Liverpool
Transitioning Teams and Europe
Why the failure to qualify for Europe for a transitioning team could be a blessing in disguise. European qualification in many footballing leagues and cultures is considered one of the more realistic targets at the start of a season. While the league title is there to be taken by an elusive team, there are six to seven teams that get to play in the European competitions namely, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The fans of every team with a decent top-10 caliber squad expect their teams to be in the mix to achieve the said target. The traditional ‘Top’ teams are by nature expected to have that level of consistency every season they grace the pitch. This very expectation and excitement turn into rage and criticism when their respective teams can’t manage to ch...
‘Magical powers’: Liverpool star raves about player who Spurs wanted to sign this summer
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has showered heaps of praise on Brazilian teammate Philippe Coutinho. Firmino has hailed the former Liverpool midfielder as an ‘unbelievable player’. Coutinho, who moved to Barcelona from Liverpool, was heavily linked with a return to the Premier League, with clubs like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and the Reds being linked. According to reports from The Independent, Barcelona were interested in signing Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele and were willing to offer Coutinho plus cash in order to sign the player. It was reported that the Catalan giants were long-term admirers of Ndombele, and were interested in signing him last summer before Spurs did. Coutinho was also linked with a return to Liverpool, but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wen...
Crystal Palace close in on signing former Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne
According to The Athletic, Crystal Palace are close to signing former Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne on a free transfer. Clyne has been a free agent after being released by the Reds during the summer. The 29-year-old, who missed the whole of last season in rehabilitation after cruciate knee ligament damage, was an outcast over his last few months at Anfield, training on his own until the expiration of his contract on July 1. However, he continued to work on his fitness by linking up with Roy Hodgson’s squad a month ago and impressing the manager during training. From the report, the Englishman is now on the verge of signing a short-term deal with Roy Hodgson’s side lasting him until January when the club will re-assess the player for a possible extension. Palace already have Jo...
Stan Collymore thinks ‘unique’ Aston Villa player good enough for Liverpool
Stan Collymore has suggested in The Mirror (print edition, page 47, October 13, 2020) that Aston Villa star Jack Grealish is good enough to play for Liverpool or Manchester City. The former Liverpool and Villa striker rates Grealish highly, and believes that the 25-year-old England international attacking midfielder could flourish at the Reds or the Citizens. Collymore wrote in The Mirror (print edition, page 47, October 13, 2020): “Jack is unique in the Premier League in that he draws players towards him and goes past them.” The former Liverpool and Villa striker added: “But if he sustains his current levels, Jack could shine in midfield for Manchester City. Or for Liverpool or Real Madrid or Barcelona. Yes, he is that good. Could Jack Grealish end up at Liverpool or Manchester City? Grea...
Journalist claims Derby County want Liverpool 23-year-old this week
The Telegraph journalist John Percy has claimed on Twitter that Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City and Norwich City are interested in signing Harry Wilson from Liverpool before the summer transfer window in England closes on Friday. The well-known and well-respected journalist has stated that Championship clubs Derby, Forest, Cardiff and Norwich all want to secure the services of the Wales international winger on a loan deal. The 23-year-old winger is away on international duty with Wales at the moment. #lfc winger Harry Wilson is a loan target for a number of Championship clubs before Friday’s deadline. #dcfc – who had him on loan for the 2018/19 season – are keen to re-sign him but face competition from #nffc, #Cardiff and #Norwich. Wilson currently with the Wales squad — John...
‘You wouldn’t believe’: Firmino names the Liverpool player who works extremely hard
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has showered heaps of praise on his club teammate Mohamed Salah in a recent interview with FIFA.com. The Brazil international forward has said that he is grateful to be playing at Liverpool alongside Salah and Sadio Mane. The 29-year-old former Hoffenheim star scored twice in Brazil’s 5-0 win over Bolivia, and he is enjoying the new no 9 role for his country. Firmino has also stated that Salah works extremely hard in training. Firmino told FIFA.com about the Egyptian winger: “I admire Salah a lot. I love the way he plays. He scores a lot of goals. “You wouldn’t believe how hard he works. I’m very grateful to play alongside him and [Sadio] Mane, another magnificent player.” Salah has turned out to be one of the best signings made by Jurgen Kl...
‘Null and void all football’, ‘Madness’ – Some Liverpool fans react as 25-yr-old tests positive for COVID-19
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has apparently tested positive for Coronavirus. Keita is currently on international duty with Guinea and four of his teammates have tested positive as well as per Foot224. The 25-year-old Liverpool midfielder is now expected to follow the protocols and self-isolate for two weeks. He is not set to miss the Merseyside Derby later this week. Liverpool have suffered in the recent weeks with their key players testing positive and it will be interesting to see if the club can contain the spread in the coming months. The likes of Thiago Alcantara, Xherdan Shaqiri and Sadio Mane tested positive recently but they are expected to be available for the game against Everton. The Reds were thrashed 7-2 by Aston Villa last time out and they will be desperate to bounce back...
Liverpool in talks to sign 27-yr-old, some of their fans react: ‘Average’, ‘Used to be decent’
Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland. With Alisson injured for the next few weeks, Liverpool need to bring in a quality keeper to deputize in the Brazilian’s absence. Adrian’s catastrophic performance against Aston Villa has forced Liverpool to dip into the transfer market once again and it will be interesting to see if the Reds can agree on a deal for the 27 year old before the transfer window closes. According to Mirror, there have been negotiations between Liverpool and Stoke and Butland could be involved against Everton in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The Stoke City keeper used to be rated very highly in England but his form has regressed over the years and he is no longer the talent he used to be. It will be interesting to ...
Leeds United player says getting the better of Liverpool ace once ‘was nice’
Leeds United defender Luke Ayling has commented on his nutmeg on Liverpool forward Sadio Mane earlier in the season, as quoted in Leeds Live. Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Liverpool away from home at Anfield in the Premier League in the opening weekend of the season. It was a very entertaining match which was decided when the defending Premier League champions scored a late goal from the penalty spot, with Mohamed Salah scoring a hat-trick. In the first half, Ayling did a nutmeg on Mane, who is one of the best players in the Premier League and is a key figure at Liverpool, although the Senegalese did one on him soon after. Leeds Live quotes the 29-year-old as saying about that incident: “It was nice. Obviously you’re a bit nervous to start the season. They cam...
23-year-old forward misses out on Liverpool Champions League squad, loan move expected?
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed his Liverpool Champions League squad for the 2020/21 season but while there aren’t any major much surprises, one name has been left out. Welsh forward Harry Wilson, who could have been listed as a homegrown player in the 25-man squad, has been left out, giving the Liverpool manager 24 names on his A list. According to UEFA, the ‘A list’ is limited to 25 players with eight of those required to be ‘homegrown and four of those having been trained at the club for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21. The Reds have a deadline of 11pm on Monday to submit their finalised squad, with Klopp’s selection already settled after a well-managed transfer window. It is therefore assumed, according to Sky Sports, that the 23-year-old forward may be headin...
‘Top player’: Liverpool man absolutely rave about ‘exceptional’ Rangers star
Glasgow Rangers midfielder Steven Davis has been hailed as an ‘exceptional’ player by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender has hailed him as a ‘top player’ as well. Davis, who joined Rangers from Southampton, is set to become Northern Ireland’s most capped player when they take on Bosnia Herzegovina. Van Dijk knows Davis very well having played with him at Southampton. The Liverpool star was full of praise for the Gers midfielder. “Davo has been exceptional as a pro, but outside the pitch as well he has been a great example to a lot of young Northern Ireland players out there,” said Van Dijk as quoted by Sky Sports. “I had the pleasure to play with him at Southampton and I really enjoyed it. A great guy and a top player and well deserved obviously.” The 35-year-old p...
‘World-class’ player could join Liverpool…but it will take ruthless decision from Klopp
Liverpool are now emerging as new favourites to sign Jadon Sancho next summer ahead of Manchester United, according to reports from the Independent. Manchester United made a genuine attempt to sign Sancho all summer, but they failed to get a deal over the line. It remains to be seen whether they will make another attempt next summer, but there is now a feeling that Liverpool could well move and secure his signature. Sancho looks set to spend the rest of the season at Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool are now a more likely destination for him than United. The England international, who has been hailed as ‘world-class’ by his current manager Lucien Favre, is a player Klopp admires. Back in February, Klopp had revealed Liverpool were interested in signing Sancho, but the R...
