Liverpool are looking to replace Mohamed Salah and as per reports, the name of Johan Bakayoko is once again in the lime light.

In the summer, Salah was linked with a move away from Anfield and the Merseysiders were interested in luring the £25million-rated winger from PSV Eindhoven.

News – Liverpool told initial £39million bid will be accepted – Report

However, the 20-year-old ended up staying with the Dutch giants, who have been in ridiculous form this season.

According to Spanish source, Fichajes, Klopp has requested the Reds to sign Bakayoko next month to replace Salah in the short and the long term.

The Egyptian superstar will turn 32 next year and should soon be replaced. Moreover, he is expected to be away for 4-6 weeks due to the AFCON and at the moment, there is no quality player to cover for him on the right flank.

The media outlet have mentioned that Liverpool are willing to use their January transfer budget to secure the signing of Bakayoko.

Ben Doak is talented but extremely inexperienced and Liverpool need a quality star to push for the Premier League title.

Bakayoko is a pacy right winger, who directly contributed in 15 goals last term. This season, he has already directly contributed in 17 goals for PSV.

Thus far, the Dutch club have won all 16 games in the Eredivisie this season and have also booked their place in the knock-out stage of the Champions League.

PSV will face Dortmund in the CL in February and would surely not want to lose one of their best players in the middle of the campaign.

However, it must be remembered that last winter, they allowed their best player, Cody Gakpo, to move to Anfield.

Have your say – Should Liverpool submit a bid to sign Johan Bakayoko next month?

 

 

 

Alexis Mac Allister is just one of seven injury problems for Liverpool as Arsenal visit Anfield on Saturday

Liverpool could be without eight players for the visit of Arsenal as injury problems continue for Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson.

The Reds welcome the north London club in a top-of-the-table clash as the two clubs look to be at the Premier League summit at Christmas. Jurgen Klopp’s side bounced back to winning ways after a commanding 5-1 win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup.

There was a series of confidence boosting performances for Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott while Jarell Quansah continues to impress in the absence of Joel Matip.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp knows what Liverpool really need against Arsenal after being left upset

READ MORE: Liverpool may have found Salah replacement as Elliott details Liverpool change

Liverpool faced criticism for failing to dispatch Manchester United last Sunday, the Red Devils proved to be too stubborn to breakdown and as a result of the 0-0 draw, they relinquished top spot to Arsenal – who won 2-0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Klopp has been facing mounting injury issues at Anfield and even accused some of overlooking the impact they’ve had on his squad.

Prior to the win over the Hammers, there was positive news surrounding Ryan Gravenberch’s hamstring injury. The Dutchman limped off after an hour against Manchester United but Pep Lijnders revealed the withdrawal was down to fatigue – he sat out of the win over West Ham.

Here is the latest Liverpool injury news.

Ryan Gravenberch

Speaking ahead of West Ham’s visit, Lijnders revealed that there was positive news surrounding Ryan Gravenberch.

The Dutchman has impressed since making the deadline day signing from Bayern Munich, following a torrid period in Germany.

Lijnders said: “We thought there was really something, he came off during the game and you saw immediately when he came off what that did to the team as well, he was playing really well.

“Especially against these man-marking sides he plays unbelievable. But he had a scan and it’s only DOMS, which is fatigue, so that’s a really good thing. He will train hopefully today, let’s see where he is. We have to be careful of course because that’s a sign. So that’s a good one.”

Alexis Mac Allister

The Liverpool assistant manager admitted that Alexis Mac Allister’s injury was worse than first feared – and would keep him out until January.

The Argentine was forced off in the second-half of the 2-0 win away at Sheffield United in early December, following collision with two Blades players, which left the summer signing with a deep cut on his right leg.

“Alexis is out of course. He is a player we miss,” he told reporters. “You see that sometimes in a game is really rushed and he is a player who is really calm.

“We miss a few boys but with Wataru stepping up, with Ryan, Curt, Harvey, Dom, it’s all good. It will go into the New Year, but we play January 1st. So let’s see.”

Joel Matip

Liverpool defender Joel Matip is recovering from surgery after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 32-year-old, who is the final months of his contract at Anfield, is likely to miss the rest of the season.

He was left stricken on the Anfield turf in the 70th-minute of the dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham after an off-the-ball incident.

“It’s an ACL, ruptured, so that’s what I unfortunately expected from the first second. Everything looked like that. Very unfortunate,” Klopp said.

Andy Robertson

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson will be sidelined unti January after being out since following a shoulder injury on international duty with Scotland.

The Tartan Army captain was forced to undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder and has been out of action since – missing the Reds’ rise to Premier League challengers and Scotland’s successful Euro 2024 qualification bid.

It is expected that Robertson will return to first-team action in the New Year.

“I’m getting there, slowly and surely,” said the defender in November. “Surgery was a success which was the main thing, no complications from it or anything like that.

“It’s so far so good, three weeks since my surgery now so everything is progressing well, I have just got to take it bit by bit and week by week.

“Everything has gone well up to this point and hopefully that continues. Hopefully, before we know it I’ll be back on the grass.”

Diogo Jota

Pep Lijnders has admitted that Liverpool are taking extra care with Diogo Jota after the Portuguese attacker suffered a hamstring injury.

Jota has been out of action for Liverpool since their 1-1 draw with Manchester City and has been out of action since.

Lijnders confirmed on Tuesday (December 19) that the 27-year-old is back doing ball work but there is caution around the forward.

“Diogo is doing ball work on the pitch so that is getting closer and closer,” he said. “But always with hamstring injuries you have to be careful, we always say when they come back give them another two or three days for sure.”

Ben Doak

Ben Doak became the latest injury blow at Anfield after he was forced off in under-21s action against Chelsea. Pep Lijnders confirmed that the talented Scot will undergo surgery after tearing his lateral meniscus.

It’s a huge blow during a time where Doak was beginning to enjoy a role in and around the first-team, with outings in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

But, he is set to be out for an extended period, Lijnders confirmed: “That’s not a good one. He teared his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery.

“That one will take [a] longer time. He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy so for sure he will come back stronger, and we need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. He can take time and we will wait for him.”

Thiago Alcantara

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara hasn’t featured for the Reds since their win over West Ham United in April.

A hip/pelvic issue has curtailed his involvement for Jurgen Klopp’s side but he is approaching a return with the German earmarking the beginning of 2024.

“It’s an ongoing thing,” he said at the beginning of December.

“And we cannot put any kind of pressure there as well, but we expect him to be back probably start of the New Year. It’s now already November, that would mean another four weeks, I would say that’s probably a realistic thing to try.

“We can’t wait, to be honest, to have him back. The player is just exceptional. I understand that you ask, but we can’t now have a week-by-week update, because that will not change a lot in this moment.”

Stefan Bajcetic

Stefan Bajcetic has endured a frustrating period for Liverpool after a number of injury problems.

He enjoyed a strong debut season, during a dismal period for the club, but saw his campaign end after a stress response in his adductor in March.

Bajcetic returned in September with outings in the Carabao Cup and Europa League but his involvement against LASK proved to be the last after suffering a calf issue.

“With Stefan, it’s again one of these things,” Klopp said in November. “Let me say it like this, Stefan’s quality, potential, talent or whatever, everybody could see and it’s incredible. What a player.

“But he was not ready yet, that’s how it is. They’re still growing, these boys. They’re all different. We have other players with a different [skeletal growth], a different body, and OK that’s fine.

“With others it’s a bit too early, so we just have to put the brake on again and just wait until that’s all fine. Then Liverpool FC has a wonderful player, a wonderful player, to use.

“But there’s absolutely no time that we can put on that, and we will not, we just have to wait. He’s here, he’s training, he’s doing his stuff. We know how good he is, now we have to make sure that we help him to get a body to show that – and not only once, but then three times a week. We will get there, very good news for the club. In the moment, we cannot use him and that’s all.”