A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Michael Owen sends the Reds a ‘tricky’ warning and Anfield chiefs show their interest in the transfer of a young defender.
Tim de Cler thinks David Hancko is ‘certainly’ ready for a transfer to Liverpool
Tim de Cler believes Feyenoord defender David Hancko is ‘certainly’ ready to join a team like Liverpool, amid the Reds showing interest in his transfer. The 26-year-old is currently playing for Slovakia at Euro 2024. But De Cler expects his work in Germany could soon attract offers.
Reports by Mundo Deportivo already recently linked the centre-back with a move to Atletico Madrid. But Diego Simeone’s squad are reluctant to pay the €35m (£29.5m) Feyenoord seek to sell Hancko. It might leave the door open for a rival to target the 40-cap Slovakia enforcer.
His agent, Branislav Jasurek, admitted in January that Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain had reached out to discuss Hancko’s transfer. He remained at Feyenoord in the winter to help in the Champions League. But De Cler feels Hancko is ready for a move to a club like Liverpool.
“He’s so stable and can do anything,” De Cler told ESPN, via quotes by Soccer News. “I just think he’s a really top defender all-round.
“If he makes it to the next round, and that chance is quite high, his market value will also increase. More and more clubs are getting interested. And they were already there.
“I think he can easily handle a club just below the top six in Europe. I’m talking about a club like Atletico Madrid or Liverpool. He can certainly handle that.”
Read more about what De Cler said about Liverpool transfer target Hancko, here.
Liverpool register their interest in Yasin Ozcan’s transfer from Kasimpasa
Liverpool have approached Kasimpasa to register their interest in a transfer for Yasin Ozcan. That is according to Aslinda, which reports the Reds have followed the 18-year-old for some time and now hope to take him to Anfield to bolster their defence with a versatile prospect.
Ozcan mainly features as a centre-half but can also play at left-back or even in an advanced position. He is a product of Kasimpasa’s academy and has many European sides showing an interest in a deal. Besiktas also hope to keep Ozcan in the Super Lig after playing 37 games.
The Turkey U21 international further offered two goals and an assist in the Turkish top-flight last season. Ozcan also only missed one match all term during the penultimate round of the 2023/24 season through suspension, after receiving his fourth yellow card of the campaign.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Ozcan’s transfer from Kasimpasa, here.
Michael Owen thinks Liverpool face a ‘tricky’ start to the 2024/25 Premier League season
Reds hero Michael Owen thinks Liverpool face a ‘tricky’ start to the 2024/25 Premier League season after drawing Ipswich Town on the opening weekend. The Reds even visit the newly promoted Tractor Boys in a 12:30 kick-off to start their first term with Arne Slot at the helm.
Owen admits that visiting a newly promoted team to start a season would be the ‘last’ thing he would want as a manager. Liverpool also only have a steady record on the opening day in the Premier League era with 18 wins in 32 games, including drawing their past two openers.
Jurgen Klopp kicked off what proved to be his last two seasons in charge of Liverpool with a 2-2 draw at Fulham and a 1-1 draw at Chelsea. Fulham were also a newly promoted team at the time after winning the Championship. Ipswich were promoted as last term’s runners-up.
“Obviously, the teams come up with a lot of confidence from having a great season last season,” Owen told Sky Sports. “They also come up with all the enthusiasm in the world, then if they get a home tie as well it can be tricky.
“Listen, the gulf in class will be huge, so Liverpool should win. But if I was a manager, I’d probably be thinking the last team I want to play on the opening day of the season would be away at a promoted team.”
Read more about what Owen said about Liverpool’s 24/25 Premier League opener, here.