Liverpool are hoping to shake off their Premier League struggles by maintaining a strong performance in the Champions League. Currently, the Reds find themselves in a mid-table position in the league with an equal number of wins and losses, six each, under the management of Arne Slot. Their recent 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest has only deepened fans’ concerns about the team’s form, particularly after Alexander Isak was substituted for Federico Chiesa just 68 minutes into the game.

Isak, who holds the record for the highest British transfer fee ever, has so far failed to live up to expectations, leaving supporters eager for a turnaround in fortunes. However, Liverpool have fared better in Europe, boasting three victories and a single loss, which has secured them a spot in the upper half of the Champions League table. A clash with PSV is on the horizon, and Slot is keen for his squad to regain their form before the fixture list becomes even more packed.

For all the latest news from Anfield, Express Sport has you covered…

Secret meeting with Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp has disclosed that he held a clandestine meeting with Liverpool prior to Brendan Rodgers’ dismissal in 2015. With current manager Slot facing criticism due to recent performances, fans might be speculating if similar behind-the-scenes manoeuvres are already underway.

Rodgers was under significant pressure at the time, with the club languishing in 10th place – one spot above their current standing – leading to his sacking in October 2015. Klopp took over the reins four days later, revealing that discussions had been ongoing for several weeks prior to Rodgers’ departure.

He said: “The first meeting was in New York, that’s true. But the first phone call with Mike was before that, three days before I don’t know.

“It was a nice day, I remember that. I think I was in bed still. I had nothing to do. I had time off. I knew that Mike, or someone, from FSG was going to call. I didn’t know Mike at that point. But we had one hour on the phone.

“I obviously convinced him in a way that he wanted to meet in New York to bring the deal over the line. Pretty much that’s how it started.”

Liverpool legend concerned about key duo.

Graeme Souness has expressed serious worries regarding Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, claiming their decline in performance is significantly impacting the team’s overall condition. At this stage last campaign, Salah had already netted 11 times and provided six assists, earning early recognition for potential Ballon d’Or consideration.

This term, the Egyptian has managed just four goals and two assists, representing a marked deterioration in his attacking output. Meanwhile, Van Dijk has seen 24 goals fly past him across all competitions and appears unusually vulnerable at the centre of defence.

Anfield legend Souness shares these concerns about the pair alongside the squad’s general structure. Speaking exclusively to the Echo, he said: “For the rest of the squad, they’re conceding goals that they don’t normally.

“Virgil van Dijk is now 34 and he made two mistakes in the Community Shield final – he was at fault for both goals just by being six inches too late. There is no doubt about it, at 34 the decline has started – he is still a wonderful player, but he will be on that slope and the same with Mohamed Salah – that worries me.”