CONTE’S HOMING IN ON CANDREVA
Kop boss wary of putting too much pressure on Trent the teen sensation
JURGEN KLOPP recognises Trent Alexander-Arnold as a standout star of his generation... but warns against burning out the teenage sensation.
FROM BACK PAGE multiple trophies in the same season *Winning multiple Champions League titles *Winning the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player *Winning multiple trophies and the Ballon d’Or in the same season *Payment of the basic £80m fee staggered over five years There is growing anger at Anfield at the Catalan club’s pursuit of the Brazilian, who has submitted a written transfer request that has also been turned down. Despite receiving £200m in cash from Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar (above) in one payment, Barcelona do not appear to have the funds to make upfront bids for both Coutinho and their other main target, Borussia Dortmund striker Ousmane Dembele. The Germans have turned down a £90m bid, and want around £140m. Liverpool are aware no matter how firm their stance, Barca are likely to return within the next week with another bid – and Coutinho will continue to press them to accept. FRANK DE BOER has insisted he was right to turn down the Liverpool job – just as he initially knocked back the chance to play for Barcelona.
The Dutchman was approached to replace Kenny Dalglish in 2012 but opted to stay and honour his contract at Ajax. And the former Holland captain, now 47, said he took the same decision when Johan Cruyff first wanted him at the Nou Camp.
Before his first visit to Anfield as a manager, the Crystal Palace boss said: “I don’t think back to that Liverpool offer – it was a very clear position I had at that time.
“I had a feeling I wasn’t ready or finished with Ajax. It was not a difficult decision. I didn’t have to think one second about it because I was really happy with Ajax and had just made a deal to stay a few years longer.
“I was the same when I was a player at Ajax. I was called on the phone and told, ‘Johan Cruyff wants you to play for Barcelona’.
“But I’d just made an agreement with Ajax for three more years so said sorry but no.” De Boer eventually joined Barca, with brother Ronald, in 1999.
Palace have won their last three at Anfield – and have scored against Liverpool in their last 13, going back to January 2003. CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte has been given the green light to sign Inter Milan’s Antonio Candreva. Inter will sell the midfielder (left) for £25million, while the Blues have also made a £15m move for Danny Drinkwater of Leicester.