Liverpool secured a flattering 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Saturday to get their season off to the perfect start, as new signing Darwin Nunez showcased just exactly what he can do for the Reds this season.
But following the confirmed injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that is set to keep him out for two to three months, Jurgen Klopp has been backed to sign Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu as a replacement in midfield. Elsewhere, Roberto Firmino has put to bed his Juventus exit rumours, while Nat Phillips could still depart this month.
Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of Anfield…
Liverpool eye Calhanoglu
Following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury against Crystal Palace in Singapore earlier in pre-season, it has now been revealed that he is set to miss the next 2-3 months as a result, and now the Reds are being backed to sign a replacement in order to cover their options in that area.
And according to Calciomercato, Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu could be the man to come in at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp said to be interested in signing the Turkish international over the next month, although it remains to be seen whether there is any substance to these rumours.
Calhanoglu has been one of the best creative midfielders across Europe in recent years, with 12 assists to his name last season proving how influential he can be, and with a player like no other within the current Liverpool side, he may be exactly what they need going forward.
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Firmino confirms Reds future
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has been strongly linked with an exit to Juventus this summer after the Serie A side registered serious interest in the Brazilian, with reports suggesting that they had already had a £20 million bid rejected by the Anfield outfit.
However, after starting up front for Liverpool in Saturday’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp proved just how much Firmino remains in his plans for this season, while the Brazilian forward himself has recently given his views on his future with the Reds.
Speaking to TNT Sports Brasil, via talkSPORT, he said: “I love this team, this city and the fans. “I’m here. I want to stay, of course.”
Bournemouth consider fresh Phillips move
Liverpool defender Nat Philips remains way down the pecking order this season as Liverpool continue to boast one of the best defences in the Premier League, and despite the departures of Ben Davies and Rhys Williams, he still finds himself as fifth-choice centre back.
Phillips spent the second half of last season on loan at Bournemouth as they won promotion from the Championship, in which the defender made 17 appearances in the second tier of English football, and now the Cherries could be back in for the man who impressed during his time on the south coast.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the Cherries are now considering re-signing the 25-year-old after Scott Parker questioned his options in that area of the field, with just three senior centre backs at his disposal ahead of their first game of the new season this weekend.
