Liverpool have been warned not to overpay for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as Jurgen Klopp hits back at critics of Virgil van Dijk at the World Cup
Andoni Iraola has hit the ground running at Liverpool. The new Liverpool manager has only been in charge for a few weeks but has already bagged his first signing, Victor Munoz.
The Reds have snapped up the Spanish international after triggering the £34.6million release clause in his Osasuna contract. But with one target secured, the club is now working round the clock to bolster the squad further following such a dismal title defence, which resulted in the dismissal of Arne Slot and the appointment of Iraola.
Departures are also anticipated, with Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate likely to be joined by one or two other big names. Daily Star Sport takes a look at the latest Reds news….
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Liverpool receive Yan Diomande caution
Liverpool have been cautioned not to overspend for Yan Diomande after their initial offer for the Ivory Coast star was turned down.
The Reds’ £87m bid has been rebuffed by RB Leipzig, who are keen to keep the 19-year-old for at least another season, reports the Mirror.
Unfazed, Liverpool are prepared to make another offer, with Leipzig looking for closer to £100m if they are to let go of their valuable asset this summer. There are whispers that the German side might demand as much as £112million.
Former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd believes that’s too steep a price for a player yet to truly prove himself at the top level. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I’m not paying £112m for him. There is no doubt about it, he is a very good player.
“But £112m? That would describe you as one of the world’s best wingers and I’m not sure that he is. If it is £85m, I think that is a good valuation from Liverpool. I think that is a fair valuation. Going above that, though, I can’t see that, and I don’t think it would be good value for money.
“When you are spending that kind of money on a player, you have to be one of the best in the world in that position. I don’t think he’s one of the best in the world.”
Jurgen Klopp defends Virgil van Dijk
Jurgen Klopp has leapt to the defence of Virgil van Dijk following criticism from Rafael van der Vaart.
After the Netherlands were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan at the World Cup, Van der Vaart suggested his compatriot was past his prime, likening him to a large aeroplane.
He commented: “I have to be honest, I was quite shocked by Van Dijk. With him, I thought, ‘That doesn’t look good,’ especially while turning. It is proving very difficult. A bit like a Boeing 747 turning. I hope he starts turning a bit faster during the tournament.”
The Netherlands subsequently thrashed Sweden 5-1, with Van Dijk contributing to one of the tournament’s most commanding displays so far. Klopp, currently working for MagentaTV in North America, has outrightly dismissed Van der Vaart’s critique.
The ex-Reds manager stated: “I’m not entirely sure if it’s worth mentioning Van der Vaart. But if he ever says something positive about any player at some point, then I’ll be happy to take him seriously again.
“You get the feeling he sees something, and then it has to be formulated in a flowery way, and then he’s really against it. But that way it’s really not important.”