Every training session I watch makes me more confident of the season ahead. Some monster seshes the boys are clearly enjoying.
That was my take from watching the sessions, the enjoyment.
They seem to really love the intensity and the competitive nature of the training
Looks so cool
.
So looks like Siesta is a thing now at the AXA.
Why would his surname change because his nun got remarried? The story is NQR
Had to double check then in case of a typo - his mum (mother) rather than nun (sister) married a Mr King and took his name.

The poor kid never stood a chance really, started primary school as Joe Hiscock, finished it as Joseph King.
Clearly I meant mum. Autocorrect must think I write more about nuns…
But why would his name change? He’d keep his birth surname, regardless of his mothers’ situation; it doesn’t make sense.
Maybe it depends, I went out with a girl at the end of senior school days who had changed her surname after her mum remarried.
It’s not automatic in the UK but they can change if everyone with parental responsibility agrees, a court order is made or the step parent adopts them.
It can get really messy - I have ended up as a single father, my non-biological son uses my surname even though his mother long since abandoned us and filed for divorce. When we discussed it he sees me as his father, the only one he has ever known and he didn’t want to use his biological fathers surname or his mother’s maiden name as neither have been part of his life for years.
In Joe’s case his father had been in the military and died in service, both him and his sister took on the new step fathers name but I’m not familiar with the formal process that they went through - I was 10 at the time so had other things on my mind.
The original point/joke about nicknames stands though - there was a kid in my school who had the name Joe King which we found hilarious.
Jokes are a lot less funny when you have to explain them and this place really needs a Liverpool signing!
https://x.com/LFC/status/2090768546779275330
A Scouser has suddenly popped up again in the latest video.
Edit
Oh, The club just deleted it again—strange.
Starting soon
https://www.youtube.com/live/9w6ZQ8W4cpk?si=gLXk_fN0R9ou9fuk
Press conference live stream link
https://x.com/davidlynchlfc/status/2090782594543517825
Edit
Is that down to the rule change about the captain (or a designated player) going off for a minute if there is a goalkeeper injury but the rules also saying you have to play with a Goalkeeper?
My Drama teacher at school was called Jeff Hook. He actually told us that.
Yes, he said it’s because of the new rules.
Edit
Premier League rules also state that only the captain is allowed to speak to the referee, and that is usually too complicated for a goalkeeper. He explained this to Alisson, too.
My high school PE teacher was Mr Bland, turned out he was anything but - got suspended for supervising the boys changing room a bit to diligently then was made the PSHE teacher (sex ed) and sacked within the month.
So looks like no new last minute signings before the registration deadline to play against Newcastle, still time for a cheeky Lewis Hall and Livramento double bid so they don’t play though ![]()
Iraola on Newcastle:
“I think Matthias, we knew him from before but first game you over analyse everything. We don’t have so many friendlies to reference but in the end it doesn’t change the style too much. They will be strong in transitions, fast, physical, atmosphere will be strong, so not an easy to be playing first game. We have to be ready."
Iraola v Newcastle:
Match-by-Match Results
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2023–24 Premier League (November 11, 2023): Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth 2–0 Newcastle United (Dominic Solanke double)
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2023–24 Premier League (February 17, 2024): St. James’ Park — Newcastle United 2–2 Bournemouth (Solanke and Semenyo)
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2024–25 Premier League (August 25, 2024): Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth 1–1 Newcastle United (Marcus Tavernier scored; late winner disallowed by VAR)
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2024–25 Premier League (January 18, 2025): St. James’ Park — Newcastle United 1–4 Bournemouth (Justin Kluivert hat-trick and Milos Kerkez sealed a dominant away win)
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2025–26 Premier League (September 21, 2025): Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth 0–0 Newcastle United (Hard-fought defensive clean sheet for both sides)
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2025–26 FA Cup Third Round (January 11, 2026): St. James’ Park — Newcastle United 3–3 Bournemouth (Newcastle advanced 7–6 on penalties after a thrilling cup draw)
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2025–26 Premier League (April 18, 2026): St. James’ Park — Newcastle United 1–2 Bournemouth (Tavernier and a late Adrien Truffert winner extended Bournemouth’s unbeaten streak)
I missed the press conference, mainly because I am on holiday, but partly because 13:30 is a bit of an awkward time for me. I wonder if this is a preferred time for him.
Anyway, nicked from the Beeb, here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Iraola said he is “excited” for the Premier League’s return this weekend and believes he has “good players” who give him a chance to fight for “everything”.
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The Liverpool manager added that, although he would like to add to his squad before the transfer window closes, he “does not spend too much time thinking about it” and instead insisted he will have to “adapt”.
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He said that, although he valued Curtis Jones highly, the midfielder made it clear he wanted to leave Liverpool when the pair held talks during the first week of pre-season.
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Iraola also backed teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni to step up and be a “valuable” player, should Jones complete a move to Inter Milan. He explained: “I am very happy with Trey. Very, very happy. He has been very good in pre-season. Not only in the games but also when he trains with us and faces top-level players. I have no doubts with Trey. He will be very valuable for us this season and I hope he plays a lot.”
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On the overall state of his squad as the season begins: “We are not at 100%, but I am happy in the sense that I think we are at a level where we can compete, win games and still be a good team. We definitely need to improve. We will improve. We will try to do it as quickly as possible, but there are always processes.”
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Following the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson at the end of last season, Iraola said Liverpool have young players “willing” to take on the minutes and “leadership roles” going into a new era at Anfield.
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On the importance of keeping Alexander Isak fit, Iraola said: “I think he had a very good World Cup in terms of availability and fitness levels, and I want to keep him there for as long as we can. We know his level and, if we can keep him there, he will score goals and give us a lot.”
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It was also confirmed that Alisson Becker, Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai will act as vice-captains to Virgil van Dijk this season, though the former is unlikely to wear the armband due to the complexity of Premier League rules allowing only only captains to speak to referees.
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Iraola offered some insight on an unseen aspect of settling in which relates to working with a new team of performance analysts: “The analyst group is very important at clubs. I have come with one analyst who has helped me integrate into the group. I think we are in a good place, but I want us, just like the team, to improve our working relationships, connections and half-time processes because that is the best way to help the players.”