Liverpool have completed the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig and reports now indicate they have moved to attract another player from the German club.
The star in question is centre-back Josko Gvardiol, who is strongly linked with a move to Manchester City.
A few days ago, The Guardian, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Sky Blues have agreed a fee with the Bundesliga to sign the Croatian international this summer.
Later, Lepzig sporting director Max Eberl confirmed:
“There is no agreement with Manchester City. Not even close”,
According to The Mirror, Cityzens have been given a two-week deadline to complete the signing of the 21-year-old, who was arguably the best defender at last year’s World Cup. Last night, Spanish source Fichajes claimed the Premier League are preparing for an exciting battle over Gvardiol’s transfer.
The media mention that the Merseysiders are one of the English teams taking advantage of the current stalemate between City and Leipzig.
Liverpool have reportedly made a bid to try and steal the youngster’s signature, which is believed to be worth around £86m (€100m).
Guardiola’s side are still in pole position, but even Manchester United and Chelsea are pushing to secure the German star.
Josko Gvardiol is a huge Liverpool fan. Earlier this year, the defender explained (RTL Danas via (The Mail):
“My dream club? It would definitely be Liverpool. I used to watch a lot of their games with my dad when I was little.
Jurgen Klopp needs to improve his defense after a dismal last season. He was interested in Gvardiol but I doubt the club could afford the £86m transfer fee he is asking for. What do you think?
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Liverpool legend says Jordan Henderson has a ‘big problem’ after Al Ettifaq move
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher opens up on Jordan Henderson move to Saudi Arabia
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has given his thoughts on Jordan Henderson’s move to Al Ettifaq. Carragher says Henderson faces a major challenge based on his past statements of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Carra acknowledges the laudable stance Hendo has taken in standing up for LGBTQ+ rights. However, he also highlights the potential impact of the Liverpool captain’s decision to join a club based in Saudi Arabia, where LGBTQ+ rights are restricted and homosexuality is criminalized. Here’s what Carra wrote in her column for The Telegraph
“Henderson has a major issue with his past statements of support for the LGBTQ+ community. I fully understand this criticism and it is justified. Jordan has been praised for speaking his mind, so he has some tough questions to answer, and a critical response to him will negatively impact the future of communities that appreciate the support of high-profile figures.
The former Liverpool defender points out that Henderson’s previous vocal support of the LGBTQ+ community could now come under scrutiny and criticism. Fans and LGBTQ+ rights advocates may question Henderson’s move to a country with restrictive policies on these issues, which will surely lead to some tough questions for the player.
Carragher believes the criticism leveled at Henderson is valid given the stark contrast between his previous statements and his decision to join a club in a country with controversial LGBTQ+ laws.
Dilemma for Hendo
High-profile figures like Henderson have a powerful platform to champion social causes, including LGBTQ+ rights. However, when their actions seem to contradict what they have said before, it can undermine the credibility of their interests. The move to Al Ettifaq certainly presents a dilemma for Henderson, as he now has to reconcile his previous support for LGBTQ+ rights with his decision to join a club in a country with a complicated stance on the issue.
The Liverpool captain may be scrutinized and questioned, and how he answers these questions could shape his public image in the future. While many have condemned the move, some fans have also argued that the player is free to move where he pleases.
Carragher’s analysis underscores the broader importance of the choices and actions of sports personalities off the field. Athletes’ decisions can have a huge social impact, especially when they’ve previously taken public positions on important issues.
By supporting and acknowledging Henderson’s past efforts, the LGBTQ+ community can continue to push for progress and inspire others to follow his example. His advocacy remains valuable and should not be overshadowed by talk of his move to Al Ettifaq – as hypocritical as that may seem to some.
One way for Hendo to respond positively here would be to send a message explaining his position and explaining the move. Perhaps he can start by talking to Al-Ettifaq about the club conveniently graying out the rainbow captain’s armband in their announcement post.
