Liverpool news: Marcus Rashford could wreck £51.5m transfer plan and truth of 'agreement

 Liverpool are counting the cost of a dismal defeat against Manchester City as they lost 3-0 and slipped down to eighth in the Premier League table.

The Reds were second best all over the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, despite the fact they could have gone in 1-1 at half time but for a hugely controversial disallowed goal from captain Virgil van Dijk. What looked like a remarkable summer transfer window has proved the opposite as the champions defence of their title looks all but over.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot had been armed with plenty of firepower for this Premier League season. They broke the British transfer record twice, firstly when Florian Wirtz was signed in a £116million deal and again when Alexander Isak joined on deadline day for £125m. Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni also arrived for substantial fees, contributing to a record-breaking £446m window.

Now the Reds may need to strengthen certain areas of their squad again. Here's all the latest news from Anfield, including a rumoured agreement for a defender and a legend criticising Slot.

Marcus Rashford disrupts Liverpool plan

Lyon's Malick Fofana has reportedly caught Liverpool's eye in the past with the club in need of a new winger after failing to replace Luis Diaz in the summer.

However, a January move for the 20-year-old Belgian winger could hinge on Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.

Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona and, despite being a regular starter, some within the club are not entirely sold, reports the Mirror.

As a result, Barcelona are keeping an eye on young talents they could bring in if they decide not to take up the 28-year-old's £26m purchase option.

Spanish publication Sport has reported Fofana is on the radar of the Catalan side, with a potential transfer fee of £51.5m if he were to depart Lyon.

Back in July, Liverpool found themselves linked with the young talent, amid rumours that both Chelsea and Arsenal also rate him highly.

Erratic defender could be on his way

Speculation around a contract agreement for centre-back Ibrahima Konate has been rife this season.

His current deal with Liverpool is set to expire in June 2026, with his inconsistent performances under the spotlight as he veers from one extreme to the other, having impressed in the 1-0 win against Real Madrid but then been one of the worst players on the pitch against City.

From January, the 26-year-oldwould be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with another European club, and there's been little talk of him signing a new contract with Liverpool.

Real Madrid have been touted as a possible destination for the French international, with Spanish reports addressing rumours of an agreement being reached.

AS alleges that Liverpool have given up on trying to secure the Frenchman to a new contract.

However, they also maintain that any whispers about an agreement with Real Madrid are just that, and currently, the club is merely monitoring Konate's situation, viewing it as positive.

Too much too soon

Liverpool's summer activity has been a hot topic, but one former player believes new signings have been thrust into the limelight too quickly.

Reds legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher criticised Slot for his handling of the new recruits.

Carragher told talkSPORT: "Looking at Liverpool in these last couple of weeks, there may be one valid criticism with hindsight would be about the manager.

"Maybe he blooded too many of the signings too early and it didn't really help them as such. Maybe, even when you look back at what Jurgen Klopp did, especially with Andy Robertson initially.

"Andy Robertson didn't actually play too much when he first signed, and he was sort of going to the Liverpool team around November, December.

"Maybe that would be the case with a few of the new signings as well, going forward."