Liverpool are after one of Chelsea‘s most recent debutants who is yet to sign a contract extension, while we could see every game when the Premier League returns.
Reds chasing Chelsea debutant Anjorin
Reports out of Nigeria suggest that the Reds are hoping to keep their youth talent drive going this summer with a move for Chelsea youngster Tino Anjorin.
He’s an England youth international, also eligible for the African nation through his parentage, and only made his senior league debut in March.
His contract expires at the end of next season and AllNigeriaSoccer say the Reds, plus Arsenal, Norwich and both Manchester clubs, want to sign him this summer.
There may be nothing more than hope to this, as the attacking midfielder was said to have agreed terms on a new deal several weeks ago—but it hasn’t yet been officially signed.
Having signed Harvey Elliott last summer and remaining keen on Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka, it’s no surprise that the Reds are hoping to keep landing top talent from top-flight rivals—it’s one way to stay ahead of the curve, and the youngsters know they’ll definitely get the chance under Jurgen Klopp.
Premier League set out TV plan for return
There had been some discussion over the last few weeks that top-flight games in England could be spaced out and played on every day across the week, similar to the apparent plan in Spain.
But that isn’t the case according to a leak in the Mail, which instead says there will be a feast from Friday night to Monday.
Pleasingly, each of those 10 games will be screened live one way or another—no more 3pm blackout, remember—with Sky Sports showing four, BT Sport another and the other five potentially on free-to-air, YouTube or a mix of other possibilities.
All the kick-off times will be staggered: one Friday night, four Saturday, four Sunday and another Monday night.
United vs. Spurs will be the first Friday night game.
An eye on the future
Football’s future is full of unknowns, at the major level over the next few weeks and the longer-term possibilities for players.
- Unseen full-back Anderson Arroyo believes he is getting close to being given a shot at Liverpool
- ‘Keeper Adrian says he has no fears over a return to action
- And fellow back-up stopper Kelleher is looking for a loan to get regular action in 2021
Leagues restart latest updates
Jurgen Klopp is keen to get started but the managers as a collective feel the current aim of 12 June is “too ambitious” for the Premier League to resume.
The Championship are looking at resuming training on 25 May, meanwhile.
In Italy, the head of the country’s Olympic Committee has said he thinks there’s a 99 per cent chance the government give the go-ahead for Serie A to restart on 13 June.
Quickfire LFC news
- Liverpool have until 23 June to agree extensions with Lallana et al whose contracts are up the following week (PL)
- Ex-Red Rafa Camacho is taking advice from Firmino and Mane over his career path (Tribuna)
- Michael Ballack has told Kai Havertz to stay with Leverkusen rather than move to Liverpool (SportBild/Mirror)
- And Kenny Dalglish says neutral venues are probably the best option for finishing off the league season (Sky Sports)
Around the Prem
- Dele Alli and his family were burgled at knifepoint this week (BBC Sport)
- Bayern say they won’t be held to ransom over Leroy Sane…but will bid £50m for the player who has a year left on his deal (Telegraph)
- Chelsea want over £30m for Tiemoue Bakayoko, but PSG won’t pay a penny more than £26m. Who’ll blink first in the battle of the pointless £4m they’ll never miss for the player they’ll both never play? (Le10Foot)
- And Man United have supposedly won the race for Moussa Dembele ahead of Chelsea for £62m, one day after the headlines about their ‘all-English transfer window’ (Express)
Stupid argument of the day
Brighton et al are still bleating about how unfair it is that they might be made to play in neutral venues.
Meanwhile, in the Portuguese top flight, Santa Clara have agreed to play their remaining home games at the Portuguese FA headquarters, a two-and-a-half hour flight away from their home in the Azores.
Perspective, Seagulls.
Tweet of the day
https://twitter.com/StanleyHouseLFC/status/1260930940206866433
What we’re reading
A look at how the club supports former players from the Academy, on the club website.
And remember when Liverpool beat Blackburn at Anfield but United still lost the league? Here’s a look back at that “perfect” day, by Michael Butler in the Guardian.
