LFC TRANSFER NEWS – Andy Robertson Kostas Tsimikas Replacement Comfirmed

Jürgen Klopp slams VAR after handball call as Roberto Firmino set for Liverpool return in January

Latest Liverpool news: Jürgen Klopp has had his say on Martin Ødegaard’s handball, while Roberto Firmino is set to make a return to Liverpool next month.

Jürgen Klopp has had his say on more VAR controversy after Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal, while Roberto Firmino is set to make a return to the city in January for a shot of nostalgia. Here’s your round-up of the latest Liverpool news.

Klopp baffled by handball decision

Jürgen Klopp was left bemused as to how his side wasn’t awarded a penalty against Arsenal, and sent a sarcastic message in anticipation of an explanation from Dermot Gallagher. Liverpool felt it should have been awarded a spot-kick in the first half at Anfield when Martin Ødegaard handled the ball.

The Reds’ protests were waved away by referee Chris Kavanagh, with VAR backing him up. Klopp though was convinced, even if he expects regular Sky Sports pundit and former referee Gallagher to disagree.

“I’m pretty sure someone will explain it to me and say it wasn’t a handball but I don’t know how,” Klopp told Sky Sports

Those with High Sugar Level please read it – before they delete it

“I won’t say the referee can’t see it because I have no clue where he was at that moment. But when somebody sits in their office, how can they not come to the conclusion that it might be worth having another look?”

 

In a separate interview with beIN Sports, Klopp added: “I think we all agree that it’s a clear handball, but somebody will find something tomorrow — Mr Dermot probably will explain and tell us why it is not a handball.”

 

Firmino to return to Liverpool

 

Roberto Firmino loved playing Arsenal. He scored 11 times and assisted three in 15 Premier League meetings with the Gunners.

 

Liverpool transfer news – Kostas Tsimikas injury, Diogo Jota update, Martin Odegaard handball decision

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Kostas Tsimikas, Bukayo Saka, Luis Diaz, Lucas Beraldo, fallout from Saturday’s draw with Arsenal and more

 

 

 

The Reds completed their Premier League duties ahead of the big day, December 25, though were unable to leapfrog Arsenal to take top spot when the two sides met yesterday.

 

 

 

Mohamed Salah’s equaliser cancelled out Gabriel Magalhaes’ early opener however the main concern will be the status of Kostas Tsimikas. The full-back was rushed to hospital after a tussle with Bukayo Saka forced him off in the 35th minute with what was later confirmed to be a collarbone injury. Arsenal’s No.7 later apologised for his role in events, stating there was no intention.

 

 

Meanwhile, on the transfer front, the Reds have seemingly been dealt a blow as reports from France claimed that Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a €20million fee with Sau Paulo to sign Lucas Beraldo. The 20-year-old centre back has previously been linked with a move to Anfield.

 

 

 

 

Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Liverpool FC transfer rumours below.

 

15:21TOM CAVILLA

Chelsea struggles continue

Chelsea’s season has gone from bad to worse after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Wolves this afternoon.

 

Wolves have now gone level on points with Mauricio Pochettinho’s side, who only have 22 points to their name after 18 matches played.

 

The Londoners already trail Liverpool by 17 points, despite spending £400m during the summer transfer window…

 

 

Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku dejected after Wolverhampton Wanderers score a goal

 

 

Jota injury latest

Jurgen Klopp has provided an injury update on Diogo Jota ahead of Liverpool’s Boxing Day clash with Burnley.

 

The Portuguese forward has been out of action since picking up a hamstring issue in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City one month ago.

 

Liverpool will be hoping Jota can return as soon as possible – and that may not be too far away.

 

Discussing the condition of Jota, Klopp said: “I don’t want to rule anybody out now, we’ll see. We only have one more proper session now so we will see but it would be a surprise. I don’t know. Diogo hasn’t trained with the team but the session I saw was really intense.”

 

 

Diogo Jota of Liverpool celebrates after scoring

 

Premier League title odds – Liverpool third on the list

Liverpool are currently considered third favourites to win the Premier League title this season.

 

Manchester City, despite their poor form, are still regarded as the team to beat according to the bookmakers.

 

Latest odds from OLBG have City out in front, with Arsenal and Liverpool following behind.

 

Premier League title odds (correct at the time of publishing)

 

Manchester City: 5/4

 

Arsenal: 2/1

 

Liverpool: 3/1

 

Aston Villa: 20/1

 

Tottenham: 25/1

 

11:30TOM CAVILLA

Carragher expresses Gakpo concern

Jamie Carragher has expressed his concerns over the form being shown by Cody Gakpo at present, insisting the Dutchman has not fully delivered during his first full year.

 

Gakpo was given the nod to start yesterday’s game with Arsenal, chosen ahead of Darwin Nunez, though struggled to make much of an impact in the final third.

 

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast about the former PSV man, Carragher said: “Gakpo has been here now close to 12 months and he’s had flashes but nowhere near enough.”

 

Do you agree with the former Liverpool defender?

 

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool speaks with teammate Cody Gakpo

 

10:08TOM CAVILLA

Alisson optimistic after Arsenal draw

Alisson Becker is remaining hopeful success could be on the cards for Liverpool this season following last night’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

 

The Reds were good value for their point against the league leaders and could well have taken all three. Jurgen Klopp’s side were denied what seemed a certain penalty and later missed a great chance to score through Trent Alexander-Arnold.

 

Sharing his take on the significance of this point and what Liverpool should be aiming for moving forwards, Alisson told liverpoolfc.com:

 

“We want to be there at the top for the rest of the season, of course,” the Brazilian said. “We know that it’s early to talk about trophies at this moment. We will not get rhythm with these conversations, it is more for you [the media] and the supporters.

 

“We are really focused on doing our job, but we have to take these performances to create the mentality for a winning team.

 

“If you can perform as we did today against a side as strong as Arsenal, if we can replay that against the other teams, which is not easy, then we can achieve big things.”

 

Saka apologies to Tsimikas

Bukayo Saka apologised to Kostas Tsimikas after learning of the injury sustained by the Liverpool defender.

 

The Arsenal winger sent the Greek defender tumbling to ground, resulting in Tsimikas suffering a broken collarbone in the process.

 

After being told this was the outcome of his challenge, Saka told Sky Sports: “I heard he has gone to hospital so obviously I want to apologise to him, I didn’t mean it of course. For me it was a 50/50 and I have gone shoulder to shoulder with him.

 

“I didn’t see it but he must have taken a bad fall, I didn’t see him go into Klopp either. I was focused on running forward because I didn’t think it was a foul. That’s my take on it.”

 

 

Bukayo Saka looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC

09:33TOM CAVILLA

Gallagher gives penalty verdict

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher last night offered his view on the handball incident involving Martin Odegaard.

 

The Arsenal captain looked to have handled the ball inside the penalty area during the first half, though referee Chris Kavanagh opted against awarding a spot-kick and VAR did not intervene.

 

Offering his take on the situation during Premier League Productions’ live coverage, Gallagher said:

 

I think it shows the subjective nature of it. The VAR thinks his arm’s coming back into his body, he’s making himself smaller. When you look at that last picture, it certainly looks as though he’s brought his hand down to the ball.

 

What you would say is if a penalty was given on-field, it wouldn’t be turned over, so I think that shows how tough it is for referees at times.”

 

Former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher

0

Odegaard escapes penalty punishment

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was not penalised by referee Chris Kavanagh for what appeared to be a handball inside the Liverpool penalty area during yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield.

 

A VAR check for this incident did take place, though no spot-kick followed for the Reds.

 

What are your thoughts on this not being given?

 

Martin Odegaard escaped punishment for a possible handball

 

JAMES QUINLAN

Your top Liverpool stories

It was an action-packed Saturday for Liverpool, so how about a catch up of some of the top stories from yesterday?

 

PGMOL explain why Liverpool did not get Arsenal penalty as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher baffled

 

Liverpool player ratings as Ibrahima Konate and two others excellent vs Arsenal

Liverpool’s next five Premier League matches compared to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man City

 

Liverpool major question remains unanswered as real winner of gripping Arsenal clash clear

 

JAMES QUINLAN

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Good morning!

Welcome to our Liverpool FC live blog. It is December 24, Christmas Eve, are we all excited?

 

As we anticipate the big man’s arrival overnight, please sit back – unless you still have presents to wrap -and follow all of the latest news, rumours and gossip from Anfield.