Liverpool target Nico Williams addresses future as Ben Foster defends Alisson
Liverpool are back in action when they host LASK in the Europa League on Thursday - five days after the enthralling 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp's side have all but qualified for the knockout phase of Europe's second tier club competition, having won three out of their four group matches so far. They earned successive wins over LASK, Union Saint-Gilloise and Toulouse to get them on their way, before falling to defeat in Toulouse last time out.
This means the Reds are almost there, with a win over LASK guaranteeing their place in at least the knockout round play-offs, while a victory and failure to beat Union for Toulouse will earn top spot for the Reds - and a place automatically in the last 16. Here is the latest news from Anfield.
Williams addresses future
Reported Liverpool target Nico Williams may have put a pause on all transfer rumours after saying Athletic Bilbao fans can be "relaxed" over his future.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent months after impressing in La Liga. The winger has scored one goal and grabbed seven assists in the league so far this season and is catching the eye of many of Europe's elite clubs, including Klopp's Liverpool.
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However Williams said: "I'm happy here in Bilbao. Athletic fans can be relaxed, no worries." His brother Inaki, meanwhile, added: "Those things are done when both parties are happy and content, and I know that my brother is happy in Bilbao. We are fulfilling my parents’ dream, whatever has to be, will soon be.
"We are happy at home, and we hope so. We are from here and we have grown up in Athletic, which is the club that has formed us and has given us the opportunity to fulfil our dreams."
Nico Williams has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Getty Images)Foster defends Alisson
Ben Foster has defended Alisson after the Liverpool goalkeeper received criticism following the draw against City.
Alisson failed to catch the ball from a corner after being challenged by Manuel Akanji, with the ball eventually falling to Ruben Dias to head home at the back post. The referee gave Liverpool a free-kick and VAR also had a look at the incident as they made the decision not to overturn it.
Alisson has come in for some criticism from fans as replays showed there wasn't much contact from Akanji, but Foster has since defended the Brazil 'keeper.
"What I have to say is it’s a foul, it’s as simple as that, it’s a foul," he told his YouTube channel. "And I’ll explain why. Until you’ve been a goalkeeper, until you’ve taken your feet off the ground and you have your eyes on that ball, and you’re putting your hands up there, the second somebody not even grabs your arm, and I mean this, if somebody gives you a little nudge in your waist, in your leg, anything, your body just moves.
"It completely moves. And when you’re trying to catch a ball that’s travelling at 40, 50, 60, 70 miles an hour, the margin for error is so tiny. It’s minuscule.
"To actually be able to catch the ball at that moment in time when somebody’s touched you is near on impossible. It's hard enough at the best of times to catch the thing. But when somebody’s nudged you as well, all bets are off."
Mellor praises Alexander-Arnold
Former Reds striker Neil Mellor has praised the "impressive mentality" of Jurgen Klopp's side in their fightback against City, while detailing "outstanding" Trent Alexander-Arnold's vital impact.
Alexander-Arnold scored the equaliser in the second-half to earn Liverpool a point after Erling Haaland struck the opener during the first 45. "That was a decent point in the end, especially after another 12.30pm kick-off after the international break," Mellor told the Review Show. "There is an impressive mentality in the group to have shown the fight to get so many points from a losing position.
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"What a goal it was from Trent! We all enjoyed that, didn't we? And we enjoyed celebrating this one. Just before that, I've counted it and it's 26 seconds from when Alisson denied Haaland to stop City going 2-0 up. We turned defence into attack very quickly and got the equaliser. Trent was outstanding, he really was. He sees the picture – 14 passes in the final third. A really creative player for Liverpool."
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