We take a look at the key news stories surrounding Liverpool from the day
Coutinho says Liverpool have big objectives
Philippe Coutinho says Liverpool have big objectives this season and feels that Jurgen Klopp is the best man to help them achieve them. The Brazilian midfielder spent some time on the sidelines with a malleolar injury but has now returned to help Liverpool continue their push for the title.
The Reds have looked like one of the strongest teams in the league this season and have arguably played the best football out of the top 6 teams. And the midfield wizard feels that this is down to both Jurgen Klopp’s influence and the hard work that Liverpool have been putting in.
“We have to keep working together because the season is very long . We have big objectives to realise this season,” Coutinho said, according to Sky Sports. “The confidence [of a good result] brings good feeling, tells us that we have to keep working hard. This season promises to be very important for us and Liverpool have to keep playing well.”
“He [Klopp] is a great manager, he has changed the mentality in our team we have become much stronger in defence, and we’ll keep working together.”
Klopp’s praise for Harry Wilson
Jurgen Klopp has singled out youth player Harry Wilson for praise, and has hinted that the winger could start during Liverpool’s match against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. Wilson was absent from the U23 squad as Liverpool lost to Manchester United on Monday, as he was training with the senior team.
And Jurgen Klopp has jokingly apologised to the U23s, while admitting he was impressed with what he saw from Wilson. Wilson is rumoured to be in line for his first start for Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp did nothing to dispel those rumours.
“Harry Wilson is a wonderful young player, that’s how it is, in a few moments, I was impressed,” he said, according to the club’s official website. “I have no line-up but, in our situation, we had to keep a few players out of the game [against United] yesterday but obviously that didn’t help, so apologies to the U23s! Again, my fault.”
“We need to have the choice of what we can do and he is part of all our thoughts for this game and we will see.”
Wilson, who joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of 8 in 2005, progressed through the youth ranks on Merseyside before making his Under-18s debut as a 15-year-old. Wilson, who is now 19, can play on either flank and is now Liverpool’s Under-23 captain.
Youth team player admits stunning goal was a result of watching Lallana
Yan Dhanda – who became the first player of Indian heritage to sign a contract with Liverpool back in 2015 – is considered one of Liverpool’s most exciting academy prospects. A technically gifted player, Dhanda is capable of playing anywhere across the midfield but is best suited to a No. 10 role.
He did his reputation no harm after scoring the winning goal when the Liverpool U18s took on Everton’s U18s, neatly finishing a strike with his left foot five minutes from time to win the game 2-1 for the Reds.
The goal was a result of his finely timed run into the box, and Dhanda has admitted that he felt especially pleased with the goal as he has been working on his runs in training – specifically by studying the way Adam Lallana times his runs.
“It’s a good feeling and there’s no better feeling than scoring a goal, especially against Everton away from home,” Dhanda said, according to the club’s official website. “I’ve been working on arriving late in the box because it’s hard to be picked up when you come in late.”
“I’ve been watching clips of Lallana doing it and I’ve been practising it in training, running in on the back of the defender. I fancied my chances and luckily it fell to me and I scored.”
Clearly Lallana – who recently emerged as a target for Barcelona and Juventus – has an influence not only on the results of Liverpool’s senior team, but it’s academy teams as well. If Dhanda keeps emulating the Englishman a senior call-up could soon be on the cards.
Karius feels Liverpool must be more creative
Loris Karius feels Liverpool need to be more creative in tonight’s FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle in order to avoid a cup upset. The Reds failed to find a way past Derek Adams’ side and were held to a disappointing stalemate at Anfield.
And goalkeeper Loris Karius feels that Liverpool – despite their dominance – simply didn’t create enough chances and need to do much better if they want to ensure they progress in the FA Cup. He also praised Plymouth’s defending, and said that they were probably hoping for a crazy game in tonight’s fixture.
“We didn’t create that many chances – we weren’t that creative in and around the box,” he said, according to the club’s official website. “That’s something we can improve for the next game. They defended really well, of course. We didn’t have that many different ideas to get through their defence, but what they did they were doing well.”
“They will hope for a crazy game at their ground but we have to be there from the first minute and play our game to go to the next round. It depends on us. They will try to stay compact and get one or two counter-attacks. We just need to get some goals. We have to go through clearly – that’s our aim.”
Karius – who was dropped after some disappointing performances for Liverpool – will definitely be hoping that the game isn’t too crazy as he won’t want Plymouth to target his goal too much.
Liverpool legend John Aldridge slams Mourinho
Former Liverpool forward John Aldridge has criticised Jose Mourinho’s tactics against Liverpool during their Premier League match on Sunday, claiming that the Portugese manager’s decision to resort to long ball tactics were laughable given how much money United spent in the summer.
Aldridge also said that Mourinho himself was wrong when he claimed United dominated the second half, and that the Manchester United manager leaving the dugout 5 minutes before the half-time whistle was just a call for attention.
“I tell you what made me laugh at Old Trafford. A side like United, having spent so much money, throwing on Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini and turning into Wimbledon, trying to win flick ons,” Aldridge said, according to the Liverpool Echo. “When you’re paying £90million on this player, £30million on that player, and you end up lashing on a throwback up front to get you a point – it says it all, really.
“Jose Mourinho reckons his side dominated the second half. What’s all that about? It’s all about him, isn’t it? He left his dugout before the half time whistle because he wants the attention. What’s he trying to prove?”.
Liverpool conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with United despite looking like the likely victors. The game was not without it’s drama, as Jurgen Klopp was seen raging at Mourinho – which the Manchester United manager later clarified was simply a misunderstanding.
Despite this, Klopp himself was not impressed by United’s long ball tactics either and clearly Aldridge feels the same.