Liverpool news: Iraola's squad plans, Szoboszlai worries and a Pochettino reunion at Anfield

The sporting director is the story of the week. Julian Ward has reportedly settled on a plan for one of Liverpool's outstanding performers, with a separate report putting a £45m agreement on a timeline that will keep supporters waiting a little longer before anything is confirmed.

Chelsea, it is claimed, genuinely fear the Reds will take one of their stars, and there is said to be growing belief at Anfield about an Arsenal player becoming available. Anfield Watch also argues that a long-term target is now ready to join and that Iraola's next signing is obvious enough to call.

One report goes further still: one of the world's best has already chosen Liverpool, with the club free to strike a deal whenever it wants. Whether that is one story dressed up five ways or five threads of the same push, the intent is unmistakable.

Szoboszlai turned his ankle in Sunday's 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park. Iraola could not say after the game whether the midfielder would travel, and the answer turned out to be yes: he is with Hungary regardless. The injury has not been described as serious, which is the only reassuring line in the story.

Aldridge does not find the handling reassuring at all, asking why Liverpool were not more assertive about pulling a key player out of duty, and warning that the decision could backfire. Echo's round-up of the break adds that an injured trio is waiting anxiously while 15 players stay at the AXA Training Centre to work.

One academy note cuts the other way: Josh Abe came back from injury and scored for England almost immediately.

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has come to a firm conclusion on the defeat to Arsenal: Jurrien Timber's pull on Alexander Isak's shirt, five minutes after Kai Havertz scored the only goal at Anfield, should have brought a penalty. It changes no points, and that is the frustration.

Arsenal left with the win and Liverpool spent the international break reading a verdict they already believed. Alongside that, This Is Anfield has turned its analytical eye on Alisson, arguing that his distribution is slowing the build-up and giving opponents time to set. It is a fair debate and a loaded one.

A goalkeeper who has won everything is being asked to play a different game, and the numbers do not flatter him so far.

Bart Verbruggen has answered the speculation linking him with Liverpool, and he did it with the phrase 'a real shame' attached to the idea of leaving Brighton, which is not quite a no. The timing is not accidental.

Alisson has been left out of Brazil's squad again as Carlo Ancelotti tests younger options in the upcoming friendlies, and the goalkeeper has said plainly that the decision is against his will. Two stories, one question: how long does the club's goalkeeping succession stay theoretical?

Alisson remains the number one and remains hurt by his national team. Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman are on the books and watched closely. Iraola has not been asked to rule on any of it yet, but the noise will follow him back after the break.

Lewis Koumas has played his way into Iraola's team and is not being shy about what it means. He made his mind up about the manager before Iraola had even arrived, according to the interviews, and now says simply that he always wants to play for Liverpool.

The timing is good, because the next fixture has just acquired a new shape: Mauricio Pochettino is expected to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United, with his first game in charge coming against the Reds at Anfield.

Liverpool's own website is running a vote on the best Premier League home wins over United, which is the sort of thing supporters do when they are confident. The other result worth a mention: Dirk Kuyt has lost the Fenerbahce job days after his side came from 3-2 down to beat Liverpool in the Champions League.

Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, has been reflecting on his form under Jurgen Klopp at an Adidas farewell event, and left the old manager without much to say.

Will Wright has 13 goals in all competitions at academy level this season, and Paul Gorst's assessment puts him closer to the first team than the raw numbers alone would suggest. Iraola is finding him hard to ignore, which is the phrase that matters.

Elsewhere, the club is monitoring a wing-back and has made contact over Scott, according to the morning round-up. Then there is Endrick, whose proposed move to Liverpool has supposedly been given fresh life by developments at Real Madrid, though that one reads more like hope than reporting.

The pattern across all of it is a squad being prepared for change in January rather than admired as it stands.