Liverpool news LIVE updates: Express Sport brings you the latest from Anfield

Monday 4 December

Leon Goretzka speaks out

14.30: Liverpool target Leon Goretzka has admitted he will soon make a decision on his future in January.

“I have to find out for myself what the next step should be,” he said after Schalke’s 2-2 draw with Cologne.

“I have to consider a million things. I am a person who is very meticulous in such decisions. I play through all the scenarios. So I need time.

“There doesn’t exist a deadline, but I think we are in the final phase. The final decision will be made in January.”

Suarez tormented kitchen staff

12.45: Luis Suarez used to torment the canteen staff at Liverpool’s training ground before he left for Barcelona.

But that didn’t stop him sending his best wishes to two of them when he returned to Melwood to visit last year.

Barcelona star Suarez asked staff to “tell Carol and Caroline I said hello” - and now they have revealed what it was like to work with him.

Carol and Caroline have been employed by the club for 13 years - catering to their every need to ensure they are eating well.

“It was lovely when he came back to see us, we loved it,” Caroline said. “It was such a big surprise for us to see him, and for him to come back to see us meant so much.

“Even though his English wasn’t very good at times, he used to torment us when he was here.”

Team news

10.50: Joel Matip is set to miss Liverpool's Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow at Anfield on Wednesday (7.45pm).

The Cameroon defender picked up a knock against Stoke which ruled him out of the 5-1 win over Brighton on Saturday.

And Liverpool will also be without the 26-year-old for their final Group E match, with the Reds requiring a point to progress to the knockout stages.

Joe Gomez and Ragnar Klavan are both in contention after illness, while Loris Karius is set to return in goal having been preferred to Simon Mignolet for European fixtures thisseason.

Sadio Mane was an unused substitute against Brighton and will come back into the starting XI, while Roberto Firmino is likely to continue up front after his double at the Amex.

Liverpool predicted team.

Klopp lauds 'annoying' Firmino

09.50: Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Roberto Firmino for being an “annoying” player for opposing teams to face.

“Roberto scored twice, but what he did around these goals is what excites me the most, to be honest,” Klopp said after the 5-1 win over Brighton.

“In all the counter-attacks, pretty much, he won the ball.

“By being here, by being a little annoying, a little foot, a little toe - that for us is important.”

Matip injury update

09.30: Jurgen Klopp has revealed Joel Matip will miss Wednesday's meeting with Spartak Moscow due to injury but is not expected to be a long-term absentee.

"He has hurt his muscle. I don't know how long exactly he'll be out, but he's definitely not playing Wednesday," he said.

"A month? No, I don't think so. But as always, it's possible. We have to wait.

"But it's possible that it will be shorter. We will see."

Barcelona back in for Coutinho 

09.00: Barcelona will attempt to lure Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in the January transfer window with another huge bid.

Barca were knocked back three times in their attempts to sign the Brazilian in the summer.

But Italian outlet Calciomercato claim they plan to return in the New Year with an £88m bid.

Coutinho is under contract at Anfield until June 2022 but handed in a transfer request last summer.