The Kopite View

It was a pretty mixed weekend for Liverpool’s internationals.

There were wins for Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch with the Netherlands, but unfortunately the biggest talking point from a Liverpool point of view was Cody Gakpo being forced off injured.

Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas were also involved for Germany and Greece respectively, while Lewis Koumas came off the bench for Wales.

Here’s how the Reds got on.

Van Dijk and Gravenberch win with the Netherlands

Virgil van Dijk completed the full 90 minutes as the Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade.

The Liverpool captain led his country through another full match and will be pleased to have come away with three points.

Ryan Gravenberch also started the game and played 67 minutes before being substituted.

It was another decent amount of international football for the Liverpool midfielder, who has been an important player for both club and country this season.

But unfortunately, there was one major concern.

Gakpo forced off after just 17 minutes

Cody Gakpo started for the Netherlands but lasted just 17 minutes before being forced off.

The Liverpool forward appeared to hurt his ankle following a challenge from Serbia’s Sasa Lukic and, after trying to continue, eventually signalled that he could not carry on.

That is the last thing Liverpool supporters wanted to see.

Gakpo had been one of Liverpool’s most consistent attacking players at the start of the season and had only recently scored the late equaliser against Germany.

Now everyone will be hoping this is nothing serious.

With Alexander Isak already dealing with a thigh problem, Liverpool certainly don’t need another important attacker picking up an injury during the international break.

There should hopefully be more clarity on Gakpo’s condition soon.

Wirtz gets 25 minutes for Germany

Florian Wirtz came off the bench for Germany against Greece and played around 25 minutes.

Unfortunately for Wirtz, it wasn’t a happy night for his country as Germany suffered a 1-0 defeat.

It was another opportunity for him to get some minutes under Jürgen Klopp, though, and I’m sure Liverpool supporters will be watching closely to see whether this international break can give Wirtz a bit of confidence.

He hasn’t quite found his best form at Liverpool yet.

I’m certainly not writing him off.

We know how much ability he has, and sometimes a player just needs a few positive moments to get things moving.

Tsimikas plays the full match

Kostas Tsimikas completed the full 90 minutes for Greece against Germany.

Greece came away with a 1-0 victory, giving Tsimikas another full international appearance and another clean sheet.

He also gets the benefit of playing regular football during the break, which can only be useful given the competition for places at Liverpool.

Tsimikas may not always be the first name on the team sheet at Anfield, but having an experienced international left-back available is important for Iraola.

Koumas gets another Wales appearance

Lewis Koumas came off the bench for Wales against Denmark and played just over 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, Wales suffered a 2-0 defeat.

Still, every appearance at senior international level is valuable for Koumas.

He’s still developing and trying to establish himself, so getting minutes with Wales is another part of that process.

Hopefully there will be more opportunities for him as the season progresses.

Now Liverpool just need everyone home safely

That’s probably the main thing Liverpool supporters will be thinking after this weekend.

The results are secondary.

Van Dijk and Gravenberch got through their game.

Wirtz got some minutes.

Tsimikas played the full match.

Koumas got another taste of senior international football.

But Gakpo coming off after just 17 minutes is the one thing everyone will be watching now.

After Isak’s recent injury concern, Liverpool really don’t need another attacking player spending time on the sidelines.

Gakpo had started the season looking like one of Liverpool’s most important players, so fingers crossed this turns out to be nothing serious.

International football is all well and good, but right now I just want our players back at Anfield fit and ready to go.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have a three-week international break. Most of the first-team squad are away with their countries, the players who stayed behind have had some time off and there isn’t a competitive match for the men’s team until October.

So what does Iraola do?

He goes to Anfield with his family to watch Liverpool Women take on Everton in the Merseyside derby.

For me, that says quite a lot about the man.

Iraola could quite easily have disappeared for a couple of weeks. He had every right to take a proper holiday after the hectic start to the season.

Instead, he has spent the break around the club, working with the players who stayed behind and getting involved with different parts of Liverpool.

And now he’s sitting in the Main Stand watching the women’s team.

I love it.

Liverpool Women went on to beat Everton 2-0 in the first Women’s Merseyside derby to be won by Liverpool at Anfield, with Beata Olsson and Cornelia Kapocs getting the goals. Iraola was there with his wife and children, alongside sporting director Julian Ward.

And Gareth Taylor noticed it.

Before the game, the Liverpool Women boss described Iraola’s decision to attend as a “really impressive gesture”, pointing out that bringing his family along showed the level of support.

That matters.

Because Liverpool Football Club isn’t just the men’s first team.

It’s the academy. It’s the women’s team. It’s the staff. It’s the supporters. It’s the people working behind the scenes.

It’s everything.

And I think Iraola gets that.

This is what caught my attention

I remember the comparisons being made with the previous regime during international breaks.

There was a perception among supporters that Arne Slot would often use these breaks to get away, with Ibiza becoming part of the conversation around his time away from Liverpool.

I’m not going to pretend I know what Slot did every single day of every international break, because I don’t.

But I do know what I’m seeing from Iraola.

He’s making an effort to be around Liverpool.

During this break, he has been working with the players who weren’t away on international duty, using the time to work on tactics and prepare for what is going to be a demanding run of fixtures.

And now he’s gone to watch the women’s team.

That is the sort of thing supporters notice.

Not because watching a football match suddenly makes somebody a great manager.

It doesn’t.

But because it tells you something about how he sees the club.

Iraola is getting involved

We’ve already seen him give opportunities to younger players.

Trey Nyoni has been involved. James McConnell has been around the first team. Lewis Koumas has been given opportunities.

There has been a much more obvious connection between the senior side and the younger players, and Iraola has also been using the international break to work with the players who remained at the AXA Training Centre.

Now he’s supporting Liverpool Women.

It’s not complicated.

He’s getting involved.

And maybe that’s why so many supporters are warming to him so quickly.

We don’t expect the manager to be at every academy game or every women’s fixture. That’s unrealistic.

But when he chooses to go, it gets noticed.

Especially when he’s taking his family with him.

I think there is something quite nice about that.

He understands the connection

Iraola is still relatively new to Liverpool.

He’s learning the players. He’s learning the league. He’s learning the expectations that come with managing this football club.

But he seems to understand one thing already.

Liverpool is bigger than the first team.

That sounds obvious, but sometimes football clubs can become very compartmentalised.

The men’s team over here.

The academy somewhere else.

The women’s team somewhere else.

Iraola seems keen to knock down some of those walls.

And that’s something I really like.

I’m not saying this suddenly makes Liverpool guaranteed to win trophies. Of course it doesn’t.

I’m also not saying everything Iraola does is automatically brilliant.

He’s still got plenty to prove on the pitch.

But these little things matter.

For me, they tell you something about his character.

And after watching him turn up at Anfield to support Liverpool Women, I can’t help thinking:

Iraola gets it.

He understands that being Liverpool manager isn’t just about turning up at Anfield on a Saturday afternoon.

It’s about becoming part of the football club.

And if he keeps doing things like this, I suspect he’ll become very popular with Liverpool supporters.

Because sometimes it’s the little things that tell you the most.

Andoni Iraola, what a guy.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

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Liverpool fans will be keeping a very close eye on Cody Gakpo after the Reds forward appeared to be struggling during international duty.

Footage and reports circulating have sparked concern among supporters, with claims that Gakpo was keen to be taken off after picking up what looked like a worrying problem.

Naturally, the immediate reaction from Liverpool supporters is going to be one of concern.

The last thing Andoni Iraola needs is another attacking player picking up an injury with a huge part of the season still ahead.

Gakpo Injury Concern

Gakpo has become an important part of Liverpool’s attacking options and has made an excellent start to the campaign.

That makes any injury concern involving the Dutchman particularly worrying.

There has been plenty of discussion online suggesting that the problem could be serious, with some reports even claiming that the Liverpool forward wanted to come off.

However, at this stage, there has been no official confirmation from Liverpool that Gakpo has suffered a serious injury.

That is an important distinction.

Liverpool previously provided a fitness update on Gakpo earlier this month after he missed the Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Iraola explained at the time that Gakpo had experienced some adductor issues during the win over Ipswich Town but stressed that it was not considered a proper injury.

So while today’s reports are certainly enough to make Liverpool fans nervous, we should wait for a proper medical assessment before assuming the worst.

Liverpool Cannot Afford Another Attacking Injury

This is where the concern comes from.

Liverpool already have Hugo Ekitike working his way back from a long-term injury, while the club have invested heavily in strengthening their attacking options.

Gakpo has also shown just how valuable he can be.

His ability to play from the left, operate centrally and contribute goals and assists gives Iraola another important option when selecting his front line.

Losing him for a significant period would therefore be a major blow.

And Liverpool’s schedule is only going to become more demanding as the season progresses.

We Need To Wait For More Information

It is very easy for social media to turn an injury scare into something much bigger before the medical staff have even had the opportunity to properly assess the player.

We’ve seen it many times in football.

A player goes down.

He asks to come off.

A clip appears online.

Suddenly supporters are being told that the player is facing months on the sidelines.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it is true.

Liverpool fans have every right to be concerned about Gakpo, particularly if he was visibly struggling, but the sensible thing is to wait for confirmation from the Netherlands or Liverpool.

Hopefully, this turns out to be nothing more than another precaution and Gakpo is back available for the Reds soon.

Liverpool Fans Will Be Watching Closely

There is no question that an injury to Gakpo would be frustrating for Iraola and Liverpool.

The Dutchman has become an important part of the squad and his versatility gives the manager valuable options in attack.

For now, though, this remains an injury scare rather than a confirmed serious injury.

Liverpool supporters will be hoping that the next update brings some much-needed good news.

Because after seeing Gakpo appear to struggle and reportedly ask to come off, nobody associated with the Reds will want to hear that their in-form forward is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Let’s hope the initial fears prove to be much worse than the actual problem.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I really don’t like seeing Virgil van Dijk linked with a move away from Liverpool.

But this is one of those rumours that I think Liverpool fans have to take seriously, even if there is still a long way to go before anything actually happens.

AC Milan are reportedly preparing to make another attempt to sign the Liverpool captain when his contract expires at the end of the season.

And the claim coming from Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti is pretty bold.

He believes Van Dijk will end up wearing the Milan shirt “sooner or later.”

That doesn’t mean a deal has been agreed. It hasn’t.

But Milan’s interest in Van Dijk is certainly not new.

The Italian club were already linked with the Dutchman earlier this year, with reports suggesting they were prepared to wait until his Liverpool contract expired rather than try to sign him for a fee.

And that is what makes this latest report particularly interesting.

Van Dijk is now in the final year of his Liverpool contract.

So, unless something changes, Liverpool could eventually lose their captain without receiving a transfer fee.

For a player who has given the club so much, that would be a difficult one to swallow.

I still think Liverpool should be talking to Van Dijk

I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it.

I would like to see Liverpool extend Van Dijk’s contract.

I understand the age argument. He’s 35 now and eventually Liverpool have to think about the next generation.

But football isn’t played on spreadsheets.

Van Dijk is still the captain. He’s still a leader. He’s still playing alongside players like Jérémy Jacquet who are learning what it takes to defend at the highest level.

And from what we’ve seen this season, Liverpool aren’t exactly struggling because they have too much experience at the back.

Quite the opposite.

Van Dijk has been an important part of a defence that has become one of the more encouraging aspects of Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool so far.

Jacquet is developing. Ronald Araújo has added strength and versatility. There are younger defenders coming through.

But that doesn’t mean you suddenly stop needing Van Dijk.

If anything, having him around while those players develop makes sense to me.

Milan clearly haven’t forgotten about him

Pellegatti has continued to insist that Milan’s interest is genuine.

His latest comments suggest the idea is still very much alive from the Italian side, with the possibility of signing Van Dijk as a free agent next summer being part of the thinking.

And if Ruben Amorim is still the man managing Milan when the time comes, that could add another interesting layer to the story.

Amorim reportedly wanted Van Dijk previously, so the idea of the Portuguese coach getting another opportunity to bring the Liverpool captain to Italy is certainly something worth keeping an eye on.

But I wouldn’t get carried away with this just yet.

Van Dijk has already shown that he isn’t desperate to leave Liverpool.

He chose to remain at Anfield this summer despite interest elsewhere, and his immediate focus remains on playing for Liverpool.

There is also the possibility of another contract extension.

And that is where this whole story gets interesting for me.

Liverpool have a decision to make.

Do they look at Van Dijk’s age and decide that the time is right to move on?

Or do they look at the player, the leader and the experience he brings to a changing squad and decide that another contract makes sense?

I know which conversation I’d rather Liverpool were having.

Because the thought of watching Van Dijk walk away from Anfield for nothing and then turn up at San Siro wearing Milan colours would be a strange one.

He’s been such a huge part of Liverpool’s modern history.

The trophies. The big European nights. The Premier League titles. The leadership.

And now he’s helping a new generation of defenders find their feet at Liverpool.

I don’t think the club should simply assume that Jacquet, Leoni and the rest can replace everything Van Dijk gives them overnight.

Maybe the time will come when Van Dijk decides that Italy is the next chapter.

Maybe Milan really will eventually get their man.

But Liverpool still have a full season to make their case.

And if Van Dijk continues playing at this level, I’d be doing everything I could to convince him that his story at Anfield isn’t finished yet.

Because Virgil van Dijk leaving Liverpool on a free transfer would be one of the biggest decisions this club has to make next summer.

And Milan clearly intend to be waiting if Liverpool decide otherwise.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

The international break is never quite the same when you’re a Liverpool fan.

You spend two weeks hoping everyone comes back fit, while also secretly wanting your players to have a good time with their countries.

It’s a difficult balance.

There are plenty of Liverpool players in action over the coming days, but there are a few in particular I’ll be keeping a close eye on.

Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch are all expected to be involved with the Netherlands, Florian Wirtz is now with the Germany squad, Kostas Tsimikas is with Greece and Lewis Koumas is away with Wales.

And there are some interesting stories behind each of them.

Van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch with the Netherlands

The Netherlands face Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday, and Liverpool could have three players involved.

Van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch all started and played the full 90 minutes in the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Germany earlier in the international period, with Gakpo scoring the late equaliser.

For me, Van Dijk is the obvious one to watch.

He’s still the leader of the Netherlands and Liverpool, and I always like seeing him play for his country because you can see just how much responsibility he carries.

Gakpo will also be interesting.

He’s started the season really well for Liverpool and has become one of the most important players in Iraola’s attack. His late goal against Germany was another reminder that he’s capable of producing something when his team needs it.

Then there’s Gravenberch.

I’ve been fairly critical of him at Liverpool this season, particularly when he’s been paired with Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield.

So I’ll be interested to see what happens with the Netherlands.

Sometimes a player can look completely different in a slightly different role or system.

Maybe that’s something Gravenberch can take back to Liverpool.

And there is another Liverpool connection here because former Reds boss Jürgen Klopp is now in charge of Germany.

Unfortunately, Jeremie Frimpong isn’t expected to feature against Serbia after being left out of the Netherlands’ 23-man squad for the game.

That’s a shame for him because every international appearance is another opportunity to build confidence.

Wirtz gets his chance with Germany

Florian Wirtz is another player I’ll be watching closely.

Germany have used split squads during this international period, meaning Wirtz has now joined up for their final two fixtures.

He is in contention to feature against Serbia on October 1 and Greece on October 4.

And I think this could actually be a useful few days for him.

Let’s be honest, Wirtz hasn’t yet produced the level of performances Liverpool supporters were hoping for.

I’ve said that myself.

But I also don’t think we should be writing him off.

Not remotely.

He’s an outstanding footballer who is still adapting to a new club, a new manager and a different style of football.

A couple of good performances for Germany could be exactly what he needs.

Confidence is a massive part of football.

If Wirtz can go away, play without the pressure of Anfield and remind himself just how good he is, I’d be more than happy for Liverpool to benefit from that when he comes back.

Tsimikas has something to prove

Kostas Tsimikas is another player who has plenty to play for.

The Greek left-back is expected to be involved against Germany, having already made an impact during the previous round of international fixtures by providing the assist for Greece’s late winner against Serbia.

And I think Tsimikas needs a good international break.

He has had a difficult start to life under Iraola.

He lost his place to Milos Kerkez and his start against Fulham lasted only 45 minutes before he was replaced.

That’s not ideal.

But it doesn’t mean his Liverpool career is finished.

Far from it.

Kerkez has had some good moments, but I’ve already said that I think the left-back position is one area Liverpool’s opponents could potentially target.

Tsimikas therefore has an opportunity.

If he plays well for Greece and returns to Liverpool with confidence, he can give Iraola something to think about.

Competition for places isn’t a bad thing.

Liverpool need it.

Lewis Koumas and Wales

Then there’s Lewis Koumas.

I’m really pleased to see him getting opportunities at international level.

Koumas started Wales’ 1-0 defeat to Portugal earlier in the break and is in contention to start again against Denmark on Sunday.

He’s still a young player trying to establish himself, but these are exactly the experiences that can help him develop.

Liverpool have some really exciting young players coming through at the moment, and Koumas is one I want to see get more opportunities.

He’s not going to walk into Iraola’s first-choice attack because of the competition around him.

But every time he plays for Wales, he’s gaining experience of senior international football.

That’s only going to help him.

And then there is the bit nobody wants to think about…

Of course, there’s one thing all Liverpool supporters will be thinking about during the international break.

Please come back fit.

That’s it.

I don’t need anything else.

I want Van Dijk, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Tsimikas and Koumas to get valuable minutes for their countries.

I want them to play well.

I want Wirtz to score a goal and come back buzzing.

I want Gakpo to keep scoring.

I want Van Dijk to lead the Netherlands.

I want Tsimikas to put pressure on Kerkez.

And I want Koumas to keep showing that he’s ready for the next step.

But most importantly, I want them all back at Liverpool healthy.

Because the international break will soon be over and Iraola’s team will have some huge games waiting.

Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture is against Manchester City at Anfield, followed by a demanding run of fixtures that will give us a much better idea of where this new-look side is heading.

So there’s plenty at stake for Liverpool’s players over the next few days.

Some need confidence.

Some need minutes.

Some need to remind their manager what they can do.

And some are simply continuing their development.

I’ll be watching all of them.

But I’ll be watching Wirtz in particular.

Because if he can rediscover that confidence with Germany, Liverpool could have a very different-looking player when he returns to Anfield.

And that could be very important for Iraola.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

For a few minutes, I think most Liverpool fans probably feared the worst when the news broke that Alexander Isak had left the Sweden squad.

Given what happened last season, that’s understandable.

Isak’s first season at Liverpool was badly disrupted by injuries and he spent a long period on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg.

So when Liverpool announced that their record signing had withdrawn from international duty because of a minor injury, I’m sure there were plenty of supporters immediately thinking about the worst-case scenario.

Thankfully, Graham Potter has now provided some much-needed clarification.

And the good news is that this doesn’t sound like anything serious.

“Isak has a minor thigh problem. It’s nothing serious, but due to the number of matches in a short period of time, he won’t be able to take part,” Potter said. “It’s frustrating for both him and us. But it is what it is.”

That’s obviously much better news than Liverpool supporters might have feared.

Isak isn’t simply being sent home because he has suffered another major injury.

Potter’s explanation suggests Sweden have decided not to take any chances with him because of the number of matches being played in a short period.

And, to be honest, I think that’s sensible.

Isak has made an excellent start to the season.

He has scored four Premier League goals in his first five appearances and also contributed an assist in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

After everything he went through last season, it has been fantastic to see him looking sharp again.

The last thing Liverpool need is for him to be pushed too hard during an international break.

Especially with what is coming up.

Liverpool’s next Premier League game is against Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, and there are some huge fixtures waiting for Iraola’s team after the international break.

That’s why this latest update is important.

Nobody wants to see Isak rushed back simply because he is Liverpool’s main striker.

Liverpool have already lost Hugo Ekitike to a long-term Achilles problem, so Isak’s importance to Iraola’s team is obvious.

There isn’t another established senior centre-forward ready to simply step into his shoes if he were to miss an extended period.

That’s what makes the timing of this injury particularly frustrating.

But I’d much rather have Isak missing a few international matches now than Liverpool taking a risk with him and potentially losing him for weeks or months.

And there is another encouraging aspect to this.

Isak played the full 90 minutes and scored in Sweden’s 2-1 win over Romania before withdrawing from the squad. He also reportedly played through a painful toe injury after taking a heavy stamp during the game.

That doesn’t mean we should ignore the thigh problem.

But it does perhaps explain why Sweden are being cautious with him.

Potter has a very busy period ahead with Sweden, and the decision has been made that Isak shouldn’t be involved in the remaining fixtures.

Liverpool fans will obviously be watching closely to see how quickly he recovers.

But right now, I don’t think there’s any reason to panic.

The word that matters most in Potter’s comments is “minor.”

He specifically said the problem is nothing serious.

That’s the information Liverpool supporters needed.

And, for me, the bigger picture is actually quite positive.

Isak has started the season well.

He’s scoring goals.

He’s getting regular minutes.

He’s looking more like the player Liverpool believed they were signing when they spent a British-record £125m to bring him to Anfield.

Perhaps the most important thing now is simply keeping him healthy.

We’ve already seen how quickly things can change with injuries.

Liverpool have built a hugely expensive attack around players such as Isak, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola.

There’s no point having all that attacking quality available if the players aren’t fit.

So if that means Isak misses a few Sweden games and spends some extra time recovering, I’m completely fine with it.

I would much rather see him sitting out an international match than taking another unnecessary risk.

And hopefully, by the time Liverpool return to action, this will be nothing more than a minor interruption.

Because Manchester City at Anfield is exactly the sort of game Liverpool will want their main striker available for.

Isak has already shown what he can do.

Now Liverpool just need to make sure they don’t ask too much of him too soon.

The initial news was worrying. Potter’s update is much more reassuring.

It’s a minor thigh problem.

It’s nothing serious.

And right now, that’s all we really needed to hear.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have spent an incredible amount of money trying to improve their attack.

Alexander Isak arrived for a British-record fee. Florian Wirtz was another huge investment. Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barcola and the rest of the attacking rebuild have taken Liverpool’s spending on their front four to around £400m.

And yet, after the first part of Andoni Iraola’s reign, it isn’t the attack I’m getting most excited about.

It’s the defence.

That’s probably not what many Liverpool supporters expected when Iraola arrived.

We were promised an attacking-minded coach. Somebody who wants his team to play on the front foot, press aggressively and cause problems for opponents.

Instead, Liverpool have quietly started to become a much harder team to score against.

The 1-0 win at Bournemouth was probably the best example.

Isak got the goal, and obviously that’s what everybody remembers, but the reason Liverpool came away with the three points was the work going on at the other end of the pitch.

Alisson made an important save from Evanilson, while Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet dealt with the pressure that Bournemouth put Liverpool under. Ronald Araújo was excellent again at right-back, too.

Liverpool defended their lead.

And I don’t mean that as a criticism.

In fact, I think it’s something we should be encouraged by.

The Guardian made the same observation after the Bournemouth game, pointing out that Liverpool’s £400m front four lacked fluidity and chemistry, while the real stars of the afternoon were in defence. Liverpool had also kept three consecutive Premier League clean sheets.

That tells us something.

Liverpool’s attack isn’t finished yet.

But perhaps the defence is getting there quicker.

And I’m starting to think that could actually be a good thing for Iraola.

A new manager doesn’t have to build everything at once.

If you can make your team difficult to beat while you’re still working out exactly how you want to attack, you’ve at least got something to build from.

Iraola himself said after Bournemouth that Liverpool had improved since the opening games and specifically highlighted the three consecutive clean sheets. He also talked about the defensive unit becoming more solid as Jacquet, Van Dijk, Araújo and Kerkez play together more often.

That is important.

Because there were plenty of questions about Liverpool’s defence when the season started.

The opening games weren’t particularly convincing.

There were concerns about transitions.

There were questions about Frimpong and Kerkez.

And there was a lot of discussion about whether Liverpool had enough protection in front of Van Dijk.

But something has changed.

Jacquet has settled.

Van Dijk looks comfortable alongside him.

Araújo has given Liverpool another physically imposing defender who can play at centre-back or right-back.

And Alisson is still capable of producing those moments that can change games.

Suddenly, Liverpool look like a team that can win a match without playing brilliantly.

That’s an important quality.

The Bournemouth game wasn’t a classic.

Neither was the 0-0 draw against Fulham.

But Liverpool got the job done on the south coast, and Iraola was particularly pleased with the way his side handled a difficult environment.

That’s where I think we need to be a little patient.

Of course I want to see the attack clicking.

I want to see Isak getting more chances.

I want to see Wirtz influencing games.

I want to see Barcola running at defenders.

I want to see Gakpo continuing to make things happen.

And I want to see Liverpool create the sort of football that made us excited about Iraola in the first place.

But maybe we’re expecting all of that to happen too quickly.

This is a new manager trying to get a huge squad of players to understand exactly what he wants.

And there are some very expensive new players who are still getting used to each other.

The funny thing is that Isak is actually doing his bit.

His goal at Bournemouth was his fourth Premier League goal in five games, and the winner came after some excellent work from Gakpo down the right.

So it’s not as though Liverpool’s attack has been terrible.

It just hasn’t completely clicked.

There’s a difference.

And that’s why I don’t see the defensive strength as something Liverpool should be worried about.

I’d much rather have a team that is already learning how to defend properly while the attack is still developing than a side scoring plenty but conceding goals every week.

We’ve seen Liverpool teams in recent years where one mistake at the back could undo all the good work going forward.

This feels different.

Liverpool can now grind out a result.

They can protect a lead.

They can survive difficult periods.

And they have players at the back who look increasingly comfortable with what Iraola is asking them to do.

That’s a really good foundation.

The exciting part for me is what happens if the attack eventually catches up.

Imagine this Liverpool team with the defence playing like this and Wirtz finding his best form.

Imagine Isak getting a regular supply of chances.

Imagine Gakpo and Barcola finding another level.

Imagine the midfield finally settling on its best combination.

That’s when I think we could start seeing what Iraola really wants Liverpool to become.

At the moment, I’m seeing a team that is still being built.

And perhaps we’re looking at it from the wrong end.

We’ve spent so much time talking about the £400m attack that it’s easy to forget that a new Liverpool team doesn’t have to become spectacular overnight.

Sometimes you build from the back.

Sometimes you learn how to stop losing before you learn how to win in style.

And I think that’s what we’re seeing.

Liverpool’s defence is giving Iraola something to work with.

It’s giving the attacking players time to find their rhythm.

It’s keeping Liverpool in games when the football isn’t quite right.

And, most importantly, it’s giving this new-look team a bit of an identity.

I still want more from the attack.

There’s no question about that.

But I’m beginning to really like what I’m seeing at the other end.

Liverpool may have spent £400m trying to build an exciting attack.

But right now, it’s their defence that could be laying the foundations for Iraola’s Liverpool.

And if the attack eventually catches up with it, things could get very interesting.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

When Liverpool agreed to spend £60m on Jérémy Jacquet, there was always going to be pressure on the young French defender.

That’s a lot of money for a 20-year-old centre-back who had only made 33 senior appearances for Rennes.

There was also the shoulder injury he suffered in February, which ruled him out for the remainder of last season.

So there were plenty of reasons for Liverpool supporters to be patient.

But watching Jacquet now, I’m starting to think Liverpool may have got something very interesting on their hands.

He looks like he belongs.

And that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give him.

Jacquet wasn’t brought to Liverpool to sit around and wait for his opportunity. He arrived with the expectation that he would have to help fill the huge gap left by Ibrahima Konaté, who moved to Real Madrid, and he has been thrown straight into Premier League football alongside Virgil van Dijk.

That’s not an easy introduction.

Yet his performances have become one of the most encouraging parts of Liverpool’s season.

The Bournemouth game really stood out to me.

Liverpool won 1-0, but it was the defence that deserved most of the credit. Jacquet was named Player of the Match after producing an excellent performance, with his positioning, interceptions and a crucial last-ditch block helping Liverpool keep Bournemouth out.

And there was more to his performance than simply defending.

Jacquet had 71 touches and completed 54 of his 61 passes, including 10 that Opta classified as line-breaking passes.

That’s something I really like about him.

He doesn’t look like a centre-back who simply wants to get rid of the ball.

He wants to play.

He wants to step forward.

He wants to find players between the lines.

And that’s exactly what Liverpool need from their defenders in a team that wants to dominate possession.

What has impressed me most, though, is how comfortable he looks next to Van Dijk.

That’s not an easy job either.

Van Dijk has been Liverpool’s defensive leader for years and whoever plays alongside him has a huge responsibility.

Jacquet doesn’t look overwhelmed by it.

If anything, he seems to be learning from it.

He spoke before joining Liverpool about how much he wanted to learn from Van Dijk, describing the Dutchman as one of the best centre-backs in the world. Now he’s actually getting to train and play alongside him.

You couldn’t really ask for a better classroom.

And Liverpool appear to be getting the benefit already.

The Reds have put together three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, with Jacquet becoming an increasingly important part of a defence that looks much more settled than it did earlier in the season. The Guardian also highlighted his growing partnership with Van Dijk after the Bournemouth win.

That’s a big development for Liverpool.

Because while we’ve spent plenty of time talking about Isak, Wirtz, Gakpo and the other attacking players, the defence has quietly become one of the strongest parts of this team.

Alisson is still Alisson.

Van Dijk is still Van Dijk.

Ronald Araújo has given Liverpool another very physical option, particularly at right-back.

And now Jacquet is starting to look like somebody Liverpool can build around.

That’s exciting.

He’s only 21.

He’s still learning the Premier League.

He’s still adapting to the pace and physical demands of English football.

Even Iraola admitted that Jacquet initially found the change of rhythm difficult, with the defender suffering from cramps and tiredness in his first games. But the Liverpool manager also said he is adapting well.

And that’s exactly what you’d expect from a young player coming into a completely different league.

The important thing is that we’re already seeing the improvement.

There is something else about Jacquet that I think Liverpool fans are going to appreciate.

He looks competitive.

He doesn’t seem frightened of getting stuck in.

He wants to win the ball.

Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton recently praised his competitiveness and tackling, while also comparing some of his qualities with previous Liverpool centre-backs such as Van Dijk and Alan Hansen.

I’m not going anywhere near the idea that Jacquet is already at the level of those players.

That’s ridiculous.

Van Dijk has been one of the world’s best defenders for years, while Hansen is a Liverpool legend.

But you can understand why people are getting excited about Jacquet.

There are similarities in the way he wants to defend and the way he wants to use the ball.

And £60m suddenly doesn’t look quite as frightening as it did when Liverpool agreed the deal.

The fee is officially an initial £55m with a further £5m available in performance-related add-ons.

That’s still a huge amount of money.

But Liverpool weren’t buying a finished product.

They were buying potential.

And the early signs are very encouraging.

For me, the biggest question now isn’t whether Jacquet is good enough to play for Liverpool.

It’s how good he can actually become.

That’s a very different question.

If he continues improving alongside Van Dijk, gets stronger physically and becomes more accustomed to Premier League football, Liverpool could have themselves a centre-back who is capable of being a key player for years.

And that’s why I think this signing could become very important.

Liverpool have spent big money on attacking players.

They’ve spent big money on rebuilding the squad.

But sometimes it’s the defensive signing that ends up making the biggest difference.

Jacquet has already helped give Liverpool something they desperately needed — a young centre-back who looks capable of stepping straight into the first team without looking completely out of place.

There will be bad games.

There will be mistakes.

There will be moments when he looks like a young defender learning his trade.

That’s football.

I’m certainly not going to start calling him the next Van Dijk after a handful of games.

But I am starting to get excited about what Liverpool might have signed.

Because watching Jacquet at the moment, I don’t see a £60m player trying to justify his price tag.

I see a young defender who looks increasingly comfortable wearing a Liverpool shirt.

And if that’s the beginning rather than the finished article, Liverpool might have made a very good investment indeed.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I have to admit, when I first heard that Julian Ward could be coming back to Liverpool, I thought it made a lot of sense.

Now it’s official.

Liverpool have appointed Ward as their new sporting director, with the 45-year-old returning to the role he previously held during the 2022/23 season. He takes over after Richard Hughes’ departure to Al-Hilal.

And considering everything that has happened behind the scenes at Liverpool over the past year or so, I think this could be a really important appointment.

Because Ward knows Liverpool.

He knows how the club works. He knows the recruitment structure. He knows the academy. He knows the people involved in football operations.

Most importantly, he doesn’t need time to figure out what Liverpool are all about.

Ward first joined Liverpool’s football operation back in 2012 and has held a number of roles since then, including European scouting manager, assistant sporting director and sporting director. He also spent the past two years working as FSG’s technical director.

That’s a lot of knowledge to have inside the football department.

And Liverpool certainly need some stability.

Michael Edwards has left FSG again.

Richard Hughes has gone to Saudi Arabia.

There have been changes at sporting director level and Liverpool are also working through a significant change in ownership, with FSG having agreed to sell a 38 per cent stake in the club to 1892 Holdings.

That’s a lot of change.

So bringing somebody back who already knows the club could be exactly what Liverpool need.

Ward has already been involved in some pretty important Liverpool transfers.

During his previous spell as sporting director, Liverpool signed Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister, while he was also involved in the earlier recruitment of Luis Díaz.

Now, obviously, I’m not going to pretend every transfer was perfect.

That’s impossible.

But look at Mac Allister.

Look at Gakpo.

Look at the contribution Díaz made during his time at Liverpool.

Those are some pretty significant pieces of business.

And there is something else I like about Ward returning.

He has already been around the current squad.

This isn’t somebody walking through the door for the first time and having to learn the players, the academy or the club’s recruitment philosophy from scratch.

He has spent the last two years as FSG’s technical director, overseeing global talent strategy and player development pathways. Liverpool have also brought in a number of highly rated young players during that period.

That could become particularly important.

I’ve been really encouraged by some of the younger players coming through at Liverpool, and I think this is an area where Ward’s knowledge could be valuable.

Liverpool can’t just keep spending huge amounts of money every summer.

They need to keep producing players.

They need to identify the next generation early.

And they need a football structure that connects the academy, recruitment and first team.

Ward has experience in all of those areas.

There’s also the relationship with Andoni Iraola to consider.

I think this is one of the biggest parts of the appointment.

Iraola is a head coach rather than a traditional manager with complete control over every aspect of the football operation.

That means the relationship between the head coach and sporting director is hugely important.

They need to be on the same page.

Iraola needs players who fit the way he wants Liverpool to play, while Ward needs to understand exactly what the manager is looking for when Liverpool enter the transfer market.

If they get that relationship right, it could have a massive impact on Liverpool’s recruitment.

And that’s where I’m particularly interested in what happens next.

Liverpool have already spent an enormous amount of money rebuilding the squad.

Isak.

Wirtz.

Barcola.

Frimpong.

Kerkez.

There are plenty of exciting players in this squad, but there are also positions that still need attention.

The right-back situation is one of them.

Midfield balance is another.

And then there are the contracts that Liverpool need to deal with over the next couple of years.

Ward now has a huge job on his hands.

But at least he’s coming into it knowing exactly where he is.

There’s another reason I think this appointment is interesting.

Liverpool have gone through several sporting directors in a relatively short period of time.

Ward.

Jörg Schmadtke.

Richard Hughes.

And before them, Edwards.

The Guardian noted that Liverpool were looking for their fourth sporting director in four years following Hughes’ departure.

That’s not ideal.

Football clubs need continuity.

A sporting director shouldn’t be somebody who arrives, changes everything and then disappears before the long-term plan has had time to develop.

That’s why Ward’s return feels different to me.

He already understands the long-term picture.

He knows FSG.

He knows Liverpool.

He knows the recruitment department.

And he knows what it is like to work within the club’s football structure.

I don’t expect him to suddenly come in and start making ten new signings.

In fact, I hope he doesn’t.

What I want to see is a much clearer long-term plan.

Who are Liverpool buying?

Why are they buying them?

Which positions are priorities?

Which young players are ready to step up?

Which players need new contracts?

And which players simply aren’t good enough anymore?

Those decisions matter just as much as signing the next £100m player.

For me, this is the really interesting part of Julian Ward coming back.

It isn’t about nostalgia.

It isn’t about saying everything was better when he was here before.

It’s about stability.

Liverpool have had an awful lot of change behind the scenes recently.

Now they have somebody back in a very important position who already knows the club inside out.

And perhaps that is exactly what they need.

I don’t know whether Julian Ward will turn out to be the man who takes Liverpool’s recruitment to another level.

Nobody knows that yet.

But I do know this.

Liverpool have brought back somebody who understands the club, understands recruitment and already knows the environment he is walking into.

After everything that has happened behind the scenes, that could prove to be far more important than it first appears.

And I’m very interested to see what Liverpool’s next chapter looks like with Julian Ward helping to write it.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

I don’t think we really know how good this Liverpool team is yet.

And, to be honest, I’m not sure even Andoni Iraola knows.

Liverpool have made an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, with two wins and three draws leaving them on nine points from their opening five games. There have been things to like, particularly the improvement at the back, but there have also been plenty of moments when the team has looked like one that is still trying to work itself out.

That’s understandable.

This is a new manager, a new system and a squad that has gone through a huge amount of change.

But now comes the interesting part.

Liverpool’s next Premier League game is at home to Manchester City on October 11, followed by trips to Brentford and then Brighton before Arsenal come to Anfield on November 1.

That’s a very different test from what we’ve seen so far.

And I think these games are going to tell us an awful lot about where Liverpool actually stand.

The Manchester City game is the obvious one.

I’m not going to pretend that one result will suddenly tell us whether Iraola is going to be a success at Liverpool. It won’t.

But it will give us a much better idea of how this team copes when it is put under serious pressure.

Liverpool have looked increasingly difficult to break down. We’ve seen Alisson making important saves, Virgil van Dijk leading the defence and Jérémy Jacquet looking increasingly comfortable alongside him. Ronald Araújo has also given the back line another physical and defensive option.

The three consecutive Premier League clean sheets going into the international break were particularly encouraging.

That’s something I didn’t expect to be saying quite so early.

The other side of it is that Liverpool still haven’t completely convinced me going forward.

There have been flashes.

Alexander Isak has already scored four Premier League goals and his winner at Bournemouth showed exactly why Liverpool wanted him. Cody Gakpo’s involvement in that goal was also another reminder that there is plenty of quality in this attack.

But I still feel as though we’re waiting for the whole thing to click.

That’s the bit I’m most interested in seeing against City.

Can Liverpool’s attacking players cause problems against one of the strongest sides in the league?

Can Wirtz find the space to influence games?

Can Isak get enough service?

Can Gakpo continue the excellent form he has shown at times?

And, perhaps most importantly, can the midfield give Liverpool enough control?

Because that’s where I think Iraola still has some decisions to make.

There have been plenty of discussions about the midfield balance already, and I don’t think those questions are going away. Liverpool have quality there, but the manager is still working out which combinations give the team the best balance between creativity, control and defensive protection.

That’s normal for a new manager.

But at some point, you have to settle on your best team.

I also think the next few weeks could tell us something about some of the players who haven’t completely convinced.

I’ve been critical of Florian Wirtz myself because I expected more from him, but I’m certainly not writing him off. The talent is obvious. What Liverpool need to find is a way of getting that talent consistently involved in games.

The same applies to some of the other summer signings.

This is why I’m not particularly worried about Liverpool not looking like the finished article yet.

I’d actually be more worried if we were five games into a new manager’s reign and there was no sign of what he wanted to do.

There are signs.

The defence looks better.

Isak is scoring.

Gakpo looks important.

Jacquet looks like he belongs.

Araújo has been excellent.

And Liverpool are still unbeaten.

That’s a pretty decent foundation.

But nobody should pretend that everything is perfect.

Liverpool have nine points from their first five games and already find themselves six points behind Manchester City.

That’s why the City game is fascinating.

Liverpool don’t necessarily need to beat City to prove anything to me.

What I want to see is a Liverpool side that looks capable of going toe-to-toe with them.

I want to see whether the defensive improvement is real.

I want to see whether Iraola’s attacking ideas are beginning to take shape.

I want to see whether the midfield can cope.

And I want to see whether the big-money attacking players can produce when the level goes up.

Then comes Brentford.

Then Brighton.

Then Arsenal.

So it’s not just one big game.

It’s a run of matches that will really start testing this Liverpool team.

And that’s why I think the next month could be more important for Iraola’s first season than the first five games have been.

The early weeks were always going to be about finding his feet.

Now he has to start finding his team.

I’m still expecting Liverpool to improve as the season goes on. I don’t think we’ve seen the best version of this side yet.

And that’s actually what excites me.

Because if Liverpool can tighten up defensively while eventually getting Isak, Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola and the rest of that attack firing together, this could become a very different-looking team.

But we need to see it against the best.

Manchester City will be the first proper test.

Arsenal won’t be far behind.

And the matches in between won’t exactly be easy either.

So, after all the changes, all the new faces and all the talk about what Iraola wants Liverpool to become, we’re about to get a much clearer answer.

Liverpool are about to find out exactly where they stand.

Jamie (The Kopite View)