Liverpool stars withdraws from squad hours before Premier League opener

Ben Doak won't be taking to the pitch for Liverpool tonight as he's on the brink of a transfer to their opponents, Bournemouth. The two teams are set to clash in the inaugural Premier League match of the season at Anfield.

Bournemouth is nearing a £25million agreement for the Scottish international, having outmanoeuvred Porto and Stuttgart. Doak, 19, is eager to stay in the Premier League after spending the previous season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.

Liverpool shelled out £600,000 to secure the promising youngster from Celtic in 2022, with high expectations under Jurgen Klopp. However, injuries and the calibre of players ahead of him have hindered his progress, and he will now pursue regular first-team football on the south coast.

The deal could trigger a chain reaction of deals with Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara poised to join Brentford for up to £42.5m. That could then see the Bees part ways with Yoane Wissa who has not been training with the club as he looks to join Newcastle.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, Wissa is not seen as a replacement for Alexander Isak by the Magpies. The Reds saw a bid knocked back for the Sweden forward who continues to train separately from Newcastle's first team.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Newcastle 's Premier League opener against Aston Villa, Eddie Howe suggested there had been no progress in any direction over the 25-year-old's future.

"Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while, and that will continue to be the case," he said. That did not prevent a barrage of questions however.

"I've had a great relationship with Alex," he said. "You need that with every player. I take my part in that relationship really importantly. I have to work really closely with the player to his benefit."

Asked if a fresh bid had been placed for Isak, Howe responded: "No, there has been no change, all my focus has been on training and Villa and the transfer front."

Asked if the star forward could remain at St James' Park beyond the transfer deadline, he said: "At the moment I would say yes but I've had no change of feeling throughout the summer. He's contracted to us but it's out of my hands."