William Gallas believes Arsenal missed a trick in their big Premier League match at Liverpool before the international break

William Gallas believes Arsenal missed a trick in their big Premier League match at Liverpool before the international break

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip with updates on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and the future of Federico Chiesa

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip with updates on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and the future of Federico Chiesa

Markus Babbel, who turns 53 today, opened up on rejecting Real Madrid and shared his regrets over how his Liverpool career ended in an exclusive interview with the ECHO's Theo Squires

Markus Babbel, who turns 53 today, opened up on rejecting Real Madrid and shared his regrets over how his Liverpool career ended in an exclusive interview with the ECHO's Theo Squires

Stacey and Kevin live on Merseyside with their daughter

Stacey and Kevin live on Merseyside with their daughter

Florian Wirtz has quickly become the focus of attention since completing his £116 million move to Liverpool, a British record fee that inevitably brings pressure and scrutiny. The 22-year-old midfielder has shown glimpses of his quality but his contributions so far have been limited, leading to questions both at Anfield and on international duty with Germany.

Pressure growing on Wirtz after record Liverpool transfer

Any big-money signing faces expectation, but the price Liverpool paid for Wirtz magnifies every detail of his performances. Supporters were excited by his arrival, viewing him as one of Europe’s most gifted creators, yet he has struggled to fully display the ball-carrying and chance-creating abilities that made him so highly valued in the Bundesliga.

The pace and intensity of the Premier League may be a factor, with Wirtz needing to adapt quickly to the demands of English football. He has the technical skill to progress the ball and relieve pressure, but at times he has been hesitant to use his body and win fouls in advanced areas.

Nagelsmann urges Wirtz to adapt with Germany

While representing Germany in their World Cup qualifier defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava, Wirtz again found himself under scrutiny. His national team manager, Julian Nagelsmann, criticised him for failing to react decisively in a key moment.

“I didn’t speak to him about that scene, but if I did I would’ve told him that he should fall to the ground because it was a clear foul,” Nagelsmann said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

“It wasn’t a regular goal. You should be smarter in the situation and fall, because it was a clear foul.”

It is a clear message that Wirtz must adapt his game to the demands of both international football and the Premier League, where small details often decide matches.

Slot echoes similar frustrations at Liverpool

Nagelsmann’s remarks mirror what Arne Slot has already been asking of his Liverpool players. The Dutch manager, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, has repeatedly encouraged his squad to be more streetwise.

Slot was left frustrated last season when Ryan Gravenberch was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for simulation. While he criticised the decision, he also noted that his team had to be less “nice” and make more of the contact they receive.

The modern game, he argued, often rewards players who go to ground rather than those who try to stay on their feet. That outlook is now being reinforced by Germany’s coach, putting Wirtz in no doubt that he must develop this side of his game.

Adaptation key for Liverpool’s record signing

Liverpool invested heavily in Florian Wirtz because of his creativity, vision and ability to carry the ball between the lines. Those qualities remain intact, and at just 22 years of age he has time to settle into life at Anfield. However, both Slot and Nagelsmann have made it clear that he needs to be more pragmatic, using his intelligence not just to create but also to influence referees’ decisions.

As Liverpool and Germany look to compete at the highest level, Wirtz’s ability to adapt could be decisive in determining how quickly he fulfils his potential on both fronts.

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FSG has reportedly held talks with Arne Slot over an improved contract at Liverpool, amid reported admiration in the Dutchman from Bayern Munich.

Slot signed a three-year contract with the Reds upon joining the club from Feyenoord last year, and won the Premier League during his first season at Anfield. He has earned a reputation as one of the best head coaches in the world, and there are suggestions that Bayern is interested in his services.

Vincent Kompany is the current Bayern boss, but such is the cut-throat nature of managing Germany's biggest club, the prospect of a managerial change in Bavaria is never too far away.

However, it doesn't sound as though snaring Slot is a possibility for Bayern, because the Dutchman is said to be keen to sign a new contract at Liverpool after holding talks with FSG on Friday.

Slot is reported to have been promised further elite new signings in future transfer windows, after Liverpool spent big to sign revamp its squad during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool spent a Premier League-record fee on Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day, having also committed significant fees to the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong.

Liverpool had also committed to signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on deadline day, only for the South London club to pull the plug on the deal due to concerns that Oliver Glasner might quit the club if his captain were sold against his wishes.

Alexander Isak signed for Liverpool on deadline day (Image: JONAS EKSTROMER/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

Isak could make his debut when Liverpool's season resumes with a trip to Burnley after the international break.

"I feel amazing," Isak told Liverpool media after sealing his move to Merseyside. "It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of and I’m really looking forward to it."

Explaining why Liverpool was the club that Isak wanted to join, he said: "I think it’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of what the club already is. The history of the club.

"Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies. That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well."

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Michael Olise has been tipped as Liverpool's long-term Mohamed Salah replacement, but Kylian Mbappe might get in the way

Michael Olise has been tipped as Liverpool's long-term Mohamed Salah replacement, but Kylian Mbappe might get in the way

Szoboszlai and Kerkez Feature for Hungary

Liverpool’s international contingent were once again in the spotlight, with several players making their mark for their respective nations. Dominik Szoboszlai played a decisive role for Hungary in their World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. The midfielder created his country’s second goal, delivering a first-half corner that was expertly converted by Roland Sallai.

Szoboszlai remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in a game that ended dramatically. Hungary looked set for victory before Sallai’s red card shifted the momentum, allowing Ireland to stage a comeback. The match concluded 2-2 after a stoppage-time equaliser left the visitors frustrated.

Milos Kerkez, Szoboszlai’s compatriot and fellow Liverpool player, also started in the tie and featured for 80 minutes. His defensive contributions provided stability before the contest turned in Ireland’s favour.

Ngumoha Shines for England U19s

Attention also turned to Liverpool’s younger prospects, with Rio Ngumoha catching the eye in England U19s’ thrilling 3-3 draw against Spain at Pinatar Arena. Ngumoha entered the game as a substitute with around 20 minutes remaining, and his impact was immediate. He provided the assist for the Young Lions’ late equaliser, showcasing composure and vision in a high-pressure situation.

Trey Nyoni, another Liverpool youngster, also played his part. He started the fixture and contributed in midfield, underlining the strength of Liverpool’s academy talent currently progressing through international ranks. For Ngumoha, this performance underlines his growing reputation and highlights his ability to influence matches at youth level, a promising sign for his development at Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO Endo’s Involvement for Japan

Across the Atlantic, Wataru Endo continued his consistent run of appearances for Japan. The Japan captain featured throughout their goalless friendly against Mexico in California. The match lacked goals but provided Endo with another valuable outing on the international stage, further demonstrating his importance to both club and country.

His discipline and organisation in midfield have been key for Liverpool under Arne Slot, and Japan benefit from those same qualities. Games of this nature, even when they end in stalemates, sharpen fitness and maintain rhythm ahead of competitive fixtures.

Encouraging Signs for Liverpool

These international appearances underline Liverpool’s growing influence at senior and youth level across the world stage. Szoboszlai’s creativity, Kerkez’s consistency, Endo’s leadership and Ngumoha’s emergence all highlight a club with strength in depth. For Arne Slot, seeing his players contribute positively for their nations provides reassurance that Liverpool’s squad carries both quality and experience, as well as youthful promise.

International duty always carries risks with potential injuries and fatigue, but the benefits are clear. Players gain confidence, sharpen their match fitness and return with valuable experience. For Liverpool, the sight of Ngumoha assisting England, Szoboszlai providing key moments for Hungary and Endo anchoring Japan is a reminder of the calibre and commitment within the squad.

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Despite being just three games old, the domestic season is currently on pause, with players having jetted off to all corners of the world to represent their countries during the international break.

World Cup qualifiers are taking place ahead of next summer's tournament in North America, where some players will realize their boyhood dreams and become champions of the world.

Somewhat surprisingly, there have only ever been five players who were contracted to Liverpool when they won the World Cup, with three of them part of England's triumphant squad in 1966 and the other two claiming glory with Spain in 2010. Here's who they are...

Roger Hunt - 1966

Hunt is a bona fide Liverpool legend, having turned out almost 500 times for the Reds during his career, playing a part in the team's promotion to the old First Division in 1962, before also winning the league in 1964 and 1965.

(Image: 2016 The FA)

Only Ian Rush has scored more goals for Liverpool than Hunt managed, but Mohamed Salah could surpass him in the next couple of seasons — the Egyptian's current total is just 34 fewer than Hunt's.

Hunt scored three goals on England's run to World Cup glory and lined up in the final, in which fellow striker Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick.

Ian Callaghan - 1966

Ian Callaghan stands alone as the Liverpool player with the most appearances in the club's history, having turned out 857 times for the Reds — that's more than 100 appearances more than the next player on the list, Jamie Carragher.

(Image: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Despite his prominence for Liverpool, Callaghan made just four appearances for England. One of those came against France in the '66 World Cup, a game in which he assisted a goal for Hunt.

Callaghan did not appear in the final against West Germany, and at the time that meant he was not eligible to receive a medal, but an FA-led campaign to persuade FIFA to award winner's medals to all squad numbers ensured he received a medal more than 50 years later, in 2009.

Gerry Byrne - 1966

Byrne made over 300 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, but he is mostly remembered for playing on with a broken collarbone during the 1965 FA Cup final.

(Image: 2016 Liverpool FC)

At the time, substitutions were still not permitted, so when Byrne suffered the injury just minutes after kick-off, Liverpool faced being down to 10 men for the remainder of the game. Byrne opted to stay on the field, and he even assisted one of Liverpool's goals in the 2-1 win over Leeds.

Byrne was in the squad for the 1966 World Cup but did not make an appearance in the competition. Like Callaghan, he received a winner's medal in 2009.

Pepe Reina - 2010

The recently retired Pepe Reina spent nine years at Liverpool between 2005 and 2014, and in the summer of 2010 he was part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup in 2010.

Reina was an unused substitute throughout the tournament, with Iker Casillas occupying the No.1 spot for La Roja in South Africa.

(Image: 2010 AFP) Fernando Torres - 2010

Fernando Torres should have been at the peak of his powers in 2010 but he went into the tournament having not figured for Liverpool in the final few weeks of the season due to a knee injury.

Torres underwent surgery on the issue two months before the tournament and struggled upon his return. Torres started Spain's first five games in the tournament but was taken off in all of them, and he was taken out of the starting line-up for both the semi-final and the final.

Torres came off the bench in the final and sustained another injury in it. Although he won the World Cup, the question remains over whether his decision to rush back ultimately caused his deterioration, as Torres was never quite the same after 2010.

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Alisson has opened up about the nine things that help him maintain his position as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper after the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Reds No.1 continues to seek improvements and push his limits, even after more than 300 appearances for Liverpool. The Brazilian international, now a two-time Premier League champion with the Reds and winner of seven trophies overall, reached the 300-game milestone last month.

Heading into his eighth season at Anfield since joining from AS Roma in the summer of 2018, Alisson remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions. He kept his first clean sheet of the 2025-26 campaign in the recent 1-0 victory over Arsenal, helping Arne Slot’s side maintain a perfect start to its title defense ahead of the international break.

After the arrival of Mamardashvili, who replaced Caomhin Kelleher, Alisson could now realistically expect a fight for his starting spot for the first time since he arrived at the club.

The matchday programme for the fixture included quotes from Alisson, in which he shared his thoughts on what it takes to guard the Liverpool goal. “For me, what I see as a goalkeeper, to be at the top level you need to have good positioning, first of all,” said Alisson.

“You need to have speed, you need to have agility and to play in the Premier League you need to be strong as well and good on set-pieces and good on timings.

“To be a Liverpool FC goalkeeper, you have to be good at sweeping up some balls as well, working outside the box and also playing with your feet.

“So I think all of these attributes have the same importance for being a top goalkeeper for Liverpool FC. And I always try to improve myself in all aspects, to cover all the gaps, because I know the opposition I face here.

“They are top players in the Premier League and Champions League. Whoever we play and wherever we play, we face top players, top quality, and as goalkeepers we have to be always ready to make the difference for the team.”

Alisson has revealed what keeps him performing at the highest level (Image: Getty Images)

Beyond his shot-stopping abilities, Alisson is also the only goalkeeper in Liverpool’s history to have scored a goal.

The 32-year-old has added three assists during his time at Anfield as well, all of which were for Mohamed Salah in home matches.

“The connection me and Mo have is from the years we’ve spent together,” added Alisson. “I know his qualities, he knows my qualities to play the ball behind the line when we have the space to do that.

“So, he just does what he does the best, and that is running towards the goal, and I have to do my best to kick the ball and put him in a good position so he can control it and do what he also does the best – scoring goals.

“It’s something that we really enjoy doing, so when that happens I think you can see from the celebrations that it’s something that we enjoy a lot, because that is part of the fun part of football as well: joy.”

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All the latest Liverpool FC news as the Premier League champions draw up a new plan to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace

All the latest Liverpool FC news as the Premier League champions draw up a new plan to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace

For Jason McAteer, September 7, 1995 is a date that will forever be etched in his memory.

A childhood ambition was finally fulfilled after he signed for Liverpool from Bolton Wanderers in a £4.5 million deal. At the age of 24, the Birkenhead boy had enjoyed a meteoric rise having represented local non-league outfit Marine as recently as three years earlier.

As this milestone reaches its 30th anniversary, does it feel so long ago?

“It kind of does and it doesn’t,” says McAteer.

“I think because I’ve been out of the game for so long and done so many different things since retiring. But obviously with the way life is, and we can recreate it by going on social media now and looking back and talking about it. The 90s is kind of relevant at the minute.”

He adds: “Everything’s been brought up and everyone’s reminiscing about it. So, it kind of not feels like yesterday, but I do remember it or talking about it obviously brings back the memories.

“It’s a funny time because I also scored the goal against Holland around the same time (for Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier) so I get a lot of anniversaries in about the space of two weeks.”

While at Marine, McAteer was signed by Bolton who were then managed by legendary Reds full-back Phil Neal. But it was under the stewardship of Neal’s successor, Bruce Rioch, that McAteer, and Wanderers, flourished. The Trotters rose from the third tier of English football to The Premiership with two promotions in three seasons, as well as claiming a few giant-killings along the way in both the League Cup and FA Cup.

McAteer’s Cinderella-esque story would also include international recognition. Having qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland through his grandfather, legendary manager Jack Charlton handed McAteer his debut in March 1994, before he was named in the squad for the 1994 World Cup in the USA.

Twelve months later, McAteer was part of a Bolton side that made a memorable run to the League Cup Final where he would face his beloved Liverpool. Sadly, there was to be no fairytale ending as a Steve McManaman double ensured the Reds avoided a huge upset and claimed a fifth League Cup in the process.

However, the 1994/95 season would ultimately end in glory for McAteer and Bolton as they achieved promotion to the top-flight at the expense of Reading in a dramatic play-off final that required extra-time.

Weeks later, Rioch left Burnden Park to become Arsenal manager and McAteer would eventually follow his manager out of the exit door.

But where to? McAteer was the subject of interest from not just Liverpool, but also Blackburn Rovers and childhood idol Kenny Dalglish. The newly crowned Premier League champions triggered a release clause in his contract, and he was set for a move to Ewood Park.

The phone call that changed everything

However, an 11th hour call from Anfield changed everything.

“I was having talks with Blackburn. I was literally in the room with Kenny when Liverpool rang my agent and he said they’d agreed the fee, I’m free to go and talk to Liverpool if I don’t sign for Blackburn.” Said McAteer.

“I mean, Kenny was my hero, but Liverpool was my team that I supported. So, I had an emotional attachment to both, but I wanted to be Kenny at Liverpool. I didn’t want to play for Kenny at Blackburn.”

After a ‘fuming’ Dalglish called the meeting off, McAteer pursued his dream move and was so desperate to sign he didn’t even care about personal details.

He reflects: “It was never a matter of how much they were paying me. It was just a matter of when could I get started?

“When we were talking about money, I got up and walked out of the room. I went up and down the corridor in the Main Stand and just looked at all the photos on the wall. When I went back in, I didn’t even know how much we’d agreed. I didn’t even know how much I had signed for!”

Despite the daunting prospect of playing alongside a higher standard of players, McAteer was instantly made to feel at home among his new peers.

“Roy [Evans] had built this young team, so we were all very similar ages,” he recalls. “I instantly had respect because I’d been to the World Cup, and I felt part of it. I never necessarily felt I needed to show what I had. I just felt like I’d been there for ages.”

Handed the No.4 shirt, the new arrival made his Anfield bow as an 82nd minute substitute for John Barnes in a 3-0 win over his former admirers Blackburn. McAteer revealed that during discussions over his transfer from Bolton, it was understood that he would be brought in to play alongside Jamie Redknapp in midfield:

“I’d been told that I was brought in to play in midfield with Jamie because Barnes wasn’t getting any younger and it was going to be a bit of a transitional thing. So, when I went on for Barnesy, it was a bit like ‘wow!’ I’ve come on for one of the greatest players ever to play football, at Anfield. It was a dream come true.”

After a full debut arrived in a League Cup against Sunderland, in which he got an assist in a 2-0 win, McAteer’s first league start came at Old Trafford. However, the day is best remembered for the return of Eric Cantona from his eight-month suspension after assaulting a Crystal Palace fan earlier that year.

McAteer reflected: “To be starting the biggest game in the world, in English football, I class it as being up there as one of the world’s biggest games. It brings an enormity. I remember obviously, all the hype was around Cantona’s comeback, and we gave away a penalty late on.

“Cantona used to be a thorn in a lot of teams’ sides, but especially with us. He scored on his comeback, and he also scored in the 1996 FA Cup Final. But it was nice that we went to Old Trafford and didn’t get beat, but disappointed that we never won the game.”

However, one team-mate’s performance in the memorable 2-2 draw left a lasting impression on the wing-back: “It was the day I realised how good Robbie Fowler was, to be honest.”

Fowler scored twice, outmuscling a young Gary Neville and beautifully dinking over Peter Schmeichel for the second, having already rifled past the Dane at the near post for his first.

“That’s the game you show people”

1995/96 would prove to be an eventful debut campaign. As part of a swashbuckling Liverpool side that threatened to challenge at the top of the table, McAteer is effusive in his praise despite their limitations that denied silverware:

“When we got in the rhythm, we had this flow about us, like once touch two touch movement it was great. I had a good engine anyway, but when we were on it, I never felt tired, it was weird. I mean, there was lots of games I felt knackered.

“But when we were on fire at Liverpool, I never felt tired. I felt like I could just run all day.

“We were always looking to score, and we would never err on the side of the caution, and it probably did us in the end and that was our downfall tactically.”

If one match summed up that season or team, the night Newcastle arrived at Anfield in April 1996 was a perfect encapsulation of Liverpool and their opponents at their best, and indeed worst.

McAteer agrees: “We evolved into this team that I think was summed up by the Newcastle display. I think if you want to show anyone an attacking style of play with movements, commitments, passion, creating opportunities and putting balls in when they should have been, keeping possession when they should have been. That’s the game you show people.”

In a breathless and end-to-end 90 minutes, both sides went toe-to-toe with no inch given. McAteer played his own part on the night when he provided a wicked low cross from the right for Stan Collymore to tap home to make it 3-3, before the striker scored again in stoppage time to cap an unforgettable night.

In an honest appraisal, McAteer says: “From a defensive point of view, we were a bit of shambles and quite open which we got punished with a few times.

“But in one game it epitomised everything, it had a real flavour of Liverpool, and it was just what Liverpool was all about: attacking football flair and we stopped them winning the title. There’s a reason why they say it’s the best game ever.”

Ultimately though, both sides would fall short in their chase of Premier League glory as Manchester United pipped them both to the post. The Reds would also endure further heartache as a rather dour FA Cup Final was settled by a solitary Cantona strike, and remembered far more for what McAteer and co wore pre-match…

McAteer would go on to make 139 appearances overall, scoring six goals and providing 18 assists in a red shirt.

Although his time at Anfield didn’t produce any silverware, it’s fair to say that he played his part in a team that provided entertainment in a time of great change for Liverpool F.C.

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Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as the Reds continue to be linked with some potential new signings

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as the Reds continue to be linked with some potential new signings