Liverpool transfer news live - Ryan Gravenberch interest, Josko Gvardiol scouted (2023)

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PSG 'identify Mohamed Salah as Lionel Messi replacement'

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly have a plan in place to try and sign Mohamed Salah.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, PSG have identified Salah as a target in the event that Lionel Messi leaves the club this summer.

It has been claimed that talks have already taken place with PSG and Salah’s representatives, even though the Egyptian only signed fresh terms with Liverpool last summer.

Salah is under contract at Anfield until 2025, and given Jurgen Klopp’s comments about a busy transfer window ahead, you would think it highly unlikely the club would come close to sanctioning the exit of their star player.

Jurgen Klopp shares Liverpool injury update

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool will make changes for their trip to Crystal Palace as Ibrahima Konate closes in on a return.

“Ibou is near but had two sessions with us after a long injury,” he told reporters. “We can see when the boys come on that they are not at their best at the moment. We have the situation now with Bobby and Diogo. But they need the minutes and will get better. That’s exactly the situation we have.

“We are not sure if all the boys could play again after Madrid because of some knocks here and there. We are really not 100% clear. We have to make changes and we want to, and we will make changes anyway, but it’s not that you come back after a long injury and it’s clicking again.

“We can see it with Virgil as well. Everybody expects Virgil to always be a robot pretty much. He played the most games last year, played the World Cup, every game pretty much for his country, came back, plays a couple games, gets injured, comes back, plays, plays, plays.

“That’s the situation. It’s not perfect but it’s what we have to go through. I don’t say everything people say around us is wrong, not at all. But most of the things aren’t right as well.”

Jurgen Klopp drops major hint on Liverpool summer transfer plans

Jurgen Klopp launched into an impassioned defence of Liverpool’s transfer policy after acknowledging the Reds will need to make a number of transfers next summer.

“Yes (transfers are needed), what would be the other scenario? No, (our plans changed) not so much,” he said. “It’s not so much. We are all influenced by the things that happened recently.

“Of course, we are not that dumb. It’s not like, ‘Today is not good and now we have to change.’ This is clear, it was always clear.

“This team has a wonderful history. The way this club is led is by not splashing the money and having a look at if it works out or not. Our transfers always have to be on point. So that makes it really tricky where we cannot make four transfers before we know who will leave the club.

“Last year I said it a couple of times, and I don’t know how many times I can say it, I knew it would be tricky. And that was one of the main reasons why I signed a new contract, to make sure people who are not on top of all that have to discuss and then ‘he leaves next year’.

“And not because I’m that great, just because imagine the same situation with another coach. Everybody would have said, ‘Bring Klopp back’. It’s good, we don’t have that. Some of them want me out, it’s fine. I can understand that as well, but it’s not about that. It’s just about the club and the stability.

Joe Gomez injury update

Gomez was substituted in the second half on Tuesday night as Liverpool were beaten by Real Madrid and he was seen walking down the tunnel clutching his hamstring.

Klopp said after the game: “Yeah, we will see. He showed a little bit of a sign so we just made a decision. Now we will see. He will get checked tomorrow.”

It is unclear as to whether Gomez will be fit enough for the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday night.

Decision to make

Jurgen Klopp has a decision to make on whether Ibrahima Konate comes straight back into the side on Saturday night at Selhurst Park.

Joe Gomez is a doubt for the tie and Joel Matip has been struggling for form. Klopp confirmed the Frenchman had trained twice since returning from a hamstring injury.

The sooner Konate is back alongside Virgil van Dijk, the better.

Crystal Palace injury update

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Viera says Wilfried Zaha and Tyrick Mitchell trained today ahead of the visit of Liverpool tomorrow night.

Zaha has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury while Mitchell picked up an ankel injury last weekend.

“Both of them trained with the team,” Vieira said of Mitchell and Zaha ahead of Liverpool tomorrow.

“Wilfried is getting better and better. He trained this morning. He had the last training session this morning, but we will have to wait for tomorrow to see the reaction.”

Ryan Gravenberch interest

Liverpool are 'closely following' the situation of Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern Munich as they look to resolve their midfield issues in the summer.

“Liverpool are interested,” journalist Kenny Hau told the Die Bayern Woche podcast on Sport 1.

“They want to rejuvenate their midfield in the summer and can well imagine getting two new eights – another player in addition to the desired player Jude Bellingham.

“His name has been mentioned more often by those responsible, (there is no concrete interest yet) but the situation is being examined and they have already contacted Gravenberch’s people to ask about him, what type of person he is.

“You have to be honest: when he got the chance, he couldn’t recommend himself 100% (at Bayern)."

Brendan Rodgers on title race experience

Brendan Rodgers has warned Arsenal of the growing expectations in the Premier League title race.

"There's definitely a change in emotion, that's for sure," said Rodgers. "That's the key aspect of it and we're not really even at that stage yet. You see the excitement there with how Arsenal are playing and you sense the supporters feel they have an opportunity – which they do have.

"But it's really not until you get to 10 games to go and then five games to go. If they're still up there, which I believe they will be, then the expectation on everything and the emotion grows even more.

"If I look back on that it's really about trying to manage those aspects. Because when you haven't won the league for so long, then of course the closer it gets and the closer you are to it, naturally the supporters dream. So the expectation starts to grow even more."

'If I look back' - Brendan Rodgers sends warning to Arsenal after 2013-14 Liverpool title race

Brendan Rodgers has warned Arsenal of the growing expectations they will face as they continue to lead the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta will take his men to the King Power stadium on Saturday afternoon with a two point lead over Manchester City as they look to win their first title since 2004.

Former Liverpool boss Rodgers came close to winning the league in 2014, but City pipped the Reds to the post in the run in and the Northern Irishman has shared some of his experiences with the Gunners.

Rodgers was two points away from bringing the title to Anfield for the first time in 24 years and Arteta is facing a similar task with Arsenal.

"There's definitely a change in emotion, that's for sure," said Rodgers. "That's the key aspect of it and we're not really even at that stage yet. You see the excitement there with how Arsenal are playing and you sense the supporters feel they have an opportunity – which they do have.

"But it's really not until you get to 10 games to go and then five games to go. If they're still up there, which I believe they will be, then the expectation on everything and the emotion grows even more."

Read the full story HERE.

Jurgen Klopp press conference chatter

Jurgen Klopp has now finished talking to the media.

The Reds boss spoke in depth about changes needing to be made in the summer as the team struggles this season.

He also stated changes will need to be made tomorrow against Crystal Palace because some players picked up knocks in the Real Madrid loss. Ibrahima Konate has trained for two days, but it is unclear whether he will be risked.

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott believes tomorrow's match is about 'putting things right' after the 5-2 humbling by Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

"The Newcastle and Everton games were, to our standards this season, unbelievable," Elliott told LFC. "There were glimpses of us from last season and the season before that. For us it's about putting things right, going out and making sure we do the basics right again."

Karius' chance

Loris Karius is set to be given the chance to revive his playing career when Newcastle take on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Nick Pope is suspended and Karl Darlow is cup tied having played for United this season in the competition.

Jamie O'Hara told Grosvenor Sport: "I think Man United win this one now. I just look at it now and think, Loris Karius in goal, he hasn’t played, he’s Newcastle’s third choice!” O’Hara said.

“The pressure is going to be on him big time. I hope he does have a good game, I really do, because that Champions League final wrecked his confidence for a long time.

“Hopefully, he has a good game, but I just can’t see Newcastle getting past Manchester United; United are in great form at the minute, and Newcastle are stuttering. It’s a bad time to have a final for them. Now the tie goes in Man United’s favour just on the fact Newcastle have a third-choice goalkeeper and they’re in great form.

“I missed a penalty in the League Cup final against Man United and played in a final a year after and was still thinking about the miss. It’s impossible to get it out of your mind. You learn to deal with it and get on with it, but it will have knocked his confidence.

“Hopefully, he has learned from it. If he is a good keeper, he will be thinking about it but thinking about it in a positive light – don’t make that mistake again, don’t do anything stupid, and keep it simple. It might actually hold him in good stead, we’ll see.”

Jurgen Klopp press conference

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will speak to the media at 11:30am this morning as he previews the trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow night.

The Reds are looking to make it three wins on the bounce in the Premier League and close the gap on the Premier League's top four with a win.

Sporting director update

According to Sam Wallace of the Telegraph, Liverpool have decided against appointing Paul Mitchell as Sporting Director, who holds a similar role at Monaco and has worked at Premier League club's Southampton and Tottenham.

The search for someone to come in and replace Julian Ward in the summer goes on with Eintracht Frankfurt chief Markus Krosche being linked.

Liverpool send scouts?

According to reports, Liverpool have sent scouts to Germany to watch RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol over the last few months.

Jurgen Klopp is needing to make additions to his backline after some horrible defensive displays - most recently in the 5-2 loss to Real Madrid - and the Croatian is one of the hottest talents around.

Gvardiol has made no secret of his admiration for Liverpool after calling the Reds his 'dream' club.

Is this a move we should keep an eye for the summer? Whatever happens, Leipzig won't be letting their star leave for peanuts.

Good news yesterday

The good news yesterday was tht Ibrahima Konate was seen back in Liverpool training after injuring his hamstring in the FA Cup loss away at Brighton in January.

The Frenchman has been a huge miss and you would think Jurgen Klopp will want him paired with Virgil van Dijk as soon as possible, but Saturday's match at Crystal Palace will most likely come too soon.

Liverpool should bounce back

Former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson believes the Reds should bounce back tomorrow night against Crystal Palace as good teams don't lose twice.

He told OLBG: "The saying goes that ‘’good teams don’t lose twice in a row.’’ Crystal Palace will not roll over but they are certainly not Real Madrid. I expect Liverpool to bounce back and come out flying like they did against Madrid. They should get an early goal and carry the momentum to a positive result."

Good morning, Reds!

Good morning Liverpool fans and welcome back to our LIVE blog! We will take you through all things coming out of Anfield as the Reds build-up to playing Crystal Palace tomorrow night in the Premier League.

Stay tuned for all of the latest news and rumours from Anfield!

Josko Gvardiol challenge

Liverpool face a potential challenge to sign Josko Gvardiol amid links as RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has expressed confidence that they can maintain his services.

His club manager is discussing the future of the 21-year-old, who equalised for Leipzig in their 1-1 Champions League draw at home to Man City on Wednesday.

"Josko Gvardiol will be a RB Leipzig player next season as well," Rose said via The Times. "I am the coach and I am asking for that.

"‘He is happy here. He said he wants to play in the Premier League, but he didn’t say when!"

Gvardiol's current contract expires in the summer of 2027. It is said that he has a £98m release clause in his contract, which will come into play in the summer of 2024.

Cody Gakpo's PSV return

Liverpool January signing Cody Gakpo said farewell to his boyhood club PSV Eindhoven during their Europa League clash on Thursday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's side were looking to overturn a three-goal deficit against Sevilla at the Phillips Stadion. But for Gakpo, the fixture allowed an opportunity to say one final goodbye to the club he captained before arriving on Merseyside last month.

The 23-year-old completed the move to the Reds on the eve of the transfer window opening as Jurgen Klopp's side gazumped rivals Manchester United to the signature of the highly-rated Holland international. His start to life at Anfield has been difficult as he endured a barren goalscoring run. But that came to an end earlier this month when he tapped home against Everton in his first Merseyside derby.

The wait to double his account for Liverpool wasn't too far around the corner as he rifled home from inside the box as they made it two wins in two in the Premier League during their triumph at Newcastle United last weekend.

At half-time in PSV's Europa League clash, a banner was unveiled of Gakpo, who was paraded on the pitch and was gifted a framed shirt.

Ibrahima Konate boost

There was a boost yesterday as Ibrahima Konate was confirmed to be back in training after teasing his return on Instagram.

Konate has been absent since the FA Cup fourth round defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion on January 29 after suffering a hamstring problem.

The France international sat out the Premier League defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers and the subsequent wins over Everton and Newcastle United, and was among a number of players missing from Tuesday's 5-2 Champions League round of 16 first leg defeat to Real Madrid at Anfield.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

Jurgen Klopp's press conference

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be in front of the media this morning from 11:30am.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last two Premier League outings however they crashed down to earth after Tuesday's humiliation at the hands of the reigning European champions.

We will bring you all the latest quotes from the German.

Good morning!

Hello and welcome to the Liverpool live blog as we head to the weekend.

We will be bringing you all the latest news, transfer rumours and build-up to the trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Stick with us and don't hesitate to offer your thoughts into the debate via the comments section or on Twitter.