LFC NEWS

Report: Liverpool have joined the race to sign talented Bundesliga star

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 18:20

Liverpool Target Konstantinos Koulierakis as Wolfsburg Brace for Summer Interest Liverpool are assessing defensive options ahead of the summer window, with Konstantinos Koulierakis emerging once again as a prominent name under consideration. The Merseyside club’s recruitment team continue to monitor the 22-year-old as they plan for potential changes at centre back, particularly with contract situations […]

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Final Thoughts: Liverpool’s Champions League hopes crushed by Man City

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:50

Liverpool 1 – 2 Manchester City – Premier League Postmortem After a week that hinted at revival and momentum, Liverpool were brought sharply back to reality under the Anfield lights. This was not a collapse born of chaos or cowardice, but one of hesitation, poor game management, and a familiar inability to close out matches […]

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Final Thoughts: Liverpool’s Champions League hopes crushed by Man City

Anfie ldindex com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:50

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Liverpool 1 – 2 Manchester City – Premier League Postmortem After a week that hinted at revival and momentum, Liverpool were brought sharply back to reality under the Anfield lights. This was not a collapse born of chaos or cowardice, but one of hesitation, poor game management, and a familiar inability to close out matches […]

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David Lynch: Liverpool’s collapse against Man City was ‘inevitable’

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:50

Liverpool’s Anfield Defeat to Man City: Brutal Reality Check for Arne Slot’s Side In the latest episode of Media Matters on Anfield Index, David Lynch joined Dave Davis to reflect on Liverpool’s painful 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. The result leaves Liverpool sixth in the Premier League and, as Lynch bluntly put it, […]

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David Lynch: Liverpool’s collapse against Man City was ‘inevitable’

Anfie ldindex com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:50
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In the latest episode of Media Matters on Anfield Index, David Lynch joined Dave Davis to reflect on Liverpool’s painful 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. The result leaves Liverpool sixth in the Premier League and, as Lynch bluntly put it, “it will take a miracle from here to be honest.”

With their Champions League ambitions hanging by a thread, Lynch did not sugarcoat his analysis: “Liverpool have lost to worse teams this season but this was truly a dreadful day.” He highlighted the statistical domination by City, noting, “City were without doubt over the 100 minutes the far better side in an Anfield game where Liverpool needed to win it.”

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No redemption in defeat

Despite Liverpool taking the lead, Lynch stressed that a strong 35-minute spell wasn’t enough. “You can’t come away from an Anfield game having played well for half an hour of it and go, ‘God, we had hard lines there.’” He added, “The collapse kind of felt inevitable,” especially when City’s expected goals and shot count far outstripped Liverpool’s.

Lynch was critical of the overall mentality and tactical discipline. “This is not a flash in the pan or a poor patch. It’s been pretty consistently awful for a number of games now,” he said, pointing to an alarming trend of late goals conceded. “They’ve kind of dropped eight points in the 90th minute plus, basically.”

Misfiring leadership and tactical flaws

The discussion turned to Arne Slot’s tactics and Liverpool’s sluggish first halves. “How poor is your pre-match messaging that that tactical plan worked to justify your selection in some sense, but your players were not executing it in the first half?” Lynch asked, questioning the quality of analysis and preparation.

He was equally unimpressed with post-match rhetoric, including Virgil van Dijk’s comments about the team being in “transition.” Lynch was clear: “I’m absolutely fine with accepting this as a transition season, but I think the floor for Liverpool in a transition season should still be top four.”

Photo: IMAGO Bright spots and off-field shadows

One consistent positive Lynch acknowledged was Dominik Szoboszlai, who continues to impress. “He’s been brilliant all season. His work rate we know about, the quality’s starting to show, and the danger from free kicks is massive,” Lynch said. He also praised Milos Kerkez’s performance, calling him “a really good player” who brought “the right kind of intensity.”

However, hope was dampened by concerning signs off the pitch. Lynch highlighted uncertainty surrounding Curtis Jones, pointing out Slot’s lack of enthusiasm about keeping him. “He missed an open goal there in terms of saying he wants him to stay,” Lynch remarked. “It’s truly depressing.”

A club adrift with no signs of turnaround

As the episode closed, Lynch didn’t hide his pessimism. “There’s no chance that Liverpool get in the Champions League this season,” he said. Referencing the Premier League form table, he added, “Over the last 20 games, they’ve picked up 24 points… that’s six wins, six draws, eight defeats. Fulham, Brighton, Newcastle, Sunderland, Everton, Brentford… all these sides have picked up more points.”

Slot’s record came under direct fire too: “Roy Hodgson had 25 points in 20 games. Slot’s sitting on 24. He’s got a far better squad. How is it this bad?”

Even the club hierarchy came under scrutiny. Lynch challenged the direction under Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes: “I don’t think Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards are immune from criticism… but this squad is better than it’s showing.”

In what might be the most damning statement of all, Lynch concluded: “If they get to the end of the season and this form is continued, the call has got to be to make a change to the manager. It just has to be.”

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Journalist: ‘Slot missed open goal’ with Liverpool star now expected to leave in summer

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:30

David Lynch: Arne Slot “Missed an Open Goal” on Curtis Jones Future In a revealing moment during Media Matters on Anfield Index, journalist David Lynch strongly criticised Arne Slot’s handling of Curtis Jones, calling the manager’s lack of public backing a clear misstep. With the Liverpool midfielder entering the final year of his contract and […]

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Journalist: ‘Slot missed open goal’ with Liverpool star now expected to leave in summer

Anfie ldindex com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:30
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In a revealing moment during Media Matters on Anfield Index, journalist David Lynch strongly criticised Arne Slot’s handling of Curtis Jones, calling the manager’s lack of public backing a clear misstep. With the Liverpool midfielder entering the final year of his contract and uncertainty surrounding his future, Lynch described Slot’s approach as “missing an open goal”.

Slot was asked directly in a press conference whether he wanted Jones to stay at the club. His response offered little reassurance. As Lynch recounted, “He didn’t give anything that even remotely sounded like he was [keen for Jones to stay]. He just said that kind of stuff goes on behind the scenes.”

For Lynch, this was a clear failure to publicly support a player who has come through the club’s academy: “When I asked the question, I thought, this is such an underarm for him. He can so quite easily just go, ‘Yeah, he’s the Scouser in the team, he’s really important to us, we’ve developed him and we want him to stick around,’ and he didn’t.”

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“Truly depressing” outlook for academy graduate

Lynch was unequivocal about what this silence implies: “That’s so, so indicative about where this is going. The fact that Curtis was open to that interest and kind of wanted to go… the fact that we’re barely seeing anything of him at the moment.”

The situation is, in Lynch’s view, moving quickly towards a disappointing outcome. “I think the writing’s on the wall here personally… Maybe I’m jumping the gun a little bit, but that’s the sense I get — that Curtis Jones isn’t going to be at Liverpool for much longer.”

A deeper concern for Liverpool’s identity

Beyond just the playing staff, Lynch suggested that losing a homegrown Scouser like Jones would have wider significance for the club. “I think it’s important to have Scousers in your squad,” he said. “You could replace him with an excellent player and sort out your homegrown issue… but I wouldn’t celebrate losing Curtis Jones. I think it would just be depressing.”

Lynch added, “To not be able to sell to a local lad the role that you’ve got for him, playing kind of 40-odd games a season and make it worth his while — I just can’t believe it’s come to this really.”

Photo: IMAGO Transition or turmoil?

With Liverpool already facing a summer of uncertainty, Lynch pointed out that the situation with Jones could signal another disruptive window ahead: “We’re talking about a transition season. Well, if Curtis Jones has to go as well, how many players are going to go again this summer?”

He continued, “There’s already a list of four or five that are there… and if you add Curtis into that, it’s turned into another one of those summers.”

Slot’s public silence, according to Lynch, has only deepened concerns. “I always say I don’t like to focus too much on what he says in press conferences, but he’s missed an open goal there… quite clearly that’s a choice as well, because he’s not that fussed about whether Curtis Jones stays or not.”

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David Lynch: Liverpool have ‘no chance’ of securing Champions League football next season

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:16

David Lynch: Liverpool Will Not Qualify for the Champions League This Season Following Liverpool’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, respected journalist David Lynch has stated unequivocally that he sees “no chance” of Liverpool finishing in the Premier League top five this season. Speaking on Media Matters for Anfield Index, Lynch detailed why, […]

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Van Dijk adamant Liverpool only have themselves to blame

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 10:50

Van Dijk and Slot Offer Different Verdicts After Liverpool’s Man City Setback Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot cut contrasting figures following Liverpool’s narrow defeat to Manchester City, with the captain urging accountability while the head coach voiced frustration over key officiating decisions. Liverpool fell 2-1 at Anfield in a high-intensity Premier League clash that […]

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Frank and Howe feel heat as Man Utd, Chelsea, Everton ramp up European bids

Liverpool FC on Sky Sports - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 10:23
Leeds will test Chelsea's progress under Rosenior

Chelsea vs Leeds - 7.30pm, Tuesday

Chelsea have been flat-track bullies under Liam Rosenior in the Premier League. Four wins and 11 goals have put them firmly in the Champions League race, making ground on third-placed Aston Villa and moving above Liverpool. Leeds will test their improvements.

Daniel Farke's side were going down until the sides met at the start of December. Leeds switched to a back three for the first time and ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory full of energy at Elland Road. They have lost just twice in their 11 league games since then, moving six points above the bottom three.

Leeds United's Ao Tanaka celebrates after scoring his sides second goal Image: Ao Tanaka struck for Leeds against Chelsea in December

Chelsea had just earned a spirited 1-1 draw with 10 men against Arsenal and were being talked up as possible title contenders before Leeds ended those hopes and marked the beginning of the end for Enzo Maresca.

Rosenior's arrival has not been without its issues. His tactics were questioned in their Carabao Cup exit to Arsenal and they avoided defeats to Napoli and West Ham with dramatic second-half comebacks. They cannot afford to keep giving the opposition head starts.

Cole Palmer roared back into form with a hat-trick at Wolves on Sunday, but this will be a wholly different assignment against an aggressive Leeds side that thrives under the lights, winning five and drawing one of their seven evening fixtures this season.
David Richardson

Everton need spark at home to ignite European push

Everton vs Bournemouth - 7.30pm, Tuesday

The move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium has not yet paid off for Everton, whose European hopes have been boosted by the fifth-best away record in the Premier League, leaving them just two points behind sixth-placed Liverpool.

Everton are still adjusting to their new surroundings, with just four wins at home since leaving Goodison Park, their last coming in early December, but Bournemouth have only two victories on the road.

The visitors have recently eased relegation concerns with a five-game unbeaten run. They should have earned a third consecutive victory on Saturday against Aston Villa, denied by Emi Martinez's seven saves, but new signing Rayan showed more promise on his first start since signing from Vasco da Gama for £30.3m.

Rayan celebrates after scoring Bournemouth's equaliser against Aston Villa Image: Rayan (left) scored his first goal for Bournemouth on his first start

The 19-year-old Brazilian, who is seen as a long-term replacement for Antoine Semenyo, followed up his assist at Wolves the week before by ghosting past Lucas Digne on the right before firing past Martinez. Bournemouth are still providing plenty of attacking threat without Semenyo and the injured Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier.

Everton haven't lost in five either and their late turnaround win at Fulham added to goals in the final 15 minutes against Brighton and Leeds in their previous two games. David Moyes' side are grinding out results and now they need one on home turf to really worry Liverpool and the top seven.
David Richardson

Frank and Howe desperate for win to ease pressure

Tottenham vs Newcastle - 7.30pm, Tuesday

Two managers under pressure. Two stretched squads. And so much on the line when a team with a wretched home record hosts visitors with away-day issues.

Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe have been forced to field questions about their managerial futures amid worrying runs of results and performances from their teams and this is a game they dare not lose.

Howe can at least lean on a favourable record against Frank - he's won six of their nine meetings. His points-per-game record against the Dane is Howe's best against any manager he's faced at least five times.

But with just two wins out of their last 15 on the road in the Premier League, Newcastle will be just as nervy as the home side going into this one.

Spurs supporters were right behind their side at Old Trafford on Saturday, despite the handicap of Cristian Romero's early red card. But, without their captain on Tuesday, it would not be a surprise to feel the atmosphere sour if Newcastle do make a positive start in the game. Tottenham fans have seen their team win just four of their last 26 at home in the league.

Being sucked into a relegation battle is not out of the question for the Londoners, while European qualification is looking increasingly tricky for Newcastle. For both, a win would be precious. For both, a defeat would be devastating.
Peter Smith

Man Utd momentum daunting for in-form West Ham

West Ham vs Manchester United - 8.15pm, Tuesday

It's two years since Manchester United last beat West Ham. Crysencio Summerville is on a five-game scoring streak. And Nuno Espirito Santo has revived the Hammers' survival hopes with three wins in four Premier League games.

But the momentum Manchester United will bring to east London on Tuesday night under Michael Carrick's management would be daunting for any opponent right now.

Last time in the capital, they pulled off a thrilling win at Premier League leaders Arsenal, and with four wins on the spin, former Hammers midfielder Carrick is marshalling a team filled with confidence.

Bruno Fernandes has been at the heart of Carrick's fast start, scoring against Spurs to reach 200 goal involvements for the club - and with 10 in his last eight Premier League away games Nuno will need a gameplan to limit him.

But after beating one of his old sides on Saturday, the expectation is that Carrick will do the same to West Ham this midweek, regardless of the Hammers' recent resurgence.
Peter Smith

Villa's season losing momentum?

Aston Villa vs Brighton - 7.30pm, Wednesday

Aston Villa's home form has them third in the Premier League table, having turned Villa Park into a fortress under Unai Emery. Eighteen unbeaten there in the competition last season, they had won eight in a row this time around until this alarming dip of late.

Home losses to Everton and Brentford have curtailed momentum and there really will be panic on the Holte End if they succumb to defeat against Brighton. Manchester United and Chelsea are catching Villa. Liverpool are not far behind.

The fear is that it is not only the teams below them who are catching up with Villa but the schedule too. Emery's side could yet play 60 games this season compared to United's 40 - and are without Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara.

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Aston Villa

None of that midfield trio are expected back until April and that presents a challenge for Emery to find solutions within the squad. With Leeds at home next up in the Premier League followed by Wolves away, any slip would be a major blow to their top-five hopes.

Fabian Hurzeler's concerns are even more immediate given the chants of, 'you don't know what you're doing' and 'you're getting sacked in the morning' during Brighton's home defeat to rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday. A result at Villa might be required.
Adam Bate

Pressure on Parker - but has eased for Palace

Crystal Palace vs Burnley - 7.30pm, Wednesday

Some may argue that the pressure has been on all season for Scott Parker and Burnley - it's always a tough ask for promoted teams to be competitive in their first season back in the Premier League.

But for a club that has often stuck with managers in difficult moments, the board's ears might begin to prickle after boos on Saturday as the Clarets lost 2-0 to relegation rivals West Ham - that is despite having 18 shots, their most in a Premier League game this season.

It leaves them 11 points from safety and with no win in 16 league outings since beat bottom side Wolves on October 26. Until recently, they might have earmarked a trip to Crystal Palace as one where points could be gained.

The Eagles were rarely out of the headlines in January amid a tumultuous period, but picking up their first Premier League win in nine games against rivals Brighton will give them a boost.

It has taken the sting out of the tail at Selhurst Park when one wondered if a superb period of success was spectacularly unravelling before our eyes.

That seems to have been halted for the time being and at home against teams near or below them, Crystal Palace have a good record.

The form guide says it will be another tough Premier League match for Burnley, as Parker continues to look for ways to avoid the drop back into the Championship.
Charlotte Marsh

Man City must follow statement win by adding scoreboard pressure

Man City vs Fulham - 7.30pm, Wednesday

Manchester City have been involved in some nonsensical games in recent weeks - the win at Liverpool and draw at Tottenham just two of them - and yet their position in the title race seems to make perfect sense.

City might need something special to topple Arsenal but the prospect is yet to be rendered inconceivable. The statement at Anfield will have done as much to convince the City players themselves as it has to remind those of us who merely pass comment that the race is still open.

Gary Neville believes Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma to be central to this rival plan. But that's too simplistic and overlooks the importance of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, as well as the returning Ruben Dias - the spine of strength. They all know how to win titles.

Coupled with that is the immediate impact of January additions Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo; compelling reinforcements at this stage of the season. They both bring fresh ambition.

Moving to within three points of the Gunners with victory over Fulham would ensure the scoreboard pressure mounts and Arsenal have proven to be unreliable leaders when chasers make their move to overtake in the past. City may have to leave it late again against Fulham, who have lost eight games this season after the 80th minute.

It might just be enough to divert Arsenal's attention. If City wrestle enough initiative, they won't back down until they get what they want. Pep will make sure of that.
Laura Hunter

Forest under pressure to beat Wolves

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves - 7.30pm, Wednesday

Every day of the weekend brought a fresh blow for Nottingham Forest. Their insipid defeat to Leeds on Friday gifted three points to a relegation rival, before West Ham won well on Saturday and Crystal Palace ended their poor run with a victory on Sunday.

The upshot is that Forest risk being in the bottom three before they even take to the field against bottom club Wolves on Wednesday night and with former boss Nuno Espirito Santo having improved West Ham's fortunes, the scrutiny on Sean Dyche is increasing.

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Leeds and Nottingham Forest

Four of the last five Premier League wins for Forest have come away from home where the counter-punching style can be more effective. Dyche's style of play is yet to convince the supporters and expectation could create tension by the Trent in midweek.

While Wolves' own relegation has long since felt inevitable, and they threw the game away early at home to Chelsea on Saturday, they have been in games more than one might expect of a team adrift at the bottom and that can unnerve fragile opponents.

Forest's FA Cup exit means there's an 11-day break before their next fixture against Liverpool and the mood during that period will be shaped by the outcome of this game. Failing to beat Wolves would be unthinkable, and yet many fans are already dreading it.
Adam Bate

Sunderland's remarkable home record enough to unsettle Liverpool

Sunderland vs Liverpool - 8.15pm, Wednesday

Sunderland are unbeaten in all 12 of their Premier League games played at the Stadium of Light this season, a record that puts them fourth in the home form table, and is the longest run by a promoted side since 1977-78. No team wants to travel to that outpost in north-east England, least of all Liverpool, having only managed to win two of their last 10 on the road.

This fixture has got the potential to make things infinitely harder for Arne Slot after a troubling weekend. Things could go from bad to worse with no right-back to speak of (after stand-in Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off in defeat to Manchester City) and a crisis of confidence that just won't shake. Liverpool have conceded 21 goals away from Anfield this term - more than bottom side Wolves (20).

But the desperation to keep up with their rivals in the top-four race might just be enough for Liverpool to rediscover some spark. Slot's side still boast some of the best attacking numbers in the league, and the Reds boss will be equally aware of the position they will find themselves in if they don't win. The gap to the European spots is already four. It can ill-afford to get any larger.
Laura Hunter

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Brentford vs Arsenal - 8pm, Thursday

Arsenal seem to be running away with the Premier League title, while Brentford are up to seventh after their first win away at Newcastle since 1934. The Gunners are top of the form table over the last 10 matches (W7 D2 L1) and the Bees are just behind (W6 D2 L2).

Brentford's home form remains - as it has done for several years - among the best in the division, but Arsenal's away form is the best, bar none. If those stats aren't enough to whet the appetite, this is a battle between two set-piece specialists.

Brentford - led by their former set-piece coach Keith Andrews - piqued interest with their success from long throws, so much so that, in October, Erling Haaland said playing them "reminded me a bit of Stoke City with [Rory] Delap". Michael Kayode and Mathias Jensen are the men tasked with delivering the monstrous deliveries that have been the source of three goals so far - the joint-second most in the division.

In all, they have scored 11 goals from set-pieces and conceded nine, making them one of only eight teams yet to enter double figures in that regard.

Mikel Arteta's side, on the other hand, are in a league of their own. Twenty of their 49 league goals have come from set-pieces (40.8 per cent), with 14 of those scored from corners. Both totals are unmatched in the Premier League this season. They have also only conceded five of 17 so far in that manner, which is also the least in the Premier League.

If this game is to be decided by fine margins, few fixtures are better equipped to deliver.
Dan Long

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Former Liverpool star sends sack warning to Arne Slot after recent struggles

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 08:50

Arne Slot sent sack warning as Liverpool’s struggles continue Liverpool’s collapse in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday has only piled further pressure onto head coach Arne Slot. The Reds find themselves down in 6th in the league table and now four points behind Chelsea in fifth place. Slot’s side have managed to […]

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Sky pundit critical of rules for Szoboszlai red card

anfieldindex.com - Mon, 02/09/2026 - 07:50

Liverpool Collapse Late as Man City Punish Costly Errors at Anfield Liverpool’s season lurched into deeper uncertainty after a chaotic late collapse handed Man City a dramatic victory at Anfield, a result that further intensified scrutiny on Arne Slot and his faltering campaign. For long stretches, Liverpool played with purpose and clarity. For the decisive […]

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Liverpool vs. Tottenham Preview: This is it

football-addict com - Thu, 02/06/2025 - 12:00
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

A loss Thursday would be a devasting blow in an already frustrating 2024/25.

As is the case for any (sobs) 14th-place team, Tottenham Hotspur's season hinges on competitions outside the Premier League. A bye into the Europa League Round of 16 keeps that avenue open, and the FA Cup remains a possibility as well, but the most immediate and realistic path to silverware is the League Cup. Yes, the road is brutal, with a trip to Anfield before a final against Newcastle, but only 180 minutes separate Spurs from ending their long-standing trophy drought.

That makes Thursday the biggest match of the season so far. Tottenham impressed in the semifinal's first leg, grinding out a 1-0 win despite ceding possession, absorbing pressure, and deploying a makeshift backline. Now, the battle shifts to Liverpool, where the country's best team will be confident in its ability to overcome a one-goal deficit. Spurs enter as clear underdogs but must find a way to advance.

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Liverpool (0) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1)

Date: Thursday, February 6
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Since the first leg, Liverpool has gone 5-1-1, with the lone defeat coming in a meaningless Champions League contest with a rotated lineup. With a Premier League title in sight and a strong European campaign underway, one might assume this competition sits lower on the priority list. Unfortunately for Spurs, there are no significant matches on Liverpool's immediate horizon, meaning Arne Slot is likely to field a strong XI at Anfield.

Both teams were relatively cautious in North London, though for different reasons. Tottenham's approach was shaped by a defense missing three of its four preferred starters, alongside a newly introduced Antonin Kinsky. Ange Postecoglou now has the opportunity of choosing from options like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, though plenty of important names like Micky van de Ven remain injured.

For Liverpool, the decision to play pragmatically was likely strategic — returning home with just a one-goal deficit seemed an acceptable trade-off. Having made that decision, Slot's side will now bring intensity reminiscent of December's league fixture. Players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent from the first leg's starting lineup, but may be called upon Thursday with the objective more clear.

A few moments of greatness

Tottenham will not see much of the ball at Anfield. Liverpool will dominate possession, generate the bulk of the chances, and apply relentless pressure in Spurs' defensive third. That is a daunting prospect for cobbled-together squad; the number one priority is minimizing mistakes, especially with a lead to protect.

That said, Spurs must be willing to attack when opportunities arise and will not need much possession to be dangerous. Both Dominic Solanke's narrowly disallowed goal and Lucas Bergvall's successful strike in the first leg came via direct play over the top. Exploiting Liverpool's high press with quick, vertical attacks could be Tottenham's best path to maintaining the advantage.

If Spurs can capitalize on a pressing opponent and snatch an insurance goal, the tie will come down to their ability to weather the inevitable storm. Recent form does not inspire much confidence in their defensive resilience, but Tottenham has produced surprising performances against top teams this season. Postecoglou will need another one to keep his second-season trophy promise alive.

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Arne Slot directly responds to rumours of Salah and Van Dijk's new contracts being signed

football-addict com - Thu, 02/06/2025 - 11:57

Liverpool fans will have seen the social media stories circling that both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, something Arne Slot was asked to comment on.

Speaking (via 90min.com), our head coach said: "We have some contractual situations that you don't probably don't know about.

"But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven't extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

"My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well.

"You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

"The players that don't play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else?

"So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do."

The Dutchman doesn't really like to provide a direct answer on these topics, as it's not something he's directly involved in and prefers to allow time to pass.

However, confirmation that contracts have not been signed is a clear indication of the current situation and does debunk Robbie Fowler's theory.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent have not yet signed a new contract Pictures via @MoSalah on X

John Barnes has stated that if he were in charge of the new deals, he would select our captain as the most important of the trio.

Many fans have their own opinions as to who they would or wouldn't allow to leave the club but it does feel that the overwhelming majority want all three to commit their future to staying on Merseyside.

You would assume the club can afford to do this but whether the financial model allows it is another question.

It's the same situation we've been in all campaign but we can take from this that no deals have yet been signed and it doesn't feel like we're close to them being done either.

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One year on: EOTK's tribute to Alex South – the former LFC defender who played with Liddell & Paisley

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Liverpool told which one of their three contract rebels would 'not be a huge loss'

football-addict com - Thu, 02/06/2025 - 11:52
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool at risk of losing all three of their stars for nothing
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4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup

football-addict com - Thu, 02/06/2025 - 11:46

Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

The Reds lost the away first leg 1-0 controversially courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late goal but he really should’ve been sent off earlier.

Newcastle United have reached the final by beating Arsenal in the other semi-final so the winner of this tie will take on the Magpies at Wembley on 16th March.

As per team news, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota have returned to full fitness after recovering from their injury problems but Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained an issue since featuring against the Cherries. So, he has been ruled out.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been playing in the cup competitions but Alisson Becker started in the previous leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Brazilian may continue in goal for the hosts tonight.

Jarell Quansah has started all the Carabao Cup matches thus far this season but considering the importance of the fixture tonight, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be called upon to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the CB position.

Conor Bradley would replace injured Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas might get the nod to start in the left-back position ahead of Andy Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to continue in the engine room with Dominik Szoboszlai in the CAM role. Therefore, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones could be among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo has also played all the League Cup games and should continue in his preferred left-wing position, while Mohamed Salah would be on the opposite side.

Luis Diaz may start again in the CF role, therefore, Darwin Nunez and Jota could feature off the bench if needed. Here is how Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham:

The post 4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup appeared first on Paisley Gates.

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Sky Sports and Paul Merson up to usual tricks on Alexander Isak's future – Laughable

football-addict com - Thu, 02/06/2025 - 11:43
The Sky Sports campaign to try and destabilise Alexander Isak and get him out of Newcastle United is relentless, with the likes of Paul Merson and others, always willing to...

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