Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Jurgen Klopp, Joel Matip, Ben Doak and more

Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates

Welcome to our Liverpool live blog for Wednesday, September 20.

The Reds will be flying out to Austria today for their first Europa League encounter against LASK Linz on Thursday. There will be an open training session around midday before they jet into Europe.

There will be a press conference from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and one of his players for their group opener.

Klopp spoke for the first time about his future at Anfield amid links to the vacant managerial position with the German national team. Reports have suggested that Julian Nagelsmann is closing in as Hansi Flick’s replacement – after he was sacked earlier this month.

On Thursday, Ben Doak signed a new long-term deal with the Reds after establishing himself among the Liverpool options. Joel Matip, however, has a year remaining on his deal at Anfield and has been speaking about his future.

Send your views to @LivEchoLFC and don’t forget to subscribe to our free Liverpool FC newsletter, our YouTube channel and listen to our Blood Red Podcast – with all your favourite ECHO regulars including Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle, Joe Rimmer, Sean Bradbury, Theo Squires, Tom Cavilla, Keifer MacDonald, Stephen Killen and more.

The Liverpool ECHO has launched its own WhatsApp community to bring you the very latest LFC transfer news and top stories direct to your phone. By joining our WhatsApp community, you will receive breaking news and top stories straight to your phone. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in. If you are using your computer, tablet or an additional phone you can use your mobile phone to join the group below. Just scan your camera over the QR code and open the link. For further information, click here.

Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Liverpool FC transfer rumours below.

Joao Felix future – would you take him at Liverpool?

Barcelona are currently bringing the best out of Joao Felix, who joined the Spanish club on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid during the summer.

Since signing for the club, Felix has scored three goals in thee matches and is looking to be a shrewd addition to the team.

A decision will have to be made as regard Felix’s future at the end of the season, with Atletico expected to cash in on the Portugal international.

Barcelona are expected to make a move to sign the forward on a full-time basis, though El Nacional have claimed Liverpool, PSG and Arsenal are all ‘in the equation’.

Joao Felix of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring

Shearer shares Salah prediction

Alan Shearer believes Liverpool will accept a bid for Mohamed Salah in January should a similar offer to the one they received this summer arrive.

The Reds rejected £150m from Al-Ittihad for Salah and are braced for further interest in the Egyptian during the next transfer window.

Of the view Jurgen Klopp’s side would be wise to cash in should the Saudi club return with a big-money proposal, Shearer told The Rest Is Football Podcast: “If you’re getting north of £150m for someone of that age… I get why it didn’t happen because they came in so late and wouldn’t have had time to get a replacement.

“But, if they know they’re coming back in January with a ridiculous offer then they’ve got time to find a replacement and again it depends on where they are I think. But I think they’d bite at £150m in January.”

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Federico Valverde future

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has refused to rule out an exit from Real Madrid after being asked about his future at the club.

The Uruguay international has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent times, among other Premier League clubs, though remained put at the Bernabeu this summer.

Speaking out on his possible next move, he said:
Premier League offers? I have the possibility of playing for Real. The day I don’t feel like that, I will probably look for another solution or Real itself will look for one for me.”

Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates

Show your colours!

Liverpool will debut their third kit on Thursday.

The purple strip was a surprise release during the summer as Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai and Missy Bo Kearns turned up to the Olympia for a pre-season edition of BOSS Night.

The strip sees Liverpool wear purple for the first time since the 2018/19 season. Following on from the iconic Red and remake of a 1996/96 classic, the third kit features a purple ripple pattern with black sleeve cuffs, collarbone inserts, side panelling with matching shorts and purple rippple socks.

It has been revealed that the kit will be worn in European competitions and will feature the LFC Foundation, the clubs official charity, patch on the reverse.