Danny Murphy explains why it is ‘beneficial’ Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will miss first leg of Champions League tie with Bayern Munich

Danny Murphy explains why it is ‘beneficial’ Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will miss first leg of Champions League tie with Bayern Munich
Danny Murphy believes it is beneficial Liverpool will be without Virgil van Dijk for the home leg of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.The Bundesliga champions will travel to Anfield in February for a titanic clash between two of Europes best sides for a place in the quarter-finals.2

Van Dijk looks horrified after receiving the yellow card which means he will miss the first leg

However, the Reds will be without their Dutch defender after he was shown a controversial yellow card for a tackle on Dries Mertens in the final group game against Napoli.Murphy, who spent seven years with the Reds, believes the timing of the subsequent suspension for Van Dijk is beneficial for the Reds.With the away leg in Germany two weeks later, the worlds most expensive defender would be available after serving the one-match ban.He said on the Jim White Show: I think actually that its beneficial to Liverpool that they are going to be losing him for the home game rather than the away game.2

The Netherlands international won the ball, but caught the man

Thats actually a little plus from the situation.I thought he was dreadfully unlucky to be honest. I was not of the opinion that he has done anything wrong with that tackle at all.Gomez should be back I think and Matip and actually what Gomez, Matip and [Dejan] Lovren have shown recently is that they are all very capable.Both Gomez and Matip have suffered injuries in recent weeks, with Dejan Lovren partnering van Dijk at the back. However, in three months the current injury crisis at the back is set to subside and Murphy believes Jurgen Klopp has more than enough to cope for one game.Are they going to be better with Van Dijk? Yes, but they cant have him, he continued.So what theyll do is what they normally do whether Van Dijk is playing or not.Theyll be on the front foot, theyll go after them, theyll make them play, theyll press all over the pitch and the defenders will have to cope.Ideally, you would like Van Dijk in this type of game. But if you were going to choose one (if they were allowed) you wo0uld choose him to miss the home one because they will be on top.

---

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: £15m deal agreed for Daniel James, Romelu Lukaku swap MANCHESTER UNITED news and gossip is coming thick and fast. Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very
Report: Manchester United Open to Romelu Lukaku, Alexis

---

Vinnie Jones has slammed the mass-rotation policy of top-flight managers in the FA Cup and urged them to respect England's oldest cup competition. Newport County delivered the third round's biggest shock by eliminating former Premier League champions Leicester with a stunning 2-1 victory at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
~ Liverpool stat: FA Cup fixture with Wolves completes

---

West Ham will hand out a lifetime ban to the person who threw a cup at Troy Deeney at the London Stadium. The 30-year-old was the centre of attention for his celebration after putting away a penalty during Watford's 2-0 victory over the Hammers.
West Ham vow to dish out lifetime ban to fan who threw cup at

---

Luke Shaw hails 'positive' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, admits mood

---

Sadio Mane's house burgled during Liverpool's Champions League game against Bayern Munich was at Anfield playing in the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Bayern Munich in the
Liverpool star's house burgled during Champions League clash
liverpoollatestnews.com/liverpool-stars-house-burgled-during-champions-league-clash-140826/
While Liverpool were playing Bayern Munich at Anfield, there was a burglary at club forward Sadio Mane's house. The items that were stolen from the Senegal international's house included car keys, watches and mobile phones.
Sadio Mane's house burgled during Liverpool's Champions

---

Man Utd flop reveals why Angel Di Maria was always FINED under Louis van Gaal MANCHESTER UNITED star Marcos Rojo has revealed why he and Angel Di Maria would repeatedly be fined by the club. By Aaron Stokes
The Club That Will OVERTAKE Manchester United - One News Page

---

Crystal Palace could see one of their misfits leave the club in the January transfer window. According to a report by Takvim, Fenerbahce are keen on taking Jairo Riedewald on loan as the player
Celta Vigo target move for Crystal Palace midfielder Jairo

---

Unai Emery's Arsenal face Tottenham tonight Tottenham vs Arsenal: Team news and line-ups. Tottenham are set to still be without the injured Dele Alli and ill Eric Dier for the north London derby. Vertonghen didn't feature in Wednesday's defeat at Chelsea due to a hip problem but should be fit.
Tottenham vs Arsenal: Free stream, full coverage and team
hollywoodadviser.com/tottenham-vs-arsenal-free-stream-full-coverage-and-team-news-for-north-london-derby-live-on-talksport/
Unai Emery's Arsenal face Tottenham tonight. Tottenham vs Arsenal: Team news and line-ups. Tottenham are set to still be without the injured Dele Alli and ill Eric Dier for the north London derby. Vertonghen didn't feature in Wednesday's defeat at Chelsea due to a hip problem but should be fit.
Arsenal news live: Inter consider Mesut Ozil bid, massive

---

Stephen Kenny will replace the newly-appointed Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland manager after the Euro 2020 finals. It was announced that McCarthy would take over the helm after Martin O'Neill
Stephen Kenny to succeed Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland

---

Mark Bosnich believes Stoke star may turn down Chelsea and join the Red Devils if David De Gea moves to Real Madrid Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United a 'done deal', talkSPORT told Former Red Devils goalkeeper Mark Bosnich claims the Southampton midfielder will move to Old Trafford in the coming days
The world's biggest sports radio station | talkSPORT

---

Dwight Gayle has been handed a two-match retrospective ban after accepting a charge for diving in West Brom's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, the Football Association has announced.. The Baggies

---