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Updated: 1 hour 42 min ago

Jamie Carragher delivers Jürgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola verdict in Liverpool and Man City debate

2 hours 24 min ago

Jamie Carragher has given his verdict on the greatest managers of all time, including an answer on the Jürgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola debate.

The Liverpool and Manchester City managers have defined an era in the Premier League, with the pair regularly going head-to-head for the title in recent years. Guardiola just edges Klopp on that front, having won five to the German’s one.

There are mitigating factors though, with the City boss having spent more on his squad over the years. That has meant the debate has never been clear-cut, with Klopp’s influence since arriving at Liverpool earmarking him as Guardiola’s equal.

READ MORE: 'Not really' - Cody Gakpo delivers defiant message after Liverpool criticism

READ MORE: Liverpool fan who missed out on transfer 'dream' could be about to do Jürgen Klopp a huge favor

Carragher himself has sided with the Liverpool boss on previous occasions when asked which manager he would prefer. The former defender though has now given Guardiola the edge in the debate over the greatest managers.

Appearing alongside Thierry Henry in a video posted by Sky Sports, Carragher played a game of ‘winner stays on’ with football’s greatest managers. First up was Rafael Benítez vs Fabio Capello, with the latter going through.

Vicente del Bosque then got the nod over Capello, before the former Spain boss was knocked out by José Mourinho. Carragher then sided with Johan Cruyff, before Guardiola got the nod.

Then came the question everyone was waiting for, with Klopp pitted against Guardiola. Carragher though put his Liverpool allegiance to one side and picked the City boss.

Guardiola though wouldn’t claim the top crown of greatest manager. Instead, Carragher opted for Sir Alex Ferguson in the final match-up.

Liverpool.com says: When it comes to overall record, as much as we would like to say Klopp has the edge over Guardiola, the City boss is in something of a league of his own. That’s not the only metric by which a manager should be judged though, and the impact Klopp has had on Liverpool is almost incomparable. We would always side with the German for obvious reasons, but the debate will no doubt continue in the years to come.

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'Not really' - Cody Gakpo delivers defiant message after Liverpool criticism

3 hours 5 min ago

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo has responded to recent criticism about his performances, saying he is "aware" of it but it doesn't bother him.

The forward has faced some tough questions this season about his ability to perform at the same level as other Liverpool stars like Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez.

This came up again after the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United. Jamie Carragher said Gakpo seemed to be playing "in slow motion" at Old Trafford. Chris Sutton, a former Blackburn Rovers striker, also had harsh words, saying it looked like Gakpo "didn't have his boots on the right feet".

READ MORE: Liverpool fan who missed out on transfer 'dream' could be about to do Jürgen Klopp a huge favor

READ MORE: Bayer Leverkusen star makes Liverpool 'final' prediction during training with Virgil van Dijk

But Gakpo used the international break to prove his critics wrong. He provided two assists in the Netherlands' 4-0 victory over Scotland last Friday, playing alongside Virgil van Dijk.

When asked about his recent form and whether his move to Liverpool has been successful, Gakpo didn't take offense. Instead, he said his focus is on improving as a player.

"I personally wasn't that concerned," he told Voetbal International, referring to the criticism of his recent performances for Liverpool.

The former PSV Eindhoven star said: "I am aware of the situations that have occurred and that are occurring and the expectations. I am someone who always looks at, what can I do better and how can I develop myself? That is still the case today.

"There are things that are going well and things that are not going so well that I have to develop that can be developed and I am fully engaged in that, and I am not really concerned with whether that transition has been successful anymore."

Gakpo has played a total of 42 matches for Jürgen Klopp's side this season, scoring 13 goals and registering five assists in the process. The forward has found the back of the net five times in the Premier League this term, with his remaining successful strikes evenly split across the Carabao Cup and Europa League (four in each).

Liverpool.com says: It's good to hear that Gakpo isn't letting recent criticism get to him, but now he needs to come up with a response on the pitch with Liverpool. You can't get away from how disappointing his performance was against United, and he needs to make sure that was just an off-day.

With Diogo Jota set to return from injury soon, Gakpo will probably find himself falling down the pecking order again. He will have an important part to play in the remainder of the season though — it's up to him to make sure he takes his chance when it arrives.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.

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Liverpool fan who missed out on transfer 'dream' could be about to do Jürgen Klopp a huge favor

3 hours 50 min ago

Liverpool resumes its push for the Premier League title this weekend following the international break. The Reds will know that, as they long as they do the business against Brighton, there’s a good chance they’ll top the table on Sunday night.

While Jürgen Klopp will of course be focused on his own side’s game, once the full-time whistle blows at Anfield, his attention will surely turn to events at the Etihad Stadium. With Manchester City hosting Arsenal, it could be a pivotal weekend in the title race.

Mikel Arteta’s side currently leads the way, sitting above Liverpool only on goal difference, but City lies just a point further back. The ideal situation for the Reds would see the two sides draw when they meet, perhaps closely followed by a win for the hosts.

READ MORE: Bayer Leverkusen star makes Liverpool 'final' prediction during training with Virgil van Dijk

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp has given Liverpool star exactly what he needed and Xherdan Shaqiri just proved it

Either scenario would send Liverpool top, as long as it picks up three points against Brighton. Seeing two City stars pick up injuries in the past few days then might not have been as welcome a sight as some might imagine.

Pep Guardiola is facing major doubts over both Kyle Walker and John Stones after they both limped off on England duty. Walker was forced off after just 20 minutes against Brazil, while Stones lasted just 10 against Belgium on Tuesday.

It’s not like Guardiola is short of options though. In fact, he spent $98m (£77m/€90m) on someone who should be a pretty handy backup.

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Joško Gvardiol could well come into the reckoning to face Arsenal if Walker and Stones can’t make it. The former RB Leipzig defender hasn’t quite found his feet in the Premier League yet, and it was telling that he remained sat on the bench when City visited Anfield earlier this month.

He might be needed against the Gunners though. If so, he has the chance to do a huge favor for the team he supports.

Gvardiol revealed his affinity for Liverpool last year while discussing a possible move away from Leipzig. Speaking to Croatian TV channel RTLDanas (via TNT Sports), he said: "My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool.

“Since I was little, I watched a lot of their matches with my dad. We covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart."

Of course, that dream wasn’t realized when City instead swooped for the Croatian international last summer. Against Arsenal though, he might well be able to help Liverpool go a step closer to the league title.

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Why Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez didn't play in international break amid Liverpool title boost

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 20:00

As Liverpool prepares to return to action this weekend, Jürgen Klopp will be hoping for some good news on the injury front. The German already looks as though he’ll have another name to add to his list of absentees following the international break.

The Reds will be back at Anfield on Sunday as they take on Brighton, with the Premier League title race nearing its conclusion. With just 10 games left, there will be little room for any slip-ups now.

Liverpool will know it has to make the most of its opportunity against Brighton, with Manchester City and Arsenal meeting straight after. If things go according to plan, the Reds could end the weekend back at the top of the table, and potentially with a two-point lead if it ends as a draw at the Etihad.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news as 'offer made' for Mohamed Salah heir and $87m star tipped for Anfield

READ MORE: 'I'll show up' - Kate Abdo's partner sends warning to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher after joke

Klopp though looks as though he will be planning for that game against Roberto De Zerbi’s side without Andy Robertson, after he was forced off in Scotland’s game against Northern Ireland with an ankle problem. The left-back will undergo a scan, but it does look likely he could face another spell on the sidelines.

That aside, it was an encouraging international break for Liverpool, not least because two of its most important stars avoided any action. Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez were notable for their absence for Egypt and Uruguay respectively, something which Klopp will no doubt be pleased with.

Despite making his return from a hamstring injury just before the break, Salah was left out of Egypt’s squad following a request from Liverpool for the forward to continue his recovery on Merseyside. The Pharaohs, perhaps somewhat reluctantly, obliged.

Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhy, explained to ONSport Radio: "[Salah] is adhering to a rehabilitation regimen and gradually returning to match fitness. That is why there is no necessity to call him up while he is not fully fit.

"After discussions with [the national team's head coach], Hossam Hassan, we agreed that he should stay with his club, [Liverpool].”

The decision may have caused some friction in Salah’s homeland. The 31-year-old faced criticism after he returned to Liverpool from the Africa Cup of Nations following his injury at the tournament, although it should be noted that he had been planned to return but for Egypt’s exit at the last-16 stage.

"Salah is an irreplaceable asset to the national team, and his presence in the squad adds value to players. We had hoped for his participation," Hassan told reporters in Cairo earlier this month (via The New Arab).

"We cannot force a player to join the team… [And] we do not want to jeopardize his full performance following his injury," Hassan added.

As for Núñez, the 24-year-old was withdrawn from international duty with Uruguay after picking up a hamstring issue in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. Klopp though did add that he hoped the problem “was not too bad”, so he should hopefully be fit for the weekend.

Liverpool.com says: Fingers crossed there are no nasty surprises in store when Klopp speaks to the media on Friday. It was something of a bonus that Salah and Núñez weren’t involved for their countries during the international break — Liverpool certainly needs their goals as we approach the business end of the season.

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Liverpool transfer news as 'offer made' for Mohamed Salah heir and $87m star tipped for Anfield

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 19:00

Liverpool is fast approaching a huge summer at the club, with fresh faces set to arrive in both the dugout and in the first-team squad. However, before any signings are made, the club must appoint Jürgen Klopp's successor as his nine-year reign at Anfield comes to an end.

While there are many options and no final decision has been made yet, the hierarchy at Liverpool has been busy behind the scenes after making two vital appointments ahead of next season. Former sporting director Michael Edwards has now been announced as the new CEO of Football for FSG, while Richard Hughes will occupy the sporting director role at Anfield after Jörg Schmadtke's exit in January.

Now these roles are filled, Liverpool can focus on who is the right candidate to succeed Klopp and what signings the new boss will need to continue the strong work the German boss has conducted at the club. Liverpool currently sits level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, has already secured the Carabao Cup for 2023/24 and has progressed into the latter stages of the Europa League.

READ MORE: 'I'll show up' - Kate Abdo's partner sends warning to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher after joke

READ MORE: Liverpool injury blow can’t hide major Liverpool boost Jürgen Klopp’s successor will enjoy too

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around possible additions to the Reds today, including a Serie A star and an exciting striker.

Federico Chiesa (Juventus)

Liverpool has submitted an offer to sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa this summer, according to Fabio Santini from TV Play. The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent transfer windows, with the Reds now reportedly solidifying an interest in the Italian international.

Mohamed Salah, 31, is approaching the final year of his contract at Anfield and with his long-term future currently undecided, plans could be made for life without him. Chiesa is one of the options reportedly being considered by the club, given his ability to occupy Salah's position in the team.

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Liverpool's home shirt for the 2023/2024 campaign pays homage to Bill Shankly and the legendary Reds manager's final season in charge at Anfield. The Nike shirt features a bright red design with a bold white contrast on the colour and cuffs.

Prices start from £59.95

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“There are offers on Chiesa from the big names in the Premier League," Santini said. "In particular from Liverpool. By selling Chiesa they take home around 40-45 million, with that figure Juventus can go knocking on [Mateo] Retegui’s door.”

Liverpool.com says: While Chiesa is capable of playing the same position as Salah, whether or not he can give the same output as the Egyptian remains to be seen. He has seven goals and two assists in the top flight of Italian football, which is some way off Salah's contribution of 15 goals and nine assists so far.

Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna)

Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee has been backed to complete a stunning move to Liverpool in the future by a former coach. The 22-year-old has ten goals and three assists in 26 starts for the Serie A side and is now attracting the interest of top clubs across Europe.

Speaking in an interview with Sport Italia, former coach Ferry Verbeek said: “I think he (Zirkzee) would definitely have a bright future at Milan. At Liverpool or Barcelona. However, he would be better off in his element, with a lot of pressure up front and a lot of ball possession.”

According to La Gazzetta via The Faithful, the Italian side is set to demand a figure in the region of $87m (£69m/€80m) to part ways with Zirkzee in the future. The player is currently contracted until 2026 with the likes of Manchester United reportedly registering an interest in the Netherlands U21 international.

Liverpool.com says: While Zirkzee will be a coveted talent across world football, Liverpool is relatively well-prepped in the forward areas after investing in players such as Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota. Zirkzee is capable of playing on the right wing, although his favoured position is as a striker, meaning Liverpool should likely spend any cash on a genuine heir to Salah's throne in the coming transfer windows.

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'I'll show up' - Kate Abdo's partner sends warning to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher after joke

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 18:00

Malik Scott, the ex-pro boxer boyfriend of CBS host Kate Abdo, has warned Jamie Carragher that he'd 'turn up physically' if he makes another tasteless joke on air.

This comes after Arsenal's dramatic Champions League win over Porto earlier this month. During the discussion about the match, Liverpool legend Carragher made an off-color comment at the expense of his colleague Abdo while wearing an Arsenal shirt.

Attempting to rope her into wearing a Gunners top, Abdo insisted she was "too loyal" to Manchester United, Carragher suggested she should be the next one to wear the shirt, calling into question her relationship with Malik Scott by adding: "Not to Malik."

READ MORE: Liverpool injury blow can’t hide major Liverpool boost Jürgen Klopp’s successor will enjoy too

READ MORE: How Liverpool stars fared in international break as England duo make point amid Cody Gakpo issue

The comment was met with awkwardness by fellow pundits Thierry Henry and Micah Richards. Speaking to Lord Ping, Scott commented on the situation, stating: "The only problem I have with things like that is if Kate feels some kind of way about it, she handled it very well."

He added: "I thought Jamie was just being himself, sometimes he can have a runny mouth, sometimes he's not that good at reading the room, sometimes he's someone that can make beyond sarcastic jokes and it comes across as digging a little bit, especially if you're dealing with a woman.

"But I don't take it personal, it did not enter our home, it really was nothing, but in those types of situations my concern is more about Kate and her feelings, she is someone I'm very much in love with, so once I saw how she handled it, me and her discussed it, and that was that."

Scott went on to say that he didn't give the joke too much attention. Still, he insisted there would be a problem if Carragher ever upset Abdo again: "It was not something I lost any sleep over because I noticed the way Kate handled it was very, very well, and Jamie was just being Jamie and I have no problem with him.

"As long as Kate is happy, I have no problem. Now if he makes Kate upset then I have a serious problem and he'll get a call from me, and if he doesn't pick up my call I'll show up in a physical manner for him."

Reacting to Carragher's comment at the time, Abdo responded: "What? Why would you say that? ", before the former Reds player tried to explain himself: "He hasn't had a mention in the show yet, has he?"

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.

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