Jude Bellingham $54m Liverpool 'partner' just made life 'twice as difficult' for Jürgen Klopp

Liverpool has an ambitious plan for a midfield refresh, involving Jude Bellingham and a $54m partner, the latter of whom just made Jürgen Klopp's life harder.

Sport 23:43 18.01.2023
With his side locked in a Premier League relegation battle, Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui opted to make seven changes for Tuesday night's FA Cup replay against Liverpool.
 
Only four players — goalkeeper José Sá, defender Nathan Collins and midfielders Rúben Neves and João Moutinho — kept their places from last weekend's 1-0 victory over West Ham United.
 
But with Wolves trailing to Harvey Elliott's goal, Lopetegui progressively sent on the cavalry. Daniel Podence, Matheus Cunha, Diego Costa and Nelson Semedo all entered the fray, as did Matheus Nunes.
 
Liverpool fans would no doubt have been watching Nunes closely, having read a report this week from Paul Joyce of The Times that Jürgen Klopp wants to sign him to play with Jude Bellingham in a midfield revamp. But how did he play?
 
Well, first and foremost, Nunes was heavily involved. He recorded 55 touches, enough to rank him fifth in the Wolves team even though he only played 45 minutes.
 
He was successful with 28 (or 82 per cent) of the 34 passes he attempted, and five of his eight long balls. Only Neves (22) and Toti (eight) completed more on the night.
 
The Portuguese also delivered two accurate crosses and pitched in with three tackles, both of which were joint-team highs.
 
It wasn't perfect from a statistical point of view, though. He only won four of his nine ground duels, losing a couple to 18-year-old Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajčetić, and gave up possession 11 times overall, a large number for one half of football.
 
Watching footage of Nunes' display, there are nonetheless a few standout moments. Wolves established control of the game in the second period, with Liverpool dropping back, and so his task was principally to progress the ball, sustain pressure and help his side create chances.
 
The 25-year-old functioned as a playmaker in a number of different ways. Klopp is well aware that defensive skills can create openings, and he saw Nunes produce an excellent tackle on Naby Keïta leading to a chance for Adama Traoré.
 
His aforementioned long passing was also a key weapon. At one point, he beat the Liverpool press by sweeping the ball out to fellow substitute Semedo first time, releasing his compatriot into space.
 
He also looked to switch play, no doubt aware that this has been a fruitful strategy against a disorganized Liverpool defense this season. He could look right to left for Rayan Aït-Nouri or left to right for Traoré, isolating him against Kostas Tsimikas.

 

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

The heads of state of Azerbaijan and Vietnam made statements to the press
11:57 12.05.2025
May 12 is International Plant Health Day
11:53 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan and Latvia to establish working group on agriculture
11:53 12.05.2025
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister discusses cooperation prospects with Bahraini Prime Minister
11:48 12.05.2025
Baku to host 1st Forum of European and Postal Leaders
11:46 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan's national coordinator for combating human trafficking
11:42 12.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev met with residents who moved to Kangarli village
11:38 12.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev attended inauguration of Kangarli village secondary school in Aghdam
11:34 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Bahrain mull prospects for cooperation
11:26 12.05.2025
Turkish defense minister to visit Azerbaijan
11:24 12.05.2025
A key message from Ilham Aliyev: Those who don't reckon with us today will regret it tomorrow
11:19 12.05.2025
" We are working on a cable road project connecting Shusha with Khankendi"
11:13 12.05.2025
National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s 102nd anniversary marked in Moldova
11:13 12.05.2025
Sport festival marking National Leader Heydar Aliyev's 102nd anniversary held in German
11:08 12.05.2025
President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended opening of Aghdam Mugham Center
11:04 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan, UAE explore strategic partnership
10:59 12.05.2025
Azerbaijani President sends congratulatory letter to German Chancellor
10:56 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan debuts at Venice Architecture
10:51 12.05.2025
Azerbaijani FM embarks on official visit to Bahrain
10:48 12.05.2025
Jeyhun Bayramov discussed regional issues with UAE Foreign Minister
10:45 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan Army holds activities on cybersecurity
10:39 12.05.2025
Azerbaijan to establish circular power supply among Aghdam and Asgaran
10:32 12.05.2025
National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s 102nd anniversary marked in Stockholm
10:27 12.05.2025
Jazz concert marking Independence Day of Azerbaijan held in Helsinki
10:23 12.05.2025
National Leader Heydar Aliyev's 102nd anniversary celebrated in London
10:16 12.05.2025
10th National Marketing Forum held in Baku
10:13 12.05.2025
First International Congress of Azerbaijani Neurosurgeons wraps up in Baku
10:07 12.05.2025
Jeyhun Bayramov leaves for an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain
10:03 12.05.2025
Members of the Public Council under ANAMA have visited the region
16:52 08.05.2025
The "Roots of Peace" organization will host the "Peace Walk"
16:49 08.05.2025
"Since 1948 SL Heads of State have ‘relayed’ on the Ethnic conflict"
15:32 08.05.2025
A conference on the topic "Heydar Aliyev-Independence and Glorious Victory" was held in Lachin
12:44 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan showcases tourism opportunities in Israel
12:39 08.05.2025
''Azerbaijan House'' opened in Lebanon
12:33 08.05.2025
Vietnam prioritizes strategic and political cooperation with Azerbaijan
12:27 08.05.2025
Opening of new Baku City Prosecutor's Office building held
12:23 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Morocco may organize mutual cultural days
12:15 08.05.2025
Sahiba Gafarova: Heydar Aliyev's personality is symbol of wisdom for every Azerbaijani
12:09 08.05.2025
Milli Majlis to adopt statement on Heydar Aliyev's 102nd birth anniversary
12:03 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan Confederation of Trade Unions organized an event
11:58 08.05.2025
Hamısı