Liverpool

George Mills
BBC Sport senior journalist

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There is no getting around the fact that £116m is an awful lot of money.

Even in today's football economy, where a few shirts and a keyring at the club shop might set you back a similar amount, £116m is a startling sum.

Given the same figure would be comfortably enough to buy an entire football club anywhere outside the Premier League, it is the sort of price tag that demands an immediate return on investment.

It is for that reason, among a myriad of other issues at Liverpool, that Florian Wirtz is fast becoming the most worrisome.

Briefly a British transfer record signing, Wirtz has been thoroughly underwhelming since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but let's preface this with a slight concession: he hasn't been dreadful.

Despite the obvious challenge of adapting to his new surroundings, Wirtz has cut a busy figure for Liverpool, determined to show his worth.

According to stats compiled by Fbref, of Premier League players in his position the 22-year-old is well within the top 10% of performers for passes attempted, progressive passes and shot-creating actions, and is just outside the top 25% for touches in the penalty box.

There have been moments of excellence too - a little turn here, a crafty ball there and his flick to Mohamed Salah at Chelsea may have been the best of the lot.

He is certainly not hiding.

Yet 'not awful' doesn't cut the mustard after a nine-figure outlay. Nor should it, even mitigating for relative youth and the challenge of adapting to a new league.

Though his price tag was not his choosing, expecting him to begin conducting the orchestra rather than simply chiming the triangle is not unreasonable.

The German started five of Liverpool's first six Premier League games, a streak that has flipped to just two of the last five since the start of October. He's also yet to contribute a goal or assist domestically.

Head coach Arne Slot has moved Wirtz across multiple positions, playing both centrally and more recently at left wing. As a result, it is perhaps understandable that consistency has not followed.

But part of the reason he has been shifted out wide is a response to his impact in the number 10 position that he was ostensibly signed to play in.

Slot has already figured out that Liverpool currently lose more than they gain from playing Wirtz centrally, and that's what should concern supporters hoping to see him succeed.

Technically, he undoubtedly has the ability to succeed but physically, he has been bullied and bounced to the periphery of far too many games already.

Speaking after Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, Gary Neville likened him to a "little boy" while former England star Joe Cole branded him "lightweight".

At 22 years old, Wirtz could yet find his feet in the Premier League, though a year of beef burgers and deadlifts might be just what he needs.

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Liverpool fan Abigail Rudkin speaks to BBC Radio Merseyside about the Reds' current league position and title prospects: "I don't want to be that fan that says 'yes it's over' and then everyone is laughing at me in the future when we do some miraculous comeback and Arsenal slip.

"There's that thing inside of me that they can slip up. But then Manchester City are there and you know how Liverpool fans feel about City - they are relentless.

"For us to be able to be up there, it just feels like an impossible task now. To have five defeats... we only lost four last season.

"There's lots of points to be had but it just feels like there are too many problems there. There is so much wrong. I hate to feel so negative."

Listen to Abigail here and get more clips from Radio Merseyside on their BBC Sounds page

• Watch a clip of Abi below where she jokes she hopes Liverpool boss Arne Slot doesn't use the international break for a holiday having frustrated some fans with a trip to Dubai during the last break in the calendar.

Liverpool and Tottenham are eyeing Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, 25, to reinforce their attacks. (Teamtalk), external

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

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We wanted your suggestions for Liverpool's all-time best Premier League XI.

And you delivered!

Here's a first bunch:

Gary: 4-3-3. Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Hyypia, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, Suarez, Salah. Just the best of the best.

Jamie: 4-3-3. Reina, Arbeloa, Van Dijk, Hyypia, Robertson, Alonso, Gerrard, Henderson, Mane, Suarez, Salah. I think the defence would give us protection and stability. The midfield would be able to cut defences open and run all day. The forward line will score lots of goals and torture defences.

Matt: 3-1-4-2. Alisson, Carragher, Hyypia, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Alonso, Riise, Gerrard, Salah, Suarez. Three top centre-backs with physical and technical skills with wing-backs to provide crosses. The midfield three have energy, leadership, playmaking abilities and can defend wide if the wing-backs bomb forward. Salah is a little out of position but both him and Suarez will drift wider, leaving gaps for Gerrard.

Mark: 3-4-3. Alisson. Hyypia, Van Dijk, Matip, Gerrard, Alonso, Barnes, Gravenberch, Fowler, Salah, Rush. At their peaks, no-one is getting past those defenders. The midfield is so solid and creative. The attackers are just goal machines. Simple.

Paddy: 5-3-2. Alisson, McAteer, Carragher, Hyypia, Van Dijk, McManaman, Gerrard Alonso, Barnes, Fowler Suarez. Far too many people are quick to forget 1992-2010. McAteer was a fantastic wing back,and I had to get Macca in there. Fowler and Suarez would be a perfect duo and the rest need no introduction.

Ian: 4-3-3. Alisson, R Jones, Carragher, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Alonso, Gerrard, Barnes, Suarez, Salah. Most speak for themselves. Rob Jones is in because a) he was great and b) he might actually get on the score sheet in this team. Peak John Barnes was untouchable.

Josh Sexton
Fan writer

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Liverpool were beaten on three fronts by Manchester City.

City battered them, first and foremost. From their creeping press to cut off passing lanes when Ibrahima Konate had the ball, to Jeremy Doku not giving Conor Bradley, or anybody who rushed to his aid, a moment's peace, they executed their gameplan perfectly.

As a team that tends to get more positive and confident in their football as the season goes on, they are certainly back in title contention now.

The second front Liverpool were beaten on was by themselves.

It felt a little like they were satisfied with how they sat off Real Madrid at times last week to keep their shape and decided to replicate it against City, forgetting that the reason they could be a little more passive on the European stage was that they had earned the right to play after a fast start.

The defeat at Etihad Stadium saw no fast start. Arne Slot's side got more and more passive as the first half went on, with the game fading further and further away from them, so they were there for the taking and deserved a two-goal deficit at half-time.

It was a disappointing climbdown from what had been a really purposeful week up until kick-off on Sunday.

The third front Liverpool were beaten on was in the margins. In truth, the Reds created their own bad luck - Virgil van Dijk's outstretched foot that deflected the second goal past Giorgi Mamardashvili was a perfect symbol of their half-hearted attempts to keep City at bay.

Slot and his team may feel they are watching a lot of VAR decisions made in grey areas of the rulebook go against them right now, but if you earn your right to play a game and take it to a team, you can reverse those margins in your favour - as both Manchester City and Brentford have found at our expense recently.

All is not lost for Liverpool's season, but a title challenge feels so far beyond the realms of possibility right now.

The talent is clearly there, but Slot needs to find a way to have his team ready to sustain a consistent attack on the trophies and qualification stakes that remain.

Find a way. Sustain consistency. Attack.

Earn the right to play, Liverpool. The rest will take care of itself.

Find more from Josh Sexton on outlets including The Anfield Wrap, external

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Defeat by Manchester City means Liverpool have already lost five Premier League games in the current campaign, one more than their final total in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. In fact, only the league's bottom six have been beaten more often than the Reds this term.

The last time the Merseysiders had lost five top-flight matches by this stage was in 2014-15, when they went on to finish sixth in Brendan Rodgers' final full season in charge.

The history books suggests it is highly unlikely Arne Slot's side can recover to retain the title.

Not since Manchester City in 1967-68 has a side been crowned top-flight champions after five defeats in their opening 11 fixtures. Going back even further, Liverpool themselves managed the feat in 1905-06, as did Sunderland in 1912-13.

Because Slot's team have yet to draw, they are only eight points off the top and have winnable games against Nottingham Forest and West Ham after the international break.

But they will need to kick the losing habit swiftly or else the gap to Arsenal and Manchester City will quickly become insurmountable.

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It's international break so let's have a bit of fun to pass the time.

Now we know football existed before 1992, but for the purposes of this little exercise, keep it Premier League please.

So tell us, who would be in your dream Liverpool Premier League XI?

The debate starts here.

Send your suggestions

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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They say the league table never lies, but that does not mean it is always easy to get the entire truth out of it.

With second and ninth being separated by only two points, it is ridiculous to take too much out of a league position. Even so, Liverpool going into the international break in eighth is a bit of a shock, at least on The Kop.

There is also the eight-point gap between themselves and Arsenal to consider. For goodness' sake they are only three points - one win - above the rejuvenated Everton.‌

Everyone is looking for the cause of the problem. Certainly the planned revolution rather than evolution of the squad by Arne Slot this summer, has unsettled the group.

Mohamed Salah is not getting them out of the holes the way he has regularly done in the past either - his four league goals so far is a respectable return but not his usual super-human level.‌

But it is the way their midfield has been made to look sluggish and lumbering that is a concern. That is not who they are - they are young and vibrant. Slot has to make sure the display we witnessed in the first 45 minutes at Manchester City does not recur.

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There was drama at Chesterfield, where Liverpool Under-21 came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against the League Two side, and then won the mammoth subsequent penalty shootout 11-10.

Liverpool, managed by former Wales boss Rob Page, went behind in the second half when Bailey Hobson's shot bobbled past Fabian Mrozek in the visiting goal, before Dylan Duffy doubled the lead two minutes later.

It looked like Kaide Gordon - a previous scorer for Liverpool's first team in the FA Cup - had only netted a consolation goal to make it 2-1, but then he struck again in added time to force a shootout.

After 24 penalties, Liverpool finally prevailed when former Premier League midfielder John Fleck hit the bar with Chesterfield's 12th - and his second - penalty of the shootout.

Even though the win secured an extra point for Liverpool, Page's team still finished bottom of their group, while Chesterfield progressed to the knockout stages as one of the top two teams.

Sin bins? Bonus points? Two goals if you score from distance?

Imagine a world in which you could reinvent football.

It's a dream, of course. Just a bit of fun. But stick with us.

What if you had the power to change any of the game's laws and potentially bring to an end countless hours of discussion about handball, offside, video assistant referees, or anything else you want to?

Some of BBC Sport's familiar football faces have offered their own potential rule changes.

Watch them above or read more here

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The Observer's Rory Smith has been discussing the potential reasons behind some of Liverpool's "leggy performances" so far this season on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"The number of times we've heard people say Liverpool look 'leggy' this season is extraordinary," Smith said. "Sometimes that aspect is understandable, though.

"There is a human aspect of Diogo Jota's passing and a practical impact in that their pre-season got knocked back a couple of weeks.

"Whether or not the players are feeling the knock-on effects of that still, I don't know. It feels a bit unlikely that they shouldn't be up to speed by now.

"There are still individual players who aren't playing well, and it is completely fair to mention that it could be for reasons that aren't to do with just not 'liking' Arne Slot's tactics.

"But I'm really uncomfortable with this idea that Liverpool's Premier League title last season wasn't to do with Arne Slot. I think that's a really weird standard to hold people to."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton also voiced his concerns that the majority of Liverpool's summer signings - worth a total of £415m - have not hit the ground running at Anfield.

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

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Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has admitted the Reds have given themselves a lot of work to do to defend their Premier League title.

Arne Slot's side were beaten 3-0 at Manchester City on Sunday - a fifth league defeat already, having only lost four in 2024-25. The result left them four points behind City and eight off leaders Arsenal after 11 games.

"Obviously, we've given ourselves a huge uphill battle, but I don't think any of the teams will really look at the league table until we're halfway through," said Robertson.

"We have got to pick up points on a more consistent basis - then let's see where we are after Christmas time or whatever.

"I don't think you can talk about the title this early on in the season, regardless of what position you're in, but you need to then consistently start winning games again for that to even come into question.

"It's definitely not a question that's getting spoken about in the changing room or anything."

Meanwhile, speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, captain Virgil van Dijk reflected on the defeat at Etihad Stadium, including his headed goal that was disallowed for Robertson standing in an offside position inside the six-yard box.

Liverpool have made contact with Professional Game Match Officials Limited to raise their concerns over the decision, which was upheld by VAR.

"The goals we conceded and the decisions we made could have changed the game, but the reality is that it didn't and we lost 3-0. Now we have to deal with it," said Van Dijk.

"The officials at the stadium and behind the screen have to make the right decision for the game and they gave the decision that the goal didn't stand.

"I think the goal should have stood, but I am not the one making the decision."

Listen to more from Van Dijk on BBC Sounds

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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In the summer, when football fans were writing those tedious predicted strongest XIs, Dom Szoboszlai couldn't get in Liverpool's team.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were in the double pivot, with Florian Wirtz taking the Hungarian's place from last season at number10.

But Szoboszlai has been Liverpool's player of the season and is as integral to the midfield as Virgil van Dijk is to the defence. He was the one shining light against Manchester City on Sunday, and brilliant versus Real Madrid in the Champions League victory.

Despite being 3-0 down at the Etihad - following a horrendous refereeing decision it must be said - Szoboszlai fought tirelessly, which could not be said of some of his team-mates, who looked resigned to the defeat far too early.

He is one who should be in line for a new contract soon, given his current deal expires at the end of next season. And in fact, if he carries on in his current vein, there is an argument to suggest he might be the favourite to take over the armband from Van Dijk eventually.

I would be very surprised if Liverpool could get themselves back in the Premier League title race, but the Champions League provides a great opportunity.

Once the knockout rounds starts the new signings will have hopefully bedded in more and we can do a PSG - who were also average before Christmas last term before going on to win it.

One thing we do know is if we are to win anything this term, Szoboszlai will be at the heart of it.

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

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Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has made himself unavailable for selection for Italy's two remaining World Cup qualifiers, according to manager Gennaro Gattuso.

Italy are travelling to face Moldova on Thursday before hosting group leaders Norway in Milan on Sunday.

Despite the crucial matches, Gattuso insisted he had to respect the wishes of the 28-year-old.

"I often talk to him. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has," the Italy boss said.

"We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can't say anything else."

Gattuso did not provide a reason for the decision by the former Juventus and Fiorentina player, who last featured for Italy at the 2024 European Championship.

Despite limited minutes under Arne Slot this season at Liverpool, Chiesa has featured 12 times, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are both interested in Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. (AS - in Spanish), external

Liverpool are willing to pay Inter Milan £88m (100m euros) for 26-year-old Italy centre-back Alessandro Bastoni. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, left-back Andy Robertson will leave Anfield when his contract expires next summer and has already held talks with Celtic. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

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Manchester City might have made a statement of intent in the title race with their 3-0 win against reigning champions Liverpool last night and moved four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal before the international break.

But they are still some way off catching the Gunners, according to Opta's Premier League predictions.

The Opta supercomputer's latest update has Pep Guardiola's City finishing about seven points behind Arsenal at the end of the season.

Opta still gives Arsenal 63.6% chance of winning the title this season with City only having a 22.9% chance of becoming champions in the latest set of simulations.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have only a 7% probability of defending their title with Chelsea marked at 2.75%.

Predicted points after 38 games:

Arsenal - 80.19

Man City - 73.50

Liverpool - 68.23

Chelsea - 63.34

Aston Villa - 60.76

Crystal Palace - 59.32

Man Utd - 56.37

Bournemouth - 56.31

Brighton - 55.93

Tottenham - 54.97

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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After Liverpool's 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last month, Chelsea's Marc Cucurella said the Blues had targeted the Reds' right flank, intimating that because Mohamed Salah is "always ready to attack" there is more space for the opposition to exploit.

There is certainly a recent pattern of rivals trying this ploy. In each of the Merseysiders' past eight league games, opponents have channelled more attacks down their left (Liverpool's right) than they have through the centre or via the opposite flank.

In fact, since the start of September, 43% of attacks by Liverpool's Premier League opponents have been directed at this perceived weak spot. That compares to 31% via the other wing and 26% up the middle.

Former Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was sometimes viewed as a player who could be a weak link defensively, but with the Englishman now at Real Madrid, there is an argument the problem is more a case of team structure than personnel.

Conor Bradley, who has started the past seven league games at right-back, excelled against Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr in midweek, but the 22-year-old found Manchester City's Jeremy Doku a far tougher proposition on Sunday.

Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong this summer, though he has not started a Premier League game since the opening day because of hamstring issues.

Even when he returns to fitness, the attack-minded Dutchman might not necessarily make Liverpool more defensively resilient, having mainly featured as a wing-back in his final two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen.

If head coach Arne Slot wants to shore up his right-hand side, Bradley will need more protection. Is the solution as simple as asking star man Salah to track back more often?

Otherwise, a tactical reshuffle might be necessary against elite opposition, with a more defensively diligent player fielded in front of Bradley to avoid the talented but inexperienced Northern Irishman being isolated too often.

We asked for your views on Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Jimmy: Disappointing performance. The form of Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate is particularly worrying, especially away from home. Maybe they should be given a rest like Milos Kerkez because he looked much better after a few weeks on sidelines. Florian Wirtz needs to get stronger as he is too easily knocked off the ball. Then let him play the Martin Odegaard role behind Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.

Jack: Liverpool were awful. Even if the penalty wasn't awarded and Van Dijk's goal was awarded, it wouldn't have mattered because we were shambolic. We played like we did against the likes of Crystal Palace, Brentford and Manchester United, constantly playing ourselves into trouble. And was Ekitike even on the pitch? He got so little service he might as well have gone for dinner. Liverpool just couldn't handle the City pressure and the doubt that was relieved slightly by the wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid has reared its ugly head again. Maybe the end of Slot, at the extreme.

Andy: I'm dismayed to see the rapid demise of Salah. He's lost his pace and his touch. He rarely beats his full-back and tries to shoot at ridiculous times. Slot needs to give Federico Chiesa a chance. He's got lots to sort out and it is weird how so many players are so out of touch.

Peter: At the moment, Liverpool are not up to the challenge of defending their Premier League title. All the money that has been spent over the summer and they can't gel together. There is no running in them. I think some of the players just think they can turn up and it will all be good, Slot also has a lot to answer for as it's his job to sort out this mess.

Christopher: The lack of physicality is worrying. Salah and Wirtz were lightweight. Konate is away with the fairies at times and his distribution is poor. Salah's lack of support for Conor Bradley is not helping the defence either and he needs benching. Wirtz needs to step up or drop out. A front line of Ekitike, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak looks a better bet.

Ruhel: Chiesa coming on with seven minutes left says all there is to say about Slot's decision making. Continuously playing Konate who has been error-prone in nearly every game this season and signing a injury-prone striker for £125 million. Time for Slot to go.

Kevin: In a word, EMBARRASSING!!!

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Subjective offside decisions, those where the player does not touch the ball, are always controversial.

They require interpretation about impact from the officials, and that is often not straightforward.

And Chris Kavanagh, who was the referee for Sunday's game between Manchester City and Liverpool, knows all about them.

As Virgil van Dijk's header made its way towards goal, Andy Robertson ducked to allow the ball to go into the net. The defender was standing offside, and the assistant raised his flag for offside.

This decision was not about line of vision, but "an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball".

The offside law does not require a referee to think City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma would definitely save it, only that his ability to do so has been affected. It is the ducking motion which is absolutely crucial because it could put doubt into the goalkeeper's mind about a potential touch.

If Donnarumma had not been standing close to Robertson, or if the player was not in the six-yard box, the case for offside would have been weak.

But there must be an argument that Donnarumma had been impacted. For that reason, as the on-field team gave offside, it was not likely to be overturned through a video assistant referee review.

It is a borderline call, but still supportable as an on-field decision.

However, officials are advised it is usually best to leave complicated subjective offside decisions to the VAR, and if that had happened Liverpool were likely to have had had an equaliser.

A good comparison is a disallowed Everton goal against Manchester United in March 2020. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's shot was deflected towards goal, and an offside Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was sitting inside the six-yard box, withdrew his legs to allow the ball through. The referee? Chris Kavanagh.

We can compare it to a goal which was given through VAR last season. John Stones' late winner for Manchester City at Wolves was chalked off on the field for Bernardo Silva being in the line of vision of goalkeeper Jose Sa.

But while he was close to Sa, he was not in front of him and, unlike Robertson, he did not duck out of the path of the ball. The referee? Chris Kavanagh.

We have seen a couple of similar situations this season - a Manchester United goal at Nottingham Forest, and one for Leeds against Bournemouth - where an offside player has made a small movement away from the ball.

In those cases it was felt that movement and the positions of the players (they were not inside the six-yard box) was not enough to affect the goalkeeper.

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker believes Liverpool "miss Luis Diaz" and that is why they are struggling to create opportunities this season.

"What he did for Liverpool was like what Jeremy Doku did for Manchester City on Sunday," said Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "He was a dribbler and although he doubled up defensively for Liverpool, he was also still able to carry the ball and ride three or four challenges to make something happen.

"It would carry the team up the pitch and they don't have that many players now who can do that.

"They let Diaz leave for Bayern Munich, where he is doing the same thing he did for Liverpool and becoming an extra level of threat for them.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold got a lot of stick for leaving but his passing ability is being missed on the pitch too.

"If you win a Premier League title then there is expectancy for the next season. Liverpool had a big summer of recruitment, with people saying they 'won' the transfer market, and it just hasn't happened for them yet.

"It is a chemistry issue, but it is not a crisis."

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