Liverpool
Another mistake by Klopp? Liverpool could have signed any of these two superstars ahead of the imminent new arrival
Two alternatives Liverpool should look at instead of signing Xherdan Shaqiri
Liverpool have completed deals for Fabinho and Naby Keita but they are yet to sign a replacement for Philipe Coutinho. The Reds stunningly failed in their pursuit of Lyon captain Nabil Fekir after demanding a lower fee for the player. The Reds are in dire need of a new creative attacking midfielder and over the last few weeks, they have been linked with Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in snapping up the midfielder from relegated Stoke City. He might not be a like-for-like replacement but Shaqiri was impressive for the Potters throughout the whole of last season.
The Swiss international made a total of 36 appearances for the club last season, scoring 8 goals and providing 7 assists in that time. He is an extremely talented player but it doesn’t seem like he can replicate what Coutinho did for the club.
Here, we take a look at two alternatives Jurgen Klopp could sign instead of jumping the gun on Xherdan Shaqiri.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Juventus have signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. This could spark a transfer merry-go-round in the next couple of days. Dybala is an exceptional midfielder with brilliant abilities on the ball.
He has been one of the Serie A champions’ most consistent performers over the last few years. The attacking midfielder joined the club in 2015 and has gone on to make a total of 98 appearances for the Italian outfit, scoring a whopping 52 goals in that time.
Those are impressive numbers from the Argentinian, who has since nailed down a regular spot at the club. Last season, the 24-year-old made 26 appearances in the Serie A, scoring 22 goals and providing 5 assists. He’s a goalscorer as well as a playmaker at the same time. Klopp should certainly make a move for the extremely talented midfielder who seems to be getting better and better with time.
Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain)
The 24-year-old would be a decent backup option for Jurgen Klopp. A fellow German, Draxler is a creative player in the middle of the park. Although he wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Coutinho, the PSG midfielder will bring in his own style of play.
Draxler is a brilliant passer of the ball, averaging a pass success rate of 92.8% in the Ligue 1 last season. He made a total of 19 appearances for the French champions, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists in that time.
Draxler generally operates as a central attacking midfielder but he is a versatile player who is capable of playing on either wing as well. He is certainly an outside option for the German coach but one that could prove to be a massive signing in the long run.
Liverpool Women host Aston Villa at St. Helens Stadium on Sunday in a match that could seal their fate as relegation candidates. The Reds sit at the bottom of the WSL table with just 7 points from 14 matches, while Villa occupy 8th with 16 points after suffering a late 2-1 defeat to Everton last weekend.
Gareth Taylor’s side are running out of time to save their season with just nine games remaining. The 3-1 loss to Manchester United exposed glaring defensive frailties that have plagued Liverpool all campaign, and Villa will fancy their chances of collecting three crucial points away from home.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Venue: St Helens Stadium, St Helens
TV: Sky Sports
Taylor’s Honeymoon Period Emphatically Over
The former Manchester City coach has endured a nightmare start to life at Liverpool, winning just once in the league this season against Tottenham on January 25th. That solitary victory briefly offered hope before reality crashed back down at Old Trafford last weekend.
Martha Thomas, Denise O’Sullivan, and Alice Bergstrom have provided attacking quality since arriving in January, but the Reds continue shipping goals at an alarming rate. Liverpool have conceded 24 goals already, giving them the joint worst defensive record alongside West Ham.
Villa Struggling for Consistency
Aston Villa threw away a winning position against Everton after Ebony Salmon’s early opener, eventually succumbing to Martina Fernandez’s late strike. Natalia Arroyo’s side remains frustratingly inconsistent despite flashes of quality throughout the season.
The Villans beat Brighton 2-1 before the Everton loss, but were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester United the week prior. Villa needs to string together consecutive wins if they harbour any ambitions of climbing back towards mid table.
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Bernabe; Nagano; Bergstrom, O’Sullivan, Kapocs, Holland; Thomas
Aston Villa (3-4-2-1): Roebuck; Blinkilde, Mayling, Pacheco; Mullett, Dali, Blindkilde, Deslandes; Salmon, Lehmann; Daly
Liverpool
Liverpool Goalkeeper Loaned to Bayer Leverkusen as Reds Look to Clear Path for Jennifer Falk and Rachael Laws
Liverpool have sent goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe back to Germany on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the 25 year old joining Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Google Pixel Frauen Bundesliga.
The move makes perfect sense for both parties as Gareth Taylor’s side have already solidified their goalkeeping options during the January window.
Borggräfe joined Liverpool from SC Freiburg last summer but has struggled to establish herself as a regular starter, making just four appearances in all competitions during her time at Merseyside. A six match suspension handed out by the Football Association following an incident during pre season further set back her development at the club.
Ban and Limited Minutes Force Liverpool’s Hand
The suspension was a significant blow for the German international, who was already finding it difficult to break into a competitive goalkeeping setup. Liverpool dealt with the matter internally and have now moved on, but the timing of the ban clearly played a role in the decision to send her back to familiar surroundings in Germany.
Falk Making Impressive Start at Liverpool
Liverpool strengthened their goalkeeping ranks considerably during January by bringing in Swedish international Jennifer Falk on loan from BK Häcken. Falk has made an impressive early impression on Merseyside and has established herself as a key figure between the sticks.
Smart Squad Management From Taylor
With both Falk and Rachael Laws competing for the first choice jersey, opportunities for Borggräfe would have been extremely limited for the rest of the season. This is exactly the kind of smart squad management Liverpool need right now as they desperately fight to avoid the relegation playoff at the bottom of the WSL table.
Liverpool are next in action against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, with Taylor hoping his side can build on their encouraging recent form.
Manchester United Women host bottom placed Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday as Marc Skinner’s side look to extend their impressive seven game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Red Devils sit fourth in the WSL table, just one point behind third placed Arsenal, while the visitors are desperately fighting to avoid the relegation playoff.
United head into this derby clash in excellent form following their 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa last weekend. Goals from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Elisabeth Terland, Jess Park and Hanna Lundkvist secured a dominant away victory that continued their momentum after beating Arsenal in the League Cup semi finals.
Kick-off: 11:55 GMT, Sunday, February 2, 2026
Venue: Leigh Sports Village, Manchester
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
United Chasing Champions League Qualification
This is a must win game for Manchester United if they want to maintain their push for UWCL qualification. Just four points separate Tottenham in fifth from Chelsea in second, making every match crucial in this tight battle for European places.
Skinner remains without Leah Galton and Ella Toone due to back and hip injuries respectively, though Gabby George and Fridolina Rolfo have returned to training. Elisabeth Terland and Hanna Lundkvist are pushing for starts after impressive substitute appearances against Villa.
Liverpool Boosted by First Win
Liverpool finally recorded their first WSL victory of the season last weekend, beating Tottenham with two stoppage time goals. Gareth Taylor has strengthened considerably in January, and several new arrivals featured in that crucial home win.
The Reds remain without Sam Kerr, Martha Thomas, Marie Hobinger and Zara Shaw, while January signing Anna Josendal is not ready to debut. Beata Olsson is back in full training and could feature.
Predicted Lineups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme; Wangerheim, Park, Malard; Terland
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham; Nagano, O’Sullivan; Bergstrom, Kapocs, Holland; Enderby
Also read: Arsenal WFC vs. Leicester City WFC: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
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