It won’t have been lost on Liverpool fans that Romeo Lavia didn’t feature for Southampton in their win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night, and two more Anfield-linked players are also notable absentees from their respective teams’ matches this weekend.
As per Liverpool Echo, Andre Trindade missed Fluminense’s 2-1 win over Palmeiras on Saturday amid speculation linking him with the Reds, but that absence was enforced through suspension, with his club set to welcome him back for their Copa Libertadores clash against Argentinos Juniors in midweek.
Then, on Sunday lunchtime, Sky Sports reported that Moises Caicedo will be omitted from the Brighton squad for this afternoon’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano ‘to focus on the Premier League opener against Luton on Saturday amid speculation over his future’.
When players at the epicentre of transfer rumours aren’t included in their teams’ matches, it can naturally fuel conjecture as to the likelihood of a move materialising, but we’d avoid any temptation to read too much into Andre and ot playing for their respective sides this weekend.
The Brazilian midfielder would’ve been u nnavailable yesterday irrespective of any talk over his future, while Sky Sports‘ report added that ‘Brighton are not expecting anyone to match what they want’ for the Ecuadorian and ‘expect him to be at the club when the window closes’ on 1 September.
Of the two Liverpool-linked players, the Fluminense man certainly seems the more attainable, with a reported price tag of just £17m (Pedro Sepulveda) – a far cry from the £100m that the Seagulls are thought to be seeking for their South American superstar (The Athletic).
Also, whereas Chelsea have made their interest in Caicedo very clear by submitting an unsuccessful £80m offer for him (The Athletic), thus providing stern competition, Sepulveda claimed that Sporting Lisbon will no longer pursue Andre due to his valuation.
Plenty can still change between now and the transfer deadline, but the Brazilian looks well within reach if the Reds can turn his club’s head with a sufficiently tempting offer. Let’s see what happens over the coming days.
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Dream Liverpool lineup against Chelsea after Romeo Lavia signed, Ibrahima Konate’s comeback, and Luis Diaz starting
Romeo Lavia could sign in time for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Chelsea, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll start
Liverpool’s Premier League opener is just seven days away when they take on Chelsea.
The Reds and Londoners will face each other at Stamford Bridge and both will have redemption in mind after hot campaigns last season by their own standards. Even the often high-quality encounters between the two sides have been a steamy one as no Premier League game has scored a goal.
In early July, when Dominik Szoboszlai became Liverpool’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister, the rebuilding of their midfield was taking shape, prompting Jurgen Klopp choice headache.
However, four weeks later, fans are worried about a lack of movement in the transfer window, with the saga around Southampton’s Romeo Lavia buzzing. During that time, Saudi Pro League clubs Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq dropped two key Reds midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, leaving options limited.
Time is running out for Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke to strengthen the squad before the opening whistle is sounded at 4 o’clock:
30:00 next Sunday in West London. So what will the starting lineup of the Red Devils look like?
Above all, Liverpool fans and coaches hope to be in good health before the encounter with Mauricio Pochettino’s army.
Alisson Becker is one of the names that is certain to be selected and – if not – is part of the first name on the squad list, while the defender quartet consists of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Konate replaces Joel Matip, who was grossly fouled in Liverpool’s penultimate pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in Singapore. Alexander-Arnold drifting into midfield, as he did at the end of last season, was one of the main themes throughout the summer and Klopp is likely to continue this tactic against Chelsea. But who else starts in midfield?
Mac Allister raised concerns after hobbling off the field during the break in the 4-3 loss to Bayern, but with Klopp having dealt with the issue, let’s hope the World Cup winner comes out. Premier League pitch for the Red Devils. The same can be said of his summer companion, Szoboszlai.
The midfield role or the number 6 position has been a topic of discussion since Fabinho’s departure. The famous story surrounding Lavia saw Liverpool have two offers rejected by the Saints.
Ideally, the puzzle would be solved and the Belgium international would sign a contract this week, but given the lack of preparation time, it wouldn’t make sense to think he would also make his debut.
Curtis Jones has featured prominently in the middle of a three-man midfield this summer and he is more than capable of filling that position while Lavia sits on the bench.
From a problem area to an embarrassment of riches, Klopp has another big decision to make as to who will make up his front trio. Will Darwin Nunez, who is in full swing preparing for the season, get the green light? Or should Cody Gakpo continue in ninth place? And who will replace him on the left side of the attacking force? These are all valid questions.
Luis Diaz made an almost immediate impact off the bench when he made a graceful move, which he showed in his half, against Bayern. Diogo Jota has also shown his ability in pre-season, but with Chelsea’s full-backs, Diaz could cause bigger problems. And Jota has the ability to make an impact off the bench.
Gakpo should take the lead. His role in the goal against Thomas Tuchel’s side on Wednesday could be a scheme to unlock Chelsea’s defence on Sunday. The Dutchman can tackle the space left by Roberto Firmino, plus the deadly quality and pace of Diaz and Mohamed Salah behind him, he is an enchanting attacking force that can cause an number of problems for Pochettino’s backline.
Liverpool’s dream squad against Chelsea:
Alisson; Alexandre-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; MacAllister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Let him sign why taking so long. We keep on waiting a lot . Let klop do something because I still see Liverpool in need of more three players