We round up the latest Liverpool news and rumours on Thursday, as a number of transfer stories emerge surrounding the Reds.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Klopp admits Liverpool must spend the same as rivals
The boss eases fears surrounding lack of spending.
- Liverpool decide on Origi future irrespective of new contract talks
Is the Reds’ surprise talisman staying put?
- Keita explains changing role at Liverpool
Why Klopp will improve him further.
- Liverpool fans debate Lovren’s future
“Quality backup” or “no-brainer to sell”?
- Klopp’s billion pound squad & the players whose values have soared
Elite-level coaching has helped immeasurably.
- Grabara impresses as the “Polish wall” shines at U21 Euros
Liverpool’s young goalkeeper shines on & off the pitch.
Reds “Won’t Go Beyond £40m” for Fernandes
On Wednesday, claims made by the Evening Standard suggested Liverpool will not be signing Bruno Fernandes.
The Sporting CP midfielder is one of Europe’s most sought-after players, and contrasting reports in Portugal state that the Reds are still interested.
Correio da Manha, via Sport Witness, believe Liverpool won’t pay more than £40 million for Fernandes’ services, though, which could scupper the move.
There are also continued claims that they are trying to use Rafa Camacho as part of the deal, rather than the 19-year-old joining Schalke instead.
In truth, it feels increasingly unlikely that Fernandes will become a Liverpool player, leaving them looking for creative alternatives elsewhere.
Dembele and Targett not joining Reds
Ousmane Dembele is one of a number of players loosely linked with joining Liverpool this summer.
Spanish publication Marca now claim that the Frenchman will stay at Barcelona next season.
The club’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has told Dembele “we’re counting on you”, in a meeting with the player and his agent.
Liverpool were going to have to pay a reported £94 million to sign the winger, so it never felt likely to happen.
Similarly, while Andy Robertson will require a new deputy in 2019/20 due to Alberto Moreno moving on after five seasons, it’s not likely to be rumoured, erm, target, Matt Targett.
The Daily Mail say that the 23-year-old Southampton left-back is set to stay at Saints, however, with Ryan Bertrand expected to leave.
Targett has been told that he will be promoted to first-choice left-back, which will seemingly put to bed any chance of him joining the Reds.
What would you do: be first choice at a bottom-half Premier League club, or be a backup for the European champions?
Laughable Mbappe Rumour
The thought of Kylian Mbappe playing for Liverpool is a mouthwatering one, considering the Paris Saint-Germain forward is perhaps the world’s most exciting young talent.
It is also a move that will never happen, however, despite the media doing their best to suggest otherwise.
In an interview with ESPN, the 19-year-old was asked which team he would play with on a game of FIFA, to which he replied, “I play with Liverpool because they win the Champions League.”
He was then quizzed about his opinion of Jurgen Klopp, simply saying, “yeah he’s good.”
That apparently means he wants to join Liverpool – a game of FIFA! – because according to Metro, it “hardly reassured fans in Paris that he is staying”.
Can the new season just start, please?
German Interest in Young Pair
It appears as though Schalke are not only targeting one Liverpool player in Camacho, with Taiwo Awoniyi also in their sights, according to Goal‘s Neil Jones.
The 21-year-old was on loan at Mouscron on 2018/19, where he has enjoyed a successful spell.
He looks set to train at Melwood during pre-season and Jones reports that “a number of clubs” are keen on acquiring his signature.
Meanwhile, 2.Bundesliga outfit Bochum “have enquired about the availability” of Reds full-back Anderson Arroyo.
The Colombian has just completed a temporary spell at Gent, and like Awoniyi, he will be put through his paces with the Reds squad in pre-season.
It would be a surprise if either end up having long-term Liverpool futures, but Klopp has shown that he will give youth a chance—though given neither have work permits to play in the UK, their immediate futures lie overseas.
No VAR Penalty Rule in Premier League
The Women’s World Cup has been an entertaining spectacle so far, but one thing that has dampened the mood has been VAR.
Two separate controversial incidents have seen both France and Argentina allowed to retake penalties against Nigeria and Scotland, respectively, with three retaken efforts occurring in total.
The goalkeepers barely moved before the spot-kicks were taken, but the new ruling saw VAR used, and the two sides eventually conceded second time around.
It has led to an outcry from supporters, but fortunately the rule won’t be used in next season’s Premier League, BBC Sport have confirmed.
VAR has its positive elements, certainly in the eyes of many, but there are still teething issues to be overcome.
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