Liverpool

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German football expert Constantin Eckner believes Florian Wirtz chose Liverpool over Bayern Munich because he will be the star playmaker at the Premier League champions.

Eckner told BBC Sport Wirtz and his family spoke to Bayern Munich, among other clubs, but a conversation with Reds boss Arne Slot convinced him to make the move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen.

"What ultimately influenced his decision is that Arne Slot in particular offered Wirtz the best plan for the next couple of years, meaning Wirtz will be Liverpool's number 10 - the centrepiece," said Eckner.

"Of course Mohamed Salah is still there, but how many more years will he play for Liverpool? His days are somewhat numbered. Then, Wirtz will be the centrepiece of the Reds attacking system.

"At Bayern, Wirtz would have been one of two playmakers alongside Jamal Musiala. These two play together for the national team, but still Wirtz wouldn't have been the main playmaker for Bayern - so I feel like that's something that influenced his decision."

Liverpool are set to swoop for Paris St-Germain's 22-year-old France forward Bradley Barcola - even after completing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Germany attacker Florian Wirtz, 22. (Sun), external

Bayer Leverkusen are considering a move for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, 22. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez is likely to leave Liverpool this summer, with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal making contact about the 25-year-old this week. (Talksport), external

Nunez, though, is understood to favour staying in Europe, with a move to Spain or Italy his preference. (Mirror), external

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

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Florian Wirtz will become the 10th player to go for a fee of £100m or more if his move to Liverpool completes as expected.

The British record for an initial fee remains Chelsea's £107m recruit of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez in 2023.

Months later, the Blues signed Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo for an initial £100m fee - that could rise to a British club record of £115m.

Wirtz's fee would be only about half that of the world record, which remains the £200m Paris St-Germain paid for Brazil superstar Neymar in 2017.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Liverpool's move for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz is at an advanced stage, with the clubs in discussions over the structure of a transfer that could be worth £114m.

The Reds submitted a third formal bid for the Germany playmaker last week, worth £100m guaranteed and a further £14m of add-ons.

If completed, it would smash the club's £75m record signing of captain Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.

Sources have told BBC Sport that talks are now focused on the structure of the final details of the transfer, including the value of the add-ons and how achievable they are. Leverkusen had valued the midfielder at about £126m.

Wirtz, 22, has made it clear that his preference is to move to Anfield following interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

He made his debut for Leverkusen at the age of 17 and has scored 57 goals in 197 games for the club.

He helped them win the Bundesliga for the first time in 2024 and has scored seven goals in 31 appearances for Germany.

Manchester United hold bragging rights as the most popular Premier League club across social platforms, according to CIES Football Observatory., external

Ranking third overall behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, Manchester United total 233.6 million subscribers and followers across X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Rivals Manchester City are second highest out of Premier League clubs and fifth overall with 179.5m, with Liverpool (166.7m) and Chelsea (152.9m) just behind.

Arsenal also make the global top 10 with 114.1m, meaning there are five English teams inside the top 10.

Spurs just miss out in 11th with 108.1m, but they did gain an extra 700,000 followers over their North London rivals since June 2024.

A total of 15 English clubs make the top 100, with Leeds United squeezing into the 100th spot with 6.4m.

While fans may not sing about social media followers, global interest has a hand in paying the bills at their beloved football clubs.

Florian Wirtz is set for a Liverpool medical after they agreed a deal in principle with Bayer Leverkusen for the 22-year-old Germany midfielder, worth £127m including add-ons. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez, 21, is on the verge of a £45m move to Liverpool from Bournemouth. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

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Liverpool have confirmed the final fixtures of their pre-season programme with a double-header against Athletic Bilbao.

The back-to-back matches will take place at Anfield on Monday, 4 August at 17:00 and 20:00 BST.

They will be the final friendlies Liverpool play before getting the new season under way with the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace at Wembley the following Sunday.

The games against Athletic round off a summer schedule that includes a pre-season tour of Asia where the Reds will take on AC Milan in Hong Kong on 26 July before a meeting with J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan on 30 July.

Arne Slot's side's first pre-season game is against Preston North End at Deepdale on 13 July.

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Pepijn Lijnders once called Jurgen Klopp his "proper football brother," but now he has joined one of his biggest rivals in Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City have confirmed Lijnders will become a part of Guardiola's coaching staff, along with former Liverpool opposition analyst James French.

The 42-year-old was Klopp's assistant when Liverpool won the Premier League and Champions League, standing down from the role when the German left the club in 2024.

Speaking last year, Lijnders told the Liverpool club website: "I always said I will finish with Jurgen; the moment I will not assist anyone else, that's the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case.

"I owe this club everything. They don't owe me anything, to be honest. It's 10 years full of dedication. So when we [me and Jurgen] spoke, it was clear for me, I go and manage, and we end this project together," he added.

Lijnders has had two spells as a manager - briefly leaving Liverpool in 2018 to manage NEC in the Netherlands, before a spell with Red Bull Salzburg at the beginning of last season, with both culminating in his dismissal.

Without a club since December, the Dutchman has taken the step back from being a manager and once again will be an assistant.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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The mini transfer window has been interesting with some intriguing stories.

Matheus Cunha to Manchester United seems to make some sense, certainly more that many of their transfer deals in the past few years. At least Cunha has proved he can do it in the Premier League.

Liam Delap had his pick of a few clubs because of his affordable £30 million buyout fee. Well done to the agent who got that written into his contract. Trent Alexander-Arnold is older but still big news. However, I do not think he is the most important deal done in this window thus far.

There was not too much fanfare following Dean Huijsen's £50million move from Bournemouth to Real Madrid but it is hard to imagine any other transferred player having the same long-term impact.

Liverpool might have been tempted by him as the eventual replacement for Virgil van Dijk, but then Huijsen was unlikely to turn down Real, having already elected to represent Spain over his birth nation, the Netherlands.

The 20-year-old is a class act. It is very unusual for such a young centre-back to be so assured and mature. My suspicion has always been that he will be an enduring world star if he steers clear of major injuries.

Trent grabbed much more attention in the short term, but Dean is more likely to be the long-term superstar Galactico in Madrid.

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We asked for your views on whether Liverpool need to act before the first of the two summer transfer windows shuts on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Jay: After all the hype, it would be tragic if we couldn't get Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz over the line. I think they're nailed on to come, but it would just be rubbish for the players and fans to have it dragging on. I'm still hoping for a number nine leaving and arriving. Slot has given enough chances to Darwin Nunez now. Something has to give.

Christian: I really want the Wirtz saga to be done before this window closes. After Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo, I'd hate to see another big transfer fizzle out. Kerkez, I assume, will be done in the next window. As regards exits, Harvey Elliott, Nunez, and Federico Chiesa seem most likely, but I have no burning desire to see any players leave. We need a squad big enough to cope with going deep in all competitions.

Alastair: It would be good to tie down Wirtz and Kerkez and spend the next week planning for the main window when we may see a central striker added to allow Slot to mirror PSG's fluid formations.

Adam: I think we will get our business done early before we allow anyone to leave. But this window will make no difference as we have no competitive game between now and the Community Shield. Striker, left-back, and young centre-back with Wirtz, and we will be leading the way.

Chris: I think the priority has to be getting the current two deals over the line, then once the window re-opens, start looking at a proper centre-forward.

Ken: While there is no urgent need for signings to be registered before this first deadline, it would be nice to get over the line with Wirtz and Kerkez. That would enable the club to move to the next phase of the window by arranging a few outgoings and a few more incoming signings to strengthen areas like the centre-back and forward positions.

Today is the first of two transfer deadline days this summer as the window shuts for seven days before reopening on 16 June.

In a change to the summer transfer window norm, it opened early to allow clubs involved in the Fifa Club World Cup 10 days to sign players for inclusion in the competition.

Whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

And keep up to date with all the latest news, views and transfers for your club

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On this day in 1987, Liverpool legend John Barnes completed a £900,000 move to Anfield from Watford.

The Jamaica-born winger was signed by former manager Kenny Daglish and arrived on Merseyside alongside fellow attackers John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley.

Barnes went on to clock up 406 appearances during his 10-year stint at Liverpool, scoring 107 goals.

He was twice named England's Footballer of the Year, after winning the title in 1987-88 and 1989-90. His silverware on Merseyside also included the 1989 FA Cup and the League Cup in 1995.

It is not just at the top of the Premier League where American ownership has a foothold in English football.

Twenty years on from the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, one third of the 72 EFL clubs now have either majority or minority US backers.

In a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Kelly Cates is joined by a group of experts to investigate whether this trend is likely to continue.

Listen on BBC Sounds

On Tuesday, the first of two summer transfer windows will come to a close.

So, do you expect business to be done at Liverpool before the deadline? Do you want players to come in or exit? If so, what or who do you think is needed?

Let us know

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Liverpool have signed goalkeeper Armin Pecsi from Hungarian side Puskas Akademia.

Pecsi, 20, is a Hungary Under-21 international and was a nominee for the 2025 Golden Boy award.

He made 30 appearances for Puskas last season as they finished second in the Hungarian top flight.

His arrival at Anfield follows the departure of the Reds' former number two Caoimhin Kelleher, who signed for Brentford earlier this month.

Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joins the club in July to compete for the number one shirt with established first choice Alisson Becker.

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We asked for your views on what Andy Robertson's future as a first-team regular at Liverpool is, amid links to Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

Here are some of your comments:

Robert: Robbo has been a fantastic player for the club but his recent mistakes have led to goals conceded and this would be a problem in what I expect to be a tougher season.

Callum: Robbo has been a great player for Liverpool, a real legend. Last season it was mistake after mistake at times and I think it's down to his game being all about high intensity and his age creeping up on him. His minutes need to be managed now, but he definitely still has a place in the squad.

Jimmy: Looks like Robertson's time as the number one left-back at Liverpool could be coming to an end. Robertson might have to get used to being the back-up for Kerkez.

AnfieldRed: Robbo is our left-back. Whoever comes in has to knock him out of the position and not the other way round. He's got nothing to prove. Always need a Scot in the team.

Neil: Move him on given his contract status. Tsimikas is an able back-up.

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Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes "it would be impossible" for Barcelona to sign Liverpool forward Luis Diaz because they do not have the finances.

There has been speculation overt he 28-year-old's future at Anfield after he and his girlfriend both wrote lengthy posts on social media that could be interpreted as farewell messages.

Club sources have told BBC Sport that Colombia international Diaz is not for sale.

"He has put himself in the frame of a possible transfer and he has a decision to make," said Balague on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast.

"He has two years left on his contract and Liverpool have no interest in selling him, but they also have no interest in renewing his contract at the moment.

"Diaz's agent is friends with Deco - Barcelona's sporting director - and Barca really like Diaz because they are looking for a left-winger.

"They haven't made an offer yet but they are likely to bid 40-60m euros. Liverpool will point out that Bruno Fernandes was going to go for £100m so they expect the same if they are going to sell him.

"Barcelona don't have that money and, at the moment, they don't know if they can even raise that money because of the financial approvals needed. It would be a puzzle for them to even get the 60m euros.

"I think it would be impossible for them."

Listen to Euro Leagues podcast on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Luis Diaz's Liverpool future after the club rejected an approach from Barcelona.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: I like Diaz - don't get me wrong - but I won't be gutted like I would have been if Mo Salah or Virgil van Dijk left. I think this is us stirring the pot to see how much we can get for him. If we're talking £100m then it might be worth 'twisting' rather than sticking because we really need a new striker. Sorry, Darwin Nunez, but you've not hit the net enough...

Kristin: Diaz gives us such a great spirit in addition to his great skill. I really think we will miss him if he leaves. I think he will stay. He provides something different from all the other players and will be recognised by that.

Charlie: As a club, we need to do all we can to keep players like him. He absolutely works his socks off every single game.

Simon: Honestly, Diaz going wouldn't be the worst outcome, despite being a decent player. What I want to see from the Reds is 100% commitment. If his head is turning because of interest from elsewhere, then make sure the price is right and let him go. At this point, I'd expect to recoup our investment and then some - so cash in.

Rhona: I love Lucho but also think there is a selfishness in his play that limits the number of goals he scores. This isn't the first time he's been linked with Barcelona and I suspect it won't be the last. Let him go.

Ian: According to reports, Barcelona is Diaz's dream club and where he wants to be. If Liverpool reject any approaches from Barcelona and make him stay will he give 100% next season? Maybe it would make sense to sell him and buy a class winger who wants to play for Liverpool.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland commentator

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You would forgive Andy Robertson for recoiling at the mere mention of the name Milos Kerkez.

The 31-year-old's position as Liverpool's first-choice left-back - a post he has had a stranglehold on for the past eight seasons - could be under duress if the Anfield club get a deal for Bournemouth's Hungary international over the line.

Robertson is about to enter the final year of his Reds contract, with many suggesting Kerkez could be a long-term replacement for the two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner.

"We're not daft, it looks as if a deal could potentially be done," Robertson told BBC Scotland, when asked about the Kerkez rumours.

"But, until that is done, I've not even given that a second thought. I back myself. I've got confidence in my own ability and that drives me forward.

"I've had eight fantastic years at Liverpool in terms of winning trophies and being a mainstay in the team, which I'm incredibly proud of.

"I'm not getting any younger. I can't change my age, but I still believe I've got a lot to give and that's what I focus on.

"I focus on myself - you can't focus on other people or who you're competing with."

You can read more of Robertson's chat with BBC Scotland here

What do you think the future holds for Robertson? Will he still be at Anfield next season? Get in touch with your thoughts here

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Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and midfielders Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton have been named in Lee Carsley's England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship.

The Young Lions will travel to Slovakia hoping to defend the title they won two years ago in Georgia.

England kick off their campaign against Czech Republic on Thursday, 12 June.

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Fan Dan Clubbe from Redmen TV says it will be "fascinating" to watch new Liverpool signing Jeremie Frimpong, who he believes has "world-class qualities".

Frimpong's arrival was announced just hours after the club confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold would be joining Real Madrid, but the Netherlands international will offer a different kind of threat for Arne Slot's side.

"To replace Alexander-Arnold with another right-back who has caught the eye, garnered attention across Europe and won the Bundesliga as a key part of Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side is a a really shrewd and smart signing," Clubbe said.

"The release clause is £30m - he's worth double that. You could buy him for £30m and sell him for £60m the next day - that's the quality of footballer we're talking about.

"He'll be fascinating to watch. He's a right-back in name only really. Not many elite teams across Europe play with wing-backs, so unless you follow Xabi Alonso round your whole career what are you going to do next?

"He wants to be viewed as a right-back but, make no mistake, he's going to be an incredible watch. He's going to be really fun and exciting because he's got raw pace, he wants to be involved in attacking situations and will play with desire and freedom to get forward.

"Trent was different, he played in a standing-still position and sprayed passes a lot of the time. Frimpong is essentially just a right-sided footballer who can play as a winger as well.

"If we don't supplement Mo Salah this summer, he will miss games because of Afcon and Frimpong could be very important then.

"Liverpool have signed someone who may not be in the world-class bracket yet but has world-class qualities."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds