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'Add quality from a position of strength' - McNultypublished at 13:08 BST 13 June
13:08 BST 13 June
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Liverpool's decision to spend £100m - and potentially £116m - on Florian Wirtz after being crowned champions is following the methods that served them well in the glory days of old.
The great Anfield figures of the past always insisted the way to sustain success was to add quality from a position of strength rather than chase expensive arrivals to cure weaknesses.
And Liverpool's position could not be much stronger after winning their 20th title.
It is also a vindication of the policy of keeping their powder dry financially last summer, when many supporters wanted Liverpool to go into the markets, especially after a deal for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi collapsed.
Liverpool won the Premier League in Arne Slot's first season and now have the resources and pull to sign one of Europe's most sought after young stars.
It's got us thinking... which signing during the Premier League era has got Reds fans most excited?
We're not pretending this is a definitive list - you will have your own views - but we've come up with eight names, including Wirtz as we're assuming this deal gets over the line, that had the fanbase buzzing when Liverpool moved for them.
This isn't based on what they actually went on to achieve at Anfield, just the feeling when they arrived. And it's just a bit of fun.
So have a look through the list - which is in chronological order (with some honourable mentions at the end) - then you've got the chance to order them yourself as well as get in touch with your own thoughts.
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Stan Collymore broke the British transfer record when Liverpool signed him for £8.5m in 1995. He scored 35 goals across two seasons at Anfield, forming a potent strike partnership with Robbie Fowler. In his first season, he scored five goals in Liverpool's FA Cup run, which ultimately ended in defeat by Manchester United in the final.
Collymore on joining Liverpool: "I didn't want to look back at my career and say I hadn't achieved as much as I might have done. That's one of the reasons I came here. I want to win things and I do believe I can do that sooner rather than later with Liverpool."
Harry Kewell turned down a move to arch rivals Manchester United and signed for Liverpool from Leeds United in 2003. Injuries hindered the Australian from reaching his full potential on Merseyside, but the winger still managed to win a Champions League and FA Cup in his five seasons at Anfield. He scored 16 goals in 139 appearances for the Reds.
Reds boss Gerrard Houlier on signing Kewell: "We had spoken about bringing in players who would have the fans on the edge of their seats and I can't think of a better description for the qualities that Harry will bring to Anfield."
Robbie Fowler's romantic return to Liverpool in 2006 saw him score 12 goals across a second coming that lasted one and a half seasons. Reds fans inside Anfield made it abundantly clear about how excited they were for Fowler's return, displaying a sign that read "Fowler. God. 11. Welcome back to heaven" at his first game back against Birmingham City.
Fowler, who had left Anfield for Leeds in 2001, said on his return: "Leaving was probably one of my biggest regrets I have had in football. I'm chuffed to bits. I mean, I can't really believe it's happened again, so I'm ecstatic to be honest."
Fernando Torres signed from Atletico Madrid for a then club record £20m in 2007. 'El Nino' won the club's player of the year in his debut campaign, and scored an impressive 81 goals in 142 outings for the Reds before breaking the British transfer record with a £50m move to rivals Chelsea in 2011.
Abraham Garcia, who coached Fernando Torres at junior level: "He'll probably become world famous. Directness, pace, power, excellent in the air and the mindset of a born winner make Fernando an extraordinary player."
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Joe Cole joined on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2010 making him Roy Hodgson's first signing at the club. There was lots of buzz after Liverpool landed the 28-year-old England star ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham, but his Premier League debut lasted just 45 minutes before he was sent off for a poor challenge against the Gunners, and it didn't get much better from there. Cole was sent out on loan and then eventually sold in January 2013, after making just 26 appearances and scoring three goals for the Reds.
Steven Gerrard on Cole: "Messi can do some amazing things - but anything he can do, Joe can do as well, if not better."
Virgil van Dijk joined in January 2018 from Southampton and remains Liverpool's most expensive transfer at £75m. He reached back-to-back Champions League finals in his first one and a half seasons, winning it at the second time of asking. The Dutch colossus has since added two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and the Club World Cup to his cabinet and took the captain's armband in 2023.
David Moss, the talent scout who brought Van Dijk to Celtic, said : "I used to say to Premier League clubs: 'Van Dijk is a man playing in a playground against kids, he stands out so much. He's 6ft 4in, can ping it from one end of the field to the other, can head it, scores goals, is quick … he's got everything.' And they'd still go and buy someone else. I'd despair."
Thiago Alcantara left Bayern Munich for a £20m move to Liverpool in 2020 for what ended up being a patchy, injury-ridden spell. In four years on Merseyside, the Barcelona academy graduate made 98 appearances, scored three goals and won one FA Cup.
Former Bayern manager Hansi Flick said: "Thiago is an extraordinary player and was very important for us. It was very emotional as we said goodbye. I can only congratulate Liverpool as they got a great player and especially a great person."
As for likely £114m recruit Wirtz, he has come back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in 2022 to become a key part of Leverkusen's domestic double under former Red Xabi Alonso in 2023-24. With 23 goal contributions that campaign, he was named the Bundesliga's player of the season.
Alonso said: "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."
Honourable mentions:
Now as we said, this is by no means a scientific list and there were other names who could have made the eight - including (but not limited to) Karl-Heinz-Riedle, Markus Babbel, Luis Suarez, Naby Keita, Alisson, Darwin Nunez... and yes, even El-Hadji-Diouf, who arrived with huge hype after the 2002 World Cup.
'A no-brainer for Liverpool to bring in this level of talent'published at 08:38 BST 13 June
08:38 BST 13 June
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Hungarian football expert Bence Bocsak says Liverpool see new signing Armin Pecsi as a "potential future number one goalkeeper".
Pecsi, a nominee for the 2025 Golden Boy award, made 30 appearances for Puskas Akademia last season as they finished second in the Hungarian top flight, before the 20-year-old's move to Anfield was confirmed last week.
"You only have to look at the Golden Boy nominations to see how big a prospect he is," Bocsak told BBC Radio Merseyside's Chris Coughlin.
"It's a no-brainer for Liverpool if you can bring in this level of talent. When you look at his stats, he's prevented 14.33 goals during the whole of last season - remarkable statistics for a goalkeeper. If you can bring him in for this amount of money, it is a really good deal for Liverpool.
"He's still only 20 years old. Everyone I've spoken to about him has spoken really highly of his character and mentality."
Despite the departure of Reds number two goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer, Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili will join the club in July to compete for the number one shirt with established first choice Alisson.
"It will be a big change going from being first choice at one of the biggest clubs in Hungary to probably being third choice at Liverpool and playing for the under-21s, but I think it is a challenge he's very much prepared for," Bocsak added.
"Mentally he knows he's in it for the long term - it is a big picture move for him. I think £1.5m in this modern era is nothing for any player, let alone a 20-year-old who is this highly rated.
"Liverpool have done really well because there were some other big clubs sniffing about. There were a lot of big European clubs interested but Pecsi chose Liverpool because he really liked what they sold him and, from what I understand, they do see him as a potential future number one goalkeeper."
Gossip: Reds may move for Osimhenpublished at 07:06 BST 13 June
07:06 BST 13 June
Liverpool are considering a move for 26-year-old Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray. (Givemesport), external
Paris St-Germain will not allow France forward Bradley Barcola, 22, to leave this summer amid interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich. (Foot Mercato - in French)
'It is frightening for teams around them'published at 14:47 BST 12 June
14:47 BST 12 June
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Signing Florian Wirtz for such a large fee I feel would mark a sea change for Liverpool.
Fans would argue that they rarely invest big money into signings and even the Mohamed Salah contract situation came down to salary. It is stark if you think how long that and Virgil van Dijk's deal took to resolve - it was an issue of finances.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold going, if they had lost all three, that would have been most of the spine of the team gone, so it is great that they are showing the ambition after winning the league to really kick on and establish themselves as a side to compete for the title year on year.
After they they won the title five years ago, they did not really push on from that. They did not really show the ambition they probably should have in order to carry on winning or at least competing up there every year.
It looks like there has been a shift in their approach to it.
Losing Alexander-Arnold and what he brings creatively to the side - with his passes, the way he plays and his goals - is still a concern, but in Wirtz they are bringing in a quality player.
There will be big pressure as a player when you come in with such a big price tag and an expectation to settle in straight away, but the players around him will be buzzing to see him come in and their experience will help him.
We said when Jurgen Klopp left that he left a very good team. They were well established as a collective and now it is about how you stick those pieces in together.
It might look a little bit different next season, but the Liverpool side appear stronger than ever and it is frightening for teams around them.
Fans should be excited by this shift at the club and in the ambition they are showing again.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
Fans see Wirtz as false nine - so is Jota in 'greatest peril'?published at 11:54 BST 12 June
11:54 BST 12 June
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We asked for your thoughts on how Florian Wirtz will fit into Liverpool's team and what it means for the Reds' current midfielders.
Here are some of your comments:
Will: The most important thing is that Wirtz gives us options. He can rotate with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai but I see him working best in the Firmino role, with Salah and Diaz running into goal scoring positions.
Paul: Play all four! Gravenberch as the holding midfielder. The other three rotate positions in the attacking third. No team will be able to plan to defend against that!
Glenn: I don't think it really matters. False nine or midfield rotation. It boils down to quality on the pitch and he has this in abundance. As a false nine I suppose it rakes in the need for a new number nine for the time being.
Mick: Wirtz brings huge talent and versatility which will allow Slot to rotate across many positions and also give Liverpool style changes based on the opposition and requirements for each game. Huge and fantastic signing for LFC.
Dave: Surely Grav, Mac and Dom are the best complementary midfield trio in the Premier League. I cannot see how adding Wirz into the mix would work, unless by "rotation". So, further forward as a Firmino-style forward and it is then Jota whose future looks in greatest peril.
Reds closing in on Wirtz - so what now?published at 08:30 BST 12 June
08:30 BST 12 June
Luke Reddy BBC Sport Senior Journalist
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With Liverpool set to shatter their transfer record for Florian Wirtz, fans are overjoyed at the prospect of watching the diminutive playmaker represent the club.
But what now?
Wirtz plays in midfield...
If Wirtz takes up a place in Arne Slot's midfield, someone has to miss out. It is unlikely to be Ryan Gravenberch given his rise into the anchoring role, which means Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister become vulnerable.
Those two share similar stats, with Szobozslai creating more 'big' chances across the season, and serving up more goals and assists.
Both are combative but Mac Allister outshines the Hungarian in this area. In 2024-25, Mac Allister won 48% of his duels to Szoboszlai's 43%. The Argentine was also more accurate with the ball when in the opposition half, completing 86% of his passes compared to 83% in the case of his midfield team-mate.
So what do you value more? Creative output, or battling qualities and passing poise?
It is remarkably close and in truth hard to imagine either missing out. Perhaps, if Wirtz is to play in midfield, he, Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szobozslai will rotate based on fatigue and circumstance. Mac Allister's ability to also play in the anchoring role will add to the flexibility.
Liverpool's wide areas are under lock and key. Mohamed Salah holds the right side, while Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo offer variety on the left - assuming they both stay.
Diaz's sublime goal for Colombia against Argentina in this international window underlined the ingenuity he brings, while Gakpo - so often called to the touchline by Slot for the sharing of information - is invaluable in a multitude of ways.
Last season, Gakpo made nine headed clearances - more than any player listed in the article - and his duel success at 51% comfortably outstrips those mentioned.
Diaz, of course, has played centrally too, boosting the variety available to Slot.
But is it indeed the centre-forward role where Wirtz will be deployed? A false nine position - dropping to receive passes, creating room for runs into central spaces for the likes of Salah, Gakpo and Diaz.
It would be a style Kopites have seen before, when Roberto Firmino built his legacy by retreating from forward positions into areas where he could link play, thus allowing the relentless Salah and Sadio Mane to prosper from wider berths.
The output of Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez perhaps points to the central-attacking area being the one where Liverpool lack a man in form.
Slot's decision will be fascinating. The qualities of the players available to him once the Wirtz deal gets over the line lend themselves to flexibility and fluid changes of position.
The expected Wirtz move has thrilled fans. The question now is from what area of the pitch he will he try to thrill them once wearing the red of Liverpool?
Wirtz swayed by 'centrepiece' rolepublished at 08:29 BST 12 June
08:29 BST 12 June
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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."
Gossip: Reds preparing move for Barcolapublished at 07:47 BST 12 June
07:47 BST 12 June
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
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
Liverpool finalising £114m Wirtz dealpublished at 12:45 BST 11 June
12:45 BST 11 June
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.
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.
Gossip: Wirtz on the waypublished at 07:59 BST 11 June
07:59 BST 11 June
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
Liverpool to play Athletic Bilbao in double-headerpublished at 14:35 BST 10 June
14:35 BST 10 June
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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.
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.
Nevin picks out the best deals so farpublished at 10:05 BST 10 June
10:05 BST 10 June
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.
'I really want the Wirtz saga done' - fan views on transfer windowpublished at 08:04 BST 10 June
08:04 BST 10 June
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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.
Follow transfer deadline daypublished at 08:02 BST 10 June
08:02 BST 10 June
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.
38 years ago today...published at 11:15 BST 9 June
11:15 BST 9 June
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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.
🎧 Rise of American ownership in English footballpublished at 11:07 BST 9 June
11:07 BST 9 June
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.
Image source, Getty Images
