Latest news with #ArneSlot
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Liverpool Poised to Finalise Wirtz Signing
Report: Liverpool Poised to Announce Florian Wirtz Deal Today Strategic Statement from Anfield Liverpool's expected announcement of Florian Wirtz today isn't just the club's biggest-ever transfer—it's a mission statement. As reported by ESPN, the Reds are set to complete a deal worth up to £116 million (€136m) for the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, with an initial £100m payment and a further £16m in performance-related add-ons. Advertisement This would eclipse the club's previous record spend on Virgil van Dijk and also overtake the fee Chelsea paid for Moisés Caicedo in 2023. More than that, it sends a clear message: Liverpool are no longer just rebuilding, they're reshaping their identity in the post-Klopp era. A New Era with Purposeful Planning Florian Wirtz could potentially be announced today according to the ESPN report. The timing isn't coincidental—it allows Liverpool to dominate the narrative going into pre-season. Photo: IMAGO According to ESPN, 'senior Anfield figures' believe Wirtz could have the same 'transformational' impact as Van Dijk and Alisson Becker, whose arrivals in 2018 elevated the club into serial contenders. But unlike those signings, which were seen as final pieces in a puzzle, Wirtz represents a starting point—one that could define the Arne Slot era. Wirtz and Frimpong Reunited Wirtz becomes Liverpool's second signing of the summer, following the £29.5m capture of former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong. That familiarity could prove essential, especially with a new manager and evolving tactical demands. Advertisement Slot's system calls for technically astute players who can operate between the lines and maintain high-intensity transitions. Wirtz fits that mould. His role in Leverkusen's Bundesliga triumph and Germany's Euro 2024 squad has showcased his intelligence, spatial awareness, and versatility. This isn't simply a player with potential—it's a player who's already shown he can be central to a title-winning project. Kerkez Deal Highlights Recruitment Shift As ESPN also noted, Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, worth around €45 million (£38m). At just 21, he represents the same forward-thinking approach: invest in high-upside talent before they become unattainable. Our View – EPL Index Analysis As Liverpool fans, it's hard not to feel something stirring again. The signing of Florian Wirtz—if confirmed today—marks more than just a headline moment. It's a realignment with our best selves. The Liverpool that dared to win, to out-think, and to outplay. Advertisement Wirtz isn't just a wonderkid. He's a ready-made playmaker who can carry games, link midfield to attack, and thrive under pressure. Beating clubs like Bayern, City, and Madrid to his signature speaks volumes. It shows the badge still means something. It shows ambition. Linking up again with Frimpong adds familiarity and fluidity. Those two could become the spine of Slot's Liverpool—built for speed, smart in transitions, and fearless in attack. And with Kerkez almost done, there's a genuine sense that the club are assembling a squad for the next five years, not just the next season. These moves feel deliberate, not desperate. If Wirtz signs today, it's not just business done—it's Liverpool reborn. And fans should feel optimistic, because the building blocks of a new dynasty might just be falling into place.
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Elliott has a 'huge opportunity'
Harvey Elliott has a "huge opportunity" to showcase his abilities when England play Spain in the European Under-21 Championships quarter-final on has started in all three of England's group stage matches so far, scoring in one and winning man of the match in another. Up next is England's quarter final match against role comes at a time where his Liverpool future is in doubt given his position as a squad player under Arne Slot."He is the one who has got the most to gain from this tournament," the Daily Mail's Nathan Salt told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Either him, Jarrell Quansah or James McAtee - they are all being tracked by European sides and you have all of these scouts here."Elliott in particular - before the tournament he told me 'I don't want to waste any more years of my career'. That was quite difficult for him to say because he is a massive Liverpool fan and he knows that his future at Liverpool is nearing the final chapter."Saturday's match against Spain [under-21] is a huge opportunity for him to show his quality."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool lose star midfielder due to BIZARRE twist
Liverpool are planning to be fit and raring to go for the start of their title defence in August. Transfer moves are being completed over these next few months and in July, the players will reconvene for a pre-season tour of Japan before building up their training for the new season. Advertisement New tactical blueprints will have been created by Arne Slot over the summer and he will be desperately hoping that he has a full squad of players to choose from when August rolls around. However, one player has been confirmed to be unavailable for the start of the season already and it's nothing to do with their fitness. A bizarre part of the Premier League rolls prohibits his participation. © IMAGO Ryan Gravenberch to miss the season opener On Wednesday June 19, the date that every football fan has in their diary rolled around - it was Premier League fixture release day, allowing fans to theorise how difficult their team's chances of winning the title might be, depending on a tough start, a tough run-in or strategic fixture choices. Advertisement In our own world, the fact that you would play a rival at home or away first makes an enormous difference as to whether the team will have enough momentum to come away with a win. First up for the reigning Champions is Bournemouth, who will be visiting Anfield on Friday 15th August, which should ordinarily be a straightforward start. The Cherries will be missing Dean Huijsen, and supposedly Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi from their defensive ranks due to transfers. However, Gravenberch will be absent from the Reds, despite his long-term commitment to the side. Of course, you will be asking, 'how can this be?'. Well, it's because he got a red card during our last game of the season against Crystal Palace, and while yellow cards don't carry over, red ones do. Advertisement The challenge he put in was deemed 'a professional last man foul' which might otherwise be known as 'denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity' (DOGSO) which is a one match ban according to the FA as supposed to 'serious foul play' or 'violent conduct' which incur more serious suspensions. You might also now be thinking, 'can't he serve it during the Community Shield?', and the answer to that is sadly no, he can't. Had there have been an FA Cup game to be played prior to the season, then potentially this could've avoided it, but the powers that be have decided that this can't happen. As such, he will be missing the Bournemouth game indefinitely and Slot will have to plan for his absence accordingly. Although we have been aware that he would be missing the opening game of the season for some time; the specific opponent was unknown, however. Now we know the damage. Generally speaking this shouldn't be a problem. While the Dutchman was incredibly impressive last season, the squad has more than enough to cover him. But it just goes to show, one error to try and make sure the team didn't finish the season with a loss, has left us a man-short to start off with again.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Kostas Tsimikas shares Arne Slot's golden rule that changed it all for Liverpool
Arne Slot led Liverpool to Premier League glory in his first season in the dugout and defender Kostas Tsimikas has opened up on what the Dutchman changed after succeeding Jurgen Klopp Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas has opened up on the tactical tweaks put in place by manager Arne Slot in his first season in charge. Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, won the Premier League title at the first time of asking. Defensive solidity was key in the early part of the season. Slot's Reds didn't concede at all until the fourth game of the season, and let in just three goals in their first eight games to open up a lead at the top which they never surrendered. "Slot changed the whole tactical approach," Tsimikas told Greek outlet Sport24. "The detail he put into every workout was incredible, in some things that were the A and Z for him. "One of them is defence in five seconds. He set a rule, when we lose possession all players must be behind the ball within five seconds "This instruction, along with his tactical mind, with the new ideas, with the way we would play, all of this together was what we were missing in previous years to win the championship. When you defend with 10 men and a goalkeeper, it's something very important, that was the first thing he told us from day one, that this is exactly what he wants." Tactics weren't the be all and end all, though. Slot's new ideas helped the team improve on the previous season, when they finished third under Klopp, but the former Feyenoord boss needed his players to be committed to the cause. "In every meeting we had before the game, he used to say a line that I think is the most important: 'Beyond all the tactics I can show you and tell you how to play, if you don't put your feet up, if you don't really want it, there's no way we're going to win anything,'" Tsimikas added. Slot isn't resting on his laurels after clinching the title. He has already spoken about the potential for new additions, with Florian Wirtz due to join in a club record deal following the arrivals of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jeremie Frimpong. "I don't know if it's going to be a lot but we know, the club, Richard [Hughes], the ownership, we are all aligned on what we are trying to achieve," Slot told Sky Sports in May. "It is already very, very positive that we kept Mo and Virgil and a few others that we are trying to sign look positive. "We are very happy with the squad that we have. This club has always shown that if they can strengthen, that's what we do. Big summer or not, it is already big because we won the league." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool want deal for €35m Spain WONDERKID
Liverpool are eyeing up a deal for one of Spain's best young talents - who is currently starring at the UEFA Euro Under-21 Championship. The Reds have got big plans to overhaul their squad this summer - with Richard Hughes and Arne Slot willing to move on from several of their Premier League title-winning players. Advertisement Caoimhin Kelleher and Trent Alexander-Arnold have already gone - with Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez tipped to follow them out the door soon. And we could even see defenders like Andy Robertson and Jarell Quansah shipped out before the transfer window closes - with plenty of names earmarked to arrive at Anfield during the off-season. Liverpool scouting Jesus Rodriguez Jeremie Frimpong and Armin Pecsi are already onboard and Milos Kerkez as well as Florian Wirtz will soon be joining them as new Liverpool players for the 2025/26 season. Liverpool won't stop there - and the latest reports from ABC in Spain are that the Reds are looking at Jesus Rodriguez of Real Betis. Advertisement The 19-year-old has just enjoyed a breakthrough season for the LaLiga side, also finishing as a runner-up in the UEFA Europa Conference League. He is now firmly on the radar of many top European clubs, leading Betis to renew his contract last September until 2029. That deal has currently got a €35m buyout clause attached to it and reports indicate that Betis would like to increase that sum to €50m. Liverpool joined by Leipzig, Villa and Como in Rodriguez interest 'No official offers have been received, while the club waits expectantly to see what moves might come for their academy product,' the report reads. Advertisement Rodriguez, a winger, scored in Spain's U21 draw with Italy earlier this week and Spanish media report that Betis hope to see the player's value increase with more exposure in this tournament. The club plan to keep him for one more season - seeing another full campaign as potentially useful in raising his value even further. 'RB Leipzig, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Como have shown interest, not only in understanding Betis' conditions and asking price for Jesús Rodríguez but also by actively scouting him,' the report reads.
