Your Liverpool morning digest for Thursday, March 9
Karim Benzema 'misses' Real Madrid training as Liverpool watch on ahead of Champions League tie
Liverpool have potentially been handed a boost ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg match with Real Madrid as Karim Benzema has emerged as possible fitness doubt.
The Frenchman did not take part in full training with Madrid on Wednesday along with defender Antonio Rudiger and Mariano Diaz. Real take on Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.
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Injured defensive duo David Alaba and Ferland Mendy were working individually at Valdebabas as they both continue their recovery from fitness issues.
Read the full story, here.
Liverpool face £116m transfer headache due to approach rarely used under Jurgen Klopp
Watching more than £100million worth of talent walk out the exit without any recompense would normally be a cause for alarm in any business.
And even in the somewhat strange world of football, that Liverpool are poised to lose such a wealth of personnel already indicates the close season will be a summer unlike any other.
Roberto Firmino has already confirmed he will leave at the end of the campaign when his current contract expires. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is poised to follow suit, with talks having long stalled over a new deal for Naby Keita. Adrian, another approaching the end of his present agreement, is expected to leave, while James Milner continues to ponder a future that, given his current situation, will be elsewhere next season.
Bought for a combined total of £116m, it represents the most expensively-bought set of free transfer departures since the Bosman ruling in the late 1990s that ushered in greater power for players in their movement between clubs when out of contract.
Of course, it's not as though Liverpool haven't extracted value - some more so than others - from the quintet, each playing their own role as the Reds swept the board of honours under Jurgen Klopp. And while there will be no fees incoming, there will be a significant saving on their respective wages.
Nevertheless, the departure of so many senior players means that, even allowing for the continued promotion of youngsters such as Stefan Bajcetic, Bobby Clark and Ben Doak, there will need to be a number of new arrivals brought in.
Read the full story, here.
READ NEXT:
- 'I would have left' - Kylian Mbappe provides fresh update on PSG future as Liverpool watch on
- Liverpool can't compete with Premier League 'Big Six' but Darwin Nunez has proven they don't need to
- Cody Gakpo has just done something no Liverpool player did last season to prove Jamie Carragher right
- 'Maybe he's afraid' - Ex-Liverpool star Emre Can aims foul-mouthed blast at referee after Chelsea loss
- Jamie Carragher mocks Man United legend with series of 'seven' jokes after Liverpool mauling
