Liverpool are next up against West Ham United in the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp facing some selection posers

Liverpool are next up against West Ham United in the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp facing some selection posers

Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez is currently attracting headlines like he attracts chances. He didn't make the starting XI against Tottenham, but he certainly made the news.

Shortly after that game — where Núñez faced some criticism for failing to kill the match off from the bench — fans spotted that the striker had removed almost all references to Liverpool from his Instagram feed. Around the same time, transfer links to Barcelona emerged.

That would see Núñez follow the path of Luis Suárez. But Liverpool may still be hoping that he emulates his compatriot in a different way, exploding into goal-scoring form after a promising but unpolished start to life at the club.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola won't repeat Arsenal transfer risk he never allowed with Liverpool

READ MORE: Liverpool told Darwin Núñez has fundamental flaw by ruthless Premier League legend

Incoming head coach Arne Slot, along with FSG head of football Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes, will need to decide how much patience to afford the striker. With that in mind, Suárez has previously had some telling comments, while the latest footage perhaps gives an insight into Núñez's headspace at the minute. Here are two Liverpool.com stories from today that you don't want to miss.

Luis Suárez already said it all about Darwin Núñez

Suárez and Núñez have overlapped a little in the Uruguay team, but the nation hopes that the Liverpool striker will ultimately take over the mantle. As Liverpool knows more than most, those are some big shoes to fill.

But Suárez has long had faith in his young international teammate. He revealed on Twitch in 2021 (via SportBible) that he had once urged Barcelona to make a move for Núñez.

"When he was at Almería, I said it at Barca,” Suárez said to Gerard Romero. “They asked me and I said ‘look after this guy, he’s very interesting’, but they said no, he’s at Almería, he’s very young. But instead of paying now 80, 90, or 100 million, they would have paid 15 or 20.”

Sure enough, Liverpool did pay in that region to take Núñez from Benfica. Perhaps Barcelona could get him for slightly cheaper now if its interest proves genuine, but the recommendation of Suárez is one of many things that should make Liverpool think very carefully before cutting its losses. Read the full story from James Findlater by clicking here.

New Liverpool footage shows Núñez reaction

If Núñez's social media activity suggested something was wrong, new footage from after the Spurs game seems to reinforce that notion. The striker has worn his heart on his sleeve from the moment he joined, and while that has endeared him to the Anfield faithful, it appears he is not especially happy at the moment.

Núñez was the first one off the pitch after the win over Spurs, making a beeline for the tunnel and barely acknowledging the supporters. There are parallels with Mohamed Salah's foul mood last week against West Ham, with neither forward enjoying being benched from the start.

Salah bounced back against Spurs, and Liverpool will hope that Núñez's problems are similarly short-lived. But at the moment, it looks as though Slot could inherit a delicate situation. Read the full story here.

Adblock test (Why?)

When Jürgen Klopp has left Liverpool and his tenure is looked back on as a whole, there will be a number of things that define it. He was the man to end the wait for a league title; he won the Champions League in Madrid; and he formed a bond with the Anfield support that goes beyond anything seen for half a century.

The Klopp era will also be remembered for the battles that he had with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, though. With much fewer resources, the German was able to challenge the Etihad side far more than his one league title might suggest. Without Liverpool, Manchester City would be aiming for a seventh title in a row, not a fourth.

At its best, the perfection that Manchester City needed to show to win was driven by Liverpool. Under Klopp, the Reds got to 99 points when they won the league and 97 and 92 when they came second. These were the two best teams in the world and there was no chance that either was going to cede any ground to the other.

READ MORE: Liverpool told Darwin Núñez has fundamental flaw by ruthless Premier League legend

READ MORE: Referee explains why Joe Gomez high kick in Liverpool vs Tottenham wasn't penalty

This time, Liverpool has fallen away in the title reckoning, leaving the task of stopping Manchester City — or, rather, hoping that Guardiola's side somehow slips up — to Arsenal. And yet, it was only two years ago that Manchester City was happy to sell players to the Emirates outfit as Mikel Arteta's project began.

In the summer of 2022, Manchester City sold both Gabriel Jesus ($57m/£45m/€52m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko ($38m/£30m/€35m) to North London. With Liverpool well off the boil in the season that followed, it was Arteta's side that came closest to spoiling the title procession.

Selling that duo to Arsenal was something of a risk, though Guardiola was proven right in the end. Manchester City was able to win the title last season and while the Gunners have improved since, it is not because of either purchase from their title rival.

This week, The Athletic has reported that Arsenal would be willing to cash in on Jesus to fund a move for another forward this summer. Zinchenko, meanwhile, hasn't made it off the bench in three of the Gunners' last four league games. It does, after all, stand to reason that if you buy squad players from another team, you aren't likely to catch them.

Arsenal is now in the bracket that Liverpool has always been under Klopp. The last player to move from Manchester City to Anfield was James Milner (the summer before Klopp arrived), and even he was a free agent so his former employer could do nothing about the destination that he selected.

Under Klopp, there was never any chance of Manchester City selling to Liverpool just in case it came back to back them. Now, with Arteta's work at Arsenal having been so successful, the Gunners surely fall into the same category.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez couldn't avoid coming under the microscope even as his side hit four past Spurs. The Uruguayan was left out from the start, and caused grumbles of frustration after coming on, when he was involved as a couple of promising fast breaks broke down.

He then piled further scrutiny on himself by cryptically deleting almost all posts referencing Liverpool on his Instagram profile. That has fueled transfer speculation amid tenuous links to Barcelona.

Núñez has been the lightning rod for Liverpool angst over the past few weeks, as the end of the Premier League title challenge has coincided with a barren spell in front of goal. Though the 24-year-old's overall numbers for the season remain respectable, it's impossible not to rue the many missed chances that saw multiple pieces of silverware slip away.

READ MORE: Referee explains why Joe Gomez high kick in Liverpool vs Tottenham wasn't penalty

READ MORE: Rúben Amorim decision keeps Liverpool door ajar if Arne Slot fails

But he has certainly not been the sole offender in front of goal, and there remains plenty of optimism that he can unlock his full potential at Liverpool, with the promise of an absolutely unplayable phenomenon lurking not far beneath the surface. Of course, that relies on the record signing staying put at Anfield.

But one Premier League legend believes Liverpool will be waiting in vain if it expects Núñez to become truly elite. Jermain Defoe told Premier League Productions that Diogo Jota is the best finisher at the club.

“I think Jota is probably the best finisher,” said Defoe. “He actually finishes, like calculated finishes. Salah and Núñez, they shoot if that makes sense. They don’t finish.

“Even Núñez, in the last action when he went through on goal, the obvious solution was to go around the goalkeeper and then pass it into an empty net. But, for whatever reason, he tries to dink it over him. It’s the wrong thing to do in that situation.

"The chances, when it comes consistently, like week after week and game after game and you are missing all these chances, then you are competing against teams like Man City and Arsenal that get these chances and players are converting these chances. Then you are going to fall behind.”

Defoe is ninth on the all-time list of Premier League goal scorers, five ahead of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian certainly has cause to question the claim that he does not 'finish', but in the case of Núñez, it's getting harder to ignore the criticism.

Liverpool.com says: The most damning truth that Defoe touches upon is that Liverpool has precious little margin for error, with Manchester City and Arsenal performing so well. It's great that Núñez gets so many chances, but there's only so long he can be applauded for that if he is only putting a small proportion in the back of the net. Titles are decided on fine margins.

However, the fact Defoe also throws Salah in this category shows that perhaps there is a way forward for Núñez, even without a drastic improvement in finishing. While he may never become a true poacher, there's reason to believe that pure volume will ultimately pay off in the long run, especially as at least some of his woes in front of goal can be chalked up to bad luck.

Adblock test (Why?)

Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho are just two of Liverpool's loanees who will be looking to replace Arne Slot this summer

Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho are just two of Liverpool's loanees who will be looking to replace Arne Slot this summer

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and has been linked with Real Madrid

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and has been linked with Real Madrid

On May 7, 2019, we witnessed what is arguably Anfield’s greatest ever night – certainly the Reds’ greatest ever European comeback.

While we all remember the goals, the emotions, the celebrations after full-time – and, of course, that we went on to win No. 6 in Madrid – there’s so much about that night that made it possibly even better than you recall.

Without even mentioning the fact we were 3-0 down from the first leg, a scoreline that was far from a fair reflection of how well Liverpool actually played in the Camp Nou, there’s plenty more that made this scoreline against the odds.

“There’s hope and it’s football,” said Jurgen Klopp in his pre-match press conference.

“If we can do it: wonderful. If we can’t do it, let’s fail in the most beautiful way.”

Liverpool did not fail, and they did it in the most beautiful way.

No Salah or Firmino…but more to it than that

Had we won this with the first-choice front three fit and on form, blitzing the opposition like in European games vs. Roma and Man City the season before, it would still be incredible.

But there was no Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, both injured.

In fact, the day before the game Liverpool had trained with just 14 outfield players, with Virgil van Dijk, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all working separately from their group as they carried injury issues.

Naby Keita was also ruled out and there were genuine claims that Rhian Brewster would be handed his first professional appearance in senior football.

Brewster didn’t start, but was among the subs alongside fellow teenager Ben Woodburn.

Klopp instead went with Divock Origi up front, with Sadio Mane on the left and Xherdan Shaqiri on the right…

Shaqiri’s first start in FOUR months

That Shaqiri played 90 minutes was a miracle in itself (he was subbed at 90 minutes for Daniel Sturridge).

The Swiss hadn’t started a match in four months before this. And only made six sub appearances during that time.

Just as rare was Shaqiri lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Klopp having until then only used him when adopting a 4-2-3-1 lineup.

The decision paid off, with Shaq assisting Wijnaldum’s second with an inch-perfect cross from the left.

Henderson’s injury

After half an hour, Jordan Henderson took a hefty blow to the knee and looked set to be subbed off.

Gini Wijnaldum was stripped and ready to come on, but Henderson went back on.

At half-time, Liverpool’s captain wasn’t in the changing room with his team-mates. Instead, he was in a warm-up room across the hallway on an indoor bicycle in order to keep his knee from seizing up.

“The doctor said just keep it moving,” explained Henderson post-match. “I managed to get to half-time and I had a bit of treatment, took painkillers, all that stuff. There was a jab and tablets. Both. Everything.

“I said, ‘just give us everything’.”

Then Henderson went out and gave everything on the pitch.

And Robertson’s injury…

Ten minutes after Henderson’s injury, it was Andy Robertson who was down after a clash with Luis Suarez.

The Scot made it to half-time, but then came that Wijnaldum sub.

We now had James Milner at left-back, no Salah, no Firmino, Henderson carrying an injury.

Alisson’s saves…

Everybody knew that a goal for Barca would’ve meant Liverpool needing five…with the Catalan’s tweet from the first leg reminding us of that!

And so it was Alisson who made five big saves on the night: four of them with the score at 1-0.

First from Messi, then a weak Phil Coutinho attempt, then from Jordi Alba on the stroke of half-time.

Suarez then was foiled just before Wijnaldum’s first goal, then Messi was denied at the near post at 3-0.

Big saves from the Brazilian.

Robbo really got under Messi’s skin

Andy Robbo really got carried away in the emotion of the night and really got under the skin of Messi.

However, the moment when he pushed the Argentinian in the back of the head he later admitted he regrets:

“I do look back on that moment with Messi as one regret. I don’t like seeing it. When I saw it afterwards I was gutted.”

…and Suarez’s

[embedded content]

[embedded content]

Robbo had a running battle with Suarez in the first leg and the first half of the second leg before the pair clashed, forcing the Scot off injured.

But his response at full-time was the best part: “Who is going to the final? That’s all that matters.”

Trent’s humble response

[embedded content]

[embedded content]

A 21-year-old Trent was clearly moved by the emotion of the night, but his response after all the full-time celebrations had calmed showed his humility.

After all the other players had left the pitch, he took a lap around to thank the fans and to drink in that atmosphere.

It was a special moment, and even the Barca fans applauded him back.

“F**king mentality giants”

It was here that Klopp really got carried away with the mentality of his squad.

“I’ve watched so many football games in my life and I cannot remember a lot like this, playing against maybe the best team in the world,” he told BT Sport post-match.

“Winning is already difficult, but winning with a clean sheet…I don’t know how the boys did it.

“These boys are fucking mentality giants, it’s unbelievable.”

There were tears

[embedded content]

[embedded content]

There were tears in the stands as emotional Reds witnessed a game for the ages, one they’ll tell the grandkids about and will live forever in Liverpool’s folklore.

Fans on the Kop broke out into song as George Sephton played John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, while Barcelona fans applauded from the opposite end of the ground.

There were also tears from the players.

“I saw James Milner crying after the game on the pitch, it means so much to all of us,” explained Klopp. “You could see the faces in the stadium.”

Shaqiri added: “We were celebrating, some of the guys were crying.”

And finally, those full-time scenes

[embedded content]

[embedded content]

Watch it. Watch it for the emotion, the togetherness, the pride, the humility, the uniqueness of this football club.

Watch it to remember one of the nights that have made Klopp’s reign at Liverpool so special.

* A version of this article was first published in May 2020.

Adblock test (Why?)

The latest Liverpool news as Harvey Elliott has started the last two Premier League games and scored in spectacular fashion in Sunday's 4-2 win over Tottenham.

The latest Liverpool news as Harvey Elliott has started the last two Premier League games and scored in spectacular fashion in Sunday's 4-2 win over Tottenham.

Virgil van Dijk has provided an encouraging update (of sorts) on his Liverpool future, but Darwin Nunez has curiously deleted all Reds-related Instagram posts.

Van Dijk drops contract update, sort of

Van Dijk is out of contract in the summer of 2025, leading to concerns about a Liverpool exit in the near future.

Thankfully, it looks as though the Reds captain has no intention of leaving, however, telling This Is Anfield he is “very happy” at Anfield and ready to aid a “big transition”:

“I think there is nothing for me to discuss because there is no news, I think the club is very much busy with who is going to be the new manager and that is the main focus.

“Like I said I am very happy here, I love the club and you can see that as well. It’s a big part of my life already, and that is all I can say.

“The focus is now on the last two and then the club will focus on who the new manager is and there will be a big transition and I am part of that.”

And…breathe!

4 other things today: Nunez mystery & Slot farewell

• Darwin Nunez has removed every Liverpool post from his Instagram account – could it be a hint at a summer exit?

• Emotional scenes unfolded over the weekend as Arne Slot bid farewell to the Feyenoord supporters. Here’s hoping he gets this much love at Anfield in years to come!

• Liverpool’s ‘interest’ in a Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida has been explained after a surprise trip to the UK – don’t get too excited about the signing happening!

• Ex-referee Dermot Gallagher has given a strange defence of Paul Tierney over a “too dramatic” Cody Gakpo penalty call – it’s all just one big boys’ club over there!

Latest Liverpool FC News

• Liverpool U21s will play Tottenham in the quarter-finals of Premier League 2 – the match will be played this weekend. Spurs finished top of the table before the playoff split!

• Stefan Bajcetic has explained how “happy” he is to be back fit – he was rusty against Spurs, but it’s so good to have him available again (LFC)

• Liverpool will release a special documentary on Jurgen Klopp, featuring interviews with some huge figures, from Pep Guardiola to Alex Ferguson (Mail)

Other chat from elsewhere

• Bayern Munich are keen on appointing Man United boss Erik ten Hag as their next manager – what are they smoking at the Allianz Arena?! (Sky Sports)

• Julen Lopetegui has agreed to become the next West Ham boss this summer – David Moyes will leave at the end of the season (BBC Sport)

• Referee Jarred Gillett will wear a video camera during Crystal Palace‘s clash with Man United this evening – this could actually be genuinely interesting! (BBC Sport)

Tweet of the day and match of the night

It’s now exactly five years to the day since Sergio Busquets last posted a tweet – what could possibly have happened to put him off doing it again…?

#LFCBarça We’re ready! ?? pic.twitter.com/0mGpLNsWhi

— Sergio Busquets (@5sergiob) May 6, 2019

Tuesday marks half a decade since Anfield’s greatest-ever night – where does the time go?

Match of the night is Crystal Palace vs. Man United (8pm BST), which admittedly isn’t an end-of-season thriller!

United still want to seal a European place of some kind, though, so there is an element of importance to it for them.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool legend John Aldridge strikes at the big issues at Anfield in the first part of his ECHO column

Liverpool legend John Aldridge strikes at the big issues at Anfield in the first part of his ECHO column

While Liverpool have been linked with a move for Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida ahead of the arrival of Arne Slot as head coach, a deal seems unlikely.

Given Slot is poised to arrive from Feyenoord this summer, it is no surprise that Liverpool have already been linked with a number of his players.

Chief among those is versatile defender Geertruida, who fuelled speculation as he attended the recent 2-2 draw with West Ham.

With no player making more appearances in Slot’s managerial career and his contract set to expire in 2025, it seemed realistic that the incoming head coach would at least recommend the 23-year-old.

However, according to Dutch publication Algemeen Dagblad, Geertruida is a player who has “not yet been discussed” by Liverpool’s recruitment team.

His visit to the UK was instead to catch up with close friend Crysencio Summerville, watching the Leeds winger in their unfortunate 4-0 loss at QPR the night before he attended West Ham.

[embedded content]

[embedded content]

Geertruida is described as “a serious option for many clubs” and it is maintained that he could be “possibly also for Liverpool later.”

But the likelihood is that the right-back – who can also play at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield – is not viewed as a genuine option by Liverpool.

As Joel Matip prepares to depart on a free transfer, the emphasis will be on bringing in a new centre-back to improve the quality of the squad, rather than make up the numbers.

While Geertruida is an accomplished defender, his lack of experience outside the Eredivisie – having spent his entire senior career so far with Feyenoord – may make him a gamble in that respect.

There is no indication that Slot will have a major influence on Liverpool’s transfer plans, and in fact, the club will look to Erik ten Hag’s failed signings at Man United as an example of why they should avoid that route.

Slot will be employed as a head coach, with recruitment led by sporting director Richard Hughes and assistant David Woodfine, working in accordance with scouting and data teams and beneath CEO of football Michael Hughes.

The 45-year-old will likely have a say in players signed and sold, but he is largely required to work with the talent afforded to him.

Liverpool have been credited with an interest in a number of centre-backs already, including Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho.

Adblock test (Why?)

Ian Doyle with the analysis as Liverpool find pointers for the future after remarkable Premier League 2 comeback against Crystal Palace

Ian Doyle with the analysis as Liverpool find pointers for the future after remarkable Premier League 2 comeback against Crystal Palace

Liverpool are preparing for a new era under Arne Slot as the Dutchman prepares to succeed Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool are preparing for a new era under Arne Slot as the Dutchman prepares to succeed Jurgen Klopp