The Liverpool Offside - Premier League Coverage: Everton vs. LiverpoolZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2020-06-20T19:59:00+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/210617852020-06-20T19:59:00+01:002020-06-20T19:59:00+01:00Everton’s Richarlison Makes Bold Claim About Van Dijk
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l60kYJQmq34ZfwABINfDBY3WRQM=/0x0:2463x1642/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66961446/1250263109.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Don’t be stupid.</p> <p id="WIZAvT">The Premier League is back and in full swing, which means that players are back to saying really silly things into microphones. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> are currently miles clear at the top of the league and need just six more points to clinch their first Premier League title in 30 years. They don’t need any extra motivation heading into the Merseyside Derby tomorrow, but thanks to <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s Richarlson, they might have a little extra juice in the tank. </p>
<p id="zE5Ul7">“People talk a lot about him,” Richarlson said earlier this week in reference to Virgil van Dijk. “Yes he is a great defender but I’ve already dribbled past him. For me there are better defenders.” The Everton attacker would go on to say Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and Sergio Ramos are all better defenders than the Liverpool star. </p>
<p id="kKXB5q">As a reminder, van Dijk is currently the reigning PFA Footballer of the Year and finished second in Ballon d’Or voting this past year. Not to mention a current European and World champion. </p>
<p id="ELikZF">Paul Merson, a former <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> player and currently a pundit for Sky Sports, said it perfectly in response to Richarlson’s claims: </p>
<p id="OuJYqR">“I think with Van Dijk, he has a reputation, people are scared of him. People don’t go past him, they square up and think, ‘Oh my god, it’s Virgil van Dijk, I can’t get past him!’.</p>
<p id="ldnX20">“I think that’s the problem, he gets good cover. He’s a Rolls Royce. Is he the best in the world? I’ll have to see when the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> comes around and who he’s playing against.” </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/6/20/21297728/evertons-richarlison-makes-bold-claim-about-van-dijk-liverpool-pl-2020Mark Kastner2020-06-20T15:00:00+01:002020-06-20T15:00:00+01:00Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool
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<img alt="The Everton and Liverpool Club Badges" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f3ouQm_ol-LyRm-rVcuVyT94RTU=/0x667:3600x3067/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66960757/1226009044.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Visionhaus</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool are back, and they continue their season with the Merseyside Derby against hometown rivals Everton.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="iOdePn">
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<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> vs. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>
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<h5 id="BALgb3">| Sunday, June 21st |<br>Premier League | Goodison Park<br>7PM BST/2PM EST</h5>
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<p id="CAZeff">As I sit down to write this preview, I honestly still can’t believe it’s happening. We’re finally here. After a postponement of more than 100 days, the Premier League has returned and Liverpool play their first game back on Sunday evening. </p>
<p id="n4aAFb">Quite the lucky coincidence that the match Reds fans return to will be a Merseyside derby. The derby is a spirited event every season, but the various extenuating circumstances make this weekend’s match up a bit of a wildcard. </p>
<p id="8wlZmo">The first question will be if the players on both teams have managed to shake off the rust of going so long without a competitive match. Then there’s the fact that the game will be played behind closed doors. The heaving, delirious crowd egging on the players is an indelible part of what makes these match ups so heated. Without that, it won’t be surprising to see a more subdued affair than we’re used to.</p>
<p id="1uKzkf">And finally, of course, is the fact that Liverpool have waited so long — four months or 30 years, however you choose to look at it — to lift the Premier League trophy. A win in this game will put them a single victory away from finally achieving their goal. </p>
<p id="Pctxpx">As for what to expect on Sunday? Who could possibly say? We’re in uncharted territory here. Form guides are useless. The usual late season fatigue is a non-issue. </p>
<p id="g9swQh">Here’s what we do know: <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> is out of the running with yet another injury. More concerning is that <span>Mohamed Salah</span> appears to be a doubt, having not played in the team’s final warm-up game and missed some training sessions. This could be a precaution, or else we might see an unexpected tweak to Jürgen Klopp’s usual line-up.</p>
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<h5 id="bc8tQD"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="v8HdyR">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mané</p>
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<p id="FLIxXP">Remaining positive about seeing Salah on the pitch, but the front in where things might get tricky. <span>Divock Origi</span>, Naby Keïta, or <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> may sneak in if Salah isn’t available. Meanwhile, the rest of the team looks settled. Since Joe Gomez is fit, he’s likely to partner with Virgil van Dijk in the back. Our full-backs remain the same, barring an unforeseen event.</p>
<p id="iAwzBC">As for Everton, they still have a few players out with long term injuries. Yerry Mina, <span>Theo Walcott</span>, Cenk Tosun, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and <span>Fabian Delph</span> all remain out of the team. </p>
<p id="9m269Z">Carlo Ancelotti has a big job on his hands, but hopefully Liverpool have what it takes to pick up another victory against their rivals and those crucial three points.</p>
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<h5 id="hppB01">What the Managers Had to Say</h5>
<p id="c1yer4"><strong>Jürgen Klopp</strong>: “We have to find challenges, win challenges, use gaps, find gaps and all that stuff. We have to play through, we have to be 100 per cent disciplined, we have to be full of joy, we have to stay greedy before the game, in the game [and] after the game. That’s all what we need.”</p>
<p id="o0r5sl"><strong>Carlo Ancelotti</strong>: “This is an advantage for Liverpool, to play at Goodison Park without our supporters – and that is the same for any team going to play away. We are working to try to overcome this problem and to play a fantastic game.”</p>
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<h5 id="xgySSt">The Officials</h5>
<p id="HBkW14"><strong>Referee: </strong>Mike Dean. <strong>Assistants:</strong> Simon Bennett, Darren Cann.<strong> Fourth official:</strong> Anthony Taylor. <strong>VAR: </strong>Chris Kavanagh. <strong>Assistant VAR:</strong> Stephen Child. <strong>Replacement official:</strong> James Mainwaring.</p>
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<p id="pHH77W">Kickoff is set for 7PM BST/2PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502841/liverpool-vs-southampton/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a>. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/6/20/21297393/epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-projected-lineups-how-to-watch-merseyside-derby-epl-restartepicskyline2020-06-20T01:00:00+01:002020-06-20T01:00:00+01:00Xherdan Shaqiri Ruled Out of Everton Match with Injury
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j03LqGhJrU5pMMPYEmxoOSTZCsA=/164x0:3452x2192/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66959855/1198099267.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The calf injury either rears again or has been rearing this whole time. We’re obviously dealing with a rogue calf there.</p> <p id="lixPO5">It’s a calf injury that has hampered <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span>’s fitness this season. Each time Jürgen Klopp thinks Shaq is passed it and ready for selection, there’s a setback. Now, even with the months of football suspension behind us, the Swiss attacker remains unavailable and will not be available for <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>.</p>
<p id="h5VOjb">“He was injured and he is not ready but he is on a good way,” said Klopp. “Shaq has trained but not in massive parts with the rest of the team.</p>
<p id="by5KST">“He will not be [out for] long, but he is the only one out.”</p>
<p id="1VhA6e">Shaqiri wasn’t likely to play a significant role at Goodison on Sunday but with the nine remaining matches condensed into weeks, Klopp will look to use every available squad player he can. Teams are allowed five substitions under the new Restart rules in order to allay the risk of injury to overworked players. The full squad will be used over the coming weeks.</p>
<p id="qVIS6h">Xherdan hasn’t had many chances to impress due to repeated stints in the recovery room, but when fit and ready, he’s proved himself prepared and effective in the team and he has showed up in big games. </p>
<p id="apNR2x"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/sevilla">Sevilla</a> and <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a> were both interested in Shaqiri’s signature back in the January window and could return this summer. Although, Liverpool’s £25M asking price could put a few curious parties off and, of course, injury question marks will be an issue for any club in a potential deal to move Shaq on. </p>
<p id="qNGtTP">Long story short, Shaq’s injured again or still injured. </p>
<p id="wLwaos">But with Takumi Minamino up to speed and Curtis Jones proving himself this season along with a host of other younger players, I think Klopp will feel just fine with his 20-man squad for Everton.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/6/20/21297348/xherdan-shaqiri-ruled-out-of-everton-match-with-injury-jurgen-klopp-sevilla-romaMatt Wood2020-06-19T15:19:47+01:002020-06-19T15:19:47+01:00Jürgen Klopp Hopes the Black Lives Matter Movement Will Change the World
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<img alt="Liverpool Players Take the Knee in Memory of George Floyd During a Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qaq0ZLNy3a9ExcVNCh4IwflsPAQ=/345x0:4433x2725/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66957741/1239864483.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager began and ended his pre-Everton presser with support for Black Lives Matter.</p> <p id="tfvsw6">At his pre-<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> press conference over Zoom, Jürgen Klopp was asked to comment on a growing movement amongst footballers to use their status to spread support for social change and Black Lives Matter. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s <span>Jordan Henderson</span> and <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> recently appeared in the <span>Raheem Sterling</span> led <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK1pEY3bpXs">“We Are Tired” spot</a> alongside players both current and retired. <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>’s Marcus Rashford successfully put pressure on the British government to provide free school meals to children in need over the summer break. The list goes on. </p>
<p id="lO8Oja">Of Rashford’s move, Klopp said he couldn’t respect it more and continued on speaking in support of equality and #BlackLivesMatter.</p>
<p id="k2VKFx">“I hope it’s the last time that we have to make sure that everybody hears and sees that,” said Klopp, “because it’s too long that we already deal with these kinds of things, for reasons I really don’t understand.</p>
<p id="QCfUhQ">“If football is a role model for anything in life, then it’s for equality, that everybody is exactly the same. Wherever you come from, you’re absolutely the same. It’s all about who you are.</p>
<p id="XQIqfs">“I know from my point of view you may think it’s easy to say that, but it’s not easy. It’s just for us in football completely natural. And that’s how it should be everywhere. Judge people only because of who they are and not any other things.</p>
<p id="OXRmXl">“It’s so unbelievably dumb to not do it like this that it’s really hard for me to even understand it a little bit. But it <em>is</em> like this and so we have to stand up or we have to kneel, whatever we have to do, we will do. The past we cannot change but the future we can change and that’s what we all should try.”</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/6/19/21296707/jurgen-klopp-hopes-black-lives-matter-movement-will-change-the-world-everton-raheem-sterlingMatt Wood2020-06-18T17:30:00+01:002020-06-18T17:30:00+01:00Jürgen Klopp Reports No Injury Concerns for Liverpool Ahead of Restart
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fCBsYuUVUkxliNO-J7due0isDmo=/0x0:1997x1331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66952597/1250262925.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager should have a fully fit squad to choose from on Sunday.</p> <p id="RkAsnh">Over the weekend, news <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s squad was 100% fit provided a boost a week ahead of the Reds’ return to action against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> on Sunday as the Premier League attempts to finish up the 2019-20 season.</p>
<p id="a8wQim">However, over the past few days whispers about players missing training sessions—most notably <span>Mohamed Salah</span>—raised concerns that Jürgen Klopp’s squad might not be quite as fit and ready to go as had been reported.</p>
<p id="5JnaQS">“We had the normal things, I would say, after a long break,” Klopp <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F399045-jurgen-klopp-premier-league-restart-fitness-update-everton&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2020%2F6%2F18%2F21295703%2Fjurgen-klopp-liverpool-no-injury-concerns-epl-restart-merseyside-derby-coronavirus" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">said</a> when asked about the status of Salah and the rest of the Liverpool squad. “It was just that we trained and things can happen.</p>
<p id="b2EuCL">“We played as well [against Blackburn] and things can happen. In the moment, nobody really is ruled out. A few trained more, a few trained less, so that’s good news and in the end we will have a good team on the pitch.”</p>
<p id="UM3mB9">Any issues, then, appear to be of the pre-season or early season variety, with players working their way back to full match fitness at different rates—hardly a surprise given a three month layoff.</p>
<p id="db9fu8">For many players, this will be the longest they’ve gone without playing a competitive match in their careers, and even having worked to stay fit while the games were on hold due to the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/1/31/21113178/what-is-coronavirus-symptoms-travel-china-map">coronavirus</a> pandemic, there will be issues.</p>
<p id="L0flJ3">There are, though, no serious issues. At least as Klopp and the coaching and medical staff see it. Which is further good news with Liverpool football finally on the horizon again and a Merseyside Derby on the way.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/6/18/21295703/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-no-injury-concerns-epl-restart-merseyside-derby-coronavirusNoel Chomyn2020-06-18T09:09:25+01:002020-06-18T09:09:25+01:00Milner Could Become 5th in All-Time Premier League Appearances Against Everton
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<img alt="Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers: Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8VMH9pKwWVUC_ig-QsnUJmP2gxI=/207x0:3362x2103/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66950399/1248993172.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool vice captain would equal Gary Speed if he gets the nod on Sunday in the Merseyside Derby. </p> <p id="T9gT3d">How will <span>James Milner</span> be remembered when he finally hangs up the boots? The 34-year-old veteran has been a bit of a journeyman. He started his Premier League career with his boyhood club, Leeds United, making 48 league appearances with them. Milner then moved on to <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a>, adding another 94 appearances for the Magpies, and then to <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a>, where he featured an additional 100 times. </p>
<p id="WmKOZY">However, when the dust settles, he’ll probably be remembered as either a <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> or <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> player. The former England international oversaw the resurgence of both clubs. He finished his City career with 147 appearances, 2 league titles, an <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a>, and a League Cup. </p>
<p id="k4BGU3">He’ll very likely eclipse both the total number of appearances and honors won at Liverpool. Milner has made 145 appearances in Red, and his silverware haul is starting to be just as impressive—a European Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a>, and soon, the league title. </p>
<p id="SKRsSQ">But perhaps, he’ll be remembered more for any one club, and instead as a Premier League mainstay. He currently sits 6th in all-time appearances, but if he gets the call against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> on Sunday, he will equal Gary Speed on 535 total appearances. </p>
<p id="9PvUwH">With two more appearances, he’ll have 5th spot alone to himself, and will have equaled the number of appearances for Liverpool as he had with City. He would be behind David James (572 appearances), Frank Lampard (609), <span>Ryan Giggs</span> (632), and <span>Gareth Barry</span> (653). </p>
<p id="Y47Jpn">He’s currently contracted for two more years at Liverpool. Hopefully there’s enough left in the tank for Milner to move further up the list, and to continue leading the Reds to more shiny things. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/6/18/21295296/liverpool-fc-milner-could-become-5th-premier-league-appearances-against-everton-speed-james-lampardZachary Marx2020-06-17T09:00:00+01:002020-06-17T09:00:00+01:00Welcome Back, Premier League Football, We Have Missed You
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<img alt="FBL-EUR-C1-TOTTENHAM-LIVERPOOL" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B2O8muARHScEVs6JoseX9TAMBZk=/0x0:3246x2164/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66945018/1147388458.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool fans will have to wait until Sunday to watch our team play, but EPL action is back tonight with two interesting matches. </p> <p id="1v4khq">It has been more than three months since we’ve been able to watch our favorite team play—one that also happens to be the best in the world. For my daughter, it’s literally more than half a lifetime since she’s been able to watch <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>. Terrible. </p>
<p id="CeshAU">Of course, Liverpool fans will have to wait a little bit longer, but Premier League action is back <em>tonight! </em></p>
<p id="eCBoY4">The league is starting with the four teams who have a game in hand; <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> will host <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/sheffield-united">Sheffield United</a>, and <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> are facing off against <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>. Two games with implications for the top, bottom, and middle of the table (soz Arsenal). </p>
<p id="9zUstM">I’m so excited, I’m even bantering again! Oh, that felt good! Wait...let me try another: Manchester City will have a big advantage tonight playing in front of an empty stadium. Boom! Got ‘em. </p>
<p id="3kOwd2">With a win, Sheffield United will go ahead of <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> for the final <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> spot! Is this banter or merely stating facts? I don’t know. But it’s great. I’m excited. </p>
<p id="rf0ZKp">I’m not one of those Premier League stans. It might be the best or most competitive league in the world, but that doesn’t concern me. I care first and foremost about Liverpool. And Liverpool play in the Premier League. If Liverpool are the big, shinning star in the middle of my football fandom universe, the other, lesser, EPL teams are orbiting the closest around it. </p>
<p id="qxq3UM">There are obvious implications for Liverpool’s title hopes as well. If Arsenal do a very unorthodox thing for North London teams to do—help us in any way, shape, or form—Liverpool could win the title <em>at Goodison Park against </em><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><em>Everton</em></a><em> in the Merseyside Derby. </em> </p>
<p id="PEq4Zb">Hopefully it is actually safe for the players to return. Early testing seems to indicate as much, but we will see. Regardless, Premier League football has been missed by hundreds of millions worldwide, and at a time when they needed the distraction the most. </p>
<p id="Elzjxe">We’re still far from being “out of the woods” with this COVID-19 pandemic. And the wide scale social unrest from racially motivated police violence has added another horrible layer to the shit sandwich we’ve been served in 2020. But the return of football will undoubtedly help lighten the mental and emotional burden of it all. If only for 90 minutes at a time.</p>
<p id="MVkitu">Enjoy the football tonight. And stay safe. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/6/17/21293921/liverpool-fc-welcome-back-premier-league-football-epl-klopp-man-city-arsenal-villa-sheff-utdZachary Marx