On Thursday’s Liverpool FC news roundup, there were updates on midfield targets Alexis Mac Allister and Manuel Ugarte, along with talks of a sporting director. Reports abroad suggested that Liverpool are pushing forward with deals for the two high-profile midfield targets ahead of the summer’s rebuild. A move for Mac Allister is reportedly “advancing more and more” and Liverpool have offered a five-year contract. Meanwhile, Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims that the Reds are “positioned to welcome” Ugarte to England after talks between the Uruguayan’s agent and Sporting CP this week. However, while his representative expects the matter to be resolved “in 15 days”, he added that Liverpool are “not the only club” interested. Additionally, Football Insider’s David Lynch has confirmed the club’s interest in 34-year-old goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.
Throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark has announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season, which is his fifth on Merseyside. Talks with sporting director Jorg Schmadtke are progressing, but Liverpool are yet to agree terms with the controversial German. The club also scouted Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo in their 2-1 win over Rennes on Saturday, who is available for €45 million this summer.
Real Madrid are not content with their likely signing of Jude Bellingham this summer, as they are set to “revive their long-term interest” in Kylian Mbappe. Additionally, an unnamed Saudi club is willing to offer Hugo Lloris a contract worth over £300,000 a week. Dom Solanke said beating Liverpool in March gave Bournemouth the “ultimate confidence” to fight relegation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke openly on his Liverpool debut, Champions League success, the rivalry with Man City and being “one of the best players in the world”. Tonight brings both Europa League semi-finals, with Juventus vs. Sevilla on BT Sport 2 and Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen on BT Sport 3 at 8pm (BST). Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are the ones to watch, as the Spaniard pushes for a major European final in his first season as a senior manager.