Premier League leaders Liverpool return to domestic action when they host Ipswich Town at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. After the 2-0 victory at Brentford last week was followed by another win against Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday, the Reds play the second of three successive 3pm Saturday fixtures when they entertain Kieran McKenna's men.

It's the reverse fixture of Slot's first taste of Premier League football back in August and with a six-point advantage at the summit, the Reds may be able to extend their healthy lead depending on the results of Arsenal's trip to Wolves at the same time, while third-place Nottingham Forest visit fellow high-flyers Bournemouth also at 3pm on Saturday.

Ahead of another busy weekend of action, the ECHO brings you the latest Notebook, featuring all the tidbits and off-diary news.

READ MORE: Liverpool next Champions League opponent in doubt after Man City collapse as draw boost clarified

READ MORE: Liverpool next Champions League opponent in doubt after Man City collapse as draw boost clarified

Liverpool expanding scouting network

Liverpool are looking to expand their European scouting network by adding three new roles within the recruitment department at Anfield. As part of club owners' Fenway Sports Group's expansion plans that include searching for another team to bring into a multi-club model, the Reds are also trying to bring in three scouts that will work across northern and western Europe.

Talent spotters are wanted to cover the Scandinavian, Spain and Portugal and Belgium and Holland regions as part of a idea to further the net in competitive markets across the continent. It's understood the roles will not impact those already working for Liverpool in those specific areas but is viewed as part of FSG's plans to increase staff numbers in the scouting teams, which, for a club of its size, is thought not to be one of the biggest in the Premier League.

Those in the positions will be expected to give live and video appraisals of players and provide in-depth scouting reports and information on those who may have the potential to come to Anfield. A key part of the wide remit is to establish and maintain relationships with agents and contacts across the various regions.

Those who take up the position will work within the club's football operations department and will report to sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG's CEO of football, Michael Edwards.

The Iberian areas of Spain and Portugal have been fruitful for the Reds in recent years with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez added to the first-team ranks from Porto and Benfica back in 2022, while Stefan Bajcetic was signed for the Academy ranks from Celta Vigo at the start of 2021. The Reds brought in Cody Gakpo from Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven two years ago.

AC Milan to wait on Nunez

AC Milan are now almost certain to hold off on their interest in Darwin Nunez until the summer. The Uruguay international was reported to be a target for the Rossoneri at the turn of the year but with Sergio Conceicao only recently in the role as head coach, admiration for the Reds striker won't crystalise with a formal move before the close of winter transfer window on February 3.

Milan are closing in on a move for wantaway Manchester City defender Kyle Walker and have been linked with a deal for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford although that deal is now off the cards. Sources have told the ECHO that the Italian giants remain keen on bolstering their attacking options, with Tammy Abraham having scored just twice in 16 Serie A appearances following his loan move from Roma.

Despite that, however, it's been suggested any approach for Nunez will be pushed back to the summer transfer window at the earliest. For their part, Liverpool are in no mood to listen to offers for their No.9 as things stand, with Nunez viewed as an important figure for a squad who are leading both the Premier League and Champions League as February draws near. Links to Saudi Arabia have also been firmly dismissed where Nunez is concerned.

Liverpool's progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League, meanwhile, keeps alive the prospect of the Reds paying out further for Nunez this year. The club paid an initial fee of £64m to Benfica for the striker in the summer of 2022 but appearance-based add-ons are thought to have since reached around £75m. Milestones around the number of goals scored are understood to be part of the additional clauses, while a sum will also be due if Nunez can help Arne Slot's side win the European Cup this term.

Van Dijk on Quansah

Virgil van Dijk says Jarell Quansah is in the best place at Liverpool to further his football education as the captain pushed back on claims of it being a difficult campaign for the young centre-back.

Quansah made his first start in the Champions League on Tuesday night when the table-topping Reds beat Lille 2-1 at Anfield to confirm progress to the knockout stage of the revamped European Cup.

Having established himself as first choice alongside Van Dijk towards the end of Jurgen Klopp's time as manager last term, Slot has preferred Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez more often than not this time around but the Reds skipper thinks it is simply a part of Quansah's long-term development as a potentially elite centre-half.

“I don't know if it's a tough season," Van Dijk says. "It's a season where he can learn each and every day. He is a fantastic young player who can only get better and he's in a great place to learn and when he has the opportunity to play like today he just has to show his quality and play with confidence and don't be afraid to make mistakes because we all make mistakes.

"I think he did well [against Lille]. Unfortunately we conceded, which as a defender is never nice, but I thought he did well so now it's time for him to recover and be ready for when he plays again."