Friday’s biggest Liverpool gossip and transfer rumours.
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 24, will not play in Friday’s friendly against Sporting Braga in Portugal with his £32.5m move to Liverpool set to be completed, the Daily Mirror reports.
The money received from the Raheem Sterling deal has now funded the move for the Belgian international, though they may still have to fend off interest from Manchester United for his signature.
Should Benteke join Liverpool, it would free up striker Rickie Lambert, 33, to leave Anfield for West Brom, the Daily Mirror also reports.
Lambert was the subject of an offer from Aston Villa during the January window, but instead chose to stay at Anfield to fight for his place instead.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists new signing Roberto Firmino, 23, is not a direct replacement for forward Raheem Sterling, 20, who has joined Manchester City, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool are ready to challenge Chelsea and Arsenal in the race to sign Barcelona star Pedro, according to reports in the Daily Express.
Chelsea and Arsenal have been keeping tabs on the winger this summer but with Liverpool benefitting from Raheem Sterling’s £49million move to Manchester City this week – the Reds are in a great position financially.
Nathaniel Clyne believes Liverpool have all the quality needed to ‘push on’ and have a ‘special season’, the Daily Star reports.
