We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Wednesday, as the Reds’ clash with Wolves edges nearer.
Today’s Main Headlines
- The remarkable stat that suggests Klopp may rest Liverpool’s key men soon
A ridiculously heavy workload already this season.
- Watch Klopp brilliantly surprise local 11-a-side team in ‘Training SOS’
An incredible miss 45 seconds in!
- The Liverpool academy’s first half of 2018/19 in numbers
A look back at how the youngsters have been performing.
- Van Dijk urges Liverpool to maintain their high standards
Our centre-back leader insists Reds “won’t get carried away.”
- The Wolves view ahead of Liverpool clash on Friday
The hosts fancy their chances at Molineux.
Rabiot to Leave in January?
Reports earlier this week suggested Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot had agreed to join Barcelona next summer.
According to L’Equipe, however, the Ligue 1 leaders are actually looking to sell the Frenchman in January, in order to receive a fee for him.
Rabiot is able to leave on a free at the end of the season, which would be a financial blow, considering how highly he is rated.
Liverpool have been linked with the 23-year-old numerous times in recent months—will Jurgen Klopp consider a January bid?
Alisson’s the Best, Says Fabinho
Alisson may have spilled the ball for Jesse Lingard’s goal on Sunday, but one mistake doesn’t ignore the fact that he is a world-class goalkeeper.
The 26-year-old’s team-mate and compatriot Fabinho has echoed that sentiment, labelling the Liverpool stopper the best in the country.
“When we entered the locker room, we even talked, but I did not even focus on that,” Fabinho told Globo Esporte.
“[Alisson] came to comment, but I said ‘no, bro, let it go’. These things will always happen.
“And what are we going to say about Alisson? He was very important in our qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League, days before.
“Without a doubt, he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. There is a lot of confidence.”
Alisson has the chance to bounce back at Wolves on Friday night, proving that his United error was a rare blip in an otherwise excellent season.
Why Sadio Deserves Better
Sadio Mane has arguably been Liverpool’s most consistent attacking player this season, playing a key role in the Reds topping the Premier League.
An eye-opening statistic has emerged courtesy of analyst Andrew Beasley, who took to Twitter to highlight how much of Mane’s good work is going to waste:
Apropos of nothing… Total chances created by Liverpool players with one assist this season:
2 – Origi
7 – Fabinho
10 – Sturridge
30 – Mané
Sort your finishing out Reds, Sadio deserves more assists!— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) December 19, 2018
The Senegalese has only got one assist to his name in 2018/19, yet he has created a whopping 30 chances for team-mates.
It simply shows how poor Liverpool’s finishing has been when Mane has gift-wrapped an opportunity—his stats could easily look so much better.
Duncan Delighted with “Unbelievable” Winner
Bobby Duncan enjoyed a memorable moment for Liverpool on Tuesday night, scoring a last-gasp winner in the U18s’ FA Youth Cup third round win over Portsmouth.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the 3-2 victory, the chart-topping striker couldn’t hide his happiness, saying Liverpool can win the competition this season:
“It was unbelievable.
“Paul [Glatzel] had a great turn in the box and picked me out—I stuck my right foot on it and it went in. It was a hard finish but I got it in the back of the net.
“We’ve got character and desire. The games where we’ve scored last-minute winners [show] we’ve got great desire. I think we’re fitter and stronger than other teams.
“I think we can go all the way, to be honest. We’ve got a great team and we’ve got great players who can come off the bench and change the game for us.”
In 23 games for the U19s and U18s this season, Duncan has now scored 19 and assisted 11.
