Liverpool’s indifferent start to the season under new head coach Andoni Iraola shows little sign of easing, with question marks over the squad growing by the week.
The Reds have taken six points from their opening four Premier League matches and remain unbeaten, but that record hides a shakier picture at Anfield itself.
UK ONLY
A goalless draw with Fulham followed another home stalemate, meaning two league games at Anfield have brought two draws.
It is only the third time in 63 years that Liverpool have failed to win either of their opening two home league matches of a season.
Liverpool needed to come from behind twice to salvage 2-2 draws, away at Newcastle United and at home to Nottingham Forest, in their first two Premier League fixtures.
A first league win followed on September 4, Alexander Isak scoring twice in the space of three minutes at Ipswich Town, netting in the 6th minute and again in the 9th, in a 2-0 win.
There has been more encouragement in Europe. Liverpool earned back-to-back victories for the first time under Iraola, following the Ipswich win with a 2-1 defeat of Atletico Madrid at Anfield through goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, though Atletico had led first through Marcos Llorente.
With the season’s start already prompting scrutiny of the squad, attention is turning to how Liverpool might strengthen in the winter market and one name from the summer has resurfaced.
Liverpool have reportedly made a transfer enquiry for Manu Kone, a player also being tracked by Chelsea.
The 25-year-old had been on Chelsea’s radar during the summer transfer window following an impressive showing for France at the World Cup, but Roma were reluctant to sell him.
According to Italian outlet Tuttomercato, Liverpool have made contact regarding the Frenchman and could launch a more “determined” bid in the coming months.
Chelsea had a €60 million proposal for Kone rejected by Roma late in the summer window, and the midfielder remains under contract at the Stadio Olimpico until 2029, giving the Serie A club a strong negotiating hand.
Kone has continued to feature regularly for Roma since the deal collapsed, starting in all four of their opening league matches this season.
He arrived in the Italian capital for a reported €18 million from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Liverpool’s interest in the France international is not new. The club were linked with Manu Kone as far back as 2023 as a potential successor to Fabinho, when he was still playing in the Bundesliga, though no move materialised at the time.
Support DaveOCKOP and enjoy the site completely ad-free. You’ll get an uninterrupted browsing experience while helping us continue to deliver the latest Liverpool news, breaking stories and exclusives. Go ad-free today.