Liverpool’s players and coaches are preparing for the second leg against Real Madrid, so we have all the build-up from there today, but the rumours are also in full flow with ins and outs at Anfield.
Wijnaldum could stay beyond summer
It’s an ongoing saga and will continue to be so until the midfielder makes a decision on his future, but there’s still a chance that future remains at Anfield.
The Telegraph today report that the “door is still open” for our No. 5 to sign a new contract and extend his stay, with Wijnaldum having not agreed terms with Barcelona or Inter Milan despite having nearly four months to have done so now.
Of course, Emre Can‘s deal wasn’t done until later in the season when he left, so there’s still every chance of him departing if one of those interested clubs comes in with a big contract offer, but the indications so far suggest that isn’t as likely to happen this year due to finances for clubs after Covid.
The Reds’ own ability to offer a big new contract might depend on whether Liverpool actually reach the top four this season, and secure Champions League football next season.
Grujic future far from decided
Marko Grujic has been on loan at Porto this season and the Echo say the Reds haven’t yet decided what will happen with the midfielder in the summer.
He was available for around £20 million last summer and there were no takers at that price – but the Reds are “not ruling anything out…whether he stays at the club this summer or switches on a permanent deal to an elite club in Europe.”
That said, the report also suggests the Reds think this loan spell has “been excellent for Grujic”, despite him being a sub with great frequency, with “significant interest” reported from Italy and Germany.
He’s unlikely to come back into the side and forge a first-team spot at this stage, in truth, which makes a transfer the most likely course of action.
Second-leg nerves building…
Are we going to do it? Another Olympiacos, Istanbul, Dortmund, Barcelona?
- The boss has encouraged the Reds to play as if they have “not a lot to lose” when we face Real at Anfield
- If we do manage to pull it off, four players are facing a suspension tightrope and could be out of the semis first leg with a booking
- And Klopp says we have to start believing we’ll win to be able to put in a performance worthy of doing so
Quickfire LFC news
- Patson Daka has been widely linked with the Reds and his agent says it’s time for a new challenge
- The recent investment in FSG means the valuation of LFC as a club is now above $4 billion
- Andy Robbo says any criticism of Trent Alexander-Arnold should be viewed by the right-back as a compliment
- Here’s all of Klopp’s pre-game press conference for your viewing (ahead of the game)
Around the Prem
- The Lingard hype train is in overdrive as PSG, Inter Milan and Real Madrid all join the race and yes, we double-checked that it was Lingard and not Erling Haaland
- Odsonne Edouard has the choice of Arsenal and Leicester this summer, which is a bit like asking him if he wants a car which was great back when it was first made but is now rotting and has no wheels, or a new electric vehicle which isn’t yet top of the range
- It’s 2017 again apparently, as Man United have ‘revived interest’ in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Expect the Reds to table a bid for Leon Goretzka any day now then
- And Spurs are going to fix their defensive woes by signing Jerome Boateng. Might be an upgrade on Dier, but even Van Dijk would look dodgy next to Serge Aurier
Stupid approach of the day
Big fans we are, of this approach to transfer dealings from Man United.
Apparently they are “wary about entering into talks with Borussia Dortmund over signing Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland, 20, having failed to negotiate a lower fee for team-mate Jadon Sancho.”
So, basically, if you’re not skilled enough to get a decent job done, just bin off going for good players in the first place.
Tweet of the day
https://twitter.com/topimpacat/status/1381963428277809161
Worth watching tonight
If you’re not watching PSG vs Bayern then you really shouldn’t be allowed nice things.
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