Reds set Lovren price & ‘relaxed’ over Keita fitness – Wednesday’s Liverpool FC News Roundup

We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Wednesday, as the Reds’ stance on Dejan Lovren becomes clearer.

Today’s Main Headlines

Lovren Can Leave for £25m

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 3, 2019: Liverpool's Dejan Lovren applauds the supporters after the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at the Etihad Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Reports on Tuesday night claimed Lovren is a summer transfer target for AC Milan, as the Serie A side look to bolster their defensive options.

Now, the Times‘ reliable Paul Joyce has provided a swift update, writing:

“Liverpool would only consider selling Dejan Lovren this summer should an offer of at least £25 million be submitted for the defender.

“AC Milan are believed to be interested in buying the defender but the Italian club have not yet contacted Anfield officials.

“And there is no desire to push the 29-year-old through the exit door.”

It is telling that Liverpool have seemingly set a price tag for Lovren, suggesting they are willing to sell him if the right bid comes along.

The £25 million touted is more than the Reds paid for the Croatian in 2014, and turning 30 this summer as he enters the final two years of his contract, now could be the right time to sell.


Liverpool “Relaxed” About Keita’s Fitness

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 30, 2019: Liverpool's Naby Keita during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg match between FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC. (Pic by Laura Malkin/Propaganda)

Naby Keita‘s admission that he is not 100 percent fit ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations caused concern.

Liverpool have allayed any fears surrounding his current fitness, however, with the Mail‘s Dominic King saying the Guinean is “on schedule with his rehabilitation and the club are relaxed.”

Keita was named in Guinea’s final 23-man squad for the AFCON on Wednesday, and is aiming to be available for their opening match against Madagascar on June 22.

Next, though, they will warm up with a friendly against Egypt on Sunday.


Kent Makes Decision Over Future

CHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, July 7, 2018: Liverpool's Ryan Kent during a preseason friendly match between Chester FC and Liverpool FC at the Deva Stadium. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

According to Goal‘s Neil Jones, Ryan Kent is potentially eyeing up a long-term stay at Liverpool, fighting for his place in Klopp’s squad.

His other preference is to move to another club on a permanent basis—more likely than remaining at Anfield—rather than head out on loan again.

Kent has rejected a temporary switch to Leeds this summer, having also been on loan at Rangers in 2018/19, where he won PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year award.

Liverpool are demanding £12 million for the 22-year-old’s services—Leeds may be willing to meet that amount, as could Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.


Arteta Lauds Anfield Atmosphere

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 28, 2019: Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola (L) and assistant coach Mikael Arteta during the FA Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester City FC at Turf Moor. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mike Arteta knows all about the Anfield atmosphere, having spent six years at Everton, failing to win there during that time.

He is now Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Man City, feeling the wrath of the Liverpool crowd in the Champions League quarter-final first leg in 2017/18, shortly after a 4-3 defeat there, too.

Speaking to Marca, Arteta highlighted Liverpool’s famous ground for the negative impact it has on opposition players:

“In my playing career, Anfield was the only ground where in which I had the feeling of ‘pajara’, of being stuck.

“It happened to me with Arsenal, and we conceded five. You say: ‘I do not know what’s going on, stop the game, please, because I do not know where I am’.

“It’s hard to explain, but it never happened to me anywhere other than Anfield.

“Barca surprise me by the form of some of their goals [conceded, in the Champions League semi-final second leg], but at Anfield you can concede five without knowing.

“Neither in Spain nor in Greece or Germany did I have that feeling. Not even in Old Trafford.”

An honest Blue—who’d have thought it!

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