All the latest Liverpool FC news for Friday, 17 May including updates on Mohamed Salah, Arne Slot, Joel Matip and Thiago.
SALAH ‘ACCEPTED’ SAUDI MOVE
According to fresh claims from Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Salah came close to leaving Liverpool for the Gulf state last summer, with only a last-minute change of heart from the Reds changing history.
The claims come from Turki Alalshikh, who has found worldwide fame in recent months as the man leading the enormous Saudi investment into boxing.
Along with several other sports.
Chairman of Saudi’s powerful General Entertainment Authority, he is the man behind Saturday’s Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight title unification fight in Riyadh.
THIAGO RELEASED AND WANTED BY CITY’S OWNERS
Liverpool have officially announced that Thiago Alcantara will leave the club this summer.
The magical midfielder has had rotten luck with injuries since his move from Bayern Munich in 2020, missing all but ten minutes of the current campaign.
According to a recent report from Sport (via Sport Witness), Thiago is subject of interest from Girona, with contact having even been made between the midfielder and the club.
Thiago would reportedly prefer a return to Catalonia – where he previously played under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona – making Girona an attractive option.
MATIP ALSO LEAVES ANFIELD
Joel Matip Liverpool
Liverpool have officially announced that Joel Matip will leave the club this summer following eight years of remarkable service.
The centre-back joined Liverpool in 2016 on a free transfer from Schalke and would go on to become a cult hero, lifting the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup during his stay on Merseyside.
The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer and Liverpool have decided against renewing his deal – although Jurgen Klopp reportedly would have triggered an extension.
KELLEHER DROPS CELTIC HINT
Celtic have been mentioned as a potential destination for Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who wants to be come a No.1 somewhere.
The Irishman was active on Celtic social media this week, commenting on Irish international colleague Adam Idah’s post about the Bhoys winning their 54th Scottish league title.
Celtic fans IMPLORED Kelleher to make the northward move when they spotted his “Love it you” comment on Idah’s profile.
LIVERPOOL LUCKY TO MISS OUT ON ‘HORRIBLE’ BRUNO FERNANDES
John Aldridge, a league title winner who scored 63 goals in 104 Liverpool games, admits he WANTED Bruno Fernandes at Liverpool before his Old Trafford transfer but adds the midfielder’s attitude now ‘stinks’.
“There is so much wrong at United and you can start with the captain Bruno Fernandes, who goes about the pitch with a horrible attitude,” he wrote in the Sunday World.
SLOT CONFIRMS LIVERPOOL MOVE
Arne Slot Feyenoord
Arne Slot has confirmed he will be leaving Feyenoord for Liverpool, with his current club posting a farewell tribute to their boss on social media.
The 45-year-old will take over from the departing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer after agreeing a deal to be named the club’s next head coach.
“I can confirm that I will become the trainer there next year,” he told a pre-match news conference on Friday.
