the Anfield boss.
"You know for four weeks you don't have them. As a club you have to think about this. It doesn't help African players."
The 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt was the first one to be held in the summer after the tournament had traditionally been staged in January and February.
The decision, made in 2017, to move the start of the competition to June was widely welcomed, especially by top European clubs.
Reverting to a January start also means that the competition will not clash with the expanded Fifa Club World Cup, being held in China in June 2021.
But Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs who will lose first-team players.
"I couldn't respect the Africa Cup of Nations more than I do because I like the competition and watched it a lot in the past. It's a very interesting tournament," added Klopp.
"But, it's an obvious problem that you play a tournament in the middle of the season, although it makes more sense for Africa to play it in our winter when the weather is better for them - I get that.
"But we have absolutely no power - so if we did say 'We don't let him go', the player is suspended.
"If a player is injured and cannot play for us we have to send him to Africa and they have a look and in one or two weeks they are back. Nowadays, it should not be like this."
Meanwhile, Liverpool can still improve defensively, according to Klopp, despite having recorded nine clean sheets in their last 11 games in all competitions. The Reds had only managed three in their first 24 competitive matches of this season.
The German suggested that saves made by goalkeeper Alisson and chances spurned by Wolves and Tottenham in recent games have been a factor in their defensive improvements.
"It's just used to getting each other, getting more and more convinced about things and, how I said, luck in the right moment: in life and football, without luck you don't have a chance," he said.
"We have to be honest in these situations, it's not that we defended completely perfect in the last six games [no goals conceded], there's a lot of space we have for improvement, but we knew that."
Klopp also said his team will have to be at their best to overcome a counter-attacking Manchester United side, who they drew 1-1 with during the league meeting at Old Trafford in October, when the sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.
He added: "The majority of the time, we face teams set up like this.
"We want to be dominant, but we have to protect ourselves against this situation. Attacking football only works if you use the full width of the pitch in the attacking half and that makes it dangerous when you lose the ball.
"This game is asking us for perfection. You lose the ball in the wrong moment and the train starts going.
"We respect them totally. The difference to playing at Anfield to Old Trafford is massive."
The decision, made in 2017, to move the start of the competition to June was widely welcomed, especially by top European clubs.
Reverting to a January start also means that the competition will not clash with the expanded Fifa Club World Cup, being held in China in June 2021.
But Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs who will lose first-team players.
"I couldn't respect the Africa Cup of Nations more than I do because I like the competition and watched it a lot in the past. It's a very interesting tournament," added Klopp.
"But, it's an obvious problem that you play a tournament in the middle of the season, although it makes more sense for Africa to play it in our winter when the weather is better for them - I get that.
"But we have absolutely no power - so if we did say 'We don't let him go', the player is suspended.
"If a player is injured and cannot play for us we have to send him to Africa and they have a look and in one or two weeks they are back. Nowadays, it should not be like this."
Meanwhile, Liverpool can still improve defensively, according to Klopp, despite having recorded nine clean sheets in their last 11 games in all competitions. The Reds had only managed three in their first 24 competitive matches of this season.
The German suggested that saves made by goalkeeper Alisson and chances spurned by Wolves and Tottenham in recent games have been a factor in their defensive improvements.
"It's just used to getting each other, getting more and more convinced about things and, how I said, luck in the right moment: in life and football, without luck you don't have a chance," he said.
"We have to be honest in these situations, it's not that we defended completely perfect in the last six games [no goals conceded], there's a lot of space we have for improvement, but we knew that."
Klopp also said his team will have to be at their best to overcome a counter-attacking Manchester United side, who they drew 1-1 with during the league meeting at Old Trafford in October, when the sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.
He added: "The majority of the time, we face teams set up like this.
"We want to be dominant, but we have to protect ourselves against this situation. Attacking football only works if you use the full width of the pitch in the attacking half and that makes it dangerous when you lose the ball.
"This game is asking us for perfection. You lose the ball in the wrong moment and the train starts going.
"We respect them totally. The difference to playing at Anfield to Old Trafford is massive."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51152641
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he is happy for fans to start believing the Reds will win the Premier League this season but insists his focus remains on taking each game as it comes.
Klopp's side beat Manchester United 2-0 on Sunday to go 16 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
After the final whistle Liverpool fans sang "we're going to win the league" as the Reds close in on a first league title in 30 years.
"They can sing that," said Klopp.
"I am not here to dictate what they sing. If our fans were not in a good mood now that would be really strange.
"Of course they are allowed to dream and sing whatever they want and, as long as they do their job in the moment we play, all fine. But we will not be part of that party yet."
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah scored the goals as Liverpool recorded a 13th consecutive win in the league.
They have now taken an incredible 64 points out of the 66 available this season, having only dropped points when they drew at Manchester United in October.
"We are here to work," added Klopp. "It is as simple as that. It is a very positive atmosphere but I have to stay concentrated.
"We play on Thursday against Wolves. I am only interested in that game and nothing else."
Anthony Martial had Manchester United's best chance in the game but fired well over when through on goal
Defeat for Manchester United means they are 30 points behind Liverpool in fifth place.
The Red Devils dominated English football for years but have not won the Premier League since 2013 and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Sutton believes they are a shadow of the side they used to be.
"The difference between the two sides is that Liverpool are living in the present," said the former Blackburn and Chelsea player.
"They are living in this moment. They are a team who are improving all the time and the club is improving all the time - on and off the field.
"United have hit the wall, they are treading water under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that's just the way it is. They are living in the past. They are a bang average team and will not be able to touch Liverpool in the next couple of seasons."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51170619
Klopp's side beat Manchester United 2-0 on Sunday to go 16 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
After the final whistle Liverpool fans sang "we're going to win the league" as the Reds close in on a first league title in 30 years.
"They can sing that," said Klopp.
"I am not here to dictate what they sing. If our fans were not in a good mood now that would be really strange.
"Of course they are allowed to dream and sing whatever they want and, as long as they do their job in the moment we play, all fine. But we will not be part of that party yet."
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah scored the goals as Liverpool recorded a 13th consecutive win in the league.
They have now taken an incredible 64 points out of the 66 available this season, having only dropped points when they drew at Manchester United in October.
"We are here to work," added Klopp. "It is as simple as that. It is a very positive atmosphere but I have to stay concentrated.
"We play on Thursday against Wolves. I am only interested in that game and nothing else."
Anthony Martial had Manchester United's best chance in the game but fired well over when through on goal
Defeat for Manchester United means they are 30 points behind Liverpool in fifth place.
The Red Devils dominated English football for years but have not won the Premier League since 2013 and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Sutton believes they are a shadow of the side they used to be.
"The difference between the two sides is that Liverpool are living in the present," said the former Blackburn and Chelsea player.
"They are living in this moment. They are a team who are improving all the time and the club is improving all the time - on and off the field.
"United have hit the wall, they are treading water under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that's just the way it is. They are living in the past. They are a bang average team and will not be able to touch Liverpool in the next couple of seasons."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51170619
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he will not take charge of his side's FA Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury Town, with Neil Critchley to lead a young squad.
https://www.beinsports.com/en/fa-cup/news/klopp-confirms-no-senior-players-will-featu-1/1400317
Jason Cummings came off the bench to score twice on Sunday, earning a 2-2 draw that means League One side Shrewsbury will play a lucrative replay at Anfield early next month.
That game is set to fall within the Premier League's inaugural mid-season break, with Klopp having previously promised his senior stars they would get time off to recover ahead of the run-in.
That means Critchley will be in the dugout, the Liverpool Under-23s coach having overseen an EFL Cup exit to Aston Villa earlier in the season when the Reds were on Club World Cup duty.
"Look, our situation is the following: we have known that for a couple of weeks it is like this," Klopp told a news conference.
"Actually, we knew it a bit longer because it was always clear when we came through into the next round it would be like this.
"In April 2019, we got a letter from the Premier League where they asked us to respect the winter break, not to organise international friendlies and not to organise competitive games in respect of it.
"I have said to the boys already, two weeks ago, that we will have a winter break, so it means we will not be there – it will be the kids who play that game because they cannot deal with us like nobody cares about it.
"I know it is not very popular, but that’s the way I see it and, how I said, the Premier League asked us to respect the winter break and that’s what we do it. If then the FA [Football Association] do not respect it then we cannot change.
"But we [the first-team squad and staff] will not be there."
Klopp explained he plans to give his team a week's rest, during which they will undergo individual training regimes away from Melwood in order to stay fit.
He added: "That's what the winter break is about and then another competition tells us it's not that important, so we had to make these decisions before because the boys have family.
"And the international players like Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Gini Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, all these guys they have never [time] off so this is the week.
"I said in the moment it was clear there would be a winter break months ago, before I knew the FA Cup could come in between, then we would respect it and we do."
That game is set to fall within the Premier League's inaugural mid-season break, with Klopp having previously promised his senior stars they would get time off to recover ahead of the run-in.
That means Critchley will be in the dugout, the Liverpool Under-23s coach having overseen an EFL Cup exit to Aston Villa earlier in the season when the Reds were on Club World Cup duty.
"Look, our situation is the following: we have known that for a couple of weeks it is like this," Klopp told a news conference.
"Actually, we knew it a bit longer because it was always clear when we came through into the next round it would be like this.
"In April 2019, we got a letter from the Premier League where they asked us to respect the winter break, not to organise international friendlies and not to organise competitive games in respect of it.
"I have said to the boys already, two weeks ago, that we will have a winter break, so it means we will not be there – it will be the kids who play that game because they cannot deal with us like nobody cares about it.
"I know it is not very popular, but that’s the way I see it and, how I said, the Premier League asked us to respect the winter break and that’s what we do it. If then the FA [Football Association] do not respect it then we cannot change.
"But we [the first-team squad and staff] will not be there."
Klopp explained he plans to give his team a week's rest, during which they will undergo individual training regimes away from Melwood in order to stay fit.
He added: "That's what the winter break is about and then another competition tells us it's not that important, so we had to make these decisions before because the boys have family.
"And the international players like Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Gini Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, all these guys they have never [time] off so this is the week.
"I said in the moment it was clear there would be a winter break months ago, before I knew the FA Cup could come in between, then we would respect it and we do."
https://www.beinsports.com/en/fa-cup/news/klopp-confirms-no-senior-players-will-featu-1/1400317
in_cutter
Senior T20I Player
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2005
- Runs
- 17,071
- Post of the Week
- 1
Aww someone is upset
https://talksport.com/football/fa-c...a-cup-decision/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
https://talksport.com/football/fa-c...a-cup-decision/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
One Jason Mcateer thinks the same. Many are desperate to see Klopp leave Liverpool for obvious reasons. It is so disappointing the see former players wanting the same. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...ve-Liverpool-contract-ends-avoid-burnout.html
After winning the recent club World Cup Liverpool are now again the most successful club in England. Mr Ferguson much to your dismay we are back on our perch and looking miles ahead of you on the field of play as well. Normal service has resumed
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Absent Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was "delighted" as the youngest team in the club's history beat Shrewsbury to reach the FA Cup fifth round.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51380211
Klopp decided to miss the fourth-round replay because it fell during the Premier League's winter break.
A Reds side with an average age of 19 years and 102 days set up a tie at Chelsea with a 1-0 win.
"There was a message at half-time and at full-time [from Klopp]," said under-23s boss Neil Critchley.
"There was a message before the game that Chelsea away could be an opportunity for one or two of them and they put in a performance tonight."
There was at least one of Klopp's senior players in the sell-out 52,399 crowd, with James Milner offering his support sat behind the home dugout.
"He trained with us yesterday and he asked whether he could come along," added Critchley, who oversaw the game for Liverpool.
"He was giving words of advice, he was getting right behind the players. He was vocal in the dressing room. He was animated. He was vocal behind me, I could hear him."
Ro-Shaun Williams' own goal was enough to send a Liverpool side containing seven teenage outfield players through against their League One opponents.
Liverpool right-back Neco Williams, whose long ball forward led to the goal, said it was a night that his team-mates would remember for "a long time".
The result means the Reds are still in the chase for three additional trophies, having already won the Club World Cup and Super Cup.
They have a 22-point lead at the top of the Premier League and are in the last 16 of both the Champions League and FA Cup.
"The lads were excellent and hopefully we will do the same against Chelsea in the next round," said 18-year-old Williams.
"Our aim is to win the FA Cup. I think the [senior] lads will have been extremely proud of us and hopefully us young players will get a chance again."
Aged 19 years and five days, Toxteth-born Curtis Jones became the youngest first-team captain in Liverpool's history.
"All the boys went out there and showed belief, character, showed everything that the manager looks for in his players," said Jones.
"I was grateful to become the youngest captain of the team but most importantly we came away with the win with a great performance.
"The boys showed heart, character and a hard decision for the next game."
'Klopp should have been there'
Former England captain Alan Shearer said "it doesn't sit right with me" that Klopp missed Tuesday's match.
The German said last week he "decided three weeks ago we would have a mid-season break based on a letter we got [from the Premier League] in April 2019".
Top-flight teams were all due to have two weeks off in February but the 2-2 draw in the original tie meant the replay fell within that period, prompting his decision to miss the match, along with his entire senior squad.
"I understand Jurgen's point in terms of his players having the break they were told they'd have," said Shearer on BBC One.
"He is the manager so he can put whichever team he wants but it doesn't sit right with me - he should be there. He should be at the ground giving the support to those young players."
Former England keeper Rob Green, speaking to BBC Sport, said Klopp's decision not to field his senior players and stay away was "clever mind games".
"Coming from Germany, he thinks we're crazy playing all these games, so it's a really interesting quandary and one where you're thinking he's got the upper ground here," added Green.
Former Birmingham and Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison also believes Klopp should have been present.
"If I was one of those youngsters, I would've liked Jurgen Klopp to have been there, win, lose or draw, to have put an arm around me and say I had done well," said Morrison.
"But he's made his decision and he's one of those managers that has credit in the bank because he's been so good."
'This tie had the potential to be a real legacy for the club'
Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts said before the replay that the League One club missed out on making more money from it.
The Reds cut ticket prices to £15 for adults and £1 for children while the game was not shown live on television.
"We're going to generate some money from this but nowhere near what it could've been," Ricketts told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It had the potential to be a real legacy for the club and for us to put some infrastructure in place but it's still more then what we would've got without a replay, so we'll look at that on the positive side."
Speaking about the game, Ricketts said his players "could not get near" Liverpool "to impose ourselves".
He added: "It is game 39 for us and it caught up with us. We could not get up to the physicality level."
A Reds side with an average age of 19 years and 102 days set up a tie at Chelsea with a 1-0 win.
"There was a message at half-time and at full-time [from Klopp]," said under-23s boss Neil Critchley.
"There was a message before the game that Chelsea away could be an opportunity for one or two of them and they put in a performance tonight."
There was at least one of Klopp's senior players in the sell-out 52,399 crowd, with James Milner offering his support sat behind the home dugout.
"He trained with us yesterday and he asked whether he could come along," added Critchley, who oversaw the game for Liverpool.
"He was giving words of advice, he was getting right behind the players. He was vocal in the dressing room. He was animated. He was vocal behind me, I could hear him."
Ro-Shaun Williams' own goal was enough to send a Liverpool side containing seven teenage outfield players through against their League One opponents.
Liverpool right-back Neco Williams, whose long ball forward led to the goal, said it was a night that his team-mates would remember for "a long time".
The result means the Reds are still in the chase for three additional trophies, having already won the Club World Cup and Super Cup.
They have a 22-point lead at the top of the Premier League and are in the last 16 of both the Champions League and FA Cup.
"The lads were excellent and hopefully we will do the same against Chelsea in the next round," said 18-year-old Williams.
"Our aim is to win the FA Cup. I think the [senior] lads will have been extremely proud of us and hopefully us young players will get a chance again."
Aged 19 years and five days, Toxteth-born Curtis Jones became the youngest first-team captain in Liverpool's history.
"All the boys went out there and showed belief, character, showed everything that the manager looks for in his players," said Jones.
"I was grateful to become the youngest captain of the team but most importantly we came away with the win with a great performance.
"The boys showed heart, character and a hard decision for the next game."
'Klopp should have been there'
Former England captain Alan Shearer said "it doesn't sit right with me" that Klopp missed Tuesday's match.
The German said last week he "decided three weeks ago we would have a mid-season break based on a letter we got [from the Premier League] in April 2019".
Top-flight teams were all due to have two weeks off in February but the 2-2 draw in the original tie meant the replay fell within that period, prompting his decision to miss the match, along with his entire senior squad.
"I understand Jurgen's point in terms of his players having the break they were told they'd have," said Shearer on BBC One.
"He is the manager so he can put whichever team he wants but it doesn't sit right with me - he should be there. He should be at the ground giving the support to those young players."
Former England keeper Rob Green, speaking to BBC Sport, said Klopp's decision not to field his senior players and stay away was "clever mind games".
"Coming from Germany, he thinks we're crazy playing all these games, so it's a really interesting quandary and one where you're thinking he's got the upper ground here," added Green.
Former Birmingham and Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison also believes Klopp should have been present.
"If I was one of those youngsters, I would've liked Jurgen Klopp to have been there, win, lose or draw, to have put an arm around me and say I had done well," said Morrison.
"But he's made his decision and he's one of those managers that has credit in the bank because he's been so good."
'This tie had the potential to be a real legacy for the club'
Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts said before the replay that the League One club missed out on making more money from it.
The Reds cut ticket prices to £15 for adults and £1 for children while the game was not shown live on television.
"We're going to generate some money from this but nowhere near what it could've been," Ricketts told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It had the potential to be a real legacy for the club and for us to put some infrastructure in place but it's still more then what we would've got without a replay, so we'll look at that on the positive side."
Speaking about the game, Ricketts said his players "could not get near" Liverpool "to impose ourselves".
He added: "It is game 39 for us and it caught up with us. We could not get up to the physicality level."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51380211
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner says the club's fans should savour their "dream" season as they close in on potential record-breaking Premier League title triumph.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...-savour-dream-season-says-chairman-tom-werner
Jurgen Klopp's side are 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League, dropping only two points from their opening 25 top-flight matches. They are well on course to surpass records including most points, most wins and most goals.
Werner acknowledges the job is still unfinished but said because such a historic campaign is unlikely to happen again in the near future fans should enjoy it while they can.
"As a supporter this has been a dream season so far, every weekend we seem to find a different star to laud. As Jurgen says, we haven't finished the job yet, we'll have time to enjoy this even more at the end of the season," he said.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet but at the same time everybody, not just Liverpool fans, can appreciate the brand of football that is on display.
"I keep telling everyone to really savour this, the record that we have kept so far - I don't think it is going to come along again so quickly. We're just enjoying the experience and looking forward to the next match.
"To me it's about the pleasure of watching so many talented players every week execute at such a high level. The competition is so great you think eventually we are going to have an off-day, but it hasn't happened yet.
"I am [pinching myself]. I'm just enjoying every weekend.
"This is a team that really enjoys playing football and there is a certain character quality that they have on the pitch and off the pitch."
'Stress on players is a concern'
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was absent from Anfield for their FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Shrewsbury on Wednesday in protest at the replay being staged during the winter break from the Premier League.
Werner reiterated those concerns saying the football calendar is currently putting too much stress on players.
Premier League winter break: How is your club spending it?
"We all have to look at the calendar," said Werner, after attending a Premier League shareholders' meeting for representatives of all 20 clubs.
"We are all concerned at the amount of stress we are putting on our players. It is a bigger issue and I am not competent to know what the solution is."
When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?
It's becoming inevitable that Liverpool will claim their first title in 30 years, but when exactly will it happen? And can they secure it at the home of a rival?
Here, we do the maths on the possibilities, how they can win the title at rivals Everton or Manchester City, and what records they could break along the way...
What if Liverpool and Man City keep winning?
Following Manchester City's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, Liverpool need 18 points from their remaining 13 games to secure the Premier League title - that's six wins.
So if both Liverpool and City keep winning from this point, Liverpool's sixth win, as the current schedule goes, would be at Anfield against Crystal Palace on Saturday, March 21, live on Sky Sports.
Clubs have been confirming their Champions League squads for the knock-out phase of this season's competition with Liverpool including new signing Takumi Minamino.
Liverpool are back in Premier League action on February 15 at Norwich, live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 5.30pm. We'll also have a live blog and full-time highlights of the trip to Carrow Road.
Liverpool's other February games against West Ham (home - Feb 24) and Watford (away - Feb 29) will be shown on Sky Sports, as well as their March fixtures against Everton (away - March 16) and Crystal Palace (home - March 21).
Werner acknowledges the job is still unfinished but said because such a historic campaign is unlikely to happen again in the near future fans should enjoy it while they can.
"As a supporter this has been a dream season so far, every weekend we seem to find a different star to laud. As Jurgen says, we haven't finished the job yet, we'll have time to enjoy this even more at the end of the season," he said.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet but at the same time everybody, not just Liverpool fans, can appreciate the brand of football that is on display.
"I keep telling everyone to really savour this, the record that we have kept so far - I don't think it is going to come along again so quickly. We're just enjoying the experience and looking forward to the next match.
"To me it's about the pleasure of watching so many talented players every week execute at such a high level. The competition is so great you think eventually we are going to have an off-day, but it hasn't happened yet.
"I am [pinching myself]. I'm just enjoying every weekend.
"This is a team that really enjoys playing football and there is a certain character quality that they have on the pitch and off the pitch."
'Stress on players is a concern'
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was absent from Anfield for their FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Shrewsbury on Wednesday in protest at the replay being staged during the winter break from the Premier League.
Werner reiterated those concerns saying the football calendar is currently putting too much stress on players.
Premier League winter break: How is your club spending it?
"We all have to look at the calendar," said Werner, after attending a Premier League shareholders' meeting for representatives of all 20 clubs.
"We are all concerned at the amount of stress we are putting on our players. It is a bigger issue and I am not competent to know what the solution is."
When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?
It's becoming inevitable that Liverpool will claim their first title in 30 years, but when exactly will it happen? And can they secure it at the home of a rival?
Here, we do the maths on the possibilities, how they can win the title at rivals Everton or Manchester City, and what records they could break along the way...
What if Liverpool and Man City keep winning?
Following Manchester City's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, Liverpool need 18 points from their remaining 13 games to secure the Premier League title - that's six wins.
So if both Liverpool and City keep winning from this point, Liverpool's sixth win, as the current schedule goes, would be at Anfield against Crystal Palace on Saturday, March 21, live on Sky Sports.
Clubs have been confirming their Champions League squads for the knock-out phase of this season's competition with Liverpool including new signing Takumi Minamino.
Liverpool are back in Premier League action on February 15 at Norwich, live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 5.30pm. We'll also have a live blog and full-time highlights of the trip to Carrow Road.
Liverpool's other February games against West Ham (home - Feb 24) and Watford (away - Feb 29) will be shown on Sky Sports, as well as their March fixtures against Everton (away - March 16) and Crystal Palace (home - March 21).
https://www.skysports.com/football/...-savour-dream-season-says-chairman-tom-werner
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool's Adrian on Jurgen Klopp, the Anfield dressing room, & landing on your feet
It was the Premier League's opening day and Norwich City were visiting Anfield. Liverpool's Alisson was down with a calf injury. There was silence in the stands.
Jurgen Klopp brought his new substitute goalkeeper off the bench and spoke softly in his ear: "Welcome to Anfield."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51374515
It was the Premier League's opening day and Norwich City were visiting Anfield. Liverpool's Alisson was down with a calf injury. There was silence in the stands.
Jurgen Klopp brought his new substitute goalkeeper off the bench and spoke softly in his ear: "Welcome to Anfield."
Adrian had only been at the club for four days. He had trained with his team-mates just twice. As he was about to make his debut, did Klopp have anything else to add?
"He hugged me. He showed me I had his trust," Adrian says. "I felt like the schoolboy who has to introduce himself in front of his new classmates, but what can I say about Anfield? The way the fans embraced me in such a critical moment, losing one of their best players. They gave me total confidence."
Adrian smiles as he looks back now on that unexpected Anfield bow - and the whirlwind week that followed. The Spaniard, 33, is enjoying life as the guy who landed on his feet in Liverpool half a year ago.
But to really understand him - and how he fits in to a very special team - you have to go back a little further still.
Things might have turned out very differently for Adrian. For a long time it seemed as if his time might never come. After years spent waiting in the wings, he finally made his debut for Real Betis, the club he joined aged 11, when he was 25.
He also came off the bench that day, in the 11th minute, dressed in yellow, with the number 13 on his back, which is also a sign of bad luck in Spain. He conceded four goals before the final whistle in a 4-0 defeat by Malaga on 20 September 2012.
A few months later, there was another low point: a 5-1 thrashing by city rivals Sevilla.
But Adrian was never going to give up, and the confidence of his manager - former West Bromwich Albion boss Pepe Mel - helped him through.
"I often think about that match," Adrian says. "It was one of my career's key moments. Pepe was the first manager to give me a chance as a professional.
"He trusted me beyond any mistake I could have made that day. A week later we beat Real Madrid 1-0 at home, and I stopped several goals. Man of the match. Kind of. Since then I've improved a lot. I'm very grateful to him."
At the end of that 2012-13 campaign, with 32 games under his belt and with Betis struggling financially, Adrian would move on. The Premier League was his next destination. He packed his bags and left for West Ham United as a free agent. And he would keep that number 13 shirt.
For a 26-year-old Andalusian who had never been abroad and spoke only in his mother tongue, it was the start of an adventure that would bring much joy, but also disappointment. Towards the end of his time with the Hammers he had lost his starting spot, and with his contract up last summer - having made 150 appearances over six years at the club - he was once again free to move on.
Without a team, he spent pre-season training alone in Pilas, on pitches used by a local non-league side, 30 miles away from his hometown of Seville. It was anything but easy.
"I'd made a drastic decision not to stay any longer at West Ham, despite having a three-year contract offer on the table," he says. "I hadn't played a single game all season in the Premier League. I didn't feel valued economically either, to be honest. It was tough for me.
"Summer came and then I felt those butterflies in my stomach. I knew something good was coming. I was already aware of Liverpool's interest before I received the first offers.
"They called me at the end of July. They said that they'd sell [Simon] Mignolet if I gave the deal the green light. That's how it happened."
Real Betis might have been in for him too - Adrian even fantasised over the idea of making a return - but there was uncertainty following the departure of Quique Setien, now manager at Barcelona.
"It could have worked but the new staff still had to decide what kind of keeper they needed," he says. "In the end, they signed a much younger player. I didn't fit their profile, but we're professionals no matter what we feel inside. My final decision wasn't that bad after all, was it?"
Adrian laughs. He is a man who laughs often. And right now there is a lot to laugh about in the Liverpool dressing room. Their 22-point lead will surely lead to a first league title in 30 years. But nobody's talking about how close they are, not even the man most responsible for Liverpool's remarkable recent success.
"What Jurgen has achieved here is extraordinary," Adrian says. "Just look how we are in the league. It is so easy working with him. So easy. He's always smiling, cheerful, optimistic. He's the manager but he behaves like any another member of the team.
"Him being close to us helps us believe in his methods. He's convinced us all of his leadership and abilities by being close to us and proving that whatever is on his mind works in the end.
"Klopp usually tells us that we'll face many problems during the games, so we must be able to fix them. Any team can surprise you with a new system, for example. He's there to guide us. He visualises football very well from the sidelines and transmits this knowledge to the players in a masterful way.
"Training sessions are intense. He does his job passionately and that's exactly how we perform on the pitch. Jurgen is not only a top strategist, but also a great person. The best group management I've seen. Next to the team through thick and thin."
For Adrian, too, this has been a remarkable season. After having not played a single game last term and after a summer spent training with a friend on non-league pitches, on 5 August it was announced he would be signing for Liverpool. His Friday evening debut came four days later and then, five days after that, came the Uefa Super Cup final win over Chelsea.
In just over a week Adrian went from zero to penalty hero - and, in doing so, won the first title of his career.
The Super Cup win was celebrated in Seville as well - in Su Eminencia, the working-class neighbourhood where Adrian was raised.
"Everyone met at my parents' house - my wife, my closest friends, my in-laws. Everything happened so fast that they didn't even have the chance to fly to Turkey for the match, we couldn't arrange it. Receiving that video call and seeing tears of happiness from home was unforgettable."
Later that night in Istanbul, with almost the whole team sleeping, Liverpool's leaders made their first proper gesture to fully welcome the 'new guy at the office'.
"James [Milner] told me to take the trophy with me for the night. It took me several seconds to realise he really meant it. Who better than me, he said. So I agreed."
Adrian's brother and a close friend, the only people close to him who were able to come, were waiting in the hotel upstairs.
"Getting into the room with the Super Cup, my first title. Their faces. Awesome."
When he signed for Liverpool last summer, some Spanish media talked about Adrian as a washed-up, discarded 32-year-old. He of course did not see it this way. He resolved to do his talking on the football pitch. He just had not expected his chance to come so quickly.
"It was a moment I was hungrily waiting for. Not so soon, though," he admits.
"Fortunately, I was both mentally and physically ready. I had to see it that way. It's never pretty when a team-mate gets injured, but only one of us can play.
"Alisson is peaceful, humble and deserves every single thing he has achieved. We spend so much time together, but still I'm here to fight. I won't just sit down on the bench and wait.
"He won the Champions League and the Copa America last year. He was the best keeper in the world. But he can't relax with me around. I've proved it."
At Liverpool's Melwood training ground, the skies are darkening and the wind is howling. Adrian begins to look at the clock on the wall, then on towards the training pitches outside. He cannot take his eyes away. It is clear he is already thinking about getting back to work - his body language betrays him.
"Hey, Ali!" he shouts as Alisson walks past. They smile at each other. A few seconds later, young midfielder Curtis Jones walks through the door and gives him a fist bump.
Now the hallways are beginning to buzz. It is time to get going. There is another hard session ahead, another challenge to prepare for, more titles to target. Beyond that, Adrian has not thought about much.
"Let me enjoy the moment!" he complains in jest, laughing again.
"Football careers are over so quickly. We have to make the best of it while it lasts."
"He hugged me. He showed me I had his trust," Adrian says. "I felt like the schoolboy who has to introduce himself in front of his new classmates, but what can I say about Anfield? The way the fans embraced me in such a critical moment, losing one of their best players. They gave me total confidence."
Adrian smiles as he looks back now on that unexpected Anfield bow - and the whirlwind week that followed. The Spaniard, 33, is enjoying life as the guy who landed on his feet in Liverpool half a year ago.
But to really understand him - and how he fits in to a very special team - you have to go back a little further still.
Things might have turned out very differently for Adrian. For a long time it seemed as if his time might never come. After years spent waiting in the wings, he finally made his debut for Real Betis, the club he joined aged 11, when he was 25.
He also came off the bench that day, in the 11th minute, dressed in yellow, with the number 13 on his back, which is also a sign of bad luck in Spain. He conceded four goals before the final whistle in a 4-0 defeat by Malaga on 20 September 2012.
A few months later, there was another low point: a 5-1 thrashing by city rivals Sevilla.
But Adrian was never going to give up, and the confidence of his manager - former West Bromwich Albion boss Pepe Mel - helped him through.
"I often think about that match," Adrian says. "It was one of my career's key moments. Pepe was the first manager to give me a chance as a professional.
"He trusted me beyond any mistake I could have made that day. A week later we beat Real Madrid 1-0 at home, and I stopped several goals. Man of the match. Kind of. Since then I've improved a lot. I'm very grateful to him."
At the end of that 2012-13 campaign, with 32 games under his belt and with Betis struggling financially, Adrian would move on. The Premier League was his next destination. He packed his bags and left for West Ham United as a free agent. And he would keep that number 13 shirt.
For a 26-year-old Andalusian who had never been abroad and spoke only in his mother tongue, it was the start of an adventure that would bring much joy, but also disappointment. Towards the end of his time with the Hammers he had lost his starting spot, and with his contract up last summer - having made 150 appearances over six years at the club - he was once again free to move on.
Without a team, he spent pre-season training alone in Pilas, on pitches used by a local non-league side, 30 miles away from his hometown of Seville. It was anything but easy.
"I'd made a drastic decision not to stay any longer at West Ham, despite having a three-year contract offer on the table," he says. "I hadn't played a single game all season in the Premier League. I didn't feel valued economically either, to be honest. It was tough for me.
"Summer came and then I felt those butterflies in my stomach. I knew something good was coming. I was already aware of Liverpool's interest before I received the first offers.
"They called me at the end of July. They said that they'd sell [Simon] Mignolet if I gave the deal the green light. That's how it happened."
Real Betis might have been in for him too - Adrian even fantasised over the idea of making a return - but there was uncertainty following the departure of Quique Setien, now manager at Barcelona.
"It could have worked but the new staff still had to decide what kind of keeper they needed," he says. "In the end, they signed a much younger player. I didn't fit their profile, but we're professionals no matter what we feel inside. My final decision wasn't that bad after all, was it?"
Adrian laughs. He is a man who laughs often. And right now there is a lot to laugh about in the Liverpool dressing room. Their 22-point lead will surely lead to a first league title in 30 years. But nobody's talking about how close they are, not even the man most responsible for Liverpool's remarkable recent success.
"What Jurgen has achieved here is extraordinary," Adrian says. "Just look how we are in the league. It is so easy working with him. So easy. He's always smiling, cheerful, optimistic. He's the manager but he behaves like any another member of the team.
"Him being close to us helps us believe in his methods. He's convinced us all of his leadership and abilities by being close to us and proving that whatever is on his mind works in the end.
"Klopp usually tells us that we'll face many problems during the games, so we must be able to fix them. Any team can surprise you with a new system, for example. He's there to guide us. He visualises football very well from the sidelines and transmits this knowledge to the players in a masterful way.
"Training sessions are intense. He does his job passionately and that's exactly how we perform on the pitch. Jurgen is not only a top strategist, but also a great person. The best group management I've seen. Next to the team through thick and thin."
For Adrian, too, this has been a remarkable season. After having not played a single game last term and after a summer spent training with a friend on non-league pitches, on 5 August it was announced he would be signing for Liverpool. His Friday evening debut came four days later and then, five days after that, came the Uefa Super Cup final win over Chelsea.
In just over a week Adrian went from zero to penalty hero - and, in doing so, won the first title of his career.
The Super Cup win was celebrated in Seville as well - in Su Eminencia, the working-class neighbourhood where Adrian was raised.
"Everyone met at my parents' house - my wife, my closest friends, my in-laws. Everything happened so fast that they didn't even have the chance to fly to Turkey for the match, we couldn't arrange it. Receiving that video call and seeing tears of happiness from home was unforgettable."
Later that night in Istanbul, with almost the whole team sleeping, Liverpool's leaders made their first proper gesture to fully welcome the 'new guy at the office'.
"James [Milner] told me to take the trophy with me for the night. It took me several seconds to realise he really meant it. Who better than me, he said. So I agreed."
Adrian's brother and a close friend, the only people close to him who were able to come, were waiting in the hotel upstairs.
"Getting into the room with the Super Cup, my first title. Their faces. Awesome."
When he signed for Liverpool last summer, some Spanish media talked about Adrian as a washed-up, discarded 32-year-old. He of course did not see it this way. He resolved to do his talking on the football pitch. He just had not expected his chance to come so quickly.
"It was a moment I was hungrily waiting for. Not so soon, though," he admits.
"Fortunately, I was both mentally and physically ready. I had to see it that way. It's never pretty when a team-mate gets injured, but only one of us can play.
"Alisson is peaceful, humble and deserves every single thing he has achieved. We spend so much time together, but still I'm here to fight. I won't just sit down on the bench and wait.
"He won the Champions League and the Copa America last year. He was the best keeper in the world. But he can't relax with me around. I've proved it."
At Liverpool's Melwood training ground, the skies are darkening and the wind is howling. Adrian begins to look at the clock on the wall, then on towards the training pitches outside. He cannot take his eyes away. It is clear he is already thinking about getting back to work - his body language betrays him.
"Hey, Ali!" he shouts as Alisson walks past. They smile at each other. A few seconds later, young midfielder Curtis Jones walks through the door and gives him a fist bump.
Now the hallways are beginning to buzz. It is time to get going. There is another hard session ahead, another challenge to prepare for, more titles to target. Beyond that, Adrian has not thought about much.
"Let me enjoy the moment!" he complains in jest, laughing again.
"Football careers are over so quickly. We have to make the best of it while it lasts."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51374515
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Mohamed Salah's potential involvement at Tokyo 2020 will be a decision for the player and his club Liverpool, says Egypt coach Shawky Gharib.
The forward, 27, is on Egypt's provisional 50-man list for the football tournament, which will hold its final on 8 August - the first day of the 2020-21 Premier League season.
"We cannot force Salah to participate with us," Gharib told Reuters.
The tournament is for under-23 teams but three over-age players are allowed.
Fifa has previously acknowledged that clubs are not obliged to release over-age players for the Tokyo Olympics.
Gharib added: "Salah's participation with the Pharaohs team is a decision to be taken only by Salah, his club Liverpool and his coach Jurgen Klopp.
"I have chosen him in an expanded list of 50 players. The final list of 18 players will be submitted next June."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51483484
The forward, 27, is on Egypt's provisional 50-man list for the football tournament, which will hold its final on 8 August - the first day of the 2020-21 Premier League season.
"We cannot force Salah to participate with us," Gharib told Reuters.
The tournament is for under-23 teams but three over-age players are allowed.
Fifa has previously acknowledged that clubs are not obliged to release over-age players for the Tokyo Olympics.
Gharib added: "Salah's participation with the Pharaohs team is a decision to be taken only by Salah, his club Liverpool and his coach Jurgen Klopp.
"I have chosen him in an expanded list of 50 players. The final list of 18 players will be submitted next June."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51483484
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool's unstoppable charge towards their first top-flight title in 30 years is "outstanding", says Jurgen Klopp after his side edged a narrow victory over bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Sadio Mane came off the bench to score the winner with 12 minutes remaining, expertly taking down skipper Jordan Henderson's raking pass and smashing in at the near post.
It means Klopp's men need just five more wins from their remaining 12 games to guarantee their first Premier League title, having dropped just two points all campaign, and lie a mammoth 25 points clear of champions Manchester City.
"The gap is so insane, I don't really understand it," Klopp told Sky Sports. "I am not smart enough. I have not had that before. It is outstanding, so difficult.
"I go back into the changing room and we chat about the things and then I am like 'Oh, but congratulations. We won the game, another three points.'"
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51423887
Sadio Mane came off the bench to score the winner with 12 minutes remaining, expertly taking down skipper Jordan Henderson's raking pass and smashing in at the near post.
It means Klopp's men need just five more wins from their remaining 12 games to guarantee their first Premier League title, having dropped just two points all campaign, and lie a mammoth 25 points clear of champions Manchester City.
"The gap is so insane, I don't really understand it," Klopp told Sky Sports. "I am not smart enough. I have not had that before. It is outstanding, so difficult.
"I go back into the changing room and we chat about the things and then I am like 'Oh, but congratulations. We won the game, another three points.'"
Chances were at a premium in a blustery first half, but Liverpool ramped up the pressure in the second period - Canaries goalkeeper Tim Krul making a stunning double save to deny Mohamed Salah's low shot and Naby Keita's close-range follow-up.
Having been pegged back for a long period, Norwich could have scored on the counter-attack as Alex Tettey's strike from an angle caught Alisson by surprise at his near post but the effort rattled the foot of the upright.
But Senegal international Mane - who missed the last two games through a hamstring injury - proved to be the difference having entered the action on the hour mark.
It looked for a while that it may be a frustrating day for Liverpool at Carrow Road, misplacing a number of passes in the final third and being restricted to long-range efforts.
Keita's drive was tipped over the crossbar by Krul, while efforts from Virgil van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were comfortable for the Dutch goalkeeper to deal with.
When the marauding Trent Alexander-Arnold dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box after just 13 seconds, a routine win looked to be on the cards, but the Reds had to battle hard once more.
Klopp added: "I could tell in all the players' faces that they weren't nervous, they were enjoying it, and if one team was going to score it was going to be us.
"We protected against the counter-attack well too. It's really all about these wonderful football players."
To say Liverpool have dominated the division is an understatement - they have annihilated all in front of them and the numbers make staggering reading:
Liverpool are now unbeaten in 43 league games, closing in on Arsenal's all-time record of 49.
They have collected a remarkable 102 points from the past 105 available.
The Reds have picked up 35 wins from their last 36 games - a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in October the only blemish.
They have won 17 games in a row - one shy of Manchester City's record - and kept 10 clean sheets in their past 11 games.
The result also means 76 points after 26 games is the best record at this juncture in the history of Europe's top five leagues - something even the continent's great sides including La Liga's Barcelona, Juventus of Serie A, Bundesliga's Bayern Munich and Ligue 1's Paris St-Germain were unable to achieve.
The defending European champions go into Tuesday's last-16 first-leg tie at Atletico Madrid in flawless form and Klopp's side will take some stopping from reaching their third consecutive final, as they aim for a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.
So near yet so far for Norwich
Daniel Farke's side remain anchored to the foot of the table, seven points from safety and are staring at an immediate return to the Championship.
They display some attractive football at times, playing out from the back which almost proved costly on a couple of occasions, but failing to hold out means they have conceded a joint league-high 48 goals.
Had they taken their chances, they would have claimed a spectacular victory against all the odds, with Lukas Rupp left ruing what might have been.
The German midfielder broke the offside trap in the first half and when faced one-on-one with Alisson, inexplicably decided to square the ball towards Teemu Pukki instead of shooting and the Brazilian goalkeeper managed to claw the pass away.
The lively Todd Cantwell struck the side-netting, while Tettey's low, drilled strike hit the upright.
Farke told BBC Sport: "Performance-wise we were pretty good in many topics, sadly one topic was missing, to be clinical in our finishing. We had our chance in the first half."
On Mane's goal, Farke added: "I just watched it back shortly. When the referee doesn't give a foul it won't be overturned. It was also due to the quality of Mane - his control and then his second touch. It was smart movement from Mane and if the referee doesn't give a foul you can't see it [being] overturned. We have already learned that VAR is not on our side.
"Performance-wise we can take a lot of confidence but sadly no points."
Ton up for Mane - the stats
Liverpool have opened the scoring in each of their past 14 Premier League meetings with Norwich City - no side has ever scored the opening goal in more consecutive games versus another in the competition's history (Chelsea also 14 v Portsmouth).
Norwich have only won one of their past 13 Premier League games (D5 L7) and have failed to score in back-to-back league matches for the first time since November 2019.
Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their past 11 Premier League matches, this after having only kept one shutout in the previous 11 such games before this.
Sadio Mane scored the 100th goal of his English club career in all competitions, scoring 25 for Southampton and 75 for Liverpool.
Mane's goal was his 57th in the Premier League for Liverpool, but the first coming as a substitute.
Jordan Henderson has assisted five Premier League goals this season; only in 2014-15 (nine) and 2013-14 (seven) has he provided more in a single league season in his professional career.
Both of Liverpool's past two Premier League games have been goalless at half-time; only two of their first 24 such matches of the season had been 0-0 at the break before this.
Norwich failed to attempt a single shot in the first half of a league game for the first time under Daniel Farke, and the first time in any league match overall since April 2014 v Manchester United.
What next?
Norwich travel to Wolves next Sunday in the Premier League (kick-off 14:00 GMT), while Liverpool are in European action on Tuesday, followed by a Premier League game at Anfield against West Ham next Monday (20:00).
Having been pegged back for a long period, Norwich could have scored on the counter-attack as Alex Tettey's strike from an angle caught Alisson by surprise at his near post but the effort rattled the foot of the upright.
But Senegal international Mane - who missed the last two games through a hamstring injury - proved to be the difference having entered the action on the hour mark.
It looked for a while that it may be a frustrating day for Liverpool at Carrow Road, misplacing a number of passes in the final third and being restricted to long-range efforts.
Keita's drive was tipped over the crossbar by Krul, while efforts from Virgil van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were comfortable for the Dutch goalkeeper to deal with.
When the marauding Trent Alexander-Arnold dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box after just 13 seconds, a routine win looked to be on the cards, but the Reds had to battle hard once more.
Klopp added: "I could tell in all the players' faces that they weren't nervous, they were enjoying it, and if one team was going to score it was going to be us.
"We protected against the counter-attack well too. It's really all about these wonderful football players."
To say Liverpool have dominated the division is an understatement - they have annihilated all in front of them and the numbers make staggering reading:
Liverpool are now unbeaten in 43 league games, closing in on Arsenal's all-time record of 49.
They have collected a remarkable 102 points from the past 105 available.
The Reds have picked up 35 wins from their last 36 games - a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in October the only blemish.
They have won 17 games in a row - one shy of Manchester City's record - and kept 10 clean sheets in their past 11 games.
The result also means 76 points after 26 games is the best record at this juncture in the history of Europe's top five leagues - something even the continent's great sides including La Liga's Barcelona, Juventus of Serie A, Bundesliga's Bayern Munich and Ligue 1's Paris St-Germain were unable to achieve.
The defending European champions go into Tuesday's last-16 first-leg tie at Atletico Madrid in flawless form and Klopp's side will take some stopping from reaching their third consecutive final, as they aim for a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.
So near yet so far for Norwich
Daniel Farke's side remain anchored to the foot of the table, seven points from safety and are staring at an immediate return to the Championship.
They display some attractive football at times, playing out from the back which almost proved costly on a couple of occasions, but failing to hold out means they have conceded a joint league-high 48 goals.
Had they taken their chances, they would have claimed a spectacular victory against all the odds, with Lukas Rupp left ruing what might have been.
The German midfielder broke the offside trap in the first half and when faced one-on-one with Alisson, inexplicably decided to square the ball towards Teemu Pukki instead of shooting and the Brazilian goalkeeper managed to claw the pass away.
The lively Todd Cantwell struck the side-netting, while Tettey's low, drilled strike hit the upright.
Farke told BBC Sport: "Performance-wise we were pretty good in many topics, sadly one topic was missing, to be clinical in our finishing. We had our chance in the first half."
On Mane's goal, Farke added: "I just watched it back shortly. When the referee doesn't give a foul it won't be overturned. It was also due to the quality of Mane - his control and then his second touch. It was smart movement from Mane and if the referee doesn't give a foul you can't see it [being] overturned. We have already learned that VAR is not on our side.
"Performance-wise we can take a lot of confidence but sadly no points."
Ton up for Mane - the stats
Liverpool have opened the scoring in each of their past 14 Premier League meetings with Norwich City - no side has ever scored the opening goal in more consecutive games versus another in the competition's history (Chelsea also 14 v Portsmouth).
Norwich have only won one of their past 13 Premier League games (D5 L7) and have failed to score in back-to-back league matches for the first time since November 2019.
Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their past 11 Premier League matches, this after having only kept one shutout in the previous 11 such games before this.
Sadio Mane scored the 100th goal of his English club career in all competitions, scoring 25 for Southampton and 75 for Liverpool.
Mane's goal was his 57th in the Premier League for Liverpool, but the first coming as a substitute.
Jordan Henderson has assisted five Premier League goals this season; only in 2014-15 (nine) and 2013-14 (seven) has he provided more in a single league season in his professional career.
Both of Liverpool's past two Premier League games have been goalless at half-time; only two of their first 24 such matches of the season had been 0-0 at the break before this.
Norwich failed to attempt a single shot in the first half of a league game for the first time under Daniel Farke, and the first time in any league match overall since April 2014 v Manchester United.
What next?
Norwich travel to Wolves next Sunday in the Premier League (kick-off 14:00 GMT), while Liverpool are in European action on Tuesday, followed by a Premier League game at Anfield against West Ham next Monday (20:00).
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51423887
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool are set to let Adam Lallana leave in the summer when the England midfielder's contract runs out.
There are no talks taking place between the European champions and the 31-year-old over a new deal and he will be available on a free transfer.
Lallana, who has been linked with Leicester City, moved to Anfield for £25m in 2014.
He was signed from Southampton by then-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is now in charge of the Foxes.
Lallana has played 13 times for Liverpool in the league this season, scoring once.
His only goal this season was against Manchester United, when his equaliser maintained the club's unbeaten record.
Lallana's time at Anfield has been hampered by injuries in the past two seasons but he was a key part of Jurgen Klopp's side in the early days of the German manager's reign.
He helped the Reds win the Champions League last season and has scored 18 times in 126 league games for the club.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51556874
There are no talks taking place between the European champions and the 31-year-old over a new deal and he will be available on a free transfer.
Lallana, who has been linked with Leicester City, moved to Anfield for £25m in 2014.
He was signed from Southampton by then-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is now in charge of the Foxes.
Lallana has played 13 times for Liverpool in the league this season, scoring once.
His only goal this season was against Manchester United, when his equaliser maintained the club's unbeaten record.
Lallana's time at Anfield has been hampered by injuries in the past two seasons but he was a key part of Jurgen Klopp's side in the early days of the German manager's reign.
He helped the Reds win the Champions League last season and has scored 18 times in 126 league games for the club.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51556874
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson will miss about three weeks with a hamstring injury, says manager Jurgen Klopp.
Henderson, 29, was forced off late on in Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The midfielder has made 34 appearances for the runaway Premier League leaders this season, scoring three goals.
"We have heard of different hamstring injuries in the Premier League - Harry Kane for example - but it's not that bad," said Klopp on Friday.
Tottenham striker Kane - an England team-mate of Henderson - has had surgery on a torn hamstring sustained on 1 January and is not expected to return to training until April.
Klopp added: "[Henderson] will be out for three weeks or so, which is not cool but how we see it is we were still lucky."
Over the next three weeks the Reds have Premier League matches against West Ham United, Watford and Bournemouth, an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea and the return leg against Atletico in the last 16 of the Champions League.
They go to Everton for the Merseyside derby on 16 March.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51586047
Henderson, 29, was forced off late on in Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The midfielder has made 34 appearances for the runaway Premier League leaders this season, scoring three goals.
"We have heard of different hamstring injuries in the Premier League - Harry Kane for example - but it's not that bad," said Klopp on Friday.
Tottenham striker Kane - an England team-mate of Henderson - has had surgery on a torn hamstring sustained on 1 January and is not expected to return to training until April.
Klopp added: "[Henderson] will be out for three weeks or so, which is not cool but how we see it is we were still lucky."
Over the next three weeks the Reds have Premier League matches against West Ham United, Watford and Bournemouth, an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea and the return leg against Atletico in the last 16 of the Champions League.
They go to Everton for the Merseyside derby on 16 March.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51586047
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he "never thought it was possible" for his side to equal Manchester City's record of 18 consecutive Premier League wins.
The league leaders joined City in an English top-flight record with a 3-2 victory over West Ham on Monday.
City won 18 straight games between August and December 2017.
"It's so special. The numbers are incredible, so difficult. I said we wanted to write our own stories, create our own history," said Klopp.
"Obviously, the boys took that really seriously and that is all cool but just not too important at the moment.
"We are just in the situation and want to recover and prepare for the next game."
The last time Liverpool dropped points in the league was in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on 20 October 2019.
Victory over West Ham at Anfield, where keeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered a nightmare, took Liverpool to within four wins of their first league title in 30 years.
Liverpool took an early lead when Fabianski failed to deal with a routine Georginio Wijnaldum header but David Moyes' side replied through Issa Diop's header and then substitute Pablo Fornals swept West Ham into the lead nine minutes after the break.
But Fabianski inexplicably allowed Mohamed Salah's shot to squirm through his legs in the 68th minute and Sadio Mane turned in Trent Alexander-Arnold's lob with nine minutes left to complete the comeback.
It means Liverpool are 22 points clear of defending champions City at the top of the table.
"I couldn't have wished for a better position to go into these last 11 games," Klopp added. "I never thought it was possible but each one of [the victories are] really difficult."
Manchester City's 18-game run
1. Bournemouth - 2-1 10. Leicester - 2-0
2. Liverpool - 5-0 11. Huddersfield - 2-1
3. Watford - 6-0 12. Southampton - 2-1
4. Crystal Palace - 5-0 13. West Ham - 2-1
5. Chelsea - 1-0 14. Manchester United - 2-1
6. Stoke - 7-2 15. Swansea - 4-0
7. Burnley - 3-0 16. Tottenham - 4-1
8. West Brom - 3-2 17. Bournemouth - 4-0
9. Arsenal - 3-1 18. Newcastle - 1-0
Scored 58, conceded 11
Liverpool's 18-game run
1. Tottenham - 2-1 10. Wolves - 1-0
2. Aston Villa - 2-1 11. Sheffield United - 2-0
3. Manchester City - 3-1 12. Tottenham - 1-0
4. Crystal Palace - 2-1 13. Manchester United - 2-0
5. Brighton - 2-1 14. Wolves - 2-1
6. Everton - 5-2 15. West Ham - 2-0
7. Bournemouth - 3-0 16. Southampton - 4-0
8. Watford - 2-0 17. Norwich - 1-0
9. Leicester - 4-0 18. West Ham - 3-2
Scored 43, conceded 11
What other records have Liverpool got this season?
Liverpool have won their past 21 home Premier League games, equalling the English top-flight record for consecutive home wins, set by the Reds themselves between January and December 1972 under Bill Shankly.
Klopp's side can amass 112 points this season - no title-winning team has achieved that in England.
This is now Liverpool's longest unbeaten run, beating the 37 that concluded in 1894.
Liverpool's last defeat in the league came at Etihad Stadium against Manchester City on 3 January, 2019. They've only dropped 10 points in total since then.
The last time Liverpool failed to score was in the 0-0 draw at Merseyside rivals Everton on 3 March, 2019.
The earliest Premier League title win was achieved by Manchester United when they claimed victory in 2000-01 on 14 April. If the Reds keep winning, they could win the title in March.
Liverpool have the best-ever tally at this stage of the season by a side in any of Europe's 'big five' leagues - England, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
'It happens all the time' - analysis
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Usually there is no jeopardy at this place [Anfield] because you expect Liverpool to win. They were asked a lot of questions, had to go through a lot of gears. It was a brilliant game. Yet again when Liverpool need to win by the odd goal they find a way.
"They rode a little bit of luck in the second half. When there were 10 minutes left, the West Ham fans would have been thinking 'that is an absolute eternity'. There are some teams where you think you're running out of time but you don't think that at Anfield anymore. Even a minute feels like an eternity.
"All three goals came from full-back assists. That isn't a fluke, it happens all the time. That's one of the reasons Liverpool have been so extraordinary."
Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Rob Green on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Liverpool weren't at their best on Monday. Compared to last week, the performance from West Ham was a stark contrast. They asked questions. Every man put a shift in.
"Jurgen Klopp was celebrating that like a huge, huge win. It was probably the most they have been pushed all season."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51623640
The league leaders joined City in an English top-flight record with a 3-2 victory over West Ham on Monday.
City won 18 straight games between August and December 2017.
"It's so special. The numbers are incredible, so difficult. I said we wanted to write our own stories, create our own history," said Klopp.
"Obviously, the boys took that really seriously and that is all cool but just not too important at the moment.
"We are just in the situation and want to recover and prepare for the next game."
The last time Liverpool dropped points in the league was in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on 20 October 2019.
Victory over West Ham at Anfield, where keeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered a nightmare, took Liverpool to within four wins of their first league title in 30 years.
Liverpool took an early lead when Fabianski failed to deal with a routine Georginio Wijnaldum header but David Moyes' side replied through Issa Diop's header and then substitute Pablo Fornals swept West Ham into the lead nine minutes after the break.
But Fabianski inexplicably allowed Mohamed Salah's shot to squirm through his legs in the 68th minute and Sadio Mane turned in Trent Alexander-Arnold's lob with nine minutes left to complete the comeback.
It means Liverpool are 22 points clear of defending champions City at the top of the table.
"I couldn't have wished for a better position to go into these last 11 games," Klopp added. "I never thought it was possible but each one of [the victories are] really difficult."
Manchester City's 18-game run
1. Bournemouth - 2-1 10. Leicester - 2-0
2. Liverpool - 5-0 11. Huddersfield - 2-1
3. Watford - 6-0 12. Southampton - 2-1
4. Crystal Palace - 5-0 13. West Ham - 2-1
5. Chelsea - 1-0 14. Manchester United - 2-1
6. Stoke - 7-2 15. Swansea - 4-0
7. Burnley - 3-0 16. Tottenham - 4-1
8. West Brom - 3-2 17. Bournemouth - 4-0
9. Arsenal - 3-1 18. Newcastle - 1-0
Scored 58, conceded 11
Liverpool's 18-game run
1. Tottenham - 2-1 10. Wolves - 1-0
2. Aston Villa - 2-1 11. Sheffield United - 2-0
3. Manchester City - 3-1 12. Tottenham - 1-0
4. Crystal Palace - 2-1 13. Manchester United - 2-0
5. Brighton - 2-1 14. Wolves - 2-1
6. Everton - 5-2 15. West Ham - 2-0
7. Bournemouth - 3-0 16. Southampton - 4-0
8. Watford - 2-0 17. Norwich - 1-0
9. Leicester - 4-0 18. West Ham - 3-2
Scored 43, conceded 11
What other records have Liverpool got this season?
Liverpool have won their past 21 home Premier League games, equalling the English top-flight record for consecutive home wins, set by the Reds themselves between January and December 1972 under Bill Shankly.
Klopp's side can amass 112 points this season - no title-winning team has achieved that in England.
This is now Liverpool's longest unbeaten run, beating the 37 that concluded in 1894.
Liverpool's last defeat in the league came at Etihad Stadium against Manchester City on 3 January, 2019. They've only dropped 10 points in total since then.
The last time Liverpool failed to score was in the 0-0 draw at Merseyside rivals Everton on 3 March, 2019.
The earliest Premier League title win was achieved by Manchester United when they claimed victory in 2000-01 on 14 April. If the Reds keep winning, they could win the title in March.
Liverpool have the best-ever tally at this stage of the season by a side in any of Europe's 'big five' leagues - England, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
'It happens all the time' - analysis
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Usually there is no jeopardy at this place [Anfield] because you expect Liverpool to win. They were asked a lot of questions, had to go through a lot of gears. It was a brilliant game. Yet again when Liverpool need to win by the odd goal they find a way.
"They rode a little bit of luck in the second half. When there were 10 minutes left, the West Ham fans would have been thinking 'that is an absolute eternity'. There are some teams where you think you're running out of time but you don't think that at Anfield anymore. Even a minute feels like an eternity.
"All three goals came from full-back assists. That isn't a fluke, it happens all the time. That's one of the reasons Liverpool have been so extraordinary."
Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Rob Green on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Liverpool weren't at their best on Monday. Compared to last week, the performance from West Ham was a stark contrast. They asked questions. Every man put a shift in.
"Jurgen Klopp was celebrating that like a huge, huge win. It was probably the most they have been pushed all season."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51623640
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been banned from football for four months for breaching betting rules.
He was originally given a six-week ban last summer, four of them suspended, but the FA appealed against the findings of an independent commission.
An appeal board also doubled the 30-year-old's fine to £150,000.
It was announced on Monday that Sturridge's contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor had been terminated by mutual agreement.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51712017
He was originally given a six-week ban last summer, four of them suspended, but the FA appealed against the findings of an independent commission.
An appeal board also doubled the 30-year-old's fine to £150,000.
It was announced on Monday that Sturridge's contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor had been terminated by mutual agreement.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51712017
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been ruled out of their Champions League last-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid with a hip injury.
Alisson will also miss Saturday's home Premier League game against Bournemouth and is a doubt for the Merseyside derby at Everton on 16 March.
Liverpool host Atletico on Wednesday, trailing 1-0 from the first leg.
"He is not available for tomorrow and then the next week," manager Jurgen Klopp said of the 27-year-old.
"We have to judge the situation. I would say after the international break, 100%. Whatever we can get before that we will see."
Alisson, who has played 28 times for Liverpool this season, picked up the injury in training before Tuesday's 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Chelsea.
The Brazil international - the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Liverpool from Roma in 2018 in a deal worth up to £66.8m - also missed nine weeks of the campaign with a calf injury sustained in their opening league match against Norwich City in August.
"He [Alisson] had a little incident in training before the Chelsea game," Klopp said.
"We all thought it was nothing and it was clear he would not play anyway. The plan was that he would be on the bench.
"[There was a] scan the next day and they found something, so now he is out."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51773434
Alisson will also miss Saturday's home Premier League game against Bournemouth and is a doubt for the Merseyside derby at Everton on 16 March.
Liverpool host Atletico on Wednesday, trailing 1-0 from the first leg.
"He is not available for tomorrow and then the next week," manager Jurgen Klopp said of the 27-year-old.
"We have to judge the situation. I would say after the international break, 100%. Whatever we can get before that we will see."
Alisson, who has played 28 times for Liverpool this season, picked up the injury in training before Tuesday's 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Chelsea.
The Brazil international - the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Liverpool from Roma in 2018 in a deal worth up to £66.8m - also missed nine weeks of the campaign with a calf injury sustained in their opening league match against Norwich City in August.
"He [Alisson] had a little incident in training before the Chelsea game," Klopp said.
"We all thought it was nothing and it was clear he would not play anyway. The plan was that he would be on the bench.
"[There was a] scan the next day and they found something, so now he is out."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51773434
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been ruled out of Saturday's game with Bournemouth due to a hip injury
Hasan123
Test Star
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2016
- Runs
- 38,432
Liverpool will win the league. But you can see in the last few weeks that teams are starting to work them out. I think the end of the cycle for these players is close. Klopp needs to reinvest in the first team in the summer to keep things fresh and players motivated.
If Liverpool have a summer like last year where they don't sign anyone, expect a drop off next year.
If Liverpool have a summer like last year where they don't sign anyone, expect a drop off next year.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says their Champions League last-16 defeat by Atletico Madrid "doesn't feel right" and criticised the La Liga side's style of play.
The European champions' hopes of defending their title were ended by a 3-2 loss at Anfield on Wednesday, with Atletico winning 4-2 on aggregate.
The Reds had reached the final in the previous two seasons under the German.
Klopp suggested Diego Simeone's Atletico do not play "proper football".
"I am completely happy with the performance. It's so difficult to play a side like this," Klopp told BT Sport, adding he was "searching for the right words".
"I don't understand with the quality they have the football they play. They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter-attacks.
"We accept it, of course, but it doesn't feel right tonight. I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.
"We know in the past two years we had some lucky moments in the Champions League - you have to to reach two finals - but today everything was against us in the decisive moments."
Defeat was Liverpool's fourth loss in six matches in all competitions, but they remain 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Captain Jordan Henderson said Wednesday's result was "disappointing" but added the players would use it to end the season strongly.
"We put everything into that game so we are bitterly disappointed, especially with the goals we conceded," the 29-year-old England midfielder told BT Sport.
"All we can focus on is our performance level, and to have conceded those goals isn't like us. We're disappointed but we'll take it on the chin.
"For the rest of today and tomorrow it won't feel nice, but we have to use it to help us finish the season strong."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51846369
The European champions' hopes of defending their title were ended by a 3-2 loss at Anfield on Wednesday, with Atletico winning 4-2 on aggregate.
The Reds had reached the final in the previous two seasons under the German.
Klopp suggested Diego Simeone's Atletico do not play "proper football".
"I am completely happy with the performance. It's so difficult to play a side like this," Klopp told BT Sport, adding he was "searching for the right words".
"I don't understand with the quality they have the football they play. They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter-attacks.
"We accept it, of course, but it doesn't feel right tonight. I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.
"We know in the past two years we had some lucky moments in the Champions League - you have to to reach two finals - but today everything was against us in the decisive moments."
Defeat was Liverpool's fourth loss in six matches in all competitions, but they remain 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Captain Jordan Henderson said Wednesday's result was "disappointing" but added the players would use it to end the season strongly.
"We put everything into that game so we are bitterly disappointed, especially with the goals we conceded," the 29-year-old England midfielder told BT Sport.
"All we can focus on is our performance level, and to have conceded those goals isn't like us. We're disappointed but we'll take it on the chin.
"For the rest of today and tomorrow it won't feel nice, but we have to use it to help us finish the season strong."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51846369
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jürgen Klopp has today issued the following message to supporters following the Premier League's decision to postpone all football activity until April 3 at the earliest.
I don’t think this is a moment where the thoughts of a football manager should be important, but I understand for our supporters they will want to hear from the team and I will front that.
First and foremost, all of us have to do whatever we can to protect one another. In society I mean. This should be the case all the time in life, but in this moment I think it matters more than ever.
I’ve said before that football always seems the most important of the least important things. Today, football and football matches really aren’t important at all.
Of course, we don’t want to play in front of an empty stadium and we don’t want games or competitions suspended, but if doing so helps one individual stay healthy - just one - we do it no questions asked.
If it’s a choice between football and the good of the wider society, it’s no contest. Really, it isn’t.
Today’s decision and announcement is being implemented with the motive of keeping people safe. Because of that we support it completely. We have seen members of teams we compete against become ill. This virus has shown that being involved in football offers no immunity. To our rival clubs and individuals who are affected and to those who later will become so, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
None of us know in this moment what the final outcome will be, but as a team we have to have belief that the authorities make decisions based on sound judgement and morality.
Yes, I am the manager of this team and club and therefore carry a leadership responsibility with regards to our future on the pitch. But I think in the present moment, with so many people around our city, the region, the country and the world facing anxiety and uncertainty, it would be entirely wrong to speak about anything other than advising people to follow expert advice and look after themselves and each other.
The message from the team to our supporters is only about your well-being. Put your health first. Don’t take any risk. Think about the vulnerable in our society and act where possible with compassion for them.
Please look after yourselves and look out for each other.
You’ll Never Walk Alone,
Jürgen
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/390397-jurgen-klopp-message-to-supporters
I don’t think this is a moment where the thoughts of a football manager should be important, but I understand for our supporters they will want to hear from the team and I will front that.
First and foremost, all of us have to do whatever we can to protect one another. In society I mean. This should be the case all the time in life, but in this moment I think it matters more than ever.
I’ve said before that football always seems the most important of the least important things. Today, football and football matches really aren’t important at all.
Of course, we don’t want to play in front of an empty stadium and we don’t want games or competitions suspended, but if doing so helps one individual stay healthy - just one - we do it no questions asked.
If it’s a choice between football and the good of the wider society, it’s no contest. Really, it isn’t.
Today’s decision and announcement is being implemented with the motive of keeping people safe. Because of that we support it completely. We have seen members of teams we compete against become ill. This virus has shown that being involved in football offers no immunity. To our rival clubs and individuals who are affected and to those who later will become so, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
None of us know in this moment what the final outcome will be, but as a team we have to have belief that the authorities make decisions based on sound judgement and morality.
Yes, I am the manager of this team and club and therefore carry a leadership responsibility with regards to our future on the pitch. But I think in the present moment, with so many people around our city, the region, the country and the world facing anxiety and uncertainty, it would be entirely wrong to speak about anything other than advising people to follow expert advice and look after themselves and each other.
The message from the team to our supporters is only about your well-being. Put your health first. Don’t take any risk. Think about the vulnerable in our society and act where possible with compassion for them.
Please look after yourselves and look out for each other.
You’ll Never Walk Alone,
Jürgen
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/390397-jurgen-klopp-message-to-supporters
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool have reversed their decision to place some non-playing staff on temporary leave and apologised to fans.
On Saturday the club said they were going to apply to the government's taxpayer-funded job retention scheme, sparking a fierce backlash.
But in a letter to the club's fans, chief executive Peter Moore said: "We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week... and are truly sorry for that."
He said that as a result of "extensive consultation and our own internal deliberations, we have opted to find alternative means".
Liverpool became the fifth team to furlough non-playing staff with the season suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday the club said they were going to apply to the government's taxpayer-funded job retention scheme, sparking a fierce backlash.
But in a letter to the club's fans, chief executive Peter Moore said: "We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week... and are truly sorry for that."
He said that as a result of "extensive consultation and our own internal deliberations, we have opted to find alternative means".
Liverpool became the fifth team to furlough non-playing staff with the season suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kianig89
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Runs
- 29,355
U turn but you tarnished the club's reputation kudos to Man city protecting all non playing staff
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Dejan Lovren says Liverpool are eager for more success and to show what they are capable of when football resumes following the coronavirus shutdown (via Sky Sports).
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner is ready to sign for Liverpool if they pay his £52m release clause before it expires on 15 June.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Jurgen Klopp exclusive: Liverpool are not the finished article
https://www.skysports.com/football/...lusive-liverpool-are-not-the-finished-article
Jurgen Klopp insists his Liverpool side have plenty of room to improve and are not the finished article.
Despite sitting top of the Premier League by 25 points before football was halted due to coronavirus, the German explained to Sky Sports how they will work on improving even more, with fresh talent to come from within the club.
Some of that talent was showcased throughout cup competitions this season, and though Klopp insists the fundamentals of the club won't change, they can get even better.
"We will not change, that's the first thing, but whether we will be successful depends on what other clubs are doing as well because they have all the chance to improve things, do things better. So I have no clue what the future will hold for us.
"But we will not change, this team is not the finished article, and we have a lot of space for improvement, and we work on that.
"We have fresh blood internally coming through. We can improve with this team, which is great."
Reflecting on his time at Liverpool on The Football Show with Jamie Carragher and David Jones, Klopp explained the importance of the faith given to him by the Anfield chiefs early on during his time at the club
This confidence and positivity was shown even after Klopp's first handful of games in 2015, and throughout final defeats against Sevilla (Europa League 2016), Manchester City (League Cup 2016) and Real Madrid (Champions League 2018).
"It was really clear we needed time. It was clear we cannot fix it overnight. Everyone wanted that, but we couldn't so I had to ask for time. I knew.
"Before that in my career I never got the sack so I had no experience with that, but I knew then it was a different level, and if I can't deliver here quick enough, then I will get the sack.
"We got that time, and the nice thing is that after six, seven, eight games, they were really positive about the situation, they realised we were on the right path. From that moment they didn't question it one second. They were full of faith and trust, and they said the path we will stay on, and everything will be fine.
"That's what we did then. When we lost finals against Sevilla or City or Real Madrid, I think pundits say then if he doesn't' win the next one then they might change, but internally it was never somebody thinking like this."
Reflecting on the coronavirus crisis, with talk of the Bundesliga returning as early as May 9, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager says training should only be re-introduced when it is safe to do so.
Klopp sees no use in forcing football to return, but does see that it could have a positive impact on the mood of the country.
"We will see, they [Germany] are all very optimistic they will start mid-May. We will see what that means.
"We will see when that starts here," he added. "We know what we want, and the first thing that we want is that everybody is safe and healthy. In the moment it is possible to start training again, we will do that.
"We are all at home, all isolated, we have no cases or stuff like this. If we come together and train in groups of two or five or six or eight, I'm not sure when that will be possible, we have to wait for the government on that. We cannot force that and will not, because we can't, there's absolutely nothing for that.
"But if football can help in some departments with lifting the mood, giving something to think about and to deal with in a different way, then we have to start training at one point, but I don't know when that will be."
Klopp also admits his life hasn't changed too much during the lockdown, saying he would either spend most of his time at home or at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.
"Look, my life didn't change too much to be honest. I can't usually go out, stuff like that. I could go to Melwood once a day for eight, nine, 10 hours it would be the same because at home it is always the same.
"We don't go in restaurants and stuff like this so we didn't change too much. So I don't miss this part of it, but of course I miss the boys, football, and for everybody else to have their normal life.
"It's not important how I feel because I am used to a private lockdown if you like, but I can imagine for other people it is much more difficult and I hope it will change at some point."
What do Liverpool need?
Jamie Carragher, speaking on The Football Show:
"I think there could be something more in reserve for the front three. I think Liverpool have been lucky in that the best players and most important players for Jurgen Klopp have never really suffered injury-wise, certainly big injuries, if you think of the front three, the full-backs and Virgil Van Dijk.
"Can there be more back-up if something happens? Certainly with Andy Robertson at left-back, probably the only recognised left-back at the club.
"I just think Liverpool need more than Divock Origi as back-up for the front three when they're out, and hence why Liverpool have been linked with Timo Werner. I actually do think Liverpool need to invest to keep them where they are.
"So certainly for me, a strong understudy to Andrew Robertson, and certainly someone who is really going to push that front three. I think they certainly need to spend big to keep them ahead of the pack."
Despite sitting top of the Premier League by 25 points before football was halted due to coronavirus, the German explained to Sky Sports how they will work on improving even more, with fresh talent to come from within the club.
Some of that talent was showcased throughout cup competitions this season, and though Klopp insists the fundamentals of the club won't change, they can get even better.
"We will not change, that's the first thing, but whether we will be successful depends on what other clubs are doing as well because they have all the chance to improve things, do things better. So I have no clue what the future will hold for us.
"But we will not change, this team is not the finished article, and we have a lot of space for improvement, and we work on that.
"We have fresh blood internally coming through. We can improve with this team, which is great."
Reflecting on his time at Liverpool on The Football Show with Jamie Carragher and David Jones, Klopp explained the importance of the faith given to him by the Anfield chiefs early on during his time at the club
This confidence and positivity was shown even after Klopp's first handful of games in 2015, and throughout final defeats against Sevilla (Europa League 2016), Manchester City (League Cup 2016) and Real Madrid (Champions League 2018).
"It was really clear we needed time. It was clear we cannot fix it overnight. Everyone wanted that, but we couldn't so I had to ask for time. I knew.
"Before that in my career I never got the sack so I had no experience with that, but I knew then it was a different level, and if I can't deliver here quick enough, then I will get the sack.
"We got that time, and the nice thing is that after six, seven, eight games, they were really positive about the situation, they realised we were on the right path. From that moment they didn't question it one second. They were full of faith and trust, and they said the path we will stay on, and everything will be fine.
"That's what we did then. When we lost finals against Sevilla or City or Real Madrid, I think pundits say then if he doesn't' win the next one then they might change, but internally it was never somebody thinking like this."
Reflecting on the coronavirus crisis, with talk of the Bundesliga returning as early as May 9, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager says training should only be re-introduced when it is safe to do so.
Klopp sees no use in forcing football to return, but does see that it could have a positive impact on the mood of the country.
"We will see, they [Germany] are all very optimistic they will start mid-May. We will see what that means.
"We will see when that starts here," he added. "We know what we want, and the first thing that we want is that everybody is safe and healthy. In the moment it is possible to start training again, we will do that.
"We are all at home, all isolated, we have no cases or stuff like this. If we come together and train in groups of two or five or six or eight, I'm not sure when that will be possible, we have to wait for the government on that. We cannot force that and will not, because we can't, there's absolutely nothing for that.
"But if football can help in some departments with lifting the mood, giving something to think about and to deal with in a different way, then we have to start training at one point, but I don't know when that will be."
Klopp also admits his life hasn't changed too much during the lockdown, saying he would either spend most of his time at home or at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.
"Look, my life didn't change too much to be honest. I can't usually go out, stuff like that. I could go to Melwood once a day for eight, nine, 10 hours it would be the same because at home it is always the same.
"We don't go in restaurants and stuff like this so we didn't change too much. So I don't miss this part of it, but of course I miss the boys, football, and for everybody else to have their normal life.
"It's not important how I feel because I am used to a private lockdown if you like, but I can imagine for other people it is much more difficult and I hope it will change at some point."
What do Liverpool need?
Jamie Carragher, speaking on The Football Show:
"I think there could be something more in reserve for the front three. I think Liverpool have been lucky in that the best players and most important players for Jurgen Klopp have never really suffered injury-wise, certainly big injuries, if you think of the front three, the full-backs and Virgil Van Dijk.
"Can there be more back-up if something happens? Certainly with Andy Robertson at left-back, probably the only recognised left-back at the club.
"I just think Liverpool need more than Divock Origi as back-up for the front three when they're out, and hence why Liverpool have been linked with Timo Werner. I actually do think Liverpool need to invest to keep them where they are.
"So certainly for me, a strong understudy to Andrew Robertson, and certainly someone who is really going to push that front three. I think they certainly need to spend big to keep them ahead of the pack."
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
The plans to accommodate 7,000 additional seats and raise Anfield's capacity to 61,000 will not be completed until summer 2023 at the earliest.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Statement
As a club, we are aware of and disappointed by comments attributed to Mayor Joe Anderson in a media interview which was published today.
As well as a lack of evidence to support such claims, we would also point to recent discussions with Mayor Anderson relating to the possibility of any behind-closed-doors football, which concluded that it is important that key stakeholders across the city continue to engage and work collaboratively.
In recent weeks, we have engaged with supporters’ groups who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders in keeping with our collective desire to achieve this crucial objective.
As part of our ongoing operations, we are in regular contact with the Mayor and his office and we hope these conversations can continue.
In the meantime, our primary focus remains responding to the humanitarian crisis which continues to unfold and in particular providing ongoing support to various NHS initiatives and those experiencing food poverty and social isolation.
As a club, we are aware of and disappointed by comments attributed to Mayor Joe Anderson in a media interview which was published today.
As well as a lack of evidence to support such claims, we would also point to recent discussions with Mayor Anderson relating to the possibility of any behind-closed-doors football, which concluded that it is important that key stakeholders across the city continue to engage and work collaboratively.
In recent weeks, we have engaged with supporters’ groups who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders in keeping with our collective desire to achieve this crucial objective.
As part of our ongoing operations, we are in regular contact with the Mayor and his office and we hope these conversations can continue.
In the meantime, our primary focus remains responding to the humanitarian crisis which continues to unfold and in particular providing ongoing support to various NHS initiatives and those experiencing food poverty and social isolation.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren admits he has struggled with the psychological impact of the coronavirus lockdown and says players will need time to "recover mentally" from quarantine.
While some Premier League clubs have reopened their training facilities under strict conditions, Liverpool's squad remain at home with individual programmes and no date has been set for their return to Melwood.
Lovren admits he has missed working alongside with his team-mates and is looking forward to a return to full training.
"It hasn't been easy as we have been locked up in our homes for 46 days now," Lovren told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novisti.
"The psychological aspect is the most difficult to overcome. I work out on my own as much as I can, I kick the ball around a bit with my son on our lawn, but training with the team is totally different."
The Croatia international admits it is difficult to get excited by his training regime in lockdown.
"I try to stay motivated any way I can. I get up in the morning and tell myself 'I am going to get knackered in training today' and at least I've managed to lose some weight," added Lovren.
"But I've also lost some mass on my legs because there is no substitute for a 90-minute team training session. You can't do an indoor exercise on your legs for 90 minutes."
The Premier League met on Friday to discuss 'Project Restart' and a possible return to competitive action in June, should it be deemed safe and given government approval.
Lovren is keen to see the season completed in full, with Liverpool 25 points clear at the top of the table, but says players will need enough time to rest between games after a long period without competitive action.
"I hope Aleksander Ceferin and all the other people from UEFA and FIFA will come up with a solution so that we don't get into a situation of having to play 15 games in 30 days," he added.
"We need time off. This hasn't really been time off because the players will need to recover mentally from the pandemic and the resultant quarantine."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...mpact-of-coronavirus-lockdown-hasnt-been-easy
While some Premier League clubs have reopened their training facilities under strict conditions, Liverpool's squad remain at home with individual programmes and no date has been set for their return to Melwood.
Lovren admits he has missed working alongside with his team-mates and is looking forward to a return to full training.
"It hasn't been easy as we have been locked up in our homes for 46 days now," Lovren told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novisti.
"The psychological aspect is the most difficult to overcome. I work out on my own as much as I can, I kick the ball around a bit with my son on our lawn, but training with the team is totally different."
The Croatia international admits it is difficult to get excited by his training regime in lockdown.
"I try to stay motivated any way I can. I get up in the morning and tell myself 'I am going to get knackered in training today' and at least I've managed to lose some weight," added Lovren.
"But I've also lost some mass on my legs because there is no substitute for a 90-minute team training session. You can't do an indoor exercise on your legs for 90 minutes."
The Premier League met on Friday to discuss 'Project Restart' and a possible return to competitive action in June, should it be deemed safe and given government approval.
Lovren is keen to see the season completed in full, with Liverpool 25 points clear at the top of the table, but says players will need enough time to rest between games after a long period without competitive action.
"I hope Aleksander Ceferin and all the other people from UEFA and FIFA will come up with a solution so that we don't get into a situation of having to play 15 games in 30 days," he added.
"We need time off. This hasn't really been time off because the players will need to recover mentally from the pandemic and the resultant quarantine."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...mpact-of-coronavirus-lockdown-hasnt-been-easy
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool have not ceased their interest in signing Timo Werner, but the club have made no concrete decisions around transfers given the financial implications of coronavirus and uncertainty over how it will reshape the market.
Anfield remains the forward’s destination of choice if he is to leave RB Leipzig, with the player not concealing his desire to line up under Jurgen Klopp, whom he has labelled “the best coach in the world.”
Werner has been assessed by the Premier League leaders since 2015, with their analysis escalating over the past two years given his stylistic suitability to fill an attacking role at the club.
The 24-year-old’s declarations – both publicly and privately – that he wants to improve and would not be put off by the challenge of having to fight for his place addressed the only question mark Liverpool had against him given their explosive front three of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
As detailed by The Independent, the recruitment team and Klopp subscribe to a ‘it’s not about the first three months, but the first three years’ policy and do detailed character assessments of how a player would cope with being out of the fold, as Andy Robertson and Fabinho were, for example, while absorbing the demands on and off the pitch.
There have been differing reports over the release clause inserted into the contract extension Werner signed with Leipzig last summer and the terms around it, but a talent of his age being available for around £50m was seen as good value before the global pandemic.
Liverpool were willing to sanction a deal at that cost, feeling it resembled the outlay spent on Firmino and Mane with inflation.
However, Covid-19 has removed surety from transfer planning as clubs cede income on an unprecedented level while not having any certainty over how this season and the next one will unfold.
Liverpool had already been preparing for a relatively quiet summer before the crisis unless significant problems (an injury to a key player, a core asset pushing to leave) emerged.
There is an appreciation now that any business under consideration is up in the air until there is a clearer picture over the transfer landscape across Europe.
Leipzig’s sporting director Markus Krosche has already conceded that fees in the region of £50m for the club’s in-demand stars like Werner and Dayot Upamecano “is rather unlikely, at least this summer” due to coronavirus.
Liverpool have been determined not to abandon the recruitment principles that have restored the club as a domestic and European powerhouse.
While that means eschewing blockbuster price tags unless the player is a certified game-changer like Virgil van Dijk or Alisson, it also equates to being shrewd and trying to stay ahead of the competition when the window opens.
The club have been skilled in securing deals that were largely frowned upon or generated very little buzz - Mohamed Salah, Robertson, Firmino, Mane, Gini Wijnaldum – being cases in point.
With such an emphasis on finding value this summer, Liverpool’s pedigreed analytics team will be seeking out clever moves (see Joel Matip on a free, activating Xherdan Shaqiri and Takumi Minamino’s low release clauses).
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-timo-werner-latest-coronavirus-a9497056.html
Anfield remains the forward’s destination of choice if he is to leave RB Leipzig, with the player not concealing his desire to line up under Jurgen Klopp, whom he has labelled “the best coach in the world.”
Werner has been assessed by the Premier League leaders since 2015, with their analysis escalating over the past two years given his stylistic suitability to fill an attacking role at the club.
The 24-year-old’s declarations – both publicly and privately – that he wants to improve and would not be put off by the challenge of having to fight for his place addressed the only question mark Liverpool had against him given their explosive front three of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
As detailed by The Independent, the recruitment team and Klopp subscribe to a ‘it’s not about the first three months, but the first three years’ policy and do detailed character assessments of how a player would cope with being out of the fold, as Andy Robertson and Fabinho were, for example, while absorbing the demands on and off the pitch.
There have been differing reports over the release clause inserted into the contract extension Werner signed with Leipzig last summer and the terms around it, but a talent of his age being available for around £50m was seen as good value before the global pandemic.
Liverpool were willing to sanction a deal at that cost, feeling it resembled the outlay spent on Firmino and Mane with inflation.
However, Covid-19 has removed surety from transfer planning as clubs cede income on an unprecedented level while not having any certainty over how this season and the next one will unfold.
Liverpool had already been preparing for a relatively quiet summer before the crisis unless significant problems (an injury to a key player, a core asset pushing to leave) emerged.
There is an appreciation now that any business under consideration is up in the air until there is a clearer picture over the transfer landscape across Europe.
Leipzig’s sporting director Markus Krosche has already conceded that fees in the region of £50m for the club’s in-demand stars like Werner and Dayot Upamecano “is rather unlikely, at least this summer” due to coronavirus.
Liverpool have been determined not to abandon the recruitment principles that have restored the club as a domestic and European powerhouse.
While that means eschewing blockbuster price tags unless the player is a certified game-changer like Virgil van Dijk or Alisson, it also equates to being shrewd and trying to stay ahead of the competition when the window opens.
The club have been skilled in securing deals that were largely frowned upon or generated very little buzz - Mohamed Salah, Robertson, Firmino, Mane, Gini Wijnaldum – being cases in point.
With such an emphasis on finding value this summer, Liverpool’s pedigreed analytics team will be seeking out clever moves (see Joel Matip on a free, activating Xherdan Shaqiri and Takumi Minamino’s low release clauses).
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-timo-werner-latest-coronavirus-a9497056.html
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Liverpool star defender Virgil van Dijk admits it was a special feeling to compete his move to the Reds in 2018.
The Dutch international joined Liverpool from Southampton 28 months ago in a £75 million deal that made him the most expensive defender in world football at the time.
Since Van Dijk's arrival, Liverpool’s defence has been the best in the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp’s men winning the Champions League and on the verge of lifting the Premier League title this term.
"It was surreal for me to have to make a decision where to go to at the time. The instant feeling was there with Liverpool and they ticked most of my boxes," Van Dijk told Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
"When I went to Celtic, I didn't realise how big they were at the time, but I had a feeling before I joined Liverpool how big Liverpool really were.
"You see all their games, I'd played there two times before I joined them, and over the course of time before I signed, I met so many people, Liverpool fans, that would say, 'I hope you sign for us'.
"It was special, and when things got finalised and you start playing, my debut against Everton was something I will never forget.
"How things went in the end; starting in the winter, reaching the Champions League final, the disappointment of losing it but then winning it the year after, coming very close to winning the Premier League and obviously now we are in a very fortunate position to hopefully get it over the line when things start moving again.
"We are making big progress as a team and I have definitely made big progress myself."
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/En...k-it-was-surreal-for-me-to-join-reds-20200511
The Dutch international joined Liverpool from Southampton 28 months ago in a £75 million deal that made him the most expensive defender in world football at the time.
Since Van Dijk's arrival, Liverpool’s defence has been the best in the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp’s men winning the Champions League and on the verge of lifting the Premier League title this term.
"It was surreal for me to have to make a decision where to go to at the time. The instant feeling was there with Liverpool and they ticked most of my boxes," Van Dijk told Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
"When I went to Celtic, I didn't realise how big they were at the time, but I had a feeling before I joined Liverpool how big Liverpool really were.
"You see all their games, I'd played there two times before I joined them, and over the course of time before I signed, I met so many people, Liverpool fans, that would say, 'I hope you sign for us'.
"It was special, and when things got finalised and you start playing, my debut against Everton was something I will never forget.
"How things went in the end; starting in the winter, reaching the Champions League final, the disappointment of losing it but then winning it the year after, coming very close to winning the Premier League and obviously now we are in a very fortunate position to hopefully get it over the line when things start moving again.
"We are making big progress as a team and I have definitely made big progress myself."
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/En...k-it-was-surreal-for-me-to-join-reds-20200511
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jamie Carragher admits he felt sorry for Alberto Aquilani, who was a panic buy for Liverpool and joined the club injured and out of shape.
One of the most expensive mistakes in Liverpool history, Aquilani joined from Roma for just under £20 million and played just 18 Premier League games for the club in three years.
The midfielder left for no more than £1 million in 2012 and Carragher, who once named Aquilani as one of Liverpool's three worst signings of his time as a player, sympathises with the Italian.
"It was just a complete and utter mess," Carragher told The Athletic.
"It was a panic signing. Xabi (Alonso) was going and there was that sense of, 'We have to get someone in'. But we signed someone who hadn't played for months and was months away from being fit again.
"He was injured when he arrived and there was pressure on the medical staff to get him back quick. It soon became clear it would take longer than the club had initially put out there. That then caused problems for the medical staff.
"It was a terrible decision all-round to bring him in. It just wouldn't happen these days with the structure Liverpool have in place with a sporting director.
"I felt sorry for the lad because he was caught in the middle of it. He was put in a position he shouldn't have been put in.
"I'm not having this talk about the finances at the time or missing out on who we really wanted.
"Managers frequently don't get their first target. Look at Alex Ferguson. He missed out on Alan Shearer and signed Eric Cantona.
"If you couldn't replace him properly, then why sell Xabi? He was always going to want to go that summer with what happened the previous year with Gareth Barry.
"You've still got to spend the money you can spend wisely. All the lads were disappointed about Xabi leaving. He had been there a long time and he'd had a great last season for Liverpool."
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/En...-signing-was-complete-and-utter-mess-20200514
One of the most expensive mistakes in Liverpool history, Aquilani joined from Roma for just under £20 million and played just 18 Premier League games for the club in three years.
The midfielder left for no more than £1 million in 2012 and Carragher, who once named Aquilani as one of Liverpool's three worst signings of his time as a player, sympathises with the Italian.
"It was just a complete and utter mess," Carragher told The Athletic.
"It was a panic signing. Xabi (Alonso) was going and there was that sense of, 'We have to get someone in'. But we signed someone who hadn't played for months and was months away from being fit again.
"He was injured when he arrived and there was pressure on the medical staff to get him back quick. It soon became clear it would take longer than the club had initially put out there. That then caused problems for the medical staff.
"It was a terrible decision all-round to bring him in. It just wouldn't happen these days with the structure Liverpool have in place with a sporting director.
"I felt sorry for the lad because he was caught in the middle of it. He was put in a position he shouldn't have been put in.
"I'm not having this talk about the finances at the time or missing out on who we really wanted.
"Managers frequently don't get their first target. Look at Alex Ferguson. He missed out on Alan Shearer and signed Eric Cantona.
"If you couldn't replace him properly, then why sell Xabi? He was always going to want to go that summer with what happened the previous year with Gareth Barry.
"You've still got to spend the money you can spend wisely. All the lads were disappointed about Xabi leaving. He had been there a long time and he'd had a great last season for Liverpool."
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/En...-signing-was-complete-and-utter-mess-20200514
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp says return to training like 'first day at school'
Liverpool's return to non-contact training "felt like the first day at school", says manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Premier League leaders worked in small groups at their Melwood training ground on Wednesday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.
The top flight hopes to resume in June, with 92 fixtures left to play, having been suspended since 13 March.
"I woke up even earlier than usual and then I realised it was my first day," Klopp told Liverpool's website.
"It felt like the first day at school - for me, it was 46 years ago, but it must have been similar.
"I dressed myself in my uniform again - and for the right reason, for going to training."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52743144
Liverpool's return to non-contact training "felt like the first day at school", says manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Premier League leaders worked in small groups at their Melwood training ground on Wednesday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.
The top flight hopes to resume in June, with 92 fixtures left to play, having been suspended since 13 March.
"I woke up even earlier than usual and then I realised it was my first day," Klopp told Liverpool's website.
"It felt like the first day at school - for me, it was 46 years ago, but it must have been similar.
"I dressed myself in my uniform again - and for the right reason, for going to training."
The easing of government restrictions have allowed players to train in small groups in staggered sessions, with all 20 clubs unanimously agreeing to stage one of the return-to-training protocols at Monday's "Project Restart" meeting.
As well as training in groups of no more than five, sessions must last no longer than 75 minutes for each player. Social distancing must be adhered to.
Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table, with nine games to play, and need just two more wins to secure their first Premier League title.
The league had previously identified 12 June for matches to possibly start again, but there is now an expectation this will need to be pushed back.
Klopp said he was "really happy" to see his players again and that they were all in "good spirits" and "good shape".
"We don't know exactly how long we have, but we have some time to prepare the rest of this season and already the next season because I don't think there will be a massive break between the two," he said.
"It's a pre-season for us. We don't know how long and we will not have test games or friendlies.
"Maybe we can organise it between us when we are allowed to, but it will not be the same like in other pre-seasons."
Klopp said he was glad his players had had a "real rest" during nine weeks off in lockdown as opposed to two or three weeks of holiday per year.
However, he added: "Of course, you cannot rest when you are worried about the situation in the world, not in the same way like you do on a proper holiday."
One player and two staff members at Watford and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan are among six positive Premier League tests for coronavirus revealed on Tuesday.
A total of 748 players and staff were tested in the first round of twice-weekly testing as part of the return-to-training measures.
Official protocols sent to players and managers last week, and obtained by the BBC, revealed corner flags, balls, cones, goalposts and even playing surfaces will be disinfected after each training session.
Klopp said the the protocols are "brilliant" and that he felt his side were able to train in a "very, very safe place".
He added: "Then hopefully for all of us we will get good news because that always would mean the development was in the right direction for the whole country and then for the league as well."
As well as training in groups of no more than five, sessions must last no longer than 75 minutes for each player. Social distancing must be adhered to.
Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table, with nine games to play, and need just two more wins to secure their first Premier League title.
The league had previously identified 12 June for matches to possibly start again, but there is now an expectation this will need to be pushed back.
Klopp said he was "really happy" to see his players again and that they were all in "good spirits" and "good shape".
"We don't know exactly how long we have, but we have some time to prepare the rest of this season and already the next season because I don't think there will be a massive break between the two," he said.
"It's a pre-season for us. We don't know how long and we will not have test games or friendlies.
"Maybe we can organise it between us when we are allowed to, but it will not be the same like in other pre-seasons."
Klopp said he was glad his players had had a "real rest" during nine weeks off in lockdown as opposed to two or three weeks of holiday per year.
However, he added: "Of course, you cannot rest when you are worried about the situation in the world, not in the same way like you do on a proper holiday."
One player and two staff members at Watford and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan are among six positive Premier League tests for coronavirus revealed on Tuesday.
A total of 748 players and staff were tested in the first round of twice-weekly testing as part of the return-to-training measures.
Official protocols sent to players and managers last week, and obtained by the BBC, revealed corner flags, balls, cones, goalposts and even playing surfaces will be disinfected after each training session.
Klopp said the the protocols are "brilliant" and that he felt his side were able to train in a "very, very safe place".
He added: "Then hopefully for all of us we will get good news because that always would mean the development was in the right direction for the whole country and then for the league as well."
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 49,026
Feels sooo good to see the boys back training.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Reports in Germany claim that Liverpool have made a shock enquiry for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane but have quickly hit a dead end.
The surprising and highly ambitious transfer swoop for the Germany international has been confirmed by reliable journalist Christian Falk.
Head of football at Sport Bild, Falk, confirmed talk that the Reds were interested in 24-year-old Sane, who has been recovering from injury this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s men apparently enquired about Sane and a potential transfer next summer, but Sane never considered the move due to the rivalry between the two teams. He also has his heart set on Bayern Munich, says Falk.
Liverpool were hoping for a free-transfer switch in the summer of 2021 and agreed to match the players wages at City.
The deal though will not be happening with Sane said to be keen to finally wrap up a move to Bavaria.
Sane has been a top target for Bayern since last summer, but that conjecture ended in August when Sane suffered a serious knee injury in his first appearance of the season – the Community Shield against Liverpool at Wembley.
Earlier this month Sport Bild reported that Bayern Munich had made a derisory €40m (£36m) offer for Sane after reportedly agreeing personal terms with the Germany man.
The Bundesliga champions have approached the City forward and come to an agreement over his contract with Sane agreeing on a five-year deal.
Sport Bild claims that Bayern will consider any deal under €60m (£54m) a major success, but their initial €40m (£36m) offer is well short of City’s reported €100m (£90m) valuation on the player.
City paid Schalke £46.5m, including add-ons for Sane in 2016 and will not let him leave for less than that.
City boss Pep Guardiola admitted in January that he would not be able to stop Sane from leaving should the German winger decide to pursue a move away from the club.
“It’s a question for Leroy, his agents and the club. I’m not involved in that.
“What I want is for him to come back fit. His knee looks really good and after that, honestly, it’s not of my business. It’s not in my hands.”
https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-shock-enquiry-leroy-sane-man-city-transfer
The surprising and highly ambitious transfer swoop for the Germany international has been confirmed by reliable journalist Christian Falk.
Head of football at Sport Bild, Falk, confirmed talk that the Reds were interested in 24-year-old Sane, who has been recovering from injury this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s men apparently enquired about Sane and a potential transfer next summer, but Sane never considered the move due to the rivalry between the two teams. He also has his heart set on Bayern Munich, says Falk.
Liverpool were hoping for a free-transfer switch in the summer of 2021 and agreed to match the players wages at City.
The deal though will not be happening with Sane said to be keen to finally wrap up a move to Bavaria.
Sane has been a top target for Bayern since last summer, but that conjecture ended in August when Sane suffered a serious knee injury in his first appearance of the season – the Community Shield against Liverpool at Wembley.
Earlier this month Sport Bild reported that Bayern Munich had made a derisory €40m (£36m) offer for Sane after reportedly agreeing personal terms with the Germany man.
The Bundesliga champions have approached the City forward and come to an agreement over his contract with Sane agreeing on a five-year deal.
Sport Bild claims that Bayern will consider any deal under €60m (£54m) a major success, but their initial €40m (£36m) offer is well short of City’s reported €100m (£90m) valuation on the player.
City paid Schalke £46.5m, including add-ons for Sane in 2016 and will not let him leave for less than that.
City boss Pep Guardiola admitted in January that he would not be able to stop Sane from leaving should the German winger decide to pursue a move away from the club.
“It’s a question for Leroy, his agents and the club. I’m not involved in that.
“What I want is for him to come back fit. His knee looks really good and after that, honestly, it’s not of my business. It’s not in my hands.”
https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-shock-enquiry-leroy-sane-man-city-transfer
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
Jordan Henderson: Great to be back in training with Liverpool
Jordan Henderson is delighted to be back in training and has challenged Liverpool to "pick up where they left off" when the Premier League season resumes.
The Liverpool captain joined his team-mates as they returned to Melwood on Wednesday following a two-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Liverpool, like all Premier League sides, are working in small groups and following social distancing guidelines as they wait for the resumption of contact training, but Henderson says he and his team-mates are just happy to be back on the grass - even if the outbreak has put things in perspective.
"It's been great to get back and see the lads, get the balls out and be able to pass into each other and interact a little bit," he told Sky Sports' Patrick Davison.
"It's been really good and something I've looked forward to for a while now.
"I think a lot of lads will be the same. Football is taken away from you and it's obviously difficult because at the end of the day it's the most important thing to us.
"But then something like this happens and it puts everything in perspective. I feel lucky to be in the position that I'm in.
"You have a lot of time to reflect and think about things, but ultimately I was itching to get back playing football as soon as possible once everything had calmed down a bit and it was safe to do so."
Henderson kept in regular contact with team-mates and staff throughout the lockdown, but admits he missed the camaraderie in the Liverpool dressing room.
"You miss the banter," he said. "You miss preparing the games. You miss training and working hard with a view to having a game on the weekend or in midweek.
"It's just everything that you do on a day-to-day basis that you miss.
"But we're so fortunate to be playing football and be in the position that we're in. Sometimes you can take that for granted, but at times like this, you realise how lucky you are."
Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...n-great-to-be-back-in-training-with-liverpool
Jordan Henderson is delighted to be back in training and has challenged Liverpool to "pick up where they left off" when the Premier League season resumes.
The Liverpool captain joined his team-mates as they returned to Melwood on Wednesday following a two-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Liverpool, like all Premier League sides, are working in small groups and following social distancing guidelines as they wait for the resumption of contact training, but Henderson says he and his team-mates are just happy to be back on the grass - even if the outbreak has put things in perspective.
"It's been great to get back and see the lads, get the balls out and be able to pass into each other and interact a little bit," he told Sky Sports' Patrick Davison.
"It's been really good and something I've looked forward to for a while now.
"I think a lot of lads will be the same. Football is taken away from you and it's obviously difficult because at the end of the day it's the most important thing to us.
"But then something like this happens and it puts everything in perspective. I feel lucky to be in the position that I'm in.
"You have a lot of time to reflect and think about things, but ultimately I was itching to get back playing football as soon as possible once everything had calmed down a bit and it was safe to do so."
Henderson kept in regular contact with team-mates and staff throughout the lockdown, but admits he missed the camaraderie in the Liverpool dressing room.
"You miss the banter," he said. "You miss preparing the games. You miss training and working hard with a view to having a game on the weekend or in midweek.
"It's just everything that you do on a day-to-day basis that you miss.
"But we're so fortunate to be playing football and be in the position that we're in. Sometimes you can take that for granted, but at times like this, you realise how lucky you are."
Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...n-great-to-be-back-in-training-with-liverpool
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
(Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has said resuming contact training has made a “massive difference” for the Premier League leaders as they step up preparations for the restart of the season on June 17 following the COVID-19 disruption.
The league was suspended on March 13 due to the pandemic, with teams returning to training in small groups before voting last week to return to contact training.
“It’s absolutely brilliant, a massive difference ... we could work on all the things we wanted to work on,” German Klopp told the club website.
“The first week was already really good with small groups, I enjoyed that ... it was important to get on track again, to get used to the pitch, ball and boots... now we work on tactical things, that works really well.
“... Hopefully we can make progress in the next two or three weeks, there are a lot of things that need to be organised... we need to get hopefully a couple of (bits of) information but we take it like it is and use each second we are together.”
Liverpool have a 25-point lead over Manchester City and need two wins to secure their first top-flight title in 30 years. They are scheduled to face Everton in their first game back.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-h...big-boost-says-liverpools-klopp-idUKKBN23813D
The league was suspended on March 13 due to the pandemic, with teams returning to training in small groups before voting last week to return to contact training.
“It’s absolutely brilliant, a massive difference ... we could work on all the things we wanted to work on,” German Klopp told the club website.
“The first week was already really good with small groups, I enjoyed that ... it was important to get on track again, to get used to the pitch, ball and boots... now we work on tactical things, that works really well.
“... Hopefully we can make progress in the next two or three weeks, there are a lot of things that need to be organised... we need to get hopefully a couple of (bits of) information but we take it like it is and use each second we are together.”
Liverpool have a 25-point lead over Manchester City and need two wins to secure their first top-flight title in 30 years. They are scheduled to face Everton in their first game back.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-h...big-boost-says-liverpools-klopp-idUKKBN23813D
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,751
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool could hold a Premier League title parade midway through next season, if that is when coronavirus restrictions on mass gatherings are eased.
Liverpool are on the verge of securing a first top-flight title for 30 years and Klopp's side require just two victories from their final nine games to guarantee the trophy.
Matches are set to resume behind closed doors on June 17, meaning Liverpool's supporters will not be at Anfield to celebrate their likely triumph, or permitted to gather in the city to honour the campaign.
"That you can't celebrate in the way you've always dreamed of, that's not nice, I totally understand that," Klopp told Sky Germany. "I feel the same way. It's not that my ideal is to celebrate alone in the stadium, then just drive home.
"It wasn't like that when you thought about it. But that cannot be changed now. Why should we now make a big deal about something that can't be changed?
"There comes a day when life will get back to normal. When someone has found the vaccine, when someone has found a solution to the problem, when infection rates are zero or below - that day will come eventually. Then we have the right to celebrate what we want to celebrate on that day.
"If this is the 12th or 13th matchday of next season and we want to celebrate it - who is going to stop it? Then we still have the trophy and then we can drive it around town and stand on the bus. If other people then think that we are completely crazy, I honestly don't care.
"Can it then still be a special celebration? No question. It's different, but different is sometimes absolutely OK."
Season can become 'historic'
Liverpool had amassed a remarkable 82 points from 29 games when the Premier League was suspended in March, with Klopp's side having dropped points on just two occasions, with a solitary draw and a defeat.
With his side on course to eclipse Manchester City's record total of 100 points from the 2017-18 season, Klopp has urged his players to win all of their remaining fixtures.
"The problem at the moment is that we still have to become one (champions)," Klopp said
"I am not sitting here and want to doubt that, but I also know that we want to win football matches and not only two, but if possible nine.
"This can become historic, I have to say so clearly. And not only club historical, but historical in general. We have the chance to get an unbelievable number of points and so we prepare ourselves and then we will see what comes out of it."
Liverpool squad kneeling an 'extraordinary moment'
While Liverpool's performances on the pitch this season have given Klopp plenty of reason to be proud, the German revealed an off-field gesture by his players this week had impressed him.
His squad showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement as they knelt around the centre circle during a training session at Anfield, a move that several other Premier League clubs followed.
The gesture followed the death of American George Floyd, who died on May 25 after a white police officer who has since been charged with his murder held him down by pressing a knee into his neck.
"For us, the contact with each other and Black Lives Matter is natural," Klopp said. "If you look at our team, we have players from Africa, from England, et cetera.
"It's so natural for us that we didn't even think about sending a message at first. Because it's completely normal, nobody realised that we would have to say it again. But then the boys noticed it. Then they spontaneously decided to do it.
"I have been very proud of the boys for a long time, but this was another extraordinary moment. When I saw them there and this photo was taken, I was really proud, because it is also an important message. No question about it."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...parade-could-be-next-season-says-jurgen-klopp
Liverpool are on the verge of securing a first top-flight title for 30 years and Klopp's side require just two victories from their final nine games to guarantee the trophy.
Matches are set to resume behind closed doors on June 17, meaning Liverpool's supporters will not be at Anfield to celebrate their likely triumph, or permitted to gather in the city to honour the campaign.
"That you can't celebrate in the way you've always dreamed of, that's not nice, I totally understand that," Klopp told Sky Germany. "I feel the same way. It's not that my ideal is to celebrate alone in the stadium, then just drive home.
"It wasn't like that when you thought about it. But that cannot be changed now. Why should we now make a big deal about something that can't be changed?
"There comes a day when life will get back to normal. When someone has found the vaccine, when someone has found a solution to the problem, when infection rates are zero or below - that day will come eventually. Then we have the right to celebrate what we want to celebrate on that day.
"If this is the 12th or 13th matchday of next season and we want to celebrate it - who is going to stop it? Then we still have the trophy and then we can drive it around town and stand on the bus. If other people then think that we are completely crazy, I honestly don't care.
"Can it then still be a special celebration? No question. It's different, but different is sometimes absolutely OK."
Season can become 'historic'
Liverpool had amassed a remarkable 82 points from 29 games when the Premier League was suspended in March, with Klopp's side having dropped points on just two occasions, with a solitary draw and a defeat.
With his side on course to eclipse Manchester City's record total of 100 points from the 2017-18 season, Klopp has urged his players to win all of their remaining fixtures.
"The problem at the moment is that we still have to become one (champions)," Klopp said
"I am not sitting here and want to doubt that, but I also know that we want to win football matches and not only two, but if possible nine.
"This can become historic, I have to say so clearly. And not only club historical, but historical in general. We have the chance to get an unbelievable number of points and so we prepare ourselves and then we will see what comes out of it."
Liverpool squad kneeling an 'extraordinary moment'
While Liverpool's performances on the pitch this season have given Klopp plenty of reason to be proud, the German revealed an off-field gesture by his players this week had impressed him.
His squad showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement as they knelt around the centre circle during a training session at Anfield, a move that several other Premier League clubs followed.
The gesture followed the death of American George Floyd, who died on May 25 after a white police officer who has since been charged with his murder held him down by pressing a knee into his neck.
"For us, the contact with each other and Black Lives Matter is natural," Klopp said. "If you look at our team, we have players from Africa, from England, et cetera.
"It's so natural for us that we didn't even think about sending a message at first. Because it's completely normal, nobody realised that we would have to say it again. But then the boys noticed it. Then they spontaneously decided to do it.
"I have been very proud of the boys for a long time, but this was another extraordinary moment. When I saw them there and this photo was taken, I was really proud, because it is also an important message. No question about it."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...parade-could-be-next-season-says-jurgen-klopp
