As Liverpool continue their impressive form under new manager Arne Slot, the Scouser Tommies podcast hosts Jim Boardman and Jay Reid reflect on the Reds' progress and upcoming challenges. In the latest episode, the duo delves into the return of Premier League football following yet another international break and the crucial fixtures awaiting Liverpool before the next pause in domestic action. This blog draws on their insights and quotes to explore Liverpool's outlook for the season, while optimising for the keyword Liverpool.

International Break Over - Focus Back to Liverpool "The international break is finally over. Desperate to get back to some proper football," Jim Boardman kicks off, capturing the sentiment of many Liverpool fans who have been yearning for club football. With several key games on the horizon, Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief as their players have returned largely unscathed. Boardman jokes, "An international break hasn't left us decimated as far as we know," noting the relatively injury-free return of most of the squad, barring a few exceptions.

Arne Slot's careful management is already showing, even though his methods, like the early press conferences at 9am, seem to keep fans and media on their toes. "I don't know if it's a Dutch thing or whether it's just a Slot thing that he likes this 9am. press conference," Jay Reid quips, underlining how Liverpool's manager ensures his team's preparations are in full flow before big fixtures.

Heavy Schedule, Heavy Expectations Liverpool's return from international duties marks the beginning of a tough stretch in their campaign. The Reds will face high-calibre teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Aston Villa in a series of must-win games. Jim Boardman highlights the stakes: "We've got some heavy schedule in front of us, some big games ahead, and maybe going to be a massive sort of indication of how we're going to be at the end of the season given we've had such a good start so far."

With key players back and potentially a full squad available, Liverpool is in a prime position to capitalise on their positive momentum. Jay Reid adds, "We've been flawless," a testament to the Reds' strong start this season. However, both hosts acknowledge that tougher tests await, especially with the need to manage a squad also committed to Champions League football.

Injury Updates and Squad Depth Among the standout performers during the break was Trent Alexander-Arnold, who, according to Jay Reid, had "two man-of-the-match performances for England," despite playing in a makeshift role at left-back. Reid was quick to downplay England's level of competition, saying, "probably isn't that hard given England probably aren't the greatest team in the world."

With several Liverpool players featuring in international matches, fitness remains a key concern. Alexis Mac Allister, for instance, played limited minutes after suffering a minor knock, which Reid attributes to good communication between the national team and the club. "It's nice to see that maybe they're leasing with the club and saying let's not flog him," Jay remarks, appreciating the cautious approach to managing key players.

Jim Boardman summarises the current squad situation well: "It sounds like we should have a full compliment of players to go through," barring Alisson Becker, who remains sidelined. Harvey Elliott is also in recovery, and fans are hopeful he'll be back before the next international break. "Even if it's sub appearances, he's a different option off the bench," Boardman adds.

Contract Talks: A Source of Tension or Reassurance? One of the major themes of this episode is Liverpool's ongoing contract negotiations with key players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Jim Boardman expresses cautious optimism: "There are noises being made from sources online, relatively positive in terms of where the Trent and Virgil situation is."

However, both hosts acknowledge the frustration fans feel about the uncertainty surrounding these negotiations. As Jay Reid puts it, "It would be nice if one of the three lads close to the expiry of their current deal would sort of pencil that in," signalling fans' desire for clarity sooner rather than later.

The speculation surrounding these key players can have a ripple effect, especially as the club navigates a busy fixture list. "If Trent wants to leave, his mind's already made up," Boardman suggests, noting that fans will want quick resolution to avoid unnecessary distractions as the season progresses.

Chelsea and the Race for the Top Looking ahead to the next major fixture against Chelsea, Jay Reid and Jim Boardman discussed the Blues' current form and the challenge they pose. Chelsea, currently fourth in the table, have been labelled by some as "the best of the rest," but Reid remains unconvinced. "I don't really buy it," he says, pointing out that Chelsea's results this season have been inconsistent.

Both hosts agree that Liverpool should be wary of Chelsea's attacking threat, particularly from Cole Palmer, whom Reid identifies as the key man. "If Cole Palmer plays well, Chelsea do well," he says. However, with Chelsea missing several key defenders due to suspension and injury, Reid feels confident that Liverpool will have the upper hand at Anfield: "We ain't got to worry too much about what's coming from behind us other than City and Arsenal."

Photo: IMAGO Liverpool's Season Hinges on Big Performances As the Scouser Tommies podcast makes clear, Liverpool's fortunes this season will depend on how they navigate this challenging stretch of fixtures. With key players nearing full fitness and contract negotiations ongoing, the club finds itself at a critical juncture. As Jay Reid concludes, "It's going to be a challenge, but that's what we play football for."

With Arne Slot at the helm and a squad eager to prove their worth, Liverpool fans have every reason to be optimistic about the months ahead. Whether they can maintain their position at the top of the table will depend on how they perform in these crucial matches, and whether they can finally bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding their key players' contracts.