Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Friday, May 31
- Liverpool are set to offer Joel Matip and James Milner new contracts
- The pair will be rewarded after Saturday’s Champions League final
- Manchester United are hoping to win the race to sign PSG star Adrien Rabiot
- However, Rabiot is keen to join Liverpool and is a fan of the club
Sadio Mane on Real Madrid rumours
Sadio Mane has dismissed reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid and insists he is happy at Liverpool.
Mane has enjoyed a super season at Anfield netting 26 goals in all competitions including 22 in the Premier League as he took a share of the Golden Boot.
As a result, the Senegal forward has attracted interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs.
In an interview with The Mirror conducted by Reds legend Robbie Fowler, Mane was urged by the former striker to stick around at Anfield.
“I hope as well. There’s no place like it,” he replied.
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Gigi’s dreaming
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum admits he never dreamt as a child of playing in a Champions League final.
“I was interested in football but not like the younger kids who breathe football every day. I was interested in gymnastics,” Wijnaldum told PA.
“Yeah, that’s why I don’t know a lot of players! I didn’t even go to the games. When I was at Sparta Rotterdam, they gave us season tickets, but I always gave them away to my friends so they could go with their families.
“Even now, I don’t watch a lot of football. I was always a fan, but it wasn’t my number one priority.
“No, I had a dream to play as high as possible, but Champions League football? I never really had that dream.”
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Liverpool talks underway
Liverpool have opened talks with Lille over forward Nicolas Pepe, journalist Duncan Castles claims.
Pepe netted 23 goals and provided a further 12 assists in all competitions last season to help Lille secure Champions League football.
“[Liverpool] have been, I’m told, in contact with Pepe’s agent to discuss a deal, discuss his interest in coming there, what it would cost to bring him there,” he told The Transfer Window podcast.
“Lille are aware of this and are waiting for a bid. As we told you on The Transfer Window a couple of weeks ago, Manchester United have enquired direct with Lille about what the transfer fee would be.”
Lille value their prized asset at £80million.
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Liverpool double deal
Liverpool are set to offer Joel Matip and James Milner new contracts.
That’s according to the Telegraph, who claim the pair will be rewarded after Saturday’s Champions League final against Tottenham.
The duo, 27 and 33 respectively, currently have one year left on their existing deals at Anfield.
The Reds reportedly view Milner as one of the fittest members of their squad, while Matip has formed a good relationship with centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Adrien Rabiot transfer twist
Manchester United are hoping to win the race to sign PSG star Adrien Rabiot.
The midfielder is out of contract this summer and will be available on a free transfer.
And according to French website Paris United, the Premier League big boys are chasing the 24-year-old.
They say Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham want Rabiot.
Paris United add that United see Rabiot as the ideal replacement for Ander Herrera, who will leave Old Trafford this summer – and possibly head to PSG.
However, Rabiot is keen to join Liverpool and is a fan of the club.
‘Liverpool and Klopp have my whole admiration’ ������
We sat down with @XabiAlonso to discuss the development of Jürgen Klopp’s team, how he expects the #UCLfinal to unfold, what it means to win the European Cup with the Reds and much more…https://t.co/uJ6p3zhBWr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 31, 2019
Marko Grujic interest
Werder Bremen are interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic, reports claim.
Grujic, 23, arrived from Red Star Belgrade in January 2016 but has managed just eight Premier League appearances under Jurgen Klopp.
The 23-year-old is currently on loan at Hertha Berlin but Bremen are eager to be his next loan destination, claim Bild.
However, the £16m-rated Serbia international wants to stay with Hertha for another season.
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Philippe Coutinho preference
Philippe Coutinho would prefer to leave Barcelona for Chelsea rather than Manchester United, according to reports.
Mundo Deportivo claim United’s lack of Champions League football means the Brazilian is reluctant to move to Old Trafford.
Coutinho is said to be waiting to know if the Blues have their transfer ban overturned by The Arbitration of Sport.
If they are granted license to spend this summer, then Coutinho could move to Chelsea to replace Eden Hazard.
Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Bit Spursy…
Christian Eriksen believes winning the Champions League will alter people’s perception of Tottenham.
So far under Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs have fallen short in the big moments, as they dropped away in the 2015-16 Premier League title race, lost the 2015 Carabao Cup final to Chelsea and lost two FA Cup semi-finals.
That added to a history of messing up at the big moments, which earned them the ‘Spursy’ nickname.
He said: “Spurs as a club, if you look from a historical point of view from Tottenham at how many trophies they’ve won before, where they’ve been before, it’s new.
“It’s something that will change the club, how people look at the club, how people think about us players at Spurs.
“We’re not going to be Spursy, or whatever they call it. As a player you just go for the moment and hope it falls your way.”