It is all change at Liverpool heading into the 2026/27 season.

Parting with Arne Slot at the end of May following a hugely disappointing league campaign after their title triumph 12 months earlier, Andoni Iraola is now the man in charge following such a successful spell at Bournemouth.

On the pitch, the Reds have lost Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian brought down the curtain on his time at Anfield after nine incredible years on Merseyside.

Salah may not have been at the peak of his powers last term but what he contributed in the final third game after game will be dearly missed following an incredible 380 goal contributions in 442 games for the club.

Liverpool now need to find their Salah successor and the hope will be that the club can do just that before the summer transfer window draws to a close on September 1.

Salah successor?

Action Images/REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Liverpool are one of five clubs eyeing up a move for Bournemouth ace Rayan, according to The Sun.

The Brazilian only joined the Cherries from Vasco da Gama in his homeland back in January but it was sufficient time to make a huge impression in the Premier League.

Joining for an initial £24.7m with £5.6m in potential add-ons, the 19-year-old chipped in with five goals and two assists in 15 games as Bournemouth secured a place in Europe for the first time in their history.

The right-winger was such a hit for Bournemouth that five of Europe’s biggest clubs are now plotting a move for the Brazil international.

As well as interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are all keen on Rayan, described as a ‘world-class talent’ by Cherries teammate Marcus Tavernier.

Liverpool are said to be adopting an active stance in the race for Rayan, with a figure of £60m being discussed.

The Sun report that a bid in the region of £85m would represent exceptional value to Bournemouth’s owners.

Rayan reunited

A potential move to Liverpool would see Rayan reunited with former Bournemouth boss Iraola.

The youngster flourished under the 44-year-old and the pair reuniting could work wonders for the player as Liverpool bid to find Salah’s long-term successor on the right flank.

Rayan might be known for his attacking play but it is his desire to work on his defensive play that really went down well with Iraola.

“And the other day, watching Rayan one against one against [Jeremy] Doku, accepting, celebrating defensive plays, I was almost crying, because it’s what they need,” he told the Daily Echo in May.

“It’s because I know Rayan is going to score goals all his life, and Junior Kroupi, his finishing is ridiculous. And sometimes training is he scores goals and players basically stop and clap.

“It’s like he has talent, it’s a natural thing, but they have to make a bigger step in to being more complete, especially without the ball and this.

“And I think they’ve been much better than I expected, honestly. With Junior, with Rayan, sometimes I was thinking it’s going to be difficult to get it right, and but they’ve done incredible steps to become more complete and to earn also these minutes.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker’s tweet about Gianni Infantino from 2016 has resurfaced this week, just as FIFA’s top dog unveils plans to make billions by selling stakes in the World Cup. Unsurprisingly, the controversial proposal has sparked a wave of backlash from football fans and governing bodies.

Recently appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is among those to publicly criticise Infantino, while UEFA has issued an explosive statement condemning the way Sepp Blatter’s successor has monopolised the working-class game. But they are just two of the thousands who have grown weary of FIFA’s direction, particularly over the course of this summer.

Claims of corruption have come thick and fast throughout the World Cup, with alleged favouritism towards Argentina and the decision to rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card at the request of Donald Trump emerging as the two main flashpoints. But it seems Lineker was well ahead of the curve in seeing this coming.

Gary Lineker’s Tweet About Gianni Infantino in 2016 Resurfaces

Even 10 years ago, Lineker had doubts about Infantino, 56, who is already a Swiss millionaire before profitting from his leadership over football. The former Tottenham and Barcelona striker had his reservations about whether he would be any better than Sepp Blatter in the 2016 FIFA election, writing on X (see the full post below):

Football fans have been left stunned by how well Lineker’s predictions have come true. Blatter was ousted after the Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings against him over a $2 million payment to UEFA President, Michel Platini, as well as allegations of selling World Cup TV rights to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for below their true value.

The same claims of corruption are now being made against Infantino, whose money-hungry ways have led European lawmakers to prompt an investigation into him, his management of football, and his relationship with the White House.

Gianni Infantino’s Astonishingly Still Set For Re-Election

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Infantino has the formal endorsement of more than 200 FIFA members for re-election as the body’s president despite the climate of unrest that has swirled since the World Cup’s conclusion.

The Guardian reported just last week that only a handful of Fifa’s 211 member associations are still to send letters of support for Infantino, who is on course to be voted into a fourth term by a landslide at its congress in March. A small number of European associations are among the outliers, with Germany the highest-profile FA yet to provide official backing.

Candidates must be put forward by 18 November, before which time letters can also be withdrawn or transferred to a different contender. But Infantino is currently the only runner and some FAs feel they have, nonetheless, come under persistent pressure from within FIFA to confirm their allegiance. In theory, that should not be permitted under FIFA’s ethics code, but makes it incredibly difficult for the current leader to be dislodged.

Incoming Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle revealed his preferred style of play and his biggest managerial influences in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT in 2024.

The 38-year-old is expected to be named as the next Newcastle boss after Eddie Howe’s shock exit was confirmed out of nowhere on Thursday morning.

According to GMS sources, Howe made the decision to leave St James’ Park with the parting between the two parties amicable, with the summer player exits one of the factors in his decision.

Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have already left for Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, while Arsenal are working on a deal to bring captain Bruno Guimaraes to the Emirates.

Howe informed club officials weeks ago that he was keen to leave, but he wanted to ensure that a suitable replacement was found.

His successor looks set to be Al-Ahli coach Jaissle, who is expected to take charge ahead of the squad flying out to Spain for their pre-season training camp.

GMS spoke exclusively to the former Red Bell Salzburg boss in December 2024, where he provided insight into his philosophies.

Matthias Jaissle’s Preferred Playing Style and Formations

via Reuters

When asked about his playing style, Jaissle said he is heavily influenced by his background with the Red Bull model.

He told GMS: “Due to my past at both Salzburg and Leipzig, I have this identity in my blood to put stress on the opponent as high up the pitch as possible. I want my teams to play in a really intense and aggressive way. And I want to score goals from offensive transitions.

“I am always refining my style, but essentially, and I know it’s easy to say, we want dominance in all phases of the game. So firstly, controlling the transition phases is important, but you also need to find good solutions in possession, especially now we are often facing a low block.

“When our opponents ‘park the bus’, it’s about being creative and disciplined and finding a good structure to create as many chances as possible without being wild on the pitch. It’s a never-ending process because you always need to develop your ideas as a coach without abandoning your roots.

“At Salzburg, I played a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. At Al-Ahli, we use a 4-2-3-1 system. You have to adjust to the squad you have as well as the circumstances. For example, the temperature can be a factor. This was a learning process for me, to adapt without losing my principles. I don’t worry too much about the exact formation. It’s fluid.”

READ MORE: You can read an exclusive interview with the new Newcastle boss here.

Jaissle Influenced by Rangnick, Klopp and Tuchel

REUTERS/Paul Childs

Jaissle is early in his managerial career at 38 years of age, but he has confirmed that some of his biggest influences are Germans who have managed in the Premier League, as well as Pep Guardiola and Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi.

He added: “I have always tried to be authentic as a coach and find my own way. Of course, I have influences. Ralf Rangnick played a big part in developing my ideas because I played under him for most of my playing career. And in my youth, I had Thomas Tuchel, so I have followed his principles and career.

“Then there’s Jurgen Klopp – I often looked at the transitions he put in place with Liverpool. In possession, I like how Pep Guardiola finds structure and balance. And there’s a lot to take from Roberto De Zerbi’s build-up as well. It’s a constant learning process. And in the next few years, I’m sure there will be a different coach to draw inspiration from. It’s not about copying other coaches, it’s just about being inspired by them.