Liverpool transfer news

STEVEN CAULKER has revealed he was left “sh***** himself” before his Liverpool debut – when Jurgen Klopp threw him on as a striker against Arsenal. The defender was a surprise loan signing from QPR in Klopp’s first season as Liverpool manager.
Caulker’s time at Liverpool was short but he was involved in a few dramatic momentsCredit: EPA
But things were not going well off the pitch for the star and he has opened up in recent days over his issue with alcohol.
Caulker had been drinking the night before the Anfield clash with Arsenal and wondered if he was even sober enough to play.
But events would take an even stranger turn when Klopp famously subbed him on to play up front – with Liverpool nicking a dramatic late draw.
Caulker told the popular Under the Cosh podcast: “I was sh***** myself and thought ‘I’m gonna start here.’ Because they had seven centre-halves out injured. 
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“And I was thinking ‘Oh my God, am I even sober? How the f*** am I going to do this? That train journey up, I was panicking because I hadn’t been taking care of myself, I was a mess. 
“I don’t remember who played centre-half but [Klopp] put someone else in. He said to me ‘go warm up’ but we were losing 3-2. But he said ‘no, you’re coming on. I’m going to put you up front’.
“We ended up getting the equaliser and after the game he just came over high-fiving me [and saying] that they all think it’s crazy until it works.”
Caulker made himself a nuisance in the box in his cameo appearance but it was Adam Lallana who volleyed home in the dying seconds of the game.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
The two players would also be at the centre of another dramatic finale only 10 days later.
Norwich had drawn level with the Reds at Carrow Road to make it 4-4 in stoppage time.
But then Caulker – again playing in an advanced position – would see his effort blocked before Lallana scored an incredible late winner.
Caulker, now 31, would move to clubs in Scotland and Turkey before eventually coming home earlier this year as he joined Championship side Wigan. More

JURGEN Klopp is set to be hit with an FA charge after his verbal attack on ref Paul Tierney.And the Liverpool boss faces a heavy fine and touchline ban for accusing Tierney of having an agenda against the Reds.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is facing an FA banCredit: Getty
Klopp slammed ref Paul Tierney – claiming he has an agenda against LiverpoolCredit: Rex
Klopp outraged refs’ bosses with his claim that Tierney was biased against his side.
That came despite Tierney leaving Spurs boss Ryan Mason incandescent for not dismissing match winner Diogo Jota for splitting Oliver Skipp’s head open with a high boot 
Klopp went before the Sky cameras to claim: “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us.
“He has said there [are] no problems but that cannot be true.”
read more football news
Klopp’s comments seemed a blatant breach of FA rules 
The German was booked for celebrating Jota’s winner by steaming up to fourth official John Brooks.
And while Klopp escaped with a caution rather than a red card, PGMOL bosses are furious.
In a strongly-worded and unusual statement, a spokesman said: “PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jurgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur. 
Most read in Football
“Match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
“Having fully reviewed the audio of referee Paul Tierney from today’s fixture, we can confirm he acted in a professional manner throughout including when issuing the caution to the Liverpool manager.
“So, therefore, we strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were improper.”
The FA is now under pressure to act and clamp down on Klopp. More

FANS are shocked to hear Liverpool legend James Milner is tipped to join high-flying Prem rivals Brighton – at the age of 37.The ex-England midfielder is poised for a summer free transfer, despite still being loved by Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp for his versatility.
James Milner’s successful stint under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool could end in MayCredit: PA
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reckons Brighton are favourites ahead of promoted Burnley to land the former Manchester City star.
“Wow!” and “What!” were among the stunned responses from supporters on social media.
Milner has won the Prem, Champions League and FA Cup in his eight years at Anfield.
Before that he helped City lift the top-flight crown twice, as well as tasting victory in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
Now it’s thought likely he’ll join fellow ex-Liverpool star Adam Lallana, 34, at the Amex Stadium.
The Athletic suggest Klopp would prefer to keep Milner but there’s been “no indication” of Reds’ chiefs proposing a new contract.
Brighton must wait until his current deal expires before making any approach.
But the Seagulls are said to have discussed the signing “internally” and regard him as an ideal recruit for manager Roberto De Zerbi’s passing style.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Liverpool fans appeared divided over Milner’s possible departure.
One posted: “Hope we keep him and sell that loser injury prone clown Thiago. I hope legends like Milner, Henderson and Fabinho stay and try and develop Jones.”
But another argued: “He is actually not that bad, he is so much better than Henderson.”
And a third supporter urged the Reds to attempt a cheeky exchange deal.
He wrote: “Milner swap for Mac” – a reference to Brighton’s much-wanted Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. More

JURGEN KLOPP has confirmed Liverpool are in talks to appoint a new sporting director. The news will come as a boost to the club’s transfer ambitions in the summer, with Klopp feeling they should be able to navigate the window more effectively as a result.
Jurgen Klopp has revealed Liverpool are in talks for a new director of footballCredit: Getty
On the talks, Klopp told reporters: “I am not involved in the ‘talks’ but maybe in the talks around, yes.
“I am not the person in the club who can give (a) real answer about where it stands. That’s in the hands of other people. What I heard is it’s all going in the right direction.”
Julian Ward, who is the current incumbent of the position, will be stepping down from the role at the end of the season.
Ward himself only took the role 12 months ago after Michael Edwards left following a 10-year stay at the club.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Klopp continued: “How many clubs are there out there without a sporting director now?
“Is there any club without a sporting director or a guy in the role of the sporting director? [Manchester] City, Arsenal, no. [Manchester] United, they have a sporting director?
“Pretty much everybody has a sporting director. That’s because it makes sense. With the decisions, how the manager is involved with decision-making, that is not a thing.
“But the process. If a manager has to do that, I don’t know how the guys did that in the past!
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
“Around that, talking to all the agents and all these kind of things. And constantly talking about a pound here and a pound there. You need people for that, there is no chance.
“And that’s why, yes, I’m happy with the structure. The guy or lady we get will be absolutely right. But nothing to say in the moment.”
Liverpool are set for a massive summer where it will be imperative for them to bring in the right players to return to fighting for the Premier League title, rather than scrapping away in a top-four chase.
And this is set to see the Reds prioritise midfielders despite pulling out of the race to sign £130million-rated Jude Bellingham.
This came as they reportedly chose to focus their resources across multiple targets rather than splashing it all on one player. More