The Reds are weighing alternative options after losing Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea
Liverpool are stepping up their push to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucour.
Jurgen Klopp has insisted on a number six to strengthen his squad after missing out on Moises Caicedo at Chelsea, while Romeo Lavia will follow the Ecuadorian to Stamford Bridge.
The Anfield club had to look for alternative options, with Doucour likely to be more affordable than the previous two destinations.
Doucoure’s final asking price could be less than £60million despite Palace’s fear of losing too many players this summer.
The Malian midfielder is said to be interested in joining Anfield and personal terms wouldn’t be an issue. Liverpool are also looking for Joao Paulinha from Fulham and Khephren Thuram from Nice, but Doucour, 23, is currently seen as a more viable option.
Klopp is keen to ‘recharge’ in the coming weeks as the Reds overhaul their squad and starting options.
The German said: “We don’t always have to say, ‘Milner would have said that and Henderson would have said that and Firmino would have smiled here. “We shouldn’t do it that way.” That does not make sense .
“We’re making a fresh start with this Liverpool Reloaded, it’s something exciting. Everyone was calling for changes, and rightly so, because we’ve been together for a long time.
“It’s a new opportunity for everyone, everyone has to stand up. We all share the responsibility and it’s not like we have to give ourselves too much time to grow, let’s do it.
“Let’s take responsibility and move on from there and don’t try to be like anyone. Be the best version of yourself and you’ll have a good chance of helping the team in the best way possible.”
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Romano discloses Liverpool phone call regarding £50 million deal on Friday after Reds fail “secret job”
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool called Southampton on Friday about a possible transfer of Romeo Lavia after Chelsea made a new offer.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed in his press conference on Friday that Liverpool had made a move for Moises Caicedo with reports that a bid of around £110m had been accepted.
However, it was later revealed that the Ecuadorian international had told the Reds that he “just wants to go to Chelsea this summer”, with the Blues themselves making a new offer.
Liverpool have also been battling with Chelsea over Southampton midfielder Lavia – valued at £50m – as they seek at least one replacement for Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who both moved to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai came on earlier this summer to cover defeats to Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner, with the trio leaving on a free transfer. Liverpool have made several offers for Belgium international Lavia at Southampton but have so far been unsuccessful and risk losing to Chelsea for him too.
And transfer guru Romano has revealed Liverpool are still interested in signing Lavia. A call was made to the Saints last night, although Southampton’s asking price has yet to be met.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Friday’s story du jour was Harry Kane v Bayern but the Moises Caicedo saga was straightforward, if not crazier.” As of this writing, Chelsea are currently in contact with Brighton to reapply for Caicedo.
“So let’s wait and see that move because it’s crucial. Caicedo wants to go to Chelsea, he said directly to Liverpool at lunchtime on Friday very clearly, when it seemed that everything was ready to enter Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
“That’s why Chelsea are now working on a club-to-club deal after weeks of negotiations. I think Chelsea were confident they would be the only ones working on this deal, but Liverpool’s ‘secret work’ has been excellent. In the end it is always the player’s preference that makes the difference.
Chelsea also sent Southampton a fresh offer for Romeo Lavia on Friday night, but once again we wait for Caicedo before we see the end of Lavia’s story, as Liverpool also called Southampton up for the 19-year-old on Friday afternoon. “Chelsea see Lavia as a separate deal from Caicedo, but Liverpool have been there all day as well. Southampton won’t sell Lavia for less than £50m, they knew that.
