Here are your Liverpool evening headlines for Friday, June 12.
Keita ‘lays down gauntlet’ as Reds thrash Blackburn
Liverpool look in great shape ahead of what is expected to be an imminent Premier League coronation following a thumping 6-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The Reds comprehensively took apart the Championship play-off hopefuls as Jurgen Klopp’s side geared up for the return of Premier League football, where they require just two wins from their final nine games to secure the title.
Goals from Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, Takumi Minamino, Joel Matip, Ki-Jana Hoever and Leighton Clarkson sealed the victory at Anfield and it midfielder Keita’s performance which will give Klopp something to think about in the coming weeks.
The Echo’s Ian Doyle explains what else was learned for the behind-closed-doors match.
Encouraging Grujic report for Reds as defender returns from loan spell
Liverpool have been told they will welcome back a “very good player” when Marko Grujic returns from his loan spell with Hertha Berlin.
The Serbian who was Klopp’s first Reds signing in 2016, has spent the last two years on loan with the Bundesliga side.
Ahead of his return to Anfield, Hertha’s Sporting Director Michael Preetz told Goal (via the Echo) that the player impressed during his time in Germany.
"The conclusion of this loan agreement over the past two years is very positive and it has had positive effects on everyone who has been involved.”
"Liverpool will get back a player who is definitely more experienced than he has been before, because he earned very important game practice.”
"He is just a very good player. So for me this loan agreement definitely made sense."
Liverpool and Coutinho’s different direction following parting of ways
As former Red Philippe Coutinho turns 28, uncertainty remains over his future as a player.
Five impressive years at Anfield saw him courted by Barcelona, eventually joining the Catalan club in a huge £142million deal in 2018.
However, an indifferent spell in La Liga led to a loan move to Bayern Munich this season, with the club looking for another club to take the player off their hands.
Meanwhile, Klopp’s side have gone from strength to strength, winning the Champions League last season - famously beating Barcelona on the way - and preparing to seal a first league title for 30 years.
The Echo’s David Alexander Hughes takes a look at how the move led to different outcomes for both parties.
