Trent’s pre-season absence explained & Grujic interest increases – Liverpool FC Roundup

Liverpool’s pre-season is well underway and we have news from the camp, as well as the latest on transfer rumours and looking ahead to 2020/21.

 

Grujic set for Bundesliga return

Might just be a quick stop in Austria for Marko Grujic – then back to Germany rather than England for the next step in his career.

The Serbian midfielder has been at Hertha Berlin for the past two seasons on loan, but their pursuit of Schalke’s Weston McKennie made it seem as though Grujic’s time at the club was up.

However, that move has fallen through and German media report going back in for Grujic is the next plan in mind.

The Reds are known to be wanting £20 million for him, more than has been suggested that Hertha want to pay.

 

Trent absence explained

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2020: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold carries the ball to take a corner-kick during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Most of the first-team squad are in Austria undergoing the first days of pre-season training, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is not among them.

The right-back is still on Merseyside, report the Echo, undergoing his own “bespoke fitness regime” after picking up a small injury.

It’s not expected to be a big deal, or even to keep him out of the Community Shield later this month, but the staff felt he’d get more benefit working from home toward full fitness.

Neco Williams and Ki-Jana Hoever are the right-back alternatives if our No. 66 misses any actual matches in the build-up to the new season.

 

Changes for next season…maybe

Jurgen Klopp is likely to make some alterations to his set-up and planning for 20/21, just because of the unique circumstances. Pre-season gives an early indication of how…

 

Quickfire LFC news

  • Andre Marriner will be the ref for the Community Shield against Arsenal (BBC)
  • Tsimikas is a ‘perfect fit’ for the Reds and Klopp, says his former Olympiacos coach (Goal)
  • Fabinho says he’s been told to try a few more long-range passes by the boss (LFC)
  • And LFC Women have a new captain for the campaign ahead (TIA)

 

Around the Prem

London, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 23, 2018: Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

  • Sadio Mane has been voted PFA Fans’ POTY and it’s about time his greatness was acknowledged in truth (TIA)
  • David Silva is set for a statue outside Man City‘s stadium and in truth there’s more reason for this one than Fulham‘s Michael Jackson one (BBC)
  • Arsenal are set to confirm Aubameyang’s new contract and the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes, so those saved admin workers’ salaries have been put to good use (Telegraph)
  • And Juventus want either Alex Lacazette or Raul Jimenez, in keeping with their usual youth development programme for No. 9s (Sky)

 

Stupid rumour of the day

Not sure what part of this is stranger: Chelsea now don’t want Declan Rice because they don’t have £80m, Chelsea now want Lewis Dunk for £40m or Chelsea will still sign John Stones even if they get Dunk as well.

 

Tweet of the day

It isn’t Liverpool, but we need to acknowledge the absolute sh*t-show which is 2020 Barcelona…

 

Worth watching tonight

Europa League semi-final, Inter vs Shakhtar for the right to face Sevilla in the final. 8pm, BT Sport.

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