A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Diogo Jota issues his honest verdict about Reds target Joao Neves and Anfield chiefs set a transfer stance on Caoimhin Kelleher.
Phil Jagielka questions England playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield
Phil Jagielka admits he questions England manager Gareth Southgate using Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield at Euro 2024. The Three Lions coach has hinted that he will utilise the 25-year-old in their engine room after giving the Reds star their No8 jersey.
Alexander-Arnold has only sparingly featured as an out-and-out central midfielder so far for his club or country. Southgate further only experimented with the Liverpool product’s place in his plans when England have taken on Andorra in 2021 plus Malta and North Macedonia.
Southgate has sought to see what Alexander-Arnold can offer England from midfield to fully utilise his passing range. The Reds product has often struggled defensively when faced with a dynamic winger. But Jagielka would prefer to stick with recognised midfielders over a risk.
Jagielka said on BBC 5 Live’s The Monday Night Club: “I’d like to have seen Gareth try Jude Bellingham as a regular eight, if you like, in midfield, just to see how everyone else would have adapted around him.
“Because we’re playing Trent in there at the moment, or potentially, for his range of passing. But he’s not technically a midfielder, he’s not technically set to play that position.”
Read more about what Jagielka has said about Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, here.
Liverpool set their stance on a transfer for Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool have set their stance on granting any transfer out of Anfield for Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer. That is according to The Athletic, which reports that the Reds will only agree to sell their goalkeeper for offers worth at least £25m as they are not actively looking to sell.
Kelleher is firmly the No2 between the sticks at Anfield to Alisson Becker. But he enjoyed an extended run in their starting line-up this season due to the Brazilian’s injuries. The 25-year-old played 26 games during 2023/24, having only played 21 times for their first-team before.
Yet him featuring so regularly has tempted Kelleher to look for a move away from Liverpool, Graeme Bailey tells Rousing The Kop. Celtic are also showing an interest in his services after Joe Hart retired. The Hoops are desperate for a deal with Kelleher’s camp expecting a move.
Read more about Liverpool’s stance on a transfer away for Kelleher, here.
Diogo Jota thinks Liverpool target Joao Neves is a player everyone should watch out for
Liverpool star Diogo Jota thinks SL Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves is a player that everyone should watch out for. His praise also comes amid the Reds showing an interest in signing the 19-year-old in the summer. Neves is also heading to Euro 2024 in his first major tournament.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has included Neves in the Selecao’s squad after breaking into his side this term. The teenager earned his senior debut last November and has already started once across six caps. Neves has also already played 75 times in Benfica’s first-team.
Neves recorded 55 of his senior appearances during the 2023/24 season as their defensive anchor, too. Now, O Jogo reports that Liverpool are considering targeting Neves’ transfer in the summer sales. Anfield chiefs are very attentive to the in-demand wonderkid’s situation.
Benfica are also aware of Liverpool’s interest in Neves, as well as the interest of numerous further European giants. And Jota has no doubt that Neves is destined for the top after the Reds forward waxed lyrical about what his teammate offers already and what could come.
Jota told Goal when asked for a young player who fans should look out for: “Joao Neves. He has the quality and the mindset to go really far.”
Read more about what Jota has said about Liverpool target Neves, here.