The international break may offer supporters and teams an opportunity to pause for breath, but Liverpool have kept on producing headlines at a relentless rate. The future of Mohamed Salah has at last been settled, with the Egyptian poised to depart the club this summer.
Former manager Jurgen Klopp also made his eagerly anticipated return to Anfield for a legends encounter against Borussia Dortmund. Present boss, Arne Slot, is confronting a pivotal month in charge of the Reds, which kicks off on Saturday with an FA Cup quarter-final away to Manchester City.
A Champions League last-16 first leg against PSG will arrive just four days afterwards. Today's reports see a former Red hint at a comeback for Klopp. Meanwhile, with Slot under scrutiny, an update has surfaced regarding the Dutchman's Anfield future.
Former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer believes Jurgen Klopp will manage the club again. Since leaving Liverpool in 2024, Klopp has been repeatedly linked with a managerial return, despite taking up a role with the Red Bull group.
Smicer, who was also part of the legends squad that drew last Saturday's game 2-2, believes if there were an offer to return to Anfield, the German would find it hard to resist.
He said: "Seeing Jurgen Klopp back at Anfield was unbelievable. I never played under him, so it was fantastic to see him personally as a coach. This time, he was only an assistant coach to Kenny. It was funny when he said this is the easiest job he’s ever had.
"He's very charismatic and unbelievably popular with the Liverpool fans. It was great to be near him, to speak to him. I had a few chances to discuss things. It was fantastic.
"He's very funny, he has good humour, and always brings a great atmosphere with him. It was fantastic to see him back. Because of him, the stadium was full as well. I think people love him at Anfield and it was a great day.
"If you ask anyone in Liverpool if Jurgen Klopp should come back one day, everyone will say yes, of course. He has something special with the Liverpool fans, the city, and the football club. That's for sure, definitely. I think if he wants to return, it will be difficult to turn him down. Actually, I think it's impossible. I think we will see him back one day."
Speaking after the game, Klopp said: "Enjoyed every second. My role was definitely not to have a lot of words. I was here for the Foundation and to be part of a really special experience.
"For me, a very special experience after a while - being around, being that close, seeing all the Liverpool lads and then seeing the Dortmund lads as well because that was like 80 per cent of my players."
Despite mounting pressure from sections of the Liverpool support for Slot to be dismissed, the 47-year-old is understood to retain the complete backing of the club's senior management - in spite of a underwhelming second campaign in charge at Anfield.
The Dutchman delivered the Premier League title at the first attempt last term but has endured difficulties this year. Nevertheless, The Athletic reports that Slot's management of the tragic loss of Diogo Jota in the summer showed "great leadership", with the board satisfied at how he maintained squad unity throughout the devastating setback.
Significant injuries to the likes of Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni have also been factored into assessments of Slot's struggles. The report further states that Liverpool's hierarchy does not consider the Dutchman to be "effectively on trial" until the end of the campaign.
While former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed by Real Madrid earlier this year, has been touted as a potential returning figure at Anfield should Slot face the axe, it is understood that Reds bosses are not targeting the Spaniard as his replacement either.
The reality is that Slot now confronts a gruelling period with fixtures against City and PSG arriving before encounters with Crystal Palace and local rivals Everton. Liverpool's standing may be apparent, but this sequence of games could yet prove decisive in shaping the former Feyenoord boss's long-term prospects on Merseyside.
Buy Blood Red, our monthly Liverpool FC print publication for just £3.50 by clicking here
Kitbag has slashed the price of Liverpool kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.
