Liverpool

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Most observers – including this one – believed Liverpool's title was theirs to lose after one of the most spectacular summers of spending in Premier League history.

After keeping their powder dry following Arne Slot's arrival, a strategy rewarded with the title, Liverpool embarked on a remarkable spree.

This included £125m British record signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, £116m Germany golden boy Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, another £70m striker in Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, as well as another £70m on full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong from Bournemouth and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

Liverpool raked in more than £250m from sales of players such as striker Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.

Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid for a small fee just before the end of his contract while, of course, the whole club and its support was devastated by Diogo Jota's death.

Alexander-Arnold and Diaz, outstanding at Bayern, have been sorely missed.

Liverpool's outlay, however, did not strengthen their squad. It made it worse, which takes some doing.

It left the squad mediocre and unbalanced as expensive new acquisitions spluttered or suffered injuries, while their recruitment team failed to deliver one of their most significant targets.

There are many questions around Slot's transfer dealings, although owners Fenway Sports Group's CEO of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes must also take responsibility.

Liverpool's key pair of power brokers were showered with bouquets in the summer. Now they must take the brickbats.

• How did such a splurge leave an unbalanced team?

• Why did Liverpool not sign competition for Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo on the flanks?

• Was enough thought given to how Wirtz would be utilised as Liverpool revelled in beating Manchester City to his signature?

• Did they really need to spend £125m on Isak having spent £70m on Ekitike?

• Were they too complacent in assuming Crystal Palace would just give up on Marc Guehi?

Read more analysis on Slot's sacking

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Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group has issued a statement confirming the decision to dismiss head coach Arne Slot.

Here it is in full:

"That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.

"As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.

"From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.

"At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly - anything but.

"We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool's 20th league title.

"That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.

"He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.

"As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.

"Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team's trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.

"Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield."

What's your reaction to this news? Is it the right call? And what do you make of the timing?

Get in touch with your views here

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The first episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Liverpool focuses on defender Gary Ablett, who played for both Merseyside clubs, John Aldridge and the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul.

Striker Aldridge was signed in January 1987 to replace Ian Rush, who was leaving at the end of that season, and won the league title and FA Cup in his two and a half years at Anfield - becoming a cult hero and scoring 50 goals in 83 league games for Liverpool.

"He came to Liverpool and didn't have a moustache but he grew it back and I think that helped in him replacing Ian Rush," said Radio Merseyside's Carl Woodward.

"What a goalscorer he was. I was gutted when he left. I didn't want him to go because he was so good. The goals he would score. He was just in the right place at the right time all the time.

"He could score with his head, score from two yards out, score some decent goals from the edge of the area.

"He was just a great striker and he did replace Rush really. He was in that 1987-88 team which was arguably Liverpool's greatest ever."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Explore more Liverpool content on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on which players Liverpool should sign from the three relegated Premier League sides Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United.

Here are some of your comments:

Jobey: Liverpool should sign Jarrod Bowen, he's got 20 G/A at a relegated club, he deserves a big move.

Sam: We need to buy Bowen. As a left-footed, right-sided attacker and proven Premier League player, he would fit in well as a replacement to Mo Salah in my opinion.

Andy: I don't see any of the relegated teams improving Liverpool's first team. The only tempting prospect who is proven in the Premier League is Bowen, but is he a direct replacement for Salah? No. But is he a stronger option than Cody Gakpo, I would think so. It's whether Bowen wants to leave to go to a club where he isn't a guaranteed starter.

Jimmy: Bowen is almost a like-for-like Diogo Jota replacement… and a bargain option. Often looked good in a failing West Ham side.

Josh: For me, Bowen and Mateus Fernandes would be obvious choices. Bowen would provide great back-up in the forward positions and will tick the much-needed homegrown box. Fernandes would bring the steel our midfield desperately needs. Mateus Mane from Wolves might be an option.

Stuart: We shouldn't go for Bowen that's for sure. However, if we are thinking of moving Alexis Mac Allister on then Fernandes from West Ham could be an alternative possibly. Other than that I don't see any other options.

Wayne: From West Ham - Crysencio Summerville has had a relatively good season in a poor team, as has Fernandes. Wolves - Joao Gomes and the young Mane have again stood out. Not sure in terms of Burnley though.

This Is Anfield's Sam Millne believes Liverpool need to bolster their attack after lacking "firepower" up front in a disappointing campaign.

The Reds finished fifth and stumbled across the line to secure a place in the Champions League for next season just a year after winning the Premier League title at a canter.

Millne, speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, said: "[Mohamed] Salah and [Andy] Robertson leaving leaves a gap. Probably not at left-back because it looks like [Kostas] Tsimikas is coming back from his loan at Roma, but in attack. Those wing positions we know are being prioritised because with Alexander Isak's long-term injury and lack of fitness, Hugo Ekitike's long-term injury, [Federico] Chiesa not being favoured, probably rightly so, there's been absolutely no firepower up front.

"Cody Gakpo, who has been massively underperforming all season, has been relied on as the centre forward in the last few months. And we got what we expected. As much as we would've liked to play better under Arne Slot, it's hard to say they should've done better with the players they have.

"With the benefit of hindsight, the money spent on Isak would probably have been better spent on a striker and a winger or a couple of players who can play across the front three because we have been left extremely short this season."

Listen to the full interview above or on BBC Sounds

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Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Ibrahima Konate sounded as confident as ever when he told us in April that there was a "big chance" he would be at Anfield next season.

In fact, he even asked reporters to speak to Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes, implying that he always wanted to stay at the club, despite rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid earlier in the season.

"I'm waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is sorted, you will have to ask Richard what I said to him in September, November and he's going to say something to make everyone quiet," Konate said at the time.

Over the past few months, Arne Slot even described Konate as "vital" and admitted that Liverpool would not be in talks for a new deal if they didn't want Konate to stay.

Now it looks like that contract will not happen and Konate will be on his way out of Anfield without even saying goodbye - unlike Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who did say their farewells to fans last weekend.

In truth, it is a mess on both sides of the equation. For Liverpool, this is yet another experienced campaigner leaving on a free transfer. Such a situation should have been resolved last summer in order to get a fee for Konate, or at the latest by the January window.

At 27, Konate is still in the prime of his career and though the options aren't clear at the moment, eyes will light up around the world at getting a centre-half of his calibre for free. Any decision as to his next club may come after the World Cup.

However, that will come down to an agreement on wages, with the simple matter that Konate wants a lot more money than the amount at which Liverpool value him. It leaves the Frenchman in a precarious position and unable to stay at the club where he said he truly wanted to be.

Liverpool believe that any agreement cannot come at the cost of the club's financial equilibrium, nor undermine the allocation of resources within the playing squad. And so it looks like that unlike Salah and Robertson last week, Konate will quietly exit through the back door.

Liverpool's season to forget may have finished last week, but the problems continue for Slot and co.

Read the full story here

BBC Radio Merseyside are doing an 'A to Z of Merseyside Sport' for both their Liverpool and Everton pages on BBC Sounds throughout this summer.

It will be a combination of the sport team, fan contributors and guests, with big interviews also coming soon, exploring the impact of people, places and much more.

For Liverpool's letter 'A', they focus on one of those to cross the Mersey divide in Gary Ablett, a supreme goalscorer of the 80s in John Aldridge and THAT night at Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium in 2005.

Hit play below to hear the first episode in full or listen on BBC Sounds here

Subscribe to Liverpool's BBC Sounds feed here

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We asked for your views on the news that Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer after contract negotiations failed to result in an agreement.

Here are some of your comments:

Stuart: Konate was a good player for us but he never really improved. He was solid at times but never consistent. Was capable at set-pieces but rarely scored. We need a player that can bring the ball out of defence and chip in with the odd goal. Hopefully Jeremy Jacquet can be an upgrade for Liverpool in the fullness of time.

Tony: Performances over the season don't add up to an improved contract. Over his five years he hasn't been solid enough to give confidence to the team. Wanted him to do well but never produced consistently. Wish him well.

Norris: What a disappointing outcome. Regardless of the situation, we are letting another experienced player leave the squad. Konate's form is a reflection of the whole squad this season, I would argue for various reasons not to mention his personal loss during the season. At some point, we as a club need to pay to maintain quality!

Janet: Konate was happy to keep us hanging on in reserve when he thought Real Madrid were in for him. If he didn't want us then why would we settle for him? Move on. Although admittedly if we had Marc Guehi over the line this would be less of an issue.

Seb: It is the right time to move on. He has developed a lot here at Liverpool but hasn't reached the heights he was meant to reach. So he will go elsewhere to try and become a world-class player. It is the right move for everyone as his performances have left me and probably other fans frustrated and Liverpool need very reliable centre-backs going forward.

Brent: Konate has been responsible for some terrible performances in a lacklustre defence this season and at times has been totally disinterested and his head drops too easily when we go behind.

David: I have always taken the view that any player who so much as hints that he may want to leave Liverpool should quickly be escorted to the exit door. I support Liverpool 100% and I expect the same from the players.

Rod: Another example of very poor management. Not least of all because we don't have an obvious replacement.

Image source, Getty Images

So, after years of negotiations, no new deal has been agreed with Ibrahima Konate and the defender is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer.

The likely exit is because of a gap between the club and Konate's position, in terms of value and wages.

Both parties were initially keen to agree a contract renewal, with Konate saying after the Merseyside derby in April that he was "close to an agreement" and there was a "big chance" that he would stay at Anfield next season.

Negotiations began in November 2023, but an agreement has proved elusive.

What's your reaction to this news? How big a surprise is it after what was said in April? Is it the right outcome? And how should Liverpool go about replacing him?

Let us know here

Liverpool are pushing for a quick agreement with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, while Paris St-Germain and Manchester City are closely monitoring the situation and have already held talks with the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?

Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?

Let us know your thoughts here

Opta have conjured up their Premier League team of the season based on data collected throughout the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

One Liverpool player has been selected in the XI despite the club's under-par campaign, which saw Arne Slot's side unsuccessfully defend their 2024-25 Premier League title with a fifth-place finish.

On Dominik Szoboszlai, Opta said: Szoboszlai ended the season with four free-kick goals - the most ever by a Liverpool player in one season and more than any other player in 2025-26.

It wasn't just scoring spectacular goals where the Hungarian excelled this season, he was also second - only to Bruno Fernandes - for creating chances (78), successful final third passes (660) and assists from set-play situations (5). Meanwhile, he topped the charts for successful crosses (69).

He also led all Liverpool players for line-breaking passes in the final third (183) and possession won (187), despite playing in a variety of positions. He spent 26% of his game time at right-back and 34% in attacking midfield; a truly versatile season.

• Read the rest of Opta's picks here - and cross-reference it with Troy Deeney's team of the season here

Liverpool want to keep Alisson for another season, leaving a summer deal for the goalkeeper to join Juventus in doubt. (Gianluca Di Marzio), external

RB Leipzig are adamant 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who is a target for Liverpool, is going nowhere this summer after the German club qualified for next season's Champions League. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Northern Ireland teenager Kieran Morrison has signed a new contract at Liverpool.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Reds in 2019, impressed during the recent U21s campaign and was nominated for Premier League 2 Player of the Season.

Morrison has also made two senior appearances for Arne Slot's side in cup competitions.

The versatile winger captained the U21s for a period of the season and netted 14 goals and registered four assists in PL2.

At international level, he is involved in Michael O'Neill's squad to face Guinea and France in June's international friendlies but is yet to make a senior appearance.

"It's been a massive improvement from last year. That was my goal this year – just to impact myself and PL2 as much as I can," Morrison said.

"I think I've done quite well. As a team, we wanted to get further in the play-offs but we've come a long way as a team, especially with Rob [Page], the new manager, and obviously me becoming captain during it.

"It just shows how much we've come [along] since the beginning of the season. So, I'm really proud of my performances and the team's performances.

"I always set targets and this season I feel like I've accomplished a lot of my targets. So, hopefully next season goes just as well."

Liverpool achieved the "minimum requirement" this season, believes journalist and The Late Challenge podcast's Mo Stewart.

Arne Slot's side rounded off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brentford, securing a fifth-place finish and ensuring Champions League qualification, but ultimately coming away without a single trophy.

"I don't know how teachers grade things these days but I would say this season would be a C-minus for Liverpool," Stewart said when asked to grade his club's season on BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It wasn't quite a passing grade, even though I know they qualified for the Champions League, but that felt like the minimum requirement.

"When you look at the optimism, not only off the back of what happened last season but also the summer transfer window, there was real confidence that Liverpool would be able to kick on and maybe dominate for one, two or three years to come.

"The way it all panned out, not only in terms of results but also performances, means it has to be a C-minus grade. You can call me a harsh marker, I don't mind.

"When Arne Slot came in, I remember him mentioning on a few occasions that he was looking to improve the away form during our last season under Jurgen Klopp. So, for Liverpool to have regressed as they have, it is really disappointing.

"I think Arsenal were the only team in the [Premier League] top nine that Liverpool got any kind of points at all from on the road [this season].

"If you're going to try to compete with the elite teams, you need to be better in that area."

Listen to the full conversation by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

2/10. From overwhelming Premier League favourites with five out of five wins at the beginning of the campaign, to complete nothingness. I know many fans who've just stopped watching the end of the season. Overriding emotion? Utter boredom.

Best moment and why?

I can't think of many. I guess I'll choose Dom Szoboszlai's freekick against Arsenal. It was early on and it secured us a win over the Gunners, who were supposed to be our closest rivals. They went from strength to strength, while we performed abysmally.

Player of season and why?

Szoboszlai - because he's been the only player who hasn't been horrendous.

Unsung hero and why?

Rio Ngumoah. The kid is special. We should have used him more. I really hope he is considered a starter next term. A potential world-beater.

Biggest disappointment?

Arne Slot. He made an exciting team boring. He fell out with our greatest ever Premier League player Mo Salah, who is now leaving. He whined and moaned and made excuses instead of taking any responsibility. We've had enough.

What needs to change this summer?

The manager because he's lost the fans and the dressing room, but that won't happen. It's well known that FSG is sticking with him. So I guess Slot just needs a long break and should return with a new plan and some humility.

Major hope for next season?

That the team shows some fight. They don't run. They don't battle. Every physical team outperforms us in duels. It's so painful to watch. No more Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. We need players who leave everything on the pitch. It's honestly been that bad.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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