Liverpool

Real Sociedad expect their Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi to accept a move to Liverpool, although the clubs still need to agree a deal for the 25-year-old. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Liverpool are still interested in Germany and Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier, but the 21-year-old wants to join Borussia Dortmund and is in talks with the Bundesliga club. (Sky Germany), external

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

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It looks like the first signing of the Arne Slot era could be a holding midfielder as Liverpool have shown interest in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.

In terms of heads, it isn't a position they are lacking in. Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo, who both joined the Reds last summer, shared the responsibility of the position in holding midfield last season but it looks like Slot wants something new.

Looking at the numbers, Zubimendi could be described as a less 'busy' midfielder than his counterparts. The 25-year old won less than one tackle per 90 minutes last season which may sound low for a defensive midfielder, especially when Mac Allister won almost double the amount of tackles per 90 minutes.

Mac Allister and Endo may make more tackles, but Zubimendi is the more efficient in the challenge. He is the only one of the three who won more than half of his tackles against dribblers last season. Zubimendi's 54% in this stat beats Spanish team mate Rodri last season (52%), a man who is widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders around.

Zubimendi also boasts a much better disciplinary record than the Liverpool duo. Despite playing more minutes than both Mac Allister and Endo, his five yellow cards fairs nicely against Mac Allister's nine and Endo's twelve bookings in 2023-24.

Zubimendi isn't particularly tall but his 65% success in aerial duels is a neat upgrade on Slot's current options and may add a bit of steel to Liverpool's midfield.

What do you make of Zubimendi, Liverpool fans? Is he an upgrade on Mac Allister and Endo, or would you rather the money be spent elsewhere?

Let us know your thoughts on Zubimendi here, external

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool are exploring a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as they look to make their first signing under new manager Arne Slot.

Zubimendi was part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024 and came on as a second-half substitute for Manchester City's Rodri when his country beat England 2-1 in the final.

The 25-year-old has been at Sociedad since 2011 and is reported to have a release clause worth 60m euros (£51.5m).

Zubimendi helped Sociedad finish sixth in La Liga last season, scoring four times in 31 league appearances.

The Spanish club also reached the last 16 of the Champions League in 2023-24 before they were beaten by Paris St-Germain.

Zubimendi would be the first arrival under Slot, who took over at the Anfield club following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.

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Despite Liverpool keeping a clean sheet and beating Manchester United in the final friendly of their pre-season tour in the United States, boss Arne Slot said he wanted to see his side "control the game better".

Dave Comerford from the Reds Unrestricted podcast says it is good to see the Dutch manager setting high expectations from the outset.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns, Comerford said: "I always like that from a manager because you can't always solely focus on results. That wouldn't be a sustainable way to manage a team. You have to look at the performances and the weaknesses that are in there.

"Watching the Manchester United game, I think he has a valid point - they had a lot of chances and we struggled playing out from the back, so those are the weaknesses Slot will have to work on.

"I have been really happy with Slot so far. Succeeding Jurgen Klopp is one of the most daunting tasks any manager could have, but I think he has hit all the right notes.

"He has had that humility of realising he has succeeded one of the greatest managers in Premier League history, but he also has this sense of wanting to build his own project on the back of that success.

"I couldn't fault him at all so far."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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When asked by BBC Sport what Arne Slot's answer to Jurgen Klopp's "heavy metal football" was, midfielder Harvey Elliott said it was an "elegant", typically Dutch style.

Elliott, Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah are among those to enjoy the more possession-heavy approach, featuring shorter passes and more interchanging of positions.

They will play out from the back and risk making mistakes but hope that a patient, meticulous build-up approach will ultimately reap rewards.

They will still press but with less intensity and when struggling against Arsenal they sat in effectively to ward off pressure. Could this approach lead to fewer injuries and less fatigue towards the end of the season?

It will be interesting to see whether Liverpool adapt to such a significant change in their previously unique and entertaining style, or whether certain players struggle.

As Liverpool legend John Barnes said on the US tour: "In many respects, it is more about the players adapting to the manager.

"It is probably going to be more difficult for the players than at other clubs with other managers, because Jurgen was here for eight or nine years and has been so instrumental in creating an identity for the football club.

"But the players are up for it and they seem to like it."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's pre-season tour of the US was full of winning football but left little chance to get to know more about Slot away from the field.

The Dutchman is replacing Jurgen Klopp who led the Reds for eight and a half glorious years.

Some clubs use overseas tours to help introduce new coaches to the media but that was not really the case here.

Slot appeared friendly but guarded, opting to watch a Phillies baseball match rather than conduct interviews for example, and took part in just one pre-match news conference while Stateside.

But, from speaking to a host of players around him on this tour, they appear to be enjoying the challenge of learning a new style of play - and three consecutive wins give hope of the potential to challenge for trophies once again this season.

A thumping 3-0 win against Manchester United rounded off a pre-season which also saw a 1-0 win over Real Betis and a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The whole tour, as CEO Billy Hogan revealed in an interview with BBC Sport, was designed by Slot's predecessor Klopp and focused on minimising air miles, ensuring training facilities were world class and avoiding high summer temperatures in the United States wherever they could.

Slot described it as a "very positive" tour, which was less focused on marketing or selling his new club than preparation for winning.

Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, after the 27-year-old Brazilian agreed a new contract with the Italian giants. (Fabrizio Romano), external

But Liverpool's hopes of landing 26-year-old attacker Federico Chiesa have been boosted, with Juventus boss Thiago Motta revealing the Italian is surplus to requirements. (Mirror), external

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

We asked for your views on who will play as Liverpool's regular right-back this season. Should Arne Slot stick with Trent Alexander-Arnold? Or does Conor Bradley take that position so Alexander-Arnold can play a more free role?

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: Bradley is among the top few right-backs in the Premier League. Trent is the best passer in the world, but a fallible defender. The obvious change is to play Trent in midfield.

Martin: Trent is so good that he can play anywhere, so I think Bradley at right-back and Trent in a free role to make the most of his unbeatable passing ability.

Trevor: The new manager must go with introducing quality youth into the team, especially after the stellar break-through season Conor Bradley had as an attacking right-back. I believe that is where he should permanently stay.

Squeaks: It is a difficult one. Bradley is an exceptional talent, who is equally as good as Trent in the right-back role. He has ably demonstrated that in Trent's absence. But, if he was to take the regular spot, where would Trent play? Selling Trent is unthinkable and I cannot see that happening. I would tie Trent down to new contract and see how the season pans out.

Ross: I think we already know that Alexander-Arnold is deficient defensively, but unable to manage in the midfield wholly. It means being supportive of him in a different way. He has to play as he's too talented not to, but I think it means doing things a bit differently. Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Trent (in free role), Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota and Diaz.

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Caoimhin Kelleher believes Liverpool have been getting better throughout pre-season as the squad prepare for their first season under Arne Slot.

"[He] has come in and has his new ideas and wants us to work on them, and as you can see I think game by game it is getting better." He said to the club's official website., external

"The ideas are becoming more clear in the head for all of us, so it's definitely improving and we've had tough games over here as well."

The Reds won all three of their pre-season friendlies in America and Kelleher said: "the head coach has said it's pre-season but we need to win games, that's what we need to do, so we've been trying to take that onboard as well."

"Obviously playing the football and doing the stuff that he wants but also get results as well because that's the most important thing. It's been a great camp."

Liverpool start their season at newly promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday 17th August.

Earlier, we asked the question of who should start as Liverpool's right-back.

After looking at the stats, your answer may depend on what you want the player in this role to do.

If you favour an attacking full-back, it comes as no surprise that Trent Alexander-Arnold is the more appealing option. His offensive numbers have been sublime for many seasons, and 2023-24 was no exception.

The 25 year-old is also a lot more involved in Liverpool's general play when he's on the pitch. He averaged 98 touches per match last season, which is only second to Jarrell Quansah in the squad. Connor Bradley is around the middle in the Liverpool squad with 79.3 touches per 90 mins last campaign.

If you want a more defensively solid full-back, then Bradley is no doubt the better option. Alexander-Arnold is often criticised for his defensive contribution, and his 34% success when tackling dribblers in particular may ring alarm bells for Arne Slot as he builds his first Liverpool squad.

Conor Bradley beats his counterpart in many of the defensive stats, including tackles won, tackle success rate, blocks made and aerial duel win percentage.

The 21 year-old also managed to go the whole season without making an 'error', which FBref define as a mistake which leads to a shot. Alexander-Arnold made five of these in 2023-24, the most in the squad. It is important to consider that Alexander-Arnold played a lot more matches than his understudy, but it's still promising that someone as young as Bradley can be so reliable at the highest level.

Who do you want to be Liverpool's future right-back? Is Bradley promising enough to de-throne Alexander-Arnold, or are the 25 year-old's amazing offensive capabilities too hard to ignore? And, if Bradley gets your nod, does Alexander-Arnold become a midfielder?

Let us know here, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Since Conor Bradley's emergence midway through last season, there have been questions about what it means for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Northern Ireland right-back Bradley, 21, excelled in pre-season with Alexander-Arnold, who was at times used in midfield for England at Euro 2024, enjoying a post-tournament break.

Bradley was allowed to overlap and perform as a traditional full-back after starting in all three friendlies.

Will Alexander-Arnold, 25, become Slot's first-choice in that position on his return or be used in a more advanced role?

The situation is further complicated by the need to renew Alexander-Arnold's contract, which expires next summer, amid links to Real Madrid.

Trent or Bradley? How do you think this plays out? Have your say here, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's friendly game between Liverpool and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Tom: Great pre-season but we can't get carried away. New manager, new system and no new players. They need to bolster as this style will exhaust players and bring on injuries.

Stuart: Salah, Quansah, Jones and Kelleher looked sharp. Carvalho is working very hard and producing results with another goal. Steady progress is being achieved, but with most of the squad still to come back time is very short indeed. It might be up to some of these players to get our season started. Arne Slot is certainly not getting carried away yet.

Eug: It is always good to beat United but it's only a friendly so let's not get carried away. Still no new players have been brought in so Slot must be happy with the squad he's got. This must be Salah's last season with Liverpool too. He's getting on a bit but is still good.

Ian: I’m interested in seeing what Arne Slot will do with Carvalho as he looks really promising.

Man Utd fans

Hrundi: In the final third United still seem to wing it. An individual takes a pot shot or hopes for a fortuitous cross. There are no patterns of attacking play forming yet. Even without our best XI we should be seeing it by now.

David: The result didn't reflect the game. There was much better pressing from Man Utd. If we can carry that forward there is hope for next season.

Paul: I don't see any good coming from friendlies in the United States. It was last pre-season that both Mainoo and Malacia became long term injuries. In this pre-season tour the same has happened again to both Yoro and Hojlund, with further injury setbacks to Rashford, Evans, and Lindelof. We collect injuries instead of victories. Not happy with our prep!

JP: I think United have shown what we can expect with Ten Hag at the helm and that is poor tactics, lack of direction and an inability to encourage the team to play at their best. I really don't believe he is cut out for the job. We're losing friendlies left, right and centre and I'm expecting more of the same over the coming season.

England defender Joe Gomez has no interest in leaving Liverpool this summer, despite the club offering the 27-year-old in a swap deal with Newcastle for England winger Anthony Gordon, 23. (Mirror), external

Leeds have enquired into the availability of 19-year-old English midfielder Bobby Clark, with a view to a loan from Liverpool. (Football Insider), external

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

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot on the 3-0 win over Manchester United: "We are very happy with the result and we scored some really nice goals. But I don't think we had enough control over the game because United were threatening us more than a few times.

"Of course the results are where everybody is looking at. But players stayed fit and they are able to perform in the way we want, so a high-intensity game. We saw some great goals during this tour, some great build-up situations and I see them working really, really hard not to concede.

"We need to work hard in the upcoming two weeks to be ready for Ipswich because there are a lot of positives to take from today but also, like I just said, we gave away too many chances."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool concluded their US tour with a 3-0 victory over Manchester United in Columbia.

What did you learn from this game?

Reds fans, let us know your thoughts on the match, external

What did you make of the performance, United supporters?, external

Simon Stone in Columbia
Chief football news reporter

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Liverpool legend John Barnes is looking for consistency from his old club as they get used to life under new manager Arne Slot.

The Reds have started pre-season impressively, with victories over Real Betis and Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States.

Liverpool conclude their trip against old rivals Manchester United in Columbia.

But for Barnes, results are not the measurement of success, either before or after the season begins.

"The aim is to be competitive in every game and if that happens, it means coming into April with a chance of winning something,” he said.

"It depends what you view success to be? Liverpool finished second, one point behind Manchester City (in 2018-19) with 97 points and lost once. They didn’t win a trophy but I would view that as a more successful season than one where they won the EFL Cup and Europa League and finished 30 points behind the champions.

"On this trip especially, because there are so many players missing, I am looking for a performance and cohesion and a sense the players are understand what Arne wants them to do. In that sense I have been impressed so far."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's all-Premier League friendly between old rivals Liverpool and Manchester United is expected to be the highest-ever grossing event at the Williams-Brice Stadium in South Carolina.

Both clubs conclude their three-game US tours with the match, which is also expected to have the highest attendance for a non-American football game at the 77,559 venue.

The stadium itself, which opened in 1934, is home to the South Carolina Gamecocks college football team.

Unlike last weekend at the SoFi Stadium in California, when a grass pitch was prepared especially for a single match, the stadium for Saturday's game has a natural grass pitch.

The stadium is named after Martha Williams-Brice, who left a substantial sum of money to the University of South Carolina in the 1970s to increase the capacity.

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The future of Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has taken an interesting turn.

It’s emerged that the Reds had agreed a deal with Newcastle United which would have involved the England international joining the Magpies for £45m and Anthony Gordon moving the other way for £75m.

That agreement came after Liverpool had rejected Newcastle’s request to include centre-back Jarell Quansah as part of a potential switch which would have seen winger Gordon move to Anfield.

BBC Sport understands that, with Newcastle needing to do a deal at the end of June to avoid the possibility of breaking Premier League profit and sustainability rules, the Reds were prepared to trade Gomez.

The 27-year-old didn’t end up leaving, with the Magpies instead selling Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton.

However, while Liverpool were prepared to sanction a move for Gomez, it is believed it was because of the circumstances involved and he is not someone who the club are pushing out, especially considering he is one of the main centre-backs available to new manager Arne Slot and can also play in a number of positions.

Last season he played centre-back, right-back, left-back and as a holding midfielder before being selected as part of England’s squad at Euro 2024.

Gomez, who has been at Liverpool since signing from Charlton Athletic in 2015, is expected to join up with the Reds squad after their return from a pre-season tour in the United States.

Image source, Liverpool Football Club

Liverpool have revealed their sleek new away kit for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

The shirt takes inspiration from the green colourway often used in the Reds' away kits, featuring an "earthy dark green and anthracite" design with "washed teal" accents on the cuffs and inside panelling.

Arne Slot's side will wear the new strip during the final game of their USA pre-season tour, as the Reds take on Manchester United at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.