Is this a joke?' - Trent Alexander-Arnold explains how Liverpool squad learnt of Jurgen Klopp exit
Liverpool
'Is this a joke?' - Trent Alexander-Arnold explains how Liverpool squad learnt of Jurgen Klopp exit
Jurgen Klopp to leave Liverpool at end of 2023/24 season
Trent Alexander-Arnold opened up on how squad learnt of his decision
Right-back also revealed players are motivated to end his era on a high
By Sean Walsh
Apr 3, 2024
Klopp will depart Liverpool in the summer
Klopp will depart Liverpool in the summer / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the Liverpool squad did not receive much prior warning that Jurgen Klopp was going to leave the club.
Klopp will stand down from his position as manager at the end of the 2023/24 season, bringing down the curtain on one of the Reds' most memorable eras.
While the German confirmed to the Liverpool board in private of this decision back in November, the wider world did not find out until his announcement in late January.
Speaking to Jamie Carragher at a Football For Change event on Monday, Alexander-Arnold admitted Klopp's decision took the dressing room by surprise and detailed how they found out.
Jurgen Klopp, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Klopp appointed Van Dijk as captain and Alexander-Arnold vice-captain for his final season / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
"It started like a normal day. Then the manager called a meeting at 10:30am, which we had never had before, so everyone was like, 'What’s going on?'," Alexander-Arnold said, as quoted by The Athletic.
"He came into the changing rooms and told us there was news breaking as he was speaking. So we found out as players at the same time as everyone else but he told us personally.
"He said that this had to be his last season, that he needed a break to spend time with his family. I didn’t know what to do. You think, 'Is this a joke?'. None of us were expecting it. After he left the room, everyone was just sat there thinking, 'Has that just happened?'. Then you have to get on with it, going out to train in an hour, doing your job."
When asked if the players are motivated by giving Klopp a fitting send-off, Alexander-Arnold replied: "100%. That was something that Virgil [van Dijk] said to us all after Jurgen had told us. He said: 'This is huge news that's going to rock the footballing world but we can't let it distract us, we have to use it as motivation. The manager has led us to so much success, he's enabled us to fulfil our dreams, so we owe it to him to give everything we possibly can to give him the best send-off'.
"Virg said if people think this is going to make us take our eye off the ball then we need to prove them wrong. It was big news but as professionals, you have to get your head around it quickly and move on."
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Chelsea
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man Utd today - Premier League
Chelsea will be looking for some respite when they host Man Utd on Thursday evening
The Blues still have a mountain of injuries heading into the final period of the season
Cole Palmer continues to dazzle but needs help from his teammates
By Ewan Ross-Murray
Apr 3, 2024 | Updated: Apr 4, 2024, 9:16 AM GMT+1
Chelsea experienced one of the many lows of their 2023/24 campaign on Saturday afternoon, twice surrendering a lead during their 2-2 draw with ten-man Burnley in the Premier League.
The result left the Blues in the bottom half of the table ahead of another round of fixtures midweek, with Manchester United the visitors for Chelsea's fourth successive match at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
The Red Devils are also enduring a torrid campaign and look as if they are going to fall short of Champions League qualification this term, with Chelsea aiming to pile on the misery this Thursday in west London.
Having lost the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, here's how injury-hit Chelsea could line up against Man Utd this time round.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-2-3-1)
Chelsea FC v Burnley FC - Premier League
Chelsea will be sweating on the fitness of Malo Gusto / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages
GK: Djordje Petrovic - Robert Sanchez's latest injury setback has only solidified Petrovic's spot as the club's number one. The youngster has been impressive in his debut season in England, even if he hasn't had as much help from his defence as he would have liked.
RB: Malo Gusto - One of Chelsea's shining lights during a dark season, there is a chance Gusto doesn't feature against Man Utd after suffering a thigh injury on Saturday. However, Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for the attacking full-back to start given his current defensive injuries.
CB: Axel Disasi - If Gusto is sidelined, compatriot Disasi may be forced to play at right-back. However, the summer signing's best displays have come at centre-back this term and a battle with Rasmus Hojlund should be entertaining.
CB: Benoit Badiashile - Thiago Silva has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and is unlikely to be used against the speedy Hojlund unless absolutely necessary. Badiashile will be a much better match for the Man Utd forward.
LB: Marc Cucurella - The Spaniard has not found life easy at Chelsea and has suffered with injuries this term, but Ben Chilwell's fitness woes means he's guaranteed a start on Thursday. Alejandro Garnacho will keep him honest down the left-hand side.
CM: Moises Caicedo - The £115m man is yet to live up to his price tag but has had the backing of Pochettino, establishing a partnership with Enzo Fernandez at the base of midfield.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - The World Cup winner can be the key for Chelsea when he's in full flight, but his form remains too inconsistent at present. However, he could dominate the midfield battle given Man Utd's issues in the engine room this season.
RW: Cole Palmer - The English attacker has offered Chelsea hope this season, adding another two goals to his tally on Saturday - including a Panenka penalty. He scored in the reverse fixture in Manchester and is likely to be the difference-maker for the Blues.
AM: Conor Gallagher - One of Pochettino's favourites, Gallagher continues to divide opinion in west London. He had been in a decent run of form before the international period but wasn't particularly influential against Burnley.
LW: Mykhailo Mudryk - The downfall of Raheem Sterling has proved beneficial for Mudryk, who is now a much more regular starter for Chelsea. He scored a crucial goal for Ukraine over the international break and his confidence seems to be improving at Stamford Bridge.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - The forward has managed to shake off the tag of 'flop' after an impressive run of form over the past month. He now has nine goals and three assists in the Premier League this season.
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