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Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk makes 'unacceptable' claim as club approve three transfer exits

Liverpool are just days away from their Premier League opener against Newcastle United but the transfer window is still wide open

Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters at the end of the pre-season friendly football match between Liverpool and Como

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is all set for his debut Premier League season at Anfield(Image: Getty)

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Liverpool's Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle United is just around the corner. But Andoni Iraola's squad have only welcomed three new additions so far this summer.

In his first season in charge, new manager Iraola, who has supplanted Arne Slot, will travel to St. James' Park on Sunday. But clubs have until September 1 to conclude their transfer business.

Victor Munoz (£34.6million), Jeremy Jacquet (£60m) and Ronald Araujo (loan with a £47.1m purchase option) complete the Reds' incomings. But with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departing, some feel there is still a lot to be done.

Reds allow three to leave

Liverpool have allowed young attacker Kieran Morrison to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the 2026/27 season. He will be followed out of the door by Calvin Ramsay and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

Kieran Morrison #68 of Liverpool looks on during the second half of the pre-season friendly match against Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park

Morrison has joined Sheffield Wednesday(Image: Getty)

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Morrison is 19 and signed a new Reds contract in May. He made his full international debut for Northern Ireland in June. Ramsay has played sparingly since joining Liverpool from Aberdeen in 2022 and has spent time with Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock since.

Now, reports suggest he is all set to sign for St. Mirren on loan. He is out of contract next summer, meaning his Reds career could effectively be over. Ndukwe, the final departing star, impressed hugely in pre-season.

However, work permit issues mean the 18-year-old centre-back cannot play senior football yet for the Reds. Therefore, he is being shipped out on loan to Spanish side Levante and he has jetted in ahead of a move to La Liga, where he will play until at least January.

Virgil van Dijk makes demand

Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk will begin the season with a new centre-back partner now that Ibrahima Konate has joined Real Madrid. Either Jacquet or Araujo will start next to him, but he has spoken out ahead of the campaign, demanding more from his team-mates and the new signings.

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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks back during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio

Van Dijk has spoken out(Image: Getty)

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"For me personally, being a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable," Van Dijk said. "But that is last year. This year, we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans.

"And we all know how tough that will be, but if you're not up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place. What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let's see how we go about it.

"I'm really looking forward to this season and I don't think we have a point to prove to anyone. We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool.

"If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting. I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, and hopefully win a lot of games then we can be very excited."

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