Not travelling: Liverpool hit with fresh injury blow hours before flying to Istanbul

Liverpool have been hit by a fresh injury blow on the eve of their Champions League fixture away to Fenerbahce.

The Reds are due to fly to Istanbul today for their fourth European fixture of the season, in which they’ll come up against a former Anfield idol in Dirk Kuyt, who’s in interim charge of the Turkish Super Lig outfit.

While Andoni Iraola was able to welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz for the defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, his squad for the game on Wednesday has been lessened by a new absentee.

Liverpool hit by Gravenberch injury blow

On Tuesday morning, Liverpool FC confirmed on their official website that Ryan Gravenberch has been ruled out of the match against Fenerbahce due to a heel injury.

The 24-year-old – who was an unused substitute against Arsenal – won’t travel with his teammates to Istanbul and will instead remain at the AXA Training Centre to undergo treatment with the Reds’ medical staff.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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Gravenberch injury comes as an untimely setback for Liverpool

The Dutchman’s absence for the trip to Turkiye comes as a setback to Liverpool for what’ll be a true test of character in the hotbed that is the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

The midfielder might’ve had a difficult outing against Chelsea last week, needlessly giving away a penalty in the first half and then fluffing his lines in the shootout later that night, but he’s still a hugely important presence in Iraola’s squad and will be missed tomorrow evening.

The timeline for a return to action is unclear at present, although the head coach will almost certainly be prompted for an update on the 24-year-old when he addresses the media in his pre-match press conference this afternoon.

In the absence of Gravenberch, we could well see Trey Nyoni keeping his starting berth in midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister, with the duo putting in solid performances on Sunday despite the result against Arsenal.

If that engine room axis is maintained in Istanbul, hopefully the pair can maintain the high standards they’ve shown recently, and fingers crossed for a swift recovery for the Netherlands international as he watches on from Merseyside.

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Agent contacted: Liverpool eyeing ‘vibrant’ Premier League defender who has ‘so much potential’

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a potential move for a defender currently playing in the Premier League.

The Reds replenished their left-back options with the signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth in June 2025, with the Hungarian having taken over from Andy Robertson (now of Tottenham) as the primary starter in that position.

The 22-year-old has come in for criticism over some of his performances this season, though, and he endured a tough outing up against Noni Madueke in the defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Liverpool monitoring El Hadji Malick Diouf

A report from Senegalese outlet D Sports has claimed that Liverpool may look to a fellow Premier League club for added competition for the left-back slot at Anfield.

The Reds are believed to have contacted the agent of Brentford defener El Hadji Malick Diouf, who’s also being closely monitored by Chelsea as a few top-flight suitors show an interest in the 21-year-old.

It’s added that next summer could be ‘a busy time’ regarding the future of the Senegal international, who joined the Bees from West Ham towards the end of August.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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Could Liverpool viably move for Diouf in 2027?

Liverpool were reportedly interested in Diouf nearly two years ago when he was playing with Slavia Prague, and since then he’s sampled the Premier League with the Irons and with Brentford.

Whilst not starting regularly for Keith Andrews’ side, he’s shown in the game-time that he has been awarded that he’s an athletic full-back who can provide ammunition for his attacking teammates and who’s also adept in his core defensive duties (via Fotmob).

2026/27 Premier League	Per 90 minutes	Percentile among positional peers
Distance covered	12.8 km	96th (top 4%)
Running distance	3.1 km	99th
Sprinting distance	440m	90th
Number of sprints	18.12	85th
Successful crosses	2.34	97th
Crossing accuracy	40%	85th
Duels won	7.6	97th
Tackles	3.51	93rd
Interceptions	1.75	78th

Callum Wilson – who’s played with the Senegalese defender for both West Ham and the Bees – has described him as a ‘humble’, ‘hardworking’ and ‘vibrant’ personality who has ‘so much potential’ as a footballer (brentfordfc.com).

Liverpool aren’t exactly threadbare for left-backs at present, with Kerkez supplemented by Kostas Tsimikas and Luke Chambers, although the latter two will both be out of contract next summer as it stands and could both viably depart if first-team opportunities are limited.

That would leave the Reds needing to restock in that position, and Diouf represents an intriguing option to consider.

Could a third consecutive summer transfer be on the cards for the Brentford man? We suspect the rumours won’t abate any time soon.

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(Video) Half-time tunnel footage from Anfield on Sunday will only add to Liverpool fans’ fury

Liverpool fans’ sense of injustice over their defeat at Anfield on Sunday will be compounded by footage from the tunnel during half-time.

Arsenal triumphed 1-0 courtesy of a 16th-minute Kai Havertz goal, but the main talking point came five minutes later when Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt inside the penalty area and somehow avoided any sanction.

The failure of referee Andy Madley and VAR Stuart Attwell to award a spot kick caused widespread fury, with Jamie Carragher screaming at the officials to ‘do your job‘ and Steven Gerrard describing the situation as ‘an absolute embarrassment‘.

Madley seen joking with Gabriel inside Anfield tunnel

As if that inexplicable oversight wasn’t galling enough for Liverpool fans, there has now been footage shared of an exchange between Madley and Arsenal defender Gabriel in the Anfield tunnel at half-time.

In a clip posted by @LFC_Oman on X (via the Daily Briefing), the referee appears to tell the Brazil international: “Gabriel, be careful, yeah? You have already got two fouls.”

The whistler is then seen smiling and laughing after that quick word to the 28-year-old, followed by the two men sharing a momentary fist bump as the players ran out onto the pitch.

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

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Not very professional at all from Madley

Maybe it was nothing more than a harmless exchange between Madley and Gabriel, but in the context of how the match went on Sunday, this clip will only add fuel to the fire from a Liverpool perspective.

If indeed the referee dished out a brief heads-up to the Arsenal defender, it could be perceived as him deviating from the neutrality he’s supposed to maintain, and the manner in which those involved were smiling after his words makes it seem like they were being too friendly with each other.

Also, that it was swiftly followed by a fist bump makes it seem even less professional from the official in particular, and he should’ve exercised more awareness in recognising that there were 60,000 or so home fans at Anfield already on his case over the failure to award a penalty for Timber’s blatant foul on Isak.

Madley should be less interested in sharing friendly chats with one team’s players inside the tunnel at half-time and more focused on his own performance and what he could’ve done better on the day.

This footage will only add to the prevailing sentiment among football fans in this country that refereeing standards at Premier League level leave an awful lot to be desired, especially for a division which is often proclaimed with chest-out bravado as the best domestic league in the world.

You can view the footage of Madley speaking with Gabriel below, via @LFC_Oman on X:

الحكم مع لاعبي أرسنال pic.twitter.com/tHkkp27AKK

— العشق جيـراردي (@LFC_Oman) November 1, 2026

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“I’m asking myself why…” – Steve Nicol frustrated by one thing Iraola did in Liverpool defeat

Steve Nicol was left frustrated by one tactical decision from Andoni Iraola during Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

The match was settled by Kai Havertz’s goal in the 16th minute and contained some controversial flashpoints, including a blatant penalty that the Reds should’ve been awarded and some unwelcome theatrics from Alexis Mac Allister after a clash with Noni Madueke.

Despite being on the losing side, the hosts were competitive for most of the game at Anfield, and it wasn’t until the surprise withdrawal of Trey Nyoni just before the hour mark that they began to lose the impetus they had in the middle of the park.

Nicol laments Nyoni’s withdrawal

Speaking on ESPN FC as he reflected on the match, Nicol felt that Iraola’s substitution of the teenager for Dominik Szoboszlai was a poor decision.

The ex-Liverpool defender said: “The one thing that frustrates me more than anything else is the substitution that Iraola made after 60 minutes.

“Other than the little spell in the first half just before and just after Arsenal’s goal, Liverpool were dominating the game. Mac Allister and Nyoni had locked the midfield up and Arsenal were under pressure.

“It was the same at the start of the second half, and when he made the substitution and brought Nyoni off and Szoboszlai on, I’m asking myself why is he not taking Wirtz off and leaving Mac Allister and Nyoni to dominate the way they have been. From that point on, this game changed.”

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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Liverpool lost impetus after Nyoni was substituted

We agree with Nicol that the decision to withdraw Nyoni – who’d been enjoying a terrific game on his first Premier League start – seemed surprising at the time and, in hindsight, wasn’t a smart move by Iraola.

We’d understand it a bit more if the 19-year-old was on a yellow card and in danger of being sent off, although we’ll admit that he was fortunate to avoid going in the book for a couple of aggressive fouls early in the match.

While possession stats can sometimes be misleading, it seems indicative that Liverpool had 59.9% of the ball at the time that the teenager was substituted, and 56.4% by full-time (WhoScored), a notable drop-off after Nyoni’s withdrawal as the Reds lost a measure of control in the middle of the park.

Florian Wirtz – the player that Nicol had wanted to be subbed off instead – has been excellent in recent weeks but didn’t exert as much influence yesterday, and the midfield was much less balanced with him and Szoboszlai on the pitch for the final half-hour.

Whatever you make of Iraola’s substitutions, it’s a testament to how brilliantly Nyoni is doing that Liverpool lost impetus after he went off, and the case for keeping him in the starting XI has been strengthened after Sunday.

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‘Do your job’ – Jamie Carragher was furious over controversial moment from Liverpool defeat

Jamie Carragher was left infuriated by one controversial moment in Liverpool’s defeat at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Shortly after Kai Havertz scored what proved to be the winning goal, Alexander Isak has his shirt clearly tugged by Jurrien Timber when trying to get on the end of a cross from Bradley Barcola, but neither the referee nor anyone on VAR felt compelled to intervene.

Although the Swedish striker turned to exchange a few words with the Gunners defender, it seemed surprising that he didn’t scream at Andy Madley for the penalty that he should’ve been awarded.

Carragher: VAR asleep at the wheel over penalty shout

That incident was inevitably a huge talking point after the game, and Carragher took aim at the officials for not taking any action over what seemed a blatant spot kick.

The former Liverpool defender raged on Sky Sports: “One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball – why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR, do your job.”

Daniel Sturridge aired similar sentiments by saying: “You’re supposed to fall over, put your arms in the air and show the referee you’re mad about it… to me, his reaction is almost like ‘VAR, do your job’.

“They’ve not done their job. He shouldn’t have to make more of it – clearly, he shouldn’t. Everyone can see that his arm is stretched. [Timber] is holding him with an outstretched arm.”

Image via Sky Sports

Even a staunch Arsenal man in Ian Wright concurred as he said: “He shouldn’t have to make more of it. We can see it… Unless I’m pulled back, I’m going to head it as much as I can. When he [Timber] pulled him, it was just about enough as he would need to go down.

“VAR is wrong in this instance. If they gave that penalty, I wouldn’t sit here and say ‘I can’t believe they gave that’.”

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Another official shambles which has cost Liverpool

Another high-profile Premier League game, another unjustifiable cock-up by the officials.

Just as Liverpool were messed about by Ryan Gravenberch’s incredibly harsh red card against Manchester City – a game-changing moment as all three City goals came after his dismissal – they’ll also feel that the lack of action by the officials yesterday was potentially a defining moment.

Carragher is right – why was Stuart Attwell on VAR asleep at the wheel over the Timber/Isak penalty incident? Whatever about the on-field officials not spotting it, those in Stanley Park couldn’t have asked for a clearer decision to make.

The whole reason we have this controversial tool in football nowadays is to correct clear and obvious errors by the referee. This is a textbook example of where VAR should intervene, so why on Earth did they look at that and not feel that a spot kick was warranted?

Isak shouldn’t have to scream for a penalty, either – the onus is on the officials to do what they’re employed to do and ensure that such obvious fouls are punished.

We look forward to hearing what nonsense Pro Ref chief executive Howard Webb will spout to feebly try and explain away a potentially game-changing shambles from the referees that he’s overseeing.

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Bradley Barcola left Arsenal confused and could now stick knife in after Liverpool decision

Bradley Barcola rejected Arsenal's advances in favour of signing for Liverpool in the summer

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bradley-barcola-left-arsenal-confused-34845193

Ex-Liverpool star's ludicrous contract clause saw club spend £10k if he played over 20 minutes

An ex-Liverpool ace cost his club a huge sum of money every time he played over 20 minutes of football

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-arsenal-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-34828280

Alexander Isak sent fresh Liverpool verdict as Andoni Iraola sent Premier League title warning

Alexander Isak is starting to shine for Liverpool and has scored six goals in seven Premier League outings so far this season

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alexander-isak-liverpool-arsenal-wirtz-34844622

Liverpool look like a team again and Arsenal won't relish trip to resurgent Anfield

Our Liverpool Jury react to another fine win for Andoni Iraola's Reds ahead of the visit of champions Arsenal this weekend

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-look-like-team-again-34837045

Liverpool have only one club to fear amid Rio Ngumoha contract talks

Bayern Munich are still interested in signing Rio Ngumoha.

Gianluca Di Marzio now reports that the Bavarian giants will try to make a push for the teenage gem in the upcoming January transfer window.

Bayern Munich could do with Rio Ngumoha after Luis Diaz injury

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The simple fact of the matter for FC Bayern is that their season – or, to put it more accurately, the fate of their Champions League campaign – may hinge on how they solve their left wing concern.

Luis Diaz, without question, is a sensational talent, but his hamstring injury (picked up in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal) raises questions around the security of the position long term.

Hypothetically, were the reigning Bundesliga champions to find themselves deep in European competition, they’re unlikely to want to be forced to use either Tim Binder or Alphonso Davies. Serge Gnabry can also cover the left flank, if need be, but this is a far from perfect solution.

So, if anyone could do with an extremely talented, 18-year-old left winger whose long-term pathway wouldn’t be obstructed by a senior starter (in this case, 29-year-old Diaz) – it’s most definitely Bayern.

“It’s true that Bayern Munich want Rio Ngumoha, and it’s true that Liverpool want to extend his contract – so it’s a difficult situation because anything is possible,” Di Marzio told Wettfruende.

“Liverpool are pushing to extend his contract and keep him in the team in the future, but it’s also true that Bayern Munich will try to sign him as early as January.”

The journalist went on to add: “I think it’s not a very high probability, but a good one that he will extend his contract, as he enjoys his time at Liverpool and has a good relationship with the manager; therefore, it’s hard to imagine Liverpool letting him go.

“FC Bayern Munich is pushing for it, and Arsenal is also interested.”

Arsenal shouldn’t be of concern to Liverpool

(Photo by Leonhard Simon/Getty Images)

We’re pretty confident that Rio Ngumoha will commit his immediate and long-term future to Liverpool with a contract extension.

The Englishman made clear that he chose life at Anfield over staying at Chelsea due to the pathway that was offered to him at L4, telling ITV Sport earlier in October: “Liverpool was always the right option – and the only option really.

“[I thought]: ‘If I go here I’ll get the opportunity and the pathway to showcase what I can do’. It looks like so far it’s paid off!”

After the 2-1 win over Brentford, the winger suggested that talks between his agent and the club were going well.

Yet, here we are, with rumours swirling around Arsenal and Bayern Munich. If we’re talking about a pathway to more regular first team minutes – we’re not particularly worried about Arsenal. We just can’t see the Gunners offering Ngumoha a better deal in that regard.

The concern for us is whether the teenager looks at the current state of play in English football – and the joy talents like Diaz and Michael Olise have had since departing – and opts for life in a less demanding league. Or, to put it differently, one in which he can operate without being kicked around quite as much.

In that sense, it would be naïve of us to just assume that Liverpool is definitely the “better” project compared to Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich.

If anything, the current climate, coupled with Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win in London, indicates that life in Germany isn’t quite so bad.

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Andoni Iraola faces major Ryan Gravenberch decision as Liverpool prepare for huge changes

Liverpool are next up against Arsenal in the Premier League with Andoni Iraola facing some selection posers

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andoni-iraola-faces-major-ryan-34833972

When will Liverpool play Bournemouth in Carabao Cup as quarter-final draw is confirmed

Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night after getting the better of Chelsea in a penalty shootout at Anfield.

Morgan Rogers opened the scoring with a spot kick in the 40th minute, but the Blues’ lead lasted just three minutes before Cody Gakpo responded in kind in front of the Kop.

There were no further goals in the second half, and the Reds prevailed 6-5 on penalties to maintain their interest in the competition for at least another round.

Who did Liverpool get in Carabao Cup quarter-finals?

The draw for the Carabao Cup quarter-finals took place on Sky Sports shortly after the end of the contest at Anfield, and Liverpool were given a home tie for the third time in succession, with Andoni Iraola’s side welcoming his former club Bournemouth to Merseyside.

The last-eight ties will take place in the week commencing Monday 14 December, and it seems almost certain that the Reds will be in action on Wednesday 16th.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

• Fleetwood v Everton/Newcastle
• Manchester City v Bradford
• Crystal Palace v Sunderland
• Liverpool v Bournemouth

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When will Liverpool play Bournemouth in Carabao Cup?

With Bournemouth away to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday 13 December, and Liverpool hosting Tottenham in the top flight on Saturday 19th, we fully expect the Carabao Cup tie to take place on the Wednesday in between.

It means that the Reds will now have eight matches to play in all competitions in the final month of 2026, with the cup quarter-final sandwiched by league fixtures at home to Leeds on Saturday 12th and Spurs a week later.

Iraola’s side will also have four consecutive Anfield games for the second time this season, with the curious sequence beginning with a Champions League clash against Porto on Wednesday 9th.

There continues to be little let-up in the fixture list for Liverpool, but that’s exactly how their head coach would’ve wanted it, and he must privately feel that he has a great chance of lifting his first trophy in charge of LFC in this campaign.

With Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton all eliminated already, the Reds will be joint-favourites along with Manchester City to go on and win the Carabao Cup in March.

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(Video) Liverpool players ran straight to one man after penalty shootout drama at Anfield

Liverpool continued their hex over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout triumph at Anfield on Wednesday night.

It seemed apt that the contest would be settled by penalties as both goals in the regulation 90 minutes came from spot kicks, with Morgan Rogers’ 40th-minute opener swiftly cancelled out at the other end by Cody Gakpo.

With neither team able to add to their tally in the second half, a shootout in front of the Kop was required to determine who would advance to the quarter-finals.

Liverpool prevail in see-saw penalty shootout

Both teams scored five of their first six penalties before Ryan Gravenberch’s effort was saved by Mike Penders, giving Emmanuel Emegha the chance to win it for Chelsea.

However, he was thwarted by Giorgi Mamardashvili, and after Joe Gomez nudged Liverpool 6-5 in front, Wesley Fofana skied his spot kick into the Kop to spark wild celebrations among the home fans and players.

The Reds’ goalkeeper was mobbed by his jubilant teammates as they rejoiced in progressing to the last eight of the Carabao Cup, with the 26-year-old’s save from Emegha ultimately sparing his side from elimination.

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

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Mamardashvili came up clutch for Liverpool tonight

The role of a deputy goalkeeper is one of the most chastening in football, with opportunities tending to be few and far between for those behind the starting number 1 in the queue, so Mamardashvili will be thrilled to have made a crucial intervention in the penalty shootout.

Having produced a stunning save in the previous round of this tournament against Tottenham, the Carabao Cup could yet be ‘his’ competition in the same way that it had been for Caoimhin Kelleher, his predecessor as the immediate understudy to Alisson Becker at Liverpool.

The Georgian also pulled off some important saves prior to the shootout tonight, including a fine reaction stop to thwart Marco Palestra in the final few minutes and another to deny Rogers shortly after half-time.

It shows how much Mamardashvili is appreciated by his Anfield teammates that they ran to him as soon as the shootout had finished, with the outfield players recognising his role in keeping their interest in the competition alive for at least one more round.

The 26-year-old will almost certainly find himself back on the bench for the Premier League showdown against Arsenal on Sunday, but he showed tonight that he can be a dependable reserve for Alisson when he’s required.

You can view the Liverpool players celebrating with Mamardashvili below, via @SkyFootball on X:

Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals! pic.twitter.com/pnCYwRrYzi

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 28, 2026

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Liverpool player ratings as Joe Gomez and one other the 8/10 heroes of dramatic Chelsea win

Ian Doyle with the Liverpool player ratings and scores from the Carabao Cup clash at home to Chelsea on Wednesday evening

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-player-ratings-chelsea-breaking-34830286

Jordan Henderson makes clear where his loyalties lie with Liverpool vs Chelsea comment

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson faces his old club when Chelsea travel to Anfield in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2260874/Liverpool-Chelsea-Jordan-Henderson-news

Jordan Henderson made his feelings clear on where he stands on Liverpool-Chelsea debate

Jordan Henderson will return once more to his former stomping ground of Anfield when his Chelsea play Liverpool on Wednesday night

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-chelsea-jordan-henderson-transfer-34822539

Why Andoni Iraola has stopped talking to Xabi Alonso as Liverpool boss starts to earn respect

Close friends Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso will go head to head when Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup this evening at Anfield

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andoni-iraola-stopped-talking-xabi-34823231