Klopp makes Liverpool "nightmare" demand as Gakpo offered advice

02 December 2023 , 02:00

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Having put four past LASK in the Europa League on Thursday, Liverpool are set to return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Fulham.

The Reds currently sit third, just two points behind league leaders Arsenal, having drawn 1-1 with reigning champions Manchester City last weekend. Liverpool have lost just once in the league this season, a controversial 2-1 defeat to Tottenham back in September.

And Jurgen Klopp's side will be keen to pick up all three points against a Fulham team that beat Wolves 3-2 on Monday, their first league victory in three games. With that in mind, here is all the latest news from around Anfield.

Klopp's "nightmare" demand

Ahead of Fulham's trip to Anfield on Sunday, Klopp has urged his players to continue making their home ground a "nightmare" for visiting teams.

"It is our home, it must, must, must be a difficult place to come," Klopp told reporters. "I said to the boys before LASK for example, I think every player if they are not playing at Liverpool and play in a different country and then you see the group, playing at Anfield is a dream.

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"But actually it must be a nightmare and that is what we try to do. It didn't work out all the time but when our people are at it, it makes a massive difference. It was always a situation where we had to give on the pitch and the crowd was there or it was the other way but we were always together really good."

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Balotelli slams Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers admits he found it hard to connect with Mario Balotelli at Liverpool (Getty)

Former Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has claimed Brendan Rodgers was a "disaster" and the "worst coach I have ever had".

Balotelli was signed for Liverpool by Rodgers in 2014 following Luis Suarez's move to Barcelona, but the move was not a success. The Italy international scored just four goals across all competitions and returned to AC Milan on loan the following year before joining Nice on a free transfer in 2016.

Reflecting on his time at Anfield, Balotelli told TVPlay: "Brendan Rodgers is the worst coach I have ever had. He was number one as far as training sessions were concerned, what with keeping possession of the ball and the small-sided games. But as a person he was a disaster."

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Owen offers Gakpo advice

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Cody Gakpo of Liverpool warms up before the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Liverpool FC and LASK at Anfield on November 30, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Michael Owen believes Cody Gakpo needs to find his best position, having struggled to establish himself as a regular starter following his move from PSV Eindhoven back in January.

"It's good being versatile," Owen told TNT Sports. "But if he was that good, and he was one of the first names on the team sheet, he would only have one position. You don't move Mo Salah from the right-hand side.

"If he's going to be a top player for Liverpool I think he's got to put in performances whereby Jurgen Klopp says, 'right, Cody Gakpo, in the team, in that position, because he's so vital'. At the moment he fits in a little bit which probably helps him get games under his belt."

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