Liverpool news and transfers

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Manu Kone, Khephren Thuram, Alexis Mac Allister, Benjamin Pavard and Jorg Schmadtke

Hello and welcome to the ECHO's dedicated Liverpool news and transfers blog on Wednesday, May 31.

Liverpool's season is now over and attention is now fully on the summer transfer window as new names get linked with a move to Anfield every day.

Jurgen Klopp will be working hard to secure his targets as he looks to improve on Liverpool's fifth place finish in the league.

The hunt for midfield additions continues and links to Nice star Khephren Thuram surfaced on Tuesday evening after reports from France.

A move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is also thought to be moving closer with an update on his future coming up.

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Liverpool have been named as one of the top three clubs in the Premier League to benefit from VAR decisions throughout the course of the 2022/23 campaign.

Since 2019, the English top-flight's referees have been able to utilise video technology for the purpose of reaching correct decisions. Whilst that is the case in the most part, PGMOL and its officials are under more scrutiny than ever to carry out their roles as quickly and effectively as possible in order to come to the correct conclusions.

Now the season has ended, the total number of decisions for and against each club have been compiled by ESPN in order to produce an VAR net score table. Liverpoolhave found themselves joint-second on the list, equal with Fulham with a net score of five, and trailing only Brentford.

Liverpool's score came as a result of 13 overturned calls split across their 38 fixtures - eight in their favour and five against.

Khephren Thuram has insisted he is "happy" at Nice despite reported interest from Liverpool.

A stellar campaign in a mid-table Nice side has resulted in the midfielder being linked with a host of European heavyweights. It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp is aiming to bolster his engine room, with Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain playing their last game for the club.

Valued at £50million, Thuram has two years left on his current deal and Nice may choose to cash in now to receive optimal value for their asset. A tall, powerful midfielder, the Frenchman has been described as a more competitive version of compatriot Paul Pogba.

"I want to progress, go on the field, have fun," Thuram said. "For now, I'm in Nice. It's going very well. I really like the club, so I still see myself in Nice. I am very well in Nice.

"There are noises, I hear, but I'm happy in Nice. I hope to grow with this club. I would like him (Didier Digard, manager) to stay because he brought a lot to this group when it was in a difficult period.

"I don't know if I tell him enough but he's someone I can never thank enough. He helped me a lot in difficult times in my young career. We worked a lot together. I wish him only happiness, in Nice, or elsewhere."

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard is the front-runner to take over from Sam Allardyce at Leeds United.

The Whites appointed "Big Sam" with four fixtures remaining in a desperate attempt to retain their Premier League status. However, the gamble had little impact as Allardyce failed to win a game and Leeds were doomed to the Championship on the final day.

BetVictor makes former Liverpool captain Gerrard the 2/1 favourite to become the next Leeds boss. The Reds legend has been out of work since his Aston Villa sacking in October.

While never managing in the Championship, doing so could provide Gerrard the perfect opportunity to establish his coaching career. His achievements at Rangers - where he won their first Scottish Premiership for 10 years - gives Gerrard credit in the bank after an underwhelming spell at Villa.

Liverpool supporters have got their taste of the new home kit but now footage has emerged depicting the 'new' away kit.

A video posted on social media platform TikTok claiming to be the Reds' new away kit for the 2023/24 season.

To view the proposed design, click here.

Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Liverpool to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves this summer.

"He wants to play at a top club, and he's said he wants to play in the Champions League," he said. "Liverpool aren't in that competition, but they’re a big club, a big draw - and I’m sure they can attract top players like him.

"I just can't see him staying at Wolves. If you’re a starter for Portugal, you should be at a better club than Wolves. That's no disrespect, but he's better than them. Liverpool need midfielders, but they can't quite afford (Moises) Caicedo or (Declan) Rice. But Neves, you could get him for half the price of those two - I’m sure."

The Athletic are reporting that Liverpool are on the brink of buying back Melwood training ground for the women's team.

As the ECHO revealed in January, Anfied chiefs are considering an offer for the former first team's traning ground.

Liverpool moved to a new £50million facility in Kirkby less than three years ago but need a new home for Matt Beard's resurgent wome's side.

Housing developer Torus stumped up around £10million to buy Melwood in 2019 but plans for a residential development appear to have been scrapped.

More clarity surrounding Alexis Mac Allister's future.

Argentinian journalist Greman Garcia Grova has said that he is "one step away" from becoming Liverpool's first summer signing.

Tomorrow his representatives will arrive in England to go over the detailed.

Fee reported is €70m (£60m) where he will pen a five-year deal.

He has been selected by Didier Deschamps to be in the France squad for their clashes against Gibraltar and Greece.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Real Madrid are having conversations close to Roberto Firmino as he looks for a new club.

Firmino said farewell to Anfield for the final time after a successful eight-year spell on Merseyside but he opted to pastures new with his contract expiring this summer.

It has been claimed that he wdidn't enter negotiations with other clubs until he said goodbye to the Reds out of respect.

On the Here We Go Podcast, Romano says that Los Blancos are eyeing up a move with the Brazilian tempted. He said: "Real Madrid are negotiating with Joselu as a backup striker, they have Roberto Firmino in their list and they have had conversations with people close to Roberto Firmino.

"They are informed on the conditions of the deal and I am told that Firmino would be tempted to join Real Madrid," Romano said."

Liverpool supporters have got their taste of the new home kit but now footage has emerged depicting the 'new' away kit.

A video posted on social media platform TikTok claiming to be the Reds' new away kit for the 2023/24 season.

For the next campaign, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and any summer arrivals will wear a reinvention of a classic Liverpool kit from the final hurrah of iconic manager Bill Shankly for their clashes at Anfield.

Click here for the full story.

Jorg Schmadtke was probably still thumbing through his new-starter pack as a Liverpool employee when the transfer links began to rage on Tuesday.

Just a few hours after the club had announced that he would be taking over from Julian Ward as the Reds' new sporting director from June 1, the speculation started to spread from all over Europe and beyond.

Click here for the full story from Paul Gorst.

Alexis Mac Allister has agreed to join Liverpool, according to Football Insider.

The outlet says there has been a breakthrough in talks which now sees the Argentine on the verge of a £60m move to Anfield.

It's been said that there's been an agreement in personal terms and that the Brighton & Hove Albion star has "made up his mind".

It's been said moe that his contract would be worth more than £150,000-a-week.

In case you missed it, Arthur Melo bid his farewell yesterday.

A post shared by Arthur Melo (@arthurhmelo)

The Mirror have reported that Benjamin Pavard's future at Bayern Munich remains under "intense speculation" after the hierarchical sackings after their Bundesliga triumph.

Oliver Kahn was sacked as the Bavarians CEO while Hasan Salihamidžić was relieved of his duties in the boardroom. As a result of the uncertainty at the Allianz Arena.

Kicker reported last week that Liverpool had inquired about the World Cup-winner as well as Real Madrid.

In their report, they say that Bayern would like to keep the Frenchman but with his contract up next season, elite clubs are circling.

Inter made an offer in the January window with the Reds among the latest clubs to ask.

According to Sport BILD, Liverpool's intentions in Manu Kone are "real" and "big" after it emerged that the Reds are interested in the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder.

The German news outlets information suggests the Reds have entered the race to sign the 22-year-old with Liverpool already making contact and expressing interest.

It has been said that before new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke was appointed, Liverpool had inquired and were quoted €40m to €45m (£34m to £38m).

Negotiating the deal in German could boost the prospects it has been suggested.

Liverpool are said to be in a 'four-way' race for Romeo Lavia, according to reports.

Football Insider say that the Reds are in the hunt for the Southampton talent who could leave after the Saints' relegation to the Championship.

Manchester City have a buy-back option which becomes active next summer but they are reportedly considering an early move to snatch the opportunity from their rivals. Chelsea have also sounded out a potential deal, it's been said.

Arsenal are the other club.

According to Goal Brazil, Liverpool have opened talks to sign Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.

The Portuguese midfielder has been one of the standout performers for the Magpies as they battled to earn top four last season.

Barcelona are also said to be in the hunt for the former Lyon man. Goal claims that Eddie Howe's side wants to renew his deal and reflect his importance in a new deal but the Reds are among the clubs to make contact.

Ben Jacobs is reporting that Liverpool are 'confident' of landing Brighton & Hove Albion star Alexis Mac Allister.

The Reds have seemingly nudged their way to the front of the pack to sign the World Cup-winning midfielder despite reports of interest from Manchester City.

As a result of the rumoured interest and Jurgen Klopp's usual way of working, Liverpool are wanting to get their business done early.

"Liverpool are confident of landing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton. Talks are pretty advanced," he wrote in his CaughtOffside column. "This is no surprise given Liverpool have a clear and firm plan in place for this summer and always like to get their business done early.

"Mac Allister has made it clear to Brighton that he wants to leave since after the World Cup. The club won't stand in his way, but I do expect them to get a decent price.

"They handled the Mac Allister situation smartly by getting him to extend just before the World Cup thus protecting his value. Liverpool now want to move fast to avoid any late suitors attempting to hijack."

Reports in France suggest Liverpool are pushing to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

L'Equipe have published that Liverpool have been in talks and opened negotiations over the signing the son of legendary French defender Lillan Thuram.

The Reds bid farewell to four players, three of which played in midfield, however the French outlet has reported that the Reds are facing competition from other clubs.

As well as this, the Ligue 1 side aren't keen on a sale with previous reports mooting €60m (£51m) for his signature.

Who could Liverpool sign? The Reds are heavily linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion star Alexis Mac Allister and are now rumoured to be ready to move for Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

Who should be named Liverpool's Player of the Season? You'd think only Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker are contenders for the award after a very underwhelming campaign.

Have your say.

Welcome back to our LIVE blog on all things coming from Liverpool as we guide you through all of the news and rumours surrounding the Reds on the eve of the summer transfer window.

Stay tuned on the very latest on moves for Khephren Thuram and Alexis Mac Allister.