Liverpool

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Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, seven weeks after he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

One of English football's most decorated players, Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing career.

The two-time winner of the Ballon d'Or later went on to manage Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.

In a club statement, Liverpool said: "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Kevin's family and friends at this hugely difficult time.

"Our 'Mighty Mouse', his legacy at Liverpool will be forever etched in history."

What are your favourite memories of Keegan? Were you fortunate enough to meet him during his playing days on Merseyside?

Get in touch with your stories here

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Liverpool left for Chicago on Monday with a 31-man touring squad for their pre-season tour in the United States.

A mixed squad of first-team players and academy youngsters have travelled, with some of the World Cup contingent expected to join up during the tour.

Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz were all at the tournament and their return dates will vary, depending on their situation.

Among the travelling party are a handful of players like Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic, who will continue their injury rehabilitation programmes with the club's medical team.

Chicago will be where the Reds will be largely based for the next fortnight.

Andoni Iraola's side have friendlies scheduled in Nashville, New York and Chicago. The plan is for the squad to fly to Nashville and New York on the day before the games and then to return to Chicago after the matches.

Liverpool's first friendly is on Saturday against Sunderland at Geodis Park in Nashville (23:00 BST).

The Reds then take on Championship side Wrexham at Yankee Stadium next Wednesday evening local time (00:30 BST on Thursday).

Liverpool will finish their trip with a game against Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago a week on Sunday (21:00 BST) before flying back to England.

Their pre-season schedule concludes with two friendlies at Anfield against Monaco (9 August) and Como (16 August) before they kick off their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on Sunday, 23 August.

Initial Liverpool squad for USA tour (in squad number order): Gomez, Endo, Jacquet, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Chiesa, Leoni, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Frimpong, Abe, Nyoni, Bajcetic, Chambers, Ramsay, Scanlon, McConnell, Jaros, Koumas, Morrison, Ngumoha, Wright, Hall, Sonni-Lambie, Ndukwe, Davies.

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Liverpool have appointed Alejandro Rosalen as their new first-team goalkeeping coach.

The 49-year-old Spaniard joins Andoni Iraola's backroom staff, replacing Xavi Valero, who has now departed the Reds after a second spell with the club in 2025-26.

His move comes as 21-year-old Liverpool keeper Armin Pecsi is close to agreeing a season-long loan with Austrian side TSV Hartberg.

Rosalen's most recent position before coming to Merseyside was at Serie A side Napoli, from 2021 to this summer.

While at the club, Rosalen contributed to Napoli lifting the Scudetto on two occasions (2022-23 and 2024-25).

He also spent eight years with Italian side Fiorentina.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Liverpool have a World Cup winner and runner-up in their squad after Spain beat Argentina in the final on Sunday.

New signing Victor Munoz did not play a minute for Spain at the tournament but has a winner's medal. Alexis Mac Allister excelled for Argentina after a below-par season at Anfield, and his effective display against England will certainly have pleased Iraola.

Aside from that, Liverpool will take plenty of confidence from the other players they had in North America. Alexander Isak scored once and got three assists for Sweden while Florian Wirtz provided three assists for Germany.

Cody Gakpo scored three times for the Netherlands, with Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch also playing for them.

Meanwhile, Alisson played every minute for Brazil before they were knocked out by Norway in the last 16.

In terms of signings, Liverpool have expressed interest in Yan Diomande, while Bradley Barcola is also on their shortlist. Both impressed for Ivory Coast and France respectively.

Read more on the World Cup's impact on clubs

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Liverpool fan and Spion Kop podcast host Peter Bolster says Dominik Szoboszlai committing his "prime years" by signing a new contract at the club shows he wants to "make a real legacy" with the Reds.

The Hungary international had two years left on his current deal but has signed a new five-year contract to keep him at the club until 2031.

"I'm very relieved because he's obviously a fantastic player, he was the player of the season last season, he worked the hardest, and the one who really came out with any credit," Bolster told Total Sport's Paul Salt on BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Also, if you look at the lack of numbers in that Liverpool squad - you couldn't really afford to lose anymore players.

"He had two years left on his contract but the fact he has committed to Liverpool at the age of 25 shows he is willing to spend his prime years at the club. That says it all really.

"He came back to pre-season last week and was turning up to training before everyone else - it looked like he was taking advice from Mohamed Salah. It looks like he is taking on that leadership role and grabbing the club by the scruff of its neck really.

"He's thinking, 'this is my place and I want to make a real legacy here'."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

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Andoni Iraola and his coaching staff spend most of their day at the training ground - with a major emphasis on assessing the capabilities of the current squad.

The new head coach has told players that he's viewing them as new signings. Harvey Elliott returned a week earlier than expected while Curtis Jones looks like "he has had a great summer", according to one source. Jeremy Jacquet, who has been given the number five shirt, is settling in nicely and has recovered from his shoulder injury.

On the whole, the players have returned in "good nick", with medical staff impressed. When it comes to endurance, under Jurgen Klopp the players would do a lactate test while it was a six-minute race test under Slot.

Iraola's fitness test is slightly different - players move on a pitch with diagonals and cones to replicate changes of direction with high intensity.

"It's deceptive as your legs just go," defender Joe Gomez can be heard saying to Jones.

Those at the training ground say there is certainly a youthful vibe to the squad, with eight players on World Cup duty yet to join. As one source puts it: "This really is a chance for a new group to emerge before more of the seniors return."

"Definitely there are going to be changes," Iraola told Stan Sports in an interview. "A lot of senior players, players who have won everything here have left and we need other players to not replace them but assume (more responsibility) in terms of inside and outside the pitch."

Coming into a club the size of Liverpool has certainly been different for Iraola but there is a general respect around the building for the 44-year-old and the job he did at Bournemouth.

If his first week is anything to go by, Iraola is confident and certainly comfortable but not necessarily box office. Perhaps one way to put it for now is that his presence won't be felt yet like it was with a big character like Klopp.

Those who know him well believe he won't change his ways and Iraola said as much in his introductory press conference.

Come Monday afternoon, Liverpool will be flying across the Atlantic to Chicago, where they will be based for their pre-season tour that also includes fixtures in Nashville and New York.

That trip will offer Iraola the first real chance of working with an expanded group of players, with most of the remaining first team squad expected to join up, and a range of academy players also travelling, including 15-year-old Josh Abe.

Either side of the three scheduled friendlies, where most will get playing time, double training sessions are scheduled in the heat. Both Iraola and his squad will know that from now on, the pressure will only heat up too.

• Read more from Aadam

European champions Spain broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina in extra-time to win their second ever World Cup in New Jersey.

Barcelona's Ferran Torres was the difference maker in what was an overall disappointing final that was littered with interruptions.

Spain created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra time.

Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams' header to beat Argentina and Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.

Seven Premier League players will now return to their five respective clubs for the new 2026-27 season having won the biggest honour in world football.

Liverpool are prepared to join Manchester United in the race for Roma's 25-year-old France midfielder Manu Kone. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool want to sign Sweden left-back Daniel Svensson from Borussia Dortmund, but may face competition from Arsenal for the 24-year-old's signature. (Caught Offside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool are guaranteed to have a 2026 World Cup winner in their squad no matter who emerges victorious in Sunday's final.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will help Argentina defend their title against Spain live on BBC One from 19:00 BST, while also bidding for his second winner's medal.

Mac Allister was at Brighton when he was victorious in 2022 and told their club media his childhood heroes were Juan Roman Riquelme and Andreas Iniesta.

"I always watch Juan Roman Riquelme, he was one of the best players in the world when I was growing up," he said. "I always liked Andreas Iniesta as well, both were great players."

Should Argentina beat Spain, Mac Allister would eclipse Iniesta's feat of one World Cup title.

Meanwhile, Liverpool summer signing Victor Munoz is in the opposing squad.

The 23-year-old winger has not yet featured at the 2026 tournament but has been named on Luis de la Fuente's bench.

Watch the World Cup final on the BBC

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We asked for your views on how important it was to tie Dominik Szoboszlai down to a new deal and what role the midfielder will play under new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.

Here are some of your comments:

Colin: Stay in midfield, not right-back and encourage him to eventually become captain.

Nnamugala: Very important player. Love to see him and Florian Wirtz together in a midfield. How balanced it'll be with both, I cannot imagine. Very good player. Doesn't give up, not only in his words, but also on the pitch.

Paul: Future club captain!

Ike: We have been losing too many players recently. He was the best player for us last season, so it's great news!

Ibs: I want to see Szoboszlai play in the attacking midfield role and not hampered by playing right-back. I want to see Alexis Mac Allister step up for us again like he has for Argentina. I also want to see our forward line play with more freedom - there's no more worry now about having to feed Salah. And I want to see Harvey Elliott back and given a chance to show off his natural creative skills.

Andrew: Club captain! We have had and need leaders in all areas of the field, but midfield is crucial. No offence to Virgil van Dijk, but moving the captaincy to Szoboszlai would enable Virgil to focus on defence, developing the new players around him.

Keith: Captain, obviously. Enough said. He's a playmaker, he's intelligent and he has energy, skill and passion.

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Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai has said he wants "to set the example" after signing a new five-year contract at Anfield.

The 25-year-old was entering the final two years of his previous deal, having joined from RB Leipzig for £60m in 2023.

"When I signed, I said I want to win everything. That didn't change for a little moment either. It stayed the same," the Hungarian told club media.

"I want to win everything that is possible in this country - also, let's say the Champions League. I'm ready to go for it."

Szoboszlai was the standout performer in a disappointing 2025-26 campaign for the Reds, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists.

"There's always more to come. I'm never happy," added the midfielder. "I want to set the example. I want to be an example also for everyone, as much as I can."

On signing his new deal, he added: "It's maybe my biggest day. There are a couple in front of it – probably when I signed for Liverpool the first time and when I got my baby, of course. But in my football career, I can say this is in the top three.

"[I] can't wait to go again and again and again. I'm just happy to be here."

So, how important was it for Liverpool to tie up Szoboszlai's future and what will his role be in the side for under Andoni Iraola this season?

Send us your comments here

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With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Scudgie: Whether Andoni Iraola adopts his intelligent pressing and attack-minded football. I wouldn't have been able to cope with another season of Arne Slot's negativity.

Mary: Seeing the boys walk out every week in our resplendent kit. I always think we can win every game so there's that level of excitement built in.

Stephen: I would like to see us win another Premier League this season, but if not - and, being greedy, maybe both - I would love us to win another Champions League. Beating Borussia Monchengladbach in 1977 when I was a 10-year-old is still my favourite Liverpool moment!

Andrew: Plain and simple - meeting in the Abbey before (and after) the Nottingham Forest game and catching up with everyone with a sniff of optimism in the air for the new season ahead. Going to the match is so much more than just 'going to the match'.

Jack: As a Liverpool fan, I think I speak for all of us when I say change is the one thing we're looking forward to. I have massive respect for Slot for winning us the league title and then leading us through the massive tragedy of losing Diogo Jota. But the fact of the matter is our football style was abysmal last season, the signings we made did not adapt well to his system and that is why they struggled so much. I hope Iraola can get the team ticking and players who need minutes - like Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and even Rio Ngumoha - can get more and grow and develop.

Mark: The key thing I'm looking forward to is watching the side be more attacking and closing down quicker. The new gaffer has a similar style of play to Jurgen Klopp, so really hope we start and end the season fast - if not even faster.

Nik: Watching football that is actually enjoyable to watch. Win or lose, I just want to see identity, passion and a playing style we can all get behind.

Liverpool are leading the race to sign Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano from Mainz and are prepared to offer up to 60m euros (£50.9m) for the 25-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. (Teamtalk), external

Liverpool have asked Bournemouth about 19-year-old winger Rayan as they aim to reunite the Brazilian with former head coach Andoni Iraola. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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For all the talk about new signings - of which Liverpool will certainly make more this transfer window - Dominik Szoboszlai's new contract will be one of the most important deals of the lot in Andoni Iraola's first summer at Anfield.

Szoboszlai is a brilliant footballer and Liverpool see him as a future leader.

With the dressing room losing the likes of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate this summer - and Alisson and Virgil van Dijk's contracts expiring in 12 months, Szoboszlai's long-term commitment is a massive boost for the club.

Liverpool had a forgettable 2025-26 but the Hungarian was named as their player of the season after a stellar individual campaign. At various times, his leadership qualities were praised by then head coach Arne Slot too.

Asked if Szoboszlai has the attributes to be a future leader, Slot said: "Yes, but he is still young. He has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example. There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, being vocal and a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal.

"Virgil is 34 and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these players, so it's really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil. That would be the next step for him - to be as vocal and as loud as Virgil, but that comes with time.

"For all the other things, he has a lot to become a very influential player for Liverpool and you could call that a leader."

Go back to 2023 when Szoboszlai signed for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp. Klopp's verdict then was that "this is a signing for our present and also for our future."

Szoboszlai will now be at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is set to sign a new long-term contract at Anfield.

The Hungary international, who has two years left on his current deal, is expected to end speculation surrounding his future by putting pen to paper on a deal after months of months of negotiations between Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Szoboszlai's camp.

The 25-year-old signed for Liverpool from RB Leipzig for £60m in 2023 and was the standout performer for the Reds last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists.

In February, Mohamed Salah described Szoboszlai as "one of the best players in the world."

With Andy Robertson leaving Anfield this summer, Liverpool need to appoint a new vice-captain and, once his future is sorted, Szoboszlai will be a strong contender to take up that role.

"Obviously he has been very good [this season]," said Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk last season. "He's also a player who I think can still make the next step in terms of being a leader for this team. It starts by leading by example and that's something he has done so far this season.

"There is still progress to be made and that's a good thing, in my opinion, so hopefully he will be very important for the years to come at Liverpool."

Szoboszlai returned to Merseyside on Tuesday for pre-season training and will be part of Liverpool's touring party when they travel to The United States for their pre-season tour next week.

The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.

As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is a Liverpool fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.

So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?

Get in touch here

The 10th episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Liverpool focuses on the letter J - David James, Joey Jones, David Johnson and the late Diogo Jota.

"Jota was a hero wasn't he?" Phil Munns said on the latest show.

"Quite often he was a player who would have an impact off the bench a lot of the time, and he had his song which gets belted out quite a lot now.

"It's still hard to sink in the fact that he's gone."

Jota spent five years with the Reds, scoring 65 goals and winning four trophies before he tragically died in a road accident in July 2025.

He is immortalised in Liverpool history for the big moments he produced at Anfield; not least of which was his final goal for the club when he netted the winning strike in the Merseyside derby against Everton.

"He was so unpredictable in the way he made that run and even in the way he slotted it in because Jordan Pickford had dived out of the way and he managed to just put it down the middle," Munns added.

"But he was a big player for the big occasion. If things weren't going right you had Jota there who you knew could pick a way through any defence."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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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:

Peter: A bit left-field here, but Brian Cipenga of DR Congo. He scored against England, looked full of energy and lively, and he was a real handful. England's Premier League quality defenders found him difficult to handle. Yes it's only one game, but he has been pretty good the whole tournament. He plays for Almeria in the second division in Spain so he could be a relatively cheap signing. At 28-years-old, he's in his prime and could do a job coming off the bench.

Mark: Johan Manzambi of Freiburg and Switzerland would be a good addition to Liverpool's midfield and squad. He has speed and vision, plus he creates scoring opportunities.

Andy: Manzambi, the young Swiss attacking midfielder, has caught my eye during the World Cup. He can score goals, assist others and he looks fearless when running at defences. He is the right age to improve even more too.

Samers: Bradley Barcola has showed so much composure off the bench for France. I also think Netherlands' Crysencio Summerville is very skilful. I would also like to see Kim Min-jae of South Korea, who is composed, strong and very underrated.

Chris: Liverpool should sort the centre-back position out now before others grab the players we want. Dayot Upamecano of France would be my choice, but there's slim chance of that. We 100% need someone of real quality. Summerville from West Ham would also be a solid buy. Maybe Marcus Rashford would work?

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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It seems a long time ago now, but go back to the day that Liverpool sealed the Premier League title under Arne Slot in 2025 and there is a lovely clip of Alexis Mac Allister.

As the final whistle goes and the players run on to the pitch to celebrate, Mac Allister sits alone on the bench and starts to cry, external. He was undeniably a force that season and integral to Liverpool's title-winning campaign.

But a year on, after a disappointing campaign that wasn't helped by injury problems at the outset, Mac Allister would be the first to admit that the 2025-26 season fell below the standards he had set previously.

The Argentina international is still on the five-year deal he signed when he arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2023, so he still has two seasons left on his contract, but it is worth noting that currently there are no talks over a new deal and he is not in active talks with another club.

When you consider that Dominik Szoboszlai - whose contract also ends in 2028 - is in talks over a new deal, the expectation is that movement on that front for Mac Allister would be expected over the course of the next season.

If those talks aren't planned, then it would make sense if Liverpool considered offers this summer. But, in a market in which the value of midfielders is rising and rising, that would be a big call - similar to when Liverpool let Luis Diaz leave for Bayern Munich last summer.

Mac Allister was so close to Jurgen Klopp that his Liverpool team-mates would often joke that Klopp was like his dad. You only have to see the clip of the pair hugging at the World Cup and Mac Allister giving him his shirt to see the warmth between the pair.

He described Arne Slot as the "perfect bridge" after Klopp left, crediting the Dutchman's support for him off the pitch too.

"It's not just football. This is not just a club - it's our family, it's our memories, it's our legacy... and we have to cherish it, because we don't know how long it will last," Mac Allister told The Players' Tribune, external in August 2025.

Crucial to his next steps will be his relationship with Andoni Iraola and whether the Spaniard can get the best out of Mac Allister. Both parties will be hoping that last season was merely a blip and more memories are going to be made.

Read the full article here