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Jota’s contract ‘reward’ & Van Dijk’s Haaland ‘welcome’ – Latest LFC News

Diogo Jota‘s new Liverpool contract has seen him ‘rewarded’ for an impressive start to life at Anfield, while a Man City legend has admitted Virgil van Dijk pocketed Erling Haaland in the Community Shield!

 

Oh he wears the number 20…

After reports emerged that Jota was close to signing a new contract on Monday evening, the deal was officially announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Jota is now said to be contracted to Liverpool until 2027, with the club keen to recognise his development since joining from Wolves two years ago.

The Portugal star wasn’t nearing the end of his previous deal, but the Echo report the decision to improve his terms was ‘in keeping with the club’s strategy of rewarding players on the basis of individual progress.’

There’s also been an update on Jota’s recovery from the hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Fulham on Saturday.

The Daily Mail‘s Dom King claims Jota could be back in training ‘within two weeks,’ but even at that point he will surely need longer to build up his fitness, having missed the vast majority of pre-season.

Nonetheless, it’s more astute business from Liverpool, with Jota certain to play a big part under Jurgen Klopp in the years to come.

 

3 things today: “Welcome to the Premier League, Erling!”

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, July 30, 2022: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (L) and Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the FA Community Shield friendly match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at the King Power Stadium. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

  • Pep Lijnders has described the text messages he and Jurgen Klopp exchanged when Liverpool made their move for Luis Diaz in January. ‘By FAR the best player. I HAVE NO DOUBT…’
  • Premier League referees and officials will see recordings of their conversations around VAR decisions made public this season, according to the Times.

 

Latest Liverpool FC news

  • Another book to add to your wish list! Captain Jordan Henderson has revealed an autobiography that will be released in late October.

  • The new season is only days away and Liverpool have nine fitness concerns throughout the squad, here’s the very latest on when they could return.

  • Fulham manager Marco Silva has claimed his team are “not ready” for their opening day clash against the Reds this Saturday. We’re not complaining!

 

Latest transfer chat

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2020: Chelsea's Timo Werner looks dejected after missing a chance during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. The game was played behind closed doors due to the UK government’s social distancing laws during the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. (Pic by Propaganda)

  • Timo Werner could be set to return to RB Leipzig on loan from Chelsea, with the two clubs in talks, according to BBC Sport. Jota over Werner was another Edwards masterstroke, wasn’t it?
  • The Blues are said to be interested in signing Kyle Walker-Peters from Southampton, with Thomas Tuchel searching for a right-wing back to compete with Reece James, according to the Guardian.
  • Newcastle have failed with a second bid to lure James Maddison away from Leicester, which was believed to be in the region of £50 million, according to Sky Sports.

 

Tweet of the day and match of the night

Better than Figo don’t you know…

If Champions League qualifiers are your thing then you’re spoilt for choice!

Rangers will face Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their third round qualifier this evening. The winners of that will face Monaco or PSV for a place in the group stages.

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