Ban Benteke!
We thought the fallout following Christian Benteke’s supposed ‘dive’ against Crystal Palace had simmered down, but it turns out one Eagles fan in particular still isn’t quite finished.
A disgruntled gentleman named Adam Greeves has started a change.org petition, calling for the striker to be banned and for the Reds to be docked six points.
What’s more bizarre is that over 1500 people have signed it. I mean, the contact is there for all to see, lads.
Luis returns
Luis Suarez is at Melwood today, as revealed by Mamadou Sakho on social media.
https://twitter.com/mamadousakho/status/7071581597…
Lots of Reds fans have urged the Frenchman to lock him up and force him to sign a contract with Liverpool. Good luck with that one.
Ojo looking to impress Klopp
Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo is hoping that his hat-trick in the Under-21s side’s 3-2 win over Middlesbrough caught the attention of boss Jurgen Klopp, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The 18-year-old, who has impressed when called upon for cameo appearances at senior level this term, was in fine form as the young Reds responded well to a disappointing defeat by Sunderland.
“Hopefully I can impress the manager whenever I get the opportunity,” Ojo said.
“I have to keep trying to do well for the Under-21s, keep learning and push on from there.
“It was nice to get a hat-trick but my main focus was to get the three points.
“I should have scored even more goals and I need to work on that but it was a great win for us.”
Reds in Ox battle
Liverpool have a fight on their hands if they are going to pursue Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Mail claim that West Ham United are the latest club to enter the race for the England man, who has also attracted interest from the Reds, Chelsea, and both Manchester clubs.
At just 22-years-old and with lots of potential, it perhaps wouldn’t be a surprise to see Liverpool make a serious move for him.
Bastien in talks?
Another player linked with Liverpool is Anderlecht’s Samuel Bastien.
Everyone’s favourite Italian outlet, Calciomercato, have suggested that the Reds have been tracking the Belgian teenager all season and are fond of him.
The midfielder is currently on loan at Serie B outfit Avellino.
Macca fancies the Reds
Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman believes the Reds are the favourites going into the first leg of their Europa League tie against Manchester United.
The clash may be both sides’ best chance of qualifying for the Champions League, and the BT Sport pundit told the Daily Star that Liverpool hold the advantage on Thursday night.
“I think Liverpool will be favourites. They’ll be happy they don’t have to travel,” McManaman said.
“With all due respect to United if they’re without Wayne Rooney and they have to put the kind of team out they’ve been putting out recently Liverpool would love to play that type of team.
“But they’ll have to improve if they want to win it. Liverpool’s performances in the Europa League have not been good enough. Sion, Bordeaux and Augsburg – they’ve beaten no-one in reality.
“They’ve gone through so you can’t knock them but other teams have had to play better opposition to get this far.
“If Liverpool are going to win the Europa League they have to play a whole lot better than they have done. They are going to face much better opposition.”
Aldo: Origi not the finished article
Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge has been encouraged by the recent performances of Divock Origi, but thinks there is more to come from him.
The Belgian forward has started the last two league games in place of Daniel Sturridge, and by all accounts has acquitted himself well.
Aldridge wrote in his column for the Echo: “Divock Origi has done well in the last couple of games in the absence of Daniel Sturridge – but he’s still got a long way to go for me.
“He seems to be getting better which is a good thing obviously and he seems to be listening to the manager.
“One of the areas he must improve on is his movement in the box, something which also applies to Benteke.
“But he works hard and it look like the manager likes him.”
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