Last night, Jurgen Klopp guided Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace, giving the Reds all six possible points from their first two matches. LFC are one of six Premier League sides to win both of their first two, and their +6 goal differential currently places them second, behind only Manchester City who are +7.
There is certainly no shortage of topics to discuss today, in the wake of the Reds’ fast start. Let’s take a spin through the latest news and notes items making the rounds on the internet this Tuesday.
–James Milner scored the game winning goal off a penalty kick won by Mohamed Salah. In doing so, Milner became the first Premier League player to score consecutive goals from penalties. Sadio Mane provided the other goal, while Salah made news earlier in the day for a different reason.
The Egyptian international is one of three players (Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo are the others) named to the short list for UEFA Player of the Year.
Last night saw another chapter unfold in the book of rivalry between Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville (representing Manchester United) and Jamie Carragher (repping Liverpool) continue.
At the Premier League launch show earlier this month, the duo made a bet based off penalties, and Neville’s losing the bet meant that he was forced to wear a Liverpool shirt (provided and signed by Xherdan Shaqiri, a target of Neville criticism this summer). However, Neville also had a Red Devils kit waiting for Carragher to don. The best part of the shirt swap stunt is that it’s all for a good cause.
The shirts will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the charity of the two legendary former players’ choice. Neville’s charity is the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homeless Fund, while Carragher selected Fans Supporting Food Banks.
A bet is a bet! ?
The moment you've all been waiting for… ?@GNev2 in a @LFC shirt and @Carra23 in a @ManUtd shirt! ?
The shirts will be auctioned for their chosen charities! ? pic.twitter.com/8mHxPQeNKC
— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) August 20, 2018
-Manager Jurgen Klopp had a lot of great quotes in the post game media opportunities, pointing out how Virgil van Dijk, the world’s most expensive defender is worth every cent, and that no one even talks about his £75 million transfer fee these days.
As for VVD, he told the club website that he is a very happy man right now. Klopp also said that his team is not worried about trying to send a message to Man City right now.
However, this #MondayMotivation quote might be the best sound bite of all:
“In these moments the fuel is really low and maybe the players need a bit of help from an angry manager, ‘Run or I will kill you,’ and they did that with a fantastic counter attack,” Klopp said.
-Finally, the team Klopp used to manage, Borussia Dortmund, is reportedly interested in acquiring striker Divock Origi on loan with an option to buy permanently next summer. The two sides have 10 days to work out a deal before the European transfer window closes, but according to reports, LFC won’t cut their price below £27 million.
The 27-year-old Belgian spent last season on loan with German side Wolfsburg.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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