Everton have not won at Anfield since 1999, but Allardyce, spurred on by memories of a previous meeting with Klopp, may be the man to change all thatTo put it into context, the last time Everton won at Anfield, We’re Going to Ibiza! by Vengaboys had spent a little over two weeks in the singles chart and Tony Blair a little over two years in Downing Street. In other words, it was a long time ago. Monday 27 September 1999 to be precise – a fiery encounter in which Kevin Campbell scored the only goal of the game and three players received a red card, one of whom was a 19-year-old midfielder called Steven Gerrard.Since then Everton have made 18...
Liverpool’s manager adapted his tactical approach and confused their opponents in a manner that bore hallmarks of his Borussia Dortmund at their peakJürgen Klopp can occasionally not answer the question posed to him, and he was at it again after Liverpool’s 4-1 victory against West Ham United. Asked by a reporter to assess the contributions of Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, both of whom were excellent on a chilly evening in east London, Klopp decided instead to tell “the story of the game”, a blow‑by‑blow account of proceedings that lasted for four minutes.It was a somewhat rambling response but, as is often the case with Klopp, also illuminating, and in this instance no more so than when the German spoke...
Tottenham and Liverpool are well-matched in skill and ambition and their managers are seeking to construct futures that will end obsession with the pastMauricio Pochettino loves a hug. The pre-match handshake may be no more than a glazed formality for most Premier League managers. But not for Pochettino who, when he gives himself, gives himself completely and who has taken the Poch-hug to new and ever-manlier levels in his four years in England, from simple chest-bump to full-blown neck-fondling embrace. What seems certain is that Jürgen Klopp will get something from the most fraternal end of the scale when Tottenham and Liverpool meet at Wembley on Sunday. Related: Tottenham reaping rewards of Pochettino’s vision, on and off the pitch |...
It wasn’t just José Mourinho who was cautious – by keeping Henderson, Wijnaldum and Can on, Liverpool’s manager shunned the hyperactive approachIt is not something you often have to consider but what if José Mourinho was right? What if, on Saturday, there was for once no bluff or manipulation, no attempt to provoke or deflect attention: what if the analysis he gave of Manchester United’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool was straightforward and correct?There was, of course, a passive aggressive jibe dividing the world into those who watch football for entertainment (the monsters!) and those who actually understand the game but beyond that his words seemed fairly straightforward. There was a – grudging – respect towards Jürgen Klopp for the way he...
Liverpool are a better side than they were at the end of Brendan Rodgers’ reign but a rampant Manchester United visit Anfield on Saturday and will be 10 points ahead of their rivals if they winWelcome back, then, the Premier League. Now. Where were we? Tasked with hitting the big dramatic notes from the start after two weeks of international break, the Premier League’s focus groups and script-editing teams could hardly have come up with a better opening act than Manchester United’s trip to Liverpool this Saturday lunchtime. Skip the intro. Let’s just turn it all right back up to 11.Not that there’s anything new here, just some old, fond, familiar flavours. Cut the Premier League season open anywhere you...