Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night as transfer plans to strengthen Andoni Iraola’s squad have emerged
Liverpool are making plans to further improve their squad as they look to get back to winning ways in a domestic cup encounter.
Andoni Iraola’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Alvaro Arbeloa’s struggling Fulham at home on Saturday and will be hoping for a lift when they face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday night. The Spanish coach is likely to make sweeping changes for the League Cup tie.
Not one but two Reds legends are making returns to Merseyside, one off the pitch and one on it, as Iraola tries to get England’s most successful football club back in the hunt for trophies. With that in mind, the club’s transfer plans are again in the spotlight. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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James Milner returns to Anfield
Liverpool icon James Milner has returned to the club following his departure in 2023.
The former Manchester City midfielder is advancing his coaching career by mentoring youngsters at the Academy in Kirkby, reports the Mirror.
Milner ended his remarkable 24-year playing career this summer after a stint with Brighton. The Liverpool Echo understands the Reds’ arrangement with their Premier League and Champions League winning hero.
He isn’t an official permanent staff member, but is gaining experience towards earning additional badges. The 40-year-old was coaching the under-11s over the weekend.
The England legend, who arrived at the Reds in 2015, is also anticipated to collaborate with several other age groups in the coming period.
Milner has already secured his UEFA A Licence and is working towards completing his Pro Licence. He previously assisted with the Academy while playing for Liverpool.
Andy Robertson poised for Anfield comeback
Andy Robertson will make his maiden return to Liverpool since his heartfelt departure this summer as Tottenham visit Anfield tonight for the Carabao Cup clash.
The legendary Scot claimed eight major honours during a nine-year stint, including two Premier League crowns and the Champions League in 2019.
Robertson departed after Milos Kerkez displaced him from the Liverpool starting XI. While Kerkez has found it tough, and was omitted from the starting lineup against Fulham, the Scotland captain has started in three of Tottenham’s four Premier League matches this term.
Spurs arrive at Anfield following a goalless stalemate against Everton on Saturday, a result that prolonged the side’s winless streak in the Premier League.
Robertson, though, has been amongst the few positives for Roberto De Zerbi’s team this season. Similar to Milner, fellow Scot Alan Hutton reckons Robertson will eventually return to the Reds in a coaching role.
“Could we see Andy Robertson return to Liverpool as manager someday or take the Scotland or Celtic jobs? I think he can go on and do that if he wants to,” the former Spurs and Aston Villa right-back said.
Transfer plans
Liverpool are prepared to bid for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde in the January transfer window, according to reports.
Iraola’s side have issues at left-back with Milos Kerkez yet to reproduce the form that earned him a move from Bournemouth to Anfield last summer and Kostas Tsimikas not at the level required following his return from a loan spell at Roma last campaign.
According to Spanish journalist Juan Jesus, Liverpool are ready to go all out for 22-year-old Spain international this winter, who was linked to Manchester United over the summer.
The Red Devils wanted a loan, which Barcelona did not agree with, yet the La Liga titans could be open to selling him for a fee of around £34m according to Sport, a Barcelona-leaning Spanish publication.
Jesus wrote on X: “EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool is going all out for Alejandro Baldé in the January transfer window. Andoni Iraola, the new Reds coach, has marked the left-back as the absolute priority to bolster the team this winter.
“The English board is already working on the deal and sees the young Barca player as the perfect piece for their system.”