Liverpool fans are yet to see Thiago Alcantara in action this season and Anfield will have to wait a while longer as the Spaniard won’t return anytime soon. 

Thiago has been absent from Jurgen Klopp’s squad since May when he underwent surgery to address a persistent hip issue, with his last appearance in the starting lineup coming back in February during the 3-0 Premier League loss to Wolves

Liverpool assistant manager, Pep Ljinders, said during his press conference on Tuesday that he misses the 32-year-old but he won’t be back in action for some time.

“We miss Thiago, I have to say. I miss him a lot,” the Dutch coach stated.

“Can you imagine, our midfield, our new players, everyone is speaking about them, then have Thiago Alcantara in the middle as well? Guiding the others with his experience.

“It will take time. He will not be available.”

??? "Can you imagine our midfield, our new players, then they have Thiago Alcantara in the middle as well?"

? Lijnders confirms Thiago is still out and "will take time." pic.twitter.com/133IvdOyvp

— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) October 31, 2023

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The post Video: “I miss him a lot” – Liverpool assistant manager says top player will not be returning soon appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that midfielder Thiago Alcantara has suffered another setback on his road back from injury and that his return will have to wait a little longer. 

The Reds boss told reporters at his press conference on Friday that the Spanish star will be back after the international break and that this latest news is annoying for him and the player.

“It’s just, for him (Thiago) especially, it’s annoying,” said the Reds boss via the Liverpool Echo. “He’s now had two setbacks in the rehab. Not massive but enough to take him off the pitch again.

“Obviously not the same injury, not at all, but a bit similar. And as annoying as it is for Stefan Bajcetic – he was there, played a few minutes, and then felt something else.

“That’s how it is after long-term injuries from time to time. I don’t know, I will not pressure on that (when they can return). If they will be back after the international break, we will see. Hopefully, would be cool.”

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Thiago hasn’t featured for Jurgen Klopp’s side since undergoing surgery on a long-standing hip problem in May, with his last start coming back in February in the 3-0 Premier League defeat at Wolves.

Having returned to team training in August, the Spaniard was struck by a further problem a few weeks later as he closed on a return and that has kept him out of action until now.

The veteran star is a wonderful player that Liverpool fans have missed watching but having been out for so long and seeing new bodies come through the door at Anfield, it will be hard for the 32-year-old to get minutes for the rest of the season.

The post “It’s annoying” – Jurgen Klopp confirms another setback for star who has been out since May appeared first on CaughtOffside.

It doesn’t appear to be too often that Jurgen Klopp doesn’t get his own way at Liverpool, however, the German may have to accede to the wishes of the club over one player he’s described as “world class.”

The Reds have started off the 2023/24 Premier League season brilliantly, and head into Saturday evening’s English top-flight classic against Tottenham Hotspur looking to keep pace with leaders Man City, who play earlier in the day at Wolves.

Despite the upheaval of losing the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino, Klopp has managed to regroup and get his side singing to his tune once more.

It’s quite the turnaround from the 2022/23 campaign when Liverpool were largely disappointing.

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During that season Thiago Alcantara started only 14 games according to 90Min, and he hasn’t played any part so far in the current campaign owing to a hip injury sustained in April

Despite evidently being so injury prone, Klopp believes the 32-year-old is worth a contract extension, though it seems that others at Anfield aren’t in agreement.

“You don’t have five million players like this on the planet – only a few who see things earlier than anyone else and have the technical ability to not only see it but get the ball there as well,” Klopp is quoted as saying by 90Min.

“He is a world-class player. He can be pretty dangerous with and without the ball so, from our point of view, there is really nothing to moan about. Football is outstanding, but his counter-pressing was mad. That makes the full package. I couldn’t respect it more.”

Whilst it’s true that Liverpool are an entirely different proposition with the midfielder in situ, Klopp would be ill-advised to disrupt a winning team at this point.

Easing Thiago back into the picture would be preferable, and perhaps a review of his contract situation later in the campaign would be the right option.

The post Klopp at odds with Liverpool over contract extension for “world class” player appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool will discuss the futures of Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip soon with the Merseyside club ready to make contact with their representatives to begin negotiations over new deals. 

Both players are out of contract at Anfield at the end of this season and Liverpool are open to keeping the fan favourites beyond the current campaign. Talks have not started yet but the Premier League giants are ready to make contact with both players’ entourages, sources have told CaughtOffside.

Jurgen Klopp’s main priority is to keep hold of Thiago, who was wanted heavily by Saudi Arabian clubs this summer. That interest has not disappeared in the meantime, but the Reds are confident about convincing the Spaniard to stay at the Premier League club, with talks hoped to get underway soon.

Thiago is yet to play for Liverpool this season due to injury but that has not changed Klopp’s opinion of the midfielder as the German coach is a big fan of the midfield maestro.

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Joel Matip could say goodbye to Liverpool at the end of the season, despite wanting to stay at Anfield beyond this campaign. At the moment, the Merseyside club are evaluating the opportunity to reinforce their defence ahead of next season and will try to add a younger talent to their ranks – which is not good news for Matip.

Following this summer’s transfer window, it would be wise to keep an eye on the future of Salah. Saudi Arabia won’t give up on the Liverpool superstar and are already planning a strategy for the near future as they plan to take advantage of his expiring contract in 2025. The Reds are exploring some possible replacements for the winger with Athletic Club’s Nico Williams among the names currently preferred.

The post Exclusive: Liverpool to begin contract negotiations with two stars soon as 32-year-old considered main priority appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Hello and welcome to my latest transfer news column exclusively for CaughtOffside – click here to subscribe for the full, ad-free version!

Martin Odegaard close to new Arsenal deal

Let’s start with the big news that will certainly please Arsenal fans, and that’s that Martin Odegaard is very close to extending his contract with the Gunners. Negotations are going very well, and he wants to stay…

FULL STORY HERE

Manchester United could consider winger signing

Some players have been offered to United, but my understanding at the moment is that the idea for United is to continue with the current squad, protecting a top young talent like Facundo Pellistri and negotiating a new contract for him.

After that, they could consider a new winger in January if the situation of Antony and Sancho will continue as it has. Let’s wait and see what happens with Antony and Sancho, but United could be ready to do something in the January transfer window.

FULL STORY HERE

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The post Transfer news: New Arsenal deal, Man Utd eyeing winger, Xavi Simons future & more – EXCLUSIVE appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool midfielder Thiago has been the subject of interest for many clubs across the world this summer but the Reds star will remain at Anfield until the summer of 2024. 

The Spanish veteran has entered the last year of his contract at Liverpool and many clubs saw that as a potential opening to bring the former Bayern Munich star to their club. Teams from across Saudi Arabia and Turkey wanted Thiago but the player’s plan was always to remain at Liverpool until the end of his contract.

The 32-year-old is yet to play a match this season due to injury and that has been the story of his time at Anfield and one of the reasons why Jurgen Klopp needed to rebuild his midfield over the summer transfer window.

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Speaking about Thiago’s future in his latest exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano has said that the player is fully focused on Liverpool and that a decision on a new contract will be made in 2024.

Romano stated: “Thiago wanted to stay at Liverpool and made that very clear. The player is now fully focused on this season and then in 2024, Thiago and the board will decide together whether to sign a new contract as the player will be a free agent next summer, but that is not something being discussed right now.”

The post Exclusive: Liverpool star to remain at club until the summer of 2024 says Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool travel to Wolves on Saturday morning and will be without three key stars for the trip to Molineux.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking to build on an impressive performance against Aston Villa last time out where the Reds secured all three points with a 3-0 win.

Following the international break, Klopp could be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Núñez and Thiago Alcântara for the Wolves match as they were not spotted in taking on Thursday. 

Thiago is yet to feature for the Merseyside club this season but the absence of the others could be huge as they nurse injuries issues sustained over the past two weeks.

? Trent Alexander-Arnold
? Darwin Núñez
? Thiago Alcântara

Some key names not spotted in Liverpool training this morning ? pic.twitter.com/1EfABkbc6r

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 14, 2023

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The post Video: Three key Liverpool stars missing from Thursday training ahead of Wolves clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool kicked off their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and the Reds will be looking to get their first three points against Bournemouth at the weekend. 

Ahead of the clash, Thiago Alcantara was spotted in full training on Wednesday and this is a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp after the world-class star spent all summer injured.

The Spaniard could make his return at the weekend but will certainly start the game from the bench. The 32-year-old is set for a big season at Anfield as he isn’t expected to be a starter throughout the campaign; therefore, Klopp will try to keep him injury free in order to use him as a luxury player when needed.

Thiago Alcântara in full training for Liverpool today. ?? pic.twitter.com/zBeNSkrmer

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 16, 2023

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The post Video: Big news for Liverpool fans as world-class star spotted in full training ahead of Bournemouth clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Good morning and welcome to today’s Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe for this round-up, ad-free and straight to your inbox, as well as exclusive columns from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Jonathan Johnson, Christian Falk and Neil Jones!

Today’s top stories:

• Tottenham have accepted Bayern Munich’s latest offer for Harry Kane
• Liverpool are set to break the British transfer record for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo
• ICYMI – Jonathan Johnson’s latest column

AFC Bournemouth

• Alex Scott has joined Bournemouth from Bristol City as part of a £25m deal with add-ons included.
• Max Aarons has completed his transfer to Bournemouth from Norwich City for £7m plus add-ons.

Ajax

• Edson Álvarez has left Ajax to join West Ham for €38m, which can reach €41m with add-ons.
• Stade de Reims are set to sign Ajax’s Mo Daramy on a permanent transfer — €17m package add-ons included – deal also includes a sell-on clause for Ajax.

AS Monaco

• Denis Zakaria will join AS Monaco from Juventus after a fee of €20m plus an important sell-on clause was agreed between the clubs.

Aston Villa

• Aston Villa’s Aaron Ramsey is close to joining Burnley. A deal is in place for £14m plus add-ons.
• Aston Villa are pushing to sign Galatasaray’s Nicoló Zaniolo after Emi Buendía suffered an ACL injury during training this week. Villa’s offer to the Turkish side will be for a loan deal with an option-to-buy clause.

Barcelona

• Neymar Jr and Paris Saint-Germain are working to find the best solution to part ways this summer. The player has proposals from Al Hilal and MLS. Barcelona also have to decide whether they want to try and bring their former player back.
• Ousmane Dembélé has completed his medical tests as a new PSG player — he’s set to be unveiled by the end of the week.

Bayern Munich

• Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Tottenham for Harry Kane with a package worth more than €100m accepted by the Premier League club. The player has been given permission to travel to Germany to complete his medical tests ahead of transfer to Bayern. The Bundesliga club are confident the deal will be done by Friday.
• Benjamin Pavard is open to leaving Bayern Munich this summer and is keen on a Manchester United move. United manager Erik ten Hag will decide soon between Pavard and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Brighton

• Liverpool have submitted their official bid for Moisés Caicedo in the early hours of Friday morning and Brighton are set to accept. The offer is a fee of around £110m – a new record for a British transfer. Caicedo will become a Liverpool player on Friday if all goes to plan.

Burnley

• Aston Villa’s Aaron Ramsey is close to joining Burnley. A deal is in place for £14m plus add-ons.

Chelsea

• Liverpool submitted their official bid for Moisés Caicedo in the early hours of Friday morning and Brighton are set to accept. The offer is a fee of around £110m – a new record for a British transfer. Caicedo will become a Liverpool player on Friday if all goes to plan. Chelsea miss out on their long-term target and will now move on to other players.
• Tyler Adams is set to join Chelsea after the relegation clause worth £20m in his Leeds contract was activated on Thursday. Personal terms have been agreed and medical was completed on Thursday.
• Santos’ Deivid Washington will travel to England at the end of the week in order to complete his move to Chelsea.

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Espanyol

• Mallorca are closing in on a €8m deal to sign Spanish midfielder Sergi Darder from Espanyol.

Everton

• Willy Gnonto wants to move from Leeds to Everton before the transfer window shuts. An agreement on personal terms has already been agreed with a five-year deal offered.
• Everton have completed a deal for Sporting CP’s Youssef Chermiti.

Juventus

• Denis Zakaria will join AS Monaco from Juventus after a fee of €20m plus an important sell-on clause was agreed between the clubs.

Leeds United

• Tyler Adams is set to join Chelsea after the relegation clause worth £20m in his Leeds contract was activated on Thursday. Personal terms have been agreed and medical was completed on Thursday.
• Willy Gnonto wants to move from Leeds to Everton before the transfer window shuts. An agreement on personal terms has already been agreed with a five-year deal offered.

Liverpool

• Liverpool have submitted their official bid for Moisés Caicedo in the early hours of Friday morning and Brighton are set to accept. The offer is a fee of around £110m – a new record for a British transfer. Caicedo will become a Liverpool player on Friday if all goes to plan.

• Thiago Alcantara is not in talks with Al Ahli over a move. The player is fully focused on Liverpool this season.

Manchester City

• Lucas Paquetá wants to join Manchester City after their initial verbal approach for £70m was rejected. Negotiations will continue as City are set to bid again.

Manchester United

• Fred is set to leave Man United and join Fenerbahçe after an agreement was reached over a €15m transfer. The player has agreed personal terms with the Turkish club and will travel for medical tests soon.
• Rasmus Højlund will become Man United’s new number 17 after the Fred deal is complete.
• Benjamin Pavard is open to leaving Bayern Munich this summer and is keen on a Manchester United move. United manager Erik ten Hag will decide soon between Pavard and Jean-Clair Todibo – Jonathan Johnson has more info on Todibo.
• Bayer Leverkusen have signed Matěj Kovář from Man United on a permanent deal. The fee for the goalkeeper will be €9m.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Neymar Jr and Paris Saint-Germain are working to find the best solution to part ways this summer. The player has proposals from Al Hilal and MLS. Barcelona also have to decide whether they want to try and bring their former player back.

• Kylian Mbappe’s situation at PSG won’t change until the transfer window is shut – French football expert has more here.
• Ousmane Dembélé has completed his medical tests as a new PSG player — he’s set to be unveiled by the end of the week.
• Galatasaray are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for Leandro Paredes. €6m fee but no agreement yet with the player. Talks are ongoing with Roma also interested.

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid are prepared to enter the transfer market for a new goalkeeper after Thibaut Courtois injured his ACL.

Roma

• Roma have had contact with Leandro Paredes over a move but Galatasaray are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the midfielder. €6m fee but no agreement yet with the player – talks are ongoing.

Southampton

• Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse arrived in London on Thursday night ahead of his medical on Friday. An agreement has already been reached between the two clubs.

Tottenham

• Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Tottenham for Harry Kane with a package worth more than €100m accepted by the Premier League club. The player has been given permission to travel to Germany to complete his medical tests ahead of his transfer to Bayern. The Bundesliga club are confident the deal will be done by Friday.
• Lille’s Jonathan David would be a great replacement for Harry Kane at Tottenham – Jonathan Johnson has more here.

West Ham

• Edson Álvarez has joined West Ham from Ajax as part of a €38m deal, which can reach €41m with add-ons.
• Lucas Paquetá wants to join Manchester City after their initial verbal approach for £70m was rejected. Negotiations will continue as City are set to bid again.
• Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse arrived in London on Thursday night ahead of his medical on Friday. An agreement has already been reached between the two clubs.

The post Transfer news: Tottenham agree fee with Bayern Munich for Harry Kane, Liverpool win Moises Caicedo race, Premier League star wants to join Man City and more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Hello and welcome to my weekly LFC transfer news column for CaughtOffside on Substack – click here to subscribe for more exclusive content from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Christian Falk and Jonathan Johnson!

Liverpool need a long-term centre-back but their issues can be fixed on the training ground

I’m not sure whether Jarell Quansah, 20, is ready to step up after just a handful of professional games in League One with Bristol Rovers. He could probably do with a loan. And so looking at the options, and some of the issues we’ve seen in pre-season, particularly with Matip, it feels like a defensive signing is needed. Ideally, it would be a young player who could develop over the next 12 months before taking over when Matip’s contract expires, but the trouble is that there is still so much to do in terms of finishing the midfield rebuild! That has to be the priority before anything is spent on a new centre-back.

I do also think that the ‘issues’ we have seen in pre-season would not necessarily be solved by simply signing a centre-back. Much of it stems from a lack of compactness and a lack of pressure on the ball higher up the pitch, which then leaves the last line exposed when opponents play around the press. And with Trent Alexander-Arnold spending as much time in midfield as he does at right-back, that means a lot of work for the right-sided centre-back. Konate will be earning overtime this season, he needs to stay fit!

What is going on with the Roméo Lavia deal?

Liverpool sources were saying earlier in the summer that £50m for Lavia was excessive, but that was before the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson amplified their need for a midfielder. I get the impression that the club have looked at the market for potential No.6s/deep-lying midfielders and have not been too impressed, hence the fact they’ve circled back to Lavia. He’s certainly a gamble, given his age, the amount of games he’s played and the fact he’s a very different kind of player to Fabinho, more of a builder than a destroyer. The plus side is that he clearly has a high ceiling, his wages are relatively low and he wants to come to Liverpool. My feeling is that a compromise will be found, but it probably should have been found already.

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Alexis Mac Allister is a manager’s dream

Szoboszlai might need a little more time before he gets up to his top level, but there have certainly been signs of his potential in pre-season. He is clearly a very confident player, who always wants the ball and is technically very accomplished. He looks a good athlete and, having spoken briefly with him over in Germany after the Karlsruher SC friendly, he seems a solid character too. I think it’s fair to expect a slight adaptation period, in terms of the intensity of a new league and the specific demands of playing in a Klopp side, but I expect him to have a good impact this season.

The story of Thiago at Liverpool

Expect breakout star of pre-season to stay

The post Exclusive Neil Jones column: A “feeling” Liverpool will sign Romeo Lavia, midfielder is a “manager’s dream”, plans for Thiago and Doak & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.