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    Liverpool prepared to let out-of-favour defender Nat Phillips leave Anfield to join Leeds – but only on permanent deal

    LEEDS want Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips — but a loan request may not work for the Reds.The centre-half, 26, can leave Anfield but they would prefer a sale while the Elland Road outfit are trying their luck for a short-term deal.
    Phillips played just twice for Liverpool last season – and Liverpool want to get rid of him permanentlyCredit: Getty
    Phillips came through the Liverpool academy and began to be involved in Jurgen Klopp’s first team squads in 2018.
    He was loaned out to Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart when Liverpool won the 2019-20 Premier League, however.
    He notably played a key role in their 2020-21 season – which saw Liverpool qualify for the Champions League despite a tough start to the season.
    A defensive injury crisis saw the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all unavailable as Liverpool slipped down the table.
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    Klopp therefore relied on Phillips as well as Ben Pearson – who they signed from Swansea that January, as they went on to secure a third-placed finish in the Premier League.
    Phillips in particular impressed, but was loaned out to Championship side Bournemouth the following season.
    On his departure Klopp said: “We would have loved to have kept him here, to be honest, with all the things that happened in the last few years here in the centre-half positions.
    “Nat was incredibly reliable and a great figure here at the training ground.”
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    But his time at Liverpool is now looking numbered with the defender making just two Premier League appearances last season.
    Phillips has made a total of 29 appearances for Liverpool, scoring once and also assisting once.
    Meanwhile, Liverpool will let Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg head for Jurgen Klopp’s old club Mainz on loan.
    The star, 21, had an unlucky spell in Germany with Schalke last season but it will not stop him going back for a year.  More

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    Fans stunned at Jordan Henderson’s body transformation as Liverpool star goes ‘beast mode’ ahead of new season

    LIVERPOOL fans have reacted to Jordan Henderson’s insane body transformation as he gears up for the upcoming season.The midfielder, 33, shared photos from what looks like a gruelling boxing training camp with the caption “Summer h̶o̶l̶i̶d̶a̶y̶ camp 💪🥊”
    The midfielder has traditionally exhibited a skinnier physiqueCredit: Getty
    But is looking ripped in his latest Instagram postCredit: Instagram @jordanhenderson
    The midfielder has been mixing up football training with boxingCredit: Instagram @jordanhenderson
    He’s also incorporated weight training into his routineCredit: INSTAGRAM @jordanhenderson
    He posted a series of pictures of him hitting the pads and bags as part of his supposed summer holiday.
    He also posted photos of himself skipping and working with a medicine ball.
    To motivate Henderson for the session, there was a Muhammad Ali quote on a whiteboard saying: “I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
    A number of fellow pros were quick to react to the midfielder’s body transformation in the comments with Henderson exhibiting a ripped physique.
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    Adebayo Akinfenwa wrote: “Dammmmmn BeastMode 😂💪🏿”
    Fellow former England international Danny Drinkwater said: “Shredded 👏”
    While James Milner, who recently joined Brighton from Liverpool joked: “Go on Rocky”.
    And a Liverpool fan said: “Hendo’s not messing about. Great to see from the skipper. YNWA🔥”
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    The midfielder has been keen to exhibit how hard he has been working during his time off, with his Instagram post two days ago showing the midfielder in a series of running drills as well as working in the weight room.
    The posts appear to be a coded message to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and fans alike to show he has no intention of slowing down despite his advancing years.
    He was seen hitting the heavy bag as part of his trainingCredit: Instagram @jordanhenderson
    He has packed on the muscle during pre-seasonCredit: Instagram @jordanhenderson
    The gruelling session saw Hendo use a towel to dry offCredit: Instagram @jordanhenderson
    He fuelled his training with a motivational Muhammad Ali quoteCredit: Instagram @jordanhenderson
    The midfielder will face increased competition for a place in the starting XI this season after Liverpool signed World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
    The Liverpool captain has been at the club since signing from Sunderland in 2011, making 492 appearances for the club and winning the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the League Cup twice in his time at the Reds.
    Klopp’s side will be looking to bounce back after a tricky 2022-23 season which saw Liverpool finish outside the top four. More

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    Former Arsenal transfer chief says why club made infamous £40m+£1 bid for Suarez, when there was NO release clause

    ARSENAL’S former transfer chief Dick Law revealed why the club made their infamous £40million and £1 bid for Luis Suarez.The Uruguay international looked set to move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2013 after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League.
    Luis Suarez was heavily linked with a switch from Liverpool to Arsenal in summer 2013Credit: PA:Press Association
    The now 36-year-old had a clause in his contract with the Reds that they had to inform him of any transfer bid if it was more than £40m.
    And Law insisted that Arsenal were always aware the figure was not a buy-out clause and they simply added the extra pound to kick-start negotiations.
    But Liverpool owner John W. Henry took offence to the offer and, after it was publicised, he tweeted: “What do you think they’re smoking over there?”
    Suarez ended up remaining at Anfield for another season where he was named PFA Player of the Year before sealing a £75m move to Barcelona.
    Several years later and the striker was available for a nominal fee, leaving Barcelona for Atletico Madrid in 2020, where he won the LaLiga title.
    The Gunners’ then-transfer guru Law would later explain that the North London side had never wanted to antagonise their Premier League rivals.
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    Speaking to Goal, he said: “That spring, news got round to us that Suarez wanted out of Liverpool.
    “We knew that we had to exceed a certain threshold and so we decided to throw another pound on it.
    “We could have thrown £50 or £500,000, but it wasn’t going to make any difference to the final negotiation.
    “The offer was just a trigger. Liverpool wanted to make a big deal out of it and that’s fine. When they received our offer they immediately publicised it.
    “I think John Henry wanted to know what we were smoking, which I thought was a bit disrespectful.
    “It was him having a bit of a go because he was getting ready to lose his star player. It was a good way to deflect attention.
    “I always thought that the move to publicise it was counter-productive.
    “One of the things we were always very proud of at Arsenal was working quietly behind the scenes. Ivan [Gazidis], Arsene [Wenger] and I always worked very hard on being discreet in all transfers.
    “And I thought Liverpool shot themselves in the foot by basically saying they were now forced to entertain offers because of this clause, by publicising it they just made everyone aware and eventually they lost the player.”
    Liverpool wanted to make a big deal out of it. I think John Henry wanted to know what we were smoking, which I thought was a bit disrespectful.Dick Law
    Arsenal’s transfer fixer at the time Dick Law has lifted the lid on the Gunners pursuitCredit: Rex Features
    Liverpool owner John W Henry infamously asked ‘what do you think they’re smoking at the Emirates’Credit: PA:Press Association More

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    ‘Sweating’ Paul Merson terrified of covering Liverpool games next season after arrival of £60million transfer

    PAUL MERSON is terrified of covering Liverpool games next season after the arrival of the Reds’ latest signing.The Soccer Saturday pundit has joked he is “sweating” at the prospect after Liverpool’s new £60million midfielder walked through the door.
    Paul Merson is already worrying about next seasonCredit: Getty
    Dominik Szoboszlai completed his move to Anfield on Sunday, signing from German side RB Leipzig on a five-year deal.
    However, Merson is not looking forward to having to pronounce his name live on television next season.
    Reacting to the signing, Merson tweeted a gif of someone sweating and wrote: “Me doing Liverpool games next season.”
    The former Arsenal midfielder has a reputation for hilariously mispronouncing player names on Soccer Saturday.
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    He had his fellow pundits in stitches back in February as he analysed Chelsea’s new signings.
    As well as mispronouncing Noni Madueke’s name, Merson did not even attempt to say Mykhailo Mudryk.
    Instead, he described the Ukrainian as “the lad that comes in on the wing,” before adding: “Sorry I can’t pronounce his name.”
    Merson will hope to avoid a similar blunder when Szoboszlai takes to the field for Liverpool next season.
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    The Hungary captain will wear the number eight shirt for his new club, following in the footsteps of his idol Steven Gerrard.
    Liverpool beat Newcastle United to the signing after triggering Szoboszlai’s release clause.
    Newcastle had been long-term admirers of the 22-year-old before Liverpool swooped to sign him.
    Eddie Howe has instead added Italian international Sandro Tonali to his midfield after he joined the club from AC Milan.
    Merson posted this brilliant tweet
    Liverpool have signed Dominik Szoboszlai from RB LeipzigCredit: Getty More

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    Liverpool transfer blow as Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig ‘show interest’ in summer transfer swoop for Lyon star

    LIVERPOOL have been dealt a transfer blow in their bid to sign Lyon star Bradley Barcola, reports suggest.The Reds were thought to be leading the race for Barcola in the summer transfer window.
    Liverpool are keeping tabs on Lyon star Bradley Barcola this summerCredit: AP
    Liverpool have been joined by Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig in the race for BarcolaCredit: Rex
    According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig have joined the bidding war for the winger.
    Both PSG and Leipzig are informed of the France Under-21 international’s situation at OL.
    However, Lyon want to hold onto their highly-rated 20-year-old talent ahead of the coming season.
    Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to watch Barcola on several occasions.
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    The Frenchman burst onto the scene with 13 first-team appearances in the 2021-2022 campaign.
    Barcola upped his game last season with seven goals and 10 assists in 31 appearances.
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is looking for a significant rebuild at Anfield after the Merseysiders finished fifth last term.
    Klopp has already landed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton to strengthen his midfield.
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    And the Reds are now closing in on a £60million deal for Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai.
    Personal terms have already been sorted between Szoboszlai and Liverpool.
    The Hungary international is now set to undergo a medical at the Kop. More

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    Fans spot incoming Liverpool transfer’s Szoboszlai’s bizarre penalty tactic… and can’t believe he NEVER misses

    GOALKEEPERS know exactly where Dominik Szoboszlai is going to put his penalties… but they still can’t stop them.The RB Leipzig ace is on the verge of signing for Liverpool in a £60million deal.
    Do you know how much you have to back your accuracy and striking to put every penalty in the same corner.The goalkeepers all knew where Szoboszlai was going but it made no difference.pic.twitter.com/o1ib58Fb59— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) July 1, 2023

    Dominik Szoboszlai always hit his penalties into the same cornerCredit: Rex
    The Hungarian is always confident from the penalty spotCredit: EPA
    At Anfield he will have to compete with the likes of Mo Salah to be on spot-kick duty.
    But should he manage to grab responsibility, he has proven himself to be a reliable taker.
    Szoboszlai has scored 15 penalties in his career.
    And as pointed out by The Tactical Times, he ALWAYS goes the same way.
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    Goalkeepers know that the Hungarian will place the ball down to their right.
    But the 22-year-old backs his accuracy so much, that he always confidently strokes it home.
    Posting a video featuring a number of Szoboszlai’s penalties, The Tactical Times wrote: “Do you know how much you have to back your accuracy and striking to put every penalty in the same corner.
    “The goalkeepers all knew where Szoboszlai was going but it made no difference.”
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    Szoboszlai has only failed to score from one penalty in his career.
    That was his first Bundesliga penalty after joining RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg.
    With regular taker Emil Forsberg having come off, Szoboszlai was given the opportunity to show what he can do.
    He placed the ball into his usual spot, only for Leverkusen stopper Lukas Hradecky to somehow save it.
    He has since kept his cool, scoring spot kicks against England and Bayern Munich.
    Commenting on Szoboszlai’s tactic, one fan wrote: “Baffles me more players don’t take this approach, the run up even forces the keeper to hold his position until it’s too late!”
    While a second gushed: “He strikes the ball so cleanly.”
    Another added: “He seems to have that ability to accelerate his last step/half step out of nowhere. Just enough to catch the keeper a fraction of a second off guard.”
    Szoboszlai confidently bagged a penalty against EnglandCredit: PA More

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    Liverpool ‘trigger Szoboszlai release clause four hours before expiry with Reds set to beat Newcastle to £60m transfer’

    LIVERPOOL are set to sign RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai after triggering his release clause.The Reds look ready to beat Premier League rivals Newcastle for Szoboszlai’s signature.
    Liverpool are ready to beat Newcastle for RB Leipzig star Dominik SzoboszlaiCredit: Getty
    Liverpool have met Szoboszlai’s special £60million release clauseCredit: AFP
    That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reports that the Merseysiders have met the player’s special €70million (£60m) asking price.
    Personal terms have been sorted between the Hungary international and Jurgen Klopp’s side.
    The 22-year-old is now set to undergo a medical at the Kop ahead of his arrival.
    It’s believed that Szoboszlai has a release clause worth £60m, which expires tonight.
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    And Liverpool have managed to match it just four hours before its expiry.
    If Klopp’s team had failed then they would have faced the prospect of having to negotiate an even larger fee with Leipzig.
    Newcastle were also interested in Szoboszlai but ultimately withdrew from the race.
    The Magpies have turned their attention to AC Milan star Sandro Tonalli.
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    Szoboszlai joined Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2021 and has since shone bright in the Bundesliga.
    The versatile forward has amassed a total of 20 goals and 22 assists in 91 appearances for the German giants.
    The Hungary captain has also impressed while on international duty with seven goals in 32 caps. More

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    Liverpool confirm former Fulham winger Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on season-long loan transfer

    LIVERPOOL have confirmed Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on a season-long loan. Carvalho joined up at Anfield from Fulham last summer and scored three goals in 21 appearances in red.
    Liverpool confirmed Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on a season-long loanCredit: Getty
    But he will continue his development in Germany with Leipzig, who have the winger for the next 12 months.
    Carvalho helped Fulham earn promotion from the Championship in 2021 but started only eight games for Liverpool last season.
    His loan comes as Liverpool close in on a deal to sign current Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai.
    The Hungary international looks set to become the second arrival at Anfield this summer following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
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    Newcastle were also interested in Szoboszlai but have reportedly withdrawn from the race.
    That has opened the door for the Reds to complete a deal and the club are confident of securing his signing, report The Athletic.
    The two clubs have also discussed a transfer for Szoboszlai, who has a release clause worth £60million.
    It is unclear whether that clause has expired and whether Liverpool and Leipzig have agreed a fee.
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    Szoboszlai is a highly-rated talent after emerging as a key player for club and country in recent years.
    He scored 10 goals in 46 games for Leipzig last season and has Champions League experience under his belt.
    Szoboszlai has won two domestic cups and has four Austrian league titles to his name following his time at RB Salzburg.
    Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign RB Leipzig star Dominik SzoboszlaiCredit: EPA More