19 February 2024 , 05:00
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Liverpool sit top of the Premier League and in less than seven days have their first opportunity of the season to lift a trophy.
The Reds take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final having prevailed on penalties in each of their last two Wembley meetings with the west London side. H owever, there is plenty on the agenda for Liverpool in the meantime.
Jurgen Klopp's side first have a midweek fixture against Luton Town to prepare and the ongoing task of finding a replacement for their German coach. The weekend win over Brentford was tempered by the number of injuries that now need assessig with updates on Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota required.
It's rarely quiet at Anfield. Mirror Football rounds up the latest stories from around Merseyside below.
Defender to leave?
Sepp van den Berg has admitted he could leave Anfield permanently this summer. The central defender is currently on loan at Mainz in the Bundesliga.
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The Dutchman has spent time in Germany in each of the last three seasons with limited opportunities available at Liverpool. Joel Matip's contract is set to expire this summer while Virgil van Dijk's deal expires in 2025, meaning the Reds may soon need to replenish their squad.
Van den Berg is aware of the task ahead of him however. Playing regular football remains at the front of his mind.
"If I go back to Liverpool, they might want me to stay. If I see that I won't get much game time, then I might choose to leave. It's really important to me that I play," Van den Berg told Voetbal Nieuws.
"In previous years, I didn't feel like I would be starting next to Virgil. I don't know yet what my chances will be like next summer. I think I'm doing well. I can handle playing at Liverpool. I can compete. But being a starter is different. Virgil and Konate are not easy to beat. I know it will be hard."
Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg in action for Mainz earlier this season (Getty Images)No surprise if De Zerbi takes over
Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana would not be surprised if Roberto De Zerbi landed in the Anfield hotseat. The 35-year-old now plies his trade at Brighton under De Zerbi and believes the Italian is one of the best coaches in the world.
"It wouldn't surprise me [if De Zerbi joined Liverpool]. I think all the clubs are looking at Roberto,' he told talkSPORT.
"In my eyes, he is one of the best coaches in the world. We will see. It's like a domino effect with these managers at the moment, managers are always under pressure wherever you go. I don't know if that puts you off going into that after, but that's just the world we live in."
Lallana was perturbed by Klopp's announced that he is leaving Liverpool however, and compared it to Steven Gerrard leaving. The former Southampton ace believes it could push Liverpool on however.
He said: "Although it probably makes sense, it gave me that feeling that something didn't feel right.
"I had the same feeling the day it was announced Stevie was leaving Liverpool. I remember being at the club. That mammoth figure of the football is leaving and it's strange.
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"I'm really glad he can have four or five months to prepare for the exit. He will get all the accolades he deserves. It might just give them that extra boost they might need to get another couple of titles - we just hope it's not the Europa League."
Adam Lallana has had his say on Klopp's replacement (Manchester United via Getty Imag)Michael Owen makes Darwin Nunez assessment
Before his half-time substitution Darwin Nunez opened the scoring for Liverpool against Brentford. The Uruguay forward delivered a chip that was as impudent as it was sumptuous to hand the Reds an advantage.
Nunez offered the brilliance to contrast with the erratic finishing he can often show - evidence of the class he does possess. However, Michael Owen believes that Nunez's shot selection could indicate some of the star's problem.
He said on X: "That finish from Darwin Nunez yesterday was insane. I can’t stop watching it. And I can’t begin to explain how difficult a skill that is.
"Moving at pace, the ball running away from you, being inside the box with no room for error. Incredible. BUT, it is also further proof that if he is to get closer to becoming the great player many people think he can be, he has to adapt his way of thinking.
"I mean, to even consider that finish is madness. It’s a 1 in 10, 2 in 10 finish at best. Learning to slot, dink or go round the GK is a far more productive way to score and will increase his chances to 4 or 5 in 10, thus massively increasing his end return. I’m really not trying to rain on his parade as that goal was pure class. But I’d rather see it when Liverpool are 3-0 up, not at 0-0."
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