Liverpool FC news roundup: Arne Slot CONFIRMS Luis Diaz plans as door opens for DREAM FSG move
By
Will Comish
Will Comish
Here's your daily Liverpool news recap for Friday December 20.
Arne Slot still without two key stars but injury crisis begins to ease
Liverpool are in the midst of their busiest spell of the season. From the middle to the end of December, the Reds are scheduled to play FIVE times in a little over two weeks.
Head coach Arne Slot needs all the help he can get from his squad and mercifully the injury and suspension backlog has begun to clear.
Liverpool had been without top stars such as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa through injury - as well as Alexis Mac Allister through suspension - putting a lot of pressure on the squad’s resources.
However, Slot has been able to welcome back that group of players to his matchday squads in the last couple of fixtures.
FSG to spend millions on perfect phenom
Liverpool's owners are set to be very busy during the month of January.
Not only are there hopes FSG could help fund moves in the market for the Reds in order to continue Arne Slot's dominant start and give him further ammunition but the American owner's focus is also on Red Sox.
Their baseball franchise has suffered for years and with the failure to land Juan Soto in the free agency market FSG have been dealt another setback.
However, the Liverpool owners continue to explore other options and they could land an exciting Japanese phenom.
Liverpool players marvel at Arne Slot superpower
Liverpool have made an incredible start to the season under new head coach Arne Slot.
In fact, according to Opta data, the Dutchman has equalled a 135-year record since taking over at Anfield.
Not since William Sudell was in charge of Preston North End in 1888/89 has an English top-flight manager reached 20 wins in as few matches as Slot has - it’s taken the former Feyenoord boss only 24 games to reach that landmark as Liverpool’s season shapes up to be a success.
With progress sealed to the Champions League last-16, the EFL Cup semi-finals and with the club top of the pile in the Premier League, Slot is on target to win major honours in his first season at the club.
777Partners collapse opens door to dream FSG deal
Liverpool had a number of sweeping administrative changes this summer.
Richard Hughes was swiped from Bournemouth to become the club's sporting director and Michael Edwards rejoined the Liverpool project as Fenway Sports Group's (FSG) CEO of football.
However, convincing Edwards to come back to the club and leave the data consultancy firm Ludonautics was not straightforward. The club had to present him with an enticing vision and that included the prospect of FSG purchasing a 'feeder club' to create a multi-club model that could help Liverpool in the long term.
During the summer it was tipped that the club might acquire a majority stake in Brazilian football club Vasco da Gama, owned by 777Partners, but an agreement couldn't be reached and FSG's multi-club model has been left reeling ever since.
Now, however, a new development may have given the FSG's ambition a new lifeline.
Arne Slot confirms surprise Luis Diaz future plans
Ever since Arne Slot became Liverpool's new head coach, he has surprised fans and pundits with his ability to innovate within the team.
After the Reds failed to secure Martin Zubimendi's signature in the summer for example, he turned to Ryan Gravenberch as Liverpool's new defensive midfielder - a move which has been almost seamless.
His cool and calm approach to football has been a welcome addition to the Premier League, and it appears as though Slot almost thrives when given the opportunity to problem-solve.
As such, Darwin Nunez's mixed run of form this season has allowed Slot to try different things in order for the team to succeed. Luis Diaz was given the chance to play centrally and contrary to people's beliefs, Slot has planned out a new long-term role for the Colombian.
Liverpool have made a massive wonderkid mistake
Liverpool’s youth products have been a feature all throughout age groups at the club this season.
Last night’s League Cup quarter-final victory over Southampton featured the least of the senior XI yet, with Tyler Morton, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Jayden Danns all getting time on the pitch.
Also travelling were under-21s captain Amara Nallo and 16-year old standout Rio Ngumoha, who is one of the most exciting prospects Liverpool have had in their academy for years.
But if you live by the sword you die by the sword, and Liverpool seem to have lost a serious talent themselves.
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