Al-Ittihad sack big name manager as Liverpool brace for Mohamed Salah transfer interest

Al-Ittihad have made the decision to part ways with manager Nuno Espirito Santo just two months into the season. The club are sixth in the Saudi Pro League, 11 points off top spot and winless in five matches.

The club have installed his assistant Hassan Khalifa as a placeholder for now, as preliminary discussions begin to appoint a successor.

Fabinho of course left Liverpool to specifically link up with the former Wolves and Tottenham manager, but focusing on the Reds still, what will it mean for Ittihad’s interest in Mohamed Salah?

EXCLUSIVE: Harvey Elliott reveals how Jurgen Klopp kept promise with private Liverpool title ceremony

Part one of the ECHO’s exclusive chat with Liverpool midfield Harvey Elliott on his early days at Anfield and playing a part in a Premier League title win in 2020 is out now.

Luis Diaz father latest

The Daily Mail are reporting that Luis Diaz’s family over in Colombia are now asking for proof of life for the footballer’s kidnapped father.

Luis Manuel Diaz has been in the hands of guerrilla group ELN since he was taken on Saturday, October 28 in Barrancas.

Liverpool’s No.7 remained in England instead of travelling back to his homeland due to security fears, since returning to training and scoring on Sunday against Luton Town, whilst his relatives handle the situation closer to the scene.

Taking quotes from his cousin Luis Alfonso Diaz’s interview with local broadcaster RNC, it was said: “We are asking the ELN to send us proof of how Luis Manuel is now so we can have some peace of mind.”

Diao ‘monitored’ by the Reds

According to reports from Spanish outlet Mucho Deporte, Liverpool are just one of a handful of Premier League clubs interested in signing Real Betis midfielder Assane Diao.

The 18-year-old has continued to impress for the La Liga outfit this season and recently signed a new deal at the club, extending his stay until at least the summer of 2027.

Chelsea and Newcastle United are also both said to be showing interest in the teenager.

Mateusz Musialowski strike

The word ‘stunner’ can get thrown around too often when it comes to describing goals, though it’s fair to say Mateusz Musialowski’s against Barrow last night warrants that description.

Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly stance

As players enter the final six months of their contract, clubs are faced with two options – sell whilst still possible or risk losing out to a free transfer.

It appears Bournemouth are willing to tempt fate by going with the latter when it comes to defender Lloyd Kelly, as TEAMtalk say will refuse all January offers from interested clubs.

Liverpool have been named on that list, as have Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in the Premier League. This week it has also been suggested AC Milan are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old’s situation.

Andre latest: fee named, competition ramping up

There has been plenty of discussion around Andre Trindade since he lifted the Copa Libertadores trophy with Fluminense on Saturday.

Firstly, his performance in the South American final impressed the representatives of Liverpool, Arsenal and Fulham watching on in the stands, say Globo Esporte. As a result the price needed to acquire his services will now be in excess of £30.4m – around £9m more than the fee the Reds reportedly offered back in summer.

With those clubs named, it was then claimed by journalist Bruno Andrade of UOL that it is Fulham – not Liverpool – surprisingly leading the race for his signature now. This is down to the Cottagers’ potential need for a Joao Palhinha replacement, who in turn would be off to Bayern Munich in the winter.

The same report suggested Anfield chiefs were eyeing other midfield targets, not just Andre, though later Francois Plateau made it clear that Liverpool remain a kay part of the race.

ICYMI: Liverpool U21s player ratings as Mateusz Musialowski, Jay Spearing and 16-year-old impress vs Barrow

Liverpool under-21s can still qualify for the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy despite suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat at Barrow on Tuesday evening.

Mateusz Musialowski scored in his third successive game in the competition to give the Reds a deserved lead in the 29th minute with a stunning strike into the top corner from 25 yards.

Barrow, though, responded in the second half with Sean Etaluku equalising on 65 minutes before, 10 minutes later, Mazeed Ogungbo headed home from a corner.

Italian eyeing Thiago Alcantara

A piece of football trivia to start the day – did you know despite being a Spanish national with a Brazilian father, Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara was born in Italy? This was due to the fact his father played for Lecce at the time.

Anyway, Fichajes believe a return to the land of his birth could be on the cards for Thiago in 2024 due to interest from Inter Milan and Juventus.

His Anfield contract runs out next summer, with it speculated the Reds will not be offering an extension before then. He is of course yet to make an appearance this season due to a couple of injury setbacks.

Koeman makes Gravenberch admission

Ronald Koeman has declared Ryan Gravenberch’s banishment from the Netherlands national team over.

Speaking to Ziggo Sport Voetbal, he said: “No, that’s over. Whether his withdrawal was understandable? Maybe, but I actually think that he was able to get the matches at the Dutch juniors that he did not play before.

“Of course, there is something to be said for him being like that, but I think that we at the KNVB should never be happy if someone does not opt-out for a good reason.

“I was also a football player, but you have to draw a line. We told Ryan: ‘We understand it a bit, but we don’t think it’s okay. If you If you are called, you must come’.”