Liverpool and FSG awaits ‘green light’ on Sadio Mané transfer repeat amid Apple interest and $6.2bn deal

Liverpool could benefit from another major Premier League boon in which Apple could have a hand. Sadio Mané might need a new transfer.

Football is big business these days and there’s nothing bigger than the Premier League.

With the elite of English football more popular than ever, the number of untelevised Liverpool games in the UK can be counted on the one hand, such is the club’s continued popularity and commercial appeal.

It is only because of this treasure trove of TV channels around the world that a club like Borussia Dortmund are able to seek a fee of $161m (£130m/€148m ) for Jude Bellingham.

The Reds may be out of the running for the wanted teenager this summer, but Jürgen Klopp will still need to invest heavily in his squad if he is to reverse his side’s fortunes after a poorly performing season. This may involve several first-team departures as the German seeks to balance his squad and raise additional funds to bring in the players he wants, even if Bellingham is not among them.

One thing is certain, and that is that Liverpool’s starting XI at the start of next season will look very different to whoever ends the current one.

Here are today’s two Liverpool.com stories you shouldn’t miss.

The change in the Premier League could revive Liverpool’s coffers. 

The Premier League wants to increase the number of televised matches during a season by a further 60, according to the Telegraph.

The bidding process for national broadcasting rights for the period starting from 2025/2026 will start later this year and a new player could be at the table, with tech giant Apple aiming to enter a tender worth $6.2bn (£5bn/€5.75bn), having previously signed a broadcast deal with MLS.

A new Liverpool goalkeeper could be wanted

Liverpool could be looking for a new goalkeeper for Alisson Becker, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Indeed, the Reds’ current number two, Caoimhín Kelleher, has barely counted this season and is set to target regular first-team football from next season.

Several clubs are believed to want the Cork-born shot-stopper on loan but are waiting for Jürgen Klopp to give the green light on such a move.

But Liverpool may need to follow the approach it took with Sadio Mané, letting the player’s preferences guide the ultimate decision.

Also.. 

Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp drops hint on Liverpool team selection after confirming injury damage

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could face a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest despite the

absence of Roberto Firmino

Klopp returns to Liverpool against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Roberto Firmino will miss Liverpool’s game against Nottingham Forest – and hinted his team selection will be based on ‘counter-pressure’.

The Reds found their way back to winning ways on Monday by recording an impressive 6-1 win over Leeds at Elland Road.

Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota both grabbed braces, while Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez also scored for Liverpool as they moved within nine points of fourth-placed Newcastle in the Champions League race.

Speaking to the press ahead of the Forest game, Klopp revealed he was in serious injury trouble as Firmino had a muscle problem. The Brazilian will sit out Saturday’s game at Anfield and is also doubtful for the Reds’ trip to West Ham next week if they enter a critical phase of the campaign.

Firmino’s absence reduced Klopp’s attacking options from six to five after Luis Diaz made his long-awaited return in the defeat to Leeds. Jota, Gakpo and Salah made up the Reds’ top three, with Nunez, Diaz and Firmino all coming off the bench to play.

Whether Klopp sticks to that frontline that started the journey to Leeds or makes any changes remains to be seen. When asked about his potential squad, Klopp said: “The ticket to this squad will definitely bring back pressure. If you’ve done that in the game you’re playing, you have a good chance of starting over. “We have chances to change. Do we have five games in two weeks? Yes, there will be changes. Everyone is very important to us.”

Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo celebrate during Liverpool’s win over Leeds 

After coming off the bench to score the Reds’ sixth goal at Leeds, Klopp reaffirmed Nunez’s importance to Liverpool despite him being out of the current XI. The Uruguayan now has nine Premier League goals to his name this season since his move from Benfica last summer. Klopp said:

“Darwin is a player with different skills than all our other players. He’s a machine. He always adapts. His English is still not great. How can a striker shine when the team is in trouble? But he had a good time.

“I understand that Darwin isn’t always well if he doesn’t start and smile in my face, but that’s fine,” he added. “When we have 5/6 players up front I have to make decisions. The door is wide open for all the guys. He was exceptional (against Leeds). Everyone who came was hooked.”

Liverpool face a Forest side who are currently out of form. Steve Cooper’s side haven’t won any of their last 10 games, picking up just three points. It was a run of form that sent them back into the relegation zone, level on points with Everton in 17th.

He said: “We had our analysis meeting, Forest have a pragmatic style, long balls, corners. Steve Cooper has the ability to play in different ways, but they don’t have a lot of confidence, so pragmatically it’s logic. They have speed, technique in midfield. Everything is here.”