A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as the Reds identify a possible replacement for Virgil van Dijk, but the Anfield club’s interest in a signing left-back is questioned.
Conor Bradley admits he ‘aspires’ to be like Virgil van Dijk in training
Liverpool gem Conor Bradley has admitted he ‘aspires’ to be like Virgil van Dijk in training as the Dutchman is a great role model at the AXA Training Centre. The 21-year-old admires the way that Van Dijk sees training and how the 33-year-old always carries himself off the pitch.
Bradley has taken a closer look at how Van Dijk works in training over the past year after his true first-team breakthrough. While Jurgen Klopp gave Bradley his senior Liverpool debut in September 2021, the North Ireland defender made 23 of 34 senior appearances last season.
Arne Slot has afforded Bradley a further six first-team appearances so far this season, during which Van Dijk has also been on the pitch for five games. The Netherlands captain has so far played in 25 games with Bradley, who has now voiced his praise for how Van Dijk performs.
Bradley said, via quotes by BBC Sport: “He’s always one of the best players in training every day and that’s something I aspire to be. How he conducts himself every day [and] how he leads by example, Virgil is quite a role model.”
Read more about the praise that Bradley has voiced for Liverpool captain Van Dijk, here.
Liverpool eye Sevilla star Loic Bade as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool may lose Virgil van Dijk in a free transfer next July with the Reds captain’s contract expiring, so have identified Sevilla centre-half Loic Bade as a potential replacement. The 24-year-old has impressed the Reds since helping France take the silver medal at the Olympics.
That is according to Mundo Deportivo, which reports that Liverpool believe Bade may be an answer to their defensive dilemma as Van Dijk’s contract ticks down. But Sevilla will not sell the France gem for bids below €20m (£16.5m) after he signed a new contract in September.
Bade chose to re-commit to Sevilla until 2029 after receiving offers to join AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart this summer. Liverpool are now weighing up testing his resolve in 2025 after being a shining light in a Sevilla XI that conceded eight goals in his seven La Liga games this term.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Sevilla’s Bade as a replacement for Van Dijk, here.
Liverpool are not considering a move to sign SL Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras
Rousing The Kop can exclusively report that sources very high up at Liverpool are not eying a transfer for SL Benfica left-back, Alvaro Carreras. Recent reports have linked the 21-year-old with a switch to Anfield but we understand he is not a name actively on the Reds’ radar.
Liverpool are looking to improve their left-back options in 2025 as coach Arne Slot is keen to improve their strength in the position. But Carreras is not a left-back who Liverpool have set any eyes on as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson, who remains their first-choice.
Carreras had been touted as a transfer target for Liverpool after launching his campaign with nine appearances from nine fixtures. He also started in both of Benfica’s opening Champions League ties with Red Star and Atletico Madrid, but has not done enough to entice Liverpool.
Read more about what Liverpool sources are telling Rousing The Kop about Carreras, here.
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