Trent Alexander-Arnold has been backed for a Premier League return as Liverpool gear up for the winter transfer window

Liverpool's 4-3 victory over Villarreal provided another sign of progress under Andoni Iraola. The manager is balancing the immediate task of restoring the Reds to trophy contention with plans for their long-term future but there is still work to do.

With their next Champions League match a fortnight away, Liverpool's attention turns to the domestic schedule. They face Brighton on Sunday, with the Seagulls currently among the Premier League's form sides.

Preparations for the January transfer window are also continuing behind the scenes at Anfield. The ECHO rounds up the latest reports around Anfield as speculation grows over Liverpool's transfer plans.

Liverpool set to fight Chelsea for Camara

One emerging battle in Liverpool's foreseeable future could pit the Reds against club legend Xabi Alonso. Fabrizio Romano has revealed Iraola's side are "tracking" Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, who came agonisingly close to joining Chelsea in the summer.

The Blues were reportedly on the verge of securing the Senegal international before the deal collapsed on deadline day. Camara had even reportedly undergone a medical ahead of signing for Chelsea before the £47.1million transfer fell apart.

Their misfortune could prove to be Liverpool's opportunity, given persistent links between the two parties. That said, it could pave the way for a confrontation between Alonso and his former club should Chelsea opt to resurrect their interest.

The transfer was connected to Folarin Balogun's failed move to Everton, with Monaco requiring funds through player sales at that time. Ultimately, neither player made the switch to the Premier League, with both remaining on the French Riviera.

To his credit, Camara spoke out last month saying he had drawn a line under the saga: "There was a possibility I could leave. It didn't go through at the last minute and that's part of football. I've turned the page and am focusing on the season."

That is precisely the kind of level-headed mentality Iraola may well be keen on should he commit resources to overhauling his midfield. And provided Camara hasn't set his heart on a move to Chelsea, Liverpool could yet make their move to secure his signature.

Trent tipped for United or City transfer

Premier League legend Kyle Walker has backed Trent Alexander-Arnold to mount a return to English football in the future. However, he struggles to see the right-back heading back to Anfield given the circumstances surrounding his exit.

Alexander-Arnold, 28, has not quite been the standout performer many anticipated at Real Madrid, continuing to battle for regular game time under Jose Mourinho. Having run down his contract at Anfield and left many supporters feeling aggrieved, Walker questions whether the player would be welcomed back at his hometown club.

"Why not?" he told talkSPORT when asked if he would see Alexander-Arnold back in England's top flight. "Can he go back to Liverpool with the way that he left? I'm not too sure.

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"Do I see him at another club? He's got to go to one of the big ones. Manchester United [or] Man City [for example]."

If Alexander-Arnold believed he was already in hot water with certain Liverpool supporters, a switch to United or City would only inflame tensions further. The England international continues to compete with summer arrival Denzel Dumfries for a starting berth at Real but could be tempted to change clubs once more if circumstances fail to improve.

A transfer to City appears virtually impossible given the club's current predicament surrounding their Premier League spending breaches, while the intense rivalry with United would be likely to anger Reds fans even more should he move to Old Trafford.