The Kopite View

Liverpool fans might have raised an eyebrow when Alisson Becker was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s latest Brazil squad.

But the explanation from the Brazil boss is actually pretty reassuring.

Ancelotti has made it clear that Alisson has not been forgotten.

Instead, the legendary goalkeeper has been left out because Brazil are now entering a new phase and want to give younger goalkeepers an opportunity.

And, importantly, Ancelotti still appears to believe that Alisson could return when the bigger competitions come around.

Alisson is still in Ancelotti’s plans

Ancelotti was asked about Alisson’s absence and explained that Brazil know exactly what the Liverpool goalkeeper can do.

His message was essentially that Alisson remains trusted, but now is the time to look at the next generation.

That is a very different situation from being dropped because of poor performances.

Brazil have selected younger goalkeepers for the current international window as Ancelotti begins planning for the future. Reports from Brazil describe this latest squad as part of a wider rejuvenation of the national team.

And Ancelotti has specifically suggested that if Alisson remains Brazil’s best goalkeeper when the Copa América comes around, he will play.

That tells you everything you need to know.

Liverpool supporters shouldn’t panic

From a Liverpool perspective, I actually think this could be good news.

Alisson has played an enormous amount of football for club and country over the years.

He has been Brazil’s No.1 through major tournaments, World Cup campaigns and countless international fixtures.

If Ancelotti is prepared to give him a break from the less important international windows, that could mean less football and more recovery time for Liverpool’s goalkeeper.

And we all know how valuable Alisson can be when he’s fit.

Liverpool have already had plenty of injury problems to deal with, so anything that reduces the workload on one of their most important players has to be welcomed.

Alisson still has something to offer Brazil

Let’s be honest — if Brazil need their best goalkeeper for a major tournament, Alisson is going to be extremely difficult to ignore.

He has the experience.

He has the ability.

And he has already performed at the highest level for both Liverpool and Brazil.

Ancelotti clearly understands that.

The fact he has left Alisson out now while saying he could return for the Copa América suggests this is succession planning rather than retirement planning.

Brazil are looking at Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco and Otávio among their current goalkeeping options, with the younger players being given valuable exposure.

Could this actually benefit Liverpool?

I think so.

Liverpool don’t need Alisson playing every possible international match.

They need him fit, fresh and available for the biggest club games.

The Premier League and Champions League will be Liverpool’s priorities, and those competitions demand an enormous amount from a goalkeeper.

Alisson has already proven what he can do.

He doesn’t need to prove it every international break.

If anything, this gives him an opportunity to concentrate fully on Liverpool for a period.

One of the best goalkeepers in the world

There is also something slightly strange about seeing Alisson described as someone who needs to make way for younger players.

But that’s international football.

Brazil have to think about the future.

Ancelotti has made it clear that he wants to develop younger players with an eye on the next cycle, including future major tournaments.

That doesn’t mean Alisson suddenly isn’t good enough.

Quite the opposite.

Ancelotti basically said that if Alisson is still the best, he’ll play.

That’s a pretty strong endorsement.

So I wouldn’t worry about Alisson

Personally, I think Liverpool fans should see this as a positive rather than a concern.

Alisson hasn’t suddenly become a worse goalkeeper.

Brazil haven’t forgotten him.

They are simply using this period to see what their younger options can offer.

And if Alisson continues performing at the level Liverpool supporters know he can reach, there is every chance he’ll be back when Brazil really need their best goalkeeper.

For Liverpool, meanwhile, I’ll happily take every extra international break that keeps Alisson at home and gives him more time to recover.

Brazil can worry about their future.

Liverpool need Alisson ready for the present.

And if Ancelotti is right, when the big tournament comes around, Alisson will still be Brazil’s man.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There is a statistic about Dominik Szoboszlai that deserves far more attention.

No Premier League player has more goal involvements in the Champions League than Szoboszlai since the start of last season — with 10.

Let that sink in.

Ten goal involvements in Europe’s biggest club competition.

And yet I still don’t think Szoboszlai gets the recognition he deserves.

This is where the big players produce

The Champions League is where you find out just how good a player really is.

It isn’t enough to perform against weaker opposition.

You are facing the best clubs in Europe, the best midfielders, the best defenders and some of the biggest pressure imaginable.

Szoboszlai has consistently made an impact.

And that is particularly impressive because his role has continued to evolve.

He isn’t simply a midfielder who waits for the ball.

He runs.

He presses.

He carries the ball.

He arrives in dangerous positions.

He creates.

And increasingly, he is contributing goals and assists at the highest level.

Iraola has unlocked something

For me, one of the most interesting things about Szoboszlai under Andoni Iraola is the way his role appears to be developing.

Rather than being asked to do one specific job, he is being given the freedom to influence games.

And that suits him.

Szoboszlai has always had the physical qualities.

He’s powerful.

He’s incredibly fit.

He’s capable of covering huge amounts of ground.

But there is much more to his game than running.

His passing has improved.

His movement has improved.

His decision-making has improved.

And when he gets into the final third, he can be a genuine threat.

People forget just how good he can be

I think Szoboszlai has sometimes been judged too harshly by Liverpool supporters.

There have been games where his final ball hasn’t been good enough.

There have been occasions when he has given possession away cheaply.

And yes, he can still become more consistent.

But that doesn’t mean we should overlook what he actually brings to the team.

Ten Champions League goal involvements is not a fluke.

It shows that when the level rises, Szoboszlai is capable of rising with it.

That’s exactly what you want from an important Liverpool player.

He could become even more important

Liverpool are still trying to find the perfect midfield combination under Iraola.

Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai look increasingly important to that midfield, while Ryan Gravenberch has found himself competing for his place.

For me, Szoboszlai’s ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch could become hugely important.

He can help Liverpool defensively.

But he can also make things happen going forward.

And when Liverpool are playing against Europe’s best teams, having midfielders capable of doing both jobs is invaluable.

Ten goal involvements tells its own story

You can argue about individual performances.

You can debate whether Szoboszlai should play deeper or further forward.

You can criticise certain parts of his game.

But eventually the numbers start telling you something.

Ten goal involvements in the Champions League since the start of last season.

No Premier League player has more.

That puts Szoboszlai in some pretty impressive company.

And remember, he is still only 25.

There is potentially another level to come.

Liverpool need this version of Szoboszlai

Liverpool have already added serious attacking quality with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.

But the midfielders still have a huge role to play.

They need to create.

They need to arrive in the box.

They need to support the forwards.

And they need to contribute goals.

Szoboszlai can do that.

If he continues producing at this level in Europe, Liverpool will have a midfielder capable of deciding huge matches.

Give Szoboszlai his credit

I think it’s time we stopped talking about Szoboszlai simply as a player with potential.

He’s already producing.

Ten Champions League goal involvements since the start of last season.

No Premier League player has more.

That’s not potential.

That’s performance.

And if Iraola can continue getting the best out of him, I genuinely believe we could be about to see the best version of Dominik Szoboszlai in a Liverpool shirt.

The Champions League seems to bring something special out of him.

And Liverpool are going to need plenty more of it. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool are reportedly planning to open talks with Virgil van Dijk over a new two-year contract extension.

The club want their captain to remain at Anfield for at least another season, with discussions expected over his future.

And honestly?

I’m absolutely fine with it.

Because even though Van Dijk is now 35, I still believe Liverpool need him.

Liverpool want more from Virgil

According to the latest reports, Liverpool are preparing to discuss a potential two-year extension with Van Dijk.

The idea would be to keep the Dutchman at Anfield beyond his current deal and potentially give him another two seasons with the club.

That would be a significant commitment to a player who has already given Liverpool some of the greatest years of his career.

But I don’t think this should simply be about sentiment.

Liverpool need to ask one question:

Is Virgil van Dijk still good enough to play an important role?

For me, the answer is yes.

He is still the leader

There is something different about Liverpool when Van Dijk is on the pitch.

He isn’t simply a centre-back.

He’s the captain.

He’s the organiser.

He’s the voice at the back.

And he’s still one of the players Liverpool’s younger defenders can learn from.

That is particularly important now that the club are building a new-look defence around players such as Jérémy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo.

Liverpool can develop the next generation while still having Van Dijk providing the experience.

That combination could be incredibly valuable.

Two years could actually make sense

Some supporters will understandably question whether Liverpool should give a 35-year-old another two-year deal.

I can understand that argument.

Centre-backs don’t get any younger, and Liverpool cannot afford to become sentimental when making important squad decisions.

But a two-year contract doesn’t necessarily mean Van Dijk has to play every single game.

In fact, I’d argue the opposite.

Liverpool should be thinking about how they manage his workload.

There will be Premier League matches.

Champions League games.

Domestic cups.

International football.

Injuries.

Suspensions.

The schedule is relentless.

Having Van Dijk available for the biggest matches could be more important than having him play every single week.

Look at what he still brings

Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich earlier this season also showed why Van Dijk remains so important.

The Reds kept their first clean sheet of the campaign, with Van Dijk leading the defence.

And then came the Champions League win over Atlético Madrid.

Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at Anfield, showing the character that has become such an important part of this team.

Van Dijk remains at the centre of that leadership group.

Liverpool aren’t simply keeping an ageing defender.

They could be keeping one of the most experienced leaders in the squad.

But Liverpool must plan for life after him

This is the important part.

If Liverpool give Van Dijk another two-year contract, they cannot use that as an excuse to delay succession planning.

The club still need to identify the defender who will eventually replace him.

Jacquet could be part of that future.

Araújo could be part of it too.

There will inevitably be other young defenders coming through.

But Liverpool need to keep building.

Because one day, Van Dijk won’t be there.

And when that day eventually comes, Liverpool need to be ready.

Would I give him two years?

Yes.

If the finances are sensible, I’d give him the two years.

I’d also be perfectly comfortable with Liverpool managing his minutes more carefully as he gets older.

Van Dijk doesn’t need to play 50 games a season anymore.

He needs to be fit and ready for the matches where Liverpool need his experience, leadership and quality most.

And there is another factor.

You don’t replace Virgil van Dijk simply by buying another centre-back.

You replace his footballing ability.

You replace his leadership.

You replace his experience.

You replace his personality inside the dressing room.

That’s much harder.

Keep Virgil

Liverpool have already seen what happens when experienced leaders leave.

The squad changes.

The dressing room changes.

The responsibility moves onto younger players.

There is nothing wrong with that eventually.

But there is no reason to rush it.

If Van Dijk is still performing at the required level, Liverpool should keep him.

And if the club genuinely believe he can continue contributing for another couple of seasons, I have no problem with a two-year extension.

Let him finish the story

Virgil van Dijk arrived at Liverpool as a world-record defender.

He became a Premier League champion.

A Champions League winner.

A captain.

A leader.

And one of the greatest defenders of the modern Liverpool era.

His story at Anfield isn’t finished yet.

If Liverpool want to give him another two years, I’m all for it.

Just make sure the club are simultaneously preparing for the day when they eventually have to replace him.

Because for now?

Keep Virgil.

We should enjoy him while we’ve still got him. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have started their Champions League campaign with a huge 2-1 comeback victory over Atlético Madrid.

There was plenty to be excited about.

Alexis Mac Allister produced a brilliant performance and scored the winner, Dominik Szoboszlai continued his excellent start to the season, Alexander Isak looked dangerous and Bradley Barcola showed flashes of exactly why Liverpool paid so much for him.

Florian Wirtz was involved.

Rio Ngumoha caused problems.

And Liverpool showed the character required to come from behind against one of Europe’s most difficult sides.

But according to Thierry Henry, there is still one position that stops this Liverpool team from being genuinely frightening.

Left-back.

And honestly, I can see his point.

Liverpool have quality everywhere

It says something about Liverpool’s squad that Henry’s criticism comes with plenty of praise.

Wirtz.

Isak.

Barcola.

Ngumoha.

Mac Allister.

Szoboszlai.

Van Dijk.

Araújo.

There is quality all over this team.

Liverpool now have players capable of winning matches at both ends of the pitch.

And the attacking potential is particularly exciting.

Barcola made his first Liverpool start against Atlético and showed the pace and directness that supporters have been waiting to see. Isak gives Liverpool a genuine world-class attacking focal point, while Wirtz can create something from nothing.

Then you add Gakpo, when fit, and Ngumoha developing rapidly.

There is frightening potential in that attack.

But Henry believes there is still one obvious weakness.

Milos Kerkez.

Henry’s criticism of Kerkez

Henry’s argument is pretty simple.

Liverpool look like they have elite-level players in almost every position, but he believes the left-back position remains vulnerable.

That doesn’t mean Kerkez is a bad player.

Far from it.

Liverpool clearly saw something in him when they signed him, and he has already shown flashes of the attacking ability that made him so highly rated at Bournemouth.

But the problem is consistency.

Kerkez still has to prove that he can perform at the required level week after week for Liverpool.

And that is a completely different challenge.

The Atlético game highlighted the issue

Liverpool won the match, so I don’t want to turn this into a criticism of one player after a brilliant European night.

But Atlético did find opportunities down Liverpool’s left at different stages.

The goal Liverpool conceded came after a defensive situation that left the team exposed, while there were moments when the back line looked uncomfortable under Atlético’s pressure.

Liverpool eventually settled down and controlled more of the game.

But against the very best sides in Europe, those small weaknesses can become massive problems.

That’s what makes Henry’s comments interesting.

Liverpool don’t need to be perfect.

They just need to stop giving elite opponents an obvious area to target.

But I wouldn’t give up on Kerkez

This is where I would slightly disagree with Henry.

I don’t think Liverpool should be looking to replace Kerkez immediately.

He’s still young.

He’s adapting to a completely different team and a new manager in Andoni Iraola.

And Liverpool themselves are still learning how to defend as a unit under Iraola.

In fact, Kerkez has already spoken about the defensive work Liverpool have been doing, particularly around transitions and rest defence.

That’s important.

Liverpool’s defensive problems aren’t necessarily all down to one player.

The entire team has to defend properly.

The midfield has to protect the defence.

The full-backs have to understand when to attack and when to stay.

And the centre-backs have to cover the spaces left behind.

But Henry has given Liverpool something to think about

That’s why I wouldn’t dismiss the criticism.

Liverpool spent heavily this summer.

They have brought in Isak.

They have Wirtz.

They have Barcola.

They have Araújo.

They have Jacquet.

The squad has been transformed.

But if there is one position where supporters still have questions, left-back is probably it.

Kostas Tsimikas remains an experienced alternative, and he came on late against Atlético after Kerkez had played 88 minutes.

That gives Iraola another option.

But if Liverpool are serious about competing for the Premier League and Champions League, they need to know whether Kerkez can eventually become the undisputed answer.

Liverpool could become frightening

And this is the part that makes Henry’s comments so interesting.

Imagine Liverpool eventually getting everything right.

Isak scoring regularly.

Wirtz creating.

Barcola running at defenders.

Gakpo providing another attacking option.

Mac Allister controlling midfield.

Szoboszlai adding goals and energy.

Araújo and Jacquet developing alongside Van Dijk.

And a completely reliable left-back behind them.

That Liverpool team could be seriously frightening.

The Atlético victory already showed what this side can produce.

Liverpool went behind.

They didn’t panic.

They fought back.

They scored twice.

And they saw the game out.

The official club report confirms that Mac Allister’s 50th-minute strike completed the comeback after Szoboszlai had equalised before half-time.

That’s a very good sign.

Kerkez has time to prove Henry wrong

Personally, I’m not ready to write Kerkez off.

I think there is a very good player in there.

But Henry has identified something Liverpool cannot ignore.

Kerkez has to improve.

Not because Liverpool need another scapegoat.

Not because one Champions League performance should define him.

But because the standards at Liverpool are incredibly high.

When you’ve got Isak, Wirtz, Barcola and Mac Allister in front of you, the defence has to match those standards.

Fix that position and Liverpool could be something special

For me, that’s the challenge.

Liverpool don’t necessarily need to buy another left-back.

They need to make the position reliable.

If Kerkez can develop defensively and become more consistent, Liverpool suddenly have an incredibly balanced squad.

If he can’t, then Henry may have identified the position Liverpool eventually need to address.

And that’s the beauty of this Liverpool team.

We’re no longer talking about whether they have enough quality.

They clearly do.

Now we’re talking about whether they can eliminate the final weaknesses.

Because if Liverpool can fix that left side…

This could become a seriously frightening team. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool’s festive Premier League schedule has been confirmed — and the Reds are going to be doing plenty of travelling over Christmas and the New Year.

Three of Liverpool’s fixtures have been moved for live television coverage, with all three selected for Sky Sports.

And while supporters will be delighted to have more Liverpool games on TV, the fixture changes certainly make an already demanding period of the season even more interesting.

Hull City away — 5.30pm, Saturday December 26

Liverpool’s Boxing Day trip to Hull City will now kick off at 5.30pm.

That means there will be no traditional 3pm start for the Reds on Boxing Day, with the match being shown live on Sky Sports.

It should make for an interesting afternoon for Liverpool supporters.

Hull are newly promoted and have already shown that they can be difficult opponents, so this certainly isn’t a fixture Liverpool can afford to take lightly.

And playing away from home on Boxing Day always brings its own challenges.

Aston Villa away — 8.15pm, Wednesday December 30

Then comes another difficult away trip.

Liverpool will travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday December 30, with kick-off scheduled for 8.15pm.

This is one of those fixtures that could become extremely important depending on where both clubs are in the table by the time December arrives.

An 8.15pm start also means a late finish for supporters travelling home, right in the middle of the festive period.

But from Liverpool’s perspective, the biggest issue will be what kind of condition the squad is in by then.

Christmas football can be brutal.

Sunderland away — 8.15pm, Tuesday January 5

And the travelling doesn’t stop there.

Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland has also been moved to an 8.15pm kick-off on Tuesday January 5, again live on Sky Sports.

That’s another long away trip for the supporters and another evening game during a period when the fixture list can become relentless.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League means this will be a new away ground for some Liverpool players, and it could be a fascinating atmosphere under the lights.

At least Coventry stays at 3pm

There is one bit of good news for supporters who prefer the traditional Saturday afternoon kick-off.

Liverpool’s home match against Coventry City remains scheduled for 3pm on Saturday January 2.

And, of course, that means it won’t be televised live in the UK because of the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout.

Personally, I don’t mind that one staying exactly as it is.

There’s something special about a 3pm Saturday game at Anfield.

Iraola will need his squad

This is where the festive period could really test Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool will have to manage the Premier League alongside their European commitments and domestic competitions, while players will inevitably pick up injuries, suspensions and fatigue.

That’s why squad depth is going to be so important.

You cannot expect the same XI to play every few days through this period.

Players who aren’t regular starters could suddenly become hugely important.

And that’s particularly relevant for Liverpool this season because Iraola is still developing his team and working out his best combinations.

A busy Christmas for Liverpool

So the confirmed schedule is:

Hull City A — 5.30pm, Saturday December 26 — Sky Sports

Aston Villa A — 8.15pm, Wednesday December 30 — Sky Sports

Coventry City H — 3pm, Saturday January 2

Sunderland A — 8.15pm, Tuesday January 5 — Sky Sports

Three away games in that period will require plenty of travelling, while the Coventry fixture provides a welcome traditional Saturday afternoon at Anfield.

And I suspect Liverpool supporters will be keeping a very close eye on these games when Christmas arrives.

Because by then, we should have a much clearer idea of exactly where Iraola’s Liverpool are heading.

Bring on the festive football

I’m actually looking forward to this period.

There’s something about football over Christmas and New Year that makes the Premier League feel completely different.

The games come thick and fast.

The atmosphere is usually brilliant.

And suddenly one result can change the entire mood around a club.

Liverpool will need to be ready for it.

Hull. Villa. Coventry. Sunderland.

Four games that could tell us a lot about Iraola’s Liverpool.

And hopefully, by the time January arrives, we’ll be looking back at this festive run as the period when the Reds really started to build momentum. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Alisson Becker has been fined £8,000 by the FA after accepting a misconduct charge for kicking the fourth official’s substitution board following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

I understand that players cannot simply lose their heads and damage equipment.

Alisson crossed the line.

He accepted the charge, and the punishment has been handed down.

But there is one thing I cannot help thinking about:

Where is the punishment for the people who got the decision wrong in the first place?

Because the penalty that caused all of this frustration has subsequently been judged to have been the wrong decision. (Reuters)

And that makes the whole situation incredibly frustrating for Liverpool supporters.

Alisson was wrong to kick the board

Let’s get this out of the way first.

I don’t think Alisson should have kicked the fourth official’s board.

He’s an experienced professional and one of Liverpool’s leaders.

There are ways to express your frustration without damaging equipment.

So I have no problem with the FA taking action.

But £8,000 is a significant punishment.

And it feels particularly harsh when you consider what had happened immediately beforehand.

Liverpool were furious with the circumstances surrounding the penalty.

The fourth official’s substitution board had been delayed while Liverpool were trying to make a triple substitution, Forest restarted quickly and the situation eventually ended with Alisson being penalised for bringing down Neco Williams.

Morgan Gibbs-White scored the resulting penalty.

Liverpool were suddenly behind.

And the decision has since been judged to have been incorrect.

So why aren’t the referees punished?

This is the question I’d genuinely like answered.

When a player makes a mistake, there are consequences.

When a player loses his temper, there are consequences.

When a player makes contact with an official, there are consequences.

When a player damages equipment, there are consequences.

But when an official makes a major mistake that can directly affect the result of a Premier League match, what happens?

We are usually told that the decision has been reviewed.

Perhaps an apology follows.

Maybe the referee doesn’t get a particular appointment.

But supporters don’t see anything resembling the sort of punishment players receive.

And that’s where the frustration comes from.

The decision affected Liverpool

This isn’t about demanding that referees never make mistakes.

They are human.

Football is incredibly fast and difficult to officiate.

Mistakes will happen.

But there has to be accountability when those mistakes are made.

The penalty against Liverpool wasn’t some meaningless decision in the 15th minute of a match that was already won.

It put Nottingham Forest 2-1 ahead.

Liverpool eventually rescued a point through Víctor Muñoz, but they had to fight back again after falling behind.

And Liverpool were understandably furious about the circumstances.

That’s why I find the contrast with Alisson’s punishment so difficult to ignore.

Players pay the price

Alisson will pay £8,000 for his reaction.

Fair enough.

But what about the referee?

What about the VAR?

What about the officials involved in the decision?

Do they receive a financial penalty?

Do they have money deducted from their wages?

Are they suspended?

Are they publicly named and held accountable?

Or are they simply reviewed internally and then sent back out to referee another Premier League game?

That’s the part supporters don’t really know.

And perhaps that is the problem.

We need more transparency

I’m not suggesting referees should be publicly humiliated every time they make a mistake.

That would be ridiculous.

But supporters deserve to know what happens when officials make serious errors.

If a referee makes a major mistake, tell us what the review concluded.

Tell us whether the official has been removed from upcoming fixtures.

Tell us whether there has been additional training.

Tell us whether there are any consequences.

Give supporters some transparency.

Because at the moment it can feel like players are held to one standard and officials to another.

Imagine the roles were reversed

Imagine a referee making a mistake that costs a player £8,000.

We’d be asking questions.

Imagine a player then being told:

“Yes, we reviewed what happened and you were actually right.”

Would that player feel hard done by?

Of course he would.

And that’s essentially where Liverpool supporters find themselves here.

Alisson was wrong to kick the board.

But his frustration didn’t come from nowhere.

He had just been involved in a hugely controversial incident which contributed to Liverpool going behind.

And now the decision has been judged to have been wrong.

I’m not asking for revenge

I’m not saying the referee should be fined £8,000.

I’m not saying officials should be banned every time they make a mistake.

I’m asking for consistency and accountability.

If players are punished publicly, why can’t there be more transparency when officials make serious mistakes?

If officials are already being disciplined internally, then tell us.

If they aren’t, explain why not.

Because simply saying “mistakes happen” isn’t always enough.

Alisson deserved a fine — but so did the mistake deserve an explanation

There are actually two separate issues here.

Alisson’s behaviour was wrong.

Kicking the substitution board was unacceptable.

But the decision that sparked the frustration was also wrong, according to the subsequent review.

Both things can be true.

And that’s why I don’t have a problem with Alisson being punished.

What I do have a problem with is the perception that players are immediately held accountable while supporters are left wondering what consequences officials face when they get major decisions wrong.

Just tell us what happens

I don’t want referees to be scared to make decisions.

I don’t want every mistake to become a witch hunt.

But I do want the same basic principle that applies everywhere else in football:

If you make a serious mistake, there should be accountability.

Alisson has accepted his punishment.

He’ll pay his £8,000 fine and move on.

But Liverpool supporters are still waiting for someone to explain why that penalty was given in the first place — and what, if anything, happens to the officials responsible when they get it wrong.

Maybe that’s the question the FA should answer next.

Why is the player punished immediately…

while the people making the decisions seem to escape the same level of scrutiny? 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Milos Kerkez is starting to become a real talking point at Liverpool.

And after watching the Reds come from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has questioned whether the Hungarian is actually the answer at left-back.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Robinson was far from convinced by Kerkez’s performance.

“Kerkez is by no way the answer at left-back for me. They were exposed a number of times down that side with the overlapping full-back.”

That is a pretty damning assessment.

And while I wouldn’t go as far as saying Liverpool should already be giving up on Kerkez, I do think Robinson has identified something worth watching.

Kerkez was exposed

Liverpool ultimately won the game, but Atlético Madrid caused problems down Liverpool’s left-hand side.

Kerkez was caught out for the opening goal when Marcos Llorente was able to exploit the space behind him.

The Liverpool left-back had stepped up looking to catch Atlético offside, but the timing wasn’t right and Llorente was able to run through and finish.

It was a moment Liverpool simply cannot afford to repeat against better teams.

The Guardian’s match report also highlighted Kerkez’s positioning and distribution as weaknesses on the night, although it also noted that he played an important role in Liverpool’s equaliser.

So this wasn’t a completely disastrous performance.

But there were warning signs.

The criticism isn’t completely fair either

This is where I think we need to be careful.

Kerkez has only recently arrived at Liverpool and is adapting to a completely different team, different expectations and a different tactical environment.

He isn’t suddenly a bad player because he struggled against Atlético.

And there was actually a positive moment in his performance.

Kerkez won possession from Lee Kang-in with an excellent challenge before finding Bradley Barcola, with the move eventually leading to Dominik Szoboszlai’s equaliser.

That’s the Kerkez Liverpool supporters want to see.

Aggressive.

Energetic.

Forward-thinking.

Capable of winning the ball and immediately turning defence into attack.

The problem is that those qualities have to be balanced with defensive discipline.

Liverpool can’t keep being exposed down the left

This is the bigger concern for me.

Liverpool already had questions about their full-back positions before the season started.

Jeremie Frimpong has struggled at times on the opposite side, while Ronald Araújo has now shown that he can give Iraola a more defensively secure option at right-back.

Araújo was even voted Liverpool’s Player of the Match against Atlético by supporters after producing an impressive display and assisting Szoboszlai’s equaliser.

That creates an interesting comparison.

When Liverpool need more defensive security, Araújo looks capable of providing it.

But what happens at left-back?

At the moment, Kerkez is the obvious option.

And that means Liverpool need him to improve.

I wouldn’t write Kerkez off

For me, it would be far too early to say Liverpool have made a mistake signing Kerkez.

He’s young.

He’s talented.

He’s aggressive.

And we’ve already seen flashes of what he can offer going forward.

Liverpool’s own coverage after the Ipswich win showed that Kerkez believes the team is improving and developing chemistry after a difficult opening period.

That’s important.

He needs time.

He needs a run of games.

And he needs to develop an understanding with the players around him.

But he also needs to learn quickly.

Because the Premier League and Champions League aren’t going to give him many opportunities to make the same mistake twice.

Could Tsimikas get another chance?

This is where things get interesting.

If Kerkez continues to struggle defensively, Andoni Iraola has another option in Kostas Tsimikas.

I’m not suggesting Tsimikas should suddenly become Liverpool’s first-choice left-back again.

But competition for places is healthy.

If Kerkez knows that a poor run of performances could see him replaced, that can only help push his standards higher.

And Liverpool have a long season ahead.

There will be injuries, suspensions, rotation and different tactical challenges.

Iraola needs options.

One performance doesn’t define Kerkez

This is ultimately where I stand.

I don’t think Paul Robinson is right to say Kerkez is definitely not the answer just yet.

But I also don’t think Liverpool should ignore what happened against Atlético.

The Reds conceded because their defensive structure was exposed, and Kerkez was involved in that problem.

At the same time, he played a part in the equaliser and Liverpool eventually produced a strong enough second-half performance to win the match 2-1.

There were positives.

There were negatives.

That’s football.

But this is now something to watch

Kerkez has arrived at Liverpool with a big reputation.

Now he has to prove he can handle the demands of playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

I still believe he can.

But Robinson’s comments have raised a legitimate question.

Is Milos Kerkez really the long-term answer at left-back?

Right now, I don’t think we know.

And that is exactly why the next few months are going to be so important.

Kerkez has the ability.

Now he needs to show the consistency.

Because Liverpool can’t afford to keep being exposed down that side. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Alisson has been left out of Brazil’s latest squad — and that could be a huge boost for Liverpool.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has announced his first squad since the 2026 World Cup, with Alisson one of the notable omissions.

Instead, Ancelotti has selected Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco and Otávio as his three goalkeepers for the upcoming fixtures against Australia and India.

And while Brazil’s decision may come as a surprise, Liverpool supporters should be delighted.

Liverpool get Alisson all to themselves

The biggest benefit is obvious.

Alisson won’t have to travel halfway around the world during the September international break.

He can remain with Liverpool, continue working with Andoni Iraola and prepare for the demanding run of fixtures ahead.

That could be particularly valuable for a goalkeeper who has already spent years carrying an enormous workload for both club and country.

Brazil’s decision comes as part of a significant change under Ancelotti.

The Italian has made it clear that he wants to give younger players opportunities as Brazil begin building towards the next World Cup cycle.

Alisson is still firmly on Brazil’s radar, though.

This isn’t necessarily the end of his international career.

It’s much more likely to be part of Ancelotti’s decision to experiment with different options.

But this is fantastic news for Iraola

From Liverpool’s perspective, this is almost the perfect outcome.

Alisson can stay at the AXA Training Centre while his international teammates are travelling, playing matches and dealing with the usual disruption of an international break.

That gives Iraola more time with one of the most important players in his squad.

And Liverpool need him.

The Reds have already had plenty of defensive issues to deal with this season, while Iraola continues to develop his tactical ideas.

Having Alisson available for every training session could be hugely beneficial.

He’s not simply a goalkeeper.

He’s a leader.

He’s experienced.

And he’s someone who can organise the defence from behind.

The timing is particularly good

Liverpool have already started a demanding period.

The Reds have Premier League fixtures coming up, while the Champions League is also underway.

Liverpool have just produced an impressive comeback against Atlético Madrid, winning 2-1 at Anfield in their Champions League opener.

Now the focus turns back towards the Premier League.

Liverpool face Fulham next before travelling to Bournemouth later in September.

Having Alisson rested and fully focused on Liverpool could therefore prove extremely valuable.

Ancelotti is looking at the future

It is also worth looking at this from Brazil’s perspective.

Ancelotti has made a significant number of changes to his first squad after the World Cup.

Only nine players from Brazil’s World Cup squad have been retained, while 17 have been left out.

Alisson, Ederson and Weverton have all missed out in goal.

The message is pretty clear.

Ancelotti wants to look at the next generation.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Alisson has been permanently replaced.

At 33, he still has plenty of football ahead of him.

And if he continues performing at the level Liverpool supporters know he’s capable of, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in a Brazil squad in the future.

Liverpool supporters should enjoy this

For once, an international break could actually work in Liverpool’s favour.

No long flights.

No international matches.

No additional workload.

No risk of Alisson returning from South America exhausted.

Instead, he gets to stay at Liverpool and work with Iraola.

And considering how important Alisson remains to this team, that’s a pretty big advantage.

Liverpool have made a huge investment in their squad this summer, but some of their most important players remain the ones they’ve had for years.

Alisson is absolutely one of them.

A major boost for Liverpool

I don’t think Liverpool supporters should read too much into Alisson being left out of Brazil’s squad.

This looks much more like Ancelotti beginning a new cycle and giving younger goalkeepers an opportunity.

But from Liverpool’s perspective?

I’ll take it.

Alisson gets a break.

Iraola gets more time with him.

Liverpool get one of their most important players fully rested.

And with the Premier League and Champions League now coming thick and fast, that could prove extremely valuable.

Brazil may have left Alisson out.

But Liverpool have just been handed a major boost. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There is always an adjustment period when a player moves to a new country, a new club and a completely different environment.

But it sounds like Ronald Araújo is settling into life at Liverpool extremely well.

And after watching him play against Atlético Madrid, that is something Liverpool supporters should be very happy about.

James Pearce has provided an interesting insight into Araújo’s life away from the pitch, with sources close to the player saying that he feels energised by the change of scenery and the fresh challenge.

That sounds exactly like what Liverpool wanted when they brought him to Anfield.

Araújo is settling into Liverpool life

According to Pearce, Araújo has recently moved into a house just a short drive from Liverpool’s training complex with his wife Abigail and their two daughters.

That immediately gives you the impression that he isn’t treating this move as a temporary adventure.

He is building a life here.

He has also hired an English tutor, meaning he is having additional lessons at home alongside the English classes provided by the club.

For me, that’s a really encouraging sign.

Learning a new language isn’t easy, particularly when you’re trying to settle into a new team and perform at the highest level.

But Araújo appears determined to make the effort.

Mac Allister and Muñoz are helping him settle

It also helps that Araújo already has people around him who can make the transition easier.

Pearce reports that he has developed a close bond with Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Muñoz, with their shared Spanish language helping them connect.

That can be hugely important for a new signing.

Footballers spend an enormous amount of time together, but having teammates who speak your language and understand your culture can make adapting to a new dressing room much easier.

And then there is Alisson.

Araújo can speak Portuguese with the Liverpool goalkeeper, giving him another familiar voice inside the squad.

Suddenly, Liverpool doesn’t feel quite so unfamiliar.

And we’re already seeing it on the pitch

The most encouraging thing is that Araújo’s adaptation isn’t just happening away from the pitch.

We’re seeing signs of it during matches.

He was impressive in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Ipswich, operating at right-back while also providing defensive security.

Then came Atlético Madrid.

Araújo played his part in Liverpool’s 2-1 Champions League comeback, producing a clever backheel in the move that eventually led to Dominik Szoboszlai’s equaliser.

That was a lovely moment because it showed something beyond his defensive qualities.

He can contribute.

He isn’t simply there to defend.

Iraola has found an interesting role for him

One of the most intriguing things about Araújo’s arrival is that Andoni Iraola doesn’t necessarily have to use him as a conventional right-back.

He can play centrally.

He can defend wide.

He can step inside.

He can effectively give Liverpool another centre-back when the team has possession.

That versatility could become extremely valuable over the course of the season.

And with Liverpool still trying to find the right balance in Iraola’s system, having a defender who can perform several different jobs gives the manager another option.

This is exactly what you want from a new signing

For me, the most encouraging part of Pearce’s report isn’t even the football.

It’s the attitude.

Araújo has moved his family to Liverpool.

He’s learning English.

He’s building relationships with his teammates.

And he’s apparently enjoying the challenge.

That’s what you want to hear from a player joining Liverpool.

You don’t want somebody simply waiting for the next opportunity.

You want somebody who genuinely wants to make the move work.

Araújo could become a very important player

It’s still early.

We shouldn’t suddenly declare that Liverpool have solved their defensive problems after a handful of matches.

But the early signs are certainly encouraging.

Araújo looks comfortable.

He looks committed.

And now we know that he’s also making a real effort to settle into life away from the pitch.

Liverpool have a demanding season ahead, and Araújo could become one of the most important additions to Iraola’s squad.

He’s settling into the city.

He’s settling into the dressing room.

And judging by what we’ve seen so far, he could be settling into Liverpool’s defence rather nicely too.

That could turn out to be very good news for the Reds. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I’ll take the result all day long.

Liverpool 2-1 Atlético Madrid.

A Champions League win, three points on the board and another victory for Andoni Iraola.

But if I’m being completely honest, I thought the performance was pretty mediocre for large parts of the game.

Liverpool showed character to come from behind and get the win, but there are still plenty of things that need improving.

And I’ve got a few strong opinions after watching that one.

Give Mac Allister a new contract!

Let’s start with the obvious one.

Alexis Mac Allister was excellent.

For me, he is comfortably the best No.6 Liverpool have got.

And that goal was absolutely superb.

A 20-yard strike into the corner when Liverpool needed somebody to step up.

That’s what Mac Allister gives you.

Composure.

Intelligence.

Technical quality.

And now goals like that.

Liverpool need to sort out his contract situation because I want Mac Allister staying at Anfield for a long time.

He is too important to this team.

Alisson is still the best

That save at 1-0 was massive.

There are moments in games when you can almost feel the importance of a goalkeeper making one big intervention.

That was one of them.

If Atlético score again, Liverpool have a mountain to climb.

Instead, Alisson kept the game alive.

And this is why I still believe he is the best goalkeeper around.

We sometimes take him for granted because he has been so good for so long.

We shouldn’t.

Kerkez is becoming a liability

I’m sorry, but I’m really struggling with Milos Kerkez.

He looks completely brainless defensively at times.

He gets caught out, makes rash decisions and leaves Liverpool vulnerable.

Yes, he has energy.

Yes, he wants to get forward.

But Liverpool cannot have a full-back constantly putting the defence under unnecessary pressure.

For me, Liverpool still need another left-back.

Kerkez can improve, obviously.

But right now, I don’t trust him defensively.

🇺🇾 Araújo has been excellent at right-back

On the other side, Ronald Araújo has been superb.

I really like what I’m seeing from him at right-back.

And that assist tonight?

Cafu-esque.

That was some ball.

Araújo gives Liverpool something completely different from a traditional attacking full-back.

He can defend.

He can deal with physical battles.

He can step inside.

And he can still produce moments of quality going forward.

I honestly think he could become a very important player for Iraola.

Isak still needs to offer more

I know Alexander Isak scored twice against Ipswich, but tonight highlighted something that still concerns me.

When Isak doesn’t score, what else does he give you?

I want more from him.

And particularly under Iraola.

The pressing has to improve.

I don’t think he presses with the intensity you’d expect from an Iraola striker.

Liverpool need their front players to set the tone.

Isak has the talent to be one of the best strikers in Europe, but he can’t simply be judged on goals.

He needs to contribute more when the goals aren’t coming.

Barcola isn’t a right winger

I also think Liverpool need to stop trying to make Bradley Barcola something he isn’t.

He’s not a right winger.

He’s far more comfortable attacking from the left.

And yet, despite that, he could have had a hat-trick tonight.

He found himself in dangerous positions and showed exactly why Liverpool spent so much money bringing him to Anfield.

The finishing needs work.

But we already knew that.

The important thing is that he’s getting into the positions.

If Barcola starts finishing those chances, Liverpool have got some player on their hands.

Jacquet and Van Dijk are forming a brilliant partnership

This is probably one of my favourite things I’m seeing at the moment.

Jérémy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk.

There is something developing there.

Jacquet is aggressive, quick to the ball and doesn’t look frightened by the occasion.

Van Dijk brings the experience, positioning and leadership.

Together, they remind me a little of Matip and Van Dijk.

I’m not saying Jacquet is Matip yet — that’s far too early.

But there is something about the partnership that I really like.

If Jacquet continues developing, Liverpool could have a very good centre-back partnership for years to come.

Rio is still very raw

Rio Ngumoha didn’t have his best first half.

He looked a little lost at times and struggled to get into the game.

It improved after the break, but for me he’s still a little way away from being a regular starter.

And that’s absolutely fine.

He’s young.

He’s talented.

But Liverpool shouldn’t put too much pressure on him.

There are flashes of brilliance there, but he needs time.

Wirtz showed why we love him

Florian Wirtz wasn’t at his absolute best tonight either.

But there were still moments where you could see the quality.

That pass for Barcola was brilliant.

Barcola really should have finished it.

Those are the moments that make you think:

Just wait until these players properly click.

Wirtz has got the vision to unlock defences.

Now Liverpool need more players making those runs and finishing the chances he creates.

What was wrong with Gravenberch?

And finally…

The substitutions.

I didn’t really understand them.

What was wrong with Ryan Gravenberch?

Liverpool needed legs and control in midfield, and I would have liked to see him involved.

Some of the changes felt strange to me.

Iraola obviously sees things differently from the stands, and I’m not going to pretend I know more than the manager.

But I didn’t understand some of those decisions.

Good result. Plenty to improve.

So that’s my overall feeling.

Very good result.

Mediocre performance.

Liverpool showed character to come from behind, Mac Allister produced a brilliant goal, Alisson made another massive save and the defence held firm when Atlético pushed.

But there are still obvious concerns.

Kerkez worries me.

Isak needs to offer more without the goals.

Barcola needs to improve his finishing.

Ngumoha needs time.

And I still don’t completely understand some of the substitutions.

But there are positives too.

Mac Allister looks outstanding.

Araújo looks excellent at right-back.

Jacquet and Van Dijk are beginning to look like a proper partnership.

And Wirtz continues to show flashes of something special.

Liverpool have now started their Champions League campaign with a win.

I’ll take that.

Absolutely.

But if Liverpool want to go deep in this competition, they’re going to have to play considerably better than this.

For now though…

Three points. Job done. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)