Liverpool enter the final weeks of the season hoping to salvage what has been a underwhelming campaign to date.
A disastrous defence of the Premier League title sees the Reds currently sat in seventh place ahead of the visit of Aston Villa, desperate to claw themselves back into the top four.
Any hopes of glory in the Champions League have also been dealt a severe blow following a 3-1 quarter final first leg defeat to Real Madrid.
Weather or not Jurgen Klopp’s side are able to turn these disappointments around and end the season on a high, it is clear his previously all-conquering squad needs a refresh in the coming months.
With that in mind, here is the latest Liverpool gossip:
Neymar preference set to impact Wijnaldum future
Georgino Wijnaldum’s future remains unclear after his proposed move to Barcelona was thrown into doubt.
The midfielder who sees his contract at Anfield expire this summer, had been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp.
However, reports from Spain claim that the Barca dressing room aren’t particularly keen on welcoming the Dutchman to the club.
According to Mundo Deportivo, there is ‘unanimity’ within the squad that they would much rather the club pursue a deal to bring back Neymar from Paris Saint Germain than any move for Wijnaldum or his compatriot Memphis Depay.
A move to Barca could still be on the cards as manager Ronald Koeman remains interested in taking the player to Spain, but the former Everton boss would need to convince his players it is the right move.
Reds looking to pounce on Inter uncertainty to snatch defender
(Image: Getty)
Liverpool have been named among a number of clubs linked with Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay this season for Inter as the Milanese side head the Serie A table.
However, according to Dutch publication Ziggo Sport the club are said to be in serious financial trouble and are prepared to listen to offers for many of their stars in the coming months.
“Where do we see Stefan de Vrij in the future?” they Tweeted. “Manchester City, PSG and Liverpool want to take in the stopper and Inter seems to be able to use the money well.”
Striker set for Liverpool return following end of loan spell
Southampton will not be keeping Takumi Minamino when his loan spell ends according to Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The 26-year-old joined the south coast club in January and has featured six times, scoring twice.
(Image: Getty Images)
However, Saints boss Hasenhuttl says the club will not be looking to make the move a permanent one.
“We haven’t had any negotiations about Takumi so far,” he told Hampshire Live. “We are not aware of what Liverpool’s plans are for him in the summer.
“The deal was simply to give him game time during the second half of the year. This is what we have done and, hopefully, he will get more chance to play for us.”
