Tag: Curtis Jones

  • Before the Liverpool final, Paul Merson makes a daring prediction about Chelsea amid Curtis Jones’s allegations.

    Before the Liverpool final, Paul Merson makes a daring prediction about Chelsea amid Curtis Jones’s allegations.

    Before the Liverpool final, Paul Merson makes a daring prediction about Chelsea amid Curtis Jones's allegations.

    As Chelsea and Liverpool square off for the first trophy of the season, Paul Merson has shared his prediction for the Carabao Cup final.

    Paul Merson thinks Chelsea can win this weekend’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley by taking advantage of Liverpool’s injury woes. On Sunday, the teams will square off for the first trophy of the season in a rematch of the 2022 championship game, which Liverpool prevailed in on penalties.

    Many first-team players, such as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota, are out for the Reds. Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Darwin Núñez will be called up at a later date. When the teams played at Anfield barely a month ago, Liverpool easily won 4-1, and Chelsea has only lost once since.

    Following his team’s victory over Luton in the middle of the week, Jürgen Klopp hinted that Chelsea would be the favourites on Sunday. In his press conference following the game, he stated: “Since we played, Chelsea has improved a lot and it will be tricky.”

    And Merson thinks the Blues can win if they learn from Arsenal, particularly now that Jones is sidelined due to injury. Jorginho helped the Gunners break Liverpool’s winning streak by controlling the midfield and preventing any counterattacks.

    Before the Liverpool final, Paul Merson makes a daring prediction about Chelsea amid Curtis Jones's allegations.

    “Playing against Man City in the draw last weekend suited Chelsea,” Merson said to Sky Sports. You are aware that the back will have holes. When playing Chelsea, you always have a chance. If you make the correct pass on the counter, you may cause a lot of trouble.

    “I don’t believe Liverpool is the target of it. With regard to Chelsea’s counterattack, the Reds will be more astute. Chelsea needs to overcome Liverpool’s media. The other week, Arsenal defeated the Emirates multiple times while Jorginho was on the team.

    “I’m not sure if Chelsea’s squad includes that Jorginho member. Enzo Fernández is on it; if he can play for Chelsea the way Jorginho played for Arsenal that day, Chelsea will win. I believe Chelsea prevails in that midfield contest if Curtis Jones isn’t available.”

    Although Jones has been playing well lately and his absence at Wembley will be felt, Liverpool should have enough midfield players. This is according to Liverpool.com. Wataru Endō and Alexis Mac Allister will be crucial players, and in light of Klopp’s injury concerns, Ryan Gravenberch might also be included.

    A few weeks back, Liverpool destroyed Chelsea at Anfield, and Fernández was especially silent. If he is to dominate that part of the pitch on Sunday, he will need to do considerably better. Jones’ absence does not guarantee that Chelsea will have an easy time in the middle of the pitch.

    More news…..

    “Sparkling” Liverpool youngster will help ease the Reds’ injury crisis when Klopp calls him up to the senior team.

    Report: Xabi Alonso response to Liverpool job after contact made Xabi Alonso, a legend of Liverpool, has been linked to a return to Anfield ever since Jurgen Klopp made his departure known. According to reports, Liverpool has gotten in touch with Xabi Alonso to gauge his interest in succeeding Jurgen Klopp after the German retires this summer. The French publication Foot Mercato has confirmed this, chasing rumours that linked the Bayer Leverkusen manager to a reunion with his old team nearly as soon as Klopp declared his choice last month. During his time at Anfield, Alonso was a hugely popular player. Under Rafa Benitez, his elegant midfield stylings were crucial to their victories in the 2005 Champions League, the 2006 FA Cup, and their most convincing Premier League run to date, which ended in a narrow loss to Manchester United in 2009. After leaving the team that summer, Alonso spent his last seasons at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He then turned to coaching, beginning his managerial career with Real Sociedad B until joining Leverkusen in 2022. The former Spanish international is currently leading the team to their first-ever Bundesliga championship after doing admirably in the role. After defeating Bayern of second place 3-0 on Saturday, Leverkusen leads the table by five points with 13 games remaining and an undefeated record. It makes sense, then, that Alonso has played coy about the speculations that he is interested in joining Liverpool, stating only that he is content with his current position and committed to finishing the task at hand. In Foot Mercato's reporting, that position has been reaffirmed without specific quotations, implying that they have independently investigated the matter. Although Liverpool leads the table by just two points above Manchester City and Arsenal—the latter of which has a game in hand—Jurgen Klopp is hoping to end his career on a high note. Next weekend, Liverpool will play Chelsea in the League Cup final at Wembley before taking on Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round. Next Friday, they will also find out who their opponents are in the Europa League round of 16.

    “Sparkling” Liverpool youngster will help ease the Reds’ injury crisis when Klopp calls him up to the senior team.

    Liverpool’s injury situation has only gotten worse recently, but the team may already have one hot prospect on staff.

    According to Liverpool World, Kaide Gordon will be added to the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s Premier League match against Luton, even though a number of senior forwards have been listed as absent.

    With the absence of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Mo Salah tomorrow, Jurgen Klopp will only have access to Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo as senior forwards.

    Despite experiencing significant injury setbacks in his early career, Gordon has recovered to play in the first team twice this season, the most recent coming as a late substitution in the 4-0 victory against Bournemouth one month ago.

    Kaide Gordon

    Since then, he has been playing for Liverpool’s under-21 team at an incredible rate. Before scoring in the team’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday, he assisted in three straight games. Barry Lewtas, the academy coach, has praised him for his “sparkling” recent performances (Liverpool World).

    The 19-year-old may start on the bench against Luton, with Harvey Elliott being chosen to start on the right side of attack. It is unclear if the teenager will be trusted to start right away in the lineup.

    But Gordon may think he can have a similar effect if Klopp calls on him after seeing how Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley have thrived since being given their chance in the starting lineup this season.

    Liverpool may have the perfect answer to their injury problems right in front of them if the manager is asked for his name during the pre-game news conference this afternoon.

  • Concerning updates of Alisson, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota’s injuries for Liverpool

    Concerning updates of Alisson, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota’s injuries for Liverpool

    Concerning updates of Alisson, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota's injuries for Liverpool

    For the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool will be without Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, and Alisson. Journalists will be updating the injury report.

    After the 4-1 victory over Brentford, the Reds’ injury situation is becoming dire as two more players are out.

    After being ejected from the game, Jones and Jota are now expected to miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, according to numerous reports.

    Following preliminary scans for issues with the ankle and knee, respectively, Liverpool is reportedly “awaiting further tests before determining exactly how much time the duo will be [out],” according to Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph.

    Jones and Jota are likely to be out for a long time, so it is not surprising that they will miss the final, which matches Liverpool against Chelsea.

    According to the Portuguese publication Record, Jota’s ligament damage will keep him out of action for almost two months.

    Alisson’s ability to heal from a hamstring issue in time for the March international break has been questioned.

    The goalkeeper may have to play in a “race against time” to make appearances against teams like Man City (March 10) and Everton (March 17), according to Bascombe and Paul Joyce of the Times. He may miss an additional six games.

    Concerning updates of Alisson, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota's injuries for Liverpool

    Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) were already unlikely to make it to the championship game, and Thiago (hamstring) is once more a long-term absentee.

    Ben Doak (MCL), Joel Matip (ACL), and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) are also sidelined with injuries, and Darwin Nunez was substituted at halftime against Brentford because of a muscular problem.

    Nunez and Mohamed Salah have not been updated as of yet, despite rumours in his home country of Egypt that he would miss Wednesday night’s match against Luton.

    More news……

    Report: Xabi Alonso response to Liverpool job after contact made

    Report: Xabi Alonso response to Liverpool job after contact made

    Xabi Alonso, a legend of Liverpool, has been linked to a return to Anfield ever since Jurgen Klopp made his departure known.

    According to reports, Liverpool has gotten in touch with Xabi Alonso to gauge his interest in succeeding Jurgen Klopp after the German retires this summer.

    The French publication Foot Mercato has confirmed this, chasing rumours that linked the Bayer Leverkusen manager to a reunion with his old team nearly as soon as Klopp declared his choice last month.

    During his time at Anfield, Alonso was a hugely popular player. Under Rafa Benitez, his elegant midfield stylings were crucial to their victories in the 2005 Champions League, the 2006 FA Cup, and their most convincing Premier League run to date, which ended in a narrow loss to Manchester United in 2009.

    After leaving the team that summer, Alonso spent his last seasons at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He then turned to coaching, beginning his managerial career with Real Sociedad B until joining Leverkusen in 2022.

    The former Spanish international is currently leading the team to their first-ever Bundesliga championship after doing admirably in the role. After defeating Bayern of second place 3-0 on Saturday, Leverkusen leads the table by five points with 13 games remaining and an undefeated record.

    It makes sense, then, that Alonso has played coy about the speculations that he is interested in joining Liverpool, stating only that he is content with his current position and committed to finishing the task at hand.

    In Foot Mercato’s reporting, that position has been reaffirmed without specific quotations, implying that they have independently investigated the matter.

    Although Liverpool leads the table by just two points above Manchester City and Arsenal—the latter of which has a game in hand—Jurgen Klopp is hoping to end his career on a high note.

    Next weekend, Liverpool will play Chelsea in the League Cup final at Wembley before taking on Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round. Next Friday, they will also find out who their opponents are in the Europa League round of 16.

  • Jurgen Klopp’s reasons for leaving Liverpool becomes clearer following academy development

    Jurgen Klopp’s reasons for leaving Liverpool becomes clearer following academy development

    LIVERPOOL 5-2 NORWICH: The Reds cruised past Norwich at Anfield to advance to the FA Cup’s fifth round, where they will take on Watford or Southampton.

    Jurgen Klopp would much rather it if every Liverpool game from now until the end of the season—especially the ones at Anfield—didn’t become all about him, even if he is almost certainly going to fail in this objective.

    During his press conference after Friday’s shocking announcement, the Reds manager made an effort to silence any talk of him leaving the team until the end of the season, but once more, he must have known what lay ahead of him before to the match against Norwich. then after that, while it was happening. and following it after that.

    Although Klopp has taught Liverpool supporters a lot, he won’t get his wish in this particular instance.

    The most he could hope for was that those who had supported him over the years don’t say anything to show their gratitude. And it ought to be fairly attainable if people simply look at what is currently happening in front of them.

    After learning of his leaving, Jurgen Klopp applauded his players' response and vowed to "fight for everything" for the duration of his tenure.

    After all, Liverpool has a tremendous amount of potential throughout its ranks, as evidenced by the victory over Norwich, in which four players who had been through the academy started and another, Trent Alexander-Arnold, came off the substitute.

    Furthermore, one of those academy players set up four of the five goals. James McConnell, on his first start, set up Curtis Jones for the first goal with a fantastic lofted ball, and Darwin Nunez scored the second goal thanks to the lively Conor Bradley, who has been playing well lately.

    After Virgil van Dijk had headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner for the fourth goal, Bradley drove over a cross for Ryan Gravenberch to make it five from close range. Jones had created the third goal with a long ball from the back that put Diogo Jota in position to do what he does best.

    Bradley, a young Northern Irish player, has not made a mistake since being thrown onto the pitch in the final moments of the FA Cup victory over Arsenal. His presence may ultimately lead to Alexander-Arnold getting the midfield starts that many have been longing for.

    Bradley hasn’t quite been Liverpool’s season highlight, though; that distinction belongs to Jarell Quansah, 21, who on Monday showed off his ability to rake in crosses like Van Dijk. Quansah has produced a number of confident displays at the back. While McConnell is still developing a little bit, Jones has grown into a consistent goal threat from midfield and is among the first names on the squad sheet. He is just 22 years old.

    The main reason Klopp is leaving is because he stated he would only quit the club if he was certain the team was in a healthy enough state for the next manager, and with the young players dotted throughout the lineup, there isn’t a better time for whoever takes over.

  • If a new signing were a midfielder with Jude Bellingham’s numbers, Liverpool supporters would go insane.

    If a new signing were a midfielder with Jude Bellingham’s numbers, Liverpool supporters would go insane.

    If a new signing were a midfielder with Jude Bellingham's numbers, Liverpool supporters would go insane.

    Jude Bellingham was not acquired by Liverpool during the summer. It received a tonne of other new things in its place, but another person deserves more consideration.

    Considering that Jude Bellingham is still in the picture, it could be very optimistic to believe that Kylian Mbappé’s rumoured transfer to Real Madrid will fully sever ties with Liverpool. Even when a transfer transcends the bounds of credibility, the what-might-have-been still has an impact.

    With Bellingham, this is especially evident because Liverpool appeared to have a real chance of closing the deal. Mbappé has been a pipe dream since virtually the very beginning, but there was real shock when the first rumours circulated that the Reds were no longer the front-runners for Borussia Dortmund’s midfield gem.

    It made Liverpool somewhat of a rod for their back. It was inevitable that every new signing would be compared to Bellingham, and every setback would probably be examined through the lens of whether he could have prevented it.

    Thankfully, there haven’t been many setbacks, and the new recruits have done a fantastic job settling in at Liverpool. It’s especially fortunate that Dominik Szoboszlai had such a turbulent first few months because it helped the Reds weather the worst of any Bellingham drama. Fortunately, he has now calmed down a little.

    Nevertheless, the desire for a star turn is returning as the January transfer window opens. To be honest, there was more to Bellingham’s attractiveness for many Liverpool supporters than just his on-field accomplishments. It was the lure of having a true superstar at Anfield.

    In 2020, supporters received Thiago, which was a significant divergence from the customary transfer procedure. That was extremely thrilling, but reality has since set in: due to his age and injury history, which combined seem destined to mean the end of his time at Anfield when his current contract expires, he may be able to be accommodated within the FSG financial framework (although somewhat).

    Bellingham would have been an outstanding operator with much greater potential, a fresh frontier once more. This transfer window’s links to Mbappé demonstrate that desire is still present.

    If a new signing were a midfielder with Jude Bellingham's numbers, Liverpool supporters would go insane.

    However, Liverpool may respond to Bellingham somewhat even if they choose not to purchase a player. It will never appear nearly as spectacular because of the character of many followers, but the Reds are quietly producing a superstar.

    94th percentile for non-penalty goals during the previous year. Helps? 91% of the total. a 98th percentile pass completion rate, but not just by being cautious; progressive passes and carries are both significantly higher in the 90th percentile than the average. Tackles made off the ball are in the 82nd percentile. There would be an unprecedented level of enthusiasm if Liverpool signed Curtis Jones right away.

    All of those FBref stats are contrasted with those of other midfield players in the top five leagues in Europe. According to his biography, Jones is the type of player that excels at every facet of the central midfield position, which is precisely what attracted people to Bellingham.

    Since then, he has significantly increased his goal totals at Real Madrid thanks to Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to play him higher up the pitch. However, there are still a lot of similarities, as Jones ranks in Bellingham’s top 10 using the FBref player comparison tool.

    Surprisingly, he is just the fifth player at Liverpool who is most similar to Bellingham; the top four are secured by Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister. That explains a lot about the Reds’ summertime shift in their recruiting strategies.

    However, Jones may provide the closest equivalent in terms of providing the same kind of all-around midfield profile that Liverpool was so eager to acquire in Bellingham. After being on the outskirts for so long, he’s become quite famous almost by stealth, yet everything seems to have come together quite nicely.

    His profile will rise as he establishes himself as a consistent starter, drawing praise from Liverpool supporters as well as other observers. An England cap is undoubtedly in the works, which might pave the way for Bellingham and him to form a midfield combination. But although January transfer rumours persist, it’s important to keep in mind the enormous quality the team has developed without paying a dime.

  • Liverpool’s transfer news includes FSG’s “move to tie down star” and the scouted ace’s “new release clause.

    Liverpool’s transfer news includes FSG’s “move to tie down star” and the scouted ace’s “new release clause.

    Liverpool's transfer news includes FSG's "move to tie down star" and the scouted ace's "new release clause.

    Liverpool transfer news: Over the following weeks and months, the Reds may prioritise signings over new players, but one player is being watched due to a release clause.

    Right now, Liverpool’s roster appears to be in really decent shape. The fact that Jürgen Klopp’s team is at the top of the Premier League table shows that their roster is in fairly great health, but there are still areas that might be reinforced. Many would believe that not doing so in January would be a wasted opportunity.

    The defence, where injuries have taken a toll and average age is beginning to rise, is the area with the most pressing questions. In the grand scheme of things, Klopp will have to consider the Mohamed Salah situation as well as whether he wants a specialised number six at Liverpool (at least when Wataru Endō has exhausted himself).

    That is primarily about whether or not he travels to Saudi Arabia. It is still necessary to have a discussion about a long-term succession plan, even if Liverpool manages to stave off that threat in the summer and possibly even agrees to a new contract with Salah.

    In light of this, a particular transfer market alternative is being carefully considered, and it won’t hurt to hear about a release clause. However, FSG will want to secure contracts for the talents they currently have, so there may be some action on that front soon. This is Liverpool.com’s assessment of the transfer rumours that have been circulating about the Reds lately.

    Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

    Liverpool's transfer news includes FSG's "move to tie down star" and the scouted ace's "new release clause.

    Looking back, Liverpool’s summer was undoubtedly better than Chelsea’s. However, it seemed at the moment that the Blues were winning races, first for Moisés Caicedo and later for Roméo Lavia.

    Therefore, it was pleasing to witness the Stamford Bridge management team’s chase of Michael Olise come to an abrupt halt. The Frenchman had a $45 million (£35 million/€41 million) release clause activated by Chelsea, but he chose not to sign the new contract with Crystal Palace.

    But now, according to Football Insider, there’s a release provision in the current contract as well. Although its value has soared, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool are not deterred.

    The publication had earlier stated that Liverpool had sent out its “top scouts” to observe Olise. He is thought to be Salah’s heir apparent.

    According to Liverpool.com, there’s no assurance that a trade will be completed just because Olise’s contract has a release clause, as Chelsea discovered. Liverpool, though, is correct to observe with attention.

    Olise’s injury history will be a possible worry, particularly if Liverpool sees him as the ultimate successor to the always available Salah. He is currently out with another hamstring issue. As a matter of fact, there are several other ways in which the two players diverge.

    However, in the post-Salah era, Klopp’s team will need to adapt, and Liverpool may benefit from the wide playmaker’s enormous inventiveness. It has the ability to feed on that service in the rest of the attack, at least theoretically.

    Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

    Liverpool's transfer news includes FSG's "move to tie down star" and the scouted ace's "new release clause.

    An attempt to extend Curtis Jones’ contract is expected from Liverpool. That’s what Anfield Watch says.

    Jones’s contract is set to expire in2027, so a renewal is hardly the most urgent issue on paper. He is one of the first team’s lowest paid players, though, and the team wants to give him a contract that is more in line with his current standing.

    In addition, his terms would be prolonged by two years, till 2029. Arsenal’s rumours of interest are said to be “wide of the mark.”

    According to Liverpool.com, this can only be advantageous. Although Jones may not be the target of any significant interest just yet, if Liverpool does not resolve this issue, one day it will undoubtedly arise.

    Although time is on the club’s side, it’s critical that Jones, who has developed into one of Klopp’s main players, feels appreciated. It is in everyone’s best interest to reach a new agreement on better terms.

    With any luck, this marks the beginning of a string of contract movements. In addition to Salah, there is growing urgency regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, whose contracts expire in the upcoming year.

  • Three are still missing despite four of Liverpool’s injured players returning to training before Man City.

    Three are still missing despite four of Liverpool’s injured players returning to training before Man City.

    Joe Gomez and Ibrahima KonatéNews about injuries involving Liverpool: A number of injury boosts appear to have been granted to manager Jürgen Klopp before of Saturday’s crucial encounter against Manchester City at the Etihad.

    After the international break, Liverpool will resume Premier League play on the road against Manchester City, which promises to be the hardest task of all. Liverpool is only one point behind the current champion in second place going into the match in Manchester, but the significance of the matchup in the title chase may have returned after the Reds finished 22 points behind Pep Guardiola’s team the previous season.

    The team would consequently have a two-point lead at the top of the table with a victory at the Etihad, which would be its first in the Premier League since 2015. That is, at least until Arsenal’s match against Brentford on Saturday night. If Liverpool loses, though, they might finish the weekend ranked fourth.

    The choice to start the game around midday irked Jürgen Klopp, who told the media that those in charge ‘cannot feel football’ (via The Guardian). Although the club’s official website states that all four of his South American players, goalkeeper Alisson, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and forwards Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez, trained on Thursday, there may have been some worry about how they would handle the quick turnaround. Here, Liverpool.com compiles the remaining Anfield injury news prior to kickoff.

    Curtis Jones Ryan Gravenberc, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté

    Curtis Jones Ryan Gravenberc

    Participating in the workout on Thursday were all four of the players who missed the 3-0 victory over Brentford due to short-term ailments. Thus, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones may compete for a midfield position, and Joël Matip and Ibrahima Konaté will fight for a right-sided center-back position with Virgil van Dijk. Konaté was forced to withdraw from the France team for the international break. Joe Gomez, who is recovered from injury, is another contender to start at left back instead of Kostas Tsimikas. He did so in the 1-1 draw against Luton earlier this month.

    Thiago, Andy Robertson and Stefan Bajčetić

    Long-term absentees for Liverpool are not yet prepared to make a comeback. If the initial three-month diagnosis turns out to be accurate, Andy Robertson won’t return from surgery on a dislocated shoulder until late January. Thiago has also been ruled out until the New Year. Stefan Bajčetić, who returned from a catastrophic injury but only managed to play two games before breaking down again, is still being closely monitored by the club. The Spaniard has not yet appeared to train fully with his colleagues.

    During Klopp’s press conference, there might be an additional update on the trio’s progress as well as the conditions of Gravenberch, Jones, Gomez, and Konaté. That is set for Friday at noon UK time, and Liverpool.com will cover every story.

    More news…..

    Liverpool has been mentioned as a possible transfer partner for the 22-year-old Premier League player.

    Rayan Ait-Nouri

    Although it is unlikely that a trade will be completed in January, Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is apparently of interest to Liverpool.

    This is based on reports from the French publication Le 10 Sport, which is unsure of the extent of Liverpool’s interest in the 22-year-old and whether or not they have contacted him.

    Ait-Nouri has shown promise while playing for Wolves, and he seems like a capable long-term successor for Andrew Robertson at Liverpool. However, it’s unlikely that the Reds will view this as an immediate priority at this point.

    However, Ait-Nouri is talented enough to transfer to a larger club, so it would be wise to monitor the Algerian international’s status in the next days, weeks, and months.

    Le 10 Sport reports that it appears improbable that Wolves will allow the player to leave without a fight, so it may need to wait until next summer, and even then, it’s unclear how much he would cost.

    Liverpool may be hoping to replicate the happiness they felt when they signed Diogo Jota from Wolves a few year

  • Liverpool Injury update: Positive news on Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and two more 

    Liverpool Injury update: Positive news on Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and two more 

    Liverpool Injury obdate: Positive news on Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and two more 

    Liverpool hopes that by the time they go to play Manchester City next Saturday, their concerns about injuries will have substantially subsided.

    Eight players were left off of Jurgen Klopp’s roster for the 3-0 victory over Brentford at Anfield before to the most recent international break.

    However, there is hope that when the team gets back together before facing the Premier League winners, things will look much better.

    Naturally, Alexis Mac Allister will be back in action following his one-match suspension for receiving five yellow cards.

    Positive updates regarding the health of four celebrities who were sidelined recently due to injuries are also available.

    Surprisingly missing from the team to play Brentford were Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate, the former of whom had to withdraw from his France international duties.

    However, This Is Anfield is aware that both players’ absences were due to minor ailments that should have healed in time for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

    A similar prognosis was also revealed by sources for Ryan Gravenberch, whose run of four straight Premier League starts was cut short by a knee niggle.

    Liverpool Injury obdate: Positive news on Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and two more 

    But starting next weekend, the young Scouser Curtis Jones—who is expected to come back from hamstring trouble—will present new midfield competition for the Dutchman.

    Thiago and Andy Robertson are remain sidelined for Liverpool, and it seems unlikely that they will return to action until the new year.

    After a recent setback, Stefan Bajcetic may be recovering on a similar schedule if the Reds go cautiously with his recuperation.

    Conor Bradley, a right-back, is getting better. In recent weeks, he has intensified his rehabilitation at the AXA Training Centre in anticipation of making a comeback.

    More news…..

    About Mo Salah’s future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    About Mo Salah's future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    At this point, Mohamed Salah might be considering staying at Liverpool past the end of the current campaign.

    Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia showed a lot of interest in Salah throughout the summer, and Liverpool turned down a huge offer for their number eleven.

    Since then, it’s been widely believed that the Saudis will make Mo a second offer in January or early next year. Many Reds supporters may have already come to terms with the possibility that this is Salah’s final season at Anfield.

    However, journalist David Ornstein now suggests that could not be the case after all. In a Q&A session with The Athletic, Ornstein was questioned whether the future of the Egyptian superstar had received “any noise.” Liverpool supporters will find encouragement in his response.

    The journalist answered, “No, other than I don’t think it’s set in stone he goes.”

    “I’ve even heard some comments that he would want to stay and carry on competing in Europe at the top level. Of course, it’s a big decision for the player and the team.

    Liverpool gave Salah motivation.

    About Mo Salah's future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    The Saudi interest that surfaced during the summer, which was naturally turned down, was in some respects a good thing.

    It helped Liverpool fans prepare for the possibility that, in a year, their Egyptian King may actually leave the team. That has been the general sentiment among supporters.

    However, given that the Saudis frequently perform for audiences of fewer than 1,000, maybe the situation has changed.

    Nobody knew for sure how the Pro League initiative would turn out back in the summer. Many well-known players were moving to the Middle East, raising hopes that the league would soon be on par with its European rivals.

    That may still be the case in the future, but it hasn’t materialised as of yet. It appears more and more like it will follow in the unfortunate footsteps of the Chinese Super League with each passing week. Is anyone really bothered outside of the transfer window?

    You can see why Mo might have been tempted by an offer a year ago. Now, though, there ought to be a legitimate doubt. It will appear as though he is conceding that his career is failing by moving from the Premier League to the Pro League.

    Salah might still be content to take that step, but we believe his fierce competitiveness might be about to turn the tide. He is thirty-one years old.

    Hopefully, Liverpool’s return to form and a few trophies this season will satiate his desire and convince him to stay. It seems as though things are about to change. Mo may finally have his “Wolf of Wall Street” moment.

  • Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has an unforeseen new problem for the Brentford game.

    Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has an unforeseen new problem for the Brentford game.

    Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has an unforeseen new problem for the Brentford game.

    Liverpool faces pressure to stay up with Manchester City and Tottenham at the top of the Premier League.

    Though he was spoiled for choice earlier in the season, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is facing an unexpected scarcity of midfield players ahead of their match against Brentford on Sunday. Due to two new injury worries, Klopp is now playing second fiddle and has limited options for choosing his starting lineup.

    Speaking before of Thursday’s Europa League match against Toulouse, Klopp stated that Curtis Jones’ “low grade” hamstring injury will prevent him from playing until after the international break.

    Due to a knee issue, Ryan Gravenberch had to cancel the trip to France, therefore he could potentially miss out. Although starting the Dutchman from the beginning may be asking too much, Klopp hinted that he would phase him back in for the Brentford game.

    Due to injuries sustained by Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, as well as Alexis Mac Allister’s ban, the Reds are unable to field a midfield three.

    Dominik Szoboszlai has been amazing since leaving RB Leipzig in the summer, but he was clearly tired during the 1-1 tie with Luton Town this past weekend.

    Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has an unforeseen new problem for the Brentford game.

    Nevertheless, the Hungarian is probably going to get a start due to the lack of midfielders. Trent Alexander-Arnold might be moved in from the right, Cody Gakpo could be dropped back into midfield, and the other two top candidates are Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott.

    Despite the Reds spending a lot of money on four midfield additions this summer, the relative paucity of choices has emerged out of nowhere. Additionally, Klopp must choose the ideal three players against Brentford, who have already destroyed a number of giants this season.

    West Ham was defeated on Saturday by Thomas Frank’s team after they had previously defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This was their third straight win. If Manchester United hadn’t been saved by Scott McTominay in stoppage time, they would have won four straight games at Old Trafford.

    With Jordan Henderson and Fabinho leaving Anfield to join the Saudi Pro League, Klopp bid farewell to a group of seasoned midfield players in the summer.

    Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left on free transfers in the meantime. With just one loss so far this season, Liverpool is now sitting three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League standings.

    More news…….

    Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree on next Liverpool’s manager after Jurgen Klopp depart

    Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree on next Liverpool's manager after Jurgen Klopp depart

    The two think that Xabi Alonso, a former Reds midfielder, might be the person to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

    Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is a possibility to return to Anfield, according to Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

    After spending five years on Merseyside, the Spaniard began managing Real Madrid’s youth team in 2018. He later managed Real Sociedad’s B team before taking over at German team Bayer Leverkusen more than a year ago.

    His team has won nine of their ten Bundesliga games thus far, with their most recent victory coming over Hoffenheim on the road this past weekend, 3-2. Additionally, he led Die Schwarzroten to the Europa League semifinals the previous year and they have won all three of their matches so far in this year’s competition.

    Xabi Alonso

    Given that the Reds are also undefeated in Group E, it is possible that Jurgen Klopp and Alonso will reunite during the tournament’s later stages. Klopp is hoping to add the one trophy that has eluded him in his eight years at Anfield.

    With his previous contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, Klopp, 56, signed a new deal with Liverpool in 2022, extending his stay until the summer of 2026. Beyond that, though, Alonso, the winner of the Champions League, has been mentioned by both Lineker and Shearer as a possible successor to Klopp in the future.

    Shearer stated on the podcast The Rest Is Football: “He’s getting great reviews, isn’t he? He’s had a great start to his managerial and coaching career. If he continues on, it won’t be long until people begin to observe him if they haven’t already, and you never know.”

    “I think there’s every chance that Carlo Ancelotti ends up there as manager of a certain Jude Bellingham once he walks away or is pushed out, as is often the case at Real Madrid,” Lineker stated. Furthermore, he may follow (Jurgen) Klopp in the future. You always do with these things, don’t you? Steven Gerrard will always be there.”

    Shearer said, “That might all change in a year,” to wrap up the discussion. However, it appears that he will stay at the top for a very long time, doesn’t he?”

  • Pep Lijnders gives four updates on Liverpool’s injury  as ‘special’ signing who ‘has everything’ named

    Pep Lijnders gives four updates on Liverpool’s injury as ‘special’ signing who ‘has everything’ named

    What's been said?

    Jurgen Klopp’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders was tasked with leading the press conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.

    Liverpool will still be without all but one player who missed the win over Nottingham Forest over the weekend.
    Additionally, Curtis Jones is also back after his suspension.

    Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp handed responsibility for the pre-match press conference to his assistant Pep Lijnders, who provided an injury update and the latest news on the situation of Luis Díaz’s parents, kidnapped in Colombia.

    Lijnders did not elaborate on the situation with Díaz, but explained that the club was doing everything it could to support the winger in a difficult period. He also praised the force’s response to the incident.

    Midfield duo Thiago Alcântara and Stefan Bajčetić remain absent due to injury, while Conor Bradley is yet to return but Ben Doak is back in training and could potentially be included in the squad of the day against Bournemouth.

    What’s been said?

    “Lucho is an incredible player and we knew that,” Lijnders said.
    “But then you see him in the building and he’s the person who’s always smiling, so we really care about him.” Now we try to support him as much as possible; many things are out of our control.

    “It’s completely normal.
    We hope the authorities find his father and we pray for that. He is one of us and the team responded brilliantly after our goal by holding up their shirt for him so he knows we are there for him.

    Not much has changed regarding injuries.
    “We missed Thiago,” Lijnders said.
    “I missed him a lot. Imagine our new midfield that people are talking about and you also have Thiago in the middle as a guide. It will take time. He won’t be available. We hope to get him back soon.” Stefan is not available.”

    “We see the Ryan of Ajax!” Lijnders said of Gravenberch. “That’s why the cut is so important. A player who doesn’t play a match for two weeks will never develop his confidence. I’m not sure what happened at Bayern, but I don’t play.

    He has total confidence here. We knew we had a special player thanks to training. Ryan has everything to be an eight and still gets to the penalty area and shoots.\”

    “I told Harvey [Elliott] a few weeks ago that I had never seen him train so well,” Lijnders added. “Now he’s behaving consistently.
    He’s acting more like a senior than you might think, he’s got the character to do it.
    He’s making an impact.”

    What does it mean?

    For Bournemouth, Liverpool will make many changes. But it would be nice if Doak could be back at some point after his injury, and the number of other players Lijnders spoke about shows the depth of the squad at Anfield these days.

    More news……

    Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has been sacked by second-tier Saudi Arabia despite an unbeaten start.

    Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has been sacked after four months in charge of Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsia.Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has been sacked after four months in charge of Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsia.

    Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler has been sacked by Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsia.

    Former Sevilla coach Michel González (48) was replaced despite leading Al Khobar to second place in the league with 8 wins, 6 draws and 1 draw in the league opener. Fowler was named manager of the month last week after recording two wins and a draw in September.

    Al Qadsiah’s King’s Cup run ended in September, but it was another positive month for Fowler.

    His shock resignation came just days before the team’s top-flight clash with Al Oroba in the Saudi First Division, a level below the Saudi Professional League.

    In the first transfer window, Fowler decided to bring in the likes of former Wigan Athletic midfielder Max Power and former Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles.

    The move to Saudi Arabia marks Fowler’s fourth managerial role after spells at Muangthong United, Brisbane Roar and East Bengal, a two-year break that ended with his move to the Middle East.

    Al Qadsia said on Twitter: “Al Qadsia FC terminate the contract of manager Robbie Fowler.
    “I would like to thank the coach for doing his best during the contract period with the team,” he said.

    In an interview with the Times last August, Fowler said: “I want to be the best manager I can be and I know people say, ‘I can go anywhere’, but in reality I can’t.

    “Nobody in England knows what I did. I wanted to do it right and was generally successful, so I was on my way to getting all the coaching badges and degrees I needed.

    I took third place in a competition held in Thailand. In India we had 10 days to prepare, our aim was not to finish bottom but we did and it was a great achievement.

    “I would compare it to playing in the Premier League with Accrington Stanley and punching above your weight.
    In Australia, the penultimate team climbed to fourth place. English clubs are neither interested nor bothered.
    Maybe I forgot.

    “I know people [in Saudi Arabia] want to talk about money, but that doesn’t matter to me.
    Of course the money helps and we get paid but the money is less than in India and we are not even in this division [professional league],” he added.

    “I’m here not just as a manager, but because I have the opportunity to develop the club significantly.
    So when people ask me why I’m here, I say ‘Why not?

  • Jurgen Klopp has found the perfect figurehead for hidden Liverpool masterplan

    Jurgen Klopp has found the perfect figurehead for hidden Liverpool masterplan

    Jurgen Klopp has found the perfect figurehead for hidden Liverpool masterplan

    This week’s Blood Red column looks at a famous night for Liverpool’s Academy and argues why success bursting from behind those closed doors must now become the norm at Anfield

    It was no doubt a morning full of smiles and back patting at Liverpool’s Kirkby Academy on Friday.

    The spring in the step of all the coaches will have been noticeable after an evening of first-team action that saw as many of seven of their graduates play a part in a resounding European win.

    It might not have been the Champions League and Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse are certainly not a continental heavyweight, but the pride will have been fulsome across the Academy departments after a 5-1 demolition moved the senior Reds to within touching distance of knockout stage involvement.

    With Trent Alexander-Arnold in possession of the captain’s armband and Curtis Jones continuing his excellent form of recent months, Jurgen Klopp was also able to name Caoimhin Kelleher in goal and senior debutant Luke Chambers at left-back.

    Throw in Calum Scanlon, James McConnell and Jarell Quansah from the bench and it completed a famous night for those who have watched the rise of all seven up close and personal in the recent years and months at the club’s youth base.

    And had Bobby Clark and Ben Doak been fit and available the pair might have brought the overall tally up to nine on the night. Even Harvey Elliott briefly turned out for the Under-21s after his own move from Fulham in 2019 for added Academy sheen.

    This is what the club are working so hard to achieve behind the scenes, away from the unflinching glare of the first-team fortunes. The aim to produce players capable of being ready for life as a Liverpool senior is one that is never truly complete, but Thursday night was undoubtedly a memorable milestone on the journey.

    With the competition at the sharp end of the game now stronger than ever, Liverpool are, rightly or wrongly, not able to match the same sorts of sums as some of their main rivals as consistently in the transfer market. Without being paupers, the club still need to work smarter to unearth players of sufficient quality to shine at Anfield and the work undertaken by Head of Academy Recruitment Matt Newberry in recent years has been exceptional.

    Newberry’s remit has generally been to ensure it is Liverpool who are signing the very best youngsters across the Britain and Ireland and the recent history points to a department who are now, more often than not, getting it right.

    Since the end of 2020, Liverpool have been able to bring the likes of Doak, Clark and now Scanlon into their senior ranks at various points and the former is now undoubtedly considered a first-team player having broken through across the 12 months.

    Had Kaide Gordon not cruelly been out injured for over a year himself, the former Derby County winger will have most certainly built on his own early promise of 2022 when he started in a Carabao Cup semi-final and scored in the FA Cup.

    Jurgen Klopp has found the perfect figurehead for hidden Liverpool masterplan

    Newberry and the team made sure they moved quickly to secure Stefan Bajcetic to a Liverpool contract at the end of 2020 to beat New Year legislation that changed how the signing of youngsters from overseas worked due to England’s decision to leave the European Union. With 19 senior appearances during a breakout term last time out, the move that saw them fend off Manchester United to sign Bajcetic from Celta Vigo appears to have been an inspired one.

    Doak’s own path is currently being forged with eight senior appearances under his belt, while Clark, the son of former Newcastle midfielder Lee, has been able to claim two of his own under Klopp.

    With six appearances this term, Quansah feels like the next cab off the rank and the England Under-21 international has grown in stature since the club took the decision not to add to their centre-back ranks in the summer transfer window. After a loan spell at Bristol Rovers in the second half of last season, he is now poised for more games at Anfield as Klopp shuffles his options across four competitions.

    With Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup to come next week, Quansah could be in line for another run-out. He’s been one of the quiet success stories of the early season for the Reds.

    It must be stressed that such an occasion like Thursday night would not be possible without a manager like Klopp, whose commitment in youth prospects is unwavering. It’s seven years this week since vice-captain Alexander-Arnold made his senior debut and he has become one of the most creative and pioneering full-backs of the modern era during that time, while winning every top level trophy available. None of that would have been possible without the trust and belief of his Liverpool manager.

    But for those now making their way to the fringes to the first team under Klopp, Alexander-Arnold should represent the posterboy for how it should be done. Under his manager’s careful watch he has gone from being a young hopeful to a Champions League and Premier League winner who will one day move from vice captain to outright skipper of the club itself.