Liverpool flew out to Italy on Wednesday as they prepare to take on Atalanta in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg. It’ll be far from easy, however – the Reds must overturn a 3-0 defeat.
The squad is confirmed for that one and it includes one notable striker.
But there was also news away from the match as Ruben Amorim commented on his future. The Sporting CP boss is the favourite for the Liverpool job – that doesn’t mean he’s going to take it, though.
LIVERPOOL YOUNGSTERS TRAIN WITH SQUAD
Liverpool are struggling for goals going into their UEFA Europa League clash vs Atalanta on Thursday. Maybe that’s why an 18-year-old striker trained with the squad.
Liverpool face Atalanta in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg on Thursday evening. It’s an almost impossible task, of course – the Reds must beat their hosts by at least three goals.
There have been even more difficult tasks, of course, and tasks Liverpool have overcome. This one feels different, though, with a string of disappointing displays leading into it.
The team just isn’t firing on all cylinders, arguably not even half of them, and that could lead to something of a shake-up on Thursday. Certainly, the option is there as Jurgen Klopp included four youngsters in his final training session before heading out to Italy.
Per James Pearce, Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell were all involved. Should Klopp wish to fall back on the youth that served him so well earlier this year, he can.
KATE ABDO ‘HURT’ BY CARRAGHER COMMENTS
Liverpool Champions League legend Jamie Carragher landed himself in hot water over a comment he made to CBS Sports anchor Kate Abdo following Arsenal’s game against Porto on March 12.
In a skit involving an Arsenal shirt, Abdo stated that she wouldn’t wear it because of her loyalty to Manchester United.
However, the defender-turned-pundit then made an ill-judged remark which appeared to suggest that the English presenter had been disloyal to her boyfriend, heavyweight boxer-turned-trainer Malik Scott.
After much awkward shuffling, the CBS crew moved on from the incident, with Abdo drawing a line under the botched gag the following night at the top of the broadcast.
Now in an interview with boxing journalist Kugan Cassius Abdo admits she was left “hurt” by Carragher’s comments but says that her partner will not be seeking to settle things physically with the Anfield icon.
AMORIM ADMITS PRESSURE TO STAY
Ruben Amorim has been inundated with questions over his own future since Liverpool’s plans changed and he was placed top of the wish list. It’s fair to say he may soon have an agonising decision to make.
Last week he was forced to DENY that he had already reached an outline agreement with Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the season.
He now admits even his OWN SON wants him to stay with Sporting amid the Anfield links.
The manager faced the press following the Famalicao game, with one intriguing question being posed.
“Do you hear more fans saying that they want Sporting to be champions or for you to stay at the club?,” he was asked.
“Both,” came the reply. “Even my son asks me for both things, but the important thing is for Sporting to be champions. That’s what the fans want and that’s what we fight for”.
ALEXANDER-ARNOLD ON NEW MANAGER
In a wide-ranging interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted to being “on the fence” regarding a new coach coming in but added that he is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’d probably say I’m sat on the fence with regards to my feelings on a new manager coming in,” the Champions League and Premier League winner said.
“It’ll be a completely different situation and it’s going to be weird to then turn up to pre-season, having to adopt a new playing style.
ENRIQUE ON NUNEZ
Former Reds left back Jose Enrique believes that the evidence suggests Darwin Nunez is not up to the requisite standard.
The Spaniard pinpoints Liverpool’s finishing as the main reason why they have slipped behind Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race and states the club need an upgrade on the South American hitman.
“They are simply missing too many chances,” he told Grosvenor Sports.
“It is not possible to win the Premier League when you miss as many chances as they do, especially when you aren’t too strong defensively and concede a lot of chances at your own end.
“Darwin Nunez is simply not at the required level and he never has been…He is a good player but he is not a Liverpool No.9.”
