Florian Wirtz will remain at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year as things currently stand, according to the player’s father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz.

Beyond that point, an exit away from the Bundesliga outfit is understood to be ‘definitely planned’ for 2025.

Florian Plettenberg relayed the comments in question on X (formerly Twitter), additionally noting that the player would then ‘prefer’ a transfer to admirers Bayern Munich.

Hans-Joachim #Wirtz, father and agent of Florian Wirtz excl. at Sky:

„Currently, everything is geared towards Florian continuing to play in Leverkusen next season.“

As reported: Wirtz is likely to stay in Leverkusen next season. A transfer is definitely planned in 2025.

… pic.twitter.com/NxYPRTeIaL

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 4, 2023

Whether the Bavarians can succeed in their ambitions of landing one of the most talented midfielders in Europe remains to be seen amid reported interest from Liverpool [TeamTalk].

READ MORE: January transfer ‘now impossible’ for Liverpool after Achilles tendon injury – report

READ MORE: ‘They look the real deal’: Didi Hamann’s honest verdict on Arsenal v Liverpool in title challenge with Man City

Could/should Liverpool intervene?

With a contract not set to expire until 2025, you can absolutely expect Wirtz’s eventual asking price to be astronomical.

According to our sister site CaughtOffside back in November: “Our sources do not expect Wirtz to leave Bayer Leverkusen until at least next summer. The Germans are also open to a sale and are hopeful a summer bidding war will see their eye-watering £105 million (€120 million) asking price met.”

The fee would appear to be justified to a certain degree, given that the 20-year-old is already on a whopping 16 goal contributions in 19 games.

Statistically, the player stacks up well against the best in Europe’s top five leagues, registering in the 97th percentile, for instance, in shot-creating actions, according to FBref.

If Wirtz can maintain that form going into the rest of the season and, perhaps, the next – he’s going to be unaffordable for a considerable number of potential suitors.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 14 Review : HOLD Trippier? The long-term view, Zinchenko’s time to shine? Eject your Villans?

The post Transfer ‘definitely planned’ for Liverpool-linked target as father & agent breaks silence appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool may be forced to review their January plans if Cheick Doucoure was in the frame to be targeted in the winter transfer window.

Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider now reports that a deal would be ‘impossible’ after the Malian ruptured his Achilles tendon during a 2-1 defeat to Luton Town.

The 23-year-old had been heavily linked to the Merseysiders in the summer, with the club instead opting to land Stuttgart’s Wataru Endo.

READ MORE: ‘They look the real deal’: Didi Hamann’s honest verdict on Arsenal v Liverpool in title challenge with Man City

READ MORE: Didi Hamann says 24-year-old Liverpool ace still hasn’t got going yet; Reds ‘will be a force’ when he does

Would Liverpool have gone back in for Doucoure?

It seems highly unlikely, with all due respect to Doucoure, that our recruitment team would have pushed to secure his signature in the winter.

Whilst the former Lens man is admittedly being asked to play a different role to that which he was tasked with in France, Alexis Mac Allister’s superb start to the season leaves us in no doubt over Jurgen Klopp’s feelings on the matter.

The No.10 is very much a trusted quantity in this Liverpool squad – not merely just a placeholder until a pure No.6 comes along.

In that respect, and in a similar manner to how we likely feel about Andre Trindade, it will take a rather special operator in the holding midfield role to push ‘Macca’ out of the way.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 14 Review : HOLD Trippier? The long-term view, Zinchenko’s time to shine? Eject your Villans?

The post January transfer ‘now impossible’ for Liverpool after Achilles tendon injury – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

With less than a month to the start of the January transfer window, the rumour mill is starting to churn out plenty of names and linking them with a move to Liverpool.

According to 90min.com: ‘Though several clubs from across England and Europe – including Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus – have made enquiries about Phillips’ situation recently, Newcastle are believed to appeal to the 27-year-old.’

It’s certainly not the first time that we’ve been linked with the Leeds-born midfielder and seeing as many think we need a new defensive-minded option in his position – a move would make sense.

READ MORE: Marco Silva’s fear of Anfield clear as ex-Everton boss takes Fulham to Liverpool

It’s easy to understand why the 27-year-old may be frustrated with his game time at Manchester City and so his head would understandably be turned if the right offer comes in.

Having spent so much on a midfield revamp in the summer though, it’s not known whether Jurgen Klopp will have the funds for Kalvin Phillips at this time.

Given the volume of competition for his signature and presence of the deep-pocketed Newcastle, it’s not likely that the England international is going to leave Manchester on a cheap deal.

READ MORE: Klopp delighted to hand new ‘long-term contract’ to ‘absolutely great’ defender

It’s certainly something that’s worth keeping tabs on and our reported enquiry shows some initial interest but it does seem unlikely that we will pursue this signing much further.

Perhaps the presence of Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo will be deemed enough cover for the rest of this season, at least.

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

The post Liverpool have recently enquired about signing Manchester City player in January – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Florian Plettenberg has provided an update on the future of Kylian Mbappe amid reported interest from Liverpool in the World Cup winner.

The Reds have been long linked with a move for the PSG superstar, dating back to his time at Monaco as a teenager, with The Mirror reporting back in July that Jurgen Klopp’s side were in talks with the 24-year-old.

The Anfield outfit have an abundance of talent at the top end of the pitch, including Mo Salah who was the subject of a huge £150m bid from the Saudi Pro League in the summer (Evening Standard), but any potential move for Mbappe would be a real show of intent from FSG.

Sky Sports reporter Plettenberg, however, has claimed (via his X page) Liverpool are ‘not pushing’ for the France international and added that Real Madrid remain the ‘most realistic destination’ should he leave the French capital.

Been told that Liverpool is NOT pushing for Kylian #Mbappé. His transfer in summer 2024 ist not an issue at this stage. #LFC

#PSG, still totally relaxed as they are financially secured (contractually) for his possible departure
Real Madrid is still the most realistic… pic.twitter.com/GokRb13Avf

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 1, 2023

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp reveals he prevented ‘exceptional’ Liverpool player from leaving in the summer

Mbappe has become recognised as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons with his insane amount of goal contributions for the Ligue 1 champions.

He’s registered 229 goals and 100 assists in 277 appearances for the Parc Des Princes outfit and has 46 goals in 75 outings for his country.

He’s a clinical attacker and a player who would strengthen any side that he’s put in.

A move to Liverpool has always been unlikely due to his financial demands but some Reds supporters continue to retain hope with transfer links between the club and player never fully going away.

During the summer Klopp admitted that he and his staff ‘laugh’ when they see links between Liverpool and the attacker which pretty much tells you everything that you need to know.

If a move wasn’t already looking unlikely, it certainly looks it now!

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

The post Sky Sports journo reveals what he’s ‘been told’ about Liverpool’s interest in Kylian Mbappe appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool are ‘keeping a close eye’ on one Serie A talent who has been recommended to Jurgen Klopp by current sporting director Jorg Schmadtke.

Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz has made five Serie A appearances for the Turin-based outfit this term and a fresh report from Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) now claims that Klopp’s side are ‘following him closely’.

The 18-year-old first caught the eye of Schmadtke when he was progressing through the ranks at Bayern Munich and it’s believed that the German is a huge fan of the teenager.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton says Liverpool ‘should be able to cope’ without key duo as Fulham score prediction is made

The report adds that although Juventus are eager to retain the services of the exciting youngster, a move to Merseyside ‘cannot be ruled out’.

The Italian outfit would consider an offer, but only a ‘major’ one, and it remains to be seen how willing the Reds are to splash the cash on Yildiz.

The Turkey international is often deployed in an attacking midfield role or as a second striker but can operate anywhere across the frontline.

He netted in his nation’s 3-2 defeat of Germany in November and looks like a player who could go right to the very top.

Liverpool are pretty well stocked in the attacking areas at the moment and also have exciting talents like Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon continuing to push for first team minutes.

Schmadtke is clearly a fan of the Juventus prospect, however, so it remains to be seen what happens across the next few windows.

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

The post Liverpool ‘keeping a close eye’ on Serie A talent who Schmadtke has recommended to Klopp – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool’s recruitment team always have their eye on the market, in the hope of securing some top talent and it seems that one target has made a Premier League decision.

Writing for Caught Offside, Christian Falk reported: ‘Florian Wirtz is currently the hottest stock on the German market… Leverkusen doesn’t want to sell him for less than €100m-€120m…

‘The player would like to take the next step in the Bundesliga. This means for the Premier League clubs that he is probably not ready for them yet.’

READ MORE: Poker game set to start for 28-y/o UCL-winning CDM; Liverpool interested – report

It seems though that, despite Fabrizio Romano stating: ‘Liverpool keep following the situation’, we may be wasting our time a little.

Florian Wirtz has six goals so far this season, in a Bayer Leverkusen side that has taken the Bundesliga by storm under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso.

The ex-Red has deployed the German international in attacking positions for the 18 matches he’s played in this campaign to date, in all competitions.

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp delighted with return of injured player; ‘looks super in training’

Recording 10 assists too shows that the 20-year-old has been an integral part in all that has been good with the attacking side of the team that’s based in North Rhine-Westphalia.

We may see Bayern Munich then make the move for the former Koln youth star and we will then be forced to watch from afar, at a player that may put his name in lights in the coming years.

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

The post Florian Wirtz sends Premier League message; Liverpool ‘keep following the situation’ – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool fans will know that our side is primed to have a great chance in the title race this season but some tweaking of the squad could help get us over the line, particular with a new defensive midfielder.

Writing for Caught Offside, Christian Falk reported: ‘Jürgen Klopp also knows Kimmich’s strengths, which would suit Liverpool FC well. The poker for Kimmich could soon be open.’

It seems that we will be competing with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City, should the midfielder come on the market, which will make it less than easy to negotiate.

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp delighted with return of injured player; ‘looks super in training’

Given the large investment in our midfield last summer, by signing Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, our owners may not want to spend too much more money on the squad.

With two years remaining on his deal with Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich appears frustrated with the Bundesliga club and could move away.

Being 28-years-old may work against the Champions League winner though as, we’ve already added Wataru Endo as an experienced option in his position and this is above the usual age bracket we work in.

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp confirms ‘medical decision’ substitution for 9-starts defender

The question will be for Jurgen Klopp whether he thinks our current options, including Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bacjectic, are good enough to carry us through for the rest of the season.

Let’s hope that we don’t look back in May and regret the decision to not fully replace Fabinho, instead realising that the answers were already in our squad of players and no further investment is needed – at this time.

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

The post Poker game set to start for 28-y/o UCL-winning CDM; Liverpool interested – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Jarell Quansah had England caps at every level from U16 to U20 before this season started… He captained Liverpool’s team in the UEFA Youth League and was an automatic starter for us in successful youth teams since his arrival in 2008.

Yet, for some reason, there was little or no hype. No fans were hoping Jurgen Klopp would give him minutes this term. There was no clamour for his promotion to the first-team. Quansah had a fairly mundane loan spell at Bristol Rovers in League One last season under Joey Barton, where he didn’t always start.

There was an incident with a red-card in which Quansah was criticised by an opponent for his recklessness.

Joe Morrell told BBC Radio Solent: “I’ve got up. Maybe he’s started a bit and he’s headbutted me. I think it’s probably [worth] two red cards.

“I haven’t made a tackle like that in my career and I certainly wouldn’t do that.”

Despite then Bristol Rovers manager Barton taking him in and out of the side, he did have big words of praise for the towering defender, which surprised many given the average performances.

“Jarell’s been excellent since he’s come in, he’s gone away with England and done well with them, got a goal and he’s come back and it looks like he’s figured out how to head the ball.

“He would probably be our top scorer if he’d had known that before,” he said in March, cited by TIA.

During the summer, Liverpool fans desperately wanted the club to sanction a deal for a new centre-back, but they refused and that decision has actually allowed Quansah minutes in the cup competitions.

So far, he’s played two full games in the EFL Cup and four in the Europa League. He’s had one start in the Premier League and come off the bench in three more to shore up matches. Without exaggeration, Quansah hasn’t put a foot wrong.

Strong, fast and imposing, he has the physical traits required of any elite centre-half, but he backs it up with composure and technical skills on the ball. It’s obviously a silly comparison right now, but aesthetically, he passes the ball like Virgil van Dijk with his relaxed gait and effortless side-footed balls into midfield.

His performance on Thursday night against LASK was again, faultless. Check out the highlights of his outing in the video, below. His passing and interceptions are good, but I especially like the recovery pace and timing of the last ditch tackles you see in the second-half.

Liverpool will always give other teams chances due to our ultra-attacking style, so you need defenders and goalkeepers who can get you out of jail when big moments arrive. He did exactly that.

Quansah vs Lask pic.twitter.com/9YfwhBTGUg

— 1947 (@1947production) November 30, 2023

Klopp was very keen to laud Quansah post-match and spoke about his new defender in length, referencing the decision not to buy a centre-back before the season as a good one.

“For us it was absolutely perfect. Jarell played a super game,” Klopp said, cited by Anfield Watch.

“There couldn’t be better news for the club, to be honest. Before this season, people told us we should buy a centre-half. We knew we had Jarell. Did we know that he would show up like this? Not exactly, but we were pretty hopeful. So the future’s bright. He is our own boy, calm on the ball, good in the challenges, quick, ruthless in the right moments.

“Besides Caoimh he had the most spectacular defensive situations when he saved our backside in some moments, so that’s really top news for us.”

“That couldn’t be better news for the club, to be honest. I think before this season a lot of people told us we should buy a centre-half. “We knew we had Jarell. Did we know that he will show up like this? No, not exactly, but we were pretty hopeful, so the future is bright. “It’s cool. Our own boy, calm on the ball, good in the challenge, quick, ruthless in the right moments and besides Caoimhin, who had one or two saves, [he] probably had the most spectacular defensive situations when he saved our backside in some moments. So, that’s really good. [It’s] top news for us.”

The great thing about our defensive situation is that it’s not only Quansah who is playing above expectations.

Joel Matip is enjoying a brilliant season. So much so, he’s arguably climbed above Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order, who himself hasn’t done anything wrong other than picking up a few niggling injuries.

Van Dijk is back to his absolute best, which helps tenfold. The Dutchman is oozing the confidence that made him stand head and shoulders above any centre-back on the planet and is clearly relishing the full-time captaincy.

Joe Gomez is showing he can play the inverted right-back position but also cover in central defence, too. What a squad player he is, capable of both.

Even at fullback, Kostas Tsimikas has found form while deputising for Andy Robertson.

With our attack always firing and our midfield finding its feet, should Liverpool find a way to become ultra-solid defensively, we really do have a chance in all four competitions this season.

Klopp will prioritise the Premier League, but don’t be surprised to see the Reds pick up at least one cup, too, with Quansah likely to be in the side for any run.

The post Editor’s Column: Jarell Quansah, from League One head-butt to Liverpool’s next centre-back superstar appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Thiago Alcantara’s future remains shrouded in mystery amid his ongoing wait on the sidelines owing to fitness concerns.

The Spaniard’s boots haven’t graced the pitch since April and his seen his return hit with delay after delay as setbacks littered his recovery efforts following a successful hip surgery.

Despite the January window representing Liverpool’s best chance of securing some value from the player before his contract expires next summer, however, the club appears to be set on holding their man.

“I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January,” Fabrizio Romano exclusively informed CaughtOffside.

“Of course we know that Barca are now short in midfield after the lengthy injury to Gavi, but it’s too early to know if they’re going to replace him, or who they could target.

“With Thiago, I’m not aware of concrete talks with Barca so far. As I previously reported, Barca’s priority is to register Vitor Roque before deciding on the midfielder situation. For now there are no changes, and no concrete developments on how to act with replacing Gavi.

“It’s also worth remembering that Thiago said no to Saudi clubs in July as he wanted to stay at Liverpool. As far as I’m aware there has been no change to his situation since then.”

READ MORE: ‘Really good’: Gakpo says 21-year-old Liverpool player is doing ‘outstanding’ things with the ball

READ MORE: ‘Bosses are convinced’: Liverpool target could be Klopp’s next big signing but Bayern might get there first – Plettenberg

Thiago’s last hurrah on Merseyside?

There’s a very good chance that Liverpool allow Thiago to run down his contract as they have previously with the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can.

Prior to that point, of course, it would please many a fan if we could see the Spanish international showcase his talents for the second-half of the season.

The 32-year-old will continue to divide sections of the fanbase thanks to his poor injury record, though there’s no denying the sheer quality he brings.

If this is indeed his last hurrah, we’ll be sad to see him go – and not just for that gravity-defying daisycutter he slammed in past Porto!

#Ep96 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

The post Fabrizio Romano finally answers Liverpool transfer question fans keep asking him about appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool are right in the thick of it for Florian Wirtz’s signature should the attacking midfielder depart the club ‘at the latest’ in 2025.

Florian Plettenberg confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter), with the Merseysiders facing competition from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians, however, are understood to have the upper hand if they can afford the financial commitment.

More on Florian #Wirtz: Bayer 04 hopes that he will stay for one more season. Bosses are convinced that he will definitely leave the club, at the latest, in the summer of 2025.

All big clubs are in (Real, ManCity, Liverpool, ManUtd…)
If they can really afford the … pic.twitter.com/qRGjvVaYvP

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 29, 2023

Able to play across both flanks, though mainly operating in the middle of the park, Wirtz would be quite the versatile option for any interested party.

READ MORE: Wow: Liverpool fans may have missed ‘brilliant’ thing Cody Gakpo did vs Man City

READ MORE: Reported Liverpool target’s exit from current club ‘imminent’ amid Premier League interest – report

A player destined for the very top

The German international has been in sensational form across all competitions, registering 16 goal contributions in 18 games this term.

To put into context just how rapid the 20-year-old’s improvement in top-flight football has been, you only need to glance at his numbers in 2022/23 – only 12 goal contributions in 25 games.

Wirtz is evidently a more than confident dribbler already, ranking in the 95th percentile for successful take-ons, according to FBref, whilst also possessing a sharp creative edge (94th percentile for shot-creating actions).

Make no mistake, if we have the money to seriously throw our hat into the ring, it’s a player we’d be wise to keep an eye on for the next season or so.

#Ep96 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

The post ‘Bosses are convinced’: Liverpool target could be Klopp’s next big signing but Bayern might get there first – Plettenberg appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool are set to face added competition for one reported transfer target in the January transfer window.

According to the Evening Standard, Tottenham have joined the Reds and Manchester United in the race to sign Jean-Clair Todibo, who’s believed to be available for approximately £39m.

The centre-back has been an integral presence for Nice, who are challenging Paris Saint-Germain at the Ligue 1 summit this season; and while he’s ‘keen to move to the Premier League’, he wants assurances that he’d be a regular starter at any club he joins, having broken into the senior France side ahead of Euro 2024.

READ MORE: Al-Ittihad plot potential coup which they’ll hope to help them lure Mo Salah from Liverpool

READ MORE: ‘Some fans asking me…’ – Fabrizio Romano shares the latest on future of Liverpool ‘Rolls-Royce’

Todibo is currently in the midst of an extraordinary streak which has seen him go seven matches without conceding a single goal, a sequence stretching back to when Nice defeated PSG 3-2 on 15 September (Transfermarkt).

In fact, Francesco Farioli’s side haven’t conceded in eight matches, extending that formidable run by beating Liverpool’s Europa League group stage opponents Toulouse last weekend, with Les Aiglons shipping a miserly four goals in the French top flight all season.

The 23-year-old has been at the heart of their unexpected title challenge, ranking as their best-rated performer according to WhoScored metrics and boasting the squad’s second highest match averages for aerial duels won (1.6), tackles (two), clearances (2.8) and interceptions (1.4).

Todibo has very much put his abortive spell at Barcelona behind him, becoming the bedrock of a teak-tough Nice outfit.

FBref‘s similar players model likens him to a certain Ibrahima Konate, and the irony is that the 6 foot 3 powerhouse could well displace his international teammate in the Liverpool backline were he to arrive at Anfield.

The 23-year-old has been imperious of late, and it’s no surprise that several Premier League clubs have him in their sights. The Reds’ hierarchy will be acutely aware that it’ll take a very appetising proposal if they’re to see off the competition for the defender’s signature.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 13 Review : Trippier OUT & Zinchenko IN? Gordon the ultimate differential? Haaland & Salah must-haves

The post Keen on EPL move: Liverpool face added competition for £39m powerhouse enjoying incredible streak appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Fabrizio Romano has shared his latest information on the possibility of a high-profile player exit from Liverpool in 2024.

Spanish journalist Gerard Romero claimed last week (via Barca Universal) that Thiago Alcantara is on a three-man shortlist at Barcelona, whose transfer focus is on midfield additions following the season-ending injury to Gavi.

The Reds maestro rose through the ranks at Camp Nou before winning the Champions League with the club, also lifting the trophy at Bayern Munich in 2020 shortly before his move to Anfield.

In his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, Romano addressed the possibility of the 32-year-old returning to Catalonia in the next few months.

The Italian stated: “I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January. Of course we know that Barca are now short in midfield after the lengthy injury to Gavi, but it’s too early to know if they’re going to replace him, or who they could target.

“With Thiago, I’m not aware of concrete talks with Barca so far. As I previously reported, Barca’s priority is to register Vitor Roque before deciding on the midfielder situation. For now there are no changes, and no concrete developments on how to act with replacing Gavi.

“It’s also worth remembering that Thiago said no to Saudi clubs in July as he wanted to stay at Liverpool. As far as I’m aware there has been no change to his situation since then.”

READ MORE: ‘Expect him to leave…’ – Liverpool-linked £35m flier is ‘very keen on a transfer’ in 2024

READ MORE: Journalist: Liverpool ‘very hot’ on 23y/o ‘wonderful talent’ with 13 goals already this season

With Jurgen Klopp stating that Thiago isn’t due back from his ongoing injury problems until January at the earliest, a mid-season exit from Liverpool seems unlikely.

However, the midfielder hasn’t played in seven months, so even when he’s fit enough to feature again, he’ll probably need a few matches to get fully up to speed.

The likelihood is that the 32-year-old’s return to the fold will be implemented on a soft basis, with the former Spain international perhaps coming off the bench to provide a composed experienced head to see out results, rather than being thrust straight back into the starting line-up after being sidelined for so long.

His big-name nous could yet be crucial for Liverpool in the second half of the season, particularly if it ends up being a charge for multiple trophies like in 2021/22, and it mustn’t be forgotten that Thiago is an outstanding footballer who talkSPORT‘s Jim White previously dubbed a ‘Rolls-Royce of a player’.

That said, with his contract expiring next June – by which time he’ll be 33 – there’s a growing sense that this’ll be the ex-Barcelona midfielder’s final campaign at Anfield. Whether or not he returns to Camp Nou thereafter remains to be seen.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 13 Review : Trippier OUT & Zinchenko IN? Gordon the ultimate differential? Haaland & Salah must-haves

The post ‘Some fans asking me…’ – Fabrizio Romano shares the latest on future of Liverpool ‘Rolls-Royce’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

One Liverpool-linked player has been strongly tipped to leave his current club in 2024.

Spanish outlet Depor claimed earlier this month that the Reds are among several prospective suitors for Jeremie Frimpong, who’s having a magnificent season so far with Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg said that Xabi Alonso’s side expect the 22-year-old to move on next year, with the right-back boasting a €40m (£35m) release clause in his contract and eager to try his luck elsewhere.

The journalist posted: “Jeremie Frimpong: Leverkusen expect him to leave the club in 2024. The 22 y/o is also very keen on a transfer. He has a release clause of €40m in the summer!

“Incredible season again. Best Bundesliga right winger/right-back at the moment: 6 goals and 7 assists in 17 matches”.

News Jeremie #Frimpong: Leverkusen expect him to leave the club in 2024. The 22 y/o is also very keen on a transfer.

He has a release clause of €40m in the summer!

Incredible season again. Best Bundesliga right winger/right-back at the moment: 6 goals and 7 assists in… pic.twitter.com/TSAKKng25x

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 28, 2023

READ MORE: Journalist: Liverpool ‘very hot’ on 23y/o ‘wonderful talent’ with 13 goals already this season

READ MORE: Liverpool admire ‘Champions League level’ gem touted for ‘big future’; Tyler Morton knows him well

Plettenberg has already highlighted Frimpong’s remarkable return of goal contributions in the current campaign, with the Dutchman excelling in a right wing-back role at Leverkusen (Transfermarkt).

His profile on the official Bundesliga website emphasises how he ‘has the pace to eat up ground in the final third and boasts a keen eye for a decisive pass’, with the 22-year-old also capable of using his rapid speed to race back and make ‘rocket-propelled recovery challenges’.

If Liverpool were to utilise their connections with Alonso to try and lure the former Celtic right-back to Anfield, that could be done with a view to transforming Trent Alexander-Arnold into a permanent midfield option, rather than the hybrid role that he’s played for the last few months.

It’s something that Jamie Carragher has implored Jurgen Klopp to consider, believing that it’d get the best out of the 25-year-old Scouser and benefit the team as a whole.

A fee of £35m doesn’t seem like much at all to pay for a 22-year-old who’s producing huge numbers at a high level, and whose club appear resigned to losing him in 2024. The Reds might just fancy a swoop for Frimpong in the coming months, particular if he’s eager to move on from the BayArena.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 13 Review : Trippier OUT & Zinchenko IN? Gordon the ultimate differential? Haaland & Salah must-haves

The post ‘Expect him to leave…’ – Liverpool-linked £35m flier is ‘very keen on a transfer’ in 2024 appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

According to one European journalist, Liverpool are ‘very hot’ on the trail of a striker who’s enjoyed a terrific start to the season.

Sacha Tavolieri took to X (formerly Twitter) during RB Leipzig’s Champions League clash against Manchester City to heap praise on Lois Openda, who netted twice in the first half, while also citing the presence of Premier League interest in the 23-year-old.

The reporter stated: “What an amazing performance of Loïs Openda during this first half. Belgian striker’s adapting perfectly with the type of play that fits with #RBLeipzig…

“The transfer market in Premier League already very hot on him, as #LFC. Wonderful talent.”

What an amazing performance of Loïs Openda during this first half. Belgian striker’s adapting perfectly with the type of play that fits with #RBLeipzig…
The transfer market in Premier League already very hot on him, as #LFC.
🪄 Wonderful talent. #mercato #PL #MCIRBL pic.twitter.com/mXcGwHu05P

— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) November 28, 2023

READ MORE: Liverpool admire ‘Champions League level’ gem touted for ‘big future’; Tyler Morton knows him well

READ MORE: Liverpool-linked speedster makes 12-word declaration on his future amid exit rumours

Last night’s brace for Openda took him to 13 goals in all competitions for the season, one more than Mo Salah’s current tally, albeit from two more matches (Transfermarkt).

The Belgium international shot to European prominence last term when netting 21 times in firing Lens back into the Champions League for the first time in two decades, and he needs just one more goal to reach double figures in a league campaign for the fourth year in a row (Transfermarkt).

His goalscoring clout is undeniable, but whether he’d end up at Liverpool in 2024 is far less certain. The 23-year-old has changed clubs in the last two summers, so he might now be seeking to settle down at Leipzig for another couple of years at least.

Also, a centre-forward is unlikely to be top of the Reds’ priority list when it comes to the next transfer window. The focus is instead set to be trained on a defensive midfielder and a versatile left-footed defender, with Jurgen Klopp already having an abundance of riches in attack.

The manner in which Openda twice cut through Man City to score last night suggests that he’d take to the Premier League like a duck to water, but realistically it’s difficult to see a move to Anfield materialising any time soon unless circumstances alter significantly.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 13 Review : Trippier OUT & Zinchenko IN? Gordon the ultimate differential? Haaland & Salah must-haves

The post Journalist: Liverpool ‘very hot’ on 23y/o ‘wonderful talent’ with 13 goals already this season appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool are reportedly among several Premier League clubs in the transfer race for a teenage prodigy who’s lighting up the Championship this season.

According to 90min, the Reds are ‘long-term’ admirers of Adam Wharton, with the Blackburn Rovers midfielder also attracting interest from the likes of Brighton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Newcastle.

Their report appeared to indicate that Spurs may be the frontrunners for the 19-year-old, having ‘been closely and intently watching’ his recent performances at Ewood Park, along with having a good relationship with the Lancashire club owing to the summer acquisition of Ashley Phillips.

READ MORE: Liverpool-linked speedster makes 12-word declaration on his future amid exit rumours

READ MORE: Romano shares details of ‘agreement’ Liverpool could exploit to bring back ex-Anfield favourite

Wharton has been a regular starter for Blackburn this season, being selected for a dozen Championship games and coming off the bench three times (WhoScored) while also giving a good account of himself away to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at the start of November.

He’s earned glowing praise from his manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, who declared that the teenager has ‘a big future‘ and dubbed him a ‘Champions League level‘ player in terms of his use of the ball.

Someone else who could provide an accurate character reference is Tyler Morton, with the Liverpool midfielder playing alongside the teenager 13 times while on loan at Ewood Park last season (Transfermarkt).

A report from Football Talent Scout described Wharton as ‘a box to box player who has the stamina and work rate to be equally as effective on both ends of the pitch’, listing his main strengths as ‘vision, ball carrying, work rate, defensive aggression and IQ’.

He appears to fit the profile of the bespoke number 6 that the Reds are still seeking, while also offering enough in possession to make an impact further forward.

Having only racked up 39 senior games, none of those in the Premier League (Transfermarkt), he’d be a player for the future rather than the here-and-now at Liverpool, but he could be a potentially shrewd long-term pickup if the Anfield hierarchy ramp up their efforts to win the increasingly crowded race for his signature.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 13 Review : Trippier OUT & Zinchenko IN? Gordon the ultimate differential? Haaland & Salah must-haves

The post Liverpool admire ‘Champions League level’ gem touted for ‘big future’; Tyler Morton knows him well appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.