Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Arne Slot's side secured a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon

Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Arne Slot's side secured a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon

Gary Neville has compared Arne Slot’s impact at Liverpool to his experience under Sir Alex Ferguson whilst at Manchester United.

Slot has proven to be a masterstroke appointment for Liverpool this season, with the Reds on course for an unprecedented quadruple. Currently sitting top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, Liverpool remain favourites to win the League Cup despite trailing 1-0 in their semi-final series against Tottenham, while also advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Slot’s transformative impact has been evident, especially in elevating players like Ryan Gravenberch, showcasing his coaching prowess and cementing his suitability as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, the former United defender highlighted Liverpool’s tactical versatility under Slot as a key factor in their success this season. Neville observed that the Reds have two or three distinct styles of play they can deploy depending on the situation—a hallmark of their adaptability and strategic depth.

Drawing comparisons to his time at Old Trafford, Neville remarked that United under Ferguson similarly possessed a multi-faceted approach to games, allowing them to adjust seamlessly and maintain dominance across competitions.

He credited Slot for instilling this same level of tactical sophistication at Liverpool, a quality that has been instrumental in their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts this season.

Gary Neville expressed that there is similarities between Slot and Ferguson's approaches (Image: Getty Images)

Neville said: “Liverpool play two or three different styles of play in a game where they play more direct in games, they can then sit back and counterattack, and then they can press, they’ve modified their style within the game to suit the period of the game, and that’s how we played.

“It was the old style of play where you could be a counter-attacking team, you could be a high press team, you could be a team that goes direct, or you could play possession football if you were winning 3-0 and wanted to control the game.”

Liverpool.com says: Whether Arne Slot's name will eventually stand alongside managerial legends like Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho is a question only time can answer. However, based on his first year at Liverpool, the trajectory is unmistakably upward. Slot has laid the foundation for what could become a dynasty on Merseyside, with the Reds thriving under his leadership.

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John Barnes has defended FSG ’s strict spending policy at Liverpool and said the inability to match rivals expenditure doesn’t necessarily put the team at a disadvantage.

Liverpool’s owners have typically failed to part with the lavish fees spent at other clubs and were lowest spenders in the Premier League last summer, while since 2019, Liverpool has been outspent by the likes Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion on player transfers.

The Reds have spent less than third of what Chelsea have shelled out in the last five years and their net spend in that period is under half of the fees Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have parted with. That has led to some frustration at times from Liverpool supporters, who feel the club could have picked up more silverware in recent years had it spent more on transfer fees.

That’s not the view of Barnes though, who warns teams can quickly amass a surplus of players if they’re not careful.

“I think it must be a modern thing whereby people think the solution is spending money,” he said at a LiveScore fan event in Liverpool earlier this week. “Look at all the money spent by Chelsea and Manchester United and what have they done? It’s not about just spending money, it’s about finding the right players.

“The problem you have is that people are running it as a business and people say you should get rid of players but players aren’t leaving. So if you spend money you just end up having so many players and that is not the solution.”

With Liverpool top of the Premier League, flying in Europe and still involved in the domestic cup competitions, Barnes agrees with Arne Slot’s view that the team doesn’t need additions this month.

Barnes was speaking at a LiveScore event in Liverpool.

“All the problems… what problems? We’re top of the league and in Europe so why do we have to spend money? If you lose players, yes, but until you get players who are going to improve the squad what is the point of signing players in January?

“If you’re not going to get better players, particularly at Liverpool who are a big club, why sign players just for the sake of it? We have enough players, so they are not coming on. So I don’t think we have to sign anyone unless we lose somebody.”

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Jamie Carragher has suggested that Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo could be the perfect successor for Mohamed Salah, amid ongoing discussions about the Egyptian star's Liverpool future.

The Brentford forward has been linked with a potential move to Anfield, following an impressive season where he's netted 14 goals and provided three assists. He added to his tally by scoring from the spot in the narrow 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Mbeumo's performances have made him a standout at Brentford under Thomas Frank, and his capabilities were on full display despite Liverpool's dramatic 2-0 victory over the Bees earlier this month.

With Salah's future at Liverpool still uncertain, Carragher has lauded Mbeumo's talent on Sky Sports: "You feel with Brentford signings or Brighton because they're ahead of the game, everyone is always a little bit, 'what do they know that we missed?'

"You see them do well at those clubs then you think can they do a job for our clubs? They're ahead of the game for bringing them in, the metrics and he's certainly one of them.

"I think of my old club with the situation regarding Mohamed Salah, a left-footed player on the right side, who can fit the bill? He is someone whose name that always crops up because of his ability and the club he is at."

Bryan Mbeumo is having a fine season with Brentford (Image: 2025 Getty Images)

"The things they look at are probably similar to Liverpool. Huge fan of his, huge problem and he caused Liverpool huge problems last weekend."

Arsenal and Manchester United have also been tipped to move for Mbeumo but Brentford boss Frank is confident he will stay with the club. The Bees value their prized asset at around $73million (£60million).

He said recently: "It would be that big a fee (to tempt a deal) that I can't imagine the size of the fee. I'm not even focused on keeping the best players, I'm just expecting them to stay."

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Cody Gakpo continued his eye-catching form in front of goal against Ipswich Town as one of Arne Slot's first acts as Liverpool head coach continues to pay off

Cody Gakpo continued his eye-catching form in front of goal against Ipswich Town as one of Arne Slot's first acts as Liverpool head coach continues to pay off

Liverpool continue to face transfer questions over Mohamed Salah as Bryan Mbeumo linked

Liverpool continue to face transfer questions over Mohamed Salah as Bryan Mbeumo linked

On this day in 1999, Liverpool signed Rigobert Song, who soon upset one of his team-mates

On this day in 1999, Liverpool signed Rigobert Song, who soon upset one of his team-mates

Liverpool have impressed in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 season, and Micah Richards has identified a certain trait in the team which may end up winning them another top flight trophy

Liverpool have impressed in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 season, and Micah Richards has identified a certain trait in the team which may end up winning them another top flight trophy

Moments that might have gone under the radar during Liverpool's 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town

Moments that might have gone under the radar during Liverpool's 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town

Milos Kerkez has sent a message to Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai on social media amid transfer links to the Reds

Milos Kerkez has sent a message to Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai on social media amid transfer links to the Reds

There was lots to admire about Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Ipswich, with the Reds’ midfield “absolutely purring” currently.

Arne Slot‘s side coasted past their opponents on Saturday afternoon, remaining six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

There were strong performances all over the pitch, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah‘s goals added to by a Cody Gakpo brace.

Here, Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) discuss yet another Liverpool win and focus on potential changes against PSV Eindhoven.

The good…

DAN: That midfield three is absolutely purring right now and offering the perfect combination of guile, intensity and mettle required.

Thank you, Jorg Schmadtke (and a bit of Julian Ward).

I thought it was overlooked – including by myself in the immediate aftermath on my post-match video reaction – just how brilliant Virg and Ibou were.

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It’s easy to focus on the goals and the ‘best midfield in the world’ but those two gave us the platform to dominate.

Gakpo and Mo were were superb, and it feels as though no record or milestone is safe every time Liverpool play these days.

Even the subs were perfect and it was boss to see Danns the midfielder get a runout!

HENRY: I completely agree with Dan about the midfield – it has a wonderful feel to it at the moment.

Szoboszlai has found another gear in recent weeks, while that double pivot of Gravenberch and Mac Allister is class personified.

Trent was great, not least another outrageous cross for Cody’s second goal, and I thought Robbo was improved, too.

Frankly, everyone played well and it was nice to have a stress-free afternoon, which feels rare in this title race!

The bad…

DAN: Conceding late on was literally the only blot on an otherwise completely dominant display.

That and the referee inexplicably not sending Enciso off despite going WWE on Endo!

Thank god he wears that gum shield.

HENRY: You know you’re spoiled when a stoppage-time consolation goal for the opposition annoys you.

But it was annoying, nonetheless!

As Dan says, how Enciso avoided a red card is beyond me, but then we just expect this level of officiating these days.

How many changes for PSV?

DAN: I’m torn. There will be a temptation to go strongish and maintain that 100 percent record and carry the momentum on in Europe.

But with top-two secure and seemingly not a great deal of difference between first and second when it comes to the last-16 draw, the trip to a bang-in-form Bournemouth next weekend has to take precedence.

I would go with this: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Endo, Tsimikas; Morton, Nyoni, Elliott; Chiesa, Diaz, Danns.

That would be something like my side, but I’m fully prepared to be made to look foolish when Slot inevitably goes full strength.

HENRY: I’m very much with Dan when it comes to fielding a much-weakened team, and my XI would be extremely similar.

Yes, not winning all our group games but would be slightly annoying if it happens – again, spoiled! – but we have to look at the bigger picture.

That Bournemouth game feels huge, and incredibly tough, and we need all our key players at their freshest next Saturday.

But there’s no way the boss goes as weak as I would!

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Virgil van Dijk spoke to reporters - including the ECHO - after Liverpool's 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town

Virgil van Dijk spoke to reporters - including the ECHO - after Liverpool's 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town