Liverpool start ‘make or break’ run at Brighton
LONDON: Liverpool defender Joe Gomez admits the club face a run of games which will “make or break” their season ahead of a Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion today.
The Reds are in fifth spot, a huge 14 points behind table-topping Manchester City, but they are in striking distance of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Stoke City on Wednesday meant Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost just one of their last 10 league games, winning five and drawing four.
The Merseysiders also face a crunch clash against Spartak Moscow next week as they look to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.
“It’s going to be a make or break period in terms of challenging,” Gomez said. “What we want to try to do is capitalise on the points available and hopefully we can keep on a decent run and get as many as we can.
“That momentum and confidence can carry you through and it just means more points are up for grabs.”
Klopp named Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah on the bench for the midweek win over Stoke before he introduced him just after the hour.
Despite limited time on the pitch, Salah continued his impressive form with two goals against the Potters as he took his tally to 12 in the Premier League for the season.
Gomez believes the fact Klopp could rest Salah shows the strength of Liverpool’s squad this season.
“Mo’s in amazing form and the goals he brings to the team are massive for us,” the England international added. “Not just him, our attacking force is so strong and we still had him to bring on.
“It shows the depth of this squad. Especially in this period now, it’s going to be gruelling so we all have to be ready to do our bit.”
Meanwhile, two of Spain’s leading sports newspapers have reported that Liverpool have named their price for Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho.
The transfer saga over the Brazilian attacker has rumbled on for months, with Barca unable to force a deal over the line in the summer transfer window.
However, according to reports in Spain, a deal is closer than ever, with Liverpool having set what they would consider an acceptable price.
On their front page, Mundo Deportivo say that Coutinho would cost the Catalan giants €145 million (RM705 million).
Catalan paper Sport also report that the Coutinho saga will come to an end in January, if Barca pay between €130 million and €150 million.
Should Barca sign Coutinho, it would be the first time an English club has been involved in a ninefigure deal for a player. Agencies