Liverpool transfer news – Kostas Tsimikas contract extension, Patrick Dorgu claim,

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Ivan Toney, Federico Chiesa, Bruno Guimaraes, Kylian Mbappe and more

Hello and welcome to our LIVE Liverpool transfer blog for Monday, September 25.

Jurgen Klopp’s side earned another Premier League win on Sunday afternoon, beating Brentford 3-1 at Anfield to move second in the table. Goals from Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota set the Reds on their way to all three points, though the visitors pulled one goal back through Jarrod Bowen.

On a transfer front, Ivan Toney has reportedly decided he wants to leave Brentford during the January transfer window. Is this a move Liverpool should be looking to make? Elsewhere, Juventus are said to be keen to tie down Federico Chiesa to a new deal amid rumoured interest from the Reds in recent months.

Could Liverpool be beaten to another man by Real Madrid?

Well, it wouldn’t technically be a race, it’d just be a matter of timing suiting the Spanish club better. Jurgen Klopp intends to honour his Reds contract until 2026 whilst it seems Carlo Ancelotti could be on his way out of the door when his at the Santiago Bernabeu expires in 2024. This would leave them in need of a replacement, and Matias Prats speaking on Radio MARCA believes it is a foregone conclusion that Xabi Alonso will assume the position.

About the former midfielder that played for both clubs, he stated: “We all know who is going to be the manager of Real Madrid next year, and it’s not going to be Ancelotti or Raul. He is a coach who trains in Germany. His name is Xabi Alonso. We all know that, right?”

Alonso would certainly be an interesting shout for the job at Anfield in the future, given the way he has Bayer Leverkusen playing. Whether a potential appointment in the Spanish capital would prevent this remains to be seen.

Accusation against UEFA over 2022 Champions League Final inquiry
Via the Guardian’s David Conn, former UEFA operations director Sharon Burkhalter-Lau has accused the governing body of submitting ‘completely untrue’ evidence to the independent inquiry they set up to establish the true course of events in last year’s Champions League Final involving Liverpool and Real Madrid in which supporters were put in danger stranded outside locked gates ahead of kick-off.

Acting as operations director at the time and second-in-command for organising the relocated event in the French capital. The panel that reviewed the incident came to conclusion that UEFA had primary responsibility for failings of overseeing safety plans, however it was not solely down to the security unit as Burkhalter-Lau’s events division ‘marginalised’ their colleagues, which in turn prevented efforts to help.

The Guardian say to have seen notes sent by Burkhalter-Lau in response to the conclusions, refuting the claims and most-poignantly the evidence submitted by UEFA. She believes that the failings on the night came down to the forceful actions of the Paris police, who were outside of UEFA’s authority, whilst suggesting her events team were targeted in the fallout due to protect the head of the security unit Zeljko Pavlica, a close, long-term friend of the governing body’s president, Aleksandr Ceferin.

Liverpool fans stuck outside the ground as they show their match tickets(Image: PA Wire)
17:45JAMES QUINLAN
Favourite Tsimikas moment
Now here’s a question, Reds – what’s your favourite moment involving Kostas Tsimikas since the Greece international signed for the club in 2020?

I’ll start with an easy one, his winning penalty against Chelsea in last year’s FA Cup Final shoot-out. As personal moments go it doesn’t get much better than that for a player, let us know your suggestions in the comments.

Kostas Tsimikas outlines plan for ‘more success’ after signing new Liverpool contract
Personal sacrifices, hard work and motivations – Kostas Tsimikas has delved into it all having just signed his new Liverpool deal.

Adding to that, the full-back is eager to add more honours to the club’s trophy cabinet – just what we like to hear.

Read the full story HERE.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on August 19, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
17:04JAMES QUINLAN
Tsimikas new deal announced
Good news for any fans of the Greek Scouser, as Kostas Tsimikas has officially signed a new long-term contract!

The 27-year-old extends his stay at Anfield a little over three years after signing from Olympiacos.

16:05JAMES QUINLAN
Rafael Leao intentions
Would you like the good news or the bad news first?

Well it appears Rafael Leao – who was credited with interest from both Liverpool and Real Madrid by Fichajes last week – will not be tempted by the Saudi Pro League should they come calling.

Via Fabrizio Romano, the winger has told GQ he still has goals of winning the Champions League greater than his desire for a greater wage.

The downside, however, is that Leao intends to honour his recenty-signed five-year contract in Milan.

He said: “I’m focused on doing great things with AC Milan. That’s why I signed new deal few months ago.”

AC Milan forward Rafael Leao (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)(Image: Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
15:48JAMES QUINLAN
Tottenham hit by ‘six-week’ injury blow and face James Maddison wait ahead of Liverpool
Tottenham face a nervy wait for fitness news regarding two summer signigns ahead of next weekend’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The North Londoners dropped points against rivals Arsenal yesterday but suffered two hits as both Brennan Johnson and James Maddison left the field.

Read the full story HERE.

Ange Postecoglou, manager of Tottenham Hotspur

Leicester City defender Callum Doyle likely to miss Liverpool encounter
One player who Leicester City could be without is Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle.

The defender left the King Power Stadium on crutches following their 1-0 win over Manchester City.

He will undergo scans today ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool on Wednesday.

“He had a problem in his knee,” Maresca said. “On Monday they’re going to scan him and hopefully it’s nothing because he would be a big loss.”

Patrick Dorgu explains Chelsea “dream” as Liverpool motivation outlined
Liverpool are among the clubs who have reportedly monitored 18-year-old Patrick Dorgu.

And Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet has interviewed the Leece defender about the growing interest in his services.

Barcelona are also said to be interested but Dorgu admits he uses the links as motivation.

“I really just take it as motivation, that when the big teams look at me, it is because I am doing the right thing and must continue. Then it’s just a matter of time before the big teams come knocking,” he said.

Also in the interview, he detailed his “dream” of signing for Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Dorgu added: “Chelsea is my dream to play for. I have been a fan of them for over 10 years, so it would be a huge dream to play for them.”

Leece defender Patrick Dorgu(Image: Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
08:39STEPHEN KILLEN
Jurgen Klopp issues high Darwin Nunez praise
Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Liverpool number nine Darwin Nunez.

The 24-year-old added his third of the season in the Premier League with an expertly taken volley, four in all competitions.

It’s been a difficult and frustrating time for the Uruguayan who has endured tough times since moving from Benfica, including time out of the first-team at the beginning of the season.

However, he is quickly establishing himself as a key player for the Reds.

“He has made massive steps in the last few weeks,” said the Liverpool boss, whose side are now up to second behind 100% leaders Manchester City. “He is a threat. You all saw the goal, that was probably pretty good, right? That was really strong.

“A really special one. Incredible. Everybody is looking at me when I talk about the goals but these eyes, I saw it only once, and can’t wait to see it properly back.

“He was always available, it’s super important for us now that we have a ball player, chip the ball, get it on the chest and play from there. That’s how we scored the third goal