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.

The post Liverpool have only one club to fear amid Rio Ngumoha contract talks appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

from The Empire of The Kop

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.

The post When will Liverpool play Bournemouth in Carabao Cup as quarter-final draw is confirmed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

from The Empire of The Kop

(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

The post (Video) Liverpool players ran straight to one man after penalty shootout drama at Anfield appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

from The Empire of The Kop

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

I had a special bond with Liverpool supporters but it was an easy choice to leave

Curtis Jones has opened up on his decision to leave Liverpool to sign for Internazionale and defended the quality of Serie A following his move to Italy

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/special-bond-liverpool-supporters-easy-34818979

Liverpool made a mistake with Jordan Henderson - but fans won't sing his name after joining Chelsea

John Aldridge looks ahead to Liverpool's League Cup clash with Chelsea and a reunion with two familiar faces in the second half of his weekly ECHO colum

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-made-mistake-jordan-henderson-34820158

Andoni Iraola could make wildcard Liverpool selection as Federico Chiesa recall pondered

A look at how Liverpool could line up when they host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-centre-back-issue-federico-34818390

Liverpool news: Bitter Brighton boss digs out Andoni Iraola as Kop finds new hero

Liverpool secured a vital victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield, prompting quite the reaction from Fabian Hurzeler

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-iraola-brighton-premier-league-34816010

Anfield is on to Florian Wirtz as Liverpool devastating partnership emerges

Ian Doyle with the main talking points from Liverpool's Premier League clash against Brighton at Anfield on Sunday afternoon

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/anfield-florian-wirtz-change-liverpool-34814994

Andoni Iraola hails Ronald Araujo response to tough Liverpool calls after glowing praise

Andoni Iraola praises Ronald Araujo's performance after Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Anfield

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andoni-iraola-hails-ronald-araujo-34814912

Andoni Iraola told he's 'papering over cracks' at 'vulnerable' Liverpool

The ECHO spoke to Brighton & Hove Albion fan Tom Phillips ahead of Liverpool's huge Premier League clash with the Seagulls on Sunday

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andoni-iraola-told-hes-papering-34802211

Alexis Mac Allister admitted things weren't right at Liverpool as Andoni Iraola made changes

Alexis Mac Allister made a big revelation following Andoni Iraola's changes at Liverpool

source https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-alexis-mac-allister-iraola-34798479