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Clinton Morrison delves into the biggest headlines of the week, from Andoni Iraola’s move to Liverpool and Anthony Gordon’s transfer to Barcelona, to England’s preparations ahead of their first World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand.

Starting with Andoni Iraola’s appointment at Liverpool, I believe he’s an ideal fit — an obvious choice, really. The style of football his Bournemouth side played spoke volumes: high pressing, relentless energy, and a proactive approach. Now, with even better players at his disposal and further reinforcements expected in the summer, he’s poised to elevate Liverpool’s performances.

Some critics argue that Iraola hasn’t managed a club of Liverpool’s stature before. But considering how he guided Bournemouth to a sixth-place finish, imagine what he could achieve with Liverpool’s resources and talent pool.

The football under his guidance will likely be more entertaining as well. I recall many Liverpool fans calling for Arne Slot’s departure months ago, to which I said, “be patient, he delivered the Premier League title.” Still, the fanbase lost faith in Slot quickly. During my visits to Anfield, it was evident — the boos following every failed decision made his position untenable.

Slot will surely find another opportunity soon, but his exit came at the right time. Mohamed Salah’s statement before Slot’s departure also carried immense weight — when Salah speaks, people pay attention.

Before Xabi Alonso’s switch to Chelsea, rumours circulated that he might replace Slot at Liverpool. While that didn’t happen, Alonso remains at a top club in Chelsea and could one day lead Liverpool. When a club of Chelsea’s stature makes an approach, you simply can’t say no. Talks about him moving to Anfield likely took place, but now that he’s headed to Stamford Bridge, I expect him to excel there. He’s a top-level manager, and with the right support, Chelsea will thrive.

Another major development is Anthony Gordon’s £70 million transfer to Barcelona. I understand the rationale — big clubs need rotation options, especially with injuries always a threat. That said, Marcus Rashford had an outstanding season and might have been a cheaper alternative, which makes Barcelona’s decision to finalise the Gordon deal first somewhat surprising. Personally, I rate Rashford higher; when he’s on form, few can match his quality.

Nevertheless, this is a dream move for Anthony Gordon. For any young player, Barcelona or Real Madrid represent the pinnacle of ambition. Gordon wasn’t getting enough minutes at Newcastle towards the end of the season, as Eddie Howe preferred Harvey Barnes. Now, he has a golden opportunity to prove himself at one of the world’s greatest clubs, in front of passionate supporters. I still hope Rashford secures a major move of his own soon.

Turning to the transfer market, it appears Manchester United are close to signing Ederson from Atalanta. Replacing Casemiro was vital, as they’ve lacked depth in central midfield. Kobbie Mainoo is the only real option at present, and Manuel Ugarte hasn’t impressed enough, in my opinion.

That’s why I expect United to bring in another central midfielder even after Ederson’s arrival. The club has been linked with several names — Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham among them.

Ederson’s signing, however, is an excellent one. For those who don’t follow Serie A, he’s a complete midfielder — energetic, dynamic, and capable of covering huge distances while contributing in attack.

United addressed their attacking needs in the previous summer window, which helped them secure a Champions League spot. If they strengthen their midfield further and add a few defenders, they could be serious contenders next season.

Looking ahead, England’s immediate focus is their first World Cup warm-up against New Zealand tonight. These matches are about building match sharpness. Players can’t afford to enter a major tournament after weeks without game time — there’s a huge difference between fitness and match readiness. For players like Anthony Gordon, who saw limited minutes at Newcastle, these games are crucial.

John Stones also needs playing time, though he must manage his fitness carefully. His recurring injuries are a concern, but his defensive quality is unquestionable. His partnership with Marc Guéhi at the Euros was exceptional, and England will need that chemistry again on the world stage.

These warm-up fixtures are vital for Stones. He must feature against both New Zealand and Costa Rica and, most importantly, stay injury-free. Any setback now could jeopardise his chances of making the World Cup squad.