Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledges that the club's newly revamped backline, featuring Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet, will require time to develop strong partnerships and click into gear, despite their promising start in a friendly.
'If you were to lift the two trophies, I think you have a pretty good chance to be on a nice list of captains that have achieved great things in this club.'
Following are the award winners who were honoured by UEFA during the Champions League draw on Thursday in Monaco.
Van Dijk was sent off for fouling Alexander Isak during the first half and appeared to remonstrate with referee John Brooks before walking off the pitch.
Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool in January 2018, has helped the club win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. Van Dijk wants to become a 'Liverpool legend' and says there is nothing stopping the Premier League club achieving 'incredible things'.
Strict rules govern transfers, with clubs able to negotiate terms with players only if they are out of contract or once a fee has been agreed with the seller. The laws also govern indirect approaches via an intermediary.
Alexander Isak scored the only goal, securing a 1-0 Premier League victory for Liverpool against AFC Bournemouth. Despite the win, Liverpool's attack, featuring Gakpo, Wirtz, and Barcola, struggled to create chances, managing only six shots on goal. Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the team's need to improve but highlighted the importance of the three points and a clean sheet.
Liverpool did not reveal the transfer fee but Southampton announced it was "a new world-record for a defender" with English media reporting that it was a 75 million pounds ($100.49 million) deal.
Van Dijk was substituted early in the game when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a reckless challenge in the box, which left Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp fuming.
"The difficult thing about him is when we are attacking, he is chilling somewhere in a corner or something," remembered Van Dijk.
While Ronaldo, a three-time winner, has been ever-present in the final three since the award was created in 2011, centre back Van Dijk makes his first appearance after helping Liverpool win the Champions League title last season.
Virgil van Dijk made a dream start to his Anfield career, scoring the winning goal on his debut for Liverpool, as they beat city rivals Everton 2-1 in a pulsating FA Cup third round tie on Friday.
'Nobody is for sale that we don't want to sell and so he is not for sale in this window. We have said it more than once'
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister failed to see the funny side after Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk joked that the Portuguese forward is "not really a rival" in the Ballon D'Or award voting.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the biggest attractions in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Friday as he watched Alexander Zverev beat Britain's Arthur Fery to reach his maiden men's singles final at the All England Club.
Japan showed their battling qualities to eke out a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday, as Hajime Moriyasu's side backed up their desire to make an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.
Virgil van Dijk scored with a stunning late header in the second minute of stoppage time to give Liverpool a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their opening group stage match of the Champions League, at Anfield, on Wednesday.
Aston Villa defeated Liverpool 4-2, securing a Champions League qualification spot for next season. Ollie Watkins scored twice in the victory.
The two teams had numerous chances in the first 90 minutes.
Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory under new manager Andoni Iraola, defeating promoted Ipswich Town 2-0. Alexander Isak scored both goals within the opening nine minutes, assisted by Cody Gakpo. The win moves Liverpool to fifth in the table, while Ipswich remains in 13th. New signing Bradley Barcola also made his debut.
Cody Gakpo scored a stoppage-time equaliser for the Netherlands, securing a 1-1 draw against Germany in their Nations League opener, spoiling Juergen Klopp's debut as Germany's coach. Other Nations League matches saw Erling Haaland lead Norway to victory over Denmark, Portugal defeat Wales, and Greece snatch a late win against Serbia.
Real Madrid have secured France defender Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer from Liverpool, signing him until June 2030.
Liverpool have secured Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Spanish champions Barcelona on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for approximately 47 million, as the Premier League club seeks to reinforce its injury-plagued defence.
Carrying a red floral wreath bearing his shirt number, Diogo Jota's Liverpool teammates joined relatives and residents in a small Portuguese town on Saturday for the funeral of the soccer star.
Enzo Fernandez's free kick secured Chelsea a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, ending the visitors' six-game losing run in the Premier League and earning caretaker manager Calum MacFarlane a first point in charge.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire struck a late header to seal a thrilling 2-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool on Sunday
Liverpool end victorious season with 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace
Liverpool agree 136.3 million euros fee to sign Leverkusen's Wirtz, reports say
Liverpool continued their march towards the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Everton in a scrappy Merseyside derby as Diogo Jota slotted home the winner in the second half on Wednesday.
Images from the EPL matches played on Saturday.
Manchester City defeated Arsenal in a crucial Premier League match, while Liverpool secured a late win against Everton. Nottingham Forest also claimed a significant victory against Burnley.
The 22-year-old German is Liverpool's most-expensive signing ever, ahead of captain Virgil van Dijk who joined for 75 million pounds in 2017.
Carragher said manager Arne Slot should build the team around Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool cruised into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 5-2 rout of Championship side Norwich City on Sunday, to kick off Juergen Klopp's long goodbye at Anfield.
Liverpool beat Porto 4-1 at the Dragao Stadium on Wednesday to advance 6-1 on aggregate with their attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all on target once again.
Gakpo says Dutch skipper Van Dijk persuaded him to join Liverpool
Mohamed Salah's late equaliser earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw with rivals Arsenal in an entertaining Premier League encounter.
Jude Bellingham topped the men's overall voting, with the Real Madrid and England midfielder receiving 11,176 selections from his peers.
Liverpool roared back from a goal behind to thrash Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 and wrap up the English Premier League title in style.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who have won the award 10 times between them, are included
