Just over three years after being bought by RedBird, Toulouse could change ownership once again. A feasibility study has reportedly been launched by RedBird, according to unnamed sources close to the firm.

Chairman Damien Comolli has regularly referred to the “long-term commitment” of the American ownership, but several of RedBird’s associates (including owner Gerry Cardinale) had resigned from the board of directors to allow Les Violets to participate in European competition.

RedBird capital partners are also owners of Serie A side AC Milan, recent opponents of PSG in the Champions League (3-0).

GFFN | George Boxall

Liverpool’s lead was short-lived though. Nicklas Schmidt’s excellent pass fed Aron Dönnum, who showed great vision to beat the offside trap and release the untracked Thijs Dallinga who emphatically fired home in front of the Kop. Both Liverpool full-backs, as well as Caoimhin Kelleher, really should have done better. Les Violets grew in confidence and boldly went toe-to-toe with the Reds. Toulouse’s off-the-ball work to screen Liverpool’s passing lanes was remarkable, and we had an open game on our hands.

Toulouse came undone in four minutes

Toulouse were however powerless to prevent Trent Alexander-Arnold from pinging a trademark inch-perfect cross for the unlikely Wataru Endo to loop in a precise header in Restes’ bottom corner at the half-hour mark. The hosts’ ruthlessness were too much to handle for Toulouse. Four minutes later, Liverpool got themselves a third goal following a mazy run from Ryan Gravenberch with the ball rebounding off Curtis Jones’ arm and into the path of Nunez, who rifled past under Restes’ crossbar.

Only minutes in the second half, Toulouse were offered a way back in the game following a blunder from Kelleher. Suazo had the goal at his mercy, but he scuttled a shot straight at the onrushing Alexander-Arnold. The Reds were guilty of complacency, showing little intent to put the game to bed for good. Dönnum’s casual back-pass was instantly punished with Nunez running rampant and finding Restes’ post. The excellent Gravenberch was on hand to score the rebound.

Toulouse’s chance to create the upset had passed, and the gap in class between the sides was evident for all to see when Klopp allowed himself to sub on Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian put the icing on the cake with a clinical finish in injury time. Despite a spirited first half-hour, Les Violets were comprehensively beaten at Anfield. They will host Liverpool at the Stadium Municipal in a fortnight. The evening brought more bad news for Toulouse, they are no longer second in Group E following Union Saint-Gilloise’s late 2-1 win against LASK.

Toulouse players ratings

Guillaume Restes, 5 – There’s little he could have done to prevent the first three Liverpool goals. Still, the 18-year-old appeared unfazed on the big stage, showing good anticipation and making a strong stop to deny Gravenberch in the first half and Nunez in the second half.

Gabriel Suazo, 3 – The Chilean had an evening to forget. Despite his experience, he appeared jittery, lost too many easy balls and gave Alexander-Arnold too much freedom. The way he fumbled an open goal, and failed to halve Toulouse’s deficit, is borderline unforgivable.

Logan Costa, 4

Moussa Diarra, 4

Rasmus Nicolaisen, 5

Mikkel Desler, 5

Cristian Casseres, 5

Vincent Sierro, 4

Niklas Schmidt, 5

Aron Dönnum, 4

Thijs Dallinga, 6 – He only needed one clear goal-scoring opportunity to get off the mark, and that’s what good strikers do. Showed great pace and anticipation to perfectly time his run before overpowering Kelleher for the equalizer. Had too little on his plate though, and was well-handled by Gomez and Matip. Should have been credited with an assist if not for Suazo’s awful miss. 

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Toulouse are yet to be beaten in European competition. Le TéFéCé have one win and one draw in Group E and are just two points behind leaders Liverpool going into Thursday’s match at Anfield. Martínez Novell’s side have been solid thus far in Ligue 1, and could yet better their 13th-place finish from last season. They currently sit 10th and have drawn five of their nine top-flight matches in France’s top flight, including their last two.

Whilst there is no doubt that Toulouse head into the match against Liverpool, Martínez Novell has said that he is looking to be positive. “We are preparing this match to beat them. Of course, it’s possible,” said the Spaniard, who did nonetheless address the uncertainties surrounding their opponents set-up with Liverpool often rotating in European competition so far this season. 

Klopp also struck a wary tone in his pre-match press conference, saying that Toulouse are a side that “deserve respect.” 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Toulouse excelled upon their return to the top flight last season. Under Philippe Montanier, Le TéFéCé finished 13th in Ligue 1 and also won the Coupe de France. Their triumph in France’s only cup competition earned them a spot in the Europa League this season. However, despite Toulouse’s success, Montanier lost his job at the end of the season. An underperformance based on data projections was cited as the reason behind what was viewed as an extremely harsh sacking. 

Carles Martínez Novell replaced Montanier at Toulouse, stepping up from his previous role as assistant. Whilst Toulouse have been less convincing this season, they do nonetheless sit 10th in Ligue 1. Novell’s side have drawn half of their matches, including their match against Stade de Reims over the weekend. 

Toulouse are currently unbeaten (one win, one draw) in their Europa League group ahead of Thursday’s trip to Anfield. Whilst Liverpool will be favourites, Klopp is wary of his opponent. “Toulouse deserve our respect. It is a really interesting story I’d say […] this season they are a brilliant, very talented team […] they have clear ideas. We need to see how they turn up here. We really don’t know. In all of their matches, we could see that they tried to play forward. They took a point against PSG, which is huge of course,” said Klopp in a pre-match press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The Ligue 1 side have officially announced this Friday that Les Violets’ home will be sold out when Jürgen Klopp’s Reds come to town on Thursday, November 9 at 6:45pm local time. Toulouse FC, who owed their qualification to the competition thanks to their 2023 Coupe de France win, have revealed that all the 31,000 tickets on sale have found a buyer.

Before hosting Liverpool, Carlos Martinez Novell’s team will play the Premier League side on their home Anfield turf. France Bleu understands that nearly 2,000 Toulouse fans will make the trip to Merseyside on Thursday, October 26. Liverpool currently top Group E after winning at LASK (3-1) and at home against Union Saint-Gilloise (2-0). Toulouse are second after drawing away in Belgium (1-1) and winning at home against the Austrian side (1-0).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Spierings left Toulouse to join RC Lens on a free transfer in the summer, however, he had difficulty assimilating and swiftly made a return to his former club as a ‘joker.’ However, he didn’t do so quickly enough in able to be registered in Le TéFéCé’s Europa League squad. Sierro, who has been booed at times by his own supporters in what has been a difficult start to the season for the Swiss midfielder, will return to the starting lineup. 

Toulouse’s major absentee is Zakaria Aboukhlal, who according to his club, is unlikely to feature again this season. 

Toulouse likely lineup v Linz ASK

Guillaume Restes; Mikkel Desler, Rasmu Nicolaisen, Moussa Diarra, Gabriel Suazo; Niklas Schmidt, Cristian Casséres, Vincent Sierro; Denis Genreau, Thijs Dallinga, Aron Donnum. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Aboukhlal is a key member of Carles Novell’s side, and prior to his injury on Thursday, had featured in all five of Le TéFéCé’s Ligue 1 matches, scoring three goals. However, he was injured within just 40 minutes of Toulouse’s 1-1 draw in the Europa League. The Moroccan international went down without contact with an injury to the right knee. 

Whilst Aboukhlal’s operation was successful, the club announced that it is unlikely that the Moroccan international will feature again this season. His absence will be a big blow to Toulouse, who have failed to recreate last season’s form in the early matchday of the current campaign. They succumbed to defeat against RC Lens on Sunday and must also grapple with their European engagements. Toulouse face FC Metz on Sunday. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Aboukhlal is a key member of Carles Novell’s side, and prior to his injury on Thursday, had featured in all five of Le TéFéCé’s Ligue 1 matches, scoring three goals. However, he was injured within just 40 minutes of Toulouse’s 1-1 draw in the Europa League. The Moroccan international went down without contact with an injury to the right knee. 

Whilst Toulouse have announced that Zakaria will undergo further medical tests in order to ascertain the severity of the injury, the club announced that he will be absent for several months. His absence will be a big blow to Toulouse, who have failed to represent last season’s form in the early matchday of the current campaign. They succumbed to defeat against RC Lens on Sunday and must also grapple with their European engagements. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Neither Aboukhlal nor Gabriel Suazo started against Marseille. Both did, however, make an appearance from the bench, and they made a difference, threatening Marseille’s backline. Both will likely start in Belgium. One player that Toulouse will have to do without is Stijn Spierings. Despite making his return to the club on loan from RC Lens, he is not registered in the side’s Europa League squad, having arrived after the squad registration deadline. Ibrahim Cissoko is also unavailable due to injury. 

Toulouse likely lineup v Union Saint-Gilloise

Guillaume Restes; Moussa Diarra, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Logan Costa; Gabriel Suazo, Niklas Schmidt, Vincent Sierro, Mikkel Desler; Aron Donnum, Thijs Dallinga, Zakaria Aboukhlal. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Spierings left Toulouse on a free transfer at the start of the summer and joined Franck Haise’s side, who this season will compete in the Champions League. However, the Dutch midfielder won’t be participating in that campaign. After a difficult start to life at the club, and a seeming lack of unsuitability to Haise’s tactical demands, was left out of Lens’ 25-man squad to compete in the European competition. 

There is now seemingly an acceptance that things won’t work out between Spierings and Lens. Toulouse president Damien Comolli has caught wind of their uncomfortable marriage and wants to bring the Dutchman back to Le TéFéCé. The two clubs are in discussions over a ‘joker’ loan deal, which would see Spierings immediately rejoin his former club. His departure from Lens should be formalised in the coming days, according to L’Équipe.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle