A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Michael Owen reveals his true feelings about Darwin Nunez and the Reds relish a boost for the transfer of Michael Olise.
Al Nassr prioritise a transfer for Alisson Becker over Wojciech Szczesny
Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr are prioritising a transfer for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker over Juventus star Wojciech Szczesny. That is according to Rudy Galetti, who claims that the Pro League club are desperate to raid Anfield but it is ‘not easy’ to tempt the Brazilian away.
Al Nassr are still finalising their budget for the summer transfer window before making any formal moves for Alisson. They ended the 23/24 campaign second in the standings to rivals Al Hilal. A whopping 14 points separated the top two after Al Nassr also conceded 42 goals.
Alisson would help Al Nassr close the gap to Al Hilal, who went unbeaten after conceding 23 goals in 34 games. But Liverpool are loath to lose their star Brazil international. Alisson kept eight clean sheets in 28 Premier League appearances during 2023/24 with 30 goals allowed.
Read more about Al Nassr’s interest in Alisson’s transfer from Liverpool, here.
Michael Owen fears Liverpool fans will have to ‘accept’ Darwin Nunez’s flaws
Reds hero Michael Owen thinks Liverpool fans will soon ‘accept’ that Darwin Nunez will not fulfil his full potential. The England icon had high hopes for what the Uruguayan would offer at Anfield when signed from SL Benfica. But Owen is starting to doubt what more will come.
Merseyside chiefs fluttered a potential club-record sum as Liverpool signed Nunez for £64m plus £21m in add-ons in June 2022. He arrived in England on the back of scoring 34 goals in 41 games in the previous season. Yet the 24-year-old only has 33 in 96 outings for the Reds.
A lack of accuracy and poor decision-making in the final third has often held Nunez back for Liverpool. He ranked sixth in the Premier League for shots taken over 2023/24 with 108 but also ranked first with 40 off-target. So, Owen feels Liverpool fans will accept Nunez as he is.
“People are really hopeful that he could turn into a top player because, obviously, they see some attributes that are phenomenal and hard to teach,” Owen told the Liverpool ECHO.
“But I think if he continues like he is now, I think people will probably just accept that that’s what he’s going to be forever.”
Read more about what Owen has said about Liverpool forward Nunez, here.
Chelsea approach Crystal Palace over Michael Olise but Liverpool have an edge
Chelsea approached Crystal Palace this week to discuss the transfer of Michael Olise but Liverpool enjoy an edge. That is according to the Mirror, which reports that the Blues opened talks as they are desperate to deny the Reds, plus Arsenal, Manchester United and Man City.
Olise could leave Selhurst Park this summer as Crystal Palace accept he wants to play in the Champions League. But the Eagles will only cash in for offers in the region of £60-70m after the 22-year-old registered 10 goals and six assists in just 19 Premier League games in 23/24.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all have an advantage in the tug-of-war for Olise as they will play in UEFA’s elite club competition next term. Chelsea will only have Conference League football in 24/25 but hope to tempt Olise to join as they adore his consistent output.
Read more about Chelsea and Liverpool’s interest in Olise’s transfer, here.