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CITY LOSS: KLOPP SAYS LIVERPOOL AFTER TOP FOUR

Jurgen Klopp says top four is now Liverpool’s ‘main target’ after suggesting Alisson’s blunders at Manchester City could have been down to cold feet.

The Liverpool goalkeeper twice passed straight to City players as Pep Guardiola’s side stormed to a 4-1 win at Anfield which puts them five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table and 10 points ahead of defending champions Liverpool, with a game in hand on both.

Liverpool currently sit fourth, one point ahead of West Ham and Klopp accepts his priority is now to ensure his side qualify for next season’s Champions League, with a successful title defence looking out of reach.

“That is of course our main target, that is clear,” Klopp said when asked about a top-four finish. “We will try everything.

“There is enough games to play to secure that – but we have to win games and tonight we didn’t.”

On Alisson’s errors, which allowed City to add their crucial second and third goals through Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling, Klopp said: “You cannot hide them.

“It’s two [instances] where we didn’t give him a lot of options, especially around the first one. I think the second one, yeah, he just mis-hit the ball.

“I don’t know, it’s not a real explanation for it but maybe he had cold feet or something. It sounds funny but could be. But there’s still the opportunity to kick it in the stands.

“But Ali has saved our life plenty of times, no doubt about that, and tonight he made two mistakes and that’s how it is.”

Despite the mistakes and impact of the defeat on Liverpool’s hopes of winning back-to-back Premier League titles, Klopp insisted he was happy with the performance of his team.

He felt his side could have gone on to win when Mohamed Salah’s penalty cancelled out Gundogan’s opener and believes Liverpool would have been closer to City if they’d been at that level throughout the season.

“If you lose 4-1 it is of course not our day but a big part of the game was a brilliant game from my side,” he said.

“We played really good football. I really liked it. In the first half we played really good football. Against City it doesn’t mean you are 2-0 or 3-0 up it only means you’re in the game. I’m not sure what the possession was but it was for sure not what it’s like usually for City.

“Start of the second half, City changed their system slightly to a 4-4-2. It’s a little adaptation in the end but in that start of the second half we didn’t give enough options to play and gave the first goal away.

“They scored that goal, we scored the equaliser, which in that moment it looked like the game could now go in our direction. We looked really good again.

“We make two massive mistakes, that’s clear. Everybody saw them, they used them. 3-1 down in a game like this is really tough to take and then [Phil] Foden with a genius situation where he scores the fourth goal.

“The performance was good most of the time. Really, really good, on a high level. If we’d played more often like tonight, we would not be 10 points behind City.

“The goals, we made massive mistakes. Against each team it is a problem, against City it’s a killer. And that’s why we lost the game.”

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HORROR DAY FOR ALLISON BECKER AS CITY THRASH LIVERPOOL AT ANFIELD

Liverpool’s title defence appears to have ended at the feet of goalkeeper Alisson Becker as two awful errors gifted Manchester City a 4-1 victory at Anfield.

With the match evenly-poised at 1-1 with 17 minutes remaining the Brazil international’s errant passing presented the league leaders with two goals – including Raheem Sterling’s first at Anfield since leaving in 2015.

Alisson was back in the team after missing the midweek defeat to Brighton with illness but he will be sick when he watches back his part in City’s first victory on this ground since 2003 and only their second in 34 visits.

Mohamed Salah’s 63rd-minute penalty – ending a home goal drought nine minutes short of seven hours – had cancelled out the opener from Ilkay Gundogan, who redeemed himself after missing from the spot in the first half.

Alisson then scuffed a pass straight to Phil Foden, who drove forward and crossed for Gundogan to make it nine goals in his last 11 league matches.

Worse was to follow as the Brazilian then repeated the error even closer to goal with Bernardo Silva teeing up Sterling to nod home his 100th goal for Pep Guardiola, with Foden adding the finishing touches late on.

Victory extended City’s winning run to 14 matches and left Liverpool 10 points beind having played one match more and even in this season of surprises a comeback from that position seems unlikely.

It meant Gundogan’s penalty miss late in the first half, City’s third this season and their third in four attempts in this fixture – and Guardiola kicking a bucket in frustration were distant memories.

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LIVERPOOL TO BE DENIED PLAYING LEIPZIG UCL TIE IN GERMANY

Liverpool will not be allowed to play their Champions League round of 16 tie against RB Leipzig in Germany after being denied entry to the country.

The German government has banned all arrivals from countries affected by new coronavirus variants until February 17, the day after Liverpool were due in Leipzig, and an application for special permission for them to travel has been denied.

A statement from the German interior ministry, reported in local media, said: “The federal police has told the RB Leipzig club today that the circumstances of the given case do not meet the requirements for an exemption.”

UEFA has remained in touch with both clubs and the German Football Association, which has in turn been in contact with the German government.

Under such circumstances, Champions League regulations allow for a match to be moved to a neutral venue or for fixtures to be reversed.

However, the latter is not considered an option as Leipzig players would need to quarantine for 10 days upon their return from Liverpool under the current rules.

As it stands, the second leg is scheduled to take place at Anfield on March 10, by which point it is hoped restrictions will have been eased.

UEFA’s regulations put the onus on Leipzig to put forward proposals for an alternative venue and pay the associated costs of rearranging the game.

The club has until February 8 to come up with a solution or they could run the risk of a 3-0 forfeit.

A delay is also a possibility, with UEFA having said that all last-16 games must have been decided by April 2.

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ALZATE EARNS BRIGHTON MEMORABLE WIN AT ANFIELD.

Steven Alzate’s second-half goal secured a first league win for Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield since 1982 that dealt a blow to Liverpool’s title defence.

Mohamed Salah struck a shot over early on after a superb through-ball by Jordan Henderson.

But the champions were largely subdued while Brighton impressed, with Neal Maupay and Dan Burn both going close.

On 56 minutes, Alzate gave Brighton a deserved lead. Burn headed back across goal and Alzate combined with Leandro Trossard to steer the ball into the net.

A confident Brighton threatened to double their lead through chances for Trossard, Burn and Maupay.

Roberto Firmino’s shot high and wide summed up the night for Liverpool, who suffered a second successive home defeat.

They are fourth on 40 points, seven behind leaders Manchester City, having played a match more.

Brighton are 15th with 24 points.

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IHEANACHO SCORES AS LEICESTER EDGE FULHAM AT CRAVEN COTTAGE.

Leicester City moved ahead of champions Liverpool in the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Kelechi Iheanacho headed in James Maddison’s pinpoint cross to give Leicester the lead after 17 minutes.

Kasper Schmeichel then tipped Tosin Adarabioyo’s powerful header over the bar to deny Fulham an equaliser before James Justin doubled the Foxes’ lead shortly before half-time.

The defender rounded Alphonse Areola before tucking in from close range for his second goal of the season.

Substitute Ivan Cavaleiro fired narrowly wide shortly after the restart and Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s effort found the side-netting as Fulham tried in vain to mount a comeback.

The result moves Leicester into third, two points ahead of Liverpool, who lost 1-0 at home against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fulham stay 18th, seven points from safety, with 17 matches to play.

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VAN DIJK TO MISS REST OF THE SEASON – KLOPP

Jürgen Klopp today clarified that Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to play again in 2020-21.

The Liverpool No.4 has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury, which required surgery, since mid-October and is undergoing a rehabilitation programme.

At Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, Klopp was asked if Van Dijk will be included in the Reds’ updated Premier League squad list when it is submitted later this week.

“Whatever happens, I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions League list. I think he was on the Premier League list. Nobody told me I have to change something with that. If we have space in the Champions League list then Virgil will be on the list,” said the boss.

“In the moment, I don’t know where these things are coming from – nobody really, no doctor, nobody really told me there’s a chance for Virgil to play in this season again.

“I don’t want to say that’s absolutely impossible but it’s not likely. It’s not likely. We don’t have to discuss these things really.

“If we have space we would put them all on, even when all the medical people tell us there’s no chance. We put them on because we believe in miracles from time to time.

“But if there’s no place then we have to consider these kind of things and say, ‘The chance is not too big so we have to make the decision.’ But if they are on the list then it’s only because we hope for nearly a miracle. That’s it.”

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LIVERPOOL SEAL BEN DAVIES ON A LONG TERM SIGNING

Liverpool have completed the signing of Ben Davies from Preston North End on a long-term contract.

The 25-year-old centre-back has put pen to paper on a deal with the Reds on deadline day to tie up his transfer from the Championship club and bolster Jürgen Klopp’s defensive ranks.

Davies told Liverpoolfc.com during his first interview at Anfield: “I’m obviously delighted to be here.

“It’s a huge opportunity. Obviously it came as a bit of a surprise when it first came but once you start to get your head around it, the opportunity that is in front of me is incredible. I’d be silly to not make the most of it and learn off the players [at the club].

“I’ve never actually been to Anfield and I haven’t had a look around yet. I had a quick look out and had a look at the pitch and it looks like carpet, which obviously you’d expect.

“I haven’t actually walked out of the tunnel yet, so I’m looking forward to that. Just to be in this kind of atmosphere is brilliant.”

Davies graduated through the academy ranks at Preston and went on to represent them on 145 occasions, scoring two goals, following his senior debut in January 2013.

The Englishman, who will take the vacant No.28 shirt at Liverpool, claimed Preston’s 2019 Player of the Year award for his form.

“I want to come in and play games to start with, I want to get my foot in the door and make myself a Premier League player rather than obviously a Championship player. And then take it from there really,” he said.

“I know we’ve got some top players here and players I can certainly learn from. Once you get your foot in the door then you’re here as well. Hopefully I can take my chance and then move forward with it.

“I’m looking forward to coming in and playing in front of everyone and showing everyone what I can do. I’m sure a lot of fans and people don’t know [me], or haven’t even seen me play.

“It’s definitely an exciting time and I think they’ll quite enjoy watching me when I’m playing well.”

Davies graduated through the academy ranks at Preston and went on to represent them on 145 occasions, scoring two goals, following his senior debut in January 2013.

The Englishman, who will take the vacant No.28 shirt at Liverpool, claimed Preston’s 2019 Player of the Year award for his form.

“I want to come in and play games to start with, I want to get my foot in the door and make myself a Premier League player rather than obviously a Championship player. And then take it from there really,” he said.

“I know we’ve got some top players here and players I can certainly learn from. Once you get your foot in the door then you’re here as well. Hopefully I can take my chance and then move forward with it.

“I’m looking forward to coming in and playing in front of everyone and showing everyone what I can do. I’m sure a lot of fans and people don’t know [me], or haven’t even seen me play.

“It’s definitely an exciting time and I think they’ll quite enjoy watching me when I’m playing well.”

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LIVERPOOL COMPLETE LOAN DEAL FOR OZAN KABAK

Liverpool have completed the transfer of Ozan Kabak from Schalke 04 on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.

The 20-year-old defender will spend the remainder of 2020-21 with the Reds after he put pen to paper on the deal on deadline day.

Kabak completed the formalities of the switch in Germany and will travel to Merseyside later this week.

The Turkey international arrives at Anfield after two years in the Bundesliga, where he represented VfB Stuttgart before joining Schalke in July 2019.

Prior to moving to Germany, Kabak came through the ranks at Galatasaray, where he gained Champions League experience with four appearances in the tournament in 2018-19.

On the international front, he has earned seven caps for Turkey to date.

He will wear No.19 for Liverpool.

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ARNOLD, MANE STAR AS LIVERPOOL EDGE SPURS

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane each claimed a goal and an assist as Liverpool recorded a 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur to go fourth in the table.

Spurs thought they had made the breakthrough on four minutes, but Son Heung-min’s goal was overturned for offside following a review by the Video Assistant Referee.

Liverpool took the lead in first-half stoppage time as Mane squared for Roberto Firmino to tap in his fifth goal in six matches versus Spurs.

Alexander-Arnold made it 2-0 on 47 minutes, fizzing a shot into the far corner after Hugo Lloris could only parry Mane’s shot into his path.

Spurs, who took Harry Kane off with a double-ankle injury at half-time, responded immediately as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored with a powerful strike.

Mohamed Salah had a 56th-minute goal also overturned for a handball in the build-up, before Liverpool restored their two-goal lead.

Alexander-Arnold’s deep delivery took a touch off Joe Rodon and fell invitingly for Mane to hammer into the roof of the net.

Liverpool have 37 points, four behind leaders Manchester City, who have a match in hand.

Spurs lie sixth with 33 points.

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BRUNO FERNANDES LATE FREE KICK SENDS LIVERPOOL OUT OF FA CUP.

Supersub Bruno Fernandes’ fantastic free-kick secured Manchester United an impressive 3-2 FA Cup fourth-round victory against rivals Liverpool as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw his first triumph against Jurgen Klopp’s men.

A week on from a tense goalless Premier League draw at Anfield between the Premier League leaders and reigning champions, an empty Old Trafford hosted a far more entertaining encounter between these old foes.

Mohamed Salah’s fine opener was cancelled out by Mason Greenwood in an entertaining first half which was followed by a similar pulsating second period on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford coolly put United ahead only for Salah to level with his second of the match, setting up a grandstand finish in which star man Fernandes came off the bench to score a super free-kick winner.

A home clash against West Ham is the reward for the Red Devils, who Solskjaer led to victory against Liverpool at the fifth time of asking – 22 years to the day after scoring the winner against them at the same stage of the competition.

Defeat made this the fifth time in six seasons that the Reds had failed to progress beyond the fourth round of the FA Cup under Klopp, whose poor start to 2021 continued as they lost on enemy territory.