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    Liverpool eye Lucas Ocampos transfer but £56m release fee for Sevilla winger could be potential stumbling block

    LIVERPOOL are reportedly interested in signing Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos this summer.
    But the 26-year-old’s £56million release fee could scupper a potential move.

    Ocampos, 26, is one of Sevilla’s finest playersCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, Jurgen Klopp is a fan of the Argentina international.
    Sevilla are said to be keen on selling Ocampos to balance the books, but they want any prospective buyer to activate his release clause.
    The winger scored 14 goals in LaLiga last season but has managed just three so far this term.
    He joined Sevilla in 2019 having previously played for River Plate, Monaco, Marseille, Genoa and AC Milan.

    Ocampos scored an 88th-minute winner against Wolves in the Europa League quarter-final last season before helping Sevilla beat Inter Milan in the final.
    Liverpool are always on the look out for new forwards with stars Sadio Mane and Mo Salah constantly linked with moves.
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    The 2020 Fifpro world XI includes four Liverpool stars, as well as Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski
    And it hasn’t been an easy season so far for Mane or Roberto Firmino, who have managed just 13 league goals between them.

    If the Premier League champions wish to proceed with signing Ocampos, they may use Takumi Minamino as leverage.
    The Japanese star, who is currently on loan at Southampton, has been linked with a £9m summer move to Sevilla.
    Minamino has made just 19 Premier League appearances for the Reds since his move from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

    He scored in Southampton’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier today.
    And Minamino may not be the only player leaving this summer, with German legend Lothar Matthaus urging Thiago to return to Bayern Munich.
    The Spain international has struggled at Liverpool, with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger criticising his role in the team.
    Liverpool are also rumoured to be interested in Torino defender Bremer, who could cost less than £10m.

    Wenger criticises Liverpool over Thiago transfer and says signing of ‘technical’ player has ‘destroyed’ midfield balance More

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    Ezri Konsa transfer to Liverpool or Tottenham laughed off by Aston Villa boss Dean Smith after ‘interest’ from Prem duo

    ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith has laughed off suggestions of Ezri Konsa of leaving the Midlands.
    The former England Under-21 international’s impressive displays this season have reportedly caught the eye of Premier League big boys Liverpool and Tottenham.

    Ezri Konsa has been one of Aston Villa’s star men this seasonCredit: Getty

    Dean Smith has laughed off suggestions of Ezri Konsa leaving Villa ParCredit: Getty

    According to The Athletic, the duo are keeping tabs on the defender – who has been one of Villa’s star players this season.
    Smith isn’t surprised by the reported interest in Konsa but is confident the youngster will continue to keep his feet on the ground.
    He said: “He certainly won’t get distracted.
    “I’m not sure Ezri reads any newspapers but he’s probably seen it online I would have thought, somewhere.

    “But, I’ll certainly give him a little bit of a ribbing about it and I’m sure the lads have already!”
    Konza has played a huge role in Villa’s success this season, helping the Midlands club keep 12 clean sheets in 22 league matches.
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    And former Villa hitman Kevin Phillips expects his old club to hand the 23-year-old a new deal to ward off potential suitors.

    In an interview with Football Inside, Phillips said of Konsa: “He’s been at the heart of everything Villa have done this season.
    “He’s been excellent with Mings, they haven’t been breached too much this year.
    “I haven’t seen too many players give him the run-around. To believe he was only at Charlton a few years ago.
    “To come to the Premier League and to do what he’s done after they had a difficult season last year is brilliant.

    Kevin Phillips expects Aston Villa to offer Ezri Konsa a new dealCredit: Getty

    “Naturally, when you get big clubs sniffing around, you’re probably going to get offered a new deal.
    ‘It happened to me at Sunderland, the club came and said: ‘We want to offer you a new deal.’
    “I’m pretty sure that’s gonna happen before the end of the season if he keeps performing the way he is.”
    Konsa and his Villa team-mates – who are currently eighth in the Premier League table – will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Leicester City to Villa Park.

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    Bayern Munich urged to save Thiago from Liverpool nightmare by Matthaus as he claims ‘door isn’t completely closed’

    THIAGO has been offered a potential way out from his underwhelming Liverpool stint – with Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus urging him to return to the German giants.
    The midfielder, 29, has been a huge disappointment since his £20million move to Anfield in September, failing to provide the spark Jurgen Klopp’s reigning champions needed.

    Thiago has been urged to return to Bayern Munich by Lothar MatthausCredit: Rex Features

    And despite an improved showing in Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig, pundits are still pointing to the Spaniard as one of the reasons Liverpool’s title defence has fallen flat.
    However, he still has an army of fans in Germany – and none more so than midfield legend Matthaus.
    The World Cup winner told Sky Germany: “How about Bayern bring Thiago back to Munich? He is not getting on in Liverpool and in Munich he is missed by Hansi Flick and the fans.
    “Anyone who says goodbye to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge so emotionally, the door is certainly never completely closed. ”

    Thiago spent seven seasons in Bavaria – winning the Bundesliga in each of them and turning out 235 times for the club, where he is still remembered fondly.
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    He was singled out by then-Bayern boss Pep Guardiola as the one player he wanted to sign on joining the club back in 2013.
    But fast forward to today and his much-vaunted Premier League move has gone awry.

    Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is one of Thiago’s biggest critics, pointing to him blunting the Liverpool midfield’s famed tenacity.
    He said: “Thiago Alcantara, for me, shows a problem for a manager.
    “Liverpool were very hungry and aggressive in midfield, when you’re a manager you think you want to make the team better and you take a technical player.
    “When you take a technical player, you lose the aggression in midfield and you destroy a little bit the strength in midfield that Liverpool had before.

    “They have certainly less capacity today to win the ball back and they suffer a little bit more. Sometimes when you want to improve the team, you take something away from it.”
    And former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann added to the chorus questioning Klopp’s move to bring Thiago in.
    He told talkSPORT last month: “He slows things down and doesn’t really play the way Liverpool play.
    “Liverpool in the past have had hard-working midfielders, they were not as skilful as Thiago, but they have the ball to Mane and Salah early.
    “If you get the ball early on the wing, and these guys can run at players they are very hard to stop.”

    Wenger criticises Liverpool over Thiago transfer and says signing of ‘technical’ player has ‘destroyed’ midfield balance More

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    Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car confirms Liverpool transfer offer before Reds signed Kabak and Davies

    DUJE CALETA-CAR has confirmed that Liverpool were keen to sign him last month but he decided to remain at Marseille.
    The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp desperately looked to sign a centre-back due to their defensive crisis.

    Marseille ace Duje Caleta-Car has stated he turned down an approach from LiverpoolCredit: AFP or licensors

    Liverpool eventually managed to bring in two centre-halves, though the club first tried in vein to bring the Croatia international to Merseyside.
    Caleta-Car has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most talented defenders since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2018.
    So it came as no surprise when the Premier League champions firmed up their interest with an offer.
    And the four-time Austrian Bundesliga winner has declared it was an ‘honour’ to be chased by Liverpool, though he believed sticking at Marseille would prove key in his development.

    Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s top-flight encounter against Nice, he told reporters: “Today, there is the Champions League, and I am going to watch the two games.
    “I received an offer from Liverpool. It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me.
    “We decided with the club that I was going to stay.
    “Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”

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    After being turned down by Caleta-Car, Liverpool opted to bring in Ozan Kabak from Schalke on an initial loan deal.
    And they also signed Ben Davies from Preston to fill their centre-back void with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out injured.
    Following Kabak’s mix-up with goalkeeper Alisson in the defeat against Leicester on Saturday, it remains to be seen who will partner Jordan Henderson at the back against RB Leipzig tonight.

    Jurgen Klopp denies rumours he has quit Liverpool after poor run of results and insists he doesn’t need a break More

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    Liverpool ‘plot loan transfer for New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long’ in last-gasp move to fix defence

    LIVERPOOL are reportedly plotting a last-ditch transfer for New York Red Bulls centre-back Aaron Long to fix their defence.
    Jurgen Klopp is desperate for a new defender after injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip derailed his season.

    Liverpool are reportedly plotting a loan transfer for New York Red Bulls defender Aaron LongCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    ESPN claim MLS star Long, 28, has caught the German’s eye ahead of a possible loan move.
    Reading have already been linked with the American and it is claimed he has ‘interest from clubs in England and France’.
    Long only made his breakthrough into Red Bulls’ first team in 2017 and was named MLS Defender of the Year the following season.
    He has won 18 caps for the USA and is set to feature against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday.

    Speaking after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Tottenham, Klopp said: “If you have a centre-half available at a reasonable price, and one with the quality we need, then send me a message.
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    “We thought [about making signings] and we think the whole time but it’s about doing the right thing. We need to find the right player. It’s incredible what’s happening in the defensive line.”
    Liverpool have also been linked with moves for Kalidou Koulibaly and Dayot Upamecano, although have fallen behind Manchester United in the race for the RB Leipzig star.

    Long would be a much cheaper alternative but ESPN claim Red Bulls have yet to receive any formal offers.

    Jurgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool’s defeat of Tottenham 3-1 in the Premier League More

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    Liverpool ‘prioritise Virgil Van Dijk new deal before moving talks with Mohamed Salah’ amid transfer links away

    LIVERPOOL will reportedly prioritise tying Virgil Van Dijk down with a new deal before holding talks with Mo Salah.
    The reigning Premier League champions are keen to extend crocked centre-back Van Dijk’s contract at Anfield before turning to Salah amid rumours about his future, according to Eurosport.

    Liverpool are prioritising Virgil Van Dijks’s future over Mo SalahCredit: AFP or licensors

    The Dutch talisman, 29, is recovering from an ACL op and is still on the same terms as when he joined the club for £75million from Southampton in 2018.
    The report states it was always in Liverpool’s plan to offer him a bumper new deal this season.
    And some even suggest an agreement in principle was in place before Van Dijk’s injury.
    The former Celtic defender was KO’d by Jordan Pickford’s horror lunge in October.

    His new contract is likely to see him eclipse Salah as the Merseysiders’ highest-paid player on considerbaly more than £200,000 a week.
    Salah’s existing deal runs until 2023 and with no solid or formal offers on the table from other clubs, Liverpool aren’t thought to be too concerned about rapidly opening negotiations with their star forward.
    The club won’t be rushed into handing the Egyptian King a new deal despite reported interest from El Clasico sides Barcelona and Real Madrid.
    Salah is in the middle of a slump in form – the former Roma man has gone FIVE Prem games without a goal but is still the league’s top scorer with 13 strikes.

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    Salah is going through a goal drought for the RedsCredit: EPA

    And the 28-year-old insisted his Liverpool future is ‘in the hands of the club’ earlier this week.
    Speaking to Norwegian channel TV2, Salah said: “I do not know.
    “If you ask, I say I want to stay here as long as I can, but as I have said before, it is in the hands of the club.
    “I will always give 100 per cent to the last minute I am in this club and I want to win as many trophies as I can.
    “And I want to give 100 per cent to the people, who show me love all the time.”

    Liverpool vs Man Utd combined XI: Salah and Bruno Fernandes make joint side but Pogba misses out ahead of clash More

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    Virgil van Dijk ‘stronger than ever’ as star gives Liverpool major boost as he starts ball work during rehab in Dubai

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK has given Jurgen Klopp a major boost after he was spotted kicking a ball for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury.
    The Liverpool defender has not featured since rupturing his ACL against Everton in October.

    Virgil van Dijk is training at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai alongside former Liverpool team-mate Dejan LovrenCredit: Instagram @dejanlovren06

    The 29-year-old was seen at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai where many Premier League footballers train during the off-season.
    Van Dijk shared a video on his Instagram page of him doing some kick ups – a sight that will please Liverpool fans.
    There had been fears the Dutch captain would not play again this season due the severity of the injury.
    But sights of him starting ball work with half the season still to play will give Klopp hope of him featuring in the run-in.

    The Liverpool manager has been without several centre-backs this season, with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez also suffering injuries.
    Matip has returned to training, but Gomez is due to be out for some time yet as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury.
    Klopp has been forced to deploy midfielder Fabinho at the back for much of the season – and skipper Jordan Henderson has even featured there.
    The pair started in defence in the massive clash with rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

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    How Virgil van Dijk compares to the rest of the PL’s defenders
    The effect has been obvious, with Liverpool dropping points against Southampton, Newcastle and West Brom in recent weeks.
    The Reds have been linked with a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Kouilbaly but must offer at least £100m if they wish to sign him.
    Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, who was sold to Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg in the summer before the injury crisis, is also at the complex in Dubai.
    He shared a picture with van Dijk on Twitter, with the caption: “It was nice to see my former teammate @VirgilvDijk today. A tough injury he had, but he looks stronger than ever, soon brother you will be top of your level again.”

    It was nice to see my former teammate @VirgilvDijk today.A tough injury he had, but he looks stronger than ever, soon brother you will be on top of your level again.Good luck to @LFC in today’s derby. We are with you! 💪🏻💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/fRhtb2z41j
    — Dejan Lovren (@Dejan06Lovren) January 17, 2021

    Van Dijk responded to the Tweet with a red heart emoji.
    Referee Michael Oliver controversially did not send off Jordan Pickford for the reckless challenge on van Dijk that caused the injury in the Merseyside derby.
    Oliver has since admitted that he was wrong not to dismiss the Everton goalkeeper.

    Virgil van Dijk rides exercise bike in Liverpool boost as he steps up recovery from horror knee injury More

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    Bayern eye Real Madrid defender Eder Militao as transfer replacement for David Alaba but face competition from England

    BAYERN MUNICH are considering a move for Real Madrid defender Eder Militao, according to reports.
    The Bundesliga champions are looking to replace David Alaba, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to Real Madrid.

    Eder Militao, 22, has struggled to hold down a place at Real Madrid since joining from Porto in 2019

    Alaba is out of contract at Bayern this summer, with Liverpool and Juventus also rumoured to be interested.
    It is believed he will not sign a new deal with the reigning European champions.
    Bayern are not the only club to have made an enquiry about Militao, with Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham all interested, according to Goal.
    The defender is also believed to be on Liverpool’s radar, although it is unlikely they will be signing a defender in January due to the pandemic.

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    Ramos is one of Real Madrid’s top earners but is demanding more to stay on for a further two years, claim reports
    The 22-year-old joined Real at the beginning of last season but has made just 23 appearances in all competitions.
    He was overlooked for their recent Super Cup loss to Athletic Bilbao, with Nacho replacing the injured Raphael Varane.
    Militao was part of the Brazil squad that won the Copa America in 2019 and has previously played for Sao Paulo and Porto.

    The defender remains in Brazil boss Tite’s plans but was left out of the squad for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
    He does want to remain at Real and fight for his place, although he may change his mind if he is being left out of the Brazil squad.
    If he does leave, Real will want to recoup the majority of the €50 million they paid for the player in 2019.

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