Liverpool transfer news LIVE – Josko Gvardiol scouted, sporting director update, Kim Min-jae interest

According to the Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, Liverpool have decided against appointing Paul Mitchell, who has a similar role at Monaco and has worked at Premier League clubs Southampton and Tottenham, as sporting director.

The search for a summer replacement for Julian Ward continues, with Eintracht Frankfurt boss Markus Krosche being linked.

Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to Germany to watch RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol in recent months.

Jurgen Klopp needs to supplement his defense after some terrible defensive performances – most recently in the 5-2 defeat by Real Madrid – and the Croatian is one of the hottest talents around.

Gvardiol has made no secret of his admiration for Liverpool after describing the Reds as his ‘dream’ club.

Is that a move to keep an eye on for the summer? Whatever happens, Leipzig won’t let their star go for peanuts.

The good news yesterday was that Ibrahima Konate was back in Liverpool training after suffering a hamstring injury during January’s FA Cup defeat at Brighton.

The Frenchman was a huge failure and one would think Jurgen Klopp would want to pair him with Virgil van Dijk as soon as possible but Saturday’s game at Crystal Palace will most likely come too soon.

Former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson believes the Reds should bounce back against Crystal Palace tomorrow night as good teams don’t lose twice.

He told OLBG: “The saying goes that ‘good teams don’t lose twice in a row’. Crystal Palace won’t keel over, but they’re certainly not Real Madrid. I expect Liverpool to recover and fly like they did against Madrid. They should score an early goal and carry the momentum to a positive result.”

Good morning Liverpool fans and welcome back to our LIVE blog! We’ll take you through all things coming from Anfield as the Reds prepare to play Crystal Palace in the Premier League tomorrow night.

Stay tuned for the latest Anfield news and rumours!

Liverpool face a potential challenge signing Josko Gvardiol amid links as RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has expressed confidence they can keep his services.

His club manager discusses the future of the 21-year-old, who equalized for Leipzig in Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Man City.

“Josko Gvardiol will be an RB Leipzig player next season as well,” Rose said of The Times. “I’m the coach and that’s what I ask for.

“He’s happy here. He said he wants to play in the Premier League but he didn’t say when!”

Gvardiol’s current contract expires in the summer of 2027. He is said to have a £98million release clause in his contract, which comes into effect in the summer of 2024.

Cody Gakpo, signed from Liverpool in January, said goodbye to his youth club PSV Eindhoven during Thursday’s Europa League clash.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side were looking to come back from a three-goal deficit against Sevilla at the Phillips Stadium. But for Gakpo, the game was an opportunity to bid one last farewell to the club he had managed before arriving on Merseyside last month.

The 23-year-old completed the move to the Reds on the eve of the transfer window opening as Jurgen Klopp’s side glared at rivals Manchester United at the highly-rated Dutch international’s signature. His start in life at Anfield was difficult as he endured a fruitless goal-scoring effort. But that ended earlier this month when he faced Everton in his first Merseyside derby at home.

The wait to double his account for Liverpool wasn’t too far around the corner as he fired home from the penalty area as they scored two wins-in-two in the Premier League in their triumph at Newcastle United last weekend.

At halftime of PSV’s Europa League clash, a banner was unveiled by Gakpo, who was paraded on the pitch and gifted a framed shirt.

Yesterday saw a boost when it was confirmed Ibrahima Konate is back in training after teasing his return on Instagram.

Konate has been missing since the FA Cup fourth round defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion on January 29 after contracting a hamstring problem.

The France international sat out the Premier League defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers and subsequent victories over Everton and Newcastle United and was among a number of players featured in Tuesday’s 5-2 Champions League first-leg knockout round defeat by Real Madrid of Anfield Road were missing.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will address the media from 11:30am this morning.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last two Premier League games but have come down to earth after Tuesday’s humiliation at the hands of the reigning European champions.

We bring you the latest quotes from German.

Hello and welcome to the Liverpool Live Blog as we head into the weekend.

We will bring you the latest news tomorrow, broadcast rumors and prepare for the trip to Crystal Palace.

Stay with us and don’t hesitate to add your thoughts to the debate via the comments section or on Twitter.