Lijnders wants Klopp to sign Dutch star & Konate into last 16 – Liverpool FC News

Liverpool’s players and plans continue to make headlines with the Reds’ future looking uncertain in many ways just at the moment.

 

Today at the World Cup

Decent day’s action, all told, despite a few suggestions that the Saturday slate didn’t look the finest. Qatar 2022 now has one team out and one team in the last 16.

  • Green and gold parties abound as Australia claimed their first win at the World Cup in 12 years, beating Tunisia by a goal

  • Saudi Arabia were again energetic and attack-minded, but this time also wasteful and so Poland were allowed to pick up their own first win of the finals

  • France made three changes in defence which meant no Konate against Denmark, though he did come on as a late sub in their 2-1 victory

  • Argentina and Mexico fought out a game which was half World Cup football, half brawl, with a Messi goal and assist the inevitable difference between them

A pretty massive effort on the part of the Socceroos saw them stay in with a chance of the last 16, with centre-back Harry Souttar putting in a particularly brilliant showing.

It was similar in terms of effort but better in terms of build-up by Saudi Arabia – but they just could not find a clinical touch and were punished at the other end for defensive mistakes – one marginal, one glaring. Group C is outrageously close and all four can still go through or go home early.

DOHA, QATAR - Tuesday, November 22, 2022: Argentina's captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the first goal from a penalty kick during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

That said, the odds are against Mexico, who have been hoping to do something different to going out in the round of 16 for quite a while now. Going home after the group stage is probably not what they had in mind, however. But what can you do when the No10 decides to turn it on for a few minutes?

Finally, France. Ibou had minimal involvement in truth but this game was all about Mbappe, Mbappe, Mbappe. He was electric, in unstoppable form and scoring twice to put the reigning champions through. Looking ominous, if he stays fit. Joint top scorer with Enner Valencia!

Our own centre-back continues his first World Cup adventure, though, and even if he is sub for now he looks set for ongoing involvement as Varane’s fitness is managed – it’s clear he has earned the coaches’ trust.

 

LFC today

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 11, 2022: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (L) and assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group A matchday 4 game between Glasgow Rangers FC and Liverpool FC. (Pic by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)

Liverpool look set to add to their ranks in 2023 with at least a couple of players needed to boost Jurgen Klopp‘s squad, whether they come in January or the summer.

The first of those might end up being a rather surprising addition, according to today’s rumours; Dutch forward Cody Gakpo has been on several Premier League sides’ radar, but not ours until now.

Netherlands-based broadcaster Hans Kraay told ESPN that Gakpo’s departure is all but agreed with his club PSV and it just remains to be seen who signs him – and he reckons that Pep Lijnders is “charmed” by his talents and has urged Jurgen Klopp to bring him in.

Gakpo usually plays wide in the forward line but for the Oranje in Qatar has played as both a No10 and a centre-forward, scoring in each of his first two games.

 

Latest Liverpool FC news

  • With such change in the LFC hierarchy going on including Julian Ward departing, there has been suggestion that the Reds will perhaps move away from the transfer approach that has been so successful over the last few years. Not so, says one local reporter – data, and Jurgen Klopp’s thoughts, will still be king

 

Something you may have missed…

Quirk of fate and scheduling, but three of genuinely the greatest attackers of the generation all scored at the World Cup today in Messi, Mbappe and Lewandowski. It was, bizarrely, the latter’s first ever at the tournament, at age 34.

Meanwhile, that’s seven already for Mbappe and he’s 23 years old.

There are just 31 players in the history of football who have netted more than him at World Cups; one is still Messi (eight) thanks to today’s goal. Another is Cristiano (eight) thanks to his pen the other day. The record holder is Miroslav Klose with 16.

Even so, we’re giving our made-up-on-the-spot “player of the day” award to big Souttar at the back for Australia. He was just immense, flinging himself in the way of everything – even more outrageous a performance considering he’s just back from an ACL injury.

Don’t let the smaller names get overshadowed by the biggest at the World Cup when they play just as important a role!

 

Sunday’s matches and LFC aspects

  • 10am: Japan vs Costa Rica
  • 1pm: Belgium vs Morocco
  • 4pm: Croatia vs Canada
  • 7pm: Spain vs Germany

From an LFC perspective, keep an eye on… eg, players linked with (Bellingham obvs, Caicedo if playing), any former players, and of course current players.