Curtis Jones has impressed as an emergency right-back for Liverpool this season, but he will have just a year left on his Anfield deal in the summer

Mohamed Salah can only cheer his team-mates on when Liverpool take on Manchester United on Sunday

Curtis Jones has impressed as an emergency right-back for Liverpool this season, but he will have just a year left on his Anfield deal in the summer

Florian Wirtz will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Sunday when Liverpool go to Manchester United

Florian Wirtz will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Sunday when Liverpool go to Manchester United

Liverpool great Steven Gerrard has been linked with the Burnley job, having previously expressed an interest in returning to management in the future

Liverpool great Steven Gerrard has been linked with the Burnley job, having previously expressed an interest in returning to management in the future

Manchester United's Premier League game against fierce rival Liverpool has an unusual kickoff time on Sunday, falling between the usual 2pm and 4.30pm BST kickoff slots

04:00, 03 May 2026

Manchester United hosts Liverpool on Sunday(Image: 2026 Allstar)

Liverpool goes to Manchester United this weekend aiming for a fourth successive Premier League victory, which could be enough to mathematically guarantee Champions League qualification for next term.

The Reds won all three of its top-flight games in April – earning Arne Slot a manager of the month nomination – and now have an eight-point cushion inside the top five with just four league games remaining.

The game against United kicks off at the unusual time of 3.30pm BST/10:30am ET (kick-off times on Sundays in England are ordinarily 2pm and 4.30pm).

No official reason has been given for the unconventional kick-off time, but it has been reported that the start of the game was brought forward an hour for security purposes.

READ MORE: Liverpool told to target Premier League transfer for $41M ace who is like Ibrahima KonateREAD MORE: Andy Robertson advised to join Liverpool rival in controversial transfer move

United versus Liverpool is the most historic rivalry in English soccer, and rivalries of such magnitude often carry with them a heightened risk of fan trouble around games.

United is aiming to record a league double over Liverpool for the first time during the 2015-16 season, and goes into the game three points and one place above the Reds in the league table.

"I think last season when we played them, they were not in the same league position as they are now," Arne Slot said in his pregame press conference.

"Then, I also said that their players are much better than the league position shows and another time, another transfer window adding a lot of players and that has resulted, I would almost say finally, in that we now see how good their players are, in terms of looking at the league table.

"We always knew that they were really good, but now they are also showing it in the league table.

"It might be a bit of an advantage that they only play once a week. But as I said, when we played them every single time, I saw before we played, in the lead-up to the game, analysing them, how good they are.

Liverpool is aiming to avoid losing both league games to Manchester United for the first time since 2015-16(Image: Gareth Copley, Getty Images)

"And every time we played, I felt the same. And now they have become, especially under Michael Carrick, more consistent in their results."

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On the importance of the final result for Liverpool's season, Slot said: "I think it’s always like that, every game you play has influence on your league position. So that’s not only when you play Man United, it’s every week in every game.

"But we are aware of the fact that it’s a very big game, not only because we play Man United, but definitely also to qualify for the Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table, which of course is something we want.

"We wanted to, of course, win the league. That’s not possible. And then you have to try to end up as high as possible, and that’s what we are trying week in, week out, and that’s what we’re going to try Sunday again as well."

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Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League, where a win would see them leapfrog Man United in the table.

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League, where a win would see them leapfrog Man United in the table.

Bristol City interim boss Roy Hodgson says he is "very satisfied" after overseeing a 2-0 win over Stoke on Saturday, claiming 11 points from his seven Championship games in charge of the Robins

Daniel Carter

23:59, 02 May 2026Updated 00:00, 03 May 2026

Roy Hodgson has completed his short-term spell at Bristol City(Image: Getty Images)

Roy Hodgson insists he "couldn't be happier" following Bristol City's final-day victory over Stoke, with the 78-year-old "very satisfied" with the contribution he made during his interim stint at Ashton Gate.

The Robins brought the Championship season and former Liverpool manager Hodgson's brief tenure to a close with a 2-0 triumph over the Potters on Saturday. Hodgson will now return to retirement, having briefly stepped back into soccer to help Bristol City in the club's time of need.

On Saturday, strikes from Delano Burgzorg and Sam Bell proved sufficient for City to collect all three points before a sell-out crowd. Middlesbrough loanee Burgzorg handed the Robins the advantage after just a minute of play, capitalizing on a Viktor Johansson error to open his account in red and white.

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold utters his true feelings on Mohamed Salah as exit loomsREAD MORE: Man Utd owners face paying millions of dollars if Liverpool loses big game

That early opener appeared destined to be the decisive moment, until Bell tucked home from close range two minutes from time. While, in Hodgson's estimation, it was far from the Robins' most polished display since the March international break, that mattered precious little to the former England manager, who was keen to prioritize the result over the performance.

"Funnily enough, I didn't think it was one of our better performances, if I'm perfectly honest," Hodgson explained. "I think probably that a bit of the nervousness and the desire to finish well rubbed off on us all in a way.

"But, there were some good qualities to the team. I've seen us pass the ball better and control games better in some of these previous ones when we've actually been very good at doing that at times. Today was less of that, and we were put under pressure by the very talented wingers Stoke have got, and the number of crosses they get into the box.

Bristol City won on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)

"I can't fault the attitude, the desire, the discipline and the willingness of all the players to do what was necessary to get us a result. I couldn't be happier. Sometimes getting a victory like this is more satisfying than one where it has been fairly easy because you've dominated the game from start to finish."

Following Saturday lunchtime's triumph against the Potters, Hodgson has accumulated 11 points from his seven matches as interim manager. Under the 78-year-old's stewardship, City have defeated Charlton, Sheffield United, and Stoke, while suffering losses to Norwich and Birmingham City.

In reality, the consecutive Easter victories were sufficient to eliminate any lingering relegation concerns among the City supporters. The additional points secured against QPR, Southampton and the Potters have ultimately ensured the Robins conclude the Championship campaign in 12th position.

Entrusted with stabilizing matters heading into the final stretch, Hodgson has fulfilled the brief set by the Robins leadership and been rewarded with a legacy cap for his contributions across two spells at the club. He can now return to retirement content with his achievements at Ashton Gate.

When questioned by Bristol Live about his satisfaction with performances, he responded: "Very satisfied. I think 11 points from seven games, four of which have been away from home, and against teams of very good quality [is a good return].

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"Stoke at the start of the season were racing, Southampton was a tough one, Birmingham have been going quite well in recent weeks, QPR, Charlton, Sheffield United; there's been no games really where we've been handed, if you like, a team which has been struggling or coming to the end of a season in a bad way.

"We've had to fight and work hard against similar quality teams the whole way through. To take 11 points from that, especially with only three games being here, I think we can be more than satisfied.

"Everyone likes to get a pat on the back," Hodgson remarked on his legacy cap. "Everyone likes to hear a kind word, everyone likes to receive praise, and I'm no different. It's much nicer than having people boo you off the field or accost you on the street to tell you that they don't think you're any good. It's nice when it's the other way around."

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Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds expressed his disappointment after his side drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough on the final day of the Championship season — denying the team a shot at promotion

23:57, 02 May 2026

Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham suffered a blow on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)

Ryan Reynolds has revealed why he is "completely gutted" after Wrexham narrowly failed to secure a Championship playoff position.

Saturday marked the final day of the regular campaign, where Wrexham had the opportunity to claim a playoff berth and challenge for promotion to the Premier League. Nevertheless, the Welsh side was forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Middlesbrough, which saw it finish marginally outside the playoff places.

That means Wrexham will not play Liverpool in a competitive game next season — unless the Welsh team is drawn against the Reds in a cup game. Yet the two teams will meet in a friendly match at New York's Yankee Stadium on July 29.

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold utters his true feelings on Mohamed Salah as exit loomsREAD MORE: Man Utd owners face paying millions of dollars if Liverpool loses big game

Boro opened the scoring through Tommy Conway, before Wrexham restored parity with a Josh Windass effort.

Sam Smith subsequently put Wrexham ahead just before the interval, only for Middlesbrough to level matters through David Strelec to ensure the spoils were shared.

The outcome means that Wrexham concludes in seventh position in the Championship during its debut campaign following promotion from League One, merely two points adrift of sixth-placed Hull, which clinched the final playoff berth.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson couldn't lead his team to a fourth successive promotion(Image: Getty Images)

Reynolds, who co-owns Wrexham alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney, turned to social media to voice his frustration at the club failing to secure a playoff spot, thereby missing out on an opportunity for Premier League promotion.

"I am completely gutted by today's result but incredibly proud of our season," Reynolds posted on X.

"We've come a long way in five years and this was the best result in our 150+ year history. More to do. But for now, we have so much to be proud of, Reds."

This marks the first occasion since Reynolds and McElhenney's second season as Wrexham owners that the club has been unable to achieve promotion at the campaign's conclusion.

The pair finalized their takeover of the club in February 2021 while Wrexham was competing in the National League, ultimately finishing eighth that season.

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The subsequent year saw Wrexham claim second place before falling to Grimsby in the playoffs.

Since then, Wrexham has celebrated three successive promotions from the 2022-23 season onwards, propelling the club from the National League through to the Championship.

Reynolds and McElhenney will now be hoping to launch another promotion challenge in the Championship next season, commencing their preparations for the campaign with fixtures against Liverpool, Leeds and Sunderland in the United States during preseason.

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Arne Slot provided a positive Mohamed Salah injury update when he met with the media on May 1st. The boss also discussed the importance of the May 3rd match with Manchester United at Old Trafford and gave his assessment of Liverpool’s chance creation this season.

It’s A Relief

Slot confirmed that Mo Salah will return before the end of the season, but he has been ruled out for the Manchester United clash.

“As we know from Mo, he's always working incredibly hard during the season when he's fit, but definitely also when he is injured, to be back as soon as possible. That's what he's trying now so well. Usually, he's earlier fit than other players after a minor injury - because he has a minor injury. We expect him indeed to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday. It's a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he's able to play for us, that he's able to play at the World Cup. If there's any time a player that deserves to get a big send-off, it's definitely Mo."

A Big Game

Anytime Liverpool and United play, it’s a big game, but considering that the two rivals are only separated by three points on the table, the contest takes on extra meaning.

“I think it’s always like that, every game you play has influence on your league position,” Slot said. “So that’s not only when you play Man United, it’s every week in every game. But we are aware of the fact that it’s a very big game, not only because we play Man United, but definitely also to qualify for the Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table, which, of course, is something we want. We wanted to, of course, win the league. That’s not possible. And then you have to try to end up as high as possible, and that’s what we are trying week in, week out, and that’s what we’re going to try Sunday again as well.”

That’s More Like It

Liverpool have won three EPL matches in a row, and it’s no surprise to Slot that they are creating more chances than earlier in the campaign.

“Having Alex [Isak] more and more available. Having him available at his top level would even increase that even more. In general, having players available would help in becoming consistent. At the moment, not playing three times in seven days helps in our consistency. But indeed, chance creation, converting into goals, that is something we haven’t done very well throughout this whole season. But one of the players that we always thought could score a lot of goals for us has hardly been available. And you could see last week that it was a chance but it wasn’t the biggest chance we’ve got this season, and he finished that one off really well, Alex, by scoring the 1-0.”

LFC Globe Verdict

Arne Slot is not the only one relieved that Mo Salah will be back before the end of the season. I did not think he would after seeing him walk off the pitch vs. Crystal Palace. As the boss said, Mo deserves a proper sendoff.

Have Your Say

How much importance do you place on this contest? Is finishing third vs, 4th on the table really that much of a difference when a Champions League spot is all but assured? Drop a comment below.

Where To Watch Match InfoUK BroadcastUS BroadcastCanada BroadcastKick-off3:30 PM BST10:30 AM ET10: 00 AM ETTV ChannelSky SportsUSA NetworkFuboTVLive StreamSky Sports GoPeacockFuboTV Canada

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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.

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

The post Arne Slot directly responds to rumours of Salah and Van Dijk’s new contracts being signed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

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

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.

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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