Liverpool

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With Liverpool understood to still be interested in Newcastle's Alexander Isak, we asked for your views on whether the Reds should try to sign the striker - who would be likely to cost a British record fee - or whether there are other areas to prioritise first.

Here are some of your comments:

Carl: I don't see the logic in this potential signing. Great player and Premier League proven no doubt, but the figures quoted are ridiculous. All us fantasy football players know the lad's injury record is a concern. With a significant outlay on Hugo Ekitike, I would rather see him get more game time and be given the chance to develop. Both seem more central players, so it is a more versatile attacker capable of playing on the left and right that we need.

Callum: Let's be honest, this is just us being greedy. He would be a great addition to the squad - any team would happily take him - but we just have so much threat in the attack that we simply don't need him to the point of spending over £100m.

Simon: If Isak is available and Liverpool can afford him, then go for it. This will take Liverpool to the same level that Manchester City have been at for the past few seasons. When you are champions, you make your team better. All the great teams do the same.

Michael: It's getting silly this! If there are funds to spend get a centre-back - that's the cover we need. We do not need another forward. Just because there's money don't mean we must spend it. Lets not behave like Chelsea, Manchester United or City. We DO NOT NEED Isak now. We have youth strikers coming in and they will learn a huge amount. If this experiment backfires we are lost forever. There is a difference between reinforcing a team and going berserk.

Will: It's not about what we need, but a statement about who we want to be. This window is setting us up to dominate for the next five years. With Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz all possibly going, Isak is the perfect final addition to our new world-beating attack.

Christine: Isak has not shown positive behaviours to his club. He could have asked to leave at the end of May and yet he has waited for pre-season. He is injury prone too and I don't want him at Liverpool. He doesn't fit and could prove to be an expensive mistake. Buy a centre-back and ensure we have cover in defence.

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Liverpool have already had a busy summer, but there could still be a lot more to happen with just over a month remaining.

Having hijacked Newcastle's attempts to sign forward Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt and securing him in a deal that has the potential to reach £79m, the Reds could yet sign the Magpies' star striker too.

Alexander Isak wants to explore his options for a move away from Newcastle after missing the pre-season tour of Asia, with a source telling BBC Sport that Liverpool are still interested in signing the 25-year-old despite landing Ekitike.

If the Reds wanted to secure the Sweden international's signature, it is likely they would have to break the British transfer record to do so, with the Tyneside club believed to value him at £130m.

Making up for minimal spend in recent transfer windows, Liverpool have heavily backed Arne Slot this summer following the side's Premier League title win.

On their five signings so far, the club lead the way in Premier League spending having paid £240m on initial fees, with that potentially rising to over £250m when including add-ons. Any deal for Isak would see that figure shoot up to nearer £400m.

But it is not just about incomings.

Trent Alexander-Arnold moved to Real Madrid at the end of the season, while Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher and Nat Phillips have all been sold, and there remains a question mark over the future of Luis Diaz, who has been the subject of bids from Bayern Munich.

So, do Liverpool need to pursue a possible record-breaking transfer for Isak? Or are there other priority areas they should be spending on instead? Is there a risk the club are doing too much business this summer?

Let us know your thoughts here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Alexander Isak has become integral to Newcastle's recent success since joining the club from Real Sociedad in August 2022, scoring an impressive 62 goals in 109 appearances at an average of a one every 1.76 games.

Isak has netted 44 league goals across the past two seasons – 21 in 2023-24 and 23 last term – and with those numbers he has been rubbing shoulders with Europe's very best marksmen over the same time period (as shown in the below graphic).

The Sweden international also outperformed his xG by 3.3 during this spell, with his 44 strikes coming from an expected goals of 40.7.

His future with the Magpies remains uncertain after missing their pre-season tour of Asia as he looks to explore his options for a move away from Newcastle.

Hugo Ekitike met Arne Slot and his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday.

The Reds took part in an open training session at Kai Tak Stadium, where they will face AC Milan in a friendly on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

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Liverpool are poised to make a British record bid for Newcastle and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25. (Mail+ - subscription required), external

Bayern Munich are set to bid again for Luis Diaz and talks will continue, with Liverpool aware of the winger's desire to leave. (Fabrizio Romano), external

The Reds have offered defender Ibrahima Konate a new contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid, who are keen to sign him this summer or next. (Footmercato - in French), external

Brazil international Douglas Luiz, 27, failed to report for the first day of pre-season training at Juventus on Thursday, with Liverpool, West Ham and Everton all interested in the midfielder. (Gazetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott is open to leaving the Anfield club, with interest in the West Ham keen on the attacking midfielder. (Metro) , external

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

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Alexander Isak wants to explore his options for a move away from Newcastle this summer after missing the pre-season tour of Asia.

Newcastle have selected a 30-man squad but said the Sweden striker "misses out with a minor thigh injury".

It is understood some of Europe's top clubs have been aware Isak has been looking to take the next step in his career.

A source has told BBC Sport that Liverpool are still interested in signing the 25-year-old, despite signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69m.

On Saturday, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said Isak would "absolutely" be part of the squad for the games in Singapore and South Korea.

BBC Sport has contacted Newcastle for comment.

Read more here

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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It is an odd feeling when you are not that excited about a £69m (potentially rising to £79m) signing, but Liverpool fans have been consistently sold the dream of Alexander Isak while being spoiled this summer in the transfer market.

Florian Wirtz is the best signing any team will make and I'm completely convinced by that, but hopefully Hugo Ekitike will work well with the German superstar.

The Frenchman has lovely feet so will be much better in the build-up than Darwin Nunez, whose clumsy touch has driven supporters mad over the past few years.

Like Nunez, Ekitike is fast and works hard, but makes much better decisions and is not so emotionally affected by mistakes. It is undeniably an upgrade, especially if we can offload Nunez for big money to Saudi Arabia.

That will leave us with Ekitike as the only recognised centre-forward, given the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The Portuguese would have stayed to compete for a starting spot this season, but the brutal truth is that now Liverpool need to find another striker on top of Ekitike.

Isak will cost ridiculous money, but Liverpool could bank almost £200m themselves by selling Nunez, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott, having already made plenty with the sales of Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher.

If Diaz goes, Liverpool will need a new left-winger, too. So despite the Ekitike deal being one of the club's biggest ever, there is plenty of work to be done.

Before the season starts, we might see another striker, a left-winger and a centre-back arrive in what would be one of the biggest transfer windows by one club of all time.

What kind of position would that put Liverpool in, given they won the title last season anyway?

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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The Redmen TV's Dan Clubbe says Liverpool's pre-season tour is crucial to help their players deal with the death Diogo Jota.

The tour of Asia starts with a match in Hong Kong against AC Milan, before they head to Japan to face Yokohama F Marinos next week.

"Normally the bonding and integration side [of a pre-season tour] is for new players, but this will be different." Clubbe told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I think those who played with Diogo and knew him best will need each other. I think this experience will be good for them.

"I know Liverpool saw the Preston game as a bit of a 'line in the sand' moment. Diogo will remain a thing and the conversations will continue, but they saw that match as getting back to business.

"I think this tour will enhance that - they will be rooming together and spending a lot more time in each other's company. There will certainly be moments where they lean on each other and share memories of Diogo.

"I'm sure it will be sad at times, but these next few days will be crucial for them to reset, remember him in the right way and get back to business."

Listen to more about Jota and the pre-season tour on BBC Sounds

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We asked how excited you are about the arrival of Hugo Ekitike and what you expect from him in his first season at Anfield.

Here are some of your comments:

Callum: I expect some flair, goal contributions and someone who gels into our system flawlessly. I also want him to build strong bonds with the players on and off the pitch, like every other Liverpool player.

Stev07: Raw talent who will no doubt be polished by our management. He will gain plenty of advice and experience from our established players. I've seen plenty of him on Bundesliga highlights but not for a full 90 minutes. I'm sure he will be good addition to our squad and he was nearly half the asking price for Alexander Isak. The goals will definitely flow once he is up to speed with his team-mates. I'm looking forward to seeing him in action.

Dax: All our major signings have been under the age of 25. They have already proved themselves on the big stage. Ekitike is another one of those signings who is very quick, plays killer passes and can score. He, like our other signings, can read the game well. And still they are not even 25. The future for Liverpool is bright.

Neil: We expect him to work hard and progress himself this season. He is a young lad who will need to adjust to the league and develop physically, so judgements can wait 12 months. This new squad will take time to bed in. Champions League qualification will be enough this season and a cup hopefully.

Ian: A reasonable expectation is that Ekitike is going to be a big improvement on Darwin Nunez.

Bill: We won't spend that amount of money without having big expectations this season. I expect 25-plus goals and assists. Also depends where we play him or Florian Wirtz.

Gareth: Good all-round hold-up play, mobility and an eye for goal - and with all these terrific players around him he'll become even better. Very good signing.

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Fulham are confident of keeping hold of midfielder Seth Ridgeon, despite Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea showing interest in the England Under-17 captain. (Standard), external

Meanwhile, Atalanta plan to make a move for Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa if Juventus sign Ademola Lookman from them. (Football Italia), external

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

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Last week, we asked you about Liverpool's pivot from targeting Newcastle striker Alexander Isak to their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.

Now that the £69m move has been completed, we want to hear from you again.

How excited are you about his arrival?

And what's a reasonable expectation for the 23-year-old in his first season in Premier League football?

Tell us over here

Alex Keble
Football tactics writer

Arne Slot's summer reshuffle has already been the most significant by a reigning Premier League champion in the competition's history and the arrival of Hugo Ekitike is the final flourish that makes it practically a full-scale revolution.

But why were Liverpool prepared to spend big on the 23-year-old?

Ekitike scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 31 Bundesliga games last season, totalling the fifth-most goal involvements in the division. He was also involved in the fifth-most 'attacking sequences' in the Bundesliga.

Image source, Opta

That can be interpreted as showing the quality of Ekitike's all-round game - whether holding up the ball, running into channels or bursting in behind.

He is particularly adept at setting up his team-mates as well, creating more chances from open play (44) in 2024-25 than any other Bundesliga forward.

The only slight concern is that Ekitike is a little raw in front of goal. He took 117 shots in the Bundesliga last season, more than anyone else, but only converted a disappointing 12.8%, leading to an xG under-performance of 6.6 goals - a bigger gap than any other player in Europe's biggest five leagues.

Image source, Opta

But that just means Ekitike needs a little tuning up.

It is worth nothing that when Newcastle's Alexander Isak was the same age and playing for Real Sociedad in 2021-22, he scored just six goals in 32 league games, under-performing his xG by 3.8 and converting just 8.2% of his shots.

Read the full feature here

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Joey Jones was a "Liverpool fan at heart" and famous for his "dressing room craic", said Phil Thompson after his former team-mate's death at the age of 70 on Tuesday.

Jones enjoyed a glittering three-year period with Liverpool, winning a First Division title, two European Cups, a Uefa Cup and a European Super Cup between 1975 and 1978.

"Joey was a great lad, an absolutely great lad. Joey's probably one of the nicest young men you'd meet," ex-defender Thompson, who played for the Reds between 1971 and 1984 and then went on to be assistant manager under Gerard Houllier, told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"But he was also a good footballer who knew his limitations and that's what made him so special.

"He knew what he was good at, which was defending. The defensive game now is probably not Joey's thing, but what Joey gave our team at that time was a blend, because Joey could defend.

"What made our side back then was how we got on together, and Joey was one of those unique, just outright funny lads. You'd remember how he always clenched his fist to the Kop before games and that made him unique to them. The Kop loved Joey.

"It was the dressing room craic that Joey was famous for, he didn't want to do any harm to anybody and yet we always knew he had a short fuse.

"We remember him getting into a altercation with Ray Kennedy. Kennedy took advantage of his nature and was clipping Joey from behind his legs and Joey just turned and laid one into him. It shocked not just Ray but the rest of us.

"But he was a terrific lad - such a Liverpool fan at heart."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Real Madrid's Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, is one of the candidates to replace Luis Diaz at Liverpool should the forward leave Anfield. (Florian Plettenberg, external)

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Professional football scout and analyst Umir Irfan says Hugo Ekitike will "facilitate Mohamed Salah's game really well" when his move from Eintracht Frankfurt is confirmed.

When discussing the Reds' interest in both Ekitike and Newcastle's Alexander Isak on BBC Radio Merseyside, he said: "It's perhaps a better long-term signing for Liverpool in general to end up with Ekitike.

"It was going to be one of the two and either way it would be an impressive signing.

"Ekitike is a really impressive player. There's room for him to improve, which is always an exciting thing - but one thing he does offer is something that is very complementary to the rest of the players around him. I always think that is the most important thing when you sign a player.

"At Liverpool you have Salah, who you want to maximise for the next couple of years. He's not a player you want defending loads. With Florian Wirtz and Ekitike - they are both players who press incredibly well.

"But, it's not only the defensive side. On the ball Ekitike drops in really well and facilities play combining with the midfield really well, almost in a Firmino-like manner.

"That allows players like Salah or Wirtz to come inside and attack further up the pitch more centrally. On top of that, he has a great passing range and willingness to run in behind - whether that is to let other players come inside or free up space for the midfielders behind him.

"He's a very selfless player in general play and is someone who I think will facilitate Salah's game really well. But, he is selfish in the box in terms of taking lots of shots, which is always something you want from your number nine."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Forward Luis Diaz remains determined to leave Liverpool during the summer transfer window and is hoping Bayern Munich will make a new offer in the coming days. (ESPN) , external

Napoli, AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Inter Milan are interested in Reds winger Federico Chiesa. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Tottenham are set to rival Liverpool for the signing of Crystal Palace's 25-year-old England centre-back Marc Guehi. (Star), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is close to signing a new long-term deal with the club and going out on loan for the season. (Mail), external

Derby County have agreed a deal to sign Liverpool's Owen Beck on loan for the season, with the left-back expected to have a medical later this week. (John Percy on X, external)

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We asked for your views on whether Darwin Nunez still has a part to play at Liverpool this season. The forward scored a hat-trick against Stoke in a pre-season friendly on Sunday and found the net when the Reds beat Preston in a friendly in the previous week.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: I would definitely keep Nunez for at least another season. The boy's a grafter.

Nathan: Nunez should stay, he contributed a lot to our achievement in the Premier League and is currently our main striker. Hugo Ekitike has not played in the Premier League. He will first need to adapt to our system of play which Nunez already has.

Mark: If we can't get rid of him he's good to have on the bench.

Dax: I've been saying for some time that all Nunez needs is someone to trust him and push him forward. In Florian Wirtz, I believe Liverpool have found that person. It would be wrong of Arne Slot to offload Nunez at this stage. He's proven he can get into great areas to score and my guess is that he'll be used more as his confidence and subsequent goals increase. Nunez seems clearly on a mission and I think he's going to achieve it this season.

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Dave: Keep him, looks like he has settled at last.

A D Hilder: In my mind Darwin Nunez should stay. He's had his problems in front of goal but is he now coming good? Liverpool should keep Darwin until at least January to see how he performs. Replacing him with Isak is a lot of money.

Andy S: While I appreciate he is getting goals, he has proven that he fluffs his lines against the bigger teams. No ill will, but he needs to progress his career elsewhere.

Euan: It's a pity it hasn't worked out as we had all hoped it would have. The truth is we can't rely on him scoring goals especially in those tight games where we require a match-winning goal. I feel it's time for him to move on and enjoy his football elsewhere. He needs to rebuild his confidence.

Alex Keble
Football tactics writer

Image source, Getty Images

Along with Florian Wirtz and the two new full-backs, Hugo Ekitike points to a different Liverpool set-up.

In 2024-25, some 47 of Liverpool's 86 goals (55%) were scored or assisted by Mohamed Salah, who ran the right wing almost on his own as Alexander-Arnold drifted inside.

By contrast, Jeremie Frimpong is a very attacking, very wide right-back. That should take some of the pressure off Salah, but it might also see the Egyptian move infield to support the new creator-in-chief Wirtz, Liverpool's first proper number 10 in years.

Adding weight to that theory is Ekitike's history of playing in a strike partnership. He was arguably at his best in a 3-5-2 alongside Omar Marmoush at Frankfurt, with whom he regularly swapped positions in a fluid forward line.

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He was also more often than not playing in a two at Reims, where he made his name. Could Slot be planning something similar with Ekitike and Salah?

In a 4-2-3-1, Frimpong's aggressive wing play on the right could free Salah to drift inside and operate as something like a split striker alongside Ekitike, with Wirtz and a number eight sitting just behind.

That would certainly be direct, dynamic and straight-lined, and would certainly be ready for a turn towards fast-transitioning football next season.

But it's just one of the options available to Slot now he has such a versatile number nine leading the charge.

Ekitike can drop like Roberto Firmino or get in behind, can play alone or in a two, and can play transitional football or in a possession-centric side.

He is the real deal: the centre-forward of the calibre and tactical dexterity pretty much every 'Big Six' club has been looking for.

Whether Slot continues with Pep Guardiola-like patience or swings back towards Klopp-like verticality, Liverpool's chances of retaining the Premier League title just improved.

• Read more on Ekitike and Liverpool's tactics