Liverpool

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We asked for your views on Andoni Iraola's first news conference as Liverpool head coach, which took place on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Frank: At least the new coach knows what he wants from the team. Now it's up to the players to respond to the demands - after all, that's what he and they are paid for. It's a new brush. Let's have a different approach from all concerned.

Macca: Hope springs eternal.

Chris: I am very grateful for everything Arne Slot did for Liverpool, but by the end of last season I wasn't looking forward at all to this season. I am now and I feel Iraola will get the best out of the players we have. Hopefully we'll be back challenging again.

Robert: I like him already!

Leigh: Need to start bringing in those new signings now. The World Cup is nearly finished so can't use that as an excuse for not signing players any more. A defensive midfielder has been needed since Fabinho left. New manager can then really start to show his best abilities. Hope he can deliver the football he had with Bournemouth. If he does, fans will give him time to bring the results.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Outside the AXA Training Centre on a sunny morning, a dozen or so photographers lined up to take pictures of Andoni Iraola before the Spaniard completed a couple of television interviews.

Then it was time for the news conference. It was far from a full house inside the room - understandably so, given we are in the final week of the World Cup - but it was certainly busier than usual and a world away from what Iraola would be used to at Bournemouth.

Iraola impressed, speaking passionately about his readiness for the challenge and his eagerness to understand the city and this unique football club.

There was a shyness about his manner and that, added to his relatively quiet tone of voice, meant it was no blockbuster news conference, such as when Jurgen Klopp was unveiled.

Iraola was reticent to open up when asked to describe his character and personality, though he did say he would try to be as natural as possible. His ability as a coach is not in much doubt, but whether he thrives as the figurehead for Liverpool remains to be seen.

While he was introspective when asked about himself, his answers flowed when invited to discuss his teams' style and principles of play.

His comfort in talking about "playing vertically and with a high press" is entirely in line with someone known to be at home on the training ground rather than in front of a microphone.

The question is how quickly he can translate his philosophy - based on high-intensity running - to a squad that struggled physically last season and requires additions.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment.

Here are the key lines from Monday's news conference:

• The Spaniard wants to give supporters "a team they can be proud of" and he plans to do that by being a side "that works hard, is intense, is aggressive, so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team".

• Iraola acknowledged there is more transfer business to be done and said "the club is working hard" to bring in more players.

• On the current squad: "A lot of senior and very important players are leaving and some very important players are injured. We need to replace very important players."

• Iraola confirmed Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are expected to be sidelined through injury for the beginning of the season. He added: "There will be a period where we will be without them so we will have to try to find solutions."

• On Harvey Elliott's future at Liverpool: "Harvey is here with us. I've seen him with this eagerness to show himself. He will have a chance during pre-season. He came one week earlier and I hope we can see him in a good place. Last season had to have been very difficult for him as it was a strange situation that meant they [Aston Villa] couldn't let him play."

• Iraola has had "very good conversations" with all the players who are at the World Cup and he is using these first couple of weeks "to talk to a lot of people who work around" the training ground. He added: "They are the ones helping me to create a good environment so our players can perform and maximise their abilities."

• Some players have returned to training before their scheduled date and Iraola said the "progressive introduction" of those returning from the World Cup will allow him to "get more in touch with every player".

• On what he hopes to be like as the Liverpool head coach: "I will try to be the same coach. You have to be yourself and I will try to be. Especially with the players, I know we will have big personalities and big egos, but I will try not to change with them. I will try to be as natural as possible. If they sign me, it's because they want a lot of the things I've been doing before."

• On adapting to a busier schedule than was the case at Bournemouth, who played 40 fixtures last season: "It is a big challenge for me. It will be a big change but a great opportunity."

What do you make of what Iraola had to say in his first news conference? What stands out to you the most?

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola will speak to the external media on Monday for the first time since becoming Liverpool head coach.

Iraola was at the AXA Training Centre last week and met a number of players, but with the bulk of Liverpool's first team set to return to Merseyside this week, there's certainly a feeling that business is now really getting started.

There are still 41 days before the Reds start their Premier League campaign, away at Newcastle, but Iraola will know of the importance of this first news conference in terms of outlining his vision and giving the fanbase something to look forward to, after a torrid 2025-26 campaign that resulted in the sacking of Arne Slot.

And there'll be plenty of topics on the agenda from squad depth, vice-captain options, the style of football Liverpool supporters can expect and, perhaps most importantly, what Iraola's ambitions are.

The past two men to take the job won Liverpool the Premier League and the club's hierarchy firmly believes Iraola is capable of doing that long term.

The Reds will train this week before flying to Chicago next Monday, with three pre-season friendlies scheduled in the United States and a further two more at Anfield after they return.

Come back to this page later for all the key lines from Iraola, analysis of what the Spaniard has said and the chance to have your say.

And you can watch Iraola's news conference - due to start at 11:00 BST - on our live page here

Argentina may have anticipated a cruise to the last four of the World Cup when Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi's corner at the near post with just 10 minutes gone.

But they failed to press their advantage and Switzerland built into the game before Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye struck after 67 minutes.

Ndoye cut in from the left, played a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and tucked his finish through the legs of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez settled a controversial match in extra time with a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel.

Lautaro Martinez added a third just before the full-time whistle.

Argentina's bid for back-to-back World Cups is alive and they will now face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Liverpool and Manchester United have made contact over a move for Wolves and Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes, 25, after a switch to Atletico Madrid fell through. (Globo - in Portuguese), external

Chelsea are looking at a move for Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton after Liverpool and Manchester United both cooled their interest in the 22-year-old. (Caught Offside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pre-season is just around the corner and the Premier League returns in less than 50 days.

Here is Liverpool's pre-season schedule - with kick-off times in BST.

• 25 July v Sunderland (Nashville) - 23:00

• 29 July v Wrexham (New York) - 00:30 (28 July US time)

• 2 August v Leeds United (Chicago) - 21:00

• 9 August v Monaco (H) - 14:30

• 16 August v Como (H) - 18:00

Which players, including young prospects from the academy, are you most looking forward to seeing in action?

Let us know here

Josh Sexton
Fan writer

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So Michael Edwards leaves Liverpool for the second time, but this time around he leaves having not necessarily fulfilled his rumoured remit.

During his first stint at the club, certain sections of the support were jokingly suggesting that a statue should be built in his honour, such were the sheer number of transfer hits he helped to bring to the club.

Indeed, Jurgen Klopp even credits Edwards with having convinced him to sign Mo Salah when the former Liverpool manager preferred other targets for his team.

Having left last time under something of a cloud of uncertainty and rumours of power struggles between his fellow suits and the giant German in the dugout, he leaves now having been initially hired by Fenway Sports Group to help them step into the world of multi-club ownership.

Many fans have been opposed to the club getting involved in those murky, interest-conflicting waters, so the sight of Edwards leaving having not achieved that may actually bring relief to some that perhaps that idea has been scrapped.

While Edwards was involved in the hiring of Arne Slot and Richard Hughes, leading to a Premier League title in their first season, it's hard not to believe this second era had promised much more.

Ultimately, though, that promise may now only be realised by the manager he hired as one of his final acts in office, and so he leaves under another partial cloud.

Whereas last time could be seen as the beginning of the end for Klopp, Edwards' leaving this time around signals the start of a new and hopefully fruitful, single-club ownership chapter at Anfield.

Find more from Josh Sexton on outlets including The Anfield Wrap, external

We asked for your views on Michael Edwards' time at Anfield, which spanned over 15 years across two stints.

Here are some of your comments:

Gareth: Since he came on board he has wasted money trying to make Liverpool 'Galacticos' - spending big on players that don't fit the system. Throwing the toys out the cot because Fenway did not buy a second club is a stain on his reputation. In summary, first time appointment left as a success, second time around leaves as a failure.

Andy: What can you say? We did brilliantly during Edwards' time at the club! Many plus points along the way, and a few sticky moments, but who is ever spotless in that respect? He can leave a very proud man and with the supporters' genuine thanks.

James: A disappointing and underwhelming second spell.

Dan: Quite a significant change at the club now he's gone - he's undoubtedly a driver of the success the club has had since FSG took over. It has felt over the past few years like there is less focus on what made Liverpool so savvy in recent years though, maybe because Edwards' role was to develop a multi-club model. I'm glad that has seemingly been ditched.

Fraser: Honestly, I don't know why he was brought back anyway. He wasn't needed as CEO of football. More concerned about Richard Hughes and the sporting director role. We need someone long term and to provide some stability behind the scenes and full backing for Iraola.

Fran: To be fair, he only returned to fry bigger fish, but the sea ended up being empty. I hope the patchy recruitment of 25-26 isn't what he's remembered for.

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Fenway Sports Group President Mike Gordon says the club are "naturally disappointed" to see Michael Edwards leave his role as CEO of Football.

Edwards spent more than 15 years at Anfield across two spells, where the club enjoyed success on the pitch.

"Michael has made an extraordinary contribution to Liverpool Football Club and Fenway Sports Group throughout his time with our organization," Gordon said.

"When Michael returned in 2024, he did so at a pivotal moment for Liverpool, embracing a broader leadership role across our football interests in the process. Throughout both periods he has consistently demonstrated exceptional judgement, integrity and an unwavering commitment to building a strong football organisation for the long term.

"His return to the organization saw Liverpool successfully navigate a significant period of transition before securing the club's historic 20th English league title, an achievement to which Michael made an important contribution.

"While we are naturally disappointed to see him leave, we will always be grateful for everything he has given.

"On behalf of John Henry, Tom Werner and everyone at Fenway Sports Group, I would like to thank Michael for his outstanding service, friendship and leadership, and wish him and his family every success and happiness in the future."

The Michael Edwards era at Liverpool is about to end.

After more than 15 years working for owners Fenway Sports Group, Edwards will leave before the Reds' pre-season.

"Edwards' departure marks the culmination of a planned transition following the completion of key strategic priorities," a Fenway Sports statement read.

He says the club is in a "strong position" so how do you feel about his exit?

Edwards famously oversaw landmark transfers during the Jurgen Klopp years, so do you think he will be missed and does he have a legacy to be proud of?

Get in touch with your views here

Michael Edwards is to leave his role as Fenway Sports Group CEO of Football, ending 15 years of association with Liverpool across two spells.

Edwards arrived at Anfield for his second stint at the club in March 2024, where he oversaw the hiring of a new manager and a change in the club's leadership structure.

Originally joining the club in 2011, Edwards worked his way up to become sporting director, a role which he held from 2016 to 2022.

He was involved in landmark signings such as Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. He also won praise from fans for high-priced sales of players such as Rhian Brewster, Jordon Ibe and Philippe Coutinho.

On returning to the club for a second spell, Edwards hoped to help FSG adopt a multi-club model but interest in acquiring other teams never led to a purchase. FSG's said Edwards' departure "marks the culmination of a planned transition following the completion of key strategic priorities".

"It has been a privilege to return to Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club at such an important moment," Edwards said. "I leave believing Liverpool is in a strong position, with outstanding people, a clear direction and the foundations in place for continued success.

"When I returned, I was excited not only by the opportunity to help guide Liverpool through an important period of transition, but also by the chance to help shape FSG's wider football ambitions. While that broader project ultimately evolved differently to how we had originally envisaged, I am proud of the work our team undertook in presenting ownership with a broad range of thoughtful and well-developed options for the future."

Hit play above to hear The Athletic's Liverpool reporter James Pearce reacting to the news on BBC Radio Merseyside or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Plenty of players have made names for themselves at this World Cup, from goalkeepers like Cape Verde's Vozinha and Paraguay's Orlando Gill to New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just.

But though they might not have been familiar to fans, the extent of modern scouting means clubs all over the world will already have known about many of them – so how have their heroics at the tournament affected their standing in the game, and their value in the transfer market?

More than the Score's Mani Djazmi is joined Ben Littlemore from Transfermarkt, one of the world's foremost football databases. Lutz Pfannenstiel, sporting director at Aberdeen, also shares his footballing knowledge in today's episode.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Liverpool and Arsenal are both reluctantly prepared to loan Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi back to Lille if they can sign him this summer, as the French club want to keep the 18-year-old for one more season. (Football Insider, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Several submissions into our Liverpool Ask Me Anything form have been about the expectations of Andoni Iraola in his first season at Anfield.

Well, similar to the first campaign under Arne Slot after he had replacced Jurgen Klopp, no-one expects Iraola to win the Premier League straight away. What Slot achieved by winning the title deserves plenty of credit, even if a parting of ways made the most sense by the end of his tenure.

For Iraola, the key will be to play a brand of football that Anfield can get behind while ensuring Liverpool pick up results along the way.

Given the importance of Champions League football financially, that will be the bare minimum.

Long term, the ambition is most certainly to win the Premier League again, but as long as the Reds have an impressive campaign and you can see a semblance of identity, this will be a good start for Iraola.

Going far in the cup competitions will certainly help too for a club that is never far from silverware.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Manchester City and Arsenal are all chasing 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is starring in the World Cup for Morocco. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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In the latest episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's Liverpool A to Z, we have reached the letter I.

Paul Salt, Mike Hughes and Chris Coughlin discuss Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and former Reds' captain, Paul Ince, in the A-Z of Merseyside Sport.

Coughlin said on Isak: "It's been an interesting one for Alexander Isak. He showed during the World Cup his quality, goal against Tunisia, but a fair few assists as well.

"I think for a lot of Liverpool fans, if they were talking about who they would want to have come in as that forward, Isak would probably have been at the top of the list.

"He needed to start getting his Liverpool career up and running to an extent that was really pressurised. And he didn't do it last season. We've hinted at that there's lots and lots of reasons why he didn't. We know Isak is a player with a lot of ability. We know he's showed at the top level. We've seen it at the World Cup."

Click play below to hear more about Alexander Isak or listen on BBC Sounds here

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Instagram: @joshua.abe9

Teenage forward Josh Abe is set to join the Liverpool squad on their pre-season tour to the USA this summer.

Abe turns 16 three days before Andoni Iraola's side head out to the States and the right winger, who is primarily left footed, has also been given a first-team squad number (40) for the 2026-27 season.

Last month, Abe committed his future to Liverpool despite interest from Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, signing scholarship terms with a pre-contract agreement in place for a three-year professional deal to start when he turns 17 next summer.

Born in Warrington, he joined the club's pre-academy at the age of four and became the youngest player to play for Liverpool in the Uefa Youth League last season.

Abe also trained with the first team on occasions under Arne Slot and is expected to carry on training frequently with the seniors after pre-season.

He has also represented England at youth level.

Image source, Getty Images

Journalist and The Late Challenge podcast's, Mo Stewart, says a "difficult market" is impacting Liverpool's transfer business so far this summer.

The Reds have brought in Spain winger Victor Munoz and completed a deal for defender Jeremy Jacquet which was agreed in February.

However, with Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson already departing, uncertainty over the futures of Alisson and Federico Chiesa, and a long-term injury to Hugo Ekitike, missing out on key target Yan Diomande has left the club with still lots to do in the window.

"There are problems with the market," Stewart told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"There is a lack of options and the price you are going to have to pay for even a half decent talent is another reason clubs are reluctant to dive in right now. It's a difficult market.

"It's a strange situation for Liverpool because we all know they have a lot to do and there are a lot of players in that current squad with question marks over them.

"Even aside from that there are a lot of gaps in the squad. The attack is already looking quite thin.

"We have to remember the World Cup does make things more difficult, particularly now at the business end."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

After the in-person introductions, one of the first things that will happen will be the individual assessments for the players on their return before the hard work begins.

The key focus will be playing a front-foot and aggressive style of football and there will inevitably be changes, with a revamped backroom staff, in terms of how things work. Andoni Iraola will be joined by Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper - who were with him at Bournemouth - as his first-team coaches.

If their time at Bournemouth is anything to go by, there will be intense running in the early days and the Spaniard is known to play an active part in drills.

He often referees in mini-training games and for any Liverpool fans wanting to get an early taste, there is an insightful clip on Bournemouth's YouTube channel, , externalin which Iraola is wearing a microphone during a training session in Marbella.

"Get really aggressive. Get used to this, because we will do this every week…" is one of many lines that stands out, in a clip where his enthusiasm and passion is clear to see.

"Andoni likes to take all of the sessions and be in the thick of it as opposed to leaving it to others," a Bournemouth source told BBC Sport last month.

Pablo de la Torre, who will join Iraola as an assistant coach, has worked with him previously in Cyprus, at Rayo Vallecano and at Bournemouth. The Spaniard is trusted by Iraola and will play a major role in ensuring that the Liverpool players are physically ready for playing the brand of football for which he is known.

Last month, De La Torre told Spanish publication AS, external: "He (Iraola) is incredibly intelligent, leads by example, and has a rare emotional stability in such a visceral sport. From day one, you sense he's different - his ability to read the game and its needs is almost unique. He filters information so players can digest it easily and apply it every week."

New to both of them, though, will be the challenge of dealing with midweek Champions League matches alongside Premier League games.

"The key is building a game model and team identity where players truly believe in the coach's idea," added De La Torre.

Read all full article here