Thursday’s news brings reports of a possible alternative to Marc Guehi, another record for Mohamed Salah and the latest on Ibrahima Konate‘s fitness.
Today’s Main LFC Headline
Liverpool are widely reported to still be keen on signing Crystal Palace‘s Marc Guehi, whether that be in January or the summer, with the latter more likely.
But reports out of Portugal suggest Sporting’s Zeno Debast (what a name, by the way) has emerged as an alternative target should they not land the England international.
Voetbal Nieuws state that the 21-year-old is on Liverpool’s radar as they look for a centre-back with “excellent passing ability,” which his time in midfield has elevated.
Portuguese outlet Record have claimed that they have backed up that report from Debast’s home country, with Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande, Newcastle‘s Sven Botman and PSG’s Willian Pacho also on their list.
This could be agent talk with Man United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and Napoli having also been credited with interest, but he would tick a lot of boxes.
Sporting will demand a sizeable transfer fee as Debast still have four years left on his contract, but he is an exciting young talent that fits the mould Arne Slot wants from his central defenders.
We might need more than one new centre-back anyway if Real Madrid are successful with their one and only trick…
Today’s Liverpool FC News
• Bayern Munich‘s Michael Olise could “definitely be an option in the summer” in the view of the Mail‘s Lewis Steele. He would be an ideal signing if we’re looking at life post-Salah
• Alexis Mac Allister‘s chances of starting vs. Man United took a turn after Argentina’s final game of the break was moved by a day and to a different US state! Nice one, Donald…
• Mo Salah has set the record for the most World Cup qualifying goals by an African as Egypt booked their place in the 2026 competition – he’s now set for two tournaments in six months!
• Ibrahima Konate continues to train separately with France but was described as not having shown any ‘discomfort’. We have to take it as a positive that he’s still there
• Liverpool are “still keen on signing” Marc Guehi, who distanced himself from any talk of his future ahead of England’s World Cup qualifiers. January would be best, right? (The Mail)
More from This Is Anfield
After a run of seven games in 21 days, Joanna Durkan has taken a look at who played the most minutes and there were two clear favourites and a noticeable gap at the bottom:
“Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai (540 mins) were the only two to play the full 90 minutes in every game, with the exception of one (Southampton in the Carabao Cup), with Ryan Gravenberch (512) not far behind.
The midfield duo are two of the first names on the teamsheet, and it is no surprise to see them at the top of the list, but it is concerning when you also factor in their involvement for their countries – flagging the need for rest in the games to come.
The management of Alexis Mac Allister (311), Alexander Isak (312) and Conor Bradley (318) is also obvious as Slot continues to offer reminders of their respective disrupted summers.”
READ: Liverpool players to rack up most minutes from 7 games in 21 days
Elsewhere in the football world today
• Aston Villa‘s Youri Tielemans is expected to miss a further five weeks with a calf injury, meaning he will not face Liverpool on November 1 – that is the (Athletic)
• We know FSG are to venture into multi-club ownership, and now Burnley‘s owners have completed a takeover of LaLiga side Espanyol (Athletic)
• Man United are content with giving Ruben Amorim three years to prove himself – expect a few will be happy with that stance after 21 defeats in 50 games! (Business Podcast)
Liverpool FC: On this day
On October 9, 1957 Liverpool formed part of a unique piece of history as floodlights were used for the first-ever time at Goodison Park.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Liverpool County FA, Everton played against Liverpool in a two-legged match to commemorate the installation of floodlights at Anfield and Goodison.
The matches proved so popular that it was decided the friendly would become an annual event, with a new trophy, called the Floodlit Challenge Cup, commissioned. It eventually ended after four instalments.
The hosts won the first leg 2-0 with both goals scored by Eddie Thomas as over 58,000 spectators packed into Goodison, with Liverpool winning the second leg 3-2.
To think of all the developments in the almost 70 years since!
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