We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Thursday, as Champions League final talk continues to dominate.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Klopp offers mixed injury update on Firmino & Keita
‘Bobby’ is in line to start the Champions League final.
- Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Champions League final “dream”
The midfielder would love to star in Madrid.
- How Liverpool aim to change football’s future
Data analysis & mathematical modelling coming to the fore.
- Plans for Ojo highlight approach to ensuring investment
Another loan move is likely for the youngster.
- Liverpool’s strong finances vs. rest of Premier League
It all bodes well for Reds’ future
- Is Depay the man to add depth to Liverpool’s attack
The former Man United ‘flop’ could be ideal.
- Revisiting our 2018/19 Premier League predictions
Watford surprise & Keita below expectations.
Camacho Price Tag Set
Rafa Camacho will be allowed to leave Liverpool for £10 million, according to the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce.
The youngster has again turned down a new contract offer at Liverpool, and with only 12 months remaining on his current deal, the Reds will want to earn a fee for him this summer.
Sporting CP and Wolves have both been linked with signing the teenager, who finished the season with the most goals (eight) and assists (eight) for Liverpool Under-23s.
Camacho has been at Anfield since 2016 but it is clear that he feels his future lies elsewhere, perhaps due to a lack of first-team opportunities.
Fenerbahce Eye Up Mignolet Move
Fenerbahce are expressing an interest in signing Simon Mignolet on loan this summer, according to Turkish-Football.
The Belgian is expected to leave Liverpool once the season reaches its conclusion, with regular first-team football at the top of his priorities.
It may be that only a permanent move will do, however, but Fenerbahce’s financial problems could make that a stumbling block.
On Wednesday, it was reported that the Reds are interested in replacing Mignolet with West Ham goalkeeper Adrian, bringing him in as a backup to Alisson.
While Mignolet’s ability may not be missed hugely, such has been Alisson‘s influence, his importance in the dressing will be a loss.
He has been credited for being a major presence behind the scenes this season, as Liverpool look to finish 2018/19 with Champions League glory.
Kruse Wanted By Leverkusen
According to Kicker, via Inside Futbol, Bayer Leverkusen are weighing up a summer move for Max Kruse.
The 31-year-old is reportedly also on Liverpool’s radar, with the Reds seeing him as someone who can add depth to their attack.
With Daniel Sturridge a certainty to leave Anfield, and Divock Origi‘s future unclear, reinforcements are clearly required.
Kruse is out of contract at Werder Bremen this summer and it looks highly likely that he will move on to pastures new.
Leverkusen have lost Julian Brandt to Borussia Dortmund, and while Kruse is a different player to the former Liverpool target, he could help fill some of the void left by him.
Liverpool Struggling to Arrange Friendly
Numerous reports in the last 24 hours have explained how Liverpool are struggling to find an opponent to face in a pre-Champions League final friendly this week.
The Reds are in Marbella on a training camp but there are concerns that a lack of match practice could be on show by the time the final rolls around on June 1.
By that point, it will be almost three weeks since Jurgen Klopp‘s side face Wolves in their final Premier League game of the season.
The plan is to face someone in a behind-closed-doors clash in Spain this weekend, but their search for a team is proving problematic due to most sides being on their end-of-season holidays.
The Reds will likely have to play a local team’s academy side before they return to Merseyside at the weekend.
Carra on Why Liverpool ‘Fear’ Spurs
The anticipation ahead of the Champions League final is palpable, as Liverpool and Tottenham battle it out to be crowned European Champions.
In an interview with The Anfield Wrap, Jamie Carragher spoke of his belief that Spurs don’t strike fear into the Reds as a team, but the thought of losing to them is giving supporters sleepless nights.
“A lot of Liverpool fans were probably in the same boat watching the Ajax-Tottenham game. When Tottenham got through they were probably disappointed. There’s a few reasons for that.
“I think normally in a European final, the whole thing about Europe is playing European teams.
“When you’re playing an English team, we played Chelsea in the semi finals, they were great and you remember them because we won but we played Chelsea too much.
“I’d loved to have played a Juventus or a Bayern Munich in a semi final, just something a little bit different. I think there’s that.
“Something I saw on social media I thought perfectly summed it up how everyone’s feeling, Liverpool fans don’t fear Tottenham, they fear getting losing to Tottenham.
“That’s what it is. You’re thinking, ‘Oh my god, if we got beat… English team from your own country, the media, everyone, Spurs fans…’ Whatever it may be.”
You’ve nailed it, Carra!
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