Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have installed a permanent memorial outside Anfield in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva to mark the first anniversary of their death.

The 'Forever 20' memorial, created by renowned sculptor Emma Rodgers, is centrally a flowing heart sculpture, an acknowledgement of the forward's goal celebration.

From different angles it also shows the numbers 20 and 30, the brothers' shirt numbers, and includes the lyrics to Jota's song, which has been sung in the 20th minute of every match since his death in a car crash on 3 July 2025.

Image source, Getty Images

Physical tributes left as a temporary memorial over the last year, including sections of scarves and shirts, have been set in wax and embedded into the structure and surface of the sculpture and incorporated into the stone plinth, using stone from their hometown Gondomar.

A single flower placed in tribute has also been cast in bronze, and the memorial features a PlayStation controller in reference to Jota's love of gaming and signature celebration.

A Liverpool statement read: "'Forever 20' will serve as a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance, and a place where everyone can reflect, remember and pay their respects."

Image source, Getty Images

Portugal also paid a touching tribute to Jota at the end of their remarkable World Cup victory over Croatia in the early hours of Friday.

At the end of the game, captain Cristiano Ronaldo put on a special '21' shirt in Jota's memory before the squad came together with the shirt held aloft.

Before the last-32 tie, towards the end of Portugal's national anthem, Jota's picture appeared on the big screen in Toronto, and was greeted with a loud cheer from supporters.

Listen to the sculptor discuss the memorial below

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As it stands, Liverpool only have three representatives left at the World Cup.

Alisson and Victor Munoz have qualified for the last 16 with Brazil and Spain respectively, while Alexis Mac Allister and Argentina will expect to join them there when they take on Cape Verde in the last 32 later on Friday.

Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo (all Netherlands), Florian Wirtz (Germany) and Alexander Isak (Sweden) were all eliminated in the last 32 and are now likely to join up with Andoni Iraola's squad later this month.

Liverpool depart for a pre-season tour of USA on 20 July, with their first friendly scheduled for 25 July against Sunderland in Nashville.

Their first Premier League game will be just under a month later when Iraola's side travel to Newcastle on 23 August.

It remains to be seen when Alisson, Munoz and Mac Allister will return to Merseyside but, as it stands, Iraola will largely have a full squad at his disposal for most of pre-season, with only a handful making it to the latter stages of the World Cup.

Roma and Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Sunderland all asking about the 25-year-old's availability. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's latest signing Jeremy Jacquet is likely to be Ibrahima Konate's successor, says author and Liverpool fan Adam Beattie.

The 20-year-old completed his £60m move to Anfield on Wednesday and with Konate now at Real Madrid, there is a bit of pressure on the Frenchman's shoulders.

"Jacquet signing takes on a bit of a new meaning now," Beattie told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He comes in, potentially depending on what else we do in the transfer market, as the Konate successor, which is a big ask for someone of his age and someone who's had the injury problems that he's had.

"He's obviously an exciting talent and it's a lot of money for someone who's not played a great deal of professional football yet but that's also quite exciting. He looks enormous which is always good and it's exactly what we need, but I'd personally go and get another centre-back if possible."

BBC Radio Merseyside also discussed a potential move for Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola and likely midfield outgoings, as Beattie hopes Curtis Jones remains a Red.

Click play below to hear the full clip or listen on BBC Sounds here

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be part of Andoni Iraola's backroom staff at Anfield.

Both Elphick and Cooper worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and will now leave the Cherries to join the Spaniard as first-team coaches at Liverpool.

Bristol City and Burnley were interested in Elphick for their managerial vacancy but the former centre-back has chosen to continue a relationship with Iraola that started in 2023.

Pablo de la Torre joins as an assistant coach, with this now the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club.

Tom Webber - who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth - will join Liverpool too as first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis at Bournemouth.

After the sacking of Arne Slot his assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst left, while Ruben Peeters, who was the first-team performance coach, also departed. Slot's first-team tactical analyst, Roderick van der Ham, confirmed in a LinkedIn post this week that he was also leaving the club.

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:

Isaac: I would like Crysencio Summerville at Liverpool next season as he's performed for West Ham consistently and is showing potential at this World Cup. He's still quite young and I think that he would thrive under the coaching of Andoni Iraola. He's a more affordable option compared to other targets such as Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola, although I wouldn't complain if we signed him from PSG.

Jack: Number one is Barcola. With it seeming like he'll leave PSG and Liverpool admiring him for a while now I'd love to see him at Anfield. We do need more of a right-wing but he'd still be a great option. The second player is Ayyoub Bouaddi. I'm still apprehensive about Alexis Mac Allister for next season and I think getting a bit of youth in the form of Bouaddi would be great. He's had a breakout World Cup and I really like his style of play.

Neil: Michael Olise. He makes the beautiful game seem so simple and would grace any stage in world football.

Matt: Antonio Nusa looks good potential. Left-sided, which means we would have a couple who play that side. Reasonably priced, depending on World Cup performance.

Dave: The Paraguayan centre-back Jose Canale. He was immense against Germany.

Sean: Nico Schlotterbeck. We need a solid left-back, and centre-back experience. He covers both. He can be a contingency for Virgil van Dijk's decline in the late stage of his career.

Curtis Jones, 25, may stay at Liverpool as the England midfielder is reluctant to join Nottingham Forest, while Inter Milan are unable to meet his asking price. (Liverpool Echo), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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