‘Liverpool stars deserve Ballon d’Or nominations’

Liverpool have seven players on the Ballon d’Or shortlist with manager Jurgen Klopp insisting all are fully worthy of the accolade.

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum were all named on a 30-man shortlist for the annual award on Monday.

The nominations follow on from an incredible 2018-19 campaign for the Champions League winners, with Klopp’s side also finishing second to Manchester City in a thrilling Premier League title race.

Speaking ahead of his team’s European game against Genk on Wednesday, Klopp has no doubt Liverpool’s stars are worthy contenders for the honour.

“It’s nice. I don’t understand or know too much about these kinds of things. When you win it is big but when you don’t win it hopefully it doesn’t hurt too much,” Klopp told a news conference.

“It’s a very good sign but after last season it is normal that a lot of players have to be nominated. – Omnisport