Just like that, we are two months into the season.
Andoni Iraola has his feet under the table at Liverpool, and his side are putting in some exciting performances. There has been plenty for the Basque to like – but there is also plenty still to fix.
In any case, it’s time for a question-and-answer session in this week’s Confidential column.
From transfer plans, contract disputes and tactical issues, we have you covered – although sadly the question about my favourite member of Westlife did not make the cut…
Is there an update on Rio Ngumoha’s contract talks?
Yes… that Ngumoha can ask for an extra few quid after his spell-binding performance against Villarreal, his best display yet in a senior game!
The 18-year-old’s agent is in talks with Liverpool over renewing his contract and there is no reason for fans to worry.
Ngumoha is on course to extend his deal (which currently runs until 2028) and, as revealed in Confidential a month ago, sources close to the player have told us he loves the club and wants to commit his long-term future.
It would seem a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ despite interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and other European clubs.
Rio Ngumoha put in his best display in a Liverpool shirt against Villarreal – but it shouldn’t derail his new contract
It would seem a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ he renews despite interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and other European clubs
Is Ronald Araujo seen as a good option to keep around for a few years?
Liverpool have pre-agreed a deal of just over £47million (€50m) to make Araujo’s deal permanent should they decide to. It is an option and not an obligation.
Based on his first two months at the club, they would be fools not to trigger that option. The Uruguay international has taken to the Premier League with ease despite playing out of position.
Given the physicality of English football in 2026, 6ft 3in Araujo is a handy player to have in both boxes. He has scored two goals in the last week and has been winning big headers at set-pieces in his own penalty area, too.
Araujo is thoroughly enjoying his time at Liverpool and starting to fall in love with football again after a period of mental health issues and off-the-field problems at Barcelona.
The obvious caveat is that he will turn 28 in March. Still, Liverpool and Araujo have both shown a willingness to extend their relationship. Let’s see if his rise continues as no decision will be made just yet.
Ronald Araujo has been effective in both boxes for Liverpool, scoring the odd goal and putting in vital clearances at set-pieces
Could Alexis Mac Allister be given a new contract?
Yes, absolutely do not rule this out.
Mac Allister surprised a few with his comments at a press conference six weeks ago – in which he said he was ‘very sad’ not to have been offered a new deal – but just because he has not been handed a new contract yet, does not mean he won’t be in the future.
There are two ways of looking at the situation. If you were basing the decision on last season, no one would be too disheartened about Mac Allister not being offered a new deal. Based on the first two months of this season, everyone would think he deserves one.
But his current contract still has a season and a half to run. By the time that ends, the Argentine will be 29. What if Liverpool were to give him a big extension now and his form dips again, as it did last year?
It is sensible for the club to keep their powder dry for now.
It is sensible for Liverpool to delay their decision whether to hand Alexis Mac Allister a new contract
What is your top-10 ranking for current Liverpool players who can play at right back?
I won’t actually rank these but I have counted 10 players who have featured at right back since Trent Alexander-Arnold left the club…
In no particular order: Araujo, Joe Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Victor Munoz, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, Calvin Ramsay.
Have I missed anyone?
The length of the list highlights how pressing an issue right back has become. All these players have their pros and cons but Araujo is definitely the best solution so far.
I think strengthening in the position should be high up on the to-do list next summer.
When will Bradley be fit?
Following on from the last question, Bradley is in the final stages of his recovery after a horrendous knee injury suffered at the Emirates Stadium in January.
He is back working on grass, which is an important step, and hoping to join some sessions in the near future.
But he will have to be eased back into the team slowly and setbacks are common in this final stage of rehabilitation, as seen with Giovanni Leoni.
Hugo Ekitike is said to be just behind Bradley on his own comeback trail.
Conor Bradley is in the final stages of his recovery from a horrendous knee injury he suffered at Arsenal in January (pictured)
Will Liverpool sign Alex Scott?
As discussed in this column last week, Bournemouth have been keen to push out the name of Liverpool.
They believe the Reds are the front-runners and that Iraola’s relationships at his former club will be key to signing Scott.
But two questions: is that a play to bait Chelsea to the table again, after the Stamford Bridge club had several bids of up to £68m turned down in the summer? Would Liverpool really pay the quoted figure of up to £100m for a player whose contract runs out in 2028?
Liverpool are definitely interested but let’s not get carried away just yet.
Is Will Wright ready for the first team?
I’ve watched a fair bit of Wright since his move from Salford last August and every time I see him, he looks that little bit leaner, quicker and more intelligent.
Is he ready right now? Probably not. Is he likely to feature in the future? Based on the evidence I have seen, absolutely. I think the 18-year-old could be the ‘next cab off the rank’ from the youth team and his hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League against LASK was excellent.
I was at the academy on Tuesday to watch Wright and his Under 19s team-mates draw 0-0 with Villarreal. It was a better game than the scoreline suggests!
Wright’s physicality was notable, Josh Sonni-Lambie played well and a word also on Mor Talla Ndiaye, whose passing from the back really caught the eye.
Every time I watch young forward Will Wright, he looks leaner, quicker and more intelligent
Is there interest in Gilberto Mora?
I am sure Liverpool will be interested in Mora, the Mexican prodigy who excelled at the World Cup and only turned 18 a week ago. Why wouldn’t they be?
Daily Mail Sport reported as much before the tournament in our ‘The Analyst’ series where myself and colleague Tom Collomosse detailed why Mora is one of the world’s up-and-coming stars.
Liverpool’s global talent-spotting team, led by the likes of Matt Newberry and Pedro Marques, will be well aware of Mora so he is a name to keep an eye on, though it is worth saying every big club in the world will also be courting him.
Media reports in Mexico suggest Mora has a £20m release clause and he is represented by super-agent Rafaela Pimenta.
One thing to say about Liverpool’s aggressive global recruitment of wonderkids is that it is about much more than just scouting them. Every club can find a top young talent, where the Reds excel is their relationship-building and ability to sell the Anfield pathway to players.
Watch this space…
Liverpool will be interested in Gilberto Mora, the Mexico prodigy (pictured playing against England at the World Cup). Trouble is, so will the rest of the world
Are goalkeeper signings a sign Alisson is leaving?
Alisson’s contract expires at the end of this season. For large swathes of the spring and summer, it felt like the Brazilian was set to depart a year early.
Juventus were keen but, after talks with Liverpool’s hierarchy, he was persuaded to see out his contract.
It has been speculated that Alisson made a gentleman’s agreement to give the Reds one more year given the summer of change that was ahead at Anfield.
That could well be the case but it should also be said that he looks back to his very best – on the pitch but also fitness-wise – this season.
But whether he leaves this summer or stays a bit longer, Liverpool must soon face up to life after Alisson and Virgil van Dijk. They have faith in Giorgi Mamardashvili and believe incoming Belgian keeper Lucca Brughmans is one of the best in the game.
Any more questions?
Send them over and I’ll try to answer some in my weekly column going forward…
