Tag: Liverpool

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LIVERPOOL SIGN BRAZILIAN GOALKEEPER.

Liverpool have signed 17-year-old goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga on a permanent deal from Fluminese.

Pitaluga was scouted with the help of Alisson Becker’s brother Muriel while the pair were at Fluminense.

The teenager, who was part of the Brazil squad which won the FIFA U17 World Cup on home soil last November, has started training at Melwood, where he will be based with the first-team group, and will play for the club’s academy teams.

I asked Ali to speak to his brother to see how it goes and how he is doing,” goalkeeping coach John Achterberg told liverpoolfc.com.

“Ali spoke to his brother and Ali went training there (during the club’s Premier League break in February).

We saw a little bit from the training and the games he was playing for the reserves in Brazil.

“He was already 16 playing in the reserve team there so you also think, ‘they trust him to play already in the reserves at 16’.

“Now he is here, we have to improve [him]. He is still young, there is no pressure because there is still a long road and we don’t want to create any pressure for him because there is still work to do.”

Pitaluga joins Becker, Adrian and Caoimhin Kelleher in Liverpool’s pool of goalkeepers. Loris Karius is also still on Liverpool’s books but has joined Union Berlin on a season-long loan.

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XHERDAN SHAKIR JOINS MANE AND THIAGO IN ISOLATION AS SWISS TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri has tested positive for coronavirus, the Swiss football association has confirmed.

The 28-year-old is the THIRD Reds player to contract COVID-19 in the last seven days, after both Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara tested positive last week.

Shaqiri is currently on international duty with Switzerland, having only linked up with his national team on Monday, and has now entered self-isolation in his homeland.

“Xherdan Shaqiri has tested positive for Covid-19,” read a statement from the Swiss Football Association on Tuesday morning.

“In consultation with the health authorities, he is in isolation.

“The strict protective measures and requirements of UEFA for national teams in accordance with the ‘UEFA Return to Play Protocol’ have been strictly adhered to since the move began.

“Based on this, clarifications are currently underway with the local health authorities about how to proceed.”

Self-isolation guidelines in Switzerland differ slightly from in the UK, as people must remain in isolation for at least ten days after the point symptoms first appeared.

Shaqiri was due to be part of the Swiss team to take on Croatia on Wednesday, followed by Nations League matches against Spain and Germany on October 10 and 13.

The Liverpool winger has made just one appearance in Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, in the 7-2 victory over Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup third round on September 24, where he opened the scoring.

He was linked with a departure from Anfield throughout the summer transfer window, especially having failed to even be named in a Premier League matchday squad this season.

Italian clubs Roma and Lazio were linked with an interest, but no deal materialised before Monday’s transfer deadline, and so he will remain with the Premier League champions until at least January.

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WE LOST THE PLOT AT VILLA PARK – KLOPP

Stunned Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his side did “all the things you should not do in a football match” as they “lost the plot” to play into Aston Villa’s hands in their 7-2 humbling at Villa Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

Following on from Manchester United’s 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool added to a remarkable day as they became the first reigning English top-flight champions to ship seven goals in a league match since Arsenal in 1953.

Ollie Watkins’ first-half hat trick set Villa en route to an astonishing victory, as Liverpool slipped to a first defeat of the season thanks to a woeful showing at the back in the Midlands.

“We played into their hands, with all the goals,” Klopp said. “Then the game has a specific direction.

“We had still good moments, but our good moments lead to nothing, other than Mo’s [Mohamed Salah] two goals.

“All their good moments lead to a big chance or goals, and that makes all the difference. All the things you should not do in a football match we did tonight, but all credit to Aston Vila, as they forced us to do those things.

“The first goal had an impact but it shouldn’t. We conceded goals like that in the past, but the reaction wasn’t good, and we lost the plot.”

A combination of missed chances and poor defending were largely to blame for the loss, according to Klopp, who said he wished the team had a training session on Monday to address the issues.

“It was unexpected but it happened tonight,” Klopp said. “For me it wasn’t a specific moment, we put all our rubbish things and mistakes in one game and hopefully we can start again.

“Tonight wasn’t sloppy, it was just bad. I have to admit that but I can’t change it. I would love to have a training session tomorrow and Tuesday and to talk about it, but the boys go back off to international duty. Hopefully they come back healthy and we use the two days to prepare for Everton.”

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith hailed the effort from his side, as they made it three wins from three in extraordinary fashion, to move up to second in the table, ahead of Liverpool in fifth.

“It was just sheer hard work and effort,” Smith said. “The work ethic, when Jurgen Klopp says ‘wow’ to you you know you’ve done something right. The lads were superb, they executed the game plan perfectly. We were at our best today.

“It’s a good start, an exceptional result and a really good start. We won’t get complacent but we’ll enjoy tonight because results like that don’t come around too often. We’ve got a lot of pride and confidence going into the international break.”

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WATKINS SCORES HATRICK, GREALISH BRACE AS ASTON VILLA STUN LIVERPOOL IN 7-2 GAME

A perfect hat-trick from Ollie Watkins fired Aston Villa to second place after a sensational 7-2 win over champions Liverpool.

The Villans led after only four minutes when Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian conceded possession to Jack Grealish, who teed up Watkins for a simple finish.

Villa’s lead was doubled when Watkins cut in and slammed a shot into the top corner on 22 minutes.

Mohamed Salah’s smart shot reduced the deficit on 33 minutes but two minutes later, John McGinn’s deflected effort restored Villa’s two-goal cushion.

Watkins’ hat-trick header made the score 4-1 and 10 minutes after half-time, Ross Barkley added a fifth.

Salah pulled another goal back on the hour but Grealish’s double on 66 and 75 minutes completed the comprehensive victory.

Villa now have three wins from three while Liverpool are fifth, also on nine points.

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Liverpool go for Olympiacos Left back

Liverpool could turn their attention to Olympiakos left-back Kostas Tsimikas after their initial attempt to sign Norwich’s Jamal Lewis failed.

The Reds had a £10m bid for 22-year-old Lewis, which included a substantial sell-on clause, rejected.

It is understood they were prepared to go to £12m but the Canaries wanted significantly more.

Liverpool, seeking cover for Scotland captain Andy Robertson, have also been monitoring Tsimikas, 24.

The Greece international played for Olympiakos in a 1-0 defeat by Wolves in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie this week as his side went out 2-1 on aggregate.

He also played for them in their six Champions League group games earlier on in the campaign as they finished third behind Bayern Munich and Tottenham.

After Olympiakos dropped down into the Europa League, he put in an impressive performance as his side won 2-1 at Arsenal and knocked the Gunners out of the competition at the last-32 stage.

Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon, 23, was also an option looked at by Liverpool.

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NORWICH CITY REJECT LIVERPOOL BID FOR JAMAL LEWIS

Manager Jurgen Klopp has earmarked the Canaries defender as the ideal deputy for Andy Robertson on the left side of his defence with the 22-year-old impressing during his maiden season in the Premier League last term.

It was revealed earlier this week that Lewis was on the Reds’ radar with the Premier League champions willing to go to around £10m for the Northern Ireland international.

Norwich are hoping to get around £20million for one of their stars of last season with negotiations expected to continue with the premier league champions.

The Reds were hoping a substantial sell-on clause would be enough to see the club’s sporting director, Stuart Webber, accept the initial offer.

Liverpool were mindful that Lewis’s status as backup to Scotland captain Robertson could prove a sticking point in making the premier agree to a move.

Lewis is eager to work with Klopp after seeing him turn Liverpool from a mid-table side upon his arrival in October 2015 to one that is the current world, European and English champions.

With Lewis’s heart set on a move to Anfield this summer, the Reds feel they will eventually see Norwich do business as Daniel Farke begins the rebuild following their relegation from the top flight last term.

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ASTON VILLA GUNNING FOR LIVERPOOL’ ORIGI

Aston Villa have been linked with Liverpool striker Divock Origi.

According to reports, Villa are weighing up a move for the Belgium international to bolster Dean Smith’s options in attack.

Signing a new forward is thought to be a priority in the transfer window after Villa secured their Premier League safety.

Club-record arrival Wesley Moraes is still working his way back to full fitness while Mbwana Samatta and Keinan Davis struggled to make an impact during the relegation run-in.

Origi made 44 appearances for Liverpool this season but the majority of those came as a substitute with the 25-year-old behind Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.

He scored vital goals for the Reds on the way to Champions League glory last year but is being tipped for an Anfield exit this summer to boost his international hopes.

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BRIGHTON COMPLETE SIGNING OF ADAM LALLANA FROM LIVERPOOL

Brighton have confirmed the signing of midfielder Adam Lallana from Liverpool on a three-year contract.

The former Southampton star had been undergoing a medical with the Seagulls but his move has now gone through after celebrating the Premier League title with the Reds last week.

Speaking for the first time since signing with the club, Lallana said it was ‘the perfect match’, admitting it was an easy choice after Brighton made him feel ‘wanted’.

‘I can’t wait, it’s a breath of fresh air coming down here… having my medical done, everything’s new and It’s challenge I’m looking forward to and I can’t wait to get started.

‘The whole infrastructure and ambition around Brighton excites me. There is so much young talent, so much ability.

The manager’s highly sought after and it was a pretty easy choice in the end – especially given how much Brighton have reached out and its nice to know you’re wanted and I think it’s a perfect match.’

His new manager Graham Potter said he was looking forward to working with him and hailed his ‘wealth of experience’, insisting there was ‘no doubting’ his quality.

‘There is no doubting Adam’s quality, and if you look at his footballing CV his ability is clear for everyone to see,’ Potter said.

‘He has played at the very highest level, for both club and country, and achieved great things. He has a wealth of experience alongside his technical quality.

‘The honours he won during his time at Liverpool, and the high regard in which he is held at Anfield, only further underline his ability and character.

‘Adam is a really exciting signing for us, someone I am sure the supporters will be really looking forward to seeing play as and when things are able to begin to return to normal.

‘To have both his experience and quality out on the pitch will be a great addition for us, and I know he will be an excellent role model for our younger players in the squad.

‘I am really looking forward to working with him when we return for pre-season training in a few weeks.’

Lallana posted a picture of himself holding up a Brighton shirt on Instagram. The 32-year-old, who will wear the number 14 shirt, said he ‘couldn’t be more excited’ to begin the new chapter and was ‘proud’ to be linking up with the club.

So a new adventure begins,’ he wrote. ‘Couldn’t be more excited… a club with ambition and hunger to match my own. I’m ready for it. Delighted and proud to be joining the Brighton family. Can’t wait to get started.’

Lallana arrives at Brighton having won a host of trophies for Liverpool in his six years at Anfield. An impressive CV includes the Premier League title, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

He joined Liverpool in 2014 after catching the eye at boyhood side Southampton and went on to play 178 games for the club scoring 22 goals.

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Zenith sign Dejan Lovern

Zenit St Petersburg have signed defender Dejan Lovren from Liverpool for £10.9m on a three-year contract.

The Croatia centre-back, 31, has joined the Russian club after playing in 10 Premier League games this season for champions Liverpool.

Lovren, signed from Southampton for £20m in July 2014, also helped the Reds win the Champions League in 2019.

He scored five goals in 131 league appearances for Liverpool but played just three times in 2020.

Lovren also helped Croatia reach the 2018 World Cup final, where they lost 4-2 to France, and has 57 caps for his country.

His Anfield contract ran until June 2021 and the club had an option to extend it by a year.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said “another Liverpool legend” had left the club.

“He was absolutely a very, very important part of this team from the first day since I was in,” added the German, who took charge in October 2015.

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Jordan Henderson beats Kevin De Bruyne to Footballer of the Year for 2019/20

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been named as the FWA Footballer of the Year, just days after lifting the Premier League trophy.

The midfielder has beaten players like Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne and his own team-mate Sadio Mane to the award.

Over the last 13 months, the skipper has picked up medals for the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League.

Topping it off with one of the highest individual honours you can get in England isn’t a bad way to finish this season.

As a reminder, the FWA – or the Football Writers’ Association – picks their player of the year based on votes taken from people working in the media.

Henderson has now become the fourteenth Liverpool player to have been given the award, after recent winners Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard.

The skipper will go down in history as one of the great Liverpool captains, and his contributions on and off the field has seen him celebrated this year.

Supporters will now have to wait to see if Henderson can do the double and swoop the PFA Player of the Year award!