Liverpool news: Alexander Isak team-mate issues denial as Reds face Marc Guehi battle

Liverpool have made a fast start to the new Premier League season and will hope they can continue in the same vein when their players return after international duty

Liverpool have gone into the international break atop the Premier League table. The reigning champions have a 100 percent record so far, and will be able to add new record signing Alexander Isak into the mix when they return.

Arne Slot’s Reds still have room for improvement, with just one clean sheet across those first three matches. They also missed out on target Marc Guehi on deadline day, potentially leaving young centre-back Giovanni Leoni with a bigger role to play than first anticipated.

Next up for Slot’s team is a trip to Burnley. The Clarets won their first home league game against fellow promoted side Sunderland, but lost their away outings against Tottenham and Manchester United.

Liverpool did the double over the same opponents in the 2023-24 season, winning 2- at Turf Moor and 3-1 at Anfield. Their last away defeat against the same opposition came almost a decade ago, early in the 2016-17 season.

While many members of Slot’s squad remain away with their national side, there has been more discussion of the Isak deal. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around Anfield.

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Isak team-mate gives verdict

Newcastle defender Emil Krafth has rubbished suggestions the Alexander Isak transfer saga caused a rift in the Magpies’ dressing room. Krafth is an international team-mate of Isak with Sweden, and maintains there’s no bad blood.

“There were many who wanted to see Alex stay, but you understand how football works,” Krafth told Sportbladet (via Liverpool.com). “I wish him all the best in the future. For me, Alex is not just a footballer, but a close friend too.

“The media wrote that the locker room would be divided. That is certainly not true. Football players understand football players, and we can only wish him the best of luck. As Anthony [Elanga] said, it has been very chill. No one has said or done anything. It is just taken out of thin air.

“You understand his and the club’s situation. Of course, they would have wanted to keep him, he is an incredibly good football player.”

Reds braced for Guehi battle

Liverpool’s failure to sign Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day could pave the way for a multi-way battle for the centre-back. The suggestions so far have been that Guehi would still favour an Anfield move, but he could yet be tempted by the opportunity to play overseas.

According to the Daily Star, Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Manchester City are ready to push for Guehi if the England star wants to stay in his home country. They aren’t the only potential suitors, though, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich also linked.

Guehi will be free to leave Crystal Palace for nothing next summer, with the centre-back not expected to extend his contract. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool attempt a cut-price January move before then.

Mamardashvili on the winning side

Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was part of a Georgia side which claimed an important victory over Bulgaria on Sunday. Willy Sagnol’s team ran out 3-0 winners in Tbilisi, with Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the goals.

The win allowed Georgia to bounce back after losing 3-2 at home to Turkey in their first qualifier. Next up for them is a trip to Spain in October as they look to avenge their Euro 2024 elimination against La Roja.

A number of other Liverpool players are in international action on Monday. Among them are Andy Robertson – part of a Scotland squad away in Belarus – and Giovanni Leoni, who could make his senior Italy debut against Israel.

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