A look at how Liverpool are looking as we head into the final nine games of the Premier League season with a title within their grasp but a big summer ahead in the transfer market
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Wednesday with the Merseyside derby.
Arne Slot must be champing at the bit to get back. That’s because the international break came after their worst week of the season when they crashed out of the Champions League and lost the Carabao Cup final. But they face Everton on Wednesday looking to maintain a 12-point lead at the top of the table.
A 20th league title to equal Manchester United’s record is within sight so Slot will be hoping to get back to winning ways and build up the buzz for a huge celebration in May. They know five wins from their last nine games will be enough if one of those victories is against their nearest challengers Arsenal.
READ MORE: Arne Slot warned off signing Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement as two targets emerge READ MORE: Gary Neville and Ian Wright explain why Trent Alexander-Arnold could struggle at Real Madrid
Injury updates
Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson both returned from international duty early but neither are expected to miss any Liverpool games.
Dutch midfielder Gravenberch was released by his country as a precaution and that will be welcome news for the Reds as their No 6 was starting to look tired in recent games. Alisson picked up concussion playing for Brazil but the goalkeeper will be now in the clear to resume training over the weekend before being able to feature against Everton.
Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up an ankle injury in the defeat by PSG before the break and although no serious issues, it’s not expected he will be ready to face Everton with a return later in April expected.
That does leave the Reds short at right-back as Conor Bradley remains out with a hamstring injury. Joe Gomez is also out with a hamstring problem while Tyler Morton has a shoulder injury.
Transfer news
Obviously the big news in the international break was Trent Alexander-Arnold appearing to be close to a move to Real Madrid.
That will intensify speculation about the Reds signing a right back in the window. Bayer Leverkusen right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong is a player linked to Liverpool but reports of contact between the clubs on the defender are wide of the mark at this stage.
Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is another player liked at Anfield and sporting director Richard Hughes will know all about him given he previously worked for the Cherries.
Kerkez gave further hope to Liverpool fans that he will move this summer in an interview with the Athletic. “As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams,” he said. “In the summer transfer window, we will see what happens.” Hardly a commitment to Bournemouth, that.
Liverpool’s other targets this window may depend on the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, who are both out of contract but still in talks about new deals.
Darwin Nunez’s future is in doubt so there’s links with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, much to the chagrin of Newcastle United fans. A fee would be needed north of £100m to get him from St James’ Park. Liverpool have never spent that on a single player. It would be a huge statement if they did.
Manager tactics
Don’t expect any big changes from Slot despite their horror week before the international break.
Liverpool did look jaded in that Carabao Cup final but they’ve lost just once in the Premier League all season. That has been playing Slot’s way, which has some slight tweaks to Jurgen Klopp’s system. It has worked so far.
As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. He will just need to find a solution at right-back and maybe give the likes of Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister more rest in games.
Yet now with just the league to focus on, rotating won’t really be needed. The focus will be on getting the title won as soon as possible.
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