Category: Liverpool

August 2nd 

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The summer transfer window has officially opened and now that the World Cup has come and gone, clubs are working away on major deals. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer stories

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko remains a target for Bayern Munich even if they keep Harry Kane at the club. The 23-year-old scored 11 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, with Bayern long-term admirers of the Slovenia international, per Christian Falk.

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has emerged a reported target for Manchester City, with new head coach Enzo Maresca keen to reunite with him at the Etihad Stadium. Neto, 26, was signed under Maresca in 2024 and will be allowed to leave the Blues this summer for around €80m.

PSG are advancing in their pursuit of Ajax starlet Mika Godts, who is valued at €60m, as Bradley Barcola’s future looks uncertain. Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all asked to be kept informed about the Belgian’s future.

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The Stonebridge Cross site spans 55-acres (Image credit: Liverpool City Council)

A development partner is being sought for the Stonebridge Cross site in Liverpool, which is one of the city’s largest remaining regeneration opportunities.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet has approved plans to bring the site to market as a major employment-led mixed-use development.

The decision gives officers delegated authority to appoint a specialist marketing agent and begin the process of securing a development partner to create a comprehensive masterplan for the 55-acre council-owned site on the East Lancashire Road (A580). 

Stonebridge Cross has long been identified as a strategic development site and has the potential to deliver significant new employment space, around 220 homes, local jobs and wider regeneration benefits for Croxteth and neighbouring communities.

The council agreed that the site should be marketed on an employment-led basis, with an indicative 70 per cent employment and 30 per cent residential split. 

The site will now be marketed nationally through a specialist agent, with bids assessed against a framework that considers employment creation, housing delivery, design quality, social value, environmental performance and overall public benefit.

Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy, said: “Stonebridge Cross is one of the most important regeneration opportunities currently available in Liverpool and I’m delighted Cabinet has approved this next step in bringing the site forward. 

“This decision will allow us to test the market and attract developers who can help realise our vision of creating new jobs, new homes and long-term investment in Croxteth.”

Liverpool city council has asked BT to pause plans to move 600 jobs out of the city.The telecom firm said an increase in lease renewal costs at its offices on Old Hall Street means maintaining a presence at the site isn’t feasible after the contract expires in March.The plans would see roles moved to Manchester and Leeds.One Labour councillor described the move as “redundancy by stealth”, and said many workers would be forced to leave the company rather than commute to a new location.BT said it is continuing to engage with employees, unions and politicians.Employees affected include BT Business staff, Openreach workers and 999 call handlers, who have been contracted to BT since 2024 as part of a £1.29bn deal with the Home Office to provide mobile services for the government’s Emergency Services Network.Relay services workers who enable deaf people to communicate over the phone, are also affected.Merseyside politicians protested against the plans outside the Plaza office building this week.A motion to request the authority urge BT to pause its plans and consider alternatives, such as allowing hybrid working and maintaining a presence in Liverpool, was supported cross party at a full council meeting.Councillor Peter Norris who proposed the motion said BT had delivered a “devastating blow” to the city.He added: “We’re talking about 601 high quality, specialised jobs gone from our local economy. Let us be clear about what BT is asking of these workers.”They’re telling parents, carers and long-serving staff that if they want to keep their livelihood they must absorb the crushing physical, mental and financial toll of a gruelling daily commute to Manchester or Leeds. For many, that is impossible.He added: “It is redundancy by stealth.”Caroline Gillies CWU and Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool city council [Carl Webb CWU]Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Carl Webb from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said: “Some of these jobs look after the most vulnerable in our societ,. The relay service assists people who are deaf – say they’ve got a problem with the gas company or whatever – they provide a service where they will communicate on behalf of the customer. It’s a vital service”.Liverpool council leader Liam Robinson said he was “deeply concerned” about BT’s proposals.He told how he and politicians including Mayor Steve Rotheram met representatives from BT’s senior management this week and: “urged them to pause these plans, engage in meaningful consultation with staff and stakeholders, and fully explore alternative options to safeguard jobs and maintain BT’s presence in Liverpool.”A BT spokesperson said: “We can confirm negotiation conversations took place regarding the Plaza lease, this is one consideration as part of BT modernising and optimising our estate to ensure our workplaces are fit for the future and providing the best possible working environments for our people.”The statement added that the company would continue to engage with employees, unions and politicians.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.More storiesRelated links

Liverpool city council has asked BT to pause plans to move 600 jobs out of the city.The telecom firm said part of the reason for the decision was an increase in lease renewal costs at its offices on Old Hall Street and added that it was part of a wider “optimisation and modernisation” of its working spaces.The plans would see roles moved to Manchester and Leeds.One Labour councillor described the move as “redundancy by stealth”, and said many workers would be forced to leave the company rather than commute to a new location.BT said it is continuing to engage with employees, unions and politicians.Employees affected include BT Business staff, Openreach workers and 999 call handlers. Relay services workers who enable deaf people to communicate over the phone, are also affected.Merseyside politicians protested against the plans outside the Plaza office building this week. A motion to request the authority urge BT to pause its plans and consider alternatives, such as allowing hybrid working and maintaining a presence in Liverpool, was supported cross party at a full council meeting.Councillor Peter Norris who proposed the motion said BT had delivered a “devastating blow” to the city.He added: “We’re talking about 601 high quality, specialised jobs gone from our local economy. Let us be clear about what BT is asking of these workers.”They’re telling parents, carers and long-serving staff that if they want to keep their livelihood they must absorb the crushing physical, mental and financial toll of a gruelling daily commute to Manchester or Leeds. For many, that is impossible.He added: “It is redundancy by stealth.”

Part of national Energising Britain programmeEvent focused on accelerating the UK’s transition to clean energy through effective public engagement and collaborationKeynote speech by DESNZ Minister Katie WhiteKatie White OBE MP, now Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, joined community organisations, local authorities and business at a recent event exploring how Britain can deliver clean energy and bring people along on the journey.Over 150 representatives from government, local authorities, businesses, housing organisations and community groups gathered in Manchester for Energising Britain North West, a flagship event organised by North West Net Zero Hub, focused on accelerating the UK’s transition to clean energy through effective public engagement and collaboration.Hosted at Sister, the event formed part of the national Energising Britain programme led by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), supporting the Government’s ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower.The event brought together organisations and experts from across the North West to explore a critical challenge facing the transition to net zero: how to deliver clean energy infrastructure and decarbonisation projects at pace while engaging the people and communities who will be central to their success.The programme featured a keynote address from Katie White OBE MP, who was then Climate Minister, alongside contributions from leading organisations including Liverpool FC, Together Housing, Futureproof Cumbria and Carbon Co-op, who shared practical examples of successful climate action and community engagement.Delegates also heard insights from Mike Berners-Lee, Chair of the National Emergency Briefing, as well as speakers from IPPR, Climate Outreach and the National Storytelling Exchange, who examined how behaviour change, public engagement and effective communication can help accelerate climate action.The day included sessions exploring the role of culture, faith, youth and local communities in the transition to net zero, alongside an interactive marketplace where organisations showcased innovative projects, shared experiences and developed new partnerships.Bringing together more than 150 delegates from across the public, private and voluntary sectors, the event created a platform for collaboration between those delivering clean energy projects, supporting local communities and shaping future policy. Participants included representatives from local and combined authorities, housing providers, energy companies, community organisations, investors, universities and cultural institutions.A key focus throughout the day was the importance of building public trust and participation as the UK accelerates the transition to a cleaner energy system. Speakers shared practical examples of how meaningful engagement can help unlock local support, encourage behaviour change and ensure communities benefit from the opportunities created by the transition.Representatives from organisations including Great British Energy, Electricity North West, SP Energy Networks, the National Wealth Fund, Green Finance Institute, Community Energy England and the Carbon Literacy Project were among those contributing to discussions on how partnerships can accelerate progress towards net zero across the region.The event concluded with a forward-looking session led by Climate Outreach, exploring what a successful transition could look like by 2050 and identifying the actions needed today to achieve that vision.James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at North West Net Zero Hub, said:“The Energising Britain event was a great way to bring together key organisations in the North West so they could learn from experts in communication on climate issues. We are very grateful to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for its support to convene the event and to give us the opportunity to play our part in encouraging public participation at the local level.”“This event was mobilised in a very short timeframe and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to those team members who did such a fantastic job and made the event a big success. In particular Paul Riley our Net Zero Engagement Lead, who carried much of the responsibility for organising a significant flagship occasion and who secured some exceptional speakers. Feedback has been positive and people came away with lots of ideas and plenty of optimism”.Andy King, Director of Clean Energy and Net Zero at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:“Events like Energising Britain are essential if we are to deliver the clean energy transition at the scale and pace required. The day brought together leading practitioners, policymakers and communicators who demonstrated how meaningful public engagement can build support for net zero and create lasting benefits for communities.  Big thanks to the team for organising such an inspiring event.“Thanks also to Minister Katie White who was an excellent keynote speaker. She spent a lot of time engaging with the exhibitors at the marketplace. It was also great to hear Ed Miliband recognise and praise the work of North West Net Zero Hub.”Following the event, delegates continued discussions through a People, Planet, Pint networking session, providing an opportunity to reflect on the day’s discussions and strengthen relationships across sectors.As the UK seeks to accelerate its transition to a cleaner and more secure energy future, Energising Britain demonstrated the importance of collaboration, communication and community involvement in delivering lasting change.

While the World Cup may have ended two weeks ago, there is still class football to be played in front of American fans. Many European clubs spend their offseason playing friendly matches in the United States, and Wednesday was no exception.
English giants Liverpool faced off against up-and-comers Wrexham in a friendly at Yankee Stadium. The match, for all purposes, didn’t matter whatsoever. The 1-0 win for Liverpool didn’t matter. It’s not going to give them an edge in the Premier or Champions League tables.
But it gave both sides a chance to reset before their club seasons begin next month, while giving the fans some excitement in the process.

The home that’s usually residence to the Bronx Bombers was decked out in Liverpool red as 42,204 people packed into Yankee Stadium for the game. The crowd broke out in the team’s song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as they walked out of the tunnel for the game and were involved with the game for nearly shot until one broke through.
“It was good. It was different,” Trey Nyoni said. “We’re playing in a baseball stadium, so it’s something I’m [not] really used to.”
Wrexham had the same amount of support at the game as Liverpool. The team has gained exposure from its owners, Ryan Reynolds and Robert McElhenney. The pair made a documentary about the team titled “Welcome to Wrexham,” which has been running for four years and has chronicled the club’s meteoric rise from the depths of England’s football pyramid to the Championship — just one tier below the top-flight Premier League.
Many of the players noticed fans wearing the club’s jerseys while strolling about the city before the game. Many supporters recognized the players and would bring up having seen them on the show, letting them know they had their full support.
“It’s amazing,” Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward said. “Even just been around the city. I went for a walk around Central Park today, and there’s people in Wrexham tops and people who come up to watch the documentary and how they follow us. Part of it’s been amazing. It’s my first time over here with the club, but to see it firsthand has been pretty great. I think they’re a bit more polite, to be honest, rather than the British crowd, which is nice.”
Ward was one of the players that Wrexham fans were cheering for the most. He swatted away three Liverpool chances on the night, which helped keep the game level through 75 minutes. The game felt like it was nearing its way to a draw until Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha struck a ball that was deflected by a Wrexham defender and found its way into the back of the net.
The goal sent Liverpool supporters across the stadium into a frenzy. Fans who had been waiting patiently for a score had been able to see one after multiple chances before that.
“A little bit unlucky with a deflected goal,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said. “It was a moment where we played a straight pass, [the] straight pass got cut out, and then the deflections looped over Callum [Burton]. So we still had some good opportunities to get back in the game and to score on the night.
The game also gave the team the experience of playing on a soccer pitch on a baseball diamond. It was different but the players on both sides said they had to make the proper adjustments.
“We’ve all played good pitches and bad pitches and others,” Ward said. “It’s just like a footballer that you get on with it. It is what it is. There’s no point running about it, otherwise, you’re already 1-0 down in there. So yeah, everyone equipped themselves well, and  there might be mistakes on that sort of surface.”
Both teams still have one game left in their United States tours, but both sides say the experience at Yankee Stadium was a positive one.
“The experience of being at the stadium tonight was one that we’ll always remember,” Parkinson said. “It was a great atmosphere, a great arena, and very special.”

A formal alcohol ban is to be introduced across five Liverpool hospitals.Staff will ask patients, visitors and employees to hand over alcohol so it can be disposed of, while security may be called if they refuse.The ban follows concerns that patients were buying alcohol from nearby shops and bringing it back into hospital where it could interact with medication, cause problems with wound healing and hinder patients’ recovery.Nearby off-licences and other retailers are also being asked voluntarily to refuse sales to known hospital patients, or when they suspect alcohol is intended for someone receiving treatment.Liverpool City Council said 4,943 alcohol-specific hospital admissions were recorded in the city in 2023-24, up 9% on the previous year.Between 2020 and 2024 there were 460 alcohol-specific deaths, external recorded in Liverpool, while admission rates were 2.9 times higher in the most deprived communities than in the least deprived.The council added that alcohol-related harm remains one of Liverpool’s most significant public health challenges.Dr Paul Richardson said hospitals were “places of healing” and alcohol “really does not play a part in that”.Patients will continue to receive care regardless of alcohol dependence, with specialist Alcohol Care Teams available to assess people at risk of withdrawal and arrange further support.Richardson said alcohol dependence should be recognised as “a chronic medical problem” and treated “with care and dignity”.

Savannah Shellard, 17, a sixth-form student from Anfield, said Walton Breck Road had become busier and harder to cross after she got off the bus.She said getting home could be “quite intimidating for a young girl like me”.Savannah said the vote made her feel residents had been heard.Councillors proposed refusing the application because of traffic flow, the effect on residents and environmental nuisance.The application also said opening the road could endanger pedestrians and leave part of the stadium perimeter without barriers against a vehicle attack.Counter Terrorism Policing North West supported keeping it closed.The council’s building control service said opening it could affect the safety certificate needed to operate the stadium.Planning officers said the effects on traffic levels and journey times were not serious enough to make the closure unacceptable.Council air quality specialists said the predicted effect on air quality was not significant.Anfield ward councillor Billy Marrat said the road could close on match and event days but open at other times.”The rest of the days of the week, that road should be open to residents,” he said.Marrat said the application had been “very damaging” to relations between the club and residents.

By Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council 

“The announcement that Liverpool City Region is becoming a Marmot City Region is a significant milestone for our area and a powerful statement about the kind of future we want to create. 

“At its heart, the Marmot approach recognises something that many of us have known for a long time: health is shaped by far more than healthcare alone. Where you live, the quality of your housing, access to education, employment opportunities, transport connections, and the strength of your local community all play a vital role in determining how long and how well you live. 

“That is why I warmly welcome Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s commitment to embedding the Marmot principles across its work. By putting health at the heart of decisions on transport, housing, skills, regeneration and economic development, we have an opportunity to tackle inequalities at their root and improve the lives of people across our entire city region. 

“For Liverpool, this is a particularly proud moment because it builds on the journey we have already been taking as a Marmot City. 

“Last year, Liverpool was officially awarded Marmot City status by Professor Sir Michael Marmot in recognition of our commitment to reducing health inequalities and improving wellbeing for every resident. That recognition reflected years of partnership working and a shared determination to address the social, economic and environmental factors that influence health outcomes. 

“We know the challenges we face. Too many people in our city still experience poorer health, shorter lives and fewer opportunities than they should. In some communities, residents can expect to live significantly shorter lives and spend more years in ill health compared to those living in more affluent areas. These inequalities are not inevitable, and as a city we have been determined to do something about them. 

“Through the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool Partnership, we have brought together organisations from across local government, the NHS, universities, housing, education, the voluntary sector and local communities to take collective action. Guided by the Marmot principles, the partnership is helping ensure that fairness, prevention and health equity are embedded into everything we do. 

“This progress would not be possible without the outstanding leadership and dedication of our Directors of Public Health and public health teams in Liverpool and across the city region. Their expertise, advocacy and tireless work to address the wider determinants of health have been instrumental in driving forward the Marmot agenda, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that reducing health inequalities remains at the forefront of our collective efforts. 

“Over the past year alone, we have seen remarkable progress. 

“We have strengthened our Health in All Policies approach, ensuring that health considerations are built into decisions about planning, regeneration and housing. We have expanded work that supports families to access healthier food, improved opportunities for community involvement in decision-making, and continued to focus on tackling poverty and the wider determinants of health. 

“One of the achievements I am most proud of has been the launch and success of the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool Accreditation. Developed collaboratively by local partners, the accreditation enables organisations to showcase their commitment to the Marmot principles and highlight the actions they are taking to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions that shape health and wellbeing. Earlier this year, we celebrated the first accredited organisations, from community and voluntary groups to advice services and NHS partners. Together, they are demonstrating how organisations across the city can play a vital role in reducing inequalities and creating a fairer, healthier Liverpool. 

“Their work shows that improving health inequalities is not something any single organisation can do alone. It requires a collective effort, strong partnerships and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life. 

“That is why Liverpool City Region becoming a Marmot City Region is such an important development. 

“The new commitment strengthens the work already being delivered through the All Together Fairer programme across Cheshire and Merseyside and creates greater alignment between local authorities, health partners and communities. It means that the principles driving change in Liverpool can now be supported and amplified across the wider city region. 

“Importantly, it also reflects the opportunities that devolution provides. Many of the factors that influence health outcomes sit within areas of responsibility now held at city region level. Whether it is creating better transport networks, supporting people into good-quality employment, improving housing, investing in skills or driving economic growth, these policies can all contribute to reducing health inequalities if designed with health and fairness in mind. 

“As Mayor Steve Rotheram rightly said, where you grow up, the job you do or how much money you have in your pocket should not determine how long or how well you live. That principle sits at the heart of the Marmot agenda and it is one that Liverpool has championed for many years. 

“The transition from Marmot City to Marmot City Region is not about starting again. It is about building on the strong foundations that have already been established. It is about bringing partners together at every level and ensuring that health equity becomes a shared responsibility across the whole system. 

“Liverpool has already shown what can be achieved when public services, communities, businesses and the voluntary sector work together towards a common goal. Now, with the support and leadership of the wider city region, we have an even greater opportunity to create lasting change. 

“Together, we can tackle the root causes of inequality, improve the conditions in which people live, work and grow, and ensure that everyone across Liverpool City Region has the chance to live a longer, healthier and happier life. 

“That is a vision worth working for, and one that I am proud to support.”

Timur Tutierov has set his sights on sustaining his early pre-season momentum after a standout week that included goals against York City and Liverpool.The Ukraine Under-21 forward, 21, impressed on loan at Exeter City in the second half of last season, scoring three and assisting one in 17 appearances, then signed a new Sunderland deal to summer 2028.Tutierov has trained with Regis Le Bris’ first team during pre-season and impressed in the win at League Two newcomers York City, securing a place on the three-game tour of the United States and further minutes against Liverpool.Kieran Morrison gave Liverpool the lead, Enzo Le Fee levelled with a superb strike, and Tutierov made it two in two to put Sunderland ahead before Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas sealed a 4-2 Reds win.“I am so proud for myself and so proud for the lads. We had a great opportunity to play against unbelievable players like (Dominik Szoboszlai). It’s a big experience for me and for them as well. I am so happy about that, it can not be better. The season has started good for me and I hope I am going to keep this level and keep these standards.”He told the club website.