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The Liverpool defender forgotten admits he may have no choice but to leave in summer

One of Liverpool’s fringe players is considering quitting the team at the end of the current Premier League season, so Jurgen Klopp might not be the only one departing.

Sepp van den Berg, a defender for Liverpool, has acknowledged that his opportunities at Anfield have been restricted and that he could need to move on to other pastures the next season.

The 22-year-old centre back Van den Berg came to the Reds as a youth from PEC Zwolle. Jurgen Klopp gave him his Reds debut in the 2019–20 EFL Cup season. He played three times in the team’s journey to the quarterfinals and also made an appearance in the FA Cup that same season.

The Netherlands under-21 international has appeared on the substitute list in several Premier League games but has not actually entered the game. He has been sent out on loan multiple times, playing for Preston in the Championship and Schalke and Mainz in the Bundesliga.

This season, he has been a fixture in the Bundesliga, having recently netted the game-winning goal against Augsburg. Despite the fact that his contract with Liverpool expires in2026, he acknowledged that his future might be elsewhere.

Van den Berg said to Voetbal Nieuws, “If I go back to Liverpool, they might want me to stay” (via The Echo ). If it appears that I won’t be getting much playing time, I may decide to quit. Playing is incredibly essential to me.

“I didn’t think I would be starting next to Virgil [van Dijk}] last year. What my chances are going to be like next summer is still unknown to me. I believe that I’m doing well. I’m able to play at Liverpool. I’m competitive. However, starting over is not the same. It’s difficult to defeat [Ibrahima] Konate and Virgil. I anticipate difficulty.”

As Liverpool defeated Brentford 4-1 on Saturday, Van Dijk and Konate started as the starting centre back duo. Although Joel Matip has also started games in the middle, his future is uncertain due to a significant injury and an expiring contract.

After coming on at the half, Van den Berg’s countryman Cody Gakpo contributed a goal and an assist off the bench to help lead the team to victory. After the triumph, the former PSV player told club reporters, “I think we have to keep the feeling what we have at the moment and just build on that.”

“We have another crucial game coming up in the middle of the week, and there’s still another crucial game on the weekend. Only significant games will likely be announced going forward. We must maintain our focus and fitness and we need everyone.”

Manager Jurgen Klopp said that Darwin Nunez “felt something” before introducing Gakpo. As the Reds go ready for a league match against Luton and the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, they will be worried about the health of the Uruguayan as well as Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, both of whom were sidelined before halftime.

February 18, 2024
Ten goals thus far this year: Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in a €50 million-rated attacker.

Benjamin Sesko, a striker for RB Leipzig, has been connected to a move to the Premier League in recent weeks.

According to a BILD article, the 20-year-old Slovenian striker’s skills have caught the interest of several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.

Barcelona and other teams like Manchester City will compete with them. It’s unclear if Arsenal and Liverpool will be able to pay the €50 million release clause in the 20-year-old striker’s contract, which can be activated at the end of the current campaign.

Arsenal needs to add a goal scorer to the team who can challenge Gabriel Jesus for the starting lineup. The Brazilian international has only netted four goals in the Premier League this year, demonstrating his inconsistent goal-scoring ability.

With the correct coaching, Sesko might become a top-tier Premier League striker and help Arsenal with their goal scoring woes.

This season, the young, gifted striker from Slovenia has already scored ten goals in all competitions. He will probably become better with guidance and experience. He will perform better and increase his numbers if he plays with more skilled individuals.

Liverpool, however, might also benefit from having a deeper offensive lineup. Mohamed Salah may leave the Reds at the end of the year, and while Sesko isn’t the Egyptian’s logical successor, he will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s goal total.

The two English teams are undoubtedly wealthy enough to pay €50 million for him, but it is unclear where the player will ultimately find up.

More news……

Liverpool supporters will be intrigued by the “historic” transfer news that Fabrizio Romano shares.

Kylian Mbappe has notified PSG that he will be leaving the French team at the end of the 2023–24 season.

The aforementioned news was posted by Fabrizio Romano on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account.

🚨🇫🇷 It’s 100% over between Kylian Mbappé and PSG.

Real Madrid are on it and Paris Saint-Germain have specific plan ready to replace Mbappé. pic.twitter.com/tEa37ooMtr

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2024

Could Liverpool be in the mix?

Now that the striker is about to become a free agency, Real Madrid is anticipated to seize this opportunity.

Is Liverpool a possible contender?
The World Cup-winning forward has long been linked to us, but expecting Liverpool to make a deal would be, to put it mildly, ludicrous.

Being a free agent would spare us from having to pay an asking price that would set a record. On the other hand, Mbappe’s salary demands ought to be sufficient to stymie any potential negotiations.

According to GOAL, the 25-year-old is reportedly requesting almost £60 million annually.

When accounting for his playing contract and image rights contract, Mo Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, “conservatively” believes that his client would earn between £46.8 and £53.7m over the next few years (Guardian).

Therefore, it’s reasonable to conclude that in order to accommodate Mbappe at Anfield, we would need to completely remove our pay cap.

To be honest, it is simply not going to occur, is it?

More news……

‘Huge’ transfer kitty from FSG to be received by Liverpool’s new manager

The transfer budget that Liverpool will provide its next manager is enormous; only one Premier League team could match them.

Football Insider has been informed by sources that Liverpool plans to make significant summer window purchases in anticipation of selecting a new director of football and manager.

The Premier League’s Financial Fair Play regulations and off-field factors including as Jurgen Klopp’s departure are thought to have hindered the Reds’ ability to make significant purchases in January.

Just 17 permanent moves were completed in the English top division during the mid-season window, with FFP leaving its imprint on most clubs.

However, Football Insider has been informed by a reliable source that a “big spend” is anticipated as normal in the summer as teams aim to complete their primary business.

In terms of purchasing power, Man United is expected to challenge Liverpool after the INEOS-backed takeover was revealed last year.

Although teams like the Reds are likely to be cautious of FFP limitations, a robust summer transfer window is anticipated despite a quiet January.

Financial wizard Kieran Maguire also revealed to Football Insider on February 6 that Klopp’s successor at Liverpool will have access to a “huge” summer transfer budget.

Football Insider (January 28) disclosed that the Merseysiders have designated Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso as their top target and are preparing to make a move for him.

With the addition of Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch to their roster last summer, the Reds completely revamped their midfield.

Despite having played one more game than Man City, who are in second place, Klopp’s team leads the Premier League by two points.

February 17, 2024
Significant information on Thiago Alcantara signing a new contract, exclusively from Liverpool

Given that Thiago Alcantara’s contract expires in the summer, is he leaving Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp?

Thiago Alcantara is not expected to remain with Liverpool past this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

After missing nearly a year due to a hip ailment, the 32-year-old has just recently resumed activity.

During that period, Thiago experienced a number of hurdles in his recuperation process before making his eagerly anticipated return from the bench in Sunday’s (3-1) away loss against Arsenal. He is anticipated to be included in the team for Saturday’s Premier League matchup with Burnley.

After acquiring the midfield player from Bayern Munich in 2020, Jurgen Klopp has developed a deep affection for him and, when the player is healthy, nearly always finds room for him in his lineup.

He is viewed by Klopp as having a distinct skill set from any of his other midfield players and being able to control the play of the team in a way that very few players worldwide can.

To stand a chance of receiving an extension, Thiago is thought to need to remain healthy and contribute significantly for the remainder of the 2023–24 season, as Klopp is expected to leave this summer.

The former Spain international’s current contract at Anfield is set to end in June when he turns 33.

On Merseyside, Thiago is rumoured to make £200,000 per week, but he hasn’t signed a contract extension since joining the team.

Since his original signing, the right-footer has only made 98 appearances for Liverpool and has not been a consistent starter.

In the 2022–23 season, he only made 14 league starts due to a variety of injuries that limited his playing time.

The most recent summer transfer window saw a major midfield overhaul for Klopp’s Liverpool team with the arrival of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were two of the midfield players who left Anfield.

The arrival of Thiago might help Liverpool win the Premier League.

Despite having played one more game than second-place Man City, who have played one fewer game, the Reds are currently leading the league with 51 points.

More news…….

Liverpool has made the initial move to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager by hiring a manager with 83 career victories.

Liverpool has made the initial move to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager by hiring a manager with 83 career victories.

As Liverpool begins to get ready for life without Jürgen Klopp at Anfield, they have now been in touch with Xabi Alonso.

That’s what Foot Mercato says.

What’s new with Liverpool and Xabi Alonso, then? Let’s examine this.

Xabi Alonso is contacted by Liverpool
Since Klopp made his announcement that he will be departing Liverpool this summer, the 42-year-old has been seen by many as the front-runner to succeed him.

Foot Mercato reports that the Reds have now been in touch with Alonso.

According to the French news source, Liverpool is now able to move forward with their plans to sign the Spaniard after the current campaign.

But according to reports, Alonso is still happy at Bayer Leverkusen, so for now, it’s just an inquiry from Liverpool rather than something more substantial.

This season, the Tolosa-born tactician has gained recognition in Germany as Bayer Leverkusen has astonishingly yet to drop a game after 30 games.

With 16 victories and 4 ties in 20 games, Alonso has Bayer Leverkusen leading the Bundesliga. The team is also undefeated in the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Europa League.

The former Liverpool player, who played 210 games, has managed 165 games and overseen 83 victories overall. It is an incredible record to say the least.

Liverpool considers one individual to be a potential replacement for Xabi Alonso.

According to Foot Mercato, Alonso might decide to take over at Real Madrid or Bayern Munich at some point, thus Liverpool would need to find other options.

Gianluigi Longari of TV Dello Sport claims that Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP is one substitute that “stands out” to the Reds.

In Lisbon, the Portuguese strategist has performed admirably, leading Sporting to its first Primeira Liga championship since 2002 in 2021.

As Liverpool looks to appoint Alonso as their top pick, be careful to monitor this development.

February 8, 2024
Preview: Liverpool vs Burnley: lineups, team news, and prediction

When Liverpool exit the pitch on Saturday for their match against Burnley at Anfield, they might have already lost their Premier League position.

Last Saturday, the Reds’ hopes of winning the title were dealt one of the biggest blows yet as they lost 3-1 to Arsenal, while Vincent Kompany’s team rallied from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Fulham.

Match Preview

It wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate to characterise Liverpool’s performance at the Emirates last weekend as a defensive disasterclass. The Reds’ 15-match Premier League winning streak and 11-game winning streak across all competitions, which had persisted since their previous trip to North London, came to an abrupt end.

An odd After Bukayo Saka had broken the deadlock, Gabriel Magalhaes’ own goal may have pulled Liverpool even against the run of play, but in the second half, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk combined for a defensive mishap that gave Gabriel Martinelli an open goal before the latter was beaten at his near post by Leandro Trossard in added time.

Jurgen Klopp was devastated by Ibrahima Konate’s dismissal, as his team left the Emirates bruised, bloodied, and rightfully defeated. The German manager went on to claim that “everything” went wrong for his team on their fruitless trip to the capital.

In terms of Premier League rankings, Liverpool is still unbeaten, but their lead over Arsenal and Manchester City is now just two points. The Citizens, who have a game in hand, have the opportunity to move up to second place by defeating Everton in the midday kickoff.

The Merseyside audience has witnessed the Reds escape loss in twenty-three of their previous top-flight matches, so redemption will be the order of the day at Anfield. However, Burnley has the slimmest chance of winning after six straight games without a clean sheet at home in all competitions.

As Liverpool pursued title glory all the way to the finish, Steven Gerrard famously nearly pulled off an Etihad surprise with his Aston Villa team on the last day of the 2021–22 season. Even if the stakes might not be as high in February, Man City legend Vincent Kompany can still lend a helpful hand to his former employers on Merseyside.

One of the most predictable results in the Premier League this season—the Clarets losing at Turf Moor—was about to happen when Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz put Fulham two goals ahead by halftime last weekend. The Belgian’s Citizens reunion on January 31 went as planned as Burnley lost 3-1 to the champions.

But Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana used his super-sub abilities once more with a late brace, scoring his second of the afternoon in the first minute of injury time, and allowing himself to be hounded by the jubilant Lancashire supporters after providing an assist off the bench against Man City.

The visitors’ situation is still dire, though, as their 13 points are only one point over Sheffield United, the team in the cellar, while the 19th-place Clarets are seven points below the 17th-place Luton Town, who still have a game remaining.

Although their team has scored in each of their last four Premier League away games, the travelling supporters should find some solace in the fact that they have lost their last four Premier League games against Liverpool, who triumphed 2-0 on Boxing Day at Turf Moor.

Jarell Quansah will have the opportunity to play alongside Van Dijk in the middle of defence this weekend as Liverpool centre back Konate serves a one-game ban after being forced to face the walk of shame for two bookable offences on Sunday.

Thiago Alcantara, Alexis Mac Allister, and Darwin Nunez—who is playing for the first time since April—were all deemed healthy to take on the Gunners. However, Dominik Szoboszlai was a late scratch from the squad due to a thigh issue, and it’s unclear if Conor Bradley will play this weekend after his father passed away.

Wataru Endo ought to be back at Klopp’s disposal after Japan’s elimination from the Asian Cup last weekend. Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Mohamed Salah (thigh), Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), and Joel Matip (knee) are still restricted to the hospital.

Burnley’s two injured players, Luca Koleosho (knee) and Nathan Redmond (thigh), will watch this match from the sidelines. Charlie Taylor, an Englishman, can relate to Liverpool’s left-backs because he is dealing with a shoulder issue.

While fellow defender Hjalmar Ekdal only played until halftime against Fulham before being replaced by Montpellier HSC loanee Maxime Esteve, who is now expected to make his Clarets debut, Jordan Beyer (thigh) and Hannes Delcroix (knock) are also on Kompany’s touch-and-go list.

Datro Fofana could have done more to push his way into the visitors’ two-pronged assault after his exploits against the Cottagers; Zeki Amdouni or Lyle Foster should make room for the Ivorian.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Endo, Mac Allister; Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Vitinho; Gudmundsson, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert; Datro Fofana, Foster

Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Burnley
When Burnley hosted Liverpool over the Christmas break, they performed admirably, and given the Reds’ tendency to give up goals at home and the Clarets’ propensity for scoring goals away from home, no clean sheets should be kept this weekend.

Even so, Klopp’s team comes into the Anfield roar with more than one point to prove. Expect the injured hosts, who score almost three goals at home in Premier League games, to run wild against their relegation-threatened opponents.

February 8, 2024
The 25-year-old star’s new contract with Liverpool is certain to be agreed upon.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool hopes to begin contract negotiations and guarantee his long-term future with the team.

Liverpool is reportedly highly confident of reaching a deal with the 25-year-old player, according to a Football Insider report. New talks with the player and his representatives are planned for the upcoming months.

Alexander-Arnold is without a doubt the Premier League club’s most valuable asset since he has established himself as one of the league’s greatest players.

If Liverpool want to contend at the greatest level and take home significant trophies in the upcoming seasons, they must hang onto players of his calibre. The defender’s deal with Liverpool expires in the summer of 2025, and the club’s upper management are trying to lock down the futures of the important players.

After the new contract is finalised, the defender is anticipated to rise to the top of the team’s ordering list. He probably makes more than £200,000 every week. Based on his performances in the past several seasons, the 25-year-old most definitely deserves a significant pay increase.

In the upcoming seasons, Alexander-Arnold might very well captain the team he grew up supporting. He is anticipated to be one of the leaders in the Liverpool locker room moving ahead.

At the end of the current campaign, Liverpool needs to make it their top priority to sign him to a new, long-term contract. It is reasonable to presume that the player will be receptive to the idea of signing a new contract as well, considering the success he has had with the Premier League team in recent seasons.

More news…….

Two ideal transfers might result from Liverpool’s next manager.

Ruben Amorim, the manager of Sporting CP, is one of the candidates being mentioned as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement at Liverpool.

Roberto De Zerbi, Xabi Alonso, and Ruben Amorim are only three of the candidates vying for the soon-to-be Liverpool manager position.

Last Friday, Jurgen Klopp announced that he will be leaving his position at the end of the current campaign. Along with the German, Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, and Vitor Matos will also leave Anfield.

Now, in private but in great detail, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) will outline the traits and attributes of potential managers that they believe can successfully guide the Reds ahead. Soon after Klopp made his statement on January 26, bookmakers started to create odds on who would replace the 56-year-old on Merseyside.

Alonso, who played for Liverpool for five fruitful years under Rafa Benitez, became the clear favourite right away. After taking over a weak Leverkusen team in 2022, the Spaniard has performed marvels in North Rhine Westphalia.

After eighteen months, they are ahead of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga standings, posing a challenge to the Bavarians’ hegemony in the German top division. In response to the decision, Klopp’s right-hand man Lijnders stated earlier this week that he had no intention of staying at Anfield, dispelling rumours that he might take over as manager.

Head coach of Sporting CP Amorim is one name that has garnered attention lately. The 39-year-old’s odds of winning the job after Klopp have shifted from 14/1 to 5/1.

Portuguese publication Amorim’s contract includes a €20 million (£17 million) release clause, according to a recent record. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will be present at Anfield for the opening home match of the season in August, but considering the club’s potential transfer activities, it might make sense to pursue the Sporting manager.

Recent years have seen a concentration of reinforcements at the offensive and midfield positions. A revamp of the midfield options occurred last summer when Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai of the Bundesliga joined Alexis Mac Allister in Merseyside.

A rampaging frontline that parted ways with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in recent years has added Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez from South America. Business is expected to shift its attention to the backline in the approaching summer window.

Joel Matip is out of contract in the summer and will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury that required surgery. Midway through July, Virgil van Dijk will be 33. At that point, he will, barring an extension, enter the last 12 months of his contract at Anfield.

The final three senior choices are Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ibrahima Konate. This season, Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah have made inroads into the first-team roster as the Reds benefit from the Kirkby Academy.

Transfer rumours are always a possibility, and strengthening Liverpool’s defence is a contentious topic regardless of the team’s current situation. Goncalo Inacio, a defender for Sporting CP, is one of the many names that the rumour mill has been churning out in the last six to twelve months.

The defender, whose contract purportedly contains a £52 million release clause, is still being linked to a move to Anfield. And from the Jose Alvalade Stadium, a new name surfaced in January: Ousmane Diomande

February 6, 2024
The FSG ‘criteria’ for the next manager of Liverpool indicates that a clear favourite is emerging.

Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, is making sure his replacement can start winning in the summer, which may facilitate FSG’s decision-making process.

Much of Jurgen Klopp’s rule has been unparalleled, from ending the lengthy wait for a Premier League title to becoming global champions for the first time to, as of Wednesday, completing 200 wins as Liverpool manager in record time.

Even the way the German will now depart Anfield at the end of the current campaign marks a change for the team.

Since learning of Klopp’s intention to retire back in November, Fenway Sports Group has been in an uncommon and perhaps enviable position in their ongoing search for a replacement.

Naturally, three managers have departed Liverpool when it was solely owned by FSG. Nonetheless, it might be argued that current circumstance differs from previous ones.

Think back to past departures. The current owners fired Brendan Rodgers, Kenny Dalglish, and Roy Hodgson. Earlier in the Premier League era, Rafael Benitez, Gerard Houllier, and Roy Evans—who replaced the fired Graeme Souness thirty years ago—were also helped out. Evans was the first Liverpool manager fired since Phil Taylor in 1959.

A clear succession line had existed between the two sackings. Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly’s assistant, succeeded him, and he then turned things over to Joe Fagan, another bootroom lad. After Fagan left the club after two years, Kenny Dalglish took over as the first and only player-manager of the team.

More seasoned Reds supporters have compared the astonished astonishment following Klopp’s declaration last week to that which followed Dalglish’s departure in February 1991. But that’s probably where the parallels end. Both had given up on managing Liverpool for very different reasons, but the Reds were in a very different place as a team under Dalglish, still processing the fallout from the Hillsborough tragedy that had occurred less than two years earlier and ill-prepared for the Premier League’s impending transformation. Even though the team was still in contention for awards that season, they had grown accustomed to one another and needed a significant change soon.

In contrast, Liverpool has strengthened for the future with the influx of players over the last 18 months and the rise of a few Academy graduates. Several of the more experienced players left last summer. Whatever transpires between now and the end of the campaign, the groundwork is in place for the next person to step up and fight for honours right away.

That’s why it’s similar to Shankly’s bequest to Paisley and Fagan and Dalglish’s subsequent inheritance. Their immediate success—Paisley won the championship and UEFA Cup in his second season, Fagan won a treble in his first, and Dalglish won the double in less than a year—was proof that they took over winning teams.

However, this time there won’t be a replacement from within, highlighting the unique position that FSG hold at Anfield.

So what standards ought to be set for Liverpool’s next manager?

The success under Klopp would point to a model of someone who has won awards, won a lot of silverware, is willing to stick to a long-term plan, believes the Academy can produce players deserving of a chance to play in the first team, understands the financial model that FSG follows and won’t, at least not in public, question their stance.

There isn’t a single plausible candidate that fulfils every single need, and the number of candidates who satisfy even four of the five choices is minuscule. However, the foundation that Klopp and his coaching staff have built over the years implies that any adjustments made by the new manager would be limited.

Of course, there would be certain issues that needed to be resolved, especially if players like Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah still hadn’t signed new contracts. Furthermore, a new manager will constantly want to leave his mark on a team as quickly as feasible. However, the new manager won’t have to supervise an overhaul for what may be the first time since Dalglish took charge in the summer of 1985.

Therefore, much experience in the hot seat is not absolutely necessary. And would help to explain why Xabi Alonso, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton, and Ruben Amorim, the manager of Sporting Lisbon, are among the front-runners. Alonso has a big edge because of his prior ties to Liverpool, in addition to his playing career at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He also has a good opportunity of adding trophies to his resume at the end of the season. He would be perfect in so many ways.

For FSG, Klopp was and still is the ideal manager of Liverpool. It is just not possible to find someone who is comparable, but he has made sure that the next best candidate will have an opportunity to succeed as Anfield’s manager.

February 4, 2024
Preview: Fulham vs. Liverpool: lineups, team news, and prediction

In the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night, Fulham and Liverpool will battle it out for a spot at Wembley against either Chelsea or Middlesbrough.

In their first meeting at Anfield two weeks ago, the Cottagers came close to winning, but the game ended 2-1, leaving the Reds as the latest victims of a comeback.

Match Preview

Fulham didn’t need any instruction in scoring goals at Anfield if December’s seven-goal display was any indication. This is true even though Liverpool won 4-3 in the Premier League extravaganza. Willian’s goal just 19 minutes into the game stunned the Kop into silence.

The former Chelsea player took advantage of an unusual error by Virgil van Dijk, and Fulham’s strong defence held firm until Curtis Jones’s extremely fortunate deflection equaliser, which arrived just moments before Cody Gakpo completed a classic Reds comeback.

At Anfield, Fulham’s demise came with the entrance of Gakpo and chaos agent Darwin Nunez, who finished the game with two assists, yet there was no sense of gloom and

Although Fulham’s demise at Anfield was sealed with the arrivals of Gakpo and chaos agent Darwin Nunez, who finished the game with two assists, there was still hope among the away supporters because their first-ever EFL Cup semi-final match is far from over.

With Fulham hoping to become the 37th different team to play in the EFL Cup final, they will have to overcome an ugly trend that has plagued many first-leg losers prior to them: only 25% of teams that were defeated in the first semi-final encounter managed to win the game in the second meeting.

Three days later, Fulham lost a West London derby against Chelsea due to Cole Palmer’s penalty kick, which deflated the Cottagers. Nevertheless, Silva’s team now hosts their Merseyside rivals at a venue where they have won five of their last six games across all competitions.

Although Fulham hasn’t lost an EFL Cup home match when playing in the top division since September 2007, the Reds have advanced to the final eight times in the nine prior seasons when Liverpool has won the first leg of an EFL Cup semi-final.

In such circumstances, only Middlesbrough in the 1997–98 season has denied Liverpool a spot in the trophy match. As they continue to chase a wonderful four pieces of silverware, the nine-time champions are now just 90 minutes away from making a record-extending 14th appearance in the EFL Cup final.

A storyline like the first leg of Liverpool’s Premier League match against Bournemouth emerged eleven days after the team’s narrow victory over Fulham. The Reds were frustrated in the first half at the Vitality, but in the second half they showed off their best shooting performance.

With a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions, Nunez’s two goals and Diogo Jota’s own brace led Jurgen Klopp’s team to a commanding 4-0 victory on the South Coast. This gave the Reds five points over Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds have scored two goals or more in each of those wins, and since Christmas Day, Klopp’s team has triumphed in three straight away games against Arsenal, Burnley, and Bournemouth without giving up a goal. While their previous two visits to Craven Cottage resulted in draws of 1-1 and 2-2, respectively, the same cannot be said for this encounter; a draw would be more than satisfactory.

Team news

Adama Traore, a Fulham player, is the only player under the medical team’s care at the moment. The Spaniard may be able to recover from his hamstring injury in time to play against the Reds, but the best he can hope for is a position on the bench.

While Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Fode Ballo-Toure, three players who represented their country at the Africa Cup of Nations, remain ineligible for selection, no new issues have surfaced following the Cottagers’ 1-0 loss to Chelsea two weekends ago.

Harrison Reed was only an unused substitute at Stamford Bridge after playing through illness in the first leg, but the Englishman is now primed to rejoin Joao Palhinha in the middle, and another goal for Willian would see him become just the third player to score in both legs of an EFL Cup semi-final against Liverpool, a feat previously achieved by Paul Merson and John Robertson.

Speaking of goal-scoring wingers, Mohamed Salah, the star player for Liverpool, has temporarily returned to Merseyside to receive treatment for a muscular injury he sustained during Egypt’s match against Ghana last Thursday. It is hoped that Salah will rejoin the national team in time for any potential semifinal.

Though Klopp will undoubtedly be missing Thiago Alcantara (hip), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Joel Matip (ACL), Ben Doak (knee), Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), and Andrew Robertson (shoulder) for a little bit longer, Wataru Endo is still active and productive for Japan.

It is possible that Dominik Szoboszlai’s thigh issue could get better in time for the Hungarian to play Fulham. His return would be especially welcome after Curtis Jones complained of stiffness in his hamstring against Bournemouth, though Jones’ substitution seemed to be more of a precautionary measure than a serious one.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, DarwinNunez, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Jota, Mac Allister

We say: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool (Liverpool win 4-2 on aggregate)

Liverpool is known for getting off to a poor start in the 2023–24 season, therefore Fulham, who has scored the opening goal in all five of their EFL Cup matches this season, might very well be riding high thanks to their early goal on Wednesday.

Silva’s team has no choice but to go all out, and even though Klopp’s fiery strikers can bite back even harder to send the Reds to Wembley, a defensively wobbly Liverpool team shouldn’t escape unscathed.

January 23, 2024
Roberto Firmino is “thankful to God” for his return to Liverpool.

On Monday, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino were present at Anfield.
Watching Liverpool defeat Newcastle 4-2, the Brazilians
After their summer moves, Firmino and Fabinho currently play in Saudi Arabia.

On New Year’s Day, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho tweeted their happiness at being back at Anfield to see Liverpool destroy Newcastle United 4-2.

The Brazilians played for the Reds for a total of 13 years, during which time they won the FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Premier League.

Both Firmino and Fabinho departed Liverpool in the summer to join Saudi Pro League teams: Firmino joined Riyad Mahrez at Al Ahli, while Fabinho teamed up with Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad.

After departing the team this week, both players returned to Anfield for the first time, witnessing Liverpool easily defeat Newcastle to take a three-point lead atop the Premier League standings.

Firmino said on Liverpool’s official website that it was “emotional” to rejoin the team while discussing his return to Anfield.

“I’m thrilled to be back at home, at Liverpool, and at Anfield Stadium as well. I’m incredibly appreciative to God for giving me the opportunity to see the game once more. Firmino remarked, “Of course I’m not playing, but I watch the game and see the boys.”

“Being here is always emotional; you can never forget being here. We have a great history at the club that we all contributed to, and no one can dispute it because it is already documented in the history books. Our purpose is to provide assistance.

Liverpool has been active in the transfer market since the two left to restructure their starting lineup. The Reds signed four midfielders in all during the summer transfer window in an effort to replace Fabinho in the middle of the pitch: Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo.

Regarding those acquisitions, Fabinho stated he is impressed with how quickly they have become a regular member of the starting lineup.

“It’s really important for the team that the players that arrived are already playing good football, really integrated to the team,” stated Fabinho.

“Players with excellent skill levels include Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Endo. It matters since the squad lost a number of very significant players. They are doing a great job, in my opinion.

“Thiago isn’t playing as much as he would want right now, but I’m confident that his experience is benefiting these players as well because he talks a lot and communicates effectively.

“The players that arrived here are doing a great job.”

More news……

Fabrizio Romano offers details on the Liverpool star’s anticipated next transfer.

Although Fabio Carvalho returned early from his loan term at RB Leipzig, Fabrizio Romano claims that Carvalho is coveted by Southampton and other clubs. Carvalho appears likely to go out on loan from Liverpool once more.

The 21-year-old was formally reported to be returning to Anfield yesterday, but it doesn’t appear he will be around for very long. He struggled to get playing time while he was in Germany.

Speaking only to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column, Romano revealed that Carvalho will be returning to the loan scene, which he believed would be beneficial for the youthful offensive midfield player from Portugal.

As was mentioned a few weeks back, Carvalho’s playing time at Leipzig did not sit well with Liverpool. Romano stated that despite the Bundesliga team’s strong desire to retain him, the player was hardly seeing the pitch, and his official return to Anfield was revealed yesterday.

“So what happens next? For the second half of the season, Carvalho is expected to have a new loan move. Carvalho is about to depart from Liverpool, and a number of Premier League and Championship teams, including Southampton, are interested in loaning him.

Additionally, I believe that a loan move is the wisest course of action for the child at this point in his career. He’s a huge talent; the past year or two hasn’t been easy for him, but I have no doubt that he can recover with the correct loan move and consistent playing time.

Although Carvalho had a rough patch in the previous year or two, he showed great promise as a player when he was at Fulham, so the perfect loan transfer at this moment could be exactly what he needs to turn things around professionally

January 4, 2024
Summer release clause for Liverpool target after failing Chelsea move

Michael Olise, a reported transfer target for Liverpool, has a release clause in his Crystal Palace contract that will go into effect this summer.

As per a source, the Reds have been constantly observing Olise, and on December 30, they sent their “top scouts” to see the attacking midfielder score two goals in the 3-1 victory over Brentford.

Olise is reportedly considered among the long-term alternatives for Mohamed Salah, whose status at Anfield after the summer is uncertain despite the 31-year-old’s record 2023 season.

This season, Olise has been in excellent form for Palace, tallying five goals (his highest Premier League return to date) and logging one assist in nine games.

The France of London birth The Under-21 standout is still qualified to play senior international football for England, France, Nigeria, or Algeria. He has experience in the academies of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City.

He has long been considered one of the best young players in the Premier League, and Chelsea expressed interest in him during the summer transfer window.

The Blues later withdrew from a deal after attempting to trigger the 22-year-old’s release clause, which was then set at £35 million. Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea abandoned the move at the last minute because Palace threatened to file a tribunal over the approach.

After that, Olise signed a contract extension at Selhurst Park that will keep him with the team through 2027.

But the Evening Standard claims that in addition to a significant pay increase, Olise’s new contract at Palace has a release clause—albeit a much greater one—which is sure to spark interest from potential suitors again soon.

According to the article, the exact amount of the new buyout is unknown, although it is said to be “significantly higher” than £35 million.

Although it’s unclear if Liverpool is actually interested in Olise, the Reds have a history of taking advantage of favourable clauses.

The World Cup-winning midfielder, Alexis Mac Allister, was signed by the Reds for a relatively cheap price of roughly £35 million after they activated a buyout in his new contract at the beginning of the summer.

Another summer addition was Dominik Szoboszlai, who was brought in when RB Leipzig fulfilled his £60 million release clause.

If Olise continues to perform well this season, many teams will probably be interested in signing him. The specifics of his new deal might be worth looking into.

More news……

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano offers details on the Liverpool star’s anticipated next transfer.

Although Fabio Carvalho returned early from his loan term at RB Leipzig, Fabrizio Romano claims that Carvalho is coveted by Southampton and other clubs. Carvalho appears likely to go out on loan from Liverpool once more.

The 21-year-old was formally reported to be returning to Anfield yesterday, but it doesn’t appear he will be around for very long. He struggled to get playing time while he was in Germany.

Speaking only to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column, Romano revealed that Carvalho will be returning to the loan scene, which he believed would be beneficial for the youthful offensive midfield player from Portugal.

As was mentioned a few weeks back, Carvalho’s playing time at Leipzig did not sit well with Liverpool. Romano stated that despite the Bundesliga team’s strong desire to retain him, the player was hardly seeing the pitch, and his official return to Anfield was revealed yesterday.

“So what happens next? For the second half of the season, Carvalho is expected to have a new loan move. Carvalho is about to depart from Liverpool, and a number of Premier League and Championship teams, including Southampton, are interested in loaning him.

Additionally, I believe that a loan move is the wisest course of action for the child at this point in his career. He’s a huge talent; the past year or two hasn’t been easy for him, but I have no doubt that he can recover with the correct loan move and consistent playing time.

Although Carvalho had a rough patch in the previous year or two, he showed great promise as a player when he was at Fulham, so the perfect loan transfer at this moment could be exactly what he needs to turn things around professionally

January 3, 2024
Recap of Liverpool’s transfer news: Michael Olise claim, and Fabio Carvalho recalled

News, rumours, gossip, and speculation on transfers involving Liverpool, including the most recent on Fabio Carvalho Michael Olise, Thiago Alcantara, Fabio Carvalho, Antonio Silva, Kylian Mbappe, Thiago Alcantara, Joao Neves, and Nino

Liverpool is reportedly looking for a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, and they have scouted Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise in great detail.

In other news, the Reds’ purported pursuit of Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Joao Neves has reportedly resulted in a double blow.

Both are said to have attracted interest from prominent European teams as they are the newest players to join the club this year, and their performances have helped Benfica take the lead in Liga Portugal.

Nevertheless, manager Roger Schmidt has taken steps to put an end to any rumours in advance of the January transfer window, which has added credence to rumours of unbelievable release clauses in their contracts.

Several teams, including Southampton, are interested in Fabio Carvalho.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Southampton, a Championship team, is one of the teams interested in Fabio Carvalho.

The young player from Liverpool returned after his underwhelming loan at RB Leipzig, where he managed just three starts for the Bundesliga team.

According to the ECHO, efforts are being made to find the Portuguese under-21 international who will conclude the 2024 season away from Anfield.

Additionally, Romano reports that Russell Martin’s Saints are among the clubs expressing interest.

“Fabio Carvalho will leave Liverpool on loan in January; he won’t be staying after his loan from Leipzig was recalled,” he wrote.

“I know Southampton is one of the clubs interested in him. #SaintsFC.” Given that Carvalho is a part of the team’s future ambitions, Liverpool wants guarantees about game time.”

How did Carvalho fare in the Bundesliga?

It would be an understatement to say that Fabio Carvalho’s tenure at RB Leipzig was disappointing. The 21-year-old, who struggled to establish a regular spot during his first season at Liverpool, moved to the Bundesliga team with great expectations.

It was believed that Carvalho, whom the Reds pushed aggressively to recruit from Fulham in 2022, would take the next stages in his development at a club with which Liverpool had a good relationship and whose strategy had tangible success, in developing some of Europe’s hottest talents in recent seasons.

Carvalho, however, has only played in fewer than 200 minutes of Bundesliga action since August after signing PSG and Dutch sensation Xavi Simmons on a loan move that would go until the end of the season. He only made one league start during that period.

In fact, Carvalho and Liverpool must now make a crucial choice about his development to give him the best opportunity of ever playing at Anfield after he was called up to Merseyside.

Carvalho is incredibly talented, as shown by his outstanding accomplishments in the Championship two years ago. But the main question at hand right now is how Liverpool manages to unlock that on a regular basis.

Fabio Carvalho returns to Liverpool early

Fabio Carvalho has been recalled from his loan spell at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The 21-year-old, who moved to Germany in the summer, has only played in 158 minutes of league action.

“We are unable to guarantee this for him due to the quality and competition within our squad at his position,” RB Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder stated in response to the decision. We had multiple conversations over the past few days and ultimately made the decision to terminate his loan early.”

Michael Olise is being considered by Liverpool for a transfer.

Michael Olise, a forward for Crystal Palace, has apparently been thoroughly scouted by Liverpool as the team makes preparations for life without Mohamed Salah, according to Football Insider.

With less than 18 months left on his current contract, the 31-year-old Egyptian is expected to get further attention from the Saudi Pro League throughout the summer.

The report adds: “The Merseysiders’ recruitment team have dispatched top scouts to regularly watch the 22-year-old, who scored a brace in Saturday’s (30 December) 3-1 Premier League win over Brentford.”

January 1, 2024