On a transfer front, an update on the Reds’ reported pursuit of Piero Hincapie has emerged while Barcelona are said to be plotting a move to bring Thiago Alcantara back to Camp Nou.
We last night heard from PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb on Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal during Liverpool’s defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last month. The conversation was certainly an interesting one and shed light on what went wrong for this error to occur.
Albert Riera in Bordeaux
A small break away from direct Anfield news now, as former Liverpool man Albert Riera has gone on to become quite the manager.
Last season in Slovenia he managed to lead Olimpija Ljubljana to a league and cup double, then after moving to NK Celje in the same country this summer he currently running five points ahead of their closest challengers after 11 games.
This has seemingly led to his big break in one of Europe’s major nations. The Spaniard is in line to become the next coach of French Ligue 2 outfit Girondins de Bordeaux, and although not yet officially confirmed, according to L’Equipe he was at their training ground today leading his first session with the players.
Pervis Estupinan’s agent comments on transfer speculation
Recently Brighton and Ecuador left back Pervis Estupinan was linked with a transfer to Liverpool from the South Coast by TEAMtalk.
They claimed Anfield chiefs were in the process of identifying a long-term successor to Andy Robertson and now their latest report features comments on recent speculation by the player’s agent, Manuel Sierra.
He said: “Pervis is a super interesting player, who several teams from the Premier [League] are keen on. Spanish football [clubs] and others have asked about his situation, because they are looking for a left-back and he is one of the best in the world in his position.
“We have to be prepared with him [for a possible transfer], we don’t even know what Brighton is going to ask for, people are a little afraid of the club [due to Caicedo’s transfer and those negotiations].
“We will see in the summer how his situation is, now he is injured and will have a maximum of a month [out].”
So, it seems Liverpool would have to fight off a whole host of competition should their reported interest flourish into a concrete move to make the signing in 2024.
Joey Barton wants to replace Jarrell Quansah with another former Reds defender
Jarrell Quansah looks like he’s been playing in Liverpool’s back line for years whenever he takes up the mantle alongside any of Jurgen Klopp’s more senior options. That is in part thanks to a valuable experience on loan at Bristol Rovers last season.
The South West club are currently battling in the mid-table spots in League One, putting in a good effort so far though finding it difficult to keep up with the frontrunners due to defensive personnel issues.
As well as Quansah returning to his parent club, Rovers have lost James Wilson and Tristan Crama to injury, leaving Connor Taylor as the only central defensive option. That is why manager Joey Barton has brought free agent and former Liverpool academy graduate Daniel Ayala to train with the club, report Bristol Live.
The 32-year-old has plenty of experience in English football though has been without a club since leaving Blackburn Rovers in the summer.
Manu Kone contact as Liverpool interest explained
Linked to Liverpool across the summer months, Borussia Monchengladbach and France Under-21 midfielder Manu Kone is also subject to interest from Bayern Munich, says Christian Falk.
It is believed the player’s representatives have been contacted by Bayern officials. Kone is under contract until 2025 and described as ‘affordable’.
Even more of interest, the reporter states that Anfield chiefs made efforts in the summer to lay the groundwork for the signing, though his knee injury at the Under-21 Euros in the summer halted any chance of a deal.
So what do you think, Reds – should Liverpool make a stronger push to challenge for his signature, or are there other defensive midfield options that are better suited to Jurgen Klopp’s system?
Goncalo Inacio, Piero Hincapie and Antonio Silva eyed by Liverpool
Neil Jones has claimed that Liverpool are admirers of Goncalo Inacio, Piero Hincapie and Antonio Silva.
Writing in his CaughtOffside column, Jones has said Liverpool have looked at both Inacio of Sporting and Bayer Leverkusen’s Hincapie.
“I think it’s clear that centre-back is an area that Liverpool need to look at in 2024,” he said.
“Both Goncalo Inacio and Piero Hincapie have been looked at by Liverpool, as has Benfica’s Antonio Silva, but any move in January would depend, I think, on two factors.
“One is whether Liverpool’s current centre-backs are fit (at the moment, they are) and two is whether those players are available and affordable, mid-season.
“Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting CP and Benfica all have designs on challenging for league titles, remember, so obtaining key players from them in January won’t be easy. Next summer would be more likely, unless circumstances change.”
