We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Tuesday, as the dreaded international break kicks into gear.
Today’s Main Headlines
- Shearer almost signed for Liverpool, claims Owen
A surprise Twitter feud over ‘loyalty’.
- How Liverpool made over £50m in the summer transfer window
What does it mean moving forward?
- Duncan’s agent claims they are “in the top 1%” after Fiorentina move
More nonsensical comments by Saif Rubie.
- Liverpool push for return to late-August transfer window
Does a return to old ways make sense?
- Ranking Liverpool’s 10 best players in August
From goal-hungry Salah to dazzling Firmino.
Liverpool Linked with Duncan Replacement
Bobby Duncan’s exit to Fiorentina has left a void in the Liverpool under-23s’ attack, especially with Paul Glatzel out injured.
The Reds are seemingly wasting no time in searching for a replacement, with Goal‘s Neil Jones claiming that they are in the mix to sign Wigan Athletic forward Joe Gelhardt.
They will face competition for his signature from Everton, however, as well as Chelsea, Wolves and Leicester.
The boyhood Liverpool supporter has been thriving in Wigan’s academy and is expected to make his England under-18s debut this week.
It is great to see the club trying to move on so swiftly to life without Duncan, outlining how impressive they are in the transfer market these days.
Glatzel to be Offered New Deal
Glatzel’s ACL injury suffered against Tranmere Rovers was a low point in Liverpool’s summer.
The teenager had enjoyed a wonderful 2018/19 season in the under-18s, scoring 29 goals as the young Reds sealed FA Youth Cup glory, in which he netted the winning penalty against Man City in the final shootout.
There is positive news on the horizon for Glatzel, though, with Football Insider claiming that he is on the verge of signing a new contract at Anfield.
Pete O’Rourke’s story states that Liverpool are “keen to agree a new and improved deal with Glatzel even though he only signed his first professional contract in February.”
Glatzel is one of the most exciting prospects at the academy—assuming he recovers fully from his injury, he is set to take up a role in Jurgen Klopp‘s first-team squad in the future.
Robertson’s “Frustration” with Duncan Highlighted Flaws
Duncan is no longer a Liverpool player, with his switch to Italy now completed.
While the 18-year-old clearly believes he is ready for senior first-team action, his performances in training at Liverpool may suggest otherwise.
According to the Mail‘s Dominic King, Andy Robertson visibly showed “frustration” after Duncan missed another golden opportunity in training during the tour of the United States in July.
King adds that the message was obvious at that point: “This is men’s football, a session with the new European champions; every touch, every second counts at this level.”
These are the standards Liverpool are now setting under Klopp and Duncan was not up to them when he trained in pre-season.
It will be interesting to see how he gets on at Fiorentina.
Kent Discusses “Incredibly Tough” Summer
Duncan isn’t alone in moving on to pastures new, with Ryan Kent also seeing a lack of opportunities at Anfield and returning to Rangers.
The 22-year-old spent much of the summer waiting for an exit, and speaking to Rangers’ official website, he admitted it was a difficult period:
“I won’t lie it has been incredibly tough over the summer but I am a mentally strong person as it is anyway.
“I knew if I kept myself correct something good would happen soon and I have been ticking over, keeping myself to myself and this has happened now and I’m over the moon.”
Kent’s switch north of the border is a move that benefits all parties, allowing Liverpool to receive a healthy £7.5 million fee for his services, and the winger to enjoy regular football at a club where he is already loved.
Klopp Hopes “Valuable” Firmino Stays Fit
Roberto Firmino has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, scoring two goals, registering three assists and even winning TIA’s ‘Best Player in August’ award!
His importance to this Liverpool side is undeniable—excluding Virgil van Dijk, his absence is felt the most when he isn’t playing.
Klopp is well aware of this, telling LiverpoolFC.com that he is banking on the Brazilian carrying on his impressive injury record in a Reds shirt:
“Hopefully it stays like this, [him] hardly missing a game! He missed a few and that was not too cool.
“But Bobby—what can I say about him that not everybody knows already?
“He’s an incredibly important player. He enjoys it so much to play in this team, to be really there with all these super guys around him.
“That’s what helps him then, of course: if you have the speed around you, you can be this little cheeky guy in between the lines, being there and scoring the goals.
“Yeah, he’s a very valuable player for us.”
Firmino has made 198 appearances in four-and-a-bit seasons for Liverpool, with the fewest matches he has played in a single campaign currently 41, back in 2016/17.
To put that into perspective, Daniel Sturridge spent six-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, but made just 160 appearances in that time.
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