Harvey Elliott talks take turn as Cristiano Ronaldo sweats over Liverpool deal

Liverpool are preparing to face Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend

Liverpool are set for a huge test against Manchester City on Sunday. The Reds are aiming for a statement win that could boost the team’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot.

Arne Slot’s side provided reasons for optimism with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United in their last outing and come up against a City side who have won just one of their last six league games. While Liverpool have demonstrated similarly inconsistent form, the crucial game at Anfield is an opportunity to remind their rivals of the quality within their ranks.

Away from the pitch, transfer speculation has continued to rumble on beyond the January window as teams begin planning for the summer. Here is a look at some of the latest headlines surrounding the Reds.

Harvey Elliott talks

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has insisted that the decision lies with Liverpool to help salvage Harvey Elliott’s season following months of negotiations. The 22-year-old agreed a loan move to Villa in the summer, which would become permanent after making 10 appearances.

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While the midfielder was widely expected to excel at Villa Park, he is still short of that total. However, as Villa do not want to trigger his buy option, Emery has argued for the Reds to remove the transfer clause to ensure the Liverpool loanee can play more regularly.

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“We are speaking about it [taking off the clause] but not now. We started speaking about it three months ago,” Emery said. “Of course, the transfer window was finished on Monday. It will be fair for him, because he’s a calm guy, good guy and he’s a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.

“Of course he must play and he’s really being passionate and I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there and we are taking the decision responsibly from my side. It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause – if they don’t want to, okay.”

The Villa boss added: “My sport decision is still there – ‘you are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play’. But in case, the clauses are still there and now it is Liverpool – they have the key.”

Cristiano Ronaldo issue

Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from Al Nassr, should Mohamed Salah leave Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League in the summer. The Portuguese forward has missed his side’s last two league games, reportedly due to discontent over Al-Nassr’s approach to the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Salah has been consistently linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League and speculation of him leaving Liverpool intensified after his outburst over being dropped to the bench in December. Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Tim Sherwood believes that reported interest in Salah, who is approaching the last year of his contract, could end Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia.

“You’ve got to feel sorry for Cristiano Ronaldo, haven’t you,” Sherwood told Casinostugan. “Who wouldn’t feel aggrieved that they’re not signing players how he wants them signed when he’s on £500k a day? He’s got every right to throw a tantrum, right?

“I mean, what is he talking about? If I was on £500k a day I’d be asking them what do you want me to do, and when do you want me to do it? Will Mohamed Salah moving out there mean the end of Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia? Absolutely but then again he’s always had his battles.”

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