Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Wednesday, July 6.
Roberto Firmino has Liverpool advantage but mystery remains unsolved
The beaming smile, the spring in the step and the thumbs up: The Roberto Firmino hallmarks were all there as he returned to training on Tuesday, writes Paul Gorst.
The striker got back to work at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre as day two of the pre-season schedule involved a move out onto the pitches for Jurgen Klopp's players. But for arguably the first time since Firmino joined seven summers ago, the Brazil international was not in possession of something else that has largely been taken for granted since he moved from Hoffenheim in 2015. Namely, his place in the starting XI.
Twelve months ago, the idea of Liverpool's forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane being broken up was deemed unthinkable. Even allowing for the impressive first season on Merseyside for Diogo Jota, the thought of Firmino not leading the line as the first choice centre forward in between the flyers of Mane and Salah seemed hard to realistically believe.
READ MORE: Goalkeeper begged Liverpool manager not to be sold after training ground telling off
READ MORE: Liverpool youngster labelled 'super' by Jurgen Klopp fires first senior goal
After all, Firmino has always been the perfect foil for the two players who have scored 276 goals between them during their time on Merseyside.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
Liverpool have already signed 'stop-gap' midfielder amid Jude Bellingham interest
“Back with the boys for number 21, let’s have it,” was the message from James Milner on Monday as he reported for pre-season training back at the AXA Training Centre. Accompanied by flexing muscle emoji and ‘here we go again’ hashtag, the midfielder is raring to go as he starts his 21st season as a professional player, having signed a new one-year contract with Liverpool.
Yet truth be told, for the majority of last season it had looked like the midfielder might leave Anfield this summer. The Reds vice-captain had been due to be out of contract and, having celebrated his 36th birthday in January, had been turned to sporadically by Jurgen Klopp .
Injuries suffered when starting on the opening day of the season against Norwich City and in the 5-0 victory away at Manchester United didn’t help his cause as Milner, who previously prided himself on his availability, had to spend a month on the sidelines on both occasions. And when he returned, even with Liverpool short on midfielders at the time, he found himself restricted to late substitute appearances at best.
Yet, while written off in some quarters as a result, amid accusations of the veteran’s legs ‘being gone’ as Father Time caught up on him, Milner bounced back to silence his doubters emphatically as the Reds chased an unprecedented quadruple. Playing an important role after coming on in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals to help Liverpool beat Chelsea to clinch a domestic double, he earned plaudits when starting against Newcastle United and Southampton in the final weeks of the season as Klopp rotated his pack.
Eyebrows were raised when the German previously admitted back in February that he’d advised club bosses to hand Milner a new contract despite his limited game-time at the time.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
READ NEXT:
- Jurgen Klopp has already hinted at what role Harvey Elliott will play for Liverpool
- Liverpool free signing tipped to be 'next Teddy Sheringham' before ridicule and wife hitting back at critics
- Trent Alexander-Arnold sends emotional message to team-mate after Liverpool exit
- Liverpool set midfield boost after breaking transfer rules for £25m signing
- Cristiano Ronaldo could make Sadio Mane regret Liverpool exit
