Anfield Insights

Klopp about Wirtz finding his feet at Liverpool "I think the number one reason for Florian Wirtz's good statistics — and they are good statistics now — is his quality, and nothing else" "I've always said that, with time, Flo would gradually establish himself at Liverpool. I've already said everything I think about that situation" "It was a difficult period when he arrived. Finding your feet in those circumstances is challenging, especially when you're joining a team that isn't functioning at 100%, because other things were more important at that particular moment" "I always believed that things would improve with time" "It's also no secret that we've been working closely together since we started collaborating. I'm trying to do the same with several players." "Whether that will be possible or necessary with everyone, I don't know." "But I can see that a Florian Wirtz in top form can help us enormously, whatever goals we may have in the future."

[🟢]NEW: Liverpool have Luka Vuskovic on their shortlist for next summer. He is being monitored regularly. [@Plettigoal]

[🟢] NEW: Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have made exploratory enquiries to Bournemouth over a January move for Alex Scott. Liverpool and Chelsea are the keenest to move in January. Arsenal would prefer to wait until the summer but could act sooner if a bidding war develops. Bournemouth want over £100m and are reluctant to sell mid-season. Scott has rejected two contract offers and has 18 months left on his deal, but is happy to stay until the end of the season. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 [@msidouglas]

Rio Ngumoha when asked if he believes he can win the Ballon d’Or in the future: “Yeah, 100%.” “Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or is definitely a big, big thing, being known as the best player in the world. It’s also helped English football because everyone’s seen one of us win the Ballon d’Or.” “For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it.” [@Matt_Law_DT]

🚨 Rio Ngumoha on leaving Chelsea for Liverpool: “I feel like I needed a new challenge. I feel like if I stayed at Chelsea… I’m not saying that I wouldn’t have got to the first team as quick, because I believe in my ability, but I feel like Liverpool just gave me a new pathway. “The plan that they set for me was straightforward really. For me, it was a no-brainer going to Liverpool, and they just said if I prove myself, because they know how much ability I had, then they know that I would definitely be a first-team player and definitely a star for them in the making. I think going to Liverpool so far has been the right choice.” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 [@Matt_Law_DT]

[🟢] NEW: There are no FORMAL negotiations under way over a new Liverpool contract for Alisson. Both sides would prefer to wait until the end of the season before making a decision. Alisson’s preference is to stay at Liverpool. If he leaves, a return to Brazil is considered unlikely. 🇧🇷 [@ESPNBrasil]

[🟢] NEW: Virgil van Dijk spoke to Andoni Iraola about taking the squad to the LFC Museum. With a younger squad and so many changes in recent seasons, the idea was to help the players better understand Liverpool’s history and what it means to represent the club. Guides took the players through the club’s story from its formation in 1892 to the present day, covering Liverpool’s domestic and European success as well as the tragedies at Heysel and Hillsborough. The squad also heard from the LFC Foundation about its work in the local community and beyond. [@_pauljoyce ]

[🟢] NEW: The museum visit showed how seriously Virgil van Dijk continues to take his role as captain, even as he enters the final year of his contract. Alisson is in a similar position but has already said his agent has held talks over a new deal. Talks are expected to follow with Van Dijk, who signed a two-year extension towards the end of Liverpool’s 2024/25 title-winning campaign. [@_pauljoyce]

An outstanding performance between the sticks 🧤 Liverpool’s Alisson is your Player of the Matchweek 🌟

Breaking; Virgil van Dijk has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for their fixtures this month. [@LFC]

Steven Gerrard on Florian Wirtz: “I think he’s playing with a lot more confidence and more belief. He’s certainly contributing a bit more in terms of assists and contribution in the final third. He seems to be playing with a little more freedom.” “You have to give credit to that front line because if they didn’t win that game everyone looks at that front line: ‘Barcola not doing it, Wirtz not doing it, Isak hasn’t turned up’. You hear a lot of criticism and a lot of people jump on it because of the price tags they are carrying. “They delivered yesterday. Barcola gets a nice assist for Wirtz. Isak gets his goal and it was lovely to see Wirtz get his first goal in the league.” 🇩🇪 [@ThatsFootballTV]

Highlights.

[🚨] Breaking: Alisson’s agent has confirmed that talks over a new Liverpool contract are under way. “Alisson loves Liverpool very much. We’re in preliminary talks over a contract renewal.” 🇧🇷 [@ismaeelmahmoudd, @winwinallsports]