Liverpool news: Florian Wirtz transfer bombshell as Virgil van Dijk successor identified

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With that in mind, here are the latest stories from around Anfield.READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister's dad makes feelings clear on Real Madrid's interest in Liverpool aceREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold mural DEFACED before Liverpool vs Real Madrid clashVan Dijk disagreementAfter branding Wayne Rooney's recent criticism of Liverpool "lazy," Virgil van Dijk has found an unlikely ally in Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.Last week, Rooney suggested the Reds' poor form stemmed from a lack of leadership, appearing to place much of the blame on captain Van Dijk's shoulders. I think it's brilliant," he said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast."This is what you want.

Whether you agree with him or not, it's a different conversation, but I like the fact that he's prickly and he reads it and he sees it, he hears it and he goes, 'No, I'm not having that and I want to call it out.'"Previously, Van Dijk had described Rooney's take on things as "ridiculous." Speaking after the win over Aston Villa, he said: "I didn't hear him last year. Earlier in the year, Manchester City appeared to be Liverpool's biggest competition for the German playmaker, but Pep Guardiola's side ultimately decided the financial package was too steep and chose not to bid.Whether Real Madrid - managed by Wirtz's former Leverkusen boss, Xabi Alonso - were interested remains unclear, but Carro believes that if they had entered the race, it might have changed everything."He would definitely have gone to Madrid if Xabi had made the offer.

He saw that we had won the Bundesliga title, but winning the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen might be more difficult."Hamann suggests transfer targetFormer Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has urged his former club to make a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, describing the German international as an "outstanding" talent who could be the perfect solution to Liverpool's defensive issues.The Reds' options at centre back have been stretched following Giovanni Leoni's season-ending injury, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as the only senior defenders currently available. He's a natural leader."Liverpool are interested, but you don't know how long Virgil van Dijk is going to be there.