Thursday’s biggest stories for the Reds.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants Hannover pair Leonardo Bittencourt and Lars Stindl
With Steven Gerrard leaving for LA Galaxy this summer and Lucas Leiva also strongly linked with a departure, recruitment in central midfield is a priority, according to the Daily Star.
It is that need that has drawn Rodgers to Hannover duo Bittencourt and Stindl, with the latter available for just £2.2m.
Meanwhile the former – a 2013 signing from Borussia Dortmund – is a regular in the Germany Under-21s and looks to be a real star of the future.
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Reds also want to beat Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid to £29m signing of FC Porto’s Ruben Neves
The 17-year-old is already a regular in Porto’s first team and has been likened to Sergio Busquets by current FC Barcelona loanee Cristian Tello.
According to the Daily Express both PSG and Madrid are interested in the defensive midfielder, but Rodgers is keen to beat the big spending European giants to Neves’ signature.
The teenager is set to make his senior debut for the Portugal national team and has a £29m release clause.
Jackson Martinez to snub Premier League in favour of Serie A switch
Another Porto star targeted by the Merseysiders is Martinez, with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur also looking to sign the prolific Colombia striker.
Yet the 28-year-old’s agent, Henrique Pompeo, claims that if his client were to leave the Primeira Liga then it would be for the Italian top tier.
“His desire is clear: he wants to play in Serie A. He has his heart set on Italy and if he were to leave Porto then Serie A would be his first choice,” Pompeo was quoted by the Daily Express.
Chelsea to challenge FA after Diego Costa was charged for Emre Can stamp
The striker caused controversy on Tuesday night as he appeared to stamp on both Can and Martin Skrtel during the Capital One Cup victory at Stamford Bridge.
Costa has since been charged with the supposed attack on the former and now the Blues are ready to go head-to-head with the FA over their decision, reports the Times.
If found guilty the Spain international could face a lengthy ban.
Boudewijn Zenden says fans will turn on Rodgers if he doesn’t win a trophy
At the start of this season the Merseyside club were struggling, but in recent weeks and under a new system the team have started to turn their fortunes around.
However, former player Zenden says that despite all the praise Rodgers received last year, the supporters will lose patience with the Northern Irishman soon if he doesn’t provide any silverware.
“Liverpool and the fans are always looking for the team not just to win games but to get themselves to a final and win a trophy. If there is a [trophy] drought it could start working against Brendan Rodgers,” the Dutchman told talkSPORT.