Liverpool News: Two Napoli stars on Liverpool transfer radar

Liverpool transfer news (May 12) – Today’s Liverpool transfer news builds on Liverpool’s interest in two Napoli players and a surprise transfer candidate from a relegated side.

For yesterday’s Liverpool transfer news, click here.
Liverpool Transfer News – Liverpool could ‘rekindle’ their interest in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

Liverpool could replace Piotr Zielinski as the player’s contract expires in 2024, according to Polish journalist Wojciech Piela via LFC Transfer Room. Napoli would be happy to re-sign Zielinski but only for a lower salary.

Jurgen Klopp was apparently an admirer of the player when he played for Serie A club Empoli before joining Napoli. Lazio are also reportedly interested in signing Zielinski, as Maurizio Sarri previously coached the Polish international at Napoli.

Liverpool Transfer News – Manchester United lead race to sign Kim Min-Jae amid interest from Liverpool and City

Manchester United have held talks with Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae, according to Footmercato’s Santi Aouna and Sebastian Denis. United set out their plans in the proposal and will continue discussions over the coming weeks. Kim Min-Jae is also admired by Liverpool.

Earlier this month, it was revealed by Footmercato that Min-Jae’s entourage has been having internal discussions about a possible move to the Reds. Kim Min-Jae has become arguably the best defender in Serie A and was instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto.

According to The Top Flight, there are rumors that Manchester City are also interested in the South Korean international.

Liverpool Transfer News – Liverpool could make a ‘disappointing’ move for Southampton’s Duje Caleta-Car

As speculated by The Athletic’s James Pearce on the Walk On podcast, Duje Caleta-Car is a possibility for Liverpool. It should be noted that there is currently no significant player interest, but they have explored Caleta-Car in the past. Caleta-Car has not been a regular starter for Southampton and with the club on the verge of relegation, a move from the Croatia international looks like a bad choice.

Also.. 

Premier League Predictions: Liverpool dominate, Southampton surprise, Chelsea win again, Arsenal slip vs. Brighton?

With only a handful of matches left in the 2022/23 Premier League season, the title race is truly coming down to the wire, as is the battle for survival at the other end of the table.

Another weekend of fantastic matchups are scheduled, so let’s predict how it will all go down.

Leeds 0, Newcastle 2: Leeds haven’t won since April 4 against Nottingham Forest, and they almost certainly aren’t going to reverse their fortunes this weekend against one of the best teams in the league. Newcastle weren’t able to get the job done against Arsenal, but they have largely been brilliant against teams they are supposed to win against, such as Everton and Southampton in recent fixtures. Leeds fall into that category of opponent.

Manchester United 1, Wolves 0: Julen Lopetegui has pretty much steered Wolves to safety, with the young Matheus Nunes showing a real fire and level of quality on the ball in the process. But Wolves just doesn’t have enough talent in their squad to compete with clubs like Manchester United.

Wolves need a serious transfer window, while United have everything to play for in the top-four race. They may have a game in hand, but Liverpool sit just one point behind them. Look for Casemiro to step up with a big performance in this one.

Chelsea 2, Nottingham Forest 1: Chelsea finally showed what they are capable of with a late flurry against Bournemouth, and that should give them enough momentum to deal with a Nottingham Forest side that can surprise but is also very much lacking in quality.

The Blues received strong showings from Conor Gallagher and N’Golo Kanté in last weekend’s win, and both hard-working midfielders should be key again this weekend. Gallagher deserves a lot more respect than he gets and would shine more on a more functional team.

Crystal Palace 1, Bournemouth 1: Two teams that aren’t bad but don’t offer much in terms of consistency. Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are almost cookie-cutter mid-table Premier League teams, and they will play to a stalemate.

Southampton 1, Fulham 0: It is crunch time for Southampton, who sit dead last in the Premier League. They are six points beneath Leeds in 19th and eight points away from Everton in the safety zone, which pretty much sums up how poor they have been. The Saints fold in so many matches, and it’s been ages since they won.

Yet they could pull off a stunner this weekend against Fulham, the Premier League’s biggest overachievers this season. The Cottagers have let their standard slip, and Southampton could put it together in front of their home fans. They NEED this, and that urgency will finally show. But in the context of their season, it will probably be too little, too late. Their attack is abysmal.

Aston Villa 4, Tottenham 2: Tottenham have shown a real fire about them lately after hitting rock bottom, but it won’t be enough on the road against an Aston Villa side with European football ambitions of their own. Villa have impressed under Unai Emery, though they did suffer a letdown against Wolves after another 1-0 loss to Manchester United. However, Ollie Watkins and Co. should be due for a bounce-back performance. There is so much to like about this team.

Brentford 2, West Ham 2: Brentford and West Ham will help kick off Sunday’s Premier League action, and this should be one of the most entertaining fixtures of the coming Matchday. Both sides are capable of expansive attacking football, and the Hammers are coming off a big win in the Conference League, coming back.

Lucas Paquetá is a menace, both creatively and in his defensive work rate. In the matches against the Manchester clubs, Paquetá had a combined seven tackles, two interceptions, three key passes, four dribbles completed, and two fouls drawn. The Brazilian attacking midfielder offers a lot more than what the goals and assists show.

Everton 0, Manchester City 3: Everton have everything to play for in 17th place, but they are honestly just as awful as the three teams below them. Their massive win over Brighton certainly raised eyebrows, and they were able to get points off Crystal Palace and Leicester City. However, Everton are just as liable to completely implode. With all due respect to Brighton, Manchester City is a different caliber of opponent and are not going to slip in the title race against this kind of opponent.

Arsenal 2, Brighton 2: After Arsenal’s incredible win over Newcastle, it may be a huge risk to predict them dropping points to a Brighton side that was, quite frankly, humiliated by Everton, but every game is a new story. Each matchup offers a different dynamic, and this one between Brighton and Arsenal is as exciting as any.

Roberto De Zerbi has been widely praised for his tactical nous, but a lot of people underestimate how good he is at connecting with players. He and Arteta will have their XIs put on a show, but Brighton will ultimately steal away a point late to frustrate Arsenal in a title race that truly seems to favor Manchester City now.

Leicester City 0, Liverpool 5: Leicester City’s defense is shocking, and they are in for a rough Monday evening against Liverpool. The Reds are creeping up into the top-four discussion, with Jürgen Klopp proving a lot of critics wrong regarding his ability to adjust to a new game plan and keep his players believing when things get difficult.

Klopp has done brilliantly with the inherent flaws in this squad, and with Luis Díaz back, the Reds truly do have one of the most electrifying attacks in the English top flight. Mohamed Salah and Díaz will tear apart the Foxes’ backline in yet another Liverpool victory. Given they have not lost their last eight matches (with each of the last six being wins), it feels like the Reds really could pull off this incredible top-four comeback. Let’s see.

Kevin covered Real Madrid from 2019 to 2022 as editor of The Real Champs, Juventus from 2020 to 2022, and Schalke for the 2019/20 season. He is the site manager for The Trivela Effect and Let Them Wrestle.