Liverpool still have a fair few things to sort out this season.
The Anfield outfit are still nowhere near ready to start challenging for the Premier League **** le despite their almost £200 million spend in the summer.
Many players have their futures hanging in the balance with some even already looking for potential ways to exit L4 in January.
However, it's not only the potential exit of players that Liverpool need to worry about.
Virgil van Dijk is still one of Liverpool's most important players.

#league

Liverpool head into another Premier League test with momentum building, and Virgil van Dijk has made the message clear. Good performances matter, results matter more, but consistency is what separates serious sides from the rest.
After a comeback win over Atletico Madrid in midweek and a 2-0 league victory against Ipswich Town before that, Liverpool now have the chance to make it three wins on the bounce at Anfield against Fulham. The captain is not interested in noise or sentiment. He is focused on standards.
In his programme notes, Van Dijk said: "After an important and, in my opinion, well-deserved win over Atletico Madrid, it is great to be back at Anfield again this afternoon as we return to Premier League action against Fulham.
"I thought the atmosphere on Wednesday night was exceptional, particularly in the second half as we chased the victory.
"I have said many times that we are at our best when everyone is pushing together, and I hope you can see how hard we are all working to give you a team to be proud of."

#premier #dijk #fulham

Liverpool are going to be buying another defender in the near future.
Everything is gearing up for the departure of Virgil van Dijk. He is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield. Liverpool decided to extend his deal last year.
However, with Van Dijk set to turn 36-years-old next summer it's really hard to see Liverpool's board extending his stay even further than his current terms.
Obviously, at this stage anything can happen. A lot will depend on the new direction the club is going to take. Especially in terms of who the new sporting director will be and just how involved the new consortium led by Amit Bhatia who now own 33% of Liverpool are going to be as well.
But the truth is the foundations are there for Liverpool to succeed Van Dijk.

#year

Liverpool's season hinges on Alexander Isak remembering he is Alexander Isak.
During his time at Newcastle United, he struck 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons and regularly dominated the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel and William Saliba. He was, after Erling Haaland, the most feared striker in the English top-flight.
For the Reds, however, he's yet to show that version of himself. Injuries disrupted his debut season on Merseyside while he's failed to really impose himself on either of the two opening games this term. He did, however, find the back of the net against Nottingham Forest, tapping home a Cody Gakpo cross.
While the Liverpool No9 may have the highest Non-Penalty Expected Goals total in the Premier League this term, the data doesn't reveal all. A significant chunk of that was tied to a double chance against Newcastle, when the ball almost ricocheted off of his head twice in quick succession. It went down as two, high value chances, and skews the overall total.
He finished well against Forest but outside of that he's been anonymous. And this is a bit of a problem for Liverpool right now with Hugo Ekitike out until the New Year with an Achilles issue.

#forest #however

Virgil van Dijk has no doubt Liverpool remain one of the biggest attractions in world football as they close in on the signing of Bradley Barcola.
The Reds are understood to have agreed a deal worth up to £166.6 million with Paris Saint-Germain for France international Barcola, their top transfer target this summer.
That deal is expected to be concluded imminently and he could be followed by other signings before Tuesday's deadline with Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr also linked with the Anfield club.
Van Dijk accepts Liverpool are a work in progress, with Saturday's 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest seeing their shortcomings highlighted for a second successive week, but he is confident about the direction of travel.
The Liverpool captain said: "I don't think there's any doubt that a club like Liverpool are attracting very, very good players. If someone's doubting that, then they're just trying to be a little bit bitter.

#Liverpool #reds #Paris

Virgil van Dijk is hoping Liverpool hang on to Cody Gakpo with Manchester City reportedly closing in on the Dutch international before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Gakpo looks set to be pushed down the pecking order at Anfield by the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could rise to £123 million ($166 million), making the Frenchman the second most expensive player in Premier League history.
In three-and-a-half years at Liverpool, Gakpo has scored 51 goals and played a major role in the club's 20th English top-flight ***** le in the 2024/25 campaign.
The 27-year-old has made a bright start to this season, scoring one goal and providing an ***** ist as Liverpool have drawn their opening two games under Andoni Iraola 2-2 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
But Liverpool appear open to cashing in on Gakpo, with City reportedly set to pay £75 million.

#Liverpool #dijk #cody

Virgil van Dijk has declared that anyone who doubts Liverpool can attract top-quality players must be bitter as he said he would welcome Bradley Barcola to Anfield.
Liverpool have agreed a fee of £106m, which could rise to £123m, with Paris Saint-Germain for the France winger and Van Dijk said he thinks the 23-year-old is a "very good player".
But he also urged Liverpool to keep Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from Tottenham and Manchester City.
Liverpool failed in bids for Yan Diomande and Yankuba Minteh before making an offer PSG accepted for Barcola, who will become the second most expensive player in their history.
And Van Dijk said: "I don't think there's any doubt that a club like Liverpool is attracting very, very good players. If someone's doubting that, then they're just trying to be a little bit bitter.

#player

One Liverpool player felt the wrath of both Andoni Iraola and Virgil van Dijk during the 2-2 draw against Newcastle on Sunday.
Milos Kerkez is now the undisputed first choice at left-back for the Reds after Andy Robertson's summer exit for Tottenham Hotspur, but the Hungarian endured a difficult afternoon at St James' Park.
He was outpaced by Anthony Elanga for the Magpies' opening goal in the first five minutes and struggled to make much of an impact going forward, with his performance criticised by Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle.
In an article for the Liverpool Echo on Monday, that same journalist noted two separate instances involving the 22-year-old which earned him an earful from his head coach and his captain.
Doyle observed how Iraola 'struggled to keep his emotions in check' as Kerkez 'took an eternity' to close down Elanga before conceding a corner kick, with the Basque left remonstrating on the touchline as he was 'not a happy camper – at all'.

#first #andoni

Rewind a few weeks and Liverpool were facing a centre-back crisis.
Virgil van Dijk didn't travel for the preseason tour to the United States leaving head coach Andoni Iraola with a dearth of viable options.
Jeremy Jacquet was still struggling with injury - along with Giovanni Leoni - while Joe Gomez's injury on tour added to the problems.
With Ibrahima Konate departed for Real Madrid we saw Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and even Luke Chambers all entrusted with starting duties.
Given Ndukwe wouldn't be eligible for the season ahead owing to visa issues this was a far from ideal scenario. But the picture has eased somewhat since then.

#ndukwe #Liverpool #dijk #andoni

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has challenged his side to make amends for their "unacceptable" performances last season.
The Reds finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy in a dismal campaign that ended in Arne Slot's sacking.
Just 12 months after winning the English **** le, Liverpool were beaten in 19 of their 56 matches in all competitions and 12 of their 38 league games -- only one fewer than they had lost in the previous three seasons combined.
They failed to get past the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals and bowed out of the League Cup in the fourth round.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Slot's relationship with Mohamed Salah disintegrated, with the Egypt forward claiming he had been made a scapegoat for Liverpool's troubles.

#failed #dijk

Club Friendlies
Liverpool 2 - 0 Como FT
Jeremy Jacquet started alongside Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk for the first time [Getty Images]
Jeremy Jacquet scored on his Liverpool debut as Andoni Iraola's Reds capped off pre-season with a 2-0 win over Serie A side Como.
After agreeing the £60m transfer for Jacquet in January, the 21-year-old Frenchman's move was confirmed on 1 July but a niggling knee injury had kept him on the sidelines until the visit of Cesc Fabregas' Como.

#como

Angharad Evans added 200m breastroke silver to Sunday's 100m gold at the European Aquatics Championships.
The 23-year-old finished second behind world record holder Evgeniia Chikunova of Russia at the Paris Aquatic Centre, with Ireland's Mona McSharry in third.
Evans had been looking to repeat her double victory for Scotland at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
But she had to make do with silver - just as she had a year ago in the European short-course final in Lublin - behind last year's world silver medallist.
Meanwhile, compatriot Keanna Macinnes finished fifth in the women's 100m ******* erfly final won by world silver medallist Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium.

#year #behind

Liverpool's first pre-season under new boss Andoni Iraola has not been without its challenges - but one reason for optimism is the emergence of 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Iraola's side are short of numbers in central defence, so Austrian teenager Ndukwe has been handed more minutes than even he might have expected.
With two lots of 90 minutes and an 80-minute display already under his belt, Ndukwe was handed a start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday.
And it didn't take long for the imposing 6ft 6in (1.98m) youngster to draw gasps from the crowd after a neat backheel to wrong-foot Monaco's Mika Biereth, before winning important defensive duels.
After the departure of France international Ibrahima Konate, it remains unclear who will partner Van Dijk in Liverpool's opening Premier League game against Newcastle.

#minutes #ifeanyi #austrian

Liverpool are to send one star on his way very shortly. He's got one more match and then he's off.
Incredibly, pre-season is nearly over. Liverpool have under two weeks until the big kick-off and that leaves them with little time to get everything in order.
The reality is that they likely won't get everything in order and we expect certain sagas to extend into next season and through to January. Hopefully, Bradley Barcola joining the club isn't among those.
But Curtis Jones's future, for instance, doesn't look like getting sorted anytime soon. We might have to wait on that one.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe is one who will be sorted, though. The teenage centre-back has had a fantastic pre-season with Liverpool, filling in for the injured Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet and the absent Virgil van Dijk.

#Liverpool #hopefully #bradley

New loan signing Ronald Araujo will take inspiration from "role model" Virgil van Dijk when he lines up alongside the Liverpool captain.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international has taken a pay cut to facilitate his move, for which the club have an option to buy for a pre-agreed price – believed to be £47 million ($63.5 million) – should it prove successful.
And the chance to play with a fellow centre-back still rated as one of the world's best is something he is looking forward to.
"We all know what a great player Virgil is. He's a real reference point for the team and he's a kind of role model and reference for me personally as well," he told the club's website.
"I am excited to have that opportunity and enjoy learning from him, playing alongside him. With hard work, I think we can achieve good things together as a partnership and as a defence."

#role #dijk

A cult hero at Anfield has confirmed his international teammate is joining Liverpool.
A Liverpool cult hero has confirmed his international teammate is joining the Reds.
Liverpool's lack of depth at centre-back is becoming one of the biggest concerns of the summer, and it is a problem that Andoni Iraola really could have done without heading into his first season.
Virgil van Dijk remains the obvious leader at the back and, when fit, is still the defender Liverpool can build around. The problem is what comes after him.
Jeremy Jacquet was brought in with huge expectations and looks like a player Liverpool believe can become a major part of their future. But he has yet to return to full training, meaning there is now a genuine question over whether he will be ready for the opening game against Newcastle United.

#confirmed #international

Liverpool is back at Anfield on Sunday for the first time this preseason, hosting Monaco in a friendly two weeks out from the start of the Premier League season.
Andoni Iraola's American tour started well but ended badly. The Reds beat Sunderland 4-2 in Nashville and Wrexham 1-0 at Yankee Stadium before Leeds hammered them 4-2 in Chicago.
Liverpool finished fifth last season, and Iraola leaned hard on young players in the States. Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo are all back in training and in line for minutes.
Watch Liverpool vs. Monaco on Fubo TV
Monaco has a new manager too. Filipe Luís took over in July on a two-year deal, his first job in Europe after winning the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo.

#first #premier #league

Liverpool are on the brink of signing Ronald Araujo from Barcelona. We've had a look at his real value - and why the Reds want him.
Liverpool will imminently announce the signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy. That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who was among those breaking the news on Friday night.
The Reds will be able to pay €55m to make it all permanent next July, while they'll also cover his wages in full for the duration of the loan.
On the face of it, you can see why Liverpool made this move. They needed a centre-back in his prime years - someone who can bridge the gap between Virgil van Dijk (35), Jeremy Jacquet (21) and Giovanni Leoni (19) but perhaps offer a bit more reliability than Joe Gomez.
On top of that, Araujo can play right-back, too, covering the injured Conor Bradley. So the logic here does make sense.

#araujo #ronald #loan #make

Liverpool will have Alexis Mac Allister back in training on Monday. That is the headline, and for Andoni Iraola it matters. Pre-season has been fragmented, the squad has been split by summer commitments, and any new coach wants bodies on the grass, quickly, consistently and without drama.
Mac Allister has been the final absentee after a long 2025/26 campaign that stretched into the World Cup with Argentina. He played a major role in that run, starting almost every game as Argentina reached the final before losing to Spain after extra time. By the time that ended, Liverpool were already deep into pre-season work.
Iraola confirmed the timetable clearly, saying: "We now have virtually our entire squad together, which of course will be very important in the coming days and weeks.
"Victor Munoz, our new signing, joined us at AXA this week having been part of the Spain squad which won the FIFA World Cup last month, as did Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alisson Becker.
"Alexis Mac Allister, the last of our World Cup players, will link up with us on Monday, also."

#World #squad #Monday

Liverpool are about to welcome a new signing. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the star is on his way right now.
Liverpool are pushing hard on a few deals right now as they attempt to get Andoni Iraola's squad ready. Better late than never.
Their first deal is imminent, though, and a medical is now booked for Ronald Araujo to join Liverpool from Barcelona. This would only be a loan deal - though, there's reportedly an option to buy of around €55m.
Liverpool need cover at centre-back as both Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are currently injured. Leoni should be back relatively soon, while it's unknown how long Gomez will be out for.
But even when everyone is fit, Liverpool only have two experienced defenders in Virgil van Dijk and Gomez. Van Dijk, though, is 35 and Gomez's injury record means he can't be a reliable option.

#Liverpool #leoni #back

Liverpool are set to finalise the signing of Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona.
Andoni Iraola's side havereached an agreement to sign the Barcelona captain on a season-long loan deal, with a non-mandatory option to make the move permanent for an undisclosed fee.
Liverpool have targeted Araujo to add depth to their centre-back options, following the loss of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Araujo will add an experienced option alongside Virgil van Dijk, helping to ease the adaption of summer signing Jeremy Jacquet and 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni, who is returning from an ACL lay-off.
Araujo will hope to rebuild his career at Liverpool after a frustrating couple of seasons in Catalonia. The Uruguay international has struggled for form and fitness in recent campaigns and took a break from football to focus on his mental health last season, amid fierce criticism.

#ibrahima

This 1xbet.ie review looks at five legendary footballers without whom it is impossible to imagine 21st-century Liverpool.
In 2014, Liverpool lost out to Chelsea in the race to sign Salah. However, the Egyptian failed to live up to expectations with the Blues and spent time on loan in Serie A before joining Roma permanently. He enjoyed a successful 2016/17 season in Rome, scoring roughly once every two matches, and in the summer of 2017 the Merseysiders finally secured their long-term target for what was then a club-record fee of £36.9m. Salah fully justified the investment, scoring 257 goals in 442 appearances.
The Egyptian right-winger helped the Reds regain their former glory. In the 2019/20 season, the English giants won the Premier League ****** le for the first time and repeated the feat five years later. Mo Salah's honours also include victory in the 2018/19 Champions League.
Alisson Becker followed the same route to Anfield as Mo Salah, joining Liverpool from Roma. In July 2018, his £65m transfer set a world record for a goalkeeper, which was subsequently broken by Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, while the Spaniard failed to settle at Chelsea, the Brazilian became Liverpool's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for many years. Alisson has kept more than 130 clean sheets for the Reds in all competitions, including over 100 in the Premier League, the world's leading domestic club competition.
Virgil van Dijk was once the world's most expensive defender. In January 2018, Liverpool paid £75m for the Dutchman, an unprecedented sum for a defender at the time. Some pundits believed that he was overpriced, but they were proved wrong: the 1.96-metre-tall Virgil became a rock at the back and a model of reliability. Any club's success depends on a combination of potent attacking play, a creative midfield and a rock-solid defence, which continues to be marshalled by the Merseyside club's captain.

#however #premier

Former Liverpool set-piece coach Aaron Briggs has continued to rue a potential sliding doors moment in the Reds' chastening 2025/26 season.
The 39-year-old was part of Arne Slot's backroom staff during the preceding Premier League **** le triumph but was relieved of his duties just after Christmas last year, with the Reds having conceded 12 times in the top flight from set plays by the midway point of the campaign.
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That record didn't necessarily improve after his dismissal, as the Merseysiders ended the season having shipped 23 set-piece goals in the division, with only three teams conceding more (BBC Sport).
Liverpool scored 19 times from set pieces in the 2025/26 Premier League, and it ought to have been 20 as, from a corner kick, Virgil van Dijk had a goal controversially ruled out in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in November, with Andy Robertson in an offside position but harshly adjudged to have been impeding Gianluigi Donnarumma's view of the ball.

#Liverpool #piece #times #former

It is clear from Tottenham's summer transfer business that they have big ambitions in the Women's Super League next season.
Martin Ho's side have strengthened in the market, building a squad that, on paper, could cause a stir among the league's top clubs.
They finished fifth in the WSL last season - a significant improvement on the year before when they flirted with relegation.
Tottenham broke their club-record signing this summer to bring in France defender Alice Sombath from Lyon, having spent around £375,000 on Signe Gaupset in January.
They also signed forwards Shekiera Martinez and Kirsty Hanson, defender Caitlin Dijkstra, midfielder Victoria Pelova and goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen.

#season #league #TOTTENHAM #alice

Liverpool's planning at centre-back has taken an uncomfortable turn after Joe Gomez suffered an injury in the pre-season friendly against Sunderland, a development that further narrows Andoni Iraola's options before the new season begins.
As reported by BBC Sport, Gomez went off after only eight minutes and was then absent from training in Chicago on Sunday. There is still no confirmed timescale on the issue, but the immediate picture is clear enough. Liverpool are short in a key area of the pitch, and that shortage is sharpening the focus on both recruitment planning and existing contingency measures.
Photo IMAGO
At present, Virgil van Dijk stands as the only fit senior centre-back available. For a side preparing for another demanding campaign, that is far from ideal. Van Dijk's status as captain and defensive leader remains central, but relying so heavily on one established figure at this stage of pre-season leaves little margin for error.
The problem has been compounded by the unavailability of summer arrivals Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Jacquet's issue is understood to be minor, yet the timing leaves Iraola with an undeniably thin group in central defence. It is the sort of situation clubs prefer to avoid in July and August, because even short absences can disrupt rhythm, partnerships and tactical work.

#season #centre #short

The Netherlands job remains one of the biggest posts in international football, and the noise around Arne Slot refuses to go away. Since Ronald Koeman stepped down after the Dutch World Cup exit this summer, the Dutch FA has been searching for a figure capable of restoring direction and belief.
Slot has quickly become one of the standout names in that conversation. Reports in recent weeks have suggested he has already held initial talks and remains firmly on the shortlist. For Liverpool supporters, that naturally catches the eye. A Netherlands role would see him working closely with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong on the international stage, a familiar spine with plenty of quality.
Slot is far from the only contender. Peter Bosz has also emerged as a serious option, with the Dutch FA understood to have considered him even before Koeman walked away. Bosz brings experience, presence and a clear footballing identity, all things that matter when a national side is trying to steady itself.
Erik ten Hag has been mentioned too, but his position appears clear enough. He has said, "I'm not available," before adding, "I have deliberately chosen this step. I'm working on that for the next two years anyway. I'm having a good time here and would like to help the club further." That sounds like a man who has no intention of jumping ship.
Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool have begun to shake up their centre-back department.
Giovanni Leoni arrived last summer on a £26m deal from Parma. And over the course of the last few transfer windows Richard Hughes has been busy adding to his stockpile.
Mor Talla Ndiaye was acquired in January and deals were also put in place for Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Hopes are high for Jacquet in particular following his £60m signing from Rennes in Ligue 1.
Like Leoni, 19, the Frenchman has been injured but looks set to feature in preseason following his arrival on Merseyside.
Those two are among the top candidates to replace Ibrahima Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk in the centre of Andoni Iraola’s defence.

There have been various reports in the last week or so suggesting a divorce could be on the cards for Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds' captain turns 35 this week and remains under contract until 2027.
Despite the security of that deal - worth a reported £400k per week - there have been whispers that sporting director Richard Hughes would listen to offers for the Dutchman in the current transfer period.
Additionally it was also claimed that Van Dijk would be open to a change of scenery if the right challenge could be found.
Given the scale of change taking place in Liverpool's defensive ranks it would be an astonishing decision to sanction a sale.

Richard Hughes has been a major player in Liverpool’s post-Jurgen Klopp operations.
The former Bournemouth technical director was headhunted by FSG CEO of Football Michael Edwards to become Liverpool sporting director in 2024.
Hughes, 46, set about hiring Arne Slot as new head coach - a remarkable appointment given the Dutchman won the Premier League ***** le in his first season in charge.
The Scottish exec then oversaw £450m worth of transfer spending last summer - breaking the British transfer record for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
He also orchestrated new deals for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in 2025 - as well as Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch in the 2025/26 season.

Sometimes there’s truth to potential transfers—some in-the-know agent or club tells a journalist about some behind the scenes activity—and other times it’s just some ****** calling themselves a journalist, blindly throwing darts at a board with player names and clubs.
Yesterday, we reported on a rumor that seems to fall squarely in the latter category of transfer rumor. The rumor was that Liverpool were open to accepting bids for Virgil van Dijk, with AC Milan and Fenerbahce bravely volunteering as tributes to have the best defender of our generation play for their clubs.
Today, The Liverpool Echo shot down these rumors, citing sources close to the club.
Considering the turmoil and turnover at the club, with departing club legends like Mo Salah and Andy Robbo, as well as starting defender Ibou Konate, and incoming of new boss Andoni Iraola, Liverpool would be taking a big risk to let their captain go.
Not only was Van Dijk one of the best defenders in Europe again, but he also played every single minute of league action last year. Unfortunately, every other defender at the club suffered injuries during the last campaign. That ability to stay healthy and available is not so easy to replace.