Links to Andoni Iraola’s former player Rayan have emerged from his native Brazil, and Wednesday’s news also brings updates on Rio Ngumoha’s contract.
Liverpool’s interest in Bournemouth’s Rayan ‘genuine’
Reports out of Brazil have seen links to Bournemouth’s Rayan grow in intensity, with Globo Esporte and ESPN Brasil both crediting Liverpool with interest.
Globo heavily cites reports in Spain, but information from journalist Bruno Andrade, of the latter, notes the Reds are keeping tabs but no approach has been made to Bournemouth.
Andrade states several of Europe’s “sharks,” notably from the Premier League, have been asking about the forward in view of a transfer next year.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He would not come cheap, however; the Cherries are in control with a £130 million release clause that takes effect next summer.
Liverpool have shown they are prepared to make a significant outlay, but after three £100+ million deals in two years to address the forward line, would another be wise?
The 20-year-old is left-footed and prefers operating from the right, which is exactly what Liverpool need, but they also have the full-back positions and midfield to get right in 2027.
LFC News: Rio Ngumoha contract and Ipswich non-penalty explained
• Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel ruled 4-1 that it was a correct decision not to award Cody Gakpo a penalty vs. Ipswich, as they felt “contact was below the high threshold” and not a “clear and obvious error.” Did they watch a different live feed than us? (PL)
• Rio Ngumoha is yet to agree terms on a new contract, having been expected to sign a five-year deal after turning 18. Arsenal are interested – who wouldn’t be? – but Liverpool won’t sell
• Harvey Elliott was left unused as Valencia won their first match of the season after sacking coach Carlos Corberan, let’s hope it is not a sign of things to come
• Dominik Szoboszlai saw his name in lights after his stunner vs. Tottenham, but concerns remained among fans over his influence and role in midfield and the dilemma facing Iraola
Lewis Koumas proved stats don’t tell the whole story
Lewis Koumas was named Man of the Match against Tottenham, and yet he managed 27 touches, completed four passes from six attempts, missed one big chance, and won a single duel from six contested.
Yet, those numbers completely miss the intangibles of his off-the-ball efforts and why stats don’t always tell the story, as Joanna Durkan explains.
READ NEXT
Lewis Koumas proved stats don’t tell the whole story in Man of the Match display
Football News: League Cup draw and Enzo Maresca spins VAR drama
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 13, 2026: Manchester City's manager Enzo Maresca during an open training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the start of the FA Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 13, 2026: Manchester City's manager Enzo Maresca during an open training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the start of the FA Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Enzo Maresca feels the focus on Man City’s controversial goal at Old Trafford is “quite poor” as his team’s performance was “unbelievable” – let us know how that goes if you’re ever on the receiving end this season…
• Tottenham‘s majority owners have invested a further £120 million in the club, taking their total investment to around £320m, in an attempt to reduce Daniel Levy’s stake (The Telegraph)
• Former Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma has signed for Ajax until the end of the season; he had been out of contract since June. Remember when he was linked to the Reds in 2021?
• The League Cup draw takes place after Man United’s tie vs. Brighton on Wednesday evening, with Liverpool likely to be drawn against another Premier League side
Liverpool FC: On this day
LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday, September 16, 2016: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring the second goal against Chelsea with team-mate Dejan Lovren during the FA Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday, September 16, 2016: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring the second goal against Chelsea with team-mate Dejan Lovren during the FA Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
On this day in 2016, Jordan Henderson scored that long-range goal against Chelsea, which earned him the Premier League’s goal of the month.
The former Liverpool captain was under plenty of scrutiny at the time, and his celebration spoke of the emotions he had been keeping under the surface.
Dejan Lovren had scored less than 20 minutes earlier for a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge, with Diego Costa only netting a consolation in the second half for Antonio Conte’s first defeat as Chelsea’s head coach.
Ten years later and Henderson is now a Chelsea player; Lovren is without a club, as is Conte after leaving Napoli by mutual consent in the summer.
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Fulham FC
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Fulham FC
Valencia, Spain. 6th Sep, 2026. Harvey Elliott (Valencia) Football/Soccer : Spanish “LaLiga EA Sports” match between Valencia CF – FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain . Credit: Mutsu Kawamori/AFLO/Alamy Live News
Valencia, Spain. 6th Sep, 2026. Harvey Elliott (Valencia) Football/Soccer : Spanish “LaLiga EA Sports” match between Valencia CF – FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain . Credit: Mutsu Kawamori/AFLO/Alamy Live News
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai in the rain during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)