Liverpool link with Sporting Lisbon winger

Liverpool are looking at alternative targets to Mohamed Salah.

Sky Sports claim their pursuit of Salah have hit the rocks (due to his £35million valuation), and Jurgen Klopp is exploring the possibility of bringing winger Gelson Martins to Anfield.

The Portugal international has been watched by Liverpool representatives and could be tempted by a Premier League switch.

Martins, 22, has a £46.5million release clause in his current contract - although it's claimed Sporting Lisbon will accept £40million.

The winger produced seven goals and 14 assists in all competitions last season.

That quality would likely see him fit in well under Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool are in need of quality reinforcements this summer as they prepare for a campaign in the UEFA Champions League and look to sustain a title challenge in the Premier League throughout next season.

Martins has the pace and trickery you'd expect from a promising young winger, but it's clear he possesses real end product given his excellent assist record.

While his goal record isn't overly inspiring, it's equally worth noting he only started 25 matches in all competitions, so 13 strikes overall isn't a bad return.

He still needs to prove he can be a prolific goalscorer, but if brought in relatively cheaply he could be an astute buy.

Liverpool also have joined the race for out-of-favour Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez, according to reports in Spain.

A lack of game time has led to suggestions he will be playing his football elsewhere next term with Manchester United mooted as his next destination.

But Spanish publication Don Balon claim Liverpool are ready to battle their rivals for his signature.

Madrid chief Florentino Perez is refusing to lower his £52million valuation of the Colombian that has proved to be stumbling block in negotiations with United - but Liverpool are reportedly willing to meet his price tag.

Picture of Mo Salah credits to TWITTER @only1essam

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Liverpool move for versatile winger

Already moves have been made to sign a winger, with Roma's Mohamed Salah the priority.

But, for a variety of reasons, Jurgen Klopp couldn't quite bring a new wide midfielder to Anfield.

Now, as the summer transfer window prepares to swing open, the Reds boss isn't going to make the same mistake twice.

The Bayern Munich winger is keen to make a move this summer having struggled to earn a regular spot under Carlo Ancelotti.

And Bild claim several clubs have been sniffing around including Liverpool and Tottenham.

Juventus, Manchester City, and Manchester United are also mentioned.

However they are looking at alternatives and Costa appears to be one of those.

German publication Bild claim he is on Jurgen Klopp’s radar.

Klopp has already agreed the signing of Dominic Solanke, who will arrive on July 1, but he wants a forward who can go straight into the team.

And Salah and Costa fit the Klopp prototype of fluid players who can play anywhere in the front line.

Costa would cost around £35million - a similar fee to Salah - but Liverpool would face competition from a number of clubs.

The deal to take Salah from Roma is in the works with wages of £90,000 a week said to be agreed, but a an agreement with Roma still to be reached.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Liverpool in the hunt for £52million Colombian play maker

Liverpool have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Real Madrid star James Rodriguez.

The Colombia international looks set to leave the Bernabeu after struggling for game time under Zinedine Zidane.

And Spanish outlet Don Balon say the Reds are now among the clubs interested in snapping him up.

Liverpool are willing to match his £52million price tag, while the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Bayern Munich are also keen.

However, the 25-year-old is said to favour a move to their fierce rivals United instead.

Rodriguez rose to prominence at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and enjoyed a fine first season in the Spanish capital thereafter, but he struggled during the 2015-16 campaign and hasn't reached the same heights this season, either.

Team-mate Isco has been the more consistent of the two during his limited appearances, however. He's consequently played more when injuries have opened up a spot in the starting XI.

The belief is Rodriguez could return to his best with consistent playing time, something he likely won't find in Madrid. Spending £65 million on the Colombian would be a risky move and uncharacteristic of the Reds, who have been more careful with their spending under manager Jurgen Klopp when compared to other top Premier League clubs.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Who is Dominic Solanke ?

Liverpool FC have agreed personal terms with Dominic Solanke to sign the England youth international this summer.
The 19-year-old striker will complete the transfer to the Reds on July 1, 2017, upon the expiry of his contract with his current club, Chelsea.
Solanke made his senior debut for the London side as a substitute in a Champions League tie in October 2014, and scored seven goals in 25 Eredivisie appearances during a productive loan spell with Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem in 2015-16.
He has represented his country at every age level from U16 to U21 and is currently in South Korea for the FIFA U20 World Cup, where the forward has so far featured in all three games and scored once to help England into the knockout stages.
Solanke, twice an FA Youth Cup champion and winner of the UEFA Youth League and U17 European Championship, will officially join Jürgen Klopp’s squad on July 1.‎
Source: Independent, Liverpool Official

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Liverpool switching transfer targets after Roma rejection

Roma have rejected a £28m bid from Liverpool for Mohamed Salah.

The winger has agreed personal terms with Liverpool, but Roma have remained firm on their £35 million asking price.

Jurgen Klopp has now begun considering other options and have lined up a few alternatives.

The 24-year-old signed for fellow Premier League side Chelsea in January 2014, but left on loan to Fiorentina in 2015, before signing permanently for Roma in a €15m transfer last summer after a loan spell at the club.

While Chelsea only paid £11m to sign Salah from Basel, Liverpool could have to pay almost triple that for the forward, who scored 15 goals in Serie A last season.

He also grabbed 11 assists in the league over the last campaign, as Roma finished second.

Liverpool refuse to pay over the odds for Salah and do not believe he is worth the £35 million Roma are demanding.

Roma president Jim Pallotta addressed Liverpool's interest in the player earlier this week when saying there was “nothing in it at the moment”.

It is an excellent return for a right winger and Liverpool see him as the perfect man to add some much-needed pace and width to their side.

Liverpool also need to expand their squad and add depth in quality with the Champions League on the horizon for the Reds.

Liverpool made their first signing of the transfer window this week, with Chelsea's Dominic Solanke to join the club on July 1, when his contract with the Premier League champions expires. The fee will be set by a tribunal but is expected to be in the region of £3m.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Virgil van Dijk wants transfer to Liverpool

Liverpool are preparing to make Virgil Van Dijk the most expensive defender in the world after the Dutchman decided he wants a summer move to Anfield.

Now the Merseyside club will test the resolve of Southampton to keep the 25-year-old international, who is likely to cost a record £60 million should he leave in this transfer window.

Southampton have indicated they are ready to fight to retain Van Dijk and feel they can resist any offers.

Van Dijk is one of the most in-demand players ahead of the transfer window, which officially opens in July 1.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also been strongly linked with a move for the 25-year-old.

It’s a huge boost for the Merseyside club, who had made Van Dijk their top summer target after their leaky defence almost cost them a place in the top four of the Premier League and Champions League qualification.

Van Dijk will become Liverpool’s highest-paid player if the move goes ahead and can expect to earn as much as £200,000 a week. His fee is sure to eclipse the current world record for a defender - the £50 million paid by Paris St Germain for David Luiz in 2014.

The onus will now switch to the negotiations between Liverpool and Southampton.

Liverpool have become accustomed with dealing with Southampton every year for the last few seasons, securing Sadio Mane in 2016 having earlier recruited Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Rickie Lambert from the club.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Goal Highlights: Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland

Liverpool reclaimed second position in the Barclays Premier League and closed the gap to leaders Chelsea to a single point with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Steven Gerrard broke through the away side's stubbornness via an outstanding set-piece with moments remaining in the first half, then Daniel Sturridge doubled the advantage minutes after the restart with the help of a deflection.

Substitute Ki Sung-Yeung capitalised on too much space from a corner to the back post on 76 minutes to set up a nervy finale, but the hosts warded off the threat of a damaging equaliser to take the three points.

When teamsheets were handed in to the referee, the one bearing Liverpool's name confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had selected exactly the same starting XI and substitutes as the group that racked up a 6-3 victory over Cardiff City last weekend.

Glen Johnson and Philippe Coutinho both crashed long-range efforts high over the crossbar during the opening exchanges, before fans waited in expectancy as Luis Suarez braced over an inviting free-kick from 20 yards - but the ball travelled narrowly over the crossbar.

Next it was Sturridge's turn to train his sights from distance - off target from the right corner of the Sunderland area - and the No.15 was then unfortunate not to successfully redirect an outside-of-the-boot cross from his strike partner at the far post.

The Reds were dominating possession but finding the visitors difficult to break down, which prompted Joe Allen to unleash a drive after completing a one-two with Suarez, but that too was no danger to Vito Mannone between the posts.

Attempting to take matters into his own hands, the Reds' top scorer set off on a lengthy dribble which concluded with a left-footed punt shortly after the half-hour, but once again there was little to concern the Sunderland goalkeeper.

The home fans were in uproar when Santiago Vergini was shown merely a yellow card when he hauled down Suarez as he bore down on goal, but their annoyance quickly turned to joy when Gerrard stepped up to curl over the wall and past Mannone in the 39th minute.

Full reports: Official Liverpool FC

Image credits to Getty Images.

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Premier League Result: Fulham 2-3 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard struck the winner as Liverpool fought back from a double deficit at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night to claim a sensational 3-2 victory from their challenging Barclays Premier League encounter with Fulham.

The deadlock was broken in unexpected fashion on the evening as Kolo Toure unfortunately diverted a cross beyond his own goalkeeper, although Daniel Sturridge registered for the seventh consecutive league match for 1-1.

Kieran Richardson re-established the Londoners' lead in the second half by capitalising on another defensive error, but the Reds hauled themselves level once more courtesy of Philippe Coutinho's accurate conversion from distance.

But the stage was set for the skipper in the closing seconds, stepping up to dramatically convert from 12 yards after Sturridge had rightly been awarded a penalty for a late challenge by Sascha Riether.

One hour before kick-off, it was confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had selected an unchanged starting line-up for the fourth consecutive fixture; fit-again Daniel Agger was named among the substitutes, while Academy talent Joao Carlos Teixeira was included for the first time.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

Are Liverpool a genuine title contender?

Jose Mourinho claims Liverpool are the title-race danger-men because they are the one contender not liable to a spring meltdown.

Chelsea boss Mourinho believes the imminent return of the Champions League could destabilise any of the current top three.

Echoing comments he made in December, The Special One said: "People are asking if Arsenal might fall apart after what happened at Liverpool, but it can happen to any one of the three of us - any one - but not Liverpool, because they have this stability of playing one match a week.

Moving on, Brendan Rodgers is emerging as a manager capable of mixing it at the top of the table. He is now cast as the strong leader of a confident group. Thankfully, the envelopes have been put back in the drawer.

   "We might be the chihuahua that runs in between the legs of the horses," Rodgers said post-Fulham.

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