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It was a huge, and massively satisfying, win for Liverpool on Sunday as they completed the double over rivals Everton 2-1. Mohamed Salah had given the Reds the lead in the first-half before Beto answered back.
In the 11th-minute of stoppage-time, Virgil van Dijk rose highest to hand Liverpool a dramatic win over their neighbours.
The win for Liverpool was crucial after Manchester United and Aston Villa both picked up maximum points in their respective games. The triumph in the first ever derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium created a cushion to Chelsea, who have since lost 3-0 at Brighton and sacked manager Liam Rosenior.
The Londoners visit Liverpool on May 9 at 12.30pm, probably best to expect a new manager bounce of sorts.
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✍ Yan Diomande is one of Liverpool’s targets to replace Mohamed Salah this summer. Internal talks are said to have taken place over replacements, and the 19-year-old is said to be a contender, but Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are keen (Sky Sports).
Leipzig have no financial pressure to sell and are planning a new deal to keep the forward at the club until 2027. The Bundesliga are said to be demanding more than €100million for his services (Philipp Hinze - Sky Sports DE)
Diomande is a top target for Liverpool in a move that has been approved by Anfield decision-makers. Concrete talks are ongoing with representatives; no agreement has yet been reached, and the clubs have not entered negotiations (Florian Plettenberg).
🚀 Dominik Szoboszlai has indicated that he sees his long-term future at Liverpool. However, he has admitted that no progress has been made behind the scenes on contract talks, as things stand, he’s contracted until 2028 (Liverpool ECHO).
Ibrahima Konate has revealed that he is on the verge of signing a new Liverpool contract, ending months of speculation over his future. The Frenchman claimed that there is a “big chance” he is at Anfield next season (Liverpool ECHO).
⚽ Arne Slot is expected to continue as Liverpool head coach. The Reds are closing in on Champions League qualification and are just three points off fourth-placed Aston Villa (Sky Sports).
🟨 Liverpool supporters’ union Spirit of Shankly have sent a letter to CEO Billy Hogan over their ongoing opposition to the increase of ticket prices. Anfield-goers on Saturday have been urged to raise a yellow card in the 13th minute (Spirit of Shankly).
👑 Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini has dismissed Mohamed Salah transfer links. The Serie A giants’ chief moved to pour cold water on reports of a move as he slammed them as “not true”.
⚔ Manchester City leads the battle for Brazilian starlet Eduardo Conceicao. It has been said that the player is valued R$625million (around £93m) with City said to be the closest for the highly-rated 16-year-old.
Liverpool have been named as one of the clubs but Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester United have all been mooted. City are said to hopeful of reaching a £34million agreement with Palmeiras for the youngster (ESPN Brasil).
🧤 Liverpool and Chelsea are among six Premier League clubs to show interest in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. Trafford is reportedly unhappy at the Etihad Stadium having lost his first-team place to Gianluigi Donnarumma (GOAL).
Alisson Becker’s future isn’t entirely clear either according to reports. It has been suggested that a verbal agreement has been reached between Juventus and the Brazilian shot-stopper (MatteMoretto).
💸 Liverpool have identified France international and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Randal Kolo Muani as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah. The Reds are said to have competition from Juventus for the PSG forward (Gazzetta dello Sport).
🛑 Liverpool-linked defender Micky van de Ven is said to be on his way out of Spurs as they face the threat of relegation. It has been said the Dutchman is arranging his off-field affairs signalling that his future lies elsewhere (FourFourTwo).
⚒ Jarrod Bowen is reportedly a player of interest for Liverpool. The England international was admired by Jurgen Klopp and the suggestion is that Bowen is a name Liverpool could target, if the Hammers go down (Dave OCKOP).
❌ Callum McFarlane will take charge of Chelsea until the end of the season, which means he will be in the dugout against Liverpool, after Liam Rosenior was sacked. Andoni Iraola, Edin Terzic and Marco Silva are considered as options to replace Rosenior (BBC Sport).
Last game: Everton 1-2 Liverpool (Sunday, April 19)
Next game: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, April 26)
It feels like this has been a topic all season, it hasn’t gone away, nor does it seem like it will.
Reports suggest that Slot will remain at Liverpool for the remainder, despite the jury being out that has split the fanbase.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy isn’t convinced that the Dutchman maintaining support from the Anfield hierarchy will see the Reds be Premier League title contenders next season.
He said:
“I’m a bit torn. I’m surprised by that. My gut feeling is Liverpool, generally, when the fans have turned to the level they have is that there’s no comeback.
“The finishing in the top five is obviously going to help his argument, because you’ve still got the revenue of Champions League football.
“I don’t see them becoming title contenders again next season if he stays. I’d think they’d have more of a chance [with a different coach] to go back to the type of football that Liverpool fans want, because I don’t think he’s going to do it.”
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Edition number: 41
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