A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Jose Mourinho shares his Reds admission and Anfield chiefs learn an ‘unbelievable’ talent could become the best in the world.
Leeds United gem Archie Gray respects Liverpool’s interest in his transfer
Liverpool have made contact with the camp of Leeds United midfielder Arche Gray to signal their interest in his transfer. That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports that the Reds have moved to lay the groundwork to possibly lure the 18-year-old to Anfield in a future window.
It is unlikely Gray leaves Elland Road this summer as his family still thinks Leeds are the best club for his development. But the Gray family also respects those at Liverpool who have put the feelers out for a deal. The Whites product, in particular, also likes their show of interest.
Gray is a product of the academy at Leeds and enjoyed his senior breakthrough this season under Daniel Farke. The central midfielder registered all 52 of his first-team appearances in 2023/24. Farke gifted Gray his senior debut on the opening day of the Championship term.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Gray’s transfer from Leeds, here.
Liverpool have an ‘absolutely unbelievable’ talent in Conor Bradley
Huddersfield Town gem Brodie Spencer believes Liverpool have an ‘absolutely unbelievable’ talent in his Northern Ireland teammate, Conor Bradley. He even believes the right-back has the qualities to become ‘one of the best’ players in the world as he makes things look ‘easy’.
Spencer enjoyed his latest appearance beside Bradley in the Northern Ireland backline last Tuesday. They combined to help take a 2-0 win over Andorra in a friendly in the pair’s third outing together. Coach Michael O’Neill first united the defenders for their fixtures in March.
Bradley already has 17 caps for his country at 20 years old following his debut back in May 2022. The ex-Dungannon Swifts prospect has also played 28 senior matches with Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp trusted Bradley to feature 23 times in 2023/24 to earn Spencer’s praise.
“Bradley is going to go on to be one of the best players in the world,” Spencer explained to the Belfast Telegraph. “The season he has had, he’s been absolutely unbelievable and to be able to play alongside him is so good.
“It’s such a relief for me playing at centre-back and just having him beside me. He’s always there and supporting, and he is able to get out of difficult situations, score goals and make things happen in attack. It’s great to be playing with him.
“For me against Andorra, it was a bit more natural playing on the right-hand side especially with Conor. He is such a top player and makes the job look very easy.”
Read more about what Spencer has said about Liverpool prospect Bradley, here.
Jose Mourinho admits a Champions League defeat at Liverpool lives rent-free in his head
New Fenerbache boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that losing at Liverpool in the semi-finals of the 2004/05 Champions League with Chelsea still lives rent-free in his head. He still takes issue with the defeat at Anfield after conceding what the special one claims ‘was not a goal’.
Liverpool met Chelsea in the Champions League for the first time in April 2005 as Mourinho led the Blues to their first-ever Premier League title. The Reds also held the west Londoners to a goalless draw on their trip to Stamford Bridge before Luis Garcia scored the crucial goal.
Garcia hit the back of the net with what proved to be the only goal of the semi-final just five minutes into the second leg. It would prove to be one of Liverpool’s best European nights at Anfield, too, as Chelsea’s players argued in vain that the ball never actually crossed the line.
Referee Lubos Michel ignored Chelsea’s protests to give Garcia’s goal which won Liverpool the tie against Mourinho’s Chelsea. Yet, even 19 years on from that famous night under the lights on Merseyside, the Portuguese tactician is quick to recall his frustrations from the tie.
“Champions League semi-final, lost with a goal that was not a goal,” Mourinho quickly told TNT Sports in regard to the one football moment that the manager still thinks about today.
Read more about what Mourinho has said about his upsetting defeat to Liverpool, here.