We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Tuesday, as the tedium of the international break rumbles on.
Main Headlines
- Fabinho on adaptation, team-mates & ‘demanding’ Klopp
- Fund set up for Sean Cox
- Van Dijk on the games which will define Liverpool’s title bid
- 3 years of Klopp: The remarkable progress and revolution of Liverpool FC
- QUIZ: How well do you remember Klopp’s 3 years at Liverpool?
- Milner injury update: Midfielder set to miss a month
Wijnaldum On Embracing Intense Run
Gini Wijnaldum has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season and he started six of the Reds’ much-discussed tough run of seven fixtures in a row.
The 27-year-old believes Jurgen Klopp‘s side should “embrace” the intense nature of their campaign, however, telling Liverpoolfc.com that it will hopefully lead to success further down the line:
“We were trying to prepare as well as possible for this period because you have to be fresh, full of confidence and stay positive.
“It means you play for something if you play a lot of games: Champions League, the cups and the Premier League. Every team in the Premier League wants that, but it’s only for a few of them. We have to embrace it.
“We already knew what we had to do if we want to compete to win something. Last season, City only lost two games and played a few draws.
“It’s a good way to start the season. But we have to make sure we manage it until the end of the season to keep it like this. At the end of the season, you can make sure you can win something, not at the beginning of the season.
“We just have to make sure it stays like that.”
Trent Praise for Virgil
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in the news in a non-footballing capacity over the last few days, having taken on world chess champion Magnus Carlsen on Monday.
The 20-year-old may have predictably lost in Manchester, but it further highlighted his intellectual character and likeable personality.
Speaking to the Independent about whether intelligence was a pre-requisite of being an elite athlete, Alexander-Arnold said, “I wouldn’t say you need to be clever. But you need a knowledge of the game and the surroundings. That’s important. To see something before it happens and read it best.”
When asked which Liverpool team-mate reads football the best, he added: “The stand-out would probably be Virgil [van Dijk]. The way he makes interceptions and tackles and headers and clearances. He half-knows where the ball’s going to be before anyone else does.”
It’s hard to argue with him.
Reds Interested In Dortmund’s English Starlet?
Jadon Sancho isn’t a name everyone would have been familiar with this time last season, but he is currently one of the most talked-about young English players around.
The former Man City youngster is flying for Borussia Dortmund, providing seven assists already in 2018/19—he has only started once in the Bundesliga—earning him his maiden senior England call-up in the process.
The 18-year-old has inevitably been linked with a host of clubs and Liverpool are one of them, according to the Mirror.
The report states that he has “the potential to become a £100million superstar,” with the Reds keeping a close eye on him along with Premier League rivals Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Man United.
This rumour feels fairly predictable and lazy; take it with a pinch of salt for the time being.
Trent Nominated For New Award
Fear not, Alexander-Arnold is still thought of as a top class young footballer, before you’re worried about him ditching the Reds for chess!
His superb performances in 2018 have been recognised, with Liverpool’s brilliant right-back nominated for the inaugural Kopa Trophy.
The prize is given to the best player under the age of 21 in world football, and Alexander-Arnold is included in the 10-man shortlist along with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Christian Pulisic.
Mbappe will be the strong favourite to scoop the award, following his World Cup heroics and club form for PSG, but Alexander-Arnold’s nomination says so much about his meteoric rise.
The winner will be announced on December 3.
Giggs Backs Woodburn To Overcome Slump
Ben Woodburn has struggled to make an impact at top-of-the-table Sheffield United this season, making only one Championship start and still looking for his first goal.
Wales manager Ryan Giggs has backed the teenager to come through this sticky patch, however, with it all part of the learning process.
“I’ve got no concerns regarding Ben’s quality, I’ve seen it in training in the last camp,” said Giggs.
“He’s just not getting regular game-time at the moment. Sometimes it works out on loan, sometimes it doesn’t – but this could be a good thing.
“When you go through difficult times, which he is at the moment, and you come through it, sometimes you are a better player and a better person.
“The quality is definitely there and it’s up to Ben to make the most of that. It’s only him that can do that.”
Woodburn clearly has some maturing to do as a player, and must be careful not to stunt his progress, but it is still early days at his temporary club.
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