Reds step up preparations as Everton clash looms large

With less than a fortnight to go until the Reds can continue their bid for a first league title in 30 years, the club’s players have been talking about maintaining their focus during the long shutdown.

The moment we’ve been waiting for throughout football’s long absence is almost here – we’re just 11 days away from the Merseyside derby against Everton FC.

The Reds have not seen action since March as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but on Sunday June 21 they play their nearest rivals behind closed doors.

Jürgen Klopp’s men need just six points to clinch their first league title in 30 years.

With 82 points already secured 29 games, the Premier League trophy could even be secured against Carlo Ancelotti’s men if Manchester City fail to grab a point against Arsenal on the previous Wednesday evening.

Klopp, however, is keeping his focus squarely on his own squad.

The German insists that his relationship with his players has not been changed by the successes of the last two years.

While Liverpool FC have added the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet in recent times, complacency has never slipped in and Klopp says that discipline still has to be maintained at all times.

"Without discipline you cannot do any sports, it’s just not possible,” said the boss.

"That’s why it’s so important we still have rules and all this stuff. But it’s for the boys much easier to respect them, because they are completely logical now. They know why we have these kinds of rules.

"So, no, the relationship or whatever or the job doesn’t change because of the success, it changed much more because of the time we had together. That’s for sure. And that’s really, really nice.”

With Adam Lallana and Andy Lonergan both signing deals to extend their Reds contracts until the end of the season, Dejan Lovren insists that the LFC players had no problem keeping their focus throughout the days and weeks of isolation.

The Croatian defender knew the importance of keeping as fit as possible, even during the most uncertain times with no return date set.

"To be honest, even without a date at the beginning, our main focus and goal was, 'Guys, let's finish the season’,” said Lovren.

"There will, of course, be a date back, but just stay in shape, be in shape when we come back. We will do it and then we can say well done.

"That was our main focus from the beginning. All the time we have been working in the gym, we know what is our focus. 

"Of course we still have two games [to win until] we can say, 'Yeah, we are the champions' but our main focus is to win all the games. That's the main target."

When the Sunday evening kick-off against the Toffees comes around, there will be no prouder man in the red shirt than captain Jordan Henderson.

The skipper turns 30 next week and, more than nine years since joining the club from Sunderland, is hoping to become the first Liverpool FC captain since the legendary Alan Hansen to lead his club to the ultimate domestic glory.

Since signing for Sir Kenny Dalglish’s side in the summer of 2011, Henderson has become a pivotal presence both on and off the pitch for the club.

Read all about his Anfield career to date here.

Finally, legendary Brazilian defender Cafu believes Trent Alexander-Arnold will be regarded as one of the best players in the world if he continues playing as well as he has this season.

The young Scouse full-back has already contributed 12 assists this season, and finished 19th in the Ballon d’Or vote last December.

"He’s a sensational player, a rare talent,” Cafu said.

"If he keeps playing the way he has been he will be regarded as one of the best players in the world.

"He’s technically brilliant, he has so much quality. He has a Brazilian style of play. I love watching him play. And playing in such a great team will help him grow."