A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Ibrahima Konate provides an update on his injury and Anfield chiefs learn of Real Madrid’s £50m price tag for one transfer target.
Curtis Jones stunned Ryan Gravenberch in Liverpool’s win vs Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool product Curtis Jones left Ryan Gravenberch stunned with his assist for Luis Diaz to break the deadlock against Bayer Leverkusen. The midfielder found the forward, playing as a makeshift striker, in the 61st minute to help Diaz start his run to firing a hat-trick on Tuesday.
It was the first assist Jones has offered in the Champions League since he struck three away to FC Porto in September 2021. The pass further took the 23-year-old to four assists from 12 appearances so far this term across all competitions having emerged as a key cog at Anfield.
Gravenberch admits the Liverpool midfielder did not even see a pass into Diaz before Jones threaded the ball between Bayer Leverkusen’s centre-backs. Jones relished a brief pocket of space to turn and see Diaz running in behind, with the attacker’s deft chip finding the goal.
“Even I didn’t see the pass,” Gravenberch said, via quotes by the Liverpool website. “Curtis is a really good player and he did a really good job today.
“Obviously, you see today, you see the pass he gives to Lucho, and the finish is also decent. I think they both did a really good job. Obviously, Curtis plays in the No10 and Lucho is a bit different but I think he did a good job as a No9 today.”
Ibrahima Konate allays fears the Liverpool defender has a bad injury
Ibrahima Konate confirmed after Liverpool beat Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League that their star centre-back is ‘fine’ after sustaining a hand injury. Fears for the 25-year-old’s fitness intensified on Tuesday night when Konate left the action late on in the 88th minute.
Arne Slot surprised some by starting Konate against Die Werkself given he failed to continue at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League after first suffering the injury. The Frenchman fell awkwardly after rising for a corner and used his shirt as a makeshift support.
Konate has been an integral player in Slot’s plans this season, with the Liverpool head coach using the enforcer in 15 of his 16 games in charge. Slot will likely rely on Konate again when Liverpool host Aston Villa come Saturday night, as well, after the defender’s positive update.
“I have a very good strap and the doctor and the physio helped me to recover very well with my hand,” Konate told LFCTV. “I’m fine, I have to play with a strap but I’m okay.”
Real Madrid slap a £50m price tag on Aurelien Tchouameni amid Liverpool talks
Liverpool have received a boost in their pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni as the 24-year-old is facing a ‘darkening’ fate at Real Madrid. That is according to Sky Sports Switzerland, which reports that Los Blancos are now open to selling the midfielder as soon as the January sales.
Real Madrid no longer believe Tchouameni has the talent to replace Toni Kroos but Liverpool remain long-term admirers. The Reds had looked into a transfer from AS Monaco before the Galacticos won the race in 2022. Now, Liverpool are again in touch with Tchouameni’s agent.
Anfield chiefs are testing the waters to gauge Tchouameni’s interest in a transfer to Liverpool with Real Madrid slapping a €60m (£50m) price tag on their Frenchman. He has played in 15 games so far this season and remains a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side despite the doubts.
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