Andoni Iraola is taking strides to secure long-term talent at Anfield
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Rio Ngumoha and Milos Kerkez during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Liverpool remain unbeaten this season(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Liverpool got back on the right track after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the Carabao Cup. Tuesday's victory at Anfield secured the Reds' place in the fourth round of the competition, thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Andoni Iraola started a trio of first-team novices in Trey Nyoni, 19, James McConnell, 22, and Lewis Koumas, 20, in the match, giving them invaluable minutes as Liverpool secured safe passage through to the next round.
The Reds remain unbeaten across all competitions under Iraola, with a visit to his old club Bournemouth next on the horizon at the weekend. Here, Mirror Football has all the latest coming out of Anfield, including comments from Alexis Mac Allister and an update concerning Rio Ngumoha.
Ngumoha contract stance
Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool want to tie down Rio Ngumoha to a new contract (Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool have no plans to sell Rio Ngumoha and are expected to offer the 18-year-old a new contract. The England international has attracted interest from Bayern Munich over the past year after a breakout season last time around.
The winger's current deal expires in 2028, and given he celebrated his 18th birthday last month, Ngumoha is now eligible to sign a long-term agreement with the Reds, no longer bound by contract-length rules for younger players.
The Athletic reports that securing Ngumoha's long-term future is on the Premier League giants' agenda, with Arsenal among the clubs interested in the teenager.
Mac Allister reveals anger
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after opening the scoring for Liverpool vs Tottenham
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after opening the scoring for Liverpool vs Tottenham
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Alexis Mac Allister admitted he gets angry at Liverpool's youngsters in training because of how much he wants them to succeed. The Argentine continued his stunning start to the season against Tottenham, having opened the scoring at Anfield before assisting Cody Gakpo's strike.
The 27-year-old played alongside Trey Nyoni and James McConnell in midfield with man of the match Lewis Koumas ahead in attack. The academy trio put in impressive performances on Tuesday night and the World Cup winner opened up about the work he's doing to prepare the youngsters for the next stage of their careers.
He said: "It was really important for the young players. They show every single day in training that they want to be here. They work really, really hard and they have quality. I'm really happy for them because they deserve this in training.
"I focus quite a lot on them and I get angry. I think it's part of me wanting them to succeed. As I said, they're really good. They have quality, they are intense and they know what the club means. It's important and they are going to be really important for us this season."
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