Latest news with #EmpireoftheKop
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Liverpool transfer could collapse due to international duty scare
Wirtz Transfer Talks Accelerate Amid Injury Concerns Liverpool's ambitious pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has taken a dramatic twist this week, as concerns around his involvement in Germany's Nations League campaign threaten to derail what could become the biggest German transfer in history. Advertisement According to Bild, 'Florian Wirtz is on the verge of the biggest German transfer of all time', with Liverpool now pushing hard to finalise a deal worth around €150 million. That fee would surpass any previous purchase made by the Reds and set a new Bundesliga record for an outgoing transfer. However, the timing of the move has left club officials increasingly anxious. Wirtz is currently away on international duty, and Leverkusen fear that an injury while playing for Germany could throw the entire deal into jeopardy. 'If Wirtz gets injured, the entire transfer could be jeopardised. Liverpool could want to reduce the fee or back out altogether.' This sentiment echoes the high-stakes nature of the current talks, which have seen both clubs intensify negotiations. Medical Checks Already Underway in Germany In a sign of how advanced discussions have become, Empire of the Kop cite that a private jet flew from Manchester to Cologne, reportedly to conduct medical checks on Wirtz while he is away with the national team. Advertisement Although nothing has been signed yet, this quiet but crucial move behind the scenes reveals the seriousness of Liverpool's intent. Wirtz is widely seen as the creative lynchpin of Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen side, and his potential arrival at Anfield would mark a seismic addition to Arne Slot's midfield project. Germany face Portugal on Wednesday night, and the timing could not be worse. Liverpool are determined to close the deal before anything potentially damaging occurs on the pitch. Leverkusen, who have already rejected a €130 million bid, are similarly eager to avoid disaster. Player Wants Liverpool Switch as Talks Continue As reported by Empire of the Kop, the 22-year-old midfielder is only interested in joining Liverpool. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri also confirmed this detail on X, suggesting personal terms may not be a stumbling block at all. Advertisement With the player keen and Liverpool determined, attention now shifts back to the negotiating table. While a second offer has already been rejected, it appears Liverpool are inching closer to the €150 million valuation Leverkusen demand. Wirtz's performances this season under Alonso have been nothing short of sensational. The attacking midfielder has contributed heavily to Leverkusen's remarkable campaign and has emerged as one of Europe's most sought-after young talents. Photo by IMAGO Risk Management Key Before Euro 2024 The fact that this move is not yet complete is what continues to worry all parties involved. Should Wirtz suffer any kind of injury while representing Germany this week, the consequences could be enormous for both player and clubs. Advertisement Behind the scenes, all efforts are focused on getting the deal wrapped up quickly. While Wirtz has a strong desire to play for Liverpool, the reality of international football means no club can fully protect their asset until signatures are inked. As things stand, negotiations continue and there remains cautious optimism around the outcome. But as one source explained to Empire of the Kop, 'talks are progressing between the two clubs', though the mood is tense given what is at stake. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis As a Liverpool supporter, it is hard not to get excited about the prospect of signing Florian Wirtz. A €150 million deal may seem massive, but Wirtz is not just another prospect — he is a generational talent. His vision, intelligence, and ability to dictate the tempo of a match from advanced midfield areas make him a dream addition to Arne Slot's system. Advertisement However, the timing is deeply frustrating. It is entirely understandable that Leverkusen and Liverpool are both nervous about Wirtz playing during the international break. This situation brings back memories of past sagas where promising transfers collapsed due to last-minute complications. The fact that Liverpool have already flown medical staff over shows how serious this is. It is not just paper talk anymore — there is real movement. If Wirtz is pushing for this move, and Leverkusen are willing to sell for the right price, we should do everything in our power to finalise it swiftly. Ideally, before Euro 2024 starts. The club has shown ambition here. Let's hope injury doesn't become the plot twist that kills it.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pick your Liverpool player of the season
We asked our Liverpool fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one. Mohamed Salah Most goals, most assists and the most goal contributions in a Premier League season - ever. Salah has been unrivalled among the division's forwards. Liverpool wouldn't have won the title without him - and renewing his contract was absolutely vital to the club's chances of more silverware next term. Virgil van Dijk The best centre-back of all time, in my eyes. Who else is stronger? Who else reads the game better? Who else is better in the air? Who can pass the ball into the path of an onrushing attacker so effortlessly? If it wasn't for Salah collecting all the gongs, Van Dijk could well be this season's Premier League player of the year full stop. Alexis Mac Allister Effortless in possession and clever out of it. The Argentine goes under the radar but has been exceptional for Liverpool. He links the team and is the one midfielder capable of incisive central passes. He makes up his complete lack of pace by being positionally exceptional. Liverpool arguably need more creativity in midfield next season, but Mac Allister will still be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Ryan Gravenberch Gravenberch's breakthrough season is likely to have saved Liverpool £100m. After all, we were crying out for a midfield anchor last summer, but Arne Slot chose to use the Dutchman - who was more thought of as a number eight - and was rewarded for his bravery. Gravenberch is unbelievably slick on the half-turn and his first half of the campaign in particular was spectacular. He dropped off post-Christmas, but only because he has been run into the ground. Pick your 2024-25 Liverpool player of the season from our shortlist here And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bid IMMINENT for preferred Trent Alexander-Arnold successor
Frimpong bid imminent One of the top names has been revealed as Jeremie Frimpong, the 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen wing-back. The Dutch international - perhaps more suited to playing higher up the pitch - has been a well-established Liverpool target over the last number of years. Advertisement And now it looks like a bid could be IMMINENT for the former Manchester City youth player. That's according to Empire of the Kop, which states that an offer is currently being lined up. 'Liverpool have duly identified Jeremie Frimpong as a priority target for the summer and are expected to make their first move for the Bayer Leverkusen defender soon,' the report states. 'The Reds are understood to be preparing an opening offer in the region of €35m-€40m (£29.8m-£34.1m) and want to complete a deal for the 24-year-old as quickly as possible, with a determination to advance negotiations quickly.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'It is all just very odd - and I am entitled to feel as much'
'It is all just very odd - and I am entitled to feel as much' [BBC] [Getty Images] I knew it was going to happen, but I am angrier that I thought I would be. Heading to Real Madrid for a challenge and to get out of your comfort zone? Do me a favour. It is the easiest club to play for in the world. You are going to win something almost every season, regardless of how well you do. And the thing that really grates is this: Real Madrid are Liverpool's rivals. They have beaten us twice in Champions League finals which Trent Alexander-Arnold played in. He was in red when Sergio Ramos injured Mo Salah and Loris Karius in 2018. And with the new Champions League format, you can guarantee the two sides will meet at least a few times in the next five to six years. It is not Sol Campbell going from Tottenham to Arsenal, but he is still joining a legitimate rival. Why? Liverpool have just won the Premier League. How can a Scouser who stood on the pitch and saw the celebrations in Anfield last Sunday believe he is better off elsewhere? Obviously, he is entitled to make his own decisions, but it is silly. He has tarnished a legacy and will never be looked at the same by the fans. Salah and Virgil van Dijk, better players and foreigners who grew up in different countries, chose to renew their deals. Trent, Scouser, decided to join Real Madrid. And he has waited until now to tell us. Why did he do that 'stop talking' gesture when he scored at Christmas? Why did he take his shirt off when he scored against Leicester City a few weeks back? It is all just very odd - and I am entitled to feel as much. Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Anfield will likely never again be so noisy'
Twenty years since the ghost goal? Twenty years since referee Lubos Michel did Chelsea a massive favour, more like. If he hadn't given the goal to Luis Garcia, and, in fairness, I have no idea if it crossed the line or not, then he'd have had to send off Petr Cech and award Liverpool a penalty, given the goalkeeper was also the last man and didn't play the ball. So after five minutes, Liverpool would have got a penalty which Steven Gerrard would surely have scored against Carlo Cudicini [who'd have had to come on for Cech] - and Chelsea would have been down to 10 men for the rest of the game. In 2005, there was no double jeopardy rule, so a penalty and a red card would have both been awarded. If anything, Lubos Michel enhanced Chelsea's chances of winning by awarding that goal, although Jose Mourinho and their supporters conveniently forget this. You can't talk about whether it crossed the line or not without discussing the imminent red card and penalty had it not been given. The atmosphere at Anfield that night was the best the ground has experienced in my entire lifetime. Fervent, manic, brilliant. It was back when fans still wore red unashamedly and touts hadn't sold on many tickets to high-bidding first-time supporters. Anfield will likely never again be so noisy given the change in modern football and the increased hospitality and ticket pricing. This is sad. The biggest moment of the game, bar the goal, was Eidur Gudjohnsen's miss with the final kick. Somehow, the excellent finisher skewed wide when hitting the target was easier and Liverpool were on the way to Istanbul. Many consider that Liverpool side a one-man team, but besides Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia formed one of the best central defensive partnerships in Europe at the time. This bedrock was what got Liverpool to the final, but I still don't know how we beat AC Milan from 3-0 down. Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop
