The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2020-21: Liverpool vs. West Bromwich AlbionZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2020-12-27T20:30:00+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/219653642020-12-27T20:30:00+00:002020-12-27T20:30:00+00:00Digging Deeper Into Liverpool’s Frustrating Draw With West Brom
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<img alt="Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jWSYdGbVdr4ULleC8cX0UdNiJzk=/154x180:3306x2281/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68585472/1293338381.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We we take a closer look at some of the whys and hows of the match as the Reds dropped points against West Brom</p> <p id="dNZKxS">That was frustrating. Liverpool absolutely dominated the first half, playing entirely in the West Brom half. Despite that, Liverpool only managed to get one shot on goal, a sumptuous take by Sadio Mane that nestled into the net. The second half was a much more open affair, with West Brom finally coming out of their shell to chase the game, with the Baggies ending up getting the better of the chances. Unfortunately, an unforced error led to a corner for West Brom, and they got a fortuitous bounce off the post and into the net for the equalizer.</p>
<p id="5oxPTv">Join us as we try and separate narrative from reality of the match up and how it all went down in the end.</p>
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<h2 id="TQVW68">Winners</h2>
<p id="MPvpkH"><strong>Sadio Mane</strong><br>The Senegalese striker was a scintillating force the entire first half. His darting runs into the box caused a lot of problems for the West Brom defense, and he got his goal just 12 minutes into the game. He made an intelligent run to split the center backs (with great runs from Georgino Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino as well), took a ball down off his chest with perfect control before sliding his shot past the hapless keeper. Mane is now on 69 goals (nice) for his Liverpool career, tying him for 5th on the club’s Premier League list.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sadio Mane's 69th Premier League goal for Liverpool moves him up on the club's all-time scoring charts <a href="https://t.co/TrzUHN4yBi">pic.twitter.com/TrzUHN4yBi</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1343245691087433728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2020</a>
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<p id="IvITNo"><strong>Andrew Robertson</strong><br>Yet again, Robertson was flying up and down the left flank, providing a variety of delicious crosses that flashed across the face of goal. Robbo’s consistency this season has been a god send after the rest of the defense has been in flux.</p>
<h2 id="PKR9VD">Losers</h2>
<p id="UfifC2"><strong>Injury Redux</strong><br>Before kickoff, it was announced the Naby Keita was out with yet another “fitness issue”, presumably another soft tissue injury. And then, in the second half, Joel Matip went down holding his groin after a rather innocuous sequence. He was subbed off and immediately went down the tunnel. These two players, when fit, have been very good. The problem is they have not seemed to be able to stay fit for more than a few games at a time.</p>
<p id="0CmuVD"><strong>Mohamed Salah</strong><br>Look, the guy leads the league with 13 goals this season. It’s hard to argue with that. But outside of scoring a couple bangers after coming on against Crystal Palace when up 5-0, Salah has just not looked up to his admittedly high standard for a little while now. He was again frustrated today, dropping deep and wide to get on the ball against a packed in West Brom defense. He struggled to beat defenders on the dribble for most of the game, and didn’t manage to get any of his 3 shots on target.</p>
<p id="WpTqIv"><strong>Getting Allardyce’d</strong><br>In the US (and probably elsewhere), the broadcast would not stop mentioning Sam Allardyce and his ability to keep teams from getting relegated. Read, keep everyone behind the ball and hope for a set piece goal. Well, the narrative gods came through for Big Sam. Despite the early goal, Liverpool only manage three shots on target all game, getting blocked out by the mass of bodies in and around the box. The late goal was a gut punch after leading for so long, and controlling much of the game.</p>
<p id="lVARp7"><strong>Kevin Friend</strong><br><em>This space left intentionally blank so I don’t get fined</em></p>
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<h2 id="iNKCMb">From the Manager</h2>
<p id="7lzLHu">“We played around, crossed the ball and instead of moving we didn’t switch. It is not a game we will talk about in 20 years but it is a game we have to play and we didn’t play as we could.”</p>
<p id="gtRwki">-Jurgen Klopp</p>
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<h2 id="xt4VYk">What Happens Next</h2>
<p id="9J4A5E">Like everyone else in the Premier League, Liverpool have a quick turnaround during the festive fixtures. They will head to Newcastle on Wednesday, still atop the Premier League table no matter what happens in the interim.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/12/27/22201512/digging-deeper-into-liverpool-frustrating-draw-to-west-brom-sam-allardyce-classic-sadio-mane-messinCruyff Turns Anonymous2020-12-27T18:25:11+00:002020-12-27T18:25:11+00:00Liverpool 1, West Brom 1: Man Of The Match
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<img alt="Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TYOQGF3A6ROlQVzNSfrKLxcQrTI=/0x270:2141x1697/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68585144/1293327824.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>After Liverpool got Allardyce’d by West Brom, we want you to rate your man of the match.</em></p> <p id="zO2QMu">Liverpool got Allardyce’d today. There’s no two ways about it. After a first half that was all one way traffic, topped off by a magnificently taken goal, Liverpool got undone by an unforced error leading to a set piece goal for West Brom. Sadio Mane was a menace the entire first half, and scored after displaying magnificent chest control before a trademark falling over shot. Andrew Robertson was his usual all action self, serving in deliciously whipped crosses across the front of goal. Jordan Henderson, ever the midfield general, dropped dimes from his holding role, and was close to scoring himself with a shot from distance. Alisson Becker didn’t have much to do in the first half, but showed up in a big way in the second half as the game got stretched.</p>
<p id="1CzO97">With our favored polling tool out of service, we’re instead giving you a choice between a few of the players we thought looked best today for the Reds, so make your choice below and vote for who you think should be the man of the match—or take to the comments to let us know that we got it wrong by leaving the real man of the match off the list entirely.</p>
<p id="etfFNw">As always, anyone visiting on Apple News or Google AMP who wish to vote and can’t see the poll can make it visible by navigating to the front page of The <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> Offside and re-entering the story.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/12/27/22201508/liverpool-1-west-brom-1-man-of-the-match-pl-2020-sadio-mane-andy-robertson-alisson-jordan-hendersonCruyff Turns Anonymous2020-12-27T13:25:00+00:002020-12-27T13:25:00+00:00Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion Live Updates: Lineups, TV Listings, and How to Watch Online
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y4XH5VM3Hl0UtJEIsxGJKqk0BN8=/0x34:4459x3007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68584285/1292746224.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, television and streaming options, and live Premier League coverage as Liverpool face off against West Bromwich Albion</p> <h2 id="KGhqUm"></h2>
<h2 id="W1Vpfw"><strong>LIVERPOOL VS WEST BROMWICH ALBION</strong></h2>
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<strong>| Sunday, December 27th |</strong><br><strong>Premier League | Anfield</strong><br><strong>4:30PM GMT/11:30AM EST</strong>
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<p id="S2rVeO">Liverpool have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table today as they take on West Bromwich Albion. The sides couldn’t be at further ends of the spectrum in terms of quality. Big Sam Allardyce is back in the Premier League after West Brom fired Slaven Bilić. Oh, and in case you weren’t nervous, the last opposing manager to win at Anfield was Allardyce back in 2017. So that’s fun.</p>
<h2 id="ZDLPLg"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="KQwlpC"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/12/26/22200155/liverpool-vs-west-brom-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-online">Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion</a></p>
<p id="ISAqlX"><strong>Television:</strong> Sky Sports (UK); NBCSN (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); <a href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4uLf/creativeref:1011l39034/adref:LO" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">DAZN</a>* (Canada); Star Sports Select (India); Astro SuperSport 3 (Malaysia); SuperSport Premier League (Nigeria); No Coverage (Singapore); SuperSport Premier League (South Africa); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a></p>
<p id="LO90B1"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fsoccer%2F%3Firad%3D343747%26irmp%3D482924%26sharedid%3DTheLiverpoolOffside&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-match-coverage%2F2020%2F12%2F27%2F22200916%2Fliverpool-west-brom-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>NBC via FuboTV</strong></a>* (USA) | <strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-match-coverage%2F2020%2F12%2F27%2F22200916%2Fliverpool-west-brom-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>LFCTV GO</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="Y4YHZ5"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br><br>Today's line-up to face <a href="https://twitter.com/WBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WBA</a>...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVWBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVWBA</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1343217590689214465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="pu6LgC"><strong>WEST BROMWICH ALBION</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Our starting XI to take on Liverpool today. Callum Robinson replaces Jake Livermore. COYB! ⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/MonsterEnergy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MonsterEnergy</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVWBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVWBA</a></p>— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WBA/status/1343217652408459266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="N488mY"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="BXy3Jf">If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373"><strong>join the conversation on The Liverpool Offside,</strong></a> where we’ll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
<p id="VJasFr"><small>*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</small></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-match-coverage/2020/12/27/22200916/liverpool-west-brom-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streamingMark Kastner2020-12-27T12:22:11+00:002020-12-27T12:22:11+00:00Jurgen Klopp Talks Respect for Sam Allardyce
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AIHQLB6j9OE3dohYvV272oolf7s=/0x0:3875x2583/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68584151/1292104128.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He knows the test.</p> <p id="CaKdYM">Sam Allardyce. “Big Sam”. His name doesn’t evoke nice memories.</p>
<p id="0nnQDd">We know how his West Brom will play. Eleven men behind the ball and knock it long. It’ll be ugly.</p>
<p id="eoLs2Z">But Jürgen Klopp has a genuine respect for the man’s methods.</p>
<p id="Cp53Ea">“I haven’t got to know him too well, we only met at the sideline and obviously he is very animated and I’m very animated but I respect him a lot,” the Liverpool manager <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12172915/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-boss-wary-of-sam-allardyces-new-look-west-brom">told <em>Sky Sports News</em></a>. “West Brom is in a difficult situation and they decided to bring in Sam and he has a proven record in these kind of situations.</p>
<p id="QQTBVO">“So we are aware of that and it will be a tricky one because, I wouldn’t say we are obsessed, but we love to analyse the opponent before a game to know as much as we can.</p>
<p id="xes7Ka">“That makes it really difficult this time because Sam had only three or four days before he played against <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa</a> so maybe not too many changes before that. But now a full training week for our game so he can change a lot of things.</p>
<p id="pFrWs5">“It makes analysis tricky. We expect to face a lower block, we expect facing a team who tries to play channel balls in behind with a lot of runs and a lot of sprints this kind of stuff and we have to be creative, concentrated and defend, especially in the counter-pressing moments.</p>
<p id="6UZofW">“We know what Sam is able to do, how he is able to organise a team and in one and a half weeks you can do a lot as a coach, so we expect that.”</p>
<p id="Zqr9HT">To be honest I’d have been more relaxed about facing Slaven Bilic’s West Brom. But that’s why they hired him, and we know what kind of game we’re in for.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/12/27/22201303/jurgen-klopp-talks-respect-for-sam-allardyce-premier-league-epl-liverpool-west-bromwich-albionGraceOnFootball2020-12-26T20:00:00+00:002020-12-26T20:00:00+00:00Klopp Talk: “Mo is a very important player for me”
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oWvRoM78Mpdy-HOwUXG3Hwl4LHE=/0x0:2909x1939/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68582723/1292106614.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The gaffer also provided updates on injuries ahead of Sunday’s game against West Brom.</p> <p id="gaV63E">In his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Sam Allardyce’s West Brom, Jurgen Klopp offered updates on injuries to players such as Thiago Alcantara and Xherdan Shaqiri.</p>
<p id="AZBeZN">The former is still on the road to recovery, as Klopp clarified, saying, “Thiago made his first steps back towards team training. He is not involved in the full session but makes good steps and after, unfortunately, the long time he is out now, we cannot and will not rush it.</p>
<p id="joxBdI">“He will not be involved, he has to first be in full training sessions and then we start thinking about it. He is not too far away, I hope.”</p>
<p id="DnOXTM">Others look more promising however. </p>
<p id="HQtOVX">“Shaq trained really good and Millie, yesterday full session, today then a little bit adapted,” said Klopp.</p>
<p id="lnT9Cz">“It is a new situation for us; we have still two more training days until we have to make decisions. It looks good, but I don’t know.”</p>
<p id="XGtij0">He also offered a response to questions about the <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/12/21/22192815/rumor-mongering-mohamed-salah-is-unhappy-liverpool-premier-league">alleged friction </a>with Mohamed Salah, who had expressed dissatisfaction at not being captained for the game against FC Midtjylland in a <a href="https://en.as.com/en/2020/12/19/football/1608337060_026566.html">recent interview with AS</a>. </p>
<p id="bZPDlq">Klopp said, “When I realised it didn’t work out that well, I clarified it. If [all the captains] cannot play, then it’s usually the player who is longest at the club. He [Salah] was disappointed, but I didn’t do it on purpose.”</p>
<p id="ZPMV2d">He also highlighted Salah’s key role in the squad and brushed away any speculation that an exit is imminent for him, saying, “Mo’s motivation level is really, really high. He keeps himself in an incredible shape and works really hard around the sessions. He is first in, last out. </p>
<p id="1RVRPh">“When Mo answered the question is was just that these clubs <em>may</em> be interested and he didn’t rule it out.</p>
<p id="pc9pEX">“I’m different if you ask me about it. But if you ask any player around the world who is not playing for Barcelona or <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com">Real Madrid</a> can you imagine playing for one of these one day and he would say: ‘No, not for them’.</p>
<p id="fNnCcK">“Why should he say that? The only thing [Mo] said was ‘we will see’ and about Liverpool, it’s in the club’s hands.</p>
<p id="2IaAs7">“Maybe true, maybe not true. It’s true 100 percent but it’s about talks about the future, but it’s really all fine.</p>
<p id="mLr3CM">“Mo is a very important player for me. But the story around him isn’t.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/12/26/22200571/klopp-talk-mo-is-a-very-important-player-for-meAvantika Goswami2020-12-26T17:30:00+00:002020-12-26T17:30:00+00:00Preview: Liverpool vs. West Brom
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<img alt="West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mOy5QsLbWGiK4U79g0Nh4Fii8EY=/0x34:1763x1209/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68582339/950567318.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool resume play on the other side of Christmas against West Brom at Anfield.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="CrEOgH">
<p id="eQobUZ">LIVERPOOL VS. WEST BROM</p>
<h5 id="XePoEh">| Sunday, December 27th |<br>Premier League | Anfield<br>4:30PM GMT/11:30AM EST</h5>
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<p id="MI7JyT">The reigning champions and current league leaders, Liverpool, return to action after a much needed weeklong break. They’ll be taking on West Bromwich Albion at Anfield after their seven-goal stunner against Crystal Palace. </p>
<p id="9obxyB">The newly appointed Sam Allardyce gets to check West Brom off his Premier League bingo card. His is also the last Premier League manager to leave Anfield with all three points, coincidentally while leading Crystal Palace. The Eagles outplayed the Reds back on April 23, 2017, keeping a clean sheet and winning 3-0. Liverpool haven’t lost in the league since. </p>
<p id="0kWRro">Now, though, Big Sam has a Big Job taking the reins on a West Brom side which has won a single match this season and lost nine. They’re currently sitting in 19th place on the table, a massive 24 points behind Liverpool. </p>
<p id="TdhGLx">For Klopp, it might be a sliver of light at the end of the injury tunnel. Thiago Alcantara, Xherdan Shaqiri and James Milner all trained in the build up to this game, though Thiago is still not fit enough to play. However, Klopp will appreciate his added options in the midfield. </p>
<p id="jBIJfG">The Baggies have conceded the most goals in the league so far this season, while Liverpool have scored the most. They’ll be at Anfield, and Klopp’s favored front three should all be ready and available to play. Allardyce already watched his new club give up three goals at home when they played against <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa</a> last week, and it’s hard to imagine that there won’t be more of that for him come Sunday.</p>
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<h5 id="49Y3Mt"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="LkIAP5">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mané</p>
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<p id="9t9VqB">Who knows, does either or both of Curtis Jones or Takumi Minamino get a spot in Klopp’s starting XI? Klopp may be looking ahead to the fact the his players have to face Newcastle on Wednesday the 30th and then <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com">Southampton</a> the following Monday and decide to rotate as he has been doing. If nothing else, Liverpool’s injury crisis has afforded many deserving players an opportunity to make an impact on this team. Minamino kicked off the goal fest against Palace in the third minute. In the absence of Diogo Jota, his continued good form means that one of the front three could get a break. </p>
<p id="iwn6ft">Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might be fit to start this game as well. Milner and Shaqiri, though they may be available for the bench, will probably not start. </p>
<p id="tXkNXM">Aside from the aforementioned Jota and Thiago, Liverpool will also be without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Kostas Tsimikas. </p>
<p id="ZNbUK5">As for West Brom, their forced to be without Conor Townsend, Kyle Bartlet, and Hal Robson-Kanu due to injury. Jake Livermore will be out for three games after picking up a straight red card against Aston Villa.</p>
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<h5 id="4o3juh">What the Managers Had to Say</h5>
<p id="ZphsUr"><strong>Jurgen Klopp</strong>: “What I expect is a tough opponent, it was always tough against Sam Allardyce teams: [they are] well organised, don’t make a big fuss of possession or whatever and in the situation West Brom are in anyway then it will be a proper fight.”</p>
<p id="YXMsAm"><strong>Sam Allardyce</strong>: “When you play against the top teams in this division like Liverpool, any points gained are seen as bonus points.”</p>
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<h5 id="UAO75h">The Officials</h5>
<p id="V68nBP"><strong>Referee:</strong> Kevin Friend. <strong>Assistants: </strong>Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes. <strong>Fourth official: </strong>Anthony Taylor. <strong>VAR:</strong> Martin Atkinson. <strong>Assistant VAR: </strong>Peter Kirkup.</p>
<p id="bRCWqJ">Kickoff is set for 4:30PM GMT/11:30AM 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/2020/12/26/22200155/liverpool-vs-west-brom-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-onlineepicskyline2020-12-24T17:16:40+00:002020-12-24T17:16:40+00:00Klopp Talk: Being Christmas League Leaders Is “Nice”
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wXb2rwxyKKNVyjnMzu0Vcu4XcbY=/357x162:1649x1023/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68577853/1292744955.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s good to be top of the league again at Christmas, but it’s a platform for what comes next and nothing more.</p> <p id="cbzGlo">Liverpool are defending Premier League champions. Liverpool are top of the league for the third Christmas in a row. Liverpool have an unlikely eight-day break in the midst of the most congested season ever. Liverpool’s injury crisis appears to be easing.</p>
<p id="Ha0fFl">It is, in short, a good time to be a Liverpool fan. Or, one imagines, their manager. Not that Jürgen Klopp was particularly interested in reading all that much—or anything at all, really—into his side’s current standing at the front of the Premier League pack.</p>
<p id="lWfmob">“You are not champions in May when you are the Christmas leader,” Klopp noted. “It’s the best position you can be in in the moment, but that’s it—that’s all. We know how tough it was and how tough it will be. We haven’t even played half the season.</p>
<p id="RnfvTD">“It’s nice, nothing else. Nothing really happened so far. We have collected a few points and if we want to do something special this season then we will have to collect even more until the end of the season and that’s what we will try to do and that’s it.”</p>
<p id="I7WJWW">That effort to collect more points continues on Sunday against West Brom, and if Liverpool can defeat the 19th-place Baggies along with new manager Sam Allardyce, it will ensure they maintain their place at the top of the table into the new year.</p>
<p id="t8jXiH">As Liverpool saw recently in a draw against relegation-threatened Fulham, though, a side being closer to the bottom of the table than the top is hardly a guarantee of three points, and other Alardyce sides have proved difficult in the past for the Reds.</p>
<p id="nztule">“I expect a tough opponent,” Klopp added. “It was always tough against Sam Allardyce teams, and in the situation West Brom are in it will be a proper fight. Sam is a specialist for organising teams for these kind of fights so we expect a tough game.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/12/24/22198942/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-christmas-league-leaders-nice-foundation-title-challenge-epl-2021Noel Chomyn2020-12-24T14:07:57+00:002020-12-24T14:07:57+00:00Klopp Updates Thiago, Milner, and Shaqiri Injury Status
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FSAAmfM3vYyqqe4sLyMLDodJD4I=/173x289:3704x2643/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68577160/1292104128.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>West Brom will come too soon for Thiago but Liverpool’s other retuning injured stars could have a role to play.</p> <p id="KEHXQ7">Liverpool don’t play until Sunday, when they return to action after an extended eight-day layoff against West Brom, but with Christmas between now and kickoff manager Jürgen Klopp took his pre-match press conference early.</p>
<p id="tz6tjY">With a number of injured players back in training this week, leaving only forward Diogo Jota and long-term defensive absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez missing, the main talking point for the Liverpool boss was obvious.</p>
<p id="Sk9CZa">“Thiago made his first steps back towards team training,” Klopp began when asked about last summer’s star signing. “He is not involved in the full session but makes good steps but after the long time he is now we cannot rush it.</p>
<p id="YH0czo">“The other guys are closer. [Xherdan Shaqiri] trained really good and [James Milner]. Yesterday they had a full session, today a little adapted. It is a new situation for us—we still have two more training days until we make decisions.”</p>
<p id="vfFrsy">After his long layoff and with the player slightly behind Shaqiri and Milner—as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta, who returned to action last week—Klopp confirmed Thiago is certain not to face West Brom.</p>
<p id="JD9WPI">“It looks good, but I don’t know really when,” the manager added. “Thiago will not be involved—he has to first be in full training sessions and then we can start thinking about it. But he is not too far away, I hope.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/12/24/22198714/jurgen-klopp-injury-update-west-brom-thiago-alcantara-james-milner-xherdan-shaqiriNoel Chomyn