Image source, Getty ImagesThe football never stops.
Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.
The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.
So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have pulled out of talks to buy French club Bordeaux.
FSG had announced earlier in July that they had entered discussions to acquire the struggling Ligue 2 side.
In a statement released on Tuesday, FSG said: "After a comprehensive and constructive discussions with all stakeholders, Fenway Sports Group has decided not to continue to pursue the acquisition of FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
"We extend our gratitude to the President of the DNCG and its members for the opportunity to engage with them and thank the entire leadership team in the region and beyond for their collaboration over the past few weeks as we sought to find a solution.
"Although we are disappointed not to have found a viable outcome, we wish the club and its supporters well for the future."
Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are interested in RB Leipzig's 24-year-old French defender Mohamed Simakan. (Sky Germany), external
Image source, ReutersLiverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo was included in Opta's team of Euro 2024.
He has scored six goals in 11 games across the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, with Kylian Mbappe (nine) the only European player to net more.
Gakpo also scored and assisted in the Netherlands' win in the round of 16, becoming the first Dutch player to do so in a knockout stage game at the European Championship since Frank Rijkaard in the 1992 semi-final.
Image source, ReutersWhile many in England are lamenting the loss to Spain at Euro 2024, there are a number of players returning to their Premier League clubs draped in silverware.
Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani lo Celso, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez all played their part as Argentina edged Colombia in the Copa America final.
Indeed, it was Lo Celso’s clever through ball that finally unlocked their opponents’ defence in the second half of extra time to set up Inter’s Lautaro Martinez for the winner.
United's Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute as Argentina backed up their 2022 World Cup win with a second consecutive Copa America title.
Some consolation for sad England fans of these clubs this morning.
Marc Guehi is wanted by Liverpool, who have begun negotiations to sign the 24-year-old Crystal Palace and England centre-back. (Fabrizio Romano, via GiveMeSport), external
Liverpool have made 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon and Portugal centre-back Goncalo Inacio a priority transfer target. (CaughtOffside), external
Juventus are keen on 26-year-old Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who has also been linked with Liverpool. (Rudy Galetti), external
Image source, Getty ImagesJurgen Klopp will become an honorary ambassador for the Liverpool Football Club Foundation.
The foundation is the Reds' official charity and works in areas of high need and deprivation across the Liverpool City Region with the aim to deliver sustainable and long-term change for communities.
Former manager Klopp left Anfield after nine years at the end of the season.
The 57-year-old said: "The LFC Foundation does an incredible job in the community, both in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
"I am really proud to continue my work with them and be named the first ever LFC Foundation honorary ambassador. I look forward to seeing what we can do with that now I have more time on my hands."
CEO of the LFC Foundation Matt Parish, added: "Having his support has been priceless for us over the years and to have that continue is fantastic.
"Jurgen's love and passion for the city has been clear throughout his time at the club and it can only benefit us having his support and his voice championing the work that we do."
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool forward Darwin Nunez had a "point to prove" but struggled to make his mark at Copa America.
The Uruguay striker had been in fine form during World Cup qualifying, scoring five goals and making two assists in six games.
It was hoped he would carry that form into the Conmebol tournament but, as with his the Reds last season, missed a number of big chances and saw his side exit in the semi-final to Columbia on Wednesday.
"It's a real shame because for Uruguay and [Marcelo] Bielsa, he [Nunez] has been a different animal," Joyes told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"In the South American World Cup qualifiers, he scored five goals, outscoring Lionel Messi and leading the way. He came into this tournament with more of a point to prove and under Bielsa he has been more vocal about how he has loved that relationship.
"He scored a couple of goals in the group stages - a rather weak group - and missed a few chances. On Wednesday night, he missed three or four huge opportunities in the first half and fizzled out in the second half when Uruguay were chasing the game, so it wasn't the Darwin Nunez tournament we all hoped for."
The 25-year-old was also involved in an altercation with spectators in the stands after Uruguay's 1-0 defeat in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The incident broke out in a section of the stadium where many family members of the Uruguay players were seated and an investigation has now been opened by Conmebol.
"I'm not in a position to say what is going to happen to him," said Joyes. "I think it would be very unfortunate for him to have a ban considering circumstances in and around and looking to protect his family and loved ones."
The United States have made former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp their top candidate to replace Gregg Berhalter. (Independent), external
However, Klopp is not interested in the USA role and would like a break from management. (Athletic - subscription), external
Klopp is also wanted by his native Germany. (Team Talk), external
Image source, Getty ImagesArne Slot has added Aaron Briggs to his backroom staff as first team individual development coach
The 37-year-old, who has most recently worked at Wolfsburg in Germany, has also had roles at Blackpool, Preston North End, Manchester City and AS Monaco.
He joins first assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff, lead physical performance coach Ruben Peeters, and head of first-team goalkeeper coaching Fabian Otte as part of Arne Slot's backroom staff.
Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are possible destinations for 29-year-old France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who became a free agent after his Juventus contract expired last month. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Spain winger Nico Williams, who has attracted interested from Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, has a 55m to 58m euros (£46.5m to £49m) release clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract. (Marca - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has said there are no "negative vibes" within the England squad and manager Gareth Southgate's decision to play him in a substitute role is "part and parcel of football".
Alexander-Arnold started the opening two group games of Euro 2024 in central midfield, but he was dropped for the matches against Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland.
However, he came off the bench against the Swiss to score the winning penalty in the shootout on Saturday.
"The game takes you on a journey," said the 25-year-old. "I would have liked to keep my position in the team and be starting every game, but the manager has made decisions and I respect his decisions.
"And they have worked - we are still in the competition. No matter what, the team always comes first and you have to buy into that.
"You've got to be ready for the moment when it comes and I think the other day I epitomised that more than anything."
Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool are considering appointing former Netherlands centre-back Johnny Heitinga as first-team coach.
Heitinga, who had a spell at Everton during his playing career, has told De Telegraaf newspaper, external in his homeland that he has been approached about taking the role in new Reds manager Arne Slot's coaching set-up.
The 40-year-old was a first-team coach at West Ham last season but left in May following the departure of David Moyes as manager.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to appoint Aaron Briggs as elite development coach.
He would replace Vitor Matos, who left the Liverpool at the same time as ex-boss Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season.
Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool have rejected a bid worth about £4m from Trabzonspor for defender Nat Phillips.
The Reds are looking for significantly more for the 27-year-old and value him at closer to £10m.
Burnley are also believed to be interested in Phillips, who played under new Clarets boss Scott Parker when he led Bournemouth to promotion from the Championship during the 2021-22 season.
Phillips, who has one year left on his Anfield contract, had spells on loan at Celtic and Cardiff City last season.
The centre-back joined Liverpool in in 2016 and has made 29 appearances.
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesTrent Alexander-Arnold scored the winning penalty for England in the penalty shootout against Switzerland in the quarter-final of Euro 2024.
It has been a difficult campaign for Alexander-Arnold after he started the tournament as England’s midfield "experiment" and was then substituted early in the second game.
Gareth Southgate has said he has kept talking to the Liverpool right-back and told him he can still have big moments in an England shirt.
"Trent has stuck with the task," said the Three Lions boss.
"He could have thought his tournament was done, but I kept talking to him about how he can have moments and still have a big part to play.”
Now England have switched to three at the back there is the possibility that Alexander-Arnold can come into the wing-back position.
If not from the start, he can be used from the bench if England need to chase games and look to use his passing ability.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold says the pressure of taking a penalty is something he enjoys rather than dreads.
Alexander-Arnold converted the decisive effort from 12 yards in the shootout with Swtizerland to seal England's place in Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
"It is incredible," he told BBC Radio 5 Live "These are the goals and aims we set for ourselves.
"Switzerland were difficult opponents but the team showed a lot of belief and character. We dug deep when it mattered the most and showed heart.
"We knew it was going to be tight but to get the win from a penalty shootout is all that matters to us.
"It [penalties] is what we practised and they are the moments that I enjoy. When the gaffer told me I was taking one, my belly does not drop.
"I had practised it so I knew what spot I was going for and I just needed to execute it."
Listen to the Football Daily at the Euros podcast on BBC Sounds
New Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been discussing what formation might be seen under his leadership and if he already has an idea of what Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cody Gakpo's best positions are at his first news conference.
Cody Gakpo has scored six times in 10 games at major finals, including three at Euro 2024.
Image source, Getty Images
