Liverpool are set to begin the Premier League season with a trip to Newcastle United at St. James' Park, but the club may not be finished in the transfer market. Following the departure of several big names, including Mohamed Salah, manager Andoni Iraola has had to partially rebuild his squad.
Victor Munoz was signed from Osasuna for £34.5 million and has impressed in pre-season with his pace. Jeremy Jacquet's £60 million move from Rennes has been finalized, and Ronald Araujo has joined on a year-long loan from Barcelona, with the Reds holding a £47.1 million option to buy him next summer. Liverpool also had a £50 million bid rejected for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh on Thursday.
Virgil van Dijk ultimatum
Club captain Virgil van Dijk will start the season with a new centre-back partner following Ibrahima Konate's departure to Real Madrid. Either Jacquet or Araujo will line up alongside him. Van Dijk has issued an ultimatum to his new teammates, stating: "If you're not up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place."
"For me personally, being a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable," Van Dijk said. "But that is last year. This year, we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans. And we all know how tough that will be, but if you're not up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place. What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let's see how we go about it."
"I'm really looking forward to this season and I don't think we have a point to prove to anyone. We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool. If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting. I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, and hopefully win a lot of games then we can be very excited."
Reds allow three to leave
Liverpool have sanctioned the departure of three players. Young forward Kieran Morrison has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the 2026/27 campaign. The 19-year-old signed a new contract with the Reds in May and made his full international debut for Northern Ireland in June.
Calvin Ramsay, who has featured infrequently since arriving from Aberdeen in 2022, is reportedly set to join St. Mirren on loan. With his contract expiring next summer, his time at Liverpool could be drawing to a close. Ifeanyi Ndukwe, an 18-year-old centre-back who made a significant impression during pre-season, is being sent out on loan to Spanish side Levante due to work permit complications. He has already arrived in Spain ahead of a switch to La Liga, where he will remain until at least January.
