The Al-Ettifaq ‘project’ under Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard isn’t exactly going to plan.
After a somewhat promising start to life in Saudi Arabia, which saw Al-Ettifaq tussling with the PIF-funded outfits near the top of the table, it’s been all downhill for Gerrard’s side in recent times.
Having last picked up a league victory on October 28, the club are now winless in two months – a run which was extended on Thursday in cruel fashion.
Gerrard would have hoped that his side’s search for three points was about to end as they faced bottom of the league Al Hazem on Thursday.
Former Leicester winger Demarai Gray looked to put Al-Etiffaq on course for that elusive win when he bagged 20 minutes from time.
However, his goal was cancelled out by a last-minute penalty as the visiting Al Hazem earned a share of the spoils.
Now sitting just eight points above the drop zone, the pressure is mounting on Gerrard to turn things around in Saudi Arabia.
“I am the first to hold responsibility and I will not blame anyone,” said Gerrard.
“I know our financial capacity well and we have the opportunity to make signings that will improve the team.
“You can find players in other teams who scored 13 goals. We have Moussa [Dembele] who scored eight, Gini [Wijnaldum] scored six and the rest either scored one or two goals.”
As the Saudi Pro League now enters a lengthy break, there is talk of Gerrard potentially turning to yet another former Liverpool player to bolster his ranks – with out-of-favour Al-Ahli striker Roberto Firmino reportedly in his sights.
Firmino would reunite with former Reds midfielders Jordan Henderson – Gerrard’s skipper – and Gini Wijnaldum at Al-Ettifaq, were he to join.
Commenting on the prospect of recruiting Firmino, Gerrard added: “I obviously know Bobby extremely well, I’ve been a massive fan. I’ve followed him for years.
“At the moment, he’s Al-Ahli’s player, so it’s very difficult for me to comment on that situation. But I’ve loved Bobby Firmino since the first day I watched him and I’m a huge fan.”
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Sources: Liverpool top scouts watch Michael Olise in latest transfer mission
Liverpool are closely monitoring Crystal Palace sensation Michael Olise, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders’ recruitment team have dispatched top scouts to regularly watch the 22-year-old, who scored a brace in Saturday’s (30 December) 3-1 Premier League win over Brentford.
Liverpool are assessing the Frenchman as a potential attacking target as they assess the market for long-term replacements for 31-year-old Mohamed Salah.
Saudi Arabia wants the Egyptian superstar to be the Pro League’s marquee star and, while he is expected to stay at Anfield in the January window, a summer move is highly likely.
Olise is the subject of strong interest from top Premier League sides after making a triumphant return to action following a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the opening three months of the campaign.
He penned a four-year deal at Palace in August following offers from the likes of Chelsea and Man City.
Olise opted to remain at Palace even after the Blues activated the tricky winger’s reported £35million release clause.
Intriguingly Liverpool have been closely following Olise’s progress for five years, ever since he made his Reading debut as a preciously gifted 17-year-old.
He has shone in multiple roles including as a midfielder, in the number 10 role, wide on both flanks and even as a centre-forward or false nine. This season, he has been used predominantly as a right-sided forward cutting in on his favoured left foot.
The Eagles would expect to make a huge profit should he depart after he moved to Selhurst Park from Championship side Reading in the summer of 2021.
The £8million man has since emerged as one of the south London side’s top talents after bagging 11 goals and 20 assists across 80 appearances.
His injury blighted the opening stretch of his campaign but he has since notched four goals and one assist in his last four outings for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Sources also told Football Insider (29 December) that Palace have held talks with former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper but he faces competition from ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Eagles moved up to 13th in the Premier League table after their home win against the Bees.
League leaders Liverpool next welcome Newcastle United to Anfield on New Year’s Day.
In other news, Sources: Crystal Palace striker signing plan revealed.
Liverpool scouting surprise long-term Mo Salah replacement managed by ex-Reds manager – report
Managing Liverpool as Leroy Sane signs and Anfield says farewell to popular star
Jurgen Klopp has a few tricky decisions ahead of the January transfer window and Mirror Football has tried to make the Liverpool boss’ job slightly easier with a few suggestions
Liverpool are no strangers to splashing the cash in the January transfer window.
The Reds have enjoyed plenty of success when it comes to winter spending; Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all accounting for some of the more eye-catching deals they have completed over recent seasons. With Liverpool firmly embroiled in the fight to lift the title come the end of the season, only a fool would rule the club out of dipping into the market once again this year.
Before Jurgen Klopp and co. get their hands on the club’s winter warchest, Mirror Football has had a whirl and managed to get a few deals over the line…
Time to say goodbye
There aren’t all too many candidates among the squad primed for an immediate exit, so let’s start with what will be a controversial one. It’s time for Thiago Alcantara to go.
The Spaniard was signed to great acclaim from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020. There have been a number of promising moments – his eye-catching goal against Porto among the highlights – but they have been few and far between.
Thiago has made just 67 league appearances due to injury. With his contract expiring in the summer, it might be time to part ways in January. Saudi and La Liga clubs were previously linked so it’s unlikely that he will be low on suitors.
Away from established first-team stars, it might also be wise to let a few young players leave on loan deals. Conor Bradley has yet to make a Premier League appearance this term having been recovering from a back injury so it might be wise to potentially seek out a Championship side for the young right-back.
Who do you think Liverpool should sign in January? Share your suggestions in the comments below
Ex-Man City star arrives
With Mo Salah set to depart Merseyside due to the African Cup of Nations, it goes without saying that Liverpool need more options to shoulder the goalscoring burden. A player who has shone in the Premier League before could be an excellent option.
German wideman Leroy Sane was a star performer for Manchester City and helped the side to two Premier League titles. He was eventually allowed to depart for Bayern Munich and has continued to prove his abilities as a very effective, goalscoring winger.
He has just 18 months left on his contract at the Allianz Arena so Bayern might be willing to sell should they fail to commit him to a new deal. A move would still be expensive, mind.
He has shone over the past few seasons with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. He is another who has just a season-and-a-half on his current deal so a January move might not be the worst idea.
Finally, with Bradley moving on, that would leave just Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s only natural right-back. Former Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters has shone for current club Southampton in the Championship this term.
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