The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2020-21: Leicester City vs. LiverpoolZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2021-02-13T17:00:00+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/220455112021-02-13T17:00:00+00:002021-02-13T17:00:00+00:00Digging Deeper Into Liverpool’s Defeat Against Leicester City
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<img alt="Leicester City v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P_Vj2OlvXsMtt1Lxkdc4SDsO33k=/0x0:2217x1478/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68814646/1301945203.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>This all feels very familiar.</p> <p id="4Q8jqK">This is starting to feel worryingly familiar. Liverpool fail to do the business in the early part of a match and then fall to pieces by the end. This time, it was the early match at King Power Stadium, when Liverpool let in three late goals to fall to <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester City</a> 3-1. </p>
<p id="aZjonQ">It’s been a hard winter, and though we all understand that there are very real reasons for the Reds’ precipitous fall in form, it’s still be very difficult to watch this far fall. Another ‘uncharacteristic’ mistake by Alisson, which is starting to feel more and more ‘characteristic’, led to Leicester City’s second goal. </p>
<p id="cUvt99">Fans can point to another frustrating VAR decision which declared Leicester’s marginal equalizer as onside, reversing the on pitch ruling. However, that doesn’t account for the subsequent second and third goals that came so soon after.</p>
<p id="F42Vfv">Deep breaths, Reds. At the end of the storm, etc.</p>
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<h2 id="VDWlqr"><strong>Winners and Losers</strong></h2>
<h3 id="wQtRug"><strong>Winners</strong></h3>
<p id="4i1tGQ"><strong>Roberto Firmino</strong></p>
<p id="5QE5mN">Maybe one of the most frustrating things about this result will be that it overshadows that absolutely delicious no-look back heel assist from Firmino to set up Mohamed Salah’s goal. It was classic Bobby, one for the highlight reel, and might end up being the assist of the season. </p>
<p id="yi9wic"><strong>Mohamed Salah</strong></p>
<p id="VemKEI">Salah scored Liverpool’s only goal of the game. Not only that, but he had some real penalty shouts in the first half. In another game, with another player, the Reds may have been two goals to the good by halftime, but wasn’t what Anthony Taylor and lady luck had in store for us today.</p>
<h3 id="1Ktyjr"><strong>Losers</strong></h3>
<p id="plQOIV"><strong>Ozan Kabak</strong></p>
<p id="FvmRtC">You have to feel for the guy. He made his debut at the back for Liverpool and did an unremarkable, if serviceable job for most of the match. Then he became another victim of the Reds’ implosion at the end of the game, and his mistake allowed Jamie Vardy to score Leicester’s second.</p>
<p id="oc5gJG"><strong>VAR Consistency</strong></p>
<p id="YoTCjw">It’s been a long time since fans had any real faith in the referees’ abilities to consistently and accurately make the right call using the VAR technology. Today was another nail in the coffin of that trust, when Leicester’s first goal was deemed onside...somehow. Absurd.</p>
<p id="DnAd9Y"><strong>Alisson Becker</strong></p>
<p id="fQ6juA">Pour one out for Alisson’s lost aura of invincibility. His gloves used to be the safest place in football, but the collapse of Liverpool’s defense has finally reached him. Several significant errors in the past few games have revealed that the Brazilian is human after all.</p>
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<aside id="lJ473t"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Leicester City 3, Liverpool 1: Quick Recap","url":"https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/13/22281456/leicester-city-3-liverpool-1-match-recap-dominant-reds-fall-apart-late-in-game"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="XmJDzD">
<h2 id="k4NeS7">What Happens Next</h2>
<p id="NpO80h">God, who knows? Liverpool have to find a way to push through this. The spring is going to be about salvaging the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> and fighting for a top four place. This isn’t what any of us hoped for when we imagined a Reds’ title defense, but fate has dealt the team a crappy hand this season. It seems that back-to-back European and league titles were all the luck we could wring out of the universe.</p>
<p id="LftfQB">Long term, we have Diogo Jota and Fabinho’s returns to look forward to this season. Kabak didn’t set the world on fire, but having him as an option will give Klopp more flexibility in his team set-ups. </p>
<p id="vDQtlB">Klopp and his team need to figure how to pull themselves out of this morass. Could a change in formation be the answer? Some other Klopp magic? Or is it just a matter of waiting for some of our injured players to return?</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/13/22281560/leicester-city-3-liverpool-1-tactics-narrative-var-ratingsepicskyline2021-02-13T14:45:00+00:002021-02-13T14:45:00+00:00Leicester City 3, Liverpool 1: Man of the Match
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<img alt="Leicester City v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gzY6c1tJrnZYng3_yrAUyfP1hCk=/0x0:4377x2918/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68814280/1301934700.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With another frustrating, predictable match in the books, we want you to rate Liverpool’s players and choose your man of the match.</p> <p id="Lomvqc">VAR strikes again. And then unstrikes? I don’t know what that Leicester equalizing goal was. My brain is rotting. Alisson commits another disastrous mistake that cost the Reds three points. This season is a nightmare. But we can all agree that Bobby Firmino’s no-look assist to Mohamed Salah was gorgeous, right? </p>
<p id="TYWlKl">Now let us know how you saw it. We’ve narrowed the options down to a few of the players we thought were the better performers on the day 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 <em>real</em> man of the match out of the poll entirely.</p>
<p id="crj64U">And as always, a reminder that anyone visiting on Apple News or Google AMP who wishes to vote and can’t see the poll can make it visible by navigating to the front page of The Liverpool Offside and loading the full version of the story from there.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/13/22281505/leicester-city-3-liverpool-1-epl-2021-motm-vote-best-worst-performancesepicskyline2021-02-13T14:27:21+00:002021-02-13T14:27:21+00:00Leicester City 3, Liverpool 1: Match Recap - Dominant Reds Fall Apart Late In Game
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<img alt="Leicester City v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E5DYNrxaRVq8lYo5J2D6YPE2j3w=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68814222/1301942458.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Are we headed to the Europa League next season? Maybe.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="i5ftpg">
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<a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">LEICESTER CITY</a> 3 - 1 LIVERPOOL</h2>
<h5 id="vrzpV1">Leicester City: Maddison 78’, Vardy 81’, Barnes 85’</h5>
<h5 id="RZoiF0">Liverpool: Salah 67’</h5>
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<h3 id="Asy1De">Pre-Match</h3>
<p id="nGKN9s">Now that Liverpool is out of the title race, it’s a race for the top four and the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> next season. With Fabinho injured once again, young Ozan Kabak gets his first ever Liverpool start, partnering captain Hendo in the back line. He will benefit from Henderson’s presence since they will be tasked with stopping Jamie Vardy’s notorious runs. Leicester’s home form against the Reds has been poor in the past, and they are also missing key defender James Justin, so there’s hope yet. Up the Reds! </p>
<h3 id="nC1xAT">First Half</h3>
<p id="1E9JlB">Liverpool lead an effective press and look confident for most of the first half. But their finishing has been extremely poor despite the number of chances created and despite the fact that Leicester’s low block has gaping holes for the Reds’ attackers to filter through. A number of (now trademark) beautiful long balls from Jordan Henderson are received by Salah whose first touch is poor and he fails to convert the chances. Milner is subbed off at 15’ with some discomfort, and Thiago comes on as a replacement. Leicester look more composed in the last ten minutes of this half, and Jamie Vardy has a couple of shots that hit the bar or are blocked by Alisson - one at 35’ from a Harvey Barnes cross over Trent’s frame, another at 41’ from a long ball, and a third at 44’ during a counter. Henderson has been the MOTM this half - alert, anticipating key moves, sending gorgeous crosses towards the front three. Liverpool have dominated the game but have been wasteful with finishing chances. The half ends 0-0.</p>
<h3 id="P131ss">Second Half</h3>
<p id="9vAQgi">Liverpool continue to press hard and create about six chances in the opening 20 minutes of this half, and finally at 66’ we have a GOAL! A lovely cross from Trent to Bobby Firmino, who turns on the sauce with a back-heeled flick to Salah, who then slots it in perfectly to the top corner of Schmeichel’s net. The positives end there. A glorious sweeping free-kick by James Maddison slices through a crowded box into the corner of Alisson’s net and they have a GOAL. Yet another massive blunder at 81’ sees Alisson come off his line as he frequently does, but this time it’s unnecessary - Kabak isn’t able to flick the ball away from Vardy’s path and we see another GOAL - embarrassing. Harvey Barnes wraps the game up at 84’ taking advantage of a clear path left open for him by Liverpool’s defense - GOAL.</p>
<h3 id="PZITeQ">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p id="dPhDV8">Liverpool dominated sections of the game but fell apart in the second half after scoring their only goal. Leicester reacted well to conceding the goal, by going guns blazing in attack and taking advantage of the weaknesses of Liverpool’s patchwork squad. The Europa League looks closer next season than the other one.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/13/22281456/leicester-city-3-liverpool-1-match-recap-dominant-reds-fall-apart-late-in-gameAvantika Goswami2021-02-13T11:20:56+00:002021-02-13T11:20:56+00:00Leicester City vs. Liverpool Live Updates: Lineups, TV Listings, and How to Watch Online
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<img alt="Leicester City v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PjpT4H_bAZodr0CoH8v5T7fFr0E=/0x0:4044x2696/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68813789/1301919595.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, television and streaming options, and live Premier League coverage as Liverpool face off against Leicester City</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lRN8Hb">
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<strong>LIVERPOOL VS. </strong><strong>LEICESTER CITY</strong>
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<h5 id="Z7yvUZ">
<strong>| Saturday</strong><strong>, February 13th|</strong><br><strong>Premier League | King Power Stadium</strong><br><strong>12:30PM GMT / 7:30AM EST</strong>
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<p id="rR8QMg"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> faces off against <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Leicester City</a> in our 24th game of the season, with Leicester three points higher than us in the league table. On Liverpool’s still lengthy injury list are Fabinho, Divock Origi, Diogo Jota, Naby Keita, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez. </p>
<p id="m1pnCX">Leicester have James Justin, Dennis Praet, Wesley Fofana, Timothy Castagne and Wes Morgan unavailable.</p>
<p id="YJxjgI">This clash is key for Liverpool to remain in the top four race, and offers newcomers Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies a shot at starting for Liverpool in the Premier League. </p>
<h2 id="kTUtOS"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="I9cNxX"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/12/22279925/leicester-city-liverpool-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-online">Liverpool vs. Leicester City</a></p>
<p id="dYZHXi"><strong>Television:</strong> Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Go Extra (UK); NBCSN (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); DAZN (Canada); Star Sports Select 1, Hotstar VIP (India); Astro SuperSport 3, Astro Go (Malaysia); SuperSport Maximo, (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport Maximo (South Africa); other listings at <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3757020/liverpool-vs-manchester-united/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a></p>
<p id="GxzRh5"><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%2F2021%2F2%2F13%2F22281449%2Fliverpool-vs-leicester-city-live-updates-lineups-tv-listings-and-how-to-watch-online" 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%2F2021%2F2%2F13%2F22281449%2Fliverpool-vs-leicester-city-live-updates-lineups-tv-listings-and-how-to-watch-online" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>LFCTV GO</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="iW1ewk"><strong>LEICESTER CITY</strong></h2>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Foxes' line-up for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeiLiv?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeiLiv</a> <br><br>Brought to you by <a href="https://twitter.com/eToro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eToro</a> </p>— Leicester City (@LCFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LCFC/status/1360551794493902853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="eJo4Jn"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Today's line-up <a href="https://twitter.com/LCFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LCFC</a>... <br><br>2️⃣ changes from our last outing. <a href="https://twitter.com/ozankabak4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ozankabak4</a> makes his debut. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LEILIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LEILIV</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LFC</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1360551798046683138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2021</a>
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<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="2b3dn3">
<h2 id="uUEf3W"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="JMikeG">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="ABjmqf">*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/13/22281449/liverpool-vs-leicester-city-live-updates-lineups-tv-listings-and-how-to-watch-onlineAvantika Goswami2021-02-13T10:02:33+00:002021-02-13T10:02:33+00:00Klopp Talk: Liverpool Will Try For The Best Possible Finish To The Season
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<img alt="Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/szKD9__Ax_H7d89AJ1pGJKj8HLY=/20x0:2021x1334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68813701/1300892090.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With injuries and inconsistent form, this season isn’t going the way we all hoped. But there’s still a chance for a strong finish. </p> <p id="2bNg5H">Liverpool have a chance to climb to 3rd today with a win over <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester City</a>. That’s the good news. And from here on in, our success this season will be marked not by shiny things—as it has been in recent seasons—but rather by the more pedestrian task of maintaining our status as a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> team. </p>
<p id="cPTfTl">It’s certainly not how anyone wanted the season to go. But COVID and horrific injuries have conspired to lower our expectations about what is and is not possible for this season. </p>
<p id="n6fInG">Regardless, if we want to enjoy brighter seasons ahead—hopefully ones in front of crowds—we’ll need to focus at the task at hand. Jurgen Klopp spoke directly to these concerns in an <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F425682-jurgen-klopp-we-want-to-make-the-best-season-of-it-from-now&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2021%2F2%2F13%2F22281434%2Fliverpool-fc-jurgen-klopp-talk-liverpool-best-possible-finish-20-21-season-injuries-top-4-leicester" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">interview with the official club website</a>.</p>
<p id="a1TeQ2">“For us, it’s just the season we are in,” Klopp said. “I knew before we started it would be a really tough one, I’m pretty sure everybody knew it. </p>
<p id="OCh53l">“The numbers of injuries are really high and all these kinds of things, that was always clear. To be really successful in a year you have to be lucky as well. If you are not lucky then you have a problem and when you have a problem you have to sort it. </p>
<p id="gwlUw5">“But it will not be the perfect season anymore probably then. But it’s not about that. </p>
<p id="rK17Ca">“For us, we see it like this – we have 15 games to go still, so a lot of points and we will go for it. It’s not about where are the others or where will they end up and they end up, it’s just about us. We try our absolute best to make the best season from now on of it. That’s our job.”</p>
<p id="zHBk1u">As we’ve seen this season, form is only as good as your next game. That is often said as a warning: you might be hot shit now, but any team can trip you up if you’re not careful. But it can also be taken as a positive: for a talented team and coaching staff, an end to poor form can be right around the corner. </p>
<p id="YdGzQE">Despite lowered expectations, if Liverpool return to their best—such as the 4-0 drubbing of Leicester City last year—and can manage those results on a somewhat consistent basis, good times ahead are possible. </p>
<p id="hMAG3Y">It doesn’t take too many great results to make a real go of things in the Champions League. And going at a pace of 2 points per game—which will almost certainly be good enough to secure Champions League football <em>next season</em>—is also completely within reach. </p>
<p id="zKdE0P">If Liverpool can end the season on a high note, they can bounce into next season with a foundation of success and a heap of rediscovered confidence. Plus, you know, a fully operational Virgil van Dijk. And hopefully a full and ravenous Anfield crowd. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/13/22281434/liverpool-fc-jurgen-klopp-talk-liverpool-best-possible-finish-20-21-season-injuries-top-4-leicesterZachary Marx2021-02-13T03:00:00+00:002021-02-13T03:00:00+00:00Klopp Backs Alisson to Rebound Against Leicester City
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<img alt="FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BURNLEY" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4ihDJrqD7M4LaYmbaR4xAtlzuz4=/0x0:4962x3308/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68813173/1230718188.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The German manager is not dwelling on Alisson’s mistakes versus Manchester City.</p> <p id="m6IFY8">When Liverpool played league leaders Machester City last weekend, Alisson Becker uncharacteristically made two errors that led directly to goals. It was the biggest talking point from the match, and it was still one of the biggest talking points when Jürgen Klopp spoke to the press today.</p>
<p id="lMqzTG">Klopp confirmed that he did speak with Alisson about his gaffes, but he also downplayed their significance by pointing out that goalkeepers, even ones of Alisson’s quality, make mistakes.</p>
<p id="NXWdae">“Oh we had, of course, a little talk,” said Klopp. “If it’s then about encouragement or whatever, I don’t know. It’s just a little talk and he was not happy that it happened, of course.”</p>
<p id="1gKSCe">“But it’s very important to realize in a moment like this, goalkeepers in a long career, they make mistakes. For a goalkeeper of the quality of Alisson Becker, it’s pretty rare that he makes this kind of mistake and that he makes two of them in one game, that’s clear as well. “</p>
<p id="nel7PM">The manager also pointed out that keepers are usually harder on themselves than anyone else, but they are used to having to put mistakes behind them and focus on the next attack rather than dwell on the previous one.</p>
<p id="YycHn4">“But on top of that, goalkeepers are used to making mistakes,” Klopp said. “It means they have to stay in the game, they concede a goal and they know maybe earlier than all the rest of the world, ‘I should have saved it.’”</p>
<p id="F0lAvY">While the Brazilian keeper received criticism from all sides for his <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> performance, Klopp made it clear that didn’t happen in the Liverpool dressing room. Klopp’s boys know Alisson’s quality, and they know he will bounce back.</p>
<p id="xUxJCp">“There was absolutely no real criticism from our side, from the boys, from the players around him, because everybody knows how good he is. He’s a very calm person.” </p>
<p id="R1WeCl">“And now the next game is coming up and that’s good so he can play his normal level again and then everything will be fine.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/13/22280893/jurgen-klopp-backs-alisson-becker-rebound-against-leicester-city-premier-leagueWaterWorldIsMyNightmare2021-02-12T21:34:51+00:002021-02-12T21:34:51+00:00Curtis Jones Talks Growing Role and Upcoming Challenges
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<img alt="Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dPul63oj-4gO1fvVXba0UhNJmJg=/0x183:2488x1842/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68811991/1293799874.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Scouse midfielder is pleased with the role he is carving out for himself and looks ahead to a trio of tough matches for the Reds</p> <p id="CuAG0d">Saying this season has been a challenge for Liverpool would be an understatement. They’ve suffered a slate of devastating injuries and found it difficult to live up to the lofty standards they’ve created over the previous two campaigns. </p>
<p id="5d143f">Though there are many things to bemoan and regret about the craziness of Liverpool football in the time of COVID, there are still some bright spots. Perhaps the best development of this season is the emergence of Curtis Jones as a star in the making.</p>
<p id="InA81n">Jones had the opportunity to talk about his seemingly ever-growing role in the squad during a recent <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F425616-curtis-jones-leicester-city-preview-premier-league&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2021%2F2%2F12%2F22280740%2Fcurtis-jones-talks-growing-role-and-upcoming-challenges-liverpool-premier-league" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">interview with LiverpoolFC.com</a>. Though he’s surprised at the number of games he’s received this year, he always felt comfortable in the squad.</p>
<p id="EysIms">“I’ve always been settled!” Jones said. “Two years ago, I don’t think I would ever have thought that I would have played this amount of games. It’s been a positive period for me on a personal note.”</p>
<p id="atr8Ov">“But I’m happy I’m doing well. I’m a player who wants to be counted on and hopefully, I can help the boys out going forward.”</p>
<p id="La1Zrx">Jones plays with a clear air of confidence despite his youth, and regardless of the opposition or the occasion, he has rarely looked out of place in the Liverpool midfield. This includes a tough loss against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> in which the 20-year-old felt as though he played well despite the result.</p>
<p id="1yZlD3">“I’ve always said that I’m a confident lad who likes to get the ball and try to make things happen. That’s what I was trying to do [against Manchester City]. It was a hard game, it was a great test for me and a great experience – and I think I did OK.”</p>
<p id="jQc2s3">Looking ahead to Liverpool’s match against <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester City</a> tomorrow, the Scouser admits that he expects another difficult test against a team looking to avenge their November loss to the Reds. However, he is confident in the squad’s preparation for the Foxes.</p>
<p id="iZQPUN"> ”I’ve always said every game we play in the Premier League is always a hard game – Leicester especially because of the certain players they have, and their style of play is hard to break down.</p>
<p id="RxxaZL">“But we played them at the beginning of the season and it was a great team performance and we came away with a great win. I think they’ll be trying to put things right and give us a bit of a knockdown again. But the boys are 100 percent ready and we can’t wait.”</p>
<p id="IhiY1C">Leicester is just the first of three straight high-profile matches for Liverpool. Up next is the first leg of their Champion’s League tie with RB Leipzig, and then a matchup with <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> at Anfield. Jones acknowledged it’s a tough schedule, but, channeling his inner Jürgen Klopp, he stressed the importance of taking it one match at a time.</p>
<p id="Byp6ge">“It’s going to be a hard run against three great teams who are doing well, who’ll be very good but in different ways – and we know that as a team and as a bunch of lads. But we just take each game as it comes and we’ll just see what each game holds for us. But hopefully it’s all positive and hopefully we can get wins out of each one.”</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/12/22280740/curtis-jones-talks-growing-role-and-upcoming-challenges-liverpool-premier-leagueWaterWorldIsMyNightmare2021-02-12T19:00:00+00:002021-02-12T19:00:00+00:00Leicester City vs. Liverpool: Evaluating the Players Available
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<img alt="Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 05, 2021 in Kirkby, England." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WlELRaEzYiEK6E_nKO7PSzXsJKo=/0x0:4128x2752/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68810969/1300542977.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 05, 2021 in Kirkby, England. | Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With the never-ending set of injuries difficult to keep up with, let’s take a look at who could feature on Saturday.</p> <p id="Hb01WX">In his press conference Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F425622-jurgen-klopp-leicester-injury-update-fabinho&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F12%2F22280283%2Fleicester-city-vs-liverpool-evaluating-players-available-team-news-injuries-fabinho-kabak-davies" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ruled out</a> Fabinho from taking part in the weekend.</p>
<p id="Jb3ZAM">“Fab will not be available. He suffered again a little muscle issue, so will be out for this game.”</p>
<p id="wQoy6X">The boss dampened hopes further adding that <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F425622-jurgen-klopp-leicester-injury-update-fabinho&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F12%2F22280283%2Fleicester-city-vs-liverpool-evaluating-players-available-team-news-injuries-fabinho-kabak-davies" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">it’s unclear</a> whether the defensive midfielder-turned-center-back will be available for the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> tie next week.</p>
<p id="lOOgUR">New signings Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak are in contention with Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips to feature in Fabinho’s place against Leicester on Saturday, as Klopp <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F425629-kabak-and-davies-could-make-lfc-debuts-at-leicester&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F12%2F22280283%2Fleicester-city-vs-liverpool-evaluating-players-available-team-news-injuries-fabinho-kabak-davies" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">noted</a> that all players featured well in the week’s defensive training.</p>
<p id="jHvDB1">“With the boys, obviously we had now some sessions together where we really could work on this defensive set-up and that’s very, very important. But we have, as well and on top of that, other players available - Nat Phillips did really well, together with Hendo [and] together with Fab. </p>
<p id="nfy0aa">“We have to find a solution and all of them had the chance this week to show in training who is ready. So, I have to make a decision tomorrow, obviously.”</p>
<p id="J64j2O">While Klopp has tended to avoid throwing in new signings before they’ve had a chance to settle in with the squad, these are unusual circumstances, and surely whoever has shown himself to be most promising in training will get the nod to start against Jamie Vardy’s Leicester.</p>
<p id="QJhPGB">Diogo Jota and Naby Keïta, both returning from injury, are not quite ready to return to full team play — though Keïta is the closer of the two.</p>
<p id="Sj6qYT">“Diogo [will be] two or three weeks, maybe. Probably the medical department hits me now, but I think that’s kind of possible, back in full training and then we will see how long it takes.”</p>
<p id="Ppw6Vf"><a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester City</a> of course have their own injury challenges, with James Justin <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/12/22279925/leicester-city-liverpool-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-online">ruled out</a> most recently. The Foxes are <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F425520-leicester-city-v-liverpool-team-news&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F12%2F22280283%2Fleicester-city-vs-liverpool-evaluating-players-available-team-news-injuries-fabinho-kabak-davies" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">also missing</a> Timothy Castagne, Dennis Praet and Wesley Fofana, all who have sustained thigh injuries. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/12/22280283/leicester-city-vs-liverpool-evaluating-players-available-team-news-injuries-fabinho-kabak-daviesMari Murphy