What's new

Liverpool FC | 2020/21 Season

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk needs surgery on a knee ligament injury sustained in the 2-2 draw at Everton on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Netherlands defender was unable to continue following a rash challenge by Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford in the first half.

It is unclear how long he will be out for with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

He went for a scan before a specialist confirmed the extent of the injury.

Returning to action after ACL surgery can take many months.

Van Dijk has been a key figure for Liverpool since signing for them in January 2018 for £75m.

He has played every league game for the club in the past two seasons as Liverpool finished second in 2018-19 before winning their first top-flight title in 30 years in 2019-20.

The Dutchman was also a leading figure for the side as they won the Champions League in 2019 and Club World Cup later that year.

He had played seven times for the Reds this season prior to the Merseyside derby.

Van Dijk's absence will leave manager Jurgen Klopp with regulars Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as his main centre-backs as well as the inexperienced Nathaniel Phillips.

Midfielder Fabinho can also deputise at centre-back as he did in the win at Chelsea earlier this season.

In addition to Liverpool, the Netherlands will be keeping their fingers crossed he will be fit to take part in the postponed Euro 2020, which is now set to take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021.
 
"It was just a human error. We can only apologise for it"

Dermot Gallagher admits Jordan Pickford *should* have been sent off for his challenge on Virgil van Dijk regardless of the offside.
 
Defence has gone back to being a shambles. Title looks like it'll head back to Man City.
 
Defence has gone back to being a shambles. Title looks like it'll head back to Man City.

I don't know about you, but I'm loving it.

Without VVD they will struggle a lot more defensively and a few more 7-2 type thrashings could come their way.

Before the season started I thought City would win it, however their defence is not exactly watertight. It could be a very open title race this season.
 
BREAKING: Jordan Pickford will face no retrospective action over his challenge on Virgil van Dijk on Saturday
 
VVD out for at least 6 months is a huge blow for Liverpool. He was outstanding last season.

Gomez and Matip don't seem to be a very good central defensive pairing, so it may well be that Klopp sees how it goes and then splashes the cash in January.
 
Wijnaldum, who is also a team-mate of Van Dijk for the Netherlands, said: "Of course we are upset. The way Pickford went in was completely stupid.
"I believe he did not want to injure Virgil the way he injured him.
"In my opinion, they take it too far in the games we play against them. Everyone wants to win the derby, sometimes you go a little over the top, but it was too much - not only his tackle, Richarlison on Thiago was also a nasty one.
"Accidents can happen in football. You can be unlucky and injure someone - but the way they were doing it was completely unacceptable.
"It makes it harder as they do not get punished, in this case Pickford."
 
Liverpool could pursue Brighton defender Ben White or Turkey and Schalke defender Ozan Kabak to fill in for their injured Dutch international Virgil van Dijk.
 
Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher says Liverpool should move for France and RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, 21, to make up for the loss of Van Dijk.
 
Virgil van Dijk: Everton' sorry' for injury suffered by Liverpool defender

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has apologised for the injury suffered by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk during Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Van Dijk, 29, sustained cruciate ligament damage after a challenge by Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Ancelotti said Pickford is "really sad" that the Dutchman is injured, but denied the tackle was premeditated.

"To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk," Ancelotti said.

"Every one of us hopes he can recover soon and well."

Pickford will face no further action for the challenge as the Football Association determined the incident was seen at the time having consulted with the match officials, including the video assistant referee.

Van Dijk's Liverpool and Netherlands team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum labelled the tackle "completely stupid", though Everton manager Ancelotti said it was mistimed rather than malicious.

"There was this contact with Jordan Pickford: it was mistimed contact," added the Italian. "But the fact the Premier League is so fast, it is not so difficult to arrive a little bit later.

"Jordan arrived a little bit later but his intention was to try to reach the ball. It was not to hurt Virgil van Dijk.

"To say it was premeditated, and this and that, in my opinion, is too much. Virgil van Dijk knows this.

"Jordan is really sad, really disappointed [that Van Dijk is injured]. It was a strong contact, maybe mistimed, but sometimes in football it can happen."

Ancelotti also said that Everton's Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez will miss Sunday's trip to Southampton with an injury sustained in a challenge with Van Dijk in the opening stages of Saturday's game at Goodison Park.

Captain Seamus Coleman will also miss out after being forced off with a hamstring injury during the first half, while forward Richarlison is suspended following his red card for a late tackle on Reds midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54644159
 
James is the human embodiment of a sick note. To blame anyone else for his mental and physical frailties is lying.

Not to mention, James played the whole game after being injured in the first minute? It doesn’t add up. Ancelotti is clearly lying here to deflect well deserved blame for his and his teams thuggish behavior over the years.
 
Liverpool could turn their attentions to Schalke's Turkey international defender Ozan Kabak, 20, as the search to find a replacement for the injured Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk, 29, continues.
 
Liverpool have opened talks with Schalke about a £20m new year move for Turkey defender Ozan Kabak, 20, following the long-term injury to Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk. (Sunday Mirror)
 
Fabinho's hamstring injury is not as serious as first feared with the Liverpool midfielder, who has been playing at centre-back, due back after the international break.
 
Virgil van Dijk has undergone "successful" knee surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament damage he sustained in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool have confirmed.

The Dutch centre-back suffered the injury in a challenge with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on October 17.

"The Liverpool defender's planned operation took place in London and was conducted successfully," read a club statement.
 
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss says Man City trip is most difficult game in world football

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has called Sunday's trip to play Manchester City at the Etihad, live on Sky Sports, the "most difficult game in the world of football".

The Premier League champions face the toughest test of their title defence so far when they come up against Pep Guardiola's side, who are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.

League leaders Liverpool have five more points than City, having played a game more, and could lay down a potentially crucial early marker for this season's title race.

Only one of the last 10 league meetings between City and Liverpool has been won by the visiting side, and Klopp is well aware of the challenge facing his players.

"It's a very difficult game, hopefully for both teams," Klopp said. "So many things are different this year, nothing can be compared with last year or the year before.

"I enjoy these kind of games, I enjoy the preparation, but it doesn't make it easier, it's just a really tough task."

On the challenge of being away from home, Klopp said: "We love playing at Anfield. It's our home and that makes a difference, but I don't think we've made a difference in our approach to home or away games.

"It's not that we want to be dominating at home and like a deep-sitting team away. Saying that, against Man City exactly that can happen because of the quality they have.

"We lost there last year, but it's not a game I like to consider with all the others because three days before we became English champions and it was a pretty special time for us.

"It's not important if we play home or away, it's important that we compete with our own plan, that we are brave, play football and defend with all we have. Then we will have a chance.

"It is very difficult. This is the most difficult game in the world of football."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...trip-is-most-difficult-game-in-world-football
 
Jurgen Klopp: More than two horses in Premier League title race

Jurgen Klopp dismissed the idea of a two-horse race for the Premier League, insisting Liverpool and Manchester City have no divine right to compete for the title because of previous success.

The champions of the previous three seasons meet at the Etihad Stadium on Super Sunday - live on Sky Sports Premier League - as Liverpool's title defence sees them travel to the home of the side chiefly tasked with removing their crown.

While it may be too soon to have true significance on the destination of the Premier League trophy, the fixture has accrued title-decider status in light of Liverpool and City's recent dominance, but Klopp refused to accept Pep Guardiola's side were the only obstacle standing in the way of the Reds retaining their title.

Asked if it was more of a two-horse Premier League title race this season, Klopp told Soccer Saturday: "Yes, it always was. Until a specific point, it was last year for a very long time at least a three-horse race, that's clear. I'm not surprised about that.

"Nothing is guaranteed, could anybody have imagined that the virus could stop the whole world in pretty much a week and that it would do that for eight or nine months? Football is no different, you can take nothing for granted.

"I don't think about us one of two teams, I think about as a team that has to do a lot of things right to be successful, and then we will see where it leads up to.

"I'm not interested what people think about us in the sense if we are one of the top two or the only one, or one of three or four, that's not important when you prepare a game. That's the job I have to do, I have to prepare my team for football games and the next one is a tough one.

"If we look back at the previous two years, they were impressive for both teams. City won one [Premier League] and we won. We won the Champions League on top of that, City won the FA Cup.

"That doesn't mean this year we have the ticket to do it again, everybody has a chance. That's why I said we don't defend anything, we attack the next one, with all we have, whatever that means in a specific moment."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-than-two-horses-in-premier-league-title-race
 
Last edited:
Gary Neville: Liverpool's new formation 'caught out' Man City

Gary Neville has told his podcast Liverpool's 'front four' formation "caught Man City out" in their 1-1 draw at the Etihad on Sunday - and suggested "something's not the same" with Pep Guardiola's side.

Jurgen Klopp sprang a surprise at City when he opted to start with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, and the Liverpool boss was rewarded with a vibrant attacking display before half-time.

Although the draw wasn't sufficient to propel Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League table, it means the champions head into the international break five points clear of City.

Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...-liverpools-new-formation-caught-out-man-city
 
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has suffered a potentially serious injury during England training.
 
Not unexpected situation at Anfield - we stressed our luck last year to the limit in terms of injuries and got away with that ... and FSG kept their money safe. What is happening this year was always on the cards - playing such high tempo game with such a thin squad - they even didn’t replace Lovren either.

Klopp is doing his job perfectly- saving every penny of his owners, but there is a limit of everything - we are heading to a state where Matip & Milner will be Centre back, Henderson right-back and Alcantra playing as DM, Shakiri Left-back .....
 
Joe Gomez: Liverpool defender out for 'significant part' of season after surgery

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has had surgery on a knee injury and is "likely" to miss a "significant part" of the rest of season, the club says.

Gomez was injured on Wednesday while training with England before Thursday's friendly with the Republic of Ireland.

The 23-year-old's club said he had undergone "successful" surgery to repair a tendon in his left knee.

The Reds are already without fellow centre-back Virgil van Dijk because of a long-term knee ligament injury.

"The issue was isolated to Gomez's tendon, with no damage to any other associated knee ligaments," Liverpool said.

"No timescale is being placed upon his return, though the issue is likely to rule him out for a significant part of the remainder of 2020-21."

Gomez has played in all but one of Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League games this season.

The injury is not the same as the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in 2015.

Van Dijk has had surgery on the knee ligament injury he picked up against Everton in a 2-2 draw on 17 October.

The Premier League champions have also been without Fabinho, who had been deputising in defence for Van Dijk, because of a hamstring injury.

Additionally, Liverpool have an injury concern over right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was taken off during the 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday and withdrawn from England duty.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54919505
 
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must buy a defender in January, says Jamie Redknapp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must bring in defensive cover when the transfer window reopens in January after Joe Gomez joined Virgil van Dijk on the club's lengthening injury list, says Jamie Redknapp.

Gomez, 23, underwent successful surgery on Thursday after sustaining a serious knee injury during England training the previous day, with Liverpool hopeful he will be able to play some football again towards the end of this season.

However, with Van Dijk having also picked up a long-term injury knee against Everton in October, Liverpool can now call upon on just one experienced central defender in Joel Matip, who himself only returned from injury in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Man City.

Klopp can utilise the likes of Nathaniel Phillips, Rhys Williams and Sepp van den Berg, but that trio are all short of experience, while Fabinho - who had been used by the German as a makeshift central defender in Van Dijk's absence - is also currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The question now will be what Liverpool may look to do in the winter transfer window, which opens on January 2, but while Redknapp thinks it will not be easy to sign a quality defender then, he has still urged Klopp to strengthen in the new year.

"It's a difficult one," the former Liverpool captain told the Pitch to Post podcast. "I've heard people say that they've got to go out and get a really big signing because Virgil is going to be injured, but if he goes through the right rehab to get fit, he's not going to be too far away from coming back in maybe March or April time as a guess. Normally it's six or seven months, he's an incredibly fit guy and he'll be a good healer.

"You don't want to bring in someone for the sake of it for £40m or £50m because you know you've got someone coming back really quickly. But if you've lost Gomez as well, you're certainly looking to get into the market and try and bring in someone in January or as quickly as you can, be it a loan, be it a signing - but it's not going to be easy to get players in.

"Your hands are tied to a certain extent because straight away, everyone knows you're desperate so the prices are going to get inflated. Liverpool have worked the market so well, they've not always bought the big stars, they've made them stars. Virgil may be the opposite, they paid £75m for him but what his fee now would be, maybe three times as much as that because he's such an incredible player.

"Defenders are at a premium because there's not many good ones around that can play like Virgil, that can defend like Joe Gomez, who is still a young man."

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/18932/12131600/redknapp-klopp-must-buy-but-wont-be-easy
 
Liverpool are ready to make an offer to Olympiakos for Portuguese defender Ruben Semedo, 26, to cover for the injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. (Sic Noticias, via Express)
 
Ray Clemence, Liverpool's greatest ever goalkeeper, has died.

He was signed by Bill Shankly in June 1967, and stayed until 1981 when he left for Tottenham, spending 8 years there.

He was a crucial part of Liverpool's golden era under Shankly and Paisley, winning 5 League Titles, 3 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups and 1 FA Cup.

RIP Clem.
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] did you see him play live in that era ?
 
So many injuries yet they made Leicester City look very ordinary.

Whilst Spurs are doing well, Liverpool are going to take some stopping.
 
Shock defeat tonight against Atalanta.

Throws the group wide open.
 
Liverpool's England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, 22, says the scheduling of games this season "defies common sense". (Evening Standard)
 
Looks like more injuries today for LFC.

Seems their squad strength is going to be thoroughly tested this season.
 
Birghton 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to Match of the Day: "The first half there were one or two things we could improve on. We maybe should have scored the second. Overall we have to be happy with the performance.

"The players have started a month later and playing all the competitions. It's no coincidence there are a lot of injuries. It is hard but I don't think it's going to change. You just have to get on with it. It is difficult. Just have to keep going.

"We have had a lot of injuries but a lot of teams have. You have to deal with it as best you can. We can talk about it now and off the field but when we cross the white line we give it everything. Unfortunately there are more injuries than normal.

==

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "We are used to armpits. We have a toe today. It is how it is. I think the decisions were right.

"You try to create a headline. The ref whistled it. You try always, all the time. Today I say it wasn’t a penalty. What do you want me to say? I said it was a penalty because the ref whistled it, after watching it.

"I couldn’t be more proud of the boys for how they played today. We struggled a bit in the first half an hour with the new last line, because we didn’t drop in the right time. We sorted that but in the second half we had some problems with energy. In the situations around the goals, we were brilliant. Mo’s goal was a brilliant goal. Sadio’s header was outstanding. All good, it’s just tough times. That’s how it is.

"Matt Phillips played an exceptional game, honestly. You always need a bit of luck to win a tough away game, but today we didn’t have luck. I thought the front three played really well together."

On Mohamed Salah's reaction to being taken off: "If Mo is smiling when he leaves the pitch then something’s wrong. We have to be careful, he doesn’t like that, but that’s it."
 
Last edited:
Jurgen Klopp sarcastically congratulated a TV journalist on James Milner's injury and called Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder "selfish" in another spiky post-match interview.

The Liverpool manager was talking to BT Sport after his side's 1-1 Premier League draw at Brighton.

"I don't know how often I have to say it. You picked the 12:30," he said to reporter Des Kelly.

"After Wednesday, Saturday at 12:30 is really dangerous for the players."

Klopp had previously warned that playing games on Wednesday and then being involved in the early Saturday match would cause problems.

"Until this year is over in this part of the season we had this slot three times," he said. "Look who else had this slot three times? No-one."

Everton - who are not in Europe - will have played the Saturday lunchtime slot four times by the end of the year, with Manchester United - who are in the Champions League with Liverpool - also playing three.

Liverpool lost 2-0 to Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday after resting several first-team regulars.

Three teams have played on Saturday at 12:30 after a Wednesday Champions League match - Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool, once each.

Tottenham have played a Sunday 12:00 game after a Thursday night Europa League match, which is a similar turnaround.

Liverpool's other 12:30 Saturday game this season - a 2-2 draw with Everton - came directly after an international break.

They have another one next month when they play title rivals Tottenham on Wednesday, 16 December before facing Crystal Palace in the early Saturday slot.

"Why did you pick us against Crystal Palace if you care?" Klopp said to Kelly and added "congratulations" when asked about a hamstring injury to Milner.

Klopp made similar complaints to Sky Sports after a 3-0 win over Leicester last week and Kelly pointed out that Premier League clubs have agreed to the schedules.

Klopp said: "We have one more Wednesday and Saturday 12:30 before new year. These are difficult moments. If you play at 15:00 or 17:30 it's exactly the same [from a TV point of view]. I'm not having a go at the broadcasters, I'm just saying how it is.

"It's not only my players who have that problem. I only go for the broadcasters with the Wednesday to Saturday at 12:30. Seven other managers [in charge of teams in European competition] have the same problem."

Klopp also spoke again about the need for Premier League teams to be allowed to make five substitutions - as they can in other countries and the Football League - and was very critical of Wilder.

"Ask Chris Wilder how we can avoid that [injuries]," he said.

"We had a talk between managers - a week ago now, I think - it was 15-5 if not 16-4 for five subs.

"Chris Wilder says constantly that I'm selfish. I think the things he's said shows that he's selfish. I was in a similar position at Mainz, all about staying in the league.

"Today, if we had five subs, I take off Andy Robertson and bring on Konstantinos Tsimikas. To save Robbo. Not to make our game better, just to save him. It's not about changing tactics and systems, it's just to save the players."

Klopp appeared to regret the interview when he spoke to BBC Sport afterwards.

"From time to time I try to mention a few things which are a problem but not now because… oh I did it already because he wanted to have that interview and we had it," he told Match of the Day.

"It's silly enough to fall into that trap and now he has the headlines he wanted."

The German reiterated that he thought "Wednesday, Saturday is completely normal" and his only grievance was the lunchtime slot.

"This world is ruled by other people, the Premier League by Chris Wilder because he can decide all of us don't need five subs because he doesn't," he said.

"We had the meeting. Everyone had to speak. Chris was clear, he thinks it's not helpful for Sheffield United so doesn't want to change. Fifteen others, if not 16, said they wanted to change.

"That would be enough if there was a vote but since then nothing happened. If that happens in January it could be too late. There are a lot of games to play."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55116311
 
Thiago Alcantara: Liverpool midfielder few weeks away from knee injury return, says Jurgen Klopp

Thiago Alcantara remains a few weeks away from a return to action following the knee injury he sustained in the Merseyside derby in October, says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Thiago has not played since he was caught by a red-card challenge from Everton forward Richarlison in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park - a game which also saw Virgil van Dijk sustain anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Liverpool initially confirmed the close-season signing from Bayern Munich had avoided a serious injury but the severity of the collision continues to sideline the Spain international ahead of the busy December schedule.

"On that day when he got injured in that bad challenge in the Everton game, there was another bad injury and after the scan there was good news and really bad news," Klopp said.

"[With Thiago] nothing was broken or ruptured but it was still a massive impact on the knee.

"The impact on the leg was that big that it's still not okay. It is not massive, and he trains from time to time, not at the moment because we have to realise we have to go through further steps.

"I can't say exactly when he will be fine, but it will take a few weeks."

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson will, however, be available for the home Champions League tie against Ajax on Tuesday as the Reds target a win which will qualify them for the knockout stages.

Klopp also confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri remain unavailable for the visit of the Dutch champions, along with James Milner, who suffered a hamstring injury against Brighton on Saturday.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...way-from-knee-injury-return-says-jurgen-klopp
 
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss praises side after beating Ajax to reach Champions League knockout stage

Manager Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool's victory over Ajax felt like "one of the biggest Champions League nights" since he took charge in 2015.

Liverpool advanced to the knockout stage as Group D winners with one game to spare after winning 1-0 at Anfield.

The Reds were missing several key players through injury, Brazil keeper Alisson the latest to join the casualty list with a hamstring problem.

"With the circumstances, there hasn't been much to smile about," Klopp said.

A surprise home defeat by Atalanta last week had threatened Liverpool's dominance in the group, with the Italians and Ajax closing in.

But a first Champions League goal by 19-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones and a fine goalkeeping performance from Caoimhin Kelleher, who was making his debut in the competition, earned Liverpool three points.

The win, coupled with Atalanta's 1-1 draw with Midtjylland in Denmark, means the Reds are sure of top spot in the group.

"Without supporters in, it was the most important [win], most difficult, most exceptional," added Klopp, who steered Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2018-19.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55154438
 
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss vows to continue fight for five substitutes in Premier League

Jurgen Klopp has vowed to continue his fight for five substitutes in the Premier League and says it "not a good sign" that the matter was not voted on in the latest shareholders' meeting.

The Liverpool manager has continually called for the reintroduction of the five substitutes rule, which was briefly used last season after Project Restart, in order to protect players against fatigue and injury after regular training was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Klopp had previously claimed that the majority of managers in the Premier League were in favour of reintroducing the rule at a meeting last month but the matter was not voted on at the latest shareholders' meeting on Thursday.

"I was not surprised because I knew about it. I think that information speaks for itself, nobody thought that it would go through," Klopp said.

"I told you about the fact that in the managers' meeting [in November], if we were to have voted that day, then it would have been through, 100 per cent, with 15 or 16 votes.

"That it didn't happen since then is obviously a sign that some shareholders see it differently to their managers.

"That is really not a good sign because it is shows that these people really ignore the player welfare. The coaches don't do that anymore but these people do it and that's not okay.

"If you don't have the chance to vote for it then we have to accept that for the moment but because it is about player welfare, we will not stop fighting for it. It is just the right thing to do."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-fight-for-five-substitutes-in-premier-league
 
Jurgen Klopp believes Chelsea are favourites to take Liverpool's Premier League title this season due to the "unbelievable" strength of Frank Lampard's squad
 
<a href="https://ibb.co/ypMpmH3"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/3v8v5gJ/9ec8956a-6104-4806-9474-db85691e0026.jpg" alt="9ec8956a-6104-4806-9474-db85691e0026" border="0"></a>
 
Liverpool have yet another injury problem as Jurgen Klopp confirmed Diogo Jota will be out for up to two months.

Jota picked up the injury during Liverpool’s draw to FC Midtjylland on Wednesday – a match that had no bearing on the Reds’ ability to qualify for the knockout stage as group winners.
 
Top of the league and surely the team to beat once again.
 
A fantastic game of football, truly riveting to watch!

Liverpool dominated from the first whistle. It was obvious Jose would park the bus and look to counter but this hardly ever works at Anfiled, the fortress of world football. Spurs did have a couple of chances to take the lead early in the 2nd half but we defended well throughout.

Bobby with a late winner was just poetic as he has been struggling to score esp at Anfield but since his goal for Brazil, he was firing again and only a matter of time.

LFC have a great chance to pull away at the top now with the upcoming fixtures.
 
Liverpool may have had all the possession, but Spurs had the two best chances of the match.

Kane uncharacteristically missing a sitter and the other when they hit the post with just the keeper to beat.

Liverpool were favourites at the start of the season for most and that remains the case. City are nowhere near good enough at this stage and need to improve sharpish otherwise it could be a one horse race again.
 
Liverpool may have had all the possession, but Spurs had the two best chances of the match.

Kane uncharacteristically missing a sitter and the other when they hit the post with just the keeper to beat.

Liverpool were favourites at the start of the season for most and that remains the case. City are nowhere near good enough at this stage and need to improve sharpish otherwise it could be a one horse race again.

Yeh Jose is being mocked for his comments but I agree with him...

Other than the Mane shot on the bar there weren’t any clear chances for Liverpool...all the best chances were Spurs...as you mentioned Kane missed a sitter...and Bergwijn missed two quality chances...

Mourinho’s plan was perfect and the only part missing was the execution ...

As for Pep...City are done...declined season by season...I’m really surprised he had his contract extended ...
 
Mourinho wasn’t far off. He is plan worked to a great extent but Spurs couldn’t apply the finishing touch.

Liverpool didn’t have a lot of good chances. Salah’s goal was pure luck and they didn’t score again from open play.

On another day this could have easily finished 1-1 or 1-2 to Spurs. Anfield is a fortress but this Spurs team has the quality to breach this fortress.

Nevertheless, credit to Liverpool and the their ability to pull through time and time again. That is title winning mentality..
 
Two words: Mentality Monsters

Yes Spurs should've won. On paper and current form Spurs should've won. Kane & Son vs Fabinho & Rhys who? Rhys who pocketed Kane, thats who. That is on paper.

On the field, Liverpool dominated. They probed and penetrated and were eventually rewarded. This had shades of the 2014 game against Chelsea where Jose came to frustrate and try to get a smash and grab. But this is a different Liverpool team with a stronger mindset. Deserving winners today.

I will say Liverpool were lucky to not concede one more goal but they still got what they deserved. This "very very unfair" narrative is being created by Jose to deflect attention from his tactics.

If a fully-fit Jose's bus parking team couldn't get anything from this game against an injury ravaged Liverpool team then it doesn't bode well for the rest.
 
Two words: Mentality Monsters

Yes Spurs should've won. On paper and current form Spurs should've won. Kane & Son vs Fabinho & Rhys who? Rhys who pocketed Kane, thats who. That is on paper.

On the field, Liverpool dominated. They probed and penetrated and were eventually rewarded. This had shades of the 2014 game against Chelsea where Jose came to frustrate and try to get a smash and grab. But this is a different Liverpool team with a stronger mindset. Deserving winners today.

I will say Liverpool were lucky to not concede one more goal but they still got what they deserved. This "very very unfair" narrative is being created by Jose to deflect attention from his tactics.

If a fully-fit Jose's bus parking team couldn't get anything from this game against an injury ravaged Liverpool team then it doesn't bode well for the rest.

So you acknowledge that you were lucky not to concede more than one goal ...how many goals do you think you deserved to score?...
 
So you acknowledge that you were lucky not to concede more than one goal ...how many goals do you think you deserved to score?...

How many did you deserve to score with 2 shots on target?

How do you think goals are scored? I'll give you a hint. It has a direct correlation to having shots on target.
 
How many did you deserve to score with 2 shots on target?

How do you think goals are scored? I'll give you a hint. It has a direct correlation to having shots on target.

I’m a Villa fan :) ...

And nope...having shots on target is as meaningless a stat as possession...it’s about the quality of those shots ...

Your best chance other than your goal was the Mane shot onto the bar...which of your other shots were quality chances...when did you trouble Lloris?...

As for Spurs...there was the half chance from Kane that Alisson tipped wide...there was the sitter that Kane missed from the corner...and there were the two chances that Bergwijn squandered...both gilt edge...all of these were significantly better than anything you produced...
 
I’m a Villa fan :) ...

And nope...having shots on target is as meaningless a stat as possession...it’s about the quality of those shots ...

Your best chance other than your goal was the Mane shot onto the bar...which of your other shots were quality chances...when did you trouble Lloris?...

As for Spurs...there was the half chance from Kane that Alisson tipped wide...there was the sitter that Kane missed from the corner...and there were the two chances that Bergwijn squandered...both gilt edge...all of these were significantly better than anything you produced...

How about the one that won as the game? You know the one that came from the middle of Bobby's forehead?

The two clear cut chances you're alluding to were the Bergwijn shot and the Kane header from the resulting corner. Logic is not a strong suit of yours but surely even you realize that if Bergwijn had scored there would be no corner. Surely?

Jones had a shot he scuffed and shot straight at Llloris. Salah was sent through by a first time Hendo pass but he sent the shot directly at Lloris. Firmino brought out a good diving stop from Lloris. Salah and Mane shot straight at Lloris more than once.

But let's ignore all that because your well-thought argument here is that Spurs deserved to win because they put their shots wide instead of putting them on target. Good effort lad.

And nice. Congrats on surviving even if it was undeserved. Had goal line technology and the referees eyes both failed agains Sheffield last season Bournemouth would've survived instead of you guys.
 
Also I said Liverpool were lucky to not concede another goal. But that doesn't make the win any less deserved. Nor are Spurs unlucky. The result is a fair reflection of what happened on the pitch. One team scored 2 goals the other scored 1. Can you guess what the score was?
 
How about the one that won as the game? You know the one that came from the middle of Bobby's forehead?

The two clear cut chances you're alluding to were the Bergwijn shot and the Kane header from the resulting corner. Logic is not a strong suit of yours but surely even you realize that if Bergwijn had scored there would be no corner. Surely?

Jones had a shot he scuffed and shot straight at Llloris. Salah was sent through by a first time Hendo pass but he sent the shot directly at Lloris. Firmino brought out a good diving stop from Lloris. Salah and Mane shot straight at Lloris more than once.

But let's ignore all that because your well-thought argument here is that Spurs deserved to win because they put their shots wide instead of putting them on target. Good effort lad.

And nice. Congrats on surviving even if it was undeserved. Had goal line technology and the referees eyes both failed agains Sheffield last season Bournemouth would've survived instead of you guys.

Yawn at the goal line technology point ...cos of course we would never have scored after that goal...That’s really well thought out ...

I referred to the you guys hitting the bar ...that was a top chance...and I refer to the Bergwijn misses cos they were top chances ...

It’s also why I said the Alisson save was a half chance in comparison despite being on target ...

You’re just listing shots on target ...
 
Yawn at the goal line technology point ...cos of course we would never have scored after that goal...That’s really well thought out ...

I referred to the you guys hitting the bar ...that was a top chance...and I refer to the Bergwijn misses cos they were top chances ...

It’s also why I said the Alisson save was a half chance in comparison despite being on target ...

You’re just listing shots on target ...

I'll tell you one thing. Liverpool were more deserving of a win today than Villa were off surviving. The refs and technology didn't interfere on our behalf.

Fun fact Alisson didn't get a save because Kane put it pretty far wide. That's why a goal kick was given after the shot. That was deserving of a goal according to you but not Bobby's header?

Mourinho's built a narrative for simpletons and you are eating it up. It's to deflect from his tactics. Spurs had a very good spell for 10 minutes which apparently negates Liverpool dominating proceedings for the other 80 minutes.
 
I'll tell you one thing. Liverpool were more deserving of a win today than Villa were off surviving. The refs and technology didn't interfere on our behalf.

Fun fact Alisson didn't get a save because Kane put it pretty far wide. That's why a goal kick was given after the shot. That was deserving of a goal according to you but not Bobby's header?

Mourinho's built a narrative for simpletons and you are eating it up. It's to deflect from his tactics. Spurs had a very good spell for 10 minutes which apparently negates Liverpool dominating proceedings for the other 80 minutes.

Your final paragraph ...did you feel Arsenal deserved a win against Spurs?...they had more possession and shots too ...

Bobbys header was deserved ...Kane’s chance was easier ...it was a quality finish by Firmino ...

And again which of your other shots on target were as good chances as the ones Bergwijn missed?...the one that hit the bar is the only one ...

Your opener itself was a deflection...I’m not for instance going to claim that our deflected goals against you weren’t lucky ...do you feel that we deserved seven goals against you?...
 
Your final paragraph ...did you feel Arsenal deserved a win against Spurs?...they had more possession and shots too ...

Bobbys header was deserved ...Kane’s chance was easier ...it was a quality finish by Firmino ...

And again which of your other shots on target were as good chances as the ones Bergwijn missed?...the one that hit the bar is the only one ...

Your opener itself was a deflection...I’m not for instance going to claim that our deflected goals against you weren’t lucky ...do you feel that we deserved seven goals against you?...

I've not once mentioned possession but we literally played 50% of the game in the Spurs penalty box. But are you really saying Liverpool played like Arsenal did against Spurs?

We had decent opportunities but the two you remember are Bergwijn and Kane because that's what Jose has told you. And they could've only gotten 1 goal between them for reasons mentioned above.

But then Mane hit the bar. Salah was through clear into the box and shot straight at Lloris. Liverpool had more opportunities to score once you include all the other shots these are actual facts that you're struggling with for some odd reason.

You think Spurs had better chances but did Jack Harrison's wonder goal today count as half because it wasn't really a quality chance? A goal is.a goal. If Liverpool didn't continue to probe they wouldn't have scored and it would've petered out as a 1-1.

You're literally suggesting Spurs deserved to win when barring a 10 minute period where they hit the post once and had a couple of other chances they deserved to win. It's irrelevant if that they were camped in their own half for 80 minutes of the game.

And yes Villa deserved the win against us. Was it an anomaly? Yes. Will you have 3 deflected goals in a game again? Probability says no. Did Liverpool deserve to win that game? No.

We didn't deserve anything from that game. Although I am sure it would've been a different result with Ali in goal instead of Adrian.

Just because Jose says poop in a lunch box is fine dining cuisine it doesn't mean it's actually fine dining cuisine. It's still poop.

Jose today said only 5 of his players today were at the champions league final. There were actually 10. If you want to go believe Jose you might as well start with Trump.
 
I've not once mentioned possession but we literally played 50% of the game in the Spurs penalty box. But are you really saying Liverpool played like Arsenal did against Spurs?

We had decent opportunities but the two you remember are Bergwijn and Kane because that's what Jose has told you. And they could've only gotten 1 goal between them for reasons mentioned above.

But then Mane hit the bar. Salah was through clear into the box and shot straight at Lloris. Liverpool had more opportunities to score once you include all the other shots these are actual facts that you're struggling with for some odd reason.

You think Spurs had better chances but did Jack Harrison's wonder goal today count as half because it wasn't really a quality chance? A goal is.a goal. If Liverpool didn't continue to probe they wouldn't have scored and it would've petered out as a 1-1.

You're literally suggesting Spurs deserved to win when barring a 10 minute period where they hit the post once and had a couple of other chances they deserved to win. It's irrelevant if that they were camped in their own half for 80 minutes of the game.

And yes Villa deserved the win against us. Was it an anomaly? Yes. Will you have 3 deflected goals in a game again? Probability says no. Did Liverpool deserve to win that game? No.

We didn't deserve anything from that game. Although I am sure it would've been a different result with Ali in goal instead of Adrian.

Just because Jose says poop in a lunch box is fine dining cuisine it doesn't mean it's actually fine dining cuisine. It's still poop.

Jose today said only 5 of his players today were at the champions league final. There were actually 10. If you want to go believe Jose you might as well start with Trump.

I didn’t ask if we deserved to beat you...I asked if we deserved to score seven goals ...there’s luck involved right?...

Let’s break it down...your opening goal wasn’t a good chance unless you think McGinn’s goal was a good one ...

In the first half your other chances count as half chances ...Salah’s one at the keeper, Jones shot, Firmino’s strike at the end of the half...as in no-one is going to say they are shocking misses...

Son’s goal was objectively the best chance of the opening half ...he was one on one with the keeper...

Do you not agree that Son had the only clear cut chance of the first half?...or you gonna go on about shots on target of which include Mane’s bicycle kick...

You created more ...but the best chance of the first half was Son’s...

Bergwijns chance at the start of the second half was a better chance than any of yours in the first half ...

To give an example of whats not a good chance ...Kane’s chip that Alisson saved...or the one that Kane hit over the bar...like your attempts in the opening half they wouldn’t make a highlights reel...just like Salahs long range shot...these aren’t poor misses...

Bergwijn’s second chance was a lot clearer than the first ...it was a poor miss...just as was Kane’s header...if you want to count that as one opportunity cos of the resulting corner then fine...both were poor misses especially Kane’s...

Your first clear cut chance was Mane’s one onto the bar...that’s the first time you go he should have scored...it was as good a chance as Bergwijns...

Then there’s the excellent header by Firmino...

Obviously you created more...but it’s patently incorrect to say you had the better chances during the game ...

Those Spurs misses will make a highlight reel...the only one of yours that will be the Mane one...

And fair enough you don’t have to agree but try not to be so patronising cos someone doesn’t agree with you ...
 
Also I said Liverpool were lucky to not concede another goal. But that doesn't make the win any less deserved. Nor are Spurs unlucky. The result is a fair reflection of what happened on the pitch. One team scored 2 goals the other scored 1. Can you guess what the score was?

We werent lucky, Spurs were rubbish at hitting the target. We dominated with over 70% position and 10 odd shots on goal. These stats show which team was on top. On another day we could of scored 5-6 goals.

Bottom line is we are champions and at Xmas we are top of the table.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
We werent lucky, Spurs were rubbish at hitting the target. We dominated with over 70% position and 10 odd shots on goal. These stats show which team was on top. On another day we could of scored 5-6 goals.

Bottom line is we are champions and at Xmas we are top of the table.

We were lucky not to concede another. That is a fact mutually exclusive from us deserving to win. Spurs were similarly lucky not to concede a couple more.

Yes we dominated and deserved to win.
 
Jurgen Klopp criticises Premier League clubs for voting against five substitutes

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has criticised Premier League clubs for voting against the use of five substitutes for a third time.

The Premier League is the only top division in Europe not to have allowed five substitutes for the 2020-21 season.

Clubs did, however, vote to increase the number of players allowed on the bench from seven to nine.

"I'm not sure it's a compromise," said Klopp.

The club vote came after football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), confirmed an extension to the rule on Wednesday.

Clubs were able to use five substitutes, and have a bench of nine, when the Premier League 2019-20 season resumed as part of Project Restart in June. However, they chose to return to three at the start of the current campaign.

Klopp has previously criticised Premier League executives for "ignoring player welfare" in not increasing the number of substitutes.

His side are missing several key players through injury, including defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, midfielder Thiago Alcantara and forward Diogo Jota.

"Everybody knows my opinions about it," Klopp added. "Everyone knows 10 clubs voted against it. It was not about advantages, it was only about player welfare. And they voted against it.

"Pretty much only they voted against them in the whole world.

"I don't know which other leagues only have three subs. There must be a good reason for it, for all these leagues and clubs to vote for it."

The new measure increasing the number of players on the bench comes into effect from matchday 14, which begins on Saturday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55365095
 
Southampton to beat City. Arsenal to return to winning ways with a win over Everton and Liverpool to continue their winning streak by thrashing Crystal Palace.
 
Liverpool without many key players still seems to be way ahead of rest. Klopp has made the players mentally strong and they believe they can win every game no matter how tough the situation is. Congrats with the title to L’pool fans in advance lol
 
Emphatic. The trolls will come on here and tell you Palace deserved to win because Ayew had that one chance in the first half.
 
7 - Liverpool registered an away top-flight win by a margin of seven goals for the first time in their history, while it was their first seven-goal league victory since a 9-0 win over Crystal Palace in September 1989.
 
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp win Team and Coach of the Year at Sports Personality of the Year 2020

Jurgen Klopp has been named Coach of the Year and Liverpool Team of the Year at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year show.

Manager Klopp and his side were crowned 2019-20 Premier League champions - ending the club's 30-year wait for a top-flight title.

It was Liverpool's 19th top division title and their first since 1989-90.

Klopp's Reds produced one of the most memorable campaigns in Premier League history, winning by 18 points.

Such was their dominance, at one stage they led the table by 25 points - a record gap between a side in first and second in the English top flight.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/sports-personality/55330721
 
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has played down speculation forward Mohamed Salah is unhappy at the club.

Salah recently told a Spanish newspaper that he was disappointed not to be captain at FC Midtjylland when Trent-Alexander Arnold was made skipper.

The 28-year-old Egypt international also refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"Mo is in a good mood, a good moment and really good shape - that's the most important thing for me," said Klopp.

"We did not have pictures [from the training ground] this morning but if we did you would have seen him laughing a lot.

"All the rest is nice for you [the media] to write about but, internally, nothing really."

Following the publication of the interview with Salah, he came off the bench and scored twice in a 7-0 league win at Crystal Palace.

It took his tally to 13 top-flight goals this season and helped make sure Liverpool, who host West Brom on Sunday, were top at Christmas for a third season in a row.

The Reds failed to go on and finish top in 2018-19 after they missed out to Manchester City but won the 2019-2020 title.

"It obviously means you are not automatically champions in May when you are the Christmas leader," said Klopp. "Otherwise we would have won it twice already.

"It's the best position you can be in at the moment but that's all. We haven't even played half of the season. It's nice, nothing else.

"Two years ago, when we didn't win the league after being top at Christmas, it was not about a lack of focus. It was the quality of the opponents and this quality is still out there."
 
West Brom did a job on them and Liverpool looked really flat.

Poor performance by Salah also.

2 points dropped and it keeps other teams within touching distance of them.
 
West Brom did a job on them and Liverpool looked really flat.

Poor performance by Salah also.

2 points dropped and it keeps other teams within touching distance of them.

West Brom were excellent by parking the bus and eventually took their chance.

LFC still top of the table, I cant see anyone challenging us for the title this season.
 
It was a poor game if I'm honest. Salah was horrible and Bobby went missing. Jones just kept the ball for too long each time. Klopp waited too long to make the sub. Matip and Keita are made out of glass.
 
Southampton away in half hour.

Big game for Liverpool but both teams have failed to score in the last two matches. I think this will change tonight.

LFC have no kids playing today.
 
2nd Loss of the season.

Trent Arnold was very poor tonight, at fault for the first goal, lost the ball over 10 times and never look any good going forward.

Everyone else played pretty well, we dominated the game but Saints held on with a massive effort.

Two penalties imo and other poor calls from the ref.

1 point out of 9 but still top of the table.

Good news is Man Utd will be coming to Anfield soon, this will help us focus again.

Title race opens up for Man City now.
 
Very flat performance tonight.

Quite a few of the best players struggling.

Klopp to splash the cash perhaps.
 
Very flat performance tonight.

Quite a few of the best players struggling.

Klopp to splash the cash perhaps.

It wasnt flat at all, the players gave it 110% every second of the game. It's football, the home team gets an early goal due to an error and hang on for the rest of the match. But yes we need to spend money on centre back, we have two midfielders playing there atm.
 
2nd Loss of the season.

Trent Arnold was very poor tonight, at fault for the first goal, lost the ball over 10 times and never look any good going forward.

Everyone else played pretty well, we dominated the game but Saints held on with a massive effort.

Two penalties imo and other poor calls from the ref.

1 point out of 9 but still top of the table.

Good news is Man Utd will be coming to Anfield soon, this will help us focus again.

Title race opens up for Man City now.

Possession means nothing if you don't score. Liverpool had one shot on target and that was a scuffed shot by Mane. Mane was your most threatening player tonight however.
 
Trent got dispossessed 38 times ...

And your attack is looking toothless ...the injury excuse is so boring ...City haven’t had a striker for how long ...and even with injuries some of those results are awful ...the form of that frontline is a joke...and has been declining since February...

Klopp is a fantastic manager but retaining the Prem looks a step too far...
 
Trent got dispossessed 38 times ...

And your attack is looking toothless ...the injury excuse is so boring ...City haven’t had a striker for how long ...and even with injuries some of those results are awful ...the form of that frontline is a joke...and has been declining since February...

Klopp is a fantastic manager but retaining the Prem looks a step too far...

lol You're a Villa fan, when did you win anything in the last 20 years?

We will play the kids against you in the mickey mouse cup on Saturday and we are still top of the league. Come back to me at the end of the season, a long way to go yet.
 
Trent got dispossessed 38 times ...

And your attack is looking toothless ...the injury excuse is so boring ...City haven’t had a striker for how long ...and even with injuries some of those results are awful ...the form of that frontline is a joke...and has been declining since February...

Klopp is a fantastic manager but retaining the Prem looks a step too far...

He is average defensively and had a shocker today.

Giving the ball away 38 times in one match is the most by any player in the league this season.
 
lol You're a Villa fan, when did you win anything in the last 20 years?

We will play the kids against you in the mickey mouse cup on Saturday and we are still top of the league. Come back to me at the end of the season, a long way to go yet.

I hope you do ...I hope we play our kids too ...But anyway the discussion is about Liverpool ...

Do you not agree you look a shadow of the side you did last season ?...you’ve been on a downward trajectory since February ...

You’re just about top with a lot of sides breathing down your neck and atm it doesn’t look like you have the energy or bottle for it...
 
He is average defensively and had a shocker today.

Giving the ball away 38 times in one match is the most by any player in the league this season.

He’s done 31 before too ...he’s young so up and down seasons happen...it’s all about whether he can pick himself up but he looks a liability atm ...but it’s not just him who looks poor ...
 
I hope you do ...I hope we play our kids too ...But anyway the discussion is about Liverpool ...

Do you not agree you look a shadow of the side you did last season ?...you’ve been on a downward trajectory since February ...

You’re just about top with a lot of sides breathing down your neck and atm it doesn’t look like you have the energy or bottle for it...

Of course without the worlds best defender VVD its naturally a weaker side but imo we still have enough to challenge City, the best squad possibly in the world. You clearly didnt watch the match, our players gave it all, more energy than one can ask for.

This season is around 80 odd points to win not the 98 or near 100 we have been getting, so Im not worried. Losing and drawing the last 2 still being top should tell you something.

You wont play your kids, I was at Villa park when we last played you in the cup, you played your strongest team and won easily, same should happen again.
 
Of course without the worlds best defender VVD its naturally a weaker side but imo we still have enough to challenge City, the best squad possibly in the world. You clearly didnt watch the match, our players gave it all, more energy than one can ask for.

This season is around 80 odd points to win not the 98 or near 100 we have been getting, so Im not worried. Losing and drawing the last 2 still being top should tell you something.

You wont play your kids, I was at Villa park when we last played you in the cup, you played your strongest team and won easily, same should happen again.

Lol absolute lies ...we played our second string against your kids...not our first team ...hope you enjoyed the game though ;) ...

Stop blaming injuries ...City have played the majority of the season without a recognised centre forward...

And your decline isn’t post VVD...it’s been since February ...

Trent barely looks league 2 atm ...there is an overall decline ...and lol at you wanting a medal cos you put in a shift ...it’s another away game where you’ve looked completely underpar ...

You can’t blame injuries when you’re giving big Sam points...
 
Back
Top