Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp could make four Liverpool changes for Fulham after last-gasp Tottenham escape
Jurgen Klopp could make four Liverpool changes for Fulham after last-gasp Tottenham escape
The Reds have won their last four matches, but they saw a three-goal lead slip against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday before Diogo Jota bagged a stoppage-time winner
Liverpool boss Klopp considering apology to officials
Rather belatedly, Liverpool have hit their best form of the season.
The Reds did win four Premier League games on the spin between November and December last year, but there was a rather big month-long event in Qatar in the middle of those and so any sense of real progress was lost.
As was the next game at Brentford.Now though, with the end of the campaign in sight and successive wins against Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham in the bag, there is a sense that a corner has been turned and the gaze is forwards, not back.
All of this is probably coming too late to salvage a top four place of course, but Jurgen Klopp will see it as being very important to finish this most disjointed of seasons strongly in order to bounce into the next one feeling good. Or at least feeling better than everyone has been for much of the campaign.
What is likely to please the German most of late is that, after smashing six past Leeds, the Reds found themselves facing adversity in their most recent three matches – twice being pegged back by Forest, going a goal down to West Ham and losing a three-goal lead against Tottenham. On all three occasions, they came back to win.
Of course it would be better not to face such circumstances in the first place, but for much of the season Liverpool have simply collapsed when the slightest thing has gone wrong. This isn’t quite ‘the mentality monsters’ again, but it is a little piece of themselves they have rediscovered.
Having said that, the manner of the Tottenham game is likely to ensure that Klopp makes changes for Wednesday’s visit of Fulham, the second of Liverpool’s three home games in a week and a chance for the Reds to open up a gap between themselves in fifth and the sides below.
The Reds boss does often like to wildly shuffle his pack in the middle of runs such as this, and he could well change close to half of his outfield players.
Alisson will stay in goal of course, but with neither Andy Robertson or Ibrahima Konate looking at their best against Spurs then there could well be alterations in defence.
Joel Matip replaced the Frenchman at West Ham and scored the winning goal, and so he could come in for Konate in order to rest the former RB Leipzig man for the physical battle that will be coming his way against Brentford on Saturday.
Then, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk retained, there could be a first appearance in a month for Kostas Tsimikas with Robertson rested, although the Greek will have to get to grips with the altered, more defensive nature of the left-back role given Alexander-Arnold’s roving position on the other side.
There is a chance to freshen things up in midfield too.
Diogo Jota was the hero in the 4-3 win over Tottenham
Jordan Henderson was replaced by Harvey Elliott against Spurs and so should return, while Thiago’s injury means Fabinho will stay in midfield and Curtis Jones is in excellent form and deserves to keep his starting spot.
Then in attack there would probably have been a start for Diogo Jota after his matchwinning cameo on Sunday, but Klopp has confirmed that the Portuguese is struggling with an injury.
After playing an hour against Spurs, and scoring, Luis Diaz could well drop back to the bench as his minutes are managed, leaving a first start in a month for Darwin Nunez , who could join Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah in attack.
So, four changes, a refreshed squad and a chance for Liverpool to earn a fifth straight win.
Things are all of a sudden looking a little rosier at Anfield.
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‘They are absolutely big’: 23-year-old responds to transfer rumours, after recent links to Liverpool
Leopold Wahlstedt has admitted that he is flattered with recent transfer links to Liverpool, with the Odds BK star reportedly a target for the Premier League giants.
Speaking to Fotboll Skanalen, the 23-year-old goalkeeper revealed that he is happy to see himself linked with the likes of Liverpool, with the report also stating that Manchester United are now also in the mix to sign the Swedish youngster.
Wahlstedt is regarded as one of the most exciting talents coming through in Scandinavia, with the shot-stopper having a great season so far in the Eliteserien with Odds BK. And when asked about a move to England this summer, the keeper seemed honoured.
Photo by Visionhaus
The 23-year-old said: “It’s fun when it’s written positively about clubs seeing what you’re doing, then you’ve done something good. They are absolutely big clubs. But I don’t want to comment on any specific club’s interest or anything like that at the moment.”
Wahlstedt added: “As you say, my contract expires at the end of the year. I guess we’ve had contract discussions for about a year now but haven’t agreed on anything new yet. Right now, I just carry on as I have done before, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Wahlstedt could be an ideal backup keeper for Liverpool next seasonPhoto by Will Palmer/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
With early reports indicating that Caoimhin Kelleher is set to leave Liverpool to forge his own path in football, Wahlstedt could be an ideal replacement for the Republic of Ireland international given how cheap the Swedish talent will be this summer.
Moreover, at 23, Liverpool will again have a young goalkeeping option in their ranks in Wahlstedt, who could potentially be viewed by Jurgen Klopp’s side as a long-term replacement for Alisson Becker, as crazy as the idea sounds on paper.
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