Liverpool

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Alexander Isak has spoken publicly for the first time since his future became the biggest talking point this summer.

Liverpool had a £110m bid rejected for the forward, who is currently not training with the first-team at Newcastle.

Isak says Newcastle United have "broken" promises and that "trust is lost" whilst the club say "no commitment has ever been made" that he could leave this summer.

In a statement on Instagram Isak wrote: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

In a later statement Newcastle said: "We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

"We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.

"As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met."

Mohammed Salah says he is "so happy" after becoming the first player to win the Professional Footballers' Association men's Player of the Year award on three occasions.

"This is something that has never happened before in the Premier League," he said.

"I will never forget it and it never happened before. I am so happy.

"We had a great season and also myself I had a great season - my best season for the club and in my career.

"Hopefully it will continue this year. I found always the way to stay hungry and want more."

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

David asked: Should Liverpool buy a defensive midfielder? We can look soft in the centre of the team and I worry we will struggle in the biggest games domestically and abroad.

Phil answered: No. I wouldn't buy another defensive midfield player as I think Liverpool have the resources in there to cover that off, especially when Ryan Gravenberch is back from suspension.

I would prioritise another central defender, perhaps also another left-sided attacking player, although I still have a hunch we will see Alexander Isak at Liverpool before the transfer window closed.

John asked: How important is it that Liverpool sign another centre-back who can step in for Virgil van Dijk over a long campaign?

Phil answered: Very important, with Jarell Quansah sold and Joe Gomez, unfortunately, too often injured. There is also a question mark over Ibrahima Konate's future as he is yet to sign a new contract.

An injury to Van Dijk would be seriously damaging, so I'm sure this is something Liverpool are looking at, with talks having already been held about a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

I expect Liverpool to sign a central defender before the window closes.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil here

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Liverpool will score lots and lots of goals this season. Some of the attacking link-up play was extraordinary during the 4-2 win over Bournemouth.

But whether we can retain the title or not will depend on if we can plug the gaps in the middle when we lose the ball.

Both Bournemouth's goals came from counter-attacks. There were no defensive midfielders in both situations to stop the fast break and Antoine Semenyo finished with aplomb on both occasions.

Liverpool were without Ryan Gravenberch, who is the most defensive of Arne Slot's midfielders, but it feels like more of a tactical issue than a personnel one.

At 2-1 up, Liverpool flooded bodies into Bournemouth's box. The full-backs were in the opposition penalty area and the midfielders were in attack mode, too. One transition and it was 2-2.

Thankfully, the power of Anfield and the relentlessness of Liverpool's attack meant we scored two more goals, but it should have been a much more professional job.

In all likelihood, Liverpool will spend huge money on Alexander Isak before the window closes, strengthening an already jaw-dropping attack. Marc Guehi is expected at centre-back, too.

If it were me, I would try to beat Manchester United to Brighton's ball-winning machine Carlos Baleba. He has the tenacity and defensive characteristics required for the double pivot.

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

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Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

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Arne Slot's Liverpool have brought in attacking reinforcements but the balance of their side looks off. Against Bournemouth, they were bright going forward but looked susceptible to conceding on the break.

Last season, Liverpool only conceded two goals from fast breaks all season. In the first game of this season, they equalled that number.

So what has changed for Liverpool?

The personnel informs how tactics are executed and Slot pointed towards sloppy passing in midfield as a reason Liverpool were so exposed. These misplaced passes gave the opposition time and space against a disorganised defensive shape while attacking the centre of the pitch.

This is more dangerous than losing the ball in the wide areas as attackers are closer to goal, in better shooting positions.

Although Slot focuses mainly on the sloppy passing and dispossessions in midfield, it is objectively true that Liverpool committed many bodies to their attack. At times, there were seven or eight players in and around Bournemouth's box, leaving Liverpool with very few players back to defend.

For Antoine Semenyo's second goal, both Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson were attacking in the opposition's box so were unable to get back to defend the counter-attack when the ball was lost.

Yes, decision-making and passing quality needs to be better but Slot may need to tweak the positions of the full-backs or central midfielders when Liverpool are attacking for additional protection against dangerous counter-attacking sides.

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BBC Sport's tactics correspondent Umir Irfan says Arne Slot is "going for a more fluid approach" in Liverpool's forward line and Alexander Isak would fit in very well with Hugo Ekitike.

Although it is unknown whether Isak will get his desired move, Irfan has been looking at the way the Reds may set up if they sign the Newcastle striker.

"There are similarities between Ekitike and Isak, but Ekitike has a great tendency to drop deep and get involved," Irfan told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"From what we have seen so far in their build-up play, Milos Kerkez stays in the back three and Jeremie Frimpong pushes really high and wide. Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai then drop really deep and into the wide areas, and when they do that the left-winger comes inside.

"That makes it really hard for opposition players.

"I can imagine a scenario where Ekitike starts in the middle when Liverpool are building-up, before he pulls out wide, which leaves all of that space for Isak.

"In more settled play, you would have Isak down the middle and Ekitike on the left.

"They would be interchanging. When you have two really good players on the ball with experience of moving to the left flank, it will be really hard for teams to pick up."

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Crystal Palace want to retain their England duo - defender Marc Guehi, 25, and 27-year-old playmaker Eberechi Eze - who are targets for Liverpool and Tottenham respectively - until after the start of their Conference League campaign, which begins on Thursday against Fredrikstad. (Mirror, external)

Meanwhile, winger Federico Chiesa has told the Reds he wants to stay at Anfield. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

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We asked for your views on what Liverpool should do with Federico Chiesa. Should they cash-in or do they take a gamble that he stays fit and continues to shine in the moments that matter the most.

Here are some of your comments:

Lee: I think Chiesa deserves a chance to shine at Liverpool. He arrived injured and he's done well when he's come on. He seems happy here, even if he doesn't start. I think if he can get back to the form he's shown in the past, Liverpool will have an amazing player and someone who can change matches.

Michael: Chiesa's goals to minute ratio is actually good. He gets a lot of shots off in equal measure. He deserves to get more game-time and has shown he can deliver when trusted. We are short of forwards with the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and unfortunately the passing of Diogo Jota. Keep him as a very good squad option.

Hari: With the loss of Diogo, we also lost a player who could come on and grab the game by the scruff of the neck. These players are hard to find and Federico has proved this could be him, so give him some minutes and see what he can do.

Rahul: The Chiesa scenario reminds me very much of Divock Origi. Even the most ardent of Liverpool fans will admit that Origi was quite an average striker but the fact that he scored the most crucial goals elevated him to cult hero status. Chiesa is a quality player who loves the club and who is equally loved by the fans. If he can stay fit, he is definitely worth keeping around, even if only as an impact sub.

Tom: Keep him. His value to us is higher than any potential fee and we are short on those positions. If he finds any of his old form from before his injuries it will be a gamble that pays off many times over.

Richard: Keep Chiesa because he can score and unite fans and players alike. Cult hero status is unmatched in today's world.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Footage of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi appearing to ignore his manager Oliver Glasner after Sunday's draw at Chelsea certainly got tongues wagging.

Guehi is the subject of interest from Liverpool, who last week opened talks with Palace over a potential £35million deal to sign the England international.

So the sight of Guehi refusing Glasner's approach on the pitch after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, and the Austrian's apparent subsequent confusion, has resulted in speculation as to why, particularly given the Premier League champions' efforts to sign him.

However, BBC Sport understands Guehi's reaction was merely a result of his disappointment at the goalless draw at Chelsea and the fact he wanted to keep any debriefs in the confines of the dressing room.

Guehi and Glasner, who have kept close communication throughout the summer despite the prospect of the 25-year-old leaving Selhurst Park, remain on good terms.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Marc Guehi's is a very similar situation to Eberechi Eze.

Liverpool and Crystal Palace have held discussions about a possible £35m deal for Guehi to go to Anfield before the transfer deadline.

There is still no agreement, but those talks should accelerate in the next few days but the success of that deal hinges on whether the chairman, Steve Parish, sees Liverpool's deal and their valuation of the player as enough to let their captain go.

It may be that Parish decides that the deal isn't enough, and the fee isn't enough, and it may be more valuable for him to stay until the end of the season and the 12 months until his contract runs out than it would actually to recoup the money.

There's still a lot to get done in that deal, but there are legs in it, and if I were a betting man, then I'd put money on that deal to get done before the transfer window closes.

The expected sale of Ben Doak to Bournemouth for an initial fee of £20m - with a further £5m in add-ons a possibility - continues a summer theme of Liverpool profiting handsomely from talents developed at the club.

Jarrell Quansah left for Bayer Leverkusen for about £30m before any add-ons kick in. Caoimhin Kelleher's Brentford switch brought in £12.5m, which could rise further. Trent Alexander-Arnold's switch to Real Madrid brought in a fee of about £8m in order for Liverpool to release the defender early, though Madrid disputed the story.

Nat Phillips moved to West Brom for £1m, while Tyler Morton switched to Lyon for £15m.

Naturally, some of the fees are subject to add-ons and, such is the nature of transfer business, the reported figures may differ slightly from the deals the clubs actually struck.

But regardless, Liverpool have brought in between £80m and £90m - before add-ons - for players that cost the club a total of £600,000.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist

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"We can hear 'em crying in Turin... Federico, he came to win..."

Federico Chiesa has played a total of 479 minutes of football for Liverpool - less than some players deliver in a month.

And yet, the smiling Italian can proudly claim to be the subject of what is becoming an iconic football chant that Liverpool fans seemingly adore.

In May, the club's players pushed him forward to dance with the Premier League trophy in front of the Kop, with the likes of Andy Robertson imploring fans to send the chant rippling down the famous stand so the players could bop to its tune.

The cult-hero status some players absorb is a tough concept to logically define. Some earn it through consistency, some as local boys who did good, others for maybe a style of play that leaves them bruised and battered for the cause. Chiesa is or has produced none of the above - and yet cult-hero status seems to envelope him like a fine Italian suit.

At Friday's season opener, with the score perched at 2-2, his late introduction prompted countless Kopites to turn to those near them and state "if he scores, it's going to go mental". His late strike sent bodies sprawling in the stands and the Reds to three points.

Chiesa, signed for an initial £10m a year ago, said afterwards: "I love the club. I'm playing for one of the best clubs in the world and I feel the passion of the fans. I feel the energy. Playing at Anfield is mesmerising - it's just incredible and I'm so happy to be here."

So what should the Reds do? To sell Chiesa would raise a relatively humble figure. To keep him around requires a trust in a body that has a history of breaking down with injury, as well as a faith he can deliver an adequate level of impact when called upon.

Perhaps most interestingly, how does a club or manager put a price or metric on cult-hero status? Should they even do so? Does such emotion have a place in the cut-throat nature of transfer business?

Those blessed with cult-hero status have an intangible quality in the way they can unify a fanbase, raise spirits in a dressing room and, somehow, occasionally find themselves at the centre of magic moments. How do you ascribe a value to that?

The Kop continues to "hear 'em crying in Turin" since Chiesa's Juventus exit. But how would you feel if he said "ciao" to Anfield?

What should Liverpool do with Chiesa? Tell us

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

• Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

• Wolves 0-4 Manchester City

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ken: Great win but, as is often the case, we made it difficult for ourselves. Ekitike, Salah, Gakpo and Wirtz were excellent - all our defenders had an off day, though. Quality saw us through, but not a top performance yet. Early days and what an exciting prospect for the new season. We badly miss Diogo Jota - may he and his brother rest in peace forever. YNWA.

Geoff: There is some 'bedding in' to be done, and the absence of Ryan Gravenberch was noticeable, but a good home win against a tenacious and well drilled Bournemouth side. Lots to look forward to in the season ahead.

Mark: First game of the season, three points. Team adapting to each other. No worries.

Ben: Yet again, this display showed two things - Liverpool's attacking prowess and their defensive frailties. Being caught on the break for both Bournemouth goals showed the need for a new (and faster) centre-back. Although having Isak would be nice, we don't want to keep relying on our attackers to bail us out every time (plus Ekitike, so far, seems to be showing that Isak may not be needed). If the game has been against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea or Arsenal it would likely have been a different result. If we don't sign a decent centre-back before the transfer window closes then it will be much harder to defend our title.

Max: I've thought for ages that Chiesa didn't get enough game time, and he will be food for thought over the next few weeks for Slot. Apart from the defending, it was a great game - entertaining, emotional and gripping.

Steve: Disjointed, less energy and far too much exposure in defence. As a life-long supporter, I'm seeing performances that are too much like the barren years. We need urgency, control and that 'get it all together ' approach. Hope we have time.

Bournemouth fans

Kathryn: I was worried beforehand but I thought we played a really high-pressing game. Amazing goals from the wonderful Semenyo against the best team in the world?! Marred by racism which was very upsetting for him. Disgusting and I'm very sorry it happened. Cherries are definitely going to Europe!

Steve: I was there with my son. It felt cruel to lose it so late but we look like a team with the potential to develop and improve.

Paul: Looked at lot better than I thought they would with so many key players going. Unfortunately, defensive errors and deflections prove costly. Everyone had us down to be returned to the Championship but I think we have proved we are more likely to be nearer Champions League.

Lee: Made a good fist of it considering a number of players who would have likely started were out injured. We looked a threat going forward and caused Liverpool problems. Sadly, you can't win a game of football conceding four goals, but I'm very optimistic after seeing that display that the mighty Cherries will have another good season. Atmosphere in Anfield was electric - I was so pleased to have been there in person.

Charl: Excellent performance full of energy and desire to not be beaten. Every player helping each other to contain a formidable opponent. Tactically superb set-up. Clumsy defending cost us but that will come.

Charles: Good start for the Cherries, expected to lose but did enough to be respected. Small details and a bit more luck could have seen a positive result. Semenyo was immense. Hopefully a tighter midfield with Cook and Christie back will see the best of the team. Defence are working hard to gel. It will get better.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Arne Slot wasted no time in integrating his expensive summer acquisitions as he gave first Premier League starts to the quartet of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez - against his former club - Florian Wirtz and Ekitike.

Frenchman Ekitike was far and away the pick of the bunch with a vibrant performance as scorer and creator, deservedly receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted after 71 minutes.

Wirtz was quiet in the number 10 role behind Ekitike ,in what was a disjointed Liverpool display lacking so much of the calm and cohesion that was the trademark of Slot's first season in charge - which led to Liverpool strolling to the title.

And, as in the Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace, there was a vulnerability running through this Liverpool side that will need work and almost resulted in them squandering a win that was theirs for the taking for the first hour.

It needed a typical late surge in front of The Kop to claim the three points in the face of a Bournemouth response which exposed Liverpool's defence far too often - especially down the flanks and through midfield, where the stabilising influence of the suspended Ryan Gravenberch was sorely missed.

Liverpool, however, gathered themselves as champions do, with Federico Chiesa finally making his mark after life in the shadows at Anfield to put them back in front, Mohamed Salah inevitably rounding things off.

It is only to be expected that the arrival of so many new faces, no matter how gifted, will lead to instability and this has been in evidence, leaving Slot with work to do to put all his many new pieces into place.

Liverpool were delighted with the three points, with Anfield celebrating accordingly, but this was a real scare as the champions were far from their best.

• Captain Virgil van Dijk spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about Ekitike's debut and standing with Antoine Semenyo after he called out alleged racist abuse

Did you know?

• Hugo Ekitike became only the second player to both score and assist a goal on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, after Darwin Núñez against Fulham in August 2022. Indeed, Ekitike was the first Frenchman to score and assist on his debut in the competition, while the last player of any nationality to do so was Núñez in August 2022.

• Cody Gakpo has scored 17 goals in his last 18 starts at Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring at least once in 11 of his last 12 games as a starter at the ground.