A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Anfield chiefs fix their stance on a transfer away for Mohamed Salah and Michail Antonio clarifies a mix-up at West Ham United.

Liverpool now want to sign Teun Koopmeiners after his display in the Europa League

Atalanta BC midfielder Teun Koopmeiners made a huge impression on Liverpool during their Europa League quarter-final. Now, Quatidiano Sportivo reports that Anfield chiefs are eager to target his transfer this summer. But La Dea will value their 26-year-old at €60m (£51.5m).

Liverpool have followed Koopmeiners for some time but are strongly interested in a transfer after his Europa League performances. He impressed the Reds in both legs as Atalanta took a 3-1 win on aggregate. But Liverpool will have to rival Juventus to seal a move this summer.

Juventus are also big admirers of Koopmeiners and even feel the Dutchman is the complete package in all phases. Yet the financial power that Liverpool have in the transfer market will place them at the front any race for Koopmeiners. Juventus are also looking for alternatives.

Michail Antonio explains why Anthony Taylor stopped Cody Gakpo scoring at West Ham

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has explained why referee Anthony Taylor stopped Cody Gakpo from giving Liverpool a 3-2 lead on Saturday. The Reds had to accept a draw at London Stadium after Antonio (77’) drew the match level. But the win was also on the cards.

Liverpool had turned the fixture around after Jarrod Bowen (43’) broke the deadlock to lead. Andrew Roberston (48’) struck the Reds’ equaliser early in the second half before Alphonse Areola (65’) scored an own goal. Gakpo also nearly scored after showing his quick instincts.

Gakpo was quick to rush in after Areola spun the ball out in the 86th minute before stopping to sort his socks out. But Taylor stopped Gakpo from shooting by blowing the whistle before the Liverpool star had a chance to ripple the back of an effectively empty goal at West Ham.

Antonio has now moved to clarify that Taylor blew his whistle after miscommunicating with Areola. The referee did not fully comprehend what the West Ham goalkeeper told him after colliding with the post after Gakpo nudged Areola at a corner, so denied Liverpool a chance.

“What happened was, Phonse got hit [and] the referee’s gone to him see if he’s okay,” said Antonio on the Footballer’s Football Podcast. “Then Phonse goes to him, ‘Yeah I’m fine. Is it on the floor?’ The ref has gone, ‘Yeah’, then ran off.

“But I’m not too sure if Antony has actually heard what he says. So, he’s put the ball down to fix his boots and stuff. But Cody is figgy, then someone’s shouts, ‘Hey!’. Obviously, Anthony must have clicked on that he’s told him it’s on the floor.

“So, he’s blown the whistle before Cody’s actually kicked the ball. So, that’s why everyone’s saying why’s he blown the whistle? He’s blown the whistle beforehand, then gone to check on Phonse and he obviously needed to be checked by the physio.”

Liverpool set their stance on a transfer to Saudi Arabia for Mohamed Salah

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has control over his future amid interest from teams in Saudi Arabia for his transfer. That is according to David Ornstein, who told The Athletic FC Podcast that he has ‘asked the question’ to the Reds about how they will handle the expected offers.

Salah is widely expected to be the subject of lucrative bids by sides in the Saudi Pro League. But it will be ‘case closed’ as far as Liverpool are concerned if the 31-year-old proves that he is fully committed to staying on Merseyside. Salah has been at Anfield ever since June 2017.

Ornstein even claims that it is also unlikely that Liverpool receive the massive bids for Salah that many predict are coming. He expects Pro League clubs will limit whatever offers hit the desks at Anfield, despite Salah scoring 24 and assisting 13 goals in his 41 games this term.

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