Jason McAteer – The Empire of The Kop https://www.empireofthekop.com Blog about Liverpool F.C. (LFC) and the Kop from true supporters for supporters worldwide. Tue, 05 Dec 2023 16:43:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9 95610221 ‘Got to admit…’ – Ex-Liverpool ace explains why he felt Trent’s winner should’ve been disallowed https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/12/04/mcateer-trent-winner-fulham-disallowed/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/12/04/mcateer-trent-winner-fulham-disallowed/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:52:35 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245686 Jason McAteer believes that Liverpool were fortunate not to have Trent Alexander-Arnold’s winning goal against Fulham on Sunday disallowed. The former Reds midfielder was on duty for beIN SPORTS when he – along with fellow pundits Dwight Yorke, Richard Keys and Andy Gray – insisted that Kostas Tsimikas unlawfully shoved Bobby Decordova-Reid in contesting the […]

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Jason McAteer believes that Liverpool were fortunate not to have Trent Alexander-Arnold’s winning goal against Fulham on Sunday disallowed.

The former Reds midfielder was on duty for beIN SPORTS when he – along with fellow pundits Dwight Yorke, Richard Keys and Andy Gray – insisted that Kostas Tsimikas unlawfully shoved Bobby Decordova-Reid in contesting the 50-50 from which the ball dropped to our number 66 to finish to the net.

The 52-year-old stated [via Football365]: “I’ve got to admit, I thought there was [a foul]. Tsimikas, the way he challenged, he didn’t win the ball. He barged into the player. It’s a brave call to disallow that but for me that’s a foul.”

READ MORE: Jude Bellingham takes to Instagram with single emoji reply to Liverpool player after Fulham epic

READ MORE: Gary Neville cites Liverpool ‘factor’ which could be huge in title race with Arsenal and Man City

It seemed like the kind of decision which, on another day, could’ve gone the other way had a different referee been tasked with calling it.

However, the verdict from Dermot Gallagher on Sky SportsRef Watch on Monday was telling, with the former Premier League whistler – who was assessing the incident objectively – claiming that Tsimikas and Decordova-Reid ‘came together’ rather than the Liverpool man shoving or ‘leaning in on’ his opponent.

The Reds have already been dealt a rough hand by some officials in the top flight this season, so fans may argue that our luck is due to even itself out on that front.

The man whose opinion counted the most is Stuart Attwell, and thankfully he felt no need to blow for a foul in the lead-up to Trent’s winner.

🤩 EOTK FPL Gameweek 14 Review 🤩: HOLD Trippier? The long-term view, Zinchenko’s time to shine? Eject your Villans?

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(Video) ‘We can get in a ring’: Ex-Red jokingly challenges hothead Roy Keane to £2m fight https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/20/ex-red-jokingly-challenges-roy-keane-2m-fight/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:33:35 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=244999 Jason McAteer defended his actions during Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United back in 2002, justifying his use of ‘trash talk’ to irritate then Red Devils star Roy Keane. The Irishman had famously responded by elbowing him on the pitch, earning his swift dismissal from the tie. Discussing the incident on beIN Sports, the former […]

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Jason McAteer defended his actions during Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United back in 2002, justifying his use of ‘trash talk’ to irritate then Red Devils star Roy Keane.

The Irishman had famously responded by elbowing him on the pitch, earning his swift dismissal from the tie.

Discussing the incident on beIN Sports, the former Red jokingly suggested the pair could settle their differences in a boxing ring: “Let’s just be civil, or we can get in a ring for a £1m each and fight it out. Eddie [Hearn]… if you’re watching!”

We’d be semi-curious to see how such an event might turn out, though there are most certainly better ways for two grown men to bury the hatchet.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of @beINSPORTS_EN:

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“It’s lazy…” – Jason McAteer unhappy with two “labouring” Liverpool players v Greuther Furth https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/07/24/mcateer-criticism-matip-gomez-labouring/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 19:00:45 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=238583 Jason McAteer has called out two Liverpool players who he believed looked tired and laboured during today’s 4-4 draw against Greuther Furth. A frantic second half saw seven goals as both teams led at various intervals, with some of the XI introduced by Jurgen Klopp at half-time enduring a testing afternoon in Germany. The defence […]

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Jason McAteer has called out two Liverpool players who he believed looked tired and laboured during today’s 4-4 draw against Greuther Furth.

A frantic second half saw seven goals as both teams led at various intervals, with some of the XI introduced by Jurgen Klopp at half-time enduring a testing afternoon in Germany.

The defence will be especially disappointed to concede four times in a half-hour period, and two of the more senior members of the backline came under the Irishman’s microscope.

Speaking on punditry duty for LFC TV on Monday afternoon, McAteer said: “I looked at Joe Gomez and he looked like he was labouring there, decision making, it’s not sharp. When does Joel Matip try and play a ball inside his own box with the outside of his foot? It’s lazy. It’s just tiredness.”

READ MORE: ‘I would take it…’ – Pundit names Liverpool player Reds should ‘definitely’ sell for £60m

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer target eagerly awaiting contact from Anfield; Reds set to move this week – report

The whole point of pre-season is to get players up to speed and fine-tuned ahead of the competitive action getting underway, although some aspects of today’s performance will certainly alarm Klopp.

The manner in which a few of Greuther Furth’s goals came about won’t have amused the manager, and he’d expect better from his more experienced players for sure.

Matip also came in for criticism from both Ian Doyle and Ronnie Whelan over his languid defending for the German side’s second goal of the game, and you’d like to think the 31-year-old will have a point to prove whenever he next features for the Reds.

Luckily today’s match was just a friendly, so mistakes are largely inconsequential, but Klopp will be hammering it into his players to tighten up defensively for the fixtures against Leicester, Bayern Munich and Darmstadt over the next fortnight.

The best response from players to criticism is to deliver a commanding performance in their next game, something we know both Gomez and Matip are capable of doing when they’re at their best.

#Ep82 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Who do Liverpool replace Henderson & Fabinho with?

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Jason McAteer believes Trent’s role at Liverpool this season could hinge on two of his teammates https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/07/24/mcateer-trent-fabinho-henderson-liverpool/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:29:09 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=238572 Jason McAteer believes that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role in the Liverpool team this season could be contingent on what happens with two of his current teammates. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson could both be on the brink of transfers to the Saudi Pro League, which’d leave Jurgen Klopp short of viable, experienced options in defensive midfield. The […]

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Jason McAteer believes that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role in the Liverpool team this season could be contingent on what happens with two of his current teammates.

Fabinho and Jordan Henderson could both be on the brink of transfers to the Saudi Pro League, which’d leave Jurgen Klopp short of viable, experienced options in defensive midfield.

The Reds’ number 66 has nominally been a right-back for most of his career but switched to a hybrid full-back/midfielder role to great effect towards the end of 2022/23, and he’s continued to play in that position in the first two matches of pre-season this summer.

Speaking on LFC TV ahead of today’s clash against Greuther Furth (via Liverpool World), McAteer claimed that Trent’s part in the team for the upcoming campaign may rest on whether the aforementioned midfield two leave Anfield in the near future.

The former Reds player said: “I know we’re not meant to talk about it but I’m going to mention it. Fabinho and Henderson will play a big part in what happens with Trent.

“If we lose them two, [Klopp is] obviously going to have to go into the transfer market. If he gets the players he wants then maybe in that case, Trent will start on the right and drift into the midfielder area like we saw in last season.

“If that doesn’t happen then the door is wide open for him to start in midfield and someone else to take that right-back position.”

READ MORE: Journalist concerned by Liverpool player who was ‘worryingly off the pace’ v Greuther Furth

READ MORE: (Video) Darwin Nunez nets quickfire second half double for Liverpool against Greuther Furth

It looks very much as if both Fabinho and Henderson could depart in the next few days, judging by updates from Fabrizio Romano. In that event, we’re indeed likely to see Trent take up a position in midfield, at least until such time that a natural number 6 is brought in by Klopp.

Should Liverpool fail to add any more midfielders during the transfer window, that may lead to the number 66 being deployed primarily in the middle, but might that be to the detriment of the defence?

Reds fans will have been encouraged by the performances of Conor Bradley at right-back in the two pre-season games so far, but while the Northern Ireland international may get a few starts during the campaign, it’s probably asking a lot to expect him to be a first-team stalwart this soon.

McAteer’s claim about Trent’s role in the team is a fair one, and it’ll be intriguing to see what happens in terms of incomings to the squad between now and the summer transfer deadline.

#Ep82 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Who do Liverpool replace Henderson & Fabinho with?

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(Video) Jason McAteer brilliantly shuts down Richard Keys in defence of Jurgen Klopp https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/05/01/mcateer-richard-keys-klopp-liverpool/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/05/01/mcateer-richard-keys-klopp-liverpool/#comments Mon, 01 May 2023 07:51:39 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=233686 Jason McAteer was well able for anything Richard Keys had to throw at him regarding their discussion on Jurgen Klopp following Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday. The Reds manager was in the spotlight over the yellow card he received from Paul Tierney in the wake of his angry reaction towards fourth official […]

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Jason McAteer was well able for anything Richard Keys had to throw at him regarding their discussion on Jurgen Klopp following Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.

The Reds manager was in the spotlight over the yellow card he received from Paul Tierney in the wake of his angry reaction towards fourth official John Brooks in celebrating Diogo Jota’s stoppage time winner.

That incident was the cue for plenty of debate in beIN SPORTS‘ post-match coverage, with contrasting viewpoints communicated.

Keys accused Klopp of having ‘form’ for remonstrating with officials, to which McAteer replied that players and managers at an ‘elite’ level can get ‘wrapped up’ in emotion during a match.

The former Liverpool midfielder added: “You get wrapped up in the moment, the game, the winning, the passion, the desire…we’re all made up of different stuff, and we all get triggered by different things, but in the main we’re all winners.

“He knows he stepped over the line, but he can’t help his emotions.”

Keys responded to that by saying: ‘he has to’, adding ‘you have to be responsible’ in the line of duty – this from the same man who resigned from Sky Sports a few years ago over inappropriate comments made about female officials (The Guardian).

When McAteer suggested that Klopp could be driven out of the Premier League over continued criticism of his behaviour, drawing a comparison with Jose Mourinho, the presenter retorted: “If he’s that sensitive, then he might as well go now.

“Once again, he’s lost control. That is a flaw in his character and he cannot continue to do that. That kind of behavior sparks incidents.”

McAteer later pointed out that Klopp ‘has put his hand up and apologised’ over his conduct, with Keys retorting that the Liverpool manager must ‘learn’ from such indiscretions.

We want to see respect being shown to referees, and the Reds boss can occasionally overstep the mark with his touchline behaviour, but he’s not the only Premier League manager who sometimes lets his emotion get the better of him.

Also, when officials make unfathomable decisions unbefitting of their professional status, and considering how much is at stake at the highest level of football, it’s understandable that players and managers will react angrily.

From the manner in which Keys was speaking after the game, he seems to have a set against Klopp; and McAteer was right to shut him down by presenting the reality of players and managers being caught up in the moment, also noting that they often apologise afterwards once they’ve cooled down and taken stock.

You can view the exchange between Keys, McAteer and Andy Gray below, via @beINSPORTS_EN on Twitter:

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‘Sell me Liverpool right now’ – Jason McAteer and Richard Keys embroiled in Jude Bellingham debate https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/04/02/mcateer-keys-bellingham-liverpool-debate/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/04/02/mcateer-keys-bellingham-liverpool-debate/#comments Sun, 02 Apr 2023 10:55:11 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=232000 Jason McAteer has explained why Jude Bellingham should still be willing to join Liverpool despite the Reds’ inconsistent performances this term. Jurgen Klopp’s men, who were defeated 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad yesterday, currently find themselves seven points adrift of the top four and face Chelsea and league leaders Arsenal in their next […]

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Jason McAteer has explained why Jude Bellingham should still be willing to join Liverpool despite the Reds’ inconsistent performances this term.

Jurgen Klopp’s men, who were defeated 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad yesterday, currently find themselves seven points adrift of the top four and face Chelsea and league leaders Arsenal in their next two games.

The Borussia Dortmund star is the club’s ‘priority’ transfer target this summer but with the Merseysiders also facing competition from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City, Richard Keys doesn’t believe the 19-year-old will opt for a move to L4.

Keys posed the following question to McAteer while presenting on beIN SPORTS (via Liverpool Echo): “I’m Jude Bellingham, sell me Liverpool right now. Why would I join your club next year?”

The ex-Red responded: “First of all, Jude Bellingham is 19 and has the pick of anywhere he wants to go. I don’t know whether Barcelona or Real Madrid are, financially, in a situation to take him and offer Dortmund what they want. It’s the next step. Even as a 19-year-old, you could pick up an injury tomorrow that could end your career. You take the opportunity when it does come along.”

READ MORE: Ex-Red ‘can’t believe’ one thing ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming clash with Liverpool at Anfield

Keys then asked, in an attempt to provoke McAteer: “So the only thing on your mind is the money?”

“No… it’s progression,” McAteer responded once again. “You don’t want to play in the Bundesliga, you want to play in the best league in the world – and that’s the Premier League. They [Liverpool] can you offer you moving forward a platform to express yourself. You can’t put Liverpool in the same bracket as Borussia Dortmund.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful, but it’s the Bundesliga and they [Dortmund] have two games a season: Bayern Munich home and away. They don’t really feature in the Champions League, they’ve been knocked out, so does he want to stay there?”

Keys was having none of McAteer’s case for Bellingham to join Liverpool, though, and insisted that there are more appealing options for the England international with many of Klopp’s current stars past their best. “Three of your back four you need to move on, your two full-backs have gone and Van Dijk is not good enough anymore. The three in midfield are either too old or not good enough. It’s a huge job. I’m Jude Bellingham looking at that and thinking ‘I don’t think so’.”

No matter where the Birmingham City Academy graduate decides to go in the summer (that’s assuming he does leave the Bundesliga outfit), he will be a guaranteed starter.

The decision he does need to make, though, is whether he comes to Anfield and spearheads a rebuild at the club or if he joins a club like Madrid or City who are already in a comfortable position squad-wise.

He’s been linked with a move to Liverpool for what feels like an eternity so if he was to head anywhere else other than Merseyside it’s going to be rather hard to watch.

We’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the summer but we certainly believe the sizeable fee that Dortmund will demand for his signature will be worth every penny.

#Ep73 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Author chat with Chris Roberts on Football, Mental Health… and more!

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‘It’s half-hearted’ – Ex-Red left furious at Liverpool star’s actions during FA Cup defeat at Brighton https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/01/29/ex-red-furious-liverpool-stars-actions-brighton/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/01/29/ex-red-furious-liverpool-stars-actions-brighton/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2023 18:13:57 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=228480 Jason McAteer was left raging with Darwin Nunez after Brighton scored an injury time winner to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup earlier today and is concerned that his former side may not win a thing this season. Although Harvey Elliott had initially put the Reds ahead on the south coast, a fortuitous goal […]

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Jason McAteer was left raging with Darwin Nunez after Brighton scored an injury time winner to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup earlier today and is concerned that his former side may not win a thing this season.

Although Harvey Elliott had initially put the Reds ahead on the south coast, a fortuitous goal from Lewis Dunk and a late strike from Kaoru Mitoma helped Roberto De Zerbi’s side through to round five.

While reviewing the Seagulls’ winner, the ex-Red was left unhappy with the efforts of our No. 27 and his attempts to stop the Japan international’s effort.

“When the free-kick is set and you are looking around to see who you are marking,” McAteer told beIN Sports (via HITC). “How does that happen? Two men at the back stick?! That should not happen.

“This I can kind of understand (Gomez turning his back as Mitoma takes a first touch and then shoots with his second), it’s another phase, he’s taken it down, everyone is moving around, you lose a player and I can kind of get that one where he is free.

READ MORE: Andy Robertson points to a lack of confidence following ‘disappointing’ FA Cup defeat at Brighton

“That one, I don’t understand (Estupinan being free prior to his cross to Mitoma). I don’t how he has managed to be left with that much time and space?! I would be critical of Nunez. Watch Nunez. He (Mitoma) does Gomez, fair enough, he tries to block the shot.

“Does Nunez do enough there?! Does he put his body on the line to say ‘I am going to stop that from going in?’. He is there! Throw your body at it. You don’t dangle your leg. It’s the last minute of the game. You defend with everything you have got. Put your body on the line. Take one for the team. It’s half-hearted. It drives me mad. We could end up with nothing this season.”

We understand McAteer’s frustration, but the initial problem stemmed from us not marking up at the back post – something that is the absolute basics for any team when defending.

Pervis Estupinan was afforded far too much time to control the ball and then pick out Mitoma, and even with four men around him, the 25-year-old still managed to get a shot off and win the game for his side.

We urgently need to find some form before the season becomes a write off.

Although we’re out of both cup competitions and ten points outside the top four, we do have a Champions League tie with Real Madrid to look forward to, with the first-leg just next month.

Hopefully the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Bobby Firmino and Diogo Jota will have returned to fitness by then to give Klopp’s side a much-needed boost.

Exclusive: Sofyan Amrabat’s Liverpool update – every word of our latest interview with Аnas Bakhkhar

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Jason McAteer says he ‘can’t defend’ Liverpool star after what he did during Wolves clash https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/01/08/mcateer-cant-protect-liverpool-star-after-mistake/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/01/08/mcateer-cant-protect-liverpool-star-after-mistake/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2023 19:27:39 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=227729 Jason McAteer has said he ‘can’t protect’ Alisson Becker after the Liverpool goalkeeper made a dreadful error to hand Wolves the lead in yesterday’s FA Cup clash at Anfield. The Brazil International attempted to play a pass to Joel Matip inside his area but instead kicked the ball at Goncalo Guedes who then fired home to […]

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Jason McAteer has said he ‘can’t protect’ Alisson Becker after the Liverpool goalkeeper made a dreadful error to hand Wolves the lead in yesterday’s FA Cup clash at Anfield.

The Brazil International attempted to play a pass to Joel Matip inside his area but instead kicked the ball at Goncalo Guedes who then fired home to put his side 1-0 up against the FA Cup champions.

Darwin Nunez dragged the Reds back level before half time with Mo Salah then putting us ahead shortly after the resumption – only for Hwang Hee-chan to square the game up once again and force a replay at Molineux later this month.

“We saw one from de Gea, now that one was a shocker, but this one is worse,” McAteer told beIN Sports (via HITC). “I know I like to protect my boys, but I just can’t protect him.

READ MORE: (Video) Trent Alexander-Arnold tells Jordan Henderson to ‘f**ck off’ during frustrating Wolves clash

“First of all, Thiago plays his part as well. He tries to dribble out from a really poor area. Alisson gives him the ball. Why doesn’t he just come to the left there where he has got men in Robertson and Gakpo? No, he tries to do a stepover and puts himself in trouble and then Alisson ends up back with the ball.

“I don’t know what he’s thinking because you can’t play through players. You play around them or over them. That’s what he has tried to do and he has been punished by conceding a goal and I can’t defend him because it was sloppy and poor.”

The 30-year-old has been phenomenal since joining the club from Roma back in 2018 but it was a terrible mistake from him yesterday.

Mistakes are part of football, however, and the Brazil international did somewhat make up for his error by producing a huge save during the second half to prevent Rayan Ait-Nouri from netting for Julian Lopetegui’s side.

We certainly feel like McAteer is being a little harsh on Alisson on this occasion but he’s right to call out Thiago Alcantara for the role he played moments before the mistake.

We’re sure the Brazilian will put the incident behind him and look to put in a huge performance when we travel to Brighton on Saturday.

Exclusive: Every word of our Sofyan Amrabat interview with Аnas Bakhkhar – will the Moroccan sign for the Reds?

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(Video) ‘Really poor’ – Ex-Red McAteer makes fresh FSG claim after Leeds defeat https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/10/31/mcateer-fsg-claim-leeds-defeat/ Mon, 31 Oct 2022 07:46:14 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=224574 Another crushing defeat to a struggling Premier League side has inevitably raised yet more questions and accusations at Liverpool Football Club. Jason McAteer, however, suggested that it was unfair to point the finger at the club’s American owners, Fenway Sports Group, for the troubles experienced on the pitch. It’s clear that there are an array […]

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Another crushing defeat to a struggling Premier League side has inevitably raised yet more questions and accusations at Liverpool Football Club.

Jason McAteer, however, suggested that it was unfair to point the finger at the club’s American owners, Fenway Sports Group, for the troubles experienced on the pitch.

It’s clear that there are an array of factors behind our inexplicable nosedive in performance levels across the park compared to the highs of the prior campaign.

FSG do have to shoulder some blame in that regard, though questions have to be asked of our recruitment team and Jurgen Klopp over the calls made in the summer.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of beIN Sports (via @RealKevinPalmer):

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Ex-Red draws comparisons between Liverpool new boy Fabio Carvalho and former Anfield favourite Philippe Coutinho https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/07/15/218414/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 11:00:53 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=218414 Jason McAteer has drawn comparisons between new Liverpool man Fabio Carvalho and ex-Red Philippe Coutinho. The former was a real favourite of the fans at Anfield before he forced a move away from the club and joined Barcelona where he struggled to perform at the levels required to succeed at the Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Carvalho […]

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Jason McAteer has drawn comparisons between new Liverpool man Fabio Carvalho and ex-Red Philippe Coutinho.

The former was a real favourite of the fans at Anfield before he forced a move away from the club and joined Barcelona where he struggled to perform at the levels required to succeed at the Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Carvalho has arrived from Fulham this summer after impressing in the Championship last term and McAteer has questioned whether the Portugal youth international is ready to play Premier League football just yet, but explained that he can see signs of our former No. 10 in the midfielder’s game.

“He’s got bags of talent, we saw that when he was at Fulham, a great prospect with loads of potential,” McAteer told LFCTV [via HITC].

“He’s come to a new club and he’s trying to impress the lads. Whether he gets a lot of starts remains to be seen, he’s in an area of the pitch where there’s not too much up for grabs, we’ve just waxed-lyrical about Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and the Ox can play in there. I’m not sure he’s quite ready yet, but he looks like Coutinho to me, he plays like that doesn’t he?”

READ MORE: Adrian discusses Luis Diaz’s ‘incredible’ first season at Liverpool and is hoping for the same from Darwin Nunez

Coutinho was an unbelievable player when he was at the club.

He’s now back in the English top-flight and playing under former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa and he seems to be enjoying his football once again.

Back when he was wearing the famous Red shirt, he had the ability to win games single-handedly and he’s scored some stunning goals during his career.

We can certainly see where McAteer is coming from drawing comparisons between Carvalho and the Brazilian.

They both appear to have the ability to receive the ball on the half-turn and to create endless amounts of chances for their teammates.

Last season alone, our new signing scored 11 goals and assisted eight in 38 appearances for Marco Silva’s side as they won the Championship and therefore earned promotion back to the top-flight.

The pair have a very similar physique and it would be great if our No. 28 can perform at the levels which Coutinho did when he was on Merseyside.

We’re expecting to get another glimpse of Carvalho in a Liverpool shirt later today when we face Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace in Singapore – we’ll just have to wait and see!

EOTK Insider Opinion: Ben Davies’ wages and why he is the blueprint of how Liverpool don’t do transfer business

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‘He could mould into that kind of player’ – Ex-Red offers glowing comparison between Liverpool star and two Barcelona legends https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/07/15/218409/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 07:55:43 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=218409 Jason McAteer has likened Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott to Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The exciting prospect looked set to play a huge role in the Reds’ season last term but suffered a nasty ankle injury early into the campaign. Despite him returning to full fitness earlier this year and making a goalscoring return […]

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Jason McAteer has likened Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott to Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

The exciting prospect looked set to play a huge role in the Reds’ season last term but suffered a nasty ankle injury early into the campaign.

Despite him returning to full fitness earlier this year and making a goalscoring return against Cardiff City in the FA Cup at Anfield, he struggled to earn minutes towards the end of the season.

But whilst speaking to Luis Garcia in Asia, McAteer has claimed our No. 67 could ‘mould into’ a player very similar to the aforementioned Spain legends.

“You’ve been around Xavi and Iniesta, you saw them, you played with them, you grew up with them. I don’t know whether it’s just because he’s small and he’s that kind of build, but I get the feeling that he could mould into that kind of player, do you see that?” McAteer asked Garcia on LFCTV [via HITC].

READ MORE: Liverpool legend sends ‘good luck’ message to the rest of the Premier League as he compares Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez

To which our former No. 10 replied: “Of course, I see something that reminds me of those players, his body position, he’s always well-orientated towards the game and his ball control is always forwards and that’s how they play in Barcelona.”

That is certainly some comparison that has been made.

Iniesta and Xavi are recognised as two of the best midfielders to ever play the game and it’s clear that since they left Camp Nou, the Catalan outfit have never really quite been the same.

Lionel Messi was of course the main man at Barca, and rightly so, but there is the debate that questions would he have been as successful as he was if it wasn’t for the two main men behind him tying everything together.

It’s clear that Elliott is nowhere near the level of the two legendary midfielders at the moment, but he’s showing very promising potential and appears to have all the ability in the world.

He’s agile, quick and talented and his forward-thinking mentality is what excites supporters.

The 19-year-old was looking sharp at the beginning of last season until he suffered that injury against Leeds United at Elland Road and Alan Hutton is expecting the England U21 international to shine under Jurgen Klopp next season.

The German boss is reportedly in the market for a new midfielder, but if Elliott can realise his full potential in the upcoming campaign, it may make Klopp think again before splashing the cash on a new signing.

EOTK Insider Opinion: Ben Davies’ wages and why he is the blueprint of how Liverpool don’t do transfer business

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‘I don’t know what’s happening’ – Jason McAteer blown away by the ability of 18-year-old Liverpool star during the Reds’ time in Asia https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/07/15/218406/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 06:39:07 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=218406 Jason McAteer has heaped praise on Liverpool’s Academy set-up and singled out one Reds youngster who he’s been ‘really impressed’ by during his time in Asia. The boyhood Kopite was watching Jurgen Klopp’s side train in Singapore recently and was blown away by the ability of 18-year-old left-back Luke Chambers. The Preston-born talent signed a […]

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Jason McAteer has heaped praise on Liverpool’s Academy set-up and singled out one Reds youngster who he’s been ‘really impressed’ by during his time in Asia.

The boyhood Kopite was watching Jurgen Klopp’s side train in Singapore recently and was blown away by the ability of 18-year-old left-back Luke Chambers.

The Preston-born talent signed a professional contract with the Anfield outfit last year and appears to be going from strength to strength under the watchful eye of Klopp and co at the AXA Training Centre.

“I don’t know what’s happening, we seem to be producing these really composed young kids on the ball,” the ex-Red told LFC TV (via HITC).

“They always have time and space, they understand where they are on the pitch, their first touch is great and their decision making is great as well.

“He has a great delivery, I was really impressed by his decision-making when he didn’t have the ball, when to push in, where to go, he looked really composed on the ball as well.

“Just watching him there doing free-kicks in training, he was putting some fantastic balls in, flat, quick, I was really really impressed with him, a great left-foot and he’s also got a good right foot as well.”

READ MORE: Erling Haaland admits his excitement at being involved in the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City

We have certainly produced some quality players in recent times.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most notable, of course, with him becoming one of the best players in the world in his respective position.

Neco Williams, another Academy graduate, was sold to Nottingham Forest recently for an impressive £17m whilst Tyler Morton and Conor Bradley were just two of a number of teenagers to be handed first team minutes by Klopp last term.

In terms of Chambers, it does certainly sound like we have a lad full of talent in the ranks.

He’ll benefit from the trip to Asia and the chance to train alongside the first team squad – he has the perfect role model to look up to and learn from in the shape of Andy Robertson.

The Scotland captain is viewed as the best left-back in the world by many and he’ll be keen to offer a helping hand to his fellow full-back, as too will Greek international Kostas Tsimikas.

The Greek Scouser heaped praise on our No. 88 earlier this week and claimed the teen is ‘very focussed’.

Hopefully all of the young lads will return from the pre-season trip feeling the benefits and it’ll be interesting to see whether any of them break through into the first team during the upcoming campaign.

Chambers started Tuesday’s defeat to Manchester United and will be licking his lips at the prospect of more game time against Crystal Palace later today.

EOTK Insider Opinion: Ben Davies’ wages and why he is the blueprint of how Liverpool don’t do transfer business

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(Video) Jason McAteer helps sweep rain of the Thailand playing surface ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season friendly https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/07/13/video-jason-mcateer-helps-sweep-rain-of-the-thailand-playing-surface-ahead-of-liverpools-pre-season-friendly/ Wed, 13 Jul 2022 08:07:11 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=218268 Jason McAteer may have been part of the TV coverage for Liverpool’s first pre-season game of the summer but he was handed another role before kick-off. Thanks to a hefty downpour before the match, there was a fair amount of water on the playing surface in Thailand. As local workers started to sweep the water […]

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Jason McAteer may have been part of the TV coverage for Liverpool’s first pre-season game of the summer but he was handed another role before kick-off.

Thanks to a hefty downpour before the match, there was a fair amount of water on the playing surface in Thailand.

As local workers started to sweep the water off the pitch, our former full-back also offered his help.

READ MORE: (Video) New angle of the goalmouth scramble where Liverpool had six shots but couldn’t find the back of the net

With the moment captured on film, the 51-year-old turned to the camera and said: “See, I’ll do anything for this club!”.

You can watch the video of McAteer via @Petermcdowall10 on Twitter:

EOTK Insider Opinion: Ben Davies’ wages and why he is the blueprint of how Liverpool don’t do transfer business

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(Image) Jason McAteer spots superb Liverpool mural as he arrives in Thailand as part of the Reds’ pre-season tour https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/07/10/218072/ Sun, 10 Jul 2022 14:48:37 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=218072 Former Liverpool star Jason McAteer is in Thailand as a part of Liverpool’s pre-season tour and has spotted a simply stunning piece of artwork. On what appears to be a side of a building, a mural has been painted showing McAteer alongside ex-Reds Robbie Fowler, Samy Hyypia, Luis Garcia and Jose Enrique. Boyhood Red McAteer […]

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Former Liverpool star Jason McAteer is in Thailand as a part of Liverpool’s pre-season tour and has spotted a simply stunning piece of artwork.

On what appears to be a side of a building, a mural has been painted showing McAteer alongside ex-Reds Robbie Fowler, Samy Hyypia, Luis Garcia and Jose Enrique.

Boyhood Red McAteer took to Twitter to show off the mural, saying: “Found this in Thailand… amazing.”

READ MORE: (Video) Watch Henderson’s outrageous rabona assist from Liverpool’s trip to Bangkok back in 2015

There are a number of murals near Anfield and around Liverpool city centre, but to see such a stunning piece of paintwork completed all the way in Thailand really is great to see.

The detail of paintings with each player wearing a jersey from one of the seasons that they featured for the club is superb – there really is some talented people out there.

It’s clear that Jurgen Klopp’s side are adored by many in Thailand and in Asia in general – the support was emphasised by the number of supporters that gathered to greet the club as they arrived in Bangkok earlier today.

Hopefully we can put on a show for our Asian supporters on Tuesday when we face Manchester United.

You can see a full image of the article below via Jason McAteer’s Twitter page: 

#Ep55 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Farewell Sadio Mane, Mo Salah contract hope… & more!

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‘My son attacked, my wife mugged’ – Ex-Liverpool star shares ‘disgusting’ treatment his family was subjected to in Paris https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/05/29/my-son-attacked-my-wife-mugged-ex-liverpool-star-shares-disgusting-treatment-his-family-was-subjected-to-in-paris/ Sun, 29 May 2022 11:08:42 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=216105 Jason McAteer has shared his experience attending the Champions League final in Paris online. The former Liverpool star noted in a tweet that both his wife and son had been subjected to horrific treatment in the French capital – a tale shared by many a supporter in France. Last night was disgusting. My son attacked […]

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Jason McAteer has shared his experience attending the Champions League final in Paris online.

The former Liverpool star noted in a tweet that both his wife and son had been subjected to horrific treatment in the French capital – a tale shared by many a supporter in France.

The Merseysiders have called for an investigation into events around the stadium before, during after full-time as the club suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Stade de France.

READ MORE: (Video) French police officer hits Liverpool fan from close range with pepper spray in the face despite showing no aggression

We’d like to express our deepest sympathies to McAteer and his loved ones and we hope that all fans involved have safely emerged from the event in question.

It’s difficult to tell the extent to which fan treatment impacted performance on the pitch, though we’ve no doubt that it will have only compounded the negative feelings within the squad after the conclusion of the tie.

In what should have been a show of unity after the final was moved from St. Petersburg to the French capital was sadly utterly marred by French officials on the day.

#Ep52 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Paris edition – Previewing the Champions League final

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