Liverpool team news LIVE: Press conference updates as Jurgen Klopp speaks ahead of Man City clash
Follow live updates from the manager’s press conference this afternoon
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp described Manchester City as the best team in Europe and said his side would have to defend superbly in Sunday’s clash between the top two teams in the Premier League.
Liverpool are the only unbeaten team left in the league and are top of the standings with 14 points, one point above Pep Guardiola’s City.
Klopp said City would be looking to hit back after their midweek Champions League loss at Paris St Germain, adding that the contest at Anfield -- where Liverpool lost 4-1 in last season’s fixture -- would be a “complex football challenge”.
“We have to play a proper football game to have a chance, but it’s Anfield. We’re really looking forward to the game,” Klopp told reporters.
“We are in a good moment, that’s what you have to be to have a chance against them. For me, they’re the best team in Europe. Last weekend they played (and beat) Chelsea, who are good, but City were clearly better on that day.
“We have to defend at the absolute highest level to stay in the game and make sure the goals we score make the difference... You have to be brave, play front footed, be cheeky in moments, really be your best version. Only then you have a chance.”
With the season’s second international break starting after the weekend’s matches, Klopp said he was still in the dark about quarantine rules for players travelling to countries on the UK’s red list.
Klopp said he would be losing Brazilian players Alisson Becker and Fabinho, Greece’s Konstantinos Tsimikas and Senegalese forward Sadio Mane to 10 days quarantine if they travelled to red list countries during the break.
“Brazil is on the red list for England but not for France, Germany and Spain. All the other countries send their players and they can come back,” Klopp said.
“I heard they maybe have to have 10 days in a hotel when they come back with food delivered to their door -- it’s not okay... The Premier League has to fight for its players.”
Relive updates from the Liverpool manager’s press conference, below.
Thomas Tuchel on Reece James and Mason Mount injuries
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel when asked if he gave his blessing for Reece James and Mason Mount to be selected for the England squad, despite their recent injuries.
“You would assume so, no? When I saw it I thought Reece was with the water polo team for England because right now he trains in the pool. I was a bit surprised but I understood that he was selected for the football team. This will not happen because Reece trains in the pool. My understanding is that he will not go, it must have been a misunderstanding. For Mason he is in the squad, he is back, it was a minor injury and it’s a given that he is nominated.”
Luke Shaw injury: Manchester United defender injury doubt despite recovering from illness
Luke Shaw is carrying a shoulder injury and is a doubt for Manchester United’s Premier League meeting with Everton despite recovering from illness.
Shaw was substituted midway through last Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa and was not included in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s matchday squad for Wednesday’s Champions League win over Villarreal.
The 26-year-old was named in the England squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary, with Gareth Southgate claiming that Shaw was feeling better.
Solskjaer confirmed that Shaw had recovered from his recent illness on Friday but added that the left back is still troubled by a shoulder injury and that a decision would have to be made on his availability.
“Luke feels better in himself,” the United manager said. “He’s been ill but he’s still got the shoulder injury. We’ve got to make a decision on him.”
Luke Shaw injury doubt for Manchester United despite recovering from illness
Shaw was replaced midway through last Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa
Manchester United press conference
That’s all from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Manchester United manager said he has to make a “decision” on Luke Shaw ahead of the Everton match tomorrow and confirmed that Harry Maguire is out, but revealed that Marcus Rashford today returned to contact training following his shoulder surgery in August.
Apart from that, Solskjaer has called his players to start the Everton match how they finished the Villarreal game, despite the short turnaround between the fixtures. Solskjaer said it makes “no sense” that his side are playing tomorrow lunchtime after having had their Champions League match on Wednesday night.
Solskjaer also said he understood Donny van de Beek’s frustrations over his lack of playing time but encouraged all of his players to take that energy into their performances when they do get on the pitch.
Manchester United press conference
Solskjaer is asked about Liverpool and Manchester City playing on Sunday but Manchester United having to play on Saturday lunchtime.
“There’s been no explanation - well, it’s TV. It doesn’t make any sense. We had the same scenario last year when we were in Turkey and then came back and played Everton.
“We did it last year but we have to make it happen. The crowd is going to have to help, that’s important and I know they will. Us and Chelsea played Wednesday night, we could have easily played Sunday and Liverpool and Manchester City play on Saturday. Common sense might not be so common.”
Manchester United press conference
“Both Dean and Tom are ready to play when called upon. Of course Dean has had problems with Covid but he played well against West Brom in the Carabao Cup and I’m pleased with him.
“David [De Gea] has done really well. You’d like your goalkeeper to have nothing to do but he’s done brilliantly with what’s been thrown at him. I’m really pleased with him.”
Manchester United press conference
“Cristiano is an example. It’s only been a month but he’s made a good impact so far. Long may that continue.”
Manchester United press conference
On team news:
“Luke feels better. But he’s still got the shoulder injury. Marcus trained for the first time today with contact. There were a few tackles flying in and he was okay, which was nice to see. Harry is out.”
Manchester United press conference
On Van de Beek’s frustration:
“We manage a squad of competitive international footballers. They all want to get on the pitch. I know what it’s like to be a sub and it’s tough sometimes. I understand frustration. Every player is keen to play. That has to be built into energy and determination when you do get onto the pitch, and that’s not just about Donny.
“We need positive energy. We can’t have sulkers - but Donny has never affected the team negatively.”
Manchester United press conference
On finding balance:
“That’s the challenge we’re facing. We have to move the ball quickly, make better decisions, win it back quickly. The transitions in football are so fast, that it sometimes looks like a handball game.
“We need to build more pressure in their half. There are loads of things we need to work on.”
Manchester United press conference
Here’s Solskjaer:
“We’ve done that so many times, come back to beat good teams. We were good in possession but we were too open on the counter attack, we have to work on that.
“The boost and energy you get in the group after a win like Wednesday has to be built on, It’s a quick turnaround. we have got to start like we finished.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies