Andoni Iraola has his first test as Liverpool boss with the summer transfer window set to open in just over a week

Return of the counter-press? Hybrid man marking? We've cut through all the noise for you

Return of the counter-press? Hybrid man marking? We've cut through all the noise for you

Rio Ngumoha is attracting interest from Bayern Munich this summer, but Andoni Iraola has shown why he needs the chance to work with the teenager before any transfer is even considered

04:00, 07 Jun 2026

Rio Ngumoha is attracting interest from Bayern Munich(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool didn’t offer much to get excited about during the 2025/26 season. Not since the days of Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated spell at Anfield was there such a feeling of crushing disappointment among supporters for what they were being offered up on a weekly basis.

If there was one ray of hope emerging from those dismal last few games, which felt as though they would go on forever, it was Rio Ngumoha. You only had to listen to the boos that greeted Arne Slot’s decision to substitute him against Chelsea to realize just what Liverpool has on its hands with the teenager.

While most of his teammates had supporters eyeing up the exits, Ngumoha gave them something to get them on the edge of their seats. Unsurprisingly, they weren’t the only ones to sit up and take notice.

At just 17, he’s already been recognized with a call-up for England’s pre-World Cup training camp. Although he won’t play a part in this summer’s tournament, he’s already well on the path to international stardom.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that he’s attracting interest from another of Europe’s titans then. Bayern Munich is keeping a very close eye on Ngumoha, with The Athletic revealing that the German giant is exploring a move.

Liverpool hasn’t been afraid to let go of some of its biggest academy stars over the years, even when supporters have expected them to make it at Anfield. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Bobby Clark, Tyler Morton and Ben Gannon-Doak have all left, and earned the Reds a pretty penny recently.

Rio Ngumoha is already on the way to international stardom(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA, The FA via Getty Images)

You’d expect Bayern would have to break the bank then if it wants Ngumoha, such is the hype surrounding him. We can only guess what that figure is though, considering Liverpool is not interested in selling him.

And rightly so. Yes, he is still a raw talent, but who isn’t at his age? The temptation to cash in and use the money to sign a ready-made star might be there, but the long-term benefits of keeping Ngumoha surely outweigh the short-term effect of selling him - especially with Andoni Iraola on his way.

While fans were left frustrated at times by Slot’s hesitance to give Ngumoha and other youngsters a chance, Iraola doesn’t seem to hold the same reservations.

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The Spaniard built quite the reputation for developing Bournemouth’s young prospects. Dean Huijsen earned himself a $67 million move to Real Madrid after just one season under his guidance, while the Cherries could be set to earn even more from Iraola’s proteges.

Eli Junior Kroupi grabbed 13 league goals in his first season on the south coast, and in the process broke the record for the most scored by a teenager in his debut campaign in Premier League history, surpassing Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane. Now, The Times reports are suggesting he could be worth as much as $133M.

Andoni Iraola has already shown what he could do for Rio Ngumoha(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)

Meanwhile, Rayan needed just half a season to make his mark, with five goals in 15 appearances after signing for Bournemouth in January. Now, with Liverpool among those said to be interested, the Brazilian could reportedly set clubs back as much as $174M.

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Those staggering figures demonstrate just what Iraola could do for Ngumoha if he gets the chance to work with him. Even just a year under his guidance could see his stock go through the roof.

Whether that would then change Liverpool’s mind on selling him further down the line remains to be seen, but for the time being, there’s only one response to Bayern’s interest - move along, he's not for sale.

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Tyler Adams confidently backed Liverpool to have a chance to win the Premier League under Andoni Iraola next season after praising his former Bournemouth boss, who replaced Arne Alot after two seasons

03:37, 07 Jun 2026

Tyler Adams believes Liverpool can win the Premier League title under his former head coach Andoni Iraola

There's no better review than one from someone who lived with the product every day, saw how it worked behind the scenes, and understood what made it different from everything else on the market.

After playing three seasons at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola, Tyler Adams is convinced that the Reds can 'absolutely' win next season's Premier League title. He spoke to the media after the USMNT's 2-1 friendly defeat to Germany.

The United States captain endorsed his former manager after Iraola moved on from the Cherries following a 6th-place table finish. Iraola was hired on a two-year deal and selected to replace Arne Slot after finishing just one position higher during his second year on the job.

Iraola could raid his old club for a player who many think could be Mohamed Salah's successor.

When asked directly whether Liverpool can win the Premier League under Iraola, Adams said, "Absolutely. Under how he plays the game, with the types of players that they have and the style that he's going to want to play, absolutely."

Coming from a player who has experienced Iraola's methods every day on the training ground, it was about as emphatic an endorsement as Liverpool could hope to receive. Adams has logged 3,859 minutes with seven goal contributions while playing under Iraola.

Iraola transformed the club with his squad finishing 12th in his debut season (2023-24), 9th the next, then 6th. This year's finish qualified the Cherries for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their 127-year history.

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The conversation turned toward Liverpool and Iraola's chances of succeeding at one of the world's biggest football clubs. Adams admitted Bournemouth players were disappointed with their manager, but he believes the move is a perfect fit.

"On Andoni, it's super, super exciting for him," Adams said. "We were disappointed and upset, obviously, but you come to terms with the decision that he made for himself, leaving Bournemouth."

"And then for an opportunity like this to pop up, I think he's going to do incredible things at Liverpool, his energy, the way that he plays football. Yeah, incredible character and incredible person."

Adams played under Iraola for three seasons

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Part of the conversation with Ben Jacobs focused on England's World Cup roster, as Adams' Bournemouth teammate Alex Scott traveled to America as one of four youth prospects selected by Thomas Tuchel to train. Scott has also lauded his ex-bosses' principles to an excited Liverpool fan base.

Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha was the only one to play in England's 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday. He became the nation's fifth-youngest international debut, while Scott watched with 19-year-olds Ethan Nwaneri and Josh King.

FIFA regulations allow nations to replace injured players with members of their provisional squad up to 24 hours before their first World Cup match, but Tuchel's full list was never made public.

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Liverpool's squad has been served a stark warning ahead of Andoni Iraola's takeover at Anfield this summer

Liverpool's squad has been served a stark warning ahead of Andoni Iraola's takeover at Anfield this summer

Mohamed Salah received a huge ovation from soccer fans in Cleveland during an international friendly against Brazil as Egypt prepares for the World Cup following his Liverpool departure

02:25, 07 Jun 2026

Mohamed Salah earned a hero's reception during Egypt's international friendly before the World Cup

Mohamed Salah's domestic and international soccer accomplishments have reached a point where he could probably sneeze and still steal the show as long as he's in the same room. His presence alone stole the show before he even reached the pitch during Egypt's World Cup warmup against Brazil.

The Liverpool legend came on as a substitute as Egypt fell 2-1 behind Bruno Guimaraes' early goal and a match-winner from Endrick. Salah wasn't injured but his omission from the starting lineup looked preventive with Egypt's World Cup campaign only nine days away.

Supporters in Cleveland were reacting every time Salah's face appeared on the stadium screens at Huntington Bank Field. His reception was compared to that of Hollywood stars before he even entered the game.

Salah also earned recognition for his mentorship role in Hamza Abdelkarim's development.

The reaction was clear in the 21st minute when Salah appeared on screen, just sitting in his training vest. Supporters responded again late in the opening half when cameras showed him smiling from the bench during the 45th minute before checking into the game.

Egypt entered the match having already shown encouraging signs ahead of the tournament. They previously drew 0-0 with Spain in March and defeated Russia 1-0 to build momentum before opening Group G play at the World Cup.

Salah will captain Egypt when they open Group G against Belgium on June 15 before facing New Zealand and Iran. The underdog African nation has the second-best odds of advancing beyond the group stage, behind Belgium.

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Salah's introduction arrived at the break after the 33-year-old replaced Haissem Hassan. His most notable opportunity came in the 58th minute when a right-footed effort from outside the penalty area was blocked by longtime teammate Alisson after being set up by Marwan Attia.

Although he was unable to find the net, the reception he received suggested supporters were simply happy to see him back on the field. The praise and appreciation for Salah online was just as strong as the response felt through the television.

One fan wrote, "Whole stadium started screaming when the camera showed him. He's got more motion than the entire Brazil squad put together." Another added that the response felt like Salah 'just stepped out of a Rolls-Royce.'

Salah was subbed into the game during minute 45

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Adoration came after Salah officially announced he would leave Liverpool early by cutting short the final year of his contract. The winger left the club with a bang and a subtle shot at Arne Slot's tactics before the coach was fired following a 5th-place league finish.

Salah's Anfield career ended on May 24 as their top goal scorer. His accomplishments include winning two Premier League titles, the 2018 Champions League, and four Golden Boot awards.

Salah is now weighing offers as a free agent. Reports have linked him to several European sides including Roma and Juventus, as well as several teams in Saudi Arabia.

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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

A loss Thursday would be a devasting blow in an already frustrating 2024/25.

As is the case for any (sobs) 14th-place team, Tottenham Hotspur's season hinges on competitions outside the Premier League. A bye into the Europa League Round of 16 keeps that avenue open, and the FA Cup remains a possibility as well, but the most immediate and realistic path to silverware is the League Cup. Yes, the road is brutal, with a trip to Anfield before a final against Newcastle, but only 180 minutes separate Spurs from ending their long-standing trophy drought.

That makes Thursday the biggest match of the season so far. Tottenham impressed in the semifinal's first leg, grinding out a 1-0 win despite ceding possession, absorbing pressure, and deploying a makeshift backline. Now, the battle shifts to Liverpool, where the country's best team will be confident in its ability to overcome a one-goal deficit. Spurs enter as clear underdogs but must find a way to advance.

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Liverpool (0) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1)

Date: Thursday, February 6
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Since the first leg, Liverpool has gone 5-1-1, with the lone defeat coming in a meaningless Champions League contest with a rotated lineup. With a Premier League title in sight and a strong European campaign underway, one might assume this competition sits lower on the priority list. Unfortunately for Spurs, there are no significant matches on Liverpool's immediate horizon, meaning Arne Slot is likely to field a strong XI at Anfield.

Both teams were relatively cautious in North London, though for different reasons. Tottenham's approach was shaped by a defense missing three of its four preferred starters, alongside a newly introduced Antonin Kinsky. Ange Postecoglou now has the opportunity of choosing from options like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, though plenty of important names like Micky van de Ven remain injured.

For Liverpool, the decision to play pragmatically was likely strategic — returning home with just a one-goal deficit seemed an acceptable trade-off. Having made that decision, Slot's side will now bring intensity reminiscent of December's league fixture. Players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent from the first leg's starting lineup, but may be called upon Thursday with the objective more clear.

A few moments of greatness

Tottenham will not see much of the ball at Anfield. Liverpool will dominate possession, generate the bulk of the chances, and apply relentless pressure in Spurs' defensive third. That is a daunting prospect for cobbled-together squad; the number one priority is minimizing mistakes, especially with a lead to protect.

That said, Spurs must be willing to attack when opportunities arise and will not need much possession to be dangerous. Both Dominic Solanke's narrowly disallowed goal and Lucas Bergvall's successful strike in the first leg came via direct play over the top. Exploiting Liverpool's high press with quick, vertical attacks could be Tottenham's best path to maintaining the advantage.

If Spurs can capitalize on a pressing opponent and snatch an insurance goal, the tie will come down to their ability to weather the inevitable storm. Recent form does not inspire much confidence in their defensive resilience, but Tottenham has produced surprising performances against top teams this season. Postecoglou will need another one to keep his second-season trophy promise alive.

Liverpool fans will have seen the social media stories circling that both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, something Arne Slot was asked to comment on.

Speaking (via 90min.com), our head coach said: "We have some contractual situations that you don't probably don't know about.

"But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven't extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

"My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well.

"You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

"The players that don't play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else?

"So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do."

The Dutchman doesn't really like to provide a direct answer on these topics, as it's not something he's directly involved in and prefers to allow time to pass.

However, confirmation that contracts have not been signed is a clear indication of the current situation and does debunk Robbie Fowler's theory.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent have not yet signed a new contract Pictures via @MoSalah on X

John Barnes has stated that if he were in charge of the new deals, he would select our captain as the most important of the trio.

Many fans have their own opinions as to who they would or wouldn't allow to leave the club but it does feel that the overwhelming majority want all three to commit their future to staying on Merseyside.

You would assume the club can afford to do this but whether the financial model allows it is another question.

It's the same situation we've been in all campaign but we can take from this that no deals have yet been signed and it doesn't feel like we're close to them being done either.

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The post Arne Slot directly responds to rumours of Salah and Van Dijk’s new contracts being signed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool at risk of losing all three of their stars for nothing

Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

The Reds lost the away first leg 1-0 controversially courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late goal but he really should’ve been sent off earlier.

Newcastle United have reached the final by beating Arsenal in the other semi-final so the winner of this tie will take on the Magpies at Wembley on 16th March.

As per team news, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota have returned to full fitness after recovering from their injury problems but Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained an issue since featuring against the Cherries. So, he has been ruled out.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been playing in the cup competitions but Alisson Becker started in the previous leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Brazilian may continue in goal for the hosts tonight.

Jarell Quansah has started all the Carabao Cup matches thus far this season but considering the importance of the fixture tonight, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be called upon to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the CB position.

Conor Bradley would replace injured Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas might get the nod to start in the left-back position ahead of Andy Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to continue in the engine room with Dominik Szoboszlai in the CAM role. Therefore, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones could be among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo has also played all the League Cup games and should continue in his preferred left-wing position, while Mohamed Salah would be on the opposite side.

Luis Diaz may start again in the CF role, therefore, Darwin Nunez and Jota could feature off the bench if needed. Here is how Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham:

The post 4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup appeared first on Paisley Gates.

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