Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Saturday, January 8.
Liverpool have chance to sign ideal midfielder for free
Multiple injury and COVID issues have shone a light on Liverpool’s midfield at various stages throughout this campaign so far.
And perhaps somewhat inevitably, it’s led to discussions about whether the club should have done more to keep the ever-dependable Gini Wijnaldum in the summer.
The Dutchman of course departed from Anfield at the end of last season as a free agent, despite Jurgen Klopp, as well as many Reds fans, seemingly wanting him to stay.
Wijnaldum wasn’t directly replaced in the market, although Harvey Elliott’s emergence as a key Liverpool player did soften the void he left behind, at least until the teenager suffered an unfortunate nasty ankle injury at Elland Road.
READ MORE: Liverpool have golden transfer chance to sign ideal midfielder for free
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Elliott’s firmly on the road to recovery and isn’t a million miles away from his Liverpool return. However, the need for reinforcements remains a hot topic. Particular given that key midfielders such as Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago are all now in, or heading into, the twilight years of their careers.
And if the Reds were to draw up a list of potential targets to bolster that group, you’d expect to see dominating midfielder Franck Kessie near the top.
The highly-rated AC Milan star would be worthy of such interest based on his abilities alone, yet there’s an added level to his appeal in that his current contract is due to expire in the summer, and as of yet, he’s nowhere close to agreeing on an extension.
This means he’s able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from this month on.
From a Liverpool standpoint, Kessie possesses a lot of the traits they’d be looking for. He’s quick, strong, mobile, press resistant but also good in possession.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Liverpool request to postpone Arsenal clash
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has spoken for the first time since his side’s Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool was postponed.
The EFL granted Liverpool's request to postpone the first leg of their semi-final with the Gunners that was due to be played on Thursday night.
The Reds made the request after they were struck down by a COVID outbreak that forced the club to shut its AXA Training Centre for a couple of days.
Several Liverpool players, their manager Jurgen Klopp, and his assistant Pep Lijnders, have all been struck down by the virus.
The first of the two legs will now be played at Anfield this coming Thursday before the return leg is scheduled to be played at the Emirates Stadium a week later.
And while Arteta has admitted his team wanted to play as planned, he has no ill-feelings towards the EFL for calling off the game.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
