Liverpool hero Mohammed Salah is set to leave the club following a wildly successful spell at Anfield

England assistant coach Anthony Barry is the Liverpool-born tactician hoping to be Thomas Tuchel's secret weapon at the World Cup

Liverpool hero Mohammed Salah is set to leave the club following a wildly successful spell at Anfield

The ECHO opens the floor to the readers in an Andoni Iraola special edition of the weekly Reds' Letter Day feature

The ECHO opens the floor to the readers in an Andoni Iraola special edition of the weekly Reds' Letter Day feature

Harvey Elliott has been given a major hint over his future by new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola

Arne Slot brought Rio Ngumoha into the Liverpool team and discussed the winger during his time in charge

Harvey Elliott has been given a major hint over his future by new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola

Arne Slot brought Rio Ngumoha into the Liverpool team and discussed the winger during his time in charge

As part of the ECHO's end-of-season player profiling, Paul Gorst assesses the lay of the land for Curtis Jones ahead of the Andoni Iraola era getting underway at Anfield

As part of the ECHO's end-of-season player profiling, Paul Gorst assesses the lay of the land for Curtis Jones ahead of the Andoni Iraola era getting underway at Anfield

Former Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has shared an emotional letter from Diogo Jota's late wife, Rute Cardoso, ahead of this summer's World Cup

Former Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has shared an emotional letter from Diogo Jota's late wife, Rute Cardoso, ahead of this summer's World Cup

Diogo Jota’s widow has urged Scotland captain Andy Robertson to live the World Cup dream of his former Liverpool teammate.

Robertson spoke of Jota immediately after leading Scotland to qualification for the first time since 1998, revealing how his late friend had been on his mind throughout the build-up to the victory over Denmark which clinched their place at the tournament.

The pair had spoken of their dream of making the finals as they trained together during the 2022 tournament after Jota missed out on the Portugal squad through injury.

While his Scotland teammates celebrated, an emotional Robertson spoke of his grief that Jota would not be able to join him, four months after the 28-year-old died in a road accident that also killed his brother, Andre Silva.

Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, has written a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson ahead of the World Cup.

She thanks Robertson for his friendship, and for preserving Diogo's memory. Robertson adds he'll have Jota at the forefront of his mind.? pic.twitter.com/h5KsfPyCCx

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 8, 2026

In a letter to Robertson published by FIFA, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said: “I am writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and, above all, pride.

“Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football… and about dreams.

“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.

“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.

“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone. You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out, Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.

“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.

“That’s how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”

Robertson was filmed by FIFA reading out the letter and thanking his friend’s wife for her words.

The 32-year-old, who is moving to Tottenham this summer, said: “It’s obviously amazing of Rute to even take the time, for what she’s going through, to write me a letter, but it just sums up the person that she is.

Thankfully, I got to know her and the amazing times that they had.

“That letter will stay with me for a very long time.”

The 32-year-old added: “I’ll carry him in my heart and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that.

“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.

“And that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind.

“I’m not only just playing for me, I’m playing for both of us.”

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Liverpool is continuing its hunt for a replacement for Mohamed Salah, and Francisco Trincao is said to be near the top of the Reds' shortlist of transfer targets

19:23, 08 Jun 2026

Liverpool continues to be linked with Francisco Trincao(Image: 2026 Carlos Rodrigues)

Liverpool reportedly remains interested in signing Francisco Trincao, despite the managerial change that recently took place at Anfield.

The Reds were linked with Trincao while Arne Slot was still the Reds' head coach, and it is claimed by reports in Portugal that the arrival of Andoni Iraola has done nothing to dim Liverpool's interest in the youngster.

Correio da Manha reports that Trincao is near the top of Liverpool's shortlist to replace Mohamed Salah, who left Liverpool at the end of last season after a glittering nine-year career at Anfield. Trincao made 54 appearances for Sporting CP last season, registering 13 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.

Salah's dependable fitness record was one of the Egyptian's many excellent traits throughout his time at Liverpool, and that is a trait that Trincao also seems to possess, having racked up more than 4,600 minutes of action this season.

Another player that Liverpool is being linked with to replace Salah is RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande.

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are the clubs that are being most heavily linked with a move for Diomande, but if neither club can reach an agreement to sign him in the coming days, they may have to wait until after the World Cup to resume their battle for the RB Leipzig winger, as Diomande reportedly wants his future resolved before the competition starts on Thursday.

Diomande seemingly dealt a blow to the Reds' chances of signing him last week, after declaring that he has "loved" Paris Saint-Germain since he was a child and added that it would be a "pleasure" for him to join the club.

Yan Diomande is being linked with a move to Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain

Diomande said: "Paris Saint-Germain is a team I’ve loved since I was a child. My father supports Paris Saint-Germain, and it’s a team I admire as a football fan.

"It would be a pleasure for me to come and play at Paris with one of the biggest clubs... It’s always pleasure to come here also because with French being spoken, I think adapting wouldn’t be difficult. But why not?

“I remain focused on the World Cup. After that, the clubs will sort things out between themselves and then we’ll see what happens next.”

However, despite those comments, it has since been suggested that Liverpool is leading the race to sign him. Interestingly, Diomande previously said that his father was a Liverpool fan.

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"I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool," Diomande said earlier this year. "I’m a big fan of Liverpool. I’m a big fan of Liverpool because my father’s dream is to see me play at Anfield. So that’s my dream.

"You know, to fulfil my father’s dream is a dream for me too.”

Diomande later slightly rowed back on those comments about his steadfast desire to play for Liverpool, although he did maintain that it was his dad's dream for him to play at Anfield.

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Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson were close friends and the late Liverpool and Portugal star's wife Rute Cardoso has written a touching letter to the Scotland captain ahead of the World Cup

19:16, 08 Jun 2026Updated 19:22, 08 Jun 2026

Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota(Image: Liverpool FC)

Andy Robertson has declared that Diogo Jota's spirit will remain with him throughout Scotland's World Cup campaign.

The former Liverpool and Portugal forward tragically lost his life in a car accident last July, leaving Robertson utterly devastated. Jota was far more than a former Anfield team-mate — he was also one of Robertson's closest friends away from the field.

The 28-year-old's passing sent shockwaves through the football world, and the Scotland captain is still coming to terms with the loss. He was visibly emotional on the Hampden turf when Steve Clarke's side sealed their World Cup qualification in November against Denmark, reports the Daily Record.

Both men had shared the dream of featuring at this summer's tournament on American soil. Robertson will now lead the Scots into their first World Cup in 28 years when they face Haiti in their opening fixture this weekend.

As part of FIFA's "Letters That Unite" series, he received a heartfelt note from Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso.

In the letter, she addresses Robertson directly, writing: "Andy, I'm writing to you with a heart full of longing gratitude and above all pride.

"Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams.

"The FIFA World Cup was one of those dreams. When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.

"By achieving that moment, you won't be going alone; you'll be taking his dream with you too.

"When you step onto the pitch, I know it won't be just you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.

"So, today I want to thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.

"He would be and is incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.

"With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute."

Robertson was deeply moved by the words from Jota's partner, someone he'd grown close to over the years. He'd been a guest at the couple's wedding merely 11 days before Jota's passing.

Jota's wife wrote the letter to Robertson before the FIFA World Cup(Image: Getty Images)

Responding to Rute's letter, the Scotland captain - who recently departed Liverpool for Spurs ahead of the World Cup - commented: "It's amazing of Rute to take the time, for what she's going through, to write me a letter.

"But it just sums up the person that she is. Thankfully, I got to know her and the amazing times they had.

"I'd been to their wedding, celebrated trophies with her and Jots. Then I saw how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her, when Jots left us.

"Thank you, that letter will stay with me for a very long time. "And we've got to carry him with us. We will always make sure that his name will never be forgotten, that his memories will always be cherished.

"The last World Cup was when me and Jots really became close. He missed out because of injury. Obviously, Scotland never qualified.

"We spoke so much about what it would mean to us both to be at the next World Cup. That was the aim for both of us, to get to America.

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"I'm just gutted that it was taken away from him. But obviously I'll carry him in my heart and I know he'll be with me come the first game, the second game, the third game - and hopefully beyond that.

"He's always there. I know he'll be right at the front of my mind. I'm not only just playing for me, I'm playing for both of us."

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Эмилиано Мартинес – основной вариант «Юве» на позицию голкипера.

«Ювентус» рассматривает Эмилиано Мартинеса в качестве приоритетной цели на позицию вратаря вместо Алиссона, пишет инсайдер Фабрицио Романо.

Ранее «Ливерпуль» уведомил Алиссона, подписание которого рассматривали туринцы, что рассчитывает на него в следующем сезоне.

Теперь же начались переговоры о стоимости Мартинеса и деталях контракта аргентинца. «Ювентус» заинтересован в рассмотрении возможности трансфера игрока «Астон Виллы», несмотря на его высокую зарплату.  

Альтернативным вариантом по-прежнему остается вратарь «Тоттенхэма» Гульельмо Викарио.

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The luxury Formby house was on the market for $5.67 million when it first went up for sale in October 2024 — and has now finally been sold, nearly two years after Klopp quit Liverpool.

Dan Warburton

18:53, 08 Jun 2026

Klopp's old house in Liverpool was put on the market after he left Liverpool but has only recently sold(Image: Rightmove)

Jürgen Klopp's former residence has finally found a buyer — nearly two years after he departed Liverpool.

The lavish property on Formby's exclusive Victoria Road — known as Merseyside's Millionaire's Row — was listed at $5.67 million when it first came to market in October 2024. The identity of the new owners of the prestigious detached home remains undisclosed.

The sale comes just days after the appointment of new Reds manager Andoni Iraola, 43. The grand residence boasts an impressive swimming pool and gym complex, six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and four reception rooms.

Set within gated, immaculately kept gardens, the property also features a grand entrance hall, an open-plan kitchen, dining, and family areas. On the upper floor, the master suite comprises two dressing rooms, an en-suite bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the garden.

Further highlights include a cinema room and a luxury spa. When the property first came to market, estate agent Berkeley Shaw described it as a "beautiful home tucked away in the prestigious area of Freshfield, set on a private plot with impressive gardens and secure gated access", reports the Mirror.

At the time of the original listing, estate agent William Goulden remarked: "This is an exceptional home in a beautiful part of the country. Many will be aware of the property's recent history." Property portal Rightmove noted that the house was among its most viewed listings of 2024.

The main house has an indoor pool wing that is like a spa and leisure suite at a fancy hotel.(Image: Berkeley Shaw)

Klopp, 58, relocated to the prestigious property on millionaire's row in 2015 alongside his wife Ulla Sandrock and their children. The pair quickly integrated into the Formby community, frequently being seen at The Freshfield pub enjoying dinner or taking their dog for walks in nearby parks and along the beach.

Klopp was also observed attending a one day fixture at Formby Cricket Club. The family were known to favour takeaways from the local chippy The Good Catch, or dining at restaurants Suay and Sorrento.

Former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, 46, purchased the Formby residence in 2005 following its construction by a local developer. Upon Gerrard's departure to American side LA Galaxy in 2015, he sold the property to incoming Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, 53.

The house has six bedrooms and the principal suite boasts two separate dressing rooms plus a luxury ensuite(Image: Berkeley Shaw)

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Rodgers was dismissed that October but retained ownership of the property and leased it to Klopp. In 2019, Liverpool acquired it as an investment and reportedly permitted Klopp to remain without paying rent. His replacement Arne Slot, 47, and wife Mirjam were given a tour of the seven-bedroom property when he took the position but declined to move in.

The property is understood to have been sold this month, with the sold sign appearing today. Klopp exchanged life on the Sefton coast for Majorca at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign.

Formby has traditionally been a sought-after location for footballers and managers from the Merseyside clubs. Former Blue Duncan Ferguson continues to reside in the area and current Everton defender Jarrod Branthwaite is a recognisable figure in the village.

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Andoni Iraola was the hottest free agent on the manager market and for good reason, with a series of non-negotiables underpinning his philosophy.

The Basque led Bournemouth to sixth place with conviction in his philosophy, smart tactics and optimisation of the players at his disposal.

Now he’s at Liverpool with bigger resources but also bigger pressure to succeed. What will he bring to Anfield?

How did Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth press?

“

“Only once did we come away from the pressing game he demands and that was in a heavy defeat to Manchester City. Afterwards, he told me that he’d never do that again and that I should never let him do that again.”

Tommy Elphick
Iraola’s assistant speaks of the coach’s trust in his philosophy.

At first glance, the raw data does not suggest that Iraola will bring a markedly more front-footed approach than his predecessor, Arne Slot, but the crucial difference is in the detail.

Bournemouth’s marginally higher possession won in the final third was not only third-highest in the league, but more importantly, they led to the third-most shots taken as a result of a turnover.

Liverpool’s high regains usually came when trying to unlock a low block.

They picked up regains from smothering opponents’ attempts to counter, but they’d still have that settled defence in front of them once the ball was recovered.

Bournemouth’s regains come from pressing high against the opponent’s buildup. This means Iraola’s teams win the ball in situations with fewer defenders to beat and therefore a greater opportunity to shoot for goal.

The key to this is an approach Iraola helped pioneer back in his Rayo Vallecano days of ‘hybrid pressing’.

Essentially, this sees a team start by defending zonally, only to spring a trap and ‘lock on’ to a man-to-man press across the pitch, once triggered.

Here is an example: it’s 1-1 at St James’ Park and Newcastle are building from the back.

Bournemouth are pressing zonally in a 4-4-2 diamond shape, with one midfielder supporting the press and the other protecting the centre of the pitch.

By marking zones, Ryan Christie (at the top of the diamond) is outnumbered two-to-one, but when Bruno Guimaraes drops into the space to receive the ball, Christie presses him aggressively.

Recognising the trigger, Tyler Adams pushes up, the centre-back steps up to take his place and within two seconds Bournemouth are locked on man-to-man.

They steal the ball and score, going on to win 4-1. From zonal to man-to-man, from defence to attack, quickly, confidently and effectively.

On certain occasions, such as the 2-0 win over Aston Villa last November, Liverpool used this hybrid approach. For Slot, it was a tool for solving specific problems, one he was increasingly reluctant to use as his tenure progressed.

For Iraola, it’s non-negotiable: his teams press man-to-man. This is true if he has an injury crisis, if his opponent has better players, if they sit in a low block, his teams press man-to-man, no matter what.

Bournemouth’s buildup with the ball

“

“Today, modern football is the way that Bournemouth play. It’s not positional, you have to ride the rhythm. It is unbelievable.”

Pep Guardiola
Guardiola talks about how Iraola’s Bournemouth were the definition of a modern side.

Iraola’s approach in possession is not rated as highly as his innovative out-of-possession tactics, yet the evolution of his Bournemouth side to European qualification suggests he has greater dimensions.

Similar to Arne Slot, Iraola looks to attack through the wide areas, either by playing quickly through the thirds or going long.

However, where his predecessor wanted to create one-vs-ones, Iraola looks to overload these areas with what he calls ‘double threat’.

Both a winger and a support player – usually a full back but it can also be a midfielder – will combine out wide, creating a tension for opposition full backs and dragging opponents away from the centre.

This relies on constant unselfish movement, passing and running with purpose and intent.

Here’s Bournemouth in the first half of the first game of the season. Building up down the wing, Antoine Semenyo backs into his marker, with the midfielder already making a run in behind.

Slot would have his attacker find that midfielder in a one-vs-one against the full-back, but instead Antoine Semenyo uses the space to drive inside and switch to the opposite wing, stretching Liverpool’s defence and creating space in the centre.

As the ball is played wide, the full-back is already bombing up the pitch on the overlap to provide another double threat.

Here the cross is rushed and the attack fails. Yet despite it being the opening game of the season and full-back Adrien Truffert’s debut, Bournemouth already have their pattern instilled and attack with purpose.

Does it work against low blocks?

“

“We have to play against deep formations and quick thinking is much more important than quick running.”

One concern for how Iraola’s football will scale up at Anfield is that his team will have more of the ball than Bournemouth.

How will he coach against opponents who will allow his team to dominate possession and give fewer opportunities to press?

Across three seasons on the south coast, Bournemouth’s average possession rose year on year, as did their final league position.

They won only one of 13 games in which they dominated possession (55+ percent) yet they ranked sixth in the league for xG created against low blocks.

Iraola arguably does not have a problem creating chances against a more defensive opponent: it’s more likely that Bournemouth have a finishing problem.

Against the low block of Burnley in December, Bournemouth toiled until the 66th minute.

With so many Burnley shirts defending deep, defender Bafode Diakhite steps forward to make something happen: a simple double movement sees the right winger drop in, dragging a defender on his back while the right full back dashes into the space created.

But instead of allowing play to be funnelled wide, Diakhite plays short into the busy central region. This collapses Burnley’s block inwards to attempt to win the ball back.

Quick one-touch passes feed the ball across the line, but the initial action is poor and Burnley look to break.

Bournemouth immediately counter-press because Iraola’s teams don’t take a backwards step, so they force a poor clearance straight to Semenyo.

He hits it first time and finds the far corner. Had Bournemouth not conceded a late set piece, that would have been the winning goal.

While Slot relied on what he called ‘individual special moments’ to solve low blocks, Iraola attacks them with a combination of smart movement, wide threat and counter pressing.

How does it map onto Liverpool’s squad?

“

“At the beginning when you arrive at any club, I think you need to kind of prove a little bit yourself. You need to earn the right also to belong.”

Andoni Iraola
Iraola was speaking in his first interview as Liverpool head coach.

Much has been said about the stars leaving Liverpool this summer and the individuals who may arrive, but under Iraola, Bournemouth have been able to maintain their progression in recent years despite selling their best individuals because of the efficacy of the system.

Clearly, it’s useful to have Milos Kerkez reunited with the man who developed him on the south coast, and the narrow left-wing role dovetailing with him seems well suited to Florian Wirtz.

A game plan of overloading the wide areas and then finding central attackers in space also seems reminiscent of the Newcastle setup that worked best for Alexander Isak.

But for all the talk of individuals, once the system is embedded at Iraola’s club, it quickly becomes the star.

The new man has spoken about “earning the right to belong” at Anfield. If he can instil the conviction with which he attacks the game in all phases of play, he will quickly do just that.

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A senior reporter has described a potential transfer for Alex Scott to Liverpool as “one to watch,” and Divock Origi has announced his retirement.

Alex Scott transfer noise “seems to be growing”

Scott is not in the official squad, but the Bournemouth midfielder is currently training alongside Rio Ngumoha and the England team, helping Thomas Tuchel’s side prepare for the World Cup.

This hasn’t stopped him being linked with a move away from the Cherries, and talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has now admitted that he could be “one to watch.”

The journalist said: “That noise seems to be growing and you can understand why, because I think it was problem last season for Liverpool, that midfield.

“Gravenberch and Mac Allister certainly weren’t on the same level, and Alex Scott is a player that Iraola knows well. I know Bournemouth are keen to tie him down to a new contract, but [it’s] certainly one to watch.”

As Crook mentions, his club are attempting to agree a new deal with the highly-rated 22-year-old.

Scott has already made himself a liked figure among Liverpool fans when he spoke to reporters about Andoni Iraola‘s move to Liverpool:

“I think the way we press out of possession is very aggressive, maybe similar to the early Klopp teams Liverpool had, that fierce aggressiveness and pressing with the wingers. I would say he is similar to that.”

Exclusive Offer ‘Go to Liverpool’ Personalized Children’s Book Purchase the brilliant ‘Go to Liverpool’ book in time for Father’s Day and get a free World Cup wall chart. LFC News: Origi retires, Leoni returns & viral Iraola song

• Origi has announced his retirement from football aged just 31, having not played a match for over two years – thank you for the memories, Divock

• Giovanni Leoni has shared an Instagram post indicating he has already returned to the AXA Training Centre to aid his recovery as he hopes to be fit for pre-season – that’s what we like to see!

• Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo report that Darwin Nunez “would like to return to Liverpool,” but Chelsea and Barcelona are also interested – would you want to see him given another go?

• Liverpool fans mightn’t be quite ready yet to sing Iraola’s name, but we have a great song ready for when momentum begins to pick up! – have a listen to the viral tune here!

More from This Is Anfield

It is amazing the difference a week can make. James Coleman explains how Iraola, without having overseen a minute of training, has managed to inject some optimism into the Liverpool fanbase:

“There will be bumps along the way. There will be moments when we question things. There will be games when Liverpool get it wrong.

“But there will also be days when Anfield is bouncing and Liverpool simply overwhelm teams.

“Will we be lining the streets for another parade next June? I don’t know, but I’m confident we’re going to have a good time trying.”

Football News: Perez elected, Bellingham’s place & Eriksen doing well

• Jose Mourinho is set to be confirmed as Real Madrid‘s new manager, due to Florentino Perez being re-elected as the club’s president until 2030

• Christian Eriksen is doing well and expected to be discharged from hospital soon, after collapsing during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine on Sunday evening

• Tuchel has said Jude Bellingham ‘has a fight on his hands’ to secure a starting spot for England at the World Cup

• Norway manager Stale Solbakken has called Scotland coach Steve Clarke “unprofessional” after the Scots cancelled a training ground friendly between the teams

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