Anfield breakthrough
After making 12 appearances in the previous campaign, Jones’ tally of 34 in his follow-up season paints the picture of a genuine breakthrough.
He had already scored the winner in a Merseyside derby, and a decisive penalty in the front of the Kop, but 2020/21 saw the academy graduate firmly establish himself as a first-team regular.
His integration began gradually, with Jurgen Klopp preferring the likes of Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita in midfield, but as injuries began to take their toll, Jones’ exposure increased.
It helped that he took the opportunity and ran with it, with an outstanding display against Atalanta in the Champions League followed up by another against Leicester in the Premier League.
Obuh expects Rohr to take positivity from the situation and approach the encounter with determination to improve the team.
“When a situation like this arises, it will give an opportunity to a new observation. It might be a little bit difficult for the coach because he wanted all of them to play together,” Obuh told
Goal.
“Since his desire to see the players play together for more improvement did not materialize because of injuries, he will gain by having an opportunity to see new players in the same positions. So he won’t lose in both ways and that is how football supposed to be.
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Published 1 June 2021
No fewer than 11 Super Eagles players have pulled out of Friday’s international friendly against Cameroon in Austria, The PUNCH reports.
Coach Gernot Rohr initially selected a 31-man squad, before reducing the list of players to 23 last week.
However, that number has been dwindling over the last few days, leaving Rohr scrambling to find replacements in time for the game.
Kenneth Omeruo, Sadiq Umar, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen, Semi Ajayi, Kevin Akpoguma, Zaidu Sanusi, Moses Simon, Simy Nwankwo, Ola Aina and Tyrone Ebuehi have all pulled out of the game, according to Rohr.
While the official reason for the other withdrawals have been medical, player sources told ESPN that outstanding debts owed by the Nigeria Football Federation have played a big part on their unwillingness to risk further injury.
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