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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool told Crystal Palace 'desperate' to sell Marc Guehi as £35m move edges closer
Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a move for England star Marc Guehi, with their Premier League rivals reportedly eager to make a profit on the player this summer Liverpool have been informed that Crystal Palace are keen to offload Marc Guehi while they can still turn a profit on the defender. Guehi has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and discussions between the clubs have now commenced regarding a potential £35million transfer. The Reds have also been told that the Palace star surpasses Ibrahima Konate in ability. Palace supporter and broadcaster Rebecca Lowe has suggested the south London outfit are "desperate" to avoid losing Guehi for nothing next summer, with the Premier League champions braced for a hectic conclusion to the transfer window. Speaking on It's Called Soccer! alongside former Arsenal star Theo Walcott, Lowe reckons her cherished club have been touting the centre-half, whom they acquired from Chelsea for £18m in 2021, to competitors as they seek to secure a considerable sum for the England international while they can. Questions over Guehi establishing himself in Liverpool's first team have been an ongoing concern. However, Walcott believes the 25-year-old can oust Konate, 26, from his berth in Arne Slot's first XI, as he believes the Englishman has the advantage over the French star due to starting regularly for the Three Lions. "I do [think Guehi is better]," Walcott began. "Because when you look at England particularly and you talk about the centre halves, we're talking about the two best centre halves in the country when you're starting for England, and he's starting for England." Walcott's logic perhaps doesn't add up entirely when comparing the players against an international metric. Guehi has played 23 times for England, matching the number of appearances Konate has for Les Blues, while the latter has also captained his country on one occasion in November 2024. However, Walcott remains adamant the transfer would be worthwhile for the Reds as Guehi would make an immediate difference. "For Guehi, he would fit into that Liverpool team and they have the ball all the time, so he's not going to be challenged as much," Walcott added. "He'll get fitter, he'll learn so much. To play at Liverpool and be next to Virgil van Dijk, these opportunities might not come again." Liverpool are keen to strengthen their centre-back ranks having allowed Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer. Van Dijk, Konate and Joe Gomez represent their only three senior central defensive choices currently, with Konate entering the final 12 months of his deal and Gomez presently sidelined through injury. Palace chairman Steve Parish acknowledged earlier this week that losing the defender for nothing would pose a "problem" and that Guehi might leave during the current transfer window. And that now appears to be materialising. Liverpool have now made their approach with talks ongoing over a deal for Guehi for a fee understood to be £30m up front with £5m in add-ons. Personal terms have not yet been agreed with Guehi. However, he's reportedly eager to make the switch. The Reds' interest in Guehi is thought to be separate from their chase for Parma's centre-back Giovanni Leoni, as they also prepare to intensify their pursuit of the 18-year-old.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gary Neville tells ChatGPT ‘you muppet' as he seeks definitive answers on Man Utd and Liverpool
Gary Neville was left fuming with an AI service after it gave its verdict on whether Liverpool or Manchester United are the biggest club in England following the Reds' recent title triumph Gary Neville nearly lost his cool after asking ChatGPT to pick England's biggest football club in light of Liverpool's latest title triumph. Having secured the Premier League on Sunday, the Reds have now matched Manchester United's total of 20 league titles, reigniting a heated debate about who truly reigns supreme. Boasting six Champions League trophies - twice as many as United - some may argue that Liverpool have the edge. However, Neville isn't having any of it. On the most recent It's Called Soccer! podcast, the ex-United right-back turned to artificial intelligence for a verdict. With a bit of prompting, ChatGPT ultimately chose United over Liverpool, although it stressed that the two clubs remain "neck and neck" in stature. Discussing the debate, Neville conceded that Liverpool were now England's most successful club, yet clung to his belief that United were bigger, and "always" would be. "I will always maintain [that] Manchester United are the biggest football club in this country, and that will never change," the 50-year-old said. "It's not even a debate. "However, the most successful club at this moment in time... Is Liverpool. They've won 20 titles and they've won more European Cups, and they're the two trophies we all measures ourselves by. "What I haven't enjoyed is where people have [translated] that to Liverpool being the biggest club. They're not the biggest club. They're not." Irked, Neville turned to his phone for confirmation. Initially met with an ambiguous response, his frustration boiled over. "No, I don't want a breakdown, you muppet," he snapped. Eventually, he got what he wanted. "Oh, there we go. I've pushed it, and look what happens," he announced, flashing his phone screen at the camera. ChatGPT's answer read: "If we have to name one club as the biggest in England overall, the best all-round answer is Manchester United." Liverpool fans are unlikely to agree. While the Merseyside club might lag behind in commercial reach, their on-pitch accomplishments have been far more impressive in recent years. Domestically the two clubs are more or less on an even keel, but Liverpool's European record is unmatched. Additionally, they've pulled away from United over the last decade - both in terms of substance and style - establishing themselves as one of Europe's most consistently elite clubs. That said, United's legacy is formidable. Their 13 Premier League titles is unmatched in the modern era, and remains a towering benchman for Liverpool - who have just two - and others. However, the Reds are now on the cusp of history. One more title win would move them past United as England's most successful top-flight club, restoring the "perch" that Sir Alex Ferguson once famously claimed for Manchester. For now though, the debate rumbles on.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gary Neville reaction to Virgil van Dijk development speaks volumes on Liverpool situation
Gary Neville believes Virgil van Dijk is the most important player for Liverpool to keep out of the Dutchman, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Salah are all on course to become free agents at the end of the season, with the club facing criticism in recent months for allowing the situation to develop as it has. Alexander-Arnold, who has a market value of more than $80 million, looks set to join Real Madrid for free, while Salah continues to be linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. As things stand, it looks as though Van Dijk is the most likely player of the three to remain at Liverpool, and Neville believes that is seriously good news the club. READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand demands Man Utd beats Liverpool to $88M transfer alongside Matheus Cunha READ MORE: Liverpool already has a gifted player perfect for Arne Slot - but he just needs one thing 'That's great news for Liverpool. I think he's the most important out of the three, he's the most important. The goalkeeper and him are the bedrock of what they have achieved this season,' Neville said on the It's Called Soccer! podcast. 'Salah is amazing, Trent is fantastic, but Van Dijk is the most important I think. If he signs I think the pressure comes off Liverpool a bit in that they've not lost all three.' Liverpool may have lost to Fulham in its most recent Premier League game, but the afternoon did bring about some good news, as Van Dijk gave a contract update to reporters in the Craven Cottage mixed zone. The 33-year-old said: 'There is progress, yes.' When asked whether that meant he would sign an extension, Van Dijk replied: 'I don't know, we'll see.' He added: 'Listen, these are internal discussions and we'll see. I love the club, I love the fans and they were there for us again [at Craven Cottage]. We wanted to reward them but I ask them to be there again on Sunday [against West Ham] and make the stadium an amazing venue like always for us.' Unfortunately, the news around Alexander-Arnold's future is not so encouraging, after it was widely reported during the international break that he is set to join Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold has not addressed his future publicly since September, when he responded to a question about his future by saying: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say. I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either." Salah, meanwhile, has also not spoken publicly about his future for several months. On the field, the Egyptian is enjoying an excellent season, having registered 32 goals and 22 assists for the Reds, but he is without a goal from open play since February 23.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jonathan David Opens Up on Future Amid Liverpool Interest
With Liverpool poised to enter a pivotal summer, the club's recruitment team is already deep into the process of identifying players who can thrive under Arne Slot's dynamic and high-octane system. While the disappointment of cup exits has slightly tempered expectations, the Premier League remains within touching distance, and planning for the next phase is well underway. At the centre of these conversations is Jonathan David – Lille's prolific striker who has hit 23 goals this season and ranks among Europe's most productive forwards. He sits just behind the elite trio of Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé in terms of goal involvements throughout 2024. In short, he's a player whose numbers speak loudly – and Liverpool have taken notice. But as always in football, numbers don't tell the whole story. Nor do they always shape the outcome. In a recent interview with Jamie Carragher on the It's Called Soccer! podcast, David shed light on his ambitions and potential next steps. For a player out of contract this summer and available on a free transfer, it was an illuminating exchange – and one that may not end with the striker landing at Anfield. 'To be honest, I think I can adapt to every League,' David told Carragher. 'Every league has their differences. I think the Premier League is a lot faster and more physical than all the other leagues. 'But I grew up watching a lot of La Liga. I wouldn't say that would be my preferred league, but I think that's a league that I enjoyed watching the most… I think one day, I would like to play there. But will that happen? I don't know. I'm not opposed to anything, and we'll just see where the future takes us.' It's a quote that will both intrigue and deflate Liverpool fans in equal measure. The openness is admirable, but the hesitation towards the Premier League raises eyebrows. With the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in need of strikers, the Canadian's admiration for Spanish football may tip the scales. Liverpool's transfer identity under Arne Slot is still forming, but it's clear that athleticism, adaptability and technical IQ will be prized. In that regard, David ticks the boxes. He can play as a lone striker, in a front two, or off the shoulder in a wider role. His ability to drift between lines and arrive late in the box offers flexibility that could suit a Slot system currently being moulded around fluidity and pressing triggers. But sentiment matters. A move to Merseyside isn't just about talent—it's about desire. If David's heart leans towards Spain, Liverpool would be wise to look elsewhere. No matter how enticing the numbers, the best signings in recent history have always shown an unrelenting hunger to wear the red shirt. Liverpool's rumoured £200m summer budget brings with it the usual carousel of names. Alexander Isak, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen have all been linked. But with Isak reportedly priced north of £100m, a more prudent approach may be necessary. That's where a free agent like David becomes even more appealing—if he's truly invested. From a Liverpool fan's perspective, Jonathan David is a fascinating case. Statistically, he's elite—23 goals in a season where Lille haven't exactly set Ligue 1 alight is no small feat. He'd arrive on a free, allowing the club to allocate more funds elsewhere. On paper, it's a no-brainer. But football isn't played on spreadsheets. Hearing him speak to Jamie Carragher, it's hard to ignore the feeling that his heart is set on Spain. That doesn't necessarily make him a bad option, but it does make him a risky one. Liverpool fans have grown used to players who want to be here—Salah, Nunez, even Diaz all chose Anfield for more than just the football. If David sees this as a stepping stone or fallback option, then perhaps it's not the right fit. Arne Slot needs players who will buy into the project fully. This summer is about refining a title-winning squad into a European powerhouse. If David's head is elsewhere, even slightly, then Liverpool should pass—respectfully.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I agree with Jamie Carragher - Liverpool has a clear transfer to target in the summer'
Liverpool legend John Aldridge is convinced that the Reds will "need" to buy a new center-forward in the summer - with his belief shared by fellow Anfield icon Jamie Carragher. The Merseysiders currently sit at the Premier League summit after an impressive first half of the season as head coach Arne Slot chases title glory in his first year as boss. The top flight's pacesetters also lead the way in terms of goals scored after 25 games, having notched up 60 strikes in total. However, it should be noted that 23 - approximately 38 percent - of these goals have come courtesy of talisman Mohamed Salah so far this term in the league. Aside from the Egyptian winger, Luis Diaz has scored nine times, while fellow left-sided forward Cody Gakpo has been on the mark on eight occasions. READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand slams 'tasteless' Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher comments with Liverpool point READ MORE: 'I don't know how Liverpool is going to replace Mohamed Salah - a sad day is looming' When it comes to the Reds' center forwards, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have chipped in with nine strikes between them, by comparison. As a result of their relative lack of firepower when judged alongside their fellow attackers, Anfield legend Aldridge is convinced that his former club will look to purchase another striker in the summer. Writing in his column for the Liverpool ECHO, he opined: "I wouldn't know where to start looking when it comes to a new striker, but I do think we need one. I just hope we can find the right one in the summer. You need to find someone with a bit of ingenuity who can get us the first goal in games. "When you have a winger like Mo Salah who is scoring 20-odd goals plus every season, your centre-forward should be getting 20," he continued. "But we haven't had that. We haven't had one that really looks capable of getting close to that number." The former Republic of Ireland stalwart added: "That should be a problem, and would be for most teams, but we're covering it because we're still scoring goals. But in the future it would be nice to have one." The Reds icon's stance on the matter is mirrored by that of pundit Carragher, who offered up Newcastle United's Alexander Isak as potential upgrade on his old club's current centre-forward options. Speaking on the It's Called Soccer! podcast, the pundit asserted: "I don't really get all the talk about going to Arsenal. "I know Arsenal would love him, but one thing I would say as well, Arsenal aren't the only team that need a center-forward. Liverpool need one as well. I think in the summer, Liverpool will be in the market for a center-forward. So I think if he was available, there's no doubt Arsenal would go for him, but I think Liverpool would be part of that queue as well." The Kop hero reinforced his stance during an appearance on The Overlap too as he predicted that the Reds would vie for the Swede's signature if he became available in the summer. He insisted: There's a lot of talk about Isak. There's almost like this feeling of Arsenal are going to sign him or Arsenal need to sign him. "Are you looking at it as an Arsenal fan and thinking that's realistic that you can go and buy Isak from Newcastle? He's got like three or four years on his contract. The reason I say that is because I think Liverpool are desperate for a center forward if I'm being totally honest." Carragher added: "There's no talk about Liverpool getting Isak. I don't understand where all this Arsenal talk (has come from). Liverpool need one as well and if Liverpool win the league, if he was to go, surely you would pick the team that won the league."
