Andy Robertson is still yet to decide on his Liverpool future after a potential transfer to Atletico Madrid collapsed this summer.

It came somewhat of a surprise to see Robertson emerge as a serious transfer target for Atletico, with the Scot left to seriously consider his options with a year left on his Anfield contract.

With Milos Kerkez‘s arrival official, the 31-year-old is expected to drop down the pecking order and it leaves plenty for him to consider after seven full seasons as first-choice left-back.

Atletico had been reported to want to pay as little as €5 million (£4.3m), or even nothing at all, but Liverpool held steadfast and the Spanish side have instead pursued Matteo Ruggeri.

Robertson never gave the official green light to Atletico and journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated that the Scot remains undecided regarding the next step of his career.

Writing for Caught Offside, Romano reported that Robertson “has not decided what he wants to do” but a decision on his future is expected “very soon” with “more clubs interested.”

It remains to be seen which ‘clubs’ are ‘interested’ but it is still feasible that the 31-year-old will decide he does not want to be second-choice in the final year of his contract.

Liverpool know they need to offload one left-back this summer as three is not maintainable with Slot favouring a smaller squad and the need to free up non-homegrown spots.

Robertson or Tsimikas to depart?

Liverpool would likely prefer to keep Robertson over Tsimikas this summer, making the most of the 31-year-old’s experience alongside 21-year-old Kerkez.

You sense there is also greater value in offloading the Greek international, who has two years left on his contract, and utilising Robertson in the pursuit of more silverware.

The club, however, you expect will be respectful of Robertson’s wishes should he seek to make an exit this summer having served the club loyally since his £8 million move in 2017.

It is a balancing act for Richard Hughes and one that is to extend into pre-season with Slot’s squad to report back next week – by that time, though, the club will expect an answer from Robertson.

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Manchester City were dumped out of the Club World Cup days after Pep Guardiola defended comments made by former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Manchester City were dumped out of the Club World Cup days after Pep Guardiola defended comments made by former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Harvey Elliott‘s season only came to a close on the weekend but his pre-season return date for Liverpool has been pencilled in amid transfer interest.

Elliott finished his campaign on a high by winning the U21 European Championship with England as the Player of the Tournament, a much-needed boost after playing just 826 minutes last season.

After 477 minutes for the Young Lions, he is now free to enjoy his summer holidays amid the constant speculation over his future.

Brighton, West Ham and RB Leipzig have been named among the interested clubs, with the Athletic‘s David Ornstein reporting Liverpool want “a fee in excess of £40 million plus a buy-back option, or above £50 million without one.”

Whether that is achievable in the run-up to pre-season remains to be seen, but the 22-year-old has been given until July 20 to enjoy his summer break before reporting back to the club.

Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures

• Preston (Deepdale) – July 13
• AC Milan (Hong Kong) – July 26
• Yokohama FM (Japan) – July 30
• Athletic Club (Anfield double-header) – August 4
• Crystal Palace (Wembley) – August 10

It is just in time for the trip to Asia as part of the pre-season stops in Hong Kong and Japan, which Tyler Morton could also be a part of if his exit has yet to be agreed.

The majority of Arne Slot‘s first-team squad will report back to the AXA Training Centre by July 8, seven weeks after the title-winning season came to an end.

Liverpool have six pre-season games confirmed in three different countries, which concludes with the Community Shield meeting with Crystal Palace a week before the new league season.

Whether Elliott plays a role this summer remains to be seen, but the 22-year-old has made it no secret that he does not want to waste his career by sitting on the bench.

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“I’m coming into an age now where I’m 22, I’m gonna be 23 next season, and I don’t really want to be wasting years in my career because it’s a short career, you don’t know what’s gonna happen,” he said.

“It could still be difficult, nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, and the team I support them as well.

“But, as I said, most importantly it’s just about what’s best for my career and I just need to make that decision.”

Liverpool paid £4.3 million to Fulham for Elliott after a tribunal finally decided a fee in 2021 – the youngster has since gone on to play 143 times for his boyhood club.

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Pep Guardiola’s focus turned immediately to the Premier League and challenging Liverpool for the title in the wake of Manchester City’s Club World Cup exit.

The Blues suffered a shock 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal in the last-16 stage of a tournament many had billed as the beginning of City’s return to the top table. The Blues were the only side to emerge from the group stage with a 100 percent record, and put in a hugely impressive display to beat Juventus 5-2.

After such a woeful 2024/25 campaign, many saw the improved performances, the return of Rodri and the quick assimilation of four summer signings as possible signs that Guardiola’s side are ready to compete for silverware once again.

But the defeat to Al-Hilal underlined the same issues that dogged City over the last year, with the Saudi Arabian side able to repeatedly cut the team open and attack on the break. Speaking after the game, Guardiola said he is already beginning to think about the new season, and attempting to regain its Premier League crown from Liverpool.

“It is a pity,” he said. “We have been on an incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good.

“I cannot thank the players enough for training and playing how they have been.

It was a frustrating night for the Manchester City manager.

“But it was a difficult game. The margins were minimal. We created a lot and [Yassine] Bounou made incredible saves but we were so open.

“We would have loved to have continued, it will only be once every four years, and we had a feeling that the team was doing well.

“But we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season.”

Al-Hilal's win over Manchester City is a significant moment in Saudi Arabian soccer.

City now face a six-week hiatus before the new term begins. What exactly that means for preseason preparations is unclear, especially given most Premier League sides return to training next week.

Asked whether he thinks the early exit will help City this season, Guardiola replied: “It is too early to say. But there have been so many good things I did not see [recently] in the past.

“The relationship between the players, our captain [Bernardo Silva] helped a lot and the standards from our staff. I felt we were happy here, the training sessions have been really good.

“We have a big squad and we'll see what happens. Now it is tough but we come back in the next days, rest, and start the Premier League.”

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Liverpool has made a robust start to the transfer window, splashing out over $250 million (£200 million) on six players. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman have all been welcomed into Arne Slot's team in a bustling June.

However, the Reds aren't necessarily done yet, with young defenders under consideration and a striker potentially in their sights, there's still plenty of business to be conducted in the next two months.

For now, though, sporting director Richard Hughes might well be concentrating on departures, as Liverpool aim to rejuvenate their squad and generate funds from player sales in the forthcoming weeks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already bid farewell, with the Reds pocketing a $14M (£10m) fee from Real Madrid to expedite the transfer several weeks early. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher followed Alexander-Arnold through the exit door, finalising a move to Brentford worth up to $25M (£18M)

Nat Phillips' stint at Liverpool also concludes, after the defender transferred to West Bromwich Albion for just over $4M (£3m).

And he won't be the only center-back leaving the club as Jarell Quansah heads off to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that nets the Reds around $48M (£35m).

Quansah was part of the England Under-21 squad that clinched the Euros with a 3-2 triumph over Germany on Saturday, and his club colleagues who were also part of the group are likewise the subject of summer speculation.

Harvey Elliott, after a sterling performance for England, clinching the Player of the Tournament title with five goals, has seen his stock rise considerably. Despite this, his future at Liverpool remains uncertain as the summer transfer window looms.

This summer's Euros showed Harvey Elliott is ready to play a leading role at a Premier League club.

Earlier this year Elliott expressed his desire to remain with the Reds but acknowledged the need to make decisions that benefit his career.

The Reds are known for basing their valuations on other market deals, so for a player of Elliott's youth and relative experience, a figure north of $55M (£40m) seems reasonable.

Tyler Morton, who made a strong impression at the Euros, was also targeted by Leverkusen last summer before deciding to stay at Anfield for another year. However, the 22-year-old will undoubtedly be eager to find a new club this summer, and $20M (£15m) might be a more realistic expectation this time.

Much of the speculation this summer has centred on the future of Darwin Nunez, who looks set to be sold by Liverpool after failing to impress Slot last season. Napoli have shown interest in the Uruguayan, and with Saudi interest not materializing as yet, Liverpool may have to settle for a lower fee than they had initially hoped.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

A total package of around $69M (£50m) seems fair for a player who can be lethal in front of goal and is young enough to regain the form that persuaded Liverpool to sign him in the first place.

Federico Chiesa, another forward player, could be on his way out, with a return to Italy appearing probable. Despite not featuring under Slot, Liverpool are optimistic about fetching more than the fee they shelled out to Juventus last summer, with $20M (£15m) seeming reasonable for a player of his calibre.

The acquisition of Kerkez from Bournemouth has cast a shadow over Kostas Tsimikas' future at Anfield, with Leeds United previously showing interest in the Greek international. A valuation of around $14M (£10m) seems fitting for a player who has served the club admirably over the past five years.

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Jermaine Jenas has said that if he were in Alexander Isak's shoes at Newcastle United, he would not be enticed by a summer transfer to Arsenal, given the two clubs are on a similar footing. However, he acknowledges that Liverpool might prove more attractive.

Newcastle is in a solid position, with star striker Isak secured on a contract until 2028 and has no worries about contravening Profit and Sustainability Rules as it heads into the next Premier League financial cycle. The club's circumstances could even see an upturn if an extended deal is struck following the player's return for pre-season training.

Despite this stability, speculation continues to swirl, linking Isak to potential moves to Premier League competitors, chiefly the current champions Liverpool or the close contenders Arsenal.

"I do honestly believe that for Newcastle's best players to leave they've got to be stuck in a corner as a football club. There must be no way out from a financial fair play position," Jenas shared with talkSPORT.

"It's not going to be because they can't give Alexander Isak the wages that he wants and it's not gonna be because playing in the biggest competitions and so on and so forth.

Last season, among the top four finishers above Newcastle in the Premier League were powerhouses such as the Reds, the Gunners, and Manchester City.

The former midfielder weighed in: "City's not an option for starters, Arsenal and Liverpool are an option but I don't see the Arsenal jump as a massive jump forward, personally, from Newcastle currently. I think those two teams go head-to-head all year round.

"In terms of a football yes, it's a bigger football club, but in terms of the teams that they have both got currently, for him to leave Newcastle, if I was Alexander Isak this phone call needs to come in from Real Madrid, Barcelona or potentially Liverpool, currently right now.

"I don't think there are many others that would tempt me to leave Newcastle."

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak. (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

After knocking Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage, Newcastle went on to claim victory over Liverpool in the final. Arne Slot's squad then celebrated lifting the Premier League trophy in May and demonstrated their ambition by splurging over $250m on new talent during the summer transfer window.

Despite the hefty investment in players, the Reds still possess the financial flexibility to pursue Isak, leaving the door open for a potential bid.

However, the Magpies must focus on their own strategy rather than fretting about the actions of their competitors.

With CEO Darren Eales and sporting director Paul Mitchell set to depart without immediate successors, Eddie Howe could find himself directly involved in discussions regarding Isak's contract renewal.

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This Place, These People, This Passion: The Story of Jamie Webster This is an abridged version; the full article is available free on our ‘It Was Always… Liverpool’ Substack page: Voice of the People Jamie Webster’s journey from Liverpool electrician to festival favourite has been nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his stirring performances and […]

The post Jamie Webster: From Birkenhead to Glastonbury With Liverpool in His Heart appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Liverpool Set Firm Asking Price for Darwin Nunez as Napoli Stall Over Valuation Liverpool have made their stance clear regarding the future of Darwin Nunez, with the Premier League champions holding out for a fee upwards of £60 million amid interest from Napoli. The Uruguay international has been the subject of growing transfer speculation this […]

The post Fabrizio Romano Confirms Liverpool’s Price Tag for Darwin Nunez Amid Napoli Interest appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton is reportedly attracting from several clubs in Europe

Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton is reportedly attracting from several clubs in Europe

Bobby Clark Transfer Race Hots Up as Liverpool Await Financial Windfall As the summer transfer market begins to hum, one former Liverpool youngster is at the centre of significant interest. Bobby Clark, now 20, left Anfield last summer for RB Salzburg in a £10 million deal. A year later, he could be on the move […]

The post Former Liverpool Midfielder Could be Set to Make Premier League Return appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

As the summer transfer market begins to hum, one former Liverpool youngster is at the centre of significant interest. Bobby Clark, now 20, left Anfield last summer for RB Salzburg in a £10 million deal. A year later, he could be on the move again, and Liverpool are watching closely thanks to a sell-on clause embedded in the original agreement.

DaveOCKOP has exclusively reported that a “long list of clubs” across Europe and beyond are pursuing Clark’s signature. With at least 15 interested parties, the competition for the midfielder’s services is real and growing.

Clark’s early promise in a Liverpool shirt was clear. He made his senior debut in the emphatic 9-0 demolition of Bournemouth in 2022 and later scored against Sparta Prague in the Europa League. Across three seasons, he made 14 senior appearances, collected a League Cup winners’ medal in 2024, and showcased the technical intelligence Liverpool fans had hoped to see blossom further.

Photo: IMAGO Difficult Season in Austria

When Jurgen Klopp departed Liverpool, Pep Lijnders took over at RB Salzburg and was instrumental in bringing Clark to Austria. He also secured the loan of Stefan Bajcetic from his former club.

In Salzburg colours, Clark featured in 17 league games, scoring once, and clocked over 1,100 minutes across all competitions including six Champions League appearances.

Yet, following Lijnders’ exit from the Austrian club, Clark’s fortunes faded. He dropped out of matchday squads and now seeks a new chapter to reignite his career.

Who’s Interested?

The range of clubs interested speaks volumes about Clark’s untapped potential. According to DaveOCKOP, German clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt, Cologne and Hamburg are monitoring the situation. In the UK, Sunderland, Leicester City, Rangers, West Brom, Birmingham City and Southampton have expressed interest.

Further afield, Clark is on the radar of Slovan Bratislava, FC Copenhagen, Red Star Belgrade, Al Wahda, Chicago Fire and Al Ettifaq. Such global demand hints at both his quality and his affordability.

Financial Implications for Liverpool

Liverpool will profit from any deal involving Clark due to a well-negotiated 17.5% sell-on clause. The precise return depends on the fee Salzburg command, but the structure ensures the Anfield club receives a slice of the proceeds.

For a club operating within smart financial parameters, especially following their Premier League-winning campaign under Arne Slot, every additional stream matters.

As the window progresses, Clark’s name will continue to circulate. “There is no doubting Clark’s quality and a fresh start will reinvigorate the midfielder,” DaveOCKOP rightly notes.

If Salzburg cash in this summer, Liverpool will not just have developed and exported talent but will also benefit from having played the long game financially.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, the Bobby Clark situation offers a bittersweet twist. While many were disappointed to see him leave in 2024, his performances in Austria—especially in the Champions League—proved what many already suspected: the lad’s got something special.

The idea that he could be pulling strings in midfield at places like Eintracht Frankfurt or Red Star Belgrade brings both pride and frustration. He came through our system, impressed in pre-season under Klopp, and never quite got the consistent game time some fans felt he deserved.

That said, Liverpool handled his departure wisely. A 17.5% sell-on clause is no small feat, especially when clubs across Europe and even the Middle East are involved in the chase. Whether it’s £1 million or £4 million back into the kitty, it’s clever business.

Arne Slot has already shown he trusts youth and develops talent, so Liverpool fans should feel confident that if another Bobby Clark emerges, this time he might just stay longer. Still, there’ll be plenty watching his next move closely, hoping the lad smashes it—just not against us in Europe.

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Liverpool Prepare for Pre-Season Without Elliott and Morton Liverpool are on the verge of beginning their 2025-26 pre-season with a rare luxury: almost the entire squad reporting on time. The only exceptions are Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton, both granted extra leave after helping England win the European Under-21 Championship last weekend. That leaves Arne […]

The post Two Liverpool Stars Set to Miss the Start of Pre-Season Ahead of 2025-26 Season appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

A loss Thursday would be a devasting blow in an already frustrating 2024/25.

As is the case for any (sobs) 14th-place team, Tottenham Hotspur's season hinges on competitions outside the Premier League. A bye into the Europa League Round of 16 keeps that avenue open, and the FA Cup remains a possibility as well, but the most immediate and realistic path to silverware is the League Cup. Yes, the road is brutal, with a trip to Anfield before a final against Newcastle, but only 180 minutes separate Spurs from ending their long-standing trophy drought.

That makes Thursday the biggest match of the season so far. Tottenham impressed in the semifinal's first leg, grinding out a 1-0 win despite ceding possession, absorbing pressure, and deploying a makeshift backline. Now, the battle shifts to Liverpool, where the country's best team will be confident in its ability to overcome a one-goal deficit. Spurs enter as clear underdogs but must find a way to advance.

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Liverpool (0) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1)

Date: Thursday, February 6
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Since the first leg, Liverpool has gone 5-1-1, with the lone defeat coming in a meaningless Champions League contest with a rotated lineup. With a Premier League title in sight and a strong European campaign underway, one might assume this competition sits lower on the priority list. Unfortunately for Spurs, there are no significant matches on Liverpool's immediate horizon, meaning Arne Slot is likely to field a strong XI at Anfield.

Both teams were relatively cautious in North London, though for different reasons. Tottenham's approach was shaped by a defense missing three of its four preferred starters, alongside a newly introduced Antonin Kinsky. Ange Postecoglou now has the opportunity of choosing from options like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, though plenty of important names like Micky van de Ven remain injured.

For Liverpool, the decision to play pragmatically was likely strategic — returning home with just a one-goal deficit seemed an acceptable trade-off. Having made that decision, Slot's side will now bring intensity reminiscent of December's league fixture. Players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent from the first leg's starting lineup, but may be called upon Thursday with the objective more clear.

A few moments of greatness

Tottenham will not see much of the ball at Anfield. Liverpool will dominate possession, generate the bulk of the chances, and apply relentless pressure in Spurs' defensive third. That is a daunting prospect for cobbled-together squad; the number one priority is minimizing mistakes, especially with a lead to protect.

That said, Spurs must be willing to attack when opportunities arise and will not need much possession to be dangerous. Both Dominic Solanke's narrowly disallowed goal and Lucas Bergvall's successful strike in the first leg came via direct play over the top. Exploiting Liverpool's high press with quick, vertical attacks could be Tottenham's best path to maintaining the advantage.

If Spurs can capitalize on a pressing opponent and snatch an insurance goal, the tie will come down to their ability to weather the inevitable storm. Recent form does not inspire much confidence in their defensive resilience, but Tottenham has produced surprising performances against top teams this season. Postecoglou will need another one to keep his second-season trophy promise alive.

Liverpool fans will have seen the social media stories circling that both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, something Arne Slot was asked to comment on.

Speaking (via 90min.com), our head coach said: "We have some contractual situations that you don't probably don't know about.

"But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven't extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

"My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well.

"You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

"The players that don't play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else?

"So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do."

The Dutchman doesn't really like to provide a direct answer on these topics, as it's not something he's directly involved in and prefers to allow time to pass.

However, confirmation that contracts have not been signed is a clear indication of the current situation and does debunk Robbie Fowler's theory.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent have not yet signed a new contract Pictures via @MoSalah on X

John Barnes has stated that if he were in charge of the new deals, he would select our captain as the most important of the trio.

Many fans have their own opinions as to who they would or wouldn't allow to leave the club but it does feel that the overwhelming majority want all three to commit their future to staying on Merseyside.

You would assume the club can afford to do this but whether the financial model allows it is another question.

It's the same situation we've been in all campaign but we can take from this that no deals have yet been signed and it doesn't feel like we're close to them being done either.

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Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool at risk of losing all three of their stars for nothing

Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

The Reds lost the away first leg 1-0 controversially courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late goal but he really should’ve been sent off earlier.

Newcastle United have reached the final by beating Arsenal in the other semi-final so the winner of this tie will take on the Magpies at Wembley on 16th March.

As per team news, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota have returned to full fitness after recovering from their injury problems but Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained an issue since featuring against the Cherries. So, he has been ruled out.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been playing in the cup competitions but Alisson Becker started in the previous leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Brazilian may continue in goal for the hosts tonight.

Jarell Quansah has started all the Carabao Cup matches thus far this season but considering the importance of the fixture tonight, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be called upon to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the CB position.

Conor Bradley would replace injured Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas might get the nod to start in the left-back position ahead of Andy Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to continue in the engine room with Dominik Szoboszlai in the CAM role. Therefore, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones could be among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo has also played all the League Cup games and should continue in his preferred left-wing position, while Mohamed Salah would be on the opposite side.

Luis Diaz may start again in the CF role, therefore, Darwin Nunez and Jota could feature off the bench if needed. Here is how Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham:

The post 4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup appeared first on Paisley Gates.

The Sky Sports campaign to try and destabilise Alexander Isak and get him out of Newcastle United is relentless, with the likes of Paul Merson and others, always willing to...

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