Arne Slot relieved pressure with a FA Cup win over Wolves. (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool will learn their FA Cup quarter-final opponents on Monday evening following their triumph over Wolves on Friday night. Several heavyweights remain in contention, however, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all advancing on Saturday. The quarter-final tie itself won’t take place until early April, though, and there’s a substantial amount of football scheduled before then.
Liverpool have both legs of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Galatasaray between now and the international break, alongside league encounters with Tottenham and Brighton. Arne Slot’s squad sit sixth in the table with nine matches remaining and currently would fall short of qualifying for Europe’s premier competition next season.
Nevertheless, it’s a tightly packed section of the standings, with just three points separating the Reds from Manchester United in third place.
A positive conclusion to the campaign could help Slot’s team strengthen their squad during the summer transfer window, with Jeremy Jacquet’s signing already sealed. Another transfer speculation features amongst the top stories as we deliver the latest developments from around Anfield.
Three-way tussle for Kroupi
Liverpool are among three clubs gearing up to compete for Eli Junior Kroupi, according to reports in France. The French Under-21 forward signed for Bournemouth for £12million last year, but an impressive start has sparked suggestions it might require as much as £80m for the Cherries to relinquish him.
Kroupi found the net 22 times in Ligue 2 last campaign to assist Lorient in securing promotion to the top flight. Despite not consistently featuring in Bournemouth’s starting XI this term, he has registered eight Premier League goals, finding the back of the net once every 133 minutes.
This form has caught the attention of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, according to Telefoot, with the European powerhouses expected to compete with Liverpool for the 19-year-old’s services. Speaking to the same outlet, the forward expressed his ambition to represent clubs at football’s elite level.
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Eli Junior Kroupi is attracting interest from Champions League heavyweights. (Image: Getty Images)
« I had dreams of winning the Ballon d’Or, of playing for the biggest clubs in the world, but they aren’t really dreams anymore, rather objectives because I know that I can make them a reality, » he said. « I’m now working to get to where I want to be. »
Osimhen delivers timely warning
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen believes the Turkish outfit can shock Liverpool in the Champions League for the second occasion this season. The Nigerian international converted the decisive penalty when the sides clashed in September and also contributed to his team’s extra-time triumph over Juventus in the knock-out play-offs.
Osimhen was amongst the goals again at the weekend, netting the match-winner as Galatasaray prevailed at Besiktas despite a Leroy Sane red card.
The victory maintains their advantage over nearest rivals Fenerbahce in the league, and Osimhen believes another significant result is achievable on Tuesday provided they remain cautious.
« We’re showing unity. We need to take it game by game, » Osimhen said. « This win will give us strength. We need to keep our feet on the ground.
« Liverpool are a very big team. We’ll be playing at home. If we are careful, we can do well, even if it’s not easy. All matches in the Champions League are tough. We will fight to do well. »
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