Liverpool

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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I can't wait to get back to the real action on the field in the Premier League this weekend. There are the usual raft of stories and intrigues, but it is hard to look past the game of the weekend.

Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday and if there was ever a match to prove a major point, this is it for both sides.

A Chelsea win and they can claim they are bona fide challengers for the top four, as they would only be a point behind the Reds, who are currently top.

With home advantage, Arne Slot's Liverpool would love to put a seven-point gap between them and the wealthy whippersnappers from down south.

It is a tough one to call. Liverpool must be favourites as Chelsea haven't beaten them in the past nine meetings but this is the current league leaders' biggest challenge yet.

For once, playing away from home might not be a negative for the Blues.

They have won all three of their away Premier League games this season with a combined score of 10-2. Liverpool beware.

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We asked if you think Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate or Caoimhin Kelleher should have their contracts extended at Anfield.

Here are some of your comments:

Marc: Kelleher is clearly not good enough to be the number one keeper otherwise Mamardashvili would not have been signed. Konate continues to be hit and miss, with at least one significant error every game. Robertson deserves a new contract.

Jay: Konate seems to have reached his ceiling with us. That’s echoed with the French squad where he can’t get in the team. I think we should keep him but look for another centre-back. Robertson was superb when we were winning trophies alongside a pre-injury Virgil van Dijk but again, we should look to replace. He’s not even pulling up trees as Scotland’s captain.

Anthony: Liverpool should be renewing all current contracts, after all these players have given so much glory and should be rewarded.

Jake: I think Konate is the main boy. Robertson is getting a bit old and Kelleher could leave because of Mamardashvili, but Konate has got quite a lot of potential for Liverpool.

Chris: I'd love Kelleher to stay. He's shown he's good enough to be number one at the elite level, has the desire to be playing regularly and we're bringing in Giorgi Mamardashvili next season. There's no guarantee he'd be starting and that's not what he wants. I think putting him up for sale would probably be the smart move.

Liverpool are interested in defender Loic Bade as a replacement for their Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, 33. However, Sevilla will not listen to offers below 20m euros for the 24-year-old Frenchman. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Conor Bradley says he can take inspiration from his Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk when leading Northern Ireland.

After Jonny Evans retired from international football in August, manager Michael O'Neill has said he will rotate the armband around his squad. It was Bradley who skippered the side in the 0-0 draw against Belarus in the Nations League at the weekend last weekend and he will do so again when Bulgaria visit Windsor Park on Tuesday.

Bradley says he is aiming to "lead by example" and cites Van Dijk's approach with Liverpool as something he seeks to emulate.

"He's always one of the best players in training every day and that's something I aspire to be," said the 21-year-old.

"Virgil is quite a role model."

While Bradley will be starting his fourth international of the season on Tuesday, he has only been selected in Arne Slot's line-up once in 2024-25 so far.

"It's a good chance for me to get two 90 minutes under my belt because it's been limited at my club level," he said.

"I am still young; I'm not the complete player. I still have to get better at defending and I still have to get better going forward.

"I'm just trying to learn every day off people like Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Andy Robertson, who are world-class players. I try to take bits of their game and put it into mine."

BBC Sport pundit Fara Williams will be answering your questions, giving her insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former England midfielder?

What can your team achieve after their start to the season? Who has been your best player so far? What does the manager's future hold?

Send in your questions here, external

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When we asked for one thing that no-one is talking about at Liverpool, many people mentioned the need to sort out expiring contracts at the club. There are the three obvious ones we've talked about a lot, of course, but what about the less obvious ones?

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been grabbing the headlines, with all three out of contract at the end of this season.

But elsewhere, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson have less than two years left on their Liverpool deals.

Another player who is out of contract in 2026 is goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Some of you suggested that the 25 year-old should replace Alisson as Arne Slot's number one - there has certainly been plenty of debate over the past week about the Irishman being too good to be a deputy - but the signing of Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili throws a spanner into the works.

What do you think, Liverpool fans? When it comes to Konate, Roberston and Kelleher's contracts, what should be the club's priority? And how do you see the latter fitting into the Reds' goalkeeping future?

Let us know here, external

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An Everton-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Paul asked: Do you see Sean Dyche lasting if and when Everton's takeover is sorted? If we're going to spend any money in January it will be to suit a more forward-thinking manager.

Phil answered: I would be surprised if anything happened with Dyche this season because Everton's sole priority is to stay in the Premier League and he has a track record of being able to do that.

On the other side of that coin, I would also be surprised to see Dyche lead Everton into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next season because when - as seems certain - Dan Friedkin completes his takeover, history tells us new owners want their own men and the timing will coincide with the end of Dyche's contract.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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Where does Trent Alexander-Arnold fit into the England squad? The debate rolls on following Sunday's win over Finland in the Nations League.

Despite being first choice right-back, for England, Manchester City's Kyle Walker - when fit - has been one of the first names on the teamsheet for years, with Kieran Trippier of Newcastle his deputy.

Their form and longevity has been Alexander-Arnold's biggest restriction to playing for the Three Lions since his senior debut in June 2018.

His ability on the ball has never been questioned - and his sublime passing range got him a space in central midfield under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024.

But that experiment did not work and was swiftly shelved.

Now, in the post-Southgate era, interim boss Lee Carsley continues to wrestle with selection dilemmas, as striking the right balance can mean benching in-form players.

Yet Carsley started Alexander-Arnold at right-back in two September internationals, with Walker omitted given his lack of minutes at City at the start of the season. Then last week, against Greece, he was picked over Walker, with the 34-year-old named on the bench.

Back in September, BBC Sport columnist Nedum Onuoha said "it feels like a significant sign" that Carsley named Alexander-Arnold as right-back in his first two games in charge.

Sunday's game in Helsinki was another roll of the dice, as Alexander-Arnold played at left-back, despite having never featured there for club or country before.

That decision indicates England's continued weakness there - with no other natural fit than the currently injured Luke Shaw - but also underlines Carsley's determination to find a role for Alexander-Arnold in his side if not replacing Walker on the right.

It is hard to argue against his impact as well, given he has won player of the match in all three of England's wins under Carsley.

Nevertheless, questions remain over his defensive capability and, regardless of his position on the field, his presence will continue to split opinion.

What position should Alexander-Arnold play in for England?

Check out our poll in this piece