We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Wednesday, with plenty of reaction from the 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Liverpool set to head to North America on summer 2019 pre-season tour
Asia not expected to be part of the schedule this summer.
- Andrew Robertson takes positives from Bayern draw & demands focus switch to title challenge
The Scot is still confident Liverpool can progress.
- Jurgen Klopp confirms Dejan Lovren will miss Man United fixture
Van Dijk back to partner Matip, though.
- Gini Wijnaldum points out why Liverpool can take positives from both ends of the pitch
Positive words from the in-form midfielder.
- 5 key stats from Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich
Imperious defence, midfielders shine & Neuer revelation.
- Debating Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich
The good, the bad & next up Man United.
- Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: Player Ratings – What the media and statistics say
Plenty of praise for Fabinho, Henderson & Keita.
- Liverpool players react to draw with Bayern Munich
“Still everything to play for”, “Unlucky not to get the win”.
Klopp Hails “Brilliant” Henderson
Jordan Henderson was a strong contender for Man of the Match against Bayern, proving to be a huge influence in the middle of the park.
The skipper’s impact didn’t go unnoticed by Jurgen Klopp, who lauded his impact in his post-match interview with BT Sport:
“A clean sheet without the big man – probably not a lot of people would have expected that. That was very good.
“Defending in general was good. And of course, Hendo did a brilliant job there, it was unbelievable how many balls he won back and stuff like that.
“It was a fantastic game from him – but that’s actually what we expect as well.”
Klopp has a tough decision to make ahead of Sunday’s trip to Man United, with Fabinho set to return to midfield and Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita all in good form, too.
Praise For Fabinho
Fabinho was excellent at the heart of Liverpool’s defence against Bayern, filling the void left by Virgil van Dijk.
The 25-year-old has earned glowing praise from ex-Reds defender Phil Babb, who has also tipped him to become one of the best midfielders in the business.
“I’d say he was our best player on the night,” Babb told LFCTV.
“He was calm, assured, I like it that he sensed danger. He got into positions where he could cover. Positional wise, fantastic. Calm, cool and collected, aven when the press was on he was not flustered.
“I thought he was outstanding and he has pace as well. He is intelligent and he can adapt to many different positions, including centre-back.
“But as a defensive midfielder I think he will be one of the best in the world.”
Glatzel Signs Professional Deal
Liverpool U18s captain Paul Glatzel has signed his first professional contract, as was initially rumoured last weekend.
The striker has been in superb form this season, scoring 23 goals in total, including his first for the U23s in Monday’s 1-0 win at West Ham.
Glatzel has played for the Reds since U9 level, moving his way through the Academy and looking a player of enormous potential.
He has dual nationality, having been born in Liverpool to German parents, representing both England and Germany youth teams.
Carragher Content With 0-0
Not everyone was left in confident spirits after the Anfield stalemate on Tuesday, but Jamie Carragher is in a positive mindset.
Speaking to Norwegian broadcasters Viasport Fotball, the former Liverpool favourite said Bayern’s approach will be different in Munich, playing into the hands of the Reds’ counter-attacking brilliance:
“Maybe Bayern Munich will think tonight’s game is a good result, and yes – Liverpool’s away record has not been good this season and the end of last season so that will have to change to go through.
“But a goalless draw is the best draw you can get and without getting the away goal, that will be at the back of Bayern’s mind.
“I think Liverpool will be confident they can score in Bayern Munich because I feel tonight [Mats] Hummels was outstanding at the back but he defended very deep.
“At home, Bayern have to win the game and you may expect their defenders will be closer to the halfway line so there will be more space for [Mohamed] Salah, [Sadio] Mane and [Roberto] Firmino.
“So I don’t think it’s a bad result tonight for Liverpool. Yes you want to win the game and I think with the away record you have to do more and get more goals, but without Virgil van Dijk to keep a clean sheet, stop [Robert] Lewandowski from scoring, it’s not a bad result.”
Keeping a clean sheet was vital for Liverpool and Carragher is right in saying Bayern will be worried about the threat their opponents will pose, with even one goal for them potentially huge.
Anfield to Show Second Leg
Fans will be able to watch the second leg of Liverpool’s clash with Bayern next month at Anfield.
The club have confirmed that a screening of the match will take place inside the ground on March 13, in association with BT Sport.
Ticket information can be found here.
Sporting to Offload Fernandes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS7nPmxNZKM
According to Correio de Manha, Sporting CP are considering cashing in on highly-rated midfielder and captain Bruno Fernandes.
The 24-year-old Portugal international has been linked with a move to both Liverpool and Everton in recent times, but a January move never came close to materialising.
Sporting are in bad financial trouble currently and may be forced into selling Fernandes for a cut-price fee in the summer, with his release clause a whopping £90million.
It may be one to keep an eye on.
Allan on Latest Loan Move
Allan Rodrigues de Souza is on his sixth loan spell in four seasons, having recently returned to his homeland to play for Fluminense, after his contract with Eintracht Frankfurt was terminated.
The Brazilian looks likely to never make the grade at Liverpool, especially with UK work permit issues continuing to prove troublesome.
Allan took to Instagram on Wednesday to discuss his excitement about the move, saying:
“New challenge in my professional life! I am very grateful to everyone who made it possible to live this experience.
“I will do everything to give joys to this amazing crowd and conquer important victories with the tricolour shirt!”
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