1–6 October 2026
Right. Sunday, half four. The league leaders come to Anfield a week after being found guilty on 114 charges. You couldn’t write it.
Klopp’s not waiting on any trophies in the post, mind. He says he’s fine with what we won on the pitch and he’ll wait and see. Class, that. And Aldridge reckons Gakpo dodged a bullet when we knocked back City’s £80m in the summer. Imagine signing for them in August and finding out you’re off to the Championship by Christmas.
Who’s fit?
Nobody knows yet. That’s the honest answer. Isak and Gakpo are both being assessed at Kirkby, Isak’s thigh is meant to be minor, and Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni and Chiesa are all out. Aldridge says lose either of the two and we’re in bother. Hard to argue.
The Echo’s floated Wirtz as a false nine if the worst happens. Press their build-up, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Mac Allister behind him. The other shout is Koumas. He scored for Wales against Norway and Iraola calls his work ethic contagious. Big ask at 21 against that lot, though.
At least the back’s sorted. Three clean sheets on the bounce, first time since August 2024, and Araujo’s been a revelation at right-back. A centre-half. Playing full-back. Who knew.
Wirtz, again
Different week, same lad. He wore the armband for Germany against Greece after scoring and setting one up against Serbia. Matthäus says the press have been unfair on him. Bierhoff reckons he’d be better off at Barcelona. Thanks for that, Oliver.
Wirtz himself put his Germany game down to the lads around him never stopping running. Read that how you like. Sounds like a job for Iraola.
Barcola’s the one nobody’s shouting about. Nine games for club and country without a goal or an assist. For that money.
Our Rio
Eighteen and England’s third-youngest competitive debutant, behind Rooney and Bellingham. Tuchel says he’s decisive. And Salah’s parting advice to him was simple: add the goals and assists. He’s got two and one in 35. Get listening, son.
Meanwhile his new contract’s still not done. Get it signed, Julian.
The captain
Ward’s got a bigger one on his desk. Van Dijk says nobody’s spoken to him about a new deal. Aldridge thinks he’s going and wants Quansah back on the buy-back clause. Heskey reckons Madrid will turn his head. And Madrid are apparently sniffing round Quansah an’ all, because Trent can’t get a game. Funny old world.
Where it stands
Last week we said we’d tell you which was which. Ward’s done and dusted. Isak and Gakpo are still on the physio table. Leoni’s as close as we said he was.
On him: Gazzetta say Juventus asked to take him on loan and got told no. Good.
Frimpong’s the one to watch. A Spanish journalist reckons he’s open to Barcelona for about €35m, and CaughtOffside say we’re keeping tabs on Kayode at Brentford. Nothing’s been said by anyone official, so it’s a rumour till it isn’t.
Bernal at Barcelona and Scott at Bournemouth are summer stuff at the earliest. We’ll keep an eye.
Same time next week. Hopefully with three points against City in the bag.
AI-assisted, edited by Warren Kirk.