A new use of VAR will be trialled in a Liverpool game next month, while there has been plenty of reaction to the Reds’ 5-0 win away to West Ham.
Today’s Main LFC Headline
Arne Slot‘s side visit Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, January 8 and they will be a part of history.
It has been confirmed that the referee will make in-stadium announcements on the outcome of VAR reviews in the clash in north London, in a much-needed leap forward with the technology.
It will also be used in Arsenal‘s two-legged semi-final meeting with Newcastle, and for the remainder of this season in the Carabao Cup.
The jury is still out on whether football was better before VAR or not, but this is at least progress of note!
Today’s Liverpool FC News
- Mo Salah has topped the 2024 list for most goal involvements across Europe’s top five leagues – he’s even managed more than Everton!
- Speaking of Salah, Harvey Elliott says he wants Liverpool to “keep” their star man, calling him “one of the best players in the world.” He is the best currently!
- It’s a day full of Salah praise, and rightly so, with Michael Owen another to show his appreciation for the Egyptian King. He says he is “wired differently” to others, adding that he is “absolutely on it, 24/7”
- Against West Ham, Jarell Quansah and Arne Slot both pointed to the lessons learnt from their recent 6-3 thrashing of Tottenham.
- Salah has revealed how Virgil van Dijk teased him about his “not nice” Jurgen Klopp moment at West Ham last season. They have a great bond!
More from This Is Anfield
Joanna Durkan and Adam Beattie have dissected Liverpool’s thrashing of the Hammers, including Trent’s celebration:
“I think we’re sometimes guilty of assuming footballers live in a bubble away from all the noise when, in reality, they’re probably just as conscious of it as we are.
“My instinct is that he is aware of the stick that has come his way recently and that he wanted to make that known in his celebration.
“A few have gone a little bit early with the criticism in my opinion. We can all agree it would be a hugely bitter pill to swallow if he does go for nothing but it makes little sense to hurl any abuse until we hear something concrete.”
Salah is “superhuman” but what to make of Trent celebration? – West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
Elsewhere in the football world today
- Pep Guardiola admits Man City “need help” in January and says his side have “no chance” of winning the Premier League. Will they shamelessly splash the cash next month? (BBC Sport)
- Harry Maguire says Ruben Amorim is the “total opposite” to Erik ten Hag, backing the Man United head coach to succeed at Old Trafford. They host Newcastle this evening on Sky Sports (8pm), in case you fancy a laugh! (Sky Sports)
- James Maddison bit back at a Spurs fan who criticised him for being at the darts after the 2-2 draw with Wolves, calling him a “wally.” These people are allowed to have fun, even if they don’t win! (Sky Sports)
Liverpool FC: On this day
On this day in 2017, Philippe Coutinho played his final game for Liverpool, coming in a 2-1 win at home to Leicester in the Premier League.
While the Brazilian’s exit to Barcelona felt like a blow at the time, it ended up being a sliding doors moment.
Liverpool used the £142 million for Coutinho to sign Virgil van Dijk and Alisson in 2018 and the rest is history.
While the Reds have enjoyed a golden period in the seven years since, Coutinho’s career has petered out, and he is now on loan at Vasco da Gama in his homeland.
He must wonder if he made the right decision, in hindsight, considering he is the same age as Salah!
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