In Jürgen Klopp’s news conference before of tomorrow’s game against Sheffield United, an all-too-familiar question arose. Here’s the latest Liverpool news, featuring a Manchester United legend recalling how he nearly became manager at Anfield.
Klopp refuses to argue Alexander-Arnold
Jürgen Klopp refused to comment on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position at Liverpool, labeling the topic “unpleasant.” There has been a lot of speculation about Alexander-Arnold’s role with the Reds, especially now that Klopp is using him in an inverted role.
The controversy grew after the academy graduate scored in consecutive games against Manchester City and Fulham, saving four points. However, when the topic occurred during the Liverpool news conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against Sheffield United, Klopp responded quickly.
“It’s just about us and what we have available,” Klopp explained (via the ECHO). “Is Joe Gomez present?” Is Conor Bradley in attendance? If both are present, one of them may have to play left-back because Kostas (Tsimikas) cannot play every game, but Trent can play in midfield.
“We’ve always known that, but Trent can also play the role we’ve given him now very well, so we’ll see.” That’s all there is to it. If we are to be successful, he must be influential in a variety of areas. If he plays well, as he did in the previous game, that is pretty much it.
“It’s always this unsavory [thing] that tries to make headlines.” If you want to talk about it, talk about it without my [input]. We play him where we believe is best for him, and he became one of Liverpool FC’s most successful players in recent history, playing as a right-back, and he became a Premier League player as a right-back.
“Can he play inside more? Certainly, but as I already stated, we will play him wherever it is best for us, and I am not stubborn and do not want to put him in midfield at all. I am not a participant in this debate.
Hughes ‘had an interview’ for a job in Liverpool
Mark Hughes, a former Manchester United striker, has admitted that he came dangerously close to becoming Liverpool manager. The 60-year-old told the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast that he applied for the job after Roy Hodgson was fired and before Kenny Dalglish took over for a second time.
“I once had an interview for the Liverpool job, I don’t think that’s well-documented, but I didn’t get it so that doesn’t really count does it,” Hughes was quoted as saying. “I believe Kenny decided he wanted to be a manager again; perhaps the candidates weren’t the best.” I had a meeting with people at Liverpool, and I think it would have been more shocking than my obtaining the Man City job.
Given the trajectory of Hughes’ managerial career in the years since, it appears Liverpool made the proper decision not to follow up on that interview. Appointing the United great would have been a contentious move, and we can only image how it would have played out if things had not gone as planned.