Aadam Patel
Football Reporter

Richard: Liverpool have had a leaky defence for too long now. Neither Slot nor his replacement seem to be doing anything about it. Why? I don’t understand it.

Liverpool conceded 53 goals in the Premier League last season and only seven teams conceded more than that so for starters, they must improve. Skipper Virgil van Dijk stressed the need to improve repeatedly last season.

Experienced defenders like Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson left over the summer but Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo have arrived while Kostas Tsimikas has returned from loan. Tsimikas will be the back up to Milos Kerkez.

With Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni on their way back from injuries and youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye impressing in pre-season, Liverpool should have sufficient options at centre-back.

There remains a question at right-back with Conor Bradley still out with a knee injury but for now, Jeremie Frimpong looks like he will be trusted there. Like Kerkez, he has had a season under his belt at Anfield now.

Internally, there is an acceptance that Liverpool must improve defensively but there is also a belief that this is a squad that can do that under Iraola.

Right, time to hear from some of our reporters who have been answering your questions this afternoon.

First up, we have Aadam Patel on the concerns surrounding Liverpool's defence...

Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

Image source, Getty Images

This was a surprise as on Tuesday afternoon everything seemed fine with the deal for Dayann Methalie.

The player had flown in a day or so ago for his medical. Then it transpires there is clearly an issue. Reading between the lines it appears to be an issue with a light back injury.

He hasn't failed the whole medical but one aspect of the medical that seems to be the problem.

As a consequence he has flown back to France, to his club Toulouse. No doubt they will want to see for themselves. The deal is on hold, not off. You could say it's in the balance.

It's a player Sunderland clearly like and want. They thought a deal had been agreed. I imagine what will happen is they will get the diagnosis from the Toulouse point of view, compare it to what they found here and then there will be negotiations about restructuring the deal - so there is less risk Sunderland take on board for the deal.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's deal for Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie is now in doubt after the 20-year-old has failed part of his medical exam.

Mathalie started his medical after a verbal agreement was reached for an initial £23.9m, with a further £1.7m in potential add-ons.

It has been reported that he has flown back to France to be with his home club, Toulouse.

One team Coventry City would not mind emulating this season is Sunderland.

The Black Cats were in a similar position to the Sky Blues this time last year, returning to the Premier League after a lengthy absence, and defied expectations by qualifying for the Europa League with a seventh-place finish in the top flight.

And this week, Black Cats manager Regis Le Bris has been trying to strengthen his squad ahead of their first European campaign since 1974.

Coventry City

Coventry City have splashed the cash in the summer transfer window as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.

In addition to signing Sidiki Cherif, the Championship winners added Nigeria international striker Taiwo Awoniyi to their squad earlier this week.

Other signings include:

• Frank Onyeka - Midfielder, Bradford
• Loum Tchaouna - Winger Burnley
• Aurele Amenda - Centre-back, Eintracht Frankfurt
• Carl Rushworth - Goalkeeper, Brighton
• Caleb Yirenkyi - Centre midfielder, FC Nordsjælland
• Gustavo Hamer - Midfielder, Sheffield United
• Taiwo Awoniyi - Striker, Nottingham Forest

Coventry City

Frank Lampard says he wants Coventry City to maintain their Premier League status come the end of the season, after guiding them back to the top flight after 25 years.

"We are ambitious and credit to the owner [Doug King], who gave me the opportunity and we have had a great 18 months," said Coventry boss Lampard.

"We know it's a necessity to improve the squad if you come up and we know where the market is going. So it's not easy for a club like us to do that.

"We have had to pull all the stops to try and sell the project to players. We want to stay here. The size of club as it is it deserves to be a Premier League club. But when you have been 25 years out of it, its much easier said than done."

Coventry City

Coventry City have signed forward Sidiki Cherif from Fenerbahce on a long-term contract.

The 19-year-old made appearances in the UEFA Europa League and in this season’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers before his move to Coventry.

Cherif began his career in France and made his professional debut for Angers SCO in the 2023-24 season.

Born in Guinea, Cherif played for France’s U16 and U21 squads.

Image source, Getty Images

We have another deal to bring you from the Premier League.

For the first time today, this one doesn't involve Aston Villa...

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is set to join Al-Diriyah on a loan deal from Al-Hilal.

The 27-year-old’s move between the Saudi Pro League clubs is at an advanced stage with the transfer expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

It is understood Al-Diriyah sporting director Dougie Freedman has played an integral role in the proposed deal.

Freedman left his position at Crystal Palace last summer and helped the Al-Diriyah secure promotion into the Saudi top-flight in his first season.

Having joined Liverpool in 2022 for a fee of up to £85m, the Uruguay international left Anfield last summer joining Al-Hilal.

Nunez scored nine goals in all competitions for the club last season before making three appearances at the World Cup.

He has been linked with a return to European football this summer but is set to stay in Saudi Arabia.

Leeds United

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United have completed the signing of defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach in an £8.5m deal.

The Switzerland international, 29, will reunite with Whites boss Daniel Farke, who managed the Bundesliga side in 2022-23.

Borussia Monchengladbach have accepted an offer worth an initial £6.8m, with a further £1.7m in add-ons.

Elvedi spent 11 years with Monchengladbach, making 364 appearances for the German club.

He has earned 73 caps for his native Switzerland, playing every minute of their recent run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Elvedi is Leeds' fourth signing of the summer transfer window, following James Trafford, Harry Wilson and fellow defender Tarik Muharemovic.

His arrival at the club allowed Sebastiaan Bornauw to leave Elland Road and sign for Hamburg on a season-long loan.

Earlier today, striker Joel Piroe joined West Ham on a season-long loan.

Let's have a look around the rest of the Premier League to see how the other clubs are progressing in the market.

Leeds United confirmed a signing a short while ago, so we'll bring you right up to speed with that.

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter

Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who has starred for Liverpool in pre-season, is closing in on a loan move to Levante in La Liga.

The 18-year-old is ineligible to play competitive football for Liverpool this season due to work-permit issues and a move to Spain looks increasingly likely but no deal has been struck yet.

BBC Sport understands that if the move does happen, it will be a season-long loan move that will then be reviewed during the January transfer window.

There is a chance that Ndukwe could be recalled from any loan in January if he earns enough points to qualify for a UK work permit by then.

Image source, Getty Images

It is a fair point, Andy, and earlier in the window, some Liverpool supporters appeare happy with the tentative links to a move for Ezri Konsa.

On the topic of central defenders, one who will not be staying at Anfield for the 2025/26 season is youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

It is well-documented that Arsenal are actively looking to sell players this summer.

The Gunners are looking to move Ethan Nwaneri but will only accept loan offers for the teenager attacker as they do not want to sell him permanently.

The academy graduate is attracting major interest from clubs across the Premier League and Europe, and was left out of the matchday squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester City on Sunday.

There is an acknowledgment at the club that Nwaneri is at a stage in his career when he would benefit from playing regular senior football.

But he is not the only player the Premier League champions are looking to offload before the transfer window closes.

Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Fabio Vieira are among the players they are open to selling.

Image source, Getty Images

Centre-back Ezri Konsa has played for Aston Villa since 2019.

Previously he played at Charlton Athletic and Brentford. Over his seven seasons at Villa, Konsa has made 264 appearances and has scored 12 goals for the Villans.

Konsa has won 28 caps for England, scoring two goals.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Having signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, the Premier League champions Arsenal have turned their attention to defence - and look favourably on Ezri Konsa's versatility.

Multiple sources had told BBC Sport the Gunners also held exploratory talks with Tottenham over a potential move for their club captain Cristian Romero before Spurs agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid.

Konsa featured 48 times across all competitions last term, scoring two goals and contributing one assist, as Unai Emery's side lifted the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football for 2026-27.