The Kopite View

Jeremy Jacquet has only been at Liverpool for a matter of months, but it already looks like the young defender is making a serious impression.

And now we know that Zinedine Zidane has been watching him for years.

The legendary Frenchman, who has just taken charge of the France national team, included Jacquet in his first squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.

Speaking about the Liverpool centre-back, Zidane revealed that his interest in Jacquet goes back much further than his impressive start at Anfield.

“I like his profile a lot. I’ve followed him for a long time because he played alongside my son in the youth teams.”

That is some endorsement.

Jacquet played alongside Zidane’s son, Elyaz, at youth level, meaning the new France boss has had the opportunity to watch his development long before the 21-year-old made the move to the Premier League.

And judging by Zidane’s comments, Jacquet has clearly remained on his radar.

Jacquet has made a fast start at Liverpool

The defender arrived at Liverpool from Rennes during the summer and has quickly been thrown into the action by Andoni Iraola.

Rather than looking overwhelmed by the step up to the Premier League, Jacquet has already shown plenty of composure alongside Virgil van Dijk.

His performance against Fulham was another particularly encouraging display, with the young Frenchman one of Liverpool’s better performers during a frustrating 0-0 draw.

Liverpool’s official profile of Jacquet also highlighted his impressive aerial numbers from last season, while the defender has previously spoken about studying Van Dijk’s game closely.

Now he has the chance to learn from another legendary figure in Zidane.

This is massive for Jacquet

Getting your first senior France call-up at just 21 is a huge moment.

And it is particularly interesting that Zidane didn’t simply describe Jacquet as a player who deserved selection.

He specifically spoke about liking his profile and revealed that he has followed him for a long time.

That suggests this isn’t simply a case of Jacquet benefiting from a good few months at Liverpool.

Zidane already knew about him.

Now the France boss gets the opportunity to work with him directly and see how he fits into his plans.

Jacquet is joined in the France squad by Liverpool teammate Bradley Barcola, while Zidane has also brought several other new faces into his first squad as he begins building towards Euro 2028.

Liverpool fans should be excited

It is still very early in Jacquet’s Liverpool career, and there will inevitably be difficult moments as he adapts to English football.

But there is already plenty to like.

He’s 21. He’s playing regularly. He’s learning alongside Van Dijk. And now he’s been called up by France under Zinedine Zidane.

Not a bad start at all.

Liverpool supporters will be hoping this is only the beginning of what could become a very impressive career at Anfield.

And hearing Zidane say that he has been following Jacquet since his youth-team days only makes the whole story even more interesting.

The Liverpool signing who arrived with plenty of potential is now getting noticed by one of the greatest French footballers of all time.

And that can only be a good thing for Jacquet.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Football can change very quickly.

Just a few months ago, there were plenty of Liverpool supporters — myself included — who were desperate to see Xabi Alonso become the next Liverpool manager.

Liverpool were struggling under Arne Slot and there was a growing feeling among supporters that the club needed a change.

Alonso was one of the names that many Reds fans would have loved to see walking into Anfield.

Fast forward to now and Alonso is having a difficult start to life at Chelsea.

And the latest numbers make for uncomfortable reading.

Chelsea simply cannot keep a clean sheet

Chelsea have now played five Premier League matches this season without keeping a single clean sheet.

Their results have been:

● Fulham 2-3 Chelsea

● Chelsea 4-3 Brighton

● Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

● Chelsea 2-2 Hull

● Brentford 3-0 Chelsea

That’s 12 goals conceded in five Premier League games.

Chelsea conceded three again on Friday night as Brentford beat them 3-0, with Alonso’s side now having gone three league matches without a win.

In fact, Chelsea currently have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded 12 goals.

That’s a serious problem.

But it’s still early

We have to be fair here.

It’s only five games.

It would be ridiculous to suggest Alonso is suddenly a bad manager because Chelsea have made a poor start defensively.

He’s managing a new team, with new players and his own ideas that will take time to implement.

There are also mitigating factors.

Chelsea have had injuries to important players, and they were missing Reece James, João Pedro and Moisés Caicedo against Brentford.

So Alonso deserves time.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t look at what is happening and acknowledge that things aren’t going particularly well at the moment.

And I have to admit something…

When Liverpool were struggling last season, I was one of those supporters thinking:

“Why aren’t we getting Alonso?”

There was so much excitement around him.

His work at Bayer Leverkusen had made him one of the most highly regarded young managers in European football, and the idea of a Liverpool legend returning to Anfield was incredibly appealing.

I could completely understand why Liverpool supporters wanted him.

I wanted him too.

But this is football.

What looks like the obvious appointment at one club can look very different when you actually take charge somewhere else.

Alonso has a big job ahead of him

Chelsea have plenty of talent.

That’s what makes their defensive problems particularly surprising.

They can score goals.

They’ve already scored 10 in their five league matches.

But conceding 12 at the other end means they are giving themselves an incredibly difficult task every week.

You cannot keep asking your attackers to score three or four goals just to win football matches.

Eventually, you need some control.

You need clean sheets.

You need to be able to close games out.

And that’s something Alonso has to find quickly.

Liverpool supporters should be patient with Iraola

Interestingly, this also gives us something to think about with Andoni Iraola at Liverpool.

There were supporters who wanted an immediate transformation when he arrived.

But football doesn’t work like that.

Liverpool are also going through a period of change.

Iraola is trying to establish his own style, and we’ve already seen that there are weaknesses that need addressing.

The 0-0 draw with Fulham showed that Liverpool still have plenty of work to do.

But that is exactly why patience is important.

Alonso is experiencing first-hand how difficult it can be to walk into a big club and immediately make everything click.

I still love the idea of Alonso at Liverpool

And here’s the funny thing.

Even after seeing his difficult start at Chelsea, I wouldn’t suddenly say my previous opinion was completely wrong.

I still think Alonso is an excellent young coach.

I still think he has enormous potential.

And I still understand why Liverpool supporters wanted him.

But perhaps the bigger lesson is that there is no such thing as a guaranteed managerial appointment.

Sometimes the manager you desperately want isn’t necessarily the manager who would have produced the immediate results you imagined.

For now, Alonso has a big job on his hands at Chelsea.

Five games isn’t enough to write anyone off.

But 12 goals conceded and no clean sheets is certainly something he needs to fix.

And as a Liverpool supporter who was desperate to see him come to Anfield when we were struggling under Slot, I’ll admit it:

I’m quite happy to give Iraola the time to prove himself.

Football has a funny way of making you question what you thought you wanted.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There are some Liverpool players you genuinely struggle to criticise.

Wataru Endo is one of them.

The Japanese midfielder has always conducted himself brilliantly at Anfield. He works hard, never complains and has consistently shown an excellent attitude, even when his opportunities have become increasingly limited.

But sometimes football is simply about making difficult decisions.

And if reports are correct that Liverpool are prepared to listen to offers for Endo when the January transfer window opens, I think it is the right time to move him on.

Not because I don’t like him.

Quite the opposite.

I absolutely love his attitude.

But I don’t think he is good enough for where Liverpool need to be heading.

Endo has been a great servant

Endo deserves enormous credit for what he has given Liverpool.

He arrived from Stuttgart in 2023 and quickly became an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.

He made 43 appearances during his first season and played a significant role in Liverpool’s League Cup success.

He was never the flashiest player.

He wasn’t going to dominate games with spectacular passes or score spectacular goals.

But he gave Liverpool something they needed at the time.

Reliability.

And, more importantly, he gave absolutely everything whenever he stepped onto the pitch.

That’s why he became such a popular figure among supporters.

But the situation has changed

The problem is that Liverpool have moved on.

The midfield has changed.

The manager has changed.

The style of football has changed.

And under Andoni Iraola, Endo has found himself well down the pecking order.

The statistics tell you plenty.

Endo hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League football this season and was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

Iraola has also explained that Endo is competing with Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for midfield minutes.

Then came the Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham.

Even with Iraola making 10 changes, Endo wasn’t given the start many expected.

That tells you where things stand.

Liverpool need something different

This is the biggest reason I think Liverpool should accept an offer if one arrives.

It’s not simply about Endo being a bad player.

He’s not.

It’s about whether he gives Liverpool what they need going forward.

I don’t think he does.

Liverpool’s midfield has already been one of the biggest concerns during the opening weeks of this season.

The Reds need players capable of playing with intensity, moving the ball quickly, covering ground and helping Iraola establish his style.

We’ve seen how much Liverpool can struggle when the midfield doesn’t control a game.

And if the club are going to bring in another midfielder, keeping Endo around simply because supporters love him doesn’t make much sense.

January could be the perfect time

Endo’s contract expires at the end of the season.

That makes January potentially the last realistic opportunity for Liverpool to receive a transfer fee rather than simply allowing him to leave for nothing.

That’s exactly what the latest reports are suggesting Liverpool are considering.

And honestly, I think it would make sense for everyone.

Endo deserves to be playing football.

Liverpool need to free up space in the squad and potentially bring in a midfielder better suited to Iraola’s plans.

It’s a footballing decision rather than a personal one.

I will always have a lot of respect for Endo

This is the difficult part.

Because even though I believe Liverpool should move him on, I’ll always have a lot of respect for Wataru Endo.

He never sulked.

He never caused problems.

He never appeared to complain about his lack of minutes.

He simply kept working.

That’s exactly why this isn’t an article criticising the man.

It’s an assessment of the footballer and where Liverpool are now.

Sometimes a player can be a fantastic professional and a brilliant servant to the club while also no longer being the right player for the next chapter.

I think Endo has reached that point at Liverpool.

If a reasonable offer arrives in January, I would take it.

Thank him for everything.

Give him the respect he deserves.

And allow him to go somewhere where he can play regularly again.

Because as much as I love Wataru Endo’s attitude, Liverpool cannot make football decisions based on sentiment.

The club have to keep moving forward.

And for me, that means it’s time for Endo and Liverpool to go their separate ways.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Florian Wirtz hasn’t exactly had the start to life at Liverpool that many of us expected.

The German arrived at Anfield with enormous expectations, and while there have been flashes of his quality, he hasn’t yet produced the consistent performances Liverpool supporters were hoping for.

But Andoni Iraola isn’t concerned.

In fact, the Liverpool head coach has made it clear that he remains very happy with Wirtz and believes the summer signing should be judged in exactly the same way as every other player in his squad.

And I think that’s important.

We need to give Wirtz time

It is incredibly easy to judge a £100m-plus player by his price tag.

Every misplaced pass becomes a talking point.

Every quiet performance gets analysed.

Every missed opportunity gets magnified.

But Wirtz is playing in a completely new team, under a completely new manager, in a completely different system.

Liverpool are changing the way they play under Iraola.

That doesn’t happen overnight.

We’ve already seen how difficult the transition can be.

Liverpool dominated possession against Fulham but struggled to create enough clear opportunities, while the midfield has also looked unsettled at times.

Wirtz isn’t the only player trying to adapt.

Iraola is right to defend him

Iraola could easily have thrown Wirtz under the bus.

Instead, he has backed his player.

That is exactly what a new manager should be doing.

Wirtz has enormous ability and Liverpool didn’t spend that sort of money because they expected him to be an instant finished product.

They bought him because they believe he can become one of the most important players in the team.

And we’ve already seen glimpses.

There have been moments where his movement, technique and ability to find space between the lines have shown exactly why Liverpool wanted him.

The consistency will come.

Hopefully.

The Spurs game was a reminder

Interestingly, Wirtz was left out of the squad altogether for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham.

That was understandable given Liverpool’s schedule.

Iraola made 10 changes for the 3-1 victory after admitting his team had lacked energy against Fulham.

It also gave several other players the opportunity to impress.

Cody Gakpo took his chance with a goal and an assist, while Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai also got on the scoresheet.

That’s exactly what Iraola needs.

Competition for places.

Wirtz shouldn’t be guaranteed a place simply because of his price tag.

But equally, he shouldn’t be written off because he hasn’t immediately hit the heights expected of him.

Now let’s see what he can do at Bournemouth

Liverpool travel to Bournemouth on Sunday with Iraola returning to his former club.

There are no fresh injury concerns, although Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa remain unavailable.

Wirtz is expected to come back into contention after being rested against Spurs.

And this is where I’d like to see him respond.

Not because he needs to prove his critics wrong.

Not because he needs to justify his price tag.

But because Liverpool need their best players to start producing consistently.

The Spurs victory was a huge positive, particularly after the disappointing Fulham draw.

Now the challenge is taking that momentum into the Premier League.

Wirtz can play a massive part in that.

Iraola has made his position clear.

He believes in Florian Wirtz.

Now Liverpool supporters need to give him the time and patience to show us exactly why the club spent so much money bringing him to Anfield.

And when it finally clicks, I have a feeling we’re going to see a very special player.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have secured the future of another highly-rated academy prospect, with Erik Farkas signing his first professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old midfielder put pen to paper on the new deal at the AXA Training Centre, marking another important milestone in his development at Liverpool.

And this one feels particularly special for Farkas and his family.

“It’s a really proud moment for me and my family,” Farkas told Liverpoolfc.com. “I’m just grateful and blessed to achieve something big like that.”

Farkas has been with Liverpool since U12 level

Farkas has been part of Liverpool’s Academy setup since he was in the Under-12s and is now a member of Simon Wiles’ Under-18 side.

He’s made three appearances so far this season and has already found the net twice.

He also came off the bench in Liverpool U19s’ UEFA Youth League draw against Atletico Madrid last week.

That is a pretty encouraging start to the campaign for a player who has only just turned 17.

Farkas was born in Hungary but represents England internationally and has already been capped at Under-17 level.

There is clearly plenty of belief in his potential at Kirkby.

Another Farkas makes his mark

What’s made this week even more interesting is that Erik isn’t the only Farkas to have committed his future to Liverpool.

His older brother Patrik signed a professional contract with the Reds just three days earlier.

The 19-year-old midfielder returned to Liverpool after spending the previous four years at Blackburn Rovers and has now been reunited with his younger brother in the Academy setup.

That’s some story for the Farkas family.

Two brothers who both came through Liverpool’s system are now professional footballers at the club.

And Patrik has previously spoken about the pair pushing each other to improve.

Another exciting Academy prospect

Liverpool have been doing a good job of tying down a number of their promising young players recently, with Erik the latest to put pen to paper.

Haydn Murray-Holme, Oliver O’Connor and several other academy prospects have also signed professional contracts in recent months.

Of course, signing a professional contract is only the beginning.

The difficult part is now ahead of Farkas.

He needs to continue developing, handle the increased expectations and eventually try to make the huge step from academy football into senior football.

But that’s what makes these moments so exciting.

Liverpool aren’t just signing established stars for the first team. They’re also continuing to invest in young players who could potentially become part of the club’s future.

Erik Farkas is now officially a professional Liverpool player.

And at just 17 years of age, I’m certainly going to be keeping an eye on his progress.

Who knows?

A few years from now, we could be looking back at this day as the moment another Liverpool academy player began his journey towards the first team.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Andoni Iraola has been speaking ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth on Sunday, and there was plenty for Liverpool supporters to take from his latest press conference.

The Reds head into the game with a freshness advantage after making 10 changes for Tuesday night’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham.

However, Iraola knows that won’t necessarily make the trip to the Vitality Stadium straightforward.

Liverpool still have four absentees

Iraola confirmed that Liverpool’s injury situation remains unchanged.

Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees, while Federico Chiesa is also unavailable. Everyone else is fit and available for selection.

That’s obviously encouraging, particularly with Liverpool having come through the Spurs game without picking up any new problems.

And the fact Iraola was able to rotate so heavily in midweek could prove important.

Liverpool have the freshness advantage

Bournemouth played in Europe on Thursday night, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 in Spain, while Liverpool played Spurs on Tuesday.

Iraola admitted that Liverpool should therefore have an advantage in terms of recovery.

But he certainly isn’t taking anything for granted.

He knows Bournemouth extremely well, having spent three years there, and highlighted how difficult the Vitality Stadium can be for visiting teams.

It could be a fascinating afternoon for Iraola personally, but he has made it clear that sentiment will be put to one side once the game begins.

Iraola loved Ngumoha’s response

One of the biggest positives from Tuesday was Rio Ngumoha.

The teenager didn’t have the easiest start against Spurs, but Iraola was particularly pleased with the way he responded.

Ngumoha kept going, took on his opponent and ultimately played a part in Liverpool’s opening goal.

And now he’s been rewarded with another England call-up.

At just 18, that’s a fantastic achievement, especially considering he made his senior England debut earlier this year.

I really like the way Iraola is handling Ngumoha.

He’s not expecting everything to be perfect from an 18-year-old.

He’s looking at how the youngster reacts when things don’t go his way.

That’s arguably just as important as the ability itself.

Liverpool’s wingers can switch sides

Another interesting aspect of Iraola’s comments was his explanation of the freedom Liverpool’s wingers have.

The manager explained that players such as Gakpo and Ngumoha can switch sides during games depending on the opposition and where Liverpool feel they can cause the most damage.

That’s something I really like.

It makes Liverpool harder to predict and gives the players the opportunity to exploit different match-ups.

And Iraola clearly doesn’t want his wingers simply standing on one side of the pitch for 90 minutes.

Barcola will only get better

Iraola was also asked about Bradley Barcola and believes the Frenchman will continue improving as he gets more minutes.

That’s hardly surprising.

Barcola is adapting to English football and a new tactical environment, and he’s already been involved in some big games for Liverpool.

The more he plays, the more comfortable he should become.

And Liverpool have a very healthy situation on the wings right now.

Gakpo, Barcola, Ngumoha and Victor Muñoz are all competing for places, and Iraola admitted that he is happy to have a situation where selecting his wingers isn’t easy.

That’s exactly what you want.

You want players fighting for their place rather than knowing they are guaranteed to start.

Araújo is settling in brilliantly

Iraola also had plenty of praise for Ronald Araújo.

The Liverpool defender has adapted quickly since arriving at Anfield and has already shown his versatility, including playing at right-back.

Iraola said he has been very happy with Araújo’s adaptation and highlighted his physical robustness and willingness to play different positions.

That’s becoming a massive asset for Liverpool.

Having someone capable of playing centre-back and right-back gives Iraola another option when managing the squad and dealing with injuries or different opponents.

And then there’s Wirtz…

Finally, Iraola once again defended Florian Wirtz.

The Liverpool head coach isn’t simply judging him on goals and assists.

He believes Wirtz is contributing across all areas and understands what the team needs from him.

And I think that’s important.

Wirtz hasn’t produced the numbers some expected yet, but he’s still learning his teammates, the league and Iraola’s demands.

The goals and assists will come.

I’m convinced of that.

For now, Iraola seems much more interested in everything Wirtz is doing to help Liverpool function as a team.

And when you look at the options Liverpool now have across the pitch, there is plenty to be encouraged about.

The injury list is still frustrating, but the squad has depth, the competition for places is increasing and several of the summer arrivals are beginning to settle.

Now Liverpool need to take all of that into the Vitality Stadium and turn it into three points.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool’s search for a new sporting director is beginning to get very interesting, with FSG exploring options both inside and outside the club.

According to BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel, Liverpool have met with external candidates as they look for Richard Hughes’ successor, with Brentford technical director Lee Dykes among those who have spoken to the club.

However, there is an important detail in the report that really caught my attention.

FSG are understood to be minded towards making an internal appointment, with Julian Ward a strong contender.

And personally, I can see why.

Julian Ward makes a lot of sense

Ward already knows Liverpool inside out.

He previously worked as the club’s sporting director during the 2022/23 season before moving into his current role with FSG, meaning he understands the way the club operates, the recruitment structure and the expectations that come with working at Liverpool.

There wouldn’t be a huge settling-in period either.

That’s potentially important given that Liverpool need to have their sporting structure properly organised ahead of the January transfer window.

Richard Hughes officially stepped down earlier this month, with Liverpool confirming that the process of appointing his successor was already underway.

But I like that Liverpool are looking outside too

Having said that, I actually think it is encouraging that FSG aren’t simply assuming the answer has to come from within.

Lee Dykes is an interesting name.

The Brentford technical director has been at the club since 2019, initially joining as head of recruitment before becoming technical director in 2022. Brentford’s recruitment model has been heavily data-driven, with Dykes explaining how the club combines data, scouting and coaching input when identifying potential signings.

That’s obviously something that would be relevant at Liverpool.

The club have always placed huge importance on recruitment, data and identifying players before they become obvious targets, so it makes sense that someone with Dykes’ background would at least be considered.

And this is exactly why I don’t have a problem with FSG speaking to external candidates.

Do your homework. Speak to everyone. Then make the decision.

But would I be surprised if it’s Ward?

Not really.

If FSG genuinely prefer an internal appointment, Julian Ward looks like a very logical candidate.

He already knows the club, has previous experience in the sporting director role and understands the football operation from the inside.

There is also something to be said for continuity.

Liverpool have gone through plenty of change recently, with a new head coach in Andoni Iraola, major changes to the squad and now another change in the sporting structure following Hughes’ departure.

Bringing someone in who already understands the environment could provide some stability.

At the same time, I wouldn’t completely rule out an external appointment.

The fact Liverpool are speaking to people such as Dykes shows that FSG are taking the search seriously rather than simply handing the job to somebody already on the payroll.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

For me, the most interesting part of this story isn’t necessarily Lee Dykes or Julian Ward individually.

It’s the fact that Liverpool are clearly taking their time and looking at the bigger picture.

Whoever gets the job is going to have a huge responsibility.

January isn’t far away, and Liverpool need someone capable of working alongside Iraola, FSG and the existing recruitment team to make sure the club’s sporting strategy remains on the right track.

Julian Ward may currently be the strongest internal contender, but Liverpool are clearly keeping their options open — and I think that’s a very sensible way to approach such an important appointment.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I’ll probably be in the minority here, but when I heard that Virgil van Dijk had decided to continue playing international football for the Netherlands, my first reaction wasn’t excitement.

I was actually hoping he’d retire from international football.

Not because I don’t want to see Van Dijk playing for his country.

Not because I don’t think he still has something to offer the Netherlands.

Quite simply, I want him to concentrate on Liverpool.

Van Dijk is now 35 years old, and at this stage of his career every game, every recovery session and every minute of rest matters.

The Liverpool captain had been considering his international future following the World Cup and held talks with new Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández before making his decision. He has now decided to continue and has been included in Xavi’s first squad.

And I completely respect his decision.

But if I’m being honest, I would have loved to see him say:

“That’s enough. I’m concentrating on Liverpool now.”

Liverpool need Van Dijk at his best

This isn’t about questioning Van Dijk’s ability.

Quite the opposite.

He’s still incredibly important to Liverpool.

He’s our captain, our leader and one of the most experienced players in the dressing room.

And that’s precisely why I want him protected as much as possible.

Van Dijk has already shown remarkable longevity. Liverpool themselves noted earlier this year that he played every minute of the Premier League campaign in 2025/26 and has consistently played more than 40 matches in most seasons since recovering from his serious knee injury.

That’s remarkable at his age.

But eventually the body catches up with everybody.

It’s the travelling that concerns me

It’s not just the international matches themselves.

It’s the travelling.

The training camps.

The flights.

The extra games.

The recovery time lost.

Liverpool already have an incredibly demanding schedule, and Van Dijk is going to be expected to lead this team through another long season.

Then you add international football on top of that.

For a 25-year-old, perhaps you look at it differently.

For a 35-year-old centre-back who is arguably still Liverpool’s most important leader?

I’d rather see him have those extra days recovering at Melwood—or wherever Liverpool are training—than flying around Europe during every international break.

I completely understand why he wants to continue

At the same time, I can’t criticise Van Dijk for wanting to carry on.

Representing your country at a World Cup and then continuing into another international cycle is a huge honour.

And clearly his conversation with Xavi convinced him that he still has an important role to play.

The new Netherlands boss has selected Van Dijk as part of his first squad, alongside Liverpool teammates Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.

So this isn’t a case of Van Dijk hanging on when nobody wants him.

The Netherlands still want their captain.

And Van Dijk still wants to represent them.

I respect that.

But selfishly, I wanted something different

Maybe I’m just looking at this from a Liverpool supporter’s perspective.

I’ve watched Van Dijk become one of the most important players Liverpool have had in years.

I’ve watched him recover from that horrific knee injury and come back to an incredibly high level.

I’ve watched him lift trophies as Liverpool captain.

And now, at 35, I want to see whatever he has left concentrated on Liverpool Football Club.

If retiring from international football gave him even a little more time to recover between Liverpool games, I’d have taken that all day long.

I’m delighted that Van Dijk is still capable of playing at this level.

I’m delighted that the Netherlands still value him.

But if you asked me what I wanted him to do after the World Cup, my answer was simple.

Retire from international football.

Not because I think he’s finished.

Quite the opposite.

Because I want Virgil van Dijk playing for Liverpool for as long as his body allows him to.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

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Liverpool are reportedly keeping an eye on Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell, with the defender potentially available on a free transfer next summer.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are all interested in Mitchell, who has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.

Palace are understandably keen to avoid losing one of their established players for nothing and are pushing to agree a new contract with the 27-year-old.

Mitchell is reportedly willing to hold talks over an extension, so there is certainly no guarantee that he will actually become a free agent.

But from Liverpool’s perspective, I can understand why the club would be monitoring the situation.

Liverpool have a left-back decision to make

This is one of those rumours that makes a little more sense when you look at Liverpool’s current squad.

Milos Kerkez is the first-choice option, while Kostas Tsimikas provides experience and competition.

However, Tsimikas’ contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and there have already been questions about his long-term future at Anfield.

That could potentially leave Liverpool needing another left-back.

And signing someone like Mitchell without paying a transfer fee would certainly be an attractive proposition.

Is Mitchell good enough for Liverpool?

That’s the big question.

Mitchell has been a regular for Palace for several years and has made 247 appearances for the club in all competitions. Football Insider also reports that he has improved the attacking side of his game while maintaining his defensive consistency.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has described Mitchell as a player who consistently performs at a high level and suggested there will be significant interest if he reaches the end of his contract.

Liverpool aren’t going to be the only club looking.

Manchester United are reportedly very interested, while Chelsea are also said to be considering the situation.

Personally, I’m not against it

I’ll be honest — this isn’t a signing I’m desperate for Liverpool to make.

But I don’t dislike the idea of it either.

If Mitchell doesn’t renew his Palace contract and becomes available for nothing, Liverpool should at least be having a conversation.

He’s Premier League-proven, experienced and still only 27.

The biggest question would be whether Liverpool believe he is good enough to compete for a starting place at Anfield rather than simply becoming another squad player.

That’s where I’d want the recruitment team to be careful.

Liverpool shouldn’t sign somebody simply because he’s available for free.

But if Iraola and the recruitment department believe Mitchell can genuinely improve the squad, a free transfer could make plenty of sense.

And there is another reason I find this interesting.

Liverpool have already shown this summer that they aren’t afraid to make major changes to the squad.

If Tsimikas moves on, and if Kerkez doesn’t quite establish himself as the long-term answer at left-back, this could become a position the club needs to address.

For now, though, Mitchell’s future remains in his own hands.

Palace want him to stay.

Mitchell is willing to discuss a new deal.

And Liverpool are reportedly watching.

If he does become available next summer, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if this rumour gets a lot louder.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Sometimes you have to stop and actually think about what Liverpool have assembled.

Bradley Barcola. Alexander Isak. Florian Wirtz.

All three playing for Liverpool Football Club.

Honestly, I still can’t quite believe it.

Liverpool have spent huge money on all three players, with Isak, Wirtz and Barcola becoming three of the most expensive signings in the club’s history. Barcola’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain was only completed a couple of weeks ago, with the France international signing a long-term contract at Anfield.

And when I look at that attacking talent, I can’t help thinking about the players I grew up watching.

Because I grew up watching Andriy Voronin and Fabio Borini.

Now, absolutely no disrespect to either player — they wore the Liverpool shirt and gave everything they could — but the difference in attacking talent is pretty incredible.

From Voronin and Borini…

To Barcola, Isak and Wirtz.

What a transformation.

This is what being a Liverpool fan is about

There have obviously been some incredible Liverpool attackers during my lifetime.

Rush.

Fowler.

Owen.

Torres.

Suárez.

Salah.

Mané.

But even with all those great players, there have been plenty of periods where you looked at the Liverpool attack and thought, we really need someone better.

Now?

I look at the options and genuinely struggle to believe it.

Isak is one of the most naturally gifted strikers in world football.

Wirtz is a £100m-plus playmaker who can unlock defences and create something from nothing.

And Barcola is a France international who arrived from PSG after winning two Champions League titles and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers.

That’s some serious firepower.

And there’s still Gakpo and Ngumoha

That’s the crazy thing.

It’s not just those three.

Liverpool also have Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Muñoz, while Hugo Ekitike is another major attacking option when available.

The depth is completely different from what I remember watching Liverpool years ago.

And that’s why I’m so excited to see what Andoni Iraola can eventually get out of this group.

It hasn’t all clicked yet.

We’ve already seen frustrating performances, including the goalless draw with Fulham, and Iraola himself has spoken about the need for his attackers to work harder without the ball.

But the ingredients are there.

And when Barcola, Isak and Wirtz start understanding exactly where the other two are going to be, Liverpool could have something very special.

From Voronin and Borini to this…

That’s the bit that makes me smile.

I’ve watched some brilliant Liverpool teams over the years.

I’ve also watched some pretty ordinary ones.

I’ve seen players arrive with huge expectations and fail to live up to them.

I’ve seen Liverpool desperately searching for that next striker, that next winger or that player who could unlock a defence.

Now we’ve got three players who cost enormous sums and arrived with massive reputations.

Barcola. Isak. Wirtz.

And they’re ours.

Maybe I’m getting carried away.

Maybe it will take time for everything to click.

But as someone who grew up watching Liverpool go through plenty of ups and downs, I think we’re entitled to enjoy this for a minute.

Because I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be sitting watching Liverpool and thinking:

“How on earth have we actually got these three playing for us?”

From Voronin and Borini…

To Barcola, Isak and Wirtz.

What a time to be a Liverpool supporter.

Jamie (The Kopite View)