Liverpool's season has started solidly under new head coach Andoni Iraola, with the Reds winning their first two matches. The extended international break has threatened to check momentum, but the transfer window closing has shifted focus to action, including early progress in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Fireworks interrupt under-21s match
One fan asked if a match interrupted by fireworks was a first in Ian's 66 years of watching elite football. The game in question was Liverpool under-21s' clash at Rochdale on Tuesday evening, in the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
Having been reduced to 10 men in the first half, the young Reds were level at 1-1 when fireworks were set off by someone outside a stand behind a goal. The pyrotechnics continued for a few minutes until some landed near the pitch, prompting the referee's assistant to hand one to the main official, who stopped the game briefly while the situation was dealt with.
Ian noted he had never seen that happen before. He drew a comparison to October 2020, when Aston Villa fans outside an empty Villa Park set off fireworks at the start of the second half to celebrate their team's 7-2 win over Liverpool, though none landed inside. In Tuesday's game, Liverpool went 3-1 down but scored twice in added time due to the fireworks delay, then won 7-6 on penalties.
Anthony Gordon's near-move and Trent's future
Another fan asked how close Anthony Gordon came to signing for Liverpool, given the winger has spoken about growing up a Red. Ian confirmed this was common knowledge, and that Gordon was extremely close to moving to Anfield in 2024 and could have made the transfer this summer. Two years ago, Newcastle United offered Gordon to the Reds in exchange for £30 million and Joe Gomez, only to pull the plug. During the recent window, Liverpool got a sniff that Newcastle would cash in, but discovered Gordon had already agreed to join Barcelona.
On Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential return, Ian said it would be a climbdown for the player, and the Reds have moved on. He argued Trent is better than any current right-back option and the best in that position during his 43-and-a-half years watching the club. While Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler proved successful returns are possible, the manner of Trent's departure to Real Madrid suggests the hassle might not be worth it.
Injury updates and transfer window outlook
A fan asked about injured players Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, and Hugo Ekitike, and the winter window. Iraola said Leoni is expected to be the first to return, but he hasn't started full team training. Bradley has only recently begun kicking a ball and remains a long way off. Ekitike is unlikely to be seen until next year, though the player has stated a desire to return for Boxing Day.
On the winter window, Ian said it's difficult to predict. With Cody Gakpo staying and impressing, a right winger seems less of a priority. Only Iraola will determine whether the midfield needs strengthening, influenced by the next few months.
