Liverpool news: Szoboszlai worry, January plans and Pochettino's Old Trafford move

Dominik Szoboszlai sprained his knee in the first half of Liverpool's 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace last weekend and, remarkably, stayed on until the 69th minute before Iraola pulled him.

He has now reported to Hungary for their November Nations League fixtures carrying that sprain, and the call over whether he features is being described as a genuine worry in the camp.

A former Hungary captain has publicly criticised Iraola for his handling of the midfielder, framing the coach as 'sobbing' about the situation rather than protecting his player — a jab that will not sit well on Merseyside.

The wider question is where Szoboszlai fits once he is fit, with the midfield already crowded by Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones' old role now filled elsewhere.

Michael Carrick's departure from Manchester United has cleared the way for Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to be confirmed shortly after his spell with the United States national team.

The timing is awkward for Liverpool: Pochettino's likely first game in charge falls around the Anfield meeting, and teams almost always get a short lift from a change in the dugout.

United were already going to arrive with something to prove after a poor run; now they arrive with a new voice and a manager who knows how to organise a side for a one-off away day. Iraola's preparation has to account for a United that may look nothing like the one his staff have been studying for weeks.

The ECHO's fans' jury used the international break to weigh up Iraola's opening months and came back with a case for more to come rather than alarm.

Their argument rests on the shape of the side rather than the points total: a defence that is settling, a midfield still learning each other, and a front line that has been productive without being fluent for a full ninety.

Barcola's adaptation has been the standout, and his numbers since the £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain are tracking closely to how Iraola's own first weeks at the club looked.

The honest read is that this team is ahead of schedule in some areas and behind in others, which is roughly what a first season under a new coach should look like.

Chelsea have reportedly told Malo Gusto he is free to leave, which matters at Anfield because Liverpool have tracked the 23-year-old right-back for two years and enquired about him during the summer.

The right side has been unstable since Trent Alexander-Arnold left 18 months ago and Conor Bradley went down with a serious knee injury, and Jeremie Frimpong's availability has not fully solved it.

Midfield is the other queue: Alex Scott is being pursued, Lamine Camara has been floated, and Pedro Porro's name has come up in the ECHO's look at January priorities. Trey Nyoni, meanwhile, is in fresh contract talks, a sensible bit of housekeeping for a player the club rates.

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to tie Alexis Mac Allister down to a new contract, praise that followed the Argentine's goal at Crystal Palace and a run of performances that have made him the midfield's most reliable voice.

Gerrard's support carries weight with the Kop, and the club would be wise to move before the January window turns his situation into a story.

Elsewhere Curtis Jones has spoken about leaving for Internazionale, saying the desire to win trophies drove the decision and describing his signing day as 'truly crazy' — a farewell that reads more warmly than most.

Ronald Araujo has said plainly that he is not content with his own form since arriving, calling that dissatisfaction one of his personality traits rather than a crisis. It is the sort of comment a dressing room respects, and it sits alongside Jeremy Jacquet's quietly impressive start at centre-back.

Giovanni Leoni, meanwhile, has been backed for a future in the Italy setup. The loveliest item of the week is James Milner, confirmed on Thursday to pull on the Liverpool shirt again for the LFC Legends charity match in 2027 — the vice-captain of the Klopp era returning to a place he called 'a special place'.