Liverpool FC news recap: Carra on Hendo, Lallana admission, Van den Berg could LEAVE

Here’s our Liverpool FC news recap for Thursday 23rd May. Jamie Carragher has given his thoughts on Jordan Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq.

Transfer season is underway and Liverpool are linked with incoming and outgoings. Though, Jamie Carragher has been talking about a transfer from last year - Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq.

There are also quotes from Adam Lallana on his arrival at Liverpool a decade ago, and talk that Sepp van den Berg could be off this summer.

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap.

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Carragher on Henderson

Fellow Liverpool Champions League winner Jamie Carragher regrets Jordan Henderson’s ill-advised Saudi move, stating that he deserved a proper Anfield farewell after his years of dedicated service under Jurgen Klopp. 

Henderson was Liverpool captain as the club won the Champions League, Premier Leagueand a host of other honours during Jurgen Klopp’s successful reign but instead of being appreciated by the Kop, he effectively left by the back door.

“I just want to say this about Jordan, I spoke to him when he made the move to Saudi,” Carragher told The Overlap.

“I spoke to him, gave him my idea and what I thought of it. But sometimes you live and die by your decisions. It’s a little bit like Michael Owen when he went to Real Madrid – you think something good is going to happen."

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Lallana on his move

Adam Lallana has now opened up on the difficulty he had adjusting to life at Liverpool, believing he wasn’t good enough to play for the club upon joining from the south coast side. 

Training every day with club legends like Steven Gerrard was a challenge, he admits, but adds that perseverance was the key to getting through those difficult first moments.

“I don't even really remember being different or a standout player,” he tells Brighton’s official YouTube channel. “I always remember having insecurities.

“I remember my first year at Liverpool I was like: ‘I don't belong here.’

“I remember thinking: ‘I need to somehow survive this first year at Liverpool’ because I felt like I didn't belong."

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Van den Berg set to leave

Sepp van den Berg looks set to play NO PART in the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool with the latest reports out of Germany suggesting the defender will join Mainz on a permanent basis this summer. 

Van den Berg, 22, spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Mainz in the Bundesliga, where they narrowly avoided relegation to the second tier.

Despite their indifferent form, the Zerofivers are reported to have been impressed with the Liverpool loanee, who played 35 matches for them overall, scoring three times.

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Reds ready for Kokcu

Liverpool are ready to make a summer transfer bid for Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu, according to reports in the press.

Kokcu is set to hook up with his former Feyenoord mentor Arne Slot at Anfield, with the Turkey international having been captain under the guidance of the 45-year-old coach.

He worked as an important linking player under Slot, registering 12 goals and five assists in 46 appearances in his last campaign in the Eredivisie.

Turkish media report that Slot wants Kokcu to join him on Merseyside, while Portuguese outlet A Bola indicates that Benfica want no less than €45 million for the midfield general, who is under contract in Lisbon until 2028.

His contract includes a buyout clause worth €120m.

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Liverpool eye wonderkid

Liverpool have their eyes on a £17m wonderkid currently thriving in Germany. They could snap him up this summer.

Sport Bild claims Liverpool are one of several clubs currently looking at Mainz talent Brajan Gruda. The 19-year-old has just enjoyed his first proper senior season.

It's been an impressive one, too. Gruda started 19 Bundesliga games, with 28 total appearances. Those minutes bought about four goals and three assists from an attacking midfield/right-wing position (Mainz essentially play 3-4-3, so Gruda features in a role Liverpool don't really have).

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