Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock is uncertain on Harvey Elliott's Reds future despite him shining for England Under-21s at the European Championships.

Elliott has made 147 appearances, scoring 15 goals, in his six years at Liverpool since joining from Fulham as a teenager.

The 22-year-old made 18 league appearances under Arne Slot last season, but his only two starts were when Liverpool had already won the league.

"There's a lot of speculation about 'will he be at Liverpool next year?'," said Warnock. "That's not easy.

"There will be phone calls with his agent. It's very much a rollercoaster as the tournament goes on.

"Because of the amount of games he has played for Liverpool, and the impact he had coming in, I think we all thought he would catapult and play for a long time in the first team.

"But he has a World Cup winner in Alexis Mac Allister in front of him, Ryan Gravenberch had an unbelievable season and Dominik Szoboszlai was brought in for big money.

"He has got great quality - but you just feel you want him to do it more consistently."

Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a deal to sign captain Marc Guehi, with the 24-year-old England defender said to favour a move to Anfield this summer. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It's the end of an era for Liverpool.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid and new signing Milos Kerkez placing Andy Robertson's spot in danger, one of the Premier League's great full-back combinations is over.

Summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen Jeremie Frimpong is likely to start at right-back next season, opposite Kerkez, with Robertson being heavily linked with a move away from Anfield.

But Liverpool's new-look full-back pairing will have to do very well to make a fraction of the impact Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have had.

Only on 10 occasions in Premier League history has a defender created 10 or more goals in a Premier League season - and Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have each done it three times.

How good were they? Read more from Emlyn

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Liverpool's latest signing Milos Kerkez.

Here are some of your comments:

Sam: I'm sure he will be great but I'm not sure why they've prioritised a new left-back over depth at centre-half to be honest. Feels like we're being very quick to write Andy Robertson off after one weaker season.

Daniel: Kerkez is a genius buy. Had the season of his life last season and he will definitely fit right in with our defence. It also gives Robertson a bit of competition for that position - no disrespect to Konstantinos Tsimikas - after a surprisingly lacklustre campaign last time.

Eug: Good player. Feel a bit sorry for Robertson. He has done really well for Liverpool for a few seasons. If Robertson goes, who's going to cover Kerkez?

Stuart: Great work being done in strengthening an already strong squad. Looks like Arne Slot is going to tweak his tactics for next season, with pace and skill in key areas added.

Gareth: Great business so far but we really need a striker. Liverpool should not let Ibrahima Konate go on a free either. Alexander Isak would of course be perfect, but he's not worth breaking the bank over.

Jack: It now depends on who leaves. With Jarell Quansah on his way to Bayer Leverkusen and talks between Darwin Nunez and Napoli advancing, a proven striker and centre-back are a must. Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace would be a great option for the latter, but striker options are minimal with inflated price tags. Isak is looking too pricey and difficult to achieve and Hugo Ekitike still not convincing some. Could Jayden Danns step up to be a squad rotation player?

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark says Milos Kerkez has developed "a great deal" at Bournemouth but feels there is more to come from him.

Having covered the full-back extensively when working for the station, Clark told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I think Liverpool fans will take to him very quickly. He is a player that can get you from one end of the pitch to the other very quickly and cause some damage at the right end of the pitch but also has developed into a really good defender too over the last couple of seasons.

"One goal that stands out to me from last season was the one Bournemouth scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he picked the ball up on the edge of his own 18-yard area and before you knew it, the ball was in the back of the net at the other end.

"That was the other thing they really wanted to add to his game this season, Andoni Iraola spoke about it and Kerkez himself talked about it quite a bit himself too - was more in the final third.

"You could see the potential there but certainly in the season just gone by he has added assists and a couple of goals to go with that as well. A really exciting prospect who has already developed a great deal over the last couple of seasons and you only feel there is more to come from him too.

"Personality-wise I think Liverpool fans will take to him. He's a bit of a livewire, high energy, definitely one of the louder ones in the dressing room, lots of personality and I'm sure that will fit in nicely at Anfield."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Milos Kerkez says he will give "absolutely everything" in pursuit of trophies after completing his move to Liverpool.

The Hungarian left-back, who made 74 appearances in two seasons for Bournemouth, is Arne Slot's third signing of the summer.

"I'm really happy," said Kerkez. "It's a real privilege to come to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, [the] biggest club in England.

"After this, I'll go home and in my hometown enjoy a few days, and then I can't really wait to come back and put the training kit on and start to train and prepare for the season.

"I just want to thank everyone for really showing me big love, even before it will be announced now.

"And keep supporting the team like you support always, because you're the biggest fan base in the world.

"I'm going to give everything – absolutely everything – to win trophies with the club and to hopefully score some goals at Anfield.

"I can't wait to hear the roar. And see you soon."

What do you think of the signing? What business should be done next? ell us

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Milos Kerkez is expected to be first choice as Liverpool's left-back next season and contrasting his numbers with the long-serving Andy Robertson, who the 21-year-old could effectively replace, perhaps shows why.

The Hungary international started every Premier League game this season (which in part helps boosts his numbers) but the fact that Robertson failed to start nine games, and produced just one assist, may suggest that the latter's influence is beginning to wane as he struggled to return to full fitness in this campaign following injury problems last season.

Uncharacteristically, Robertson also significantly underperformed the assists he would have been expected to provide.

Kerkez, on the other hand, outperformed his expected assists by some margin, while providing double the amount of overlaps and 35% more crosses from open play.

Robertson, who has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, has been a wonderful servant for the Reds.

The 31-year-old has won two league titles and the 2019 Champions League across nine years at Anfield, but it may simply be a case that younger legs are needed to perform the demands of Slot's system.

Image source, Getty Images

Our chief football writer Phil McNulty spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about Liverpool's transfer business this summer and what fans should expect for the rest of the window.

"Having made this huge outlet, Liverpool can't just keep spending," McNulty said.

"They've got to make sure they bring some money back in so, I think that means there will be some reluctant sales and I think Jarell Quansah will fall into that category - looks like he's off to Bayer Leverkusen.

"It's always a shame when local talent leaves but Liverpool have the highest standards and would he have got a lot of game time this season? That's the question. I think Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the established first choice.

"Then you have others like Darwin Nunez who I think personally has had his chance at Liverpool, hasn't done it and its time for him to move on to pastures new which again, may see Liverpool want to strengthen the attacking positions even further."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Liverpool have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres. (Correio da Manha - in Portuguese), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Former West Ham and Wolves first-team coach Edu Rubio says Milos Kerkez has "great potential to grow even further" at Liverpool.

"Milos Kerkez is a fantastic and a much-needed addition to Liverpool's squad. He is versatile; he can play left-back, left wing-back and even left centre-back," Rubio said.

"He has got great potential to grow even further on; yet Andy Robertson still has better offensive stats than him. Maybe because of the context/teams etc; but his numbers show his attacking input is remarkably good.

"Kerkez's solid defensive stats and his physical aptitude can offer Arne Slot a different option down the left flank. They are both excellent full-backs, but they are both different and unique.

"Milos' interceptions and clearances stats show he can make Liverpool even more difficult to break. Offensively his ball progressive carries is very good; which can help his team penetrate into the opposition's half faster, aggressively and efficiently. This can support Liverpool's offensive game too, no doubt."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has announced his retirement from football.

The 37-year-old made 569 appearances in his career, 178 of which came with the Reds.

"As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride," Lallana posted on social media.

"I could not be more appreciative of the opportunities I've been given and the support I've received along the way."

Talking specifically about his time at Liverpool, Lallana described it as "the chance to represent one of the greatest clubs in the world and win some of the biggest prizes in the game".

A £25m signing from Southampton in 2014, Lallana won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup during his six-year stay at Anfield.

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has made Napoli his preferred destination if he leaves Anfield this summer. (Football Italia), external

are willing to make 25-year-old Sweden striker Alexander Isak the best-paid player in the club's history to ward off interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona.

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

There is no such thing as a sure thing when buying a new player. As William Golding said about movie making all those years ago: 'Nobody knows anything.'

There is no such thing as a sure-fire winner in this business either but I suspect Florian Wirtz is as close as you get in the modern game. Liverpool have made costly errors before - Darwin Nunez is no longer worth the £85million the Reds paid for him but that is an outlier. Generally, they have been as smart as any other in the market.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister were superb signings and Milos Kerkez, who has shown he can cruise in the Premier League already with Bournemouth, also looks like a perfect fit. But Wirtz is different - and so he should be at a princely £100million before add-ons.

With Kerkez, the exciting Jeremie Frimpong and the fabulous Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Arne Slot has put himself under huge pressure because just about everyone has them as favourites to retain their title.

I wouldn't argue with that for a second.

Find and get news notifications on your Premier League club

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract next summer, has rejected the club's latest offer of a new deal. (Guardian), external

Arsenal have expressed an interest in 22-year-old Paris St-Germain forward and Liverpool target Bradley Barcola, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich. (L'Equipe - in French, subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez is set to complete his medical on Tuesday before joining the Reds. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Florian Wirtz is a "little magician" and merits his club-record £100m fee, says former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Westerveld said: "They said all the time 'We only spend a lot of our money on players who are adding to the team' and if you see (Florian) Wirtz, (Jeremie) Frimpong and (Milos) Kerkez they are really exciting players.

"Wirtz is one of the best players in Europe and that is really helpful for Liverpool and it's really exciting to see the team coming together now."

Westerveld was speaking at the opening of a Cruyff Court - created by the Cruyff Foundation which bears the name of the Netherlands great Johan - which has been named after him at Liverpool's Lakeside School which caters for pupils with additional learning needs.

On Wirtz, whose cost could rise to £116m if performance-related add-ons are triggered, Westerveld added: "He's definitely worth the money, he's a little magician."

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell defender Jarell Quansah, 22, to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m. The club have placed a buy-back clause in the contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tyler Morton is repairing his confidence with the England Under-21s after the toughest season of his career.

The Liverpool midfielder has helped the Young Lions reach the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after Saturday's 3-1 win over Spain.

Morton, though, will miss Wednesday's meeting with the Netherlands in Bratislava after collecting his second yellow card of the tournament.

International success would come off the back of a frustrating campaign for the 22-year-old, who did not make a Premier League appearance as Liverpool won the title.

He was restricted to just five appearances in cup competitions under Arne Slot.

Morton said: "When you're not playing, your confidence gets shut down a little bit. So, it's nice to come back and play here and play with unbelievable footballers, unbelievable youngsters.

"It's been the toughest season mentally for me. Obviously, I've coped with it very well because I've got good people around me, but it's been very tough. I think I've coped with it as well as I possibly could.

"I think when you're not playing as a footballer who's as hungry as I am, it does hurt. It's tough, especially when, in my opinion, I wanted to go out and I wanted to play and I wanted to go on loan and get my game time.

"But having chatted with the manager, having to stay, it could have worked out a lot worse than it did. It probably could have worked out a lot better than it did."

Under-21 and Liverpool team-mate Harvey Elliott made just two league starts last season - and has admitted he needs to consider his future at Anfield - while Jarell Quansah only started four league games.

Liverpool opted to keep Morton after Middlesbrough had a bid rejected in February but he has kept an open mind about the campaign.

"Yes, the minutes have been very limited for all of us youngsters this year," he said.

"But there's different playing styles with different managers. Yes, it's been a learning season. I think you've got to have these types of seasons where you're trying to learn."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's Tyler Morton described the England Under-21s team as "special" after they reached the Euro 2025 semi finals.

The Young Lions beat Spain 3-1 in Trnava on Saturday to set up a last-four showdown with the Netherlands on Wednesday.

It was a vastly improved performance after a stuttering group stage ended with them finishing as runners-up to Germany with four points.

England and Spain were involved in a mass brawl at the final whistle - sparked by a late tackle on Tino Livramento - and Morton believes it demonstrated their unity.

He said: "This is a very special team. It's a team that's got a bit of everything, especially fighters. You see at the end, it's part of the game and I think everyone's got passion for the game.

"That's some things that you don't develop, that's something you've just got and I think this team's got it.

"We showed that, dominating a Spanish team for most of the game was not what all English teams do.

"I think we've shown a different side. I think we were very comfortable in and out of possession and I think sometimes the out of possession bit has got to be done. I think they're a top team, they're a threat, but I think we minimised that threat."

Morton, though, will miss the semi-final against the Netherlands in Bratislava after being booked in the first half, his second caution of the tournament.

"I didn't know until after the game. I was just really in the zone. I don't think it was a yellow card, myself, but it's gone," said the 22-year-old.

"I've got to just prepare myself now for what could be, but I'll be right behind the lads the whole game."