Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged everyone to stay calm when it comes to the handling the futures of some of their biggest stars.
Virgil van Dijk, who along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold has 18 months left on his contract, has said he was curious to see where the club was heading with Klopp’s departure pending and admitted he did not know whether he would be part of a new era at Anfield.
That has sparked concerns a period of inertia – Liverpool currently do not have a sporting director in place after Jorg Schmadtke’s short-term appointment was ended – until the identity of the new manager is known could lead to the break up of a squad which Klopp believes has been rebuilt sufficiently to continue challenging after he has gone.
Asked whether there was a danger the squad could break up Klopp said: “No, I don’t think so but it is completely normal.
“It was always clear, when I spoke about what I spoke about, the outside world will not give you a second to process it, to think about it. It is ‘what are you doing?’.
“A week ago when no one knew about my decision and there were 18 months on the contracts, nobody asked. So give us a break, give the boys a break.
“Nobody has to worry. This club is stable, 100 per cent, and everything will be fine, I am 100 per cent sure, and the rest we have to get through. I would recommend to stay calm in this department, massively.”
Klopp argued it would have been unfair and disrespectful to players who have played a major part in their success together to tie them down to new contracts when they had no idea he would not be manager next season.
The German informed owners Fenway Sports Group of his decision in November but the players were not told until Friday. However, Klopp said there is plenty of time to sort their futures.
“The club knew about my departure for a while and could have used the time and tied the players down and then I say ‘by the way, I’m not here anymore’, and they they ‘hey, what? No one told us that’,” he added.
“You cannot work like that, especially not with the relationship we have. There is enough time to do everything.
“These players love to be here, I know that for a fact, don’t forget that. It is not that they have one foot out. They want to know a little bit of perspective but that will happen, especially behind the scenes.
“Don’t worry. It is all fine.”
Player contracts is just the first issue to arise since Klopp’s announcement and it shows the desire for there not to be any distractions is misguided.
It comes in a huge week for the Premier League leaders, who host Chelsea on Wednesday before travelling to Arsenal at the weekend.
After a month when he was without a number of players the direction of travel in that respect has changed with Alexis Mac Allister rejoining the squad after missing the weekend as a precaution.
Even fellow midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has not played since April because of a hip injury, has returned to training but the wait for Mohamed Salah’s recovery from a hamstring injury sustained on African Nations Cup duty with Egypt goes on even though his country have now been eliminated.
“There was no pressure in it besides the fact that you want to get fit as quick as possible anyway. We cannot rush it,” he said.
“If we could rush the healing process believe me Thiago would not have been out for 10 months. It is not possible.”
Erling Haaland is set to return for Manchester City as the champions host struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The prolific Norwegian striker has been out of action for almost two months with a foot injury.
Manager Pep Guardiola said: “Apparently he will be (available to be) selected. For the first time he is back.”
Haaland’s absence has been his first significant lay-off since joining City.
The 23-year-old scored 52 goals last season in a remarkable first campaign with the club and had already netted 19 for the club this term when he sustained the injury in early December.
He returned to training earlier this month and is now at least likely to be included in the matchday squad to face the Clarets.
Guardiola said: “When we have all the squad, we are stronger, definitely and Erling is an important player for us, definitely.
“He has been two months out, it is a long time, but he feels good. We have to train this afternoon but apparently tomorrow he will be with all of us.”
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has urged Marcus Rashford to think carefully about his “choices and timing” after the forward’s reported Belfast escapades led to an internal disciplinary.
The homegrown 26-year-old has performed poorly this season, scoring just four times, and the England international’s decision-making away from the pitch has also come under scrutiny.
Rashford went to a nightclub party after October’s embarrassing 3-0 home derby defeat to Manchester City – something his manager Erik ten Hag went on to call “unacceptable”.
The United academy product is back under the microscope after reportedly spending Thursday night in a Belfast nightclub, where he apparently stayed out until 3am before flying back to Manchester.
Ten Hag said the following day that Rashford was unable to train as he “was ill” and, having missed Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport, the club said in a statement that “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions”.
United called it an “internal disciplinary matter” that it is now closed, with former skipper Neville – Rashford’s former coach with England – hoping he learns from this experience.
“To me, going out for a drink or going out for a night out is something that every football player should do and will do, so I’ve got no problem with that whatsoever,” he said.
“They need to enjoy themselves. It’s just all about choices and timing.
“I said this after the Manchester City game. We got beat home by City a few months ago and he went out last night to Chinawhite. I think it was for his birthday.
“I think we had a game against Newcastle on the Wednesday in the Carabao Cup or something like that and I just said ‘look, choose your time’.
“I think Manchester United have just had a winter break. They’ve had a couple of weeks off, so there was a better moment for him to choose to go out.
“So, I would say go out, have your moment where you relax with your friends, but just your timing’s got to be right.”
United say Rashford is back in training and available for selection for Thursday’s Premier League match at Wolves after days of unwanted headlines.
Manager Ten Hag is sure be quizzed on the matter at his pre-match press conference scheduled for Wednesday lunchtime.
Asked what former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would have done with Rashford, Neville told the BBC: “He would have given him a dressing down.
“But he would have said similar things – make sure you do it at the right moments, the right time.
“No-one ever says to a football player ‘you cannot go out’ but obviously when you’ve got a game three days later… Marcus himself knows.
“He’s an experienced player, we’re not talking about a young lad, but he’s done it a couple of times in the last few months.
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“I’ve always seen Marcus as being really responsible, a good professional, someone who works hard every single day and, look, he’s going through a dip in form at this moment in time.
“But it’s happened once, it’s now happened twice, and it sometimes can become your personality if you’re not careful.
“If you do it too many times, people can start to say ‘well, what’s happening in his life?’
“So, he just needs to relax, calm down, drink a bit of cacao, choose when to go out and get back to playing football at the levels which we know he can.”
Everton’s appeal against a 10-point penalty imposed for breaches of Premier League financial rules is being heard this week, the PA news agency understands.
The club were sanctioned by an independent commission in November after being found to have exceeded permitted losses under the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the three seasons up to 2021-22, but immediately indicated they would appeal.
It is understood the appeal hearing before an independent commission will run until the end of the week, with the expectation that the outcome of the appeal is known before the end of February.
The outcome of the appeal could also have a direct impact on a second PSR complaint the club are facing which was laid on January 15. That complaint covers an assessment period that ends with the 2022-23 season.
Under a new expedited process to deal with PSR breaches which was agreed by top-flight clubs last summer, an independent commission hearing into the second PSR complaint must conclude no later than 12 weeks after the complaint was laid, which would be early April.
Everton described the initial 10-point penalty as “wholly disproportionate”.
The independent commission’s written reasons stated the club’s overspend “was the result of Everton irresponsibly taking a chance that things would turn out positively”. The PSR breach was described as “serious” and warranting “a significant penalty”.
Nottingham Forest were also referred to an independent commission over a PSR breach on January 15.
What the papers say
Conor Gallagher could make a move across London as the end of the January transfer window looms. According to The Times, Tottenham are weighing up a potential bid for Chelsea’s England midfielder, 23.
Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri, 22, could be heading for a spell away from Old Trafford. Spanish club Granada have revived plans for a loan move for the Uruguay international, reports the Manchester Evening News.
West Ham have turned their attention to Portuguese winger Jota, 24, from Al-Ittihad, according to the Evening Standard. Hammers talks with FC Nordsjaelland over Ghanaian forward Ibrahim Osman, 19, have stalled.
Leeds have made an offer to Everton for Ben Godfrey, reports The Sun. The Championship club are looking to take the England international defender, 26, on loan.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Jacob Ramsey: Newcastle, Tottenham and Bayern Munich are interested in the 22-year-old midfielder, with Aston Villa considering a sale to comply with financial regulations, reports The Athletic.
Chuba Akpom: Everton and Luton are keen on signing the English forward, 28, on loan from Ajax, says Teamtalk.
Liverpool announced the signing of Brazilian forward Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan on this day in 2013.
The 20-year-old became manager Brendan Rodgers’ second signing of the January transfer window after finalising the details of his medical and work permit.
Coutinho was on his fourth club – all in different countries – in three years, but having spoken at length with compatriot and new team-mate Lucas Leiva, he was confident he would adapt to life on Merseyside.
“I’ve been talking to him for some time and he said good things about Liverpool,” said the midfielder, who began his career with Vasco da Gama before moving to Inter, who loaned him to Espanyol.
“He believes this might be a nice club for me and now it’s happening. I’m very confident and excited to come and start to train with the team and be available to the manager.
“I’ve been playing in Italy for two and a half years and I believe I will adapt with ease here.
“I’m feeling very happy, it’s a very important step in my career and I’m expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch.
“Liverpool is a great club with great players. We’ve always heard about Liverpool’s history in Brazil.
“They are the club that have been interested in me and that have showed this interest so I know they believe in me and my football.”
Coutinho went on to make 201 appearances for the Reds, scoring 54 goals, before he was sold to Barcelona for £130million in 2018.
Now 31, he currently plays for Qatari club Al Duhail, on loan from Aston Villa.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery insists he wants to keep hold of “very important” Jacob Ramsey amid speculation over the midfielder’s future.
It has been reported that Villa need to sell before strengthening their squad due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Ramsey, 22, who has been linked with Newcastle, Tottenham and Bayern Munich, is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and remains doubtful for Tuesday night’s home league game against Eddie Howe’s Magpies.
Emery told a press conference: “Jacob Ramsey is a very important player. He grew up in the academy and his progression is getting better.
“His level is increasing a lot and I want to keep him here with us. Of course, there are movements (speculation) around him.
“Maybe there are teams involved in the possibility to sign him because he has a big, big potential at Villa and in England. I want to keep him here, 100 per cent.”
Villa have also been reported to have had a third bid for 21-year-old Middlesbrough striker Morgan Rogers rejected and Emery said: “The club is working hard so some players can leave, then if we can we can add potentially.”
Emery’s side are riding high in fourth place having earned their best-ever points return after 21 Premier League matches, but have won only one of their last four.
They were thumped 5-1 at Newcastle in their opening league game of the season when defender Tyrone Mings sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which has ruled him out since.
“It was tough,” Emery said. “Not only the result, but we can remember the moment Tyrone got injured and that was difficult.
“We analysed, we worked and are trying to improve. We will respect them like they deserve – and we are ready.”
Villa’ last three fixtures have been on the road and they return to action at Villa Park, where they have dropped only two points in 10 games this season, for the first time since the end of December.
Emery added: “We are excited. The last match we played here was one month ago so my motivation is very high.”
The Spaniard confirmed Pau Torres (ankle), Lucas Digne (thigh) and Jhon Duran (hamstring) are still out, while Mings and Emi Buendia (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Mikel Arteta insists he is in the “right place” as the Arsenal manager revealed he was left upset by rumours he had told colleagues he was set to quit for Barcelona.
Reports began circulating in Spain on Sunday evening that Arteta had let it slip he was going to leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer and take over at his formative club.
Current Barca boss Xavi announced on Saturday he would step down in the summer after a string of disappointing results – leading to Arteta being installed as one of the favourites to replace him.
Having come through the fabled academy at Barcelona, Arteta has a long-standing connection to the Nou Camp but the 41-year-old is keen to stay put as he aims to lead Arsenal to glory.
“I am in the right place. I am with the right people,” he said.
“I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people.
“There is still a lot to do here. We all share that ambition and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing.
“This is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it and I am certainly on board.”
Arteta, who takes his side to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday, said the reports were completely fabricated.
“That’s totally fake news,” he added.
“What you read yesterday is… I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.
“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it is coming from and it has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things, to put it in the way it was put yesterday.
“I understand we are in this industry but I don’t think anyone deserves to hear news like that and I have always been really straight and always said the complete opposite; how happy I am, how grateful I am and how much I enjoy where I am now. That is why I am upset.”
Arsenal welcome league leaders Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp having announced on Friday he will leave Anfield in the summer.
The German said he could never manage another club in England but – having coached under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – Arteta did not rule out such a switch in the future.
Asked if he could see himself managing another Premier League team, he replied: “Today, no. But I don’t know.
“I played for two great clubs in this country (Arsenal and Everton). I moved around in different things. I am extremely young and I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I think he (Klopp) made this league much better. First of all the person. The character, the charisma, the ideas and his passion for the game is something special. I think he’s had a big contribution for the growth of this league.”
Mikel Arteta insists he is in the “right place” as the Arsenal manager revealed he was left upset by rumours he had told colleagues he was set to quit for Barcelona.
Reports began circulating in Spain on Sunday evening that Arteta had let it slip he was going to leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer and take over at his formative club.
Current Barca boss Xavi announced on Saturday he would step down in the summer after a string of disappointing results – leading to Arteta being installed as one of the favourites to replace him.
Having come through the fabled academy at Barcelona, Arteta has a long-standing connection to the Nou Camp but the 41-year-old is keen to stay put as he aims to lead Arsenal to glory.
“I am in the right place. I am with the right people,” he said.
“I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people.
“There is still a lot to do here. We all share that ambition and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing.
“This is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it and I am certainly on board.”
Arteta, who takes his side to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday, said the reports were completely fabricated.
“That’s totally fake news,” he added.
“What you read yesterday is… I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.
“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it is coming from and it has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things, to put it in the way it was put yesterday.
“I understand we are in this industry but I don’t think anyone deserves to hear news like that and I have always been really straight and always said the complete opposite; how happy I am, how grateful I am and how much I enjoy where I am now. That is why I am upset.”
Arsenal welcome league leaders Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp having announced on Friday he will leave Anfield in the summer.
The German said he could never manage another club in England but – having coached under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – Arteta did not rule out such a switch in the future.
Asked if he could see himself managing another Premier League team, he replied: “Today, no. But I don’t know.
“I played for two great clubs in this country (Arsenal and Everton). I moved around in different things. I am extremely young and I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I think he (Klopp) made this league much better. First of all the person. The character, the charisma, the ideas and his passion for the game is something special. I think he’s had a big contribution for the growth of this league.”
Mikel Arteta insists he is in the “right place” as the Arsenal manager revealed he was left upset by rumours he had told colleagues he was set to quit for Barcelona.
Reports began circulating in Spain on Sunday evening that Arteta had let it slip he was going to leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer and take over at his formative club.
Current Barca boss Xavi announced on Saturday he would step down in the summer after a string of disappointing results – leading to Arteta being installed as one of the favourites to replace him.
Having come through the fabled academy at Barcelona, Arteta has a long-standing connection to the Nou Camp but the 41-year-old is keen to stay put as he aims to lead Arsenal to glory.
“I am in the right place. I am with the right people,” he said.
“I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people.
“There is still a lot to do here. We all share that ambition and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing.
“This is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it and I am certainly on board.”
Arteta, who takes his side to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday, said the reports were completely fabricated.
“That’s totally fake news,” he added.
“What you read yesterday is… I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.
“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it is coming from and it has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things, to put it in the way it was put yesterday.
“I understand we are in this industry but I don’t think anyone deserves to hear news like that and I have always been really straight and always said the complete opposite; how happy I am, how grateful I am and how much I enjoy where I am now. That is why I am upset.”
Arsenal welcome league leaders Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp having announced on Friday he will leave Anfield in the summer.
The German said he could never manage another club in England but – having coached under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – Arteta did not rule out such a switch in the future.
Asked if he could see himself managing another Premier League team, he replied: “Today, no. But I don’t know.
“I played for two great clubs in this country (Arsenal and Everton). I moved around in different things. I am extremely young and I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I think he (Klopp) made this league much better. First of all the person. The character, the charisma, the ideas and his passion for the game is something special. I think he’s had a big contribution for the growth of this league.”
Roberto De Zerbi believes in-form Brighton top scorer Joao Pedro must sustain performances over 90 minutes to take the final step in becoming a “great, great player”.
Brazilian forward Pedro increased his tally for the season to 18 goals in all competitions with a hat-trick during Saturday’s 5-2 FA Cup win at Sheffield United.
The 22-year-old – a £30million summer signing from Watford – opened his Albion account on the first weekend of the campaign in a 4-1 victory at home to Tuesday evening’s Premier League opponents Luton.
“Joao Pedro’s DNA is of a top player,” said Brighton boss De Zerbi.
“The target of Joao is to play better and better and to keep this mentality because now he’s showing a great mentality, a mentality he needs and we need.
“He’s becoming amazing as a striker because his quality to play in ball possession, to play in between the lines, to make assists were important but in terms of goals, he’s improving a lot.
“The last step to become a great, great player is to play 90 minutes in the same way.
“Sometimes he starts the game not pushing off his best and I would like at the beginning of the game until the end of the game the same mentality.”
Pedro is likely to receive a hostile reception from Luton fans due to his Watford connections.
De Zerbi feels Kenilworth Road is one of the most challenging places to go in the top flight.
The relegation-threatened Hatters have beaten Newcastle and drawn with Liverpool on home soil this term, in addition to suffering single-goal defeats to Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.
“Playing in the Luton stadium is one of the toughest games in the Premier League because they have a great intensity,” said De Zerbi.
“People think Brighton have to win and it’s normal if Brighton win in Luton but in football there are no easy games and if you want to win you have to push until the end.
“Arsenal and Man City, they won a game at the end of the game and I watched both games and they were very, very difficult games for both teams.”
Seventh-placed Brighton have been linked with a move for Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall before the transfer window closes.
De Zerbi, who has a close relationship with Foxes boss Enzo Maresca, says Dewsbury-Hall has “great quality” but was tight-lipped on the speculation.
“I don’t know anything about him (personally); I know him as a player,” the Italian said of the 25-year-old.
“He has great quality but it’s not my business speaking about other players, especially because Enzo Maresca is my friend and I want to be correct with him.”
Brighton remain without Joel Veltman, Solly March, Simon Adingra, Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Enciso and Ansu Fati.
Barcelona loanee Fati has returned to training following an injury sustained in November but will not be rushed back into first-team action.
“He’s a risk and he’s important for us in the second part of the season,” said De Zerbi.
“We can’t take any risks in this moment.”
Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool’s hierarchy have a big job to replace Jurgen Klopp and is “curious” to see the direction they go in.
The Reds captain does not believe uncertainty over the future will affect their ambitions this season, having continued their challenge on four fronts with a comfortable FA Cup victory over Norwich.
But with the likes of himself, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all in the final 18 months of their contracts, there are a lot of significant decisions to be made before the summer.
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“The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known,” he said.
“To replace not only the manager but the whole staff and there are so many things that will change.
“I’m very curious which direction that will go in but when that will be announced we will see our situation.
“It will be the end of Jurgen Klopp’s era – I am still part of it that’s why I don’t like to talk about it – and that is my main focus.
“Hopefully we will have the success we all dream of and by then probably there will be more clarification about what the club wants for the future and then we will see.”
Asked whether he saw himself being part of the next era, Van Dijk added: “That’s a big question. I don’t know.”
However, any questions about how the players would respond to learning the news of Klopp’s departure at the end of the season were emphatically answered with a 5-2 victory over the Canaries at an emotional Anfield.
Bigger tests await this week with Chelsea visiting on Wednesday before they head to Arsenal next weekend but Van Dijk insists nothing will – or should – be different.
“Nothing has really changed. Obviously things will change at the end of the season and in the new season but at the moment it doesn’t and we have to keep doing the same things,” he added.
“It’s easier said than done but I sense the rest of the boys think like that as well and it is the job for me to ensure we keep it that way.
“We are all human beings and we have emotions – some players feel different about the manager’s announcement than others.
“That’s absolutely normal because everyone thinks in different ways but I didn’t notice the professionalism being dropped or the level of standard. The training sessions I have seen in the last couple of days were not different than before.
“For the boss it (the Norwich game) was a bit different but for us it was to make sure we got to the next round with some players coming back from injury and now we focus on Wednesday.
“We can speak about the situation, about what will happen next year, every week but it doesn’t change, it’s noise we don’t need and that’s why we focus on getting the job done and that’s why I feel nothing has changed.
“It is still the same but at the end of the season there will be different things happening of course, but that is for the club to sort out.”
Eddie Howe has promised the Newcastle hierarchy will not ignore their role as “guardians of the club’s future” as they attempt to negotiate a path through a transfer window minefield.
The big-spending Magpies have found themselves thrust into the limelight in recent weeks amid speculation that one of their biggest names could be sold as they juggle the restrictions imposed by profit and sustainability and financial fair play rules with their desire to strengthen their squad.
More than £400million has been spent on transfers since the club’s Saudi-backed owners took charge at St James’ Park in October 2021 and, with the club having reported losses in excess of £70million for each of the two most recent financial years, chief executive Darren Eales has admitted that even their biggest names have their price.
However, asked what would be his desired scenario for the remaining few days of what has proved a difficult January window, head coach Howe said: “Keeping the squad intact and, as the manager, trying to produce a team to win games would be the one for me.
“But we are guardians of the club’s future and we want to make the right decisions for the club’s future and for FFP. We don’t want to breach FFP.
“That is where I will support the decisions that are made for the long term and that will benefit the club.”
Newcastle’s search for reinforcements, which has increased in urgency as a result of summer signing Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations and a lengthy injury list to which star midfielder Joelinton has been added in the last week, is ongoing but appears to be going nowhere fast.
Howe twice insisted the club had made no approach for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey ahead of Tuesday night’s Premier League trip to Villa Park, and was downbeat when asked if fans should prepare themselves for no January signings.
He said: “(The prospect of) no new arrivals increases with every passing hour because the deadline looms.
“Probably what we won’t do is bringing a player in without losing a player the other way, I think that’s impossible.”
By the same token, Howe remains adamant that he wants to keep Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron, all of whom were linked with moves away from St James’ Park last week, as well as Jamaal Lascelles and Bruno Guimaraes, the subjects of further speculation over the weekend.
In the meantime, he will concentrate on the task of trying to end a four-game league losing streak against a Villa side rapidly establishing themselves as this season’s potential top-four gatecrashers.
Unai Emery’s men were trounced 5-1 on Tyneside in the opening game of the season, but much water has passed under the bridge since.
Howe said: “It was a very difficult team to pick, I remember that because there was a lot of strength in depth.
“But I think that showed out qualities and we still have that quality within the squad, so nothing has changed, it’s just the fact that obviously we are missing some of the players who performed that day. But that shows what we’re capable of.”
What the papers say
A game of managerial musical chairs is underway as big vacancies open up at the end of the season. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta is on Barcelona’s three-man shortlist to replace Xavi, according to The Sun via Spanish reporter Gerard Romero, alongside departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Germany boss Julian Nagelsman.
Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is attracting attention from Championship clubs. Cardiff, Blackburn and Leeds are all interested in the 26-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.
West Ham are still hopeful of securing a January deal with FC Nordsjaelland for Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Osman, according to The Sun. The Hammers have had one £15million bid rejected by the Danish club.
Bruno Guimares’ stay at Newcastle could be entering its final few months. The Daily Mirror reports Paris St. Germain are confident of signing the Brazil midfielder, 26.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Jean-Philippe Mateta: Bayern Leverkusen are weighing up a move for Crystal Palace’s French striker, 26, according to The Sun.
Daiki Hashioka: Luton are discussing a deal for the Japan full-back, 24, with Belgian club Sint-Truiden, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he is relieved to have finally made the decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
The German’s standing at Anfield meant it was unlikely he would have ever been sacked and, having already extended his contract two years beyond the seven he served at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, there would probably have been an expectation on him to go beyond 2026.
Klopp could have gone last summer after being physically and emotionally drained by a difficult season which saw Liverpool finish fifth, but he chose to stay on in order to put things right.
With the club top of the Premier League and fighting on four fronts he has done that in remarkably quick time but even by November, the 56-year-old knew he had to get out.
“The relief was there when I made the decision for myself. I didn’t know that would be the case,” he said.
“Today it (the feeling) is mixed. I am not as emotional as I will be.
“I have to make the decision at one point, because nobody else will, because of the trust and respect we have for each other, and the owners knew I would take the decision.
“I don’t want to hang around and do the job somehow. I thought it through properly.
“I want (to win) everything this season, but it wouldn’t change my mind – and if we don’t win anything it wouldn’t change my mind.
“It’s a decision I made independent of any kind of results.”
In his first press conference as Liverpool boss in 2015 Klopp declared himself the ‘normal one’ and he maintains that is who he is despite his high profile.
He insists he has no regrets about any decisions he has taken at Liverpool, with whom he has won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup among a host of titles, but admits he has missed out on life away from football.
“I arrived here like a normal guy and I never lived that,” he added.
“It is three or four weeks in a summer which somehow is fine. Whatever will happen in the future, I don’t know now.
“I don’t know how normal life is so I have to find out.”
Klopp plans to take a year off and then see how he feels but has ruled out a return to management in England.
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now, but no club, no country, for the next year, and no other English club ever,” he said.
“I can promise that, even if I have nothing to eat that will not happen.”
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has emerged as the early favourite to succeed Klopp.
The former Liverpool midfielder insists his focus was solely on his current role and that he was in “the right place”.
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