Liverpool will look to maintain their perfect start to the season when Nottingham Forest visit Anfield on Saturday afternoon and goalkeeper Alisson Becker has already spelled out why Arne Slot has enjoyed such a sublime start to life as head coach.
Federico Chiesa has been backed to make a big impact at Anfield but Italy's boss is now hinted at a change of position for the summer signing.
Plus John Arne Riise has opened up about confronting his childhood bully in Mc Donald's after the Miracle of Istanbul.
Here are the big tales from Anfield worth keeping tabs on as the international break heads towards its conclusion
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has hailed new boss Arne Slot for his straightforward approach and clear instructions - with their perfect start to the Premier League season underlined by how attacking players are putting in the hard defensive yards.
The Reds are yet to concede a goal three games into the season, with their rampant victory away to Manchester United before the international break. And amid pre-season fears of a difficult transition to life after Jurgen Klopp, Alisson has piled the praise on Slot for the clarity of his instructions.
The hard work has been underlined by Mo Salah and Luis Diaz’s workrate, according to Alisson. While Salah faced another summer of mild questioning around his future as he enters the final year of his contract, with the Egyptian saying earlier this month that he has not had any talks over an extension, he has looked in sublime form in the early stages.
New Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa has been backed to play up front after Italy boss Luciano Spalletti implemented a change of system.
Chiesa was not called up for Italy's Nations League games as Spalletti switched to a 3-5-2 system for their wins over France and Israel. It marked a clear switch from the system Spalletti used during Euro 2024, with Italy utilising wingbacks and playing two forwards. Although the new system does not make use of genuine wingers, Spalletti believes Chiesa can thrive in a more central role.
Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus over the summer for an initial £10million and Spalletti has had plenty to say.
Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has claimed he saw his childhood bully in a McDonald's shortly after they won the Champions League.
The Norwegian joined the Reds from Monaco in 2001 and enjoyed a fruitful seven years at Anfield picking up seven major trophies. Most notably, Riise was part of the team that came back from 3-0 down against Carlo Ancelotti's formidable AC Milan side in May 2005 to claim the biggest European prize of all on penalties.
There was to be further enjoyment for the full-back in the encounter he had in the restaurant with someone who used to tease him as a youngster. Riise explained that he saw his former bully on a trip back to his hometown following the miracle of Istanbul.
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