We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Friday, following the emphatic 6-0 win over Tranmere Rovers.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Van Den Berg’s debut will wait until America tour
Liverpool’s new boy still awaiting FIFA clearance.
- Crouch announces retirement from football
The former Red hangs up his boots.
- Brewster proves value of patience to new youth talent
The two-goal striker excelled against Tranmere.
- Liverpool U23s learn EFL Trophy group opponents
First-ever senior competitive fixtures.
- Liverpool players react to first friendly win
Ten teenagers, six goals & just a single concern.
- The media on Tranmere 0-6 Liverpool
A “promising start” to pre-season.
Quartet to Return on Saturday
Liverpool’s squad is slowly growing larger, as key players return from their summer holidays at different times.
Next up is the turn of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum, who will be back in training on Saturday morning.
The Reds quartet were all in action in the UEFA Nations League this summer, with the Netherlands getting the better of England in the semi-finals.
Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Henderson and Wijnaldum return to Liverpool as European champions and will no doubt receive a great reception when they make their comebacks.
That is unlikely to be against Bradford City on Sunday, however, given their lack of time on the training ground.
Incidentally, Alexander-Arnold spent his final day off at Wimbledon, watching the semi-finals take place and basking in the glow of being a Champions League winner at 20.
Barca’s Van Dijk Approach Ignored
According to the Mirror, Barcelona have made an attempt to lure Van Dijk to the Nou Camp, without much luck.
The Liga champions reportedly “made enquiries” about whether or not the Dutchman would consider leaving Liverpool this summer.
Van Dijk’s representatives “did not bother taking it further”, however, telling Barca that the 28-year-old is more than content at Anfield.
Yet again, this feels like a story that has been churned out for the sake of clicks – don’t read anything into it.
Van Dijk has spoken of his happiness at Liverpool – why wouldn’t he be happy, in truth? – and the Reds shouldn’t fear losing the world’s best centre-back any time soon.
Reds Yet to Make Elliott Compensation Offer
Harvey Elliott was present at Tranmere on Thursday night, amid reports suggesting he will become Liverpool’s second signing of the summer.
According to the Daily Record, the Reds have not yet made an offer of compensation to Fulham for the highly-rated 16-year-old.
The Cottagers “expect to be compensated appropriately for the winger’s development”, with some singling him out as one of the outstanding English players of his generation.
Should Fulham‘s valuation of Elliott not be met, they will be willing to take the case to a Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal.
Let’s hope that isn’t required, as the Reds close in on a hugely exiting transfer.
A fee was decided by tribunal for Dominic Solanke most recently, when the Reds signed him from Chelsea.
Crouch Reveals Best XI
Following’s Peter Crouch’s retirement from football, the striker has revealed his best XI made up of players he shared a dressing room with.
Included in the star-studded team are ex-Reds quintet Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
Johnson was joined by John Terry, Ledley King and Ashley Cole at the back—there was no place for Jamie Carragher—while Luka Modric was in midfield with Alonso and Gerrard.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0MqRrBUrl/
Accompanying Torres in attack were Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney, making up a side capable of beating anyone on its day.
Meanwhile, Crouch listed his five favourite goals, selecting his acrobatic effort at home to Galatasaray at No.2, behind a stunning volley for Stoke City against Man City.
A hat-trick-completing strike for Liverpool against Arsenal also made the cut, coming in at No.4.
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