Liverpool supporters in Dublin will have the chance to meet club legend John Aldridge.

Liverpool FC has released the following ticket details for Liverpool FC Women's match with Everton on Sunday November 17.

The Women's Super League fixture will be played at Anfield with a 3pm GMT kick-off.

TICKET SALES

Adults and over 65s: £5

Wheelchair and ambulant: £4

*Juniors (16 & under): Free of charge

*Junior tickets can only be allocated with adult or over 65 tickets and can be obtained within a ratio of 1:3 in the advertised family areas.

Season ticket holders and Members can gain admission free of charge but must still secure their ticket in advance.

LFC Women season ticket holders and supporters who have already purchased tickets via Liverpool FC Women – Web Ticket Manager will be contacted by email in the week commencing October 28 with details of how they can obtain their tickets.

Tickets can be purchased:

Online - from 10am on Thursday October 24 until 1pm on Wednesday November 13

Ticket office – from 10am Thursday on October 24 until 3pm on Saturday November 16

Accessible tickets must be purchased from the ticket office or by calling 0151 264 2500.

Supporters can purchase up to a maximum of EIGHT tickets per transaction.

STADIUM ACCESS INFORMATION

For this fixture, barcoded paper tickets will be provided for ALL supporters attending and must be used to gain access into the stadium. Liverpool Football Club season ticket and Member access cards will not be activated.

ONLY SUPPORTERS IN POSSESSION OF A TICKET SHOULD TRAVEL TO ANFIELD.

PLEASE NOTE: ONCE TICKET SALES END AT 3PM ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE ANY FURTHER WALK-UP SALES.

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Liverpool FC has released the following ticket details for Liverpool FC Women's match with Everton on Sunday November 17.

More history will be made at Anfield next month when Liverpool FC Women play their first ever league game at the ground.

And the Women’s Super League fixture will be even more memorable as it will see the Reds face city rivals Everton in a Merseyside derby.

The match will take place on Sunday November 17 with a 3pm GMT kick-off – forming part of the FA Women’s Football Weekend during the next men’s international break.

Reds CEO Peter Moore, who is also chairman of LFC Women, said: “This is an historic moment for women’s football on Merseyside.

“We’re incredibly proud to have our women’s team play their first league game at Anfield and for it to be a Merseyside derby against Everton makes it extra special.

“Our fans now have the opportunity to watch our women’s team at our spiritual home and I’m sure it will be a memorable occasion.

“We look forward to extending the warmest of welcomes to Everton’s players, staff and supporters.”

Adult tickets for the game will cost £5 with up to three accompanying children (under 16) for free, to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the occasion.

LFC’s ongoing commitment to allow Anfield season ticket holders and Official Members free access to women’s games will continue for the fixture, although everyone must secure their tickets in advance at www.liverpoolfc.com/tickets.

LFC Women season ticket holders and those with pre-paid tickets will be contacted next week to arrange their tickets.

Vicky Jepson, manager of LFC Women, said: “Myself, the staff and the players are all thrilled to have the opportunity to play a game at Anfield.

“It is always special to represent a club like Liverpool but to do so at our home stadium is a fantastic prospect.

“It’s a great chance for us to introduce our women’s team to a whole new group of Reds supporters and, quite simply, we can’t wait.”

The two league games between the clubs were shared last season, with Everton winning their home fixture 2-1 and the Reds securing a 3-1 victory in the return meeting at their usual home of Prenton Park in May.

Willie Kirk, Everton manager, said: “Everyone at Everton is looking forward to the game at Anfield. Any Merseyside derby means so much to fans of both clubs and this will be a big occasion for the teams.

“Hopefully we can build on the growing popularity of women’s football, shown by some fantastic attendances at the Etihad, Stamford Bridge and the London Stadium, and put on a show.

“We hope for a packed-out crowd and to have as many Evertonians as possible cheering us on.”

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More history will be made at Anfield next month when Liverpool FC Women play their first ever league game at the ground.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been nominated for both the Champions League Player and Goal of the Week awards.

The midfielder starred on his first appearance in the competition in nearly 18 months as he netted twice in the Reds' 4-1 victory at Genk on Wednesday.

After opening the scoring in the second minute, the No.15 then made it 2-0 with a breathtaking outside-of-the-boot finish in the second half.

You can cast a vote for Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal by clicking here and his performance here.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been nominated for both the Champions League Player and Goal of the Week awards.

Oxlade-Chamberlain scored his first goals in 18 months as Liverpool thrashed Genk in the Champions League By Ben Grounds

Last Updated: 24/10/19 3:34pm

0:25 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the quality of his side's finishing in their 4-1 Champions League win at Genk. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the quality of his side's finishing in their 4-1 Champions League win at Genk.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was reserved in his praise for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the midfielder marked his return to the Champions League with two goals.

The England midfielder, who missed virtually all of last season with a serious knee injury and has not featured in the Champions League for 18 months, scored the first two in a 4-1 win against Genk - the second a sublime strike off the underside of the crossbar with the outside of his foot.

"It was absolutely a great moment for him, but I would say with Ox his performance was exactly the same as the performance of the team - the goals were great but all the rest could have been better,' said Klopp.

"That's how it is, but it's no problem. The (second) goal was sensational and very important for us. Wonderful.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's last goal for Liverpool came in this competition in April 2018

"On Sunday, Adam (Lallana) scored the goal, and now Ox has scored two goals. It's really nice. Absolutely great, a great story."

Liverpool led 1-0 after a messy first half in which the hosts could have scored three times.

Part of that was due to Klopp fielding an untested midfield of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Fabinho and also because he was without 50 per cent of his regular back four with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip absent.

"We had good moments, a lot of good moments, and made a very good start," said Klopp.

"Then had another 10 or 15 minutes absolutely okay, exactly as we had to do it.

"The plan worked okay then not any more because we lost completely unexpected balls we were not ready for, which in the formation was not possible.

Jurgen Klopp described Oxlade-Chamberlain's' goals as 'a great story'

"Sometimes we took in the wrong moments a risk, passing a one-two in a very tight situation makes not too much sense.

"We had to defend their balls with legs and had to run for it. They got a bit of momentum which after our start was completely unnecessary but that's what happened.

"It was a pretty stiff first half. Then we scored the second goal, by the way the first goal was very brilliant and the second goal even nicer, and all our goals were unbelievably beautiful.

"After the second it was a proper knock for Genk it looked like and we scored the third and fourth.

"We conceded one which wasn't cool but it's not the biggest problem in the world. We won the game, job done. That's it."

Analysis: Do Liverpool still need to strengthen? Divock Origi started in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United in Salah's absence

Former Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell told The Debate:

"Personally, I feel Liverpool need another striker. I know it sounds crazy because the front three are amazing, but I think they need another one to test the top three. I've got nothing against Divock Origi - and I think he's a fantastic player and does his part.

"But I would love to see someone challenge their front three to really keep them on their game. Sadio Mane is on fire at the moment, Mohamed Salah has been but he's not at the moment, and Roberto Firmino does a lot of the dog work, but still doesn't score enough.

"I would love to have seen [Antoine] Griezmann there. I think he's fantastic and is their type of player. The option of competing to get into a top team, challenging for titles, would have been the incentive."

4:13 Speaking on The Debate, former Liverpool star Harry Kewell and Sky Sports' Paul Merson both discuss whether the Liverpool squad needs strengthening Speaking on The Debate, former Liverpool star Harry Kewell and Sky Sports' Paul Merson both discuss whether the Liverpool squad needs strengthening

Sky Sports' Paul Merson added:

"I always feel that if one of the front three doesn't play, it weakens them so much. If they are going to bring in another player to challenge them, it's going to be another £80m or £100m player.

"If you say to them that we want you to come to Liverpool and they ask 'where am I going to play?' And they're told, 'well, you're not playing' - that's the problem. Tottenham have had it for the last five years - they've had a team from one to 11.

"I wouldn't say the squad is majorly strong. I think if Virgil van Dijk went missing for six weeks, I'd be shocked if they didn't drop points. Or if two of the three got injured up front, I think they would struggle.

"You need to build on success."

Antoine Greizmann elected to join Barcelona from Atletico Madrid last summer Analysis: Oxlade-Chamberlain's stunning CL return a reminder of his talent

Sky Sports' Peter Smith…

Eighteen months separated Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's last two Champions League appearances. And after his long, long battle back from the bad knee injury he suffered in the semi-finals of the competition in April 2018, his splendid double in Liverpool's win at Genk on Wednesday night were sweet moments.

Oxlade-Chamberlain vs Genk Stat Total Goals 2 Shots 3 Chances created 1 Tackles 2 Passing accuracy 89% Crosses 3

All of those hours in the treatment room and the endless gym sessions he had to endure - while his team-mates were lighting up the Premier League and on their way to lifting the Champions League - they all led up to these match-winning moments, which Oxlade-Chamberlain will no doubt cherish for a long time to come.

But this is not the end of the journey. Oxlade-Chamberlain is now in contention to become a key part of Liverpool's midfield as they push for a first Premier League title and mount a Champions League defence.

Liverpool vs Tottenham

October 27, 2019, 4:00pm

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Boss Jurgen Klopp clearly admires his attributes - the fact Oxlade-Chamberlain was handed a new long-term contract in August underlined Liverpool's faith in the midfielder. And his performance in Belgium demonstrated the pressing, the passing and the panache Oxlade-Chamberlain can bring to this Liverpool side.

There's hot competition in the middle of the park - Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri will all be competing for similar roles to Oxlade-Chamberlain. But the Ox is back and has made a memorable statement of why he deserves to be a central figure this season.

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Alisson Becker is ready to embrace the hard work he believes will be required for Liverpool to achieve more success.

The Champions League-winning goalkeeper made his first appearance in the competition this season as the Reds defeated Genk 4-1 in Belgium on Wednesday night.

He had, of course, been sidelined with a calf issue for two months before returning to the starting line-up at Manchester United last weekend.

A classy brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and well-taken strikes by Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah earned three points at Genk that have left Liverpool nicely placed in Group E.

Watch: Genk 1-4 Liverpool in 90 seconds

But Alisson feels there is plenty for the team to improve if they are to challenge for honours this term, not least because there is a target on their back as European champions.

Read our post-match interview with the Brazilian below…

On Liverpool’s performance…

It’s really good to be back in the Champions League. We did a good game, we won 4-1 – it’s difficult here. Away games in the Champions League are always difficult. When we focused more in the game and put more intensity, we could create more chances of goals and score. The only bad point is we didn’t get a clean sheet because everyone wants that. But the most important thing is the three points and we are happy about that.

On being back from injury…

It was a tough moment but I dealt well with it. I spent good time with my family; it’s not normal for us as football players. I tried to get the maximum from the time, I could make a good pre-season – at least three or four weeks of working hard after the recovery time. Now coming back in the Champions League and Premier League with the way the team is playing, I’m really happy to be back. I’ll try to do my best to stay here a long time and stay away from injuries.

On Oxlade-Chamberlain’s brace…

It was special for everyone. We see him working hard in the training ground. In the last weeks I worked with him; in the last international break we had training and he was enjoying the sessions. I’m really happy for him scoring like that, playing like that and helping the team. I think he is really happy, as am I.

On the Reds’ position in the group…

It’s a long road, we need to keep focused and keep playing well in the games, put more intensity into the games. We are in the right way. We have a lot to grow during the season. We achieved big things last season but we don’t want to stop, we want more. But to achieve more we need to work more and work hard because everyone wants to beat Liverpool, the last champion of the Champions League. So we need to work hard. We have a good chance.

On Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur…

It’s always good to play against a tough rival. Tottenham had a tough moment in the last five games but they proved their value in the last one, they proved their quality. We played against Red Star and we know how difficult it is. They did well, they won 5-0. It will be a good game for us, a good test. Now we need to rest and focus on that game 100 per cent.

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Alisson Becker is ready to embrace the hard work he believes will be required for Liverpool to achieve more success.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain notched a stunning Champions League brace as Liverpool beat Genk 4-1 in Belgium on Wednesday night.

The midfielder opened the scoring after just two minutes and added a brilliant outside-of-the-boot finish in the second half, before Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah wrapped up victory for the Reds in the Group E clash.

Here are five talking points from the game at KRC Genk Arena...

Ox announces Champions League return

Handed a start following his impressive performance off the bench against Manchester United on Sunday, it took Oxlade-Chamberlain just one minute and 50 seconds to make his mark against Genk.

Looking sharp and spritely from kick-off, the Liverpool midfielder collected a pass from Fabinho about 20 yards from goal, took a touch and fired a precision daisy-cutter into the far corner to notch the fourth-fastest goal in the club's Champions League history.

The goal scored by @Alex_OxChambo is the 4th fastest @LFC goal in the Champions League and the 9th time they have s… https://t.co/0nzYka5WkU

— ged0407 (Ged Rea) 23rd Oct 19:19

It was the Englishman's first strike since suffering a serious knee injury 18 months ago, but we didn't have to wait quite as long for his next one.

Indeed, the second arrived 55 minutes later and was even better than his first. Teed up on the edge of the box by the irrepressible Roberto Firmino, the Liverpool No.15 bent a looping effort over goalkeper Gaetan Coucke and in off the crossbar with the outside of his boot.

New midfield mix

Jürgen Klopp made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 at Old Trafford at the weekend and fielded a midfield trio of Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita which had never played together before.

Not that you would have known.

We have already highlighted Oxlade-Chamberlain's decisive contribution but the combative Keita also caught the eye on his first start since the 2-0 EFL Cup win over Milton Keynes Dons back in September.

His first pass of the match purposely came off his back (yes, his back) for Andy Robertson and the Guinean grew into the game from there.

The No.8 helped boss the midfield as he repeatedly won the ball and then showed his class in possession to help drive his team upfield.

With birthday boy Fabinho anchoring the midfield with typical aplomb - and stepping out to provide an assist - the trio have given Klopp yet more selection options. 

Firmino still making jaws drop

We already know it, but it's worth stating once again: Firmino is class.

Just when you think you have seen it all from the Brazilian forward, he conjures something that still makes your jaw drop.

His outrageous rabona through ball for Mane on 25 minutes was one such moment. The heroics of Genk goalkeeper Coucke may have denied a picture-book goal but the skill itself was enough to make you drool.

Another moment arrived when he controlled a chest-height ball with nonchalant ease and flicked off a pass to keep Liverpool on the attack as if it was nothing. It was really something.

Oh, and the assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain's second goal and the inventive reverse pass in the build-up to Mane scoring Liverpool's third weren't bad either.

Salah's goalscoring return

An ankle knock ruled Salah out of Liverpool's 1-1 draw with United on Sunday but he was thrown straight back into action at KRC Genk Arena.

Double-marked by defenders Jere Uronen and Jhon Lucumi throughout the match, the Egyptian still managed to pop up with a clever assist for Mane and then topped that by scoring Liverpool's fourth goal in the closing minutes.

Having been picked out by Mane on the edge of the box, Salah showed strength to wriggle free of Lucumi before spinning between two defenders and prodding a shot beyond Coucke and into the back of the net.

Salah has now netted 19 goals for the Reds in the Champions League. Only Steven Gerrard has ever scored more for the club in the competition, with 30.

Like father, like son

And finally, a special mention must go to the stirring welcome Divock Origi received from the Genk fans when he came on as a substitute in the 80th minute.

Serenaded from the stands, it was a touching moment for a player who spent nine years at the Belgian side's academy before moving to Lille in 2010 at the age of 15.

His father, Mike, also represented the club from 1998 to 2002 and before the match Origi had spoken of how Genk holds a special place in his heart.

It appears the feeling is mutual.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain notched a stunning Champions League brace as Liverpool beat Genk 4-1 in Belgium on Wednesday night.

Liverpool picked up their first away win of the group stage in the Champions League with an improved showing in a 4-1 success at Genk.

Genk 1-4 Liverpool

Champions League Group Stage (3), Luminus Arena
October 23, 2019

Goals: Odey 88′; Oxlade-Chamberlain 2′, 57′, Mane 77′, Salah 87′

Different approach or rewarding the form?

The starting lineup was always going to have a number of alterations this time around due to fitness and unavailability, but Jurgen Klopp‘s eventual choices perhaps spoke volumes.

Dejan Lovren came in at the back, perhaps due to his decent outing against Leicester before the international break, while James Milner was also recalled at right-back, also having played well against the Foxes.

Both came in ahead of Joe Gomez, who had mixed reviews with his own last appearance—or was Jurgen’s decision to bench the younger defender simply due to the fact he could cover the entire back line?

The same arguments could be made in midfield.

Were Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita put in because of good sub appearances against Man United?

Or, were they included ahead of Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson for the tactical probability of having lots of possession, high upfield, and being more inclined to get in the box, be adventurous with their passing and getting shots away on goal?

Klopp has usually looked to reward those who are fighting hard to win their place—with performances, not just work rate—and perhaps these switches were another indication to his squad that places are up for grabs.

Away days in Europe

Liverpool’s struggles to win away in the Champions League has been highlighted of late, with it being two years since the Reds managed three points on the road in the group stage—despite reaching two finals in that time.

Of course, we’ve won when it mattered most: Bayern, Porto and Man City are among those who were beaten on their own patch, as well as the final in Madrid being away from Merseyside of course.

A trip to Genk, then, seemed to be the perfect opportunity to end that barren run—though Napoli’s 0-0 draw in Belgium showed that the Reds would have to earn the win.

They couldn’t, then, have asked for a better start.

An early goal set the tone for the dominant spell and, even with Genk having a few moments of their own, Liverpool always had the quality and the movement to carve far more chances.

A pleasingly clinical night, with technique and intent and a little bit of luck, and we’re back on the winning track in Europe.

The importance of goals from midfield

About those two in midfield.

It was a year-and-a-half between goals for Oxlade-Chamberlain, but his strike was a timely reminder for some of his team-mates that No. 8s are expected to contribute in this way as well.

He’s the most keen, and most capable, of the group to get those efforts away—but we’ve seen at times that the front three can’t always be on fire and in those instances, other players need to chip in.

Two goals for Oxlade-Chamberlain on the night is one fewer than Keita managed in all of last season, as many as Henderson has managed in two years and the three months of this campaign, and equal to the tally notched by Adam Lallana between 21 May 2017 and this Sunday just gone.

Mane and Salah put some gloss on the scoresheet, but opening teams up and getting the Reds’ collective noses in front requires more than just a reliance on the attack.

This was a skewed match, perhaps, given that only two starters—right-back Milner and…centre-forward Firmino, bizarrely—didn’t attempt at least one shot, but it still serves to highlight two important points.

One, we have the players who can carry a threat from the second line. And two, that we need them, and need others to follow suit. Not this match, perhaps, but in others.

Elite level end product

Salah wasn’t in particularly great form in Belgium, which makes it hugely enjoyable, laughable or downright terrifying—depending on your point of view and team you support—that he still managed to claim a goal and an assist.

His strike to round off the win was excellent, a smooth turn away from two defeners and finish on his weaker foot, while the assist for Mane was well-timed, perfectly weighted and entirely irritating for all those who wished to continue the “not passing to each other” debate.

Mane himself, meanwhile, was industrious and energetic without ever really being brilliant—yet also scored, a very well-taken goal, and could have had another.

It’s indicative of the overall level of confidence and quality that the attack can contribute even when not on top of their game.

Indeed, that Firmino was the brightest and best of the bunch yet didn’t even have a shot speaks more volumes of the variety of talent in the attack, the selfless nature of his game and the brilliant mix the Reds have at their disposal.

Big games keep coming and a big step in the group

Two games down since the international break, still another five to come in quick succession.

A return to winning ways at the weekend in the Premier League is a must, now made all the more difficult by Spurs remembering they are a football team, not a floundering bunch of misfits.

It’s fair to suggest they’ll be wanting revenge for Madrid, as well as simply being desperate for points to close the gap toward the top four.

And we need to win to keep our own gap in place: between us, and the rest. Anfield remains a formidable fortress, and we’ll need it to prove exactly that on Sunday.

Chances to rotate can lie ahead in all three games thereafter, arguable, against Arsenal, Villa and Genk—before the big one, at home to Man City.

Klopp still has us on the winning path; let’s stay firmly on track and clock up three points with unbearable regularity. After all, that’s what we do best.

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Watch every angle of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's stunning second goal against Genk in our LFCTV GO video now.

Watch every angle of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's stunning second goal against Genk in our LFCTV GO video now.

The midfielder doubled his and Liverpool's tally in Wednesday's Champions League tie with a finish of remarkable invention and technique.

Oxlade-Chamberlain guided an outside-of-the-boot hit off the underside of the crossbar and into the net to ease the Reds on their way to a 4-1 win.

See the brilliant strike from a variety of angles above.

Not yet signed up for LFCTV GO? Join now and claim your first month for free.

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Jurgen Klopp had praise for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain—but wants more from the team’s overall performance level after Liverpool beat Genk 4-1.

[embedded content]

The Reds saw off their Belgian rivals for a first Champions League group stage away win in two years, to sit second in the group at the halfway point.

In addition to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s brace, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah both netted, before a late consolation for the home team. Liverpool were dominant for the most part, but gifted counter-attacking chances after losing possession easily at times.

The boss was glad to have “job done,” but was keen to note that improvements can still be found.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Klopp allowed that there were parts of the game where the Reds impressed, but that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goals were key.

“We started well. [At half-time] we could show the boys a couple of spaces they could use in the second half and then it was like a proper knock for Genk [after the second goal]. We won the game, job done, that’s it.

“Great moment for him but Ox’s performance was exactly like the team: the goals were great but the rest could be better.

“The goals were sensational and very important for us; Adam scored the goal Sunday and now Ox scored two, really nice, great story.”

Klopp also elaborated on his pre-game choices to field James Milner over Joe Gomez, and clarified that Andy Robertson‘s substitution in the second half was not due to injury.

“Andy’s OK. I didn’t see it like that [choosing Milner over Gomez], I only saw it as picking Millie!

“In the way we wanted to play, Millie was the clear solution for that moment.

“But Joe did really well, looked confident, clear, it was good. It was nothing against Joe.”

Klopp will now lead his team back to Merseyside, ahead of a big weekend Premier League clash with Tottenham at Anfield.

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Jurgen Klopp was reserved in his praise for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the midfielder marked his return to the Champions League after an 18-month absence with two goals.

The England midfielder, who missed virtually all of last season with a serious knee injury, scored the first two in a 4-1 win against Genk—the second a sublime strike off the underside of the crossbar with the outside of his foot—but Klopp felt both the player and the team could have done better.

“It was absolutely a great moment for him, but I would say with Ox his performance was exactly the same as the performance of the team—the goals were great but all the rest could have been better,” said Klopp.

“That’s how it is, but it’s no problem. The [second] goal was sensational and very important for us. Wonderful.

“On Sunday, Adam [Lallana] scored the goal, and now Ox has scored two goals. It’s really nice. Absolutely great, a great story.”

Liverpool led 1-0 after a messy first half in which the hosts could have scored three times.

Part of that was due to Klopp fielding an untested midfield of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Fabinho and also because he was without 50 per cent of his regular back four with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip absent.

“We had good moments, a lot of good moments, and made a very good start,” said Klopp.

“Then had another 10 or 15 minutes absolutely okay, exactly as we had to do it.

[embedded content]

“The plan worked okay then not any more because we lost completely unexpected balls we were not ready for, which in the formation was not possible.

“Sometimes we took in the wrong moments a risk, passing a one-two in a very tight situation makes not too much sense.

“We had to defend their balls with legs and had to run for it. They got a bit of momentum which after our start was completely unnecessary but that’s what happened.

“It was a pretty stiff first half. Then we scored the second goal, by the way the first goal was very brilliant and the second goal even nicer, and all our goals were unbelievably beautiful.

“After the second it was a proper knock for Genk it looked like and we scored the third and fourth.

“We conceded one which wasn’t cool but it’s not the biggest problem in the world. We won the game, job done. That’s it.”

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Gunners boss highlighted the Liverpool midfielder as an example of a player needing time to adjust to Premier League as Nicolas Pepe continues to struggle

Last Updated: 24/10/19 12:05am

1:08 Unai Emery reveals he wanted to sign Fabinho when the Liverpool midfielder was at Monaco Unai Emery reveals he wanted to sign Fabinho when the Liverpool midfielder was at Monaco

Unai Emery has revealed Fabinho was a target for Arsenal, before Liverpool signed him from Monaco last summer.

Emery was Paris Saint-Germain boss when Fabinho helped Monaco beat his side to the league title in 2017, and the Spaniard admits that he wanted to sign the midfielder when he was appointed Arsenal manager last year.

The Gunners boss splashed out a fee in excess of £70m to recruit Nicolas Pepe this summer, but he has yet to make the desired impact for his new club.

He has scored just once, a penalty in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, and missed a fine chance to open the scoring as Arsenal slipped to a 1-0 loss at Sheffield United on Monday Night Football.

Emery has insisted Pepe will need time to adapt ever since securing his signature, and pointed to Fabinho as proof.

"We spent money with Pepe, but Pepe needs time to adapt to the Premier League," he said.

"For example, in France I loved a lot Fabinho. He was in Monaco and I wanted to sign him for Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool signed the midfielder for £40m from Monaco in 2018

"When I arrived here, also his name was on the table to achieve to sign him, but he signed for Liverpool.

"The first six months he didn't play, it was adaptation. But now he is amazing and I want the same with (Dani) Ceballos, with Pepe.

"We need patience, but Pepe is improving. On Monday, the key to win was with him. If he scores the first goal, it's different.

"But it's one process and I believe in him and I know we need time and patience. The supporters have patience, some more than others."

Nicolas Pepe is still yet to score a goal for Arsenal from open play

Pepe is likely to sit out Thursday night's Europa League Group F clash at home to Vitoria Guimaraes - but Emery could yet opt to include him in his side to give him another chance to impress.

Emery talked with his players for 10 minutes on the training ground on the eve of the Vitoria Guimaraes game, and pointed to his desire to promote young talent as a reason for the delay in returning the club to the top.

"We have time and we have very young players, who we are giving confidence and minutes in the Premier League to adapt to the rhythm we want," he added.

"We are getting there but we can do better. I know we need to win, we need to achieve our targets.

Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock are two examples of young players that Emery has blooded into the squad

"And then how we can play better and then how we can show and transmit to our supporters all they want to see in our team.

"Last year we did not achieve, we were in the table by one point and in the Europa League final and we lost in the end. And OK, we were there. And this year - (we need to) be there and take it."

"OK we lost (on Monday) and it was a bad moment. Twenty-four hours after I have struggled with the same feelings, but that is normal. That is my life. I don't want that.

"I have one friend says to me, 'go to train your town team Hondarribia and you don't have that problem'.

"But I know this is my work. And also my work is to analyse, to respond the supporters. They are also waiting to see our strategy on how we can improve.

"We are playing for our supporters and my message is that we are going to carry on with patience."

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Jürgen Klopp was left satisfied after four 'unbelievably beautiful' goals secured a 4-1 Champions League win over Genk for Liverpool.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the Reds ahead just two minutes into Wednesday night’s Group E game at KRC Genk Arena, and the No.15 doubled both his own tally and that of his team with a stunning second shortly before the hour mark.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah then set each other up to extend the European champions’ advantage to 4-0, before Stephen Odey netted a late consolation for Genk.

Watch: Genk 1-4 Liverpool in 90 seconds

Liverpool’s victory, coupled with Napoli’s win at Salzburg, means they remain second in the pool, one point behind Carlo Ancelotti’s side and three clear of the Austrian club.

Read on for a summary of Klopp’s post-match press conference in Belgium…

On Liverpool’s performance…

Good moments, a very good start, another 10/15 minutes absolutely OK, exactly how you have to do it. They start with a 4-4-2 so it was for a midfield press, we have to play around. We were really flexible, we did that well. We didn’t create too much but it was exactly [right]: keep them busy, find the gaps, pass it through, pass it behind, all that stuff. That was the plan obviously, and it worked for 10 or 15 minutes OK and then not anymore because we lost completely unexpected balls which we were not ready for, which in the formation is not possible because if you are in a wide formation and lose the ball in the centre… we lost too many of them and sometimes we took in the wrong moment a risk. A pass or a one-two in a very tight space, it makes not too much sense. We were not clear enough, lost these balls, had to defend them with legs to run for it. We got a bit of the momentum, after that start completely unnecessary, so it was a pretty stiff first half and then we could show the boys a couple of spaces which they could use, maybe should use in the second half. Then we scored the second goal, the first goal was brilliant but the second was even nicer – all our goals were unbelievably beautiful – and the second was like it was a proper knock for Genk it looked like. So we scored a third and fourth and then conceded one, which is not cool, but it’s not for us the biggest problem in the world. We won the game, job done, that’s it.

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On Oxlade-Chamberlain’s display…

An absolutely great moment for him but Ox’s performance was, I would say, exactly like the performance of the team: the goals were great but all the rest could have been better! That’s how it is, it’s no problem. The goals were sensational and very important for us. Obviously it was wonderful last Sunday that Adam scored the goal and now Ox has scored two goals, which is really nice. It’s absolutely great, a great story.

On whether Genk’s 4-4-2 formation surprised him…

Look, if they had played a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 then in a lot of moments these systems are completely the same. The only difference today was the offensive part with a pretty tall player on the pitch! That was a smart idea, it’s not the first time that teams do it against us but we cannot win the first ball constantly all the time. We tried not to make fouls and stuff like this and wanted to challenge, but of course he can put his body in there and fight for the second balls and that is uncomfortable. No, we didn’t expect it, but it was not a massive surprise.

On James Milner’s selection at right-back and whether Andy Robertson’s substitution was due to injury…

Andy is OK. [Milner was] picked over Joe [Gomez]? I didn’t see it like that, to be honest, I only picked Millie. We got the message on Tuesday morning that Trent was ill overnight so we wanted to change as little as possible. Millie then, in the way we wanted to play, was the clear number one solution for that moment. But after 15 minutes already it was clear that we would try to change again [by] bringing Joe on. Joe did really well. He looked confident, looked clear, it was good. That was the only reason, nothing against Joe.

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Jürgen Klopp was left satisfied after four 'unbelievably beautiful' goals secured a 4-1 Champions League win over Genk for Liverpool.