Liverpool endure unexpected trophy defeat as key absences take their toll

Liverpool’s FA Youth Cup campaign ended in disappointment on Friday evening with a heavy 4-1 defeat at Preston North End. The under-18s endured another tough season as they were outclassed for most of the third-round match at Deepdale, with Clae Ewing’s goal seven minutes from the end providing little more than a consolation.

With Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo unavailable due to first-team duties, Liverpool were missing two of their top eligible players. The team quickly found themselves three goals down by halftime. The first came in the eighth minute when a Jonny Brindle cross wasn’t cleared, allowing Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile to score. Max Wilson doubled Preston’s lead with a deflected shot off Carter Pinnington midway through the first half, and Theo Mawene added a third in the 38th minute after evading Liverpool’s defense.

Rodriguez-Gentile struck the crossbar in the second half, and despite early efforts from Kareen Ahmed and Kieran Morrison, it was Rodriguez-Gentile again who set up Dylan Gairns for Preston’s fourth in the 61st minute. Liverpool finally responded in the dying moments when Ewing finished off a well-executed pass from Morrison down the right, but by then, the result had already been sealed.

Liverpool’s next fixture is on Tuesday, with their U19 side facing Girona in Spain in the final match of the UEFA Youth League first stage (kick-off 11am).

LIVERPOOL U18s (4-2-3-1): Misciur; Esdaille (Enahoro-Marcus 68), Pitt, Pinnington, Ewing; O’Connor (Upton, 68), Bradshaw; Morrison, Ahmed, Ngumoha; Sonni-Lambie. Subs: Hall, Furnell-Gill, Cisse, Lonmeni, Martin.

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Liverpool have presented a contract offer to Virgil van Dijk – negotiations ongoing

According to a trusted source, Liverpool has extended a new contract offer to Virgil van Dijk as his current deal nears expiration at the end of the season.

As many are aware, Van Dijk, Mo Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contracts set to expire in the summer of 2025, giving them the freedom to move to other clubs.

However, a deal for Van Dijk seems to be progressing, with Liverpool reportedly making a formal contract offer, according to respected journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Yet, not all the news is positive. Ornstein shared that the offer “fell short of his expectations and so far there has been no breakthrough on the value or length of an extension.”

He added, “The dialogue has taken place for some time and continues.”

While no deal has been reached yet, it’s clear from these developments – likely originating from the club – that there is confidence in making progress soon.

Virgil van Dijk’s recent comments on contracts

Discussions about the player’s future have mainly taken place behind closed doors.

In his most recent comments, made during an interview with Viaplay late last week, Van Dijk indicated that no agreement was near.

“Honestly, no,” the Dutch captain replied when asked if a deal had been completed.

“There is no change at all, there is no update at all, there is no news for the outside world. So I have nothing to share.

“[I understand the curiosity] but there is nothing at all, it is all untrue.”

These remarks followed Van Dijk briefly joining Salah in the mixed zone after Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Southampton on November 24, where he smiled while saying, “I will play at the top level as long as possible, for sure, me and this man.”

From his words, it’s clear that Van Dijk is eager to stay.