Brighton are braced for the possible departure of boss Roberto De Zerbi at the end of the season with the Italian courted by clubs across Europe.
Mail Sport understands contingency plans are being drawn up in the event De Zerbi should leave. It is believed the 44-year-old is prominent in Liverpool’s thinking as they seek a successor to Jurgen Klopp, who will depart at the end of the campaign.
Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has guided Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga in Germany, is another strong candidate.
Liverpool are battling to retain the services of midfielder Thiago Alcantara after two clubs registered their interest in signing the player – to leave Jurgen Klopp in a bit of a quandary over the Spaniard’s future.
The gifted former Barcelona midfielder moved to Anfield in September 2020 after departing Bayern Munich for an initial £20m deal, which ultimately reached £25m once add-ons were factored in. And while Thiago is highly rated by Klopp, the 32-year-old has been badly hampered by injuries throughout his stay at Liverpool, having been limited to just 97 appearances so far.
Unfortunately, a long-standing hip issue has kept Thiago on the sidelines since April, meaning he is yet to appear for the Reds this season.
Alexis Mac Allister was the last Liverpool player to leave the pitch at the Amex Stadium. Old friends were queuing up to embrace him.
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi made a beeline for the 2022 World Cup winner after the final whistle on Sunday. Draping an arm around the midfielder’s shoulder, he encouraged the home fans to show their appreciation for the man who had said a tearful goodbye to them at the end of last season.
Still loved and respected at the south coast club, Mac Allister has quickly endeared himself to players, staff and supporters alike since completing a £35million ($43m) move to Liverpool in June.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has described the Argentina international as a joy to work with and “super-smart tactically”. Mac Allister was the priority signing at the start of the midfield rebuild at Anfield this summer and he’s been ever-present in the Premier League this season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has resumed training as he continues to make progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The vice-captain has not figured since Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa on September 3 but is closing in on a return to action after joining his teammates in their session on Monday.
Pepijn Lijnders told Liverpoolfc.com: “Trent trained yesterday with us but it was just in the rondo and the ball possession with the counter-pressing, but he was outstanding.
“You see him instantly, of course. He is with the team training, I am not sure if he will be ready, we will see today.
“But then if we speak about Trent we have to make a compliment to Joe Gomez because the way he played the role, played the role in his way but still being able to come inside as well, was just incredible. His level and attitude, just a big compliment to him because you are replacing one of the best full-backs in the world.
“He did really, really well. That’s good and shows a lot about our squad as well, that we can have that.”
Liverpool’s only other injury concern at the moment is Thiago Alcantara, with Lijnders adding: “He is in a good way, the healing process is going well so that’s the most important [thing] at this moment.”
Liverpool are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a sensational loan move for Kylian Mbappe.
PSG are fuming that Mbappe refused to talk to Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal after the French champions accepted their world record shattering £259million bid. But they also fear that Mbappe will walk out for nothing in 12 months' time to Real Madrid.
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Liverpool are ready to offer Mbappe a one-year loan deal, which gets him out of Paris, will bring in cash for PSG and enables the 24-year-old striker to complete his dream move to Madrid. The Reds have been encouraged by Mbappe's respect for the club and the fact that his mother, Fayza Lamari – also his agent – is an avid Kop fan.
Mbappe has often praised Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp and he and his representatives held transfer discussions with Liverpool before opting to join PSG when he decided to leave Monaco.
Liverpool are exploring a move to sign RB Leipzig attacker Dominik Szoboszlai.
They met with 22-year-old’s representatives this week with a view to a transfer this summer.
Any potential deal is complicated, however, and there is an acceptance within the club that it will be a very difficult deal to get done.
Szoboszlai has a €70million release clause in his contract — with conflicting reports about its expiry — but regardless any move would involve a significant financial outlay.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has voiced his concern over having to face Real Madrid again next season in the UEFA Champions League, saying that he practically wants to avoid facing the Los Blancos.
Real Madrid and Liverpool have been facing each other quite regularly in Europe’s premier competition since the 2017/18 final. The match, which was marred by a series of Loris Karius’ blunders, ended 3-1 in the favour of the Spanish giants.
Jota’s introduction to Liverpool happened in September 2020 and for three seasons running, the Premier League side has been beaten by the record European champions in the UCL.
During the 2020/21 season, Real Madrid won the quarter-final tie 3-1.
In the subsequent year, many branded the Reds to be the favourite to lift the Champions League title, but Madrid’s experience proved to be differential, with Vinicius Jr’s only goal in the 59th minute winning the final and the trophy for his team.
In the season that just ended, Real Madrid and Liverpool crossed paths in the Round of 16. In what could be termed an absolute banger of the match, Liverpool took the early 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes of the first leg, but Los Blancos went on to turn the tie in their favour, winning 5-2.
By the end of the second leg, Madrid had the tie in their bag 6-2 on aggregate.
Considering Liverpool’s luck against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Jota has expressed that he does not want to face them once again next season but admitted that the Merengues will somehow find a way to get in their way.
“Well, they can somehow finish third in their group and still be in our way,” Jota told FourFourTwo. “But since I came to Liverpool, I’ve always got knocked out by Real Madrid, so hopefully they’re not there.”
While Madrid’s 2022/23 season was disappointing on some levels, they are expected to get back on track next season, having signed Jude Bellingham, Fran Garcia, and Joselu. Add to it the possibility of signing Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid can assert their dominance in Europe once again.
iverpool are expected to submit a bid for OGC Nice midfielder and France international Khéphren Thuram (22) after the U-21 European Championships, according to a report from Nice-Matin.
The youngest son of legendary French defender Lilian Thuram is currently on international duty with Sylvain Ripoll’s side to partake in the tournament. Les Bleuets will kick off their U-21 Euros against Italy tomorrow night at Cluj, Romania. Thuram is expected to start.
The outlet report that the younger brother of Marcus Thuram is “closest to packing his bags“, despite claiming several times his attachment to Nice. Nice–Matin understands that Liverpool want the 22-year-old France international to strengthen their revamped midfield. The Reds have already signed Brighton and Hove Albion and Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister (24). Liverpool executives will reportedly wait until the end of the U-21 European Championships to submit a bid close to Nice’s valuation of their prized asset. Les Aiglons won’t sanction the departure of Thuram for a transfer fee lower than €40m.
Nice–Matin adds that Liverpool have targeted Nice centre-back and France international Jean-Clair Todibo (23). However, the Reds have aborted their pursuit of the former Barcelona defender as they seek a younger player intended to be the fourth-choice centre-back.
Liverpool: £100k-a-week midfielder now ‘among targets’ at Anfield
Liverpool now have £100k-a-week midfielder 'among targets' this summer at Anfield
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will explore the option of signing Lazio ace Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, journalist Rudy Galetti has told GIVEMESPORT.
Though he joins a plethora of names on the Merseysider’s shopping list, a midfield acquisition of Milinkovic-Savic’s stature would add plenty of what the Anfield-based outfit are currently craving.
Liverpool transfer news – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Coined as a “magic” midfielder by his teammate Ciro Immobile and once raved over by Steven Gerrard, the Serbian powerhouse would be available to Liverpool for a cut-price, seeing as his contract has one year outstanding.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has all but conceded defeat in the race for a Champions League place and insists the Reds will make the Europa League 'our competition' next season.
Klopp's team have spent most of this campaign between sixth and 10th in the Premier League table, but a run of seven consecutive wins from mid-April to mid-May, combined with Manchester United’s wobble above them, had put Liverpool into contention for a top four finish.