We’re not past all the Super League fallout yet, but news matters are moving on somewhat. So if you’re keen to see reform elsewhere – club structure, broadcast deals, the new Champions League format – now’s the time to speak up and make your voice heard through whichever platform you feel is best.
Perez taunts Klopp and Reds
Florentino Perez is a man facing Continent-wide ridicule, in charge of a club under a mountain of debt and has quickly become one of the most hated figures in football after his role in driving the Super League changes.
Thus, it’s not a great surprise that he’s taking typical old-white-man-retaliates approach and just criticising everybody and everything he can think of, whenever the most benign comments are made.
Today it was Jurgen Klopp in the firing line, after being asked on Spanish TV about comments the boss made after the first leg in the quarter-finals, saying that Valdebebas was a training pitch and Anfield for the second leg would be a proper stadium.
“Valdebebas? I don’t know why he doesn’t like it. For us, Valdebebas and Kiev [are] the same: 3-1. The same pitch,” Perez said, with an awfully smug grin.
Yes, Flo. You won the game. Both games. Very classy and sportsmanlike reply from you – right in keeping with the rest of your behaviour.
Mane ackowledges struggles this season
Sadio got back on the scoresheet against Leeds after a long barren run, but he knows there must be more to come after two or three brilliant seasons with the Reds.
The No. 10 says this campaign has been a real struggle for him personally, but assured supporters he is working hard to recapture top form and aid the team going forward.
“This is a really, really tough time for me, which I have to recognise,” he said.
“But it’s part of football and I already know it. I’m dealing with it and I’m trying to work harder to help the team more.
“A few years ago I maybe struggled more, but I think now I’m more experienced so I know a bit more football, I know how this kind of time is.
“Even though it’s my first time, to be honest I never doubted. I just try to be more positive than I’ve ever been, so that’s it.”
Another goal against Newcastle would be very timely indeed, Sadio!
Super and not-so-super
As one of our younger talents shows real maturity, it must be hoped that the old folk who run the game learn a lesson or two about humility.
- Sir King Kenny has applauded Harvey Elliott for a moving tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster
- The aforementioned Perez is still acting the pr*ck, isisting the Super League isn’t dead and that clubs haven’t left due to legally binding contracts
- And Uefa are reportedly considering binning off the part of the new CL format which allows historical performance – a high coefficient, basically – to give clubs an undeserved backdoor route into the top competition if they have a crap year
Quickfire LFC news
- Former Reds defender Markus Babbel has attacked the “arrogance” of those at the club who sought to push through the ESL deal
- Reds U23 defender Tom Clayton has a new contract after turning himself into Reds U23 midfielder Tom Clayton
- Man City have reportedly beaten the Reds to the signing of Brazilian teen sensation Kayky, who could move in January next year
- And Egypt’s U23 coach has sent a second request to Liverpool to allow Mohamed Salah to play at the Olympic Games this summer
Around the Prem
- Thomas Tuchel says Tammy Abraham is “worried and angry” about being left out of the team for two months, which sounds fairly understandable, in fairness
- Wolves are looking for replacements for Nuno in case the manager decides to depart the pack
- David Alaba’s move to Real Madrid will see Man United move for Raphael Varane, which is a nice boring saga to watch unfold but never actually develop this summer
- And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to address United fans who broke into the training ground to protest against the ownership this morning
Quick rule change of the day
The Premier League are writing up new rules so that anybody trying to join a Super League in future are to face instant expulsion, reports the Times.
Tweet of the day
After the ecstasy of last season, what a horrific 12 months it’s been for #LFC. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such an unnecessary act of self harm to a football club as the last two days. Awful judgement. When we do reverse all that will be left is broken trust and division again.
— Si Steers (@sisteers) April 20, 2021
Worth watching tonight
Napoli vs Lazio at 7:45.
