July 3 marked a poignant day for Liverpool as Diogo Jota was remembered on the one-year anniversary of his death. Here’s the latest news on Friday.
Stefan Bajcetic ‘set to leave’ Liverpool
Having entered the final year of his contract this summer, Stefan Bajcetic is poised to leave Liverpool on a permanent basis.
If he does it will be a disappointing end to a once promising career at Anfield, with the midfielder plagued with injuries in the years since his breakthrough under Jurgen Klopp.
The front page of Seville-based newspaper Estadio Deportivo claims Bajcetic is “set to leave” and is “looking for a club in LaLiga.”
PITTSBURGH - Friday, July 26, 2024: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Real Betis Balompié at the Acrisure Stadium on day three of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Elche are named as potential destinations for the 21-year-old having already expressed their interest.
Bajcetic could be part of the first group to report back for pre-season at the AXA Training Centre on July 13, but all signs point to an exit this summer.
However, This Is Anfield understands suggestions of interest from Championship side Middlesbrough are wide of the mark.
LFC News: Jota tributes as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1
Image credit: @cristiano
• Jota‘s presence was felt as Portugal earned a 2-1 win over Croatia on the anniversary of his passing – Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes to the late striker post-match
• Klopp is in line to take over as next Germany manager after Julian Nagelsmann was sacked – their next game is against the Netherlands in September, with Arne Slot the top candidate to take that job
• Liverpool prodigy Josh Abe is training with former academy defender Kris Owens ahead of a big pre-season as part of Andoni Iraola‘s first-team squad
• Bradley Barcola avoided questions on his future at PSG in a press conference on Thursday, but he is at the “top of Liverpool’s list” this summer
More from This Is Anfield
Was the World Cup the perfect platform for Alexander Isak to finally kickstart his Liverpool career? Joanna Durkan believes so:
“After four different spells out of the team with an injury last season, there were genuine concerns that the World Cup would do more harm than good, but his tournament will have pleased Liverpool.
“Sweden’s Group F opponents were no minnows, with Tunisia joining the Netherlands and Japan. Isak started and played the full 90 minutes in each of those three games.
“It was the first time he had strung 270 minutes together since November 2024 at Newcastle.
“You cannot replicate that intensity or build the needed match fitness in training, it only comes with a combination of both.”
Football News: Salah fit and Mahrez retires
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 has been passed fit for Egypt in their World Cup knockout tie against Australia on Friday evening (EFA)
• Real Madrid have issued a statement denying any interest in signing Enzo Fernandez this summer (RMCF)
• Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football following Algeria’s 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the World Cup round of 32 (FAF)
• Man United have opened talks over a possible deal for West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, who has already been ruled out as a target for Liverpool (Sky Sports)
Liverpool FC: On this day
July 3 marks one of the saddest days in the history of Liverpool Football Club, with Jota tragically passing away in a car crash on this day in 2025.
Jota had been driving back to Merseyside alongside his brother Andre Silva ahead of pre-season, having been deemed unable to fly as he recovered from a collapsed lung.
Diogo and Andre never made it back to England as they both lost their lives in a fatal accident, with Liverpool unveiling a permanent memorial titled ‘Forever 20’ outside Anfield on Thursday.
Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. You’ll Never Walk Alone.