Liverpool may have entered the international break without a win in their last two matches - but there is still plenty of optimism that they can finish inside the Champions League places this season.
The Reds currently sit sixth, seven points behind fourth-place Tottenham, but Jurgen Klopp's men do have two games in hand on their rivals. As do Newcastle, although they are much closer to Spurs and will also fancy their chances to finish inside the top four.
With the international fixtures looming, Klopp will be keen to get all of his players back fit and injury-free ahead of the run-in. One player he won't have to worry about, however, is Alisson, who was left out of the Brazil squad. His teammate Ederson has since spoken about his absence.
Here are the latest news to come out of Anfield.
Ederson makes Alisson claim
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has admitted his surprise after Alisson was left out of the latest Brazil squad for their friendly against Morocco on Saturday.
The Liverpool stopper was Brazil's first-choice at the World Cup as Tite's side reached the quarter-finals. But Alisson has been overlooked for the clash with Morocco.
Alisson has been in excellent form for the Reds this season and had kept four clean sheets in his last six Premier League matches, meaning his omission was rather surprising. City 'keeper Ederson was shocked at the decision.
"The first moment I saw the list I was surprised, but it's the coach's decision," he told Ge Globo. "They are choices, I thought he would be on the list, but he was not, I do not know why if it is a matter of opportunities for younger players.
"But we have to work, give our best, every day there is a good new player who can take that responsibility too."
"I think it's too early for that [talk of becoming number one]. Of course it is always important to start a cycle, for me it is no different and I hope to start in the best way possible," he added.
Liverpool receive Mitchell boost
Paul Mitchell has opened the door to join Liverpool by officially confirming he will be standing down as Monaco’s Sporting Director.
The Reds are on the lookout for a new face behind the scenes after Julian Ward confirmed he would be departing Anfield at the end of the season. That announcement came as a surprise to Kop bosses, including manager Jurgen Klopp.
Ward had only replaced the highly respected Michael Edwards months previous and the smooth transition was seen as a major positive for the club moving forward. But Ward is now set to take on a role with Ajax ahead of what is a huge summer transfer window on Merseyside.
And reports from France have suggested that Mitchell is in the frame for Ward's position and GFFN claim initial talks are now underway.
Klopp looks set for one of the busiest off-seasons he has had in recent years with his Liverpool squad in desperate need of a refresh. It is anticipated that there will be several high-profile departures at the end of the current campaign, which has seen the Reds fall away from contention both domestically and in Europe.
Rabiot revelation
Liverpool transfer target Adrien Rabiot has revealed his fondness for the Reds after naming Steven Gerrard as his childhood idol.
Rabiot, 27, has entered the final three months of his contract with Italian giants Juventus, who're facing financial turmoil and look set to have to wave goodbye to the French midfielder this summer. That's prompted speculation surrounding Rabiot's future, with Liverpool claimed to have registered their interest in making him a part of Jurgen Klopp 's midfield rebuild.
The France international came close to joining Manchester United last summer, with football director John Murtough even flying out to Turin with the hope of sealing a move after reaching a £15million agreement with Juventus. United's transfer chief left empty-handed, though, as the player's extravagant wage demands through his notoriously difficult to deal with mother-agent Veronique were deemed too high.
Rabiot could still be on his way to the Premier League, however, as Liverpool allegedly line up a free transfer in June. A report from Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport in February, via Sport Witness, suggested that the Reds are considering a move, and now they've received a boost on the personal side of things.
Growing up, Rabiot idolised Reds legend Gerrard and followed the club because of him. Speaking to Tuttosport about a host of topics including his uncertain future, the 27-year-old said: "I liked Liverpool so much because I was a fan of Steven Gerrard who made me dream and therefore I followed the Reds. My other idol was [Zinedine] Zidane."
