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      Man Utd face missing out on Kim Min-jae as Liverpool set to enter race with mammoth transfer offer for Napoli star

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Kim Min-jae as Liverpool have reportedly entered the race to sign the Napoli star.The defender, 26, has attracted a lot of interest this season following his impressive performances for the Serie A side.
      Liverpool are reportedly set to rival Man United for Kim Min-jaeCredit: Getty
      The defender has impressed since moving to NapoliCredit: Getty
      He also played a key role for South Korea during their run at the World Cup in Qatar.
      Clubs such as PSG and Tottenham have also been linked, but the Red Devils were believed to be the favourites to sign Kim.
      However, the Old Trafford side could be blown out of the water as Italian outlet Rai has claimed that Liverpool are intending to offer £60million for the South Korean.
      The Reds could be in the market for a new defender this summer to bolster manager Jurgen Klopp’s options.
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      This season the club has not been as solid defensively having conceded 29 goals in 26 Premier League games.
      The club were also on the end of some hammerings in the Champions League as Kim’s Napoli and Real Madrid registered impressive wins over them.
      Kim only joined Napoli last summer and is still in his first year at the club.
      And he has insisted that he is only focused on the Naples outfit, with the side favourites to win Serie A this season.
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      After South Korea’s 2-2 draw with Colombia last week, he said: “As you know, those rumours are not true at all. I want to focus on my team. I have many tournaments to play.
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      “It’s been four or years I have had these rumours. It’s uncomfortable. I wish you don’t spread those stories.
      “I cannot be bothered by transfer rumours because they aren’t true. Now I’m focusing on the team, rather than that kind of nonsense.
      “There are so many important matches to go and right now I only want to focus on Napoli.” More

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      Virgil van Dijk slammed as ‘first-class wimp’ with Ronald Koeman told to strip Liverpool ace of Holland captaincy

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK has been branded as a “first-class wimp” following Holland’s 4-0 defeat to France. Some are even calling on Ronald Koeman to strip the Liverpool defender of the Dutch captaincy.
      Ronald Koeman has been urged to strip Virgil van Dijk of the Dutch captaincyCredit: EPA
      Van Dijk was at the heart of his nation’s defence alongside debutant Lutsharel Geertruida against the 2018 World Cup champions last Friday.
      The Netherlands were torn apart, with former FC Twente and Feyenoord boss Gertjan Verbeek aiming some harsh criticism towards Van Dijk.
      While working as a pundit for Omrop Fryslan, Verbeek said: “I think Van Dijk is a first-class wimp.
      “I would immediately take away his captain’s armband.
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      “He has to mean a lot more as a captain. He has to put things down. It happens to him.
      “At one point he lets Lutsharel Geertruida drown and then he stands there after the first goal, like: blablabla. Where was he then?”
      It is not the first time the 31-year-old has drawn criticism this season, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher lambasting his performance during the Reds’ 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid.
      However, Voetbal International claim the criticism got to him this time, with the Dutch outlet suggesting Van Dijk “seemed annoyed” at comments from ex-internationals Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.
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      After the game, Van Dijk told Viggo Sport: “I don’t know what kind of criticism has been made? It is clear that we played badly. I am one of the experienced guys, so it is completely justified.”
      He later added: “This is of no use to me [the criticism]. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that’s the case.
      “Did I set the bar unrealistically high? How is that possible? It was never perfect, consistent is the right word.
      “We’ve had a lot of success with the team. Football players, they know that better than anyone, have high peaks and deep lows.
      “It’s quite normal that you can’t always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that.
      “It is normal that people make mistakes, that it is part of football and that it is very human.
      “Regardless of who gets a platform and is allowed to say what, so that things are made big. You know better than anyone when you are doing something right or not.”
      Van Dijk is expected to be back in action for Liverpool when they take on Manchester City on Saturday.
      The heavyweight clash could be make or break for both sides, with Liverpool aiming to rise into the top four and City gunning for runaway league leaders Arsenal. More

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      Borussia Dortmund ‘have secret plan to keep Jude Bellingham’ in transfer blow to Man Utd, Chelsea, City and Liverpool

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND reportedly have a “secret plan” to keep hold of star player Jude Bellingham.The England international is one of the most sought after talents in European football with a host of clubs interested in signing him this summer.
      Borussia Dortmund are reportedly planning a new contract for Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
      Sides such as Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
      However, they could all be set for disappointment in their pursuit of Bellingham as Dortmund are determined to keep him at Signal Iduna Park.
      According to the German media outlet Bild, Dortmund are hoping to keep hold of him for one more season.
      The club are planning to offer him a new contract that would see his salary increase by 150 per cent up to £13million for the year.
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      The outlet also claims that his contract would include a release clause of £131m.
      This would allow the 19-year-old to leave the club to potential buyers while also guaranteeing the Bundesliga side a large transfer fee.
      This means that interested clubs would have to wait another year to sign the former Birmingham City prospect.
      The report suggests that Real Madrid are currently the favourites to sign Bellingham.
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      The LaLiga side are looking for replacements for veteran duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, with both contracts expiring at the end of the current season.
      However, Dortmund could be boosted in their hopes of keeping Bellingham should the veterans sign new deals at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. More

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      Excited Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals baby joy as he announces he is going to become a grandad aged 55

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      JURGEN KLOPP has revealed he is set to become a grandfather.The 55-year-old announced the news in an interview with his former Borussia Dortmund player Lukasz Piszczek on Polish television.
      Jurgen Klopp has announced he is set to become a grandadCredit: Getty
      The son of Klopp’s wife Ulla Sandrock is set to become a fatherCredit: Rex
      The son of Klopp’s wife Ulla Sandrock, 35-year-old Dennis, is set to become a father.
      Speaking on Viaplay Sport Polska, a jubilant Klopp said: “I’m going to be a grandpa!”
      Klopp and Ulla got married in 2005 after meeting at a pub during the Munich Oktoberfest.
      The pair do not have any children together, but have sons from each of their first respective managers.
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      Klopp’s son, 34-year-old Marc, gets along well with Dennis according to Bild.
      Ulla has been dubbed “the First Lady” of Bundesliga thanks to her charitable actions while Klopp worked in Germany.
      She is also a children’s novelist, publishing her first book – “Tom and the Magic Football” – in 2008 before a sequel followed two years later.
      Additionally, Ulla has worked as a teacher in Kenya and as a nurse in Nairobi.
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      Ulla made headlines in April 2022 when she handed £1,000 worth of food vouches to staff at a Waitrose in Formby, close to their family home.
      And it seems she has some sway over Klopp’s managerial career as well, with Klopp revealing Ulla was instrumental in his decision to pen an extension at Liverpool until 2026.
      In an interview with the club’s website, he said: “The most important contract I signed in my life was the one with Ulla.
      “That’s where it started again. We sat in the kitchen at the table and Ulla said, ‘I can’t see us leaving in 2024.’ And I was like, ‘What?’
      “That’s how it all started and when that started I thought ‘let’s have a think’.”
      Klopp then added: “Ulla, she just loves it here.
      “If she would say, ‘Honestly, I love the football and I love watching it but I actually want to go home’, then we would go, that’s the truth. She started it and here we are.” More

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      Jordan Henderson holds key to convincing Bellingham to join Liverpool as he admits whoever gets him will be ‘very lucky’

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      JORDAN HENDERSON is sure that whoever manages to prise Jude Bellingham away from Borussia Dortmund will feel like they have won the lottery.And he hopes Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has bought plenty of tickets.
      Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson have built up a friendship with EnglandCredit: Getty
      Reds captain Henderson has spent the last three years as a midfield mentor to Bellingham every time they have met up with England.
      Now he is praying their close connection will be enough to convince the teenage marvel to move to Anfield in the face of ferocious competition from every top club in Europe.
      Aged just 19, Bellingham has the football world at his feet, with Real Madrid, Chelsea, both Manchester giants and Liverpool all slugging it out for his signature this summer.
      With two years still to run on his Dortmund contract, he is not going to come cheap.
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      It is anticipated bids in excess of £100million will be needed to convince the Bundesliga leaders to cash in.
      Henderson said: “Whichever club gets him will be very lucky to have him.
      “If it ends up being Liverpool, that would be amazing.
      “But every club you can think of is going to want him. It’s got to be the right move for him because I just want him to become the best player he can be. So he has to think about himself and make sure he makes the right decision for his career.
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      “He’s doing so well at Dortmund, which is a really good club playing Champions League football every season, which has really helped him.
      “I’m sure he’ll sit down with his family and decide what route he wants to take, because his potential is through the roof.”
      Veteran Hendo, 32, is wary of adding to the hype which is already building around Bellingham.
      The teen became the third youngest player in Three Lions history when he made his senior debut in November 2020 at the age of 17 shortly after his £20m summer move from Birmingham to Dortmund.
      But Henderson has no doubts about the youngster’s ability to handle the pressure and joked about checking his birth certificate to make sure he really is still only 19.
      The Liverpool skipper added: “Jude is a really special player and I honestly can’t believe how mature he is at his age. He can be as good as he wants to be because he has got the right mentality, which is the most important thing.
      “The way he applies himself in training and in games is something I’ve never seen before.
      “The way he plays, the way he behaves off the pitch, in the gym, he is just so dedicated to football.
      “Mentality-wise, we’re similar in terms of dedicating our lives to trying to improve every day.
      “But he’s a much better player than I was at his age, that’s for sure.
      “And I’m pretty confident he will be a special player for many years to come.
      “But we still need to be careful not to apply too much pressure on him and just let him play football.
      “You can see what he does for Dortmund and for England — he gets better every time he puts on an England shirt.
      “Of course there are things he can improve but he’s only 19 and the platform he has got means he can go as high as he wants.”
      That was a theme picked up by Bellingham himself when he was interviewed by his Anfield idol Steven Gerrard following the 2-0 win against Ukraine on Sunday.
      Gerro, like Henderson, believes the youngster is a generational talent and said: “He’s a lot further forward than I was at his age. I never had that power and strength until I was 23 and he’s more confident in possession than I was in terms of what he’ll try to do on the ball.”
      Yet Bellingham insisted: “There’s so much more I have to learn about the way I want to be a midfielder who can win games at both ends of the pitch and dominate in the middle.
      “The best chance I have of doing that is to be in the changing room at Dortmund and with England, because I’m like a sponge taking everything in that can help me.”
      It is that willingness to learn which has particularly impressed England boss Gareth Southgate.
      He said: “I’m loath to put pressure on young players because they already have a lot to deal with and it’s not for me to add to that.
      “The good thing about Jude and Declan Rice is they have already captained their clubs and that’s great leadership experience because it puts them in situations slightly out of their comfort zone.
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      “I remember one of Wayne Rooney’s first games for England against Turkey and the intelligence he showed on the pitch.
      “In terms of personality and how he carries himself, only Jude is in that same bracket at that age.” More

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      Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has three transfer offers from Premier League as he looks set to leave on free

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      LIVERPOOL star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has offers from three Premier League clubs as he eyes a summer transfer, according to reports.The midfielder’s deal at Anfield expires at the end of this season and he is set to leave for free.
      Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is wanted by three Prem clubsCredit: AP
      Oxlade-Chamberlain has many suitors with Brighton, Aston Villa and Newcastle all registering their interest in him, claim the Mirror.
      The Seagulls were keen on the 29-year-old during the January transfer window but refused to pay a fee for him, so the move did not materialise.
      Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side are keeping tabs on him as they plan to bolster their squad ahead of a possible European campaign next season.
      Aston Villa reportedly view Oxlade-Chamberlain as a cheap way to offer Unai Emery more midfield options.
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      The player is also supposedly on the radar of unnamed Italian sides.
      He is not expected to make a decision on his future until the end of the season as he focuses on finishing his spell at Liverpool.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled with injuries since joining Jurgen Klopp’s men, making just 12 appearances this term.
      Overall, he has played 145 times and scored 18 goals for the club since his switch in 2017 from Arsenal for £35million.
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      The 35-time capped Englishman is expected to be one of a number of players to leave Liverpool as they eye an overhaul.
      The likes of Naby Keita, James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Arthur Melo all see their deals run out this summer. More

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      Eight ex-Liverpool players who should never have left, including Philippe Coutinho, Fernando Torres and Michael Owen

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      PHILIPPE COUTINHO is redeeming himself at Aston Villa after returning to the Premier League last year.The Brazilian, now 30, flopped at Barcelona after a staggering £142million from Liverpool, but playing on our shores has reignited some of the old spark.
      Coutinho and Can are just two players to regret quitting Liverpool
      But Coutinho is by no means the first former Liverpool player to see his career stall after quitting the Kop, with Sadio Mane the latest who appears to not be enjoying his time away.
      Take a look at EIGHT stars who’ve all regretted a move away from Merseyside…
      SADIO MANE
      Bayern Munich (June 2022)
      FOR many years, Sadio Mane was a king at Anfield. The winger may have not have received as many plaudits as teammate Mohamed Salah, but he was equally dangerous and devastating going forward.
      The Senegalese legend made a surprise move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 after six dazzling years at Anfield.
      But his first season has not quite got going and reports in Sport1 from Germany have suggested that the club’s hierarchy are growing concerned by his performances.
      The 30-year-old has not scored since October but has missed three months of the season with injury.
      EMRE CAN
      Juventus (July 2018)
      AFTER his drawn-out Anfield exit, Can – now at Borussia Dortmund – played a big role in Juventus’ success in 2018-19, playing 29 times in Serie A, as well as making six Champions League appearances.
      However, after another big summer of signing at Juve, Can was left staring into the wilderness.
      Huge, free arrivals in the form of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot quickly shifted Can down the pecking order. He departed for Germany and the midfielder, now 29, is now playing his football at Borussia Dortmund.
      The Reds would go on to win their first-ever Premier League crown not long after he left. Can could have been a part of history.
      PHILIPPE COUTINHO
      Barcelona (January 2018)
      Coutinho has been given a second chance to prove himself at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      AFTER leaving Inter Milan in January 2013 for just £8m, Coutinho quickly became one of Liverpool’s best players.
      As the years rolled on and the “Little Magician” continued to put in a series of glittering performances, the Brazilian then became one of the best on the planet.
      Barcelona came knocking and as is often the way, the South American’s head was turned.
      Coutinho quit the club in January 2018, much to the disgust of the Liverpool faithful.
      Ever since, the Brazilian playmaker has quickly faded into mediocrity. However, his reunion with Steven Gerrard at Villa Park appeared to briefly get a tune out of him again.
      And since Gerrard’s sacking, he has still occasionally manages to show glimpses of his old self under Unai Emery.
      JORDON IBE
      Bournemouth (July 2016)
      Jordon Ibe left Liverpool just as his stock was rapidly risingCredit: Getty
      THE English winger may not be in the same league as Coutinho or Can – but you had better believe he could have been.
      After joining the Reds from Wycombe, the Londoner worked his way through the youth ranks before bursting into the first-team in the 2014-15 season.
      After spells on loan at Birmingham and Derby, Ibe quickly showed his promise – before taking on a key role in 2015-16.
      Ibe made 27 appearances that season in the Premier League alone – and 41 in all competitions – including some Man of the Match displays, including the Merseyside derby against Everton.
      But as he believed he was slipped down the pecking order, Ibe left Anfield just one year into his new five-year deal to join Bournemouth.
      At the time, the winger was being tipped for a call-up to the England set-up – but now he is playing in the second tier of the Turkish league for Adanaspor.FERNANDO TORRES
      Chelsea (January 2011)
      Fernando Torres was left to regret leaving Liverpool for Chelsea in 2011Credit: Reuters
      NOW this one always shows up on lists of “worst transfers ever”…
      Torres infamously left Liverpool in the January window of the 2010-11 season for a whopping £50m fee.
      The Spanish legend had shown signs of slowing down at the Reds after a series of frustrating injuries.
      But after joining Chelsea, Torres looked a shadow of his former self, scoring just 20 times in 110 Premier League games, compared to 65 goals in 102 Liverpool matches.
      The 110-cap international bounced around the world for the rest of his career, having spells at AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Sagan Tosu in Japan, before hanging up his boots.
      MICHAEL OWEN
      Real Madrid (August 2004)
      Michael Owen spent just one season at Real Madrid after leaving LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated Press
      LIVERPOOL born and raised, Owen spent 13 years at Liverpool in all, including his five seasons in the youth team.
      The striker scored 118 Premier League goals in just 216 games, quickly establishing himself as a legend for club and country.
      The 40-goal Three Lions forward believed he could do better, as Liverpool continued their PL title drought.
      He moved to Real Madrid in a shock move in the summer of 2004 for a fee of just £8m.
      Owen scored 13 times in his sole season at the Bernabeu before he made the “biggest mistake of his career” as he called it, in joining Newcastle in 2005.

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      NICK BARMBY
      Leeds (August 2002)
      Nick Barmby struggled to maintain his best form when joining LeedsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      OFTEN a forgotten man amongst Liverpool fans, Barmby enjoyed plenty of success at Anfield.
      The 23-cap England star was part of the squad that won a hoard of trophies including the FA Cup and Uefa Cup around the turn of the new millennium.
      But he left after just two seasons, in 2002, to join Leeds United – in what should have been then prime years of his career.
      Both the player and club quickly suffered a downturn in form, with the Elland Road giants relegated and Barmby making just 25 appearances in two years.
      After a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Barmby played the final eight years of his career at his home-town team, Hull.
      ROBBIE FOWLER
      Leeds (November 2001)
      Robbie Fowler fell out with Liverpool management and quit in 2001Credit: PA:Press Association
      IN defence of “God”, as he was known by Liverpool fans, Fowler had spent 17 years at Anfield – including nine years with the youth teams.
      Fowler quickly became a club legend, scoring 120 Premier League goals in just 236 outings.
      But after reports of a rift with boss Gerard Houllier and his assistant Phil Thompson in 2001, Fowler left just a handful of games into the 2001-02 season.
      Having been a true icon in Liverpool, Fowler failed to settle anywhere else after joining Leeds.
      Fowler spent two years in Leeds, leaving the season before they were relegated to join Manchester City.
      He returned to Liverpool three years later for a cameo spell at the club, in which he scored eight times.
      The 26-cap England star wound-down his career with spells at Cardiff, Blackburn, North Queensland Fury, Perth Glory and Muangthong United before he returned in 2012. More

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      Man Utd could beat Liverpool to transfer target in huge blow to bitter rivals but it depends on takeover

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could nab transfer guru Paul Mitchell from under Liverpool’s noses… if Sir Jim Ratcliffe buys the club.Recruitment expert Mitchell, 41, is leaving his position as sporting director at AS Monaco at the end of the season.
      Liverpool and Manchester United could battle it out for transfer expert Paul MitchellCredit: PA
      Mitchell is leaving Monaco at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Liverpool have explored the prospect of bringing Mitchell to Anfield, according to the Independent.
      However, the same source suggests the Reds could face competition from United, who may also choose to target the mastermind.
      That’s if the Ratcliffe-led consortium is successful in its bid to buy the Red Devils.
      Mitchell is claimed to have been touted for an Old Trafford role should Ratcliffe and Co fight off rival interest from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.
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      US hedge fund Elliott Management have also made an offer to take a minority stake in the club.
      Ratcliffe’s INEOS group are said to already have an idea as to what their potential structure at the club will be.
      It’s not yet clear, however, what exact role Mitchell has been identified for at Old Trafford.
      Meanwhile at Anfield, current sporting director Julian Ward is set to step down this summer, just a year after taking over from Michael Edwards.
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      Mitchell has been linked with taking the hot seat in what is expected to be a busy summer for Jurgen Klopp and Co.
      But a successful Ratcliffe takeover at Old Trafford could see the Red Devils beat Liverpool to the acquisition.
      Transfer expert Mitchell previously worked at RB Leipzig and Tottenham before joining Monaco.
      Speaking on his decision to leave the Ligue 1 side, Mitchell told Nice Matin: “Yes, it was a very difficult decision.
      “I loved my experience at this club. I have always felt a lot of support from President Dmitry Rybolovlev and the Principality.
      “But I have spent a lot of time away from home and my loved ones in recent years. I feel that the mission I had, which was to rebuild the sports project, has been fulfilled.” More