Liverpool news: Andoni Iraola forced to defend second player as Reds ready to raid Prem rival

· Mirror

Liverpool news as Andoni Iraola speaks up for one of his players ahead of the showdown with Manchester City

The eyes of English football will be on Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool prepare to face Manchester City. The sides have been involved in some titanic, often title-deciding, battles in recent times.

However, there hasn't been a build-up quite like this after City were found guilty of breaking 114 Premier League regulations, raising questions over their last 15 years of success, when the Reds were so often the bridesmaids.

Potential punishments include expulsion from the Premier League, a points deduction and even the removal of titles, which, in theory, could see the Reds' tally of 20 league crowns increase retrospectively.

For now, Andoni Iraola's side simply have to focus on facing the side sitting at the top of the Premier League with maximum points from five games. Ahead of the big match, here's the latest Reds news…

Iraola defends another star

Iraola has rejected suggestions that summer signing Bradley Barcola is struggling for form after the forward was criticised for his France performances. The 24-year-old received some brutal reviews after Monday's 4-1 Nations League win over Belgium.

With his two senior forwards, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, both absent with injury for the Man City game, Iraola needs Barcola to deliver the kind of display he regularly produced for PSG.

> The Reds boss said: "I don't think he's in a bad moment. The problem with wingers or strikers is if they don’t score a goal, 'They haven’t played well.' We have to see the games, we have to watch. I said it the first game against Atletico Madrid, he missed two or three quite clear chances. I don't care, honestly.

> "I care but I want him to see [it's] there. With the national team, I have seen he has had a couple of good situations to score. He hasn’t scored, but I want him to be there."

His defence of Barcola comes just a month after he did similar with Florian Wirtz amid the German's continued struggles to live up to his price tag.

Reds ready to pounce

Liverpool are among a flurry of clubs being credited with an interest in Nottingham Forest's Murillo. The Brazilian has established himself as one of the Premier League's most reliable centre-backs.

As a result, he finds himself on the radar of numerous leading clubs. According to TeamTalk, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are keen on the 24-year-old, who has made more than 100 appearances since joining Forest from Corinthians in 2023.

Having signed a new contract in the summer, tying him to the City Ground until 2030, Murillo would carry a hefty price tag and a January departure would reportedly require an 'exceptional offer.' But with Virgil van Dijk in the latter stages of his storied career, the Reds will be looking to future-proof their defence.

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