Liverpool

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.

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Everton boss Brian Sorensen says his side want to win against neighbours Liverpool "so badly" when the teams meet at Goodison Park in the Women's Super League on Sunday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

The Toffees are preparing to play there for the final time and Sorenson says "everyone wants to play at this iconic stadium and in a derby".

"When I started looking at English football as a young kid you always heard how tough it was to go and play at Goodison Park. It’s legendary," he added.

Everton are yet to win at the famous stadium and are still searching for their first victory of the season.

"We want to win this so badly. It’s a derby but we also want to get the first win of the season. We are hoping to get that success and kickstart the season."

Here are more key lines from his news conference:

• Conceding inside 30 seconds against Crystal Palace was "not fun", but Sorensen praised the "great character" from his side to fight back.

• After Honoka Hayashi scored Everton's first goal by one of their own players, he said: "The amount of grass she is covering in the pitch is unreal. She is such a composed player. We are trying to get her into more of these opportunities."

• He added: "She is such a lovely player to work with, so humble, always has a smile on her face and is never in a bad mood. She is a fantastic person but an even better football player."

• On Liverpool, he said: "We are not far from each other on Sunday when it really matters out there, but they probably have a bit more depth. We have to be very solid for 90 minutes".

• Lucy Hope is "dealing with another problem" after she missed out through injury last week, but Sorensen is hopeful she could be available.

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Andy Mattioli from the RomaPress Podcast says fan attitudes are changing towards AS Roma owners The Friedkin Group because of the side's poor start to the season.

The Italian giants are currently in 12th after winning just three of their opening 12 games. Mattioli told BBC Radio Merseyside: "You would be hard pressed to find someone in Rome right now that would have something positive to say about the Friedkins."

The US-based group, led by chairman Dan Friedkin, reached an agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri's majority 94% stake in Everton back in September.

"The main reason for this mess is not just the results, but also the players not accepting Daniele de Rossi being sacked," Mattioli said.

"When Jose Mourinho was sacked, that was a big blow but the Friedkins made the smart choice to appoint a club legend. They knew fans wouldn't rebel against De Rossi.

"His sacking then took everyone by surprise. The Roma fans are very expressive so, for the last two months, they have shown it. They have hung banners, deserted the Stadio Olimpico and the ultras have walked out on a number of occasions.

"There is a tense atmosphere which has come from the Friedkins - whether they realise it or not - disrespecting a club legend.

"The fans are angry. Many of them are saying: 'Sell us - because in four years you have clearly misunderstood what we are all about.'

"Unfortunately all of the money they have invested, the Conference League trophy they won, the fact that they have improved the finances of the club, and brought in big names, has been completely forgotten."

It has been a tumultuous few years at Goodison Park during Moshiri's tenure, with many fans anticipating brighter days under the prospective new owners.

"They have always been very determined in their actions," Mattioli said of the Friedkins. "If something isn't working, they cut to the chase and get rid of that person.

"It has happened on a number of occasions - they have always been very swift. If they come to Everton, they are coming in with the ambition of raising this team from the dead.

"This Everton team is struggling and it wants to aspire to better things, rather than just fighting relegation, and that is what the Friedkins will be focusing on.

"Roma fans are also fearing the Friedkins might get sidetracked thinking about the brighter lights, bigger prestige and greater stage of the Premier League."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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"In form" Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has "really matured", says former Everton player Leon Osman.

After overcoming an early season injury, Jones has begun to flourish under new Reds boss Arne Slot over recent games, scoring once and providing four assists so far this season.

His form has catapulted the 23-year-old into the England squad and he will have the opportunity to win his first cap for the senior Three Lions team when they play Greece and Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.

"He has really matured," Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "When he first burst on the scene a couple of seasons back, he was still a child by appearances, although he was showing the quality he had. But he has now become a man.

"He has become a lot more physical, he looks grown up [and] he is now showing the quality as well.

"The important thing is he is a player in form and we always say we want to see those players who are not only top quality but in form, being given the opportunity to get their caps and to represent the country.

"If you are talking about form players across the league, he has got to be right at the top of the conversation."

Listen to the full discussion and hear from Jones on BBC Sounds

Liverpool remain in talks with 32-year-old Egypt forward Mohamed Salah over a potential new contract, but the parties are currently far apart on any deal. (Florian Plettenberg), external

The Reds are considering a move for in-form PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi, with the 21-year-old also on the radar of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid. (Caughtoffside), external

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

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Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has become the ninth player to pull out of the latest England squad.

The 22-year-old, who has one cap for the Three Lions, did not travel to Greece with the rest of the squad and has returned to his club.

Uncapped Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah, 21, will replace Branthwaite. He has been training with England for the past two days.

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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As we enter another international break, Liverpool's position atop both the Premier League and the Champions League looks mightily impressive.

Who would have thought Arne Slot would have started so well? And even when the first jolt came along, a home defeat by Nottingham Forest, they have responded brilliantly.

There is a long way to go of course, but the next Premier League game is against Southampton and that is followed by the visit of Manchester City. If Liverpool win both of those games, then the gap between themselves and City would be a minimum of eight points.

That would not win Liverpool the league but it would give them a great platform to take into the rest of December and the new year.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The last thing Slot or the players want is title talk. It is far too early for that. The first job will be to win at Southampton and no Premier League game is a given.

There are exciting times ahead, the Reds are in great form, scoring goals and not conceding too many.

But as the old adage goes, it is all about the next game!

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Liverpool match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

Explore Liverpool content on BBC Sounds

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Former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly says it is "too early" to class the Reds as title contenders but agrees they are on the "wave of the new manager".

Liverpool are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League after winning nine of their opening 11 games under new boss Arne Slot.

Speaking to BBC World Service's Sportsworld programme, Kelly said: "I'm looking at each squad in the top six and eight at the minute. Even [Manchester] City are going through their little spell at the minute, playing right-backs at left-back, ageing players in central midfield [and having] Erling Haaland off form.

"You look at Liverpool and in each position at the minute when Arne's making substitutions, they're coming on making real impacts. They're riding the wave of the new manager and getting results.

"[Then] there are the Liverpool fans, who any neutral will tell you can go a long, long way. In terms of title contenders, it's far too early. I think they've had an amazing start, but the next little block of games, especially Real [Madrid] in the Champions League, will be tough.

Kelly, who made 62 appearances for Liverpool, also spoke about the impact he expected Jurgen Klopp leaving to have had on the club: "I think a lot of football fans would have thought when Sir Alex [Ferguson] left [Manchester] United, anyone who followed his footsteps would find it really difficult. I think there was sort of that vibe with the Liverpool fans when Klopp went.

"Arne lets games play out and from what I have seen, he's in no rush to make any changes. Liverpool don't waste much energy in the first half and then whatever he says at half-time with his coaching staff, they seem to come out and turn the screw."

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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An away point is always valuable and Everton’s draw at West Ham means it is one defeat in the past seven Premier League matches. Given they lost all four of their opening league matches, it is a marked improvement as well as much needed.

However, given the amount of possession and control they had at London Stadium, it feels like 'one that got away'. They should have won the match but could quite easily have lost it. In fact, if it was not for Jordan Pickford’s late awe-inspiring save from Danny Ings they would have done.

The big problem is a lack of creativity in the final third with the Blues not fashioning enough takeable chances. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent lack of goals is highlighted - with some justification - but as a centre-forward, he is often trying to thrive on a very limited service.

Both full-backs have done a decent job lately and though Ashley Young has weighed in with valuable assists this season, neither he or Vitalii Mykolenko can be expected to deliver a supply of quality crosses for Calvert-Lewin to benefit from.

Dwight McNeil’s absence at West Ham handed the creative impetus to Iliman Ndaiye, who is a wonderfully gifted player. One of his many strengths is cutting inside, particularly from the left and onto his right foot. Perhaps he could have been an alternative for the number-10 role, with Jack Harrison playing on the left.

Wide players featuring on the opposite side to their favoured foot has never been more popular and Calvert-Lewin in particular could really benefit from that sort of service. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s value to the team is clear and his diligence and drive, not to mention his priceless goals, have helped Everton survive in the Premier League. But he is geared more towards energy than enterprise.

That is what Sean Dyche has to balance out when evaluating his players, especially given Doucoure helps thicken Everton's midfield and never shirks defensive duties.

With a bit of luck, McNeil will be fit for next week’s massive match with Brentford. Dyche is also hopeful that it will not be long before Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja can press claims for first-team involvement after injury.

Everton are desperately short of goals so adding more players and more competition for places can only be a positive thing.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Rory Smith from The New York Times described Liverpool boss Arne Slot as "grounded, relaxed and very calm" compared to other managers who can be "diva-ish".

Listen to the full episode on BBC sounds

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Curtis Jones says his call-up to the latest senior England squad has come at the "perfect time" and is the result of his fine start to the season under Arne Slot.

After returning from a muscle injury in September, the 23-year-old has featured in all of Liverpool's Premier League matches and recently became a father for the first time - after which his manager said he has been "outstanding".

"Everyone is saying I am on form, so, I think it is a perfect time," said Jones before the Three Lions face Greece and the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League. "I have played games. I am fit and the rhythm I have got from playing game after game... I have got all of that.

"I am trying to prove to everybody that I am the player I say that I am and the player that I have always been from a kid. I think this call up is huge."

Jones is closing in on 100 Premier League appearances and believes he has earned the opportunity to make his senior England debut after being named in two previous squads.

"I think the form at the club is the important thing and this call-up only comes with how hard I am doing things at the club," he said. "I am not a young lad anymore. I have had the experience of Champions League and Premier League games.

"I have been around now for long enough to learn that I want to be inside that team. I want to keep my place and keep my shirt by scoring goals and assists and I feel I am on the right path."