Liverpool news LIVE updates: All the latest news, transfers and gossip from Anfield
Tuesday, April 30
- Roberto Firmino has been included in Liverpool’s 23-man squad
- There’s also the surprise inclusion of teenage forward Rhian Brewster
- Liverpool are monitoring Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze
- Liverpool should sign Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt – Melchiot
Squad confirmed
Liverpool have announced their squad for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg.
Forward Roberto Firmino has been included in Liverpool’s 23-man squad.
The Brazil forward missed last Friday’s Premier League defeat of Huddersfield but joined the rest of the squad as they held a training session in front of the media prior to travelling.
There’s also the surprise inclusion of 19-year-old forward Rhian Brewster, who has never made a competitive senior appearance for the Reds.
Liverpool squad for Barcelona: Fabinho, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Alisson, Henderson, Sturridge, Moreno, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Brewster, Robertson, Origi, Matip, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold.
Wanted: Samuel Chukwueze
Liverpool are monitoring Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim Jurgen Klopp has been impressed with the 19-year-old Nigeria international.
Arsenal, Leicester and Atletico Madrid have all previously been linked with the rapid winger – and his 10 goals and two assists this season have attracted more attention.
Chukwueze, who has been likened to Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben, has a buy-out clause set at £54million – but Villarreal could be prepared to accept less.
The Reds will have to compete with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who are also expected to challenge this summer.
Matthijs de Ligt
Liverpool should sign Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt to form a great partnership at the back with Virgil van Dijk, says former Ajax and Netherlands star Mario Melchiot.
“My boys at Ajax are of course going to try and hold onto him for as long as they can,” Melchiot told talkSPORT. “But they know they’re coming into a difficult situation with De Ligt.
“I like him as a player, he’s very smart. The way he’s playing right now, I think if Liverpool were smart they’ll go after him.
“De Ligt and Van Dijk, those two together would be a great partnership.”
De Ligt’s team-mate Frenkie de Jong has already agreed to join Barcelona this summer for a fee of around £65million.
VVD on Nou Camp
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk returns to the Nou Camp this week hoping to erase the memory of his only other appearance at the home of Barcelona.
The newly-crowned Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year was a member of the Celtic team humiliated 6-1 in December 2013 – they were 6-0 down after 72 minutes.
What was more galling on that night was that Lionel Messi was not even playing.
“It is a nice stadium, an historic stadium and for me it was a great experience to play over there,” said the Holland captain.
“It was my first time, my only time and my last time so far so I am looking forward to playing them again, one of the best teams in the world, but I think this can be totally different than when I was there the last time.”