Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp comments on retiring Joel Matip as Reds target 'next Sancho'
Arne Slot will be anxious for his players to head back to training so he can start full preparations for a huge showdown against Chelsea and outline the club's desire to be one of the title favourites
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorLiverpool are gearing up for a huge clash against Chelsea at Anfield on October 20, with Arne Slot eagerly awaiting the return of his players from the international break next week.
Slot will be anxious for his players to head back to training so he can start full preparations for the showdown against Enzo Maresca's side and prove the Reds are one of the favourites for the Premier League title.
The Dutchman has already been given a boost ahead of the game, with a handful of his players returning to the club, as they prepare for a tough run of fixtures to come.
As Liverpool get ready to return to action next week, Mirror Football has rounded up some of the biggest stories to come out of Anfield of late.
Slot's triple boost
Slot will be a happy man to learn that three of his players have been released by their national teams and sent back to Liverpool early ahead of the Chelsea game.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones will all have extra time to get themselves ready for the pivotal clash to Slot's relief - after a handful of players picked up issues in the last international break.
Salah has been released after Egypt boss Hossam Hassan expressed concern about their star man getting injured on the artificial turf at Mauritania, while Van Dijk is suspended for the Netherlands' next game against Germany. Curtis Jones, meanwhile, pulled out of England's squad to face Finland due to a personal issue.
What Klopp's said about retiring Matip
Liverpool fans have lauded the legacy of Joel Matip at Anfield after he announced his official retirement from football, having left the club this summer.
The Reds made a statement paying tribute to the Cameroonian defender and former boss Jurgen Klopp's comments have now resurfaced, with the German calling him "a wonderful human being" who was "loved" at Liverpool.
"In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip," he said at the time. "I’m not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him.
"A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being – we have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction. I don’t think he has had too many headlines over the years but he has only ever been a very famous figure within our group."
Liverpool target "next Jadon Sancho"
Liverpool have reportedly turned their attentions to their next possible signing and see Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens as a possible target, according to German outlet Bild.
The report says Liverpool have sent scouts the watch the player being tipped as "the next Jadon Sancho" after catching the eye for the Bundesliga outfit this season - just as the former Manchester United star did at the club. So far he has played eight times, scoring four times and assisting one goal.
Chelsea and Tottenham are also said to be monitoring Gittens, who came through the academy at Manchester City before leaving them as a teenager in 2020.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.