Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

"Liverpool fans were naturally expecting the finished product to arrive and Florian Wirtz probably isn't that just yet," says Liverpool podcaster Josh Williams, who also admits the 23-year-old isn't living up to his £116m price tag.

Wirtz has made 55 appearances for the Reds, scoring seven goals and contributing 11 assists, since penning a five-year deal to move to Anfield from Bayern Leverkusen in June 2025.

However, the attacking midfielder is yet to find the target in 404 Premier League minutes this season.

When asked if Wirtz is as bad as the recent criticism he has received, Williams told BBC Radio Merseyside: "If you look at his performance against Bournemouth, yes. It was a disgrace. I get it might happen here and there, but it isn't supposed to happen to a £100m player.

"The credit he has got in the bank is largely from his Bundesliga days. It has been over a year since he arrived in England but we aren't seeing a player that grabs the game by the scruff of the neck - and I suppose a £100m player should do that.

"It is a difficult one because he is still really young and there are tactical reasons why he didn't succeed last season. We are only six games into Andoni Iraola's reign as well, so I would encourage patience with Wirtz."

On whether Wirtz being crowned Bundesliga player of the year back-to-back brought even more expectation, Williams added: "It obviously did. I absolutely understand why there's expectation there.

"I'm reluctant to defend him and make out that he has actually been a worldie because what we've seen so far hasn't been that great."

Hit play below to hear the full discussion or listen on BBC Sounds here

Liverpool are considering a move to bring 23-year-old midfielder Tyler Morton back to the club from Lyon, with Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton also monitoring him. (Teamtalk), external

Juventus could be set to reignite their interest in goalkeeper Alisson, whose future at Anfield is in doubt. (Football Italia), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool are expected to appoint technical director Julian Ward as their next sporting director, succeeding Richard Hughes, who left to join Al-Hilal after the summer transfer window.

Reds owners Fenway Sports Group has spoken to a number of external candidates, including former Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman, now at Saudi Pro League side Al-Diriyah.

Brentford technical director Lee Dykes was also approached.

BBC Sport reported last Friday that Ward was a leading candidate to fill the role, with FSG minded to make an internal appointment.

It is understood Ward's promotion at Anfield is now in the process of being finalised.

As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games of the Premier League.

Liverpool are a work in progress for new manager Andoni Iraola, but the Reds are unbeaten, with two league wins and three draws to sit in sixth position.

Iraola has picked up his first Champions League win, with a victory over Atletico Madrid, and also progressed in the Carabao Cup.

The Reds have found a more solid defensive formula in the last three games too, and while Florian Wirtz has yet to fire, Alexander Isak is behind only Manchester City's Erling Haaland in the goalscoring charts.

How do you rate the Reds' start to the season and why? And what should Iraola be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha says he "never looked back" after first being named in the club's senior squad for pre-season before the 2025-26 campaign.

Ngumoha had become the youngest player in the club's history to start a first-team match when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley the previous season, and further impressed Arne Slot during the tour of Hong Kong and Japan.

The winger then marked his Premier League debut by scoring a stunning late winner in the Reds' dramatic 3-2 win away at Newcastle in their second game of the campaign.

What followed was a breakout season for Nguomha, who made 31 appearances and was handed his England senior debut in a friendly against New Zealand after being named in Thomas Tuchel's preparation camp for this summer's World Cup.

"I can't put it into words, especially since last year," the 18-year-old said after being named in Tuchel's latest Three Lions squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.

"I started with the first team properly in pre-season last season and I never looked back really. [I] just kept on going and going, trying to prove to myself and to everyone what I could do.

"I think I showed that, so far, it's been quick, but I think it's been good. I have been enjoying it."

Despite his meteoric rise, Ngumoha says he is taking it all in his stride.

When asked if he would have believed his progress if someone had told him what would happen last August, he added: "Yes, definitely I would have, because like I say, I am a big believer in that you have to say what you want to achieve.

"Manifest it, even though it might sound crazy to another person, it can happen in life. Life can just be like that, so fast.

"So, I did believe it would happen."

Liverpool will not consider selling playmaker Florian Wirtz to Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, while the German giants would only make a move next summer if winger Michael Olise turns down a new deal. (Christian Falk - Bayern Insider/Bild), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

The LFC Poets podcast's Peter Warburton believes Florian Wirtz would look like a "world beater" if his Liverpool team-mates were on his wavelength and says he has not "become a bad player overnight".

The Germany attacking midfielder has come under criticism since he signed last year in a deal worth £116m.

And after a modest first campaign, Wirtz has laboured in the early stages of this season - but Warburton thinks the signing can still prove himself in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola

"I've said for a long time that he's such a clever player and if other players were on his wavelength, he would look a world beater. I truly think that.

"Alexander Isak had his problems last season because of injuries, but when he came in the team, you could see the runs he was making.

"I think under a new manager it may be a different way of playing because we were so slow coming forward last season.

"They were calling it 'Slop-ball' in the end and I think if we play to Wirtz's strengths, I think you'll see a lot of his detractors eat their words.

"You don't become a bad player overnight whether you're in the Bundesliga or Premier League.

"I don't think he's a bad player. The likes of Wirtz, [Bradley] Barcola and Isak are not judged on how they perform - the first thing people say is he cost that much money, so he should snap into it like that."

Listen to the full clip below or on BBC Sounds

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

It took less than a week of pre-season for Lewis Koumas to show new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola what he could offer.

And it has taken less than a month of the new season for him to show why he has a place in Liverpool's plans.

Reds legend Ian Rush is among a growing number impressed by Koumas' potential, a potential that - despite his recent rise to prominence - has been obvious for a number of years.

Former Liverpool Under-21 head coach Barry Lewtas describes him as "a coach's dream".

"The effort, the will to learn and develop, how he applies himself, it's all there," Lewtas says.

A Liverpool supporter from birth, Koumas has been with the Reds since primary school age, following in the footsteps of his father Jason, who was once a nine-year-old team-mate of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.

While Jason moved on to Tranmere without making the breakthrough at Liverpool, Lewis has flourished with the Premier League club, especially since being pushed from midfield into a forward role at the age of 16.

"That was an important part of his development, getting that exposure of playing deeper, dealing with the ball and the technical side," adds Lewtas.

"But then, when your skill-sets develop, you find the area that suits you best."

Given the influence of then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Lewtas says Koumas' finishing prowess combined with a ferocious attitude towards pressing meant his path was obvious.

"He fitted us and we fitted him," Lewtas says.

By 2024, Klopp had given Koumas his senior debut.

He scored in the FA Cup against Southampton in February 2024 was then an unused substitute as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the League Cup at Wembley.

There were more than 900 days before his next first-team appearance for Liverpool, with three loan spells in the Championship in between.

At Stoke City, Koumas played under three different managers in a single season, but earned roles under all three during a spell credited for boosting his belief.

He played 25 times for Birmingham City in the first half last season - although managed only seven league starts - before moving on to Hull City and playing an important role in the Tigers' promotion via the play-offs.

Koumas returned to Liverpool in the summer with renewed confidence.

Read more about Koumas and his national call-up to Wales here.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Rob Page hailed the "character and resilience" of his Liverpool U21's side as they drew 3-3 against Rochdale in the Jersey Mike's Trophy while down to 10-men.

The young Reds scored two goals in injury time to level the group-stage clash and then won the penalty shoot-out 7-6 against the League Two side to earn a bonus point.

"What character and resilience the boys showed to come back from the sending off early on, to see the game through and play as much as we could with 10-men and to dig deep. I've nothing but praise for that group - great character," said Page, who added it was the proudest he'd been of the group since he took the job in 2025.

Mor Talla Ndiaye was sent off in the first half for Liverpool before Devante Rodney broke the deadlock for Rochdale.

Liverpool equalised before the break with a great solo goal from Will Wright, but Rochdale scored twice in quick succession in the second half through 41-year-old Ian Henderson.

But Page's youngsters didn't give up and scored in the 94th and 96th minute through substitutes Ben Trueman and Josh Sonni-Lambie, before winning the shoot-out when Harvey Davies saved from the Rochdale goalkeeper after the first 13 penalties were all converted.

"We talk about being proud to wear the jersey, and when you wear the badge, it comes with a level of expectation when you play for Liverpool," said Page.

"They know that myself and Jay [Spearing] who's played for the club, won't accept anything less than 100%. They've got that built-in resilience. It's the character we want in the team.

"We've tried to change the mentality in the 12 months I've been here and I'm seeing it every day in training. The intensity of training has increased and they've got that winning mentality.

"It's not all about winning, it's about developing players, of course, but they must have that winning mentality and I think we've got it."

The under-21 side's next outing is their second fixture in northern Group H of the Jersey Mike's Trophy – a visit to Doncaster Rovers of League One on 6 October.

Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell, 27, is attracting growing interest from Liverpool and Manchester United. (Teamtalk), external

Liverpool remain firmly committed to bringing the best out of 23-year-old attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, despite the player's representatives being sounded out by Bayern Munich. (Teamtalk), external

Julian Ward is set to be reappointed as Liverpool's sporting director. The 45-year-old will switch from his current role as Fenway Sports Group's technical director to replace Richard Hughes in a position he previously held during the 2022-23 season. (The Athletic), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Jeremy Jacquet's strong start at Liverpool has got lots of fans excited - and delighted the club signed the young Frenchman to replace Ibrahima Konate.

Jacquet's performances are one of the topics discussed by BBC Radio Merseyside's Paul Salt and Chris Coughlin after another impressive performance from the centre-back in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Reds kept a third consecutive clean sheet for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2024-25.

Coughlin said: "Jacquet has been great, absolutely fantastic; for a 21-year-old, new to the Premier League and he didn't really play that many games in France before he came in.

"I think he looks so composed, he looks decisive in moments as well defensively - there's no wondering what he's going to do next. He's also thinking ahead - I remember against Fulham when he cleared it off the line from Gonzalo Garica. He's anticipating where the danger will be.

"And it takes a lot for Virgil van Dijk to look normal-sized but I think he has an absolute man-mountain alongside him now."

Listen to the round-up show by hitting play above or on BBC Sounds here

And hear the full Jacquet analysis below...

Liverpool are continuing to monitor 20-year-old Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read but Manchester City and Arsenal are also interested in the Netherlands Under-21 international. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Defender Jeremy Jacquet's performance in Sunday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth was "a step forward" in his development, according to Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.

The 21-year-old centre-back was named player of the match against Iraola's former side after another assured display, completing his third full 90 minutes in a row in the Premier League.

A five-year deal was agreed in January to sign Jacquet from Rennes this summer, but he suffered a shoulder injury soon afterwards that ruled him out of the rest of the campaign.

However, he arrived in July fit for pre-season and has started all of the Reds' first five Premier League games and their Champions league opener.

Jacquet was substituted in the 70th and 77th minutes respectively in the opening two matches of the Premier League - draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - but has since played every minute, and he also played the whole second half of the Carabao Cup third-round win over Tottenham.

His impressive early performances have earned him a place in Zinedine Zidane's first France squad for the upcoming international break - his first senior call-up for his country.

"He's going with France, a big national team, and I know that he is happy," said Iraola. "He's still very young. He is adapting really well to the Premier League.

"In the first games, he was feeling the change of rhythm physically. He was finishing with cramps and really tired so we had to sub him.

"[Sunday's win] has been a step forward. He looked solid until the end and I think he's finished physically also in a good place.

"I hope he can continue this development."

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has praised fellow centre-back Jeremy Jacquet's "excellent start" to life at Anfield but warned that "we are only in September".

"I want him to keep working and keep learning. I am sure he will," said Van Dijk after the 21-year-old summer signing put in another impressive display in Sunday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

"There is obviously a lot of praise and rightly so, but I know how it works when you play a game not at the standards you have set. So let's just stay calm, keep working, and try to stay important for us.

"It [the partnership] is still a work in progress. There are still things we can improve but you learn by playing games. I said at the start that you experience things in games and see how each other react to certain moments, and then you adapt to that.

"So far, it is good. He is 21 years old and very promising, but it is up to him to keep working hard and staying calm. It's a big credit to him how he started his Liverpool career, but we are in September. Hopefully there are years of his Liverpool career left."

Sunday's result at Vitality Stadium means the Reds have kept three straight clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since 2024.

"Clean sheets are always a good sign. Everyone is playing a big part in that," Van Dijk added.

"I know how sometimes it can work, where maybe only the defenders or the goalkeeper get the plaudits for it, but it is down to everyone. The guys up front and the midfielders put in the hard work, and it is a great base to build on."

Hit play below to hear more from Van Dijk or listen on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Derek: Very poor game management. Subs on too late and too many Championship players on the bench.

Tez: Maybe it was time to give the squad a go. We looked tired. No zip in passing or our usual energy. Missed Justin Kluivert. Late subs gave no chance of a comeback but didn't feel Liverpool were a big threat either. Well done, Iraola - nice to see you. Must have been strange in opposite changing rooms and dugouts. Onwards and upwards.

Mike: Bournemouth need to buy in January. The team is small and lacking in quality. Marco Rose's tactics and style of play is not what was expressed before he joined. His attacking style is weak and the team is sloppy. Bournemouth needs to have some replacement managers in the line-up, I don't see Marco working out.

Bob: Once again, lots of running, mostly to no avail. When down, attempting to win by effort alone is not successful. Calm heads and experience are required to steady the team and come again. At the moment, both are missing.

Liverpool fans

Robbie: Taking a bit of getting going, but understandable with new boss trying to sort out last season's problems. Florian Wirtz - another poor performance.. On plus side, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak linked up again, and defence has improved. Slow signs of improvement... still unbeaten, but hard program ahead after the international break.

David: I would have taken the 0-1 before a ball was kicked. Always going to be a hard game for a lot of reasons. Liverpool still not clicking in certain areas, some combinations not working with the system we are trying to implement. Need to move the ball quicker and slicker. More training ground time for everyone to get it working together.

Ian: A scrappy affair with too many underachievers, with the exception of Jeremy Jacquet, who was once again outstanding. Isak scored the goal but the rest of his performance was dire. Why Liverpool persevere with Wirtz is a mystery because once again he was woeful. I lost count of how many wayward passes there were all over the pitch. I feel sorry for Iraola, he's got a near-impossible job on his hands to shape this squad of misfits into a team that can challenge for silverware.

Tony: Not enough chances created in the final-third. Got the job done in the end and are improving slowly. Good boost for confidence before the international break.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insists he is "focusing on the "present" and there is "nothing to report" when it comes to his Anfield contract.

The 35-year-old's deal expires at the end of this season and it remains to be seen whether the centre-back, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, will be offered an extension or he will choose to move on.

Van Dijk has played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League campaign so farand said his side have "not had a bad start" under new boss Andoni Iraola.

The Reds are unbeaten in seven games this season and go into the international break sixth in the table after two wins and three draws in the league.

Speaking after Sunday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth, Van Dijk said: "Any manager that comes to a new environment and a new club needs a bit of time, and the same goes with players.

"We work a lot, almost every day, and hopefully it works sooner rather than later. It is down to us to get results. At a club like Liverpool, you don't have a lot of time to get results so you have to get the points on the board.

"We've not had a bad start - we could have done better in a couple of games, but we are where we are. On to the next."

Van Dijk will now head off on international duty after holding positive talks about his Netherlands future with new manager Xavi, who was at Anfield to watch Liverpool's Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

The Reds host Manchester City after the three-week hiatus (16:30 BST on 11 October).

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Andoni Iraola was business-like on his return to Bournemouth, saying pre-match the time for talk would be after the game.

He cut a frustrated figure for much of the encounter as Liverpool struggled to get a hold on the game, but they improved after the break and deserved the win, according to their boss.

With nine points from a possible 15 in the Premier League and wins at Anfield in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Iraola has had a largely positive start to life at Liverpool.

The 44-year-old is the first manager to remain unbeaten in his first five league games in charge of the Reds - winning two and drawing three - since Joe Fagan in September 1983.

"Overall, we have definitely improved since the first games," he said. "Some of the things we still need to improve. I'm happy that it is the third league clean sheet in the row.

"It was a difficult game. You never play comfortable here - Bournemouth do not allow you to play comfortably, they put you under pressure and you have to adapt to win these kind of games."

The need to adapt and find ways to win games was also stressed after last week's goalless draw against Fulham - but Iraola's side are learning.

"The schedule we have now is very difficult," he added.

"I think we play against the top four teams, then in between there is Champions League and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. It's every two or three days so we have to be ready because this month after the break is very demanding for us."

After the international break, Iraola will also need more from his attackers. Cody Gakpo was impressive again but Florian Wirtz struggled and Bradley Barcola is still awaiting his first goal or assist for Liverpool.

"It was a slow start but after the first phase Florian helped us to improve and I am much happier with his performance in the second half," said Iraola of the Germany international.

On matchwinner Alexander Isak, he added: "A striker's job is like this. He had a couple of crosses that he did not hit properly or control, but in the end he has to help us to be closer to the box, to play in the opposition's half and have more meaningful possession.

"If the team is playing there, he will receive rewards in terms of goal."

Read more here

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was "delighted" with the Reds' 1-0 victory and clean sheet against Bournemouth because the team "had to fight a lot".

The Brazilian conceded five goals in Andoni Iraola's first five competitive games as Liverpool boss, four of which were in the first two.

Alisson added that the side were "ready" to face the Cherries and that with Iraola's expertise they knew "what to expect" when they visited Vitality Stadium.

"He knows everything about them. It is a big part of why Bournemouth has been so good in the past [few] years," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It is not an advantage, but it is something that helps. That is why we had the mentality in the second half to improve our performance.

"We had to fight a lot, but I am really, really happy that we got the three points at the end and the clean sheet, even if the performance wasn't clean."

Signed by Jurgen Klopp in 2018, the 33-year-old has now played under three Liverpool managers and believes the Reds have the right qualities to succeed under Iraola.

"It always takes time. When one thing changes, you need time to adapt, but this is a big change," Alisson added.

"We are still not at the level that is required for a team to fight for big things, but we have the qualities. We have everything, but we just need to put it into practice.

"Sometimes we are not going to play a clean game, but all you want is a win."

During the international break, Alisson will travel with Brazil to Australia to face the Socceroos in two international friendlies, and then Carlo Ancelotti's side will travel to Kolkata to face India.

Hit play above to hear more from Alisson or listen on BBC Sounds here

Liverpool have held initial talks with Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, 22, over a potential January move. (Caughtoffside), external

Liverpool, Manchester City, Fulham, and Tottenham are among several Premier League clubs monitoring 24-year-old Venezuela and Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Match of the Day pundit Rob Edwards says Liverpool's Alexander Isak is playing with greater "confidence" after scoring four goals this season - one more than he managed in the whole of last season.