Here’s a round-up of all the latest Liverpool news for Saturday 21st September as Liverpool ran riot against Bournemouth and Cody Gakpo talks about life under Arne Slot.
Trent Alexander-Arnold hits landmark number of assists
In a devilishly good performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, Trent Alexander-Arnold assisted Luis Diaz’s second goal of the game to notch his 81st assist for Liverpool, making 100 goal contributions for the club across his career.
The 25-year-old also now sits third in the list of players with the most Premier League assists for Liverpool, moving above Steve McManaman.
The win earlier today has sent Liverpool top of the table before Manchester City and Arsenal’s clash tomorrow.
Luis Diaz hits brace in STUNNING Bournemouth win
Pre-season friendly Liverpool v Sevilla Luis Diaz of Liverpool celebrates his goal to make it 3-0 Liverpool during the Pre-season friendly match Liverpool vs Sevilla at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 11th August 2024 Photo by Cody Froggatt/News Images Liverpool Anfield Merseyside United Kingdom Copyright: xCodyxFroggatt/NewsxImagesx
Now on five goals and an assist after four Premier League games, Luis Diaz has had a remarkable start to the season.
For his first goal, Ibrahima Konate’s long ball found Diaz who made a run and once Kepa Arrizabalaga came out of his box and failed to win the ball, the Colombian dribbled passed him with ease to slot in the opener.
And just as the replays began to finish, Liverpool found themselves with their second massive opportunity of the match, as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s run through the midfield left a simple pass through the lines for Diaz to notch a brace within two minutes of his first.
After an uncertain end to the season last term under Jurgen Klopp, and plentiful transfer rumours regarding a move to Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona, Diaz has now firmly established himself as a top player under the new head coach.
Darwin Nunez takes full advantage of Liverpool recall
Despite feeling bombarded by abuse, leading to him privatising his Instagram page, Darwin Nunez looked really positive in his first start of the season.
Latching onto a pass from Mo Salah down the right flank, Nunez cut inside to score Liverpool’s third against Bournemouth in emphatic fashion.
In what was his first Premier League goal since April and his first start of the season, we may now begin seeing competition for places as each of Liverpool’s forwards have made clear they have something to prove.
Cody Gakpo speaks out about life under Arne Slot
Arne Slot and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool
While winning five of their six competitive outings, with Cody Gakpo excelling in his first start of the season against AC Milan in midweek, Arne Slot’s Liverpool seems to be the perfect fit for the Dutchman.
In a recent interview with SuperSport, Gakpo underlined the excitement amongst the group to continue learning under their new boss.
“He’s a great manager, he’s direct, he has a new style of play for a lot of us. So he wants to do proper build-up from the back and have a lot of attacks.
“Exciting football he wants to play, but also very intense football. So I think everybody is excited he is here,” Gakpo admitted.
European Cup winner hits out at Rodri
Premier League File Photos File photo dated 31-03-2024 of Manchester City s Rodri. City s midfield maestro Rodri has continued his long unbeaten Premier League run through this season – which could reach 50 games on the final day. Issue date: Friday May 17, 2024. FILE PHOTO EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publica… PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xMartinxRickettx 76201724
After Manchester City player Rodri spoke out about a potential player strike over fixture congestion, followed by Alisson Becker’s concern about UEFA not consulting players about competition changes, debate has sparked over whether players have a right to be frustrated.
Former European Cup winner Mark Lawrenson said: “These players do play a lot of games, but they earn a fortune, travel the world on private jets and their respective clubs do all they can so the players aren’t weary.
“There are too many games, but we’ve been saying this for years and I remember one season at Liverpool where six of us played more than 60 games, but you just get on with it because it’s your job.
“In my day, you’d never go up to the manager to tell him that you were tired, you’d just look for your name on the team sheet and get playing.”
