Liverpool

Rute Cardoso believes her late husband Diogo Jota will be in former Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson's "thoughts, steps and heart" when he leads Scotland out in their first World Cup since 1998.

Robertson, who recently announced his Anfield exit, spoke about Jota after captaining Steve Clarke's side to World Cup qualification back in November 2025: "I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head.

"We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal, and I did with Scotland. I know he will be smiling over me."

In a letter to Robertson, published by Fifa, external, Cardoso wrote: "Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you built, of the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football... and of your dreams.

"The World Cup was one of those dreams - a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.

"When I heard your words and learned how you felt on the day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.

"By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone. You will be taking his dream with you too.

"Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him."

After reading the letter, Robertson said: "He is always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry. That will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion.

"I know he will be right at the front of my mind. I'm not only playing for me, I'm playing for both of us."

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have officially confirmed their retained list for the Premier League, following the end of the 2025-26 season.

As announced already, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Rhys Williams will all depart from the senior squad this summer.

Meanwhile, Prince Cisse and Keyrol Figueroa are both set to sign new deals at Anfield.

Cisse, 17, is the son of former Liverpool player Djibril and it will be a first professional contract for the centre-back.

Like Cisse, Figueroa is also the son of former footballer - Maynor Figueroa. Unlike his dad who was a left-back and played for Wigan and Hull, the 19-year-old is a centre-forward.

And like Cisse, he is highly rated at Anfield and is set to put pen to paper. Figueroa made his international debut for Honduras on Saturday, when he came on against Argentina.

Liverpool have also offered deals to Kyle Kelly, Afolami Onanuga, Oliver O'Connor, Lucas Pitt, Ben Trueman and Matthew Wright. All are expected to stay.

From the Academy set-up, Kareem Ahmed, Emmanuel Airoboma, James Balagizi, DJ Bernard, Oakley Cannonier, Josh Davidson, Terence Miles and Jacob Poytress will all leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.

Cannonier, 22, was the quick-thinking ball boy who famously played a part in Divock Origi's goal against Barcelona which took Liverpool to the Champions League final in 2019. He was 14 at the time.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wishes good luck to current and former Reds players competing at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

• Make your World Cup predictions

• READ MORE: The Liverpool players at the World Cup

Lola Katz Roberts
Fan contributor

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There will never be another footballer quite like Divock Origi.

Footballers' careers are short at the best of times, but it is hard to imagine another player's career that could be so aptly described as lightning in a bottle.

And not just lightning of a common variety - the best kind of lightning. The kind that wins you Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues. The kind that produces moments that you tell your children about.

I was there when Origi scooped it past a helpless Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the Kop End to send Liverpool to Madrid. I was in the wide sloping stands of the Metropolitano Stadium when he scooped it past a despairing Hugo Lloris to stamp the passport of a sixth European cup - destination Anfield - back where it belonged.

Goals like that don't come along too often.

Top-level football is a game that exists perpetually in a state of delicate balance, rarely offering points of relief throughout the breathless 100 or so minutes. But Origi created those islands of ecstasy, moments of certainty amongst the great swathes of uncertainty.

Watching the ball trickle into the corner of Lloris' goal and knowing, beyond all reasonable doubt, that Liverpool were about to win the European Cup - find me a better feeling than that in the sport.

Origi gave us that.

And then Everton, because you can't not mention it. Some look at that 2018-19 season - 97 points and no title - as a painful lesson in glorious failure, but I don't. To me, it is one half of a winning campaign.

Liverpool got serious about winning football matches and trophies and, for two seasons - one loss in 59 games - set about a relentless quest to capture the biggest prizes in the game. Champions of England. Champions of Europe. Conquerors of the world.

The goal against Everton with time ebbing away was great. The comedy of it, the unassuming charge back to the centre circle ball in hand - that is Origi. The calmest head. The port in the storm. The deliverer of certainty.

All sorts of players will be held up as poster boys of the Jurgen Klopp era, but nobody had the Midas touch quite like Origi.

The man who made our dreams come true. The man I will tell my grandchildren about. You'll never walk alone, Divock.

Find more from Lola Katz Roberts the Goal Difference podcast, external

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Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha says he was "buzzing" to make his international debut and "show everyone what I could do" in England's first World Cup warm-up fixture against New Zealand last week.

The 17-year-old, who was one of four youngsters selected by Thomas Tuchel to join his pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, became the fifth-youngest player to represent the Three Lions in history, coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 friendly win.

"I'll say it was a crazy feeling," Ngumoha, who received the man of the match award, told England's media channels. "I was happy. I was buzzing.

"I knew from when we had the meeting before the match that there was going to be a first-half team and a second-half team, so I was preparing [to play].

"It's good that I didn't have too much time to think about it. I wasn't too nervous to be fair, I just wanted to play and show everyone what I could do. I just had fun.

"I was at home when I got a call from John McDermott [the FA's director of football]. He just said: 'How are you? Would you like to be part of the training squad and help the pre-camp in Miami?' And I just said: 'Yes, of course.'

"I came out here with an open mind. When you get a call saying that you could be training with the World Cup squad as a young kid, or as anyone really, you would never turn down that opportunity.

"My role was to come out here and help the other players train, but I also wanted to show what I can do as well. It has been great.

"Everyone is very humble, nobody is over the top. Everyone is so nice and so chill, nobody is judgemental or anything. Everyone interacts well with each other. Everyone has been so nice and friendly to me."

Image source, Getty Images

Christian: Ah, Divock. You are right, you have done it all. Cult status on the Kop is not handed out cheaply, but you certainly have it. Easy choice, but those two goals against Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final cannot be beaten. I will never forget that night, and I still wear a T-shirt that celebrates the second goal. "Corner taken quickly... ORIGI!!" YNWA.

Roger: So many valuable goals by Origi, but the crazy added-time winner against Everton caused bedlam like I've never seen. I think it even eclipsed the Barca moment! Gave fans some unforgettable memories, underlining what a valued squad player he was. Wishing Divock every success in his next venture.

Nnamugala: A very special player to Kops like myself. He scored against Barca. As well as Everton. But the Everton one feels more like it. Because it's almost game done, draw almost put out as the final result, then Jordan Pickford does the unthinkable. Thanks, Origi, for all the memories - the Champions League goal as well.

Image source, Getty Images

Dave: I will never forget his reaction to his winning goal against Barcelona at Anfield. Pure joy and excitement. I hope and pray that he has a great retirement. Thanks, Divock.

Josh: That goal against Everton reignited his Liverpool career. At that point, after a few injuries and a disappointing loan, it looked like he was out the door. But after that, he was able to go on and score the important Champions League goals against Barcelona and Spurs. I think what could have been with Divock, because he looked so promising before his big injuries in 2016. Cult hero and legend!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Reds selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Liverpool's World Cup contingent:

• Alisson (Brazil)

• Wataru Endo (Japan)

• Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)

• Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands)

• Alexander Isak (Sweden)

• Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina)

• Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)

• Florian Wirtz (Germany)

This list doesn't include Ibrahima Konate (France), Andy Robertson (Scotland) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt), following their departures from the club.

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

Sporting and Portugal centre-back Goncalo Inacio, 24, is on Liverpool's list of replacements for departing defender Ibrahima Konate. (Caughtoffside), external

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

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It is only 15 days since the Premier League season ended, but it has been everything but a quiet period at Anfield.

Liverpool have said an emotional farewell to club legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, decided not to renew defender Ibrahima Konate's contract, sacked Arne Slot after finishing fifth in the Premier League, and appointed new head coach Andoni Iraola on a two-year deal.

There is clearly plenty to discuss, so our Liverpool reporter Aadam Patel will be on hand to answer your top questions later this week.

Put your thinking cap on - what do you want to know about the Reds right now? The floor is yours...

Get in touch with your question here

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Divock Origi has called time on his playing career.

The ex-Liverpool striker, now 31, won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League at Anfield, having represented the Reds between 2015 and 2022.

He gained cult-hero status for a series of critical goals during title pursuits and in the 2019 Champions League final, when he eased Liverpool's nerves with a pin-point finish to seal a 2-0 win over Tottenham late on.

"My purpose in the game is fulfilled," he wrote on social media.

"I lived out my childhood dreams, played on the biggest stages, won the biggest trophies. Grateful to God for all of it."

Origi, who also played for Lille, Wolfsburg, AC Milan and Nottingham Forest, added: "To all my fans, the clubs, my teammates and my family: this will forever be ours. Thank you.

"The mission is complete. Now I step into my next calling.

"More of the journey to come.

"Love, Divock Origi".

Send your favourite Origi moments, recollections of him as a player and what he means to you

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We asked for your views on Bayern Munich being interested in signing Rio Ngumoha and what price you would be willing to accept for the 17-year-old to leave Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

David: Rio shouldn't be sold for any price. He's going to be a first-team regular soon and he's a big part of Liverpool's future.

Yusuf: There is no way we can let one of the brightest stars of last season and one of the finest talents in Europe leave at just 17. He is absolutely unsellable. But you can never know with our investment strategy, can you?

Paul: If Bayern want him, I think £1bn plus Michael Olise should just about cover it.

Carolyn: We currently don't have another player like young Rio, who runs at defenders with tricks and super-quick feet. We'd be stupid to sell such a promising player, so stick a £100m-plus price tag on him so we can keep him!

Paul Q: No sale fee as no-one knows his ceiling for the talent to be judged.

Jim: There is no way Liverpool should sell Rio. After Dominik Szoboszlai, Rio was the best player of the season, despite Arne Slot not giving him enough game time. His performance in the England team - 45 minutes and man of the match against New Zealand - is even further indication that he should stay at Liverpool.

Kevin: I don't think Rio should be for sale at any price right now. How do you put a value on the undoubted talent he has at only 17 years old? NO SALE!

Eddie: Liverpool are not a selling club for starters and the young man has so much potential to become a great player that it would be crazy to even contemplate selling him. With the right manager and the right coaches, he could be the next big thing. Why would you sell him?

James: There's always a price where economically it would make sense to sell. However, I think it's more about whether or not the club is big enough to not need to sell potential superstars. Can you keep the player happy with the potential for success and is staying more appealing than another club like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich? For Rio, I'd like to see us rejecting all offers and keeping him happy! It remains to be seen if we can do both those things.

Image source, Getty Images

As Liverpool insist Rio Ngumoha is not for sale this summer on the back of enquiries from the German champions Bayern Munich, we want to know what it would take for you to consider his departure.

The 17-year-old started nine games last season, after joining Liverpool from Chelsea's academy in 2024 for a minimum fee of £2.8m, and the Blues will further be owed 20% of the profit should Liverpool choose to sell him.

With all of that in mind, how much would you be willing to let Ngumoha go for? Is there a price high enough or is the youngster off the table?

Get in touch with your views here

Former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington believes Andoni Iraola can handle the "intensity and scrutiny" which is part and parcel of the Liverpool head coach role.

"I have had the pleasure of watching Andoni Iraola's teams for the past three years at Bournemouth," Partington told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I remember when Jurgen Klopp was announced by Liverpool, he was the self-proclaimed 'normal one' and Iraola strikes me as someone quite similar.

"You don't see him going above and beyond his station in news conferences, and he certainly has a great connection with his players and the fans. He also gets the best out of the people he works with.

"That's the reason why Bournemouth have progressed so well while always selling their best players. The club have really benefited off the back of Iraola being their manager, and it is a wonderful place because of him.

"Iraola does play with a certain style, so it will take time for his players to learn his ways and buy into that, but he has continually managed to transform good Premier League players into Premier League players the world's best clubs want to take.

"He will be going into an environment which is a lot more intense and comes with a lot more scrutiny, but I absolutely think he can handle it. He has never been somebody who is affected by what people are saying.

"I hope Liverpool fans warm to him like the Bournemouth fans did because, in my opinion, he can make that step up no problem."

Listen to the conversation above or on BBC Sounds here

Liverpool could use forward Cody Gakpo as leverage in their bid to sign Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, from RB Leipzig. (Teamtalk), external

Inter Milan have made an offer for midfielder Curtis Jones but are currently some way short of Liverpool's valuation. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

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Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton says it will be a "strange start" for Andoni Iraola as the new Reds boss, with so many of his players away at the World Cup, but there will still be pressure on him to "hit the ground running".

"Arne Slot winning the league then finishing fifth and that not being enough has put huge pressure on whoever takes over, because it pressurises you coming in as a new manager to get things right straight away," Houghton told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It will be difficult for him because a lot of players are on World Cup duty. He would love to have his players in as early as possible because he wants to get his mantra and way of playing across to them.

"I think it's going to be a strange start for the new manager, having to deal with players not being there until August. From the fans' point of view, there has to be patience. We can only judge him when he's had time to work with his full squad.

"But he'll have to hit the ground running and make sure he gets what he wants across to his players very quickly.

"Every Liverpool manager is under pressure to challenge for trophies. You're at one of the biggest clubs in world football so there should be that pressure."

• Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

1)Make Liverpool the fittest team in the country again

Liverpool ran, pressed and fought like warriors at their best under Jurgen Klopp. No team could live with his Reds at their peak, especially at Anfield. That style was based on extreme fitness and teamwork.

But Arne Slot gradually instilled a more controlled, passive style that eventually bored supporters. In almost every game last season, Liverpool were outrun by their opponents. This needs to change - and thankfully Andoni Iraola already prefers an extremely physical tactical set-up, unlike Slot.

2) Create a supply line for Alexander Isak

The most expensive footballer in Premier League history endured a dreadful debut season for Liverpool. Yes, he was injured and unfit for most of it, but when he was on the field, he looked like a shadow of his former self. It was worryingly bad.

Part of the problem was that he didn't link up with his team-mates. Mohamed Salah liked to cut in on his left instead of getting to the byeline, and Cody Gakpo did the same on the other wing. Florian Wirtz also never got close enough to Isak to play the intricate through-balls the Swede thrives on.

Iraola needs to get his attacking players working for Isak's benefit.

3) Establish an emotional connection with the fans

Maybe the biggest one.

Slot was cold, unemotional and complained far too much in news conferences when things weren't going right. He rarely took the blame too, instead citing injuries and suggesting performances were not as bad as they seemed.

As a result, he was accused of gaslighting Liverpool fans.

Iraola needs to learn lessons from Klopp, not his Dutch predecessor. From his first news conference, Klopp promised to turn fans from doubters into believers. With the crowd booing the end of Slot's reign, Iraola will need to do the same.

Fast, exciting football - and some passion when speaking about his team to the media - should help.

What do you think are the key priorities for the new Reds boss?

Let us know here

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

The Late Challenge podcast's Gareth Roberts told Radio Merseyside he "liked everything" Andoni Iraola said in his first interview as Liverpool manager.

The Spaniard has signed a two-year deal with the Reds, following the departure of Arne Slot.

Speaking to Radio Merseyside, Roberts said: "I've just watched his first Liverpool interview and it's fair to say that's got me going, he's said all the right things and come out with some cracking lines. He looks genuinely enthusiastic about the job.

"He talks about emotion, passion, and as a Liverpool fan that's all the stuff I want to hear. That's Liverpool's special power and that needs to be embraced.

"Use the power of Anfield, the fact we are passionate as a fanbase and see where we can go."

It wasn't lost on Roberts that Iraola might not of been some fans first choice.

He added: "The obvious manager everyone would have loved is Luis Enrique, but look where he is, look at what he just achieved and imagine how much it would have cost to get him out of there. You'd of had to put a big bag of money in front of him to tempt him to Anfield."

Iraola had a strong final season at Bournemouth, with the side finishing in a Europa League spot. The Cherries upset several sides and Roberts wants Liverpool to offer that same scrappy instinct.

He said: "Bournemouth have been a side that aren't afraid of anyone, that turn up anywhere and land a punch on the chin of the opposition. And that's something I can't wait to see."

Roberts also spoke of Iraola's style of play and how that might be achievable with the current squad: "There are questions about the current squad's suitability to do that but I think one of the good things is he's in, he's through the door and he's able to work with Richard Hughes on who we're going to sign this summer.

"In his interview, one of the first things he talks about is he's glad he's here this early because he wants to work with the academy lads, and have a look at all the lads who have been on loan and I think that's the right message. Could he get a tune out of Harvey Elliott? Or any of the other lads that have been kicking around but didn't really get a go under Arne Slot?"

Listen to the full chat above or on BBC Sounds

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Arsenal trio Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya have been nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association men's player of the year award alongside Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Midfielder Rice, defender Gabriel and goalkeeper Raya were all key players as Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Striker Haaland netted 27 goals to end as the division's leading scorer, while Cherki enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League.

Fernandes won the Football Writers' Association's men's footballer of the year award for the 2025-26 campaign.

The winners will be honoured on Tuesday, 25 August at the 53rd annual PFA Awards Ceremony in Manchester.

Cherki has also been nominated for the PFA young player of the year award, alongside City team-mate and England international Nico O'Reilly, who was named as the Premier League's young player of the season last week.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, another England international, is also among the nominees after playing a key role in Michael Carrick's side.

Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi is another on the shortlist after he scored 13 goals in 33 matches in his debut Premier League campaign.

Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha, who have represented England at under-19 level, complete the list of nominees thanks to their performances for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what the first things will be in Andoni Iraola's Liverpool in-tray if he is to make a promising start at Anfield.

Here are some of your comments:

Fraser: Iraola needs to restore our fear factor. Last season we were far too easy to play against. Never mind top sides, even mid-table and even some relegation candidates were outplaying us. Teams were up for taking points off us and we were too passive. Iraola needs to sort out our midfield and stop us being easy to play against, restore our intensity and make teams be scared of facing us again, make Anfield a place to be dreaded for opponents.

Dave: Do for Liverpool what he has done for Bournemouth. Make players better and working as a team, with the added bonus of entertaining football for the fans. The players at the club should all buy in to his methods and reach their full potential as the Bournemouth players did whilst he was there.

KT: Shore up the leaky defence and shocking set-piece defending. Improve the overall drive by the team. As disappointing as the results were last season in too many games there seemed a lack of passion and drive from a large portion of the team on the field. That's the biggest thing that needs to change in my opinion.

Killian: I think the first objective has to be bringing the current crop of players up a level in performance. Most are Premier League winners. Last summer's signings are still excellent players and need to be coached. Small tweaks to the squad after that. Top three aim with good football played.

Caleb: Definitely an improvement from last season so maybe a third-place finish and possibly a trophy. Though I think if we play exciting football I will be happy anywhere in the top four.

John: Iraola's priorities should be: Unite the dressing room. Ensure the entire squad understands its responsibilities to the fanbase. Stress to Edwards and Hughes the importance of recruiting players who fit his style of play like a glove.

Gavin: Iraola needs to sort out the defence and attack, in particular right-back, centre-back and the wide areas. There are enough profiles in midfield to construct another title-winning side.

Jason: Galvanise the team and get them believing in his system, a system that presses, chases down every ball and doesn't give the opposition time to think. He has the players, he needs to re-establish the Liverpool identity and rebuild Fortress Anfield. Man management is key.

Ian: Bringing Harvey Elliott back is a must, he gives his all for the team and would give Alexis Mac Allister some much needed competition. Also, he needs to get the team and fans connected again, something that was lost under Arne Slot.