Liverpool appear to be concentrating heavily on the Portuguese top flight recently, and not just in the search for a new manager.

Amid the ongoing speculation over Ruben Amorim potentially taking the reins from Jurgen Klopp, the Reds also dispatched scouts to a Primeira Liga fixture over the weekend.

The print edition of Record claimed (via Sport Witness) that a delegation from Merseyside attended the clash between FC Porto and Vitoria Guimaraes on Sunday.

While the report didn’t mention any specific player who was being monitored, it’s been suggested that they may have been checking in on Alan Varela, who’s been a target for Liverpool ever since his time at Boca Juniors in his native Argentina.

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If Varela was indeed the main focus of the Liverpool scouting delegation, they’ll have been reasonably pleased with what they saw from him despite Porto losing 1-2 at home to a direct rival for Europa League qualification.

As per Sofascore, the 22-year-old won three tackles and five of his six duels, completed 91% of his passes (39/43), landed one shot on target and recorded four successful long balls.

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The defensive midfielder was withdrawn just 11 minutes into the second half, but having been replaced by a more attack-minded player in Ivan Jaime, that was most likely a tactical alteration by Sergio Conceicao with his team trailing.

In terms of Varela’s underlying statistics during his first season in Europe, he ranks very highly for pass completion (top 7% of positional peers in the continent) but is generally in the middle sector for most of the main metrics analysed by FBref.

It’s unclear whether he was the focus of the Liverpool scouts’ attention, while the managerial situation still needs to be resolved before we get any real clarity on summer transfer targets, but don’t be surprised if the Argentine’s name crops up again over the coming weeks in relation to potential interest from Anfield.

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Anyone attending a match in the Portuguese top flight this weekend may well have seen representatives from Liverpool present.

Correio da Manhã claimed in recent days (via Sport Witness) that scouts from Merseyside will be at tonight’s clash between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica to take a close look at Manuel Ugarte, who’s been strongly linked with the Reds of late.

In addition to that trip, Sunday’s edition of O Jogo reported (via Sport Witness) that Jurgen Klopp’s side also had an official at another derby game between Famalicao and Porto yesterday.

The report didn’t specify any particular player at whom the Liverpool delegation were looking, although one man will inevitably have caught their attention.

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Porto’s 4-2 win was the Mehdi Taremi show, with the Iran striker scoring all of his team’s goals as they secured the three points, which leaves Benfica needing to beat Sporting if they’re to be crowned champions tonight before the Primeira Liga concludes next Sunday.

However, with the Reds far likelier to be looking at midfielders and defenders than another forward this summer, the 30-year-old mightn’t be the focus of the reports coming back to Merseyside.

Judging by statistics from Sofascore, the next most eye-catching player against Famalicao was Otavio, the attacking midfielder who claimed one assist, posted a 100% dribble success rate, won three tackles, came out on top in eight duels, played three key passes and drew three fouls.

His overall tally for the season is five goals and 13 assists from 42 games, operating on both flanks and also through the middle in no fewer than nine different positions (Transfermarkt).

It could be interesting to see if Liverpool become linked with any Porto players in the coming days and weeks, having already struck success with the signing of Luis Diaz from the Estadio Dragao in January 2022.

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Liverpool supporters are all too aware of incompetence of UEFA’s organising skills and one account from the Porto vs. Inter Milan Champions League clash has drawn harrowing comparisons to last season’s final in Paris.

From being locked out of the stadium, to supporters being crammed into small areas – it’s a truly worrying account of events that has been shared online by Twitter user @FootballShirtC2, who was in Portugal to enjoy a sample of top European action.

Accounts of the stadium being sold at twice the capacity and seeing a child being thrown off a balcony by police that were present is something that should never be heard about a football match in what is supposed to be the top level of European competition.

READ MORE: Johnson says £220k-per-week man is ‘not past his peak’ despite ‘one of his worst performances’ for Liverpool

The Twitter thread is supported by others who were also present on the night, such as this video posted to Twitter by Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri:

DANGEROUS SCANDAL FROM PORTO!

AS HAPPENED TO LIVERPOOL IN PARIS!

The situation outside EstadioDo Dragão!

A thousand of normal Inter fans with regular ticket – many bought from Porto site with no restrictions – kept out, amassed dangerously!#PortoInter pic.twitter.com/B27aFsEr1Y

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) March 14, 2023

We should never see scenes like this in 2023 and it’s important to note that this is likely the fault of the stadium organisers, the police and UEFA but you would think after the events at the Stade de France – there would be an effort to ensure that no more scenes like this would be happening.

This thread of the events at the Estadio do Dragao should be spread far and wide, as the only way for change to happen is by ensuring that moments of ineptitude like this are shared far and wide.

You can view the full Twitter thread via @FootballShirtC2:

14/03/22 – Porto vs Inter

From not accepting valid tickets to woeful organisation.

Here’s a short thread on what I experienced at Estadio Dragão tonight…#UEFA #FCPorto #Inter https://t.co/n3FbNDqz3v

— Rhys (@FootballShirtC2) March 14, 2023

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Despite seemingly closing our transfer window operations, there have been several links with Otavio in recent days.

As reported by Neil Jones from GOAL though, these rumours appear to have been far from the truth: ‘Told there’s no truth in reports linking Liverpool with a move for Porto’s Otavio this summer. Not a target and never has been’.

It seems like signing our latest Primeira Liga star has been ruled out and the belief that our business is done, still remains strong.

READ MORE: Liverpool make ‘informal offer of €60 million’ for 21-year-old Real Madrid star who ‘is tempted’ by ‘Klopp’s interest’

It is amazing that we can ‘publically’ announce that we will not be signing another player this summer but the rumours continue to swirl around Anfield.

In the case of the 27-year-old from Porto, it looks as though he will not become our man and his age did always seem to make this an unlikely story.

With a week to pre-season starting and a month to the Premier League, it’s likely there’ll be a couple more stories ruled out before the football can do the talking once again.

You can view the update on Otavio via @neiljonesgoal on Twitter:

Told there's no truth in reports linking Liverpool with a move for Porto's Otavio this summer. Not a target and never has been.#LFC

— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) June 27, 2022

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The post Liverpool’s links with Otavio rubbished as several sources confirm that there is ‘no truth in reports linking Liverpool with a move’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Just days after being linked with a move for Otavio, Liverpool have now been touted as a possible destination for another Porto star.

As reported by Defensa Central (via BBC Sport): ‘Liverpool and Real Madrid are considering a move for Porto’s Portugal midfielder Vitinha, 22’.

Competing with Real Madrid may not be the challenge that it used to pose, due to our pedigree within European football and strong relationship with the Portuguese side.

READ MORE: (Video) Fabinho and Alisson Becker caught out passing the ball from the back for Brazil

The 22-year-old, also known as Vitor Ferreira, spent last season on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers and featured in 19 Premier League games.

He also played against Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield this season in the Champions League and the Portugal international has four goal involvements in the Primeira Liga from central and attacking midfield this season.

Given how stacked our midfielder options are already, there may not be too much pressure to get this deal done – unless we can get a good deal arranged or if someone else heads out of the exit door first.

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Liverpool seem to be starting a strong relationship with Porto and it looks like we are after another one of their players.

As reported by A Bola (via BBC Sport): ‘Liverpool are set to rival Manchester United and Newcastle United for Portugal midfielder Otavio, 27, from Porto‘.

Coming up against the new money of Newcastle and the wasting money Manchester United may be an issue, if it becomes a bidding war with the other two clubs.

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Given the success of the Luis Diaz deal and the prestige of Jurgen Klopp’s side, it would be fair to assume that we would have the edge in any ordinary negotiations.

That is all of course if we actually want to make a move for the 27-year-old who was born in Brazil but represents the Portuguese national side.

15 goal involvements in 25 league games this season would mean that he would be an exciting prospect for the Reds and he would certainly link up well with our No.23.

It will all come down to numbers with this one but the man who can play across the front three and in attacking midfield could be a good option, if we are to move for him this summer.

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Diogo Jota may have been somewhat of a surprise signing for Liverpool but he has far surpassed the initial expectation he had on his arrival.

Sharing a post by his former club Porto, our No.20 shared the video of a goal he scored against CD Tondela six seasons ago and it’s a finish we’re very used to now.

The post by his former club used the following caption: ‘𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕡𝕡𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 Impossible to hold this shot by Diogo Jota’.

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It’s great that the adoration is still present between his old club and the 25-year-old and that they were both happy to share the video of the goal.

The footage of a young Portuguese forward and his manager Nuno Espirito Santo is very interesting, little did they both know at that point that they would both soon end up at Wolves.

Sometimes you forget the careers our current players had before their Merseyside arrival and it’s great to have a look back at their former lives.

You can view the goal via Porto’s Instagram account and on Jota’s Instagram stories:

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The post (Video) Diogo Jota shares video of classic Porto goal with brilliant left-footed finish appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool provided Porto with an upfront cash influx as a gesture of good will between the clubs and that has stopped a European ban for the Portuguese side.

According to Paul Joyce from The Times, the team that plays their home games in Estadio do Dragao were on the cusp of being banned from Europe for three years before we agreed to help them out.

It was of course part of the negotiations for the Luis Diaz deal but is still an unbelievably good gesture from those in charge of our club.

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Joyce wrote: ‘Another crucial element to the discussions was Liverpool’s willingness to provide Porto with a cash injection of £6.6 million ahead of the deal being complete, which staved off the threat of the Portuguese champions being excluded from European competition for three seasons.

‘Uefa contacted Porto at the start of December and informed them they were obliged to pay off all their debts by January 31.

‘They refused to relax their stance despite a plea from the club, who had been unable to sell fringe players’.

It’s all worked well and both sides leave the table happy but if this had been another Nabil Fekir case and the Colombian had failed his medical, it could have been a situation of huge embarrassment for Julian Ward who took the helm for the first time on this deal.

Instead, we can now applaud his work in finding a way to further sweeten the transaction and with many fans from the other side believing we got a good deal – it may have actually saved us some money in the long run.

Building a strong relationship with Porto may also come back to help us in the future, this could prove a master stroke given the Portuguese champions’ ability to unearth top South American talent.

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Jurgen Klopp has admitted that’s he’s been a long-term admirer of Luis Diaz and when Tottenham looked to take his man, he acted.

It’s been widely reported that Spurs were very close to completing a deal for the Colombian until we intervened and made the player take a u-turn on his negotiations.

According to Sam Wallace from the Telegraph (via @AnfieldEdition): ‘Spurs agreed a deal with Diaz and it seemed to be all sorted.

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‘Liverpool became aware of this on Thursday, had Klopp FaceTime Diaz and then he was convinced.

‘Daniel Levy is far from happy’.

The thought of our boss sat in his Kirkby office FaceTiming the 25-year-old and convincing him that Anfield is the place for him is a great one and there’s no doubt this would convince many players.

What a shame Daniel Levy is upset with how this has all panned out, everyone knows that he’s always been a fair and reasonable negotiator for everyone else to deal with.

Only thing better than getting the signature of your preferred transfer target? Beating someone else to the signature must be right up there.

You can read the tweet via @AnfieldEdition:

Spurs agreed a deal with Diaz and it seemed to be all sorted. Liverpool became aware of this on Thursday, had Klopp FaceTime Diaz and then he was convinced.

Daniel Levy is far from happy. [@SamWallaceTel]

— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) January 30, 2022

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The post How a FaceTime between Jurgen Klopp and Luis Diaz stopped Tottenham negotiations and left Daniel Levy furious appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool have landed in Portugal ahead of their Champions League clash with FC Porto, but they’re without one of their star-men.

Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t made the trip, as revealed by Ian Doyle on social media last night.

MORE: Porto insider verdict & injury update ahead of Champions League clash with Liverpool

James Milner or Neco Williams are likely to deputise in the absence of the Scouser, but Liverpool’s creativity and width will suffer.

Jurgen Klopp stated yesterday that there are no new injury concerns, in his pre-match press conference – but it’s unclear what the situation is with Trent.

The full-back missed a recent Liverpool fixture through illness, but it’s believed he’d recovered from that before now.

Speculation, naturally, doesn’t help anyone – so we won’t discuss it further – but hopefully the club will move to address concerned fans soon.

Porto and Liverpool will kick-off at 8pm (UK time) at the Estádio do Dragão, with the Reds aiming to make it two wins from two in the Champions League and remain at the top of their group.

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Liverpool are up against Portuguese giants FC Porto in the Champions League this week, for what feels like the 15th time in five years.

The historical European outfits share eight titles between them in the continent’s flagship tournament and will meet at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday night.

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To get an inside scoop on the opposition, we spoke to Portuguese football expert Aaron Barton, creator of Próxima Jornada…

FC Porto once again welcome Liverpool to the Estádio do Dragão in the UEFA Champions League. The two clubs have become familiar foes in the competition in recent years, the difference this time around is that the clubs meet in the group stages rather than in the knockout phase. It is only the second time Porto and Liverpool have been paired in the group stages, the first being back in the 2007/08 season.

In terms of form, Sérgio Conceição’s men come into this one flying high – particularly at home. At the Dragão, Porto have won all three games without conceding a goal (2-0 v Belenenses SAD, 3-0 v Arouca and 5-0 v Moreirense). On the road it’s been a different story, winning just two of their five games in all competitions, drawing the other three to maintain their unbeaten start.

Liverpool will of course be a tougher test than the sides Porto have faced domestically thus far, so it is best to look at how Porto fared last time out in the Champions League, a 0-0 draw away to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid on matchday one. A pretty even affair, it was a clash between two managers who like to place great emphasis on defensive structure and organisation, especially when playing in Europe. Come the final whistle, it was Porto who left the game feeling most disappointed after having an 81st-minute Mehdi Taremi goal ruled out by VAR for apparent handball.

In the last two Liga matches, Conceição has opted to bet more on the youth, giving starts to the young maestros Fábio Vieira and Vitinha – both players have embraced their chances, impressing on both occasions. For the Champions League, however, we will likely see a Porto side with a bit more experience in the side – more similar to the XI that started vs Atlético Madrid.

Luís Diaz is the main danger-man to look out for, the Colombian is currently the best player in Portugal. His talent has always been evident, but his performances have now went to another level – especially  over the past six months. He is coming off the back of finishing joint-top-scorer at Copa América and is on course to have his best domestic season yet, with six goals and one assist to his name already. For an idea of what Diaz can do in the Champions League, see his goal against Manchester City last season!

Luis Díaz la semaine dernière face à Manchester City.

La défense cityzen est totalement à la ramasse.

@ChampionsLeague

pic.twitter.com/m9J5Gn6Uwn

— BeFootball (@_BeFootball) October 27, 2020

One area that could be significantly weaker for Porto is central defence. Chancel Mbemba received a red card in Madrid and is suspended, but even worse than that is his defensive partner – the effervescent Pepe is also a major doubt. Conceição spoke to the media today confirming that Pepe did not train at all and that tomorrow is his last chance to be declared fit and part of the squad.

The post Porto insider verdict & injury update ahead of Champions League clash with Liverpool appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Jurgen Klopp will be thrilled after being handed a very welcome fitness boost ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Porto.

Naby Keita picked up a vague injury during the Reds’ 3-0 win over Norwich City in the League Cup last week, leaving question marks over the midfielder’s head for upcoming fixtures.

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In a recent press conference, Klopp confirmed he wasn’t sure when Keita would return – but the player’s presence in training on Monday afternoon is great news and comes as a huge boost.

As noted by Goal journalist Neil Jones on Twitter, Liverpool’s No.8 trained with his team-mates ahead of the Reds’ clash with Porto in the Champions League.

It’s unclear if this news puts Keita in the forefront of Klopp’s mind – or if he’s even match-fit – but it certainly seems the 26-year-old will be part of the travelling squad.

Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones shone in the Guinea international’s absence last week, scoring against Brentford in the 3-3 draw away from home, and has arguably made his case to start in Portugal on Tuesday night.

The post Liverpool handed huge injury boost ahead of Champions League clash with Porto appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool have agreed a deal with Porto for the permanent transfer of midfielder Marko Grujic.

The move will cost the Portuguese giants £10.5 million and the Reds have inserted a 10% sell-on clause, as reported by Neil Jones.

MORE: Liverpool kickstart summer sales as £6.5m fee agreed for striker

This news comes immediately after a deal for Tawio Awoniyi was agreed with Union Berlin, bringing a total of £17 million into the club.

Earlier this month, it was reported by the Daily Mirror that Liverpool are keen on selling the likes of Grujic and Harry Wilson this summer to build a transfer kitty for Jurgen Klopp.

It’s unclear exactly what the Reds’ plans are for the remainder of the window, but it’s apparent there needed to be sales before adding new players to the ranks.

Grujic joined Liverpool back in 2016 at the age of 19 and made a total of 16 appearances for the club – which is also fittingly the squad number he was allocated for five years.

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Portuguese giants FC Porto are reportedly interested in Liverpool winger Harry Wilson.

That’s according to Times journalist Duncan Castles, who told The Transfer Window Podcast manager Sergio Conceicao is especially keen on the Wales international, as per HITC.

MORE: Borussia Dortmund close in on Liverpool-linked forward to replace Jadon Sancho – report

Interestingly, this nugget of information comes amid rumours Liverpool are interested in Porto attacking midfielder Otavio.

Portuguese media are continually linking the Reds with a move for the Brazilian, despite sources outside the country barely making a peep.

A move for Wilson, however, does seem a lot more likely than for Otavio. Earlier this year, it was reported that Liverpool are willing to allow the 24-year-old to join fellow Premier League side Leeds United.

Given the Welshman has been with the club since the age of just eight, it’d be a shame to see him turn his back on Anfield – but the writing does appear to be on the wall.

Liverpool have a good relationship with Porto and it’d be no surprise to us at Empire of the Kop if Wilson did end up plying his trade at the Estadio do Dragao come the start of next season.

The post Porto eyeing surprise move for Liverpool winger – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

The agent of Porto star Otavio has seemingly invited Liverpool to make a move for the attacking midfielder this summer.

For the last few weeks, the Reds have been linked with the Brazilian, with reports from within Portugal repeatedly claiming Jurgen Klopp is keen on the 26-year-old.

MORE: Joao Felix urges Liverpool-linked midfielder to leave club after impressing at Euro 2020

Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola, as per TEAMtalk, the player’s agent said: “If it’s good for Porto and for Otavio,” on the rumours, which suggests he’d be up for dealing with Liverpool.

The Porto star has a €60 million release clause in his contract, which was increased from a significantly more attractive €40 million just last week.

But there is a belief the Portuguese giants would be willing to do business Otavio at lower than his exit clause, hence Liverpool’s reported interest.

There has been barely a peep out of media from anywhere else in Europe – or indeed in the player’s native Brazil – to concur with Portuguese reports, but the rumours aren’t going away.

We at Empire of the Kop would urge Liverpool fans to take the Otavio stuff with a pinch of salt, but it may be one to keep an eye on.

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