Liverpool Week in Review, Monday 12th October: Man City Hand Iraola First Anfield Defeat as Injuries and Red Card Pile on the Pain
It was the week the Premier League's guilty verdict on Manchester City finally met the fixture list, and the build-up dominated the agenda before a chastening Anfield afternoon. Man City arrived for their first game since being found guilty on the majority of their 115 charges, with pundits and fans alike debating what punishment should follow (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com) (The Guardian) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo). Jamie Carragher gave his verdict on the possible sanctions and what City's players might do if relegation were confirmed (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com), while Gary Neville and Carragher also discussed how Jurgen Klopp might have approached the occasion (Liverpool.com). Liverpool were warned about how fans should react given the "hot" reception expected for the visitors (Liverpool.com) (BBC Sport) (BBC Sport), with inflatable bananas among the more light-hearted talking points from the City end (Liverpool.com). Andoni Iraola said he wanted his side to "hurt" City and predicted a fired-up Anfield (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com), while Enzo Maresca spoke to his players before the game and addressed the appeal process and Anfield atmosphere afterwards (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool Echo).
The match itself ended in a heavy 3-0 defeat for Liverpool, with Manchester City making what Sky Sports described as a "defiant statement" on their first outing since the verdict (Sky Sports) (LiverpoolFC.com). Jeremy Doku was singled out as City's "big star", coming off the bench to help turn the game, including a strike described as "a gem" that doubled the visitors' lead (Sky Sports) (BBC Sport). Liverpool also had to play with ten men after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off, a decision Iraola said he "didn't like" (BBC Sport). Gary Neville called the win "damaging" for the Premier League given the backdrop of City's charges (Liverpool.com), while BBC Sport reflected on Liverpool's wider struggles at Anfield under Iraola, who is still waiting for a first league win there (BBC Sport). Florian Wirtz again came in for scrutiny, with Jamie Carragher doubling down on his criticism and making a direct plea to Iraola (Liverpool.com), and former Reds man Jermaine Pennant comparing Wirtz's recent form to Darwin Nunez, while hoping he's wrong (Liverpool.com). Fans also made their feelings known towards City's players late in the game following the guilty verdict (Liverpool.com).
Injuries overshadowed preparations all week. Iraola confirmed a "major double injury blow" with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both affected after the international break (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool Echo), and training pictures were pored over for clues on their fitness (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com). With a recognised striker in short supply, Lewis Koumas emerged as a possible option after an agreement was reportedly reached, and Liverpool were expected to field a new-look side against City (TeamTalk) (Liverpool.com). Liverpool.com also noted the club could be in line for a FIFA compensation windfall given the scale of their injury problems (Liverpool.com). Elsewhere, Milos Kerkez was released early by Hungary and missed their final game of the break (Liverpool.com), and youngster Amara Nallo had his loan at HJK Helsinki cancelled after suffering a leg injury (Liverpool Echo).
On the international front, Virgil van Dijk hit a milestone with a fourth start for the Netherlands in 11 days and spoke emotionally afterwards, with This Is Anfield noting comments that hinted at thoughts of an eventual exit down the line (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (This Is Anfield). Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, was left out completely by Xavi in what was described as a worrying start to the season for the full-back (This Is Anfield). Liverpool FC's own channel rounded up the wider international picture, including a penalty save from Mamardashvili and five Reds in action (LiverpoolFC.com), plus Nations League wins and a first U21 debut among the club's contingent (LiverpoolFC.com). BBC Sport also reported on Cardiff loanee Calum Scanlon's reaction to Lewis Koumas' impressive form for Wales (BBC Sport).
On the transfer front, Liverpool were said to have made contact over Alex Scott, though rivals are reportedly leading the race (This Is Anfield). Michael Olise has apparently asked for an exit clause in a new Bayern Munich contract, with Liverpool said to be on alert given his previous links to the club (Liverpool.com). Liverpool were also reported to be eyeing a potential double swoop for Premier League stars in a deal worth $151 million (Liverpool.com), while TeamTalk said the club has joined a growing queue of suitors for Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert amid interest from Manchester United (TeamTalk), and also reported interest in a 15-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt playmaker (TeamTalk). Elsewhere, former Red Jarell Quansah continues to be linked with a Premier League return amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, with his transfer clause explained (Liverpool.com), and Mexico wonderkid Gilberto Mora was again mentioned as a target (Liverpool Echo). On a more settled note, the Liverpool Echo reflected on how a £52million transfer U-turn over Jeremy Jacquet has worked out well for the club (Liverpool Echo).
Away from the pitch, This Is Anfield explained the club's ownership structure (This Is Anfield), while Arne Slot was confirmed as taking up a new role on a UEFA panel, his first job since leaving Liverpool (This Is Anfield). There was also reflection on Emlyn Hughes, with his children sharing memories of their father in an exclusive interview (Liverpool Echo), and a look at a Liverpool cult hero now overseeing a notable unbeaten run in his current role elsewhere (Liverpool Echo). On the women's side, the WSL confirmed three fixture changes for Liverpool in November (LiverpoolFC.com). Finally, Jamie Carragher found himself at the centre of a separate social media row with Piers Morgan over Cristiano Ronaldo, with Luis Suarez also dragged into the exchange (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com).
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