Florian Wirtz reaction spoke volumes as Liverpool must turn to unpredictable option

Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's dismal goalless Premier League draw at home to Leeds United on Thursday evening

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/florian-wirtz-reaction-spoke-volumes-33152375

'I reached out to Alexander Isak to apologise - this is what he said back to me'

A Premier League star texted Alexander Isak shortly after the Liverpool star's injury.

source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2152512/Liverpool-Alexander-Isak-injury-Van-de-Ven

Arne Slot makes Liverpool dressing room demand to players as he discusses low block issues

Arne Slot has told his Liverpool players they must commit more bodies in the box after drawing 0-0 at home to Leeds United

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/arne-slot-makes-dressing-room-33152353

What Hugo Ekitike did in stoppage time speaks volumes of Liverpool right now

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Leeds in a game that epitomised what is currently not working for the Reds.

source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2152547/Liverpool-news-Hugo-Ekitike-Leeds

Liverpool favourite has reinvented himself in new position to frustrate Cristiano Ronaldo

Gini Wijnaldum has reinvented himself as a striker for Al-Ettifaq with the former Liverpool midfielder currently enjoying a staggering scoring run

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-favourite-reinvented-himself-new-33148442

When does January transfer window close and why it runs into February

The January transfer window opened on January 1 and clubs can buy and sell players even into February.

source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2152074/Transfer-window-when-does-it-close-date

Liverpool transfer state of play as one deal close and more to be confirmed

The January transfer window is now officially open and Liverpool are expecting to do business over the next month

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-state-play-one-33147952

Liverpool star Alexander Isak shows true colours as Tottenham player reveals apology text

The Liverpool striker is set for some time out on the side-lines after suffering a fractured fibula and an ankle injury during their 2-1 win over Tottenham.

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alexander-isak-liverpool-injury-message-33149281

I'm really disappointed by Liverpool transfer decision - They're being really stupid

Jermaine Pennant is not impressed by Liverpool's decision not to seemingly not rival Man City for Antoine Semenyo

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/im-really-disappointed-liverpool-transfer-33142336

Liverpool 2025 player ratings with two 4/10s as Szoboszlai outperforms Salah

Express Sport rates and slates every Liverpool player based on their performances in the year 2025.

source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2151949/liverpool-2025-player-ratings-szoboszlai-salah-konate

73 celebrities and notable figures who sadly died in 2025

Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota was among the famous faces we have lost

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/gallery/73-celebrities-notable-figures-who-32936778

Liverpool stance on Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson as contract agreement possible

Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are about to enter the last six months of their contract at Liverpool

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-stance-ibrahima-konate-andy-33141928

I don't think Liverpool need Antoine Semenyo but one January transfer is a no-brainer

John Aldridge has his say on what Liverpool need to do when the January transfer window opens in the second half of his weekly ECHO column

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dont-think-liverpool-need-antoine-33135290

What the ECHO has learned about Antoine Semenyo transfer interest and Harvey Elliott return

A look at what might lie in store for Liverpool this January transfer window by the ECHO's Reds correspondent Paul Gorst

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/semenyo-elliott-liverpool-transfer-news-33136267

Liverpool abandoned proposed Arne Slot tactic after botched pre-season experiment

Liverpool were forced to pull the plug on one proposed tactic after trying it without success during their pre-season tour of the Far East in July.

Amid a summer of substantial change to his playing squad, Arne Slot also sought to implement some tactical tweaks while he had the comfort blanket of friendly fixtures, latching onto one set-piece tactic which has become somewhat in-vogue in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool abandoned long-throw experiment after pre-season

In an article for the Liverpool Echo reflecting on the Reds’ dreadful figures in terms of set-piece situations in both penalty boxes, Paul Gorst higlighted how some players worked on long throw-ins at LFC’s training camp in Japan.

Ryan Gravenberch, Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez were among the players to test out the scenario on the tour to the Far East as Slot and his coaching staff looked for marginal gains ahead of the competitive action beginning in August.

However, the tactic was quickly abandoned after it became apparent that only Joe Gomez – who wasn’t in the camp due to an injury – came close to proving effective at taking long throws.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Liverpool have been appalling at set pieces this season

At least the Liverpool head coach was open to the idea of using long throw-ins to his team’s advantage, rather than viewing it as something which was beneath him, but the botched pre-season experiment duly saw it discarded.

Unfortunately, the Reds’ record from set pieces has been dire ever since. Only Wolves have fewer set-piece goals than our four in the Premier League this season (GIVEMESPORT), while the Reds have the joint-worst concession tally alongside Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest with 12 (BBC Sport).

Those figures will send a shiver up Slot’s spine, especially as upcoming opponents Leeds have scored more goals from dead-ball situations (14) than anyone else in the top flight (GIVEMESPORT), and John Aldridge was raging at how easily we conceded from a corner kick against Wolves on Saturday.

We’d like to think that set pieces will have comprised a substantial chunk of Liverpool’s training sessions in preparation for the visit of Daniel Farke’s side to Anfield on New Year’s Day, particularly with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in such excellent goalscoring form.

The Reds have put a dreadful autumn behind them with an unbeaten resurgence in December. That momentum needs to be carried into January, with nine fixtures across three competitions giving the Premier League champions an unforgiving start to 2026.

The post Liverpool abandoned proposed Arne Slot tactic after botched pre-season experiment appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

from The Empire of The Kop

Liverpool eyeing PSG's Bradley Barcola

Liverpool add PSG winger Bradley Barcola to their January transfer list

Liverpool are pivoting swiftly in their search for attacking reinforcements, with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola emerging as a prime alternative target if the move for Antoine Semenyo prove elusive.

The 23-year-old French international known for his pace, dribbling flair, and ability to cut inside from the right has caught Arne Slot's eye as a potential long-term successor or rotational option amid uncertainties around Mohamed Salah's future and the Egyptian's current AFCON commitments.

Liverpool have conducted background scouting on Barcola for some time and recent reports suggest the Reds are prepared to invest significantly if the opportunity arises, though PSG remain reluctant to part with one of their valued assets mid-season (his contract runs until 2028, and Luis Enrique rates him highly despite rotation in a stacked attack).

Barcola himself has set a clear condition for any move: guarantees of regular first-team minutes to support his ambitions with France and his career progression. This stance puts pressure on potential suitors like Liverpool, who must balance squad harmony with promising him a prominent role.

Competition is fierce, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and others are monitoring the situation but Liverpool's recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, appears confident in their ability to convince if they push forward. A January deal looks challenging given PSG's stance, making a more realistic summer 2026 swoop the likelier scenario.

We watch for developments as the window opens. Barcola could prove a statement signing if Liverpool go all-in. 🔴

Antoine Semenyo: Manchester City favourites as Liverpool prepare £65m package

Bournemouth is bracing for serious interest from Liverpool for Semenyo (rivaling Manchester City)

Liverpool remain firmly in the mix for Bournemouth's shining forward Antoine Semenyo, even as Manchester City appear to hold pole position with the January window just days away.

The 25-year-old Ghana international boasting nine Premier League goals and three assists this season has a £65m release clause that activates on January 1, 2026, and runs only until January 10. This narrow timeframe is forcing swift decisions, with Semenyo himself keen to resolve his future before the New Year kicks off.

City have accelerated their pursuit, holding imminent meetings with his representatives and reportedly aligning on personal terms. Bournemouth are bracing for formal contact from the Etihad side, yet sources close to the situation insist the door is far from closed for others. Liverpool's interest endures, fueled by sporting director Richard Hughes' strong Bournemouth ties and the Reds' need for attacking reinforcement amid Mohamed Salah's AFCON absence and broader squad concerns.

While Semenyo's preference reportedly leans toward City, no deal is signed, and the Reds could still pounce if negotiations stall especially as Bournemouth hope to retain him for their early-January clashes against Arsenal and Tottenham before any exit.

Whether Liverpool formalise a bid in the coming hours remains the key question as the clock ticks toward the window's opening.

This one could still twist dramatically watch January 1 closely. 🔴