January move a possibility & Reds trio up for awards – Friday’s Liverpool FC News

Liverpool are back in action tomorrow with an away trip to Bournemouth; before then, we’ve got transfer rumours and press conference news for you.

 

Klopp on games, games and more games

The boss has addressed the media ahead of the Reds’ journey to Dean Court, as Liverpool look to continue their unbeaten and near-perfect start to the season.

Bournemouth have been rather poor of late, but Klopp wants no slackening up of the title charge and makes the point that every match counts for the same.

With loads of games coming in the next few weeks, rotation is for Christmas, not just for Everton…is that how the saying goes? Anyway, it’s not FIFA, says the boss—real players need real rest, and that’s what he’ll do throughout this busy period.

Looking beyond Bournemouth, the boss has also explained his plans for the Club World Cup and League Cup, and noted what a huge opportunity the youngsters at the club have.

Here you can see Klopp’s presser in full.

 

January moves? One journo thinks so…

Lyon's Houssem Aouar (Photo: David Klein/Sportimage via PA Images)

Fancy a nice, shiny new Jadon Sancho as a new year’s gift?

It might happen, but there are conflicting reports about whether he wants to leave or not. Even so, beyond the winter market there’s a chance the Reds will make a big move for someone new in the summer.

The Mirror‘s Dave Maddock feels Liverpool will make a couple of big moves in 2020 at some point, especially with the impending Nike kit deal to be announced.

Sancho isn’t the only player he discusses, either, with Houssem Aouar also getting some airtime.

 

Fringes of the first team

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 4, 2019: Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates his side's fifth goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 234th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-2. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

As we saw against the Ev in midweek, the entire squad is important this season and we’ll need them all. So it’s worth a look at what’s been said by, and about, some of those on the fringes of the action for most of this season…

 

Reds trio up for awards

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 4, 2019: Liverpools Sadio Mané celebrates scoring the fourth goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 234th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Always nice when Liverpool’s stars are recognised for their efforts!

It’s no Ballon d’Or, but our sumptuous and relentless form in November has been noted by the Premier League, with Fabinho and Sadio Mane both up for accolades, along with boss Jurgen Klopp.

Our defensive midfielder is one of seven players contending for Goal of the Month, for his blockbuster effort against Man City. Watch the goals and vote for Fab (right?!) by following this link.

As for Mane, he’s up for Player of the Month. Dele Alli, Jamie Vardy and Lys Mousset are some of those he’s up against—vote for our No. 10 here.

Finally, Klopp is up for Manager of the Month against Nuno, Brendan Rodgers and Chris Wilder. Vote for Jurgen here!

 

Quickfire LFC news

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 4, 2019: Liverpool's James Milner, wearing a rainbow coloured captain's armband, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 234th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

  • Marko Grujic has just one aim for next season, and that’s to line up in Jurgen’s midfield. Klopp, that is, not his new Hertha manager Klinsmann (TalkSport)
  • The Reds play Bournemouth on Saturday and Klopp himself is really pleased Harry Wilson isn’t allowed to play – and highlights what he must improve to make it back at Anfield (LiverpoolFC.com)
  • For football fans of a certain vintage, Franco Baresi might be the best defender they have ever seen play. When the man himself highlights how good Van Dijk is, it’s noteworthy praise (Goal)
  • And James Milner is open to a move abroad when he departs from Liverpool, though heading straight into coaching is also an option (The Sportsman)

 

Around the Prem

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 29, 2016: Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action against Liverpool during the FA Premier League match at Selhurst Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

  • Chelsea are back in the market—their transfer ban was halved and can sign players from January onwards (BBC Sport)
  • And they are going to celebrate their new-found freedom by lashing out many tens of millions of Wilf Zaha (Independent)
  • Alan Pardew would love the Everton job. Go on. Give it to him. Please! (Amazon)
  • And Salzburg’s scoring sensation Erling Braut Haaland supposedly has a £17m release clause for next month. Hopefully all this transfer talk goes to his head and he has a shocker against the Reds next week (MEN)

 

Stupid story of the day

The Echo keep a pretty close eye on all things Liverpool, but sometimes you just can’t see the woods for the trees.

This article looks at whether Ovie Ejaria‘s impressive loan spell at Reading could see him be the under-the-radar player to make a big impact in Jurgen Klopp‘s squad over the coming years, citing stats, style of play and plenty more.

All very nice, with one small detail overlooked: his loan deal includes a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

 

Tweet of the day

 

What we’re reading

Nearly 20 years ago, then-Leeds players Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate almost went to prison and another man almost died. The full story, and how Leeds as a club have never really recovered, is told by Daniel Taylor for the Athletic.

Everton are a shambles, on and off the pitch. Melissa Reddy details the lows and the even lowers for the Independent.

 

Worth watching tonight

Three incredible games in store, so pick your favourite team or league: Bundesliga, Eintracht against Hertha at 7:30; Serie A, Inter vs. Roma at 7:45; LaLiga, Villarreal host Atletico, 8pm. Dreamland.

Get our Liverpool FC roundups like this one to your inbox every evening!

An informative, tongue-in-cheek roundup of the day’s events at LFC and the wider football world.