Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that his side's struggles cannot be fairly judged while they continue to struggle with injuries. The Reds have lost their last two Premier League games to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, leaving them ninth in the table and closer to the relegation zone than the top four - albeit with the game in hand needed to rectify that. Ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday, Klopp conceded that people are right to ask questions of his team but insisted that they cannot be fairly judged until later in the campaign. “We are obviously all out there and do the job in public and I think the judgement for this will be later in the season or maybe at the end of the season where we say, ‘obviously now that is it for this group of players or whatever. For this manager if you want'," he said. “Even if it is unfair, it is fine, it is normal, that’s our life, you are absolutely right to ask these questions but we have to answer that later on. We are all out there to be judged. It is completely fine: manager, players - that is how life is in professional football.” A common criticism of Klopp's team has been the average age of the squad. Nine of the players are over 30, including key players like Thiago, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and captain Jordan Henderson.

Jürgen Klopp sends message to Liverpool critics over form decline

October 31, 2022 Duke 0

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that his side’s struggles cannot be fairly judged while they continue to struggle with injuries.

The Reds have lost their last two Premier League games to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, leaving them ninth in the table and closer to the relegation zone than the top four – albeit with the game in hand needed to rectify that.

Ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday, Klopp conceded that people are right to ask questions of his team but insisted that they cannot be fairly judged until later in the campaign.

“We are obviously all out there and do the job in public and I think the judgement for this will be later in the season or maybe at the end of the season where we say, ‘obviously now that is it for this group of players or whatever. For this manager if you want’,” he said.

“Even if it is unfair, it is fine, it is normal, that’s our life, you are absolutely right to ask these questions but we have to answer that later on. We are all out there to be judged. It is completely fine: manager, players – that is how life is in professional football.”

A common criticism of Klopp’s team has been the average age of the squad. Nine of the players are over 30, including key players like Thiago, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and captain Jordan Henderson.

Darwin Núñez has only been contracted to Liverpool for a matter of months but already, he's realised the unique perks held by Virgil van Dijk. The new Reds striker has faced his defensive teammate on the number of occasions in training, and he knows how hard it is to come out on top.

Darwin Núñez is getting perfect Liverpool training as Virgil van Dijk shows Jürgen Klopp formula

October 27, 2022 Duke 0

When Núñez described Van Dijk recently, he touched on one of the key elements attached to Liverpool’s scouting practices: the Reds tend to target players who are one-on-one experts in defence and attack.

That was one of the reasons why the Uruguayan striker was signed for £85m from Benfica in the summer, with Van Dijk describing him as one of the toughest opponents that he’s faced after the two met on opposite sides in the Champions League last term — because of his ability to merge speed with physicality.

Almost by accident, Núñez has quietly divulged part of Klopp’s secret transfer formula. And by coming up against Van Dijk every day, he also happens to be getting the perfect training to make sure he becomes even more unplayable at Liverpool.

Liverpool may reportedly be willing to give consideration to using African midfielder Naby Keita in a proposal to secure services of AC Milan midfielder

Liverpool to consider Naby Keita as a makeweight to sign AC Milan midfield star

October 27, 2022 Duke 0

For such a scenario to materialise, it appears likely that Keita would need to pen fresh terms with the Merseyside outfit.

However, a report in Italy says that Milan are monitoring any developments with Keita ahead of potentially trying to sign him on a free transfer.

In sharp contrast, Tonali is contracted to the current Serie A champions until the end of 2026-27, a factor which does not play into Liverpool’s favour.

The Italy international has represented I Rossoneri since 2020, already going on to make 96 appearances in all competitions.

Unless they are required to sell for financial reasons or the 22-year-old expresses a desire to take on a new challenge, Milan are likely to demand in excess of £40m for one of their key men.

Liverpool will have space in their squad if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Keita in departing the Premier League outfit on a free transfer in the summer.

Nevertheless, finances are likely to prove key, and Liverpool are also being linked with the likes of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo.