Liverpool are in the midst of a summer of transition as new boss Andoni Iraola takes charge, with decisions to be made over existing stars and new arrivals
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola will be looking to mould his fresh squad and make new signings soon with pre-season training kicking off next week.
The 44-year-old Spanish manager took a closer look at some of his players on Tuesday at the club’s Kirkby training ground. The capture of Victor Munoz from Osasuna represents the Reds’ sole venture into the transfer market thus far. Meanwhile, Jeremy Jacquet, who put pen to paper in January, has also formally joined up.
The current World Cup is creating hurdles for transfer activity, with most sought-after players choosing to remain concentrated on the competition. In the interim, Iraola will seek to maintain his core squad while familiarising himself with them. Today’s developments see one of those stars, club skipper Virgil van Dijk, at the heart of a contract appeal. Meanwhile, a returning Liverpool player might be handed a fresh opportunity and a potential new signing has been sent a message.
Virgil van Dijk contract
Liverpool icon John Barnes insists the Reds must secure Virgil van Dijk on fresh terms, reports the Mirror.
The Reds skipper penned a two-year agreement in 2025, but Barnes reckons the club must hold onto their experienced figures, having lost Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson this summer.
“I’d like to see Virgil’s contract being extended because for Andoni Iraola, he’ll need his senior players,” Barnes told Betfred.
“Those that have been around the block and know the club… so I think it’s important that we keep a hold of Virgil next season.”
Barnes’ appeal comes as Van Dijk was linked with a departure from Anfield this summer – something that appears highly unlikely.
The Dutchman has been at Anfield since January 2018, but was connected with a switch to Turkey before senior sources at Liverpool categorically dismissed the speculation.
Star gets fresh chance
Harvey Elliott could discover himself a Liverpool lifeline this summer. With pre-season commencing next week, the Reds’ new head coach was at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday.
Elliott will be especially eager to make his impression. The 23-year-old was a fixture under Jurgen Klopp, featuring in the German’s squad throughout the closing years of his reign.
After Arne Slot’s appointment in the summer of 2024, Elliott’s opportunities became more limited, and he was loaned out to Aston Villa, where he failed to establish himself.
Speaking in his debut interview as the club’s new head coach, Iraola suggested players such as Elliott will be afforded their chance to shine.
“We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths,” Iraola said. “I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.
“For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.”
Barcola advice
One of the most prominent names connected with a switch to Liverpool is Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola.
The 23-year-old, representing France in the latter stages of the World Cup, is said to have informed the French giants earlier this month of his wish to depart and has also been linked to the likes of Arsenal.
A scarcity of genuine options on the market this summer will strengthen PSG’s hand, with L’Equipe reporting they would seek a fee of £128m.
Yet French legend Marcel Desailly encouraged Barcola to remain at the club. Speaking to Sportcasting, the former Chelsea defender said: “Barcola doesn’t need to leave PSG.
“He’s too young. He’s only 23-years-old. Didier Deschamps is teaching him a lesson, and he’s giving him a chance.
“He’s young – the attention and defensive alertness isn’t there to match the speed he projects when he’s going forward. He wasn’t making the effort to get back into position.
“So he’s growing, he’s learning and he’s getting that winning mentality on both sides of the game – being available for the team structurally without the ball while also being the one who makes the difference, just as the older players are doing.
“So, should he move to the Premier League? Not yet. Not yet at all. Sorry, Arsenal and Liverpool fans. He should stay at PSG, play 25 games a season and grow within that system.”