We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Friday, as the international break boredom sets in.
- Robertson explains incredible early impact of new throw-in coach
- All you need to know as Liverpool FC Women kickstart 2018/19 campaign
- Fabinho appreciates “cautious” Klopp – but is ready for Liverpool debut
- QUIZ: Liverpool FC kits in the Premier League era
- How Liverpool broke the mould to sign Alisson & Van Dijk and begin a new era
Mignolet Injury Gives Young Goalkeepers Hope
It has been reported by Belgium manager Roberto Martinez that Simon Mignolet “has some pain in the finger and will be out for eight to 10 days”, having picked up the issue on international duty.
That means Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper should miss the match vs. Tottenham next Saturday, giving a great opportunity to Caoimhin Kelleher or Kamil Grabara.
One of the Reds’ two highly-rated young ‘keepers will likely be named on the substitutes’ bench at Wembley, should Mignolet not recover in time.
Big futures have been predicted for both Kelleher and Grabara, and these little slices of luck can sometimes pave the way for a continued stint in the first-team squad.
Kelleher trained with the Republic of Ireland’s senior squad on Friday, following their 4-1 loss to Wales on Thursday night and is considered as the Reds’ third-choice keeper.
Neville Tips Gomez To Shine
Joe Gomez is the talk of the town at the moment, and someone who is excited to see how he performs in England’s upcoming matches is Gary Neville.
“The one player coming into the set up who I’m interested to see is Joe Gomez. I think he’s started the season brilliantly and deserves the call-up,” wrote Neville, in his ‘Super 6 Class of ’92 Diary’ for Sky Sports.
“You look at how he’s fitted in and not only slotted in to cover alongside Virgil van Dijk but stood up alongside him, he’s done really, really well.
“The majority of the lads from the summer are there so there’s not much to suggest that changes are required, but Gomez is the one who could come in and really press his case.
“Gareth Southgate played three at the back at the World Cup and Gomez looks ideal to play in that system with his mobility and experience of playing in different positions.”
When a former Man United player is lauding someone who represents Liverpool, you know you’ve got a serious footballer on your hands.
Lawro Gives Pleasing Health Update
Mark Lawrenson is rightly regarded as a Liverpool legend, having made up one half of an impenetrable centre-back partnership with Alan Hansen during the 1980s.
On Thursday, the former defender revealed on Twitter that he has been tackling a “Facial Cancerous Blemish” in recent months, but that he has now been given the all-clear:
“After 3 Months of Outstanding care at both Ormskirk & Whiston Hospitals I got the News that after 2 Operations & the Removal of my Facial Cancerous Blemish the Cancer hasn’t Spread anywhere..Phew..!! Waiting for the Verdict felt like a’SWORD OF DAMACLES’ moment… Thanx all.”
It is fantastic news – from everyone at This is Anfield, all the best, ‘Lawro’!
Inch-Perfect From Trent
Anyone fancy a game of crossbar challenge? ?? Tag me in your videos, the best one gets two tickets to Tuesdays game vs Switzerland! ? #Trentchallenge pic.twitter.com/XJo8XKTLcG
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) September 7, 2018
Trent Alexander-Arnold is on England duty, with the Three Lions taking on Spain and Switzerland on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.
The 19-year-old showcased his fantastic natural talent during a training session on Thursday, with an audacious crossbar challenge attempt nailing the upright.
Having been mucking around with Jesse Lingard, the United man says, “hit the crossbar and I’ll shake your hand”, so the Liverpool youngster duly obliges.
Taking aim, he hits the bar with consummate ease, before celebrating in delighted fashion. What a future he has.
Rabiot Rumours Downplayed – But Why?
According to ESPN FC journalist Julien Laurens, Liverpool have held “positive” talks with PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot with regards to a free transfer next July.
Friday though saw a strange turn of events from the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle.
First Doyle reported how Liverpool are “the early favourites” for Rabiot’s signature – before providing a complete about turn shortly after and claiming Liverpool have no interest and editing his original piece.
It seems as though he was told to change his report, with the club line being that they are “baffled by such stories”.
Doyle is also unaware that Rabiot’s agent is, in fact, his mother, writing that they are two different people.
There’s certainly more to this than what the club have told the Echo to report. We reckon Laurens is the man to be trusted on this occasion.
Weidenfeller Raves About Klopp
Former Borussia Dortmund ‘keeper Roman Weidenfeller holds his testimonial on Friday, with Jurgen Klopp set to feature in the game between “BVB All-Stars” and “Roman & Friends”, at Westfalenstadion.
Ahead of the event, Weidenfeller has showered his former manager with praise, both as a boss and as a human.
“Klopp was just the right man at the right time,” Weidenfeller told Sport1, having played under him between 2008 and 2015.
“He has turned the club upside down. At the same time, he gave the team the confidence that something could develop there. We seized the opportunity and grew together.
“He is very direct, but also an emotional type. You could always count on him. The human side never came up short. Even about private things you could always talk to him. There was always an open exchange.
“As a coach, he always made the right tactical decisions.”
Klopp will head from Dortmund to Glasgow on Saturday, where he will be manager of James Milner‘s charity XI in ‘A Match For Cancer.’ Good to see the boss making use of the international break to give back to football.
Fan Comments