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    Liverpool drawing Real Madrid is VERY bad omen for Jurgen Klopp due to amazing Champions League fact

    LIVERPOOL should be nervous about their Champions League draw due to their recent record against teams from Madrid.Jurgen Klopp’s side were drawn against Real Madrid after finishing second in their group, despite picking up 15 points.
    Jurgen Klopp has exclusively been knocked out of the Champions League by Madrid based clubs since becoming Liverpool managerCredit: Getty
    Finishing behind Napoli left them on the harder side of the draw as they would have to face teams that won their group, like the La Liga giants.
    While the fans of the Anfield club will be looking for revenge for their two final defeats to Real Madrid, one person has pointed out a weird coincidence since the German manager was appointed.
    Journalist Colin Millar wrote: “With Jürgen Klopp as manager, Liverpool have exclusively been knocked out of the Champions League by clubs from Madrid.
    “The one season they didn’t play a club from Madrid, they won the Champions League – in Madrid.”
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    In the last two season, Liverpool have been knocked out by Real Madrid, once in the quarter-finals and in the final earlier this year.
    In 2019/20, Liverpool were beaten in both legs by Diego Simone’s Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.
    The season before that, Liverpool avoided playing a club from Madrid and beat Tottenham in an all-Premier League final, which happened to be played in the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
    The previous year, Liverpool was beaten in the final by Real Madrid, and before that Klopp had not managed them in the competition.
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    Klopp’s side will be hoping that the ominous omen means very little and will be able to overcome Carlo Ancelotti’s side and progress to the next round.
    In the meantime, Liverpool will be focused on winning their two games before the break for the World Cup in Qatar.
    Up first is a Carabao Cup clash against Derby County which will be followed by a league fixture against Southampton at Anfield. More

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    Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family ‘express interest in buying Liverpool’ after failing in Chelsea takeover bid

    THE Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs, are reportedly interested in taking over Liverpool.Fenway Sports Group put the Reds up for sale on Monday morning, shocking fans by exploring the possibility of leaving Merseyside after 12 years at the helm.
    FSG have put Liverpool up for sale after more than a decade in chargeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Joe Ricketts has owned the Chicago Cubs since 2009Credit: Getty
    Joe’s son Tom is the chairman of the Chicago CubsCredit: Getty
    Liverpool supporters are now eagerly awaiting the possibility of billionaires stepping forward to purchase the club.
    And, according to The Times, the Ricketts family have expressed an interest in the Premier League outfit.
    Joe Ricketts founded the brokerage firm TD Ameritrade in 1975 and the family are now thought to be worth around £3.2billion.
    Joe’s son, Thomas, is the current Chicago Cubs chairman and has been ever since they bought the baseball team for £785million in 2009.
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    He shares ownership of the club alongside sister Laura and brothers Pete and Todd.
    They celebrated the Cubs winning the World Series back in 2016.
    The Ricketts family were in the frame to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich earlier this year – before Todd Boehly eventually purchased the club.
    But the Americans fell out of contention before the Boehly deal was completed following a racism row.
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    As revealed by Splinter, leaked emails showed 81-year-old Joe writing: “Christians and Jews can have a mutual respect for each other to create a civil society.
    “As you know, Islam cannot do that. Therefore we cannot ever let Islam become a large part of our society.
    “Muslims are naturally my (our) enemy due to their deep antagonism and bias against non-Muslims.”
    Ricketts also says in an exchange with son Pete, a serving politician, that he believes Islam “is a cult and not a religion”.
    He went on to say the religion of Islam is “Based on ‘kill the infidel’ a thing of evil”.
    The Ricketts family did make it through to the next round of bidding despite the leaked emails.
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    But Chelsea fans then protested the Ricketts potential takeover outside Stamford Bridge before their clash with Brentford in April.
    They subsequently missed out on purchasing the club, but could now return to English football to try and agree a deal for Liverpool. More

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    Liverpool ’emerge as favourites to seal £130m Jude Bellingham transfer ahead of Man Utd, Chelsea and Real Madrid’

    LIVERPOOL have emerged as favourites to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.The England star has drawn interest from all over Europe with his sensational displays in Germany.
    Jude Bellingham is high in-demandCredit: Getty
    The Englishman’s future dominates Marca’s Saturday editionCredit: Marca
    Bellingham, 19, is a priority signing for Real Madrid – although Liverpool have taken steps to put themselves in pole position.
    According to ESPN, Jurgen Klopp’s side are building a “close relationship” with the midfielder’s representatives.
    They add that Liverpool are working hard on a “framework” for the deal.
    Bellingham is under contract in Germany for another two-and-a-half years – although Dortmund are likely to let him go either in January or more likely next summer.
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    It is suggested that it could take a fee in the region of £130million to snap up the Three Lions ace.
    Liverpool opted against making a big splash in the transfer market for a midfielder last summer – instead choosing to wait for Bellingham.
    They decided to keep Naby Keita for the last year of his contract, while signing Arthur Melo on loan.
    Spanish paper Marca claim that Real Madrid have received assurances that Bellingham wants to play for them.
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    But the Spanish champions would not be able to afford the package that Liverpool are putting together.
    Chelsea are also set to be in the mix, with Todd Boehly eager to sign Bellingham.
    Despite the American’s spending power, however, the Blues find themselves behind in the race at present.
    Manchester United have also been mentioned as Bellingham suitors in the past, but are not at the front of the queue. More

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    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and owners ‘agree to go ALL IN for Jude Bellingham transfer… but Dortmund want £130m’

    JURGEN KLOPP and his Liverpool owners have reportedly agreed to go ALL IN for Jude Bellingham.But Borussia Dortmund will demand £130million for any transfer.
    Jude Bellingham is a transfer target for a host of clubsCredit: Getty
    Jurgen Klopp is keen to bolster his midfield next yearCredit: Getty
    Bellingham, 19, is already developing into one of the best young midfielders in Europe.
    He has four goals in five Champions League games – and nine in 19 overall – and captained his side numerous times this season.
    Bellingham looks certain to start for England at the World Cup later this month.
    But Liverpool are hoping he lines up at Anfield come the start of next season.
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    As reported by Bild in Germany, Klopp and FSG are already making preparations to land Bellingham next summer.
    It is said they have set aside £86m of their transfer kitty to spend on Bellingham as they prioritise bolstering their midfield.
    However, that will unlikely be enough to sign the former Birmingham youngster.
    Dortmund want a whopping £130m for their highly-rated ace, who is tied down until 2025.
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    That would make Bellingham the Premier League’s most expensive player ever – breaking the £100m bar set by Jack Grealish last summer.
    However, it is not just Liverpool chasing a big-money move for the teenager.
    The Reds face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United for his signature.
    However, SunSport understands Real Madrid are in pole position as they look to add another rising star into their midfield after already signing Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. More

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    Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool transfer blow as Borussia Dortmund will ask for Prem record £130m for Jude Bellingham

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND could demand a Premier League record fee of £130million for Jude Bellingham.Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are battling Real Madrid for the England midfielder, 19.
    Dortmund’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham could be at the centre of a massive summer transfer battleCredit: Getty
    And Dortmund’s valuation has rocked Bellingham’s admirers as it was thought Prem clubs were considering bidding at around £87m.
    The playmaker is under contract until 2025 and the German giants hope to fend off any transfer war until at least the summer.
    And if Dortmund do get near the asking price reported by Bild, it still should be better value than the Prem’s three previous £100m-plus deals.
    Philippe Coutinho never reproduced his Liverpool form after Barcelona paid £121.5m for the Brazilian in January 2018.
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    That’s the current record fee involving an English top-flight club.
    England wideman Jack Grealish is not the key man for Manchester City that he was at Aston Villa, despite costing £105.75m in January 2021.
    And as with Coutinho, the Prem also got the best out of another entertainer before he switched to Spain for the third-highest sum.
    Eden Hazard has been beset by poor displays and fitness issues since  leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid at a cost of £103.50m in June 2019.
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    It’s Graham Potter’s Blues who appear to have made the clearest move yet from a Prem club for Bellingham.
    Chelsea reportedly told Dortmund they would go close to £90m, rather than target his Three Lions’ team-mate Declan Rice at West Ham.
    Stamford Bridge owner Todd Boehly is also said to be keen on RB Leipzig midfielders  Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol. More

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    Liverpool consider RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer in January transfer swoop before ‘summer rebuild’

    LIVERPOOL are keeping tabs on RB Leipzig star Konrad Laimer to fix their struggling midfield, reports suggest.The Reds are ninth in the table after winning four and losing four of their first 12 matches, of which they have also lost four.
    Liverpool are targeting RB Leipzig star Konrad Laimer ahead of the January transfer windowCredit: Getty
    Their underwhelming campaign can be partly blamed on their out-of-sorts midfield with key players either out of form or plagued by injury.
    According to Sky Germany, that is why the Merseysiders have turned their attention to Laimer, 25, ahead of the January transfer window.
    The same report suggests Liverpool are planning a “significant investment” next summer but won’t wait until then to strengthen in the middle of the park.
    The versatile midfielder’s contract runs out in June and he has confirmed he would be open to a Premier League move.
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    The Austria international has also been previously linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
    Liverpool, though, may have an advantage as Laimer has previously admitted he is a fan of the Reds.
    However, the Austrian hasn’t played since September after suffering an ankle ligament injury.
    Nevertheless, the ex-Red Bull Salzburg’s influence has been immense since his arrival in 2017.
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    Laimer has amassed a total of 11 goals and 18 assists in 167 appearances across all competitions with Leipzig.
    Liverpool couldn’t manage to sign a midfielder until deadline day last summer when they got Athur Melo on loan from Juventus.
    However, the Brazilian has barely played at Anfield after being struck down by injury. More

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    Jurgen Klopp ESCAPES touchline ban for sending off in Liverpool clash with Man City but is fined £30,000 by FA

    LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has escaped a touchline ban for his sending-off against Manchester City but was fined £30,000.Klopp admitted going too far after charging down the line to berate officials as the Reds clung to a 1-0 Premier League win on October 16.
    Jurgen Klopp says he deserved his red card for this outburst at officials during Liverpool’s tense encounter with champs Man City at AnfieldCredit: PA
    Assistant referee Gary Beswick was the main target for Klopp’s tiradeCredit: Rex
    The German lost his cool after referee Anthony Taylor refused to give a foul when Bernardo Silva took Mo Salah down in the dying minutes.
    Matchwinner Salah was shielding the ball, trying to use up time.
    And home fans, as well as Klopp, were outraged when Silva was not penalised.
    The 55-year-old manager let trip, leaning in to give assistant ref Gary Beswick an earful.
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    Taylor sent Klopp to the stands – in just one of several heated incidents during a tense game.
    But after the match Klopp agreed he was wrong and apologised.
    An FA statement on Thursday said: “‘Jurgen Klopp has been fined £30,000 for breaching FA Rule E3 during Liverpool FC’s Premier League match against Manchester City FC on Sunday 16 October 2022.
    “The manager accepted that his behaviour during the 86th minute was improper, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanction during a hearing. 
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    “This sanction is subject to appeal by either Jurgen Klopp or The FA following receipt of the independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons.”
    Klopp said in his post-match press conference: “Of course, red card, my fault. I went over the top in the moment. 
    “I don’t think I was disrespectful to anybody but when you look back at the pictures — I know myself the way I look in these moments is already worth a red card. I lost it in that moment and that is not OK. 
    “But I think a little bit of an excuse I would like to mention, how can you not whistle for that foul? I wish I could get an explanation.”
    City chief Pep Guardiola was almost as angry at times, especially when VAR erased Phil Foden’s second half strike.
    Guardiola’s team were also furious that Liverpool midfielder Thiago did not see red for a challenge on Rodri. More

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    Liverpool ‘leading transfer race for 17-year-old Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko with Barcelona and PSG also keen’

    LIVERPOOL will face competition in their pursuit of signing Youssoufa Moukoko, according to reports. The Borussia Dortmund starlet, 17, is being tracked by a host of top clubs.
    Youssoufa Moukoko has pushed his way into the Borussia Dortmund first teamCredit: Getty
    But The Reds are the best positioned to land him, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
    They report this despite interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, and from Paris Saint-Germain.
    Jurgen Klopp’s interest in the attacker is said to be quite acute, with him being impressed by his younger compatriot’s performances.
    While he has mostly appeared off the bench for his club this season, Moukoko has still returned a stellar goal record.
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    He has four goals and three assists in just 443 minutes of action in the Bundesliga this season.
    The teenager also added an assist to his record in the Champions League in the sole game he started in the group stages.
    Moukoko’s contract expires next summer, and Klopp would like to future-proof his attack by adding him to the ranks.
    In addition, his strong form when playing has seen him wrestle a spot into the main league side – starting each of the last three games.
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    Moukoko is also outperforming his Expected Goals this season, showing that he has been more clinical than the average striker would be presented with the same chances.
    Liverpool have been enduring a stuttering season so far, with results keeping them far off of the pace of the title fight now set to be fought out between Arsenal and Manchester City.
    Most recently they lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest, with another poor away day plaguing them.
    Elsewhere in the transfer market, they are also set to battle fierce rivals Manchester United for the signings of Frenkie de Jong and Chicago Fire wonderkid Jhon Duran. More