Liverpool FC news and transfers LIVE - Benfica defender wants Anfield move, Nabil Fekir slams Reds, and the latest on Naby Keita injury

Sturridge wins Premier League's best celebration

Daniel Sturridge’s ‘ride the wave’ celebration has been voted the best in Premier League history.

And the former Liverpool striker is rather happy about it.

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Brilliant gesture from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a top bloke and he proved it yet again after Liverpool’s clash with Burnley after spotting a young fan sobbing.

The England international spotted Josh McLean, a 10-year-old Burnley season ticket holder, upset after being ‘pushed out’ while waiting for autographs and photos from the players after the game.

His Dad, Nathan put the crying youngster on his shoulders so he could at least see the players, when he was spotted by Oxlade-Chamberlain.

And Nathan was in awe at what the midfielder did next.

Alex asked why Josh was crying, but he was too upset to speak.

So he took the ball and we passed him a pen and he disappeared on the coach.

Ten minutes later he reappeared with the ball and it was fully signed by pretty much the whole squad.

Alex brought players over and Josh managed to get a few photos too.

Footballers get a bad press and he didn’t have to do what he did.

You’ve got to give credit where credit is due. It’s a balance in life.

It’s a great example of what a footballer should be and a credit to his club.

Even though the lad plays for Liverpool and Josh had a Burnley shirt on he still did that.

10 youngsters drafted in

With some of Liverpool’s global stars away on international, 10 of the Reds’ youngsters have been drafted in to train at Melwood.

This is Anfield report Jakub Ojrzynski, Tom Clayton, Tony Gallacher, Yasser Larouci, Adam Lewis, Pedro Chirivella, Herbie Kane, Leighton Clarkson, Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Luis Longstaff have all been training with the first team.

Joel Matip contract update

Paul Gorst’s got an update on Joel Matip’s contract for us.

The Cameroonian signed a four-year deal with an option for a fifth with Liverpool back when joining Liverpool in 2016.

With no official word from the card, there was belief that Matip’s contract was due to expire next summer.

But the defender appeared to confirm back in June that the option had already been exercised.

“In football nothing is impossible,” said Matip. “At the moment I still have two years remaining in my contract here at Liverpool.”

Read his full piece here...

Did Liverpool dodge a bullet with Nabil Fekir?

Did Liverpool dodge a bullet with Nabil Fekir?

Here’s how the whole saga unfolded...

Liverpool FIFA 20 player ratings revealed

Liverpool’s FIFA 20 Ultimate Team ratings have been confirmed.

Seven Reds made the top 100 but the rest of the squad have now had their ratings announced.

Sissoko on eye injury

For half-a-season under Rafa Benitez in the mid-noughties, Momo Sissoko was a different class.

It genuinely looked like Liverpool had the next Patrick Vieira on their hands.

Before one night in Lisbon against Benfica almost ended the midfielder’s career.

The Malian has opened up on his infamous eye with the club website, revealing it still affects him to this day.

Am I fully recovered? No, because I still have some damage from this injury. It was a big, big injury.

But thank God, after this kick the doctor in Portugal said to me, ‘Football is finished for you’. But I fought and I was back in football.

From that injury until now, I have been playing, so thank God everything is OK.

He’s also revealed the famous ‘Best midfield in the world’ chant honouring him, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano can still be regularly heard in the Sissoko household.

Yes, [I sing it]! I’m very proud, it’s something special for me.

My children talk in English, so sometimes they are singing to me to remember my time in Liverpool.

It was amazing to play with these kind of players. I never thought one day I was going to play with Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso or Mascherano. I enjoyed it a lot.

For me, it was the best time. It was my best football, I played very good. From there, my name became big. After I went to Juventus, but in Liverpool was my best football, to be honest.

Van Dijk classy gesture

Love this from Virgil van Dijk.

From the little boy being so eager for a hug to the little girl’s shyness, it melts the heart.

Such a gent.

Ramos on Salah incident

We’re bringing out all the old favourites today.

First Nabil Fekir, now Sergio Ramos.

The Spaniard has alluded to his infamous Champions League final clash with Mohamed Salah in 2018, while speaking at the premiere of his new Amazon Prime docuseries, El Corazon de Sergio Ramos, and defended his aggressive style of play despite fans’ perception of him.

I respect everybody’s opinion and it is true that sometimes people misjudge me.

When I play against a tough rival is the most thrilling thing that can happen to me and something that I look forward to.

When you have to go against a nice forward player or striker you have this nice duel and of course inside the right context where you don’t want to harm anyone, and with the right intention and the right heart.

It is a game, you go to win and try to defend yourself but always inside you have respect.

Mane's celebration

Sadio Mane’s also spoken out about his rather familiar-looking goal celebration.

The forward has adopted an old Roberto Firmino celebration so far this season and has told Complex he has no intention of giving it up despite the Brazilian’s complaints.

Each player in this squad, if you want to keep this celebration as your own it’s quite difficult because we score quite a lot!

Bobby did that celebration two or three years ago, and I think he has had quite a few celebrations since.

My celebration now is what I’m going to carry on doing throughout the year.

I know that Bobby will be copying me again soon, you’ll see!

Mane's message for Liverpool fans

Sadio Mane signed a new contract with Liverpool last November and it looks like he’s got no intention of leaving the club anytime soon.

Speaking to Complex, he’s revealed just how happy he is at Anfield.

To be honest, I’m really happy to be a part of the club, the family here.

We have the best fans in the world here, so I’m always so thankful for the support.

It’s not just great for me too – it gives the whole squad more motivation to perform. It keeps us hungry to get better and better together… I really struggle to describe how happy I am to be here!

Salah nearly didn't have international break off

With Egypt not in action, Mohamed Salah enjoyed a football-free international break.

But that was very nearly not the case.

They were reportedly set to face Ukraine in a friendly but the Ukrainian Association of Football failed to tie up the loose ends of the deal.

Journalist Igor Burbas has tweeted if the match had gone ahead, Egypt were obligated to play Salah.

Best get Google translate out for this...

Egypt was supposed to be in place of Nigeria in the Dnipro. The UAF had an agreement with the Federation there. The contract provided for Salah’s arrival.

There were not enough paper signatures. The Egyptians postponed it because of their participation in the AFCON. And then an early departure from the tournament, the resignation of the coach, president . End of story.

Ukraine are facing Nigeria tonight instead.

Keita injury latest

Naby Keita could return to the Liverpool squad for Saturday’s clash with Newcastle according to Football Transfer Tavern.

They’re crediting Premier Injuries when speculating that a return is imminent.

I’ve just asked our Liverpool correspondent Paul Gorst and he’s said he’d be surprised if Keita did return just yet so take it with a pinch of salt.

No doubt Jurgen Klopp will be asked about the midfielder at his pre-match press conference later this week so we’ll have to wait and see.

Fekir's ex-agent slams Frenchman

L’Equipe have struck gold with their Nabil Fekir content today.

Not only has the Frenchman hit out at Liverpool, his former agent’s hit out at him over his failed move to Anfield.

Jean-Pierre Bernes has been quoted, cited by Sport Witness, explaining why the move fell through. and criticising Fekir’s conduct.

He has to stop this show and stop taking people for fools. Everyone knows what happened.

The transfer to Liverpool has turned around for two reasons. The first is his knee, even though the English club’s leaders were willing to make an effort on this.

The second is the appearance of a foreign pseudo-representative who asked for the negotiations to be resumed from the beginning at the moment of signing.

Between this episode and the medical visit, Liverpool’s leaders decided to abandon the case.

Klopp's international break

A month into the season and we’ve already hit our first enforced break. Damn you, international football.

While most the Liverpool squad inevitably got called up by their national sides, the likes of the retired James Milner have had a nice couple of weeks ‘off’.

But how has Jurgen Klopp spent the break?

Well he returned to Germany for the Frankfurt Motor Show.

And as an ambassador for Opel, Klopp was on hand to helped unveil the company’s new Corsa-e electric car.

Brewster assist

Here’s Rhian Brewster’s ‘assist’ for England Under-21s last night.

Can’t really count it if we’re honest but creates the goal all the same.

Grujic wins Goal of the Month

Marko Grujic has won Hertha Berlin’s Goal of the Month award.

Granted, they only scored twice but it’s a well-taken effort all the same.

Gomez > Keane

Joe Gomez looks like he’ll be on the bench again for England tonight.

But former Three Lions striker Darren Bent has told Football Insider he thinks Gareth Southgate is making a mistake not starting the Liverpool centre-back.

Yeah, there’s a few – obviously he got the nod, him and Maguire. You’ve got John Stones, Tyrone Mings was on the bench, Tarkowski wasn’t in the squad.

At the moment England seem to be really strong in certain areas. There’s another one I forgot about, Gomez at Liverpool, who should be starting. I think he’s their best defender; strong, powerful.

International round-up

We’ve done the Dutch but how did the rest of the Reds in action get on last night?

Andy Robertson captained Scotland as they lost 4-0 to Belgium, with Divock Origi an unused substitute.

Dejan Lovren completed the full 90 minutes for Croatia as they drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan while Rhian Brewster came off the bench for England Under-21s as they beat Kosovo, setting up Phil Foden in a 2-0 win.

And Ki-Jana Hoever played 45 minutes for Netherlands U18s as they lost 2-1 to Mexico U18s while Curtis Jones and Rhys Williams featured for England U19s in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Germany.

He was robbed

Agree with Tony’s shout, Reds?

Was a decent goal tbf...

Dutch delight

It’s been some international break for the Dutch.

They beat Estonia 4-0 last night with Gini Wijnaldum yet again getting on the scoresheet, while former Reds star Ryan Babel netted a brace.

Virgil van Dijk caught up with old friends as he swapped shirts with former team-mate Ragnar Klavan.

Now attentions turn back to Liverpool and Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle.

Salah wins Liverpool's Goal of the Month

Fair play, Mo. I’d have given it Mane for his curler against Southampton but each to their own.

Decent strike still, mind.

Andre Almeida wants Anfield move

Benfica defender Andre Almeida has revealed he’d like a move to Liverpool.

The right-back has made over appearances for the Portuguese giants over the past eight years but is hinting he’d like a move to Anfield.

Or Manchester United. Or Real Madrid or Barcelona, but a move to the Premier League is his preference.

Almeida told Mega Hits...

I always had the dream of going to the Premier League. I really like Liverpool and Manchester United for their history.

I also like Real Madrid and Barcelona , but I prefer the Premier League. I would not have the ability to play all the starting games.

How nice for him. He’s 29, wouldn’t get it in ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold and has four years left on his Benfica deal but don’t let that kill his dream.

I wouldn’t mind a move to Liverpool myself, though I suppose I’d settle for a Real Madrid or Barcelona. However, at 27-years-young, I reckon my chances are admittedly fairly slim.

Poll: Will Liverpool regret signing Nabil Fekir?

We’ve asked it before and it seems a good time to ask it again!

Do you think Liverpool will regret not signing Nabil Fekir for a cut-price fee this summer?

Goal of the Day

Here’s what you could have won!

Music is not my forte so I’m bringing in Goal of the Day and today’s effort is a beauty!

Marvel at this stupendous effort from the halfway line from Nabil Fekir against Bordeaux back in his Lyon days.

Wonder where I got this idea from... Hellueva hit to be fair to the boy.

Got a suggestion for Goal of the Day? Tweet me at @TheoSquiresEcho for your shout to make our LIVE blog.

Fekir slams Liverpool

Right, I’m not going to keep you waiting on this one.

Nabil Fekir has hit out at Liverpool. And it is explosive!

He’s broken his silence on the failed transfer accused the Reds of lying over why his move to Anfield fell through in an interview with L’Equipe.

Lots of lies were told and they affected me. Especially those told about my family. It hurt them and me. Especially when you know that’s what being told is false.

What was said is not the truth. My knee is good - I had a quick medical check at Clairefontaine (France’s national training base) - my knee wasn’t even mentioned. If my knee had been in such a bad state, would Aulas (Lyon chairman Jean-Michel) have made [a huge offer to keep me]?

But the worst thing is the idea that people could suggest that it’s because of my family that the transfer didn’t happen. It’s a lie. But you have to live with it.

You want the truth? Even I don’t know - I promise you! I did my medical and then [Liverpool] decided not to sign me. At some point they wanted to have me believe it was because of my knee - but an excuse needed to be found.

The medical tests that I did at Clairefontaine were very clear - my knee is perfectly fine and I feel fine. There are no issues at all with my knee.

Oh Nabil. Nabil, Nabil, Nabil. Your knee might be fine but there’s a reason why you’re now playing for Real Betis and not a European superpower.

ICYMI

Whether you’re already on your morning commute or just tucking into your bowl of Cornflakes, here are some of our overnight Reds stories for you to sink your teeth into...

Good morning!

Good morning Reds fans!

Ah Tuesday, the international break is drawing to a close and the return of Premier League football is nearly in sight.

Keep it with me, Theo Squires, for all your Liverpool news throughout the day including some explosive quotes from Nabil Fekir.

Let’s get started...