Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said the club’s revamped ⁠backline would require some time to click into gear, despite describing new signings ‌Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet as “good players”.

Ibrahima Konate ‌and Andy Robertson’s departures, as well as ‌Joe Gomez’s muscle injury in the club’s ‌opening pre-season match, have forced Liverpool to ‌rebuild their defence.

The Merseyside club strengthened their options by signing Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on ‌a season-long loan from Barcelona, while ⁠Frenchman Jeremy Jacquet ‌joined the club in the summer after being ​signed in February.


Araujo and Jacquet both featured in a 2-0 friendly victory ​over Italian club Como at Anfield on Sunday, with the latter also scoring a ⁠goal.

Asked how he ​could forge strong partnerships with his new teammates, veteran Van Dijk told reporters: “By playing games. I won’t say it’s the only ‌way, but games are totally different than training.

“Obviously, Jeremy’s English is, I would say, a bit better than Ronald, but at the end of the day, we all pretty good footballers and we can see and smell some moments, how to defend certain situations.

“It’s pretty clear that you need ‌to form a connection together and take ​a bit of time. But it’s, ‌in my opinion, absolutely normal. But hopefully, we can get that going as quickly as possible.”

Liverpool, who finished fifth last season, will start their Premier League season ⁠at Newcastle ⁠United on August ‌23.

Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil made a double raid on his former club Strasbourg to sign Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara on Monday.

Enciso is back at Ipswich in a deal worth a reported £25 million ($33 million) after spending six months on loan from Brighton in 2025 in a spell that ended in the Tractor Boys’ relegation from the Premier League.

The Paraguay winger, who played for his country at the recent World Cup, joined Strasbourg in September 2025, impressing O’Neil enough to earn a five-year contract after the manager’s move to Ipswich in the close-season.

“I really enjoyed my time on loan at the club and I was so happy to see them win promotion back to the Premier League last season,” Enciso said.

“I worked with the manager in France last season and the chance to play for him again at a great club like Ipswich is one I’m very excited for.”

Ipswich won promotion to the Premier League in May under the management of Kieran McKenna, who quit at the end of last season.

Ahead of Ipswich’s Premier League opener at home to Sunderland on Saturday, Ivorian forward Ouattara was also reunited with O’Neil at Portman Road.

Ouattara, 20, signed a contract lasting until 2031 to complete his £17 million move to England.

“Abdoul is a talented young player who can play in different positions, so is a very good addition to our squad,” O’Neil said.

“We enjoyed working with him in France last season and are delighted to have the opportunity to do so again at Ipswich.”

Manchester United have reiterated their stance that club captain Bruno Fernandes is not for sale this summer.

Fernandes was vital in United’s charge to UEFA Champions League qualification at the back end of last season as he broke the EPL record for assists with 21 goals laid on.

The 31-year-old has been consistently linked with a move away from Old Trafford, with the Saudi Pro League regularly tipped for a fresh offer, after he turned them down last summer.

His current contract expires in June 2027, with the club holding an option to extend by another 12 months, which is currently being negotiated to activate.

His £57M release clause will remain in place, but as per BBC Sport, Michael Carrick will demand the club keep his Portuguese maestro in place.

Turkish giants Galatasaray, plus Italian duo Juventus and AC Milan, have been linked with offers of around £50M – but United are unmoved – ahead of their Premier League season opener at Hull City on August 22nd.