Liverpool transfer news - Nico Williams interest, Arne Slot coaching staff (2024)

Goodnight, Reds

We have reached the end of today's Liverpool live blog.

Hopefully you have enjoyed hearing the thoughts of Arne Slot for the first time since the Dutchman was appointed head coach.

We will be back from 6am tomorrow morning with the latest updates on the Reds.

Today's top stories

• Arne Slot first words at Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp talks revealed and delay explained
• Liverpool appoint new goalkeeper coach as two more backroom staff members confirmed
• Arne Slot admits 'stealing' from Jurgen Klopp and outlines new Liverpool target
• Arne Slot has just answered Trent Alexander-Arnold question on Liverpool future

Trent set to keep England place

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to keep his place in Gareth Southgate's team for England's second Euro 2024 match tomorrow evening.

The Liverpool star started for the Three Lions in their 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday and is now poised to feature from the off once more as England prepare to take on Denmark on Thursday.

That's according to The Telegraph, who state Southgate is ready to "throw his support" behind Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden by picking both players again.

Robertson up next

Dominik Szoboszlai may have been unable to captain his county to three points in Group A, but can Andy Robertson?

The Liverpool left-back will be skippering Scotland in their match against Switzerland at 8pm, aming to bounce back from their 5-1 defeat by Germany.

Robertson will be going head-to-head with former Reds winger, Xherdan Shaqiri this evening.

Szoboszlai setback

Dominik Szoboszlai could not captain Hungary to victory in their second match of Euro 2024 as his nation suffered a 2-0 defeat by Germany.

This result leaves Hungary bottom of Group A, having lost their opening match to Switzerland.

Sunday represents a final chance to qualify through third position, though three points against Scotland would likely be required to stand a chance of making this possible.

Hancko makes Slot claim

Liverpool-linked defender David Hancko has admitted he was not surprised to see Arne Slot move to Anfield this summer.

Hancko, who signed for Feyenoord in 2022, is currently starring at Euro 2024 with Slovakia and was quizzed on his former boss at a press conference.

Offering his thoughts on Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp, he said: "I'm not surprised that such a big club like Liverpool has signed him.

"Hopefully within a few years he will be seen as one of the best trainers in the world. I have been fortunate to work with him over the past two years and he has helped me a lot in my development, including tactically and the system he wants to play in. That has helped me enormously.

"He is a very good coach and I wish him the best of luck. I have a feeling he will do well at Liverpool because he will now be working with better players than at Feyenoord. Although we have had two great seasons. This is a great move for him and I'm not surprised that such a big club like Liverpool has signed him."

Nico Williams claim

Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams is continuing to "hold out" for a big move this summer, it has been claimed.

Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs to have been linked with the Spanish winger, who signed a new contract at his current club in December to keep him tied down until 2027.

But HITC have reported the Reds are "still in the race" along with Arsenal, though Barcelona is believed to be his dream destination.

Arne Slot coaching staff

Three members of Arne Slot's Liverpool coaching staff have been confirmed.

Sipke Hulshoff will be joining the Reds as first assistant coach, having held the same role at Feyenoord since 2022. Ruben Peeters has accepted the role of physical performance coach and Fabian Otte will become head of first-team goalkeeper coaching, joining from the USA national team.

Ian Doyle has more, here.

Barcelona 'planning' Luis Diaz transfer 'meeting'

The agent of Luis Diaz will reportedly meet with Barcelona chiefs in the United States this week to discuss a possible summer switch from Liverpool.

Speculation from Colombia this week has claimed that representatives of Diaz are set to imminently meet with Barcelona chiefs in the US. The Spanish side have been linked with a move for the winger for a number of months.

Full story here

Olise transfer fee won't scare off Liverpool

Liverpool have become the latest side to be linked with a move for Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise this summer.

If the Reds, who were previously linked with the winger when he was still on the books of Reading back in 2021, were to join the race for Olise, they already have a good idea of how much he will cost.

Having signed a new long-term contract with Palace last summer, which reportedly contains a release clause, it has been suggest that the Eagles will only entertain offers over £60m for the forward and Eberechi Eze.

Read more here

Hancko has already dropped big transfer hint

Speaking to Slovakian outlet Aktualit in March, the 26-year-old declared: “I was there once for a match [Liverpool], but there’s nothing yet and with the fact that I signed a new contract, it won’t be easy; but of course I’m not hiding that if something came and it made sense for us, like the transfer made sense from Sparta [Prague] to Feyenoord, why not?

“I think the right time will come in my career, but even if I don’t leave, I will play in the Champions League with Feyenoord, where I have a great relationship with the fans and the whole club.”

Gordon drops new hint over future

Former Everton player Anthony Gordon has made no secret of his Reds allegiances having grown up as a boyhood Liverpool supporter.

This has only further fuelled speculation that he could one day trade Newcastle United for Anfield, having first been linked with the club earlier this summer.

And when discussing speculation regarding his fellow Liverpool-linked England team-mate Guehi, the 23-year-old has perhaps dropped a subtle hint that he indeed intends to stay put at Newcastle United for the forthcoming season.

“I haven’t seen the Newcastle links, but it goes without saying I’d absolutely love him to come because he’s a top player and he’d make us a better team,” he told talkSPORT.

“He’s top, he’s such a good player and I was glad the nation got to see him shine on that stage because he’s such a lovely guy and he deserves what’s coming to him.”

Read the full story here

Wirtz and Musiala transfer verdict

Markus Babbel believes Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala could be good signings for Liverpool.

"Florian Wirtz is a bit under the radar. He's an unbelievable player and one of the best young players in the world at the moment for Bayer Leverkusen," he told OLBG.

"He is the reason they won the league, he is unbelieve both technically and physically. I think he could be the standout star for the Germany team at Euro 2024.

"Players like Musiala and Wirtz need teams like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, teams who want to play football and not teams who sit back and play on the counter attack.

"They want to have the ball. If you see these three teams at the moment, they are a long way above everyone else in England. Those are the teams they could look at in England, but at the moment I don’t think they are going anywhere."

Smith defends Trent

Ex-Arsenal and Leicester City striker Alan Smith has urged England boss Gareth Southgate to persevere with playing Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role at Euro 2024.

“I thought Alexander-Arnold did well," he said via Lord Ping. "I thought he was disciplined. When he plays right back, he has been exposed on 1v1s at times for Liverpool and England, but in the middle of the park it's a slightly different scenario. He was very conscious of his positioning and I think he did well.

“The biggest question mark was who's going to play in midfield alongside Declan Rice. It was Alexander-Arnold in the end – he hasn't played there too many times in the run-up – which makes you think that Southgate wasn't entirely sure what he was going to do with that midfield pairing.

“It is a new partnership with Rice and it will take time for them to get used to each other's games. Rice got through a mountain of work, he did brilliantly protecting the defence. I would persist with Alexander-Arnold in that position because I do feel we need some continuity in that area of the pitch."

Liverpool confirm Slot first interview date and time

Arne Slot has conducted his first interview after being appointed as Liverpool’s new head coach.

The former Feyenoord boss was named as Jurgen Klopp’s successor last month, and officially started in his new role on June 1. However, he is yet to be officially unveiled to the media following his appointment.

The Dutchman has been spotted on Merseyside though, prompting supporters to regularly query when they would hear from the 45-year-old for the first time in recent weeks.

But that wait is nearly over after Liverpool teased the release of their first interview with the Reds’ new head coach on Wednesday.

Read the full story from Theo Squires here.

Diomande 'decision' hints at summer exit

Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande has signed up with the same agency as Virgil van Dijk and Harvey Elliott as he continues to be linked with a summer move to Liverpool.

The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international enjoyed a strong campaign in Lisbon under the guidance of Ruben Amorim as Sporting CP claimed a second league title in four seasons.

Diomande featured in 38 games across all competitions and the impressive nature of his performances have seen him linked with a big-money move to the Premier League, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United all touted as potential suitors.

Full story here

Kvaratskhelia word of warning

A word of warning regarding Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Napoli are notoriously difficult to deal with in the transfer market and their players don't come cheap.

After their explosive statement insisting the Georgian isn't going anyway, I imagine it could become a very challenging transfer for any interested side to try to complete.

Meanwhile, while the 23-year-old is equally strong with both his right and left foot, he is a left-winger for Napoli. Barring a Liverpool exit, they won't be needing such a forward this summer.

Hancko 'ready for Liverpool'

Former Slovakia forward Szilard Nemeth has insisted that his countryman, David Hancko, is good enough to play for Liverpool.

"David Hancko is ready for a move to Liverpool. He went to Italy and didn’t play regularly but since going to the Czech Republic and then Feyenoord he has been very good and has also impressed with the national team," he said via OLBG.

"Arne Slot went to Liverpool so I think he has a very good chance of following him there, he is a great age at the moment so I think this summer he can make the move to the Premier League.

"He has played in difficult games in Holland, also in the Champions League. I think he's playing for a very good team and the next move will be to a top club."

Hancko's wife confirms transfer stance

David Hancko’s wife, professional tennis player Kristana Pliskova, has confirmed that the Slovakian would like to leave Feyenoord after the European Championships. However, she teased that if the choice was down to her, she would not favour a switch to the Premier League for one very good reason - the weather!

"It will be dealt with this summer. Probably only after the championship, but I'm not such an expert,” she told Sportovy. “I don't know if it's up for grabs, but I think he'd like to move on. Actually, we would both be happy.

“We'll see what will happen in the end. I'm not complaining, but there are definitely better places. For me, Spain or Italy.”

Read more here

'Southgate needs to drop Trent'

England legend Alan Shearer believes Trent Alexander-Arnold should be dropped for Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze against Denmark on Thursday.

"I wouldn't call it a big concern, but the more pressing thing is what happened to Trent in midfield, I thought he did alright without being spectacular," he told Betfair. "Is Phil Foden going to continue to play on the left hand side?

"I don't think having a right-footed left back in Trippier helps Foden, because every time you're getting the ball, you are receiving it on the inside. Those are the things I'd be looking at.

"The two talking points are who plays alongside Rice and who plays on that left side. Saka on the right in the first half was unplayable, he tied the two left-sided players inside out, in the second half he didn't really have a kick because they came out and did much better.

"I would play Bellingham alongside Rice and Foden as the 10, which is where he wants to play. I don't think that would be a problem at all, you're playing Bellingham with Rice so you free up that left side for someone who can run in behind, whether that would be Eze or Gordon. That's what I would have done and that's what I'd do against Denmark."

Carragher slams 'joke' schedule

Jamie Carragher has called out plans for next year's Africa Cup of Nations to clash with the Premier League's Christmas schedule.

"The amount of football we ask the top players to play is beyond a joke. The quality drops, and more importantly, the injuries rise. FIFPRO will have more battles on their hands with UEFA and FIFA going forward," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

£75m transfer 'lined up'

Liverpool have been tipped to make a swoop for Slovakia star David Hancko after the centre-back's incredible performance in their 1-0 win over Belgium in their opening match of the 2024 European Championships on Monday night.

Speaking to ESPN, former Feyenoord star Tim De Cler highlighted the Slovakian's involvement, and claimed that the star can easily make the leap to one of Europe's top five leagues, saying: "I think David Hancko played a very important role with that block on the line.

"That, plus the result, makes him the Player of the Day. He is developing so well. He is so stable and can actually do everything. I just think he is an all-round top defender.

"If he makes it to the next round [of the Euros], his market value will also increase. More and more clubs are becoming interested, and there were already. I think he can easily handle a [major European] club. I’m talking about a club like Atletico Madrid or Liverpool. He can certainly handle that."

Read more here

Kvaratskhelia provides future update

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has given an update on his transfer plans amid ongoing links with Liverpool.

He told Sky Italy: "I'm fine, I'm only focused on the national team. After the European Championships I will decide my future.

“Now I don't think about it, I just want to give everything I have on the pitch to help my national team. I don't think about what they say, I'm 100% focused only on Georgia."

Full story here

Klopp backs Sahin at Dortmund

Jurgen Klopp is backing former Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin to succeed after being appointed Borussia Dortmund's new head coach.

Sahin has previous experience coaching Antalyaspor in Turkey for two years before leaving to become Dortmund's assistant coach last December. Six months later, he is in the top job after replacing Edin Terzic, who asked to leave after the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

On Sahin, Klopp said, via Bild. "At 35, Nuri is a very young coach, but so was I. I definitely believe that after his outstanding career as a player, he will also become a super coach. Of course, I wish him the greatest success at BVB."

Latest Liverpool transfer rumours

The latest transfer news and rumours around Liverpool as preparations for the 2024/25 season are well underway after the domestic transfer window opened last Friday...

Read the rumours, here

Suarez backs Nunez

Luis Suarez is backing Darwin Nunez to become 'one of the best in the world' if the Liverpool striker is not already.

Nunez and Suarez are both in the Uruguay squad for the first time since November 2023, with the former welcoming the latter by giving him the No. 9 shirt back. The current Liverpool forward will wear No. 19 at the tournament in the United States, and the pair were pictured in a photoshoot with Suarez covering the '1' of Nunez's '19'.

“He [Nunez], with the humility that he has, a very good kid, said ‘no, Luis, you’re the No. 9, I’m going to respect you when you’re not there if I’m going to grab it’. Those are details that demonstrate the greatness and humility of a player who is going to be one of the best, if not [already] one of the best in the world today.”

He added: “Apart from wanting to help, I come to compete for the position because I want that; to play, win and achieve the goal. When Darwin comes, he asks me things. At the time [he debuted] yes, I was the starter, Edi [Cavani] was the starter, but he always came, asked, wanted to learn things and that is spectacular. Having him in front of me, seeing how he trains, how he plays each game, how can I not stop to applaud him and celebrate? Yes, obviously I had my time, I enjoyed it a lot and I continue to do so.”

Morning!

Morning and welcome to our LIVE Liverpool transfer blog for Wednesday, June 19.

It looks set to be another busy day at Anfield as the club continues its preparations for the upcoming season, so make sure you stay tuned!

Today's headlines

• Kvicha Kvaratskhelia breaks silence on future amid Liverpool transfer links

• Reds closing in on defensive signing

• Florian Wirtz transfer truth as father speaks on son's future

• Ben Doak back on the grass after injury

• Rumours: Riccardo Calafiori linked, Caoimhin Kelleher price tag, Barcelona target Luis Diaz

Read up about all these updates by scrolling below.

Euros transfer round-up

Let's do a quick round-up of how players linked with Liverpool have done in today's Euro 2024 fixtures.

Napoli ace Kvicha Kvaratskhelia saw his Georgia side go down 3-1 to Turkey earlier today in what was their first ever match at a European Championships. He played the full game and almost scored towards the end but for a superb defensive block before Turkey's third.

Defender Goncalo Inacio of Sporting Lisbon came on for Portgual after 63 minutes in their 2-1 win over the Cezch Republic. Benfica midfielder Joao Neves did not get off the bench for the 2016 champions but Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota did, and scored before his goal was ruled out for offside.

Kvaratskhelia responds to question on his club future

Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has refused to entertain transfer talk when asked about his future in Naples.

The attacker, who suffered a 3-1 loss with Georgia to Turkey at Euro 2024 today, has been linked with Liverpool after his agent claimed he wanted his client to switch clubs this summer.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Kvaratskhelia responded to a question on his future:

“I’m only focused on the Euros, then after I will decide about my future.

"I’m not even thinking about that now, full focus on Georgia. I don’t want to take into consideration all things being said around.”