Liverpool Roundup: Szoboszlai & Mac Allister footage, snaps & what Reds teammates said

Liverpool Roundup: Szoboszlai & Mac Allister footage, snaps & what Reds teammates said

The demand for fresh transfers continues to underline many a supporter’s exploits on social media despite Liverpool’s recent acquisition of two midfielders in the form of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

The needs the Reds still have to meet are clear to all: one holding midfielder and a left-footed centre-half would be welcome third and fourth additions, if possible.

With ongoing transfer links fueling fans’ relentless searches on the web, it can be a simple matter for many to lose sight of what the club has already achieved.

The tangibility of our new midfield duo partaking in lactate tests and kicking a ball about in training should, hopefully, assuage the fears of those online that not enough is being done to make up for a disastrous 2022/23 campaign.

Judging by some of the comments already being made by the pair’s teammates, Liverpool have made a strong start to the summer window.

How are the new boys settling in?

Alexis Mac Allister appeared a little red-faced after completing the lactate test, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai had Trent Alexander-Arnold’s jaw on the floor with his first attempt.

But why don’t we let the photography/videos do all the talking, eh?

Settling in nicely 👌 pic.twitter.com/TbyzS6rZCb

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 12, 2023

Hear from @alemacallister after he completed his first day of pre-season 🔊 pic.twitter.com/damHVh0vVd

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 11, 2023

Lactate testing 🏃 pic.twitter.com/jbelGOfzLs

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 11, 2023

trent looking at szobo in disbelief LMAOOO pic.twitter.com/iXT47agkul

— f (@aIxndrarnId) July 11, 2023

Enjoy 6️⃣0️⃣ photos from our latest pre-season workout 📸

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 12, 2023

What has everyone been saying about Szoboszlai and Mac Allister?

Trent Alexander-Arnold: “[They’re] top players. I think it’s exciting for the club and exciting for the team.

“It is always exciting when we sign new players to see how they come in and how they adapt and what they’re like. I’m sure they already know, they can see from the outside we’re a welcoming side and a welcoming team.

“It’s a good dressing room. Come in, do your work and get results. That’s all we ask of players; it’s to buy into what we do and buy into the plan and be willing to work hard and sacrifice for the team.

“I’m sure the lads will do it and on top of that they’re two technically excellent players who can receive the ball and play with the ball. For players like me who enjoy passing the ball, they’re dream players ahead of me.”

Diogo Jota: “Yesterday, Dominik was one of the best in my group in terms of running, so they have that effort. I could see already today the quality Alexis has in possession.”

“I think they will improve the team and make us stronger – that’s the most important thing.

“We’ve been working on the track, a lot of running, and today back on the pitch – that’s what we like the most. It’s always nice to be back here with Liverpool and the lads.”

Neil Jones: “New boy Dominik Szoboszlai looks like he can run for days.”

“‘Bro, 20.2?!’ marvelled Alexander-Arnold after the Hungarian had seen off Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo in his first fitness challenge on Merseyside. 20.2 is, I’m told, a serious score for a lactate test.

“In Szoboszlai, Liverpool look like they’ve bought a hell of an athlete, as well as a supremely-talented footballer.”

What’s up next?

Jurgen Klopp made clear that a repeat of last year’s poorly organised pre-season tour and preparation won’t be acceptable.

With that in mind, the schedule appears to have been designed to ensure that the German tactician is maximising the time he has available with his squad ahead of the next campaign.

Liverpool are set to enjoy a brief stay at the AXA training centre before travelling to Germany for a training camp where he will hope to not only prepare his side for the gruelling demands of Europa League football and beyond but also instil a sense of fresh camaraderie within a group hurt deeply by the failures of the prior campaign.

We’ll first take on Bundesliga 2 outfits Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth in the first round of friendlies before travelling to Singapore for clashes against Leicester City and Bayern Munich.

Fans will get a chance to see both Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in action at Anfield on 8th August ahead against Darmstadt before the season proper kicks off with a Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

footballfancast.com

Klopp eyeing Liverpool swoop for prolific teen phenom, he could be Salah’s true heir – opinion

The Reds are reportedly one of the clubs who are keen on a deal for the talented youngster.

An update has emerged on Liverpool and their plans to bolster their core of young prospects during the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

According to Sky (via Spanish outlet Sport), Jurgen Klopp’s side are one of the teams eyeing up a swoop to sign Eintracht Frankfurt starlet Kebir Ali Canpolat ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Ajax are also in the race to land his signature, whilst LaLiga champions Barcelona are the latest team to throw their hat in the ring.

It states that the 16-year-old talent wants to leave the Bundesliga outfit over the coming months as he does not see a pathway through to the first team as it stands.

How many goals has Kebir Ali Canpolat scored?

The talented teen phenom has caught the eye of many top European clubs, including the Reds, after his impressive return of 11 goals in 14 U17 matches for Frankfurt last season.

Canpolat has plundered 12 goals and eight assists in 17 youth team appearances for the German side as a right winger, which has showcased his ability to make a significant impact at the top end of the pitch from a wide position.

He has also been able to translate his form over to the international stage. The exciting forward scored three goals in Turkey’s three U17 European Championship outings this summer.

These sensational statistics suggest that Canpolat is a winger with the potential to burst onto the scene as a prolific goalscoring wide attacker at first-team level, if he can handle the step up to playing professional football.

This means that the 16-year-old hotshot could be the true heir to Mohamed Salah’s position on the right wing at Anfield, as the Egypt international has been Klopp’s go-to man for goals over the years.

No player has found the back of the net for the German head coach more than the former Chelsea prospect, who has struck 186 times in 305 appearances under his management.

Salah topped the charts for Liverpool when it came to Premier League goals (19) and assists (12) last season across his 38 outings, which highlights how influential the 31-year-old ace is in the final third.

Canpolat scored a goal every 1.27 league matches for Frankfurt’s U17 team last season and this stacks up well against the current Reds star’s return of a league strike every 1.59 games (137 in 218).

Therefore, the Turkish youth international is a player with the potential to offer a similar level of goalscoring from the right wing if he can translate that form to senior football.

His return of eight league assists last term would also place him third among the Liverpool squad – only behind Trent Alexander-Arnold (nine) and Salah (12) – despite that coming from just 14 matches.

Of course, there is no guarantee that Canpolat will be able to replicate those numbers in a first-team environment but his immense form for Frankfurt suggests that as a 16-year-old prospect, this signing is a gamble worth taking for Klopp in the hope that it pays off and the club have their true heir to Salah as a goalscoring winger further down the line.

liverpoolecho.co.uk

Liverpool told Khephren Thuram’asking price’as Jordan Henderson gives’answer’on Saudi move

With the majority of Liverpool players back in pre-season training, the rumours continue to swirl of potential incomings and outgoings on Merseyside.

International players returned to the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, including new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Talks continue over whether any new faces that follow the midfield duo to the club in the same window, and what position will be prioritised.

On the one hand, there are strong suggestions the next will be Southampton’s Romeo Lavia or OGC Nice’s Khephren Thuram to complete a trio of midfield reinforcements, whilst on the other, speculation of a move for a defender next – namely Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, begins to intensify.

In recent days outgoings have also been questioned, particularly club captain Jordan Henderson. Reports have linked him with a move to join Al Ettifaq, the Saudi Pro League now managed by Steven Gerrard.

READ MORE: Liverpool have obvious position to fill as summer exit leaves glaring absence

READ MORE: ‘And the James Milner award goes to’ – New Liverpool lactate test champion crowned

Khephren Thuram

Liverpool still ‘retain an interest’ in OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, according to fresh reports today.

It had been stated on Tuesday by L’Equipe that Thuram would likely be staying at his current club. This was apparently down to the Reds turning their attentions elsewhere, Bayern Munich cooling their interest, and the player’s own desire to have the best chance possible of making into Didier Deschamps’ senior France squad for Euro 2024.

However, Foot Mercato countered this on Wednesday in a new report. The French publication reported that Liverpool and Bayern Munich still remain keen on signing Thuram this summer.

Nice would be willing to sell this summer, but only if the €50 million (£43m) asking price is matched. It was also said the 22-year-old would not force a transfer away from Ligue 1.

The article added that Jurgen Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund could also rival Liverpool, though consider the price tag too high.

Jordan Henderson

Former Liverpool captain Gerrard has seemingly been dealt a blow, as he was told that current captain Henderson will not be joining him at Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq.

Henderson’s future at Anfield had been questioned in recent days with his role potentially reduced following the club’s new midfield signings. It was also claimed that there had been exploratory talks as representatives of the Saudi club had approached Liverpool about the England international.

However, claims from broadcaster Ben Jacobs may have ended Gerrard’s hopes of a reunion, as he tweeted that Henderson will not make the move and remains committed to the Reds as his best route to a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Levi Colwill

90min.com have made the latest claims in Levi Colwill’s transfer saga, stating that Liverpool are ‘confident’ and ‘ready to make an offer’.

The Under-21 European Champion’s situation is a tentative one, with rivals circling while Chelsea insist he is not for sale. His current deal at Stamford Bridge expires in 2025 but he is said to be ‘far from convinced that his long-term future is at Chelsea’.

New boss Mauricio Pochettino is also set to have talks with Colwill upon his return to the London club for pre-season.

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