Liverpool

Five Liverpool players are back from injury to face Chelsea tomorrow Klopp smile

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5 months ago

February 24, 2024

Five Liverpool players are back from injury to face Chelsea tomorrow Klopp smile

41-year-old has ruled himself out of being Liverpool’s next manager

Liverpool head into this weekend’s Carabao Cup final knowing that it could be their last chance to win a trophy under Jurgen Klopp.

Hopefully that isn’t the case, the Reds still have three more to play for besides. But against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday, Liverpool have the first direct chance to add another one to the cabinet.

Beyond that, we don’t yet know who will be leading the Reds into next season. However, we certainly know who it won’t be. It won’t be Klopp, of course, and neither will it be his assistant, Pep Lijnders. Lijnders was asked during the pre-final press conference today whether he had thought about ‘throwing his hat into the ring’ for the top job. From his answer, that won’t be happening.

“I was really clear to be honest,” answered the 41-year-old. “When we had the talk a long time ago, for me it was clear. It made it easier for me when he [Klopp] said this will be it. We knew in the summer already we are going towards the end of this project.

“We spoke, I got offers last year. My heart always said yes, my loyalty and my friendship and respect for Mike and Jurgen said no. But it’s clear that I will go and manage and we will end the project together. I feel that it’s a project of a lot of people and it’s the right way to do it like this.

“But I’m excited to manage, I’m excited to go and find the right club, a club who really wants me. But until the last final of the season I’m focused on Liverpool. I don’t even know what’s happening, that’s why we have agents.”

Lijnders rules himself out

In fairness to Lijnders, he had already made it pretty clear that he wouldn’t be in the running to succeed Klopp at Liverpool.

It had been announced on the same day as the manager last month that the assistant would be leaving, too. Still, it’s interesting to dig into his quotes here, as they do add a little bit more colour.

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From what Pep says, it sounds as though he was in fact planning to leave the club regardless of Klopp’s decision.

Having received and turned down offers already , it seems that Lijnders was finally ready to go and make his own way in management. Jurgen’s surprise departure only reaffirmed that it was the right time for the Dutchman to exit, too.

It will be very, very interesting to see where Lijnders ends up next season, or whenever he lands himself a role. Some had wanted him to success Klopp, no doubt about that.

Pep Lijnders

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

As a coach, Pep is incredibly highly rated and his body of work with Liverpool should ensure he ends up at a decent level. As Mikel Arteta has shown since leaving Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, young, up can coming assistants can make the jump into management.

Of course, Lijnders has tried his hand at the top job already. However, that brief stint at NEC Nijmegen six years ago was probably not a true reflection of his capability.

Nevertheless, the difficulty he had at Nijmegen perhaps played a part in stopping Liverpool from offering him Klopp’s job. Had it been on the table, Lijnders would surely have taken it.

As it is, he’ll have to go off and earn his corn elsewhere. Not that he’ll mind, Pep seems utterly up for whatever challenge comes his way. And who knows, do well, and maybe our paths will cross again in the future.

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With two days until the game, that still won’t be conclusive as to who will feature. A lot can happen in 48 hours and things can still change.

Given that all of Nunez, Salah and Szoboszlai have muscle issues though, you’d have to assume that no training today very likely means no game on Sunday.

In that respect, fans will be desperate to see any combination of the trio. As he’s been out a little longer than the other two, the expectation will have been that Szoboszlai might miss out anyway. Having him back would purely be a really big bonus.

Liverpool Training Session

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

For Nunez and Salah though, Liverpool badly need them. Although they still scored four against Luton Town on Sunday, the Reds’ attack did not function all that well.

Cody Gakpo has been praised for ‘stepping up,’ but we’re not all that sure that he did. It would be preferable to have either the Uruguayan or the Egyptian ready to step in for Sunday.

Of course, they may have to settle for places on the bench, but that would be enough for us. As long as they’re both able to get on and effect the game at some point, Klopp will be pleased.

It’s disappointing news about Szoboszlai on the other hand. But don’t rule the £60m out just yet.

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DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI

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Even if he does, maybe the boss will feel it might pay to leave Chelsea guessing. If Salah and Nunez are ready or not will make a pretty big difference to how Liverpool can play. Why not keep them in the dark, it can’t do any harm.

Should either or both of the players then be named on the team sheet – or in the squad – at the weekend, it could also give the travelling Reds fans are big boost and enhance the atmosphere, too.

Mo Salah

Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

Obviously, we’d love both Salah and Nunez to be ready to play and win another trophy for Liverpool.

But if only one can make it, then you’d have to say that Mo would probably be the choice. Nunez has been electric of late and is constantly such a threat. Salah is simply on another level altogether, though.

The 31-year-old showed his class yet again last Saturday, coming off the bench at Brentford to put on a second-half clinic. He’s still Liverpool’s talisman whatever way you look at it.

Having failed to score in Liverpool’s last three major cup finals, Salah will be absolutely champing at the bit to get out there against his old club. We’re crossing everything that he makes it. Let’s hope for a positive update today.

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Of course, without Alisson Becker this is still not a complete Liverpool defence. But Caoimhin Kelleher was always going to be the man for Sunday, anyway.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is also still missing, but Conor Bradley is a more than able deputy.

As a result, a defence of Bradley, Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Robertson looks strong enough to keep the door shut.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

From Konate’s point of view, this little nod to his importance in the side completes his transition into Van Dijk’s key partner.

Two years ago, with the same final coming up, the 24-year-old was still very much a squad player. He started on the bench that day, coming on for extra-time, with Joel Matip being favoured.

It would have been an interesting decision for Klopp had Matip been fit for this one. But in the 32-year-old’s absence, Konate has quickly become the main man.

With Liverpool missing so many on the big stage this weekend, the Reds’ No.5 looks set to step up. That, finally, is some good news.

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IBRAHIMA KONATE

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Rio Ferdinand says Liverpool have three truly ‘world-class’ players in their ranks

Rio Ferdinand has deemed three Liverpool players world-class amid the continuing debate over whether Bukayo Saka fits the bill.

Reds trio Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are in Ferdinand’s exclusive 12-man list of footballers who can be considered world-class.

Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah have been consistently brilliant for Liverpool over the years, helping the Reds win the biggest trophies available to them.

The Liverpool trio have been crucial in landing the Champions League, the Premier League, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

As well as Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah, the list consisted of Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

“I think it’s easier when you put a list together,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. “I was talking to Owen Hargreaves about it and when you put list down it becomes easier for me.

“There you see the guys there: Ederson, Alisson, Kyle Walker, Virgil van Dijk, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and the list goes on. You can see there for yourself.”

Ferdinand caused a bit of a stir last week when he said Arsenal’s Saka could not yet be described as world-class.

“He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages,” Ferdinand said on Vibe with FIVE.

“Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

Liverpool extend lead at top of Premier League table

While this is a debate that many fans – of Arsenal and also neutrals – will have different views over, it’s nice to hear that Ferdinand deems three Liverpool players in that bracket.

The Reds enjoyed a great Wednesday as they came from behind to beat Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield and go four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool are now in with a chance of winning the first major trophy of the English season as they take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Watch Liverpool v Luton Town Full Goals Highlights 4-1 here👇

Danny Murphy says Liverpool have a 27-year-old ‘real livewire’ in their ranks

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has been described as a “real livewire” by Danny Murphy during the Reds’ win on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool charges came from behind to run out 4-1 winners over Luton Town in their Premier League encounter at Anfield.

Liverpool fell behind in the 12th minute after Tahith Chong’s effort came off Caoimhin Kelleher and into the path of Chiedozie Ogbene, who nodded home from close range.

The Reds remained a goal down at the break but quickly turned the game around before the hour mark.

Liverpool’s comeback got under way in the 56th minute when Virgil van Dijk lost his marker to head the hosts level from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

Then, just two minutes later, the Argentina international was the architect again as he delivered the ball for Cody Gakpo to nod home.

Diaz then put Liverpool out of reach on 71 minutes, getting the better of Teden Meghi and finally finding the back of the net.

It was a just reward for the 27-year-old, who had been plugging away all evening in a bid to get on the scoresheet.

At half-time, Murphy said on Premier League Productions, via the Premier League website: “[Luis Diaz] has been a real livewire and has been Liverpool’s most likely [goalscorer].

“He wasted a good early opportunity to calm everyone down, and had he taken one of his chances it would have given Liverpool a nice base to build from.”

Luckily, Diaz’s wasted chances didn’t come back to haunt Liverpool.

The Reds went on to turn the game around in the second half, before Diaz finally found the back of the net to put the game out of Luton’s reach.

The cherry on top came right at the end of the match, Harvey Elliott also netting to give Liverpool a resounding and resilient win.

The result puts Liverpool four points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of the Carabao Cup final with Chelsea on Sunday.

Goal Liverpool Gakpo score a perfect goal 2-1

Watch Liverpool vs Luton Town Live match stream here 👇

‘My fault’… Jurgen Klopp suggests he has been playing £35m Liverpool man in the wrong position

Jurgen Klopp has suggested he has been playing Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo in the wrong position this season.

Cody Gakpo has endured a frustrating campaign at Anfield so far after impressing during the second half of last season.

The Dutchman was snapped up for a fee worth around £35 million from PSV back in January last year and he hit the ground running for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

But with the likes of Darwin Nunez making huge improvements this season, the forward has struggled to nail down a place in the Liverpool side this time around.

Klopp has even used Gakpo in midfield seven times in the league this term. But after the 24-year-old’s latest display at Brentford, Klopp has suggested he may have made a mistake by moving the forward into midfield.

Klopp on Gakpo’s form for Liverpool

Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s game against Luton Town, Klopp discussed what has been a fairly testing season for Gakpo.

“The numbers are 100 per cent absolutely alright, or even better,” the Liverpool boss said. “But that Cody had a bit of a struggle in between the season was more my fault.

Footage shows how Liverpool players reacted to Darwin Nunez’ open goal miss

The reaction of Liverpool players to Darwin Nunez’s inexplicable open goal miss can be seen in fan footage shared online.

Liverpool made it three wins out of three in the Europa League with a 5-1 thrashing of French side Toulouse at Anfield.

Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Mo Salah were all on target in the rout.

Toulouse were level for a period when Thijs Dallinga bagged a 16th minute equaliser but Liverpool turned it on for a high-scoring victory.

But the game’s biggest talking point was in the 65th minute when Nunez was involved in the most chaotic passage of play.

The Uruguayan produced an exquisite piece of skill to beat the last defender and then rounded the goalkeeper.

But just when it looked like he was going to double his tally for the game, Nunez fluffed his lines with the goal open as he hit the post.

However, the ball cannoned back into play and straight into the path of Gravenberch, who maintained his composure to slot home.

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister gives verdict on Moises Caicedo snubbing Reds for Chelsea
Former Brighton team-mates Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo reunite when Liverpool face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Moises Caicedo Alexis Mac Allister

Moises Caicedo rejected the chance to join Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool

Alexis Mac Allister says he wishes Moises Caicedo all the best at Chelsea – but just not when they go head-to-head at Wembley tomorrow (Sunday). The two were Brighton team-mates last season and Caicedo had the chance to follow Mac Allister to Liverpool in the summer.

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But the Ecuadorian opted to join Chelsea despite Liverpool having a £110million bid accepted by Brighton. By that point, in mid-August, Mac Allister had already been at Anfield for two months. He signed for £35m rising up to £55m with add-ons.

The pair will brilliant together on the south coast but Caicedo joined Chelsea for £115m instead. He went on to explain: “I was talking with Chelsea for a long time. It was impossible to say no to Chelsea, because they were with me supporting me.”

The two midfielders reunited at Anfield last month when Liverpool blew the Blues away, winning 4-1 in a one-sided Premier League contest. And they will battle for supremacy at Wembley this weekend to lift the Carabao Cup.

Asked about Caicedo’s decision, World Cup winner Mac Allister said of his ex-team-mate: “It’s a personal decision, that’s what he chose and that’s completely fine. He’s an amazing player, a really good guy so I wish him all the best – but not on Sunday!”

Fulham v Liverpool – Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Alexis Mac Allister is having a brilliant first season at Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Alexis Mac Allister Moises Caicedo

Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo were team-mates at Brighton (Image: GETTY)
The Argentina international added: “The World Cup helped me to realise that I really want to win more trophies, so this is a big opportunity. It’ll be my first final with Liverpool and first opportunity to win something.

“So it’s going to be something very special for me and the team. We need to go out there, do our best, play the game we want to play and try to win.”

Liverpool have been crippled by injuries with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai all fighting even just to make the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones – all of whom would have played in some capacity – are out injured.

No 1 goalkeeper Alisson, who would likely have been benched in favour of League Cup shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher, is also unavailable. But captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored a crucial goal in the midweek league win over Luton Town, has warned Chelsea not to underestimate an injury-hit Liverpool.

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Chelsea boss Pochettino laughs off Klopp answer ahead of Carabao Cup final [QUOTES]
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Liverpool’s Pep Lijnders previews Carabao Cup final
Van Dijk said: “I think the players coming in have to step up and show they’re wrong. I think that’s the only way to do it. If they take us lightly, then that’s their problem.

“I think we have enough quality to read the opponents. Players who come in have to show that. That fear factor, we don’t have influence on that. Everyone has to step up, the ones that play have to deliver to get results.

“Younger players as well, everyone has to take responsibility. They also have to enjoy that. I think everyone wants to get the opportunity and show themselves, and they have to be confident. I’m not worried about that.

“They just have to go out there and show their qualities. I think if you play for Liverpool, you’re quite a good player already, so go out there and make everyone proud. I try to lead out the boys as good as possible, on and off the pitch, be their leader and so far, so good.”

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Five Liverpool players are back from injury to face Chelsea tomorrow Klopp smile

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Five Liverpool players are back from injury to face Chelsea tomorrow Klopp smile

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