The ECHO's weekly Q&A session with Liverpool FC correspondent Paul Gorst
Liverpool are admirers of Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara
Liverpool are admirers of Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara
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Liverpool will sign off for an extended international break on Sunday after Andoni Iraola's return to his former club Bournemouth.
It's been an encouraging start for the Reds boss at Anfield, albeit with some disappointing draws sprinkled in across an unbeaten six-game sequence across all competitions.
And ahead of Sunday's trip to the Vitality, the ECHO asked its readers for their questions to put to our Liverpool FC correspondent Paul Gorst. Here's what you asked - and how he answered...
Ross asks: What's the latest on the search for a next sporting director? Think we'll look internally? And will the potential takeover impact it?
Liverpool knew for months before it was confirmed that sporting director Richard Hughes would be leaving for Saudi Arabia and when Michael Edwards told the club he would be stepping down in the Autumn of last year, the writing looked on the wall somewhat for Hughes even back then. It was something of an open secret by the time it was officially announced.
That being said Liverpool are convinced the structure and framework they have in place at the club means there will be minimal disruption right now and FSG president Mike Gordon is leading the search for a new candidate. Who that might be is difficult to gauge right now but I suspect Gordon and FSG will look internally.
David Woodfine currently serves as the assistant sporting director and I know Matt Newberry, the director of global talent, is someone whose work is respected inside the corridors of power too.
Former sporting director Julian Ward, now FSG's technical director, served in the position when Jurgen Klopp organically wielded all the power behind the scenes in 2022. Might he be tempted back inside a new-look set-up? His contacts book across European football is huge.
An external appointment risks upsetting the apple cart behind the scenes, particularly given Andoni Iraola will have to forge a relationship with whoever that candidate might be. However, these appointments are always much harder to predict than managerial ones, given the broad range of skills required and the often opaque nature of their work outside of transfer windows.
An internal would be my early shout.
Rob asks: Is there anything in these Lamine Camara links? I still think we are one short in midfield.
I agree that Liverpool are one short in midfield and it has been stressed that Lamine Camara would have been looked at had anything developed with other players already at the club - ie Alexis Mac Allister potentially leaving.
I know for a fact that Chelsea were absolutely furious with how Monaco pulled the plug on that deal at the 11th hour on transfer deadline day, so might a revival of that deal be off the table now for January?
I know Liverpool are looking closely at that one. Let's see what the winter window brings. The Reds are fans of Camara, that is clear.
Nick asks: Do you think we could sign Ronald Araujo permanently?
There is every chance. Araujo has started well at Liverpool. He's a much of a no-nonsense centre-back as you'll find at clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool and while his interpretation of the right-back role is basically as a rugged centre-half helping out on that side, he has more than plugged a gap at times already.
I still don't think he's elite level in possession but he has certainly helped. At £47m, it won't break the bank and he is still just 27. Let's see how he develops. It's still early days, but I wouldn't rule it out for now and he seems to be growing in stature in many fans' eyes.
Red87 asks: How close do you think Andoni Iraola is to knowing his strongest side? Definitely feels like he's giving players chances.
Most areas look pretty settled. I think Iraola likes the flexibility of having numerous wide options and wingers who can operate on both sides, while the right-back situation continues to be a horses for courses approach. There is no obvious answer there until Conor Bradley is 100%.
In midfield, it's just about finding that right blend. Alexis Mac Allister should start most weeks for me on current form and then you are chopping and changing Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak will start most weeks when fit and Bradley Barcola needs a run now having not played much since the World Cup. Cody Gakpo has to start when fit on current form.
AnfieldAlex asks: Will Giovanni Leoni be fit after the international break?
Andoni Iraola's latest update was that he would be ready to return to the group this month, so hopefully we can see some images of him out with his team-mates during the pretty lengthy international break.
Given he won't have played for 12 months and the options are plentiful at centre-half right now, Leoni won't be rushed back. That is totally understandable too.
Liverpool believe Leoni to be one of the brightest teenage centre-backs in Europe and have huge hopes for him long term. So they won't risk that by forcing a quick comeback.
Hopefully we will see some progress this month but he won't be needed right now and time will be afforded.