The Kopite View

There is one person I would really like to hear from after today’s extraordinary news surrounding Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola.

Not because I expect him to suddenly change his position. Not because I expect him to say anything that will settle the argument.

But because Guardiola has been at the heart of Manchester City’s incredible rise for almost a decade, and today’s reported development is potentially one of the biggest moments in the club’s modern history.

Reports today say an independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches relating to the Premier League’s financial regulations.

It is important to stress that the process is not finished. City are expected to appeal and no sanctions have yet been decided.

But even with those caveats, this is huge news.

And I can’t help thinking about Guardiola.

Guardiola has always defended Manchester City

One of the things that has always fascinated me about Guardiola is how strongly he has backed Manchester City whenever questions about the club’s finances have been raised.

Back in 2024, when the case was still awaiting its hearing, Guardiola said he would accept the independent commission’s verdict, whatever it was.

He described the panel as independent and said that City would accept the outcome.

That makes his reaction now particularly interesting.

Because this isn’t simply another newspaper story about the 115 charges.

According to today’s reports, an actual decision has now been reached by the independent commission.

And that changes the conversation.

What does Guardiola make of it?

I would genuinely love to know what is going through Guardiola’s mind today.

This is a manager who has won virtually everything with Manchester City.

He has built one of the greatest teams English football has ever seen and has been responsible for an incredible period of success.

But the financial allegations have always been hanging over that period.

Guardiola has repeatedly backed his club.

So what does he think now that an independent commission has reportedly ruled against City on almost all of the charges?

That’s the question I’d like answered.

And I’m not suggesting Guardiola has anything to do with the financial side of Manchester City’s operation.

He is the football manager.

But he has been one of the most prominent defenders of the club during the entire saga.

That’s why his perspective would be fascinating.

Liverpool fans will obviously be watching closely

As a Liverpool supporter, I’m not going to pretend this doesn’t interest me.

Of course it does.

Manchester City have been Liverpool’s biggest domestic rival for much of Guardiola’s reign.

We’ve watched them win Premier League titles while Liverpool pushed them incredibly close.

We’ve seen seasons decided by tiny margins.

One point.

One goal.

One final-day result.

Liverpool have spent years trying to compete with a Manchester City side that appeared almost impossible to stop.

And now we’re potentially entering a completely different chapter.

But I’m also conscious that we shouldn’t jump ahead.

A reported verdict is not the end of the process.

City are expected to appeal, and sanctions haven’t been decided.

So I’m not going to start rewriting Premier League history or handing trophies to different clubs.

Not yet.

There is a legal process that still has to play out.

But Guardiola’s words would be fascinating

What makes this particularly interesting is that Guardiola has always been incredibly outspoken.

He isn’t normally somebody who hides when difficult questions are put to him.

And I’ve always respected that about him, even as a Liverpool supporter.

So I’d love to hear him asked directly:

What do you make of today’s verdict?

Does he still have complete faith in Manchester City’s position?

Does he believe the club will successfully appeal?

Does today’s decision change anything about how he views the period covered by the charges?

And does he still believe the criticism Manchester City received throughout this saga was unfair?

Those are perfectly reasonable questions.

And after everything Guardiola has said over the years, I think football supporters deserve to hear his thoughts.

This isn’t about attacking Guardiola

For me, this isn’t about trying to turn Guardiola into the villain of the story.

The reported breaches relate to the club and a period between 2009 and 2018. Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016, meaning only part of the period covered by the allegations falls during his time as manager.

That’s important context.

Whatever ultimately happens with the case, it shouldn’t automatically become a judgement on Guardiola as a football manager.

His job was to coach the team.

But his public defence of City makes his reaction to today’s news something I would genuinely like to hear.

And perhaps that’s the most interesting part of all.

For years, we’ve heard Manchester City’s side of the story.

We’ve heard the club deny wrongdoing.

We’ve heard Guardiola defend them.

We’ve heard people argue about the charges.

We’ve heard supporters from rival clubs debate what it could all mean.

Now there is reportedly a verdict.

So what does Pep Guardiola think?

I’d love to hear it.

And as a Liverpool fan, I’ll certainly be paying very close attention to what happens next.

Because after years of waiting, this story has finally reached a moment where the answers could have enormous consequences for English football.

But for now, before anyone starts rewriting history, there is still an appeal process and sanctions to come.

And somewhere in all of this, I’d really like to hear what Pep Guardiola has to say.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Cody Gakpo has said something that I think Liverpool supporters will really appreciate.

He hasn’t tried to hide from the criticism he received last season.

He hasn’t blamed the manager.

He hasn’t blamed his teammates.

He hasn’t complained about being played in different positions.

Instead, Gakpo has looked at his own performances and admitted something pretty simple:

He knows he could have done much better.

Speaking to Paul Joyce, Gakpo was asked about the criticism he received last season and whether he thought it was unfair.

His response was incredibly honest.

“I don’t know, because if you are at a big club like Liverpool, you need to perform. I don’t want to speak about somebody else or other players but, me, I know I could do much better than I did last year.”

I actually really respect that.

Gakpo Knows The Liverpool Standard

There is no hiding from the expectations at Liverpool.

When you play for this football club, you’re expected to perform.

You’re expected to win.

You’re expected to compete for trophies.

And you’re expected to produce when the pressure is on.

Gakpo understands that.

He went on to say:

“Maybe it was. But I get it from one point because at Liverpool, you need to win, you need to perform, you need to show that you are one of the best clubs in the world.”

That’s a powerful admission from a Liverpool player.

He’s effectively saying that criticism comes with the territory.

And perhaps he’s right.

He Included Himself In Liverpool’s Failure

The final part of Gakpo’s answer is probably the bit I like most.

“We didn’t do that last year – me included.”

There was no attempt to distance himself from the team’s struggles.

Me included.

That tells you a lot about his mentality.

Liverpool had a difficult season.

There were problems throughout the team.

The performances weren’t consistently good enough.

And Gakpo knows that he was part of it.

He could have easily said that he personally performed well but the team around him didn’t.

He didn’t.

He took responsibility.

And That’s What Makes His Current Form So Interesting

Because now we’re seeing a different Cody Gakpo.

I’ve been saying for a while that I think Gakpo has become one of Liverpool’s most important attacking players.

He’s playing with confidence.

He’s looking more aggressive.

He’s taking players on.

He’s getting into dangerous positions.

And there seems to be much more belief in his game.

That makes these comments even more interesting.

Because perhaps the criticism genuinely did affect him.

Or perhaps it simply made him realise that he needed to raise his level.

Either way, he’s responding in exactly the way you would want a Liverpool player to respond.

Gakpo Didn’t Make Excuses

This is what separates these comments from the usual footballer interview.

We’ve all heard players explain why things haven’t gone well.

The manager didn’t use them correctly.

The system didn’t suit them.

They were carrying an injury.

They weren’t given enough minutes.

They were playing out of position.

There can be genuine reasons for poor form.

But Gakpo hasn’t gone down that road.

He has basically said:

I wasn’t good enough. I know I can do better.

That’s refreshing.

And now he’s got the opportunity to prove it.

Iraola Seems To Have Helped

The timing is particularly interesting because Gakpo’s comments come during a period when his Liverpool career appears to have taken another turn.

Recent reporting has suggested that Gakpo had considered whether he needed a new challenge before Liverpool blocked interest from Manchester City, but that he has subsequently found greater clarity under Iraola.

Whatever was happening behind the scenes, the player we’re seeing now looks much more settled.

And that’s brilliant news for Liverpool.

Because there is a seriously good footballer in Cody Gakpo.

We’ve seen it before.

We’ve seen the goals.

We’ve seen the technique.

We’ve seen his ability to play across the front three.

We’ve seen him produce important moments.

The challenge has always been doing it consistently.

I Think Liverpool Are Getting The Best Out Of Him Now

For me, Gakpo looks like someone who has something to prove.

And that’s exactly what I want.

He’s not playing like somebody who is satisfied with what he’s achieved.

He’s playing like somebody who knows there is another level.

Liverpool need players like that.

Especially with Iraola trying to build his own team.

There are no guarantees for anybody.

Everyone has to perform.

And Gakpo seems to understand that better than most.

Last Season Doesn’t Define Him

This is the other thing I’d say.

Just because Gakpo admits he wasn’t good enough last season doesn’t mean he’s suddenly a bad player.

Football doesn’t work like that.

Players have good seasons and bad seasons.

They lose confidence.

They struggle for consistency.

Sometimes things simply don’t click.

What matters is what happens afterwards.

And that’s where Gakpo deserves credit.

He’s trying to put it right.

Rather than running away from the criticism, he’s accepted it.

Rather than complaining about it, he’s used it as motivation.

And now he’s trying to show Liverpool supporters what he can actually do.

This Is The Gakpo I Want To See

I don’t need Gakpo to tell me he’s going to have a brilliant season.

I don’t need him to make big promises.

I’d much rather see what he does on the pitch.

And so far, I’m liking what I’m seeing.

He’s becoming more influential.

He’s looking dangerous.

He’s contributing.

And he’s starting to look like the player Liverpool supporters hoped they were getting when he arrived from PSV.

Maybe last season was a setback.

Maybe the criticism was deserved.

Gakpo himself seems to think there was some justification for it.

But here’s the important thing:

He’s not hiding from it.

He’s accepting responsibility and trying to improve.

And I think that’s exactly the mentality Liverpool need.

Because at this football club, the standards are incredibly high.

Gakpo knows that.

He knows he wasn’t good enough last season.

But now he’s got the chance to show us just how good he can actually be.

And judging by what we’ve seen from him recently, I think Cody Gakpo is determined to make up for lost time.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

This Manchester City story has taken another interesting turn.

After reports emerged that an independent commission had found Manchester City guilty on 114 of the 115 Premier League financial charges brought against them, there was naturally an explosion of reaction.

The Athletic broke the news.

Within minutes, football supporters everywhere were talking about it.

But one thing caught my attention.

Sky Sports News appeared to hold off reporting the leaked verdict until it had also reported Manchester City’s response.

And, honestly, I think that tells us something about just how sensitive this whole situation is.

Sky Didn’t Just Jump On The Leak

There is a huge difference between reporting a leaked verdict and reporting an officially published decision.

At the moment, the verdict has been reported by The Athletic, but the wider process remains ongoing.

Manchester City have also stressed that significant elements of the process still have to be completed and that matters remain subject to confidentiality. The club’s position remains that it denies the allegations.

So when you have a story of this magnitude, involving more than 100 alleged financial breaches and potentially enormous consequences for English football, there are obvious reasons for broadcasters to be extremely careful.

And Sky Sports News clearly wasn’t going to treat the initial leak as the end of the story.

Then Came City’s Response

When City responded, the picture became slightly clearer.

The club said:

“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.”

City also said its position remained consistent with the statement it issued when the charges were first announced in February 2023.

That’s important.

Because regardless of what has been reported about the independent commission’s findings, Manchester City are expected to appeal.

And that means today’s development isn’t necessarily the final word.

Far from it.

But 114 Out Of 115 Is Still Extraordinary

Let’s not lose sight of the sheer scale of what has been reported.

The Athletic’s report says City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges.

One charge was dismissed.

The charges relate to alleged financial breaches covering the period from 2009 to 2018, and City have consistently denied wrongdoing.

That’s why this story has immediately become one of the biggest football stories in years.

But the sanctions have not been decided.

And until the appeal process has been completed, there is no point pretending that we know exactly what the ultimate consequences will be.

Maybe This Explains Sky’s Caution

I’m not suggesting Sky Sports News deliberately waited because they were protecting Manchester City.

We simply don’t know that.

But the timing was certainly noticeable.

Rather than immediately treating the leaked report as the complete story, Sky’s coverage came once there was a response from the club.

And when you’re dealing with an independent legal process that has already taken years, accuracy matters enormously.

Sky themselves have previously explained that the independent commission controls the process and its timings, with the Premier League having no influence over when the verdict is reached or published.

That gives you some idea of how complicated and sensitive this case has become.

Liverpool Fans Will Be Watching Closely

Of course, as a Liverpool supporter, I’m interested in what happens next.

How could you not be?

Liverpool have spent years competing with Manchester City at the very top of English football.

We’ve seen City accumulate trophies.

We’ve seen Liverpool finish runners-up despite producing incredible seasons.

And now we have an independent commission reportedly finding City guilty of virtually all the charges brought against them.

But I’m not going to start rewriting Premier League history myself.

That’s not where we are yet.

There is an appeal to come.

There are sanctions still to be decided.

And there is clearly much more of this process still to unfold.

The Story Isn’t Over

That’s probably the biggest thing to take from today.

The headline is enormous.

Manchester City reportedly found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges.

But this isn’t the final chapter.

City are expected to appeal, and the club has already made clear that it considers the process ongoing.

Which brings me back to Sky Sports News.

I found it quite telling that they didn’t simply run with the leaked verdict and leave it there.

They waited until they had the club’s response too.

Whether you agree with that approach or not, it shows just how extraordinary this story has become.

For years we’ve been told to wait.

Now we’ve finally got a verdict from the independent commission — but we’re still waiting for the full story.

And I suspect we’re going to be waiting a while longer yet.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Well, this is absolutely massive.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The news has been reported by The Athletic, with sources briefed on the independent commission’s decision saying City were found guilty on all but one of the charges. The sanctions have not yet been decided and Manchester City are expected to appeal.

So, after years of waiting, we finally have a major development in the Premier League’s extraordinary case against City.

But there is still a very long way to go.

114 Out Of 115

Just let that sink in.

114 out of 115 charges.

The case dates back to alleged breaches covering the period from 2009 to 2018, with the Premier League referring City to an independent commission in 2023 following its lengthy investigation.

The allegations covered a range of areas, including the provision of accurate financial information, player and manager remuneration, UEFA financial regulations, Premier League profitability and sustainability rules, and cooperation with the league’s investigation.

City have always denied wrongdoing.

The club previously said it had a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supporting its position and welcomed the independent process.

Now the independent commission has reportedly reached its verdict.

And it has gone overwhelmingly against Manchester City.

But Nobody Knows The Punishment Yet

This is where Liverpool supporters need to be careful.

There has been no punishment announced.

The commission’s sanctions are still to be determined, and City are expected to appeal the verdict.

The Premier League’s disciplinary process allows for a range of possible sanctions, including fines, points deductions and other sporting sanctions. An appeal can also challenge a commission decision.

So I’m certainly not going to sit here and pretend we already know what is going to happen.

We don’t.

There is a massive legal and regulatory process still to come.

But that doesn’t change the significance of today’s development.

Liverpool Fans Will Obviously Be Thinking About The Titles

Let’s be honest.

This is where the conversation is inevitably going to go.

Liverpool have spent years competing against Manchester City for the biggest prizes in English football.

We’ve watched City win Premier League titles while Liverpool have finished runners-up.

We’ve watched Pep Guardiola’s team dominate English football.

We’ve watched Liverpool produce incredible seasons and still find themselves having to reach extraordinary points totals simply to compete.

And now an independent commission has reportedly found City guilty on virtually every charge brought against them.

Of course Liverpool supporters are going to wonder what this eventually means for the history of those years.

But that’s a question for another day.

The sanctions have not been decided.

The appeal process hasn’t happened.

So we have to wait.

This Is Bigger Than Liverpool

That’s probably the most important point.

Whatever you think about Manchester City, this case isn’t really about Liverpool.

It’s about the rules governing the Premier League and whether clubs have complied with them.

The allegations stretch across a huge period of English football.

City won multiple Premier League titles and major trophies during the period covered by the charges, meaning the eventual consequences could have enormous implications for the record books if sporting sanctions ultimately affect past achievements.

But again, nothing has been announced on that front.

We shouldn’t jump ahead.

The Timing Is Extraordinary

What makes this even more remarkable is how long everybody has been waiting.

The independent commission hearing concluded in December 2024 after a lengthy process.

Yet the verdict has taken until September 2026 to emerge publicly.

Even Premier League chief executive Richard Masters admitted recently that the case had taken longer than expected, while stressing that the independent process had to be allowed to run its course.

And now we finally have an answer on the charges themselves.

Guilty on virtually all of them.

That’s an extraordinary development.

What Happens Now?

That’s the million-pound question.

Or perhaps, given the size of this case, the billion-pound question.

Manchester City are expected to appeal.

The sanctions still need to be determined.

And until the appeal process has run its course, there is no point pretending we know exactly how this is going to end.

City have also responded by stressing that the Premier League process remains ongoing and that significant elements remain subject to confidentiality.

So this story isn’t finished.

Not even close.

But Today Is Still A Huge Moment

As a Liverpool supporter, I’ve watched this case hang over English football for years.

There have been endless arguments about it.

Endless speculation.

Endless waiting.

And now we’ve finally reached the point where an independent commission has reportedly ruled that Manchester City breached the Premier League’s financial regulations on 114 occasions out of 115 charges.

That’s not something that can simply be ignored.

What happens next is now down to the sanctions and the appeal.

And Liverpool fans, along with supporters of every other Premier League club, will be watching very closely.

Because whatever happens from here, today’s verdict is one of the biggest developments English football has seen in years.

And after all the waiting…

we finally have a verdict.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Could Jürgen Klopp be about to do with Florian Wirtz what he once did with Philippe Coutinho?

The more I think about this, the more interesting it becomes.

Because we’ve spent so much time talking about Wirtz’s position at Liverpool.

Is he a No.10?

Should he play from the left?

Should he be given more freedom?

Is he being asked to do too much defensive work?

And perhaps the most important question of all:

Where can Liverpool get the very best out of him?

Well, it looks like Klopp has a pretty clear idea.

According to Paul Joyce, Klopp believes Wirtz is at his most dangerous when he occupies the left half-space and receives the ball facing the opposition goal.

That is significant because it is very similar to the kind of areas where Wirtz thrived at Bayer Leverkusen.

Joyce reports that Klopp sees Wirtz’s best work coming when he can link with players around him and receive the ball in positions where he can immediately attack the opposition. (Football365)

And it immediately reminded me of something.

Philippe Coutinho.

Remember When Coutinho Didn’t Quite Have A Position?

There was a period at Liverpool when Coutinho was a brilliant footballer without quite being a settled footballer.

He looked lightweight.

He could be inconsistent.

There were plenty of questions about where exactly he should play.

Was he a winger?

Was he a No.10?

Should he play centrally?

Could he play as an No.8?

Even Klopp admitted there were different possibilities.

In 2017, Liverpool’s official website reported Klopp considering moving Coutinho into a more central role.

Klopp described him as a kind of “wing 10” but said he could also play as a No.8, explaining that moving him centrally could give Liverpool more creativity through the middle.

And look what happened.

Coutinho eventually became one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Premier League.

Suddenly, that little question about where he should play didn’t seem quite so important.

Liverpool had found a way to put him in positions where his biggest strengths could take over.

Could Wirtz Be The Next Example?

I’m not saying Wirtz is going to become Coutinho.

And I’m certainly not saying Klopp is simply going to copy an old Liverpool tactical plan.

But there are some fascinating similarities.

Wirtz has enormous technical ability.

He can receive the ball under pressure.

He can turn.

He can play the little combinations around the edge of the box.

He can slip runners through.

And he has that ability to see something before everybody else does.

But we’ve also seen him disappear from games at Liverpool.

And I think a lot of that comes down to where he is receiving the ball.

If Wirtz is dropping deep to collect possession from the centre-backs, then he’s a long way from the goal.

If he’s spending too much time defending in his own half, he’s not using the qualities that made Liverpool spend so heavily to sign him.

Klopp has actually made this point himself.

When discussing Wirtz earlier this year, he said the German cannot keep dropping all the way back to his own penalty area and trying to do everything himself.

Instead, Klopp argued that Germany need to find situations where they can use Wirtz in more dangerous positions.

That sounds very familiar to me.

Give Wirtz The Ball Where He Can Hurt Teams

This is the bit I really want to see at Liverpool.

Don’t ask Wirtz to be everything.

Don’t ask him to constantly drop deep.

Don’t ask him to spend huge amounts of energy defending.

Get him into the left half-space.

Get him facing the goal.

Give him the ball.

And then let him do what he does best.

The Premier League’s own tactical analysis has previously highlighted that Wirtz was at his best for Leverkusen when operating from the left side and moving into the half-space. It also noted that some of his best Liverpool moments came when he received the ball in those areas.

That’s not a coincidence.

There is a reason Klopp appears to have identified the same thing.

And This Is Where The Coutinho Comparison Gets Interesting

Coutinho didn’t suddenly become a different footballer.

Liverpool simply found a better way of using the footballer they already had.

That’s the important distinction.

And maybe that is what needs to happen with Wirtz.

We already know he’s talented.

We already know what he did at Bayer Leverkusen.

We already know why Liverpool were willing to spend a huge fee to bring him to Anfield.

The question isn’t whether Wirtz can play football.

The question is:

Can Liverpool consistently put him in positions where he can hurt teams?

That’s what I’m interested in seeing.

Maybe Klopp Has Seen Something Iraola Can Use

There’s another fascinating part to all of this.

Klopp is now Germany manager.

Wirtz is one of Germany’s biggest attacking talents.

And Klopp has already started working with him.

So if Klopp can help Wirtz rediscover the confidence and freedom that made him such a devastating player at Leverkusen, Liverpool could benefit enormously.

Wirtz is currently with Germany’s squad for the latter international fixtures after missing the opening game against the Netherlands. Klopp’s first Germany match ended 1-1 against the Netherlands, with Cody Gakpo scoring a late equaliser.

I’m going to be watching Wirtz closely when he gets his opportunity.

Not just to see whether he scores or assists.

I want to see where he receives the ball.

That’s potentially far more important.

This Could Change Everything For Wirtz

I’ve been critical of Wirtz myself this season.

I want much more from him.

I don’t think we’ve seen anywhere near the best version of the player Liverpool signed.

But I also don’t believe that suddenly means the talent has disappeared.

Maybe we’ve been looking at the problem from the wrong direction.

Maybe Wirtz doesn’t need to become a different player.

Maybe he simply needs to be put in the right places.

And if Klopp really believes the left half-space, facing goal, is where Wirtz can be most dangerous, then I’m all for Liverpool paying attention.

Because we’ve seen this before.

Liverpool had a gifted, sometimes inconsistent, lightweight-looking attacking midfielder in Coutinho.

Klopp helped find the role that brought out his best qualities.

Now he appears to be looking at Wirtz and seeing something similar.

Could history be repeating itself?

I certainly wouldn’t bet against it.

And if Klopp manages to unlock Wirtz in Germany, I think every Liverpool supporter will be hoping Iraola is paying very close attention.

Because the best version of Florian Wirtz could be absolutely devastating.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I have to say, Lewis Koumas is becoming a really interesting player for Liverpool.

The 21-year-old has already caught the eye at club level this season, and now he is starting to show that he can make an impact on the international stage as well.

Koumas started up front for Wales against Portugal in Lisbon and, despite Craig Bellamy’s side eventually losing 1-0, the Liverpool youngster came away with plenty of credit.

In fact, WalesOnline gave Koumas a 7/10 rating and named him their Star Man.

Their assessment was particularly encouraging:

“Led the line with a maturity which belies his 21 years. Koumas showed real strength against a physical Portugal defence, worked tirelessly and was willing to run beyond the back line.”

That is quite a compliment when you consider the opposition.

Koumas Wasn’t Intimidated By Portugal

Portugal are hardly the easiest team to face.

There were some seriously experienced players on the pitch, and Wales knew they were going to have to work extremely hard without the ball while trying to create opportunities themselves.

Koumas didn’t hide.

He led the line, battled against a physical defence and continually tried to make runs in behind.

That is something I really like about him.

He’s not simply waiting for the ball to come to his feet.

He’s prepared to run.

He’s prepared to fight.

And he’s prepared to put himself into positions where defenders have to make decisions.

Wales eventually lost 1-0 to a João Félix goal, but the official Football Association of Wales report also highlighted Koumas’ impressive performance.

Liverpool Might Have Another Option

This is where it gets particularly interesting for me as a Liverpool supporter.

Koumas has traditionally been associated more with playing from the left, but Wales boss Craig Bellamy has increasingly looked at him as a centre-forward.

Bellamy previously explained that Wales have plenty of options out wide but don’t have the same depth at centre-forward, which is one reason he has been developing Koumas in that position.

And now we’re seeing the benefit of that experimentation.

Koumas is developing an ability to play different roles across the front line.

That could become extremely valuable at Liverpool.

Especially when you consider the current injury situation.

He’s Already Been Showing Signs At Liverpool

This isn’t simply one good international performance.

Koumas has already been making an impression around Liverpool this season.

Recent reports have highlighted how quickly he has caught the attention of Andoni Iraola, while his performances have also earned praise from people within Welsh football.

We’ve already seen flashes of what he can offer.

He’s direct.

He’s energetic.

He wants to attack defenders.

And perhaps most importantly, he doesn’t look frightened of senior football.

That’s something you cannot teach.

There are young players who need months or even years before they look comfortable at the highest level.

Koumas seems to have that natural belief that he belongs.

Could This Change His Liverpool Role?

This is the question I’m starting to ask.

Liverpool have some huge attacking names in the squad.

Isak.

Gakpo.

Wirtz.

Barcola.

And there are still players working their way back from injury.

But football seasons are long, and opportunities inevitably appear.

When they do, players have to take them.

Koumas is beginning to show that he might be ready to do exactly that.

And if Iraola sees what Wales are seeing, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get more opportunities to watch him in a Liverpool shirt.

I’m not suggesting he suddenly becomes a guaranteed starter.

Far from it.

But I really want to see more of him.

The Most Encouraging Part

For me, the most encouraging thing about the Portugal performance wasn’t even the rating.

It was the description of his performance.

Maturity. Strength. Work rate. Runs beyond the defence.

Those are exactly the qualities you want from a young forward trying to establish himself.

And he’s doing it against international opposition rather than simply dominating youth football.

Koumas is now 21.

He’s not a kid anymore.

He’s entering the stage of his career where he needs meaningful first-team football and opportunities to prove himself.

The signs are very encouraging.

Liverpool Fans Should Keep An Eye On Him

There is still plenty for Koumas to learn.

But that’s the exciting part.

He is already showing enough to suggest there could be a serious player developing here.

And if he can continue combining his technical ability with the physicality and maturity he showed against Portugal, Liverpool may have another attacking option developing right under their noses.

I absolutely love seeing young players come through at Liverpool.

And Koumas is giving us another reason to get excited.

He didn’t get on the scoresheet against Portugal.

Wales didn’t get the result.

But being named Star Man against Portugal at just 21 is another little reminder that Lewis Koumas is knocking on the door.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There was something quite refreshing about Jamie Carragher’s assessment of Liverpool’s win at Bournemouth.

It wasn’t a performance that will live long in the memory.

It wasn’t the kind of attacking display we expected when Andoni Iraola was appointed.

And, if we’re being completely honest, Liverpool were nowhere near their best.

But they won the game.

And sometimes that is exactly what you need.

Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher admitted that Liverpool didn’t play particularly well at the Vitality Stadium.

But he also made a really important point about what that result means going into the international break.

> “I don’t think Liverpool played particularly well, but it felt like one of those games where it was all about the result and put to bed our worries. You know, thinking around the team for the next three weeks and we can all just relax and enjoy it.”

And I have to say, I completely understand where Carragher is coming from.

Liverpool Didn’t Need To Be Brilliant

There has been a lot of discussion around Liverpool’s performances this season.

The attack hasn’t completely clicked.

Florian Wirtz is still trying to find his best role.

The midfield has been questioned.

There have been concerns about how Iraola’s football is developing.

And then there was that frustrating 0-0 draw against Fulham.

So imagine if Liverpool had gone to Bournemouth and dropped points.

The international break would have felt very different.

Instead, Alexander Isak produced the moment Liverpool needed, finishing in the second half to give the Reds a 1-0 victory.

It wasn’t spectacular.

It didn’t need to be.

Liverpool came away with three points, another clean sheet and an unbeaten start to Iraola’s reign.

That matters.

The Defence Deserves Credit

One thing that perhaps hasn’t received enough attention is just how much more solid Liverpool are beginning to look defensively.

Bournemouth certainly had opportunities, particularly during a difficult first half for Liverpool, but Alisson was there when required and Jeremy Jacquet once again produced an impressive display.

Jacquet was voted Liverpool’s Player of the Match by supporters after the game.

That tells you something.

Liverpool haven’t been perfect under Iraola.

Far from it.

But we’re starting to see the foundations of a team that doesn’t completely fall apart when things aren’t going their way.

And that’s important.

Alisson himself admitted that it wasn’t Liverpool’s cleanest performance, but highlighted the importance of winning while keeping another clean sheet.

That’s exactly what Carragher is talking about.

Maybe We Can Actually Enjoy The Break

This was the part of Carragher’s comments that really made me smile.

Because he’s right.

Liverpool supporters have spent the opening weeks of the season analysing absolutely everything.

Is Wirtz being used correctly?

Why isn’t the attack clicking?

Should Mac Allister be playing more?

Is the midfield balanced?

Is Iraola getting his ideas across?

Are Liverpool good enough to challenge?

There has been something to debate after virtually every game.

And now?

We can actually relax for a couple of weeks.

Liverpool have gone into the international break unbeaten in seven games across all competitions under Iraola.

That’s not perfection.

But it’s certainly not a disaster either.

And perhaps that’s the biggest thing Liverpool fans need to remember.

The Real Tests Are Coming

There is another reason Carragher is right to enjoy the Bournemouth result.

Liverpool’s next run of Premier League fixtures is going to tell us far more about where this team actually stands.

Manchester City are waiting after the international break, followed by a difficult sequence of fixtures against teams currently occupying the upper reaches of the table.

Carragher has already pointed out that those upcoming meetings will provide a much clearer indication of Liverpool’s level.

And that’s when the questions will really start.

But there is absolutely no point worrying about those games now.

Liverpool have three weeks to recover, work on things and get players back from international duty.

Iraola has already acknowledged that preparation for City will be difficult because many players will only return shortly before the game.

So why not take the positives?

I’m With Carragher On This One

I actually think Carragher has summed it up perfectly.

Liverpool weren’t particularly good at Bournemouth.

But they didn’t need to be.

They found a way to win.

They scored through Isak.

They kept another clean sheet.

They showed resilience.

And they gave themselves something very important going into the international break — peace of mind.

There will be plenty of time to analyse Wirtz.

Plenty of time to debate the midfield.

Plenty of time to discuss Iraola’s tactics.

And plenty of time to wonder whether Liverpool can eventually challenge for the biggest prizes.

For now?

I’m taking Carragher’s advice.

I’m putting the Bournemouth worries to bed and enjoying the break.

Liverpool won.

They’re unbeaten.

The defence is looking much stronger.

And Alexander Isak is scoring goals.

Sometimes, you really can just enjoy being a Liverpool supporter.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There are some stories about former Liverpool players that just make you feel proud.

And this is one of them.

Steven Gerrard is helping bankroll a multi-million-pound plan to create new sports and educational facilities across Merseyside.

For me, this is exactly what Stevie G has always been about.

Not forgetting where he came from.

Not forgetting the city that helped shape him.

And making sure young people growing up in Merseyside have opportunities that perhaps weren’t always available to him.

Gerrard has explained why the project means so much to him:

> “Liverpool gave me so much growing up, and I’ve always wanted to give something back to the city where I was born and the place I’m proud to call home.”

That says everything.

Stevie has never forgotten his roots

Gerrard grew up in Huyton and came through Liverpool’s academy before becoming one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

But long before he was lifting trophies at Anfield, he was simply a kid from Merseyside who dreamed of becoming a footballer.

And Gerrard has spoken many times about how important his upbringing was to him.

He previously explained that the street football he played growing up helped him learn how to use both feet, pass, shoot, turn and compete with older players.

That’s why giving young people opportunities clearly means so much to him.

He knows what sport can do for a kid.

It can give you confidence.

It can give you somewhere to belong.

It can teach you discipline and teamwork.

And, sometimes, it can completely change the direction of your life.

This isn’t something new for Gerrard

One thing I really like about this story is that Gerrard has been doing this for years.

His charitable work has previously focused heavily on children and young people across Merseyside, with his foundation supporting organisations helping children and families in need.

He has also previously spoken about wanting to use his position to help youngsters in the area he grew up in.

Back in 2014, while visiting his old area of Huyton, Gerrard spoke about the affection he still had for the place where he grew up and the importance of giving something back to the community that had supported him throughout his career.

So this latest project doesn’t feel like some sudden decision.

It’s a continuation of something Gerrard has believed in for a very long time.

Imagine being a young kid in Merseyside

This is the part that really gets me.

Imagine being a youngster growing up in Merseyside and having access to new sports and educational facilities because someone like Steven Gerrard decided to put his money and influence behind the project.

You don’t know where that opportunity might lead.

Maybe it’s a future footballer.

Maybe it’s a coach.

Maybe it’s a teacher.

Maybe it’s simply a kid who finds something they’re passionate about and gains confidence from it.

And that’s why projects like this can be about so much more than football.

It’s about giving kids somewhere to go and something to aim for.

Gerrard knows better than most what can happen when a youngster is given the opportunity to develop.

From Huyton to Liverpool legend

When you look back at Gerrard’s career, it’s easy to focus on the trophies, the goals and the incredible moments at Anfield.

The UEFA Cup.

The FA Cup.

The Champions League.

That unforgettable night in Istanbul.

The famous goals against Manchester United and West Ham.

The moments that made him a Liverpool legend.

But I think this is another important part of his legacy.

Steven Gerrard didn’t forget the kid from Huyton.

He didn’t forget the streets where he learned to play football.

He didn’t forget the people who supported him.

And he hasn’t forgotten the city that gave him so much.

That’s why I love seeing this.

Liverpool has given Gerrard an incredible life.

Now he’s using some of what he has earned to try to give something back.

And honestly, what more could you ask from someone who has always said how much this city means to him?

This is Stevie G

There will always be arguments about footballers.

Who was the greatest Liverpool midfielder?

Who scored the best goal?

Who deserves to be in the greatest-ever XI?

Those debates will go on forever.

But when it comes to Gerrard’s connection with Liverpool, there is no debate for me.

He is one of our own.

And seeing him continue to invest in Merseyside and help create opportunities for the next generation makes me incredibly proud.

Because perhaps somewhere in one of those new facilities will be another young kid dreaming of becoming a professional footballer.

Another youngster kicking a ball around.

Another kid who just needs somebody to believe in them.

And who knows?

Maybe one day we’ll be talking about another Liverpool legend who started out with nothing more than a football and a dream.

That’s the legacy I want Steven Gerrard to leave behind.

Not just the goals.

Not just the trophies.

Not just the captain’s armband.

But giving something back to the city that gave him everything.

That’s Stevie G.

Scouser. Liverpool legend. And still giving back. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I’ve been saying for a while now that something doesn’t quite look right with Florian Wirtz at Liverpool.

There have been flashes of the player we all know is in there, but we haven’t seen enough of them.

And now, thanks to some fascinating reporting from Paul Joyce, there is another reason for Liverpool supporters to be looking closely at what happens with Wirtz and Jürgen Klopp.

Because Klopp apparently has a very clear idea of where Wirtz is at his most dangerous.

And it isn’t necessarily where Liverpool are currently getting the best out of him.

Klopp sees Wirtz differently

Wirtz is currently with the second Germany squad and will join up later in the international break for matches against Serbia and Greece. Klopp’s unusual decision to split his 44-man squad means the Liverpool midfielder missed Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.

But according to Paul Joyce, the debate surrounding Wirtz’s form at Liverpool has now reached the Germany set-up.

And this is the really interesting part.

It is understood that Klopp sees Wirtz as most dangerous when he operates in the left half-space and receives the ball facing the opposition goal.

Think about that for a second.

That’s the Wirtz we saw so often at Bayer Leverkusen.

The player who could receive the ball between the lines, turn, drive towards the defence and suddenly make something happen.

The player who looked like he was playing one step ahead of everybody else.

That is the Wirtz Liverpool supporters are waiting to see.

Look at what he did at Leverkusen

There was a reason Wirtz became one of the most exciting young attacking midfielders in Europe at Bayer Leverkusen.

Under Xabi Alonso, he developed an outstanding relationship with players such as Granit Xhaka and Alex Grimaldo.

Wirtz could receive the ball in that left-sided half-space, turn towards goal and immediately attack.

He wasn’t constantly receiving the ball with his back to goal.

He wasn’t being asked to spend huge periods doing defensive work.

He was being put in positions where his biggest strengths could decide matches.

And that is where I think Liverpool have a huge question to answer.

Are we actually getting Wirtz into those positions often enough?

This is exactly what I’ve been questioning

I’ve been critical of Wirtz this season, but I’ve never questioned his talent.

That’s important.

I don’t suddenly think Liverpool made a mistake signing him.

Far from it.

I think we’ve got a brilliant footballer who is still trying to find his place in a new team, under a new manager, in a new league.

But there have been too many games where Wirtz has been difficult to find.

At Bournemouth, for example, he struggled in the first half before improving after the break. Andoni Iraola himself acknowledged that Wirtz started slowly but said he found better positions and turned more effectively in the second half.

That’s the bit that interests me.

Finding better positions.

Because that is precisely what Klopp apparently believes Wirtz needs.

Maybe Liverpool need to give him more freedom

This is where I keep coming back to the role Wirtz is being asked to play.

Iraola has clearly got his own ideas.

And I’m absolutely prepared to give him time.

But if Wirtz is at his best receiving the ball in the left half-space and facing goal, then Liverpool need to find a way of making that happen more regularly.

Because I don’t want to see Wirtz become a midfielder whose biggest contribution is how much ground he covers.

I want to see him hurting teams.

I want to see him picking the ball up between the lines.

Turning.

Driving forward.

Playing the killer pass.

Combining with Gakpo.

Linking with Isak.

And getting into positions where he can score himself.

The statistics actually show that Wirtz is working extremely hard this season. Liverpool have seen him apply plenty of pressure and win possession high up the pitch, while he has also produced 19 progressive passes in the Premier League.

But that’s not really what we’re waiting for.

We’re waiting for the match-winning Wirtz.

And Klopp has already defended him

There is another interesting layer to all of this.

Klopp has already spoken publicly about the pressure surrounding Wirtz.

When discussing his new Germany player, Klopp said people need to move away from expecting special moments from Wirtz in every game and instead recognise the work he does for the team.

He also pointed out that Wirtz has covered enormous ground for Liverpool this season and stressed that he wants the player to feel comfortable rather than constantly feeling that he has to produce a goal or assist.

That tells me Klopp understands the player.

He knows what Wirtz is capable of.

And he also seems to understand that putting more pressure on him isn’t necessarily going to unlock him.

Liverpool have to get this right

For me, this is one of the biggest jobs Iraola has at Liverpool.

Not turning Wirtz into a different player.

Getting the Wirtz we already know is in there.

The one who tore teams apart at Leverkusen.

The one who played with freedom.

The one who received the ball facing goal and immediately looked dangerous.

Because Liverpool didn’t spend an enormous amount of money on Wirtz to have him become another hard-working midfielder.

We bought him because he can change games.

And if Klopp’s assessment of where Wirtz is most dangerous is correct, then perhaps Liverpool need to start asking a very simple question:

Are we putting him in the right places?

I don’t think Wirtz needs more criticism.

I think he needs the right conditions.

And with Klopp now watching him closely from the Germany set-up, it will be fascinating to see whether the former Liverpool boss can get something out of him that we’ve only seen in flashes at Anfield.

Because if Iraola can find that version of Florian Wirtz…

Liverpool could suddenly have one hell of a player on their hands.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Well, I couldn’t have asked for a better Liverpool connection to this game.

Cody Gakpo has denied Jürgen Klopp a winning start as Germany manager.

The Netherlands rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam thanks to a brilliant stoppage-time equaliser from the Liverpool forward.

And I have to admit, as much as I still have enormous affection for Klopp, I absolutely loved seeing Gakpo score that goal.

Sorry, Jürgen!

Germany looked like they were going to give their new manager the perfect start after Felix Nmecha put them ahead in the 32nd minute.

But the Netherlands kept pushing.

And eventually, Gakpo produced the moment.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Ruben van Bommel delivered a superb cross into the box and Gakpo met it with a brilliant volley to send the ball beyond Marc-André ter Stegen.

1-1.

Cue absolute chaos inside the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Gakpo does it against his former manager

There was something particularly satisfying about this from a Liverpool perspective.

Gakpo was signed by Klopp during his time at Liverpool and developed into an increasingly important member of the squad.

Now, in Klopp’s very first competitive game in charge of Germany, it was Gakpo who stopped him from winning.

Football really does have a funny way of writing its own stories.

And Gakpo’s finish was worthy of the occasion.

It wasn’t a scrappy equaliser.

It was a proper striker’s finish, meeting Van Bommel’s delivery perfectly and giving the Netherlands something to celebrate right at the death.

Van Dijk thought he’d scored too

There was another huge Liverpool connection earlier in the game.

Virgil van Dijk thought he had given the Netherlands the lead.

The Liverpool captain headed home from a corner in the 13th minute, but VAR intervened and the goal was eventually ruled out after Brian Brobbey was adjudged to have impeded Germany goalkeeper ter Stegen.

So Liverpool actually had two players at the centre of the Netherlands’ biggest moments.

One goal disallowed.

One goal that stood.

And that one from Gakpo was the one that mattered.

A fascinating night for Klopp

For Klopp, it wasn’t quite the dream return to the dugout.

Germany had been in front for more than an hour and were just minutes away from taking all three points.

But the new Germany boss will know there were positives to take.

This was his first competitive match in charge, and Germany were playing away against the Netherlands in a fixture involving another new manager, Xavi, making his debut for the Dutch.

It was always going to be a fascinating night.

And from a Liverpool perspective, I was watching Klopp closely.

I wanted to see how he approached his first game back in management.

I wanted to see how his Germany side looked.

But most of all, I wanted to see the Liverpool players involved.

Van Dijk was leading the Netherlands again.

Gakpo was causing problems.

Gravenberch also started for the Dutch.

And Frimpong was part of the Netherlands squad.

There was plenty for Liverpool supporters to watch.

Gakpo continues to impress

And once again, Gakpo has reminded us why I rate him so highly.

I’ve already written about how impressed I’ve been with him for Liverpool this season.

His determination in the build-up to Isak’s winner at Bournemouth was crucial, and he has continued to look like one of Liverpool’s most dangerous attacking players.

Now he’s gone away with the Netherlands and scored a stunning late equaliser against Germany.

That’s exactly what you want from your attacking players.

Confidence.

Goals.

Big moments.

And the ability to produce something when the team needs it most.

Sorry Jürgen, but I’ll take that!

I’ll always have a huge amount of respect for Klopp.

He gave Liverpool supporters some of the greatest moments we’ve ever experienced.

But tonight?

I’m taking the Gakpo goal.

Klopp can wait for his first Germany win.

Gakpo scoring in the 92nd minute to rescue the Netherlands against his former Liverpool manager is just too good.

And when you’re watching a Liverpool player score a last-minute equaliser against one of the club’s greatest-ever managers, you can’t help but smile.

Well done, Cody.

And sorry, Jürgen…

You’ll have to wait a little longer for that first Germany victory.

Jamie (The Kopite View)