A spurious transfer report published in the Italian press claims that Liverpool could allow Ibrahima Konate to leave during the January transfer window for just $17.5 million.

The claim published by L'Interista says that Liverpool would be willing to let Konate leave for a cut-price fee in order to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

Considering Liverpool only currently has two fit center-backs, there is no chance that the Reds would allow one of them to leave next month.

Joe Gomez has struggled with persistent fitness issues for the last year, while Giovanni Leoni may not play again for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in September.

Even if Liverpool had managed to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window, the Reds would still have been unlikely to sanction a January exit for Konate.

Coincidentally, the report says that Inter Milan is interested in signing either Konate or Guehi in January – but a deal to sign the Crystal Palace captain seems equally unlikely.

Meanwhile, Football Insider reports that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is keen to sign at least two new center-backs in 2026.

Unsurprisingly, Guehi is said to be one of the targets after the Reds missed out on signing him on transfer deadline day.

Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi (Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool fans will remember that the Reds agreed a fee with Palace for the England star on September 1, only for Palace to U-turn on that deal over concerns about a lack of depth in the Eagles' defense.

That left the Reds a defender short of where they wanted to be heading into the new season, and Leoni's major injury, coupled with Gomez's problems, has hugely exacerbated the situation — were Konate or Virgil van Dijk to suffer a serious injury now, Liverpool would be in big trouble at the back.

The other player that Liverpool is supposedly interested in is Jeremy Jacquet, a 20-year-old center-back who currently plays for Ligue 1 side Rennes.

France has produced some of the most hyped young defenders in the world in recent years, with William Saliba, Leny Yoro, and Wesley Fofana among the current Premier League center-backs who started their careers in France, and the hope is that Jacquet could be the next big French defender.

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Liverpool's star player Mohamed Salah is facing an uncertain future at Anfield following his explosive interview at Elland Road just over a week ago.

The Egyptian ace, who has been benched for the Reds' last four Premier League matches, suggested after last weekend's draw that he has no relationship with head coach Arne Slot and didn't dismiss a potential January transfer. Consequently, he was absent from the squad that faced Inter Milan midweek, where the Reds secured a slim 1-0 victory at the San Siro.

However, things seem to have improved in recent days after crucial discussions on Friday. Salah was named in the squad that defeated Brighton on Saturday afternoon, coming on as an early replacement for the injured Joe Gomez and setting up Hugo Ekitike's vital second goal in the 2-0 win.

While there seems to be a temporary truce before the 33-year=old heads off to Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations, it remains unclear whether Salah's long-term future lies in Merseyside. Both Slot and Salah's teammates have downplayed rumours of an impending departure next month, suggesting they don't believe Saturday's victory will be Salah's final appearance for the club.

However, until the January transfer window slams shut or a move is definitively ruled out, speculation surrounding Salah's future will naturally continue. The current unrest at Anfield has opened the door for clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United States to explore the possibility of a move, whether that's in the upcoming transfer window or next summer.

It is believed that Liverpool has no plans to let Salah go in January. While the player seems content on Merseyside, a move to Saudi Arabia hasn't been entirely dismissed.

This gives clubs in the region confidence in their chances of securing Salah, assuming he's ready to part ways with Anfield, with an expected asking price around the £100 million ($133M) mark, with Liverpool then on the lookout for a replacement.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts (Image: Getty) Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth's standout player Antoine Semenyo is a name likely to feature prominently in discussions as the January window looms. Rumors of a £65 million ($87M) release clause, valid until January 10, suggest a departure from the Vitality Stadium is on the cards, with several clubs reportedly showing interest.

Even before Salah's recent outburst, Liverpool has been frequently mentioned as a possible landing spot for the Ghanaian international. A fresh report suggests that Manchester City and Tottenham are also in the running for his signature.

Michael Olise

Ex-Crystal Palace star Michael Olise has been on an upward trajectory since joining Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024. His performances have not gone unnoticed by Europe's top clubs, including Liverpool.

Rumors linking the Reds with the 24 year old have persisted, despite little indication that he will be leaving Munich anytime soon. Olise, who typically plays in Salah's position, has netted 29 goals and provided 37 assists in 78 appearances across all competitions for Bayern, so it's no surprise he's seen as a potential long-term replacement.

However, securing a deal won't be easy, with German reports suggesting that Bayern are ready to offer Olise a new contract to ward off interest, even though he's already contracted until 2029.

Michael Olise has been in fine form this season for Bayern Munich (Image: Getty Images) Yan Diomande

RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande has been turning heads recently due to his exceptional form in the Bundesliga. The 19 year old only made the move to Germany last summer, but he's already netted seven goals and provided four assists across all competitions.

Though primarily a left winger, he's shown his versatility by also playing on the right, with all of his goal contributions for Leipzig coming from that side. A recent report from Sky in Germany suggests that all of England's top clubs, including Liverpool, are keeping a close eye on the Ivory Coast international.

Bradley Barcola

Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola was loosely linked with a move to Merseyside last summer, and the 23 year old remains firmly on Liverpool's radar. A recent report has reignited these rumours, suggesting the Frenchman could be a potential replacement for Salah.

The report highlights Barcola's struggle to secure a regular starting spot under Luis Enrique, with players like Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vying for positions. However, it's been suggested that PSG are keen to secure Barcola on a new contract, as his current deal is set to expire in 2028.

Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images) Yankuba Minteh

Lastly, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh has caught the attention of several top-tier clubs. The Gambia international made the move to the Seagulls from Newcastle in the summer of 2024, with the Magpies needing to shed players to stay within Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Newcastle may now be ruing this decision, as Minteh has netted eight goals and provided nine assists in his 54 appearances to date. Four of these assists have come this season in the Premier League, as the 21 year old aims to elevate his game.

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Jamie Carragher believes that Morgan Rogers is the likeliest player in the Aston Villa squad to inspire the Midlanders to an unlikely Premier League title this term.

Rogers scored a brace for the second time in five Premier League games on Sunday as Villa came from behind to beat West Ham at the London Stadium.

The in-demand 23-year-old's second goal – which was Villa's winner in the 3-2 success – was particularly special, as he found the net with a brilliant dipping effort from distance.

Carragher was full of praise for the England international as he assessed his performance on Sky Sports. "Morgan Rogers is something special," he said. "He's been one of those players that has sort of come from nowhere.

"They signed him from Middlesbrough for not a huge fee and he's gone on right now to not just being one of the best young players in the Premier League, which is what he was last season, but he's now looking like one of the best players in the Premier League.

"That could be key if Aston Villa do feel that they could go on and contest the league title or go on and win it."

Villa has collected 30 points from the last 33 available in the Premier League – with the three dropped coming when Unai Emery's side was beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at the beginning of November.

Despite the Villans' remarkable form, Carragher does not expect them to win the league – but thinks that if they do, Rogers will be key.

Rogers scored twice for Aston Villa against West Ham (Image: MI News/NurPhoto)

"Can Villa win the title? I don't think they can, but if you are to win a title, and let's say Man City go on to win a title, they have Erling Haaland, who is the best player in the league," Carragher said.

"If I look at Arsenal right now, I think of Declan Rice. If they go on and win the league I see Rice as a player of the year candidate.

"But with Aston Villa, who could drive them to the title? Who is that special that they could be head and shoulders above everyone in the league?

"The one player I look at is Rogers. PFA young player of the year before, could he now go on and be PFA player of the year this season and drag Villa really close to a league title."

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Mohamed Salah once again stole the limelight following Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday. After a week filled with speculation about his future, the Egyptian star came off the bench in the first half to set up Hugo Ekitike's second goal against the Seagulls.

Last week, Salah stirred up a storm at Elland Road when he told reporters that he felt "thrown under the bus" by the club and no longer had a relationship with manager Arne Slot after an unusual series of games on the bench.

The 33 year old, who only penned a new two-year contract with the Reds in April, was then omitted from the midweek squad for the Inter Milan match, before being reinstated this weekend following discussions with Slot.

He confessed that the match against Brighton could be his swansong as he now heads off to join Egypt for a month at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving his career path uncertain post-tournament.

Negotiations between both parties are anticipated to carry on while Salah is away, but his lap of honour at Anfield after the win left his future open to interpretation as he acknowledged the fans who sang their 'Egyptian King' his familiar tune, reports the Mirror.

If that turns out to be his final bow in front of the Kop, Salah will bid farewell to the city he, his wife Magi and their two young daughters have called home for the past eight-and-a-half years.

That would also mean abandoning his impressive mansion, situated in Cheshire's exclusive 'golden triangle' neighbourhood. Salah revealed after putting pen to paper on his contract earlier this year that a major factor behind his decision was his family's happiness with their life in Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah's future remains unclear (Image: VODAFONE EGYPT)

He said: "They feel at home. They were very happy, Magi and the kids, they were very happy that we're staying another two years. It feels like home so everyone was happy.

"I think Makka [his daughter] was the happiest one in the family, she wanted us to stay. Of course we all wanted to stay, but Makka because her friends are here and the school.

"It was a very good vibe after the moment that I signed. I'm enjoying my life here. I'm enjoying my football. My family also feels at home. We enjoy every moment in the city and every moment in the club."

Salah's property, reportedly situated close to Manchester City star Erling Haaland's home, is designed to maintain peak physical condition. His lavish residence features two gym rooms and includes cryotherapy equipment and a hyperbaric chamber.

Mohamed Salah with his wife and children (Image: mosalah/INSTAGRAM)

"I am constantly looking to improve my physical condition," he once told France Football. "It's true that I like to say that my house looks like a hospital, [but] my wife doesn't like that! [She] says that I spend more time with my machines than with her!" In a 2020 advert with Vodafone, he offered fans a peek into his home life, playing in his expansive back garden with his eldest daughter, Makka.

The footage showed Salah chasing her around the garden before catching her and hoisting her into the air.

Another clip showcased the Egyptian footballer relaxing in a plush living room, styled with sleek, modern decor and a large cat statue positioned in front of the fireplace. A photograph of Makka in her school uniform was also spotted on a table.

Each year, Salah and his family share a festive photo on social media, posing around their Christmas tree in matching pyjamas. However, this year, his attention over the holiday season will be firmly on clinching the Africa Cup of Nations title with his national team.

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Liverpool has been told that a Brighton player should have been sent off during Saturday's Premier League game at Anfield.

Brighton forward Diego Gomez was shown a yellow card in first-half injury time for an extremely high challenge on Liverpool star Florian Wirtz, connecting with the German's chest with his studs.

There was a VAR review, but the referee's original decision to caution Gomez was upheld. The Premier League gave the following explanation for the decision during the game: "The referee’s call of yellow card to Gomez was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge on Wirtz deemed not to be with excessive force and not serious foul play."

That explanation made little sense at the time, and several ex-referees have since had their say on the matter, suggesting that the wrong decision was made, and that Gomez should have been given his marching orders.

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett was among the critics of the decision, telling Football Insider: "The Brighton player had every opportunity to pull out of this foul, and there is no question that the boot was leading at pace, waist-high, and fulfilled, in my opinion, serious foul play.

"The yellow card for this challenge was insufficient, and this incident should have seen the intervention of VAR, and a second look for the referee, who may, from his view, have had his vision of the incident compromised by the offending player."

Hackett was not the only one who believed the wrong call was made in the moment. Speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, pundit Tim Sherwood stated: "I think it's a red card, I honestly do. I just think Wirtz wins it before him, he knows it. He's not even there to go and win the ball."

He was followed up by former Premier League referee Mike Dean, who added: "I think it's red. The ball's gone up...The only thing I would say that they might look at is as he's gone up to come down, he may have caught him on the way down.

"There's no real force in it, but his foot shouldn't be that high. He's caught him in the stomach then he's kind of come down into his body. So, for me, it's more red than yellow."

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Curtis Jones has shed light on what Mohamed Salah told the Liverpool squad after voicing his discontent with head coach Arne Slot and the club following last weekend's 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah expressed that his relationship with the head coach had deteriorated and felt he had been 'thrown under the bus' after being left out of the starting line-up for three consecutive matches.

Following his remarks, Salah was excluded from the Liverpool squad that travelled for the midweek victory over Inter Milan. With suggestions that yesterday's match against Brighton and Hove Albion could be his final appearance for the club, his future at Anfield remained uncertain.

Despite facing criticism for airing his grievances publicly and the timing of his comments, Salah was brought back into the fold for the clash with the Seagulls after fruitful discussions with Slot on Friday.

Although he began the match on the bench, Salah was called upon in the first half to replace the injured Joe Gomez and made a significant impact, assisting Hugo Ekitike's second goal of the game, helping the Reds secure a 2-0 victory.

Liverpool will now have to make do without Salah for several weeks. The 33 year old is due to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations, which means the speculation surrounding his future will persist in the run-up to the January transfer window.

But speaking after the 2-0 home victory against Brighton, Jones downplayed Salah's remarks as he disclosed that the forward had clarified his words weren't directed at the squad or any specific teammates.

"We all love Mo. I love Mo," Jones told Viaplay. "At my hardest times at the club, you know, he was always one of the ones who was there. I could always speak to (him). And it's exactly the same now.

"Mo's his own man, he's got his own opinions. And, you know, I don't think his intentions were to affect the team or anything like that. It was just a personal thing. And as everybody knows, the team, the fans, the staff, we all love Mo. He's a great guy.

Curtis Jones speaks to LFC TV after Liverpool's win over Brighton (Image: LFC TV)

"I don't really like to speak on another man's issues or his business and stuff - that has to do with Mo. But at the end of the day, I think the important thing that Mo made clear was that it's not against the team or anything like that, just a personal issue, and that's it."

Jones reached his 200th appearance for Liverpool against Brighton, becoming the youngest Reds player to achieve this milestone since Steven Gerrard in 2003.

Having been coached by the Liverpool legend at Under-18s and Under-19s level, Jones was eager to honour Gerrard as he explained how some tough treatment from his former manager had guided him towards the correct path during his academy years. "Not a bad person to follow, is it? Steven has obviously been a huge part of my career and life," Jones shared with LFC TV.

"And I say life because he was probably the first man to really have a pop at me at the academy! And that changed me to think I'm not better than anybody else or anything like that. It was a reality check in terms of how I played and the role that he gave me.

"Steven would be the first to say that once I overcame a thing where I'd complicate things and I thought I was the man because I had the 10 on my back and all things like that, that I'd be the first man that he'd pick on his team.

"I'd always been a kid who was top of the age group and all things like that. At times you can become a little bit passive, I'd say.

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"And Steven was the first one to give me a real, real check. Coming from a man like him, a man who has played the game, a man who I idolised, I've got to change if it's him who is telling me.

"From there, he stuck with me and I stuck with him and we worked. A year after I'm around the first team and now I'm stood here on 200 games so he's obviously a man who I would like to thank.

"It's mad. I actually had a chat with Trey [Nyoni] and Rio [Ngumoha] was there as well.

"I just said, 'Boys, I know you will hear it all the time from staff and family around you, about how fast it goes. But my God, it goes so fast'. If I think about my first game, Wolves away, and how fast the whole thing has changed.

"I can only thank the staff around me and the team-mates around me who have always got the belief in me to keep me at the club and when I play, to trust that I can play in that many games.

"I can only thank my mum and the family around me, who have obviously played a huge part... the times when it was taxis into training and things like that.

"And the environment I was obviously around as a kid, a Scouse kid, it's quite easy to take another route. But I only had one goal in my mind: that was to play at this club.

"And that's what I'm doing so I've got a massive smile on my face. It's 200 down - and hopefully there's many, many more to come."

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