Liverpool are preparing for a Thursday night match; if we don’t want it to become a regular thing, we best find a way to win at Old Trafford. That, and the latest rumours, in our round-up today.
Reds midfield target asks for transfer
Liverpool have been linked with around half a dozen midfielders already in preparation for Gini Wijnaldum‘s likely summer exit.
It’s fair to say, though, that the link to Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma makes plenty of sense from a Reds perspective, given his playing style, our transfer habits over the past few years and his scope for improvement.
Now that possible move is a step closer, with the Times reporting that the Albion midfielder has asked the club that he be granted a switch at the end of the season.
The suggestion is that “Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have all inquired” about him – plus Marseille from Ligue 1 – and, with his deal having two years left to run, Brighton expect to recoup around £30m for him.
Jurgen Klopp is apparently “researching [his] character and off-field behaviour” to see if he’d fit the squad – which is presumably a long-winded way of saying the boss probably gave Adam Lallana a call.
No Kabak back for United
Rhys and Nat again? Fabinho back into defence? Jurgen Klopp will have a big call to make in midweek, as once again Liverpool find themselves short of central defenders.
Reports say he’s “highly unlikely” to return to full fitness in time for Thursday’s game, having also missed the weekend win over Saints.
A muscle injury apparently occurred during training, while Ben Davies was also again absent through injury.
United have their own injury issues at the back with Harry Maguire missing, but unless Lindelof, Bailly and Tuanzebe also go down, they won’t quite feel it in the same way.
Not to mention all those likely rotations coming up against Leicester…
Forwards’ fortunes
Everybody loves to watch the attack click, though next year’s could look a little different given possible returns and signings.
- The Reds might “admire” Patrick Bamford, but as explained here, that’s unlikely to lead to a transfer move for the Leeds man
- Mo Salah is going head-to-head with Harry Kane for the Golden Boot, but also to replicate a feat of Alan Shearer’s among the Premier League greats
- And Harvey Elliott headlines the loan players as their campaigns in the EFL come to an end – with another sublime goal for Rovers from a talented teen who should be back with the Reds next term
Quickfire LFC news
- Frank de Boer isn’t giving up on Virgil van Dijk being at the Euros just yet and says he’ll leave the call up to the defeder
- Spirit of Shankly will meet the club again this week after further requests were made – and the Reds have received confirmation that fans can return to Anfield
- In case you were wondering, here’s the answer to whether Elliott, Van den Berg and the gang can play for the Reds this season after their loans ended
- And a young Mexican defender has recounted how he was invited for a trial with the Reds some time ago, only for problems to block the move – presumably work permit issues. He’s now making the breakthrough with Chivas as a senior, so perhaps is one to watch
Around the Prem
- The six PL clubs who started, then left, the Super League have been sent a “harsh letter” by the remaining morons at Juve, Real and Barca, which let’s face it, must be super scary
- Man United boss Solskjaer says he will
happily throw the match against Leicesterrotate his squad heavily against Leicester before facing the Reds two days later
- Harry Kane wants to join Barcelona, but Barcelona’s board want Erling Haaland instead, in a desperate triangle of love, romance and heartache. Wait, no that’s not right
- And Maurizio Sarri says he’s keen on the Spurs job, but then also says he’d be open to taking over at Arsenal, which should help endear him to both sets of fans whichever job he takes
Stupid comment of the day
“Resignation? I am not putting myself aside, my work goes on. We trained well, everyone was there, but sometimes in certain games someone doesn’t reach the maximum. When you have two or three players who fail to give the best in these matches you go into difficulty.”
Andrea Pirlo makes it crystal clear that it’s the players’ fault, not his, that Juventus have dropped from serial title-winners to outside the top four in Italy.
Tweet of the day
(And then Collymore rattled it home)
Perhaps we're spoiled by the relentless counter-pressing of the 2020s, but this by Chris Waddle might be the least effort I have ever seen to prevent a Premier League goal pic.twitter.com/zk9b9nEEsN
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) May 10, 2021
Worth watching tonight
Fulham v Burnley and the confirmation of the final relegation spot. So appetising!
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