Liverpool can stake a big claim for third place on Sunday when they face bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League. While it has been far from a vintage season for the reigning champions, a confident victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend has given cause for optimism.
Klopp's Praise for Wirtz
Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Florian Wirtz will light up this summer's World Cup. The midfielder, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million last summer, is expected to be a key player for Germany in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Klopp said: "I hope Flo Wirtz will have a fantastic, fantastic World Cup. I think he has everything you need to be a standout player. I don't want to put any pressure on the boy. I really think he showed already how good he can be in a difficult season."
The 3-1 win over Oliver Glasner's side featured two of Liverpool's most expensive summer signings lighting up Anfield. Alexander Isak scored the Reds' first goal, while the ever-improving Wirtz capped off the afternoon with a stunning strike late on. While the pair have shown flashes of their talent this season, they have largely struggled under Arne Slot.
Isak and Wirtz's performances on Saturday have forced many to sit up and take notice. The duo have only started together eight times this season, with Liverpool having won five of those games. The pair have also been backed by club captain Virgil van Dijk.
"That was always the plan," said Van Dijk. "These two particular players have been brought to the club to make an impact and it's not been an easy season for anyone, including those two, but you see the quality they have. It is about keeping developing, knowing what it takes to be a Liverpool player not only on the pitch but off it as well, look after yourself and try to be, each and every three or four days, the absolute best of yourself. They have to realise that. Keep going, four more games, qualifying for the Champions League is still the main target now, World Cup then we have to be working very hard to make sure next season is not like this season because it is unacceptable."
Slot's Potential Coaching Blow
Slot could be forced to shuffle his backroom staff once again amid rumours he could lose his assistant coach, Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Liverpool coach is reportedly being targeted by Slot's former club, Feyenoord. This would mark the second year running that Slot has lost an assistant, following John Heitinga's departure from the Reds to take over as head coach of Ajax last summer.
Van Bronckhorst, the former midfielder, was brought in last summer as a replacement for Heitinga. The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star managed Feyenoord between 2015 and 2019, and has also had spells as head coach at Guangzhou R&F, Rangers, and Besiktas. Reports in the Netherlands have claimed that Van Bronckhorst has emerged as a strong candidate for a technical director role at Feyenoord. They state he would be open to a return to Rotterdam, where he came through the youth ranks as a player.
However, Liverpool have yet to receive any offer for Van Bronckhorst. The rumours follow doubts over Slot's own position this season, as the Reds struggle for consistency. Yet it is believed the Dutchman has the backing of Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, to remain in charge for next season.
