Jacquet faces 'big ask' at Liverpoolpublished at 12:47 BST
12:47 BST
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Liverpool's latest signing Jeremy Jacquet is likely to be Ibrahima Konate's successor, says author and Liverpool fan Adam Beattie.
The 20-year-old completed his £60m move to Anfield on Wednesday and with Konate now at Real Madrid, there is a bit of pressure on the Frenchman's shoulders.
"Jacquet signing takes on a bit of a new meaning now," Beattie told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"He comes in, potentially depending on what else we do in the transfer market, as the Konate successor, which is a big ask for someone of his age and someone who's had the injury problems that he's had.
"He's obviously an exciting talent and it's a lot of money for someone who's not played a great deal of professional football yet but that's also quite exciting. He looks enormous which is always good and it's exactly what we need, but I'd personally go and get another centre-back if possible."
BBC Radio Merseyside also discussed a potential move for Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola and likely midfield outgoings, as Beattie hopes Curtis Jones remains a Red.
Iraola's Bournemouth backroom staff to join him at Anfieldpublished at 08:56 BST
08:56 BST
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be part of Andoni Iraola's backroom staff at Anfield.
Both Elphick and Cooper worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and will now leave the Cherries to join the Spaniard as first-team coaches at Liverpool.
Bristol City and Burnley were interested in Elphick for their managerial vacancy but the former centre-back has chosen to continue a relationship with Iraola that started in 2023.
Pablo de la Torre joins as an assistant coach, with this now the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club.
Tom Webber - who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth - will join Liverpool too as first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis at Bournemouth.
After the sacking of Arne Slot his assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst left, while Ruben Peeters, who was the first-team performance coach, also departed. Slot's first-team tactical analyst, Roderick van der Ham, confirmed in a LinkedIn post this week that he was also leaving the club.
Your World Cup scouting: French stars and experienced defenderspublished at 08:45 BST
08:45 BST
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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Liverpool.
Here are some of your comments:
Isaac: I would like Crysencio Summerville at Liverpool next season as he's performed for West Ham consistently and is showing potential at this World Cup. He's still quite young and I think that he would thrive under the coaching of Andoni Iraola. He's a more affordable option compared to other targets such as Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola, although I wouldn't complain if we signed him from PSG.
Jack: Number one is Barcola. With it seeming like he'll leave PSG and Liverpool admiring him for a while now I'd love to see him at Anfield. We do need more of a right-wing but he'd still be a great option. The second player is Ayyoub Bouaddi. I'm still apprehensive about Alexis Mac Allister for next season and I think getting a bit of youth in the form of Bouaddi would be great. He's had a breakout World Cup and I really like his style of play.
Neil: Michael Olise. He makes the beautiful game seem so simple and would grace any stage in world football.
Matt: Antonio Nusa looks good potential. Left-sided, which means we would have a couple who play that side. Reasonably priced, depending on World Cup performance.
Dave: The Paraguayan centre-back Jose Canale. He was immense against Germany.
Sean: Nico Schlotterbeck. We need a solid left-back, and centre-back experience. He covers both. He can be a contingency for Virgil van Dijk's decline in the late stage of his career.
Gossip: Jones to stay at Liverpoolpublished at 08:17 BST
08:17 BST
Curtis Jones, 25, may stay at Liverpool as the England midfielder is reluctant to join Nottingham Forest, while Inter Milan are unable to meet his asking price. (Liverpool Echo), external
Munoz: Iraola likes my directnesspublished at 15:06 BST 1 July
15:06 BST 1 July
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Victor Munoz has revealed that his "directness" was a big reason behind Andoni Iraola's push to sign him for Liverpool.
The 22-year-old winger, who may make his World Cup debut for Spain on Thursday against Austria, told El Pais, external: "He (Iraola) called me and gave me confidence. He told me how his teams play, and that benefits me really well, especially the way they press relentlessly. I think it's the ideal environment for me to keep developing as a footballer."
Asked what Iraola liked about him, Munoz added: "My directness, the way I try to break the matches, the way I press and try to suffocate the opposition. Those are the qualities he looks for in a winger, and they were a big reason why he made the decision."
Munoz has been out with injury during Spain's group stage games but returned to training this week. He signed a six-year deal with Liverpool last month after the Anfield side triggered his 40m euro (£34.5m) release clause from Osasuna.
On playing in the Premier League , Munoz said: "It's a place where I've seen myself playing. I feel very comfortable when games become more open, something that doesn't happen very often in La Liga."
A to Z: Houllier's revolutionpublished at 13:13 BST 1 July
13:13 BST 1 July
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The eighth episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Liverpool focuses on the letter H - Alan Hansen, Roger Hunt and former manager Gerard Houllier.
"It's a great story, Gerard Houllier and what he did for Liverpool," Mike Hughes said on the latest show.
The late Houllier joined Liverpool in 1998, originally as a joint-manager alongside Roy Evans before taking sole leadership after 18 matches, and went on to haul five trophies including a treble in 2001.
But before he brought success back to Anfield, and in what was coined the 'French revolution', Houllier was just a fan.
"He stood on The Kop as a Liverpool fan and as a teacher, a trainee teacher at Allsop High, and went on to be a teacher in France before he moved into football," Hughes said.
"What a dream to stand on The Kop and then be manager of the team that he loved in Liverpool. And he did revolutionise, he made Liverpool a serious footballing force, he wanted to abandon the notion – and it maybe it was overplayed – but the notion of the 'Spice Boys'."
The 'Spice Boys' was a media nickname given to a group of Liverpool players. Players at the time included Jamie Redknapp, David James, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler, and there was a perception the young stars lived flashy lifestyles and lacked discipline.
But Houllier was the start of a change.
"He took on some formidable figures at Liverpool to try and make his point and have his way and moving in, in his words - a new seriousness."
Click play above to hear more about the Houllier revolution plus stories on Hansen and Hunt, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Jacquet set to be fit for pre-seasonpublished at 12:02 BST 1 July
12:02 BST 1 July
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have officially confirmed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, with the centre-back expected to be available for the start of pre-season training.
A five-year deal was agreed in January for the France U21 international for £55m with add ons of up to £5m.
Jacquet, 20, suffered a shoulder injury shortly after the agreement but has successfully completed a rehabilitation programme and is now doing individual fitness work, with a view to joining Andoni Iraola's group when Liverpool players return on 14 July, before travelling to America on 20 July for a pre-season tour.
"I am very happy. When I see the facilities, I can see myself there. I feel good here and I am very excited to get started," said Jacquet. "For me it's a big dream, it's a big club. A club like Liverpool, it's a big dream for me."
Jacquet will join Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Geovanni Leoni as Liverpool's centre-half options, after Ibrahima Konate left the club, on expiry of his contract, to join Real Madrid
Leoni's debut at Anfield was ruined by an ACL injury that saw him miss the rest of the campaign. The 19-year-old Italian is currently continuing his fitness and rehabilitation work.
Gossip: Liverpool consider winger targetspublished at 08:20 BST 1 July
08:20 BST 1 July
Paris St-Germain value France winger Bradley Barcola at more than £116m and maintain their stance that the 23-year-old does not need to be sold amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. (Athletic), external
Liverpool's pursuit of a winger has also seen them linked with Belgium attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo, 21, who plays for Lille. (Express), external
Meanwhile, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are interested in 25-year-old Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, who scored for Japan in their World Cup last-32 defeat by Brazil. (Bulinews, via Nikkan Sports), external
'Go all out for Barcola' - fans on attackers to target after Diomande newspublished at 16:02 BST 30 June
16:02 BST 30 June
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We asked for your views on who Liverpool should turn their attention to now it looks like Yan Diomande is out of reach with the winger preferring a move to PSG.
Here are some of your comments:
Ian: Rayan. Young, Brazilian and Andoni Iraola knows him. Simple.
David: Diomande looks to be dead in the water now. I would go all out to get Bradley Barcola from PSG. I think his style of play would be a good fit for us.
Big Dave: Buy Adam Wharton and Jarrod Bowen. You'll get both for the Diomande money and be much stronger for it.
Fraser: Diomande was the best option out there but at the same time, I was a bit uneasy on spending another £100m on a teenager with one good season. We were forced to buy alternative targets in the past and they worked out very well. In that case, I would look at Crysencio Summerville from West Ham or Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille. There's also Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco who would be worth having a look at. The winger market is not great and those options are underwhelming compared with Diomande, but we have little choice.
Nigel: He is not proven and the price they are asking is too much. Think Liverpool have dodged a bullet there. I'd go for Barcola.
Tony: Bowen is the obvious choice. The guy is a grafter and never stops running. You know he will give 100% every game - plus, he won't be as overpriced as any of the other names being touted.
Simon: If we can't get Diomande, I would be tempted to stick with what we have. Victor Munoz can play on the right and I'm sure Rio Ngumoha would do a good job there, too. Added to that, Harvey Elliott (although lacking blistering pace) has shown he can operate in this position and deserves a chance to play. With Florian Wirtz being very capable of occupying the left-wing spot and Cody Gakpo able to play there, too, Liverpool have plenty of options.
Samers: I think Summerville from West Ham is a very dangerous player. Also, Barcola if he leaves PSG. I would like Eli Junior Kroupi but that may not be realistic.
Gaz: This is going to annoy a lot of fellow Liverpool supporters, but I think Bowen should be looked at. Premier League proven, scores 12-15 goals per season, five-11 assists per season and plays on the right wing. He is 29 so not the age profile the club normally go for, but would add depth to the squad and would get him for about £40m.
Gareth: Barcola is a great player. He looks to be two-footed, so although he plays a lot on the left could he move into Mohamed Salah's space? Munoz also seems to play more on the left. Gakpo is under pressure. Glad we've not got Yan Diomande. His first touch looked poor and we would lose him to Afcon.
🎧 A-Z: Steven Gerrardpublished at 14:34 BST 30 June
14:34 BST 30 June
In the latest episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's Liverpool A to Z, we have reached the letter G.
Paul Salt, Mike Hughes and Carl Woodward discuss Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who won eight major titles with the Reds, including the 2005 Champions League.
The Reds had an initial bid of £69m, plus £17m in add-ons, rejected this month for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger.
Leipzig are expected to demand about £129m for Diomande, who joined from Spanish club Leganes last summer on a five-year deal.
The Bundesliga club insist they are under no financial pressure to sell, and are prepared to offer Diomande an improved contract to keep him for at least another season.
Liverpool are also known to admire France winger Bradley Barcola, although sources in Paris say PSG are keen to extend his contract.
The Reds have already signed Spain winger Victor Munoz for £34.5m from Osasuna this month, the first arrival since Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot as head coach.
Now the Diomande dream is seemingly over, who should Liverpool turn their attention to, and why? What do you want the Reds' attacking options to be next season?
Penalty agony for Liverpool stars in World Cup last 32published at 09:42 BST 30 June
09:42 BST 30 June
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Liverpool's Netherlands trio suffered an agonising defeat by Morocco on penalties in a game where they took the lead through Cody Gakpo, who scored his sixth World Cup goal to take him just one behind his nation's all-time top scorer in the tournaments, Johnny Rep.
Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Gakpo all started the knockout game and looked destined to hold off a relentless Morocco side, but Issa Diop cancelled out their opener in second-half stoppage time to send the game to extra time and they eventually succumbed to a shootout defeat.
Florian Wirtz experienced the same fate as his Liverpool team-mates as Germany exited the tournament in shocking fashion by losing on penalties to huge underdogs Paraguay.
Wirtz provided an inch-perfect second-half assist for Kai Havertz to equalise after they had gone behind in the first half, but they did not do enough to avoid losing their first shootout in World Cup history.
Wirtz ended the tournament with three assists - a record bettered only by Bruno Guimaraes of Brazil, who has four so far.
Van Dijk's monstrous minutespublished at 12:58 BST 29 June
12:58 BST 29 June
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After playing the full 90 in the Netherlands' final group game victory over Tunisia on Friday, Virgil van Dijk became the only player in Europe's top seven leagues to play every minute across the entire league season and his country's group stage at the World Cup.
Despite a mixed domestic campaign with Liverpool, this record emphasises Van Dijk's importance to both club and country, with the 34-year-old talisman captaining both throughout.
However, it may also be a cause for some concern for Reds fans, with incoming head coach Andoni Iraola famed for his high-pressing, high-intensity style which may take time for Van Dijk to adapt to given his huge workload over the past year and his ever-condensing summer.
You're the scout! Which World Cup players do you want at your club?published at 11:46 BST 29 June
11:46 BST 29 June
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We're now into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention so far - especially with the summer transfer window a couple of weeks into being officially open.
Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?
Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?
This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...
And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.
This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.
This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.
Gossip: Diomande chooses PSG over Liverpoolpublished at 07:53 BST 29 June
07:53 BST 29 June
Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande has chosen Paris St-Germain as his next destination if the 19-year-old leaves RB Leipzig this summer, despite reported interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Meanwhile, Monaco's French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, 25, has told Liverpool and Manchester United that his priority is also to join Paris St-Germain this summer. (Teamtalk), external
Inter Milan could miss out on Jones because the Serie A side do not want to offer more than £21.5m (25m euros) for a player who will be out of contract next summer. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
A to Z: Robbie Fowler was a natural goalscorerpublished at 17:03 BST 26 June
17:03 BST 26 June
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The sixth episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Liverpool focuses on the letter F - and there are quite a few players to choose from.
The team talk Joe Fagan, David Fairclough and Roberto Firmino in the latest episode, as well as the "Toxteth terror" Robbie Fowler.
Fowler made 369 appearances across two spells for the Reds - from 1993 to 2007 - and lifted five trophies, including an FA Cup and a Uefa Cup.
"In terms of natural ability as a goalscorer, I think Robbie Fowler has to be right up there, doesn't he?" BBC Radio Merseyside's Paul Salt asked fellow presenter Ian Kennedy.
"Definitely right up there," Kennedy said. "Ian Rush's goalscoring record is phenomenal so he definitely has that record, but Robbie was an amazing finisher. He had such a calmness about him when through on goal, he wasn't going to miss.
"He knew exactly what he was doing. He had all of the deft touches that strikers need when you don't want to be panicking in a situation. Very, very cool in front of goal, and I think it was just a natural thing for him. He knew how to score goals."
Fowler scored 183 goals for Liverpool but the one that stands out for Kennedy is an outside-the-box strike against Brian Little's Aston Villa in 1996, when the 20-year-old used his skill to get around defender Steve Staunton.
"There are so many to remember," Kennedy added. "But my favourite one was a goal he scored against Aston Villa at Anfield.
"He did this incredible turn and shot past Mark Bosnich – he's had many great goals but that was one I remember just because of the turn.
"He was very skilful, and it's one thing to be a goalscorer and be able to put the ball in the back of the net, but he had a lot of skill about him as well."
Listen to the full discussion by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here
What could be next for Gakpo?published at 08:14 BST 26 June
08:14 BST 26 June
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Following the departure of Mohamed Salah, at least one more attacking signing is expected at Anfield this summer. Liverpool have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m and the pursuit of Yan Diomande is heating up.
Talented teenager Rio Ngumoha is also set to play a more prominent role, while Florian Wirtz played off the left for Liverpool at times last season and is featuring there for Germany in the World Cup.
How Andoni Iraola views Wirtz's best position might well determine the future for Cody Gakpo in the new head coach's blueprint.
Added competition could allow Gakpo to thrive, as it did when Luis Diaz was at Liverpool.
However, for the first time since joining Liverpool in December 2022, there is the possibility of a move away, with a number of clubs including Tottenham monitoring his situation.
Any transfer would be likely to cost upwards of £60m - a big profit considering the Reds paid an initial £35m when signing him from PSV Eindhoven after the World Cup in 2022.
His goals against Sweden at the weekend offered a timely reminder of his quality, particularly in a game where club team-mate Alexander Isak failed to score.
Media caption,
Continuing to impress at the World Cup may well enhance Liverpool's desire to retain Gakpo for at least another season.
One need only consider the relative struggles of Isak and Wirtz in their debut campaigns at Anfield to be reminded of just how challenging it can be for new signings.
But as Iraola and Liverpool's recruitment team reshape an attack that laboured last season, the Gakpo conundrum is one to keep an eye on this summer.
Image source, Getty Images
