Liverpool News: Rescheduled Villa Match and Points Deductions “Here to Stay”
Liverpool FC has had a busy day as they prepare for their upcoming Europa League clash against Atalanta. The club’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, midfielder Harvey Elliott, and the Premier League have all made significant announcements on Wednesday.
Rescheduled Fixture Against Aston Villa
Liverpool’s run-in for the Premier League has experienced another change with their penultimate match against Aston Villa being rescheduled. The match, which will be Klopp’s final away trip in the league, will now take place at 8pm (BST) on Monday, May 13. This rescheduling adds an additional challenge for Liverpool as Aston Villa is on the verge of potentially securing Champions League football for the first time in over 40 years. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Pressure Mounts for Klopp and the Team
The pressure will be on Klopp and his team as Manchester City plays their penultimate fixture the following night against Tottenham. Arsenal will have already played their fixture for the weekend, facing Manchester United on Sunday, May 12. To realistically have a chance of winning the Premier League, Liverpool will need to regain the lead in the title race by that point.
Protest Against Increased Ticket Prices
Liverpool fan group Spion Kop 1906 has announced that they will not be flying flags or banners on the Kop during the match against Atalanta. This protest is in response to an increase in Anfield ticket prices. The group hopes that those with influence take notice of their concerns.
Klopp’s Focus on the Match
Jurgen Klopp has expressed understanding for the concerns and discussions regarding the ticket price increase but wants the focus to be on the match itself. He emphasized the importance of concentration on the game “between the two whistles.”
Unhappy Reactions to Jordan Henderson’s Interview
Klopp also reacted to a recent post-match interview conducted by Jordan Henderson in the Netherlands. He described it as “horrible.” The exchange with the reporter and the full interview can be watched for more context.
Harvey Elliott’s Desire for Starting Games
Harvey Elliott has expressed his desire to start games, stating, “Quite frankly, I want to be starting games.” He may get his wish on Thursday night in the Europa League clash against Atalanta.
Injury Updates
Jurgen Klopp provided updates on the team’s injuries. He mentioned that Alisson is on the way back from his injury. Additionally, Ben Doak, who suffered a meniscus tear in December, has returned to running and shared a training photo on Instagram with the caption “almost.”
Points Deductions “Here to Stay”
According to Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, points deductions for breaches of financial rules in the Premier League are “here to stay.” This comes after a report last week that Premier League clubs were planning to eliminate points deductions. Clubs are currently meeting to discuss changes to the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for the next season. However, the idea of fining clubs who breach these rules is not being considered.
Ki-Jana Hoever’s Admission
Former Liverpool defender Ki-Jana Hoever admitted to making mistakes and engaging in childish behavior during his time at the club. However, he is now performing well on loan at Stoke from Wolves.
Europa League and Champions League Matches
Harvey Elliott spoke ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League match against Atalanta, touching on various topics such as his desire for a starting spot and a potential England call-up. The match of the night in the Champions League is PSG vs. Barcelona, which will be broadcasted live on TNT Sports 1. Alternatively, Atletico Madrid faces Borussia Dortmund at the same time on TNT Sports 2.
As Liverpool continues to navigate their way through both domestic and European competitions, the pressure is mounting. With rescheduled fixtures, injury updates, and ongoing discussions about financial rules in the Premier League, the club faces numerous challenges. However, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool remains determined to achieve success on all fronts.