Liverpool

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has played down concerns around midfielder Curtis Jones’ fitness and praised his young replacement Trey Nyoni.

Jones went down the tunnel in the 30th minute with a muscle injury during Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Real Betis in Pittsburgh, United States.

When asked about whether Jones going off potentially marred his first match in charge, Slot said: "I think it's too early to tell [how bad it is]. He maybe could have played on, but I think maybe you could see he was not at 100 per cent.

"In a friendly game, with so many days coming up in our tour, it was best to take him off. Hopefully he can recover from [it] really fast, but we have to wait and see."

Nyoni, 17, replaced Jones having made one previous appearance for the Anfield club.

Slot added: "That was the positive thing of Curtis going out for Trey, but of course for Curtis it's a pity that he couldn't play on.

"Trey did well, he was involved in the goal with a spot on pass between the lines and he was involved in our biggest chance in the second half.

"But he's only just turned 17 and his body still has to grow. We are really careful with him. He doesn't join every session. You can see his quality. He needs some time to grow to play at Premier League level but he's an interesting player."

Liverpool next face Arsenal in Philadelphia and then take on Manchester United in Columbia.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arne Slot has taken over from Jurgen Klopp, who was in charge for nine years, and the German's often dubbed 'heavy metal football' looked a little more soft rock under their new Dutch manager.

The changes in the style of play came in a fluid 4-2-4 formation and the Reds played without a striker.

Again, it was partly down to the limited personnel, but Klopp's gegenpressing style turned into a slower possession-based approach, typically favoured by Johan Cruyff-influenced Dutch coaches.

Slot delivered his instructions at the Pittsburgh Steelers's half-full Acrisure Stadium while constantly stood in the technical area and moved players into position with hand gestures and measured shouts.

Who stood out?

Defender Conor Bradley was the pick of the starters, linking well with Mohamed Salah on the right flank and created the majority of the best chances.

Meanwhile, Fabio Carvalho, fresh from a loan spell at Hull City, looked determined to impress with a number of dangerous moments.

Sub Trey Nyoni, 17, excelled as the first of the youngsters coming on for an injured Curtis Jones. He dictated the play in the middle of the pitch and also created a big chance for Blair.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrell Quansah says Liverpool's players are "working tirelessly" to adapt to the demands set by new manager Arne Slot.

Quansah featured in Friday's 1-0 friendly win over Real Betis on the Reds' US tour and said afterwards: “We’re still forming new relationships and forming sort of the way the gaffer wants us to play really. It’s just about putting that together and it will come together for sure.”

“It’s just about how quick we adapt really. Playing next to players who are probably not used to those positions, and the new style and new formation.

“It’ll all come together at some point, it’s just about how fast that is. We’re working tirelessly on the pitch and on the training pitch especially, there’s been a lot of double sessions, there’s so much tactical work and so much stuff we need to take in.

“We’re doing that and hopefully bit by bit it will come.”

Image source, Getty Images

Arne Slot was pleased with how his Liverpool side "controlled the game" in their pre-season win over Real Betis.

The Reds won 1-0 in Pittsburgh thanks to a Dominik Szoboszlai goal, with the Hungarian finishing a flowing team move.

In reflecting on the win, Slot said: "During the season you will see us play with a real striker but in this moment we don’t have one available.

"With Dom and Harvey we have two number 10s so we put them in that position and played with double 10s.

"It was maybe out of necessity. But in terms of building play from the back, that’s our style to control the game, to not concede constant counter-attacks. There are many things to improve but It’s not bad after two weeks."

One downside was the withdrawal of midfielder Curtis Jones in the opening half through injury.

"I think it's too early to tell [how bad it is]. He maybe could have played on, but I think maybe you could see he was not at 100 per cent," Slot added.

"In a friendly game, with so many days coming up in our tour, it was best to take him off. Hopefully he can recover from [it] really fast, but we have to wait and see.

"It's always a pity if he has to go out after 25 minutes, half an hour. And before that you could see that he was not completely free.

"It was unfortunate because he had two really good weeks during the training sessions so I looked forward to seeing him in the game, but unfortunately he had to go out."

What did you think of Liverpool's display? Tell us here, external

What did you learn from Liverpool's friendly win over Real Betis?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

With Liverpool's lack of signings so far this transfer window, we asked you whether you were concerned and the positions you would like strengthening.

Here is a selection of your comments:

Mark: You can never rest on your laurels as every other team is getting stronger too. Strengthen when you're on top I say, it used to be the Liverpool way too. Don't leave yourself in a position where you need three, four, five players. One world class player per window should be enough. Guehi and Frimpong for me. We've got goals in the team so tighter at the back will work.

Ian: Not too concerned, the new manager is looking at all the players and giving them a chance and it could save us millions in the long term. We will sign but only if they improve what we have got. Slot is in a good position, when a new manager comes in it's because the team is not doing well, in Liverpool's case it is the opposite. We have quality already.

Adz: Without any signings, we'll be doomed to a season finishing outside the top four. Our attack lacks the killer edge needed to win matches consistently, and our defence has looked shaky at times. Centre-back, striker, and defensive midfielder needed ASAP.

David: How can you expect a new manager to come in and start buying players when he doesn't know exactly what he already has? We don't buy players just for the sake of it. If he thinks there are gaps in the squad we have plenty of time to sort it out.

Douglas: I think we are running out of time to do business. We can’t win the Premier League with the current squad and we will also struggle in Europe. Hopefully, business is being done privately without a fuss.

Yusuf: If the manager and the board feel that there shouldn't be any signings, trust them. They are the ones who see what happens on the training ground and where things should be improved. But as a fan, pre-season will tell us how the team is coping physically and if any improvement is needed. But consider that there are very talented youngsters too!

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia is "confident" his former club have the right successor for Jurgen Klopp and isn’t worried about the lack of transfer activity this summer.

Hyypia, who won six major trophies at Anfield including the 2005 Champions League, is travelling with the squad as an ambassador on their pre-season tour of the United States.

After meeting Slot ahead of his first friendly against Real Betis in Pittsburgh, Hyypia is feeling positive about the appointment.

“I got to talk to him briefly on the flight and he seems like a confident, nice person,” Hyypia told BBC Sport.

“He is a bit different than Jurgen was but I am confident we made the right choice for Jurgen’s successor. Of course, it will be hard. It will be hard.

“I think Arne knows what kind of task he has. It shows something about him that he likes the challenge and even he knows it might be difficult but he has inherited a great team with good individuals and youngsters coming through.

“We will see similarities on the field but also maybe some slight changes. I don’t think Arne will play exactly the same way. I think everyone at the club and fans as well are behind him. He won’t have much time with his whole squad so we need to be patient as well.”

The Reds are the last team in the Premier League not to sign a player, but Slot said he would be "surprised" if his side didn’t sign anyone by the end of the summer transfer window.

The slow activity has left some supporters frustrated but Hyypia urges calm around the situation.

“I am not worried at all that we haven’t signed a player yet,” he added. “The window is open for a while still so we will see, or Arne will see, if we can get a player we need to strengthen in a certain position.

“Everyone needs to come back and then we can assess the situation a little better.

“Arne said in his press conference yesterday that he has a good squad and we are waiting for the right player. If you don’t find one, then it is better to do nothing.

“We are in a good position and have a good squad able to compete at the top of the Premier League.”

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones says he is enjoying working under new boss Arne Slot and that the style of play the Reds have played in the past has been "a little bit rushed" and "too direct".

Jones returned early to pre-season in order to push his case for a starting role under Slot for the start of the Premier League season.

"He's amazing actually," Jones said on his new head coach. "It's probably the happiest I've been in terms of a style of play that suits me and the lads we have in our team.

"It's a clear plan. The training and stuff he is fully involved [in]. He coaches us a lot.

"He's big on the finer details and things. He's got a certain way of playing.

"He knows it's going to take a little bit of time because obviously it's a big change, but him and his staff are chilled about it and they know that the quality is all there."

Jones started only 14 Premier League games in Jurgen Klopp's final season but believes he is well placed to integrate into Slot's new style.

"I feel like my way of playing has always been being the kid who wants to get on the ball and play, help the team and always be comfortable on the ball," he added.

"I then came around a team that has always had world-class lads on the wings and up front so I feel that the centre midfielders were always lads who are runners and who were more disciplined.

"The principles are the same but I feel like now the centre midfielder is going to be more like the heart of the team.

"In terms of our build-up and how comfortable we are on the ball and how calm we have to be - we're not in a rush to attack. We want to have the ball and break teams down.

"I feel more in the past it was a little bit rushed, when we got the ball back it was a little bit too direct I'd say. Now it will be at the point where he wants us to have all the ball and completely kill teams."

Liverpool fans, how are you feeling about the lack of summer business from the club?

The Reds are yet to make any additions to the squad but head coach Arne Slot has said "it would be a surprise if we don't bring any players in".

Are you worried no new faces have joined? And where do Liverpool actually need to strengthen?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Image source, Getty Images

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says his playing style will initially "probably look quite familiar" as he succeeds legendary manager Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp stepped down after nearly nine years at Anfield at the end of last season.

The Reds open their pre-season tour of the USA by facing La Liga side Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday [00:30 BST].

"Many things will stay the same when it comes to playing style," said Slot.

"Of course there will be a few adjustments because every manager has his own ideas, but general playing style will probably look quite familiar for you guys.

"Every player, especially if they had a few weeks off, needs to adapt to playing with the ball again. Taking that into account, I think we have made some steps compared with where we started.

"I'm very happy with the energy the team is giving every single day.

"We're looking forward to the game tomorrow to see if we can bring some positives."

Liverpool are yet to make a major signing this summer, but Slot is confident business will be done, despite it being difficult to improve on his squad.

"If you inherit a team that is really good then it's not so easy to find players who are of the same standard, or even higher - especially because those ones need to be available as well," he added.

"Richard [Hughes], more than me, is really working hard on that and he keeps me updated.

"We already have a very good team. I'm already really happy with. But it would be a surprise for all of us I think if we don't bring any players in, so that will probably happen in the end."

Liverpool have been told they will need to submit a £50m bid to land Juventus and Brazil defender Bremer, 27. (Football Insider), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed Andy Robertson will be ruled out of matches until after the club's pre-season US tour.

The 30-year-old is with the Reds squad in America but is undergoing a rehabilitation programme and won't be considered until the team return to Liverpool.

Speaking at a news conference in Pittsburgh, Slot said: "He is not fully fit yet. But we are expecting him in the end of the tour – maybe just after the tour – to be fully fit again.

"He took a small injury into the Euros and afterwards he had to recover from that after playing those games. But we will expect him back after our tour – but he joined us over here."

The Dutchman also confirmed forward Diogo Jota is joining up with the squad on Thursday after a break following his Euro 2024 participation with Portugal, while Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate are set to travel later in the tour.

"The rest will start after the trip when we are back in Liverpool," Slot added.

Liverpool fans may have seen very little of 22-year-old defender Sepp van den Berg since he joined in 2019, but should they let the youngster go?

The Dutch under-21 international has only made four first-team appearances for the Reds since signing from PEC Zwolle, having had loan spells at Preston North End, Schalke and last season with Mainz.

But, according to reports, he could be set to leave Anfield this summer and head back to the Bundesliga amid interest from Hoffenheim and Mainz.

Van den Berg was a regular starter for the German side last campaign, featuring 36 times across all competitions and scoring three goals.

When compared to other young defenders across Europe, he stacks up well.

According to Opta, among all under-23 defenders, only Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite had a higher duel success rate (68%) in the big-five European leagues in 2023-24 than Van den Berg (65%, minimum 165 duels).

Having travelled with the Reds squad for their US pre-season tour, he may yet get a chance to prove himself to new boss Arne Slot.

The right side of Liverpool's defence was changeable last season so an opportunity is there, and if Van den Berg was to stay, he could come face to face with fellow Premier League defenders on that list.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have been named as one of the top 10 most sustainable sports companies for 2024.

The Reds were included on the list by media and sport business organisation Front Office Sport as part of their Front Office Sports Awards in collaboration with the Sports Innovation Lab.

The award ranks sports organisations on leveraging their reach, influence and resource to safeguard the planet.

Organisations across the industry submitted applications and responded to a number of questions, including on their carbon and greenhouse gas reduction.

The award reflects the club's work in this area with their sustainability strategy 'The Red Way', which was introduced in 2021.

According to the club, in comparison to the 2021-22 season, they have achieved a 29% reduction in emissions, with 94% of club emissions now running on clean energy. Additionally, plastic bottle waste recycling on matchdays has increased from 25% (2021-22) to 90% (2022-23).

The Reds are also a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and in 2022 signed up to the United Nations' Race to Zero.

Director of impact at Liverpool Rishi Jain said: "The Red Way is an incredibly important part of everything we do at LFC.

"Being recognised globally in the top 10 most sustainable award list is a great achievement that recognises LFC's cross-club commitment to sustainability and ensuring a positive change for our people, our planet and our communities."

Earlier this week we asked you to vote on whether Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk should be offered new contracts or sold.

The trio all have one year left on their current deal so could leave for free next summer if no solution is found.

The overall consensus was to cash in on Salah but offer captain Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold new contracts. Here are some of your replies on that vote:

Fraser: Give Mo one last trophy this coming season then let him do what he desires. He deserves whatever he wants as he has done everything for our club.

Tony: Salah and Van Dijk need to move on amicably - they both have a sell-on value and this needs to be cashed in and reinvested. Good, loyal players for Liverpool for which we as fans will be eternally grateful. All tenures must end, so let them go for good fees and invest in the future.

Michael: How much will it cost to replace Salah? £80m plus? I would like to see him offered a three-year contract. This would give the younger players time to watch, learn and develop their own game. He could still be sold in 18 months' time.

Keith: I've wrestled with the Salah debate, but if you look at his statistics for goals and assists then it is hard to argue that selling him is helping the team. He no longer has the same impact as he used too, but I can't see a new signing being better, so keep Salah and definitely Trent Alexander-Arnold. I would sell Van Dijk sadly as he's not been the same since his injury.

Lewis: First, give Salah a one-year-contract so he doesn't go for free and sell Van Dijk this summer if we have a replacement for him. Marc Guehi would be a good example. Keep Alexander-Arnold.

Indar: Salah has lost his main attribute - pace. Therefore, if we could get good money from Saudi Arabia then he needs to be sold. He is not good enough and he isn't getting any better. He has given loads to the club over the years and given some of us fans the most memorable times ever. But in my opinion, he has to go.

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to stay at Anfield, despite interest in the Reds vice-captain from Real Madrid. (Mirror), external

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has denied there are any ongoing talks with Liverpool over a potential deal for 23-year-old Japan winger Takefusa Kubo. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, Reds defender Sepp van den Berg is set to leave Anfield this summer, amid interest from German sides Hoffenheim and Mainz. (Florian Plettenberg), external

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

Is it time to cash in on Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah?

The 32-year-old has one year left on his contract and should a new deal not be reached, the Egypt international will leave for free next summer.

In a BBC Sport poll, we asked Reds fans whether they would offer him a new contract, sell him or keep and risk going on a free transfer, and sell was the most popular answer.

Salah, who joined from Roma in 2017, has scored 157 Premier League goals in 263 appearances for the club and is fifth on the club's top scorers list.

So while fans may be willing to let their number 11 depart this summer, they are more reluctant to lose captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who also have one year left on their contracts.

Large majorities opted to offer the defenders a new deal as a new chapter at Anfield begins under head coach Arne Slot.

Ultimately, that decision will not be down to the fans or Slot. Liverpool's new sporting director Richard Hughes will be in charge of negotiations and it remains a waiting game as to who will stay and who will go.

Agree with the consensus? Or have our readers got it wrong?

Give us your reasoning over here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore says the club's structure "has changed" with Arne Slot being the head coach rather than the manager.

This means his primary focus will be coaching the squad, while sporting director Richard Hughes will oversee recruitment and other football-related departments at the club.

This is a different role to Slot's predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, who had an influence in all areas.

"A lot will happen in the next few weeks," said Moore. "A lot of decisions have to be made.

"I am sure Michael Edwards and Hughes will be busily doing everything they feel they need to do - but it is a transition.

"Arne will be in contact [with them] but he has to focus on what he has got, not what might be coming in."

Liverpool travelled to the United States on Tuesday, with their first game against Real Betis on Saturday.

On whether pre-season performances will set the tone for what Reds fans expect from the new coach, Moore added: "Coming over here is a soft environment. He will not be under a huge amount of scrutiny compared with playing friendlies at Anfield.

"It gives him time to gel with the team and they have had two weeks with him already."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, forward Mohamed Salah and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are all entering the final year of their Anfield contracts.

It is a case of get a new deal sorted, cash in now or let the contract run down and potentially lose for free next summer.

So, if you were in charge, how would you handle the situation of each player?

Make your choice here

Image source, Getty Images

Arne Slot will be without 12 of Liverpool's first-team squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

Players who played in the latter stages of Copa America or Euro 2024 have not travelled in the 28-man squad and it is not clear whether they will link up with them at a later date.

Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota, Alisson, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are the most noticeable absentees.

Forward Jayden Danns and midfielder Bobby Clark have not travelled because of injury.

Liverpool start their pre-season tour against Real Betis on Saturday, before facing Arsenal and Manchester United.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

It isn't quiet in one specific part of the major football clubs - the acquisitions department.

I know that because I was once the acquisitions department - well me and the manager mostly. While each player returned from holidays like a bronzed Adonis, we were cooped up in a small darkened room, beavering the daylight hours away like vampires.

There is plenty of guesswork in the media and a fair bit of leaking from the players and their people, but the clubs usually try to keep their transfer moves as quiet as possible.

If word gets out that a player is available, they know they might lose him to another club or else the price will increase as a bidding war erupts.

‌These are high stakes games and many are impressed by those who gamble and go early.

Manchester City have always been good enough, and let's be honest wealthy enough, to be able to do this well.

The problem is that some clubs are trying to do the same thing and are ending up paying top dollar for less able players, because they haven't done their due diligence in the market.

This is another area where the use of data, or maybe over-reliance on pure data, comes into play - feed all of the numbers in, let the technology do the crunching, and out comes the answer.

The problem is that everyone else has got the same or similar data.

What is needed, of course, is good human knowledge and the vision to aid the use of the information they have got. This is why these departments should be busy just now, they shouldn't just be doing deals which are admittedly very complex legal and financial documents these days.

Even more time should be spent on ensuring the new £75m player hasn't got a hidden weakness in his game or even the odd skeleton in his closet.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter