One reported Liverpool target has been hailed as a player with a ‘big future’, while also boasting one standout trait which’ll surely endear him to whoever our next manager is.

Earlier this week, David Lynch reported that the Reds have been watching Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who was in action for his side in their goalless draw against Leeds on Tuesday night.

Michael Bridges was on punditry duty with Sky Sports for the fixture, and he spoke glowingly about the 23-year-old prior to kick-off.

The ex-Black Cats striker said: “This is going to be his 104th game in a row, can you believe? He’s the only player in the Championship to play every game this season and last season, and his stats have been fantastic. Teams are watching out for him; there are some big clubs watching this lad.

“He’s louder on the field than he is off the field! He is such a quiet, humble lad off the field. This kid, he’s level-headed, down to earth, and he just works hard on his game. He’s got a big future ahead of him.”

In a season which has seen almost every Liverpool player dogged by injuries, including first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Patterson’s remarkable reliability would be very much welcomed at Anfield.

The Reds currently have two outstanding options between the posts in the Brazilian and Caoimhin Kelleher, so the Sunderland stopper would likely be feeding off scraps for first-team football if the Reds were to sign him.

However, should the Irishman depart in search of becoming an undisputed first-choice elsewhere, then the 23-year-old may become a quite attractive option for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

You can view Bridges’ comments on Patterson below, via @SkyFootball on X:

"He's the only player in the Championship to play every game this season and last season"

Anthony Patterson will play his 104th game in a row tonight pic.twitter.com/uGo94dK9DV

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 9, 2024

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Liverpool are reportedly among several clubs showing an interest in an English wonderkid who’s already making waves at senior level.

According to the Sunderland Echo, the Reds are keen on Sunderland gem Chris Rigg, who also has admirers from Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.

The 16-year-old holds the records for being the youngest-ever goalscorer not just in the Black Cats’ history, but also in the League Cup, claiming both distinctions after he netted in that competition against Crewe Alexandra at the start of this season.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher has noticed one big difference in Trent when watching Liverpool this season

READ MORE: Editor’s Column: Klopp right to be angry at Gravenberch’s poor off-the-ball work

Despite only being born a month after Liverpool’s 2007 Champions League final defeat in Athens, Rigg has already played 11 times for Sunderland’s first team and scored twice (Transfermarkt).

Former Black Cats manager Tony Mowbray (now at Birmingham) has described the wonderkid as ‘a joy to watch’ (Sunderland Echo) and a ‘warrior-like character’ who ‘wants to win every tackle’ (BBC Radio Newcastle).

That combination of steel and silk could serve the teenager very well as he embarks on his senior career, and if he were to join the Reds this year, it’d have echoes of the July 2019 acquisition of Harvey Elliott, who came to Anfield from then-Championship side Fulham as a 16-year-old.

Liverpool’s choice of successor to Jurgen Klopp may have a big bearing on whether or not we win the race for his signature.

If our next manager is every bit as trusting in youth as the incumbent has been (Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley all serve as prime examples), the Sunderland prodigy might well force his way through at Anfield.

We can expect to hear plenty more of Rigg’s name throughout 2024, and he could be a fledgling talent worth watching out for over the coming months.

#Ep100 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Liverpool have signed two of Sunderland’s best youngsters to bolster the Academy, but as of yet, it’s not been revealed who those players are.

This is according to Sunderland owner Stewart Donald, who pulled no punches with his complaints about how big clubs can work the system and acquire the best talent.

He says that there was nothing he could do to stop two teenagers joining Liverpool – which is making him think of disbanding the Academy.

“We are having our players poached. There are two players who will go to Liverpool,” he told Sunderland podcast Roker Report.

“We tried to keep them. We said to the parents ‘If you really want to go you have to put it in writing’. The parents have written in and said ‘Thank you Sunderland, we want our lads to go to Liverpool’.

“We could turn around and make that awkward and then they will go in the summer anyway.

“Or we can talk to Liverpool and try and get sell-ons, which they don’t have to give us. Both of those lads, because of the relationship we’ve got with Liverpool which could see some players come in the other direction, we’ve opted for a good working relationship (with).

“We’ve asked them if they will stay and they said no. So we made a commercial decision to try and get the best arrangement.”

In fairness, we can completely sympathise with Donald, Sunderland and any smaller teams whose players are being nicked at a young age.

However, with Liverpool doing nothing wrong in terms of breaking rules, it’s understandable that the club is thinking of no.1 in pursuit of long and short-term goals.

And you can understand why the youngsters want to make the switch – imagine the possibility of following in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps and making it into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team.

It’s a tricky one – that’s for sure.

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After captaining the Reds to Champions League glory in Madrid, Jordan Henderson has written his name in club legend and will be spoken of forever now.

But it won’t just be in Liverpool that his name will be sung.

After lifting aloft Ol’ Big Ears, the Mackem midfielder is set to be proudly granted with the Freedom of the City of Sunderland, as initial conversations have been struck up about the idea.

Originally hailing from the Wearside city, it will be a great honour for the 28-year-old and his family, which represents a just reward for what is obviously a hugely impressive accomplishment.

Sunderland City Councellor, Michael Mordey, told the Sunderland Echo: “Freedom of the City for Jordan Henderson is an idea that has been suggested by the majority Labour Group, which the council is now considering.

“He has always been a fantastic ambassador for his home city, his club and his country.

“Honouring Jordan would follow freedoms awarded to Sunderland football club legends Niall Quinn MBE in 2013 and Jimmy Montgomery MBE in 2016.”

Hendo arrived at Anfield from the Black Cats back in 2011 with a big reputation and a fee of around £20 million. He then ended up making his debut for the Reds against his old club.

Nearly 250 appearances, plus a League Cup and now a Champions League trophy later, the Reds skipper deserves all the praise, awards, and plaudits that look set to be bestowed upon him.

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Former Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli has revealed that Reds owner John W Henry was not a fan of Jordan Henderson for the first few months of his time at the club – initially branding his signing a ‘massive mistake’.

When Comolli, who brought the Reds captain in from Sunderland, was sacked in April 2012, the signing of the midfielder was labelled as being a key reason for his dismissal.

Speaking to the Independent, Comolli said: “I remember the day I was sacked, the owners told me, Jordan Henderson, what a massive mistake it was. That was the only thing they told me.”

No doubt Henry will have changed his mind since, but it shows a great turnaround on the part of Henderson to now be club captain and so highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp, his staff and his teammates, having been written off earlier in his career.

READ MORE:
Jurgen Klopp’s cheeky response to Pep Guardiola’s big Champions League claim

Win on Saturday to lift the Reds’ sixth European Cup and Henderson’s remarkable turnaround from a perceived failure to a crucial member of the team will be complete.

Some Reds fans still have reservations over Henderson, but for Klopp to love him so much and retain him as club captain shows how good he thinks he is. You don’t captain a team to 97 Premier League points without being an excellent footballer.

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• Ben Woodburn will be allowed a loan move to the Championship
• Teenager struggling for minutes at the moment in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team
• Move to join Chris Coleman at Sunderland most likely
• SEE MORE: A Wales player has given Ben Woodburn his biggest ever compliment

Jurgen Klopp has made 18-year-old youngster Ben Woodburn available for a January loan, reports the Daily Mail.

The Welsh international is Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer and a player hyped for eventual greatness, but this term, first-team opportunities have been hard to come by.

As a result, a temporary move to Sunderland looks likely, with their manager Chris Coleman having given the teenager his international debut for Wales before taking the Black Cats job.

Woodburn is a player of immense potential, but there’s no shame in being behind the likes of Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in the pecking order.

Experienced internationals like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge have found game-time hard to come by this season, so Woodburn’s been reduced to a role with the U23s and occasionally the U19s when Steven Gerrard’s kids have competed in the UEFA Youth League.

The Championship is a feisty, physical league and Sunderland are not one of its better sides, so Woodburn faces a real challenge.

For six months before 2018/19 though, it could be exactly what he needs.

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Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster was back amongst the goals on Sunday as he inspired a late surge from the victorious U23s against Sunderland.

The introduction of Brewster and Matty Virtue as second half substitutes proved to be the difference, with both getting themselves on the score sheet to help the Reds to a 3-0 win.

This came after a strong starting lineup including the likes of Danny Ings, Ben Woodburn and Marko Grujic had struggled to break the deadlock against a stern Sunderland.

It was Virtue that put Liverpool ahead, striking home the rebound from Corey Whelan’s header following Yan Dhanda’s superb cross.

Brewster’s moment in the spotlight came shortly after, when the striker latched onto Ovie Ejaria’s perfectly weighted pass before firing home from just outside the six-yard box.

He then turned provider moments later, squaring for Virtue to round off the win and an emphatic 10 minute period for Neil Critchley’s men.

Once again, the teenager made the most of his opportunity to impress and continued the fine form he had shown during the second half of the 2016/2017 campaign.

After missing the entire pre-season through injury, Brewster doesn’t look in a mood to hang around as he strives to draw the attention of Jurgen Klopp.

Here’s a look at his goal…

WHAT. A. BALL. FROM. @Oejaria!

Rhian Brewster doubles our lead with a well taken finish! #LFCU23spic.twitter.com/j5nc5CP9Ix

— Liverpool Gifs (@lfcgifz) August 20, 2017

SEE MORE:
Steven Gerrard praises 16-year-old with ‘unbelievable future’ after U18s victory

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Liverpool have been consistently scouted Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford this season and according to the Sunderland Echo, have a definite interest.

They claim we’ve watched him numerous times this season and are considering bringing him in to replace Simon Mignolet in the summer.

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Sunderland are currently bottom of the Premier League, but Pickford and Jermain Defoe have still been stand-out performers.

Earlier this campaign, our former stopper Chris Kirkland lavished praise on Pickford, claiming he could become one of the planet’s top stoppers.

“I told Liverpool to sign Jordan Pickford. He will have all of the top clubs looking at him – not just in England, but in Europe as well. He could be one of the best in the world,” he said.

It’s uncertain whether Liverpool will look to strengthen the goalkeeping department or not…

Mignolet was dropped earlier in the campaign for Loris Karius, but the young German did very badly and our long-serving Belgian was subsequently reinstated.

He’s done ‘ok’ throughout the season, in the most, although many fans believe we need an upgrade before 2017/18.

Right now, we’d argue Pickford, although talented, isn’t an upgrade on Mignolet or Karius – and if we are to sign a new ‘keeper – would rather it be someone experienced enough to come in and make an immediate difference.

The post Liverpool’s interest in potential ‘best in the world’ keeper confirmed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Jordan Henderson has been at the heart of everything this team has done well this season.

That isn’t to say others haven’t as well, though. It has been an incredible team effort so far which is why it is easy to understand why the impact the captain is having is often overlooked.

He has been outstanding in central midfield and his importance to Jurgen Klopp’s side was demonstrated by how much he was missed in the disappointing 2-2 defeat against Sunderland.

Former Reds striker Neil Mellor has hailed the skipper for his role and the work he does to help out the attacking stars ahead of him.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo, he said: “You have to give Jordan Henderson a great deal of credit this season in adapting so well to a new role.”

“I think he’s been outstanding for Liverpool and he’s a very important player for the team. His attitude is spot on and sometimes the work he does for the team can go a little unnoticed.”

“We’ve spoken about that front three of Coutinho, Firmino and Mane so many times this season but they’ve been allowed to have that flexibility of movement because of that protection in behind from Jordan Henderson.”

“Liverpool’s defence in the last five, six, seven games has limited opposition to very few opportunities at goal and I think Henderson has been a big part of that.”

SEE MORE:
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Henderson has been the Premier League’s front-runner in passing statistics for most of the season and has become the level-headed midfield general that Klopp has required.

He plays as the kind of leader that makes him worthy of wearing the armband and has contributed to every aspect of his side’s play. His urgency and forward thinking has seen him initiate attacks all season long while his energy and work rate has made him a key figure in this side’s defensive work.

As great as it is to see him finally getting the credit he deserves, he won’t stop for one second to care about how well people think he is playing. He wants Liverpool to win and that is it.

The post Ex-Reds striker identifies reason why Liverpool’s front three are granted so much freedom appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Sunderland last week demonstrated just how important Jordan Henderson is to this team.

His absence was obvious with a lack of composure and leadership seeing the Reds give away a lead on two separate occasions in a game that the players really should have won.

The skipper has gone about his business quietly this season as a result of Liverpool’s headline-grabbing attacking stars yet he has posed as an influential and level-headed figure in central midfield.

Jurgen Klopp has given a positive update regarding the 26-year-old’s fitness after he picked up a minor knock in Liverpool’s New Year’s Eve victory against Manchester City.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “Actually, it is good news if you want – we had this issue with the heel and we had to take him out for a while, but he is already on the way back.”

“He has no chance for the weekend and I am sure [there’ll be] no risk for Southampton, but then I think it is absolutely possible that he’s back.”

SEE MORE:
Liverpool’s 17-year-old record breaker reflects on fulfilling ‘every lad’s dream’

Klopp’s ‘absolutely possible’ claim sets Henderson up to return in Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on January 15 in a game that could see a handful of stars feature after recovering from injury.

The Reds could be boosted by not only the return of the former Sunderland man but also the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Joel Matip.

We seem to be getting our key players back together at just the right time.

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Dejan Lovren’s reflection of Liverpool’s frustrating 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light poses as a timely reminder that there is still a long way to go in this season.

Fears of Chelsea stretching their lead over their rivals even further have fuelled suggestions that the title race could already be over. Nonsense. A loss for the leaders against Tottenham tonight would immediately make things more interesting.

Lovren has expressed his disappointment over his side dropping points but is very aware that there is still plenty of games to be played.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “It felt like a defeat, especially after beating Manchester City. But we have to keep our heads high. A point is better than nothing.”

“There is still half a season to go. There are so many games in front of us and in front of Chelsea. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.”

“We will have more ups and downs throughout the season. We need to learn from the mistakes we made against Sunderland.”

“We have some really big games in front of us. I’d say we like to play against the big teams. There’s a lot to play for.”

SEE MORE:
‘I’ll miss him more than I miss my first wife’- Reds fans react to Sadio Mane’s AFCON departure

A lot can happen between now and the end of the season. Chelsea still have to come to Anfield in one of many extremely tough games yet to be played.

For now though, we have to keep up with Antonio Conte’s side with seemingly nobody being able to stop the leaders.

There are at least four teams still capable of winning this league at the moment as far as we are concerned.

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The word ‘frustrating’ doesn’t even begin to sum up Monday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland, especially after ending 2016 with a win over Manchester City.

We can complain all we want about the quick and perhaps unfair turnaround between the two games but it happened and is something that we had to deal with. It wasn’t the start to 2017 that we had all hoped for and possibly predicted but it posed as a valuable wake up call ahead of a crucial period of our season.

Jurgen Klopp was quick to praise his players for their efforts but understandably couldn’t disguise his disappointment over the questionable decision during the build up to Sunderland’s late equaliser.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “Both goals we conceded – the first one, after a throw-in I think, [Didier] Ndong runs into the box and the referee gives a penalty and the second one it was not a free-kick.”

“Sadio has the ball on his arm so it’s handball, but it’s not a free-kick before, there wasn’t even contact. But we have to accept this and so they scored goals and us only two, so the result is 2-2.”

“I could describe the game of course, but I don’t know what I could’ve expected, that’s the problem. After [a] one-day break only, I’m surprised by the physical performance and proud of what they did.”

SEE MORE:
Sadio Mane with some confidence boosting words on his Liverpool teammates

It wasn’t a free kick but that’s no excuse for failing to see the game out.

Monday’s disappointment is something for this team to move on from. This weekend’s FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle is not only a great opportunity to get some confidence back but it is a chance to give some of our key players a rest and experiment with a different team and system.

We go again, Reds.

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Simon Mignolet has eyes for nobody but Liverpool and so may it continue.

The Reds goalkeeper has set his sights on a strong second half of the season and is confident his side can still enjoy a successful campaign. Liverpool’s title rivals are in the back of Mignolet’s mind as he and those around him at the club continue to focus on their team alone.

All eyes will be on Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham tonight as the rest of the title contenders wait for the Premier League leaders to drop points.

Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com: “It’s way too early to look at other teams.”

“We just have to look at ourselves and keep doing the things we are doing well and learn from the things we are doing better.”

“There are certain things today [at Sunderland] we can learn from and if we can do that then we know we are a good team with so much quality, and we can make it a really good season this year.”

SEE MORE:
Gary Neville heaps praise on Klopp and makes exciting claim regarding Liverpool’s title chances

The mentality hasn’t changed. Jurgen Klopp and his players are only focusing on themselves and have no reason to move away from this approach given how things are going this season.

Monday’s draw against Sunderland was a frustrating way to follow up Saturday’s impressive win against Manchester City but it was yet another valuable lesson in what we must do to move forward.

There is still a long way to go in this title race.

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The Premier League title race is building momentum and the main contenders are beginning to make themselves known.

Chelsea look unmovable at the moment but former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has backed Liverpool to push the London club until the very end.

He told Sky Sports via the Liverpool Echo: “Can they do it? I think they’re the best challenger to Chelsea. The programme I think will allow them to prepare for games.”

“I think that team would suffer if they were playing Thursday-Sunday.”

“The job that Jurgen Klopp is doing there is outstanding. The one thing I would question is defensively, whether they can go and get the ultimate prize.”

“But the improvement is there for all to see. They totally typify their manager in terms of what he demands and wants.”

“You look at Liverpool now, with that energy in (Adam) Lallana and (Philippe) Coutinho and (Sadio) Mane and (Gini) Wijnaldum and so on, it’s a really good front six or seven they have to pick from.”

SEE MORE:
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Chelsea surely have to drop points sooner or later and Liverpool have to be ready to take advantage when they do.

Jurgen Klopp has done a fantastic job simply getting this team to where it currently is. We’re in pole position to challenge the Premier League leaders and are still playing some breathtaking football during a gruelling period of the season.

If we are to stand any chance of winning this league then results like the draw at Sunderland have to be cut out. Only Liverpool would conquer the big teams and then falter at the hands of relegation threatened sides.

January is a crucial month for us. With Sadio Mane departing for the African Cup of Nations and players recovering from the quick turnaround between games, every single member of this squad will need to make a difference.

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Jurgen Klopp’s emotions on the sideline during yesterday’s win against Sunderland represented the reason why we love him so dearly.

His passion on the touchline inspired the capacity of Anfield to rediscover the fight and roar that undoubtedly pushed the team to find a winner. It was remarkable to see one man rally an entire stadium and to have such an influence on the outcome of the game.

He had no intention of letting Sunderland walk away with a point, and made sure that wasn’t the case by not only calling for more noise but by stopping the fans from groaning at the home team’s mistakes.

Reflecting on the game, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “I believe in atmosphere. I think it’s a big, big part of the game, part of the joy.”

“The crowd was really, really, really good in the first half and in the second half it was like ‘come on, now we’ve waited long enough’. Like I said, in a game like this the decisions are made in the small moment, in the detail.”

“Atmosphere’s more than a detail, but it makes everything easier. That’s why I tried to remind the crowd, and they reacted more than brilliantly. After that it was easier for everyone to enjoy the challenge today.”

SEE MORE:
Dean Saunders gives Liverpool some surprising advice regarding Steven Gerrard

A tense crowd soon became one that was determined to drive their team to a hard fought victory.

Klopp’s cries for louder and more imposing support paid off as the players responded, increasing the tempo of their game and putting Sunderland under serious pressure.

The increasing will to win resulted in wild celebrations when Divock Origi eventually made the break through with 15 minutes remaining.

For a game that failed to catch the eye on paper, it proved to be one we won’t forget for a while.

Atmosphere means everything to Klopp and he made sure the fans played their part yesterday.

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