Jurgen Klopp has created quite the stir by saying he will play the kids in Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury Town and he will not be managing the team either.
Is this decision correct from the German coach?
Klopp spoke after a young, much-changed Liverpool side blew a 2-0 lead at Shrewsbury on Sunday to draw 2-2 and set up a replay during what was supposed to be their mid-season player break.
The Premier League, for the first time in its history, split the schedule in early February so that teams would have an extra week off to rest players. Liverpool, along with Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Newcastle will no longer have a break due to FA Cup fourth round replays being scheduled to take part during the proposed period off.
“We got a letter from the authorities in April last year asking us not to organize anything during the week of the break and we haven’t,” Klopp said. “We have given the players the time off, and some are going away. They will still be keeping fit, but they do not have to play football that week and they do not have to come in to Melwood.”
Klopp’s reasoning for not coaching the side and his first team squad not playing in the replay is that they need to rest mentally and physically and he says he is following Premier League orders after the mid-season break was confirmed. His players have booked vacations with families and because the English FA and Premier League couldn’t totally guarantee there wouldn’t be an FA Cup replay during this break, this situation was always likely to crop up.
There has been uproar from some that Klopp is disrespecting the FA Cup but it is the lack of foresight from those above him in terms of scheduling which is the bigger problem. People within the FA would have been keeping their fingers crossed that there would be no replays involving PL clubs in the fourth round but inevitably there are.
Klopp allowed U23 coach Neil Critchley to take the young Liverpool side which lost 5-0 at Aston Villa in their League Cup quarterfinal earlier this season as he took the first team to Qatar to play in the FIFA Club World Cup, which they won, but this situation is totally different.
The Liverpool boss has a choice here and even though his team are 16 points clear atop the Premier League, with a game in hand, he is prioritizing the Premier League title over the FA Cup and other competitions. Can you blame him?
Everyone connected with Liverpool has craved winning the league title for over 30 years and it finally seems like it will happen. Klopp, his staff and his players are focused totally on winning the Premier League. That has to be his priority. Not the FA Cup, League Cup or even the Champions League after they won it last season.
Plus, Klopp and his players deserve a break just like every other Premier League team in this new mid-season rest period and even though the title already seems wrapped up, it is down to the manager to manage the situation as best he sees it. Klopp has long been an advocate of playing less games and has campaigned for competitions and seasons to be cut shorter. He is just sticking to what he believes in.
Managers who play weakened teams in cup competitions on purpose have been fined in the past but it is likely the FA will be lenient with Klopp for fielding his youth team given the unusual circumstances.
Liverpool’s boss will be criticized by many for this decision but those closest to the club will totally understand it.
Bournemouth host Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday (kick off, 3 p.m. ET) as the Cherries and Gunners will both fancy their chances of a lengthy cup run.
[ LIVE: Follow Bournemouth-Arsenal ]
In all honesty, both Eddie Howe and Mikel Arteta could do without this game as they aim to improve their position in the Premier League table.
Bournemouth picked up a vital win against Brighton last time out to push themselves out of the bottom three, while Arsenal picked up a morale-boosting draw at Chelsea after playing for over an hour with 10 men.
Howe and Arteta will acknowledge that their main aim is to stay in the Premier League and finish in the top four respectively but both will be extremely tough in the final months of the season.
It is always tough to strike the balance about how serious to take the FA Cup for teams in tough situations in the PL but more often than not the competition is a bit of a distraction for players as league form goes out of the window.
Arteta’s first game in charge of Arsenal was a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in December and this will be a tight, tough game down in the wind and rain on the England’s south coast.
Success in cup competitions will likely save Arsenal’s dismal season as Arteta’s banged up side have shown plenty of hunger in recent weeks and an FA Cup and Europa League double would certainly salvage plenty of pride from the 2019-20 campaign.
That said, there is still a long, long way to go for Arsenal.
Click on the link above to follow the action as it happens, while we have you covered right here on Pro Soccer Talk with the reaction and analysis on the final game of the fourth round.
Now, the idea of this transfer needs post is to identify what each Premier League club should do on Deadline Day.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
We know that quite often the January transfer window is a slow burner and maybe, just maybe we will see a flurry of activity in the finals hour of the window.
Below is a look at the key areas where each PL club should do business before the transfer window closes on Friday evening.
Watch our transfer deadline day show from 6-8 p.m. ET on Jan. 31, live on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com.
Arsenal
Center back: The Gunners have been on the hunt for a new central defender all month long after Calum Chambers ruptured his ACL. Mikel Arteta is trying to get a move for Pablo Mari over the line, while Thomas Lemar has also been linked with a move if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves for Barcelona in the final days of the window.
Possibility they will add players: 90 percent
Aston Villa
Striker: They have been the busiest team in January so far after two huge injuries to Tom Heaton and Wesley have hit Villa hard. Dean Smith brought in Pepe Reina in goal, Danny Drinkwater on loan in midfield, Mbwana Samatta up top and youngster Louie Barry. So, they should be set. But Dean Smith has hinted they may add one more attacking player. With American youngster Indiana Vassilev performing well off the bench after his recent debut, Villa may not need extra help.
Possibility they will add players: 60 percent
Bournemouth
Defenders: With so many injuries, Eddie Howe has been scrambling to put his best team together. They had a big win agains Brighton last time out which will have relieved some of the pressure on him but Danny Rose has been linked with a loan move and that would seem like a good fit.
Possibility they will add players: 40 percent
Brighton and Hove Albion
None: The Seagulls have added Aaron Mooy on a permanent basis and have plenty of attacking options, although the goals have dried up for Maupay and Connolly. Maybe adding an extra forward on loan in the final days of the window makes sense?
Possibility they will add players: 10 percent
Burnley
None: A quiet few days for the Clarets who may just move a few squad players out on loan. Sean Dyche has a strong squad which is free of injuries and he will be happy enough with what he has.
Possibility they will add players: 10 percent
Chelsea
Striker: Frank Lampard has looked a little frustrated by the lack of signings and Chelsea have been linked strongly with moves for Edinson Cavani, Piatek and Boubakary Soumare. Those deals seem unlikely to happen and their focus may be set on this summer with Timo Werner, Jadon Sancho and Wilfried Zaha at the top of their list. A deal for Zaha seems unlikely in the next few days.
Possibility they will add players: 30 percent
Crystal Palace
Defenders: Basically, Palace need to add an extra player in each area of the pitch and Roy Hodgson has already said that and he hopes the owners back him. With Cenk Tosun arriving on loan they’ve addressed that need but Palace do look short in the full area. The Eagles always seem keen to add players later in the month and hang on for a good deal. Let’s see if they do it again.
Possibility they will add players: 40 percent
Everton
None: A bit of extra cover would be nice for Carlo Ancelotti but with Mason Holgate, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and others stepping up, he can rely on Everton’s youngsters to push them into midtable in the final months of the season.
Possibility they will add players: 10 percent
Leicester City
Center back: They want to sign a center back and have been linked with Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard but that deal seems unlikely. Leicester’s squad is strong throughout and has even copped without the injured Jamie Vardy.
Possibility they will add players: 15 percent
Liverpool
None: And they’ve already done their business. Takumi Minamino has arrived from RB Salzburg in a bargain deal and that will be Liverpool wrapped up for the window. Jurgen Klopp also has plenty of talented youngsters to call up.
Possibility they will add (more) players: 5 percent
Manchester City
Center back: Their biggest need for about 12 months and City haven’t done anything about it. Seems crazy given their status as one of the richest teams on the planet. Nathan Ake would be a good buy, so too would Caglar Soyuncu or Jonny Evans but now Aymeric Laporte is back, nothing is likely to happen. Pep is unlikely to do business in the January window unless a wonderful deal presents itself.
Possibility they will add players: 25 percent
Manchester United
Central midfield, striker: As injuries pile up in central midfield Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted all month that is where he is looking. That has been their biggest need all season, especially with Pogba’s injury problems. Bruno Fernandes heading to United looks unlikely, while they may need a short-term replacement for Marcus Rashford but it seems like Mason Greenwood is ready to step in and feel that void.
Possibility they will add players: 50 percent
Newcastle United
Left back: They’ve been busy in January with Nabil Bentaleb and Valenino Lazzaro coming in on loan, while they have also been linked with Danny Rose after Paul Dummett and Jetro Willems went down with season-ending injuries. Steve Bruce will doing his best to add a left back in the final days of the window.
Possibility they will add players: 70 percent.
Norwich City
None: Norwich have loaned Hertha Berlin’s attacker Duda and signed midfielder Lukas Rupp and the main thing for Daniel Farke‘s side is that they keep hold of Pukki, Aarons and Cantwell, which they look like doing. They should have probably added an extra defensive player but Farke has already said they are done for January.
Possibility they will add players: 10 percent
Sheffield United
None: They added Jack Rodwell as a free agent to provide some depth and Jack Robinson as a key defensive addition. They have options in every position and Chris Wilder has rotated the squad well this season.
Possibility they will add (more) players: 5 percent
Southampton
Full backs: Ralph Hasenhuttl has already said he wants to sign some new full backs. Cedric is out of contract this summer and Ryan Bertrand has been linked with a move away. Expect some young full backs to arrive, with Spurs’ Kyle Walker-Peters set to arrive on loan. Given their superb recent form that is pretty much all Saints need.
Possibility they will add players: 80 percent.
Tottenham Hotspur
Striker: Harry Kane’s injury means they will want a new striker. Jose Mourinho has sorted out their defensive displays and Daniel Levy has finally moved on Christian Eriksen with Steven Bergwijn set to replace him. Gedson Fernandes has arrived and Piatek seems like the perfect man to help with Kane’s absence.
Possibility they will add players: 70 percent.
Watford
Defender: Honestly, they are pretty set. Another striker to push Deeney and Gray hard would be nice but Nigel Pearson has inherited a decent squad and now has them well organized and hungry. The Hornets don’t really need to spend despite being in a relegation scrap. But with a few poor results in recent weeks, a defensive addition would be nice. They’ve been linked with moves for Danny Rose from Spurs and Ben Gibson from Burnley. Both would make sense.
Possibility they will add players: 50 percent
West Ham United
Striker, defenders: David Moyes needs to do some serious work in the finals days of the window as the Hammers look set for a relegation scrap. They have brought in Randolph to back up Fabianski in goal and more defensive improvements would be nice. The Hammers have spent a lot recently but an experienced striker to work alongside Haller is essential. Work to do.
Possibility they will add players: 70 percent
Wolverhampton Wanderers
None: Pretty set after adding Leonardo Campana to back up Raul Jimenez up top, as Nuno Espirito Santo likes to have a small squad and they’ve battled through superbly so far. With no FA Cup run this season, they can focus on the Europa League and Premier League. Wolves always seem likely to add young players though.
Possibility they will add players: 10 percent
Our latest Premier League player Power Rankings are here and there are some familiar faces sticking around the upper echelons.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
Stars from Liverpool, Man City, Wolves and Southampton dominate our power rankings once again as those teams continue to impress in 2020.
[ MORE: Club Power Rankings ]
Remember: this is a list of the top 20 performing players right now in the Premier League. If they didn’t play in the last matchweek, they aren’t getting in this list!
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Let us know in the comments section below if you agree with the selections.
1. Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) – New entry
2. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) – Up 2
3. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – Even
4. Sergio Aguero (Man City) – Down 3
5. Raul Jimenez (Wolves) – New entry
6. Riyad Mahrez (Man City) – Even
7. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) – New entry
8. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) – New entry
9. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) – Up 1
10. Danny Ings (Southampton) – Down 8
11. Adama Traore (Wolves) – New entry
12. Gabriel Jesus (Man City) – Even
13. Troy Deeney (Watford) – Down 8
14. Jack Stephens (Southampton) – Even
15. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Even
16. Ayoze Perez (Leicester) – New entry
17. Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – Down 10
18. Nathan Redmond (Southampton) – New entry
19. Jay Rodriguez (Burnley) – New entry
20. Nick Pope (Burnley) – New entry
With just a few days to go until the January transfer window shuts, things are heating up across the Premier League as clubs prepare to shuffle their packs and have a roll of the dice ahead of the final months of the season with Arsenal set to feature heavily as the clock ticks down.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
Here’s a look at some of the latest rumors popping up around the PL.
Watch our transfer deadline day show from 6-8 p.m. ET on Jan. 31, live on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com.
The Telegraph are reporting that Barcelona are seriously pushing for a move for Aubameyang, 30, in the final days of the window as they have to replace the injured Luis Suarez, with Valencia’s Rodrigo another option.
Aubameyang has less than 18 months left on his current Arsenal deal and this is probably the last chance the Gunners have to sell the Gabonese striker for anything close to what he’s worth. Per the report, Arsenal want over $65 million for Auba.
The experienced striker has been sensational since arriving from Borussia Dortmund two years ago, scoring 57 goals in 91 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions.
Can Mikel Arteta afford to lose Aubameyang? No, not really. He is their leading goalscorer and talisman but after his recent red card at Crystal Palace the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette have stood tall with the young Brazilian striker in particular showing he can fill the considerable void Aubameyang would leave behind.
With the Gunners 10 points off the top four with 14 games to go, selling Aubameyang would be like waving the white flag on their hopes of getting to the Champions League next season. It must be noted that the striker has been a little more outspoken in his new role as a leader and more involved with supporters’ groups who are speaking out against the running of the club. Maybe cashing in now rather than losing him for next to nothing in the summer would be a smart move for Arsenal as it would allow Arteta to rebuild the squad and give it a more youthful look.
Various reports state that Thomas Lemar could arrive at Arsenal from Atletico Madrid as the Spanish club left him out of their squad for the 0-0 draw draw with Leganes on Sunday.
Lemar, 24, has found life tough in La Liga and with Edinson Cavani reportedly ready to arrive from Paris Saint-Germain, Diego Simeone is keen to move on Lemar. The French international winger, who burst onto the scene in 2017 as a key member in Monaco’s Ligue 1 title-winning team, would be available on an initial loan deal.
He was linked with a move to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in the summer of 2017 before joining Atletico in 2018 and Lemar is said to be keen to get his career back on track with a move to the Premier League. He has scored just four goals in 64 appearances in all competitions for Atletico Madrid.
Do Arsenal need a winger? Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson are their main options out wide, so all of a sudden there is a little bit of a gap there with Mesut Ozil played centrally by Arteta and Aubameyang often starting off the left.
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