Liverpool

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

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Tributes to the late Kevin Keegan will take place at St James' Park on Sunday when two of his former clubs, Newcastle United and Liverpool, meet in the Premier League.

The former England manager died in July aged 75 and both clubs will come together to celebrate his remarkable playing and managerial career.

The teams will warm up in special shirts and wear black armbands during the match.

Among several other tributes, a minute's applause will take place before kick-off and a display by Wor Flags will include both home and away supporters.

Fans have been asked to arrive early for the 16:30 BST kick-off.

Inter Milan are closing in on a deal worth 35m euros (£30m) for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.

Liverpool are open to selling Jones and want something in line with the £30m package that Inter paid Tottenham for Djed Spence.

How would you rate this potential sale? Tell us

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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A week before the start of the new Premier League season, a new exhibition opened at the Liverpool FC museum at Anfield.

It is devoted to the goalscoring exploits of legendary striker Ian Rush and highlights the role he played in the club's incredible success during the 1980s and 1990s.

But at a time when modern football and its surrounding football lexicon is packed full of "high press, counter-pressing and triggers", then maybe it is a worthwhile exercise to reflect on how the man who became a nightmare figure for defenders in England and Europe was the finest exponent in all of the above before the terminology became universally popular.

Celebrated primarily for his goals, the Wales international was also Liverpool's first line of defence, setting standards that would fit seamlessly into today's game.

Rush's extraordinary scoring record understandably dominates discussions about his career. However, labelling him as just a penalty-box predator overlooks a crucial aspect of his contribution.

Liverpool's success in that era was built not only on technical excellence, but also on relentless work without the ball. Rush embodied that philosophy better than anyone.

What made Rush so effective was his willingness to chase seemingly lost causes.

Defenders who thought they had time to settle in possession were rarely able to enjoy such luxury. He closed down central defenders, full-backs and goalkeepers with remarkable intensity, forcing hurried clearances and rushed decisions.

At a time when many strikers conserved their energy for potential attacking moments, he viewed defensive work as a vitally important component of his overall job.

His pressing was intelligent and reliable. Rush understood angles, using his runs to cut off passing lanes while simultaneously applying pressure on the ball carrier.

Rather than charging aimlessly, he shepherded opponents into uncomfortable areas where Liverpool's midfielders could win back possession.

In modern terminology, he was activating pressing traps decades before football analysts began giving them names.

Liverpool's dominance under Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish was built on collective discipline as well as footballing artistry and Rush was central to that culture.

In the more recent landscape, when players like Roberto Firmino and Liverpool's recent forwards are praised for their defending from the front, Rush deserves recognition as a pioneer of the role.

He managed to combine world-class finishing with tireless pressing, making him not only the Reds' greatest goalscorer, but also their most effective "defensive forward".

The language may have changed, but the principle remains the same. Long before "high press" entered the football vocabulary, Rush was emphasising the moments that a striker's contribution begins were the moment his team loses possession.

His goals may have won matches, but his pressing helped to build champions.

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Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who has starred for Liverpool in pre-season, is closing in on a loan move to Levante in La Liga.

The 18-year-old is ineligible to play competitive football for Liverpool this season due to work-permit issues and a move to Spain looks increasingly likely but no deal has been struck yet.

BBC Sport understands that if the move does happen, it will be a season-long loan move that will then be reviewed during the January transfer window.

There is a chance that Ndukwe could be recalled from any loan in January if he earns enough points to qualify for a UK work permit by then.

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Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is set to join Al-Diriyah on a loan deal from Al-Hilal.

The 27-year-old's move between the Saudi Pro League clubs is at an advanced stage with the transfer expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

It is understood Al-Diriyah sporting director Dougie Freedman has played an integral role in the proposed deal.

Freedman left his position at Crystal Palace last summer and helped the Al-Diriyah secure promotion into the Saudi top-flight in his first season.

Having joined Liverpool in 2022 for a fee of up to £85m, the Uruguay international left Anfield last summer joining Al-Hilal.

Nunez scored nine goals in all competitions for the club last season before making three appearances at the World Cup.

He has been linked with a return to European football this summer but is set to stay in Saudi Arabia.

Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O'Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season - but who will be next?

BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.

Liverpool's Trey Nyoni is on the list ...

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Name: Trey Nyoni Age: 19 Position: Centre-midfield Country: England

Steve Wilson: The young central midfielder has been one of Liverpool's best performers in pre-season. Signed from Leicester City in 2023, he made his Premier League debut in late December after a handful of appearances in domestic cup competitions.

Arne Slot liked what he saw enough to give the then 18-year-old a dozen appearances from the bench in the second half of last season.

Andoni Iraola has been impressed by Nyoni on his new side's somewhat shaky US tour and, with central midfield an area Liverpool aren't especially strong in, he may be reconsidering listening to offers to send him out on loan.

Find the full list of possible breakout stars here

Liverpool and England midfielder Curtis Jones, 25, remains a top target for Inter Milan, who believe a bid of 35m euros (£29m) will be successful. (CaughtOffside), external

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

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Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.

After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.

It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play

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We asked you what you think will happen between now and the end of the transfer window, after Liverpool reporter Aadam Patel said replacing Mohamed Salah's goals and assists remains something to be solved (12:00 BST below).

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: For the first time in over a year, I'll be excited to watch Liverpool play again! We need a winger, yes, but more importantly a top defensive midfielder and right-back. Would be delighted to see Bradley Barcola come in. Top four will be a success for Andoni Iraola's first season.

Mark: I'd love Liverpool to sign Barcola from PSG, but not if it blows the rest of any transfer budget, and not for the kind of money PSG reportedly want. With this season already expected to be one of transition, and with less than two years remaining on his PSG contract, I'd prefer Liverpool to take a calculated risk and wait a year to achieve better value next summer. I'd rather we concentrated on other areas, like a defensive midfielder and left or right-back.

John: Liverpool still need additional signings at right-back, a defensive midfielder and someone (probably Barcola) to replace Salah on the right.

Joey: We still need a consistent right-back and defensive midfielder of above-average class as cover.

Alan: If Liverpool get Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye over the line then the only outstanding situation to be solved is central midfield, especially if Curtis Jones leaves. Adam Wharton would be great signing.

Gareth: Liverpool, should re-sign Neco Williams from Nottingham Forest. He's a decent defender who could play on the right or left-back, covering two positions.

Henry: It's so painfully obvious to everyone that we need a number six, apart from the Liverpool hierarchy. We couldn't control games last season and leaked countless goals. We will get found out again and again this season.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Up until the weekend, the question was very much who would partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back for Liverpool's first Premier League game away at Newcastle on Sunday.

But after his impressive performance in the friendly against Como on debut - when he scored too - Jeremy Jacquet looks set to start alongside the Liverpool skipper.

That means the biggest issue still outstanding is how Liverpool plan to make up the goals and assists they have lost from Mohamed Salah.

When it comes to attackers and attacking players that will be expected to play a key part this season, Liverpool have Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha, while Hugo Ekitike is currently sidelined. Federico Chiesa is increasingly expected to move this summer.

In Salah's absence, the pressure on both Isak and Wirtz will go up a notch but it must be a concern from a Liverpool perspective that they haven't managed to get a deal for Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain over the line yet. Movement on that front is expected before the transfer window concludes.

Barcola is the kind of name who would be worth the wait. The 23-year-old may not be the direct replacement for Salah, given the Frenchman primarily plays on the left rather than the right as Salah did, but Andoni Iraola wants his wingers to play on both sides and Barcola would definitely bring that star factor with him.

What do you think will happen at Anfield between now and the end of the transfer window?

Get in touch with your views here

Liverpool are still keen to sign Paris St-Germain duo Bradley Barcola, 23, and Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, with a combined fee of £155m being mooted for the France winger and Senegal forward. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

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We asked for your views on whether Liverpool need to bring in more defensive reinforcements after Jeremy Jacquet impressed in a 2-0 victory over Como on Sunday.

Here are some of your comments:

Patrick: Certainly need an extra defender, at best one who can play central or right/left-back.

Kate: I was delighted to see both Jacquet and Ronald Araujo against Como. I think it's going to help massively and they will improve as they settle in too. It offers us a better balance and more freedom to go forward. More defenders needed? Yes please, especially given our injury record.

Anthony: Yes, right-back needs sorting. Djed Spence would have been a great buy. Needs also to give Calvin Ramsay a chance - plus no more midfielders playing right-back.

Pat: Right-back is still a concern. Jeremie Frimpong does not have the tools defensively, Conor Bradley is never fit (despite looking world class on his day) and Joe Gomez increasingly seems to be made of glass. Dominik Szoboszlai had man-of-the-match performances there last year, but it's a waste of his talent.

Grant: Still need a left and right-back! Central defence is looking better thankfully.

Leigh: Liverpool still very much need a proper defensive midfielder. Even Como were bypassing Ryan Gravenberch in that position. Defence itself seems to be OK now.

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There has been ample discourse about Liverpool's need to strengthen their defence.

In the aftermath of Sunday's friendly win over Como, fans have taken to social media to celebrate the performance of Jeremy Jacquet.

Speaking about Jacquet and recent signing Ronald Araujo, captain Virgil van Dijk said: "Jeremy's English is, I would say, a bit better than Ronald's, but at the end of the day we are all pretty good footballers, we can see and smell some moments on how to defend certain situations.

"But it's pretty clear that you need to form a connection together and that takes a bit of time.

"That's absolutely normal, but hopefully we can get that going as quickly as possible."

So, do you think the Reds still need to act in the transfer market or do you feel more settled about their defensive options? Tell us

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola says his side "needed" a clean sheet in their 2-0 friendly win over Como but warned they "need training" time in the weeks to come.

Liverpool drew 0-0 with the Italian side in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday and then won an encounter in front of fans at Anfield later in the day.

The shutouts followed friendlies where the Reds conceded three against Monaco and four against Leeds.

"I think we need a little bit this feeling of finishing with a clean sheet, winning the game," Iraola said after the 2-0 success.

"Still, the first half has been better than the second, but at least we kept our organisation, our composure and we found a way to finish with a clean sheet, 2-0. I think we needed this feeling before we start."

On the conditioning of his players, with a week to go until they face a trip to Newcastle in their Premier League opener, he added: "I think we are better than we were last week. Still, I hope next week we are better than we were today. It's normal but first halves are still better than second halves. But today a lot of players played 90 minutes, 80 minutes and they finished [with] no cramps, apparently nothing major. So, it's keep building these fitness levels, this also [mentality] even when you are not as fresh [to] keep the focus so you don't make the big mistakes. I think it's an improvement but still – especially second half – we need to be better.

"At the end, we need training, we need to train together. Some of the players that have started playing today, we need to build relationships, the players to have this option to solve problems by themselves in the pitch, analyse what we can improve – especially second half today. This needs time. So, I think we can use these two, three weeks – we have full weeks – so we are ready for the league."

• Listen to debate on BBC Radio Merseyside about the sale of a minority stake in the Reds