Latest Liverpool news: One reported Reds transfer target has made an admission about Chelsea, while there's been more news on the fitness of Erling Haaland.
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Patrick Dorgu may favor Chelsea transfer
Lecce full-back Patrick Dorgu has identified Chelsea as his preferred club amid a transfer battle involving some of Europe's biggest teams. According to agent Kingsley Ogbodo (via the Express), Dorgu has been the subject of interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona.
The 19-year-old apparently rejected a move to Anfield in the past because the Reds only offered him a place in the under-21 squad, as opposed to the senior side. Dorgu wants to play in England eventually, but isn't in a particular rush.
"My dream is of course the Premier League, but right now I am also in a very good place in my career," he told Danish outlet Bold. "If it were to be somewhere in Italy, it wouldn't be too bad either." Asked if he had a favorite club, he replied: "Yes, it's Chelsea."
Ogbodo is planning to keep his client at Lecce, which currently sits 14th in Serie A, for the next couple of seasons to continue his development. The Dane has started four of his side's first 12 matches, including the two before the international break, and made his under-21 debut for his country in September.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will be fit to face Liverpool after the international break, according to Fabrizio Romano. Haaland has had to pull out of the Norway squad ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Scotland on Sunday after picking up an issue in a 2-0 friendly win over the Faroe Islands last week.
However, it appears that his absence is only precautionary, and he'll be ready to take on the Reds at the Etihad on Saturday in what is a clash between first and second in the Premier League. Norway has already been eliminated from contention for Euro 2024, so there's little point in risking Haaland.
The 23-year-old leads the goal charts in the top flight once again this season, having netted 13 times in his first 12 matches. He didn't score in either league meeting with Liverpool last term, but did bag a goal in a 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Jürgen Klopp's side.
Elsewhere, Mateo Kovačić will miss the game, and up to three weeks of action, after suffering a recurrence of a quad injury. Kovačić, a summer signing from Chelsea, has started six league games for his new club so far this season.