Liverpool

We asked for your views on the news that Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi has turned down a move to Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Yusuf: Why would you turn down a club that has won six Champions Leagues to stay at a club where you won't win anything? In my opinion, he has not thought about the situation and he will live to regret his decision. However, the emergence of Gravenberch has given me confidence in that defensive midfield spot and now I think we should go for a centre-back to replace Joel Matip.

Robel: My issue is not the player rejecting a move from his boyhood club, so did Stevie G. However, it is a lame oversight from our recruiting department. Reminiscent of the Tchouameni and Melo saga, which was disastrous and embarrassing. Why are all our eggs in that basket and where is plan B? Players playing out of position will run out of steam and desire.

Michael: If any player is not fully committed to joining Liverpool then we don't want them. I don't care how good they think that they are, if they are not prepared to walk barefoot to Anfield then thanks, but no thanks.

Mark: It was ambitious of Liverpool to target a player who had already turned down an offer to come to the Premier League with Arsenal, so one can only assume they had been given encouragement that he would join. You’d have to think that if they don’t go after another target then they’ve failed to address a known weakness, which is poor.

Joe: Zubimendi turned us down to stay at his boyhood club. Gerrard did it for us, and hopefully Trent will do the same. Yes, Liverpool’s obviously a bigger club than Real Sociedad, but he isn’t a world class player. It’s not that big of a loss for us. However, now we do need to figure out what to do about the defensive midfield position. The fans deserve more from FSG.

Jeremy: If he doesn’t want to come, then we don’t want him. A poor decision on his part - it may be ironic that we meet his club in a European match, as he’ll then realise what a great club Liverpool is.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Given it is Arne Slot's first season in charge, third is a realistic target. The Dutchman has had hardly any time to work with his best players considering their late return from various international tournaments, so it is unfair to expect him to do what Jurgen Klopp could not do last season and finish ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, especially considering the team has not been strengthened.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Liverpool are the only team in the top five leagues who have not signed a single first-team player. The squad is deep and there are lots of exciting youngsters coming through, but there are gaps in defence and holding midfield. I would love Adam Wharton but he is probably too expensive.

What do you want from your manager this season?

To form a bond with the fans and implement a possession style of football that sees us far less open when we lose the ball. Last season was crazy. Liverpool made loads of chances, finishing poorly, but also conceded opportunities against even the weakest opponent due to the - at times - reckless, all-action style. Slot will hopefully bring control and composure.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Curtis Jones or Harvey Elliott. Both are very close to becoming first-team regulars and have been two of the best players in pre-season. Jones can sit in a double pivot in midfield and control tempo, while Elliott will likely be deployed as the advanced midfielder where his creativity can wreak havoc. Both will be in the England squad next summer.

What is your one major concern?

The contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk. You can't replace those three and they are all out of contract in 2025. Salah will likely go, but Liverpool need to work very hard to keep the other two. It would be heartbreaking if Jude Bellingham lured Trent to Real Madrid on a free, when once we thought the pair would join up at Anfield.

Jordan Chamberlain can be found at Empire of the Kop, external

What do you think about Martin Zubimendi's decision to turn a move to Liverpool down?

Could the club have done more? Will it prove costly?

Tell us here, external

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

After midfielder Martin Zubimendi decided to stay at Real Sociedad rather than join Liverpool, supporters on social media started to look for alternatives the club could sign.

One name that started to come up repeatedly alongside montages of his performances was, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

The 20-year-old was part of the England squad for Euro 2024 but didn't play any minutes.

Wharton has a contract until 2029 and only made his Premier League debut in February.

As well as midfielder Wharton, Palace will be welcoming Cheick Doucoure back after a long-term Achilles injury.

Doucoure was one of the players Liverpool were linked with last summer and Palace put a minimum value of £70m on him.

The Eagles won't be expecting to lose either of those players after Michael Olise departed for Bayern Munich and Marc Guehi is nearing a move to Newcastle.

However, if Wharton continues his rise and Doucoure hits the form he did before his injury it could be a different story next summer.

Curtis Jones says the Liverpool players are "all excited" for the start of the Premier League season and for the new challenge under head coach Arne Slot.

For Jones, who came through the Reds' academy, it is also the first time in his senior career that he has been coached by someone other than Jurgen Klopp.

"I am excited," he told BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould. "We have started well, but we know there is going to be a battle.

"It is a new style of play that suits me because I can get on the ball more and be free. It suits the other lads too so we are all excited but we can only see what it is really like when the season starts.

"When he [Slot] joined, he said the principles will still be the same in the way we press high and play with loads of energy. We want to have the ball because we are a world class team.

"But he just wants us to have more possession and a clearer style which is his own. Klopp always had his way, which is normal in football.

"It is the first time that I have ever had change as it has always been the same staff, but for other lads who have come from other clubs, they are more used to these things.

"The pressure is always from myself and not the outside world. I just want to help the staff and team as much a possible and for the fans too because they pay to come and watch."

Ryan Baldi
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Just what is Trent Alexander-Arnold's best position?

It is a question pondered by fans, pundits and managers and, as the 25-year-old prepares for Liverpool's 2024-25 campaign, all eyes will be on new manager Arne Slot's answer.

He has spent the majority of his senior career with the Reds at right-back but, with lingering doubts over his defending, some believe he should be used in midfield - where he has lined up for England in six of his past seven starts.

Former England defender Gary Neville has described Alexander-Arnold as a generational talent, while ex-England boss Gareth Southgate said he has "as good a passing range as anybody in world football".

Alexander-Arnold was absent for Liverpool's tour of America but started Sunday's final pre-season friendly against Sevilla at right-back - a position youngster Conor Bradley has also impressed in.

But, with his contract expiring in the summer and persistent links to Real Madrid, is it time to utilise Alexander-Arnold in a more regular advanced role?

"The game has evolved now," says former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Republic of Ireland player Jason McAteer, who, like Alexander-Arnold, played as a right-back and a central midfielder during his career.

"Today's full-back is a lot more like a wing-back. You've got to get forward. You've got to get balls into the box. And you have this hybrid role where you come into midfield.

"Trent has got that many attributes that you've got to get him into the team. You look at Trent now and he's grown up, he's evolved."

That evolution has seen Alexander-Arnold's influence at Anfield grow. With a range of passing, vision and creativity honed during his past as a midfielder, his unique skillset has allowed him to become a playmaker from full-back.

Read more on Alexander-Arnold's best position here

Liverpool have received a third bid from Red Bull Salzburg for 19-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark. The Austrian side had an £8m offer for the Englishman rejected on Sunday but the new offer is expected to be closer to the £10m asking price. (Times - subscription required), external

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

After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.

Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport's experts have been considering which young players may become big names this season.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella gives his verdict on Trey Nyoni:

The 17-year-old midfielder has caught the eye of new manager Arne Slot during pre-season. He excelled in a friendly against Real Betis, which saw him singled out for praise by a manager who is usually reluctant to do so.

Nyoni joined Liverpool from Leicester last summer.

See who else our experts picked here

Image source, Getty Images

The curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?

The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.

See the results here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Sevilla.

Here are some of your comments:

Carl: A very competent first half with everyone looking hungry and like they knew each other. Jota sublime - please cover him in bubble wrap for the season. Dropped off in the heat but the changes didn't make a significant negative difference, which they can. Say all you want about the opposition but I can't wait to get back to Anfield.

Charley: A top performance and hopefully a sign of things to come. Our front three looked electric and hopefully this is the season when Diaz bags 20+ goals to cement his place among the best wingers in the world. The youngsters looked sharp and I am so pleased for Trey Nyoni. Even if he goes on loan we still know that we have a top talent for now and the future.

Victoria: Fantastic to see the boys at their best. Was nervous how they would be under the new manager, but some fresh management has done them well (no offence to Klopp as you were amazing and we still love you!). Diaz is on fire and amazing to see Jota scoring a rocket of a goal! Roll on the new season!

Pete: I know you should never read too much into pre-season but four wins from four is easing my nerves about an awkward transition period. The real test is yet to come but it's looking rather good isn't it?

Richard: So far so good with the squad as it is but we are short in a couple of positions. Until we invest in players we will only achieve fourth or fifth in the league this season. A good result and Jota scored an amazing goal. Let’s see what happens next Saturday against Ipswich, yet another away game at the start of the season against a newly promoted side.

Harry: Very impressive pre-season, the whole squad looks like they have relished the new manager's tweak of tactics. The high press is back, still very patient at the back, but more movement from midfield which allows a fast spring from defence to midfield and on to attack. Sure we will get caught out by the opposition press, but we have Alisson.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has one year left on his Reds deal and the 33-year-old Netherlands international says there has been no change to his contract situation. (Liverpool Echo), external

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

Liverpool completed an emphatic 4-1 win over Sevilla at Anfield in their penultimate pre-season game.

A Diogo Jota volley and Luis Diaz double saw the side lead 3-0 at the break.

Peque pulled one back for the visitors in the second half, but Trey Nyoni added a fourth immediately to round off the scoring.

The Reds will now play a behind-closed-doors friendly against Las Palmas to end their pre-season campaign.

What did you learn from this game, Liverpool fans?

Are Arne Slot's side ready for kick-off next weekend at Ipswich?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external - and come back on Monday to read the submissions.

The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.

Here's a look at which teams are in action on a busy Sunday.

All times BST

Image source, Getty Images

Dundee have signed defender Billy Koumetio from Liverpool on a two-year contract, with the transfer subject to international clearance.

Koumetio, 21, joined Liverpool's academy in 2018 but only made two appearances for the first team during his time on Merseyside.

The French youth international spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, but featured just once in an FA Cup loss against Newcastle United.

However, he is keen to impress north of the border and says his former teammate Owen Beck's loan spell at Dens Park encouraged him to sign for Tony Docherty's side.

"I believe and have the conviction that this is the best step in my career. I had discussions with the manager, Liverpool and my agent and once we reached an agreement everything went through.

"I discussed with the manager how he wants to play and how he wants me to play and how I can improve as a player," Koumetio said.

"I spoke with Owen Beck about his time at Dundee and he loved it, everything he said about the club was so positive."

Liverpool maintain a strong interest in England and Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon. However, a deal to buy the 23-year-old collapsed in June and Gordon's price will likely be elevated. (Liverpool Echo), external

Real Sociedad are trying to convince 25-year-old Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi to reject a move to Anfield. The Spain midfielder has a £51m release clause. (Times - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool have rejected multiple offers for 22-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg. Hoffenheim, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen are all interested. (Sky Germany), external

French defender Billy Koumetio, 21, is on the verge of a move from Liverpool to Dundee. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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