The iconic “This is Anfield” sign was installed in the new tunnel shortly before Thursday evening’s session.
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Loris Karius was also present after returning to full training this week following a broken hand. Liverpool suffered a collective failure when losing 2-0 at Burnley but, not for the first time, fierce criticism was reserved for their captain, prompting Klopp to respond: “If I doubted him then he would not be here”. Liverpool remain very much a work in progress and though there’d be little surprise if they run out winners on Saturday, there’d be about the same should they come up short; at this stage of the season and as the team evolves under Klopp, our inconsistency might be the reality of the situation, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves along the way. With all of the players, I told them what I thought would be the best for them.
This has seen their odds of securing more Premier League success drop, and addressing reporters ahead of the trip to Merseyside, Ranieri highlighted Liverpool as a major contender for the title. Daniel Sturridge is still looking to prove himself worthy of the first-choice role as forntman after repeatedly getting injured in recent seasons and Danny Ings, who was in good form in pre-season, will also be good back-up for the aforementioned players as he aims to make a proper comeback from his long-term injury lay-off.
Finally, Liverpool return to Anfield for the first time this season.
Ragnar Klavan is the latest Reds defender to be struck down, and Klopp has now suggested that Klavan will miss Saturday’s home clash with Leicester City.
James Milner may once again be preferred to Alberto Moreno at left-back after replacing the Spaniard in the last two games.
Leicester’s response to losing their opener has been impressive and they have looked more like the side that won the league in their last two games.
“It [beating Leicester] would give us confidence to go away from home against Chelsea and try to get the three points. After this first worldwide break, this [four points] is our base and I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for us”.
“That’s more power and we should use this and start now with our first home game”.
“When you stand in front of it, it’s really wonderful”.
“This is a good place and a good opponent”. If you want to improve and fight in every competition you have to spend money.
“Against Burnley we played well but 14 or 15 times we lost our nerve with the last pass in risky areas. We’ve had almost two weeks to prepare, just not with the players because they haven’t been here”.
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“We are the only team in the Premier League to have played three away games”. It remains to be seen if Klopp will buy him back, as a clause was inserted into the youngster’s contract. “He was a good buy for us”.
