Liverpool may have acquired two new central defenders over the summer in the shape of Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, but thanks to the uncertainty surrounding Mamadou Sakho and the loss of Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel, centre of defence is still seen as an area that can be improved massively.
It is no surprise then, especially considering Jurgen Klopp’s penchant for returning to Germany for transfer targets, that the Reds are being linked with Hoffenheim centre back Niklas Süle, but they face competition from Chelsea for his signature.
Being 21 and a full German international, it is unsurprising that Süle has attracted so much attention around Europe, but the defender is keen to continue his development at Hoffenheim before making the next step up.
Liverpool and Chelsea are both said to have failed with moves for the German in the summer, and may have to wait another couple of years before making a move, but there is no doubt that Süle is one of the most promising youngsters in world football and they will both be keen to secure his signing as soon as possible.
Elsewhere, former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has given his reasons for leaving the club after his move to Stoke City over the summer.
Although Allen turned in a number of excellent performances amongst Liverpool’s youngsters at the back end of last season, and then earned a well deserved place in the European Championships Team of the Tournament, the Welshman left the club, citing a desire to play first team football.
The Reds were happy enough to sell Allen to Stoke City for £13 million, with just one year left on his contract, and Allen has said that this move has reignited his career.
The opportunity to play with Bojan, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic was appealing to the creative Allen, who looks to have found a happy home at Stoke, and he also continued his good international form by scoring his first Wales goal in a 4-0 win over Moldova last week.
There will be very few Liverpool fans who doubt Allen’s efforts and talent, and most will hope he has a good career in the Potteries.
Finally, Philippe Coutinho continued to have a match winning impact for Brazil as they defeated Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup qualification campaign.
After coming off the bench with the score at 0-0 in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Ecuador, Coutinho rose from the dugout with the score tied at 1-1 with Colombia, and set up Neymar to score the winner.
Liverpool fans will hope that Coutinho, who has been rushed back to Melwood by the club, can continue this form for the upcoming season.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Carlos Navarrete