Liverpool
Iraola Hails Liverpool’s Bright Start But Warns More Time Is Needed
Iraola praised Liverpool’s start against Monaco, but said the squad still lacks the stamina to sustain his demands.
Andoni Iraola has offered a blunt reminder to Liverpool that the work of pre-season is still far from complete, even after a promising opening against Monaco suggested there is attacking potential in the squad.
Liverpool were impressive for the first half-hour on Sunday, with the Florian Wirtz-Alexander Isak combination beginning to stand out, but they faded sharply after that. Iraola, whose Bournemouth sides have long been associated with intense pressing and relentless running, said the squad is not yet ready to sustain the style he wants across a full match.
“We played a good first half, especially a good 30 minutes,” Iraola reflected. “Right now, we probably don’t have much more, in terms of the levels required to play like this, and [Monaco] were much better in the second half. They deserved to turn around the game.”
The match also brought the first pre-season appearances for Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, while new signing Víctor Muñoz came off the bench for an unofficial debut in the closing half hour. Iraola said the issue is not a lack of effort, but a lack of stamina for the demands being placed on them.
“It was their first game, and even the ones who are playing the second game, they had energy. The problem right now is they don’t have the energy for 90 minutes,” the boss said.
“They start to get tired, and it will take time for them. We need more training with them. But we can take a lot of positives, but also a lot of negatives.”
Van Dijk, now 35, remains without a settled partner at centre-back heading into the season. He started alongside teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe, later played briefly with Wataru Endo, and then left the field after 60 minutes. Joe Gomez, Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni were all unavailable through injury.
There is some optimism that Jacquet could be involved against Como next weekend, either in a behind-closed-doors fixture or the public match at Anfield. Liverpool are also working on a loan move for Ronald Araújo from Barcelona, but the situation is still developing rather than resolved.
“It definitely feels like a bit of a transition, for sure,” Van Dijk told reporters.
Liverpool
Jeff Bezos consortium edging toward Liverpool minority stake
Bezos nears Liverpool stake as FSG could secure major outside investment in a $6bn valuation deal.
Jeff Bezos is close to becoming part of a consortium that could take a minority stake in Liverpool FC.
The Amazon founder, now 62, began his company in a rented garage in 1994 and is currently listed by Forbes as the world’s third richest person, with a net worth of $280.6 billion. Only Elon Musk, on $823.6 billion, and Larry Page, on $290.1 billion, are ahead of him.
Bezos would not be joining alone. The proposed group also includes Eduardo Saverin, a Facebook co-founder, and Amit Bhatia, a former shareholder in EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers. Forbes estimates their wealth at $32 billion and $30 billion respectively.
Should the deal go through, FSG would remain in control of Liverpool. The arrangement would instead provide the outside investment the ownership group led by John W. Henry and Tom Werner has been open to for several years.
FSG set out its position in November 2022, saying: “FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool.
“FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club. FSG remains fully committed to the success of Liverpool, both on and off the pitch.”
There was also speculation in January 2025 when Errol Musk said his son “would like to” buy Liverpool. No bid followed, and a full sale was never believed to be under consideration. Elon Musk had earlier joked on social media in 2022 about buying Manchester United.
Sky News reported that Liverpool’s overall valuation could be $6 billion, which would mean the consortium is set to invest around $2 billion for an assumed 33% stake. The exact split between the three men is not clear.
If completed at that level, the transaction would rank among soccer’s most valuable ever. FSG bought Liverpool from Tom Hicks and George Gillette in 2010 for about $480 million. The record remains the $5.4 billion Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital invested in Chelsea in 2022, although only around $3.2 billion was for the club itself, with $2.2 billion earmarked for infrastructure.
Barcelona
Flick’s Araújo comments point to an imminent Liverpool loan
Flick’s remarks on Araújo intensify Liverpool talk as both clubs manage centre-back concerns.
Hansi Flick has effectively signalled that Ronald Araújo will not be part of Barcelona this season, calling it a “shame” and backing reports that a loan move to Liverpool is nearing completion.
Araújo’s spell under Flick has been shaped by injury and interruption. He missed several months of the manager’s first year because of a hamstring injury and later took a period of mental leave midway through last season. Even so, he remained within the squad’s leadership group and was elevated to club captain at the start of 2026 when Marc-André ter Stegen joined Girona on loan.
His standing away from the pitch has not been matched by his involvement on it. When fit, Araújo has mainly been a bench option throughout Flick’s reign, and the coach made it clear his preferred style is different.
“He’s a great guy and a fantastic player. But his style of play is different from what I prefer,” Flick explained to reporters, justifying Araújo’s lack of role and the decision to let him leave.
“He’s powerful, fast … it’s a shame. It’s been difficult because I haven’t been able to include him as much as I’d like. He’s been affected by past mistakes. We’ve talked. I saw him doing well, happy, and I wish him all the best,” the coach added.
“Changes are normal in life and in football.”
Barcelona do still have centre-back options. Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín emerged last season as Flick’s starting centre backs, while Eric García and Andreas Christensen remain available. Jules Koundé, known more as a right back these days, can also fill in.
Araújo’s departure would also alter the captaincy hierarchy. Frenkie de Jong would ordinarily be promoted for this season, but with the Dutchman sidelined by a torn medial knee ligament, it will instead be current third-captain Raphinha who wears the armband for the foreseeable future.
Liverpool’s own centre-back situation remains severe. Two weeks before the Premier League season begins, Virgil van Dijk, 35, is their only available first-team centre back. Ibrahima Konaté has joined Real Madrid after failing to agree a new contract, while Joe Gomez and new signing Jérémy Jacquet are injured.
Andoni Iraola said on Sunday after the Anfield defeat to Monaco that Jacquet “should be fine” for the final preseason match against Como next weekend. Even so, the young Frenchman has already been hampered by a knee problem in training this summer, having also missed the final months of last season with Rennes because of a shoulder injury suffered just days after his pre-arranged Liverpool move was announced.
Barcelona
Liverpool seal loan move for Ronald Araújo as Barcelona let defender go
Liverpool have agreed a loan move for Ronald Araújo, with a buy option included in the Barcelona deal.
Liverpool have reached an agreement with Barcelona to bring Ronald Araújo to Anfield on loan for the 2026-27 season, according to reports.
The deal also includes a buy option, but Liverpool are not tied to making it permanent. Any decision on that clause will be theirs to make next summer if they choose to move ahead.
Barcelona sporting director Deco is said to have played a role in the swift talks, with Araújo expected to travel to Liverpool in the coming hours to finalise the move before it is confirmed.
The transfer comes as Liverpool look to strengthen a defensive unit that has been stretched. Virgil van Dijk, Jérémy Jacquet, Joe Goméz and Giovanni Leoni were the senior centre-backs after Ibrahima Konaté’s departure. Leoni has not featured since tearing his ACL last September, while Jacquet has been out since February with a shoulder injury and has yet to play for Liverpool.
Goméz’s injury problems also returned during the first match of the Iraola era, when he had to be withdrawn after 10 minutes of Liverpool’s preseason opener against Sunderland. Van Dijk has not played since the 2026 World Cup for the Netherlands, and despite his status, he turned 35 in July, which raises further questions over availability.
Araújo offers Liverpool an immediate solution, even if only for the short term. His move away from Barcelona had felt increasingly likely after a difficult spell that contrasted sharply with his early rise as one of the game’s most promising young defenders.
His recent decline was shaped by costly moments and lost momentum. A sending-off against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the 2023-24 Champions League quarterfinals proved decisive, with his challenge contributing to Barcelona’s collapse in the tie.
Since then, Araújo has struggled to recover his standing. He featured sparingly under Hansi Flick last season and, at times, was even used as an emergency striker. Across the last two La Liga campaigns, injuries and poor form have limited him to just 22 starts.
