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Who is Andrija Maksimovic? Agent confirms Liverpool’s offer before transfer deadline day

Andrija Maksimovic is currently being linked with a transfer to Liverpool, as his agent confirms the club has made an offer ahead of the January transfer deadline. While specifics are still unclear, the situation is attracting significant attention.

Maksimovic, a rising star from Serbian SuperLiga champions Red Star Belgrade, is being courted by both Liverpool and Aston Villa. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has made a strong impression this season, playing in all eight of Red Star’s Champions League matches and scoring seven goals in 26 appearances across all competitions.

Primarily an attacking midfielder who favors his left foot, Maksimovic is also capable of playing as a right-winger when needed. He is known for his exceptional technical abilities, vision, and calmness on the ball, as well as his versatility in seamlessly shifting between attacking and defensive roles in midfield.

Recently, he made history as the second-youngest Serbian to debut for the national team, earning his first cap at just 17 years and four months old.

Interestingly, Maksimovic has earned the nickname Messi, though, as noted by Serbian Football Scout on X, it’s not due to his talent. Instead, it originated from his sister, who thought his hairstyle resembled Lionel Messi’s when he was younger, and the name stuck.

Maksimovic is currently valued at €12 million [£10m/$12.4m], but his agent believes that figure could rise to €20 million [£16.7m/$20.7m] by June.

Though the asking price for a 17-year-old like Maksimovic may seem high, it reflects his considerable potential and the growing reputation he’s building. His performances so far suggest he is on the verge of making a significant impact, and Liverpool may be the ideal place for him to continue his development.

Liverpool.com notes: The club’s established reputation for nurturing young talent and promoting them to the first team makes Anfield an attractive destination for Maksimovic. Given Liverpool’s ongoing ambitions for top trophies, his skill set could prove valuable as he takes the next step in his professional career.

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Stefan Bajcetic transfer news: Liverpool youngster may receive new opportunity

Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic’s loan situation at RB Salzburg has sparked considerable debate, with contrasting reports regarding his future.

Merseyside sources maintain that the 20-year-old will not be recalled, but recent reports from Spain suggest otherwise. Bajcetic, who has struggled for playing time under new Salzburg head coach Thomas Letsch following the departure of former Reds coach Pep Lijnders, has been linked with a potential move to La Liga.

Spanish clubs, including Real Betis, Celta Vigo, and most recently Las Palmas, are reportedly interested, with Tenerife-based outlet Atlantico Hoy stating that the latter is nearing an agreement.

Despite earlier reports indicating that Liverpool might end Bajcetic’s Salzburg loan in favor of a move to Spain, The Athletic’s James Pearce has dismissed this idea, affirming that the Reds are content with Bajcetic’s development in Austria.

Nonetheless, there are lingering questions about Bajcetic’s future. It is believed that the 20-year-old’s playing style may align more closely with Jurgen Klopp’s tactics than with the system employed by Arne Slot at Anfield, fueling speculation that his long-term future could lie elsewhere.

Liverpool is expected to see considerable activity in the final week of the transfer window, particularly with outgoing transfers for their younger players.

While Bajcetic’s immediate future appears set with at least another half-season at Salzburg, other emerging talents may be on the move, either temporarily or permanently, to further their development.

Tyler Morton, for example, could be allowed to leave, with potential loan moves also on the cards for Kaide Gordon, James Norris, James Balagizi, Dominic Corness, and Harvey Davies.

Liverpool has already made several adjustments to their youth setup this month. Gordon, Calvin Ramsay, and Marcelo Pitaluga were recalled from their loans, with Ramsay quickly rejoining Kilmarnock on another loan and Pitaluga returning to Brazil to reconnect with former club Fluminense. Additionally, midfielder Tom Hill has completed a free transfer to League Two side Harrogate Town.

February 2, 2025
Darwin Nunez angry as Liverpool ‘halt £70m transfer’

Liverpool have made a bold move in the transfer market by rejecting a substantial £70 million bid from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr for striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan forward, however, is reportedly unhappy with the decision.

According to sources (via The Sun), Nunez had been open to negotiations with Al Nassr, the club where Cristiano Ronaldo plays. However, Liverpool swiftly rejected the offer, making it clear that Nunez was not available for sale.

In response, Al Nassr shifted their focus to Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, successfully completing a £64 million deal for the Colombian forward instead.

Nunez’s frustration increased when he was omitted from Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League loss to PSV. Nonetheless, manager Arne Slot quickly explained that Nunez’s absence was due to illness rather than any transfer-related issues.

This season, Nunez has scored six goals and provided four assists in 29 appearances. Although his performances have been inconsistent, he has had standout moments, such as a crucial last-minute brace in a 2-0 win over Brentford.

Liverpool paid £85 million to acquire him from Benfica in 2022, and his future at Anfield is still unclear. Reports suggest the club may revisit his situation in the summer, potentially opening the door for a move.

Currently, Nunez is back in training and has traveled with the squad for their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. It remains to be seen if Arne Slot will include him in the starting lineup after the recent drama.

With the transfer window now closed, speculation may quiet for the time being. However, one thing is clear: this won’t be the last we hear about Darwin Nunez’s future.

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Stefan Bajcetic transfer news: Liverpool youngster may receive new opportunity

Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic’s loan situation at RB Salzburg has sparked considerable debate, with contrasting reports regarding his future.

Merseyside sources maintain that the 20-year-old will not be recalled, but recent reports from Spain suggest otherwise. Bajcetic, who has struggled for playing time under new Salzburg head coach Thomas Letsch following the departure of former Reds coach Pep Lijnders, has been linked with a potential move to La Liga.

Spanish clubs, including Real Betis, Celta Vigo, and most recently Las Palmas, are reportedly interested, with Tenerife-based outlet Atlantico Hoy stating that the latter is nearing an agreement.

Despite earlier reports indicating that Liverpool might end Bajcetic’s Salzburg loan in favor of a move to Spain, The Athletic’s James Pearce has dismissed this idea, affirming that the Reds are content with Bajcetic’s development in Austria.

Nonetheless, there are lingering questions about Bajcetic’s future. It is believed that the 20-year-old’s playing style may align more closely with Jurgen Klopp’s tactics than with the system employed by Arne Slot at Anfield, fueling speculation that his long-term future could lie elsewhere.

Liverpool is expected to see considerable activity in the final week of the transfer window, particularly with outgoing transfers for their younger players.

While Bajcetic’s immediate future appears set with at least another half-season at Salzburg, other emerging talents may be on the move, either temporarily or permanently, to further their development.

Tyler Morton, for example, could be allowed to leave, with potential loan moves also on the cards for Kaide Gordon, James Norris, James Balagizi, Dominic Corness, and Harvey Davies.

Liverpool has already made several adjustments to their youth setup this month. Gordon, Calvin Ramsay, and Marcelo Pitaluga were recalled from their loans, with Ramsay quickly rejoining Kilmarnock on another loan and Pitaluga returning to Brazil to reconnect with former club Fluminense. Additionally, midfielder Tom Hill has completed a free transfer to League Two side Harrogate Town.

February 1, 2025
Player’s wish granted: Liverpool announce transfer in official statement on Friday night | OneFootball

Liverpool has confirmed that one of their players is set to move before the January transfer window closes on Monday.

Following several loan departures from Anfield just before last summer’s deadline, another was announced by the club on Friday evening.

Liverpool confirms Bajcetic’s loan move to Las Palmas
According to liverpoolfc.com, Stefan Bajcetic, whose loan at Red Bull Salzburg ended on Thursday, has completed a temporary transfer to Las Palmas for the remainder of the season, pending international clearance.

James Pearce of The Athletic noted that the midfielder had become “increasingly keen” to leave the Austrian side after the sacking of former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders in December. He ultimately chose the LaLiga club over a potential move to FC Porto.

The 20-year-old hopes this move will help him earn a spot in Arne Slot’s plans when he returns to Liverpool for pre-season in the summer.

Bajcetic will gain high-level experience at Las Palmas
While Liverpool was reportedly pleased with Bajcetic’s progress at Salzburg, the player himself wasn’t satisfied with how things were going, according to The Athletic, making just eight starts across all competitions.

His most recent appearance for the Austrian team was a brief five-minute stint during a 1-4 loss to Atlético Madrid, which capped off a disappointing Champions League campaign where Salzburg lost seven of their eight games (and Bajcetic missed the sole victory due to illness).

It’s now been nearly two years since Bajcetic started for Liverpool against Real Madrid in the same competition. Since then, his career has been marred by injuries and an unsuccessful loan at the Red Bull Arena.

Hopefully, Bajcetic’s fortunes will improve with his move to Las Palmas, where he will gain exposure to one of Europe’s top leagues and, ideally, secure the regular playing time he needs at this stage of his career.

Diego Martínez’s team may be 15th in LaLiga, but they have notably defeated two of Spain’s Champions League clubs this season, including a famous 2-1 win at Camp Nou against Barcelona in late November. They also proved to be a solid side when they drew at Anfield in pre-season.

Here’s hoping the 20-year-old enjoys a consistent run of starts at Las Palmas, returning to Liverpool in a few months ready to challenge for a spot in the Reds’ midfield.

February 1, 2025
Mohamed Salah contract update: Liverpool manager Arne Slot discusses winger’s situation

Slot: Salah is smart enough to make the right decision

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed confidence that forward Mohamed Salah is “wise enough to make the right decision” regarding his future.

The 32-year-old’s contract is set to expire in the summer, and he revealed in January that this would be his final season at Anfield, as he and the club were “far away from any progress” on a new deal.

Salah, who has netted 23 goals this season, has been instrumental in helping Liverpool reach the top of the Premier League and the Champions League round of 16.

The Egypt international has frequently been linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, with the country’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, describing him as “a big prize” and stating they “would love to have him.”

“Everybody wants him, including us,” said Slot. “We want him to extend, of course, that is clear. I’m not surprised that Saudi Arabia wants him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if other countries are interested too.”

He continued, “He’s old enough and wise enough, and has made so many smart decisions in his career, that he will make the right decision for himself and, hopefully, for us as well.”

Salah has scored 19 goals in the Premier League this season, bringing his total to 176 goals, moving him up to seventh in the all-time Premier League goal-scoring rankings.

Along with Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold also have contracts expiring in the summer. Slot mentioned he has had regular conversations with all three players about their futures.

“Of course, I speak to these players,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s away game against Bournemouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT). “I speak to them, not every day like [sporting director] Richard [Hughes], but quite often, and it would be ridiculous if, during all these discussions, we never talked about the future. Of course, we do.”

He added, “As you probably also know, that’s not something I’m going to discuss with you. It’s not only the three who are out of contract, you also talk about future matters with other players too. It’s an ongoing process, but it’s also something I won’t talk about publicly with you.”

January 31, 2025
Champions League draw details: Liverpool moves closer to discovering last-16 opponent
Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa won’t be part of Friday’s Champions League playoff draw, but Manchester City will. We’ve broken down the key details of the complicated setup.

Liverpool is one step closer to discovering its Champions League last-16 opponent on Friday with the playoff draw. Following the conclusion of the league phase on Wednesday, the final standings were confirmed, bringing the knockout rounds into clearer focus. Liverpool now knows it will face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest in the last 16, but before that, it will first go through the playoff phase.

The top eight teams automatically skip the playoffs and head directly into the last 16. However, teams finishing 9th-24th must first navigate a two-legged fixture. With the draw set for Friday, here’s an overview of the important details.

When is the draw?
The draw for the Champions League playoff round will take place at 11:00 GMT (06:00 ET) on Friday. It will be hosted at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon and will follow the traditional format of drawing balls from a bowl, unlike the knockout phase when fixtures were generated by a computer. For this round, clubs from the same country or teams that have previously faced each other this season can be drawn together, breaking from tradition.

Who’s involved?
The playoff phase will pair teams finishing 9th-16th against those finishing 17th-24th in the league phase. Each team will face one of two possible opponents based on their league finish (for example, 9th vs. 23rd, and 10th vs. 24th). In Liverpool’s section of the draw, Paris Saint-Germain (15th) will be drawn against either Monaco (17th) or Brest (18th), with Benfica (16th) facing the remaining team.

Possible playoff fixtures
- Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge
- Real Madrid or Bayern Munich vs. Celtic or Manchester City
- AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven vs. Feyenoord or Juventus
- PSG or Benfica vs. Monaco or Brest
How can I watch the draw?
The draw will be streamed live on UEFA’s website and will also be available on TNT Sports in the UK. In the USA, the draw will be streamed live on Paramount+.

When will the top-eight teams return?
The playoff matches will occur on 11/12 and 18/19 February, with the eight winners advancing to the last 16. At that point, the top eight from the league phase will be reintroduced, with a draw on 21 February to determine their opponents.

The top eight teams will face one of the playoff winners, and Liverpool will only be able to meet one of two clubs, while Barcelona, who finished second in the league phase, will be paired with the other team (either PSG, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest).

Once the last 16 draw is made, Liverpool will know its place in the draw and can plan its route to the final, understanding which teams it might face on the way to Munich. The top eight from the league phase are: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa.

Anything else?
The last 16 matches will take place on 4/5 and 11/12 March, and as a seeded team, Liverpool will play the second leg at home.
January 31, 2025
Liverpool transfer update: Mohamed Salah request made and uncertainty surrounding Jordan Henderson’s future

Speculation about the futures of both current and former Liverpool players, including Mohamed Salah, is intensifying as the transfer window nears its close.

While January 31 typically marks the end of the mid-season transfer window, this year, the window remains open until Monday, and rumors are circulating as the deadline approaches. Most of the focus is on clubs like Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, who are expected to make moves before Monday.

As for Liverpool, no significant last-minute signings are anticipated, which may frustrate some fans. However, manager Arne Slot likely feels no urgent need to add to his squad at this time.

That could change in the summer, though, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of key players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah. Each of them has only five months left on their contracts, making them eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs.

Of the three, Salah has been the most frequently mentioned in the media. After rumors linking him to Paris Saint-Germain, recent reports suggest a potential move to Saudi Arabia. The Telegraph indicated that a transfer to Al-Hilal is the most probable destination if Salah does leave Liverpool.

Things escalated on Thursday when Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, shared in an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored that he would love to see Salah play in Saudi Arabia. When asked if Salah represented the “big prize” for the Saudi league, Al-Faisal responded, “Well, definitely, because if he ticks all the right boxes, even for us, we’d love to have him.” He went on to express a cultural connection with Egypt, noting, “He’s Egyptian, and we have a very good relationship, and we feel like we are one with the Egyptians as well, from our culture and our history and so on. So to have Mo Salah or other players that are good role models would be a pleasure and a privilege to have in the Saudi League. Will it happen or not? That’s up to the clubs to decide and to see what negotiations go on.”

Meanwhile, Salah’s former teammate, Jordan Henderson, could also be on the move, though there are conflicting reports about his future. On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano reported that Henderson was close to finalizing a permanent move to Monaco, potentially setting up a reunion with Liverpool if they meet the Ligue 1 side in the Champions League round of 16.

However, reports from the Netherlands contradicted this. De Telegraaf stated that Ajax’s technical director, Alex Kroes, rejected the Monaco bid, as Henderson is considered an important player for the team. The report also suggested that a move next summer remains a possibility, with Henderson open to joining Monaco.

The situation became even more intriguing later that night when Henderson started for Ajax in their Europa League match against Galatasaray but was stripped of the captain’s armband. He was substituted in the later stages of the game, replaced by Daniele Rugani. It will be interesting to see if Henderson retains his place in the lineup for Ajax’s upcoming Eredivisie clash with Feyenoord.

January 31, 2025
The Enormous Amount Liverpool Made for Winning the Champions League Group Stage

Liverpool have already earned a significant sum from this season’s Champions League, and there’s potential for even more!

The Reds’ group stage concluded on Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven, ending their perfect record. However, this result did little to dampen the team’s spirits, as they still finished at the top of the 36-team table.

When the draw was made last summer, some believed Arne Slot’s side had been handed a tough group, but they made light work of the challenge.

Topping the group brought numerous advantages, including a simpler route to the final, but the financial rewards are also substantial. According to The Athletic, Liverpool are set to earn at least £83.8 million from their efforts over the past eight matches.

An additional £47.2 million remains up for grabs between now and the final in Munich on May 31, meaning the Reds could earn more than £130 million if they secure their seventh European Cup title.

The report also highlights that Liverpool generate between £3 million and £4 million on a matchday at Anfield, placing them in a strong financial position.

This success is likely to fuel calls from fans for a busy summer transfer window, especially after the club’s recent frugality.

This season’s progress underscores the importance of Liverpool returning to the Champions League after dropping into the Europa League in 2023/24.

Slot’s team heads into the knockout stages as the bookies’ favorites to win the competition in May, with Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid seen as their toughest challengers. Manchester City rounds out the top five but will face either Real or Bayern Munich in a difficult one-legged playoff.

With Liverpool also leading the Premier League with 16 matches remaining, things are going exceptionally well for Slot.

Now, it’s about being relentless across four competitions—starting with upcoming Carabao Cup and FA Cup matches against Tottenham and Plymouth—and pushing for what could be a historic quadruple. While this achievement might ultimately be out of reach (as no English team has ever managed it), this Liverpool side feels poised for extraordinary success this season.

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Stefan Bajcetic transfer news: Liverpool youngster may receive new opportunity

Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic’s loan situation at RB Salzburg has sparked considerable debate, with contrasting reports regarding his future.

Merseyside sources maintain that the 20-year-old will not be recalled, but recent reports from Spain suggest otherwise. Bajcetic, who has struggled for playing time under new Salzburg head coach Thomas Letsch following the departure of former Reds coach Pep Lijnders, has been linked with a potential move to La Liga.

Spanish clubs, including Real Betis, Celta Vigo, and most recently Las Palmas, are reportedly interested, with Tenerife-based outlet Atlantico Hoy stating that the latter is nearing an agreement.

Despite earlier reports indicating that Liverpool might end Bajcetic’s Salzburg loan in favor of a move to Spain, The Athletic’s James Pearce has dismissed this idea, affirming that the Reds are content with Bajcetic’s development in Austria.

Nonetheless, there are lingering questions about Bajcetic’s future. It is believed that the 20-year-old’s playing style may align more closely with Jurgen Klopp’s tactics than with the system employed by Arne Slot at Anfield, fueling speculation that his long-term future could lie elsewhere.

Liverpool is expected to see considerable activity in the final week of the transfer window, particularly with outgoing transfers for their younger players.

While Bajcetic’s immediate future appears set with at least another half-season at Salzburg, other emerging talents may be on the move, either temporarily or permanently, to further their development.

Tyler Morton, for example, could be allowed to leave, with potential loan moves also on the cards for Kaide Gordon, James Norris, James Balagizi, Dominic Corness, and Harvey Davies.

Liverpool has already made several adjustments to their youth setup this month. Gordon, Calvin Ramsay, and Marcelo Pitaluga were recalled from their loans, with Ramsay quickly rejoining Kilmarnock on another loan and Pitaluga returning to Brazil to reconnect with former club Fluminense. Additionally, midfielder Tom Hill has completed a free transfer to League Two side Harrogate Town.

January 30, 2025
Liverpool Bishop faces calls to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations.

John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, is facing pressure to resign after senior clergy in his diocese stated that his position was no longer viable due to sexual misconduct allegations. His senior leadership team recommended that he step aside from all ministry duties while an investigation is conducted into a sexual harassment claim made by a female bishop, alongside a separate accusation of sexual assault.

The statement from the senior clergy, issued after consultations with local clergy, congregations, and staff, increases the pressure on Perumbalath to reconsider his role. These allegations come just months after the Church of England was rocked by a crisis involving Archbishop Justin Welby’s resignation over a different abuse scandal.

A statement from six senior clergy members on Wednesday evening declared: “Having listened to clergy, congregations, and staff at the diocesan offices and the cathedral, it is with deep regret that the senior leadership of the diocese of Liverpool feel that the position of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is currently untenable. We believe that the allegations made by the female bishop need to be fully and properly investigated. We also believe that while these proper investigations are conducted, the bishop of Liverpool will need to step aside from all ministry in the diocese of Liverpool.”

This statement followed a Channel 4 News report revealing that two women had come forward with accusations against Perumbalath. One woman claimed he kissed her without consent and groped her, while the female bishop accused him of sexual harassment. Both incidents allegedly occurred in Essex in 2023.

Perumbalath, who assumed the role of bishop in Liverpool in 2023, explained that police had investigated the allegations but did not take further action. He maintained that he did not believe he had done anything wrong, though he acknowledged the importance of “the lessons learnt” through the process.

Perumbalath further stated that he had fully cooperated with an investigation by the national safeguarding team, and the police had concluded their investigation with no further action. “Whilst I don’t believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others,” he said.

The Church of England confirmed that a complaint of misconduct was filed against Perumbalath in 2023, after he formally assumed his position. A spokesperson for the Church said that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) found insufficient evidence to bring a case under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). The complaint was also investigated by the police, who took no further action. The Church offered support to the woman involved.

A second complaint was filed shortly after the first, but the second complainant did not submit a CDM complaint within the one-year deadline. The complainant later sought permission to bring the complaint after the deadline, which was supported by the Archbishop of York but ultimately denied by an independent judge.

“The information brought by the second complainant was explored and assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct. Pastoral support has been provided throughout for the second complainant and is ongoing,” the Church spokesperson added.

In related developments, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who temporarily replaced Justin Welby, has also faced calls to step down following allegations that a priest involved in a sexual abuse case was reappointed twice during Cottrell’s time as Bishop of Chelmsford.

January 30, 2025
Arne Slot Excludes Loan Transfer for Liverpool Midfielder James McConnell in January Window

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dismissed the possibility of James McConnell leaving on loan during the January transfer window. McConnell made his first start in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old midfielder was one of the standout players for the Reds, despite their 3-2 loss to the Eredivisie champions. He played the full 90 minutes for the Premier League leaders, who had already secured automatic qualification for the last 16.

McConnell had a breakthrough season with Liverpool’s senior squad last year, making nine appearances under Jurgen Klopp and being part of the team that defeated Chelsea 1-0 to win the Carabao Cup.

Although McConnell was expected to go on loan last summer, he missed most of the first half of Slot’s first season due to injury. He returned last month and has since made three appearances.

Slot revealed that he would meet with sporting director Richard Hughes on Thursday to discuss which players might be loaned out before the window closes, including Jayden Danns, Tyler Morton, and Trey Nyoni.

However, the Dutch manager confirmed that McConnell is still part of his plans for the remainder of the season.

Slot stated: “There’s always a chance in life. At the moment we have most of our players fit, so we will have this discussion tomorrow, me and Richard [Hughes], about these players.”

He continued, “There is definitely one of them that will not go on loan – and I think you know which one I mean. James McConnell. I wouldn’t say definitely, but I liked him a lot today, so maybe now the end result today would be it’d be good for him to go somewhere and play.”

“He was also a player that hasn’t played in the last six or seven months 90 minutes because he was injured for a while. He impressed me a lot today.”

Slot further added: “If I would have been surprised it would mean during training sessions he is not able to play at this level and that’s not the truth, because he is competitive to the ones we have that were not even here.”

“He is always a very competitive player, so I am not surprised but you always wonder how are you going to react on this stage and at this level.”

“We saw the same with Amara Nallo, which is not a player that has the same impact in training sessions yet as James McConnell.”

“That James plays and is competitive is not a surprise but he definitely deserves credit for his performance today.”

January 30, 2025
Man of the Match: ‘Skilled’ Liverpool Player Shines Despite Loss to PSV

PSV 3 – 2 Liverpool: UEFA Champions League Man of the Match

Federico Chiesa

Liverpool’s heavily rotated squad faced a tough challenge against PSV, who lead the Dutch Eredivisie and needed a victory to boost their chances of advancing. It was always going to be difficult for the Reds to remain organized and competitive in such a situation. Federico Chiesa, the talented Italian forward, was given a rare starting spot, and this match was seen as an opportunity for him to prove to his manager that he could play a significant role in the team’s pursuit of glory.

In a relentless first half, the 27-year-old was all over the pitch, constantly pressuring his defenders and never letting them rest. The opening goal came from a penalty taken by Cody Gakpo, though the penalty itself was earned by Chiesa, who was fouled after tirelessly pressing a defender. As the game swung back and forth, Chiesa also provided a brilliant assist for Harvey Elliott’s goal, putting Liverpool 2-0 up.

Considering the lack of major signings in the summer, the £10m spent to acquire Chiesa from Fiorentina now appears to be a smart investment. With a focus on integrating him carefully, the second half of the season could see a fully fit and rejuvenated forward, once touted as a Ballon d’Or candidate, contribute to Liverpool’s success. Even if Chiesa doesn’t reach those elite levels again, he could still become a hero at Anfield and play a key role in winning silverware.

While the match featured a mix of inexperienced and fringe players, Chiesa played with the intensity of a World Cup final. His boundless energy and determination might see him earn more first-team opportunities in the coming weeks. His versatility and passion are making his appearances count. PSV’s Arne Slot would surely have been impressed by Chiesa’s performance, and with ongoing questions about the fitness of Diogo Jota and the form of Darwin Núñez, the time for this Italian talent to shine at Liverpool could be nearing.

Next up: Bournemouth, where Chiesa could now be a popular choice for a weekend bench appearance.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:
PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool

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Arne Slot must unleash key player as Liverpool await crucial answer to big question within 24 hours

In a dramatic 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, Liverpool had to fight back after an early deficit, and the key to their second-half resurgence came from an inspired double substitution. The importance of Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota‘s first touches in this match may not be fully realized until later in the season, but their impact was clear.

For now, Arne Slot will be left reflecting on several missed opportunities, as Forest goalkeeper Mats Sels was in outstanding form, denying Liverpool a crucial victory. Sels was superb, keeping out efforts from Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Jota, while Ola Aina also made a crucial clearance off the line. This resilience from Forest is exactly why they currently sit second in the league, showing their ability to withstand intense pressure from Liverpool’s attacking waves.

Though Forest may not challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title come May, their defense is proving formidable, and a top-four finish looks very attainable, especially with rivals like Chelsea and Manchester City faltering after their own 2-2 draws earlier this week. If Arne Slot truly believes those teams are still title contenders, then no ground was lost here for Liverpool.

In terms of defensive solidity, Forest certainly deserve recognition. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo were exceptional, exemplifying why Forest have conceded only 20 goals in 21 games—matching Liverpool‘s defensive record. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer.

From the outset, Liverpool controlled the game, dominating possession against a Forest side that opted to sit back rather than press. The hosts were content to invite Liverpool forward and defend deep, but, as in their previous meeting in September, a sharp counterattack caught Liverpool off guard. Chris Wood capitalized on the hosts’ first shot on target, finding the net after just eight minutes.

January 30, 2025