Here is all the latest Liverpool news from Thursday 8 August. Liverpool’s top target Zubimendi faces a tough dilemma, Sepp van den Berg’s exit edges ever closer and a Liverpool target has been made available this summer.
Martín Zubimendi DILEMMA
Liverpool could still miss out on the signing of Martín Zubimendi as Real Sociedad launch a charm offensive to try and keep hold of the star.
Paul Joyce has today reported that Real Sociedad will try and convince Zubimendi to reject Liverpool despite reports earlier today that the club were resigned to losing the 25-year-old.
After already rejecting Barcelona and Arsenal this summer Real Sociedad are now hoping that they can convince Zubimendi to stay put at his boyhood club.
CHAMPIONS interested in Van den Berg
Liverpool will receive a call from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen as they want to sign a £25m player from the Reds.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Real Betis Balompià PITTSBURGH – Friday, July 26, 2024: Liverpool s Sepp van den Berg during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Real Betis Balompià at the Acrisure Stadium on day three of the club s pre-season tour of the USA. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda PITTSBURGH Acrisure Stadium PENNSYLVANIA USA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xPropagandaxPhotoxAgencyx P2024-07-26-Liverpool_Real_Betis-72
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that as many as six Bundesliga clubs are hoping to sign Sepp van den Berg this summer. He names Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg, Mainz and Borussia Monchengladbach are interested in the Dutchman.
The biggest name, however, is Bayer Leverkusen. The German champions are apparently in the market for Van den Berg, too, but Liverpool’s asking price is a stumbling block.
Zubimendi can IMMEDIATELY emulate ‘idol’
It looks as though Martín Zubimendi may soon be heading to Anfield and he has the chance to immediately emulate his ‘idol’ Xabi Alonso.
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 14: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Sociedad at Parc des Princes on February 14, 2024 in Paris, Paris Saint-Germain v Real Sociedad: Round of 16 First Leg – UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Copyright: xSebastianxFrejx
Liverpool’s interest in Zubimendi is definitely concrete and with the club known to move quickly to get transfers complete it could only be a matter of days before we see Zubimendi in a Liverpool shirt.
One question that is already puzzling fans is what squad number the 25-year-old could take at Liverpool?
The truth is we probably won’t know until his signing is confirmed but, by picking one shirt number, Zubimendi has the chance to immediately emulate his idol Alonso.
Liverpool take gamble on Quansah
This time last year, the idea of Jarell Quansah being a vital squad player for Liverpool seemed unfathomable.
Dominik Szoboszlai Jarell Quansah
At that point, the Englishman had never made a senior appearance for the Reds, and as is the case with so many youth products at Anfield, an eventual exit seemed more likely than him staying for years.
But then Quansah enjoyed a breakthrough 2023/24 season that nobody saw coming, not only proving to be a genuinely reliable player for Jurgen Klopp, but ending the campaign in front of Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order.
Nothing suggests that we should doubt Quansah after such a meteoric rise, but supporters will now expect the same again, and more, and how he deals with that pressure is going to be pivotal.
Liverpool on ALERT as target made available
Piero Hincapié could be available this summer as the star looks for regular first-team football according to Sky Germany.
Piero Hincapie Bayer Leverkusen
The Ecuadorian has been on Liverpool’s radar for a long time and the Reds even reportedly tried to make an advance in January that was rebuffed by eventual Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.
It has been widely reported that Liverpool are in the market for another central defender this summer and with Sepp van den Berg potentially on the way out and Virgil Van Dijk only having one year left on his contract, Hincapié could be Liverpool’s man.
At just 22-years-old, Hincapié has already established himself as a top defender in Europe, playing 43 times last season for Leverkusen as they won an unbeaten league and cup double and narrowly missed out in the Europa League final.
Carragher FEARFUL over Slot’s plans
Jamie Carragher admits he has a ‘fear’ about Liverpool’s midfield under Arne Slot. The Reds legend isn’t sure it’ll be fixed, either.
Jamie Carragher talked to The Overlap this week and the subject of Liverpool’s midfield came up. The Reds, of course, are looking for a new midfielder and appear to have found one in Martin Zubimendi.
But is this a transfer may not be enough to ease Carragher’s fears.
Liverpool’s big £51m Martin Zubimendi transfer can be summed up in one word 4 hours ago by Alex Caple
Liverpool have taken a HUGE transfer gamble on Jarell Quansah – will it pay off? 10 hours ago by Henry Jackson
From UNLEASHING Szoboszlai and Mac Allister to freeing up funds – how Zubimendi signing could impact Liverpool 16 hours ago by Bruce Davis
