19-year-old Liverpool player who Jurgen Klopp loves finally returned from injury yesterday - Now soccer
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19-year-old Liverpool player who Jurgen Klopp loves finally returned from injury yesterday

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It’s been a reversal of fortunes on the injury front for Liverpool recently. Instead of more players being injured, there are more and more returning from injuries. We’ve already seen Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah come back into the team.

But there are also expected to be three new returnees after the international break. Ryan Gravenberch, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones should all be back in action for Liverpool’s game against Brighton. That is really positive news.

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Even more positive is the fact that Jurgen Klopp recently revealed he also expects Stefan Bajcetic to be training with Liverpool’s first team later this month. The Spain U21 international has been out due to growing issues for almost a year now, barely featuring for Liverpool.

The good news is that he is not the only youngster with a long-term injury who has recently returned to action for Liverpool. Yesterday another made his return, lining up for the club’s U21 side in a 2-0 victory against Manchester City.

What Jurgen Klopp has said about Isaac Mabaya

Yesterday, Liverpool got a rare victory against Manchester City in the Premier League 2. Rhys Williams and Trent Kone-Doherty were on the scoresheet as the young Reds recorded an impressive victory. And at the full-time whistle, Liverpool had more than just the result to smile about.


During the final ten minutes of the game, Isaac Mabaya was also introduced onto the pitch. The 19-year-old young prospect has been missing from action with an injury since September. This was his first competitive appearance since lining up for the U21 side against Middlesbrough in a 4-1 repeat.

It’s great to see Mabaya back on the pitch. He is a really highly rated talent who can play in a number of positions. For Liverpool’s first team, he has mostly featured as a right-back. Almost two years ago he was heavily involved with the first team, training regularly with Jurgen Klopp’s side.


During the pre-season of summer 2022, Mabaya also featured heavily for the club’s first team. At the time, Jurgen Klopp spoke really highly of him and praised his performances, particularly the fact that Mabaya was so young and able to play so well.

What Pep Lijnders said about Isaac Mabaya

Meanwhile, Pep Lijnders said during the same summer that when Mabaya plays ‘the right side becomes a highway’ as per the club’s official website. At the time, it seemed like everything was set for Mabaya to make his way into the first team. In the same way, Bajcetic used that pre-season to be under consideration by Klopp.

However, what has ensued has been rather unfortunate. Mabaya picked up a serious injury at the start of the subsequent season and was ruled out for 10 months. He came back against at the start of this season and has missed six months due to injury.

Hopefully, now Mabaya will be able to kick on and overturn his fortunes. He is still only 19-years-old and definitely has the potential to be under consideration of the first team again. Though first he will take everything step by step.




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Isaac Kearney’s family flooded with support after ‘secret’ update

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Isaac Kearney’s family flooded with support after ‘secret’ update

Isaac Kearney's family flooded with support after 'secret' update

Isaac’s mum Melissa made the announcement on social media.

Isaac Kearney‘s family were supported as his mum Melissa announced that she was pregnant with her third child. Over the last few months, seven year-old Isaac Kearney from Kirkby has captured the hearts of Merseyside and people across the world.

Isaac was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, meaning he develops at a slower rate than other children his age. His mum Melissa and dad Alan have tried to highlight the day-to-day realities for Isaac through social media, gathering over one million followers on TikTok alone, with viewers regularly sending their support to him and his family.

Isaac’s love of Liverpool FC has made him a much-loved member of the club’s fanbase too. He was the star of a video last year that featured Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk. He has also been a mascot and visited the club’s training ground in Kirkby.


In a post on Isaac’s Instagram account yesterday, which is run by Melissa, she announced that her son and daughter Florence would soon be joined by a new addition to the family.

The video showed Isaac and the rest of the family beaming as they received the news following a scan from St Helens-based firm Hello Baby. In the caption, Melissa added: “Our family have been keeping a little secret. Thank you to @hellobaby4dscan for the best service as always.”


The post received over 10,000 likes and hundreds of comments sending their support to the family. One person said: “Aw amazing. What a few months. Love it.”

Another added: “Congratulations to you all, such lovely news.” A third person said: Congratulations, such a beautiful family. Love the videos, they make me smile.”

Speaking to the ECHO last week, Melissa said she was made aware of Isaac’s condition before he was born and wanted to use social media to educate others about it.

She said: “There was a medical team waiting to sit down with us and that’s when they told us about his diagnosis. I think I was about 34, 35 weeks pregnant. That phone call completely changed our life.

“I got a bit frightened when they told me. Probably the best thing that we’ve got from this attention is raising all this awareness. It’s been amazing.

“He’s just the cheekiest little boy you’ll ever meet. He has no filter but is so funny, so full of life. He’s just so oblivious to it all. He’s living his best life.”

 




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Man City 115 charges verdict: 60 points deducted, relegation ‘guarantee’, ‘most likely outcome’

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Manchester City will reputedly receive the verdict of the independent commission hearing into their 100-plus alleged Premier League financial rule breaches this spring.

Man City 115 charges verdict: 60 points deducted, relegation 'guarantee', 'most likely outcome'

Manchester City are said to likely face a de facto relegation from the Premier League if they are found guilty of their alleged financial rule breaches. In addition to that latest verdict comes a claim City may be used as an example to deter other clubs.

However, any suggestion that the EFL would reject City’s entry into the Championship, League One or League Two appears unfounded according to the league’s rules.

A points deduction is allegedly the most probable outcome, and City could purportedly face a penalty roughly six times harsher than Everton’s initial punishment for violating profitability and sustainability rules.

These claims come from football finance expert Kieran Maguire on the fourth episode of the Football on Trial: The Manchester City Charges podcast on BBC Sounds.


“A points deduction would be the most likely outcome should the club be found guilty,” stated the University of Liverpool lecturer.

“As for the quantum of a points deduction, if Everton were initially given a 10 points deduction for going around about £10/12 million over the limits in one particular season, I think, in order to set an example to the rest of football, it’s got to act as a deterrent.


On the probable number of points, Maguire opined: “We’ll probably be looking at somewhere in the region of 60 to 100 points, which would effectively guarantee relegation out of the Premier League and into the lower tiers of football in the EFL.”

Further elaborating on the situation, Maguire acknowledged speculation about the EFL’s acceptance of City.

“There has been a suggestion that the EFL might refuse to accept Manchester City in terms of its competition, but looking at their rulebook, I don’t think that is feasible,” he clarified.

‌According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, there is an expectation that a verdict will arrive in the springtime.




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Pep Guardiola hails two Liverpool stars who are ‘always difficult to control’ after Man City loss

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Pep Guardiola hails two Liverpool stars who are ‘always difficult to control’ after Man City loss

Liverpool earned a 2-0 win over Man City to move 11 points above Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

City have endured an uncharacteristically woeful season by their own standards, having been crowned Premier League champions for the past four years. But after a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, the title is on track to head to Anfield.

‘Difficult to control’

Pep Guardiola hails two Liverpool stars who are 'always difficult to control' after Man City loss

Arne Slot’s side moved 11 points clear at the top of the table. But in a week that they crashed out of the Champions League, City stay fourth in the top flight. Guardiola saw aspects of his team’s performance that impressed but admitted that the link-up play between Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold – which would help yield Liverpool’s second goal – is hard to repel.


City boss Pep Guardiola said: “It’s just a game. The distance in the Premier League is a reality. If you analyse the game today it was really good. We lost so there’s nothing much to say but the way we played was really good. The first half was more open, in the second half they defended so deep. I don’t know how many times we arrived to the byline. For nine years, that has been the target of my teams. Now we try to make good high pressing and make long balls away as quick as possible but Alexander-Arnold is maybe one of the best midfielders in the world linking side to Salah. It’s always difficult to control.

“We didn’t drop much. We arrived so many times to the byline but in the next attack we struggled to create much. It’s not easy, when you have two or three players on Jeremy [Doku], Phil [Foden], Kevin [De Bruyne], Omar [Marmoush], you need the brilliance of players, one cross, one brilliance, we need the pass back from Rodri, sorry Nico that can make a shot. Both wingers were exceptional- Savinho and Jeremy and all the young players. Except Kevin and Nathan [Ake], we were such a young team that will be the future of this club. We behaved really good. it was a tight game. We just missed being more creative in the final third, knowing that it is not easy.”

Top-four battle.

City have a battle on their hands if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They are fourth but just two points ahead of eighth-placed Aston Villa. On the battle ahead, Guardiola said: “It will not happen if we are not good enough. Not because of lack of passion or desire. We saw it against Newcastle and today. I don’t have any doubts about that. It’s so tight,

“Newcastle, Aston Villa and others. There are four or five teams fighting. It will not be easy, but it is what it is. We will try. If it happens it’s because we deserve it, if not it’s because we were not good enough. Simple.”




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‘I saw a new side to Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola comments don’t tell full Liverpool story’

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Arne Slot has established Liverpool as the leading contender to win the Premier League title and possibly one or two more trophies too. This time, he did it differently.

Arne Slot has often cited Pep Guardiola as one of the coaches he has been inspired by. He isn’t alone in that, but since arriving at Liverpool, he has now beaten Manchester City twice without conceding a goal.

The Liverpool boss is more than holding his own. After all, this latest victory, with Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai scoring in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, saw his side move 11 points ahead of Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League table.

Here, though, there was a different Liverpool on show. This was a version rarely seen in recent times: a second-half defensive masterclass. Alisson Becker did what he needed to do but in truth, that wasn’t much. Those in front of him ensured that Kevin De Bruyne’s threat was limited, Omar Marmoush was kept on a tight leash, and Phil Foden was anonymous.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were excellent in the main and the Liverpool midfield looked much more energetic and therefore compact. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister — in part through design and in part just because their legs allowed it — were situated much closer together.

But the defensive effort was present across the board. Salah spent much of the second half at right-back and Luis Diaz was similarly diligent on the other side. Curtis Jones pressed very effectively as a false nine until he tired, and Szoboszlai was nothing short of a machine.


By the time Liverpool finished the game, several players looked as exhausted as they were delighted. Quite right too, with all that running and shuttling up and down in what was a fourth match in 12 days.

“It is easier for us to not get excited because we know what we have to put in,” Slot said at the final whistle when he was speaking to Sky Sports. “This result was more about defense than attack. It is normal for fanbases to be positive and it is important to understand why we are where we are.”


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This was perhaps what Liverpool was trying when it faced Wolves a week ago. This time, though, it had plenty of attacking threat, as opposed to the zero shots in the second half at Anfield in that one.

Manchester City felt post-match that it had done well. In reality, however, the way the game panned out was all part of the Liverpool plan. Guardiola’s side had two-thirds of the ball — and a new low for the visitor of 34 percent — but generated very little in terms of genuine threat.

“We played very good,” Guardiola said. “Maybe we missed more productivity in the shots but we played against a fantastic team. Maybe at the start it was 50-50 and we could not convert.

“Second half they defended very deep. We have done something we have not tried for many games which was we brought them to their box and tried to beat them there.

Liverpool latest

“The tactic was to arrive in the final third and the byline and it happened a lot but we did not score. We missed the next bit a little bit and with crosses it is almost impossible to do it because of their size. We could not find the next step.”

City did pin Liverpool back to some degree, but that doesn’t tell the whole story by any means; it was as much by the Reds’ design as anything else. Slot has never played this way before, really, or at least not for long. But he showed another side to his team — which it is clearly capable of executing to perfection.

Before the league campaign concludes, with more home games than away trips and visits to Manchester City and Arsenal out of the way, it might not be needed too many times. In Europe, though, maybe against PSG, for instance, in the Champions League last-16, it could be a vital template.

For now, it has achieved the not-in-any-way-small matter of establishing a commanding lead ahead of the run-in. It even made the Liverpool away confident enough to sing loudly — for the first time this season — about winning the league.




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Isaac the 7-Year-Old Liverpool Fan, Made a Profound Statement with a Strange Reaction After Liverpool’s 2-0 Win Against Manchester City Tonight

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Isaac, the 7-Year-Old Liverpool Fan, Made a Profound Statement with a Strange Reaction After Liverpool's 2-0 Win Against Manchester City Tonight

Isaac, the 7-Year-Old Liverpool Fan, Made a Profound Statement with a Strange Reaction After Liverpool’s 2-0 Win Against Manchester City Tonight

Isaac, the 7-Year-Old Liverpool Fan, Made a Profound Statement with a Strange Reaction After Liverpool's 2-0 Win Against Manchester City Tonight

Liverpool fans around the world erupted in joy after their team’s crucial 2-0 victory against Manchester City tonight, but in one small corner of the stadium, the reaction of a 7-year-old boy named Isaac stole the spotlight. A die-hard Liverpool supporter, Isaac’s love for the club has grown beyond just watching games—he lives and breathes every moment with the team.

For the first time in his life, Isaac experienced an away game, traveling with his father to witness Liverpool battle it out in a hostile environment. As the final whistle blew and Liverpool secured their impressive win, Isaac didn’t jump, shout, or run around like most fans would. Instead, he stood still, eyes locked on the pitch, before turning to his father with a look of deep reflection. Then, he uttered words that left everyone around him stunned.

“This is more than just a win. It means we never walk alone.”


For a boy of his age, such a profound statement was unexpected. His father, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, was taken aback by the depth of those words. It wasn’t just about celebrating a victory; Isaac understood the essence of Liverpool’s motto—the unity, resilience, and passion that define the club and its fans worldwide.

Isaac, the 7-Year-Old Liverpool Fan, Made a Profound Statement with a Strange Reaction After Liverpool's 2-0 Win Against Manchester City Tonight


His strange reaction and wise words quickly became the highlight of the night for those who witnessed it. Unlike the usual wild celebrations, Isaac’s moment of deep realization reminded everyone why football is more than just a game—it’s an emotion, a family, and a way of life.

Liverpool’s win tonight was special, but for Isaac, it was a lesson in loyalty, determination, and the spirit of never walking alone. His profound words, spoken with the innocence of a child, encapsulated the very heart of what it means to be a Liverpool fan.

As fans across the world rejoice, little Isaac’s reaction serves as a beautiful reminder—football is not just about goals and trophies; it’s about the connections we make, the lessons we learn, and the passion that binds us together.

What do you think about Isaac’s reaction? Have you ever witnessed a young fan express such deep emotions about the game? Share your thoughts in the

comments below!

 




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Isaac Kearney captures global hearts and offers hope after viral Christmas Day video

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Isaac Kearney captures global hearts and offers hope after viral Christmas Day video

The family of Isaac Kearney have expressed their pride in raising the profile of the six-year-old’s rare genetic disorder thanks to a Christmas Day video with Liverpool FC that went viral.

Isaac Kearney captures global hearts and offers hope after viral Christmas Day video

Reds superfan Isaac – who was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, meaning he develops at a slower rate than other children his age – was the star of a piece that also heavily featured Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk and has now been viewed more than 122 million times across the globe.

In the video – which has also attracted more than 12 million social media engagements and led to a five-year high in the number of Google searches associated with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome – Isaac was surprised at school by Salah and Van Dijk.

He then visited the AXA Training Centre, where he met Arne Slot and the rest of his squad.


In heartwarming scenes, Isaac’s love for the players he idolises was reciprocated and he then watched the team train.

Plus, ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, he was invited to be a mascot at Anfield when Slot’s side beat Manchester City in the Premier League.


Watch the video in full below.

Isaac, who was already recognisable on social media for bursting into Kop classics on his toy guitar, has now passed more than one million followers on TikTok.

His mum, Melissa, revealed the family has been inundated with messages of support, including from fans of rival clubs, celebrities such as Stormzy and Khloe Kardashian, and parents of children with the same condition as Isaac.

“The response to Isaac’s video has been absolutely phenomenal, we just can’t keep up with all the messages. What’s been most rewarding is hearing from families who have a child with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome too,” she said.

“Many said they didn’t feel like there was a lot of support out there for people with the condition and it was all quite doom and gloom, but that changed when they saw Isaac living his dream.

“It’s so lovely for us to think that our Isaac has been able to bring hope to other families in our position. That’s the power of his infectious personality that’s been perfectly captured in this special video.

“It was also particularly pleasing to hear there’s been a five-year high in Google searches related to Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. It’s a very rare condition and the more people that know about it the better.

“This shows the real impact Isaac’s video has had. We’re just so grateful the club was not only interested in telling Isaac’s story, but also then captured it so well. It’s made a real difference to so many.”




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Virgil van Dijk contract update: Liverpool captain speaks out on future as Arne Slot faces busy summer transfer window

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Virgil van Dijk contract update: Liverpool captain speaks out on future as Arne Slot faces busy summer transfer window

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has insisted that he cannot speak about a potential contract extension but reaffirmed his love of the club.

Virgil van Dijk contract update: Liverpool captain speaks out on future as Arne Slot faces busy summer transfer window

Arne Slot‘s side are set to play Manchester City on Sunday but they already received a huge boost in the Premier League title race on Saturday when West Ham United managed to beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates thanks to Jarrod Bowen‘s first-half winner.

The Merseysiders are now eight points ahead of the Gunners in the league having played the same number of games, and with seven of their remaining 12 matches coming at Anfield, they must be considered clear favourites to win the title.

However, stars Mohamed SalahTrent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are set to leave the club at the end of the season given they have not yet signed contract extensions, and the latter refused to speculate on his future when speaking to Sky Sports, saying: “We are still in three competitions and we want to be successful in all three of them. And that is the main focus I’ve got. Very, very big plans in that sense.

“I can’t speak about personal conversations that have obviously been going on for a while. I can only say that I am fully committed to the club.


“I love the fans, I love the club. I’ve had such an amazing time already. Let’s see what the future brings. But as long as I’m calm, I think the rest of the world can stay calm as well. When there is a definite answer on my future, it will probably be out. Then everyone can know. I’m quite calm about it.”

The centre-back has played every single minute of his side’s 26 Premier League games this season, and he has arguably been the best defender in the division in 2024-25.


A busy summer ahead

Liverpool face the prospect of having to replace three of their best players should Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk not sign extensions, but they also may have to replace several other stars.

Virgil van Dijk contract update: Liverpool captain speaks out on future as Arne Slot faces busy summer transfer window

Striker Darwin Nunez has failed to impress during his time at Anfield and has been frequently linked with a move away, while winger Luis Diaz is rumoured to be one of Barcelona’s top targets.

Elsewhere, centre-backs Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have often been beset by injury issues, and it would not be surprising if the club looked to strengthen at the back regardless of Van Dijk’s potential departure.

Ryan Gravenberch has been used at the base of midfield this term but has struggled more in recent weeks, and considering Slot has so far only shown trust in Curtis JonesAlexis Mac AllisterDominik Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, it would be sensible to reinforce in the middle of the pitch.

Other players like Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo have not been given much playing time in 2024-25, and it is difficult to see the pair staying at Liverpool unless Slot can assure them that they are part of his long-term plans.

Could Slot’s second year be more challenging?

Slot’s first season as Liverpool boss could hardly have been better, with his side clear favourites in the Premier League, strong contenders in the Champions League and already in the EFL Cup final.

The Dutch manager has suggested that one of the reasons the transition from previous head coach Jurgen Klopp has gone so smoothly is that his style of play is not too dissimilar to the German’s.

However, Slot undoubtedly benefitted from the fact he inherited numerous talents such as Salah and Alisson Becker, and with so much potentially set to change in the summer, he could find that his second season is more of a challenge than his first.

It will also be interesting to see if the manager makes any further alterations to the team’s playing style once he signs first-team starters, something that he has so far refrained from doing.

 

 




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What Jurgen Klopp messaged Mohamed Salah speaks volumes as Liverpool return hint given

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What Jurgen Klopp messaged Mohamed Salah speaks volumes as Liverpool return hint given

Jurgen Klopp will forever remain as one of the greatest coaches to have coached Liverpool.

What Jurgen Klopp messaged Mohamed Salah speaks volumes as Liverpool return hint given

Mohamed Salah and Jurgen Klopp formed a strong relationship during the German’s time as manager at Liverpool. Klopp, ended a nine-year spell at Anfield last summer after announcing his bombshell decision to stand down as manager.

His decision came as a major heartbreak for supporters, who were left with fond memories of the German coach. Klopp, 57, transformed Liverpool after succeeding Brendan Rodgers in the hot seat and won eight trophies during his reign including the Premier League, the Fifa Club World Cup, the Uefa Super Cup, the English Super Cup and League Cup.

As Salah could also be preparing for a potential farewell from Anfield, he has revealed that he is still in regular contact with the Reds’ former coach Klopp – who is still following his former club’s results and shared his delight on them reaching the Carabao Cup final. It appears that Klopp has also had a conversation with Salah about when he will next return to Liverpool after taking up his new job with the Red Bull Group at the beginning of the year.


What Jurgen Klopp messaged Mohamed Salah speaks volumes as Liverpool return hint given

“Yes, more than before,” Salah told Sky Germany. “We’re in good contact, we’ve written to each other a lot in the last few months. He asked about my family, congratulated me on the games and on reaching the final of the Carabao Cup – things like that. And he told me when he’ll be coming here next…”


With that said, reports that the two did not see eye-to-eye might have been well off the mark. With Liverpool in a new era under Arne Slot, Salah admitted he didn’t expect the Dutchman to have such a quick impact in the squad.

“I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly,” the Egyptian added. “But the coach hasn’t changed that much for us. He likes counter-pressing, we still play on the counter, but he wants us to have more control of the ball. So, it’s a little different, but I don’t see a very big difference.”




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