Welcome to our Liverpool live blog for Tuesday, September 12.
We are approaching the end of the international break, ensuring a return to Premier League is not far away for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Aside from matters on the pitch, the Reds continue to be linked with a number of transfer moves and are said to be battling it out with Manchester United for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. Elsewhere, the Reds could reportedly enter the race for West Ham United Nayef Agured.
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Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Liverpool FC transfer rumours below.
Mac Allister on course for victory
Alexis Mac Allister is currently featuring for Argentina in their World Cup qualifier away at Bolivia, which they lead 2-0 with under 20 minutes to play.
The Liverpool midfielder was selected from the start and looks set to complete a full 90 minutes of action.
Nunez is also in action, though Ecuador versus Uruguay remains goalless after 35 minutes played.
Nunez starts
Darwin Nunez has been selected to start Uruguay's World Cup qualifier versus Ecuador.
The Liverpool forward caught the eye during his country's win over Chile on Saturday and has been trusted by Marcelo Bielsa to feature from the off once more.
The game begins at 10pm UK time, 4pm local time in Quito.
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) September 12, 2023
Así vamos contra Ecuador, por la segunda fecha de las Eliminatorias rumbo a la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 26™.
Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado
18h (UY)
https://t.co/qVMBrYJR1J
Marcelo Bielsa#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/6lrnsgaTsM
Robertson mistake
Andy Robertson won't want to see that one again...
The Liverpool defender has just put the ball on a plate for Jude Bellingham to score for England, which the Real Madrid midfielder duly did to put England 2-0 up against Scotland.
Not quite the Robertson and Bellingham link up Liverpool fans were hoping for!
It's two in quick succession for @England and Jude Bellingham is the hero #C4Football | #SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/E8hsgESA1W
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) September 12, 2023
Salah suffers defeat
Mohamed Salah was unable to inspire Egypt to victory this evening in their friendly match with Tunisia.
The Liverpool forward completed the full 90 minutes as his country were beaten 3-1.
Endo reacts to Japan wins
Wataru Endo has reacted to an impressive week for his home country, having earned a 4-1 win over Germany and a 4-2 victory at the expense of Turkey.
The Liverpool midfielder featured in both friendlies and will now begin his journey back to Merseyside.
Of Japan's two triumphs, Endo said: 2 wins. Thank you to everyone who came to the venue and everyone who cheered in front of the TV! I think we were able to show a slightly improved Japan team. In order to grow further, let's return to the team and work hard to achieve individual results! Thank you for your continued support for the October series."
2 wins
— 遠藤 航 (Wataru Endo) (@wataru0209) September 12, 2023
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現地まで来てくださった皆さん、テレビの前で応援してくださった皆さん、ありがとうございました！
また少し成長した日本代表を見せられたかなと思います。
さらに成長していくためにもチームに戻ってまた個人個人が結果を残せるように頑張っていこう！… pic.twitter.com/clwMzGFSRG
Salah starts
Mohamed Salah starts for Egypt this evening as they prepare to face Tunisia in a friendly.
The game will begin at 6pm UK time and will see the Liverpool forward look to get on the scoresheet for his home country once again.
'On his last legs' - duo lash out at Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is no longer a top defender, believe Dutch analysts Johan Derksen and Rene van der Gijp.
The pair have grown tired of the Liverpool No.4's performances on the international stage, causing them to speak out. They feel the centre back has passed his peak following his 2020 injury.
"I’m getting very tired of that captain of the Netherlands," Derksen began.
"If there is a lack of performance, he uses all kinds of clichés to explain what went wrong. Can he still handle the level? No, he’s on his last legs.
"I never thought of him as a star. He looks good, but I don’t think he’s a very good defender. He was only strong in the air. He then plays the so-called captain. He just kicks in open doors and that man never says anything."
Following up, van der Gijp said: "I really thought Van Dijk was an absolute top defender at the time when Liverpool won the Champions League.
"But I do think he took off his jacket after his injury. It was a really serious injury. In sprint duels, you can simply see that he has diminished. Sometimes it also looks uncertain."
Harsh...
Liverpool 23-man squad for Europa League confirmed as senior player sacrificed and young trio selected
Liverpool have confirmed their 23-man squad for the Europa League group stages with Adrian the unfortunate man to miss out.
To meet UEFA requirements, the Spaniard has been sacrificed to allow both Ryan Gravenberch and Ben Doak a place in the team.
Read the full story HERE.
Endo makes cameo as Japan victorious again
Wataru Endo came on as a 64th-minute substitute to play the final third of Japan's 4-2 friendly win over Turkey in Genk this afternoon.
There was only one goal in it at the time of the Liverpool midfielder's arrival, he helped to see out the result whilst Junya Ito added a fourth for the Samurai Blue.
Just as importantly, Endo should be returning to the AXA Training Centre with no bumps or bruises to speak of.
Latest Liverpool odds to win the Premier League
Liverpool will be hoping to continue their flying start to the Premier League campaign when they return to action against Wolves on Saturday.
So far they are unbeaten in four matches, winning three and drawing once in that run, which resulted in shortened odds for Jurgen Klopp and his men to get their hands on the title once again.
Here are the latest odds from Betway:
Betway: Premier League Winner 2023-2024
Man City 4/9
Arsenal 7/1
Liverpool 8/1
Tottenham 20/1
Man Utd 40/1
Chelsea, Brighton, Newcastle 50/1
Voller discusses next Germany coach
Interim Germany boss Rudi Voller has refrained from naming candidates in the running to take over from the sacked Hansi Flick.
Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp has been one of those mentioned in the conversation back in his homeland, however Voller has not confirmed this. He did state however he had been involved in discussions over the situation with DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and DFL Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Joachim.
Via Transfermarkt.de, he said: "Of course, that’s clear, we already had a few names in the three-way discussion. Of course there are names that are absolutely possible.
"[The DFB is] thinking about it, and I am firmly convinced that it is important to present the right person in three and a half weeks. We are working on it.
"[There will] certainly be some more discussions and meetings."
Liverpool start 'due diligence' on January transfer as race intensifies for £12m defender
No sooner after the transfer market closed, Liverpool have been mentioned as one of up to five clubs interested in PSV winger Johan Bakayoko.
He joins two other new names linked with the Reds today as Jurgen Klopp lays the early groundwork to further improve his squad.
Read the latest Liverpool rumours HERE.
Endo benched for second Japan friendly
Wataru Endo has been named on the bench for Japan's friendly against Turkey this afternoon with Tanaka Ao captaining the side in his place.
A welcome boost for Jurgen Klopp, who hopes all of his international cohort return injury free this week.
Keita 'wrapped in cotton wool' as Werder Bremen prepare for return
A fresh update from BILD on the fitness of Naby Keita started in a scathing manner, stating the 'Euphoria has quickly disappeared' following his arrival at Werder Bremen.
Continuing where his Liverpool career left off, the midfielder was injured in the warm-up to his new club's first pre-season friendly in July. This was later diagnosed as an adductor muscle problem.
He is now back in first-team training and waiting to make his debut, however the report states that those in charge at the German side are 'wrapping the new arrival in cotton wool' and manage his minutes in an effort to not stress the issue.
Daniel Sturridge reveals Liverpool transfer regret and makes Premier League title claim
Daniel Sturridge has expressed regret over the timing of his Liverpool exit in 2019.
While the striker-turned-pundit would initially shine for the Reds following his 2013 arrival from Chelsea, injuries decimated his career on Merseyside.
He departed after lifting the Champions League with his Liverpool team-mates in Madrid, however has now revealed in hindsight he wishes he could have won the Premier League with them a year later.
Read the full story HERE.
Bakayoko 'due dilligence' claim
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are one Premier League club to be interested in PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko.
They claim that up to five English top-flight clubs are doing their due dilligence ahead of the January transfer window, with the Dutch club possibly forced to cash in should they fail to reach the Champions League knock-out stages.
The Reds were linked to the 20-year-old during the summer window, as were Brentford.
Paul Tierney set for another Liverpool reunion after VAR appointment
The referee line-up for Liverpool's upcoming Premier League fixture against Wolves has been released.
Michael Oliver has been handed control for the clash at Molineux, which is due to kick-off at 12:30pm on Saturday.
They will also be reunited with a familier face in Paul Tierney, who will take charge of VAR duties from Stockley Park.
Read the full story HERE.
Mohamed Salah in international action
After being granted leave to sit out of his country's last AFCON qualifier, Mohamed Salah has since linked up with his Egyptian team-mates and is set to play a part in their friendly against Tunisia this evening.
Kick-off is at 6:00pm BST, with the match being played at Cairo's 30 June Stadium.
Martinez praises Jota but rebuffs Ronaldo question
As mentioned earlier Diogo Jota enjoyed an evening against Luxembourg yesterday as he bagged a brace in a 9-0 Portugal victory.
It helped book A Selecao das Quinas' place in next year's Euros finals, though without Cristiano Ronaldo was a miss as he served a one-match suspension having been booked for a third time in his country's previous match.
This allowed Jota, who was unused in that match against Slovakia, to come into the starting XI and make an impact.
"Gonçalo Ramos showed today what he can do, and Diogo Jota did the same," manager Roberto Martinez said in response. "We need players who have the level to win games. The group is special. We don't need to compare them. Cristiano is important, but our team is ready to win without him."
The former Everton boss was then asked whether his team was better off without five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo - a suggestion that was immediately rebuffed.
He said: "No. Cristiano is a very important element for this team, Ronaldo has experience and a way of his own.
"We don't need to cause controversy. Ronaldo as well as Pepe. They have an infectious way of working and give our team important value."
Trent Alexander-Arnold claim
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green believes Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a great international break, despite not even kicking a football.
The Liverpool full-back had to sit out of England's two matches this month due to an injury sustained towards the end of his club's last Premier League match against Aston Villa.
However the Three Lions' loss of their 100 percent winning record in Euro 2024 qualifying against Ukraine, in which the national team suffered a lack of creativity, had Green thinking Alexander-Arnold would be the beneficiary moving forwards.
"One thing, at least Gareth Southgate tried something," Green explained on the Football Daily podcast. "He tried something different with [Jude] Bellingham and [James] Maddison in there.
"He tried something new and it didn’t quite click, it didn’t quite work out but that’s where they are.
"The big takeaway from it, the way the game panned out was the one true winner of the game was Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"And playing in that midfield role with the quarterback as we called him and it ended up with Harry Kane dropping into that role to play that ball.
"He would have added something different into that dimension in midfield if selected.
"Obviously being in the squad would have helped, not being injured but I do think that sometimes you gain by your omission from a team or from not playing as such.
"And I think that he’s the one true winner from it last night because he would have sat there and gone, given the time and space that they had in that deep-lying midfield role he’d have picked those runners off."
Hot-Jot
Diogo Jota bagged a brace for Portugal last night as they defeated Luxembourg 9-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Diogo with two goals and an assist for Portugal tonight pic.twitter.com/fpfCeODxUQ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 11, 2023
Nayef Aguerd eyed by Liverpool and Manchester City
Football Insider reports that West Ham blocked the sale of Nayef Aguerd to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad due to the Saudi Pro League champions' interest materialising after the closure of the Premier League's transfer window.
The report adds that Aguerd, who joined the Hammers last summer, is a target for both Liverpool and Manchester City.
Liverpool eyeing a Mohamed Salah replacement
Liverpool are being linked with a move for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams as the list of names to potentially replace Mohamed Salah continues to fill the gossip columns.
According to Fichajes, Williams is an "attractive profile for Jurgen Klopp" who values the forward's ability to "unbalance and contribute" to attack.
On Sunday, a report in the Spanish publication read: "Liverpool, led by Jürgen Klopp, is looking for a right winger who can take the place of Mohamed Salah, who is being tempted by Saudi Arabia.
"Nico Williams is presented as an attractive profile for Klopp, who values the young player's ability to unbalance and contribute on the attack front. Salah's possible departure would open an opportunity for Williams to shine at Anfield."
International success
It proved to be a successful evening for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who scored in a resounding win for Portugal against Luxembourg.
Would you be starting the 26-year-old against his former club this weeked?
Order your 23/24 home kit
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Click the link below to complete your purchase.
Good morning, Reds
Hello and welcome to today's Liverpool live blog.
It is Tuesday and we are one day closer to the end of the international break... !
Liverpool's first game back comes against Wolves on Saturday afternoon, but what would be your line up for this game? Let us know in the comments section.
