Liverpool and transfer rumours go together very well in the international breaks, don’t they? Three names today and not one of them hit the £100m mark.
2 strikers and a right-back linked
Let’s start at the back, shall we?
The Reds are linked with Wilfried Singo: A right-back with Torino, 20 years of age, seen as an ideal alternative to play back-up to Trent.
All fine, except the quoted fee is €30m, which we’re absolutely not paying for a second-string youngster. Apparently we already bid €20m – an oh-how-convenient eye-roll here from us – but the fee could come down if Torino are relegated.
In attack, it’s an interesting pair of names, one repeated, one new.
Donyell Malen we know about. He’s likely to leave PSV, should feature heavily at the Euros and is a real talent in front of goal. Gazzetta say we’ll “blow the bank” wide open to sign him.
More interestingly, Italian media also links Liverpool with Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic, a tall and skillful Serbian attacker who has a brilliant left foot on him and who, apparently, we want as something “very different” to reshape the attack.
Kabak 4-2 Wijnaldum
Ok so this pair didn’t actually score the goals, but Ozan still came out on top against the Netherlands in the World Cup qualifier.
Not a great start for Gini and co, whose side went three goals down before mounting a response of sorts, but Kabak played the full 90 minutes – getting booked, obviously – in Turkey’s impressive win. He won plaudits for his performance, too.
Elsewhere, Naby Keita is going to the AFCON (though should now return to Merseyside after this first game) next year and our Welsh pair suffered defeat against Belgium – all the details on the link above.
Transfers and challenges
Always good to look ahead and see how players could earn more game time, improve others…or make way in the market.
- Ki-Jana Hoever says leaving Anfield was the best option after moving to Wolves last summer
- Neco Williams, meanwhile, took on a rather different role to usual in Wales’ defeat on Wednesday
- And Pep Lijnders has explained why Fabinho is the perfect example of what the Reds are looking for in the centre of the park in future
Quickfire LFC news
- Another rumour! Guido Rodriguez is wanted by Klopp – he’s the Real Betis centre mid Arsenal have been linked with of late (ED)
- Spanish media are still saying Barca have wrapped up a deal for Wijnaldum (and Memphis) on a free this summer (SW)
- Andy Robbo says he’s enjoying the extra responsibility he has this season, but not the results (442)
- Ceri Holland has started with three goals in four games for LFC Women (LFC)
Around the Prem
- The start and finish dates for the Premier League in 2021/22 have been confirmed (TIA)
- Arsenal and Chelsea wanted Eric Garcia on a free, but he’s surprisingly decided against joining a significantly worse team in the same league and will join Barca (Sport)
- Christian Pulisic has decided the best way to win his place back at Chelsea is to not be available and instead play at the Olympics for the USMNT (ES)
- And Spurs will try to offload Erik Lamela this summer, presumably expecting his recent Rabona goal to have raised that price tag a couple of mill (Star)
Stupid suggestion of the day
You know all the annoyance about VAR, being offside by a nostril, having to wait ages for decisions?
Well Marco van Basten has a GREAT idea: just bin it altogether. No offsides, players standing where they want, have a goal-hanger and lash it forward 60 yards to them if you want.
Yes, that should make the spectacle of the match far better.
Tweet of the day
How may Bobby assist you today?
This one developed into a very unique one. Hardly any curve on it! Rather a special "Firmino-Assisting-Triangle"! pic.twitter.com/kSlLfEoqch
— Marius Fischer (@Gegenpressing91) March 25, 2021
Worth watching tonight
If watching England put six past the mighty San Marino doesn’t float your boat, watch the herculean struggle of Moldova vs the Faroes. Or Scotland against Austria, which could actually be a decent game.
