Liverpool transfer news LIVE - Jurgen Klopp farewell, Arne Slot confirmation (2024)

An emotional day beckons

So, tomorrow is almost upon us...

It is the day us Reds have been dreading ever since that announcement back on January 26, but ultimately it is a day on which the boss deserves the greatest of send-offs.

We'll be back first thing in the morning to bring you coverage of Klopp's final farewell.

Jurgen Klopp makes 'strange' admission

The weight of Jurgen Klopp's decision is just now hitting the Liverpool manager as he gears up for his final Premier League match in charge. Earlier today, he took charge of his last training session at the AXA Training Centre.

"So here I am, last day in the office," he said to the camera in the latest video posted to his new 'Kloppo' Instagram account. "Last session done. It was kind of strange I would say. A few of the coaches got quite emotional. I didn't get [emotional] yet.

"I told myself tomorrow is the game and after that is holiday... I decide what I think until I get overwhelmed tomorrow! So I will leave this place today which is… yeah an interesting experience I would say! Here are the boxes [camera pans to an empty and packed up office]. See you tomorrow!"

Luis Diaz happy

A lot has been made of Luis Diaz's stay on Merseyside. The Colombian signed two-and-a-half years ago, and now is subject to whispers of interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Fabrizio Romano suggests he remains happy with his current situation and hopes to continue at Liverpool. Most importantly, the club feel the same way.

"For Luis Diaz there is a lot of interest. We always have reports from clubs from Spain and France," the reporter told GiveMeSport. "But, at the moment, I can guarantee that Liverpool trust Diaz and want to continue with him.

"Let’s see if crazy proposals will arrive. At the moment, Liverpool are still very happy with Luis and Luis is also happy at Liverpool. The situation is quiet."

Pep Ljinders farewell

“I feel very grateful, blessed,” says Pepijn Lijnders as he prepares to depart the club alongside Jurgen Klopp.

The assistant manager - who has been with the Reds for a decade - is to become the new manager of Austrain outfit RB Salzburg as he seeks a new challenge with a lead role in the dugout.

"It’s overwhelming how everybody is reacting and the messages from the fans, saying goodbye to people here in the club. It’s 10 years of my life," he told LFC. "I feel very grateful, blessed. It’s a club I love. I didn’t want anything to go different from how it went; losing a final and the year after winning a final. We created so many special games together. The feeling is strange. It’s the last day here at AXA, we go tomorrow to Anfield. The last three weeks is the first time I felt calmness, no pressure. We came third, there’s no final anymore to play, [so] I just soak it in. I look forward to it [Sunday]."

Liverpool players in training

Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool squad have been granted a lovely, sunny afternoon at the AXA Training Centre for their final full training session together. It might not make up for all of the rainy days the boss has had to endure whilst in this country, but it is building up to a lovely end.

What are your predictions for Liverpool vs Wolves, Reds?

Six players could say goodbye on Sunday

It has been confirmed by the club that defender Joel Matip will leave at the end of his contract after eight years at Anfield. The 32-year-old has been out of action since December due to a cruciate ligament tear.

Midfielder Thiago will also leave the club at the end of his contract in the summer. The 33-year-old has been with Liverpool since 2020 but has only managed one appearance this season due to injury.

Both players will be available on free transfers in the summer but it is still to be seen where they will end up. The duo will have the chance to say goodbye to Liverpool fans after the game against Wolves.

Another four players could also say their goodbyes.

Palhinha 'going nowhere'

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha will not be leaving Fulham this summer, says manager Marco Silva despite links with Liverpool.

The Portuguese, who came close to moving to Bayern Munich last year, has been pivotal for Fulham once again this season, stoking rumours of an exit. New Liverpool boss Arne Slot likes to play with a double pivot and Palhinha would fit in nicely.

However, Silva says Liverpool can think again if they believe they can land the 28-year-old. “He’s been a key player for us. He was a player I really pushed to convince him to come to our football club,” he said.

“Of course, he is a key player for us. He is going to play in the last game [at Luton on Sunday]. Let’s hope he has a good [Euro 2024] tournament. Next season he is going to be here.”

Former Liverpool youngster on the verge of Wembley success

Former Liverpool youngster Cameron Brannagan and his Oxford United side lead 2-0 in the League One playoff final against Bolton Wanderers.

It's half-time and the U's are 45 minutes away from the Championship.

The 29-year-old left Liverpool in 2018 and has went on to make 240 appearances for the club.

Roberto De Zerbi makes Brighton decision amid Liverpool links

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club after the Premier League final day on Sunday.

The Italian is now the favourite to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich but following the news of Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down, De Zerbi emerged as a contender at Anfield.

However, Arne Slot is in position to replace the German.

The six Liverpool players who could say farewell along with Klopp after Wolves

The final match of the season against Wolves will be one to remember for those in attendance at Anfield, but probably not because of the action on the field.

The game will be manager Jurgen Klopp’s final one in charge of the club, bringing an end to a memorable nine-year spell. The German announced earlier this season that he was leaving the club.

It’s set to be an emotional afternoon as the manager says his final goodbye to the Liverpool fans. But Klopp will not be the only one whose final game it will be, here’s a look at some of the other goodbyes that could take place this weekend.

Read who could say goodbye this weekend here.

Steven Gerrard calls for permanent Liverpool-Klopp tribute

Steven Gerrard has called for Liverpool to build a statue in Jurgen Klopp's honour, insisting the outgoing manager deserved to be officially recognised for his achievements at Anfield.

Klopp will take charge of his final match as manager on Sunday when the Reds end their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves and it is expected to be an emotional afternoon as the club says goodbye to a manager who won eight trophies during his time on Merseyside, including the Champions League, Premier League and a first-ever Club World Cup.

Gerrard believes Klopp will go down alongside the likes of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley as some of the most revered coaches of all time at Liverpool and admitted he would "do anything" to have been able to play under the Reds boss in the Premier League.

Read what Gerrard had to say here.

Alexis Mac Allister eyed up as Modric 'replacement'

According to Spanish outlet DirectSports, La Liga champions Real Madrid are looking to bring in Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister as a potential signing this summer after his impressive displays in his debut season at Anfield.

It's believed that manager Carlo Ancelotti has been 'closely following' the 25-year-old, who has a reporetd release clause of £60m in his current contract. With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric both expected to depart the Bernabeu at the end of the season, it remains a possiblity Madrid could go after the Argentinian in the summer.

Mohamed Salah speaks out on Jurgen Klopp relationship

Mohamed Salah says he will stay in contact with Jurgen Klopp for the rest of his life as the Liverpool superstar paid tribute to his outgoing manager.

Klopp brought Salah to Anfield for around £36m from Roma in the summer of 2017 and the Egyptian has since gone on to become of the greatest goalscorers in history on Merseyside, with his 211 placing him fifth on the all-time list behind Billy Liddell, Gordon Hodgson, Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.

Under Klopp's guidance, Salah developed into one of the finest attackers in world football and the No.11 once more leads the Reds scoring charts this term with 25 in all competitions ahead of Sunday's final game of the season at home to Wolves.

Read what Salah had to say in full here.

Manchester City to rival Liverpool for Gordon?

Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly "really like" Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon.

The 23-year-old former Everton forward has been in inspired form for the Magpies this season, scoring 11 goals and laying on a further 10 assists in just 35 Premier League outings. Such impressive form saw Gordon earn his first England cap in March's friendly match against Brazil.

And according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Liverpool and Manchester City are just two of "many other clubs" keeping tabs on Gordon.

“Liverpool (like Manchester City and many other clubs) really like Gordon," wrote Ornstein in a recent Q and A. "But they are not expected to pursue the winger because Newcastle have no intention of letting him go and, even if that stance was changeable, the potential level of fee it would take to do business would be astronomical.

“I’m certain Gordon is staying at Newcastle this summer.”

Jurgen Klopp always knew what made a Liverpool manager - Arne Slot must quickly discover for himself

For Jurgen Klopp, the long goodbye will be colourful, loud and, in trademark fashion for both Liverpool and the man himself, grippingly emotional.

There won't be a dry eye inside Anfield on Sunday when Wolves are hosted and regardless of how an unlikely title chase eventually petered out during April, Sunday's game is sure to be an I-Was-There sort of occasion as the scarves are whirred, the anthems are sung and the tears are unable to be held back.

That is what is expected when the greatest manager of the 21st century at Anfield walks away. Klopp says he doesn't like the Kop belting out the 'I'm So Glad' hymn created in his honour but he will have little choice but to accept it from minute one this weekend.

It's this bond between manager and fanbase that will be too daunting an act to follow for some. When David Moyes was recruited to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, the former Everton boss arrived with the legendary Scot's blessing; signed off as the anointed one to continue leading the club with that same brand of hard-nosed Glaswegian granite.

In the final Blood Red column of the Jurgen Klopp era, Paul Gorst looks at how the Reds boss always knew the qualities a Liverpool manager needed - and how Arne Slot must quickly discover it himself.

Jurgen Klopp pens open letter in Saturday's ECHO

Jurgen Klopp's nine years in charge of Liverpool comes to an end tomorrow when he steps out at Anfield for the final time.

The German has brought the glory days back to Anfield with eight major trophies lifted and countless brilliant performances from his Liverpool side.

But his impact has gone beyond football, with Klopp embracing life on Merseyside since arriving in 2015. And in an exclusive open letter written to the ECHO's readers, Klopp explains his love and expresses his gratitude to the city he has called home for nine years.

But when I think of this city and its wonderful people, the biggest lesson I will take with me is that giving up is definitely not in the Scouse dictionary.

If you are from here, the chances are that you are not just ready to fight, you actually want to fight. Not only that, the way you stand together, in all kinds of circ*mstances, means that even when the odds are against you it is still possible to win.

I love this more than I could ever say.

Read Klopp's open letter in full, here.

Today's Klopp content

Here is the best of our Jurgen Klopp content from today after the Liverpool boss delivered his final pre-match press conference.

• 'Are you kidding me?' - Jurgen Klopp on two opposition players who changed Liverpool history
• Jurgen Klopp gives honest take on FSG transfer strategy and private arguments
• Inside Jurgen Klopp final pre-match press conference as quiet gesture shows Liverpool manager class
• Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool squad future potential and problems Arsenal and Man City could face

Coutinho future

Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho could return to his boyhood club Vasco de Gama, it has been claimed.

Coutinho is currently on loan at Qatari side Al-Duhail from Aston Villa, though may be on his way back to Brazil.

Vasco are interested in loaning Coutinho, as claimed by TNT Sports Brazil, with a purchase obligation of between £4m and £6m.

Thiago next club

Thiago is on his way out of Liverpool after four years on Merseyside, but where will be end up next?

Spanish outlet Relevo have stated Girona could be a possible option for the midfielder as he searches for a new club.

Girona have qualified for next season's Champions League and currently sit third in La Liga.

The above article has claimed the White and Reds have "contacted the player's entourage to investigate his situation" and Thiago "would welcome returning" to Catalonia after 11 years away (seven at Bayern Munich, four at Liverpool).

Gordon clause

Everton are set to bank a share of any potential sale involving Anthony Gordon this summer.

As reported by the ECHO on Wednesday, the Blues included a sell-on clause in the contract of the English winger when selling to Newcastle United last January.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old of late, though it remains to be seen whether or not a deal will materialise.

Slot confirmation

Arne Slot has confirmed he will be the new Liverpool manager from next season.

It is the news supporters have been waiting for after news of the Dutchman's expected appointment first broke in April.

Ian Doyle has the full story on the subject, here.

Gabriel Jesus move urged

Former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson believes Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could represent a smart signing this summer.

Jesus has been battling various injuries this campaign, preventing the Gunners from seeing the best of the Brazilian, though Johnson is of the view the Reds could benefit from his services.

It has been reported in recent weeks Arsenal are open to selling the ex-Manchester City man, presenting a potential transfer deal.

“I would be surprised if Arsenal does actually want to sell him because I think that would be crazy. If he does become available, either Chelsea or Liverpool should bite Arsenal’s arm off," Johnson told Betfred.

“He’s not going to get you 25 goals a season, but he’s going to be a big part of the team and he works his socks off. In front of goal, he’s going to score a lot of goals at a club like that where he’ll get a lot of opportunities. Chelsea and Liverpool should absolutely jump at the chance.”

Koopmeiners latest

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Atalanta midfielder, Teun Koopmeiners.

A latest report from Italy regarding the Dutchman has stated Liverpool are viewed as the "ideal destination" as clubs begin to battle for his services.

The article adds Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will not offer any discount, meaning Liverpool or any other interested side must be prepared to stump up €60m.

Thiago and Matip to leave

It was confirmed by the club earleir today that both Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will be leaving upon the expiration of their contracts this summer.

Both players were strong performers for the Reds, though faced their fair share of injury setbacks during their time on Merseyside.

It's unlikely either individual will be short of offers from new clubs in the coming weeks.

Klopp's big interview

The Liverpool boss has sat down with the ECHO and other outlets ahead of his final game in charge of the club, sharing his thoughts on FSG.

It is a must-read for Reds supporters ahead of Klopp's impending departure.

Paul Gorst has the full story, here.

For an insight into Klopp's final press conference, we have another story for you to enjoy.

Good afternoon, Reds

Hello and welcome back to our Liverpool live blog!

Jurgen Klopp today held his final pre-match press conference as manager of the Reds ahead of an emotional weekend at Anfield.

Stick with us throughout the afternoon and evening for the latest Liverpool news.