Liverpool
Klopp Backs Wirtz and Rebukes Carragher Over Liverpool Debate
Klopp defended Wirtz, rejected Carragher’s view, and stressed that pressing matters most.
Jürgen Klopp has pushed back strongly against Jamie Carragher’s criticism of Florian Wirtz, after the former Liverpool defender questioned whether the midfielder’s current role is suited to him.
Carragher’s assessment followed another underwhelming display against Newcastle United, where Wirtz struggled to make an impact. Speaking with Gary Neville, he argued that the Germany international does not look well placed in the side and suggested the player is being asked to perform in a position that does not suit his strengths. He also said Wirtz is not showing the level of output expected of a player carrying such a high valuation.
Klopp, however, offered a very different view. The Germany manager and former Liverpool coach made clear that he does not share the concern surrounding the player’s quality, and he took aim at the reaction he sees from pundits in England.
“As a soccer player, he’s [Wirtz] beyond reproach—in my eyes and in everyone else’s, too,” Liverpool’s Premier League -winning former coach told Sky Germany on Friday. “But Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, and so on—they’re, of course, always the first to get nervous in England.”
Even so, Klopp did not present Wirtz as exempt from the demands of the game. He stressed that any attacking player in his system must contribute to the counter-pressing, pointing to Shinji Kagawa as an example of a No 10 who worked without the ball at a high level.
“If you want to play for us, you have to be part of the counter-pressing,” Klopp warned. “And I played alongside Shinji Kagawa at the 10 [attacking midfield]. He never won a single tackle and was still one of the best counter-pressing players I’ve ever had. It’s not about physicality. It’s about wanting to get involved.”
Klopp also argued that Wirtz’s best position is through the middle, rather than wide on the left, and said the responsibility lies with the coach to place talent where it can perform best.
Borussia Dortmund
Five Possible Moves for Estêvão, Ranked
Estêvão is short of minutes at Chelsea, and several major clubs could enter the picture.
Estêvão’s place in Xabi Alonso’s plans appears secure in theory, but the evidence on the pitch has told a different story. The Brazilian youngster has found minutes hard to come by in a system built around a back three and wingbacks, which has left little space for wide forwards. He was even left on the bench when Chelsea exited the Carabao Cup on penalties to Liverpool last month.
There was a reminder of what he can offer when Alonso shifted to a 4-2-3-1 for the recent win over Manchester United. Estêvão started on the right and produced a strong display. Yet that momentum did not last, with another formation change ahead of the defeat to Sunderland before the international break sending him back to the bench.
BBC Sport reported in September that Estêvão was among a small group of “untouchable” Chelsea players, alongside Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer and João Pedro. Even so, a player of his ability, and one who has long attracted attention, could eventually begin to look elsewhere if the current situation does not improve.
If that point arrives, several destinations could enter the picture.
Paris Saint-Germain remain a logical name in any discussion of elite attacking talent, particularly after their summer reshuffle. But with Lee Kang-in, Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos already moved on, and with Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts arriving, they are more likely to trust their current options. They have also been hit by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s ACL tear, though Luis Enrique still has plenty to work with.
Liverpool is another obvious possibility. After Mohamed Salah’s departure in the summer, Andoni Iraola has used Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha on the right wing, but that position may still need greater certainty. A Chelsea sale to a Premier League rival would be difficult to imagine, yet the financial logic is there.
Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, would make sense only if the situation worsened and Chelsea agreed to a loan in January. They may not be as imposing as they once were, but the club still has a reputation for developing talent. Estêvão may not be the ideal Niko Kovać wide player, but Dortmund would be one to watch if temporary respite becomes the next step.
Liverpool
Van Dijk injury update raises fresh concern for Liverpool
Van Dijk has left the Netherlands camp injured, with Liverpool monitoring a problem that has lingered for weeks.
Virgil van Dijk has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for their November camp because of an injury that has reportedly been troubling him for close to a month.
The update was understated, with the defender simply ruled out as “not fit enough” to take part. For Liverpool, it is another reminder of how heavily they have leaned on their captain this season.
Van Dijk’s place in international football had not been entirely secure either. The 35-year-old was persuaded by incoming head coach Xavi Hernández to keep the armband, and he brought up a century of caps against Serbia last month.
At club level, the reliance has been even clearer. Iraola has started Van Dijk in all 10 Premier League matches this season, underlining his importance to the side’s structure. He was given a rare rest in the Champions League, though his team still conceded three goals after he came off the bench against LASK.
That appearance followed the previous 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, a match in which he finished with discomfort. “I had a little knock in the end on my calf which is pretty painful,” the Dutchman told reporters. The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele later reported that Van Dijk has been “managing a little niggle” since then.
The issue has been downplayed for now, and there is no suggestion that the defender cannot play through it if required. The Netherlands remain well placed to reach the Nations League quarterfinals and have enough defensive depth to cover his absence, even if their captain’s fitness will continue to draw attention.
Liverpool
Alisson makes his Liverpool stance clear as contract talks go on
Alisson has said he wants to stay at Liverpool as the club weigh up a new deal and his fitness record.
Alisson Becker has removed any ambiguity over his Liverpool future, making it clear that he wants to remain at the club beyond next summer while renewal talks continue.
Liverpool already activated a clause last summer to extend his contract by another year, and the Brazilian still occupies the undisputed starting role in goal. At 34, he is no longer at the very top of his peak, but he remains one of the most important figures in the side. After the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend, he addressed his future directly and said he wants to extend his stay in Merseyside.
“Yes, in my mind,” Alisson responded, per Sky Sports , when asked if he wanted to continue at the club. “I’m focused on playing every game, but in my mind, I’m happy to stay. You know, that depends on a lot of aspects and different situations.
“But my will is to stay. I’m happy here, my family is happy here. I’m still hungry for titles and for delivering good performances. I still want to play at the top level for as long as I can. So that’s my thinking on that.”
Those remarks followed what was arguably his finest showing of the season, a six-save performance against Crystal Palace. They also arrived only days after Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said he wanted the Brazilian to “continue with us for more time.”
There is, though, a broader conversation around whether Liverpool should commit to another deal. Alisson is not the same goalkeeper he was five years ago, even if he can still reach a very high level. Under Iraola, Liverpool are still a work in progress defensively, and Alisson has kept only four clean sheets in 14 starts in all competitions this term while conceding 20 goals.
Fitness is another concern. Injuries have been a recurring issue for the Brazilian over the last three years, with at least two months missed in each season since the start of 2023-24.
When available, however, he remains Liverpool’s strongest option in goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili has not seriously challenged him since arriving as backup last summer, while Caoimhín Kelleher, now at Brentford, might have been a more natural successor.
Liverpool are not dealing with a goalkeeper crisis, but they do have other areas to address. A short-term renewal for one of their veteran leaders could still prove sensible if the terms are reasonable. Virgil van Dijk is also due to be out of contract next summer, leaving the club with major decisions to make on two long-serving defensive pillars.
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