Liverpool cannot afford to lose 22-goal star as ideal replacement set to vanish
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Even though the World Cup is currently taking place, that hasn't stopped the transfer rumour mill from turning.
Liverpool are expected to be one of the Premier League's busiest teams in the transfer market after they failed to retain their top flight title in the 2025-26 season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementArne Slot has already been moved on and, since three of the Reds' regular starters have already packed their bags and left, change is clearly on its way to L4.
Andoni Iraola has only been in charge of the Anfield outfit for a couple of weeks but, there's no doubt that he'll have had conversations with Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards about what he needs from them this summer.
However, with other clubs trying to do their business early, options on the market are already becoming scarce in some positions with Liverpool likely to be forced into keeping hold of one of their players that they want to move on.
Liverpool must keep Curtis Jones as Al-Ahli make a move for Khephren Thuram
Curtis Jones is probably going to be one of the most talked-about Liverpool players this summer.
Even though the Englishman was called up to Thomas Tuchel's squad back in March 2025, since then, not all that much has been said about his international future.
The main reason behind this is the fact that Slot chose against playing him despite many other members of his squad failing to meet expectations.
This lack of trust has resulted in many rumours being shared about Jones' future with Inter Milan among the most interested teams.
And, even though the Serie A outfit still want him, it starting to feel like the Reds can't let go of him, especially after the latest transfer news to emerge from Italy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen it felt nailed on that Jones was going to leave, transfer links with Juventus' Khephren Thuram started to emerge with Liverpool among the many potential suitors for the Frenchman.
However, as per a fresh update from TuttoJuve, that's no longer the case with Al-Ahli now making a move for the 25-year-old.
"Al Ahli have made a move for the French midfielder, who is being eyed by Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League. Details on his valuation," they wrote.
"The French midfielder has ended up in the sights of the Arab club, who are looking for a replacement worthy of Franck Kessié, who is destined to leave for free in this transfer window.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"Galatasaray, Liverpool and Manchester United, as recently reported by Tuttojuve.com, have also inquired about the situation. Juventus have not yet set a price, but initial discussions could begin around €45/50 million."
Curtis Jones should be one of the first names on Liverpool's team sheet
Even though Jones wasn't often trusted to play in his natural position by Slot, every time he was used there, he was one of Liverpool's best players.
He created chances out of nothing and, when he did lose the ball, he always worked his hardest to get it back and defend the Reds' net.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe midfielder has played all across the pitch this season but, due to his work rate and ability to pick out a pass from the complete opposite side of the pitch, he's easily one of Liverpool's most important players.
And, since Iraola's system at Bournemouth was all about pressing, the fact that Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch were hardly pressing for Slot will certainly work in Jones' favour.
If any of Liverpool's players want to stay as first-team regulars, they'll need to adapt to the new system quickly and prove their worth, otherwise they'll be left behind and Iraola will ask for them to be moved on.
So, as long as Jones plays how everyone knows he can, there's no reason why the Englishman shouldn't be one of the first names on Iraola's team sheet by the start of the new season, especially if a deal can't be reached with Inter Milan.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
