Liverpool head into the weekend needing to get back to winning ways at Anfield against Aston Villa…but first, a rumour or two and all the build-up.
Barca squad in “secret” agreement
Gini Wijnaldum‘s future is still in doubt as he runs into the final months of his contract.
He remains linked with Barcelona most strongly, but reports on Friday suggest the feeling is not entirely mutual – from within the Catalan club’s camp, anyway.
Mundo Deportivo say the Barca players would prefer for the club to bring back Neymar this summer, rather than using the funds to land both Memphis Depay and Wijnaldum on free transfers.
The feeling is that Neymar would be more likely to help them win the Champions League…which is interesting, given he hasn’t won Big Ears since leaving Barca, whereas Gini won it two years ago in Madrid, no less.
Virgil’s comeback promise
New signings or not, we’d all love to see the big man at the back once more.
Van Dijk isn’t likely to see game time again this season due to his ACL injury, but he has made it clear he’ll be doing everything possible to return in the best shape he can.
“I won’t take anything for granted,” he said, noting he wants to “stay true” to himself and that his time on the sidelines makes him “appreciate even more” what he has.
His road to a full recovery is a long one, just like with Joe Gomez, but we all know our No. 4 has the determination and strength of character to do it properly and come back, hopefully just as good as before.
And he could even have a new partner alongside him next term.
Villa build-up
That abomination of an away day seems a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Let’s hope the need for revenge doesn’t overshadow the actual need to find winning ways at Anfield.
- The boss says the team have to “put things right” after our horror show at Villa Park earlier in the season
- And Klopp says Naby Keita has had big moments in the past for the Reds and he still has full faith for the midfielder going forward – though changes to the line-up could happen against Villa
- And you can see all of Klopp’s pre-match press conference here as always
Quickfire LFC news
- Klopp might be happy with him but the fans appear split over Keita (TIA)
- LFC have again demanded social media companies take responsibility and action after Rinsola Babajide was racially abused online (LFC)
- Taki Minamino is set to return to the Reds after his loan with no sale talks taking place with Saints (TIA)
- And Kabak says there are no games to waste in the pursuit of a top-four finish (LFC)
Around the Prem
- Jack Grealish is out for Villa ahead of their trip to Anfield (TIA)
- United want Declan Rice included in any deal for Lingard. How are West Ham going to possibly delude themselves into thinking this is a decent option, do we think? (Athletic)
- And Lyon are delighted that after he was an abysmal signing for them, Joachim Andersen has found form on loan at Fulham – now they can make a profit instead of being lumped with him for years (Metro)
Curious boss change of the day
Remember Phil Brown and his Hull City theatrics? Lots of self-promotion and explaining how good he was at the time.
He’s just been appointed Southend manager – trying to stop them falling out of the football league entirely with six games to go. His last two jobs were in India.
Tweet of the day
https://twitter.com/lubomerkov/status/1380515042580434944
Worth watching tonight
Metz vs Lille – the away side simply have to keep winning and the Ligue 1 title is theirs. Then maybe we’ll nab a player or two of theirs this summer!
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