Liverpool and their Premier League rivals received confirmation of an expanded subs bench for the rest of the season, while there are mixed reports over moves for forwards.
The Premier League is back!
According to widespread reports on Thursday evening, the Reds’ first game back in the Premier League—away to Everton—will be held on Sunday, June 21, kicking off at 7pm.
Both the Times and the Mail have covered the leak from the top-flight shareholders’ meeting on the same day, which also revealed Liverpool’s following two fixtures.
The visit of Crystal Palace is claimed to be set for Wednesday, June 24 and the trip to Man City will be on Thursday, July 2, with both 8.15pm kickoffs.
Though the Premier League are yet to confirm the news, it is highly likely these are the dates now agreed.
One forward being tracked, one not
The Reds are always on the hunt for talented youngsters who can be brought into the club, nurtured and coached the right way and then brought through into the first team.
It doesn’t have to be a waiting period of three or four years to make an impact at Anfield, either, as last summer’s arrival Harvey Elliott quickly showed and even surprise January signing Tom Hardy made his senior bow in the FA Cup.
Now the Reds are eyeing up Ricky-Jade Jones, a 17-year-old striker already playing with Peterborough in League One.
Sky Sports report that a host of top teams are tracking the youngster, who is yet to score in the league but did net in the FA Cup against Burnley, and who has been compared with Jamie Vardy for his incredible pace—he runs the 100m in 10.9 seconds—and style in leading the line.
However, yesterday’s rumours of a loan move for Ousmane Dembele appear wide of the mark.
The Reds have not made any bid, nor plan to at this point, for the frequently injured Barcelona winger who is also being tracked by Juventus.
Journalist claims Reds have agreed Werner contract
Liverpool’s transfer chase of Timo Werner is widely known, but one journalist claims the process is further down the line than most.
Ian McGarry, speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, says that rumours of other clubs bidding for him are false and that the Reds have actually agreed terms.
“Werner has agreed personal terms with Liverpool,” McGarry said.
“[It’s] a five-year contract that will pay the player around £140,000-a-week.
“[Other clubs] have been told by the player’s representatives that a deal is effectively done to Liverpool…and effectively they would be wasting their time.
“The reason that these rumours have been circulated, is because RB Leipzig are concerned they will not achieve the €60m [fee].
“Liverpool have failed to offer the clause of €60m, on the basis that they believe the player can be gotten for a smaller price when the market reopens officially.”
If that’s the case, we can expect news of a lower bid for Werner to emerge in due course, perhaps bringing this long-running saga one step closer to ending.
UPDATE: Reports on Thursday evening suggest Werner has agreed a deal with Chelsea.
Academy to first-team, step by step
Liverpool’s youngsters have every reason to be hopeful of being given opportunities these days, right from their first years with the club.
- Academy boss Alex Inglethorpe gives a fascinating insight into how youth talents are nurtured and get the “ultimate finishing school” with Jurgen Klopp
- Those currently knocking on the first-team door could get more chances this season with confirmation of a big change in Premier League subs rules
- And having signed as a youngster, the excellent Joe Gomez says this is only the beginning and his Liverpool story has a long way to run yet
Quickfire LFC news
- The ‘Voice of Anfield’ has recounted a story showing why Klopp is such a loved person throughout the club (TIA)
- John Barnes doubts whether any of the current youth hopefuls at Liverpool are ready to become a Gerrard or Sterling level of starter (Goal)
- Young Reds defender Remi Savage has signed his first professional deal with the club (LFC)
- And Premier League clubs have accepted the need to use neutral venues if absolutely necessary (TIA)
Around the Prem
- Man City fans will unveil a banner to protest UEFA’s treatment of their club. They are very, very angry they haven’t been allowed to cheat and get away with it (Times)
- Leighton Baines has been offered a one-year extension by Everton and it’s nice to see our neighbours doing their part to support the aging workforce (BBC Sport)
- United’s plans to raise funds by selling Alexis Sanchez, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo have “taken a hit” apparently. The suggestion is that it’s down to coronavirus uncertainty, though we’d personally place more emphasis on the fact they’ve all been largely sh*t and nobody wants to buy them (ES)
- And Kai Havertz is open to a move to Old Trafford, according to the entirely reliable and unbiased local Manchester media who clearly have the inside line to the Leverkusen forward (F365)
Stupid transfer approach of the day
If you’re wondering how Spurs fell from Champions League finalists to battling for a top-six finish so fast, here’s a good indication: Spanish media suggest they won’t bring in Coutinho on loan because his wages are too high and other players might complain.
That’s usually how it works, Mr. Levy: Better players than Sissoko, Bergwijn and Lamela cost more money than Sissoko, Bergwijn and Lamela.
Tweet of the day
Happy five-year anniversary to our vice captain and No. 7!
https://twitter.com/Aakriti1/status/1268424862759972864
What we’re reading
An interview with Joshua Kimmich on playing without fans, another Bundesliga title and the changes the squad have to deal with, in the Guardian.
And Sid Lowe writes for ESPN just exactly how Phil Coutinho went from sought-after record signing to the man no top club wants.
Worth watching tonight
Portuguese action take your fancy? Sporting CP are the team to watch tonight, against Vitoria Guimaraes at 9:15pm. Or, as we like to call it, the battle of the former LFC U23 stars: Joao Teixeira against Rafa Camacho.
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