Liverpool have now taken a break from action until after the international fixtures. Several members of Arne Slot’s team will now depart to represent their respective nations in World Cup qualifiers, ahead of the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer.
Upon their return to Premier Leagueaction on October 19, they face a massive showdown when they host arch-rivals Manchester United at Anfield. This clash has historically been explosive, and the Reds will be hoping to heap more misery on United, who have had a rocky start to the season with Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim feeling the heat at Old Trafford.
However, Slot has his own issues to address, particularly with one of his high-profile summer signings, Florian Wirtz, also under the spotlight. If Liverpool’s form continues to falter, Slot might contemplate dipping into the transfer kitty for additional firepower in January.
A new defender is likely to be top of the list if they do enter the market, following the unsuccessful attempts to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace and Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury.
View 4 ImagesFlorian Wirtz needs to turn his form around, and fast(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has been warned that he may only have until Christmas to prove his value at Liverpool or risk being sidelined by Arne Slot. The Reds have experienced a decline in form recently, suffering defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray in the same week, which damaged their unbeaten run.
The German’s initial struggles at Anfield have led Reds icon Jamie Carragher to propose that he needs time on the substitutes’ bench. However, no Premier League player has created more chances for his team-mates across all competitions this season than the 22-year-old.
But former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann believes patience is beginning to wear thin with his fellow countryman. He shares his opinion that the German international must produce a goal or assist before the Christmas period in December.
“Florian Wirtz also needs to start performing better for Liverpool. He’s played nine games, and he’s barely done anything,” he told Sky Sports Germany. “Liverpool could have lost all the close games they won at the start of the season. There was a lot of luck involved, too.
“It’s not entirely his fault, but he needs to make sure he decides a game or two, scores a goal, or provides assists between now and Christmas.
“Something has to happen with him now. He has to deliver, otherwise the discussions will erupt, not only externally but also within the club.”
Hugo Ekitike makes ambitions clear
View 4 ImagesHugo Ekitike has dreams of lifting the Premier League trophy(Image: Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Following a lapse in judgement that led to a sending-off in the Carabao Cup, Hugo Ekitike is ready to put things right and concentrate on his main ambition – delivering the Premier League crown to Liverpool.
The French striker, who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £69million deal, has been impressive since his switch, chipping in with goals and assists for the Reds. Speaking to the BBC recently, the 23-year-old admitted his number one target is winning the title with the club in his first season, explaining this was the driving force behind his move to Merseyside.
Asked about his biggest career aspiration, Ekitike said: “Difficult because I want to achieve so much in my career, but right now, the Premier League with Liverpool. Yeah, I know how special it is to win the Premier League, in English football, especially here. To win the league with Liverpool would be class.”
Ekitike will be desperate for his side to get back on track, especially after his ban meant he couldn’t help the team against Palace. The striker had fired home the winner for Liverpool against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, but was then shown a second yellow card for removing his shirt during his celebration.
Slot expressed his frustration with the forward after the red card, branding it ‘stupid’ and ‘needless’ when addressing Ekitike’s actions in his post-match media briefing. He said: “The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions. I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League and you are a number nine then the defender can almost do everything he wants, and when you push him a little bit you get a free-kick against you.
“But it is always the best to control your emotions, and if you can’t then do it in a way that doesn’t lead to a yellow card.”
Transfer plan ’emerges’
View 4 ImagesSlot has turned his attention to another Palace defender(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Slot is now reportedly eyeing another Crystal Palace centre-half, with Maxence Lacroix now said to be at the top of his summer transfer targets. The Reds saw their chase of Marc Guehi fall through on deadline day, but he isn’t the only centre-back at Palace attracting interest from rival clubs.
Liverpool.com reports that certain Liverpool scouts view Lacroix as a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a defender, who presents an attractive option due to his under-the-radar profile. The club have reportedly shifted their attention to Lacroix after accepting there are no guarantees that Guehi will move to Anfield following his botched switch this summer.
However, Lacroix is contracted to Palace until 2029, indicating a significant offer would be needed to tempt him away from Selhurst Park. Guehi’s deal with Palace runs out next summer and he will be available on a free transfer.
Despite Guehi’s keenness to transfer to Liverpool in August, it remains unclear whether he’ll make the move to Merseyside in a year’s time.