Liverpool Round-Up, Friday 13th November: Murphy Warns Wirtz Could Be Axed as Szoboszlai and Barcola Make International Headlines
International week has brought plenty of talking points for Liverpool fans, with Dominik Szoboszlai's knee the main concern. The midfielder trained in the open with Hungary ahead of their Nations League trip to Georgia, despite picking up a knee sprain in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, and he was seen wearing strapping during the session, with Hungary's coaching staff making their own call on his involvement (Liverpool Echo) (Football365) (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield).
France endured a rough night against Italy, losing 3-1 under Zinedine Zidane, with Liverpool's Bradley Barcola deployed up front once again as he continues to search for his best form this season (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo). Zidane publicly backed Barcola afterwards, insisting he must not panic despite the unpopular selection call, while Jeremy Jacquet also struggled on a difficult evening that French media were united in criticising (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo).
Back on domestic matters, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has suggested Andoni Iraola will eventually be forced into a tough decision over Florian Wirtz, raising concerns about the German's performances and even suggesting he is not currently warranting his place (Football365) (TeamTalk). That view was echoed elsewhere, with calls renewed for Wirtz to be dropped after his displays were branded unacceptable by a former Red, even though the playmaker has shown some improved form of late (Liverpool.com). Wirtz himself, though, has spoken about the influence Jurgen Klopp still has on him, revealing he messages the former Liverpool boss and draws confidence from his continued interest in his Anfield career (Liverpool Echo).
There was happier reading on the kids coming through at Liverpool. Rio Ngumoha featured for England as they set up a "winner takes all" clash with Victor Munoz's Spain (This Is Anfield), and in a string of interviews he discussed his fearless approach and versatility (LiverpoolFC.com), as well as revealing the key advice Mohamed Salah passed on to him during their time together at Liverpool (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com). Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah also predicted big things for Ngumoha after what he has seen of him in training (Liverpool Echo). Elsewhere in the academy, Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni surprised pupils at Maghull High School as part of an LFC Foundation 'Onside' session (LiverpoolFC.com), while Liverpool's U18s thrashed Salford City 6-1 in a friendly (LiverpoolFC.com).
On the loan front, Ronald Araujo has outlined what he needs to make his season-long move from Barcelona a success, saying he prepared himself for the challenge and has his sights set on winning silverware with Liverpool (Liverpool Echo).
Transfer chatter was steady without much concrete movement. This Is Anfield reported a Premier League move for a centre-back was rejected, with the player described as "not a priority" for Liverpool (This Is Anfield), while Tarik Muharemovic spoke of a Liverpool "dream" after Gary Neville made a prediction about his future (Liverpool.com). Brighton are said to have set a high price to ward off Liverpool interest in one of their players, and Liverpool have been credited with showing fresh interest in Monaco's Lamine Camara following his move to Chelsea collapsing in the summer (Liverpool.com). There was also talk of Liverpool joining Manchester United and Manchester City in the race for a French goalkeeper valued at £35million (Sports Mole), and reports describing Liverpool's teenage signing Djylian N'Guessan from Saint-Etienne as potentially influencing Will Wright's loan situation in January (Liverpool.com). A separate Blood Red column argued Liverpool don't need a marquee £100million centre-back but still face three big defensive decisions (Liverpool Echo), while another rumoured incoming was dismissed, albeit with a fan-pleasing alternative still possible (TeamTalk).
Contract situations are also rumbling on. Alisson Becker's future was discussed by a former Liverpool player amid his contract expiring next summer (Liverpool.com), while Alexis Mac Allister's father gave an update on his son's Liverpool contract talks amid uncertainty over a renewal (Goal). Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, has been nominated for a prestigious award recognising his impact off the pitch (Liverpool.com).
Looking ahead to the Premier League, Liverpool will host Manchester United on Sunday 22 November, and that fixture dominated headlines surrounding Old Trafford's managerial change. United have confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach from November 18, with his first game in charge coming away at Anfield, succeeding Michael Carrick (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). Carrick issued a heartfelt statement after his dismissal, calling the chance to manage United an "immense privilege" (Liverpool.com), while This Is Anfield suggested the delay in Pochettino's arrival has left United's preparations for the Liverpool clash in chaos (This Is Anfield).
Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk was linked with a free transfer to AC Milan, with the Italian club's owner reportedly "crazy" about the Liverpool captain (This Is Anfield) (Goal). There was also a nostalgic look back from Duncan Ferguson, who revealed Everton's plan to sign Andy Robertson before he joined Liverpool (Liverpool.com), and Trent Alexander-Arnold was given advice on his "ideal" next club amid ongoing speculation about a return to Anfield from Real Madrid (Liverpool.com). Former Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, now at Inter Milan, reflected on his exit, insisting "I've always been a Liverpool boy" (This Is Anfield).
On the women's side, Liverpool Women head to Brighton on Saturday 14 November in the Women's Super League, having bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal with a strong 4-1 League Cup win over Aston Villa in midweek.
Finally, Manchester City's appeal over financial breaches has been given a date, with Liverpool and other clubs still waiting to learn when any punishment might be handed down, expected to be addressed next year (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). Away from the pitch, Anfield's new £2.5million outdoor spa opens to the public this weekend (Liverpool Echo), and a wider piece examined why Liverpool have been thriving away from home while finding life tougher at Anfield itself this season (This Is Anfield).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
