Liverpool have received an injury boost early in the international break while Andy Robertson has no qualms about laying down the gauntlet to a club legend while representing Scotland
Liverpool have an extended break to pick themselves up from a devastating week of action. The Reds suffered defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
And while their stars jet off around the club to represent their respective nations, there is work to do for Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes. Local rivals Everton await upon the return to Premier League action in just under two weeks, while a summer of transfer business awaits.
Already the international break has offered some insight into possible summer exits, Darwin Nunez’s feelings and some insight on Virgil van Dijk from Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman. There is also some positive news on the injury front.
Mirror Football takes a look at the latest news and rumours surrounding the club.
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Injury boost
Liverpool will have been relieved to see Harvey Elliott take to the training field for England’s under-21 side on Wednesday. The former Fulham academy star appeared set to take on a normal role in the session despite limping away from Wembley on Sunday.
The midfielder was only introduced as a substitute against Newcastle, but was clattered by Joelinton during his time on the pitch. Fixtures against France and Portugal await for Elliott, with the 21-year-old hoping to find more time on the field.
Under Slot, Elliott has been confined to a role as substitute. He has nevertheless retained an impresseve record of seve goals and 12 assists despite only starting in 16 of his last 43 appearances.
Robertson sends message
Andy Robertson has told Liverpool and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish that he is coming for his international caps record. Robertson is set to make his 81st appearance for the nation and will become its third most capped son, ahead of Darren Fletcher but behind Jim Leighton, 91, and Dalglish, 102.
“I actually said to Kenny the other week, ‘I’m coming for you’,” Robertson told BBC Scotland of the Liverpool legend. “His reply was plenty of players have said that before and he’s still the main man.”
“I love playing for Scotland, showing up for every camp, and I want to get as many caps as I can,” he added. “Wherever that takes me, it takes me. I’m incredibly proud to get to 80.
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“You just deal with what’s in front of you. There’s so much going on, you can’t look too far ahead. You need a bit of luck with injuries but I do everything I can to make sure I’m in the best possible shape for Liverpool and Scotland.”
Virgil van Dijk truth
Virgil van Dijk’s conversation with Paris Saint-Germain chiefs Luis Campos and chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi was to offer an apology – NOT to discuss a possible transfer.
The Liverpool captain was spotted talking with the Parisian side’s sporting director and chairman, following the Reds’ Champions League exit to the French side. BBC report no negotiations have taken place over an offer for the defender who is set to see his deal expire in the summer.
Reports in France add that it was an unplanned meeting, with Van Dijk offering his apologies for the week before. The ex-Celtic defender was involved in a clash with Campos following the first leg in Paris.
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