Jurgen Klopp described the news as “a proper smash in the face”. This one really hurts.
The Liverpool manager had been relishing the prospect of being able to call upon Luis Diaz once again.
The Colombian attacker, who has been sorely missed since he limped off with a knee injury in the defeat to Arsenal in early October, was going to provide a real injection of quality at a pivotal stage of the season as the Premier League got back to work on December 26 following a six-week break for the playing of the World Cup in Qatar.
Kylian Mbappe’s mother has been pictured posing next to a Liverpool supporter – pointing at the club crest as the image was taken.
Fayza Lamari, the mother of the Paris Saint-Germain star, has been cheering on her son at the World Cup in Qatar and will have been pleased with what she has seen so far after witnessing France get the better of England to reach the semi-final of the tournament.
Ahead of the quarter-final meeting between the teams, Mbappe was seen trying to engage with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson but was seemingly blanked by the midfielder as he attempted to remain focused before kick-off.
France’s talisman is someone who has continued to be linked with the Reds in recent years, though the finances that would be involved in a deal to bring the 23-year-old to Anfield is what makes this a transfer unlikely to occur.
Liverpool may have won the race for Argentina and Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez and ‘agreed’ on a deal ahead of a June 2023 transfer, according to fresh reports from South America.
Fernandez, 21, made the move to the Portuguese capital in July after rising through the ranks of South American giants River Plate.
However, it now appears that the midfielder could be set for his latest big-money switch as Argentine outlet La Capital claim his outstanding performances for Lionel Scaloni’s side in the World Cup have triggered Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool to make a move.
It is suggested that Anfield officials, who are still being led in procedures by outgoing sporting director Julian Ward, have reached an arrangement with Benfica over a deal to bring Fernandez to Merseyside in June. The report claims the Reds struck early in a bid to fend off anticipated interest from both Manchester United and Manchester City.
Liverpool have reached an ‘agreement’ with Benfica for the signing of midfielder Enzo Fernandez in Jue 2023, according to reports from Argentina.
The midfielder, who made the move to the Portuguese giants from River Plate last summer, has impressed with Lionel Scaloni’s side during their run to the semi-finals of the competition.
He has been linked with moves to Anfield and Manchester United.
Liverpool have been told by Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit why they should sign Joao Felix in January.
The Atletico Madrid forward has been tentatively linked with a move to the Reds in the past, but those reports were rather speculative and no credible links have emerged in recent months. But Felix is apparently a possible target for Premier League clubs in January.
It has been reported in recent days that Felix could leave Atletico in the New Year after seeking a new challenge. And The Athletic have claimed that Aston Villa and Arsenal have been listed as potential suitors for the Portugal international.
However, former Gunners star Petit has claimed that he thinks Liverpool will make a move for Felix. Petit has explained to Football Betting why the 22-year-old, who signed for Atletico from Benfica for £113m in 2019, would suit Jurgen Klopp’s system.
Luis Diaz will reportedly be sidelined until at least March after suffering a setback on his recovery from injury.
According to The Athletic, Diaz has now had surgery on his lateral collateral ligament and is unlikely to play again before March.
Diaz suffered the injury in the same area during Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal at the start of October. he had travelled to Dubai with the squad for a training camp, but returned to Merseyside after complaining of discomfort.
Manchester City are looking to follow Liverpool’s lead in increasing the capacity of their ground beyond 60,000.
The current Premier League champions have revealed they are currently undertaking feasibility studies with regards to increasing the capacity of their Etihad Stadium home by expanding the size of the North Stand, as well as creating a new covered ‘fan zone’.
The move by City is being pursued with the goal in mind to turn the stadium, which is currently the fifth largest Premier League ground with a capacity of 53,400, into a “best-in-class” sport and entertainment venue that would also include more food and drink outlets, a new club shop and museum, workspace and an onsite hotel.
Should the green light be given to the development, which fans are being invited to share their feedback in early 2023, then it would further aid City’s ability for revenue generation, something they now also lead the Premier League in after posting record revenues of £613m and record profits of £41.7m in their most recent accounts.
Some 134 days after his last outing in a Liverpool shirt, it was heartening to see Naby Keita belatedly put a firm foot forward on his road to recovery on Sunday evening in Dubai.
As the darkness had just about started to settle in around the Al Maktoum Stadium, Keita arrived for the final half hour of a 3-1 defeat to Lyon in the exhibition tournament known as the Dubai Super Cup.
It’s been quite the wait for the No.8 to get back on the pitch again having last turned out for Jurgen Klopp’s side as a late substitute in the Community Shield on July 30 against Manchester City.
Your Liverpool morning headlines as France send a warning to the Reds amid Jude Bellingham links, plus a club chief has sent a transfer message to the Reds.
Fabinho’s wife, Rebeca Tavares, has responded to rumours linking the midfielder with a move away from Liverpool in the summer.
The Brazilian has struggled for form this season as Liverpool have endured a difficult start, and questions have been asked over his long-term future at Anfield.
Since signing from Monaco in the summer of 2018, Fabinho has been one of the key players in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, but this campaign has been a difficult one for the Brazil international.
Liverpool have been linked with making a move for Morocco and Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat, who plays in the same position as Fabinho.
Some of the unseen moments from Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Lyon as Paul Gorst reports from Dubai.
Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
The Reds were first credited with an interest in the player during the early stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Amrabat has been a key player for Morocco, who have become the first country from Africa to reach the semi-final stage in the tournament’s history.
Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham has been the midfielder who has been most heavily linked with a move to Liverpool. However, fresh reports seem to be gathering pace as to the Reds’ apparent interest in Amrabat.
According to a report from Spanish news outlet Relevo, Liverpool scouts have been left “amazed” by Amrabat’s performances during the World Cup. It has also been claimed that Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the player, and is keen to bring him to Anfield.
Benfica president Rui Costa has claimed ‘no player’ will leave the club during the January transfer window, in a potential blow to Liverpool’s rumoured hopes of signing Enzo Fernandez.
The 21-year-old has caught the eye for Argentina at the World Cup and continues to be linked with a move to Anfield by Portuguese media outlets, despite only joining Benfica during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool sealed the signing of Darwin Nunez back in June as part of an £85million package deal but could face difficulties should they wish to approach the Eagles over potential negotiations for Fernandez.
Antonio Silva and Goncalo Ramos are two other Benfica players being linked with big-money moves away after impressive starts to the season, but Costa has warned no individual will be exiting in January unless release clauses are met.
There has been a possible update on the future of reported Liverpool target Jude Bellingham.
The Reds continue to be heavily linked with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who is likely to be a top target for many clubs over the coming months.
According to The Athletic, now that Bellingham’s involvement in the World Cup with England is over, clubs are likely to step up their efforts to sign the player.
It has been claimed that many clubs – including Real Madrid and Manchester City – view Liverpool as the “front-runners” to sign the teenager, but still do not think that the “matter is closed”, and will hope to capitalise on the Reds’ inconsistent first half of the season.
Jurgen Klopp says Luis Diaz’s injury setback is a “proper smash in the face” as Liverpool get set for another spell without the influential winger.
Diaz has not played for the Reds since the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in early October after suffering a knee injury, but was poised to return in the mid-season friendly fixtures in Dubai before he suffered another setback on Friday.
Reports in Diaz’s native Colombia have claimed he will need surgery and be absent until March and any prolonged absence will be a major blow for a player who has shone since his £37m switch from Porto at the end of the January transfer window.
The ECHO’s analysis from Paul Gorst from the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai as Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Lyon on Sunday.
Luis Diaz was stepping up his return from a knee injury during Liverpool’s training camp in the UAE but suffered a setback last week; winger hasn’t played since defeat at Arsenal on October 9; Diogo Jota is also absent with a calf injury; Jurgen Klopp: “It was a proper smash in the face”
Diaz has been absent since suffering a knee injury in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal on October 9 but was preparing for his return during the Reds’ warm-weather camp.
However, the winger sustained a setback last week, with Jurgen Klopp saying: “He was not in the best possible place.
“It’s clear it’s a big disappointment for all of us, for him as well.
“It was a non-situation in training, honestly. Nothing [then he] felt something. [He] didn’t feel a lot [the] next day but we wanted to be really cautious and said, ‘OK, come on, let’s have a look.’
“Then the news came and it was a proper smash in the face. But that’s it now.”
The Colombia international scored four goals and assisted three in the 12 matches he played before getting injured.
Liverpool were able to cope with Diaz’s absence before the World Cup break, winning eight of the 10 matches he missed as they secured progress to the last-16 of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, while they are sixth in the Premier League.
Diaz’s latest injury leaves Liverpool with only Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino as the fit senior forwards at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, with Diogo Jota also currently sidelined with a calf injury.
The manager will also be able to call on Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as potential attacking reinforcements from within his squad.
Elliott also suffered an injury scare during Liverpool’s 3-1 friendly defeat to Lyon on Sunday, coming off in the 29th minute, but Klopp had better news regarding his fitness.
“Harvey got a knock before we scored but I think we were lucky,” he said. “He looks fine now but he feels it, that’s normal.
“There was contact but I hope we were lucky in that moment.”