The Merseyside outfit handled their Championship rivals with ease in the Reds’ first game at Anfield since Jurgen Klopp decided to leave the club.
Goals from Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunes put the hosts firmly in control of the first half, with Diogo Jota adding a third shortly after the break.
Virgil van Dijk scored his fourth goal of the second period and midfielder Ryan Gravenburch scored Liverpool’s fifth goal. Liverpool are one of the few Premier League sides yet to make a signing in the current transfer window, but they appear to have gained momentum in their pursuit of defensive targets.
Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio has turned down a move to Newcastle United and is instead exploring a move to Liverpool, Manchester United or Real Madrid, according to O Jogo (via The Independent).
The 22-year-old has been in incredible form for the Portuguese side in recent seasons and his impressive performances have caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool are among those interested in the player and their pursuit appears to have eased after the player rejected a move to St James’ Park. Inacio is a product of Sporting’s youth academy and has now played 150 games for the club at the top level.
The five-time Portugal international is under contract with his youth club until 2027, but given the interest in his services, he is unlikely to stay at the club until then.
Current Liverpool defender Joel Matip is out of contract at the end of this season and the Cameroon international has been ruled out for months in what could be his last game for Manchester United.
With that in mind, Liverpool are keen to strengthen their defence, but it looks like Inácio will stay in Lisbon until at least the summer.
