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Liverpool news: Arne Slot eyes£80m Premier League ace as Cody Gakpo transfer replacement

Liverpool are in a three-way battle for an £80m-rated star who could replace Cody Gakpo in their starting XI, while a warning has been sent ahead of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray

Tom Victor Senior Sports Journalist and Neil Docking

11:10, 09 Mar 2026

Arne Slot needs to improve Liverpool's wide options this summer

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Arne Slot needs to improve Liverpool's wide options this summer

Monday evening will see Liverpool learn their opponents for the FA Cup quarter-finals following their victory over Wolves on Friday night.

Numerous heavyweights remain in contention, however, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all advancing on Saturday, after the Reds beat Wolves 3-1 on Friday night. The quarter-final itself won't take place until early April, though, and there's considerable football before then. Liverpool have both legs of their Champions League round of 16 clash against Galatasaray between now and the international break, alongside league encounters with Tottenham and Brighton.

Arne Slot's team sit sixth in the table with nine matches remaining and as matters stand, would miss out on a return to Europe's elite competition next term. Nevertheless, it's a packed section of the league table with merely three points dividing the Reds from bitter rivals Manchester United in third. Here's all the latest news from Anfield.

Eli Junior Kroupi has impressed at Bournemouth

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Eli Junior Kroupi has impressed at Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)

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Three-waybattle for Kroupi

Liverpool are one of three teams preparing to do battle for Eli Junior Kroupi, according to reports in France.

The French Under-21 forward joined Bournemouth for a reported £12million in 2025 but a rapid start has seen suggestions it could take as much as £80m for the Cherries to part ways with him.

He can play through the centre or be deployed as a left sided forward or left winger, as he was frequently at Lorient, where he netted 22 times in Ligue 2 last season to assist them in securing promotion to the top flight. This versatility means he could be deployed instead of Cody Gakpo on the left of Liverpool's attack.

Despite not consistently being a regular starter for Bournemouth this campaign, he has found the net eight times in the Premier League - averaging one every 133 minutes.

Liverpool got back to winning ways in the FA Cup but Arne Slot's squad needs new attacking talent

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Liverpool got back to winning ways in the FA Cup but Arne Slot's squad needs new attacking talent(Image: PA)

This has caught the attention of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, according to Telefoot, with the European powerhouses expected to compete with Liverpool for the 19-year-old's signature.

Speaking to the same publication, the striker expressed his ambition to feature for clubs at the pinnacle of football. He said: "I had dreams of winning the Ballon d'Or, of playing for the biggest clubs in the world, but they aren't really dreams anymore, rather objectives because I know that I can make them a reality.

"I'm now working to get to where I want to be."

Osimhen fires timely warning

Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray SK gestures for silence

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Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray has sent a warning to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen believes the Turkish side can shock Liverpool in the Champions League for the second time this season, reports the Mirror.

The Nigeria international netted the decisive goal from the penalty spot when the teams clashed in September and also helped his side claim an extra-time triumph over Juventus in the knock-out play-offs.

Osimhen was amongst the goals again at the weekend, scoring the solitary strike as Gala prevailed at Besiktas despite a Leroy Sane dismissal.

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The victory maintains their advantage over nearest rivals Fenerbahce in the league and Osimhen believes another significant result is achievable on Tuesday providing they remain cautious.

The former Napoli hotshot said: "We're showing unity. We need to take it game by game. This win will give us strength. We need to keep our feet on the ground.

"Liverpool are a very big team. We'll be playing at home. If we are careful, we can do well, even if it's not easy. All matches in the Champions League are tough. We will fight to do well."

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