The Kopite View

Sometimes football gives you exactly what you want.

And for me, this was one of those nights.

Everton and Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw — and I couldn’t have asked for a better result.

Not because I particularly wanted Everton to get anything.

And certainly not because I wanted Manchester United to get anything.

I wanted both of them to drop points.

And that’s exactly what happened.

It couldn’t have been better

Manchester United looked like they were heading for the three points after Benjamin Šeško put them 2-1 ahead in the 88th minute.

At that point, Everton looked beaten.

But then came the moment Liverpool supporters could enjoy.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.

A stunning long-range effort in the 96th minute rescued Everton a point and denied United the victory.

Honestly?

Perfect.

Everton don’t get the three points.

United don’t get the three points.

And Liverpool stay above both of them.

I’ll take that every single time.

Liverpool are above them both

The important thing is that we’re still incredibly early in the season.

But when you’re a Liverpool supporter, you still look at the table.

And after three games, Liverpool have five points.

Everton also have five.

Manchester United have four.

Everton’s draw leaves them eighth, while United are 11th, with Liverpool sitting above both.

It’s obviously far too early to start talking about league positions seriously.

But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying it.

Especially when the two teams you’re desperate to finish above have just taken points off each other.

The best possible outcome

Think about the alternatives.

If United had won, they’d have picked up three points.

If Everton had won, they’d have picked up three points.

Instead?

They shared them.

That’s exactly what I wanted.

It’s one of those results where you don’t really care who wins because the draw is better for Liverpool.

And when the equaliser comes in the 96th minute?

Even better.

Sorry, Everton

I have to admit, I almost enjoyed the goal more because of how late it was.

Everton had already been celebrating their first equaliser earlier in the match through Tyrique George.

United then appeared to have won it through Šeško with just minutes remaining.

Then Maitland-Niles produced an incredible finish to send the home supporters wild.

For Everton, it was a dramatic point.

For United, it was two points thrown away.

For Liverpool supporters?

Beautiful.

Liverpool just need to concentrate on Liverpool

Of course, none of this actually matters if Liverpool don’t keep winning.

That’s the important bit.

Andoni Iraola’s side finally got their first Premier League victory of the season against Ipswich on Friday, with Alexander Isak scoring twice in a 2-0 win.

That gives Liverpool five points from their opening three games.

Now the challenge is to build on that.

The draw at Newcastle was frustrating.

The draw against Nottingham Forest was disappointing.

But the win at Ipswich was exactly what Liverpool needed.

Now we have to start putting together another run of victories.

And I’ll happily watch United and Everton take points off each other

There will be plenty of twists and turns this season.

Liverpool will drop points.

United will drop points.

Everton will drop points.

That’s football.

But if those two clubs can take points off each other while Liverpool keep moving forward, I’ll be absolutely delighted.

Because ultimately, that’s what matters.

Liverpool don’t need Everton to lose every week.

Liverpool don’t need Manchester United to lose every week.

We just need Liverpool to finish above them.

And right now?

We’re above both.

What a result

So yes, I’ll admit it.

I enjoyed that one.

Everton equalising with virtually the last kick.

United dropping two points.

Everton only getting one.

Liverpool sitting above both.

That’s about as close to the perfect result as you can get.

It’s only the very early stages of the season.

The table will change countless times between now and May.

But tonight?

I’m looking at it and smiling.

Liverpool above Everton.

Liverpool above Manchester United.

And the two of them have just taken points off each other.

I’ll take that.

Absolutely perfect. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool supporters spent much of the summer wondering why the club didn’t bring in another midfielder after Curtis Jones left for Inter Milan.

Now we may finally have an answer.

According to Ben Jacobs, Liverpool never actually intended to add another midfielder following Jones’ departure.

And that makes the situation surrounding Lamine Camara particularly interesting.

Because while Liverpool didn’t want Camara this summer, they apparently could have moved for him if Alexis Mac Allister had left the club.

Liverpool didn’t see Jones as someone they had to replace

This is probably the biggest takeaway from Jacobs’ update.

Liverpool didn’t look at their squad and think:

“Curtis Jones has left, so we need to sign another midfielder.”

Instead, the club apparently believed they already had enough options.

Mac Allister.

Dominik Szoboszlai.

Ryan Gravenberch.

And the other midfield options available to Andoni Iraola.

From Liverpool’s perspective, losing Jones didn’t automatically create a hole that needed filling.

Whether supporters agree with that decision is another matter entirely.

Personally, I’m still not completely convinced.

I would have liked another midfielder

This is where my opinion differs from the club’s apparent thinking.

I understand why Liverpool didn’t panic.

They didn’t want to sign a player simply for the sake of replacing Jones.

But I still believe there was an opportunity to improve the midfield.

Liverpool have plenty of technical quality.

What I questioned was the balance.

They don’t really have an obvious specialist defensive midfielder who can sit in front of the defence and provide that extra protection when games become chaotic.

Iraola may not want a traditional No.6.

His system relies on collective defending and pressing.

But over a long season, having another midfielder with different qualities can be invaluable.

And then there’s Lamine Camara

This is where things become really interesting.

Jacobs says Liverpool’s only route to making a summer bid for Camara would have been if Mac Allister had departed.

That tells us something important about how Liverpool viewed the Monaco midfielder.

They clearly liked him.

But they didn’t see him as someone they needed to sign immediately.

And that potentially explains why Liverpool didn’t move when Chelsea were pushing hard to bring Camara to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea reportedly had a £47 million agreement in place before Monaco pulled the plug on the transfer on deadline day.

Liverpool, meanwhile, appear to have been thinking longer term.

Camara could still be a Liverpool player

This is the part I would be watching very closely.

Jacobs says Camara still dreams of moving to the Premier League, while a January departure has not been ruled out.

Liverpool have already been linked with the Senegal international, and reports after deadline day suggested the Reds had effectively told Camara and Monaco to wait, with a potential move in 2027 still possible.

So this story isn’t finished.

Not even close.

Camara may have missed out on Chelsea.

But that doesn’t mean his Premier League dream has disappeared.

And Liverpool could eventually become the club that makes it happen.

January could change everything

The big question is whether Liverpool decide that their midfield needs strengthening once the season develops.

That’s something we simply don’t know yet.

Maybe Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch stay fit and perform brilliantly.

Maybe Liverpool’s midfield looks completely comfortable.

Or perhaps the demands of the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups expose the lack of another option.

If that happens, Liverpool could revisit Camara.

And there is already evidence that they admire him.

David Ornstein has separately indicated that Camara would have been Liverpool’s preferred midfield target if Mac Allister had left, which adds further weight to the idea that the Monaco midfielder remains one to watch.

Maybe Liverpool are waiting to see what happens

There is another way of looking at this.

Liverpool might simply believe that January is the right time.

Why spend £40m, £50m or potentially more on a midfielder when you’re not convinced you need him?

Wait.

Assess the squad.

See how Iraola’s midfield develops.

Then make a decision.

That could actually be sensible squad management.

The danger, of course, is that Camara’s price could increase.

He’s only 22 and is already attracting serious Premier League interest.

If he continues performing for Monaco and Senegal, there could be even more competition for his signature.

I still think Liverpool need more midfield protection

For me, this is the bigger issue.

I don’t necessarily think Liverpool made a mistake by not signing Camara.

I think the bigger question is whether they were right to decide that another midfielder wasn’t necessary at all.

Those are two completely different arguments.

Camara might not have been required in August.

But Liverpool may discover in October or November that the midfield needs another dimension.

That’s when the decision becomes much more interesting.

Don’t be surprised if we hear this name again

Liverpool didn’t sign Lamine Camara this summer.

That much is clear.

But it doesn’t mean the club have moved on from him.

The reports suggest Liverpool were prepared to wait rather than force a deal, while Camara remains keen on eventually making the move to England.

And if Liverpool suddenly decide they need another midfielder, Camara could be the obvious player to revisit.

Especially if Mac Allister’s situation changes.

The door is still open

Maybe Liverpool were right.

Maybe they have enough midfielders.

Maybe Jones’ departure won’t hurt the squad at all.

But if Iraola finds himself wanting another player who can add energy, defensive aggression and quality in midfield, Liverpool already appear to know who they want.

Lamine Camara.

The summer move didn’t happen.

But January hasn’t been ruled out.

And with Camara still dreaming of the Premier League, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if this Liverpool story comes back around.

Perhaps Liverpool aren’t finished with Lamine Camara just yet. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have reportedly planned contract talks with Virgil van Dijk, with discussions expected to take place before January.

And for me, this is a really interesting development.

Because this isn’t simply about whether Van Dijk stays or goes.

It is about what role Liverpool believe their captain should have in the next stage of the club’s evolution.

The important thing is that no final decision has been made.

Both Liverpool and Van Dijk want what is best for the club and the player, while the Dutchman remains happy and settled at Anfield.

That should be reassuring to Liverpool supporters.

Van Dijk isn’t finished yet

Let’s get one thing straight.

I don’t think Liverpool should be looking at Van Dijk and thinking: “He’s coming to the end, we need to move on.”

Quite the opposite.

He’s still Liverpool’s captain.

He’s still an enormous presence in the dressing room.

And he’s still capable of producing outstanding performances.

Liverpool don’t simply lose a centre-back if Van Dijk eventually leaves.

They lose leadership, experience, communication and an understanding of what it means to play for Liverpool.

That’s incredibly difficult to replace.

Van Dijk’s current contract runs until the summer of 2027 after he signed his previous extension in April 2025.

So Liverpool have time.

But they also need to start thinking about what comes next.

What will the talks actually be about?

This is the part that fascinates me.

The reports suggest that Van Dijk’s future and role will be discussed.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Liverpool are preparing to push him out.

It could mean the club want to understand how he sees the next couple of years of his career.

Does he still want to play every week?

Would he be comfortable with a slightly reduced workload?

Could he become more of a mentor to Liverpool’s younger defenders?

And, crucially, does Van Dijk see himself continuing beyond his current contract?

These are conversations Liverpool have to have.

And I’d much rather they happen early than suddenly find themselves scrambling when the contract is approaching its end.

Liverpool are building a new defence

There has already been significant change.

Jérémy Jacquet has arrived.

Ronald Araújo has joined on loan.

Liverpool are clearly thinking about the future of their defence while still relying heavily on Van Dijk.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

You don’t replace a player like Van Dijk overnight.

You gradually build the next generation around him.

He can continue to lead while younger defenders learn from him.

That’s particularly important for someone like Jacquet, who is arriving at Liverpool with enormous expectations.

Having Van Dijk alongside him could be invaluable.

But Liverpool have to be ruthless

This is where the club have to get the balance right.

Sentiment cannot be the only factor.

Van Dijk deserves enormous respect for everything he has achieved at Liverpool.

But Liverpool also have to make decisions based on what is best for the team.

If his performances remain at the required level, keep him.

If his role needs to change, have an honest conversation.

If the player himself eventually decides the time is right to move on, respect that too.

That’s what good squad management looks like.

It’s not about getting rid of legends.

It’s about knowing when and how to evolve.

I would keep him for as long as he’s good enough

Personally, I’m firmly in this camp.

If Van Dijk is still performing at the level Liverpool need, I have absolutely no problem with him staying beyond his current contract.

Age shouldn’t automatically determine whether a player deserves another deal.

Performance should.

And there is another factor.

Liverpool have just changed manager.

Andoni Iraola is trying to build his own team and establish his own identity.

Having a player like Van Dijk in that process is a huge advantage.

He knows Liverpool.

He understands the pressure.

He understands what it takes to win the Premier League and Champions League.

And he can help Iraola’s new group of players understand what wearing that shirt means.

The captaincy matters too

Van Dijk’s role isn’t only about what happens during 90 minutes.

He’s the captain.

He’s the voice at the back.

He’s one of the senior figures in the dressing room.

And with Liverpool undergoing such a significant transition, I think that experience becomes even more valuable.

We’ve already seen Liverpool bring in a number of new players.

Isak.

Wirtz.

Barcola.

Araújo.

Jacquet.

Muñoz.

That’s a lot of change.

Someone has to help bring all of those players into the Liverpool culture.

Virgil van Dijk can do that.

But what happens when the next generation is ready?

That’s the difficult question.

Liverpool cannot rely on Van Dijk forever.

At some point, the next defensive leader has to emerge.

Maybe it’s Jacquet.

Maybe it’s Araújo if his loan becomes permanent.

Maybe it’s somebody Liverpool haven’t even signed yet.

But the ideal scenario is that Liverpool don’t wait until Van Dijk leaves before finding that player.

They prepare now.

And Van Dijk can help them do it.

Don’t rush this decision

For me, the most important thing about these reported talks is that there is no need to panic.

Van Dijk is happy.

Liverpool want what is best for the player and the club.

And discussions are expected before January.

That’s exactly how it should be.

Sit down.

Talk honestly.

Look at his performances.

Look at his physical condition.

Discuss his ambitions.

Discuss his role.

Then make the decision.

Don’t make it simply because he’s getting older.

Make it because Liverpool believe it is the right footballing decision.

One thing is certain

Whatever happens next, Virgil van Dijk has already secured his place in Liverpool history.

He arrived in January 2018 and helped transform the club.

Premier League.

Champions League.

FA Cup.

League Cup.

Club World Cup.

And now he’s leading Liverpool into another new era.

The next contract conversation will eventually decide what the final chapter looks like.

But there’s no reason to write that ending yet.

If Virgil is still good enough, I want him at Liverpool.

And if these talks eventually lead to another extension, I certainly won’t be complaining.

Because replacing Van Dijk is going to be one of the hardest jobs Liverpool ever face.

So let’s enjoy him while we’ve still got him.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

“Please, please, please, please don’t disrespect Firmino.”

Gary Neville wasn’t having it.

During a discussion with Jamie Carragher comparing Kai Havertz and Roberto Firmino, Neville immediately pushed back on the idea that the Arsenal forward could be compared favourably with Liverpool’s legendary Brazilian.

And honestly?

I’m with Gary on this one.

Don’t disrespect Bobby Firmino

Let’s get one thing straight.

Kai Havertz is a very good footballer.

But Roberto Firmino was something completely different.

For Liverpool supporters, Bobby wasn’t simply a striker who scored goals.

He was the player who made everything around him work.

He dropped into midfield.

He linked the play.

He pressed defenders relentlessly.

He created space for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

He scored important goals.

And, perhaps most importantly, he understood exactly what Liverpool needed from him.

Firmino was the glue that held that attack together.

The numbers don’t tell the whole story

This is where comparisons like this can become slightly unfair.

If you’re simply looking at goals and asking which player has been more prolific, you can build an argument around different players.

But watching Firmino at his best was about much more than the final numbers.

He could receive the ball between the lines, turn, bring others into play and then suddenly appear inside the penalty area.

Opposing defenders didn’t know whether to follow him or hold their position.

And while they were trying to work it out, Salah or Mané would be attacking the space behind them.

That was the beauty of Liverpool’s front three.

Firmino made Salah and Mané better.

And that’s an enormous part of his legacy.

Havertz is a different type of player

I don’t want this to become an article attacking Havertz.

He’s a talented player and has developed into an important player for Arsenal.

But comparing him with Firmino doesn’t mean they are identical footballers.

Havertz has his own strengths.

He’s tall, intelligent with his movement and capable of contributing in several attacking positions.

But Firmino?

Bobby had that footballing intelligence that was incredibly difficult to replicate.

He could play as a false nine but still give Liverpool a genuine goal threat.

He could drop deep without leaving the team toothless in the box.

He could press from the front.

He could combine with Salah, Mané, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.

And he could produce those ridiculous moments of skill that became part of his identity.

And look at what Firmino achieved

This is another reason why I think Neville has a point.

Firmino wasn’t just good for a few months.

He was central to one of the greatest Liverpool teams of the modern era.

Premier League champion.

Champions League winner.

FA Cup winner.

League Cup winner.

Club World Cup winner.

And he scored 100 goals for Liverpool across all competitions.

That is some legacy.

He wasn’t a passenger in those teams either.

He was one of the reasons they became so good.

“Bobby Dazzler”

Liverpool supporters gave him so many nicknames over the years.

But perhaps the most fitting was simply Bobby.

There was something about Firmino that made you smile.

The no-look passes.

The outrageous flicks.

The pressing.

The celebrations.

The famous teeth.

And, of course, the grin.

He played football with joy.

You could see how much he enjoyed being part of that Liverpool team.

Carragher knows exactly how good Firmino was

And I suspect Jamie Carragher would understand the Liverpool side of this argument better than most.

He played with Firmino.

He watched him train.

He watched him work alongside Salah and Mané.

And he saw first-hand how much Firmino contributed beyond the goals.

That’s why comparisons involving Firmino need a little more context.

You aren’t just comparing two forwards.

You’re comparing players who can have very different effects on a team.

Could Havertz ever reach Firmino’s level?

That’s a completely different question.

Maybe Havertz can continue improving.

Maybe he can become an even more influential player.

But Firmino has already left an enormous legacy.

And Liverpool supporters don’t remember him simply because of how many goals he scored.

We remember what the team looked like when he was playing.

We remember the way he connected everything.

We remember Salah and Mané running beyond him.

We remember the pressing.

We remember the trophies.

We remember those big Champions League nights.

And we remember that front three.

So yes, Gary Neville…

Please don’t disrespect Firmino.

I’m not saying Havertz isn’t a top player.

I’m saying that Roberto Firmino deserves his flowers.

He was one of the most intelligent, selfless and technically gifted forwards I’ve ever seen play for Liverpool.

And when you consider everything he contributed to that incredible era under Jurgen Klopp, I’d be very careful before putting anyone in the same conversation.

Bobby Firmino was special.

And Liverpool supporters will never forget him. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool clearly haven’t forgotten about Lamine Camara.

And this could be a transfer story worth watching very closely.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool scouts were in Paris on Friday night to watch Camara in action as Monaco produced an impressive 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool remain long-term admirers of the 22-year-old midfielder.

Considering what happened on transfer deadline day, the timing is particularly interesting.

Liverpool wanted Camara this summer

Camara was one of the midfielders Liverpool were linked with during the summer transfer window.

But the Reds didn’t get a deal done.

Chelsea came extremely close to signing the Senegal international, with a deal worth around £47 million reportedly agreed with Monaco before the French club pulled out at the last moment.

Liverpool’s interest, however, hasn’t disappeared.

Quite the opposite.

They’re still watching him.

And they were there in person to see him against PSG.

And Camara didn’t disappoint

If Liverpool wanted to see how Camara would react after the disappointment of his collapsed Chelsea transfer, they couldn’t have asked for much more.

Monaco came from behind to beat PSG 2-1 at the Parc des Princes, maintaining their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season.

Camara played a significant role.

Reports from the game highlight his work defensively, with 12 duels won and seven tackles won, while he also completed 35 of 38 passes.

That’s exactly the sort of performance that will have caught Liverpool’s attention.

And this is the position Liverpool still need

For me, this is what makes the Camara story so interesting.

Liverpool didn’t sign a traditional defensive midfielder during the summer.

And I still think that’s one of the biggest weaknesses in the squad.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are both excellent footballers.

Ryan Gravenberch is an excellent footballer.

But Liverpool don’t really have that obvious midfielder whose first instinct is to protect the defence, win the ball and break up attacks.

Camara fits much more naturally into that profile.

He is aggressive.

He tackles.

He covers ground.

He can win duels.

And he is comfortable enough on the ball to contribute when Liverpool have possession.

Could 2027 be the year?

This is where things get really interesting.

TEAMtalk reports that Liverpool remain long-term admirers and continue to monitor Camara closely, with the expectation that his future could lead to a move away from Monaco in 2027.

So this doesn’t necessarily mean Liverpool are about to sign him.

It certainly doesn’t mean a January transfer is guaranteed.

But it does suggest Camara remains firmly on Liverpool’s radar.

And after watching him dismantle PSG’s midfield on Friday night, I can understand why.

The price could be the problem

Chelsea were reportedly prepared to pay around £47m for him.

That gives Monaco a pretty good idea of Camara’s market value.

If he continues performing like this, that price could rise.

And Liverpool won’t be the only club watching.

Chelsea remain interested despite the collapsed move, while TEAMtalk reports that several Premier League clubs were represented in Paris.

If Camara has another excellent season, Liverpool could eventually find themselves in another transfer battle.

Liverpool should keep watching

For me, this is exactly what Liverpool should be doing.

If they weren’t prepared to make the move this summer, continue monitoring the player.

Watch him.

Study him.

See how he develops.

See whether he can consistently perform at this level.

And if the answer is yes, make the move before his price becomes ridiculous.

Liverpool have already spent huge money rebuilding the squad.

They don’t need another panic signing.

They need players who genuinely fit what Iraola wants.

And Camara could be one of those players.

Don’t forget Lamine Camara

I wouldn’t get carried away and say Liverpool are definitely going to sign him.

We’re nowhere near that stage.

But the fact that Liverpool scouts were in Paris specifically watching a player they have previously been interested in is certainly worth noting.

And after Monaco’s victory over PSG, Camara’s reputation certainly won’t have suffered.

Quite the opposite.

Liverpool were watching.

Camara delivered.

And after his Chelsea move collapsed, the door to the Premier League may still be open.

Perhaps Liverpool could be the club that eventually walks through it.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I think we may be rediscovering one of Virgil van Dijk’s biggest weapons.

His passing.

We all know Van Dijk can hit a 40 or 50-yard pass.

We’ve seen it for years.

But there is a big difference between being able to make those passes and having players ahead of you who can actually exploit them.

And I think that is what has changed at Liverpool.

Van Dijk can turn defence into attack

Watch Van Dijk when Liverpool win the ball.

He doesn’t always want to play a simple pass into midfield.

If he sees a winger making a run behind the opposition defence, he can completely bypass the midfield and turn a defensive situation into an attacking one in seconds.

That has always been part of his game.

The problem is that Liverpool haven’t always had enough pace ahead of him to make those passes worthwhile.

Now?

It’s different.

Barcola changes the picture

Bradley Barcola has just arrived and immediately showed exactly what Liverpool have been missing.

He recorded a top speed of 35.9km/h on his Premier League debut against Ipswich, the fastest recorded in the league this season. Victor Muñoz and Alexander Isak have also reached 34.8km/h for Liverpool.

That matters to Van Dijk.

Because when Barcola starts running in behind, Van Dijk has a reason to look up.

He knows there is a player who can actually get onto the end of that ball.

And if Van Dijk hits it early enough?

Barcola can turn it into a one-on-one.

That’s an enormous weapon.

Muñoz gives him another option

It’s not just Barcola.

Víctor Muñoz has also brought serious pace and energy into Liverpool’s attack.

He has already been among Liverpool’s quickest players this season, with a recorded top speed of 34.8km/h.

That gives Van Dijk another runner.

He can look left.

He can look right.

He can find Isak through the middle.

Suddenly, Liverpool’s centre-backs have multiple forward options.

That makes the long pass much more dangerous.

And then there is Ngumoha

Rio Ngumoha is another player who can change the dynamic.

He’s still incredibly young and we shouldn’t put too much pressure on him.

But he has that explosive quality.

He wants to attack defenders.

He wants to run into space.

And, crucially, he gives Liverpool another player who can turn a pass from deep into an attacking situation.

Liverpool now have several players who can sprint beyond the opposition’s defensive line.

That is a completely different proposition for Van Dijk.

Was Van Dijk’s passing actually disappearing?

I don’t think it was.

I think the options ahead of him changed.

And this is where I think Liverpool supporters sometimes need to look beyond the individual player.

When Mohamed Salah was getting older and no longer had the same explosive acceleration he had earlier in his Liverpool career, those huge diagonal passes towards the right wing became less dangerous.

Salah was still an incredible footballer.

His movement, intelligence and finishing remained outstanding.

But he wasn’t going to repeatedly sprint 40 yards beyond a full-back in the way he once could.

And that changes what a centre-back can do.

Gakpo isn’t that type of player

Cody Gakpo is another interesting example.

I really like Gakpo.

And his two assists for Isak against Ipswich were superb.

But he’s not a traditional explosive winger who is constantly looking to sprint behind the defensive line.

His strengths are different.

He’s powerful.

Technically excellent.

Good in the air.

Capable of carrying the ball and combining with teammates.

But if Van Dijk sees a huge amount of space behind the opposition defence, Gakpo isn’t necessarily going to attack it at the same speed as Barcola or Muñoz.

So Van Dijk may choose the safer pass.

And that’s understandable.

Now he has reasons to take risks again

This is what excites me.

Van Dijk can look up and see pace.

Barcola.

Muñoz.

Ngumoha.

Isak.

And suddenly that huge diagonal isn’t just a hopeful pass.

It’s a weapon.

If the opposition push their full-backs high, Liverpool can hit the space behind them.

If they defend deeper, Liverpool can work the ball through midfield.

And if they lose possession while committing players forward?

Liverpool can counter-attack at frightening speed.

That’s exactly the kind of football Alexander Isak has already said he enjoys under Andoni Iraola — attacking when the opposition are disorganised and exploiting counter-attacks.

Iraola could bring Van Dijk back into the attack

This is another reason I’m becoming increasingly interested in Iraola’s Liverpool.

He doesn’t want the team simply to have possession for the sake of it.

He wants them to recognise when the opposition is vulnerable.

And Van Dijk is perfectly equipped to exploit that.

He can see the pass before most people can.

He has the technique to execute it.

Now Liverpool have more players capable of making the run.

That’s the missing piece.

Van Dijk’s passing wasn’t gone

Maybe we were looking at it the wrong way.

Perhaps Van Dijk didn’t suddenly become less capable of changing defence into attack.

Perhaps Liverpool simply stopped giving him enough runners to make those passes worthwhile.

Now the picture has changed.

Barcola has explosive pace.

Muñoz has explosive pace.

Ngumoha has explosive pace.

Isak can attack space.

And suddenly Van Dijk has options again.

That’s potentially huge for Liverpool.

Because when your centre-back can win the ball, look up and immediately launch a runner behind the opposition defence, you don’t need ten passes to move from defence to attack.

You need one.

Virgil can still hurt teams from 50 yards

I think we’re going to see more of it under Iraola.

Van Dijk receiving the ball.

Head up.

Spotting Barcola or Muñoz flying into space.

Bang.

Defence becomes attack.

And if Liverpool have finally surrounded their captain with enough pace to make those passes dangerous again…

We could be about to rediscover one of the best weapons in Van Dijk’s game. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Alexander Isak has just given Liverpool supporters a fascinating insight into what Andoni Iraola is trying to build at Anfield.

And, honestly, I really like the sound of it.

Speaking to Viaplay after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich, Isak was asked about Iraola’s style of play.

His answer said plenty.

He explained that he enjoys the way Liverpool counter-attack and attack when the opposition are disorganised, before adding that it feels like Liverpool’s identity because the team is always looking to attack and exploit counter-attacking opportunities.

That is exactly what I want to see.

Liverpool look more direct

One of my biggest frustrations with Liverpool last season was that we could have plenty of the ball without always looking dangerous enough with it.

Possession is great.

But what you do with that possession is what matters.

Under Iraola, there already seem to be signs that Liverpool want to be more aggressive when opportunities appear.

Against Ipswich, Liverpool recovered the ball high up the pitch and attacked quickly.

The reward?

Two goals inside the opening nine minutes.

Both came from Cody Gakpo finding Isak, with the Swedish striker showing exactly why Liverpool spent £125m on him.

Isak could be perfect for this system

This is the part that really excites me.

Alexander Isak isn’t just a player who wants the ball with his back to goal.

He wants to run.

He wants space.

He wants defenders turning towards their own goal.

And Iraola’s approach could give him plenty of those opportunities.

If Liverpool win the ball and immediately look forward, Isak can attack the space behind the defence.

That’s exactly what happened against Ipswich.

He was sharp.

He was aggressive.

He was making the runs we know he’s capable of making.

And suddenly we were seeing the Newcastle version of Alexander Isak again.

Iraola wants more than goals

What’s also interesting is that Iraola isn’t simply asking Isak to score goals.

After the Ipswich game, the Liverpool manager explained that his demands of Isak are about how he helps the team in different situations, particularly with the collective pressing game.

That makes sense.

If Liverpool press higher and win possession closer to the opposition goal, Isak gets better opportunities.

It’s a team effort.

Win the ball high.

Play forward quickly.

Attack while the opposition is disorganised.

Put Isak in dangerous positions.

That sounds pretty simple.

But sometimes football should be simple.

And Liverpool now have frightening pace

Then you add Bradley Barcola to the equation.

Liverpool can now have Isak running through the middle, Barcola attacking from the left, Cody Gakpo providing creativity and Florian Wirtz looking for space between the lines.

And Víctor Muñoz has already shown that he can carry the ball at serious speed too.

Suddenly there are a lot of players capable of attacking space.

That’s what makes Iraola’s philosophy so interesting.

If Liverpool win the ball and the opposition have committed players forward, they have the weapons to punish them.

This is what Liverpool supporters have been waiting for

I’m not saying everything is suddenly perfect.

It isn’t.

Liverpool still have plenty to improve.

The midfield balance needs work.

There are still questions defensively.

And we haven’t seen enough of Barcola yet to know exactly how much impact he’ll have over an entire season.

But the direction is encouraging.

Liverpool look like they want to attack with purpose.

And that’s a big difference.

Isak’s comments really stood out

The phrase that caught my attention was his reference to Liverpool’s identity.

Because that’s exactly what supporters want.

We don’t necessarily need Liverpool to copy Jürgen Klopp.

We don’t need Iraola to become Klopp.

But we do want to recognise what we’re watching.

We want to see a Liverpool team that plays with aggression.

A Liverpool team that sees an opportunity and goes for it.

A Liverpool team that doesn’t spend five minutes passing the ball around when the opposition is vulnerable.

Attack them.

That’s what Isak seems to be enjoying.

And that’s what I want to see more of.

Iraola could be building something really exciting

Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Ipswich was only one game.

Iraola has only just started his Liverpool project.

There will be difficult afternoons.

There will be games where the counter-attacking opportunities aren’t there.

And there will be opponents who sit incredibly deep and force Liverpool to find another solution.

But the early signs are encouraging.

Isak has already scored three goals in three league games, including his brilliant brace at Ipswich. Liverpool also kept their first clean sheet of the Iraola era in that match.

And now Isak is telling us that he likes the way Liverpool are being asked to play.

That matters.

Because if Iraola can get the best out of Isak, Barcola, Wirtz and Gakpo while creating a team capable of winning the ball and attacking quickly…

Liverpool could be seriously dangerous.

Maybe this is what Iraola is bringing to Anfield.

Not a copy of Klopp.

Not a copy of Slot.

His own Liverpool.

But one that still feels recognisably Liverpool.

And judging by Isak’s comments, the players are enjoying it too.

Always attack.

Exploit the counter-attack.

Punish teams when they’re disorganised.

That’s a Liverpool identity I can get behind. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

This is a really interesting point from Simon Hughes.

And, if I’m being honest, it’s something I’ve thought about for a while.

Fenway Sports Group have always operated in a world where financial sustainability matters.

Liverpool don’t simply spend money without thinking about the consequences.

That makes it even more difficult to understand how many important players have been allowed to walk away from Anfield for nothing — or for very little.

As Hughes points out, eight of the 14 players who featured for Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham eventually left on a free transfer or for next to nothing.

That is quite staggering.

Where did the ruthlessness go?

Liverpool were once incredibly good at this.

They would identify when a player was approaching the end of his useful period, make the difficult decision and sell at the right time.

It wasn’t always popular.

But it was ruthless.

And it helped keep the squad evolving.

That’s part of what made Liverpool so successful under Jürgen Klopp.

The problem is that somewhere along the way, I think that ruthlessness disappeared.

The emotional attachment to the players who had delivered so much perhaps became too strong.

And I completely understand that.

How do you tell a player who has helped you win the Champions League, Premier League and countless other trophies that his time is up?

It’s incredibly difficult.

But football doesn’t stand still.

These players deserved the respect

This isn’t about criticising the players.

Far from it.

Sadio Mané was a Liverpool legend.

Roberto Firmino was a Liverpool legend.

Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League and Champions League as captain.

James Milner was one of the most dependable players of the Klopp era.

Thiago, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and others all played enormous roles in Liverpool’s success.

These players deserved every bit of respect they received.

But respect and contract management are two different things.

Liverpool needed to think about what their value would be before they reached the final year of their contracts.

Salah is the obvious example

Mohamed Salah is probably the biggest example.

What made it worse is that they let him cut his contract short and let him leave on a free.

Liverpool ultimately allowed one of the greatest players in the club’s modern history to leave at the end of his contract.

There is an argument that keeping Salah was absolutely the correct decision because of what he continued to produce.

And I wouldn’t have wanted Liverpool to sell him cheaply simply for the sake of generating a fee.

But the wider point remains.

If Liverpool knew there was a possibility that Salah would eventually leave for nothing, could the club have handled the situation differently several years earlier?

That is the question.

Trent is another difficult one

Trent Alexander-Arnold was different because Liverpool did receive a relatively small transfer fee when he joined Real Madrid rather than losing him completely for nothing.

But for a player of his ability, age and importance, it still felt like Liverpool were left with very little leverage.

And that’s exactly the issue Hughes is getting at.

Liverpool have produced and developed some extraordinary players.

Yet the club hasn’t always maximised their value when those players eventually moved on.

Then there is the other side of the argument

I don’t think this is as simple as saying:

“Liverpool should have sold everyone earlier.”

That’s nonsense.

If Liverpool had sold Salah, Mané, Firmino, Henderson, Fabinho or others two years before they left, supporters would have been furious.

And rightly so.

These players were still helping Liverpool compete for major trophies.

You can’t constantly sell your best players simply because their transfer value might decline.

There has to be a balance between winning football matches today and protecting the club’s future.

That’s where I think Liverpool sometimes got the balance wrong.

The real problem was timing

For me, this is the biggest lesson.

Liverpool needed to be better at recognising when a player’s value was approaching its peak.

Not necessarily selling them immediately.

Not breaking up a winning team.

But having a succession plan.

If a player was entering the final two years of his contract, Liverpool should have known exactly what they wanted to do.

Extend?

Sell?

Replace?

Or accept that the player would leave for nothing because keeping him was more valuable to the team?

There should have been a clear strategy.

And Liverpool have paid for it

The consequences can now be seen in the squad.

Liverpool have had to spend enormous amounts of money rebuilding.

The club spent heavily on players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola, with Richard Hughes overseeing a transfer spend reported at around £670m during his tenure.

That’s not necessarily a criticism of those signings.

Some could become Liverpool legends themselves.

But when you’re spending that sort of money while simultaneously losing established stars for little or nothing, you have to ask whether the squad-building model is working efficiently.

We need that ruthlessness back

This is where I agree with Simon Hughes.

Liverpool need to rediscover that cold-eyed ruthlessness.

Not just in the transfer market.

In contract negotiations.

In succession planning.

In deciding when a player has reached the end of his cycle.

And in making difficult decisions before they become unavoidable.

Because sentiment can’t be allowed to run a football club.

Legends can still leave at the right time

Liverpool supporters will always love the players who delivered the greatest moments of the Klopp era.

I certainly do.

But loving a player doesn’t mean Liverpool have to give them a five-year contract at the end of their career.

And appreciating what someone has done doesn’t mean the club should ignore their declining transfer value.

You can thank a legend and still make the right business decision.

That’s what Liverpool were so good at during their rise.

Somewhere along the line, that edge disappeared.

And perhaps that is one of the biggest things the club needs to restore now.

Liverpool need to be ruthless again

Richard Hughes has gone, and Liverpool are now looking for a new sporting director.

Whoever comes in has a huge job.

And I don’t just want someone who can spend £100m on a superstar.

I want someone who can look at the squad and say:

“This is the right time to sell.”

Even when the player is loved.

Even when supporters don’t want it.

Even when it is difficult.

Because that’s how you keep a squad evolving.

Liverpool built one of the greatest teams in Europe by making difficult decisions.

It’s time to find that ruthlessness again.

And this time, Liverpool cannot afford to lose millions in transfer value simply because they were too sentimental to make the hard call. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

It is still very early in Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool reign, but there are already signs that the Spaniard is beginning to mould the team in his own image.

One of the most interesting developments has come in midfield.

After starting the season with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch alongside Florian Wirtz against Newcastle, Iraola has now turned to Alexis Mac Allister alongside Szoboszlai – and the early signs suggest he may have found a midfield combination he trusts.

Mac Allister’s introduction against Nottingham Forest was significant. Gravenberch dropped to the bench, with the Argentine coming into the starting XI, and Iraola then kept faith with the same midfield at Ipswich.

That tells us something.

Iraola clearly values what Mac Allister brings to the side.

The Argentine is perhaps not the most physically imposing midfielder Liverpool have, but he brings something incredibly important: control. His positioning, intelligence and ability to receive the ball under pressure give Liverpool a different level of security in possession.

Iraola himself praised Mac Allister after the win at Ipswich, describing him as a “smart player” who understands positioning very well.

And alongside him, Szoboszlai can be allowed to play with more freedom.

That could be crucial.

Szoboszlai has always possessed the energy, athleticism and attacking instincts to influence games from midfield, but Liverpool looked dangerously open at times when both he and Gravenberch were pushing forward against Newcastle. The two midfielders were caught ahead of the ball when Liverpool conceded on the counter, exposing one of the major problems Iraola inherited.

Mac Allister potentially gives Iraola the balance he has been looking for.

He can sit deeper, dictate the tempo and make sure Liverpool aren’t simply leaving a huge hole in the middle of the pitch whenever they attack.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Gravenberch has suddenly become a bad player.

Far from it.

The Dutchman was an important part of Liverpool’s title-winning side and has enormous ability. But Iraola isn’t necessarily going to pick players based on reputation or what worked under Arne Slot. He is trying to build his Liverpool.

And that means some players who were previously automatic starters may have to adapt.

Gravenberch could be one of them.

The interesting thing is that Iraola isn’t completely closing the door on him. Gravenberch came on at Ipswich and helped Liverpool see out the game, while Iraola also pointed to the quality of the options available to him.

That may ultimately be Gravenberch’s role for now: an important squad player who can change games, rotate into midfield and provide fresh legs rather than being guaranteed a starting place every week.

And that is exactly what a manager needs when building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

There is still plenty to work out.

Liverpool have only just begun the Iraola era, and the midfield will undoubtedly change depending on the opposition, injuries and the demands of individual matches. Iraola himself has stressed that different players will start depending on the opposition and their physical condition.

But the first few games are already giving us clues.

Mac Allister and Szoboszlai look like a partnership Iraola is increasingly comfortable with.

Wirtz gives him creativity further forward.

And Gravenberch suddenly finds himself having to fight for his place.

That’s football.

A new manager arrives, sees the squad with fresh eyes and decides what he believes his team needs.

Iraola isn’t simply inheriting Liverpool.

He’s gradually moulding them into his Liverpool.

And if Mac Allister and Szoboszlai continue to provide the balance, control and energy he appears to be looking for, Gravenberch may have to accept that his path back into the starting XI is going to be considerably harder than it was under the previous regime.

The good news for Liverpool is that this isn’t a weakness in squad depth.

It’s competition.

And with a long season ahead, having a player of Gravenberch’s quality waiting on the bench could prove to be a very valuable weapon.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Bradley Barcola has only played around half an hour of Premier League football for Liverpool.

And he has already gone to the top of the speed charts.

That is some introduction.

Barcola reached a top speed of 35.9km/h (22.3mph) during his Liverpool debut against Ipswich, making him the fastest player recorded in the Premier League so far this season.

He only came on in the second half of Liverpool’s 2-0 victory.

He had barely got started.

And yet he has already given Liverpool supporters a glimpse of something this team has been crying out for:

Explosiveness.

Liverpool have some serious pace now

This is what really excites me.

Barcola isn’t the only player in this Liverpool squad who can absolutely fly.

According to the available speed data, Barcola leads Liverpool this season at 35.9km/h, followed by Alexander Isak and Victor Muñoz at 34.8km/h, with Jeremie Frimpong also among the quicker players.

That gives Andoni Iraola some serious options when Liverpool win the ball and want to attack quickly.

Imagine a team winning possession in midfield and immediately having Barcola sprinting down one side, Isak running through the middle and another attacker arriving from the opposite flank.

Defenders are going to have a problem.

Barcola already looks like exactly what Liverpool needed

One of my biggest concerns before Barcola arrived was that Liverpool could sometimes look a little predictable.

We could dominate possession without necessarily having enough players capable of simply taking the ball and terrifying a defender.

Barcola changes that.

He wants to run at people.

He wants to get in behind.

He wants the ball played into space.

And once he gets going, good luck catching him.

Iraola admitted after the Ipswich game that Barcola was a constant threat when carrying the ball.

That is exactly what Liverpool paid so much money for.

And this was only his first appearance

This is the really exciting part.

Barcola hadn’t played a competitive match for Liverpool before Ipswich and had not had a full pre-season with the club, so Iraola was always going to manage his minutes carefully.

He still managed to record the fastest speed in the league.

Imagine what he looks like when he’s fully fit and completely settled into this team.

He’ll understand where Isak wants the ball.

He’ll understand Wirtz’s movement.

He’ll develop an understanding with Gakpo.

And his teammates will become more accustomed to finding those runs in behind.

We saw one example at Ipswich when Barcola broke forward and eventually created an opportunity for Gakpo.

It didn’t result in a goal.

But the warning was there.

Just imagine Barcola and Isak together

This is what I’m really looking forward to.

Isak is an incredible footballer, but he needs service.

Barcola can provide a completely different kind of threat.

If defenders push up, Barcola can run in behind.

If they drop deep to protect against his pace, Isak can find pockets of space.

If they concentrate on Isak, Barcola can attack the full-back.

And if they try to deal with both?

That’s where Florian Wirtz can come into the game.

Suddenly Liverpool have several different ways of hurting teams.

Liverpool have added serious explosiveness

And this is why I’m becoming increasingly excited about Barcola.

It isn’t just about his top speed.

It’s about what that speed does to an opposition defence.

Pace creates fear.

It makes defenders drop deeper.

It creates space between the lines.

It gives midfielders another passing option.

It turns ordinary counter-attacks into dangerous ones.

And Liverpool now have that weapon.

Barcola is only getting started

We shouldn’t get carried away after 30 minutes.

He’s still adapting to Iraola’s system.

He’s still building his fitness.

And he still has to prove that he can produce consistently over an entire Premier League season.

But that debut was encouraging.

35.9km/h.

Fastest player in the Premier League so far this season.

And he did it after only coming on for around half an hour.

Liverpool already had Isak.

They now have Barcola.

They have Wirtz.

They have Gakpo.

They have Muñoz.

And they have some serious pace throughout the squad.

Liverpool have added some serious explosiveness.

And I can’t wait to see what happens when Iraola really lets Barcola loose. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)