Luis Diaz, Liverpool and the Looming Departure: Dave Hendrick’s Take There are murmurings around Merseyside again, and they centre on one name: Luis Diaz. In a searing new episode of The Daily Red Podcast on Anfield Index, host Dave Hendrick laid out the bleak reality many Liverpool fans have been reluctant to accept. It looks […]

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Steven Gerrard paid a visit to Anfield on Friday (July 11) to honor Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva. The iconic Liverpool skipper was joined by members of the Steven Gerrard Academy as they paid their respects at the memorial site set up for the brothers outside the Main Stand.

Jota and his brother tragically lost their lives in a car accident on July 3 when their vehicle swerved off the road due to a tyre blowout. They were journeying across Spain with the intention of catching a ferry back to the UK ahead of the Reds' pre-season commencement.

The brothers were laid to rest last Saturday (July 5), with most of the Liverpool squad attending the funeral in their hometown of Gondomar.

Back at Anfield, a memorial site was established where thousands of fans have left floral tributes, shirts, scarves, banners, photographs and messages in memory of the Reds forward and Silva.

Gerrard became the latest high-profile individual to visit the site on Friday morning, laying a wreath in tribute to the two brothers, accompanied by members of his academy.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez and Armin Pecsi had earlier become the latest members of the Liverpool first team squad to pay their own respects to Jota at Anfield, with the Hungarian trio laying a floral tribute on Thursday (July 10).

This week, the site has seen visits from Arne Slot, Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo, as well as FSG CEO Michael Edwards, Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan and former Reds midfielder Adam Lallana.

Liverpool legend John Aldridge also paid a visit to lay a floral tribute on behalf of Forever Reds, the club's official former players association, joined by LFC Women's Gemma Bonner and Grace Fisk.

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson had previously made a personal visit to Anfield last Friday (July 4), laying flowers and a scarf among the tributes outside the stadium in honor of Jota.

Jordan Henderson lays a tribute to Diogo Jota at Anfield (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Before heading to Portugal with his former teammates for Jota's funeral, he also signed the club's book of condolences.

Everton manager David Moyes and his assistant, Alan Irvine, also honored Jota by laying flowers as they paid their respects on Saturday (July 5).

Blues strikers Beto and Youssef Chermiti, along with club ambassador Ian Snodin, had previously laid flowers at Anfield on Friday (July 4).

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.

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Jordan Henderson left Ajax on Thursday after the Dutch club agreed to end his contract a year early

Jordan Henderson left Ajax on Thursday after the Dutch club agreed to end his contract a year early

Liverpool could be about to face a new problem in Ibrahima Konate’s contract saga amid claims Real Madrid could make an early move for the defender.

Konate’s future has become a major concern at Anfield, with the 26-year-old now in the final year of his contract with the Reds. With talks over a new deal seemingly not going to plan so far, there are fears that the French international could follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by making the move to Madrid when his contract expires.

Reports in Spain though are now suggesting that Real could even strike this summer for Konate, amid concerns over their own defensive options.

According to AS (via Sport Witness), Konate is a “real option” for Xabi Alonso’s side this summer, despite Real having already signed Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.

With David Alaba seemingly on his way out of the club, and amid concerns over Eder Militao’s fitness, it’s suggested that the Spanish giant is considering signing another central defender, with Konate seen as the main target.

It’s also claimed that Konate is dreaming of a move to the Bernabeu, and has no plans to sign a new deal at Anfield, with Liverpool already aware of the situation.

Reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid could make a move for Ibrahima Konate this summer (Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

Were the Reds to offload Konate this summer though, that would leave boss Arne Slot with very little options at the back for next season, having already sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez would be left as the only senior options in the squad, although there has been speculation over a potential move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

Recent reports have suggested that Konate has already given the green light to a move to Madrid as talks over a new contract at Anfield look to have stalled.

Addressing speculation over his future earlier this year, Konate said: "You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake," Konate said, responding to more speculation over his future. "I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.

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"The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end... I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: 'Ah, they have more information than me!?'

"It was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen."

Liverpool.com says: If Konate has no plans of signing a new deal at Anfield, that leaves Liverpool in a very delicate position. The Reds already need to sign a new defender this summer, and this situation might leave them needing two.

That's certainly not ideal considering a new No.9 is also needed, so Liverpool might find itself playing another waiting game just like it did with Alexander-Arnold last season.

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Steven Gerrard, Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez and Armin Pecsi have all paid visits to the memorial site for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, at Anfield

Steven Gerrard, Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez and Armin Pecsi have all paid visits to the memorial site for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, at Anfield

Wolves Pay Tribute to Jota in Poignant Molineux Memorial Molineux unites in grief and gratitude In the heart of Wolverhampton, where memories linger with every blade of grass, Wolves paid a moving tribute to Diogo Jota, a player who once carried their hopes and now leaves behind a legacy far greater than goals alone. The […]

The post Wolves share emotional memorial as Liverpool fans prepare tribute appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Liverpool will face off against their former captain Jordan Henderson next season after it was revealed the 35-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal to join Brentford.

Henderson, who left Liverpool in 2023 to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, recently left Ajax, having opted against extending his contract with the Dutch side. The former Liverpool captain had been with Ajax since January 2024 following his short stint in Saudi.

While it had been speculated Henderson could be a target for newly promoted Sunderland, his boyhood club and the team he broke through for before signing for Liverpool, it has now been reported the midfielder will sign a two-year-deal with Brentford.

The Athletic's David Ornstein reports Henderson wanted a return to the Premier League, with Brentford having won the race for the former Liverpool midfielder.

Additionally, the announcement of Henderson to Brentford is set to be confirmed next week out of respect for his former teammate Diogo Jota, who sadly passed away recently in a car crash.

Writing on X, Ornstein said: "BREAKING: Jordan Henderson to join Brentford on 2yr deal. 35yo free agent after leaving Ajax - prioritised PL return & #BrentfordFC won race. Medical / paperwork over weekend - announcement next week out of respect to Diogo Jota + family @TheAthleticFC."

Henderson also reportedly had interest from other teams across Europe, but his priority was to return to England. He will complete his medical over the weekend and will be a replacement for the departing Christian Norgaard, who recently joined Arsenal.

And in joining Brentford, the former Liverpool captain will reunite with a number of his ex-Anfield teammates in the form of Caoimhin Kelleher, who joined the Bees earlier this summer, Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho.

With Brentford having lost manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham, Henderson's experience will be vital in helping new boss Keith Andrews maintain the Bees' Premier League status.

Confirming his departure from Ajax recently, Henderson said in a statement: "I would like to express my immense gratitude to everyone associated with Ajax. To play for this club was an honour in itself.

"To have the privilege of captaining it was even more so. My only regret is that we didn't deliver more success for the amazing supporters."

"I am fully aware that I owe [Ajax], my team-mates, and the supporters a fuller and more personal thank you. I will, of course, do that when the time feels more appropriate.

"For now, I want to express my appreciation to Ajax once again, as well as everyone I haven't had the chance to speak to in person yesterday, all of you who make this club so special."

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Football Carries the Grief as Liverpool Mourn Jota and Andre This is an abridged version; the full article is available free on our ‘It Was Always… Liverpool’ Substack page: Remembering in Motion Football rarely stands still. Even in the shadow of grief, the game carries forward. For Liverpool, the pre-season friendly at Preston North End […]

The post Liverpool and Loss: Football’s Role When the Unthinkable Happens appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Centre-back Gap Needs Addressing Liverpool’s summer rebuild continues, and following the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, attention has turned to shoring up the heart of defence. With just three senior centre-backs currently available, it’s clear the Reds can’t afford to walk into the new season under-resourced—especially with ambitions across four competitions. While links […]

The post Report: Liverpool target Serie A wonderkid as CB solution appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Bayern Munich Table First Luis Diaz Offer: Liverpool’s Summer Test Begins Bayern’s Move For Diaz Raises Summer Stakes Bayern Munich have taken their interest in Luis Diaz up a notch, submitting a €52 million offer for the Colombian winger, according to BILD and confirmed by chief reporter Christian Falk. The Bundesliga giants, on the hunt […]

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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

A loss Thursday would be a devasting blow in an already frustrating 2024/25.

As is the case for any (sobs) 14th-place team, Tottenham Hotspur's season hinges on competitions outside the Premier League. A bye into the Europa League Round of 16 keeps that avenue open, and the FA Cup remains a possibility as well, but the most immediate and realistic path to silverware is the League Cup. Yes, the road is brutal, with a trip to Anfield before a final against Newcastle, but only 180 minutes separate Spurs from ending their long-standing trophy drought.

That makes Thursday the biggest match of the season so far. Tottenham impressed in the semifinal's first leg, grinding out a 1-0 win despite ceding possession, absorbing pressure, and deploying a makeshift backline. Now, the battle shifts to Liverpool, where the country's best team will be confident in its ability to overcome a one-goal deficit. Spurs enter as clear underdogs but must find a way to advance.

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Liverpool (0) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1)

Date: Thursday, February 6
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Since the first leg, Liverpool has gone 5-1-1, with the lone defeat coming in a meaningless Champions League contest with a rotated lineup. With a Premier League title in sight and a strong European campaign underway, one might assume this competition sits lower on the priority list. Unfortunately for Spurs, there are no significant matches on Liverpool's immediate horizon, meaning Arne Slot is likely to field a strong XI at Anfield.

Both teams were relatively cautious in North London, though for different reasons. Tottenham's approach was shaped by a defense missing three of its four preferred starters, alongside a newly introduced Antonin Kinsky. Ange Postecoglou now has the opportunity of choosing from options like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, though plenty of important names like Micky van de Ven remain injured.

For Liverpool, the decision to play pragmatically was likely strategic — returning home with just a one-goal deficit seemed an acceptable trade-off. Having made that decision, Slot's side will now bring intensity reminiscent of December's league fixture. Players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent from the first leg's starting lineup, but may be called upon Thursday with the objective more clear.

A few moments of greatness

Tottenham will not see much of the ball at Anfield. Liverpool will dominate possession, generate the bulk of the chances, and apply relentless pressure in Spurs' defensive third. That is a daunting prospect for cobbled-together squad; the number one priority is minimizing mistakes, especially with a lead to protect.

That said, Spurs must be willing to attack when opportunities arise and will not need much possession to be dangerous. Both Dominic Solanke's narrowly disallowed goal and Lucas Bergvall's successful strike in the first leg came via direct play over the top. Exploiting Liverpool's high press with quick, vertical attacks could be Tottenham's best path to maintaining the advantage.

If Spurs can capitalize on a pressing opponent and snatch an insurance goal, the tie will come down to their ability to weather the inevitable storm. Recent form does not inspire much confidence in their defensive resilience, but Tottenham has produced surprising performances against top teams this season. Postecoglou will need another one to keep his second-season trophy promise alive.

Liverpool fans will have seen the social media stories circling that both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, something Arne Slot was asked to comment on.

Speaking (via 90min.com), our head coach said: "We have some contractual situations that you don't probably don't know about.

"But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven't extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

"My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well.

"You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

"The players that don't play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else?

"So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do."

The Dutchman doesn't really like to provide a direct answer on these topics, as it's not something he's directly involved in and prefers to allow time to pass.

However, confirmation that contracts have not been signed is a clear indication of the current situation and does debunk Robbie Fowler's theory.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent have not yet signed a new contract Pictures via @MoSalah on X

John Barnes has stated that if he were in charge of the new deals, he would select our captain as the most important of the trio.

Many fans have their own opinions as to who they would or wouldn't allow to leave the club but it does feel that the overwhelming majority want all three to commit their future to staying on Merseyside.

You would assume the club can afford to do this but whether the financial model allows it is another question.

It's the same situation we've been in all campaign but we can take from this that no deals have yet been signed and it doesn't feel like we're close to them being done either.

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The post Arne Slot directly responds to rumours of Salah and Van Dijk’s new contracts being signed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool at risk of losing all three of their stars for nothing

Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

The Reds lost the away first leg 1-0 controversially courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late goal but he really should’ve been sent off earlier.

Newcastle United have reached the final by beating Arsenal in the other semi-final so the winner of this tie will take on the Magpies at Wembley on 16th March.

As per team news, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota have returned to full fitness after recovering from their injury problems but Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained an issue since featuring against the Cherries. So, he has been ruled out.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been playing in the cup competitions but Alisson Becker started in the previous leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Brazilian may continue in goal for the hosts tonight.

Jarell Quansah has started all the Carabao Cup matches thus far this season but considering the importance of the fixture tonight, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be called upon to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the CB position.

Conor Bradley would replace injured Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas might get the nod to start in the left-back position ahead of Andy Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to continue in the engine room with Dominik Szoboszlai in the CAM role. Therefore, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones could be among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo has also played all the League Cup games and should continue in his preferred left-wing position, while Mohamed Salah would be on the opposite side.

Luis Diaz may start again in the CF role, therefore, Darwin Nunez and Jota could feature off the bench if needed. Here is how Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham:

The post 4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup appeared first on Paisley Gates.

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