Liverpool FC Thread #142:- 2017 Pre-Season

[NI KI]

Klopp relishing new double act

Jurgen Klopp is relishing the prospect of unleashing flying wingers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah as a deadly double act this season.

Salah has made an impressive start to his Liverpool career following his £36.9million move from Roma with two goals in three outings so far.

The Egypt international has given the Reds another attacking dimension and Klopp is about to benefit from another injection of blistering pace.

Mane has been given the green light to resume his Liverpool career after completing his rehabilitation on a knee injury.

Klopp told the ECHO:
“The plan is for Sadio to start team training this week.

“He trained on Friday for the first time with the little team - six players - at home.

“Everybody is positive that he’s there and finally we can use Sadio again which will be great.

“He’s been out for so long. After a crazy long time, it will be so good to have him back.”

[NI KI]

Sadio Mane made his return to full training at Melwood today – as Andy Robertson joined up with his Liverpool teammates for the first time.

Mane, fit again after missing the back end of last season with a knee injury, was part of the squad as they were put through their paces by Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday.

The Senegal star, who also missed the Reds' recent trip to Hong Kong as part of his recovery, was joined by £10m man Robertson, who completed his switch from Hull last week and is in line to make his debut against Hertha Berlin this Saturday.

Also pictured was Emre Can , who returned to Merseyside at the weekend having been given an extended summer break following his Confederations Cup exertions with Germany.



Danny Ings was all smiles too, the striker back training with his teammates after almost nine months out with a cruciate ligament injury.

There was no sign of James Milner , who is taking part in a specialised training programme as he recovers from a thigh injury sustained in Hong Kong.

Liverpool's squad heads to Germany on Wednesday ahead of their weekend trip to Berlin. The Reds take on Hertha on Saturday before travelling to Munich, where they will face Bayern Munich and then either Atletico Madrid or Napoli in the space of 24 hours.

[NI KI]

Why Jurgen Klopp is not bothered about Liverpool's rivals - even Everton and Manchester United



Jurgen Klopp is not bothered by what Liverpool's rivals are up to this summer – and that includes Manchester United and Everton.

The Reds boss insists he is unconcerned with the signings being made by their Premier League foes as he concentrates on preparing his own side for the new season.

Liverpool have endured a mixed summer so far, bringing in three players in Dominic Solanke, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson but struggling to land top targets Naby Keita and Virgil Van Dijk.

Across the league, though, spending is set to reach unprecedented levels.
Everton have already brought in seven new faces, while Manchester United have spent big on the likes of Romelu Lukaku.

Klopp, though, was in no mood to discuss such issues.

Asked what he made of Everton's business, he replied: “First of all, I’m not interested in what other clubs are doing until we play them.

“So they can make the best business or the worst business, I’m not in it. I don’t know why they do the things they do, that’s why I’m completely fine.

“Yes, I heard, of course a few things that they have done. Strikers, good.
Wayne Rooney, you don’t have to talk about. The centre-half came. Good. So a lot of really good business. (Davy) Klaasen. So it's all good.

“But, at the end of the day, just like us, they can only line up 11 players. Then we have to see what will happen. But all the teams have tried to get stronger.

“With Everton, usually derbies are really close games. I don’t think we have gone into any of the last few derbies thinking: ‘It's only Everton.’ No. There is a lot of respect and if they’ve done good business, well done.

“But when we face them we still want to win.”

[NI KI]

Klopp was similarly guarded when asked about United boss Jose Mourinho's suggestion that Liverpool would find life tougher this season with the twin demands of domestic and European football.

“I’m not interested in what Jose Mourinho says,” he said. “Why should I talk about Manchester United? Jose is talking about us, yes.

“Okay, we had a season like Man United the year before. I don’t know if anybody asked us how it feels.

"Sorry that we lost the final yes, that’s right. We played Sevilla, they played Ajax. That's the difference.

“So we suffered during the season. Right. The Europa League was hard. Yes, Chelsea will feel also the difference, they played something like 13 players last season. But it's also not my problem if they use only 11, well done.

“I don’t want to be part of this. I answer if you ask but I am not interested.”

Discussing his own team's summer transfer business, Klopp was asked whether fans should be confident about the calibre of players being targeted.

He said: “I hope they are actually. I hope they do because there are a lot of reasons for it. After a season there is a summer break and everybody starts - and I’ve said this before - feeling that the transfer window is more interesting than the league.

“People think: ‘Oh we are winning already' – but unfortunately after the transfer window you have to carry on playing. That’s what I am most interested in.

“It doesn’t mean we don’t want to bring players in. We’ve always brought players in. Wonderful players like Wijnaldum.

“Maybe people know why I’ve said we are not doing too badly. Joel Matip.
Again, Sadio. A lot of good players already. But, it was not like - I don’t know - Ibrahimovic, Lukaku and others. Does that mean we can’t do it? I have no idea. We will see.

“We want to do the right thing and not calm the people down with a big signing and everyone will think now you have to win the league, then its: ‘Oh, obviously you can’t’.

“So that’s why I’m completely fine. We want to do a lot but not a lot in numbers, only a lot of work to improve this squad with training and different players.”

Klopp added: “We will see what happens but I really like, for example, the kind of project like Andrew Robertson.

“He is cool, he is not too long in professional football. He played outstandingly well at Hull but people have said ‘In defensive one-on-ones he is not that good.’

“That’s not a problem. I can’t teach him playing football because he is already good at that but I can teach him how to deal with one-on-ones because I could do that and I was a really bad footballer.

“So, its possible and doing the next step, things like that should still be possible.”

[NI KI]

'We are not afraid of big numbers, we are not afraid to spend'

Jurgen Klopp has sat down with Melissa Reddy, from Goal.com, to discuss Liverpool’s transfer strategy.

He’s still bullish, despite the difficulties Liverpool have had recently.

Well worth a read.

[NI KI]

Naby Keita went “past the limit” during his training ground row at RB Leipzig, according to a teammate.

The Liverpool transfer target caused a stir on Monday when he was caught on camera clashing with Leipzig skipper Diego Demme at an open session in Austria.

Keita left Demme in a heap after reacting to a challenge from his midfield colleague, with Leipzig coach Ralph Hassenhutl calling an end to the session in the aftermath of the Guinean’s tackle.

Leipzig later posted a video showing the pair shaking hands and drawing a line under the incident.

“That’s a training camp,” said the manager. “They all want to show how good they are feeling. Naby went to Diego straight away to apologise.”

Defender Willi Orban, meanwhile, believed Keita went a little over the top.

“There was a good intensity in the training session, and I am fan of that,” he said. “But Naby went a bit past the limit in that situation.”

Liverpool, it is understood, are yet to table an improved offer for the 22-year-old having seen bids of £57m and £66m rejected already this summer.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is desperate to add Keita to his squad, but may be forced to admit defeat and pursue alternative targets as he seeks to strengthen his midfield this summer.

[NI KI]

Jurgen Klopp on Philippe Coutinho's best position at Liverpool - and why it shouldn't be 'fixed'

Jurgen Klopp insists he is ready to use Philippe Coutinho in a number of positions this season.

The Liverpool boss believes his Brazilian star should not be “fixed” into a specific role, with his talent allowed to flourish naturally.

Coutinho spent much of last season operating from the left of the Reds' front three, his position described as “a wing 10” by Klopp back in May .

But he shone in the final weeks of the season from a deeper midfield station, and did so again as Liverpool beat Leicester to win the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong at the weekend.

Klopp, though, is ready to keep an open mind over the 25-year-old.

“He is not fixed and he should not be fixed,” he said. “Look against Leicester.

Gini (Wijnaldum) and Hendo couldn’t play together because we have these two players for the No 6 at the moment. Either one or the other.

“Of course they can play together but you couldn't do it (against Leicester)
“Then with Adam (Lallana) and Phil and Gini it was really offensive. We need to have these different options.

“Systems are not that important. They are important of course but not as much if you can play different systems. You can play every system that you know, as long as they make sense. This at the moment is how we have to work with the players.

“So it makes for us the most sense like this and Phil can play every day in about five positions - in all these different systems. It's cool. You have to do the right thing at the right moment.

“Which position we play, I don't care.”

Coutinho, of course, has been the subject of a big-money bid from Barcelona recently, with Liverpool adamant their star man will not be sold for any price this summer.

“The very important message is that we are not a selling club and that's how it is,” Klopp insisted last week .

[NI KI]

The Liverpool first choice 11 - Jurgen Klopp's big decisions ahead of Watford opener

Back from Hong Kong, Liverpool will step up their pre-season preparations this week as the new Premier League campaign hurtles into vision.

It’s less than three weeks now until Jurgen Klopp takes his side to Watford for their opening league fixture. After that comes the first leg of that crucial Champions League play-off – August, you may have noticed, is huge.

Klopp was able to welcome four first-teamers to full training at Melwood on Tuesday. Emre Can is back after his Confederations Cup exploits, while Sadio Mane and Danny Ings are ready to join in with the group after injury. Andy Robertson , meanwhile, will train with his new teammates for the first time this week.

It means, for now at least, Klopp has pretty much a full squad to choose from. Only James Milner of the senior players is carrying an issue, his thigh injury to be closely managed this week.

Liverpool head to Germany on Wednesday ahead of a three-game trip. The Reds face Hertha Berlin on Saturday before taking on Bayern Munich the following Tuesday.

Twenty-four hours later, they will be up against either Atletico Madrid or Napoli, before concluding their pre-season schedule in Dublin against Athletic Bilbao.

Plenty of time, then, for the pecking order to emerge. And, of course, for new faces to arrive – and hopefully none, or one in particular, to depart!

What will be Klopp’s XI at Watford? Here’s a look at the big dilemmas...

Goalkeeper



The likelihood is that Simon Mignolet will start the season as he finished it, as Liverpool’s No.1 between the sticks.

Loris Karius has featured alongside the Belgian in pre-season, but Mignolet’s form after returning to the side last winter means he deserves the chance to continue. Karius will hope for chances in cup competitions, and to continue keeping the pressure on after his difficult debut campaign on Merseyside.

Danny Ward , meanwhile, is yet to feature in pre-season despite Klopp suggesting that he would. Whether a season of being third choice appeals to the Wales international remains to be seen.

Verdict: Mignolet gets the nod, but will it be Ward or Karius breathing down his neck – or both?

Defence



Much will depend on a certain Dutchman, of course, but otherwise we are in a situation where Liverpool start the season with the same back four that finished it. Not ideal, in the eyes of many supporters.

Centre backs will, barring injury or £60m signings, be Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren . Nathaniel Clyne will likely begin the campaign at right back though Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to offer serious competition there.

Can Andy Robertson take his chance at dislodging James Milner in the coming fortnight. Milner’s thigh problem may help, though the vice-captain remains a firm favourite of the manager – unlike Mamadou Sakho, who will surely be sold before August is out?

Verdict: Clyne, Matip, Lovren and Milner to start – but it’s clear where the Reds need to strengthen most.

[NI KI]

Midfield



Naby Keita notwithstanding, it will be intriguing to see how Klopp juggles his options here.

Captain Jordan Henderson , fit and sharp in pre-season, will start as the No.6, but who will fill the advanced roles.

Emre Can’s late return (and contract situation) may count against him, while it is difficult to imagine Adam Lallana AND Philippe Coutinho starting together in midfield too often, especially away from home. Lallana is a huge Klopp favourite, of course, but then so is Gini Wijnaldum.

Verdict: Lallana the one to miss out as Coutinho joins Henderson and Wijnaldum to begin with. Liverpool still a midfielder light going into the season, though – whether it’s Keita or A.N. Other.

Attack



At the top end of the field, Klopp has reason to be excited about his potential options.

Mane may be nursed back into action having missed so much football, but he and Mohamed Salah look a tantalising prospect on the wings. Coutinho, of course, offers a different kind of threat in the front three, while Lallana can slot in there on occasion.

Roberto Firmino has not been outstanding in pre-season, but is very much THE No.9 at Anfield – literally and figuratively speaking. Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Dom Solanke will wait in the wings, as will the prodigious Ben Woodburn and the returning Danny Ings.

Verdict: Pace on both flanks with Mane and Salah, while Firmino continues his role as the real false nine.

The bench



There is understandable concern over Liverpool’s summer so far, with the lack of progress over a new centre half worrying, and no sign of a top-class midfield arrival either.

Still, the Reds should start the season with good options in reserve. Karius can put pressure on Mignolet if focused and stronger for his experiences last term, while Alexander-Arnold, Robertson and the revitalised Joe Gomez are youthful defensive alternatives.

In midfield two from Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum and Lallana will likely have to miss out each week, while Marko Grujic remains an option.



Further forward, Liverpool have four specialist strikers waiting behind Firmino, with Sturridge in particular drawing strong praise from Klopp this summer.

Not forgetting, of course, that the likes of Woodburn, Ovie Ejaria, Harry Wilson (injured at present), Rhian Brewster and others should form the basis of a decent U23s side too.

[NI KI]

August 4 is a date on many Liverpool supporters minds as UEFA make the draw for the Champions League play-offs.

With 10 days to go, tonight and tomorrow sees the first legs of the games which will decide Liverpool's opponents in a game which will have huge stakes attached to it.

Right now, Jurgen Klopp's men have 10 possible opponents and four of them take each other on tonight ahead of a second leg next week.

Steaua Bucharest (Romania) are at home to Viktora Plzen (Czech Republic) while AEK Athens take on CSKA Moscow. Both games kick off at 6.30pm UK time.

Tomorrow night another four possible Reds' opponents are in action.

Young Boys (Switzerland) travel to face Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) at 5.30pm.
The Reds can meet Young Boys but won't face Kyiv if they progress as they will be seeded, like Liverpool.

Nice - Mario Balotelli and all - are at home to seeded Ajax in a similar scenario, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Club Brugge (Belgium) host Istanbul Basaksehir (Turkey), with the winner also a possible name to face the Reds.

The two other possible opponents are Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) and Hoffenheim (Germany) who go automatically into the play-off round.

Tuesday

Steaua Bucharest v Viktora Plzen 6.30pm

AEK Athens v CSKA Moscow 6.30pm

Wednesday

Dynamo Kiev v Young Boys (Ukraine) 5.30pm

Nice v Ajax 7.45pm 8pm

Club Brugge v Istanbul Basaksehir

POSSIBLE OPPONENTS FOR LIVERPOOL REMINDER

Viktora Plzen (Czech Republic ) - finished second, 10 points behind winners Slavia Prague

CSKA Moscow (Russia) - finished second, seven points behind Spartak Moscow and one point ahead of Zenit

Club Brugge (Belgium) - finished second, two points behind Anderlecht

Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) - finished third, behind champions Benfica and second place Porto

Steaua Bucharest (Romania) - finished second behind Viitorul

Young Boys (Switzerland) - second to regular pests FC Basel by a whopping 17 points

Nice (France) - third behind champions Monaco and second-placed PSG

Hoffenheim (Germany) - fourth, two points behind third-placed Dortmund and 20 behind champions Bayern Munich

Istanbul BB (Turkey) - second behind champions Besiktas and well ahead of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

AEK Athens (Greece) -Super League play-off winner