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We knew why Liverpool transfers were going wrong – but we couldn’t tell the full story to the world

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Ian Graham reveals all on clashing with Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool transfer flops and players the Reds missed out on in the first part of his exclusive interview with the ECHO’s Theo Squires.

Liverpool’s lack of incoming business so far this summer might have caused frustration in some parts, but it’s not through lack of trying. Had things worked out differently, both Anthony Gordon and Martin Zubimendi could have found themselves both making their Reds debuts at Ipswich Town Saturday.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool will add to their squad before the transfer window closes on August 30, though new head coach Arne Slot has previously admitted that he expects new recruits to arrive – though such an admission came before Zubimendi rejected a switch to Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, recently urged the club to strengthen their ranks this summer.

When bemoaning a lack of new additions now, it is perhaps easy to forget just how hit and miss Liverpool’s transfer business proved to be in the early years of the Fenway Sports Group era.


Prior to Jurgen Klopp’s arrival in October 2015 and the Reds’ subsequent transformation from mid-table mediocrity to Premier League and Champions League contenders, the infamous transfer committee was regularly mocked for the club’s dealings as a number of big-money signings backfired.

Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Mario Balloteli, Lazar Markovic and Christian Benteke were some of the more questionable arrivals, with inconsistencies in recruitment felt to stem from disagreements behind the scenes.


Dr. Ian Graham, Liverpool’s former director of research, has now confirmed that the club’s recruitment team often clashed with former manager Brendan Rodgers when it came to deciding on transfer targets – with Benteke proving to be a regular source of debate.

“We understood the reasons why things were going wrong, but couldn’t really tell the story to the wider world,” Graham revealed in an exclusive interview with the ECHO ahead of the release of his new book, ‘How to Win the Premier League: The Inside Story of Football’s Data Revolution’.

“In Brendan’s defence, he’s not a bad manager. He’s a very good manager. I think the problem was there’s definitely a lack of trust there in terms of the players that we were recommending were not the same sort of players that Brendan liked.

“So Benteke is an example of a player who’s a very good player in the right system for him. But Liverpool didn’t play that right system for Benteke to prosper and succeed. And so it took a long time to agree on a player.

“So Brendan’s choice number one would be a player that for whatever reason we’d say is not a good idea to bring. And then we’d bring our first choices to the table. And Brendan would not want those players to come to the club for whatever reason.

“We were kind of untested at the time as well. Our processes didn’t change too much when Jurgen arrived. But we were all much younger and the other members of the transfer committee were much younger and more inexperienced and didn’t have a track record.

“And so I kind of understand the lack of trust in that process from Brendan. The problem was, FSG had put in place this idea of a group decision, with the idea being the wisdom of the crowds.

“If I’ve got a blind spot when it comes to another particular player, there’s always some checks and balances to say, well, hang on, you haven’t considered, you know, the finances are wrong for this player or the style of play is wrong for this player.

“The idea was to have this collaboration between manager and, well, it wasn’t sporting director, but Michael (Edwards) was technical director at the time. And to take inputs from scouting and data and together we’ll come to a better decision than any of us alone would come to.

“But it just didn’t work. And I think there was a lack of trust which I understand. We didn’t have a track record at the time, but also the sort of player that Brendan valued was not the same sort of player that we valued.

“The players Brendan thought would improve the team were just not the same as the players we thought would improve the team.”

He continued: “I completely understand Brendan’s desire to buy Benteke. He destroyed us time and time again when he played for Aston Villa, he was absolutely unplayable.

“Brendan had us change formation at half-time in one game, because he’d scored one or two already and looked like he was going to score even more in the second half. That was not a great Aston Villa side either.

“When you’ve got a player that’s just destroying you, not just once or twice, but time and time again, I can absolutely understand the emotional impact that makes and how brilliant that player looks.

“But the fact was we did not play a style of football that was suited to a target man, which is what Benteke is. And so Benteke is a great player in the right system. But this wasn’t the right system.

“And that argument had been going on for many years. Brendan finally got his man. (Roberto) Firmino was our reward for Brendan getting his man.”

The aforementioned flaws in such a committee ultimately led to Mario Balotelli’s arrival from AC Milan in the summer of 2014 in a £16m deal as Liverpool desperately searched for a replacement for Luis Suarez.

Graham admits the Italian was way down the Reds’ wishlist, but defends Liverpool’s decision to sign him.

“It was the flaw in the committee-based approach,” he said. “I think it’s not really a flaw in the approach. It was just a flaw in the group dynamics really.

“So the idea was we had to have some sort of agreement on the players that would arrive. So with (Daniel) Sturridge and (Philippe) Coutinho, for example, there was agreement on those players. We thought they were really good. Brendan thought they were really good. They were successful.

 

“I think there’s probably a couple of other players in that category. But what happened more often was there was Brendan’s first choice to come to the club would be a player that we thought was the wrong style of player, or the finances didn’t work, or we didn’t think they’d make a big enough impact on the first 11.

“We ended up quite often, not signing our first choice player, which was (Alexis) Sanchez in that season, but not signing our second and third choice player, because there was this difference of opinion between what we thought was a relevant player to improve Liverpool.

 

“So Balotelli was probably choice number six or number seven. The other thing is, as the transfer window proceeds, more and more strikers get signed by other clubs. And so when you’re in late August, there’s a limited number of players remaining.

“From a data point of view, Balotelli looked like a super player. So I was really excited to sign Balotelli. He was only 24. He’d played for huge clubs and made a difference to huge clubs on the pitch.

“If we got the best version of Balotelli on the pitch, then the price we paid for him would be an absolute bargain. And, Brendan met him before the season. The meeting went really well. I was optimistic about the signing.

“You can look at the performance on the pitch, Balotelli was pretty unlucky not to score more than he did in that season. On the pitch, he was okay. He wasn’t particularly bad for Liverpool.

“The failure was that he didn’t get on the pitch. So, for whatever reason, he was never first choice as a striker. Brendan didn’t really trust him.

“He didn’t really behave badly in any way at Liverpool. He was just never first choice. And again, if the process is working properly, Balotelli wouldn’t have arrived at the club.”

Liverpool missed out on a number of players during this period, with Graham bemoaning the club’s failure to sign both Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa.

However, he reveals Sadio Mane and Joel Matip were also both targets for the Reds years before their eventual Anfield arrivals, only to not get approval from the overall transfer committee.

“I remember Michael saying to me once about Mike Gordon at Fenway. He said, ‘Mike sees this football in the same way that I see football’,” he said. “And when Jurgen arrived, he saw football in the same way that Michael, Mike and I saw football as well, and there was just a much more natural alignment.

“So talk about that first transfer window of players we previously kind of discounted that looked good in the data. So Joel Matip, Sadio Mane, you know players who had been on our radar but didn’t really make it very far through that committee-based process.

“And so from a data point of view, to have the manager (Klopp) suggesting these names, I was delighted because, you know, in the past it was just always a clash between us.”

“I talk in the book about Alexis Sanchez being one of our top priorities to replace Luis Suarez back in 2014,” Graham continued. “And we were on the other side of the super manager story there, when you have the legend that is Arsene Wenger come to meet you in person and say, you know, you’re going to be the main man at Arsenal.

“Well, of course that’s going to be a huge attraction to a player in the same way that Jurgen saying, ‘You’re the player I want’, is a huge attraction.

“Sanchez is great one (example of a player he was gutted to miss out on). Going back to earlier years at Liverpool, I think every season when Brendan was manager, Benteke scored against Liverpool or played brilliantly against them at least.

“So in 2013, there was a chance of signing Diego Costa. We were younger and a little bit more naive at the time, so there were various reasons why the Costa signing fell through.

“But can you imagine a Liverpool front pairing of Luis Suarez and Diego Costa. The world would not know what was hitting them!”

Of course, Liverpool would still miss out on players following Klopp’s arrival, and have done again this summer as demonstrated by Zubimendi’s decision to reject the Reds.

But there remains an air of mystery about Liverpool’s failure to sign Nabil Fekir in the summer of 2018 as a potential replacement to Philippe Coutinho, with contrasting reasons for the transfer’s collapse being given in the years that have followed.

While cagey on the reasoning behind Frenchman’s cancelled transfer, Graham concedes Liverpool were in the process of rebalancing their squad and alludes to an alleged failed medical.

“I don’t want to say too much in detail about that particular transfer,” he admitted. “He (Fekir) was a transfer target for us.

“He was a great, great player with a similar profile to Coutinho. So if we were in the market for a Coutinho replacement, I was excited about his signing.

“I think at the same time, this conversation about rebalancing the squad was going on, and, yeah, we already had a 99th percentile attack even without Coutinho in it. But we didn’t have a 99th percentile defence.

“One thing to say with injuries in general is there were several cases of players that failed medicals at Liverpool who then went on to transfer to other clubs. So we were as diligent or more diligent than other clubs when it came to medicals.

“It’s due to that insistence that we’re happy to spend money, but that money’s got to play on the pitch. Why buy a player to sit on the bench is what it comes down to.”




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Liverpool achieve incredible never-before-done record as Arne Slot makes more history vs Brighton

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Liverpool set a new club record against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex on Monday (May 19).

Liverpool achieve incredible never-before-done record as Arne Slot makes more history vs Brighton

Arne Slot left the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Luis Diaz on the bench for Monday’s Premier League clash against Brighton.

Bit part players such as Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa filled the void as a sea of red in the away end brought a party atmosphere to the south coast.

And things started well, as Elliott prodded home Bradley’s cut back just nine minutes in.


In doing so, the 22-year-old Fulham academy graduate set a never-before-done club record.

Elliott’s goal means the Reds have scored in all 19 of their Premier League away fixtures this season, something previous Liverpool sides have failed to do.


The feat has been achieved just nine times in English football, and only four times in a 20-team league.

In 2001/02, both Arsenal and Manchester United won all 19 away matches, with the Gunners’ 1930/31 side coming away as victors in all 21 of their away games.

Fans were quick to give their thoughts on social media.

One said: “Incredible record. And with just one home game left after this, they just need to score in that, then they’ve scored in almost every home game too!”

Another added: “Champions for a reason.”

A third commented: “And almost all of our home games.”

Slot himself explained how his side’s positive away record “means a lot” during a recent press conference.

“Yeah, it definitely means a lot to me,” said Slot. “I didn’t know the exact numbers. One of the first games we played away, I mentioned this to the players; I showed them their away form in a team meeting in one of the away games [that] I think this we have to improve, one of the things we have to improve – not the only thing – if we want to be able to be there in the end competing for the league.

“That’s what we did really well throughout the whole season, our away form has been good. But our home form has been quite good as well. That’s the only way in a difficult league like this to challenge, because [there are] so many good teams, so many teams are able to win more games in a row. So if you want to win the league over here you need to have both, good away form and good home form.”

https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1924544516037525974?t=vqmCfXmyLR9_1yqWLy6tbQ&s=19

Of course, Slot has already achieved a record of his own this season by becoming the first Dutch head coach to win the Premier League.

After tonight, Liverpool’s attention will turn to their final game of the season against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday (May 25), when fans will get to see Reds captain Van Dijk lift the Premier League trophy. The next day, the team will parade the trophy through the streets of the city, where hundreds of thousands of supporters will be gathered.




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Liverpool ‘make decision’ on allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid early ahead of Club World Cup

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Liverpool have reportedly made a decision on whether to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid early.

Liverpool 'make decision' on allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid early ahead of Club World Cup

After months of speculation, it was confirmed earlier in the month that Alexander-Arnold will depart Anfield this summer, upon the expiration of his contract.

The 26-year-old explained his decision to leave his boyhood club in an emotional video posted on social media.

He said: “This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.

“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.”


It is widely expected that Alexander-Arnold will join Spanish giants Madrid on a free transfer upon leaving Liverpool.

As things stand, Alexander-Arnold’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire on June 30.


However, Madrid would like him to join the club before that, as the FIFA Club World Cup is set to begin on June 15.

In order for that to happen, it has been reported that the two clubs could discuss a fee for Alexander-Arnold’s early release.

Now, as reported by Spanish news outlet Diario AS, via Madrid Zone on social media, Madrid will pay Liverpool €2 million for Alexander-Arnold and he will join the club before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Fabrizio Romano wrote on social media: “Real Madrid have offered €2M to Liverpool for Trent to play at the Clubs World Cup, reports Diario AS.”

During Liverpool’s first match since Alexander-Arnold’s exit was confirmed, the 26-year-old was booed as he replaced Conor Bradley against Arsenal.

Reacting to the boos, Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah was left unimpressed.

He said: “I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him.

“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”

Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Monday night when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX.

 




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Mo Salah hits out at Liverpool fans over their treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold and makes request to fans

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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has given his take on the actions of the club’s supporters who decided to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield.

Mo Salah hits out at Liverpool fans over their treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold and makes request to fans

Alexander-Arnold, 26, was greeted with a chorus of boos from some sections of the home supporters inside Anfield when he was introduced in the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Sunday.

This came just under a week on from his announcement, which confirmed that he will leave his hometown club upon the expiration of his contract in June 2025.

It must be stated that some fans chose to applaud the right-back while others sang the names of Conor Bradley and Steven Gerrard.

And it’s fair to say the actions of the supporters, in particular the booing, has divided opinion.


“I’m surprised how many [booed],” former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher said when he spoke on Sky Sports last Sunday.

“For me, I don’t believe any player putting on that red shirt who goes on to win trophies should be being booed.


“Booing one of your own players while they’re playing is not for me.”

On Friday (May 16), Salah gave an interview to former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, which was released via Sky Sports, and he did not hold back with his words on the treatment of Alexander-Arnold.

Salah said: “I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him.

“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”

When pressed on whether the boos saddened him, he added: “Absolutely. I was surprised because this is not how we act as Liverpool fans.

“We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.

“Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”

Mo Salah hits out at Liverpool fans over their treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold and makes request to fans

The Egyptian continued: “I told him [Alexander-Arnold] yesterday don’t give me eye contact in your farewell.

“I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club and he’s one of probably the best players in the club’s history. He gave it all.

“I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It’s his decision for sure. He’s 25, 26 years old and won it all twice or three times. What more can he have done?

“He just needs to go, change and challenge himself. People don’t know about it much but he spent 20 years in the club.

“It’s so tough mentally for someone to be 20 years in a club. Yeah I do love the place but going every day to the same place for 20 years, mentally you could get depressed.

“I really wish him the best. I’ll always be in contact with him.”

Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid – although this has not been confirmed.




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Liverpool have ‘noticed’ player behaving like Trent Alexander-Arnold and are ‘afraid’ he’ll follow right-back to Real Madrid

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Liverpool have reportedly noticed one of their players is ‘behaving’ like Trent Alexander-Arnold, with fears growing that he could follow the Englishman to Real Madrid.

Liverpool have 'noticed' player behaving like Trent Alexander-Arnold and are 'afraid' he'll follow right-back to Real Madrid

Earlier in the month, it was confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

The full-back confirmed his decision by posting an emotional video on social media.

During Liverpool’s first match since Alexander-Arnold’s exit was confirmed, the 26-year-old was booed as he replaced Conor Bradley against Arsenal.

It has been widely reported that Alexander-Arnold will join Spanish giants Madrid upon the expiration of his Liverpool contract.


On the back of the Alexander-Arnold saga, it has been claimed that another Liverpool star could also be lured away by Los Blancos.

French defender Ibrahima Konate will be a free agent in the summer of 2026 and is yet to sign a new deal with Liverpool.


Recently, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said: “Ibrahima Konate is in negotiations over a new deal [with Liverpool] but there is still no full agreement on some crucial points.

“Real Madrid have decided to go strongly on a new centre-back for the summer transfer window… important to mention that Konate is another name on Madrid’s list. He’s out of contract in 2026, so it’s for sure a situation to follow.”

As reported by Spanish news outlet MARCA, Liverpool are ‘experiencing a very strange feeling’ from Konate and are beginning to ‘detect ghosts very similar to those they felt just a year ago, when Alexander Arnold began to turn his back on the proposal.

Madrid are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth’s young defender Dean Huijsen.

Romano wrote on social media: “Dean Huijsen’s camp, still in Madrid today to get the deal done with final details being sorted.

“Almost there.”

Madrid are back in La Liga action this weekend when they take on Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.




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Private jet lands in England – Liverpool spotted in secret transfer talks: report

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Liverpool may have taken a major step forward in the race for one of Europe’s most exciting talents, following a covert meeting that has only now come to light.

Private jet lands in England – Liverpool spotted in secret transfer talks: report

German football insider Christian Falk, via The Daily Briefing on Substack, revealed that the Wirtz family — representatives of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz — recently flew to England, visiting both Blackpool and Manchester, where a meeting with Liverpool is believed to have taken place.

Taking off at 10am aboard a private Embraer Legacy 550 jet and returning via a discreet Dutch-German airstrip, the family’s movements were tracked and exposed as part of the German journalist’s latest report.

While Manchester City have already made their move, it’s understood the Reds may now be ahead in the race for the 21-year-old playmaker.

Paul Joyce also shared a belief that the Reds were ready to make a ‘strong pitch’ to the player in order to lure him to Anfield.


Florian Wirtz is wanted by many top clubs in Europe

Florian Wirtz is wanted by many top clubs in Europe

The Germany international, under contract until 2027, is also wanted by Bayern Munich, who still feel confident they’ll land him either this summer or in 2026.


But with Liverpool now in the conversation — and reportedly further ahead than Pep Guardiola’s side — hopes are rising that the club could pull off a major coup.

David Ornstein shared his insight on a ‘growing confidence’ from the Reds that we could pull off an interesting transfer.

It’s not the first time the 2003-born midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League, but this is the clearest sign yet that Liverpool are positioning themselves seriously.

Wirtz would represent a statement signing for what is expected to be a very busy summer for the Reds.

With Blackpool as the unexpected backdrop and Manchester as the meeting point, this one could quietly be heating up behind the scenes.




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Liverpool talent pens emotional letter ahead of imminent exit – ‘it pains me to let you down’

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Latest Liverpool news as midfielder Stefan Bajcetic writes an emotional message to Las Palmas fans after their relegation from La Liga was confirmed

Liverpool talent pens emotional letter ahead of imminent exit - 'it pains me to let you down'

Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has penned an emotional message after Las Palmas’ relegation to the La Liga 2. The Spaniard has been on loan in the Canary Islands after his ill-fated temporary spell with RB Salzburg.

The 20-year-old was allowed a loan move at the beginning of Arne Slot’s tenure after he was forced to sit out of the majority of Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge of Liverpool through injury. He followed former Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders to Austria, however his time was cut short during the Janaury transfer window after he was limited to 895 minutes in 19 appearances.

Liverpool talent pens emotional letter ahead of imminent exit - 'it pains me to let you down'

He joined Las Palmas and was immediately thrust into a relegation battle as they looked to avoid relegation from the Spanish top-flight.


In a post on Instagram, he expressed his sadness at failing to help his loan side avoid the drop and thanked supporters.

“These are tough days for everyone, but especially for you, the fans,” he wrote.


“We haven’t been able to achieve our goal of staying in the league you deserve. In four months, I’ve realised how much this club’s fans love, and it pains me deeply to have let you down.

I’m sure you’ll return to where this club belongs, and I’ll always be cheering you on as one of your own.

“Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all the support and for always being there.”

He has scored one goal in 14 appearances for Las Palmas, coming in the 3-1 defeat at Mallorca, in a much-needed loan spell as he looks to re-establish himself as a first-team option.

Speaking at the time of his arrival, he expressed his desire to improve as a player with the club.

“It was important that the players on loan are also playing and increasing their value here,” he said after joining.

“Las Palmas is a team that plays good football and gives opportunities to players who come on loan.

“I hope there will be some for me too. Considering things, it was the best option for me, I want to grow as a footballer.

“I think I can improve here.

“I spoke with the coach (Diego Martinez) before signing, and from the start, he gave me a lot of confidence.

“He is also from Vigo, like me.

“He asked me to bring the attitude I have from my ‘Serbian side’.

“To come with attitude and commitment, and I told him that will not be lacking.

“I’m ready to play right away. If the coach gives me the chance, I’ll be there. “




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How Isaac Kearney Melted Hearts at Anfield and Inspired Millions Worldwide

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 How Isaac Kearney Melted Hearts at Anfield and Inspired Millions Worldwide

Isaac Has a Special Song for Virgil van Dijk – And Every Fan Who Loves Him!

In a season filled with records and unforgettable moments, one story stood out beyond the goals, trophies, and fanfare—the heartwarming journey of Isaac Kearney, a young Liverpool fan whose courage and joy touched the entire football world.

As part of Liverpool FC’s Red Together initiative under The Red Way, the club spotlighted Isaac’s inspiring story to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Isaac, who lives with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the day with his heroes, including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

But it wasn’t just any visit. Isaac got to walk out at Anfield, hand-in-hand with his idols—a moment that not only made headlines but also made history.

The emotional video of his experience captured the hearts of fans globally, racking up a jaw-dropping 122 million views and 12.4 million engagements across social media. It became part of Liverpool’s most engaged day ever online and contributed to the club setting a new record as the most-engaged Premier League club in 2023–24, with over 1.5 billion total engagements.


What made Isaac’s moment even more powerful was its impact beyond football. The story sparked a five-year high in Google searches for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, raising awareness and bringing hope to countless families around the world.

Through Isaac’s smile, courage, and pure love for the Reds, Liverpool FC didn’t just show their commitment to diversity and inclusion—they reminded the world that football is for everyone.


Isaac Kearney may be small in stature, but he now stands tall in the hearts of millions.




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Liverpool at “final stages” of transfer negotiations, player set to accept 5-yr deal to join Reds

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Liverpool at “final stages” of transfer negotiations, player set to accept 5-yr deal to join Reds

Liverpool at “final stages” of transfer negotiations, player set to accept 5-yr deal to join Reds

Liverpool are set to finalise the transfer of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong as they aim to wrap everything up before their final game of the season against Crystal Palace.

Sources have revealed to CaughtOffside that talks are now at the “final stages” as the Reds see off competition from Manchester City for the Dutchman’s signature.

Frimpong has quickly been identified as the unanimous choice within the club to replace the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Jeremie Frimpong


The England international is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, and CaughtOffside have also been told that Frimpong would have been a target for the Spanish giants if they’d missed out on the incoming free agent.

Jeremie Frimpong to join Liverpool for €40m on five-year contract

CaughtOffside can reveal that Liverpool are set to trigger Frimpong’s €40m release clause at Leverkusen, with the player set to accept a five-year contract at Anfield.


Personal terms between LFC and Frimpong have been largely agreed, with just commission with his agents left to be settled, and no issues anticipated.

Liverpool have been eager to work quickly to get this signing done, especially with the awareness that other top clubs like Man City have also been monitoring Frimpong’s situation.

The 24-year-old looks an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s side and it’s hard to imagine a better candidate out there to take on the difficult task of replacing someone like Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool take advantage of Leverkusen crisis

It’s far from surprising to see a big name like Frimpong leaving Leverkusen when manager Xabi Alonso has also just confirmed he’ll be moving on at the end of this campaign.

This will also surely see other key players leaving the Bundesliga club, with Florian Wirtz looking like another one to watch.

Liverpool have done well to capitalise here, with Frimpong potentially looking like a real bargain after his success in his time in Germany.




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