Alexander-Arnold contract HOPES, Ngumoha DAZZLES: Liverpool FC news recap
By
George James
George James
Here is all your latest Liverpool FC news from Wednesday 2 October. The Reds recorded a 2-0 victory over Bologna in the Champions League. Liverpool reignite their interest in a Van Dijk replacement, Ben Doak excels on loan and LeBron James is set to make NBA history by copying Liverpool.
Liverpool ready unprecedented new contract for Alexander-Arnold
The situation regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract at Liverpool is now becoming increasingly alarming along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, as the trio all have less than a year remaining.
With the board struggling to tie down new deals, fans are starting to worry that all three players will say their farewells at the end of the season, with the Reds getting no income in return.
However, Liverpool are confident that homegrown talent Trent will sign a bumper new deal and if so, this will make him the highest-paid Liverpool player.
A recent report by TEAMtalk has indicated that the Reds number 66 will sign a new deal silencing interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Liverpool target dazzles with amazing performance against £200m duo
After the transfer window disappointment this summer where the Reds failed to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, Ryan Gravenberch was given the responsibility to fill the defensive midfield role and he has passed this test with flying colours.
Arne Slot has unlocked a different beast in the Dutch midfielder and his impact on the team only continues to grow.
However, the performance of one Premier League player this weekend was eye-opening, and with the midfielder having been previously linked to Liverpool, Slot may consider him as a long-term option in the middle of the park.
Carlos Baleba’s influence for Brighton and Hove Albion so far this season has been monstrous.
Baleba signed for the South coast club in 2023 from Lille for a reported £23.5 million; a hefty price tag for a young player. His debut Premier League stint wasn't one to shout about putting in mediocre performances in Roberto De Zerbi's farewell season.
BBC pundit raves about what Ben Doak is doing on loan
Liverpool's exciting young star has been catching the eye while on loan at Middlesbrough.
Fast and direct, he's got the ability to beat defenders with ease and that attribute can take him far in the game as a winger.
He is obviously not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination just yet, but at 18 years old that is to be expected. He is still very much honing his craft as a player and that is why he was sent out on loan to Middlesbrough this season.
Doak scored on his first start for Middlesbrough against Stoke City last weekend and earned another start away to West Brom on Tuesday night.
The exciting teenager winger didn't take long to make a mark in this game either, helping his side to a 1-0 victory away from home. Doak proved a constant nuisance and attracted the attention of West Brom legend, Tony Brown, during the match.
Liverpool to steal Virgil Van Dijk replacement from Man United
Liverpool’s centre-back partnership is flourishing right now, but there is fear on the horizon that the house of cards could come tumbling down.
Ibrahima Konaté has seen a brilliant run of performances combined with captain Virgil van Dijk to only concede two goals in the league so far this season. But Van Dijk’s contract expires at the end of the season and there is no apparent heir.
Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time on the first day of the season and had a shaky performance against West Ham in the League Cup, and Joe Gomez could be on his way further north in January.
Even if van Dijk does sign a new contract, at 33-years old the position needs future-proofing. And Liverpool may have found their answer.
The Daily Mail are reporting that Liverpool are willing to beat Manchester United for the signing of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
LeBron James set to make NBA history by copying Liverpool plan
LeBron James is set to write more NBA history with the LA Lakers in the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Being the all-time great that LeBron is, it's hard to believe that there are any records left for him to break in the NBA at all.
He will go down as one of the best players to have ever played the game and continues to perform to high standards despite being a veteran now at 39 years old.
And while his age is definitely not showing up on the court just yet, off it there are definite signs that LeBron isn't getting any younger.
Especially, as he looks to write history by doing what Liverpool, the club he holds a minority stake in, have become famous for doing last season.
How former Everton player is the key behind Luis Diaz revival
Luis Diaz has been one of a number of Liverpool players who have clearly taken an immediate step up under new head coach Arne Slot.
With five goals in six league games so far, Diaz has been essential to a Liverpool attack that sees them sit top of the league at present. Most noteworthy of these was a first-half brace at Old Trafford that put Manchester United to bed as Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners.
Along with Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konaté, Diaz has clearly gone up a level in this opening spell of games. The players have spoken to what new head coach Arne Slot has done to see this happen.
Whilst there obviously are elements to training and approaches to attacking that are being worked on, Diaz himself has gone on the record to say that putting confidence in his players is what Slot does best to see these results.
And now the Daily Mail are reporting that a key part of this comes down to one of Slot’s assistants - former Everton defender Johnny Heitinga.
Rio Ngumoha is showing why Liverpool moved mountains to sign him
Liverpool’s U19s were in action on Wednesday afternoon as they took on Bologna in the UEFA Youth League and Rio Ngumoha impressed once again.
The clash took place at Liverpool’s academy and the young Reds managed a 2-1 win, their first victory in the competition this season.
Ranel Young and Amara Nallo, who was captaining the side, both got on the score sheet for Liverpool, whilst Federico Tonin scored the visitors only goal.
The win sees Liverpool U19s remain unbeaten in the competition following a 0-0 draw with AC Milan in their opening game.
Although he didn’t make it onto the score sheet, Liverpool’s newest wonderkid Rio Ngumoha was once again impressive.
Zubimendi asked about Liverpool transfer regret
Liverpool are thriving under Arne Slot, currently sitting top of the Premier League after six matches. There was one man that Slot wanted to add to his team for this season though, Martin Zubimendi.
Although Zubimendi eventually made the decision to remain at his boyhood club rather than make the move to Merseyside, his future still remains very uncertain and a transfer to Liverpool may not be off the cards.
Despite recent reports, Zubimendi has reaffirmed his decision to remain at Real Sociedad in a recent press conference for the team.
“My philosophy is to do in each moment what comes from within me. So far, that has worked well for me. It's true that there was a lot of noise, and I went through uncomfortable moments. The best thing for me was to stay here, and I’m happy and at peace,” Zubimendi said, via Noticias de Gipuzkoa.
Related News
Liverpool on TV: Fixtures, kick-off times and channel details for every game
