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    Liverpool set to sign Ezequiel Garay on free transfer with Klopp also looking to land Real Madrid defender Eder Militao

    LIVERPOOL are reportedly set to sign free agent Ezequiel Garay and are also interested in landing Real Madrid defender Eder Militao.
    Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is desperate for defensive reinforcements after an Anfield injury crisis left Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez as long-term absentees with serious knee problems.

    Former Valencia centre-back Ezequiel Garay is a free agent and is close to joining LiverpoolCredit: Reuters

    Real Madrid defender Eder Militao is on Liverpool’s radarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    And Todofichajes.com reports Liverpool are ‘one step away’ from finalising a deal for former Valencia centre-back Garay, 34, with Klopp also keen on Brazilian Militao.
    Garay has been without a club since leaving Valencia at the end of last season.
    Previous reports suggest the Argentine’s agent had made contact with Liverpool chiefs over a potential deal.
    Former Real Madrid and Benfica ace Garay would provide immediate experience to the depleted Liverpool backline.

    But Militao is seen as a more permanent option in defence with the 22-year-old having struggled to settle at the Bernabeu.
    Zinedine Zidane is reportedly not keen on Militao leaving in January as he wants the centre-back up his sleeve in case of any injuries or suspensions in his squad.
    Militao only moved to the Spanish capital from Porto in a £45million deal in 2019 but has played just 134 minutes in LaLiga this season.
    However, the report states a move away could be given the green light if Madrid sign experienced Bayern Munich star David Alaba.

    Both Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the 28-year-old Austrian who is set to leave the Allianz Arena with his contract up in the summer.
    Fabinho has often had to play in the heart of defence for Liverpool who top the league despite being blighted by injury.
    The reigning champions have had to contend with crucial players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson and versatile James Milner all spending time on the sidelines.
    However, there has been some good news for Klopp after Milner, Thiago and Xherdan Shaqiri were all back in training ahead of Sunday’s game at home to West Brom.

    Jurgen Klopp reads out touching letter to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson during SPOTY More

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    Liverpool eye Sven Botman transfer from Lille as Jurgen Klopp adds defender to long list of Van Dijk replacements

    LIVERPOOL are reportedly eyeing Lille defender Sven Botman as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
    The Reds are in the market for a centre-back in the New Year following the Dutchman’s ACL injury he suffered back in October.

    Liverpool are interested in Lille defender Sven BotmanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Jurgen Klopp is hoping the defender, 29, returns before the end of the season, though he could well miss the remainder of the campaign.
    And French outlet Foot Mercato claim Liverpool’s reinforcement could come in the shape of Van Dijk’s compatriot Botman.
    The report adds that the Merseysiders contacted his agent last month and are set to rival Inter Milan for his signature.
    According to Get French Football News, talks between Liverpool and the 20-year-old have not advanced past simple contact.

    Lille are said to have slapped a £45million valuation on Botman, but both outlets claim they could be tempted into accepting a £27m offer due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
    The former Ajax star has cemented his spot at the Ligue 1 side this season, making 22 appearances so far this season to help them to top of the table.
    Liverpool are already thought to be in discussions with Lille over another of their players, Renato Sanches, following reports the two clubs have agreed an £18m deal.
    The midfielder flopped in the Premier League at Swansea on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich but has since revitalised his career in France.

    But bringing in a new centre-back will most likely remain a priority following long-term injuries to both van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
    SunSport previously reported that the Reds had a £19m bid for Sporting Lisbon’s 18-year-old starlet Nuno Mendes.
    And another of the club’s targets Perr Schuurs recently dealt Klopp a blow – by pledging his immediate future to Ajax.

    Mourinho has amazing take on Liverpool injury ‘crisis’ as Tottenham boss starts title race mind games with Klopp More

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    Liverpool see £19m bid for Man Utd transfer target Nuno Mendes rejected as Sporting race to add £63m release clause

    LIVERPOOL are still interested in Sporting Lisbon starlet Nuno Mendes, according to reports.
    The Reds have reportedly seen a £19million offer for the 18-year-old rejected, with Sporting now keen to increase the left-back’s release clause from £40m to £60m.

    Mendes looks set to sign a new contract at Sporting despite ‘concrete’ interest from Liverpool

    Mendes only signed a new contract at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in June, but Sporting are keen to renew his terms again amid interest from a host of other clubs.
    Correio da Manha claims Mendes has agreed to an extension, despite some initial hesitancy, and the deal will triple his £13k-a-week wages.
    The youngster’s current deal runs until 2025.
    Portuguese outlets Record and O Jogo claim Liverpool’s interest in the player is ‘concrete’ despite them not having any immediate need for a new left-back.

    The Premier League champions signed Kostas Tsimikas as cover for first-choice Andy Robertson in the summer, although the Greek defender is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
    However, at 6ft tall, it is thought Mendes’ future could lie in the centre of defence.
    Injuries to first-choice centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have left Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp short of options at the back.
    Arsenal, Manchester United, Leicester City and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Mendes.

    How Liverpool have fared with and without Van Dijk since his debut in 2018 up to his injury against Everton

    Mendes has been with Sporting since the age of 10, and made his senior debut in June.
    The Portugal under-21 international has established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back this season, making 13 appearances in all competitions for Sporting this season, scoring once.
    In doing so, he became the Lions’ third-youngest ever goalscorer, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma.

    18-year-old Sporting Lisbon Nuno Mendes shows why he is in high demand from clubs More

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    Koulibaly or Upamecano not realistic so Liverpool shouldn’t sign Van Dijk replacement in January, claims John Barnes

    JOHN BARNES has stated Liverpool should avoid looking to sign a replacement for Virgil van Dijk as their top two targets are not realistic options.
    The Reds are in the market for a centre-back in the New Year following the Dutchman’s ACL injury he suffered in the 2-2 draw against Everton in October.

    Napoli centre-back has been linked with a move to Liverpool as a replacement for injured Virgil van DijkCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    John Barnes believes the Reds have no hope of bringing Dayot Upamecano to Anfield next monthCredit: Reuters

    The Premier League leaders are hoping the defender, 29, returns before the end of the season, though he could well miss the remainder of the campaign.
    Jurgen Klopp has spoken of Van Dijk’s horror injury where he revealed that his knee ‘doesn’t look like how a knee should’.
    Liverpool have since been linked with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly as well as RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, but Barnes has stated the Merseyside outfit have no chance of signing them.
    Speaking to BonusCodeBets, he said: “If they can get better than what they have, yes [they should buy another centre-back]. 

    “But if they can’t get better, there’s no point in buying for the sake of buying.
    “The majority of centre-backs you would want are normally playing at top teams in the Champions League and may not be available.  
    “So, it’s not a question of looking to buy anybody, because he [Jurgen Klopp] has faith in the youngsters that he’s played.
    “If they can get somebody who they feel will improve them, that is obviously a priority, but not just for the sake of it. 

    How Virgil van Dijk compares to the rest of the PL’s defenders
    “Koulibaly – he’s not coming. It would be great if we could have him, but it depends on who you can get.
    “RB Leipzig are still in the Champions League and will be playing against Liverpool so [Upemecano] is not going to come.
    “It would be great to have him, or Koulibaly and other players, but you have to be realistic about who you can actually get. 
    “I don’t know anybody out there who is going to be a stopgap – and realistically isn’t going to be a great player. So, Klopp will have to have faith in the squad.”
    Liverpool have most recently been linked with a move to bring Inter Milan ace Stefan de Vrij to Anfield next month.

    A look back at Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur as it happened from the Premier League More

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    Liverpool targeting January transfer double-swoop for Dayot Upamecano AND RB Leipzig team-mate Ibrahima Konate

    LIVERPOOL are targeting a January double transfer swoop for RB Leipzig pair Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.
    The Reds desperately need to land a new centre-back when the market reopens in four weeks.

    Liverpool are considering a double transfer swoop for Dayot Upamecano, right, and Ibrahima Konate from RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Jurgen Klopp is expected to be without first-choice pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for the rest of the season due to long-term injuries.
    He has used Joel Matip, Fabinho, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at the heart of Liverpool defence in their absence.
    And so he will be looking to do some smart business as soon as possible.
    According to Bild, Klopp is eyeing his homeland Germany to find a potential solution to his problem.

    Upamecano, 22, is one of the hottest young properties in Europe after his emergence last season.
    Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with the Frenchman but he decided to stay put this summer, signing a new contract until 2023.
    Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also thought to be interested but Liverpool’s desperation for a quality centre-back may lead to the Premier League champions stumping up the cash in the New Year.
    But Bild also reckon Konate is on their wish list.

    The fellow Frenchman, 21, is also part of Julian Nagelsmann’s back three at Leipzig and under contract until the end of the 2022-23 season.
    Transfermarkt suggests the pair’s combined value is around £90million – with reports of a £54m release clause for Upamecano.

    Watch as France U21 defender Dayot Upamecano blows away Bundesliga opponents for RB Leipzig More

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    Liverpool transfer blow as Ajax defender Perr Schuurs vows to stay put for ‘couple more seasons’

    LIVERPOOL target Perr Schuurs has dealt Jurgen Klopp a blow – by pledging his immediate future to Ajax. The Dutch centre-back is high on the Reds’ wish list after an outstanding spell with the Amsterdam giants. Schuurs has seen his value rocket to £27million with a series of superb displays for the Eredivisie champions. Anfield […] More

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    Barcelona can save £89m transfer fee on Sadio Mane as Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho ‘surcharge’ contract clause expires

    BARCELONA can now save £89million on a transfer fee for Sadio Mane should they try and sign the Liverpool forward. That is because a ‘surcharge’ contract clause inserted into the deal that took Philippe Coutinho to the Nou Camp has expired. As revealed by The Times, when Liverpool sold the Brazilian playmaker for £145m in […] More

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    Real Madrid join Barcelona and Inter Milan in transfer race for Liverpool ace Georginio Wijnaldum with contract expiring

    REAL MADRID have joined Barcelona and Inter Milan in the race to sign Georginio Wijnaldum, according to reports.
    The Liverpool midfielder, 30, is out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season and continues to refuse in committing his future.

    Real Madrid are hoping to rival Barcelona and Inter Milan to land Liverpool midfielder Georginio WijnaldumCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    According to Corriere Dello Sport via Sport, Los Blancos want to battle it out with their arch rivals Barca as well as Antonio Conte’s Inter for his signature.
    Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane craves another option in the middle of the park.
    And it is thought the Premier League and Champions League winner fits the bill.
    Barcelona appeared to be in pole position to land the Liverpool star with former Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman looking to reunite with the Dutchman.

    But the two clubs could not agree a deal over the summer as Wijnaldum entered the final year of his deal.
    Asked about his future during the international break in which he scored his first three goals of the campaign, he again did not pledge his loyalty to Anfield.
    The 70-cap midfielder said: “I can’t say anything about that (my future).
    “Just ask Liverpool those questions. Don’t they answer?

    “I cannot say anything about it, including whether or not there is talk of a new contract between me and Liverpool. Sorry.”
    And that opened the door for Inter to try and swoop with CEO Giuseppe Marotta placing Wijnaldum on his wish list – although no official approach has yet been made.
    Wijnaldum can enter negotiations over a pre-contract agreement for a summer free transfer in January.
    But if he is not going to sign a new contract, Liverpoool may prefer to sell in the New Year and at least get a fee.
    Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is understandably keen to keep the ex-Newcastle midfielder, who has 19 goals in 199 Reds appearances.
    It is thought he has been offered a 40 per cent pay rise from £75,000 to £105,000 to stay at Anfield.
    But after winning the two biggest trophies available with the Kop club and now in his sixth season in England, he may be ready for change.

    The Dutchman is into the final year of his contract at Anfield and has refused to commit his futureCredit: EPA

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