THE LOWDOWN: SILVA RUMOUR EMERGES
The 19-year-old has established himself as an exciting player in Portugal, starting 17 games in the Primeira Liga this season and quickly developing into a key player for Benfica.
In addition, he started each of their six Champions League group stage games, averaging 4.2 clearances per contest and an 89.8% pass completion rate overall.
Silva has been mentioned in connection with a move to Liverpool in recent days, and a new development has just surfaced.
THE LATEST: LIVERPOOL FACE COMPETITION
Silva is reportedly on the Reds’ list of center-back targets this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to expand his options in that position, according to Football Transfers. Also mentioned as potential targets are Jarrad Branthwaite, Josko Gvardiol, and Goncalo Inacio.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also mentioned in the report. The teenager’s current Benfica contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2027, so a sizable fee is likely needed to pry him away.
THE VERDICT: MASSIVE PROSPECT
There is no doubt that Liverpool needs a new center-back this summer, with reports indicating that either Joe Gomez or Joel Matip may leave the team.
The Reds may have found the ideal player to add in Silva, a two-time Portugal international who is already a key player at a major club and a long-term investment.
According to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, Silva is “going to be a superstar” and may eventually replace Virgil van Dijk as Ibrahima Konate’s defensive partner.
He also made one appearance at the 2022 World Cup, where he won two aerial duels, demonstrating that despite his youth, he is already making a name for himself on the international stage.
Liverpool reach ‘full agreement’ with Barcelona superstar
Liverpool have reportedly ‘made contact’ with Barcelona superstar Ansu Fati ahead of a potential summer transfer
It has been claimed that Liverpool have “initiated contact” with the superstar Ansu Fati of Barcelona in front of a possible transfer in the summer.
The Reds, Manchester United, and Arsenal are reportedly all interested in the 20-year-old player, but Barcelona is believed to be hesitant to allow him leave in the summer. It is believed that the Reds are the team with the strongest interest in the player.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71973950/1464785793.0.jpg)
The Spain international moved from Sevilla to Barcelona’s legendary La Masia in 2013 and took over the number 10 position after Lionel Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain. It has been challenging for him to establish himself as a regular starter in Xavi’s starting eleven due to several injuries. This season, Fati has appeared in 31 games for Barcelona, during which he has contributed nine goals and nine assists. According to reports, the Spaniard is looking for more playing time at the Nou Camp.
In his column entitled “Caught Offside,” journalist Ben Jacobs published the following: “Clubs from the Premier League have made contact on the player’s side. This is also why Barcelona are distancing themselves from the conjecture because they are not the ones involved in any discussions yet.”
“At this time, we have Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal as the three Premier League clubs who are completing due diligence on Fati via the player side,” the agent said. “Fati is a player who has a lot of potential.” The connections to Bayern Munich don’t seem to have as much significance to me.
Jurgen Klopp can bring through a second Stefan Bajcetic at Liverpool next season
The performance of Liverpool player Stefan Bajcetic in Monday night’s victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby was hailed as outstanding by observers. Jurgen Klopp, the club’s manager, has another promising young player in Tyler Morton at his disposal who may help alleviate the German’s concerns over the club’s midfield. Bajcetic, who had never played as a No. 8 before and had just lately been transferred from center back to midfield, was outstanding in the game against Everton. After the 2-0 victory, Klopp said about the young Spaniard, “We are incredibly thrilled with him, a wonderful youngster, really smart and calm,” expressing his delight with the player.
In addition to this, we reassigned his duties. It’s possible that he’s never played this position before, but I highly doubt it. He began his career with us when he was a youngster, playing the position of center back for us. More recently, he filled in at number six for us, and he played that position tonight. He performed quite admirably.”
In contrast to Bajcetic, who has emerged as a bright spot for an otherwise disappointing season for Liverpool in the Premier League, fellow academy product Morton has been doing quite well for Blackburn in the lower division. The twenty-year-old made multiple appearances for Liverpool throughout the previous season, including a standout performance in the classic matchup against Tottenham, which ended 2-2 in December 2021. But in order for the England U20 international to get more experience, it was determined that he should play for another team on loan for the upcoming season.
He has been impressive in regular appearances for Blackburn in the second-tier, just as the current Reds star Harvey Elliott in 2020-21. Blackburn’s season will begin in April. Morton’s ɑggressive tackling and wide range of passing have attracted a lot of people’s attention while he’s been playing in the deeper midfield spots in a 4-2-3-1 system. Morton has participated in 33 games across all competitions, and he has averaged 1.5 tackles and 1.3 critical passes per game during that time.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23127853/1237342729.jpg)
The ɑggressive nature of his play would breathe new life into a Liverpool midfielder who has become stale. In October, following a performance that earned him Player of the Match honors, Blackburn head coach John Dahl Tomasson had this to sɑy about his player: “You can see he’s been in a good school, the Liverpool school, the Jurgen Klopp school – you can see that.”
“He is having a good time here at Rovers, and it makes me happy to see the youngster since he is growing in responsibility.” In January, Liverpool and Morton announced that they had reached an agreement on a new long-term contract, and Morton disclosed that he had been watching games at Anfield. Maintaining communication with his parents will likely facilitate a smooth transition into the first team during the following season.
“I am a Liverpool supporter and I am from the area, so it is always going to be with me,” he added. “It’s always going to stay with me.” Nothing has changed except that I still go to the games. It’s wonderful in a way because it allows me to concentrate on my soccer and Blackburn, but at the same time, I can’t help but think about Liverpool, as they are the team that I support and the one that I adore playing for.
Morton may rest assured that he will be given the chance to make a positive impression on Klopp throughout the summer. Morton will want to make the most of his opportunity, since Bajcetic is expected to receive significant playing time as a senior, and there are plans to make significant changes in the midfield.