Liverpool FC Thread #156 :- We Are Liverpool

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Liverpool's pre-season schedule will take them from Chester to North Carolina, around America, onto Dublin and back to Anfield as Jürgen Klopp's team tune up for 2018-19.

Here is the full guide to where the Reds are in action this summer…

All kick-off times BST.

UK friendlies

Liverpool v Chester FC – 3pm, Saturday July 7
Liverpool v Tranmere Rovers – 7.30pm, Wednesday July 11
Liverpool v Bury – 3pm, Saturday July 14
Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers – 7.45pm, Thursday July 19

As has become traditional under Klopp, his squad will step up early preparations for the new season with a series of local friendlies before leaving the country on tour.

As well as a third successive journey to Prenton Park to face Tranmere, matches have been scheduled against Chester, Bury and Blackburn.

International Champions Cup

Liverpool return to the International Champions Cup tournament and have three mouth-watering fixtures in the United States to look forward to.

Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund – 9.05pm, Sunday July 22



A reunion with former club Borussia Dortmund awaits Klopp in Charlotte, North Carolina two years on from the stunning Europa League tie between the sides that ended in a 5-4 triumph for the Reds.

The game will be held at the Bank of America Stadium, a venue the club visited in the summer of 2014 for the same competition. AC Milan were beaten 2-0 on that occasion.

Liverpool v Manchester City – 1.05am, Thursday July 26

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium will play host to an all-Premier League encounter between Liverpool and last season’s champions, Manchester City.

The sides faced each other four times in 2017-18 – with the Reds winning three of the clashes – and are set to resume the rivalry across the Atlantic.

What a way to cap off the trip – a meeting with fierce rivals United at the 107,601-capacity Michigan Stadium is Liverpool’s final American assignment.

Dublin

Liverpool v Napoli – 6pm, Saturday August 4

After the success of 2017’s trip to the Republic of Ireland, where Klopp’s men defeated Athletic Club 3-1 in front of more than 50,000 fans, a swift return to Dublin has been arranged.



Italian challengers Napoli, who finished second to Juventus last term, will line up in opposition at the Aviva Stadium a week before the Premier League campaign begins.

Anfield

Liverpool v Torino – 7.30pm, Tuesday August 7

Anfield will host a pre-season friendly for the first time in four years when Serie A outfit Torino provide the opposition in the Reds’ final warm-up fixture.

The clubs have never played each other before.

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Mohamed Salah is set to feature in Egypt's second World Cup game against hosts Russia on Tuesday.

The Liverpool forward was forced off in the first half of his club's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month due to a shoulder injury.

That led to concerns that Salah may not be able to represent his country in Russia.

After recovering and returning to training, Liverpool's No.11 was an unused substitute during Egypt's 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their opening World Cup clash on Friday.

However, the Egyptian Football Association have declared Salah is ready for Tuesday's game.

"He was fit to play against Uruguay but the coach did not want to take the risk," said the EFA.

Speaking after the Uruguay game, Egypt head coach Hector Cuper said: "Mo Salah is an extremely important player for us, nobody can deny that, but you need to have a good team, and we have a good team.

"Perhaps if Mo had been on the pitch today the outcome would have been different but we can't know that.

"Certainly he has contributed a great amount to the team and will contribute in future matches.

"We wanted to avoid any risks in this match, but I think he will be fine for the next game."

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Strakosha price named, Shaqiri interest cools and more Liverpool transfer rumours rated

Thomas Strakosha

Who? Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, an Albanian international who impressed in Serie A last season and has now been linked with a move to Anfield.

Where? Sport Italia claim that Liverpool have contacted Lazio to confirm their interest in the 23-year-old, and Lazio responded by putting a £35m price-tag on Strakosha. That now sounds like small change compared to the prices being quoted for the likes of Alisson and Jan Oblak.

What? Liverpool are in the market for a goalkeeper and with Strakosha being a new name in the frame, it's hard to say whether this one is totally rubbish just yet. Then again, Italian news outlets are well known for their creative use of transfer rumours.

Xherdan Shaqiri



Who? Xherdan Shaqiri, Stoke winger and Swiss international who is preparing to take on Brazil this afternoon.

Where? Sky Sports, who claim that the Reds have "cooled" interest in the 26-year-old. The Reds were weighing up a move for the Stoke player, who is believed to have a £12.5m release clause in his contract.

What? It's conceivable. After all, the Reds were quick to deny reports on Friday that they had triggered the clause in Shaqiri's contract. Even so, if the Swiss winger does remain a possibility then nothing will happen until after the World Cup, regardless.

Hakim Ziyech



Who? The Morocco attacker linked with Liverpool in the wake of the Reds' u-turn over Nabil Fekir.

Where? Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha , who claim that Benfica, Dortmund, Roma and Lyon are all interested in the Ajax man.

What? There are bound to be a lot of clubs who are interested in the 25-year-old after two impressive seasons with Ajax, but Liverpool's position is just a rumour for the time being.

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Rhian Brewster set to be handed first-team chance after agreeing new long-term contract with Liverpool

Rhian Brewster has agreed a professional contract with Liverpool - ending speculation over his future.

There were fears that the 18-year-old would move to Germany this summer after an impasse over the player's contract, but he is now expect to commit his future to the Reds this week on long-term deal.

Jurgen Klopp has made it clear that he will be part of the first-team squad next season and Brewster has been recovering from an ankle injury at Melwood rather than at the club's Kirkby Academy.

Brewster will now compete for a place in Klopp's first team in pre-season and will be given the chance to show his worth when he is fully fit.

Liverpool will be delighted that the youngster has agreed terms on a new deal after fearing that Brewster’s head has been turned by interest from the Bundesliga, with Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig showing an interest.

In fact, Liverpool even cancelled a planned friendly with Gladbach after taking exception to their pursuit of the youngster and the ECHO reported in May that the Reds hadn't given up hope of persuading Brewster to stay at Anfield.



Brewster initially turned down the chance to sign a pro-deal when he turned 17 and then 18, but discussions remained cordial between the Reds and his representatives.

The teenager won the Golden Boot at last summer's U17 World Cup as England emerged as champions and had scored six goals in 15 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League 2 and UEFA Youth League before injury curtailed his campaign.

Liverpool rate Brewster very highly and are not in a market for a central striker this summer - such as Germany's Timo Werner - because Klopp is keen to ensure the pathway to the first-team is clear for the youngster.

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Things may not have gone Liverpool's way in Kiev, as the Reds were beaten by Real Madrid.

But the Reds can look back on 2017/18 and be proud of the performances. The Reds can boast a Champions League final appearance and another top four finish.

Something many a player will be envious of.

Especially those who won't currently be able to take part in Europe's premier competition next term.

Here are five players who won't be involved in the Champions League next season who could help improve Klopp's squad.

Wissam Ben Yedder (Sevilla), forward



Ben Yedder scored an impressive eight goals in the Champions League this season for Sevilla, including three against the Reds in the group stages.

The Frenchman opened the scoring inside the first five minutes at Anfield in September before netting another two in the 3-3 draw in Spain.

Ben Yedder was the scourge of Manchester United too, as he netted a double at Old Trafford to knock Jose Mourinho's side out of Europe's premier competition.

His eight goals in Europe sees him level with Roma talisman Edin Dzeko and ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Harry Kane.

Could be the ideal solution to play as a back-up to the current front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino?

Julian Brandt (Leverkusen), winger



A player who has previously attracted Liverpool's interest is Leverkusen's Julian Brandt.

Brandt was being monitored by Jurgen Klopp back in January 2017 before attention shifted elsewhere, but the Reds manager is a fan of the 22-year-old winger.

The versatile Brandt is capable of operating in the wide areas and could play a part in the World Cup after being selected for Germany's provisional 27-man squad this week.

Brandt signed a new contract with Leverkusen back in April last year, but with Bayer finishing sixth in the Bundesliga, perhaps the Germany international sees his future elsewhere?

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Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), goalkeeper



Ambitious? Perhaps.

But Liverpool could enter discussions in this summer's transfer window as European champions, and if not, most certainly a re-emerging force on the continent, so why not aim high?

AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has established himself as one of the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in world football during his three years in the Rossoneri's first team.

Milan have had another season to forget in Serie A. They current sit sixth in the division, but can't go any higher ahead of the final weekend of the campaign.

Donnarumma is ear marked as the long-term successor to the legendary Gigi Buffon in Italy's goal and has been regularly linked to Real Madrid.

Pepe Reina's signing for Milan could also hasten the exit for Donnarumma, who is represented by super-agent Mino Raiola.

However, goalkeeper is a position that still divides Reds fans, with some believing a top-class shot-stopper must be brought in this summer.

Still just 19, Donnarumma could be first-choice for the next decade.

It would be a huge statement.

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester), winger



A Premier League star who won't currently be lighting up the Champions League next season is Leicester's Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian winger was briefly mentioned in connection with the Reds when Philippe Coutinho's Barcelona move was confirmed, but the interest was never concrete from Anfield.

Should it be this summer though?

The gifted wideman is arguably one of English football's most exciting talents when on form and he was instrumental in Leicester's unbelievable charge to the Premier League title just two years ago.

Manchester City interest could be a problem however, but there is no doubt Mahrez would be a superb addition to a frontline already drenched with pace and skill.

Jean Michael Seri



Athletic Ivory Coast international Seri was reportedly a target for Barcelona last season before he eventually stayed put at Nice in France.

Seri is capable of filling a number of slots in midfield and can act as an attacking force and a defensive destroyer in the engine room.

Seri has made 45 appearances in total this term and is a key member of Lucien Favre's side in Ligue 1.

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Long-serving Liverpool Academy coach Mike Garrity has parted company with the club.

The under-23s assistant boss has left the Reds as part of an extensive summer reshuffle at Kirkby.

Garrity, who served as interim under-23s manager for the second half of the 2016/17 season following the exit of Michael Beale, worked across a number of age groups.

Back in 2009, he was tasked with overseeing the under-6 to under-11 age groups as well as being the lead coach for the under-9s. He progressed up the ranks and worked with the under-18s before moving up to the under-23s.

Garrity won’t be replaced as Liverpool look to streamline their Academy staff this summer. Neil Critchley will remain as under-23s boss for the 2018/19 campaign but he will no longer have an assistant.

Liverpool are close to filling a number of vacancies following Steven Gerrard’s departure to Rangers. The Kop legend took head of coaching for the foundation phase Michael Beale, under-18s assistant Tom Culshaw and fitness coach Jordan Milsom with him to Ibrox.

The Reds will have Gerrard’s successor as under-18s boss in place for the start of pre-season but that age group will no longer have an assistant manager.

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While the names of Nabil Fekir and Fabinho have sent Liverpool fans into a transfer frenzy this summer window, the links to Xherdan Shaqiri have been met with a lukewarm response.

The Reds are considering weighing up a move for the Stoke City winger after watching him net eight goals and seven assists last term.

Liverpool believe Shaqiri can provide some much-needed depth to their front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah and is reported to have a release clause of somewhere between £12m and £13m.

So just what would Shaqiri bring to a Liverpool squad that finished as Champions League runners-up last term? And would pursuing a move for the 26-year-old be a worthwhile move?

We've taken a look at some of the pros and cons for Liverpool's latest transfer target.

Pros



Adds depth

Mane, Salah and Firmino blasted in a combined 91 goals last term to mark themselves out as one of the most feared forward lines across Europe.

When one of the trio miss out though, the Reds' much-vaunted attack suffers a considerable drop in quality.

Jurgen Klopp's wide options are virtually non existent. Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (who is injured until November) are capable of operating wide, but the England internationals do their best work in a midfield three.

Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi face hugely uncertain futures and are both centre-forwards and Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke managed just two goals between them last season.

Shaqiri would add more depth to wide areas at a time where Liverpool are crying out for options. He is versatile enough to feature on either the left or right side of a front three, which would be a huge bonus for Klopp as he tries to steer a Liverpool team through four competitions next season.

Scores goals

Liverpool need more than someone who is merely used to playing on the flanks though, and perhaps Shaqiri has been earmarked because of his output in front of goal.

Despite seeing his Stoke side relegated to the Championship, Shaqiri still scored eight times for the Potters and finished the campaign as their top scorer in the process.

In addition to the goals, Shaqiri also weighed in with seven assists, which for side who only netted 35 times last season, shows how important he was to their attacking hopes.

Mane (20), Salah (44) and Firmino (27) all know how to locate the back of the net, so any potential understudy must also chip in.

Shaqiri perhaps ticks that box.

Relatively cheap

Football's transfer fees have never been as astronomical in 2018. The world record stands at £200m and Liverpool offloaded Philippe Coutinho less than six months ago for £142m.

So to snare a Premier League quality winger for £12m would represent good business. Jurgen Klopp may not be keen on splashing upwards of £30m on back-up players, so a cheap move for the 26-year-old Shaqiri could be a shrewd one.