Champions League or bust after another cup bites the dust for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp – The Warm-Up

MONDAY’S BIG STORIES

Liverpool

If revenge against Brighton was not forthcoming, against Real Madrid it may be impossible in this current form, as no club enjoys putting Liverpool in their place quite like Real Madrid.

Brighton are though giving Real Madrid a run for their money in that department, having beaten Liverpool for a second time this month.

It leaves Liverpool very much resting their hopes on Europe, and it may even be their only route back to the Champions League next season at this rate.

“We will not fall apart, I can tell you,” he insisted. “If it looks like that, I’m sorry. It’s not that we were falling apart late on, it was frustration – players get yellow cards, that happens.

“After we came back from the World Cup break we wanted to go for it. So far, it didn’t happen properly. But it just means we have to keep working. There were some very good performances today.

“I’m not over the moon about this performance overall. But this was much better. Two weeks ago was horrendous.”

And, credit where it’s due, a shoutout to Brighton. Not only do they keep unearthing gems, Kaoru Mitoma cost just £2.5m… but they are also dismantling the elite (every so often) while the elite try and dismantle them every single transfer window. It’s a truly astonishing achievement, but a constant battle against the big boys.

Speaking of…

Moises to part with Brighton?

Hijacks, come and get your hijacks. There’s two full days remaining of this January transfer window, and with hijack the buzzword this month it remains to be seen what will happen with Moises Caicedo.

“I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful,” Caicedo had said in a post on both Instagram and Twitter, although it has been pointed out that it is perhaps those advising him who are to blame – not the player.

Either way, let’s see if that magic £90m-marker is met. Our guess is no, so let’s see if Brighton buckle when offered less. Our guess, after losing another key player this month to Chelsea, is no as well.

Gordon’s arrived!

So long, say Everton fans, to Anthony Gordon, and hello, say Newcastle fans, to, er, Anthony Gordon. Not sure where we’re going with this…

He arrives at St James’ Park having scored seven goals in 78 games for Everton, with three in all competitions so far this season, and so it’s safe to say Gordon has his doubters.

Of course, age is on his side, so there is time to improve all that, while the atmosphere at Newcastle right now is a smidgen happier than at Everton, where Gordon was struggling for starts in recent weeks under Frank Lampard (hang about, they still haven’t announced Sean Dyche?!).

Nevertheless, Gordon and his agent have played a blinder, securing a move up without seemingly warranting the promotion and now having the chance to shine for a team set for silverware in the coming years – and perhaps even next month.

“People haven’t seen what I’m capable of yet,” Gordon told NUFC TV.

“I think the fan base and the city really suits me as a person, the way the team are playing under the gaffer really suits me, and the club just look like they’re heading in the right direction.

“I feel like it’s a really big step. I think under the gaffer, and the way the club’s going, I can really excel here.”

IN OTHER NEWS

A sensational run came to an end yesterday. Don’t cry because Inaki Williams’ seven-year run of La Liga games is over, smile because Inaki Williams’ seven-year run of La Liga games happened.

IN THE CHANNELS

When there are this many OOOOOOs in the tweet, you’re expecting big things.

It delivers.

IN THE CHANNELS II

And a big fan of this, too, from Licha. “My children will remember that moment for the rest of their lives!!!!” said the father after a reply from the man himself, too.

COMING UP

One more FA Cup game tonight, with West Ham heading to Derby County. Tomorrow, you’ve got deadline day, so follow our transfer blog today to find out which names could be cropping up in the next 24 hours or so.