🔴 Blood Red: Richard Hughes to leave Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp in line for return and remembering Diogo Jota

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

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Good morning, hello, July is finally here. Pre-season is on the horizon.

First, I have to explain. Well, my broadband provider does because this was scheduled to go live on Friday, only for the internet cables in my town to be damaged, affecting 3,000 homes. So after venturing into the office to have some internet, the newsletter is here. Never a dull moment.

Players are going, players are staying, players are even arriving and we edge closer to the official beginning of Andoni Iraola’s tenure. Yes, he’s already in charge but slowly and surely, we will see more and more of the Basque around Merseyside putting things in place.

Liverpool stars are enjoying their breaks or in World Cup action and there has been plenty of drama from North America.

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✈ Richard Hughes is expected to leave Liverpool and join Al Hilal. The Reds sporting director is set to leave his role at the end of the current transfer window and start a period of transition to allow a successor to settle at Anfield (The Athletic).

Ste says: On the face of it, this is disappointing news. Liverpool are known for their stability but this exit poses the threat of instability, you would suspect. However, it was noticeable during the behind the scenes videos when Andoni Iraola was appointed that David Woodfine, the assistant sporting director, was orchestrating the tour for the new head coach. Now, you would imagine it would be natural for him to assume the role moving forward and, maybe, Liverpool source a replacement for Woodfine’s role after stepping up.

❌ Yan Diomande’s mentions in this newsletter appear will soon cease to exist as a major update emerged this week. Various reports have claimed that the Ivorian prefers a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Liverpool.

🤔 Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola features highly among the options considered as an alternative. PSG want to keep the French star, who is staking his claim as a key member of Didier Deschamps’ side, but will not stand in his way if he wishes to leave (Sky Sports).

🤯 On the topic of Deschamps, Dominic King of the Telegraph tweeted that the World Cup-winning tactician was interviewed and impressed during the interview process to replace Rafael Benitez. Manuel Pellegrini and Frank Rijkaard were also interviwed, who got the job? Roy Hodgson.

⚔ Arsenal are expected to step up their interest in Barcola. The Frenchman is viewed as another attacking option at the Emirates Stadium with the Premier League champions eyeing Morgan Rogers too. Mikel Arteta’s side are said to have received encouragement that he could be available this summer (BBC Sport).

Ste says: I wasn’t initially convinced about Bradley Barcola, admittedly with a small sample size, but he looks like a top player from his performances at the World Cup. PSG do hold the card and they may wish to hold Liverpool to ransom over a deal after the Reds expressed a willingness to pay in excess of £100million for Diomande. Could that lead to Liverpool overpaying? That would be my worry, but time will tell.

✍ Liverpool completed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais. The Frenchman officially became a Liverpool player on July 1 and pens a long-term contract.

He said: “I am very happy. When I see the facilities, I can see myself there. I feel good here and I am very excited to get started.

“For me it’s a big dream, it’s a big club. A club like Liverpool, it’s a big dream for me.”

🔢 Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been endorsed to replace Ronald Koeman as the new Netherlands manager by Rafael van der Vaart. Koeman resigned from his post at Oranje after their shock World Cup exit [spoiler-alert] (Telegraaf).

👀 Andoni Iraola’s backroom staff at Anfield is now complete. Coaches Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, fitness coach Pablo de la Torre and analyst Tom Webber have joined Liverpool.

⬅ Luca Stephenson has joined Bolton Wanderers. The Liverpool midfielder has spent the last two seasons on loan in Scotland with Dundee United but he will ply his trade in the Championship next season (Liverpool ECHO).

🛑 Inter Milan have confirmed that they are unlikely to meet Curtis Jones’ asking price. Nottingham Forest have also been linked but the midfielder is believed not to want to sign, Villa and Arsenal both linked (Liverpool ECHO).

🎇 Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could be about to return to management after Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany boss. The German Football Association have confirmed they will hold talks with Klopp after he expressed a willingness to replace the departing Nagelsmann.

Thoughts and prayers go to Cody Gakpo, his partner Noa, and their family following the loss of their second child during pregnancy.

Just a disclaimer that the next fixtures with (subject to change) hinge on the best third-placed table.

Germany’s World Cup dream is over at the first knockout hurdle after being beaten by Paraguay on penalties. Kai Havertz cancelled out Julio Enciso’s opener with Florian Wirtz providing an assist for the Arsenal forwards’ leveller.

Florian Wirtz World Cup stats

Games: 4

Assists: 3

Goals: 0

Chances created: 12

Brazil are into the World Cup Round of 16 after beating Japan 2-1. Alisson’s side had to overcome a one-goal deficit as they staged a dramatic fightback thanks to goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli.

Next match - Norway - July 5.

Sweden crashed out of the World Cup after being brushed aside by favourites France.

Kylian Mbappe (2) and Bradley Barcola were on target in a 3-0 win. It wasn’t to be for Alexander Isak and he could be held accountable for the opener after allowing the Real Madrid forward ghosted past him from a short corner.

Although, it is positive that he completed over half the amount of minutes in four matches than he did in 14 Premier League appearances (702) during his debut season.

Alexander Isak World Cup stats

Goals: 1

Assists: 3

Minutes played: 358

Shots: 8 (6 on target)

It was a World Cup to forget for Holland as they too were dumped out of the competition in the last-32. Morocco ran out winners on penalties leaving Ronald Koeman to resign from his position.

Cody Gakpo scored the opener but Issa Diop equalised late on before the African side won on penalties.

Victor Munoz was left on the bench for a fourth successive World Cup match as Spain cruised into the Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria. Not much else to say really!

Next match - Portugal - July 6.

Alexis Mac Allister was part of the Argentina side that scraped past Cape Verde over the weekend. The defending champions endured a difficult outing against the minnows where they needed extra-time to win 3-2.

Next match - Egypt - July 7.

July 3 marks a dark day in Liverpool’s history following the tragic death of striker Diogo Jota.

Liverpool released a post across social media on Friday which read:

“Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, who tragically passed away one year ago.

“Through immeasurable loss and incalculable pain, the impact they made and the legacies they left behind - not only within the footballing world, but in the hearts and minds of so many around the world - has shone through over the last 12 months.

“All of our love, support, thoughts and prayers continue to be with Diogo and Andre’s families, friends and all those whose lives were touched by them.

“Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20.”

On Thursday, the club unveiled a new statue that hoonours the brothers titled “Forever 20” which can be seen on 97 Avenue outside Anfield.

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Edition number: 51

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