Liverpool is on the brink of a significant transition this summer, as the impending departure of manager Jurgen Klopp marks the end of an era spanning nearly nine years.
With Michael Edwards reinstated as the chief executive of football for Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, and Richard Hughes poised to assume the role of the club’s new sporting director upon his departure from Bournemouth at the season’s end, a new chapter is set to unfold both on and off the field.As the club prepares for managerial changes, Mirror Football has identified six players who could potentially bid farewell to Anfield this summer.
Among them is Caoimhin Kelleher, lauded by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as “world class,” who has admirably deputized for Alisson during the Brazilian’s recent injury absence.Another player whose future at Anfield appears uncertain is Thiago Alcantara, whose tenure at Liverpool has been plagued by injury woes.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it seems improbable that Liverpool will opt to extend his stay.Joel Matip, a stalwart defender for Liverpool over the past eight years, is also facing an uncertain future as his contract nears its conclusion.
Despite Klopp’s advocacy for a new deal, it seems increasingly likely that Matip will seek opportunities elsewhere.
Goalkeeper Adrian, in the final year of his five-year stint at Liverpool, could also bid adieu to the club this summer.
As the third-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson and Kelleher, Adrian’s playing time has been limited, with just two appearances in the last three years.
Nat Phillips, currently on loan at Cardiff City, may also part ways with Liverpool permanently this summer. With three loan spells in as many years, the 27-year-old defender is primed for a fresh challenge, having attracted interest from clubs like Leeds and Blackburn.
Lastly, Mohamed Salah’s future remains subject to speculation, particularly after being linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia last summer.
Despite the persistent rumors, Liverpool rebuffed a substantial offer for Salah, who continues to dazzle on the pitch with his prolific performances for the Reds.
As Liverpool supporters gear up for what promises to be a transformative summer, there’s a palpable mixture of anticipation and trepidation lingering among the fanbase.
While the prospect of change looms large, there’s a collective hope that any forthcoming alterations won’t disrupt the core essence of the team.
However, amidst this optimism, there’s a shadow cast by the words of one individual’s father, hinting at divergent intentions that could potentially sway the course of events.In a recent interview with El VBAR CARACOL in Colombia, Mane Diaz, the father of Liverpool player Luis Diaz, articulated sentiments that have stirred both intrigue and concern within the football community.
Diaz expressed a desire for his son to potentially make a move to Madrid, citing the presence of fellow Colombian players like Falcao and James already gracing the Spanish capital.
Despite the allure of such a transfer, Diaz reassures that hope remains alive, buoyed by his son’s current involvement on the pitch and the evident activity among various clubs in the transfer market.
However, for Liverpool faithful, the implications of Mane Diaz’s statements are cause for unease. The prospect of their beloved player being courted by another club, especially one as prestigious as Madrid, strikes a dissonant chord among supporters.
The fact that these sentiments emanate from the player’s own father only adds to the complexity of the situation, leaving fans grappling with a mix of emotions ranging from apprehension to frustration.
Moreover, there’s a pragmatic concern among supporters regarding the potential fallout from Diaz’s remarks. In an era fueled by speculation and media frenzy, even the slightest hint of unrest within a club can quickly snowball into a full-blown saga, casting a shadow over the team’s cohesion and morale.
As such, Liverpool fans are left hoping that these comments don’t serve as a precursor to a tumultuous summer marked by swirling rumors and unsettling uncertainties.As the offseason approaches with its inherent unpredictability, Liverpool supporters find themselves navigating uncharted waters, bracing for the unknown while clinging to the hope that their team emerges unscathed from the whirlwind of speculation and conjecture.
In the face of such uncertainty, one thing remains certain: the unwavering loyalty and passion of the fans, who stand steadfast in their support of the club, come what may.
Arsenal are open to selling Nuno Tavares this summer, football.london understands, having seen a move in January fail to materialise.
The Portuguese youth international remains on loan with Nottingham Forest after a deal with Marseille to leave permanently fell apart with the Premier League club needing Tavares to cover for injuries and absences from the African Cup of Nations. Arsenal did not insert a recall clause into Tavares’ loan move to Forest in the summer, preventing them from calling him back without an agreement.
OM instead moved for Quentin Merlin of Nantes for a fee in the region of €10million (£8.6million). However, according to Italian media, Tavares has drawn interest from Serie A side Lazio.
The new Biancocelesti Igor Tudor worked with Tavares last season when he was Marseille head coach, whilst the Arsenal man was on loan.Former Arsenal midfielder and now Lazio star Matteo Guendouzi has already welcomed Tudor, who he played under at OM with Tavares.
He said: “Tudor’s idea of football can hurt other Serie A teams.“He did great things at OM, even if it was complicated for everyone towards the end of last season and we were unable to take second place. He had already done well in Serie A with Hellas Verona.”Arsenal will hope that the appointment of Tudor does indeed see an invigorated desire to bring Tavares to the Stadio Olimpico.
Meanwhile, a thigh injury has meant Tavares missed the last four league games for Forest and he could yet miss plenty more.Speaking in February, Nuno Espirito Santo provided a worrying explanation: “Tavares is injured. He got injured in the West Ham game and is going to be out for a while.
”Whether that ends his season remains to be seen, but there is yet to be an update on when he might indeed return. Arsenal will hope that he does come back and continues his form which was impressing his Portuguese coach at Forest.
The better he plays the more chance of improving the number and the quality of the offers on the table. With Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the left-back slot in north London is near-impossible for Tavares to break into and therefore the impending exit is not surprising but could yet be beneficial financially for the Gunners.
Forest have a £12million buy option in their loan move however that is unlikely to be activated considering the financial concerns they have.
If Arsenal can get close to this figure from Lazio or another interested party it would be both a profit and of significant financial help to their cause.
Everything he touches turns gold, he’s a huge threat for the opponent and Arteta can not afford to lose him at any point in time, he remind me of the 2004 Arsenal set”- Arsenal icon Thierry Henry says nobody in the Premier League is better than £27M Arsenal monster player- Not Saka, Not Rice and not White‘The best’… Thierry Henry blown away by £27m Arsenal player vs Luton Town last nightArsenal legend Thierry Henry has claimed that William Saliba is the best defender in the Premier League right now.The legendary Frenchman came up against some of the greatest centre-backs the Premier League has ever seen during his time as a Gunner.
He knows a good defender when he sees one, and he seems to be a huge fan of Arsenal star Saliba.
Thierry Henry says Arsenal’s William Saliba is the best defender in the Premier LeagueArsenal signed William Saliba from Saint-Etienne back in 2019 for £27 million (Goal).The Frenchman didn’t immediately get a chance at Arsenal.
He was loaned out on three separate occasions – first back to Saint-Etienne, then to Nice and finally to Marseille.There was a point when some people felt Mikel Arteta didn’t fancy him, but the Arsenal boss has used him consistently since he returned last year, and Saliba has been magnificent.Thierry Henry, who was on punditry duty on Amazon Prime last night, raved about Saliba and went as far as calling him the best defender in the Premier League right now.
He said, as quoted by The Mirror: “Right now I think he [Saliba] is [the best], by a mile. The way he can defend a 1v1, the way he allows Arsenal to stay higher [up the pitch] and defend the 45-50 yards behind him is second to none.
“His speed, the way he recovers, and when he recovers the ball he doesn’t just kick it into the stands – he tries to get it back [to his teammates] which is important. “I was working in France when he was on loan to Marseille [in 2021/22] and I was surprised that Arsenal didn’t keep him because I thought he was better than what we had. “But he went on loan and he came back and he showed everybody that that was a mistake and now he is now the best defender in the league.”.
Arsenal’s William Saliba is a generational talentArsenal star William Saliba is still just 22 years old, and he is already one of the best defenders in the world.The Frenchman has everything in his game that you would want from your centre-back. He’s quick, strong, good on the ball, reads the game well and is as composed as an experienced 35-year-old.
He us just on another level compared to most other centre-backs in the country, and Thierry Henry’s praise now should give him a huge confidence boost. If Arsenal can keep Saliba fit for the whole of this campaign, they will back their chances of winning the Premier League title.
Arsenal have exploded towards the very front of the queue to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli this summer amid reports that Edu is already in talks with Aurelio De Laurentiis, who has been aware of the player’s desire to move on once the current campaign ends.
The Gunners are once again right in the mix to win the Premier League title this season after narrowly falling short last time around.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also in the last eight of the Champions League, where Arsenal must overcome Bayern Munich if they are to set up a semi-final showdown with either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Whether the north London side quite have enough to win either competition remains to be seen, with many observers feeling their side just lacks a goals influx generated by a reliable No 9.And while the goals have been shared around their side this season, Arsenal’s two main striker options, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have not exactly been prolific this season.
Indeed, Brazil marksman Jesus only has eight goals in 26 appearances this season, while Nketiah has only managed six goals – surprisingly lowly tallies given Arsenal are this season’s top scorers in the Premier League with 70 goals in their 28 games so far.
As a result, the prospect of Arsenal signing a top-level striker has gathered pace in recent weeks, with a number of options being considered.Arsenal open talks and are confident of deal for Victor OsimhenMonies raised from that sale will be immediately pumped back into the club and through the signing of a new top level striker of their own.
In recent days speculation has mounted that Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres would be their preferred target, despite the lofty €100m exit clause that exists in his deal.Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and Ivan Toney of Brentford are other options reportedly under consideration.
However, the absolute dream target for fans has always been Napoli sensation Osimhen, though he has long been regarded as being out of Arsenal’s league and particularly amid the new deal he recently signed that included a mammoth €120m (£102.8m) exit clause as part of the arrangement.
Now, though, reports in the Italian media have catapulted Arsenal right towards the front of the queue for Osimhen – and it’s now suggested that a sensational move to Emirates Stadium could be on the cards after all That’s according to Il Mattino who claims the 110-goal striker has made clear his wish to president Aurelio De Laurentiis that he wants to leave this summer and take his career to the next level.The reigning Serie A champions are currently a lowly seventh in the table and have only a very remote chance of securing another season of Champions League football at the Diego Maradona Stadium in 2024/25.
Now it’s reported Osimhen is ‘looking for new adventures’ and has made the ‘first to push’ for a move away from the south of Italy and now has stressed to De Laurentiis he wants a ‘change of scenery’.Osimhen to leave for surprisingly low fee as Arsenal advantage emergesPer reports, Arsenal are now pushing the hardest for his signature with sporting director Edu, having been made aware of Osimhen’s wish to move on, already in contact with De Laurentiis over a deal.The no-nonsense Napoli chief has been hoping to achieve the full exit clause in the 25-year-old’s deal.
However, none of his three main suitors – PSG and Chelsea being the other two – are willing to pay that much, with all three informing the Gli Azzurri they will only spend up to €90m (£77.1m) to land the 35-times capped Nigeria international.Moreover, De Laurentiis – aware that his star man is pushing for the exit door – ‘does not demand’ the exit clause is reached, making a deal that bit more appealing to his suitors.But it is Arsenal who are said to hold the advantage with Edu said to be hopeful over a deal.
That’s because the striker prefers a move to the Premier League over all others – ruling PSG out of the equation – while the fact Chelsea cannot offer UCL football also puts Arsenal – currently top of the Premier League – in with a tremendous chance of winning the transfer race.Osimhen’s deal at Napoli runs to summer 2026 and he has scored a blistering 72 goals in 125 games for the club.
That potency in attack, assuming it can be transfered to the Premier League, will give Arsenal something very much missing from their side this season and help take the club on to the next level.
Having identified – and signed – Declan Rice as their top target last summer, hopes are growing that Osimhen can become this summer’s big catch. It might soon be time for Arsenal supporters to start getting excited…
Arteta hasn’t coached a big club before, and that is why he keeps dropping this guy to the bench in every game, i hope he tries it against Chelsea when we meet”- Chelsea Boss Mauricio Pochettino calls Arteta a ‘Baby coach’ for dropping €60M star in their ‘lucky win’ against Brentford last weekendChelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino recently stirred up controversy by criticizing Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, labeling him a “baby coach” in response to his management of a €60 million star player during their recent match against Brentford. This comment adds to the escalating tension between the two clubs, setting the stage for an intense upcoming clash.
The player in question, whose identity remains undisclosed, has frequently found himself sidelined by Arteta, drawing scrutiny from the Chelsea camp. Pochettino voiced his frustration with Arteta’s decisions, suggesting that the Arsenal manager lacks the necessary experience and tactical expertise to effectively utilize such a valuable asset.
Adding to the discourse, former Arsenal player Paul Merson chimed in, advocating for Arteta to deploy Kai Havertz as a central striker.
Despite primarily featuring in midfield under Arteta, Havertz’s adaptability enables him to thrive in various positions on the field.
Merson argues that Havertz’s astute positioning and knack for scoring make him an ideal candidate to spearhead Arsenal’s attacking efforts.This proposed shift in Havertz’s role comes amidst Arsenal’s struggle to find a dependable goal-scoring option.
While Gabriel Jesus has been Arteta’s preferred choice up front, his inconsistency and injury woes have cast doubt on his suitability for the position. With Havertz showcasing his scoring prowess in recent outings, Merson pushes for his inclusion as Arsenal’s primary striker.
The discussion surrounding Havertz’s role is amplified by speculation linking Arsenal to potential striker signings in the upcoming transfer windows.
Names like Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen have surfaced as potential targets, underscoring Arteta’s desire to reinforce his attacking arsenal.
Nonetheless, Arteta remains committed to his current squad, stressing the importance of working with the existing players.
As tensions simmer between Arsenal and Chelsea, all eyes are on Arteta and his management of the team’s tactical and personnel decisions. With Havertz’s role taking center stage in the discourse, Arsenal supporters eagerly anticipate whether Arteta will heed pundits’ advice and make tactical adjustments to address their goal-scoring woes.
A key Arsenal player has received praise from his international manager after putting in an ‘outstanding’ display on Saturday.Mikel Arteta will be hoping to have his players back at London Colney this week without any fresh injury concerns.
The Gunners face a huge clash at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City on Sunday and Bukayo Saka has already been withdrawn from the England squad.It meant that the 22-year-old missed out on England’s friendly against Brazil last night.
But one Arsenal player who did feature was Declan Rice. The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the middle of the park as Gareth Southgate’s men suffered a 1-0 defeat at Wembley.
Despite being on the wrong end of the result, Rice impressed with yet another composed display in midfield.Southgate amazed by Rice’s latest England displaySpeaking after a disappointing evening for the Three Lions, Southgate singled out Rice for praise and suggested the Gunners man stepped up his game even further recently.
“I thought Declan was outstanding throughout the game, with and without the ball showed the next step that he has gone to,” the England boss told Hayters TV.
“He’s a crucial player for us anyway but he looked totally at home in that sort of environment.“We’re short of a few, we don’t have a lot of midfield players that play as sixes in the league.
That’s why we’ve brought Kobbie [Mainoo] in and got him on the pitch as well.”How many caps has Rice earned for England?Rice made his 48th appearance for England last night and once again displayed his importance to Southgate’s side.
In the captivating world of football punditry, where the pulse of the game beats to the rhythm of predictions and analyses, narratives are woven, and anticipation mounts with each crucial matchup and individual performance.
Recently, amidst the swirling currents of speculation and anticipation, a towering figure in English football lore emerged to cast his gaze upon an upcoming clash between two giants of the Premier League: Arsenal and Manchester City. John Terry, the revered Chelsea legend, stepped into the limelight with a declaration that reverberated across football circles, igniting fervent debates and sparking intrigue.Terry’s bold assertion centered around a £30 million asset within the Arsenal ranks, hinting at the player’s potential to tilt the scales in Arsenal’s favor against the formidable force of Manchester City.
This proclamation not only underscored the profound impact that individual brilliance can wield on the pitch but also injected an extra dose of excitement into an already highly anticipated showdown.As pundits and fans alike dissected Terry’s words, the air crackled with anticipation, and speculations ran rife regarding the identity of this enigmatic Arsenal player.
Terry’s esteemed status as a football sage lent weight to his words, drawing attention to the player’s untapped potential and the pivotal role he could play in shaping the outcome of the match.The unnamed £30 million talent became the focal point of discussions, with Arsenal faithful eagerly awaiting confirmation of his identity and pondering the implications of Terry’s ringing endorsement.
Could this player be the missing piece in Arsenal’s quest for Premier League glory? Would his inclusion in the starting lineup against Manchester City prove to be the masterstroke that propels Arsenal towards victory?Terry’s pronouncement not only placed a spotlight on the individual player but also raised pertinent questions regarding Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical acumen and squad management.
The decision to deploy or bench the touted game-changer underscored the delicate balance between strategic foresight and calculated risk-taking in the pursuit of glory.Beyond the confines of a single match, Terry’s assertion resonated with broader implications for Arsenal’s title aspirations. By emphasizing the pivotal role that this player could play in Arsenal’s success, Terry hinted at the need for Arteta to unlock the player’s full potential and harness his talents effectively. The stakes were high, and every decision made by the Arsenal hierarchy carried weight in the pursuit of silverware.
As the countdown to the clash with Manchester City reached fever pitch, all eyes turned to the £30 million player, touted by Terry as the potential difference-maker. The stage was set for a spectacle of epic proportions, where individual brilliance could shape the destiny of teams and alter the course of seasons.
In the unpredictable realm of football, where the winds of fortune can shift in the blink of an eye, Terry’s bold proclamation added an extra layer of intrigue to an already eagerly anticipated encounter.
As Arsenal braced themselves for battle against Manchester City, the spotlight shone brightly on the shoulders of the enigmatic £30 million player, whose performance would be scrutinized with the weight of Arsenal’s title aspirations hanging in the balance.
him.“You have changed a little,” Odegaard said of Haaland. “You were more like a little ******* in the beginning.
You were so childish. You have grown up more in the last couple of years,” he told The Big Decision documentary.
“But you saw it in the first (international) camp, in the videos when you dance and sing. It looks like you are 12 years old and the biggest little *******. Honestly! I don’t think he does things because he thinks they are really cool.“But maybe he wants to get a reaction and maybe be a little funny.
I just laugh at him. I do not take it seriously when he does crazy things.
He could walk in with some sick shoes on or a sick bag, but I don’t think ‘here’s Erling, he loves this’.
”Despite Haaland’s claims, moves between Arsenal and City are not too unfamilar, with Mikel Arteta sharing a bond between the two clubs, while Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gael Clichy are three players to ditch north London for the Etihad in recent times
It was no ordinary goal, either. Any Bellerin strike is a collector’s item, but on this occasion the right-back found the top corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net in the third minute of stoppage-time to send the home fans wild – so wild, in fact, that Saka claims he heard them from outside the ground.”It was a great football game,” Wenger said after the draw, per The BBC.
“That’s what you want people to talk about. The media and social networks drive everyone crazy today, but what is important to me is a good football game.”We played three games in six days and you could see the team gave absolutely everything.
We have a busy schedule and have made bad decisions but there is still great quality in our games.”No Arsenal player has more Premier League goals than Saka’s 13 this seasn (Image:PA)The point ensured Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to seven games around the turn of the year, but five defeats in their following seven outings dashed any lingering Champions League hopes.
Wenger announced in April 2018 that he would leave at the end of the campaign, and his team ended the season in sixth.Saka never got the opportunity to play a first-team game under Wenger, only making his debut under Unai Emery in November 2018. The winger had the chance to meet Le Professeur in December 2022, though, when Wenger returned to the Emirates Stadium for a league victory against West Ham.
“Bukayo didn’t know him but he called him ‘boss’ immediately,” Arsenal executive vice-chair Tim Lewis said of the encounter. “He said, ‘Boss, how can I improve?’ – [and] Arsene very dryly said, ‘I think you could use your right foot a bit more’.”Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is often one of the first players the Gunners will turn to for a late goal, but back in 2018 he missed a dramatic equaliser for his boyhood club after leaving his seat early.Saka, 22, has been a regular for the Gunners this season.
The England international has only missed a handful of games, contributing 16 goals and 13 assists across 37 outings for Mikel Arteta’s team.
Back in 2018, though, the forward was among the academy hopefuls in position to take in a London derby against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
It was Arsene Wenger’s final season at the helm, and every point was important in pursuit of European qualification.
After Jack Wilshere gave the Gunners the lead, Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso turned the game on its head. Saka made an early exit with Arsenal still trailing 2-1, only to hear the reaction to Hector Bellerin’s stunning equaliser from outside.
Saka was asked by Snickers to rank football fans’ own goals, including losing battery when your ticket is on your phone.
When asked about missing a goal because you’re queuing for food, though, he went one better.
“That’s an eleven (out of 10),” Saka said. “I’ve done that before, it’s a bad feeling. I remember leaving Arsenal v Chelsea early. Hector Bellerin scored a late, late equaliser and I heard it from leaving outside.”