Liverpool news and transfers LIVE – Leroy Sane bid, Khephren Thuram issue, Arthur Vermeeren blow

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Leroy Sane, Khephren Thuram, Andre Trinade, Arthur Vermeeren, plus the latest injury updates

Leroy Sane of FC Bayern Munich looks on
Liverpool have been linked with a club record bid for Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.

The Mirror are today reporting that Sane, who left Man City for Bayern in 2020, is the Reds’ number one target should Mohamed Salah depart the club in a move to Saudi Arabia. We’ll have all the latest news and reaction to the report.

Manchester United’s failure to strike an agreement with Qatari businessman Skeikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani means Liverpool’s rivals are reportedly on course to sell a minority stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his company INEOS.

The firm also own French club OGC Nice, known to Reds supporters for summer links to midfielder Khephren Thuram – could complications arise as a result?

Liverpool are set to be one of many disappointed clubs in the hunt for talented Royal Antwerp star Arthur Vermeeren. The latest word from Spain is that Arsenal are on course to fend off competition for the 18-year-old in January.

With Andy Robertson set to miss the Merseyside derby next week with a suspected dislocated shoulder, we’ll also bring you updates on the Reds injury situation ahead of the game.

Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Liverpool FC transfer rumours below.

14:39JAMES QUINLAN
Liverpool players on international duty today
Six members of Liverpool’s squad could be involved in international matches today, including two on the same side and two facing off against one another!

First up, Egypt are playing fellow North African nation Algeria in a friendly in the UAE. That match kicks off at 5pm, and although a friendly, Mohamed Salah could play a role, as was the case in his country’s previous non-competitive fixture on Thursday.

Running concurrently from 17:30pm Reds fans will need to keep one eye on Slovakia too, as that is where England Under-21s face Ukraine in U21 Euro qualifying. Harvey Elliott is in line to start after his starring role for Lee Carsley’s side in their latest 9-1 victory, whilst Jarrell Quansah can hope for more minutes after his debut.

Finally two matches start at 19:45pm in senior Euro 2024 qualifying. Kostas Tsimikas’ Greece host Virgil van Dijk’s Netherlands in what will be an important result to determine who will reach next year’s finals, whilst Diogo Jota travels with Portugal to face Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Liverpool make Merseyside derby ticket plea and promise because of Anfield Road delays
Liverpool have released a statement asking if supporters who cannot attend the Merseyside derby this weekend and are in possession of a ticket please return it to the club via the ticket exchange.

Disappointment was experienced by many who had already purchased tickets in the Anfield Road upper tier, expecting the development to be completed by now, only to find out they would not be able to attend as the stand’s full opening date was pushed back past the turn of the year.

The hope is that supporters returning tickets in the open sections of Anfield will help those who have lost out on going to the match due to the delays.

In return the first 4000 fans to return their tickets have been offered a full refund, maintaining of the match credit on the individual’s account and a £10 voucher to be used on club retail purchases before the end of next month.

Premier League 2023/24 title odds
As the Premier League returns this weekend, how about a reminder of the current standings?

Tottenham and Arsenal, both unbeaten, lead the way with 20 points each. Spurs sit top on goals scored, it is that tight. Manchester City are then behind them with 18 points, closely followed by fourth-placed Liverpool on 17 points.

Funnily enough, that’s not the running order the bookmakers see the title race ending. Here are the latest odds from Betfair:

Another former Red off to Saudi Arabia
There are a fair few former Liverpool players currently on the books at Saudi Arabian clubs, many having signed this summer. The same can be said for former players-turned-managers too.

Steven Gerrard has the highest profile, currently leading Al Ettifaq, then there is Robbie Fowler who is in a job with Al Qadsiah in the Gulf state’s second tier.

Allegedly joining them and making it three ex-Reds in management in the country is Igor Biscan, one of Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League winners. He is reportedly on course to be named Al Shabab head coach.

13:29JAMES QUINLAN
Trent Alexander-Arnold to be dropped?
According to Sky Sports News, Gareth Southgate is expected to select Kyle Walker at right back for England in their upcoming fixture against Italy. The Man City defender is to address the media later this afternoon alongside his manager.

In England’s last match on Friday it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who started in the right back role, so if Walker starts this time it leaves two options – drop the Liverpool man entirely or move him into midfield.

What should Southgate do, Reds?

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold on international duty with England

Carlo Ancelotti addresses future amid Real Madrid Xabi Alonso links
Via Fabrizio Romano, Carlo Ancelotti has remained coy about his future at Real Madrid beyond the end of the current season. It has been suggested at times this year he would step down to take up a job with the Brazilian national team.

He said: “Agreement with Brazil? It’s all about rumors, links… I feel very good at Real Madrid as things stand. We started our season in excellent way and we hope to keep going at same level.”

Of course this is in no direct relation to Liverpool, but when considering the options to step into Ancelotti’s position at the Santiago Bernabeu one of the first on the list has been Xabi Alonso.

Last week it was claimed by BILD the Reds, Real and Bayern Munich – all being clubs that the Spaniard played for in his career – are the only ones able to exercise a contractual right to sign Alonso as manager in 2024, instead of waiting an extra two years until 2026.

Liverpool are ‘still strongly interested’ in OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, say Sport Mediaset yesterday.

The Italian outlet were covering Juventus’ reported interest in the 22-year-old, noting the fallen giant would have to overcome the Reds in the race for his signature.

That is even the case with the player’s father having made 204 appearances for Juve during a five-year spell in the naughties, during which Thuram was born in Italy.

But as speculated earlier, if Nice owners INEOS become involved with Manchester United that could throw up a whole set of issues for Anfield chiefs…

Following recent speculation that Bayern Munich were sniffing around summer Liverpool target Manu Kone, the latest word from Germany comes as a shock to both clubs.

The Rheinische Post claim that Borussia Monchengladbach have now exercised a secret clause within the Frenchman’s contract to extend by a further year. This means Kone has an obligation to stay at BORUSSIA-PARK until 2026 instead of 2025, alleviating any pressure on the Bundesliga club to cash in next summer.

Not exactly news that benefits Liverpool, but as the alternative would be seeing him switch to another club it is not exactly the end of the world either.

Manu Kone of Borussia Moenchengladbach celebrates
11:34JAMES QUINLAN
Andy Robertson replacement called up
To alleviate the issues caused by injuries to Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Brentford’s Aaron Hickey this international break, Scotland have decided to call up Max Johnston, as per footballscotland.

The 19-year-old, formerly of Motherwell, signed for Austrian club Sturm Graz in the summer.