Good evening, Liverpool fans. Here are your evening headlines for Monday, October 26.
Klopp delivers triple injury update
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has given a fresh injury update ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with FC Midtjylland.
The Reds will be without Joel Matip, Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara as the Danish outfit visit Anfield tomorrow evening.
The trio played no part in Saturday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Sheffield United and won’t make it back for the midweek test.
Thiago remains out after being on the receiving end of a red-card tackle from Everton forward Richarlison, while Matip went for a scan after playing 90 minutes at Goodison Park. There is no serious damage, but he’ll remain sidelined.
"I don't think so,” Klopp replied when asked whether any would make it back tomorrow.
"It is still what I said last week, we take it day by day but it still looks like they will need a few more days, so for tomorrow night, they will probably not be ready.”
Here’s the full story.
Post-lockdown table offers evidence where Liverpool must improve
Manchester City have taken more points than Liverpool since the Premier League started being played behind closed doors in the summer.
Having dropped two points from the first 27 matches of the title-winning campaign last term, the Reds haven’t quite maintained those same standards after the three-month lockdown hiatus in the spring.
Liverpool have lost three and drawn three of 15 Premier League post-lockdown matches, which puts them joint second in the table on a points-per-game basis over that period, joint with rivals Manchester United and behind last year’s runners-up Manchester City.
But the biggest area of concern will be goals conceded column, with over the 17 clubs involved, only Newcastle and Crystal Palace have shipped more.
Klopp reflects on last year’s Champions League elimination
Jurgen Klopp has reflected on Liverpool’s Champions League Round of 16 defeat to Atletico Madrid last year and called upon his players not to repeat it.
The reigning European champions lost 1-0 away to Diego Simeone’s team before cancelling it out over 90 minutes at Anfield, the last packed-out match there before the three-month hiatus.
But despite Liverpool going ahead on aggregate with a second goal, scored by Roberto Firmino, Atletico came roaring back with three extra-time away goals.
"It should not happen again," the Liverpool coach said.
"We played a really good game in Madrid, lost 1-0 but were in it.
"Super game at home and lost, sounds crazy. What more can you do?
"Performance-wise, not a problem. It was a strange time, last game before lockdown. Not an example for how we should or shouldn't do it. We love the Champions League.
"It's Europe, it's Champions League, it's Anfield.
"The competition we love. We will see how far we can go.
"No guarantees but opportunities, so let's give it a proper try."
