Thursday’s biggest stories for the Reds.
Liverpool are favourites to sign Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus
There is hope around Anfield of landing Germany international Reus after the forward rejects a new contract with Dortmund.
According to the Metro the Reds are now leading the race for the 25-year-old, who could leave the Bundesliga in January for £32m.
Reus has a £19.8m release clause that comes into effect next summer so therefore the Black and Yellows may look to make more money from him in the New Year.
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Interest from the Premier League in Bayer Leverkusen defender Omar Toprak grows
As well as the Merseyside club, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both keeping tabs on the centre-back, who is thought to be available for around £12m, according to the Daily Star.
The 25-year-old is enjoying a revival to his career after suffering severe burns following a go-kart crash back in 2009 and is now in top form for Leverkusen.
Toprak is under contract until 2018, but is understood to be open to the possibility of a move to England.
Daniel Sturridge jumps to the defence of Mario Balotelli
It has been a tough return to English football so far for Balotelli after the striker completed a £16m summer switch from AC Milan.
The Italy international has managed just two goals so far for Brendan Rodgers’ side, but fellow attacker Sturridge says the 24-year-old should be cut some slack.
“Mario’s a great guy, and he’s misunderstood sometimes. A lot of people are harsh on him. I get on really with him though. I have nothing but good words to say about him,” the Englishman told talkSPORT.
Sturridge does have concerns that his muscle problem is hereditary though
The 25-year-old injured himself whilst on international duty with England back in September and whilst the initial prognosis was three weeks sidelined the forward is yet to return to action.
Sturridge fears that this could be because of his Caribbean roots and is a family problem after his uncle Dean – who played for Derby County – suffered a similar fate.
“I’ve been unfortunate this season to pick up injuries. Maybe it’s my body type and hereditary,” the former Chelsea man was quoted by the Telegraph.
Gareth Bale set to return for Real Madrid against the Reds in the Champions League
Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti has some bad news for Rodgers ahead of their match on Tuesday as the world’s most expensive player Bale should be returning.
The Welshman has missed Madrid’s last three matches through injury and will also be absent at the weekend, but should be ready to take on the Merseysiders at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
“Bale has had a small injury in a muscle. It’s very strange that he injured that muscle, but he is recovering well and I think that next week he will be available for the Liverpool match,” Ancelotti was quoted by the Daily Express.