A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Curtis Jones issues his honest verdict on head coach Arne Slot, and Virgil van Dijk backs the Reds to target a teen sensation.
Real Madrid could offer Aurelien Tchouameni to Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold
Real Madrid are considering making a move to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold as soon as the January transfer window. Los Blancos could also offer the Reds one of the club’s lesser-favoured players as a makeweight to help bring down the Anfield outfit’s asking price.
That is according to Defensa Central, which reports that Real Madrid are starting to consider bringing forward their attempts to sign Alexander-Arnold rather than waiting for his contract for Liverpool to end. He will be clear to negotiate a free transfer for next summer in January.
Lucas Vazquez’s form as a makeshift right-back since Dani Carvajal underwent surgery for a torn cruciate ligament in October has forced Real Madrid into reflecting on their timeline for Alexander-Arnold’s move. But they are loath to overpay for someone out of contract in June.
So, Real Madrid are considering offering Aurelien Tchouameni to Liverpool along with £21m, with the midfielder coveted at Anfield, to sign Alexander-Arnold in January. Los Blancos have ruled out letting star winger Rodrygo move to Merseyside as part of a player-plus-cash deal.
Read more about Real Madrid including Tchouameni in a deal for Alexander-Arnold, here.
Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot agree on Liverpool signing Jorrel Hato from AFC Ajax
Captain Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool head coach Arne Slot have both told the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes to make AFC Ajax talent Jorrel Hato a top transfer target in 2025. That is according to Graeme Bailey, who exclusively tells Rousing The Kop about the interest.
Liverpool are exploring potential defensive transfers with Van Dijk out of contract next year. The Anfield outfit would also like to sign a long-term option with their skipper turning 34 in July. Now, Hato is also emerging as a top transfer target with Liverpool huge admirers of his.
Scouts for the Merseyside club have often watched the Eredivisie, where Slot also saw what Hato can offer before taking over at Anfield. The 18-year-old has already played 81 games in the Ajax first-team, offering four goals plus seven assists as either a centre-half or left-back.
Hato has registered 42 of his senior appearances as a left-back, with 39 coming in the heart of Ajax’s defensive line. He has further made all 20 of the Netherlands international’s games this term from the left, yielding three of his career first-team goals plus four assists to date.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Hato’s transfer from Ajax, here.
Curtis Jones admits Arne Slot is ‘changing everything’ at Liverpool
Academy graduate Curtis Jones believes Arne Slot is changing ‘everything’ since taking over as Liverpool’s head coach this summer. The Dutchman took over the hotseat at Anfield that Jurgen Klopp gave up and has overseen 15 wins and one draw from 16 games in charge yet.
Only Nottingham Forest with a shock 1-0 win at Anfield have stopped Liverpool from taking a result under Slot to date. The Reds have also scored 39 goals to just 10 conceded with the 46-year-old at the helm. Jones for one is certainly relishing the ‘fresh start’ Slot has brought.
The 23-year-old has played 13 times under Slot so far and Jones has also offered one goal, plus four assists, this season. Now, speaking to the media ahead of this week’s international ties for England, Jones noted the changes by Slot and Liverpool’s coaching staff. He said:
“Arne and his staff have come in and the style of play and everything is changing – the way we go and press and stuff. I think it suits me more. As a fresh start I’ll give it everything I can. I’m really enjoying it and the most important thing is that I’m playing with a smile on my face.”
Read more about what Jones has had to say about Liverpool head coach Slot, here.
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