Mohamed Boubacar News

Mohamed Salah's behaviour spotted at World Cup speaks volumes about Liverpool icon

Mohamed Salah ensured he shook hands with the Australian squad after Egypt knocked the Socceroos out of the World Cup on Friday through a penalty shootout. The former Liverpool forward briefly celebrated before promptly approaching each of his opponents, with his classy conduct drawing widespread attention from supporters on social media. The Pharaohs opened the scoring in the round-of-32 encounter courtesy of Emam Ashour's 13th-minute goal. Australia responded with a Mohamed Hany own goal midway through the second half. The two nations remained deadlocked, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. The Aussies had even introduced substitute goalkeeper Mat Ryan in place of Patrick Beach, who had started the tie, but were unable to advance. Salah established the standard as he calmly converted with an audacious Panenka before Hossam Abdelmaguid eventually sent Egypt through, 4-2. Salah's determination to console his World Cup opponents has subsequently gone viral across social media. Numerous responses appeared on X. "Pure class from Salah. Respect first, celebration second. That's real sportsmanship", one said. Another commented: "What an absolute class act he is". The 34-year-old became visibly emotional following the triumph, which saw Egypt create history by claiming their maiden knockout-stage victory at a World Cup. "It's history. I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on," Salah said. "Enjoy it and don't let the pressure get to you. I'm glad that we managed to win the game. Bad luck to them. I'm happy that we made history." Reflecting on his spectacular penalty, the winger said: "If somebody was going to do it, it would be me. I am more experienced than others, and I wanted to give them confidence. "I decided [in the] last minute, I don't know if it's my last World Cup or not, but I had to do it. I am more experienced than the others and I wanted to give them confidence. I decided at the last minute. I had to do it." Salah is presently a free agent following his departure from Liverpool this summer. The forward concluded nine years at Anfield having secured two Premier League titles, the Champions League and numerous other domestic honours. Next in line for Egypt is a tantalising encounter with reigning world champions Argentina. The fixture promises to be essential viewing for football purists with both Salah and Lionel Messi set to go head-to-head. Lionel Scaloni's team survived a major fright against World Cup newcomers Cape Verde on Friday evening, prevailing 3-2 in extra time. Egypt and Argentina will face off in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 7, for a spot in the quarter-finals. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

2026-07-04

Liverpool signed Jurgen Klopp favourite, Premier League winner and cult hero as free agents

Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah , Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate next season after the trio departed this week upon the expiration of their contracts. But the Reds have taken full advantage of free transfers in the past. The Andoni Iraola era at Anfield will soon begin and with it will come a plethora of changes. Notably, some of Liverpool's most loyal modern servants will have waved goodbye to the club . Robertson, a two-time Premier League winner in red, has joined Tottenham on a free transfer and Salah's nine-year, record-breaking tenure also ended after his contract was terminated a year early. Konate has joined Real Madrid . Whilst free agency has claimed a few casualties this year, in seasons gone by Liverpool have been proficient at securing bargains. The ECHO takes a look at some notable free arrivals on Merseyside in recent times. One of Jurgen Klopp's first signings at Liverpool was a free one, as Joel Matip touched down and signed a four-year deal after his Schalke contract had ended in the summer of 2016. He had struck a pre-contract agreement with the club in February. What a signing Matip turned out to be. Before his arrival, Liverpool's defence, featuring the likes of Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel , had come under fire. But Matip solidified the back line and when joined by Virgil van Dijk in 2018, he helped Liverpool win a Champions League trophy and Premier League title. However, he played a bit-part role in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, starring in just 25 games combined. Matip returned to fitness in the 2021/22 season as Van Dijk's regular partner when the Reds chased down a quadruple but fell narrowly short, claiming a domestic cup double. His last two seasons were injury-hit before he was released in the summer of 2024 and soon announced his retirement from football as a Liverpool cult hero . Another free acquisition, James Milner , also achieved hero status at Anfield. Having arrived from Manchester City in 2015, Milner spent eight seasons at Liverpool, acting as an example to all of his team-mates in fitness and discipline. Milner was beloved by Klopp, who, upon the player's departure in 2023, said: "[It has been] a pleasure and a challenge. In the same moment [it] means a pleasure because of his exceptional attitude, really. "I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word 'role model'. But Millie is the role model, how he puts himself pretty much in place to be every day 100 per cent ready. It's a pure example; absolutely outstanding." Milner was also a key piece of Liverpool's 2019 Champions League win and 2020 league title. He only retired from professional football in June, aged 40, after three years with Brighton. Kolo Toure brought Premier League-winning experience when he arrived at Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2013. He proved to be an invaluable acquisition for Brendan Rodgers. In his first season at the club, he played a significant role in Liverpool's breathless, unexpected charge for the Premier League title alongside Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard . He made 20 league appearances that year. He, too, would become somewhat of a fan favourite, with his infamous chant and impeccable work ethic. His final game for the Reds was the 2016 Europa League final, in which, despite the 3-1 defeat to Sevilla, he performed admirably. One year with Celtic followed before he hung up his boots. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

2026-07-04

The 'Egyptian King' who stands as Australia's greatest World Cup risk

As the Socceroos prepare to face Egypt in the hope of securing Australia's first-ever FIFA Men's World Cup knockout victory, there will be one name to look for on the opposition team sheet: Mohamed Salah. Affectionately known by football fans across the world as the "Egyptian King", Salah is the talisman of his national team. He boasts a highly decorated, two-decade-long career that proves his super stardom for both his country and the clubs he's played for. So, what is there to know about Mohamed "Mo" Salah and why he could be key to whether the Socceroos progress further in the World Cup? From wonder kid to national icon: Mo's Egyptian legacy Born in 1992 in the Nile Delta desert village of Nagrig, about 120 kilometres north of the Egyptian capital Cairo, Salah started playing at the age of eight for local teams. He made his senior debut as a professional footballer for a club known as El Mokawloon, based east of Cairo and owned by an Egyptian construction company. Within 12 months, his name would feature on squad lists for Egypt's senior national team. Within two years his talent with the ball saw him catapulted into the juggernaut of European football, signing for FC Basel — one of the biggest clubs in Switzerland. And then the world started to take notice. Salah won two Swiss Super League titles with Basel before landing on the radar of then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who worked to sign him in a move to London and the Premier League for 11 million pounds ($21.1m). The transfer, and his later stints at major Italian clubs Fiorentina and Roma, coincided with Salah beginning to flourish on the field for Egypt. In the lead-up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he scored five of Egypt's eight goals in qualifying. He became a household name in Egypt within a single moment by scoring a stoppage-time penalty against Congo that would seal his country's spot at the tournament for the first time in 28 years. In Nagrig, giant painted murals of Salah's face were plastered on the sides of buildings, young children wearing jerseys emblazoned with his name still play football in the streets, and the school he went to was renamed in his honour. Salah scored just twice in Russia: once against Saudi Arabia and once against the host nation, before Egypt crashed out of the tournament. But his momentum as a growing footballing star had been set in motion. After scoring nine of Egypt's 20 goals in qualifying, the 2026 World Cup marks the fourth time the country has played at the tournament. Egypt did not qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and this year's showpiece is seen by many as what could be the 34-year-old's final hurrah. "I have managed to deploy him tactically and technically speaking and he has surpassed the capabilities that people had expected of him so far." Salah has scored only once so far in this year's cup, but he has also made the most assists and crosses for Egypt and become the first Egyptian captain to lead his country to a World Cup victory. After overcoming New Zealand in Vancouver, he was spotted celebrating in the streets among throngs of Egyptian fans who lifted him onto their shoulders. Another goal would see him reach 69 for his career and put him on par with Egypt's all-time highest goalscorer — his coach, Hassan. Whether he takes to the field to play the Socceroos, however, remains unclear. Salah asked to be substituted during Egypt's 1-1 draw with Iran in their final group match in Seattle, with the Egyptian Football Association later confirming he had a hamstring strain. This week, he was back in training with his team in Dallas, but Hassan did not reveal whether he would be fit enough to play in the knockout match. "Salah is a passionate player. I won’t run any risk unless he is 100 per cent fit to play," the coach said in a pre-match press conference. At Anfield, Salah shone Salah is known most for his time playing with Premier League giant Liverpool, which he signed for in 2017. From scoring on debut against Watford to rocketing up the league's yearly top scorers list, his performances with the Reds — mostly under former manager Jürgen Klopp — quickly outpaced most of what had been seen in England. He is still largely credited with being the Premier League's most successful player from Africa. In his nine seasons with the club, he broke the league record for the most goals by an African player (193), the most assists by an African player (94), the most goals by a winger (193), the most opening day goals (10) and the most Golden Boot awards for top goalscorer (4). He played for Liverpool 435 times, scored 255 goals and notched up 122 assists. He still holds the club record for the most goals in the Premier League (191) and UEFA Champions League (47). "The numbers Mo produces, they are unmatched from that position. The numbers for a winger are ridiculous. For a striker they are pretty much unmatched." Between 2017 and this year, the list of Liverpool honours Salah has next to his name is long. He was instrumental for the Reds when they won the club's first Premier League title in 30 years. His penalty in 2019 helped surge Liverpool to its first Champions League title since 2005. By March this year when he announced he would leave Anfield, his record stood at two Premier League titles, the Champions League title, a Club World Cup, an FA Cup and a League Cup with Liverpool. His departure announcement came after a months-long breakdown of relations with former coach Arne Slot, who frequently benched the Egyptian star, and Salah's claims the club had "thrown me under the bus". "Unfortunately the day has come," Salah said in an Instagram post at the time. "I wanted to start by saying I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. "Liverpool is not just a football club. It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not part of this club." Without a team to play for, Salah's club future beyond this year's World Cup could largely be decided by his performance for Egypt during the tournament. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic told journalists in Dallas on Thursday, local time, that Australia would be ready. "We have prepared for Mohamed Salah playing," he said. "We've seen when he's not on the pitch the players that are in those positions where he may play. So, we've prepared for both scenarios."

2026-07-03

Andoni Iraola told he needs 'massive Liverpool revamp' as two players challenged to step up

Former Liverpool captain Paul Ince believes Andoni Iraola faces "a massive revamp" this summer to succeed at Anfield . And the ex-England midfielder Ince has challenged Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister to rediscover the form displayed in the 2024/25 campaign when the Reds won their 20th league title. Iraola was employed as the new head coach on a two-year deal last month after Arne Slot was relieved of his duties at the end of May, having limped to a fifth-place finish in a campaign that saw the team lose 12 league games. Iraola is tasked with improving on that disappointing campaign but the Basque coach arrives on Merseyside having seen Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah all leave as free agent. Jeremy Jacquet's £60m capture from Rennes was confirmed on Wednesday and the Reds acted quickly to secure Victor Munoz from Osasuna two weeks ago, but Ince, who made 81 appearances during his two seasons on Merseyside, believes Iraola has a big task in reshaping the squad. And Ince also questioned the club's pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande , who has reportedly set his sights on a move to Paris Saint-Germain if he does leave the Bundesliga club this summer. "There is a massive revamp to do at Liverpool ," Ince told BestBettingSites.com . "A big revamp. Even with Curtis Jones now being linked to Inter - to be a truly great player, you have to perform year in and year out. "We use that word 'great' too easily and too flippantly now. To earn that, you have to sustain it. "So it'll be interesting to see who Iraola brings in. People are talking about Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for £90million or something like that. "Honestly, I watched him the other day and I think: 'Yeah, he's got some nice attributes, but he's a bit of a fizzy drink - he just pops up here and there.' "For £90million, I'm thinking: 'Jesus Christ!' Especially when you've got the young lad Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool, who is only 16 or 17 and plays on that left-hand side. "Why do we need to go and spend that money on someone who is only two years older than him? "I'm interested to see how they do. I certainly don't expect them to win the title this year, that's for sure, but it will be interesting to see what acquisitions Iraola brings in to make them better, because they need a much better season." Ince added: "When you manage Liverpool, the fans always have an expectation, just like when you're at Manchester United. I looked at Liverpool last season and I just thought it wasn't right. There were a lot of issues there. "Obviously, the Mohamed Salah stuff with Arne Slot wasn't great for the club. It's very rare that you see that kind of friction come out publicly from Liverpool Football Club; you usually see that stuff come out of other clubs. "Also, you very rarely hear Liverpool fans boo. Never - that's not the Liverpool way. When the fans start doing that, you kind of think: 'Right, something is not right here, there's a deep issue.' "When I talk about great players, I talk about Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, or Mark Hughes. "These are great players because they performed at the top level week in, week out and year in, year out in the Premier League . That's a great player - not someone who just does it for one season. "Under Slot in his first season, the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were absolutely fantastic, outstanding. "But last season, I thought they were poor. Virgil van Dijk wasn't at his absolute best, Ibrahima Konate wasn't at his best, and you obviously lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. "On top of that, Salah wasn't at his peak. So you can see why they weren't performing well. Alexander Isak got injured straight away, came back and scored against Tottenham, but then got injured for the rest of the season. "If you go through that squad, Federico Chiesa hasn't been the signing we thought he would be at this moment. "Hugo Ekitike has been out for three months. So you can see exactly why they struggled last year, and that’s not even mentioning the impact that Diogo Jota’s death would have had on the club." FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

2026-07-03

Liverpool transfer news: World Cup wonderkid set for Premier League move as double deal agreed

Liverpool face a pivotal few weeks ahead in the transfer window as Andoni Iraola looks to rebuild the squad following a disappointing campaign last season. The Reds finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to reach the semi-finals of any competition, prompting the departure of Arne Slot and the appointment of former Bournemouth boss Iraola in his place. The Spaniard has already made his first signing by bringing highly-rated Osasuna winger Victor Munoz to Anfield in a deal worth £34million. He has also been joined by French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who officially completed his move to Merseyside on July 1 after Liverpool agreed a £55m deal with Rennes back in January. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page But plenty more business is expected, particularly after the departures of Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah left major holes in the squad. Sporting director Richard Hughes is understood to have made signing a new right winger a priority – although his own future has come under scrutiny amid growing links of a move to Saudi Arabia. Mirror Football has taken a look at the latest developments on Merseyside. The World Cup has long been a great place for young stars to put themselves in the shop window. And this summer’s tournament in North America has been no different, with Liverpool reportedly among the clubs interested in 17-year-old Mexican winger Gilberto Mora. The teenage sensation made history on Wednesday when he started against Ecuador , becoming the second youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, behind only Brazil legend Pele. According to De Telegraaf , the Club Tijuana star is destined for a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool, Manchester City , Arsenal and Chelsea all interested. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! However, the Reds may have to be patient, with visa regulations preventing Mora from moving to England until he turns 18 in October. “In six months, during the winter transfer window, Gilberto Mora is going to take off […] he’s going to be a Premier League,” TNT Sports' Mexico journalist Rodrigo Lara told AS Mexico. “I can’t say which team…Today, after the match against Ecuador and after the England game, things are going to move forward for Gilberto Mora. The information I have is that Gilberto Mora will play in the Premier League.” For years, Liverpool made a habit of raiding Southampton for their best talent. Now, the same thing appears to be happening further along the south coast. The Reds have already recruited Iraola, Hughes and left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, while they have also been strongly linked with Brazilian forward Rayan. The list of those swapping Dorset for Merseyside is now even longer after the club confirmed that Cherries coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper will join Iraola’s backroom staff at Anfield. The pair, who both represented Bournemouth during their playing careers before moving into coaching, will serve as first-team coaches after negotiations with their former club. They will link up with assistant coach Pablo de la Torre and first-team tactical analyst Tom Weber, who also served under Iraola on the south coast. Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-07-03

Who is the quickest at FIFA World Cup? Jordan Bos tops speed charts ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland

Australia's Jordan Bos has emerged as one of the surprise stars of the FIFA World Cup, with the flying full-back not only helping the Socceroos reach the knockout stage but also outpacing some of football's biggest speedsters, including Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.The 23-year-old will once again be in the spotlight on Friday when Australia take on Mohamed Salah's Egypt in the Round of 32 at Dallas Stadium, with both nations chasing their first-ever victory in a men's FIFA World Cup knockout match.The winner will likely earn a blockbuster last-16 showdown against defending champions Argentina, who are overwhelming favourites against tournament debutants Cabo Verde.Bos clocks faster sprint than Mbappe and HaalandBos announced himself on the global stage during Australia's opening 2-0 win over Turkey, where FIFA data recorded his top speed at an astonishing 36.7 km/h (22.8 mph).That made him quicker than several of the tournament's most feared attackers and defenders during the opening round of group-stage matches, including France captain Kylian Mbappe, Norway striker Erling Haaland, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven and Uzbekistan centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.Primarily an attacking left-back, Bos has also demonstrated his versatility by playing further forward on the right during Australia's goalless draw with Paraguay, a result that secured the Socceroos a place in the knockout rounds behind co-hosts the United States.Australia chasing historic World Cup breakthroughAustralia will now look to make history against Egypt, who also reached the Round of 32 after finishing second in their group, highlighted by their historic 3-1 victory over New Zealand — the country's first-ever FIFA World Cup win.Neither nation has previously won a World Cup knockout match, guaranteeing that one will break new ground in Texas.Bos' rapid rise has mirrored Australia's impressive campaign. After coming through Melbourne City's academy, he joined Belgian club KVC Westerlo in 2023 for what was then a record transfer fee for a player leaving Australia's domestic league. Just two years later, Dutch giants Feyenoord signed him for a reported five million euros following two impressive seasons in Belgium.Despite growing speculation linking him with another lucrative move to one of Europe's elite clubs, Bos remains focused solely on Australia's World Cup mission."I'm not too worried about it or thinking much about it," Bos said. "I'm just living in the moment and trying to do my best for the country. Whatever happens, happens, but right now it's not on my mind at all."Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

2026-07-03

Four free agents Liverpool can sign with Andoni Iraola's transfer priority clear

The scramble to secure football's most sought-after free agents is officially underway. Whether a player actively pursued free agency or was simply not offered a fresh contract by their club, there are a host of top-class stars available without the need to splash out on a transfer fee . Andoni Iraola has taken the reins at Liverpool and has already got his first piece of summer business done, bringing in Victor Munoz for £35million . The Spaniard will undoubtedly be keen to add further reinforcements ahead of his debut season in charge. The 43-year-old's approach marks a stark departure from Arne Slot's methods, and he'll look to shape his squad to get the best out of their talents. With his first taste of Champions League football on the horizon, Iraola will surely be backed in the transfer market - though there are also some shrewd deals to be done among the free agents. There are clear gaps in Liverpool's squad, particularly following the exits of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate . Revamping the attack remains the top priority, though the defence and midfield are also in need of strengthening. Here are four top-quality players who became available on Wednesday, July 1... Familiar to many Liverpool supporters as the player Jurgen Klopp had his eye on before being persuaded to sign Mohamed Salah instead, Julian Brandt is on the market for nothing after bringing an end to his seven-year stint at Borussia Dortmund . FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page The 29-year-old, who can function as both an attacking midfielder and winger, could offer crucial versatility in the forward areas for Iraola with no Salah available and the possible departure of Federico Chiesa. With 12 years of experience in the Bundesliga and over 80 Champions League appearances to his name, Brandt's blend of know-how and quality means he won't be short of suitors, with Leeds United reportedly exploring a move for the attacker. The Spaniard's storied Real Madrid career, spanning more than 450 appearances and six Champions League triumphs, has reached its conclusion. The 34-year-old is undoubtedly in the latter stages of his playing days, but the commitment and winning mentality that powered him through 13 years in the white-hot atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabeu clearly endure. A right-back could feature on Iraola's shopping list this summer given the fitness concerns surrounding Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. While Trent Alexander-Arnold departed Anfield for the Spanish capital , one of Madrid's most cherished figures could make the reverse journey. Another player previously touted with a switch to Liverpool , the Germany midfielder could finally opt to join the Reds. Following eight years and 17 major trophies secured with Bayern Munich , Goretzka is now available on a free transfer. The 31-year-old is fresh from a humiliating World Cup exit following his nation's penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay and will be weighing up his next career move. Yet to play outside his native Germany, he has previously acknowledged his desire to experience football elsewhere. He said: "Maybe it's my last chance to go abroad. I really want to play truly competitive football again. We'll see what opportunities come up. I'm completely relaxed about it. I'll just let it all happen." The Serbian's four-and-a-half year stint at Juventus yielded a decent tally of 68 goals in 168 appearances, though he never truly set pulses racing during his time in Turin. Having failed to reach an agreement over a new deal, the 26-year-old is poised for a fresh challenge with his peak years almost certainly ahead of him. The Reds currently have Alexander Isak as their sole fit centre-forward, with Hugo Ekitike expected to remain sidelined for the opening half of the campaign. Landing Vlahovic could prove an astute piece of business, though the striker will hardly be short of interest, with the likes of Barcelona and Besiktas also reportedly circling.

2026-07-02

Liverpool latest: Andoni Iraola set to confirm transfer as new signing finally arrives

Andoni Iraola has hit the ground running since being appointed Liverpool manager last month. The Spaniard's tenure at Anfield reaches the one-month milestone this week , and he has already secured the club's first summer signing in Victor Munoz. Several key figures have departed on his watch, including Mohamed Salah , Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, though all three exits were decided before Iraola took over from Arne Slot. Transfer activity across all clubs is likely to gather pace in the coming days and weeks, with Liverpool already set to confirm the exit of one midfielder while an announcement regarding a player keen to impress Iraola has also been made. We round up the latest transfer developments surrounding the Merseyside club. Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson is edging closer to the exit door , with a switch to Bolton Wanderers nearing completion. The 22-year-old enters the final year of his Anfield contract having spent the past two seasons on loan at Dundee United. Stephenson - who joined Liverpool's academy in 2018 from Sunderland - is yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds, despite being integrated into the first-team squad for their last two pre-season campaigns. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page Stephenson's move to Bolton is expected to set the Championship outfit back £700,000. Despite his second stint in Scotland being curtailed by injury, the midfielder was honoured with both the supporters' and club's Young Player of the Season award. Jeremy Jacquet's Liverpool career officially got underway on Wednesday following his £60million transfer. An agreement to sign the defender was reached in January before the Frenchman headed back to Rennes on loan for the remainder of the campaign. The 20-year-old picked up a shoulder injury after returning to France but has now been cleared to start pre-season training this month. Upon arriving, Jacquet expressed his ambition to contribute to Liverpool's trophy collection. He said: "I saw all the cups and trophies, just how many there are, and I thought 'wow, I really want to be part of the history of this club'. I was just thinking that I want to bring back many more of them." He added: "It's a legendary club and the football philosophy appealed to me directly, and with my family I believe we made the right choice and we feel really happy here. They are really, really proud of me. "I think they've got a few stars in their eyes, a bit like I have, and that they are all excited and can't wait to have it all started and that I begin to get some training sessions and a run of games under my belt."

2026-07-02

Liverpool transfer target Bradley Barcola given Premier League transfer advice

Former France star Florent Malouda believes Liverpool transfer target Bradley Barcola would be an ideal fit for the Premier League . Paris Saint-Germain winger Barcola is one of several wide players the Reds' recruitment team are considering this summer as they look to source a replacement for Mohamed Salah , whose Anfield contract officially expired on June 30. Yan Diomande has been outlined as a target at Anfield but the £100m-rated RB Leipzig star is believed to prefer a move to European champions PSG, should he leave the Bundesliga club, and that prospect has opened the door to the possibility of Barcola, who is also wanted by Arsenal, moving to Merseyside. The Ligue 1 and Champions League holders are reluctant to let Barcola leave but have so far been unable to reach an agreement on a new deal for the France international, who scored in their 3-0 win over Sweden at the World Cup in the early hours of Wednesday. Malouda, who played at Chelsea for six years between 2007 and 2013, thinks Barcola would be well suited to English football "When you look at Bradley Barcola’s story, first of all, he's coming from the Lyon Academy," Malouda told BOYLE Sports. "He made the right choices. When he left, it was not easy for him. He left and he won two Champions Leagues in the best team in French football history. "Of course, it's challenging when you're competing with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue to start, but he showed every time he came on that he has the same level, maybe not as consistent, but he has the potential. "Choosing his next destination is about whether he is ready to take a leadership role, because that's what will be expected from him. "You just won the Champions League, any club buying you will expect you to lead them to winning these kinds of trophies. "This is where he will be challenged. He could fit in any Premier League team. He's a very talented young player." FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

2026-07-01

Ten football stars now free agents ready for transfer from Mohammed Salah to Bayern icon

It's July 1 and footballers contracts who have expired this summer are on the lookout for new clubs who could snap them up on a free

2026-07-01