A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as the Reds decide if Alisson Becker returns from injury at Southampton and Richard Hughes orders scouts to watch a left-back.
Gary Neville names Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch as his ‘biggest surprise’
Manchester United hero Gary Neville has selected Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as his ‘biggest surprise’ in the Premier League so far this term. The 22-year-old has been a vital player under Arne Slot at Anfield to help the Reds top the standings after the first 11 games.
Slot has trusted Gravenberch to lock down Liverpool’s engine room in each top-flight fixture he has yet overseen. It comes in stark contrast to the Dutchman’s days on the fringes under Jurgen Klopp last season, having only started in 12 games after joining from Bayern Munich.
Gravenberch featured in a total of 26 Premier League games in 2023/24, during which Klopp also favoured a more advanced role than Slot has allocated since becoming Liverpool’s head coach. The new role has worked wonders, with Gravenberch a stand-out surprise for Neville.
“I am going Gravenberch for the biggest surprise for me because of how he’s played and the position he has played,” Neville said on Stick To Football.
Read more about what Neville has had to say about Liverpool midfielder Gravenberch, here.
Fabrizio Romano issues update on Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez transfer interest
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is driving the Anfield outfit’s interest in a transfer for AFC Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez. That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who says that Manchester United also like the left-back Hughes knows well from his tenure at Dean Court.
Hughes and the transfer team on Merseyside are still weighing up whether or not to make a move for Kerkez. But Liverpool admire what the 21-year-old has offered on the south coast, providing coach Andoni Iraola a driving force from the flank who has two assists this season.
Scouts are continually keeping tabs on Kerkez as Liverpool mull strengthening their left-back options beyond Andy Robertson plus Kostas Tsimikas. The 21-cap Hungary international has a long-term contract with the Cherries having signed up for years whilst joining in July 2023.
Read more about what Romano has said about Liverpool’s interest in Kerkez’s transfer, here.
Alisson Becker in line to return from injury for Liverpool at Southampton
Alisson Becker is in line to return from his hamstring injury and potentially start for Liverpool away to Southampton on Sunday. The goalkeeper has not featured since the Reds took a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on October 5 but has ‘every chance’ to take to the pitch at St Mary’s.
That is according to David Lynch, who reports that Alisson will likely start at Southampton if Liverpool believe the 31-year-old has fully recovered from a muscular injury. But if there are still any doubts about his fitness, boss Arne Slot will rely on Caoimhin Kelleher to start again.
Slot is considering recalling Alisson on the south coast after the Brazil star stepped up his bid to return to full fitness in the November international break. He spent the gap in domestic duty working hard with head of rehab physiotherapy, Lee Nobes, at the AXA Training Centre.
Read more about the latest update on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson’s hamstring injury, here.
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