Liverpool FC news recap: Hancko talks, ref vs Fulham, Henderson money woes

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap for Wednesday 17th January 2024. The Reds have asked about another player.

Welcome back to the dullest transfer window in decades! Liverpool really don't appear to be set for anything this month - certainly no first-team signings, anyway.

But as always, there's still some news to deliver and the Reds have had a few things on their plate this week. Here's all the Liverpool FC news to catch up on.

Liverpool ask about Hancko

It appears Liverpool are considering a move for Slovenian centre-back David Hancko. That's according to his agent, anyway, who claims to have held talks with the Reds and Paris Saint-Germain - as well as others.

Liverpool and PSG were both tentatively linked with the player this week, prompting TNCZ to ask Branislav Jasurek about the interest. Jasurek represents Hancko as a part of FairSport International.

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Hooper to ref Fulham vs Liverpool

Fulham vs Liverpool will be refereed by Simon Hooper - four months after his blunder against the Reds. It hasn't been received well.

The EFL have officially announced the referees for the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs. Liverpool will take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, of course, having won the first leg 2-1 at Anfield.

But it's certainly a controversial choice of referee. Simon Hooper will take to the pitch for this one - four months after his historic blunder against the Reds.

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Henderson hasn't received a penny

Jordan Henderson hasn't received any wages from Al-Ettifaq after a decision to defer his salary for UK tax reasons. The former Liverpool captain opted to push his £350k-a-week into the next tax year - but will now depart Saudi Arabian football after just six months.

Henderson is likely to sign for Ajax but after terminating his contract with Al-Ettifaq, understands he may never receive payment for the last six months.

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Liverpool should hold Diomande advantage

Liverpool face competition from Newcastle for defensive target Ousmane Diomande. However, it's unlikely the Magpies will be able to do a deal this month.

The 20-year-old Ivory Coast centre back has emerged as a possible target for the Reds in recent days, while Anfield Watch understands his club Sporting CP will only sell for his release clause of €80m (£69m).

According to Portuguese outlet Jornal de Notícias (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are also keen on the rising star and have not given up on the idea of a move in the January window.

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Liverpool academy profits

CIES Football Observatory put out some interesting data this week as they showed the profits made by clubs' academies over the last decade. It presents some wildly different figures across clubs - across clubs within the same country even.

But where do Liverpool rank in world football for academy profit? CIES Football Observatory has them in 20th over the last decade, having generated €199m from selling academy players.

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Szoboszlai amongst Europe's best

Statsbomb released data this week that highlighted the best counter-pressing players in Europe right now. A counter-press is one made within five seconds of your team losing the ball.

Dominik Szboszlai applies 6.5 per 90 minutes. Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz narrowly beats that (6.8), while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte sits at the top of the pile with an incredible 7.9 per 90. Notably, no other Premier League player appears in the top 12.

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