Liverpool 4 Barcelona 0 - What happened? "Football"
What happened? “Football.”
The one-word response from Jurgen Klopp somehow summed up yet another breathtaking night at Anfield.
With the team missing three of its most vital performers in Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino and Naby Keita, the three goal deficit left for The Reds after the first leg was so insane that it somehow made us feel more confident. It was a set-up made for this crazy club.
Who would the manager piece together to take on this herculean task? …
Liverpool FC and their treatment of youth players
The way that Liverpool treat their young players is interesting to me. They seem to fall into two groups under Klopp, and it’s curious to see how Klopp treats, and has treated, both young players and the loan system that they fit into.
Take for example, Trent Alexander-Arnold. His meteoric rise may have been accelerated because of an injury to Nathaniel Clyne before the start of the 17/18 season, but it was always clear that Jürgen Klopp intended for Trent …
Liverpool FC Squad Analysis: The Depth Chart
There are two weeks to go until the summer transfer window slams shut, locks and closes its shutters. Jurgen Klopp has apparently announced there will be no more signings with his comments last week - "We have everything we need for the next season because I don’t think we will do anything more, I’m pretty sure of that."
Having written this piece for AI for the past two summers, this year I'm excited to bring you the Depth chart for …
Daniel Sturridge: Back from the Brink?
At the end of the 2017/18 season, Daniel Sturridge's departure seemed an inevitability. The club had considered selling him the summer before and during the first half of the campaign, they lost faith in his abilities, resulting in a January loan to West Bromwich Albion which sounded the death knell for his Liverpool career.
The club had set a fairly modest price tag, in this wacky market at least, of £15million, and but for Sturridge's lofty wage demands, he might …
Faux Forwards and False Expectations
Aside from the strange machinations of Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, otherwise known as Tite, we are all generally aware of the value of Roberto Firmino at this point. Brazil was boring with Jesus, boisterous with Bobby, and ultimately the exclusion of the Reds' frontman would prove to be their undoing.
Back on Merseyside, Bobby Firmino has been lauded for his incredible all-around game in the middle of Liverpool's attack. He finishes his campaign with 30 goals and 14 assists in all …
Assessing Liverpool's Youth Players: Who Deserves their Chance?
As Liverpool return to pre-season, the return of Pepijn Lijnders also marks a renewed optimism for Liverpool’s youth prospects: Ben Woodburn and Trent-Alexander Arnold both speak highly of their experience under the man many assume will take up the mantle of outgoing assistant Zeljko Buvac. With that re-appointment comes a voice in Klopp’s ear: one who’s able to vouch for the ability of these youngsters as Liverpool seek to address the gap between Liverpool’s youth setup at Kirkby and their …
Chelsea's Academy: The Gift that keeps on giving… to Liverpool
Is it the red-headed stepchild, the rented mule, the red-headed mule…? Whatever analogy you choose, Liverpool keep going back window after window to raid Chelsea’s academy for standout stars anxious for first-team opportunities.
The London club has been fantastic at recruiting and developing talent to a certain level and has, for all intents and purposes, a farm club in Vitesse that they can use to get players first-team appearances as a stepping stone to Stamford Bridge. On paper, the way …
A marriage of inconvenience, why Sturridge should stay
After an exceptionally bizarre opening goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League Final, Liverpool were sent into ecstasy upon Sadio Mane’s equalizer.
Madrid turned to their bench and tapped Gareth Bale who then scored a worldie, and followed that with a second that was as puzzling as Madrid’s first.
Liverpool looked down their bench and saw … Dominic Solanke? A willing but rust-ridden Adam Lallana had already been summoned early on for the injured Mohammed Salah and that in …
Edwards' Golden Boy Image Depends On His Next Move
Rewind a couple of weeks and Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards was being suggested as the next Red to be knighted. Michael and Edward were the most common baby names on Merseyside. Local sculptors were providing sketches for bronze statues... of his laptop.
The surprise signing of Brazilian midfielder, Fabinho, raised enthusiasm for the transfer window and the season to come to levels that haven’t been seen on Merseyside for a generation.
The move was a brilliant one on the …
Why Divock Origi still has a Part to Play
As Liverpool descend into the usual frenzy of rumours, speculation and leaning on a wall at Melwood (a trend that is worryingly scarce in the Reds’ transfer announcements these days), much has been made of their lack of reserve firepower; a situation amplified by the contract extension given to Rhian Brewster.
Indeed, the news arrived alongside a clamour of “Give the kid a chance” with supporters wanting the next impromptu wonder-talent to make his mark on the Premier League. Even …