We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Wednesday, following the Reds’ 2-0 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League.
Liverpool in the Hunt to Sign Havertz
Kai Havertz is one of the most talked-about young players in world football, with a host of top clubs interested.
Seen as potentially the best German player of his generation, it’s no surprise that Liverpool are one of those eyeing him up.
This has been claimed by Sport Bild, via Sport Witness, whose report states that the Reds will “fight” for the midfielder.
Bayern Munich are arguably favourites to sign Havertz, given their appeal to young German footballers, but the lure of Jurgen Klopp should not be downplayed.
The 20-year-old midfielder would be a magnificent signing if Liverpool could get a deal over the line next summer, and he is expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen.
However, it should be noted that Bild suggested the Reds were not in the running mere days earlier.
Reds Sent Scouts to Champions League Clash
Liverpool have made a disappointing start to their Champions League campaign, but while Klopp’s men lost in Naples, they had scouts at another European game.
According to Record, again via Sport Witness, Reds representatives were present for Benfica’s Group G meeting with RB Leipzig.
It was the Germans who prevailed on the night, winning 2-1 thanks to Timo Werner’s double.
There is no indication as to which player Liverpool may have been scouting, although Werner could potentially be one, given past rumoured interest.
Another name mooted is David Tavares, the young Benfica midfielder who was said to have caught Klopp’s eye in a behind-closed-doors friendly ahead of the Champions League final.
Werner now has seven goals in just five appearances this season, in what is expected to be his final campaign with Leipzig.
Abraham Eyes Liverpool Scalp
Chelsea were also beaten in the Champions League on Tuesday night, as Frank Lampard’s side lost 1-0 at home to Valencia.
In-form striker Tammy Abraham was unhappy after the game, urging his team-mates to bounce back in style at home to the Reds on Sunday.
“[Sunday] is a test of character. We can take our anger out against Liverpool,” Abraham said.
“It’s a massive game and both teams will be going to win. We’ll look forward to putting [tonight’s defeat] right.”
Abraham has been one of the stars of the Premier League season to date, topping the goalscoring charts with Sergio Aguero, having scored seven times already.
It will be interesting to see how he fares up against Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Future Champions League Final Venues Revealed
Liverpool supporters are still basking in the glory of their Champions League final triumph last season, with Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano hosting the win over Tottenham.
The Ataturk Stadium is preparing to host the showcase event on May 30 next year—the home of the Reds’ greatest-ever night in 2005.
It’s now been revealed who will likely host the finals in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Zenit St Petersburg’s Krestovsky Stadium will be the venue in 2021, while Bayern’s impressive Allianz Arena will play host 12 months later.
Then it will be the turn of Wembley Stadium in 2023, where Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund side lost to Bayern in the 2013 final.
Why Van den Berg Missed Youth League Game
Liverpool’s under-19s drew 1-1 with Napoli in their UEFA Youth League opener on Tuesday, with Layton Stewart earning the young Reds a point in Italy.
Someone who wasn’t involved in proceedings was new signing Sepp van den Berg, with some confused why he didn’t feature.
Speaking in a Q&A, The Athletic‘s James Pearce confirmed that Liverpool had “concerns” over the state of the pitch and decided to rest the centre-back instead.
Van den Berg has struggled for consistency so far, having been tipped by some to go straight into Klopp’s first-team squad this season.
He is still adjusting to life at his new club, however, and is likely to mature into a formidable player.
