A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Arne Slot learns the Reds’ chances to win the Premier League title in 2024/25 and one transfer target’s future becomes clearer.
Tyler Morton thinks Liverpool star Harvey Elliott was on ‘a different level’ vs Arsenal
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott left their young star Tyler Morton in awe with his role in the Reds’ 2-1 win against Arsenal in Philadelphia. Arne Slot enjoyed a victory against rival Mikel Arteta during the club’s pre-season tours of the USA this Wednesday after two early goals.
Mohamed Salah (13’) and Fabio Carvalho (34’) gave Liverpool what proved to be a decisive lead before Kai Havertz (40’) pulled one back for the Gunners. Arsenal’s defence lacked the answer to Elliott’s creativity from the engine room as the 21-year-old produced two assists.
Elliott started slowly but grew into the match after floating a perfect pass through for Salah over Arsenal’s backline. His creativity left a huge impression on Morton, who felt Elliott was playing on another level. The midfielder also gifted Liverpool what few other players could.
“He’s different class,” Morton told Liverpool’s website. “Different class as a player, different class as a lad. Everyone loves him and he is a brilliant footballer.
“To watch him play out there, everyone comments on it; he’s class to watch. He’s got something different to a lot of players. I don’t want to big him up too much but he looked like [Elliott was on] a different level out there.”
Read more about what Morton has had to say about Elliott’s display vs Arsenal, here.
Liverpool will not be Premier League title contenders in 2024/25
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Liverpool will not contest the 2024/25 Premier League title race. Instead, the Aston Villa legend feels the Reds will set Arne Slot a top-four finish as the target for his first year in charge. The Reds were a title threat last term but endured a late collapse.
Liverpool even had the chance to go top of the table with six games to play before falling to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. It sparked a run of three wins to see out Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Anfield, along with two draws and a 2-0 defeat at Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Slot is so far yet to improve the squad he adopted from Klopp, while Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Adrian have also left Liverpool. So, Agbonlahor feels Slot would require miracles on Merseyside to see Liverpool battle Arsenal and Manchester City to win the title in 24/25.
“I still think for Liverpool [the target is] top four,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “I really don’t see them fighting for the title.
“It’s his first season. If he does, it’s an outstanding season. But I don’t think the pressure is on the manager to go out there and battle Manchester City and Arsenal for the title.”
Read more about Agbonlahor’s verdict on Liverpool’s Premier League title chances, here.
Premier League clubs ready to move for Liverpool target Johan Bakayoko
The future of PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko is ‘becoming clearer’ with Premier League teams now ready to move for the transfer of the Liverpool target. That is according to Sacha Tavolieri, who reports that clubs are primed to launch talks with PSV in the month of August.
RB Leipzig also remain interested in Bakayoko in case Dani Olmo leaves the Bundesliga team this month. But while Die Roten Bullen have held meetings to discuss targeting the 21-year-old, the Saxony side are still yet to decide the profile of player they want to fill Olmo’s void.
Liverpool also have Bakayoko on their shopping list for in case Arne Slot requires a forward threat this summer. The 14-cap Belgium international shone with 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 games for PSV last season. He also appeared twice for the Red Devils during Euro 2024.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Bakayoko’s transfer from PSV, here.
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