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Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is reportedly attracting plenty of attention from a fellow Premier League club, but the Reds have no intention of parting with the Dutchman.

Last week, Fabrizio Romano claimed that Tottenham Hotspur have taken an interest in the 27-year-old and described a potential move to north London for the forward as one to ‘keep an eye on’ in the final month of the transfer window.

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The Reds’ number 18 had already been the subject of a rumoured exit from Anfield earlier in the summer, although Lewis Steele hinted in July that he’d be ‘surprised’ if the Netherlands international were to leave this month.

Liverpool have no plans to sell Gakpo

According to Simon Jones for the Daily Mail, Liverpool have no plans to sell Gakpo this summer, despite Spurs making their interest known, with Merseyside chiefs keen to enhance rather than curtail their options in attack.

Between the Dutchman’s age (27) and contract status (four years remaining on his current deal), and the rising market prices for players of his high-level experience, it’d require a gargantuan offer for LFC to alter their stance on the forward, who they signed from PSV Eindhoven for £44m midway through the 2022/23 season.

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Gakpo remains a vital player for Liverpool

Gakpo’s output may have heavily diminished last term (nine goals) from the preceding campaign (18), but he remains a hugely important player for Liverpool.

The Reds attacker netted three goals at the World Cup, with Daniel Sturridge hailing his performances as ‘confident and decisive’ (via X), and selling another regular first-team forward off the back of Mo Salah’s exit would seem highly illogical.

The Dutchman is yet to feature under Andoni Iraola, having not been on the pre-season tour to the United States as he’d been granted additional post-World Cup leave for personal reasons, and the new head coach will surely want to thoroughly assess him over the next few weeks.

In contrast to Liverpool’s quiet transfer window, Spurs have been hugely active in the market this summer, bringing in six first-team players at a cumulative cost surpassing £200m (Daily Mail), and selling Gakpo to Roberto De Zerbi’s side would only make a rival Premier League squad even stronger.

Thankfully it seems as though the Anfield hierarchy won’t be letting the £44m attacker depart unless a truly irresistible offer were to arrive; and although competition for the left-winger berth has increased over the past few months, our number 18 should still have a vital role to play for the Reds in the upcoming campaign.

Fabrizio Romano has sought to ease fears over a potential big-name exit for Liverpool with an update over the past 24 hours.

Last month, the Italian transfer reporter declared that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Cody Gakpo, although Football Insider claimed that the Reds would only consider selling the 27-year-old if a ‘big offer’ were to come in for him.

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Lewis Steele mentioned earlier this week that LFC are very much planning ahead for the new season with the Dutchman as part of their plans, and Spurs’ simultaneous interest in another Premier League winger might yet work in our favour.

Romano: Spurs would prefer Savinho to Gakpo

In an update on his eponymous YouTube channel discussing potential attacking recruits for the north London club, Romano said: “My understanding is, the main names to take into consideration for Tottenham for the winger positions are Cody Gakpo – but at the moment Liverpool are yet to open doors to an exit – and Savinho.

“Cody Gakpo is a desire of Tottenham, but this depends on Liverpool at the moment. Liverpool are not opening the doors to an exit, so we have to be patient and see what’s going to happen there.”

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Iraola prepared to give Gakpo his chance at Liverpool

While Romano hasn’t said anything about how prepared Manchester City would be to sell Savinho, the Reds’ position on their own left-sided winger seems quite clear – he won’t be put on the market, and it could take a substantial offer to alter that stance.

As reported by Football Insider, new head coach Andoni Iraola is keen to afford Gakpo the opportunity to impress him at Anfield, so the Dutchman is likely to receive plenty of game-time on Merseyside even with the arrival of Victor Munoz in June and the emergence of Rio Ngumoha over the past few months.

That commodity was in short supply for Savinho at the Etihad Stadium over the past year – he made just seven top-flight starts and played a grand total of 821 Premier League minutes last season – although it remains to be seen whether Enzo Maresca will utilise him more than Pep Guardiola did.

A lot can still change between now and the end of the transfer window, but Liverpool seem determined to keep hold of a player who, whilst far from his best during 2025/26, has proven that he can deliver consistently at the highest level (50 goals in 180 games for the Reds).

Hopefully FSG will maintain their hardline stance on Gakpo, and Spurs will feel obliged to turn their attention elsewhere, perhaps putting all their eggs in the Savinho basket.

Jurgen Klopp launched a scathing broadside at pundit and ex-Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart after the latter’s damning criticism of Virgil van Dijk in recent days.

The former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker was unimpressed with the Liverpool captain in the Oranje’s 2-2 draw against Japan last weekend, saying on NOS (via GOAL) that the 34-year-old turns ‘like a Boeing 747’ in a withering assessment of his pace.

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The Reds centre-back started once more on Saturday as Ronald Koeman’s side made light work of Sweden in a 5-1 thrashing, albeit one which featured a slight injury scare for our inspirational number 4.

Klopp hits back at Van der Vaart over Van Dijk criticism

Speaking as a pundit for German TV on that game, Klopp fired back at Van der Vaart over his comments about Van Dijk a few days ago.

The former Liverpool manager said (via Daily Mail): “I don’t know if it’s worth naming Rafael van der Vaart at all, but if he ever says something positive about a player, I’m willing to take him seriously again.

“You have the feeling that he sees something, which then has to be expressed in a flowery way and then he goes against it, but it’s not that important.”

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Van der Vaart has been quite outspoken in his punditry

Van der Vaart has been rather outspoken during this World Cup, finding himself at the centre of racism allegations after saying that the Japan players ‘all look alike‘ (a remark for which he subsequently apologised) and accusing Klopp of ‘suffocating’ Cody Gakpo’s talent at Liverpool and ‘treating him like a utility knife instead of the scalpel he is’ (via @Vfynn_ on X).

Van Dijk wasn’t perfect against Sweden on Saturday – his positioning was questionable on a couple of occasions and he was nutmegged by Alexander Isak at one point – but there were plenty of positives to his performance too, as evidenced by figures from Sofascore.

Passes completed 75/79 (91%) Clearances 8 Accurate long balls 2/2 Possession lost 4 (from 91 touches)

Klopp was clearly incensed by the Dutch pundit’s criticism of the Reds captain, who he managed at Anfield for six-and-a-half years, and felt compelled to hit back at the 43-year-old in public, and we suspect the tit-for-tat mightn’t finish there.

Not that the Netherlands skipper will be paying much attention as he and his teammates focus on the task of finishing Group F with a win over already eliminated Tunisia and maintaining momentum into the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

Van Dijk can’t control what the likes of Van der Vaart say about him, but he can influence proccedings on the pitch, and a player of his experience and temperament will gently allow the storm to rage on thousands of miles away from the Oranje’s base camp in North America.

Fabrizio Romano had some rather eye-catching transfer news for Liverpool fans on Wednesday evening as he reported that Andy Robertson has verbally agreed a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Along with Mo Salah, the 32-year-old bade an emotional farewell to Anfield last Sunday after nine years with the Reds in which they won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and several other trophies.

Ben Jacobs reported earlier this week that there was an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Scotland captain to join Spurs, and it now seems as though that transfer is inevitable.

Romano gives Robertson to Spurs the ‘here we go’

Romano took to X on Wednesday evening to report that Robertson is on his way to north London, with the 2025 Europa League winners having previously sounded out Liverpool about a potential move for him in January.

The Italian transfer guru posted: ‘EXCL: Tottenham reach verbal agreement to sign Andy Robertson, here we go! Pact expected to be respected and deal to be signed soon despite Juventus proposal to try hijack the deal. Robertson, wanted by THFC last January and again now with De Zerbi. It’s happening.’

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What are Liverpool’s left-back plans for next season after Robertson exit?

It had previously been reported that Spurs would be the left-back’s preference so long as they preserved their Premier League status (The Telegraph), and having finally accomplished that mission last weekend, Roberto De Zerbi’s side now look set to snap up the Liverpool legend.

Even the photoshopped image of Robertson in the shirt of the north London club in Romano’s post looks jarring for those of us who’d become so accustomed to seeing him in Merseyside red over the past decade, but we probably better start getting used to seeing him in opposition colours from hereon.

The 32-year-old is duly poised to return to Anfield with the away team at some point next season, and whenever that happens, he’ll undoubtedly be given the warmest of welcomes from the supporters who showered him with affection during his send-off last Sunday.

For Liverpool, it now leaves Milos Kerkez as the clear first-choice at left-back, though it’ll be interesting to see what happens in terms of cover for the Hungarian.

Will Kostas Tsimikas resume his backup role upon returning from his loan spell at Roma? Do the Reds promote from within (Owen Beck steps up to senior squad), or do they seek to bring in an affordable alternative who could challenge our number 6 for a starting berth?

While Robertson’s future now seems to be resolved, there remains a big question over LFC’s left-backs plans for next season.

Andy Robertson signed off on a glorious nine-year Liverpool career on Sunday afternoon, starting on his final appearance for the Reds as they drew 1-1 against Brentford.

The 32-year-old soaked in the appreciation of the home fans after the final whistle in the company of his family and teammates as he savoured his final moments at Anfield as an LFC player.

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Thoughts will now turn to where the Scotland captain ends up next, and according to one reporter over the past 24 hours, he may well be back in L4 next season in the colours of the away team.

Robertson has ‘agreement in principle’ to join Spurs

Ben Jacobs took to X on Sunday night to report that Robertson seems poised for a move to Tottenham Hotspur, who finally made sure of their Premier League status for 2026/27 with a final-day win over Everton.

The journalist posted: ‘Andy Robertson set to join Spurs now their Premier League status is secure. Agreement in principle already in place.’

The north London club had lodged an enquiry with Liverpool for the Scottish left-back on deadline day of the winter transfer window earlier this year, but Anfield chiefs instantly made it clear that the player – who hadn’t yet announced his departure from LFC at that point – wouldn’t be made available.

However, after it was confirmed that the 32-year-old would be leaving Merseyside at the end of this season, The Telegraph‘s Dominic King reported that Spurs would be Robertson’s preference, so long as they maintaned their top-flight status.

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Could Robertson be back at Anfield next season for the away team?

With Roberto De Zerbi’s side facing in the Premier League once again next term, it means that the Scotland captain could conceivably be back at Anfield in the coming months, but playing against Liverpool rather than for them.

That was the novelty experienced by Jordan Henderson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Sepp van den Berg for Brentford yesterday, and judging by the warm welcome that they all received, our departing no.26 would be afforded an even more rapturous reception if he were to return with Spurs.

Robertson is still only 32 and definitely has a few more years left in him at the top level, and now that the north Londoners have swerved the threat of relegation, it’s plausible that he might end up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the near future.

Whatever might be in store for him next, what’s indisputable is that he earned the right to depart Liverpool on his own terms, and it’s only fitting that he was given such a rousing send-off from the appreciative Anfield faithful on Sunday.

One Premier League defender has reportedly indicated which club out of Liverpool or Manchester United he would prefer to join, if given the opportunity.

The Merseysiders had been strongly linked with Micky van de Ven when he was at Wolfsburg three years ago, and discussions took place between the clubs over a potential deal, but Tottenham Hotspur were more proactive in their efforts to land him and duly secured his signature.

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There were reports from Daily Mail in January indicating that Anfield chiefs had once again been ‘developing a keen interest’ in the Netherlands international, and it seems that the desire might be mutual.

Van de Ven would choose Liverpool over Man United

According to a report for TEAMtalk, the 25-year-old would choose to sign for Liverpool over Man United ‘without hesitation’ if both clubs were to table formal offers.

Van de Ven is ‘a self-confessed Reds supporter’ and, if he were to leave Spurs, ‘would prioritise Anfield above most other destinations’, although prising him away from north London could be an expensive endeavour.

FSG are ‘extremely keen’ on bringing the Dutch defender to Merseyside, although Roberto De Zerbi’s side value him in the region of £60m-£80m.

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Liverpool must use that to their advantage

If these reports are accurate and the centre-back would be swayed towards his childhood club, that’s something Liverpool must use to their advantage if indeed they’re eager to sign him.

Man United’s return to the Champions League under Michael Carrick could make them a more enticing proposition for players than they have been over the last couple of years, but a move to Anfield would give Van de Ven the opportunity to spend one season alongside compatriot Virgil van Dijk before taking over as the lynchpin of our defence.

Pace is a commodity that James Pearce has urged LFC to prioritise in the summer transfer window, and the Spurs defender would provide that in abundance – in 2024, he set a Premier League record for the fastest-ever recorded sprint at a lightning-quick 37.38 km/h (Sky Sports).

The Dutchman isn’t a mere speed merchant, either. His tally of seven goals this season (bettered by only four Liverpool players) shows that he offers a goal threat from set pieces, although Fotmob data indicates that he ranks below the top-flight average for core defensive attributes such as tackles, interceptions and blocks.

Even if the north Londoners avoid relegation, the prospect of Champions League football (which the Reds should be able to provide from hereon) may well entice him away from Tottenham and, potentially, to Anfield.

There’s a sense of frustration around Liverpool right now, both on and off the pitch, and fresh comments from Mauricio Pochettino have only served to remind us how fine the margins can be when building a successful side.

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With supporters protesting ticket prices and questioning decisions at board level, it’s a timely reminder that recruitment choices can define entire eras.

Pochettino admits Liverpool beat Spurs to key signings

Speaking on Stick to Football, Mauricio Pochettino opened up on Tottenham’s failed attempts to sign two players who would go on to become central figures under Jurgen Klopp.

The Argentine explained: “I think I can tell you, we tried, I think it was 2016 after we finished the season, we tried to sign two players and I think it’s public.

“And after they moved to another club that after they won the Premier League and they beat us in the in the Champion League final.”

When pressed on the names, the former Spurs boss confirmed: “Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum and yes for different reason we can’t achieve that but I think it’s always you need some this luck to bring these players in.”

He even acknowledged the long-term impact of that decision, adding: “I remember that we were also interested in them but they decide to move to to Liverpool and after they both beat us in 2019.”

A reminder of what built Klopp’s Liverpool

Those two signings proved pivotal for us, with Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum forming part of the spine that delivered both the Champions League and Premier League.

Wijnaldum himself once explained why his role worked so well under Klopp, saying: “It’s always difficult to say what is the perfect midfielder but I think at Liverpool, my style fit good… maybe for Liverpool I was but I can understand for other teams it will be difficult.”

Mane too was a revelation, someone our former boss still speaks about and most recently saying, “What a player he was” was a simple example of his adoration for the Senegalese winger.

At a time when fans are making their voices heard about the direction of the club, Pochettino’s comments underline a simple truth, because while engagement off the pitch matters, it’s decisions like these that ultimately shape success on it.

Back then, we got them right, and the rewards followed.

Andy Robertson is in ‘advanced talks’ with Tottenham over a summer transfer, reports Sami Mokbel.

The Scotland international is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025/26 season, with Spurs ready to capitalise.

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The former Hull City fullback has already confirmed that this will be his final season at Anfield.

This comes after Merseysiders opted not to offer Robertson a contract extension.

Andy Robertson closing in on Tottenham summer transfer

Mokbel, reporting with BBC Sport, noted that a full agreement has yet to be sealed between the two parties. However, talks are reportedly at an ‘advanced stage’.

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The key factor that will ultimately decide whether the left-back makes the move to north London, of course, is the ongoing question of Tottenham’s Premier League status.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men find themselves in the middle of a relegation scrap, with the club two points behind West Ham in 17th in safety.

Tottenham could miss out on Robertson transfer

There’s a very real possibility that the Londoners could miss out on Andy Robertson’s transfer this summer.

Of course, if a relegation occurs, this will very much be the least of Tottenham’s worries ahead of what they hope will end up being a brief stay in the Championship.

Either way, it would almost certainly spell the end of talks between the two parties, with the Scotland international taking his services elsewhere.

Atletico Madrid were, at one point, credited with interest in Robertson’s services, though it remains to be seen whether the La Liga giants could be tempted back to the table.

Regardless, we’ve no doubts there will be plenty of suitors willing to hand the Premier League legend a contract.

Wayne Rooney said that one Liverpool player was ‘a joy to watch’ in the Reds’ 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

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Following a series of impressive cameos from Rio Ngumoha in recent weeks, Arne Slot rewarded the 17-year-old with a first Premier League start for the visit of Spurs to Anfield, with the Dutchman acting upon his pre-match hints that the teenager could be included in the starting XI.

The young attacker played for just over an hour before being substituted to a standing ovation from the home fans, and his performance against Igor Tudor’s side came in for plenty of praise.

Rooney: Ngumoha was ‘a joy to watch’ against Spurs

Speaking on Match of the Day on Sunday night, Rooney said of the Liverpool starlet: “Ngumoha is direct and positive. It is a joy to watch these young players willing to take the ball… You wanted the Liverpool players to keep giving him the ball. He is exciting and entertaining.”

Micah Richards concurred with his punditry colleague, saying: “We see a lot of modern-day footballers get into good positions and play the safe pace to recycle possession, but he is positive and sharp.

“Pedro Porro found it very difficult because he didn’t know what to do with Ngumoha. The next part of his development is the final ball.”

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Ngumoha must be in line to start against Galatasaray

Ngumoha’s performance on Sunday was also lauded by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports, with the former Liverpool defender saying that the 17-year-old was ‘brilliant’ and virtually impossible for opponents to stop when facing him one-on-one.

Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle awarded him 7/10 in his post-match player ratings, opining that the teenager was ‘pretty quiet’ in the first half but ‘improved’ after the interval, echoing Richards in noting the ‘problems’ he caused for Porro.

The Reds winger completed 90% of his passes and all seven dribbles that he attempted on Sunday, along with winning eight out of his 10 duels, a very impressive return for such a young player against far more experienced operators (Sofascore).

It wouldn’t surprise us if Slot were to restore Ngumoha to the bench for the must-win Champions League game against Galatasaray in midweek in favour of more seasoned attackers, but the youngster would fully merit another start on Wednesday night.

With Liverpool requiring a victory to keep their European campaign alive, the fearlessness and attacking thrust of the 17-year-old is exactly what we need at Anfield. Right now, he appears to be one of the likeliest prospective match-winners in a team which has looked all too mundane of late.

Micah Richards expressed concern at one Liverpool player who’s ‘struggling’ after what he witnessed in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

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Arne Slot sprung some interesting changes to his starting XI for the visit of Spurs to Anfield, with Jeremie Frimpong replacing Mo Salah on the right-hand side of attack and Dominik Szoboszlai being deployed at right-back.

Although the Hungarian added yet another free kick goal to his collection, his absence from midfield was ultimately missed as Richarlison punished a flat performance from the Reds with a 90th-minute equaliser.

Richards concerned by ‘struggling’ Mac Allister

Whilst dissecting the weekend’s Premier League action on The Rest Is Football, Richards claimed that Liverpool were poorer for not having their number 8 in the middle of the park and voiced concern over the performance of Alexis Mac Allister.

The pundit said: “The balance in midfield when Szoboszlai doesn’t play in there is not the same. It misses that energy. It’s not only what he does going forward – the amount of times he works back and has that energy in midfield and keeps them going.

“Mac Allister at the moment is struggling off the ball. On the ball [he’s] neat and tidy, but he’s getting overrun in midfield, and they need to look at that. Liverpool are a better side when Szoboszlai is in midfield because of his energy.”

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Could Mac Allister be dropped for Galatasaray showdown?

After Paul Gorst claimed in recent days that the Argentine is ‘essentially on trial at Liverpool with regards to a new deal’, he could’ve done with a convincing performance against Spurs on Sunday to answer some of the external criticism.

Unfortunately, the 27-year-old looked lightweight in midfield and was handed a lowly 5/10 match rating from the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle, who wrote that the World Cup winner ‘flitted in and out before becoming very peripheral [in the] second half’.

A cross-section of Mac Allister’s statistics from yesterday (via Sofascore) perfectly underline the point that Richards is making – the Reds’ number 10 is fine when he has the ball, but there are serious concerns in terms of his work out of possession.

Alexis Mac Allister v Spurs Passes completed 38/42 (90%) Key passes 2 Accurate long balls 2/2 Duels won 2/12 Dribbled past 4

On Wednesday night against Galatasaray, we expect Slot to revert to a more conventional starting XI with Salah in attack, Frimpong resuming his customary right-back role and Szoboszlai moving into midfield, where he can maximise his impact on proceedings.

That domino effect could viably see the Argentina international dropping to the bench, and it was indicative of Liverpool’s feebleness in midfield that the head coach sacrificed an attacker in Cody Gakpo for Trey Nyoni in the final few minutes of the match yesterday.

Mac Allister is a fantastic footballer and we don’t doubt that we’ll see the best of him again, but on current form it wouldn’t surprise us if he were dropped to the bench in midweek.