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Tag: Jurgen klopp

Roy Keane compares Liverpool to Man Utd, Newcastle, Arsenal, and Chelsea in the top four competition.

Liverpool secured a hard-fought point in Sunday’s Premier League opener after being held 1-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It was an action-packed game as both teams were denied a goal and Liverpool had to register a second-half VAR penalty.

It’s been just one game and the Reds have already had heart-pounding drama. We can only expect this season to continue as it started, with many twists and turns, especially when it comes to fighting for the top 4.

Last season, Liverpool struggled to maintain consistent form and failed to qualify for the Champions League. They finished fifth after the last game of the season, which was canceled by Manchester United and Newcastle, both certainly another challenge.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Roy Keane admitted he sees another triumph for Manchester City at the top of the table, but says there is “a lot of competition” when it comes to battling for a top-four finish.

“I said before, unless they really drop out and get seriously injured or lose that hunger, other teams have a chance, but I don’t see anyone competing with Manchester City. I think United will be in the top four, look at L ‘Arsenal have improved, look at Newcastle, Villa will respond well [to defeat].

“Liverpool, Chelsea – there’s a lot of competition, but for a lot of these teams it’s the top four and that includes United. Newcastle are definitely in contention for the top four. I think they’ve gotten stronger, their recruiting has been great.”

Immediate rivals Liverpool have strengthened considerably in the transfer market this summer, making plenty of signings. The Reds got off to a good start after signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the sudden departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho left Jurgen Klopp struggling to sign replacements for the now decadent and worrying midfielder.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has confessed he cannot be the leader that James Milner was and has urged other Liverpool stars to fill the void.

Milner, 37, has now left Anfield for Brighton after a fantastic eight years at the club. He moved to Merseyside in June 2015 after five seasons with Manchester City. The Leeds-born ace won two Premier Leagues, an EFL Cup and an FA Cup with the Citizens.

And he added the 2018-19 Champions League to another Premier League triumph with the Reds. The former England winger also won both domestic cups with Liverpool but has now joined the Seagulls.

Milner left his contract this summer and signed a one-year contract with Amex with an option for an additional 12 months.

Since Jordan Henderson also left the club, Virgil van Dijk took over the captaincy.

Alexander-Arnold was named vice-captain. But the Englishman believes it will take a concerted effort to replicate the effect Milner had in the dressing room. “I play a role in making sure I live up to the standard every day,” she told the Daily Mail. “By losing Milner, you can’t replace him immediately. A lot of people will be needed. Others have to step forward.

“We have to make sure that the way he has continued to push us forward is replaced.”

Liverpool’s midfield will look very different in 2023/24. Fabinho, Naby Keita, Fabio Carvalho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the departures of Henderson and Milner.

Carvalho’s departure was on loan to RB Leipzig for a year, while Roberto Firmino has also left.

There are newcomers too, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister now on board.

Alexander-Arnold aware of Liverpool’s role
Liverpool fans are hoping for a return to the form they played regularly in the Champions League until last season.

Nine defeats in the top flight have left them well off pace and in fifth place. That just means Europa League for the Anfield faithful.

They will open the season at home against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Alexander-Arnold will be one of the players Klopp will look to when the chips run out.

The man with 20 England caps knows he won’t have the same impact as Milner.

But he hopes to have qualities that can provoke a reaction from his teammates. “I am aware of myself. I know I will never be a James Milner,” he added.

“I will never be that kind of leader, but the leadership qualities that I have have to be demonstrated and they have to be seen, heard and used in an effective way for the team.”

“I have to keep pushing forward to try to achieve the things that I want to achieve.”

Alexander-Arnold could well be used in Klopp’s midfield this season. Last season he was used several times in the hybrid position. Gareth Southgate has also propelled him higher up the pitch for England and it could be that the future of the Liverpool man lies on the right side of midfield.

August 15, 2023
Roméo Lavia transfer breakthrough is predicted for Liverpool, as Kevin De Bruyne criticizes regulation changes.

Liverpool still looks the logical transfer bet for Roméo Lavia. Kevin De Bruyne isn’t thrilled with the new guidelines that Jurgen Klopp will soon face.

The 2023/24 Premier League season begins tomorrow and there are still question marks over Liverpool as they prepare for their opener at Chelsea on Sunday. A strong start to the season is crucial as the Reds seek to reclaim a Champions League spot next season.

There are several tough decisions Jurgen Klopp will have to make regarding his squad selection and the tactical system in which he will deploy his players at Stamford Bridge. Most important among the puzzles is the composition of the midfield.

Who will play and Trent Alexander-Arnold play alongside them? Or will he also take the place, as he did in the first two friendlies of the summer?

The issue is brought into sharper focus by another extraordinary day of rumors and counter-voices in the circus of the transfer window. The storyline is being thickened by Liverpool appearing to be in direct competition with Chelsea for two players, although by the time you read this the picture has probably shifted further. Leave Liverpool fans scratching their heads about their team’s strategy this summer. It will be a relief to have competitive football again this weekend.

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PETER SCHMEICHEL SAYS THE 32-YEAR-OLD LIVERPOOL MAN DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING AND “LOOKS NERVOUS”

Peter Schmeichel has expressed doubts about what he sees of new Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk ahead of the new Premier League season.

With Jordan Henderson now in Saudi Arabia, the Liverpool armband has been handed to Virgil van Dijk as he attempts to lead Jurgen Klopp’s side to new success after losing the Champions League last season.

But watching the frosty Dutch defender last season and in pre-season this summer, Schmeichel thinks he looks “jittery” and wonders if he even knows what he’s doing, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

Liverpool fans have been expecting change after their decline over the past 12 months, but perhaps not to the point that Henderson and Fabinho are also gone.

However, he puts more pressure on the seniors and van Dijk is now the point man in the dressing room. But the 32-year-old has been criticized and questioned by the legendary Manchester United goalkeeper after seeing him in action in pre-season.

“Afraid I haven’t gotten stronger in that department?” Schmeichel asked about the Liverpool centre-back.

“You have Virgil van Dijk. He’s watching again, it’s pre-season matches, but also based on some of his performances last season, he seems a bit nervous and unsure what to do in these combinations that you could basically make in central defence. ”

Great pressure on Virgil van Dijk
Since Van Dijk suffered that season injury in 2020, many think that he has lost something due to his play.

But he’s been a while since that unfortunate moment against Everton and Jordan Pickford, with his performances nowhere near what they once were when Liverpool lifted the title.

There has been a certain setback over the last 12 months and that has put a lot of pressure on him to tackle the new season because if there are any other signs of decline, the knives are out.

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Thiago makes transfer decisions, as Al-Ettifaq sends Liverpool an “apologetic” letter regarding Jordan Henderson

Media Digest: Thiago has made up his mind amid transfer rumors, and Jordan Henderson has apologized to Liverpool through Al Ettifaq’s official channels.

Jordan Henderson “apologetic” statement from Al-Ettifaq.

Al-Ettifaq has “apologized” to Liverpool supporters on Twitter. Jordan Henderson was recently acquired by the Steven Gerrard-coached Saudi team, who made him captain of their most recent match.

The reality is more ironic, despite the fact that some Liverpool employees might feel they should apologize for the way the Saudi club initially tried to sign the Reds captain for nothing (Guardian). Al-Ettifaq apologized for printing “EFC” on the back of Henderson’s shirt through their social media channel.

These initials, which are also those of the Ettifaq Football Club, are connected to the English football team Everton and are located just below the prancing horse logo on the neck of the Saudi team’s jerseys. The club account joked, “At least it’s not blue,” enticing supporters to purchase the number 10 shirt before it sells out.

Due to the captain’s prior decision to speak out as an ally of the LGBT community, Henderson has drawn a great deal of criticism for his decision to move to Saudi Arabia—far more than Fabinho—but this seeming lighthearted post highlights the fact that Liverpool is also facing some ethical challenges. Given that the league has been referred to as a sportswashing project (Guardian), it’s less than ideal that Al Ettifaq is already using its name to help the organization market itself.

Thiago’s choice to transfer.

Surprisingly, during the transfer window, Thiago has also been connected to several moves away. Only Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott would be left from the midfield that Jürgen Klopp famously deemed fit for purpose prior to last season if the Spaniard left along with Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita.

Thankfully, it appears that Thiago has made a decision. Fabrizio Romano has disabled links to Sevilla in a post on Twitter:.

Despite their connections, Thiago Alcântara and Sevilla have not engaged in any negotiations or talks. Thiago Only considering Liverpool.

Thiago has assumed a crucial role as an experienced leader in a shifting midfield after initially being perceived as one of the Liverpool candidates with the highest likelihood of leaving the club this summer. Given his strong defensive statistics, he might also start the season as one of the top choices for the number six position.

August 11, 2023
Southampton sends Liverpool a “cheap transfer” warning amid a third Romeo Lavia offer is being prepared.

As Liverpool prepares to make another offer for the Belgian international, Southampton has clarified their transfer situation regarding Romeo Lavia.

Liverpool has received a strong message from Southampton regarding their pursuit of Romeo Lavia, a Belgian international.

After the South Coast side rejected the Reds’ initial offer of £34 million plus £4 million in add-ons, the Reds had a bid of about £41 million for the 19-year-old rejected last week.

Lavia is valued at £50 million by Southampton, who were demoted from the Premier League last season, and they have steadfastly refused to budge on their demand. Liverpool is now preparing a third attempt to wrest the player away from St. Mary’s.

Top-flight clubs are pursuing a number of Saints players, with a £32 million deal for full-back Tino Livramento agreed upon with Newcastle United while a £30 million offer for James Ward-Prowse was rejected by West Ham United.

Lavia, who was an unused substitute in Southampton’s opening Championship victory at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night, continues to be Liverpool’s top target as they look to bolster their defensive midfield options in the wake of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson’s moves to Saudi Arabia.

The reason why Southampton’s club won’t let the player leave on the cheap was also explained by club chief executive Phil Parsons.

Let’s be practical, he said in a statement to BBC Radio Solent Sport. “We are looking at all options.”. “We don’t need 30-plus players; we have more than that. We’re actually in a position to ensure that the finances balance out quite well and that being demoted does cost you dearly.

“We have the option to reduce the squad and sell assets if we so choose. We won’t be offering our assets for a bargain. We were adamant on a few points because of this.

“Over the next few years, we’ll develop a lot of players, and some of them will eventually sign with one of the top four clubs, but we won’t do it cheaply; we’ll do it at market rate.
We will consider any offers clubs make to us.
Not just any offer knocked on the door will be accepted.

“Southampton is a great club and if you do well for Southampton and deserve a move, maybe we’ll look at it, but let’s focus on Southampton first and doing well and then we’ll talk about other clubs second,” the agent said. ”.

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Liverpool duo has a Chelsea “ticket” as Jürgen Klopp has already explained attacking preference call

After naming the “ticket” for his team, Jürgen Klopp revealed Liverpool’s lineup versus Bayern Munich. One other person, besides Diogo Jota, may gain.

Just two weeks remain until the Premier League season kicks off, and Jürgen Klopp has given supporters his latest indication of the lineup he’s likely to select. With a road match against Chelsea scheduled, Liverpool’s opening game presents a challenge.

The German has a wide range of options, especially in the attack, but Wednesday afternoon gave him a chance to test his players against top-notch opposition. Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Mohamed Salah were chosen as the front three for the Reds’ match against Bayern Munich in Singapore. The German champions are one of the top teams in Europe.

Throughout the preseason, Darwin Néez and Luis Diaz both made appearances and scored goals for Liverpool. But Klopp decided to bench the pair against Bayern Munich in favor of three players who may be better at defending the opponent.

Nunez in particular is still very much learning the ins and outs of life in England. Even though the South American striker’s ceiling is very high, possibly higher than any of his teammates’, he is still only 24 years old and very much a work in progress on Merseyside.

Although the Uruguayan striker is quick and often attracts opportunities like a magnet, his defensive play is still developing. He has made significant progress in speaking the same language as Klopp over the course of the summer, but he is still learning it.

His boss has previously referred to Nunez as a “racehorse,” and not in a positive way. Joo Palhinha is there and is a connector, but [Nunez] was like a racehorse, so defending the center against Fulham is really important, according to Klopp. For everyone, “Go, Go, Go. We struggled a little because we opened up. He played a really good game aside from that. “.

In fact, Nunez came on as a substitute against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and at one point, Klopp had to signal from the sidelines to get him to change positions because the Reds starlet had strayed too far in front of his designated defensive spot.

Gakpo, in contrast, appears to be much more impenetrable against the ball. His manager has praised him for his football intelligence, and he has a natural tendency to press in a typical Klopp manner (per the Mirror). Both a great football player and intelligent individual, he. I never once considered the fact that he was only 24. He eats football, so it comes naturally to him for him to use the information we give him on the field. “.

In the same way that Jota is comparable, one of his greatest strengths has always been his ability to play without the ball. The Portuguese forward may be set to start given that Liverpool must play Chelsea in the opening round of Premier League games. Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, once referred to him as a “pressing monster.”.

Choosing a defensively strong front three may make even more sense when you take into account the current absence of a true holding midfielder at Anfield. In the last week, both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have relocated to Saudi Arabia. Until a suitable replacement can be found on the transfer market, attack-minded Curtis Jones fills the void.

Especially Nunez and Diaz, Klopp has a strong offensive line and a ton of players who are very alluring to start. But when he travels to London in the middle of August, he would have a good reason to pick his best defensive lineup for the start of the new season.

He claimed just a few months ago that “counter-pressing is your ticket into this team,” and based on the lineup he chose to face Bayern Munich, it appears that statement is still very much true.

August 7, 2023
The dilemma in Liverpool’s midfield and the risks of taking another chance.

Romeo Lavia appears to be on the verge of joining Liverpool, but it would be extremely risky to wait until after the Belgian before adding another midfielder.

One would anticipate Liverpool to step up its efforts to sign Lavia as their third player of the summer after the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were officially confirmed.

Lavia won’t have had a proper preseason with Liverpool, so it is unclear whether he will be ready to start the opening Premier League game at Stamford Bridge should the deal go through.

In either case, Lavia’s addition to Jurgen Klopp’s team would be a thrilling development for the current campaign as well as many years to come.

He’s obviously still developing, and there will be plenty of room for improvement as he grows and develops, but his potential is alluring.

But if and when Lavia does, a critical question arises: will Liverpool still pursue another midfielder during this transfer window, or will they opt to make due with what they already have for the upcoming season?

The midfield numbers game

Liverpool unquestionably has fewer midfielders than they did at the end of the previous season, just in terms of personnel.

Five senior midfielders have left the team in Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (excluding Fabio Carvalho and Arthur Melo), and only two have been replaced them.

It might be more helpful to concentrate on minutes played rather than player count when evaluating the breadth of Liverpool’s midfield options.

The Liverpool midfielders who played the most minutes in all competitions in 2022/23 were Fabinho (3,534) and Henderson (2,556).

If all goes well, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai should be able to more than adequately fill those minutes in 2023–2024.

While Lavia played for Southampton last season, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Keita only clocked up slightly more than 2,300 minutes (the equivalent of 25 complete games) between them.

Therefore, even though Liverpool may be down two players, it’s likely that Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and Lavia will have made up the minutes that the five senior midfielders lost by their departures.

It should also be taken into account that it’s highly likely that Curtis Jones will log significantly more time than the 1,153 minutes he logged last season.

There is a scenario in which it could all work out absolutely fine if Liverpool enters the new season with just three new midfielders, provided that injuries and form go according to plan.

The problem is that it wouldn’t take much to go wrong before the options started to look uncomfortably limited.

It’s important to keep in mind that Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago are both recovering from serious injuries, and it could be some time before they are fully fit again.

The only remaining midfield options (aside from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the hybrid right-back role) if we place an asterisk next to both of those two for the time being would be Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Lavia, and Harvey Elliott, and only one of those six is a specialized defensive midfielder.

However, Mac Allister and Jones are best used higher up the field where they can connect with the front three. Sure, they can occasionally drop back into a deeper role.

You wouldn’t want to see it for a very long time, but it might work well against specific types of opponents as a temporary fix.

All it would take is for Lavia to sustain an injury for Liverpool to find themselves suddenly down to just one senior defensive midfielder. Of course, this is assuming that Lavia picks up speed relatively quickly, which is by no means a given.

Furthermore, it would be unfair to expect a 19-year-old to step in and immediately take over the defensive midfield void on his own.

Another unnecessary gamble

When this summer’s transfer window first opened, the general opinion was that Liverpool needed to sign three midfielders.

Nobody anticipated that two Saudi Arabian clubs would be successful in luring Henderson and Fabinho away for exorbitant sums of money, significantly disrupting preseason plans and greatly expanding the scope of the rebuild that would be necessary.

Given how poorly Henderson and Fabinho played for the majority of last season, there was already a compelling argument to sign Lavia before any news about them broke.

Due in large part to a lack of dynamism and intensity in the middle of the pitch, Liverpool was regularly and easily penetrated last season, frequently by so-called inferior opponents.

Lavia would have offered strong competition without having to worry about becoming a guaranteed starter week in and week out if Henderson and Fabinho had stayed.

If Liverpool’s midfield rebuild ends with Lavia, given the unanticipated departures of Henderson and Fabinho, they run the risk of leaving themselves dangerously short of players.

A second midfielder would be added to the Belgian, which would lessen the pressure on Lavia to start playing right away and lessen the effect of any potential injury problems that might develop.

The choice not to address key positions in the squad and plan for the possibility that certain things might go wrong resulted in Liverpool performing significantly worse than anticipated in two of the last three seasons.

In 2020–21, Liverpool came dangerously close to missing out on a top–four finish due to the team’s decision to not replace Dejan Lovren and start the season with just three senior center-backs.

Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the Champions League last season was largely caused by the decision not to strengthen the midfield.

It is to be hoped that the lessons from those campaigns have been applied, and Liverpool won’t make the same type of error by trying to cut corners this time.

It might be Manu Kone or Khephren Thuram, who were both strongly connected earlier in the window, or it might be a sudden development that catches everyone off guard like Szoboszlai.

However, completing the transfer window by adding one more midfielder (and a left-sided center-back) after Lavia could be the key to proving that Liverpool are capable of mounting a serious challenge on all fronts.

Although there are many reasons to be optimistic about this new beginning for Klopp’s Liverpool, there is still significant work to be done.

August 3, 2023
Reason behind Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Liverpool and admission of “new project”

Liverpool are hoping to get Kylian Mbappé to join them on loan as PSG continue their efforts to sign the forward now rather than lose him as a free agent next summer

Six years after losing the deal for Kylian Mbappé, Liverpool are once again aiming to sign the Frenchman.

The Reds have come out of nowhere as a potential destination for Mbappé, who looks set to be transferred from Paris Saint-Germain this summer after refusing to commit his future at the club beyond next year.

The 24-year-old Mbappé can leave Parco dei Principi as a free agent in 2024 under the terms of the contract signed last summer. And with PSG looking to cash in on their forward while they can, Mirror Football revealed on Saturday that Liverpool are looking to negotiate a stunning loan deal with the French giants that will see Mbappé spend the 2023-24 season at Anfield.

A season-long deal would still allow Mbappé a dream move to the Bernabéu next summer if he wishes, and the striker is known to be an admirer of Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. In 2017, Klopp and Liverpool launched a massive charm offensive to lure Mbappe to Anfield when it became clear the striker had overtaken Monaco. At the time, however, The Telegraph claimed that Mbappe chose PSG instead because the Reds failed to convince him that joining them was the best step for his career.

Since then, Liverpool have even been linked with Mbappe. Before signing a new contract last summer, the PSG star made it clear he was open to the possibility of taking on a new challenge outside of France.

“It’s a very important moment for me, maybe I’m reaching the first or second turning point in my career,” Mbappe said after being named Ligue 1 player of the year in 2019. “I’ve learned so much here and I feel like maybe it’s time to take on more responsibility. Maybe it would bring me great joy at PSG, or maybe somewhere else for a new project.”

While it remains to be seen whether Liverpool’s latest attempt to sign Mbappe will be successful, Mbappe’s mother and agent Fayza Lamari is known to be a huge Liverpool fan.

Mbappe is believed to be happy to see out the final year of his contract in Paris, but PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear he will actively seek to sell the world champion if he refuses to secure his future to devote himself to the association. beyond 2024.

PSG accepted a club-record £259million offer from Al-Hilal earlier this week but the deal fell through as Mbappé was unwilling to consider a move to the Saudi Pro League.

More news…….

Barcelona declined Liverpool’s €30m offer for star defender

Liverpool have linked up with a move for Andreas Christensen from Barcelona

In a bid to bolster their defensive ranks, Liverpool have set their sights on Andreas Christensen. Jurgen Klopp has made a personal request to the Danish centre-back. Christensen’s pursuit signals the club’s determination to strengthen its back-line for the new season.

This is according to Nacional via Football365 [h/t ECHO]. Liverpool made an initial offer of €30 million to Barcelona for Christensen’s services. However, the Catalan giants were quick to reject the offer, signaling their intention to retain the talented defender.

Undeterred by their second refusal this week after Lavia, the Reds are preparing a second €50m offer for Christensen, showing their willingness to live up to Barcelona’s appreciation for the player.

Christensen has built a reputation as a reliable and composed centre-back and it is no surprise that Klopp is eager to sign. The 27-year-old striker has already shown his defensive prowess at Barcelona and Chelsea. His style of play is in line with the philosophy of Liverpool which certainly makes him a suitable addition to the squad.

With Liverpool looking for defensive reinforcements, Christensen could certainly prove to be an ideal choice. Klopp’s personal interest in the player underlines his belief in the Dane’s abilities and the potential impact he could have on the team.

Liverpool’s back line certainly needs reinforcements as they are ‘uncertain’

Future of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez. The other obvious reason why we might use a number of defenders is the age of the current centre-backs. Mattip, 31. Virgil van Dijk, 32 years old. Nat Phillips is absent and Joe Gomez is not a first-choice player, leaving Ibrahima Konate alone.

If the deal goes ahead, Christensen would bring more depth and quality to Liverpool’s defensive options. His experience and composure in defense could prove crucial in high-stakes matches, adding extra stability to the team’s defense.

Klopp’s personal interest in the player could be a deciding factor but the end result remains uncertain, especially given Barca’s reluctance to let go of Christensen. Liverpool must be patient and ready to continue negotiations to bring the Danish defender to Anfield.

July 30, 2023
Report – £60m Azzurri star agrees Liverpool transfer

Liverpool are consistently associated with high quality midfielders and one of them is blue star Marco Verratti.

Three days ago, we reported via Marca that the Reds are set to beat Atletico Madrid to sign the Italian from Paris Saint-Germain, who values their prized asset at €70m (£60m).

More recently, reports from Spain suggest Verratti has agreed to a move to Liverpool.

According to Catalan outlet Nacional, the decorated midfielder has been “OK” to join Jurgen Klopp, who must now reach an agreement with PSG to complete the transfer.

The 30-year-old star was eager to reunite with Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. However, president Florentino Perez didn’t hesitate to sign him as the La Liga giants already have enough quality and skill in the middle of the park.

It’s worth remembering that Los Blancos blew their budget to sign Jude Bellingham who was top of Liverpool’s wishlist not too long ago.

The Spanish news source claims that Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone was interested in Verratti but fired the Rojiblancos in favor of a move to Anfield.

The veteran has made over 400 appearances for France and won the Ligue 1 title and Super Cup nine times. He also won the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue six times. The 55-year-old star has thus won thirty national titles, but not even a European trophy with PSG. Maybe it’s time for him to finally walk away.

Not to be forgotten, Verratti was an important member of the Italian national team that won the European Championships under Roberto Mancini two years ago. He provided two assists in the league.

Have your say: should Liverpool accept a £60m fee to secure his signature?

July 27, 2023
Romeo Lavia latest as Jurgen Klopp wants deal before imminent ‘deadline

Liverpool are ready to make an improved offer for the Southampton midfielder, to avoid Chelsea’s interest and make it part of their pre-stuagional tours through Singapore

Liverpool is ready to make an improved offer for Romeo Lavia, with the hope of quickly completing an agreement for the midfielder.

Jurgen Klopp planns to renew his machine room this summer and has already signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. But with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson now the subject of offers from Saudi Arabia, this soon became a need.

Lavia, who designed for the Saints of Manchester City last summer, was a radiant star in the championship despite their relegation. And he played enough heads during his first superior campaign to ensure that his decrease in the second layer is short -lived. A number of clubs have been linked with the 19-year-old, with Chelsea also remaining firmly interested. However, Liverpool want to strike while the iron is hot and just two days after an opening offer was rejected they are set to return.

Athletic report that after rejecting an initial offer of £37m, the Reds are ready to put together a financial package that should bring them closer to Southampton’s £50m valuation. This will likely consist of several possible additions, with high confidence that a compromise can be reached.

And Klopp hopes that will happen sooner rather than later when his side fly to Singapore later this week. Liverpool are set to leave on Thursday and the Kop boss wants a deal to be finalized before then so the Belgium international can sit on the plane.

Southampton manager Russell Martin praised the youngster for his professionalism midweek after playing 45 minutes in Tuesday’s friendly against Bournemouth. “Given what’s going on, I thought it would be good for Romeo to play tonight and do all these things because he didn’t have the minutes the others had.

“You can ask for an update, but I can’t give you one because I don’t know. I’ll speak to (sporting director) Jason (Wilcox) now, but I’ve prepared for this game.”

Klopp and his players returned to Merseyside after a camp in Germany, where he insisted more deals would be finalized before the competition begins in less than a month. “There are so many things to do,” he told the club’s media team. “The transfer window is open. If my day had 28 hours right now it wouldn’t be a problem – I could easily fill them!

\”There are still three and a half weeks until the first game of the season. Before then there is still a lot to do, especially in terms of the transfer market. This is now clear. And it will happen. New players must enter. We will have a good team.”

Pending an official announcement, Henderson’s departure is already complete, with the former captain making the controversial decision despite a late appeal from the club’s LGBT+ fan group.

Fabinho is also expected to leave but his move to Al Ittihad fell through due to a delay in the process. Not all parties have completed the transfer yet, which could net the Reds around £40m when completed.

July 26, 2023
Sadio Mané “approves” the Cristiano Ronaldo pairing as Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool strategy is revealed to be incorrect.

While a previous Liverpool transfer strategy appears to have failed, Sadio Mané may be the latest player to move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

The past two weeks have been extremely busy for Liverpool, which may have caused them to rethink their summer transfer strategy.

The Reds made their return to action this week in their first preseason friendly, and they got off to a good start against Karlsruher, winning 4-2, but the victory was somewhat overshadowed by things that happened off the field.

Just as the game kicked off in Germany, it emerged that a deal had been agreed for Jordan Henderson to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq (as per the ECHO). Now that Steven Gerrard appears to be returning to Liverpool, the captain of the Reds won’t be the only one moving to the Gulf state.

The Athletic reports that Fabinho also appears to be close to joining Al-Ittihad. This will leave Liverpool with a midfield gap that needs to be filled during the upcoming transfer window.

This summer’s top news stories revolve around the ongoing exodus of players to Saudi Arabia, which includes some former Reds stars and places Liverpool squarely in the foreground.

Sadio Mané ‘agrees to join Cristiano Ronaldo’.

Away from Liverpool’s own transfer dealings, Sadio Mané’s future will no doubt be of interest to supporters this summer. The former Anfield favorite’s future at Bayern Munich still looks to be very much up in the air following what was a disappointing first season in Germany.

Of course, wherever a 30-something-year-old’s future is in doubt, you can guarantee a link to Saudi Arabia isn’t far behind. Mané is no different, and French outlet L’Equipe is claiming the Senegal international has ‘agreed in principal’ to join Al-Nassr, approving what would be a link-up with former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Elsewhere, 90MIN has suggested Liverpool, Manchester City and PSG could all be interested in Lyon starlet Bradley Barcola, with Man City eyeing him up as a possible replacement for Riyad Mahrez.

Jürgen Klopp was wrong about ‘great’ Liverpool transfer plan.

Liverpool again finds itself looking for midfield reinforcements as Henderson and Fabinho look to be on their way. Their expected departures have given the transfer landscape a new outlook, and perhaps led to Michael Edwards’ worst fears being realized.

A little over two years ago, coming off the back of a disappointing title defense wrecked by injuries, Liverpool handed out seven contract extensions to first-team players, including Fabinho and Henderson.

The news was celebrated at the time by Jürgen Klopp, but as Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy has suggested, fears were being raised behind the scenes of the squad ‘veering away from the right football age’, something which has perhaps now been proven.

More news…….

Liverpool has the ideal lure to divert Man City’s record-breaking £85 million deal.

As Jurgen Klopp continues to rebuild, Liverpool is looking for a defender this summer.

Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has the tools at his disposal to thwart an attempted coup by Manchester City this summer by halting a record-breaking £85 million transfer that has been in the works for several weeks.

The Reds are anticipated to make preliminary approaches during the summer transfer window to line up a defender with the intimidating intent of ultimately replacing club legend Virgil van Dijk.

Josko Gvardiol, a Croatian player who plays for RB Leipzig and is regarded as one of the best up-and-coming defenders on the planet, has consistently been at the forefront of every discussion.

The young player made a big impression at the World Cup in Qatar last year, and his Champions League performances have won him fans across Europe.

Leipzig is reportedly holding out for the full £85 million of Gvardiol’s release clause to be paid in one lump sum.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of City, and his team have been in negotiations with Leipzig in recent weeks.

A defender would be transferred for a record-breaking sum, surpassing the £80 million Manchester United paid Leicester City for Harry Maguire.

Christian Falk, a German football expert, reports via Caughtoffside that a standoff has developed between Leipzig and City as the former is trying to find a suitable replacement while the latter is reportedly negotiating the price in an effort to get better terms.

As a result, there has been an unnerving silence that may well give Liverpool the opportunity to score at the perfect time, mainly because Klopp has Joe Gomez as a secret weapon.

Gomez, who recently turned 26 years old, has spent the last few seasons alternating between playing regularly for the Reds’ first team and sitting on the substitutes’ bench for extended periods of time.

Although the demands of Premier League football have resulted in several injuries, which have hampered the progress of the England international, Klopp was extremely complimentary of his excellent communication with Van Dijk.

Gomez, who Leipzig scouts have previously observed, may well find a move to the Bundesliga highly advantageous with an eye toward the upcoming European Championships.

By providing Leipzig with a ready-made replacement for the Croatian and a transfer fee to help defray the cost, Liverpool’s offer would go some way toward hijacking control of the Gvardiol situation.

Liverpool has renewed hope that the young player will eventually make it to Anfield thanks to comments made by Gvardiol several years ago during an interview with RTLDanas.
Gvardiol was asked which team he would most like to play for when at the height of his abilities, and he responded, “My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool.

“Ever since I was a little kid, my dad and I have seen a lot of their games. All four seasons were thoroughly covered. It is a club that has stayed in my heart. “.

When discussing potential transfers and leaving Leipzig, Gvardiol has, however, always spoken in a respectful manner.

It is believed that the German powerhouses will not release the defender this summer unless his release clause is honored and paid in full.

In the summer of 2024, Leipzig are predicted to be more open to offers, and at that time, Klopp and Liverpool are likely to lose club stalwart Joel Matip when his current contract expires.

It will be interesting to see if the Reds decide to act this summer and stop City. Nevertheless, everything suggests that the risk is one that is highly worthwhile taking.

July 22, 2023
Report: Liverpool now prepared to make the £90m Real Madrid player a serious transfer target

Liverpool are reportedly ready to make Aurelien Tchouameni a serious transfer target this summer, but only if Real Madrid put the midfielder up for sale.

Jurgen Klopp remains interested in the France international, according to the Telegraph. However, a transfer of Tchouameni is only possible if Los Blancos place the 23-year-old on the transfer list.

Liverpool came close to signing Tchouameni last summer before Madrid hijacked the deal and managed to bring the AS Monaco star to Spain while the Reds were left empty-handed.

However, Liverpool have never given up on their interest in Tchouameni and the Reds could now opt for the midfielder if Madrid decide to sell the Frenchman this summer, which is highly likely. The Mirror recently reported that Real Madrid were reported to sell the youngster for £90m. However, with Liverpool now in the money after the sale of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, a compromise could be made.

Indeed, Madrid’s hunt for Kylian Mbappe is no secret this summer. And Tchouameni’s transfer to Liverpool, having already signed Jude Bellingham, could help Carlo Ancelotti’s side cross the line for the PSG superstar.

If Real sell Tchouameni to Liverpool it would be a win-win situation

Liverpool are looking for a midfielder and Real are looking at ways to raise money for Mbappé. The solution? Selling Tchouameni to the Reds, making the transfer a win-win situation for all parties involved.

As we know, Tchouameni was close to signing for the Reds last year before Real Madrid flexed their muscles to bring French talent to Spain. And a year after the transfer, the midfielder could still end up at Anfield.

Of course, it could all hinge on Madrid thinking that the sale of Tchouameni will finally help them sign Mbappé. But with the PSG star keen on a move, Liverpool could hit the jackpot and bring the midfielder to Merseyside this summer.

More news……..

26-YEAR-OLD LIVERPOOL PLAYER AGREED ON TERMS TO JOIN LEEDS UNITED

Leeds United are said to have agreed personal terms with Nat Phillips as they target the Liverpool defender.

Nat Phillips is a prime target for Leeds United this summer and a report suggests personal terms have been agreed.

This reports Last Word on Sports, which says Leeds have reached a preliminary agreement with Phillips.

If true, the next job is to finalize a fee with Liverpool and try to bring Phillips to Elland Road.

Leeds are inching closer to signing Ethan Ampadu, who can operate as both a central defender and defensive midfielder. However, we expect him to play the latter role and with Robin Koch’s move to Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds need another centre-back.

Phillips appears to be the primary target and if his reps agree on personal terms, that would be a big step in the right direction.

Athletic reported on Leeds’ interest in Phillips in June and hinted that Liverpool were aiming for around £10million.

It would be a big outlay for Leeds, especially with Ampadu costing at least £7million, but new boss Daniel Farke needs to be backed up with signings.

Daniel Farke would surely support Nat Phillips move

The Athletic report also added that Farke was looking to sign Phillips during his tenure as Norwich City manager. That move never happened, but Farke would finally get the chance to work with Phillips in Leeds.

The whites want to return to the Premier League and a no-nonsense defender like Phillips could be ideal.

The 26-year-old was promoted from Championship side Bournemouth in 2022 and Leeds are hoping to see him do the same at Elland Road.

Phillips may not be flashy, but he’s performed admirably in recent years when he’s been called up to Liverpool.

A 6-foot 3-inch centre-back with great airpower and a desire to block and clear anything in his path, Phillips could help Leeds build a winning defensive line under Farke.

July 20, 2023
Saudi Arabia offers €50m for ANOTHER Liverpool star

Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are reportedly ready to offer 50 million euros for Liverpool forward Luis Diaz at the request of coach Jorge Jesus.

Diaz, 26, missed most of last season through injury but returned for the final games of the season and is expected to play a key role at Anfield next year.

However, interest in Diaz from the Saudi Pro League could see Jurgen Klopp bereft of one of his greatest strengths.

The Colombian winger has four years left on his contract with Liverpool, having signed a five-and-a-half-year deal after leaving FC Porto in January 2022, but the Reds are unwilling to sell him this summer.

According to Portuguese Medium Record, Diaz is admired by Al Hilal manager Jesus and the Saudi side are preparing to make a €50m bid to persuade Liverpool to sell. But Klopp is determined to keep Diaz and will not approve a sale in this window as the 26-year-old is firmly entrenched in Liverpool’s plans for next season.

The Reds have plenty of attacking options for the 2023/24 season but they lost Roberto Firmino to Al Ahli on a free transfer. Moreover, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson could join the Brazilian in the Saudi Pro League.

Fabinho and Henderson in Saudi Arabia?
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, “Al-Ittihad will approach Liverpool with a concrete offer to buy Fabinho.” The Saudi Pro League club’s bid for the 29-year-old Brazilian international is expected to be worth £40m and a decision one way or another is expected to be swift.”

In addition, Henderson has been offered a mouth-watering weekly wage of €816,000 (£700,000) per week to join Al-Ettifaq, currently managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

However, Klopp is reluctant to sell both without signing at least one more midfielder; Southampton’s Romeo Lavia looks like the more likely option.

Liverpool have already seen Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave this summer, and that trio could soon be joined by Fabinho and Henderson as they leave Anfield. But it is extremely unlikely that Diaz will accompany them to new pastures.

Al-Hilal, the team interested in signing Diaz, has already added Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer.

More news……

A legend of Liverpool responds to the “outrage” over Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia.

Robbie Fowler, a former player for Liverpool, believes that the “outrage” over Jordan Henderson’s potential salary of £700,000 per week in Saudi Arabia is misplaced.

After much-publicized talks with Al-Ettifaq, Henderson joining Steven Gerrard’s management team would be welcomed by the former striker, who now oversees Saudi Arabia’s second-tier team Al Qadsiah.

He stated in his Mirror column that “Jordan Henderson’s alleged wages have caused the outrage.”. “I’ve never really understood why the salaries of football players are such a touchy subject, but the billions made by financiers are never called into question.

But first, let’s be clear about something. I won’t criticize Steven Gerrard, Jordan, or anyone else who has worked in Saudi Arabia or is considering doing so. Not because I’m taking the money as well — that just isn’t true.

“As I’ve previously stated, I accepted a position in the league beneath the Saudi Pro League because I’m ambitious to become a manager and because I want to establish my credentials. I haven’t had that opportunity in the UK. ”.

Al-Ettifaq are reportedly having financial difficulties paying Liverpool’s £20 million asking price for Henderson, despite their sizable wage offer.

Another Reds midfielder, Fabinho, may be leaving for the Middle East after receiving a £40 million offer from Al-Ittihad.

Some worry that Arabian football will deprive the Premier League of its best players, a worry that Fowler is unconcerned about along with the fees changing hands. Dissatisfaction with the region’s record on equality and human rights has been expressed by others.

Fowler continued, “I am close with Stevie and I know Jordan well. I believe Steven is similar to me in that he wants to manage, he wants to establish himself, and since leaving Aston Villa, the right opportunity hasn’t appeared.

“Now that he has the support of a major team, he plays in a league that aspires to improvement and to ranking among the best leagues in the world. An ambitious manager has a fantastic opportunity to advance.

“Yes, there has been money thrown at this large project, but we can all ponder why there is that financial backing now. Has the Premier League’s identical action been criticized by anyone?

July 19, 2023