Daily Schmankerl: Klopp helpless to end Thiago speculation, Müller trolls Bild, Javi’s future number at Athletic Bilbao...

Jürgen Klopp wishes he could stop speculation about Thiago (Eurosport)

Bayern Munich’s Thiago is not the only person sick of the constant media speculation about his future. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp is also tiring of the endless questions about Thiago’s potential transfer to Merseyside.

Klopp told the press today after being asked yet again about Thiago, “If I invented a word that would end speculation, I could become really rich. I can’t end speculation as long as the transfer window is open.”

“Thiago Alcantara is a really good player,” Klopp added, “It’s nice we are linked with him, but that’s pretty much all really. Liverpool is a big club, so it’s nice, but apart from that, I’ve got nothing to say. Unfortunately I cannot end the speculation.”

Klopp also downplayed the contract situation of Giorginio Wijnaldum. The press have speculated that Liverpool might sign Thiago to replace him if he should transfer to FC Barcelona. Klopp seems to think Wijnaldum will stay in Liverpool at least for the near future.

“It’s all good with Gini,” he said. “Absolutely fine about the future as far as we are involved. I can’t speak about a few years, but it’s all good for the moment. You know the situation — between me, Gini and the club, everything is fine.”

Müller trolls Bild over Thiago at practice (Bild)

As the world noticed yesterday, Thiago Alcantara did not take a “transfer-vacation” as claimed by Bild, but returned to team training at Säbener Strasse. He and the team were in good spirits at the game.

At one moment, Thiago nutmegged Niklas Süle, prompting Thomas Müller to call out, “Nice farewell present!” Bild, of course, took the comment as another indication that Thiago is on his way out. We, however, prefer to interpret it as ridiculing the constant claims that Thiago had already told the locker room farewell.

That’s our story and were sticking with it.

Incidentally, head coach Hansi Flick missed the team’s first training session to attend the funeral of TSG Hoffenheim president Peter Hoffmann. Flick worked closely with Hofmann during his time at Hoffenheim (2000-2005) Hermann Gerland directed the training session.

Javi looking forward to the no. 2 shirt at Athletic Bilbao

A Spanish journalist spent Friday morning watching Bayern’s training online and overheard Javi Martinez chatting with Thiago and Lucas Hernandez: “If I go to Athletic, they’ve left me the number 2.” That’s the only jersey number at Athletic that’s not already claimed!

Jerome Boateng goes purple

Jerome Boateng channeled his inner Megan Rapinoe and showed up to practice with the hair color of champions:

Teammate Michael Cuisance, meanwhile, has become the Real Slim Shady:

Schalke’s DFB game vs Schweinfurt has been postponed (DW)

The controversy arose because the Regionalliga Bayern decided not to end last season, in contrast to the other four Regionalligen. So they decided to promote Türkgücü to the 3.Liga and just end the season, which they are now calling the 2019/21 season. Since Türkgücü was then now in the 3.Liga, that left Schweinfurt as the most successful amateur team in Bayern, and so Schalke’s hypothetical opponent. But the court has now ruled that Türkgücü should have gotten that berth.

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