Kabak links grow, teenager ‘offered trial’ & stars seek more silverware – Liverpool FC Roundup

July 28, 2020
This Is Anfield

Liverpool are linked with both senior and Academy players on Tuesday as the current squad focus merely on continuing their silverware-winning streak.

Two summer targets for the future

Liverpool have been linked by Bild over the past few days with Turkish defender Ozan Kabak—now rival German media outlets are giving the move the thumbs up after consulting their own sources.

Kicker are latest to jump on board the train, suggesting the Reds have indeed initiated contact with Schalke and that €30 million is the price at which the Gelsenkirchen side will do business.

They’ve also unearthed a social media post from ages ago where Kabak hails Virgil van Dijk one of the best defenders on the planet – surely only a cynic would suggest that this is the source of their confirmation of interest, right?!

Lower down the foodchain, the Reds are hoping to bring in Northern Irish 16-year-old midfielder Charlie Allen.

The Yorkshire Evening Post report that Leeds United are hoping to do the same, but Liverpool and Spurs have both offered the teenager a trial.

Within the Northern Irish set-up, he’s rated as one of the most talented footballers in some time to have emerged.

Reds want nothing but more trophies

Speak to any of the coaches and many of the fans, and the best trait they’ll give you about this Liverpool side is their mentality: a never-say-die, always-want-more relentless beast of a team.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain exemplifies that today, saying that the squad are aware of the need to revel in the moment – but also in focusing on what’s to come next.

“The only thing in my head and the rest of the boys’ heads is ‘what can we do next season?’

“That’s the only thing we can think about now and if we have that mindset every year, we give ourselves more hope and more chance of having more nice conversations in 20 years’ time about multiple seasons and hopefully multiple trophies.”

With four trophies won in 13 months, some teams might sit back and appreciate what they’ve achieved, but this team simply want more.

Bring on 20/21!

Along the same lines of incredible mindsets, Pep Lijnders has spoken about Alisson‘s professional approach and understated leadership – which has asserted itself on several occasions this term.

Summer activities

So, 2019/20 is dead…long live 20/21! Another season will soon be here and we’ve a lot to do before then.

The Reds are delaying a move to the new training complex at Kirkby
And with the exits this week there’s already an effective saving of £300k per week – with more to come
And here we take an in-depth look at what could be ahead this summer for Liverpool in the market

Quickfire LFC news

Lijnders says Curtis Jones offers something few players on the transfer market would be able to this summer (TIA)

Like a lonely lover who finally realises they shouldn’t have cheated on their old partner, Coutinho’s “principle wish” is a Liverpool return – but only Leicester, Arsenal and Spurs have any interest (Sport)

Alan Shearer has named five Reds in his TOTY: Trent, Virgil, Robbo, Hendo and Mane (Premier League)

And young right-back Conor Bradley has signed his first pro deal with the Reds (LFC)

Around the Prem

Man United have had an opening offer for Sancho turned down (Bild) or have not yet bid for him (Telegraph) – good to know some things haven’t changed post-Covid hey?

Chelsea will consider offers of more than £50m for goalkeeper Kepa and we’re absolutely certain that particular queue will be a mile long after his insubordination toward managers, his constant errors and the fact he’s been dropped from the team three times now (Mail)

Zaha wants out of Palace and Everton are going to bid for him – isn’t this just a repeat of last summer? We know how it turns out, in tears for everyone (Mirror)

And Bayern Munich want to sign Norwich defender Max Aarons for £18m, which is a nice gesture to give the rest of the Bundesliga at least a sniff of a chance at scoring in a few games (Sky Sports)

Obvious move of the day

Nobody could see this one coming, right? Bournemouth are set to “discuss their options” over pursuing a legal challenge against the goalline technology error which led to Aston Villa drawing 0-0 with Sheffield United.

The Blades ‘scored’ but it wasn’t seen by Hawk-Eye, and Villa ultimately stayed up by a point ahead of Bournemouth, who had a better goal difference.