Liverpool are back in action this week when they take on Manchester City in a top of the table clash in the Premier League.
And the fallout from Everton's 10-point deduction after an independent commission found them guilty of financial breaches continues. Speculation over possible punishments for Man City and Chelsea continue, with the rest of the league looking on.
Meanwhile, Fulham are said to be progressing in talks with Fluminense for linked midfielder Andre Trindade, Borussia Monchengladbach are seeking replacements for formerly-linked Manu Kone and mooted starlet Assan Ouedraogo has sustained a nasty injury.
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Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Liverpool FC transfer rumours below.
European internationals round-up
As stated earlier, there were other Reds in international action this evening.
It was also a good night for Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, who were part of the Netherlands' 6-0 win over Gibraltar. The centre half was subsituted at half-time with the score 3-0 - given a much-needed rest by Ronald Koeman - then Gakpo came on in the 77th minute to score the final goal of the game four minutes later.
Kostas Tsimikas was rested entirely for Greece's 2-2 draw with France, so good news across the continent.
Attentions now turn to South America, where Alisson's Brazil take on Alexis Mac Allister's Argentina.
Harvey Elliott brace
England Under-21s have just defeated their Northern Ireland counterparts 3-0 at Goodison Park.
Following on from Tyler Morton's first-half strike, Harvey Elliott followed up with two goals of his own to complete a trio of Liverpool strikes at their rivals' ground.
The first was a brilliant left-footed free-kick around the wall and into the bottom left corner, and the second was a lovely dink over the opposition goalkeeper. Gareth Southgate, are you watching?
Back-to-back goals for Harvey Elliott! #U21EURO | #YoungLions pic.twitter.com/R0MVwVOGJ5
— England (@England) November 21, 2023
Tyler Morton debut goal
Making his full debut for England Under-21s tonight, Tyler Morton put the Young Lions ahead before the break against Northern Ireland with a lovely finish.
It is still 1-0 at half-time, with Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah also in action for Lee Carsley's side.
Celebrating the opening goal on Merseyside pic.twitter.com/L4hSh6xPop
— England (@England) November 21, 2023
Premier League vote claim: opposing clubs named
Earlier it was reported that the vote amongst Premier League clubs failed to pass the motion to block loans between related-party clubs during the upcoming transfer window.
Now, the Times claim that the seven clubs in opposition were Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.
14 clubs needed to be in favour of the motion to see it passed.
Liverpool stars on international duty
Usually it is good to see Liverpool's stars getting recognition on the international stage, though with that Man City match looming I'm sitting here rather anxiously instead!
There are a few Reds yet to complete their international duties with matches scheduled for tonight, and they are as follows...
Virgil van Dijk captains the Netherlands tonight against Gibraltar, whilst Cody Gakpo is rested.
Kostas Tsimikas is not involved for Greece against France - he has been given the night off, so a big thank you goes out to Gus Poyet for his selection.
And finally playing at Goodison Park tonight are England Under-21s. Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah both start, as does Tyler Morton who is on loan from the Reds at Hull City.
Leroy Sane contract update
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest news surrounding reported Liverpool target Leroy Sane.
The forward is out of contract at Bayern Munich in 2025, and the club allegedly hope to keep sway their player away from the Reds and other suitors with a long-term deal, on improved salary with improved add-on bonuses.
Romano said: "Leroy Sane is out of contract in the summer of 2025. This is for Bayern a crucial moment because they need to discuss a new contract with
"Sane and from what I understand, the idea of Bayern is to make a very important proposal to Sane. So, the new contract offered to the player will be a longer contract obviously but also with an increased salary."
"So, an important salary structure, it will include add-ons. So, Bayern are preparing a formal proposal for Leroy Sane and then [will] try to convince him to sign a new deal. There's interest from England, yes, but it's not something advanced yet and this is why the priority for Bayern is now to offer him a new contract."
'The Last Dance'
In a fixture being dubbed 'The Last Dance', Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will reportedly travel to face Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in a friendly in Riyadh next February.
If this is to be the last meeting between the two greats of the sport, they could be doing so with former Liverpool stars alongside each of them.
Sadio Mane currently shares the field with Ronaldo at the Saudi Pro League club, whilst there is growing expectation Luis Suarez will be joining Messi in the United States in January.
Inter Miami will play Al-Nassr in a friendly in Riyadh in February 2024.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 21, 2023
They meet again pic.twitter.com/j8GPvW5P0C
Premier League clubs fail to pass motion against related-party loans
Liverpool and the other 19 Premier League clubs were voting on whether to ban related-party loans in the January transfer window - a motion that has now seemingly failed.
Fresh reports say that 13 clubs voted against, seven for, meaning the vote did not meet the required 14 to pass.
In theory it means Newcastle, as an example, can loan players from PIF-backed Saudi Pro League clubs. There has been speculation that former Wolves midfielder - now with Al-Hilal - will make that exact switch.
Benfica to beat Liverpool to €8m prospect
Liverpool look set to miss out on Argentinina starlet Gianluca Prestianni.
The 17-year-old prospect has made a total of 39 appearances for Velez Sarsfield and has reportedly attracted plenty of attention from abroad.
Despite links with the Reds, Portuguese outlet O Jogo, via Sport Witness, has reported that the teenager has agreed an €8m move to Benfica. It is said he will complete his move to Protugal one he turns 18 at the end of January.
Liverpool are one of many clubs to have reportedly made 'enquiries and approaches' for the winger, as well as Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Thiago touted as Barcelona target after Gavi injury
Barcelona's fresh plans for the January transfer window could involve Liverpool
Gavi has suffered a long-term knee injury, forcing the Catalan club to consider bringing in a new midfielder.
Spanish outlet Sport has reported that Thiago Alcantara 'meets the requirements' as his contract runs out at the end of the season and it is claimed the Reds would 'not put obstacles in his way' over a possible return to the Camp Nou.
Spurs could face FA investigation over 2008 transfer
The FA is reportedly prepared to "review evidence" of Tottenham Hotspur possibly breaching their rules when selling Jermain Defoe in 2008.
A report from The Times claims that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and then_portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp dealt with an unlicensed agent while negotiating the transfer. It is pointed out that Luton Town were deducted 10 points in League Two for breaching similar rules in the same year.
This emerges after Everton werre recently docked 10 points for breaking profit and sustainability rules, while the Premier League has also accused Manchester City of 115 breaches.
Adam Lallana helping Liverpool youngsters
Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana still has a role to play in the development of the club's youngsters.
Currently playing for Brighton, Lallana also forms part of Lee Carsley's England U21s coaching staff, with the latest squad including Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah.
Curtis Jones shares key Steven Gerrard lessons
Curtis Jones has reflected on the lessons he learned from Steven Gerrard.
The legendary Reds midfielder was Jones' coach at U18 level and the 22-year-old has shared how some 'harsh truths' from Geraard helped develop his game.
"He helped me out loads," Jones told the We are Liverpool podcast "I say it now, still, I feel like Steven [Gerrard] was the one who came in and like made me really, really think, 'look, if I lock all the way in, now I can go to the top'. I always knew I had the ability but as a young kid in the academy the staff are always on top of you and like, 'look you can do this, you can do that. You're always going to play'."
Southgate gives verdict on Alexander-Arnold in midfield
England boss Greth Southgate has given his verdict on Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield during the international break.
The 25-year-old started both Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in his new position and Southgate evidently views the Reds vice-captain as a viable option for the upcoming summer tournament.
Speaking after England's disappointing 1-1 draw with North Macedonia on Monday, Southgate told talkSport:
“Very good. His comfort in possession is excellent. It was a night where it was hard to play the longer passes as the ball would just run through and bounce through so it was hard to play those passes he so often makes, where he drifts it in behind the defence and it stands for the centre-forward.
“But his awareness of the game and his defensive work in a new position was excellent as well, so he’s done really well in the past two games.”
Ref confirmed for Man City vs Liverpool clash
The referee has been confirmed for Liverpool's upcoming clash with Manchester City.
The Reds return to league action on Saturday and a win could put Jurgen Klopp's side top of the Premier League table.
Chris Kavanagh will be the man in charge of proceedings at the Etihad Stadium.
Chris Kavanagh to referee #LFC’s trip to Man City on Saturday.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 21, 2023
Liverpool face Ansu Fati transfer battle
Liverpool are reportedly among a trio of clubs interested in Ansu Fati.
The Barcelona prospect was loaned out to Brighton in the summer after an injury stunted his progress at the Camp Nou and the Spain international has responded with five goal contributions in 13 appearances for the Seagulls.
According to Football Transfers, the Reds have 'expressed an interest' in Fati, alongside Manchester United and Arsenal, but the 21-year-old is eager to prove himself back at Barcelona.
Liverpool face Youssoufa Moukoko transfer battle
Liverpool could be handed a blow in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko.
The young forward has been linked with the Reds in the past but is struggling for regular minutes at Dortmund, despite being touted with moves to several elite clubs.
A report from Teamtalk claims that the Germany international is 'set for talks' with his club and could gain an opportunity to earn regular football out on loan in January, with Crystal Palace, Fulham and Cologne all mentioned as possible suitors.
Gladbach line up Manu Kone replacement
Borussia Monchengladbach are said to be lining up replacements for Liverpool-linked midfielder Manu Kone.
That's accoridng to Bild, who state that Gladbach have a trio of midfielders on their radar ahead of January, namely Marseille's Papa Gueye, Strasbourg's Ibrahima Sissoko and Joris Chotard of Montpellier.
Manu Kone was a reported target for Liverpool, prior to picking up an injury at the U21 Euros in the summer.
Assan Ouedraogo suffers injury blow
Reported Liverpool target Assan Ouedraogo has suffered an injury blow.
The 17-year-old midfielder is enjoying a breakthrough season for Schalke in Bundesliga. 2 but was forced off for Germany at the U17 World Cup. A scan revealed that he had suffered a torn a syndesmosis ligament in his right foot and is expected to be out until at least January.
“It’s extremely disappointing for both Assan and Schalke 04 that, despite the initial assessments by the DFB’s medical team and coaches, he has suffered a bad injury after all.," said sporting director André Hechelmann. "Contact injuries are unfortunately a part of football. However, we would have preferred to have had a precise diagnosis and clear communication from the DFB swiftly after the game. We will give Assan the best possible support we can to get him back on the pitch again as soon as possible.”
Fulham set to rival Liverpool for Andre transfer
Fulham are set to rival Liverpool for Fluminense midfielder Andre Trindade in the January transfer window.
The Reds reportedly targeted the defensive midfielder in the summer but subsequently turned their attention to other players after failing to agree a deal with the Brazilian club.
It is reported by the Daily Mail that Fulham are now 'emerging as favourites' for the 22-year-old after holding talks with Fluminense, as Marco Silva looks to line up a potential replacement for Joao Palhinha. However, Manchester United and Spurs are said to be also tracking the midfielder.
John Aldridge: Everton were a sitting duck - now I want to see if the Premier League really mean business
"I don't really know to what extent Everton have done anything wrong. If you have done something wrong you've got to get penalised, but it has to be said - their punishment is excessive.
"The one thing I can say to Evertonians is that the team won't go down - they're too good even with the loss of 10 points.
"Back to the punishment - to me Everton were a sitting duck. I don't know how you gauge it so I guess it all comes down to what happens in future. We've all seen what's gone on with Chelsea under Roman Abramovich or everything at Man City - 115 charges."
Read part one of Aldo's column HERE.
Good morning!
Hello and welcome to our Liverpool FC live blog this Tuesday.
The international break is approaching its end, so not long to go now until Liverpool face Manchester City in that highly anticipated Premier League clash.
Whilst we wait, here are some of the latest top stories:
- Man City points deduction won't be enough as Liverpool await FFP punishment
Jarrell Quansah makes Jude Bellingham claim as key Liverpool influence revealed
Jamie Carragher hits charity milestone figure with Wayne Rooney help as Liverpool greats give back
Liverpool's rivalry with Man City takes new twist after Premier League FFP punishment
