Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp says that 'positive' talks have already taken place ahead of the summer as his side looks to improve in the transfer market — with the Reds boss clear about his plans.

Later asked specifically whether or not he had changed his mind on not wanting to spend more than £100m ($123m/€114m) on one player during the embargoed section of his press conference, Klopp sidestepped that question, though that will almost certainly be necessary if Liverpool wins the race for Jude Bellingham.

But Klopp was much more open about the Reds' intentions to spend in general in the summer transfer market, where Mason Mount and Matheus Nunes are also among the other targets being considered for a midfield revamp.

READ MORE: Liverpool has new $79m heir to Mohamed Salah title and Pep Guardiola shouldn't underestimate him

READ MORE: Liverpool could sign bargain $27m Fabinho successor as claim 'transfer talks' opened emerges

"We will spend in the summer, that's what I can say definitely," Klopp said. "The club will spend in the summer, definitely. For who and how many and stuff like this, there is nothing to say about, really."

In a further admission that changes are necessary, Klopp went on to outline that after being at the club since October 2015 — and having signed a new contract until the end of the 2025/26 season — this summer was always going to be one where big alterations were made.

"I am long enough in the business to know how these things develop," he explained. "It’s clear after a specific amount of time that you need to shuffle things and kind of start anew. That is completely normal.

Sign up for our EXCLUSIVE Liverpool.com newsletter!

If you enjoyed this piece, you'll love our latest project here at Liverpool.com — our LFC newsletter, which is sent each weekday only to people signed up for our mailing list.

Our newsletter subscribers get a rundown Monday to Friday from one of the best Liverpool FC writers — straight to your inbox, and completely for free.

Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here — it only takes a few seconds!

"It happens all the time; it’s just rare nowadays that it happens with the same manager because people realize when you sack a manager and bring in a new manager, things change and you readjust the squad.

"After seven years it was clear that we have to do it. Look, I don’t think in the last few years we ever were the best team in the league and we had to win — we were always performing to our level and sometimes punching above it.

"It is not that we win football games with 80 per cent — there’s no chance — the boys had to give their absolute all and they did, but it is clear there is a moment when you have to make changes."

Jürgen Klopp knows changes are needed at Liverpool this summer. (Image: Photo by Pressinphoto / Icon Sport)

Despite there being question marks over the form of players like Fabinho and Joe Gomez, Klopp also insisted that he would take a bigger picture look at the squad when it is decided about changes and who is sold.

So what exactly will the Liverpool rebuild look like? Those out of contract — Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino — will lead the exodus, and others including Joël Matip and Caoimhín Kelleher would need replacing if they were to leave.

As a starting point, two midfielders — ideally Bellingham and one more — will be required, and potentially more if the Borussia Dortmund man is not acquired or more players than just those out of contract leave.

The only certainty at this stage for Liverpool is that at least a couple of midfielders will be bought to replace the bodies who are heading for the exit door. In terms of the other positions that need to be strengthened, much will depend on who departs — with a back-up goalkeeper, for example, only needing to be on the shopping list if Kelleher goes.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool faces an intimidating fixture list in April with the first of a trio of clashes against so-called 'Big Six' sides to come in the space of eight days, starting with a trip to face Manchester City away. Jürgen Klopp will have to do without six stars, with a couple also doubtful.

There is no doubt about the task which faces the Reds over the next week or so with this weekend's face-off with Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad soon followed by Chelsea away on Tuesday and then a meeting with league leaders Arsenal on Sunday. One senses that this week will not be for Liverpool supporters with faint hearts.

Liverpool very rarely gets through an international break unscathed in terms of injuries to personnel and this week has been no different with one star having picked up a knock that could keep him out for this run of fixtures and another probably facing a fitness test to face the Citizens. It has not been all bad though, with the sight of Luis Díaz emerging for training alongside his teammates after a long injury lay-off at the AXA Training Centre this week a really promising sign as Liverpool heads into the final 12 games of the Premier League season.

READ MORE: Liverpool already proved right on $148m triple transfer decision amid Jürgen Klopp reminder

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp will soon unlock bold Liverpool move and could unleash it on Man City

Here Liverpool.com brings you the full list of players available to manager Klopp, who will be hoping that his side can get pick up points against Manchester City to keep their top four hopes alive:

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Adrián, Caoimhin Kelleher.

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Joël Matip, Nat Phillips, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Midfielders: Fabinho, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fábio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Arthur Melo.

Forwards: Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota.

Players who are injured: Luis Díaz, Thiago Alcântara, Calvin Ramsay, Naby Keïta, Stefan Bajčetić.

Players who are doubtful: Darwin Núñez (ankle gash; 'in contention'), Kostas Tsimikas (rib injury; being assessed), Rhys Williams (stomach bug).

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool will be looking to pick up their first win in eight years at the Etihad Stadium when the Reds face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

After a week of international duty, Liverpool plays their first game in 16 days on Saturday when they face title-chasers Man City. The Reds entered the international break on the back of two tough defeats, one against Bournemouth in the Premier League, the other at the hands of Real Madrid as Jürgen Klopp's side was knocked out of the competition.

Currently in sixth and seven points behind Tottenham in fourth, Liverpool needs to start finding wins consistently, but they have a tough run of games ahead. In the next eight days, the Reds face City, Arsenal and Chelsea, but with no other competition to focus on, Klopp's side may have a slight advantage.

READ MORE:Liverpool suffers new injury as Real Madrid 'makes $131m Jude Bellingham transfer decision'

READ MORE:Luis Díaz leaves training ground in awe as four clubs chase Liverpool transfer

So, how could Liverpool perform against City on Saturday? Let's take a look.

We simulated Man City vs Liverpool to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.

We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Aké; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Álvarez, Grealish.

Liverpool's predicted XI vs Man City (Image: EA SPORTS FIFA)

We predict that Jurgen Klopp's side could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson; Jota, Gakpo, Núñez; Salah.

After bringing down Salah on his way to goal, Ruben Dias was sent off after just 14 minutes to hand Liverpool a huge advantage. But, despite being a man ahead, the Reds were poor at the Etihad, and after 70 minutes City found themselves 4-0 ahead.

Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 to City (Image: EA SPORTS)

Jack Grealish scored either side of half-time to put City 2-0 up, with both goals coming from close range after some questionable defending from the Reds. Not long after, Kevin De Bruyne punished some more bad defending from Liverpool when he eased into the box and fired into the corner, making it 3-0.

And 67 minutes in, City grabbed a fourth, this time Julian Álvarez getting on the scoresheet as the Argentine tapped home Riyad Mahrez's cross from close range. It was becoming a battering, but the Reds improved in the final stages of the game, even managing to pull a goal back.

Salah made it 4-1 (Image: EA SPORTS FIFA)

City lost the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold deep in the Liverpool half, and the defender exposed City's high line with a long ball forward for Mohamed Salah to chase. The Egyptian latched onto the pass before breezing in front of Kyle Walker, and he managed to curl his shot past Ederson to make it 4-1.

Substitute Roberto Firmino came close to grabbing a second for Liverpool three minutes after Salah's strike, but the Brazilian failed to find the target with a header from close range. All of a sudden, the Reds found themselves in control, and Darwin Nunez got on the scoresheet to make it 4-2 in the 87th minute.

Nunez made it 4-2 (Image: EA SPORTS)

A switch of play from Alexander-Arnold saw Andrew Robertson lift a pass over the top of the City defense, allowing Nunez to break through on goal. After bringing down Robertson's through ball, the Uruguayan powered his effort across goal and into the corner to make it 4-2, but that was all the Reds could conjure late on as they fell to a heavy defeat.

FIFA 23 predicted final score: Man City 4-2 Liverpool

Here are the full-time stats:

FT stats from Man City 4-2 Liverpool on FIFA 23 (Image: EA SPORTS FIFA)

FIFA 23 predicts Liverpool could struggle against an in-form Man City side, losing 4-2 in the simulation. Despite an impressive end to the game, a dismal 70 minutes allowed City to wheel away from the Reds and claim the three points.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool faces three 'Big Six' teams in the space of just eight days with the games likely to prove pivotal in the Reds' quest to qualify for the Champions League. One key man may have been overlooked in terms of his importance ahead of this daunting trio of clashes.

Games against Manchester City, Chelsea and league leaders Arsenal over the course of just over a week would strike fear into most teams but there is no doubt that Jürgen Klopp's side comes into this set of fixtures with a very clear objective. Currently sitting in sixth place in the table with 12 games still to play, it is obvious that Liverpool faces a real fight when it comes to finishing in the top four, with Tottenham and Newcastle United the teams the Reds will have to usurp in the race.

If the unthinkable were to occur and Liverpool was to lose all three of the upcoming fixtures starting with the trip to the Etihad, it would likely take a miracle for them to have an outside chance of achieving this final target for the season. The good news, however, is that the Reds do have a surprisingly good record in clashes against so-called 'Big Six' opposition with Klopp's side currently top of the mini-league in terms of clashes between the teams in question this term, having picked up a total of 15 points.

READ MORE: Liverpool already proved right on $148m triple transfer decision amid Jürgen Klopp reminder

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp will soon unlock bold Liverpool move and could unleash it on Man City

That said, the intensity of playing these kinds of fixtures back-to-back should not be underestimated and it is clear that Liverpool will need to find it within themselves to assume the form of the previous years under Klopp to maintain this record. To do this, there is no doubt that a couple of key names will likely be massively influential based on the evidence of previous games against 'Big Six' opposition.

Mohamed Salah has been the most prolific player in clashes between 'Big Six' opposition since August 2020, registering 23 goals and assists in total to firmly establish himself as the most dangerous goal threat in those fixtures during the period in question. It is fair to assume that, of all of Liverpool's forwards, the Egyptian would probably be the player most supporters would bank on scoring a potentially decisive goal in a fixture against Manchester City, with nine goal involvements in 'Big Six' clashes this season alone.

Sign up for our EXCLUSIVE Liverpool.com newsletter!

If you enjoyed this piece, you'll love our latest project here at Liverpool.com — our LFC newsletter, which is sent each weekday only to people signed up for our mailing list.

Our newsletter subscribers get a rundown Monday to Friday from one of the best Liverpool FC writers — straight to your inbox, and completely for free.

Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here — it only takes a few seconds!

That said, the record of another Reds attacker has not been too shabby in the 'big games' so far this term, with Darwin Núñez having scored against Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal this season. With four goal involvements in clashes against 'Big Six' teams since his $79m (£64m/€73m) signing, it is clear that he has provided a real threat for Klopp in crunch fixtures, with goals also coming in matches against Newcastle, Napoli and Real Madrid.

Liverpool's last clash against 'Big Six' opposition came in the 7-0 win against Manchester United at Anfield earlier this month and while a repeat of this kind of scoreline is surely unthinkable against their cross-city rivals, Núñez's two goals in the fixture against the Reds' biggest foes was probably the apotheosis of what has been pretty impressive form in these fixtures this season for their marquee summer signing. Intriguingly, with the aforementioned four goal involvements in just seven fixtures against 'Big Six' opposition in the Premier League, his strike rate of 0.57 goals per game is pretty much identical to his overall average which stands at 0.55, which shows he does not wilt under pressure in these high-profile clashes.

All eyes are likely to be on his teammate Salah, given his record in these games ahead of the upcoming trio of 'Big Six' clashes, but opponents would be foolish to underestimate the Uruguayan. His record this season suggests he could be a difference-maker over the next eight days for Liverpool.

Adblock test (Why?)

Last season, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was named in the PFA Team of the Year, and he also won the Golden Glove after keeping the most clean sheets.

This year, he probably won't make the division's best XI given Liverpool's lowly standing, such is the way individual awards are sometimes judged.

And while he has a chance of retaining the Golden Glove, Newcastle's Nick Pope and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale are two shutouts clear and look like the favorites.

READ MORE: Liverpool already proved right on $148m triple transfer decision amid Jürgen Klopp reminder

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp will soon unlock bold Liverpool move and could unleash it on Man City

Alisson, then, may not get the wider recognition he earned last year, even though he's arguably been even better this season. In fact, you could argue this has been his best campaign for Liverpool to date, as his shot-stopping record demonstrates.

As per FBRef, Alisson has 'prevented' 8.2 goals this season (determined by post-shot xG), a figure that's not only the best in the Premier League, but Europe's top five leagues altogether.

He's near-unanimously regarded as the club's best player of 2022/23, having kept the Reds in the Champions League race almost single-handedly.

With the once formidable protection in front of him eroded, Alisson has been performing near-miracles between the sticks.

On Saturday, he goes up against Manchester City counterpart Ederson in what is always one of the most highly-anticipated match-ups of the season.

The intention here isn't to dredge up the tired old debate over who's better. To many, that's been settled at this point anyway.

Alisson faces his compatriot Ederson on Saturday when Liverpool travels to Manchester City (Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The reality is that both are elite goalkeepers who have truly revolutionized the Premier League with their ball-playing abilities.

But beyond affirming his status against his rival, Alisson has a new incentive this time, extending beyond Liverpool's top-four push.

Brazil manager Tite stepped down following the World Cup at the end of last year, and his temporary replacement, Mano Menezes, controversially omitted Alisson from his first selection for a friendly against Morocco.

The reason for his decision is unclear, with no injury involved.

Even Ederson himself admitted he was 'surprised' by the call, telling the press he 'thought [Alisson] would be on the list' (via Goal).

The City man suggested that Menezes potentially wanted to give younger players an opportunity, but while 19-year-old Mycael of Athletico Paranaense was handed his first shot, 35-year-old Palmeiras stopper Weverton was also called up, complicating that narrative somewhat.

Sign up for our EXCLUSIVE Liverpool.com newsletter!

If you enjoyed this piece, you'll love our latest project here at Liverpool.com — our LFC newsletter, which is sent each weekday only to people signed up for our mailing list.

Our newsletter subscribers get a rundown Monday to Friday from one of the best Liverpool FC writers — straight to your inbox, and completely for free.

Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here — it only takes a few seconds!

There's also a possibility that the coach has opted for something of a post-World Cup shake-up after Brazil underperformed once again, crashing out in the quarter-finals at the hands of Croatia.

But even that would make little sense given that Alisson didn't put a foot wrong in Qatar and has been in sensational form at club level.

The 30-year-old may yet return to the squad in future international windows, and this might prove to be just a blip. But as it stands right now, he has a place to win back.

And he's about to go up against a direct competitor, offering him an ideal chance to make a statement.

It could well be one of his busiest days of the whole season as the league's most fearsome attack (City has posted a table-topping 56.1 expected goals) faces the weakest Liverpool defense for years (the Reds rank 10th in the other column).

The ongoing rivalry between the two 'keepers has now taken an unexpected twist, and we'll see how both respond at the Etihad.

Adblock test (Why?)

Welcome to the Liverpool.com daily Media Digest. From transfers to tweets, it can be hard to keep up with everything going on in the Anfield sphere. Credible, incredible and anything in between: we round it all up in one place here, taking a sideways look at the day’s media goings-on from around the world.

***

Julian Ward deal hits the buffers

It was thought that Liverpool's sporting director Julian Ward was going to join Ajax next season once his contract with Liverpool was finished.

READ MORE: Liverpool already proved right on $148m triple transfer decision amid Jürgen Klopp reminder

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp will soon unlock bold Liverpool move and could unleash it on Man City

Ward announced earlier this season that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the current campaign in what was a shock to many, as he had only replaced Michael Edwards in the role last summer.

It had been reported that he had been close to a move to Dutch side Ajax in order to help rebuild the Eredivise side. Yet it seems now that the deal is off. According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, who broke the initial news that he was going there, Ward was unhappy about the club's indecisiveness.

The Athletic claims, however, that Ajax wanted Ward to take the role straight away, but the 41-year-old wants to take a sabbatical once this season is finished, and so the deal fell apart.

Either way, Ward informed the club that he wouldn't be taking the role and it seems he might be heading elsewhere after Anfield.

Sign up for our EXCLUSIVE Liverpool.com newsletter!

If you enjoyed this piece, you'll love our latest project here at Liverpool.com — our LFC newsletter, which is sent each weekday only to people signed up for our mailing list.

Our newsletter subscribers get a rundown Monday to Friday from one of the best Liverpool FC writers — straight to your inbox, and completely for free.

Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here — it only takes a few seconds!

Liverpool handed double target 'boost'

Liverpool has been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Eintracht Frankfurt duo Evan Ndicka and Daichi Kamada, with the news that the German club has pulled contract offers for the pair.

Liverpool has been linked with both players in recent months and weeks, especially with Ndicka, with links emerging this week of a potential free transfer.

According to the German source Bild, any attempts to keep the pair in Frankfurt have proved futile, and the German side is resigned to losing both for free this summer.

In fact, Frankfurt announced the signing of Willian Pacho (via Forbes) this week, thought to be a replacement for Ndicka. Whether the pair end up at Liverpool, or at least one of them, remains to be seen.

The ECHO reported earlier today that Ndicka is not actively being pursued at the current moment, though that could change depending on the situation at center-back come the summer.

Adblock test (Why?)