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Liverpool transfer news: Anfield eye up Benfica's Anderson Talisca but interest in Piotr Zielinski cools

All the news and rumours surrounding the Merseyside on Saturday 9 July

Samuel Lovett
Saturday 09 July 2016 11:20 BST
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Talisca celebrates for Benfica
Talisca celebrates for Benfica

While news of Paul Pogba continues to dominate headlines, Liverpool have kept themselves busy in the past couple of days as they look to strengthen their squad.

The club are reportedly in talks to bring Benfica forward Anderson Talisca to Anfield. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo suggests a deal could be close and has claimed that the FA received an application for a work permit for the Brazilian.

The 22-year-old has 20 goals in 76 games for Benefica and has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal in the past.

Interest in Poland international Piotr Zielinski appears to have cooled off on the other hand. The Liverpool Echo reports that Udinese have told the winger that Liverpool are no longer interested in him and have urged him to take up Napoli’s offer instead.

It’s believed Napoli made a bid for the Pole that was accepted in principle but the 22-year-old is still holding out for a move to Anfield. Zielinski has set his heart on the Merseyside and even posed wearing a Liverpool replica shirt with his name on the back.

Udinese sporting director Norea Bonato has urged Zielinski to stop holding out on for a switch to Liverpool and complete the transfer to Napoli.

He said: “There has been an agreement for Zielinski with Napoli for some time, but the guy took his time, as he had to play at the Euros.

“Perhaps now is the right time to make his decision. Liverpool did not make a real offer, and if the English team does not come out of the closet, the boy eventually will understand the situation and will decide his future based on his offers.”

It’s not all about the players though. Liverpool confirmed yesterday that manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a new contract, just nine months after arriving at Anfield, with his four-year extension running until 2022.

Klopp's initial contract was due to run out in 2018 after signing a two-and-a-half year deal upon his arrival last October when he replaced Brendan Rodgers. But after impressing the Liverpool owners, talks began this summer over an extension and an agreement has been reached in rapid time to see the German extend his stay at the Merseyside club.

“It’s hard to express in words how honoured myself, Zeljko and Peter feel by the commitment shown in us by the ownership and the club in general,” Klopp told www.liverpoolfc.com.

“We are very much at the beginning of our journey, but to already have the connection we have with this very special place is incredible.”

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