Jamie Carragher had to show some of the quick thinking that helped make him a Liverpool legend after being denied entry into a nightclub while away on vacation.

The former defender has been enjoying some time away from his Sky Sports and CBS punditry duties during the off-season, and is no doubt still basking in the glory of the Reds’ Premier League title triumph - even if he did miss the initial party.

Carragher has certainly been making up for it since though, having shared pictures on his Instagram in recent days from his holiday in Ibiza alongside his wife of 20 years Nicola.

Not everything seemed to be going to plan for the 47-year-old though, with his attempts to take in the Ibiza nightlife backfiring.

A video shared on social media seemingly captured Carragher being turned away by a bouncer as he tried to get in a nightclub, with the former Reds star being turned away due to not having the appropriate footwear.

Despite his protestations, Carragher wasn’t about to get his way while still wearing his flip-flops. Luckily, he had a plan up his sleeve.

Another video shared by the same user showed Carragher in the club, seemingly after making an impromptu late-night shopping trip to buy some new sneakers.

It appears he couldn’t find any in his size, with the former England international showing off that he couldn’t fit his feet in them, although it obviously proved to be enough to get him past security.

“Hey, I got in!” Carragher can be heard saying during the video.

“What do I always say on Sky? Find a way to win. We find a way to win.”

It won’t be long until Carragher is back on our screens, with Liverpool set to kick off the 2025/26 Premier League season when it begins its title defense against Bournemouth on August 15.

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Ahead of the start of the new campaign, Carragher has already tipped Manchester City and Arsenal to provide the Reds with their main competition for the title again, although he has also suggested another side could offer a challenge.

"I think it will be them two (City and Arsenal) who come back to challenge Liverpool," Carragher said in May. "City will go again in the market and Arsenal will do the same.

"But from that chasing pack, Newcastle could spring a surprise. If they keep their best players and just add one or two squad players, they are a top team.

"We saw that against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and they can take any of those teams. They've got great support at home as well and in certain positions – especially centre forward and central midfield. They have players who are as good as anybody in the Premier League."

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Chelsea star Pedro Neto has penned a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, and has vowed he will try to win the Club World Cup for his former teammate on the eve of the final.

Tributes continue to flood in for Jota and his brother Andre Silva after they died in a car accident in Spain. Liverpool’s players accompanied Jota’s wife Rute and his family as they laid flowers at Anfield on Friday, having also been present at the funeral in Portugal last weekend.

The Reds are set to play their first game since the brothers’ deaths tomorrow, with more tributes planned ahead of kick-off against Preston.

Chelsea will also be in action on Sunday as it faces Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup, with Jota set to be in Neto’s memory as he aims to help the Blues to become world champions.

The pair were of course teammates at Wolves and with Portugal, with Neto paying tribute to Jota and his brother before Chelsea’s quarter-final against Palmeiras.

Ahead of the final, Neto has written a touching tribute to Jota as he looked back over his memories with Liverpool’s No.20.

“When I step onto the pitch on Sunday, know that I want to win this competition for Diogo Jota,” Neto wrote on Chelsea’s club website.

Pedro Neto paid tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva before Chelsea's quarter-final at the Club World Cup

“He will always be with me. He will always be remembered. My thoughts are still with him, his brother Andre Silva, and their families. It’s such a difficult moment.

“Diogo immediately stood out to me when I came to England. I was very young and arriving in a new country, and he was one of the key players at Wolves. But he helped me and my family a lot, and I learned so much from him about life and football.

“Diogo was part of our group of Portuguese players – there were quite a lot of us! Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Vinagre, Rui Patricio, myself, and Diogo. We were so close and spent a lot of time together off the pitch.

“We are still in contact now and these guys, and the memories I have, will stay with me for the rest of my life. It’s why it’s so tough to now be without Diogo.”

Pedro Neto was a teammate of Diogo Jota's for Wolves and Portugal

Neto added: “He was a warrior, a guy who would always be ready to fight for you. Yet he had this big smile and his laugh…it is one of the things that I will always remember.

“When I heard the news, I spoke with the coach and everyone was very supportive. We had the game against Palmeiras and it didn’t make sense for me not to play.

“With the personality Diogo had – something else that will always stay with me – I think he would’ve wanted us to play.

“I have this feeling that Diogo is still protecting everyone who was close to him. It’s why I want to be a warrior for him. Sunday is no different.

Liverpool's players and staff accompanied Diogo Jota's wife Rute and his family to Anfield on Friday (Image: Getty Images)

“It will be my second final with Chelsea, and we can be crowned world champions. That is the focus. I want to win. I want to win it for Diogo.”

Ahead of its first game since Jota’s death, Liverpool has confirmed it will be retiring his number 20 jersey across all levels of the club, having consulted with his wife and family.

"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal — and therefore never to be forgotten,” FSG CEO of Football Michael Edwards said. “Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore — with honour, distinction and affection — the number 20.

"As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20."

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Liverpool fans will no doubt be fed up of hearing about Real Madrid’s interest in their players - so rumors involving Alexis Mac Allister re-emerging certainly won’t be welcome.

Already this summer, the Reds have seen Trent Alexander-Arnold make the move to the Bernabeu after running down his contract at Anfield, and there’s every chance they could be in the exact same position next year. Ibrahima Konate is being linked with a move to Madrid, with fears growing as talks over a new contract on Merseyside don’t appear to be going to plan.

It is of course a by-product of Liverpool’s success that the world’s biggest club comes after its players, although the manner in which Real goes about its business is more than a little infuriating for supporters, and hearing of another player being targeted will add to the frustration.

Mac Allister though once again finds himself the subject of speculation surrounding a move to Madrid. Having said that, the reports from Spain don’t come from the most reliable of sources, so there shouldn’t be too much to worry about from a Liverpool perspective right now.

What might be a little concerning though is the frequency with which the Argentine is linked with a move to the Bernabeu. This isn’t the first time over the last 12 months, and no doubt it won’t be the last going forward.

Unsurprisingly then, the subject has already been put to Mac Allister, who has done his best to bat the speculation away.

Alexis Mac Allister has batted away previous rumors of a move to Real Madrid (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"I read the rumors and the news reaches me, but the important thing is the present," he told TyC Sports back in April. "No matter how much the club loves me, if I play poorly this weekend, they’ll lose interest.

"I’m fine at Liverpool and I don’t have any need," Mac Allister continued. "I have a lot of respect for the club, and I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about other clubs."

It’s not just the 26-year-old that has been asked about a move to the Spanish capital, with his father also broaching the subject earlier this year.

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"For now, I don't think so. Time will tell," he said. "Alexis is very happy where he is. He lives in Manchester, and on the block where he lives is (Andy) Robertson, (Joe) Gomez, and four blocks away is Licha Martinez (Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United).

"Alexis speaks English well, understands the rules of the game, and converses with people. I think it's been the best thing he's had, and that's why the adaptation was easier."

In any case, Liverpool fans should be able to rest easy this summer, with Spanish outlet Cope claiming Los Blancos won’t make a move for the time being, with the club not willing to pay what would be a hefty price tag.

No doubt those rumors will continue to follow Mac Allister for some time though. The good news is, he is under contract for another three years.

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After impressing for Stoke City last season, young Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas is drawing interest from around the Championship once again ahead of another potential loan spell.

The Welshman, 19, who has already played for his country's senior national team, scored six times in 49 appearances last term. But with so much competitive for a spot under Arne Slot, another loan for Koumas would make sense.

Sheffield United and Norwich City have both been credited with an interest in the son of former Premier League star Jason Koumas. But Hull City, according to Hull Live, could be another option for him.

In recent times, Hull City has had the likes of Jadon Philogene and Liam Delap on its books. In the second half of last season, it also had Aston Villa talent Louie Barry on loan.

Finishing just above the relegation zone last season, however, at first glance, it would not really be a step up for Koumas. Stoke finished the 2024/25 campaign two points ahead.

Koumas scored 15 goals and assisted another six times in all competitions for Liverpool the season before last, including making his senior debut for the Reds in the FA Cup against Southampton.

Lewis Koumas during Liverpool's pre-season in 2024. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He was in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley against Chelsea and made the bench for three Europa League fixtures. But the competition for minutes under Arne Slot has only further increased since then.

"A wonderful goal," an awestruck Jurgen Klopp said of Koumas after his exploits against Southampton at Anfield.

"A boy playing on the left wing against a senior player in a team with not a lot of patterns, let me say it like that, is tricky.

"Staying in the game for these moments just shows he is a real striker because the goal is exceptional, the step in and then he shoots before the goalie can settle. A really good finish."

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Liverpool forwards Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon were also out on loan in the Championship last season. Jayden Danns went to Sunderland but didn't play because of an injury.

Doak and Gordon could both move on permanently this summer. Tyler Morton, who also spent time at Hull City, could also move on after impressing at the U21 European Championship with England.

Liverpool.com says: Another season on loan in the second tier would be a good move for Koumas. Ideally, it would be a team not fighting for survival to give him a better chance of impressing in the final third.

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Liverpool returns for its first pre-season friendly of the summer this weekend when it takes on Preston North End tomorrow. And Arne Slot could use plenty of different players.

The Reds boss only brought his side back together earlier this week, and it is set to be an emotional occasion given that this will be the first time Liverpool takes to the field since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Plans are in place to commemorate the number 20, whose jersey has been retired, before kick-off.

In terms of the game itself, there could be a number of new faces involved. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Milos Kerkez have all linked up with their teammates, as has young goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.

They could all play a part in the game, offering fans a first glimpse of what they can do. And it will be a little wait until Liverpool supporters can see them again, given that the next friendly isn't until the end of the month in Hong Kong.

Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker could share minutes in goal. And there are plenty of options across the rest of the Liverpool defense for Slot to choose from.

At right-back, Frimpong and Conor Bradley should get a chance. In the center, with Jarell Quansah having been sold, there is only Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez remaining, but there are also three options at left-back: Kerkez, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. Young center-back Amara Nallo could come into the reckoning to plug the gap.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

In midfield, there has been no sales just yet. That means that Harvey Elliott could be involved, alongside the likes of Tyler Morton and James McConnell. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones should all be available, in addition to Wataru Endo and young talent Trey Nyoni.

Stefan Bajcetic was injured at the end of the season and underwent surgery. Though it isn't known exactly where he is up to with his recovery, the Spaniard might not feature much this summer, which is a blow to his hopes of re-establishing himself.

In attack, Wirtz will be joined by Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa. Each of them could play a part, with Rio Ngumoha also hoping to get some minutes.

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It won't just be new faces on the pitch for Liverpool. Slot has a new assistant coach in Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has arrived to replace John Heitinga after his move to Ajax.

Van Bronckhorst knows what it takes to become a top player at an elite club. He made over 100 league appearances for Barcelona, while playing over 40 Premier League games for Arsenal from 2001 to 2004.

Now 50, he earned 106 caps for the Netherlands between 1996 and 2010. He also played for Feyenoord and was also its head coach from 2015 to 2019.

After taking on Preston, Liverpool doesn't play again until it faces AC Milan in a fortnight. It will also take on Yokohama Marinos and Athletic Club in pre-season before facing Crystal Palace at Wembley in the Community Shield.

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Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has criticized the club for not securing Trent Alexander-Arnold to a new contract and allowing him to join Real Madrid.

The homegrown talent concluded his 21-year spell with the Reds this summer and moved to Spain following unsuccessful negotiations over a fresh deal. Real's interest in the 26-year-old first emerged in 2024 as they sought a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal.

It was officially announced in May that the two-time Premier League winner would leave Anfield. Los Blancos expedited his transfer for approximately $11 million the following month so he could play in the Club World Cup.

Despite his Liverpool roots, Alexander-Arnold faced widespread backlash from certain fans over his decision. One video of a supporter incinerating his No. 66 shirt went viral, while the player faced jeers from some of his own fans during an encounter with Arsenal in May.

But Johnson, who donned the Liverpool jersey 200 times between 2009 and 2015, has placed the blame squarely on the club for letting their star slip through their fingers. And he believes the Reds' mishandling of the situation has now marred Alexander-Arnold's standing with quite a few fans.

"It's hard to say," Johnson told the Mirror (via 888sport) when asked whether he would have made the same move in Alexander-Arnold's position. "But look, if Madrid come for players, everyone's ears prick up. And Trent's won everything at Liverpool. He's been there many years.

"I think Liverpool should never have allowed him to have that option. You know, he should have signed a deal two years before. And then we don't have this conversation. So, you can't blame the player when he hasn't got a contract. What can he do?

Johnson made 200 appearances for Liverpool during his six-year spell on Merseyside (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"He hasn't got a contract, and he's four months away from signing for Real Madrid for free. Every player's going to think, 'Well, look, you should have given me a contract years ago and looked after me. And you haven't.' So, this is what happens."

Liverpool also flirted with the risk of losing both cornerstone figures Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk this summer. However, the Merseyside outfit announced towards the end of last season that both players had signed contract extensions.

Reports suggested Liverpool made numerous offers to persuade Alexander-Arnold to extend his stay. And it's understood the best of those would have seen the player rank among the top-paid full-backs in the sport.

Alexander-Arnold is now being managed by Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso at Real (Image: Getty Images)

However, it seems Real had already stepped up their bid to sign the England mainstay at that point, and by then his head was turned. The lure of playing alongside good mate and fellow Englishman Jude Bellingham in Madrid may have also played a role.

Liverpool's infrastructure, recruitment strategy and knack for maintaining squad harmony have been the envy of many clubs over the past decade. Fenway Sports Group has consistently benefited from smart appointments of managers, board members and backroom staff, transforming the club back into regular title contenders as a result.

However, the situation with Alexander-Arnold and how external influences were allowed to interfere could be seen as one of its least successful cases. And Johnson believes that recognising the player's value earlier could have prevented one of the most dramatic transfer sagas in recent years.

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