26 March 2023 , 04:00
427
0
Liverpool will take on Manchester City in a heavyweight clash once they return from the international break.
The Reds saw off the champions earlier this season at Anfield but travel to the Etihad - a stadium they have not won at for several years - aiming to dent City's hopes and aid their own top four ambitions with Tottenham and Newcastle currently above them.
Jurgen Klopp last saw his side lose out to Real Madrid in the Champions League and his immediate focus will be on getting his internationals back with a full bill of health as Euro 2024 qualification begins.
Here's the latest from Merseyside.
Van Dijk's night to forget
Virgil van Dijk confessed that being thumped by France is a "big hit" with the Liverpool defender part of a defence that conceded four on an embarrassing night.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
The Netherlands were cut apart by their opponents in Paris as they began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in the worst possible fashion a humiliating 4-0 defeat. Les Blues put their World Cup disappointment behind them to score twice in the first seven minutes, with Van Dijk claiming the game was "already done" by that point.
He played in a backline alongside the likes Manchester City's Nathan Ake and former Manchester United target Jurrien Timber, but they were powerless to stop Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Van Dijk has faced criticism this year for some of his performances and he gave a brutal assessment of his own team's efforts.
Read more here.
The Liverpool star was part of a defence that conceded four against FranceKlopp's 2019 dressing room talk
Klopp gave every Liverpool player the chance to express any concerns during the 2018/19 title race after seeing Manchester City beat Leicester in dramatic fashion to close in on the trophy.
The Reds and City had been involved in a relentless battle for the title, which went down to the final day. In City's penultimate game they hosted the Foxes on a Monday night, knowing they needed to win if they want to leapfrog Liverpool and go back to the top after their win just 48 hours before.
Leicester held out for long periods but a goal for the ages from 25 plus yards by centre-half Vincent Kompany with 20 minutes left sent the Etihad into raptures and ultimately won the game. The success proved vital and will have had a deflating effect on Liverpool, but Klopp quickly put it to bed.
Read more here.
Paul Mitchell's stock is incredible high throughout Europe (VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)Read more here.
Liverpool recruitment plan
The Reds have set their sights on transfer guru Paul Mitchell, who will leave Monaco this summer, but could face competition from Manchester United.
The Reds have previously thrived in the transfer market but are set to undergo a change of personnel in that area of the club. Michael Edwards played a crucial role in Liverpool's recruitment alongside Klopp but has since left whilst his replacement, Julian Ward, will soon depart as well.
Liverpool transfer window winners & losers as £37m spent on Klopp's "great day"
Mitchell has now been pinpointed as the ideal man to come in and playing a major role in, what is poised to be, a busy summer of recruitment as Liverpool look to refresh their side. United though are ready to compete for his services should Sir Jim Ratcliffe become their new owner.
Read more here.