Liverpool will be top of the Premier League at Christmas, but they will not be resting on their laurels.
Arne Slot's team has survived a few injuries so far this season, but there is no guarantee that this will remain the case in the second half of the season. The stronger the Reds' squad, the better their chances of holding off the chasers between now and May.
There is also the not unimportant issue of three expiring contracts. We may well get a better idea in the coming weeks of which of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will still be on Liverpool's books next season.
We've got a little update on that front in today's transfer round. Here's the latest from Mirror Football in a busy time at Anfield.
AC Milan will hand Christian Pulisic a new contract to fend off interest from Liverpool, according to reports in Italy. Pulisic, who joined Milan from Chelsea in 2023, is the only opponent to score in six Champions League games against Arne Slot's team.
Calciomercato reports that Pulisic's new contract at San Siro will earn him an extra £1million per year. The American scored 15 goals in his first season with the Rossoneri, and has already scored eight goals in just 20 games this season.
If Pulisic does indeed stay put, it will be just the latest in a series of Liverpool targets opting against a move to Anfield. Arne Slot has welcomed just one new face to his squad, Federico Chiesa joining from Juventus, although Giorgi Mamardashvili will follow next summer after agreeing a move from Valencia.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy does not expect Trent Alexander-Arnold to stay at Anfield beyond this season. The right-back has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, and Murphy fears the Reds have missed their chance to keep Alexander-Arnold on board.
“My gut feeling is he's going,” Murphy told MyBettingSites.co.uk. “I think if he were to stay, that would probably have been resolved by now. There seems to be some disagreement around certain supporters who think he should stay and that he owes the club something, but the reality is that the club has given him the gave me the opportunity to stay.” to this position.
“They should have signed him a long time ago. It's difficult and quite unusual that Liverpool have allowed this to happen. They have to learn from it and it can't happen again. I think if he leaves, the majority of Liverpool fans will wish him well and thank him for a great time and what he has given to the club.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has refused to lead the way when it comes to trophies this season. Liverpool top the table in the Premier League and Champions League and face Tottenham in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, but the Dutchman is keeping his feet on the ground.
“I'm not going to get drawn into a conversation about possibly winning a trophy, or two, or three or four,” Van Dijk said after Sunday's win over Tottenham. “I think I've given answers many times that we don't do that.” I can't wait to think about what will be on display in May.
“We want to get there in May, but we have seen how difficult it is. Other teams can do it, apart from City of course. But we are focusing on what lies ahead. That's the only thing.”
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