Liverpool FC news recap: Amorim on staying, injury update, squad for Thurs

Here’s our Liverpool FC news recap for Wednesday, April 17th 2024. Ruben Amorim admitted he could stay with Sporting.

Liverpool flew out to Italy on Wednesday as they prepare to take on Atalanta in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg. It’ll be far from easy, however – the Reds must overturn a 3-0 defeat.

The squad is confirmed for that one and it includes one notable striker.

But there was also news away from the match as Ruben Amorim commented on his future. The Sporting CP boss is the favourite for the Liverpool job – that doesn’t mean he’s going to take it, though.

Here’s our Liverpool FC news roundup.

Liverpool youngsters train with squad

Liverpool are struggling for goals going into their UEFA Europa League clash vs Atalanta on Thursday. Maybe that’s why an 18-year-old striker trained with the squad.

Jayden Danns, Liverpool vs Southampton

Liverpool v Southampton – Emirates FA Cup – Fifth Round – Anfield Liverpool s Jayden Danns celebrates scoring their side s second goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Wednesday February 28, 2024. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xPeterxByrnex 75481793

Liverpool face Atalanta in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg on Thursday evening. It’s an almost impossible task, of course – the Reds must beat their hosts by at least three goals.

There have been even more difficult tasks, of course, and tasks Liverpool have overcome. This one feels different, though, with a string of disappointing displays leading into it.

The team just isn’t firing on all cylinders, arguably not even half of them, and that could lead to something of a shake-up on Thursday. Certainly, the option is there as Jurgen Klopp included four youngsters in his final training session before heading out to Italy.

Per James Pearce, Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell were all involved. Should Klopp wish to fall back on the youth that served him so well earlier this year, he can.

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Conor Bradley out for weeks

Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Wednesday that Conor Bradley will miss the next couple of weeks with strained ankle ligaments.

Bradley went off injured against Crystal Palace and it appears he’ll miss the next little while. His season, however, certainly isn’t over.

“I think Ryan Gravenberch had a similar thing,” said Klopp. “So first week of May he [Bradley] should be back in training. When is that? Two weeks’ time.

“[He] overstretched the ligaments, not serious serious but serious enough that he’s not here.”

Amorim admits pressure to stay

Ruben Amorim has been inundated with questions over his own future since Liverpool’s plans changed and he was placed top of the wish list.

Ruben Amorim Sporting

SL Benfica Vs Sporting CP in Lisbon, Portugal – 02 Apr 2024 Ruben Amorim, coach of Sporting CP seen during the Portuguese Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz. Final score: SL Benfica 2 – 2 Sporting CP Lisbon Portugal Copyright: xHenriquexCasinhasx/xSOPAxImagesx HCASINHAS_02042024_SLBENFICA_VS_SPORTINGCP_006

Last week he was forced to DENY that he had already reached an outline agreement with Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the season.

He now admits even his OWN SON wants him to stay with Sporting amid the Anfield links.

The manager faced the press following the Famalicao game, with one intriguing question being posed.

“Do you hear more fans saying that they want Sporting to be champions or for you to stay at the club?,” he was asked.

“Both,” came the reply. “Even my son asks me for both things, but the important thing is for Sporting to be champions. That’s what the fans want and that’s what we fight for.”

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Alexander-Arnold on new manager

In a wide-ranging interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted to being “on the fence” regarding a new coach coming in but added that he is looking forward to the challenge.

“I’d probably say I’m sat on the fence with regards to my feelings on a new manager coming in,” the Champions League and Premier League winner said.

“It’ll be a completely different situation and it’s going to be weird to then turn up to pre-season, having to adopt a new playing style.

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Enrique on Nunez

Former Reds left back Jose Enrique believes that the evidence suggests Darwin Nunez is not up to the requisite standard.

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool

Football – FA Premier League – Manchester United, ManU FC v Liverpool FC MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Sunday, April 7, 2024: Liverpool s Darwin Nunez reacts after missing a chance during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda MANCHESTER Old Trafford GREATER MANCHESTER ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex 2024-04-07-106-Man_Utd_Liverpool

The Spaniard pinpoints Liverpool’s finishing as the main reason why they have slipped behind Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race and states the club need an upgrade on the South American hitman.

“They are simply missing too many chances,” he told Grosvenor Sports.

“It is not possible to win the Premier League when you miss as many chances as they do, especially when you aren’t too strong defensively and concede a lot of chances at your own end.

“Darwin Nunez is simply not at the required level and he never has been…He is a good player but he is not a Liverpool No.9.”

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