Jurgen Klopp admittd Ivan Toney was a handful for his Liverpool defense when the pair had a brief chat which invloved discussing the Brentford striker’s support for the Reds.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The 28-year-old has been left out of Brentford’s matchday squad for today’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace as he continues to be linked with a move away from the club, with Thomas Frank citing this reason as the main factor behind the decision.
Toney has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the current transfer window, while Liverpool has been previously mentioned in the same breadth in the past. However, a move to Anfield is not currently on the cards.
But that may have been different had Klopp remained at Liverpool beyond last season, with the German previously revealing his fondness for the England international in a press conference following Liverpool’s 4-1 win in February.
Having been spotted engaging in conversation with Toney following the game, Klopp opened up on what was said between the pair. Speaking to the press, he said: “It was more like smiling at him, he’s a handful and really tricky – I used a different word but it’s really tricky to play against him obviously.
“Am I right that he’s a Liverpool supporter? He’s not shy to say that?” he asked. “Then I can admit it as well. We spoke a little bit about that and he wished me good luck for my time after these things here. A lot of players said it. It was a nice conversation. I had one with [Vitaly] Janelt as well.”
Ivan Toney scored in Brentford’s 4-1 defeat at Anfield in February
Toney had only recently returned from an eight-month ban for betting breaches ahead of Brentford’s trip to Merseyside earlier this year, yet picked up where he left off with four goals in five games for the Bees, which included a consolation strike against the Reds.
With 72 goals and 23 assists in 141 games since joining from Peterborough United in 2020, Toney has become one of the club’s most prolific bagsman and linked with big money moves to some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs as a result.
However, Frank’s decision to omit him from today’s squad for Brentford’s clash with Crystal Palace suggest the club is ready to get on with life without him this season, and had already prepared for his departure by splashing out around $39million (£30m/€35m) on Club Brugge striker Igor Thiago.
