Is Liverpool set to lose key players? Saudi eyes Anfield

Liverpool's midfield has undergone significant changes this offseason. The club decided to buy Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig to bolster their options. However, they have also seen the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Fabio Carvalho.
In addition to Fabinho, there are rumors surrounding the potential departure of captain Jordan Henderson. It has been reported that Henderson is leaning towards a move to Saudi Arabia to join former teammate Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq. The club's stance on allowing the departure of Henderson remains unclear.
The possible exits of Fabinho and Henderson would leave Liverpool looking light in midfield. While the club has made midfield reinforcements with their new buys of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, there is still a need for a specialist defensive midfielder. Southampton's Romeo Lavia has been of interest to Liverpool, but the club believes the teenager is overpriced at £50 million.
Liverpool has young talents in Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, who could fill the void left by departing players. However, the signings of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai may impact their progress and playing time.
Addressing the Potential Loss of Experience
Despite the new signings, Liverpool must address the potential midfield experience loss. Jurgen Klopp may need to consider additional reinforcements to ensure a balanced and robust midfield unit.
Liverpool faces the potential departure of key midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, which could leave them needing more depth in the midfield. The club has made some midfield reinforcements but may still need to address the potential loss of experience and a specialist defensive midfielder.
Liverpool's upcoming decisions and actions will be crucial in maintaining a strong, competitive midfield unit for the forthcoming season.
Liverpool is reportedly interested to buy Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, despite competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The emergence of Thuram in Ligue 1 has caught Liverpool's attention, and although recent reports suggested a cooling of interest, Spanish outlet Nacional claims that Thuram will join Liverpool this summer.
Nice is said to demand a fee of at least €50 million (£42.8 million) for Thuram, which is deemed acceptable by Liverpool and Bayern Munich but considered unacceptable by Barcelona. Liverpool is reportedly leading the race for Thuram's signature and sees him as a top target for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool is also heavily linked with Southampton's Romeo Lavia, a promising young talent attracting interest from rivals Arsenal as well. Lavia, who plays a deeper role, could be an intriguing signing for Liverpool, providing additional options in midfield.
Goal's Liverpool correspondent, Neil Jones, suggests that Liverpool is unlikely to spend more than £40 million on their next buy. While Thuram and Lavia are both appealing options, Liverpool's approach to the transfer market will depend on the price set by their respective clubs.
Liverpool is actively pursuing midfield reinforcements amid potential departures of key players. Khephren Thuram of Nice has been identified as a primary target, with Liverpool reportedly leading the race for his signature. However, negotiations may be influenced by the valuation set by Nice. Romeo Lavia of Southampton is also a player of interest, providing Liverpool with additional depth and versatility in midfield. Liverpool's approach to the transfer market will prioritize value and staying within their budget to bolster their midfield for the upcoming season.
Liverpool's pre-season preparations have progressed smoothly as the team gradually returns to training at the AXA Training Centre. The players have returned in batches, with the first group returning on Saturday, followed by those who represented their countries over the summer, including new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
On Thursday, the entire squad trained together for the first time, marking an important milestone in their preparations for the upcoming season.
Manager Jürgen Klopp expressed his satisfaction with the team's progress so far. Despite a few players still nursing injuries, the training sessions have been of high quality, and there is a positive mood and energy among the players. The break over the summer provided a much-needed rest, and now the team is back and fully committed to their work on the training ground.
The return of the rest of the squad on Tuesday created a palpable buzz around the training facility. Klopp emphasized the significance of showing a strong reaction from the first training day, highlighting the players' motivation to make a powerful start to the season.
The collective enthusiasm and determination are evident as Liverpool gears up for the challenges ahead.
Klopp also expressed his delight with the acquisitions of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. He praised their abilities as outstanding players and welcomed their presence in the squad. With his characteristic humor, Klopp even contemplated a nickname for their new buy, Mac Allister, playfully suggesting "Gary" as a tribute to former Liverpool player Gary McAllister, given Mac Allister's impressive football skills.
Looking ahead, Liverpool's pre-season will feature a series of five friendly matches, commencing with a game against Karlsruher SC in Germany. These friendlies will provide valuable opportunities for the team to fine-tune their gameplay and build cohesion before the start of the season.
Fans will be able to witness the team's progress firsthand, as all the pre-season matches will be available for live viewing on LFCTV GO, enabling supporters to experience the excitement and anticipation leading up to the new campaign.
Liverpool will embark on a two-game trip to Singapore following the training camp. They will face Leicester City on Sunday, July 30, and Bayern Munich on Wednesday, August 2. Both matches will take place at Singapore's National Stadium.
The team's pre-season preparations will conclude with a friendly against newly-promoted Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98 on Monday, August 7, at Preston North-End's Deepdale Stadium.
Liverpool has also announced that there will be a pre-sale buy offer for the matches against Leicester and Bayern Munich. This offer will be available to LFC Official Members, season ticket holders, Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs, and International Academies.
The relevant parties will receive direct communication from the club regarding ticket availability.
To buy pre-season friendlies tickets, fans can also switch to trusted resellers and confirm their purchase.