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Joel Matip has given an indication that he is more than happy at Liverpool both on the pitch and off it. The defender who just turned 32 last month is now in his eighth season at the club and has made 190 appearances in that time. In the day of age of players switching clubs frequently, Matip has only played for two of them in his career, graduating through the youth ranks at Schalke and playing seven seasons for the German outfit in the Bundesliga before joining the Reds. The defender has earned a cult following from the fanbase due to the fact that he seems totally unaffected to the glitz and glamour of being a Footballer staying true to himself throughout. That notable factor along with his marauding runs from deep in defence and general defensive qualities has undoubtedly made him one of the best free transfers in the modern era. Matip is someone who does not elaborate too much about his own status in a public forum but speaking to Sky Germany this week (per the Echo) , he opens up on how much the club means to him and how settled he is. It also opens up the possibility of Matip extending his stay after it had been assumed that he would leave at the end of his contract which happens to be at the conclusion of this current campaign. “Schalke was my youth club - as a Schalke fan it was an absolute honour to play there. I had the opportunity to do that for a long time and here in Liverpool, with these absolute top conditions, you don't just walk away. “I'm at an age where I don't think so much about the future anymore. I try to make the most of every day and don't look too far ahead. If it was only these two clubs in the end, I would be perfectly happy. But in football, you never know exactly. “In addition, I also feel incredibly comfortable here in my private life. I think it's desirable not to change clubs all the time. But everyone has to decide for themselves. In any case, I find consistency helpful. The veteran who has made three league starts this season is impressed by the start that the team has made this season and especially the new additions. “We are still at the beginning of the season. Of course, we are glad that the results are right. The quality that the new players have brought directly into the team is impressive. Now we are trying to work together to ensure that we can be successful in the long run." View full article

Alexis Mac Allister could not be happier in the early stages of his Liverpool career and says a major part for that is playing under one of the finest managers in world football today. While success is naturally what managers will be ultimately judged on, one of the keys of Jurgen Klopp is his innate ability to bond the team together. You may be a academy player playing a five minute cameo in a domestic cup fixture, but Klopp will be sure to give you a mention in the post-match press conference and do so in a fashion that would make the youngster feel as important as Mo Salah or Virgil Van Dijk. Likewise, it is one thing signing for a club with historical status and modern day success as Liverpool but it is another thing to perform at a high level from early on. It is why Klopp is renowned for not setting the bar for summer signings too high too soon, knowing that each player is different and while some embrace the expectation, others need patience. The beauty about the Argentinian international is his versatility to play different roles in midfield, and while some players may sulk in not always playing in their preferred role, you get a sense Mac Allister is just delighted to be around world class players and a outstanding manager as he told Argentinan publication La Nation (per Goal). “The relationship is obviously 10 points, I just arrived and when you just arrive everything is easier and everything goes perfect. “But many of my teammates tease me because they say that he is my dad now. The relationship with him is perfect, he is a very charismatic person, who always tries to be close to the players. He has crazy moments that you might see in a game, and you can’t stop laughing. For me, it is a pleasure to be able to work with him. Those same teammates that had poked fun at the instant bond between Klopp and Alexis had further ammunition when he was picked to start the early kickoff against Wolves unlike any of his fellow South Americans. “Well, now they caught me, because the last game we returned from the national team I was the only South American who played. Then they told me that he's my dad, that he can’t take me out, that I had played all the games. “But beyond the joke, the relationship is spectacular, he is a person that I respect, that I respect very much, and I hope that he continues like this and that I can continue learning from him on the field." James Milner was regularly seen as a player who Klopp could depend on, whoever the opponent or role he was asked to fill, the ultimate professional and on-field coach in other words. While Mac Allister is a great deal younger and has many games to play in the seasons ahead, you can see signs of a similar player/manager connection, which is something that cannot be understated. View full article

Peter Crouch believes the fortunes of Liverpool will be greatly boosted by Darwin Nunez finding his natural level this season. The former Liverpool. Tottenham and England striker speaks from experience having had difficulties adjusting to life at Anfield in his first season after joining from Southampton. Crouch took 18 games in a timespan of just over four months for him to score his first goal which came against wigan Athletic. During that period, there was a lot of noise from the outside both in a journalistic sense and ridicule from opposition fans that the beanpole striker was just “one giant flop.” But if there is one thing that Liverpool fans are known for it is never giving up on a player f they see a wholehearted commitment to the cause. They saw something in Crouch and eventually the rewards were forthcoming, likewise with Nunez, despite the commentary that the Uruguayan was the ‘wrong fit” for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, the supporters did not waiver in helping the forward display his potential on a more regular basis. With the difficult first season behind him, Nunez has started to steadily repay that faith with some really encouraging displays early in this campaign, none mores than the match winning cameo against Newcastle, and then following that by leading the line superbly against Aston Villa where he was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet again. And yesterday in the comeback 3-1 win against Wolves, he again made life exceedingly difficult for the defenders. Crouch believes that Nunez who has scored 17 goals in 47 appearances as a Red will only benefit from what he went through last season and he is at the right club to blossom at (per the Mirror). “It was similar (to my start) but he didn’t go 18 games, I know that. He was still scoring goals. There were the odd misses of chances and he felt quite raw at times but I saw a small comparison. My drought was much longer than his. “There was always an element of “Is he right? Will he do it?” What killed him a bit was coming in the same window as Haaland, City and Liverpool are big rivals and it was, “who was better?” Haaland got off to an incredible start and Nunez was falling foul of that comparison." Crouch is still indebted to the fans for the support he got during his tough start and says that Nunez would have felt so much better having them onside despite not finding the back of the net as much as he would have wanted. “When he was getting a little bit of criticism it was from outside Liverpool and people around the club. When you are going through a tough time and it looks like you’re giving everything and helping to improve the team but might not be scoring there’s no better place in the world. “If I was signing anywhere other than Liverpool after they had just won the Champions League and they could have their pick of strikers and the striker doesn’t score for that amount of time - I don’t think there is any other club in the world that would stick with you in the manner they did with me. And that’s why Nunez is in such a good place to play his football.” A new season brings fresh hope and Nunez is bounding with confidence and has won the praises of no less than Cristiano Ronaldo who described him as ”something special, I think. He’s quick, strong, tall, and possesses a different skill set than the rest (including Haaland, Benzema and Kane). Crouch says the sky is the limit for the 24 year-old. “This year that’s all gone. It’s a new season, he’s scoring goals and people will see the real Darwin Nunez this season. If you win games like against Newcastle on your own, the finishes were top class, it’s confidence. He looks like a confidence player. “Given the opportunity to settle is almost like a new signing. The same with Luis Diaz, who was missing last year. Again it’s a £100m player. There’s a real feel-good factor around the club and I hope that continues.” View full article

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have officially gone back to the beginning of the cycle but he could not be more excited about the rewards it could possibly bring in the long run. The German is one month away from marking his eighth season in charge of the Reds and in that time he has won a catalogue of honours on a domestic and European stage. Klopp is undoubtedly indebted to the players that helped secure the success, but he knows more than most that time does not wait for anyone, and if you stand still you are basically going backwards. That is why last summer was an important first step in refreshing the squad which addressed the midfield issues and the defence will likely follow in the subsequent windows. Speaking ahead of the resumption of the season after the international break, Klopp spoke about his excitement about what he sees for the future (per the Mirror). “I know I say it, but I also really feel it - it is year one… Not year eight, because in October I’m here eight years. “This is year one of the new team and that’s exactly how we approach everything. I don't want to manage the success from the past and not get there again. No, we have to (get there again). In the same week that Klopp was once again linked to the German national job, he made it perfectly clear that he feels as rejuvenated and motivated as ever in his current role. “All big teams have to [rebuild] from time to time and we've had to do it now with the same old manager but my energy levels are not a problem at all. “I loved the pre-season, I loved the start of the season - when I stand in the dressing room and look at the team I really, really love this team - and we have to keep going, that much is clear. That will never change. It is good and exciting. It's exciting times that we really create a way to play football which is different to what we had before.” One of the tell-tale signs of a manager coming to the end of their current tenure is when players switch off from the message that they are being told. But by bringing in new players which in turn lowered the average age of the squad substantially, as well as continuing to nurture to the talents of Ben Doak and Stefan Bajcetic means that there there is plenty of learning to be done. “The quality and potential this group of players has is massive, and I love working with them because they are open (to ideas). ‌“It’s nice for a manager, that you know they didn’t hear it already 500 times before, some messages are new. So it’s really exciting. I know that I am getting older but when you see the 16-year-old boys in training you think 'OK, in two years they are 18 so there is a good chance I have them, without rushing them into the first team'” View full article

Virgil Van Dijk has spoken about his excitement of being part of the next phase of transition under Jurgen Klopp. The squad underwent a great deal of change in the summer with a number of senior players who had won plenty of honours with the club departing while young and talented players brought in to replace them. The new players brought into the squad were part of a large scale midfield rebuild, and many fans in particular was hoping that it would also extend to the defence. Despite the loaning out of some fringe defenders, there was no sale of a more established figure which would have led to a replacement coming in. Last season was a incredibly difficult watch for a large part of the campaign before the Reds recovered somewhat to finish a respectable fifth keeping in mind at one point early in 2023, it looked like a top half finish would be a uphill battle. One of those players whose standards had dropped was Van Dijk, and reflecting on his off season (per The Echo), the Dutchman said there was some good open dialogue about the path ahead along with some self-reflection. “We are in a kind of transition phase with Liverpool. So of course it's nice to feel that the manager still considers me part of the new team, of Liverpool 2.0 so to speak. We spoke a lot in the first weeks of preparation. That showed confidence in me. "I have spoken a lot with people around me in recent months. My wife is very important in this but I also have people at the club with whom I talk a lot. “It starts with being self-critical as a football player and always wondering how things can be better. At the end of last season, I already noticed that I was improving.” The club captain also reflected on his much-debated sending off against Newcastle which has also led to a charge of acting in a improper manner after being shown the red card. “That was not typical for me but that was the red card anyway. I've never got one before at Liverpool, and I think only about four times in my entire career. But apart from that I still started the season well. “I feel good and strong. I think it went well against Chelsea and Bournemouth. Despite the red card, the start was fine. I cannot wait to return.” View full article

Jurgen Klopp is confident that Mo Salah has put any outside noise regarding his future to one side and is fully focused on the season ahead with Liverpool. Throughout the transfer window there have have rumblings that the Saudi Pro League were lining up a monster bid for the Egyptian and on deadline day it arrived, understood to have been a initial £100m with extensive add-ons taking the fee up to £150m. Naturally, Liverpool did not want to lose such a prized asset with the season just in its infancy, let alone the timing of the bid itself and dismissed it out of hand. Salah is a player who just does not depend on natural talent, he is well known as being one of the most focused and diligent workers looking for areas to improve his game further. Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday, Klopp said that his mindset has not changed one bit as the Echo reported. “From my point of view I see absolutely nothing (to worry about). Mo is super committed, really in training fully there, in the leadership meetings this week, he is fully in. “I have to deal with facts, and my fact is ‘all good, we are here and everything is fine” While the bid for Salah came very late in the day, this transfer window has seen a number of Liverpool players (eight in total) either linked to, or purchased by the Saudi League. It has raised eyebrows regarding why the specific interest of players from one club in particular and whether it has anything to do with the injection of cash into the league from Newcastle United majority owners Public Investment Fund. Klopp did not want to speculate and said that they are just focusing on their own business. “I am not 100% sure if we know all of them who got approached because they (the Saudi Arabians) thought about pretty much everything," said the Reds boss. "That’s how it is. “I have not a lot to say about it. We just sit here and do our thing and nothing has changed. We felt obviously the differences in prices but that’s not a Saudi thing, there are other clubs who pay a lot of money. Then all of a sudden it’s ‘wow, that’s the new price tag, that’s interesting’. That’s normal. “Besides when Fab and Hendo left, we didn’t feel the real influence, although that obviously had a clear influence (on us). I really think we thought that was possible and we were fine with that." View full article

Liverpool is set to lock away another one of their young stars with Bobby Clark set to sign a new and improved five year contract. Clark who signed his first contract shortly after turning 17 last year is seen as a young talent on the rise having being part of the traveling party for Liverpool’s pre-season tour and he also travelled with the squad for Sunday’s clash against Newcastle but did not make the bench for the fixture. In a playing sense, Clark has continued his impressive progress from last season in the U/21s most notably in the 4-0 rout against Everton. It is an important step for the talented youngsters to continue their development away from their comfort zone where they can learn by playing senior football in another league. And the Echo reports that Derby County could be the place where Clark begins that journey. It is believed the League One club are very keen on a season long loan, but a short term deal could also be a option that suits Liverpool, as they can assess his progress midway through the campaign and take it from there. Championship clubs have also said to to have registered a interest in taking Clark on loan earlier in the summer on loan but it is believed if a move is made before the deadline, then Derby will be his destination. Clark may not be the only temporary departure on deadline day with Tyler Morton and Luke Chambers also attracting interest. View full article

Nat Phillips is set for yet another loan spell this time with Scottish champions Celtic according to reports. While only having played 29 times for the Reds in all competitions, the 26 year-old holds a special part in the heart of Liverpool fans for his whole hearted performances whenever he has taken to the pitch, most notably in the 2020/1 campaign. Ever since that season, Phillips has been linked to numerous clubs both in the Premier League and in the Championship. He did make a loan move to Bournemouth in the second half of the 2021/22 season and played a key role in their return to the Premier League. However a permanent move to the south coast club never eventuated and the central defender only made five appearances for the Reds last season. Despite his lack of first team action, Phillips has been the consummate team man, never one to publicly show any sign of frustration and earning the respect of the playing squad and coaches on account of that. Now it seems his patience will be rewarded with a move north of the border to play under Brendan Rodgers. The Daily Record reports that Phillips has travelled to Glasgow to complete the season long loan. It was widely believed that Middlesbrough were the favourites to sign him, but the lure of playing Champions League football was too good to pass up on. Phillips is set to walk into a situation that he is well accustomed to, a team with an injury crisis in central defence. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki are both out for eight weeks with hamstring injuries while Stephen Welsh is set for a four month stint on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury. View full article

Another day sees yet another Defensive midfielder linked to the club with Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester now added to the list. From Manu Kone in the early part of the window to Cheick Doucoure in more recent times, the Liverpool transfer team have scoured the market looking for the type of player that perfectly fits their profile. We saw hopes raised when seemingly out of nowhere it was thought Moises Caicedo could be heading to the club, but he eventually made his way to Chelsea as did Romeo Lavia, a player that was coveted for a number of months but it was all to no avail. Waturu Endo was certainly not a name that was speculated to any extent, but it was the type of deal that Liverpool have made an art form of in the modern era, without a great deal of fuss and most certainly under the radar. And while Endo will be more than serviceable in the role, that has not stopped the talk that the club are looking for a younger player to fill the holding midfield role. The Mirror (per The Independent) believe that Ndidi fits that mould and is a player that Klopp has shown previous interest in back in 2018. The Nigerian who is in his eighth season with the Foxes has made 243 appearances during that time and has been a catalyst to their strong start in the Championship this season. The contract of the 26 year-old expires next June and therefore the time for Leicester to cash in on him is now with Nottingham Forest also believed to very keen on signing him. Conversely, losing a senior member of their squad so close to the deadline would leave them precious little time to find a replacement. Any hope that Liverpool had of signing Doucoure have been extinguished by the price tag that the South London club have put on the Mali international, believed to be £70 million. And stop if you have heard this one before, but as Liverpool look to add to their squad in the remaining few days of the summer window, it is believed that Nat Phillips has been given the green light to leave the club either on a temporary or permanent basis. With Jarell Quansah certainly not looking out of place in his debut cameo performance against Newcastle on Sunday, it seems that Phillips is well and truly on the periphery. View full article

Chris Sutton believes that Liverpool’s stirring win against Newcastle can be the catalyst for a title challenge this season. Liverpool overcame the sending-off of Virgil Van Dijk in the 28th minute and a erratic first-half performance from another key player in Trent Alexander-Arnold to claim their second three points of the season with ten men. It is the first time that Liverpool have had back to back red cards in the Premier League since March/April 2015 (against Man Utd and Arsenal) and in the following 139 league games prior to last Saturday, have only had two sending offs in total. Many questioned what kind of Liverpool we would see this season after a steep decline in performance where they slipped out of the top four and if this team had played their best football under Jürgen Klopp. What did happen during the summer was a large turnover of players that were large part of the golden era of success. While it is always tough to see favourites depart, it is a necessary part to evolve and begin a new cycle. Last season Sutton was one of more vocal critics of Klopp in the media, wondering whether his tank was empty, questioning whether he had a Plan B and very critical of his behaviour on the touchline. While it is exceptionally (and some would say unreasonably early) to make lasting statements to carry through into the following nine months, the former Blackburn and Celtic striker told the BBC Monday Night Club that he likes the spirit and signs of intent that he sees from Liverpool. “I think in terms of, they went down to 10 men at Bournemouth last week and saw them off pretty well, but to do it at Newcastle, I thought that was a major statement. “They are probably the ones who I think can push Manchester City the most. “I still think City will win the Premier League, but Liverpool needed that yesterday and will go from strength to strength - if they can keep hold of Mohamed Salah." What gives Sutton some cause for optimism regarding Liverpool’s chances is the talent of their front line. “If you look at Liverpool's frontline and the fact they can leave Jota [and Nunez] on the bench, that's a formidable frontline. "It's hard to think of another team in the Premier League who have that strength in depth. "Diaz was out for a large part of last season, Jota was out, Salah has always been super reliable. Nunez, it was a strange season, but you saw signs there was player there. “You wonder if the nature of [Nunez's] goals, with both goals clinically taken, if that will give him the boost and really kick Liverpool on. He's physically strong, he can run, he looks a handful." Sutton also believed the incoming talent was an upgrade of those who departed. “We've all spoken about Liverpool's signings, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister. They're an upgrade on Henderson and Fabinho - Liverpool have a more creative midfield." View full article

Jurgen Klopp maintains that Liverpool will follow their own path to a successful future and wont be influenced by other clubs splashing the cash. Newcastle have joined the likes of Man City and Chelsea as big spenders of the division with investment coming from a Saudi takeover. There has been similar speculation that Man United will be the next club to follow with Shiekh Jassim from Qatar putting in a number of bids. But Klopp says that Liverpool will always look for ways to compete in their own way as the Mirror reported. “So it’s them (Newcastle and Manchester City ) with Chelsea! and Manchester United in the future, while yeah, we have to live within our means. “As far as I know, it was always the situation for Liverpool. That of course makes it not easier. But we cannot put sticks around our area and hope that no one will run through! “That’s how it is, other teams will do their things, we will do our stuff. “And I have no problem with that, as long as it is all by the rules. In the end the circumstances might be different, but it’s all about what you make of it. That’s what we try, that’s where we try to make a difference in a positive direction, but we will see.” The way that Liverpool operate in the transfer market means that there is very little margin for error and targets need to be clearly pinpointed with the manager counting the days until the end of August. “It is simple, we have to be on point, that is pretty much the thing. There is not a lot of space for failure.” “The people out there think: We should do this, we should do that! Another centre half and another No 6 and another No 8 and another striker!...‘he’ll sit there ladies and gentlemen! ‌“I was always glad when transfer windows are over! I am absolutely in it, if I want to improve the squad I have to absolutely do it. But I have all the information around and I know what is possible and not possible. Klopp says whatever happens in the next week, he will work with what he has to the best of his ability. “It is my job to take the team we have at the end of the transfer window and make the best of it. ‌“I’m not sitting there saying ‘aw they have this and they have that’ that is how I understand it.” View full article

Joe Gomez has opened up on the toll that injuries have taken on his mindset throughout his Liverpool career. The central defender came to the club in June of 2015 from Charlton when Brendan Rodgers was still the man in charge for the bargain basement fee in todays Football landscape of £3.5 million. The following eight seasons have been littered with euphoric highs and excruciating lows for the 26 year- old. With the departure of Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and James Milner this summer, Gomez takes the mantle of longest serving player in the current squad. In those eight completed campaigns, Gomez has made 174 appearances for the club. But incredibly, he has missed a total of 233 games through injury which has ranged from a Cruciate knee injury in his very first season at the club which was followed by a long term Achilles issue in his second meaning that in his first two seasons, Gomez had played a grand total of 10 games. After putting together a solid body of work in the 2017/8 campaign, a sense of great frustration once again emerged in December 2018 when he suffered a ankle fracture against Burnley just when he was getting some confidence in his body and continuity in performance which saw him out of action for the best part of five months. We often see the perks of what it is like to see a Footballer but never the flip side which is the gruelling recovery session from long term injuries and If you manage to overcome that, it can only benefit you in the long run. Speaking to CALM (per the Echo), Gomez reflected on his journey and what it was like in a completely new city while still a teenager. “The injuries I had were rough at times. I think the first one caught me at a vulnerable time when I had just come up to Liverpool. I was only 18 and had just moved up by myself so it was tough in a sense that I was like on a new journey, living by myself and dealing with that. “Once I got injured, I had a lot of spare time. I think that's the biggest thing you notice as a player, that when you're on the pitch training you don’t have time to be thinking, you’re just in your subconscious enjoying the game. The disappointment in missing games never goes away, but Gomez says it makes him appreciate the little things. “I had a couple of little injuries and then my last one with my hamstring," sustained against Real Madrid in February this year, "was a big one and sort of did rock my world. “I am drawing on to that to keep me motivated to still do my gym sessions, even when we come back from an away game. I just remember in those moments where it was tough, aside from that, just enjoying it." View full article

Liverpool are still showing a level of interest in signing Kalvin Phillips according to a new report. This transfer window has seen the club focused exclusively on refreshing the midfield which while well intentioned, has not totally gone to plan. As it stands three players have been brought in including the impressive duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai along with Japanese international Waturu Endo who comes with plenty of experience and is highly regarded for his spell at Stuttgart. While the club missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, it seemingly has not deterred them to look further afield for further options in the holding midfield role. A number of players have been mentioned from Cheick Doucoure from Crystal Palace to Sofyan Amrabat who is currently at Fiorentina. Phillips is a name which has linked to Liverpool on quite a few occasions both when he was a star at Leeds and after he made his big money move to Man City. It is fair to say that the move to the reigning Premier League and European champions has not been a success at this point of time with the 27 year-old only making 21 appearances in all competitions. Included in those total appearances was just four starts and just 290 minutes of Premier League action and so far this season he has not played a minute of competitive action. Talksport reports says that the Reds are weighing up the the possibility of a bid for the England international The broadcaster’s chief Football correspondent Alex Crook believes that there is a distinct possibility that Phillips moves before the deadline and that Liverpool would be an ideal landing spot. “Kalvin Phillips is a player Liverpool looked at before he went from Leeds to Man City, and we know it’s been a tough window for Liverpool in terms of target they’ve missed out on. “Phillips is someone who is proven in the Premier League, he got that £50million move to City on the back of a really good European Championship for England, and we’ve got a Euros at the end of the season. “I think at the start of the season Phillips wanted to stay and fight for his place at Man City, but he was on the bench with a load of kids at the weekend and he isn’t going to force his way into that team. “Surely if he wants to play for England at the Euros, (and moving to Liverpool) would be great for him. “It’s one to keep an eye on from now until the end of the window.” The only stumbling block in any potential bid for Phillips would be the desire of Man City to sell to a fierce rival who they have gone stride for stride with when it comes to competing for honours in the modern era. View full article