Jurgen Klopp sees time as a troublesome opponent to Liverpool as he attempts to rebuild his Anfield empire, promising trophies and success lie at the end of the tunnel.
The Reds manager realises his job demands he delivers positive results, and this season continues to be a struggle for the team that went close to a staggering quadruple last term.
On top of their EFL Cup and FA Cup wins, Liverpool almost scooped the Premier League title on the final day, while they lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
By comparison, this campaign has been tough, and trophy prospects are not as obvious, with Liverpool out of the EFL Cup, mid-table in the league, and facing a repeat clash with Madrid at the Champions League last-16 stage.
They also have a tricky FA Cup fourth-round game at Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
Klopp pointed to the difficulty Liverpool have encountered with reconfiguring their front three after Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich, with injuries biting and Darwin Nunez understandably taking time to gel with the likes of Mohamed Salah. Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, a January addition, is another finding his way.
Klopp said Liverpool's previously long-standing attacking trident of Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino were "a well-drilled machine", but time moves on, and it was necessary to freshen up the frontline.
The problem has been finding a similar connection, and with physical ailments meaning players are having to miss games it makes the manager's job complicated as he looks to encourage a new bond.
"Of course that's not cool. But that's why I say we cannot expect to be back to our best, and win 5-0 and go to the next game," Klopp said. "We have to work hard. Nobody wants to hear it, but we have to do it. In two or three weeks, a couple of other options are back again. We'll have more options and can mix it up."
Since a 3-0 league defeat to Brighton earlier this month, Liverpool have beaten Wolves 1-0 in the FA Cup third round and played out a stalemate with Chelsea.
Klopp suggested Liverpool's main problem was not a lack of goals from Salah, even if the Egyptian has just seven in the domestic league this season.
"The only problem with life we have is constantly the time," Klopp said, assessing the rebuilding process. "Nobody wants to invest time into that. The situation is not perfect, but the basis of the last two games is something I can work with."
The former Borussia Dortmund boss explained: "Usually you have a real basis you build on and that's what we don't have really.
"Here in this building we are 100 per cent ready to work through that. I wish everything would be easier again, we would qualify already for finals at the end of the season, but unfortunately I experienced different things in my life and not all of them were super positive.
"The only thing I know is the better and the clearer you behave in our down moments, the better it will be in the up and high moments after that, because you have to be respectful, you have to show the right things, you have to criticise but not being mad.
"You have to go through it and then there's light at the end of the tunnel, there are finals and there are trophies at the end of the tunnel. Not now."
New York Red Bulls v Vancouver Whitecaps: Facing Eastern Conference teams ‘like going to the casino’
Vanni Sartini is anticipating a tight encounter when his Vancouver Whitecaps team face the New York Red Bulls.
Vancouver have enjoyed a fine start to the MLS season and sit second in the Western Conference.
The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are in second place in the East.
This game will be the first meeting of the teams since 2019, and Sartini joked that facing sides from a different Conference is akin to a trip to a casino.
He said: “It’s going to be hard. It’s like going to the casino when you play the Eastern teams – you never know!
“Maybe you’ll face the team in last, the team that’s in first place. Unfortunately this season we’re going to play the Red Bulls, who are doing very well.”
Explaining what he expects to see from the Red Bulls, Sartini added: “They’re a team with a very distinct and particular style of play, like we have, to be honest.
“We need to be very intense, because that’s what they are, they are very intense in pressing, counter-pressing, counter-attacks and we need to be very well organised. It’s a game that will be decided in the second half, it’s going to be tight until the end – that’s what I feel.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan
Morgan is enjoying a fine campaign, and he leads the Red Bulls’ scoring efforts with six goals in MLS.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
White joined the ‘Caps from the Red Bulls in 2021. He has scored four goals in MLS this season, making him Vancouver’s leading scorer.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
Ryan Gauld and White have each contributed to at least one goal in their last five MLS appearances, equalling the longest streak in Whitecaps’ history. Prior to them, only three players in team history had recorded a goal contribution in five straight matches.
With 16 points through eight matches, the Whitecaps are off to the joint-best eight-match start in club history (also 2015). Vancouver have never had more than 17 points (2012) after nine matches of a season before.
The Red Bulls have lost only one of their first nine matches this season (W4 D4), the second time in club history they have had fewer than two losses at this stage of a season, along with their Supporters’ Shield winning 2015 campaign (also W4 D4 L1).
Six of the 12 all-time meetings between the Red Bulls and Whitecaps have been drawn (Whitecaps W4, Red Bulls W2), but New York are anticipated to win this one.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYRB – 48.9%
Vancouver Whitecaps – 23.3%
Draw – 27.8%
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
Brazil legend Marta to retire from international football
Brazil star Marta has announced she will retire from international football at the end of 2024.
The 38-year-old is the all-time highest scorer for Brazil, netting 116 goals in 175 matches for the national team.
She is also the top-scorer in the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals, finishing as a runner-up in 2007 when Brazil lost in the final to Germany.
The forward has won three Copa America Femenina titles and was part of the Brazil team that won silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Marta could make her sixth appearance for Brazil at this year's Games if she is selected in the squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team," Marta told CNN in an interview on Thursday.
"There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete.
"I am very calm about this because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
