A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Arne Slot backs a transfer for a player the Reds have scouted for 15 months amid claims on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract.
Alisson Becker expects Claudio Taffarel to stay at Liverpool
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker expects Arne Slot will retain the services of goalkeeping coach, Claudio Taffarel. The Reds will overhaul their backroom team when the Dutch coach arrives in June. John Achterberg and Jack Robinson have both already confirmed their exits.
Achterberg and Robinson elected against staying on Merseyside without Jurgen Klopp at the helm. Alisson would have preferred it had they both stayed on after establishing close bonds with the pair. But the coaches bid goodbye to Anfield following Sunday’s win against Wolves.
Alisson wanted Achterberg and Robinson to stay as he believes they did an ‘amazing job’ for Liverpool. But the Brazilian has revealed to Liverpool legend Steve McManaman that he now expects Taffarel will help Slot shape their new backroom staff when pushed about his future.
“I think all of these guys did an amazing job,” Alisson told Stadium Astro. “Of course, we wanted to have them more here around [for longer]. In my case, as a goalkeeper working directly with Jonny and Jack…”
Alisson added following McManaman’s interjection: “Looks like [it], looks like [it]. But the experience that we had the last years, I wish I could stay with them more. But it’s not in my hands. I love those guys, not only as goalie coaches but as people, as well.”
Read more about what Alisson has had to say about Taffarel’s future, here.
Arne Slot endorses Liverpool’s interest in Johan Bakayoko’s transfer
New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has given his blessing for the Anfield outfit to target the transfer of Johan Bakayoko. That is according to Sacha Tavolieri, who claims Slot agrees with the Reds’ chief scout Barry Hunter that the PSV Eindhoven ace would be a suitable signing.
Liverpool have followed Bakayoko since March 2023 and are prepared to challenge Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig for his signature. PSV are likely to sell the 21-year-old for less than €50m (£42.5m), as well. While Bakayoko is also desperate to join a Champions League side.
Interest at Anfield particularly stems from Liverpool’s desire to have a replacement ready for in case Mohamed Salah leaves. Bakayoko is now emerging as a main candidate, as well, with Slot backing a move. The Belgian offered 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 outings in 2023/24.
Read more about Liverpool and Slot’s interest in Bakayoko’s transfer, here.
Conor Coady thinks Jurgen Klopp leaving has delayed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract
Leicester City defender Conor Coady feels Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool has likely delayed Trent Alexander-Arnold signing a new contract. The Reds have let the 25-year-old’s deal run down to its final 13 months. He would be clear to leave Anfield as a free agent in July 2025.
Reports by HITC note that Liverpool see giving Alexander-Arnold a new contract as their top priority for this summer. Anfield chiefs have also told the academy graduate they see him as their long-term captain and will make Alexander-Arnold the highest-paid player at the Reds.
Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold have spoken regularly during the term about his future and have always intended to thrash out a new contract in the summer. But Coady thinks Klopp’s decision to step down has also tempted Alexander-Arnold to consider what is now to come.
“I think him knowing that Jurgen Klopp was leaving and how close he was to Jurgen Klopp,” Coady told BBC Sport’s Monday Night Club when asked about Alexander-Arnold’s contract.
“I definitely think he would be looking into the season and going, ‘Okay, how have we started? How are we playing? How much have things changed? Are we going to be playing catch-up to teams quite early?’. And that might be a reason on the contract situation.”
Read more about what Coady has said about Alexander-Arnold’s contract, here.