Liverpool: Surprise deal for Brazilian striker; Zielinski update; veteran heading out

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Despite it being just six and a half weeks since Liverpool lost the Europa League final to Sevilla, they have already started preparations for their latest campaign, beating Tranmere Rovers 1-0 in a friendly on Friday night. All four of Liverpool’s new signings featured, as Jurgen Klopp celebrated his new contract by fielding 22 different players against the Conference side.

Klopp saw the opportunity to assess some of his fringe players, but the German manager is apparently still interested in adding to his first team options by signing striker Anderson Talisca from Benfica. The 22-year-old Brazilian has scored 20 times in 76 games for the Portuguese giants, and according to O Jogo, an agreement and work permit applications are in place for Talisca to complete a move to Anfield soon.

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The move for Talisca has come somewhat out of the blue for Liverpool, who initially did not look interested in adding to their striking options. With Daniel Sturridge refreshingly fit and firing, Divock Origi developing nicely and Danny Ings finally over his knee injury, Liverpool already have a good amount of striking options, even before considering that Christian Benteke and Mario Balotelli are still in the squad.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are also striking options, of course, but if Benteke and Balotelli are to leave as expected, and Daniel Sturridge undergoes his traditional injury problems this season, another striker to support Origi and Ings might be a wise move.

He may not be a name that massively excites fans yet, but adding another striker; and one with experience of playing for a Champions League team, will increase competition for places and could add goals to the side. One to watch for sure.

Just as the Reds’ interest in one target is increasing, their hopes of signing Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski seem to have all but disappeared. Zielinski; who played on loan at Empoli from Udinese last season, has been told by his club that Liverpool are no longer chasing his services, and he should join Napoli instead.

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Whilst this is a blow for the Reds, who have been keen on Zielinski all summer, it is hardly a disaster for Liverpool. The central midfielder would not have been a shoe-in for the first team, with Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and new signing Marko Grujic already fighting over Klopp’s two central midfield positions, the 22-year-old may have struggled to get into the team.

Even if he were to establish himself in the team, it is hard to imagine Zielinski significantly improving the midfield, as he has yet to shine outside of a bottom half Serie A team. Whilst Klopp will be disappointed, other midfielders will be available.

Finally, Martin Skrtel’s move to Fenerbache looks to be nearing completion after Sky Sports reported that the deal was “very close.” The Slovakian, a veteran of 320 appearances over eight years at Liverpool, found game time wanting last season, and his time at Anfield looks to be coming to an end.

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Most Liverpool fans will not be too disappointed to lose Skrtel. Whilst he has been a loyal servant to the club, his poor positional play has cost his side a lot over the years, and with Joel Matip coming in and Mamadou Sakho avoiding punishment for alleged doping, game time will become very limited in the coming campaign. It is time for Skrtel to leave, and Turkey will be the best place for his career to wind down.

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