The forward has been speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, relayed by Voetbal Primeur, about his first year at Anfield after arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January last year.

He arrived at Anfield after consistently impressing for the Dutch club but really throwing himself into the public consciousness during the World Cup in Qatar, when he was very much the star man for the Netherlands.

That ultimately saw him secure his €42m move to Liverpool and he’s been starring ever since, with 11 goals and four assists in 40 games in all competitions to date.

His time on Merseyside so far has seen him undergo a drastic change, though, with Jurgen Klopp keen to convert him from a predominantly left-winger to a centre-forward.

118 of his 159 games for PSV came playing as a left-winger but that’s changed for Liverpool where 29 of his games to date have been as a centre-forward and only four on the wing.

Some have questioned whether that’s getting the best out of the player, but Gakpo insists Klopp made it clear that it was always the plan for him.

“It was an exciting year in which I made a beautiful journey,” he said.

“And still. I feel very much at home in Liverpool. Football is going well, we live nicely. My girlfriend is happy, and my family and friends are also experiencing everything. Then you are blessed.

“He (Klopp_ immediately said in January: ‘Cody can play good pressing, he can do as a striker what Roberto Firmino did for us for years.’ I am challenged to get out of my comfort zone. I like that.”

The post Liverpool star reveals what Klopp “immediately” told him at Anfield – Happy with new challenge appeared first on Sport Witness.

That’s according to Sky Germany, who cover the player today and his newfound maturity and the problems that may cause for Bayern.

They explain that Sané has taken on responsibility at the start of the season with Bayern, with a tally of nine goals in 18 games and seven assists a record that makes him an ‘offensive whirlwind’.

The hope for them and Germany is that he can continue this on a consistent basis but in the meantime, Bayern need to get him signed to a new deal as his numbers haven’t gone unnoticed.

His current deal at the Allianz Arena expires in 2025 so there is a pressing need to extend that and ensure he doesn’t enter next year in the final 12 months of his deal, particularly as his performance ‘naturally arouses the desires’ of other clubs.

Liverpool are one of them and Jurgen Klopp ‘probably wants’ to lure his fellow German to Anfield, something that should cause Bayern to be ‘a little worried’.

That’s a story we’ve seen developing over the last week or so, with a report earlier this week indicating that Liverpool were interested, and Bayern were finally responding to that interest.

Sky now say that they should be worried about the growing interest and the possibility of a move in the coming months.

The post Jurgen Klopp ‘probably wants’ to lure player to Liverpool – interest should make club ‘a little worried’ appeared first on Sport Witness.

Operating as a left wing-back, winger and a left-back, he has managed a goal and four assists from 30 games this year. His form, profile and potential has seen him attract interest from a few European clubs.

Calciomercato state Liverpool and Juventus are among the clubs to have set their eyes on the 19-year-old.

The Argentina U20 international has a deal lasting until December 2024 and the report states he’s evaluating his options to make a big move to Europe.

It’s claimed the Serie A side are ‘ready to play their game’, despite the ‘fierce competition’ from Jürgen Klopp’s side and others.

Meanwhile, Tutto Juve state the Old Lady are one of the most interested teams in this transfer chase, and add that Liverpool are aware of Juventus’ desire to sign the youngster.

Earlier this month, Globo Esporte reported Liverpool were one of the clubs to have sent a scout to watch the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and Fluminense.

Along with Liverpool and Juventus, Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion are also keen on the versatile player.

The post Liverpool to provide ‘fierce competition’ for signing – Player evaluates transfer options with ‘more attention’ appeared first on Sport Witness.

The forward has scored 11 goals and registered four assists from 40 games for the Reds, out of which four goals and an assist are from this season.

Algemeen Dagblad have published a detailed interview with the 24-year-old, where he was asked to review his last 12 months for club and country.

When responding to that, Gakpo said he feels “very much at home” at Liverpool, and is happy with his life, both on and off the pitch.

The Netherlands international was used on the left wing at PSV, while Jürgen Klopp has mainly used him as a centre forward at the Merseyside club. Although he likes to operate in his preferred position on the left, the attacker believes that Klopp’s decision has helped him get out of his comfort zone.

“After my arrival he immediately put me as a striker, yes, but also just behind the striker. And now also more from midfield. I am challenged to get out of my comfort zone. I like that. Roger Schmidt already started doing this at PSV,” he said.

“You have to adapt and invest. This makes you a better, more complete player.”

The Dutchman has also explained how Liverpool help players to minimise pressure, with plans especially for taking penalties.

“At Liverpool they measure our brain activity during penalties. This is done via a hat with electrodes on your head,” Gakpo explained.

“You gain insight into how stress works in your brain and they try to help you keep control of it. You cannot imitate everything when training for penalties. There is always pressure. And you can miss. You have no guarantees. But you can also do quite a lot. In any case, I never dread taking a penalty.”

After the international break, Liverpool have a big game coming up against Manchester City, and a victory at the Etihad can see the Reds take top spot.

The post “They measure our brain activity” – Liverpool player on Reds coaching method, electrodes on head appeared first on Sport Witness.

Following the kidnapping, Luis Manuel Diaz reunited with his son, watched the player lead a comeback against Brazil, and now even spoke to the local press about transfer rumours.

Diaz’s dad was interviewed by Win Sports, and as covered by Noticias RCN, he was asked about the links between the Liverpool player and a move to Barcelona.

He had no problem claiming his son is a big admirer of FC Barcelona, and even detailed the chances of his move to the Camp Nou in the future.

“I truth is that I know very little about Barcelona at the moment. It is true that Luis is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there. So far I would like to thank Porto and Liverpool for the way they welcomed him and received him,” said Luis Manuel Diaz.

“Luis is a player who finds it easy to win over because of the way he is, because of his humility, his work, his dedication, he is a very disciplined player, thank God. There would be no problem if Luis came to Barcelona because it is a top team and one of the best in the world.”

Colombia were losing to Brazil 1-0 last night when Luis Diaz scored two goals to seal a great comeback. While he celebrated, the cameras repeatedly showed his dad’s reaction in the stands.

The Cafeteros now have an away game against Paraguay to be played on Tuesday, and then Diaz will return to Liverpool, who visit Manchester City on the 25th of November.

The post “Would be his dream” – Liverpool star’s dad talks about possibility of Barcelona transfer appeared first on Sport Witness.

The French club beat Jürgen Klopp’s men 3-2 in a wild game where VAR played a great part in destroying the nerves of all involved.

That includes Toulouse’s captain, Vincent Sierro, who spoke to Génération After on RMC Sport, relayed by Les Violets, who was asked about the game against Liverpool.

The midfielder made it clear the whole club were ‘very proud’ of what they achieved, and the aim for them is to get out of the group.

However, what Sierro wanted to talk more about was Liverpool’s last minute goal that was cancelled out by VAR, which had the entire stadium holding their breath.

He said: “It was a rollercoaster. In the moment, I clearly see MacAllister’s hand, and so did the whole stadium. When they scored, we all called for handball. I honestly felt it was going to be cancelled out, but when I saw they accepted it… We were all crushed. He finally went to see VAR, and after it was cancelled, it was more than a goal. It meant victory.”

Following that victory, Toulouse travelled to Lille, where they drew 1-1, showing that football is a game of moments, and a win against a Premier League side can quickly be cancelled out by a poorer performance.

Still, it’s a moment that entire team will cherish for a very long time.

The post “We were all crushed” – Midfielder recalls VAR ‘rollercoaster’ against Liverpool, glad it went their way appeared first on Sport Witness.

The Spaniard spent six years at Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, and guided them to the Champions League success in his debut season at Anfield.

His spell with Reds saw his family settle in Merseyside and when Everton came calling in 2021, the 63-year-old accepted the job for both personal and sporting reasons.

The Toffees were forced to look for a new manager that summer after Carlo Ancelotti left them to return to Real Madrid.

Benitez was appointed as the Italian’s successor but his stay at Goodison Park was cut short in January 2022, after a series of poor results. Everton managed only one win in his last 13 league games.

When AS asked how a Liverpool legend ended up at Everton, he said: “I have many friends who are from Everton and I knew what I needed. It was a chance to be with family.”

“The problem is that after three years of bypassing financial control, we were only able to spend 1.7m [likely euros] that year. Of course, I came to doubt for sentimental reasons, you think about it a lot, but it was the possibility of making a team grow and many years had passed since my time at Liverpool.”

After his exit from Everton, Benitez returned to management, taking charge at Celta Vigo in the summer.

The La Liga side have managed only one win from 13 league games this season and are currently in the relegation zone.

The post “I knew what was needed” – Rafa Benitez explains what held him back at Everton, and why it wasn’t Liverpool betrayal appeared first on Sport Witness.

That’s according to journalist Sjoerd Mossou, who has backed the Liverpool defender and hit out at those criticising him.

Van Dijk has faced criticism over the last few months, with some questioning whether he will ever get back to the level he once reached.

The Netherlands star has been battling to get back to his best his best for Liverpool since returning from a cruciate ligament rupture in his knee sufferance in October 2020.

That saw him spend 254 days out injured and miss 57 games for club and country but considerably more time on the pitch and in training looking to regain his former levels.

That’s an unenviable task given the heights he had hit for Liverpool previously, when many were labelling him the best defender in the world and potentially one of the best, if not the best, of all time.

Some have claimed that he is nowhere near that point and never will be, but Mossou does not accept that and has moved to defend the Reds star.

“Last Sunday I was at the Liverpool game. I often watch Premier League matches, so it was not completely new, but Van Dijk played really great. He was excellent. It has been that way for weeks, months,” he said.

“He had a difficult start to the season. But in terms of level of play, he is top, which is also evident from the statistics.

“He is really at the top everywhere when it comes to winning headers and not being dribbled past. It really makes no sense that a myth has arisen in the Netherlands that he is on his last legs.

“I have sometimes discussed that difference in approach between England and the Netherlands with him. He now shrugs it off.”

The post Journalist dismisses ‘myth’ about Liverpool player – Having none of the criticism aimed at him appeared first on Sport Witness.

The midfielder left Anfield at the end of his deal in the summer and returned to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, looking to bounce back after a difficult few years ruined by various injuries.

The hope was that he could put those injury issues behind him and star at Bremen but that’s not proven to be the case, with various issues meaning he’s barely featured for the German side. That’s led to growing frustration over the deal and BILD say the frustration has now turned to absolute ‘fear’ when it comes to the player.

They explain that Bremen will play a friendly against second division team Hansa Rostock this week in an attempt to keep non-internationals fit and help others gain match fitness too.

However, former Liverpool midfielder Keita will not be a part of the group as he is still injured, and the club don’t want to risk him.

“Naby will not be used yet.  We will continue to build him up in training.  The goal is for him to be able to play again after the international break,” head of first team football Clemens Fritz told the newspaper.

They then explain that those in charge in Bremen ‘don’t want to rush anything’ with the ‘injury-prone’ midfielder, having already been stung this season.

According to them ‘the fear of another injury is too great’ and so Bremen will have to do without the former Liverpool man for a second time.

When he actually returns appears to still be in the air, with the German side now so terrified of losing him to injury they’re not taking even the smallest of risks, a feeling we’re sure those at Anfield can relate to.

The post Club’s frustration turns to ‘fear’ after player’s recent Liverpool exit – Can’t risk anything with him appeared first on Sport Witness.

That’s according to journalist Christian Falk, who says the Premier League side’s interest is finally starting to concern those in charge at the Allianz Arena.

Sane has been in sensational form for Bayern this season, with eight goals and six assists in 11 games in the Bundesliga so far and a goal and an assist in four games in the Champions League group stages.

He appears to have finally found his role for the German champions, having struggled to live up to the €49m price they paid to sign him from Manchester City in 2020.

The focus is now on his contract situation, with the forward’s current deal set to expire in 2025, meaning he will be in the final year of his deal as of the end of this season.

So far there have been no contract talks to extend that deal, leading to reports that he could leave in the coming months.

Liverpool have been named as suitors for some time, with several reports making it clear that they could move for the player if they lose Mohamed Salah, who appears to be the major target for the Saudi Pro League moving forwards.

And according to Falk that interest has now been recognised by Bayern, who will move to get a new deal done even if there isn’t much leeway in the budget.

“Leroy Sané is currently playing in the form of his life for Bayern and as reported, FC Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp have their eyes on him,” he said.

“And now Bayern are finally reacting. As Sport Director Christoph Freund confirmed in the SportBILD, there was a contact recording. I listened around. Yes, and it should look like this. FC Bayern would like to extend the contract with him. Therefore, after the international break, he offered to get together.

“A conversation should then be agreed upon directly, namely with Sané’s consultant Fali Ramadani. He then flies to Munich and then will finally be spoken to. Will he extend his contract or not? I heard he feels very, very comfortable.

“Leroy is estimated to earn €20m. There is still a bit of leeway, but not much more. With Bayern, top earners were up to €25m. So, you have to talk. The contract should be extended.

“However, as I heard, Manchester City has now also set its eyes on him. His ex-club, whether he would return to Pep Guardiola? I honestly don’t think so. I think Bayern really has very good chances to extend with Leroy. But that has to be discussed now. And these conversations are now starting.”

The post Club ‘finally reacting’ to Liverpool interest in star – Starting to worry, not much ‘leeway’ in contract talks appeared first on Sport Witness.