Liverpool news as Steven Gerrard wants to re-sign star and Jurgen Klopp verdict

Jurgen Klopp reflected on his nine years at Liverpool in heartfelt comments, while Steven Gerrard has named Michael Olise and Luis Diaz as his preferred transfer targets for the Reds

Steven Gerrard has offered his opinion(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool's difficulties this campaign have been widely reported.

The Reds' extraordinary spending spree in the transfer market last summer was meant to herald a new period of supremacy, yet those aspirations have not come to fruition. Their eye-watering outlay of around $600 million secured some of the most sought-after players in global soccer.

From Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for record-breaking fees to Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike, Arne Slot appeared to have struck gold when it came to securing tomorrow's stars. As it transpired, bedding in players can require time, as can reconstructing a side that comfortably claimed the Premier League title last season.

The Reds are now confronting another summer of change with Slot's future uncertain and multiple players linked with a switch to Anfield. Today's developments see Anfield legend Steven Gerrard reveal his preferred transfer target for the club this summer, while former manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken to supporters.

Gerrard's preferred signing

While Gerrard has championed the Reds to sign Bayern Munich's Michael Olise this summer, the Champions League-winning icon believes the club should look to bring back club favorite Luis Diaz.

Diaz departed Liverpool last summer for Bayern. The Colombian has been sensational this season, particularly against Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal, where he helped the Germans establish a 2-1 advantage ahead of the second leg.

Luis Diaz is enjoying himself at Bayern Munich(Image: Getty Images)

"All day long," he responded when asked on TNT Sports whether he'd like to see Olise at Liverpool. "But the problem is, why would he leave Bayern Munich? Big club, they're challenging for the big honors, probably the strongest Bayern Munich team we've seen for a while.

"He's about to take the World Cup by storm come the summer, he looks like a really happy kid, settled... I don't think he's going anywhere. But yes, I would love him at Liverpool, and you know what? I wouldn't mind Diaz back as well."

Klopp's verdict

Klopp has expressed gratitude to Liverpool supporters for backing him throughout his nine years at Anfield. The legendary German looked back on his remarkable spell at the club during an appearance on 'That Peter Crouch Podcast.'

The former Reds manager was at the helm for nearly a decade before departing in May 2024 and secured every major trophy available to the club, including a first league championship in 30 years in 2020 and the club's sixth European Cup in 2019.

The head of global soccer at Red Bull was recently given a hero's reception when he returned to Anfield to oversee a Liverpool Legends fixture against his former side, Borussia Dortmund. Speaking to former Liverpool forward Crouch, Klopp said: "I mean, we had a good time and nobody, I mean it, nobody has to say thank you to me or whatever, and I hear it quite often.

"Because I have to say thank you for the exact same reasons. I do it all the time when I see people, 'Oh, thank you, for supporting us over the years.' So it is just what we needed was what we experienced, and it just was our life. We tried to do absolutely everything to be as successful as possible, and it worked sometimes, sometimes it didn't.

"We failed big, we failed in moments, and the thing is, this is what I always wanted, when I am old, looking back and having a smile on my face. Nobody can think back to these nine years without a smile on their face because it was just great. Everything about it, how connected we were.

"So I understand 100 percent why people are happy when they see me because I stand for this period. And I am as happy as they are when I see them because they stand for this period."