Liverpool news LIVE updates: Thomas Lemar boost, Klopp warns Ox, Mane fitness update

Liverpool news LIVE updates: Follow all the latest from Anfield

Thursday 19 October

Liverpool TV fixtures

16:29: Liverpool will play on TV FOUR TIMES during December.

Sky Sports and BT Sport have released their televised fixtures for the festive period.

Liverpool will play Arsenal on December 22 - a Friday - instead of a proposed Christmas Eve clash.

They will also face Everton on December 10 in the Merseyside derby, Bournemouth on December 17 and Swansea on Boxing Day.

Liverpool team predicted to face Tottenham

13:09: Jurgen Klopp has no fresh injury worries ahead of Liverpool's trip to face Tottenham at Wembley, though Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana remain sidelined.

Mane will return to full training next week, while Lallana is pencilled in for a November comeback.

Philippe Coutinho's strong return to the Liverpool set-up has been a welcome relief for Klopp though, and a big performance will be expected of him.

Click through the gallery below to reveal the predicted Liverpool team to face Spurs on Sunday.

Gerrard hails Woodburn

11.20: Steven Gerrard has hailed Ben Woodburn and his impact on the other youngsters at Liverpool.

“I think Ben needs to play at the moment so if Jurgen doesn't need him at first-team level it's an excellent opportunity to come and play with his friends who he came through the system with; be the captain and leader in this team and set the example," said the former Liverpool captain.

"I am pleased with Ben because his attitude and mentality when he comes down to train at the academy is 10 out of 10. That gives everyone a lift.

"His mates are so happy to have him around and he is smiling and playing around with them so it is a great mix.

"We all know Ben is going to play different types of football this year, he knows that and is happy with that.

"The challenge is when he comes down to this level can he approach it like a first-team game and so far he has been excellent.

"I think the reason we are getting positive performances is because everyone is bouncing off him."

Aldridge slam

10.35: John Aldridge has slammed the Liverpool front line.

Aldridge says Jurgen Klopp needs someone to lead his attack and believes they will struggle until the do.

Aldridge said: “While this Liverpool team will score goals, they will not be complete until they get a potent lead striker and the players they have at the club now are not doing the job required of them.

“Daniel Sturridge is not the player he was a couple of years back, Roberto Firmino will never be a lead striker and Dominic Solanke is a young kid making his way in the game. So Klopp and his transfer committee need to solve this scoring problem as soon as possible.”

Mane fitness boost

09.30: Sadio Mane could be set to resume full Liverpool training next week after a hamstring injury.

Mane made a blistering start to the season with three goals in Liverpool's first three Premier League games.

But Liverpool were rocked last week when the attacker was ruled out for six weeks after suffering the injury while playing for Senegal in a World Cup qualifier.

It was hoped Mane would be fit enough to return after the November international break when they face Southampton, Sevilla and then Chelsea on November 25.

Senegal need two points to qualify for next year's World Cup and face two huge games against South Africa on November 10 and 14.

And coach Aliou Cisse has risked angering Liverpool by calling up Mane for the double header despite not being fully fit.

But Cisse says Mane is on course to make a sooner than expected recovery.

He said: ”In my mind there's no doubt he will be with us for the double header against South Africa and that he will be 100 per cent fit.

"Until now, he has just been doing some individual training - running in straight lines - but from next week, he is going to train harder and start working with the ball."

Gerrard on Matic

09.15: Steven Gerrard admitted he was concerned for Liverpool when he found out Manchester United had signed Nemanja Matic this summer.

Matic joined Manchester United in a shock £40million move from Premier League rivals Chelsea this summer.

Since making the switch to Old Trafford the 29-year-old has been hugely impressive, becoming a rock for Jose Mourinho in the heart of midfield.

And Steven Gerrard has admitted he was hugely concerned as a Liverpool fan when he discovered the Serbia international had made the move.

"I couldn't believe it," Gerrard told BT Sport. 

“I think out of all the Manchester United players I've seen them sign over the years he's the one, as a Liverpool fan, I thought, 'Oh no. I hope not,' and then it happened.

"[He's] one of the toughest opponents I've played against as a No.6. 

“He's very leggy, he's good in the air, he competes, he always gets a toe in, he can run and match your runs.

"He's very aggressive with the ball and without the ball, he can burst past you with it and he can catch you if you manage to stride past him on the odd occasion.”

Thomas Lemar boost

08.45: Liverpool have had a boost in their pursuit of Thomas Lemar with Bayern Munich pulling out of the race, according to reports.

Lemar was wanted by both Liverpool and Arsenal in the summer and they are expected to try again for the France star.

And it could be a straight battle between the Premier League sides with Bayern ending their interest.

Monaco chief Vadim Vasilyev has admitted he is likely to move on in the summer.

"Definitely next summer will be something to look at, although you know in football there are no guarantees," said Vasilyev.

"We had some players who were supposed to leave this summer but didn't leave because of X, Y, Z. I think it would be fair to say Thomas will have a fair chance to an exit next year.”

Klopp warns Ox

08.30: Jurgen Klopp has warned Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to get used to the wings.

The England ace moved to Liverpool from Arsenal this summer because he wants to play through the middle.

But Klopp has said he’s not ready to move inside yet.

“Without training and playing in the middle of the park it doesn't make sense,” Klopp said.

“At this moment he is training only on the wing so it is clear, when he does start [playing in the middle, it] can never be without training as a No 8 first.

“It is not good for him, and it is not good for us, and at the moment when he is training he trains on the wing.

“At the moment it is clear but I know once again it is a long-term thing, it is not fixed for the next five years.”