We’re in the home stretch of the November international break now, and it won’t be long until the final internationals of 2018 are over. Typically, these are dry periods for real news, but this Wednesday is an exception. There is a whole lot doings-a-transpiring with Liverpool FC so let’s dive right in, starting with benched goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The record breaking signing of Alisson in the summer forced Mignolet to the bench, and the Belgian naturally wants a move to a place where he can get playing time again. However, according to the Mirror, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is not going to let that happen in January.
The publication states that “Nice boss Patrick Vieira is interested in signing Mignolet when the transfer window opens,” but Anfield want him to stay and serve as injury cover for their No. 1.
As was the narrative in the summer, Anfield will not let both reserve shot stoppers move out, and they already let the embattled Loris Karius go to Besiktas on a two year loan. So sorry, buddy.
Next we move on to the club that has enjoyed raiding Liverpool in the transfer windows in a manner somewhat similar to how Anfield raids Southampton and AS Roma. However, it’s safe to say that Barcelona won’t be coming back any time soon to buy another Reds player; not with this kind of fiscal deterrent.
According to the Times of London, “Barcelona will have to pay a €100 million (£89 million) premium in addition to any transfer fee should they try to sign another Liverpool player before 2020.”
That means between now and the end of the 2019-20 season, the Catalan club will have to pay 100 million Euro on top of the transfer fee for any individual player. You can thank Anfield Sporting Director Michael Edwards for that, as he negotiated the clause into the Philippe Coutinho £142 million deal that was made last January transfer window.
Finally, striker Daniel Sturridge has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association, and the charges stem from alleged breaches of the betting rules. Sturridge has stressed that he “categorically has never gambled on football,” and thus maintains his innocence.
However, he’s now looking for more time to lodge a formal response, with the deadline to respond having passed yesterday at 6 pm. Here’s more from Sky Sports.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.