Liverpool transfer news live – Bruno Guimaraes competition, Kubo interest

‘Bloody hell’ – Former Liverpool team-mate makes strong Jordan Henderson claim over Saudi Arabia transfer

Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes money was a “major factor” in his former team-mate Jordan Henderson moving to Saudi Arabia – and wouldn’t be surprised if Mohamed Salah followed in January.

Henderson prompted a major shock this summer when he accepted an offer to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by his predecessor as Reds captain, Steven Gerrard.

The England international has since claimed he was persuaded to make the transfer by not feeling wanted by Liverpool when the initial approach was made, and dismissed suggestions he only moved due to a significantly-increased salary.

Gary Lineker has backed Trent Alexander-Arnold to “absolutely dominate” should he move into Liverpool’s midfield on a permanent basis.

Alexander-Arnold’s position has been the topic of intense discussion over the last six months, with manager Jurgen Klopp redeploying the West Derby star in a hybrid role prior to April’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League.

That switch led to the 24-year-old, who had endured a difficult 2022/23 campaign beforehand, cutting a reinvigorated figure at Anfield as he led the Reds’ late charge for Champions League qualification by tallying seven assists and a single goal in his final 10 Premier League outings of the season.

This time around, though, Alexander-Arnold has persisted in his defence-turned-midfield role despite many expecting him to become a fully-fledged member of the Reds’ engine room during the off-season. But with the signings of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch – coupled with the pre-season injury suffered by Conor Bradley – it appears Alexander-Arnold is needed in defence rather in attack at Anfield.

However, Lineker believes Alexander-Arnold, who started his youth career as a midfielder, would flourish with a permanent move into Liverpool’s midfield.

“I’ve said that ever since I saw him,” said Lineker on the No Ratings Podcast when asked if Alexander-Arnold should move into midfield.

“From right-back he’s limited with his incredible passing range because you can only pass to the left. When you play in the middle you can go both ways and he would be much better. He grew up as a midfield player and by chance he got an opportunity at right-back and did exceptionally well.

“Is he the best defender in football? Absolutely not, but you say they can’t win with him at right-back, they’ve won plenty with him there. I do feel myself personally that he should be in midfield, in there as a playmaker he could absolutely dominate.”

Nat Phillips is also training with the squad, so hopefully he’ll be available for the weekend. Cameron will probably be more early October before he’s back but he’s out on the grass and working well.

Jadon Sancho was once tipped to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool but could be on his way out of Manchester United after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.

Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has explained why he substituted Darwin Nunez at half-time of Wednesday’s defeat to Ecuador – claiming the forward arrived for international duty with “some muscle problems”.

Nunez was handed a second consecutive start for Uruguay on Wednesday night after his impressive display against Chile on Saturday, in which he grabbed two assists, but was substituted at half-time of the Celeste’s World Cup qualifier despite the game being evenly poised at 1-1.

However, Bielsa, who was appointed as manager of the South American giants in May, explained in his post-match press conference that he felt it was “necessary” to replace the Liverpool forward due to being “limited” after arriving for international duty with a muscle issue.

“Darwin arrived with some muscle problems and it limited his game,” said Bielsa after the 2-1 defeat to Ecuador. “I thought it was necessary to replace him because he was overworked after the last match.

Nunez has featured in all four of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season and was handed his first start of the campaign against Aston Villa prior to the international break as a result of his match-winning cameo against Newcastle United the week before.

The Uruguayan will now return to Merseyside to join up with the rest of his team-mates where he will have his fitness assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool