Dominik Szoboszlai in why he chose Steven Gerrard’s legendary number - Now soccer
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Dominik Szoboszlai in why he chose Steven Gerrard’s legendary number

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Dominik Szoboszlai, who recently joined Liverpool in a £60 million transfer from RB Leipzig, now proudly wears the no.8 jersey.

Interestingly,  he’s only the second Liverpool player to do this squad number since club legend Steven Gerrard left in 2015, with Naby Keita being the previous one. It’s a special number for Szoboszlai, as he was a fan of Gerrard during his formative years, and he even sports a tattoo inspired by the former Liverpool captain.

In his first interview with Liverpool’s official website, Szoboszlai was asked: “You’ve chosen the shirt number eight, obviously a famous number at Liverpool. What is the reason behind that?”

He replied: “Not a special reason but of course it’s a great number, a lot of great players had this number. And also I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard, what he said – I don’t even remember when but before. It was also a reason why.”
On Gerrard, he added: “When I was a child, to be honest I didn’t watch that much football but of course when it was Champions League or a big game, I was watching Liverpool, the big teams and also the big players – and he was one of the biggest.”

Indeed, the tattoo on Dominik Szoboszlai’s body is reported to feature a quote once attributed to Steven Gerrard. This meaningful quote, originally in English, has been translated into Hungarian and etched onto Szoboszlai’s skin. The words that inspired this tattoo read: “Talent is a blessing from God, but without incredible will and humility, it is worthless,”. It’s a profound message that reflects the importance of hard work and humility in the pursuit of success.





Liverpool

Arne Slot shares fitness update Cody Gakpo as worrying news provided on another Liverpool star

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Arne Slot shares fitness update Cody Gakpo as worrying news provided on another Liverpool star

Arne Slot shares fitness update Cody Gakpo as worrying news provided on another Liverpool star

Arne Slot shares fitness update Cody Gakpo as worrying news provided on another Liverpool star

Liverpool travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday night for the next challenge in their hunt for a Premier League title.

The Reds have the chance to go ten points clear at the top of the Premier League at Villa Park before Arsenal play next, which could give the Merseyside club a psychological boost.

Team MP W D L GD Pts
1 Liverpool 25 18 6 1 36 60
2 Arsenal 25 15 8 2 29 53
3 Nottm Forest 25 14 5 6 12 47
4 Man City 25 13 5 7 17 44

Liverpool were 2-1 winners over Wolves on Sunday but not all went to plan for the Premier League leaders as Arne Slot’s team put in an underwhelming second-half display.


This week is set to be a crucial one in Liverpool’s season with two away trips to Aston Villa and then Man City at the weekend.

Arne Slot shares fitness update Cody Gakpo as worrying news provided on another Liverpool star


Slot will be without some big stars for the contest at Villa Park on Wednesday night as the Dutch coach has now provided an update on the fitness of Cody Gakpo.

Arne Slot shares fitness update on Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez

Liverpool were without Gakpo for the Wolves game at the weekend after the Dutch star picked up an injury against Everton last Wednesday night at Goodison Park.

Fans of the Reds would have hoped to have had the forward back for their trip to Villa Park given the importance of the 25-year-old to the Merseyside club’s success this season, however, that is looking unlikely.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday morning, Slot revealed that Gakpo will miss the Aston Villa clash, although the Dutch star will be back soon. However, there was a more worrying update on Joe Gomez.

“Both are unavailable for tomorrow,” Slot said when asked about the fitness of both Gakpo and Gomez. “Cody is close to being back and Joe will take quite a long time. He is going to be out for a number of weeks because of a hamstring injury.”

Gomez picked up his injury against Plymouth in the FA Cup at the start of the month as the defender had to come off very early in the contest on a day he wore the captain’s armband for the Reds.

This is a major blow for the centre-back as the English star would have wanted to have played his part in Liverpool’s charge for the Premier League title, now the 27-year-old may only have a few more games in a red shirt.

Joe Gomez’s Liverpool career may be coming to an end

Gomez’s Liverpool contract comes to an end in 2027 and it is unlikely that the Merseyside club will offer the 27-year-old a new deal.

The defender has been a great servant for the Reds and has stepped up this season when needed with Jamie Carragher describing Gomez as ‘outstanding’ following his display at Tottenham in December.

However, the defender has only received 874 minutes of action during the current campaign and there was interest in the player last summer, which will likely be there again ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Newcastle wanted to sign Gomez but a deal could not be reached with the Magpies; while it was reported that Aston Villa and Chelsea also had the England international on their radar.

It remains to be seen if the centre-back will be at Anfield next season but either way, this latest injury is a major blow for the Liverpool defender.




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‘Verbally agreed’ – Fabrizio Romano announces morning contract news that catches Liverpool in its radius

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One potential transfer option looks set to become more of a pipe dream for Liverpool following a Fabrizio Romano contract announcement.

The Merseysiders had reportedly been considered open, at one stage, to exchanging pieces with AC Milan in order to facilitate Tijjani Reijnders’ arrival at Anfield.

Newly arrived Federico Chiesa would head in the opposite direction, reports from Italy suggested, allowing the 26-year-old midfielder to sign for Arne Slot’s outfit.

In the end, however, it was made expressly clear that the Italian international is very much happy with his lot at L4 and the club isn’t understood to be especially willing to part ways.

Liverpool look set to miss out on Tijjani Reijnders transfer.

Liverpool look set to miss out on Tijjani Reijnders transfer


Fabrizio Romano reported on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday morning that AC Milan are set to ‘formally’ seal the Dutchman’s contract extension.

Initially set to expire in the summer of 2028, the Serie A giants are expected to extend his current deal to June 2023.


https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1891761319201640718?t=cyUhqQSAjPBoUth9CRQwMA&s=19

There’s still a possibility that we could look to engage in business in the summer transfer window, of course. Though, it would be foolish to expect anything other than a seriously inflated price for the versatile midfielder.

Liverpool could do with some good contract news of their own.

The clock is still ticking and we’ve yet to finalise an extension for any of the “Big Three”.

Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all, as things currently stand, set to depart the club as free agents at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

What a disheartening reality to potentially contend with mere moments after Liverpool potentially lift a 20th English top-flight title – and quite possibly further pieces of silverware!

We’re hopeful that the sight of our No.4’s entourage being sat with sporting director Richard Hughes indicates that talks are moving in a positive direction at the very least.

Nonetheless, it’s a point of distraction we’d much rather see resolved sooner rather than later.

 




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Real Madrid ‘want to QUIT La Liga’ and seek ‘asylum’ in rival league in move that would rock world football

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Real Madrid 'want to QUIT La Liga' and seek 'asylum' in rival league in move that would rock world football

Real Madrid have been tipped to leave La Liga and play in another league.

Real Madrid 'want to QUIT La Liga' and seek 'asylum' in rival league in move that would rock world football

Real Madrid are weighing up quitting La Liga and moving to another league after huge issues with president Javier Tebas and the referees.

Los Blancos are the most successful club in the history of La Liga, having claimed a 36th title last season.

They remain top of the table ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as it stands but Real have been left furious by what they believe to be a number of injustices against them.

Real Madrid 'want to QUIT La Liga' and seek 'asylum' in rival league in move that would rock world football


In the 1-1 draw with Osasuna at the weekend, Jude Bellingham was sent off for a comment which the referee deemed to be dissent and is said to be at risk of being banned for 12 games if his words are considered to be insulting.

According to a report , Real see Tebas as their number one enemy – believing he is taking advantage of them and “leading a crusade” against the club.


Fans on social media are urging the club to exit the Spanish top flight because of the disgruntlement with the top brass and the report notes the club could look to “request asylum in the Bundesliga, Serie A or Ligue One”.

Doing so would be a complicated process which would require approval from FIFA, as well as the green light from La Liga themselves to facilitate the departure of arguably their biggest club.

Real would also need to get the go-ahead from UEFA which could be a tricky step considering they were a driving force behind the rival European Super League which was ultimately blocked after monumental fan backlash.

However, in December it was reported that the Super League had essentially been relaunched with a new project that would “democratise football by allowing fans everywhere to watch” for free.

It was suggested that the aim would be to get the competition up and running in September 2026, though Real’s current predicament may well accelerate proceedings.

SPORT say Real “will not stop studying the possibility of also moving forward with a European Super League that will distance them from Tebas”.

Though the club have an ill feeling after the draw with Osasuna, they have turned their attentions to the Champions League play-off second leg with Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Real lead 3-2 after a last-gasp Bellingham winner at the Etihad Stadium last week.




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Virgil van Dijk makes honest title race admission: “Certain players in our team…”

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Virgil van Dijk makes honest title race admission: “Certain players in our team…”

Virgil van Dijk has spoken honestly on the Premier League title race and has revealed on detail about some of his teammates.

Virgil van Dijk makes honest title race admission: “Certain players in our team…”

Liverpool’s pursuit of Premier League glory continued with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday, but the performance raised questions about their ability to handle the pressure as the title race heats up with 13 games remaining.

While the Reds were largely dominant in the first half, the second period told a different story. Liverpool failed to register a single shot after halftime as Wolves mounted a spirited comeback.

Matheus Cunha’s stunning 67th-minute strike gave the visitors hope as they continued to lay siege to Arne Slot’s defense as the game wore on.

Despite Wolves’ late pressure, Liverpool held on to secure three vital points.


Strong options Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez are currently sidelined, and the club will need their squad depth to shine during this critical period.

With 13 games left in the season, including potential title-deciders against Arsenal and Manchester City, the race is far from over.


For now, Liverpool remains in control—but as Sunday’s nervy win showed, nothing can be taken for granted in this fiercely competitive campaign.

What did Virgil van Dijk say after the win against Wolves?

The Reds skipper first spoke of his understanding of the tense situation, but revealed that it would be a ‘difficult’ few months for fans who are not prepared for all the ups and downs:

“We are all human beings, and I totally understand anxiety or nervousness can kick in,” he said via AFP.

“I said it weeks ago, we just have to buckle up, enjoy the ride. There will be a lot of twists and turns.”

“If you’re not ready for it, it will be a difficult couple of months for you but I feel like we as a team are ready for it.

“We will give it everything we’ve got and we will see in 13 games if that is enough.”

“I don’t know how others would think, I can only say what I think and what I tell the boys to do because I’ve been through this whole situation and come up short as well twice,” he said in reference to some of the title-run ins with Manchester City under Jurgen Klopp.

“We have to put all our energy in only ourselves and that is hard enough already – you saw how Wolves made it difficult for us and on Wednesday it will be very difficult again.”

The 33-year-old then confessed that some of his teammates are looking at other clubs, undoubtably Arsenal, but that doing this is not going to help the Reds get over the line come May:

“If you focus on other things or look at others it is only going to backfire so we keep going.”

“Certain players in our team might watch other teams but it is not going to help you.”

“I think that was also the mentality the season we won it (in 2020): we kept going, kept going and we found a way.”




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Roberto Firmino sends cryptic message as Liverpool hero hits new low in Saudi Arabia

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Roberto Firmino sends cryptic message as Liverpool hero hits new low in Saudi Arabia

Roberto Firmino Former Liverpool striker   has posted another cryptic message after being controversially left off the Ah Ahli roster for the second half of the season.

Roberto Firmino sends cryptic message as Liverpool hero hits new low in Saudi Arabia

Former Liverpool favorite Roberto Firmino has sparked intrigue with a potentially cryptic post on social media regarding his situation at Saudi club Al-Ahli.

The Brazilian’s future is uncertain after he was left out of the squad for the remainder of the Saudi Pro League season. While Firmino won’t be able to participate in domestic league matches until the season concludes, he remains eligible for the Asian Champions League fixtures. This development has fuelled rumors that Firmino might cut ties with Al-Ahli, which would allow him to move freely to another team, including those in the Premier League.

The decision to exclude Firmino from the squad was made to accommodate the January signing of Galeno, as Saudi teams are limited to 10 foreign players. Al-Ahli’s manager Matthias Jaissle commented on the tough call. “It was a difficult decision for the club and based on the rules,” he said. “We appreciate him and he dealt with it professionally. He’s still one of our leaders.”

In response to last week’s announcement, Firmino shared a bible verse on his Instagram stories, a move he has now seemingly echoed. He recently uploaded a video teasing the upcoming AFC Champions League match against Al-Gharafa. The video features a highlight reel, including a spectacular bicycle kick goal from Firmino earlier in the competition.


Firmino has also shared a passage from the Bible, which reads: “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Liverpool.com says: Firmino being in Saudi Arabia still doesn’t feel quite right. He has actually done pretty well there relative to lots of others who have made the move. Still, he can be added to the growing list of players who effectively offer a warning to Mohamed Salah not to make the same switch.





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Liverpool man slammed as ‘unruly spoiled brat’ after ‘secret camera exposed everything’

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Liverpool man slammed as ‘unruly spoiled brat’ after ‘secret camera exposed everything’

Liverpool man slammed as ‘unruly spoiled brat’ after ‘secret camera exposed everything’

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been accused of being like the “ideal son-in-law with the unexpected angry temper” after he was sent off against Everton.

Liverpool man slammed as ‘unruly spoiled brat’ after ‘secret camera exposed everything’

The Reds are having a brilliant season with their 2-1 win over Wolves on Sunday seeing them maintain their seven-point lead over second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Premier League leaders Liverpool ended a two-match winless run that saw them lose 1-0 against Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and draw in the Merseyside Derby against Everton in midweek.


Liverpool man slammed as ‘unruly spoiled brat’ after ‘secret camera exposed everything’

Liverpool boss Slot was sent off after the final whistle against the Toffees by referee Michael Oliver with the Dutchman visibly angry after a late James Tarkowski strike earned Everton a point at Goodison Park on Wednesday.


And journalist Leon ten Voorde argued that Slot’s mask slipped against their Merseyside rivals with the anger from the Liverpool boss something Dutch fans “had discovered before”.

Ten Voorde wrote in Algemeen Dagblad: “Arne Slot is the ideal son-in-law with the angry temper.

“It was about time too, after almost a year of walking the tightrope in the ideal world. On Wednesday – after some setbacks – England finally got to know the other side of Arne Slot from Bergentheim. The ideal son-in-law with the unexpected angry temper.

“It is all too good to be true: too slick, too smooth, too much of a pleaser, too charming, too clever and too cunning and maybe just too good. A great coach of a more than great club.

“After all the adulation and adulation, things are now a little bit disappointing. And then the ideal son-in-law turns into an unruly spoilt brat, unaccustomed to dealing with adversity.

“Suddenly, they saw a side of the manager in England that we in the Netherlands had discovered before, it is a character trait that does not make him equally popular with all his colleagues. A narrative Slot whines and whines to the fourth man, he manipulates and postures

“Well, with this referee I would not have made it to the dressing room without a card either, but Slot threw off his mask with just a little too much misbehaving. It was as if a secret camera exposed everything in the bedroom of the incorruptible king.

“Slot was briefly himself again on Wednesday, a flesh-and-blood human being. Thankfully, because it was all getting just a little too perfect.”

Liverpool also faced a nervous finish in the last minutes of their win over Wolves and Slot admits there “was relief” that they managed to get the three points.

Slot told a post-match press conference: “Yeah, clearly it was relief at the end, especially after what happened on Wednesday.

“Those last eight minutes, and especially the last minute where we conceded a goal, you are so frustrated because you know that moment can also have [an] impact for the next game or for the next games that are coming up.

“And I think you saw today after us conceding the 2-1 that maybe for the first time this season we were a bit, ‘Ooh…’ after conceding in the last minute against Everton. I think that was in our heads a bit and that’s also why we, as a team, were so furious on Wednesday.”




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Wolves boss disagrees with Arne Slot and makes honest Liverpool ‘afraid’ and ‘respect’ claim

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Wolves boss disagrees with Arne Slot and makes honest Liverpool 'afraid' and 'respect' claim

Wolves boss disagrees with Arne Slot and makes honest Liverpool ‘afraid’ and ‘respect’ claim

Wolves boss disagrees with Arne Slot and makes honest Liverpool 'afraid' and 'respect' claim

Ibrahima Konate was substituted at half-time in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is adamant Ibrahima Konate should have been sent-off in Liverpool’s victory.

The Reds earned a 2-1 triumph to restore a seven-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table. It appeared it would be a routine win for Arne Slot’s side, who went ahead through Luis Diaz before Mo Salah doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 37th minute at Anfield.

Wolves boss disagrees with Arne Slot and makes honest Liverpool 'afraid' and 'respect' claim


However, Wolves felt Konate should have received a yellow card before half-time. His first cautionarrived in the 31st minute when tugging back Matheus Cunha before the Liverpool defender again fouled the visiting forward just before the break. Referee Simon Hooper awarded a free-kick but did not reach into his pocket for another card.

Coaches disagree

Reds head coach Arne Slot felt Konate was walking a disciplinary tightrope and substituted the France international at the interval, with Jarell Quansah coming on in the second period. An honest Pereira said on the incident: “Yes of course. Second yellow card, red card, less one player, maybe it would be a different game. But I’m not a referee. I’m not there to decide. But in the end, I’m very happy and proud of my players in the second half.”


Although Slot knew Konate was close to being given his marching orders, he felt both yellow cards would have been ‘soft’. The Liverpool head coach said: “Yes, I took him off because of that. Because I saw him getting his first yellow, that was for me a soft yellow. If he would have got the second one for a shoulder push, that would again be a soft yellow, so then he would have been sent off by two soft yellows.

“I think the referee felt the same – that’s why he didn’t. But I’ve watched football so many times in my life and I know that a player and a referee is then under pressure, so every next foul will lead again to maybe a referee that thinks, ‘Maybe now I should give him [a yellow].’ I think back on three days ago. But for Ibou, it’s so difficult to play 45 minutes of football against such a strong Wolves team. So, I had to take him off because you can’t play football knowing in your head you can’t make a foul and playing against such good players Wolves have.”

Jamie Carragher says Wolves did something that ‘no one likes to see’ at Anfield against Liverpool

‘Too much respect’

Wolves, who are two points above the relegation zone, were much improved in the second half. They reduced the arrears through Cunha’s fine strike and put Liverpool under plenty of pressure in search of an equaliser – but the Reds stayed firm.

Wolves boss believes Wolves were ‘afraid’ in the opening 45 minutes and showed Liverpool ‘too much respect’. He added: “This is football, but I believe that when we play good football, with identity, with our tools, with our qualities, we deserve to get something from football. I want to win games with merit. I want to win games because we deserve to win. The second half was fantastic, in my opinion, it was the team that I want to build.

“The first half was a team afraid, with too much respect, in my opinion, and this is not our game. We cannot come to Anfield just to be part of the party. I will think about the next game, and in the next game I will push my team to play as I saw my team playing in the second half.”




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Wolves boss makes feelings clear as Arne Slot makes sub to avoid Liverpool red card

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Liverpool just about did enough to squeeze past Wolves at Anfield on Sunday with it being suggested that the Premier League leaders were fortunate not to have been reduced to ten men.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira claimed Ibrahima Konate should have been sent off in his side’s defeat to Liverpool.

The Black Country side fell to a gutsy 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scoring in the first half before Matheus Cunha made it a nervy finish for the hosts. But the Reds might consider themselves fortunate to have still had 11 players to see their win over the line.

Konate was booked for a mistimed headed challenge and then another tackle handed Wolves a free-kick on the edge of the box. Wolves players and staff appealed for a second yellow but Konate remained on the pitch.

Liverpool boss Slot took action at the break as he replaced the defender with Jarell Quansah. And Wolves coach Pereira claimed Konate should have seen red before then.

He said: “I am not the referee but yes for me. What I say now will not change anything but in my opinion the second yellow card should be shown.”


And while Pereira thought Konate should have been having an early bath, ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher did not think the same. He claimed that it was right for the French defender to escape further punishment.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It is a stupid challenge by Konate but it’s not a yellow card, just two players going for a header and one gets there before the other,”


“It’s not a yellow card,” Carragher added. “He just misjudges the header, daft challenge though it’s absolutely ridiculous. He does have those moments Konate, was a little bit like that Wednesday night as well, wasn’t switched on for that free-kick for the first goal against Everton.”

Meanwhile, Slot has also explained why he decided to take Konate off and admitted that he was fearing a second yellow card. The Dutchman said: “I took him off because of that. I saw him getting his first yellow – that for me was a soft yellow.

“If he got his second one for a shoulder push that would have again been a soft yellow so he would have been sent off for two soft yellows. I think the referee felt the same and that’s why he didn’t [book him again].

“But I’ve watched football so many times in my life and I know that a player and the referee is then under pressure. So the next foul will lead to a referee thinking that maybe he should give it. It is so difficult to play 45 minutes against a strong Wolves team so I had to take Ibou off because you can’t play football knowing in your head you can’t make a foul against such good players as Wolves have.”




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