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Liverpool face reunion with lost loves Luis Suárez and Philippe Coutinho

The Champions League semi-final against Barcelona will pit two generations of Anfield attackers against each otherLiverpool will cost themselves some money should they reach the Champions League final at Barcelona’s expense – one of the add-ons to Philippe Coutinho’s transfer fee of £105m just over a year ago was an extra £4.5m should the Catalans win the event this season.Financial considerations apart, it should be quite the reunion when Jürgen Klopp’s side arrive at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. Liverpool were not only responsible for showcasing Coutinho’s talents in a manner that made him irresistible to Barcelona, they did exactly the same with Luis Suárez four years earlier, again making an impressive profit on a player they signed relatively cheaply....

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Premier League title race: five key areas for Liverpool in the run-in | Andy Hunter

Keep Virgil van Dijk fit, hope Mohamed Salah recaptures his form and deal with the demands of European footballWin, win, win, win, win and win again (and pray Manchester City slip up) is the obvious answer to what Liverpool must do to be finally crowned Premier League champions. As they prepare for Friday’s visit to Southampton, we look at five key areas that can help Jürgen Klopp’s team maintain their push for that elusive title … Related: Jürgen Klopp unconcerned by Mohamed Salah’s goal drought Continue reading...

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Anfield is full of nervous energy but Liverpool are learning to channel it | Jonathan Wilson

The margins are fine but Jürgen Klopp’s gamble paid off on Sunday and has added a little belief to a team and fanbase wilting under the weight of expectationIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of GOATs, it was the epoch of frauds, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, they had everything before them, they had nothing before them, they were all going direct to Heaven, they were all going direct the other way. It was a period in which the...

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Klopp and Pochettino have reminded English football what it does best | Jonathan Wilson

Liverpool and Tottenham meet on Sunday when the high press will be evident in what is likely to be an engaging ninth meeting of the men in the dugoutEnglish football has, of course, learned before about the dangers of hailing golden ages before they’ve hatched, but with four Premier League clubs in the last eight of the Champions League and a youthful national side playing with rare verve, it can reasonably be acknowledged that there is a profound sense of positivity and promise about the game. At least at the top end. And if you only look at what’s happening on the pitch. And you ignore the looming iceberg of Brexit.A huge part of the reason for that is the...

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Errant Alisson bailed out by unflappable veteran James Milner | David Hytner

Liverpool’s title challenge was on the rocks for seven minutes late in the second half at Fulham, before their experienced midfielder spared the goalkeeper’s blushesFor seven minutes, it is no exaggeration to say that Liverpool’s title hopes hung in the balance. The alarm bells had started to ring from the moment that the substitute, James Milner, miscued high into the sky and Virgil van Dijk extended his arms, looked at his goalkeeper, Alisson, and wondered where he was. Alisson had been a virtual bystander up until the 74th minute, such was his team’s control but there he was – or wasn’t – when Van Dijk needed him the most.What happened next appeared to unfold in slow motion. Alisson did reach...

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