Liverpool news: Mohamed Salah put on notice as Alexander Isak makes stance clear

Liverpool's summer signings are yet to hit the ground running with the Reds struggling in recent weeks. Arne Slot's side were five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with five games played, before losing their next two matches.

Chelsea's 2-1 win over the Reds last weekend followed a 97th minute winner for Crystal Palace a week earlier. Sandwiched between was a rough evening in Istanbul as the Reds lost to Galatasaray in the Champions League, their first defeat in the competition this year.

The international break is now in full swing, and to their frustration, Liverpool will have to wait to make amends on the pitch until after the break. However, the two-week long hiatus gives Slot's team a chance to recharge as they look to make up ground on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

With Alexander Isak discussing his controversial switch to the Reds and Cody Gakpo staking a claim for penalty-taking duties, Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest news coming out of Anfield.

READ MORE: Alan Shearer spots Liverpool player Arne Slot does not 'trust' amid Mohamed Salah troubles

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher tells Arsenal and Liverpool one thing that can prove pivotal in title race

Alexander Isak's stance

Liverpool's new No. 9 has claimed that he hasn't had any contact with his ex-manager Eddie Howe since his Newcastle United exit. Isak joined Liverpool for £125million on deadline day, having spent the majority of the summer refusing to train or play for the Magpies.

"It's nothing I want to dwell on now," Isak said in a news conference ahead of Sweden's World Cup qualifier against Switzerland. "It doesn't benefit anyone, neither me nor Newcastle so let it be."

Asked whether he has spoken with Howe since joining Liverpool, Isak replied: "No". The Swedish star has just one goal and one assist in six appearances for Liverpool so far. However, Slot is managing the striker's minutes with Isak missing a full pre-season with Newcastle.

"I'm working hard to push myself and play my game," Isak said on returning to full fitness. "Things have been a bit tougher for us. I believe that as the team improves and things start to flow better, it will also go better for me.

He added: "I'm ready for 90 minutes if needed. It's been a month now." Speaking of his move he added: "I've been really happy so far. A city where the team has a very good relationship with the fans which is important. It's been nice so far."

Mohamed Salah put on notice

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has staked his claim to become Liverpool's primary penalty taker over Mo Salah. The Dutch star scored a brace and added an assist in the 4-0 win against Malta in the World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening.

Gakpo became the first Netherlands player since Rob Rensenbrink in 1978 to score two penalties in a single match. In an interview after, Gakpo made his case to be on the spot for his club.

“I was allowed to take the penalty because Memphis [Depay] wasn’t on the pitch. There wasn’t really a clear agreement on who would take it; it was up to me and Wout Weghorst," he said.

He added: “At Liverpool, I’m never allowed to take them. But normally, I’m pretty good at it. I’ve only missed a penalty once. That was for PSV against FC Copenhagen.”

While Salah doesn't look like he's about to be stripped of penalty duty anytime soon, Gakpo does have a slightly better penalty conversion rate than the Egyptian. However, the ex-PSV man has taken 56 fewer penalties.

Liverpool icon Salah has missed eight penalties since arriving at Anfield. However, he has scored 47 as he's climbed his way to become the club's third highest ever goalscorer.

Wayne Rooney challenges Steven Gerrard claim

Manchester United and Everton icon Rooney has dismissed Reds legend Gerrard's claims about his days playing for England. Speaking on the Gerrard had claimed that he and his England team-mates were "egotistical losers".

Rooney however, has hit back. "I wouldn’t quite put it that way," he said. "But I know what he’s saying, because there was a lot of big characters in the dressing room and in the team.

“When you look back with the players we had, could we have done better, I think we could have but it wasn’t to be. No, I wouldn’t say better attitude because I think that’s disrespectful, really, to us as players. We worked hard, we tried, we didn’t quite manage to do it.

“It was difficult to have that relationship with Liverpool and Man United players. I think it’s easier now. I used to speak to Steven all the time when we were playing and obviously both Scousers.

“I didn’t see that or feel that. I was fine with everyone, I got on with everyone and I had no issues. I was aware that Becks [David Beckham] and Gary Neville and [Paul Scholes] Scholesy and that, you could see they weren’t really going to be close to Liverpool players.

“But I think one thing’s for sure everyone would work hard for each other and try for each other and run for each other. So I don’t think that was the issue. We didn’t manage to get over the line, but I didn’t see it. I didn’t see that at all.”

Candidly, Gerrard had said: "I watch the telly now and I see Jamie Carragher sitting next to Paul Scholes and they look like they've been best mates for 20 years. And I see Carragher's relationship with Gary Neville and they look like they've been mates for 20 years.

"I'm probably more close and friendly with you [Ferdinand] now than I ever was when I played with you for 15 years [for England]. So why didn't we connect when we were 20, 21, 22, 23? Was it ego? Was it rivalry?"

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