Jurgen Klopp revealed that he had a "nice conversation" with Brentford striker Ivan Toney after Liverpool beat his team 4-1 on Saturday.
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Klopp had a hearty chat with ToneyThe manager spilled the beans to the pressHailed the striker's skills in front of goal(C)GettyImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Toney, who has been in impressive form since his return from an eight-month ban for betting breaches, showcased his scoring prowess with his fourth goal in five games against the Reds on Saturday afternoon. However, his strike proved to be a mere consolation as Liverpool bagged a comfortable win with Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo getting on the scoresheet.
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After the match, Klopp was seen engaging in a conversation with Toney and later spoke about it in brief to the press.
"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," Klopp said.
"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."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite intense speculation about Toney's future, with strong links to clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham, the 27-year-old opted to remain with Brentford until the end of the season. However, his impressive performances after his return will continue to attract suitors and Thomas Frank will face an uphill task to hold onto him in the summer.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR TONEY?
Toney's blend of skill, determination, and goal-scoring prowess makes him a coveted asset for any team, and his recent performances have only enhanced his reputation in English football. His stock will only rise if he manages to score against Manchester City as well in their next Premier League encounter on Tuesday.