Liverpool
‘Gem cutter’ – National media react to Liverpool win as Jurgen Klopp finds his ‘wildcard’
Liverpool are on the charge in the Premier League after beating West Ham on Sunday afternoon at Anfield
Liverpool remain one of the early pacesetters in the Premier League season following their 3-1 victory against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were facing an outfit who have also made a promising start to the new campaign, though the Reds’ quality proved too much for the Hammers as they fell to a second league defeat in 2023/24.
For Liverpool, the gap to Manchester City stands at two points – and there is a belief growing this could well be closed before long if the high performance levels witnessed since August remain a theme in the coming months.
Sharing their assessment of the events that unfolded at Anfield were the national media, along with the ECHO’s own Paul Gorst, whose thoughts on proceedings can be found below.
Paul Joyce of the Times wrote:
“For a spell, it looked like being another one of those afternoons for Darwin Núñez. The sort where he could feel the warmth of the Liverpool supporters, their throaty backing every time he shuttled back to help out in defense, but could not quite bring them to a crescendo.
“Shortly after half-time he had found himself standing in front of the Kop, his hands brought up to partly cover his face, after a glaring miss. A neat interplay between Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah had created a gilt-edged opening, ten yards out, but the striker screwed his shot wide and lingered on the spot in disbelief.
“Yet one of Núñez’s undoubted qualities is the ability to brush off missteps and he is fortunate, too, to find himself in a Liverpool team who boast so much attacking intent that another chance is usually not too far away.
“Redemption would be sweet. On the hour mark, Alexis Mac Allister’s lofted pass from deep allowed Núñez to dart in between Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd before stretching out his right boot to meet the ball on the volley. His execution of the chance was an instinctive delight, leaving the West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Aréola grasping at thin air, and the celebrations suitably raucous.
“He was bought to make the difference and his contribution here ensured that Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the campaign continues to fuel all manner of possibilities.”
‘Klopp has taken on the role of gem cutter’
Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph wrote:
“Darwin Nunez has finally adjusted to life at Liverpool. It is equally true that Liverpool have adjusted to him. Since Nunez became Anfield’s most expensive purchase, Klopp has taken on the role of a gem cutter, applying the necessary polish to a striker who in his debut campaign only occasionally looked the right fit.
“His match-winning double at Newcastle United earlier this season felt like a turning point. The star turn which effectively saw off one of the most accomplished West Ham sides to visit Anfield in 40 years carried an equally exciting maturity, the Uruguayan demonstrating why he is currently in possession of Liverpool’s No.9 jersey.
“Where last year Nunez might live in hope for the perfect pass, now he can draw crazy patterns with those boots in the knowledge Mac Allister and the outstanding Dominik Szoboszlai will not hesitate and more often than not will deliver.
“Klopp’s attack is surrounded by examples of wastefulness.
“Perhaps Liverpool has to accept the trade-off with Nunez: that his physicality and irrepressibility mean he will enjoy plenty of opportunities and the probability that some will be missed embarrassingly. Yet on a day when their other two goals were scored by more clinical finishers, in Salah and the substitute Diogo Jota, Liverpool offered an example of their firepower.”
‘Are they really in the Premier League title race again?’
Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail wrote:
“This win, with goals from Mo Salah, Nunez, and Diogo Jota, takes them to 16 points from 18 to start the season. Are they really in the Premier League title race again?
“Time will tell if they are ready to go the distance and lay consistent gloves on Manchester City and Arsenal after a much below-par campaign last season where they were 22 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s champions. But the early-season signs are pleasing.
“What will perhaps please Klopp the most is his team’s tendency to get over setbacks. They had to weather a storm of West Ham chances in the first half here, with David Moyes’ side playing some nice football on the counter-attack.”
‘Comfortably eclipsed’
Andy Hunter of the Guardian wrote:
“Something is growing at Liverpool in the supremely qualified opinion of Jürgen Klopp. That judgment applies to expectations at Anfield this season, as well as the development of his refreshed, gifted, and hungry team. West Ham were comfortably eclipsed as Liverpool registered a sixth successive win in all competitions with plenty to spare.
“David Moyes’s visitors started brightly and deserved to head in level at the interval. Once Liverpool’s quality on the ball improved in the second half, however, West Ham was subdued and unable to contain the movement around them.
“Moyes’s long wait for a first win at Anfield goes on. Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot – he has now scored in 12 of his team’s last 13 home games – before second-half goals from Darwin Núñez and substitute Diogo Jota made Jarrod Bowen’s equalizer a distant consolation. Michail Antonio’s confident boast that West Ham will finish above Liverpool looks seriously misplaced on current evidence.”
‘Enduring brilliance’
“After a sluggish start, the Reds took the lead from the penalty spot 16 minutes after Salah was fouled at the end of a sweeping attack involving Diaz and Nunez by Nayef Aguerd. The Egyptian belted the ball down the middle for his fourth of the season and second of the week.
“It was Salah’s 13th goal involvement in as many games and took his tally for those particular metrics to a whopping 54 since the start of last season (20 assists and 34 goals). For all that talk about Saudi Arabian interest – chatter that will only intensify as it gets closer to January – there is surely merit in exploring the possibility of attempting to extend his stay on Merseyside. His enduring brilliance is showing no signs of dimming as he moves further into his 30s.
“For two players who were maligned at times last term, Joe Gomez, at right-back, and Joel Matip stood up superbly to the considerable set-piece threat of West Ham, with Matip in particular largely shackling Antonio, who left to ironic cheers in the second half.”
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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