Liverpool will be keenly watching the return of European football this week after progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League. The Reds topped their group, avoiding the play-offs despite losing two of their six games. Liverpool remain favorites to win the title, but AC Milan, Benfica and Galatasaray are real threats after missing out on the Champions League. There could be an interesting match later in the race with Xabi Alonso and the Bayer Leverkusen side involved. Alonso is currently named favorite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, with his Bayer Leverkusen side progressing from the group stage.
Leverkusen also lead the Bundesliga after beating Bayern Munich on Saturday. The result could affect the futures of both managers, with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel feeling the heat and could pave the way for a familiar face to return to the dugout. Liverpool.com brings you some of the biggest stories in European football today, including another update on Kylian Mbappe’s future. Kylian Mbappe is entering the final months of his contract in France and looks set to stay with the PSG superstar for even longer. Mbappe failed to renew his contract and was set to leave Paris for Real Madrid this summer.
According to Le Parisien and others, he could command a hefty salary if he moves on a free transfer this summer and Liverpool have previously shown interest. However, AS reported last weekend that PSG had offered Mbappé a new two-year contract worth $172m (€160m). It remains to be seen whether that will be enough to keep the 25-year-old, but Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that his Real Madrid side may no longer need the Frenchman. Asked again about interest in Mbappe at the press conference following Saturday’s win over Girona, Ancelotti said: “You’re asking about a player who plays for another team.
We already have the best players in the world. Order: Winnie Jr. 1, Bellingham 2, Rodrigo 3. Then Kroos, Valverde, Camavinga…”Liverpool.com says: Mbappe appears undecided about his future and PSG are keen to keep him at the club. Despite what Ancelotti has said, Real have been interested for some time and either team would be better off with the Frenchman. Liverpool will have to wait and see, but whatever the money, they will likely have to look elsewhere.Jose Mourinho is looking to return as manager after being sacked by Roma last month.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager has been linked with a number of jobs since his departure and has even emerged as a bookies outsider to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.But according to Bild, Mourinho loves his job at Bayern Munich and even learned German during training. Thomas Tuchel was under pressure in the Bundesliga champions after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
