Craig discusses all of the latest Liverpool FC news, transfer news and rumours

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Liverpool's new-look defence is beginning to impress – but one enormous question remains: what happens when Virgil van Dijk is no longer there?

On Late Night Live, Craig takes a closer look at Liverpool's long-term centre-back situation following the impressive emergence of Jeremy Jacquet and with Giovanni Leoni also regarded as a major part of the club's future.

Craig believes Liverpool could have two outstanding young defenders capable of becoming mainstays for years, but warns that replacing Van Dijk isn't simply about finding another talented centre-back. If the captain leaves, Liverpool could lose a huge amount of experience, leadership and know-how, particularly for the biggest Premier League and European occasions.

That brings Ronald Araujo into the conversation. While Craig would be happy to see Liverpool make his move permanent in the right circumstances, he questions whether Araujo should actually be viewed as the direct answer to replacing Van Dijk. Instead, Liverpool may still need another senior centre-back – unless the solution is convincing Virgil to stay for another couple of years and help guide Jacquet and Leoni through the transition.

There's also discussion around Liverpool continuing to back Florian Wirtz, the preparations for Manchester City after the international break, and the wider question of how Liverpool manage the transition from one generation to the next.

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Who should be Liverpool's priority when the January transfer window opens?

On Late Night Live, Craig looks at the latest surrounding Lamine Camara, with Liverpool continuing to hold an interest in the midfielder after his proposed Chelsea move previously collapsed. Chelsea could return to the conversation, while Manu Koné and Alex Scott are also discussed as midfield options elsewhere in the market.

Craig explains what he's heard about Liverpool's position, including an outline agreement over a potential wage package with Camara's representatives, while stressing that he's not aware of any formal club-to-club talks with Monaco at this stage. Asked who he'd sign in January, though, Craig's answer is emphatic: Camara would be his choice.

There's also an intriguing wildcard already at Liverpool: Trey Nyoni. If the youngster continues developing and establishes himself as a genuine option in the double pivot before January, could that influence Liverpool's plans? Craig still believes there's room in the squad for another defensive midfielder following departures and potential changes elsewhere.

The discussion also turns towards Liverpool's defensive future. Craig believes Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni could become major parts of the defence for years, but questions whether Liverpool would still require an experienced centre-back if Virgil van Dijk leaves. Ronald Araujo could be an excellent permanent addition, but Craig doesn't necessarily view him as the direct long-term answer to replacing Van Dijk.

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Could Liverpool make another move for Yankuba Minteh – and would his arrival spell the end for Cody Gakpo at Anfield?

On Late Night Live, Craig reacts to fresh reports suggesting Liverpool could revisit their interest in Minteh in January or next summer. After failing to land the Brighton winger previously, Craig believes there could still be genuine legs in Liverpool's pursuit – but argues that the price has to make sense.

Minteh ticks several boxes: he's young, has Premier League experience and provides the naturally left-footed inverted option Liverpool currently lack on the right. But with Cody Gakpo enjoying an excellent start to the season, Craig asks whether strengthening that position would inevitably mean sacrificing one of Liverpool's existing attackers.

There's also plenty of positivity following the Bournemouth victory. Alexander Isak has four goals in five Premier League appearances – his best-ever start to a Premier League season – while Gakpo's determination to create the winner earns further praise. Craig also reflects on Liverpool entering the international break with nine points from 15 and three consecutive clean sheets, despite acknowledging there's still uncertainty over exactly how far the team has progressed.

And the Florian Wirtz conversation inevitably returns, with Craig responding to Jamie Carragher's criticism and questioning whether the former Liverpool defender has gone too far with some of his recent comments.

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Craig discusses all of the latest Liverpool FC news, transfer news and rumours

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Craig discusses all of the latest Liverpool FC news, transfer news and rumours.

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Conor discusses all of the latest Liverpool FC news, transfer news and rumours

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Could Liverpool return to the transfer market in January – and where should the club actually strengthen?

On Late Night Live, Craig looks at the latest transfer discussion surrounding the Reds, including claims that Liverpool could revisit their interest in Yankuba Minteh if the winger returns from injury and Cody Gakpo leaves the club.

Craig isn't convinced. With Gakpo making an impressive start to the season and his potential destinations increasingly limited, he believes a January departure would be extremely unlikely. That also raises questions over whether Liverpool really need another wide attacker midway through the campaign.

Instead, Craig believes Liverpool's priorities should lie elsewhere. Another midfielder remains high on the agenda, while right-back could also become an area worth strengthening as Andoni Iraola continues shaping the squad.

There's also discussion around Liverpool's longer-term attacking balance, the eventual need for a naturally left-footed option from the right and why any future arrival could force Liverpool into making a difficult decision over one of their existing forwards.

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Liverpool may have found greater defensive stability, but has Andoni Iraola now got a major midfield problem to solve?

On Late Night Live, Craig examines the balance of Liverpool's midfield and questions whether it's time to try something different when the Reds return from the international break against Manchester City. After another difficult performance from Florian Wirtz, Craig explains why giving the German a spell out of the starting XI isn't simply about dropping him – it could allow Liverpool to test whether their problems are down to the player or the structure around him.

Could Dominik Szoboszlai move into the No.10 position, with Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister providing the platform behind him? Craig argues that the various double-pivot combinations haven't looked balanced so far and would like to see whether a different midfield can connect Liverpool's attack more effectively.

There's also more praise for Liverpool's defensive transformation. Ronald Araujo's presence at right-back has provided greater security, while Jeremy Jacquet continues to impress alongside Virgil van Dijk. With Liverpool keeping clean sheets, Craig argues that a stronger defensive foundation gives Iraola something to build from as he searches for solutions further up the pitch.

Attention also turns to the longer-term squad picture, including what Liverpool could need in January and next summer, the futures of senior defenders and why Craig still believes midfield should be a priority if the Reds enter the winter market

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Liverpool head into the international break with three points – and Craig has plenty to discuss after a hard-fought victory away at Bournemouth.

On Late Night Live, Craig begins with the huge positives at the back as Jeremy Jacquet continues his outstanding start to life at Liverpool. Jamie Carragher admits he's already getting carried away with the young defender, while Ronald Araujo's impact at right-back is also earning enormous praise. With Liverpool keeping clean sheets and looking increasingly secure defensively, has the club finally found the foundations of its next great back line?

But the conversation quickly turns to Florian Wirtz. Craig admits the Bournemouth performance was the first time this season he was genuinely disappointed with the German, while Carragher delivers a much more damning assessment – questioning whether what Liverpool are seeing is simply the player Wirtz currently is rather than a temporary loss of form.

With Manchester City waiting after the international break, Craig asks the big question: should Wirtz actually be dropped? Could moving Dominik Szoboszlai into the No.10 role and changing the midfield balance give Liverpool something different – while simultaneously taking Wirtz out of the firing line?

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