We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Wednesday, as the Reds prepare for Saturday’s visit of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Main Headlines
- Hillsborough families to seek review after police chief misconduct case dropped
- Tactical review of Liverpool’s win at Crystal Palace
- The 6 players who still need to leave Liverpool in August
- Milner happy to showcase different sides to Liverpool’s game
- Palace-proof Liverpool show they are no longer spooked by the past
Gomez Set For England Call-Up
It has been an excellent start to the season for Joe Gomez, who has overcome the disappointment of missing the World Cup through injury and produced two dominant performances alongside Virgil van Dijk.
According to the Mirror, Gomez’s form has been monitored closely by England boss Gareth Southgate, who watched the youngster excel in Monday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
The report states that Gomez “is now likely to be drafted straight back in for the Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley on September 8 and the friendly with Switzerland in Leicester three days later.”
The 21-year-old has the look of a future England regular about him and he is threatening to make that centre-back spot his own for Liverpool.
Dortmund Still in Talks Over Origi
One player almost certain to depart Anfield before the end of the month is Divock Origi.
He had previously been linked to Sevilla and Valencia, both of whom have now signed strikers, but Borussia Dortmund are still hopeful of claiming his signature, report ESPN.
While the German club want a loan with a view to buy, the Reds want to sell outright, and are still holding out for £27 million.
Origi flopped at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga last season while on loan, though that was mitigated by the fact they had a terrible season overall, only surviving relegation after a play-off.
It has to be hoped that the Reds don’t price Origi out of a move, as his value will surely drop with a season of little involvement and he stands no chance of displacing the front three under Jurgen Klopp.
VAR in the Champions League?
Should Liverpool reach the Champions League quarter-finals this season, there is a chance they will experience VAR for the first time.
The Times report that UEFA are considering bringing in the technology in the latter stages, “after being impressed by its use during the World Cup in Russia.”
A committee will recommend approval at next Thursday’s group stage draw in Monaco, where the Reds will find out their three opponents.
Should PAOK overcome Benfica in their two-legged qualifier, Liverpool will be in Pot 2 rather than Pot 3.
The first leg was a 1-1 draw in Portugal on Tuesday, which bodes well.
Klopp Reveals What He Told Karius
Loris Karius looks set to join Besiktas on a two-year loan, following his disastrous showing in the Champions League final in May.
Jurgen Klopp has finally revealed to ESPN what he told the goalkeeper after the game, admitting he was lost for words after such a tough defeat:
“I am a strong supporter of the idea of just shutting up if you don’t have the right words.
“And other than a few comforting words I did not have the right words. I did not have a clue what you could say.
“Neither was I angry of him nor was I disappointed in him or something else. I only saw his situation, and everyone would love to have the right words.
“I didn’t have them. And that’s why we left it at it that evening but for a few words. By now, I talked to him. Not only about this. The situation is clear and everything’s good.”
Lewtas Praises American Teenager
Sixteen-year-old Matteo Ritaccio is looking to make the grade at Liverpool, hopefully surpassing his fellow Americans Brad Friedel and Zak Whitbread at Anfield.
Ritaccio started at the Academy in Kirkby earlier this month, following a string of trials dating back to November 2014.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, new Reds U18s manager Barry Lewtas praised the way in which the youngster has adapted to a new life in England:
“He’s settled in great. We’ve got a really good support network here, so it’s not something we’ve never done before.
“Obviously it’s a big change for him culturally. But he’s done ever so well and he’s settled in fine.
“The only difference is that he’s got a different accent to everybody else! That’s probably the main difference. He mixes in really well and he’s a good boy.”
Reds Announce New Partner
And now, the news you’ve all been waiting for…Liverpool are now partnered with Levi’s!
The club has officially announced them as their “first denim partner”, with chief commercial officer Billy Hogan saying:
“Liverpool and Levi’s have always shared a special passion for supporting communities and making a difference. The partnership between the club and Levi’s is a reflection of this bond.
“We are very much looking forward to a bright future working with Levi’s, which will enable Liverpool FC to continue giving back to our local fans.”
That news surely tops Istanbul!
On a more serious note, though not ground-breaking to most fans, this type of commercial deal highlights the continued off-field progress of the club and provides a constant revenue stream outside the match-day scenario.
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