Liverpool’s preseason activities have featured more than just transfer buzz, as veteran defender Andy Robertson praised two promising teenagers from the club’s youth setup. After a friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong, Robertson highlighted the progress of Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha during an interview with The Anfield Wrap.

The seasoned Liverpool left-back spoke highly of both youngsters, noting, “He’s [Rio] a good kid and he’s got a fantastic head on his shoulders, especially when he’s got people like Mo [Salah] who can help him so much as well. We always try to help him and Trey. They’re so young but they’re such good kids and they’ve got a hell of a future ahead of themselves. You can just see them coming on every time and the more they train and play with us, the more they just get better and better.”

Robertson added a personal observation of Ngumoha’s development, saying, “Obviously that’s the last two games I’ve played now with Rio in front of me and he just keeps on coming on. He’s got a hell of a future ahead of him but the here-and-now looks pretty good as well.”

Ngumoha, who joined Liverpool last year from Chelsea, where he had been since 2016, made his professional debut in an FA Cup match against Accrington Stanley, becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever starter. Meanwhile, Nyoni, who arrived in 2023, also holds a club record as the youngest Liverpool player to feature in a European match, appearing as a substitute against PSV Eindhoven.

While neither player is expected to take a major role this season, the support from a senior figure like Robertson and their promising performances in preseason suggest they have bright futures at the club.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has downplayed concerns about the team’s defensive resources ahead of the 2025/26 season while hinting at a possible new signing in defence. Despite Liverpool’s defensive frailties being apparent in a recent 4-2 pre-season friendly loss to AC Milan, Slot expressed confidence in his defensive options. The Dutch coach highlighted the versatility of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who started alongside Virgil van Dijk, noting, “Ryan showed he can play that position—he did it well, although we favour him as a No. 6. Wataru Endo can play there [centre back].”

The current squad behind the established duo of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté is thin. Joe Gomez, sidelined with a minor Achilles injury during the friendly, remains a key option but has faced ongoing fitness challenges. The 24-year-old Rhys Williams is the other centre back available after the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. Slot acknowledged the gap left by Quansah’s departure, stating, “So we have enough options but it is true that Jarell Quansah left and we haven’t replaced him yet.”

This situation leaves Liverpool’s top-flight title defence dependent on maintaining defensive solidity, with potential transfer activity hinted by the manager to reinforce this critical area.

Newcastle United find themselves in a complex position over the potential transfer of Alexander Isak. The forward has reportedly expressed a desire to leave, escalating speculation following his agent’s initial hints, refusal to extend his contract, and absence from the squad’s Asian tour for its second leg. Manager Eddie Howe confirmed Isak would not join the team on this trip and described the transfer window as “challenging.” Adding to the complexity, Newcastle are preparing for a possible official bid from Liverpool. According to reports, the club’s internal opinion is divided on whether to reject all offers firmly or enter negotiations. Liverpool’s renewed interest appears linked to the expected departure of Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich, freeing up approximately £65 million. The Reds believe they have adequate left-sided options to pursue Isak if Newcastle are willing to negotiate. Newcastle’s asking price is said to be around £150 million, which would eclipse the British transfer record recently set by Liverpool’s £116 million signing of Florian Wirtz. Nonetheless, Liverpool are considered financially capable of surpassing this figure in pursuit of Isak. The situation underscores a tense and potentially transformative transfer window ahead for both clubs.