We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Tuesday, as the Reds begin their training camp in Marbella.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Big concern in Klopp’s update on Lovren’s “tight race” for Bayern fitness
Could it be Fabinho & Matip at centre-back?
- German paper identifies Bayern’s biggest weakness for Liverpool tie
And their solution.
- Sturridge in limbo at Liverpool as uncertainty over FA charge continues
Far from an ideal situation for the striker.
- The under-the-radar “success story” in Liverpool’s academy this season
Not only Glatzel and Duncan who deserve praise.
- ‘Twenty’s Plenty’, the travelling Kop & importance of Liverpool’s away fans
James Nalton discusses a range of topics.
Trio Miss Training – But Ox & Brewster Take Part
Liverpool trained in Marbella on Tuesday but three players who didn’t take part were James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho.
Klopp has given reasoning behind the trio of midfielders missing out, with nothing to worry about for supporters.
“It’s how it is after games, you have a couple of problems,” Klopp told LiverpoolFC.com.
“Millie and Gini still struggle with their illnesses, so they did a bit of work in the hotel.
“Fabinho felt [something] a little bit; it will not be a problem, but there was no reason for him to be out [training] today.
“Hopefully he can train tomorrow and if not then the day after that. None of them are serious, all will be fine.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster were part of the group, however, taking part in a light session before returning to their individual work.
Why Liverpool Lost Interest in Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey will join Juventus at the end of the season, in a deal that is reportedly set to earn him approximately £400,000 a week.
The Arsenal midfielder was linked with a summer move to Liverpool but the Evening Standard claim they were put off by his wage demands.
Jurgen Klopp is believed to rate Ramsey highly but he couldn’t justify bringing him in, especially with the midfield already so well-stocked.
The transfer is set to make the Welshman the highest-earning British footballer in history—he’s not worth it, surely?
Spurs Set to Approach Sturridge?
Liverpool have no plans to offer Daniel Sturridge a new contract.
Now 29, the striker remains one of the club’s highest earners at around £120,000 a week, but his bit-part role under Klopp certainly doesn’t justify such an outlay.
He is unlikely to be short of suitors ahead of his departure in the summer, and according to the Mirror‘s Darren Lewis in today’s physical paper, Tottenham are among those interested.
Lewis claims Spurs are “particularly keen” as they seek a replacement for Fernando Llorente as backup to Harry Kane.
Whether Sturridge would be open to a squad role at another club is questionable, however, with Lewis also noting that he “has interest from America and teams across Europe.”
Robertson Discusses “Fearless” Approach
Andy Robertson has become one of the most influential figures of the Klopp era, both on and off the pitch.
The Scot has spoken to LiverpoolFC.com about the “fearless” way in which he approaches matches, refusing to ever give less than his all:
“My attitude when I go onto the pitch has always been fearless. I’ve never gone into a game fearing anything or anyone.
“We’re in a game where mistakes happen and it’s how you deal with that. You’re in a game where you can become a hero. It’s all about dealing with that. [My upbringing] probably does have a bit to do with it.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve got nothing to lose because now the stakes are high. Of course, if you drop below [your standards] you’ve got your position to lose.
“I’m realistic—every game, not all of us can play to the highest of our ability.
“But I always believe if we all give 100 per cent, some days not everything will come off for you—you’ll have bad touches, mistimed tackles—but if I’ve given 100 percent, you’ll still get criticised and you’ll criticise yourself in terms of performance, but you’ll know you’ve made it hard for your opponent.”
It is this attitude that has seen Robertson enjoy a meteoric rise from playing for Queen’s Park in 2012 to captaining Scotland, as well as becoming one of Europe’s best left-backs.
Gent to Pay Liverpool Awoniyi Fine
Taiwo Awoniyi made headlines when he scored for Royal Excel Mouscron against former club KAA Gent on Sunday night.
It earned his side a 2-1 win, and to add further salt to Gent wounds, it has now been revealed by HLN that they will have to pay Liverpool a fine because of under-playing the youngster during his initial loan earlier this season.
“First, we gave him sufficient opportunities. He started eight times with us,” Gent manager Michel Louwagie claimed.
“There was also a ‘penalty’ in the agreement: if he did not start in 70 percent of the matches, we had to pay that penalty.
“So, we have to pay for it. [But] we did everything to make him succeed.”
Carragher Highlights Van Dijk Influence
Virgil van Dijk‘s influence at Liverpool has arguably been near-unrivalled in the last 12 months, perhaps with the exception of Mohamed Salah.
The Dutchman has marshalled a defence that has conceded just 15 times in 26 league outings to date this season, making him the current favourite for the PFA Player of the Year award.
Speaking on Sky’s Monday Night Football coverage, Jamie Carragher believes Van Dijk could be the key figure in the Premier League title race, helping Liverpool grind out wins:
“Winning the Premier League is about who gets the most points and there’s different ways of getting points.
“Liverpool have relied a lot this season on what they’ve done defensively, the two Dutch players were outstanding at the weekend.
“Wijnaldum was back and certainly that man Van Dijk at the back what he’s done. He’s the best defender in the league.
“So we talk about the attacking players City have at the other end, Liverpool can almost match them I would say, but in terms of Van Dijk they have the best defender.
“So Liverpool could actually win the league that way. It’s not so much about how well you play, it’s getting the three points.
“More often than not this season Liverpool have done that.”
Lewtas Heaps Praise on “Big Man” Jaros
Liverpool U18s strike pairing Paul Glatzel and Bobby Duncan may have earned headlines this season, but goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros has also impressed greatly.
Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com, manager Barry Lewtas insisted the 17-year-old is equally important, also highlighting the team spirit that exists with his players:
“The front two have stolen quite a lot of the headlines, 41 goals between them, which is fantastic, but we’ve needed the big man in goal on quite a few occasions.
“There have been a few standout games when Vitezslav has kept us in them.
“Right the way throughout the squad it has been a team ethic all of the way through.”
The U18s host Wigan Athletic in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening (7pm GMT), with Jaros expected to start between the sticks.
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