In today’s Liverpool roundup, we take a look at what news has been making the headlines surrounding the Reds. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes the club must target 100 points, Trent Alexander-Arnold discusses how he and Mohamed Salah came up with the free-kick against Chelsea, and young keeper Caoimhin Kelleher could be in line for his debut.
‘Target has got to be 100 points’, says Carragher
Report: Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea said: “I think for both sides, whether they get there or not, the target has got to be 100 points. City got 100 points two years ago, 98 last season, and you can only drop 14 points then, so a draw is not a good result.
“In the past, 10 or 15 years ago, you go away to United, Chelsea, Arsenal, you get a point and your happy but City have changed that in the last few years, so actually coming away and drawing is not a good result
“To actually get to the three points, and don’t forget the record of Liverpool in these games last season, that’s where they lost the league because City came to these grounds and won, so it is a big one.
Verdict: Considering Liverpool scored the third-highest total in Premier League history last season with 97 and still didn’t win the league, it’s fair to say Carragher has a point. Indeed, Manchester City are the only team to better Liverpool’s 97 points in a league campaign, scoring 98 last year and 100 the season before that. Truthfully, whoever claims the prestigious title this year will have to get close to these numbers, with both sides constantly pushing each other on.
Currently, Liverpool have 18 from 18 available, and the 100 mark is a realistic target for Jurgen Klopp to achieve, and, considering City’s relentlessness in recent years, it is perhaps a must if they are to finally win the Premier League title.
‘Hendo wanted it at first’, says Alexander-Arnold
Report: Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke to Liverpoolfc.com to discuss his special free-kick against Chelsea, which gave the Reds the lead early on at Stamford Bridge. The right-back said: “Hendo wanted it at first and then I think he thought it was a bit too close for him.
“I discussed with Mo that I wanted it rolled to make the angle a little bit better and maybe confuse the ‘keeper a little bit, and I’ve been able to put it away.
“I thought it was too close to go over the wall, I didn’t know if the wall was going to jump so I couldn’t go under it, I had to go ‘keeper’s side. It was a good roll and I just tried to put it as hard as I can that side with a bit of placement.”
Verdict: Perhaps there was little doubt that the free-kick was more suited to the young right-back than it was Jordan Henderson. Alexander-Arnold has been known for his magnificent crossing ability, something Danny Murphy suggested he could be as good as Beckham at. As a result, he has the curling, powerful strike on the ball that others do not have, and perhaps this could be the first of many free-kicks he lines up to take.
This was the Englishman’s fourth goal for his boyhood club since breaking onto the scene three years ago, and he has definitely established that Beckham-esque ability about him already, picking up 15 assists last season and averaging two crosses per game (as per WhoScored).
Kelleher in line for debut against MK Dons
Report: As told by Goal, Liverpool are ready to hand 20-year-old goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher his Liverpool debut against MK Dons in the Carabao Cup this week.
Verdict: Currently, Liverpool’s no.1 Alisson Becker is out injured, after leaving the field on the opening day win against Norwich City. As a result of the Brazilian’s injury, summer signing Adrian has had to come in as Klopp’s main man between the sticks, forcing Kelleher to become the backup.
Adrian would have most likely played this game, had Alisson been fit. But, because of the injuries, Adrian is expected to have the night off and bring in the youngster instead. With Alisson out, Kelleher has been on the bench so far this season and has played just twice for the reserves as a result. However, the keeper is already a Republic of Ireland U21 international and has been with the Red’s academy since 2015.
