Media Digest: Liverpool have reportedly identified a prolific ball-winner as target to replace Fabinho as the Reds confirm another midfield departure.
Liverpool eyes Palhinha
According to Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Liverpool have selected Fulham’s João Palhinha as a possible replacement for Fabinho.
Fabinho is on the verge of a $52m (€40m) transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad after Liverpool cleared him to make the move.
The Reds now need a new player as number six first choice, with the season-opening away fixture at Chelsea just 23 days away
Palhinha is one of the club’s options, according to Solkehol, although he is reportedly asking for a fee of at least $64m (£50m/€58m) after joining the Cottagers for $26m (£20m/€23m) last summer.
“If they lose two more midfielders, Jürgen Klopp will tell them to get players,” he said live on Sky Sports News via The Boot Room. “I think the players they are considering at the moment will cost a lot of money, at least £50m.”
“I’m thinking of defensive midfielders like João Palhinha at Fulham, Roméo Lavia at Southampton and Cheick Doucouré at Southampton.
“It’s one thing to be interested in these players and quite another to get a deal done because they have value and would cost a lot of money.”
Palhinha started in the 35 games he was available for Fulham last season after joining Sporting.
One thing Liverpool need to bear in mind is that they missed the other three games by suspension after racking up a league-high 14 yellow cards.
However, this could be due to the player’s particular fighting style, as evidenced by his total of 147 tackles, the most of any player in Europe’s big five leagues.
Corness joins midfield Exodus
Liverpool youngster Dominic Corness has become the latest midfielder to leave the club, sealing a season-long loan spell.
Corness will make his trade for newly promoted Yverdon Sport in the Swiss Super League, previously home to Mohamed Salah during his time at Basel.
Liverpool have already lost Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner in midfield, followed by Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
On the under-21 side, Leighton Clarkson has made a permanent move to Aberdeen, while James Balagizi joined Wigan Athletic on Wednesday on loan.
Nicknamed ‘The Wand’ for his magical set piece prowess (via ECHO), Corness is expected to make his first sustained foray into senior football, in what is said to be a rather surprising loan destination. The 20-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract last November, has never made a first-team appearance for Liverpool but featured in friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan last December.
He made 41 appearances for the Reds Under-21 in Premier League 2, not scoring but providing five assists.
