By Chris Rowland and Daniel Rhodes.
W/c Monday 22nd February 2016.
Welcome to our weekly round-up, a diary of news and events on the site, matters relating to LFC and the world of football generally.
The Week in Football – Liverpool FC:
Monday:
Philippe Coutinho, 23, says Reds manager Jürgen Klopp is turning him into a better player. (LiverpoolFC.com)
“He created a highly successful side at Dortmund and it is great for Liverpool to have him,” the Brazil international told World Soccer magazine.
“In training, we are working hard and enjoying his methods, which are helping to make us better players. Little by little, it is translating to matches and I think everyone has seen how effective his philosophy can be if we adapt it in the right way.
“It feels like we are moving in the right direction under him and we believe we can fight for the big prizes and enjoy some special moments with the fans.
“Our team is playing a high-pressing game and I am enjoying it. With this style there is more freedom when we have the ball.
“We still have responsibilities within the team, but the manager is asking us to play our game more naturally and it is enabling us to express ourselves. Klopp has put his ideas forward and they are helping to make me an even better player.”
A rare weekend without a game has given Jürgen Klopp and his staff a chance to carefully manage Liverpool’s training schedule ahead of a crucial pair of matches next week. (LiverpoolFC.com)
Individual training schedules have been devised for each player this weekend, taking into account the amount of minutes they have clocked up so far this season, to help the whole squad be in the best shape possible for an important week.
The manager told Liverpoolfc.com:
“It’s pretty complicated because in the last few weeks the players have had some time off. The coaching staff have had no days off because we always had a team to train with and always a squad for the next game.
“Sometimes our ‘FA Cup squad’ trained or were off and then the ‘Premier League squad’ trained or were off. But we were always here. For sure, there will be a little bit of football but not too much.
“It’s more important for the players that have always been involved, who have played nearly all the matches and always trained and were always here. To have two days off is important.
“But we have a lot of players and they have to train, because they were not always available and had a few things to do to be in their best shape, especially a week before the cup final. Only a few players will have two days off, a few other players will have one day off – training and very important sessions.”
Tuesday:
Kolo Toure, 34, says he will battle hard to show he deserves a new contract at Anfield when his current deal runs out at the end of the season. (Liverpool Echo)
Wednesday:
Simon Mignolet believes a League Cup final win on Sunday against Manchester City could start a reign of success for the Reds.
“I remember for Chelsea a few years back, it was the League Cup they won and after that they managed to win a lot of trophies.
“It gives everybody a confidence boost when you win your first trophy for a long time.
“For this young group of lads, I think it could be something that pushes us on to be even hungrier for trophies.”
Liverpool FC confirmed the Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea at Anfield, scheduled for Sunday March 13th, has been postponed due to the London side’s progress in the FA Cup. No new date has yet been set.
Liverpool FC confirmed that 22-year-old midfielder Kevin Stewart has signed a new contract with the club. (LiverpoolFC.com)
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