With the transfer window closed and a massive Premier League clash ahead, it’s back to business as usual for Liverpool.
The Reds saw plenty of movement in and out of the club as they facilitated moves for their young stars but saw no late arrivals at Anfield for a final Jurgen Klopp transfer. Friday saw a return to normality and now attention turns to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Klopp’s side sit top of the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City, who hold a game in hand. The Gunners sit third hoping to start closing the same gap on Sunday afternoon. Mirror Football rounds up the latest Liverpool news.
Liverpool injury blow
Darwin Nunez is in a race against time to prove his fitness in time for Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal. The Uruguay international picked up an issue during the Reds’ win over Chelsea, as he hit the bar four times against the Blues.
While the issue does not appear too severe, the 24-year-old still requires the swelling in his foot to go down. Klopp is uncertain he will be available.
He explained: “Darwin after 20 minutes, someone stepped on his foot and it was very painful. 20 minutes after the game he took the boot off because he didn’t want to see it before because he knew it was something.
“So he left the stadium in a boot and it was not a football boot. So nothing broken, the X-ray was clear but we have to see if he can get his foot back into his boot because we all know it takes time. I didn’t see him this morning. So we have to wait a little bit.”
Deal confirmed after transfer deadline
It can often be a tense wait as the final hours of the deadline count down, deal sheets are put in and deals are made official. There will have been few Liverpool supporters showing too many signs of stress on Thursday evening, however.
It was 13 hours after the official deadline that Liverpool announced another loan departure on Friday. Goalkeeper Reece Trueman joined Colwyn Bay for the remainder of the season in search of senior experience.
Trueman is a third-year scholar having made the move to Merseyside from Norwich City. He will challenge for the No.1 shirt in Wales. Manager Steve Evans said “We’re really pleased to bring Reece on board. He’ll bring competition to Jiff for the No. 1 jersey. We’re looking forward to working with him.”
Klopp exit theory
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes that Klopp, in part, is tired of being required to ‘pull off miracles’. The German coach announced he would leave the club with a week remaining of the transfer window, though said he told club officials in November.
Enrique believes it is not a coincidence the move comes following a window where Liverpool have made no signings. The ex-Newcastle full-back can see Klopp moving into international management, however.
The Spaniard said: “I think there are many reasons why he’s leaving, but they are reasons that we will probably never find out. Even if he doesn’t agree with me, I still think and believe the owners have a lot to do with it – you can’t renew your contract and suddenly leave the club, it doesn’t make any sense. There has to be more to it.
“It has to be something with the owners, he must be tired of having to pull off miracles all the time. He always has to do so much more than Manchester City and even Arsenal now to get what he wants in the transfer window. I don’t think he’s just tired generally, why would you renew your contract a few months ago if you’re tired? It doesn’t make sense.
“The fact that this has happened in the middle of the transfer window too is worth discussing. Klopp had probably had another window of talking about players that he needs to compete, because at the moment they’re fighting in every competition, and once again the club haven’t brought anyone in. They lost Joel Matip to injury, but instead of signing another defender, they’ve had to play Jarell Quansah.
“I think there’s more to it and that’s just my opinion – obviously he says something different and he knows his own reasons, but for him to leave now is strange. I think he’ll end up managing the German national team in the future.”
