Liverpool to welcome back ‘exceptional’ player who can win Reds the title One of Jurgen Klopp’s unsung heroes could return to action for Liverpool this week.

Liverpool to welcome back ‘exceptional’ player who can win Reds the title
One of Jurgen Klopp’s unsung heroes could return to action for Liverpool this week.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will soon have Curtis Jones back at his disposal

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will soon have Curtis Jones back at his disposal
Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title could be boosted by the imminent return of Curtis Jones, who has been described as an ‘exceptional’ asset by Jurgen Klopp. Jones has been sidelined for nearly two months with an ankle injury but has been tipped to make his comeback when Liverpool face Sheffield United in midweek.

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The Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five matches and the return of Jones could help to provide some extra stability in front of the back four. He is known for doing much of the dirty work that often goes unnoticed, particularly in terms of his consistency and his work off the ball.

His presence in the engine room will help Liverpool to win midfield battles and gain more control in matches, which will be crucial as they go in search of Premier League glory. The return of Jones will also see the Reds become less reliant on Wataru Endo, who has featured in the holding role while his team-mate has been absent.

Liverpool have experienced their fair share of injury problems this season and Klopp will be delighted to have Jones back at his disposal later this week. Speaking after the win over Brighton on Sunday, he confirmed that Jones had returned to full training and suggested that he could be involved against Sheffield United if everything goes to plan.

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Jones could be involved when Liverpool face Sheffield United in midweek

Jones could be involved when Liverpool face Sheffield United in midweek (Image: GETTY)

“He trained already with us on Saturday, but had then extra, because the [matchday] minus one [session] does not have the intensity Curtis needed,” explained Klopp. “He was with us, then he had an extra shift. He will be in full training. What does that mean exactly for the game? Let me have a look at that. Nobody else, the others, slowly but surely, but not yet.”

Klopp has made no secret of his admiration for Jones in the past, describing his work rate as ‘exceptional’ in a glowing review of his individual development at the end of last season.

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Jones has previously been described as ‘exceptional’ by his manager

Jones has previously been described as ‘exceptional’ by his manager (Image: GETTY)
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“He improved a lot, so I think a lot of things came together,” said the Liverpool boss. “You should not forget he is still a young boy and one or two years ago he played super games for us as well. Then he had a difficult spell with injuries, that’s true. Strange injuries, a finger in the eye and stuff like this.

“It took him out for a real while, but this year was especially bad. He could watch a lot of football, he could understand the game better and it looks really like that. I think where he improved the most is counter-pressing, it’s exceptional, and speed of play.

“He doesn’t keep the ball that long anymore. He does that, and has to do in moments, but he is much quicker in decision-making and stuff like this.”

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Jurgen Klopp’s eight-word admission that confirms he left Liverpool dressing room ‘shook for hours’
Jurgen Klopp announced his plans to leave Liverpool in January, with Trent Alexander-Arnold recently opening up on how the news rocked the Liverpool squad

Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp reacts as he leaves after extra-time in the English FA Cup Quarter Final football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on March 17, 2024. Manchester United won the game 4-3 after extra-time
Jurgen Klopp shook the Liverpool dressing room (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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ByJake PoldenSports Agenda Editor
07:00, 2 Apr 2024
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Jurgen Klopp confirmed “the players didn’t have a lot of questions” after he announced he’s leaving Liverpool – confirming Trent Alexander-Arnold’s claim the dressing room was “shook for hours”.

Klopp announced his plans to leave Liverpool after nine successful years in January, with Alexander-Arnold recently opening up on how the news rocked the Liverpool squad, who didn’t see it coming.

The German recalled how the players reacted shortly after he made his announcement public, saying: “The players didn’t have a lot of questions, I spoke to them all together and then a few after that.

“We have a really strong bond. Usually when a manager is in a dressing room and talks like that he got sacked. It isn’t like that because of the things we achieved so that is why my responsibility is so big.

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“We had last year’s situation and I think a lot of managers would have got the sack and there was never any intention to do that and my responsibility grows and grows, so when it is not right anymore I have to tell.”

Alexander-Arnold was asked on Sky Sports to provide some insight on the moment the players were told and confirmed his team-mates were knocked for six by Klopp’s decision.

The England right-back said: “Just a complete surprise to all of us as players, it was one that we didn’t see coming, you never do, especially when things are going so well.

“We were flying, up and around the top of the league, we’re fighting on all four fronts at that point for every trophy we could so you’re expecting the good times to keep coming and coming and coming.

“So when he tells us the news and his decision we have got to respect it obviously but it’s one of them no player wants to hear and it was one that kind of shook the dressing room for a couple of hours.

“But he told us, ‘Look we’re professionals, don’t let it get to us’. There will be a lot of noise around, of course, but we have got to go and do our job, try and win games and give him the best possible finish.”

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CAPTAIN SENSIBLEAPRIL 1
Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 31?
14 CommentsSHARE
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers face a swift turnaround with Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) the firm armband favourite ahead of Gameweek 31’s midweek fixtures.

But, as usual, the Captain Sensible article highlights which assets have the best chance of hauling – and if anyone can challenge the Egyptian.

First, we will assess the fallout of the captain poll, before then analysing the best options, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Tuesday’s 18:00 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Mohamed Salah proved the match-winner in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The Egyptian produced a stand-out performance in long-awaited return to Klopp’s starting line-up. Against Roberto De Zerbi’s side, Salah’s 12 attempts, nine efforts in the box and three big chances were leading totals among all players for Gameweek 30 – so ‘captainers’ can count themselves rather unfortunate.

At the time of writing, Salah is backed by just two-thirds of our users for the armband.

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland (£14.3m) made it back-to-back Premier League blanks. His inability to notch against Liverpool and Arsenal further fuelled the narrative that the Norwegian can be opposed against elite opposition.

The former Molde marksman’s four efforts in the box were a match-leading total but Haaland failed to hit the target in a display devoid of his trademark clinical finishing.

Haaland is backed by just under one-tenth of our users to rediscover his goalscoring touch.

Bukayo Saka (£9.0m) occupies third place with 6.4% of the vote, closely followed by Son Heung-min (£10.1m) and Alexander Isak (£7.7m) further back.

THE PLAYER STATISTICS – LAST SIX MATCHES
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Hibbo Author of Captain Sensible. I write Fantasy Premier League articles, focusing on stats and strategy. Four top 10k finishes. 22/23 Rank – 6123.  Follow them on Twitter

14 Comments
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HUTTONDRESSEDASLAHM18 mins ago
Oooh, shiny

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BOBBY_BAGGIO10 mins ago
Evening all. 1FT & 0.3m ITB. Ake out or Save?

Raya
Gusto – Gabriel- Zabarnyi
Son – Saka – Foden – Palmer – Salah
Muniz – Haaland

(Areola) – Solanke – Ake – Taylor

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DAVIDKENT9 mins ago
How nailed is Gvardiol?

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MANANI9 mins ago
A. Watkins + Son > Darwin + Salah
B. Watkins + Foden > Muniz + Salah

was all set on Son > Salah but now hesitating

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BOBBY_BAGGIO5 mins ago
B

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0

F4L2 mins ago
b

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MANANIjust now
even if that locks me out of Darwin in the future? (or have to do Haaland > Darwin for dgw)

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KLOPPTIMUSPRIME8 mins ago
Bench 1:
– Solanke (CRY)
– Muniz (nfo)
– Foden (AVL)

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BOBBY_BAGGIO3 mins ago
Ive gone Solanke but am worried. Muniz should start so it’s between Foden or Solanke

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F4Ljust now
solanke

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NERD_IS_THE_WERD6 mins ago
Would you do Bowen —> Luis Diaz (-4)?

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F4L2 mins ago
jota likely to be back in time for the dgw 34

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F4L5 mins ago
Kelleher
Gabriel Reggy RAN
Salah (c) Son Palmer Saka Foden
Haaland Muniz

Areola Darwin Gusto Doughty

with 1 FT, thinking Areola + Doughty to Petrovic and Munoz for -4 then hitting the BB (last chip left). Make sense? Don’t really rate the chip anyways, and Petrovic and Munoz can pay back the hit later in the season with their doubles. Would look at Raya/White instead but want an extra Arsenal mid in 34.

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FOOTBALLROOKIE5 mins ago
Lascelles to?

A) Lamptey
B) Braithwaite
C) Kilman
D) Andersen

Already have Gabriel, Gusto, Udogie and Bradley .
Plan is to FH in 34 and BB later

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If the player you’re selling is likely to end the GW 9 points worse off than Salah, then yes. Who… »

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even if that locks me out of Darwin in the future? (or have to do Haaland > Darwin for dgw) »

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GW31 CAPTAIN POLL
Who do you think is the best captaincy pick for GW31?

Barnes

Isak

Muniz

Solanke

Eze

Sarabia

Cunha

Kudus

Bowen

Son

Maddison

Richarlison

Gabriel

Saliba

Martinelli

Odegaard

Saka

Havertz

Toney

Foden

De Bruyne

Haaland

Bradley

van Dijk

Salah

Luis Diaz

Darwin

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Palmer

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Bruno Fernandes

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What Jurgen Klopp did vs Brighton suggests he’s starting to lose trust in £44m Liverpool player
Mon 1 April 2024 19:00
James Brooke
Liverpool weren’t at their best against Brighton yesterday but still picked up an important 2-1 win.

The victory moved the Reds to the top of the Premier League table with nine games remaining. With the stakes so high, it was a tense affair at Anfield.

Without room for error, Liverpool simply had to take three points from Brighton for the first time in two years. Thankfully, with a huge amount of help from Alexis Mac Allister, they did.

Clutching onto a one-goal lead for the final 25 minutes or so, it was interesting that Jurgen Klopp chose not to use his substitutes.

The manager is usually keen to make some changes on or around the hour mark. On Sunday however, Klopp kept his starting XI on the field until the 83rd minute, when Harvey Elliott came on. Perhaps we’re reading too much into this, but we think that could spell trouble for one player in particular.

Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp withholds substitutes vs Brighton
Maybe it was just the way the game panned out in the end. But we think there was a little more in Klopp’s decision not to turn to his bench.

With a couple of players slightly out of sorts – including a very quiet showing from Darwin Nunez – you might have expected Jurgen to freshen things up.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Ordinarily this season, whatever the score is, the German tends to bring on one or two of his attackers who didn’t start the game. With Diogo Jota injured, this role has fallen to Cody Gakpo of late.

With Gakpo earning criticism for his sluggish display off the bench against Manchester United last time out though, he stayed on the bench against Brighton.

The Dutchman did eventually enter the fray, but not until the 89th minute. Had Liverpool managed to get a third goal, we think we’d have seen Gakpo much sooner.

Consequently, we think that Klopp might just be running out of trust that the 24-year-old can make the difference. Gakpo has done well on the whole this season, but some recent showings have brought his effectiveness into question.

Does Cody Gakpo have a future at Liverpool
To some supporters, this will seem like a silly question. Gakpo is still only 24, was signed for a relatively steep fee of around £44m and has been shifting in and out of his best position this season. Of course he should be given more time.

For others though, they’ve already seen enough. Gakpo is not contributing as much as his teammates when things really matter. His 13 goals this season have largely come in games where Liverpool have been winning handsomely. Rarely does the Netherlands international make a decisive difference.

For this reason, we wouldn’t be surprised if Klopp were just faltering a little when throwing Gakpo in for the really big moments. It isn’t that he isn’t a top player, he’s already shown that he is. But when the chips are down, do you really want him on the pitch?

This may seem harsh, but it’s now on Gakpo to show why he not only deserves time on the pitch, but should be starting in the very biggest of games. Over to you, Cody.

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Jurgen Klopp says he absolutely loved what he saw Wataru Endo do on the pitch after yesterday’s win over BrightonPhoto by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp says he absolutely loved what he saw Wataru Endo do on the pitch after yesterday’s win over Brighton
Mon 1 April 2024 07:30
James Brooke
Easter Sunday had the potential to be a damaging day for Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

A tricky looking visit of Brighton got off to the worst possible start when Danny Welbeck fired the Seagulls ahead inside two minutes.

Arsenal and Manchester City – set to meet later on at the Etihad Stadium – must have been licking their lips. But from there, Liverpool resurrected themselves; Alexis Mac Allister the architect of another come-from-behind victory.

Mac Allister wasn’t alone in his excellence, mind you. The Reds midfield on the day was brilliant as a whole. Dominik Szoboszlai earned special praise from Jurgen Klopp post-game and he’d earned it.

But the manager also had some words of admiration for what he’d seen from Wataru Endo. He and Mac Allister especially have formed a wonderful partnership, and Klopp has just put that into context in his own hilarious way.

Wataru Endo
Jurgen Klopp calls for Wataru Endo movie
Part of the reason Liverpool fans are going to miss Klopp so dearly is because of his ability to deliver some quite brilliant one-liners.

The 56-year-old is a unique character. At times his persona appears to enrage opposition fans but he’ll make few apologies for it. Jurgen simply doesn’t care what anybody except Liverpool supporters think of him.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
And it’s quotes like the one he gave about Endo and Mac Allister while speaking to LFCTV yesterday that will live long in the memory.

The pair have indeed become synonymous with each other on the pitch. After the draw against Manchester City in March, Endo admitted that he and Mac Allister are ‘always looking’ for each other during games. And according to Klopp, the duo continue searching for one another after them, too.

“When I saw after the game when I went to the Kop, in front of me were Macca and Endo, they got eye contact. How they looked at each other, wow!” laughed the boss.

“You could probably easily make a 95-minute movie, a love movie about it, that was so great! They really enjoy playing with each other now.”

Endo and Mac Allister continue to click
This is a brilliant quip from Klopp that may well leave Endo and Mac Allister a little embarrassed. But it’s obvious that the two are loving being in the same team.

From Macca’s point of view, having the Japanese sitting in the No.6 role has finally allowed him to fully express himself in a Liverpool shirt.

P