We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Monday, as another busy week for the Reds gets underway.
Main Headlines
- Klopp on Salah’s ‘unhappy’ form and if Sturridge can play 90 minutes
- Van Dijk gives perfect take on Klopp’s squad rotation methods
- All you need to know for Liverpool FC in October
- How the Reds’ loanees performed over the past week
- What Chelsea double-header told us about Liverpool
Van Dijk’s Injury Update
Virgil van Dijk was a towering presence for Liverpool yet again at the weekend, showing no sign of suffering from the rib injury picked up against Southampton.
The Dutchman says he is in good shape ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Napoli, telling the Liverpool Echo that players rarely play at 100 percent anyway:
“My ribs are OK. I took some painkillers, but not much, it was more about being strong and being a warrior.
“You never really play completely pain free. You are always going to have something—you are never going to be 100 percent totally fit throughout the season.
“It was about managing it and giving everything for the team and for the fans. I was desperate to be out there. We did everything we could to get me out there and it worked out well. I’m really happy.
“In my position you need to jump a lot and be able to compete physically so you use your ribs quite a bit.
“During the PSG game I got a knock in the ribs and was struggling a bit. Then I got another knock in the same area against Southampton.
“I was like: ‘Come on, I never get any knocks there and then I get two in four days!’ Luckily, I was able to get back pretty quick. Now it’s all good.”
Guardiola Provides Injury Update
The Reds welcome champions Man City to Anfield on Sunday, in what promises to be a barnstormer of a Premier League contest.
Pep Guardiola has given an update on the injury status of some current players, with key man Kevin De Bruyne back in training but Sergio Aguero a doubt with a foot issue.
“Sergio is struggling a bit with some problems in his foot,” said Guardiola.
“He is not 100 percent. He has not recovered from what happened against Newcastle and we spoke about playing 60 minutes and we were lucky he scored at the right moment.”
Left-back pair Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy could potentially both miss out, meaning youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko could play up against Mohamed Salah.
Alexander-Arnold Included in Golden Boy Shortlist
Trent Alexander-Arnold has experienced a stunning rise to stardom in the last 12 month, proving to be one of Europe’s most exciting teenagers.
The shortlist for the prestigious European Golden Boy award has been whittled down to 40 now, with Liverpool’s prodigious youngster still included in the voting.
French superstar Kylian Mbappe looks an almost nailed-on favourite to scoop the award, following a World Cup-winning year.
Also included are the likes of Christian Pulisic, Man City‘s Phil Foden and Everton midfielder Tom Davies.
Napoli Travel Information
Ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Napoli, Merseyside Police have provided travelling supporters with the following information, in order for them to have a safe, care-free visit to Italy:
“The gathering place is Stazione Marittina in front of Piazza Municipio. From 2pm shuttle services to the stadium will commence.
“Belts are NOT allowed and will be removed. Do not use public transport to get to the stadium.”
A report in the Liverpool Echo also states that “supporters are being advised not wear club colours around the city, to respect monuments and not to wander off alone.”
Gomez Praises “Focused” Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge has been rightly lauded for his magnificent equaliser at Chelsea on Saturday, as the striker continues his unlikely Liverpool resurrection.
Speaking to the Echo, Joe Gomez praised Sturridge’s level of focus from day one of pre-season onwards, revealing his happiness for his friend and team-mate:
“I could see it from the first day of pre-season.
“He was right on it from the get-go. He has attacked everything.
“He’s been so focused the whole time in training. He has hardly missed a session.
“To have Studge fully fit and firing is massive for us this season. He’s right up there in terms of strikers in the world.
“We all know how good he can be. I am just happy for him.
“We were all buzzing that he was able to contribute like that.”
Hazard’s Praise for Old Team-Mate
Eden Hazard gave an excellent interview to BBC Sport straight after the game at the weekend, having again proved to be a thorn in Liverpool’s side.
The Belgian revealed his happiness for former team-mate Sturridge being back among the goals, even though it robbed Chelsea of two points:
“I said to him that the goal was not bad, to be fair. He scored twice, one Wednesday and one today, like me. Maybe he’s trying to be like me.
“But no, he’s a great, great player. I had a chance to play with him a bit at Chelsea and I know he’s a fantastic player.
“He had a lot of injuries in the last few years, but when he’s on the pitch he can create a kind of goal like this.
“So I’m happy for him. I’m not happy for Chelsea, but happy for him.”
In the tunnel afterwards, Hazard also brilliantly told Sturridge to “do it again next weekend,” ahead of the City clash.
It summed up what was such a sporting, feel-good occasion, and a fantastic match.
Fan Comments