Premier League returns at Anfield, ‘no change’ on Isak; transfer news and more - live

3m ago 07.36 EDT Thanks John. Yes, I was spinning a few discs in a Bradford watering hole last night actually. Sham 69, Buzzcocks and Jilted John on the playlist for those interested. Most in the pub weren’t. As for “Kid” Jensen. “In his personal life, David is married to Iceland-born Guðrún. He loves his football and supports Crystal Palace FC, where he is Chairman of Crystal Palace F.C. Vice-President’s Club.” Share Updated at 07.36 EDT

8m ago 07.31 EDT Your lunchtime companion will be West Yorkshire’s answer to David “Kid” Jensen, David Tindall. Share

12m ago 07.26 EDT Ian Copesake gets in touch: “Hürzeler’s comment on Baleba’s new trim is very revealing as the old hippy adage was recently proven by Darwin Núñez: change your hair, change your club.“ Almost…cut my hair… Share

14m ago 07.25 EDT Graeme Neill gets in touch and has this to say: “As great as it is to book a £24m(!) profit on Ben Doak, it is always a shame when a young player doesn’t quite follow through on the potential they once showed. I know not everyone can be a Trent but for every one of him, there are countless Rhian Brewsters, Sheyi Ojos, Ben Woodburns and so on.” Share

16m ago 07.23 EDT Here’s our story on the Doak coming in. Bournemouth close to signing Ben Doak from Liverpool in £25m deal Read more Some further transfer news below: Bayern Munich have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal for Christopher Nkunku. The France forward has fallen out of favour and is one of several attackers expected to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window shuts. Nkunku never really got a run at Chelsea. There’s a player there. Perhaps. Share

40m ago 06.59 EDT Doak set fot move from Liverpool to Bournemouth Ewan Murray Bournemouth are closing in on a deal to sign the Liverpool forward Ben Doak for £25m. The 19-year-old will move on for a huge profit on the £600,000 Liverpool paid Celtic in training compensation in 2022. The Scotland international has been linked with umpteen Premier League clubs and Porto but is expected to remain in England. Doak’s upcoming switch to the south coast comes as Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara is poised to join Brentford for up to £42.5m. View image in fullscreen Ben Doak during the pre-season friendly match with Athletic Club. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images Share

1h ago 06.27 EDT Chelsea need a defender after Levil Colwill’s ACL injury. Will they buy one? It’s possible, according to manager Enzo Maresca. It’s always possible with Chelsea. “We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think - we need a central defender - but we are looking internally.” Share

1h ago 06.14 EDT An addendum to Howe’s stance on Isak. Asked whether the striker could ever play again for Newcastle, Howe said this: ““Yes, I believe there is, but of course discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen.” Share Updated at 06.26 EDT

1h ago 06.11 EDT Ben Fisher speaks to Aston Villa’s playmaker, Youri Tielemans. “I always feel like once I’m in that rhythm, I feel the best I can be, really. When I’m in that rhythm, you just play, recover, play, recover, and you just get used to it and hopefully, I can do that again. We’re obviously well tracked by medical and technical staff – there are a lot of things going on backstage, I would say, where you have to just give your body the best chance possible to perform.” ‘Don’t lose those stupid points’: Youri Tielemans on Aston Villa lessons, Emery and aiming high Read more Share

2h ago 06.03 EDT Noel Patrick has a suggestion: “You really should have a feature on Mondays to evaluate how the previous weekend’s “10 things to look out for...” went.” I’ll put it to the editorial board. Share

2h ago 05.55 EDT 'No change' on Isak - Eddie Howe speaks Eddie Howe – and his nephew – have had quite the summer in the recruitment game. Of Alexander Isak, Howe would not say whether he will play against Aston Villa. Vibes: doubtful. Instead, the signing of Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey is a useful addition. I am really pleased, it has been a slow burner this summer. We tried to be active early, that didn’t happen. Then you’re trying to turn things in a positive way. Gradually piece by piece we have been becoming stronger. We have quality players coming in. The top end of the pitch is not ideal, but we have time. “In early pre-season, I have not shied away from it being a difficult time. You could see that in our performances. But the players are strong mentally, the mood has been good, performances recently have been better. The group has reacted well. Sometimes these things can have a good effect, and we were close anyway. These things can unify you in a way you didn’t know possible.” On Isak: “There has been no change. All my focus is on Aston Villa tomorrow. Isak’s situation has been clear for a while and that will continue to be the case. I’ve had a great relationship with him, you need that partnership with every player. I have to work really closely with the player for his benefit, to try and improve them. I always want to be there for him. “I don’t think Isak would have done as well without that, his team mates, the supporters - he recognises that, he’s an intelligent person.” Share

2h ago 05.40 EDT Hurzeler confident Baleba stays at Brighton Fabian Hurzeler has had brief words to say on Manchester United’s pursuit of Carlos Baleba: “Very very very confident, that’s just my belief.” Brighton welcome Fulham tomorrow. Now, will Baleba play? Or be pulled out as Wissa has been by Brentford. “I didn’t see any change, he’s only changed his hair. I think that’s the change he’s made in the last two weeks. But overall he seems to be in a really good place, he’s enjoying it with his team-mates, he’s enjoying being a Brighton player. “I didn’t see any big changes and he’s an option to start tomorrow”. Share Updated at 05.41 EDT

2h ago 05.22 EDT And on that bombshell, I’ll hand you over to John Brewin for more hot build-up. Enjoy. Share

2h ago 05.20 EDT There’s a fair bit of talk ahead of the big Premier League kick-off that we could witness a four-team title race this season. This is how the bookies see it. The Manchester United price isn’t a misprint. 7/4 Liverpool

5/2 Arsenal

7/2 Manchester City

8/1 Chelsea

25/1 Man Utd

50/1 Tottenham, Newcastle

80/1 Aston Villa Share

3h ago 04.24 EDT Florian Wirtz makes his Premier League debut tonight. With his control, vision, movement and weight of pass, he’s a delightful footballer and it’s easy to see why Liverpool paid the big bucks. Arne Slot is thrilled to have the German on board but offered a tinge of realism in his press conference. Arne Slot insists Florian Wirtz must reach Salah’s level to meet Liverpool expectations Read more Share

3h ago 04.13 EDT Here’s Barney Ronay as the starting gun prepares to fire on the new Premier League season. There are very good reasons why this thing has become the world’s dominant pop cultural stage. It works. No matter how sated you might have become by the end of the last one, there is always renewal and fresh hunger. Albeit with an even stronger sense this time of shifting planes, hard lines dissolving, a Premier League that is, for the first time in some time, a little menaced by omens, portents and notes of horn-parping rapture. Premier League’s big show is back, full of thrills but facing new threat to its power | Barney Ronay Read more Share

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