Liverpool information: £85m ‘cut price’ transfers verdict as star needs to present Mo Salah apology
Liverpool have been at the centre of transfer news recently — here is a round-up of the biggest stories surrounding the Reds as Arne Slot fights for Champions League qualification
Liverpool have put together a winning run in the Premier League
Liverpool have been largely characterised by their transfer dealings this season. The Reds smashed the British record twice last summer as part of a striking squad rebuild.
In the aftermath of that influx of new signings, manager Arne Slot has repeatedly found himself under the microscope as the defending Premier League champions fight for a Champions League berth. The club’s 3-1 triumph against Crystal Palace at the weekend saw Liverpool climb above Aston Villa into fourth position and virtually secure their place in the competition.
Nevertheless, Reds icon Steven Gerrard reckons that failing to land two prime targets damaged the team’s prospects. Meanwhile, one of Mohamed Salah’s ex-team-mates is hoping to spoil his perfect farewell. Here’s the latest news from Anfield.
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Two transfers ‘hurt’ Liverpool
Gerrard is still pondering Liverpool’s failure to secure Manchester City pair Guehi and Semenyo during the January window, reports the Mirror.
Former Crystal Palace skipper Guehi was previously embroiled in a protracted transfer saga and was set to move to Anfield on deadline day last summer, until the Eagles pulled the plug. He then appeared destined to join the Reds as a free agent in June.
Former Bournemouth sensation Semenyo also attracted plenty of interest following an outstanding start to the campaign with the Cherries. Nevertheless, it was City who emerged victorious in the battle for their services, securing both talents for a total of £85million, leaving Gerrard frustrated.
Gerrard told TNT Sports: “They should be playing for Liverpool, so that hurts even more. We were linked with two of those players and that would have made a big difference to Liverpool.
“But I’ve said it before on record. Two top, top players. And for the price that they got them in as well. One on a free [Guehi actually cost £20m]. One was, you know, £60[£65]m.
“In today’s market, they’re two bargains. They’re two bargains. Quality players, experienced, ready to go into the prime years of their career. International-level players. And what they’ve done is they’ve just helped kick City on at the right time.”
Mohamed Salah apology
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has confessed he’s hoping to deny Salah a perfect send-off.
The Brentford keeper could come up against the experienced attacker on the final day of the season, should Salah recover from injury, but the 27-year-old is determined to ruin his departure celebration.
Kelleher wants to prevent Salah from finding the net as the Bees chase European qualification. “Hopefully I’m apologising to him [Salah] after,” Kelleher told The Athletic.
The Republic of Ireland international departed the Reds last summer seeking consistent game time. Nevertheless, he gained enormously from previously facing the legendary attacking trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino during Liverpool training sessions.
“If you’re making saves off them, that gives you confidence,” he explained. “They were the best in the league. Just to see how they finished and the pace they finish at… you have to get used to it.”
