In Friday’s Liverpool roundup, Xherdan Shaqiri is a pawn in a greater transfer game, Virgil van Dijk pens a long-term deal and Adama Traore is linked with the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp provides triple injury update
Jurgen Klopp has provided a positive update on the fitness of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez but has bad news about Curtis Jones.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Klopp provided an injury update on van Dijk and Gomez, saying: “I think so, it looks like [they are available to start].”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool during the Pre-Season Friendly fixture between Liverpool and Athletic Club at Anfield on August 8, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
On Jones, Klopp added: “He had a slight concussion so we just have to follow the protocol.”
Thiago Alcantara scores acrobatic goal
Thiago Alcantara scored a stunning goal during training which drew cheers from his teammates which should clear up concerns over the injury he had coming into pre-season.
The 30-year-old came into pre-season carrying a little knock from the summer’s EURO tournament but he is now in good shape heading into the new season and is in contention to start against Norwich City.
And after seeing him score an acrobatic goal during a training session, it looks as though the former Bayern Munich technician cannot wait to get back to Anfield to strut his stuff.
How much Virgil van Dijk will earn until 2025
Virgil van Dijk has penned a new contract with Liverpool that will see him stay with the Reds until 2025 and is arguably their most important piece of business yet.
Speaking to the club after signing his new four-year contract, our no.4 said: “Amazing. It is something to be very proud of, that I am very proud of, that my wife and my kids are very proud of and obviously my agency.”
𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗚 ✊@VirgilvDijk has today signed a new long-term contract with the Reds 🙌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 13, 2021
According to a report from Kevin Palmer from last week, he will now earn over £200,000-a-week in line with his status as the best defender in the world.
Fabrizio Romano reveals long-term talks between Liverpool and van Dijk
The Dutchman is eligible to face Norwich City but it’s possible that Jurgen Klopp will bench him to ensure he doesn’t rush him straight back into action.
The Dutchman is the club’s most expensive signing in their 129 history and if they were to try and buy him now from another club, with van Dijk widely regarded as the best in his position, it would likely break the Premier League’s new £100m transfer record.
Liverpool have been so classy with Virgil Van Dijk. New contract talks started right after his injury – Liverpool wanted to show Virgil how they consider him present and future of the club. 🔴 #LFC
Today, 8 months later – new deal until June 2025 official and completed. https://t.co/6ZhcjDNMUp pic.twitter.com/waEYJfrBr9
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2021
Fabrizio Romano, who reported at the end of 2020 that Liverpool were already initiating talks with van Dijk, says the Reds have been in long-term negotiations with the Dutchman over his now official contract extension.
Liverpool looking to expedite Xherdan Shaqiri sale for €8m
Liverpool are working hard to expedite Shaqiri’s sale and Anfield Central has learned that it’s to make room for a new attacker.
With personal terms already agreed, the two clubs are in negotiations to agree on a fee and once that’s done, a medical will take place.
Xherdan Shaqiri has completed his agreement on personal terms with OL. Contract now ready until June 2024 – Shaqiri’s now pushing to join Ligue1 side, as @lequipe reporter. 🔴🇫🇷 #LFC
OL are offering €6m with add-ons, Liverpool want more. No agreement yet. Talks ongoing.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2021
Should that be passed, both clubs will work together to synchronise their official announcements with Lyon to take the lead.
While Anfield Central has been told by a recruitment source that the club is indeed working on completing at least one new signing, they were unable to tell us who.
Photo suggests Andy Robertson could be back soon
A photo of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey on Instagram was reshared on Twitter by a fan and it could be very good news for Liverpool fans.
Andy Robertson has suffered the exact same ligament damage to his right ankle that Partey has and so fans will be delighted to know that, 12 days his injury, the Arsenal star has removed his protective boot and posted a picture to social media to update his condition.
Thomas partey is out of the ankle boot
🙏🙏🙏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/YIV5hHwj54
— saxon71 (@stuafc71) August 12, 2021
A fan on Twitter has shared an Instagram story from the midfielder’s official account which showed him on a stationary bike.
It’s great news for Arsenal fans and underlines that it won’t be too long before Robertson is back in the gym at the Axa Training Centre working on his rehab to get back in action for the Reds.
Jarrod Bowen could be the next Sadio Mane
While talking on The Red Sea Podcast, Pearce referred to links to Bowen and said: “When you look at him, I think he does tick a lot of the Klopp boxes.
“I just think Liverpool will be in the market for, rather than the finished article, they’ll be in the market for what Sadio Mane was like four, five years ago when he came in, and similarly with Mo Salah.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolves. (Photo by Frank Augstein – Pool/Getty Images)
While Liverpool fans would back him to the hilt if he joined the club, I don’t think he’s at the level that is required by a team of this standard.
Liverpool could sign Doku and Tchouaméni
Liverpool could sign Doku and Tchouaméni as both are exempt from Premier League regulations on non-homegrown talent.
According to Sky Sports, the rules apply to players over the age of 21 and so Rennes’ Doku (19) and AS Monaco’s Tchouaméni (21) could be signed soon if reports are to be believed.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MAY 31: Aurelien Tchouameni of France during the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Quarter-finals match between Netherlands and France at Bozsik Stadion on May 31, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Recently, Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport, while discussing Juventus’ interest in Tchouaméni, named Liverpool as a club “considering whether to invest” in the France U21.
As Anfield Central covered already, Liverpool want to sign Jeremy Doku, according to Sacha Tavolieri, who says signing the Belgian would cost €50million and is a move the Reds want this summer.
Signing both would cost Liverpool a total of £68.1m.
Liverpool hope to sign Adama Traore this summer
According to 90Min, Michael Edwards has held ‘conversations’ with Wolves for Adama Traore and hope to sign him.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 03: Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers poses for a portrait in the Wolverhampton Wanderers 2021/22 Home Kit at Molineux on August 03, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)
The writer who penned the report, Graeme Bailey, writes that Liverpool are “hopeful of being able to strike a deal“.
This is in spite of the fact that Wolves are unwilling to sell Traore for less than £40million (€47m) which is close to the amount that Liverpool paid to sign Diogo Jota last summer.
