Liverpool will play against Crystal Palace in their second Premier League game.
The Red’s boss talks about the front three and provides team news ahead of the clash.
Dejan Lovren –Ragnar Klavan
“Ragnar didn’t train. Dejan didn’t train.
“I think that’s it, pretty much.
“I didn’t hear if anything is finally sorted. But it’s possible that players will leave.
“If that happens, it will always be good for all three sides.”
Roy Hodgson
“We are still in a process. We have to develop. We are not the best team in the world. There is a lot of space for us to improve.
“It’s very important because we are not alone. Our supporters like the way we are doing it.
“If you cannot deliver or the supporters ask for something impossible, that’s not healthy.
“Against West Ham was good, but I saw Palace play against Fulham and they have grown as a group. Roy is doing a fantastic job there.”
Rocky analogy
“We really want to work, play football and fight for each point that we can get.
“Sometimes Rocky went down but in the end he won the fight!
“Maybe we need to be ready for all the different things that can happen in a game.
“West Ham was almost perfect but other things could have happened.”
Outgoings
“If Klavan leaves then I suggested it. That’s how it is.”
“It’s about the situation. How is the offer? How is the need for us?
“We are not in a financial situation where we have to do that [move players out].
“We can give a few players an opportunity [to leave] but we have to see how many.”
Front three
“They don’t count the goals of the other guy. They enjoy playing together and that’s very good.
“I love the possibility that we can bring other players in with similar qualities.
“It’s not about having a competition, it’s about working together. That’s obvious.
“I don’t think they are bothered about specific numbers of goals. They just want to win football games.
“They like the way we play and they get the benefit of that.
“They give a lot of things back to the team in their defensive work.
“You cannot win football games if they don’t like to work.”
Atmosphere
“Fantastic atmosphere, there. They won their first game and they are full of confidence.
“It’s a completely different game.
“We need to stay positive, but stay angry as well.”
Gomez
“There’s no doubt about Joe’s ability to play centre-half, but he needs time.
“He’s had a long injury. He’s fit which is very good. Together with Virgil they have a very good understanding.
“But we have the others as well. Joel is close to being back and could be in the squad on Monday.
“Dejan is still injured but we have Matt Phillips and Fabinho can play the position as well, if we need.
“That’s good. We have enough players. We need to see who fits the opponents best and then pick the line-up.”
Zaha
“He’s very important.
“With all the good results they had they gained a lot of confidence.
“He scored [in the first game] but they played real football.
“They are a very good football team. But of course each team needs different players, but if you have one doing it constantly, that’s good as well.
“I think they are pretty happy he signed a new contract.”
Benteke
“Anyone who thinks about writing him off makes a big mistake.
“He didn’t score too often last season but he always has opportunities.
“He’s a tough challenge to defend. Especially set pieces when he is around.
“Roy has really calmed the whole situation down there.
“Now they start really playing football, which is nice to see - but not for us on Monday!
“We go there to win the game, that is clear, but we cannot win without information on the opponent.
“We need to control their quality.”
