Liverpool have been somewhat active in the transfer market with their Premier League opener against Newcastle United on the horizon
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 boss Andoni Iraola will begin the Premier League season with a trip to Newcastle United(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool are all prepared to face Newcastle United as they begin the new Premier League season at St. James' Park. But the club may not be done in the transfer market.
With a host of big names, most notably Mohamed Salah, waving goodbye to Anfield this summer, Andoni Iraola has had to partially rebuild. Victor Munoz was snapped up from Osasuna for £34.5million and has looked lightning-quick in pre-season.
Jeremy Jacquet's £60m move from Rennes has been finalised and Ronald Araujo brings experience to the back-line after completing a year-long loan move from Barcelona. The Reds hold a £47.1m option to buy him next summer, but they may not be done there after having a £50m bid rejected for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh on Thursday.
Now, club captain Virgil van Dijk has issued an ultimatum to all the new arrivals and potential incomings. The ECHOtakes a look at the latest out of Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk ultimatum
Van Dijk will embark on the new season alongside a fresh centre-back partner following Ibrahima Konate's departure to Real Madrid. Either Jacquet or Araujo will line up next to him, though Van Dijk has spoken out ahead of the campaign, giving his peers the ultimatum: "If you're not up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place."
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks back during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio
Van Dijk has called for action(Image: Getty)
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He said: "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."
Reds allow three to leave
Elsewhere, Liverpool have sanctioned young forward Kieran Morrison's move to Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the 2026/27 campaign. Calvin Ramsay and Ifeanyi Ndukwe are set to follow him out of Anfield.
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 signed for Sheffield Wednesday(Image: Getty)
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Morrison, aged 19, penned a fresh contract with the Reds in May and made his full international bow for Northern Ireland in June. Ramsay has featured infrequently since arriving at Liverpool from Aberdeen in 2022, having had spells at Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock in the intervening years.
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Reports now indicate that he is poised to join St. Mirren on loan. With his contract expiring next summer, his time at the Reds could effectively be drawing to a close. Ndukwe, the final player heading out the door, made a significant impression during pre-season.
However, work permit complications mean the 18-year-old centre-back is unable to feature in senior football for the Reds just yet. As a result, he is being sent out on loan to Spanish outfit Levante and has already touched down ahead of a switch to La Liga, where he will remain until at least January.