'A big price tag' but 'a superb signing'published at 23:15 GMT 2 February
23:15 GMT 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about the deal that will bring Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet to the club in the summer: "I think what fans will probably be saying is could they have got one for now. He's a young man and it's a big price tag for someone who hasn't played at international level. Hopefully this young guy can follow in Hugo Ekitike's footsteps.
"Chelsea were heavily linked with him. I think that's forced Liverpool's hand to move now rather than wait. It's a difficult situation clubs find themselves in.
"They obviously feel they have enough cover with Gomez, Konate coming back and Van Dijk. More often than not, Konate and Van Dijk are fit for nearly every game. So hopefully they can see us through to the end of the season.
"Fans love to see new players coming in. But we've spent over £400m last summer. So I wouldn't expect loads coming in over the summer. It all depends who leaves. If we go on and win the Champions League it may be a different prospect. But you can't just keep spending £400m every summer."
French football journalist Julien Laurens on X: "I can't stress enough what a superb signing Jeremy Jacquet will be for Liverpool! He is a special talent and has everything to become one of the best defenders in the world. And he is Paris born and bred too which makes him even more special!"
Meanwhile supporter Chloe Bloxam from The Redmen TV spoke to BBC Sport about the Reds bidding to "futureproof" their squad with the likes of Jacquet coming in...
'Great news, but we need defenders now' - fans on Jacquet movepublished at 22:37 GMT 2 February
22:37 GMT 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on the £60m deal to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet this summer.
Here are some of your comments:
Sean: A very exciting signing but a shame it couldn't happen in the January window. Rennes play a different game to Liverpool but Jacquet is as good mentally as Van Dijk from what I've seen. Great on the ball. Will need bulking up for the Premier League - he's a little too nimble for a Premier League centre-back at present.
Baz: Lot of money for a young player in his breakout year, when we could have had a proven, English, Premier League defender for £20m. Ligue 1 not the most challenging league so it will be interesting to see if he can live up to his potential in the Premier League.
Peter: Good business. Showing great promise as a youngster and likely to be a good long-term prospect partnering with Giovanni Leoni. Smart to avoid even more bidding competition in summer transfer window.
David: £60m!! Hope he's worth it. Guehi was £20m and Premier League proven - explain it to me.
Lee: That's great news, but we need defenders now.
Shane: OK, it's an investment, but we need a centre-back right now. Guehi was that man but the backroom team fell asleep.
Nigel: I don't understand why Liverpool didn't try to sign Guehi. Sure, a bidding war with Manchester City might have ensued to inflate the price, but we would have secured a tried and tested Premier League defender in January at a price much lower than Jacquet.
This is your Liverpool page. Hit follow if you're on the website and you'll see more Reds content when you visit us. On the app? Hit the bell icon and select news alerts. We'll then send you the best bits.
'Strong and smart' - have Liverpool signed 'next Van Dijk' in Jacquet?published at 22:31 GMT 2 February
22:31 GMT 2 February
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jeremy Jacquet will join Liverpool from Rennes in the summer
Liverpool have finalised a deal for Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth up to £60m - but the defender will not move to Anfield until the summer.
It would not be an understatement to say he was a name most people were unaware of at the start of the winter window.
To commit up to £60m - £55m up front before a potential £5m in add ons - for a 20-year-old is a hefty call but Liverpool view the French centre-back as a long-term investment and someone who will form an integral part of their backline for years to come.
Given the club's defensive problems this season - they have conceded 33 goals from 24 Premier League games - and their ongoing injury crisis, it is also telling Arne Slot's side are prepared to wait until the summer for Jacquet, who will join from Ligue 1 Rennes.
The question of whether they could have got him now has a simple answer - Rennes are simply unwilling to sanction a move until the summer.
The French side are not in a rush for the money and adamant any fee for Jacquet would have to surpass their previous club record sale of £55.4m when Manchester City signed Jeremy Doku from them in 2023.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are happy to wait, signing the player on a five-year contract until 2031, with the option for a further year.
They see Jacquet as a young defender with plenty of senior experience for his age and their data analysis has backed the decision to spend so much on a player they believe has immense potential.
"It's a lot of money but Jacquet has everything to become one of the best centre-backs in the world in the next few years," says French football expert and ESPN's Julien Laurens. "He is arguably the best centre-back of his generation.
"He's quite tall, quick and strong - and he's a machine when it comes to duels in the air and on the ground. He reads the game well and is good on the ball.
"He's not a proper ball-playing centre-back yet. Technically, there is a lot to improve on, but he's a smart kid and he can get there and become like a Virgil van Dijk."
At Rennes, Jacquet has primarily played in a back three this season. When he was 18, he wanted more game time so they loaned him out to Clermont in Ligue 2 but he was was only there for half a season before he was recalled in January 2025, and made a total of 36 Ligue 1 appearances.
His strength in the air has been a standout this season, winning 75.51% of his aerial duels - the highest among Ligue 1 defenders in 2025–26.
Given the unforgiving nature of his position, it's no surprise there have been some mistakes.
Jacquet has made three errors leading to shots, with only seven players in the French top flight making more.
Describing his style of play to L'Equipe, via Ligue 1, Jacquet said: "I'm calm on the ball, maybe I can look a bit nonchalant - but I'm focused. What defines me is playing out well, breaking lines with the right pass."
He was named in the Under-19 Euros team of the tournament in 2024 and has represented and captained France at youth level. That alone tells you about his leadership qualities.
And he was born in Bondy, the Paris commune where Kylian Mbappe and William Saliba come from.
Given the price tag, there will undoubtedly be a sense of expectation when Jacquet arrives. With Italian Giovanni Leoni also returning from an ACL injury in the summer, the Liverpool backline could look very different come the start of next season.
Liverpool have kept an eye on Jacquet, who held talks with Chelsea too, but their interest accelerated over the weekend with the player setting his heart on a move to Anfield.
The understanding is Jacquet was convinced by the Liverpool project, as opposed to Chelsea where the proposition was less attractive, given they have two other elite young defenders in the squad in Josh Acheampong and Mamadou Sarr.
As it stands, both Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are out of contract at Liverpool this summer, while captain Van Dijk, 34, and Joe Gomez's contracts expire in 2027.
A move now would not have been wise because it's unlikely Jacquet would get in ahead of Van Dijk and Konate this season. At Rennes, who are pushing for a place in Europe, he will continue as a regular starter and benefit from getting more playing time in Ligue 1.
For Jacquet, the challenge between now and the summer is to prepare for life in the Premier League. He is by no means a finished product and Rennes' 4-0 defeat at Monaco on Saturday showed the margins where he can improve, especially when it comes to decision-making when stepping out of the defensive line.
It is worth noting that two of the biggest recent transfers from Ligue 1 to the Premier League have found it challenging, with both Manchester United's Leny Yoro (£52m) and Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov (£34m) finding their respective early stints tough.
"It won't be easy to step up from Ligue 1 to the Premier League at a club like Liverpool," adds Laurens. "It wasn't easy for Leny Yoro and it wasn't easy for William Saliba at the beginning too, but Jacquet is so so talented."
Why are Liverpool stockpiling young centre-backs?
In the last six months, Liverpool have signed five centre-backs aged 20 or under.
Leoni, 19, arrived from Parma for £26m in the summer, while the Reds completed deals for Noah Adekoya, also 19, Senegalese 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye and Austria youth international Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 17, in January.
Adekoya joined from Burnley, while both Ndiaye and Ndukwe impressed Liverpool scouts at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar last November.
Ndiaye then completed a £1m move from Amitie - the Senegalese club owned by former Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba - and has represented Senegal at youth level.
Ndukwe reached the final with Austria and will join Liverpool in the summer from Austria Vienna, with the fee potentially rising to £2.5m.
The sheer number of signings is an indication the Anfield club are future-proofing their central defensive options.
At first-team level, it is an area where change is inevitable - and no secret they tried and failed in their pursuit of a proven talent in Marc Guehi last summer.
Investing such a large sum on an unproven talent like Jacquet may be deemed a risk, but Liverpool believe they have done their homework on him as they build a squad for the next generation.
The average age of their signings over the last two transfer windows is lower than than 22, although the club still believe that such a group of new players can bring high levels of quality and performance in the short, medium and long term.
Watch a Merseyside football special as clock ticks downpublished at 17:50 GMT 2 February
17:50 GMT 2 February
Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special focusing on the business done by Merseyside's clubs, including Everton and Liverpool.
The show, which runs from 18:00-20:00 GMT, will offer the latest updates and analysis, with guests including former Blues centre-back Alan Stubbs and ex-Reds defender Gary Gillespie.
Is 'special talent' Jacquet the future of Liverpool's defence?published at 14:55 GMT 2 February
14:55 GMT 2 February
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool have secured a key pillar as they look to build formidable defensive foundations for the future. Jeremy Jacquet has agreed to join the Reds from Rennes in a £60m transfer on deadline day.
The 20-year-old Frenchman will have to wait for his Liverpool debut though, as he will not join up with his new club until the summer. He is a key player for the Ligue 1 side already, making 18 top-flight appearances this season.
That Liverpool are prepared to wait for the player says a lot, especially given the defensive issues they've endured this season. For the defending Premier League champions, who have conceded 33 goals from their 24 games, this is a transfer with the long-term in mind.
Reds continue to spend big
Nevertheless, there will be pressure on Jacquet.
Even by Liverpool's recent spending standards - they splashed out about £450m on new recruits in the summer transfer window - the deal is a pricey one.
At £60m, Jacquet's fee doesn't quite top the world-record for a centre-back - still Harry Maguire to Manchester United for £80m - but it is among the highest paid for players of a comparable age.
So there will be expectation. But two of the other biggest transfers from Ligue 1 to the Premier League in recent years could serve as cautionary tales.
That's not to say that Jacquet doesn't have the attributes to thrive in the Premier League. The centre-back's physical qualities and natural defensive instincts are what have made him so appealing to Liverpool.
His strength in the air has been a standout this season, winning 75.51% of his aerial duels. That is the highest among all defenders in Ligue 1 in 2025–26, with only his former attacking team-mate Mohamed Meite successful in a greater proportion.
In the French top flight, Jacquet ranks third in overall duel success rate at 67.23% and joint-seventh for blocks, with 15 this season.
Given his age and the unforgiving nature of his position, it's no surprise that there have been some mistakes. Jacquet has made three errors leading to shots, with only seven players in the French top flight making more.
Beyond the numbers, Liverpool will be encouraged by the personality already shown by such a young player.
He has captained France at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-20 level. Even in his previous outing for Rennes - a disappointing 4–0 loss to Monaco - he showed fight in his performance and at full-time, when he confronted a member of the opposition staff.
No Jacquet required… for now
Liverpool were keen to start their centre-back evolution in the summer. But the process stalled.
The Reds wanted Marc Guehi, but a deal could not be completed before the summer window closed.
Giovanni Leoni also arrived from Parma, only for the Italy youth international defender to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury. It ended his season before it started.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté's previously dominant partnership has begun to creak this season too. The former has been imperious for the Reds and, while he is tied down for at least another season, he's now 34 and will not go on forever. Konate, meanwhile, is slowly battling back to form after a torrid start to the campaign and is out of contract in the summer.
Rennes were unwilling to let Jacquet move in Januarypublished at 13:50 GMT 2 February
13:50 GMT 2 February
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool are spending a lot of money for a player who has played just 36 times in Ligue 1, but they see Jeremy Jacquet as a massive long-term investment.
To get a sense of how highly Jacquet is rated, Liverpool have fought off competition from Chelsea and Bayern Munich, while Arsenal showed interest in the defender last summer.
Liverpool could definitely have done with the centre-back joining now, but the fact is he wasn't available to move in January, with Rennes unwilling to sanction a transfer until the summer.
The Frenchman is comfortable on the ball and can play in a back three or a back four, while Liverpool are impressed with his senior experience in Ligue 1. He is expected to fit a possession-based system. while his aerial ability and defensive reading skills are all noted too.
Of course, there is plenty of room to still improve, but this is a move that again shows Liverpool's succession planning for their backline. Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni all joined in the summer, while they have made a number of youth signings in this window too.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez's contracts expire in the summer of 2027, and it remains to be seen if Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson will still be at the club next season. As it stands, both are out of contract this summer.
Elliott expected to remain at Villa published at 13:25 GMT 2 February
13:25 GMT 2 February
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Harvey Elliott is expected to stay on loan at Aston Villa.
The Liverpool loanee's future has been in doubt since Villa boss Unai Emery decided he did not want to make his move from Anfield permanent.
Elliott is now three appearances away from triggering a transfer worth £35m after initially joining on loan in the summer.
The attacker had been sidelined by Emery - although he has remained training with the first team - with the manager saying Villa decided in October not to buy the 21-year-old.
Yet after an injury crisis at Villa with Boubacar Kamara out for the season and John McGinn and Youri Tielemans out for months, Elliott has featured in Villa's last two games - having not played since 2 October.
He played the entire match in Villa's Europa League win over Red Bull Salzburg last week and was a second-half substitute in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Brentford.
'I'd be worried if I was Isak' - Rooneypublished at 10:54 GMT 2 February
10:54 GMT 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
Hugo Ekitike's form gives Liverpool a dilemma when Alexander Isak returns from injury, says former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.
Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool came from behind to beat Newcastle at Anfield on Saturday, taking his tally to 15 goals from 32 games this season.
The France striker has struck up a fruitful relationship with Florian Wirtz, and Rooney said their blossoming partnership leaves questions over where Isak fits in when he returns from his broken leg.
"I'd be more worried if I was Isak, sitting there watching," Rooney said on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show.
"His Liverpool career just hasn't got up and going yet. Obviously, they paid a lot of money for him and these two [Wirtz and Ekitike] seem to have a really good understanding of each other's game- they look like a real threat.
"Ekitike's second goal in particular was brilliant. It reminds me of Romario - a little toe-poke goal but it's instinctive.
"He is the type of player I like to watch. He's not a number nine, he's not a number 10. He drifts out wide, he gets on the ball, brings players into the game and he can score goals. So he's got a bit of everything."
Jacquet set for Liverpool medical before £60m movepublished at 08:57 GMT 2 February
08:57 GMT 2 February
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet is set to have a medical at Liverpool before finalising a potential £60m move to Anfield - but the centre-half will not be joining the club in the current transfer window.
If the transfer is completed, the 20-year-old will switch to the Reds in the summer, after the clubs reached agreement on a £55m fee, plus £5m in add-ons.
The France Under-21 international would sign a five-and-a-half-year deal until the summer of 2031, with the option of a further year.
Liverpool are looking to bolster their centre-back options, with Ibrahima Konate's contract set to expire at the end of this season.
Arne Slot's side missed out on Marc Guehi last summer, with the England centre-half then opting to join Manchester City in January.
Jacquet came through the Rennes academy and has played for the club 18 times this season, with a string of standout performances making him a target for some of Europe's elite sides - and Liverpool see him as a long-term investment.
What do you make of this deal? Good business or were there better options? And what about having to wait until the summer to get Jacquet in?
No other incomings or outgoings expected at Liverpoolpublished at 08:56 GMT 2 February
08:56 GMT 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool are expected to complete the signing of Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet on Monday in a deal worth £60m, but that move is for the summer.
Jacquet's expected arrival will mean Liverpool have signed four young centre-backs during this window, with Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Noah Adekoya all beginning at Liverpool with the under-21s.
As it stands, no other incomings or outgoings are expected. Names like Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones have been linked with a move away during the window but letting any player go isn't on Liverpool's agenda.
The Reds have an injury crisis, with Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong all currently sidelined.
As Arne Slot said on Saturday: "In this moment of time, but we prefer to strengthen the squad, not weaken it."
The other question is Harvey Elliott and whether he will remain on loan at Aston Villa after Unai Emery publicly revealed the West Midlands club do not want to sign the 22-year-old permanently in the summer.
Elliott has featured in Villa's past two games and has made five Premier League appearances in total for Emery. If he plays 10 league matches, then Villa have an obligation to buy him for £35m.
Liverpool do not have a recall clause on Elliott so it remains to be seen whether he will stay at Villa Park.
What fans want on deadline daypublished at 07:40 GMT 2 February
07:40 GMT 2 February
Media caption,
We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.
Here are some of your comments:
Jack: The obvious answer is a defender. There were rumours of Lutsharel Geertruida, who is a solid option. But we have to get another right-back - I know we already have two plus Calvin Ramsey but if Arne Slot is going to continue not to trust him then he needs to buy a better option rather than throw Dominik Szoboszlai there. Other than that, I think we're covered for every other position.
Jamie: Definitely a centre-back as the defence is almost in tatters with injuries and contracts running out.
Tommy: Two central defenders are an absolute must - forget forwards. Andy Robertson must be offered a year's extension and a promise of a coaching job.
Mike: This window is impacted by the huge outlay in the summer. However, given our defensive injury crisis, it's crazy we haven't invested in a trusted defender. Someone like Dunk or Bueno would be a good fit and know the league. Not getting Guehi was a massive failure by the management.
Ritchard: Apart from building a time machine so we don't mess up the Guehi deal, I'd like us to recognise we already have some fantastic players in the youth teams and, instead of splashing the cash, we need to give the kids a chance.
Kixy: The lack of depth in squad was made apparent by Slot not making a sub until after 80th minute against Newcastle. We need a right full-back, at least one centre-back - if not two - and a midfielder in case Florian Wirtz gets injured. Although panic buying before the deadline is not the right way of doing things, we should have sorted this earlier in the window.
Follow transfer deadline daypublished at 07:01 GMT 2 February
07:01 GMT 2 February
Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.
The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.
It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
Kerkez praises Liverpool's 'brilliant energy'published at 15:00 GMT 1 February
15:00 GMT 1 February
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez says the Anfield atmosphere was "unbelievable" in Saturday's big 4-1 win over Newcastle.
The Reds showed character to bounce back from Anthony Gordon's opener and comfortably record their first Premier League win of 2026.
"We're really happy," Kerkez said.
"Finally we take three points in the Premier League which is really good.
"We had to build on the performance in the Qarabag game and I think there was brilliant energy. In the stadium also it was unbelievable, the fans gave us a big push so a really fantastic game for us."
Kerkez has received criticism at times this season for his performances since arriving from Bournemouth in the summer, but both he and fellow summer acquisition Florian Wirtz appear to be finding their feet in recent weeks.
"Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world," Kerkez added.
"When you come in you need a bit of time for adaptation. Everyone helped us a lot since the first day. It took us a bit of time but we accept the challenge, work hard every day, focus, don't listen to the outside noise and just focus on improving."
Another summer signing Hugo Ekitike scored twice against the Magpies as he continues his impressive debut season, and Kerkez believes he and Wirtz can be key figures in the Reds' attack for many years to come.
"Top players," he added.
"I see them every day in training and they are working hard since they arrived. They needed a bit of time to adapt to play better between each other but you see how things go.
"They are brilliant players helping us a lot. They are running even more, pressing even more, which is helping us also.
"They just have to continue to work and they will be very helpful for a lot of years for this club."
Roger: That was a Liverpool team that had a kick to to it. The players all worked for each other. When we play like this we are unbeatable because we have that belief and the supporters know this.
Stuart: A lively, end-to-end game. Liverpool immediately responded to going a goal down. There was a great tempo to the match, accompanied by the raucous supporters. The script was written for an Ibrahima Konate goal after a strong performance from the defender. Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz continue to improve too. Ten goals from the Reds in four days can't be bad!
Tony: Signs of the old swagger there and, as a bonus, Konate played the best game of his season.
Dax: It was definitely the Liverpool we needed. Our signings were on top form. Milos Kerkez clearing his lines or scrapping for every ball. And the deadly duo of Wirtz and Ekitike could see the start of another famous Liverpool partnership. However, all the praise should go to Konate. Absolutely solid in defence, a towering performance all over the pitch and a goal at the Kop end. His dad would've been proud.
Jim: Best performance in the Premier League this year despite pressure from Newcastle. Another disappointing performance by Mohamed Salah. A very emotional goal from Konate - you can't write that sort of thing.
Newcastle fans
Dabe: We look very good when attacking but have a tendency to over-commit, leaving gaping holes at the back. First half was great and we should have been two up, but when we give the ball away as much as we did, we got punished. More work to do and we need a genuine centre-forward.
Sam: Embarrassing is being generous. The fact we went 1-0 up and then gifted them four easy goals angers me. What angers me even more is that we gave up in the second half and pretty much let them win the game. Don't get me started on Nick Pope's embarrassment. I rated him throughout the season, but now I want him out.
Bryan: Getting rather tired of these excuses. Sloppy passing again giving Liverpool possession and goalscoring opportunities. Set pieces (mainly corners) a predictable shambles. Always getting caught on the break. Come on Eddie - get real.
Sean: Deja vu. Yet another game taking the lead and then throwing it away. Howe should have made changes earlier but, once again, the usual subs at 70 minutes after conceding who didn't impact the game. Mid-table mediocrity for this season.
Howard: Started really well but could not keep our defence tight. We miss Bruno Guimaraes and big Joelinton. I trust Eddie and his team as they are superb tactically, but the players cannot afford to ignore the plan. Three wingers up front made Liverpool struggle but we lost the shape and the pressure. I have no doubt we will bounce back but we may have to put up with a mid-table position this season - then strengthen the squad and go again.
What needs to happen before transfer deadline?published at 09:06 GMT 1 February
09:06 GMT 1 February
It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.
How would you assess Liverpool's window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?
How Ekitike is becoming Liverpool's star manpublished at 08:54 GMT 1 February
08:54 GMT 1 February
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Media caption,
There is no doubt Hugo Ekitike can finish.
He has already scored 15 goals for Liverpool and such an immediate return will not come as a shock to Newcastle, who always thought the striker would thrive in the Premier League.
"It hurts me from a Newcastle point of view," former Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given told Match of the Day. "[Ekitike] could be wearing a black-and-white shirt.
"He is brilliant at stretching defences. He has picked Liverpool and of all the signings they did make in the summer, he has been the standout."
This was a night when Ekitike became the youngest player to reach double figures for Liverpool in a league season since Michael Owen in 2000-01.
But it was a performance which earned him comparisons with another lethal striker from the club's recent past - Fernando Torres.
Gossip: Reds in talks for Jacquetpublished at 07:44 GMT 1 February
07:44 GMT 1 February
Liverpool and Chelsea are in talks with Rennes to sign 20-year-old French defender Jeremy Jacquet, but he will only move in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle: What Slot, Konate and Wirtz saidpublished at 23:01 GMT 31 January
23:01 GMT 31 January
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Match of the Day about Hugo Ekitike's performance: "I can safely say that the fans love him but fans always love players who score a lot of goals.
"What I like about Hugo and also Florian [Wirtz] is that the focus is on their goals and assists - football should be like this because it is a great game to watch, especially when they score goals - but their work-rate has improved so, so, so, so much.
"As a result of that, we are more able to control games. And as a result of that, they come in more good positions."
On the Ekitike-Wirtz partnership: "Hugo was scoring a lot of goals from the start of the season and Florian was involved a lot in creating chances for his team-mates and was unlucky that balls did not go in. It was not always possible to play them together every three days. That is what I mean when I speak about off the ball and match fitness - to be able to play every three days.
"That took a while for them to play at the best of their level at the highest intensity every three days. They are getting closer and closer, and it is no surprise the numbers are going up."
On Ibrahima Konate's goal: "He has had a very difficult two weeks. End of last week, he told me he would come back end of this week, but when he saw the problems we were having defensively he called me and said he would be back for this game because he wanted to help the team.
"That says a lot about him. That is why I really liked the appreciation of the fans during the game, when he scored and after of course that was even more from the players who appreciated him being there to help today."
And speaking to TNT Sports on the transfer window: "In the past 48 to 72 hours there has been a lot of speculation always around us. We are trying to look to strengthen the squad. I don't know exactly what is going on in this moment of time, but we prefer to strengthen the squad not weaken it. Let's see what the upcoming 48 hours will bring."
Liverpool defender Konate, speaking to TNT Sports: "I don't have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family the past two weeks, but this is part of life. It is hard to accept that and we don't have the choice.
"I know that the team had some injured players, and the manager on the call said to take my time and I don't have to rush back. With this situation [injuries] it was important for me to come back and help the team. I did today with the team at Anfield. The atmosphere was incredible today, and this is what we need until the end of the season."
On Florian Wirtz's performance: "I am very happy for him. He just showed to the world his quality. He has not reached his peak right now, but it is coming very soon. We spoke in pre-season what he is going to do - and if he reaches that, my god, it will be crazy."
On building consistency in the league: "We have to take game after game. For me, we are always the best team on the pitch but we maybe concede too many goals or don't score enough - but today we did very well and we have to take next game after next game."
Liverpool's Wirtz, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a good turnaround. I think when we went 1-0 down we came together as a team to fight back - there isn't much better you can do."
On scoring goals: "I just enjoy the goals. As long as I can help the team win games, I am happy. When you celebrate your own goal it is always the best. I am just happy to play here in front of the fans."
On his partnership with Ekitike: "Everyone saw again what quality he has and what a great player he is. He is so fast and has a great finish. What a joy it is to play with him."
Did you know?
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have combined for six goals this season, more than any other Premier League duo, assisting three goals each.
Since 20 December against Tottenham, Wirtz has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player in all competitions (nine – six goals, three assists).
Image source, Getty Images
