The international break is almost over which means that Liverpool is set to return to Premier League action next week.
The Reds went into the break with plenty of momentum following a promising league start that ended with a convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa. With Wolves up next, all focus will be on maintaining form in the charge for the Premier League title.
With Manchester City not kicking off until later in the day next Saturday, three points at Molineux will see Jürgen Klopp’s side back at the summit of the Premier League table — a position that seemed almost unfathomable after the disappointing results last season.
Much of that has been down to Liverpool’s squad management. The acquisitions of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, who both enjoyed 1-0 wins with their respective nations in midweek, have seen the Reds able to accelerate in their plan to return to the Champions League.
With two vital cogs installed in Klopp’s renovated machine, ‘heavy-metal football’ is back in tune, and there is now an element of control within the chords.
In what is normally a quiet period for Liverpool fans, the Reds have been able to enjoy some bright performances from players. Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez have excelled on international duty, while Andy Robertson led Scotland one step closer to European Championships qualification with a 3-0 victory over Cyprus. That’s five wins from five for Scotland, who now have a nine-point lead over second-placed Spain.
But as league football soon returns without the distraction of the transfer window, Liverpool must now focus on preparing the squad for the future, with the topic of player contracts likely to emerge in the approach to January.
Kostas Tsimikas set to sign new deal
Kostas Tsimikas has agreed terms on a new two-year extension, according to The Athletic. The Greek star’s new deal will keep him on Merseyside until 2027, securing a key squad player and popular member of the team.
Tsimikas, despite not dislodging Robertson as the starting left-back, has provided a useful alternative for Klopp, having made 20 Premier League appearances last season.
Mohamed Salah beats Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or feat
Mohamed Salah became one of just four players nominated for each of the last five Ballon d’Or awards with his latest nomination for the 2023 prize. Salah was crucial in Liverpool’s late upturn in form last season, finishing the Premier League with a total of 19 goals and 12 assists from 38 appearances.
Only Kylian Mbappé, Kevin De Bruyne, and Karim Benzema have achieved that same feat of consecutive nominations in the last five iterations of the prize, creating an exclusive four-player club that doesn’t include Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who is the favorite for this year’s award after he and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister won the World Cup.
That outlines the importance of the Egypt international who was pursued by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad towards the end of the transfer window. With all the talk focusing on transfers, perhaps Liverpool should really be thinking about a new contract.
