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EX LIVERPOOL, FRANCE BOSS, GERARD HOULLIER DIES AT 73.

Former France and Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has died at the age of 73.

Houllier, who managed Liverpool from 1998 to 2004, won six major trophies as manager of the Anfield side, which included a League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup success in 2001.

The Frenchman managed his national side from 1992-93, but left after failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

Houllier had a long history of heart problems, dating back to when he was rushed to hospital at half time of a Premier League game between Liverpool and Leeds United in 2001.

After leaving Liverpool, he spent two seasons with Lyon, where he won two Ligue 1 titles. His final job was as manager of Aston Villa in the 2010-11 campaign.

A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool FC is mourning the passing of former manager Gerard Houllier, aged 73.

“The Frenchman was in charge of the Reds for six seasons, leading his team to an historic and unforgettable treble of League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000-01 and returning the club to the Champions League.

“Houllier — who recovered from life-saving heart surgery during the 2001-02 campaign to return to the dugout — later guided Liverpool to a second League Cup triumph of his tenure in 2003 and departed the following year having overseen 307 matches and successfully re-established the club as a modern force.

“Everybody at the club is deeply saddened by the loss of Gerard and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

After a playing career in France’s lower leagues, Houllier began coaching in 1973, earning his first big job with Lens before taking over at Paris Saint-Germain.

Houllier’s former club Lens also tweeted: “It is with sadness that we learn about the passing of Gerard Houllier, the former Lens manager from 1982 to 1985, and former France boss.

“Our thoughts are with his family and his friends.”

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 under Houllier, wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear that my old boss, Gerard Houllier, has sadly passed away. A great manager and a genuinely caring man.”

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also posted on Twitter: “Absolutely devastated by the news about Gerard Houllier, I was in touch with him only last month to arrange him coming to Liverpool.

“Loved that man to bits, he changed me as a person & as a player & got @LFC back winning trophies. RIP Boss.”

French champions PSG posted on social media: “It is with great sadness that PSG has learned about the death of our former manager Gerard Houllier.

“PSG sends its most sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

Villa paid tribute to their former boss while UEFA said that Houllier was an “influential and much-respected UEFA technical observer and coaching expert.”

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FULHAM 1-1 LIVERPOOL: IMPRESSIVE FULHAM DENY REDS TOP SPOT.

Mohamed Salah’s 79th-minute penalty earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw at Fulham as they missed out on the chance to go top of the Premier League.

Salah converted the spot-kick, after a handball by Aboubakar Kamara in the wall at Georginio Wijnaldum’s free-kick, to cancel out Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s 25th-minute opener.

Fulham had the better of the first half, forcing Alisson into three saves before De Cordova-Reid found the net with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area.

But Liverpool improved after the interval and Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had already denied Salah and Jordan Henderson before just being beaten by the former’s penalty.

Liverpool are level on 25 points with leaders Tottenham Hotspur but they are second on goal difference.

Fulham stay in 17th, two points above the bottom three.

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LIV 4-0 WOL: LIVERPOOL GIVE NEWLY RETURNED FANS GRAND WELCOME AS THEY GO JOINT TOP WITH SPURS.

Liverpool celebrated the return of fans to Anfield with a comfortable 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers to go second in the table.

The Reds took the lead in the 24th minute, when Mohamed Salah pounced on a mistake by Wolves defender Conor Coady.

Coady thought he had won a penalty just before the break but referee Craig Pawson reversed his decision after going to the Referee Review Area.

Georginio Wijnaldum scored the second with a superb 58th minute strike into the top corner before Joel Matip headed home a Salah cross to make it 3-0 in the 67th minute.

Soon afterwards Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to action as a substitute and it was his fine cross that led to Nelson Semedo turning the ball into his own net.

Wolves’ best chance came early on when Daniel Podence forced Premier League debutant goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to tip away his shot.

Liverpool are behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference, while Wolves stay 10th on 17 points.

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ALISSON TO MISS TWO WEEKS DUE TO HAMSTRING INJURY.

Alisson Becker will be sidelined for up to two weeks with a hamstring injury with the Brazilian goalkeeper likely to miss games against Wolves, Midtjylland and Fulham.

Alisson felt his hamstring during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday and was replaced by 22-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher for Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League.

Kelleher produced a fine performance, including a crucial reflex save to deny Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as Liverpool booked their place in the knockout rounds.

And manager Jurgen Klopp provided an update on the extent of Alisson’s injury, emphasising it was an injury and not a Covid-19 infection or isolation.

He told BT Sport: ‘So, it’s not Covid, I think it’s something we have to mention when it’s not the case – and it’s not the case.

‘He told us after the last game that he felt in the 60th, 70th minute his hamstring. [We] did a scan, it’s a little one but enough for today and probably for another week.

‘We don’t know exactly, we have to wait and I’ve never heard about a hamstring that is only four or five days, so 10-14 days I think.’

Klopp sprung a surprise by favouring Kelleher, who had only previously made four appearances for the club, all in the FA Cup or EFL Cup, ahead of Adrian.

And after a clean sheet, Klopp was full of praise for the Irishman: ‘I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, he kept a lot of clean sheets, played everywhere.

‘But now we needed the natural football playing ability of Caoimhin Kelleher.

‘He is a great shot-stopper as well. We made that decision but never know how they are going to cope. I am really happy with how calm he was and how good he was.

‘In the end, it is about keeping the ball out of the net and he did that twice and he did that in an exceptional manner. He will either sleep really well tonight or not at all.’

Liverpool host Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday evening and then conclude their Champions League group campaign with a trip to Denmark to play Midtjylland next Wednesday.

They then face three league matches in quick succession against Fulham, Tottenham and Crystal Palace and Klopp may have to choose between Adrian and Kelleher if Alisson doesn’t recover in time.

Alisson is just the latest injury concern for Liverpool, who currently have Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sidelined.

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KLOPP RATES WIN OVER AJAX AMONG HIS BEST AT LIVERPOOL.

Liverpool boss, Jurgen KLOPP has labelled Tuesday night win against Ajax as one of his best wins since joining the Merseyside

Anfield was empty, the Liverpool team depleted by injury and it was hardly a vintage performance but the 1-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday still left manager Jurgen Klopp bursting with pride.

Honestly since I was at Liverpool that feels like one of the biggest Champions League nights. Without supporters in, it was the most important, most difficult, most exceptional,” he said.

“With the circumstances, there hasn’t been much to smile about, it’s been tricky, and the boys throw themselves into the game,” said the German after his side secured top spot in Group D.

“Robbo [Andy Robertson] has a proper knock on the ankle and pushes himself through, Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with a sore back, Gini [Georginio Wijnaldum] — I have no words for him. Curtis Jones, what a game, It’s amazing, I’m really proud.”

The 19-year-old Jones got the second-half winner and was one of the brightest players in the midfield battle.

“Curtis is a really good kid, a good player and I am happy to have him around. Sometimes with injuries there is always an opportunity and he has taken it,” he said.

Klopp had another injury headache to contend with before the game, with keeper Alisson Becker ruled out with a hamstring strain, and Irish Under-21 keeper Caoimhin Kelleher was picked ahead of the more experience Adrian.

“I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, he kept a lot of clean sheets, played everywhere. But now we needed the natural football playing ability of Caoimhin Kelleher. He is a good shot stopper as well. We made that decision but you never know how they are going to cope. I am really happy with how calm he was and how good he was,” said Klopp.

Kelleher made a vital save in the closing moments to make sure of the three points.

“That’s what I’m there for, I work every day in training to make sure I am ready and I was able to make a good few saves,” he said.

“It was an amazing one for me, to make my Champions League debut was massive and we got the win and qualified. A great night.”

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LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX: CURTIS JONES SECOND HALF GOAL SECURES CRUCIAL WIN FOR KLOPP SIDE.

A fine Curtis Jones goal was enough to give Liverpool a 1-0 win over Ajax with the victory confirming the Reds’ progression into the Champions League knockout stages as group winners.

The game got off to a pulsating start with Jones hitting the post five minutes in. Ajax had several chances of their own in the first half with Champions League debutant Caoimhin Kelleher being kept busy in the Liverpool goal.

After the break, the Reds managed to poke their noses in front with two academy graduates combining; Neco Williams swung in a looping cross and a stranded Andre Onana could only watch as Jones provided a cute finish from the angle to put the Reds 1-0 up.

After substitute Roberto Firmino missed a gilt-edged chance, the Reds had Kelleher to thanks late on with the Irishman, making a point-blank save to deny Klaas- Jan Hunteelar’s header.

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CHRIS WILDER LABELS JURGEN KLOPP “A SELFISH POLITICIAN”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has once again hit out at Jurgen Klopp – this time over the partial return of fans to matches.

Wilder last week accused Klopp of selfishness over his continued pursuit of reintroducing five substitutes to the Premier League.

The Blades boss now says it is unfair that Liverpool can welcome back 2,000 fans to Anfield when the national lockdown ends by virtue of being in a tier two area whilst 10 Premier League clubs will still play behind closed doors.

Wilder says he is unsurprised Klopp has not called for a return for all fans to matches.

“He’s a world-class manager and a world-class politician, who cares about Liverpool,” he said. “That’s all he cares about.

“He was never going to say what about Sheffield United getting their fans back in or Newcastle or Man City or Man United or anybody else. He’s a world-class politician.

I know his background on support and how much Anfield has been a fortress. The Liverpool support is magnificent, I know it is because my old man is from that part of the world.

” I know he’s been vocal on that and Jurgen isn’t going to say it’s not right that they can have fans in as they’re in tier two and Sheffield United, Leeds, Manchester and all the rest of the north are not allowed in.

It was funny looking at that map, wasn’t it? Shock! I think us in the north were fully expecting us to be in the old tier three as they kindly put us in.”

It comes after Wilder last week accused Klopp of being selfish over his desire to have five substitutes in the Premier League again this season.

Cards on the table, he’s going to look after his own club,” said the Blades boss. “I’ve got incredible respect for these top managers because they produce top results and win things.

“But they’re selfish, they look after their own clubs. They’re not going to be bothered about Sheffield United, they’re not going to be bothered about England.

“They’re going to be bothered about Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, which I understand and respect. I would be the same, but I’m bothered about Sheffield United and it doesn’t help us to have five subs.”

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BRIGHTON 1-1 LIVERPOOL: LATE GROSS PENALTY DENIES REDS THREE POINTS.

Pascal Gross’s stoppage-time penalty earned Brighton & Hove Albion a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, whose away form continued to stutter.

Brighton’s Aaron Connolly put an early shot wide before Neal Maupay missed a 20th-minute penalty.

Mohamed Salah thought he had put Liverpool in front on 33 minutes but VAR ruled he was offside.

Diogo Jota did so in the 60th minute, collecting Salah’s pass to beat three players and find the corner.

With five minutes remaining, a second Liverpool goal was overturned by VAR for offside, this time Sadio Mane’s header.

Brighton’s penalty came after Danny Welbeck had been fouled by Andrew Robertson, adjudged after a referee review.

Liverpool go top on 21 points but are winless from their last four away matches.

Brighton stay 16th with 10 points.

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WIJNALDUM EXPECTING A BETTER ANFIELD OFFER TO STAY AT LIVERPOOL.

According to James Pearce in the Athletic, Wijnaldum is simply not adequately impressed with the deals that have so far been put on the table.

“He believes he merits a contract which reflects his level of contribution and his status. So far that hasn’t been put on the table and so he intends to consider his options carefully,” he writes.

“Wijnaldum’s attitude has been impeccable despite the ongoing uncertainty and there is certainly no chance of him being sold in January. But with every passing week, the chances of Wijnaldum staying on Merseyside beyond this season recede.

“On his return to the club after the September internationals, Wijnaldum held talks with Klopp and made it clear he was fully committed for the season ahead and happy to stay put. That was all Klopp wanted to hear. Their relationship remains strong.”

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Jurgen Klopp has no regrets despite Atalanta BC loss

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had no regrets over the selection gamble which backfired in a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atalanta and insisted he would do it again.

The Reds boss made five changes from Sunday’s victory over Leicester, including altering three of his back four, and paid for it with a first defeat at Anfield in 90 minutes since Chelsea triumphed there in September 2018.

It was Klopp’s heaviest loss in 137 matches at Anfield, the Reds’ worst since losing 3-0 to West Ham in August 2015, and the first time since data began to be collected in 2003 that they failed to record a single shot on target in a home Champions League game.

Even the return of Mohamed Salah after his positive Covid-19 test could not lift the side out of their torpor as second-half goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens ensured there would be no option for Klopp to rest players in both of their final two group games.

“We made five changes, it was very important we did that, and in the end it didn’t work out and that is part of the deal. I would do it again,” he said.

“(We had) no real rhythm, first half was not a good game at all, they were not good as well. We spoke about it but second half it didn’t look like it (would change) and that is why we changed early.

“A second before we could change (Klopp was in the process of making a quadruple substitution) they scored the first goal, in a space which we knew they tried to use and we couldn’t defend in that moment.

“We had better football moments but not good enough. If you don’t have a shot on target that is never a good sign.”

Victory over Ajax next week would still guarantee safe passage and with December’s schedule, Klopp will want to avoid the nightmare scenario of having something to play for with the final game against Midtjylland.

“If I would think like this then it would be great. It is tricky, sounds easy to beat Ajax but with all the challenges we face in this country on top of the normal challenges we face already,” he added.

“My concern isn’t that I think about Ajax; we go in a few hours to play Brighton. When this game is over we start to think about Ajax.”

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, whose side were beaten 5-0 in the reverse fixture three weeks ago, hailed the win as the club’s most prestigious.

“Obviously this is something which will be written in the pages of history,” he said.

“They haven’t lost a Premier League game in 64 matches. This is perhaps our biggest ever victory in our history, certainly our most prestigious.

“We were more solid in defence this time around because the defence was better protected with more players in midfield.

“This is the solution we opted for as we thought it was appropriate for this game.”