Liverpool

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Milos Kerkez is expected to be first choice as Liverpool's left-back next season and contrasting his numbers with the long-serving Andy Robertson, who the 21-year-old could effectively replace, perhaps shows why.

The Hungary international started every Premier League game this season (which in part helps boosts his numbers) but the fact that Robertson failed to start nine games, and produced just one assist, may suggest that the latter's influence is beginning to wane as he struggled to return to full fitness in this campaign following injury problems last season.

Uncharacteristically, Robertson also significantly underperformed the assists he would have been expected to provide.

Kerkez, on the other hand, outperformed his expected assists by some margin, while providing double the amount of overlaps and 35% more crosses from open play.

Robertson, who has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, has been a wonderful servant for the Reds.

The 31-year-old has won two league titles and the 2019 Champions League across nine years at Anfield, but it may simply be a case that younger legs are needed to perform the demands of Slot's system.

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Our chief football writer Phil McNulty spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about Liverpool's transfer business this summer and what fans should expect for the rest of the window.

"Having made this huge outlet, Liverpool can't just keep spending," McNulty said.

"They've got to make sure they bring some money back in so, I think that means there will be some reluctant sales and I think Jarell Quansah will fall into that category - looks like he's off to Bayer Leverkusen.

"It's always a shame when local talent leaves but Liverpool have the highest standards and would he have got a lot of game time this season? That's the question. I think Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the established first choice.

"Then you have others like Darwin Nunez who I think personally has had his chance at Liverpool, hasn't done it and its time for him to move on to pastures new which again, may see Liverpool want to strengthen the attacking positions even further."

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Liverpool have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres. (Correio da Manha - in Portuguese), external

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Former West Ham and Wolves first-team coach Edu Rubio says Milos Kerkez has "great potential to grow even further" at Liverpool.

"Milos Kerkez is a fantastic and a much-needed addition to Liverpool's squad. He is versatile; he can play left-back, left wing-back and even left centre-back," Rubio said.

"He has got great potential to grow even further on; yet Andy Robertson still has better offensive stats than him. Maybe because of the context/teams etc; but his numbers show his attacking input is remarkably good.

"Kerkez's solid defensive stats and his physical aptitude can offer Arne Slot a different option down the left flank. They are both excellent full-backs, but they are both different and unique.

"Milos' interceptions and clearances stats show he can make Liverpool even more difficult to break. Offensively his ball progressive carries is very good; which can help his team penetrate into the opposition's half faster, aggressively and efficiently. This can support Liverpool's offensive game too, no doubt."

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Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has announced his retirement from football.

The 37-year-old made 569 appearances in his career, 178 of which came with the Reds.

"As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride," Lallana posted on social media.

"I could not be more appreciative of the opportunities I've been given and the support I've received along the way."

Talking specifically about his time at Liverpool, Lallana described it as "the chance to represent one of the greatest clubs in the world and win some of the biggest prizes in the game".

A £25m signing from Southampton in 2014, Lallana won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup during his six-year stay at Anfield.

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has made Napoli his preferred destination if he leaves Anfield this summer. (Football Italia), external

are willing to make 25-year-old Sweden striker Alexander Isak the best-paid player in the club's history to ward off interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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There is no such thing as a sure thing when buying a new player. As William Golding said about movie making all those years ago: 'Nobody knows anything.'

There is no such thing as a sure-fire winner in this business either but I suspect Florian Wirtz is as close as you get in the modern game. Liverpool have made costly errors before - Darwin Nunez is no longer worth the £85million the Reds paid for him but that is an outlier. Generally, they have been as smart as any other in the market.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister were superb signings and Milos Kerkez, who has shown he can cruise in the Premier League already with Bournemouth, also looks like a perfect fit. But Wirtz is different - and so he should be at a princely £100million before add-ons.

With Kerkez, the exciting Jeremie Frimpong and the fabulous Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Arne Slot has put himself under huge pressure because just about everyone has them as favourites to retain their title.

I wouldn't argue with that for a second.

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Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract next summer, has rejected the club's latest offer of a new deal. (Guardian), external

Arsenal have expressed an interest in 22-year-old Paris St-Germain forward and Liverpool target Bradley Barcola, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich. (L'Equipe - in French, subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez is set to complete his medical on Tuesday before joining the Reds. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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Florian Wirtz is a "little magician" and merits his club-record £100m fee, says former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Westerveld said: "They said all the time 'We only spend a lot of our money on players who are adding to the team' and if you see (Florian) Wirtz, (Jeremie) Frimpong and (Milos) Kerkez they are really exciting players.

"Wirtz is one of the best players in Europe and that is really helpful for Liverpool and it's really exciting to see the team coming together now."

Westerveld was speaking at the opening of a Cruyff Court - created by the Cruyff Foundation which bears the name of the Netherlands great Johan - which has been named after him at Liverpool's Lakeside School which caters for pupils with additional learning needs.

On Wirtz, whose cost could rise to £116m if performance-related add-ons are triggered, Westerveld added: "He's definitely worth the money, he's a little magician."

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell defender Jarell Quansah, 22, to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m. The club have placed a buy-back clause in the contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Tyler Morton is repairing his confidence with the England Under-21s after the toughest season of his career.

The Liverpool midfielder has helped the Young Lions reach the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after Saturday's 3-1 win over Spain.

Morton, though, will miss Wednesday's meeting with the Netherlands in Bratislava after collecting his second yellow card of the tournament.

International success would come off the back of a frustrating campaign for the 22-year-old, who did not make a Premier League appearance as Liverpool won the title.

He was restricted to just five appearances in cup competitions under Arne Slot.

Morton said: "When you're not playing, your confidence gets shut down a little bit. So, it's nice to come back and play here and play with unbelievable footballers, unbelievable youngsters.

"It's been the toughest season mentally for me. Obviously, I've coped with it very well because I've got good people around me, but it's been very tough. I think I've coped with it as well as I possibly could.

"I think when you're not playing as a footballer who's as hungry as I am, it does hurt. It's tough, especially when, in my opinion, I wanted to go out and I wanted to play and I wanted to go on loan and get my game time.

"But having chatted with the manager, having to stay, it could have worked out a lot worse than it did. It probably could have worked out a lot better than it did."

Under-21 and Liverpool team-mate Harvey Elliott made just two league starts last season - and has admitted he needs to consider his future at Anfield - while Jarell Quansah only started four league games.

Liverpool opted to keep Morton after Middlesbrough had a bid rejected in February but he has kept an open mind about the campaign.

"Yes, the minutes have been very limited for all of us youngsters this year," he said.

"But there's different playing styles with different managers. Yes, it's been a learning season. I think you've got to have these types of seasons where you're trying to learn."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Liverpool's Tyler Morton described the England Under-21s team as "special" after they reached the Euro 2025 semi finals.

The Young Lions beat Spain 3-1 in Trnava on Saturday to set up a last-four showdown with the Netherlands on Wednesday.

It was a vastly improved performance after a stuttering group stage ended with them finishing as runners-up to Germany with four points.

England and Spain were involved in a mass brawl at the final whistle - sparked by a late tackle on Tino Livramento - and Morton believes it demonstrated their unity.

He said: "This is a very special team. It's a team that's got a bit of everything, especially fighters. You see at the end, it's part of the game and I think everyone's got passion for the game.

"That's some things that you don't develop, that's something you've just got and I think this team's got it.

"We showed that, dominating a Spanish team for most of the game was not what all English teams do.

"I think we've shown a different side. I think we were very comfortable in and out of possession and I think sometimes the out of possession bit has got to be done. I think they're a top team, they're a threat, but I think we minimised that threat."

Morton, though, will miss the semi-final against the Netherlands in Bratislava after being booked in the first half, his second caution of the tournament.

"I didn't know until after the game. I was just really in the zone. I don't think it was a yellow card, myself, but it's gone," said the 22-year-old.

"I've got to just prepare myself now for what could be, but I'll be right behind the lads the whole game."

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Liverpool's club record signing Florian Wirtz says he "wants to win everything every year".

The 22-year-old completed his move from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m on Friday, signing a long-term contract at Anfield.

"I'm not coming to have fun here. I want also to achieve something and give the fans what they deserve," the Germany international told Liverpool club media.

"I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.

"I feel very happy and very proud. I was waiting for a long time - finally it's done and I am really happy.

"I would like to win everything every year. First of all, we have to do our work and I have to make my work.

"In the end, we want to be successful. Last season, they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious.

"I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea.

"I hope I can just make the team one step better."

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We asked for your views on who Liverpool should focus on next after the club record signing of Florian Wirtz, with Milos Kerkez expected to follow in a matter of days after a deal was agreed with Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Marwan: The next priority is to replace Darwin Nunez with a world-class striker who can play on the same level as Mohamed Salah and Wirtz, and to find who can succeed Jarell Quansah as a third-choice central defender.

Fraser: After we sign Kerkez, we need to focus on outgoings before we sign anyone else. Nunez is the obvious outgoing. I think Quansah, Harvey Elliott and one of either Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas will go. Once that's done, we should go for a new centre-back and forward - and ideally, one of them should be another homegrown player.

Kev: The focus should be on securing a new number nine. I don't think we will go for Alexander Isak, but one of Julian Alvarez or Hugo Ekitike would do for me! Someone will want Nunez, won't they?

Marc: There seems to be a lot of speculation around Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa, so it looks like we need another winger. Priorities are another centre-back - or maybe two, depending on departures - a new centre-forward and another winger.

Gerald: We didn't do too badly last year, so why would we want to change so many of the players? We could end up being worse, as there's no guarantee they would gel.

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Florian Wirtz made his debut for Bayer Leverkusen at the age of 17 years and 15 days in May 2020.

He's right up there when it comes to assists and chances created in the Bundesliga from then until present day.

During this time he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (March 2022) and returned to play his first competitive match in January the following year - missing out on the World Cup with Germany.

Across the past two seasons he has 44 goal contributions, including 21 goals and a Bundesliga-high 23 assists. That was the second most of any player aged under 23 in Europe's top-five leagues in that time, behind Chelsea's Cole Palmer.

Speaking about his former player in the past, ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has said: "Flo is one of the top players in the world - he's world class.

"Why is Messi so good? Because he knows how and when to play simple passes. Messi says: 'You're in a better position? Here, there you have the ball'.

"It's not always about making the most brilliant move, but the best and smartest. Florian can do that. That's why he's so good."

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Florian Wirtz played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga campaign in 2024-25, underlining his status as one of Europe's brightest young talents.

Across 31 league appearances, the 22-year-old maintained a steady influence in the final third, averaging 0.5 assists per game and creating 2.2 chances per match - key metrics that reflect his creative impact in Xabi Alonso's fluid system.

Wirtz's conversion rate of 18.52% may not place him among the league's top scorers, but his 0.4 goals per game shows he remained a consistent threat in front of goal. Combined with a passing accuracy of 82.33%, Wirtz has continued to mature as both a playmaker and a link between midfield and attack.

Crucially, his performances came despite a brief spell on the sidelines - Wirtz missed 30 days due to an inner ligament injury, a setback that might have disrupted rhythm for many players. Yet his return was seamless, and his influence never waned.

As Leverkusen pushed on both domestically and in Europe, Wirtz's presence remained central - a reminder of why he is one of Germany's brightest talents heading into the next campaign.