Liverpool FC Afternoon Update: Midfield fitness scare

Liverpool supporters had a brief scare this morning.

The Standard reported that, according to video shared on X by journalist Keefe Irwin, neither Dominik Szoboszlai nor Alexis Mac Allister was seen arriving at the team hotel with the rest of the squad. Both are still expected to start against Manchester City, and the Standard added that Mac Allister later posted his usual matchday photo on his Instagram Stories.

Fan accounts on X are also relaying a report from the Arabic-language outlet WinWin Sports, citing an unnamed source, that Mac Allister has no injury and did not arrive with the group because he had been at the hotel since yesterday. The club has said nothing, and no explanation has surfaced for Szoboszlai, so treat it as unconfirmed until the team sheets are released, expected at about 3.15pm UK time.

Iraola’s programme notes

Andoni Iraola writes in the matchday programme that Liverpool “are going to have to perform at or very near to our best” against a City side who are top of the league and have won every game so far. He calls today’s match the first of nine in 28 days across three competitions. On the injuries picked up during the international break, he says “by the time this game kicks off we will be as ready as we can be”.

City team news

Reports differ on Antoine Semenyo. The Standard says he has shaken off the knock that made him pull out of the Ghana squad, while the Manchester Evening News predicted this morning that he would miss out, which is a prediction rather than club news. The Standard also says Nico O’Reilly remains a doubt, Phil Foden is serving the last game of his suspension and Erling Haaland is fit.

Transfers, contracts and ownership

Nothing new from a reliable source. The Gilberto Mora stories still come from Mexican outlets and are unconfirmed, and there is nothing new from the likes of David Ornstein and Paul Joyce, nor on contracts, ownership or staffing.