We are approaching the end of the international break, ensuring a return to Premier League is not far away for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Aside from matters on the pitch, the Reds continue to be linked with a number of transfer moves and are said to be battling it out with Manchester United for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams. Elsewhere, the Reds could reportedly enter the race for West Ham United Nayef Agured.
Endo benched for second Japan friendly
Wataru Endo has been named on the bench for Japan’s friendly against Turkey this afternoon with Tanaka Ao captaining the side in his place.
A welcome boost for Jurgen Klopp, who hopes all of his international cohort return injury free this week.
Keita ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ as Werder Bremen prepare for return
A fresh update from BILD on the fitness of Naby Keita started in a scathing manner, stating the ‘Euphoria has quickly disappeared’ following his arrival at Werder Bremen.
Continuing where his Liverpool career left off, the midfielder was injured in the warm-up to his new club’s first pre-season friendly in July. This was later diagnosed as an adductor muscle problem.
He is now back in first-team training and waiting to make his debut, however the report states that those in charge at the German side are ‘wrapping the new arrival in cotton wool’ and manage his minutes in an effort to not stress the issue.
Daniel Sturridge reveals Liverpool transfer regret and makes Premier League title claim
Daniel Sturridge has expressed regret over the timing of his Liverpool exit in 2019.
While the striker-turned-pundit would initially shine for the Reds following his 2013 arrival from Chelsea, injuries decimated his career on Merseyside.
He departed after lifting the Champions League with his Liverpool team-mates in Madrid, however has now revealed in hindsight he wishes he could have won the Premier League with them a year later.
Bakayoko ‘due dilligence’ claim
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are one Premier League club to be interested in PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko.
They claim that up to five English top-flight clubs are doing their due dilligence ahead of the January transfer window, with the Dutch club possibly forced to cash in should they fail to reach the Champions League knock-out stages.
The Reds were linked to the 20-year-old during the summer window, as were Brentford.
Martinez praises Jota but rebuffs Ronaldo question
As mentioned earlier Diogo Jota enjoyed an evening against Luxembourg yesterday as he bagged a brace in a 9-0 Portugal victory.
It helped book A Selecao das Quinas’ place in next year’s Euros finals, though without Cristiano Ronaldo was a miss as he served a one-match suspension having been booked for a third time in his country’s previous match.
This allowed Jota, who was unused in that match against Slovakia, to come into the starting XI and make an impact.
“Gonçalo Ramos showed today what he can do, and Diogo Jota did the same,” manager Roberto Martinez said in response. “We need players who have the level to win games. The group is special. We don’t need to compare them. Cristiano is important, but our team is ready to win without him.”
The former Everton boss was then asked whether his team was better off without five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo – a suggestion that was immediately rebuffed.
He said: “No. Cristiano is a very important element for this team, Ronaldo has experience and a way of his own.
“We don’t need to cause controversy. Ronaldo as well as Pepe. They have an infectious way of working and give our team important value.”
Liverpool eyeing a Mohamed Salah replacement
Liverpool are being linked with a move for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams as the list of names to potentially replace Mohamed Salah continues to fill the gossip columns.
According to Fichajes, Williams is an “attractive profile for Jurgen Klopp” who values the forward’s ability to “unbalance and contribute” to attack.
On Sunday, a report in the Spanish publication read: “Liverpool, led by Jürgen Klopp, is looking for a right winger who can take the place of Mohamed Salah, who is being tempted by Saudi Arabia.
“Nico Williams is presented as an attractive profile for Klopp, who values the young player’s ability to unbalance and contribute on the attack front. Salah’s possible departure would open an opportunity for Williams to shine at Anfield.”
