The international week hasn’t really kicked off yet, but it’s never quiet where Liverpool are concerned—and injuries continue to play a role.
Ankle breakers, ankle breaks
Crystal Palace know they’ll be in for a tough game once domestic action resumes, but it might just be that they’re feeling strangely optimistic right now.
The Reds’ focus was massively geared toward Man City over the last month, with rotations, rests and general fans’ attentions all tuned toward winning that match. As ever, after the big game, there can be a bit of a comedown, making it hard to perform with the same intensity in the next fixture.
Added to that, Liverpool are already concerned about two key starters for the fixtures: Andy Robertson and Mo Salah.
Late yesterday evening, Salah’s withdrawal from the Egypt squad was confirmed, raising fears he might miss the first game back—just as he did after the last international break with the troublesome ankle.
Same reason, same worry: Andy Robbo explained his pull-out from Scotland duty, saying he’ has been unable to train and could face extended time out if he doesn’t let it heal fully.
Quick reminder: we have no natural, direct replacement for either player.
Gomez keeping low profile a sign of maturity
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ll know the buildup to England’s game has been dominated by news of Raheem Sterling being dropped after assaulting Joe Gomez.
While debate has raged about if the punishment was too harsh, why Liverpool fans are to blame and every other nonsense opinion possible, spare a thought for Gomez.
The club are thought to be angry that the defender was put in this position to begin with, and Dominic King of the Mail has written why Gomez is the last player to cause this type of problem in a squad and how he is innocent of any blame in the matter.
Looking back, looking forward
With no match build-up for a while, the focus around Anfield right now is split between the good start and the great players on show.
- Trent’s ability to influence a game is compared to that of Steven Gerrard
- Klopp keeps pushing the ‘one game at a time’ mantra
- Refs chief Mike Riley is to argue against increased VAR pitchside monitor use
Quickfire LFC news
- FSG have done such a good job so far that the new kit deal with Nike could be just the next step leading to even more upward trajectory, say the financial minds at FC Business.
- Klopp, Trent and Virgil have been honoured with prizes at the annual Northwest Football Awards
- U18s midfielder Matteo Ritaccio has signed his first pro deal with the club. He’s out injured until the new year but we can now look forward to seeing more progression from him
- And Liverpool FC Women play at Anfield on Sunday, in the Merseyside derby. 18-year-old midfielder Missy Bo Kearns has been speaking about the historic occasion and what the Reds are hoping for
Around the Prem
- Liverpool were linked with Dutch forward Memphis Depay in summer; he’s now wanted by Spurs, too, but Man United have a buy-back option (Independent)
- Ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been appointed FIFA chief of global football development (Sky Sports)
- Palace may lose their sporting director to the manager role at Hearts (Evening Standard)
- And Man City‘s Bernardo Silva has been given a one-game ban over a tweet regarding team-mate Benjamin Mendy (Reuters)
Stupid interview of the day
Whether his sentiment is right or not, what on earth Gylfi Sigurdsson has to do with the title race and commenting on it is anyone’s guess.
Be quiet and concentrate on your own relegation battle with your 15th-placed team.
Video of the day
What we’re reading
Lionel Messi has been in immaculate form—but Barcelona need more than just the GOAT if they are to land serious honours, says Richard Fitzpatrick for B/R.
And you might know of Takefusa Kubo, but here are another four Japanese starlets who are ready to shine on the biggest stage and “usher in a new era” for Asian footballers, by Charlie Houghton for These Football Times.
Worth watching tonight
Unless you are hardcore enough to want to see the last remaining game in the EFL Trophy group Liverpool U21s played in—and will finish bottom of regardless of tonight’s Fleetwood vs. Oldham scoreline—our official recommendation is that you have a night off.
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