Liverpool chief makes transfer 'prediction' after Newcastle Anthony Gordon 'offer'

LIVERPOOL'S new sporting director Richard Hughes expects the transfer market to settle down after a frantic "flurry" at the end of June - but says the Reds will be "opportunistic" between now and the end of the window.

It comes after Anthony Gordon discussions were held between Liverpool and Newcastle United ahead of last week's June 30 accounting deadline as the Magpies battled to ensure they remained compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations

Conversations, which also included a potential move to Newcastle for Jarell Quansah, broke down and the financial pressure has eased on Newcastle after the exit of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson.

But what's not clear at this stage is whether Liverpool will revive their interest in Gordon before the summer window is out.

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Liverpool have not yet made any signings this summer but Hughes - who flanked Arne Slot at his unveiling on Friday morning - is calm and while he prepares for a quiet month he expects a late flurry of activity in the Premier League in August.

“It is hard to say and speak industry-wide,” said Hughes, who joined Liverpool from Bournemouth.

"Naturally, when major competitions are on in the summer, World Cup, European Championship, in this case a Copa America and the Olympics as well, so there is a lot of football being played. Naturally, the attention is there. After the flurry in June, it will calm down now is my prediction for the month of July.

“Then, like always, when August starts and coaches have had more time to work with players, I think the opinions will then be more set at football clubs.

“You then may see a situation in August, like in previous seasons, where there is a little bit of a hurry to get things done and to make sure everyone's squads are in order.

“I don’t think this will be any different, but who knows what will transpire economically? It is hard to say and speak for other clubs. I see a quiet July, then a crescendo in August."

It's not clear at this stage what Liverpool plan or hope to do in the window and which areas Slot has identified as requiring work, but Hughes said: “We need to improve; we need to improve on the training pitch first and foremost, as Arne said. With the window open, we'll always be opportunistic if we can."

Pressed on transfer and whether he has plans to improve his squad this summer, Slot said: "No, not in specific numbers. We've inherited a good team. With the way I look at football, I can see how important it is to work on a daily basis.

"There is already a really good team. We made a few good signings last year. Normally you see things will improve."

Gordon is currently out in Germany with England at the European Championships but looks set for more selection frustration on Saturday. Despite his terrific form for Newcastle at the end of last season and England's underwhelming displays so far, the former Everton forward has been limited to one late cameo in the group stage draw with Slovenia.

Southgate looks set to tinker for Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland but it's the shape he's changing rather than making significant alterations to personnel and Gordon again looks set to have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Meanwhile, tickets for Newcastle's Sela Weekender in August are now on general sale.

The Magpies will face Champions League sides Girona and Stade Brestois on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10.

Newcastle Women will continue their preparations for life in the Barclays Women's Championship by challenging a soon-to-be-confirmed opponent, with that game taking place on the Saturday.