Liverpool “formally opened” talks with Semenyo
It’s been a day for updates on Antoine Semenyo as the January transfer window approaches, and Liverpool’s interest is no secret at the moment.
Maybe not the strongest source, but talkSPORT’ Alex Crook claims Liverpool are one of four clubs ‘actively’ pursuing a January deal, with Man City, Man United and Tottenham also mentioned.
The i-paper adds that they have all “formally opened discussions” with the player over personal terms, but it is Man United who are seen as the “front runners”.
Bournemouth have been described as “resigned” at the loss of the winger, but with Semenyo having a release clause of £60m plus £5m in January, they will certainly hold out for the best payment structure.
Liverpool are expected to be in contention, but the i Paper specifically states that their “priority appears to be strengthening their defense in January,” with Marc Guehi still at the top of their list.
In any case, it promises to be an interesting window, hopefully ending with a new signing…or two!
Dominik Szoboszlai trains pre-Tottenham
* Watch Arne Slot’s pre-Tottenham press conference on our YouTube channel here
• Dominik Szoboszlai trained on the outdoor fields on Friday as a nod to his starting chances vs. Tottenham, after Arne Slot explained that he should feel comfortable starting after an ankle injury
• Jeremy Frimpong was also involved in the session ahead of his return to the squad on matchday, but Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo and of course Mo Salah have all been ruled out
• Academy cohort Kieran Morrison, Wellity Lucky, Calvin Ramsay and Tommy Pilling If you’ve trained with the first team on the eve of the match, there’s a good chance that at least one will be mentioned among the substitutes
• Liverpool have reportedly made an offer to sign the 17-year-old left-back from Sheffield Wednesday Yisa AlaoCompensation of around £500,000 has been suggested
• According to Forbes, Liverpool is the fourth most valuable club in world football, and ranked 48th in world sport – valued at £4 billion by 2025! That gives you 32 Isaks!
TACTICS: Why midfield is crucial
Liverpool’s new system has potential, but also shortcomings Harry McMullen has explained why it is highly dependent on midfield:
“Imagine playing in midfield for Liverpool.
“You have to be constantly available to receive the ball under pressure, jump up to lead the press, crash into the penalty area on attacking counters and also track back to cover the defensive counters.
“Is it any surprise that the midfield looked particularly full-time on Saturday?
“Slot has six senior options for his new four-man midfield formation, and he used five of them on Saturday – the sixth, Wataru Endo, is currently nursing an ankle injury.
“The last time Liverpool had a system that relied on the work rate of the midfield was Klopp’s 4-3-3. They had eight senior options in the 2022/23 season and still struggled to maintain the pace for a full season.”
READ: Why Liverpool can succeed without Mo Salah – but not without their midfield
Elsewhere in today’s football world
• Pep Guardiola Under pressure from reporters, refused to say outright whether he would play for Man City next season, but that’s nothing new, right?
• Chelseas Enzo Maresca was mentioned as a potential successor to Guardiola, but he has dismissed those reports as “100 percent speculation” and promised he wouldn’t be going anywhere in 2026/2027, let’s see!
• Thomas Frank has confirmed he will not welcome any injured players for the visit of Liverpool on Saturday, meaning ex-Red Dominic Solanke remains sidelined
Liverpool FC: On this day
Bill Shankly was overseeing his first game for Liverpool on this day 1959and it ended in a convincing 4-0 defeat to Cardiff City.
There was a crowd of 27,291 at Anfield to witness the dawn of a new era, one that didn’t get off to the best of starts, but one that would set in motion a historic future.
The likes of Alan A’Court, Roger Hunt and Ronnie Moran were in the starting line-up that day, with the Second Division match showing the task Shankly had on his shoulders.
If only you could tell the Reds what was coming that day!
#Liverpool #hold #personal #term #talks #Semenyo #boost #Szoboszlai