Here are the Liverpool evening headlines for Monday July 6.
Klopp excited to work more with Curtis Jones
Jurgen Klopp has revealed his delight at the progress of Liverpool academy star Curtis Jones after the midfielder netted his first ever Premier League goal in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Jones has been eased into a first-team role this season, with 11 appearances across all competitions for the 19-year old, including a memorable winner in the FA Cup third round 1-0 win against Everton.
His performances have been rewarded with a new long-term contract at the club, and Klopp stated he is excited by what the future holds for the Toxteth-born star.
“The goal is Curtis in a nutshell. His first touch in the game is pretty much a finish, and you have to be in those positions to score that type of goal,” he said in an interview with the BBC .
“He really is very special. He has signed a new contract, which is good for him, and for us. We are going to have a lot of fun with him in the future.”
Jones’ late cameo against Dean Smith’s side was his third Premier League appearance in 2019/20, and he is expected to reach the five-game requirement to qualify for a winner’s medal in the coming weeks.
Liverpool target Thiago Alcantara praises ‘awesome’ Reds
Liverpool have been heavily linked with a summer move for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara after talks over his contract extension stalled.
The Spanish international is out of contract at the end of next season, and Bayern boss Hans-Dieter Flick has admitted the club are not certain if he will stay.
Jurgen Klopp was non-committal about Liverpool’s chances of signing him following the Reds’ win over Aston Villa, but fans will be boosted by looking back on Thiago’s comments last year prior to their meeting in the 2018/19 Champions League last 16.
“We know perfectly, this team. What they are and what they have,” he said prior to the first leg .
“They play awesome football, and they increase every year. They are fighting in the Premier League now with the same points as [Manchester] City.
“In the Champions League they do it, not so great in performances in the group stage, but they are great.
“We are looking forward because we expect a great match, not just against a great team but also a great crowd.”
Liverpool drew 0-0 at home against Bayern in the first leg, before winning 3-1 at the Allianz Arena to secure a place in the quarter-finals against Porto.
Referee admits mistakes in Aston Villa win
Premier League referee Paul Tierney offered a blunt apology to Jurgen Klopp after missing a host of incidents during the Reds 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa.
Klopp was incensed by Tierney’s decision not to award a first-half foul in favour of Gini Wijnaldum, and he was not shy in making him aware of his anger at another missed call by the referee.
However, in the absence of fans inside Anfield, the referee’s comments to Klopp were clearly heard.
“I missed it, Jurgen. I’m like the players, I’m going to make mistakes. I missed it, so get over it,” said the Wigan-born official .
Klopp was left irritated by the incident, but Tierney’s errors did not have a definitive impact on the game.
Late goals from Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones secured a timely return to winning ways for Liverpool in the Premier League, following a 5-0 defeat away at Manchester City last time out.
