A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Paul Merson warns boss Arne Slot that he risks making a ‘shocking’ decision when AFC Bournemouth visit Anfield on Saturday.
How Liverpool view Anthony Gordon signing a new contract at Newcastle
Liverpool have told Anthony Gordon that the Reds hold a long-term interest in targeting his transfer from Newcastle United. But the Magpies are desperate to thwart the Anfield outfit by opening talks with the 23-year-old about a new and improved contract at St James’ Park.
That is according to Graeme Bailey, who has exclusively told Rousing The Kop that Liverpool would not view Gordon signing a new contract with Newcastle as a snub if it makes him the highest-paid player on Tyneside. The Reds intend to persist with their interest irrespective.
Gordon is currently only the 11th best-paid player at the Toon on a £60k-a-week deal which would place him 17th in Liverpool’s 2024/25 wage bill. Yet the six-cap England international is now one of Eddie Howe’s most important names and hit 12 goals plus 11 assists last term.
Read more about what Bailey has said about Liverpool’s interest in Gordon’s transfer, here.
Real Madrid lead the race for Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz
Liverpool target Florian Wirtz has ‘made it very clear’ to Bayer Leverkusen that he wants to leave in 2025. That is according to Christian Falk, who reports that the 21-year-old is eager to take the next step in his career and believes that next summer is the right time to move.
Die Werkself are under no pressure to sell Wirtz as the midfielder’s contract will go to June 2027, so they would slap a €150m (£126m) price tag on the Germany star. The Bundesliga champions can even point to interest at Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
The Galacticos are currently the favourites to sign Wirtz. But signing him could prevent Real Madrid from targeting a transfer for Jamal Musiala, with whom the Leverkusen star dreams about joining at Bayern Munich. Der FCB believe they can only have one of Wirtz or Musiala.
Liverpool are following Wirtz’s situation with the midfielder in brilliant form already this term. Through his first six appearances in all competitions, the 25-cap Mannschaft maestro boasts five goals and one assist. He recorded 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances last term.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz’s transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, here.
Arne Slot will ‘shock’ Paul Merson if Cody Gakpo does not start vs Bournemouth
Paul Merson would be ‘shocked’ if boss Arne Slot does not start Cody Gakpo when Liverpool host AFC Bournemouth this Saturday. The 25-year-old greatly impressed the Arsenal hero in the Reds’ 3-1 come-from-behind win away to AC Milan in midweek as Gakpo assisted once.
Gakpo also made a huge impression at Euro 2024 after helping the Netherlands to reach the semi-finals. He scored three and assisted one goal in Germany, proving particularly crucial in their 3-0 win over Romania in the last 16 by scoring the first goal before creating the second.
Assisting Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool took their 3-1 lead at San Siro was Gakpo’s sole goal involvement for the 2024/25 season so far across his five appearances. But Slot started the winger for the first time this term at AC Milan, and Merson expects Gakpo to start again.
“Arne Slot has to play Cody Gakpo in this fixture,” Merson has explained to Sportskeeda. “I thought he was brilliant in the win over Milan. He also performed so well at the Euros but we haven’t seen the same from him at Liverpool.”
Merson added: “I’d be shocked if he doesn’t start and as a Bournemouth player I wouldn’t want to face him.”
Read more about what Merson has said about Liverpool’s Gakpo facing Bournemouth, here.
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