Liverpool: Kewell Returns

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Liverpool have ended their search for a new manager by appointing Australian national team boss Harry Kewell, who will join the club following the World Cup.

The 43 year old will call time on a six-year stint with the Socceroos that saw them lift the 2019 Asian Cup and, in one of the biggest international upsets in recent memory, the 2021 Confederations Cup, and has taken the side from 60th in the world to an impressive 17th. Kewell emerged as a genuinely talented young manager after pushing Belgium to extra time in the second round of the 2018 World Cup.

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Anfield is familiar territory for Kewell, having played 93 games for the club from 2003 to 2007 as well as appearing in the 2005 Champions League final. Speaking briefly at Australia's training camp in Casablanca, he confirmed that the pull of returning to Liverpool was a major factor in stepping into club management.

"Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I've supported them since I was a small boy, so to be given the opportunity to manage the club is huge. It's great to be recognised for my achievements with Australia, and I'm looking forward to embarking on a new journey."

Kewell was also quick to thank the Football Federation of Australia for backing him back in 2016, when he only had experience as an Under-23 manager for Watford.

"For the FFA to appoint me was a massive gamble, and I'm very thankful for being backed to the hilt. I hope I've repaid the faith, you'd think so, a couple of trophies in the cabinet. But my time with the Socceroos has been incredible, there's been some amazing players come through the ranks, and I look forward to seeing how they progress even further."

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Kewell will take over a Liverpool outfit playing Europa League football in 2022/23 after stumbling at the line in the latter stages of last season. Belgian stars Divock Origi and Youri Tielemans appear to be clamouring for Champions League football elsewhere and Kewell will hope Director of Football Michael Edwards can quell the storm in his absence.

It is expected that the Socceroos boss will fly to England following the conclusion of Australia's World Cup campaign, and will officially take up the role on the 17th of July, giving him around two weeks to get used to his bearings and tackle his first role in club management. In the meantime, Edwards will conduct transfer activity on behalf of Kewell.

Yer a wizard 'Arry

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Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the transfer of Liverpool striker Divock Origi for a fee of £75,000,000.

The 27 year old is fresh off scoring twice in Belgian's World Cup opener against Iran and has celebrated by signing a 4 year contract on around £200,000 a week.

PSG have secured the signing, their first of the season, and Origi will likely line up as a striker or a left winger, forming a formidable attacking trio with Anthony Martial and Keita Balde. Origi made 194 appearances at Anfield, scoring 65 goals. He saw his best season in 2019/20, scoring 12 goals in 34 games.

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Liverpool Director of Football Michael Edwards did not seem devastated by the move. "Divock was a fantastic servant to the club and we wish him the best moving forward as a footballer."

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Sky Sports pundit John Terry weighed in on the transfer.

"In the end it's a great piece of business for the club, they get a sizeable fee for a player who didn't always set the world alight but was perfectly serviceable for a number of years. With £75,000,000, they can afford a player who is both serviceable and excellent - a 20 goal a season player. I'll be interested to see where they invest the money considering they only recently signed Dennis Man to play in Origi's area on the pitch. Ben Woodburn is another player who could step up."

Origi will link up with the club following the World Cup in Morocco.

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Australia have gotten their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start, dominating an ageing Slovenian outfit 3-0 through teenage wonderkids Jacob Nolan and Hugh Ryan, both 19.

After a slow start, Fenerbahce striker Jacob Nolan scored an unlikely goal after a long range strike from Panos Armenakas forced Slovenia goalie Jan Oblak into an awkward save, allowing Nolan to easily slot home the resulting rebound. Youngster Hugh Ryan, a surprise pick in central midfield next to Aaron Mooy, slotted a beautiful long range strike in the 57th minute and just 2 minutes later, Matthew Leckie set up Nolan for a second goal, with Australia thoroughly dominating the match across the pitch and walking away with the 3 points.

Australia will take on Brazil in their next group match, and are heavy underdogs after losing in their most recent encounter in the 2018 World Cup.

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Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan celebrated his 100th cap in style, keeping a clean sheet in his side's 3-0 victory over Slovenia before being chaired off the field, and the 30 year old has been lauded as one of the best players the Socceroos have ever seen by his manager Harry Kewell.

"Mat has pretty much been the linchpin of the side since I took over, and was always one of the leaders even though he was only 24. Now he's 30, and the most experienced in a relatively young side. He has experience at the top of world football and has genuine credentials to be considered one of the greatest."

Incidentally, Mat Ryan will continue to work under Kewell even after he leaves the Socceroos job, with Ryan having played for Liverpool since 2018.

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The 30 year old is expected to remain Australia's first choice goalkeeper for a few years to come, with the development of young gun Daniele Licari set to stand in his way. However, it is entirely feasible that Ryan could go on to achieve 150 caps, and add to his growing trophy collection which currently contains 2 Asian Cup winner's medals, a Confederations Cup winner's medal and the Asian Footballer of the Year award.

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An early goal from Roberto Firmino was enough for Brazil to down a hard-working and resilient Australian side, who matched Brazil across the park but could not deliver in the final third.

Socceroos boss Harry Kewell will be disappointed having concede from the corner flag, with an excellent cross from Neymar finding the head of Firmino. For much of the rest of the game, Australia controlled possession, playing patiently and slowly and not letting the more talented Brazilians intimidate them on the ball. However, the underdogs were unable to manufacture a genuine chance, with the front trio of Armenakas, Oikonomidis and Nolan failing to fire.

With Cameroon and Slovenia playing to a 1-1 draw, Australia will qualify for the second round should they get at least a draw against the former on Friday.

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South African international Tsepo Zwane, 19, has signed with Liverpool after Mamelodi Sundowns accepted an £825,000 bid for his services.

The central midfielder is widely touted as being one of the most talented young African players in the world, having already made 10 appearances for the South African national side. He is considered amongst Bafana Bafana's best players already and has extensive experience in the AFC Champions League.

Zwane is considered to be a roaming playmaker, possessing strong technical ability as well as good stamina. His dimunitive height as well as his defensive weaknesses are areas for improvement upon his arrival, and he is expected to be loaned out domestically to attune him to European football.

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An 86th minute winner from Vincent Aboubakar proved to be the difference with Cameroon qualifying for the second round at the expense of Australia. A 72nd minute straight red from Australia's Brad Smith saw Kewell scramble to preserve a 1-1 scoreline which would have seen the side progress.

Jacob Nolan scored a brilliant goal after a long winding run just 10 minutes into the game, putting the Socceroos in a favourable position, but from there on Cameroon had the better of the match. Vincent Aboubakar used his strength and mobility to score a 28th minute equaliser but at half time Australia were still poised to qualify.

In the 72nd minute, Brad Smith was dismissed for a rash, two-foot challenge on Cameroon's Joel and Kewell was forced to reshuffle the side. For 15 minutes, Australia held onto the qualification but Aboubakar added his second after a rapid counter attack in the 86th minute, breaking the hearts of Australia.

Cameroon will face Senegal in an all-African clash in the Round of 16.

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Harry Kewell has officially departed from his role as manager of the Australian national team, with the conclusion of the World Cup campaign.

Australia's loss to Cameroon yesterday elicited tears from the 43 year old, who took over the role from Ange Postecoglou in 2016 and has since led Australia to triumphs on a continental and global stage.

Kewell boasts an impressive record as manager of the Socceroos, with 63 wins from 87 matches. Among those wins were the finals of the 2019 Asian Cup and the 2021 Confederations Cup, defeating Japan and Peru respectively, and the achievements of the side under Kewell have seen them rise from 60th to 17th in the world under his tenure.

Multiple current Socceroos have paid their respects to Kewell, with the 43 year old having given debuts to many of Australia's best including Panos Armenakas, Jacob Nolan and Hugh Ryan. When asked who the most influential player in his tenure was, Kewell was unable to pin one down.

"Most influential? Geez, well Mat Ryan's obviously been fantastic, cracking 100 caps. Aaron Mooy and Bailey Wright have been outstanding leaders. Brad Smith and Gethin Jones are always underrated, and then Matthew Leckie and Chris Oikonomidis were amazing on the wings. Apostolos Giannou coming in at 26 and making the impact he did as well. I can't pick one."

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He did, however, label Jacob Nolan and Hugh Ryan as the "two best prospects Australia have ever produced" and Socceroos fans will hope the teenagers can live up to expectations.

Kewell is set to formally join Liverpool on the 17th of July, and in the meantime will enjoy a short time off with his family before embarking on the most challenging journey in his management career.

Shame to see his term as Aussie manager come to an end in the way it did, but its always darkest before dawn, and this is the dawn of a new era for 'Arry and Liverpool!

Unfortunate to have been eliminated but now Kewell can focus his attentions fullt on taking Liverpool to the top of football!

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Rumours suggest that incoming Liverpool boss Harry Kewell will make an immediate move for Fenerbahce's Australian striker Jacob Nolan, having worked with the youngster directly for the past 3 years.

The 20 year old moved to Turkey on deadline day just 4 months ago for a fee of £2,000,000 but his contract entails a minimum fee release clause of £13,250,000 and reports suggest Kewell sees that as a more than fair valuation of the striker.

Nolan became the youngest ever Socceroo, debuting at the age of 17 years and 150 days against the United Arab Emirates following strong form in his first season at Adelaide United. He scored twice on debut and scored his first hat trick 4 months later against Bangladesh. He currently has 31 caps and 27 goals and looks on track to smash the Socceroos goalscoring record of 48 by Tim Cahill.

Fenerbahce bought him from Adelaide United for £2 million in February but has spent the majority of his time at the club in the reserve squad, making just 1 appearance, and would be obligated to accept a fee of £13.25 million. Whether or not Nolan would be willing to move again so soon is yet to be seen, but the opportunity to work with his mentor at one of the biggest clubs in the world would be hard to pass up.

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Argentina winger Franco Cervi has agreed a deal with Liverpool, joining the club for a fee of £29,500,000.

The 28 year old will fill the void left by outgoing Divock Origi, and like manager Harry Kewell, will meet up with the squad following the World Cup.

A natural left winger, Cervi is coming off a strong season for SL Benfica, contributing 3 goals and 6 assists in 30 league appearances but struggling in the Champions League. His best season was in 2020/21, contributing to 12 goals and helping fire Benfica to the Primera Liga title for the second year in a row.

In the peak of his career, Cervi will be looking to secure a first team spot in the side and fill the void left by Divock Origi whilst continuing to improve as a footballer. Liverpool will hope Cervi can give them 5 years of strong service and can recoup his transfer fee.

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In other transfer news, Liverpool have released centre back duo Dejan Lovren and Leo Duarte after they made just 7 and 8 appearances for the club respectively last season. Lovren amassed over 200 appearances for the Reds, and has been linked with a diverse range of clubs including Lazio, West Brom, Toronto FC and Qatar outfit Al-Gharrafa. Meanwhile, Leo Duarte's future is uncertain after failing to live up to a £15m price tag 3 seasons ago, making just 4 league appearances for Liverpool.

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Roberto Firmino has become the second high-profile departure from Liverpool this transfer window, signing a 3 year deal with Southampton.

The £11.75m fee could rise to as high as £17.5m and works well for both teams, with Southampton signing a genuinely world class talent whilst Liverpool have offloaded an out-of-form striker behind Paulo Dybala in the pecking order. Firmino scored just 7 goals in 34 matches last season and was considered to be a waste of his £200k a week contract.

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Firmino will have fierce competition in a Southampton line-up with 3 other experienced strikers in Manolo Gabbiadini, Mattia Destro and Troy Deeney, but his superior creativity could see him elevated.

The move could see Liverpool look for a replacement, especially considering the departure of Divock Origi. However, inside sources suggest Kewell is backing young strikers Dennis Man and Ben Woodburn to make up for Firmino's absence.