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Post by bluetornados on Jun 8, 2024 22:05:10 GMT
Local Liverpool artist Abigail Rudkin says it was a "dream come true" to paint Jurgen Klopp's leaving gift..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/cdfb/live/197adae0-23fb-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.jpgThe 23-year-old was asked by the club to paint a piece for the outgoing manager that showed his trademark fist pump in front of the Kop at Anfield. Rudkin had met Klopp just a few weeks previously where she showed him a smaller piece of her work and, in a video posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account,, external the boss said he "loved it". He has since received the new commissioned piece, external as a leaving gift from staff at the club. Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside's Total Sport, Rudkin said: "It was a bit of a mad thing to be honest. There was the original artwork that I did where I met Jurgen and I showed him it and at the time loads of people were saying 'why didn't you give him the painting?'. "But it was because the club had already asked me privately would I do an even bigger one for him of him doing the fist pumps. "He said at the time I met him 'I would love one of these, I would love one of my perspective from the pitch' and I'm glad that he said that because I knew I was working on something like this. It all worked out in the end. "I was staying up until 3am just carrying on with it because I thought 'this is for Jurgen, this isn't just any painting, I have to just carry on with it'. When I got sent the picture of him holding it and he looked absolutely made up, I was buzzing and couldn't wait to tell everyone. "It was an absolute dream come true."
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Post by bluetornados on Jun 8, 2024 22:07:30 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/278d/live/1e1f6cb0-234b-11ef-80aa-699d54c46324.jpgWe asked for you for your thoughts on what Liverpool's summer priority is.
Here is a selection of your responses:
Chris: A style of play. Manchester United have fallen apart due to a lack of identity and to a plethora of management styles. We can't do that. Our squad is good enough to compete but could do with additions to strengthen the squad, but without a clear identity on the direction and style of play, you won't know what players are needed to fulfil that. Nick: Sort the defence - arguably every position. Defensive midfield, certainly, but depth at left-back and centre-back. Whether Alexander-Arnold moves into midfield as part of it. A goalkeeper, because Kelleher deserves to be a starter. Edwards is known to be ruthless, so who knows about outgoings, as long as there's a plan and strategy for Slot's style. Andrew: Get Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk signed up to new contracts and have them stood with the captain/vice-captain armbands on as soon as they're back from the Euros. Thomas: I think that if Barcelona are interested in Trent Alexander-Arnold then Liverpool should sell. He's good at corners and free-kicks but at the end of the day he's a defender that can't defend and why didn't Klopp play him in midfield? Is it because he can't or is reluctant to tackle? As for Salah, he isn't what he was. A big offer from Saudi Arabia should be snapped up. Nunez? I don't know. Tom: A statement signing would be a great way to get the fans excited about the new era under Arne Slot. With Liverpool falling just short last term, any incoming players have to improve the first team and not just the squad. That said, last year's new look midfield should be better after a second season together.
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Post by bluetornados on Jun 9, 2024 17:50:56 GMT
Liverpool and Scotland great Alan Hansen 'seriously ill'..i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/09/17/85900767-13510469-image-a-1_1717950553814.jpgThe Anfield club announced on Sunday their "legendary" former captain is in hospital. "The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital," a statement read. Hansen won promotion to the Scottish Premier Division with Partick Thistle before joining Liverpool in 1977 for the start of a successful 14-year spell. He was a key part of the great Reds teams of the 1970s and 1980s, winning eight First Division titles, three European Cups and two FA Cups. Liverpool added they are "currently in contact with Alan's family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family". Hansen, who also won four League Cups with Liverpool, appeared 26 times for his country and was a member of Scotland's 1982 World Cup side. Former team-mate John Aldridge, chairman of the former players' association Forever Reds, said on X: "All our thoughts as ex-LFC players are with Alan (]ocky) Hansen and his family. Let's hope he can pull through his illness. YNWA." After retiring in 1991, he appeared as a pundit on Match of the Day from 1992 until 2014. Hansen's former Match of the Day colleague Gary Lineker wrote on X: "Horrendous news. Thoughts are with Alan, Janet and all the family." i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/09/10/85893301-13510469-image-m-9_1717926987193.jpgHe earned a reputation as one of the most insightful and influential pundits in the country while working alongside figures such as Des Lynam, Lineker, Mark Lawrenson, Alan Shearer and Sir Trevor Brooking. Hansen's most memorable moment on the Premier League highlights programme came in 1995 when he famously responded to a Manchester United defeat at Aston Villa by insisting: "You can't win anything with kids." That team - which included Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and David Beckham - won the FA Cup and Premier League Double that season. Hansen was also part of BBC Sport's coverage of major football tournaments. In all he covered 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships and one Olympics during his spell with the BBC. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/09/16/85899631-13510469-image-a-18_1717946947401.jpgi.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/09/16/85899621-13510469-image-m-21_1717948425545.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Jun 14, 2024 10:52:00 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3887/live/4e731380-28b9-11ef-ad0b-c973bec8bbfe.jpgFormer Liverpool throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about why Jurgen Klopp brought him to Anfield in 2018: "He called me and said 'Liverpool have had a great season, but we were so bad at throw-ins'. "He'd been reading about me in the German newspaper Bild and that's the reason he called me. "When I came, data showed that Liverpool were 18th in the Premier League for throw-ins under pressure. In my first season, we improved from 45.4% to 68.4% and went from 18th to number one. "People might think it's only throw-ins, but there's approximately 40-60 throw-ins in a match and they use up 20 minutes. It's a gigantic thing in football. People have been neglecting this for many years."
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Post by bluetornados on Jun 14, 2024 10:53:51 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c043/live/ecb3f520-0913-11ef-82e8-cd354766a224.pngLiverpool defender Joe Gomez is a target for German giants Bayern Munich. The Reds are expected to make an offer for 19-year-old Portugal and Benfica midfielder Joao Neves in the next few days. Meanwhile, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has rejected the chance to join Saudi club Al-Nassr. Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr want to make Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk the highest-paid defender in the world. Liverpool and Manchester United are both pursuing 18-year-old Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, but Real Madrid are also interested.
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Post by bluetornados on Jun 14, 2024 10:54:41 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2f7f/live/95709000-0915-11ef-bee9-6125e244a4cd.jpgIf you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Liverpool, who would you pick?
That was the question we asked you to answer, with the transfer window set to open on Friday.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Fraser: Buy: Ederson from Atalanta - we need another defensive midfielder to supplement Endo. Sell: Luis Diaz - a controversial decision because I like him and he is a very good dribbler, but he hasn't been consistent. Loan: Fabio Carvalho - he could do with one more loan spell. Ethan: Buy: Ollie Watkins; also, we should be improving our midfield by moving Trent Alexander-Arnold in there and getting Lutsharel Geertruida to come with Arne Slot. Sell: Darwin Nunez - but I really like him, and I don't want to sell him, so I would maybe loan him. Loan: Caoimhin Kelleher. Brett: Buy: Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. Sell: Mohamed Salah. Loan: Ben Doak to a top Championship team. This is going to be a season of transition for Liverpool, but it would give Slot a big budget next season. Harps: Buy: Eberechi Eze - he would be good but he might be over-priced, especially if he has a good Euros. Sell: Mohamed Salah - it is time to cash in on him, like we did with Philippe Coutinho. Loan: Caoimhin Kelleher - I would prefer this to selling him, if it would be possible. Sonny: Buy: Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid - this would give Arne Slot the best chance of success in the coming seasons. Sell: Luis Diaz - as sad as it is, he is the best player that we could get by without and he could bring in a lot of money. Loan: Ryan Gravenberch - he didn't get enough game time last season and I fear he will get less next season.
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Post by bluetornados on Jun 19, 2024 8:14:20 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 3, 2024 20:40:44 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e267/live/8194be70-2ed7-11ef-88d9-0bf10c68769b.jpgThe Anfield Wrap's Neil Atkinson has spoken to BBC Radio Merseyside about Arne Slot, who did his first interview as Liverpool boss. "What I liked was all the stuff about building on what's already there and building on last year's achievements. "It would have been easier for Slot to say: 'It will take something special to match Jurgen Klopp.' Instead, the language was very much: 'Last season happened and we take it from there and we look to improve.' "That's they way I look at last season. Its time for this Liverpool side to evolve a little bit and I believe the sky is the limit for them. "That doesn't make me think that Slot will be perfect and it will take him time to get used to English football. But the tone is not one of consolidation, it's one of improvement and growth and that's the most important thing." ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8a26/live/f4493ff0-2e4f-11ef-8037-1d36f173811f.jpgNew Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says his preferred style of play - and that of many coaches around Europe - has been "inspired" by the rivalry between his predecessor Jurgen Klopp's Reds and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in recent seasons. Slot has given his first interview to club media following his departure from Feyenoord to succeed Klopp at Anfield. The Dutchman said: "This has been an era where everybody looked at the Barcelona side of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi and the rivalry there was with Real Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo being there. "When that came to an end, the new rivalry in European football came because of Jurgen - he managed Liverpool and Pep Guardiola managed Manchester City. For everyone who loves football, it was a fantastic era to watch the both of them getting the best out of each other." Asked if there are similarities in style between himself and Klopp, Slot added: "I think there are and I think that's also one of the reasons why I came in. "When something has been successful, a certain way of playing, you would like to extend this or to go on with this. This is probably one of the reasons they came to me as well. "It is my style but I think it is the style of many modern coaches at the moment. We were all a bit inspired because of the rivalry between City and Liverpool. "At a big club, where I worked at Feyenoord as well, it is probably the only style you can play; to have the ball a lot and to have a lot of energy."
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 3, 2024 20:42:08 GMT
Three new backroom staff to join Slot..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5c7e/live/79d6c910-2e52-11ef-8037-1d36f173811f.jpgNew Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed three backroom staff who will join him at Anfield. The Dutchman will bring Sipke Hulshoff as his assistant coach, who he worked alongside at Feyenoord since 2022. Hulshoff also additionally served as Ronald Koeman's assistant with the Netherlands before stepping down from the position earlier this year. Joining Slot and Hulshoff at the club is Ruben Peeters, who will take on the role of lead physical performance coach, and Fabian Otte, who comes to Merseyside as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching. Otte is part of the United States coaching staff at the Copa America and will start his role after that tournament. Slot told the Liverpool website: "We are going to use hopefully the best of both worlds to implement a few things from us and to use the knowledge that is inside this club already because of the nine years Jurgen [Klopp] and his staff worked here."
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 4, 2024 7:47:12 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c043/live/ecb3f520-0913-11ef-82e8-cd354766a224.pngGoalkeeper Adrian is finalising a move to La Liga club Real Betis after rejecting the chance to extend his stay at Liverpool. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham United are all interested in 22-year-old Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori. but they will have to pay in excess of £40m to prise him away from Bologna. Anthony Gordon's head has been turned by interest from Liverpool, but Newcastle United insist the 23-year-old England winger will not be sold. Liverpool remain interested in Gordon and could make another move to sign him this summer. The Reds are also interested in signing France midfielder Adrien Rabiot following the expiry of the 29-year-old's Juventus contract.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 4, 2024 7:48:17 GMT
Another major tournament game, another goal for Cody Gakpo.ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/657/cpsprodpb/f4fb/live/8a865670-389f-11ef-a044-9d4367d5b599.jpgHaving scored his third goal of Euro 2024 in the 3-0 last-16 win over Romania, to add to his three at the 2022 World Cup, the Liverpool forward has become just the third Netherlands player to score three or more goals at two major tournaments. The 25-year-old is in good company alongside Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992 and World Cups in 1994 and 1998). In fact, across the past two major international tournaments, the only European player with more goals than Gakpo - six in nine games - is France's Kylian Mbappe, with nine in 10 games.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 9, 2024 8:21:42 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c043/live/ecb3f520-0913-11ef-82e8-cd354766a224.pngLille defender Leny Yoro wants a move to Real Madrid and the 18-year-old Frenchman is waiting for the clubs to agree a deal, with Liverpool and Paris St-Germain are ready to pounce if a deal collapses. Brighton have swooped to take advantage of Liverpool's delay in sealing a deal for Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer even though Reds boss Arne Slot gave the green light to reunite with the 24-year-old following their time together at the Dutch club.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 9, 2024 8:24:42 GMT
'My belly does not drop' when taking penalties - Trent Alexander-Arnold..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/cd2d/live/d7aecac0-3cf7-11ef-a927-e98950a15ce2.jpgLiverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold says the pressure of taking a penalty is something he enjoys rather than dreads. Alexander-Arnold converted the decisive effort from 12 yards in the shootout with Swtizerland to seal England's place in Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands. "It is incredible," he told BBC Radio 5 Live "These are the goals and aims we set for ourselves. "Switzerland were difficult opponents but the team showed a lot of belief and character. We dug deep when it mattered the most and showed heart. "We knew it was going to be tight but to get the win from a penalty shootout is all that matters to us. "It [penalties] is what we practised and they are the moments that I enjoy. When the gaffer told me I was taking one, my belly does not drop. "I had practised it so I knew what spot I was going for and I just needed to execute it."
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 9, 2024 8:26:00 GMT
'I told Trent he can still have big moments'..by Alex Howell, BBC Sport football news reporter.ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/678/cpsprodpb/ff5c/live/65550320-3d21-11ef-90ff-7b1636c56d0e.jpgTrent Alexander-Arnold scored the winning penalty for England in the penalty shootout against Switzerland in the quarter-final of Euro 2024. It has been a difficult campaign for Alexander-Arnold after he started the tournament as England’s midfield "experiment" and was then substituted early in the second game. Gareth Southgate has said he has kept talking to the Liverpool right-back and told him he can still have big moments in an England shirt. "Trent has stuck with the task," said the Three Lions boss. "He could have thought his tournament was done, but I kept talking to him about how he can have moments and still have a big part to play.” Now England have switched to three at the back there is the possibility that Alexander-Arnold can come into the wing-back position. If not from the start, he can be used from the bench if England need to chase games and look to use his passing ability. ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/6705/live/b983af30-3aa3-11ef-bfc3-b343fb6a27dd.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 9, 2024 8:28:06 GMT
Johnny Heitinga in frame for Liverpool coaching role..by Mandeep Sanghera, BBC Sport journalist.ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/bd79/live/4a3dace0-3d62-11ef-a737-7718927ad5cf.jpgLiverpool are considering appointing former Netherlands centre-back Johnny Heitinga as first-team coach. Heitinga, who had a spell at Everton during his playing career, has told De Telegraaf newspaper, external in his homeland that he has been approached about taking the role in new Reds manager Arne Slot's coaching set-up. The 40-year-old was a first-team coach at West Ham last season but left in May following the departure of David Moyes as manager. Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to appoint Aaron Briggs as elite development coach. He would replace Vitor Matos, who left the Liverpool at the same time as ex-boss Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 11, 2024 23:17:25 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c043/live/ecb3f520-0913-11ef-82e8-cd354766a224.pngSpain winger Nico Williams, who has attracted interested from Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, has a 55m to 58m euros (£46.5m to £49m) release clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract. Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are possible destinations for 29-year-old France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who became a free agent after his Juventus contract expired last month.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 15, 2024 22:14:35 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c043/live/ecb3f520-0913-11ef-82e8-cd354766a224.pngThe United States have made former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp their top candidate to replace Gregg Berhalter. However, Klopp is not interested in the USA role and would like a break from management. Klopp is also wanted by his native Germany. Marc Guehi is wanted by Liverpool, who have begun negotiations to sign the 24-year-old Crystal Palace and England centre-back. Liverpool have made 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon and Portugal centre-back Goncalo Inacio a priority transfer target. Juventus are keen on 26-year-old Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 18, 2024 5:56:21 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 20, 2024 21:48:15 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 23, 2024 10:47:26 GMT
'If the fans boo the manager then the players don't perform' - John Barnes..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/15f1/live/329f7640-3ace-11ef-9d6c-7960f16c54d6.jpgLiverpool legend John Barnes hopes fans "demand" the club's players deliver for new boss Arne Slot. The Dutch boss has - by his own admission - "big shoes to fill" in replacing the iconic Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. "I'm hoping the players show the same respect to Slot that they showed to Klopp by giving 100 per cent," Barnes said. "I'm hoping the fans get behind them regardless of how well they do to begin with. All of a sudden if we lose the first game of the season, I don't want us to then talk about Klopp not being here. "I'm sure the players and the fans will still have enough respect for Slot to give the same trust we had in Klopp. "When you have someone as iconic as Jurgen Klopp that the fans love, you know if we lose today the fans are not going to blame the manager, they will blame the players, so they have to perform. "If the fans boo the manager, then the players don't perform, so the fans have a big part to play, they have to demand the players play for the football club, forget Klopp or Slot." ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c0d8/live/7c65ce30-3ad0-11ef-9d6c-7960f16c54d6.jpg
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