Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the Carabao Cup final but he could return before the end of the season, it was reported yesterday. The right-back jarred his ankle against Paris Saint-Germain and had to be replaced by Jarell Quansah.
With Conor Bradley already missing, that is far from ideal ahead of the trip to Wembley this weekend. Ibrahima Konate came off against PSG too, but it is thought that was only with fatigue. He should be fine to face Newcastle United.
In transfer news, French outlet L'Equipe reports that Virgil van Dijk is considering a contract offer that would see him pocket $22 million per year at Al-Hilal. The Liverpool captain said earlier this week that he is yet to make a decision on his future.
Alexander Isak continues to be linked with the Reds, with Caught Offside saying that the Swede is on Arne Slot's wishlist, while Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro are named as alternative targets. Meanwhile, the Reds are said to have been offered the surprising chance to sign Leroy Sane as well.
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.
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Liverpool's and Newcastle's accomodation plans
Liverpool's and Newcastle's accommodation preferences on the eve of the Carabao Cup final have been revealed, as both clubs put the final touches on their preparations for the Wembley showdown.
The Daily Mail reports that Slot and his players will stay at a hotel in a central London location on the eve of the game, while Newcastle "will be based out of town".
Newcastle stayed at a hotel right next to Wembley on the eve of the 2023 final, which they lost to Manchester United, but has opted for a change two years on. The report adds that Newcastle will travel to the final on a new luxury coach worth around $650,000.
Liverpool monitoring Ecuador youngster
Liverpool is said to be keeping tabs on Ecuadorian teenager Johan Martinez, who has been likened to Ousmane Dembele.
TEAMtalk refers to Martinez as a "prodigy" and says that both Liverpool and Manchester City are keeping tabs on the 15-year-old attacker.
Martinez currently plays for Independiente del Valle, the same side that produced Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Liverpool's contract plan for international break
It is reported that Liverpool will use the upcoming international break to work on new contracts for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
TBR Football says that both players remain open to staying at Anfield, while Arne Slot is eager to keep them, and that hope remains that agreements will be reached with both players in the coming weeks.
Liverpool watching Aina
"Aina, the right-back from Nottingham Forest." When Kostas Tsimikas cracked this joke on a visit to the hyenas at the zoo back in October, few would have predicted how important a role the former Chelsea man would go on to play this season.
Nottingham Forest looks in good shape to claim a Champions League spot. And Aina has been a key performer, ranking among the most impressive right-backs in the division.
According to TBR, Liverpool could target him in the event that Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves the club. Manchester City is also monitoring him.
Aina's contract is technically up in the summer, although Nottingham Forest has the option to extend it by 12 months. It is working hard on a new deal for the defender.
Newcastle academy stars training ahead of final
Eddie Howe has called some Newcastle youngsters up to first team training ahead of the Carabao Cup final with Liverpool. The teams meet at Wembley on Sunday.
Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley. But Newcastle has its issues too.
Crucially for the Magpies, Alexander Isak is fit. But Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Lewis Hall has suffered a season-ending injury.
Perhaps with this in mind, Howe has turned to some youngsters. Ben Parkinson, Leo Shahar and Sean Neave all trained with the senior side, with Neave having made the bench against West Ham on Monday.
Kop Outs object to Liverpool sponsorship deal
Liverpool LGBT+ group Kop Outs have released a statement calling for the cancellation of Liverpool's new sponsorship deal with Visit Maldives. The multi-year arrangement was announced today.
Kop Outs have expressed "profound anger and disappointment" at the new deal. It critcized the human rights record of the Maldives.
The club told the ECHO that it remains committed to championing diversity, equality and inclusion.
Liverpool stars at Cheltenham
The Cheltenham Festival is well underway. And after their Champions League exit, four Liverpool stars have been pictured taking in the atmosphere.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota have all been snapped at the races. It comes three days before the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
Three of the foursome could be involved at Wembley. Bradley is out injured, but all of the others are in contention, with some debate over whether or not Caoimhin Kelleher should get the nod in goal.
Szoboszlai on last year's final
Dominik Szoboszlai has been previewing the cup final for Liverpoolfc.com. And he's shared a new perspective on an iconic moment from last year.
Liverpool, of course, is seeking to retain its League Cup crown, after Virgil van Dijk won it late against Chelsea last year. One of the best moments was the sight of the injured Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez dashing to join in the celebrations.
"Me and Darwin just said, "If he scores now, we run inside." We totally forgot about our injuries!" Szoboszlai admitted. "But we were really happy."
Both Szoboszlai and Nunez are fit to play a part this year. They will need to bounce back quickly from the disappiointment of the PSG game.
Konate transfer update
According to Sports Zone, PSG has taken the lead over Liverpool behind the scenes when it comes to Ibrahima Konate. The Reds defender is out of contract in 2026, with both clubs trying to persaude him to sign.
Of course, PSG is unable to make an official approach just yet. But the French outlet says that work has begun behind the scenes.
Liverpool is aware that Konate's preference currently lies with PSG. But it will prepare a new contract offer to try and convince him to stay.
Liverpool leading Gomes queue
Brazilian outlet Gazete do Urubu has credited Liverpool with an interest in Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. The Reds are said to be the main suitors.
Gomes is reportedly also attracting interest from Manchester United, along with clubs in Serie A. But Liverpool is at the front of the queue, in a deal which could net a "millionaire amount" for Flamengo as part of a sell-on clause.
A deal could be worth as much as $65m. 24-year-old Gomes has been a regular at the base of midfield almost ever since he arrived at Wolves in January 2023.
Newcastle interested in Jota
An earlier update in this blog suggested that Liverpool does not intend on selling Diogo Jota this summer. However, Newcastle could reportedly test that resolve.
Sunday's Carabao Cup final opponent has perhaps the best striker in the league in the shape of Alexander Isak. But whether it wants more depth or it is lining up a replacement, Jota has made it onto the radar.
Per GMS, Newcastle is looking "closely" at Jota. They might get an even closer look at Wembley, although Cody Gakpo has now returned to fitness.
Alexander-Arnold injury timeline
We've already brought you some positive news on Trent Alexander-Arnold. It's emerged that he did not injure his knee when going down against PSG, only his ankle.
That means he should be able to play again this season. But the timescales are still not necessarily hugely positive.
One injury specialist has speculated that it could be six to eight weeks before Alexander-Arnold is available for Liverpool again. Meanwhile, Conor Bradley is still not quite back from a muscle injury.
Thomas Tuchel to name first England roster
New England boss Thomas Tuchel will name his first national team roster since replacing Gareth Southgate this week ahead of the Three Lions taking on Albania and Latvia and World Cup qualifying.
The announcement is expected to be at around 10am ET (2pm GMT) on Friday and a press conference with Tuchel will follow. The German will explain some key decisions with several players set to miss out.
Liverpool trio Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will be among those hoping to impress Tuchel in the coming months and years. But Joe Gomez is currently sidelined through an injury that he has undertaken surgery for.
Liverpool not planning to sell Jota
Contrary to reports, Diogo Jota will not be up for sale in the summer. That's per Rousing the Kop.
Jota was ineffectual against PSG, cementing a poor run of form since his latest return from injury. And at 28, he has reached the age where Liverpool may well be considering his long-term future.
However, the report says that Jota's departure is considered "unlikely". Both Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa are expected to be moved on instead, and Liverpool is wary of too much upheaval in the front line.
Of course, that's before mentioning Mohamed Salah as well. His contract situation is yet to be resolved.
Liverpool 'offered Leroy Sane'
Liverpool has been offered the chance to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer at the end of the season. That's per The Boot Room.
The same offer has gone out to Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham. The former Manchester City man does not look likely to renew with Bayern Munich.
Sane had plenty of good performances against Liverpool down the years. But Arsenal is currently thought to be taking more intetest in the 29-year-old, with the Reds not even mentioned among the clubs keeping an eye on the situation.
That's despite continued uncertainty over the future of Mohamed Salah.
Kimmich ending contract stalemate
Joshua Kimmich has been linked with Liverpool on and off over the past few months. His profile seems a reasonable match, after all, in the event that Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves.
But while the Liverpool full-back's contract situation shows no signs of a resolution, Kimmich looks as though he will finally agree new terms with Bayern Munich. According to Florian Plettenberg, a deal to 2029 will be signed today.
The official announcement is also expected today. Liverpool was never especially likely to sign the veteran, but it's another option off the table.
Kerkez pursuit
Milos Kerkez will meet up with his inner circle in Budapest during the international break, the Mail reports. His future will be up for discussion, with Liverpool keen admirers.
Richard Henczi is described as a "close ally" of Kerkez. Although it has been clarified that he has never been his agent, he has supposedly claimed that Liverpool's pursuit is becoming "really advanced."
The report suggests that Dominik Szoboszlai could also be in Kerkez' ear over the international break. It comes amid succession planning for Andy Robertson.
Van Dijk contract update
Virgil van Dijk has called anyone who knows where his future lies a liar. On that note, here's the latest from Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer journalist says he has heard that Liverpool remains "convinced" it can keep Van Dijk. The club remains confident and relaxed.
Van Dijk is viewed internally as an important figure beyond this season, as Arne Slot makes his mark on the club. But time is ticking, with an agreement still not reached.
Liverpool interest in Dembele?
Liverpool got all too acquainted with Ousmane Dembele over the course of two legs with PSG. He scored the goal at Anfield which forced extra-time, with the Parisians ultimately prevailing on penalties.
Dembele converted his kick in the shootout too. It's no surprise, given that he has been finding the net for fun in 2025.
Now 27, he is finally showing his very best, unplayable form. According to Fichajes, that has caught Liverpool's eye.
The report claims that Liverpool is preparing a $109m bid. However, PSG would demand a higher fee before considering a move.
Carragher feeling better
Jamie Carragher has revealed that he is on the mend. The Liverpool legend caused some alarm last night when he was forced to withdraw midway through a CBS Sports show.
Present at the start alongside Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards, there was even some banter about the "prodigal son" returning, after Carragher had skipped studio duty to travel to Anfield for Liverpool vs PSG. But at half-time of Wednesday's games, the host announced that he had been taken ill.
Fortunately, the 737-appearance defender has revealed on Instagram that he is feeling better. We wish him the best with his continued recovery.
Liverpool confirms new multi-year partnership
Liverpool has announced a new partnership with Visit Maldives which has been confirmed as its official tourist destination partner. The agreement is for both the men's and women's teams and will "drive awareness of the Maldives as a world-class tourist destination".
Following a record-breaking year for the Maldives' Tourism Industry in 2024, Visit Maldives has set an ambitious target of $5BN in tourism income for the calendar year of 2025.
It believes that partnering with Liverpool will help increase its reach, while the Reds are continuing to grow under FSG with the latest accounts showing overall revenue rose by £20M ($26M) to £614M ($795M) in 2023-24, and commercial income increased by £36M ($47M) to £308M ($399M).
Alexander Isak links
Liverpool is said to be "in the mix" for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak this summer, with Arsenal also sniffing around the Swedish forward.
"For sure, Alexander Isak is the priority for Arsenal, but Liverpool is also closely monitoring his situation," Fabrizio Romano has said on his YouTube channel.
"So, both Liverpool and Arsenal will be in the mix for the player, and it really depends on what Newcastle decides regarding the player’s future."
Trent Alexander-Arnold injury latest
Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final this weekend but should play again before the end of the season. With Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also sidelined at the moment, Jarell Quansah could get a run of games at full-back.
Ibrahima Konate came off against PSG as well but that was just fatigue. He is expected to be fine at Wembley this weekend when the Reds will take on Newcastle United.
William Saliba makes honest Liverpool admission
As Liverpool takes on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal could cut the gap in the Premier League table to 12 points as the Gunners take on Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
But center-back William Saliba has admitted that there is a "big gap" between the sides. The Frenchman has offered an honest assessment with manager Mikel Arteta still refusing to give up hopes — publicly at least — of catching up.
"If they [Liverpool] are first, it is because they did something that we didn't do," Saliba said during a press conference. "Of course there is a big gap. We have to keep going. They are so good as well.
"I think this season, we don’t deserve to be at the top. We have to keep going. We are second and there is a Champions League as well. We will push."
Virgil van Dijk sent lucrative contract offer
Virgil van Dijk has been offered a contract worth $22M net per year by Al-Hilal, L'Equipe reports. The Dutchman, who turns 34 in July, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season as things stand.
It is reported that Van Dijk is considering the move to Al-Hilal. But he insisted earlier this week that his only focus is on Liverpool's remaining fixtures in the season.
Anyone who claimed to know about his future, he said, was "lying".
Good morning!
Welcome along to our latest Liverpool FC live blog. We'll have all the updates you need from the world of the Reds as we build up to the Carabao Cup final this weekend.
