Liverpool eye wide options amid Champions League push
After a draw with Chelsea, Liverpool still need one more win to clinch Champions League qualification, highlighting issues Slot must address.
Villa have suffered just one defeat in eight Friday matches since 2022-23, while Liverpool have won their last three Friday fixtures, including against Bournemouth and Wolves, ahead of the Villa Park meeting.
Ex-Newcastle keeper Freddie Woodman joined Liverpool as a backup in 2025, impressed in brief outings including the Merseyside derby and Palace win, but returned to the bench once Mamardashvili was fit.
Liverpool have registered interest and taken preliminary steps for Sporting’s Francisco Trincao, who has a €60m clause and 17 Liga goal involvements, with Chelsea and Arsenal also monitoring.
Liverpool will install a ‘Forever 20’ memorial on 97 Avenue to honour Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, featuring Jota’s song lyrics and tributes incorporated from items left outside Anfield.
Joe Gomez, entering his final year, says ‘anything can happen’ over his Liverpool future. After 51 games in 2023-24, he has started six league matches in each of Slot’s two seasons amid rising competition.
Academy forward Keyrol Figueroa switches international allegiance from USA to Honduras as his Liverpool contract remains unresolved.
Brazil’s FA expect Alisson to be fit to return for Aston Villa, or Brentford at the latest. Juventus interest persists, but Liverpool plan for him to reclaim the No 1 spot after 13 clean sheets in 34 games.
Liverpool admire West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen as a Salah successor, but face competition from Everton and Newcastle. A £60m move is likelier if West Ham are relegated.
Report claims Liverpool are monitoring Kylian Mbappe amid alleged Madrid turmoil and potential managerial change, with Salah’s exit looming. High costs and other hurdles mean any move would be complex.
Liverpool are reportedly more insistent than ever on PSG’s Bradley Barcola as Salah’s replacement, with the 23-year-old said to be increasingly receptive to a move for more regular starts.
Turkish claims say Galatasaray have begun talks for Virgil van Dijk. The captain is said to be interested and believes he could leave Liverpool for free, with ‘negotiations ongoing’ over a summer move.
Chelsea are searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Liam Rosenior and have reportedly identified Xabi Alonso as a strong candidate, with a separate update on Liverpool’s managerial situation.
