Liverpool
Kevin Keegan dies aged 75 after cancer diagnosis
Kevin Keegan has died at 75 after cancer, with tributes from Newcastle.
Former England manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, seven months after he disclosed that he had cancer.
His family said he was with his wife and daughters in his final moments. They described him as a much loved husband, father and grandfather, and thanked his medical team for their support. The family also asked for privacy during what they called a hugely difficult time.
Keegan’s diagnosis was confirmed by his family in January, when they said scans had detected cancer before an operation on an injury caused in a car accident. In June, he revealed that the illness had reached Stage IV.
He is most closely associated with Liverpool, where he played between 1971 and 1977 and won three First Division titles and the 1976-77 European Cup. Those years secured his place in the club’s history.
Keegan also became a major figure at Newcastle, where he later ended his playing career in 1984 before returning eight years later as manager. He went on to have spells with Fulham, the England national team and Manchester City, before coming back to Newcastle again in 2008.
His individual honours included back-to-back Ballons d’Or in 1978 and 1979, making him one of seven men to achieve the feat.
Newcastle paid tribute with a lengthy statement, saying: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history,” Newcastle said. “Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.
“As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.
“As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.
“Above all that, Kevin forged an extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father, Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned his rightful place in the hearts of millions.
“Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him.
“At this profoundly sad time, we send our love and deepest sympathy to Kevin’s wife Jean, his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.”
Bournemouth
Carragher urges Iraola to confront Wirtz question after another subdued outing
Carragher says Iraola may soon have to decide on Wirtz after another low-impact Liverpool display.
Jamie Carragher has asked Andoni Iraola to make a difficult call on Florian Wirtz, arguing that the Liverpool midfielder’s level for Liverpool remains far below what was expected when he arrived last summer.
The discussion intensified after Liverpool’s narrow win over Bournemouth on Sunday. Wirtz started in the No. 10 role and was credited with three chances created, but his influence on the game was limited. He finished with 0.05 expected assists and 0.22 expected goals, while every attempt he made was blocked immediately. Carragher felt the performance offered little evidence that the player is moving closer to the standard Liverpool hoped for.
“Nothing is happening there at all,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“That was one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt. I’ve been critical of the fact that he hasn’t got the numbers. But normally when you watch Wirtz, he’s neat and tidy, he keeps possession, there’s things that you like. He gets out of a tight situation where you’re normally expecting your player to lose the ball.”
Carragher’s view has now shifted beyond form. He suggested the issue may not be temporary, but instead representative of what Wirtz actually is.
“I worry [because] I don’t think Wirtz is in poor form since he came to Liverpool. I actually think what we’re seeing is what he is. It was just in the back of my head [for 12 months].
“I don’t see how he’s going to hurt you. It’s just neat and tidy. And in some way, the price tag for that type of player should be half of what Liverpool have paid. The worry for Wirtz now is that his performances so far, or what he’s given Liverpool, is so low. Where we were expecting him was to take Liverpool to another league title, to take Liverpool to a Champions League .”
He added that the “gap” between expectation and reality is “almost too big” to close, even with improvement. Carragher compared Wirtz with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Morgan Gibbs-White and Emiliano Buendía, who he believes are adding more regular value for their teams.
That led to the question of selection. Carragher pointed out that Iraola has already been willing to leave Ryan Gravenberch out for much of the season, and said Wirtz should be judged in the same way, especially with Manchester City next after the international window.
“Wirtz wouldn’t be in my Liverpool team. Manchester City at home, for me, he can’t be in the team,” Carragher said. “The things I’ve liked so far about Iraola, he’s had the courage to make big decisions. Ryan Gravenberch has just signed a hefty contract on a five-year deal on massive money. He’s not playing. Sooner or later he’s going to have to make a decision on Florian Wirtz. I hope it’s sooner. Not because I don’t like Florian Wirtz, I’m desperate for the kid to do well. I just want Liverpool to win.”
Bournemouth
Iraola Highlights Liverpool Rest Edge Before Bournemouth Meeting
Iraola says Liverpool may have an edge from extra rest ahead of Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium reunion.
Andoni Iraola has suggested Liverpool’s extra recovery time could tilt Sunday’s meeting in their favour at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool arrived into the fixture after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round win over Tottenham Hotspur, where a rotated side claimed a 3-1 victory. Bournemouth, by contrast, were in Europa League action on Thursday and returned from their trip to Real Sociedad with a 2-1 win, earned through goals from Justin Kluivert and Rayan.
Speaking in his prematch press conference, Iraola was clear about the scheduling imbalance. “I think we have an advantage,” he said. “Most of the times it has been the opposite. We have been the team that played last, but this time we played two days before they played.
“I think there should be an advantage there, but also I know where we are going, and I know what they have there, not only the stadium but overall.
“When you see the number of games they have lost in a long while [just three defeats in 2026], you realize how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth.”
Liverpool were able to use younger players and lesser-used squad members against Spurs, while Marco Rose selected a full-strength Bournemouth line-up in San Sebastián. On that basis, the Reds are expected to arrive fresher for Iraola’s reunion.
Even so, the Bournemouth boss will have noticed Liverpool’s flat display in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham. After their victory over Atlético Madrid only a few days earlier, Liverpool appeared drained at Anfield and struggled to impose themselves in a match that finished without a goal.
That pattern is not new. In the 11 Liverpool matches that have followed midweek trips this calendar year, they have won only six. Three draws and two defeats sit alongside that return, including one loss at Bournemouth in January. For Iraola, the recent numbers offer reason to believe this could be a tighter contest than the schedule alone might suggest.
Bournemouth
Iraola and Klopp back Wirtz amid rising scrutiny
Iraola and Klopp defend Wirtz as criticism grows, stressing his team role and work rate.
Andoni Iraola has offered firm backing to Florian Wirtz as criticism of the Liverpool midfielder continues to build, aligning himself with the view already expressed by Jürgen Klopp.
Wirtz has faced increasing scrutiny over a modest return of goals and assists, with frustration around his output rising after each passing week. Yet Iraola was clear in his defence ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Bournemouth, stressing that the German should be assessed in the same way as every other player.
“He should be judged like everybody else, whether he plays well or doesn’t play well” Iraola told reporters at his Friday news conference. “Mostly I always say how does the team play when you are on the pitch? I am very happy with Florian, I rate him very highly, he understands what we need from him. He is trying to help in every aspect of the game.
“Obviously we want him to have assists and goals also, but he is helping us in a lot of different areas.”
Klopp has also defended Wirtz this week after naming his first squad since becoming Germany head coach. The former Liverpool manager selected two separate squads of 44 players for the upcoming three-week international break, with Wirtz included among them.
Asked about the player’s recent displays, Klopp was equally supportive. “I think he’s the player who covered the most ground at Liverpool this season, so the willingness is absolutely there,” Klopp told media on Thursday.
“We have to move away from expecting to always see special moments in front of goal from him. He needs to help us as a team. We have to make sure Flo feels comfortable with us. When the team works, every player shines as a result.
“So we have to be satisfied when Flo plays a game in which he gave everything but didn’t register a goal or assist. We need to give the boy the feeling, ‘That was more than good enough today. You helped us as a team.’”
There is little mystery behind the growing frustration. Wirtz arrived with significant expectation, and supporters have naturally wanted more decisive contributions. Still, his work without the ball has improved under Iraola, with the midfielder leading his teammates for possession won in the final third and distance covered per 90 minutes in the Premier League. Even so, when measured against other attacking midfielders at England’s elite sides last season, he fell short.
