Neil Jones &#8211; CaughtOffside

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

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What should help him significantly, as opposed to say, Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, is that he is arriving into a club that has clear parameters in terms of its recruitment strategy, has a squad whose core is at the right age to develop and improve with good coaching, and which has Champions League football to look forward to. He has good, established executives working above him, and that should enable him to focus on what he is best at – coaching.

In terms of expectations, I think it will obviously be a challenge for him to ‘replace’ Klopp, but he has been left a good squad of players and a team that will break 80 points in the Premier League, and which has shown itself capable of competing with anybody on any given day. A top-four finish is essential, but if he can start well and if the club can get the right additions in over the summer, then there is no reason to put any kind of ceiling on Liverpool’s ambitions going forward. If Klopp taught them anything, it is that daring to dream is what football should always be about.

The table doesn’t lie – Liverpool look set to finish where they ultimately deserve to

If we want to take a cold-blooded look at Liverpool’s Premier League season, you’d say they ultimately ended up about where they should have.

Are they a better team than Manchester City? No, they’re not. Are they better than this Arsenal side? No, they’re not. They can beat either of them on their day, and just about anyone else too, but the brutal truth is that this is a side that scrapped its way into an unexpected title challenge, but one which ultimately didn’t quite have the tools to sustain it.

The frustration, of course, is that having done all that scrapping, and having over-delivered until March/April, they eventually fell short in games they would have expected to win. Beating Manchester United, Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace should not have been beyond them, and Liverpool only needed to beat two of those to be right in the mix heading into these final games.

I reject completely the idea that Klopp’s mid-season announcement played any part in the failures of April. Firstly, how could he have kept a lid on such a story, given Liverpool would have needed to identify and appoint his successor?

And secondly, where were these hot takes when Liverpool were flying, winning the Carabao Cup despite an injury crisis, zooming to the top of the table and giving Manchester City hell, denied a vital victory only by a very questionable refereeing decision at Anfield? It is easy now to point and say Klopp’s exit has destabilised Liverpool, but it’s not true. What has cost them has been poor performances, and there were plenty of those even before he made his January announcement.

Liverpool want a young centre-back this summer – names to watch out for…

It is clear to me that Liverpool need to sign a centre-back this summer. The emergence of Jarell Quansah has been one of the big positives of this season, but the likely exit of Joel Matip in the summer and the fact that Joe Gomez has been used almost exclusively as a full-back for the past 18 months means that there is too much dependence on Virgil van Dijk, and on Ibrahima Konate, whose fitness record is questionable and whose form has been mixed in this campaign.

Another option there is essential, for my money. We know that Levi Colwill and Piero Hincapie are two players that have been admired in the past, and that Antonio Silva of Benfica is another. Recent links to Willian Pacho have substance, too.

I like Jarrad Branthwaite at Everton a lot, but I’d suggest that’s a no-go given the two clubs’ relationship! Personally, I’d be amazed if all of Europe’s top clubs are not looking at Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi right now. He looks a superstar in the making, to me, and though the Catalans don’t tend to sell La Masia products, their messy financial situation might make it a little easier to force their hand here.

At 17, the sky is the limit for that lad.

Darwin Nunez could have interest but Liverpool won’t sell on the cheap

Darwin Nunez in action for Liverpool

Firstly, I’d be amazed if Barcelona were willing to pay whatever it would take to sign Darwin Nunez this summer. They have huge issues to sort out behind the scenes, without committing that sort of money to a new No.9.

But from a Liverpool perspective, I think the Uruguayan is perhaps the most interesting case, heading into the summer window.

I’d keep him, personally. I think he has more upside than downside going forward – 31 goal involvements this season is, well, pretty decent, right?! – and I think he has the mentality to handle both the change of manager and the criticism that has come his way in recent weeks. He misses too many chances, I know, and there are times when he has to be tidier, smarter and more switched on within games. The fact that he has finished both of his two seasons on Merseyside on the bench shows there are still areas in need of big improvement.

But were Liverpool to look to sell, then I would expect considerable interest. Chelsea enquired about Nunez a year ago, and his reputation across Europe is still strong enough to ensure there would be clubs willing to take the plunge on him. He has the raw ability to be a very good centre-forward, and his ability to get himself into goalscoring positions so regularly means there will be lots of clubs and lots of coaches who will believe that they can be the one to unlock his true potential.

Maybe Arne Slot will be that guy?

The post Liverpool transfer news: Why LFC chose Slot over Amorim, Darwin Nunez future, CB targets & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool transfer news: Varela links, Gravenberch future, Chelsea star appreciated & more

Neil Jones — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:55:00 +0000

Alan Varela linked with Liverpool but Reds are well-stocked in midfield

I’m not aware of anything concrete in links between Liverpool and the Porto midfielder Alan Varela. Right now, I believe the Reds are pretty well-stocked in that area, even if they will lose Thiago Alcantara on a free transfer in the summer.

Wataru Endo aside, Liverpool have a real core of midfield players aged 25 and under. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have settled in well during their first season, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott have developed into trusted first-team players, and while Ryan Gravenberch hasn’t necessarily hit all of the heights he would have liked yet – more on that below – it is important to remember that the Dutchman is still only 21 and is a player of considerable potential.

So too is Stefan Bajcetic, who has recently returned to action, and I believe he is an important player to think about when discussing Liverpool’s midfield plans. He is only 19, has already made an impression on the first team, and has the skills and versatility to play as a No.6 or a No.8, depending on the needs of the team.

He is viewed internally at Liverpool as a big player for the future, and I expect him to have a significant role to play going forward, and therefore a significant impact on the club’s transfer plans in midfield.

What does the future hold for Ryan Gravenberch?

It is fair to say that of the four midfielders signed last summer, Gravenberch has been the least impressive so far. But I would still be surprised if Liverpool were to cut their losses on the Dutchman after only one season, despite some outlets linking him with interest from Galatasaray.

At 21, it is clear that there is still room for development in his game. The skills are there – he has good size and strength, he moves well with the ball and he has excellent technical qualities – but he is still a player of moments, rather than one who really imprints himself on a game. Too often, he drifts in and out, and in a Premier League midfield that can stand out a lot.

Ryan Gravenberch seems unlikely to seal a transfer away

He’s also had some bad luck. He started the Carabao Cup final at Wembley but was taken out by Moises Caicedo early on, and there have been a couple of muscle issues that have struck him when he was threatening to establish himself in the XI.

There’s no doubt that he can improve, and that he will need to if he is to make himself a regular starter, but his goal against Fulham on Sunday shows what he is capable of, and I expect Gravenberch to get at least another season to show why Liverpool tracked him for so long, and why they were so keen to rescue him from Bayern Munich last year.

Liverpool like Levi Colwill and are likely to sign a young centre-back this summer

Of all the areas Liverpool could strengthen this summer, I believe centre-back is the most obviously in need.

The development of Jarell Quansah this season has been superb, and the 21-year-old should be a first-team staple going forward, but there is still a lack of depth in the position.

Joel Matip is out of contract at the end of the campaign, and probably won’t be fit to play until the autumn in any case, and while Ibrahima Konate is potentially one of the best centre-backs around, he is hard to truly rely on, with so many muscle injuries curtailing his progress.

Joe Gomez’s last 12-18 months have seen him become more of a full-back than a centre-half, so that leaves the incomparable Virgil van Dijk, who will turn 33 in July, and while the captain is not exactly looking his age, it would certainly be prudent of Liverpool to start planning for the longer term with a new signing.

Their interest in Levi Colwill is long-standing, and there were suggestions of a bid last summer before he signed his new contract at Chelsea. I don’t expect the Londoners to sell Colwill this time around, but if they did then I would expect Liverpool to be in the mix.

Willian Pancho of Eintracht Frankfurt has also been linked, but I am not aware of anything concrete in that one. What I would say is that the player’s age, experience and potential certainly makes him an interesting prospect. I would be surprised if Liverpool do not sign a young centre-back this summer.

Liverpool get the response they needed with win at Fulham

Sunday’s win over Fulham was not only vital in terms of the Premier League title race, but also in restoring some confidence to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Liverpool have had a tough few weeks, struggling to score goals and struggling to keep clean sheets. And when you put those two factors together, well, you’re going to struggle to get results!

They needed a response at Craven Cottage, and I think they produced one. Fulham were a little underwhelming, if I’m being honest, but Liverpool’s energy levels, counter-pressing and intensity were all much better, and they were able to add a clinical finish to their play too.

We all know about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s set-piece prowess, but it was a big moment for Ryan Gravenberch, who scored his first Premier League goal. He has needed something like that, you feel, and he took his strike expertly.

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So did Diogo Jota, and it is hard not to wonder what might have been had the Portugal international been fully fit throughout March and April. I suspect, at the very least, that Liverpool would have won one of those two games against Manchester United.

The other notable thing about Sunday was the strength of Liverpool’s bench. Klopp’s five substitutes were Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez, Joe Gomez and Alexis Mac Allister, with Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones not even getting on the pitch.

With five tough games to go, starting at Everton on Wednesday, having so many options could well prove crucial.

The post Liverpool transfer news: Varela links, Gravenberch future, Chelsea star appreciated & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Transfer news: Why Amorim is favourite for Liverpool job, Edwards revamp planned, & more

Neil Jones — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 22:30:00 +0000

Two points dropped for Liverpool as the title is now out of their hands

There’s no doubt that Liverpool will have come away from Old Trafford on Sunday frustrated, and viewing their 2-2 draw as two points dropped rather than one gained.

The Reds’ dominance, especially in the first half, was so absolute that the game could and should have been put to bed inside 45 minutes. But as in the FA Cup tie last month, missed opportunities and careless final passes came back to haunt Jurgen Klopp’s side. And when you add in a once-a-season mistake from Jarell Quansah and a once-in-a-lifetime finish from Kobbie Mainoo, it’s a bad recipe!

Liverpool need to be more clinical in finishing teams off going forward, if they are to have any chance of further success this season. The likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai all had big chances which should have been taken, and the longer you leave an opponent alive when they should be dead, the more chance there is of something like Sunday happening.

I think it was a significant moment in the title race, as it takes matters out of Liverpool’s hands for now, but I also expect further twists to come. The Premier League at the moment is wild, full of goals and full of teams that can hurt you. Liverpool have four away games to come, all of which will be tough, and Arsenal and Manchester City have to go to Tottenham before the season is out, as well as balancing Champions League football. I would expect all three to drop at least two points between now and May.

Manchester United surely searching for a new manager after lack of progress made by Erik ten Hag

Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, I’m not entirely sure what they are or what they are trying to be.

He says they aim to be “dominant” with and without the ball, but they are neither, as far as I can see. They have some talented individuals who can produce moments of magic – Garnacho, Rashford, Mainoo, Fernandes, Antony – but as a team, I just don’t see the same levels of structure, organisation and desire as at, say, Liverpool or Arsenal or City. Even Tottenham.

Their pressing structure, in particular, is appalling at times. How easy is it to play through the lines and get at United’s back four? They cough up chances – good chances – at an alarming rate for a so-called top side, and it happens week after week, home and away, whether against the good sides or the average ones.

Two years in, a lot of the blame for that has to fall at Ten Hag’s feet. Either his message isn’t clear, isn’t getting through or he hasn’t got the players to make it work. And if it’s the latter, then questions must be asked as to some of those he has brought in. Their better players at the moment are either academy products – Mainoo & Garnacho – or those who he has previously discarded – Maguire & Wan Bissaka.

It feels to me like the FA Cup might save Ten Hag this season, but I’d be amazed if United aren’t at least starting to look at their next managerial target, because right now they look miles off the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and City.

Ruben Amorim is the leading candidate for the Liverpool job – here’s why that’s the right choice

Ruben Amorim to Liverpool?

Ruben Amorim is certainly the main name in the frame for Liverpool this summer, but I should stress that Anfield sources have been adamant that there has been no agreement reached with him, and that even the idea that he has been identified as the No.1 candidate is premature right now.

It’s definitely not an easy market right now, finding a manager for a Champions League level club. There are good candidates out there, but none which come close to being ‘risk-free’. Amorim is clearly a very good coach and his achievements at Sporting demand respect, but there have to be at least some questions as to how quickly or effectively that will transfer to England, and to a club with such tradition and expectation as Liverpool.

What I think works in his favour is the fact that he has had success as an underdog, taking on Benfica and Porto in Portugal, and that he seems to encourage a style of play which mixes ambition with control. I think Klopp’s style is often misrepresented in this country – he is a lot more defensively-minded than many believe – and to be successful in the Premier League, your team needs to be good with and without the ball. Amorim’s Sporting seem to be both.

In an imperfect market, I think he represents a good option; young, with medals in his back pocket, good communication skills and room to develop further as a coach.

If he is to be Liverpool’s man, and I suspect he will be, it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Liverpool linked with Estevao Willian amid bid to improve global talent ID

I think with all transfer rumours regarding Liverpool at the moment, it’s important to step back and understand that the appointment of the new manager will take priority.

I have not heard anything regarding Estevao Willian, and indeed it would be a change of tack for Liverpool to target a 16-year-old Brazilian straight from Palmeiras, however talented he is. I can’t think of the last time the Reds did that, if ever.

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But what is clear is that the Reds want to improve in terms of global talent ID and development. That is one of the main reasons Michael Edwards is back in the fold, and why Fenway Sports Group are targeting a second club – to help attract, develop (and sell) elite young talent. If and when that happens, then we may well see a few more players moving directly from South America into the Liverpool ‘system’.

As for now, there are already a lot of good young players at Liverpool – we have seen many of them this season – and the club’s reputation as a place where talented kids will get opportunities is well-earned. I don’t expect that to change in the post-Klopp era, although whether the next manager can empower his young players is another matter entirely. Certainly, in Jarell Quansah (21), Harvey Elliott (21), Fabio Carvalho (21), Ryan Gravenberch (21), Conor Bradley (20), Bobby Clark (19), Stefan Bajcetic (19), Ben Doak (18) and Jayden Danns (18), Liverpool have bags of potential to work with!

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Liverpool transfer news: Alexander-Arnold Real Madrid, Malen LFC interest, Alonso latest & more

Neil Jones — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 22:10:00 +0000

Liverpool would be mad to consider selling Trent Alexander-Arnold, but his contract situation is a concern

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with Real Madrid, with my fellow columnists on here, Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto providing some insight into the Spanish giants monitoring his contract situation at Liverpool.

I personally think it is highly unlikely that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool this summer, but of course the longer his new contract remains unsigned, the more you start to wonder. He is due to enter his final year in June, and from the club’s perspective, that is not a situation you want to be in with regards to one of your star players.

I’m not surprised to see Real Madrid linked. They are a club that makes a habit of targeting the best players in the world, and Alexander-Arnold is certainly one of those. As far as I’m aware, it’s no more than a ‘watching with interest’ situation, as opposed to bids, offers etc, but certainly the sooner Liverpool get Alexander-Arnold tied down to a new deal, the sooner those stories can be put to bed.

He’s such an important player for the Reds, and a symbol of Liverpool as a club too. He is, like Steven Gerrard previously, the home-grown star who represents both the city and the club. He’s the vice-captain, and primed to take over from Virgil van Dijk as skipper one day, and on top of that, he’s a world-class performer who makes a huge difference to the team. At 25, Liverpool would be mad to consider selling him, and I fully expect that with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes now in place on the football administration side, a new deal will be finalised.

Xabi Alonso uncertainty shouldn’t be too much of a worry for Liverpool

Xabi Alonso to Liverpool?

The situation regarding Xabi Alonso remains unchanged for now as far as I’m aware; there has been no indication of what he wants to do in the summer as his focus remains very much on Bayer Leverkusen and what could be an incredible end to the season.

German reports suggest that Bayern Munich is his favoured destination, but Alonso and his camp have been very quiet and until there is any clarity from their side, I think it’s a case of wait and see.

What is clear, as said previously, is that he is going to have at least three options to choose from this summer. Not a bad place for any young manager to be in!

If Alonso is not available, one thing is for certain now that Michael Edwards is in place as Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football; Liverpool will do extensive research before appointing their next manager.

Edwards has always championed a data-driven approach to recruitment, and that will certainly be the case with finding Jurgen Klopp’s successor. Liverpool’s research team, led by Will Spearman, have already been hard at work, and there will already have been a whittling-down of contenders.

In terms of names, it should not surprise you to learn that Ruben Amorim is well thought of within Liverpool, and Roberto De Zerbi is another strong contender. De Zerbi would have been in contention to take over at Bournemouth in 2022 when Richard Hughes was technical director, but for a change in ownership at the Cherries, and Hughes is a known fanatic of Italian football and Italian methodology.

Edwards and Hughes also have strong relationships with both Eddie Howe and Gary O’Neil, but I don’t expect either of those two to come into contention for the role this summer. If O’Neil were to continue impressing at Wolves, however, then I wouldn’t rule out the idea of him coming onto Liverpool’s radar in the future.

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Donyell Malen to Liverpool? There’s room for another attacking player at Anfield

Donyell Malen has been linked with Liverpool, but how likely is a move for the Borussia Dortmund forward, who has also been linked at times with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal?

I think when we talk about potential signings at Liverpool this summer, we have to acknowledge that much will be dictated by the managerial appointment. As such, confirming concrete ‘targets’ is difficult at this moment.

What we do know is that Malen was looked at previously, when at PSV Eindhoven, and not followed up on. He’s done OK at Dortmund since, nothing more, and while he fits Liverpool’s profile in terms of age and experience, I’d be sceptical as to whether he’s of the quality required to improve a pretty well-stocked attack.

Me personally? I feel there is room for another attacker at Liverpool this summer, even if Mohamed Salah remains – and there’s a decent chance of that, by the way. I still feel they lack a little bit of searing pace, particularly out wide, and I wonder if that might be an area they look at in this window. They have some talented young players emerging, such as Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon and Jayden Danns, but I think there is room for another senior forward in the squad, and even more so if Salah – or Luis Diaz, who has been linked with PSG – were to leave.

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Liverpool transfer news: Jamal Musiala links, surprise new manager candidate & FA Cup reaction

Neil Jones — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 22:10:00 +0000

Liverpool will have regrets over Man Utd defeat – but Jurgen Klopp’s post-match strop is not one of them

I think Liverpool will have a lot of regrets at the manner in which they exited the FA Cup at Old Trafford. They didn’t play at their best, nowhere near, but it was still a game they could and should have put to bed, particularly in the second half of the 90. Their lack of precision and sharpness in the final third cost them dear, and while Manchester United deserve credit for their persistence, the Reds can only blame themselves for how the afternoon turned out.

The good news from Liverpool’s perspective is that they have other competitions to go after – this wasn’t do-or-die for their season – but still any defeat against United will hurt, and this one certainly will, given it was an avoidable one.

Jurgen Klopp’s post-match spat with Viaplay’s Niels Christian Frederiksen obviously garnered a bit of attention, and it is by no means the first time the Reds boss has taken exception to a reporter’s line of questioning.

I was surprised that it was ‘that’ question which set him off, as it felt a little tame in all honesty, but as Frederiksen himself pointed out, quite rightly, it is almost part of being a top manager that you don’t take losing particularly well, and I’m sure all will be forgotten next time the pair meet.

I’ve seen Klopp give a bit to other reporters in the past and it’s never become a feud or a long-running grudge, so I don’t expect it to be so this time.

Take Pep Lijnders manager speculation with a pinch of salt

There has again been some talk of Pep Lijnders being an option to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, but I would take that talk with a hefty pinch of salt, given the source, but of course it is not just Klopp who is leaving Liverpool this summer, it’s the bulk of his coaching staff too, and there’s no doubt that Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, in particular, have been a big part of the Reds’ success in recent years. That said, the idea that Liverpool’s players would be offering strong opinions as to who the next manager should be is rather fanciful to me.

I don’t think there’s any chance Lijnders will get the top job at this stage, and nor should he either. If we are questioning the experience of Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim or Roberto De Zerbi, then we have to do the same with Lijnders, whose senior managerial career amounts to a few months at NEC Nijmegen.

There’s no question that he is a big figure, day-to-day, at Liverpool, and his coaching credentials are excellent, but I think even he would accept that if he is looking to re-start his career as a head coach, he needs to go and prove himself elsewhere before stepping into the big job on Merseyside. I expect to see him in the dugout somewhere next season, just not at Anfield.

Liverpool midfield duo continue to be overlooked by England

Harvey Elliott has had a really good season and he, like Curtis Jones, will certainly have his eye on breaking into the senior England squad going forward. I wonder whether Jones would already be in, had he not suffered that injury against Brentford last month.

Elliott’s problem, perhaps, is that he is used as often from the bench as he is from the start – he earned the ‘super sub’ tag at Liverpool earlier in the season – and that he kind of falls between two positions, playing either as a right-sided No.8 or as a right winger. I don’t see him breaking into the England squad as the latter, and he has a few established names to compete with in the former.

Jordan Henderson, certainly, is one that should be looking over his shoulder and looking at the likes of Elliott, Jones, Kobbie Mainoo and others. He’s been a good player for Liverpool, but at 33 he will know that the younger generation is at the door. The likes of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are certainties in England’s midfield going forward, and it is up to the rest to elbow their way in.

Certainly, Elliott has improved his chances this season. He’s a star at U21 level, but I don’t see him making the Euros squad unless there is a raft of injuries at this stage. Jones, I would say, is closer but needs to steer clear of injuries.

Liverpool like Jamal Musiala but it’s not an easy transfer

Bayern Munich look like they are going to have a summer of real change, in the dugout and within their squad, and there are certainly a few players that could be in the minds of a lot of top clubs. Joshua Kimmich, for example, is being linked away, although from a Liverpool perspective I’d be giving that one a wide berth.

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Serge Gnabry, too, seems like a far-fetched link when it comes to Liverpool. He’ll be 29 in July and has not played an awful lot of football over the past few months. Liverpool are not in the business of spending big money and dishing out big contracts to such players. The same goes for Leroy Sane, who turned 28 in January.

Musiala is different. At 21 he has his best years ahead of him, and he absolutely has the potential to be one of the very best in his position. I know that from a Bayern point of view, they are desperate to retain him, and I also know that pretty much every other top club in Europe, Liverpool included, would want to be in the conversation should he leave. I don’t imagine Manchester City or Real Madrid would be sitting on their hands there!

Liverpool’s stance whenever I’ve asked has always been a ‘well, yes, of course we like him’ but as far as I’m aware there is nothing more concrete than that, despite the links. If I were a gambler, I’d bet on him staying at Bayern – even if I would love to see him at Anfield!

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Liverpool FC news: Xabi Alonso latest, Darwin Nunez controversy & midfielder transfer links

Neil Jones — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:30:00 +0000

Overreaction to controversial Darin Nunez winner, and more thoughts on Liverpool’s recent form

It has been a quite remarkable few weeks, even by Liverpool’s recent standards. I don’t think I would have been alone in wondering whether that victory over Brentford a couple of weeks back might have come at a heavy cost, with the Reds losing four key players due to injury during it.

Certainly, the excuses were there if Jurgen Klopp and his players wanted to use them, and it is to their immense credit that they have not only ridden out the storm, but actually emerged from it looking stronger than ever. The performances of the club’s younger players has been a big talking point, naturally, and as a regular visitor to U21 and U18s games, I’ve been thrilled to see the likes of Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas excelling when called upon. The future is bright, if some of these kids can continue their development.

But it has been the way the remaining senior players have stepped up which has most impressed me. Virgil van Dijk is an obvious example, and what a leader he has become, but Ibrahima Konate has been magnificent, so have Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Alister. Harvey Elliott has made huge strides this season, as has Caoimhin Kelleher, and the courage of Luis Diaz in carrying the ball and leading the attack is truly exceptional. And now, with a few players back from injury, the skies quickly start to clear.

Darwin Nunez was the returning hero against Forest, and is having a brilliant campaign for my money, while Dominik Szoboszlai, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are all getting towards full fitness again. Mo Salah isn’t far away either, I believe. That puts Liverpool in a really strong position to at least go close in the three remaining competitions.

As an aside, to discuss the fallout from the winning goal at Forest, I really am starting to despair at the discourse surrounding refereeing in modern football.

To have Mark Clattenburg, a ‘refereeing personality’ turned ‘referees analyst’, all over TV and radio bemoaning a mistake, and to have TV pundits using inflammatory language such as “shocking” and “monumental” to describe Paul Tierney’s mistake, shows just how far the game has fallen. The fallout is disproportionate when compared to the error, which did not directly lead to Forest losing the game.

It feels like things have accelerated this season with regards to debates around referees. The PGMOL seems to get as much attention as the PL these days, VAR is discussed to death, and I personally find it both tiresome and alarming. Nobody should pretend that everything is perfect in terms of officiating, but every club has incidents they can point to, decisions that have gone against them, and to move into a world where clubs are now employing figures like Clattenburg to essentially lobby for more favourable treatment from referees is, to me anyway, grim. They just want consistency, they’ll no doubt say. They’re lying. They want fairness, balance and consistency with one key caveat; that it’s in their favour.

Will Liverpool vs Man City this weekend be a title-decider?

I can’t wait for Sunday’s game at Anfield, and I’m expecting it to be a truly brilliant contest too. It will, I’m sure, be billed as a title-decider, but I would stop short of labelling it such. Arsenal will still have something to say as to the destination of the Premier League crown, though I personally look at those away games against City, Spurs and Manchester United and wonder if they will be the ones that prevent Mikel Arteta’s side, as in-form as they are, from getting over the line.

From a Liverpool perspective, this is a huge opportunity. To open up a four-point gap over City – who face Arsenal next, don’t forget – at this stage of the season would be massive, and I think if they did that, then Klopp would look at his side’s remaining fixtures and think there was a real chance that they could bring it home. Even a draw, to be honest, would represent a good result.

City’s record at Anfield is pretty risible, but I don’t expect that to play any part in their approach to the game. They have some of the most in-form players in the league right now, Phil Foden in particular, and are capable not only of winning, but winning in style.

The atmosphere will be magnificent, I’m sure, and for me it’s a real 50-50 contest. I suppose that means I’ll be expecting a draw, doesn’t it, but I’ve got a sly feeling that Liverpool might edge this one.

Liverpool surely the most attractive option for Xabi Alonso

We inevitably keep hearing a lot about Xabi Alonso’s future, with some reports suggesting he’s held positive talks with Liverpool, while other sources are saying he’s favouring Bayern Munich.

To be honest, I think the situation with Alonso is that there are a lot of people trying to guess and speculate as to his intentions, when the reality is that his primary focus will be, and has to be, on finishing a huge job with Bayer Leverkusen this season.

Clearly, he is going to have a big decision to make soon, because both Liverpool and Bayern Munich will be calling him, if they haven’t already, and Leverkusen will surely be making a pitch for him to stay for at least one more season too.

One thing that is clear about Alonso is that he is someone who knows his own mind, and he has rarely, if ever, made a decision in his career that did not have a great deal of thought behind it. I certainly wouldn’t expect him to rush into his next move, and I certainly wouldn’t like to second-guess his intentions at this stage.

Personally, I believe that if both clubs (and Leverkusen) made offers to him, then Liverpool is a more attractive proposition at this stage, given the state of the squad, the quality within the academy and the lack of political manoeuvring that goes on behind the scenes, but that’s just my opinion. Bayern, I’m sure, would argue differently. Let’s wait and see how it all pans out.

Recent Liverpool midfielder links don’t add up

I would be very sceptical about links between Liverpool and players such as Joshua
Kimmich and Nicolo Barella. Good players, no question. Great players actually. But Liverpool are not short on midfielders, and with the exception of Endo and Thiago Alcantara, who is almost certainly leaving in the summer, they are all younger than those two.

The potential of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch is obvious, and with the likes of Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark also emerging, it is hard to see the need for a 29- year-old Kimmich or a 27-year-old Barella.

I personally feel Liverpool’s squad planning this summer will be about fine tuning, rather than overhauling. They were happy with the midfield business they did last summer, so expect attention to switch to other areas – central defence, full-back and the forward line – now.

The post Liverpool FC news: Xabi Alonso latest, Darwin Nunez controversy & midfielder transfer links appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool transfer news: Mbappe surprise, Leverkusen trio eyed, Leeds wonderkid linked & more

Neil Jones — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Could Liverpool try again for Michael Edwards return?

Liverpool’s search for a new sporting director is arguably as intriguing as their pursuit of a new manager. If and when an appointment is made, they will be the fourth person to have held that role in the space of two years.

For a long time, we have talked about the ‘stability’ of the Reds’ club structure, and for many years that revolved around the key trio of Klopp, Michael Edwards and Mike Gordon – the manager, the sporting director and the most hands-on member of the ownership group.

By June, only Gordon will remain, and it is fascinating that once news of Klopp’s imminent departure emerged last month, Liverpool made contact with Edwards over a potential return to Anfield. He turned it down, and I am intrigued to see what the Reds’ next move is.

I would argue that, much like the manager situation, there is no ‘perfect’ fit for the role, with any appointment carrying a degree of risk and uncertainty. The likes of Tim Steidten (West Ham United), Markus Krosche (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ricky Massara (ex-AC Milan) and Florent Ghisolfi (OGC Nice) all have interesting profiles, but all would be working to a new brief were they to arrive at Anfield.

And don’t forget, many of Liverpool’s Premier League rivals are busy assembling new recruitment teams. Manchester United are on a hiring spree, Chelsea too. Newcastle United will need a new director of football and Manchester City need a new chief operating officer. The market for ‘football operations’ staff has rarely been so busy, and that could well make Liverpool’s task even harder.

I wonder whether they will eventually find themselves back at Edwards’ door, making him an offer he can’t refuse. Because if there is no such thing as a perfect fit, he might be the next best thing.

Liverpool like Bayer Leverkusen trio

There will be a lot of top clubs looking at this Bayer Leverkusen squad and seeing opportunities to land players of big potential in the summer.

Liverpool are no different. They are known admirers of Piero Hincapie, and made tentative enquiries about the Ecuadorian last summer, and their scouts have, like just about every other club in Europe, been aware of Florian Wirtz for a number of years.

Those two, in particular, are interesting cases, given their age and the high ceilings they possess. Hincapie would fit the bill as a left-sided defender – an area Liverpool have been actively looking – while Wirtz’s versatility and creativity, as well as the fact he doesn’t turn 21 until May, mark him out as one of the best young attackers in Europe.

I think either would improve Liverpool’s squad in the summer, and I know that another Leverkusen player, Edmond Tapsoba, was liked by the Reds in the past. At 25, his best years are still very much ahead of him.

Kylian Mbappe was never a realistic option for Liverpool

I don’t think it’s any surprise to anyone that Kylian Mbappe is heading to Real Madrid. I know there have been a few reports linking the PSG superstar with Liverpool, but as far as I’m concerned that was never a realistic option. He hasn’t been negotiating with anyone but Real Madrid.

In fact, I was in a media briefing last week in which Jurgen Klopp was asked about the chances of Mbappe moving to Anfield, and the Reds boss basically laughed at the question.

“Obviously I am not involved in that,” Klopp said, “but I can tell you that I would be surprised!”

He then went on to add that: “It would be tricky for most of the top clubs I know [due to] wages, signing fee,” and then joked that it is easy for journalists to ask such questions.

I guess the biggest surprise with regards to this story is that it has taken Mbappe so long to end up at the Bernabeu. One thing is for sure, Real look like they are going to be a formidable force in the coming seasons…

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Archie Gray linked with Liverpool again but sources have played down story

When you are 17 and playing at the level Archie Gray has been playing at, and on such a consistent basis, you are bound to attract attention, and Liverpool have been linked once again with the Leeds wonderkid.

But Liverpool sources were pretty dismissive when stories appeared earlier this season suggesting the Reds were ready to spend big money on the teenager, and while he is undoubtedly a big talent, it is hard to see too much logic in such a deal at present.

The performances of Conor Bradley, 20, have been hugely impressive, and Liverpool also have an England international, Joe Gomez, capable of providing high-quality cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

Gray, like Alexander-Arnold, is capable of playing in midfield too, but Liverpool have Dominik Szoboszlai (22), Harvey Elliott (20), Curtis Jones (23), Alexis Mac Allister (25) and Ryan Gravenberch (21), without even considering the likes of Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark (both 19) or Tyler Morton (21) who is also thriving in the Championship with Hull City.

With that in mind, it would feel like an unusual move for Liverpool to commit to such a big outlay for another gifted youngster.

The post Liverpool transfer news: Mbappe surprise, Leverkusen trio eyed, Leeds wonderkid linked & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Exclusive: Liverpool duo’s transfer situation, leading candidate to replace Klopp, Arsenal reaction & more

Neil Jones — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Bad day at the office for Liverpool – or something more concerning?

Liverpool could have no complaints about their defeat at Arsenal, but they will surely have a few regrets. It was a pretty poor performance overall from Jurgen Klopp’s side, but at 1-1 with 25 minutes to go, they were in a position to take away a point or perhaps even all three. But when two of your most reliable performers make a mistake like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker made, perhaps you know it’s not your day.

Arsenal were the better side on the day; quicker and sharper, better in possession and able to create more, particularly in wide areas. Liverpool, by contrast, looked a yard off the pace without the ball, and struggled to work their attacking players into good positions. One shot on target, and a goal scored by the opposition centre-back, tells its own story.

I think there is enough reason to call it a bad day at the office for the Reds, as opposed to anything more concerning. They know they can – and must – play better going forward, but their upcoming fixtures, starting at home to Burnley this weekend, are kind, and they are starting to get key players back available too. The sight of Thiago Alcantara back on the pitch on Sunday after ten months out was perhaps the biggest positive of the day as far as Klopp is concerned.

There will no doubt be disappointment that his side didn’t make the statement they could have – they could really have kicked Arsenal out of the title race with a win – but two league defeats in 34 games suggests that things are going in the right direction, for sure.

Let Arsenal celebrate their win – Jurgen Klopp has shown us the importance of enjoying the journey!

I’ve never been a signed-up member of the celebration police, and I’m not going to start now! It’s become a strange sideshow around modern football, this desire either to celebrate wildly or provocatively, or to criticise those who do. Now we have a third element, those who criticise those who criticise! Exhausting.

As someone who has covered Liverpool for 14 years, and particularly closely during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, I can speak to the importance of enjoying the journey as much as the destination. Some of the biggest celebrations I’ve seen at Liverpool games have been in the middle of a season – Aston Villa and Southampton away in 2019, Everton at home in 2018 – when we didn’t know what the future held and how important the three points would be. Nothing wrong with that, in my eyes.

Arsenal’s players (and manager) may have milked it a bit after Sunday’s game, but it was a big win for them, and a real pressure-reliever too. It might not count for anything at the end of the season, but even if it doesn’t, they are entitled to celebrate a significant success, and it wasn’t as if they were doing so in front of the Liverpool fans or players.

Let them celebrate, I say. And if you want to throw it back at them come the end of the season if they win nothing, then knock yourselves out!

Klopp exit caught everyone by surprise but we can’t begrudge him his decision

I, like most people, was caught completely on the hop by Klopp’s announcement, and it has been a strange ten days or so since, as everyone comes to terms with the news. ‘Surprised’ is not really the word! ‘Shocked’ would come closer to covering it.

One thing I’ve learnt from covering Klopp’s time at Liverpool is that we should take him at his word. So when he says he is running out of energy, we should believe him. I can only imagine the amount he has exerted in turning Liverpool into the force it is today, taking on teams of huge means and huge experience at home and abroad. He is a manager who feeds off emotion, and who creates it too, and when you do that constantly for eight-and-a-half years, it must take its toll on you. Especially when you finish each season and watch Manchester City get stronger, and the bar gets raised higher and higher.

Speaking to people since the announcement, they talk about the effect last season had on him. Klopp has, in my eyes, done wonderfully to lift Liverpool after that disappointment, but I am starting to understand why, as this young, exciting side starts to emerge, he may see it as the right time to look after himself and step away.

Personally, I’d love to see him stay, but who could begrudge him his decision? And if he could go out in style with a trophy or two (or four!) then wouldn’t that just be the perfect end to a beautiful marriage…

Xabi Alonso is the big favourite for the Liverpool job

I think Xabi Alonso is the big favourite for the Liverpool job at this stage, and he would be my choice too. There isn’t a ‘guaranteed’ successor to Klopp available, in my eyes. Every manager out there, besides Pep Guardiola, comes with a degree of risk. Even seasoned winners like Carlo Ancelotti or Jose Mourinho, or a vastly-experienced coach like Thomas Tuchel or Diego Simeone, would not necessarily be the right fit for Liverpool, and for Liverpool’s squad, culture and supporters.

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I think it’s clear that both Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi are going to manage at the very top level at some point in the future, and so in my opinion the time is right for Liverpool to take the gamble and Alonso’s style of play, personality and past ties with the club make him the stronger candidate, for me. What he is doing this season, igniting an underachieving club against the giants of Bayern Munich is, dare I say, a little reminiscent of what Klopp did at Borussia Dortmund, and if he can finish the job off by winning the Bundesliga, it would only add further weight to the argument.

Another to keep an eye on might be Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, who I know has a lot of admirers in the Premier League. My question with that one would be; is the Primeira Liga adequate preparation for a job like Liverpool? Amorim has done a really good job and has shown an ability to develop both players and a cohesive, winning team, but Anfield would be another level in terms of pressure and expectation.

Is there really cause for concern over Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s futures?

I think the Virgil van Dijk comments to the press recently were massively overplayed by some, with the story becoming far bigger than it needed to be. Van Dijk was asked a straightforward question after Liverpool’s win over Norwich, about his contract situation and whether he believed he would be a part of the Reds’ future, post-Klopp.

And while he could have given a more PR-friendly answer – “I certainly hope so,” might have been the right one – it is understandable that he didn’t go overboard. He has 18 months left on his contract, and that cannot be ignored, so if he was to start talking about the next three or four years, it would have been a little odd.

Of course with so much to be sorted behind the scenes at Liverpool, it is fair that fans have some concerns. A new manager is needed, a new sporting director too, and three of the club’s four best players are all approaching the last year of their respective deals.

But whoever the new boss is, whoever the new sporting director is, I think it’s safe to say they will want both Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold on board. I don’t envisage any issues with those contract renewals personally. Negotiations are yet to get underway, but I think both will be part of the post-Klopp era at Anfield.

The post Exclusive: Liverpool duo’s transfer situation, leading candidate to replace Klopp, Arsenal reaction & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool transfer news: Michael Olise links, Thiago Alcantara exit, Jordan Henderson regret & more

Neil Jones — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Liverpool attack still a threat even without Mohamed Salah

I think it was understandable that a lot of Liverpool fans looked at last Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth with a degree of trepidation. Given the players the Reds had missing, and the way they stumbled at the Vitality Stadium last season, it certainly looked like a game which had the potential to derail them.

So the manner in which Jurgen Klopp’s side dealt with it was impressive, to say the least. They have made a habit this season of performing better in the second half of games, and this was as commanding and as dominant a 45 minutes as they have produced all season away from home.

The finishing, from both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, was exceptional and that will have pleased Klopp immensely, with so much made of the absence of Mohamed Salah due to AFCON. Nunez, in particular, has come under fire for his goal record, but 10 goals and 10 assists this season is no mean feat, while Jota is up to 11 goals himself.

That is why Liverpool have spent so much money assembling this frontline, so that it is not reliant on one player or even two players. Salah remains their main man, of course, and they’ll want him back as soon as possible, but this is a team that can cope without him, and that has the firepower to worry any opponent.

Michael Olise surely heading for a big six club this summer – will it be Liverpool?

It’s clear to me that Michael Olise is a player who is ready to take the next step in his career. I expect him to leave Crystal Palace in the summer, and I expect him to join a top-six club.

I can understand why Liverpool’s name is in the mix, given he’s a left-footer who plays on the right – and we know that the Reds have a potential challenge regarding another of those coming up!

The questions for me would be two-fold. Firstly, is he a player who will score and create enough to become a starter at Anfield? He has 11 goals in two-and-a-half seasons at Palace, and seven in three seasons at Reading prior to that. Compare that to other forward players signed by Liverpool in recent years, and it would represent a slight change in approach. The Reds tend to go for those who are starting to rack up big numbers, and I’m not sure Olise is there yet, albeit allowing for the fact he is playing for a pretty negative team.

The other question would be whether you would get the same Michael Olise if he were to be added into a rotation policy, or whether he thrives on being the ‘big fish’, with the bulk of attacking responsibility. I personally think he has the game and the talent to flourish at a bigger club – he reminds me a lot of Riyad Mahrez – but those are the questions that will need to be answered, if and when he moves.

Thiago Alcantara surely leaving Liverpool this summer

The absence of Thiago remains one of the big frustrations at Liverpool, as we approach the 12-month anniversary of his last appearance for the Reds.

I can understand why some fans, and indeed Jurgen Klopp, are dreaming about how the Spaniard might flourish in this new-look team. Certainly, his nous, passing range and ability to dictate the pace of games would be welcome in the closing months of this campaign.

My understanding is that a return to training could happen in February, but obviously there will be risk associated with any return to competitive action, given he has had so long out. I think we will see him play before the end of the campaign, but it is hard to see him starting a run of games. It was hard enough beforehand!

As for the summer, I’d be very surprised if Liverpool extended Thiago’s contract. He’ll be 33 in April and he’s done nothing in the past 18 months to suggest he’s the future for the club. A great player, no question, but I think he’ll be on the move in the summer. Maybe he’ll have a medal or two in his pocket when he leaves, though…

Jordan Henderson’s big risk in Saudi backfires

Ah, the Jordan Henderson situation. The end of an error, you could call it.

Firstly, good luck to him at Ajax. Not a bad move for him, in terms of football, lifestyle and prestige. The Eredivisie giants may be struggling this season, but they remain one of the game’s great clubs, and they seem understandably delighted to have landed a player of Henderson’s pedigree.

As for the Saudi Arabian experiment, I’m sure Jordan himself would reflect on that and feel some pangs of regret. He took a big risk, professionally and reputationally, moving to Al Ettifaq, and it didn’t pay off. I think a lot of the issues he encountered over there, on and off the field, could have been predicted beforehand, and I think Liverpool’s subsequent success without him has only added to the sense that he took both a hasty decision, and the wrong one, in leaving Anfield.

Still, that’s football, and Henderson will know that. At least now, he has the chance to start enjoying the game again. I’m sure he’ll relish the challenge in Amsterdam.

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Could Liverpool swoop for any other unsettled Saudi stars?

With Henderson leaving Al Ettifaq and stories about Karim Benzema, Aymeric Laporte and others, could this January represent a chance for Liverpool to swoop for some of the unsettled big names in Saudi Arabia?

In all honestly, it’s hard to see many of the names who moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer being useful for Liverpool at this point, barring a few long-term injuries between now and the end of January.

Liverpool’s transfer policy is well-established and well-known, targeting up-and coming players who are making their mark in top European leagues. It is unlikely that they would be tempted by established, big-name players who have taken the plunge in the Saudi Pro League and are now looking to back out.

What they will be doing, I’m sure, is looking with interest at the reports linking the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante with moves away. Those players, plus Jordan Henderson, may well be used as examples when a certain Mr. Salah’s future is up for discussion this summer…

The post Liverpool transfer news: Michael Olise links, Thiago Alcantara exit, Jordan Henderson regret & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Exclusive Liverpool transfer news: Mohamed Salah hope, forward links, Fabio Carvalho concern & more

Neil Jones — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Fabio Carvalho is a lovely footballer, but it’s getting harder to see a future for him at Liverpool

For Fabio Carvalho, the move to Hull City, which is set to be finalised this week, represents a clear indication of how things haven’t gone to plan over the past 18 months or so.

When he joined Liverpool, he did so as the outstanding young player in the Championship, a player tipped for international honours and a big future at Anfield.

Now, he finds himself back at square one, in many respects. It hasn’t worked out for him on Merseyside, it didn’t go much better for him over in Germany with RB Leipzig, and his stock has undoubtedly fallen.

With that in mind, then, it is vital that he first and foremost finds a way to get into the Hull side and play some games, and that once he does that, he shows the talent which convinced Liverpool (and many other clubs) that he was worth looking at.

The talent is there, for sure. Carvalho’s a lovely footballer, tidy and technically accomplished, with a good final pass and the ability to score goals, but he needs to develop in terms of involving himself in all aspects of the game, staying engaged and involved and not drifting to the fringes, which was a criticism during his (rather limited) appearances at Anfield.

It’s hard to imagine that he has a long-term future at Liverpool, to be perfectly honest, but that doesn’t mean he can’t, or won’t, have a good career. But he needs this spell to go well.

Liverpool unlikely to sign cover for Mohamed Salah this January, but is Saudi transfer still a worry for the summer?

I’d be amazed if Liverpool looked to bring in a forward in this window. Of course Mohamed Salah is a miss, as is Wataru Endo in midfield, but they still have four high quality attacking options available, with the possibility of using Harvey Elliott and/or Dominik Szoboszlai off the right flank too, if required.

Liverpool, generally, do not go for such short-termism in their recruitment – and when they have done (Arthur Melo, for example) it tends not to work. They think about the bigger picture, not plugging two-week gaps.

It’s no surprise to see tons of players linked with Liverpool. It’s the price on the ticket for such a big club, that their name is thrown in whenever a prospect emerges or talk of a transfer starts to ramp up.

Ignoring the specific names for a second, the pertinent question is whether Liverpool will look to sign a forward player in the summer, and whether they need to. If no-one was to leave the club, I’d edge towards ‘no’, but of course if we were to see another summer like the last one, where previously-untouchable players were lured away by the Saudi Pro League, then everything becomes possible.

Mo Salah’s future, in particular, is one to watch. My personal opinion is that the last six months must have shown him the dangers of moving to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, and that he must surely be thinking about the idea of extending his stay in Europe, and at Liverpool. I can’t speak to Salah’s mindset, but I know he’s an ambitious character and that the best place to fulfil those ambitions is not in Riyadh or Jeddah.

If Salah were to stay, and assuming none of Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz or Diogo Jota were to be sold, I’d say Liverpool are in pretty good shape, attack-wise. The one thing they perhaps lack is a player of sheer speed who can play from the right, and so I understand why links with players such as Neto and Bakayoko persist, but I’m not sure the Reds would be spending £40m+ on those, unless there were players heading out of the door.

Timo Werner is back in the Premier League – what if he had joined Liverpool instead of Chelsea?

Timo Werner is back in English football after joining Tottenham on loan for the rest of the season. I think he is a great example of a player whose career could have turned out very differently had he chosen his next move a little more carefully in key moments.

In 2020, he was very much on the agenda at Liverpool. They tracked him extensively, conducted detailed research into his background and character, and were engaged in a lengthy dialogue with RB Leipzig over a potential deal.

Chelsea, though, won the argument, convincing the player that he would be a more integral part of their side than at Anfield, where the established front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino was still in its pomp, and offering better personal terms in the process.

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