Liverpool FC news recap: Klopp BLASTS media, NO Edwards return, Thiago BACK

Jurgen Klopp has hit back at suggestions that his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season could have an impact on the immediate futures of the club’s top stars. 

Following the weekend defeat of Norwich City in the FA Cup, captain Virgil van Dijk admitted that his own future was uncertain with Klopp out of the picture and with only 18 months left on his contract.

It has led to suggestions that Klopp's side could be broken up with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold also out of contract in summer 2025.

On Tuesday, Klopp faced the media ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match against Chelsea and dismissed concerns that the players’ futures were in doubt, and hit back at the media for making it an issue.

"So a week ago or whenever, nobody knew about my decision, he had 18 months on his contract and nobody asked. So give us a break," he said

"I knew that it would happen because [the media] can't wait with these kind of questions."

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No Liverpool return for Michael Edwards

Liverpool's attempts to secure a return to the club for former director of football Michael Edwards appear to have hit a stumbling block.

According to renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the club made contact with Edwards over the weekend, with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) eyeing him up as the man to lead the restructuring at Anfield at the end of the season.

However, Edwards has reportedly rejected the Reds' approach, turning down the opportunity, even for a more senior role than he previously held at the club.

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Julian Ward, on Manchester United's shortlist

In a similar vein, Liverpool's former sporting director Julian Ward has reportedly emerged as a leading contender to take up the same role at rivals Manchester United.

The move to appoint a new figure in this role is part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos team's ambitious plan to revamp the club's recruitment strategy and bring about a new era at Old Trafford.

The Telegraph reports that Ineos has narrowed down the search for the director of football role to a select few candidates, including Ward.

Other names in consideration include Dan Ashworth of Newcastle, Dougie Freedman of Crystal Palace and Paul Mitchell, the former head of recruitment at Tottenham and Monaco.

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No rush for injured Mo Salah

Meanwhile, Klopp urged patience when asked about a potential return date for star forward Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian is currently undergoing rehab back on Merseyside for a hamstring injury sustained during Africa Cup of Nations duty earlier this month.

When pushed for a specific return date, the German said: "He's not ready for this game [against Chelsea], not ready for the next game [against Arsenal]… and then not.

"He's injured. I'm not sure if there was a misunderstanding in the beginning. He's injured, and a muscle injury takes time."

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Thiago back in training, Mac Allister fit

On the same theme of muscle injuries, Klopp then went on to stress their unpredictable nature, using Thiago Alcantara's case as an example: "You cannot rush. If you could rush the healing process, believe me, Thiago wouldn't have been out for ten months."

But while Salah continues his rehabilitation, Thiago is finally back in team training.

The good news on the injury front continued, with Klopp confirming that Alexis Mac Allister should be fit to face Chelsea on Wednesday.

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FSG going nowhere

In the wake of Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the club's owners have moved swiftly to quell fears of potential instability by promising a commitment to the club's long-term success.

As reported by The Athletic, senior Fenway Sports Group (FSG) executives have emphatically stated that the owners have no plans to sell their majority shareholding.

In fact, the report suggests that they are dedicated to steering Liverpool through the forthcoming transitional period: "They intend to oversee this new era, and they have no intention of reviving their plans to sell their majority shareholding."

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