Liverpool

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.

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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.

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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."

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."

The agent of Canada striker Jonathan David has told potential suitors - including Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus and Inter Milan - that the 24-year-old wants a contract worth £5m a year if he is to join on a free transfer when his deal at Lille expires next summer. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Liverpool and Arsenal are among the top European clubs looking to add 20-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt and Sweden midfielder Hugo Larsson to their ranks in January. (Teamtalk), external

Finally, the Reds have been impressed by 22-year-old Sweden international Daniel Svensson, with Manchester United and Arsenal also among the clubs interested in the FC Nordsjælland left-back. (Teamtalk), external

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

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

There were plenty of memorable numbers across the weekend's Premier League football...

1 - How many games it took Brighton's Matt O'Riley to open his account in the top flight.

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250 - How many appearances Bruno Fernandes has now made for Manchester United, registering a combined 155 goals and assists in this time.

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4 - Consecutive defeats for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side, and the first time he has had such a losing run in his managerial career.

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28 - Points Liverpool boss Arne Slot has earned in the Premier League in his first 11 games in charge - the joint-most of any new manager.

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80 - Seconds between Bournemouth going 2-1 up and Mikkel Damsgaard equalising for Brentford.

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1:48 - How long into the game Pablo Sarabia put Wolves ahead against Southampton - becoming the club's earliest Premier League goalscorer.

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22 years, six months, two weeks and three days - The amount of time Ipswich Town had gone without a Premier League victory before Sunday's win at Tottenham.

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Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says he saw the first proper sign of Arne Slot's "connection" with the Liverpool fans after Saturday's victory over Aston Villa.

"It's a good start," Sutton said. "Liverpool fans are very knowledgeable. But, that [a good start] is all it is."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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The Redmen TV's Ste Plunkett joined BBC Radio Merseyside Total Sport show to talk about Liverpool's flying start to the season under new boss Arne Slot.

"We trust [Arne] Slot. We have had nine clean sheets in this run. We are winning games and getting into positions to win games from a solid base. I am a big fan of his approach," said Plunkett.

Slot's side went into the international break leading the Premier League by five points having won nine, drawn one and lost one of their opening 11 games of the campaign.

Plunkett added: "What we have got now is control. That will often see us take half an hour, sometimes a whole half, to understand what we have to do. The best illustration of that was the Leverkusen game."

Liverpool struggled to break down Bayer Leverkusen in the first half of their Champions League game last Wednesday but then hit four second-half goals to run out comfortable winners at Anfield.

That result saw them go two points clear at the top of the Champions League league phase standings as the only side to win all four matches so far.

Plunkett added: "We should be 100% behind this guy because he is seeing the challenges put in front of him and he is finding ways to deal with them."

Listen to the full episode now on BBC Sounds

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been tackling your questions as Premier League players head off to international duty

Harry asked: How do you feel about players dropping out of the England squad through 'injury' but then suddenly being fully fit to play as soon as club football returns. Was this happening five, 10, 15 years ago?

Phil answered: Players dropping out of England squads has been happening for as long as I can remember and there has always been a lot of noise around whether injuries were genuine or not, usually from fans of rival clubs who feel others are putting club allegiances ahead of the national side's interests.

I certainly believe most of the injuries have been genuine and this weekend I do not think there can be any question these players were injured.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off after 25 minutes of Liverpool's win over Aston Villa with a hamstring injury, while there is no way Arsenal duo Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka would have departed the game against Chelsea prematurely unless there was absolutely no way they could continue. Rice was already playing with a broken toe, while the Gunners are waiting to discover the extent of Saka's injury.

Jack Grealish's situation was interesting. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola clearly did not believe he was fit enough to be with England after missing club games through injury, but Lee Carsley selected him.