Liverpool fans will be apprehensive about the officials for the weekend’s match against Crystal Palace, but there has been a boost for Jayden Danns – who has taken a step closer to full fitness.
Today’s Main LFC Headline
The Reds head to Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime, looking to go four points clear at the top of the Premier League (for a few hours, probably).
That said, the choice of officials is enough to give supporters sleepless nights until then!
Simon Hooper has been confirmed as the referee and David Coote is in the VAR booth, giving us all a horrid reminder of some past events.
Hooper was in charge of the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham last season, for example, harshly sending off Diogo Jota and producing an appalling overall performance.
As for Coote, he has a long VAR history with Liverpool, somehow not giving Jordan Pickford a red card for that tackle on Virgil van Dijk in 2020 and also ignoring a blatant handball by Martin Odegaard last December.
Today’s Liverpool FC News
- Danns has taken a big step in his recovery after a long-term back injury, having returned to the outdoor pitches at the AXA Training Centre. Great news for a brilliant young talent!
- Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk showed their contrasting leadership styles after Bologna – we may have to wait decades to see better players in their positions at Liverpool!
- Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas impressed in Stoke’s 6-1 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday, despite only completing three passes! Find out why here
- As part of Black History Month, Cody Gakpo has shared his thoughts on equal opportunities on and off the pitch, as well as discussing role models Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit
More from This Is Anfield
- Ibou’s shock & Gravenberch magic – Five things we spotted from Liverpool 2-0 Bologna
- DEBATE: The positives, the negatives and the Nunez. Joanna Durkan and Sam Millne discussed their trip to Anfield on Wednesday
- MEDIA REACTION: “Marked change” in Salah as Liverpool are “professional” in win over Bologna
- Speaking of Salah, he has now broken Didier Drogba’s Champions League goalscoring record for African players in the competition. He’s a freak of nature!
- Liverpool fans have been defending Dominik Szoboszlai after an excellent performance last night, calling him the “most underrated” player currently. There always has to be a scapegoat!
- Van Dijk quietly reaffirmed his status in another effortless display against Bologna, making more defensive actions than anyone else. He may have been Liverpool’s best player this season
Elsewhere in the football world today
- Former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke has been called up by England for the first time in seven years. We’re pleased for him that he’s reaching his potential
- Jurrien Timber and Ben White were absent from Arsenal training on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s visit of Southampton. They might actually have some fitness issues this season! (Sky Sports)
- Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor has called Emiliano Martinez the “best” goalkeeper in the world after the 1-0 win over Bayern Munich. So he’s never heard of Alisson then? (BBC Radio 5 Live)
- There’s Europa League action this evening, including Man United‘s trip to Porto (8pm BST), which could prove to be entertaining! Are we entering the final few days of Erik ten Hag’s reign?
Liverpool FC: On this day
On this day in 2021, Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at home to Man City in the Premier League.
The two sides went toe-to-toe in the title race throughout the 2021/22 campaign and this game was full of quality and drama.
Sadio Mane and Phil Foden traded goals, before an incredible Salah solo effort put Liverpool 2-1 up, with the Egyptian arguably the world’s best player at that point.
Sadly, Kevin De Bruyne equalised to give City a share of the spoils and Pep Guardiola’s side won the title on the final day.
Still, it was some ride – one that threatened to end in quadruple glory.
