Liverpool will be looking to bounce back in the Europa League after losing 3-2 against Toulouse prior to the international break, as it prepares to face Austrian side LASK at Anfield on Thursday. A win would secure progression.
Jürgen Klopp’s side will be boosted by a very solid showing at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City last weekend, which saw Erling Haaland’s first half opener cancelled out by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s well placed effort in the 80th minute. That kept the two sides within a point, while Arsenal seized the opportunity to leapfrog both into first place.
Meanwhile, the Reds currently sit top of Europa League Group E after four games, with nine points to their name despite dropping points to their Ligue 1 opponents earlier on in the month. Heading into the fixture, Klopp has confirmed he be without Portuguese star Diogo Jota, who has three goals to his name in the competition already, after he was forced off in the 53rd minute against Man City on Saturday.
Here, ahead of the European clash for the Reds, Liverpool.com takes a scan around the other big sides in the Premier League and around Europe to take a look at the news going on at the other clubs. First up is the latest on Kylian Mbappé, who snatched a win away from Newcastle in the Champions League last night with a controversial 98th-minute penalty.
Two clubs ‘exploring’ Kylian Mbappé transfer
According to the Daily Record, Paris Saint Germain star Kylian Mbappé has been a long-term admirer of Liverpool in recent years. He is nearing the end of his current deal in the French capital.
The report goes on to state that Liverpool is now ‘exploring the financial parameters’ of bring the French international to Anfield, as it looks to secure one of the top talents across world football next summer. Previously linked heavily to Real Madrid, those rumors have cooled in recent weeks.
However, Liverpool is not the only team exploring the option of signing Mbappé on a free transfer once his PSG contract ends in 2024. Premier League rivals Arsenal also hold an interest in the Ligue 1 goal-machine.
Tottenham wants Liverpool target
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur side has joined Liverpool in the race to sign OGC Nice defender Jean-Claire Todibo. That’s according to the Evening Standard.
Spurs, who have been rocked by a recent injury to new signing Micky van de Ven following their strong start to the 2023/24 campaign, are now in the market for a defender. That’s a position in which Liverpool is also expected to strengthen before long.
The 23-year-old French international has impressed in Ligue 1. He is reportedly available for $49m (£39m/€45m) as we approach the January transfer window.
However, the two sides will also face competition from Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. The Red Devils could receive a boost in their efforts to sign the player if Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns the French club, completes a deal to acquire a minority stake in the Old Trafford outfit moving forward.
