Your morning Liverpool digest on Monday, April 18.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek makes 'revenge' claim ahead of next Liverpool and Chelsea final
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is hopeful 'revenge' can be gained when taking on Liverpool in the FA Cup final.
Thomas Tuchel's side booked their place in the Wembley showpiece fixture by beating Crystal Palace 2-0 this afternoon, setting up a second cup final against the Reds of the season. It was Liverpool who came out on top when the teams met in February as Chelsea fell at the final hurdle of the Carabao Cup.
Goals from Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount have ensured the Londoners can still secure one piece of silverware this campaign, though it is the Reds who are again standing in their way of success.
A repeat of the Carabao Cup final is a scenario the current Champions League holders will hope to avoid, with 'revenge' on the Reds very much on their agenda ahead of the meeting on May 14. Speaking after today's triumph over Palace, Loftus-Cheek told ITV: "We saw it [Man City vs Liverpool] yesterday and we want to get them back, simple as that."
*To read the full story, click here.
Naby Keita truth has fully emerged after his bold Liverpool declaration
Naby Keita prompted a few raised eyebrows earlier this month when asked to assess his Liverpool career.
"I don't believe we've seen the real Naby Keita just yet,” said the midfielder. “I've had quite a few injuries so I'm trying to come back gradually to full form and fitness."
Given almost four years have passed since Liverpool forked out a whopping £52.75million to RB Leipzig for his services - still the third-highest transfer outlay in the club's history - such a declaration was, in some ways, alarming. How can a player still not have realised himself after such a long period?
The Reds career of Keita, though, has always been a curious one, a mixture of hugely encouraging moments and disappointing showings sprinkled with all-too-regular spells on the sidelines through injury. Frustrating, to be concise.
The Guinean, though, could argue he is now starting to finally reveal his full potential at Liverpool. Keita's claim was made shortly before the Reds jetted out to Lisbon to take on Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, a game where Jurgen Klopp turned to the 27-year-old to provide a creative edge alongside Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho in midfield.
*Ian Doyle has more on the midfielder, here.
