Author: Soccerhuz
Manchester United entered the international break with a win but still have a lot of T’s uncrossed and I’s un-dotted. Jadon Sancho remains banished from first-team training amid his fall-out with Erik ten Hag. Reports suggest that a January loan exit is likely with the view of offloading him permanently should an apology not be forthcoming. Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo continues his return to fitness following an ankle injury in pre-season. However, it has been suggested that his scheduled inclusion in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Barnsley did not materialise. He is one of a number of United players still sidelined, though, with Raphael Varane,…
Of all the stories written during the first two months of Liverpool’s season, it’s perhaps the one few supporters would have anticipated. But there is something wholly appropriate about Joel Matip enjoying a renaissance as a building block in Jurgen Klopp’s latest Reds revolution. Matip was arguably the initial piece of the jigsaw Klopp painstakingly put together that transformed Liverpool from perennial underachievers to a team capable of conquering Europe, the world and, for the first time in 30 years, England. Marko Grujic had been the first permanent senior signing of the Klopp era in January 2016 but ultimately started…
Manchester United might have won a game in Fergie-time at the weekend but make no mistake, this Reds incarnation are far from the trophy-hunting juggernaut they were under the Old Trafford great. Erik ten Hag may have delivered the Carabao Cup last term to end a six-year hunt for silverware but a campaign of progress has been checked by a chequered start to this term. There is mitigation, with injuries playing a significant role as the Reds seek their best XI. But performances and key personnel have been poor and the summer’s new recruits, Rasmus Hojlund aside, have yet to…
Jurgen Klopp will be satisfied with Liverpool’s current position at the second international break of the 2023-24 season. After substantial change to the Reds’ squad over the summer, with captain Jordan Henderson and vice-skipper James Milner departing along with Roberto Firmino and Fabinho, there were some doubts how well Jurgen Klopp’s troops would start. But supporters aplenty are more than pleased. Liverpool sit fourth in the Premier League, three points adrift of the summit, and their only loss came in a 2-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur that was shrouded in controversy. They’ve also won both games of their Europa League campaign, as well as…
Liverpool could lose another big-name star to European rivals Barcelona, as Jurgen Klopp continues his ambitious restructuring at Anfield. The Reds had a busy summer in which they signed four new midfielders and sold key members of their squad. Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both left for Saudi Arabia, Naby Keita went back to the Bundesliga, while James Milner left for Brighton and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Turkey. Despite signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, however, another influential figure could be leaving. According to ESPN, Thiago Alcantara is lining up a return to Catalonia for next summer,…
According to Football Insider, RB Leipzig will ward off approaches from Premier League club for Lois Openda. The German outfit does not want to sell their €43 million Bundesliga attacker after only six months, as he’s seen as vital to their season. Lois Openda made his move from Lens after helping the French side gain Champions League qualification after a second-place finish in Ligue 1. He had featured on the radars of many top Premier League sides but chose to sign for RB Leipzig to further his career. Leipzig paid a club record fee for the €43 million Bundesliga attacker. The…
Liverpool are currently in the middle of a huge transition under Jurgen Klopp as the club adapts to the losses of big name midfielders such as Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Those outgoings have been replaced by the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Waturo Endo.This transition has shown signs of promise in the opening weeks of the season and Liverpool recorded victories in five of their opening six matches. But one issue has become apparent and that is the lack of a defensive midfielder and the absence of Fabinho appeared more apparent…
One of the brightest spots in an often difficult 2022-23 campaign for Liverpool was the emergence of young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, the Serbian-Spanish 18-year-old who arrived at Liverpool from Celta Vigo in summer 2020. Liverpool fans weren’t the only ones taking note, though. At least according to Spanish football specialists Fichajes, who claim Sevilla is keeping close tabs on the youngster and could be set to make a move for him next summer. There’s a few head-scratchers in their claim, though. Like that his contract expires in the summer of 2023—which, yes, you haven’t come unstuck in time and is now…
Liverpool have a ‘strong’ interest in Real Betis wonderkid Assane Diao, according to one report. The 18-year-old winger has been one of the breakout stars in La Liga so far this season. Born in Senegal but representing Spain at Under-19 level, Diao has scored three times in his last four outings, including a late winner in Betis’ Europa League win over Sparta Prague earlier this month. Having only turned 18 in September, Diao is also the youngest player to score in each of his first two La Liga starts in the 21st century, according to Opta. Spanish rumours site Fichajes now claim…
Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha ahead of the January transfer window as his future still remains in doubt. The 28-year-old has shone during his time at Craven Cottage, and it’s not been at all surprising to see big clubs trying to sign him, such as Bayern Munich. According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool still also have an interest in Palhinha as they remain keen on strengthening their midfield, despite already making a flurry of new signings in that position during the summer. Five key first-team players all left the club, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moving to Saudi…