Muslim leader who embraced protesters given award
Adam Kelwick dedicates his award to the people of Liverpool who came together after disorder.
Liverpool take eight-point lead as Salah inspires win at Southampton
Mohamed Salah scores twice as Liverpool come from behind to beat Southampton and move eight points clear at top of Premier League
Arne Slot is making life as Liverpool manager look easy after securing the 14th win of his first 16 games in charge.
Just how far can he take this team this season?
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Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Radio Merseyside reporter Ian Kennedy reacting to Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen: "At one point we were thinking a draw wouldn’t be the worst result in the world in terms of the format of the competition, but they really did come on strong in that second half.
"Leverkusen were well organised, they were dangerous going forward, but we just didn’t see a lot of that apart from a little spell when the game was 3-0 and Kelleher had to make a couple saves.
"Liverpool were really impressive in that second half. Luis Diaz got the hat-trick, I thought Curtis Jones played really well and also Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.
"Slot didn’t have to make changes at half-time, he kept the same team, whatever he said obviously had the desired effect.
"The first goal was just sublime and it was so important in the context of just how tight the game had been. The through ball from Curtis Jones was just a dream and the finish, the little dink from Diaz, was a thing to behold.
"After the second goal there was not really a way back for Leverkusen, Gakpo getting the header in, and it was a bit of an exhibition after that."
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I don't know if it was that much to do with intensity but we took more risk.
"They overloaded the midfield a lot and we adjusted at half-time and took the risk to play one v one all over. We had better chances in the first half and they weren't a goal threat.
"Curtis Jones did an incredible pass and then you have someone with the pace of Lucho [Luis Diaz] to finish it off. The pass was as good as the goal in my opinion.
"You don't look ahead as a manager at the next three months. You're always one game at a time. We've got Aston Villa on Saturday, another tough game."
On Van Dijk: "Virgil sometimes gets criticised about not stepping into the midfield. Now I would advise these people to watch this game today because he was constantly on the front foot."
On Kelleher future: "That's in the future. Jaros is doing well and we have another goalkeeper as well. What I like about today is we only needed him five minutes from the end.
"We're hard to play through but sometimes they play through the press. I like the work rate of the players."
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool's hat-trick hero Luis Diaz, speaking to Amazon Prime: "The most important thing is the three points in this edition of the Champions League so we can keep progressing in the competition.
"Things have gone so well with the new manager, it wasn't easy for him to come in and fill Jurgen Klopp's shoes. Hopefully, we'll have something to show for it at the end of the season.
"We have top-quality players all over the pitch and I really enjoyed playing in that position today. I'm just happy to be on the pitch.
"I need to go and find that ball now because I need to keep it somewhere special at home."
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool have won all four of their Champions League games under Arne Slot.
It is only the second time that they have won all four opening games in a single season (also in 2021-22 under Jurgen Klopp when they won their first seven).
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah's two assists against Bayer Leverkusen means he has set up at least one goal in three consecutive Champions League matches for the first time in his career.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Liverpool's display here, external
Come back to this page on Wednesday to read a selection of replies
Two Premier League clubs are in Champions League action on Tuesday, with both matches getting under way at 20:00 GMT.
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Sporting v Manchester City
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Everton defender Martin Keown "sincerely hopes" the Toffees can return to their former glory days and steer clear of relegation battles.
Keown, who spent fours years at the club between 1989 and 1993, spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside: "Looking back to when I was there it was volatile and it has certainly been volatile in the last couple of years too.
"The stadium is the next thing but it is a sad season to wave goodbye to Goodison Park. It is a wonderful place, great atmosphere there and the fans would really drive you on. I really appreciated their support when I was there, that's for sure.
"I loved playing for Everton. It is a real hotbed of football, that is what took me there. I loved every minute of living there but it just didn't happen on the pitch for me, for one reason or another.
"There were some big characters, big people, and everyone loved their football. It was a turbulent time but nonetheless I loved being there."
Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist
There were bits of wizardry.
Image source, Getty ImagesFrom magical players.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere were rockets.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd bangers.
Image source, Getty ImagesLandmarks.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd clangers.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhile some Guy's like Ruud are always remembered.
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Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Everton midfielder Mark Pembridge says Sean Dyche needs to be less "regimental" and "mix up" his attacking options to start games better.
Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Pembridge said: "He's quite regimental in the 4-3-2-1 formation, but you have to work on the training pitch and look at what players you have available to play certain systems.
"Midway through the first-half [against Southampton] he could have tweaked it a little bit to get them on the ball and creating.
"If you mix up the attacking options then you might get a little bit more joy from it.
"Goals change games and you don't want to keep chasing games."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked if you agree with our fan writer that Kostas Tsimikas should now be regarded as Liverpool's starting left-back ahead of Andy Robertson.
We also wanted to know which left-backs you think the club could potentially look at bringing in.
Here are some of your comments:
Kevin: How quickly players are written off! Robertson has had a few indifferent games but he remains a class player. The Euros took a toll on him and he is probably more suited to Liverpool's style under Jurgen Klopp than the more cautious gameplan now. I agree Tsimikas has been excellent. We have two class left-backs with years to play, so why waste money?
Tommy: Robertson literally had no pre-season because of injuries and we have fans talking up Tsimikas, who is nowhere near the player the Scot is.
Adam: Yes, we need a new, young left-back, but who are the candidates? I think Tsimikas should be first choice in the meantime. He has been playing well and deserves a chance. Robertson is coming to the end of his time, but he can remain as cover in the short-term.
Alan: Antonee Robinson from Fulham - 100%. He is a ready-made, Liverpool-style full-back. He is all action and he has a good delivery. It would depend on cost though because he's not young.
Josh: Rayan Ait-Nouri and Antonee Robinson have years left and show weekly that they have the quality to match the Premier League requirements.
Ian: Robertson is past his best and, although Tsimikas is playing well, we still need to invest in a younger left-back for the future. As with every other position, even though you may be happy with the performances, you still need to plan ahead for continued success or you could end up like Manchester United.
Marco: We will get a left-back in Owen Beck once he is back from loan!
Ian: I'm not sure if Jurgen Klopp mentioned to Arne Slot that Joe Gomez had a good run at left-back for him. For me, he is the one I would prefer to play in that position until Robertson gets back to his best.
Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaFor the first time in his Liverpool career, Kostas Tsimikas should now be regarded as the starting left-back.
For years, the Greece international has been Andy Robertson's understudy, but it is telling that the Scot played against Brighton in the Carabao Cup last week and Tsimikas was brought back into the side for the Premier League game.
Tsimikas is simply playing better than Robertson, both defensively and offensively.
On Saturday at Anfield, Tsimikas was one of Liverpool's better players, proving adept in one-on-one battles, while whipping dangerous balls into the box with his left foot.
Robertson used to be an assist monster, hitting double figures in the Premier League in three separate seasons in his pomp, but he is yet to register one this term.
Tsimikas is 28, two years younger than his team-mate, who has not been at his best for some time now.
Left-back is a position Liverpool need to strengthen in upcoming windows, though. Tsimikas has been doing well, but he has still got a mistake in the locker and sometimes his decision making can be questioned.
A high-level, younger left-back, with potential to massively improve, could be targeted in January.
Liverpool are top of the Premier League, but there are holes in the squad.
Taking advantage of Arsenal and Manchester City's struggles by bolstering the squad could properly help the title push.
Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external
What do you think, Reds fans? Do you agree with Jordan about the roles of Tsimikas and Robertson? And are there any left-backs the club should be targeting to sign? Have your say here, external
Image source, Getty ImagesXabi Alonso has said "there is no time for tourism" before his return to Anfield with his Bayer Leverkusen side on Tuesday.
The Spaniard made 210 appearances for the Reds in a spell from 2004 to 2009 and helped the club win the 2005 Champions League.
After guiding Leverkusen unbeaten to the Bundesliga title last season and only losing one game in all competitions, Alonso was initially favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp, but decided to stay with the German side.
Alonso said: "Let's talk about the game - it's more interesting than my future. Let's talk about the great players on both sides - that is what is in my head.
"For us, it is a big challenge to come here. Liverpool, at the moment, is one of the best if not the best in Europe.
"It's a good squad, a good coach. At Anfield, it's a big challenge. We're looking forward to it. Let's see what happens."
When asked about the d about the reception he will get on his return to Merseyside and the possibility of the crowd singing his name, Alonso replied: "We will see. I will tell you after the game how I feel.
"There will be a moment for everything, but the main thing is not me. It's the players and how we deal with the emotions you have in this stadium."
Liverpool are keen on 17-year-old Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, with the Portugal Under-21 international also interesting Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus. (Teamtalk), external
Bayern Munich are considering a move for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, with Liverpool also interested in the 25-year-old Egypt international. (Sky Germany), external
