Liverpool FC Thread #148:- More hard work to be done

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Jurgen Klopp faced the media at Anfield ahead of Wednesday night's crunch showdown with Spartak Moscow.

The Reds boss was quizzed on a range of topics as he looks to ensure the club progresses to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2008/09.

How big is this game?



"It's THE game. We are only part of the Champions League because we want to go to the next round. The good and the bad things that have happened to us in the Champions League have brought us to this situation.

"It's a home game and if we win we are through - that's cool.

"I know a lot of people will probably think we could already be through but that's not life. It’s about the moment.

"Spartak could say the same. They gave four points away against Maribor. I am really looking forward to it. We are stronger than when we last played them but they are stronger too. It will be an exciting game and that's how the Champions League should be."

Do you have to consider Sunday's Merseyside derby when it comes to picking a line up?



"I don't have to think about the game on Sunday already. We have enough time after tomorrow night and we will be prepared for that game. We want to go through and we have the chance to do it so we do not hesitate to line up our best team.

"Even when we changed a lot it was always about bringing in these players to have the concentration, to have the skills and to have the fresh legs to win the game.

"Thankfully, it has worked well quite in the last few games and that is what we will do again. We will prepare for this game but we cannot line up for the derby in the same moment."

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How do you avoid another situation like Sevilla away when you fell apart in the second half?



“There is absolutely no reason to think about that. I cannot think before each game about a 3-0 lead and then the other team coming back. If we had been 3-0 up at Anfield it would not have happened as the atmosphere helped a lot. Tomorrow I really think the atmosphere can and should help us.

"We all know how special this place can be in specific moments and that is what I am looking for and that is what I want. Thank God it's a little bit cold so everyone needs to move to keep warm. I am really excited about the opportunity. You don't have guarantees in life but if you don't try all you get nothing so let's try all and we will see where it leads us to."

What makes you sure Coutinho will be here in February?



“Nothing - but I don't think about it, I think about the Moscow game. Not one second have I thought about that so far. I am not unsure, I am not sure, I don't think about it. I have a team to prepare for tomorrow night and no-one knows what will happen in the nice and calm January transfer window. It's nice from an outside view but I have absolutely nothing to say."

We're beginning to see partnerships developing, does that influence your thinking in terms of selection?



“We are in the part of the season when you should see that we work together. There was no moment when we had to make a completely new start.

"We had little drops in games which we were not as good as we should have been expected – Tottenham was the most obvious one because it was 11 versus 11 situation not like Man City with 10 versus 11.

"We learned from it but that means unfortunately not too much for tomorrow night; most of the things we are talking about – shape, moment and stuff like this – is the past and we need to prepare for tomorrow. They are human beings but I cannot take it for granted and the boys cannot take it for granted.

"We have to prove our quality every day and especially every match day so tomorrow is a very important match for us. I don't want to make it bigger than it is but it is very big."

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Liverpool duo Emre Can and Alberto Moreno will be walking a disciplinary tightrope in Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow at Anfield.

The German midfielder and the Spanish left-back will miss the Reds' next European game if they pick up another booking against the Russian champions.

Both Can and Moreno have collected two yellow cards in the group stage so far and a third would trigger a one-match ban. Bookings are only wiped when a club reaches the semi-final stage of a European competition.

A draw would secure Liverpool's passage to the last 16 of the Champions League and if they beat Spartak they will go through as Group E winners.

If the Reds lose they will be dumped into the Europa League unless Sevilla suffer a surprise defeat to Maribor.

Joel Matip (thigh) is set to miss out but Jurgen Klopp should have Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez back available.

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Woodburn wins Wales award

A top award for a young man.




@FAWales and @LFC forward Ben Woodburn is the Carwyn James Young Sportsman of the Year #WSA2017

And Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was there to present him with his award!

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Sturridge attracting Spanish interest



Some rumours doing the rounds today that Daniel Sturridge could move to Real Betis in January.

Sevilla are also said to be keen on the 28-year-old, who has struggled to force his way into Liverpool’s starting line up this year, but Real Betis are more likely to offer Sturridge regular football in the run up to the World Cup in Russia next summer.

Betis are said to be ready to put together a loan package for Sturridge, but I’m not sure whether that would prove attractive to Liverpool right now.

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Liverpool Football Club’s vision to bring its first team and Academy football training operations together on one site moved another step forward today with outline planning granted for the existing training facility at Melwood.

The application, which was approved today by Liverpool City Council's planning committee, provides consent for up to 160 new family homes with open space and landscaping. Plans also include vehicle access from Melwood Drive and Deysbrook Lane, in addition to cycle and pedestrian access from Crown Road.

As part of the planning a process, the club held a pre-planning consultation with just under 3,000 local residents and business in the area requesting feedback on the proposals. LFC also held a community drop–in session at West Derby Golf Club earlier this year, providing further information on the proposed scheme.

Peter Moore, LFC’s chief executive officer, said:“The approval today by Liverpool City Council is another step forward on our journey to create world-class training facilities for our first team and academy players together on one site at Kirkby.

“Melwood has played a significant role in the club’s history and will always be engrained in our rich tapestry; however, the site is limited in terms of space and is unable to accommodate the club’s ambitions for a new combined training facility. This latest planning approval for the Melwood site is a key part of the wider project.”

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The next star to emerge from the Liverpool academy?

Have you heard about Curtis Jones yet?

No? You really should be paying attention!

He’s the U18s’ talisman, the man they are building the team around, according to Steven Gerrard.

He’s a goalscorer, he’s skilful, he can put his foot in and he’s a Scouser.

Here’s Kristian Walsh on a very gifted young player indeed

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In the midst of the festivities over a job thoroughly well done against Brighton & Hove Albion, a moment of reflection was required.

Liverpool won 5-1, but had done so with just one centre back on the pitch. While that was cause for celebration, it is not sustainable in the coming weeks.

Granted, Jurgen Klopp was presented with a strange set of circumstances. Joel Matip was injured, while a bug struck down both Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez. Klavan made it to the bench, but only to be used in the absolute worst-case scenario of another defensive injury.

Most teams would struggle if three of their defenders were missing, but it further emphasised a point made throughout the campaign: Liverpool need reinforcements in that position.

The Reds' defensive outings have improved since the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham in October, although Sevilla was a harrowing evening in the second half.

The blame and focus fell upon the midfield as much as the back four on that night.

Yet Liverpool undoubtedly do need to strengthen, and in January if possible.

Here is who could step in for the Reds.



The obvious option - Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)

No surprises here The Dutch defender remains on Liverpool’s wishlist after their botched attempt to sign him in the summer, and still remains the star most supporters would like to see snapped up.

There might be more caution than there was in the summer however, with his performances for Southampton this season not befitting of a player with a huge price tag – including a disappointing afternoon at Anfield.

Yet he has started to show a bit more consistency in recent weeks under Mauricio Pellegrino in what has become an inconsistent Saints side.

The dream option - Dan-Axel Zagadou (Borussia Dortmund)



Still just 18, signing a player with just 15 senior appearances to his name might represent a risk; indeed, it could be considered the opposite of what Liverpool need.

But the French teenager is hot property and has forced his way into Dortmund’s first-team after signing from Paris St-Germain last summer.

Tipped to become one of the best centre-backs in the game in time, he would represent a real statement from Liverpool – a player ready-made for the first team, but with so much development to come.

That he signed a five-year deal in the summer means he would be nothing more than aspirational, however.

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The Bundesliga option - Willi Orban (RB Leipzig)

With Naby Keita heading to Anfield, how about his Leipzig team-mate?

The Bundesliga feels a natural league to focus on when assessing potential recruits, and Orban has been one of the standouts this campaign.

The 25-year-old – who joined from Kaiserslautern in 2015 – has established himself as part of last season’s surprise runners-up. Though Keita, Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg are the stars, Orban and partner Dayot Upamecano have provided a solid base this season.

He is their captain however, so tempting Leipzig to sell another of their stars would prove difficult.

The cheap option - Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)

With just six months remaining on his contract at Atletico Madrid, is there a chance for Liverpool to profit?

The Uruguayan has found minutes hard to come by for Atletico Madrid, with Stefan Savic and Diego Godin first choice under Diego Simeone.

Still only 22, the uncompromising defender has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and has heralded playing in England as a ‘dream’.

He will be free to negotiate a pre-contract in January, but would there be an option of snapping him up for a lower fee with his deal running out?

The wonderkid option - Kevin Danso (Augsburg)

At just 19, hopes are high for the Austrian international. A former team-mate of Dele Alli at MK Dons, Danso was snapped up by Augsburg in 2014, and has since become their youngest-ever player after making his debut in March.

Thought of as a midfielder at youth level, he has thrived at centre-back in the first team, where he has established himself as first-choice over the past seven games.

Danso, who was born in Austria but moved to Milton Keynes as a youngster, has plenty in the game excited and could represent a real option for the future.

The Premier League option - Christian Kabasele (Watford)


Kabasele has even scored against Everton

Several defenders have impressed domestically in this campaign, with the likes of Ben Mee and Shane Duffy catching the eye.

But Watford star Kabasele has been earning rave reviews for his efforts at Vicarage Road.

Granted, the Hornets have conceded plenty of goals – including three against Liverpool – but he is part of a defence that is actually limiting the opposition to a low number of efforts on goal.

In a better set-up, the 26-year-old could be a real asset, having spent the past few months learning from the smart Marco Silva.

The emerging option - Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart)

The Frenchman raised eyebrows when he was called into Didier Deschamps’ national squad in November, earning his first two caps, but such is the impact the 21-year-old has made in the Bundesliga.

Could there be a chance to profit on something few others have seen so far?

Arriving from Lille in 206, he has been praised for his technique, passing ability and man-marking skills, with the player also naming Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels as role models.

Also capable of filling in at full back, he could be a name to follow in the coming years.