We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Monday, following another weekend victory for the Reds.
Main Headlines
- Salah & Wijnaldum’s gestures to fans a reminder of great team spirit
- Chelsea facing key injuries as Sarri admits Liverpool are “a step forward”
- How Liverpool’s loanees performed over the last week
- Shaqiri & Sturridge stand-in displays prove new depth of Liverpool squad
- In-depth tactical review of Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
Klopp on Rotation Working
Jurgen Klopp made three changes in the 3-0 victory over Southampton, with two of those brought in, Joel Matip and Xherdan Shaqiri, having big influences.
The manager told LiverpoolFC.com that it is proof that the Reds’ rotation is working—something that could hold the key to them mounting a Premier League title challenge this season:
“Shaq between the lines—I liked that. He was very influential and made two goals, very good.
“And Joel…not a bad header! It helped, that’s all good.
“And it’s good for us to know that we can make changes and still win football games.
“We knew it before but sometimes you have to prove it and that’s what we did.”
Klopp is set to put his rotation to good use again on Wednesday evening, as Liverpool host Chelsea in the League Cup third round.
Plenty of changes are expected, with the Reds visiting Stamford Bridge on Saturday before games against Napoli (away) and Man City (home) next week.
Salah to Learn FIFA Awards Fate
Mohamed Salah may not have hit top form yet this season, but his phenomenal 2017/18 performances are still being recognised.
Liverpool’s Egyptian King is up for FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award on Monday evening, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric the other two in contention.
Salah is also up for the Puskas Award for his stunning goal against Everton last December, although he probably scored a handful that were even better than that strike!
Vote for him HERE.
New Ballon d’Or Awards Announced
For the first time in history, a women’s Ballon d’Or winner will be announced at the ceremony in Paris on December 3, along with the men’s victor—potentially Salah.
Organised by France Football magazine, its editor-in-chief, Pascal Ferre, discussed the decision, saying:
“Women’s soccer is a booming discipline that deserves the same respect as men’s soccer. It’s coming to maturity and growing bigger.
“More than 760 million TV viewers watched games at the last women’s World Cup in 2015, this did not happen by chance.”
“The jury won’t be the same as the jury voting for the men. Only experts can vote.
“I’m confident we will get a jury of about 40 journalists, from countries where women’s soccer is growing.
“[The female players] are thrilled and can’t wait for it.”
Another new award, the Kopa trophy, is also being launched, given to the outstanding U21 player each year, with 10 youngsters nominated.
It is named after Raymond Kopa, the first-ever Ballon d’Or recipient in 1958, and only past winners will be allowed to vote.
Ojo Open to Representing Nigeria
Sheyi Ojo was part of the England U20s squad that won the World Cup last year, making a substitutes’ appearance in the win over Venezuela in the final.
The 21-year-old has admitted that he would not turn down Nigeria at senior level, however, should an international callup come his way, as he told BBC Sport:
“To be honest, I don’t know much about [interest from Nigeria], but if they call me I’d be honoured to go to Nigeria.
“It’s obviously a massive nation. I’m just really focused on club football at the moment, but I’m excited for the future, both club and country.
“My parents are originally from Nigeria as well, so they know a lot about it.
“They’ve always been keen [for me to represent Nigeria] but so far I’ve mainly been focusing on club football.
“It’s starting to get to the time where I have to start thinking about my future. And of course, if Nigeria were to call me now it would be an honour.”
Ojo made his first start for loan club Stade de Reims on Saturday, playing 59 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Dijon.
Aldridge on Liverpool’s Huge Progress
Liverpool are top of the table and cutting a ruthless outfit these days, with Klopp building something special at Anfield.
Speaking to the Independent, former Reds striker John Aldridge says they are now a very different animal, with an ever-increasing aura about them:
“Liverpool may have lost the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev last May and all of us who love the club felt the pain of that defeat.
“But the run in Europe’s elite competition has changed the aura around this team for good.
“The players now believe they belong on the biggest of stages, they expect to challenge for the big trophies and most significantly, the opposition are fearful of them now.
“When you look to the Liverpool side that started last season in such uncertain fashion and compare it to the team that have been winning games in impressive fashion over the first month of this campaign, it’s clear the team gave taken two or three leaps forward.”
Saturday’s win over Southampton was telling, in that the visitors almost looked beaten before the game kicked off.
That’s a sign that Liverpool are becoming a daunting team to face.
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