Liverpool
Gary Lineker says ‘superstar’ who’s exploring Liverpool move is better than Jude Bellingham
Kylian Mbappe’s future is the talk of the town at the moment.
The French attacker is reportedly set to leave PSG at the end of the season, and while a move to Real Madrid feels almost inevitable, there are some whsipers that a Premier League move could be on the cards.
Liverpool have been linked with Mbappe for a long time now, with the player himself admitting that he held talks with the Reds a few years ago, and recent reports suggest that Mbappe would be willing to come to Anfield.
This is a very exciting rumour to say the least, and according to Gary Lineker, speaking on The Rest is Football, if Liverpool were to sign Mbappe, they’d be getting the best player on the planet.
Indeed, according to Lineker, Mbappe is the best player in the world, putting the forward ahead of the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid.
Gary Lineker calls Kylian Mbappe the best player in the world
The pundit shared his verdict on the forward.
“Kylian Mbappe is a genuine superstar. He is extraordinary. If you are talking about the best players in the world, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, but I think Mbappe is probably number one at the minute,” Lineker said.
Incredible
Lineker says that Mbappe is the best player in the world, and he’s not too far wrong.
Yes, he’s only ever played in France, but his performances at the Champions League level and at the World Cup show that he’s among the very best of the best.
Mbappe would be a statement addition not only to a team like Liverpool but to the Premier League as a whole, and no matter who you support, you have to admit it would be great to see Mbappe playing in England.
Liverpool
Jamie Carragher suggests Arne Slot does brutal thing to Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool right-back’s goal vs Leicester
Jamie Carragher has suggested Liverpool boss Arne Slot does a harsh thing to Trent Alexander-Arnold after his winning goal against Leicester City at the King Power on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, scored the only goal of the game to hand Liverpool a 1-0 win, which sees them a step closer to what is now an inevitable 20th Premier League title.
The right-back was introduced in the second half and was visibly emotional after his left-footed strike hit the net and ran to the Reds’ supporters before taking off his shirt.
After the match, he was directly asked if he’s leaving Liverpool live on Sky Sports, to which he replied: “Look, obviously, like I’ve said all season, I am not going to speak on my situation, I am not going to go into details but these days like today are always special: scoring goals, winning games, being close to winning titles and being in title races, they are special moments that will live for me forever. I am glad to be a part of them.”
Alexander-Arnold added: “To do it for the fans here is a very special moment. As much as we do it for ourselves and our family, we do it for the fans as well, they are the ones who travel to the games and spend their money, so it is the least they deserve to see us give 100% on the pitch and win games.
“So to see us so close, some of us, to a second league title and for others a first, especially in front of fans, which is what we’ve been missing, is very special. Virgil pushed me to the front to soak it in, get up close and personal. The fans have been amazing again this season, they have pushed us every game to the final minutes and they have done that again today to help us win the game.”
However, Carragher gave a harsh take on what he thinks Slot should do to the England international between now and the end of the season.
When speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s victory, Carragher said: “If Trent hasn’t committed, which he hasn’t… to the manager for next season, he shouldn’t be starting games.”
https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1914021393684930894
Micah Richards was quick to jump in and suggested: “Maybe not for a send off for him… you think about planning for next season.”
Carragher added: “Liverpool are not here as a football club to give someone a send off.”
Richards hit back: “You win the league [after] so long – he’s been a vital part of that. I understand what you’re saying [about next season], I totally get that. But for what he’s done for the club… been there since a little boy. They are going to win the league, just to give him a few more appearances just to say, ‘well done’.”
Liverpool
What Leandro Trossard said about Liverpool and the title race after Arsenal beat Ipswich 4-0
Liverpool could have won the Premier League title with their 1-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday, but Arsenal and Leandro Trossard had something to say about that.
The Reds have been forced to put their celebrations on hold after the Gunners recorded a 4-0 win over Ipswich, which ensures the Premier League title could still head the way of Arsenal, mathematically at least.
Liverpool would now have to lose all five of their remaining games this season, and Arsenal would need to win all five and make up a goal difference of ten along the way, for Mikel Arteta to snatch the title from Arne Slot.
In the meantime, Leandro Trossard paid reference to Liverpool in his interview after scoring twice to defeat Ipswich, providing an insight into how the Arsenal squad are thinking.
Leandro Trossard says Arsenal are not paying attention to Liverpool whatsoever
Speaking to Sky Sports after the 4-0 win over Ipswich, the Belgium international said (via BBC Sport): “It is important for ourselves. We don’t need to look at them (Liverpool). We just have to keep going like this and take it game by game.
“We want to win every game but we know how tough it is in the league. A good win today and we just need to keep pushing going forward.”
With so much needing to happen for Arsenal to displace Liverpool, that is a sensible outlook from Trossard – who has interest from Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal need to focus on the UEFA Champions League
To be blunt, the title race is over – a side as good as Liverpool are not going to lose five games in a row, having only lost two in 33 to reach this stage.
Therefore, Arteta should put all of his eggs into the UEFA Champions League basket, in our view.
Arsenal, who Kieran McKenna praised, have already defeated PSG 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season in the league phase, which should breed confidence, even more so given the fact the first leg is also in N17.
Should Arsenal progress, either Barcelona or Inter Milan await, both of whom are strong sides, but after beating a juggernaut in Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate, the Gunners should fear nobody.
Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold directly asked if he’s leaving Liverpool live on Sky and his answer speaks volumes
Alexander-Arnold leaves future in doubt but Jamie Carragher takes the hint
Sky Sports touchline reporter Patrick Davidson asked Trent Alexander-Arnold about his Liverpool future and got exactly the answer everyone was expecting.
Alexander-Arnold scored the only goal of the game in Liverpool’s win over Leicester City to put the Reds just one win away from their second title of the Premier League era.
As the scorer, Alexander-Arnold spoke to Davidson along with man of the match Alexis Mac Allister, and the Sky Sports man concluded his interview by asking him how many more big moments he will be enjoying as a Liverpool player.
“I’m not gonna speak on my situation but these days are always special, scoring goals, winning games and winning titles,” said the boyhood Liverpool fan, who’s been on the club’s books for more than 20 years.
“I’m glad to be a part of them.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was part of the Sky Sports team at the King Power Stadium and hinted in his reaction that most people expect Alexander-Arnold to leave for Real Madrid.
While the player’s response was understandably noncommittal at a key moment in the season, new contracts for team-mates Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk have amplified his silence.
Carragher wasn’t alone in reacting to Alexander-Arnold’s post-match comments.
While the response to his goal and celebration was overwhelmingly positive, there was a distinct whiff of resignation among Liverpool fans on social media after Davidson’s question was deftly batted away by the Premier League and Champions League winner.
“Well that’s Trent gone then after that,” posted one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
“Trent’s off and he has been for weeks,” admitted another. “It is what is is. But he’s given us that moment today as a farewell and we should be thankful for it.”
“Y’know what, whether or not Trent wants to stay, I’ll always love him,” conceded one supporter. “He’s put us 3 points away from the league, now. If this is his grand send-off, so be it. You’re forever in my best graces, scouse.”
Another imaginative fan wrote: “I think the longer [the] Trent saga drags on, the more emotional the fans will get, if at the last day he comes forth and announce (sic)) he’s staying, the emotional shock will force people to place him above [Steven] Gerrard as a greater local icon, it’s a possible power move from Trent.”
Incredible.
Liverpool will win the title in midweek if Crystal Palace beat Arsenal, or with a win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield next Sunday if they don’t.
Liverpool player ratings from the 1-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League at the King Power Stadium.
Liverpool moved within three points of being crowned Premier League champions as they battled to a 1-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the homegrown player out of contract at the end of the season, returned from injury to come to his boyhood club’s rescue with a second-half strike. Arne Slot’s men had a plethora of chances but lacked composure in the final third before Alexander-Arnold’s breakthrough. And while Liverpool moved within one victory of claiming their 20th title, Leicester’s relegation back to the Championship was confirmed.
Match report
Liverpool must have thought they’d broken the deadlock in the third minute when Luis Diaz slipped in Mo Salah but his shot struck the inside of the far post – before ricocheting off the other side of the goal.
Seven minutes later, it was Leicester’s turn to hit the woodwork when a fierce Wilfred Ndidi effort left Reds goalkeeper flat-footed. Liverpool broke at pace and Cody Gakpo’s cross picked out Salah at the back stikck but he was denied by home keeper Mads Hermansen.
Gakpo was then twice denied by Hermansen and then Salah couldn’t keep down Kostas Tsimikas when picked out in space three minutes before the interval. Then in stoppage-time, Luis Diaz’s acrobatic effort whistled just wide.
Liverpool continued to dominate after the break, with Dominik Szoboszlai having a 20-yard effort saved, Tsimikas being kept out and Salah curling wide. It appeared that Liverpool would never score when, in the 76th minute, Salah’s deft header hit the post and then Diogo Jota struck the bar. But Leicester failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Alexander-Arnold, whose left-foot shot squirmed its way through Hermansen and sparked wild celebrations.
That was enough for Liverpool to claim all three points, putting them on the cusp of the Premier League title, which can officially be won in next weekend’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson Becker – 6
Would have been relieved to see Ndidi’s shot hit the post and otherwise untested. Showed by Patson Daka for Leicester’s disallowed goal in the second period.
Conor Bradley – 5
Had some shaky moments against Stepy Mavadidi in the first half. Got on the overlap a couple of times after the break but had to pull the trigger when he had the chance to and was then booked for a cynical foul. Subbed in the 71st minute.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Sound defensively in the first half getting across to cover the right flank and had a header from a corner cleared over the bar.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Breezed through the first half and passing caught the eye throughout. Similar in the second period.
Kostas Tsimikas – 7
Didn’t do much wrong in the first half and a bursting run followed by his cross almost created the opener. Got in some threatening positions in the second half and had an effort well kept out.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
A little untidy at times in the first half but otherwise sound.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7
Put in a shift in the first half and kept things ticking as per usual. Similar in the second period and slowed things down when he had to.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Free-kick failed to truly test Hermansen but showed energy in the first half. More involved after the break, having one stinging effort well saved, pulling a cross from the byline and whipping in a good deliver for a Jota header. Subbed in the 71st minute.
Mo Salah – 6
Could have had a hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes but appeared he’d left his shooting boots on Merseyside. Had ore opportunities in the second half but unusually lacked his cutting edge. Did have a part to play in Alexander-Arnold’s goal.
Luis Diaz – 6
Knitted things together well in the first half and would have netted a sublime goal had his bicycle kick been on target. Cracked one effort in the second period and couldn’t really get involved as he’d have liked even after switching to the left flank. Subbed in stoppage-time.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Sub 1 – Diogo Jota (replaced Gakpo) – 6
Should have done better with a couple of efforts but did add more craft leading the line.
Sub 2 – Trent Alexander-Arnold (replaced Bradley) – 8
Came up with a glorious moment that has Liverpool three points away from the title.
Sub 3 – Harvey Elliott (replaced Szoboszlai) – 7
Gave more guile to Liverpool’s attack.
Sub 4 – Curtis Jones (replaced Diaz) – N/A
Liverpool
Fans are all saying the same thing after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal against Leicester City
Liverpool fans have reacted to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal at Leicester City.
Alexander-Arnold, who is set to leave Liverpool to join Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season, smashed the Reds into the lead at the King Power Stadium to take them a big step closer to an inevitable Premier League title.
“Getting booed. Score a banger. Getting loved again,” pointed out one user on X, formerly Twitter.
“I hope you know you’re not allowed to leave now after celebrating like that,” warned another.
“The ‘King Power Stadium’ is now renamed as the Trent Alexander-Arnold Stadium,” added one jubilant Liverpool fan.
This is a breaking news story from the team at nowsoccer and will be updated in due course. In the meantime, please follow us on our various social channels for the latest information on this story. You can find the latest SPORT news on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Stay tuned for the latest and follow all the latest developments below.
Arne Slot could omit four Liverpool players for Leicester City clash.
Liverpool team news ahead of the trip to Leicester City in the Premier League at the King Power Stadium.
Arne Slot looks set to have virtually a full squad available as Liverpool could seal the Premier League title against Leicester City.
And Liverpool face Leicester with Slot potentially having to omit four players from his match-day squad. That is because Trent Alexander-Arnold could be back after being absent for the past month with an ankle injury. He suffered his issue in the Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Alexander-Arnold returned to training earlier this week and Slot admitted there’s a chance the vice-captain may be on the substitutes’ bench. Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez could also return to the fray. The striker was absent from last Sunday’s 2-1 win over West Ham United after feeling unwell the previous day. Nunez has also been photographed rubbing shoulders with his team-mates at the AXA Training Centre.
With Joe Gomez the only current player injured, Slot has decisions to make when it comes to his squad. Third-choice goalkeeper Viteslav Jaros was among the substitutes against West Ham and will make way. Meanwhile, midfield duo Tyler Morton and James McConnell represented the under-21s in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Friday night. That suggests that they will not be involved against Leicester.
But there is a decision on the other member of the squad who will miss out against the Foxes, who will be relegated if they fail to yield a triumph. It could be a midfielder who misses out. Given that Wataru Endo or Harvey Elliott have not make a single league start, either could be in line. Or Slot could leave out one of his forwards. Federico Chiesa has played just four times in the league this term, so he could be the likeliest candidate.
Although Liverpool are on the verge of claiming the title, Slot insists he’s still not thinking about the silverware. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Dutchman said: “The honest answer is no. I’m not sure you believe me but that is the honest answer. My whole life I’m living in the moment, in the day, and I’m not looking backwards a lot and I’m not looking forwards a lot because it’s the type of person that I am, that I am not constantly looking back at what I have achieved at former clubs.
“That is also so difficult in football, people constantly tell you, ‘Try to enjoy it, try to enjoy the whole journey,’ but the only thing you are thinking about as a manager is, ‘Oh, at the weekend there is a game coming up as well and we need to win that and we need to win the next and we need to win the next.’ So, maybe that’s one of the reasons: because I’m already so long in football that you get used to the fact of living day by day and trying to influence day by day.”
Mikel Arteta Determined to Delay Liverpool’s Title Party
Mikel Arteta continues to rage against the dying of the light, with Arsenal now clinging to only a mathematical hope of stopping Liverpool from winning the Premier League title this season.
The title race could be officially wrapped up on Easter Sunday if the Gunners fall at Ipswich and Liverpool beat Leicester. That scenario would open up a 16-point gap between the top two—with just five matches remaining.
Even if Arsenal prevail tomorrow, a slip-up against Crystal Palace in midweek, or a win for Arne Slot’s side at home to Tottenham next weekend, would all but seal it—assuming Liverpool take care of business at the King Power Stadium.
“We Won’t Gift It to Them” – Arteta Defiant
Arteta has vowed not to hand Liverpool the title on a silver platter this Sunday by stumbling at Portman Road, where the Tractor Boys are fighting their own desperate battle to avoid relegation.
Addressing the possibility of Liverpool being crowned champions this weekend, the Gunners boss told The Independent:
“We will make sure that we win the game against Ipswich, and that [LFC winning the league] doesn’t happen.”
Clutching at Straws as Liverpool Close in on No. 20
Publicly, Arteta may feel obliged to project belief and resilience, but deep down he’ll know the Premier League is all but gone. Arsenal’s real hope now lies in the Champions League.
Even if the north Londoners take six points from six this week, Liverpool just need to do the same to clinch their 20th league crown. In essence, the Reds only need to match Arsenal’s results across the next two games to get over the line.
Conor Bradley can barely contain his excitement at the thought of becoming a Premier League champion, while Dominik Szoboszlai has made it clear—he’s not losing sleep over what Arsenal do next.
Arteta will dread the possibility of having to give Liverpool a guard of honour at Anfield on 11 May—especially after doing just that back in the 2019/20 campaign.
Time to Finish the Job
While the title is within touching distance, Liverpool must remain professional. Last weekend’s scare against West Ham should serve as a timely reminder not to underestimate Leicester—even though the Foxes are virtually relegated. Their fate could be sealed before kick-off if both West Ham and Wolves win earlier in the day.
Regardless of what Arsenal do from here on out, Liverpool hold all the cards. Let’s finish this with no doubt, no drama—just dominance.
Arne Slot leaves Liverpool fans fuming after making ‘U-turn’ on summer transfer plans
The Liverpool head coach has left fans questioning his stance after hearing his comments during a press conference on Friday.
Liverpool fans have been left questioning head coach Arne Slot after he made a U-turn on his previous comments about the club’s summer transfer business.
The Reds need a maximum of six points from their final six league fixtures to secure a record-equalling 20th Premier League title.
If Arsenal lose at Ipswich Town on Sunday and Liverpool follow that up with a victory against Leicester City, they will be crowned champions
And Slot will have achieved this despite the fact that he signed just one first team player – Federico Chiesa – ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Although fans are pleased with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk recently penning new deals, many think Liverpool need to add to their squad ahead of next season.
When speaking about the potential of transfers after Salah renewed his deal earlier this month, Slot said: “It’s a good message, I assume and I think.”
He added: “We’ve worked hard — and by we, I mean the ownership (Fenway Sports Group), Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes — to achieve that.
“We have all the confidence in him [Mo Salah] that he can produce two more years than he has produced in the past seven or eight years, because of the reasons I just gave you.
“But also because we will make this team very strong next season. Then it’s always nice to have someone that can make a goal.”
But when speaking at a press conference on Friday, Slot seemingly did a U-turn on his previous stance regarding transfers.
“Let’s see what the rest of the summer will bring, but it would be strange for me to say now I am not happy with the team because I’ve said this for a year, we are happy with the team we are having,” Slot said.
“Maybe if we can keep that team, it will already be a big summer.
“I think the core of the team you want to keep as long as you can together, as long as they are performing in the best possible way, but it is also, in general, good to have some new energy in and around the place with one or two players.
“But it isn’t really a necessity when you look at the quality we have and the quality of the season we have had.”
And fans were quick to give their thoughts on social media.
One said: “If you don’t sign players we’ll finish 6th in the league, especially having Robertson as a first team player.”
A second added: “Someone’s been told to wind his neck in since last week saying it would be a busy summer…”
While a third commented: “Has he not seen how trash our left-back options are? Our attackers are average bar Salah. Gravenberch’s legs are gone. Serious investment is needed this summer.”
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