Liverpool

We asked for your views on things that are not being talked about at Liverpool but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Matsy: In my opinion, the one thing that isn't being talked about is that Liverpool currently have the best squad in the league, City and Arsenal included.

Rebel Red: Should Kelleher be used more often or sold? As of next season, there will be three or four international goalkeepers at Anfield which seems too many.

Jon: While everyone talks about the contracts of Salah, Van Dijk and Trent, what's going to happen with Alisson? With Mamardashvili coming next year, Kelleher possibly moving on, will he be first or second choice, or even moving on?

Chris: Harvey Elliott has only played a few minutes - how will he fit into the team and what kind of impact might he be able to make once he's match fit?

Steve: The one thing people are not talking about is just how brilliant Conor Bradley is. A different type of threat to Alexander-Arnold but a threat all the same. He's aggressive in defence and dynamic going forward. He also has great chemistry with Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah too.

Fraser: Not much discussion on how great Arne Slot is in developing current players. Since he's come along, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch have been completely transformed and have either earned their place in the squad or are providing strong competition to start in games. I don't know how Slot does it but whatever it is, it's working.

Evan: We still have no natural number nine. Take Salah out of team and there is nobody who is scoring 25+ goals a season as a striker. Jota is injured far too much to rely on, Nunez couldn't finish his breakfast, and Diaz and Gakpo are much better off the left.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club but this week he's in the hotseat answering your questions.

Joe asked: Which Premier League captain are you most impressed with this season and why? As a West Ham fan, I'm happy Jarrod Bowen has been given this opportunity but I am not convinced he is the right man for job as of yet.

Nedum replied: Virgil van Dijk.

He has been at Liverpool for a while now, but the fact he is in the last year of his deal and playing some of his best football speaks volumes.

His partnership with Ibrahima Konate is one of the reasons they are top of the league.

Plus, to keep improving at 33-years-old and to still be having such a big influence on a team is massive. No player is perfect but he is leading Liverpool through a very important part of their history as they transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot.

Van Dijk has been exceptional through that. He is available, he is engaged and he is leading by example.

I feel that when he speaks he speaks for the club. He is one of them, he is their leader and tower and he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It was not the best news to wake up to from a Liverpool perspective. A few years back, Pep Guardiola extended during the international break in November and it revitalised Manchester City and propelled them to the Premier League title. This happening again is obviously the worry.

Guardiola is the best manager in the world. He has been for some time. It is a lazy myth that he has only won so much because he has been at a club who have spent loads of money. If that was the case, why have Manchester United not done anything of note in the past decade? Why are Chelsea not automatically title contenders? He is a ruthlessly brilliant tactician and someone who is utterly obsessed with winning.

Over the years, his teams were always a little ahead of Jurgen Klopp's. The German often beat City in one-off games, but over the course of the season, Guardiola came out on top. Klopp lost the title on 97 and 94 points, remember.

Arne Slot, though, has come into Liverpool and hardly put a foot wrong. He is maximising the talent at his disposal and I would say, perhaps controversially, that Liverpool currently have better players than City - from back to front.

Their first ever meeting is coming up next weekend and it could be symbolic, given a Liverpool win could see Guardiola eight points behind Slot, providing both sides win on their return from the international break.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Liverpool and Newcastle are interested in 25-year-old Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo. (Sun), external

Liverpool are set to miss out on Bayer Leverkusen's 21-year-old midfielder Florian Wirtz, with Manchester City favourites to sign the Germany international. (Caught Offside), external

Liverpool are likely to have a bid of £17m rejected for French midfielder Rayan Cherki, 21, with Lyon holding out for £29m. (TBR), external

Nottingham Forest will demand in excess of £70m for Brazilian defender Murillo, who is wanted by Liverpool. (Football Insider), external

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

It has been a near-perfect start to life on Merseyside for Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

Despite questions around the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold continuing to rumble on, the Reds have won all but two matches and will be hoping to continue their good form against Southampton on Sunday.

But what is the one thing - good or bad - that isn't being talked about in relation to the Reds right now?

Let us know here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have won nine of their 11 Premier League games under new head coach Arne Slot. A win over Southampton will mean the Dutchman becomes the joint-fastest manager to reach 10 wins from the start of a Premier League career, alongside Guus Hiddink in May 2009 and Carlo Ancelotti in November 2009, both with Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah has both scored and assisted in a game 35 times in the Premier League, including four already this season - which is just one short of former Everton and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney's 36-game record. Salah has also been directly involved in 11 goals (seven goals, four assists) in 11 league appearances against the Saints.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool fan Abigail Rudkin says head coach Arne Slot has "put the belief back" into the fans after an almost perfect start to the season.

"Losing Jurgen Klopp was such a big change, so I wasn't expecting things to go well this quickly," Rudkin told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It makes you think what we are capable of this season when we are going into the run for Christmas at the top of the table.

"It feels fresh and new and it has put the belief back into a lot of us. A lot of us probably did lose that belief when we were thinking about the impact of transitioning.

"Players seem to have their spark back and enjoy playing under Slot. It is a surprisingly happy place to be in at the moment for Liverpool."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is willing to sell both Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher next summer, when 24-year-old Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joins the club. (TBR), external

Chelsea will not make a move for Kelleher as head coach Enzo Maresca is happy with his current options. (Give Me Sport), external

Liverpool will target Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt winger Omar Marmoush as their replacement for Mohamed Salah. (Give Me Sport), external

Meanwhile, the Reds have renewed their interest in 27-year-old Inter Milan and France forward Marcus Thuram, who has a £70m release clause that is active until the end of the 2027-28 season. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Finally, Lyon want £25m for their 21-year-old France midfielder Rayan Cherki, with Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen among the clubs interested. (Footmercato), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool fan Josh Williams says he would understand if Trent Alexander-Arnold decided to leave Anfield next summer because his "mission is complete at the club".

Since Alexander-Arnold's Premier League debut in December 2016, he has set up 59 league goals in 237 appearances.

"I would understand - sadly - if he left because he has won everything," said Williams on BBC Radio Merseyside.

"The Trent we have seen in recent weeks would be a lot easier to replace in the market than the Trent we have seen in the past five years too.

"In those years he was doing everything for Liverpool. It would be interesting to know if his role changing this season is more future planning because he is playing a more conventional full-back role.

"He still has the odd drift into midfield but he is no longer the more creative player in the team."

Listen to the full discussion on Alexander-Arnold on BBC Sounds

Liverpool winger Ben Doak has been earning plaudits for his displays on loan at Middlesbrough and while on international duty with Scotland.

The Monday Night Club team discussed the talented teenager, who has yet to earn regular minutes at Anfield.

Listen to Monday Night Club

Image source, Getty Images

Captain Andrew Robertson made his 80th international appearance and netted a late winner against Poland.

His appearance made him the joint third most capped player for Scotland (level with Darren Fletcher) behind only Kenny Dalglish (102) and Jim Leighton (91).

Chelsea are plotting a summer bid for 25-year-old Liverpool and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. (Sun), external

Liverpool are interested in 26-year-old AC Milan and USA winger Christian Pulisic, along with Manchester United and West Ham. (Calciomercato), external

Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa could return to Italy in January, with Inter Milan eyeing up a loan move for the 27-year-old. (Mirror), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Arsenal will not be able to sign Mohammed Kudus for less than his £85m release clause next summer, with West Ham determined to keep hold of the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

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

Chris asked: I think we can all agree that Caoimhin Kelleher is far too good to be a number-two goalkeeper and he is proving that he could be Liverpool's number one, if given time. My question is: could you see a scenario where Alisson Becker is allowed to leave for Real Madrid, or even Saudi Arabia, and Kelleher becomes number one with Giorgi Mamardashvili as number two?

Phil answered: I totally agree on point one. Kelleher would be first choice at many Premier League clubs, such is his proven quality at Liverpool.

Strangely, he plays plenty of games for Liverpool because Alisson is susceptible to injuries for a goalkeeper but, eventually, Kelleher will surely want regular and guaranteed game time.

I regard Alisson as the world's best goalkeeper, so I would be surprised if Liverpool sold him but, given he does get injuries, they might be tempted by a big offer.

My view though is they would not, certainly not just yet.

What is clear is that the arrival of Mamardashvili next summer will crystallise Kelleher's situation, one way or the other.

I reckon, barring a surprise Alisson sale, he will move.

There is surely no way he would contemplate being understudy to Mamardashvili, and rightly so in my opinion.

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Jim Beglin says "it is all just working a treat for" new head coach Arne Slot.

The Reds sit five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and have lost just one game this season so far.

"Slot did inherit a very good squad but he is also making the best of it," said Beglin on BBC Radio Merseyside. "We wondered if there was going to be much change and there hasn't been.

"The experiment of the team has been in midfield and that has worked a treat. Who would have thought Ryan Gravenberch would be playing the way he has been? He has been fantastic.

"He is not a six because he loves a run forward, but whenever he does that it is a trigger for Alexis Mac Allister. He has also done great this season for his tenacity and the way he wins the ball and moves it on. Together, Mac Allister and Gravenberch have been wonderful.

"Dominik Szoboszlai started the season lively again but has perhaps faded a bit in recent weeks. Curtis Jones has come in for him and it is all just working a treat because Trent Alexander-Arnold is also playing with more license to get up and around the oppositions box.

"For Liverpool right now it's dreamland."

Listen to Beglin's full interview on BBC Sounds

Benfica and Turkey midfielder Orkun Kokcu has praised the impact Liverpool manager Arne Slot has had on his career, amid links of a potential move to Anfield. (Liverpool Echo), external

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

Image source, PA Media

Liverpool's excellent start under Arne Slot and their five-point lead at the top of the table was discussed on the latest episode of the Planet Premier League podcast.

Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha: "I see a team that can get to 90-plus points and if I look behind them, I see teams who at the moment don't look like they can.

"You've got to give them credit for their ability to bounce back, especially given the fact that they were third last season and they lost their iconic manager.

"But in steps a new guy and he gets some of the players playing really good football. At the moment, they don't have anything close to an injury crisis, and the key players for Liverpool are playing really well - not least the defenders. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk have been astonishingly good so far.

"They're in the best position they could have hoped to be in right now, which is them feeling like they're upwardly mobile and other teams stalling a little bit."

Cardiff and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey: "Their compactness, the way they're pressing, their willingness to defend together... they've got the best defensive record and that's just evident in the way that they're doing things.

"Then you've got players like Mohamed Salah, who is absolutely flying at the moment. I know he's in the final year of his contract and he's really going out - if that's the case - on a high. He's leaving everything out there.

"I've been super impressed but you can never rule out Manchester City. They've been there and done it so many times. They've been in similar positions but can win 10 to 15 games in a row."

Listen to the full episode of Planet Premier League on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

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

Image source, Getty Images

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

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

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...