Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has explained the one question he asks himself upon watching back the goals he scored for Liverpool.

The 30-year-old, who left Anfield for Besiktas in the summer, gave an interview to Sky Sports when he was asked if he still gets ‘pangs’ when clips of him scoring for the Reds resurface on social media.

He replied: “When I see them I think, ‘I need to do that again, what’s going on?’. They definitely live on in your memory, but when you’re still playing and then there’s a game on the weekend, it’s more looking at, ‘Okay, how did I do that? What did I do? How can I do that again at the weekend?’.

“It is obviously nice to see those things when they pop up and just a little reminder that it’s you and your capabilities. If I haven’t done that for a while, it’s more a case of, ‘Okay, I need to get back to doing that because that’s a strength of mine’.”

READ MORE: ‘Trent tells me…’ – Ox has ‘really enjoyed watching’ £120k-p/w Liverpool dynamo this season

READ MORE: ‘Thanks very much…’ – Chris Wilder makes tongue-in-cheek admission ahead of facing Liverpool

Ox’s six years at Liverpool ended with him netting 18 goals in 146 appearances (Transfermarkt), a tally which would’ve been considerably higher had a cruel knee injury not ruled him out for an entire year towards the end of a productive first season at Anfield.

There were some memorable strikes among that number, such as his charge through the Manchester City defence to drill home from 20 yards in a 4-3 epic, his piledriver against Pep Guardiola’s side in the Champions League a few months later and his top-corner howitzer in the 5-5 Carabao Cup classic against Arsenal in 2019.

His first campaign with the Reds saw him playing arguably the best football of his career, and it’s only natural that in between games for Besiktas, he might look back wistfully at the scintillating moments he produced in 2017/18 before fate dealt him a horrible hand.

He’s still only 30, so there’s plenty of time for him to still recreate some of the stardust that he sprinkled upon the exceptional Liverpool team of which he was a valuable part for six years.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has named one Liverpool player who he’s ‘really enjoyed watching’ at Anfield this season.

The 30-year-old left the Reds during the summer after six years at the club, now plying his trade with Besiktas in Turkey, although he still keeps a very close watch on events back at Merseyside.

One man who’s particularly stood out for him is Dominik Szoboszlai, with the £120,000-per-week Hungarian becoming an instant Kop favourite thanks to his world-class ability on the ball, his endless graft out of possession and his penchant for a stunning goal.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Ox revealed: “I watch a lot of Liverpool games, the usuals: Mo Salah still scoring those goals.

“I’ve really enjoyed watching Dominik Szoboszlai. He’s sort of taken over from my sort of role and I’m really impressed with how good of a player he is and that he plays the game, how I sort of always want to play the game. I think he’s got so much ability, physicality and just his character as a player.

“I think he’s just what we needed in there. He’s been really, really good. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] tells me a lot how good he is as well. Trent says his shots are better than mine.

“He’s got everything. I know what the other guys that I’ve played with are capable of so it was more interesting to see the new lads come in, what they can do. I’ve enjoyed watching him.”

READ MORE: ‘Thanks very much…’ – Chris Wilder makes tongue-in-cheek admission ahead of facing Liverpool

READ MORE: ‘We always knew that…’ – Klopp stresses what’s ‘best’ for Liverpool regarding Trent’s role

Despite admitting to having difficulties with adjusting to life in Liverpool away from football (The Mirror), Szoboszlai hasn’t needed any ‘settling-in’ period at Anfield, immediately making a big impact in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Only Darwin Nunez and Salah have betted his average of two shots per game among the Reds’ squad, while the 23-year-old is also in the top three for key passes per match with 2.1 (WhoScored).

His all-action performances have already earned glowing comparisons with a certain Steven Gerrard – at LFC, there’s arguably no higher praise than that.

The only facet of Szoboszlai’s game where he’s perhaps falling short is in terms of his goal output, with just two for Liverpool in his 19 appearances so far, and none since the end of September (Transfermarkt).

However, his willingness to shoot when a chance presents itself will surely see the goals flow eventually for him. Once that happens, the Premier League had better watch out!

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Chris Wilder was in jocular and defiant mood as he held his first press conference upon his return as Sheffield United manager ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Liverpool.

The 56-year-old is back in the Bramall Lane hot seat after the dismissal of Paul Heckingbottom on Tuesday, with Jurgen Klopp’s side presenting the first opposition of his second spell in charge in Yorkshire.

With 18 places and 26 points separating the teams in the Premier League table, the fixture looks a daunting one for the Blades at first glance, but their returning boss is determined that if his team are to go down to the Reds, it won’t be a meek surrender.

Speaking to reporters today (via Yorkshire Post), Wilder said with an initial tongue-in-cheek remark: “Thanks very much for the fixture! 30-odd thousand at Bramall Lane on a Wednesday night under the lights against arguably one of the best teams in Europe is a tough start, but it’s one we are going to attack and have a right go.

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Jurgen Klopp has been at Anfield since 2015 and a top level manager since 2001 but he’s admitted there’s one thing that may never happen again in his coaching career.

Speaking to the media about Mo Salah, the boss was asked if the forward was the best he’s ever managed and said: “He is right up there, that is 100%. A player with his numbers I am not sure I will ever coach again, that is just the way it is.

“His development from the first talks we had to the ones we have now as a man is incredibly impressive. His development and growth as a player as well is exceptional.

READ MORE: (Video) ‘It’s a philosophy thing’ – Klopp removes Kelleher blame; Alisson agrees

“He is an all-time great without a shadow of a doubt. I was blessed to have a few good ones to be honest but like I said he is right up there and the numbers are super special.”

It’s not hard to see why the German would speak so highly of our Egyptian King, especially after all that has been achieved at Anfield whilst they’ve been here together.

Once the 31-year-old’s time as a Red does come to an end, it’ll be interesting to see where he is ranked among other greats to have played for the club in our entire history.

You can watch Klopp’s comments on Salah (from 15:13) via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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Jermaine Jenas and Leon Osman were broadly in agreement over a potential positional switch for Trent Alexander-Arnold. 

The pundits urged Jurgen Klopp to push the England international into the middle of the park following a stunning performance against Fulham.

“I think Jurgen Klopp’s got a decision to make soon with him,” the former Tottenham star spoke on BBC MOTD2.

“Moments like this. Local lad, playing the way that he’s playing, scoring winners… he needs to be in the centre of the midfield. I just think it’s time to get him in there.

“I totally understand the concept of him coming from a right-back position allows him to be free and maybe gives him the ability to do what he wants to do from a free-role type position.

“But he does it well enough for England. I’d stick him in there.”

Leon Osman agreed on the matter, adding: “I think it’s time. The benefits of what you get. You’ve seen all of his best clips of when he’s picking the ball up centrally. I don’t think we saw a clip of when he was coming back from the right-back position.

“I think his contributions are better, he’s more dangerous against the opposition and you can see Jurgen Klopp is trying to get him in there as much as possible.”

The Academy graduate (valued at £48.9m, according to Football Transfers’ unique valuation system) initially appeared to put the hosts into the lead with a superb free-kick (which was eventually ruled as an own goal) and had the final say in the game with a late winner in the second-half.

READ MORE: ‘Incredible’ Liverpool player could be out for a long time as Klopp confirms ‘it doesn’t look good’

READ  MORE: BBC pundit fears Liverpool now can’t coach frustrating habit out of player

Is it time to make the move?

It’s long been accepted – though we’ve certainly resisted the idea here at Empire of the Kop! – that Trent’s abilities could lend themselves well to a midfield role.

Whether it would truly get the best out of him, however, remains to be seen. There’s also the question of what we would do with the vacant right-back slot.

Joe Gomez, able deputy as he is, is better suited to a central defensive role; we’d then have to entrust either one of Conor Bradley or Calvin Ramsay – both of whom are inexperienced.

It’s quite the conundrum for Jurgen Klopp and Co., though it would at least add even further depth to a much-improved midfield department.

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Caoimhin Kelleher has the toughest job in world football, as he has to fill Liverpool’s goal when Alisson is absent and Jurgen Klopp has responded to criticism of the Irishman.

Speaking with the press, the German said: “He played a really good game [vs. Fulham]. Good with his feet but Wilson’s goal is unlucky.

“Second goal – our keeper coaches and Ali explained to me that we are front-footed goalies. These things happen, it’s not about quality, it’s a philosophy thing.”

READ MORE: (Video) Van Dijk’s reaction to Mac Allister’s goal is the same as all Liverpool fans

This should take any pressure away from the 25-year-old, who will likely still be disappointed to have conceded three goals against Fulham on his first Premier League start of the season.

Let’s hope that our next match with Sheffield United can help restore some confidence for our No.62 and that he can keep a clean sheet, as his teammates secure a victory.

You can watch Klopp’s comments on Kelleher (from 3:54) via BeanymanSports on YouTube:

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be deployed in a position that the manager believes would be in Liverpool’s best interests.

Ever since being given a hybrid full-back/midfield role earlier this year, there has been an abundance of discourse as to how best to utilise the skill set of the 25-year-old, who’s scored crucial late goals in the Reds’ last two Premier League matches against Manchester City and Fulham.

At Tuesday’s press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Sheffield United, the LFC manager was asked about the role of the vice-captain within the line-up and stressed that he’d no interest in wading into the wider discussion on the subject.

Klopp told reporters (via Paul Gorst and Liverpool Echo): “It’s just about us and who is available? Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, can one play left-back because Kostas [Tsimikas] can’t play all the games. Trent can play midfield, we always knew that.

“We will see. Trent obviously [played well] in the last game. It’s always this unpleasant trying to create headlines…

“He became one of the best players in recent history at right-back, he will play where it is best for us. I’m not stubborn and won’t play him in midfield or whatever. You can discuss it as much as you want, but I don’t want [to be part of the discussion]. We make decisions on what’s best for the team. Trent sees it that way.”

"He became one of the best players in recent history at right-back, he will play where it is best for us. I am not stubborn and won't play him in midfield or whatever. You can discuss it as much as you want, we make decisions what's best for the team. Trent sees it that way."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) December 5, 2023

READ MORE: ‘Going in the right direction…’ – Klopp issues injury update on Liverpool duo ahead of Shefield  United clash

READ MORE: (Video) Jorginho thinks Liverpool have an ‘unbelievable’ player who’s even better than De Bruyne

Some pundits continue to hammer Trent over his perceived defensive shortcomings, while others have advocated for him to be slotted into Liverpool’s midfield full-time rather than the hybrid role he currently plays.

As Klopp says, the 25-year-old’s responsibilities on the pitch could be determined to a significant degree by the composition of the team around him.

If there’s an abundance of right-backs available, that could free up the Scouser to stay further forward. If options are sparse on that flank, he’ll need to cover the ground accordingly.

Of course, like we saw in the closing minutes against Fulham on Sunday, Trent’s role within the side could be tweaked during a game, with the late introduction of Wataru Endo enabling the vice-captain to play higher up the pitch and duly be in the right place at the right time to score the winner.

Klopp will know better than anyone how best to get the most out of the England international, and how best to utilise him for the maximum benefit of the team. Trust in the boss to do what he feels must be done.

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Liverpool may be waiting quite a while for Joel Matip’s return following Jurgen Klopp’s pre-Sheffield United update.

In comments relayed by Paul Joyce on X, the German tactician confirmed the Cameroonian’s injury ‘doesn’t look good’.

Jurgen Klopp on Joel Matip injury: "Now we lost Joel. It doesn't look good. It is not great. How long I don't know yet."

— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) December 5, 2023

It leaves the Reds a little more bare at the back, with Jarell Quansah sure to be relied on to a greater degree alongside remaining options Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.

READ MORE: ‘What can he change?’: Jurgen Klopp’s first words on Chris Wilder ahead of Sheffield United reunion

READ  MORE: BBC pundit fears Liverpool now can’t coach frustrating habit out of player

How will Liverpool react?

It’s an unfortunate blow for the ‘incredible’ (as Jurgen Klopp once described him in comments relayed by Football365) 32-year-old centre-back who had, up until this point, been the first-choice partner to Virgil van Dijk owing to some impressive performances.

Fortunately, a defender of our French international’s quality can, and will, step in in his place, though this will be a concern for our medical department in light of the former’s troubling injury record.

Another injury to Konate would surely then send the alarm bells ringing all over the AXA training centre ahead of the January transfer window.

Could we consider bringing in a new body to compensate?

Jurgen Klopp may argue in favour of waiting it out, lest we fill the squad with temporary bodies. Though, the shadow cast by an injury-ridden 2020/21 campaign is still long enough to tickle the edges of 2023/24.

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Jurgen Klopp has issued encouraging updates on injured Liverpool duo Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Sheffield United, but ruled out any possibility of either featuring at Bramall Lane.

Both players picked up knocks in the recent 1-1 draw at Manchester City and have been sidelined ever since, although it’s hoped that both might be back by the end of this month.

At his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Reds manager was asked about the status of his squad ahead of tomorrow’s fixture in Yorkshire when he shared the latest on the aforementioned players.

Klopp told reporters [via liverpoolfc.com]: “[Jota] was running yesterday outside on his birthday. Everything is going in the right direction, but nobody told me he will be back in team training today. No, there is still some time. With Ali the same. Obviously Ali is closer but not available for tomorrow definitely.”

READ MORE: (Video) Jorginho thinks Liverpool have an ‘unbelievable’ player who’s even better than De Bruyne

READ MORE: (Video) Alternative angle of Mac Allister’s goal on Sunday makes it look even more stunning

There was never any realistic prospect of either Jota or Alisson recovering in time to face Sheffield United, although the update from Klopp does seem generally positive on both counts.

The 27-year-old’s absence has left Liverpool with just four senior forwards and therefore little scope for rotation during a hectic period of fixtures, while Caoimhin Kelleher is deputising in goal for the Brazilian but endured a rare off-day in the 4-3 win over Fulham at the weekend.

Everyone associated with the Reds will be yearning to have as full a squad as possible throughout the unrelenting December schedule, and our first-choice goalkeeper certainly seems on target to be back for the Manchester United game on Sunday week, as has been previously suggested.

Fingers crossed that both Jota and Alisson will continue to make good progress in their respective recoveries and that both will return to action as quickly as can realistically be hoped.

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Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool may need to ‘bin our analysis’ following the re-appointment of Chris Wilder to the head coach position at Sheffield United.

The Echo’s Paul Gorst relayed the manager’s comments on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the Reds’ visit to Bramall Lane on Wednesday.

Klopp on Chris Wilder appt: "I obviously remember the way they played under Wilder, overlapping wing-backs. That was part of it. We can probably bin our analysis. We will see, we have to focus on ourselves, I don't think he will change too much, what can he change already?"

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) December 5, 2023

This follows the Blades’ decision to sack Paul Heckingbottom with the side currently bottom of the Premier League table.

READ MORE: 24-year-old Liverpool star’s days on the bench could end soon after BBC pundit’s comments

READ  MORE: BBC pundit fears Liverpool now can’t coach frustrating habit out of player

A much-needed change at Sheffield United

With the club four points from safety, the alarm bells aren’t yet ringing in West Yorkshire, though some amount of concern is more than warranted.

It’s unfortunate timing for Liverpool who will surely dread in part the potential impact of the ‘new manager bounce’ phenomenon.

Wasted analysis or no, this is still one of the most exciting teams in world football paying a visit to the worst defence in the English top-flight.

Hopefully, the performance on the pitch will reflect that reality as we’ve known it all season.

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With Diogo Jota sidelined for the foreseeable future, Cody Gakpo’s path into the Liverpool starting-XI has become significantly less obstructed.

It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman will displace either one of Luis Diaz or Darwin Nunez, though Paul Salt has suggested his performances could push him closer to fulfilling that objective.

“You’re not going to get out of Gakpo what you get out of Nunez. The way Liverpool play now is so suited to the way Nunez plays, in the same way we were so suited to the way Bobby [Firmino] played. We’re not suited to that any more,” the pundit spoke on BBC Radio Merseyside.

“This is Liverpool 2.0, so in a way Gakpo doesn’t necessarily suit the number nine role.

“I wonder whether we try him again on the left. I was really impressed with him on Sunday, he’s got to be pushing for a start.”

The 24-year-old was particularly influential in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad, creating space for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s equaliser.

Yet again, his cameo against Fulham the following week was more than lively, keeping the pressure on the Cottagers as the Reds searched for an equaliser and eventual winner.

READ  MORE: BBC pundit fears Liverpool now can’t coach frustrating habit out of player

READ MORE: Schmadtke has suggested to Klopp which player Liverpool should be looking at next – report

Cody Gakpo: The enigma?

In the Liverpool 2.0 format, we’d more than agree with Salt that there isn’t necessarily a place for Gakpo to thrive as a Bobby Firmino replacement.

That said, the 24-year-old’s traits as a midfielder or a left-sided winger could hand him several routes into the side.

Ideally, for the player, and perhaps for the fans, it would be more exciting to see what he could offer from a wide position, demonstrating his devasting runs into space.

But the question is: can he do enough to knock Luis Diaz out of his comfortable berth?

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None were more frustrated than Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan hit the post yet again during Liverpool’s high-scoring tie with Fulham.

The former Benfica hitman had been put through on goal by Mo Salah and struck the woodwork whilst under pressure with the scoreline then at 2-2.

Paul Salt has now argued that the 24-year-old’s frustrating habit of wasting big chances may now be an uncoachable matter.

“Would you have expected him [Darwin Nunez] to get better by now? I really like him but he needs to put the ball in the back of the net a bit more,” the pundit spoke on BBC Radio Merseyside. “I wouldn’t say he was terrible [against Fulham] but he still could have had a couple of goals. I think you’re at the point where you can’t coach it.”

Nunez has still managed to score seven goals in all competitions this season and register a further six assists in 20 games.

READ MORE: Schmadtke has suggested to Klopp which player Liverpool should be looking at next – report

READ MORE: 99th percentile for non-penalty goals: Liverpool given green light to sign ex-Arsenal Academy ace

Comparisons don’t help Darwin Nunez

With Erling Haaland already on a frankly ludicrous 19 goals in all competitions, fingers will inevitably be pointed at the player he’s deemed to be most similar to.

What you have to remember, of course, is that the team isn’t built around our £64m man in the same way it is around the Norwegian international.

Goals are certainly distributed more evenly for one. That said, we’d more than agree with Salt that Nunez could and should be banging in more of his attempts on goal on a regular basis.

We’re still delighted to have our chief chaos-maker at the club of course!

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Jorg Schmadtke is understood to already be hard at working identifying Liverpool’s next potential additions over the coming transfer windows.

This comes courtesy of Thomas Coast at Sport Witness (relaying one report from Gazzetta dello Sport), with the German having brought Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz to his compatriot’s attention.

The 18-year-old is thought to have also attracted the wandering gazes of Bundesliga outfits RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.

READ MORE: 99th percentile for non-penalty goals: Liverpool given green light to sign ex-Arsenal Academy ace

READ MORE: Moises Caicedo’s agent delivers fresh statement on failed Liverpool transfer

Do Liverpool need a No.10?

It’s difficult to know just how Liverpool’s midfield will evolve over the coming years, though in the meantime it seems the two No.8s and one No.6 is here to stay.

Trent Alexander-Arnold may be pushed permanently into the midfield to better utilise his skillset, though we can’t imagine a No.10 becoming the focal point of this side in the near future.

That’s not to suggest this will be Yildiz’s final position, of course, with Transfermarkt listing the teenager as a multi-functional attacker featuring primarily as a shadow striker, though being capable of filing out on either flank.

It’ll be quite a while before we look to replace one of the likes of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz, though it can’t hurt to keep one eye trained on the future!

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Jorginho has named one Liverpool player as the best he’s ever faced during his time in the Premier League.

The current Arsenal midfielder came to England in 2018 when he joined Chelsea from Napoli, spending four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge before moving across London last January.

The Italy international was speaking to The Athletic Football Podcast when he was asked to name his best opponent during his time in the English top flight, ultimately plumping for Mo Salah after considerable thought.

Jorginho declared: “Kevin de Bruyne is ridiculous, but I think Salah in that period, he was another level. I think, yeah, I would put Salah first.”

When podcast host Ayo Akinwolere referenced the 2018/19 campaign in which Liverpool’s number 11 was the joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 22 goals, the Arsenal midfielder replied: “Unbelievable. You could not stop him. He was so strong, so powerful, so fast and his mentality…

“However he would shoot, if you touched the ball it would go in. For me, that season he had was unbelievable.”

Jorginho has faced Salah more often than anyone else in his career, with their 17 previous head-to-heads between their respective meetings in Italy and England producing nine wins for the Liverpool forward and only three for the Italian (Transfermarkt).

For a European champion to rate the Egyptian ahead of a top-class operator in De Bruyne is a telling indicator of just how special a player the Reds have in the 31-year-old winger.

You can view the clip of Jorginho below (from 1:07:01), via The Athletic Football Podcast on YouTube:

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Lucas Leiva was a mainstay of the Liverpool team for 10 years and he has shared information on how he was convinced to sign for the club.

Speaking on the ‘We Are Liverpool’ podcast, the Brazilian said: “Rafa played a big part because I remember he called my father and said, ‘listen, we want to see if there is the possibility [to sign]’.

“I came to Liverpool about March and Liverpool was almost in the final of the Champions League that year, 2007. The season before I came and visited Melwood and then it’s easy to to accept and everything went quite quickly.

READ MORE: (Video) Gakpo’s on-pitch reaction to Trent’s winner; gives credit to new boots

“I signed officially in June but from March it was more or less done and it was the right choice, I would say now after spending 10 years at the club, I’m sure was the right choice.”

Although Rafa Benitez is often criticised for being a little cold with his players, this shows that he knew what to do in order to get someone to sign on the dotted line.

The small comment from the 36-year-old at the end shows why we all love him so much, as he is so proud to have played for the Reds and for so long.

You can view Lucas’ comments on signing for Liverpool (from 3:13) via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

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