The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2021-22 Match Coverage: Liverpool vs. Aston VillaZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2021-12-11T16:56:31+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/225932362021-12-11T16:56:31+00:002021-12-11T16:56:31+00:00Liverpool 1, Aston Villa 0 - Match Recap: Salah Penalty Secures Reds’ Victory
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<img alt="Liverpool v Aston Villa - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TtK5tj189VAh421ZX8kBCpwJNfg=/0x0:2335x1557/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70258897/1358440947.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We react to Liverpool’s Premier League match against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa and give you a chance to vote for Man of the Match.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="h.cy9vu8hi9cop">
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<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/"><strong>Liverpool</strong></a><strong> 1 - 0 </strong><a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com"><strong>Aston Villa</strong></a>
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<h5 id="HNjiFw">Liverpool: Salah 65’ (pen)’</h5>
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<h3 id="TDMpas"><strong>Pre-Match </strong></h3>
<p id="VGxEx0">Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain led the line against Aston Villa in place of Diogo Jota. Other than that, there were no surprises in Jurgen Klopp’s chosen XI. It’s a big game as Liverpool welcome back hometown hero Steven Gerrard to Anfield. </p>
<h3 id="8af1g7"><strong>First Half</strong></h3>
<p id="otmAf1">The game began with the Reds showing clear intent to strike fast and hard. Play started in Aston Villa’s half and just never left. However, as aggressive as they were, Liverpool couldn’t capitalize on all of the possession and dominance.</p>
<p id="j4I4YK">The closest they came in the first 20 minutes was when Andy Robertson almost tapped it home at the near post, but was denied by the post. </p>
<p id="MHMvG1">Liverpool stretched the play, going wide and making use of Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Villa, for their part, seemed comfortable letting them control the wings as they attempted a more direct approach. It almost paid off in the 30th minute when a long ball easily outfoxed Alisson and landed at Ashley Young’s feet, beyond the keeper. Thankfully, Joel Matip was alive to the danger and headed clear Young’s shot.</p>
<p id="7gZrFL">The first half ended scoreless, despite good work from Liverpool.</p>
<h3 id="6Cqk7y"><strong>Second Half</strong></h3>
<p id="3Hgc2j">The second half began the same way the first half did, with Liverpool pushing and pushing for that goal, this time on the Kop end. Wave after wave of attacks in the first five minutes culminated in a header from Virgil van Dijk off of a Trent corner. The shot is blocked by Martinez, the Villa keeper, giving Villa a reprieve and frustrating Liverpool.</p>
<p id="Jv7qCJ">At 60 minutes, Klopp made his first change, bringing on Diogo Jota for Oxlade-Chamberlain to kickstart the stuttering Liverpool offense as they search for a goal in the game.</p>
<p id="a4t4iz">A few minutes later, it’s Mohamed Salah who engineered the opportunity for the Reds. He fearlessly took on Mings in the box, and Mings illegally pulled him down, earning a Salah a penalty. The Egyptian unsurprisingly took it on himself, and after a few deep, calming breaths, he sent in a perfect goal past Martinez.</p>
<p id="WG039h">The inevitability of the goal seemed to calm things down for the next 10 minutes or so as both teams regrouped. Villa put in a few minutes of sustained possession, but Liverpool withstood the late attack and held tight to their slim lead.</p>
<p id="bCPYNM">At 82 minutes in, Klopp made his second substitution, taking off Thiago Alcantara and bringing on stalwart James Milner instead.</p>
<p id="ms5AhI">Liverpool’s final substitution came in the form of Takumi Minamino, coming on for Sadio Mane in the 87th minute as Klopp looked to wear down the clock and secure their three points.</p>
<h3 id="BxqLd4"><strong>Final Thoughts and Man of the Match</strong></h3>
<p id="255nJs">It wasn’t a very fun match to watch, but Liverpool eventually earn the three points thanks to some clever play from Salah when nothing else was working.</p>
<p id="mc0GQY">Did Liverpool do the thing? Did Liverpool not do the thing? And are we happy or (at least temporarily) furious about some aspect of the thing?</p>
<div id="0bVfyU"><div data-anthem-component="poll:10914538"></div></div>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/12/11/22829295/liverpool-1-aston-villa-0-epl-2021-recap-man-of-the-matchepicskyline2021-12-11T12:00:00+00:002021-12-11T12:00:00+00:00Liverpool vs Aston Villa How to Watch and Liveblog
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<img alt="Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final Previews" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JXXL2ANqR3DUFPusWojkCka_C48=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70258147/962401528.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Live coverage of Liverpool’s Premier League match against Aston Villa with team news, television and streaming options, and an updated liveblog throughout the match.</p> <h2 id="h.lazk37c6ugo4">
<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">LIVERPOOL</a> VS. <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">ASTON VILLA</a>
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<h5 id="PApREG">| Saturday, December 11th |<br>Premier League | Anfield<br>3PM GMT/10AM EST</h5>
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<h2 id="md8rkr"><strong>PREVIEW & HOW TO WATCH</strong></h2>
<p id="gq9gT0"><strong>Full Match Preview:</strong> <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/12/10/22827871/liverpool-aston-villa-epl-2021-match-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups">Liverpool vs. Aston Villa</a></p>
<p id="Lgq1K0"><strong>Television:</strong> no listing (UK); USA Network (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fprf.hn%2Fclick%2Fcamref%3A1100l4uLf%2Fcreativeref%3A1011l39034%2Fadref%3ALO&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXA1GpbllI6ebg3zdww_P1MkZr2g">DAZN</a> (Canada); Star Sports Select (India); Astro SuperSport 3 (Malaysia); SuperSport Premier League (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport Premier League (South Africa); other listings at<a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.livesoccertv.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFDsBNye7lSS1YKUruzH_77Ci3V6A"> LiveSoccerTV</a></p>
<p id="iFqZzn"><strong>Streaming:</strong><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fsoccer%2F%3Firad%3D343747%26irmp%3D482924%26sharedid%3DTheLiverpoolOffside&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFTBepV5o0rAm2ZCvlDqS2pc76fAw"> NBC via FuboTV</a> (USA) | Online Radio:<a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGuwj23dDrwRR1FqF-FaJA0JInvBg"> LFCTV GO</a></p>
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<h2 id="yNYUs2"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br><br>This is how we line up to face <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AVFCOfficial</a> this afternoon at Anfield! <br><br>Divock Origi misses out with a sore knee.</p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1469668322077822977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="5YO9Gz"><strong>ASTON VILLA</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is your Aston Villa team to face Liverpool this afternoon. ⚪ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVAVL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVAVL</a> <a href="https://t.co/VZczZB4bYA">pic.twitter.com/VZczZB4bYA</a></p>— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1469668305799729153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="vLFS0S"><strong>THE LIVERPOOL OFFSIDE MATCHDAY LIVEBLOG</strong></h2>
<p id="eM7JpR"><em>Liveblog will begin shortly before kickoff</em></p>
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<h2 id="BRtNUn"><strong>JOIN THE TLO COMMUNITY</strong></h2>
<p id="TQpL6t">If you haven’t done so already, take a moment to sign up for an SB Nation account and<a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Faccount%2Fsetup%3Fcommunity_id%3D373&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE7cBLPRQkRWsQ4SPrE-2Un1a_7Vg"> join the community on The Liverpool Offside,</a> where we’ll bring you and your fellow Reds fans from around the world full coverage of every Liverpool match in the 2021-22 season in the Premier League, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>, and domestic cups along with breaking news, insight and opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/12/11/22828950/liverpool-vs-aston-villa-epl-2021-liveblog-team-news-lineups-tv-channels-online-streamingepicskyline2021-12-11T11:00:00+00:002021-12-11T11:00:00+00:00Klopp Talk: Reds Need to be Ready for a Fight Against Villa & Gerrard
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<img alt="Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final Previews" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qUOY5TccGxvFsQmwiHiQUSR96-8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70258083/962401528.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Jurgen Klopp and Steven Gerrard are approaching today’s match with zero sentimentality, and Liverpool supporters should do the same.</p> <p id="b09Vs6">In case you’ve been hiding in a deep, dark cave without any internet connection, first of all, welcome back, we’re still in a global pandemic and everything still kind of sucks. Secondly, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> legend Steven Gerrard has taken over managing duties of <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa</a>, and is set for an Anfield return this afternoon. Third, don’t be like the entire Spurs squad, and get vaccinated. </p>
<p id="aCWgSb">Anyway, Stevie G has gotten off to a pretty good start in his Premier League managerial career; he has 3 wins out of 4, with the 1 loss being to league leaders <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>. Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp would like to hand Gerrard his second loss, and keep pace with City in the process. </p>
<p id="niVTyL">“There will be no person inside this stadium today more keen to keep the focus entirely on the match itself than Steven,” Kloppo wrote in his match program notes. “This is a tough column to write in many respects, because of course it is important to acknowledge what a significant moment it is having him return today but at the same time not lose sight of the fact that for 90 minutes we are opponents.</p>
<p id="FAgWrB">“It’s fantastic news for the Premier League to have Steven Gerrard in our competition as a manager. Typical of him, he has done everything properly on his path to such a terrific club like Villa.</p>
<p id="QkmtBx">“I remember the discussion we had when it was very early in his coaching career and we talked about the most suitable role at LFC for that to begin. Stevie chose a tough route. He didn’t want shortcuts. He wanted to be judged on the work he did as a coach and U18s manager. I can’t begin to tell you how much respect I had for him in how he went about that.</p>
<p id="OXfONP">“And then, his first senior job was far from being a holiday. The expectation and history of a great club like Rangers could have been difficult for a lesser leader, but he made them better each season and eventually he made them champions.</p>
<p id="HCaLiT">“Steven is the professional he is and has had the career he has had, until now, because he has always had focus on one thing: winning!”</p>
<p id="DNgUmf">It’s only natural to have mixed feelings about Gerrard roaming the touchline for another Premier League club. However, he still has a long way to go to prove that he is a manager capable of leading Liverpool (i.e. one of the world’s best). </p>
<p id="mL4AVH">Hopefully Liverpool will make that long way just a bit longer, and send him and the Villains back to Birmingham with nothing to show for it. </p>
<p id="t51zOh">It is a football cliché at this point, but no one person should be bigger than the club. Gerrard and Klopp are two people who come close to testing that cliché, but both still fall well short. </p>
<p id="PytKuJ">Personally, I hope Reds are ready to celebrate each and every goal for Liverpool today. And I hope Liverpool give them plenty to celebrate. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/12/11/22829162/liverpool-fc-klopp-talk-reds-need-ready-fight-against-villa-gerrard-epl-man-city-title-race-anfieldZachary Marx2021-12-10T16:30:00+00:002021-12-10T16:30:00+00:00Liverpool vs. Aston Villa: Premier League 2021-22 Preview and Team News
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<img alt="Ex Captain of Liverpool Steven Gerrard with Manager Jurgen Klopp during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on December 12, 2015 in Liverpool, England." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3VQN9VFOBY5_I7FfVA7ZaWz9fiY=/0x171:3000x2171/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70255090/501106802.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ex Captain of Liverpool Steven Gerrard with Manager Jurgen Klopp during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on December 12, 2015 in Liverpool, England. | Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool look to make it 21 points from their last seven consecutive matches as Steven Gerrard returns to Anfield</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="h.pjc3l4663stt">
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<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></a><strong> VS. </strong><a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com"><strong>ASTON VILLA</strong></a>
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<h5 id="h.lazk37c6ugo4"><strong>| Saturday, December 11th |</strong></h5>
<h5 id="fzFXcW"><strong>Premier League | Anfield</strong></h5>
<h5 id="jiQ4uX"><strong>3PM GMT/10AM EST</strong></h5>
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<p id="g23Il5">Aston Villa come into this match in 10th position, having won three of their last five (losing to <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> 2-1 last time out, and also losing 4-1 to <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham</a> United). </p>
<p id="EbNc0a">Villa’s leading scorers are Ollie Watkins and 20-year-old Cameron Archer (both on four goals in all competitions), while John McGinn and Danny Ings (on three goals each) will provide a known threat. </p>
<p id="OukKmT">Steven Gerrard’s Villa are well-organized and, coming off of a longer rest than Liverpool, will look to prove themselves against a top side. The Reds can expect a well-drilled unit who will be resolute and well-prepared. They do give up chances, however, and Liverpool seem delighted to take chances this season.</p>
<p id="T1ssXR">Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey are out for Villa, but Danny Ings is back in training and others who took knocks recently are likely to be back for the weekend. Gerrard has spoken about having to manage Ings’s workload, so it’s unclear whether he’ll feature amidst this busy schedule.</p>
<p id="elTq7K">While this game arrives absolutely drenched in narrative, Liverpool will hope to put it to bed early, and then Anfield can receive Gerrard with pomp.</p>
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<h5 id="h.8y1ddc6lu7ub"><strong>Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="QweMuO">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Keïta; Salah, Origi, Mané</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="apd5mA">
<p id="HiKlnf">Diogo Jota is on a cautionary training pause after “feeling something” versus Wolves (which is why he didn’t reprise his “why’s Jürgen Klopp starting him in a meaningless group match?” role midweek), but he’s not been ruled out against Villa (depending on whether he trains today).</p>
<p id="zHQM2L">Curtis Jones remains out with his weird eye injury from training, and both Harvey Elliot and Adrian remain out with injury. Roberto Firmino has returned to training, and Naby Keïta is back as well, having started on the bench at the San Siro. Quietly, Liverpool are returning to full strength.</p>
<p id="6yE6Bw">Given Jota’s uncertain injury moment and Firmino’s recent return (and their importance over this month), we might see Divock Origi reprise his goal-scoring role as a means to manage fitness elsewhere — and given his all around form of late I don’t think anyone can complain if he does. </p>
<p id="Y3X85L">Liverpool took 18 points from a possible 18 in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> group stage, and did so while resting most of the first team, which puts them in a good pace head of Villa’s visit. While December will feature some rotation, it’s possible that this match might be one of the more familiar line-ups for the month.</p>
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<h5 id="h.rk2313z4jjtm"><strong>What the Managers Had to Say</strong></h5>
<p id="ZKBRmO"><strong>Jurgen Klopp</strong>: “I know [Gerrard] said ‘no sentiment’, he’s an experienced coach, but he has no idea how it will feel when he steps into the stadium/dugout. I had a similar thing first time I went back to Mainz.”</p>
<p id="cl1nKQ"><strong>Steven Gerrard</strong>: “[Returning to Anfield] brings a smile to my face because I’ve got the opportunity to go there and compete against a good team, a good manager, with the opportunity to try and win the game. And that’s my only main focus.”</p>
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<h5 id="h.nz6w2xtc9f2q"><strong>The Officials</strong></h5>
<p id="yKUDsl"><strong>Referee: </strong>Stuart Attwell <strong>Assistants: </strong>Harry Lennard, Simon Long <strong>Fourth Official:</strong> Graham Scott <strong>VAR:</strong> Lee Mason <strong>Assistant VAR: </strong>Simon Beck</p>
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<p id="8WY0ZM">Kickoff is set for 3PM GMT/10AM EST tomorrow. In the meantime, The Liverpool Offside team will keep you updated with all of the team news and match buildup as it becomes available, along with providing a matchday liveblog and post-match recaps and reaction. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account and have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/12/10/22827871/liverpool-aston-villa-epl-2021-match-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineupsMari Murphy2021-12-10T14:41:20+00:002021-12-10T14:41:20+00:00“We Can’t Really Let Our Feelings Get Involved”: Trent Alexander-Arnold on Facing Steven Gerrard’s Squad
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L2_xPbs_esy4RylRF3UUZb8bKvk=/0x0:2231x1487/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70254445/1358112323.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool face Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend, and emotions might run high. But the squad remains focused.</p> <p id="ma66GJ">Fresh off of winning both <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s and the Premier League’s Player of the Month awards, Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to face Steven Gerrard’s <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa</a> tomorrow. When asked about facing his childhood hero on the touchline, he <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Falexander-arnold-gerrards-return-and-must-win-villa-clash&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2021%2F12%2F10%2F22827665%2Fcant-really-let-our-feelings-get-involved-trent-alexander-arnold-on-facing-steven-gerrards-squad" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">emphasized </a>how focused the squad is on getting a win. </p>
<p id="tbWuK6">On keeping their eyes on the prize, i.e., winning the game:</p>
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<p id="Qn7p7y">“It will be strange. The fans, it will obviously bring back a lot of memories for them. It will be good for him to return to where it all happened for him personally. As players and people who are so close to it, we can’t really let our feelings get involved. </p>
<p id="7FVGqK">“For me, growing up him being such an influential person for me – watching him and admiring him so much – I need to try to put that to one side and focus on the game and it’s about winning that game, that’s all that matters.”</p>
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<p id="543Pga">On what Steven Gerrard has meant to him:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="faJWKu">“Someone who made a lot happen. Someone I massively looked up to. The heart and soul of the club for many years, someone who embodied everything about the club. Someone it was really hard not to look up to; I think even opposition fans and people who wanted to hate him, you had to respect what he was doing on the pitch. </p>
<p id="4i4KTS">“Showed a level of consistency not many players can, over a long, long period of time. There was a lot for me, growing up, that I admired about him.”</p>
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<p id="YW8Qbp">On getting to learn from Gerrard while he was an Academy player:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="kAor5d">“He was coming down now and then to do his coaching badges. It was good to get an insight into his way of life and obviously the way he saw the game. It was important for me to try to learn and study, and good to pick his brain from time to time and learn from him really. </p>
<p id="Hk5YW5">“At a young age not many people get the chance to meet their heroes and effectively be trained and taught by them. It was massive for me, I was grateful for that.”</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/12/10/22827665/cant-really-let-our-feelings-get-involved-trent-alexander-arnold-on-facing-steven-gerrards-squadAvantika Goswami2021-12-09T20:00:00+00:002021-12-09T20:00:00+00:00Roberto Firmino Back in Training Following Hamstring Injury
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XyeZY8R3Qj65FanwFxhfNQcvrWA=/0x129:4389x3055/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70251253/1358109540.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool forward took part in training today but is likely still a little bit away from returning to action.</p> <p id="mmAvnM">When Roberto Firmino had to be replaced after just 33 minutes of action against <a href="https://www.intothecalderon.com">Atletico Madrid</a> at the start of November, manager Jürgen Klopp described the injury as “not good” and warned that the Brazilian could face a length spell on the sidelines.</p>
<p id="2NyMpx">Today, a little more than a month later, the forward returned to training with his teammates for the first time, providing a boost for Klopp with Africa Cup of Nations looming in January—and with it the loss of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané for a month.</p>
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OeRDNjn3Qt7EGGC9wtrrImA-B8w=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23076456/1358111368.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Firmino in training on December 9th.</figcaption>
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<p id="cSUB9J">However, it’s unlikely Firmino will be ready for this Saturday and <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa,</a> with Klopp saying he was still “a couple of weeks” away from a return at the end of November, meaning a mid-week bench appearance against <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com">Newcastle </a>would be more likely.</p>
<p id="9F5ldU">Failing that, Liverpool’s next game comes on Sunday, December 19th against Tottenham before they finish out the calendar year with a League Cup quarter final against Leicester and league matches against Leeds, Leicester again, and Chelsea</p>
<p id="N5cLo6">In other injury news—or perhaps non-news—Harvey Elliott continues to work on his recovery with a return to training some time in the new year still the target, while Curtis Jones remains absent following an eye injury in training last month.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/12/9/22826489/roberto-firmino-returns-training-hamstring-liverpool-injury-update-harvey-elliott-curtis-jonesNoel Chomyn2021-12-06T14:18:54+00:002021-12-06T14:18:54+00:00Klopp Talk: “We Have to Rotate and We Will Rotate”
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<img alt="Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YL8lzxXMoOMgm7RPCUlfBKXnsOM=/451x388:1831x1308/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70234483/1357336821.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager is promising rotation for Tuesday’s game against AC Milan—but says he won’t change the entire starting eleven.</p> <p id="DMmm9q">With <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> winning their <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> group after just four games, there was expectations for rotation in game five against FC Porto. In the end, though, while there were some changes it was still a strong side.</p>
<p id="X8VtZm">Now, the question is how many first team regulars will face <a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> in the final group game given there’s only pride and prize money left to play for, and manager Jürgen Klopp is again saying there will be at least some changes.</p>
<p id="rzrFyY">“We have to rotate and we will rotate, that’s clear,” Klopp stated at his pre-match press conference. “The medical department would smash me if we played the same side again and we know that we will make changes.</p>
<p id="ykIQyV">“But it’s always like this—when you get fresh legs in you can play a higher energy game and have a better game—and I cannot change everyone. We need to still have players on the pitch and the players all understand this.”</p>
<p id="3HGIoM">Liverpool started an unchanged side against Wolves over the weekend following their mid-week league match against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a>. Next up domestically, <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa</a> and new manager Steven Gerrard head to Anfield on Saturday.</p>
<p id="gqu069">Few would complain if Klopp named an entirely changed side, but between his words and past selections it’s likely a few will keep their places. It will be interesting to see which do—and if they can start again on the weekend.</p>
<p id="znk6Oo">“We want to field the best possible squad for the situation we’re in,” he added “We’ve played five games in the last 14 days which is a lot and after the Milan game we play a similar amount of games in a similar amount of time.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/12/6/22820226/jurgen-klopp-have-to-rotate-will-rotate-champions-league-ac-milan-premier-league-fixture-congestionNoel Chomyn