Liverpool news and transfers LIVE – Virgil van Dijk vow, Mohamed Salah talks, Kelleher demand

All the latest Liverpool news and transfer gossip during the international break, including updates on Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah

Hello and welcome to the ECHO’s blog on Monday morning! Arne Slot will be eager to extend his perfect start to life at Anfield following the international break when the Reds lock horns with Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool have won each of their first three Premier League games with the Dutchman in the dugout, sitting at the top of the table alongside Manchester City. The Merseyside outfit shall host Steve Cooper’s side on Saturday afternoon before jetting off to Italy to face AC Milan on Tuesday night in the new-look Champion League.

In other news, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk continue to face uncertain futures at the club, with their contracts set to expire in June. Slot will be hoping he can persuade the trio to sign extensions in the coming months.

Ibrahima Konate’s honest response

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has reacted to France’s loss to Italy after being blamed for the loss by French media and witnessing a stunning dressing room rant by team-mate Mike Maignan.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima

How Liverpool transfer ‘collapsed’

Liverpool reportedly explored the possibility of signing Mexico international Cesar Huerta before last month’s transfer deadline.

In August, TUDN suggested Huerta was “very close” to becoming Liverpool’s third summer addition – after Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa.

The Mexican broadcaster reported that the forward, 23, was set to be loaned out to Championship club Sunderland for the 2024/25 season, before then teaming up with the Reds next summer.

However, that switch is said to have collapsed because Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris “did not endorse” the arrival of Huerta. Now, those claims have seemingly been backed up by Pumas UNAM manager Gustavo Lema, who has outlined his pride at Huerta for being on the brink of a move to Anfield.

Why Liverpool could swap Nike for Adidas

Nike has been Liverpool’s kit partner since 2020. But from the start of next season there could be a change of direction for the Reds, writes Dave Powell.

Back in April, it was first reported by Sport Business that Liverpool were ready to make the move away from Nike at the end of the current contract, which finishes at the end of this current season, with a return to German sportswear giant Adidas expected.

The club has remained coy on the prospect of changing its kit partner to Adidas, declining to comment on the situation when asked by the ECHO recently, with no official confirmation on what will be happening in terms of next year’s kit supplier expected until early next year.

Supporters give FSG verdict

Fenway Sports Group have been given overwhelming backing in a poll carried out by the Liverpool ECHO –and that’s despite fans wanting more signings in future transfer windows.

The Reds’ business in the transfer market came under fire after just one arrival this summer, with Federico Chiesa signed for a bargain £10m from Juventus. Fans, who participated in the ECHO’s survey carried out after the transfer window closed, expressed their happiness with FSG’s overall running of the club.

Out of nearly 4000 responses, 75% of which indicated they are content with the owners. When asked if Liverpool still need to strengthen in January, 45% of responses indicated that a defender should be pursued by Richard Hughes.

Just 13% of people said the squad was well balanced and didn’t need further

Lawrenson heaps praise on Slot

Mark Lawrenson believes Arne Slot has made Ryan Gravenberch feel loved again. Speaking to Paddy Power, as quoted by the Mirror, the Liverpool legend said: “Ryan Gravenberch has looked very good so far.

“He generally played more forward under Jürgen Klopp, and this was a different role. The three midfielders all have masses of talent and are all at an age where they know what it’s all about.

“One of the first things Arne Slot would’ve done would be to tell Gravenberch he’s part of the team – maybe that’s all he wanted. They’ve also let some young midfielders go, which I’m surprised about.”

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch during training for the Netherlands at the KNVB

Tchouameni stance revealed

Fabrizio Romano has claimed Aurelien Tchouameni looks set to stay at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future despite links to Liverpool. Speaking on the ‘Here We Go’podcast, he said: “Many people raised rumours about Liverpool, Arsenal, Tchouameni in 2025.

“I wanted to clarify something for 2024, 2025, 2026, whenever. The intention of Aurelien Tchouameni is to stay in Real Madrid. The intention of Real Madrid is to keep Aurelien Tchouameni as a crucial player for that project.

“For present and future. They are in love with Tchouameni, with the player, with the professional. How he acted in the centre-back position was something really appreciated by the technical staff at Real Madrid.

“So it’s absolutely not even considered for Real Madrid to sell Aurelien Tchouameni. The situation is perfect between the club and was

Kelleher breaks his silence

Speaking to the BBC, Caoimhin Kelleher has revealed he wants to leave Liverpool to prove himself. The Reds goalkeeper said: “I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out.

“The club’s made that decision to get another goalkeeper and from the outside looking in, it looks like they’ve made a decision to go in a different direction.”

Kelleher added: “Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like that’s 100% my decision but at times it’s not always in my hands.

“It’s been reported that Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. My ambition is clear that I think I’m good enough and I want to go out and prove it.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher

AC Milan dealt injury blow

AC Milan have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their clash with Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The Algerian FA have confirmed that Ismaël Bennacer has withdrawn from the squad after suffering a knock in training.

Translated from Arabic, an official statement from the Algerian FA reads: “Bennacer suffers injury in training, exempted from Liberia match This Sunday morning, the national coach, Vladimir Petkovic, scheduled the last training session at the National Technical Center in Sidi Moussa before travelling to Monrovia in the afternoon.

“During this session, midfielder Ismael Bennacer suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw without continuing training. After undergoing medical tests, it was confirmed that the player will not be able to participate in next Tuesday’s match against

Suarez offers Nunez some advice

Luis Suarez has offered Darwin Nunez some words of wisdom after the Liverpool striker was hit with a five-game ban for Uruguay due to his involvement in a Copa America brawl. As quoted by talkSPORT, he said: “I already spoke with Darwin when he was sanctioned in England.

“Sometimes people enjoy it more when you are on the ground and fall, but people feel more pain when you get back up. And that is what he has to do: get up and continue to show the kind of player he is.

“That is where you see the great players and the mental strength he has to have to show those people that they like to see him on the ground.”

Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez

Wright makes Salah claim

Mohamed Salah may choose to stay at Liverpool to write himself in the club’s history books, according to Ian Wright. Speaking to the Premier League website, the Arsenal legend said: “I do get the impression that he will probably like to stay at Liverpool and break records.

“He has got that legacy to play for. Let’s say he stays for three years. Even if he dropped off in the last year, that’s 10 years of unbelievable service. I believe that he will probably stay if Liverpool go about it.

“And I know that people get very nervy around giving contracts to people in their 30s, but I think that he’s an exception in the way that he prepares himself and plays.”

Mohamed Salah in action for Egypt against Cape town

Lineker in awe of Alexander-Arnold

Speaking on the The Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker showered Trent Alexander-Arnold with praise. The Match of the Day presenter said: “The other thing we haven’t perhaps seen with England in the last few years is that when Trent did do that thing right-backs and full-backs do now.

“Where they turn into an inverted, whatever you want to call it. He turned into a midfield player, at times. His passing range is truly extraordinary.

“I don’t know if you noticed but he actually hit a pass in the first minute of the game that was like ‘wow’ – he will benefit from a side that plays on the front foot and if you play in their half.”

Gravenberch has impressed so far this season

Rafael van der Vaart has heaped praise on Ryan Gravenberch following his brilliant start to the season for Liverpool. Speaking on Dutch broadcaster, as quoted by Liverpool World, the former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said: “Ryan Gravenberch is playing very good!

“Super sharp, looking like a free man, super dynamic, always between the lines. He is playing with so much confidence, it’s finally coming out!”

Ryan Gravenberch was a general in the Netherlands’ midfield against Bosnia & Herzegovina

Quansah opens up on Ipswich substitution

Jarell Quansah has revealed his half-time substitution during Liverpool’s clash against Ipswich on the opening weekend of the season was ‘a kick up the backside’. Speaking to the MailOnline, the Reds defender said: “It’s a long season, I have the whole season to prove myself.

“It’s given me a kick up the backside, you could say. I’ll keep grafting on the training pitch and that’s all it is. It’s never a nice feeling as a footballer to be subbed off at half-time but at the end of the day it was the gaffer’s decision but it was the right one.

“It obviously worked because we won, so I can only focus on myself, improve myself, kick forward and move on to the next game. I’m staying ready for whenever it

Van Dijk breaks his silence

Following the Netherlands’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, Virgil van Dijk said: “I am a warrior and a fighter and I will never just give up for Oranje.

“Ultimately, you have to look at your own abilities and assess whether you are still important enough. I most certainly am. On the field and off it. I am the captain of Liverpool, a consistent factor and I feel excellent physically while I am improving on the ball too.

“I want to play another World Cup. I know I am still more than good enough…”

Mac Allister injury update

Alexis Mac Allister has dealt Liverpool an injury scare during the international break. Last week, Lionel Scaloni confirmed that the Reds midfielder was in ‘pain’ after a training session.

As quoted by the Evening Standard, the Argentina boss told TyC Sports: “Alexis didn’t train because he was overloaded, he was in pain. It always happens to us, they come out to do their part.

“We’ll wait and see how he responds today. It doesn’t change our way of playing much because we’ll stay the same, but it’s true that he gives us play, set pieces. The rest of the team is more or less decided.”

Mac Allister was then forced off after scoring for his country against Chile. According to Fabrizio Romano, the knock is not thought to be serious and he’s expected to return to action this weekend.

Souness makes bold prediction

Graeme Souness believes Trent Alexander-Arnold has already ‘made up his mind’ on his future at Liverpool. Speaking on William Hill’s Three Up Front podcast, the Reds legend said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold is tailor-made for Real Madrid in terms of the way he plays, and he’s got an unbelievable delivery – not to mention he’s good friends with Jude Bellingham.

“He could end up at Madrid and that message may already have been relayed to Liverpool,” added Souness. “The message that he’s made up his mind may already have been relayed to the higher-ups at the club.

“He’s running his contract down. If you’re going to leave Liverpool, where else other than Real Madrid can you really go to better yourself?”

Arne Slot and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpoo

Salah has ‘rocked the boat’

Troy Deeney has claimed that Mohamed Salah’s huge wages have had a negative impact on his teammates at Liverpool. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Watford striker said: “There was talk in football that [Salah’s] extension rocked the boat a little bit, because it was so far above everybody else that it kind of made Liverpool go hold on – everybody else came to the forefront like ‘where’s my money?”

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been full of smiles away on international duty with Egypt

Barnes compares Gravenberch to a legend of the game

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, John Barnes likened Ryan Gravenberch to Andrea Pirlo. The Red legend said: “Playing Ryan Gravenberch as a number 6 is a bit like playing Pirlo in a number 6.

“A different type of player but more attacking, more comfortable on the ball rather than a hard-working, difficult, strong defensive midfield player.”

Liverpool and Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

Van Dijk commits his future to the Netherlands…

Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to the Netherlands until the 2026 World Cup at least. Speaking to Sky Sports last week, Ronald Koeman confirmed: “I thought it was so important to go to him to see and feel with him: are you going to give it your all for another two years at the highest level and do you still see a future for yourself?

“And he does. And I do the same with him. All doubt is gone, he just goes on,” the former Everton boss added. “He admitted he did not reach the level you would expect from him as a player at the European Championship. As captain, I think he did a great job. But perhaps as a result, he put too much energy into others rather than into himself.”