Liverpool players are enjoying their break before knuckling down as part of their Premier League title defence

Former Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli spent just one season with the Reds and was not a fan of Jurgen Klopp, despite only briefly working with the iconic manager

Former Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli spent just one season with the Reds and was not a fan of Jurgen Klopp, despite only briefly working with the iconic manager

Arnaut Danjuma has opened up on his decision to join Everton as he rejected the advances of Arne Slot in favour of signing for the Blues

Arnaut Danjuma has opened up on his decision to join Everton as he rejected the advances of Arne Slot in favour of signing for the Blues

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez issues a message as he continues to be linked with a move to Anfield

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez issues a message as he continues to be linked with a move to Anfield

Liverpool have been linked with an interest in Lyon and Belgium international winger Malick Fofana

Liverpool have been linked with an interest in Lyon and Belgium international winger Malick Fofana

Joe Hart has given an exciting endorsement of Florian Wirtz ahead of his British record move to Liverpool after being tormented by the German during his time at Celtic

Joe Hart has given an exciting endorsement of Florian Wirtz ahead of his British record move to Liverpool after being tormented by the German during his time at Celtic

Liverpool find themselves in the trappings of a developing saga when it comes to Andy Robertson and Atletico Madrid, who are ready to offer a low transfer fee.

Though deemed unlikely heading into the summer, late last week it emerged that not only was Robertson attracting interest from Atletico, but that he could be open to the move.

It comes with Liverpool close to signing a new left-back in Milos Kerkez and the Scot, who enters the final year of his deal this summer, expected to drop down the pecking order.

Arne Slot would seemingly prefer to keep Robertson as experienced competition for Kerkez, but Atletico appear to be beginning a familiar process.

With their interest now known, the Times‘ Paul Joyce is among those to have now been briefed on a possible alternative target.

That would be Lucas Digne, who like Robertson is also 31 and will see his contract at Aston Villa expire in 2026, and Diego Simeone “likes his ability to attack and defend.”

While it is normal for clubs to draw up a shortlist of targets for any position, the cynical view is that Digne’s name has been brought up to coax the fire around Liverpool and Robertson.

As Robertson is claimed to be willing to make the move to Madrid this could be an attempt to build pressure on the club to allow him to leave.

Joyce also reports that Atletico are “looking to pay as little as €5 million (£4.3m) should matters progress.”

Liverpool fans should be familiar with similar lowball offers for fellow PLG clients Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold before him.

Before Henderson’s transfer to Al-Ettifaq in 2023 and Alexander-Arnold’s pre-Club World Cup switch to Real Madrid this summer, it was widely reported that the club would even be asked to waive a fee in order to facilitate a move.

Liverpool held out for favourable deals

Both times, Liverpool held firm, securing £12 million for Henderson’s ill-advised move to Saudi Arabia and £10 million to release Alexander-Arnold from his contract a month early.

Whether that will be the case with Robertson and Atletico remains to be seen, as it is arguably a very different situation with the left-back.

There could be a sense of honouring the player’s commitment to the club over the eight years since his £8 million move from Hull and his desire to continue as a first-choice starter, which he would find himself at Atletico.

Liverpool signing Kerkez could push things forward with regards Robertson, with the Hungarian’s father confirming on Monday that it was “basically a done deal.”

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Rising Reputation of a Relentless Talent

Milos Kerkez has been in the spotlight for some time, but now the long-awaited move to Liverpool appears imminent. The Hungarian left-back, just 21 years old, played a starring role for Bournemouth last season, helping them flirt with European qualification. His aggressive runs, defensive resilience and tactical maturity have not gone unnoticed.

Liverpool’s pursuit has been anything but secretive, and reports suggest that personal terms are all but agreed, with only medical formalities remaining. According to Super Indirektno kod Popa i Milana, Kerkez’s father made the clearest statement yet about his son’s destination.

“It’s only Liverpool for us and we’re not going anywhere else and we won’t talk to other clubs,” Kerkez’s father told Super Indirektno kod Popa i Milana on YouTube.

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Family Fully Behind Anfield Switch

There is a striking certainty in the words of Kerkez’s family. His father confirmed:

“Everything is done between us (personal terms), we just need to sort out some details, but it’s basically a done deal.”

“We made that decision. Richard Hughes signed Milos for Bournemouth, and that’s a man who keeps his promises, and if he said to us ‘we’re going to India’, we’ll go to him to India.”

Such unequivocal backing suggests Liverpool’s project under Arne Slot has been convincingly sold.

Social Signals Confirm the Move

Adding fuel to the fire, Milos’s younger brother Marko Kerkez posted an image from Serbian outlet Crno Bele Novosti with the caption:

“Milos Kerkez, soon to be a new Liverpool footballer, has revealed which club he supports.”

While fans eagerly await official confirmation, all roads seem to lead to Anfield.

Slot’s System to Suit Kerkez

Arne Slot, known for dynamic full-back usage, could find Kerkez the perfect fit for his evolving Liverpool. Fast, direct and brave in possession, Kerkez appears built for a side aiming to attack wide and recover quickly.

As Liverpool transitions post-Klopp, investing in youth with elite potential is no luxury but necessity. This feels like a timely and tactical decision that strengthens depth at left-back and hints at a progressive future.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is exactly the kind of news Liverpool fans wanted to kick off the summer window. A young, hungry left-back who fits our high-energy profile? Sign us up. What stands out most is not just Milos Kerkez’s form at Bournemouth, but the complete buy-in from his family. That speaks volumes about his character and commitment.

“It’s only Liverpool for us” is the kind of quote you frame. It feels personal. It feels like he gets what this club is.

With Robbo entering the latter stage of his prime and injuries creeping in, Kerkez could be the long-term successor, or even push for starts early on. Under Slot’s likely pressing-heavy, wide-playing system, he’ll thrive. His overlapping, recovery speed and no-nonsense approach scream Liverpool DNA.

The deal seems 95% done, and barring surprises, we could see Kerkez unveiled within days. Fingers crossed the medical goes smoothly. We’ve missed this kind of early, efficient business in recent windows. This time, it feels like we’re moving with purpose.

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Alexander Isak has been described as Liverpool’s “dream target” in a busy summer transfer window that is set to continue with a move for a new No. 9.

After imminent deals for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez go through, Liverpool are expected to train their sights on a signing a new centre-forward.

This could come later in the window, with many moving pieces in play, including Darwin Nunez who is attracting interest from Napoli, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia.

It could also be that Liverpool wait for the right player to become available, with Isak their “dream target since day one.”

That is according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, writing on Threads, though he insisted that “it remains complicated” when it comes to a possible deal with Newcastle.

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‘Complicated’ is not ‘impossible’, of course, but there are a number of factors to consider including Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League and therefore being in a stronger position to demand as much as £150 million.

Isak is still tied to a contract until 2028 and the club are seeking to extend that further with an improved deal to reflect his status.

But that the Swede was also mentioned by the Mail‘s Lewis Steele and the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle on Monday suggests there is no resignation from Merseyside that a transfer cannot be engineered.

“The noise that I’ve got is that they are not done and they will go for a No. 9,” Steele said on YouTube.

On Isak, he added: “As far as we’re aware his agents, his people, have probably already spoken to Liverpool a number of times, as well as a couple of other clubs as well.

“It seems very tricky, and I’m not going to say I’ve got a sneaky feeling on it like I did with Florian Wirtz, but the noise is always there.

“It’s not going away, but there’s nothing to suggest Liverpool are ready to step up their pursuit of him just yet – or at any point this summer – but it’s one to maybe pencil in for a later date.”

Ekitike is the alternative

If Isak is not available this summer and Liverpool are not minded to wait another year to sign a leading No. 9, their likely target appears to be Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

The Reds are not alone in their interest, with Chelsea widely reported as admirers and The Athletic‘s Sebastian Stafford-Bloor writing on Tuesday that Man United had enquired into the Frenchman’s availability.

But there have been muted claims that Anfield would be Ekitike’s preferred destination, and on YouTube, Romano named him as a “concrete target for Liverpool.”

He explained: “Liverpool already spoke to the agents of the player at the end of May, they are in regular contact, so for sure Ekitike remains a player on Liverpool’s list.”

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez are two other No. 9s linked, though the latter is thought to be an unlikely signing.

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Liverpool’s summer rebuild may already be in motion, but the prospect of adding Ajax’s prodigious defender Jorrel Hato speaks volumes about the club’s long-term ambitions. While TEAMtalk reports Arsenal remain the frontrunners for the 19-year-old’s signature, Liverpool’s interest, first revealed in April, has not disappeared — and nor should it.

Hato is, by all accounts, one of Europe’s most gifted young defenders. Born in Rotterdam and bred in the famed Ajax academy, he embodies the modern defender: composed, intelligent and versatile. His 2023/24 campaign included 46 appearances, three assists and invaluable leadership experience, even captaining Ajax in select fixtures. For a teenager, that is no small feat.

“Hato is one of the best young defenders in Europe and has established himself as one of the first names in the Ajax teamsheet after coming through the Dutch club’s youth academy.”

He has already earned six caps for the Netherlands, and in a post-Van Dijk era, Liverpool could do far worse than securing a player regarded as the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year.

Slot’s Structural Needs at Anfield

Liverpool’s left side of defence is evolving. With Andy Robertson turning 30 and Milos Kerkez expected to arrive as the club’s next first-choice left-back, Hato’s role would likely be more central — quite literally.

Photo IMAGO

TEAMtalk’s suggestion that Hato played 36 times at centre-back in 2023/24 is telling. While Arsenal are eyeing him as a left-back, Liverpool may view the teenager as the natural heir to Virgil van Dijk, who at 33, has just signed a new deal but cannot anchor the defence forever.

“While Arsenal are looking at Hato as a potential option at left-back, it is at centre-back where the Ajax star could fit in at Liverpool.”

Then there is the question of Ibrahima Konaté. His contract situation is becoming increasingly precarious, and with Real Madrid rumoured to be circling, Liverpool could soon find themselves in need of a new defensive lynchpin.

Hato could be eased into the Premier League under Arne Slot, an ideal environment for development. The familiarity with Dutch systems and cultural context would help the transition. In a year or two, Liverpool may not only need a new centre-back, but a new leader. Hato ticks both boxes.

Arsenal’s Pull and Premier League Competition

Of course, Liverpool’s path to securing Hato is far from clear. Arsenal have been tracking him since he was 15, with long-term succession plans in mind. Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko may depart, opening the door for a new face at left-back. Chelsea too, remain part of the equation, according to TBR Football.

“Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in signing Hato from Ajax in the summer transfer window.”

“TBR has now reported that Arsenal and Chelsea have ‘held talks’ over signing Hato this summer.”

Crucially though, the race remains open. TBR noted, “Hato’s camp are keen to keep the race for the defender open and have insisted to Chelsea and Liverpool that nothing is decided — he is still more than open to playing for any of the clubs mentioned.”

Liverpool should take that openness seriously. This is not merely a battle of money, but of pathway and project. Hato’s potential Anfield future is not about 2024, but 2026 and beyond.

Why the Price Reflects the Potential

Ajax’s valuation is firm. €50 million, around £42.6m, is a steep figure, but for a teenager of Hato’s calibre, it is not unreasonable. Especially not in a market where inflated figures are now standard for proven, even partially proven, talent.

“Sources have told TEAMtalk that Ajax want €50million (£42.6m, $58m) for Hato and are not willing to lower their demands.”

For context, that is less than Manchester United paid for Rasmus Højlund or what Chelsea spent on Wesley Fofana. If Hato matures into a defensive general, this summer could be the last time a club like Liverpool gets value for money.

Arsenal might be the emotional pull. They’ve done their groundwork, and Mikel Arteta’s system could be ideal. But Liverpool can offer something Arsenal cannot — the chance to be mentored by van Dijk, under a compatriot coach, at a club where generational defenders are carved from stone.

“The report has noted that ‘Hato believes Arsenal to be the near perfect destination for this next step’.”

It is up to Liverpool now to convince him that perfection can be found at Anfield too.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is exactly the type of move we need. Hato is not just any teenage sensation, he is someone who can genuinely step into van Dijk’s boots over the next two or three years. What’s not to like? He’s got Eredivisie experience, he’s a Netherlands international, he can play left-back or centre-back, and he is used to high-pressure games.

Sure, Arsenal have the emotional pull — he’s followed by them since he was 15 — but Liverpool can offer stability, European football, a proven track record with Dutch players, and Arne Slot. If we are seriously planning for the post-van Dijk era, this deal makes too much sense to ignore.

Let Chelsea and Arsenal talk. If we want Hato and we show it properly, we can win this race. And if we do, we will be securing a cornerstone for the next decade. Over to you, Edwards and Hughes.

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Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been speaking ahead of his Real Madrid debut in the FIFA Cup World Cup

Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been speaking ahead of his Real Madrid debut in the FIFA Cup World Cup

Wirtz Deal Redefines Liverpool’s Ambitions

Liverpool are not just flexing their financial muscles with the imminent arrival of Florian Wirtz — they are reshaping the very identity of their side under Arne Slot. As reported by The Athletic, the Reds have agreed a sensational club-record deal worth €136.3million (£116 million) to sign the 22-year-old German international from Bayer Leverkusen. With €117.5m paid upfront and a further €18.8m in add-ons, this transfer is more than just a marquee signing. It is a message.

The plan is for Wirtz to fly into the UK for his medical this week, ahead of finalising a five-year deal. What makes this capture even more impressive is the competition Liverpool have overcome. Bayern Munich and Manchester City were keen suitors, yet the playmaker has chosen Anfield as his next home.

Wirtz’s decision to join Liverpool is both a sporting and symbolic win for Slot’s era. As The Athletic’s Thom Harris observes, “Liverpool fans can expect silky creativity from Wirtz, an elusive player adept at drifting into pockets of space between the lines and gliding into dangerous areas. As we can see below, Wirtz is dangerous across the attacking third, happy to whip in crosses from the flanks, slide passes into the box and cut back for onrushing team-mates from either side.”

Photo: IMAGO

His versatility and final-third vision perfectly complement Slot’s desire for fluid, aggressive football. He brings technical sophistication with tactical intelligence, capable of operating across multiple positions in midfield and attack. And while he may arrive fresh from holiday, the expectation is that Wirtz will hit the ground running following his medical.

Quansah at a Crossroads Amid Leverkusen Interest

While Liverpool look to add star power, there are also decisions to be made at the other end of the pitch. Bayer Leverkusen have expressed strong interest in Jarell Quansah, Liverpool’s 22-year-old centre-back, but there is no suggestion that his potential move would be linked to the Wirtz deal.

For Liverpool, it is a nuanced situation. “For the right money, yes,” is the club’s stance on whether they would allow Quansah to leave, though they are not actively pushing for a sale. With an estimated valuation north of £40 million, Quansah is attracting interest across Europe, yet his development is not something Liverpool want to sacrifice lightly.

Photo: IMAGO

Used largely as a backup to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté last season, Quansah impressed in flashes. He also earned a senior England call-up after shining at Under-21 level. His future remains a balancing act — he craves more minutes, but Liverpool know better than to undervalue an emerging defender who has shown promise at the top level.

Should he depart, Liverpool are expected to revisit their centre-back shortlist from last season. Slot’s backline could yet evolve further before the window shuts.

Robertson’s Future in Doubt as Kerkez Emerges

Meanwhile, changes may be afoot at full-back. Atletico Madrid are reportedly weighing up a move for Andy Robertson, as they eye reinforcements following their Club World Cup campaign. The Scot, now 30, has been a stalwart at Anfield since arriving in 2017, but there is growing noise that Liverpool could be preparing for life beyond him.

Milos Kerkez, the Bournemouth left-back, is firmly in the frame. Talks are progressing, and the 21-year-old Hungarian has impressed with his dynamic, attack-minded approach. In truth, the writing may be on the wall for Robertson. The comparison between peak Robertson and Kerkez would be tightly contested, but with age and injuries catching up to the Scotland captain, Liverpool may view Kerkez as a more future-proof option.

Photo IMAGO

Kerkez, however, is not without flaws. His attacking instincts occasionally leave him exposed defensively, but at 21, there is ample time for development. His addition, alongside Wirtz and fellow new signing Jeremie Frimpong, is seen as part of a broader strategy to inject pace, creativity and energy across the flanks.

Yet leadership is not so easily replaced. “What you cannot replace is Robertson’s leadership,” The Athletic notes. His influence within the dressing room is considerable, and his trophy cabinet includes the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup. If he were to leave, Liverpool would lose a standard-setter.

Final Pieces of the Puzzle

Liverpool’s business this summer appears both proactive and strategic. With Wirtz and possibly Kerkez joining Frimpong, the Reds are building a younger, more dynamic core. There may still be one eye on a new centre-forward, but there is a sense at Anfield that the heavy lifting is nearly complete.

Slot, who has stepped in confidently following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, is pleased with the trajectory. Wirtz’s arrival is a major coup, signalling a new chapter that still pays homage to the values Klopp instilled — relentless energy, positional discipline and elite mentality.

Whether Quansah stays or goes, or whether Robertson bids farewell, Liverpool’s identity is evolving with care, not chaos. The blend of legacy and innovation is delicate, but at present, seems well-calibrated.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is the kind of move that makes you sit up and believe again. Wirtz is not just a signing, he’s a statement. We have seen other top clubs chase him, but he chose Liverpool. That says something about the pull of this club, and about what Arne Slot is building.

Wirtz fits exactly what we have missed in some games last season — a link between midfield and attack who can unlock low blocks and break through tight lines. He’s only 22, and already he plays with such maturity. If he hits the ground running, we might be watching a future Ballon d’Or nominee in red.

There’s a bit of worry about Quansah though. We do not want to lose a young, talented defender just as he is developing, especially one who came through our system. If we are going to sell, we should get top money and have a replacement lined up.

As for Robertson, it’s heartbreaking to even think about. He has been a warrior. But football moves fast. Kerkez could be brilliant, and if we trust the plan, we might just be entering another golden spell.

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Milos Kerkez has confirmed his Liverpool transfer is close, during an interview in his native Serbia alongside his father, who said it was “basically a done deal.”

Kerkez is a Hungary international but was born in Serbia, and during his post-season downtime the left-back took part in an interview with the Super Indirektno podcast.

Joined by his father, Sebastijan, the 21-year-old discussed his career so far and what is to come – namely a proposed £45 million move to Liverpool.

“For us, Liverpool is the only option, we are not going anywhere else and we will not talk to other clubs,” Kerkez Sr said, per Blic.

“Personal terms have been agreed, we just need to sort out some details, but that is basically a done deal.”

Kerkez’s father – clearly an outspoken character – praised the role of Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who also signed him for Bournemouth in 2023.

“Richard Hughes brought us to Bournemouth. If he had said we were going to India, we would have gone to India,” he said.

The Liverpool target himself spoke of his fondness for Anfield as an away ground and later posed with a flag with the Liverbird on it and signed a Liverpool shirt.

Kerkez signing a LFC shirt?? pic.twitter.com/VQXwQ6SRrG

— LFC Photos (@lfcphts) June 16, 2025

It continues a remarkably open approach to the transfer from Kerkez and his family, with the Hungarian particularly active on social media when it comes to stories of his expected move.

Talks between Liverpool and Bournemouth are set to advance this week after the south-coast club announced the signing of new left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes on Monday.

While Kerkez is valued at £45 million the suggestion is that Hughes will be able to drive that price down during amicable talks with his former club.

The young full-back is long since reported to have agreed personal terms with the club and is in line to replace Andy Robertson as Arne Slot‘s new first choice.

That could have ramifications on Robertson’s possible switch to Atletico Madrid, with the Spanish club pursuing a deal for a player who emerged as the best left-back in the world in the years after his 2017 move to Liverpool but is now declining at 31.

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Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip with an update on Milos Kerkez's future amid interest from the Reds