We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Thursday, as focus switches to Sunday’s visit of Chelsea.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Liverpool in ‘advanced talks’ over record-breaking kit deal
It could exceed the record set by Man United.
- Seán Cox sends thank you message to Liverpool supporters
Wonderful news as Reds fan makes first appearance after attack.
- Club chief lists Liverpool among sides interested in Hazard
Could Klopp make a summer move for Eden’s brother?
- How Liverpool’s new secret weapon has become the best in Europe
Brilliant graph shows the Reds’ vastly improved set-piece prowess.
- The headline-grabbing week that could see Keita rise to key role
Liverpool’s No. 8 has found form at the perfect time.
No Injury Setbacks for Trio
Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster all took part in training on Thursday, coming through the session unscathed.
It is the latest boost for the trio, all of whom have suffered with serious injury problems.
Gomez was named on the substitutes’ bench in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Porto and the same is likely to apply against Chelsea this weekend.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Brewster are still some way off playing first-team football, but it is clear that they are making good progress, avoiding injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday.
Liverpool seemingly head into the Chelsea game with a clean bill of health.
Model Pro Mignolet Hails Current Reds Side
Simon Mignolet may be serving a bit-part role at Liverpool this season, but he is still playing his part and proving to be a real team player, despite talk surrounding his future.
Speaking to VoetbalNieuws, the Belgian insisted this is the best Reds side he has played in, talking up their chances of winning a Premier League and Champions League double:
“As a whole, this is the strongest team I’ve ever experienced at Liverpool.
“At the back we are very stable with Virgil van Dijk and in the front you have three goalscorers with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
“The latter is also very strong in defending, a very complete attacker.
“We have a strong team, we are very strong across the board and in the past we also had a strong team with, among others, Steven Gerrard, Phillipe Coutinho and Luis Suarez, but then we were perhaps lacking a little width.
“It’s been 29 years since Liverpool won the title once again and the fans obviously want that very much.
“As a group of players, we want to win everything: the Champions League and the Premier League.”
Bizarre Criticism of Salah
Steve Nicol is rightly regarded as a Liverpool legend, but his punditry skills will never come close to earning such acclaim.
The former Reds full-back has nonsensically laid into Mohamed Salah for his current form, despite the Egyptian still making a big impact in games.
“At the moment he can’t find a red jersey with a pass,” Nicol told ESPN FC.
“And then when he has a shot, that’s the only time he’s finding a red jersey because he hit Henderson once and he hit Firmino straight in the back as well.
“But you know what, you can’t not play him. He showed us at the weekend that when he has an opportunity and he gets everything right—he’s world class.
“Right now, that’s only coming in spurts. But he’s got enough in the bank that he deserves to play and he should continue to play.”
How about actually watching games, Steve!
Firmino Nominated for Award
Roberto Firmino was at his influential best against Porto, scoring Liverpool’s second goal of the night and impressing in all facets of his game.
His efforts have been rewarded, with the Reds’ No. 9 nominated for the Champions League Player of the Week award.
Also up for the prize is Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, after he scored the winning goal against Man City, as well as Ajax prodigy Frenkie de Jong and Barcelona stalwart Gerard Pique.
You can vote for Firmino here.
LFC Legends to Face Dortmund
Liverpool have confirmed that LFC Legends will face a star-studded group of former Borussia Dortmund favourites in a one-off clash.
The match will take place at the Hong Kong Stadium on June 8.
The battle between Jurgen Klopp‘s current and former clubs should be a great spectacle, with some star names on show for either side.
Jamie Carragher will represent Liverpool, along with the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Luis Garcia, while ex-Reds striker Karl-Heinz Riedle will take to the field for the Bundesliga giants.
Tickets for the game go on general sale on Tuesday, April 23.
Benayoun Announces Retirement
Former Liverpool cult hero Yossi Benayoun has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to his excellent career.
The Israeli took to Instagram to announce the news, less than a month before he celebrates his 39th birthday.
“It is important for me to thank the fans, you were the ones who gave me love wherever I went,” he wrote.
Reds supporters will always treasure Benayoun’s impact at Anfield, where he spent three years between 2007 and 2010, scoring 29 goals in 134 appearances.
The winning goal away to Real Madrid in 2008/09 was certainly a high point, as was the memorable stoppage-time strike at Fulham in the same season.
All the best, Yossi.
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