Good morning and welcome to Friday’s edition of the Blood Red newsletter, brought to you by me, Stephen Killen.

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Welcome to the Blood Red newsletter, a free weekly post from me, Stephen Killen, which unpacks and discusses all things Liverpool. If you enjoy this edition but have not yet signed up, consider subscribing to get each newsletter sent directly to your inbox each Friday! Or forward it to a friend who may also enjoy it. Cheers! 🗞

Apologies for the missed week last week, a bout of the flu has sidelined me short-term but we’re back on the comeback trail.

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea in a performance that saw 25 minutes of positivity, albeit in the opening exchanges, before they were forced to overcome the Londoners.

There were boos after Rio Ngumoha’s withdrawal midway through the second-half but Arne Slot continues to stand firm. Liverpool can qualify for the Champions League with a win over Aston Villa on Friday night.

However, it’s more of an if than with.

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Headlines this week⚽

👨‍💼 The pressure may be mounting on Liverpool head coach Arne Slot but he remains firm that he will be in charge next season. The Dutchman moved to reiterate the stance that he will be in charge of the club next season and, during the embargo section, insisted he isn’t a quitter.

🤕 Mohamed Salah will be fit enough to play a handful of minutes, should he be utilised from the bench. Florian Wirtz remains on antibiotics for an illness while Alisson Becker trained with the Reds ahead of his comeback.

✍ Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has been named as one of four Premier League midfielders on a list of potential transfer targets for Liverpool. Scott is expected to cost a significant amount while Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked (The Athletic).

➡ Yan Diomande has remained coy on his future as the in-demand RB Leipzig star has discussed his future once again. The 19-year-old admitted that being linked with high-profile clubs, namely Chelsea and Real Madrid, is a source of motivation (Bulinews).

🛑 Antonio Silva is expected to leave Benfica this summer as the central defender is said to attract interest. Liverpool is an appealing destination for the 22-year-old who will have 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season (90min).

🔥 Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Hoffenheim star Bazoumana Toure. It has been said that Hoffenheim would demand at most £47.7million for his services, though his future will depend on if they can qualify for the Champions League.

🤩 Bradley Barclola is reportedly keen on joining Liverpool. The Frenchman aspires to have a prominent role at a club and could be tempted by a move to the Reds (Le10Sport).

Liverpool will prioritise the signing of wingers with both Diomande and Barcola among the many wide players being assessed (The Times).

⬅ AC Milan and Besiktas are interested in Joe Gomez. The 28-year-old has one year remaining on his contract and is considering his options.

🤝 Unai Emery has described Harvey Elliott’s Aston Villa loan from Liverpool as “embarrassing”. The 23-year-old has wasted a campaign having only managed 109 minutes for Villa with the Midlands club reluctant to make the deal permanent, with the obligation set to be triggered if he played 10 league games.

He said:

“To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment.

“My apologies for Harvey Elliott are, every day, in my mind. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility. How the season has gone has been difficult.”

🧤 Juventus are advancing in talks to sign Alisson. Liverpool are reportedly already looking at potential replacements (talkSPORT).

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Edition number: 43

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