We round up the latest Liverpool news, with Jurgen Klopp providing a mixed injury update and the U19s booking a plum UEFA Youth League clash.
Klopp Provides Injury Update
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to take on Southampton in the Premier League, Klopp gave reporters an overview of the fitness of his squad.
The main focus was Joe Gomez, who remains sidelined for the weekend, but both Ragnar Klavan and Alberto Moreno look set to be involved.
“Joe was running outside but not with the team, that means he’s close. How it always is then,” he said.
“I don’t think he has a chance on Sunday. Porto [on Wednesday] there’s a chance, we will see.
“Raggy trained the last two days, so that’s it [for him]. Alberto needed only two days [off] then looked good yesterday. Nothing else at the moment, so that’s good.”
Zidane Rubbishes Isco Links
Reports in Spain on Thursday claimed Real Madrid were willing to part ways with attacking midfielder Isco, leading to links with a move to Merseyside.
But despite suggestions of rift between him and his No. 22, Zinedine Zidane has moved swiftly to deny any unrest.
“I want Isco [in my team] and I want him to spend his whole life here,” Zidane insisted during his pre-Real Sociedad press conference.
“He is very good, as he has shown and as he will always show.
“[The idea of him leaving] is a lie, so we’ll see if this issue goes away.”
Young Reds to Face United in Europe
Having finished top of Group E in the UEFA Youth League, seven points clear of second-placed Spartak Moscow, Steven Gerrard‘s Liverpool U19s found out their last-16 fate on Friday.
In fact, in a rare example of sensible planning from UEFA, their route to April’s final in Nyon has already been mapped out.
First, they face a one-off home clash with Man United in the last 16 on February 20/21, with the winners taking on either Man City or Inter Milan in the quarter-finals on March 13/14.
If they make it to the semi-finals they will meet one of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Basel on April 20.
And if they book their place in the final on April 23, their opponents could be any of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Feyenoord, Tottenham, AS Monaco, Porto or Red Bull Salzburg.
The Rest of Klopp’s Presser…
Catch the rest of Klopp’s Southampton preview above, with the German discussing:
- Hopes of Emre Can signing a new contract…
- The role of goalkeeping consultant Hans Leitert…
- Virgil van Dijk‘s difficult return to St. Mary’s…
- The Saints’ improvement after a “sticky start” this season…
- Chances of rotation ahead of Wednesday’s Porto clash…
- His “not happy” reaction to Adam Lallana‘s U23s red card…
- Liverpool’s defensive efforts in the Spurs draw…
- And the progress of Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of his 30th game…
Liverpool are without a victory in any of their last three away clashes with Southampton, underlining the importance of taking all three points in their bid for a top-four finish.
Fan Comments