1 week ago
65
Liverpool returns to action in pre-season today against Preston North End but the transfer speculation surrounding a couple of Arne Slot's stars is not going anywhere.
Luis Diaz has long been linked with a move to Barcelona, while rumors involving Bayern Munich have heated up this week with both the Spanish and German sides having missed out on signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club. Liverpool, for its part, wants to keep the Colombian.
"We don't know yet," Diaz told Win Sports this week regarding his future prospects. "Nothing, nothing (to say). We're there talking with the management, we're calm where I am. So nothing (to say), we're talking about matters."
Though Liverpool does not want to lose Diaz, the Spanish outlet MARCA reports that Barcelona still believes that it has a chance at signing the 28-year-old. He still has two years remaining on his contract at Anfield.
Barcelona also has Marcus Rashford on its radar— a much more easily attainable target given that Manchester United wants to move him on this summer — but sporting director Deco is said to favor Diaz.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, according to BILD, would only be willing to pay up to $70 million (£52 million) for Diaz. At that price, Liverpool's stance is hardly likely to be changed.
Already in this summer window, Newcastle United has committed up to $74 million (£55 million) for Anthony Elanga. And if that is the going rate for a player of his level, then Liverpool would be more than within its rights to demand considerably more for Diaz.
At the moment, the focus is on getting back to some form of normality, as much as possible, following the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. He and his brother, Andre Silva, will be remembered ahead of today's game with Preston North End.
You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played ahead of kick-off in remembrance of the pair, who were tragically killed in a car crash earlier this month.
There will be a minute's silence and both sets of players will wear black armbands. A commemorative matchday programme has also been produced which will be available for free to those in attendance with a match ticket.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well. It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate," Arne Slot told Liverpool's official website ahead of the game.
"What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate [for] what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?
"And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself.
"So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry. If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you."
English (US) ·