Liverpool are reportedly battling with Arsenal to sign young midfielder Andria Bartishvili, and Virgil van Dijk has provided a fitness update after sustaining a knock at the World Cup.
Claim: Liverpool “working on a deal for” Andria Bartishvili
You will be forgiven for not having heard the name of Bartishvili.
A 17-year-old attacking midfielder, he is contracted to Georgian second division club Kolkheti Poti and currently on loan at top-flight outfit Iberia 1999.
Bartishvili has shared on his personal Instagram account a story from Geo Team, an X account that has been previously reliable regarding news on compatriot Giorgi Mamardashvili.
— Geo Team (@Geo__team) June 22, 2026
The report claimed Arsenal, Liverpool and Paris FC are “working on a deal,” with “identical offers” coming form the two English teams.
Paris FC are “trying to convince Bartishvili by offering guaranteed first-team playing time from the outset.”
We won’t hear of any final decision until “after the upcoming European qualification matches,” which he will play for Iberia 1999.
These games fall on July 7 and July 14 against Estonian side Flora Tallinn, in the first round of Champions League qualifying.
LFC News: Gakpo interest, Jones bid rejected & Van Dijk’s “hard hit” for Holland
Virgil Van Dijk of Netherlands and team mates applaud the fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium (Credit: Craig Mercer/ Alamy Live News)
Virgil Van Dijk of Netherlands and team mates applaud the fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium (Credit: Craig Mercer/ Alamy Live News)
• Virgil van Dijk admitted he “took a hard hit” to his hip and “couldn’t feel” his upper leg at one point during the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden – thankfully, the captain thinks “it was probably just a pinched nerve”
• Liverpool have rejected a second bid from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones – this one came to £21.7 million, confirmed the Times
• “There is interest from Tottenham” for Cody Gakpo, claimed Fabrizio Romano, but “Liverpool are yet to give a green light” – what’s the minimum we should sell him for?
• Well-informed reporter Ben Jacobs has said on talkSPORT it would now be “a surprise” if Liverpool were to move for Adam Wharton, despite the Reds having “some appreciation there”
More from This Is Anfield
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 15, 2013: Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the fourth goal against Tottenham Hotspur during the Premiership match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 15, 2013: Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the fourth goal against Tottenham Hotspur during the Premiership match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Luis Suarez was only at Liverpool for three and half years, but during that time he produced some of the greatest football ever seen in this country.
Peter Bolster writes about why Suarez makes his top 10 Liverpool players ever, despite the controversy surrounding the Uruguayan:
“His goals were not padded with penalties or tap-ins. There were four against Norwich, hat-tricks against West Brom and Cardiff, a 40-yard half-volley against Fulham and slaloming runs past entire defences.
“Gerrard, who shared a pitch with Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Fernando Torres and Wayne Rooney, still chose Suarez as the best striker he ever played alongside.
“Jamie Carragher went even further, telling him directly that he believed he was the best centre-forward in the world.”
Football News: Salah strikes & Aaron Ramsey the manager?
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal during second half World Cup Group G soccer action against New Zealand, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) celebrates his goal during second half World Cup Group G soccer action against New Zealand, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
• Mo Salah showed he still has some magic in his boots for Egypt as the Liverpool legend scored, set up another and created five chances in a 3-1 win over New Zealand
• Multiple journalists are saying that Arsenal – widely touted as the other club, besides Liverpool, to hold an interest in Bradley Barcola – are instead ‘stepping up’ their advances for Morgan Rogers
• Sky Italia are claiming that a verbal agreement has been reached between Man City and Chelsea, with the former paying the latter over £17m in compensation for Enzo Maresca!
• Former Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey is at the top of Oxford United’s shortlist to replace Matt Bloomfield as manager (Sky Sports) – he’s still only 35 years old!
Liverpool FC: On this day
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola following the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Andoni Iraola was taking charge of his last match for Bournemouth and set his final mission to secure a place in the Champions League, but they fell agonisingly short. Picture date: Sunday May 24, 2026.
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola following the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Andoni Iraola was taking charge of his last match for Bournemouth and set his final mission to secure a place in the Champions League, but they fell agonisingly short. Picture date: Sunday May 24, 2026.
Happy birthday to our new head coach, Andoni Iraola. Born on June 22, 1982, the manager is turning 44 years old.
Don’t expect to keep those young looks for long, though, Andoni!
We’ve seen how the Liverpool job can drain coaches – just take a look at Jurgen Klopp‘s post-Liverpool glow-up for evidence.
Get our Liverpool FC roundups like this one to your inbox every evening!
An informative, tongue-in-cheek roundup of the day’s events at LFC and the wider football world.
European Football – UEFA Europa League – Round of 32 – Liverpool FC v Besiktas JK
European Football – UEFA Europa League – Round of 32 – Liverpool FC v Besiktas JK
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brentford FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Trey Nyoni during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Premier League 2 – Manchester City FC Under-21’s v Liverpool FC Under-21’s
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, March 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's at the Academy Stadium. Man City won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)