Liverpool news: Centre-back sends transfer hint as Arne Slot warned off Premier League signing

All the latest news from Anfield as Liverpool prepare to face Manchester United this weekend in a huge Premier League clash

Liverpool will be aiming to get their Premier League title defence firing on all cylinders once again this weekend when they host Manchester United on Sunday. Following a strong start, Arne Slot’s side’s early season title charge dramatically stumbled in the run-up to the international break.

Chelsea’s 2-1 win over the Reds before the break followed a 97th-minute winner for Crystal Palace a week earlier. Sandwiched between was a rough evening in Istanbul as the Reds lost to Galatasaray in the Champions League, their first defeat in the competition this year.

However, the international break gave Slot’s squad a chance to refocus as they look to usurp Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who sit top of the Premier League by a point.

With an ex-United legend making a claim over Ryan Gravenberch and a young centre-back staking his claim to join the Reds, Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest news coming out of Anfield.

Midfielder claim made

Rumours linking Liverpool with a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba have been growing since the close of the transfer window. However, according to United legend Paul Scholes, the Reds need not sign him as they already have a superior midfielder in their ranks in the form of Ryan Gravenberch.

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Baleba was of major interest to United during the summer. However, the Red Devils backed off from a deal after discovering his hefty price tag. It now seems that Liverpool are among the contenders for his signature.

Scholes, however, believes that Liverpool are well stocked in that department, with the former England star picking Gravenberch over him for a TikTok video. Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s standout player so far this term.

The Dutchman has two goals and two assists across the Premier League and Champions League this season. His tenacious start to the season on the pitch can be perhaps traced to comments he made upon Liverpool winning the Premier League back in May.

The 23-year-old claimed, while he was satisfied winning Liverpool’s 20th top-flight title, he wants more. “There’s so much I still want to achieve,” Gravenberch told Numero Netherlands.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win league titles in the Netherlands, Germany, and England, but as a player, you’re always chasing more.

“That hunger never goes away, and I feel that every day. I’m only 23, so I know there are many years ahead, and big moments still to come. Winning the Champions League is a massive dream of mine, that’s one I haven’t ticked off yet.”

Centre-back makes Hugo Ekitike statement

Liverpool’s search for a centre-back intensified after Marc Guehi’s transfer to the club collapsed at the eleventh hour on deadline day and young defender Giovanni Leoni was ruled out for a year with an ACL injury last month.

While the Reds have been linked with a host of defenders, one name perhaps not on Liverpool’s list as of yet has staked his claim to line up for Slot’s side in the near future, after he came out in praise of Hugo Ekitike. Midtjylland’s Ousmane Diao claimed he’d like to play alongside Liverpool’s new French signing.

The Senegalese 21-year-old joined the Danish side from Portuguese second division team CD Mafra in 2024. He has since become an integral player, making over 50 appearances and scoring nine goals.

Asked by French outlet Footmercato to name the toughest opponent of his career so far, Diao highlighted Ekitike and also revealed his wish to play alongside him.

“Last year, against Frankfurt, there were a lot of good players like Ekitike, [Omar] Marmoush.” he said. “But Hugo Ekitike was particularly difficult. Honestly, I would like to play with him in the future (laughs). His movement is incredible. He’s fast, technical… he’s very strong.”

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