Paul Joyce – The Empire of The Kop

Paul Joyce names the two candidates in line to take Liverpool job after Alonso blow

Peter Kenny Jones — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:20:44 +0000

It seems that the dream of Xabi Alonso taking over at Liverpool is all but over and now Paul Joyce has helped reset our aims on the two candidates currently in the running for the job.

Writing for The Times, the northern football correspondent reported: ‘The development strengthens the hand of candidates such as the Sporting Lisbon head coach, Rúben Amorim, who is highly regarded at Anfield, and the Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Roberto De Zerbi.’

Neither are new names but this does present a chance to look closer at the pair who are currently the frontrunners in a seeming two horse race.

Ruben Amorim’s Sporting side won the league in 2021 and are currently on course to repeat that feat this season, quite an achievement when competing against Porto and Benfica.

Praised for ‘man-management and tactical acumen’ in the same report, the 39-year-old could be available for £17 million if the Reds want to meet his release clause.

Playing three at the back, the team from Lisbon are praised for intense pressing out of possession and it took just 13 games during his time as Braga manager for the former midfielder’s current club to lure him away from his first coaching role.

Next up is a name that is perhaps more familiar to our supporters, with Roberto De Zerbi remaining unbeaten against Jurgen Klopp during our manager’s time at Anfield.

Connections to Richard Hughes, our new sporting director, see that the Italian’s decision to join Brighton over Bournemouth meant that the new man in a senior role at our club is clearly a long-term admirer.

A first season in Europe has met sales of key players and injury problems to delay progress at the Amex this season but with the Seagulls in eighth place in the Premier League, it’s been far from disastrous.

In Amorim’s style of play, there are clear similarities to our current pressing style – whilst De Zerbi produces attacking football that has seen them create more shots on goal than any other team in the division last season.

It’s perhaps not the Hollywood names we dreamed of to replace the legendary figure in the current role but we have to trust those in charge to analyse the stats in order to find the perfect candidate.

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Paul Joyce delivers Alonso hammer blow with Xabi ‘unlikely’ to be Klopp’s successor

Peter Kenny Jones — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:37:43 +0000

It seemed like the feeling was growing that Xabi Alonso would be the next manager of Liverpool but we have been dealt a hammer blow to these dreams.

Writing for The Times, Paul Joyce reported: ‘Xabi Alonso is unlikely to feature on the final shortlist to become Jürgen Klopp’s successor as Liverpool believe the Spaniard will not be available this summer.’

When it comes to sources around our club, there are few (if any) more reliable than the northern football correspondent and so we should all be taking huge notice of this report.

It appears that a desire to stay at Bayer Leverkusen is what is making it hard for Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards to envisage that the Spaniard would want an Anfield move this summer.

The 42-year-old is on the brink of winning the title in Germany and his commitment to fulfilling his contract in the Bundesliga is admirable.

Bayern Munich will still hold hope of prizing our former midfielder away from the team sat above them in the league and let’s hope that they are unable to do so.

We will now be left looking for other options and although there’s no doubt that we will end up with a suitable candidate, it’s hard not to feel disappointed with this update.

The search goes on, seemingly without a man who seemed in many ways the perfect fit for the Reds.

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Stefan Bajcetic injury update provided by Paul Joyce after one start in one year

Peter Kenny Jones — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:45:16 +0000

Stefan Bajcetic would have earmarked this season as one where he could make his mark on the Liverpool team but with just one start to his name, it’s been far from that.

As reported by Paul Joyce for The Times, there has been a new update on his condition: ‘Klopp has also been waiting on being able to call on 19-year-old Stefan Bajcetic again.

‘The midfielder has made only two appearances this season, both back in September, due to growing pains but has been increasing his workload in training in recent weeks.’

An ‘increasing workload’ doesn’t really spell out when we’re likely to see the midfielder back on the pitch again but it does seem to show some indication that things are heading in the right direction.

Jurgen Klopp himself has previously admitted confusion as to why the Spanish youth international has been missing for so long but the wait will go on.

Following an injury at Bournemouth last March, the 19-year-old has made just one start (and one substitute appearance) in over a year.

This is an unprecedented absence and makes it increasingly unlikely that we’ll see the Celta Vigo academy graduate again in this campaign.

Competition is likely to be tough by time our No.43 returns for pre-season under a new boss and the teenager will have a big job on his hands to get first team football.

We’ve seen that he has enough talent in order to do so and let’s hope he can make his mark.

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Paul Joyce provides Ben Doak injury update as Liverpool prepare for title charge

Peter Kenny Jones — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:29:37 +0000

Liverpool fans will be well aware that the season is edging towards a dramatic close and Paul Joyce has provided an injury update on Ben Doak.

Writing for The Times, the northern football correspondent wrote: ‘Longer term, Alisson, Thiago Alcântara and Ben Doak remain sidelined. Joël Matip’s season is over.’

It seems that it’s rather unlikely we will see Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip again this season but with Jurgen Klopp confirming Alisson Becker is around three weeks from returning – the young Scot could feature again in this campaign.

It looked like the introduction of Europa League football this year could help the former Celtic winger stamp his mark on our side but injury has snatched this chance away from him.

In a year where ‘Klopp’s Kids’ have been so integral to our success, the fact that the teenage youth international (and Stefan Bajcetic) has been almost non-existent this season – is as much of a huge shame for him as it is a shock to supporters.

The Scot will be looking towards the future now but with a chance of more football in the final weeks, his impact could be felt in a massive moment.

It’s a real shame to have had some long-term fitness concerns this season but the future is certainly bright for so many academy graduates from Kirkby.

Fingers crossed we only see the attendees in the treatment room deplete in numbers, before our German manager says goodbye for a final time.

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Paul Joyce reveals important role Liverpool coach played in Jordan Henderson transfer

Peter Kenny Jones — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:23:26 +0000

Jordan Henderson ended his long relationship with Liverpool this summer and it seems that one coach had a key role in helping him move clubs.

Writing for The Times, Paul Joyce reported: ‘Ajax consulted Lijnders over the signing of Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool captain, in January and the pair could be reunited in the Netherlands next term.’

This came within the report that shared information regarding Pep Lijnders possibly becoming the new Ajax manager this summer, when his own time at Anfield comes to an end.

It doesn’t seem like our assistant manager would have been consulted over the former captain’s move to Saudi Arabia but a return to Europe was certainly one that has reignited his career.

Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man looks set to make his own name as a manager and we may well soon see Vitor Matos alongside him on an Eredivisie sideline.

When it comes to the Sunderland-born midfielder too, it looks like an unlikely reunion is on the cards and may even boost the trio’s chances of succeeding together in Holland.

For now, all attention will be on helping the Reds achieve as much success as possible in our coach’s final campaign but it seems the last international break has been spent looking forward.

We can only hope everyone involved in our success over the past eight years can have a bright future, after winning some more silverware at Anfield first.

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Paul Joyce offers Andy Robertson insight after Scotland injury put title run-in in doubt

Peter Kenny Jones — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:25:31 +0000

Andy Robertson was the unfortunate man who picked up the inevitable international break injury and now we’re all sweating on when he’ll be back fit enough to play for the Reds.

Writing for The Times, Paul Joyce reported: ‘The ankle injury Andrew Robertson sustained in the first half of Scotland’s loss to Northern Ireland on Tuesday has caused Jürgen Klopp immediate concern.

‘The left back was due to undergo a scan on Wednesday that will determine whether he is a doubt beyond Sunday’s league game against Brighton & Hove Albion. Robertson has already missed three months of the season after dislocating his shoulder playing for Scotland last October.’

It’s really unfortunate for the Scotland captain that both of his fitness concerns this season have occurred whilst away with the national team and must act as a cause for huge frustration for Jurgen Klopp.

Not only has our first choice left-back been twice ruled out whilst playing for another team but we’d only just nursed him back from one injury, to then get another.

Our No.26 was one of the many who played a friendly fixture, meaning we may well have lost a key option for part of a title run-in – in a pointless game.

We do have Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez who can fill the void on the left side, whilst Conor Bradley can hold down the right-back role until Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to full fitness, meaning cover is available.

It’s not a travesty yet but as we enter the final weeks of the season, we need to have as close to a full squad as possible to have the best chance of winning two more trophies.

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Good news for Liverpool fans as Richard Hughes’ unsuccessful Bournemouth transfers explained

Farrell Keeling — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 07:28:11 +0000

Richard Hughes’ time at Bournemouth hasn’t necessarily been a tale of total success.

The former footballer turned technical director has at least a few blemishes on his record including Jordan Ibe and Brad Smith.

It should be noted, however, that the incoming Liverpool sporting director was considered ‘less of a driving force’ in those transfers.

“While a list of players Hughes signed at Bournemouth includes names such as Nathan Aké, David Brooks, Aaron Ramsdale and Dominic Solanke, it would be remiss not to mention Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith who were far less successful deals earlier in his reign as technical director,” Paul Joyce wrote for The Times. “Both were signed from Liverpool, although it is understood Hughes was less of a driving force in those deals, which served as a lesson to him.”

The Scot is set to officially take over his new duties at the AXA training centre on June 1.

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Next Liverpool manager: How will Hughes help?

Ben Jacobs has already established that the Cherries employee will now lead the search for a Jurgen Klopp successor before officially linking up with us.

It’s extremely good news ahead of what will likely be a critical April in Liverpool’s future as we look to find a head coach capable of continuing where our German tactician left off.

Our money, at the moment, would be on Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, though we can’t discount Hughes’ prior links to Roberto De Zerbi.

Likewise, it would be remiss of us to forget about the good work being accomplished by Ruben Amorim in Portugal.

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Not a sporting director; Paul Joyce confirms what Michael Edwards new Liverpool role will be

Peter Kenny Jones — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 10:38:31 +0000

Michael Edwards is set for a triumphant return to Liverpool at the end of this season and details of his new role at the club have been shared.

Writing for The Times, Paul Joyce stated: ‘Michael Edwards will help to shape the post-Jürgen Klopp era at Liverpool after agreeing to return in a high-powered role in which he will head football operations for club owner Fenway Sports Group…

‘Details of his exact role are set to follow in due course, but it is understood the challenge mapped out to him by FSG is behind his decision to return in what will be an overarching role.’

It seems that the former position of sporting director will not be one that the 44-year-old holds again, with all eyes on Richard Hughes to take the job.

That adds some mystery as to what the former Portsmouth and Tottenham analyst will actually do on Merseyside again but it’s likely to be a role that covers large responsibility.

With Jurgen Klopp being a man with near complete control at Anfield, it seems that the next manager will not be given this level of responsibility, at least from the start of their reign.

A proven track record working for FSG and the Reds already should mean we’re excited to see what this new era at the club means.

One slight concern though could be that, if Dwight Yorke is proven right and the German does want a return to the club in the future, he may be put-off by the new level of control held by Edwards in the future.

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

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Liverpool insider Joyce lifts the lid on Edwards meeting with FSG in USA

Farrell Keeling — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 22:58:56 +0000

Paul Joyce has lifted the lid on Michael Edwards’ ‘face-to-face talks’ with FSG in Boston.

Liverpool’s former sporting director is understood to be opposed to returning to Anfield in a sporting director capacity.

The Merseysiders appear to be keen on a shake-up of sorts in the hierarchy for the 2024/25 season and beyond.

“Michael Edwards has held face-to-face talks with Liverpool’s owners as they attempt to persuade him to return to the club and help oversee the post-Jürgen Klopp era,” the Times journalist wrote.

“The meeting took place in Boston last weekend, with Edwards speaking to the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) owner, John W Henry, and president Mike Gordon. The talks are a significant development given that Edwards had previously turned down an initial approach to come back to Liverpool.

“It is unclear at this stage exactly what pitch Henry and Gordon made to Edwards, who spent a decade at Liverpool between 2012 and 2022, but the role would be above his previous job as sporting director.”

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Sporting director first then a new manager

Interest in Richard Hughes is intriguing given the incredible progress Bournemouth have made on and off the pitch.

If one of the most successful sporting directors in the modern football era believes he’d be a solid fit for a post-Klopp Liverpool – we’d be inclined to take the Englishman on his word.

There’ll be plenty of other candidates to consider in the process, of course, with the likes of Tim Steidten at West Ham also linked with the vacant role at L4.

At the very least, having a reliable operator like Edwards at the helm would guarantee a much-needed degree of continuity beyond our manager’s impending exit.

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Paul Joyce and Klopp deliver devastating Alisson injury blow; out for longer than first thought

Peter Kenny Jones — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 07:53:51 +0000

Liverpool fans are becoming used to dealing with bad news and that’s certainly true when it comes to an Alisson Becker injury update we all didn’t need to hear.

Writing for The Times, Paul Joyce reported: ‘Jürgen Klopp has admitted that Alisson’s hamstring injury is so severe that he will miss a large chunk of the rest of the season, but believes Liverpool’s ambitions remain in safe hands with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.’

It was confirmed that our No.1 hasn’t played his last game under Jurgen Klopp but it does look like we’re going to be without him for a considerable amount of time.

We’ve been without the Brazilian since an injury before the Brentford match saw him sidelined for an indefinite amount of time, with hopes of a cup final return and the post-international break recovery since ended.

It’s important to state how lucky we are though as Caoimhin Kelleher is not only our back-up stopper but a player who has repeatedly proven that he deserves his chance in the limelight at Anfield.

Unfortunately for the Irishman, he plays second fiddle to the best ‘keeper in the world but we’ve seen in recent weeks that the 25-year-old is more than capable of helping bail us out whenever needed.

It seems that our No.62 will continue to guard our goal in the coming weeks and months, which should provide him confidence that he can show everyone how good he truly is and enjoy a run of games.

It’s good that we didn’t sell him in the summer either, meaning there’s some security around this devastating injury blow.

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The six teenagers that Jurgen Klopp could call upon in Luton crisis – Paul Joyce

Peter Kenny Jones — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:19:46 +0000

Liverpool fans are in the midst of an injury crisis that has seldom been seen before and now Jurgen Klopp will be forced to dip into our academy reserves, in order to field a team against Luton Town.

As reported by Paul Joyce for The Times, these should include: ‘The teenagers Bobby Clark, Kaide Gordon and James McConnell have already played for the first team this term and were namechecked by Klopp on Tuesday, along with the untried 18-year-olds Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns, as well as [Trey] Nyoni, a midfielder who was signed from Leicester City in September.’

Three options who have first-team minutes under their belts and three who are looking for their first chances on the pitch – an interesting proposition for the boss.

With Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all seemingly out for the clash with the newly promoted side, it’s our strike-force that may well need the most reinforcement.

This should provide Kaide Gordon and Jayden Danns with the best chance of getting on the pitch at Anfield, although Harvey Elliott is most likely to play up front with Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.

Injuries are part of football and as frustrating as they may be, they always provide opportunities to other players and it’s up to them to make the most of their chance.

We’ve seen in Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley in this campaign that you can trust what we have in Kirkby and why not continue to believe in the youngsters?

Fingers crossed we don’t need them for long but this is an amazing chance for a new hero to stamp their mark on the squad.

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Paul Joyce: Major injury blow as two more join Liverpool’s ‘ever-expanding injury list’

Peter Kenny Jones — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 07:57:02 +0000

It feels like we can’t escape the bad news at the moment and now another two players are on Liverpool’s injury list ahead of our game with Luton and the Carabao Cup final, as confirmed by Paul Joyce.

Writing for The Times, the northern football correspondent reported: ‘Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez are the latest additions to Liverpool’s ever-expanding injury list…

‘Both forwards are serious doubts for Wednesday’s Premier League game at home to Luton Town and will have to be continually assessed in the build-up to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Chelsea.’

This is a real blow ahead of our match at Anfield in the Premier League, as we now only have Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo as senior first-team attacking options.

We may well see Harvey Elliott join a front three, or Jurgen Klopp may be forced to play full-backs out of position if he feels the academy options are not yet ready for the step up.

This is a headache that may last longer than playing the newly promoted side though and with the red half of Merseyside preparing a trip down to Wembley, missing Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez would be a huge worry.

The boss has already confirmed that Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker will miss the final and we await updates on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai.

It’s a problem that is near to spiraling out of control and everyone is going to have to dig in for the next few weeks, as we hope to nurse the stricken players back to full health whilst hoping for no further bad luck.

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Paul Joyce’s Mo Salah omission should tell Liverpool fans one thing

Peter Kenny Jones — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:49:44 +0000

Liverpool fans are currently sweating on the fitness of many first-team players, including Mo Salah but Paul Joyce has since provided a fitness update.

In his report for The Times, the northern football correspondent gave his insight on what was happening with Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson Becker, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Darwin Nunez.

However, there’s a glaring omission of having our Egyptian King within this list and that should provide some comfort to our supporters.

If it was a real hamstring problem, as has been reported in the Egyptian press, then it would have surely cropped up in the post from the most respected of journalists for the Reds.

As we await Jurgen Klopp’s official confirmation on the entire squad, we can hold some hope that our No.11 should be available for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley and possibly even the Luton game before that.

There’s no guarantee as of yet and reading between the lines doesn’t always provide a correct answer but this should mean that there’s at least one piece of good information coming our way.

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Paul Joyce delivers worrying Alisson injury update ahead Carabao Cup final; Man City in doubt

Peter Kenny Jones — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:56:29 +0000

Alisson Becker is one of many Liverpool players that are currently on the treatment table and Paul Joyce has provided a worrying update on our goalkeeper.

Writing for The Times, the northern football correspondent reported: ‘Alisson, the first-choice goalkeeper, would not have started as Caoimhin Kelleher plays the League Cup matches, but the Brazil No 1 is also facing a spell on the sidelines…

‘Alisson suffered a hamstring injury in training on the eve of the Brentford fixture and it remains to be seen whether he will be back before the international break.’

Missing the Carabao Cup final would be bad enough, even if a fully fit Brazilian would have sat out for Caoimhin Kelleher with this being ‘his competition’.

Hearing that a return before the next international break is also a doubt is a worry though, with our clash with Manchester City falling a week before this pause in domestic football.

If we are to have to use our Irish stopper, it could be a perfect opportunity for him to show everyone that a starting position is what our No.62 deserves at Anfield or elsewhere but you can’t question the prestige of his competition.

Our No.1 is arguably the best in the world in his position and missing him for anything more than one match is bad enough, adding on some of the biggest clashes in a quadruple-chasing season is a big worry.

Jurgen Klopp’s injury update before the Luton match could be longer than any normal press conference for other managers but everyone will be eagerly awaiting what he can offer for supporters.

Fingers crossed in the case of the former Roma man that we hear some good news.

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Paul Joyce provides Salah and Szoboszlai injury update after Thiago blow is confirmed

Peter Kenny Jones — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 15:53:48 +0000

Thiago Alcantara has miraculously managed to get himself right back on the injury list after a very brief return and now Paul Joyce has provided more news on Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Writing for The Times, the Northern football correspondent said: ‘Liverpool are also set to be without Dominik Szoboszlai after he missed the Arsenal game because of a recurrence of a hamstring injury, while Mohamed Salah is following a personal fitness programme as he recovers from the hamstring problem he suffered with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations last month.’

It seems then that we have no concrete news on when the duo will return from injury but an appearance against Burnley seems unlikely at this stage.

Our Egyptian King has certainly been a big miss because he’s such a constant goal threat for the Reds, that we always miss him when he’s not on the pitch.

Losing the captain of Hungary so soon before kick-off against Arsenal was also a big blow, meaning that Ryan Gravenberch was thrust into the starting line-up for a rare defeat.

The decision is now with Jurgen Klopp as to whether he will allow Harvey Elliott the chance to start against Vincent Kompany’s side or allow our No.38 to try and prove himself against lesser opposition.

Up front, the dilemma will focus around which of the quartet of available options sits out but we are still well stacked in this department.

It’s never nice to see a growing injury list but at least Wataru Endo’s return this weekend is something to look forward to.

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