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Liverpool line-ups for Sheffield United as Dominik Szoboszlai dropped in formation change
Our writers pick their respective teams for the clash between the Reds and Sheffield United on Wednesday

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ByIan DoyleChief Liverpool FC WriterPaul GorstLiverpool FC correspondentTheo Squires
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Szoboszlai could be rested against Sheffield United. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Ian Doyle – Szoboszlai needs a rest

Liverpool will beware the new manager bounce at Sheffield United this evening – but it’s by no means the first time the prospect of facing Jurgen Klopp’s side has forced a change in the opposing dugout.

What, though, is Klopp to do, with this a midweek Premier League game rather than a cup one?

Certainly, there’ll be no change in goal. That’s Caoimhin Kelleher, with Alisson Becker still out.

Trent Alexander-Arnold remains at right-back and Kostas Tsimikas left-back, but the injury to Joel Matip means Ibrahima Konate can come in alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp set for meeting with rival who labelled Liverpool boss ‘selfish’

READ MORE: How you can watch Sheffield United vs Liverpool on Amazon Prime Video for free

Midfield sees rotation. Dominik Szoboszlai needs a rest and can be benched for Harvey Elliott, while Curtis Jones replaces Ryan Gravenberch. Alexis Mac Allister stays as the number six.

And in attack, it’s time for Darwin Nunez to be taken out of the firing line, replaced down the centre by Cody Gakpo. Mohamed Salah is right and Luis Diaz is to the left, to the left.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Paul Gorst – All out attack

With Crystal Palace to come on Saturday lunchtime, a visit to rock-bottom Sheffield United might present a chance to rest and rotate for Jurgen Klopp.

But given the Reds’ poor recent form against newly-promoted sides – and the fact that the fabled ‘new manager bounce’ might be in full effect for Chris Wilder – perhaps Klopp will go as strong as he can?

Alisson Becker’s is, of course, ruled out with the Brazilian hopefully in contention for a comeback at Selhurst Park on Saturday. So Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal behind a back four that see Joe Gomez come in at left-back. Ibrahima Konate partners captain Virgil van Dijk.

In midfield, Wataru Endo starts at the base and there are rests for Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch as Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones come into their team to take their place. Alexis Mac Allister can also wait in the wings at Bramall Lane. Playing Gakpo just behind the front three might be the ideal tactic for a side who have conceded a league-high 39. It’s the second worst record in Premier League history at this stage of the season.

Up top, Mohamed Salah begins on the right with Darwin Nunez down the middle and Luis Diaz on the left. Klopp delivered a positive update on Diogo Jota on Tuesday but this game comes too soon.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Jones, Gakpo; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Theo Squires – Unleash fresh legs

Away days at newly-promoted sides haven’t been Liverpool’s friends in recent months, with a new manager bounce following the return of Chris Wilder and Sheffield United’s desire to bounce back from their 5-0 humbling at the hands of Burnley inevitable. But after seeing Arsenal overcome Luton Town in a seven-goal thriller last night, the Reds have to find a way to get the job done at Bramall Lane to keep the pace at the top of the table.

It’s so tempting to declare the time has come to play Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield after his match-winning performance against Fulham on Sunday. But he’ll have to stay patient for that opportunity.

With Joel Matip now sidelined and Jurgen Klopp hinting Kostas Tsimikas could be due a rest, the Liverpool vice-captain continues at right-back for now. Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez come in to make up the back four along with Virgil van Dijk.

Both unused substitutes on Sunday, Curtis Jones and Havey Elliott can come into the starting XI as the Reds unleash fresh legs. Ryan Gravenberch drops out, while Dominik Szoboszlai can be afforded a rest. Wataru Endo can feel unfortunate to not start with the impressive Alexis Mac Allister keeping his place.

In attack, Cody Gakpo comes in for Darwin Nunez as the Uruguayan’s Liverpool goalscoring ‘drought’ stretches to six games. Luis Diaz keeps his place on the left, with Diogo Jota still injured, while Mohamed Salah again goes in search of his 150th Premier League goal and 200th strike for the Reds.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Eliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

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Liverpool get last laugh over Chelsea as triple injury update given
Your morning Liverpool headlines for Wednesday, December 6

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ByKeifer MacDonaldNorth West Trends Writer
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Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool

Your morning Liverpool digest for Wednesday, December 6

‘Doesn’t look good’ – Jurgen Klopp gives Joel Matip, Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker Liverpool injury updates

Jurgen Klopp is fearful of a lengthy injury lay-off for Joel Matip as Liverpool await the results of a scan for the defender.

Matip pulled up during the second half of Sunday’s eventful 4-3 win over Fulham and was replaced by Ibrahima Konate before two late goals sealed a victory over Marco Silva’s men.

Klopp confirmed after the game that Matip had injured his knee and while the Reds boss revealed in his Tuesday press conference that the centre-back is still awaiting a further prognosis, he admits he is concerned it will be a long time out of the team for a player who is out of contract at the end of the season.

READ MORE: Manchester United circus perfect for Liverpool after controversial banning decision

READ MORE: Liverpool could be without six players through injury for Sheffield United

Read the full story, here.

Liverpool get last laugh over Chelsea after new £128m transfer figure emerges

The summer transfer window of 2023 was defined by two things; the huge amount of money being spent on acquiring talent by both the Saudi Arabian Pro League and Chelsea.

On one hand there was huge sums of money on offer by SPL sides, the biggest four being backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the owners of Newcastle United. Three Liverpool players opted to leave the Premier League for what was being offered in Saudi, with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino all departing.

For Firmino it was a decision made at the end of his Reds contract, but for Henderson and Fabinho it saw Liverpool recoup £52m in fees from their sales to Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad, respectively. That was just £8m shy of the cost of outlay for both, and after a combined 17 years of service to the club.

On the other hand there was Chelsea. The aggressive spend to hoover up promising talent from across the globe began in the January window following the takeover of the club by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022. Since their arrival, more than £1bn has been spent in terms of transfer fees across three windows, with the club breaking the British transfer record twice during that period, first with the £105m signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January, then with the £115m capture of Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion during the summer.

Liverpool had been linked with Fernandez but a deal was never really expected to materialise. But in the case of Caicedo, the Reds had offered £111m during the summer, prompting Chelsea to end their game of cat and mouse with Brighton and pony up the big bucks to make the deal happen. And happen it did, with Caicedo rejecting Liverpool’s advances and choosing Stamford Bridge instead.

Just days later another Liverpool target who the club had looked close to sealing, Romeo Lavia, opted to do exactly the same, signing for Chelsea in a deal worth up to £58m from Southampton. It was a bruising few days for the club, coming on the back of a bitterly disappointing season where they finished fifth and missed out on the lucrative Champions League for the first time since 2016.

A rebuild and reset, particularly in midfield, was a vital theme for Jurgen Klopp’s men heading into the summer. While the argument never goes away with regards to the transfer spend under Fenway Sports Group at Liverpool compared to the club’s rivals, the defined recruitment strategy has led to more wins than losses in the transfer market, particularly over the last six or seven years. But the summer saw FSG give the green light for a mammoth Caicedo bid, while figures in excess of £50m were suggested for Lavia. Both players, while enjoying fine individual seasons in 2022/23, had little in the way of top level experience, and making such big plays required an element of risk.

Read the full story, here.

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Jurgen Klopp responds to Erling Haaland punishment after Liverpool fine and ban
Erling Haaland was angry with referee Simon Hooper as Manchester City were held to a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur

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ByPaul GorstLiverpool FC correspondent
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Jurgen Klopp laughs with Erling Haaland ahead of the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 22, 2022 (Image: Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp says he is unconcerned about the prospect of Erling Haaland receiving retrospective punishment in the same way Virgil van Dijk did after his sending off at Newcastle.

Haaland was angry on Sunday evening as Manchester City were held to a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad with the Norway international incensed that referee Simon Hooper had refused to play an advantage from his pass to Jack Grealish late in the game.

The centre-forward later tweeted the acronym ‘wtf’ in response to a clip of the incident and it’s been claimed the City forward could come in for punishment from the Football Association as a result of the outburst.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp refuses to discuss ‘unpleasant’ Trent Alexander-Arnold debate

READ MORE: Liverpool get last laugh over Chelsea after new £128m transfer figure emerges

Van Dijk was fined £100,000 and given an extra game ban for his reaction to being dismissed at Newcastle back in August and some have questioned whether Haaland might also see a similar fate for his post-match frustrations.

Klopp, though, is uninterested in seeing the Premier League’s 14-goal top scorer banned for City, despite the obvious benefits for Liverpool.

“I don’t know,” Klopp said. “In most of the years the thing Virgil said no one would have recognised. [He said] ‘F****** joke’ wasn’t it? I have no idea exactly what Haaland said, I didn’t follow it.

“It is like it is. To be honest I didn’t think for a second about it, when I heard about it, it wasn’t ‘oh we get it, they don’t.’ As long as you are not emotionally involved it is much easier to accept it, in the heat of the moment it is more difficult. They would have probably thought about it and I have no opinion on the outcome.”

Klopp also reiterated the likelihood of Joel Matip’s knee injury being a serious one as the Reds await the results of a scan after his withdrawal in Sunday’s 4-3 win over Fulham.

He added: “When the doctor comes in and says ‘it doesn’t look great’ [we fear the worst] but we have to wait for the scans and the scan isn’t here yet.

“So you can imagine it doesn’t look great. It is never good news [when the doctor says that]. I’ve never had that in all my years where someone says: ‘Oh my God, [the initial diagnosis of an injury] is completely wrong, there’s nothing wrong, he can play tomorrow.’ It doesn’t happen.”

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Sky Sports reporter shares worrying Ten Hag news he’s heard from Man Utd
BY
SEAN MARKUS CLIFFORD
PUBLISHED 11 HOURS AGO
It hasn’t gone to plan under the Dutchman this season…

Manchester United are in the midst of a crucial run of games and Erik ten Hag may have another issue on his hands that he needs to deal with, according to a new report.

Man Utd’s recurring problems…
Undoubtedly, United fans may well be sick to the back teeth of what has become a recurring theme at Old Trafford ever since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, which is the fact they usually start fairly well under a new manager for a year or so before problems at the club are laid bare.

Other than David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and now Ten Hag all achieved a tangible level of something resembling moderate success before their respective tenures began to decline slowly, leading to no option but a change in manager at the Premier League giants.

Famously, Ten Hag stated in the opening portion of his reign at Old Trafford that “an era can come to an end” about Manchester City and Liverpool’s sustained longevity at the top of English football. For a while, it looked as if the Dutchman was moving closer to living up to his billing, as he secured a top-four finish and an EFL Cup trophy in his debut campaign in charge.

Nevertheless, inconsistency on the field has plagued the Red Devils this campaign, leaving them seventh in the Premier League and five points behind Aston Villa in fourth. In the Champions League, Manchester United sit bottom of their group with one match remaining and their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at home in the EFL Cup ensured that they surrendered their hold on the trophy in humiliating fashion.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe already “discussing” one Man Utd matter
Now, it appears that more problems are on the horizon at Old Trafford that now spell worrying news for Ten Hag, according to a report.

Worrying Erik ten Hag update…
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United boss Ten Hag has now lost elements of the dressing room at Old Trafford in what is a worrying update. Chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol cited reasons for concern, saying:

Man Utd’s last five results – all competitions

Opponent & result

Venue

Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United

St James’ Park

Galatasaray 3-3 Manchester United

RAMS Park

Everton 0-3 Manchester United

Goodison Park

Manchester United 1-0 Luton Town

Old Trafford

Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United

Parken Stadium

“My information is that some of the players are confused with what is happening. He has lost elements of the dressing room. One source tells me that he’s lost about 50 per cent of the dressing room. Quite a few players are unhappy with the style of play, they also feel that they’re training too hard and that they’re running too much during training. I was told that the players don’t know what they’re running for.

“Also, some senior players have spoken to Erik ten Hag about where they feel the club is going wrong. They’ve spoken to him about their other experiences of playing for big clubs, and they feel that the manager should be a little bit more touchy-feely.”

Manchester United will need to find a swift solution to their issues under Ten Hag as they prepare to face Chelsea, Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in quick succession.

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Sean Markus Clifford • News Writer
(1699 Articles Published)
Sean is a journalist at GIVEMESPORT and Football FanCast, covering Premier League football, transfer rumours and more.

Sean has worked for multiple digital outlets, such as The Sporting News, The Transfer Tavern and 67 Hail Hail focusing on all things football.

Massive Celtic fan and a firm believer that Kyogo Furuhashi is the best since Henrik Larsson, also a big supporter of the Scotland National Team.

4-3-3: Prediction Manchester United XI v Chelsea ,4 changes ,new look Midfieder Rashford dropped

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Predicted Manchester United line-up v Chelsea
Wed 6 December 2023 00:05
Dan Coombs
Manchester United take on Chelsea in the Premier League tonight looking to get back on track.

A return to Old Trafford is just what Manchester United need after three tough away games last week.

Erik ten Hag will hope the whole stadium can get behind his team, but after a tense week, the players need to given them something to shout about, and reason to believe.

He goes up against Mauricio Pochettino, the man he beat to the Manchester United job. No word on whether the Chelsea manager feels devastated or relieved, considering the intense scrutiny Erik ten Hag is under.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Who will Erik ten Hag select
There are huge decisions ahead for the manager, but first, the injury latest. There are no developments on the returns of Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, or Christian Eriksen, who won’t be available, the club have confirmed.

So that quite unhelpfully means Ten Hag must work with the same set of players who took on Newcastle at the weekend. But we see some changes ahead.

In goal, it’s fairly straightforward, Andre Onana will retain his place. And then we see Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire continuing in central defence, where they were praised as the team’s only two good players against Newcastle.

MORE UNITED STORIES
Aaron Wan-Bissaka should stay at right-back and try and redeem himself after his error against Newcastle. He has a strong record against opposing winger Raheem Sterling.

On the left, Sergio Reguilon could come in, after a promising substitute performance against Newcastle.

We do see more changes in midfield – but Kobbie Mainoo will retain his place, for a third league start and first at home. He will be able to handle it.

Sofyan Amrabat will slot in alongside him, replacing Scott McTominay, to try and provide more possession and positional discipline.

Captain Bruno Fernandes will retain his place too, looking to lead by example on a big night for the club.

In attack, there will be two changes, we predict. The only one of the front three to start will be overhead kick magician Alejandro Garnacho.

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will be dropped. They deserve to be. Instead it will be Rasmus Hojlund leading the line, and Antony on the right wing, who has shown a little improvement over the past couple of games.

Ten Hag needs players who will fight for him. Antony and Rasmus Hojlund will leave everything out there. Will that be good enough? Right now its better to have fight, than none at all, and go from there.

In: Reguilon, Amrabat, Hojlund, Antony
Out: Dalot, McTominay, Rashford, Martial

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Klopp updates on Alisson, Jota and Matip injuries – with good and bad news
December 5, 2023
Jack Lusby
There was good and bad news on the injury front as Jurgen Klopp provided updates on Alisson, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip ahead of Sheffield United.

Liverpool are expected to be without six players for the trip to Bramall Lane on Wednesday night, though Alisson and Jota are edging closer to a return.

Matip joined the absentee list with a knee issue picked up in the 4-3 win over Fulham at the weekend, with Andy Robertson, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic also out.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Klopp revealed that Jota had resumed running outdoors as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

“He was running yesterday outside, on his birthday,” the manager said.

 

“Everything goes in the right direction, but nobody told me he would be back in team training today. There’s still some time.”

On Alisson, he added: “Obviously Ali is closer, but not available for tomorrow, definitely.”

The goalkeeper could return for the clash with Man United on December 17, with there increasing hopes now that Jota could join him.

Asked about Matip’s situation, however, Klopp explained that the centre-back was yet to undergo a scan, suggesting the swelling around his knee had still not gone down.

That would indicate a bad injury for the 32-year-old, though the timeframe around his layoff is as yet unknown.

“I don’t know it exactly, but it doesn’t look good, that’s something we can say,” Klopp said.

“The scan is not done yet, so we don’t know exactly. It’s not great.

“From the first second it was clear, I spoke to him and he said ‘no’, that’s not good. But how long, I don’t know.”

Matip is likely to be replaced by Ibrahima Konate as the Reds travel to Sheffield, which may have been the case either way as Klopp employs rotation through a busy period.

But losing his No. 32 is undoubtedly a blow regardless, with Klopp taking things one game at a time.

“We lost Joel, so that’s so tough. It’s so tough what’s coming up now,” he continued.

“There’s [no way] to think ahead of the next game, there’s no chance. Focus on Sheffield United, go for it, play the best possible game and keep going.”

Alisson, Diogo Jota, Injuries, Joel Matip, Jurgen Klopp, Sheffield United, Sheffield United vs Liverpool
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Klopp updates on Alisson, Jota and Matip injuries – with good and bad news

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£87m attacker’s Dad suggests his son won’t be playing for Liverpool next seasonPhoto by Boris Streubel/Getty Images
£87m attacker’s Dad suggests his son won’t be playing for Liverpool next season
Tue 5 December 2023 11:30
James Brooke
Liverpool have been dealt a potential blow in their reported pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz.

With a move already ruled in January, Wirtz has been claimed to feature on Liverpool’s shortlist ahead of the summer window next year.

However, the 20-year-old’s Dad has now publicly stated that he expects his son to remain at Leverkusen until 2025. In quotes via German reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, Hans-Joachim Wirtz put a pin in any transfer talk for 2024.

“Currently, everything is geared towards Florian continuing to play in Leverkusen next season,” says Wirtz senior, who is also Florian’s agent.

Plettenberg goes on to add a little more colour, claiming that it’s now ‘likely’ that the Germany international will stay at Leverkusen for 2024/25.

After that, the journalist reports that Bayern Munich want him, and Wirtz himself ‘prefers’ to join the Bundesliga champions.

Wirtz set to stay at Leverkusen
This is quite a bold statement from Wirtz’s father, and a potentially surprising one, too.

Having been one of the best players in a Leverkusen side who are flying, the youngster has been linked to a plethora of top teams recently.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
With a reported price-tag of around £87m, Wirtz’s value is through the roof right now.

Although you have to admire his strategy of staying at Leverkusen a little longer, there’s really no guarantee that that interest will remain.

Florian Wirtz
Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images
Given that he’s yet to even turn 21, you could argue that there’s plenty of time for Wirtz to get his move. And that’s true, there is.

However, the former Koln prospect has already suffered a big setback with a knee injury in 2022. In football, you just never know when these things are coming. It’s sometimes best to strike when the iron’s hot.

Should he wait – as it appears he’s willing to do – Wirtz could miss out on securing a dream transfer.

Nevertheless, this is probably good news for Liverpool. It seems unlikely that they’d be chasing a big deal for Wirtz this summer. 18 months down the line, they could well be better placed to do so. It also gives them plenty of time to convince him to choose the Reds over Bayern!

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‘The best’… Some people in South America think 25-year-old Liverpool star is now the world’s best player

Charles Jones
Tue 5 December 2023 11:45, UK
Trent Alexander-Arnold is a player that really divides opinion at Liverpool.

Some absolutely love Alexander-Arnold and the way he has revolutionised the right-back role, but others aren’t such big fans due to his defensive deficiencies.

The English media, in particular, are quick to point out where Alexander-Arnold could improve, but according to Tony Cascarino, speaking on The Game Football Podcast, people in South America view the defender rather differently.

Indeed, according to Cascarino, people in South America really rate Alexander-Arnold, so much so that some view him as the best footballer in the world.

Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Alexander-Arnold highly rated in South America
Cascarino shared what he’s heard from some contacts in South America about Alexander-Arnold.

“I just feel watching him around the edge of the box, if anything lands at his feet, he’s firing them in. Trent to me, I think a lot of people in South America, and I have South American friends and they say he’s the best footballer in the world. He’s not seen as that in England, we just focus on his defensive frailties, and they said he can do what Roberto Carlos could do in a certain part of the pitch. How many footballers really can get the goals that Trent can?” Cascarino said.

Needs more credit
The fact that Alexander-Arnold is chastised more often than he’s praised in the British press is ridiculous.

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Yes, he could improve defensively, but he may well be the most talented English footballer of this generation.

If he was from another country, we’d be talking about one of the best players in the world, but due to this old-fashioned view that full-backs need to be Lee Dixon-type defenders, Alexander-Arnold doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

South Americans think Alexander-Arnold may be the world’s best player, and they’re not far off being right.

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(Video) Jorginho thinks Liverpool have an ‘unbelievable’ player who’s even better than De Bruyne
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Jorginho has named one Liverpool player as the best he’s ever faced during his time in the Premier League.

The current Arsenal midfielder came to England in 2018 when he joined Chelsea from Napoli, spending four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge before moving across London last January.

The Italy international was speaking to The Athletic Football Podcast when he was asked to name his best opponent during his time in the English top flight, ultimately plumping for Mo Salah after considerable thought.

Jorginho declared: “Kevin de Bruyne is ridiculous, but I think Salah in that period, he was another level. I think, yeah, I would put Salah first.”

When podcast host Ayo Akinwolere referenced the 2018/19 campaign in which Liverpool’s number 11 was the joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 22 goals, the Arsenal midfielder replied: “Unbelievable. You could not stop him. He was so strong, so powerful, so fast and his mentality…

“However he would shoot, if you touched the ball it would go in. For me, that season he had was unbelievable.”

Jorginho has faced Salah more often than anyone else in his career, with their 17 previous head-to-heads between their respective meetings in Italy and England producing nine wins for the Liverpool forward and only three for the Italian (Transfermarkt).

For a European champion to rate the Egyptian ahead of a top-class operator in De Bruyne is a telling indicator of just how special a player the Reds have in the 31-year-old winger.

You can view the clip of Jorginho below (from 1:07:01), via The Athletic Football Podcast on YouTube:

 

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‘They are not good’… ESPN pundit says two players are really costing Liverpool right now

Shamanth Jayaram
Tue 5 December 2023 7:55, UK
ESPN pundit Steve Nicol has claimed that Liverpool stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas are not good defenders.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side are in a great position in the league table – above Manchester City and just two points behind league leaders Arsenal. However, they haven’t been convincing at the back, and Nicol believes Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas are to blame.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
ESPN pundit says Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas are not good defenders
Questions about Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s defending have been around for a long time now, and Steve Nicol has brought his Liverpool teammate Kostas Tsimikas into the discussion now.

Jurgen Klopp’s side deserve a lot of praise for where they are in the table – second after just one loss in 14 games in the Premier League.

However, following their 4-3 win over Fulham at Anfield on Sunday in what was a crazy game, everyone is talking about the Reds’ defence.

Conceding three goals at home is never ideal, especially against a club like Fulham, who had only scored 13 goals in as many games in the Premier League this season before Sunday.

When Nicol was asked if he agrees with Craig Burley’s assessment that Liverpool are not good enough at the back, he said on ESPN FC: “I do agree because right now, Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas are not good defenders.

“If you’ve got half of your back four who are not good defenders, it shouldn’t really be a surprise that you’re giving up chances and goals.”

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool need a new defensive midfielder
Liverpool have only conceded 14 goals in the Premier League this season, which means they have the second-best defensive record in the division.

However, that number is slightly misleading.

Liverpool have been conceding way too many chances. Lack of a proper defensive midfielder has made it easy for teams to penetrate, resulting in opportunities for them to score.

If Liverpool can get themselves a top-quality number six in January, we’re sure they will be much harder to score against, even with Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas’ weaknesses.

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Home » ARTICLES » “That’s a factor”- Gary Neville believes one man is keeping Liverpool in Premier League title race
“That’s a factor”- Gary Neville believes one man is keeping Liverpool in Premier League title race
By Debopriyo Mondal / December 5, 2023
Football legend Gary Neville on how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is the reason behind the Reds’ possible title run
While Gary Neville touts Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as an influential “factor” in the Premier League title race, his latest comments subtly discredit and diminish the Reds’ credentials as genuine contenders this season.

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, Neville suggested Liverpool could remain in the mix due to Klopp’s proven winning pedigree. However, he designated Arsenal and Manchester City as the frontrunners in his view.

Despite Liverpool’s dramatic and almost table-topping 4-3 win over Fulham on Sunday, Neville overlooked the Reds in declaring he wants to see Arsenal and City “go toe-to-toe” in the run-in again.

Gary Neville feels Arsenal and Manchester City are more equipped to win the title race this season. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
“Liverpool I’m not sure about but then they’ve got Klopp, so I think that’s a factor because he can win and he’s proven he can win.”

I think Arsenal have got what it takes to win a league I think that group of players are very good. There’s a lot to play for but the more points dropped, the more confidence Arsenal will gain.

What I would want to see is Arsenal and City in a run-in again, if Liverpool are there as well it becomes a three-horse race – great – but usually in the end, it becomes two. If it’s Arsenal and Manchester City again, it’ll be interesting to see how Arsenal handle it – I do feel like they’ll handle it.”

While namechecking Jurgen Klopp as a difference-maker, his analysis indicates a clear disrespect for Liverpool’s capabilities otherwise. Neville remains unconvinced the Reds can replicate their recent title-challenging form over a full campaign.

From a Liverpool perspective, Neville’s indirect doubt comes across as tone-deaf following the Reds’ consistent run this campaign. To imply this squad lacks the quality or commitment to challenge feels misguided.

Gary Neville touted Klopp as the x-factor behind Liverpool’s potential title-winning run this campaign.
Klopp may represent the crucial binding agent given his trophy-winning resume. But Liverpool undeniably boast elite game-changing veterans like Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and young guns like Trent Alexander Arnold and others who have conquered peaks before.

Liverpool sit just two points behind Arsenal and one point above City. Yet Neville classes Arsenal as more equipped “mentally and physically” to handle the mounting pressure based purely on last season’s collapse.

But Liverpool know exactly what it takes to withstand a title race grind after multiple epic duels with Pep Guardiola’s side. Arsenal must still prove they can backs-to-the-wall like the Reds have.

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Jurgen Klopp anger spotted in Liverpool moment as Erling Haaland avoids punishment
Your Liverpool FC morning headlines as the FA charge Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s reaction during the Reds’ win over Fulham is spotted

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ByJake BaylissFootball Trends Writer
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Tuesday, December 5.

Jurgen Klopp left fuming on touchline as Darwin Nunez does things differently after Liverpool winner

Liverpool maintained their push at the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold both netted in the closing moments as the Reds came from behind to earn a 4-3 triumph after an earlier Bernd Leno own goal and an Alexis Mac Allister screamer. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men have now moved up to second and have lost only one of their last 25 top-flight matches.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and lots of injury time) at Anfield.

Read the moments missed here

FA make Erling Haaland decision Liverpool know all about as Man City charged

Manchester City have been charged by the Football Association after a controversial incident in their draw with Tottenham Hotspur – but Erling Haaland has escaped punishment for his tirade at the referee.

Liverpool’s title rivals were forced to settle for a draw with Spurs, following Dejan Kulusevski’s late equaliser at the Etihad. However, it was a decision by referee Simon Hooper in added time that captured the most attention, despite the end-to-end nature of the game.

Hooper had initially allowed play to go on after a foul on Haaland, The striker recovered to play a pass to Jack Grealish, who looked to be bearing down on goal, before the referee called the game to a halt and awarded the free-kick, much to the disbelief of many Man City players.

Read the full story here

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Liverpool could soar to new heights by signing “world-class” £87m Trent partner
BY
ANGUS SINCLAIR
PUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO
Jurgen Klopp has this exciting forward firmly on his radar…

Liverpool continued their seasonal resurgence with an awesome fightback victory against Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, preserving their 100% record at Anfield this season.

With Manchester City dropping points at home to Tottenham Hotspur later in the day, Jurgen Klopp’s side have now advanced to second place and remain just two points away from table-toppers Arsenal.

While this revival is impressive – Liverpool were poor last year and finished fifth – there is undoubtedly work still to be done and Klopp will aim to strengthen the defensive department in January and next summer.

But there’s a possibility that a certain forward will leave Anfield sooner rather than later, and, as such, contingencies appear to have been made.

Liverpool transfer news – Leroy Sane
If Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool in 2024, reports from October claimed that Bayern Munich maverick Leroy Sane has been earmarked as the first-choice replacement.

Such rumours have persisted, and – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – transfer insider Dean Jones has issued an update on the budding saga, revealing that the €100m (£87m) star is of genuine interest to Klopp’s side.

Jones said: “Sane has been linked for a while and I think there’s something in it in terms of Liverpool want to be kept abreast of the situation, but I don’t think there’s anything imminent on the cards. I don’t think Sane is on the verge of joining Liverpool.

But there is going to come a point when they have to start thinking more clearly about what happens after Salah.”

Why Liverpool are interested in Leroy Sane
Basically, Liverpool are monitoring Sane’s situation at Bayern because of the lingering uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future at Anfield, with the irreplaceable Egyptian forward needing an heir. As daunting as that sounds.

Salah, aged 31, is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign and was the subject of avaricious transfer attention from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in the summer, with Liverpool rejecting a staggering £150m offer late in the window.

It would be wrong to claim that Salah wasn’t interested in a move, but he remained a sterling example and did not even probe at the proposition of an exit, allowing the narrative to unfurl of its own accord.

That’s not to say that he will remain on Merseyside beyond his current deal, however, and the man who has plundered 199 goals and 86 assists from 325 appearances for the Reds will need a first-class replacement, and Sane may well be the man for the job.

Leroy Sane’s style of play
Signing for Bayern Munich from Manchester City for £55m in 2020 – where the Germany international scored 39 goals and provided 46 assists from 135 outings, notably winning two Premier League titles and the FA Cup – Sane has reinvented himself after a long-term injury at the end of his Citizens career.

Described as a “world-class” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Sane is electric and dynamic and is comfortable across both wings, actually finding more prolific success on the right of late.

Indeed, the £332k-per-week whiz has been exemplary this season and has posted nine goals and seven assists across 20 appearances in all competitions – scoring seven from 12 matches on the right.

As per Sofascore, the 27-year-old gem has started 12 times in the 2023/24 Bundesliga, incredibly taking 3.1 shots and 3.6 key passes per game, completing 83% of his passes and averaging 3.3 ball recoveries per match.

Leroy Sane vs Positional Peers in Europe

Statistic

Per 90

Ranking

Goals scored

0.38

Top 12%

Assists

0.35

Top 9%

Shot-creating actions

5.19

Top 12%

Pass completion

79.5%

Top 17%

Progressive passes

5.44

Top 16%

Progressive carries

4.58

Top 20%

Successful take-ons

3.82

Top 3%

Data via FBRef.

Should Liverpool decide to further discussions to secure his signature in the near future, he will likely be used on the right, in the place of Salah, which could be the beginning of a fruitful partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Imagine Leroy Sane & Trent Alexander-Arnold
Sane’s ability to use his pace to bypass opponents is one of his biggest, and most innate, skills, but he has sharpened his creativity and technicality to a fine point over recent campaigns and could now feasibly succeed Salah in Liverpool’s attack.

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Liverpool could hand Trent new role by signing “breathtaking” £52m-rated target
Should he arrive, he could indeed find goals and assists easy to come by with Alexander-Arnold providing the good from deep; the £180k-per-week Scouser is regarded as one of the finest assisters in the world and has been praised as a “genius” by journalist Neil Jones.

Few defenders have ever boasted similar skills, and his ability to pick out teammates in the most promising of positions is something that Sane, who relishes weaving in behind, could revel in, returning to the Premier League and unleashing his finest work to date on the opposition.

Premier League: Highest-assisting Active Defenders

#

Player

No. of assists

1

Andy Robertson

57

2

Trent Alexander-Arnold

55

3

Kyle Walker

33

4

Kieran Trippier

32

5

Aaron Cresswell

30

*Sourced via premierleague.com

It’s worth noting that while James Milner and Ashley Young have produced more assists than any player on the table above, both have secured most through midfield roles, meaning they do not make the list.

Alexander-Arnold has long caused debate over his position, perpetually drifting forward and influencing attacking transitions with his celestial ball-playing skills, but he has always been deployed as the right-back in Klopp’s team and is tallied as such.

One matter that is not up for debate is that Alexander-Arnold is among the most destructively creative forces in European football, ranking among the top 1% of full-backs for assists and passes attempted, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive passes and the top 21% for goals scored per 90.

With Sane in front of him, Alexander-Arnold could simply continue doing what has served him so well throughout his career so far: supplementing Liverpool’s attack with defence-splitting, odd-defying balls.

Sane, for his part, is considered a similar player to Salah and has demonstrated his aptitude with both goals and assists across a glittering career so far, and he would surely be up to the task on Merseyside.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angus Sinclair • Opinions & Feature Writer
(1703 Articles Published)
Angus is a freelance analytical writer for Football FanCast.

Having graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2022, Angus found a home at FFC after previously writing for Vavel and OurSoundMusic.

A passionate Liverpool supporter and a lover of statistics, Angus also holds a fondness for MMA and Tennis.

Outside of football, he is a voracious reader with a particular love for fantasy and historical fiction.

Liverpool fan has theory on why Simon Hooper blew whistle to prevent Jack Grealish chance, he could be right
Marcus Chan

 

Published 13:49, 04 December 2023 GMT
| Last updated 14:10, 04 December 2023 GMT

A Liverpool fan has come up with a theory on why referee Simon Hooper made the hugely controversial call during Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur.

At the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night, City and Spurs played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.

However, the encounter was marred by Hooper’s controversial decision to stop a promising attack by City.

During stoppage time, Erling Haaland looked like he was fouled but stayed on his feet to play the ball towards Jack Grealish, who was looking likely to get on the end of the through ball.

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However, referee Hooper appeared to blow his whistle despite originally waving play on for advantage.

The decision left City fans and players fuming as Haaland reacted on social media shortly after the final whistle.

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked to comment on the incident but was not keen to discuss it in great detail.

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Now, a Liverpool fan has taken to social media with a theory about Hooper’s decision.

Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap wrote: “I have a really mundane suggestion as to what has gone on with the Hooper giving the free kick thing.

“I think he can’t see Grealish because of the three Spurs players and thinks Haaland has just put it into space. Then obviously he can and realises he has f**ked up.”

 

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Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said after the incident: “Haaland has lost his head. But l suspect that is partly frustration at having a pretty poor game in front of goal.

“City have conceded nine goals in four games. That will be a bigger concern at the end than the refereeing error when Grealish was through.”

Former City player Micah Richards added: “The referee had a brilliant game today until this moment. I don’t understand it.

“The referee puts the whistle to his mouth, he waves the play on to play advantage. Jack Grealish is clearly onside and Haaland plays the ball through – and then he stops the play, which I don’t quite understand.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Sky Sports

Topics: Erling Haaland, Football, Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Fan Reactions
Marcus Chan
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Jurgen Klopp left fuming on touchline as Darwin Nunez does things differently after Liverpool winner
Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday

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ByIan DoyleChief Liverpool FC Writer
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Liverpool players celebrate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late winner in the Premier League game against Fulham on December 3 2023 (Image: LFC TV)

Liverpool maintained their push at the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold both netted in the closing moments as the Reds came from behind to earn a 4-3 triumph after an earlier Bernd Leno own goal and an Alexis Mac Allister screamer. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men have now moved up to second and have lost only one of their last 25 top-flight matches.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and lots of injury time) at Anfield.

PAUL GORST: Kop makes clear who real hero of Fulham win was as Liverpool tweak pays off

IAN DOYLE: Jurgen Klopp has ‘underrated’ player who could help finally settle Liverpool debate

Kostas grab

There was so much going on during an incident-packed match that it was difficult to keep up at times. And the denouement arrived with Alexander-Arnold’s winning strike, which prompted bedlam in the stands and a succession of knee slides towards the corner flag.

And there was an amusing moment as the Liverpool players celebrated wildly in front of the Kop, with Kostas Tsimikas grabbing a nearby steward with both hands and shaking him wildly.

After the initial shock, the smiles on the Anfield employee at becoming embroiled in such a memorable moment suggest he didn’t mind so much.

Nunez sprint

The delight at the late turnaround was unconfined given the manner in which Liverpool had toiled throughout much of the second half.

Those struggles were perhaps best encapsulated in the performance of Darwin Nunez who, despite not having his best game, kept plugging away and ultimately played an important part in the build-up to the final two goals.

And when Alexander-Arnold netted, rather than join in with his team-mates in front of the Kop, Nunez belted it to the dugout where he embraced first Dominik Szoboszlai and then Jurgen Klopp. He loves doing it differently, does Darwin.

Klopp irate

The game, though, hadn’t finished at that point. And with more than seven additional minutes being played – to go with the 12 in the first half – where was still plenty of time for more shenanigans.

And one such instance happened during injury time when a tussle for possession between Ibrahima Konate and Carlos Vinicius ended with Fulham contentiously being awarded a throw-in.

If Konate waving his arms was a sign of the Frenchman querying the decision, then the reaction of Klopp on the touchline, bouncing up and down manically and gesticulating furiously in the direction of just about anyone who would take note, suggests the Reds boss really, really couldn’t believe it.

Salah intent

A lot, lot, lot earlier on in the first half, there was an amusing passage of play as Liverpool probed for a second goal. With Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno having cleared into touch, the Reds were keen on a quick restart from the resultant throw-in.

But seconds after play continued, the original ball booted into the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand reappeared by bouncing on to the pitch towards Mohamed Salah, causing confusion among players.

Salah, though, was so laser-focused he managed to win control of both footballs. Anyone wondering what separates good players from great ones now has an answer.

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Jurgen Klopp left fuming on touchline as Darwin Nunez does things differently after Liverpool winner
Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday

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ByIan DoyleChief Liverpool FC Writer
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Liverpool players celebrate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late winner in the Premier League game against Fulham on December 3 2023 (Image: LFC TV)

Liverpool maintained their push at the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold both netted in the closing moments as the Reds came from behind to earn a 4-3 triumph after an earlier Bernd Leno own goal and an Alexis Mac Allister screamer. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men have now moved up to second and have lost only one of their last 25 top-flight matches.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and lots of injury time) at Anfield.

PAUL GORST: Kop makes clear who real hero of Fulham win was as Liverpool tweak pays off

IAN DOYLE: Jurgen Klopp has ‘underrated’ player who could help finally settle Liverpool debate

Kostas grab

There was so much going on during an incident-packed match that it was difficult to keep up at times. And the denouement arrived with Alexander-Arnold’s winning strike, which prompted bedlam in the stands and a succession of knee slides towards the corner flag.

And there was an amusing moment as the Liverpool players celebrated wildly in front of the Kop, with Kostas Tsimikas grabbing a nearby steward with both hands and shaking him wildly.

After the initial shock, the smiles on the Anfield employee at becoming embroiled in such a memorable moment suggest he didn’t mind so much.

Nunez sprint

The delight at the late turnaround was unconfined given the manner in which Liverpool had toiled throughout much of the second half.

Those struggles were perhaps best encapsulated in the performance of Darwin Nunez who, despite not having his best game, kept plugging away and ultimately played an important part in the build-up to the final two goals.

And when Alexander-Arnold netted, rather than join in with his team-mates in front of the Kop, Nunez belted it to the dugout where he embraced first Dominik Szoboszlai and then Jurgen Klopp. He loves doing it differently, does Darwin.

Klopp irate

The game, though, hadn’t finished at that point. And with more than seven additional minutes being played – to go with the 12 in the first half – where was still plenty of time for more shenani