Match Preview: Liverpool v Sevilla

The Reds will return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they face Sevilla at Anfield.

We have a score to settle with the Spanish side after they beat us in the Europa League Final in 2016.

We started well that night, were 1-0 ahead at half time before we capitulated in the second half and lost the game 3-1. Ever Banega ran the show in midfield and Kevin Gameiro scored the important goals which won them the trophy.

There have been a few changes at Sevilla since then though. They have changed manager after Unai Emery moved to PSG. Gameiro has also moved to pastures new, whilst defender Adil Rami has moved to Marseille.

Banega has returned though, and he partners the impressive Steven N’Zonzi in the middle of the park. They’ve replaced Rami with Danish centre back Simon Kjaer and they still have the creativity of Pablo Sarabia and Joaquín Correa.

The additions of the ex-Manchester City duo Nolito and Jesus Navas gives them a few more options and in attack, they have the fantastic Wissam Ben Yedder and Luis Muriel, a player Liverpool were linked with a few years back.

Sevilla have started the season well in La Liga and currently sit third in the table, behind Barcelona and Real Sociedad. They are a dangerous side and I’m expecting a tough encounter this week.

From a Liverpool point of view, the game provides the perfect opportunity for us to redeem ourselves after the horror show at Man City… the least said about that the better!

It is important that we bounce back. Sadio Mane will want to do that and although I’m expecting a few changes for this game, Mane is sure to start due to his upcoming suspension in domestic games.

I think Jurgen Klopp will go with the same trio in the forward areas with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino joining Mane once again.

The dilemmas come defensively and in midfield. It’s expected that Loris Karius will replace Simon Mignolet between the sticks for the Champions League games. I don’t agree with it but it seems that’s what will happen.

I’d bring Joe Gomez in at right back as I feel Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled a bit recently, against both Hoffenheim and City.

Dejan Lovren should return in place of Ragnar Klavan and I think maybe Andy Robertson will get a go at left back over Alberto Moreno.

The midfield will probably remain the same as it has been recently, with a healthy substitutes bench of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Philippe Coutinho and James Milner awaiting their chance.

Red's Fury™ Prediction:

Liverpool 2-1 Sevilla

Source: Read LiverpoolFC

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Mane sees red, Liverpool suffered crushing defeat

10-man Liverpool suffered a first Premier League loss of the season as they went down 5-0 at Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.

The Reds began the contest brightly at Etihad Stadium, but Sadio Mane’s sending-off for a high foot on goalkeeper Ederson just after the half-hour dealt their plans a decisive blow.

Sergio Aguero had earlier put City in the lead, while Gabriel Jesus grabbed a goal either side of half-time to add emphasis to their advantage.

Substitute Leroy Sane then added a further two as the contest edged towards its conclusion on a day to firmly forget for Jürgen Klopp’s side.

The key points…

• Aguero gave City lead on 24 minutes after rounding Simon Mignolet
• Mane sent off before half-time for challenge on Ederson
• Jesus and Sane with a brace apiece also on target for hosts
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on at break for LFC debut

The team news…

Klopp made three changes for the contest from the line-up deployed last time out, with Mignolet, Ragnar Klavan and Trent Alexander-Arnold coming in for Loris Karius, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez. New signing Oxlade-Chamberlain was named on the bench.

The first half…

As the heavy rain made way for sunshine at the Etihad, the contest got off to a lively opening between two of the most attack-minded teams in the Premier League.

Both sides threatened in the early exchanges, with the hosts required to defend a series of testing set plays from the visitors, while Kevin De Bruyne’s run and low shot brought a save out of Mignolet.

The Liverpool goalkeeper was called into action again shortly after, this time turning Fernandinho’s skimming strike around the post.

At the other end, Roberto Firmino couldn’t connect properly with a brilliant centre from Jordan Henderson, while Emre Can’s long-ranger was padded down by Ederson.

Next, Mohamed Salah’s burst of speed saw him completely leave Nicolas Otamendi for dust on the right; however, his attempt to deceive and net at the near post was read by City’s stopper.

A goal at either end appeared inevitable – and it duly arrived in the 24th minute, though it was Pep Guardiola’s men who were to profit.

De Bruyne slid a pass between Joel Matip and Klavan for Aguero to run onto, and he made no mistake in rounding Mignolet and slotting into the empty net.

Liverpool’s attempt to muster an instant riposte saw Can strike a free-kick from inside the ‘D’ the wrong side of the upright.

Nevertheless, Klopp’s side should have restored parity on the half-hour when they sprung forward at pace once more and Mane slid Salah through on goal after a brilliant turn in the centre of the park. But the No.11’s attempt to steer around Ederson was too close to the ‘keeper, who was able to save.

The Reds were then on the receiving end of their own good fortune when Klavan conceded possession to Jesus near his own area. Mignolet denied the Brazilian’s eventual effort and, indeed, John Stones’ clear strike at goal from the resulting corner.

Seven minutes before the break, Liverpool’s hopes of taking something from the game were dealt a huge blow as they were reduced to 10 men. Mane’s challenge when attempting to beat Ederson to a ball over the top was deemed dangerous by referee Jonathan Moss, who issued a red card. After lengthy treatment, the Blues replaced their goalkeeper with Claudio Bravo.

And further disappointment was to be heaped upon the visitors before the break when Jesus headed in a close-range second for City.

The second half…

Klopp elected to bring on Oxlade-Chamberlain for his club debut at the interval, replacing Salah.

But any faint hopes of staging a comeback were dashed when Jesus hooked in a third goal for the hosts after Fernandinho put Aguero through on goal and he elected to square for his fellow frontman to net.

With a Champions League game in midweek to come, Liverpool introduced James Milner and Dominic Solanke to the action to replace the tiring legs of Georginio Wijnaldum and Firmino, with the pattern of play now having taken on an entirely different complexion to the first third.

And their disappointment was compounded by Sane adding a fourth and fifth towards the end for the home team.

Goal highlights...


Source: Official Liverpool FC

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Mamadou Sakho completes transfer to Crystal Palace

Mamadou Sakho has completed a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace.

The France international moves to Selhurst Park after four years with Liverpool and having made 80 appearances for the club since signing from Paris Saint-Germain in September 2013.

Sakho’s first Reds game came against Swansea City later that month and he was involved on 17 more occasions during a debut campaign that ended with a second-place finish in the Premier League.

The centre-back, who scored three times for Liverpool in total, marked his final appearance with a goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in April 2016.

Sakho spent the second half of last term on loan with Palace, featuring in eight league matches to help the Eagles avoid relegation before sustaining an injury.

Liverpool FC wishes Mamadou the best of luck in his future career.

Source: Official Liverpool FC

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Juventus testing Liverpool with £23million deadline day bid for midfielder

The 23-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Anfield but Liverpool have yet to secure a new deal for the midfielder, with negotiations currently at an impasse.

Juventus will make a final bid to sign Emre Can from Liverpool for £23million today.

Can has just over 10 months remaining on his Liverpool contract and is refusing to sign a new deal.

The Reds could lose him on a free transfer next summer, with Juventus his likely destination.

Juve have been public in their interest of Can, with director Beppe Marotta expressing his desire to snap up the German.

The Serie A giants are willing to wait until January to discuss a free transfer with the midfielder at the end of the season.

But Italian newspaper La Stampa claim a final move to sign Can on a permanent deal this summer will be lodged before today’s 11pm transfer deadline.

The reasoning behind this is Claudio Marchisio’s recent injury, which rules the Italian out for a month and leaves a space in Juve’s midfield.

Furthermore, the defending Serie A champions yesterday had a loan offer for Barcelona’s Andre Gomes knocked back by the Catalan club.

Can has started the season in fine form and scored twice in the Champions League playoff second leg defeat of Hoffenheim.

The 23-year-old remains in talks over a new contract at Anfield, but Liverpool could be tempted to cash in, aware that he could walk away for nothing next summer.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Liverpool facing competition from Arsenal for French star

Arsenal have reportedly reignited their interest in Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar, as rumours continue to gather pace about their forward Alexis Sanchez leaving the club.

Lemar has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool this week, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger suggesting a deal was "dead" for the France international, per Jack Austin of The Independent.

However, according to Sky Sports' Kaveh Sohekol, Arsenal are ready to make another effort to get the midfielder, with Manchester City chasing Sanchez:

Man City second bid for Alexis Sanchez is £55m plus £5m in add ons. We're also told Arsenal are back in for Thomas Lemar from Monaco

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) 31 August 2017

It's been reported by Sky Sports' Guillem Balague there is hope from Arsenal's perspective that a deal for Lemar can be done:

Alexis close to sign for City for £55 + £5. Arsenal asked for few hours to sign Thomas Lemar, which they confident they are going to do

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) 31 August 2017

It had previously been reported by Solhekol that Monaco were seeking to earn around €100 million (£92 million) from any potential sale of Lemar. According to Sami Mokbel (h/t Adam Shergold of the MailOnline), the Gunners have made an offer in the region of £90 million for the 21-year-old.

It's an amount that'd far outstrip the £60 million that'd potentially be picked up from the sale of Sanchez.

But according to Sky Sports News, Arsenal would not be willing to accept a straight cash offer for their star forward.

As noted in the piece, Raheem Sterling has previously been tipped as a potential makeweight in the deal. Balague suggested those stories are wide of the mark, though, with City boss Pep Guardiola keen to keep Sterling at the club:

1. More detail on Sterling. When he heard he could be part of swap deal for Alexis, he rang Pep and was told City did not doubt for a second

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) 31 August 2017

2. Sterling was told he is fundamental for City and Arsenal were told they were not interested in including him in any deal

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) 31 August 2017

If the Gunners were able to do a deal for Lemar at this late stage of the window then perhaps they would consider letting Sanchez leave.

After all, the Monaco man also operates off the left flank, too. Lemar is much more of a midfielder in style compared to Sanchez, though.

Convincing the French champions to sell at this point in the campaign will be a massive challenge for the Gunners, especially given they have already lost key men this summer in the form of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva. Additionally, Lemar is on international duty with France, who have a game on Thursday.

Sanchez's departure would leave a huge void at the Emirates Stadium and supporters disappointed. Lemar's arrival would help fill that gap to a degree and give the fans a bright future to look forward to if their attacking talisman was sold.

You sense a deal will need to be agreed for the latter before the former gets the switch he's seemingly keen on.

Source: Bleacher Report

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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