LIVERPOOL VS REAL MADRID 1 - 0: Macca sinks Madrid again

DEFENSE:

Giorgi Mamardashvili: 7 / 10

For a side like Real Madrid, he was surprisingly not tested a lot. But still was reliable when called upon, pulling off a couple of saves from Bellingham and Guler.

Conor Bradley: 9.5 / 10

Pocketed the Real attack last season, and did it again against the same guys this season. Absolutely his best game this season. He kept Vini Jr quiet all game long, yet still managed to find time to push forward with the ball as often and best he could.

Ibrahima Konate: 8 / 10

Honestly did not have much to do either and not having any issues working to his most rock-solid self he was last season. Touch nervy against Bellingham rarely but Real really didn't have much more to offer.

Virgil Van Dijk: 8 / 10

Again like Konate didn't need to do much more than what is routinely required. Commanded the backline well, and ensured any attacking moments of Mbappe, Vini Jr and Bellingham were completely shut down.

Andrew Robertson: 8 / 10

Excellent showing again from the veteran Scot. Another performance that justifies why the 31 year-old is still the right left back for the job, rounding off a solid backline display by the Liverpool defense while also getting forward on occasion.

MIDFIELDERS

Mac Allister: 8.5 / 10

2 games vs Madrid, both goals for him. This is the kind of performance we want to see from Mac Allister. Took his goal well and was the heart and glue of the entire midfield in the background.

Ryan Gravenberch

Commanded the midfield battle with relative ease and was a problem for Real Madrid's midfielders: Bellingham, Guler and Tchouameni who couldn't get forward for 

Dominic Szoboszlai: 9 / 10

Honestly, where would we be without Szoboszlai this season? Honestly another performance like that shows why Dom needs to be fit all the time. Was everywhere on the pitch doing the dirty work, constantly banging on the doors of Courtois. And was rewarded with an assist to Mac Allister via a set piece from the right.

FORWARDS

Florian Wirtz: 8 / 10

Surprisingly deployed as a Left Winger but he was an brilliant pressing machine. Getting into the action and causing loads of problems on Dean Huijsen. A constant threat out of possession because he will pressure opponents.

Hugo Ekitike: 7 / 10

Not exactly his best play but while prepping for Man City, hence probably saving his energy for the next game. Well, Mac Allister's goal ensured that Hugo didn't need to do much more than that.

Mohamed Salah: 7 / 10

Tried going forward when he could and was dangerous on occasion. But still one of his quieter days. 

HEAD COACH: Arne Slot 9 / 10

The key for the win was using a proven midfield of Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and MacAllister. Winning the midfield battle was crucial to command the field. The setup of 2 Number 10s inc Wirtz in attack of all people, was more defensive on paper. But oddly enough, even though we had significantly less possession of the ball, 41%, attacking wise we were pounding Madrid's goal over and over and over again.

17 Shots to 8
9 to 2 on Target

The only thing now needed is to be more clinical. But the formula is there. 

NAT PHILLIPS TO WEST BROM COMPLETE! JOTA AND HOW OTHER PLAYERS SALES CAN FUND ISAK OR ANOTHER FORWARD?

Nat Phillips to West Brom Completed!

A Good move for Nat Phillips, whose potential move I talked about yesterday was confirmed and completed this morning. West Brom announced the move and confirmed by LFC. As to the fee, you may ask, the deal was worth about 3million sterling pound, equivalent to about 3.5m Euros.

Diogo Jota rumors? How potentially raising money of a striker will be like.

Newcastle are already looking out for potential strikers and center forwards and there have been some rumors of them linking to Diogo Jota. It is useful to note because any sale regarding both Nunez (who has given the initial green light and no issues on personal terms to Napoli) and Jota will fund for a striker that we need for the new season. It is said that Jota's price tag is around the 43m range.

If it is Newcastle, there can be only one that we want as a trade, Alexander Isak. The links between us and them just don't stop. It may help to sweeten the deal but bet it'll still need a sizeable amount of funds. But also bear in mind that Nunez and Jota aren't the only folks tipped for departure. Harvey Elliott (bottom X post) is also being linked for a hefty penny too. Hence, if these three do depart, will raise substantial amounts of money to fund a striker. And there are STILL more of our boys also linked to departures like Doak (linked to Everton on a 30m pound deal), Chiesa and Robertson. 

OWEN BECK TO WREXHAM?

Young Rumor this time round. Left Back academy product Owen Beck is also rumored to be linked to a loan by Wrexham. This would be good publicity for Wrexham. If you don't follow them, just to enlighten you; Wrexham has been on a triple-successive promotions from League two all the way to the Championship. Pretty insane for a side that is owned by... of all people.... Deadpool Protagonist actor Ryan Reynolds. They've been a side to watch lately and I recommend that you also follow them for shits and giggles and some lols but their success story has been nothing short of remarkable.

MALICK FOFANA AS CHIESA REPLACEMENT? NAT PHILIPS TO LEAVE.

In light of Chiesa's potential departure, Liverpool today have been linked to Malick Fofana as his replacement, as reported by Sacha Tavolieri:

Malick Fofana
Age: 20
Club: Olymique Lyon
Position: Left Winger

Stats in 24/25 Season: 11 Goals, 7 Assists

To be fair to the recruitment, Fofana is young and only turned 20 in March. As such, he's Lyon's most valuable players with a market value of 30m euroes.

May not be a bad idea to add another Left Winger to the ranks just in case we need to prepare for any outgoings like Diaz or Gakpo in the future. But for now, seems like a low-risk addition. And to be honest with ya, 18 GAs including 11 goals this season is good for someone that just turned 20.

Look out for Transfer news later.

NAT PHILIPS TO LEAVE LIVERPOOL

To take players off the wage bill, Nat Philips is the next in line to leave on a permanent basis. Having used as an emergency center back and his breakout season in the 20/21 was the reason why we managed to still make for UEFA Champions League Qualification, comfortably too.

As far as the next club is concerned, the deal is involving West Bromwich Albion, and likely for a small fee. Doing so will free up the wage bill of 45,000 pounds a week.

MILOS KERKEZ MEDICAL SET.

Just by looking at X / twitter reports everywhere, Milos Kerkez is scheduled to fly over to England to complete his medical. Hope we have a completion of his signing tomorrow!

23-June-2025: Kerkez and Quansah 'Here we Goes!', Harvey Elliott to leave? Wirtz has completed his transfer!

FLORIAN WIRTZ SIGNS HIS CONTRACT

'Sorry for the long wait!', that was what Wirtz said in his first interview in AXA training center.



It has finally been announced that he has finally signed his contract and was officially unveiled on Friday night. He was presented in the presence of his family. Again a club record deal of 116 million pounds if you are not aware. As to what number he will be assigned remains to be seen because we've yet to have an unveiling of the new kit. But even that will only be in effect in August, which means he'll still need to have a number assigned for the pre-season matches before this. That will also apply to any other members coming in. My preference is Mac Allister get the 6 and Wirtz get the number 10. But he might get 27 first, after Darwin Nunez's first shirt and Divock Origi and since it was the number he started with.



Milos Kerkez to LFC Completed!

The long awaited news of Milos Kerkez to LFC from Bournemouth has been broken out as well. Fabrizio Romano announced shortly of the young Hungarian just as Wirtz completed his medical. His desire to come to Liverpool was to no surprise however. According to an Interview by David Ornstein.

Jarell Quansah from LFC to Bayer Leverkusen Completed!

Adding to the Here-we-go news is Quansah's deal has been completed as well.  £30m plus another 5m in add-ons is a good bit of business done. A Buy-back clause has been inserted in, just in case we want to reacquire his services in future.

RUMORS

Harvey Elliott to Brighton? 

Cite: https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/transfer-news-harvey-elliott-brighton-40-million

Another potential departure as we kinda have talked about is Harvey Elliott. Not with Leverkusen but with Brighton Albion and Hove. This could be a good move if Harvey wants to remain in the Premier League and play first team football. Already a heavy user in 2021-2023, his experience would prove invaluable as well as his leadership since he has been leading the England U21s as skipper. He recently scored 2 goals in 4 matches in the EURO U21s over the last couple weeks. As such, I feel he deserves first team football, just he won't get it here. The deal is rumored to be in a range around £40m which is again like Quansah, no small fee but I doubt it'd be enough as Elliott's flying high with the England U21s. A 50m range would be a masterstroke, means we sell to Brighton for more than we paid for Alexis Mac Allister.

Warren Zaire-Emery to LFC?
Center Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder

https://www.rousingthekop.com/2025/06/21/liverpool-make-first-move-to-sign-generational-talent-warren-zaire-emery-from-psg/

Not so much of a need, but would be good to have to rotate with Gravenberch. This 19-YO elite teenager's rise to become one of PSG's regular player with already more than 120 matches with the first team in the last 3 seasons despite his young age winning the continental treble with PSG. As someone primarily as a box-to-box midfielder would be a huge get. But I don't see this deal happening anytime soon.

Marc Guehi:

It is said today that Marc Guehi has declined to renew his contract in Crystal Palace and will jump at the opportunity to join another club when that presents itself. Therefore at this juncture, to prevent Crystal Palace to lose a player on a free, they would wanna cash out now while his contract is still valid for just one more year. We may wanna jump and negotiate a cut price deal below his £50m market value. Already the general sentiment of Palace fans is that Guehi can join us with their blessing. And since Quansah is joining Leverkusen, Marc will be a huge upgrade. Although previously I said that Guehi would be a rotational Center Back with Konate, some may say that he may be a potential successor to Virgil Van Dijk as his spot and captaincy.

20-JUNE-2025: QUANSAH, MARC GUEHI, DARWIN NUNEZ. WIRTZ MEDICAL BEGUN

Few more transfer news and rumors and more updates for our LFC boys, as of 20th June 2025. 

Flo Wirtz's Medical has begun.

Before we get to the updates, a quick one that Florian Wirtz has begun his series of medical tests. In fact, he's already done with the first half of his medical yesterday. So today will be the 2nd part of his medical tests before the official unveiling as reported by Florian Plettenberg. Fabrizio Romano also reported his private flight coming in from Cologne to Manchester.

QUANSAH VERBALLY AGREES WITH BAYER SWITCHEROO

When Wirtz deal was agreed about a week and half ago, Bayer Leverkusen sought to replace Jonathan Tah with Jarell Quansah. As of today and as expected, Quansah has verbally agreed to the so-called "swap" deal but it's considered as a totally separate deal, technically. Either way, it'll be good business if this is pulled off and since he wants regular minutes. 40m+ Euroes (34.1m pound sterling) for someone built from our academy in LFC since 2009 is nothing to sneeze at. David Ornstein reports a fee for this amount while Fabrizio Romano reports around a 30m pound range.

DARWIN NUNEZ: NAPOLI'S FIRST OFFER

According to Alfredo Pedulla, there has been direct contact made to Nunez's entourage that an offer has been made by Napoli to secure Nunez in a range of 37M pound (42M Euro). Of course we would need more because we have more gaps to fill up front and to replace Quansah. We'll see how it pans out because I believe it's gonna be just a matter when he will move and what will be the eventual settlement and agreed fee plus add-ons if any.

"MARC" GUEHI TO LIVERPOOL BID?

Addji Keaninkin Marc-Israel Guehi, or simply "Marc" Guehi would be one to reinforce our ranks to replace Quansah after his move to Leverkusen is completed. Marc Guehi has had a great season in Crystal Palace. With a year left in his contact, would be a great stand in for Konate or played in rotation, but also a good leader to add to LFC's Leadership team, being current captain of Palace. Another piece that should be kept an eye on. This makes perfect sense because we are gonna be running low on Main center backs without Quansah.

That's all the news for now! Subscribe and favorite this space.

GOALKEEPER MOVEMENT OUT OF LFC? JAROS AND HARVEY DAVIES

Some movement out of LFC at this time! As expected, with the arrivals of new Goalkeepers Pesci and Mamardashvili, means two of our keepers are on a move, one of which confirmed and announced. If both move, meaning the number 13 would go to Giorgi Mamardashvili, and 62 to Pesci.

CONFIRMED DEPARTURES:

Vitezslav Jaros - To Ajax FC

Jaros, 23, having just signed a new long term deal, has been announced to be Ajax's new number 1 on a season long loan, reuniting with former LFC captain, Jordan Henderson who is captain in Ajax.

Vitezslav holding his new Number 1 Jersey for Ajax.

RUMORED:

Harvey Davies to Crawley Town FC

The other keeper potentially on the move. If it does happen, Davies, 21, will spend the season at League Two side Crawley Town. Let's hope he gets great experience there and help the team who were relegated from League one this year, before he returns.

Darwin Nunez to Napoli:

It's reported by Romano that Napoli have scheduled another round of talks with Darwin Nunez to progress on the deal. Seems to me, Napoli would most likely his final destination. Other Saudi clubs are vying for his signature but Nunez seems to want to stay in Europe.

OTHER NEWS

Not from Liverpool but one to note and a player from Chelsea we completely forgot about was Mykhailo Mudryk. Already suspended due to drug use, his ban could further last till up to 4 years. Honestly this player is one of Chelsea's worst, if not the worst signing in their history.

Florian Wirtz: As reported by Romano, it'll be a big 48 hours. Wirtz should be done with his holiday, having spent time with Frimpong, as I shared yesterday should commence his medical later today on Thursday and would carry on till tomorrow, Friday then the official announcement would follow.

TRANSFER RUMOUR: ALEXANDER ISAK TO LIVERPOOL?!

Some bombas only just started coming out over the last 16 hours or so that Alexander Isak may be on the move. No matter where this is coming from, this will be a very complicated deal. And it'll only happen if someone is brought over to Newcastle to replace him.

At the same time, Newcastle is also looking to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton. Whether that remains the case will depend down the road. But if Joao Pedro does come in to Newcastle, will mean that LFC will have an opportunity to sign Isak. Again, this will be a complicated deal. But with Newcastle having Champions League football next season, spells some huge dilemmas.

A. you bang on Isak and Anthony Gordon
or B. You take the money and bring more members in.

Some fan journalists are already on the prowl for this snoop:

IndyKaila

Ivan Schwakoff

Whether or not Isak signs, LFC still needs to get a new striker as an upgrade to Jota and Nunez and must not dawdle on these deals. All the signings need to arrive in time for the pre-season then we can just have everyone get assimilated into the squad first.

If we don't get Isak, then Hugo Ekitike will have to do. Either way, it is a dream transfer window as long as a Striker and a center back comes in.

WIRTZ MEDICAL AND HOLIDAY

A bit on a light one for Florian Wirtz as he's spending time with his mate Jeremie Frimpong at the start of the week, with Wirtz sharing his story 8 hours ago on Instagram then reshared by Frimpong later. Wirtz will have his medical before the pair joins up with the LFC squad for training and pre-season.

Hope LFC can have a bit of a bezzies episode between those two, especially since the two of them have been playing together in Leverkusen for the last 5 years or so and will do so with Liverpool from here on out.