26 August 2023 , 04:00
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Liverpool return to action on Sunday afternoon with a tough trip to St James' Park.
Newcastle hammered Aston Villa 5-1 at home on the opening day of the Premier League season and Jurgen Klopp is keen to breach Eddie Howe's fortress. New signings Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo may help the Reds boss do just that.
Although Liverpool have already spent more than £100million this summer, they are still expected to sign another defensive midfielder. Klopp has already suffered two blows after Moises Caciedo and Romeo Lavia both rejected them for Chelsea.
But who are Liverpool interested in? Here are the latest rumours from Merseyside...
Doucoure price revealed
Crystal Palace want at least £70million for Liverpool target Cheick Doucoure, according to the Evening Standard. The Mali international, 23, has become Liverpool's first-choice midfield target after Caicedo and Lavia both moved to Stamford Bridge.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
Palace are reluctant to lose Doucoure so late in the transfer window and won't let him go on the cheap. Manager Roy Hodgson will also be aware of the going rate, with Chelsea paying Brighton £115m for Caicedo and Southampton £58m for Lavia.
Liverpool are after Cheick Doucoure (Getty Images)Who do you think Liverpool should sign? Let us know in the comments below!
Liverpool's interest in Doucoure is unsurprising after a brilliant start to his career in English football. He arrived from Lens a year ago and made 34 Premier League appearances during is debut campaign to be named Palace's Player of the Season.
Salah to stay... hopefully
Klopp expects Mohamed Salah to stay at Liverpool this summer, despite interest from Al-Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League champions are expected to make a £100m bid for the Egypt international, 31, but the Reds are determined to keep hold of him.
Klopp told reporters: "There's nothing to talk about from our point of view, Mo Salah is a Liverpool player, if there would be something the answer would be no."
Klopp has confirmed Salah is "100 per cent" committed to Liverpool. Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and long-term captain Jordan Henderson have all left Merseyside for Saudi Arabia this summer, joining Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifiaq respectively.
Salah back-up option
But if Salah does move to Saudi Arabia, Liverpool could swoop for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, according to Tutto Sport. The Reds have been interested in the Italy international, 25, for some time and it's believed he could be available for just £51m.
Chiesa is a much younger option than Salah and boasts a decent record at Juventus, scoring 23 goals in 95 games. Yet he's failed to fulfil his potential in Turin and has struggled with injuries, playing just 36 Serie A games since August 2021.