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Liverpool have officially submitted a written bid for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, with the Frenchman reportedly keen on a move to Anfield.

As reported by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, a ‘first official written offer’ has been presented to the Bundesliga club as the Reds make their move for the 23-year-old, who has a release clause of €100m (£86.7m) at Deutsche Bank Park.

Some sources have claimed that personal terms are already agreed with the player, who looks increasingly like becoming LFC’s third summer recruit from the German top flight, following on from Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? Florian Plettenberg shares major Liverpool breakthrough on Ekitike

Liverpool make approach to sign Alexander Isak

Posted by Peter Kenny Jones

Ekitike isn’t the only centre-forward that Liverpool have been chasing in recent days, with the Reds also testing the waters for a blockbuster move for Alexander Isak.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that the Premier League champions have made an approach to Newcastle regarding the 25-year-old, for whom the Merseysiders are apparently prepared to offer a club-record fee of £120m.

Sky Sports’ Keith Downie subsequently claimed that Liverpool will drop their interest in the Sweden international if they manage to lure Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, with Richard Hughes keeping his fingers in both pies as it stands.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? Ornstein drops big news on Liverpool’s striker hunt after Isak approach



Emotional tributes to Diogo Jota as Liverpool beat Preston

Posted by Farrell Keeling

Amid Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of the aforementioned strikers, there were emotional tributes paid to Diogo Jota as the Reds played for the first time since the tragic death of their number 20 at the start of July.

Arne Slot’s side defeated Preston 3-1 at Deepdale last Sunday, but the football was secondary on a day which was all about honouring the 28-year-old and his brother Andre Silva.

The Lancashire club conducted several heartfelt tributes before kick-off, while Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez paid homage to their late teammate by replicating some of his most famous goal celebrations.

At full-time, Liverpool players and staff look visibly moved as the travelling Anfield faithful repeatedly sung Diogo Jota’s chant on an emotionally charged afternoon in Preston.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? Liverpool players & staff visibly moved as fans sing Diogo Jota chant at full-time



Contract situations have been the bane of Liverpool fans’ lives over the past year, although the club seem determined to retain the services of a potential star of the future.

As per Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are planning to advance talks over a new long-term contract for Rio Ngumoha, the 16-year-old starlet signed from Chelsea in 2024 after a rigorous registration process with the Premier League.

The dazzling winger made his senior debut in the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley in January and also shone in the friendly against Preston last weekend, putting his hand up for further inclusion in pre-season and maybe even in competitive first-team action over the coming months.

It’d represent a significant (yet justified) show of faith to tie down Ngumoha to a new long-term deal at Anfield.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop ? ‘Discussions ongoing’ – Romano drops morning update as Liverpool work towards contract renewal

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