Liverpool

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Victor Munoz has revealed that his "directness" was a big reason behind Andoni Iraola's push to sign him for Liverpool.

The 22-year-old winger, who may make his World Cup debut for Spain on Thursday against Austria, told El Pais, external: "He (Iraola) called me and gave me confidence. He told me how his teams play, and that benefits me really well, especially the way they press relentlessly. I think it's the ideal environment for me to keep developing as a footballer."

Asked what Iraola liked about him, Munoz added: "My directness, the way I try to break the matches, the way I press and try to suffocate the opposition. Those are the qualities he looks for in a winger, and they were a big reason why he made the decision."

Munoz has been out with injury during Spain's group stage games but returned to training this week. He signed a six-year deal with Liverpool last month after the Anfield side triggered his 40m euro (£34.5m) release clause from Osasuna.

On playing in the Premier League , Munoz said: "It's a place where I've seen myself playing. I feel very comfortable when games become more open, something that doesn't happen very often in La Liga."

Image source, Getty Images

The eighth episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Liverpool focuses on the letter H - Alan Hansen, Roger Hunt and former manager Gerard Houllier.

"It's a great story, Gerard Houllier and what he did for Liverpool," Mike Hughes said on the latest show.

The late Houllier joined Liverpool in 1998, originally as a joint-manager alongside Roy Evans before taking sole leadership after 18 matches, and went on to haul five trophies including a treble in 2001.

But before he brought success back to Anfield, and in what was coined the 'French revolution', Houllier was just a fan.

"He stood on The Kop as a Liverpool fan and as a teacher, a trainee teacher at Allsop High, and went on to be a teacher in France before he moved into football," Hughes said.

"What a dream to stand on The Kop and then be manager of the team that he loved in Liverpool. And he did revolutionise, he made Liverpool a serious footballing force, he wanted to abandon the notion – and it maybe it was overplayed – but the notion of the 'Spice Boys'."

The 'Spice Boys' was a media nickname given to a group of Liverpool players. Players at the time included Jamie Redknapp, David James, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler, and there was a perception the young stars lived flashy lifestyles and lacked discipline.

But Houllier was the start of a change.

"He took on some formidable figures at Liverpool to try and make his point and have his way and moving in, in his words - a new seriousness."

Click play above to hear more about the Houllier revolution plus stories on Hansen and Hunt, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have officially confirmed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, with the centre-back expected to be available for the start of pre-season training.

A five-year deal was agreed in January for the France U21 international for £55m with add ons of up to £5m.

Jacquet, 20, suffered a shoulder injury shortly after the agreement but has successfully completed a rehabilitation programme and is now doing individual fitness work, with a view to joining Andoni Iraola's group when Liverpool players return on 14 July, before travelling to America on 20 July for a pre-season tour.

"I am very happy. When I see the facilities, I can see myself there. I feel good here and I am very excited to get started," said Jacquet. "For me it's a big dream, it's a big club. A club like Liverpool, it's a big dream for me."

Jacquet will join Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Geovanni Leoni as Liverpool's centre-half options, after Ibrahima Konate left the club, on expiry of his contract, to join Real Madrid

Leoni's debut at Anfield was ruined by an ACL injury that saw him miss the rest of the campaign. The 19-year-old Italian is currently continuing his fitness and rehabilitation work.

Paris St-Germain value France winger Bradley Barcola at more than £116m and maintain their stance that the 23-year-old does not need to be sold amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. (Athletic), external

Liverpool's pursuit of a winger has also seen them linked with Belgium attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo, 21, who plays for Lille. (Express), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are interested in 25-year-old Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, who scored for Japan in their World Cup last-32 defeat by Brazil. (Bulinews, via Nikkan Sports), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on who Liverpool should turn their attention to now it looks like Yan Diomande is out of reach with the winger preferring a move to PSG.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Rayan. Young, Brazilian and Andoni Iraola knows him. Simple.

David: Diomande looks to be dead in the water now. I would go all out to get Bradley Barcola from PSG. I think his style of play would be a good fit for us.

Big Dave: Buy Adam Wharton and Jarrod Bowen. You'll get both for the Diomande money and be much stronger for it.

Fraser: Diomande was the best option out there but at the same time, I was a bit uneasy on spending another £100m on a teenager with one good season. We were forced to buy alternative targets in the past and they worked out very well. In that case, I would look at Crysencio Summerville from West Ham or Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille. There's also Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco who would be worth having a look at. The winger market is not great and those options are underwhelming compared with Diomande, but we have little choice.

Nigel: He is not proven and the price they are asking is too much. Think Liverpool have dodged a bullet there. I'd go for Barcola.

Tony: Bowen is the obvious choice. The guy is a grafter and never stops running. You know he will give 100% every game - plus, he won't be as overpriced as any of the other names being touted.

Simon: If we can't get Diomande, I would be tempted to stick with what we have. Victor Munoz can play on the right and I'm sure Rio Ngumoha would do a good job there, too. Added to that, Harvey Elliott (although lacking blistering pace) has shown he can operate in this position and deserves a chance to play. With Florian Wirtz being very capable of occupying the left-wing spot and Cody Gakpo able to play there, too, Liverpool have plenty of options.

Samers: I think Summerville from West Ham is a very dangerous player. Also, Barcola if he leaves PSG. I would like Eli Junior Kroupi but that may not be realistic.

Gaz: This is going to annoy a lot of fellow Liverpool supporters, but I think Bowen should be looked at. Premier League proven, scores 12-15 goals per season, five-11 assists per season and plays on the right wing. He is 29 so not the age profile the club normally go for, but would add depth to the squad and would get him for about £40m.

Gareth: Barcola is a great player. He looks to be two-footed, so although he plays a lot on the left could he move into Mohamed Salah's space? Munoz also seems to play more on the left. Gakpo is under pressure. Glad we've not got Yan Diomande. His first touch looked poor and we would lose him to Afcon.

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's Liverpool A to Z, we have reached the letter G.

Paul Salt, Mike Hughes and Carl Woodward discuss Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who won eight major titles with the Reds, including the 2005 Champions League.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Getty Images

So, it has emerged that Liverpool target Yan Diomande would prefer to join Paris St-Germain - and we want your thoughts on what should happen next.

The Reds had an initial bid of £69m, plus £17m in add-ons, rejected this month for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger.

Leipzig are expected to demand about £129m for Diomande, who joined from Spanish club Leganes last summer on a five-year deal.

The Bundesliga club insist they are under no financial pressure to sell, and are prepared to offer Diomande an improved contract to keep him for at least another season.

Liverpool are also known to admire France winger Bradley Barcola, although sources in Paris say PSG are keen to extend his contract.

The Reds have already signed Spain winger Victor Munoz for £34.5m from Osasuna this month, the first arrival since Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot as head coach.

Now the Diomande dream is seemingly over, who should Liverpool turn their attention to, and why? What do you want the Reds' attacking options to be next season?

Let us know here

Liverpool's Netherlands trio suffered an agonising defeat by Morocco on penalties in a game where they took the lead through Cody Gakpo, who scored his sixth World Cup goal to take him just one behind his nation's all-time top scorer in the tournaments, Johnny Rep.

Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Gakpo all started the knockout game and looked destined to hold off a relentless Morocco side, but Issa Diop cancelled out their opener in second-half stoppage time to send the game to extra time and they eventually succumbed to a shootout defeat.

Florian Wirtz experienced the same fate as his Liverpool team-mates as Germany exited the tournament in shocking fashion by losing on penalties to huge underdogs Paraguay.

Wirtz provided an inch-perfect second-half assist for Kai Havertz to equalise after they had gone behind in the first half, but they did not do enough to avoid losing their first shootout in World Cup history.

Wirtz ended the tournament with three assists - a record bettered only by Bruno Guimaraes of Brazil, who has four so far.

Image source, Getty Images

After playing the full 90 in the Netherlands' final group game victory over Tunisia on Friday, Virgil van Dijk became the only player in Europe's top seven leagues to play every minute across the entire league season and his country's group stage at the World Cup.

Despite a mixed domestic campaign with Liverpool, this record emphasises Van Dijk's importance to both club and country, with the 34-year-old talisman captaining both throughout.

However, it may also be a cause for some concern for Reds fans, with incoming head coach Andoni Iraola famed for his high-pressing, high-intensity style which may take time for Van Dijk to adapt to given his huge workload over the past year and his ever-condensing summer.

Image source, Getty Images

We're now into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention so far - especially with the summer transfer window a couple of weeks into being officially open.

Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?

Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?

This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...

Tell us the players you want, with your reasoning, here

Enjoy the World Cup across BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

From live TV coverage to highlights, analysis and reaction, our dedicated team will ensure you don't miss a kick of the biggest World Cup yet.

And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.

This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.

This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.

• Simple steps to set up live lock screen match updates from the World Cup

• How to get Premier League score updates

A new predictor game has been introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.

The game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.

• Play World Cup Predictor here (UK users only)

Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player?

Well, now you can with Fifa World Cup 3D Experience, which is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport.

The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real time, highlights and full-match replays.

• Head here to get started

Finally, here are some more handy links:

• How to follow the World Cup across the BBC

• All the highlights and best video

• Beat the time difference and catch up on everything without any spoilers

• Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

• Play our World Cup quizzes

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande has chosen Paris St-Germain as his next destination if the 19-year-old leaves RB Leipzig this summer, despite reported interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Monaco's French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, 25, has told Liverpool and Manchester United that his priority is also to join Paris St-Germain this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Curtis Jones is a target for Nottingham Forest with the Reds valuing the midfielder in the region of £40m. (Talksport), external

Inter Milan could miss out on Jones because the Serie A side do not want to offer more than £21.5m (25m euros) for a player who will be out of contract next summer. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The sixth episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Liverpool focuses on the letter F - and there are quite a few players to choose from.

The team talk Joe Fagan, David Fairclough and Roberto Firmino in the latest episode, as well as the "Toxteth terror" Robbie Fowler.

Fowler made 369 appearances across two spells for the Reds - from 1993 to 2007 - and lifted five trophies, including an FA Cup and a Uefa Cup.

"In terms of natural ability as a goalscorer, I think Robbie Fowler has to be right up there, doesn't he?" BBC Radio Merseyside's Paul Salt asked fellow presenter Ian Kennedy.

"Definitely right up there," Kennedy said. "Ian Rush's goalscoring record is phenomenal so he definitely has that record, but Robbie was an amazing finisher. He had such a calmness about him when through on goal, he wasn't going to miss.

"He knew exactly what he was doing. He had all of the deft touches that strikers need when you don't want to be panicking in a situation. Very, very cool in front of goal, and I think it was just a natural thing for him. He knew how to score goals."

Fowler scored 183 goals for Liverpool but the one that stands out for Kennedy is an outside-the-box strike against Brian Little's Aston Villa in 1996, when the 20-year-old used his skill to get around defender Steve Staunton.

"There are so many to remember," Kennedy added. "But my favourite one was a goal he scored against Aston Villa at Anfield.

"He did this incredible turn and shot past Mark Bosnich – he's had many great goals but that was one I remember just because of the turn.

"He was very skilful, and it's one thing to be a goalscorer and be able to put the ball in the back of the net, but he had a lot of skill about him as well."

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

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Following the departure of Mohamed Salah, at least one more attacking signing is expected at Anfield this summer. Liverpool have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m and the pursuit of Yan Diomande is heating up.

Talented teenager Rio Ngumoha is also set to play a more prominent role, while Florian Wirtz played off the left for Liverpool at times last season and is featuring there for Germany in the World Cup.

How Andoni Iraola views Wirtz's best position might well determine the future for Cody Gakpo in the new head coach's blueprint.

Added competition could allow Gakpo to thrive, as it did when Luis Diaz was at Liverpool.

However, for the first time since joining Liverpool in December 2022, there is the possibility of a move away, with a number of clubs including Tottenham monitoring his situation.

Any transfer would be likely to cost upwards of £60m - a big profit considering the Reds paid an initial £35m when signing him from PSV Eindhoven after the World Cup in 2022.

His goals against Sweden at the weekend offered a timely reminder of his quality, particularly in a game where club team-mate Alexander Isak failed to score.

Continuing to impress at the World Cup may well enhance Liverpool's desire to retain Gakpo for at least another season.

One need only consider the relative struggles of Isak and Wirtz in their debut campaigns at Anfield to be reminded of just how challenging it can be for new signings.

But as Iraola and Liverpool's recruitment team reshape an attack that laboured last season, the Gakpo conundrum is one to keep an eye on this summer.

Read more about Gakpo's future here

Liverpool's latest bid of £100m for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, has been rejected by RB Leipzig. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In Liverpool's title-winning campaign under Arne Slot in 2024-25, Gakpo scored 18 goals and provided seven assists across 49 games.

It led to him signing a long-term deal at Anfield last summer, which by all accounts he was extremely happy to do.

Last season, however, despite playing three more matches, his numbers fell to nine goals and six assists.

During a difficult campaign, he was far from the only Reds player to be below par, but he will know those numbers will have to improve.

Gakpo prefers to play down the left but 2025-26 showed his link-up play with Milos Kerkez needs work, particularly in exploiting the full-back's overlapping runs.

Their understanding improved as the season progressed and with Kerkez now reunited with former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, the left-back will be expected to accelerate his development next season.

That could be good news for Gakpo.

With 50 goals in 180 appearances, Gakpo is only the second Dutchman after Dirk Kuyt to reach a half-century for Liverpool and has usually been first choice when fit.

Liverpool still view him as a proven attacker in the Premier League who can function in different ways, and given Hugo Ekitike could be missing until 2027 with a ruptured Achilles, his versatility in being able to play centrally offers options for Iraola.

Read more about Gakpo's future here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Theo: Ayyoub Bouaddi was the best player on a pitch full of superstars in Morocco vs Brazil, 18-years-old, no brainer. Ibrahim Maza is one for the future, but he has looked brilliant for Algeria. And Crysencio Summerville - a winger with two goals in two games coming off the bench both times, playing for a West Ham team who just got relegated. Seems like the perfect Mohamed Salah replacement, especially as I'm not convinced by Yan Diomande.

Jack: I definitely want Yan Diomande, he is a bright talent for future. But if we need a goalkeeper, Cape Verde's Vozinha's always there...

Derrick: Get Micky van de Ven now!

Ian: Loving the style and performance of Nathan Ngoy at the back for Belgium, ignore his sending off! Assured, confident, brave with the ball. Just a shame his one slip-up got him a red card.

John: France's Dayot Upamecano - so strong and experienced - Liverpool need this to play with and cover for Virgil van Dijk.

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

It's the ultimate shop window: a World Cup with 48 teams - all packed with players eager to show what they can do on the biggest stage.

With the transfer window now open, BBC Sport journalists have been taking a look at some of the key names being discussed.

Image source, Getty Images

It's no secret that Liverpool are admirers of Yan Diomande and the 19-year-old winger made a brilliant start to the World Cup with a player-of-the-match display for Ivory Coast in their 1-0 win over Ecuador.

Diomande, who plays club football in Germany for RB Leipzig, started for his country and spent time on each flank during the 90 minutes, constantly asking questions of the Ecuador defence.

In a 2-1 defeat against Germany at the weekend, Diomande, who is valued at about £100m, played a key role in his team's goal as part of another impressive display. He is next due in action on Thursday when Ivory Coast take on Curacao.

Another attacking name linked to Liverpool is Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola, who started his World Cup with a goal for France against Senegal.

Just moments after coming on, the 23-year-old finished in style and he was subsequently rewarded with a start against Iraq on Monday, where he was relentless down the left wing.

Arsenal are also keen on Barcola, who may leave PSG this summer having become a back-up to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for Luis Enrique's side.

Barcola could get his next World Cup action on Friday, when France play Norway.

Newcastle United are showing interest in Cologne and Germany Under-21 winger Said El Mala, 19, and in contact over Lille and Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, 21. But Liverpool are also waiting in the wings if they fail to land RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, or Paris St-Germain and France forward Bradley Barcola, 23. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport