
Liverpool players report for pre-season training following funeral of Diogo Jota
Some of Arne Slot's squad had been scheduled to return for pre-season training on Friday, but the club delayed their return following the accident.
Mohamed Salah was among the Liverpool players reporting back for pre-season training on Tuesday (Peter Byrne/PA)
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo were among the players pictured arriving at the training ground.
Liverpool's first pre-season friendly is scheduled for Sunday against Preston at Deepdale, but the Premier League champions have yet to announce whether the game will go ahead.
The Reds, who will play FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on August 10, are also scheduled to face AC Milan in Hong Kong and J1 League side Yokohama in Japan at the end of this month.
Liverpool fans have left tributes to Diogo Jota outside the club's AXA Training Centre (Peter Byrne/PA)
Liverpool Women players Gemma Bonner and Grace Fisk paid their respects to Jota and his brother at Anfield on Tuesday.
The pair signed the book of condolence and laid a wreath outside the stadium on behalf of the women's team.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
Anthony Elanga sends message to Alexander Isak over Liverpool transfer
Anthony Elanga says he and the rest of Newcastle's squad are desperate to continue playing with 'one of the best strikers in the world' Alexander Isak next season. Isak's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months and widespread reports on Tuesday claimed Liverpool had opened fresh talks to prise the 25-year-old away from St James' Park. The Premier League champions have long held an interest in Isak and would be prepared to spend in the region of £120million to secure the Swede's services this summer. The proposed move would see Isak follow Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Armin Pecsi through the doors at Anfield, with the Reds putting together a formidable squad ahead of their title defence. However, Newcastle bosses have no intention of selling Isak. Eddie Howe's men are preparing for another season of Champions League football following a fifth-placed finish last term and the attacker is considered an untouchable asset unless an astronomical offer arrives. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Liverpool are eyeing Hugo Ekitike as an alternative up front should they fail in pursuit of Isak and the Eintracht Frankfurt forward is said to have agreed personal terms with the Merseyside giants. The incessant rumours have threatened to overshadow Elanga's arrival in the North East and it remains to be seen if the former Nottingham Forest winger will have the chance to link up with his fellow countryman next season. But speaking to Sky Sports, Elanga made it clear he planned to ignore the gossip and was instead looking forward to strengthening the 'amazing' bond he had formed with Isak at international level. 'If you you look at this team and what they did last season, it played a huge part in me coming,' he said. 'You look at the likes of Tino [Livramento], Lewis [Hall], Sven [Botman], Fabian [Schar], Bruno [Guimaraes], Sandro [Tonali], I could go through the whole team. What they did last season was amazing, having played against them home and away from Nottingham Forest. 'A player like Alex… everyone wants to play with Alex. For me, he's one of the best strikers in the world and having played with him at international level, I can really, really say that. 'There are always going to be things and rumours around the world, but, for me, he's a top guy and a top player. 'From playing with him at international level and training with him now, it's amazing.' Elanga is grateful for the support he has received since joining Newcastle and is relishing the opportunity to showcase his ability and talent when the new season gets underway. 'I know a lot of the lads here and I think that's played a part in me coming here,' the Sweden international added. 'Not just that, but I've talked about the gaffer and I think he's helped a lot in this instance. 'The club is a big club with a big fanbase so all of that has played a massive role in me coming here.' He added: 'I just want to showcase my abilities, showcase my talent, show that to all the Geordies and have an amazing season. 'When you know the lads it helps you settle even quicker. 'I've only been here for a week but it feels like I've been here for years because the lads and staff have made me feel so welcome.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle identify Tottenham transfer target as new Hugo Ekitike alternative MORE: Manchester United launch improved third bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo MORE: Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha responds to Arsenal transfer approach


Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
Former Man Utd director wants to sign Joshua Zirkzee for new club
Joshua Zirkzee is a summer target for Atalanta and a former senior figure at Old Trafford is hoping to help secure the move. Zirkzee only joined the Red Devils last year in a £36.5m deal, signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford. He made a bright start, scoring on his debut for the club, but that winner against Fulham was one of only three Premier League goals all season. In total the Netherlands international scored seven times in 49 appearances in all competitions in what turned out to be a disastrous campaign for the club. The 24-year-old was mainly used behind the centre-forward by Ruben Amorim but it is not entirely clear what is his best position and if he can fit into the manager's 3-4-3 system at all. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Despite his underwhelming first season in England, there is interest in taking him back to Italy, where he had enjoyed a decent season with Bologna before the switch to Manchester. Zirkzee's last campaign in Serie A saw him score 11 top flight goals, which was enough for United to splash the cash on him. Italian publication Quotidiano report that Atalanta have made Zirkzee one of their primary targets this summer as they look to replace departing star players. Mateo Retegui was not only Atalanta's star performer but finished the season as Serie A top scorer having netted 25 times in the Italian top flight, but he is leaving to join Saudi side Al-Qadsiah. Ademola Lookman is also expected to depart this summer, with Inter Milan his most likely destination. Despite the significant outgoings, Atalanta will reportedly struggle to match Zirkzee's wages at Manchester United and even a relatively low asking price of around £30m will not be easy. However, they have a man who they hope will help in the negotiations, former Manchester United football director John Murtough. After over a decade at Old Trafford, Murtough left in April 2024 and in April this year he took up the role of director of global development at Atalanta. The Serie A side hope Murtough will be a positive influence on talks, with the possibility of a loan deal with an option to buy next summer. Apps: 32Goals: 3 Assists: 1 Manchester United are revamping their forward line this summer with the arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo likely to follow him from Brentford. More Trending The Red Devils have made a third bid for the Cameroon international worth an initial £65m and a further £5m in add-ons. Zirkzee could be one of a string of forwards to leave Old Trafford this summer, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all on the transfer list. Juventus are reportedly keen on both Rashford and Sancho, while Garnacho has been linked with Chelsea and Real Betis want to bring Antony back after his successful loan spell last season. MORE: Newcastle identify Tottenham transfer target as new Hugo Ekitike alternative MORE: Manchester United launch improved third bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo MORE: Ruben Amorim favourite 'says yes' to Juventus after Man Utd transfer links


BBC News
12 minutes ago
- BBC News
Isak and Ekitike: What has gone on this week?
Liverpool are set to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Newcastle look like they are going to keep hold of star man Alexander earlier this week things appeared to be headed in another direction as Liverpool set off in the pursuit of Isak and Newcastle tabled a £70m offer for in the frenetic world of football transfers, this story has moved at a rapid paceBBC Sport looks at what has happened over the past 72 hours. Slot's not standing still The starting point of Liverpool's move for Ekitike arrived at the end of last just lifted their second Premier League trophy - scoring 86 goals in the process, the most of any top-flight club that Salah, their main source of goals, had just signed a new contract, as there seemed little logic in spending heavily on a new goalscorer. But Arne Slot had other the recruitment priorities for Liverpool was the addition of a new number had persisted with Darwin Nunez for parts of the season - but it is clear the Liverpool manager wanted an could yet leave Anfield this summer, with interest from Napoli and Saudi dream target was Newcastle striker Isak, who was also interesting given his importance to Eddie Howe and a likely price tag that would go towards £130m, Liverpool knew they needed to source Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Brentford's Yoane Wissa were among the other strikers now know their interest in Ekitike is as serious as their admiration for of Liverpool's interest in Isak has been rife in industry circles throughout the summer. The emergence this week of Liverpool's approach to Newcastle confirmed what many believed was in retrospect, news of that approach arrived at a peculiar were trying to advance with their interest in Ekitike earlier this week, seeing a £70m offer rejected by than 48 hours later, Liverpool have pivoted to Ekitike in a move that probably ends their immediate interest in Isak while Newcastle are looking at alternatives that include Wissa. Was Isak interest a smokescreen? Liverpool's interest in Isak was - or rather is - entirely genuine. Newcastle, at least publicly, have maintained their Sweden international simply isn't for for Liverpool to have stepped up their efforts to land Isak in recent days suggests they have had some private encouragement to the if their decision to focus on Ekitike comes to fruition, you can expect Liverpool's interest in Isak to former Real Sociedad forward, as things stand, will enter the final two years of his contract next summer - a juncture where Newcastle face significantly more course, Liverpool, with or without Ekitike, may enter next summer's transfer window believing they don't require another centre if they do, then Isak is unlikely to be too far away from their should Ekitike join Liverpool, and with Gyokeres set to sign for Arsenal, will be confident of keeping the wolves from their door for at least this current a performance perspective, the merits of keeping Isak are clear - the 25-year-old is building a reputation as one of Europe's elite centre Newcastle are also fully aware of the optics attached to selling Isak, particularly when they have maintained he isn't for the club back in the Champions League next season, the notion of selling any of their top players - Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes included - would nurture a negativity over the project the club's Saudi ownership are trying to evolve. Why did Liverpool decide to sign Ekitike? If Liverpool do sign Ekitike at Newcastle's expense, then you'd imagine the Magpies will reflect on their decision to walk away from a £20m deal to sign the 23-year-old striker three years ago, only to then pivot and sign Isak from Real emergence as one of the continent's best young strikers has seen his value sky-rocket. His asking price is part of the reason why Newcastle have failed to sign the French striker in recent rise to prominence has also resulted in Europe's top clubs entering the Liverpool come knocking it's hard to ignore. His 26 goals in 47 appearances for Frankfurt has been enough for the Merseysiders to take the plunge in a deal that will cost in-excess of £ sporting director Richard Hughes is aiming to have the deal for Ekitike closed by the end of the weekend, while Newcastle's wait for a new striker moves are interested in Wissa, but it will be intriguing to see how Manchester United's latest bid for Brentford team-mate Bryan Mbeumo impacts the Democratic Republic of Congo international's potential move to St James' are adamant they don't want to lose Wissa and Mbeumo this summer, particularly given the upheaval that has already impacted the west London are questions that still need answering for Newcastle - though those close to the club will tell you keeping Isak is the solution to most of their problems. What next for Newcastle and Isak? Newcastle have always made it clear that their star striker is not for sale. In fact with Champions League football ahead this season they do not want to part with any of their star Liverpool, Newcastle - who are owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - are in a comfortable PSR has three years left on his contract, so the Swede would most likely have had to actively push for a move."Newcastle are under no pressure to sell from a PSR perspective," football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport."The good news for Newcastle is that the losses of £73 million in 2021-22 will drop out of the PSR assessment for the three years ended 30 June 2025."Newcastle had a pre tax loss of £157 million in the period to 30 June 2024."Losses for 24-25 are likely to be much lower, as increased commercial revenues, matchday income rising from cup runs, and higher broadcast revenues from a fifth-place finish in the Premier League will all assist the club, along with bonuses for qualifying for the Champions League next season."It therefore comes down to whether or not players want to leave to go elsewhere. Newcastle had the eighth-highest wage bill in the Premier League in 2023-24. They certainly have the scope to go higher."