Liverpool FC news recap: Alonso rival, Mbappe update, Salah eyed

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap for Thursday, 15th February. The Reds now have a rival for Xabi Alonso this summer.

It's not the news Liverpool wanted - they're not the only one of Xabi Alonso's former clubs interested in hiring the Spaniard. The Bayer Leverkusen boss reportedly tops the Reds' list, but now there's a complication.

There's also a lot of transfer news for the middle of February, as Kylian Mbappe made a massive decision. Liverpool have consistently been linked with the Frenchman for years now.

Mohamed Salah also has a potential suitor - but it's not an easy one to make happen.

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap.

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Xabi Alonso rival

Liverpool now have a fierce rival for Xabi Alonso. The Reds view him as their primary target to replace Jurgen Klopp this year.

The Times reports that Bayern Munich are ready to move for Xabi Alonso as their next manager. Thomas Tuchel's days are now numbered after his 10th defeat as boss.

Bayern lost 1-0 to Lazio on Wednesday. It means Tuchel has lost as many games as manager as his predecessor, Julien Nagelsmann, despite overseeing 41 fewer matches.

Thus Bayern expect to move Tuchel on. Elimination from the Champions League could even see them sack him before the season ends - as soon as next month, in fact.

And the report claims that Alonso is their no.1 choice to replace him. There's also talk of Hansi Flick as a caretaker boss - a role he held in 2020 as Bayern won the Treble. Flick is now out of work and could jump straight in.

Alonso couldn't, of course. He's at Bayer Leverkusen, sitting on top of the Bundesliga and on track to end Bayern's dominance in Germany.

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Mbappe makes decision

Liverpool have received the news they needed in order to have any chance of landing French striker, Kylian Mbappe. The player is out of contract this summer.

Multiple sources, including the Athletic, report that Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Mbappe's contract expires at the end of June and he wishes to move on.

An official announcement is expected when things are finalised. The 'terms' of his exit still require agreement and the suggestion here is that things could all be confirmed over the next few months.

Mbappe signed a two-year contract back in 2021 that included an option for an extra year. The striker was the only one who could trigger that option and had to have done so by July last year.

He chose not to, meaning the only way he could remain with PSG beyond this season was to agree on a new contract. That has always seemed unlikely and talk of an exit has continued all season long.

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Barcelona like Salah

Barcelona rate Mohamed Salah as the best option in their search for a new winger, but have already deemed a move 'impossible' due to his cost, according to a report.

Following the departure of Ousmane Dembele last summer, Barça have found themselves short on wide attacking options this season, with a left winger deemed a priority signing for the club this summer.

According to Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona — who will also be seeking a new manager for next season — intend to keep playing 4-3-3 and are on the lookout for a 'pure' winger who can operate in the system.

The report claims that the Barça hierarchy have already drawn up a list of players they like, with Liverpool's Salah supposedly "considered the best to play on either wing", despite only really featuring on the right with any regularity for Liverpool.

However, there appears to be no chance that the club will actually make a move on their interest, with the Reds' No. 11 deemed "impossible due to his cost."

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Edwards could be Newcastle target

The Mail claims Michael Edwards, who started an advisory firm alongside Liverpool's ex-director of research Ian Graham after leaving Anfield, is 'likely to emerge as a candidate' at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s current technical director Richard Hughes — another name linked with Liverpool in recent weeks — could also be considered.

The idea of seeing a revered figure like Edwards at rival club would be a blow to many Liverpool fans.

It was reported last month that FSG approached Edwards about coming back to Anfield in more senior position to help oversee the transition after Klopp's exit, but the idea was rejected.

Whether he would be more open to a role at another club remains to be seen.

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Hodgson taken ill

Crystal Palace cancelled a press conference on Thursday after Roy Hodgson was 'taken ill' during a training session.

The 76-year-old, who managed Liverpool in the 2010/11 season, has reportedly been on the verge of the sack at Selhurst Park following a string of bad results.

While it had been expected that an announcement over Hodgson's removal was imminent, Palace instead posted a statement on X on Thursday afternoon, revealing the manager was unwell.

The post read: "Unfortunately, today’s press conference will no longer take place as scheduled as Roy Hodgson was taken ill during this morning’s training session."

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