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A fresh injury update on Alexander Isak is set to keep Liverpool fans guessing as to when the Reds’ club-record signing will return to action.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the past two-and-a-half months, having suffered a broken leg in the 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur just before Christmas, a further setback on top of the fragmented start to his season due to fitness issues.

A return date of late March had been cited by reliable sources, and Sweden manager Graham Potter had recently sounded hopeful of potentially having our number 9 available for their World Cup play-off against Ukraine in three weeks’ time.

However, a report from VM Fotboll suggests that Isak is unlikely to recover in time to try and help his country to qualify for the finals in North America this summer.

Isak set to miss World Cup play-offs

It’s stated that the Liverpool striker – along with Spurs duo Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski, and possibly goalkeeper Viktor Johansson – are ‘expected to be out’ of the Sweden squad when it is named no later than 12:00 CET on 18 March, eight days before the Ukraine match.Should Potter’s team win that fixture, they would then host Albania or Poland in a play-off final, with the winners duly qualifying for the World Cup.

Isak will need time to get up to speed once he returns from injury

In the likely event of Isak missing out on the upcoming games for his country, it means that his return to action won’t come any sooner than early April, and even that could be subject to how well he progresses in the final stages of his recovery.

Even when the 26-year-old is cleared for a comeback, it’ll almost certainly take him a few games to fully get up to speed, considering how long he’s been sidelined and the issues that he had in the opening weeks of the season.

Therefore, we shouldn’t burden the striker with an expectation to hit the ground running once he’s back in action, and the likelihood is that he’ll be reintegrated gradually as a substitute before reclaiming a starting berth.

In the meantime, everyone associated with Liverpool will simply be praying that Hugo Ekitike can remain fit and available and can keep up the fine form which has seen him net 16 times already in his debut campaign at Anfield.

Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton was a major blow to Liverpool hopes of finishing in the Premier League top five and securing a spot in Europe’s elite competition.

According to the BBC, missing out on a top-five finish would have significant financial consequences for Liverpool, with an estimated £120 million difference between participation in the Champions League and the Europa League.

Last season, Liverpool earned £85.3 million in UEFA prize money for reaching the Champions League Round of 16. In 2023/24, the Reds were eliminated in the Europa League quarter-finals, receiving £23.3 million.

Beyond prize money, matchday revenue and commercial income would also be affected, as key sponsorship contracts include bonuses tied to Champions League participation.

However, Liverpool remain in a strong financial position, meaning one season without the Champions League would not be catastrophic for the club.

Jurgen Klopp has seen his odds slashed to become the next Liverpool manager as pressure increases on Arne Slot.

The Reds suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Tuesday, damaging their Champions League hopes.

As a result, further questions are being asked of Slot, with their form in the Premier League being far too inconsistent this season.

Slot’s sacking at Liverpool has not been ruled out before the end of the season, and now, the bookies believe Klopp has a solid chance of returning to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp second favourite to become next Liverpool manager

Klopp has continued to be linked with a Liverpool return this season as the club’s form continues to dwindle.

The 58-year-old is yet to return to the dugout since he left the Reds in 2024.

However, he has now been placed as the joint-second favourite for the job if Slot is to be sacked.

Klopp is currently 8/1 to take over Liverpool next, with Oddschecker on 4 March confirming that these odds have been slashed.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if the owners look to facilitate a Klopp return, with multiple other managers linked to the position.

Who else is linked with the Liverpool job?

Football Insider recently revealed that Slot could be sacked if Liverpool don’t qualify for the Champions League.

With this looking likely to become a reality, one bookmaker has made Xabi Alonso the comfortable favourite to take over at Anfield next.

Currently at 3/1 odds, it would make a sensational return for the former midfielder after he was let go from Real Madrid earlier this season.

Following this is Luis Enrique at 8/1. The current PSG manager has been linked away from the club in recent months over speculation regarding his contract situation.

Steven Gerrard is yet to be ruled out at 14/1. The former Aston Villa and Rangers manager is yet to return to the dugout since he left Al-Ettifaq in January 2025.

A potential outsider for the role is Robert De Zerbi, who is also 14/1 to the job.

The former Brighton manager left Marseille earlier this season after his failure to reach the Champions League knockouts before being humbled by PSG shortly after.

Slot will be facing some major pressure after his Reds side were beaten 2-1 by bottom club Wolves on Tuesday evening.

A last-gasp winner from Andre sent Molineux into delirium, while the travelling fans were left furious by the result.

It was a crucial night for Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League football next season, as three points would have put them back into the Premier League‘s top four.

However, after the shock loss, they’re now facing a drop to sixth in the table and a potential six-point gap to the top four.

Slot had already been coming under pressure in the Reds hotseat, amid their title defence woes this campaign.

But now, more calls are coming for Jurgen Klopp‘s successor to be sacked, especially with a big-name manager available.

And one of those calls has come from Liverpool fan Richard, who is desperate for his club to make a change before it’s too late.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “I said before Christmas, we’re not going to qualify for Europe, without a shadow of a doubt.

“It would mean we won’t have the funds, we won’t entice any good players in the post-season.

“I just think that Liverpool are going to react to this situation too late and by the time they react, Xabi Alonso will be somewhere else, and we’ll be left hanging in the wind with no one.”

When asked whether he is saying that Slot should be sacked now by co-host Gabby Agbonlahor, Richard added: “Yeah, I am. 

“Because why talk about what the rest of the league’s doing, when you’ve got problems to sort out in your own team, he should be focused on getting Liverpool playing football. And it’s always: ‘Oh, we were unlucky, we’ve done this, done that’.

“I’m sorry, he’s just not got the fibre. He’s not got the soul, the family spirit that you need with Liverpool.

“I know it’s a big act to follow in Jurgen Klopp, I totally understand that, but he’s just not grasped the spirit of Liverpool Football Club.”

What has Slot said? 

Liverpool supporter Richard has been left fuming by Slot commenting on other teams in the Premier League.

The Dutch boss had said before their loss to Wolves that the quality of top-flight football this season is not as good as it was before.

He stated: “You have to accept it. I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues, I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set-pieces.

“Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch, but it’s always interesting because it’s so competitive.”

And following the defeat at Molineux, Slot then went on to say: “How do I sum this up? Same old story.

“My expectations have changed throughout the season because I expected more from us and what we are fighting for now. But it’s another setback and we didn’t help ourselves with this result.

“That is a concern because it is not the first time we have dropped points against teams that are in these positions. But we are not the first team to drop points here, last week it was Aston Villa, the week before Arsenal. So they are having a good momentum.”

Alonso to Liverpool?

With Liverpool’s uncharacteristic struggles continuing this season, Alonso may be on alert to step in should they sack Slot.

The former Reds midfielder, who won the Champions League with the club and made over 200 appearances, is a free agent.

He left Real Madrid with immediate effect in January as the Spanish giants announced his shock departure after a loss to Barcelona. 

Alonso took charge of 34 games as Real boss, winning 24 of them, but still being dismissed amid reported friction with the squad.

Since his sacking, the 44-year-old has been linked to multiple new clubs, including Marseille, Manchester Cityand Tottenham.

talkSPORT understands that Alonso is set to become a candidate to replace Pep Guardiola should he leave Man City, while he has been tipped by many to become Spurs’ next boss.

However, as of yet, his next destination remains unclear and that leaves the door open for a return to Anfield.

Slot remains manager for now, but should Liverpool act, the Spaniard could end up becoming a leading contender.

Steven Gerrard called out two Liverpool players over their role in Wolves’ opening goal in the Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Molineux on Tuesday night.

After a dismally unwatchable first 70 minutes, the subsequent 20 were packed with incident, and the home side scored from their very shot with less than a quarter-hour of normal time remaining.

Virgil van Dijk was outmuscled by Tolu Arokodare, with the Dutchman’s pleas for a foul falling on deaf ears, and the latter then fed Rodrigo Gomes, who managed to get a shot away and score past Alisson Becker despite the close attention of Ibrahima Konate.

Gerrard calls out Van Dijk and Konate over Wolves opener

Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Gerrard felt that the Liverpool captain was too weak in losing the initial duel, while also laying blame on his centre-back partner for not putting in a strong enough challenge on the eventual goalscorer.

The 45-year-old said: “I don’t think it’s a foul. He [Van Dijk] has got to be a lot stronger in that situation. I also think that Konate could’ve bailed him out of trouble. He’s gone with the wrong leg trying to put in a tackle. He’s gotta use his long levers and try to wrap his right foot and his right leg around the ball and take ball and man. 

“He could’ve bailed out Van Dijk but you’re clutching at straws asking for a foul there. You’re up against big, strong sub who’s come off the bench. He’s the focal point; you know he’s gonna try and dominate you from a physical point of view. You’ve gotta be ready for that. You’ve gotta stand up and be stronger, so I think he’ll be slightly disappointed in himself when he watches that back.”

Preventable errors cost Liverpool dearly yet again

Gerrard’s criticism of the Liverpool duo is legitimate. Van Dijk at his best simply doesn’t get beaten so easily in a duel, even against opponents as burly as Arokodare, while Konate’s positioning allowed Gomes far too much space to surge forward and gave the Frenchman too much to do in terms of recovery.

There was a high level of risk attached to making a last-ditch challenge, as a red card would’ve been inevitable had he gotten it wrong, but with a better starting position he may well have been able to dispossess the goalscorer cleanly before it ever got into the penalty area.

It’s individual errors such as those, and the careless distribution which led to the ‘mess’ of a winning goal from Andre Trindade (as James Pearce put it), that cost the Reds dearly last night and could also come back to haunt them in the race for Champions League football.

The sloppy concession of costly late goals has been a theme of Liverpool’s season, and unless they address that Achilles heel in their remaining Premier League fixtures, a top-five finish will most likely elude them.

Virgil van Dijk vented his anger towards Federico Chiesa following Wolves’ decisive goal at Molineux. Rob Edwards’ outfit pulled off a surprise 2-1 triumph in the Premier League as the Reds squandered an opportunity to climb into fourth position.

Mohamed Salah netted an 83rd-minute leveller in a chaotic conclusion after Rodrigo Gomes had opened the scoring in the Midlands. However, Andre sparked wild celebrations in the stands with a 94th-minute winner.

Liverpool skipper Van Dijk was left furious following the late setback and yelled in Chiesa’s direction, evidently unimpressed with the Italian’s contribution. Alisson had launched a pass towards the winger, but after the duo failed to connect, Chiesa did not track back in an attempt to retrieve the ball.

Andre’s strike then deflected beyond the Brazilian and into the net. A series of issues emerged in the post-match analysis.

Van Dijk was more measured in his post-match interview, though still frustrated by the nature of the defeat.

“Conceding goals is always frustrating,” he told TNT Sport when asked if there were any frustrations about the manner of the two Wolves goals. “Obviously we’ve come on the back of a couple of clean sheets and I think defensively we have been very solid.

“But yeah, listen, it is what it is and we have to move quickly on because we come back here in a couple of days and we want to do well in the FA Cup as well and we have to show a reaction.”

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard reckons his former side were sluggish in responding to an error from Alisson. “The Liverpool players from the goalkeeper’s mistake – it’s not the greatest clearance from Alisson – but I just thought they were slow to react in midfield as well,” he commented on TNT Sports.

“You know, Wolves are jumping on the first ball, picking up the second ball. It’s a poor goal from a Liverpool point of view to concede, and it’s another late one. It’s happened too many times that they’re conceding these late goals.

“I just think the speed of the reaction from the poor clearance – I’m sure Alisson will want to own up to it – but the reaction’s just too slow.”

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, though, laid the blame at a different door. He identified the pass to Alisson as the issue.

“It was a mistake from Curtis Jones – he plays a ball into Alisson and Alisson’s never going to get any purchase on it,” Warnock stated on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Andre looked heavy in the last five or so minutes but he takes a shot and it takes a wicked deflection to loop over Alisson.”

Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal fans are in agreement that their club must sign one star player if Wolves are relegated this season.

On Tuesday night, Liverpool travelled to the Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in a match that could have significant repercussions for both sides.

Heading into the game, Liverpool knew that a win would be needed to continue their push to qualify for the Champions League next season, meanwhile anything other than a loss could help Wolves survive relegation this season.

Ultimately, it was Wolves that will have left the match the happiest, as a stunning goal from Rodrigo Gomes gave the home side the lead in the match, before Andre’s first goal in 60 appearances for Wolves ruled out Mo Salah’s equaliser to win the match.

But after the final whistle, it wasn’t Wolves’ goalscorers that fans from across the Premier League were demanding their clubs sign in the summer transfer window.

Rodrigo Gomes opened the scoring in the match. (Image: Brett Patzke – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Despite Wolves picking up three key points against the Premier League champions, the club still faces a major uphill battle if they hope to survive the drop to the Championship at the end of the season in just a few months time.

If the midlands club is to drop down at the end of the season, then it is almost certain that several of their key players will look to leave the club in the summer, and it appears that Joao Gomes will be a man in demand.

Posting on X following the match at the Molineux, a United fan wrote: “Joao Gomes is fantastic. He really should be one of the midfielders coming in for Man United during the summer. He should be a bit cheaper after Wolves get relegated as well.”

Another agreed, suggesting: “Joao Gomes, Ugarte simple in and out.”

Meanwhile a Liverpool fan claimed: “We should be all over Joao Gomes in the summer.”

With an Arsenal fan adding: “I wouldn’t mind to seeing Joao Gomes at Arsenal one day.”

Joao Gomes impressed during Wolves Premier League clash with Liverpool. (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Gomes has been a key player for Wolves this season, making 32 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Recently, the Brazilian bounced back after being dropped after a blip in form, as he produced a man-of-the-match performance, scoring his first goal since February 2025 in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Liverpool could be set to re-sign a former academy graduate despite selling him for a reported £35 million in 2025.

Following the side’s Premier League title-winning campaign during Arne Slot’s maiden campaign in charge, Liverpool were active in the 2025 summer transfer window and welcomed seven recruits – including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike – to Anfield last summer.

Meanwhile, several players exited the club, with Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid, Luis Diaz joining Bayern Munich, Darwin Nunez signing for Al-Hilal, as well as Tyler Morton, Ben Doak, Caoimhin Kelleher and Nat Phillips all leaving on permanent transfers.

Centre-back Jarell Quansah ended his 17-year association with the club and signed for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of £35 million.

However, could he soon return to his boyhood club?

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool have been watching the player over the past month and are intensifying their assessment of a summer reunion after scouts were present at Leverkusen’s last four matches, with the side conceding just one goal during that period.

Jarell Quansah has impressed at Bayer Leverkusen (Credit:Getty)

Leverkusen are currently sixth in the Bundesliga but boast the third-best defensive record in the league behind Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.

Despite signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma last summer and being set to welcome Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes next season, the re-signing of Quansah is still reportedly on the table and part of internal discussions among the club’s hierarchy.

TeamTalk reports that Liverpool inserted a buy-back clause into the deal at a fixed fee, which is set to come into play in 2027.

Leverkusen will not stand in the England international’s way and may agree to sell him for a fee of around £52.5 million, which would see them make around a £17.5 million profit on the player.

The player opened up about why he left Liverpool when speaking to ESPN in October and revealed that he needs “hundreds of games” to be able to fulfil his potential.

“I think overall that’s why the decision was made and why I thought going abroad was best for me,” he said.

However, with Virgil van Dijk approaching the twilight of his career and Ibrahima Konate set to see his contract expire at the end of the season, Quansah may back himself to secure a starting spot if he re-joins his former club.

Since arriving in Germany, the 23-year-old defender has featured 32 times for his new club, scoring four goals.

Quansah is contracted to Leverkusen until the summer of 2030.

Liverpool fans all took aim at the same player following their crushing defeat to Wolves.

Liverpool resumed their Premier Leaguecampaign on Tuesday following their 5-2 victory over West Ham United last Saturday.

The Reds played before the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea as they look to secure a top four finish to qualify for the Champions League.

But Arne Slot‘s side failed to close the gap on their rivals following their bruising 2-1 defeat at Molineux.

Wolves opened the scoring in the second-half after Rodrigo Gomes raced onto Tolu Arokodare’s pass.

Gomes squeezed his shot past Alisson despite Ibrahima Konate’s efforts.

Mohamed Salah drew level just five minutes later, but the visitors succumbed to the hosts’ late pressure.

In the 94th minute, Andre’s deflected strike secured a dramatic victory for Wolves.

nullAndre wheels away in celebration after scoring against Liverpool. Image: Getty 

Liverpool’s performance against Wolves angered their fanbase as supporters singled out Virgil van Dijk for his involvement in Gomes’ goal.

He was easily beaten in an aerial duel against Arokodare, who brushed off the towering Dutch defender.

Van Dijk protested the decision but a foul wasn’t given as Wolves went onto score.

His role in Wolves’ opening goal didn’t go down well among Liverpool fans online.

One X user wrote: “For a guy who wins most his aerial duels, Van Dijk gets beaten way too easily here in the air.”

A second said: “Really poor from Van Dijk and Konate. Pathetically too easy.”

A third commented: “Virgil Van Disney at it again.”

Virgil van Dijk cuts a frustrated figure against Wolves. Image: Getty 

Liverpool stay on 48 points following their 2-1 defeat.

They will drop to sixth if Chelsea beat Aston Villa on Wednesday.

As it happens, Liverpool return to Molineux on Friday for their FA Cup fifth round tie before resuming their Champions League campaign against Galatasaray on March 10.

Slot’s team return to league action on March 15 when they host Tottenham.

Arne Slot is running out of opportunities to prove himself as Liverpool boss after yet another slip-up against Wolves at Molineux Stadium.

The Reds looked ready to seal a comeback on Tuesday, 3 March, after Mohamed Salah cancelled out Rodrigo Gomes’ opener in the 83rd minute, but the complete opposite happened.

Rob Edwards’ side broke free once again, with Andre’s deflected shot alluding Alisson, sparking absolute bedlam in the stands in what was just the Old Gold’s third win of the Premier League season.

Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Slot is likely to be sacked without Champions League qualification, and Wolves have just edged him closer to the Anfield exit doors.

Arne Slot could be sacked before the end of the season

The Reds are three points outside the Champions League spots, and with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Man United all scrapping for the same spots, anything could happen in the remaining matches.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (3 March) before the game, transcribed by BBC Sport, Stephen Warnock said: “Liverpool are nowhere near where they would like to be. When you think about reigning champions and the title defence, it’s not gone to plan at all.

“There is a lot of talk about Arne Slot and what possibly might happen at the end of the season, and I think if he doesn’t get Champions League football, I wouldn’t be surprised if the club made a change.“

The result brought an end to Liverpool’s four-game winning streak across all competitions, with attention now turning to the FA Cup and Champions League in the upcoming days.

Liverpool fans make their feelings clear over Slot’s future

The consensus over Slot’s future at Anfield is blatantly clear.

Liverpool supporters are absolutely furious, and the majority of those on social media are ready for a change in the dugout.

Several big names are still available, such as Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi, but it remains to be seen if the hierarchy can make such a huge call despite him winning the Premier League title last season.

The Dutchman deserves a bit of a grace period for his early achievements, but at this point, it seems like a matter of when, not if, over his potential sack on Merseyside.