Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Tuesday, December 13.
Liverpool could sign former Man United star for bargain fee in January after Luis Diaz injury
While it has not yet been confirmed just how long Liverpool will have to do without the services of Luis Diaz, it’s clear the Colombian is set for another prolonged spell on the sidelines, writes Theo Squires.
The 25-year-old was pictured in hospital after undergoing knee surgery over the weekend, with his family by his bedside, having complained of discomfort in the joint and returned to Merseyside from the Reds’ mid-season training camp in Dubai. He had only taken part in team training for two days before being sent for further tests, as Liverpool reported back for action during the World Cup break, having been sidelined since limping off against Arsenal since the start of October.
Early reports from Colombia suggested Diaz would be ruled out of action until March. While the club have not yet confirmed a timescale, undergoing surgery will result in another lengthy lay-off.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez provides major Liverpool boost after Luis Diaz surgery update
With Diogo Jota still ruled out with a calf injury and not expected back until February, it leaves the Reds rather short in attack as they prepare to return to competitive action. Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are their only available, natural senior forwards, and while they can be complemented by the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, it is far from ideal.
After all, Jurgen Klopp could call upon seven senior international forwards during the second half of last season as Liverpool fell narrowly short of winning an unprecedented quadruple. And while an attacking revamp took place in 2022 with Diaz, Nunez, and Carvalho all joining the club, the summer departures of Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino have now left the Reds short.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
FSG have already made telling move behind scenes that hints at Liverpool plan
In the not too distant past Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group had been looking at ways they could expand their football interests.
Having acquired Liverpool in 2010 for £300m and spent the next decade trying to grow the club into a global powerhouse once again, FSG are now assessing what the future holds for their Reds tenure, opening themselves up to expression of interest from those with very deep pockets who wish to take a controlling stake in the club.
The ECHO has been told that the FSG stance remains one where investment through a 'strategic partner' would be preferred, but with offers of $4bn (£3.3bn) and above for the full shareholding likely to be at least listened to the potential for a sale remains in play.
FSG had tried to bring about structural change to football in recent times, with both their involvement in the hugely unpopular European Super League plot and the Project Big Picture Premier League plan both falling flat. For FSG principal John W. Henry it was the latter that was the hardest pill to swallow, a vision where the biggest clubs sought to put more money into the EFL but where the concessions would see a Premier League of reduced size and competitions such as the Carabao Cup kicked into the long grass.
The failure to implement such radical reform has led to something of a step change, and while the enormous value of Liverpool to FSG's empire remains of importance, the desire to further entrench themselves in football is something that is understood to have dwindled somewhat, at least in Europe.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
READ NEXT:
- FSG may have sacked 'wrong person' at Liverpool as £120m transfer plan seen in new light
- Luis Diaz surgery update as Liverpool star's girlfriend sends emotional message from hospital
- Liverpool have already shown Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez double deal is not impossible
- Liverpool's controversial £20m star declared himself one of 'best in the world' and may soon be proved right
- Liverpool 'strike Enzo Fernandez agreement' as Benfica transfer claim emerges
