Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces an early preseason blow with World Cup stars set to miss the start of preparations, as Jamie Carragher doubts whether Yan Diomande is worth a £112m transfer fee
13:12, 25 Jun 2026
Yan Diomande continues to be linked with Liverpool
Carragher has questioned if Yan Diomande is 'worth it'(Image: MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande continues to be linked with Liverpool
Carragher has questioned if Yan Diomande is 'worth it'(Image: MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola is expected to analyse his team before making firm transfer plans
Andoni Iraola is already facing issues at Anfield(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool have wasted no time in making their mark on the summer transfer market. Agreements are in place to secure the signings of Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, bolstering Andoni Iraola's first-team options, while young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is also set to make the move to Merseyside, though he is not anticipated to feature immediately as the club carefully manages his progression.
Further additions are expected, though whether Yan Diomande will ultimately join remains uncertain as the club continues its pursuit of the teenager. The 19 year old is presently competing at the World Cup with Ivory Coast, who face Curacao at 9pm in their final group-stage fixture of the tournament.
Liverpool currently have several high-profile players representing their nations across the Atlantic, amongst them captain Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister. Their continued involvement in the World Cup, however, could present Iraola with a headache as he looks to begin his first preseason preparations. The new Anfield boss is keen to commence his groundwork for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign in July, though complications could arise with those plans. Here are all the latest developments emerging from Anfield.
Andoni Iraola dealt early setback
Iraola will in all likelihood be forced to wait before he can work with a full Liverpool squad, owing to the demands of the World Cup. The Reds have eight representatives at the tournament, amongst them new recruit Victor Munoz, reports the Mirror.
Given their recent performances, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil and Sweden all have the chance to advance further into the knockout stages. Germany and Argentina have already secured their place in the next round, meaning Florian Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister are guaranteed further matches heading into July.
Iraola is expected to commence pre-season training around Monday, 13th July, as he looks to bring trophies and success back to Anfield this campaign. However, there is a distinct possibility that all eight players could miss at least the opening stages of preparations for the new season.
This could well include Liverpool's three-match tour of the United States, which kicks off with a friendly against Sunderland on 25th July. This is owing to the Reds' recently adopted policy of granting players three weeks off once they have concluded their involvement in major international tournaments.
Andoni Iraola wants to wait until he sees his entire team before deciding on transfers
Andoni Iraola wants to wait until he sees his entire team before deciding on transfers
With the World Cup's round of 16 getting underway on 4th July, any players progressing this far with their respective nations are unlikely to feature in the US tour. The new manager may have to wait until early August before having a full squad at his disposal ahead of the season opener.
Diomande doubts emerge
Jamie Carragher has cautioned Liverpool to weigh up whether Yan Diomande is "worth" pursuing this summer, considering the club's recent history with costly signings. It emerged last week that the Reds had tabled a €100million (£86m) offer for the winger, who is also being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain.
However, it is now reported that RB Leipzig will not accept anything below €130m (£112m), according to The Athletic. Last summer, Liverpool opened the chequebook in dramatic fashion during the transfer window, spending a staggering £446m on new arrivals, including £125m on Alexander Isak.
Additional recruits included Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovanni Leoni, Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman. Now, Carragher has urged his former side to carefully consider whether to invest in what he views as "potential" rather than established quality.
He told Sky Sports: "I thought he [Diomande] was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup. Less so in the second game, but still was a real danger. I think what you'd be buying is potential, it's not what he is right now. He's a 19-year-old kid, he's a young man. But when you look at him physically, he looks like he's got all those attributes.
"You think of the success Liverpool have had in the past with powerful, quick, wide men. You think of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, especially those two. He certainly looks like he's got those type of traits. That's a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season, pace in those wide areas.
"They've already got a signing in now from Spain, from Osasuna, Victor Munoz. Maybe they want a little bit of pace on the other side as well. I think it's pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season. That looks like where they're going in the market. But is he worth it? Time will tell.
Article continues below
"As I said, Liverpool spent big last summer. Right now, a year on, we probably would say those players don't look worth it."