Dean Saunders has backed Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to Anfield as Federico Chiesa's Liverpool exit 'draws nearer', with Inter Milan reportedly in talks over a January transfer

Andoni Iraola will be hoping to steer clear of further on-field disputes when Liverpool resumes its Champions League campaign this week.

The Liverpool manager was left incensed after his team were refused what appeared to be a legitimate penalty against Arsenal in the Premier League. Alexander Isak seemed to have been impeded by a shirt tug from Jurrien Timber within the penalty area during the match. Nevertheless, the appeals for a spot kick went unheeded without a VAR review, prompting Iraola to voice his displeasure following the final whistle.

Reflecting on the 1-0 loss, the Reds chief stated: "I think there are two situations and they are a little bit related. I think the [Alexander] Isak one is a clear penalty. He is going to head the ball in front of the goal and they grab him where everyone sees the shirt.

OPINION

"You don't need a lot just to avoid Alex because the ball just goes in front of him and I don't see the reason why [it is not given]. Probably because he doesn't dive or he doesn't go to the floor – it shouldn't be a reason not to concede a penalty," reports the Liverpool Echo.

"And then after, the [Cody] Gakpo one, I think it's sustained holding but I understand the argument and I think they are right that they say the ball was too long and Cody wouldn't have arrived to the ball. But then you're basically accepting that the first one is a pen, no? So, you cannot use the argument in both ways differently. So, I think it's a pen, the Alex one is."

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Alexander-Arnold backed for return

Former Liverpool frontman Dean Saunders believes supporters would "absolutely have" Trent Alexander-Arnold back at the club. Appearing on Boyle Sports and Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, the ex-Red maintains that the full-back is "irreplaceable" and ought to make a remarkable return to Anfield.

Saunders elaborated: "I think Liverpool fans would absolutely have Trent Alexander-Arnold back at the club. Liverpool played with eight different right-backs last season, including Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboslai, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, and it was quite obvious at the start of the season that Trent was the reason why Liverpool used to make so many chances, he was like a quarterback.

"Salah definitely would have missed him. He could hit a 50-yard ball onto Diaz's chest. He played in-field didn't he, and Salah played outside him. Then Frimpong signed, and he's playing outside Salah, on the touchline high and wide.

"Liverpool lost a lot when he left. But the obvious question mark is his defending, but then you ask, who's a better defender than him, none of them are the best defenders.

"When I was watching the game against Arsenal and there were 10 minutes to go, Rio Ngumoha came on on the right, with Victor Munoz behind him - I just thought Liverpool were missing that quality ball from Trent – he's irreplaceable."

Chiesa exit 'draws nearer'

Federico Chiesa may be contemplating a Serie A return in January following his struggle to secure a consistent role in Iraola's squad. Since joining the club in 2024, the 29-year-old has made 51 appearances and netted five goals.

Those statistics include merely a solitary outing across all competitions this season - a two-minute substitute outing during a loss to Manchester City in October. Calciomercato had previously indicated the winger would head back to Italy in the forthcoming transfer window should regular first-team football continue to elude him at Anfield.

Reports coming out of Germany suggest Inter Milan have conducted 'informal talks' regarding a possible January transfer. This implies Chiesa is considering an exit from Liverpool for a Serie A comeback if his circumstances don't improve under Iraola.

The Reds' head coach revealed that the Italy international had been dealing with an injury, which explained his extended spell away from the matchday squad. Iraola said: "We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa, but he hasn't played any minutes, he's recovering from an injury.

"But he has been doing a good job in the international break, he's been training with the small group we had. We have some wingers who have played up front in other teams."