Klopp’s Red revolution gathers pace
AFC boss ‘confident’ next FIFA leader will be Asian
LIVERPOOL: Having qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League, Liverpool return to the Premier League today with an ideal opportunity to continue their revival under Jurgen Klopp when struggling Swansea visit Anfield. Liverpool have lost just once since the former Borussia Dortmund manager took over nine games ago - a defeat to Crystal Palace in their last home league game. Since then, Klopp’s side have won 4-1 at Manchester City and on Thursday beat Bordeaux 2-1 at Anfield to secure their progress to the knock-out stages of Europe’s second tier competition.
Next, Liverpool are at home to the Swans, who have won just one of their last 10 matches to slide down to 14th in the Premier League. Liverpool are ninth, eight points leaders Leicester, who played second-placed Manchester United yesterday. Klopp is refusing to focus on the top of the table but wants to get closer to the leading pack, who remain in touching distance thanks to Liverpool’s resurgence since the German replaced the sacked Brendan Rodgers.
“I don’t know in this moment who will win the league and I don’t care,” Klopp said. “At this moment it’s only important to be concentrated on your own situation and your progress. “If it would help to think about the end of the season I would do it. “But it’s always important how far you are away from the position you dream off. It’s better to be eight than 20 but two would be better than eight, so we have to try and close this gap if possible and that’s what we try.”
Injury problems
Liverpool are likely to be without joint leading scorer Philippe Coutinho due to a hamstring injury, while Daniel Sturridge is also expected to continue his injury absence after pulling out of a planned midweek comeback with a foot problem. Klopp has told Sturridge he may have to play through the pain to improve his appearance record after a catalogue of injuries. But provided Christian Benteke is able to play a second game in four days following his own recent injury problems, Klopp - who is also without long-term absentee Danny Ings and suspended midfielder Lucas Leiva - insists he is not concerned about his attacking resources.
“It’s not the most difficult situation with the strikers because we have Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Roberto (Firmino),” he said. “But of course we need all of them NEW DELHI: Asia’s football chief has won unanimous backing from his executive committee as the man to “rebuild FIFA” as he strengthens his campaign to take over the corruption-tarnished world body. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee also pledged to lobby its members to support President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, in a meeting ahead of Sunday’s AFC awards. The Bahraini royal will appear before hundreds of delegates at the awards show in New Delhi after emerging as a leading candidate for the February 26 FIFA presidential vote. “The (exco) meeting expressed their utmost confidence in Sheikh Salman’s ability to restore FIFA’s credibility,” said an AFC statement from the Indian capital. “They added that Sheikh Salman has demonstrated his leadership qualities since taking over as AFC president and it was crucial to elect Sheikh Salman as he was ‘someone who could rebuild FIFA and make FIFA better in the future’.” Sheikh Salman’s odds have narrowed after UEFA president Michel Platini was suspended over a suspect $2 million payment. Platini’s lawyer says FIFA’s ethics committee is seeking a life ban. As head of one of FIFA’s biggest confederations, and with the backing of powerful Kuwaiti FIFA exco member Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, Sheikh Salman is among the because of the big number of games.” Swansea’s recent problems have placed pressure on manager Garry Monk. But Monk, who guided the club to their best ever Premier League finish of eighth place last season, insists he retains the backing of club chairman Huw Jenkins and has been charged with leading an upturn in fortunes. “I know Huw and the board very well. —AFP
strongest of the five current candidates.
Growing confidence
In a sign of his rising fortunes, the AFC boss said he was “confident” the next FIFA head would come from Asia, a development which would break new ground for world football. “It is a big support for my campaign, as well as an honor for me, to have the endorsement and full backing of the AFC Executive Committee,” Sheikh Salman said in the statement. “Since you are the elected representatives of the AFC member associations, it also sends a strong message that Asia is behind one candidate. “I thank you for your support and invaluable advice. I am confident that the next president of FIFA will be from Asia.
“This would not only be a recognition of the ever-increasing role that Asia and Asian football has, but also will allow us to have a say in shaping a better future for this great game.”The former ally of suspended FIFA chief Sepp Blatter faces challenges from UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino and Asian rival Prince Ali Al Hussein of Jordan, who have both pledged a path of reform. FIFA has become mired in a mess of corruption claims, many of them surrounding alleged bribes during bidding to host World Cups including Qatar 2022, with several officials in the firing line.—AFP