We round up all the Liverpool news and transfer rumours you need to know on Sunday, on the eve of the Reds’ first away trip of the Premier League campaign.
Main Headlines
- Grujic signs new Liverpool deal and completes loan move
- Liverpool field Origi interest ahead of big-money Bundesliga switch
- Excellent business continues with reported plans for Robertson
- Klopp as excited as supporters over Keita’s limitless potential
- Firmino vows Liverpool “will give every last drop” in title pursuit
- Liverpool’s shift to a diamond formation and how Firmino will be key
Villa Tracking Ojo Ahead of Possible Loan
Pedro Chirivella took to the field for the Liverpool U23s in Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham, but conspicuous in his absence was Sheyi Ojo.
Priced out of a move to West Brom earlier in the transfer window, the 21-year-old winger will now be hoping he can seal a loan move in order to secure regular first-team football.
And according to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are considering a move to bolster Steve Bruce’s squad.
They also mention Everton‘s Yannick Bolasie as a target, which suggests Ojo may not be Villa’s first choice as they seek another winger before September 1.
But for Ojo’s sake a switch to Villa Park could be beneficial, as he is very unlikely to feature if he remains on Merseyside.
Gomez Relishes 8-Day Preparation
The Reds head to Selhurst Park on Monday night to take on Crystal Palace—eight days after their 4-0 triumph over West Ham on the opening weekend of the season.
Buoyed by their excellent display at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp‘s side have been able to build on this with an extended spell at Melwood—including an 11-a-side game on Wednesday.
And Joe Gomez, who is set to keep his place alongside Virgil van Dijk at the back in south London, has explained the benefits of more time on the training field to LiverpoolFC.com:
“You can build and continue to progress and work on things. I know the coaching staff appreciate the gap.
“Like on Wednesday, you can use it to get some minutes in the legs and play a training game.
“There are pros and cons when you have a good result or a bad result—sometimes you just want to get straight into the next one.
“But it’s time for us to build and try to progress and work on things in training, and the tactical aspect.”
Though a trip to Palace has proved difficult for Liverpool in recent years, Klopp can expect his side to come out of the blocks raring to go on Monday.
Firmino Honoured by Treatment at Liverpool
Roberto Firmino has outlined his ambition to win the Premier League title with Liverpool this season, as he bids to reward the club’s supporters.
The Brazilian is in his fourth campaign with the Reds, and having signed a new long-term contract in April he has told the Mirror how he cherishes his status at Anfield:
“I’m only interested in Liverpool and winning everything I can with them.
“We have the best supporters in the world here, they are amazing—and there are Liverpool fans in every part of the planet.
“So we know what it would mean to be champions.
“Everyone hears stories about what it means to be a Liverpool player, but, until you live it—personally, you cannot really understand it,” he insisted.
“In my whole life, I never thought that I would get treated like I do here.
“It’s a huge responsibility and we can only give everything back to the supporters that we can.”
The No. 9 is certainly deserving of every plaudit that comes his way from the Kop.
Ings Hailed After Scoring at Everton
Danny Ings left Liverpool to join Southampton on loan earlier this month, with the striker set to complete a permanent £20 million move to St Mary’s next summer.
The 26-year-old has made a bright start to life back on the south coast, and scored his first goal for the Saints on Saturday—against Everton, no less.
And speaking to reporters after the game, Southampton manager Mark Hughes hailed Ings’ immediate impact:
“It is always important when you go to a new club. Danny has made a huge impression since he walked through the door.
“He was excellent in his cameo last week, he was good again today.
“He had chances and scored the goal which is always important when you change clubs.
“As a striker it is important to get up and running and that’s what he’s been able to do.
“For him it’s been an OK day.”
Unfortunately, the Saints fell to a 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park, but it is great to see Ings get off the mark early against Liverpool’s rivals.
Agger’s Throwback to Moment That Changed His Career
Daniel Agger retired from professional football at the age of 31 in 2016, two years after leaving Liverpool following a lengthy, successful spell at the club.
His early bow came after a series of debilitating injuries, and the Dane took to Instagram on Sunday morning to relive the challenge that “changed everything” for him.
This came in the 5-0 friendly win over the Singapore League Select XI during pre-season in 2009, with Agger requiring back surgery after a heavy fall from a routine aerial duel.
Though he stayed with the Reds for a further five years, Agger was never the same player—with this ‘throwback’ a reminder of what could have been for Liverpool.
If Agger had remained fit, there is little doubt he would be considered one of the club’s best centre-backs of the modern era.
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