The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2021-22 Match Coverage: Burnley vs. LiverpoolZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2022-02-13T19:30:00+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/226957982022-02-13T19:30:00+00:002022-02-13T19:30:00+00:00Digging Deeper Into Liverpool’s Ugly Win Over Burnley
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<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn’t one of Liverpool’s best performances in the blustery conditions at Turf Moor, but the Reds managed the game well to earn the win. </p> <p id="egbbkV">Playing against Burnley is always a frustrating experience, especially during poor weather conditions at Turf Moor(dor). During rainy, blustery conditions, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> struggled to sustain consistent control over the game during the first half in particular. The illusion of a series of good chances for Burnley, aided by very late offside flags, made it feel like the game was on a knife’s edge. Liverpool used a set piece goal, and the second half introduction of Thiago to earn all three points and keep within touching distance of <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>.</p>
<p id="AFP7YI">Let’s take a look at some of the winners, losers, and other narratives around the game.</p>
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<h2 id="sXLY7C"><strong>Winners</strong></h2>
<p id="aRXUN4"><strong>Fabinho</strong><br>The Brazilian holding midfielder has not been known for his goal scoring prowess outside of an odd howitzer from long distance. Fabinho has been in a rare run of form in front of goal of late, however, and scored again today, tucking the ball in after a chance created from a corner kick. He now has six goals on the season in all competitions, with five of those goals coming in the last seven games. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fab. Fifth goal in his last seven games. <br><br>Had four for the club prior to that.</p>— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) <a href="https://twitter.com/BassTunedToRed/status/1492871805488533509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2022</a>
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<p id="5oGOnc"><strong>Set Piece Supremacy</strong><br>Speaking of the goal, it was Liverpool’s 14th goal of the Premier League season coming from a set piece delivery. They lead the league in goals off of set pieces, ahead of Manchester City (12) and Chelsea (10).</p>
<p id="NgNr0i"><strong>Thiago</strong><br>Thiago only came on in the 58th minute, but his presence was immediately felt. He was able to break Burnley’s line with his sensational long passing, including a couple highlight reel diagonal balls that are pretty much the norm for him. He was also his usual calm, assured self on the ball when in tight spaces. adding composure the the midfield that had been lacking in the first half. His ability to read the game and get into good defensive spots to force passes away from dangerous areas also was on show, with Burnley being limited to one shot on target after he came on.</p>
<p id="SsT4Hf"><strong>The High Defensive Line</strong><br>Commentators always seem to like pointing out Liverpool’s high defensive line and how it can be exploited. With an aggressive goalkeeper in Alisson, coupled with the speedy and smart center backs in Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, gives Liverpool license to play the riskier high line to compress the field. Today, Liverpool caught Burnley offside seven times. Due to a series of ridiculously late offside flags (more on the at later), it made it look like Burnley were creating chances off of the high line, but in reality, they weren’t.</p>
<p id="JjPASD"><strong>Alisson</strong><br>The Brazilian goalkeeper has to be the best 1v1 keeper in the world right now. He quickly came off of his line time after time to deny a Burnley chance with some sensational saves. Granted, the vast majority of them were eventually whistled for offside, but he did make an very smart save from close range from a set piece. He also came out several times to win the ball with his head or feet, including a sequence where he dribbled 1v1 for a good 10-15 seconds before deciding to put the ball out for a throw.</p>
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<h2 id="h.cx6ijpcl12xk"><strong>Losers</strong></h2>
<p id="vz26VR"><strong>Jordan Henderson</strong><br>Coming straight back into the team after a back issue, the Liverpool captain looked well from his best form on the day. He had some poor touches that led to turnovers, including one where he made a lunging tackle that earned him a yellow card and cleat studs to his knee. His passing was lacking as well, completing only 50%, and missing badly on some attempted through balls. The game changed significantly when he came off for Thiago. His leadership is always essential, but with so many strong midfield options, Henderson will need to regain his top form to ensure a place in the starting lineup.</p>
<p id="j80CbW"><strong>Late Offside Flags</strong><br>Look, I like the idea of late offside flags for marginal calls. In practice, however, the flags seem to be held down for even the most obvious of offside calls, leading to a continence of play that can be dangerous with 1v1 chances between keepers and attackers colliding, or desperation tackles coming in from behind. Against Burnley, there were quite a few clear cut offside calls that were held, forcing Alisson to come out to make sliding stops on attacking players. From a viewing perspective, it also provided a false narrative that Burnley were generating some very good chances when most of them, in fact, were offside.</p>
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<h2 id="umQtkD"><strong>From the Manager</strong></h2>
<p id="qYhoQB">“I am absolutely delighted with the way we played the circumstances, it was so tricky. Only if you stood on the pitch I think you could really feel the wind to the whole extent, because where we were in front of the stand, it didn’t feel that bad but on the pitch it was ridiculous because it came from all directions.”</p>
<p id="qQG454">-Jurgen Klopp on the conditions at Turf Moor</p>
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<h2 id="n36grf"><strong>What Happens Next</strong></h2>
<p id="fTZjR0">Liverpool are fully into yet another busy stretch of the season, with matches in all four competitions being played in February. Liverpool will head to the San Siro to take on <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> in the first leg of the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> Round of 16 on Wednesday. They will return home to Anfield next Saturday to host Norwich in the Premier League.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2022/2/13/22931902/digging-deeper-into-liverpools-ugly-win-over-burnley-fabinho-thiago-jordan-henderson-pl-22Cruyff Turns Anonymous2022-02-13T11:00:00+00:002022-02-13T11:00:00+00:00Burnley vs. Liverpool: How to Watch and Liveblog
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<img alt="Arsenal v Liverpool - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uJ1kPIyXM9MeU-14KnnX5DeP0pg=/0x0:3431x2287/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70503715/1237877172.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Live coverage of Liverpool’s Premier League match against Burnley with team news, television and streaming options, and an updated liveblog throughout the match.</p> <h2 id="h.xqab99p4bm2r"><strong>BURNLEY VS. LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
<h5 id="nwnFTU">| Sunday, Feb 13 |<br>Premier League | Turf Moor<br>2:00PM GMT / 9:00AM EST</h5>
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<h2 id="JLJx5W"><strong>PREVIEW & HOW TO WATCH</strong></h2>
<p id="4D7hjx"><strong>Full Match Preview:</strong> <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2022/2/12/22930028/burnley-vs-liverpool-epl-2022-match-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups">Burnley vs. Liverpool</a> </p>
<p id="lbrR4X"><strong>Television:</strong> Sky Sports Main Event (UK); Peacock (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 MaXimo 1 (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport MaXimo 1 (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="Xuu3zS"><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) /<a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.web.plus.espn.com%2Fc%2F482924%2F651866%2F9070%3Fsharedid%3DTheLiverpoolOffside&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGDXzYDKPKpbyD3PzD26EvKlCUgsQ"> ESPN+</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="KMv0M7"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">⭐ ⭐ <br><br>Here’s how we line up for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BURLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BURLIV</a> this afternoon </p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1492846022963388417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2022</a>
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<h2 id="Lk8u7v"><strong>BURNLEY</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Our starting line-up to face <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BURLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BURLIV</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SpreadexSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpreadexSport</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UTC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UTC</a> <a href="https://t.co/QcIRLPkWwQ">pic.twitter.com/QcIRLPkWwQ</a></p>— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1492846050759122948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2022</a>
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<p id="YOiBC3"> </p>
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<h2 id="02L6Qq"><strong>THE LIVERPOOL OFFSIDE MATCHDAY LIVEBLOG</strong></h2>
<p id="s43Vj4"><em>Liveblog will begin prior to kick-off.</em></p>
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<h2 id="IyZBS3"><strong>JOIN THE TLO COMMUNITY</strong></h2>
<p id="ULAv35">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, Champions League, and domestic cups along with breaking news, insight and opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2022/2/13/22931495/burnley-vs-liverpool-premier-league-2021-22-coverage-liveblog-and-how-to-watch-onlineAvantika GoswamiCruyff Turns Anonymous2022-02-13T03:00:00+00:002022-02-13T03:00:00+00:00Klopp Hints At Milner Extension
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<img alt="Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ehpNDpYGGzjpyTrb2bdc1z8Fgzs=/0x0:4774x3183/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70503241/1236526711.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Milly isn’t retiring, at least.</p> <p id="qytNR3">James Milner’s current contract is set to be expire at the end of the season. The common assumption has been that Milner will leave the club, but in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Burnley match, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> manager Jurgen Klopp hinted that Milner could sign a new deal.</p>
<p id="zvktLc">“There are talks but, how always, we usually don’t comment further on that. There’s no reason for it. But yes, of course – I am in talks, the club is in talks with Millie, we will see.”</p>
<p id="T8YslG">Klopp added: “There’s no chance Millie will retire next year, he is desperate to play on. And I understand it, to be honest, because life after careers – when you are lucky enough to stay healthy – are much longer than your career, so you should extend your career as long as you can, if you can play football better than other things.</p>
<p id="kWzeui">“Millie will be fine after his career as well but he obviously loves what he is doing and he will play football next year definitely.”</p>
<p id="HA6JUW">Milner retiring at Liverpool makes a lot of sense, hopefully he sticks around and coaches at the club too.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2022/2/13/22931116/klopp-hints-at-milner-extension-liverpool-epl-2022Mark Kastner2022-02-12T17:30:00+00:002022-02-12T17:30:00+00:00Preview: Burnley vs. Liverpool
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<img alt="Liverpool v Burnley - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hBfqKI9nXLsJUscIAMX2m2zluDY=/0x658:3340x2885/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70502140/1335899436.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool head to Turf Moor to take on bottom of the table Burnley to continue their long shot title challenge.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="vEFZgp">
<h1 id="BNZCvT"><strong>BURNLEY VS. LIVERPOOL</strong></h1>
<h5 id="h.lazk37c6ugo4">| Sunday, February 13th |<br>Premier League | Turf Moor<br>2PM GMT/9AM EST</h5>
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<p id="uE0AYT">The battle of the Dutchmen is set to take place on Sunday when Liverpool visit Turf Moor to take on Burnley, led by their new Dutch attacker, Wout Weghorst. Weghorst already won the contest with Harry Maguire when the Clarets played out a draw against Manchester United in midweek. His next challenge will be fellow countryman Virgil van Dijk, who is, unfortunately for Weghorst, no Harry Maguire. </p>
<p id="NSS8Pm">The heat is on for both teams, though for different reasons. Liverpool are nine points behind Manchester City at the top of the table with one game in hand. Burnley, on the other end, are propping up the table, but they’re only four points behind 17th placed Newcastle United with two games in hand. Neither team can afford to lose points as they push on towards their own goals. </p>
<p id="uFiBPA">Sean Dyche and Jürgen Klopp have both overseen a strong run of form for their respective teams since the new year. Liverpool have won their last five games in all competitions, earning themselves a place in the Carabao Cup final and overtaking Chelsea for second place in the league. Burnley have come back from multiple Covid-related problems and are undefeated in their last three league games, managing draws against United, Arsenal, and most crucially, relegation zone roommates Watford. </p>
<p id="O9Ygip">Luis Diáz has made a big impression on Liverpool fans in the two games he’s played for the team since joining. This means that Klopp is spoiled for choice in attack at the moment, with both Mohamed Salah and AFCON-winner Sadio Mané returning to the team after their month away, as well as Harvey Elliott being newly fit and firing.</p>
<p id="u7V2om">This is good, because matches against Burnley have been low-scoring affairs on both ends this season. Two of their last three ended in scoreless draws, while Thursday’s game against United blew the roof of the place with a rousing one goal a piece. The Clarets have scored nine goals at Turf Moor in the league this season and allowed in 10 from their visitors. They’re undefeated in their last six home matches, with a record of one win and five draws. </p>
<p id="tIJFno">If Liverpool’s talented attacking line find a way to get one into the back of the net, that might be all they need to bring home the three points. </p>
<p id="0bsfT7">It feels as though Klopp’s team is coming together at the perfect time. Every league game is crucial, the Reds are set to play their first cup final since Madrid, and the Champions League knockout rounds kick off next week. </p>
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<p id="h.8y1ddc6lu7ub">Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</p>
<p id="8VFcpI">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Jota, Diaz</p>
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<p id="yABvGr">Klopp has a full house to choose from right now, but he’ll have one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League match against Inter. Diogo Jota scored both of Liverpool’s goals against Leicester City at midweek, so he will have earned his place over Roberto Firmino in the starting line-up. Mané has returned, but Klopp may choose to rest him for this one. </p>
<p id="nsPu9F">Jordan Henderson is fit to play after suffering a back injury against Cardiff City in the FA Cup, but the midfield is another area where Klopp has plenty of choices. Thiago, Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Curtis Jones are all ready if Klopp decides to play them. Thiago started midweek, his first start since December following a hip injury, so we likely won’t see him starting this one so soon after. </p>
<p id="MRd6Xp">Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Matej Vydra, and Charlie Taylor are all out injured for Sean Dyche. Meanwhile, the manager confirmed that Maxwell Cornet, who went off injured against Manchester United, will be available on Sunday.</p>
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<p id="h.rk2313z4jjtm">What the Managers Had to Say</p>
<p id="P8JOCf"><strong>Jurgen Klopp</strong>: “So, I had the pleasure to watch their Tuesday night game, Burnley against [Manchester] United. And probably this situation explains the Premier League the best, that Burnley is bottom of the table at the moment, even with games in hand I know. But the quality they produced that night was incredible, especially second half; it was the highest intense game, they played pressing high up the pitch, counter-pressing was there, there were a lot of things. It really was a proper team performance.”</p>
<p id="CYxPjk"><strong>Sean Dyche</strong>: “We have a lot of respect for the manager and the team. I appreciate his comments on what we are trying to do. I think a lot of our performances have warranted more than what we have got.”</p>
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<p id="h.nz6w2xtc9f2q">The Officials</p>
<p id="IEexTx"><strong>Referee:</strong> Martin Atkinson. <strong>Assistants: </strong>Gary Beswick, Darren Cann.<strong> Fourth official: </strong>Graham Scott. <strong>VAR:</strong> Darren England. <strong>Assistant VAR: </strong>Dan Robathan.</p>
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<p id="lhuvY9">Kickoff is set for 2PM GMT/9AM 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/2022/2/12/22930028/burnley-vs-liverpool-epl-2022-match-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineupsepicskyline2022-02-11T16:30:00+00:002022-02-11T16:30:00+00:00Sadio Mané Back in Training Following AFCON Heroics
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<img alt="Sadio Mane of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 11, 2022 in Kirkby, England." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LZIEMmwnx4QZTPTVnSM29KQlmJs=/0x105:2660x1878/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70498839/1369970764.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sadio Mane of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 11, 2022 in Kirkby, England. | Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The AFCON winner returned to Liverpool and is back with the squad</p> <p id="lbhYf2">After leading his country to AFCON glory — and taking a few days to celebrate that momentous achievement with Senegalese fans — Sadio Mané is back in training with <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>.</p>
<p id="IZ3n7Q">The attacker trained with the team today and is in contention for the match against Burnley on Sunday. Jordan Henderson, who missed out against <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester</a> with a minor back issue, was back in training as well.</p>
<p id="YIxyW4">As it stands, Liverpool thus have a full-strength squad for the weekend’s match, giving manager Jürgen Klopp the right kind of problems when it comes to decision-making. </p>
<p id="l2Tgn0">Before Leicester the manager <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2022/2/9/22925183/jurgen-klopp-cant-remember-having-fully-fit-squad-before-career-leicester-city-epl-henderson-mane">noted</a> that he “can’t remember any time” he’s had a fully fit squad, so this might well be a landmark in his career — though the congested fixture schedule might make rotation a priority ahead of Wednesday’s Champion’s League first leg against <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a>. </p>
<p id="nJF1hb">Of course, the spread of games is as positive as it could be when it comes to recovery, as Sunday-Thursday-Sunday-Wednesday following a break is better than what some teams are facing. Inter play on Saturday, and thus have a slightly longer rest period than the Reds ahead of the away leg in Milan. </p>
<p id="3MNTJX">While rumors swirl around a potential exit for Sadio Mané, whose contract expires at the end of next year, at present Liverpool’s squad depth is nothing to scoff at.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2022/2/11/22929505/sadio-mane-back-in-training-following-afcon-heroicsMari Murphy2022-02-10T23:53:46+00:002022-02-10T23:53:46+00:00Klopp Talk: I Will Never Take Something Like Winning 2-0 For Granted
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<img alt="Liverpool v Leicester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X8WCFCIg8vYIt-dxgjRsiiA-2Vw=/0x0:4938x3292/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70495554/1369830915.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Especially when you’re now 9 points away from the top and sticking it to Brendan and the Foxes. </p> <p id="zZdJNq">Cruising to a decently comfortable win against <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester</a> on a Thursday evening wasn’t completely terrible. Diogo Jota scored both goals, one in each half, and new signing Luis Diaz made his first start in a Red shirt in front of the Kop to help along the victory. The Foxes didn’t know what to do with themselves, it seemed, especially as Mohamed Salah came back into the fold from his time away with Egypt. </p>
<p id="rXIbMd">It was a result anyone would be pleased with, including hard to impress Jurgen Klopp. </p>
<p id="z7IoPM">“I am [pleased] because winning 2-0, I will never – and it’s not allowed to – take something like that for granted,” the manager <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/jurgen-klopp-leicester-win-jotas-limit-and-salahs-return">said</a> in his post-match press conference. </p>
<p id="ff6D24">“I saw a lot of good football tonight but there were moments when I wished we would have controlled the game a little bit more, when we gave Leicester at least a bit too much possession.</p>
<p id="AmbBH9"> “It didn’t lead to anything properly, that they had massive chances or things like that, but it costs you kind of energy and we could have invested that in the other direction. But anyhow, it was two wonderful goals, could have scored more and we are the deserved winner. So, I’m really happy about that.” </p>
<p id="LMiRYR">Much has been said of new signing Luis Diaz and Thursday was his first opportunity to show everyone what he’s capable of from the get go. While Klopp is well aware, the comfort that Diaz played with wasn’t unnoticed by the manager. </p>
<p id="DeBADh">“That’s exactly the impression he made in training and that’s why we thought, ‘Come on, let’s give it a try,’” said Klopp of Diaz “looking at home” in the iconic red shirts. </p>
<p id="ZeuJLh">“There were a lot of things when we saw him playing for Porto where we thought, ‘Yes, that’s exactly what we want him to do as well.’ On top of that, he seems to be a really smart football boy, has obviously watched <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> quite a lot. We didn’t overload new players with information in the first week and tell them everything we want them to do, we just have a look. And when we looked at it, it looked like a Liverpool player, that’s true. </p>
<p id="pxE0Pz">“The last few minutes when he came on against Cardiff already, and now the situation was just made for it because Sadio came home only last night and is probably still in bed. And Mo after four times 120 minutes, it was clear he will not start as well. So, just the situation was there and he obviously enjoyed the game.”</p>
<p id="0qHMp0">Now only nine points remain between Liverpool and first place <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>. While City may be stacked, it’s unrealistic to expect them to win every game from now until May, and Liverpool need to be ready to capitalize on whatever points they drop between now and then. Is that something the Red Men can do, though? </p>
<p id="FBgdrc">“I’m not sure we are in a position to get them on their toes, to be honest. But it’s not important in the moment, to be honest. Actually, if we had no chance to catch them, would that mean we shall not try to play the best possible season for us? I can’t see that,” the manager continued. </p>
<p id="AtDXgw">“First and foremost we have to win our football games. This football club is massive and since I’m here I can’t remember a game we lost and everybody said, ‘Yeah, you can lose that game.’ It’s always the same situation: there’s a game, we put on the shirts and then we have to win it. It doesn’t work out all the time but thank God, it happened a couple of times. </p>
<p id="Tfs2VP">“That’s the situation we are in. It was really important for us tonight to win, because there’s not only Man City to catch or whatever, there are a lot of teams in behind us who want to get closer – and that’s a very important task as well.” </p>
<p id="y7Oysg">Integral to that charge will be Diogo Jota, who has so far scored 12 goals in 22 Premier League appearances, and the return of Mohamed Salah from the African Cup of Nations - oh and the winner of that tournament, Sadio Mane. Jota scored both goals against Leicester on Thursday, easing the tension a bit both times with his strikes - something he has a knack for. </p>
<p id="WqTxwX">“Absolutely true. I love 1-0s, to be honest… I love 2-0s and 3-0s as well! Yes, I know what you mean. He is obviously in a really [good] goalscoring moment, which is incredibly helpful,” Klopp added of Jota. </p>
<p id="mrhz3f">“It is always helpful, but it was now in the absence of Mo and Sadio extremely helpful. We knew he is good, [but] we had no idea how good – or where – his limit is or where he can go and I am not sure he is already there, he is just improving. If you speak to him you will realise he is a really smart person, so he will judge all that right and then will use that for the next steps.”</p>
<p id="urIfyS">Speaking of Mo, the Egyptian came off the bench today hardly a few days from the AFCON and immediately got to work - something everyone missed, regardless of our results without him. </p>
<p id="em5VJs">“What a quality he has,” Klopp gushed. </p>
<p id="NEHVu3">“I think the first situation was incredible, the counter. The first move was genius; the defender slipped and he walked away. Unfortunately, Kasper Schmeichel is not a bad goalie, so he made an incredible save and the player from behind… OK, we won 2-0, [but] that was a tackle for sure, I am not sure 100 per cent how you will judge that from a ref point of view. Then the crossbar or the edge of the goal, an incredible situation, and the other one I forgot but that’s just Mo. </p>
<p id="UB5QDI">“He had 35 minutes roundabout, it was the idea to bring him early, that we really can use him then. We played a lot of football in the first 55 minutes, so that’s tiring for the opponent as well, and that Mo can then come on gives your game a different dimension and we nearly used that.” </p>
<p id="lONVCz">Liverpool now look ahead to Burnley on Sunday afternoon, with a nearly fully fit squad visit Turf Moore and Sean Dyche’s men (and his worms).</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2022/2/10/22928085/liverpool-fc-team-news-jurgen-klopp-i-will-never-take-winning-for-granted-leicester-cityJordan J. Keeble2022-02-09T14:30:00+00:002022-02-09T14:30:00+00:00Jürgen Klopp “Can’t Remember Any Time” He’s Had a Fully Fit Squad
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vT1pPG_F-YajEPVNKM210X31OKU=/276x151:4569x3013/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70487918/1369359840.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With only Sadio Mané and Jordan Henderson likely missing for Leicester, the Reds are close to having something Klopp isn’t sure he’s ever had before.</p> <p id="OVgi4U"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> will have all their players bar two fit and available to face <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester City</a> on Thursday in Premier League action, with manager Jürgen Klopp revealing the only expected absences are Sadio Mané and Jordan Henderson and that both will be back in short order.</p>
<p id="RLgdov">Mané hasn’t yet returned after leading Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations over the weekend, while Henderson has a minor back issue. Both will likely be available for the match after Leicester, and Klopp isn’t sure he can ever remember having a fully fit squad.</p>
<p id="UesSBe">“I actually can’t remember any time in my career when I had that happen so I’m cautious to talk about it,” Klopp noted at his pre-match press conference. “Hendo has a bit of a back problem from the last game and Sadio’s not here but neither will be an issue long-term.</p>
<p id="Bg8eIe">“So we will have to use that situation and that’s our responsibility now, but as always like in life it’s more important not who plays but how we play and so we’ve had some different lineups and played some good stuff but now we have a job to do and it’s pretty exciting.”</p>
<p id="vjjOhb">Even if injuries are a part of the game and it’s likely the situation won’t last, having a fully fit squad at the start of February should at least set up the Reds well as they push to compete on four fronts, chasing league leaders <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> and still in three cup competitions.</p>
<p id="fnSbU4">The coming weeks will see them play Premier League matches against Leicester, Burnley, Norwich, and <a href="https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com">Leeds</a>, a return to <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> action against <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> in the Round of 16, a fifth round <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> tie against Norwich, and the League Cup final against Chelsea.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2022/2/9/22925183/jurgen-klopp-cant-remember-having-fully-fit-squad-before-career-leicester-city-epl-henderson-maneNoel Chomyn2022-02-07T19:00:00+00:002022-02-07T19:00:00+00:00Harvey Elliott “Buzzing” After Scoring First Liverpool Goal on Return
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<img alt="Liverpool v Cardiff City: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/01teQdKA_6-pp3P1EtU6_1otSzc=/0x119:1936x1410/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70480635/1368983736.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Having missed half the season with an ankle injury, Elliott returned in impressive fashion against Cardiff on Sunday.</p> <p id="L6itfE">Last summer, everyone knew that in Harvey Elliott, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> had one of England’s top talents knocking on the first team door.</p>
<p id="X6ZTCJ">Still, it’s likely that nobody expected the 18-year-old would establish himself as a regular in Jürgen Klopp’s side as quickly as he did. Excitement over his quick ascension soon gave way to concern and disappointment, though.</p>
<p id="Mik0wg">A dislocated ankle suffered in a bad tackle against <a href="https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com">Leeds United</a> meant the talented youngster would miss at least half the season. On Sunday, Elliott returned, looking as though he’d never left—and scoring his first Liverpool goal.</p>
<p id="7y2r7h">“It’s a dream come true,” Elliott <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Fharvey-elliott-reveals-emotional-reaction-when-making-anfield-return&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2022%2F2%2F7%2F22921482%2Fharvey-elliott-buzzing-video-first-liverpool-goal-return-ankle-injury-3-1-cardiff-fa-cup-2022" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">said</a> after the match as he reflected on a very successful return to action. “To come back from a horrible injury like that in quick time and to come here and score in front of the fans, I’m just buzzing. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.</p>
<p id="jlkyzl">“It all happened so quick, to be honest. I didn’t really think about it. I swivelled, had a shot and it went in and I was off celebrating. It all happened so quick but I saw a little replay of the goal and I’m proud of it.”</p>
<p id="10dy64">Next up for Elliott and Liverpool are league games against <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com">Leicester</a> and Burnley before they turn their attention back to Europe and, at the end of the month, the League Cup final. And it seems certain that, now that he’s back, Elliott will have a key role to play.</p>
<p id="aqzoun">“The injury came and I knew it would be a lengthy time out,” he added. “To be out here and play at Anfield [again], it’s a dream come true to be honest. Stepping out onto the pitch, when I ran out as a sub, it did bring a little tear to my eye.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A thing of beauty from Harvey Elliott <a href="https://t.co/Ub9YgkYIBo">pic.twitter.com/Ub9YgkYIBo</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1490323842602000387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2022/2/7/22921482/harvey-elliott-buzzing-video-first-liverpool-goal-return-ankle-injury-3-1-cardiff-fa-cup-2022Noel Chomyn