Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders believes fans would "absolutely have" Trent Alexander-Arnold back at the club, as reports suggest Federico Chiesa is closing in on a January exit to Inter Milan.
Saunders backs Alexander-Arnold return
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, the ex-Red insists the defender is "irreplaceable" and should make a sensational return to Anfield. Saunders explained: "I think Liverpool fans would absolutely have Trent Alexander-Arnold back at the club. Liverpool played with eight different right-backs last season, including Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboslai, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, and it was quite obvious at the start of the season that Trent was the reason why Liverpool used to make so many chances, he was like a quarterback."
Saunders added: "Salah definitely would have missed him. He could hit a 50-yard ball onto Diaz's chest. He played in-field didn't he, and Salah played outside him. Then Frimpong signed, and he's playing outside Salah, on the touchline high and wide."
Chiesa exit 'draws nearer'
Federico Chiesa could be weighing up a return to Serie A in January after failing to nail down a regular place in Iraola's set-up. Since arriving at the club in 2024, the 29-year-old has featured 51 times and netted five goals. Those figures include just a single appearance in all competitions this season - a two-minute substitute outing during a defeat to Manchester City in October.
Reports emerging from Germany claim Inter Milan have held 'informal talks' over a potential January move. This suggests Chiesa is anticipating a departure from Liverpool for a return to Italian football if his situation fails to improve under Iraola.
Iraola on injury and Arsenal penalty
The Reds' head coach indicated that the Italy international had been sidelined with an injury, which accounted for his prolonged absence from the squad. Iraola said: "We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa, but he hasn't played any minutes, he's recovering from an injury. But he has been doing a good job in the international break, he's been training with the small group we had. We have some wingers who have played up front in other teams."
Iraola was also left fuming after his side were denied a potential penalty against Arsenal in the Premier League. Alexander Isak looked to have been fouled via a shirt pull by Jurrien Timber inside the box during the game. Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, the Reds boss said: "I think there are two situations and they are a little bit related. I think the [Alexander] Isak one is a clear penalty. He is going to head the ball in front of the goal and they grab him where everyone sees the shirt."
He added: "You don't need a lot just to avoid Alex because the ball just goes in front of him and I don't see the reason why [it is not given]. Probably because he doesn't dive or he doesn't go to the floor – it shouldn't be a reason not to concede a penalty."
Liverpool face Fenerbahce in the Champions League in Turkey this week, where Iraola will hope to avoid more on-field controversy.
