Where Liverpool stands with their Super League aspirations following the court judgment against UEFA 

The much-maligned European Super League, which ended in 2021, is making news again after the European Court of Justice found that FIFA and UEFA violated competition law by obstructing the breakaway proposal.

When plans to establish a new competition including the best teams in Europe were revealed two and a half years ago, the future of football as we know it was thrown into disarray.

Nine clubs, including Liverpool, retracted their decision to join the league within a day of declaring their intentions, as fans swiftly denounced the concept.

The Super League was not allowed to develop, and teams who wanted to participate were sanctioned by FIFA and UEFA. However, A22, a corporation set up to help the league get off the ground, later contested the authority of the governing bodies to do so.

It is now official that FIFA and UEFA violated competition rules in order to implement these actions, which has led to concerns that club owners might be persuaded to return to the idea.

Following complaints from supporters and threats of more punishment, Liverpool promptly withdrew their plans to join the league. Shortly after, primary owner John W. Henry apologised for the “disruption” the incident had caused.

The club has since maintained its position against any subsequent attempts to rekindle the project, as stated in a statement they provided to the Guardian back in 2021:

Our participation in the suggested ESL plans has ended. There should be no doubt that we are fully committed to seeing that through to the end.

“We are acting in accordance with the best legal advice and strategy to suitably terminate our engagement.”

This Is Anfield understand that, in contrast to Manchester United, Liverpool will not be making an announcement on the most recent events in the Super League narrative.

Their stance hasn’t altered, though, since the club has no plans to participate in any more breakaway attempts.

The most recent developments may naturally make supporters fear the worst, but it doesn’t seem like there are any plans to revive the ideas that were greeted with strong opposition back in April 2021.

The current UEFA Champions League, which is preparing for its biggest format change since group stages were added in 1991, was supposed to be replaced by the European Super League.

36 clubs will be divided into four pots of nine in Europe’s highest club competition, which will now have a Swiss system. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while teams seeded nine through twenty-four must play an extra round of playoffs.

More news……

Liverpool transfer target may be hijack by PSG as agreement is close

According to one source, Paris Saint-Germain  are nearing an agreement for Lucas Beraldo Liverpool target.

As Jurgen Klopp deals with escalating injury concerns, the 20-year-old defender has been mentioned as a potential target for the Reds prior to the transfer window reopening next month.

Liverpool has previously committed to adding one or more defensive players by 2024. But Joel Matip’s season-ending injury has only made the need for additional back-end players more pressing.

Prior to January, the Reds were linked to several centre backs. They were even tipped as the front-runners for Sao Paulo’s impressive South American centre back, Beraldo.

Santi Aouna claims that PSG will actually finalise a winter contract for the Brazil youth international.

The journalist from Foot Mercato stated on X: “PSG is optimistic that Lucas Beraldo’s arrival will be completed in exchange for a 20+5M Euro bonus. close coordination between the parties. Potentially scheduled for next week’s medical examination.”

According to Aouna, PSG is reportedly in advanced talks with Corinthians to sign 18-year-old midfielder Gabriel Moscardo, who has also been tangentially connected to Liverpool in recent weeks.

Although Beraldo may no longer be an option, it is unclear if Liverpool will make any additions the following month.

The likelihood of Liverpool bringing in a replacement for the injured Matip has been downplayed by manager Jurgen Klopp in public. And yet another story says the Reds are willing to negotiate ‘if the price is right’.

In addition to Piero Hincapie of Leverkusen and Leny Yoro of Lille, Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP is another centre back who has frequently been mentioned as a possible target.

Anfield Watch is aware that the Reds’ top objective for 2024 will be to strengthen their defence, even though a high-profile addition is probably more likely to come in the summer.

Despite Klopp’s remarks, Liverpool has experience signing players in January, having done so with Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo in the last two years.