Liverpool could have been under very different leadership, it has emerged, while our Bundesliga representatives are gearing up for a return to action.
City owners tried to buy Liverpool first
The finance broker responsible for Man City‘s takeover by the Abu Dhabi family has suggested that the same group were originally intent on buying Liverpool.
A conversation with Graeme Souness revealed the attempts, made before current owners FSG came on the scene, but former owners Hicks and Gillett proved too “difficult to deal with”.
While some might wonder what might have been in terms of spending, trophies and investment over the past few years, it’s worth taking a step back.
Liverpool have, albeit over a longer period of time, gone on to achieve the sort of success City fast-tracked their way to—but sound business approaches and brilliant recruitment means it should be more sustainable.
City, meanwhile, are facing a ban from European football and have suffered plenty of probing of their financial dealings.
Klopp and Co. want four weeks of training
Managers in the Premier League want a full month of training before matches have to be played, according to the Athletic‘s David Ornstein.
A meeting between all 20 Premier League managers discussed, among other things, the protocols and dates when full training might be implemented.
Ornstein said Klopp “sounded reassured on areas such as COVID-19 testing and keen to try and finish the season on grounds of sporting integrity,” while Jose Mourinho, Ralph Hassenhutl and Roy Hodgson are all advocates of getting back to training as soon as possible.
A compromise of three weeks looks probable, to hit the hoped-for mid-June resumption of league action.
Tussle with Europe’s elite (and Arsenal) for Szoboszlai
Liverpool are one of several teams hoping to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Salzburg this summer, according to reports out of Italy.
The Hungarian midfielder has impressed in Austria and in the Champions League, albeit not as a guaranteed starter every week, and is already a senior international at just 19.
The Reds, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and AC Milan are all hoping to sign him on a reasonably low-cost deal this summer, with a high upside and resale value the draw for several of those sides.
We came up against him in the group stage, of course, as a team-mate of new signing Takumi Minamino.
German Reds
It was the French revolution at Anfield under Houllier. Then we had the Rafalution and all the Spanish flavour that came with it. Now, Jurgen Klopp‘s German stamp on the club can be seen from all quarters.
- The boss has revealed his inspiration behind the No. 4 shirt in his playing days
- Timo Werner team-mate inadvertently reveals why he’s a perfect fit for the Reds
- And Nat Phillips, on loan at Stuttgart, explains the return-to-action protocols he has been following as German football restarts this weekend
Leagues restart latest update
The UK Government has released a ‘return to elite sports’ proposal, giving guidance as to how each phase will be implemented. Step one is available to view now.
Police chiefs apparently remain “fearful” of mass gatherings of fans outside Premier League stadiums, despite there being little evidence or reason to think it will happen given the number of people willingly following government advice so far.
Serie A are aiming for a restart on 13 June, pending government approval in Italy. There are 12 rounds still to play and teams can train collectively from Monday.
Quickfire LFC news
- The strict measures Liverpool face in returning to training have been revealed (TIA)
- Jonjo Shelvey says he left Liverpool too early and should have stuck it out (Chronicle)
- And John Barnes says Liverpool can’t be awarded the league title if there’s no relegation at the other end (BBC)
Around the Prem
- Newcastle will pay a fortune for Bale after the takeover, according to no report at all apparently, with both the Mail and a Spanish outlet citing each other (Mail)
- Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta wants Pep Guardiola back at the club if he wins. Now, what could a club in Europe offer that Man City can’t… (ESPN)
- Leicester want Kristoffer Ajer from Celtic, so there must be a free spot on the subs bench coming up (Star)
- And Palace want Sean Dyche as their next manager and we can’t honestly decide if it’s good for Dychey to step up or bad that they see him as a successor to Hodgson (Mirror)
Stupid suggestion of the day
We all accept there will be big changes in the football world. But some of the people responsible for generating ideas need to have a second thought before writing down their bright suggestions.
“Turning their face away” when getting tackled, or recovering from the tackle, isn’t going to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It might well end up in a few more players in hospital, though, with mis-timed challenges or sudden, uncontrolled changes of direction.
Tweet of the day
Re-live the Steve Gerrard cup final, why not!
SAVED!! Reina saves Ferdinand’s penalty! We’ve done it!
The Reds have won the 2006 FA Cup! ? pic.twitter.com/7WGmzfCKsO
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 13, 2020
What we’re reading
An intriguing piece on Bundesliga.com, detailing Jadon Sancho ‘following the footsteps’ of former Reds great Kevin Keegan.
And a chat with former players and coaches on Sky Sports looks at why Rhian Brewster is such a prodigious young talent.
Fan Comments