Liverpool - News

THURSDAY 7th MARCH 2024 - EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16 - 1ST LEG

Sparta Prague 1 (Bradley 46 og) Liverpool 5 (MacAllister 6 pen, Nunez 25, 45+3, Diaz 53, Szoboszlai 90+4)

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Liverpool, who have already won the EFL Cup, remain on course for a Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup quadruple

Report By Neil Johnston, BBC Sport.
Liverpool will go into Sunday's huge Premier League game with Manchester City on the back of a seventh straight win after taking control of their Europa League last-16 tie against Sparta Prague.
The Reds were at their ruthless best in the first leg, scoring three goals before half-time to silence the home fans on a chaotic night in the Czech Republic capital.
They took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister's sixth-minute penalty after the Argentina World Cup winner had been fouled by Asger Sorensen.
Darwin Nunez's wonderful dipping finish from outside the penalty area doubled the lead - Liverpool's 1,000th goal under boss Jurgen Klopp - before the Uruguay forward's 16th club goal of the season, a fierce shot from the edge of the box, made it 3-0 in first-half added time.
Despite the handsome margin, Liverpool were thankful for Caoimhin Kelleher who once again underlined his importance to the team in the absence of injured first-choice keeper Alisson.
Kelleher made a string of crucial saves including one at 1-0 when he took the sting out of Lukas Haraslin's shot which saw the ball spin towards the net before Joe Gomez hooked it off the line.
Sparta Prague reduced the deficit when Reds substitute Conor Bradley scored an own goal with his first touch in the 46th minute while trying to make a clearance, only for Luis Diaz to restore his side's three-goal advantage with a deflected finish seven minutes later.
Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai scored the fifth goal with virtually the last kick.
Liverpool, who saw Mohamed Salah return from a hamstring injury as a 74th-minute substitute and have a goal ruled out for offside, will be confident of advancing to the quarter-finals when the teams meet for the second leg at Anfield on 14 March (20:00 GMT).
Before that, Klopp's men host defending champions Manchester City in a first-versus-second showdown at Anfield.
It remains to be seen whether Ibrahima Konate, who has been in fine form lately, will feature. The France defender was replaced soon after going down hurt in the second half, while Gomez did not show for the second half either.

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Darwin Nunez's first goal goal was the 1,000th that Liverpool have scored across all competitions under Jurgen Klopp, with this being their 476th game under him..

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Mohamed Salah had 11 touches, one shot on target and one disallowed goal after coming on in the 74th minute

Match Stats: Sparta Prague 1 Liverpool 5 - Shots: 11-20 - On Target: 7-11 - Corners: 5-3 - Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez

Steven Gerrard return announced by Liverpool alongside Fernando Torres..By Rich Jones.

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Steven Gerrard will be returning to Anfield and teaming up with Fernando Torres later this month.

Liverpool have confirmed Gerrard has joined Torres and other big names in the LFC Legends lineup to face Ajax Legends on March 23rd.

The two superstars will play in a special charity match arranged each year by the LFC Foundation.

This year's game marks Fernando Torres' first return to Anfield since hanging up his boots in 2019, having been announced as part of the team last month.

Now, Gerrard is also confirmed to be playing alongside him as the pair look to roll back the years.

They'll be managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson, along with other Liverpool greats like Ian Rush, John Aldridge, and John Barnes.

Getting to see Gerrard and Torres in action together again will be a big highlight.

The two were vital players for Liverpool until Torres made a dramatic move to Chelsea on Deadline Day in 2011.

Gerrard once confessed that Torres' departure "broke his heart" because he'd tried so hard to persuade him to stay.

On the Robbie Fowler podcast, Gerrard confessed in 2021: "'I didn't play with Torres long enough because he went to Chelsea and broke my heart.

I was really, really gutted (when Torres left). We're working so hard at this point to try and get as close as we can to close the gap and challenge.

He explained saying: "At Liverpool at the time it always felt like we were taking huge strides and getting close and progressing really well.

Then at a really key time and a key moment for the team and the group, a big player gets taken away and it takes time to recover from that.

"My relationship with Torres, I was getting a lot of goals at that time. I was at my peak and felt fantastic."

He concluded: "I understand everyone's situation is different. People have dreams and different paths and they're not all local lads who love the club.

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I appreciate and respect all that, but at the same time it still hurts when someone leaves a club."

"I've told Fernando that. I tried to get him to stay. I told his agent the same.

They were both at Melwood but they made a decision and that decision was out of my hands. It hurt a lot."

Torres also reflected on playing in an All-Star game back in 2015, thinking it was crucial in mending his relationship with Liverpool fans.

He shared in 2019: "It was a really important day for me. I felt like at the end [of that game] we were in a good way.

"One of the regrets I have is the way I left the club. With time, I think I could explain the reasons.

I'm really happy that every time I go anywhere in the world, I see Liverpool fans and they come to me and thank me for my time here. It should be the opposite way.

"I always thank them for the way they made me feel when I was here, and even now.

I'm really proud to say I will support Liverpool forever, it doesn't matter what happened."

"Even when things between us were not at their best, I felt that I needed to support Liverpool.

The city, fans and club will always be in my heart because it's the way I feel and I cannot change that."

Four years ago, Torres was due to play for Liverpool Legends before the game was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now he'll get to turn back the clock with Gerrard alongside him on a memorable afternoon.

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FT: Liverpool 1-1 Man City - Reactions:

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to Sky Sports: "Second half was obviously much better than 15-20 minutes in the first half. We should have closed the middle a bit better but we reacted well. We had very good chances, unfortunately we couldn't get the winner but overall bittersweet.
"Based on the second half you feel we should have won it, but they hit the post as well. It was so close.
"Manchester City has been very successful with the titles they have won and every game we have played against each other have been very intense. Every game is so difficult, they have quality all over the pitch and that is why they won the Treble last year. I respect that but the aim for us today was to win the game.
"To come away with a point is not a bad situation and we have to focus on what's next. We just have to enjoy the ride."


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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Sensational. First 10 minutes we were in a bit of a rush and Manchester City were directly there.
"The second half was the best we ever played against Manchester City, definitely.
"They hit the post of course but we should have scored two or three goals. Exceptional football game. Wow!
"For me, we proved today the first time 100% we are exactly where we should be. We will fight for it and see what we can get.
"I don't think I've seen them struggling like they were today. We were outstanding.
"The mother of all results is the performance. The good things we have to keep doing."
On not getting a penalty at the end of the game: "It was 100% penalty. They will find an explanation. It was 100% foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card.
"All the people with ipads around me were 'wow, clear'. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase it is not clear and obvious.
"It is of course a penalty but we didn't get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. I saw so many sensational performances today."
On Wataru Endo: "What can you expect when you sign 31-year-old captain of Japan and he will be a standout player in the Premier League. You never know that people can develop to world class but that's what happened."


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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Good moments from both sides. We started really well. We have to never ever forget when we play in this stadium otherwise we don't have a chance, knowing it will be so difficult.
"It was a tight game on moments. Not a game where all the time a team controls it.
"A lot of credit to Liverpool. They proved again what they have done is unbelievable for this rivalry. I know how difficult it is to come here and win. The players gave everything. I give credit to the opponents and take the point.
"We knew we would have 10-15 minutes when it is a tsunami and you have to survive.
"We are there, we'd loved to have won but we could have lost. It is what it is, we go home and rest and prepare for FA Cup before international break."
On last time potentially facing Klopp: "He will be back! He loves the job too much. What can I say? He made us a better team, he made me a better manager. I wish he will be back soon, because football needs personalities like him."


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Liverpool and Man City fight out pulsating draw - Liverpool 1-1 Man City

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Well it is clear what Jurgen Klopp thinks, judging by the headline on the back of today's Express newspaper.
One look at the freeze-frame of Jeremy Doku's chest-high tackle on Alexis Mac Allister in the Man.City penalty area is hard to disagree with the Liverpool manager.

Liverpool will lose the title on VAR decisions. The "loss" at Spurs and the non-penalty from last night. In five seconds they [VAR] decided that a boot on the chest is OK as long as the chest belongs to a Red. City were lucky, but kudos to Ortega...Lucian from Romania, a Red believer.

The Jeremy Doku tackle on Alexis Mac Allister does not look any better in the Telegraph, which reports that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left baffled by the decision of on-pitch referee Michael Oliver, ratified by VAR, not to award Liverpool a stoppage-time penalty against title rivals Manchester City.

If the Doku challenge on Mac Allister happens anywhere else on the pitch it’s a foul. Was it the magnitude of the decision that led to the reluctance of VAR to overturn? Who knows, but it could have a big say in the title race if it’s down to two points...Paul in Shrewsbury.

So we have gone from "100% penalty" in the Express to a "karate kick" in the Telegraph.

It seems that coverage is mirroring the rising levels of frustration showed by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who is reported as saying in the Guardian that "if the ball was not there he kills him. It's as easy as that", referring to the impact of Jeremy Doku's studs-up challenge on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's chest.

Common sense should have prevailed, the ref should have asked VAR what they thought, they should have said go to the monitor and then pointed to the penalty spot and issued a booking to Doku, simple really...Steve, Bristol.

Yes, Liverpool should have had a second penalty. They also benefited from a shocking decision against Forest last week, to say nothing of a host of dubious calls in their favour against City in recent years. Put your violins away...Daniel.

Doku aside, City and Liverpool were a credit to the PL yesterday. 28 games in. It's about the stage Arsenal will begin their customary capitulation and City will begin powerhousing to the title. In the middle of that is a Liverpool team that just might give Klopp his fairy-tale ending...Martin.

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COME ON REF, THAT IS A CLEAR PENALTY...


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Jurgen Klopp says forward Mohamed Salah is "ready to start" when the Reds take on Sparta Prague in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

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Mohamed Salah came on as a second-half substitute in Liverpool's 5-1 win over Sparta Prague in the first leg

Salah has not started for Liverpool since 1st January after picking up a hamstring injury when representing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Liverpool hold a 5-1 lead after a convincing win in the Czech Republic.

"It's super important we build up Mo, he's ready, top fit," said Klopp.

"I'm not sure he's ready for 90 minutes, I'm not sure we should do 90 minutes, but he's ready to start.

"He would've been ready to start the last game [the 1-1 draw with Manchester City] but you don't know how long it would've made sense for and that's always the problem when players come back.

"There are 10 more Premier League games and hopefully more European and cup games, and they are as important.

"Mo usually can play game after game, now he was out for a surprisingly long time. He's back and we have to make sure we can really count on him consistently."

When are the European quarter-final draws?
Salah is the club's top scorer this season with 19 goals, but tore a hamstring in Egypt's 2-2 Afcon draw with Ghana in January.

He came on as a substitute and scored in Liverpool's 4-1 win at Brentford on 17 February but then missed the Reds' next four matches, including the 1-0 Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea.

Salah played the last 16 minutes and injury time in the first-leg win over Sparta Prague, as two goals from Darwin Nunez and efforts from Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool in charge before the second leg at Anfield.

Despite the commanding lead, Klopp is not underestimating the opponents.

"I'm absolutely on my toes for this and we have to make sure everyone is the same," said Klopp.

"We have to ignore the result, but not the performance. Performance-wise they had massive chances against us and they caused us massive problems in moments.

"Caoimhin [Kelleher] had to make some outstanding saves and that's in my mind, not how we scored the goals because that was individual quality.

"We need to keep the rhythm going and not think about the next game on Sunday when the opponent is Manchester United."

Liverpool are second in the Premier League and also in the FA Cup quarter-finals as they look to add more silverware after their Carabao Cup triumph.

But Klopp, who will be leaving the club in the summer, is only focused on the next match.

"It's a long run-in in all competitions," he said. "We're not close to the finish line, I can't see the finish line, I just see Sparta Prague wants to put things right.

"We have to play a really good football game because it's our home game, our stadium, our competition and we have wanted to make it our competition from the first day and want to go as far as possible."

SUNDAY 17th MARCH 2024 - THE FA CUP - QUARTER-FINALS

Manchester United v Liverpool - 3.30pm KO

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Report by Nicola Pearson, BBC Sport journalist.

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media before Liverpool's FA Cup match against Manchester United on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Klopp confirmed that Mohamed Salah is "definitely ready" for the Old Trafford trip. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate is in a "tight race we might lose" to be fit, but Bobby Clark "feels much better" and should be available.

He added that Curtis Jones could be ready for the Brighton game after the international break, while Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold might be the following week.

On Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final draw with Atalanta, he said: "Tricky. I have never played there. Super coach. Pretty similar structure [to before] and it means a very uncomfortable [opponent] to play against. It's a quarter-final so you don't expect any easy opponents. Very interesting and I am really looking forward to it. Let's see what we can do."

Asked about Joe Gomez's call-up to the England squad, he said: "I don't think I had a lot of influence. It wasn't necessary. Joe deserves it, absolutely. The season he played so far has been exceptional. I've said a lot of times we are not where we are without the kids and the same with Joe. Really happy for him and saw on his face he is very happy too."

Klopp said he started thinking about the Manchester United game when they were 4-0 up and 5-1 up against Sparta Prague on Thursday and added: "It was strange. You can't believe you are 4-1 up at half time and 9-2 [on aggregate]. Even the biggest pessimist will not think we will not go through to the next round. The only reason because of that."

Asked whether he enjoys ties against teams like Manchester United, he said: "I look forward to it - not exactly what I call enjoyment. It's good we can take about 9,000 [fans] to Old Trafford. [It is] Manchester United - ask me after the game if I enjoy it. Before the game, it is just work. We try to be as prepared as possible."

He said the 0-0 league draw against United "was the first time I really saw us in the next gear, even though the result didn't show that", adding: "I don't know if that will be same game or not - it is a home game for them - but lots of aspects in our game were really good and we will try to bring these on the pitch again."

On Salah's record against the Red Devils, he said: "Mo is pure quality. Ask him what he likes the most about United, but the more we talk about it the less likely it will happen again. He is just an expectational guy and world-class player. How we dealt without him was unbelievable."

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Liverpool are keen to make a deal for Germany midfielder Jamal Musiala, with Bayern Munich setting an asking price of £100m for the 21-year-old

Liverpool are also being linked with a potential summer move for Eintracht Frankfurt's Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, 25.

Jurgen Klopp could yet land the job managing Germany's national team as they are prepared to make a concession for the outgoing Liverpool boss.