Liverpool's Midfield Hunt Heats Up Amid Right-Back Chaos Before Forest Revenge

Picture this: Liverpool, the kings of last season's Premier League romp, now scrambling to stay in the top-four hunt under Arne Slot. It's like watching your nan try to keep up with TikTok trends – admirable, but a bit shaky. With whispers about Alexis Mac Allister's future swirling, the Anfield brass are eyeing midfield reinforcements, and they've got their eyes on some tasty prospects.

Spurs Starlet in the Sights

First up, Tottenham's Swedish whizkid Lucas Bergvall. As TEAMtalk insider Dean Jones dishes, the Reds have clocked his thriving form while Spurs flirt with the drop zone. It's a proper big-six eyebrow-raiser – poaching from north London? Chef's kiss.

Aston Villa are sniffing around too, but expect Spurs to slap a 'do not disturb' fee on him to scare off the vultures. Liverpool's midfield radar is sweeping Europe, but Bergvall's youth and potential make him a cheeky fit for Slot's system. Imagine him bossing the engine room while the Kop belts out 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Thuram Dream Hits the Buffer

Meanwhile, the chase for Juventus gem Khephren Thuram has hit a brick wall. TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey reveals Juve are locking him down long-term, with the player buying into their project hook, line, and sinker. Coaching staff trust him, so Liverpool might have to console themselves with a pizza instead.

It's a gut punch, but that's transfers for you – feast or famine. Still, it frees up the war chest for other targets like Bergvall.

Right-Back Woe: A Proper Headache

If midfield woes weren't enough, Liverpool's right flank is a revolving door of misery. Wataru Endo, the midfield warrior moonlighting at right-back, picked up a nasty foot knock. Skipper Virgil van Dijk admitted the lads were 'really gutted' – tough pill when a grafter like Endo gives his all.

"He gives everything," Van Dijk said. "Big blow, but we'll deal." And it's not just him: Conor Bradley's out for the season, while new boy Jeremie Frimpong nurses a groin issue after hamstring woes. Per The Athletic, he's missed four games and sits out the weekend trip to Nottingham Forest. 19 appearances since summer? Ouch.

Slot's options? Joe Gomez is back from injury but handled with kid gloves – he's needed at centre-back too. Enter improv hour: Curtis Jones shone at right-back in the FA Cup thumping of Brighton (3-0, with a goal to boot), and Dominik Szoboszlai has form there. But yanking the Hungarian from attack? Risky business.

Forest Fancy: Time for Revenge

Speaking of the City Ground, Sunday's clash screams redemption. Forest battered Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in November – a proper low point in their title defence. Now, under new gaffer Vítor Pereira (his first league test after Sean Dyche), the hosts are relegation fodder, but don't sleep on them.

Liverpool, sixth and chasing Chelsea and Man United, need points for Champions League dreams. A top-five finish should do it. Slot's crew won't be complacent after that humiliation – expect fire, fury, and maybe Jones bombing forward again.

Ciaran McCarthy at TEAMtalk and mates at OneFootball have the inside track. Liverpool's plotting raids, patching wounds, and plotting payback. Buckle up, Reds – it's going to be a wild ride to May.