Sunday’s biggest stories for the Reds…
Can praises the lasting influence of Gerrard
Emre Can has insisted that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard still has plenty to offer at the club, despite being groomed as the Kop star’s long-term successor – reports the Daily Mirror.
The 20-year-old, who moved to Anfield for £9.75m in the summer, refuses to accept Gerrard is a spent force ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Crystal Palace.
“Steven Gerrard doesn’t play because his name is Steven Gerrard,” said the German Under-21 midfielder. “He plays because of what he brings in terms of performances. If that wasn’t the case, he wouldn’t play. He is as good as he was and I have learned a lot from him.”
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Liverpool preparing £10m Redmond move
Reports in the Daily Star suggest that Liverpool are preparing a £10m January move for Norwich’s Nathan Redmond. The England Under-21 star remained at Carrow Road despite his side’s relegation in May.
Redmond has since remained a target for a number of Premier League clubs. Southampton had a £5m offer rejected in the summer and would tussle the Reds in the new year.
Norwich are determined to keep hold of Redmond to aid their promotion push but accept they couldn’t match the offers likely to be on the table from the top-flight.
Lambert edges closer to Southampton return
The Daily Express has tipped Rickie Lambert for a surprise return to Southampton on loan in the January transfer window, despite Liverpool’s struggles in attack.
The England man moved to Anfield in a £4m deal in the summer but has only been used sparingly from the bench. And with Brendan Rodgers poised to bring in reinforcements in January, Lambert could slip further down the pecking order.
It is claimed the 32-year-old could be forced to return to St Mary’s on loan if he wants to keep his place in the international set-up.
Balotelli ruled out of Palace game
The Liverpool Echo believes that Mario Balotelli is out of this afternoon’s trip to Crystal Palace. The news will come as a serious blow to manager Brendan Rodgers, who is already without Daniel Sturridge, and now faces another striker headache.
Balotelli is still struggling with the hamstring and groin problems that forced him out of Italy’s squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia last week, but was pictured at last night’s fight between Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverley at the ECHO Arena.
Now Rodgers must choose between Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert – who have made only one Premier League start each this season and are yet to score – to lead the line at Selhurst Park.
Anfield icon backs Lallana run
Anfield icon Jan Molby has urged Brendan Rodgers to give Adam Lallana a run in his side, in order to get the best out of him. Lallana has been in and out since arriving from Southampton in the summer but Molby wants to see him thrust into action – starting at Selhurst Park today.
“Liverpool have been willing to give Mario Balotelli a consistent run of games in the team – so why not Lallana? If he is fit and ready to go then I can’t see why he’s not in the team,” he told the Daily Star.
“He appears to be the type of player who needs a run of games to recapture the form he showed for Southampton. Liverpool could give him a run of ten games now to get his Anfield career off the ground.”
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