Liverpool

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Liverpool have 32 players out in America, though a handful have only travelled as it was felt best for them to carry on their individual rehabilitation with the squad than at an empty training ground back home.

With the World Cup this summer, it's understandable that some key names are still missing though Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch will link up with the squad for the second week of the training camp.

Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz will be the final players to join up with the squad. Cody Gakpo, Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson will not travel.

On the whole, those inside the camp over the first few weeks of pre-season have spoken of a positive and youthful vibe.

"Szoboszlai and Kerkez haven't been to the World Cup and I can tell you this from experience because I never went to the World Cup. Those players have had a long rest and they'll be desperate to get back into it," said former forward Ian Rush.

Harvey Elliott is back in the squad and eagle-eyed fans will have noticed that Stefan Bajcetic rejoined team training yesterday. The Spanish midfielder last played a game for the club in 2024.

Iraola is keen to have a look at all of his options but either way, this squad needs strengthening before the Premier League starts.

The club knew back in March, if not earlier, that Mohamed Salah was leaving and he still hasn't been replaced.

Liverpool want a winger and Bradley Barcola seems the most likely option but, for now, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha has been training on his versatility across both flanks and will be an option down the right, as well as his preferred left.

There is no doubt about Ngumoha's talent but expect Liverpool to make a signing in that department this summer.

"He's still young but as the manager has said, we need someone to replace Salah and that won't be easy at all," says Rush. "We've got Isak, who played well in the World Cup, and I hope he comes back as a new player and looking to prove a thing or two after last season."

Across the next week or so, fans can also expect to see more of Kieran Morrison, 19, who made his debut last season, as well as Will Wright, 18, and Josh Sonni-Lambie, 18. Keep an eye out too for 16-year-old Josh Abe, who is widely regarded as one of the hottest young prospects in English football.

Read more about what to expect from Liverpool's pre-season here

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Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ian Rush has paid tribute to fellow Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan, who died earlier this week at the age of 75.

Keegan played for the Reds between 1971 and 1977 and will be remembered when Liverpool take on Sunderland in a friendly in Nashville, USA on Saturday. Both sets of players will wear black armbands and there will be a minute's applause for the former England manager.

"I have lots of memories of Kevin Keegan. He was one of my dad's favourite players. What he did for Liverpool was fantastic - and he did fantastic in Europe as well," Rush told BBC Sport.

"He was a great person. I remember when I was playing for Wrexham in 1998 and he was the manager at Fulham. They beat us 2-0 and the first thing he did was come and give me a big hug and he told me to just keep on going and enjoy the football, so that's the kind of person he was. He always put others before himself.

"You had Keegan and Toshack then Rush and Dalglish, so it's great to compare that. It's special. Even when he was England manager, I really thought they'd win something.

"He threw everything at it as a player and a manager. As long as you gave 100%, he'd be happy - and, more importantly, he gave 100% to everything he did. That's what made him such a special player and manager."

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We asked for your views on the best way to honour the late Kevin Keegan, who passed away earlier this week.

Here are some of your comments:

Vincent: The mighty Kevin Keegan was a transformative player for Liverpool, a giant even by that club's standards. A large bronze relief of Kevin with the ball at his feet, prominently displayed for all visitors to Anfield.

David: Let the teams play for Keegan cup based on the aggregate score over the home and away matches between Newcastle and Liverpool each season.

Ken: Keegan was the epitome of a humble superstar, so something fitting would be renaming the training ground after him as that's where he honed his talents or renaming the media centre, or perhaps work with the City Council to commission a bronze statue to be located somewhere along the waterfront.

Ian: Andrew Knott is your man, organised Anfield's mosaics for years, he'll get it right for Keegan.

Tori: He needs a statue outside both Anfield and St. James' Park in my opinion. Also name a stand after him at either or both stadiums. He was an absolute legend. My late grandfather, a big LFC fan, adored him.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola says he was in talks with other clubs before taking over as Liverpool manager.

The 44-year-old replaced Arne Slot as head coach this summer, after stepping down as Bournemouth manager following a three-year stay.

"It happened quite fast," he said. "Yes, it was true that I was talking with some clubs. It was the first or second week after the season ended when Liverpool contacted me, and it didn't take a lot [to say yes]."

Iraola's arrival was seen by Liverpool as a means of trying to deliver an attacking brand of football.

In his introductory news conference last week, he spoke about wanting to give fans "a team to be proud of".

And the former Spain international, who spent 12 seasons of his playing career at Athletic Club, sees some similarities between the Reds and his hometown club, where there is a policy to only use players born or developed in the Basque country.

"It is a very special club," said Iraola. "You have to maximise every player you have in the squad. You cannot sell him and choose another one a lot of the time.

"As a player, you have to give a bit extra. The only way that policy can be successful is if you give 100%. This creates a connection - you see they win things and they have never been relegated.

"I see a lot of things [similar to Liverpool]. This sense of belonging and of being a little bit different. This connection with players from the academy. The atmosphere of Anfield.

"This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and, in some ways, the comparison probably isn't fair - but, in a lot of ways, I see a lot of similarities."

Read the full article here

Arsenal and Manchester City are among the clubs in a race to sign Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, who previously rejected a £69m bid from Liverpool for the 19-year-old. (Bild - in German), external

Meanwhile, Reds defender Amara Nallo is set to join Finnish club HJK Helsinki on a season-long loan deal. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Liverpool and Newcastle United are in discussions over a tribute to Kevin Keegan before their Premier League season opener at St James' Park on Sunday, 23 August (16:30 BST).

Keegan, who won three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup during a trophy-laden six years at Anfield, died at the age of 75 this week.

In a club statement, external, Newcastle United confirmed they are in communication with Liverpool "to ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game".

If you could pick an appropriate tribute to Keegan, what would it be?

Get in touch with your views here

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has signed a new three-year deal with Liverpool.

The 29-year-old is currently with the squad in the USA for the pre-season tour and made four appearances last season - he came on off the bench during Liverpool's Merseyside derby win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in April and started the next two Premier League games.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Woodman, whose new deal will take him through to 2029.

"Last season was amazing for me. To come back in pre-season and there be an offer for me from the club to stay here longer, I was made up. I'm just so happy that I could re-sign here and be a part of this amazing club.

"[I feel] pride and so many emotions. Last season, I came in and did the role I was doing - then when I got the opportunity to play, especially the Crystal Palace game, it just felt like a real connection to the fans.

"Now I get the chance to stay here for longer and to be a part of it again is unbelievable."

The news means that Liverpool are likely to go into Andoni Iraola's first season as head coach with Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Woodman as the three first-team goalkeepers.

"I'm very happy with the situation we have right now in the goalkeeping area," Iraola told reporters in Chicago. "We have Alisson, we have Giorgi. Freddie played some games [in the] past season. I think it's a guarantee for us."

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about Liverpool's potential investment from a consortium lead by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia: "You have only got to go abroad to see the interest in the club.

"It means you have potential investment which will get your name noticed - not just at Anfield on matchday, but all over the world when those matches are broadcast to 109 different countries.

"You associate the success of a football club with an individual and the two can benefit from each other."

Why would FSG sell a stake in Liverpool?

"FSG bought Liverpool football club for £300m when it had been under a distressed time under Tom Hicks and George Gillett. FSG felt it had the skills to turn the club around, and it can be strongly argued that was the case.

"John Henry is not red and white if you cut him through, and that is not a criticism, it is an acknowledgement. If the stories are true that this is a sale of about 30% of LFC for about £1.3bn, he will have got his money back four or five times.

"He will still own over 60% of LFC and it is a fantastic deal. To a certain extent, it is a no-brainer."

Why would Jeff Bezos be part of the consortium?

"Can you imagine how the LFC global brand - highly successful, highly regarded - could work in conjunction with Amazon?

"Is this an opportunity to have some crossover in terms of product and services? Is this an opportunity for Amazon to get its name on the front or side of the shirt of LFC?

"And Amazon Prime is also a broadcaster. Are there broadcasting synergies and benefits here? There's potential of a win-win deal for all parties."

Would this increase Liverpool's transfer budget?

"Fans who are getting excited will have to dampen down that enthusiasm.

"We will have to remember the ability of a club to spend in the market is dictated by the Uefa FSR rules and the incoming Premier League FSR rules, which limit the amount of money that an owner can put into a club which goes into the players' budget."

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Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha has said he is looking forward to showcasing his versatility this season, including operating on the right wing.

Ngumoha, 17, primarily plays off the left but made his England debut in June on the right flank.

Following the departure of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool are in the market for another winger, with new boss Andoni Iraola confirming that when he spoke on Tuesday. And in the meantime, Ngumoha has been working on improving his game down the right.

"Being unpredictable off both sides is key," he said. "Obviously, everyone knows I can play on the left, but on the right I feel like I'm improving and I'm getting better.

"So, yeah, definitely off the left and the right this season."

The teenager enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Anfield last season, making 29 appearances under Arne Slot and became the Reds' youngest goalscorer when he netted a last-gasp winner at Newcastle United in August.

Asked what he wanted to improve, Ngumoha said: "Definitely help the team out with goals and assists, but also my defensive actions as well.

"I've got to improve in both of them, but also just try to implement myself as a starter sometimes. Coming off the bench as well, because obviously we have so many players - so many top players - and we're all competing for places.

"But it's healthy competition. Just try to help the team as much as I can really."

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Liverpool goalkeeper Armin Pecsi has joined Austrian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old, who joined the Reds in June 2025, was a regular in the club's under-21s side last season. He made 17 appearances and kept four clean sheets in all competitions.

He also featured in Arne Slot's matchday squads on five occasions throughout 2025-26.

TSV Hartberg are set to start their league season against Red Bull Salzburg on Saturday, 1 August.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

When Fenway Sports Group sold a minority, single-figure percentage stake to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity in 2023, that deal allowed it to make up on revenue lost during the pandemic and pay down debt for projects such as investment in the club's training centre in Kirkby and the Anfield Road stand expansion.

This time around, that is not the case - the club are in a strong position financially.

In February, Liverpool confirmed record revenues of more than £700m and was the highest-placed Premier League club in the Deloitte Football Money League.

So this development certainly raises questions about the long-term future of FSG. From an FSG perspective, it has seen Liverpool win everything there is to win since buying the club in 2010 for £300m, while upgrading the training ground and developing the stadium.

According to the Financial Times, a deal with the Bhatia consortium would value the club at about £4.5bn. So, perhaps FSG believes the club is peaking and it may be time to start stepping away.

This is an uncertain time for Liverpool. They have a new head coach in Andoni Iraola and there have been big changes at senior level, with Michael Edwards stepping down as FSG's CEO of football, primarily because the ownership had moved away from the idea of investing in other football clubs.

Meanwhile, sporting director Richard Hughes has been strongly linked with a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Read more about the potential investment in Liverpool

Liverpool are confident they can beat Arsenal and Bayern Munich to the signature of Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, after the 23-year-old impressed with four goal contributions at the World Cup with France this summer. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says every game on the club's pre-season tour of the US will have its own significance as his side prepare to face Premier League opposition.

Parkinson's men face Leeds United in Tampa on Sunday, 26 July before facing Liverpool at the iconic Yankee Stadium in New York four days later.

Their final pre-season game is against Parkinson's former club Sunderland on Sunday, 2 August in Philadelphia, hometown of Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac.

Wrexham have never met Leeds United in a competitive game, with the clubs meeting only twice in pre-season matches in 1964.

"I think they've all got a special feel to it really," Parkinson said.

"It's quite amazing, really, when you think we've never met Leeds United in a competitive game. It's a brilliant club.

"Obviously going to New York to play Liverpool, an iconic stage and it's going to be something special.

"Then going to Philadelphia, a stadium we've been to before and a really good arena for football and playing against Sunderland.

"Obviously, me and Steve [Parkin] were there for a short period, but that's kind of irrelevant really.

"It's going to Rob's hometown and putting on a show for him and his family as well."

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We asked you to tell us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want Liverpool to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Kev: I think we should bring in Alex Scott and ship out Alexis Mac Allister.

Zaid: I think Cody Gakpo should leave because he won't play as much since we have Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, but he will still go for a good £75m. I think Bradley Barcola on the left wing would be a good signing and we should try and get him for about £90m.

James: I believe we should move on and let Cody Gakpo go and we should go for Bradley Barcola after his amazing performances at the World Cup.

David: Whilst there is no doubt he is a very good player, Harvey Elliot has not fulfilled the expectations that Liverpool had for him when he signed for them. He should find a club where he can become a regular starter. Whilst young talent is great, in order to replace Mo Salah we require a tried and tested winger, and we should go all out for Bradley Barcola, and if necessary break the bank for him.

Finlay: Sell Jeremie Frimpong. He's not a proper right back and especially if Conor Bradley's not always going to be fit, Frimpong can't be our only other option. Sign Daniel Munoz from Crystal Palace, he's much better defensively but can still bomb forward and score goals. Low budget as well.

Jim: For me, although I hate to say it, I think we should let Joe Gomez go. His injury record is appalling, and I truly hoped he would establish himself in the team but it still doesn't look likely. For who should be bought, we obviously need a proven right winger but so many clubs are aware of that and using it to their advantage. Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola are the obvious shouts but I suspect neither will happen in the immediate future.

Muhammad: Yan Diomande seems like the perfect option for Liverpool at the moment, and Cody Gakpo wasn't great for us last season, so I feel he has to go.

Dave: Mac Allister has to go, his legs went last year. Try and sign Bradley Barcola.

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Liverpool have teamed up with Merseyside Police to strengthen its ongoing mass ticket touting crackdown.

The club says the move comes "as more and more sophisticated and organised ways to defraud or extort fans continue to be discovered".

More than £1.2m worth of assets have been seized and over 400 lifetime bans have been issued so far, as the club's Investigations Team works with the police force's Economic Crime Team to "protect genuine fans from being exploited, ripped off or scammed".

The club also confirmed that two convictions have been made for ticket touting linked to Liverpool Football Club in the past 12 months, with several cases still active under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A club statement read: "The police operation focuses on the laundering of criminal proceeds from illicit ticket sales and sits alongside the club's continuing crackdown on all forms of ticket touting, both online and on the ground."

Liverpool said it analysed nearly 700,000 ticket registrations last season alone, with 67,663 suspected fake accounts blocked or cancelled and a further 121,379 accounts currently under investigation.

The club also issued 432 lifetime bans and 115 indefinite suspensions across the 2025-26 season. A lifetime ban is a permanent ban, while an indefinite suspension has a minimum timeframe attached to it, which is typically three years, after which the account holder must apply for reinstatement.

"The vast majority of lifetime bans and indefinite suspensions were handed down for unauthorised selling of season ticket, membership tickets or hospitality tickets in breach of the club's terms and conditions," the statement continued.

"This reflects the club's zero-tolerance approach to all forms of the illegal sale of match tickets."

Liverpool also reminded supporters that the "only authorised way" to share general admission tickets is through the club's ticket forwarding service, and urged fans to not buy tickets from "unofficial online channels or sellers".

Supporters can also report unofficial ticket sales or fraudulent tickets directly to the club or to Crimestoppers.

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media in Chicago as the Reds begin their pre-season tour of the USA.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the importance of pre-season, Iraola said: "Pe-season is always the foundation of what's going to be a long season. When you arrive to a new club it's even more important because you don't have a lot of training sessions, you don't have a lot of even friendlies. It's massive because sometimes we lack days of training properly, of training with all the group of players, so everything that we can get from every friendly we play, we have to use it properly."

• Asked about his wishes for the remainder of the transfer window, he said: "I think it's difficult to say a number when the market is open, and you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger. But there are other situations that we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what's the cost, how we also see the players we have. So, it will depend on a lot of things."

• Iraola was asked about goalkeeper Alisson's uncertain future: "I'm very happy with the situation we have right now in the goalkeeping area. We have Alisson, we have Giorgi [Mamardashvili]. We are going to send on loan, for example, Armin [Pecsi]. Alisson is someone also in a changing room that has lost some references in terms of experience, I think he's someone that definitely will help us in this process of adaptation of the new signings, of the new players, the young players."

• Is right-back an area to address?: "I think it depends on Conor's [Bradley] situation. At the end if you have a fully fit, healthy Conor Bradley, we are very happy, ready to go and we would not be asking ourselves these questions. I think it's a situation that is tricky, because we trust Conor in the long term, we know we want him to be our right-back but right now he is still, I would say, a little bit far from returning."

• On Dominik Szoboszlai's new contract: "I think this is one of the probably greatest news since I arrived, his commitment to this club, his contract renewal. Also, he has come in a great shape. He has been leading by example in training, he's pushing a lot. I think young players should be looking at him, the way he is training and he competes."

• Iraola said he will address the club's vice-captaincy later in pre-season, with the role vacant after the departure of Andy Robertson: "I still haven't met almost half of the squad, I still haven't seen them face-to-face. But I always say, you don't need to wear an armband to be a leader, to be a captain."

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