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

In Sunday’s Premier League match, Liverpool hosts Fulham at their Anfield fortress in the hopes of maintaining their perfect home record in the 2023–24 campaign.

The Reds defeated LASK Linz 4-0 on Thursday to go to the Europa League round of 16, while Marco Silva’s team narrowly prevailed 3-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.

Match preview

In Thursday’s Europa League Group E match, Austrian powerhouse LASK Linz became the tenth visiting team to test their mettle on Anfield turf this season. Thomas Sageder’s team swiftly became the tenth club to leave empty-handed, as Liverpool comfortably advanced into the round of 16 with a game remaining.

After losing to Toulouse 3-2 and earning just one point, the Reds missed their chance to qualify three weeks prior. However, Liverpool secured the top spot with to goals from Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah, who scored his 199th Reds goal.

As Liverpool gears up for an intense winter schedule, which begins this weekend with the first of eight games scheduled for December, Klopp understandably praised the significance of wrapping up progress early. This month, they play their final group game against Union SG, with nothing more at stake than pride.

The Reds’ match against Manchester City at the top of the table last weekend did not quite live up to the pre-game hype, but a brilliant strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold earned them a point in a 1-1 draw. However, Ruben Dias had to call a timeout after Manuel Akanji had knocked down Alisson Becker.

Liverpool now sits in third place after missing the opportunity to overtake the defending champions, Arsenal, who lead Klopp’s team by two points. Nevertheless, the Reds will host Fulham on Tuesday after winning all ten of their home games this season by a margin of at least two goals.

In Monday’s intense match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where three spot kicks were awarded in the second half of the match, the Cottagers were also thanking their lucky stars for video assistant refereeing. The Wanderers, on the other hand, were left to lament yet another round of controversial decisions going against them. The match ended in a five-goal thriller.

Fulham’s four-game winless streak in the division came to an end when Willian, the winger for Fulham, scored twice from 12 yards, following goals from Alex Iwobi and Matheus Cunha. However, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil reeled off a list of questionable calls that the officials admitted wrongly went against his side on the evening.

The PGMOL may have offered Wolves a meaningless apology, but Fulham earned a crucial three points in their attempt to escape danger. The Cottagers are currently in 14th place in the standings, but they have a comfortable 10-point lead over Sheffield United in 18th place.

The good vibes in the Fulham camp could not last long, though, as the Cottagers have lost their previous six Premier League away games under Silva. They have now conceded in each of their last nine games in all competitions.

The lowest percentage for any team to play at least 10 away games against a single opponent is Fulham’s meagre four goals from 16 Premier League games versus Liverpool at Anfield. However, in May’s top-flight match, only a Salah penalty kick could separate the two teams.

More than the Reds’ stalemate with Man City last weekend, where both Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota tweaked leg muscles in the second half, none of Klopp’s players emerged from the victory over LASK with a new injury issue to report.

While Jota’s injury is more serious and Klopp is unsure of when the Portuguese attacker will return, Alisson will stay in the treatment room for a few more weeks, giving Caoimhin Kelleher just his sixth Premier League start for the Reds.

With Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Thiago Alcantara (hip), and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) out of the lineup for Klopp’s three long-term absences, Diaz should start for the hosts in the attack against Fulham. Salah needs one more goal to reach a fantastic 200 for the Merseyside giants.

Regarding the visitors, Silva will be happy to have the vital midfield player Joao Palhinha return to the engine room; Tom Cairney or Harrison Reed will have to make way for the Portugal international, who was suspended for the team’s victory against Wolves.

After defeating Wolves, the Cottagers also came out on top. However, Issa Diop is not likely to return from his foot injury anytime soon, and Adam Traore (thigh) and Rodrigo Muniz (knee) are also out of the running for the time being.

Ex-Liverpool winger Harry Wilson should not start against his former employers since both Iwobi and Willian are making a lot of net space. However, with Tosin Adarabioyo recovering from a groyne treatment, Silva faces a defensive conundrum.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez

We say: Liverpool 3-0 Fulham

When Wolves visited town on Monday, it took a few strokes of luck for Fulham to cross the finish line. However, since the Cottagers have had plenty of time to heal, it shouldn’t matter too much when they play Liverpool.

With numerous rested big-hitters making a comeback to the starting lineup and playing goals for joy in front of their own supporters, Klopp’s crop should be able to maintain their 100% home record without too many setbacks on Sunday.

December 2, 2023
Ten players could miss Man City vs. Liverpool’s Premier League match due to injuries.

An extensive summary of the injuries that Manchester City and Liverpool are dealing with before their Premier League match on Saturday

The managerial prowess of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will be put to the test on Saturday when they try to assemble their injured squads for Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City.

Due to both teams’ history of fighting to the very last minute for championships, the meeting has always had an advantage in the modern Premier League era. This was reinforced when the Reds’ performance in the final game before the international break guaranteed they would play the league leaders in second place.

However, several of the stars from both teams will undoubtedly miss the top-of-the-table match owing to injury issues, and it might come too soon for other contenders to recover.

Liverpool

Ibrahima Konate

Injury: Hamstring

What we know: Since the 1-1 draw with Luton at the beginning of November, the centre defender has not appeared for the Reds. After taking a break in Toulouse, he missed the victory over Brentford prior to the halftime break because of his second hamstring issue in as many months.

He will miss France’s World Cup qualifying matches against Gibraltar and Greece this week as a result of this, yet national team boss Didier Deschamps stated on Monday that his absence was only preventative.

His testing came back normal, though. The coach said to the French media that “he needs some time to not take any risks.” He already has an injury in that area. Neither I nor he had any interest in getting in touch with him. He could have only been available for training on Friday, November 17, or Saturday, November 18, in the best case situation.

But like his midfield partner Jones, Gravenberch is expected to recover in time for Man City, bringing his run of missing games to an end at three.

Possible return date: November 25 vs Manchester City

Conor Bradley

Injury: Stress fracture

What we know: Just two games into the team’s summer preseason practises, 20-year-old Bradley suffered the devastating blow of a stress fracture in his back.

Due to this, he has missed the entire 2023–24 season. However, before to this month’s 3-2 Europa League loss against Toulouse, he was sighted in open training with the rest of his teammates.

Maybe LASK at Anfield, the game right after City, would be a more reasonable goal instead of a match of this level for the young Northern Irishman.

Possible return date: November 30 vs LASK

Joe Gomez

Injury: Unknown

What we know: Gomez was unexpectedly missing from the Reds’ triumph over Brentford as well.

The Englishman had terrible, chronic issues in the past, but this season he has returned to his former self, albeit largely as a left back and not in his favoured position in central defence.

Before the team’s most recent game, Klopp stated that the seriousness of the problem will need to be evaluated. Since then, there has been no update.

Date of potential return: TBC

Stefan Bajcetic

Injury: Adductor

What we know: Bajcetic, the second Spanish maestro who appears to be having trouble at this club, has also missed extended periods of time due to injury since before the 2022–2023 season concluded.

He only had two appearances as a right back so far this season in September before suffering an injury that has prevented him from playing and will, regrettably, prevent him from playing in the upcoming game.

The 19-year-old recently talked about the difficulties he had starting his career so young.

Possible return date: TBC

Thiago Alcantara

Injury: Hip

What we know: Thiago has not appeared as a substitute for Liverpool since April 26, 2023, and has not started a game for the club since February 4, 2023. This is because he underwent hip surgery and has since experienced setbacks.

He will definitely not play on Saturday since Klopp stated at the beginning of the month that the Spaniard’s realistic goal would be the New Year.

Andy Robertson

Injury: Shoulder

What we know: Robertson missed the October international break due to a dislocated shoulder, which is another issue for a Reds player that needed surgery.

Since then, he has missed seven club games; given Liverpool’s hectic holiday schedule, that figure will rise significantly. The Scottish player is unlikely to play before the New Year and will not be participating against Man City.

Despite this, he is still very positive, saying to Viaplay recently: “I’m getting there, slowly and surely.” The most important thing was that the surgery went well and there were no aftereffects.

“After three weeks of surgery, everything is going great. I just need to take things little by little, week by week. So far, so good. So far, everything has gone smoothly, and perhaps this will continue. Hopefully, I’ll be back on the grass in no time.”

Potential date of return: January 2024

2024

Manchester City

Erling Haaland

Injury: Ankle

What we know: During Norway’s most recent game against the Faroe Islands, the Premier League record setter took a knock to his ankle. The injury was evident. He was unable to attend their next match against Scotland as a result, and his nation was unable to go to the Euro 2024 finals.

Stale Solbakken, the manager of Haaland’s national team, hinted on Saturday that the player’s absence from the second game was merely a precaution, saying, “It’s not a serious injury; it’s his movement in the foot that is his problem.” If the match against Scotland had gone to overtime, I’m not sure.”

Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool

Rodri

Injury: Unknown

What we know: Rodri complained of discomfort, so the management of the Spanish national team decided he would not play in their first game of the break.

But in encouraging news for Guardiola’s team on Saturday, the key midfield player was able to play 86 minutes on Sunday without any new issues.

Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool

Ederson

Injury: Foot

What we know: City’s Brazilian goalkeeper was clearly uncomfortable throughout the second half of their most recent away Premier League game against Chelsea.

He had to withdraw from Brazil’s plans for this international break due to an impact injury to his foot. The Manchester Evening News claims that Guardiola won’t need to use Stefan Ortega, his backup choice, because Ederson will be fine.

Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool

Sergio Gomez

Injury: Ankle

What we know: The England international missed the first twelve games of the season due to injury, but returned for about a month before the same issue reappeared.

Guardiola indicated that the current situation is “not bad,” but he made it clear that he would not force Stones to play again before it was absolutely necessary.

Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool

John Stones

Injury: Hip

What we know: The England international missed the first twelve games of the season due to injury, but returned for about a month before the same issue reappeared.

Guardiola indicated that the current situation is “not bad,” but he made it clear that he would not force Stones to play again before it was absolutely necessary.

Possible return date: TBC

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Muscular

What we know: A week and a half ago, the Croatian substituted in for Chelsea during the second half of City’s match, despite having strained a muscle. Since the international break, Kovacic has not been mentioned in any fresh updates.

Possible return date: TBC

Matheus Nunes

Injury: Fitness

What we know: “The midfielder is unfit for Portugal’s two games,” the Portuguese Football Association stated in a statement. After testing, Matheus Nunes was deemed clinically unfit for the matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein.”

The former player who was linked to Liverpool was consequently transferred back to Manchester, where he has played without any problems since joining in the summer.

Possible return date: TBC

Nathan Ake

Injury: Unknown

What we know: During the few days between City’s Champions League encounter against Young Boys and their pre-intermission match versus Chelsea, the Dutchman developed an issue during training. He was compelled to leave his foreign assignment as a result, and no fresh information has been released.

Possible return date: TBC

Kevin de Bruyne

Injury: Hamstring

What is certain is that Man City will spare Jurgen Klopp’s team from facing the talisman, Kevin de Bruyne, this coming weekend.

Since hurting his hamstring on the first day of the season, the midfield player has been out. Guardiola is unlikely to risk the 32-year-old, therefore a comeback before the New Year is anticipated.

Possible return date: January 2024

November 22, 2023
The dreaded slot for Man City’s kickoff will not please Liverpool fans.

A local safety advisory group recommended moving Manchester City’s Premier League match against rival Liverpool to the early kickoff time of 12:30 on Saturday, November 25.

According to the Daily Mail, the time has been changed due to worries about fan unrest.
The two Premier League matches were originally scheduled to kick off at 5:30pm on the same day with Sky Sports airing the game in their Saturday evening slot.

Following a number of issues at previous matches between the two, the local safety advisory group, which includes the police, has not given permission for the game to take place in the early evening.

This change will also have an impact on Arsenal’s trip to Brentford because that game will now take place at 5:30 p.m. instead of the time that Man City vs. Liverpool was originally scheduled.

The fact that Liverpool is playing in the early Saturday slot right after an international break for the third time this season will enrage Jurgen Klopp, who has previously discussed the problem.

Due to the travel they must do the week before the game, the Reds find it very difficult to field their South American stars in this slot.
Players like Luis Diaz, Alexis MacAllister, and Darwin Nunez are crucial for the Merseyside club.

If it happened only occasionally, there wouldn’t be a problem, but Liverpool seems to play in this time slot frequently following an international break.

Since Klopp’s appointment, Liverpool has played at 12:30pm 14 times straight after an international break; Tottenham is next with six.

More news……

Journalist: Liverpool are leading the race to sign the best defensive midfielder in his country for £34 million.

Andre Trindade, a midfielder for Fluminense, will be available for transfer in January, with Liverpool “first in line.”

The 22-year-old’s club rejected any attempts to sell him in the summer, and the Reds have been heavily linked with a mid-season move for him.

Additionally, Fluminense won’t get in Andre’s way this time, claims journalist Graeme Bailey.
In an interview with 90min’s Talking Transfers podcast, Bailey asserted that the Brazil international is undoubtedly going to leave, with Liverpool holding a commanding lead.

The journalist claims that many consider him to be the best defensive midfielder currently playing in Brazil’s top division.

“From what we understand, Liverpool was present for the Copa Libertadores semifinal [last week].

The fact that Andre inspired a 2-1 victory over Internacional in the second leg would have made them very happy.

The victory advanced them to the championship game, where they will face Boca Juniors.

“He is actually one of the January agenda items.
If he stays in Fluminense, I’ll be surprised. Will Liverpool be the destination? I believe they are first in line.

“He will unquestionably depart from Fluminense in January.
And he very well could show up at Anfield.

Liverpool is ahead in the Andre race.

Some might counter that Jurgen Klopp doesn’t necessarily need another midfielder given his current options.

There is definitely room for discussion there, to be honest.
There are eight senior first-team midfielders on Liverpool’s roster right now.

Of those eight, it seems like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister are going to be the starters, with Curtis Jones or Ryan Gravenberch receiving Klopp’s preference for the eighth spot.

Stefan Bajcetic, whose development may be hampered by additional additions, and Harvey Elliott, who is very much on the manager’s mind, are the next two players.

The last two, however, may require improvements.
Thiago Alcantara might be Liverpool’s top midfielder in terms of quality.
Although he never stays in shape, his contract expires in the summer.

Wataru Endo isn’t quite the standard Liverpool needs to challenge, though I don’t mean to put him down.
In defensive midfield, if there is one area where they can get better, it is this.

Therefore, moving Andre in January would be a very wise decision.
It would appear wise for the Reds to sign him if they can do so for less than his £34 million release clause.
Keep your eyes on this one at all times

October 14, 2023
Prior to the match against Tottenham, Jurgen Klopp received a significant injury boost for Liverpool.

This weekend, Tottenham will host Liverpool in the Premier League as Ange Postecoglou’s team looks to maintain its perfect record8

Tottenham will be disappointed to learn that Trent Alexander-Arnold, a star for Liverpool, appears to be back to 100 percent fitness ahead of their Premier League matchup this weekend.
The Reds are two points ahead of Spurs as both teams enter the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unbeaten in the Premier League.

Due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, Alexander-Arnold has been sidelined for Liverpool’s last four games in all competitions.
In the absence of the England international, Jurgen Klopp decided to start players like Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic, and Joe Gomez.

Prior to the match against Liverpool, Spurs have their own injury concerns.
Son Heung-min and James Maddison both sustained injuries during the North London Derby against Arsenal last weekend.

After landing awkwardly on his knee during the 2-2 draw with the Gunners, Maddison will have his knee scanned. Brennan Johnson, who sustained a hamstring injury at the Emirates Stadium, is still questionable for the match against Liverpool.

In the attack, Manor Solomon took the place of the Wales international; however, it is still unknown who Ange Postecoglou will start alongside Son and Dejan Kulusevski.
Despite Son’s success as a No. 10, Richarlison might be reinserted into the lineup with Son moving back to the left wwing. no.9.

Alexander-Arnold’s return to fitness could make Liverpool more vulnerable defensively, but it will make them much stronger offensively.
In a video that Liverpool shared on social media, the English defender can be seen playing two-touch with Dominik Szoboszlai in the Reds’ gym.

"Play football outside…" 👀😅 pic.twitter.com/4kmCyw9PMx

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 28, 2023

Alexander-Arnold didn’t show any signs of discomfort, which suggests he will be included in Klopp’s matchday squad on Saturday against Spurs.

More news

As Jürgen Klopp’s risk demonstrates a clear plan A, Liverpool has a weapon more effective than Erling Haaland.

As evidenced by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘risk’ to start him against West Ham, Liverpool has a forward who is more productive than even the formidable Erling Haaland.

Since entering the Premier League, Erling Haaland has established the standard for goal scoring. But Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp have been working on a strong weapon of their own to counter Pep Guardiola’s concoction.

And throughout the course of this season, especially in the most recent week against LASK and West Ham United, that antidote has been effectively unleashed, time and time again.

Darwin Nunez has always been compared to Haaland from the moment he was signed.
These comparisons were inevitable given that both players joined England’s top two teams in the same summer.

However, it’s fair to say that only Haaland lived up to the expectations in the first season.
Nunez significantly underperformed compared to expectations based on his own standards.

However, it’s fair to say that only Haaland lived up to the hype in the first season.
Nunez significantly lagged behind what was expected of him by his own standards.

Thankfully, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sometimes it takes time to integrate a forward—even one as productive as Nunez—especially in a system as exacting as Klopp’s gegenpressing one at Anfield.

It’s a good thing that Rome wasn’t built in a day because it can sometimes take time to integrate a forward, even one as productive as Nez, especially in a system as exacting as Klopp’s gegenpressing one at Anfield.

In a club, Nez often starts off slowly before exploding suddenly.
His first season at Benfica saw him score just 14 goals, but his second saw him light up the world.

Now, based on what he has demonstrated so far this season, it appears that history may be about to repeat itself.

Nez gave the impression that he was on a mission the moment he arrived in preseason.
In the preseason, he had a lot of goals and appeared to be a completely different, terrifying prospect.

Nunez has now continued in that form during the regular season.
The Uruguayan has already shown his clutchness numerous times this season, including with a crucial brace to turn the game around against Newcastle, a goal and an assist against Aston Villa, and a goal and another assist midweek against LASK.

But Klopp could have easily benched him against West Ham.
Starting him back-to-back in two games so soon after picking up an ailment during the international break was undoubtedly a risk.

But it turned out to be a risk worth taking.

The Uruguayan gave Liverpool yet another pivotal moment with his goal to give his team the lead. Nunez’s goal served as a significant catalyst for the game.

Nunez is more prolific than Haaland himself, who has so far “only” contributed a goal every 87 minutes on average at the club level.

Nunez is only three goals behind Haaland despite having played 463 more minutes than the Norwegian and having contributed to six goals overall.

In a Liverpool jersey, it has taken him some time to get going, but once Nunez finds his golden clutch, he has already shown at Benfica that he is impossible to stop.
Liverpool will be hoping that Anfield will follow this trend

September 28, 2023
Report: After submitting a bid, Liverpool was only £8 million away from the ‘aggressive’ target.

With manager Jurgen Klopp dreaming of pairing the Torino star and Virgil van Dijk with his summer transfer, Liverpool have now encountered a significant obstacle in their pursuit of Perr Schuurs.

According to Toro . it, all negotiations between Liverpool and Torino regarding the transfer of Schuurs have come to a halt. This summer, the Serie A team has been negotiating a transfer with Crystal Palace. However, their conversations with the Eagles have also come to a halt at this time.

The clubs with the most interest in luring Schuurs away from the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino are Liverpool and Crystal Palace. However, the 23-year-old cannot leave the club for less than €40 million (£34 million), according to Urbano Cairo, the chairman of Il Toro. His cost has, however, up until now been a problem.

Perr Schuurs is still a target of interest for transfers from Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

For the center-back this summer, no club has yet expressed a desire to pay Cairo the amount he demands. Schuurs now finds himself in an awkward position at the Serie A club after recently telling Torino fans he is unsure of his future with the team beyond this current window.

Crystal Palace and Liverpool are still interested in Schuurs and are keeping an eye out for any potential transfers. The defender has had a productive summer thus far as he sharpens his focus in time for training. The enforcer, who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, keeps up his tireless work.

As Klopp fantasizes about pairing the Dutchman with his countryman, Van Dijk, at Anfield, Liverpool is still aware of Schuurs’ predicament. The Reds manager is eager to sign a center-half to pair with the former Southampton star. However, Crystal Palace might make him less interested.

The Italian club Torino has already received offers from Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

At the beginning of July, Tuttosport reported that Liverpool had submitted a €30 million (£26 million) offer for the transfer of Schuurs. However, Torino swiftly rejected a bid from Napoli and returned the offer to its sender.
Il Toro, however, always looked forward to receiving more proposals.

The Eagles would also submit an offer. This month, according to Tuttosport, Crystal Palace made a transfer offer of €35 million (£30 million) to Torino. Cairo, however, has stuck to its £34 million ($40 million) price tag. While even Tuttosport reported that Schuurs had decided to join Crystal Palace.

Despite the fact that Schuurs prefers Liverpool, he has a personal contract in place with Crystal Palace in the event that Torino approve a transfer. To acquire a player Michael Owen admires, the Eagles must offer an additional £4 million for a deal and Liverpool an additional £8 million.

Owen told BT Sport (21/10/23, 22:30) that Schuurs “will be the new Matthijs de Ligt.”. Although he is still young, he has a great physique and strength. He already makes me think of De Ligt a lot. Strong for his age, aggressive, and good with the ball. ”.

July 28, 2023
Six things were observed in the Liverpool match as Jürgen Klopp’s experiment may provide fresh transfer information.

Jürgen Klopp carried out an experiment from the Reds’ first game against Greuther Fürth as Liverpool continued its preseason preparations. We noticed this.

MS TECHNOLOGIE-ARENA, FÜRTH // Liverpool played Greuther Fürth in its second preseason friendly of the summer to wrap up its training camp in Germany. As they drew 4-4, Jürgen Klopp once more took advantage of the chance to put many of his players to the test.

After being denied just moments earlier, Luis Daz scored the game’s first goal with a well-placed finish midway through the first half. Shortly after the break, the hosts tied the score thanks to an error by James McConnell and Adrián, but a brilliant double from Darwin Nez appeared to have given the Reds another victory while on the road.

But Fürth came back, scoring twice through Armindo Sieb and Lukas Petkov to take an unexpected lead. But late in the game, Mohamed Salah was there to make sure the Reds didn’t lose.

While Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were still missing from the squad despite being close to moving to Saudi Arabia, there was another notable omission.

Alisson Becker returned to goal for Liverpool after missing the first game of the summer against Karlsruher. Dominik Szoboszlai missed the game after suffering an injury in practice, but there was a return for Alisson Becker.

The starting lineup adopted a much more recognizable composition, though Conor Bradley continued at right-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold started in midfield once more. Ben Doak replaced Mohamed Salah in the starting lineup, and Diogo Jota was chosen ahead of Nunez because of his two goals last week.

Here are the six key developments that Liverpool . com noticed throughout the match.

Tip for transfer?

Trent Alexander-Arnold, a graduate of the academy, started in the six-position midfield role against Karlsruher as part of Klopp’s ongoing Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment. Conor Bradley played the hybrid right-back position.

Alexander-Arnold’s suitability for a permanent midfield position has been much discussed over the years, and it does appear that Klopp has been warming up to the idea more recently. We now have the ideal opportunity to examine Liverpool’s number 66 in a more advanced starting role with Fabinho and Henderson now seemingly out of the picture.

And his new position, however temporary it may end up being, comes at an especially good time given recent rumors that the Reds are preparing a bid for Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich (per Fichajes).

The German international would be perfect for the hybrid role moving forward and would provide an alternative option as Liverpool searches for Fabinho’s replacement. However, whether or not anything in the report is true remains to be seen. Maybe Klopp just demonstrated what his current transfer priorities are.

yet another midfield choice.

Of course, the preseason is the ideal time for experimentation, and Klopp is making the most of his chance.

Cody Gakpo started as the number eight in the second preseason game, with Dominik Szoboszlai being rested.

The Netherlands international has experience playing this role; he did so against Brentford in the closing weeks of last season, and he undoubtedly fit the part.

And he once more displayed his adaptability by guarding the ball in his own half to make room further forward and launch Liverpool’s attack.

It’s understandable why many people view Gakpo as the ideal successor to Roberto Firmino, and he demonstrated this season why, regardless of position, he should be included in the starting lineup.

Long-term replacement for Salah.

Mohamed Salah may not have to leave Liverpool anytime soon, but Liverpool fans would undoubtedly feel more secure if the Egyptian king had some backup.

It’s becoming less likely that Liverpool will pursue another forward in the transfer market given the need for improvement in midfield and defense this summer. As a result, Klopp may need to look closer to home to support Salah, and he may already have his long-term replacement in place.

At Anfield, there is a lot of anticipation surrounding Ben Doak, and you can see why in Germany. Despite the fact that his final product may not have been quite on point, the former Celtic youngster looked like a real livewire on the right, and at 17, he has plenty of time to improve.

With Liverpool participating in the Europa League in the upcoming campaign, chances may arise for some of the team’s younger players to stake their claims, and in Doak, Reds fans will have something very exciting to look forward to.

Fully functional pressing machine.

Klopp lamented his team’s pressing efforts in particular as he summed up last season’s myriad issues and problems in that regard.

He stated over the ECHO, “It’s a general issue, not a midfield issue. “Defending starts up front; if you don’t defend there, the midfield won’t be able to succeed. ”.

Diogo Jota, whom Pep Lijnders refers to as a “pressing machine,” was absent for a significant portion of the season, which undoubtedly contributed to some of the issue.

And we witnessed firsthand the kind of impact the duo can have when they play together, forcing the German defense to make errors and generating chances from typically unimportant circumstances.

They will undoubtedly face tougher competition, especially once the season really gets going, but the early signs are promising.

Kelleher’s reiteration.

Given that Caoimhn Kelleher’s future has been the subject of some rumors, there were a few raised eyebrows among Liverpool supporters when he wasn’t named in the squad.

After Alisson and Adrián missed the match against Karlsruher, Ian Doyle of The ECHO calmed some nerves by claiming Kelleher’s absence was “simply a matter of playing time being shared around” on social media.

However, those nerves would have been jangling once more when Fürth equalized the score shortly after the start of the second half as a result of Adrián’s poor pass to James McConnell.

There is no doubt that Liverpool will need to find a new number two for Alisson if Kelleher leaves, but the Spaniard did make amends later by initiating the move that led to Darwin Nez giving Liverpool the lead again.

A second half madness

When Darwin Nez’s double gave Liverpool a 3-1 lead just before the hour, it seemed like the outcome was already set.

Fürth, however, had other plans as it shocked Liverpool with three goals in as many minutes to put the Reds behind and give Klopp some additional time to consider his transfer priorities.

Even though Joe Gomez was lining up at right-back in this situation, the chaos of the second half demonstrated that Liverpool cannot afford to neglect improving its defensive options for too long.

The Reds once again showed why a new center-back is required to provide backup to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, even though the priority may be back in midfield.

July 24, 2023
Reportedly the club and Liverpool are close to reaching a deal to sell the star who earns £33.8m annually.

The future of Kylian Mbappe in France is unclear, and reports suggest that PSG is prepared to reach an agreement to sell him to Liverpool.

We covered a report earlier today (via AS) that the Reds are preparing a sizable offer for the Frenchman, who may cost up to £173 million.

Fichajes, a different Spanish source, recently claimed that PSG had specifically contacted the Merseysiders to offer them the services of Mbappe.

Real Madrid, who are still motivated to sign him, are said to be the 24-year-old star’s preferred location.

The Les Bleus forward, who as a teenager won the FIFA World Cup in 2018, has always admired Jurgen Klopp’s squad and claimed that Liverpool are a “machine” back in 2020 (BBC).

The Reds had been on an amazing winning streak and were the reigning European champions at the time.

Now, though, things are entirely different because the Liverpool club won’t be competing in Europe’s top league, the UEFA Champions League, in the upcoming campaign.

Therefore, even the most optimistic fans probably wouldn’t think that Mbappe would want to give up playing in the Champions League to join Liverpool.

The above-mentioned £173 million asking price as well as his annual salary of £33 point 8 million would be prohibitive for Fenway Sports Group.

What do you think—should Liverpool supporters hope to sign Kylian Mbappe?

More news…….

Kylian Mbappé could be a setback for Erik ten Hag, thus Man Utd “turns to $33 million Liverpool transfer target”

Kylian Mbappé could thwart a summer transfer plan by Manchester United, and Erik ten Hag might choose to sign a player who has been linked to the Reds.

With only three weeks until the start of the new Premier League season, it seems like many clubs, including Liverpool, still have a lot of work to do in order to be prepared.

While Manchester City is interested in RB Leipzig’s Joko Gvardiol but has not yet been able to finalize a deal, Chelsea’s squad still lacks a quality midfielder as the pursuit of Moisés Caicedo has not yet come to a close. Mateo Kovai, who was acquired from Chelsea, is excellent when he performs at his peak, but he will need to work very hard to match the impact of lkay Gündoan, who moved to Barcelona.

Tottenham still hasn’t found a resolution to the Harry Kane saga because Bayern Munich is interested in the striker, and Newcastle United has more work to do now that Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes have joined the team.

Before the season starts, Liverpool needs at least one more midfielder, and Manchester United, despite adding Mason Mount and a goalkeeper, still requires more offensive firepower to keep up with its rivals.

Here, Liverpool .
com scans the other major clubs in the Premier League and across Europe to look at the news happening at the other teams, with Manchester United prominently featured.

Sofyan Amrabat transfer latest

Manchester United is reportedly interested in signing Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who has been linked with Liverpool. However, it is premature to say that the Old Trafford club has made an offer for the 26-year-old.

Amrabat, who is entering the final year of his contract, is generating interest from a number of parties and is valued at $33 million (£26 million/€30 million) by Fiorentina, who would be open to letting him leave. The player is also being pursued by Atlético Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia in addition to Liverpool and Manchester United.

Of all the rumored Amrabat suitors, Liverpool’s need for a defensive midfielder is the greatest, according to Liverpool . com, but it is still unclear which player the Reds will turn to for that position. In a week or two, everything will become clear.

Manchester United’s search for a striker could be impacted by Kylian Mbappé.

Despite not moving to Liverpool this summer, Kylian Mbappé could still help the Reds beat Manchester United in the standings next year if PSG is forced to compete for the services of a crucial Erik ten Hag transfer target.

Rasmus Hjlund of Atalanta has been targeted by Manchester United, who is in desperate need of a number nine to enter the game and score goals. There aren’t many other obvious options for strikers on the market.

But now that Mbappé is up for sale, PSG is lining up Hjlund as a replacement and may even sell Hugo Ekitike in exchange, according to Sacha Tovalieri of RMC Sport. PSG believes that Mbappé will sign a free transfer agreement with Real Madrid next summer.

The Serie A team was already considering Ekitike, which might make them receptive to signing him, while Manchester United and PSG were looking for ways to reduce the $111 million (£87 million/€100 million) asking price for Hjlund.

Even if Hjlund signs with Manchester United, as a 20-year-old moving to a major team, there is no guarantee that he will make an immediate impact and feel at home, according to Liverpool . com.

He will be an enormous investment for whoever takes the risk, but Ten Hag’s problem with finding a number nine is similar to Liverpool’s problem with replacing Fabinho in that there aren’t many obvious options to consider that aren’t either valued at enormous sums or would involve big risks.

July 24, 2023
The £100 million Liverpool decision on Moises Caicedo comes amid the Declan Rice benchmark, according to Chelsea transfer news.

The most recent Chelsea news and rumors surrounding transfers, including updates on Dusan Vlahovic, Moises Caicedo, and Harry Kane.

Despite refusing to extend his stay at Tottenham, Harry Kane has dealt Chelsea and Manchester United a severe setback in their attempts to sign him. The 29-year-old striker’s future in north London is in doubt because his contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the upcoming campaign.

The Times reports that the Englishman has no plans to stay with the Lilywhites any longer and is eager to join Bayern Munich. According to the report, Tottenham wants in the neighborhood of £100 million, ideally in the form of an upfront lump sum payment. The German team recently had a second offer worth £68.5 million plus add-ons rejected.

Kane won’t force a departure, according to The Times, despite having no intention of staying at Spurs for the long term. Given that Levy’s striker appears willing to simply leave for free in a year, Levy may have no choice but to accept the next offer from the German teams.

Liverpool’s choice.

According to Steve McManaman, Liverpool won’t compete with Chelsea in the summer transfer market to sign Moises Caicedo. The former Reds midfielder told Betfred in an interview that Liverpool wouldn’t pay that amount. I am aware of what Brighton is doing, and I don’t think any team would spend £100 million on him if it is true that Arsenal made them a sizable offer in the January transfer window, but they turned it down.

He’s a good defensive midfielder, but the prices we’re discussing are absurd, aren’t they? I assume Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal has set the bar now.

“Clubs may play the game right away and assert if.
Their player is worth that much if one defensive midfielder is worth £100 million. I seriously doubt Liverpool would spend £100 million on Caicedo. “.

Vlahovic race.

Chelsea has suffered a significant setback in the summer transfer market for Dusan Vlahovic. The 23-year-old has recently been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with Mauricio Pochettino reportedly still searching for a striker despite having already signed Nicolas Jackson.

Real Madrid is considering signing Vlahovic this summer after Karim Benzema left, according to Sky Sports, as reported by Goal. According to The Chelsea Chronicle, Carlo Ancelotti even called the striker, who is valued at £51 million, to discuss him.

Romelu Lukaku may give the Blues significant leverage in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal, despite the fact that the Blues may feel threatened by the Spanish powerhouses’ inquiry.

More news…….

Chelsea has now initiated contact regarding the £200,000 per week player’s contract; he is free to leave.

In order to close a deal to acquire Harry Maguire from Manchester United, Chelsea has now spoken with middlemen.

Based on 90 minutes, that is.

Let’s take a look at the most recent developments regarding Harry Maguire and Chelsea.

What’s going on?

Wesley Fofana tore his anterior cruciate ligament, so the Blues are currently looking for a replacement at center back.

The damage appears to rule out Chelsea’s No. With Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta already gone, Mauricio Pochettino’s defensive options now appear to be quite limited with 33 out for the duration of the 2023–2024 season.

Chelsea has thus made a move to sign Maguire.

Erik ten Hag reportedly told the England international he can leave after the Dutchman took away his Manchester United No. Captain’s armband number five.

One of the best options currently on the market, according to Chelsea’s scouting division, is Maguire.

West Ham, Newcastle, Inter Milan, and Juventus are among the clubs showing interest in the 30-year-old as he prepares to leave Old Trafford.

According to 90min, Manchester United would prefer to permanently sell Maguire, but the Red Devils would be open to loaning the £80 million player to Chelsea because the Blues are one of the few teams who would fully cover his £200,000 per week salary.

Harry Maguire should only be obtained by Chelsea on loan.

Given the circumstances, in our opinion, Maguire would be a wise acquisition; however, only a loan arrangement would be advantageous for Chelsea.

The Blues need to be wary of blocking Fofana’s pathway back into the starting XI when he returns, while the primary options for Pochettino, who tends to use just two central defenders, should be Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile.

Maguire ought to be considered only as a temporary signing, especially at the age of 30.

If Chelsea decides to sign the outcast from Manchester United and pays him £200,000 per week, and he struggles or even just warms the bench, he will be just another piece of deadwood that the Blues will need to sell.

July 21, 2023
The $46 million Fabinho heir has been ‘accidentally’ discovered, confirming Liverpool’s transfer masterstroke.

With one outstanding transfer deal completed, Liverpool has new cause for celebration. A Fabinho heir may have been ‘accidentally’ discovered somewhere else.

In the current transfer market, Liverpool may feel as though it is starting over from scratch. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister appeared to have the midfield rebuild on track, but Saudi Arabia has slammed that conclusion.

If the rumored deals for Jordan Henderson and Fabinho go through, Liverpool might find itself in need of purchasing two more midfielders. With no senior defensive presence currently on the roster, a direct starting replacement for the Brazilian would be especially important.

Inadvertent assistance may have been provided to Jörg Schmadtke and Jürgen Klopp in that regard, with a Premier League rival possibly identifying an ideal candidate. From the anticipated Fabinho proceeds, the price being quoted could be fully covered.

But that’s unusual; most transfer fees currently being discussed serve only to confirm Liverpool’s masterstroke this transfer window. Whatever transpires for the remainder of the summer, one transaction will be difficult to surpass.

Liverpool made a brilliant transfer.

Moisés Caicedo is one player Liverpool may not pursue as it searches for a replacement for Fabinho, according to Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy, who claims he is “not on the list.”. However, the Brighton man is something in which Chelsea is very much interested.

A second $92 million (£70 million/€82 million) transfer bid from the Blues was reportedly rejected, according to The Athletic. For a player who had just finished his first season in the Premier League, that is an incredible sum of money.

But the transfer market is operating in that manner. Despite this, Liverpool was able to use a release clause to obtain Mac Allister from the exact same club for half that sum, which is starting to seem like an unbelievable deal. James Martin’s complete story can be found here.

“Accidentally” discovered was Fabinho’s heir.

When the transfer window first opened, Caicedo and a certain Declan Rice were probably on the list of “ideal” Fabinho successors. Of course, Liverpool had no idea it would lose the Brazilian at the time, effectively ruling out any attempts to sign truly marquee targets.

Rice finally finished this week what had been a protracted transfer to Arsenal. Due to West Ham’s current need for a replacement, this has started a series of events that could result in Liverpool finding a good transfer alternative.

The Hammers are interested in Edson Lvarez, and a $46 million (£35 million/€41 million) bid may be on the table. He would make a good Rice heir if he possessed the same qualities, and he would succeed Fabinho if the Brazilian was “accidentally” replaced. Josh Williams has more to say here.

More news……..

Liverpool transfer summary: Jordan Henderson supported as Jurgen Klopp approves Newcastle offer

Liverpool fans are still eagerly awaiting Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi club Al-Ettifaq while Fabinho also heads to the Middle East.

Liverpool’s job in the summer transfer window is far from done as Jurgen Klopp prepares for some high-profile departures.

The Saudi Pro League could potentially wreak havoc for the Reds as Jordan Henderson is still awaiting a huge cash offer from rivals Al-Ettifaq. Brazilian midfielder Fabinho is almost certain to join Al-Hilal for a transfer fee of £40million.

Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and RB Leipzig player Dominik Szoboszlai have already arrived at Anfield but further reinforcements could soon be needed.

Klopp could have done without this headache as he prepares his team to recover from a difficult season. Fowler backs Henderson for ‘outrage’
Former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has backed Jordan Henderson amid criticism over his move to Saudi Arabia.

Fowler, now manager of Saudi Premier League club Al-Qadsiah, said: “I can see the usual outrage has been instilled after top figures in British football got involved in the Saudi Pro League.”

“It was Jordan Henderson’s alleged wages that sparked the outrage. I’ve never really understood why footballers’ wages are such a sensitive issue when the billions the financiers earn are never questioned. I don’t I’m not going to judge Jordan, Steven.” Gerrard or anyone else who went to Saudi Arabia for work.”

Newcastle United have made an £82million bid for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to WinWinAllSports. He’s a player previously linked with Liverpool and Klopp made no secret of his admiration for the star last year:

“He’s a really good lad and very fast and you have to defend him together in times like these.” said the German coach. “If he has the advantage of the first movement, he is already gone.

“You have to try to be there when the ball goes in, but if you can’t do that you have to be protected because he’s quick, he’s cheeky, he goes in, he can go out, that always makes it very difficult. ”

Former Reds star attacked by Tuchel
A return to Liverpool seems highly unlikely for Sadio Mane, but the prospect of him leaving Bayern has certainly been mooted.

Coach Thomas Tuchel has given a stark assessment of the striker’s first season in Germany, plagued by injuries and disappointing form. The Senegalese star was even banned and fined by his club in April after he allegedly beat teammate Leroy Sane. “Sadio actually had an underwhelming season and fell short of expectations,” he said.

“The competitive situation is very high for him with Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry. We have a setup that makes life very difficult for Sadio. Even the player knows it, he knows my opinion and that of the club.”

July 19, 2023
Romeo Lavia is not Liverpool’s best option to replace Fabinho.

We highlight five players who could step into Fabinho’s shoes after it became apparent that he would leave Liverpool and join the Saudi Pro League as the latest well-known athlete to do so.

As Fabinho gets closer to joining Saudi Pro League team Al Ittihad, Liverpool find themselves in a bit of a pickle.

The Brazilian player joined Liverpool in 2018 from AS Monaco and has since played 219 times for the club. He has earned the nicknames “Dyson” and “The Lighthouse” for his keen eye for the game and ability to launch counterattacks. Throughout his five years on Merseyside, Fabinho has aided the group in capturing every major trophy they have faced off for.

Although he has not travelled to Germany with the 32-man squad to continue preseason training, his time etching himself into the fabric of the club’s history appears to be coming to an end as Anfield officials consider an offer thought to be in the neighborhood of £40 million.

There are a lot of unanswered questions regarding what Liverpool will do in the 30-day window before their away Premier League match against Chelsea.

Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai are the two midfielders that the Reds have already acquired for £95 million this summer. These are more offensive options, so if Fabinho leaves in the near future, it will be critical to move quickly to replace him with a defensively sound midfielder.

It will be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp shifts priorities to anyone more ready-made ahead of a crucial season because the Reds have only been connected to young talents in that area thus far.

This transaction also takes place at a challenging time, as Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, two of the best defensive midfielders in the English top division, have recently signed for Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively. The following five players are candidates to replace Fabinho in the Liverpool squad based on players who are currently available and data from Fbref . com:.

Romeo Lavia.

More defensive midfielders have been linked this summer than any other, but the 19-year-old has received the most attention. During Southampton’s chaotic 2022–23 Premier League season, he had a personal breakthrough and made 29 appearances, which was quite impressive.

The ECHO is aware that his age and experience won’t prevent him from joining Liverpool’s squad in the future.

Based on Lavia’s capacity to convert defense into attack, Klopp has a clear opportunity to replicate his Fabinho project with the Belgian.

Lavia completed 22 successive carries of the ball during the previous campaign, 21 of which went into the defensive third of the opposition. Fabinho only recorded 15, in contrast.

Lavia lags behind the Liverpool midfielder in terms of passing range, but not by much. This is debatable.

When making passes, Fabinho completed 88.3% of them while Lavia finished 86.2%. Interestingly, when it comes to long passes (30+ yards), the roles are reversed. Lavia achieved a success rate of 73.1 percent compared to Fabinho’s 69.5 percent.

Manu Kone.

Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kone, a target mentioned earlier in the summer, is among the continent’s most promising prospects in this position.

With 166 progressive passes in 2022–2023, the Frenchman offers a comparable allure in the area of advancing the game, outpacing Fabinho’s total by five. Kone made 74 versus 65 more tackles overall.

The 22-year-old’s injury, which he sustained prior to France’s elimination from the European Under-2 Championship last month, means that he would only be fully recovered by the beginning of August, which would be a major drawback to any move. With Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago also making progress toward recovery, Klopp simply has too many problems of this kind already.

Joe Palhinha.

The Fulham midfield general presents an intriguing option for Klopp to consider as we move into the ready-made category.

The Portugal international has excelled since relocating to London, helping his team defy the odds and maintain their Premier League status. This is the first factor making him an excellent candidate for Liverpool and explaining his significant role in it.

In his first season in England, Palhinha outperformed Fabinho, who only completed 29.7 of the 90-minute games on average, by finishing 34.5. If the club wants to once again compete at the highest level of English football, availability will be essential.

The Fulham midfielder nearly doubled Fabinho’s rate of tackles per 90 minutes, going from 4 to 2 per tackle.

William Ndidi.

While the Leicester City midfielder’s six seasons of Premier League experience make him an outside option, it’s impossible to ignore him. Additionally, he is still only 26 years old.

Ndidi was a key component of Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester squads that made it to Europe and won the FA Cup, and he was frequently compared to Fabinho during that time.

Last season, the pair nearly tied for first place in tackles and interceptions, with Fabinho’s total narrowly beating Ndidi’s 99. A total of 48 clearances were also made by the Nigerian.

His rate of errors resulting in opponent shots, which tops this list of contenders by a wide margin with three in 27 appearances, is the main aspect of his game that proves to be unappealing.

Aurelien Tchouameni.

The midfielder for Real Madrid has been placed last for a special reason. He isn’t specifically on the pre-made list; instead, he just seems invulnerable.

Tchouameni is the subject of reports that surfaced yesterday, according to which Real wants to keep the player. The fact that he would be the ideal choice to fill the void left by Fabinho’s departure, however, is still worth mentioning.

First off, with four assists, he had the most offensive returns of anyone on this list from an attacking perspective. This was achieved despite only making 24 starts, as opposed to players like Palhinha who made 35 and Fabinho who made 31.

With a pass completion rate of 92.8%, he excels at making passes, and his average of 2 point 67 in shot creation per 90 minutes makes him the shot creator with the highest rate.

Although having a player of this caliber at his disposal would be Klopp’s dream, it is ultimately the least likely scenario of the bunch.

July 17, 2023