Liverpool

Liverpool to reward player Jurgen Klopp ‘really trusts’ after transfer exit blocked

Published

11 months ago

January 26, 2024

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could reward one of the club’s highest-rated young talents – whom he prevented from leaving on loan – this weekend.
By CHARLIE MALAM
PUBLISHED: 05:30, Fri, Jan 26, 2024
0
Fulham v Liverpool – Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Jurgen Klopp has shown he has a lot of faith in Liverpool’s Bobby Clark (Image: GETTY)
Liverpool may reward Bobby Clark’s mature substitute cameos of late with just his second senior start for the club this weekend. The Reds host Championship play-off hopefuls Norwich City at Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup just days after reaching the Carabao Cup final. Jurgen Klopp is expected to use the visit of the Canaries to rotate and offer rest to some of his players.

Liverpool may have ‘another Steven Gerrard’ but it’s not Trent Alexander-Arnold

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The match presents a possible opportunity to give Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold minutes as they return from injury. But they are most likely to come on from the bench. Joe Gomez – the only player to play every possible minute for Liverpool in 2024 – and Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are among those who could be rested after playing on Sunday and Wednesday.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo may keep their places in the starting line-up from the midweek draw at Fulham. They could be joined by Owen Beck, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Kaide Gordon and Clark, given they all started on the bench at Craven Cottage (bar Gordon, who was not in the squad).

Clark has made three first-team appearances this season, to go with seven appearances for the under-21s (which have returned three goals and four assists). But so far his senior outings have only amounted to 28 minutes in total. That is less than he managed in two first-team matches in the whole of last season, because he played 66 minutes of a League Cup third-round match at home to Derby County.

Yet Klopp showed his faith in Clark remains on Wednesday night. Against Fulham, he threw the teenager on when the Cottagers had momentum after scoring and were chasing an aggregate equaliser. “It’s so nice to bring Bobby Clark on. Everyone can see he is ready,” Klopp said on Thursday.

DON’T MISS: Liverpool have three academy talents to get excited about after 7-1 Arsenal win

Fulham v Liverpool – Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Bobby Clark has come off the bench several times since the turn of the year (Image: GETTY)
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It underlines once again the German’s commitment to giving minutes to young players, which he spelt out quite clearly back in October after a 5-1 Europa League win over Toulouse. That night, Luke Chambers started and Calum Scanlon and James McConnell got minutes from the bench.

Klopp explained: “We really thought the boys need that now, to get that feeling. It’s one thing if I tell them how much I like them, what I see in them – from time to time, we have to show it. In good moments you can give the boys opportunity. A couple are not even available. Ben Doak would have for sure had minutes tonight, Bobby Clark who is coming back from injury. We have a lot of good boys, we really trust them and we build on that.”

And Norwich is the chance for Clark to “get that feeling” again. Klopp will want to rotate his midfield but has no Wataru Endo, Thiago Alcantara or Stefan Bajcetic while Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold are only just back from injury. Liverpool will want to be cautious with the pair given they face Chelsea and Arsenal in the next seven days after this.

Jones could replace Mac Allister as the No. 6 with Gravenberch and Clark then ahead of him. Clark, 18, only joined the Reds from Newcastle in August 2021 for a fee of around £1.5million. The son of former Newcastle midfielder Lee, Bobby is a massive talent who Klopp is heavily invested in. He signed a new long-term contract in December.

Fulham v Liverpool – Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Bobby Clark can expect more minutes after impressing like academy team-mate Jarell Quansah (Image: GETTY)
The Liverpool manager is even understood to have blocked a potential loan exit for him back in the summer with League One Derby one of the clubs keen. That was because, after the club’s Europa League group stage draw, he envisaged plenty of minutes for the player. Injury however denied him game time in Europe and it is only since the FA Cup win at Arsenal earlier this month where he has really come back into contention.

Now, the England under-19 international should get another chance to demonstrate his potential. If he can do half as well as Quansah and Bradley, both 20, have done when stepping into the team of late then Liverpool will know they have yet another young player to count on not just in the long term, but right now.

Predicted Liverpool XI vs Norwich: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Quansah, Beck; Jones, Gravenberch, Clark; Gordon, Jota, Gakpo

Potential Liverpool bench vs Norwich: Alisson; Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson; McConnell, Szoboszlai, Elliott; Nunez, Diaz

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SPORT | FOOTBALL

Liverpool vs Norwich: FA Cup prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds
Canaries out to end three-decade wait for win over Merseyside giants
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MARC MAYO
9 HOURS AGO
Both form and history are on Liverpool’s side when they host Norwich in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

As Premier League leaders and recently-confirmed Carabao Cup finalists, Jurgen Klopp’s side are in stunning form and last tasted defeat domestically in September.

But their unbeaten run over Norwich extends way back to 1994, when Jeremy Goss struck the only goal of a rare Anfield victory for the Canaries.

More recently, David Wagner’s side have won three of their last four matches as they look to reassert themselves in the Championship play-off picture.

This game will come moments after the draw for the FA Cup fifth round, so each team will know their opponents in advance – should they be the one to come out on top.

Date, kick-off time and venue
Liverpool vs Norwich is scheduled for a 2.30pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

The match will take place at Anfield.

LIVERPOOL HAVE ALREADY ENJOYED MAJOR CUP SUCCESS THIS WEEK
REUTERS
Where to watch Liverpool vs Norwich
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1 with coverage starting at 1.55pm.

Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the ITVX app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!

Liverpool vs Norwich team news
Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to make the squad after injury absences but Trent Alexander-Arnold is a doubt.

Mohamed Salah, Kostas Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are all unavailable, along with Wataru Endo who is at the Asian Cup.

Liverpool vs Norwich prediction
Anfield may well be expectant but it will nonetheless remain the fortress that Liverpool have made it into, with Norwich unlikely to be able to keep their supreme attack at bay.

Liverpool to win, 3-0.

IT IS HARD TO SEE LIVERPOOL SLIPPING UP AT HOME
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Canaries have not won this fixture since 1994, losing 16 of 18 meetings since.

Liverpool wins: 41

Norwich wins: 14

Draws: 15

Liverpool vs Norwich match odds
Liverpool: 1/7

Norwich: 14/1

Draw: 15/2

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Liverpool could make six changes against Norwich as new midfield option emerges
Liverpool are next up against Norwich CIty in the FA Cup with Jurgen Klopp facing some selection posers

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ByIan DoyleChief Liverpool FC Writer
01:00, 26 JAN 2024
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the League Cup semi-final second leg at Fulham on January 24 2024
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the League Cup semi-final second leg at Fulham on January 24 2024 (Image: David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Liverpool maintained their challenge on four fronts by reaching the League Cup final with a draw at Fulham on Wednesday evening.

Luis Diaz’s early goal was enough despite a late Issa Diop equaliser as the Reds earned a 1-1 stalemate to progress 3-2 on aggregate and secure a Wembley showdown with Chelsea next month.

Liverpool now turn their attentions to the FA Cup when they entertain Norwich City in the fourth round on Sunday afternoon. And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp apologises over role in Mohamed Salah criticism after Liverpool injury return

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp gives fitness update on four Liverpool players and makes Bobby Clark claim

Robertson back

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The possible return of a handful of players and the ongoing progress of a group of youngsters have given Klopp a little more room in which to manoeuvre regards team selection. And there will be significant rotation given the Premier League double header against Chelsea and Arsenal later next week.

Alisson Becker will be expected to resume in goal ahead of Caoimhin Kelleher, with Adrian third-choice between the sticks. Trent Alexander-Arnold is among those who could become available, although bench duty is most likely given Conor Bradley’s form since stepping in at right-back.

At left-back, Andy Robertson is fit and could start, giving Joe Gomez a deserved breather. Kostas Tsimikas remains out, but Owen Beck is also a consideration. Ibrahima Konate will be pressing for a recall at centre-back, with Jarell Quansah having featured alongside Virgil van Dijk at Fulham. Joel Matip is out for the season.

Szobsoszlai wait

Dominik Szoboszlai would offer a welcome option on the right of the midfield three should he be deemed fit enough to start after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring complaint. Harvey Elliott impressed in the role at Fulham, with Cody Gakpo having also featured there of late.

Alexis Mac Allister’s minutes are being managed after his return from injury earlier this month, particularly given the other recognised number six alternatives, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic, remain sidelined through international commitments and injury respectively.

Curtis Jones came off the bench to replace Mac Allister midway through the second half at Craven Cottage, but will be pressing for a start on the left of the midfield three. Ryan Gravenberch played all bar the closing moments in the position despite suffering from a heavy cold, but Thiago Alcantara is still out.

Should Klopp throw a curveball, it may be to hand Bobby Clark only a second senior start after recent cameos from the bench at Arsenal, Bournemouth and Fulham. Fellow youngsters James McConnell and Trey Nyoni were also among the substitutes on Wednesday.

Jota primed

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The continued rotation of the attack means Diogo Jota is likely to start against Norwich, either down the centre or on the left flank.

That would leave Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz competing for the other two slots, with all three capable of playing on the left. Nunez and Gakpo can also perform down the middle, while Gakpo and Diaz have both started games on the right of late, along with Elliott.

Mohamed Salah is injured and would in any case otherwise have been on international duty, while Ben Doak remains out. Teenage winger Kaide Gordon is another alternative.

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ANFIELD INDEX
WILL KUBO JOIN LIVERPOOL? TRANSFER RUMORS HEAT UP

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LIVERPOOL’S STRATEGIC INTEREST IN TAKEFUSA KUBO: ANALYSING THE POTENTIAL MOVE
LIVERPOOL EYES TALENTED KUBO FOR A FUTURE TRANSFER
Liverpool’s interest in Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo has been making waves in the football world. As reported by TEAMTALK, the Reds are considering a move for the Japanese international, possibly even eyeing a January deal. Kubo’s impressive performance this season, with six goals from 25 appearances, has significantly raised his market value, according to Transfermarkt.

KUBO’S RISING STAR IN LALIGA
Having been part of both Barcelona and Real Madrid, Kubo is now thriving at Real Sociedad. His current form in LaLiga has not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool reportedly making contact about a potential deal. This proactive approach, even before the January transfer window, indicates Liverpool’s serious intent. However, Kubo’s commitment to Real Sociedad, at least for the remainder of the season, puts a temporary hold on any immediate transfer plans.

POTENTIAL LONG-TERM SUCCESSOR TO SALAH
At 22, Kubo presents a promising profile, similar to Mohamed Salah, and could become a long-term successor in Klopp’s 4-3-3 system. However, his left-footed right-wing playstyle and his contract until 2027 with Real Sociedad mean Liverpool might have to wait. Additionally, his current participation in the Asian Cup could further delay any transfer discussions.

Image: IMAGO
KUBO’S FUTURE: A HOT TOPIC
The market for Kubo is heating up. Apart from Liverpool, other Premier League clubs, Napoli, and even teams from Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, have shown interest. This diverse attention underlines Kubo’s growing reputation in international football. Real Madrid’s first refusal right on their former player adds another layer to the potential transfer saga.

LIVERPOOL’S PURSUIT AMIDST COMPETITION
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kubo, highlighted by Jorge Picon’s assertion of their keen interest, suggests a strategic move to bolster their wide attacking options. A transfer to the Premier League would be a new chapter for Kubo, whose potential is rapidly transitioning into tangible quality, an attribute that would be highly beneficial for Liverpool.

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Chloe Williams
January 25, 2024
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Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool changed transfer plans because of one player
Jurgen Klopp has revealed how his Liverpool transfer plans changed after reporting for pre-season

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp has admitted he changed Liverpool’s summer transfer plans after seeing one player in pre-season training.

The Reds completed an £150m midfield overhaul last year, bringing in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch. But while the former two were signed at the start of the summer and Klopp knew there was a chance of landing the Dutchman long before his actual deadline day switch from Bayern Munich, it was a different story when it came to landing the Japan captain.

Sanctioning the exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho following unexpected interest from Saudi Arabia, Liverpool were unexpectedly in the market for an additional midfielder. After facing disappointment when moving for Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Andre, they eventually settled on Endo.

However, were it not for such a search, the Reds had intended to switch attention to a new centre-back, with Klopp confirming interest in such a player was on the radar the previous May. It was only after the exits of Henderson and Fabinho that the club’s priority changed.

READ MORE: ‘I took names’ – Mohamed Salah breaks silence on Liverpool return as agent hits out at critics

READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister responds to Brighton taunt as Jurgen Klopp declines Liverpool invite

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Klopp has since insisted that he has no intention of signing a new centre-back in January, partly thanks to the breakthrough of Jarell Quansah, despite Joel Matip suffering a season-ending ACL injury. However, such a stance could change in the summer with the Cameroonian out of contract.

And insisting that Liverpool don’t ‘ignore potential issues’ at centre-back when reflecting on their defensive search, he confirmed that the Reds decided to change their transfer plans after seeing Quansah in pre-season.

“I liked him from the first moment I saw him,” Klopp said. “But that means just what the boy offers from a physical point of view when they’re really young, 16/17/18, that’s how long I’ve known him.

“I knew he was a good footballer, which is absolutely helpful, and it’s not rare nowadays but it’s quite special how calm he is on the ball. And then it was all about when was he ready for adult football because, in that position, each challenge is a reality check.

“So you might be the best in your age group but that means nothing for the adult world because you have strong opponents and they know all the dark arts, how to bring yourself in better positions. He’s dealing with that and I didn’t expect that this quick, that’s true.

“But the pre-season was super positive, super positive. We wanted to… so we got asked a lot that we have to sign a new centre-half. And obviously we were thinking about that as well, it’s not that we ignore potential issues or whatever.

“But when we saw him, it was clear that we will not go for it. That we will have our own solution. And without knowing how much game time he will get already this year. Because of the situation and because of his development, he is obviously now a proper, proper part of the squad, a proper part of the rotation.

“It’s not about performing, they all are good, it’s about how can you share intensity and he plays an important role… It’s an interesting package. I’m really excited about it.”

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Liverpool to reward player Jurgen Klopp ‘really trusts’ after transfer exit blocked

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Liverpool to reward player Jurgen Klopp ‘really trusts’ after transfer exit blocked

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