Good morning and welcome to Friday’s edition of the Blood Red newsletter, brought to you by me, Stephen Killen.

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Welcome to the Blood Red newsletter, a free weekly post from me, Stephen Killen, which unpacks and discusses all things Liverpool. If you enjoy this edition but have not yet signed up, consider subscribing to get each newsletter sent directly to your inbox each Friday! Or forward it to a friend who may also enjoy it. Cheers! 🗞

Liverpool are unbeaten in pre-season after back-to-back wins over Sunderland and Wrexham.

There is plenty of food for thought for Andoni Iraola. Meanwhile, transfer rumours are aplenty.

Just a word, I’m on annual leave next week so there will be no Blood Red but we will back from the 10th.

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Headlines this week⚽

🥤 Liverpool have opened talks with Bradley Barcola’s representatives. The Reds are preparing an opening bid to Paris Saint-Germain and are said to have been encouraged that the France international could make the move (Liverpool ECHO).

The French and European champions are said to value the 23-year-old in the region of £145million. Liverpool and PSG, who’ve knocked them out in the Champions League in the last two seasons, have to find a middle ground.

It has been a week of speculation, speculation and more speculation. Reports in France have been frequent with some outlets claiming the winger has prioritised a move to Liverpool, while L’Equipe have claimed Arsenal were unwilling to meet PSG’s €120million (£102m) price-tag.

📞 Barcola has reportedly held talks with Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola. It has been said that the 23-year-old has agreed in principle to move to Anfield (L’Equipe).

🪓 Some Premier League news as Eddie Howe has resigned as Newcastle United boss. Liverpool travel to St James’ Park on the opening day but Al-Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle is expected to takeover.

🗣 Ibrahim Mbaye is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. The Reds are mooted with interest for the PSG attacker, while Tottenham, City, Chelsea, Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are all linked (Fabrice Hawkins).

🧩 Liverpool expressed an interest in Maghnes Akliouche during their search for wide additions. PSG saw a fourth bid rejected but it has been claimed that a €50million agreement has been reached with both clubs (L’Equipe).

MUST READS THIS WEEK

The Liverpool ECHO’s man on the ground is Paul Gorst. Make sure you keep an eye on what he’s up to via the Liverpool FC ECHO Facebook page but also what is being published online.

• Milos Kerkez on ‘special’ Iraola & why ‘front foot’ Liverpool will only improve

• Rio Ngumoha move provides Bradley Barcola transfer hint as Liverpool offer glimpse of future

• Iraola discusses £241m duo as Barcola Liverpool move hits complication

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🇮🇹 Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa wants to stay at Anfield and make himself a regular under Andoni Iraola. The Italian international has faced repeated speculation over a move away from Anfield but he is ready to stay and fight for his place (Liverpool ECHO)

🤕 Joe Gomez provided the new Liverpool head coach with his first injury headache after he was forced off during the 4-2 win over Sunderland. The veteran defender, who captained the Reds against the Black Cats, limped off after just 10 minutes.

🧵 Liverpool unveiled their new away kit in New York ths week. However, the official launch of the strip come into problems after the first-team were left stranded in Chicago, however Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler stepped in to save the day (Liverpool ECHO).

🇧🇪 Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been named as a player on the Liverpool attacking shortlist this summer. He has asked to leave Lille with the Reds among the clubs interested in signing him (L’Equipe).

Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in the 21-year-old but Lille president Olivier Letang is adamant that they won’t sanction a sale (L’Equipe).

Harvey Elliott has admitted that he felt that his Liverpool career was over after a deadline day move to Aston Villa. Now back at Anfield following his nightmare at Villa Park, the Englishman holds no ill-feeling towards Unai Emery’s side (Liverpool ECHO).

💰 An Amit Bhatia-led consortium is planning to eventually obtain a controlling stake over Liverpool. Negotiations over a minority stake are ongoing with the Reds’ owners Fenway Sports Group for as much as 30 percent of the club but it could include the group buying more equity in stages (Bloomberg).

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan has reaffirmed that the talks are not a sign of FSG walking away.

He told BBC Sport:

“There’s a huge opportunity still. This is the biggest and most popular sport in the world and we’re one of the biggest clubs in the biggest league in the biggest sport in the world. So that’s a great place for us to be. The Premier League has a tremendous amount of momentum behind it.

“We’ve definitely not peaked. We’re in a good place to continue to grow and that’s why everyone across both sides of the club, football and business and whether they kick a ball or not, is focused on driving the club forward and winning trophies.

“On the pitch, our goal every season is to win trophies. Off the pitch, our priority is to continue driving overall revenues and expand and build the club.

“We’re really happy with the trajectory and direction of the club - we were fifth in the Deloitte Football Money League and had the highest revenue (£702m) in the Premier League.

“All of that investment, as has always been the case since 2010, goes back into the club. It’s about running the club sustainably.”

Liverpool press conference highlights

Following the press conference on Thursday, here are some of the highlights.

Dominik Szoboszlai

“A couple of club legends have left the club but the club is still the same it has always been. It’s one of the biggest in the world. Someone left, some came, we have to step up and be an example for the younger generation. I try to set an example on and off the pitch and lots of players think the same. It’s very good, the intensity is what we need this year now. What we have been missing is back, from the coach and players side as well. So now we have to put this together with the team we have.”

“I am very happy. I said to before. It was a long way until it was over the line. Hopefully I can stay as long as both sides want and win everything. I say the same things now, I want to win everything possible and achieve great things.”

“I think it’s not my job to think about this (transfers), I read about the rumours and see things here and there. Of course we’re always happy to have players who can help the team but it is not my decision. I am not the money guy.”

Andoni Iraola

“Obviously like all the others, but with him especially we need a good version of Florian. We know what he can give us, he suits our game model. I see him in a position behind a striker, we are going to start working with him in that position. He is quite complete as a player. We want to add more things to what he already has which is very good. He is in a good place mentally.”

“Joe (Gomez) has an injury, it was quite clear. He is some weeks off, yes. It’s a muscle injury. I always say one month, maybe less. But it’s impossible to have him for the start of the Premier League season but not so long after that.”

“Alex (Isak) is exciting, he has come in a good place, good World Cup, comfortable. First training here, still early but I hope he can play V Leeds and have a proper pre-season. Not long but 3/4 weeks of quality training I hope and he is in a good place because he is going to massive for us.”

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Edition number: 55

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