Liverpool

Dutch football writer Elko Born has been discussing Liverpool's "huge move" for Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, after the Reds agreed a compensation deal worth up to £9.4m with the Eredivisie club.

"Last year, Arne Slot came close to joining Tottenham, and people expected him to take that job," Born told the Euro Leagues podcast. "That didn't happen, but I don't think a lot of people saw Liverpool coming.

"It feels like a huge move for Slot. It is a very big club for him to manage, that is kind of beyond what people expected."

Born also gave some insight on Slot's managerial journey at Feyenoord: "After Erik ten Hag left Ajax, they were a shambles. Arne Slot joined Feyenoord from AZ Alkmaar and, looking back, Ajax would have wanted Slot to succeed Ten Hag.

"But they were dozing off, they were asleep. They didn't see that they had this very talented young manager right near them.

"Feyenoord took him and he turned things around because, even though - budget wise - Feyenoord are the third biggest club in the Netherlands, he made them champions in 2022-23. This season, they have still performed really well.

"To go from the Eredivisie to the Premier League, as a player and a manager, is a huge leap to make.

"So it remains to be seen what will happen there."

Lastly, the Dutch football writer commented on Slot's personality: "Arne Slot is a guy with a lot of charm. He is quite funny sometimes when you talk to him in press conferences.

"What is especially striking about him is that he's able to clearly explain his reasoning behind certain actions.

"Slot is usually able to really articulate his thoughts and he has a clear idea of what he wants his football to look like."

Image source, BBC Sport

Jurgen Klopp's final few months in charge have been building up to a potential fairytale ending but in the space of just a few weeks that has all come crashing down.

Back-to-back defeats and now a draw at London Stadium leave Liverpool third in the Premier League, two points off Arsenal in top spot before they face Tottenham on Sunday and one point off Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

Their hopes of any sort of title challenge now rest on both of their rivals slipping up and, from the reactions of the players after their recent results, it is clear they don't see that as a likely scenario.

In the first half against West Ham, Liverpool did not look like a side who were ready to bounce back from their Merseyside derby defeat in midweek but one who were tired and lacking intensity as they went behind when Jarrod Bowen headed home.

They improved in the second half and came back with goals thanks to Andy Robertson and a West Ham error but still failed to put the fixture to bed and were punished for missed chances when Michail Antonio equalised.

It has been a thrilling title race but it seems Liverpool's involvement in it is all but over and, in turn, the reign of Jurgen Klopp at risk of ending with a whimper.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has been discussing Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah's touchline discussion on TNT Sports: "It didn't look good, I don't think it looks good for the club.

"Mo Salah is a player who has started the majority of games for Liverpool and he will be fuming to be on the bench.

"But no-one likes to see this between a manager and a key player."

Former Rangers striker and manager Ally McCoist also added his thoughts on the situation: "You see Salah coming back to have another bite and one of his teammates looks like he has to intervene.

"That stuff should be for behind closed doors.

"I do [think Salah will leave]. He has been one of the best players we have seen in this league, nothing short of fantastic for Liverpool, but his form has dipped and it looks to me like he might be moving.

"It might suit both parties - it will suit Salah to move on and Liverpool to reinvest the money they get for him."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to TNT Sports following the game: "Very disappointed, obviously. I think everyone can see that only one team wins the game, and that is us. The chances we created, the possession we had, all the things we did. It was a tough one at the end of a four games in 10 days period, but I think the players did really well.

"We just conceded out of nothing, needed a few more chances and [they were] kind of scrappy goals in the end to score twice.

"When we are 2-1 up, we should control it. Still, as I said, in a lot of moments [we were] playing really well but the final situation we didn't take. That has been the story of the last four weeks."

On whether it is unlucky that a few of his attackers are out of form: "It is what it is. You see the games. We are together and we go through that together, that is all. The boys want it, they fought hard, gave absolutely everything. For some of them, it was definitely too hard today, and yes that is it."

On the second half reaction: "Very pleased. It was very good and it was what we needed. The early goal helped, obviously. We find chances always, you see in the first half we had a lot.

"What I don't understand is that with each chance we miss, everyone is there throwing arms. But a chance is the closest you can get to a goal, so we have to be more positive there, accept these kind of things happen, and then do it again and again and again.

"We played well but didn't finish the situations off. Now we have to acknowledge and carry on."

On his exchange with Mohamed Salah on the touchline: "No [I can't say what was said], but we spoke about it already in the dressing room. That is done."

On the title race: "I'm not in the mood to talk about that, to be honest, or to look at that at all. We had to win here, we knew that, and we didn't.

"Now we have a little bit more time between now and the next game. We will try to get the boys ready again and we will go again."

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday’s game between West Ham and Liverpool in the Premier League.

• Jarrod Bowen's opener (his 16th league goal of 2023-24) saw him become the joint-top goal scorer in a single Premier League campaign for West Ham United, equalling Paolo Di Canio’s haul of 16 goals in 1999-00.

• Despite also leading in this game, Liverpool have won 28 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, with only Newcastle United (34 points in 2001-02) and Manchester United (31 points in 2020-21 and 29 points in 2012-13) rescuing more points from behind in a single campaign in the competition.

• The Reds have won just one of their past five Premier League games (D2 L2), keeping just a single clean sheet in their last 14 matches in the competition.

• The Hammers have won just one of their past nine home Premier League games (D6 L2), going winless in five matches at London Stadium since a 4-2 win against Brentford in February.

• Only Sheffield United (6) have scored more own goals than West Ham (4) in the Premier League this season, while no side has benefited from more own goals in the competition this term than Liverpool (5).

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been talking to TNT Sports following the draw: "The result was not what we wanted. We came for three points. We played a good game, we controlled the first half and then conceded.

"It is tough to come back, but we scored two goals and then we needed to stay more calm and keep the ball. We needed to play and not concede, but we did."

On what Jurgen Klopp's half-time message was: "We just have to go for it. We have done it a lot of times this season, bouncing back from a goal against [us]. That was the message - just give it our all."

On not converting their chances in front of goal: "The ball is not going in. That is a thing we've had to improve for a pretty long time now. If we knew why [it was happening] we would solve the problem. I don't know."

On the title race: "We are in a very, very difficult position. If Arsenal win it is five points [gap], and Manchester City have some games in hard.

"It is going to be difficult, not impossible, but very difficult."

Liverpool's Premier League title hopes seem all but over as Michail Antonio scored to rescue a point for West Ham at London Stadium.

Jarred Bowen opened the scoring just before the break when he rose highest to meet Mohammed Kudus' cross into the area, as Liverpool showed little evidence that their Merseyside derby loss in midweek had done much in the way of spurring them on.

But the visitors were much improved in the second half and Andy Robertson equalised when he scored from Luis Diaz's low pass into the penalty area.

They were then rewarded for their pressure when Cody Gakpo's effort from a corner bounced off Angelo Ogbonna, Tomas Soucek and Alphonse Areola before finding the back of the net.

It looked like they were on their way to bouncing back from back-to-back defeats in the league until Antonio's thumping header put the Hammers back on level terms.

Liverpool sit third in the table with three games remaining, two points behind leaders Arsenal, who face Tottenham on Sunday, while Manchester City are second but have two games in hand.

Liverpool's title hopes appear to be all but over, with the Reds relying on both of their title rivals to slip up to get back in the race.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Andy Bell and Steve Queralt from Ride, who support Arsenal and Tottenham.

Sutton's predictions: 1-2

Earlier this month, when Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace on the same day Arsenal were beaten by Aston Villa, it was Grand National weekend and I made an analogy about how both of them had hit the third-last fence hard, but could both still recover.

Well, Arsenal have responded really well to get their noses in front, but Liverpool stumbled badly again against Everton and, to continue the horse-racing theme, their only hope now is to hope that the Gunners and Manchester City both fall at the last.

I don't see that happening but Liverpool have just got to look after themselves now and try to beat West Ham.

Who knows what kind of Hammers performance we are going to get after all the noise around the talks they have had with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim this week.

I know clubs have to make plans, but for that to come out the way it did that was really disrespectful to West Ham boss David Moyes when the club have not made an announcement about his future.

So, how do I call this when we don't know what the mood in their camp will be like? It's also hard to back Liverpool, because Mohamed Salah is out of form and Darwin Nunez's finishing has been so terrible.

I have a feeling the Reds will edge it but, like I say, they are out of the title race now anyway.

I'm sad about that, because I don't want Jurgen Klopp's time as Liverpool manager to end like this.

Klopp is a fierce competitor and he came in with that 'heavy-metal' brand of football... but it seems his spell at Anfield is going to finish with him just tinkering around on the piano, with nothing to play for.

Steve's prediction: 1-2

Liverpool are going to be wounded after Wednesday, but I still think they will win.

Andy's prediction: 0-2

I agree, and I am basing this on West Ham's recent form too

Read the rest of their predictions here

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The reaction from Liverpool fans to the Arne Slot news thus far has not exactly been universal excitement.

In a way, that is to be expected. Such is the void that Jurgen Klopp is leaving behind, it would be hard for Reds to be together in being overwhelmingly optimistic about what comes next.

However, having firmly placed our eggs in the Xabi Alonso basket initially and then mentally pivoting towards Sporting’s Ruben Amorim - after some time and persuading - it is no wonder that seeing neither take to the dugout is an idea that is hard to warm towards.

And, indeed, it now seems likely to fall to the manager of the second-best team in the Netherlands!

Look at it this way though Liverpool fans. If Amorim was the right man for the job based on his character, temperament, taking a non-fancied club to a league title and overseeing European and domestic cup runs, then Slot also ticks all those boxes.

Without getting all “Sam Allardici” about it - though the name may not come across as quite as flashy as the previous two favourites, Michael Edwards has been nothing if not smart and particular about decisions made towards recruitment at Liverpool up until now.

Whoever the next name is through the door deserves universal support.

Josh is from The Anfield Wrap, external

A View from the Terrace meet figures from Scotland captain and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson's past, who recall his journey up the football ranks.

Watch A View from the Terrace on the BBC Scotland channel and iPlayer from 22:30 BST

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Jurgen Klopp says his will not "wave the flight flag" on this season yet, but he admitted no one is happy with the position Liverpool find themselves in.

Liverpool's hopes of winning the Premier League have been significantly damaged by defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, while Manchester City and Arsenal continue to gain points.

"Nobody here is happy at all," said Klopp. "When we are this close [to the end of the season] we are very disappointed.

"I am not in the mood to give up or wave the white flag. We just have to look after ourselves. We deserve to be where we are so we have to use it. I want us to not feel the pressure.

"We have to learn from it in the short term and the boys have to learn from it long term. Experience you can not buy, you can only make it yourself."

The Reds sit in third on 74 points, three behind leaders Arsenal and two from Manchester City, who also have a game in hand.

"They [Arsenal and Manchester City] will see it as a two horse race because they do not expect to lose two games from now on," said Klopp.

"I do not expect them to either. I do not think it will happen, but if it does then we will be there and that starts with winning games again.

"There are four games to go and 12 points to get. If you ask me then I want them all."

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at West Ham.

Here are the key lines from the Liverpool boss:

• Klopp said he is not involved in the process of who succeeds him as manager but he is encouraged by why he knows of reported frontrunner Arne Slot saying, "It all sounds really good." He went on to praise the Feyenoord boss' style of play and reputation for being "a good guy."

• He said he "cannot remember ever being so disappointed and frustrated after a game" as he was following Wednesday's Merseyside defeat to Everton.

• On the defeat: "We were not there. We lost all the decisive battles and that was really bad. I did not see anything of what we want to be against Everton."

• He says it is a quick turnaround and they "have to be positive" and "show a reaction" against West Ham.

• On whether Liverpool's title hopes are over: "They [Arsenal and Manchester City] will see it as a two-horse race now as they don’t expect to lose two games from now on. I don’t expect them too either. I don’t think it will happen, but if it does, then we will be there and that starts with winning games again."

• Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley will not be available but are both "progressing well."

• On goal droughts for Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah: "Strikers not scoring is tricky but they have to go through these things and it is a striker;s life. It says nothing about their quality. You have to go through it and I have to try and help them."

• He said West Ham boss David Moyes has done "a ridiculously good job" and has a "very talented team."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Arne Slot will have been "well analysed" by Liverpool before becoming their leading candidate.

The Reds are now set to talk to Feyenoord about the possibility of Slot joining the club following Jurgen Klopp's departure in the summer.

Despite the emergence of the 45-year-old coming as a surprise to many, Fabregas feels the Liverpool hierarchy will have looked at both his numbers and his personality.

"You want to know absolutely every detail with managers - this is the same thing," he told the Planet Premier League podcast.

"Of course, the style of play is important and then their personality is important. The character and how he deals with things. Has he had problems with clubs before? How does he handle pressure?

"All of these details are well taken care of and very well analysed. I think it's fair because nowadays you invest a lot of money in players and coaches of your future [and there is] the pressure of the fans. So you need to make sure, or you at least want to make sure that you are taking the best decision possible."

It is the first time in nine years the Reds have had to look for a new manager and outgoing Klopp is currently the longest serving manager in the league.

"From the last couple of years, maybe more the last five years, Liverpool have been one of the clubs that have invested in a very, very smart way - in players and in stuff like the culture, the training ground," added Fabregas.

"I'm not surprised and I think that if they've chosen him [Slot], there must be a reason behind it that I'm sure it would be a positive one."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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In an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, external, Anthony Gordon revealed how meditation helps him to cope with the pressure of playing football. He also talked about how seeing Liverpool's Mohamed Salah talk about visualisation helped him take more interest in it.

"Meditating is more of a coping mechanism to help with pressures of playing and just allows me to react from a higher place than my own emotions as playing emotionally doesn’t help me," said Gorddon.

"My preparation starts two days before the game. I do a lot of meditation and visualisation, so if a chance comes to me in the game, its like I already lived it. It helps me trust in my ability, so when the opportunity comes in the game I don’t overthink it.

"My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from as no one around me is like that, I love learning stuff and I took a liking to psychology. Some footballers like to play instinctively, but I love the mindset of getting myself into that space before getting into that position. I have seen seen [Mohamed] Salah talk about it and that’s where I took more of a interest in it, as he is a machine and a winner and you wouldn’t go wrong following what he does."

Image source, Getty Images

Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan joined the Football Daily Podcast to discuss what Feyenoord manager Arne Slot could bring to Liverpool should he be given the job this summer.

The Reds are in talks to appoint the Dutchman as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp, who will depart at the end of the season.

Slot led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title and this season they have won the Dutch Cup and are second in the league.

So will they let him go?

"Feyenoord understand they can no longer stand in his way of leaving," said Van der Kraan. "But they want some form of compensation because it is the best manager they have had in many years.

"This man has brought such entertaining, almost sexy, football to the Dutch league. He is a manager that Liverpool fans can look forward too and I am just hoping that he can make it through the high level of expectation.

"I really want this manager to make an impact because too many Dutch managers have not had the grip of Premier League football. Being brilliant in Holland is great for Dutch fans, and yes we like to play in football, but to be a real success in England you have to really step it up.

"I just wish Arne Slot had experienced English football as a player because those that have seem to understand the intensity better."

Although unproven in the Premier League, Van der Kraan believes he has the key attributes to succeed in England.

"Liverpool fans should be confident because Slot does not lack any confidence and he will play the way he wants," he said. "He has a super attacking style and it is very similar to that of Pep Guardiola.

"He will not adapt against any opposition. Slot is like Guardiola and it is attack, attack, attack. He demands so much from his players."

"He has a personality where he knows he can carry a club because he has done that with smaller clubs and Feyenoord.

"He is charismatic and if Liverpool have done their homework and studied him, then they will know he is so similar to Klopp. He is full of energy and that is good for the Liverpool team because the players will not see much difference."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds