Reds back in the top 4
After results at the weekend went their way, Liverpool currently find themselves back in the top 4. The burst of points at the start of the season left fans believing that a title winning campaign could be in progress, but due to a rocky start to 2017, the preseason target of securing Champions League football, is the main focus.
Former Liverpool favourite Vladamir Smicer, has claimed that the players will receive a psychological boost because they find themselves back in fourth place. He highlighted the victory against Arsenal as a very important three points.
“There’s not a big difference, so you can win two games and be second or lose two games and be sixth, so any result is very, very important.
“We knew we had to win because it gives you confidence and the players can feel again that they’re in the top four. That’s very important for us.”
Smicer went on to say that the victory gives him belief that the club will be in the top 4, come the end of the season.
Liverpool’s current number 5 Georginio Wijnaldum, has called for confidence from the rest of the players, as the season begins to reach its closing stages. Wijnaldum, who put the cherry on the cake during the 3-1 over Arsenal, stated that at this stage, every single game is important.
“You can’t afford to lose games.
“We have to make sure at the end of the season we are there. Now it is good for the confidence but if we are going to do it like we play before – playing well and then playing bad again – then it is going to be tough for us to come in the top four.
“We have to have a good run and be confident we can finish in one of the spots.”
What to do about Sakho?
Liverpool’s defence has come under fire time and time again during this season, and the decision to let Mamadou Sakho go out on loan left many people confused. The centre-back put in a solid performance for Crystal Palace at the weekend and was consequently named in Garth Crooks’ team of the week.
Sakho fell out of favour at the club after a bust up with Jürgen Klopp resulted in him being sent home from the USA tour last summer. “Sakho continues to put his body on the line for Palace in the same way he did for Liverpool,” said Crooks, “How the Reds can dispense with the services of Sakho with the defence they have is worth a debate all by itself.”
Klopp continues to issue no statement regarding the defender future. When asked if Sakho will return to Anfield, the boss told French media, “That is nothing we have to decide in this moment. So that is it,” before concluding by saying, “We will see.”
Stephen Packer honoured by Academy
Two rooms have been opened at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as a tribute to former LFC Academy player Stephen Packer. The eight-year-old, who played for the LFC Under-9’s, passed away in 2012 following a battle with cancer. Members of the Academy’s staff and players took part in the Three Peaks Challenge in order to raise £12,000 to fund the rooms.
The Academy’s Head of Education Phil Roscoe said, ““To have two rooms at Alder Hey dedicated to him is fantastic. Stevie was a brilliant kid and is still sorely missed at the Academy.”
