The focus at Liverpool is squarely on Sparta Prague right now – the Reds need to avoid a catastrophic defeat at Anfield to progress. Jurgen Klopp may not put out his strongest side, so it’s important to remain focused here.
But, naturally, the Reds do have a lot of other things going on. Michael Edwards is returning to the club, for one, though not in his previous role as sporting director.
And Klopp gave his take on that, in what was arguably the most interesting news of the day.
Here’s our Liverpool FC news recap.
KLOPP ON EDWARDS
Jurgen Klopp had talks with Michael Edwards at Liverpool recently. The boss explained what they talked about.
Jurgen Klopp was asked the obvious question right away in his Thursday press conference – what does he think of Michael Edwards returning to Liverpool? The Reds’ former sporting director will take up a position at FSG in the summer, overseeing football.
Klopp went one further than just giving his impression, though. He revealed there has been a conversation with Edwards about the state of Liverpool right now.
“I’m really happy [he’s back],” said Klopp. “I’ve said a few times that I want to see the club in the best possible place after I left, so everything I can do I will do while I’m here and after that, other people will have to do it.”
MO SALAH FITNESS UPDATE
Jurgen Klopp provided a fitness update on Mo Salah, revealing the Liverpool forward is ready to start games once again.
Salah has not been included in a Liverpool starting lineup since the New Year’s Day win over Newcastle, as a result of his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and subsequent hamstring injury.
Speaking ahead of the second leg against Sparta Prague at Anfield on Thursday, Klopp insisted that Salah is now fit enough to be involved from the beginning of games once again.
“He’s ready. He’s top fit. Everything is good now and we don’t have to deal with these kind of things anymore,” Klopp said when asked of the 31-year-old status.
GRAVENBERCH BACK IN TRAINING
Liverpool showed off photos from training this week ahead of their UEFA Europa League Last 16 second leg meeting with Sparta Prague. Ryan Gravenberch was present – the Dutchman seemingly back in training.
Not just running, either, but he seems to be nearing fitness. Now, whether that means he can feature on Thursday evening is another matter.
But with a 5-1 first-leg lead, it’s entirely possible that Liverpool give Gravenberch some minutes. The hope will be that he can take a place in the squad against Manchester United, certainly.
Gravenberch has had a mixed season, showing flashes of incredible quality but also struggling to impact games. He has managed three goals from midfield, with two coming in the Europa League and another in the FA Cup.
EDWARDS’ NEW SALARY
According to widespread reports, Michael Edwards turned down both Chelsea and Manchester United during his time out.
The Athletic adds that Everton’s prospective owners also were interested as well, as Edwards turned down as many as ’10 jobs’ in between leaving and re-joining Liverpool.
The Reds’ chiefs were initially knocked back too, before Edwards was made an offer in America of a more senior position as part of a structural shake-up.
Along with the senior role at FSG and a broader remit than last time, Edwards will receive a a multi-million-pound salary, according to the Athletic’s report.
While the exact numbers of Edwards’ pay packet are not specified, it is claimed that he will be on terms “akin to top coach”.
For context, Jurgen Klopp is widely reported be on around £15m per year before tax, or close to £300k a week. That is somewhat less than Liverpool’s highest-earning player, Mohamed Salah, whose pre-tax basic wage is regularly cited as £350k a week.
Klopp is the Premier League’s second-highest paid manager after Pep Guardiola (supposedly on £20m a year), while Mikel Arteta and Erik Ten Hag are speculated to be on around £10m annually.
MAN UNITED INJURY BOOST
After four games out, Rasmus Hojlund could be set to return to action for this Sunday’s cup clash with Liverpool.
Speaking with regard to the upcoming international break, which follows this weekend’s fixtures, Denmark national team manager Kasper Hjulmand told Danish outlet Campo.dkthat he ‘expects’ Hojlund to feature against the Reds.
He is quoted as saying: “It is clear that Rasmus will play on Sunday against Liverpool and must get through the game well. We expect that. We are in contact with United. I have spoken to Erik, and we expect that to happen. But it is clear that he has to get through the game, and there must be nothing on the other side for that to be possible.”
