Liverpool are entering the final straight of a season that hasn’t quite gone to plan but there’s still plenty to play for between now and May.
Champions League qualification is the bare minimum. Progress in the FA Cup and a deep run in Europe? That’s the dream.
Our Chief Liverpool Correspondent Ian Doyle has been fielding YOUR burning questions on the goings on at Anfield. And there’s some proper nuggets in here.
MAC ALLISTER EXIT FEARS
Alexis Mac Allister leaving? Doyle has “long had a hunch” the Argentine could be off, with Real Madrid his most likely destination .
The World Cup winner’s form has dipped this season, which has quietened the chatter. But here’s the worry: it’s a World Cup year. If Mac Allister has a good one with Argentina, Real will come sniffing .
With two years left on his deal, if a new contract isn’t agreed and a big offer lands, Liverpool have a decision to make .
“I would rather Mac Allister didn’t leave,” says Doyle. “At his best he’s a fantastic player and in the long term could link very well with Florian Wirtz. He’d be a difficult one to replace.”
ALISSON’S FUTURE
Reports from Italy suggest Juventus are keen on Alisson Becker. So could he go?
Doyle admits the Brazilian has become “a little more tentative with distribution” understandable given his ongoing hamstring problems . For a team that plays out from the back, that’s an issue. Notice how he doesn’t take goal kicks as often these days?
Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed as the long term replacement and has already shown he’s more than capable . But he’s not operating in Alisson’s rarefied air just yet.
“If Liverpool receive a big offer in the summer, they’ll have some thinking to do. I’d rather he stayed, though. At least for one more year.”
THE GUEHI SITUATION
Marc Guehi to City in January stung. Liverpool had waited all season to get him on a free, only for the Etihad moneybags to gazump them mid window .
Why didn’t the Reds act in January? Simple, Guehi didn’t want to come . City’s centre back injury crisis meant they pounced with an offer the player “found too good to turn down financially and from a footballing perspective.”
Liverpool have already signed Jeremy Jacquet for the summer. They knew centre back needed strengthening.
HARRY WILSON SALAH REPLACEMENT?
This is an interesting one. Wilson’s out of contract at Fulham in the summer. Free transfer. Premier League proven. Knows the club.
“Would you take him as a squad option? Absolutely,” says Doyle. “He knows the club and has plentiful experience.”
But as a direct Salah replacement? No chance. That job goes to someone else. The real question is whether Wilson, now 29, would want to return to being a squad player after being a top flight regular since leaving in 2021 .
CURTIS JONES THE DIVISIVE ONE
One fan wasn’t holding back: “Curtis Jones… not for me. He disappears, can’t tackle, too long on the ball.”
Doyle’s response? Firm disagreement.
“Jones is an excellent footballer and Liverpool are probably the best team for his talents to flourish. Perhaps he’s hampered by being so versatile, although that variety has helped him rack up more than 200 appearances.”
The bottom line? “His team mates know his qualities. Jones will always be divisive because he came through the Academy and didn’t cost a huge fee.”
ANTHONY GORDON?
Any truth in the rumours? Newcastle selling anyone to Liverpool in the foreseeable future is about as likely as “everyone agreeing VAR is a fine introduction and continues to work flawlessly.”
Make of that what you will.
