Liverpool will have to wait to respond to their horrific 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League in midweek.
After an inconsistent start to the Premier League season, the Reds would have been keen to put that behind them in a competition where they have thrived. However, it didn’t go to plan and they were crushed in Naples after a worrying display.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were due to take on Wolves in the league on Saturday, but all fixtures were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. That means their next fixture comes against Ajax on Tuesday. Ahead of that clash, Mirror Football takes a look at the biggest headlines coming out of Anfield.
Brighton prepare Caicedo response
Liverpool managed to land a midfielder in Arthur Melo on deadline day, but the long term future of Klopp’s engine room remains in question. It is heavily anticipated that the Reds will be back in the market for a long-term option next summer, having only landed Arthur on an initial loan.
Brighton ’s Moises Caicedo is one of the names linked with a move to Anfield after reports suggested he was being monitored throughout the summer window. Mirror Football understands that in response to speculation around the 20-year-old, the Seagulls are ready to hand him a new, bumper contract.
Departing Brighton boss Graham Potter claimed before the end of the window that the Ecuadorian was worth close to £100m, amid reports a £42m offer had been lodged. “You'd probably get his boots for that from the chairman - maybe! £100m? They can try. It doesn't surprise me that people are looking at him because he is playing at a fantastic level.”
Firmino’s Carvalho admission
One player who did come through the doors during the summer transfer window was Fabio Carvalho. The exciting forward signed on the dotted line after his Cottagers contract expired.
And the Portuguese has shown why there is so much excitement about his talent, scoring a dramatic late winner vs Newcastle last month.
And Firmino admits that he’s a massive fan of his new team-mate, having kept a close ete on him before he arrived. "He’s a great player," he told Eleven Sports, as relayed by Noticias ao Minuto. "I confess that I had already watched some of his games before coming to Liverpool, so I was already impressed by the way he played. He’s a craque, he’s a great player and now he’s also a very close friend.”
Only a matter of time
Kop hero Dirk Kuyt is confident that Klopp will get it right again at Liverpool and has warned Ajax that it could come as soon as Tuesday night. The Reds need a positive result at Anfield, having lost the first game of the groups to Napoli.
And Kuyt thinks the upturn in form could start against the Dutch champions: “If the club is having a bad time, like this period, the crowd often creates an atmosphere of invincibility. I would be very surprised if Ajax can play well against Liverpool under that intense pressure.”
He added: “Liverpool have trouble with teams who play with fast attackers on the counter. I don't see Ajax adapting in that way. I expect an open game and because of the present attacking qualities, a game full of goals. I think of a 3-1 or 4-2 win for Liverpool.”
