Liverpool-Kop.com: The Future...

Howdy! As regular visitors will know, I've been away for a while, and after six weeks on the lam, it's time for an update on the site. I'll cut right to the chase: I've grown to utterly despise football over the last ten years. At every level, the game is a cesspool of greed, self-interest, and corruption, and I find it increasingly difficult to have any respect for the majority of today's preening, narcissistic, out-of-touch footballers. The rampaging sense of entitlement is just sickening, and none of the current crop of mewling millennial milquetoasts are worth their increasingly grotesque salaries. To add insult to injury, the current incarnation of Liverpool FC is a pale, emaciated shadow of the glorious club I grew up with. Like most top-tier football clubs, modern LFC has mutated into a soulless, grasping, corporatised shell, with a concerted focus on endlessly ripping-off the worldwide fanbase. For me, there's something inherently disturbing (and ...

Philippe Coutinho: After his transfer request, should Liverpool keep or sell? [Poll]

The Philippe Coutinho saga rumbles on, and despite the conflicting stories/comments arising on a seemingly hourly basis, one thing is unambiguously clear: Coutinho wants out, and his recent transfer request categorically proves this. Even if FSG pressgang him into staying for a few more months, the writing is on the wall, and whether fans want to accept it or not, Coutinho will be a Barcelona player sooner rather than later (as I've argued repeatedly for the last 18 months ). In April, I conducted a poll asking fans if Liverpool should sell Coutinho this summer. 57% argued YES , but only if the deal included Ivan Rakitic. Site regular Case has requested another poll to gauge the prevailing view amongst Reds fans, so here it is: survey service In my view, Liverpool should just sell Coutinho ASAP for as much money as possible. He is no longer the future of LFC, so there's no point keeping him. Plus, for all ability, Coutinho's goals/assists record has never been tha...

Hoffenheim vs. Liverpool: Champions League - Confirmed Teams

Same shit, different season? That's the way it feels after Saturday's defensive debacle at Watford, and after last season's defensive issues, fans have every right to feel dishearted at Jurgen Klopp's apparent failure to fix the Liverpool's set-piece problems. Tonight's Champions League game at Hoffenheim is clearly a must-win encounter, and with any luck, self-sabotage will not be on the agenda (again). Klopp has named an unchanged team for the game: FULL TEAM : Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino. SUBS : Karius, Klavan, Gomez, Milner, Grujic, Solanke, Origi. * Despite some typical defensive lapses against Watford, Moreno appears to be well and truly back in the frame, but, inexplicably, new signing Andy Robertson is once again missing from the matchday squad. * What is the point in spending £10m on a new left-back and then leaving him out of the squad?! It's not as if Robertson is ine...

Watford vs. Liverpool: Confirmed Teams

After an underwhelming summer of transfer (in)activity, Liverpool return to Premier action today against Watford, and with the future of Philippe Coutinho hanging in the balance, the pressure is on for Jurgen Klopp to deliver a positive result to kick start an already troubled the season. FULL TEAM : Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino SUBS : Karius, Klavan, Gomez, Milner, Grujic, Solanke, Origi WATFORD : Gomes (GK) (c); Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos, Holebas; Chalobah, Doucouré; Amrabat, Cleverley, Pereyra; Okaka * After an impressive pre-season (spurred on by being at risk of being dumped replaced in the squad, and/or being sold) Alberto Moreno is restored to the starting lineup. * Meanwhile, there's no sign of Andy Robertson in the starting lineup, which seems strange considering he doesn't appear to be injured. So much for signing a new left-back! * James Milner is relegated to the bench, and Alexander-Arn...

Confirmed Teams: Klopp drops 'exceptional' €31m attacker; top goalscorers benched; Brazilian returns

It's crunch time! Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made one change to the team for today's final day Premier League clash with Middlesbrough. FULL TEAM : Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge. SUBS : Karius, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Lucas, Grujic, Origi BORO : Guzan, Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, Clayton, Leadbitter, Forshaw, Downing, Bamford, Gestede * Roberto Firmino comes back into the starting lineup at the expense of Divock Origi. * Daniel Sturridge makes his second start in a row, which bodes well for his ability to remain fit. * The bench looks a tad stronger this week, but it's still short of genuine match-winners. Hopefully, though, that won't be an issue against a relegated team. At home. * Surprisingly, Middlesbrough have left Alvar Negredo on the bench, and opted for Rudy Gestede instead. * Both of the club's top goalscorers are on the bench, which suggests 'Boro are g...

Transfer to Liverpool? Klopp very interested in signing 'excellent' €75m Barcelona star; offer expected soon from Juve

Liverpool are once again being linked with a summer move for one of Barcelona's Brazilian stars. Over the weekend, Spanish newspaper Don Balon claimed Barcelona are planning to offer Rafinha Alcántara in part-exchange for Philippe Coutinho, and now, Sky Sports claims : "Juve are planning to submit a bid for Rafinha imminently, as the Italian champions are aware that Liverpool are also very interested". According to Rafinha's agent , however, the 24-year old wants to stay at the Nou Camp: "Rafinha has no interest in leaving Barcelona. We have a contract until 2020 and he will finish it normally." Some info about ' excellent ' Rafinha: * Central midfielder. Can also play as part of a front 3, or on the wings. * Buyout clause = €75m . * Scouting Report (Excerpt) : "Will to do defensive errands and cover the full-backs and attackers. Flamboyancy and natural flair coincide with his hard-work, selfless running and defensive sacrifice...

Anfield MegaDeal: Liverpool make record €75m offer for 'unbelievable' attacker who rejected Man Utd

Liverpool have reportedly made a massive club record bid to sign Ligue One's breakout star of the season. Over the weekend, Ex-Red Vladimir Smicer urged Liverpool to break the bank and sign Monaco star Kylian Mbappe, and it appears that Jurgen Klopp is trying to do exactly that. According to Spanish newspaper Marca today, "Liverpool are keen on [Mbappe's] signature. The Reds expressed their interest on paper, but...Monaco have rejected a 75 million offer". Last season, Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Mbappe, and in March, the Daily Mail claimed that the 18-year old 'turned down' a move to Liverpool. €75m for an 18-year old? Give me a break. Mbappe is having a standout season at Monaco, but this is only his first full year at the top level, and there's no guarantee he'll maintain and/or improve his form at a more competitive club. Mbappe is the kind of young player Liverpool should be targeting (i.e. the best of the best in their ...

World-Class Series [No11]: Roberto Baggio (Juve, Milan, Inter, Italy). Was he 'world-class'?

Roberto Baggio...what a player! Anyone who watched football in the 1990s will remember the genius of Baggio, but did he do enough to be considered a 'world-class' player? World Class: My Definition Before a player can be deemed 'world-class', he/she must have a Specific, Measurable Impact ( SMI ) at all three levels of football, and push his/her team to relative success at all three levels. The Three Levels * Domestic : National leagues. * European : Champions League, Europa League, or equivalent. * World : International - qualifying and/or tournaments. Relative Success: OAL and SMI * What is the the team's Optimum Achievement Level ( OAL ) in a given competition? In other words, based on historical performance, what is the absolute best the team can realistically expect to achieve? * Causation : The player's causal contribution to his team's OAL. To what extend did the player in question help the team to meet its OAL? But for the playe...

Sturridge Out: Liverpool keen to sign 'extraordinary' €20m striker who wants to 'play at Anfield'

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has identified the player he wants to replace Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool next season. According to The Independent this week: "Jurgen Klopp hopes to sign Timo Werner and from Red Bull Leipzig as Liverpool target five transfers this summer, with the club expected to sell Daniel Sturridge" This follows a report last month from the Daily Mail, which claimed : "Liverpool have enquired about Timo Werner, but the German club is reluctant to sell". Werner has already hinted that he's up for a move to Liverpool. In a recent interview, he enthused : "To play at Anfield and hear fans sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' would be something special." Some info about €20m -rated Werner: * 21-year old striker, who can also play on either wing. Contract expires: 2020 * Stuttgart : 25 goals/assists in 103 apps (One every 230 mins) * Leipzig : 28 goals/assists in 32 apps (One every 88 mins) * Aug 2013 : Became...

Deal Close? Klopp still desperate to sign 'excellent' £15m sensation; Liverpool 13/5 favourites to agree transfer

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Jurgen Klopp is reportedly remains interested one of the Championship's brightest prospects. Last month, The Independent claimed that Liverpool were close agreeing a deal for ' excellent ' Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon, and according to the Liverpool Echo today: "Ryan Sessegnon remains Liverpool's top left-back target. The Reds intend to pursue Sessegnon as a replacement for Alberto Moreno. Klopp believes he [is] the ideal new recruit to compete with James Milner for the left-back spot". UK Bookmakers currently have Liverpool as 13/5 favourites to sign Sessegnon, but if this story is true, then it's concerning that: * Klopp intends to play Milner out of position yet again next season as a left-back, even though Milner recently admitted that he is 'frustrated' with being played out of position. * Klopp thinks that £15m -rated Sessegnon - who has zero top flight and/or European experience - ...

Next Suarez? Liverpool favourites to sign 'phenomenal' €60m striker who idolises 'Ronaldo'. Contact made already

Liverpool are currently linked with a move for Sampdoria star Luis Muriel, and new reports this week suggest that Reds are among the favourites to sign the Colombian striker this summer. Liverpool once considered Muriel as a potential replacement for Luis Suarez, and in March, Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato claimed: "Liverpool are interested in signing Luis Muriel, and have contacted Sampdoria for information". Now, TMW 'sources' claim: "Sampdoria have put Luis Muriel up for sale. Liverpool and Sevilla are favourites to sign him this summer" . Some info about Muriel: * 25-year old striker, who can also play wide. Contract expires: 2019. * Sampdoria/Udinese : 69 goals/assists in 148 apps (One every 124 mins). * This Season: 21 goals/assists in 32 apps (One every 111 mins). * Sep 2014 : Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo insisted : "He [Muriel] has a price. He is worth €60m, like Cavani" * Aug 2014 : On his idol : "If I were t...

Liverpool Lies: Debunking spurious fan misinformation and falsehoods about Lucas Leiva

It's a sad state of affairs, but ignorance, unfairness and deliberate misrepresentation of the truth are the defining characteristics of many football fans these days. Sadly, Liverpool fans are amongst the worst when it comes willfully spreading misinformation and/or twisting reality to fit their immovable views. The deliberate and/or negligent dissemination of false information is something I constantly battle against, and one of the reasons this site exists is to debunk - with cold, hard facts - the endless stream of spurious, agenda-driven fan/media 'theories' about LFC (and football in general). In my experience, a dispiriting number of fans have rigid, inflexible views, and instead of being fair (and moderating their views based on performance levels) they endlessly twist the truth to fit their personal view, and back up their 'alternative facts' with false info. Prime example: On Tuesday, I posted an article about Lucas Leiva , wherein Steven Gerrard p...

Contact made: Boss confirms 'Liverpool' want summer deal for 'outstanding' Brazilian playmaker

Liverpool youngster Allan Rodriguez De Souza is currently on a season-long loan at Hertha Berlin, and it looks like the young Brazilian has made a strong impression on the club. Speaking to German magazine Kicker this week, Sporting Director Michael Preetz confirmed: “We've lodged our wish to loan Allan for another year with Liverpool. The English club is up for it, but they'd like us to be in the group stages of the Europa League". Liverpool have no choice but to keep Allan out on loan as he remains ineligible for a UK work permit. Jurgen Klopp is desperate to have him in the squad, though: "I saw him [Allan] in training and thought ‘What can we do to bring him into the line-up? He will be part of the squad in the future. He is an outstanding talent". Allan also has his eye on the prize, and in November, he insisted : "My goal remains to play for Liverpool. We'll see what happens if I don't get the number of games need to qualify for a...

Deal Close: Liverpool determined to finally seal £30m transfer for 'exceptional' title winner

Liverpool remain determined to secure a big money deal this summer for one of the club's on-loan fringe players. After his heroics for Crystal Palace, Mamadou Sakho is nailed-on to leave Anfield this summer, and it appears that Palace - or any other interested club - will need to pay through the nose to secure a transfer. According to The Guardian this week: "Liverpool will sanction Mamadou Sakho’s departure from Anfield this summer but will seek at least £30m". When asked this week about the possibility of a transfer, Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed that he wants to sign Sakho, and praised the French defender making a 'massive difference' at the club: "It’s [a transfer] we’d like to do...but the money needs to work for us and Liverpool. I’m sure there’ll be a negotiation. We won some massive games with him". Prior to his season-ending injury, Sakho helped Palace win 5 of the 7 games in which he featured, and helped the team to 4 clean...

Gerrard raves: I want 'unbelievable' £80k-a-week Brazilian 'at Liverpool FC' next season

Reds legend Steven Gerrard has delivered a glowing tribute to Liverpool's longest serving player. Speaking to the official Liverpool website this week, Gerrard hailed Lucas Leiva as 'one of the best people I've met through my career', and urged the Brazilian to stay at the club next season: "I’d like him to stay. I don’t make that decision, but for me, there’s always a place for Lucas Leiva at Liverpool Football Club. I’ve got a lot of time for him" . According to a report in Turkish newspaper Fotomac , Lucas has already agreed a deal to quit Anfield this summer: "After recent talks, Lucas Leiva has agreed a deal to sign for Galatasaray summer, but only on the proviso that he receives a €4m a year salary (€76k-a-week)". TalkSport further claims : "Inter Milan are also interested in bringing the Brazilian to Serie A and may be able to offer him the sort of deal he requires". Celtic and newly-promoted Brighton are also reportedl...

Anfield Update: 'Brilliant' £40m attacker confirms he could be at Liverpool 'next season'

Daniel Sturridge is finally back on the scoresheet, and after helping Liverpool to a vital win against West Ham at the weekend, the striker is seemingly back in everyone's good books. Will he still be at Anfield next season, though? When asked on Sunday about his future, Sturridge told reporters : “We'll see. I don’t have any worries about next season. I am looking forward to this last game. We need the three points of course and then we’ll be in the Champions League.” Sturridge's comments can be interpreted in two ways: * He has 'no worries about next season' because he's already decided on his his next team, or: * He's definitely staying at Liverpool next season. Whatever the reality, it's interesting to note that many news providers failed to include the 'we'll see' part of the comment in their articles. The Liverpool Echo, for example, left it out, which makes it sound like Sturridge plans to stay at Liverpool. Ex-Red Danny ...

Done Deal: 'Outstanding' €20m star wanted by Klopp agrees transfer; signing 4-year deal with Liverpool rivals Arsenal

One of Liverpool's reported transfer targets has seemingly rejected a move to Anfield in favour of one of the Reds' Premier League rivals. In January, Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport reported: "Liverpool want Sead Kolašinac, and the Reds are in contact with him over a possible transfer" . Then, in March, Bild claimed: "AC Milan, Inter, Juve, Roma, Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool have all made €6m-a year salary offers for Schalke star Sead Kolasinac". Last week, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claimed that 'nothing has been concluded' with Kolasinac, but according to Sky Sports this week: "Sead Kolasinac will join Arsenal this summer, according to Sky sources. The 23-year-old will officially become an Arsenal player on July 1". The Telegraph further claims that the length of Kolasinac's deal is 4-years. Klopp has been tracking 'outstanding' Kolasinac all season, and given his age, experience, and position...

Break the Bank: Smicer tells 'Liverpool' to sign 'unbelievable' £60m attacker who's 'like Thierry Henry'

A new striker is a clear transfer priority for Liverpool this summer, and according to ex-Red Vladimir Smicer, Jurgen Klopp should pull out all the stops to sign one Ligue One's breakout stars of the season. When asked over the weekend who Liverpool should sign this summer, Smicer - who scored a crucial goal in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul - told the Liverpool Echo : “I like Kylian Mbappe. What I've seen from him has been really unbelievable for such a young player. All the big clubs in Europe will chase him so it would be difficult to get him, but if I was the Liverpool manager I'd go for him.” Last season, Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Mbappe, and in March, the Daily Mail claimed: "Mbappe is a Real Madrid fan but he turned them down, along with Chelsea, City, Liverpool and Bayern to sign for Monaco at 15". So many talented young players make the huge mistake of overestimating their ability and leaving smaller clubs too early...

Anfield MegaDeal: Liverpool could sign 'excellent' €75m Brazil star as part of massive transfer swap deal

The Philippe Coutinho transfer saga rumbles on, and Barcelona are reportedly so desperate to sign the Brazilian that they're planning to offer another Brazilian as part of cash-plus-player swap deal. Last week, Spanish pundit Guillem Balague claimed that Coutinho is pushing for a move to Barcelona: "It [the transfer to Barca] is being pushed by his [Coutinho's] agent, his representatives and by his friends in the squad, like Neymar". Over the weekend, Spanish newspaper Don Balon claimed: "Coutinho is the number one priority for Barca team, who studying ways to convince Jurgen Klopp to sell, and the club plans to offer Rafinha Alcántara as part of the deal". According to Rafinha's agent , however, the 24-year old wants to stay at the Nou Camp: "Rafinha has no interest in leaving Barcelona. We have a contract until 2020 and he will finish it normally." Some info about ' excellent ' Rafinha: * Central midfielder, who can ...

'New Bergkamp' to Anfield? Legend claims 'excellent' €25m sensation could 'play for Liverpool' next season

Ajax legend Sjaak Swart has urged Liverpool to make a move this summer for one of the Dutch club's brightest talents. When asked this week about Ajax captain Davy Klaasen, Swart - who spent his entire 17-year career at the club - told Omnisport : “Davy Klaassen only leaves if he can go to a really good club. I [would] rather see Davy Klaassen playing in England or Germany. He can play for Arsenal and Liverpool, and [he would cost] between €20-25million". Ajax legend Ronald De Boer also believes that Liverpool is the perfect destination for Klaassen. In February, he insisted : "He [Klaassen] would fit in perfectly at Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool. He has an excellent mentality, and that is his main quality". Klaassen appears to be open to a move. When asked last week about his future, he told reporters : "Was this my last home game for Ajax? I do not know. The rumours are occasionally about, and I have not made a choice yet". Some info about K...