Dominik Szoboszlai has joined up with Hungary after having tests on his knee, although the results have not been published. Manchester United, our next opponents, are weighing up Michael Carrick’s future amid growing reports that he will be sacked before their trip to Anfield.
There is nothing new on Virgil van Dijk’s fitness issue, Alisson Becker’s agent is talking with the club about a new deal, and the overnight transfer talk is mostly low-grade.
Szoboszlai joins Hungary camp
Dominik Szoboszlai, 26, had tests on his knee on Monday morning and joined the Hungary squad at their Telki training base that evening, posting “Back in town” on Instagram. The Hungarian Football Federation had said he was “following the usual protocol in such cases” and would give an update as soon as possible.
Neither the federation nor Liverpool has published the results, and joining the camp is not the same as being declared fit. We are still listing him as doubtful for Hungary’s Nations League games away to Georgia on Saturday 14 November (5pm UK time) and at home to Northern Ireland on Tuesday 17 November (7.45pm UK time).
Van Dijk: no further news
There has been no further detail overnight on the fitness issue that ruled Virgil van Dijk, 35, out of the Netherlands’ games against Greece in Amsterdam on Friday 13 November and Germany in Berlin on Monday 16 November. The Dutch FA said he “did not return fit” from Sunday’s win at Crystal Palace, where he played the full 90 minutes.
Neither the club nor the Dutch FA has said what the problem is, so we are not guessing.
United weigh Carrick’s future before Anfield
Manchester United intend to relieve Michael Carrick of his duties, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, with multiple sources anticipating a change before the Liverpool game. The Guardian reports that director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are minded to sack him, and BBC Sport says he looks increasingly likely to go. United insist no final decision has been made.
Mauricio Pochettino, currently the USA head coach, has emerged as a candidate, and BBC Sport says multiple sources have told it he would be open to the job. United are 18th in the Premier League after Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa. Credibility: High that his position is under review and a change is being considered. Nothing has been confirmed.
Alisson: talks under way
Alisson Becker, 34, said after Sunday’s win at Palace that his “will is to stay” and that his agent is talking with the club. His agent, Ze Maria, has since told the sports website Winwin: “Alisson loves Liverpool very much! We are in initial talks to renew the contract.”
His contract expires at the end of this season. Liverpool have said nothing and there is no agreement. Credibility: High that talks are taking place and that Alisson wants to stay, from his own words. No agreement has been confirmed.
Injury picture
Ryan Gravenberch (heel fracture) is out of the Netherlands squad. Iraola has called it “a day-to-day thing” and no return date has been given. Jeremie Frimpong (muscle) has missed the last six games, and Iraola said before the break that it would be “difficult” to have him back before it. Iraola has also said Giovanni Leoni was likely to start training with the team during this international break. Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitiké remain sidelined.
International duty and LFC Women
Rio Ngumoha, 18, is in England’s squad to face Croatia at Wembley on Thursday 12 November and Spain in Madrid on Sunday 15 November, both at 7.45pm UK time.
Liverpool Women host Aston Villa in the Subway Players Cup at St Helens Stadium tomorrow, Wednesday 11 November, at 7pm.
Transfers
There are no confirmed transfer developments this morning, and nothing on Liverpool’s transfer plans from the likes of David Ornstein and Paul Joyce.
Ronald Araujo: the pro-Barcelona paper Sport says both Liverpool and the 27-year-old defender, on loan from Barcelona, plan to wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to make the move permanent. The reported £47m option to buy is not new, and nobody else has added to the claim. Credibility: Low.
Andrea Cambiaso: the Italian site TuttoJuve claims Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in the 26-year-old Juventus and Italy defender. It is a single source with no bid mentioned. Credibility: Low.
Koni De Winter: CaughtOffside claims Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are among the clubs monitoring the 24-year-old AC Milan and Belgium centre-back. Credibility: Low.
There have been no significant developments from reliable sources concerning ownership, investment or senior club staffing. The only contract news is Alisson’s.
Fixtures (UK times)
Sunday 22 November: Liverpool v Manchester United, Premier League, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Wednesday 25 November: Club Brugge v Liverpool, Champions League, 8pm
Sunday 29 November: Everton v Liverpool, Premier League, 12pm (TNT Sports)
Wednesday 2 December: Liverpool v Sunderland, Premier League, 7.30pm (Sky Sports)
Saturday 5 December: Chelsea v Liverpool, Premier League, 12.30pm (TNT Sports)
Wednesday 9 December: Liverpool v Porto, Champions League, 8pm
Saturday 12 December: Liverpool v Leeds United, Premier League, 3pm
Wednesday 16 December: Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth, Carabao Cup quarter-final, 8pm (ITV and Sky Sports)
Saturday 19 December: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, 5.30pm (Sky Sports)
Liverpool’s next men’s fixture is against Manchester United at Anfield on 22 November. All kick-off times are GMT and subject to change.
