The Liverpool Roundup – Ngumoha makes history, Leoni signs for the Reds, Isak pursuit continues and more
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Today's round-up of the biggest stories around Liverpool Football Club from the last fortnight
Rio Ngumoha makes history in Newcastle thriller
Posted by Max Rudd
We all felt that Rio Ngumoha could make an impact for Liverpool this season, but who would’ve expected it to be in such dramatic circumstances just four minutes into his Premier League career?
Summoned from the bench in the 96th minute with the Reds drawing 2-2 at Newcastle, the 16-year-old coolly netted in the 100th minute to finally settle a pulsating contest and also become the youngest goalscorer in LFC history, beating Ben Woodburn’s record.
The teenager’s match-winning moment unsurprisingly sparked scenes of pandemonium from his teammates on the pitch and in the dugout, with the scorer being gleefully mobbed as those of a red persuasion let loose on Tyneside!
More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? (Video) How Liverpool’s bench reacted to Ngumoha’s late winner at St.
James’ Park
Federico Chiesa seems determined to stay at Liverpool
Posted by Farrell Keeling
There was also a heart-stopping conclusion to Liverpool’s first Premier League match of the season, another game which saw the Reds throw away a 2-0 lead before winning late on thanks to the intervention of a substitute.
Federico Chiesa had to wait almost a year before scoring his first goal in the English top flight, but he timed his big moment perfectly to fire past Djordje Petrovic and send Anfield into euphoria, before Mo Salah finally settled a rollercoaster contest against a spirited Bournemouth side.
The Italian forward had been widely expected to leave Merseyside this summer, but speaking after his heroics on the opening night of the new season, he hinted at his intention to stay by saying: “I must show I’m ready to do my best in order to play with this team.”
More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? Fabrizio Romano relays significant comments that hint at Liverpool transfer development
Liverpool sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma
Posted by Liam Togher
It took a few weeks, but Liverpool have replaced Jarell Quansah and restored their ideal minimum of four senior centre-backs by signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma.
The 18-year-old has arrived at Anfield in a £26m deal and, although he hasn’t yet made his debut at the time of writing, it’ll likely come in the next few weeks.
The Reds’ fixture calendar will becomes more intense in the autumn with Champions League and Carabao Cup duties, which’ll require Arne Slot to utilise the full depth of his squad.
The Italian defender has a mighty reputation in his homeland, with legendary former AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi exclaiming: “A person can have 200 Serie A games under their belts and still not possess the qualities Leoni displayed in his first season as an adult.”
More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? ‘Talent knows no age’ – European Cup-winning coach says Liverpool have pulled off ‘a great coup’
Liverpool to push for Alexander Isak in final days of transfer window
Posted by Liam Togher
The most talked-about saga of the summer transfer window will finally reach a conclusion one way or another by 7pm next Monday, when the market will shut until January.
Alexander Isak still wants to join Liverpool, and the feeling is mutual, but Newcastle remain determined not to sell the Sweden international until they make attacking reinforcements first – and they continue to flounder spectacularly in their efforts to do so.
The Reds had an opening offer of £110m rejected at the start of August, but will likely make at least one more concrete attempt at getting a deal done before Monday’s deadline.
With Isak currently on strike at St James’ Park and making no secret of his desire to leave, one must wonder how difficult it’d be to reintegrate him into the Newcastle squad if he doesn’t get his move to Anfield in the coming days.
More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool due to step up ‘conversations’ as FSG eye ‘perfect opportunity’
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