Steve Nicol has questioned one big decision from Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Reds boss put his faith in Jarell Quansah to start ahead of Ibrahima Konate in defence, and while the 21-year-old had a decent game overall, unfortunately he was culpable for an error which led to Bruno Fernandes equalising from long range early in the second half.

Speaking on ESPN FC a few hours after the match, Nicol voiced his belief that the manager got it wrong with his choice of centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk.

He pondered: “Why does he play Quansah today and not Konate? Why? I’ve come to the conclusion that he played Quansah today because I reckon he thinks Quansah is a better passer of the ball.

“That’s the only thing I can come up with, because in terms of experience, this is a big game, and I’d have thought he’d have gone for the experience. You’ve got enough players who are going to be on the ball that you make sure you don’t give anything away.”

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This is very much one of those situations where it’s easy to be wise after the fact. Had Liverpool won and/or Quansah not made that costly mistake for Fernandes’ goal, there’d be no post-match questioning of Klopp’s team selection.

It’s fair to state that, if Konate was fit enough for the bench after his knock against Sheffield United last week, he could’ve been able to start, with his pace and big-game experience perhaps making him the safer option alongside Van Dijk.

When it comes to picking the Reds’ starting XI, though, the German has long since earned our trust. Even the best managers in the business can make decisions which appear foolish in hindsight, and the 21-year-old has largely been excellent since breaking into the first team earlier this season.

You can view Nicol’s comments below (from 4:09), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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As the summer transfer window gradually draws closer, Mo Salah’s future is set to be a topic for plenty of discussion once again. Indeed, it already is.

According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Liverpool’s CEO of Football Michael Edwards would be willing to sanction the 31-year-old’s exit if the latter wishes to depart Anfield this year, with the Saudi Pro League preparing another transfer offensive after a failed attempt to sign him in 2023.

Speaking about the Egyptian on ESPN FC, Craig Burley said that ‘there’s only a few games before he goes to Saudi Arabia’, with fellow pundit Steve Nicol then chiming to say that ‘£150m in the bank’ would be an ‘acceptable’ scenario for the Reds if it’s offered to them.

When host Dan Thomas asked if Liverpool could afford to lose both Salah and Jurgen Klopp in the same summer, the ex-LFC defender replied: “The club will always survive. They’re not turning the lights out when they leave.”

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Every player in world football ultimately has their price, but it’d surely take an eye-watering transfer offer for the Anfield hierarchy to part ways with the club’s fifth-highest goalscorer of all time.

He may be 32 in June and approaching the final year of his £350,000-per-week contract, but you just don’t cash in on someone of Salah’s game-changing quality and reliability.

If Liverpool are ready to accept another £150m offer for him this year, they better have some darn good replacements virtually guaranteed to come straight in.

You can view the pundits’ views on Salah below (from 2:26), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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Mo Salah may have come up with the goods for Liverpool yet again on Sunday, but that didn’t spare him from criticism from one pundit.

The Egyptian’s 22nd goal of the season ensured a 2-1 victory for the Reds against Brighton, although Steve Nicol said that the 31-year-old’s tendency to lose possession utterly torments him.

Speaking on ESPN FC, the ex-LFC defender said: “Oh my goodness, he absolutely drives me insane. I’ve never seen a player who’s so good make so many errors. I mean, it just drives you crazy.

“In the second half when Elliott, after he came on, was wide on the right on his own. Salah tries to pass it to him and he skewed it, and it hit the Brighton defender on the knee and straight to Elliott. It sums him up sometimes.

“He always does [have a lot of shots] and he always has loads of touches; and surprise surprise, he scores the winning goal. You’d put your money on him to be the match winner every time but you’d also put your money on him to be the forward who gives the ball away more times than any other. It just drives me crazy.”

Nicol’s complaints about Salah giving the ball away aren’t without foundation – he lost possession 25 times against Brighton, at least 11 more than any other Liverpool player (Sofascore) – but that comes from the Egyptian’s willingness to go for gold in the final third.

He had a remarkable tally of 12 shots yesterday and, while his finishing was uncharacteristically wayward at times, he ultimately came good when his team needed him the most.

Whatever imperfections he might have to his game are far overruled by his incredible consistency in terms of goalscoring, and it’s a trade-off that every Reds fan would gladly accept.

You can view Nicol’s comments on Salah below, via ESPN UK on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol believes Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘is not a good defender’ and reckons the future of the Scouser at Liverpool depends on who replaces Jurgen Klopp as Reds manager in the summer.

The 25-year-old has become recognised by many as one of the best full-backs in the world ever since making his Liverpool debut back in 2016 with the immense creativity he offers from the right flank.

With our No. 66 currently sidelined with a knee injury, Academy graduate Conor Bradley has deputised at right back and has blown supporters away with his energetic displays.

Because of the Northern Irishman’s exciting potential, coupled with Alexander-Arnold’s defensive frailties, ex-Red Nicol believes the Anfield-based outfit should consider any big offers they receive for the England international.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a good defender,” Nicol said on ESPN (via Liverpool.com). “If Real Madrid were to offer 60, 70, 80 million, when you’ve got a young kid in Conor Bradley, who is a miles better defender but is great going forward… [But he] isn’t in the same class as Trent. So it depends on the next manager, whether it’s a possibility.”

READ MORE: (Video) Danns highlights as he captains England in bullish striking performance

Real Madrid are believed to be showing ‘concrete interest’ in the defender whose current Liverpool deal expires at the end of next season.

Alexander-Arnold, who has previously been labelled as ‘world-class’ by Klopp (via The Guardian), was named vice captain of the Reds in the summer and is a boyhood supporter who’s living his dream.

We can’t see him wanting to move away from the club anytime soon but if he receives a lucrative offer from the La Liga giants then you never know.

John Aldridge has urged new sporting director Richard Hughes to resolve the Scouser’s future to put an end to any speculation.

The full-back’s future at the club may lie in midfield following the emergence of Bradley and we believe whoever replaces our German tactician in the summer will have Trent at the heart of their plans.

EOTK Close-up with Gregory Vignal: LFC Legends with Eriksson, Klopp’s successor & more

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Steve Nicol didn’t hold back in voicing his disgust at Howard Webb’s explanation over the VAR decision which overshadowed Liverpool’s recent 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

The Reds were denied what looked a clear penalty in stoppage time after Jeremy Doku caught Alexis Mac Allister on the chest, but the officials in Stockley Park ludicrously decided that the Belgian had played the ball first and that both players ‘come in high’.

Howard Webb explains the following decisions on Match Officials Mic'd Up:

Liverpool's penalty appeal v Man City
West Ham's overturned goal v Aston Villa
Villa's penalty appeal v West Ham
McGinn's red card v Spurs
West Ham's penalty appeal v Burnley
Brownhill's red card v Palace pic.twitter.com/q6yjCx66WA

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 19, 2024

PGMOL chief Webb explained (as per ESPN FC): “You see something that’s pretty subjective and therefore stays out of it, and the feedback we’ve had from people within the game is that this is a pretty subjective situation. It’s split opinion.”

That cut little ice with Nicol on ESPN FC, who said: “There was another piece to that which we didn’t see where he says that it’s ‘unfortunate’ that Doku catches Mac Allister in the chest. I mean, that’s all you need to hear.

“When was it ever OK, regardless of whether he got the ball or not? Listen, does he get the ball first? Yes, but he carries on and sticks his studs into the chest of Mac Allister. It’s just nonsense, it really is.”

When the presenter mentioned that, according to Webb, an ‘independent committee’ including three former players came to a split decision of 4-1 in favour of the VAR decision, Nicol shot back: “Isn’t that weird? It’s like policing yourself and coming up with the right answer. Independent, so it is? I don’t think so.”

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The former Liverpool defender is right to be raging over the flimsy explanation for justifying Michael Oliver’s on-field verdict, and that of Stuart Attwell in Stockley Park.

We’ve watched it numerous times and, even if he gets a slight touch to the ball, Doku’s foot was already high, and he certainly didn’t pull out of the chest-high contact on Mac Allister.

Once again, it seems that officials are being overprotected for decisions which appear inexplicable. It’s no wonder football fans have so little trust in the VAR process in the Premier League.

You can view Nicol’s comments below, via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol praised Liverpool for how they nullified one of Manchester City’s highest-profile players during the teams’ 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

Erling Haaland came into the fixture with eight goals in his previous three matches (Sofascore), but his influence on proceedings was brilliantly curbed by the Reds throughout the afternoon.

As per Sofascore, the 6 foot 4 Norwegian was restricted to only one shot all day (he’s averaged four per game this season), and he completed a measly 12 passes despite playing for the full match. Mateo Kovacic, who came on as a 69th-minute substitute, had more than twice as many.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Nicol said: “Haaland is 16 foot tall – I forgot he was on the field. Phil Foden had his chance, but other than that, in the second half you never saw him, and that was down to Liverpool.”

The Man City striker’s subdued afternoon was summed up by how Virgil van Dijk tracked him every step of the way when the 23-year-old was bearing down on goal during the first half, with the eventual shot amounting to nothing.

Very few teams will do as good a job as Liverpool at stifling a phenomenon who’s struck 81 goals in 86 games since the start of last season (Transfermarkt). That’s an enormous credit to the Reds who played yesterday, in particular the back four for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

You can view Nicol’s comments below (from 1:54), via ESPN UK on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol gave a swift and succinct reply when asked what Liverpool must do if they’re to defeat Manchester City next Sunday.

The Premier League’s top two go head to head at Anfield in six days’ time in a fixture which could potentially define the title race, and the former Reds defender has set Jurgen Klopp’s side one very clear task if they’re to emerge victorious.

In response to a viewer’s question as to what LFC will have to do in order to stand ‘any chance’ of beating the champions, the 62-year-old said: “Clean sheet, easy peasy.”

Nicol added: “[They need] a clean sheet, get a bit of luck. [Caoimhin] Kelleher has got to be at his best. The back four have got to defend like Trojans. They will cause some problems going forward, Liverpool, because that’s what they do.”

A solid defensive foundation will be crucial for the Reds if they’re to get one over on City, who’ve scored nine goals in two matches over the past week and have the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden in ominous form.

Encouragingly, we haven’t conceded a single goal over our past three games, with nearly 400 minutes of football played since our defence was last breached (by Chiedozie Ogbene in the 12th minute of the 4-1 win over Luton).

Only two teams have kept a clean sheet against the champions in the Premier League season, and none since Aston Villa in early December. That’s the challenge which awaits us on Sunday, but results-wise we couldn’t be in better form going into the showdown at Anfield.

You can view Nicol’s comments below (from 4:50), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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We’re approaching that time of the year when candidates for Player of the Season start being mentioned, and with Liverpool currently top of the Premier League, a few Reds are bound to be in the discussion.

On ESPN FC, Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop were asked who’d they select for the award if the campaign were to finish now, and they both went for the same member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

The ex-Newcastle goalkeeper was first to answer, naming Virgil van Dijk as his pick (along with the German as manager of the season), and his fellow pundit was in full agreement with both selections.

One error against Arsenal aside, the Liverpool defender has indeed been back to his imperious best in 2023/24, being inspired by his elevation to the captaincy last summer to deliver a campaign which stands on a par with his first two-and-a-half yeas at Anfield.

The 32-year-old’s average of 4.5 successful duels in the Premier League is the third-highest of any player (WhoScored), while he also came up with the match-winning moment in last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final for his fourth goal of the season (Transfermarkt).

Van Dijk would 100% be a worthy PFA Player of the Year if he maintains his performance levels into the final third of what still could be a quadruple-winning campaign for the Reds.

You can view Nicol and Hislop making their selections below (from 8:41), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol has suggested that one Liverpool player looked ‘tired’ and ‘heavy-legged’ during the 3-0 win over Southampton on Wednesday night.

The FA Cup clash will live long in the memory for Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns, both of whom scored their first senior goals (with the latter helping himself to two), although it was a frustrating match for Cody Gakpo.

The 24-year-old was a comparative veteran in a very youthful Reds line-up but was unable to get any of his four shots on target (Sofascore), missing two good chances during the first half.

Speaking on ESPN FC after the game, Nicol said of the Dutchman: “He looked tired. He looked heavy-legged, to be honest. I said that Danns had shown him the way to go with a little dink.

“I think at the same time, if you are heavy-legged, then you’re not thinking clearly and that affects every single thing you do. I thought Gakpo looked tired tonight.”

With respect to Liverpool’s number 18, he played the entirety of the 4-1 win at Luton eight days ago and the FA Cup clash last night, while also featuring for 87 minutes in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday (Transfermarkt), so it’s understandable that he may have been shattered by the end of all that.

Jurgen Klopp would probably liked to have used Gakpo more sparingly amid a hectic run of fixtures, but he doesn’t have that luxury at the moment amid injuries to Darwin Nunez, Mo Salah and a longer-term issue for Diogo Jota.

It mightn’t have been the Dutchman’s night against Southampton, but having scored in both of his most recent Premier League outings, he’ll be confident of maintaining that streak against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

You can view Nicol’s comments on Gakpo below (from 2:56), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol and Don Hutchison have both emphatically dismissed one possible alternative to Xabi Alonso in terms of replacing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.

The two former Reds were speaking on ESPN FC when a viewer posed the question as to whether they’d be angry if the club missed out on the Bayer Leverkusen boss and hired Thomas Tuchel instead.

Upon hearing the 50-year-old’s name, Nicol instantly replied: “Oh no. I wouldn’t be happy. Have you seen Bayern play this year?”. When the presenter alongside him replied in the affirmative, the Scotsman shot back: “There you go. That’s all you need.”

Hutchison is also dead set against any notion of the Bayern Munich boss taking over at Liverpool, saying: “No chance. He’d be 10th on the list, at best.”

Somewhat ironically, the Reds’ chances of appointing Alonso could be complicated by the Bavarians’ reported interest in Alonso if they were to dispense with Tuchel, who’s come under increasing pressure after a damaging run of three successive defeats this month.

The 50-year-old may have led Chelsea to an improbable Champions League triumph in 2021, but he’d seem like someone for whom LFC would settle rather than desperately want, whereas the Leverkusen boss appears to be the firm favourite to take over from Klopp.

Right now, it seems that anyone other than the Spaniard would represent an underwhelming appointment.

You can view the ex-Liverpool duo’s comments on Tuchel below (from 1:18), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol was critical of one Liverpool player who left a teammate doing ‘two jobs’ during the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

The 62-year-old rounded on Trent Alexander-Arnold during a post-match discussion on ESPN FC, describing the Reds’ vice-captain as a defensive ‘liability’ and accusing him of forcing Ibrahima Konate to double-job against the Gunners.

The ex-Anfield defender said: “Alexander-Arnold, as great as he is on the ball going forward, he’s a liability defensively. He can’t defend one on one and he doesn’t get in good positions to stop [Gabriel] Martinelli today getting the ball.

“Konate ends up having to do two jobs. He’s got to play centre-back and he’s got to cover the right-back position constantly.”

The ‘Trent can’t defend’ narrative must be one of the most cliched and tiresome in all of football, but unfortunately the 25-year-old didn’t have his best day in that regard against Arsenal.

Martinelli had the better of him on Sunday in a manner that few (if any) opposition attackers have managed this season, while the Liverpool vice-captain was dribbled past twice and committed one error leading to a shot for the Gunners (Sofascore).

It wasn’t his finest day at the office by any means, and the same could be said for all of his teammates yesterday, but we’re confident the Reds’ number 66 can show us his truer self against Burnley next weekend.

You can view Nicol’s comments below (from 3:54), via ESPN FC on YouTube:

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Jurgen Klopp has appeared to drop one very early clue regarding the Liverpool starting XI for the Carabao Cup final in a month’s time.

Caoimhin Kelleher has been ever-present for the Reds in that competition this season, also starting in the Wembley showpiece against Chelsea two years ago, and it looks as if his manager wants to keep faith with the Irishman.

Speaking to reporters after his side booked their place in the final last night (via liverpoolfc.com), the German said: “Caoimhin is a top, top, top goalie. And when Ali is fit he doesn’t have a lot of games, so I want to give him desperately the opportunity to play.

“It’s important for development and he deserves it on top of that because he is always there. He’s giving absolutely everything, like Adrian, by the way, he’s the same. They deserve moments and this competition I told Ali before the season, no, two years ago it was already like that.”

READ MORE: (Video) Jurgen Klopp hails ‘life-saver’ who has been ‘exceptional’ for Liverpool

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp’s dressing room message to Liverpool players after they book Wembley final

Kelleher made a couple of good saves against Fulham on Wednesday night but also has some unconvincing moments, and former Liverpool defender Steven Nicol bluntly stated on ESPN FC afterwards that he hopes the 25-year-old won’t be in the starting XI against Chelsea at Wembley.

Nonetheless, the Republic of Ireland international has proven his worth to the Reds in the past, not least in our last Carabao Cup final appearance in 2022, when he kept a clean sheet and converted during our penalty shootout triumph.

Only the continued brilliance of Alisson Becker has prevented the Cork native from featuring more regularly at Anfield, and speculation about a possible departure to become a first-choice ‘keeper elsewhere persists, with Celtic reportedly interested.

Klopp mustn’t let sentiment come into his thinking when it comes to selecting his team for a fixture which has a trophy at stake, but Kelleher has done enough to merit a start at Wembley on 25 February. As ever, we trust the manager to make the right decision.

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Former Liverpool favourite Steve Nicol has claimed he doesn’t want one Reds star in particular to start next month’s League Cup final.

Jurgen Klopp’s side booked their spot in the final following last night’s 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage – progressing 3-2 on aggregate – and have set up a clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Caoimhin Kelleher has played all five of Liverpool’s games in the competition this term and was named in the starting XI when we won the trophy two years ago.

Nicol, however, is hoping to see Alisson Becker start between the sticks at the national stadium despite our German tactician suggesting after last night’s game that our No. 62 will remain his first choice in this specific competition.

“Kelleher will play in the final,” Craig Burley told ESPN (via HITC). “He will play in the final, I would imagine and the other ten will be the big guns.”

Nicol responded: “I hope not.”

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp’s dressing room message to Liverpool players after they book Wembley final

We certainly believe these comments are a little harsh from Nicol.

All Liverpool fans will agree that Alisson is our number one for a reason but Kelleher hasn’t put a foot wrong in the competition so far and deserves his chance to pick up more silverware next month.

The 25-year-old is a brilliant ‘keeper but he’s not going to displace the Brazilian international anytime soon so it’s important that he’s given game time whenever possible.

Reports have claimed that we’ve set our price for the Irishman if he does want to leave the club this summer in search for more regular football but that’s something that can be discussed at the end of the season.

Klopp has previously labelled the Cork-born talent as ‘exceptional’ so it’s clear what he thinks of him and we look forward to hopefully seeing him impress once again at Wembley!

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Ousmane Diomande latest, Liverpool MUST keep one man fit, what Klopp needs from next centre-back signing and much more!

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Steve Nicol has suggested that Liverpool would’ve been foremost among Mo Salah’s thoughts when the winger suffered an injury for Egypt on Thursday night.

The 31-year-old was forced off during the first half of the Pharaohs’ 2-2 draw against Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations, with his country’s FA confirming that the Reds attacker will miss their final group match and – should they make it that far – their round of 16 clash.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Nicol believes that the LFC star’s thoughts would’ve instantly turned to his club upon incurring that body blow.

The former Liverpool defender said: “I guess I can only talk for myself, but I’ll be shocked if it’s not a huge majority of players who play international football, when they get an injury, the first thing that comes to their mind is the bread and butter.

“How is this gonna affect me for my [club]? I’ll be shocked if that’s not what’s gone through his head.”

As someone who combined club and international football throughout his career, Nicol is well placed to offer an insight into the probable mindset of Salah when he got injured on Thursday night, insofar as possible without being able to answer on the winger’s behalf.

The Egyptian FA’s update hints that the 31-year-old won’t be sidelined for too long, thankfully, and fingers crossed he’ll be back playing for Liverpool sooner rather than later.

You can view Nicol’s comments below (from 1:54), via ESPN UK on YouTube:

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Steve Nicol has claimed that Liverpool won’t win the Premier League this season if one of their current absentees is ruled out for a prolonged period.

On Thursday night, the Reds were rocked by the sight of Mo Salah going off injured during Egypt’s 2-2 draw against Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and his country’s FA have since indicated that he’s set to miss their next couple of games.

Speaking on ESPN FC in light of that update, Nicol stated his belief that his former club’s title hopes could rest on how quickly the 31-year-old returns to action.

The Scot said: “If Liverpool can cope throughout this tournament without him until he comes back and they win the Premier League, great, but Liverpool don’t win the Premier League if Mo Salah can’t play.

“I think they can make up for his not being available with what they’ve got, but I don’t think they can do it between now and the end of the season. This is absolutely huge.”

It looks as if Salah won’t be sidelined for any great length of time if the Egyptian FA have confirmed that he’ll definitely miss two games, but for now we can only wait until such time that he gets the green light to resume playing.

Him being ruled out for several weeks after AFCON would obviously make it a lot harder for Liverpool to maintain their current position as Premier League leaders, but the Reds are top of the pile despite having to contend with injuries to numerous key players already this season.

Hopefully we can make it through the Egyptian’s absence still in first place, and once we get him back, our hand will be strengthened significantly.

You can view Nicol’s comments below, via ESPN UK on YouTube:

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