LFC NEWS

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders on shortlist to become next Ajax head coach

icLiverpool.co.uk - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 17:30
Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has emerged as a contender to become new head coach at Ajax
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Nottingham Forest’s Steven Reid fined for repeatedly calling referee a ‘c***’ after Liverpool loss

the Athletic - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 17:29

Nottingham Forest first-team coach Steven Reid has been fined and given a two-game touchline ban for repeatedly calling referee Paul Tierney the C word after his side’s defeat to Liverpool.

Nottingham Forest have also been fined £75,000 for failing to ensure “its players and/or technical area occupants conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and consequently that they had acted improperly”.

March’s Premier League fixture had ended in angry scenes after Liverpool scored a 99th-minute winner to secure a 1-0 victory. Forest had been left aggrieved after a drop ball had been incorrectly awarded to Liverpool minutes before their winning goal was scored.

Reid was dismissed after the final whistle for his comments towards Tierney. The written reasons from the Independent Regulatory Commission released by the Football Association’s (FA) state this was for calling Tierney a “c***”. Reid admitted to this first charge.

He then continued to use this same language towards the 43-year-old referee as he and his team of officials left the pitch.

Tierney alleged Reid said: “I worked with you f***ing lot every f***ing week last season. It’s the same every f***ing week you c***.”

Reid denied this, but the commission upheld the second charge on the balance of probabilities, given the consistent evidence provided by the match officials and the thorough post-match notes provided by Tierney.

Reid has been fined £5,000 and handed an extended two-game touchline ban.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Explained: Liverpool's winner, a drop ball, angry Marinakis and Clattenburg's cameo

His behaviour was deemed to be in breach of FA Rule E3.1, which states: “A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”

Nottingham Forest admitted to their charge, and their fine represents the club’s eighth sanction for a breach of rule E20, which relates to participant conduct, since September 2018. The commission noted the “serious repetitive breaches” from the club.

“The club is directed to the Participant Charter and advised to take greater responsibility for the behaviour of its players,” the commission wrote.

Forest’s frustrations stemmed from a 97th-minute decision where a drop ball was awarded to Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after Tierney stopped play to allow treatment to defender Ibrahima Konate, who appeared to have sustained a possible head injury.

Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi had been in possession on the edge of the Liverpool box when play was stopped. The laws of the game state Tierney should have instead returned the ball to Forest.

This prompted a furious response from the Forest bench and emotions ran even higher when Liverpool subsequently scored in the 99th minute.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was stood on the touchline as the final whistle blew and followed the match officials into the tunnel.

Mark Clattenburg, the former FIFA and Premier League referee who was appointed by Forest as a match and performance analyst in February, then addressed the media to explain the club’s frustrations with the decision.

In the material provided to the commission, Forest and Reid had argued the situation was “unique and emotionally charged” following Tierney’s error that impacted the result. The commission stated it understood the context but this did not justify the misconduct.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

'The only thing that hasn’t happened yet is a referee getting murdered'

(Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

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Categories: LFC NEWS

Nottingham Forest’s Steven Reid fined for repeatedly calling referee a ‘c***’ after Liverpool loss

theAthletic.com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 17:29
Nottingham Forest first-team coach Steven Reid has been fined and given a two-game touchline ban for repeatedly calling referee Paul Tierney the C word after his side’s defeat to Liverpool. Nottingham Forest have also been fined £75,000 for failing to ensure “its players and/or...
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“No talks” for Toulouse, Robertson scan & heart-warming Klopp – Latest LFC News

ThisIsAnfield.com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 17:02

As the international break finally begins to wind down, we can finally take stock of where Liverpool are up to ahead of their match against Brighton.

Toulouse not in the picture

With Fenway Sports Group looking to expand their “football portfolio”, reports emerged on Tuesday that the Liverpool owners were looking to acquire Toulouse.

However, on Wednesday the Liverpool Echo‘s Dave Powell, who is a good source for news relating to FSG, said: “Contrary to some reports, FSG not looking at acquiring Toulouse. No talks held. None planned.”

 Liverpool's owner John W. Henry and owner Tom Werner during the 214th Merseyside Derby match against Everton at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

 Liverpool's owner John W. Henry and owner Tom Werner during the 214th Merseyside Derby match against Everton at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

This dismissal of the Toulouse links doesn’t mean that FSG won’t be looking at other clubs, though.

To help with the acquisition of another club, the Reds’ owners are reportedly targeting Benfica’s technical director, Pedro Marques, as per the Athletic‘s David Ornstein.

Michael Edwards‘ appointment was also made with a view to him having influence over more than just Liverpool.

3 things today

An excellent response by @ManUtd regards tackling tragedy chanting and delighted we can work in collaboration through education with #RealTruthLegacyProject @LFCFoundation @MU_Foundation pic.twitter.com/3jq8FOVZQ1

— lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) March 27, 2024

  • Man United have vowed “strong club sanctions” for fans who sing about tragedies, and have agreed to a “joint education programme” with Liverpool – the full letter is above
  • For Scotland, Andy Robertson limped off with an ankle injury on Tuesday night and a scan should reveal how long he faces out – everyone have their fingers crossed, please
  • Luis Diaz Sr. has claimed big Spanish “clubs are active” in monitoring his son, the Liverpool No. 7 – read the full context here
Latest Liverpool FC news

Klopp has written to a young fan that is struggling with anxiety.

When we say this means more, this is exactly what we mean. He is far more than a coach, a football manager, an employee of the club.

He is one of us, and he always will be.

Jürgen Klopp ?? pic.twitter.com/rSk007VRFg

— Ben (@SMXLFC) March 26, 2024

  • As above, Jurgen Klopp wrote a heartwarming letter replying to a young fan who was struggling with anxiety – there’s a few things we can all take from his words
  • Forest first-team coach Steven Reid has been banned by the FA for an expletive-laden rant at referee Paul Tierney after Liverpool’s 1-0 victory – maybe he should have focused his energy on his own team
  • Liverpool Women manager Matt Beard says Jasmine Matthews “will be out for about 21 days,” but Taylor Hinds is “back in training this week” – the Reds host Man City at Prenton Park at 12.30pm on Saturday
  • Cody Gakpo has told Voetbal International, via Voetbal Belgie, that he is “not really concerned” by debate about his transition to life at Liverpool – he’s ‘someone who always looks at what can he do better and how can he develop himself’
Latest chat from elsewhere

 Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News

 Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News
  • Romeo Lavia will miss the rest of the campaign due to his thigh injury sustained in December – we dodged a bullet there
  • After Wales lost on penalties to Poland meaning they will miss out on Euro 2024, manager Rob Page has said he “absolutely” wants to stay on as boss
  • Man City‘s John Stones may not be fit to play Arsenal on Sunday after picking up a problem with England – it is unclear whether this is a ‘real’ injury or one that means he gets a rest before the big match
Video of the day and match of the night

At his mural unveiling, This Is Anfield spoke to Robbie Fowler about how to effectively work with a sporting director, Jurgen Klopp‘s successor and Liverpool’s management of young players.

[embedded content]

[embedded content]

Match of the night is Chelsea Women vs. Ajax Women in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Blues lead 3-0 from the first leg and you can watch the return fixture at 8pm (UK) on TNT Sports 1.

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Categories: LFC NEWS

De Zerbi's Anfield audition: Are Liverpool daring enough to hire him?

Liverpool FC on Sky Sports - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 17:00

The style with which Roberto De Zerbi has established Brighton in the top half of the Premier League table, this season and last, demands that the 44-year-old coach be considered for the biggest jobs. This weekend, live on Super Sunday, he takes the stage for what could be his Anfield audition.

Pep Guardiola has called De Zerbi "one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years" because of his brand of football. The three-time Champions League-winning coach said: "There is no team playing the way they play. It is unique."

With De Zerbi, there is an unusual trajectory in his career path though. Big clubs haven't come knocking. Yet.

When Sam Allardyce and Sean Dyche took unfashionable teams into the upper reaches of the Premier League, the concern was that their approach would not be ambitious enough for the very best.

Live Super Sunday

Sunday 31st March 1:00pm Sky Sports Main Event Sky Sports Main Event

In De Zerbi's case, could it be too ambitious for cautious owners?

The good news for Brighton is that those are the whispers following reports that he is under consideration for the soon-to-be vacant role at Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp departs. Xabi Alonso has less coaching experience but it is De Zerbi whose fascinating football is seen as a risk.

In full flow, his teams find angles that others do not, triangles all over the pitch, controlling the rhythm in possession and pressing man-to-man out of it. At its very best, watching his Brighton side can feel like watching the future of the sport, evolution in action. Brighton put down the feather dusters used under Graham Potter and replaced them with battering rams under De Zerbi.

xxx

When Brighton are hot, they are hot.

From January 2023 to the end of last season, Brighton led the way for expected goals (51.3) in the Premier League, bettering Manchester City's tally of 46.18 for the same period. No team had more shots (605) or shots on target (228) than the scintillating Seagulls. It took them to Europe for the first time.

De Zerbi's courageous and exciting attacking style does lend itself to his defence being exposed but even if including their expected goals against record, their overall expected goals difference (expected goals - expected goals against) of 21.6 ranked them second only to Pep Guardiola's team during that period last season. Brighton's process was frighteningly impressive.

De Zerbi speaking on his future in February...

"When I listen that the big teams are interested in me, it is an honour and makes me proud My focus is the work day by day. About the future, I'm going to speak with the owner and the club because I want to compete in the best way I can. I want to understand their plan and then it is not a problem to work in a big, big team. I would like, in my career, to compete to win the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Champions League."

Perhaps there are parallels here with Marcelo Bielsa, the celebrated Argentine coach who has inspired so many but been overlooked for Europe's biggest jobs. He too is regarded as a maverick who changed the way coaches think with his interpretation of the game.

De Zerbi's own vertical approach focuses more on possession than pressing but it is similarly eye-catching when it works and alarming when it does not. Naturally, surrendering the ball in your own defensive third of the pitch is more likely to result in conceding.

The dark side of De Zerbi's football has been more of the narrative this campaign, where Brighton have struggled with their added workload of European football. Tired minds are leading to more mistakes.

Brighton have made eight errors leading to goals this season, the joint-most by any team in the Premier League along with bottom club Sheffield United. No team have faced more shots from individual errors either (18). That commitment to playing out from the back comes at a price.

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De Zerbi's admirers would argue, with some justification, that the risky football it is worth it.

When Brighton play through the opposition, it is both beautiful and brilliantly effective. However, the facts are this: Brighton are having a mediocre season. De Zerbi's stock has fallen.

Out of all cup competitions and work still to do to nab a European qualification spot in the Premier League, De Zerbi's intense style and himself admitting the club weren't ready for European football has led to Brighton's squad being decimated by injuries at various points of the season.

Brighton will be without Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March at Anfield on Sunday, while Joao Pedro - pictured at training on Wednesday to boost hopes of a return - has been out with a hamstring injury. No club would be expected to thrive shorn of a starting front three.

There will always be doubts whether a coach can adapt to the demands of a bigger job. Klopp and Xavi Hernandez are walking away from Liverpool and Barcelona respectively in the summer, citing their energy levels. The pressures are vast.

De Zerbi has an aura though - one you associate with top managers. He plays off emotions on the touchline. And he treats his players like family. When he talks, you can see that determination. He makes you want to follow.

As Sky Sports' Melissa Reddy writes in her in-depth column about who could replace Klopp, "De Zerbi's ability to innovate and communicate unique concepts to his players, who absorb it so quickly and effectively, is a core weapon."

Roberto De Zerbi

The spotlight at Liverpool tests character, the profile of player challenges man-management. These are factors worthy of consideration. The odd thing about the De Zerbi conundrum for football's risk-averse super clubs is that they know the football that he plays is beautiful.

They just have not yet seen anyone try it - and win.

De Zerbi has a chance to impress the decision makers on Sunday.

His Anfield audition awaits.

Liverpool's next six fixtures

March 31: Brighton (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 2pm

April 4: Sheffield United (H), Premier League, kick-off 7:30pm

April 7: Manchester United (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3:30pm

April 11: Atalanta (H), Europa League, kick-off 8pm

April 14: Crystal Palace (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 2pm

April 18: Atalanta (A), Europa League, kick-off 8pm

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Categories: LFC NEWS

Andy Robertson injury latest as Liverpool face anxious wait over potential setback

LiverpoolEcho.co.uk - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 16:58
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson suffered an ankle injury when playing for Scotland against Northern Ireland on Tuesday
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Andy Robertson injury latest as Liverpool face anxious wait over potential setback

icLiverpool.co.uk - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 16:58
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson suffered an ankle injury when playing for Scotland against Northern Ireland on Tuesday
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Darwin Nunez injury boost as Liverpool legend meets “old friend” at the AXA

ThisIsAnfield.com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 16:32

Former Liverpool forward Maxi Rodriguez has provided an injury update of sorts on Darwin Nunez, after meeting his “old friend” at the AXA Training Centre.

Nunez was forced to pull out of the Uruguay squad for this month’s friendlies against the Basque Country and the Ivory Coast with a minor injury, but was expected to be fit for the visit of Brighton.

That appears to be the case, with the 24-year-old pictured outside at the AXA Training Centre as Liverpool returned to work on Wednesday.

He was accompanied by a former team-mate in Rodriguez, who played alongside a teenage Nunez on eight occasions for Uruguayan club Penarol in 2018.

“I met an old friend at Liverpool’s training session,” Rodriguez wrote on Twitter.

En el entrenamiento del @LFC me encontré con un viejo amigo ??@Darwinn99 ?? ?
I met and old friend at Liverpool’s training session pic.twitter.com/vUsy5a904H

— Maxi Rodríguez (@MR11ok) March 27, 2024

Having only retired in 2021, at the age of 40, the Argentine is currently on Merseyside after featuring for Liverpool’s legends side against Ajax on Saturday.

He started on the wing in a team also including the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, with the charity match ending in a 4-2 victory for the Reds.

While it is as yet unclear whether Nunez took part in full training, the expectation is that he has and will be available to start against Brighton on Sunday.

 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) and Darwin Núñez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group E match between LASK and Liverpool FC. (Pic by Andrew Yeats/Propaganda)

 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) and Darwin Núñez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group E match between LASK and Liverpool FC. (Pic by Andrew Yeats/Propaganda)

Mohamed Salah also missed international duty this month but did so with a view to focusing on his long-term fitness and, therefore, will also be in contention.

There were no injuries for either Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo while away with Colombia or the Netherlands respectively, while Diogo Jota is not far from a return either.

That could leave Jurgen Klopp with a full complement of senior forwards for the majority of the run-in, which could prove key as Liverpool fight for the Premier League and Europa League between now and the end of May.

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