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Liverpool received a concerning injury update on Jeremy Jacquet, their upcoming summer signing from Rennes. The Reds secured the French centre-back in late January (in a deal reportedly worth around £60m with add-ons) to strengthen their defence for the next campaign.

Tragically, shortly after the agreement was made public, the 20-year-old sustained a severe shoulder injury that may necessitate surgery. A recent development suggests his return to action could be delayed significantly.

On Friday, French reporter Francois Rauzy shared Rennes’ team news ahead of their Ligue 1 match with Auxerre, posting (translated): “Kamara and Frankowski are unavailable, as is Jacquet, whose comeback before the season ends isn’t assured. Ongoing talks with Liverpool about Jacquet’s condition and the planned course of action for the centre-back.”

Should Jacquet fail to feature again this term, he’ll arrive at Anfield without competitive minutes since early February—far from ideal for a high-profile £60m acquisition aiming to make an instant contribution.

Recent examples, like Alexander Isak’s recovery period, show how long layoffs can slow a player’s integration. The positive aspect for Jacquet is that, even if the issue lingers beyond Ligue 1’s conclusion, he’ll have the early summer period to fully rehab.

Liverpool are eager for any required surgery to happen promptly, allowing him to arrive in England close to full fitness and ready to contribute immediately.

Given the defensive injury woes Arne Slot has navigated this season, he’ll be hoping the new arrival avoids prolonged absences similar to those of Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, or Giovanni Leoni.

Fingers crossed Jacquet can recover in time for a late-season appearance with Rennes. If not, let’s hope he’s in peak condition when he joins the Reds this summer.

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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career as the summer transfer window approaches, with AC Milan emerging as the frontrunners to secure his services.

Recent reports indicate that Liverpool are growing more inclined to sell the England international this summer, attracting interest from several prominent clubs.

With his current contract set to run until 2027—leaving just one year remaining by the end of the current season—the timing appears ideal for both the player and the club to part ways.

While some Liverpool supporters may hesitate to lose a dependable squad option, a refresh in Arne Slot’s defensive unit could be on the cards. A reliable source explained the club’s thinking: Liverpool aim to rebuild their backline around younger, more specialized defenders. Gomez is no longer considered essential but is viewed as a strong asset in the market. Given the 2027 expiry, the summer of 2026 represents the final prime window to command a meaningful fee.

Although Gomez has long accepted his role as a rotational player at Anfield, he now appears ready for a fresh challenge.

Despite rarely being a guaranteed starter for the Reds, he commands respect across the football world, drawing attention from top teams. While no formal discussions have taken place yet, clubs like Bayern Munich and AC Milan are known admirers.

Milan are widely regarded as the leaders in the race for the 28-year-old, whereas Bayern might only move if their primary targets fall through. Additional possibilities include West Ham and Brighton, both seeking Premier League-experienced defenders, though the Hammers’ chances would diminish significantly if they drop to the Championship.

Gomez’s expected wage demands hover around £4.5 million annually (roughly £85,000–£90,000 per week based on recent estimates), which could prove a hurdle—particularly considering his history of injuries—for clubs deciding whether to meet that level for his profile.

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The Dutch head coach has struggled to replicate the success of his debut campaign in the Premier League, with the Merseysiders trailing outside of the top five.Albeit, the reigning league champions are within touching distance of premium European spots, sitting two points behind Chelsea in fifth.Is Arne Slot’s job at Liverpool safe?Arne Slot looks on licking his lips.(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)There’s no question that Slot continues to hold some credit in the bank – thanks in no small part to his success in the 2024/25 season.However, that patience isn’t considered limitless, particularly if Liverpool should fail to hold down a Champions League spot.“For Arne Slot, the situation is quite clear: being in the Champions League next season is crucial for Liverpool,” Romano spoke on the Here We Go podcast.“It will also help Arne Slot arriving toward the end of the season in a more relaxed situation with the club. Otherwise, if Liverpool aren’t in the Champions League next season, let’s see what kind of Champions League campaign they’ll enjoy.“This could bring Liverpool into an important review for the summer. Now, the full focus is on the pitch, and the opportunity to win a trophy, of course, will be massive for Liverpool.“Then in the summer, a review of the club. Let’s see if Liverpool will be in Champions League next season or not, and this will be one of the factors to decide on Arne Slot.“So I expect the club at the end of the season to meet – owners, board, management, all together – to decide what they want to do.”The Reds’ recent form has shown signs of life as far as the club’s domestic hopes are concerned, with four wins secured from their last five games.Liverpool’s last five results (in all competitions)Liverpool 3-0 BrightonSunderland 0-1 LiverpoolLiverpool 1-2 Man CityLiverpool 4-1 NewcastleLiverpool 6-0 QarabagCould Xabi Alonso replace Arne Slot?As a former favoured son at Liverpool Football Club – and a supremely accomplished head coach at 44 years of age – it’s far from surprising that Xabi Alonso’s name continues to be linked with the club.Xabi Alonso’s managerial record113 wins36 draws25 defeats387 goals scored193 goals conceded2.17 points per game* Xabi Alonso’s managerial record across spells with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid (Transfermarkt)Whilst Fabrizio Romano stopped short of specifically suggesting that Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the Spaniard ahead of the summer, it appears the free agent is actively assessing his options.“It is true that Olympique Marseille, when Roberto De Zerbi decided to leave the club, tried to understand the situation of Xabi Alonso.“Some people at the board of Marseille wanted to understand if Xabi was ready for this opportunity to become Marseille manager now. But my understanding is that Alonso wants to wait and wants to return as soon as possible – that’s 100% confirmed and guaranteed. He’s not going to take a long break.“But now, Xabi Alonso is focused on different kinds of opportunities. He will wait for the managerial changes in the next months to understand if there could be the right opportunity.”It remains to be seen, for instance, if both Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola will remain in their respective roles at two of England’s most decorated clubs in the last decade.Arne Slot shakes hands with Man City head coach Pep Guardiola.(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)A domino effect elsewhere is certainly possible should Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany be tempted by the prospect of a switch to Manchester. This would see another intriguing vacancy open up for Alonso at another one of his former clubs, Bayern Munich.At any rate, the pressure is very much on for Liverpool’s head coach, who needs a minimum of Champions League qualification to guarantee any kind of safety this summer.

Liverpool’s injury situation is starting to evolve once more, and the most recent news on Alexander Isak has provided a much clearer picture of when Arne Slot could potentially utilize his club-record signing.

According to Paul Joyce in The Times, the 26-year-old Swedish forward is aiming to make his comeback around the end of next month, as he intensifies his rehabilitation from a fractured leg and ankle injury.

This timing is particularly relevant ahead of the upcoming Premier League away game at Nottingham Forest, as Liverpool’s fixture list remains packed while the team pushes to regain ground near the top of the standings.

In his comments on Isak’s recovery, Slot has been careful not to commit to a firm deadline, but the overall progress is evident.

“Alex has been out on the pitch this week—not in football boots, but in running shoes—for the first time,” Slot explained. The general target, drawing from both his remarks and Joyce’s reporting, points to Isak potentially rejoining the squad around the March international break, with a return to the group by late March or early April considered feasible barring any complications.

Slot emphasized that simply getting back on the pitch is just one stage: the Sweden star still needs to progress through ball work, integration with the team, and building match readiness.

“The next phase involves working with the ball… Then joining the group, and it takes time after that before you’re match-ready.”

The key positive for Liverpool fans is that Slot anticipates Isak being available at some point this season, keeping the possibility alive for the closing stages of the campaign.

“Let’s avoid setting a strict timeline, but it’s clear he’ll be available—if everything proceeds smoothly—this season.”

Isak’s early days at Liverpool have been disrupted and inconsistent, making it tough for him to find consistent form—a crucial factor when assessing his contributions so far. He missed a proper pre-season, had to regain fitness while settling into a new team, and then suffered the unforeseen broken leg in December.

Despite the interruptions, his stats in limited appearances show some impact, including a goal in his most recent outing before the injury, underscoring why this recovery phase is so important.

Slot also touched on the broader view: the club is yet to witness the peak version of the striker they signed, but there’s strong internal belief that fans will see it.

“Unfortunately for him and for us, we haven’t seen the best of Alex yet, but this club and our supporters will hopefully get to see the best version this season—and definitely in the years ahead.”

Assuming rehab stays on track, the focus is shifting from pure waiting to gradual reintegration, moving the discussion from optimism to concrete planning.

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According to Fabrizio Romano, Arne Slot’s role as Liverpool manager could be in jeopardy if the team misses out on qualification for the Champions League next season.

The Dutch coach has found it challenging to match the impressive performance from his first year in charge, with Liverpool currently positioned outside the Premier League’s top five.

That said, the defending champions remain close to securing a top European spot, trailing fifth-placed Chelsea by just two points. Slot still enjoys a degree of goodwill from his strong 2024/25 campaign.

However, that support has its limits—especially if the club ends up without Champions League football.

Romano explained on the Here We Go podcast: “For Arne Slot, the situation is quite clear: being in the Champions League next season is crucial for Liverpool.” He added that qualification would allow Slot to approach the end of the campaign with greater calm. Without it, the club might face a significant evaluation in the summer.

The focus right now is on the field, where winning a trophy would be huge for the team. Come summer, though, Liverpool’s owners, board, and management are expected to convene and assess the overall direction—including whether Slot remains in charge, with Champions League participation being a major factor.

Liverpool have shown recent improvement domestically, picking up four victories in their last five matches.

Given his status as a former Liverpool favorite and a highly regarded 44-year-old coach, it’s no surprise that Xabi Alonso’s name keeps surfacing in connection with the club. While Romano didn’t explicitly state that Liverpool are monitoring Alonso closely for the summer, the Spaniard—who is currently without a job—is clearly evaluating potential opportunities.

Romano noted that when Roberto De Zerbi left Marseille, the French club inquired about Alonso’s availability for an immediate role. However, Alonso turned it down, preferring to wait for the right fit rather than rush in. He is eager to return to management soon and is monitoring upcoming vacancies over the coming months.

It’s unclear whether Slot or even Pep Guardiola will stay at their current clubs—two of England’s most successful in recent years. A chain reaction could occur, for example, if Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany moves to Manchester City, potentially opening the door at Bayern (another of Alonso’s former teams) for the Spaniard.

Ultimately, significant pressure rests on Slot, who must at least guide Liverpool back into the Champions League to secure his position heading into the summer.

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Jurgen Klopp is, without a doubt, one of the best managers to ever grace the Premier League, and so, when the 58-year-old German speaks, many tend to listen. And once, when still in charge of Liverpool, he named his three greatest players of all time.Starting off at Mainz as a lesser-known manager, it didn’t take long for the charismatic chief to pique the interest of some of Europe’s elite clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, who announced him as his compatriot Thomas Doll’s successor in 2008.In his native Germany, the Stuttgart-born manager – who is now working as Red Bull’s Global Sports Director – won a plethora of silverware before taking Liverpool from the periphery to title challengers, winning the Premier League in 2019/20 and the Champions League the campaign prior.GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Under Klopp, Liverpool achieved their highest-ever points tally (99) in a league campaign in 2019/20.Jurgen Klopp Leaves Ronaldo Out of GOAT DebateLionel Messi made the cutBefore stepping down as Liverpool manager ahead of his side’s Champions League group stage clash with Atalanta in 2020, Klopp was asked all manner of questions, including who he considered to be three of the greatest footballers to ever live.The likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Johan Cruyff, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ferenc Puskas are all names that are thrown into conversation – but Klopp, recognised as one of the greatest managers in the long and storied history of Liverpool, snubbed the aforementioned quartet.When it came to naming the three best players to ever play, Klopp did not hesitate as he had no room for the mentioned names. Simply put, per Barca Universal, he said: “For me, [the three greats are] Maradona, Messi, Pele.”greatest players-1Related40 Greatest Football Players Of All Time (2026)29Albeit being before his time, he managed to name-drop the goalscoring phenomenon that we all know and love as Pele, while he also picked out the late Diego Maradona – one of the most technically gifted footballers of all time – as one of his personal favourites.Paying tribute to Maradona following his passing, the German said: “It’s like, I’m 53 years old and it feels like my entire life, he was part of it. When I was very, very young – maybe eight or nine, 10 years old – I saw him for the first time, and he was 16 or 17.“In any video, juggling the ball, from that moment on he was the player for me.”Pele holding the FIFA World Cup.Argentinian forward Diego Maradona celebratesLionel Messi named three best goalkeepers he facedAs expected, Rosario-born Lionel Messi was also the third name chosen by Klopp. A record-breaker of the highest order, the dainty Argentine has won all there is to win at club and international level – and he deserves his flowers, of course.Elsewhere, highlighting the brilliance of his longevity at the top of the game, Klopp once said: “The greatest footballer in my lifetime, Lionel Messi, the way he plays football in this age should give us all a hint at how long footballers can perform at the top level. We shouldn’t close the books too early. It was a joy to watch him.”

Steven Gerrard believes there’s one defender in Premier League history better than Virgil van Dijk. It’s a debate that has raged on since the Dutchman returned to England’s top flight to sign for Liverpool in January 2018, with the former Southampton and Celtic player a colossal figure at the heart of the glorious Jurgen Klopp era.However, rival fans have often dismissed Liverpool supporters’ claims that Van Dijk is the greatest defender to ever grace the Premier League. Chelsea and Manchester United fans argue the merits of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, respectively, while other legends like Vincent Kompany and Tony Adams are frequently brought into the discussion.There’s little debate that all five defenders rightfully belong among the Premier League’s elite. However, while Gerrard – who played 504 league games for Liverpool but famously never claimed the title – answered the age-old question with a hint of loyalty to his boyhood club, the former England captain surprisingly overlooked Van Dijk, instead opting for an old England teammate.EPL_Greatest defendersRelated30 Greatest Defenders In Premier League History (Ranked)5By Calum RitchieGerrard Named Terry As The Greatest Centre-Back in The Premier LeagueJohn Terry with the Premier League trophyAs a former PFA Player of the Year winner, Gerrard was invited to do an interview with the PFA back in 2023, where he was tasked with piecing together his best possible Premier League five-a-side team. “It would have to be either John Terry or [Virgil] van Dijk,” the Al-Ettifaq manager said when deciding the one defender who deserves a place in his team.”I played a lot of my career with John [Terry] and he was a colossal player, so I think I have to pick him. Obviously, I’d love to pick big Virg because he’s transformed Liverpool over the last 5-6 years, and he’s my favourite defender in the world right now. From my own personal experience, I played with John for England for over 10 years, and he’d get in anyone’s team.”

Pep Guardiola is considered one of the greatest managers of all-time. He’s trailing only Sir Alex Ferguson when it comes to the legacy that he’s forged in the Premier League, but he has also tasted huge success in both Spain and Germany with Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively. The Manchester City manager has won just about everything there is to win with every club he’s been in charge of. He’s worked with incredible players and he’s gone toe to toe with some of the greatest coaches that football has ever seen.Guardiola has competed against the likes of Ferguson, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti and Arsene Wenger over the years, but one manager in particular stood out to him as the toughest opponent of his career. Considering their battles against one another on the grandest of stages, it shouldn’t be too surprising who he chose either.Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola applaudingRelatedPep Guardiola Named Two Players He Managed Who ‘Deserved’ to Win the Ballon d’OrBy James O’ReillyGuardiola Named Jurgen Klopp the Toughest Manager He FacedThe two competed against each other in Germany and EnglandManchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Liverpool manager Juergen KloppManchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp before the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffWhile they competed against one another in Germany with Guardiola at Bayern Munich and Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, it was their rivalry in England with City and Liverpool respectively that likely earned the German his status as the toughest manager that Guardiola ever faced off against. The two Premier League sides battled at the top of the table for several years and during City’s reign of dominance, no one made them work harder for their success than Liverpool. As a result, it’s not entirely surprising to see that the coach believes Klopp is his toughest opposing manager.During a lecture that he was delivering for the UEFA Pro course in Spain, Guardiola spoke about Klopp and that Liverpool side and named them his toughest opponent. He said:”Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest I’ve ever faced in my life. There were days when I thought ‘I’ve got him’ and the next day he’d [Klopp] destroy me again. He was the toughest by far. Because of his way of playing, his transitions, because he was very direct, because he attacked with a lot of players. The inside midfielders are usually support players, but Klopp’s midfielders were about attacking space.”So, he’d force the full-backs to close down a lot, then he’d open you up on the outside with his full-backs. They continually sprinted inside. Firmino would drop back. Salah and Mane’s runs behind him were unstoppable. It was very, very difficult to counteract. I give a lot of credit to what we’ve done these years to the incredible quality of the opponent we’ve had to face. Those three or four league titles we won against Klopp are the greatest success we’ve achieved. There hasn’t been a tougher opponent I’ve ever faced.”

Paul Merson has strongly backed Liverpool to claim a comfortable victory against Nottingham Forest this Sunday, going against the more cautious outlook suggested by data models and supercomputer simulations for the tricky City Ground clash.

While Opta’s supercomputer gives Arne Slot’s side only a 51% chance of winning away to the relegation-threatened hosts—assigning Forest a 25.7% shot at victory and a 23.3% draw probability—Merson is far more emphatic in his support for the Reds.

In his latest predictions column for Sportskeeda, the Sky Sports pundit described the fixture as a “humungous game at both ends of the table” and dismissed any notion of an upset.

He pointed to Liverpool’s recent dominance, including their thrashing of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (a feat no other team has matched this season), the returning form of Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah, and a now-settled starting lineup with at least nine “nailed-on” players.

Merson declared: “I expect a comfortable win.”

He is tipping a clear-cut 2-0 success for the visitors, a prediction that contrasts sharply with the supercomputer’s narrower edge for Liverpool and the historical “banana skin” factor—Forest have troubled Slot before, including a 3-0 Anfield win in November and two victories plus a draw in his prior visits to Trentside.

Despite Vitor Pereira’s arrival potentially sparking a new-manager bounce (as he did at Wolves last season) and Forest’s dire position in 17th, Merson remains unconvinced by the data-driven caution and is firmly in the Liverpool camp, expecting them to avenge past defeats and grab all three points to boost their push for Champions League qualification.

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Liverpool’s injury situation is starting to improve, and the latest update on Alexander Isak offers a clearer timeline for when Arne Slot could finally welcome back his British-record signing.

According to Paul Joyce of The Times, the 26-year-old forward is aiming to return toward the end of next month, having intensified his rehabilitation following a broken leg and ankle injury.
This update is timely, with Liverpool preparing for a crucial Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest and a demanding run of fixtures as they push to climb back up the table.

Slot has avoided setting a firm return date, but the progress is encouraging.
“Alex has been back on the pitch this week — not in boots yet, but wearing running shoes for the first time,” he said.

When could Alexander Isak return?
Based on Slot’s comments and Joyce’s report, Isak is targeting a comeback around the March international break, with late March or early April viewed as realistic — assuming there are no setbacks.
However, Slot stressed that returning to full match fitness is a gradual process.
“The next step is working with the ball, then rejoining the group, and after that, it still takes time before you’re ready to play.”

The key message is that Isak is expected to feature again this season, keeping hope alive for Liverpool’s run-in.
“Let’s not put a timeframe on it, but if everything goes to plan, he will be available this season.”

Why Isak hasn’t hit top form yet

Isak’s early months at Liverpool have been disrupted, making it difficult for him to build momentum. A limited pre-season, adapting to a new team, and then suffering a serious injury in December have all played a role.
Despite this, he has still contributed in limited minutes, including scoring in his last appearance before getting injured — a reminder of his quality and potential impact.

Alexander Isak – 2025/26 Liverpool stats:

Games: 16
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
Minutes: 781
Slot also acknowledged that fans are yet to see the best version of Isak but believes that will change.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the best Alex yet, but hopefully our fans will see it this season — and certainly in the years to come.”

If his recovery continues smoothly, Liverpool are now shifting from waiting for his return to planning his reintegration, which is a significant step forward