Premier League Asia Trophy: Liverpool beats Leicester City for the trophy

Liverpool rounded off their tour of Hong Kong by winning the Premier League Asia Trophy with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City on Saturday.

Islam Slimani headed the Foxes into an early lead from close range; however, Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah combined magnificently to enable the former to nod in an equaliser soon after.

Coutinho then got himself on the scoresheet with a stunning finish prior to the break, cutting in from the left and drilling into the far corner to ensure it was the Reds clinched the pre-season friendly tournament trophy.

In front of a near-40,000 crowd, a sizeable majority of which there in support of Jürgen Klopp’s side, Liverpool began strongly.

The zip of the Reds’ attacking play was raising decibel levels and causing Leicester problems, and Coutinho had Kasper Schmeichel worried with a trademark curler after just three minutes on the clock.

However, firmly against the run of play, the Foxes grabbed an early lead; after opening up their opponents down the left, Christian Fuchs delivered to the back post, where Slimani powered a header into the net from point-blank range.

Nevertheless, Liverpool didn’t waste any time restoring parity – and they did so via a goal of outstanding quality.

Initially collecting the ball wide right, Salah swapped passes with Trent Alexander-Arnold before moving inside. He then laid it square to Coutinho and continued to dart into the box.

The Brazilian took a touch before scooping a pass into the path of his teammate’s run, and Salah did the rest by heading beyond Schmeichel.

Then, 10 minutes before half-time, the Reds went close to taking the lead. Kasper Schmeichel’s punch under pressure at a Coutinho free-kick dropped invitingly for Georginio Wijnaldum, but his hook back towards goal bounced just wide of the upright.

Klopp was forced into a change just before the interval, with Alberto Moreno taking the place of James Milner due to a knock, but Coutinho gave cause for cheer when he struck a second with a trademark piece of quality.

Picking up possession on the left, the No.10 ducked and weaved his way beyond Leicester challenges before arrowing an unerring effort across goal and into the far corner.


However, that advantage could have been wiped out twice inside the opening three minutes of restart.

First, Jamie Vardy moved into space inside the box and steered his shot across goal but wide of the post, before he was thwarted in a one-on-one situation by Loris Karius on the edge of the area soon after.

At the other end, substitute Marko Grujic hooked a half-volley over the crossbar with an acrobatic effort, while Liverpool required another new introduction to the contest – Ragnar Klavan – to pull off a saving challenge to prevent Vardy from steering home a leveller after he’d again wriggled into a dangerous position.

There were to be no further opportunities of note for either team as the game edged towards its conclusion in sweltering conditions, meaning the Reds were the team lifting the Premier League Asia Trophy before heading back to Merseyside.

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Premier League Asia Trophy: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace

Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi scored as Liverpool booked a place in the Premier League Asia Trophy final with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in Hong Kong.

The second-half substitutes found the target with a sweetly-struck low drive on the turn and a close-range finish late on respectively to secure the result.

Jürgen Klopp’s side were in the supremacy for the majority of the contest at Hong Kong Stadium and fully merited progression to a meeting with Leicester City on Saturday.

Liverpool took authority from the off, using possession neatly as the Eagles adopted a deep backline and invited pressure.

And the first real chance was created in the 13th minute courtesy of a well-worked passing exchange between Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right edge of the box.

Daniel Sturridge’s clever movement fooled Scott Dann into allowing space for a strike that the Palace defender quickly recovered to block.

The Reds No.15 tried to lay on a goal three minutes later, drawing cheers from the crowd for an impudent flick back into Adam Lallana’s path from Jordan Henderson’s diagonal pass, but his teammate shot off target.

And the sold-out crowd – almost exclusively Liverpool fans – showed their class when the clock reached 21 minutes – paying tribute to Lucas Leiva with huge applause after the Brazilian left the club on Tuesday.

Mohamed Salah’s ability to burst past defenders was a regular feature of the half and the summer signing sent an effort swerving wide after cutting in to shooting territory.

For all of their dominance, though, Liverpool were indebted to Simon Mignolet’s reactions on 27 minutes as Andros Townsend slipped in Keshi Anderson, free inside the box, and his hit on the turn found the goalkeeper an obstacle.

Salah might have had a tap-in having knocked the ball around Dann with space to attack in behind but the centre-back committed a blatant foul to stop the Egypt international.

Sturridge then drew a diving save with a low prod from the left of the area towards the far corner and the half-time whistle was blown with the score still goalless.

There were a host of changes made in three stages by Klopp in the early minutes of the second half, with Mignolet the only player to continue on.

Among those introduced was Philippe Coutinho and it wasn’t long before the No.10 had combined at pace with James Milner to open up a trademark step infield and shot – only, his drive flew too high on this occasion.

Solanke, on the other hand, was clinical in the 61st minute.


Coutinho prompted the move with a pass into Origi outside the box and though the Belgian’s clip to his fellow forward presented a shooting chance, there was plenty still to do.

Yet Solanke made the conclusion look simple, his subtle turn and touch preceding a thumped finish on the angle across the face of goal – his first strike for the club.

Marko Grujic was inches away from doubling Liverpool’s lead with a typically fierce blast from around 25 yards, but Origi soon did from close range on 79 minutes to ensure his team’s place in Saturday’s final.

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Midfielder wants to leave Leipzig for Liverpool

Liverpool target Naby Keita may have dropped a huge hint he sees his future at Anfield.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has pinpointed RB Leipzig midfielder Keita as a key element of his summer squad strengthening plans as he prepares for a return to the Champions League.

Liverpool are prepared to spend £70million on the Guinea international, who was voted the second-best player in the Bundesliga last season after helping his side finish runners-up to champions Bayern Munich.

While Keita has reportedly informed Leipzig of his desire to move to Liverpool, his club have been consistent in their public pronouncements the 22-year-old is not for sale at any price.

But the player has reignited speculation over his preferred route by 'liking' an Instagram post that includes him being mocked up in a Liverpool shirt.

Keita was congratulated by the guineebuzz account on being named the African player of the season following a vote on website StarAfrica's Orange Football Club, sponsored by the mobile phone operator.

Included in the montage was a photo of Keita in a Liverpool shirt along with his inclusion playing for the Reds in the FIFA 17 video game.

New Liverpool signing Mohamed Salah was among the players Keita beat to the award.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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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Pre-season friendly: Tranmere 0-4 Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp declared himself satisfied with his side's workout and performance as Liverpool recorded a 4-0 win at Tranmere Rovers in their first pre-season friendly of the summer.

The Reds struck twice in each half to secure victory at Prenton Park on Wednesday night, with goals coming from James Milner, Marko Grujic, Pedro Chirivella and Ben Woodburn.

Klopp elected to give 22 players a runout as his men took to the field for the first time in 2017-18 – and afterwards, spoke of his contentment with the display.

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Liverpool ready to compete for Mbappe

Liverpool will go head-to-head with Arsenal in an attempt to pull off the most spectacular and unexpected transfer in their history should Kylian Mbappe decide to move to England rather than Real Madrid.

The French teenager is now the most wanted footballer on the planet and Jurgen Klopp is determined to be part of the conversation should Monaco agree to sell their star striker before the start of the season.

Liverpool have reportedly seen a staggering €100million offer for Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe rejected as they step up their pursuit of the youngster.

There’s no denying that the 18-year-old is the most in-demand player in Europe this summer, as after his exploits last season, he has stolen the attention of every top club around the major leagues.

With 26 goals and 14 assists in 44 outings in all competitions, Mbappe was crucial in helping Monaco win the Ligue 1 title as well as reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

There is a broad expectation 18-year-old Mbappe will go to Real Madrid, who have the finances to outbid any competitors. It is rare for any player to reject the overtures of the Bernabeu club once they have been identified as the number one target. It is difficult for any player to say no when Madrid call and French media have today reported meetings between Mbappe and Real coach Zinedine Zidane in which he has been assured of a starting place.

But Liverpool, like Arsenal, have investigated whether Mbappe would prefer a move to the Premier League at a club where he can be guaranteed game time and patience. It is felt career progress rather an immediate desire to become a Galactico is Mbappe’s priority, even if Madrid remain clear favourites and the most likely winners of the pursuit.

Should Mbappe decide it is too soon to move to the Spanish giants, Liverpool are prepared to spend big to get him. Unlike Arsenal, they could be playing Champions League football this season, although they also know Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea would make rival offers if what currently seems like a fantasy evolved into reality.

The Reds are monitoring the situation and have registered their interest in the player.

Source: The Telegraph

Image credits to AFP.

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Liverpool to spend £70million on a Guinea international midfielder

Every player has their price. But sometimes that price is very high. Very high indeed.

According to German newspaper BILD this morning, Naby Keita could cost Liverpool around £70million to prise from RB Leipzig.

The Bundesliga club are determined not to sell, and the price-tag reflects their stance.

Jurgen Klopp has made Keita a priority target as he looks to add to his options in the centre of midfield this summer.

The Bundesliga ace has put in a series of impressive performances this season, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in just 29 league starts.

His fine performances have helped Leipzig qualify for the Champions League after finishing as runners-up to title winners Bayern Munich.

Jürgen Klopp has identified the 22-year-old central midfielder as a key target after completing the £39million club record signing of the Egypt international Mohamed Salah from Roma last week.

Despite Leipzig’s sporting director, Ralf Rangnick, and chief executive, Oliver Mintzlaff, publicly insisting that neither Keïta nor the Sweden forward Emil Forsberg will be sold, Leipzig are believed to be demanding £70million for Keïta, who joined for around £10million last year.

“It would be negligent to give away one of our key players now,” Mintzlaff said last week. “Emil and Naby are both extremely talented players with a lot of potential. We are delighted that we as a club can keep up with their development and that we can prove ourselves in Champions League in the upcoming season.”

That sort of figure is likely to price the Reds out of a move but it remains to be seen if Liverpool can negotiate that figure down.

Image credits to Jens Meyer/AP.

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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Oxlade-Chamberlain set for Liverpool move

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will continue the Anfield spending spree with a £30million move for Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Kop boss completed a £39million deal for Roma winger Mohamed Salah on Thursday and, has now set his sights on raiding the Emirates for the Gunners' England midfielder.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, has just 12 months left on his contract and has become frustrated at the club’s lack of talks over a new deal — and with not being a regular starter under Arsene Wenger.

Jurgen Klopp is a known admirer and is set for a busy summer as he attempts to build a squad capable of challenging both in the Premier League and in Europe where the Reds are back in the Champions League after a two-year absence.

Arsenal’s wage bill is expected to rise significantly as the club look to strike deals with influential duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

The club will therefore be forced to save money through player sales and it is claimed Olivier Giroud could follow Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the exit door in the coming months.

Arsenal are set for an overhaul of their own and are under pressure to cut their wage bill in the wake of the Premier League's new cost control measures that are coming into force this summer.

The rules say that a club’s wage bill should not be more than £7million more than it was in 2016-17, or £19million more than from the 2012-13 season.

If it does increase beyond that limit, the money can only come from external sources such as player sales, ticketing or commercial money, rather than Premier League central funds.

This means the money will have to be found in player sales this summer, not just of fringe players, but first-team players too.

Olivier Giroud is another who could follow Oxlade-Chamberlain out with Napoli joining Marseille and West Ham monitoring his situation. Jack Wilshere is another who could leave after spending last season on loan at Bournemouth but his wages may prove a stumbling block to a permanent move.

There are plenty of fringe players likely to depart, including Calum Chambers, Wojciech Szczesny, Chuba Akpom, Kieran Gibbs, Lucas Perez and Carl Jenkinson but Hector Bellerin is set to stay with the Gunners telling Barcelona that the Spanish right back is not for sale at any price.

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's next for Liverpool?

Sport Bild in Germany says Liverpool are still in contention to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after Borussia Dortmund's deal with Paris Saint-Germain fell through.

Dortmund want Aubameyang's future sorted by the end of July and if no transfer can be agreed by then he will stay in Germany.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool player John Aldridge has urged Virgil van Dijk to go on strike to force through a move to Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp's side publicly apologised to Southampton and ended their interest in the Netherlands international earlier this month after accusations of tapping up.

But Aldridge believes Liverpool could resurrect a deal for Van Dijk if the player makes it clear he wants to leave St Mary's.

And one more line from the Daily Mirror, who claim Klopp wants to sign four key players this summer, after Salah.

The Liverpool boss has reportedly prioritised a central midfielder and centre-back and each could cost considerably more than the Egypt international.

Naby Keita is his top midfield target, while Leonardo Bonucci, Jerome Boateng and Kalidou Koulibaly are under consideration after the failed attempt to sign Van Dijk.

The final piece of the puzzle will be a new left-back to replace Alberto Moreno.

Source: Skyports

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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