Liverpool

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Kostas Tsimikas "still has a lot to do" to take the Liverpool left-back slot off Andy Robertson long term, according to ex-Reds defender Jim Beglin.

There has been plenty of debate this season as to who should be Arne Slot's first choice in the position - one that Robertson has had tied down since the 2017-18 campaign under Jurgen Klopp.

Former left-back Beglin, who played for Liverpool between 1983 and 1989, told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Tsimikas has done well in the games he's stood in for Robertson. As to whether we're going to see a big change in that regard, I'm not so sure.

"Robertson has gone hard at it for years under Klopp - he gave Klopp everything. He's probably been the best left-back Liverpool have ever had.

"Knowing his character, knowing his feistyness, he's not backing off. He's going to give everything he's got to reclaim his place and say: 'I'm the number one for this position again.'

"Tsimikas has gained ground. Tsimikas has done enough this season to threaten him a little bit. But he still has a lot to do to completely offload him."

Listen to more from Beglin - including on Arne Slot, Ibrahima Konate and Caoimhin Kelleher - on BBC Sounds

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Everton are monitoring Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey, 24, but look set to to be beaten by West Ham in the race to sign the Ghana international on a free transfer in the summer. (Football Insider), external

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

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Alisson sustained a hamstring injury during Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace on 5 October and has not played since.

The 32-year-old Brazilian has been Liverpool's number one since his £66.8m move from Roma in 2018 - playing 271 times and winning the Champions League and Premier League.

At another club, against another goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher might have hoped four clean sheets in eight games would be enough to keep his place.

But Reds boss Arne Slot has made it perfectly clear that is not an option.

"Alisson is - and will be - our first goalkeeper, if he is fit," Slot said after Liverpool's win over Aston Villa - in which 25-year-old Kelleher made some fantastic saves.

"Caoimhin has done outstanding last season and this season again as well, but the moment Alisson will be fit he will be our first goalkeeper.''

However, Liverpool legend John Aldridge, writing in a Liverpool Echo column, external, does not think it should be such a straightforward decision.

"Caoimhin Kelleher has been magnificent and I actually think Arne Slot has got a really big decision to make in the next few weeks.

"Once Alisson is fit, I don't think it's fair that Kelleher gets demoted to the bench," said the former Republic of Ireland striker.

"He has been absolutely first-class. He has been faultless with everything he's done in the games, and I think [Alisson] will be looking at it and be embarrassed if he went back in because he has done such a good job."

But Slot's quotes tell us that decision has already been made...

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Earlier, we asked you who scored Liverpool's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Diogo Jota, who netted in the 2-0 win at Ipswich on 17 August.

Things are possibly starting to look up at Everton, who are three points above the relegation zone after just one defeat in their past seven Premier League games.

Supporters are also looking forward to The Friedkin Group takeover of the club.

But what is one thing - good or bad - that nobody is really talking about in relation to Everton?

Let us know here, external

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It would "make sense" to extend Mohamed Salah's Liverpool contract as he still "loves" playing for the club, says journalist and author Simon Hughes.

With the forward's deal set to run out in the summer and no new contract yet in place, there has been questions around Salah's future with the Reds.

A recent cryptic social media post after scoring against Brighton led to concern from fans his time with the club may be coming to an end, but Hughes is less sure.

"He [Salah] loves playing for Liverpool," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"People will argue all day long - does he really love playing for Liverpool? Or does he just love the fact he is a great player at Liverpool?

"A lot can be gleaned by just looking at the way he reacts to scoring a goal, particularly in front of the Kop. He has really taken that in and he takes a lot of confidence from playing at Liverpool and the support and love he gets from the crowd.

"I don't think he underestimates that and the impact that has on him to perform at the levels he does."

Despite the uncertainty around his future, the 32-year-old has continued to shine at the highest level - already notching up 10 goals and 10 assists so far this season.

"It would make sense, both on his part and the club's part, to extend this relationship for at least another two years," Hughes added.

"It will be very difficult for Liverpool's owners if he finishes this season for the eighth year in a row on 20-plus goals.

"And it is not just the goals but the impact on the matches he has too. He is scoring goals in big games still and it is not easy to replace that.

"It is very easy to let greatness go away, but it is a lot more difficult to rediscover it. I just hope Liverpool know what they have got here."

Listen to the interview on BBC Sounds

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Curtis Jones became the first Liverpool player to score on his England debut since Sammy Lee in November 1982, which also came in an away game against Greece.

Who scored Liverpool's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to reject offers to renew his contract at Anfield, as Real Madrid press on with negotiations to sign the 26-year-old when his current deal expires next summer. (Relevo - in Spanish), external

West Ham are set to stand firm on attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus' £85m release clause, with Liverpool and Arsenal both monitoring the 24-year-old Ghana international. (Mail - subscription required), external

Liverpool and Manchester United are keeping tabs on 27-year-old Fulham and USA left-back Antonee Robinson. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Chelsea are among the clubs to have sent scouts to watch versatile 17-year-old midfielder Andrija Maksimovic, although they have been told the Serbia international will not leave Red Star Belgrade on the cheap. (Teamtalk), external

The Reds are not looking to offload forward Federico Chiesa, despite reports of a return to Serie A. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

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Last week, Arne Slot told reporters there is "no reason to think [Mohamed Salah] is dropping in terms of level" and referenced the longevity of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

As if wanting to justify his manager's words, Salah assisted twice in the subsequent 4-0 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen. He was then electrifying in Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Aston Villa - scoring and assisting to send the Reds five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Not only is he not slowing down, the 32 year old may even be speeding up.

Saturday took Salah to 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for the season with eight and six respectively in the Premier League.

This is a goal contribution of 1.31 per 90 so far in the league - the highest of his whole career and more than in his record-breaking debut Liverpool season in 2017-18 (1.30).

The Egypt international looks really sharp and direct under Slot. His progressive carries per 90 of 3.64 is his highest since 2021-22 and his second highest since arriving in England. His carries into the penalty area per 90 of 3.36 is his highest in the Premier League.

He is also finding greater success running at players this season, with 1.68 successful take-ons per 90 his highest since 2021-22 and 51.4% of take-ons being successful his highest since 2019-20.

His ruthlessness seems to be increasing too with 58.1% of his shots in the Premier League going on target being the highest of his career.

Talk over Salah's contract will inevitably rumble on until his future is decided, but his sparkling form and Slot's fine start are evidently interlinked.

If he is to continue into his late 30s, providing anywhere near the output the aforementioned Messi and Ronaldo have, then surely the hierarchy at Anfield will see an extension as a priority.

Especially now he has shown he can thrive - and perhaps even improve - in the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

*All stats provided by Opta

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Andy asked: During every match, Mohamed Salah is constantly rugby tackled, manhandled, pushed, and grappled by defenders but hardly ever gets a free-kick in his favour. Do you think the refereess have marked him as a diver or are they simply incompetent?

Phil answered: I’ve not seen every Liverpool match, so I cannot make a definitive judgement but I have asked Opta to give me some stats on fouls given for challenges on Mohamed Salah.

Here are some that might interest you.

In 11 Premier League games this season, the figure is eight fouls for challenges on Salah – three of those were in the opening game at Ipswich Town. In 38 games in 2022-23 it was 20 fouls. In 32 games last season it was 12 fouls, so you suspect he is on course for that figure to be exceeded this season.

The season when that figure was highest was in 2018-19, when it was 25 in 38 games.

Obviously it is a matter of opinion as to whether he is being denied fouls but there are the statistics.