Liverpool news: Curtis Jones speaks out about Florian Wirtz as Reds lead race for £87m man

Liverpool are facing a mini crisis after losing back-to-back games as Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest news surrounding the Reds

Liverpool’s season hit another bump in the road this week as they were beaten 1-0 away to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Arne Slot had been hoping that his team would bounce back after losing 2-1 away to Crystal Palace last weekend.

However, an early Victor Osimhen penalty ensured the Reds left Istanbul with their first European Cup defeat of the season. Liverpool spent big in the summer on the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak yet their new-look squad has struggled to gel so far.

Despite being top of the Premier League by two points, the Palace and Galatasaray defeats have presented a plethora of problems to Slot. From underperforming stars to just how exactly he gets the most out of his best players, it could be argued that the Dutchman is facing his first major test since moving to Anfield in the summer of 2024.

From Marc Guehi’s thoughts on his failed transfer to the Reds as well as Curtis Jones’ feelings on Wirtz, Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest news coming out of Anfield.

Guehi makes his feelings clear

Palace skipper Guehi has insisted his primary focus is on his club after his transfer deadline day switch to Liverpool collapsed. The England defender had agreed to join the Premier League champions in a £35m deal only for Palace to pull the plug at the eleventh hour.

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney slams Arne Slot with brutal Ruben Amorim point – “he’d be slaughtered”READ MORE: Arne Slot handed worrying Liverpool timeline amid brutal Florian Wirtz verdict

The 25-year-old has been in fine form for the Eagles. Palace beat Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield and then 2-1 in the league on Saturday.

However, Guehi’s future looks set to be away from Selhurst Park. His contract runs out at the end of the season and he is not expected to sign a new deal. Ahead of Palace’s Europa Conference League clash at Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday, Guehi was quizzed in the pre-match press conference.

“I don’t have much to say, to be honest,” he said of his future. “I’m focused on playing football and playing for this club. But to the fans (I want to say) thank you very much for your support. I definitely feel it.”

“It’s something I don’t think of at all. My only focus is on the club, I’m not too worried about any personal accolades. As long as the team is where it needs to be I’m happy.”

Liverpool links to Michael Olise grow

Liverpool continue to be linked with former Palace star Olise, who has five goals and six assists in nine games for Bayern Munich this season. The Reds’ interest has followed speculation that the Frenchman has a release clause in his contract with the Bavarians.

German outlet BILD have now claimed that Liverpool would even be ahead of Man City and Chelsea should they opt to sign the 23-year-old. They also state that the Reds are even prepared to pay £87.1 million to bring the winger to Anfield.

Bayern are reportedly pushing Olise to sign a new deal, however. He currently earns £200,000 a week, which is still shy of the Bundesliga club’s highest earners.

Bayern’s director of football Mac Eberl has spoken about Olise’s position. He said: “[He] has over three and a half years left on his contract [and] will increasingly become a decisive factor in FC Bayern’s game and shape the future of this team.”

Asked directly about Bayern’s ambitions to tie Olise down to an extended deal, Eberl said: “If it’s up to us: the longer, the better.”

Curtis Jones makes Wirtz prediction

Wirtz has somewhat struggled since making his £116m switch to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen this summer. While he has shown flourishes of his undeniable talent, he hasn’t yet hit the heights many fans expected.

Wirtz heads into Saturday’s clash with Chelsea without a goal or an assist in the Premier League. However, Liverpool star Curtis Jones believes Wirtz will hit form sooner rather than later.

Speaking after taking on a TikTok challenge where members of the Liverpool team were asked to say what their team-mates will achieve this season, Jones said: “I just know he’ll be a massive help to the team. He’ll get goals, he’ll get assists and he’ll be a standout guy in the team.”

Speaking on The Stick To Football podcast, Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish also believes the German will soon hit his stride at the Reds.

Asked how Wirtz can improve, he said: “The first thing he needs to do is what he’s doing at the moment… once they [the Liverpool team] get on the same wavelength… by the way, that wee fella [Wirtz] he could open a can of soup.”

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