Liverpool are in “pole position” to sign Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn – and could complete a deal this week due to the teenager’s release clause.

Eichhorn is set to leave German second-tier side Hertha this summer and Liverpool are among the clubs leading the race.

Sky Germany report that the Reds remain in “pole position” despite wider interest in the 16-year-old including from Man City and Bayern Munich.

Who is Liverpool target Kennet Eichhorn?

Full Name: Kennet EichhornAge: 16 (July 27, 2009)Height: 6’1″ (186cm)Birthplace: Bernau bei Berlin, Germany

Club: Hertha BerlinPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightRelease Clause: €9m (£7.8m)

Bayern have however now ruled themselves out of contention, with Bundesliga sides Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund and RB Leipzig considered Liverpool’s competitors at this stage.

A deal is likely to be arranged within the next seven days as Eichhorn’s release clause expires on June 15.

The clause means the deep-lying midfielder is available for around €9 million (£7.8m), though it has been claimed elsewhere that his camp are seeking a further €10 million (£8.6m) as a signing-on fee.

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Liverpool appear comfortable with the parameters of any deal and as it stands they seem most likely to convince Eichhorn to sign.

The Germany U17 international will, however, be unable to officially sign for Liverpool until he turns 18 next summer.

Instead, the expectation is that a deal will be brokered ahead of time with Eichhorn then sent on loan from Hertha to a side in the Bundesliga for the 2026/27 campaign.

Why Leverkusen could emerge for Kennet Eichhorn loan

It is therefore interesting that Sky Germany name Leverkusen as a possible destination in that regard despite their own interest in landing a permanent transfer.

Leverkusen, now managed by Carles Martinez Novell (pictured above), hold a strong relationship with Liverpool – and if the Reds are successful in signing Eichhorn, the German club could present him with an ideal temporary home.

That comes with U19s coach Konstantinos Kotsifakis, who worked closely with the midfielder at Hertha, making the move to Leverkusen’s staff this summer.

?? Leverkusen and Leipzig are not giving up on Kennet Eichhorn either. Both clubs have pushed hard again in recent hours and held concrete talks with the player’s camp.

Leverkusen are trying to sign him on a permanent deal. Acting as a loan destination for a Premier League… pic.twitter.com/DlWjhR1XmI

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 8, 2026

While Kotsifakis will hold a role in Leverkusen’s academy and Eichhorn would be considered a first-team player, the 29-year-old’s presence could be vital as he is described as the youngster’s “trusted confidant.”

If they decide to action a move, Liverpool’s pursuit is likely to develop rapidly over the coming days amid ongoing talks.

Eichhorn – who only turns 17 later this month but has already played 19 times for Hertha’s first team – could then look to gain valuable experience in the Bundesliga before arriving as part of Andoni Iraola‘s squad in a year’s time.

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Cody Gakpo scored two penalties as the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan in a World Cup warm-up match in New York on Monday

Cody Gakpo scored two penalties as the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan in a World Cup warm-up match in New York on Monday

John Barnes has urged those questioning Rio Ngumoha‘s absence from England’s World Cup squad to “leave him alone,” with key advice from the Liverpool legend.

Barnes is one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players, and certainly among the best of all time for his position on the left wing.

That makes him uniquely placed when it comes to his opinions on Ngumoha, the 17-year-old who is enjoying a rapid rise in his old position for club and, after debuting against New Zealand on Saturday night, country.

But amid criticism of Thomas Tuchel for leaving Ngumoha out of the squad for this summer’s World Cup, Barnes has called for patience.

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“Leave him alone, let him develop,” Barnes told talkSPORT.

“First of all, he’s not even playing for Liverpool, he’s a sub for Liverpool.

“So until he gets in Liverpool’s team consistently and plays well, don’t put the pressure on him.

“That’s why I’m glad he never played a lot last year in a Liverpool team that may not have been doing well.

“Because if they’re not doing well and he suffers because of confidence and not playing, it could affect him.

“Let him develop slowly, and I’m hoping for Arsenal to do the same with Max Dowman.

“Just let them develop and leave them alone.

“If you’re not playing for Arsenal and Liverpool regularly, why are you going to be playing for England?”

What are Liverpool’s plans for Rio Ngumoha?

Ngumoha is expected to play an increasingly prominent role for Liverpool next season after interest from Bayern Munich was dismissed out of hand.

The teenager should return for pre-season buoyed by his experience with England, despite not being eligible for a call-up to the World Cup squad even in the event of injury.

He was named Man of the Match for his second-half display against New Zealand, earning plaudits for his performance on the right wing.

Liverpool are likely to seek talks over a new contract for their No. 78 in the coming weeks to reward his progress, having only signed his first professional contract in September.

Ngumoha could only agree a three-year deal due to rules over scholars turning pro, but will be able to put pen to paper on significantly longer terms when he turns 18.

The club are looking to add at least one new winger to Andoni Iraola‘s squad this summer but there is no indication that this will impact plans for the former Chelsea youngster.

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Rio Ngumoha made quite the impression on his unexpected England debut against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup

Rio Ngumoha made quite the impression on his unexpected England debut against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup

Cody Gakpo scored both goals as the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan 2-1 before the World Cup, but Jeremie Frimpong still misses out despite a new right-back injury.

Gakpo was among those to misfire in the Netherlands’ final pre-tournament friendly on home soil last week, but Ronald Koeman kept the Liverpool winger in his starting XI.

Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch also started again as the Dutch took on Uzbekistan in New York, with a 2-1 victory sending them into the World Cup with new momentum.

Though far from the most convincing win, the Netherlands were in control throughout and took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Crysencio Summerville was brought down in the box.

Up stepped Gakpo to convert the penalty, but his side struggled to convert their chances otherwise, with Van Dijk, Summerville and most notably striker Donyell Malen failing to fire.

Guus Til was then sent off late on and Uzbekistan took advantage of their extra man, with Igor Sergeev equalising in stoppage time.

But there was still a chance for Gakpo to seal the win, doing so again from the spot after Jan Paul van Hecke was bundled over in a corner routine – Liverpool’s No. 18 dispatched his second penalty in the sixth minute added on.

Having been voted the second-worst player in the 1-0 loss to Algeria last week, the Dutch media this time praised Gakpo as the standout performer.

Dutch media: Gakpo given top rating vs. Uzbekistan

Algemeen Dagblad‘s Johan Inan rated Gakpo a 7.5 out of 10, writing: “[He] dispelled the concerns caused by his form at Liverpool and mediocre performance against Algeria.

“Now that his team-mates continue to struggle in front of goal, the hope for results for Oranje rests once again largely on the winger.”

Martijn Krabbendam of Voetbal International gave the winger a team-high 7 out of 10, while he also rated highest in terms of statistics with FotMob scoring him 9.2 out of 10.

Jeremie Frimpong still out of World Cup despite Jurrien Timber exit

The Netherlands were forced to contend with a late withdrawal from their squad for the World Cup after Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber failed to recover from injury.

But despite Frimpong’s availability and experience as right-back for the national team, Koeman saw fit to keep him out, instead calling up Lutsharel Geertruida.

Geertruida was already on standby for the tournament and will join the squad ahead of their Group F clashes with Japan (June 14), Sweden (June 20) and Tunisia (June 26).

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Manchester United flop Antony has made a bombshell Liverpool transfer claim

Manchester United flop Antony has made a bombshell Liverpool transfer claim

Former Liverpool forward Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football on Monday afternoon - even though he is just 31

Former Liverpool forward Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football on Monday afternoon - even though he is just 31

Mohamed Salah has yet to find another club after confirming his Liverpool exit and has three demands for teams to consider while he is at the World Cup with Egypt

Mohamed Salah has yet to find another club after confirming his Liverpool exit and has three demands for teams to consider while he is at the World Cup with Egypt

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Liverpool can “absolutely” win the Premier League title with Andoni Iraola at the helm, according to Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams.

Iraola was confirmed as the Reds’ head coach earlier this week, as an exciting new era gets underway at Anfield.

The Spaniard promises to bring an attractive brand of football back to Liverpool, hopefully similar to Jurgen Klopp, having helped so many players excel at Bournemouth.

One of those individuals is Adams, and speaking to media while on international duty with the USA, he tipped the Reds for great things under Iraola.

?? Tyler Adams says he's "super excited" to see Alex Scott train with the England camp.

He adds Liverpool can "absolutely" win the Premier League under Andoni Iraola.?? pic.twitter.com/UdquQ1Qv6M

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 6, 2026

“Can they? Liverpool? Absolutely,” Adams said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, fellow Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks backed up that opinion, making it clear how highly he rates Iraola.

“I feel like once he left Bournemouth after three really good seasons, we knew he was going to a top team,” Brooks commented.

“We didn’t know who it was going to be or where it was going to be. I wish him all the success there.

“He’s been good for me, my career and he’s given Bournemouth European football.

“There’s no animosity towards him or any or the staff that go with him. We wish him all the best, just not when we play him.”

Andoni Iraola: Liverpool’s next title-winning boss?

Iraola has already spoken so impressively since taking charge of Liverpool, and it’s hard not to feel an instant connection with him.

Patience is going to be needed, with miracles not to be expected from day one, but he has all the tools to make the Reds genuine challengers again.

He demands an exceptional work ethic from his players and adopts an attacking style of play, but there is also a Spanish steeliness to him that won’t allow standards to drop.

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Klopp took time to become the legend that he was, not winning a trophy for nearly four years at Liverpool, and Iraola may also need time to make his mark.

But there is no reason why Liverpool can’t be in the mix to win the title from Iraola’s first season onwards, even if champions Arsenal are more settled currently.

If things don’t work out perfectly to begin, though, it is vital that an overreaction is avoided by the supporters.

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Darwin Nunez "would like to return to Liverpool", according to Mundo Deportivo as a move for the Uruguayan gains traction among some supporters online.

Fans have been talking up the prospect of Nunez returning to Anfield, with the 26-year-old likely to leave Al-Hilal this summer amid claims his contract could be terminated.

There is no suggestion that Liverpool will be eyeing up a deal to bring Nunez back to Anfield, although the striker is said to be keen on the idea as the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea are claimed to be interested.

DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 18: Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal celebrates after scoring the his team's fifth goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ettifaq and Al Hilal at Ego Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)

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It's believed that Ibrahima Konate has signed a four-year contract at Real Madrid, where he is set to be reunited with former Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold

Kieran King Football Writer

08:24, 09 Jun 2026Updated 08:29, 09 Jun 2026

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a Liverpool reunion at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to be joined by former Liverpool teammate Ibrahima Konate at Real Madrid, after the French defender "signed his contract" at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Last Sunday, Liverpool released an official statement confirming that Konate would be departing upon the expiry of his contract this summer. The 27-year-old had spent five seasons at Anfield following his switch from RB Leipzig, racking up 183 appearances and collecting four major honors, among them the Premier League and the FA Cup.

Despite Konate hinting in mid-April that his future lay at Liverpool, he ultimately opted to depart and appears on the verge of completing a move to Madrid.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports that Konate has now penned a four-year deal at the Bernabeu, with an official club announcement expected imminently.

Jose Mourinho, appointed as Real's new head coach following Florentino Perez's reelection as club president on Sunday, "fully approved" the deal and was eager to secure Konate's signature ahead of the World Cup.

Konate's arrival in the Spanish capital means there will be a Liverpool reunion with Alexander-Arnold, who joined Madrid a year ago after running down his contract on Merseyside.

Ibrahima Konate looks set to join Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)

Alexander-Arnold's debut campaign at Madrid proved far from smooth, as injury setbacks and patchy form restricted him to just 14 La Liga matches during the 2025/26 season.

Federico Valverde frequently filled in for Alexander-Arnold during his absences, while Dani Carvajal was handed the right-back role for the final two fixtures of the campaign, ahead of his departure when his contract runs out.

While some anticipated that Carvajal's exit would hand Alexander-Arnold the undisputed right-back berth from next season onwards, Los Blancos are on the verge of securing Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries.

An agreement is believed to be in place for the 30-year-old Dutchman to depart Inter and join Real on terms lasting until 2030.

Mourinho has sanctioned the move to bring the Netherlands international to the Bernabeu.

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It's widely expected that Dumfries won't arrive at Real merely to sit on the bench and will compete directly with Alexander-Arnold for the starting spot, with Valverde also capable of playing there.

Liverpool, meanwhile, is hoping to introduce two new center-backs to the first-team squad this summer to replace Konate.

Jeremy Jacquet is arriving from France, while Giovanni Leoni, who arrived a year ago from Italy, is finally expected to be a regular at Anfield after a serious knee injury ruined his rookie season.

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The latest Liverpool transfer news and rumors, as Curtis Jones continues to attract interest from Inter Milan, while Darwin Nunez could make a sensational return

08:23, 09 Jun 2026Updated 08:32, 09 Jun 2026

Darwin Nunez is being linked with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

While millions of soccer fans are looking forward to the World Cup, Liverpool supporters are keeping an eye on the transfer window.

The Reds endured a tough 2025/26 season, finishing fifth in the Premier League and failing to win a trophy. That led to Arne Slot's dismissal as head coach, with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola replacing him in the Anfield dugout.

With a new head coach in place, Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, and his colleagues will now look to rebuild the first-team squad. The likes of Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate have already left Merseyside, with Liverpool needing reinforcements in almost every department. Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about the club's transfer business...

Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is said to be considering terminating his contract with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal after an underwhelming year in the Middle East.

While he would prefer a return to Anfield and is attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona, Liverpool currently shows little interest in re-signing him.

Inter Milan has officially thrown its hat into the ring to sign Curtis Jones this summer. The club's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, has publicly expressed his admiration for the player, hoping he can replicate Scott McTominay's hugely successful spell at Napoli.

Curtis Jones is the subject of transfer interest from Inter Milan(Image: Getty Images)

Reports emerging from Italy suggest that Inter has submitted an initial transfer proposal for the 25-year-old midfielder. However, this opening offer currently falls significantly short of Liverpool's internal asking price for the player.

The appointment of Iraola could significantly influence Jones' decision about his future. While the midfielder has been looking for more regular playing time, Iraola may be able to provide him with those minutes more consistently than his previous boss.

Reports from Teamtalk indicate that forward Cody Gakpo could potentially be included in a player-plus-cash exchange deal this summer. The proposed arrangement would see him transfer to RB Leipzig in return for Liverpool target Yan Diomande.

Despite the transfer speculation surrounding Gakpo, a departure for the Dutch forward appears highly improbable at this point.

Sources close to the club suggest that the Reds are actively seeking to strengthen their attacking options rather than diminish them.

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Real Madrid has expressed considerable interest in Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. With just two years left on his existing contract and no extension discussions taking place, a potential departure is considered a genuine possibility.

Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi has formally announced his retirement from professional soccer at the age of 31.

The striker posted a heartfelt message on social media expressing his gratitude for realizing his childhood ambitions and claiming the sport's most prestigious honors. He famously scored in Liverpool's 2019 Champions League final win against Tottenham.

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From Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush to Mo Salah and Sadio Mane: This Is Anfield writers and contributors curate the definitive top 25 list of Liverpool players.

Liverpool FC have had legendary names wear the shirt throughout their storied history, but who claims a place among the club’s greatest 25 players?

From world-class goalkeepers and colossal defenders, to all-action midfielders and jaw-dropping attackers, Liverpool have had it all when it comes to the best of the best.

It makes curating a definitive list of the greatest-ever players a tall order, with legitimate claims for more players than the list could possibly contain.

The official club website have kicked off their official list of the Reds’ 100 greatest players, but we’ve polled This Is Anfield writers and contributors to get our top 25.

Using a weighted points system to aggregate all the individual ballots, our list of Liverpool’s top-25 greatest players of all time has been created, as you can see below:

The Average Top 25 Liverpool Players

Calculated using a weighted points system from TIA writers and contributors, here is the definitive consensus on the greatest players in Liverpool FC history:

*Ranking based on a weighted average from TIA writers and contributors as of May 2026. Tie-breakers decided by frequency of appearance, then by highest individual peak position.

Did any players feature in every list?

Out of the 50 unique names provided, only eight appeared on every single ballot: Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush, Mo Salah, John Barnes, Graeme Souness, Virgil van Dijk, and Alan Hansen.

Key voting insights for top 25 list The Top Spot

Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard were the only two players to receive a first-place vote. Dalglish averaged an impressive 1.33 position.

Consistency Kings

Only three players never dropped below 5th place: Rush, Gerrard, and Dalglish. Mo Salah followed closely with a low of 6th.

Greatest Defender

Virgil van Dijk (No. 7) officially claims the title of LFC’s greatest-ever defender, narrowly edging out Alan Hansen (No. 8).

Longevity

Billy Liddell remains the highest-ranked player to have played predominantly in the pre-Shankly era.

Squad Depth

The final 25 is heavily attack-oriented: featuring 10 attackers, 7 midfielders, 6 defenders, and 2 goalkeepers.

Every unique name in Liverpool’s greatest player vote

There were 50 different names in total submitted for our greatest-ever list, including players from the 1910s all the way to the modern era.

In positional order, they are:

Goalkeepers: Ray Clemence, Alisson, Elisha Scott, Bruce Grobbelaar, Tommy Lawrence

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Alan Hansen, Phil Thompson, Emlyn Hughes, Jamie Carragher, Ron Yeats, Sami Hyypia, Mark Lawrenson, Tommy Smith, Phil Neal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Chris Lawler, Steve Nicol, Andy Robertson, Alan Kennedy

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, John Barnes, Graeme Souness, Kevin Keegan, Ian Callaghan, Jordan Henderson, Steve McManaman, Terry McDermott, Ray Kennedy, Alex Raisbeck, Xabi Alonso, Jan Molby, Fabinho, Ronnie Whelan, Gary McAllister, Peter Beardsley

Forwards: Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish, Mo Salah, Luis Suarez, Robbie Fowler, Billy Liddell, Roger Hunt, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Ian St John, Michael Owen, Gordon Hodgson, Steve Heighway, Fernando Torres

We’ll have more content around Liverpool’s greatest players of all time throughout the summer.

Rank your top 10 Liverpool FC players

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