Liverpool FC

When it comes to Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Naby Keïta, Edwards has left far more to do than simply dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's.

Van Dijk is one of the best around: he has to be, given the aerial bombardment Liverpool routinely face. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old’s unlikely stint in the Liverpool first team showcased a lot of traits in common with the Dutch colossus. There is no need to sort a transfer — a better fifth-choice would be very hard to come by, and if Williams continues his development then he may ultimately move up that pecking order. Like Alisson, Kelleher is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and has impeccable sweeping instincts to support the high line. One thing learned from Kelleher is that Klopp needs his understudies to share stylistic traits with the players for whom they are deputising. However, one of the least-discussed transfer decisions is actually one of the most interesting. This would be something of a dramatic flourish, given that Liverpool are currently enjoying the best squad depth at Anfield in living memory, but there can be no doubt that Ward has inherited a contract crisis. With so many players in front of him, there would be logic behind the move. Likewise, Joe Gomez must be the best fourth-choice centre-back around, so it is no surprise that the ECHO reports a Liverpool plan to extend his deal beyond 2024. While Phillips was probably the standout in the unlikely central partnership that ultimately secured Champions League football for Liverpool, Williams played an underrated role. Unfortunately, while Jürgen Klopp’s squad has plenty of equivalent outfield reserves, there is no such guarantee of keeping them happy with the odd cup outing. “I’m afraid there is no money.” That was the infamous note left for the incoming government following Labour’s loss of power in 2010.

Mohamed Salah is yet to recapture his goal-scoring form, and Liverpool need him to hit his stride soon to avoid exposure of Jürgen Klopp's one main ...

Should Klopp help him re-find the best of his left foot that has been unstoppable in some games, Liverpool will head into the crucial point of the season with a forward line that is too difficult to stop for any side: a factor that could be decisive ahead of two cup finals later this month. For Salah, who has been lethal from all ranges when getting the ball onto his left foot, there are signs that his form in front of goal has regressed. Too many times against Spurs, he employed his typical cut in from the right-hand side end with a shot that was never close to troubling Hugo Lloris. A frustrating first half for Liverpool saw the Reds miss key passes into dangerous areas when outside the box, but then fail to trouble the keeper when they did make the decision to shoot from range.