Liverpool is eyeing up the first part of a potential double this season as it prepares to take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
The Reds' hopes of a treble are over after their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, but Arne Slot can still end the week on a high by claiming his first piece of silverware as Liverpool boss.
He will have to find a way to patch up his defense after Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out of the game at Wembley, although Ibrahima Konate should be good to go after taking part in training after suffering his own scare against PSG.
We'll bring you all the team news ahead of tomorrow's final throughout the day, as well as all the latest transfer news and rumors as we edge closer to the summer.
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez is the latest name to be linked with a sensational move to Anfield, while Alexander Isak faces more speculation as he prepares to meet the Reds on Sunday.
Follow the latest Liverpool news in our blog below. We'll have all the updates throughout the day as we build up to the weekend's huge game.
Key Events
That's all folks
That's it for this blog now, but you can catch all the build-up and team news to the big over on our Carabao Cup final live blog right now.
Milos Kerkez boost
Bournemouth is open to selling Milos Kerkez this summer if its financial expectations are met, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.
The Hungarian is described as a "strong option" for Liverpool as the Reds look for a new left-back. Nuno Mendes and Alphonso Davies were also highly thought of before signing new contracts at PSG and Bayern Munich respectively.
That means Kerkez could be the next option, although it is suggested that his price is likely to be above what Liverpool would "normally" pay for a full-back. It's also suggested that the Reds would need to offload one of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas first.
Liverpool's '3-man transfer shortlist' to replace Van Dijk
Liverpool may already have its sights set on three players to replace Virgil van Dijk this summer should the defender leave Anfield.
BILD’s Christian Falk claims that the Reds have their eyes on Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Wolfsburg’s Konstantinos Koulierakis. Of the three, Koulierakis would appear to be the cheapest option, with Falk revealing he has a market value of around $16.4 million (€15M).
The report comes amid suggestions that Liverpool is poised to win the race for Guehi’s signature. According to Mirror Football, Anfield is the England international’s preferred destination, and a deal is expected to be finalized in the summer.
Jetting off
The Reds are en route to London after jetting off from Liverpool airport today ahead of tomorrow's Carabao Cup final.
Wembley bound pic.twitter.com/Li7VfSC7sa
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 15, 2025
Liverpool 'set to win' Marc Guehi race
Liverpool is poised to beat Newcastle in the race for Marc Guehi, according to reports.
The Reds and the Magpies will face off on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, but they're also vying for the signature of England's 24-year-old Guehi. It's reported that Anfield is the preferred destination for the Palace star.
Mirror Football has reported that Newcastle are aware of this, and a deal to bring Guehi to Anfield is expected to be finalized in the summer. The main competition now appears to be Chelsea, where Guehi began his career.
However, there could be last-minute interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham. All four clubs have been keeping tabs on Guehi following his standout season at Palace and his progress with England on the international stage.
'Big proposals' incoming for Alexander Isak
Fabrizio Romano has suggested it will be "complicated" for Newcastle to keep hold of both Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes in the summer.
Writing for GiveMeSport, Romano claims "big proposals are coming, especially for Isak", and if reports over the last few months are anything to go by, Liverpool could be in the mix.
The Reds have been linked with both players, although the links with Guimaraes have gone quiet in recent months, and there's no doubt an upgrade is needed in the No.9 role at Anfield.
Agent: Liverpool wanted Alvarez signing last year
Julian Alvarez's agent has confirmed that Liverpool was interested in signing the striker from Manchester City last summer.
Alvarez joined City in 2022, winning two Premier Leagues and the Champions League in the space of two seasons before leaving for Atletico Madrid last summer.
The 25-year-old played over 100 times for City but grew frustrated at playing second fiddle to the prolific Erling Haaland, and is now enjoying being the main striker for Atletico Madrid, where he is averaging more than a goal every two games.
Had Arne Slot had it his way, Alvarez might have been turning out for Liverpool this term, with the Argentine's agent, Fernando Hidalgo, claiming that Liverpool wanted to sign him from City.
“I confirm that Liverpool were interested in Julian last season,” Hidalgo said. “As for the future, it’s not the right time to talk about it, because Julian is participating in important tournaments and is fully focused on them.”
City wanted Diaz last summer
There was concrete interest from Manchester City in Liverpool winger Luis Diaz last summer, according to journalist David Ornstein.
Diaz is enjoying statistically the best season of his Reds career, with 13 goals in 31 appearances, but had things turned out differently last year, he might have been wearing a blue shirt rather than a red one this term.
Ornstein revealed the information in a Q&A session with The Athletic after he was asked by a reader whether Diaz was looking to leave Liverpool this summer. Diaz has been at Liverpool for three years and his current contract at Anfield is due to expire in the summer of 2027.
Quansah's reaction to England call-up
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah had this to say after being named in the England squad ahead of the upcoming international break:
"I was in the last camp but it was to just step in, so this is the first one where I feel part of the squad. Football is about ups and downs and I wasn't picked for the Euros, so it was about bouncing back and being in a better position this season."
Slot rejects Newcastle final theory
Speaking in his press conference yesterday, Arne Slot rejected the theory that Sunday's Carabao Cup final is more meaningful to Newcastle than Liverpool.
"No, I don't go along with that. A final in this country is always special because of the fact that there are so many strong teams. If you reach a final, it is always a big moment for them - but also for us. It is special for them - but also for us."
Alvarez links emerge
Liverpool is eyeing up a potential move for Julian Alvarez a year on from its initial attempts to sign the former Manchester City forward, according to Anfield Watch.
It's claimed that the club made an attempt to sign Alvarez from City last summer before he completed his move to Atletico Madrid. It's suggested that sporting director Richard Hughes flew to Madrid to hold talks with the player's agent, while his international teammate Alexis Mac Allister was involved in the charm offensive.
An agreement could not be found due to City's insistence that Luis Diaz be involved in the deal, but it's suggested that Liverpool has retained its interest in Alvarez, even though it would take a bid of more than $129M to take him away from Atletico. It's suggested that Darwin Nunez could be used as a makeweight in a deal, with Diego Simeone said to be a huge fan of the Uruguayan.
Newcastle team news for the final
Eddie Howe reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday's League Cup final versus Liverpool at Wembley. The Magpies, who are contesting the League Cup final for the second time in three seasons, are aiming to lift their first major domestic trophy since 1955.
Newcastle was beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the 2023 final, and goes into Sunday's game with compromised chances due to a host of injuries and unavailability.
Anthony Gordon is suspended after earning a mindless red card in a recent FA Cup game against Brighton, while Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are both out with season-ending knee and foot injuries respectively. All three players would be regular starters in Eddie Howe's first-choice team when available.
Club captain Jamaal Lascelles has not played this season due to a long-term injury and remains unavailable.
Van Dijk responds to Rooney criticism
Virgil Van Dijk has brushed off criticism from Wayne Rooney, insisting he and his Liverpool teammates do not listen to outside noise.
Former Manchester United and Everton striker Rooney pointed the finger at Van Dijk for his role in Paris Saint-Germain's goal on Tuesday night, calling the Liverpool defender 'lazy'. It would prove to be a decisive moment as the French side progressed on penalties.
Van Dijk, 33, has been in outstanding form this term despite the uncertainty over his Liverpool future, with Arne Slot's side looking to win the Carabao Cup this weekend. And with the Premier League title within his grasp, Van Dijk insists he pays no attention to criticism from outside of the club.
See what Van Dijk had to say here
Welcome
Hello and welcome to today's Liverpool live blog as we build up to tomorrow's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle!
