Barcelona take first step toward pulling off president’s ‘dream’ Liverpool capture
Barcelona president Joan Laporta harbours a ‘big dream’ that would see arguably Liverpool’s most prized asset poached, claims a report.
Barcelona’s fortunes have taken a drastic turn of late. Their financial issues have been well documented and were the main factor behind their inability to see a new Lionel Messi contract ratified.
Without the all-time great, Barcelona have struggled mightily in the current campaign. They are facing an uphill struggle to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League after losing their first two contests.
On the domestic front, Ronald Koeman’s side currently sit in ninth position. Mid-table medicority would’ve been unthinkable just a few short months ago.
That has ramped up the pressure on the Dutch manager, and Sport Witness provide an update that will be of interest to Liverpool fans.
Citing Spanish outlet El Nacional, they acknowledge Koeman is ‘under pressure’. However, it’s stated he retains ‘the support of the board’. They are deemed fully aware of the transition Barcelona are going through.
Nonetheless, Koeman’s contract expires at the conclusion of the season. If Barcelona opt against renewing Koeman’s deal, president Laporta would love nothing more than to bring Jurgen Klopp on board.
As much as any player, Klopp is arguably Liverpool’s greatest asset. The German’s contract at Anfield expires in 2024 and he has gone on record to suggest he will see out his tenure.
That won’t stop Barcelona from attempting to land the boss who is Laporta’s ‘dream’ capture.
The Spanish giant have begun ‘learning what Klopp thinks about his future’. But in pleasant reading for Reds fans, what they’ve discovered hasn’t given them hope.
It’s stated Klopp is ‘comfortable’ on Merseyside, though Barcelona will still try to ‘tempt him’ in 2022 nevertheless.
Unless the situation takes a dramatic turn, Laporta’s dream of landing Klopp will remain just that.
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Referee Anthony Taylor in hot water with Liverpool
Meanwhile, Liverpool believe that Premier League referee Anthony Taylor’s pity for Manchester United stopped him from sending off as many as five of their players, according to a report.
The Reds claimed their most famous win over one of their biggest rivals in recent memory on Sunday. The subsequent focus has turned to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future as Man Utd boss. He has faced increasing calls to get the sack and reports have emerged of a dressing room divide.
However, The Athletic has reported more details of the fallout from the result at Old Trafford. According to the source, Liverpool felt referee Taylor was soft on Man Utd. While Paul Pogba received a red card, the Reds feel Taylor should have sent as many as five United players off.
The first came for Keita – but not for Pogba’s tackle which forced the midfielder off on a stretcher. Before that, Fred committed to a head-high tackle on the Guinean star.
The Liverpool source said: “[Antoine] Griezmann got a red card for doing the same thing on Bobby [Roberto Firmino] in the previous game. Where’s the consistency?” Furthermore, the visitors wanted Taylor to give a red, not a yellow, to Cristiano Ronaldo.
After a tackle on Curtis Jones, Ronaldo kicked the ball in frustration while it was in Jones’ midriff, prompting a scuffle between the teams. The rest of the incidents in question can be found here.
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