The Empire of The Kop

Inter Milan could look to sign Djed Spence if Tottenham were to make a potential deal more palatable for the Serie A champions.

Fabrizio Romano reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the Italian giants currently see the right-back as “too expensive”.

Liverpool, who were mentioned as a potential suitor, are reportedly understood not to be working on a deal for the England international at the present time.

Inter could deal double blow to Liverpool this summer

It’s worth emphasising that this all depends on Tottenham providing more favourable conditions – which will certainly ring a bell for Liverpool fans around Inter’s pursuit of Curtis Jones.

🚨⚫️🔵 Inter remain keen on Djed Spence as right wing back, as revealed last night.

It depends on deal conditions as currently seen as too expensive but Inter remain attentive if Spurs open doors in the upcoming weeks.

🎥 From last night: https://t.co/nWnwSNLRDV pic.twitter.com/Ia9lKXnPPk

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2026

In both cases, it currently seems unlikely that either club will budge on their respective asking prices.

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Understandably so, we might add, given that Spence and Jones are understood to be valued at £35m and £34m respectively. Perfectly reasonable price points in what has been an inflated market – certainly as far as Premier League-based assets are concerned.

Yet, if Christian Chivu’s men do end up pulling the trigger on both options, it would see Liverpool not only further trim down an already thin squad, but lose a perfectly acceptable potential squad option in the Spurs right-back.

Djed Spence can fix a pressing issue for Liverpool

The problem we have with Liverpool’s approach to the summer window is that we seem to be taking an unacceptable level of risk on the basis that we’ll have a relatively complete squad “when everyone is fit”.

That’s all well and good when there are a couple of key injuries to bear in mind, but we’re currently looking at a situation where Hugo Ekitike is practically a write-off for 2026/27 and there are a multitude of holes in the squad.

Jeremy Jacquet, for instance, may turn up for our final pre-season encounter with Como, but the Frenchman hasn’t had a serious run of minutes since picking up his shoulder injury last term. Between injuries to Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool are currently relying on three players (Virgil van Dijk, Ronald Araujo, and Jeremie Frimpong) to hold the fort with minimal or questionable backup.

You can get away with this in Europe when you’re a PSG and the league title is basically a foregone conclusion – not in England when every single game is competitive.

Additionally, it would be horrendously negligent to ask Andoni Iraola to commit to a more intense, demanding style of play without the bodies in the squad to ensure we can absorb any potential injuries.

And let’s be honest, there are going to be injuries this season, no matter how optimistically Richard Hughes and Co. look at it.

One reliable journalist has outlined what Liverpool chiefs have apparently told their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts regarding a potential transfer involving Cody Gakpo.

Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Spurs have taken an interest in the Netherlands international and described a potential move to north London for the 27-year-old as one to ‘keep an eye on’ throughout the remainder of the transfer window.

Daily Mail reporter Simon Jones wrote earlier this week that the Reds have no intention of selling the Dutchman this month, with the hierarchy keen to bolster rather than reduce the attacking options at Andoni Iraola’s disposal, but that hasn’t put a halt to speculation over a possible exit for our number 18.

Amid the reports of Gakpo potentially joining Roberto De Zerbi’s side, rumours have been doing the rounds on social media regarding purported Liverpool interest in Spurs full-back Djed Spence.

Liverpool may yet be willing to sell Gakpo to Spurs

The Mirror journalist and Sports Journalist Association president Darren Lewis addressed those two players on the Last Word on Spurs podcast, saying of the England defender: “I’m not surprised that Liverpool like him because he is very versatile. He can play on the left side as well as the right side. He would compete for a place with [Jeremie] Frimpong.”

He added: “Looking at the Gakpo potential deal, Liverpool have said, ‘Yeah, you can have him, but we want Spence’; and £30m-£35m will change hands.”

Lewis continued: “I think a deal is there to be done because Spence will definitely want to go [to Liverpool]. I would be staggered come the end of the window if he is still a Tottenham player. If Liverpool follow up their interest with a bid, I think he would want to go.”

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Will Gakpo and Spence swap clubs this month?

Looking solely at the balance of the Reds’ squad at present, selling Gakpo to make room for Spence might seem a logical decision, with Iraola having three senior left wingers but only one right-back currently available (third-choice Calvin Ramsay).

Whereas the Dutchman has Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz competing for a starting berth on the left-hand side of attack, Conor Bradley and Frimpong both have alarming injury records, which goes a long way to explaining why several midfielders were deployed as emergency right-backs last season.

However, Liverpool must be very careful not to jettison their number 18 too readily, with the forward line as a whole seeming light on depth with Mo Salah having departed and Hugo Ekitike sidelined for the remainder of this year.

Also, while signing Spence would ease the burden on Bradley (who faces another few months out) and Frimpong to remain fit, Spurs would likely charge a premium for him, given that he’s a 25-year-old England international who’s just enjoyed a terrific World Cup.

Nonetheless, it isn’t unthinkable that he and Gakpo could swap clubs over the next month, especially given the Reds’ current squad needs. Let’s see if these two rumours advance any further over the coming days.

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.