We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Wednesday, as preparation continues for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Watford.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Clyne could be handed January lifeline in Premier League
The right-back has only featured once this season.
- Trent’s landmark year recognised in Golden Boy shortlist
Our No. 66’s incredible rise at Liverpool highlighted.
- PSG face big double injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash
Have the Reds been handed a big boost?
- VAR set to be fast-tracked into Champions League
The much-discussed technology is being introduced earlier than anticipated.
- The 6 Liverpool youngsters Klopp ran the rule over this week
Some priceless time at Melwood for Reds youngsters.
- Liverpool could still be forced to reduce foreign players regardless of Brexit
The FA still looking to restrict number of non-homegrown players.
- A season-defining run of fixtures demands Liverpool’s first-choice defence
Karl Matchett on not rotating at the back during the festive period.
Barcelona Struck Transfer Agreement With Liverpool
Barcelona will not be able to buy a Liverpool player until 2020, as part of an “extraordinary” deal that helped Philippe Coutinho complete his move to Camp Nou, according to the Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe.
The agreement was made when Coutinho moved to the Liga champions in January, eradicating fears that the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino could go the same way in the near future.
On top of that, Bascombe states that Michael Edwards “insisted on a €100 million (£89m) premium on top of any transfer fee if Barcelona try to lure any more Liverpool players in the next few years,” in a brilliant move by the sporting director.
The deal is described as being made due to Liverpool’s “distaste” with how Barcelona handled the Coutinho situation over a six-month period.
Mignolet to Stay Beyond January
Simon Mignolet will remain a Liverpool player until the end of the season, reports the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce.
The 30-year-old has made only one appearance for the Reds in 2018/19, finding himself as backup to Alisson.
Pearce says that Mignolet “is attracting interest from a number of European clubs including Nice,” who want to acquire his services in January.
That won’t be happening, however, with Jurgen Klopp “unlikely to entertain offers” for the Belgian in the next transfer window.
Gronnemark on Gomez’s Throw-Ins
Liverpool’s new throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark has told Mundial why Joe Gomez is so effective at them:
“We put most of the players at Liverpool through my training, at first at Melwood and then at the training camp in France, but I’m coaching all the fullbacks.
“What makes him a good thrower, he had learned most of the things I wanted to teach him about technique very seriously; he’s taken the training seriously.
“With Joe, it’s good technique but also a good physique.
“He can throw very hard but he can also throw far, it’s very difficult to defend against because he can throw very dangerously to the far post: that’s a big area you have to defend.
“Joe’s throw is very dangerous because of the constant threat.”
Gronnemark’s comments come after Gomez played a key role in England’s 2-1 win over Croatia on Sunday, launching a bullet-like throw-in that led to Jesse Lingard’s equaliser.
He’s the new Rory Delap!
Pulisic to Discuss Future in January
Recent reports suggest Christian Pulisic is set to move to the Premier League next summer, with Liverpool and Chelsea both strongly linked.
In an interview with NBC Sports, the American revealed he will talk to Borussia Dortmund about his future in January, once the Bundesliga reaches its winter break:
“I’m still focused on Dortmund. We are doing great this season.
“Once the break comes [in January], that is always when I will have to discuss with Dortmund and see about my future.”
Pulisic will cost Liverpool around £70 million if they are to make a bid next summer, but he would be another huge signing, both in terms of talent and marketability.
Critchley on “Invaluable” Experience For Youngsters
While Liverpool’s international players were off representing their countries, academy prospects were afforded the luxury of training with Klopp and a few senior players.
Dan Atherton, Ben Williams, George Johnston, Isaac Christie-Davies, Luis Longstaff and Glen McAuley all took part in a session on Monday.
U23s boss Neil Critchley spoke to LiverpoolFC.com about how beneficial the experience could prove to be, as the youngsters look to progress in their careers:
“It’s invaluable for them to spend some time in front of the manager and his staff and the senior players.
“To have one, two or three training sessions with them is invaluable and is probably worth six months of coaching that I can give them.
“They will be better for those experiences but it’s also important that they take something from it and they learn from it.
“Don’t just go to Melwood to make the numbers up and be a passenger, show what you are about because it’s an opportunity that might not come around too often.
“They have to grasp it when it comes along.”
The fact that Klopp has blooded so many young players since becoming Liverpool manager, most notably Trent Alexander-Arnold, should give academy players that extra motivation to make the grade at Anfield.
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