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Liverpool have opened up contract talks with midfielder Gini Wijnaldum according to reports.The Dutchman is arguably one of the most underrated players in the league and his workrate and ball retention qualities are second to none.It is those strengths which have seen the 29 year-old one of the first picked on Jürgen Klopp’s teamsheet over the past three seasons, despite added competition in the shape of Naby Keita and Fabinho coming to the club.While his tremendous aerobic ability is one asset, so too is his versatility to play any role asked of him in the midfield three.The Reds have been experts in locking away their key assets over the past few years, but the popular player has played his cards close to his chest about the situation. “What would I like? It is difficult to say.“It depends on what the club wants and how the situation is at that time. We will see"However a resolution may not be too far away.The Express(via the Athletic) say that talks have opened between the two parties and there is confidence an agreement can be found in the near future.It is clear that Wijnaldum loves the club and the respect he holds within the squad is extremely high.So let’s hope this report is close to the mark and we see the smiling Number five dominating the middle of the pitch for a few seasons yet.

Rio Ferdinand says that Liverpool’s body of work over the past two seasons is worthy of the highest level of respect.The Reds currently stand head and shoulders above the pack in the title race, a season after pushing Man City all the way to the finish line and claiming their sixth Champions League trophy.The former Leeds, Man United and England central defender knows a thing or two about winning trophies, and says this Liverpool team deserves all the praise it is getting.The Mirror reported Ferdinand as saying:“You have to respect it, I think Liverpool have done a tremendous job.“In the last two years the amount of points they have accumulated has been phenomenal.“You're not lucky to win the league, I know that from experience. "You haven't got to be lucky you've got to be good enough to win a league and Liverpool are more than good enough." While Liverpool have added the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup to their growing tally this season, Ferdinand senses the Reds are far from satisfied and are men on a mission.“I think that is the scary part for everyone else is that Liverpool, this isn't about today, they're going to be in this for the long haul.“They look like a team that is being built for the long-term."Ferdinand was not finished in his wholesome praise, saying that the running of the club has been first class where everyone has been on the same page.“I think others team, other owners, can take a lead off of what Liverpool have done. "They've invested in their manager, they've invested in his ideas. He's been allowed to implement them over time.“He (Klopp) didn't have success immediately, but you're seeing it bears fruit four or five years on now from the beginnings of that.“He was given time and the resources and now the trophies are coming."

Neco Williams has hailed the Fourth round FA Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town as a special night for the entire Liverpool team.The youngest starting X1 in the history of the club produced a composed performance well above their tender years.The Reds won the tie courtesy of an own goal from Shrews defender Ro-Shawn Williams which came from an cross from the Welsh right-back who was involved in many promising moves on the evening.Speaking after the game to the Official site, the 18 year-old was naturally over the moon with the performance.“It was just unbelievable.“I think it was a night that we’ll remember for a long time, especially the debutants. I thought the whole team dug in and we kept on going until the final whistle. Williams gave particular praise to the crowd who was raucous in their support for the next generation of talent which meant the world to them.“I thought the crowd were excellent, they were there from the first whistle to the final whistle.“It was a special night for the whole team. “I’ve known some of the lads out there since I was about seven years old so you go through all the stages and to play a first-team game at Anfield with the crowd, and to get through to the next round, is just a special night for a lot of us.”Jürgen Klopp has trademarked the phrase ‘mentality monsters ‘ for the amount of times that his first team squad have overcome deficits and stayed strong in tough moments.Williams said that kind of strength has trickled down to the youngsters.“I think whatever team Liverpool puts out we’ll give everything we’ve got and leave everything on that pitch. “That’s what we’ve been doing this season, as you can tell from the league, and from when the young lads have stepped in and got results against the likes of Everton, Arsenal and obviously today.”

Stand-in Liverpool manager Neil Critchley was a man full of pride after his youngsters produced a performance belying their tender years in defeating Shrewsbury 1-0 at Anfield..The Reds were certainly the better team on the night in creating the better opportunities but the decisive moment came in the 75th minute when Ro-Shawn Williams turned the ball into his own net after a cross from right-back Neco Williams.Speaking at his post-match press conference the U/23 boss was certainly a content man, giving off the happy vibe of a man who had cleaned up at crazy vegas casino en ligne.“Obviously with young players you’re never quite sure, but I have to say from the first whistle the maturity those young boys showed to play that game was remarkable. “They have done the club proud.“They actually calmed me on the side and I think over 90 minutes we had the better chances and were just about the deserved winners on the night.“It was so intense. (At full time) We let our emotions go but we were deserving of that because of our performance. “We were outstanding at dealing with their long balls and winning the first balls and second balls. We changed the momentum in our favour."I thought if we could handle the first ten minutes- I've worked with these boys- I felt they could have control of the game. At half time the message was 'We should go and win this game now.'"The visitors thought they had opened the scoring through Shaun Whalley, but VAR overturned the on-field decision for offside.Critchley understood Shrewsbury’s frustration but says you have to roll with the ups and downs throughout the 90 minutes.“VAR is there for a reason. And we had some luck with our goal. But you need that in the cup. I was really proud of the boys."Critchley confirmed that Jürgen Klopp had been in touch before the clash with a good luck message and after the game to say pass on his congratulations. Finding ways to win games against the odds isn't as easy as just clocking a link to find the best online casinos for usa players but Critchley managed to guide his young side through to the next round, where Klopp will be delighted to take over.“Yes, the boss was in touch this afternoon with some words of advice and encouragement, which was really nice of him. “We had a little message – I’ve not checked my phone yet – but we had a message from the staff at the end there and he is absolutely delighted with the performance. "He is buzzing. We’ve given him a game against Chelsea away to look forward to.”As Neco Williams mentioned, the support from the crowd on the night was outstanding and Critchley was quick wanted to give credit where it was due.“The support we had was incredible, a full house – absolutely ridiculous for them to turn up and support those young kids. “They were so appreciative of it. They stayed right to the end because they saw boys giving everything on the pitch. “We played like a Liverpool team and I’m so proud of them.”So with such a momentous win in the books, what is the next challenge for this talented group of youngsters?Critchley wants this to be just the beginning.“This is a step forward but we don’t want this to be a defining moment of their careers “Hopefully it just gives them a taste of it and a thirst to go and whet the appetite, so to speak, and they want more of that."

Jürgen Klopp says that Roberto Firmino is an unique talent who brings a direct aspect to the number nine role.The Brazilian is known for his outstanding work ethic in being able to defend from the front and win back possession for the team.While he is not as prolific as his front three partners in Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, Firmino has got a great knack of scoring important goals such as the winners against Wolves, Flamengo and Crystal Palace in the last few months.The 28 year-old may not have scored at Anfield this season but his contributions stretch far and wide.In all, Firmino has 12 assists (eight in the Premier League and four in the CL) and on Saturday against Southampton he produced a hat-trick creating the goals for Mo Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson.Klopp is certainly someone who sees how important Firmino is to the success of his side and referenced a iconic manager in his praise for the striker.The Echo reported Klopp as saying:“Arsene Wenger said he is unique.“He is. He is just exceptional, a very football smart person, obviously.“In the first half, in between a really tight formation of Southampton, the way he drops and keeps the ball, how he makes things happen is very special, absolutely. “Then even a player like Bobby needs an address where he can send the ball, because he can not take the ball and turn and run alone.“How he uses the skills of his mates is special. I do not know a player like him, that is true.”“A selfless number nine? Yes but surprisingly he had to catch up assist-wise with the other boys. " Until Saturday I think he was behind the other boys and now he has more.“The good thing is he never stops being greedy to score himself in the right moment, or to pass to the guy in a better position."While Firmino has won praise for his selflessness, in contrast Mo Salah is viewed in some circles as being a “greedy” footballer.However, Klopp was having none of that.“People were talking about Mo Salah.“Mo was never selfish, or more selfish than he should be.“A striker in the right position. we have seen goals from Mo where he scores in between four players and finds the roof of the goal. “Then when you do not score people say you should have passed here or there but life is not that easy. “On Saturday he was very unselfish and he got the balls (passes) back, so he could score.”

Jürgen Klopp has admitted that he continues to be amazed by the consistency of his Liverpool side but also says that his side is far from perfect.The Reds made it 42 straight games without defeat and a total of 100 points from a maximum of 102 with a 4-0 win over Southampton on Saturday afternoon at Anfield. The best sports betting sites canada are shortening the odds every week now on a Liverpool treble, but despite the final scoreline, the visitors caused the European Champions their fair share of problems with Alisson called into action a number of times.Speaking after the game, Klopp spoke of his pride about the resilient nature of his side to keep up their form game after game.The Liverpool Echo reported the manager as saying:“I have never seen it (the consistency).“If I was on the outside looking at this, I'd be asking the same questions.“I can only say I don't feel it. It is not that I feel stronger and stronger and stronger after each win. "It's not like this. It is just one great celebration - sometimes more, sometimes less - and then relief, settle and go again.“ I have no clue how it should feel. It's not that I think we are close to something special.“So many things can happen in football and even when there is any decision made in the future, why should we stop thinking the same way?“We have to use the skills of the boys, the character of the boys, we have to use the power of this club and especially this stadium. It is our duty to win football games.” While Klopp is naturally an optimistic person, he said he never takes an excessive amount of confidence into a game, although www.worldbookies.com would surely disagree.“I promise you I don't lie, but we don’t feel it. My main feeling before the game (today) is that I was concerned.That concern was warranted especially in the first half, and the manager was mightily relieved that he had his Brazilian custodian to continue his elite form.“Today Southampton had absolutely too many shots and finishes but what Ali is doing with these finishes, I have no clue.“At the end it looks like the finishes aren't good – the finishes were good but Ali is there.“We are not perfect, not even close. "We don’t care about being perfect. “We just try and use our skills in the best possible way. “The boys do that for a while pretty good and that is why we have these kind of numbers.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was determined to keep the focus on the team despite another fine individual performance in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.For the second time in three games, the midfielder scored one and assisted in another goal as the Reds produced a blistering second 45 minutes after being held scoreless by an impressive Saints outfit in the first half.Mo Salah made it five goals in his last six league games with a double while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got on the scoresheet for the second game in succession to give the Reds yet another win. Speaking of wins, check out https://www.bestusacasinosites.com/ for the best places to win big.Speaking after the game to the Official site, Henderson spoke about how much pride he has in the development of the team this season. “I'm enjoying this season, we've put in some really good performances. "Everybody is enjoying their football but it's also about the work ethic and giving everything for each other – and that's the most important thing to me. 'Just give everything you can for your teammates, which we have been doing. If you do that then you get your rewards at the end. "For us, we just need to continue that, give everything we can right until the end of the season and then see where we are.Henderson said that it is always a great feeling to hit the back of the net at Anfield, but the most important thing was keeping the winning feeling going."It's always nice to get a goal, especially at Anfield of course. But the most important thing was the three points of course. "The goals are important obviously and we scored some really good goals in the second half. “Delighted with performance in the end, especially in the second half. Some really good goals and we've got to be delighted with the three points."Henderson kept to the well spoken line that despite pushing the lead atop the Premier League to over 20 points with their 24th win of the league season, the overall focus remains the same. Eyes on the prize, just like when playing new zealand online casinos.“We're getting closer to our target but I don't see why we need to change – I keep saying it every week but it's the truth. "We take the next game as it comes, that's the next challenge and the biggest challenge. "We're focusing on that 90 minutes and giving everything we can, respect the opposition like we always do and just focus on each game as it comes. "That's put us in good stead until now, so there's no need to change. "We just need to continue on our journey, keep focused, keep learning at the training ground and then when we play on a weekend, give everything we can."

Virgil Van Dijk has reflected on his Liverpool career to date as he looks ahead to the visit of his old side on Saturday.It was a big move for the Dutchman when he arrived at the Reds from Southampton in January 2018 for £75 million and while those big money deals have a element of risk attached, it has certainly been a win-win for both parties.Van Dijk has undeniably made the team better both with his own ability and sense of leadership of the defensive unit.And he has certainly been able to take his game to another level winning a number of individual awards and wide recognition that he is the best defender in World Football.Speaking about his Liverpool journey to this point, the 28 year-old said enjoying his football is a key aspect to playing good football.The Mirror reported 'Big Virg' as saying:"The decision I made has not been too bad, has it?”“I’m 28. I want to fulfil every dream that I have. And, you know, life can be short. A career can be short as well. So I want to enjoy every bit of it.”Despite the Reds pushing their unbeaten stretch to 41 games after their 2-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday evening, Van Dijk is living in the current moment and not looking ahead to the invincible Gunners of 2003/04.“Of course not.“Its too far away. We’ll just focus on Saturday. Then we have a week off and then we’ll see the rest.” Van Dijk is looking forward to coming up against the resurgent Southampton side who currently see themselves in ninth place after an outstanding run of form with a former teammate in Danny Ings being a real catalyst and he is thrilled to see his renaissance after a torrid time with injury.“We all know him, he’s a fantastic guy.“When I arrived I saw the qualities he showed and he’s obviously has been a key man for their team.“ I’m very happy for them (Southampton) that they turned it around. “Very happy for the club and hopefully they kick on. “But on Saturday we will try to win the game and try and get a really good result.“ We have strong opponents that we’re going to play and I think our strength is that we don’t underestimate anyone. In the game of football, anything can happen.”Despite the massive lead, Van Dijk says he sees no sign of the Reds losing focus and getting complacent as we enter the second half of the season. "We have the right characters."If you look at our team we have a couple of national team captains as well so that will help.“Everyone is needed to make sure that everyone does everything possible to win our games.“Whether it is you needing to be hard with each other or wherever it is someone needing the hard truth in the game. If it’s necessary then they will do it. “And so far, so good.”

Jürgen Klopp says that he does not have a particular points target in mind as Liverpool continue their march to a Premier League title.The Reds made it 23 wins from 24 games after a composed 2-0 victory over West Ham on Wednesday evening.With the win, Liverpool also achieved the full card of victories over Premier League sides which is a first in the illustrious history of the club and only becoming the second team in the history of the league to do so following Man City in 17/18. The victory also saw the club hit the 70 point mark in the shortest timeframe seen in English Football.Pep Guardiola made a deal about reaching the 100-point mark during Man City’s title runs but it is not something that Klopp believes in.Metro reported the manager as saying.“Not sure if I have to. I was never in that situation, to be honest. I didn’t do it so far.“Last year we had 97 points, I’m not sure if we could have had 100. Ninety-eight would have been possible, if we’d got a point maybe at City, so no, I didn’t do it.“In the moment when I see I have a problem motivating the boys then I will have to use different things, but so far it’s not necessary. We are Liverpool and we have a proper history and everybody knows what we have to do.“So the motivation is to reach that and not any points record. “If that will happen as a side effect, we will take it, but we are not only concerned about that.” Klopp also said he did not get extra satisfaction from beating every opponent.“Nothing like that. I don’t feel anything like that. It’s not about feeling satisfaction or whatever. I really don’t. ‘“I was in the game completely, wanted to win it, my boys wanted to win it desperately. “No-one thought before the game: ‘We’ve won against 18 different teams in the league so let’s make it 19.’“A season is like you have to dug in, and you don’t breathe pretty much, or you jump in the water and you don’t breathe and then you come out after 38 games and then you have a look at what happened.“So that’s how we really see it. "So nothing like that in the dressing room. I don’t want to be extremely – what’s the right word – boring, but it’s just it doesn’t feel like that.’

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain said that the team are keeping focused on the job at hand after another trademark performance on Wednesday evening.The Reds have now beaten every team in the Premier League this season after their 2-0 victory over West Ham, which is a first in the illustrious history of the club.The victory also saw Liverpool reach the 70 point mark from 24 games which is the quickest of any English top flight side. Even the best usa online casino would struggle to produce the number of wins the Reds have this season.Despite the accolades that are flowing their way, Oxlade-Chamberlain says it is business as usual for the players. The Official site reported Ox as saying:“That’s obviously nice but I think teams never get to those sorts of positions and have those accolades and records by thinking about those things.“They just go into every game, go to work and do the business. “You keep that mentality, you give yourself the best chance of coming away with wins.“There are a lot of tough games coming up so we’ve just to keep plodding along and keep doing what we are doing to first and foremost achieve what we want to do in the league. “That’s the most important thing – finishing as high up as we can – and we are in a good position." That's an understatement. Some sports betting companies have already paid on the Reds winning the title and it's almost impossible to envisage any scenario in which Liverpool's 30 year wait to become Champions.The attacking midfielder scored his seventh goal in all competitions this season when he produced an adept finish after being put through on goal by a Mo Salah pass which doubled the visitors advantage after a Salah penalty in the first half. “It was a great pass and I knew Lanzini was close to getting there, so I needed to get in front of him and even make him foul me.“There was a bit of contact but I managed to stay on my feet and just tried to stay composed and finish it, so it was nice to see that one go in.“I don’t always find myself in that position so it was nice and I think it set us up for a controlled performance to see the game out.”

Jürgen Klopp has a strong ally in his decision to give his senior players a week off during the scheduled winter break rather than play in the fourth round replay against Shrewsbury.Klopp has received some criticism in some quarters, but Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers spoke strongly in favour of the German. The Echo reported the Northern Irishman as saying:“He's well within his rights to do that. That's why you have your first-team squad, you have reserve players and why you have youth players."I said a number of weeks ago that the load that is put on players and the pressure that some players have over the December, Christmas period, this week was designed (to help that). “It's not really you would say a break, but it's something at least for the players to have and to go away and recover a little bit."To then organise the replays within that was ridiculous.Rodgers believes managers should have every right to pick their team because player welfare should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.“Jurgen is within his rights to pick whatever team he wants to pick. "If he's going to decide to rest all his players for the benefit of the club, because that's who he is employed by, then that's what he does and he has every right to do that." The Reds are firm favourites for the title with the best au sports betting sites but their hopes of a treble have been seriously dented by Klopp's decision to play the u23s for the replay against Shrewsbury Town. Importantly, Gini Wijnaldum is also right behind his manager’s actions and spoke about how important this break is for a player. 'Since I've been in the Premier League I've played the season without a winter break but I also know, before I came to the Premier League, how good it is for a player to have some rest.'After the rest you can go again. Your body is more rested than if you keep on going, so that's a good thing.“As a player you want to be involved in every game there is but you also have to deal with your body and sometimes your body just says that it is not the right choice to do.'You just have to see how the situation is but if the manager decides that the younger players are going to play the game then we should accept it.'Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand understood the reasoning, but believed that Klopp should be on the touchline for the game, which according to some online sports betting is now virtually an even contest following Klopp's decision to field the kids."When you are a successful team, you are fighting on all fronts and Liverpool are doing that. I totally understand you have to shuffle your pack.“He wants to make sure his squad remains fresh and if he thinks he can get through to the next round with a younger team, then so be it. “It's a great experience for those players.“The only issue I have and he's taking a liberty in some ways, is if he's not actually going to be in the dugout. That's where I draw the line. I think the manager should be in the dugout for every game. 'It doesn't matter whether he's putting out a depleted squad or not."

Liverpool are reportedly showing a great deal of interest in one of European Football’s most exciting under-age talents in Rafael Brito.The recently turned 18 year-old Portuguese defensive midfielder has represented his country from U/15s level, is yet to make his senior debut for Benfica, but has impressed many observers with his displays for the B side.While Brito has a £38 million release clause, The Mirror reports this will only be activated once he makes his senior debut.Liverpool are believed to leading the pack in chasing Brito which is believed to include Real Madrid and Barcelona. Much is this is to do with the recommendation of Brito by elite development coach Vitor Matos who joined the Reds from Porto in October of last year and has vast experience in the youth set-up in Portugal.Liverpool have shown they are willing to plan for.the future as well as the present when signing the likes of Harvey Elliott and Sepp van den Berg.So don’t be surprised if they make a play for this talented prospect.