Jurgen Klopp – CaughtOffside

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:53:49 +0000

Liverpool have had a great start to their 2023/24 campaign under Jurgen Klopp, which may have come as quite the surprise to many given how much under par the Reds were in the previous Premier League campaign.

Some studious transfer business together with the squad seemingly getting the bit between their teeth again has manifested itself into some high quality performances, and results have followed.

At the time of writing, Liverpool are nestled nicely in fourth place, just three points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur, and with the experience of a recent Premier League winning season behind them.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

Whilst it’s true that they also have serial winners, Man City, and Arsenal above them, Liverpool are in an ideal position at this point in the campaign and, as long as they can keep pace with the top three, there’s no reason why, January purchases notwithstanding, they can’t be in the title conversation towards the business end of the campaign.

Transfer business in the new year for any of the clubs in the English top-flight could be the difference maker in terms of relative success or failure, and that’s perhaps why Liverpool are keeping tabs on highly-rated Ajax ace, Devyne Rensch.

According to Football Insider, the 20-year-old, who has already played over 100 first-team games for the Dutch giants, is a target for both the Reds and, potentially, Arsenal.

An experienced right-back who can play in other roles when required, it’s clear why his versatility may be of interest.

The post 20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Napoli’s personal concession to Osimhen could see Liverpool and Chelsea disappointed

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:01:27 +0000

The case of Victor Osimhen and Napoli is a strange one indeed, given that the club are believed to have offered him the highest salary in club history but then mocked him on social media.

That’s not the way to treat your best players and from Osimhen’s own point of view, he’ll know that he could walk into just about any other side in European football and improve them, so it would very much be Napoli’s loss were that to happen.

It’s a story that does appear to get stranger by the day too.

The official Napoli website were even forced into making a statement after club president, Aurelio De Laurentiis had suggested that Osimhen wasn’t interested in signing the new contract offered.

Where next for Victor Osimhen?

The statement simply confirmed that the president hadn’t said anything negative about the player, but the fact that the club felt it needed to clarify the position is a strange one indeed.

Now, however, things could be set to work out between club and player, which would disappoint both Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Reds were linked with a move for Osimhen by the Mirror whilst the Blues interest is noted by ESPN.

According to Il Mattino (h/t Fichajes), the concession by the club to allow Osimhen to visit Nigeria for a few days has softened the relationship between the parties and has given rise to the notion that the player may once again be willing to commit his future to the Partnopei.

The post Napoli’s personal concession to Osimhen could see Liverpool and Chelsea disappointed appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“Irrefutable proposal” – Highly-rated 22-year-old ace gives Liverpool hope of a January switch

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:22:31 +0000

There’s only a couple of months to go before the January transfer window opens for business and everyone gets to see how well their team does their mid-season business.

Indeed, a good winter window can often be the difference between a good season and a great season.

Clubs that weren’t perhaps in the title conversation before Christmas can gatecrash the party with a handful of brilliant signings.

Similarly, those struggling down the bottom of the table can haul themselves clear with some clever manoeuvring in the transfer market.

It’s a skill in itself but is an essential part of the modern game.

Although Liverpool were left disappointed during the summer window at a failure to land a few of their targets, the Reds have still done remarkably well to keep pace at the top of the table.

If they’re able to keep the same high levels of intensity between now and the window opening, there’s no reason why Jurgen Klopp won’t be celebrating with a trophy or two at season’s end.

Missing out of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom chose Chelsea over Liverpool, would’ve surely got under the skin of the German, as may the failure to capture 22-year-old, Andre, from Fluminense.

However, the Brazilian has now given the club a ray of hope.

“In this past window I didn’t talk about it, the first time I’m going to talk in more depth will be now,” he was quoted as saying by CONMEBOL Libertadores.

“It really was an irrefutable proposal from the club that plays in a big league. I think every player one day dreams of playing for a big club in Europe, in a big league.

“But I decided to keep my word because when the January window closed, Diniz [Fluminense manager] arrived and told me that he wanted me here until the end of the year.

“We didn’t know that a proposal of that amount would arrive and I told him that, regardless of what happened, I would be there until the end of the season.

“It ended up passing and arriving in the middle of the year, we were still in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. It was a very difficult decision to make. I think if I had accepted this proposal, I don’t know if I would have felt 100% comfortable because I had already agreed with Diniz.

“He really values his word, his honesty. I know that when we do the right things, good things always happen. And in January he told me that without a doubt, if I stayed I would gamble and my value would increase.”

The post “Irrefutable proposal” – Highly-rated 22-year-old ace gives Liverpool hope of a January switch appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool team news vs Bournemouth

Connor Holden — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:36:59 +0000

Bournemouth take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup (Round of 16) on Wednesday, 1st of November, at the Vitality Stadium, at 19:45 PM (GMT).

The last time these sides faced, Liverpool got the beating of Bournemouth, winning the game 3-1. Goals from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota for Liverpool, with a goal from Antoine Semenyo for Bournemouth.

Bournemouth won in the Carabao Cup third round, beating Stoke City 2-0 to secure their spot in the next round. Goals from Dominic Solanke and Joe Rothwell secured the win for Bournemouth.

Liverpool beat Leicester City to progress to the next round of the Carabao Cup, winning 3-1 at Anfield. Goals from Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota for Liverpool, and a goal from Kasey McAteer for Leicester.

How to watch Bournemouth vs Liverpool

Date: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023
Kickoff: 19:45 PM (GMT)
TV Network: Not broadcast in UK
Venue: Vitality Stadium

Team News:

Liverpool will be without Andrew Robertson, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara through injury, whilst Klopp has an otherwise fit squad to choose from to face Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Predicted XI:

Bournemouth: Radu, Kelly, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Aarons, Cook, Scott, Tavernier, Kluivert, Brooks, Solanke.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Quansah, Matip, Konate, Gomez, Gravenberch, Endo, Jones, Elliot, Gakpo, Diaz.

The post Liverpool team news vs Bournemouth appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool team news vs Nottingham Forest

Connor Holden — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Liverpool (4th in the Premier League) take on Nottingham Forest (15th in the Premier League) on Sunday, 29th of October, at Anfield Stadium, at 14:00 PM (BST).

The last time these sides faced, Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Anfield. Goals from Diogo Jota (x2) and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool, and goals from Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest.

Liverpool won their previous Premier League game, beating Everton 2-0 at Anfield. A brace from Mohamed Salah secured the win and three points for Liverpool.

Nottingham Forest drew in their last Premier League game, drawing 2-2 with Luton Town. Goals from Chris Wood (x2) for Forest, and goals from Chiedozie Ogbene and Elijah Adebayo for Luton.

How to watch Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Date: Sunday, October 29th, 2023
Kickoff: 14:00 PM (BST)
TV Network: Not broadcast in UK
Venue: Anfield Stadium

Team News:

Liverpool will be without Andrew Robertson, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara through injury, whilst Curtis Jones will be unavailable due to suspension for Sunday.

Predicted XI:

Liverpool: Alisson, Tsimikas, van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Dias, Nunez, Salah.

Nottingham Forest: Turner, Toffolo, Murillo, Boly, Aurier, Sangare, Mangala, Dominguez, Elanga, Wood, Gibbs-White.

The post Liverpool team news vs Nottingham Forest appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool favourites to sign highly-rated 22-year-old defender as Man United pull out of deal

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:41:49 +0000

After a stunning 5-1 win over Toulouse in the Europa League, Jurgen Klopp should be rightly satisfied with how well his Liverpool team are playing both domestically and in European competition this season.

The Reds look to have that bit back between their teeth again, as they go looking for a Premier League title that they’ll be able to celebrate in front of their fans.

At present it’s difficult to detect any weak points in the squad, though that won’t stop the German and his backroom team doing their level best to improve it.

According to SportBILD, the club are running the rule over highly-rated 22-year-old Portuguese defender, Goncalo Inacio.

The outlet note that Liverpool are now favourites to land the player, whilst TeamTalk named Man United as pulling out of the running because of financial constraints – given that Inacio will cost the full amount of his release clause (€60m/£52.3m) for any interested parties.

With only nine goals conceded so far, the Anfield outfit can already boast one of the most miserly defences in the English top-flight.

Inacio will therefore need to hit the ground running if he were to join Liverpool in January.

A left-sided centre-back that is, apparently, comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing out from the back, he would arguably be a perfect partner for captain, Virgil van Dijk, so it’s understandable why the Reds are seemingly going ‘all in.’

The post Liverpool favourites to sign highly-rated 22-year-old defender as Man United pull out of deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool team news vs Toulouse

Connor Holden — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 09:52:55 +0000

Liverpool (1st in Europa League Group E) take on Toulouse (2nd in Europa League Group E) on Thursday, 26th of October, at the Anfield Stadium, at 20:00 PM (BST).

The last time these sides faced, Liverpool beat Toulouse 4-0 back in 2007 in the Champions League. Goals from Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt (x2).

Liverpool won their last Europa League game, beating Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 at Anfield. Goals being scored by Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota to secure the victory.

Toulouse also won their last Europa League game, beating LASK 1-0. The only goal of the game being scored by Gabriel Suazo in the 31st minute to secure the win and three points.

How to watch Liverpool vs Toulouse

Date: Thursday, October 26th, 2023
Kickoff: 20:00 PM (BST)
TV Network: TNT Sports
Venue: Anfield Stadium

Team News:

Liverpool will remain without Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley and Ben Doak through injury, whilst Cody Gakpo has returned from injury and will be a boost for Klopp’s side on Thursday.

Predicted XI:

Liverpool: Alisson, Tsimakas, Quansah, Matip, Gomez, Gravenberch, Endo, Jones, Jota, Nunez, Elliot.

Toulouse: Restes, Suazo, Nicolaisen, Costa, Desler, Sierro, Gelabert, Casseres Jr, Schmidt, Donnum, Dallinga.

The post Liverpool team news vs Toulouse appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Man City and Liverpool keeping tabs on 21-year-old who is set to leave Chelsea

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 07:50:52 +0000

As has been the case over the past few transfer windows, Chelsea can be expected to be one of the busier clubs for incomings and outgoings.

For whatever reason, Todd Boehly seems keen for the Blues to keep shuffling their pack, and one of the next players to leave Stamford Bridge is expected to be 21-year-old prospect, Ian Maatsen.

According to TeamTalk, the west Londoners are looking to change things around in the left-back position, and with the Dutchman seemingly not being able to make any headway in the first-team under Mauricio Pochettino, he will be moved on.

Both Liverpool and Man City are credited with an interest in the player but whether that would be enough to see them make a bid isn’t clear at this point.

From the Reds perspective, much will depend on the recovery of Andrew Robertson, who has been a mainstay on the left side of the Liverpool defence for years now.

Maatsen is clear that he won’t return to Burnley where he spent some time on loan, given their current troubles towards the foot of the Premier League.

Clearly he needs to be playing regularly, however, and whomever happens to be the successful bidder can surely point to value for money given how many years he might be expected to play at the top level, given his age and injuries permitting.

The post Man City and Liverpool keeping tabs on 21-year-old who is set to leave Chelsea appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool and Man United ready to battle for £43m-rated La Liga ace

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:39:13 +0000

The 2024 winter transfer window is a couple of months from opening, but Liverpool and Man United are already circling for one highly-rated La Liga star.

Both Premier League outfits will be keen to plug any holes in their squads during January, with the Reds perhaps having more chance to land their targets.

The failure to land both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom ended up at Chelsea, denotes that Liverpool do have money to spend, whereas with the Red Devils generally do the bulk of their spending on transfers during the summer.

Given that Erik ten Hag also splashed out on Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat amongst others, there’s a need to keep on the right side of FFP at Old Trafford.

According to TeamTalk, United and Liverpool scouts have been running the rule over Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand.

The defender is, apparently, available for €50m/£43m according to CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano.

“The price for Le Normand is the release clause: €50m,” he said in his Daily Briefing (h/t CaughtOffside).

At 27 years of age, Le Normand has the relevant top-flight experience under his belt and that makes him an attractive proposition for both Premier League outfits.

Whether either club firm up their obvious interest in the player either in January or next summer remains to be seen.

The post Liverpool and Man United ready to battle for £43m-rated La Liga ace appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Exclusive Neil Jones column: Bayern duo linked with Liverpool, surprise striker transfer rumours & more

Neil Jones — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:45:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to my latest column for the Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe for more from myself, Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, and much more!

Liverpool show their credentials in Merseyside Derby victory

It may have been far from a classic, but Saturday’s Merseyside derby offered yet more evidence that Liverpool are heading in the right direction.

Yes, they had to wait until the second half to secure the victory, and yes Everton were reduced to 10 men for much of the match, but there is a certainty about Jurgen Klopp’s side this season that just wasn’t there last term. They’ve rediscovered that winning habit, that ability to keep their patience and trust that everything will turn out right.

They weren’t great on Saturday, but they didn’t need to be. They needed to be good enough, and they were. They were the dominant side even before Ashley Young’s sending-off, and even though they weren’t at their devastating best as an attacking force, there was always the feeling, from me at least, that they would find a way through.

What stands out at the moment is the amount of potential game-changers Klopp has at his disposal. Mo Salah got the goals and the headlines, and remains the Reds’ star man, but Liverpool are by no means a one-man band. In Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Klopp has players who can turn a game in an instant, whether with a pass, a shot or a piece of individual magic. Nunez and Elliott, in particular, had a big impact against Everton after coming on as subs.

They were fortunate, of course, that Ibrahima Konate didn’t pick up a second yellow card with the game at 0-0. That was one of a few bizarre decisions made by referee Craig Pawson on the day. But even if he had brandished the red, I still would have backed Liverpool to get the win. They have that look about them again, and having navigated a tough start to the season, fixtures-wise, they look primed to make some serious steps in the coming weeks.

Thoughts on those surprising Victor Osimhen stories…

Victor Osimhen of Napoli

Victor Osimhen has been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks, but I would be very sceptical about this deal. The Napoli striker is clearly a superb player, but reports that a deal has already been agreed with the Reds are wide of the mark, and I’d be surprised if he was to end up at Anfield as things stand.

Liverpool are not in the market for a No.9. They have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo to play that position at the moment, and all three of those players have the full faith of Jurgen Klopp. All are 26 or under, and seen as long-term players for the club.

Nunez’s development, in particular, has been a big positive this season. The Uruguayan has worked hard on the training ground, and looks far more in tune with what is required from him, on and off the ball, if he is to play regularly for Liverpool. He took the No.9 shirt in the summer, and has now become the main striker for his country, and I expect him to go from strength to strength as this season goes on. He, for sure, is the future at Anfield, and I would not expect to see Liverpool spending big money on a centre-forward any time soon.

More here from Fabrizio Romano on Osimhen’s future.

Jamal Musiala looks ideal for Liverpool, but is a deal realistic?

I don’t think there is a club in Europe who wouldn’t like Jamal Musiala in their squad, and Liverpool are no different. But admiring a player and signing him are two different things, as evidenced by the Reds’ failure to land Jude Bellingham.

Musiala, I believe, is of a similar level to Bellingham, and as such would be very tough for the Reds to sign, both in terms of the finances required and the competition they would face. His contract situation at Bayern Munich is one that will be monitored, but I would expect the Bavarians to go all-out in trying to keep him. He’s the jewel in their crown, along with Harry Kane, and Bayern don’t tend to lose such players without a fight.

Liverpool, of course, have already made significant steps in overhauling their midfield, and particularly their attacking midfield options. Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are players for the long-term, the best is to come from Mac Allister, who may well be better in a more advanced role, while the development of Elliott and Jones provides Klopp with two more potential stars of the future.

Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich

Musiala, of course, is exactly that too, but while I’d love to see him at Anfield at some point, I’d say a deal right now would be a very difficult one for Liverpool to do.

Another Bayern player being linked with Liverpool

The topic of Mo Salah and Saudi Arabia is not going to go away. We know that. Liverpool were able to stand firm (and rightly so) in the summer, but the noises will start up again before the January window opens, and with the Egyptian now heading towards the final year of his contract, it will be harder and harder for the Reds to resist big money.

I would be amazed if Liverpool haven’t already begun earmarking players who can potentially come in if Salah leaves, whether in January, next summer or (less likely) as a free agent in 2025, but it surprises me that Leroy Sane’s name continues to be linked with the club.

The German international is a fine player, no doubt, but he will be 28 in January, and only twice in his career has he hit double figures in terms of league goals in a season. Both of those were at Manchester City, before his progress was checked by a serious knee injury.