Liverpool FC news recap: Kids beat Saints, Alonso request

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap for Wednesday 28th February. The Reds beat Southampton at Anfield in the FA Cup.

The big news coming out of Wednesday is, of course, Liverpool beating Southampton and setting up an FA Cup Quarter-final with Manchester United. Jurgen Klopp had to rely on his academy players to make it happen - but the kids won the day.

Lewis Koums and Jayden Danns got the goals in a 3-0 win. It was a historic night and one that couldn't have made the future look brighter.

But that's not all. We also got an update on the Xabi Alonso pursuit, while Liverpool clearly want Michael Edwards to return as sporting director. A news-packed day.

So here's our Liverpool FC news roundup for Wednesday.

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Liverpool 3-0 Southampton

Liverpool had to rely on the kids to see it through but they beat Southampton at Anfield. Lewis Koumas scored the opener - becoming the fourth-youngest Red to score on his debut. Jayden Danns got goals two an three - becoming the second-youngest Red to score a brace.

An incredible night, then, that saw nearly every 'star' remain at home. Klopp put his faith in the academy and it paid dividends. Onto the Quater-finals and Manchester United.

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Reds make Alonso request

Liverpool have made 'a request' to the agent of Xabi Alonso, according to reports. Bayer Leverkusen have been made aware of the move.

This comes from Christian Falk of Sport Bild. Liverpool have 'made a request' to the agent of Xabi Alonso, Inaki Ibanez.

The Spaniard - and former Liverpool midfielder - has long been reported to sit at the top of the Reds' shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp this year. It now appears they've made their move.

Falk claims Bayer Leverkusen have been made aware of the approach. However, The German club is still confident that Alonso will reject any offer, and that's backed up by his contract that lasts until 2026.

It's unclear whether Leverkusen are confident Alonso will reject the offer for now, or whether he'll reject it entirely. The manager has always been open about not wanting to accept anything or commit to anywhere before the season is done.

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Liverpool contact Edwards

Liverpool 'want to give one last try' to convince former sporting director Michael Edwards of a return, as they plan the club's structure post Jurgen Klopp.

Edwards left Liverpool in 2022 after 11 years at Anfield in a variety of roles.

Having previously spent time at Portsmouth and Tottenham, he joined Liverpool as a chief analyst, later rising to become the club's sporting director in 2016 — a position he held until his departure.

A highly respected and popular figure, Edwards was credited with having played a big role in many of the most successful transfer of the Klopp era, including the deals to bring in Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk.

In January, it was reported that Liverpool had approached Edwards about a return to the club to take on a more senior role overseeing the transition after Klopp's exit this summer. However, the 44-year-old, who nows runs sports advisory company Ludonautics, is said to have turned down the offer.

Now, Fabrizio Romano reports that despite that rebuff, Liverpool's FSG owners want to "give one last try" to re-sign Edwards in a position above the yet-to-be-appointed sporting director.

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3 names to leave shortlist

Three managers are unlikely to become the new Liverpool boss - despite scoring highly in the club's data research. The Reds are looking for perfection.

The Athletic has put out a detailed run-down of Liverpool's search for a new manager. They highlight the usual names as topping the shortlist - Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim appear to be numbers one and two.

But the search certainly goes deeper than just those two. Liverpool are looking into the data on a series of managers, with several scoring very well.

The report mentions three, however, who aren't expected on the final shortlist despite scoring highly in the data. Roberto De Zerbi, Eddie Howe and Franck Haise are all 'unlikely' to make that shortlist when the Reds are finished narrowing things down.

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Near-record Alonso price

Bayer Leverkusen are ready to set a near-world-record price for Xabi Alonso, according to reports. Liverpool want the Spaniard.

Florian Plettenberg reports that Bayer Leverkusen could set a near-world-record price for their manager Xabi Alonso. This comes as Alonso finds himself in the sights of Europe's giants.

Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich want to install him this summer. Jurgen Klopp will step down at Anfield, of course, while Bayern are to part ways with Thomas Tuchel after a disappointing campaign.

A disappointing campaign that has seen him fail to keep up with Alonso in the Bundesliga title race, of course.

Plettenberg reports that Alonso is very much open to the Bayern job, too, with no mention of Liverpool. He's 'confirming' Alonso's stance there.

But he also makes it clear that the Spaniard would be 'very expensive'. Leverkusen are ready to ask for as much as £21.4m (€25m) to let Alonso go - a fee that is incredibly close to the world record.

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