The Liverpool Offside: All Posts by O.T. ObaisiZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2023-12-29T09:00:00+00:00https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/authors/OT-O/rss2023-12-29T09:00:00+00:002023-12-29T09:00:00+00:00Rumor Mongering: Xabi Alonso Blocks Liverpool Swoop For Bayer Leverkusen Star
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<img alt="VfB Stuttgart - Bayer Leverkusen" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9U4kPGhjxYpO5wRYpwNMrjs-_N8=/0x0:5977x3985/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73006350/1255673060.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bayer manager and ex-Liverpool midfielder is battling to keep his star defender from moving to Anfield in the January window. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> are top of the Premier League with half of the campaign gone. Through to both the Europa League knockout stages and the semifinals of the League Cup, and with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> rounds still to come, Jurgen Klopp will know that seizing the opportunity to bolster his squad in the upcoming January <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> could make the difference in what could yet be a promising season. </p>
<p id="qZsuXX">One potential spanner in the works is the depth in the defensive positions, particularly at center half. Joel Matip’s season-ending ACL injury has left the Reds’ boss with the brittle pair of Joe Gomez—already filling in at full back due to injuries—and Ibrahima Konate to partner Virgil Van Dijk in the heart of defense, with promising academy youngster Jarell Quansah chipping in where he can. </p>
<p id="QARr1s">The rumor mill has correctly surmised that Anfield club are likely interested bolstering a shaky area of the squad by moving up any of the summer moves for center halves they had been plotting into the winter window. </p>
<p id="w2RC5u">The mongerers have subsequently identified Bayer Leverkusen starlet Piero Hincapié as a target of interest to the table-topping Reds, <a href="https://www.kicker.de/tah-zum-fc-bayern-rolfes-schliesst-das-weihnachtstuerchen-986588/artikel">according to German outlet <em>Kicker</em></a><em>.</em> However, one complication is that the German club happen also to currently sit at the summit of their own league table, four points ahead of holders <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a>, with nearly half the season gone. </p>
<p id="4e11MU">Another roadblock is that Bayer manager and former Liverpool star, Xabi Alonso is said to have blocked a transfer away for the Ecuadorian international, as he seeks to hold onto his stars in his quest to break Bayern’s ludicrous 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga trophy. </p>
<p id="F9l3Kj">The 21-year-old, who is also capable of playing left back, is currently signed to Leverkusen through 2027, and a transfer fee of €70m has been mooted as what will be required for any move to occur. While it is difficult to imagine Liverpool owners, FSG, sanctioning such a fee for a likely backup center half, Hincapié’s positional versatility could convince the club that a move could be fruitful. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/12/29/24018470/liverpool-transfer-rumor-xabi-alonso-blocks-liverpool-swoop-for-bayer-leverkusen-star-hincapieO.T. Obaisi2023-12-23T21:05:00+00:002023-12-23T21:05:00+00:00Jurgen Klopp Confirms Kostas Tsimikas Out with Serious Injury
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Bbv-_uhzm1p2yBPBOAakhN2otvA=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72994245/1870878104.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool lost another defender after missing a chance to go top of the Premier League table with a 1-1 draw to leaders, Arsenal. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> spurned a golden chance to spend Christmas at the top of the league table, dropping points to visiting Arsenal in a 1-1 draw. </p>
<p id="xeYUwz">Separated by a point coming into the match, the Reds came out of the blocks at Anfield with the expected intensity. After getting over the shock of quickly going behind to a Gabriel header from a set piece, the Reds proceeded to stamp their authority on the match, dominating for large stretches of the first period. </p>
<p id="uWpQ49">Jurgen Klopp’s men received their just reward for their efforts as Mohamed Salah took down a raking long ball before turning the Gunners’ Oleksandr Zinchenko inside out and slotting home to equalize. </p>
<p id="fA3SSQ">“[Arsenal] went 1-0 up but we reacted well,” Klopp said after the game speaking to BeIN Sport. “We were super intense—wow. </p>
<p id="3vZdQF">“To the extent where we had to calm it down [because] we couldn’t go like this for 95 minutes, no chance.</p>
<p id="1URZF8">“We scored a wonderful goal, an incredible pass—one of the best I saw in my life. Sensational goal from Mo.” </p>
<p id="86cF9Z">Attacking the Kop in the second half, the hosts ratcheted up the pressure even further, and on several occasions found themselves a mere final ball away from getting their noses out in front. At one point, Alexander-Arnold even spurned a 4-on-1 breakaway opportunity to as the second half drew to a close. </p>
<p id="4grjNJ">“We had very good moments in the first half, but second half we should’ve scored, definitely,” Klopp admitted. </p>
<p id="zFuzi0">“Won plenty of balls high up the pitch and we could see that the high press influenced them.” </p>
<p id="Cz4fFC">The Reds boss was adamant that his side are still in the race for the league title, even despite appearing to lose backup left back Kostas Tsimikas to a severe-looking injury in the first half with starter Andy Robertson still out with a shoulder injury: </p>
<p id="1qbktm">“The important message is that the with all the things that people are talking about us, we are there [in the Premier League title conversation] as well and we belong there,” Klopp said.</p>
<p id="1MnKwl">“With Kostas with at least collarbone broken, he is out for a long, long time. Robbo’s still out, other players who are not coming back.” </p>
<p id="fYfOkc">The Greek defender, who has made seven starts and nine appearances in Robertson’s absence, landed hard on his shoulder while falling off the pitch from a tackle and colliding with Klopp on the sideline. </p>
<p id="1oIRL6">“I thought it wasn’t a real problem,” the German continued while speaking to Sky Sports. </p>
<p id="vS9oww"> “I had no pain and thought maybe Kostas came away Ok. I would happily give my collarbone if Kostas would be fit again. </p>
<p id="8bCTtZ">“I was completely fine, in that moment I thought Kostas as well, and he said ‘no, it’s broke’. It’s not cool. </p>
<p id="x6FuKx">The Reds will look to rally as they prepare to move into the second half of the league campaign with a Boxing Day fixture against Burnley. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/12/23/24013449/jurgen-klopp-confirms-kostas-tsimikas-out-with-serious-injury-liverpool-1-arsenal-1-premier-leagueO.T. Obaisi2023-12-22T09:00:00+00:002023-12-22T09:00:00+00:00Klopp Drops Transfer Hint With Praise For “Favorite Player”
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<img alt="Liverpool v West Ham United - Carabao Cup Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_ykhUXJRuzpBzuhc0itzA4xlTjY=/179x0:4933x3169/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72989531/1870554452.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool boss singled out one West Ham star for praise amidst long-term transfer links.</p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement">Arguably only one West Ham player came out of <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s 5-1 mauling of the Londoners in the midweek Carabao Cup quarterfinal with any credit, and that was Jarrod Bowen. </p>
<p id="4KIoAF">The Hammers’ star scored a brilliant consolation effort for his side, reminding Liverpool supporters of why the 27-year-old has spent years linked with an Anfield move. </p>
<p id="wvypV9">While the age profile is likely now outside of FSG’s preferred range, the left-footed, right winger has long seemed a ready-made, Premier League-proven heir were Mohamed Salah—now with a mere 18 months left on his current contract— to ever leave the club. </p>
<p id="oCOXdK">Jurgen Klopp for one is a massive fan of the English international, singling Bowen out for praise in the lead up to Wednesday’s match for his performances as a false nine with talisman Michail Antonio unavailable on the day: </p>
<p id="5Pkmjm">“Playing without Antonio, and Bowen steps up in that position,” Klopp said admiringly, speaking to Sky Sports. “[Bowen is] probably my favorite player besides my players,” Klopp said. </p>
<p id="GzjZrS">“It’s just great what he’s doing and how he develops.” </p>
<p id="utVZzc">It isn’t the first time the Liverpool boss has shared his open admiration the Hammers star, labeling Bowen as an “unbelievable player” in March of last year, and revealing in November 2021 that Liverpool had been interested in signing him when he was playing at Hull City. </p>
<p id="0g8P7y">Even with David Moyes’ squad undergoing significant changes in recent transfer windows, Bowen’s performances have remained constant, tallying 12 goals and five assists in all competitions so far this term. </p>
<p id="YosYxw">The diminutive Englishman’s numbers compare favorably alongside Salah, while playing for a less front-footed side, and would most certainly go some way to easing the loss of the Egyptian King were the Reds to, say, accept a monster bid from the Saudi Pro League for their star in the summer. </p>
<p id="2QRQsn">While the window to sign Bowen has likely passed, it could still be a transfer to watch for. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/12/22/24011990/liverpoo-transfer-rumors-klopp-transfer-hint-with-praise-for-favorite-player-jared-bowen-west-hamO.T. Obaisi2023-12-15T09:00:00+00:002023-12-15T09:00:00+00:00Rumor Mongering: Liverpool Battle Man City, Man United for Ligue 1 Defender
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<img alt="Lille OSC v Toulouse FC - Ligue 1 Uber Eats" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uBulf__2TsRmC_Jdeah6Sj7mWN0=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72965440/1791701638.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lille teenager Leny Yoro is being lined up as a January signing as Liverpool seek reinforcements following Joel Matip’s injury. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement">With Joel Matip’s ACL injury calling time on his season, and likely his <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> career at the expiry of his contract in the summer, Liverpool have started to look light in the center of their defense. While Virgil Van Dijk is an ever present in the back line, it is the options manager Jurgen Klopp has to partner his captain that are cause for concern. </p>
<p id="MJcz52">Although Ibrahima Konate’s quality has never been in doubt and Joe Gomez has acquitted himself reasonably well when called upon in his favored center half position, the pair’s spotty injury records suggests that it will be difficult to expect them to both to remain fully available if Liverpool are still in it with a shout at the pointy end of the season. And while Jarell Quansah has showed impressive promise, the 20-year-old is still in his maiden year of first team football and ideally should not be relied on for the run in. </p>
<p id="JmBhPF">Enter highly touted Lille center back, Leny Yoro, who French outlet <a href="https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/exclu-liverpool-met-le-nez-en-ligue-1-et-salive-devant-un-crack-675482">Le10Sport have claimed</a> is on Liverpool’s winter wish list for a January swoop. Although at 18-years-old, the French defender is two years younger than Quansah, the lanky teenager has already made 18 appearances for Lille, scoring twice. </p>
<p id="WcpX1Q">Yoro has played a crucial role in manning Ligue 1’s second-stingiest defense and has displayed exceptional ability on the ball with a passing accuracy of 91%. </p>
<p id="XCYGp9"><a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> and <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Manchester United</a> have also been linked to a move for the youngster, although it’s difficult to see the appeal of either considering that the defending champions currently field £240m worth of central defenders in their squad, while United boast the November Premier League player of the month, Harry Maguire blocking the pathway to minutes. </p>
<p id="6yFIYe">All of which suggests that, of the three rumored suitors, Liverpool appear to be Yoro’s best pathway to game time while also not being a complete dumpster fire. Whether an 18-year-old is able come into a side challenging for titles and contribute more than the likes of Quansah remains to be seen, but this is an intriguing rumor nonetheless. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/12/15/24002257/liverpool-transfer-rumors-liverpool-battle-man-city-man-united-for-ligue-1-defender-leny-yoroO.T. Obaisi2023-12-09T15:50:00+00:002023-12-09T15:50:00+00:00Klopp Talk: Going Behind Woke Us Up
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v Liverpool FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OcI0Fe40KHSzlK6SU1I-YgT5yi0=/0x0:7800x5200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72947238/1842587748.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Mohamed Salah scored his 200th Liverpool goal as the Reds left it late again to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 and climb to the top of the table </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement">Another matchday, another dramatic <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> win. </p>
<p id="aYyjvU">The Reds left it late once again, coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 with an injury time winner to ascend to the top of the Premier League table. </p>
<p id="Hdu5ge">Blustering winds combined with profligacy in attack characterized a ho hum first 75 minutes of the match at Selhurst Park Stadium, with the visiting Reds failing to put a shot on target even after Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scored midway through the second period on a VAR-assisted penalty. </p>
<p id="bqxQ9e">However, the winds shifted following a second yellow card for the host’s Jordan Ayew reduced the Eagles to 10 men for the final 15 minutes of the match. Liverpool, the league leaders in goals scored in that particular period of the game this season, immediately woke up from their slumber, as Jurgen Klopp used all five subs to try spark life into his side. </p>
<p id="PwxFJb">Mohammed Salah’s deflected equalizer not 90 seconds after Ayew’s sending awakened the muscle memory of dramatic late goals this season including <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com">Newcastle</a>, <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>, Luton Town and last week’s stunning win over Fulham, showing the Reds the way forward as the clock ticked towards full-time. </p>
<p id="pFOR4G">Substitute, Harvey Elliot only needed the first of the 10 minutes of injury time to complete what felt like an inevitability, powering home a brilliant long range shot to seal the points and help his side sustain their title challenge. </p>
<p id="LJrsj9">“[For] 76 mins, it was a really bad game for us,” a relieved Klopp said after the match. </p>
<p id="ylBQPT">“You could see Crystal Palace had low confidence levels and we could have done so many things but we didn’t. </p>
<p id="uFzf6c">“I told the boys it is the worst 76 minutes I seen from a team who went on to win.” </p>
<p id="j6A73T">Despite not having their shooting boots in front of goal, an inspired showing from Alisson on his return from a hamstring injury had at least kept the ball out of the net on the other end before VAR stopped play to inform referee Andy Madley that Jarrell Quansah had fouled Mateta nearly two minutes prior. </p>
<p id="FBNT1C">“You can give it I would say,” the boss said of the lengthy VAR review for the penalty. “Obviously we put a foot out there and hit him. For us it wasn’t the biggest issue to concede the goal. It woke us up.” </p>
<p id="wrpKQv">“They give the penalty and it’s 1-0. Then they give a red card, and we score almost immediately. From then we played really well.” </p>
<p id="dyaJni">Lost in the furor of the victory was that Salah’s goal was his 150th in the Premier League and his 200th for the club, an astonishing feat that puts him behind only Billy Liddell, Gordon Hodgson, Roger Hunt and Ian Rush in Liverpool history and ahead of legends such as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Kenny Dalglish. </p>
<p id="iVuYjq">“We carried the shirt with us in the dressing room with “200” on it for him for two weeks but we gave it to him today,” Klopp beamed. “A loud, loud applause from the boys. </p>
<p id="PNEODK">“You cannot score 200 goals if you only score in your best football games. Being staying in the game and always a threat that makes these numbers.” </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/12/9/23994692/klopp-talk-going-behind-woke-us-up-crystal-palace-1-liverpool-2-premier-leagueO.T. Obaisi2023-11-25T15:40:00+00:002023-11-25T15:40:00+00:00Klopp Talk: We Are Still In Process
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<img alt="Manchester City v Liverpool FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XKRMb4mxZIQ3U67Ssj0s_aGoYqk=/0x0:1708x1139/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72900726/1801629808.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester City and stay 2nd in the table. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> struck late to earn a hard-fought draw against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>, escaping the Etihad Stadium with a 1-1 draw. </p>
<p id="BrZ1yg">A cagey and largely even first half broke open after a mistake from Alisson resulted in Erling Haaland breaking the deadlock to slot home. The hosts could not capitalize on that early advantage however, with the Reds staying in touch until Trent Alexander-Arnold punched home a brilliant second half equalizer with 10 minutes to go to earn his side a share of the points. </p>
<p id="JPAY6D">It was likely the fair result in an edgy affair between what are still England’s two preeminent sides. In another twist to the rivalry, cameras caught Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez exchanging terse words with City manager Pep Guardiola at the final whistle, with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp needing to physically remove his striker from the fray. </p>
<p id="3BNxkf">“It’s a really good moment,” Klopp said of result in his post-match interview. “[The Etihad is] a tough place to come. It’s no coincidence that they win that many home games, you really have to be prepared to suffer. </p>
<p id="8q81Pd">“We are still in the process. If we had played really good today we could have won. We didn’t, we played okay. </p>
<p id="j3eYtI">“The point is absolutely okay. That they have gone so long without allowing anyone to even draw, we can take that as a success [today].” </p>
<p id="iG8dZd">The draw maintained the status quo in the league table ahead of the rest of the matchday fixtures, with Liverpool remaining a point behind City in the top two places. </p>
<p id="ZuqScP">The result did come at a cost, however, as Alisson, who had already endured a difficult afternoon, appeared to pull a hamstring while clearing a ball in injury time; while Diogo Jota also came off in the second half with a complaint. </p>
<p id="vTdAxp">“The shadow on this game is obviously that Ali felt something and Diogo felt something—something we have to assess and then we will see,” Klopp cautioned in his post-match conference. </p>
<p id="Ivw3dF">“I hope it’s not that serious, but I don’t have the answer—no clue in the moment what it is. I spoke to him and he said he only felt [it] a little bit, but we have to wait for the scan.” </p>
<p id="rtLHhr">Reds supporters will be hoping for good injury news that can help maintain the season’s title challenge. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/11/25/23975520/klopp-talk-we-are-still-in-process-premier-league-manchester-city-1-liverpool-1O.T. Obaisi2023-11-17T09:00:00+00:002023-11-17T09:00:00+00:00Luis Diaz Brace Secures Emotional Colombia Win As Father Looks On
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<img alt="Colombia v Brazil - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N2rxlegqAZW99kjaUyVtk46gtTE=/62x212:1915x1447/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72874808/1797760272.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Colombia earned a famous 2-1 win over Brazil in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.</p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement">A turbulent few weeks for Luis Diaz concluded with the <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> forward scoring a quickfire double as Colombia snatched a rousing 2-1 victory over mighty Brazil. </p>
<p id="4dlq1Z">The South American star led a dramatic comeback for the home side, canceling out Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli’s first half opener with two late headers to send the Estadio Metropolitano into raptures. </p>
<p id="gw3viZ">In the crowd celebrating was Diaz’s father, Luis Manuel, who only days earlier <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2023/11/9/23954079/liverpoo-fc-team-news-luis-diazs-father-freed-by-colombian-captors-toulouse-luton-town">had been freed after being kidnapped and held hostage</a> for nearly two weeks by Colombia’s ELN guerilla faction. </p>
<p id="HWY25x">Both Diaz’s father and his mother had been abducted by men on motorcycles on October 28, although his mother, Cilenis Marulanda was rescued shortly afterwards. The player took time away from Liverpool as a nationwide manhunt searched for his father still in captivity. </p>
<p id="Dt5sHw">Days of negotiation between the Colombian government and the guerilla force ensued before Luis Manuel was finally released on November 9, much to the relief of Colombians and Liverpool supporters worldwide. </p>
<p id="fLixlE">Diaz then rescuing his country with a heroic performance days later will therefore surely have been an emotional moment for him and his family, with the Colombian talisman putting his country on a path to qualification for the 2026 World Cup. </p>
<p id="OirUl3">I, for one, would go see that movie.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/11/17/23964958/luis-diaz-brace-secures-emotional-colombia-win-as-father-looks-on-brazil-world-cup-qualifierO.T. Obaisi2023-11-10T09:00:00+00:002023-11-10T09:00:00+00:00Klopp Reveals Knocks To Two Key Midfield Stars
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v West Ham United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WyP8rLZUGheHBLp5Nz2Kr_xA9Ac=/0x430:5609x4169/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72850459/1698837117.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool boss confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are both out with injuries. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> have had a blistering start to the campaign with the makings of a strong league challenge, qualification to the the Europa League knockout rounds all but secured, and a spot booked in the League Cup. </p>
<p id="EV6v3P">However, the Reds have started to show some signs of fatigue, with Thursday’s controversial 3-2 loss Toulouse in Europa League group and disappointing dropped points last weekend against Luton Town in league play coinciding with the emergence of a few niggles in the squad. </p>
<p id="thBDFp">Summer signing, Ryan Gravenberch, who’s first few starts were mostly in the European competition, would have been expected to start against Toulouse. However, Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp revealed that the Dutch midfielder is dealing with an injury: </p>
<p id="2SFqZ1">“Ryan got a little niggle [in his] knee,” the boss said. “He was running today [Wednesday] already, but there was no chance for this game. </p>
<p id="mWUigL">“There is a chance for Brentford and he will definitely be back after the international break.” </p>
<p id="VjWgXE">Another name who started the season brightly but hasn’t been seen for a while is Curtis Jones, who’s suspension following a questionable straight red card in September’s 2-1 loss to <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com">Tottenham</a> broke an inspired run of form that had injected drive and poise into his side’s midfield. </p>
<p id="AqmUU0">“Curtis had last week a hamstring [issue], not massive,” Klopp continued. “After the international break, he will be back, but not before. Low, low grade hamstring.” </p>
<p id="jTIEoo">“When I took him off vs. Bournemouth he didn’t feel anything, then I came in the dressing room and he said he felt something.” </p>
<p id="O1hSNc">Reds supporters will hope that the young starlets make their back soon to help their side get back to their winning ways in Sunday’s return to league action against Brentford.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/11/10/23954891/klopp-reveals-knocks-to-two-key-midfield-stars-europa-league-premier-league-ryan-gravenberch-curtisO.T. Obaisi2023-10-27T09:00:00+01:002023-10-27T09:00:00+01:00Mohamed Salah Breaks 17-Year European Scoring Record With Latest Goal
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Toulouse FC: Group E - UEFA Europa League 2023/24" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/axJQ6Vs8KaSMm7WXNHXwTT7xtDA=/0x0:4983x3322/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72799179/1758492635.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool talisman surpassed Thierry Henry after scoring in Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Toulouse in Europa League group play. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement">It was curious to see Mohamed Salah preparing to come off the bench with 20 minutes to go in Liverpool’s 5-1 Europa League thrashing of Toulouse. </p>
<p id="ovR00Q">His side already three goals to the good, sitting comfortably top of the table in group play, and with most of the first choice squad rested and watching from the sidelines, many Liverpool supporters would’ve deemed it odd for Jurgen Klopp to bring on the Egyptian with the points secured. </p>
<p id="l8mO2u">The manager’s initial rationale became apparent when first Salah was given the armband to see out the match at Anfield, a distinction the living legend has not had nearly enough opportunities to experience in his six years at the club. </p>
<p id="rvszeQ">And yet, there was in fact another reason for the Reds talisman’s unusual appearance that only became apparent after he had put the finishing touches on the match with a deft finish to decide the final scoreline. </p>
<p id="lJovUl">It was because with that goal, Salah’s 43rd goal across all European competition for the Reds, surpassed Thierry Henry for the most ever scored by any player for an English club in Europe’s major tournaments. To this point, Salah has scored 41 goals in the Champions League and two in the Europa League, while Henry scored 35 in the continent’s premier competition and a further seven in the UEFA Cup. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The goal that saw Mo Salah overtake Thierry Henry as the most prolific Premier League player in European competitions ⚽️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/id7GqwhiPX">pic.twitter.com/id7GqwhiPX</a></p>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1717650849084670388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a>
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<p id="62Fs3B">That Salah holds that record amongst so many other legends is a testament to both his bloodthirsty eye for goal, alarming durability, and his unmatched consistency and professionalism. Reds supporters must simply enjoy him while he’s here </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/10/27/23934456/mohamed-salah-breaks-17-year-record-with-latest-goal-thierry-henry-chamipons-league-europa-leagueO.T. Obaisi2023-10-21T15:45:00+01:002023-10-21T15:45:00+01:00Klopp Commends His Side For “Tough” Merseyside Derby Win
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TAhuBplQaQpRsIHgo0snW0Kj2ac=/0x0:2022x1348/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72779393/1748439706.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool climbed to the top of the league table following a hard-fought victory over Everton. </p> <p id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> overcame stiff opposition from their eternal rivals <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a>, winning 2-0 at Anfield in the 243rd Merseyside derby. </p>
<p id="d1b0SW">An emphatic second half penalty and a stoppage time breakaway goal secured a brace for Reds talisman Mohamed Salah, which was just enough to put away the 10-man visitors and briefly take Jurgen Klopp’s side to the top of the Premier League table ahead of the rest of the matchday fixtures. </p>
<p id="tpET6k">Everton manager Sean Dyche came into the match set on frustrating the hosts with deep resolute defending, only doubling down on that strategy following Ashley Young getting sent off for two yellow card fouls in the first half. The Toffees’ disciplined defending meant that, even with five forwards on the pitch, Liverpool struggled to break down their opponent until Craig Pawson’s reviewing of the VAR footage gave the 72nd minute penalty for a handball against Michael Keane. </p>
<p id="R8M0h0">A fired-up Klopp was effusive at full time in what is always one of the most emotional fixtures on the calendar, even despite the decline in Everton’s fortunes in recent years. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BOSS ✊ <a href="https://t.co/7wvADHrGxe">pic.twitter.com/7wvADHrGxe</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1715727301113979238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2023</a>
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<p id="YsFrnv">The Liverpool boss admitted that a soft but valid shout for a second yellow card against Ibrahima Konate at 0-0 in the second half was a decisive moment: </p>
<p id="KyGX66"> “I didn’t see [the Konate foul] back but I have seen so many football games and have seen yellow cards in moments like this,” the German manager said speaking to BeIN Sport after the game. </p>
<p id="dKCYXf">“But yeah, we got lucky, probably. </p>
<p id="K1zoVy">“[However], I liked the first half a lot of things. We should have scored one or two or three goals, especially after their set pieces with counterattacks with a better last pass. </p>
<p id="UDLA6q">“But [playing against] 10 men you have to get used to it. The main message at half time is that we are not allowed that we get frustrated or whatever, because not each possession phase will lead to a sitter.” </p>
<aside id="Laoj8N"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Liverpool 2, Everton 0 - Match Recap: Salah Grabs Brace Against 10-Man Everton ","url":"https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/10/21/23926291/liverpool-2-everton-0-epl-2023-result-recap-ashley-young-mohamed-salah"},{"title":"Liverpool 2, Everton 0: Man of the Match ","url":"https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/10/21/23926282/liverpool-2-everton-0-epl-2023-24-motm-vote-rank-best-worst-performances"}]}'></div></aside><p id="6MeZ3Z">Credit must be given to the visiting Toffees who gave a good accounting of themselves and did not look a side set to spend a third consecutive season battling relegation. </p>
<p id="VObO58">“Actually, I liked the game,” Klopp continued. You have to fight through. It’s a derby and will not end up deciding the table at the end of the season, but it has an impact like all the other games. </p>
<p id="MIpCLa">“[However] it is much more tense and a lot more emotion, so the relief in this moment is really big. </p>
<p id="sgYYKN">“Good, tough, we are happy.” </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2023/10/21/23926363/klopp-commends-his-side-for-tough-derby-win-premier-league-liverpool-2-everton-0O.T. Obaisi