Blockbuster deal suggests Mo Salah is on the way out of Liverpool
Mo Salah wrote his name right across Liverpool’s 4-2 win on Monday night, with goals and an assist underscoring a great all-round performance against Newcastle.
It was another 90 minutes from the Egyptian King for the Anfield faithful to enjoy, though there might not be too many more of those.
Although things have gone quiet in terms of move to the Saudi Pro League, there’s no doubt that they will come calling again either in this or the next window.
On the face of it, Jurgen Klopp would be loathe to lose his talisman, however, there’s no getting away from the fact that Salah will be 32 by the start of the 2024/25 campaign, and if the club were to receive an offer in excess of £100m, that’s surely going to be too tempting to turn down.
Furthermore, as Le Parisien note, the Reds are still putting themselves forward as the next destination for Kylian Mbappe, and the only way that Liverpool afford that deal is by removing Salah from the wage bill.
At 25 years of age, the French World Cup winner still hasn’t theoretically reached his peak as a player, and that’s a scary thought for any club that happen to be in opposition to him.
Real Madrid loom large of course, and the smart money would still be on Mbappe making a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
All the while the player stays silent, however, Liverpool are in with a chance.
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Gonçalo Inácio transfer confirmed, double injury return – Ideal January for Liverpool outlined
Liverpool has four trophies still in play this season, but the next few weeks could decide how the rest of the season will look as the January transfer window opens.
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Gonçalo Inácio has been linked with a move Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
As Liverpool begins 2024 at the top of the Premier League, fans will no doubt be dreaming of a potential title push. The next few weeks could be crucial for the Reds’ hopes.
It is set to be a hugely important few weeks with the transfer window now open, and the Reds in action across three different competitions in January. All four trophies, for now at least, are there for the taking; the task for the Reds is to ensure that remains the case at the end of January.
By then, two more Premier League matches will have been played, with Chelsea set to visit Anfield before the month is out. There’s also a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham for a place at Wembley, while a trip to Arsenal is up next in the FA Cup, where a win would set up a fourth-round tie four weeks later.
That means that the next few weeks will determine just what Liverpool can aim for this season. A quadruple (of sorts) could be on the table, or the Reds could have fallen behind on all fronts. Klopp and his squad will be hoping it’s the former, but what would the perfect run in January look like? Liverpool.com has taken a look.
Injury returns
It would be a major boost to Liverpool to have just one or two key players back from injury. Fortunately, there should be some familiar faces returning to training soon.
Alexis Mac Allister’s return to the squad against Newcastle was certainly a boost, but Liverpool is still without Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcântara, Stefan Bajčetić, Kostas Tsimikas and Joël Matip.
Matip’s season looks to be over, while Tsimikas is likely out for a lengthy spell after breaking his collarbone. Robertson and Thiago though will hopefully be back in training this month, with Klopp delivering a promising outlook for the latter in particular.
“I think Thiago will be at one point [in January] in team training,” Klopp said last week. “Thiago is in a very good moment as well but we just have to make sure we don’t use him then too early. The hip thing in and around that area is just a long-term thing as well.
“There were for sure days where he could have easily trained but it’s all about how can he be back then in the long term, and that’s what we are working on.”
Domestic cup progress
Liverpool will have the chance to book a place at Wembley this month when it takes on Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The Reds will have to overcome Marco Silva’s side over two legs in order to reach the first domestic final of the season.
Having drawn Arsenal away in the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup could be vital for the chances of Virgil van Dijk ending his first season as captain holding aloft silverware. Ideally, Liverpool would get through in both domestic cups, of course, but having reached the semi-finals, getting to the Carabao Cup final must now be the priority this month.
Premier League lead intact
Liverpool of course leads the way in the Premier League as we begin the New Year, with Arsenal’s defeat ensuring the Reds’ spot at the summit before they even took on Newcastle. The hard part starts now though — staying there.
Liverpool’s lead is slim at the moment, and Manchester City has immediately hauled itself back into the frame after the Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side will no doubt be the favorite to lift yet another league title, but the longer the Reds can remain at the top, the more belief there will be around Anfield.
January transfer sorted out
Klopp was insistent recently that making a January signing would not be easy because Liverpool has to be certain that it is a player for the long term as well as the short term, but his side would really be boosted by another addition. Signing a center-back would make a major difference and avoid any unnecessary gambles.
One more injury at the back would leave Liverpool incredibly short, especially while Robertson remains injured, and Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez hardly have spotless histories when it comes to staying at full fitness. Getting in another player at the back would make a lot of sense if someone who would be deemed the right fit is there to be purchased.
Could that player be Gonçalo Inácio? Portuguese outlet O Jogo (via Paisley Gates) has suggested it is ‘very likely’ that his $66m (£52m/€60m) release clause will be triggered this month, with Sporting having already signed Rafael Silva potentially as a replacement. If the opportunity is there, Inácio could be just the player Klopp is looking for.
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Gary Neville claims Liverpool now have four world-class players after changing his mind on one
Featured Image Credit: Getty/Sky Sports
Gary Neville says Liverpool now have four world-class players after changing his mind on one of Jurgen Klopp’s stars.
Liverpool moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they beat Newcastle United 4-2 on Monday, setting a new record in the process.
Mohamed Salah bagged a brace on his last appearance for the club ahead of representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo also scored for the Reds.
Salah set up Gakpo’s goal and played a role in Jones’ strike from close range as Neville hailed the winger’s influence before and after the Anfield clash.
He called him world-class while acknowledging Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, who has returned to his best this season.
Before kick-off, he said: “Liverpool have got three world-class players in Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Salah. Van Dijk has been back to his best in this past month or two.
“Liverpool’s defensive record has been good and they’ve kept a lot of clean sheets.
“Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world and they’ve got somebody who hits numbers from a wide area that is so consistent and delivers year in, year out. It’s unbelievable.
“If they keep those three fit, they’re in with a massive chance.”
Buy after the result, the Manchester United legend changed his mind as he mentioned Trent Alexander-Arnold, highlighting his ‘sensational’ ability on the ball.
Neville went onto claim that if Liverpool can keep them four players fit for the season, then they can push Manchester City all the way.
“They’ll be the one team that City probably won’t want against them,” he added.
Liverpool, who pipped Man City to the league title in the 2019/2020 campaign, are currently five points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Klopp’s team have won an impressive 13 league games this season, losing just once as they mount a serious title challenge.
Topics: Liverpool, Gary Neville, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson, Football
Mohamed Salah’s seemingly superstitious act vs Newcastle helped him score penalty after previous miss
Featured Image Credit: Getty/Sky Sports
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was spotted doing a superstitious act which helped him score his late penalty against Newcastle.
New Year’s Day saw Liverpool kick off 2024 with a 4-2 victory over Newcastle to move three points clear at the Premier League summit.
Liverpool dominated proceedings, registering 34 shots and an expected goals of 7.27 – the highest ever recorded since Opta started recording the data in 2010.
Salah, who missed a first-half penalty, soon amended his error by netting the Reds’ opener, only for it to be cancelled out for Alexander Isak.
Then, a double from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo put Liverpool in control once more before Sven Botman nodded home against the run of play to set up a nervy ending to the encounter.
However, Salah ultimately sealed the victory, scoring from his second spot-kick of the game after Diogo Jota won a controversial late penalty for Liverpool.
And fans on social media noticed that the Egyptian changed his boots at halftime after his first-half penalty miss.
When asked about why he swapped footwear for the second half Salah told Sky Sports: “The ones I missed a penalty with, I just trained with them yesterday.
“It’s not superstition but I wanted to change them. I just changed them and it made my mind calm.”
Salah added: “It’s a great result for us. The game was very intense and we managed to pick up three points and now we are top of the table. We need to stay calm and win every game.
“The players spoke in the dressing room. We have to stay calm. I missed the pen. I didn’t want to leave with the national team with that performance.”
Salah now turns his attention to the Africa Cup of Nations, where he will be hoping to lead Egypt to continental glory.
On the tournament, he said: “I want to win. We have some really good players. We have players who can play in my position. It means a lot to play for the national team. It’s something I cannot take for granted. I would love to win it.”
Topics: Football, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Premier League
Chris Byfield
Liverpool set stunning Premier League record in victory over Newcastle
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Liverpool set a new Premier League record during their win over Newcastle.
On Monday Liverpool kicked off 2024 by moving three points clear in the Premier League title race after beating Newcastle 4-2.
While the Reds’ victory was comprehensive, it was never straightforward, with Newcastle level at 1-1 with just 16 minutes to play after Alexander Isak had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s opening goal.
At that point, Salah had already squandered a first-half penalty while Darwin Nunez missed several big chances from his eight shots on goal.
But Jurgen Klopp’s side ultimately did claim the victory, after Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scored in quick succession.
Newcastle got one back against the run of play through Sven Botman, only for Salah to seal Liverpool’s win from the spot after Diogo Jota won a controversial penalty.
Such was Liverpool’s dominance during the game, Klopp’s men set a Premier League record.
Their 34 shots in the match returned 7.27 expected goals – the most created by any side in a Premier League game since Opta started recording the data in 2010.
After the game, a delighted Klopp told BBC Sports: “It was a sensational game from my team. We started extremely lively. Everyone saw Dubravka or we ourselves made sure the score didn’t get too clear.
“Super game. I loved so many aspects of the game bar the goals we conceded.
“Unbelievable game. Unbelievable atmosphere. Counter-pressing wise it was for football schools. They have to watch that, take it and keep it. It was everything good.
“The show must go on. We now have five or six days so three training days. It will change the world from a freshness point of view.”
Meanwhile, Salah told Sky Sports: “It’s a great result for us. The game was very intense and we managed to pick up three points and now we are top of the table. We need to stay calm and win every game.”
On the missed chances the Egyptian added: “The players spoke in the dressing room. We have to stay calm. I missed the pen. I didn’t want to leave with the national team with that performance.”
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Premier League
Chris Byfield
Gary Neville believes Manchester United will exploit Liverpool’s weak spot during Premier League clash
This weekend, United will travel to Anfield and face fierce rivals Liverpool in what is a much-anticipated clash of the titans.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have had the upper hand in recent seasons after beating the Red Devils by an aggregate score of 9-0 over the two fixtures last season.
However, this season, United are basking in great form whilst Liverpool continue to struggle.
Ahead of the match on Sunday, former United right-back Neville has predicted that Erik ten Hag’s game plan will be to target Trent Alexander Arnold.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said: “They will target Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Rashford plays on that side, as does Luke Shaw. United attack well down that side. Rashford is in unbelievable form and he will fancy it.
“United will target him no doubt but they’ll also target the whole back four because Liverpool have shown they have vulnerabilities all season. United will feel they can have a right go at them.”
There is no doubting his obvious attacking abilities but Alexander Arnold’s defensive game has been under the microscope in recent months.
Neville added: “I’ve never seen someone at right back kick the ball like Alexander-Arnold does but I always felt if he doesn’t attend to his defensive duties, it will cause him problems.
“That moment has come.”
Despite Liverpool’s struggles this season, Neville has warned United that they have to be at their best to get the win.
He said: “Man United on Sunday have to be at their absolute best and more to beat Liverpool. This is a Liverpool team that Man United can damage if they demonstrate the resilience and quality we’ve seen from them recently.
“It will be a hell of a tough game for Liverpool. I always thought Liverpool would fight for the top four, they obviously got another victory on Wednesday night against Wolves. Are Liverpool back? Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t say so, but United will have to do something really special on Sunday.”
Topics: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, Manchester United, Gary Neville, Football
Virgil van Dijk has been named as the new captain of Liverpool following the departure of Jordan Henderson.
Henderson has joined Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq after 12 years at Anfield, leaving the captain’s armband in his wake.
The club have since confirmed that Van Dijk will take over as skipper, with 24-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold succeeding James Milner as vice.
Speaking for the first time as skipper, Van Dijk told Liverpool’s website in Singapore: “[It’s] a really proud day for me, for my wife, for my kids, my family. It’s been a special feeling and I can’t really describe it at this point. But it’s something that I’m really, really proud of.
“Obviously I’m captain of Holland, that was already such a huge honour, a proud moment as well. But also to be the captain of Liverpool Football Club is something that I can’t describe at this point.
“It’s just something that makes me very proud and I will do everything in my power and what I can do to make everyone proud and happy with me and the football club.”
Van Dijk also discussed the pains of last season, revealing the team’s desire to bounce back in the 3023/24 campaign.
“It has been a very disappointing year last year,” he added. “It was actually not a bad run-in. Obviously in the end we didn’t achieve anything we hoped to achieve and that was very disappointing.
“Then you’re going on a very short summer holiday and you reflect on the season you’ve had, personally and as a team, and it hurts. It hurts a lot. You have pride as a human being and you feel like you could have done a lot better, you could have done a lot more consistently.”
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold
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