Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Tuesday, 8 September.
The major decision facing Jurgen Klopp ahead of Leeds United clash
Jurgen Klopp has one major selection headache ahead of Leeds United’s first visit to Anfield since October 2003.
Just as they did last season against Norwich City, the Reds kick off their Premier League campaign at home to the Championship champions as Marcelo Bielsa’s high-pressing outfit arrive on Merseyside.
The timing of the Nations League hasn’t been ideal for the German coach’s pre-season preparations, but fortunately he has few injury concerns.
However, with Joel Matip back fit and firing and getting on the scoresheet in the 7-2 friendly win over Blackpool, he has a choice to make over who partners Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
Here’s a piece outlining that selection conundrum .
The contract decisions Liverpool must address in 2020/21
It’s five days until a new season kicks off for Klopp’s Reds, and with it a lot of decisions to be made behind the scenes.
The club hierarchy must address various player contracts at Anfield, and decide if it would be financially viable to extend for certain star names.
The most pressing issue, of course, is that of Georginio Wijnaldum. The Netherlands international has been tipped to leave this summer with just one year left on his current deal.
Van Dijk and Alisson Becker, who both arrived in 2018, are yet to sign contract extensions and those are thought to be next on the priority list.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Liverpool squad’s current contracts.
Liverpool’s long-term transfer plans outlined
The ECHO’s Liverpool correspondent Paul Gorst has been answering your questions on Thiago, Gini Wijnaldum, Rhian Brewster and the club’s all-round transfer plans.
Two names cited for long-term futures at Liverpool are Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White, who was extensively scouted during his impressive loan at Leeds last season, and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, the Hornets’ star man in their 3-0 victory over the Reds back in February.
Both players are 22 and could potentially arrive to bring down the average age of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad.
Here’s that Q+A in full .
