Gossip: Reds face competition for Jeltschpublished at 07:22 GMT 28 October
07:22 GMT 28 October
Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the top European clubs keen on Stuttgart's 20-year-old German centre-back Finn Jeltsch. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Chelsea are fully focused on signing Alex Scott from Bournemouth after his move fell through in the summer, with the 23-year-old England midfielder also on Liverpool's shortlist. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Liverpool will pursue Valencia winger David Otorbi in January if the La Liga side take up an option to increase the 19-year-old Spanish winger's release clause from £30m to £50m. (Football Insider), external
Alonso to celebrate Chelsea goals against Liverpoolpublished at 07:15 GMT 28 October
07:15 GMT 28 October
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter at Cobham Training Centre
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he will celebrate if the Blues score against his former club Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The Spaniard, 44, is returning to Anfield for the first time since becoming Blues manager over the summer.
Asked how he will react if Chelsea score, Alonso said: "Of course, I will celebrate, for sure. With full respect because for sure, my warmth with Liverpool was there as a player.
"But now, I am in a different role, I need to support my team, I need to support my club, I fight for my club and if we score, I will celebrate with whole respect.
"That is the respect for my club and the respect for the opponent as well."
It is the third time Alonso has returned as a visiting manager, having done so in his previous roles at Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen across the last two seasons.
Former Reds boss Arne Slot was still in the role before the decision was made for the Dutch head coach to be sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola.
However, Alonso was believed to be on Liverpool's radar before Slot's appointment, after his sensational league and cup double in his first top-level managerial season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Asked about that time, he explained: "Well at that time I was at Leverkusen and I was aware of the situation but I decided to stay. That was my decision at the time."
Alonso also explained that striker Joao Pedro is probably out until after the international break in November.
Iraola on team fitness, 'mandatory' squad rotation and Chelseapublished at 13:11 GMT 27 October
13:11 GMT 27 October
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Chelsea at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He is "quite optimistic" Florian Wirtz will be available, but he won't know for sure until the squad train on Tuesday afternoon.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are doubts with Iraola adding "it's going to be more difficult" to recover them in time to face Chelsea.
He said "there will definitely be changes" for the cup game but they still "want to be competitive" and progress to the quarter-final stage.
More on rotating his squad to deal with three competitions: "We need to see where the legs are and make some changes game-to-game because it's almost mandatory. We have a lot of options and we need to rotate."
He said they "have been unlucky" drawing Chelsea in the last 16, but regardless of the opponent they "want to be in the next round".
On whether he feels any pressure to deliver a trophy in his first season at the club: "Every competition is an opportunity, especially when you are the coach of Liverpool. You have to take it like this. I would love to win tomorrow and have the chance to go further in the competition, but I know we will have to play well and beat a very good team."
Iraola said it's not in their "team meeting or anything" like that to use Chelsea's ill-discipline to their advantage.
On Jayden Danns, who scored for the under-21s earlier this week: "He's building some good minutes and he scored the other day. He's in a good place. I hope he continues pushing and he progresses to fight for minutes."
'We need Araujo just as much as much as he needs us' - fans on defenderpublished at 10:59 GMT 27 October
10:59 GMT 27 October
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you whether you agreed with Liverpool fan Abigail that the club "give Barcelona whatever they want" to make Ronald Araujo's loan move permanent.
Here are some of your comments:
Sharron: Everything that Abigail says re: 'Big Ronald' - repeat, repeat, repeat. Love him to bits.
Gareth: Absolutely. He and Jeremy Jacquet are having a blinder and you can see that they're all-in. He's also versatile with an obviously good attitude and engine. The perfect recipe for a Liverpool defender.
Matthew: Absolutely they need to sign him permanently. He may be older than most of our signings but he has been fantastic for us when playing right-back or centre-back. Make the deal permanent.
Chris: Liverpool have already made some good signings but the one they really need to make is Araujo, he is that missing piece that the squad has been craving for!
Mark: Liverpool absolutely have to sign Araujo up on a permanent contract, he's been immense so far this season, out of position too in our troublesome right-back position.
Ash: The passion in which Araujo has played with these past two games is undeniable and something us fans should not take for granted, especially after the lack of it last season. The players are finally finding their groove and I think we need Araujo just as much as much as he needs us, he's where he needs to be and he will not find that in Barcelona.
Jay: Should we buy him? Absolutely. Should we give them 'whatever they want'? Not necessarily. Besides, he clearly loves this new chapter of his life. The deal is practically done. He knows he's very welcome and wanted.
Mike: Hold your horses, we've not even reached November yet! Araujo has done fantastically well since joining the Reds but let's see if we're saying the same after the Christmas schedule and then come February. If the performance level is still similar - or even better! - then yes, ensure he stays. But even then, every player has a limit to his price, so Liverpool should try to negotiate a lower fee than originally agreed.
Fan icon and balancing act - Monday Night Club on Araujopublished at 08:49 GMT 27 October
08:49 GMT 27 October
Media caption,
"As soon as any player tries to win a tackle with his head, they immediately go into club folklore."
Those were the words of presenter Mark Chapman on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club as the topic of Ronald Araujo was discussed.
The Liverpool defender - signed on loan from Barcelona - has become the focus of social media memes and fan accounts after another encouraging display in Sunday's win over Brighton.
Araujo did attempt to head a ball from the Anfield turf, came close to scoring in the first half and then executed a full-blooded challenge in the second period, with all three moments thrilling the crowd.
The Athletic's Adam Crafton commented: "We know Liverpool fans loves somebody who visibly cares and is committed. I'm not sure he's technically as good as some other right-backs but actually when you have someone bombing up at left-back like Kerkez does, having someone who is a bit more like a right centre-back gives you quite good balance."
Ex-Premier League winger Andros Townsend added: "I think they probably missed that balance last season. They built a team to dominate and got found out on the transition when they lost the ball - they were far too open. I think it is shrewd business to bring him in and have that balance."
Gossip: Reds in race for Brighton's Vuskovicpublished at 08:00 GMT 27 October
08:00 GMT 27 October
Liverpool hold Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha, 26, of Borussia Dortmund in high regard but he is not considered a priority transfer target. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Brighton and Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic, 19, continues to draw serious interest from Europe's elite, with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona joining the chase for the centre-back. (Teamtalk), external
Crystal Palace are reluctant to sell 28-year-old Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr in January after holding talks over a new contract. Sarr wanted to join Liverpool in the summer. (Football Insider), external
'It's difficult to imagine a more committed defender than Araujo'published at 16:59 GMT 26 October
16:59 GMT 26 October
Media caption,
BBC Radio Merseyside discussed Liverpool loanee Ronald Araujo on the latest edition of The Red Kop show.
The 27-year-old versatile defender has been winning Reds fans over since his first start for the club against Ipswich Town in September.
Host Paul Salt, said: "The determination, the never say die, the never give up attitude that he's got - obviously defensively he celebrates tackles like they're a goal. There was one point [against Brighton] where he was heading the ball on the floor.
"If he's £47m, I say buy him now. I don't see how you can go wrong."
Mike Hughes added: "He absolutely adores being at Liverpool. It's resurrected his career which had had an awful lot of high points let's not forget, and it's difficult to imagine a more committed defender than Ronald Araujo."
Hear more from BBC Radio Merseyside on Araujo above
Listen below to the full episode or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Should Liverpool 'give Barcelona whatever they want' to keep hold of Araujo?published at 13:27 GMT 26 October
13:27 GMT 26 October
Image source, Getty Images
Fan Abigail Rudkin says summer loan signing Ronald Araujo is "everything I could want in a Liverpool player" after another rock-solid performance in defence as the Reds shut out Brighton's relentless attack at Anfield.
The Seagulls are the Premier League's highest scorers this season, but Araujo and his team-mates kept the clinical attack quiet and handed them their second defeat of the season after two quickfire goals in the first half.
After a rocky start to the campaign for the Reds' defence and a lack of options at right-back, the Uruguay international has filled in excellently and solidified himself in the starting XI.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rudkin said: "Liverpool have got to give Barcelona whatever they want for Ronald Araujo in the summer.
"I fell in love with a loan player and I think the whole of Anfield have. His aggression, his desire, his passion, his ability to play at right-back and centre-back as well. He was absolutely impeccable.
"I could not want more from him. He is literally everything I could want in a Liverpool player and you can already see how much he has fallen for this football club."
How impressed have you been with the on-loan defender? Are you already convinced the Reds should do everything they can to make the deal permanent in the summer?
Van Dijk wants key names to 'step up'published at 12:08 GMT 26 October
12:08 GMT 26 October
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk praised Liverpool's £248m duo of Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola and insists that after the departure of Mohamed Salah in the summer, it's time for others to step up at Anfield.
Isak and Barcola combined neatly for the Reds' second goal in Sunday's 2-0 win over Brighton, a result that leaves Andoni Iraola's side fourth in the Premier League.
Van Dijk told reporters: "It's coming to terms with the reality. What Mo (Salah) has done over so many years as a winger, I don't think anyone can replicate that. What he did was incredible. And the same with Sadio (Mane) and Bobby (Firmino) and we, as a team.
"Hopefully that will all happen again and that's why we work for each other every day. Now, it's the time for others and others have to step up.
"You can always think that it was better back in the days but that's not the mentality we should have at Liverpool and I don't think it's ever been like that at Liverpool. The club will always move on at a certain point. There's always players that will shine and perform for this club."
Like at Brentford last weekend, Barcola assisted Isak in Sunday's win and Van Dijk insisted that the challenge now is to carry on. Liverpool have won their last four games in all competitions and take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before Arsenal travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
"Moments like this will give confidence to those players and the team. We've all seen the quality they both possess. You want it to come out as much as possible and as soon as possible," he said.
"The second goal was class and there's been moments this season where they've been very very good but at a club like Liverpool, you have to do it every few days. That's always a challenge but it's a nice challenge to embrace and I'm pretty confident it will be fine."
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:04 GMT 26 October
12:04 GMT 26 October
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Zaid: I thought we played fantastically, particularly in the first half our three big-money signings showed up and proved their worth. In the second half, we defended with passion, particularly Ronald Araujo was brilliant. But we need to clean up our errors, from Alisson yesterday and Virgil van Dijk on Wednesday. Florian Wirtz hobbling off also didn't look great, but positive signs this match. Either Alexander Isak, Wirtz or Bradley Barcola have to be POTM.
Martin: Great performance from Liverpool, battling hard against an in-form Brighton side. Wirtz, Barcola and Araujo were outstanding, and the Anfield crowd were in full voice, roaring the lads on.
Kev: A good day at the office. Still need to tighten up at the back and stay focused for the full 90 minutes. Fortunate not to concede. The harder you work, the luckier you get.
Sam: That's exactly the start we need to be starting all our matches. Brighton have come from a run of great wins but Liverpool showed that they can keep Anfield a fortress. Wonderful to see the trio of Wirtz, Isak and Barcola being involved in the goals, and Araujo is an absolute beast at the back and not afraid to put in big challenges. Great addition this season!
Brighton fans
Adam: Past two games we've not had that same quality in front of goal and the high press wasn't there as much against Liverpool. Overall happy with the performance, but if Yasin Ayari had buried that first chance the game could've been very different.
Fran: Not our best performance. Didn't seem to want to shoot like other weeks, kept trying to walk it in. Uncharacteristically sloppy in our passing as well. On to the next game!
David: Do not despair! Two fortunate goals for Liverpool, and we could have scored on a number of occasions. 65% of possession and every time we had the ball it looked as if the whole team knew what to do with it. An excellent performance, unfortunate result.
Sarah: Well done lads! Anfield is pretty intimidating - Liverpool played well but so did we. Losing Ferdi Kadioglu was a big blow and Ayari missed a couple he might have got another day but hey ho, we never gave up and kept our energy and tight passing till the end. No shame in losing at Anfield - I'm actually surprised it's their first home win!
First Anfield league win was 'important' - Gakpopublished at 09:31 GMT 26 October
09:31 GMT 26 October
Media caption,
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo says it was "important" for his side to get their first win of the Premier League season at Anfield under their belts.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside after the win over Brighton, the Netherlands international said: "For the club that we are, it's not good that it took so long to get the home win. Very happy with today. Clean sheet, good goals, I think a good game against a very good opponent.
Reds attack impressed against Brightonpublished at 08:17 GMT 26 October
08:17 GMT 26 October
Aadam Patel Football reporter
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It has been a long time coming but Alexander Isak might finally be living up to his price tag.
The Sweden striker arrived at Anfield amid huge fanfare in August 2025 when he signed from Newcastle for a British record £125m.
But a combination of a slow start and then suffering a broken leg in December meant his first season at the Reds became something of a nightmare - scoring just four goals in 22 games.
This season has been a different story. Isak's goal against Brighton on Sunday helped Liverpool to an impressive 2-0 win against the Premier League's in-form side, taking his tally to six for the campaign already.
The 27-year-old is averaging almost a goal per game and has scored more than half of Liverpool's Premier League goals this season.
Only Erling Haaland (nine) has scored more Premier League goals this season than Isak and when Liverpool signed him from Newcastle these were the numbers they expected.
For Reds boss Andoni Iraola, this was a fourth win in a row since the loss to Manchester City at Anfield a fortnight ago.
Interestingly, Liverpool's possession of 35.6% was their second lowest on record (since 2003-04) in a Premier League home win.
Both Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola were excellent and Cody Gakpo threatened all afternoon too, with Wirtz unlucky not to be credited for the goal when his strike took a deflection off Pascal Gross and gave Liverpool the lead.
Slowly but surely, his confidence is increasing in a Liverpool shirt and it is clear to see the impact he has on a game.
The German just needs the numbers to improve on his end and Liverpool will hope that he isn't set for a spell on the sidelines after he was substituted in the second half.
Analysis: Iraola's side finding rhythmpublished at 17:09 GMT 25 October
17:09 GMT 25 October
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Andoni Iraola's side are starting to find form, with this their fourth successive victory since a 3-0 loss to Manchester City in their previous Premier League match at Anfield.
Since that defeat, the Reds have now scored 14 goals in four games, with big-name players showing their class in the Premier League and Champions League.
Midfielder Florian Wirtz has seen his performances come under huge scrutiny and debate since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025 in a deal that could rise to £116m.
The German, impressive on this occasion before going off in the 65th minute, thought he had scored his first Premier League goal of the season.
He was originally credited with Liverpool's opener, only for it to be later judged as a Gross own goal.
Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak, who also each cost more than £100m, linked up superbly for Liverpool's second goal with the Reds a constant threat on the counter-attack.
Isak joined in a British record £125m move from Newcastle in September 2025, but he missed a large part of last season with a broken leg.
But the Swede's total of six league goals this season is the second highest in the Premier League, behind only Manchester City's Erling Haaland on nine.
Liverpool could and should have scored more.
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen twice saved to deny Cody Gakpo and also kept out an effort from Ronald Araujo. Ex-Seagulls midfielder Alexis Mac Allister headed wide against his former side and Isak fired another attempt over.
At the other end of the pitch, the Reds' defensive performances have been questioned this season, but they produced a resilient effort in the second half to stop any potential Brighton fightback.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: What Iraola and Wirtz saidpublished at 17:06 GMT 25 October
17:06 GMT 25 October
Andoni Iraola spoke to Sky Sports after Liverpool's victory against Brighton: "We needed this win at home to celebrate it with the supporters. We had a really good performance from the players. We started really aggressively, and we needed this start. We were very focused on starting well and scoring the first goal.
"It feels good and we have to keep going. I am liking a lot of things I am seeing on the pitch. Some of the players had better performances but it is a team you can trust.
On Florian Wirtz: "If they give him the ball or not, he has given us the goal. It is not just about the numbers. It is about being better with him on the pitch. Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle; it doesn't look big but we'll see.
"We had good match-ups and with the speed Barcola has, playing in behind, we have more speed.
"I want all the players available. The ones that are close - Dom, Victor. We need these players."
Florian Wirtz spoke to BBC Match of the Day: "We had the right mentality today to go into this game. In the first half or first 30 minutes, we were on top of them and really good in the duels, creating a lot of chances. It's good to end the half and we defended good. Really happy about that.
"It's really enjoyable. I think many things weren't so good in the last month so I'm even happier that it's going well at the moment. We are in a good way to get where we want to be. We should keep going like that and I'm happy about that."
On his ankle injury: "I think it should be alright. It's not too bad. I don't know much yet, we have to check it but it won't be long."
Liverpool's possession today of 35.6% was their second lowest on record (since 2003-04) in a Premier League home win, and lowest in an Anfield league victory since November 2010 (35.3% vs Chelsea).
Only Erling Haaland (9) has scored more Premier League goals this season than Liverpool's Alexander Isak (6), who has scored in three consecutive appearances in the competition for the first time since January 2025 for Newcastle (run of 8).
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: How the players ratedpublished at 16:52 GMT 25 October
16:52 GMT 25 October
Starting XI:
Alisson: Didn't have a save to make in the first half but was nearly punished when Yasin Ayari hit the post after his careless pass out from the back. Will be delighted with the clean sheet. 7
Ronald Araujo: Showed great strength in the build-up for the first goal and was solid again, defensively. Nearly scored too but his effort was saved. 7
Jeremy Jacquet: Another good performance. Composed on the ball and made some crucial blocks. 7
Virgil van Dijk: Back to his usual self after a relatively poor display midweek. Another clean sheet in the Premier League. 7
Milos Kerkez: Didn't have the best of games and had his work cut out against Diego Gomez but ultimately, part of a Liverpool backline that kept Brighton out. 6
Ryan Gravenberch: Solid work rate, particularly in a game where Liverpool had a lot less of the ball. 7
Alexis Mac Allister: Certainly one of Liverpool's better players this season and bar some loose passes, this was another encouraging display from the Argentine. 7
Bradley Barcola: Did superbly to tee up Isak and was a handful all afternoon for Olivier Boscagli. Did everything but score. 8
Florian Wirtz: Played with such a confidence and unfortunate that his strike was an own-goal from Gross. Caused Brighton plenty of problems throughout. Went off shortly after receiving treatment. 8
Cody Gakpo: Constantly threatened, playing down his preferred left, and had two efforts saved. Unlucky not to get an assist too. 7
Alexander Isak: A simple finish but in the right place at the right time for his sixth Premier League goal in as many games. Still not at his best yet but with those numbers, Andoni Iraola will be delighted. 7
Subs:
Nyoni (on 65, Wirtz): Solid challenge instantly after coming on and the teenager looks like he is improving every week. 7
Ngumoha (on 77, Barcola):N/A
Koumas (on 77, Isak):N/A
Tsimikas (on 88, Kerkez):N/A
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, McConnell.
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