Liverpool lucky with availability of centre-backs this season – Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool must be “lucky” with the availability of their centre-backs this season as he hinted he was unlikely to add to his options before the transfer deadline. Ibrahima Konate is a doubt for Sunday afternoon’s trip to Newcastle because of a muscular problem and Joe Gomez or Joel Matip could instead partner Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the Reds’ defence. Nat Phillips is another alternative but Klopp is well aware that a shortage of options and a spate of injuries could spell trouble as he had to get creative with his backline during the 2020-2021 season. A total of 20 different combinations were used during the turbulent campaign and Klopp is keeping everything crossed that he does not have to deal with a defensive crisis in the forthcoming months. “In an ideal world, we have six, seven, eight centre-halves and cover for absolutely everything,” the Liverpool manager said. “No, we need to be lucky with injuries, there is no doubt about that. “I have no doubt about the quality of the boys we have. We have (academy player) Jarell Quansah, a super-talented player, available as well. “In this moment we are covered but it is not dreamland where you can be prepared for absolutely each situation. We had to learn that in the past as well a couple of times. “We will try to do our absolute best to have a squad for next week, a squad for us where we can react on pretty much everything. Is that possible? We will see.” Liverpool were the only side to do the double over a Newcastle side that lost just five times in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League last season. Despite their rapid improvement under Eddie Howe, Newcastle are on a 13-match winless sequence against Liverpool stretching back to December 2015 – although Klopp is wary of what they will face this weekend. He feels two of their signings in particular this summer were among the shrewdest of any team. The speed they have is really good. Newcastle, since last year at least, they don’t concede a lot but score. So that’s a proper game Jurgen Klopp “Newcastle are an incredibly strong team, qualified for the Champions League, fully deserved,” Klopp said. “Super development under Eddie Howe, I have to say. Eddie is a super coach, a super manager. “Smart business. I don’t want to miss anybody but probably the two standouts in this window: (Sandro) Tonali and (Harvey) Barnes. Really good business. “The speed they have is really good. Newcastle, since last year at least, they don’t concede a lot but score. So that’s a proper game.” While Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones are missing once again, Klopp will be able to call upon fellow midfielder Alexis Mac Allister after his red card in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth was overturned. Mac Allister – signed from Brighton in the summer for £35million – was shown a straight red by referee Thomas Bramall after catching Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie on the foot at Anfield last weekend. “When I saw the pictures back I was pretty sure that it’s not a red card but that doesn’t mean then immediately that our appeal will be successful,” Klopp added. “You don’t have that a lot of times, that pretty much everybody agrees this is not a red card and should not be a red card. Harsh tackles should always be punished, I absolutely support that 100 per cent. “But it was not a harsh tackle, it was just a touch in the situation. It was a massive relief when I heard that it is overturned. Very good news.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Robert Helenius failed drug test before fighting Anthony Joshua, Vada says Eddie Howe admits last season’s battles with Liverpool remain vivid memories Juanma Lillo says Man City ‘well managed’ as he fills in for Pep Guardiola
1970-01-01 08:00
Shankule delivers Ethiopian marathon gold, heat is on in decathlon
Amane Beriso Shankule beat defending champion and compatriot Gotytom Gebreslase to give Ethiopia their third women's marathon title in the past five editions of the...
1970-01-01 08:00
Olivia Dunne channels inner Barbie, stuns fans with pink gym attire: 'Paul Skenes won'
Dunne's unparalleled fashion sense, particularly her gym attire, has struck a chord with her followers
1970-01-01 08:00
Students, professors report chaos as semester begins at New College of Florida
Months after what critics have decried as a conservative takeover at New College of Florida, students and professors say a sense of confusion and anxiety looms over the start of fall semester in Sarasota, Florida.
1970-01-01 08:00
Who was Tonya Clark? Single mom, 49, identified as one of the victims killed in Cook's Corner shooting
John Snowling, a retired Ventura police sergeant, entered Cook’s Corner and targeted his wife Marie and other patrons
1970-01-01 08:00
Verstappen tops storm-hit final practice at Dutch Grand Prix
Max Verstappen shrugged off a storm to top an action-packed third practice at his home Dutch...
1970-01-01 08:00
Germany’s Scholz Rejects Calls for More Spending to Help Economy
Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected calls for higher, debt-financed federal spending to boost growth and said Germany is well
1970-01-01 08:00
Sixty years after King's 'dream' speech, thousands gather in Washington
By Rachel Nostrant Thousands of Americans will converge on Washington on Saturday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of
1970-01-01 08:00
Max Verstappen on top in wet final practice at Zandvoort
Max Verstappen topped a rain-interrupted final practice session for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix. The concluding hour before qualifying was red-flagged on three occasions following a series of accidents in the tricky conditions at Zandvoort. With the session a little more than 10 minutes old, Kevin Magnussen spun out in his Haas at Turn 3, before Zhou Guanyu beached his Alfa Romeo at the penultimate corner. Liam Lawson – the New Zealander making his Formula One debut as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo who suffered a broken wrist in practice – then performed a pirouette heading into the main straight. Lawson, 21, grazed the tyre wall on the opposing side of the circuit which led to a third stoppage. When the action resumed, Verstappen, who is bidding to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories, set an impressive pace in front of his home crowd. The Red Bull driver finished three tenths clear of George Russell, with the Mercedes driver the only man within one second of Verstappen. Sergio Perez took third spot, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso with Lewis Hamilton fifth for Mercedes. Qualifying takes place at 3pm local time (2pm BST) with the unsettled weather conditions forecast to continue throughout the day. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor says prostate cancer is ‘asymptomatic’ after end-of-life diagnosis
Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor has revealed that his prostate cancer is “asymptomatic”, after he was previously told he needed “palliative, end-of-life care”. The Northumberland-raised musician, 62, was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in 2018. After he was unable to attend Duran Duran’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, his bandmates – singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor – read his letter informing them of his diagnosis to the audience at the ceremony in Los Angeles. Following the ceremony, Taylor approached a doctor who told him about a treatment involving radioactive chemicals given intravenously, which would target only cancer cells. In an interview with The Times, Taylor disclosed that he is “radioactive for several days” after receiving the treatment and is unable to sleep in the same room as someone else or use public transport. “I was classified as palliative, end-of-life care ... and now I’m not; I’m asymptomatic,” he told the publication. He called the scientist, who identified and recommended the treatment, Christopher Evans, the “Elon Musk of cancer”. He also said he was touched that Le Bon read out his letter at the Hall of Fame ceremony: “It takes someone with a very special quality from their heart to do that and not drop a word. People don’t realise he’s actually quite a classy guy.” Taylor said two symptoms alerted him that something was wrong: bone pain while jogging, which he almost mistook for arthritis after his years of live performances, and erectile dysfunction, which was masked by Taylor’s use of Viagra. Asked about the prospect of returning to Duran Duran, he also said: “No, I’m not going to rejoin the band ... I would not say no to (part time for) the opportunity, particularly for the fans, but as I keep reminding people, you have to be asked.” In the same interiew, however, Taylor also rubbished a rumour that he “can’t stand” his former bandmate, Nick Rhodes. The Birmingham-formed Duran Duran were one of the biggest acts of the 1980s, with hits including “Rio”, “The Wild Boys”, and the James Bond theme “A View To A Kill”. They released their 15th studio album, Future Past, in 2021and are currently touring North America with special guests Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Bastille. Next month, Taylor is scheduled to release Man’s a Wolf to Man, his first solo album in decades. Additional reporting by Press Association Read More ‘A genuine shambles’: The Strokes fans leave All Points East festival early due to ‘sound issues’ Scooter Braun ‘refused to cut vacation short’ for Ariana Grande relationship drama ‘I still speak to him’: Johannes Radebe responds to John Whaite revealing he fell in love with Strictly pro Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor rubbishes rumour he ‘can’t stand’ former bandmate The Strokes fans leave London festival early over ‘sound issues’ Miley Cyrus emotionally addresses Sinead O’Connor feud over Wrecking Ball
1970-01-01 08:00
Barcelona hint at defender exit after La Liga registration
Barcelona register Clement Lenglet to play in La Liga in a move that could signal a departure from the club is on the cards.
1970-01-01 08:00
This week was a perfect snapshot of America's political mess
The exhausting view of this bizarre week -- with the first GOP presidential primary debate one day, followed by the fourth arrest this year of the former president the next -- is that everyone should prepare for so much more of this uniquely American and continuously unbelievable political spectacle.
1970-01-01 08:00
