Fabio Borini: I was right to stay at Liverpool

Fabio Borini believes he has been vindicated by staying at Anfield and putting in the effort to remain at the club.

The Italy forward was the subject of bids by QPR and Sunderland – where he spent last season on loan – in August but rejected them in order to fight for his place in the squad despite manager Brendan Rodgers making it clear pitch time would be limited.

Borini believes his decision has been vindicated after starting at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid last week, one of two 90-minute performances in the last four games with a couple of substitute appearances in between.

“I think that when I was called upon to play, I did well against Real Madrid or against Chelsea, when we were down and we needed to chase the game,” he told liverpoolfc.com. “It’s not an easy way to get in, but it’s good to be involved and I hope I get more [chances].

“In training I work hard every day so I’ve got the game rhythm every day and it’s easy for me to get into the game, like I showed against Swansea (in the Capital One Cup late last month).

“I had been out for six weeks and then I came in and played 90 minutes and was fine.”

Borini may find his chances will be limited again with the impending return of Daniel Sturridge, who has not played for the club since August 31 because of thigh and calf injuries, but is in line for a comeback at Crystal Palace a week on Sunday.

Without his threat up front Liverpool have struggled with £16million summer signing Mario Balotelli still to find the net in the Premier League.

Rodgers has spoken of the importance of not over-relying on the England striker but former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher cannot see any other option.

“He has been out for while so you don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but it looks like it is down to him because there is not much else there at the moment,” he told talkSPORT.

“Hopefully when this international break is out the way we will start seeing the real Liverpool.

“We have to start picking it up because, before you know it, Southampton (11 points ahead in second place) might even be too far ahead, never mind the other top teams.”

PA

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Adam Lallana admits “trying too hard to impress”

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana admits he tried too hard to impress in his attempts to settle in at Anfield.

The 26-year-old, currently with England preparing for their Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Slovenia, has struggled to replicate the form which saw the Reds pay Southampton in the region of £25million for his services in the summer.

He was hampered by a knee injury in pre-season which delayed his introduction into the side until mid-September and – while he has shown occasional flashes of what he is capable of – he admits he has come up short so far.

“I always knew it was going to be difficult settling in, especially with the injury,” he told Liverpool’s official magazine.

“Playing for a new club the size of Liverpool and having Champions League football – you need to be tough mentally.

“I was so desperate to do well, maybe trying a bit too hard to impress, not doing things that I’d normally do, thinking about things maybe a bit too much.

“You can’t always expect to be at your best straight away. When you’ve been away for seven or eight weeks the pitch feels a bit different when you step back on it for the first time.

“It’s a case of getting your head down, working hard and doing the things that have made you successful before to get back to a level where you can affect matches.

“Gradually, the more games I’ve played and the more minutes I’ve accumulated, my form has improved and I’m getting closer to the levels I was at last season for Southampton.

“There’s still an improvement to be made but I’m getting there.”

PA

.

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Should Simon Mignolet be Liverpool’s long term Number 1?

It’s been a tricky start to the campaign for Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, recently coming under scrutiny in the media. Nial Toner looks at whether he should be The Reds’ long-term No.1 keeper?

He’s had his good days and bad days since signing for Liverpool from Sunderland in 2013 but with Liverpool’s defence coming under increasing pressure, the big question is, should Simon Mignolet be Liverpool’s long term number one? There are certainly cases for a yes and no to this answer, but for me it’s simple – Liverpool need to start looking for a new goalkeeper and here’s why.

Why this should be Mignolet’s last season as Liverpool’s First Choice ‘Keeper

Not everyone will agree with me here but I just think if Liverpool are to really kick on to the next level they need a goalkeeper who will inspire confidence in the defence, and unfortunately for Mignolet, he’s not that man.

There’s no doubting that as a shot stopper Mignolet is up there with the best in the Premier League but the modern goalkeeper is about much more than pulling off a few saves – if they can’t there’d be a problem. It’s the rest of Mignolet’s game that makes me think Brendan Rodgers would be best looking elsewhere next summer.

Communication, crosses and distribution

There are three areas of Mignolet’s game that are having a real impact on the Liverpool defence, a defence that is still coping with injuries and new arrivals. These areas are his communication or lack of it, his ability to come for crosses and corners and his ability with the ball at his feet.

In a Liverpool team that builds from the back under Brendan Rodgers, Mignolet has always looked awkward with the ball at his feet. Mignolet’s predecessor Pepe Reina (who I would never have sold) was one of the best around with the ball at his feet, and the modern goalkeeper needs to possess good feet as well as a good pair of hands.

All too often his kick-outs end up in the stand or land at the feet of the opposition. If Liverpool are to continue with this new possession based attacking philosophy that Brendan Rodgers has instilled then they need a goalkeeper who can lead by example from the back.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’d rather have a goalkeeper who is a good shot stopper and poor with the ball at his feet than someone who has feet like Messi but can’t catch a cold!

The part of Simon Mignolet’s game that I see as the weakest and most frustrating as a Liverpool fan is the 3 C’s – his communication, his command of the area and his ability from crosses.

If we take a look at his rival for the Belgian number 1 jersey Thibaut Courtois, he has a presence that Mignolet simply doesn’t possess. Great coming for crosses and a command of the 18 yard box that fills his defence with confidence, this is the type of keeper Liverpool need, the sort of keeper any top team requires.

Take a look at the most successful teams in the Premier League era – Man Utd of the 90’s had Peter Schmeichel, Arsenal had David Seaman, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea had Peter Cech and in recent years Man City have had Joe Hart.

While Hart is perhaps the weakest of these four, on their day these goalkeepers were the best in the league when their sides were winning trophies. Mignolet is a long way off this level and his constant flapping at corners and lack of communication with the backline can’t have gone unnoticed by Rodgers and his backroom team.

If Mignolet isn’t to be Liverpool’s long term number one, I suppose the biggest question is, who is?

Victor Valdes

A regular on the gossip columns since the transfer window closed, Victor Valdes was being strongly linked with a move to Anfield and while he’d offer great competition, I just don’t think he’s enough of an improvement to be viewed as the long term answer to a growing goalkeeping problem at Liverpool.

As a shot stopper he’s up there with Mignolet and certainly has the ability with ball at feet that would suit the current Liverpool style but he has always been a keeper who struggled coming from crosses.

He was always a target in the Barcelona team, particularly from set plays against more physical sides and I could see the same thing happening if he were to sign for Liverpool. The one advantage to signing Valdes would be the added competition and experience. It could be just what Mignolet needs to give him a bit of a push.

Asmir Begovic

Looking at the current Premier League goalkeepers, Asmir Begovic from Stoke City is the only player that fits the bill for what Liverpool need. Still relatively young at 27 he has a great presence in the box and can command his area from set pieces.

He could be just what Liverpool need to shore up a leaky defence. How much Begovic would cost is another story altogether but I can’t help but think when Rodgers was signing a goalkeeper last summer from a team playing in red and white stripes, it should have been Begovic.

The Bundesliga

When we think of the perfect modern day goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer tops the list. A rock for club and country he has a presence about him that very few keepers can even get close to.

Neuer is one of a clutch of great goalkeepers currently plying their trade in Germany and Brendan Rodgers could do a lot worse than sending his scouting team of to the Bundesliga to find Liverpool’s long term goalkeeper.

The Bundesliga is awash with goalkeeping talent and the likes of Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno, Wolfsburg’s Diego Benaglio and Kevin Trapp of Eintracht Frankfurt could all command a place between the posts for many years to come at Anfield.

Do you think Mignolet should be Liverpool’s number one?

Do you agree with me on Mignolet’s future at the club or do you think he can be a Liverpool goalkeeper for many years to come? If you don’t think Mignolet should be the Liverpool goalkeeper next year, who would you like to see as The Reds’ No. 1.

.

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Rembatan gol yang dilakukan oleh Divock Origi pagi tadi selaju 104 kilometer sej...

Rembatan gol yang dilakukan oleh Divock Origi pagi tadi selaju 104 kilometer sejam. Anda boleh lihat gol itu di page ini.



YNWA









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Recap dan Review , Antara post terawal saya di KPLM yg mendapat reaksi luar jan...

Recap dan Review ,

Antara post terawal saya di KPLM yg mendapat reaksi luar jangkaan saya.

Dah 8 bulan rasanya saya menjadi admin disini, hopefully tangan ini terus rajin berdiskusi dan berkongsi ilmu agar kita menjadi kelompok penyokong bola yang lebih ber&039;nilai&039;



Kisah disebalik Kegagalan Fernando Torres di Chelsea, bertajuk



&039;&039;The secret of NO.9 fallen finally revealed&039;&039;



yang mendapat perhatian bukan saja fans Liverpool malah fans Chelsea. Terima kasih ! You guys Rock.



kplm

axello



here is the link untuk one of my favorite discussion



http://ift.tt/1EFYRky









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Saya yakin Rodgers akan membawa Liverpool bangkit. Masalah utama Liverpool adala...

Saya yakin Rodgers akan membawa Liverpool bangkit. Masalah utama Liverpool adalah kekuatan dalaman( depth) skuad yg ada. Ini yg sedang diusahakan Brendan dengan ramai pemain yg baru masuk dan penyusunan ini memberi kesan kepada pasukan.

- Fowler



kplm

axello









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Pemain Norway berusia 15 tahun, Martin Odegaard: "Liverpool sentiasa menjadi ke...

Pemain Norway berusia 15 tahun, Martin Odegaard:



"Liverpool sentiasa menjadi kelab impian saya. Tetapi saya tidak akan membiarkan ini mempengaruhi keputusan saya apabila saya memilih kelab baru."



"Ia semua tentang mencari pasukan yang terbaik untuk saya dan untuk pembangunan saya. Itu tidak semestinya Liverpool."



*Dilaporkan wonderkid itu dikejar oleh beberapa kelab besar seperti Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona dan lain-lain termasuk liverpool.



KD7









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Saya pasti korang semua tidak sabar utk melihat gandingan Sterling dan Sturridge...

Saya pasti korang semua tidak sabar utk melihat gandingan Sterling dan Sturridge (new SaS)...harap lepas ni xada lagi kemarau jaringan dari penyerang dengan kembalinya Daniel Sturridge dalam squad liverpool..come on reds,kita harus bangkit...ynwa



legend91

kplm









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Xherdan Shaqiri : Saya nak join Liverpool! Liverpool dikatakan menawarkan 15 ju...

Xherdan Shaqiri : Saya nak join Liverpool!



Liverpool dikatakan menawarkan 15 juta untuk membawa pemain ini ke Anfied pada Jun lalu. Tapi sayyyeeng! Bayern xnk jual dia nih. Puih..hehehe.



Please BR bid dia ni bulan 1 nanti..pliss..tgok kt muka shaqiri tuh..boleh nmpak dia nk main sgt 1st eleven..kan2? Hehehehe



kplm DannyHaz









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Emre Can terpaksa menarik diri daripada kem Jerman U21 kerana mengalami sedikit...

Emre Can terpaksa menarik diri daripada kem Jerman U21 kerana mengalami sedikit kecederaan di bahagian belakangnya. Walaubagaimanapun, itu hanyalah sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga dan dia akan kembali pulih dan cergas sepenuhnya untuk Liverpool FC selepas ini.



YNWA









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Daniel Sturridge Dependency Could Haunt Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool

During Liverpool’s recent misery, the upcoming return of Daniel Sturridge has become a crutch which Brendan Rodgers must not lean on, writes Jack Lusby.

Throughout Liverpool’s poor recent form there has been one underlying silver lining: The return of Daniel Sturridge from injury.

When the England striker’s lay-off was extended in October, the onus was on Reds manager Brendan Rodgers to focus his famed pragmatism on adapting his system to compensate for this loss.

Instead, the Ulsterman has stuck with a disappointing formula, and Liverpool’s form has suffered.

Sturridge is set to return for the side’s next game away to Crystal Palace following the international break, and much expectation is heaped on the shoulders of the 25-year-old.

The striker’s positivity is infectious, and so is his form.

Recently, Rodgers effectively highlighted Sturridge as the one player who can save Liverpool’s season, claiming that “when he comes back into the team, you will see the confidence because of the movement and the dynamic.”

The Englishman is clearly key to the way Liverpool play but, with his injuries almost as frequent as his goals, the club will need to find a way to play without him too.

Sturridge’s Return: The Theory

With Sturridge looking to return for Liverpool’s next game against Crystal Palace, the Englishman has been held up as the solution to many of the club’s varied problems.

Firstly, from a managerial point of view, Rodgers would shelve his awkward 4-2-3-1 formation and return to the midfield diamond that proved so devastating last season.

In doing so, Sturridge would partner Mario Balotelli as part of a front two. With the Italian so far struggling as a lone striker, understandably given his skill set, the intelligent movement of the No. 15 would off-set Balotelli’s creativity.

The signs were there during the 3-0 victory away to Spurs—Sturridge and Balotelli can be a great partnership.

Furthermore, the midfield diamond would allow Raheem Sterling to be utilised in his best position, in the No. 10—the 19-year-old has looked jaded on the wing of late, despite remaining one of the club’s best performers.

The wide positions of the diamond would suit the talents of Joe Allen, Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can most adroitly.

It can also be argued that Philippe Coutinho is best suited in a deeper, No. 8 role.

Furthermore, the support of two flanking midfielders would see Steven Gerrard’s lack of physical prowess catered for, and the Reds captain could dictate play safe in the knowledge that his more energetic colleagues would pick up the pieces—that is if Rodgers continues to select him.

Behind him, obviously, Sturridge’s inclusion would see Dejan Lovren and Simon Mignolet restored in confidence, and Martin Skrtel will go on to score another 10 goals this season.

To pin all of these hopes on one player would be foolish enough, were it not for the alarming fitness issues that have continued to plague Sturridge throughout his Liverpool career so far.

Hereditary Issues

Last season, Sturridge made 29 Premier League appearances, scoring 21 goals. This immaculate ability to find the net masked the Englishman’s missing nearly a quarter of the side’s league games.

Once more in 2014/15, Sturridge is missing large chunks of action, and recently speculated as to whether his fitness issues are hereditary:

“Maybe it’s my body type, maybe it’s hereditary. Both my uncles had injuries, and my dad had them as well. Maybe it’s the Caribbean vibes, maybe I have speed but maybe it makes you more vulnerable because of the fast twitch muscles and the speed in which you’re moving. I am vulnerable to muscle injuries.”

Sturridge’s game is based on devastating speed and movement, and so long as he is at the top of his game this will remain so, and therefore injuries will always be part and parcel.

His catalogue of injuries is alarming.

The type of player that Sturridge is serves as a double-edged sword for Rodgers: His performances are the cause both of Liverpool’s success and the player’s failing fitness.

As such, and the manager already knows this, Sturridge must be managed carefully both in training and on the pitch.

But otherwise, Rodgers must accommodate for the inevitable lay-offs that the striker will endure, and this will be either by tailoring his system to suit the strengths of players such as Balotelli, or sign a similar player to serve as deputy.

The Future

Rodgers undoubtedly believes this to be Belgian wonderkid Divock Origi, and the manager’s comments on the striker with regards to Balotelli’s struggles confirm this.

“We believe he will be world class…Now, he is a top player. He has everything but the deal was that he could not play for us now. That was unfortunate because he can run in behind, he can keep the ball, he can press and he can run.”

The qualities that Origi possesses are much-akin to that of Sturridge, but with the striker on loan with Lille until the end of the season, other possibilities must be explored.

Rodgers’ comments that the club “had attempts for other strikers that didn’t materialise for one reason or another,” allude to the failure to conclude a deal for now-Chelsea striker Loic Remy.

In truth the Frenchman would have been an excellent foil for Sturridge, and an able replacement when the striker was injured.

Now however, Rodgers must look elsewhere.

For the short-term, the determined Fabio Borini can serve as this deputy, and should be included more often than he has been so far. But in the long-term, signing a suitable stand-in for Daniel Sturridge should be made a priority.

How can Liverpool address their form when without Daniel Sturridge? Let us know in the comments below.

.

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Divock Origi berjaya menjaringkan gol yang menarik pagi tadi sekaligus membantu...

Divock Origi berjaya menjaringkan gol yang menarik pagi tadi sekaligus membantu Belgium menang ke atas Iceland 3-1.











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KOMPILASI TWEET OLEH FANS LIVERPOOL KE ATAS GOL ORIGI SEMALAM Berikut antara pe...

KOMPILASI TWEET OLEH FANS LIVERPOOL KE ATAS GOL ORIGI SEMALAM



Berikut antara petikan tweet oleh fans Liverpool yang berjaya dicerakinkan :



" Oh my.. Origi scored a fantastic goal!!" https://t.co/FJMBazWRqA — –(&064;andikafy) November 13,2014



VIDEO: Divock Origi vs Iceland 720HD. "Only played 2nd half. Scored a

great goal with his left weaker

foot " https://t.co/rtXjaE9pKQ

— MostarLFC (&064;MostarLFC) November 13, 2014



" I wish Origi could leave lille early to play for liverpool this January" — Evan Cadotte (&064;Scooby_Cadott November 13, 2014



"Honestly can’t wait for Origi

to get back to Liverpool,

imagine him and Sturridge."

— Brendan Rodgers (&064;LFCChris_) November 12, 2014



Begitulah antara alkisahnya. Dan Liverpool juga kini dalam usaha membawa pulang Origi lebih cepat bagi membantu usaha Liverpool bersaing di kelompok top 4.



KPLM

YOP





KeesJansma&039;s post on Vine

vine.co

Origi



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Raheem Sterling dikatekan hampir menandatangani kontrak lanjutan selama 5 thn la...

Raheem Sterling dikatekan hampir menandatangani kontrak lanjutan selama 5 thn lagi bersama Lfc dengan kenaikan gaji hampir 3 kali ganda iaitu sekitar £ 100,000 seminggu.Nilai klausa pelepasan beliau masih lagi dirahsiakan walaupun ura2 menyatakan beliau telah dinilai dengan harga hampir 70juta.Sumber karam singh walia



OTAI KPLM









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Penyerang Porto dari Colombia Jackson Martinez (28thn) berminat utk sertai The r...

Penyerang Porto dari Colombia Jackson Martinez (28thn) berminat utk sertai The reds tp hujung musim nanti.sape kate pemain star xmo dtg ke Anfield ? kehkehkeh



OTAI KPLM









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NonLiverpool Dimana kan Kucari ganti, Yang serupa denganMu.. Hari ini adalah...

NonLiverpool



Dimana kan Kucari ganti,

Yang serupa denganMu..



Hari ini adalah hari Lahir seorang Lagenda bola sepak yang pernah mengharumkan nama Malaysia pada masa lalu iaitu Allahyarham Mokhtar Dahari atau ada yang mengelarkannye &039;SuperMokh&039;Pernah di nobatkan antara pemain terbaik di Asia pada sekitar era 70an ..Jasa dan sumbangannye tetap di hargai hingga ke hari ini..Al-Fatihah..



RespectLegend

MatTroll









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DS15 bakal kembali dan bagai mana dengan position ini ? pendapat admin Gerrard...

DS15 bakal kembali dan bagai mana dengan position ini ?

pendapat admin

Gerrard out ganti Emre Can

Manquaillo out ganti Glenjo

Pendapat anda ?



kplm -zs-









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Daniel Sturridge telah kembali berlatih semula! kplm -zs-

Daniel Sturridge telah kembali berlatih semula!

kplm -zs-









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Liverpool should call him back to Anfield this January..We need him!

Liverpool should call him back to Anfield this January..We need him!





Divock Origi Fantastic Goal - Belgium vs Iceland 2-1 (Friendly Match) 2014



Divock Origi Goal - Belgium vs Iceland 2-1 (Friendly Match) 2014 Divock Origi Goal - Belgium vs Iceland 2-1 (Friendly Match) 2014



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European Qualifier: Italy's Giorgio Chiellini has no problem with Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is back in the Italy squad

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini insists that he and the rest of his Italy team-mates have no problem with Mario Balotelli returning to the Azzurri squad.

Antonio Conte called up the misfiring Liverpool striker for the first time since he replaced Cesare Prandelli as Italy coach this summer.

Balotelli, who has yet to score in the Barclays Premier League for Liverpool since moving to Anfield this summer from AC Milan, has not played for Italy since their first-round exit from the World Cup in Brazil.

When asked about Balotelli's return, Chiellini said to the Italian media on Wednesday: "There is nothing to fix (with regards to Balotelli).

"We have closed the chapter on the World Cup, which we all knew went badly.

"A new cycle begins and we must forget the past while remembering the desire to make up for what happened."

The 24-year-old Balotelli was criticised by sections of the Italian media following the Azzurri's early exit from the World Cup and there were reports that some of his national team-mates had turned against him by the end of the tournament in Brazil.

However, Chiellini denied that Conte had briefed his players regarding Balotelli's return.

"There was no confrontation, there was no need for one," Chiellini said. "The coach (Conte) makes the decisions and we're a united group that wants to win.

"Our only focus is on the team and no-one has asked us about Balotelli, especially not Conte.

"I understand that for you (the press) it's important to know how many times he (Balotelli) sneezed or went to the bathroom, but we only think about the team and about winning.

"Everyone is important in this group."

Italy take on Croatia at the San Siro in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier, with both teams level at the top of Group H after winning their opening two matches.

The Azzurri take on Albania in an international friendly two days later in Genoa.

Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti will not play a part in both games.

The 22-year-old returned to France on Wednesday having been ruled out with a left adductor injury.

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Timeline Photos

&064;[338799599554448:274:Daniel Sturridge] is back in training!



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Daniel Sturridge “happy to be back” as he finally returns to Liverpool training

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has declared himself “happy to be back” as he steps up his anticipated return from a long injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old has not featured for the Reds since August 31 after a thigh strain sustained on England duty was followed by a calf problem picked up in his first session back with his club.

Having spent last week finishing off his rehabilitation sessions at Melwood the striker has now returned to training, although with most of the first-team squad away with their national teams, he will not be involved in a proper full session until next week.

“Training was class. Happy to be back,” Sturridge tweeted on Wednesday, having written on social media after Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea he was “looking forward to returning to full training next week”.

After missing 14 matches for Liverpool the England forward is targeting a return to action when the Premier League resumes after the current break with the match at Crystal Palace on Sunday November 23.

“I’ll be ready for that one, God willing,” Sturridge told BT Sport at the weekend. “It’s the worst feeling to be honest but that’s football. Everyone picks injuries up.”

During the time Sturridge has been sidelined the Reds have won just five games – two of those in the Capital One Cup – and lost seven.

Their Premier League record during that spell shows five defeats and only eight goals in seven matches as summer signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have failed to fill the void.

That has seen Brendan Rodgers‘ side drop to 11th in the table, 15 points behind unbeaten leaders Chelsea but still only four points off a Champions League qualification place – which remains their primary target having got back among Europe’s elite with their runners-up finish to Manchester City last season.

Sturridge’s return will be a welcome boost for Rodgers as his side seek to regain their cutting edge but former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman believes they should not put too much pressure on the striker to start delivering immediately.

“Daniel Sturridge is hopefully going to be fit and raring to go (soon) and you hope Liverpool can replicate the kind of form they displayed at Tottenham away when they won really easily against a good team,” he told The Liverpool Echo. “It’ll have a positive impact because he’s a very good footballer who scored lots of goals last year, but he’ll need time to get himself fully fit and well.”

PA

.

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Norwegian prodigy and Liverpool fan Martin Odegaard admits Reds are his “dream club”

Norwegian prodigy Martin Odegaard admits Liverpool are his dream club but that will not influence any decision on his future.

The teenager was known to be one of the brightest properties in Europe even before he made his debut for the national senior side last month aged just 15, becoming the youngest player to feature in a European Championship qualifier.

He has already trained with the youth teams of Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Stuttgart – and also met Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp – has visited Real Madrid and is set to see Liverpool’s facilities for himself next month.

And while the Stromsgodset midfielder has followed his father in becoming a Reds fan, he is confident that will not affect his thinking when he makes his next career choice, most likely in the summer.

“Liverpool have always been my dream club,” Odegaard told German newspaper Sport Bild. “But I will not let this affect my decision when I choose a new club.

“It’s all about finding the team that is best for me and for my development. That is not necessarily Liverpool.

“I haven’t really thought about my future yet. I will end the season here and then visit a number of clubs. I have not made a final decision yet, though.

“Of course, it’s flattering when you hear that big clubs are after you, but I don’t think about it too often.”

Last week Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking after their 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, was reluctant to talk about Odegaard but did praise his qualities.

“I know he’s a big talent, at that age to be playing senior football at 15 and in a competitive league,” said the Northern Irishman. “He’s got wonderful ability and wonderful talent, but there’s nothing much more to say on him.”

PA

.

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Isco to Liverpool Would be a Great Signing – But Wouldn’t Solve Reds’ Issues

With Liverpool linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Isco, Jack Lusby believes that this wouldn’t address the problems in the squad.

With the Premier League entering another break due to the Adrian Chiles-embossed dirge of another international jaunt, and nearing the January transfer window, speculation has begun in earnest.

Liverpool’s first big-name link has surfaced in the form of Real Madrid and Spain playmaker Isco, and a bid of at least £30 million is reportedly in the offing, with the Liverpool Echo entertaining the story.

“Reports suggest the Reds have made him a priority target in the winter transfer window. The 22-year-old could cost upwards of £30m and has been capped four times by Spain.”

This would definitely solve one perceived issue, as Reds boss Brendan Rodgers seemingly feels.

The manager recently bemoaned his side’s inability to bring in big-name signings, claiming “we know what targets we wanted and what was out there, but for one reason or another they are not here and gone elsewhere.”

This summer’s big regret was the failure to sign Chilean virtuoso Alexis Sanchez, and the Arsenal man would have been a perfect replacement for Luis Suarez.

Furthermore, if Liverpool had gone and signed players of the calibre of £80 million Angel di Maria and £32 million Diego Costa, performances would undoubtedly have been improved, to say the least.

Rodgers’ side are not in a position to do so, however, even with the added attraction of Champions League football, and the signings of Emre Can, Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo this summer have proven canny so far.

It is more in Rodgers’ failure to address long-standing problems within his squad that Liverpool are now suffering.

Signing Isco would not deal with these.

Isco

The signing of James Rodriguez by Madrid this summer has busied Carlo Ancelotti’s forward line even further, with the £60 million Colombian effectively demanding a starting role after a long run of exceptional form.

This does work to marginalise the talents of Isco, but that is far from saying the Spaniard hasn’t been shining this season.

Take the midfielder’s outstanding performance against Liverpool in the two sides’ first Champions League encounter at Anfield this season.

Isco started on the left-hand side of midfield, replacing the injured Gareth Bale.

The 22-year-old set to tear apart the Reds’ defence with some ingenuous attacking play and an infectious work rate.

Elsewhere, arguably the Spaniard’s best performance in this La Liga season so far came in Madrid’s 5-0 away victory over Levante in mid-October.

Nicholas Rigg of ESPNFC detailed this showing perfectly: “Madrid’s man of the match with a starring performance that included a sizzling goal, a superb assist and everything in between.”

Isco would bring many qualities to this Liverpool side, and would undoubtedly boost the ranks as a genuine, world-class prospect, with a versatility that lends to Rodgers’ system.

However, would these qualities truly address the areas that are in most need at Anfield?

Liverpool Issues

This season’s downturn in form has culminated in this most miserable of international breaks, with the triple-header of losses away to Newcastle United and Madrid, and at home Chelsea, leaving Liverpool in 11th in the Premier League and with work to be done in the Champions League.

Two of Rodgers’ defensive signings in Simon Mignolet and Dejan Lovren have looked completely devoid of confidence in goal and at centre-back respectively, and this fear spreads.

Chelsea took advantage of this with a high press at Anfield, containing the Reds for much of the game.

This is what Liverpool did so well last season, with the high-energy contributions of Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling pinning opposition defences in their own half.

In turn, this would allow Steven Gerrard to flourish as a regista, spreading play from a deep-lying, aided by the legs of Jordan Henderson. Now, Gerrard is the opposition’s target.

With Mario Balotelli replacing Suarez, and with Sturridge injured for much of the season so far, Liverpool have looked far from the devastating attacking force of last term, unable to cover for their defensive deficiencies.

With so many issues to confront, one marquee signing will not transform Liverpool’s season.

Plumping for another big-money midfielder would bypass many more cancerous areas, and there is precedent in the Premier League to prove that this is not the way forward.

Juan Mata and David Moyes

One such glaring example of this was Manchester United’s signing of Spanish No. 10 Juan Mata last season, in a move which then-manager David Moyes ostensibly saw as the solution to all of his side’s woes in the Premier League.

United were in an amplified version of the situation Rodgers’ side find themselves in at this juncture, with a toothless midfield and a diminishing back line.

Bringing Mata into the club did undoubtedly boost spirits, and performances picked up on occasion, but Moyes’ downfall was ignoring the problems elsewhere in favour of making this one marquee signing.

United defender Phil Jones claimed that “it makes an impact in the dressing room when you sign a player of that calibre,” continuing that the motivation is to “show him that we are one of the best teams to be at.”

However, this is only truly relevant when the personnel are capable, and the early signs of the problems areas in this Liverpool squad suggest replacement is necessary.

Signing Isco would not provide Liverpool with a defensive leader, it would not transform Gerrard or Lucas Leiva into the requisite dominant, ball-winning midfielder, and it would not relieve the pressure on Sturridge as the side’s only dependable striker.

A great signing though it would be, Brendan Rodgers throwing the chequebook at Real Madrid to sign Isco would ignore the more pressing issues infecting his squad.

Could signing Isco salvage Liverpool’s season, or would his signing ignore other issues? Let us know in the comments below.

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petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

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