DOUCOURE DEAL WAS CONFIRMED ABOUT TEN MINUTES AGO

DOUCOURE DEAL WAS CONFIRMED ABOUT TEN MINUTES AGO

Journo: Klopp ‘really interested’ in Liverpool loan swoop for EPL winner who could be allowed to go

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is ‘really interested’ in a potential loan swoop for a Premier League-winning midfielder in the closing days of the summer transfer window.

 

Kalvin Phillips is reportedly a name under consideration for the Reds as they seek to bolster their squad ahead of Friday night’s deadline, with the Manchester City player having been of interest to the Anfield hierarchy dating back to his time at Leeds (talkSPORT).

 

The 27-year-old has struggled for game-time under Pep Guardiola since his move to the Etihad Stadium last summer, leading to speculation over a possible exit from the Champions League holders.

 

Crook believes Liverpool could possibly swoop for the England international amid Man City’s reported interest in Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes (Sky Sports), with the treble winners’ stance potentially hinging on that transfer pursuit.

 

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Kalvin Phillips is a name that has been mentioned to me in the last couple of weeks as someone that Klopp is really interested in.

 

“It might be possibly that Manchester City would let him go on loan. I guess that might depend on if City can get the Matheus Nunes deal over the line.”

 

In relation to the Reds, the journalist added: “They probably are still one midfielder light. I think that’s the priority.”

 

READ MORE: Liverpool fans may have further hope over potential midfield coup after Tuesday teamsheet hint

 

READ MORE: ‘They have to find someone’ – Journalist urges Liverpool to avoid ‘unforgivable’ transfer scenario

 

Having featured in only 14 Premier League games last season (12 as a substitute) and failed to make it onto the pitch for City so far this term, it seems clear that Guardiola doesn’t see Phillips as a core member of his preferred line-up in Manchester.

 

Not even the summer exit of Ilkay Gundogan has helped the Englishman’s prospects of game-time, while the champions’ ongoing links with Nunes illustrate that the former Leeds midfielder simply isn’t fancied by his manager.

 

You’d therefore imagine that the 27-year-old could jump at the chance to enjoy a fresh start elsewhere, and Liverpool could still do with adding a Premier League-proven defensive midfielder to their squad.

 

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It seems like an ideal move for both Phillips and the Reds, but whether City would be happy to loan him to one of their biggest rivals is another matter.

 

It’d be unfair to judge him on his time at the Etihad, having being given so little opportunity by Guardiola, so a fairer barometer could be his performances for Leeds, for whom he showed his tigerish qualities by averaging 2.65 tackles per game across his two Premier League seasons with the club (WhoScored).

 

He’d also help towards Liverpool meeting homegrown quota requirements for their domestic and European squads, so while the England midfielder mightn’t seem the most glamorous option to pursue, a loan move for him would actually make plenty of sense in the final days of the transfer window.

 

🚨 EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Arthur Theate to Liverpool? Gravenberch latest, the Caicedo transfer budget, the ‘unforgivable’ Liverpool scenario and much more!

 

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Report: Agents now inviting Liverpool to bid for ‘special’ £15m Arsenal player before deadline

Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga but are unlikely to make a move.

 

Albert Sambi Lokonga looks unlikely to join Liverpool despite allegedly being offered up as a potential signing for the Reds.

 

That is according to a report from Get French Football News, who claim that Lokonga has been offered to Liverpool ahead of transfer deadline day.

 

It’s Lokonga’s representatives rather than Arsenal themselves pushing this proposal, recognising Liverpool’s need for a midfielder.

 

As things stand though, it’s viewed as unlikely that Liverpool will be making a move to sign Lokonga.

 

The Belgian midfielder is completely out of favour at Arsenal and hasn’t even been on the bench in any of their Premier League games this season.

 

Arsenal would no doubt love to move Lokonga on before the deadline, either on loan or possibly even permanently.

 

Liverpool seemingly won’t be biting though even with Jurgen Klopp needing to find one more midfield player.

 

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty ImagesAlbert Sambi Lokonga faces uncertain end to transfer window

 

Lokonga was seen as such an exciting talent when he joined Arsenal.

 

The Gunners completed a deal worth around £15million in 2021, luring Lokonga away from Anderlecht in his native Belgium.

 

Praised as a ‘special’ player and even compared to Yaya Toure by Vincent Kompany, Lokonga was backed for a huge future.

 

Lokonga started well but started to fade and struggled to find a role in Mikel Arteta’s side last season.

 

Arsenal have moved forward so rapidly that Lokonga now seems to be out of the picture and falling by the wayside.

 

Liverpool seemingly won’t be signing Lokonga and a couple of other moves have gone quiet too.

 

Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images

 

Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri reported in July that Burnley were in ‘advanced’ talks to sign Lokonga on loan but that hasn’t materialised.

 

90Min claimed last week that Brighton and Hove Albion were interested in signing Lokonga having sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.

 

The Seagulls have now snapped up Carlos Baleba from Lille though, meaning a deal for Lokonga now looks to be in doubt.

 

Maybe somebody will bite but with Liverpool seemingly not interested, Lokonga faces a difficult couple of days ahead of the transfer deadline.

 

MORE: West Ham now in talks to sign ‘classy’ £26m goal machineRelated Topics

 

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Darwin Nunez Reveals Role Marcelo Bielsa Played In Newcastle Brace

For Darwin Nunez, things may finally be taking off at Liverpool.

 

The Uruguayan striker showed flashes of brilliance during his first season at Anfield – most notably in March’s infamous 7-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United – but struggled for consistency as the team around him stumbled.

 

He has started the first three games of the season on the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s side, but his impact off the bench against Newcastle on Sunday may have him leapfrogging some of the forward options currently ahead of him in the pecking order.

 

Nunez was introduced with just 13 minutes to go, and made an instant impact. With Liverpool 1-0 down, Nunez capitalised on a mistake from Sven Botman to equalise with nine minutes left on the clock, before grabbing a dramatic injury-time winner to ignite Liverpool’s season at St. James’s Park.

 

GOAL!!! NUNEZ STRIKES AGAIN IN INJURY-TIME! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/vBTn788FB1

 

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 27, 2023

 

READ HERE: Ranking The 5 Most Important Ireland Players In Stephen Kenny’s Squad

 

He may also have ignited his own career at the club.

 

Though Nunez did show regular flashes of his potential last season, there was a sense that he needed a day like Sunday to properly kickstart his time with the 19-time English champions, and he will now hope for a regular run of starting appearances for Liverpool.

 

Speaking to the media in his home of Uruguay, Nunez revealed the role that his international boss Marcelo Bielsa had played in his two-goal cameo at Newcastle.

 

READ HERE: Keown Calls For Big VAR Change After Contentious Manchester United Penalty

 

Darwin Nunez hails international coach Marcelo Bielsa for advice

 

Former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has returned to management with the Uruguayan national team. Bielsa spent over a year away from football after departing Elland Road in February 2022 before taking over with La Celeste in May of this year.

 

Darwin Nunez is one of the strongest talents at Bielsa’s disposal, and the Liverpool striker revealed that the ex-Leeds boss had given him some sage advice which could plainly be seen in his goalscoring feats on Sunday:

 

I had a chat with Bielsa over Zoom.

 

Bielsa showed me some of my games things and corrected some things that seem positive to improve.

 

He tells me to run behind the second centre-back so they lose my position. It was a very good talk. He seemed like a good guy to me and a serious guy.

 

I hope to meet him next week and do my best for the team.

 

I spoke with Luis [Suarez] on some occasion, [and said] that when he was not there I was going to take the no. 9 shirt of the national team, and I was going to represent him. I already asked the team to keep it for me. I feel prepared for this new stage. I am very confident.

 

Not only has Bielsa endeared himself to Darwin Nunez with his kind nature, his advice was clearly taken, with both of Nunez’s two goals on Sunday coming from runs in behind a lost left centre-back.

 

Liverpool face Aston Villa at 2pm on Sunday, and Nunez will hope that he has done enough to earn a spot in the starting lineup. He will then link up with Bielsa for the upcoming international break, during which they will face Chile and Ecuador.

 

SEE ALSO: Southampton Boss Hints That Teammates Have Let Gavin Bazunu Down This Season

 

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‘That would be scandalous’: Chris Sutton reacts to what he’s hearing about Salah and Liverpool

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton thinks Mohamed Salah deciding to leave Liverpool this late in the transfer window would be “scandalous”.

 

Mohamed Salah is being heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with the Daily Mail reporting that Al-Ittihad are not giving up on their pursuit of the Liverpool forward.

 

Sutton, though, would be disappointed if the 31-year-old chose to leave Anfield now. Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, he said: “Mo Salah cannot leave Liverpool at this time to go to Saudi, just based on the timing of it.

 

“We’re a couple of days now to the end of the window. I think that would be scandalous if Mo Salah decided to leave and leave Liverpool in the lurch.”

 

Salah would not be the first Liverpool player to make the move to Saudi Arabia after Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino all decided to leave the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League.

 

Liverpool cannot afford to sell Mohamed Salah now

 

Liverpool selling Salah would be madness. As Sutton touched on, it is simply too late in the transfer window.

 

How are they going to replace him? Even if the Egyptian left at the beginning of the summer, finding a successor still would have been extremely difficult.

 

Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

 

Salah is one of the best forwards in the Premier League, proving that once against last season after scoring 19 goals. He also provided 12 assists as Liverpool went on to finish just outside the Champions League places.

 

The above means that Jurgen Klopp would have to find someone who can score goals as well as create them to adequately replace his Egypt international. That is very much easier said than done.

 

From Salah’s perspective, he has probably accomplished everything he set out to do at Liverpool and the riches of Saudi Arabia may be alluring. However, Liverpool are not in a position where they can let him go if they want to have a successful season.

 

MORE: ‘You know FSG’: Liverpool tipped to sign Bundesliga duo to replace Mohamed SalahRelated Topics

 

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German sources expect late Liverpool “push” for “unhappy” Ryan Gravenberch

Into the final week of the transfer window, Liverpool are now expected to make a move for “unhappy” Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

 

The transfer window closes for Premier League clubs at 11pm on Friday, with plenty still possible for Jurgen Klopp‘s Reds.

 

Liverpool are in the market for another signing, with plans to bring in a “multifunctional” midfielder, while many hope a centre-back will also be sought.

 

That midfielder, it would seem, could be Netherlands international Gravenberch.

 

Gravenberch has been linked with a move to Anfield throughout the summer, with talks between the club and the player’s representatives taking place in April.

 

A decision has been delayed, though, as the 21-year-old awaited clarity from Thomas Tuchel over his position – and so far he has clocked nine minutes in three games this season.

 

That has left him “unhappy,” according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who reports that there is now a “feeling” Liverpool could “push” to sign him.

 

Bayern are said to be “waiting for concrete offers,” with a price tag of £25 million touted when initial contact was made.

 

Man United are also credited with an interest but Liverpool’s is described as “hotter,” and Gravenberch himself “expects an offer” from Merseyside.

 

Liverpool have tracked Gravenberch for years, and had hoped to sign him from Ajax before he opted to join Bayern, so it stands to reason that they would be in pursuit.

 

Having only turned 21 this calendar year, he remains eligible as an under-21 player in the Premier League, meaning a non-homegrown slot is still available.

 

That would, in theory, allow another signing to be made before 11pm on Friday on top of Gravenberch – meaning another centre-back is not out of the question.

 

But there are understandable concerns over the profile of midfielder Liverpool seem to be targeting in these final days of the window.

 

Gravenberch, who appears to be in search of a regular starting role, is not a natural No. 6, so would likely be competing for a starting spot with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

 

Beyond that, Klopp also has the likes of Thiago, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic in the advanced roles.

 

Many had hoped for a specialist defensive midfielder such as Crystal Palace‘s Cheick Doucoure, but the approach could be to flood the No. 8 spots and rely on Wataru Endo.

 

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Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool — Match Report: Lessons to learn

Nunez punishes naive Newcastle

 

By

 

Aug 29, 2023, 9:28am BST

 

Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

 

Well, where do we start with that?

 

A version of Newcastle United we all thought was long since banished reared its ugly head on Sunday. Eddie Howe’s side threw away all three points against a Liverpool side down to ten men following Virgil Van Dijk’s red card for kicking Alexander Isak’s leg into the Milburn Stand.

 

Yes, Jamie Carragher, it was a definite red card.

 

Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold was fortunate to not be given his marching orders shortly before Van Dijk’s red, both figuratively and literally.

 

The Liverpool full-back had already been booked for throwing the ball away in frustration, and then the impressive Anthony Gordon glided past the defender before Alexander Arnold produced a clothesline to bring the Newcastle winger down.

 

A definite yellow, but not so in the eyes of John Brooks.

 

Gordon was the man of the moment, latching onto a mistake by Alexander Arnold minutes later. He was through on goal, one vs. one against Alisson on goal.

 

Perhaps last season many wouldn’t have been confident in Gordon’s ability to finish it off, but this is a different Anthony Gordon. Full of confidence and thriving off Howe’s management, he tucked it away with ease and lifted the roof off the Leazes Stand.

 

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

 

A goal and a man up, what could go wrong? Not a lot with this version of Newcastle United, or so we thought.

 

Despite chances coming their way through Miguel Almiron, Newcastle were finding it difficult playing against ten men. They were switched on and intense against eleven, but naive and almost too arrogant against ten.

 

A lot had been said about an expectation for Newcastle to beat Liverpool, and that may have played on their minds as they lost control of what seemed to be a certain three points.

 

The turning point of the game came just after the 70th-minute mark with the first three substitutions made by Howe.

 

Wilson in for Isak, Barnes for Gordon, and the most surprising one of all, Longstaff for Tonali. The Italian was bossing the midfield and losing that presence changed everything.

 

Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

 

Suddenly, Newcastle became sloppy and nervy. Liverpool made a substitution of their own with the almost-forgotten Darwin Nunez coming on. He caused all sorts of problems down Newcastle’s left side, running off the shoulders of defenders and looking a constant threat.

 

The impressive Sven Botman was cruelly punished for a lapse in concentration, and Nunez leveled.

 

After that, Matt Targett had a moment to forget as he watched Mo Salah thread a ball in behind to Nunez, who made no mistake with the finish.

 

This shows what Newcastle must do to compete with the top sides. Howe has done incredible things at Newcastle, changing the mentality of a side who had no guidance and no confidence. But that mentality needs to change even further—a game is never won until the whistle goes.

 

Newcastle became too arrogant and Liverpool capitalised.

 

Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

 

A trip to the Amex Stadium for an evening kick-off on Saturday is next in what has been a tough round of opening fixtures for Newcastle. A win will settle everyone down going into the first international break of the season, three defeats on the spin will test Newcastle’s mentality.

 

Whether Howe rings the changes against Brighton remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Newcastle need to gain some momentum.