Liverpool news: Barcola fitness worry, Szoboszlai setback and a midfield reborn

Liverpool beat Villarreal 4-3 after a shaky start, with Rafa Benitez the first to spot the change Andoni Iraola made before half-time. The Reds escaped an awkward opening and found enough to take the points.

It was the sort of win that keeps momentum going, but it also underlined how much Iraola is having to solve problems on the fly. The performance will be remembered for the comeback more than the control.

Bradley Barcola was a notable absentee from full Liverpool training on Thursday and trained alone at the AXA Centre, though injury fears have been played down by a reliable reporter. Victor Munoz also missed training, while Jeremie Frimpong is among the players currently sidelined.

Dominik Szoboszlai is unlikely to return immediately and could miss three important fixtures, including Premier League games against Brighton and Arsenal. Andoni Iraola is without several first-team regulars, so the squad's depth is being tested at a busy point in the season.

Bradley Barcola has been challenged to raise his level mentally if he is to become a £123m Liverpool success after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in late August. Chelsea have reportedly taken the first step towards a bombshell deal for a Liverpool star, with the move said to come at Xabi Alonso's request.

Liverpool are also set to meet with Ifeanyi Ndukwe's agents to discuss a potential January recall. The mix of pressure on a new signing and interest from rivals shows how quickly the squad picture can change.

Liverpool are reportedly considered front-runners to sign a wantaway Premier League midfielder, with reports pointing towards Andoni Iraola potentially turning to his former club Bournemouth for Alex Scott.

Lamine Camara continues to be linked with a move to Anfield after his transfer to Chelsea was called off, with the Reds said to be getting the best player in France if a deal happens. Finn Jeltsch is another target, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid all circling the €50m-rated defender.

Jeremy Jacquet could also have competition, with Liverpool reportedly ready to sign the next Jacquet.

Liverpool FC has released 'Forever in our Hearts', a new biography celebrating the life, career and legacy of Diogo Jota. Andoni Iraola has also been praised for finding a genius solution after being handed several problems this season.

Jarell Quansah has addressed his Liverpool return as his Bayer Leverkusen future comes into focus. Alexis Mac Allister's legs were said to have gone, but the piece asks what changed for Liverpool's best midfielder.

The LFC Foundation has seen a 65 per cent increase in the number of people it helped both locally and globally last season. All Red members also have the chance to win a bundle of LFC prizes worth more than £5,000.

Liverpool are set for a key meeting over Ifeanyi Ndukwe, with the club reportedly re-entering the race for an incredible defender. Rio Ngumoha and Trent Alexander-Arnold are said to share the same ambition, with Ngumoha told how he could beat the former Red to it.

One opinion piece argues there is another Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool and that he is incredible. The Guardian's Champions League review also noted that fans at Anfield were thrilled by Ngumoha after Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday.

The teenager's rise is becoming one of the brighter stories around the club, especially with senior players carrying fitness concerns. It is the kind of emergence that can change how Iraola plans the weeks ahead.