Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp just told Ben Doak what he must do to take next step with Liverpool
It was in the EFL Trophy when Ben Doak took his next steps with Liverpool back in October.
Having impressed for both the Under-18s and Under-19s after joining from Celtic in a £600k deal last summer, a trip to Accrington Stanley was the winger’s first taste of men’s football since moving to Anfield. Come the final whistle, it was very much clear it would not be the last.
Liverpool Under-21s were already eliminated heading into their final group game at the Wham Stadium, with a 2-0 deficit being extended to three within two minutes of Doak being brought on in the 68th minute. Yet the then 16-year-old would still make it a night to remember as he made it 3-2 in stoppage after Calvin Ramsay had scored moments earlier.
A first start for Barry Lewtas’ side followed days later, as Doak scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Everton Under-21s. Fast forward little over a fortnight and Jurgen Klopp was handed the winger his first-team debut off the bench in the League Cup against Derby County, before the teenager was handed his first professional debut after celebrating his 17th birthday later that week.
Doak finished last season with five appearances for Klopp’s first team, including two Premier League outings. Meanwhile, if you combine his appearances in Premier League 2, EFL Trophy, UEFA Youth League and U18 Premier League, he returned 11 goals and eight assists from 27 outings at academy level.
Scoring in his first two appearances at Under-18s level, against Middlesbrough and Leeds United, Doak’s stay with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side would last just five matches before Under-21s duty called. Of course, such a promotion was aided by his UEFA Youth League exploits, as he registered four goals and four assists against Napoli and Rangers alone.
No wonder he was the talk of the town at the Academy, weeks before first being turned to by Klopp.
Handed a further Premier League appearance on the opening day of the season against Chelsea, having impressed in pre-season and even scored against Leicester City, more senior opportunities are now expected to follow this year.
It is why it would be a surprise to see Doak back in EFL Trophy action on Tuesday night as Liverpool Under-21s travel to Morecambe. Instead, having only failed to make one matchday squad under Klopp so far this season, a Europa League trip to Austria to face LASK Linz beckons.
The 17-year-old was named in the Reds’ 23-man squad earlier this month, having not been at Liverpool long enough to qualify as an Under-21s player on List B for UEFA competition. Consequently, with his longest competitive outing under Klopp so far lasting 22 minutes, Doak could be handed his lengthiest appearance yet, though the German has potentially played down the expectation surrounding a possible maiden start.
“If there will be kids involved that depends on the level the kids can show in that moment,” Klopp told TNT Sport when looking ahead to this season’s Europa League. “We have real talent there, but it is not experimental.
“I think if we don’t get hit by an injury crisis then we should have enough players to field Thursday and Sunday a top team, and that’s pretty much the idea. Then we will see how we build a squad…
“So we will see, but we have good kids. That’s the benefit of the [recent] international break, when you have all these kids in training. We had 16-year-old boys here, and they are incredibly good, incredibly talented.
“I can’t wait for them, but now in the moment we leave them where they are, they shall develop and all these kinds of things. But there a few good players out there in the Academy and for all the Liverpool supporters out there, I’m pretty sure the future’s bright.”
Doak is arguably the pick of the bunch – but Liverpool will continue to manage him carefully with Klopp having no intention of handing out sentimental starts for the sake of it. After all, for as exciting as his first team appearances have been so far, there is one thing he has lacked which reiterates how he remains raw potential with his senior career limited to bright cameos.
His best moments for the Reds have come with the ball at his feet, running both at and past terrified defenders. It is these attributes that excite supporters and get bums off seats.
But what good is beating a man if you then fail to show enough composure to pick out your team-mate or score for yourself? Unsurprisingly, that final ball is still a little lacking from the head-down winger after finding himself in these dangerous final third positions.
That will come in time of course from the 17-year-old, with his returns at Academy level demonstrating emphatically that he of course has it in his locker. But, having scored on his first starts for the Under-18s, Under-19s, and Under-21s, it remains the next thing he needs to show at senior level to make a more significant step up.
It should not be lost on the right-winger that, if selected to start against LASK Linz, the man whose place in the starting XI that he could be taking has now contributed to goals in each of his last 11 Premier League outings.
Is Doak ready to ‘bring it in that moment’? Only time will tell, with the Europa League at least offering more rotational opportunities than Champions League commitments.
Liverpool fans might want to see the Scotland Under-21s international start in Austria, but while no-one expects him to replicate Mohamed Salah anytime soon, Klopp won’t let the youngster run before he has first shown him he can walk.
Liverpool
Liverpool Fans React as Isaac Kearney’s Mum Explains Why He Won’t Be Inside Anfield for the Sunday Game
Liverpool Fans React as Isaac Kearney’s Mum Explains Why He Won’t Be Inside Anfield for the Sunday Game
The Liverpool fanbase has once again shown just how powerful its heart can be.
Over the past few days, social media has been buzzing with questions and concern surrounding young Liverpool supporter, Isaac Kearney. The pint-sized footballer, who recently went viral for captaining his local team to a league title, has captured the hearts of fans across the world—Reds and even rivals alike.
Liverpool
Liverpool fans completely stunned after finding out Arne Slot’s real name ahead of Premier League title win
Liverpool fans could not believe that their manager’s real name is not really “Arne Slot”.
Slot, 46, is likely to become a Premier League-winning manager when his Liverpool side face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday, with the Reds needing just a point to be crowned champions.
As a result, he will be one of the most popular men on Merseyside. And when such achievements occur, several pets and even some children may likely be named “Arne” as a nod to the Dutchman.
But that isn’t actually his name, which fans found out to their surprise.
One fan said: “Mad when you find out the manager’s name isn’t actually Arne.”
Another added: “Just googled this. Not sure I’ll ever recover.”
A third commented: “This is how myths and legends die. Delete and we’ll pretend it never happened.”
While a fourth explained: “Like finding out Pepe Reina’s name was Jose the whole time.”
So what is the Liverpool head coach’s real name?
Well, according to Wikipedia the Dutchman’s name is “Arend Martijn Slot”.
And of course, his name will not be the talking point if Liverpool secure their 20th English top-flight title on Sunday.
Despite the excitement in the city in the days ahead, Slot is not one to get over excited and revealed he has allowed two days off for his players to be “fully focused” ahead of the clash against Spurs.
“I have to wait and see because I haven’t experienced it here yet but what I know from my time with Feyenoord is that of course there is a lot of noise and everybody is very excited, but at our training ground we are just focused on the training sessions we do and trying to prepare in the best possible way for Tottenham, which is a team where all the injuries are coming back and are a team that deserves our full attention,” said Slot in his post-match press conference after the Reds’ 1-0 win against Leicester last Sunday.
“The boys also have one or two days off during this week because we’ve planned that already a long time ago and hopefully they will enjoy some time with their loved ones and be fully focused when we are back together to work towards Tottenham.”
Liverpool
“We Won’t Be Attending the Game…” – Isaac Kearney’s Mum Shares a Heartfelt Message That Will Move Every Liverpool Fan
“We Won’t Be Attending the Game…” – Isaac Kearney’s Mum Shares a Heartfelt Message That Will Move Every Liverpool Fan
As Liverpool edges closer to Premier League glory, emotions are running high among fans—but for one young supporter and his family, this weekend holds even deeper meaning.
Isaac Kearney, a passionate young Liverpool fan known by many in the Anfield community, won’t be watching Sunday’s massive clash against Tottenham Hotspur from the stands. His mum shared a touching update today that has stirred hearts across the fan base:
“We won’t be attending the game, but we will be heading down to Anfield early to soak the atmosphere and watch it down there 🙌😀 What a day it will be.”
This Sunday, April 27th, Liverpool hosts Tottenham at Anfield, with kickoff at 4:30 PM BST. The Reds need just one point to officially seal the Premier League title—a moment fans have dreamed of all season. For Isaac and his family, being close to the club, even outside the stadium, is more than enough.
They won’t be in the seats, but they’ll be where it matters most: in the heart of Anfield’s passion. Soaking in the cheers, the songs, the unity. Feeling the energy of a club that’s more than just football—it’s family.
Isaac’s story reminds us all that football is about more than goals and trophies. It’s about moments. It’s about connection. It’s about showing up—even when life throws you curveballs—and standing tall in the crowd.
As the anthem rings out and the game begins, thousands will be watching… and somewhere outside those gates, one boy’s dreams will still shine brightly. To Isaac, there’s no giving up.
Liverpool
Fans can’t believe what Crystal Palace posted moments after Arsenal draw to leave Liverpool on brink of the title
Fans can’t believe what Crystal Palace posted moments after Arsenal draw to leave Liverpool on brink of the title
Fans were left stunned by what Crystal Palace posted to X in the moments after their 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Heading into the match, both teams’ attentions were arguably on other competitions as Palace will take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, while Arsenal have a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final with PSG to look forward to next Tuesday.
However, Wednesday’s clash proved to be an entertaining affair, especially for Liverpool fans who watched on in anticipation as a Palace win would’ve seen them crowned as Premier League champions.
Three minutes before half time, Leandro Trossard put the home side ahead, but once again the Eagles equalised, this time via Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who netted a spectacular long-range strike with seven minutes left.
And despite the action on the pitch, it was what Palace posted to their social media channels that really got fans talking.
At 10:09 pm (BST), the Croydon club posted: “You’re welcome Liverpool…” to social media, seemingly about the fact Arne Slot’s side can now win the league in front of their supporters if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.
And fans were quick to give their thoughts on social media.
One said: “I forgive you for 2014.
“Good luck on Saturday lads!”
Another added: “I had to do a double take on the profile I deadass thought this was a troll account.”
A third explained: “Absolute legends. What a performance. Deserved to win. Forgive 1990 FA Cup semi, now.”
While a fourth commented: “If you’d made me guess which team made a tweet like this we’d all guess Palace. Steve Parish probably wrote it himself.
“Meant to be a Premier League club and they go on like they’re in League Two.”
Speaking after the match, Palace head coach Glasner expressed his delight with side’s performance.
“I’m really proud of the players and how they performed today,” Glasner told Palace TV.
“Also, being 1-0 down – and in the last two away games we conceded 10 goals – and then playing here at Emirates against an Arsenal side who are in great shape, it’s a tricky situation.
“But the reaction was great – it was unbelievable to be honest. We didn’t lose anything of our courage, we didn’t lose anything of our belief, and then we played forward. I think it was a really well-deserved draw, coming back twice.”
Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold tipped to make shock Liverpool U-turn after surprise ‘twist’ in Real Madrid saga
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure from Liverpool is in fresh doubt.
Liverpool supporters are resigned to losing their right-back, who has been on the books at his boyhood club for more than 20 years, when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Reds are on the cusp of their second title win of the Premier League era and have announced chunky new deals for both Mo Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk this month.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to leave in the summer, having won everything there is to win with Liverpool and been tempted away by the challenge of playing for Real Madrid.
But it’s been reported that the England star’s switch to the Spanish capital is not as inevitable as Liverpool winning the title.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the expected sacking of Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti changes the picture.
Ancelotti was instrumental in attracting Alexander-Arnold to the Bernabeu, according to Brown, and Football Insider reports that “the 26-year-old is believed to be asking questions and having second thoughts about the move” as a result.
“The right-back is also under pressure from fans and the club to stay at Anfield.”
With no deal agreed, Alexander-Arnold has the luxury of choice. Deciding to join Real Madrid on the basis of the head coach alone comes with obvious risk and Ancelotti is unlikely to have been the only factor in the player’s thinking.
A reunion with Jurgen Klopp is just one of the possible outcomes.
“I think there’s a chance he stays at Liverpool,” said Brown.
“It’s gone on throughout the season, there’s been so much talk, but it’s not signed yet.
“It looks to me like Madrid are entering a rebuilding phase, and that will cause uncertainty for Trent Alexander-Arnold because he might not fit under a new manager.”
Alexander-Arnold has won the Premier League and Champions League in a Liverpool shirt but is thought to be ready to call time on his time in England’s top division and prove himself at one of very few clubs that can further test his abilities.
He scored the goal that put Liverpool within one win of the title in Sunday’s win at Leicester City, revealing nothing and everything in his post-match interview on the pitch.
Liverpool
Three players who could miss Liverpool’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur with the title on the line
Liverpool vs Tottenham team news ahead of the Premier League fixture at Anfield.
Liverpool supporters will be heading to Anfield in buoyant mood. They might be expecting to return home in the wee hours. That is because the Premier League title could be secured with a victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Kopites have not celebrated an English championship properly since 1990. The Covid-19 pandemic denied them the chance to toast the feat when Jurgen Klopp’s side ended the 30-year wait. But new generations are on the verge of experiencing what their parents and grandparents got to cherish throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.
One point is all it will take for Liverpool to claim the title. In truth, many would have been overjoyed that Arsenal drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Reds fans want to celebrate it properly. Of course, it was a nice problem to have. But the potential feeling of winning the silverware at the full-time whistle will be euphoric.
Yet Liverpool still have to keep to their end of the bargain. Head coach Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk and the rest of the squad know there is still a job to do and that is to beat Tottenham.
But Slot is set to head into the fixture with almost a full complement of players yet again. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned from an ankle injury in emphatic style to score the winning goal at Leicester City. It will be intriguing if Alexander-Arnold.
The only member of the current Reds squad absent is Joe Gomez. The defender is working his way back from hamstring surgery. There is hope that Gomez will be able to play some part before the end of the campaign.
Slot’s troops will be heavy favourites to defeat Tottenham. Pressure is on Ange Postecoglou after their 2-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest earlier this week was their 18th league loss of the season. Spurs languish 16th in the table and their main focus for the rest of the season is on the Europa League. They face Bodo/ Glimt in the semi-finals, with the victors of the competitions earning a spot in next term’s Champions League.
The visitors will definitely be without centre-back Radu Dragusin, who has surgery from an ACL injury in February. Meanwhile, captain Heung-Min Son is a doubt. He has a foot issue and was absent against Forest.
Head coach Postecoglou left Destiny Udogie out of his squad for the Forest reverse but he could return. Meanwhile, centre-half duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were substituted at half-time.
Liverpool
Crystal Palace sends three-word message to Liverpool after setting up dream title scenario
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s delightful chip for Crystal Palace over Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya prompted his club to tweet at Liverpool ahead of the Reds Premier League title-clinching showdown.
Crystal Palace took another dig at its North London rival Arsenal following the side’s dramatic 2-2 draw at the Emirates on Wednesday.
A late Jean-Philippe Mateta equalizer deemed “world class” by Jamie Carragher — the Frenchman’s 14th in the Premier League this campaign — wasn’t enough for the Reds to win the title, as Arne Slot and company needed an Eagles victory to clinch the side’s 20th domestic championship.
Now, Liverpool can win the league with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at Anfield. Crystal Palace sent a three-word message on social media for its troubles: “You’re welcome Liverpool,” the club’s account tweeted.
The Reds didn’t clinch the 2019/20 league title at Anfield after Christian Pulisic scored a late winner at Stamford Bridge to beat then title-chasing Manchester City.
Even if Liverpool could have sealed the title at home, there would have been no fans in attendance to celebrate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is this what the Reds wanted? It’s unclear; after all, the most important thing is clinching the title. At least the Palace result makes the chance of a Liverpool title win even more certain.
“It was not our goal to decide the title, it was our goal to win the game,” Palace coach Oliver Glasner said. “I think a draw is a very good result. More important is the performance. We are back on track. That’s what we need.”
You’re welcome Liverpool…#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 23, 2025
Mateta took the ball off Arsenal defender William Saliba in the 83rd minute before deftly looking up at the position of goalkeeper David Raya.
The Frenchman, while looking at the ball, impressively dinked the ball over the Spanish star between the sticks with a lovely shot that looked like it came from a pitching wedge and not someone’s right foot.
“When I started on the bench, I could see he [David Raya] was very high up the pitch,” Mateta explained. “So I knew if I won the ball I could try, so I did and scored. It is one of the best goals of my career. I thought it hit the crossbar but thankfully it was in!”
Liverpool will face a Tottenham side on Sunday in ice-cold form in the Premier League, having lost four of its last five games (with the only victory over last-place Southampton).
However, Spurs are in much stronger form in Europe, having knocked off Eintracht Frankfurt in a fiercely competitive Europa League quarterfinal.
Liverpool
Stephen Bunting Shares a Touching Moment with Isaac Kearney—and a Powerful Lesson from His Parents
Stephen Bunting Shares a Touching Moment with Isaac Kearney—and a Powerful Lesson from His Parents
In the whirlwind of media obligations and the high-octane atmosphere of Premier League Darts, Stephen Bunting found a moment to pause—and it turned into one of the most heartfelt highlights of his day.
Amidst the cameras and questions, the 40-year-old darts star carved out a quiet pocket of time to spend with a young fan, Isaac Kearney. But this wasn’t just a casual meet-and-greet. For Bunting, it was something far more profound.
“Lots of media duties today,” Bunting shared, “but had time to take a break and spend time with this small superstar, Isaac Kearney. What an absolute credit to his parents. A real pleasure to have met you, young man.”
That brief encounter sparked admiration and reflection. Bunting, a seasoned professional known for his competitive edge and emotional honesty, was clearly moved—not only by Isaac’s charisma but by the upbringing that shaped him. In just a short time, it became evident that Isaac carried qualities that speak volumes about the love, values, and care instilled by his parents.
In a world where public figures often spotlight wins and losses, Bunting’s heartfelt words offered something deeper: a reminder that behind every remarkable child is often a story of strong parenting.
His tribute to Isaac’s parents wasn’t just a passing compliment—it was a powerful affirmation that in raising children with character and confidence, parents are the true unsung heroes.
Moments like this show the human side of sports—the connections that form off the stage, away from the lights. For Bunting, it was more than a break from media—it was a memory worth holding onto.
In Isaac, he saw not just a young fan, but a reflection of great parenting. And in sharing that moment, Bunting reminded us all of the importance of raising kind, respectful, and bright young minds. Sometimes, it’s not the trophies or the titles that define a legacy—it’s the people we impact and the hearts we touch along the way.
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