Liverpool

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Here is what our Chelsea fan Will Faulks had to say on questions put to him by our Liverpool supporter Josh Sexton.

What have you made of the transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot?

It has been amazingly smooth. The quiet transfer window seemed to help, as did the chaos at other top teams, which took attention away from the club.

Slot is already building up credit to see him through any wobbles later in the season, and I am curious to see how the football develops with time.

Which Liverpool player impresses you the most?

There are so many impressive players, from Alisson to Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk. However this season, I am really interested in Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

This is the year where they can go up a gear and prove they are good enough to take up the mantle from the Klopp team as that fades into history.

Are you worried about the possible impact the Anfield atmosphere can have?

It is always an important factor, and this Sunday it could play an even bigger role than usual.

For all the promise of their good start, Chelsea have only had one really tough game this season and it was at home against Manchester City.

Anfield is going to be a huge test for a team that is still young and growing together. They can prove a lot to people just by standing up to it.

Will Faulks can be found at Chelsea News, external

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We asked you to send in your questions for Fara Williams and the former England midfielder and BBC Sport pundit has been answering a selection.

Gerold asked: Between Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who do you think will extend or leave at the end of this season?

All three players are very important for this Liverpool side.

Van Dijk and Salah are older and may want to make more money elsewhere. They are the ones who have done everything at the club when it comes to trophies and therefore might want to move on.

With Alexander-Arnold it is more difficult. He is homegrown and we know what Liverpool means to him. The only temptation - and I am sure Liverpool fans will not like me saying this - is if Real Madrid came in for him, I think that would be too tempting for him not to go.

If one of the three is to stay, it would be Alexander-Arnold. However, the difficulty with the other two is that they are both still performing at such a high level and are more than capable of signing for another two years.

I do think it is surprising players of that importance have not been tied down to contracts sooner and have been allowed to run them down as much as they have.

In general, as a player going through the contract process, when you are happy you just want that contract signed. I have been at clubs where I never really wanted to leave but then it got to the point where I did. That is where it became tricky.

If you are happy, the contract situation is easy. Sometimes, it is not even about the money.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Real Madrid have made Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, a priority target. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella, 27, but the Italy midfielder is also on the radar of both Madrid clubs, Real and Atletico Madrid. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Meanwhile, Real are also considering a January move for 18-year-old England youth international Josh Acheampong, with Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham similarly interested in the Chelsea right-back. (Independent, external)

Finally, the Reds are in advanced talks with Sevilla over a deal for French 24-year-old defender Loic Bade. (Todo Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

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

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

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

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold became the first player to score a direct free kick for England since Marcus Rashford against Wales at the 2022 World Cup.

He is the first Liverpool player to do so since John Barnes against the Netherlands in 1993.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Lee Carsley is set to play Trent Alexander-Arnold at left-back in England's Nations League match against Finland on Sunday.

Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold has started all of the games since Carsley took on the role of interim head coach.

Carsley referenced that Alexander-Arnold could play at left-back when he announced the squad earlier this month.

The 50-year-old has said he will "freshen the team up" following the 2-1 defeat by Greece on Thursday.

Carsley did not name a striker in that loss and has said his team selection will be more "conventional" for this match.

Harry Kane and Jack Grealish, who missed the first fixture of this international break because of injury, are likely to come in to the starting XI after coming through two days of training.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is also expected to start at centre-back.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham have sent scouts to watch Borussia Dortmund's England Under-21 winger Jamie Gittens in recent weeks. (Bild - in German), external

The Reds are in the race, alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, to sign Benfica's 21-year-old Spanish defender Alvaro Fernandez Carreras. (AS - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are not interested in Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, despite doubts over Manuel Neuer's future at the club. (ESPN), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about regarding Liverpool at the moment.

Here are some of your comments:

Tim: As much as Alisson has done for us, it might be time for Kelleher to be given the opportunity of being number one. We would be better off keeping him than having anyone else have him - and Alisson may well decide to move on, given his injuries, age and wanting the best for Liverpool in the long term.

William: Liverpool have had a good start under slot but they need to get the contracts sorted out.

Dan: Andy Roberston, the unsung hero of the past eras, still just cracking on quietly being one of the best left-backs in the world.

Jimbo: What no-one is talking about is how Liverpool have slipped from the heights of world champions then Premier League champions. Need to drive hard to finally get back to the 2018 to 2020 summits. That does not mean accepting 'OK on their day' strikers, midfielders and back-up defenders.

Jamie: Arne Slot managing to get the best out of Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo when Jurgen Klopp couldn't.

Christian: So far this season, we have mostly only played well in half of each game. Milan and Manchester United aside, it has been quite an inconsistent start. We either start fast and fade later, or start slow and Slot gives them some guidance at half-time to wake them up. We won't get away with that against in-form teams.

Andy: Has anyone noticed how much more dangerous Liverpool look from corners this season. It seems like we have paid more attention to this aspect of the game beyond the Virgil van Dijk header. But I'd like to see Darwin Nunez using his aerial threat more. He certainly has the wherewithal!

Smudger: Liverpool look more of an aerial threat from set-pieces this season. Last season, I never thought we were going to score from a crossed ball into the area, but this time around we look a threat with Van Dijk and Konate looking dangerous. Have the new coaching team been working on this?

Gary: Nobody is talking about the very patchy form of Mo Salah. He has been brilliant for Liverpool and still scores goals, but his all-round game has dropped a level over the past 12 months. In certain games this season (Forest in particular), he seemed to hold the team back. Still a great player but Slot must have the strength to sub Mo when he's poor.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's Conor Bradley says it will be "something special" to lead out Northern Ireland for the first time in Saturday's Nations League contest with Belarus in Hungary.

The game, which will be played behind closed doors and at a neutral venue because of Uefa restrictions on the hosts, will see the 21-year-old become his country's fourth different skipper in their past five games.

Manager Michael O'Neill has said he will rotate captains through this Nations League campaign following the international retirement of Jonny Evans in August.

"To just play for your country is a massive honour but to be captain is something special," Bradley told BBC Sport NI.

"Everyone knows how much I love to come away and play for my country and to have the armband on is going to be very special.

"I just want to keep going now, put in a good performance and hopefully we get the result that we want."

Liverpool have earmarked Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis, 18, as a possible signing for the future. The Brazil youth international has a release clause of £84m. (Football Insider), external

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

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Every club is different and every group of players is different, but Jarell Quansah has got some really good people ahead of him at Liverpool who have been very successful.

When you are looking at the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, it can be an aim and it is important to learn from them, but not in a way whereby you adopt yourself as just being a student.

You are a peer and you will play alongside both of them, but you can try to really see what they do and think how you can add certain things to your game to make yourself as good as they are at the ages they are at now.

It is more than possible for him do that because Liverpool seems like it is a positive environment for players to learn. As a young player, you are good - but you are not the finished product. Anyone who believes they are will struggle because the league is constantly evolving and there are challenges you face on a week-to-week basis.

Having been in this situation myself, I would say, be happy that you have earned yourself a new contract, but the hard work continues now and you have to be ready.

We have seen through recent history that somebody can just go down and you need to be available. When you are available, you cannot take time to be ready - you have to be ready from the get go.

It is a winning mentality at Liverpool and that is a challenge you have to face. You cannot be the weak link in a team trying to dominate.

Quansah is starting from a younger age than Van Dijk did at Liverpool, so there is no reason to say he could not be the next Van Dijk.

If things go his way then there is potential for him being as important to Liverpool in the long term as the Dutchman is, so why not aspire to be the captain of Liverpool?

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool midfielder Peter Cormack, who was signed by Bill Shankly from Nottingham Forest, has died at the age of 78.

During a four-year stint at Anfield between 1972 and 1976, the Scotland international became a First Division championship, Uefa Cup and FA Cup winner.

Cormack made 52 appearances during his first season, scoring 10 goals, to help Shankly's side win the First Division title and their first piece of European silverware.

His Reds career was cut short by a knee injury and he left the club in November 1976, having racked up 178 appearances and 26 goals.

"The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Peter’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time," read a club statement.

"Playing in front of the Kop every week was a bit special" - listen to BBC Radio Merseyside archive interview with Cormack on BBC Sounds

Liverpool have identified 23-year-old Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, 23-year-old Vanderson from Monaco and 20-year-old Michael Kayode from Fiorentina as potential targets, should they lose right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. (Caught Offside), external

However, the Reds are making some progress in their contract negotiations with the 26-year-old England international. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool are desperate to agree a new contract with Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk, amid growing speculation over the 33-year-old's long-term future at the club. (Football Insider), external

However, Arne Slot is continuing to assess transfer targets to bolster the central defence, having made the position a priority for next summer. Among the candidates are 24-year-old Sevilla defender Loic Bade and 23-year-old Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio. (Caught Offside), external

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