One of the players that could have departed Anfield but didn't was Andy Robertson, who has been replaced by Milos Kerkez as Arne Slot's starting left-back. During the summer, Robertson emerged as a leading target for Atletico Madrid, but in the end, a deal was ruled out by all parties. And the Scotland international has now opened up on that episode.
He missed a lot of pre-season. He is ready for one game a week, maybe 70-90 [minutes]. He played 90 for Argentina and was really tired after 70 so doesn't have the right build-up to play three games a week, 90 minutes. I was always sure I would take him off after 60 minutes for him to be ready to be back on the pitch on Wednesday and Saturday and I already made one substitution in the first half.
What was once "Fergie Time" is now "Arne Time". It was a phrase used to describe the uncanny habit Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Manchester United side had of breaking opponents' hearts with late, late shows. The sight of teams slumped on the turf and opposing managers stunned while Ferguson and his players cavorted on the sidelines became a constant narrative as a great team achieved great successes.
Jamie Carragher called Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez's play-acting "ridiculous" after the 21-year-old collected a yellow card at Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday. Left-back Kerkez, who joined the Reds for £40 million from Bournemouth in July, went down in theatrical fashion as Clarets midfielder Josh Laurent pursued him inside the box. "It was a dive," former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports, praising referee Michael Oliver for spotting the simulation. "There are no doubts about it. That is absolutely stupid."
Others who could be keen on bringing Bouaddi to the Premier League are Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton. Still, one imagines if big names like Liverpool and Arsenal step up their interest, then they'd be the most tempting options for a young talent like Bouaddi. Where next for Ayyoub Bouaddi as transfer interest grows? Bouaddi looks like a player with a big future, but he'll no doubt want to pick his next move carefully, as it's coming up to an important stage in his career.
As Guehi's Merseyside switch failed to materialize, so too did a possible exit for Liverpool's longest-serving player, Joe Gomez. The centre back was subject to interest from many clubs across Europe, AC Milan chief among them. However, the reality of the domino effect, or lack thereof, means that Gomez can still play a vital role in Liverpool's success this season.
You may like Trent Alexander-Arnold during the FIFA Club World Cup (Image credit: Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images) The academy graduate swapped Liverpool for Madrid this past summer, leaving on an initial free transfer at the end of his Reds contract. Real Madrid subsequently paid 10 million (8.4 million) to acquire the defender one month before the expiry of his deal in order to have him available for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Only three gameweeks have been played in the Premier League season so far, and already some observers are handing the title to Liverpool. The defending champions have spent nearly £450 million to improve their squad, and they are the only team with three wins to start the 2025-26 campaign. Signing striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United at the end of the transfer window seals the deal, right? The title is Liverpool's to lose. Well, not necessarily.
I think the key for Gameweek 4 is to stick with the Liverpool assets you have, do not buy or sell this week until the starters become clear. There's the appealing fixture of Burnley away, but there's no guarantee Isak starts in that game. He has had a disrupted August where he hasn't trained consistently or played any competitive minutes. He only played 18 minutes across two fixtures for Sweden over the international break and so it would be a surprise to be on the team sheet this weekend.
Frimpong, who was signed in the summer to replace homegrown talent Trent Alexander-Arnold, has had to watch from the sidelines in recent weeks and wasn't part of the Netherlands squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania. It cost Liverpool around 30m to secure Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal, and the player is currently regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world by FourFourTwo.
The Hungarian has been one of the Reds' best players in the young season, with his outrageous free kick against Arsenal being the cherry on top at the moment. He played as a makeshift right-back versus both Newcastle and the Gunners with Jeremie Frimpong out injured. However, the Dutchman will be returning sooner than later and it will be interesting to see where Szoboszlai slides in for Slot on a weekly basis.
Real Madrid have been linked with a surprise move for the Liverpool attacker, Rio Ngumoha. The 17-year-old recently made his debut for Liverpool against Newcastle United away from home in the Premier League, and he scored the match-winning goal for his team. He is regarded as an elite talent, and Real Madrid believe that he could develop into a top-class player.