Your morning Liverpool headlines for Thursday, December 22
Full Liverpool squad available to face Manchester City as World Cup rest decisions made
Liverpool make their long-awaited return to competitive football this evening when they face Manchester City at the Etihad in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
It's been nearly six weeks since the Reds beat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield, with seven of Jurgen Klopp's side representing their countries in the World Cup while the rest of the squad jetted off to Dubai. Friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan featured during the trip to the Middle East, but tonight marks the true return of domestic action as teams get set for the second-half of the campaign.
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A penalty shootout win against League One Derby County saw Liverpool through the third round back in November, and while the majority of those who flew to Qatar will likely be rested, Klopp is expected to name a strong side, given the opponent and obvious boost that would come with starting strongly.
Tonight's meeting will likely come to soon for those whose World Cup campaigns progressed into the knockout stages, certainly for Ibrahima Konate, who came off the bench for France in Sunday's epic final. Five Reds were eliminated at the round-of-16, with Jordan Henderson, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk all featuring heavily for their respective sides during the tournament - despite their lesser involvement, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho will still likely be rested.
Read the full story, here.
What Spanish media have said about Jude Bellingham Liverpool transfer as multiple reports emerge
According to multiple Spanish media reports this morning, Real Madrid are leading the race for Jude Bellingham going into 2023.
Bellingham is set to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer after three outstanding season's in the Bundesliga. Brought further into the spotlight during England's World Cup campaign, the 19-year-old will likely have his pick of Europe's elite clubs, but it is Liverpool and Real Madrid who are consistently named as frontrunners due to their long-standing work behind the scenes.
Where the teenager decides to start the next chapter of his career remains to be seen, but reports this morning from Spain suggest Madrid have made Bellingham their absolute priority in the summer. Carlo Ancelotti, much like Jurgen Klopp, is keen to rebalance an ageing midfield of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and the now-departed Casemiro.
Marca reported this morning that Madrid have made Bellingham their number one target after the midfielder 'convinced absolutely everyone' in the Spanish capital. The England international has become 'the great objective' for next summer as Ancelotti continues to rebuild his midfield. Los Blancos beat Liverpool to the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, replacing Casemiro, and the former Everton boss now sees Bellingham as a natural successor to Luka Modric.
Read the full story, here.
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