Liverpool

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Federico Chiesa says manager Arne Slot can likely see he is "better physically and mentally" compared to last season, creating an enhanced trust in what he can deliver.

Chiesa was instrumental as Liverpool saw off Southampton in Carabao Cup competition on Wednesday, delivering two assists in the 2-1 win.

It means he has scored one league goal in a total of 51 minutes on the pitch this season, while contributing with his brace of assists in his only cup outing of the campaign.

Asked about a contrast to last season, where Chiesa played only 108 league minutes throughout the campaign, the Italian said: "I do feel better, in terms of physical ability. I think I have played more this season than last season combined I think. So I am happy and have to continue on this path.

"It was really difficult but I think I wasn't at the level that the coach wanted me to play. I understood his choices last year. This year is different, I feel better physically and mentally. The coach I think sees that and has given me more opportunities.

"I am glad I have made contributions in the Premier League. That is what the coach wants and what the other players want. To play for Liverpool you have to make the difference. I have to keep on working hard to get more chances in the future."

Chiesa struck a key goal from the bench on the opening night of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign to nudge Liverpool past Bournemouth.

It sparked wild scenes on The Kop, where the Italian is frequently serenaded with one of the catchiest songs in recent memory at Anfield.

Asked about the song and support, he replied: "Since last year I wanted to give something back. I want to keep on giving them something back. The support they gave to me every match is fantastic. I like the chant. I have to give them back more because the support is just amazing.

"Of course I can play more in the Carabao Cup but I want to show the manager I can also play in the Premier League. In the first games he gave me chances and I think I showed I can help the team.

"I play for a top club. Maybe top three in the world. It's Liverpool, of course they are going to buy top players and the competition is high. If I didn't want competition I would go and play in another team but here there is competition and I want to play here. I think competition at the end of the day helps you be a better player."

Listen to Chiesa speak to reporters here

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We asked for your views on Hugo Ekitike's red card against Southampton and Arne Slot's comments on the incident.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Philip: I agree with Slot, but we're all human and we saw Slot lose his emotions last season on a memorable occasion. Just a bizarre celebration, caught up in the emotion I guess and forgot about the first card which was equally stupid. Pressure of Isak perhaps?

Michael: That is one of the stupidest acts I've seen from a player. He was on a booking for being petulant and knowing he was on a booking carried out an unnecessary and stupid act and picked up a second yellow. The club should fine him for that.

Anthony: It was in the moment. We all do stuff that we regret moments after doing it - his happened to be in front of thousands and millions on the TV. I hope he has learnt a valuable lesson in an environment where it hopefully has no lasting impact.

Liam: Ekitike has let himself down massively but I don't feel the pressure of signing Isak has played any part in it at all. I agree with the comments from Slot and Robbo and I do feel he'll learn from this. A poor judgement from Hugo which took the sparkle off another reliable performance in attack for Liverpool.

Paul: I totally agree with Arne. Ekitike showed an incredible immaturity and lack of control. He is a fine player who works hard for the team but this action lets the team down. He should be fined by the club and reminded that what he does on the field is often copied by the young kids who watch him!

Carl: Ekitike has shown with a few of his celebrations that he wants to make sure people know his name because Isak is there and being talked about. Quite immature and possibly a bad character trait. Worrying.

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Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Alexander Isak has had his playing time carefully managed since joining Liverpool.

His two starts have been in cup competitions, playing 58 minutes against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and 46 minutes against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

He has made just one appearance in the Premier League for the Reds, coming off the bench in their 2-1 win against Everton at the weekend.

Isak's half-time departure against the Saints was most probably because Arne Slot already had one eye on this weekend's game as well. He may have already been planning to give him more minutes at Selhurst Park.

As well as scoring against Southampton, he also had a big chance early on but fired straight at goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

"I feel good," Isak told ITV. "Every game I play is very helpful and gets me in better shape."

When asked if he feels ready to start, he replied: "It is difficult to say. It is a mixture of fitness-wise and football-wise.

"I feel good and feel I'm in a shape to make a difference."

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Former Crystal Palace winger Jobi McAnuff was unimpressed with Hugo Ekitike after the Liverpool forward was shown a second yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebrating the winning goal against Southampton:

"Absolutely ridiculous - everybody knows the rules by now," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I'm all for emotion and passion and getting caught up in the moment but that wasn't really it.

"It's a pretty routine goal - the ball gets laid across the box to him and it's a really simple finish. "I just don't know what has gone through his head to take his shirt off and then hold it up to the crowd.

"It's a really poor decision from him."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton was even less cagey with his criticism, branding the action "sheer stupidity".

"Everybody knows if you take your shirt off you get a yellow card so to get a second yellow card for doing that is just sheer stupidity," he said.

"He's been such an important player - what a start to his Liverpool career with important goals - but it's not great for Arne Slot and the team that he's now sitting out at the weekend."

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to ITV after the 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup: "Not our best performance.

"You can expect that if you play a complete new team. So many players that haven't played for a long time. There were positives, Giorgi Mamardashvili had a good game, Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni had a good game and a first goal for Alexander [Isak] and another from Hugo [Ekitike].

"[There are] positives from the game but with how we played as a team - not taking anything away from Southampton because they played well - it wasn't our best performance."

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Speaking in his post-match news conference on Ekitike's red card, Slot added: "Needless? Yes. And it was stupid. The first one was already needless and to a certain extent, stupid, as you have got to control your emotions.

"I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner I can maybe understand. He is like: 'This is all about me - what did I do'.

"But I am old-fashioned, I'm 47 and old. I never played at this level but did score a few goals and if I scored a goal like this, I'd have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said: 'This goal is all about you - this is not about me'.

"It's always the best to control your emotions. If you can't, do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card."

What did you make of Ekitike's red card?

Will this cost him his place in the starting XI going forward?

And do you agree with Slot's comments?

Have your say

Liverpool are preparing to offer 23-year-old Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch a new long-term contract. (Talksport), external

The Reds have also been told they have next to no chance of persuading Crystal Palace to sell them England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, in the January transfer window.

Finally, both Liverpool and Arsenal have been informed that 25-year-old Brazil winger Vinicius Junior's future is uncertain at Real Madrid. (TBR Football), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Alexander Isak, speaking to ITV Sport: "Amazing. It was good to get back out there and score my first goal here and get the win as well. A good night.

"I should have scored earlier as well. It is part of being a striker, you miss some and score some. The most important thing is to shake it off and be ready for the next one.

"I feel confident in myself that things will work out and when I get chances I will put them away."

On being ready to start this weekend: "I feel good. With every game I play it is very helpful and gets me in better shape.

"It is difficult to say. It is a mixture of fitness wise and football wise. I feel good and feel I am in a shape to make a difference."

On Ekitike's sending off: "I am sure he just wasn't aware of being on a yellow in that moment. Sometimes when you score a goal you are in that moment. Of course it is unfortunate."

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool are already developing a habit of leaving things late this season and once again a late winner was needed to get over the line.

Hugo Ekitike's productive start to the season - three goals in Liverpool's five straight Premier League wins - has left Arne Slot with a conundrum over which striker to favour, but Alexander Isak got the nod to start on Wednesday as he settles into his new side.

This was just his second start for Liverpool with his debut coming last week in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.

Aside from forcing Alex McCarthy into a good save in the opening minute of the match, Isak was kept quiet until he efficiently took his chance for the goal.

But that was to be the last match action of the evening for Isak as he was replaced by Ekitike at half-time and, instead of heading down the tunnel for the team talk, stayed on the pitch to do sprinting drills.

The forward will have perhaps watched with slight concern as Ekitike once again stepped up to score the winner, but the sending-off means Isak will surely get another opportunity to impress at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Chiesa was a bright spark for the hosts in an otherwise abject evening.

He set up both goals and put the ball in the back of the net himself after some clever passing between Ekitike and Endo inside the penalty box, but it was chalked off for offside.

Arne Slot completely shuffles the pack from Saturday's victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby.

A full 11 changes including a start for record signing Alexander Isak as well as teenager Rio Ngumoha.

Giorgi Mamardashvili gets his first start between the sticks with familiar faces Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo also starting.

Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez are on the bench.

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Isak, Chiesa, Leonie, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Ngumoha

Subs: Woodman, Kerkez, Bradley, Ekitike, Williams, Gordon, Morrison, Pilling, Danns

Wholesale changes for Southampton too as just three players from the weekend's defeat by Hull City start at Anfield.

Adam Armstrong starts as captain having come on as a substitute against the Tigers and scoring in injury time.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ryan Fraser and Tom Fellows are among those dropped to the bench.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Jelert, Edwards, Wood, Quarshie, Manning, Downes, Jander, Armstrong, Scienza, Archer

Subs: Long, Harwood-Bellis, Charles, Matsuki, Fraser, Fellows, Robinson, Stewart, Downs

There are eight games in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday - six involving Premier League sides - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Barnsley v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Cardiff City

• Fulham v Cambridge United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Lincoln City v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton

• Liverpool v Southampton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Lincoln v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Southampton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, 25, is considering leaving Atletico Madrid next summer, with Liverpool and Barcelona interested in signing the Argentina international. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external), external

Crystal Palace captain and England centre-back Marc Guehi, 25, is still eager to move to Anfield as a free agent next summer, having nearly signed for the Premier League champions on deadline day. (GiveMeSport), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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I'm not sure I buy into this rhetoric that Liverpool are playing badly and still winning.

Some of the football played against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last week and Everton on Saturday was electrifying.

The Reds forced 20 shots against Diego Simeone's side and should have had the game buried way before Virgil van Dijk's late winner, while the first-half outing in the Merseyside derby was scintillating.

The fact is the Reds eased off at 2-0 up in both games. Atletico and Everton didn't rampage Liverpool at any point, they just got back into the game as Arne Slot's side tired a little and lost rhythm through substitutions.

Liverpool's 45 minutes against Everton that led to them going in at half-time 2-0 up was breathtaking - the way Ryan Gravenberch and Dom Szoboszlai linked up with the forwards especially.

All the players who looked cold at the start of the campaign are finding their feet. Milos Kerkez had his best game. Ibou Konate has been very, very good after the first two matches. Mo Salah is starting to pick the ball up and make things happen.

Liverpool aren't playing badly at all, but it is right to suggest there are levels to go.

After all, British record signing Alexander Isak hasn't got himself fit yet and will add guaranteed goals to an already purring attack. And Florian Wirtz is impressing in moments but is only in second gear.

Liverpool are playing well, but when it clicks for 90 full minutes, someone is going to get a serious hiding.

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

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Liverpool new boy Milos Kerkez says his relationship with Andy Robertson is "really good" and the two left-backs are "pushing" each other to raise their standards.

The 21-year-old signed for £40m from Bournemouth this summer as Robertson's long-term successor and has started six of the Reds' seven matches so far this season.

"Before the game [Saturday's Merseyside derby], he motivated me and told me: 'Go outside and do your thing that you were doing last season.' So he gave me a bit of a push," said Kerkez.

"Then, after the game, he congratulated me and told me I should keep going like that. We are good. He's a legend who did amazing things, won everything and still has quality.

"It's not like he's not here. He's a squad player. This is Liverpool and we're competing. He's pushing me and I'm pushing him - and that's important to have in a big club like this."

The Hungary international has struggled at times since arriving at Anfield but is keen to focus and block out any criticism.

"Obviously you have to adapt and the coach and the players are helping me a lot so I'm improving a lot every day," he added.

"I'm playing a bit different here than Bournemouth but I'm not listening too much to outside noise."

Robertson is likely to come back into the side for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Southampton as part of several changes Arne Slot will make as part of a rotated team.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and 18-year-old centre-back Giovani Leoni could also be handed Liverpool debuts, while Alexander Isak, Federico Chiesa and 17-year-old Rio Ngumhoa may all start in attack.

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says Ryan Gravenberch is "in the form of his life" and reaping the rewards of the hard work he is putting in.

Gravenberch, who was last season's Premier League young player of the year, became the youngest player at 23 years and 127 days to score and assist in a top-flight Merseyside derby on Saturday.

"Not just this season, he's been playing like that from the moment last season started," Van Dijk told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He's unbelievable. He's very important to the way we play.

"You see the amount of times I try to look for him. It benefits him, me and the team. He's in incredible shape. He's in the form of his life.

"He has to keep going. He's still young.

"The expectation level will always be right up there and that's what he has to try to reach every three or four days. It's a nice challenge.

"During his first season here he hardly played. It's a mix of everything: getting confidence, progressing and improving as a player, playing games at the highest level and knowing your role in the team.

"I'm very pleased for him because he puts in a lot of hard work to do what he is doing."

Listen to Van Dijk's full interview on BBC Sounds

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Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez says he is "improving every day" as he continues to "adapt" to playing with his new team-mates.

Kerkez had his best game for the Reds in Saturday's Merseyside derby win over Everton, which gave Arne Slot's side five victories out of five in the Premier League.

"I am just here to do my job. I want to improve and I want to give everything for the badge," Kerkez told BBC Radio Merseyside. "You have to adapt, but the coaches are helping me a lot, so I am improving every day.

"I am not listening to the outside noise. I am just following what the coach tells me.

"I am playing a bit different here to how I played at Bournemouth. Sometimes I am dropping lower to play and keep the ball. I would say Bournemouth played a bit more on the higher line.

"Obviously, I had a bit more freedom then but here we play more for the team, for points and to win. That is more important than individual performances.

"I am doing what he is saying every week and that is what will keep me playing and why we will keep winning games."

Listen to more of the interview with Kerkez on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Chris: Good first half, with slick passing and good movement. Everton played well in the second half, but the Reds kept their shape and saw the game out. When we play fluidly for 95 minutes, watch out.

Marwan: This Liverpool team that has world-class players in every position and on the bench should be dominating games and destroying other teams, scoring more and conceding less, especially after the arrivals of the transfer window. I am not impressed with Arne Slot's tactics, nor with Florian Wirtz's performances.

Mic: Five games all won yet glaring mistakes in every game. I love the Reds but, at 71, my heart can't take another season of late goals - so do me a favour and finish a game off long before my heart stops.

Everton fans

Harry: Massive improvement on previous Anfield derbies. We definitely turned up and Jack Grealish has put a spring back in everyone's step. The result is disappointing but the season looks brighter.

John: Thought we deserved at least a point. Much more positive second half than Liverpool.

Jeff: We lost the match in the first half. I feel sorry for Beto. He was let down by the first-half tactics and replaced by a woeful Thierno Barry. We basically played with 10 men the second half but, interestingly, we were the better team.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are all interested in signing 28-year-old Juventus and Brazil defender Gleison Bremer. (Teamtalk), external

Crystal Palace are expected to rebuff any offer for England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, in the January transfer window, with Liverpool and Real Madrid keen. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Hugo Ekitike was the last Liverpool player off the pitch at Anfield with a fist pump to The Kop as they chanted the name of their new cult hero.

If the 23-year-old - signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £70m - has any concerns about British record signing Alexander Isak threatening his central striking role, he has a funny way of showing it.

Ekitike has made a seamless transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, showing quality and composure, as well as a fierce work ethic suited to this Liverpool team.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has already flagged how the future of his forwards may pan out, with the possibility of pairing Ekitike and Isak, as well as using the France forward off the left - a position usually occupied by Cody Gakpo.

What a conundrum for Slot to have - one that is the envy of every football manager.

Isak once again, understandably, looked rusty in his appearance as a substitute while Florian Wirtz, who has shown real signs of finally settling to his task in recent games, still has so much more to produce on past evidence.

"They can play together, of course they can. They're both exceptional players," former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said about Ekitike and Isak.

"But the manager sees them both as number nines - I think they will split games. One plays 60 minutes, the other 30.

"I think in certain games he might play Ekitike on the left or as a number 10 but predominantly I see them both as central strikers."

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-2 Tottenham

• Wolves 1-3 Leeds

• Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Liverpool continued their relentless winning form with this Merseyside derby win - and once again the signs were ominous for those hoping to take the Premier League title away from Anfield.

Arne Slot's champions did not sparkle but got the job done, and did it without Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak in their starting line-up.

In their place was a duo who have been outstanding in the opening weeks of the season, and they stepped up to punish Everton in an early phase of Liverpool domination.

Ryan Gravenberch has been in magnificent form, continuing his excellence with a finish of quality and technique to beat the diving Jordan Pickford.

Hugo Ekitike added the second from Gravenberch's pass to demonstrate what he offers in the central striking role, irrespective of the arrival of British record signing Isak.

Ekitike is a natural finisher, and while Slot has suggested he could play off the left-flank, the £70m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt is making a powerful case to be used through the centre on a regular basis.

Liverpool, as is their habit, made hard work of the second half as Everton improved, but once more they closed out the win to keep their place at the top of the table.