Yahoo Sports Liverpool target Christian Pulisic will not be sold in January, insists Dortmund sporting director
Christian Pulisic will stay with Borussia Dortmund until at least the end of the season according to the Bundesliga club’s sporting director, Michael Zorc.
Pulisic, a longstanding target for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, will enter the final year of his Dortmund contract this summer and is yet to agree to renewed terms.
The 20-year-old has found himself in and out of Lucien Favre’s starting line-up this season following injury spells and the emergence of fellow young talents Jadon Sancho and Jacob Bruun Larsen.
Liverpool vs Fulham player ratings
Liverpool vs Fulham player ratings
1/22 Liverpool: Alisson - 6 out of 10
Made a ropey start to the game but was switched on to play the ball early and give Liverpool a break that led to the opening goal.
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2/22 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7 out of 10
Looked threatening on the overlap and delivering balls into the box, he had a good tussle with Sessegnon and sent the ball down the wing to Salah to give Liverpool the first goal.
PA
3/22 Joe Gomez - 6 out of 10
Looked a little slack at the back, letting Sessegnon get past him to have a chance on goal and got booked for a challenge on Mitrovic.
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4/22 Virgil van Dijk - 6 out of 10
Played clean up for Liverpool as they made some mistakes in the first half but was solid in clearing the ball.
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5/22 Nathan Robertson - 8 out of 10
Played some good balls into the box, none better than his delivery to Shaqiri that set up Liverpool’s second goal.
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6/22 Georginio Wijnaldum - 6 out of 10
Had a solid game with Liverpool in dominance, he played the ball forward and kept Liverpool advancing.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
7/22 Fabinho - 6 out of 10
Had a good game especially considering his start at Anfield. He won back the ball in mid-field and played some great balls over the top into the box.
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8/22 Xherdan Shaqiri - 9 out of 10
Was Liverpool’s most active player, running into space, creating chances and playing in passes with gusto, his goal in the second half was well deserved.
EPA
9/22 Sadio Mane - 7 out of 10
Took a few shots but was denied by Rico, his pace was too good for Fulham’s defence as well and he caused them serious problems.
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10/22 Mohamed Salah - 8 out of 10
Scored the opener and should have had more. It’s a testament to how good he is that this performance was quite contained.
REUTERS
11/22 Roberto Firmino - 6 out of 10
Had a quiet first half but linked well with Salah in a one-two combo to send Salah clear on goal.
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12/22 Fulham: Sergio Rico - 8 out of 10
Made two good saves to deny Salah in the first half and another two cracking saves in the second to stop Liverpool running away with the match.
EPA
13/22 Cyrus Christie - 6 out of 10
Held his own against Mane, keeping up with him and making strong challenges to win the ball.
EPA
14/22 Denis Odoi - 6 out of 10
Employed the no nonsense method of defending, clearing the ball and cutting out the crosses but tried to play Salah offside instead of forcing him out wide which led to the opener.
REUTERS
15/22 Alfie Mawson - 7 out of 10
Held his own against Salah as the ball came into the box from the wings and made some important interceptions to close down Liverpool’s attacks. He kept his team going through the second half and showed some spirit despite being two goals down.
PA
16/22 Maxime Le Marchand - 6 out of 10
Made some good challenges in defence and was quick to send the ball forward.
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17/22 Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 5 out of 10
Had a shocking second half, gave the ball away cheaply and was caught in possession on multiple occasions.
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18/22 Calum Chambers - 6 out of 10
Tracked back well and made some good clearances form defence. Also offered Fulham some options going forward.
REUTERS
19/22 Andre Schurrle - 5 out of 10
Found space out on the right and forced Alisson into a diving save with a decent shot but that was the only impact he had on the game.
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20/22 Tom Cairney - 7 out of 10
A much needed presence up top for Fulham. He held the ball up well and was always challenging to win the ball back.
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21/22 Ryan Sessegnon - 6 out of 10
Fulham’s most dangerous threat. He had a great chance in the first half but sent it wide.
REUTERS
22/22 Alensandar Mitrovic - 7 out of 10
Helped the ball on to send Sessegnon free on goal and scored a goal that was disallowed after he strayed offside, he was a lone presence up front but held the ball up well and won a few free kicks for Fulham.
REUTERS
Liverpool submitted a £11million bid for Pulisic in the summer of 2016 and have retained an interest in the United States international ever since.
Zorc, however, has insisted that Dortmund will not allow the youngster to leave in the upcoming January transfer window.
“We have known these rumours for many years. We are planning with him at least until the end of the season,” Zorc told Kicker, the German football magazine. “We will need Christian significantly.”
Ahead of the United States’ 3-0 friendly defeat to England at Wembley last week, Pulisic admitted that he is open to a move to the Premier League.
“England, the Premier League, is a league where lots of kids dream of playing so there is no reason why maybe one day I won’t play here,” he said.
Chelsea are also understood to be interested in Pulisic, who has scored three goals in his 12 appearances for Dortmund this season.
