Jurgen Klopp could start ‘super-talented’ 21-year-old for Liverpool v Man City

Jurgen Klopp could start ‘super-talented’ 21-year-old for Liverpool v Man City

With Klopp set to leave Anfield in summer, a 20th Premier League title would be the ideal send-off for the Liverpool manager. Victory on Sunday would put them a step closer to that.

However, City have history-making designs of their own. They would become the first team in English history to win four top-flight titles in a row should they triumph this season.

Although Mohamed Salah is set to return for Liverpool, there is still one major injury doubt, namely Ibrahima Konate.

Klopp provided an update on Konate’s situation in Friday’s press conference ahead of the match, admitting the centre-back will need a scan.

He said, as per the Liverpool website: “Ibou was rather positive last night [Thursday], he thought he made the right decision in the right moment saying it’s better I go [off].

“But how we know, that doesn’t mean a lot unfortunately. He will get scanned, definitely, [but] so far I don’t have the results of that. All the others are fine.”

Jarell Quansah could step in for Liverpool
Should Konate be unavailable for the game, Liverpool could potentially turn to Jarell Quansah alongside Virgil van Dijk.

The 21-year-old has risen through the Reds ranks over the past 15 years, going on to shine for the Under-21s before making his debut in August last year.

That seems like such a long time ago now, as he has made himself at home in the Liverpool first-team. He has made 22 competitive appearances for the Reds.

Quansah is a “super-talented” player who has more than proven himself for the Reds at the highest level this season.

Robbie Earle, speaking about Quansah, told The 2 Robbies podcast last month: “He looks like he’s got all the things that you would want for a top-class centre-back.

“Good size, good pace, good mobility, decent on the ball. Bit of presence about him.

“And he’s one of those who I don’t ever see too much drama around him, or poor decisions. He looks like a 26, 27-year-old who’s come in the team.”

City would be a huge test for him, but what better way to rubber-stamp his credentials as a bona fide Premier League star than against the very best?

Liverpool revealed as only club close to signing attacking midfielder with €150m release clause

Liverpool have come ‘really close’ to completing the signing of Georgiy Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk despite a six-way battle unfolding for the attacking midfielder, a report has explained.

Sudakov signed a new contract with Shakhtar last month, meaning he is now protected by a €150m release clause (equivalent to £127.7m), but various clubs across Europe have been queuing up for the 21-year-old.

According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are the ‘only’ suitors to have come ‘really close’ to signing Sudakov so far, having recently been paying a lot of attention to the evolution of their midfield.

If Sudakov is still on Liverpool’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window – and the implication is that he is, despite their recruitment team and manager changing – they will face plenty of competition for him.

The Italian report claims Juventus and Napoli are interested in the playmaker, but there is an awareness that he might be beyond reach for Italian teams.

More likely contenders for his signature could include Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in addition to presumably the leading admirers, Liverpool.

And that kind of move could appeal to Sudakov, who has admitted his ambition is to arrive in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Speaking to Sport Italia, he has cited the Premier League as one of the most ‘incredible’.

Liverpool or Manchester City could become the ultimate destination, then, but he may have to be patient since his new deal is due to last until 2028.

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Liverpool revealed as only club close to signing attacking midfielder with €150m release clause
Samuel Bannister 1 hour ago

Liverpool have been closely linked with a Shakhtar star

Liverpool have come ‘really close’ to completing the signing of Georgiy Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk despite a six-way battle unfolding for the attacking midfielder, a report has explained.

Sudakov signed a new contract with Shakhtar last month, meaning he is now protected by a €150m release clause (equivalent to £127.7m), but various clubs across Europe have been queuing up for the 21-year-old.

According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are the ‘only’ suitors to have come ‘really close’ to signing Sudakov so far, having recently been paying a lot of attention to the evolution of their midfield.

If Sudakov is still on Liverpool’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window – and the implication is that he is, despite their recruitment team and manager changing – they will face plenty of competition for him.

The Italian report claims Juventus and Napoli are interested in the playmaker, but there is an awareness that he might be beyond reach for Italian teams.

More likely contenders for his signature could include Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in addition to presumably the leading admirers, Liverpool.

And that kind of move could appeal to Sudakov, who has admitted his ambition is to arrive in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Speaking to Sport Italia, he has cited the Premier League as one of the most ‘incredible’.

Liverpool or Manchester City could become the ultimate destination, then, but he may have to be patient since his new deal is due to last until 2028.

READ MORE: Liverpool, Newcastle surge into race for classy Tottenham linked winger available for reduced fee; summer bidding war likely

How has Sudakov been doing for Shakhtar?
Since progressing from the Shakhtar academy into their first team, Sudakov has scored and assisted 14 goals each within 90 appearances (15 of which have come in the Champions League).

Comfortable on either foot, he tends to operate in behind a striker, but can feature in a more orthodox central midfield role or even wide on the left.

Whether there is still room for him at Liverpool will depend on how their system changes under a new manager next season, following the summer resignation of Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool’s midfield welcomed in Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai last summer. If there is room for another addition, it might realistically be a more defensive midfielder than Sudakov, but only time will tell.

It is worth noting that Sudakov is unlikely to cost the full value of his release clause. A fee of €150m seems ambitious for a player with his relatively limited experience, but will mainly be there to protect Shakhtar.

It could also be a sign of how strongly they believe in Sudakov’s potential, which could lead to him stepping up to a club of Liverpool’s level in the long term.

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