The 22-year-old, who is part of the England squad for the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia this summer, was limited to 18 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season, 16 of them as a substitute.

His only two starts came in defeats at Chelsea and Brighton after the Reds had already secured the Premier League title in manager Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

Overall, Elliott played 28 games in all competitions, which included six starts as he totalled five goals and three assists in 822 minutes of action.

In comparison, he made 53 appearances, including 27 starts, in the 2023-24 campaign when he scored four goals and provided 11 assists.

“It’s just a situation that me and the team have to have a conversation about because I’m coming into an age now where I’m 22, I’m going to be 23 next season,” said Elliott when asked if he is considering leaving Liverpool.

“I don’t really want to be wasting years on my career because it’s a short career. You don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I need to reflect. I need to see if I’m content in doing what I’m doing and how can I improve as a player because that’s the most important thing.

“I just want to improve and be the best possible version of myself. If that’s to go somewhere else, then it’s a decision that I’m going to have to make and I just need to see what happens.

“Nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, the team. I support them as well. But most importantly, it’s just about what’s best for my career.”

Liverpool are trying to sign attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer which could further limit Elliott’s chances of first-team football.

Elliott, who was sidelined for about three months when he suffered a broken foot in September, added: “After my injury, I think it was always going to be hard, but I’d hoped I would have got some more opportunities – but football is football.”

Elliott, who joined Liverpool as a 17-year-old from Fulham in July 2019, returned from injury in December.

He hoped scoring a late winner in the first leg of a last-16 Champions League tie at Paris St-Germain in March would be a turning point for him, but it proved not to be the case.

Elliott was a half-time substitute against Southampton in Liverpool’s next game before the second leg of the tie against PSG, which the Reds lost on penalties.

“I thought PSG [first leg] was kind of a high for me, especially with the Premier League game coming up a few days later,” said Elliott.

“I thought it was an opportunity for me to get a start and showcase what I can do and just get a nice run out, but the boss is the boss.

“He’s the man in charge. He’s the reason why we’ve won the league, because of his decisions. His decisions were not to start me – I can’t complain.”

Club sources told BBC Sport that Colombia international Diaz, one of Liverpool’s key players in winning the Premier League title last season, is not for sale.

The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and has a contract with the club until 2027.

He scored 13 goals and made seven assists in the league as Liverpool won the title by 10 points.

Diaz attracted interest from Manchester City last summer and also has admirers in Saudi Arabia. He is currently on international duty.​​​​​​​

Speculation about Diaz’s future increased after he and his girlfriend both wrote lengthy posts on social media to Liverpool fans that could be interpreted as farewell messages.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards have looked to refresh Arne Slot’s squad early in the transfer window.

Last week the Premier League champions completed the £29.5 million signing of Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool are close to agreeing a club-record £109m fee to sign Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen, and are in talks to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez for between £45m and £50m.

Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will join the squad after joining Liverpool last summer but spending the season on loan at Valencia.

In April, prolific forward Mohamed Salah ended speculation about his future by signing a new two-year contract to keep him at Anfield until 2027, while captain Virgil van Dijk signed a new deal later that month.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined Real Madrid one month before the end of his Liverpool contract, while goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been sold to Brentford for an initial £12.5m fee.

Striker Darwin Nunez has been linked with moves to Saudi Arabian clubs as well as Barcelona.

The Republic of Ireland international, 26, is seen as a replacement for the Bees’ number one Mark Flekken, who is heading to German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bundesliga club have agreed a fee of about £8m for the 31-year-old Dutchman.

Kelleher has a year left on his contract at Anfield but Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will join the Premier League champions in July to compete for the number one shirt with established first choice Alisson Becker.

Kelleher has played in 25 Premier League games for Liverpool since making his debut five years ago.

He has also played in more than 40 cup games for the club, which means he has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups and a Uefa Super Cup in his time at Anfield.

Netherlands international Flekken joined Brentford from German side Freiburg for a reported £11m in May 2023.

He had kept more clean sheets than any goalkeeper in the Bundesliga over the previous two seasons and has only strengthened his reputation while at Brentford.

Flekken has played in all but two Premier League games over the past two seasons, registering 14 clean sheets and three assists.

Life is never dull when the Dutchman, who has completed a £29.5m move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, is around.

From entertaining goal celebrations, which include getting teammates to shine his boots after scoring, to amusing post-match television interviews, right-sided defender Frimpong is all about fun.

“I like the pink by the way,” he told German football expert Archie Rhind-Tutt, who was wearing a pink jacket, in one live post-match television interview. “Very nice!”

“Often in football it becomes so serious that player interviews can be a bit dull,” former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger tells BBC Sport.

“Frimpong hasn’t lost any of that freshness, that sense of ‘I am enjoying what I am doing here’. He is different, and he has such a refreshing tone.”

Another goal celebration with Leverkusen team-mate Amine Adli went viral on social media after Frimpong celebrated with a smoking gesture, just two days after Germany partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But don’t be fooled by Frimpong’s playful manner.

Liverpool are investing in a serious talent who started out in Manchester City’s academy system, showed promise at Celtic before making a name for himself with Bayer Leverkusen.

After four years in Germany, Frimpong is returning to England after helping Xabi Alonso’s side break Bayern Munich’s dominance and deliver a memorable league and cup double in 2023-24.

Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn in 1994-95, adds: “He’s one who I think has been on the radar for a lot of the really high-profile clubs for a while now, and now it is about him making that next step.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Frimpong (left) celebrates scoring for Bayer Leverkusen by placing his boot on team-mate Exequiel Palacios’ knee

A better attacker than defender?

Frimpong was born in Amsterdam – the fifth child of seven – although he has spent the majority of his life in Britain.

He was seven when he arrived in England with his family and grew up in the east Manchester suburb of Clayton, playing for AFC Clayton on Saturday mornings before turning out for Clayton Villa a few hours later.

Aged nine, he was scouted by Manchester City and placed in their academy, where he crossed paths with Jadon Sancho in the under-18s before the latter moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

Frimpong went on to play for City’s under-23s, played in the EFL Trophy at places like Rochdale, Crewe and Barnsley, and made appearances in the Uefa Youth League.

But in 2019, at the age of 18, he left City for Celtic without playing a single minute of senior football.

Celtic, who paid City £300,000, originally bought Frimpong to provide cover but within three months he played – and was sent off – in the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers, who were managed by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Frimpong recovered from that red card to become a trusted member of the team, and just over a year later he signed for Leverkusen in a deal worth around £10m.

“I’ve never seen a better kid than him,” said Neil Lennon, his manager at Celtic.

“The quality of his play, the pace of his play, the end product.”

Former Celtic forward Sutton highlights Frimpong’s electric pace as he adds: “He was only at Celtic for a season or two and when he arrived you worried about him size-wise, but he gave the team such an attacking thrust.

“He is very small but size isn’t everything. He is extremely quick, and definitely attack-minded. I think everyone viewed him as a better attacker than defender.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Frimpong (right) has made 12 appearances for the Netherlands

‘Phenomenal speed’

The arrival of Frimpong at Liverpool is intended to help soften the blow of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will become a Real Madrid player on Sunday.

According to his numbers, the 24-year-old is arriving at Anfield with serious potential.

Frimpong was one of the strongest runners in the Bundesliga in 2024-25, making 1,021 sprints, 2,116 intensive runs, registered a maximum speed of 36.34 km/h, and covered a distance of 259.6km over 33 games.

He is also versatile.

In his final appearance of the season, a 4-2 home defeat by Borussia Dortmund on 11 May, he played as a midfielder and scored. It was Frimpong’s 23rd goal in 133 Bundesliga matches.

He also completed 38 sprints – more than any other player on the pitch.

Image source: Opta

“What I find phenomenal is his speed when he is standing still and those kind of first few steps,” adds Hitzlsperger.

“That’s what he’s got, and he loves going forward. So he is equipped to be a wing-back.

“Defensively, he is still a very good player, but he is not your typical right-back that you see playing for teams like Inter Milan, who might defend for 90 minutes.

“Of course, there is a lack of height with him. But with his pace, drive and determination to set goals up, to get to the byeline and pull balls back, then wing-back is probably his best position.”

Will Frimpong make an instant impact in the Premier League?

With Netherlands teammates Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch in the Liverpool dressing room, he will be surrounded by familiar faces as he looks to settle quickly.

“People are talking about Conor Bradley being Liverpool’s first-choice right-back next season, and I get that, but you need fierce competition, and Frimpong would provide that,” adds Sutton.

“I know what an attacking threat he is, how quick and dynamic he is, and how good he is in 1v1 situations.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Frimpong has won two league titles – one with Celtic (2019-20) and one with Bayer Leverkusen (2023-24)

Two languages – one serious talent

Frimpong used the Bundesliga’s 2024-25 winter break to visit Ghana, his parents’ homeland, for the first time.

“It was English that was spoken in the house when I was growing up – that and the Ghanaian language called Twi,” he said.

“My mum would normally speak that to me, but my brothers and sisters all speak English. I’m still working on my Dutch.”

While in Ghana, Frimpong visited an orphanage in the capital Accra and was moved by what he saw.

“I bought them food, we sat together and I asked lots of them what they would like to be,” he added.

“The small children there didn’t know me at all but they came straight to me and wanted me to take their hands. They showed me so much warmth.

“In spite of their situation and the whole environment, they were so full of joy. They smiled and we just played football and were happy.”

Thomas Hitzlsperger and Chris Sutton were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Frimpong (right) made 53 appearances in all competitions for club and country in 2024-25

It is understood the Premier League champions have submitted a second, improved bid for the Germany midfielder.

Liverpool’s latest offer for the 22-year-old is about £109m, including add-ons.

Wirtz is a key target for the Merseyside club and has made his wishes clear about wanting to join Liverpool before next season.

BBC Sport revealed earlier this month that Manchester City are no longer in the running for the player, citing costs attached to the transfer as a key factor.

Likewise, Bayern Munich also carried a strong interest in Wirtz – but the midfielder’s preference to join Liverpool leaves Arne Slot’s men in pole position.

Wirtz made his debut for Leverkusen at the age of 17 and has now scored 57 goals in 197 games for the German club.

He helped them win the Bundesliga for the first time in 2024 and has scored six goals in 29 appearances for Germany.

Liverpool are also ready to trigger the release clause of Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Just hours after the Anfield club confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold would be joining Real Madrid in time to play in the Club World Cup, the Premier League champions have ratified their move for Dutch international Frimpong after activating the 24-year-old’s release clause.

Versatile right-footer Frimpong is widely viewed as Alexander-Arnold’s replacement in Arne Slot’s squad.

He played an integral role in helping Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2023-24 and made 53 appearances in all competitions as they finished second in 24-25.

Frimpong will have competition at right-back from Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley, who recently signed a new four-year contract with the club.

The Dutchman came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and went on to join Celtic in September 2019 before a move to Leverkusen in January 2021.

Frimpong joins a Dutch contingent of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch at Liverpool.

Liverpool are also in talks with Leverkusen over signing Florian Wirtz.

The club have entered into advanced negotiations for Germany forward Wirtz, submitting an offer of around £109m inclusive of add-ons.

Wirtz, 22, is a key target for Liverpool and there is now a sense that discussions over a deal are in its final stages, with a growing hope an agreement is within reach.

The Spanish club will pay €10million (£8.4m; $11.4m) in a single payment for Alexander-Arnold, with the deal worth even more to Liverpool as they will no longer cover the remaining salary and bonuses he is owed.

The 26-year-old will sign a six-year contract with his new side.

The deal was agreed on Monday but was delayed after a man drove into a crowd during Liverpool’s title celebrations in the city, with 79 people injured following the incident.

Alexander-Arnold was scheduled to join the Spanish giants as a free agent after his terms at Anfield expire on June 30. That would have seen him miss Madrid’s three group-stage fixtures at the Club World Cup in the United States.

The 15-time European champions contacted Liverpool to express an interest in Alexander-Arnold being released sooner and talks ensued to find a solution. Eventually, a compromise was struck and the England international will now move with immediate effect.

In October, FIFA approved a proposal that would allow national associations the option to create an “exceptional registration window” from June 1 to June 10 so teams could register new players ahead of the Club World Cup.

Had Madrid waited until the end of Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contract on June 30 to sign him for free, they could have registered him for the knockout stage of the competition using the mid-tournament registration window FIFA has added from June 27 to July 3. It means, in effect, Madrid are paying €10m for the extra month so the defender can feature in their group-stage games against Al Hilal (June 18), Pachuca (June 22) and Red Bull Salzburg (June 26).

Madrid did not just target Alexander-Arnold as a potential free transfer — they were prepared to pay €40m to sign him in January, but Liverpool did not entertain the possibility with the player also prioritising his side’s Premier League title campaign.

Alexander-Arnold scored 23 goals and provided 92 assists across 354 first-team appearances for Liverpool, where he won two league titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

The Englishman’s exit from his boyhood club saw him booed by fans at Anfield when he came on as a substitute against Arsenal on May 11, the first game after he announced his intention to depart. In April, two posters were put around Liverpool about Alexander-Arnold’s expiring contract, which went viral on social media. Following Liverpool’s final game of the season, the 1-1 home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, Alexander-Arnold was cheered when he lifted the Premier League trophy as part of the club’s title celebrations.

Paul Doyle, 53, from Burghill Road in West Derby, was arrested on Monday, when a car ploughed into fans attending Liverpool’s Premier League victory celebration, Merseyside Police confirmed. He will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

A nine-year-old was among those injured when the car Mr Doyle is alleged to have been driving crashed into supporters at 18:00 BST on Water Street.

The local businessman faces multiple counts of causing, and attempting to cause unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent as well as one of dangerous driving and two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, of Merseyside Police, told a news conference seven people remain in hospital after the incident.

The BBC has spoken to the suspect’s neighbours, who said they were shocked and in “disbelief”.

They said that Burghill Road was swarming with police in the hours after the crash.

One said: “I came out late on Monday night and there’s police everywhere. Looking around all the houses, so I had a thought – imagine if it was him?”

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said detectives were reviewing a “huge volume” of CCTV and mobile phone footage.

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service in the Mersey-Cheshire region, said this included footage from CCTV, mobile phones, businesses and dashcams, along with witness statements.

She said the charges “will be kept under review” while the investigation progresses.

“It is important to ensure every victim gets the justice they deserve,” she added.

Mr Doyle has been charged with seven offences, which can be broken down into four groups.

The first includes two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) – one of these is an alleged offence against one child.

The second is two counts of causing unlawful and malicious GBH with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

According to the Sentencing Council, it relates to the nature of the injury allegedly caused.

GBH does not require an open wound to have been suffered. Wounding requires the victim’s skin to have been broken.

Mr Doyle also faces two charges of attempted unlawful and malicious GBH with intent to cause GBH, and again one of these alleged offences relates to a child.

The final count is dangerous driving.

Police confirmed the ages of those injured in the incident ranged from nine to 78.

Assistant Chief Constable Sims, said she understood many have questions about the incident, and detectives were “working tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism, to seek the answer to all of those questions”.

“When we are able to, we will provide further information,” she added.

Merseyside Police say a Ford Galaxy avoided a roadblock by tailgating an ambulance responding to reports of a member of the public having suffered a heart attack.

The force say the man, 53 and from the city’s West Derby area, was also being detained on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

Fifty people, including children, were treated in hospital following the incident in Water Street, which happened shortly after 18:00 on Bank Holiday Monday.

Det Ch Supt Karen Jaundrill said there were 65 confirmed casualties following the incident.

Of the injured, police say, 11 remained in hospital.

All are said to be in a “stable” condition.

Merseyside’s Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance on to Water Street, after the roadblock was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.”

She added: “There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place and, as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.”

The senior officer defended the policing operation during the parade, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the city.

She told reporters that the force had planned for “all contingencies”, including road closures and an armed police presence.

Assistant Chief Constable Sims said an “extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident” was continuing, and she once again urged people not to speculate about what had happened.

The force has asked anyone with information about the incident to refrain from sharing it online and instead pass it on to police.

Earlier, Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram suggested the suspect’s car should not have been on Water Street and said questions about how it could have been driven there were “legitimate”.

Water Street remains closed while investigations continue into the incident.

A police cordon remains in place, while members of the public have begun to lay flowers, cards and toys near the crash scene.

Huge numbers of joyful Liverpool fans packed the city centre on Monday and lined the 10-mile (16km) parade route as the Reds celebrated winning their second Premier League crown and 20th top-flight league title.

Witnesses graphically described the terror of what happened after the Ford Galaxy smashed into a tightly packed section of the crowd that had gathered on the pavement outside a bar.

Some feared it was a terrorist attack.

Robbie Potter, who was severely injured in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, was on Water Street.

“I thought it was happening again,” he told the BBC. “How did a car get through?

“From the videos, they’ve been very lucky.”

Daniel Eveson’s partner was dragged under the car’s wheels and his baby son’s pram was tossed down the street.

For a moment, he said he did not know if they had survived.

Mr Eveson, from Telford, told BBC Radio Shropshire he had seen “people going flying and people screaming and just terror, pure terror”, adding: “I thought I’d lost everything.”

The car struck Mr Eveson in the chest before his partner went under the wheels and was dragged down the road.

The impact spun their son’s pram about 15ft (4.5m) down the street.

Mr Eveson was able to locate his son, who was unharmed, and leave him in a restaurant with helpers as he went back to search for his partner.

Jack Trotter and his girlfriend Abbie Gallagher, from Newtownards in County Down, were hit by the car after it surged towards them.

“The first thought that I got was: ‘Where’s Abbie? I need to find Abbie’,” the Liverpool fan from Northern Ireland told the BBC.

“Where’s Abbie? You know she could be anywhere at this rate and lucky enough she was screaming my name and I found her.”

Mr Trotter was taken to hospital by ambulance and kept in overnight.

He sustained injuries to his back and leg and is now walking with crutches.

‘Shocked and saddened’

Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from King Charles III who said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were “deeply saddened” by the incident, adding: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.”

The Princess Royal visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where medical staff spoke of how they were “very, very fortunate” that more people had not been injured.

Reds legend and former captain Steven Gerrard posted on Instagram that he was “shocked, sickened and saddened” over the incident.

Meanwhile former Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp wrote that his “thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected”.

“You’ll never walk alone,” the statement concluded, referencing the club’s famous terrace anthem.

The Liverpool forward, 32, had a superb season, scoring 29 goals and delivering 18 assists as the Reds won the Premier League title.

Sources told BBC Sport that Salah was in line to earn at least £500m in Saudi Arabia before he decided to sign a new contract at Anfield last month after a season of speculation.

Speaking to Egyptian television channel ON Sports before supporters were injured when a car ploughed into crowds at the club’s trophy parade on Monday, Salah said: “I will stop playing when I have that feeling.

“If you ask me for my opinion, I think I can play until the age of 39 or 40 but if I felt before that I wanted to stop, I would quit. I have achieved a lot of things.

“My contract was up at Liverpool and I would have gone to Saudi but we finalised the deal with Liverpool.”

Salah has scored 186 Premier League goals for Liverpool and Chelsea and sits fifth on the all-time list – one goal behind former Newcastle and Manchester United striker Andrew Cole.

The Egypt international has indicated he could still play in the Middle East after his contract at Anfield expires in 2027.

“I still have a good relationship with them and I always stay in contact with them. Yes, we were talking to each other,” he added, with reference to clubs in Saudi.

“I don’t know what is going to happen but I am happy here in Liverpool and I am staying here for the next two years. Then I will see what I will do next.”

Twenty-seven people were taken to hospital by ambulance. Two of those, one of whom is a child, have sustained serious injuries. Four children in total have been injured.

Twenty people treated at the scene did not require hospital treatment. A cyclist paramedic was struck by the vehicle but did not sustain an injury.

Firefighters rescued four people, including a child, who were trapped under the car, Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said.

Emergency services descended on Water Street after Merseyside Police were contacted just after 6pm on Monday with reports of the incident.

The car stopped at the scene, and a man from the Liverpool area was detained and subsequently arrested. The police believe him to be the driver of the vehicle.

Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, she said they believe it to be an isolated incident and are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.

Sims said her “thoughts are with all those injured in tonight’s horrific incident, their family and friends, and all of those affected by the terrible tragedy” and thanked all the emergency services and members of the public “who came to the assistance of the injured”.

Sims said it had been “a joyous day” in the city “with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade”.

“Sadly, at 6pm this evening as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car had been in a collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool City Centre.

“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital. In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene that did not require hospital treatment.”

She urged people to refrain from sharing “distressing footage” from the incident online, but called for videos to be passed to the police.

Sims said a “robust” traffic management plan had been in place for the parade.

“In the lead-up to this event we had been working closely with event organisers and a robust traffic management plan was put in place for the parade, which included a number of road closures throughout the route and the city centre,” she said.

A police spokesperson said: “We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us @MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784.

“Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

‘Our thoughts are with the city of Liverpool’

Liverpool FC released a statement on Monday night, which read: “We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.

“We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.

In a post on social media, Everton FC said: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.”

Manchester United also posted on social media, saying: “Our thoughts are with Liverpool FC and the city of Liverpool after today’s awful incident.”

A Premier League statement said: “Everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.

“We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident.”

PM Starmer: The whole country stands with Liverpool

The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has said he has spoken to Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram “about the terrible events” on Monday evening.

He said: “Tonight, I have spoken to Steve Rotheram about the terrible events in Liverpool and the remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services.

“They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events.

“Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.

“The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.

“Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”

Rotheram said in a statement: “Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured. Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action.

“This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, described the scenes in Liverpool as “truly shocking”.

She said: “Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.

“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I’m being kept updated on developments.”

Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, whose seat includes the city centre, said: “I sincerely hope all those involved are safe and get home to their loved ones soon.”

‘We saw a car run over people’

Liverpool FC held an open-top bus parade to celebrate its Premier League title win, with fans lining the streets along the 10-mile route.

Councillor John Hughes estimated in excess of one million people were attending, beating the 750,000 present for the 2019 Champions League parade.

Eyewitness Natasha Rinaldi said she was watching the parade from her friend’s living room window when “we heard some screams”.

“It was so loud. People sounded desperate. And then we looked at the window and we saw the car run over people,” she told Sky News.

She added: “People started rushing [in] to try to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. Then police tried everything to block and push people away.”

‘We heard screams with car going about 30mph’

Eyewitness Chelsea Yuen speaking to Sky News:

“Me, my friend, her partner and her daughter were walking up Water Street and it was jam-packed. We were like sardines walking up.

“Then we heard beeping and screams, we looked up and there was a black people carrier driving straight towards us. Me and my friend Francesca jumped out of the way and pulled her little girl out of the way.

“It must have been going about 30mph and as it went past we could see all the windows smashed in with loads of people chasing down the car.

“As we were walking off, there were police riot vans at the top of the road and people were banging on them to tell they need to do something and help.

“There were stewards protecting the police saying there was back-up coming, then all of a sudden the police and ambulances were coming from everywhere.”

‘Car surged through dozens and dozens of people’

Eyewitness Harry Rashid speaking to Sky News:

“We were walking up Water Street with my family. I saw this vehicle… it ploughed into a few people, then came to a stop.

“We were shocked, there was a lot of confusion and a lot of screams. People started surging towards the car and trying to smash the windows.

“At that stage, I assumed it had accidentally gone into the crowd and my thoughts were for the driver that the people were attacking him and it would get very bad.

“Then he put his foot down and drove and surged through dozens and dozens. He just went straight through the crowd and there were shouts and screams. He just carried on going – I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“My kids were with me and they started screaming. We were just in a state of confusion.

“I initially thought he had gone into the crowd by mistake because he had stopped. He was trickling along, then he put his foot down, then he hit a few people. I think he attempted to brake and then hit a few people.

“Because there was a crowd of people around him, there was anger, they surged towards his car to try and get him out or smash the windows.

“When he then put his foot down again, either out of panic or deliberately, I just don’t know, I can’t speculate on that. He went into the pedestrians in front of him and just kept going.”

This time Anfield was full to capacity – 62,000 partying and singing their songs of praise when five years earlier the Covid lockdown meant that not one of them could be there to celebrate with their heroes.

Liverpool are the Premier League championsCredit: Getty

Skipper Virgil van Dijk lifted the trophyCredit: Reuters

Arne Slot got his hands on trophy as the party continuedCredit: PA

Trent Alexander-Arnold was cheered by Liverpool fansCredit: Getty

Egyptian King Mo Salah matched a Premier League recordCredit: PA

Virgil van Dijk lifted the trophy, Mo Salah then proudly raised it above his head and even Trent Alexander-Arnold got huge cheers before his departure.

Players lined up in front of the Kop and belted out You’ll Never Walk Alone together in emotional scenes.

Salah told Sky Sports: “It’s incredible. Last time we didn’t have a chance. It’s an incredible feeling in front of the crowd.”

Earlier as Liverpool were held 1-1 by Palace, fans had even laughed when Ismaila Sarr stuck Crystal Palace into the lead after nine minutes.

And Ryan Gravenberch being red carded for a last-man challenge on Daichi Kamada with a quarter of the game to go, few of them gave a hoot.

Although they did very much love the Mo Salah deflected equaliser that gave him yet another record – his 84^th minute strike put him level with Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.

They made their mark with 47 goal contributions in a 42-game Premier League season.

Anfield’s Egyptian king, and now the holder of both the Premier League Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Association equivalent, got there in 38.

Last time Liverpool won the title the campaign ended up being played out to the sound of silence.

When their 19^th success was confirmed on the night of June 25, 2020 then-boss Jurgen Klopp and his players were allowed to enjoy it only in front of family, a handful of friends and staff.

The seats around them in the main stands as former skipper Jordan Henderson lifted the Prem trophy were adorned with the flags of fans denied the privilege but desperate to somehow make their presence felt.

Yet those emblems could not cover up the coronavirus–enforced eerie vacuum of that half-lit occasion.

Players celebrated in front of the Kop

Liverpool players partied in the dressing room

Klopp and his champs tried to make the best of it that night, after Chelsea had beaten Manchester City 2-1 to ensure Liverpool glory with a Prem record–seven games to spare.

But they were smiling and waving to almost nobody.

Jurgen Klopp stood proud in the stands

Mo Salah was presented with the Golden Boot by legend Ian RushCredit: Getty

Never had such good times seemed so downbeat especially amidst the fears and worries that were gripping the nation.

Nothing could disguise how surreal and strange that moment was, as Klopp, Henderson and the team bellowed in triumph, their shouts echoing around a deserted Anfield.

This time, as Alan Hansen, the last captain to lift the title trophy in front of fans after 1990 First Division glory, waited to present the Prem version to Virgil van Dijk, you could hardly hear yourself speak.

Ironically Palace were the visitors having suffered a 4-0 defeat 24 hours before those sadly muted celebrations after City’s defeat.

But, this time, Oliver Glasner’s players arrived chuffed to bits with themselves too as new FA Cup holders having also reached another historic milestone by racking up the club’s highest total of points in the Prem era.

Very much a coming force, they were intent on spoiling the party.

Mo Salah scored the goal for LiverpoolCredit: Reuters

It was Salah’s 47th goal contribution this seasonCredit: Getty

Within a defence that has been on the beach since clinching the title against Tottenham a month ago, Sarr finished clinically and the travelling support threw their inflatable FA Cup replicas up in the air.

Nobody in red cared that much.

So happy were they that even the second half emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold as a replacement for Conor Bradley was met mainly with mild applause.

Yet he was booed roundly after replacing him in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, seen as a deserter because he’s going to Real Madrid.

Nothing, not even defeat, could take away from the vibe and skipper Van Dijk set the tone in his programme note.

He wrote: “Having been denied this in 2020, we all have a duty to make the most of this opportunity, and to make it the most happy and joyful experience possible

“We have to enjoy these moments because these are the things we work for every single day.”

The Dutchman, honoured by the giant mural of his face that now decorates a terrace-end nearby, added: “The idea of being at Anfield and lifting that trophy in front of all our supporters?

“That’s something different. It’s something special.”

And boy did everyone do their duty, the faithful having been filling the streets around Anfield for hours before kick – off.

Unlike five years ago a multitude more of them – maybe up to the same 750,000 who turned out for Liverpool’s open – top bus parade after the 2019 Champions League triumph – will be there tomorrow to laud the Prem champions.

But last time, of course, there was no city–wide street party and no parade.

Of those denied that glory ride, Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, in his farewell game before leaving for Real Madrid, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Caoimhin Kelleher remain around to take part in all the fun this time.

Along, of course, Salah, top scorer in the 2019-20 season, top scorer this season too with 29 now, ahead of his team mates like in every one since he arrived from Roma in 2017 for £36.5M.

And watching on, ready to party for real this time too, as well as looking about ten years younger, was Klopp himself who at the end of last season left to be replaced by Arne Slot but whose heart remains at Anfield.

There were fears his decision to walk alone might signal crisis. Last night, amidst all the festivities, that sounded like quite a laugh, too.

Ismaila Sarr had threatened to spoil the hosts’ long-awaited celebrations after giving the visitors an early lead, not that that dampened the mood among the home fans, who had waited 35 years to watch their side lift the title.

One of the pre-match talking points had been whether the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold would make the starting line-up, but Slot opted once again to start with Conor Bradley at right-back, although the player’s name did receive a cheer when the teams were read out ahead of kick-off.

The other was whether the champions would give the recently crowned FA Cup winners their own guard of honour, which they did in what was a nice touch from the Reds in what was a party racous at Anfield, where former managers Jurgen Klopp and Rafael Benitez, as well as ex-captain Steven Gerrard, were all spotted in the build-up.

However, the Eagles did not read the script, taking a ninth-minute lead when Tyrick Mitchell intercepted Bradley’s pass down the line intended for Salah, before neatly spinning and finding Sarr, who coolly slotted past Alisson.

Alexander-Arnold was then brought on at half-time as Liverpool searched for a way into the contest, with the defender again receiving warm applause from around the ground, with the home fans maybe having taken on board Klopp’s advice not to boo the player.

However, despite huffing and puffing, the champions were largely frustrated by Palace and when Ryan Gravenberch, already on a yellow, was shown a straight red card for hauling down Daichi Kamada on halfway midway through the second half, the game appeared up for the Reds.

But the double Player of the Year was not to be denied, flashing home a late volley at the Kop End to bring up his record-equalling 47th goal involvement of a brilliant Premier League season that included a league-high 29 goals, as well as 18 assists.

The Germany playmaker is emerging as a primary target for Arne Slot as the Premier League champions already begin planning for next season.

Liverpool are set to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen and the Anfield club registered their desire to sign 22-year-old Wirtz during those discussions.

Formal negotiations are still to get under way but that is expected to happen in due course for a player that is valued by the Bundesliga club at more than £120m.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be willing to pay that sort of fee, which would eclipse the British transfer record fee of £107m Chelsea agreed with Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in 2023.

However, Liverpool have received encouragement that Wirtz is keen to join them, amid reports in Germany he prefers a move to Anfield over Bayern Munich.

Earlier this week, BBC Sport revealed Manchester City were no longer in the race to sign Wirtz, leaving Liverpool and Bayern as the frontrunners.

Liverpool boss Slot told the BBC this week that the champions would be “stupid” not to strengthen this summer.

“There are not many that can strengthen us, but the few that are out there, we will try to get them,” Slot said.

“At this moment in time we’re not sure if that’s possible.”

Under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, the team showcased exhilarating football, securing notable victories against top-tier opposition and establishing themselves in the upper echelon of the league. While recent results may not fully reflect their earlier dynamism, the season has yielded significant positives, most notably the emergence of several promising talents within the squad.

Among these burgeoning stars is their dynamic left-back, Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian international has distinguished himself as one of the league’s standout performers in his position, attracting considerable attention from clubs worldwide.

Ahead of Bournemouth’s final league game of the season against Leicester City this weekend, Showmax caught up with Kerkez for an exclusive interview, where he offered his insights into his experiences at Bournemouth and his perspectives on the league’s most impressive players and teams.

Please feel free to use all content for your publication. Should you choose to use any of the content, kindly credit Showmax Premier League and SuperSport. 

Let me know if there is anything else you require.

Catch Bournemouth v Leicester City live on Showmax Premier League & SuperSport on Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 17:00

Your performances at left back this season have been incredible. What’s the secret to your great form this season and how much are you enjoying your role in the team’s overall success?

Thank you very much. I mean, I’m really happy. First of all I’m really happy that I’m injury-free and that the gaffer trusts me with every game until now. And like I say, the most important thing is to stay healthy and I’m really thankful that I’m fit and can play all the games. I just want to do my best always, and give 100 per cent, whether I am defending or attacking. I’m always looking to try to help the team and to win the games.

Tell me about the gaffer, Andoni Iraola. What’s it like playing under him and how has his tactical approach helped you both personally in your playing style but also the team’s overall performance?

You can clearly see that as a team we are really together and he’s really pushing us and wants us to play on the front foot. He wants us to press a lot, wants us to run a lot and to be physical because at the end of the day you win games with physicality and that’s what we want to do. He puts that culture into us. Now I think we know what he expects from us, we know what he wants us to do and we are even more connected, let’s say. We just have to follow his plan, that’s the most important and if we follow it, it’s going to be a good result.

Looking back at the Premier League season and the games you’ve played to date, who have been the toughest opponents you think you’ve come up against?

It’s a tough league and obviously every team has  good attackers and it’s always dangerous. If you switch off for a second against anyone in the league you get punished. But yeah, maybe I would say the most experienced one, the best one is (Mohamed) Salah. He’s a really strong, really good player and has the most experience. He’s breaking the records and I would probably say him. He’s always going to be up there.

It’s your second season here in the Premier League now, it’s your home now. What are your thoughts on the continuous intensity and quality of this league? Many regard it as the best in the world.

Yeah, it’s by far the best. I feel it’s two, three levels above any league when it comes to that, the intensity and everything, I mean every player that comes here needs some time to adapt to the physical part and that you can really play for 90 minutes. Like I say, if you switch off for a second, it’s costing you a goal. So for me also I needed that time and yeah, it’s tough. But day by day they work with you, the coaching staff, the physical coaches to bring you in the best shape and only time then will tell when you’re ready.

And being here at Bournemouth, how close have you got with your teammates now? Is there anyone in particular that you’ve formed real friendship with here?

We’re really all connected, like we’re really all hanging out and everything. But yeah, I could say maybe I’m good with Justin (Kluivert) and even Dean (Huijsen). We all have good energy in the locker room and sometimes go for coffee after training and all that.  We are all like a group.

What about wider in the Premier League? Obviously there’s another Hungarian player in the league, Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool. Are you close to him?

I mean with Dominik I’m really close. We’re playing in a national team and we’re talking a lot. It’s a different schedule because we have more games so it was a little bit tougher for us to meet. In the last few months we were talking a lot, texting, calling and keeping a really close connection. Even before I arrived here at Bournemouth we were close. And now that I’m here, we’re really close and he’s a good friend of mine. It’s good to have someone like that in the league and in the country. Hopefully in the future more Hungarian players will play in the Premier League.

Apart from  Bournemouth, what other teams have really impressed you this season?

You have to say (Nottingham) Forest is up there and they’re competing for a top place and I think no one expected it, but they have shown everyone that they have the quality, they have the players, the coach, the philosophy. They’re a really good team and they’re fighting. Other than that I would say obviously Liverpool has played amazing football the whole year and they’re a really, really aggressive, really physical team, also by the numbers, and that would be the two teams.

How can fans get Showmax Premier League on their phones?

Sign up for the Showmax Premier League mobile plan for R99 p/m at www.showmax.com for all the Premier League action.

About Showmax

Showmax, launched in 2015 and available in more than 40 markets across the continent, is a leading African streaming service. It offers a unique combination of original African content, first and exclusive international series, popular movies, premium documentaries, and the best kids’ shows, as well as a world-first Premier League live-streaming mobile plan.

Reina, a product of Barcelona’s academy, spent eight seasons at Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup while also earning the Premier League Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in his first three seasons with the club.

He went on to play for Bayern Munich, Napoli and AC Milan before signing for Como in July last year, making 11 appearances in the current Serie A campaign.

“A very beautiful career is coming to an end, a very full life. I feel very fortunate for what I’ve experienced,” Reina, who could make his final appearance in Como’s meeting with Inter Milan on Friday, told Movistar.

“Didn’t expect it, but I think the time has come, and I feel like bringing it to a close here.”

Reina, who said he is looking to move into coaching, also made 36 appearances for Spain and was part of the squad which won the World Cup in 2010 as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Alexander-Arnold, who has been at the club since the age of six and played a key role in their successes over the last decade, announced that he would be leaving when his contract expires this summer.

The news came following months of uncertainty over whether he would sign a new deal, and means he will depart the club on a free transfer in the coming weeks.

With a section of the club’s fan base unhappy with the news, their displeasure manifested itself in The Reds’ next league game against Arsenal, when, after being introduced as a substitute, the 26-year-old was greeted with jeers from sections of the home support.

Liverpool travel to Brighton for their penultimate league match, and it remains to be seen if the antipathy towards the player will continue.

“It’s divided the fans, rightly so, but I don’t feel it’s right to boo him,” Riise, who played for the club between 2001 and 2008, exclusively told TNT Sports.

“I think it’s the wrong thing to do because he’s done so much, and I wish him all the best and I think he’s going to be awesome wherever he goes.

“I think he expected it to be like this because you’ve seen the last few months there’s been criticism around him, his contract, nobody talking, nobody saying anything about his situation, he’d been quiet, so I think he expected a certain reaction from the fans and he will deal with it, no problem.”

Riise added: “It’s a hard one because with Liverpool football club, there are a lot of emotions with the fans.

“I’m not going to tell people how to react because it’s up to them and rightly so, but I do feel we cannot forget what Trent has done for the club, and what a player he’s become, his performances.”

Alexander-Arnold, nominally a full-back, earned his hero status at Liverpool through his dynamic displays, in which he also contributed to the attack, putting up impressive and record-setting numbers of goals and assists.

The England international, who made his club debut in 2016, has helped his boyhood club with two league titles, a UEFA Champions League crown, as well as the FA Cup, two League Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Although unconfirmed as yet, he is expected to join Real Madrid this summer.

“For some players in their career, it gets to a point where you need something new to be able to push yourself to be able to perform at the best level,” said Riise.

“I feel that at the moment Trent has come to the point where he needs something new to be able to put the work in and put the effort in to be able to take the next step. And as an ex-player I respect that and I get that.”

‘Maybe he’s a little disappointed’

Riise admits he understands the frustrations behind the fan reactions during the Arsenal game due to Alexander-Arnold’s affinity for the club, the timing of the announcement,  and the fact that Liverpool, as newly crowned champions, are performing well.

The Norwegian confesses he wished the player would have remained in red as it would have enhanced his legacy, but accepts for the sake of his career, a move could prove beneficial.

“The only thing I will say is that I think things could have been done differently, from Trent or his team or the club, I don’t know,” he said.

“What’s good is that he waited until the season was done, and we’d won the league before he announced it.

“I respect his decision and see where he’s coming from but I wish he would stay. It’s hard to leave a club who is winning the league, but at the same time, he must really need a new challenge because who leaves a club where they’re at, at the moment?

“Maybe he’s a little disappointed being booed by his own fans, but this is part of football. His career at Liverpool will never be forgotten, what he’s done, all the goals he scored, his assists, but he could have been a much bigger hero if he stayed at the club.

“Because he just announced it and it was the first game, I think emotion got to people. I’m sure people respect everything he’s done for the club.

“Yes, they can be sad, they can be disappointed he’s leaving because he’s a local hero and the club is in a good state but as a player with a short career, he needs something new and that’s what people should respect.”

The right-back, 26, will depart the newly crowned Premier League champions when his contract expires at the end of June, and is expected to join Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold was born in Liverpool and came through the club’s youth system before making his professional debut in 2016.

He played for the first time since confirming his impending exit when he appeared as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday and received jeers from some supporters.

“I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him,” Salah told Sky Sports.

“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.

“We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.

“Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”

Alexander-Arnold has made 353 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 23 goals.

He has helped them win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup, and Salah believes he deserves the best send-off possible given what he has helped the club achieve.

“I really love him,” he added.

“I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club and he’s one of probably the best players in the club’s history. He gave it all.”

Salah, who signed a new two-year deal at Liverpool last month, said he talked with Alexander-Arnold about his decision, but did not try to convince him to stay.

“I think he needed a new challenge,” Salah said. “He spoke to me about it. It’s his decision for sure. He’s won it all twice or three times – what more can he have done?

“It’s his decision – I did not try to convince him to stay because I know 20 years in a club is not easy, it’s so tough.”

The 24-year-old, who can play across the right-hand side, is wanted by fellow Dutchman Arne Slot for next season’s campaign and talks towards a deal have progressed in recent days.

Frimpong’s release clause is understood to be in the region of 35m euros (£29.5m), with Liverpool expected to meet that figure.

If the Premier League champions can complete a swoop for the Netherlands international, it could help soften the blow of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to join Real Madrid after confirming his decision to leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Frimpong, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and played for Celtic, could replace the 26-year-old Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

He has made 53 appearances in all competitions for club and country this season and played an integral role in helping Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2024.

Frimpong’s former club Celtic would be due a portion of any transfer fee Leverkusen receive, with some reports suggesting the sell-on fee negotiated when he left the club in 2021 could be as high as 30%.

Captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch lead the eight-player shortlist after helping the Reds to a 20th league title.

Defender Van Dijk has played every game for Liverpool this season, helping them record 14 clean sheets, while midfielder Gravenberch has missed only one match.

Forward Salah has registered a league-high 46 goal contributions, including 28 goals.

Nottingham Forest are the only other club with more than one nominee.

Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is included alongside striker Chris Wood, who is enjoying his most prolific Premier League campaign with 20 goals in 34 matches.

Also nominated are Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who is second in the scoring charts with 23 goals, and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, who has 18 goals and seven assists – the third highest goal contributions tally in the league.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice completes the list.

Manchester City forward Phil Foden won last year’s award.

Palmer and Delap up for young player award

Cole Palmer is in the running to win the Premier League young player of the season award for a second year in a row.

The 23-year-old Chelsea forward has 15 goals and eight assists in 35 appearances.

Liverpool’s Gravenberch and striker Liam Delap, who has scored 12 of Ipswich’s 35 goals, are also on the eight-player shortlist.

The other nominees are Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who is set to join Real Madrid, Brighton striker Joao Pedro, Aston Villa winger Morgan Rogers and Arsenal defender William Saliba.

Pereira on manager award shortlist

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Wolves manager Vitor Pereira is one of five managers on the shortlist

Wolves’ Vitor Pereira is in the running for the Premier League manager of the year award.

They were 19th in the table when Pereira took charge in December, but he has led them to safety, winning 10 and drawing two of his 18 matches in charge. Wolves are currently 14th.

Arne Slot, who won the title in his first season at Liverpool, is also nominated along with Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo.

Newcastle and Forest remain in contention for Champions League qualification with two matches remaining.

Thomas Frank, whose Brentford side are on course for their highest finish of eighth, is also on the shortlist.

A public vote, combined with votes from a panel of football experts, will determine the winners of the awards.

Mane joined Liverpool in 2016, with Salah heading to Anfield a year later. They regularly played on either wing until Mane departed for Bayern Munich in 2022, having scored 120 goals during his six-year spell in Merseyside.

The relationship between the two forwards was brought into question following Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Burnley in 2019, during which Mane reacted furiously as Salah opted to shoot instead of square the ball to the now-Al Nassr forward. Mane was substituted shortly after the incident and appeared to be calmed down by players and staff on the bench.

“Yes, there was tension with Sadio,” Salah said in an interview with France Football, via L’Equipe. “Mind you, we were professional until the end, I don’t think it affected the team. It’s human to want more, I understand that, he’s a competitor. Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we always respected each other.”

The pairing of Salah and Mane was Liverpool’s main source of goals throughout the five years they played with one another, often appearing in a front three alongside Roberto Firmino. Salah scored 19 goals and assisted 10 when Liverpool won the Premier League in 2020, while Mane scored 18 and assisted seven.

Salah pointed to his assist record to dismiss suggestions he acted selfishly in the Liverpool frontline.

“People can think what they want, it’s their right,” Salah said. “But I invite everyone to note that the person who provided Mané with the most assists is me (18). We can look at the facts, but it’s obviously easier to throw out phrases like that; it makes the headlines, I know how it works.

“As long as it remains within the limits of respect, that’s fine with me. But that doesn’t mean that this opinion is true. At the end of the day, I know what I did, and my conscience is clear.”

Suggestions of tensions between Salah (Egypt) and Mane (Senegal) also stemmed from the fact they played for rival African nations. The most notable of their international clashes against one another came in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final, in which Mane’s Senegal triumphed 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

Salah said during the 2017-18 season he and Mane were “very close,” adding “we’re friends, we talk a lot to each other.”

Salah set a new record for goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season when he reached 45 (27 goals, 18 assists) as he set up Luis Diaz to score against West Ham in April.

He added a further goal to his tally during Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, as his side were crowned Premier League champions for the second time in six seasons.

Liverpool, who secured the Premier League title on April 27, are next in action against Arsenal on Sunday.

The two sides, who have been setting the pace at the summit of the Premier League all season, put on a scintillating affair, with both teams dominating a half each of the 2-2 draw.

The hosts rode the crest of a wave in the first half, scoring a 90-second double salvo, with it seeming that their opponents had been hit hard by their midweek defeat in the Champions League semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring with a thumping header just moments after he had wasted a glorious opportunity to square the ball for Mohamed Salah to tap into an empty net, but the Dutchman made amends with a superbly taken finish at the near post.

Just 87 seconds later, Luis Diaz had made it two after Dominik Szoboszlai hared off down the right, sliding the ball across the box for the Colombian to send over the line as Arne Slot’s champions threatened to run riot.

Curtis Jones almost got the third with a low drive that forced David Raya to save on the stretch just before the interval.

Arsenal came out in the second half revitalised, and they had halved the deficit within two minutes as Gabriel Martinelli, who had switched positions with Leandro Trossard to spearhead the visiting attack, glanced into the far corner as he ghosted between the two Liverpool centre-halves to get on the end of Trossard’s inswinger.

The Gunners pushed for an equaliser, and it finally came as captain Martin Odegaard rattled the post from a thunderous long-shot with 20 minutes to play, and Mikel Merino was on hand to stoop lowest and nod home the rebound.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who announced his departure from Anfield on Monday, was greeted by boos as he replaced Conor Bradley as a substitute, and the England right-back played Merino onside for the equalising goal, with VAR proving the home defence’s protests wrong.

Merino saw red with 10 minutes remaining as he panicked under pressure from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, before a final desperate lunge on Szoboszlai earned him his marching orders and pushed The Gunners’ backs against the wall.

Andy Robertson thought he had won the game late on as he forced the ball home after Virgil van Dijk saw his powerful header from a Salah corner repelled by Raya, only for the Scotsman to tap home the rebound, but Ibrahima Konate was deemed to have fouled Myles Lewis-Skelly in the penalty box melee.

So a share of the spoils, which does nothing for Liverpool as the newly crowned champions, but leaves Arteta’s Arsenal with some work left to do to qualify for Europe’s premier competition once more.

Alexander-Arnold said on Monday that he is going to bring his 20-year spell at Anfield to an end by departing the Premier League champions on a free transfer when his contract runs out on 30 June 2025.

Since then, Real Madrid – the club he has been heavily linked with during the season – have approached Liverpool about signing the 26-year-old before his deal runs out so he can play at the Fifa Club World Cup, which starts on 14 June in the United States.

Asked about Alexander-Arnold leaving early for the Spanish club, Slot said: “He hasn’t said anything about it himself.

“For me, it’s impossible to comment on where he’s going and if that is a club that is going to play in the Club World Cup.

“You see by my smile we both know where he’s going to but it hasn’t been said yet.”

Liverpool won this season’s top-flight title with four games to spare and host second-placed Arsenal on Sunday (16:30 BST) with the Gunners 15 points behind them going into the final three games.

Slot confirmed Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley, 21, will start at right-back against Arsenal as the Reds boss prepares for Alexander-Arnold’s exit in a situation he was used to at his previous clubs.

“Like everybody who is a fan of Liverpool, we’re disappointed for him leaving because not only a good human being is leaving the club but also a very, very good full-back is leaving us as well,” said Slot as he spoke for the first time on Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave.

“I also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord where every season a good player, or multiple good players have left the club. I’m a bit more used to players leaving.

“If a very good player is leaving then the next player will step up and that’s probably what’s going to happen now.”

Slot not going to ‘tell the fans how they should react’ to Alexander-Arnold

The game with Arsenal will be Liverpool’s first since Alexander-Arnold announced his decision to leave and, while there has been a mixed reaction, it remains to be seen what sort of reception the player will get from the Anfield crowd.

“That people have an opinion about us, if it is Trent or me or someone else, that is not new for anyone,” said Slot.

“Probably, it’s a bit more now for him than he is used to and probably a bit more negative than he’s used to but I don’t follow all of this.

“I am not here to tell the fans how they should react. I will see Trent in a bit – the boys had a few days off as well – so I will wait and see how he feels. I did speak to him on WhatsApp.

“We are all disappointed but Trent is the first one also who said that he would prefer us as a team and a club not to be not too much distracted by this announcement.

“I am hoping that all the energy on Sunday goes to the players and less as possible to Trent – unless it is positive, then they can do whatever they want.”

Gérald Darmanin admitted that security arrangements for the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid were wrong, and that his first public remarks – blaming English fans – were a mistake.

“It was a failure because I had not foreseen. That was a mistake on my part. I was led astray by my preconceptions,” said Darmanin, now France’s justice minister.

“The scapegoat was easy to find, and I apologise now to Liverpool supporters. They were quite right to be hurt. It was a mistake and a failure.”

Police used tear gas on Liverpool supporters as they tried to enter the stadium in Paris. Some fans were also ambushed and mugged by gangs of French youths.

In a lengthy interview on the Legend YouTube channel, Darmanin said the night was “the biggest failure” of his career.

“What I did not appreciate that evening was that the real problem was not coming from English supporters, but from delinquents who were robbing fans.

“Our security arrangements were not designed for that eventuality. We had riot police … with big boots and shields – not great for running. What you need against that kind of delinquency is officers in running shoes.

“We got our arrangements wrong. We were expecting a war of (football) hooligans, and what we got instead was muggers.”

In their first comments after the problems, Darmanin and police chief Didier Lallement said the dangerous crush at the stadium was largely caused by Liverpool fans in possession of fake tickets.

The claim was subsequently debunked in an independent report commissioned by UEFA.

In another section of the interview, Darmanin said that there was “no longer any safe place” in France – a comment that drew fire from the hard-right opposition.

“What a lot of French people can see is that (violence) has become general, it has metastasised. It’s no longer only in the places where you once looked for potential problems.

“Nowadays you can see that the tiniest country village has experience of cocaine or cannabis.”

National Rally MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy noted that Darmanin has been in government since President Emmanuel Macron’s first election in 2017.

Tungay said he was “treating the French like imbeciles, making all these so-called tough declarations when the record is so catastrophic”.

Darmanin, who is 42 and from the political right, did nothing in the interview to dispel speculation that he might be in the running to replace Macron in 2027.

“Do I think of the presidential election? The answer is yes,” he said.

“That does not mean that I am going to be a candidate, but it does mean I have ambitions for the country to do better than what I see now.”

The 26-year-old, who has been at the club since he was six, is out of contract on 30 June and is expected to join Real Madrid.

“After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,” Alexander-Arnold announced on social media.

“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

Alexander-Arnold is one of three high-profile players whose deals at Anfield run out this summer, but while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have signed fresh contracts in recent weeks, Alexander-Arnold will leave.

The Liverpool-born defender has made 352 appearances and scored 23 goals for the club since making his debut in 2016.

He has helped them win this season’s top-flight title under Arne Slot and also won the Premier League under the Reds’ former manager Jurgen Klopp in 2019-20.

His other trophies with Liverpool also include the Champions League in 2018-19, the 2022 FA Cup and two League Cups.

“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years,” added Alexander-Arnold.

“From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.

“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.”

Liverpool said Alexander-Arnold “will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success”.

‘Now is the time to tell fans the truth’

The contracts of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold have been a major talking point during Slot’s first season in charge, with the Dutchman regularly being asked about their futures.

Salah announced he was staying on a new two-year deal in April and was followed by Van Dijk agreeing similar terms the following week.

However the speculation about Alexander-Arnold continued and, while Slot praised the defender on 18 April and said his future was still “not done”, Alexander-Arnold said he had waited to announce his decision as Liverpool had now secured their 20th top-flight title.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of noise around what the decision was going to be and how that was going to look,” said Alexander-Arnold.

“I know a lot of people will say I should have said sooner, a lot of people will say maybe I waited for the right time. But I felt personally the focus should always be on the pitch, should always be about the football.

“When we were in a title race and trying to push for trophies, it’s about making the right decision for the team and trying not to distract the team and take away from what we’re doing on the pitch.

“Now that we’ve won the league and we’ve been able to celebrate it and celebrate such an amazing achievement, I felt like now is the right time to get it off my chest and tell the fans the truth, and now is that time.”

The England international was superb throughout and capped his fine individual performance with a stoppage-time penalty to seal three crucial points.

The hosts got off to a flyer when Enzo Fernandez polished off a delightful move involving Palmer and Pedro Neto to notch the opener on three minutes.

Liverpool dominated for long periods but lacked a cutting edge and Neto was a whisker away from doubling the home side’s advantage with a rasping low shot into the side netting just before half-time.

Enzo Maresca’s men did add a second on 56 minutes when Virgil van Dijk hammered a rushed clearance against Jarell Quansah for an unfortunate own goal after more brilliance from Palmer.

Van Dijk reduced the arrears with a late header, but Palmer made sure of the points after Quansah compounded a tough afternoon by conceding a penalty with almost the last kick of the game.

The result maintains Chelsea’s position in the top five and moves them level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and four behind Arsenal in second spot with three games to play.

Next up, Chelsea will look to seal their spot in the UEFA Conference League final when they host Djurgarden on Thursday before visiting Euro rivals Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.

Liverpool, who suffered just a third league loss of the campaign, welcome Arsenal to Anfield.

Arne Slot’s side secured the club’s 20th top-flight championship defeating Tottenham 5-1 in front of a packed Anfield stadium on 27 April.

The most significant tremor was caused by Alexis Mac Allister’s strike in the 24th minute, which put Liverpool 2-1 ahead and registered a peak magnitude of 1.74 on the Richter scale.

The data was recorded by University of Liverpool earth scientists using equipment used to detect earthquakes.

The University of Liverpool

EPA: Celebrations after Alexis Mac Allister’s goal registered 1.74 on the Richter scale

The study was conducted by Dr Antoine Septier, Dr Farnaz Kamranzad, and Professor Ben Edwards from the University’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences department in partnership with the club.

“Much like natural seismic events, these goals produced bursts of ground-shaking, triggered by the sheer passion of Liverpool fans,” Professor Ben Edwards said.

“Their enthusiasm was literally powerful enough to move the Earth.”

The University of Liverpool: Researchers measured ground movement through the match on 27 April

The data revealed the 60,415-strong crowd generated real seismic activity, particularly in response to the goals scored during the game.

The second-largest tremor measured 1.60 and followed Mo Salah’s goal in front of the Kop in the second half.

Cody Gakpo’s effort measured in at 1.03, the own goal from Destiny Udogie 1.35 and Luis Diaz’s initially disallowed equaliser 0.64.

The University of Liverpool: Dr Farnaz Kamranzad (L) and Dr Antoine Septier (R) measured the seismic events

Dr Farnaz Kamranzad said that while the tremors were small and not strong enough to be felt in the stands they were powerful enough “to leave a clear and lasting mark at Anfield”.

“Every cheer, every celebration, leaves a trace beneath our feet, a seismic fingerprint of collective joy, written into the Earth’s memory long after the final whistle,” she said.

Dr Antoine Septier said he hoped the experiment would inspire a new generation of seismologists.

“I hope that showing this data will spark innovative ideas for potential applications, perhaps even to enhance the stadium experience,” he said.

Murphy’s suggestion comes on the heels of Liverpool’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur—a result that sealed the 2024/25 Premier League title with four games to spare.

Speaking to the BBC, Murphy identified Kudus as a potential replacement for Darwin Núñez, Federico Chiesa, and Diogo Jota—three players who are widely expected to leave Anfield this offseason.

“Kudus is robust, skilful, and can play as a No.10 or on either wing. He is super strong and has great pace,” Murphy said.

Despite a somewhat underwhelming season in the Premier League, the 24-year-old West Ham United midfielder remains in demand. He has attracted interest from top European clubs as well as teams in the Saudi Pro League.

Kudus recently netted his first league goal of 2025 during West Ham’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton.

So far this season, he has contributed four goals and three assists across 31 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers.

Gakpo scored Liverpool’s third goal in the 5-1 win as the club sealed a 20th top-flight title.

The Netherlands international fired past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 34th minute and took off his shirt in celebration, revealing a vest with the message, “I belong to Jesus” on the front. It bore resemblance to the shirt worn by former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka, which displayed the same message, after his Milan team defeated Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final.

Gakpo, who also wore the shirt in the title celebrations after the game, was booked for removing his jersey.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws of the game — which the FA follows — prohibit player’s equipment from containing “any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.”

“The player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA,” IFAB adds.

In December, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi was reminded by the FA about the organisation’s rules after twice displaying a religious message on his rainbow captain’s armband.

The rainbow laces campaign, an initiative run by the Premier League in partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall to promote equality, diversity and LGBTQ+ acceptance, sees the league’s captains wear a rainbow armband during matches, though this is not mandatory.

Nineteen of the 20 captains wore the armband — Ipswich Town confirmed that Sam Morsy chose not to wear it due to religious reasons — including Guehi. Against Newcastle United on November 30, Guehi wrote the words, “I love Jesus” on the armband and three days later against Ipswich  Town displayed the words “Jesus loves you”. “I think the message was pretty clear to be honest,” Guehi told Sky Sports News at the time. “It was a message of love, of truth as well and a message of inclusivity, so I think it speaks for itself.”

The England international, along with Palace, was contacted by the FA to remind him of the rules. Neither was formally charged.

The Egyptian scored the Reds’ fourth goal in Sunday’s 5-1 victory at Anfield and, after celebrating his strike, borrowed a phone from a staff member before taking a photograph of himself and the cheering Liverpool fans behind him.

But some have asked could it have been a marketing idea, because the phone Salah used is made by one of Liverpool’s sponsors.

“At the beginning of the season I always take selfies with players [who score], so for this one I said ‘OK, I have to think of something special because it’s a picture that’s going to be there forever’,” Salah told BBC Sport.

Salah, 32, has frequently posted selfies with Reds team-mates on social media, while his recent two-year contract extension announcement included a self-taken photograph.

Initially observers thought Salah had taken the phone off a fan in the crowd, but it was a Liverpool staff member located behind the advertising hoardings in front of the Kop.

The photograph, which Salah and Liverpool posted on their social media accounts, has millions of likes and views.

But it has courted some controversy with observers wondering if it was a natural celebration, or an advert for Google Pixel, an official partner of the club.

In response, others have pointed out they could not know Salah would have scored – and none of the first three goalscorers did this celebration – although it was his 33rd goal of the season so not much of a surprise.

Various Liverpool players have taken part in adverts for Google this season on social media and TV.

Post-match Salah took selfies again – which Google Pixel posted on social media.

Salah could have been booked for delaying the restart of play with the celebration, but referee Thomas Bramall kept his cards in his pocket.

Team-mate Cody Gakpo had earlier been shown a yellow card for celebrating his goal to make it 3-1 by taking off his shirt to reveal an ‘I belong to Jesus’ T-shirt.

BBC Sport has asked Liverpool and the Football Association (FA) for comment on the Salah selfie story.

The FA has rules around advertising on kits and betting companies – but there do not appear to be specific rules prohibiting something like this incident, even if it was intentional marketing.

Despite all the hype, Salah is far from the first footballer to celebrate a goal with a selfie.

Perhaps the highest-profile one until now was Roma forward Francesco Totti doing so after scoring in a 2015 derby against Lazio.

Then 38, he was handed a phone by one of Roma’s coaches before taking the photo in front of the club’s fans.

But plenty of other players have done it too.

Mario Balotelli also made headlines for a selfie, filming his goal celebration with his team-mates in Marseille’s win over Saint-Etienne in 2019.

Jurgen Klopp was always going to be the hardest of acts to follow as manager.

Liverpool supporters were understandably worried about the future when the charismatic German, whose force of personality and success gave him iconic status, announced in January 2024 he was leaving at the end of that season.

Who would undertake the seemingly impossible task of replacing Klopp? Would Liverpool tread water or even go backwards for a season or two while his successor settled in?

“Klopp was a sort of god who changed the club – not just on the pitch but the whole atmosphere,” says Westerveld.

Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso, who had taken Bayer Leverkusen to the brink of a first Bundesliga title, was strongly linked with a return before announcing he was staying in Germany. That paved the way for Arne Slot’s appointment.

“At that moment I didn’t even think about Arne,” says his fellow Dutchman Westerveld, who has remained friends with Slot since their playing days at Sparta Rotterdam in 2007-08.

“Nobody in England knew an awful lot about him. Everybody who knows football said it was going to be a huge task and that this was an unknown coach who comes from the Netherlands.”

Yet the transition from Klopp to Slot has been seamless, culminating in Liverpool winning the title for a record-equalling 20th time.

With 25 wins in 34 games and just two defeats, Slot’s side have made top spot their own and have looked down on the rest of the Premier League since 2 November.

And now they are champions – with four games to spare – for just the second time since 1989-90.

Slot, who ruled himself out of the running to become the next Spurs boss while at Feyenoord in May 2023, has joined an elite band of bosses in the Premier League era to have delivered the title in their first season in charge.

Jose Mourinho (2004-05) and Carlo Ancelotti (2009-10) both managed it at Chelsea before Manuel Pellegrini (2013-14) accomplished the feat at Manchester City. The last boss to do so before Slot was Antonio Conte – also at Chelsea – in 2016-17.

“Nobody expected this,” says Ian Doyle – chief Liverpool writer for the Liverpool Echo. “In terms of an achievement for a manager in his first season at Liverpool, it has to be right up there.”

Neil Atkinson, presenter and CEO of Liverpool fans’ podcast and website The Anfield Wrap, says: “I don’t think anyone wanted the new manager to come in and try to be a Jurgen Klopp tribute act.

“All Liverpool fans wanted was Slot to be himself – and that’s what he has been.”

Slot’s magic formula

In many ways, Slot’s main job has been to build on and improve the outstanding squad left behind by his predecessor, who averaged 80.33 points in his last three seasons at Anfield.

Three more victories would mean Liverpool break the 90-point barrier after Slot tightened the defence and brought more control to the midfield.

“They’ve amassed these points by winning when it’s hard, winning when it’s ugly, winning when the opposition have put up a fight,” adds Atkinson.

“Liverpool have managed to do that – none of their rivals have.”

While Federico Chiesa was the only addition to Slot’s squad for this season, the Dutch coach has improved players, including Ryan Gravenberch, who has grasped his opportunity at the base of Liverpool’s midfield after the club missed out on signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

With 28 Premier League goals and 18 assists in 34 appearances – compared to 18 goals and 10 assists in 32 appearances in Klopp’s final season – Mohamed Salah’s figures under Slot have been seriously impressive.

Gravenberch’s Netherlands team-mate Cody Gakpo has provided 17 goals in all competitions in 2024-25, beating his tally from last season.

“In his first meeting with the players, Arne had all the data from the season they were champions in 2019-20 and all the data from the final season under Klopp,” adds Westerveld.

“Last season, compared to the title season, there were less sprints, the team was less effective. Instead of saying to the players, ‘come on, work hard’, he was telling them exactly what they had to do and needed to know showing them all the data.”

There have been tweaks off the field too, with Slot implementing a new routine for how his players build up to games.

Under Klopp, the day would begin later, but this season players have been at the training ground in Kirkby, about six and a half miles from Anfield, at 9.15am for breakfast.

Slot and his backroom team have introduced a process known as ‘body wake-up’, which involves breathing exercises before both training and matches.

Under Klopp, the Liverpool squad would stay together in a hotel before home games. That is no longer the case, with players allowed to remain at their own homes.

Training sessions have been longer than before but less intense to reduce injury risk, with fitness issues undermining several campaigns in recent years.

In addition, Slot has made key hires behind the scenes.

Ruben Peeters, a specialist in periodisation (the science of optimising training loads), followed Slot from Feyenoord, Dr Jonathan Power was promoted to director of medicine and performance, while Amit Pannu joined as a new first-team doctor.

Making friends and showing humility

Liverpool fans had plenty of time to get used to Slot before his first Premier League game in charge. There were three months between the Reds announcing him as their new head coach and the match at Ipswich on 17 August.

It helped that Klopp, after his final match in charge, urged supporters to sing with him ‘Arne Slot, na na na na na’ to the tune of Opus’ Live Is Life before the German waved goodbye to Anfield – a chant that has become more and more popular at the ground as the season has gone on.

“Before his first home game in front of 60,000, I asked Arne if he was nervous,” says Westerveld, who won the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup at Liverpool in 2000-01 under Gerard Houllier.

“He said: ‘Oh well, you know, I was manager of Feyenoord and we had a stadium of 50,000 so I’m used to that.’

“I said; ‘No, Arnie. No… this is Anfield, this is different.’ He was downplaying everything.

“Then I thought about it afterwards and Liverpool is perfect for him. He’s just a normal guy, down to earth, feet on the floor, very calm. For him everything is the same and he doesn’t change.

“He didn’t get carried away when Liverpool won 11 of the first 12 games, and he didn’t panic when they lost the League Cup final five days after going out of the Champions League.”

One banner that has become a regular feature in The Kop this season refers to ‘Arne’s Slot Machine’ – a nod towards his popularity with supporters young and old.

He has befriended Isaac Kearney – a Liverpool-obsessed seven-year-old, who was born with a rare condition known as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, meaning he develops at a slower rate than other children his age.

When the club heard about Isaac’s story, they invited him, his mum Melissa and dad Alan, and older sister Florence to the training ground to meet the players.

They were told they might not see Slot as he was busy planning for a game.

“Isaac was walking past the manager’s office with Mo [Salah] and Virgil [van Dijk] and Isaac being Isaac shouted ‘Arne’ through the window at him,” Melissa recalls.

“Arne was in a meeting but came out to chat with Isaac. He was so genuine and down to earth. We sat down for lunch and Arne came over and was fist-bumping Isaac.

“Arne asked if he was having a nice day and Isaac told him he was still waiting to see Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. Arne said: ‘I’m going to take you to meet him right now.'”

Before Liverpool’s home game with Southampton in March, Slot also name-checked Isaac in his pre-match news conference.

Asked how he would cope with serving a touchline ban, the Reds boss said he would be sitting in the stand close to his friend Isaac.

Slot comes across as likeable, approachable and intelligent in interviews, although there were occasions in his early days when he struggled to grasp the local dialect.

Before Liverpool’s Champions League game with Bologna in October, a local reporter asked if preparations for a big European game were any different to a domestic match.

“That was a bit of Scouse,” said Slot, struggling to understand the local accent before turning to Tony Barrett – director of first-team communications – for help.

“He’s relaxed into the job,” adds Doyle. “Anyone who has seen his press conferences, he doesn’t mind a laugh and a joke. He’s mentioned in the past that his dad reads the newspapers.”

Arend Slot made the headlines in January when Arne revealed his dad was not impressed with the way the Reds performed in the 2-1 Champions League win over Lille.

“When I called him after the game he says: ‘Ah, it wasn’t as exciting as other games of Liverpool,'” said Arne at the time.

Doyle adds: “I haven’t seen him snap in press conferences but if he doesn’t believe a question is fair he’ll make a point of addressing that fact.

“He always says ‘this season we’ve basically got what we deserved’ whether it’s after a win over Real Madrid in the Champions League or defeat by Newcastle in the League Cup final.”

Westerveld was at Goodison Park in February when Slot was shown a red card after a dramatic Merseyside derby ended 2-2, with Everton equalising in the 98th minute.

“He looked really angry when he walked off the pitch and then he saw me and straight away he smiled,” he adds.

“It’s like I said before… he doesn’t get too down. He’s exactly the same as he was in his first coaching role at Cambuur.”

Away from football in the Netherlands, Slot used to relax by playing golf with Westerveld, but since moving to Liverpool he keeps fit playing racquet sport padel with his backroom staff at the training ground.

“Go home, eat, take the computer out, watch the training session back, prepare for the next meeting,” said Slot – whose family have remained in the Netherlands – when asked what he does after training.

“He’s clearly a brilliant coach… and a serious minded person,” adds Atkinson.

“His reaction to getting knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain wasn’t to bemoan the referee or blame injuries.

“He said it was the best game he had ever coached in. He has shown genuine humility while simultaneously having a real sense of confidence in himself, his coaching staff and players.”

‘I didn’t expect it to be so easy for him’

Not since they were champions in the early 1980s have Liverpool won back-to-back league titles.

So will they build on this season’s incredible success?

While there has been no need for a rebuild in 2024-25, Slot is expected to be active in the transfer market to ensure Liverpool are in a strong position next season.

Although Salah has signed a new two-year contract and captain Virgil van Dijk has also committed his future, England international Alexander-Arnold is expected to move to Real Madrid.

Reported Liverpool targets include Newcastle’s Sweden forward Alexander Isak and Bournemouth’s Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez.

“I refuse to believe Slot will allow standards to slip next season,” adds Atkinson. “I think they’ll break 80 points again – and if you do that you have every chance of being in the conversation for the title.”

Westerveld will be at Anfield on 25 May, when Liverpool host Crystal Palace on the final day of the season, to see his friend and former team-mate show off the Premier League trophy.

“To come from coaching in the Netherlands to the Premier League… I didn’t expect it to be so easy for him to adapt,” he admits.

“At the start of the season I used to send him a message to congratulate him after a win. Then I sent him a message saying, ‘I’m not going to congratulate anymore because it’s getting boring’.”

Liverpool have now matched Manchester United’s tally of 20 League titles and have won two Premier League titles, after securing their first in 2020 under Jurgen Klopp.

Arne Slot’s side still have four matches remaining, but they can no longer be caught by second-placed Arsenal.

Slot has become the first Dutch manager to win the trophy, doing so in his first season since taking over.

Spurs stunned the jubilant Anfield crowd after just 12 minutes when former Liverpool player Dominic Solanke headed James Maddison’s corner past Allison Becker.

Solanke produced a brilliant leap and header to give the visitors a surprising lead and silence the home supporters.

Liverpool bounced back just four minutes later through Luis Diaz, who slotted Dominik Szboszlai’s cross into an empty net.

The linesman flagged for offside, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was awarded, sending Diaz and the Anfield crowd into pure joy.

Alexis Mac Allister then put the hosts ahead after 24 minutes, unleashing a venomous strike into the top corner, leaving Guglielmo Vicario helpless.

Mac Allister has had a fantastic season and is no stranger to a screamer, punishing Spurs for some poor play from their own box.

Cody Gakpo put Arne Slot’s side out of sight just 10 minutes later, latching on to the ball from a corner before firing past Vicario.

Liverpool completely dominated the second half, with a constant flow of attack on the Spurs goal.

Mohamed Salah joined in on the act after 63 minutes, cutting in from the right-hand side, before smashing the ball into the bottom corner.

The Anfield crowd erupted as their hero celebrated with a selfie in front of the stand; Salah has now scored 28 goals this season and is fifth in the all-time list for Premier League goalscorers.

Destiny Udogie added to yet another miserable afternoon for Spurs, turning Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross into his own net, giving Liverpool their fifth.

Liverpool went close a couple of times to extending their lead, but players and supporters erupted into pure joy as soon as the full-time whistle went, as an incredible noise rung round Anfield.

Slot’s side will lift the trophy after the final game of the season against Crystal Palace at Anfield, but celebrations will be ongoing throughout the next few days and weeks.

Meanwhile, Spurs’ attention turns to their UEFA Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

Arsenal’s draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday means the Reds need just a point against Spurs to win the Premier League with four games remaining.

Liverpool last secured the title in 2019-20 under former manager Jurgen Klopp during a time when fans were not allowed into stadiums because of the Covid pandemic.

The Reds lifted the trophy in an empty Anfield as they claimed their first top-flight win in 30 years.

“First of all, that’s a big responsibility because we are aware that the last time this club won the league it was Covid time so everybody is looking forward to Sunday but we know that there is still a job to be done and that’s at least one point,” said Slot.

“That’s what we know and, hopefully, our fans know as well and they support us in the best possible way they can – like they have all season – and are aware of the fact that we still need a point.

“We are definitely aware of that. It’s a nice game to look forward to but it’s also a responsibility we have for Sunday.”

Tottenham are without a win at Anfield since 2011 and come into the game having lost 18 league games this season and with their primary focus on a Europa League semi-final first-leg against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

Liverpool have been beaten just twice in the league this season – once at Anfield – and have the best home record in the top flight, having earned 41 points from 16 games.

Slot on strength of Premier League

Slot, who has previously won the Dutch title with Feyenoord, is in his first season as Liverpool manager after replacing Klopp last summer.

His side have a 12-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal.

There have been suggestions that the top flight has not been as competitive as in recent seasons but Slot believes it is a “difficult league” to win.

“I’ve only been here for a year so I can only tell you what I’ve experienced this season,” he said.

“I think it’s never been as exciting for top-four, top-five finish. In all the years before, it was quite clear which clubs will probably get the top three or four positions.

“In my opinion, it’s a really difficult league because that’s what I’ve experienced over here, there’s never been an easy game. It’s always been very hard to win a game of football.

“We are not the only team in this league who find it difficult to win a game by three or four goals. That was maybe easier two, three, four or five years ago.

“Either the teams are not so good any more – the Liverpools, the Manchester Citys and the Arsenals – or we are still very good but the other teams have the funds to spend just as much or, in some situations, even more.”

With the Reds on the cusp of clinching their historic 20th Premier League title – a feat that would see them equal Manchester United’s record – fans across the continent are already in celebratory mode, ready to erupt should their team secure a point against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

“It’s a great time to be a Liverpool fan, and I am personally looking forward to celebrating a much deserved and maybe, some say, unexpected title win,” says Liam Lockhart, Chairman of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club (OLSC) in Gauteng, South Africa.

“I think like many Liverpool fans, I was not sure what to expect coming into this season with Jürgen Klopp leaving, but to kick on and continue has been nothing short of amazing from Arne Slot and Liverpool FC as a whole. “We have a total of over 100 signed-up members now, and there’s a lot of excitement within the club as we all look forward to seeing the Premier League trophy in our hands again.”

The anticipation is palpable, with supporters already making plans to mark this momentous occasion in true Liverpudlian style.

Neil Ruiters, Chairperson of the OLSC in Cape Town, South Africa, echoes this sentiment.

Liverpool supporters in Cape Town. Credit: Supplied.

“I’m incredibly excited! The prospect of seeing Liverpool clinch their 20th league title and go level with Manchester United is not just historic — it’s emotional,” says Ruiters. “It would be a beautiful reward for a team that has shown grit, unity, and belief this season. The energy among the Cape Town Reds is electric! Every matchday feels like a final. There’s a sense of shared anticipation — we’re not just watching a football team; we’re part of something far greater.”

The Cape Town branch is already gearing up for a significant celebration. “We’ve already started laying the groundwork for a celebration. Should we secure the title, we’ll be hosting a Red Bash — a party with live screenings, music, LFC-themed décor, prizes, and of course, that famous Scouse spirit. Think of it as Cape Town’s Anfield for a day!” Ruiters enthusiastically shares.

Adding a crucial message for fans, he says, “If you’re not at Anfield, or at a supporters club, or can’t even make it to a TV screen on the day to watch Liverpool’s title celebrations, there’s always options like Showmax Premier League, so no matter where you are or what you are doing on the day, it’s something you simply cannot miss.”

In Gauteng, similar plans are underway.

“We are planning to have a musician come out and play some of the songs made so famous from Liverpool FC for the Spurs game on the 27th of April, which is hopefully the day we clinch the league title, and then we will also arrange with Ridgeway Racebar for a similar type of atmosphere for the final day against Crystal Palace,” reveals Lockhart.

Liverpool supporters in Gauteng. Credit: Ridgeway Racebar

Reflecting on the season, he adds, “Having been so close for so many years, I am never really comfortable until it’s mathematically certain. My personal highlight, and when I thought we had done enough, was the win over Manchester City at home.”

In Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, similar plans are underway to celebrate Liverpool’s title success.

The Liverpool Supporters Club in Nigeria says they have begun planning, for what they have labelled as a “massive occasion.”

“We are planning a parade in Abuja when Liverpool lift the trophy. We are all very excited about celebrating this momentous occasion,” says Davies Adewale, chairman of the Liverpool Supporters Club in Nigeria.

“Anfield may be thousands of miles away from us, but it’s home for us and always will be,” adds Adewale.

Despite the distance, the connection between Liverpool FC and its African fanbase remains incredibly strong.

“I think football has that effect on everyone who comes to love the game as we all do here at OLSC Gauteng, it infects our lives and can even make or break our weeks. We may be much further away than the people of Liverpool, but we feel the emotion of the game just as strong as them,” explains Lockhart.

Ruiters adds, “It’s the ethos of the club. Liverpool stands for passion, resilience, and community. You’ll Never Walk Alone is more than just a song — it’s a way of life. That spirit speaks to fans across borders, languages, and cultures. LFC has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s more than football — it’s family, hope, belief. In the highs and the lows, the club has always represented unity and fighting spirit. It’s deeply personal.”

Liverpool supporters in Cape Town. Credit: Supplied.

Lockhart, Ruiters and Adewale all agree that celebrating such a significant milestone is crucial.

“I think Liverpool fans know better than most that these days don’t come along every year and that we must savour every moment,” says Lockhart.

Ruiters agrees.

“Because football is about memories. Titles come and go, but the way a season makes you feel — that lasts forever. Celebrating together builds community and honours the emotional investment fans have made week in, week out.”

With the potential for title celebrations just days away, Liverpool supporters in South Africa are united in their anticipation and ready to paint their corners of the country red in honour of their beloved club.

How can fans get Showmax Premier League on their phones? 

Sign up for the Showmax Premier League mobile plan for R69 p/m at www.showmax.com for all the Premier League action.

About Showmax 

Showmax, launched in 2015 and available in more than 40 markets across the continent, is a leading African streaming service. It offers a unique combination of original African content, first and exclusive international series, popular movies, premium documentaries, and the best kids’ shows, as well as a world-first Premier League live-streaming mobile plan.

The Foxes suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the King Power Stadium, a result that sealed their immediate return to the second tier after just one season in the top flight.

Leicester’s fall marks a stunning decline for a club that captured the Premier League title in miraculous fashion less than a decade ago. After winning the Championship last season to secure promotion, the club’s troubles began early in the campaign and only worsened.

Steve Cooper took over as manager from Enzo Maresca, who departed for Chelsea in the summer, but was dismissed in November after guiding the team to just two wins, leaving them 17th and narrowly above the drop zone.

Cooper’s successor, Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, has been unable to reverse the decline. Under his leadership, Leicester have lost 17 of their 21 league games, managing only two wins. A 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion last week ended a winless run stretching back to January.

Ipswich Town, one of Leicester’s fellow promoted teams, along with Southampton, are also staring at relegation. If confirmed, it would mark the second straight season where all three promoted clubs return immediately to the Championship.

Leicester City still have five Premier League matches remaining, but their fate has already been sealed.

The Reds defender, who is rumoured to be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid this summer, ripped off his shirt and raced to the away end to celebrate after the first left-foot strike of his career secured a priceless win 14 minutes from time.

Mohamed Salah hit both posts and missed a number of good opportunities in an even first half which also saw Wilfred Ndidi fire against the woodwork for the hosts.

Liverpool continued to waste opportunities following the interval and it was left to Alexander-Arnold, featuring in his first match since sustaining an ankle injury against Paris Saint-Germain on March 11, to silence his critics in the best possible way.

The result sees Arne Slot’s men remain 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just five matches to play.

Leicester sit 19th and this result, along with a win for Wolves and a West Ham draw, means The Foxes are now mathematically relegated back to The Championship.

Liverpool can now seal the Premier League title with a win over Tottenham next Sunday. Leicester travel to Wolves on Saturday.

Victory means that if Arsenal lose at Ipswich next weekend, the Reds can wrap up the title by beating Leicester.

Mohamed Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool this week, provided the assist with a splendid pass for Luis Diaz to open the scoring on 18 minutes.

But Liverpool failed to build on this and West Ham deservedly equalised when Andy Robertson turned the ball into his own net.

However, in the 90th minute Van Dijk – who is expected to join Salah in agreeing a new deal to stay with the club – rose highest to head home a corner and put Liverpool 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just six league games to play.

It was a frantic end to a game in which Liverpool allowed control to slip from their grasp and where West Ham, who are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, came close on numerous occasions before finally scoring.

Reds keeper Alisson – passed fit after missing the loss at Fulham with concussion – made a series of fine saves throughout the game. In the first half he brilliantly tipped a Mohammed Kudus chip on to the crossbar, and after the break he made crucial stops from Jarrod Bowen and Kudus again.

Liverpool nearly doubled their lead after the break when Alexis Mac Allister’s free-kick rattled the bar, while West Ham sub Niclas Fullkrug also hit the woodwork with a chance to make it 2-2.

But, while still below their best, Liverpool found the response to suffering only their second league loss of the season last weekend. This win also mathematically ensures the Reds have qualified for the Champions League for 2025-26.

With Wolves winning, West Ham fall to 17th but are 14 points above the bottom three.

So what happened behind the scenes?

Was there a £500m offer from Saudi Arabia and how did the Egypt forward go from being unsure of his future to expressing delight at signing a deal that lasts until he turns 34?

Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel reports…

Deal breakthrough came at end of March

When Salah set the cat among the pigeons about his future in November by saying he was ‘more out than in’, he wasn’t being disingenuous.

Yet it was also not misleading to say the Egyptian always wanted to stay at Liverpool. The two stances weren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.

It has always been Salah’s ambition to extend his eight-year stay at Anfield – and news today of his new two-year contract will bring the 32-year-old’s tenure at the club to a decade, should he see out the duration of the terms.

But the conditions – for both Salah and Liverpool – had to be right. Thankfully for the club’s supporters a middle ground was finally reached.

Sources close to the situation indicated a breakthrough in talks between Salah, his representative Ramy Abbas Issa and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was reached at the end of March, with the formalities of the deal concluded earlier this week.

Indeed, in an interview with BBC Sport, left-back Andy Robertson revealed he only found out about Salah’s new contract on Thursday.

Liverpool pushed boat out for ‘special case’

Salah is not taking a pay cut to stay at Liverpool – and will earn close to £400,000-per-week. The two-year contract offers him a level of security players of his age are not often afforded.

Liverpool have pushed the boat out, but haven’t done so on a whim. Salah is a special case.

Replacing their talismanic attacker, who has made 54 goal contributions already this season, would be vastly difficult and, more pertinently, an expensive task.

Identifying a Salah replacement would be hard enough, but finding the sort of money to pull off such a deal would enter a higher plane of difficulty.

What appears to be Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pending move to Real Madrid, when his contract expires this summer, would have provided Liverpool with greater financial leeway in their efforts to assemble financial packages to keep Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutchman expected to sign a new deal in the coming days.

Yet, while money is always a factor when it comes to contractual negotiations, it wasn’t the determining consideration for a footballer at the peak of his powers.

Salah ‘wanted elite sporting challenge’

If money was Salah’s determining consideration, he’d have left Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League who, until as recently as last week, still believed they could attract him to the Middle East.

The financial lure of a move to Saudi Arabia was clear. The ‘homecoming’ of one of the greatest and recognisable Arab footballers – and the synergy, and earning power, for all parties was inescapable.

Indeed, sources have told BBC Sport that Salah was in line to earn at least £500m in Saudi – an eye-popping figure, although still short of the 1bn euros (£859m) Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was reportedly offered.

It was said the option of exploring a Saudi move was first raised with Salah last February – and that door will likely remain open in the future.

But, right now, the forward has put sporting ambition ahead of his wallet.

Salah’s a player at the top of his game – those close to the frontman believe he has at least another three years at the highest level.

The evidence suggests as much. His physique is optimum and his levels of professionalism are obsessive.

Salah believes he still has more to accomplish in European football too, starting, of course, with winning Liverpool’s 20th league title this season.

He has ambitions on winning the Ballon d’Or too, with fifth his highest placing in both 2019 and 2022.

Salah also wants to win the Champions League again, and ensure Liverpool remain at the pinnacle of English football.

Interestingly, it is said another one of the key factors in his decision to re-sign was a desire to compete among the elite to help prepare for Egypt’s forthcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.

It’s the sporting challenge that has driven his decision for Salah, although the fact his wife Magi and daughters Makka and Kayan are enjoying life on Merseyside has also been described as a key factor too.

His previous deal was scheduled to run out in the summer and there had been doubts he would stay with the Reds following comments from the 32-year-old during the season as well as speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia.

However, he will now have the chance to add to his 243 goals and 109 assists for Liverpool in 393 appearances.

“Of course I’m very excited – we have a great team now,” said Salah.

“Before we also had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.

“I have played eight years here, hopefully it’s going to be 10. I’m enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I have had the best years of my career here.”

Salah has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season, including 27 in the Premier League as the Reds chase a 20th top-flight title. Liverpool are 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with seven games remaining.

Salah, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017, has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Fifa Club World Cup with the Reds.

He was one of three key Liverpool players who will be out of contract this summer, along with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

Netherlands defender Van Dijk has said there has been progress on talks over a new deal but Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Salah’s previous deal was understood to be worth more than £350,000-a-week and made him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.

It is believed the negotiations over his new contract did not involve a pay cut as part of the talks.

Talks between all parties are ongoing and a final agreement is yet to be reached, but sources have indicated the club have made positive progress in their efforts and are hopeful a deal will be done.

Salah’s deal expires at the end of the season and there has been some uncertainty over his future, with clubs in Saudi Arabia keen to land the Egypt international.

But the recent progress has raised hope at Anfield that Salah will extend his stay at the Premier League club.

Salah has been a key player for Liverpool since his arrival in the summer of 2017 and has been central to the team’s title charge this season, scoring 32 goals across all competitions.

Earlier this week, captain Virgil van Dijk – whose deal also expires in the summer – provided a positive update on his own contract talks.

“There is progress, yes,” said the defender.

“These are internal discussions and we’ll see. I love the club, I love the fans and they were there for us again [at Fulham].”

There is less certainty about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future, however, with the right-back in talks with Real Madrid over a free transfer move to Spain before next season.

The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and the centre-back said in March he had “no idea” if he would remain at Anfield.

The defender is one of three high-profile Liverpool players to be nearing the end of their deals, with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold also yet to sign extensions.

But, speaking to reporters following the 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Sunday, Van Dijk was more positive about the prospect of staying at the club.

“There is progress, yeah,” said the Netherlands captain.

“I don’t know [if I’ll stay], we’ll see. Listen, these are internal discussions and we’ll see.

“I love the club, I love the fans and they were there for us again and we wanted to reward them.

“But I want them to be there on Sunday again [at home to West Ham United] and make the stadium an amazing venue like always for us.”

Liverpool have an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League despite their defeat in west London.

The Craven Cottage loss was only Liverpool’s second league defeat of the season and their first in 26 matches.

“It was a poor day at the office for all of us,” Van Dijk added.

“There were individual moments that should have been dealt with better. It was not acceptable as a team.”

Van Dijk joined Liverpool in a £75m deal from Southampton in 2018.

He has scored 26 goals in 323 appearances for the Reds and was the key defender as Jurgen Klopp’s side won the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup twice.

Arne Slot’s side had gone ahead through Alexis Mac Allister’s superb 25-yard strike but three Fulham goals in 13 minutes turned the game on its head before half-time.

Ryan Sessegnon equalised with a smart first-time finish after Andreas Pereira’s cross fell kindly for him in the box.

Alex Iwobi put Marco Silva’s side ahead nine minutes later as he collected Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson’s poor cross-field ball on the edge of the box and, after his initial shot was blocked, his second flew in via a deflection off the Scotland captain.

The third came when a Fulham corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, Iwobi made of a mess of his attempt to put it back into the middle but Rodrigo Muniz kept it alive.

A brilliant touch around the corner put him through on goal and the Brazilian striker finished calmly under Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Luis Diaz pulled one back for the visitors in the 72nd minute, stabbing into the bottom corner from fellow substitute Conor Bradley’s pass, but Liverpool were unable to force an equaliser.

It was another substitute, Harvey Elliott, who came closest to drawing the league leaders level but his curling effort bounced back off the bar.

Elliott and Federico Chiesa had half chances in stoppage time but neither unduly troubled Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal.

Liverpool stay 11 points clear at the top with seven games remaining and need a maximum of 11 more points to secure a record-equalling 20th league title.

Meanwhile, victory boosts Fulham’s chances of European qualification as they move up to eighth, five points behind Chelsea in fourth.

Tarkowski caught Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister just below the knee with his studs in the 11th minute of the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

The Everton centre-back was shown a yellow card and the video assistant referee (VAR) decided to take no further action after a 10-second review.

But BBC Sport has been told by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) the tackle met the threshold for serious foul play.

The view of PGMOL is that an on-field review should have been recommended to referee Sam Barrott and ultimately the original decision overturned.

Referee Barrott felt the challenge was reckless in real time and VAR Paul Tierney deemed that call not to be a clear and obvious error.

The PGMOL says it wants to operate in a transparent way by admitting mistakes, and felt this incident needed to be addressed immediately, rather than waiting for referees’ chief Howard Webb’s next ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ appearance.

Everton manager David Moyes admitted Tarkowksi was fortunate to stay on the pitch, and Tarkowski apologised to Mac Allister at full-time.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who will speak to the media on Thursday morning, said “even people who are not liking Liverpool a lot are saying how clear and obvious it was”.

Arne Slot’s men require only 13 points from a possible 24 available to guarantee a deserved and record-equalling 20th top-flight triumph.

The Red were being frustrated by Everton’s backline sitting deep, but claimed the three points courtesy of a moment of magic from Diogo Jota.

The Portugal forward was on the periphery of the game but collected Luis Diaz’s cute backheel before showcasing dancing feet by jinking past challenges and slotting home.

Replays showed Diaz had been standing in an offside position earlier in the build-up to the goal, but he was deemed not to be interfering with play and it was allowed to stand

Before the deadlock was broken, there was another moment of controversy with Everton defender James Tarkowski incredibly fortunate to stay on the pitch.

Tarkowski received only a yellow card early on when he won the ball with a sliding challenge but caught Alexis Mac Allister on the knee with his studs with the follow-through.

The video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to upgrade the tackle to a red card and Dominik Szoboszlai curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide, while the in-form Mohamed Salah headed straight at Jordan Pickford at the back post.

Beto had the Liverpool backline rattled and saw a goal ruled out for offside after outmuscling Virgil van Dijk.

The striker got the better of the Reds captain again, but this time could only hit the post when one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher.

Liverpool and their supporters looked to up the ante in the second period and Ryan Gravenberch’s stinging drive from range was pushed away by Pickford, but Jota’s 56th-minute strike made the difference.

BBC Sport understands that Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is in advanced talks with Real Madrid over a free transfer to the Bernabeu.

The full-back missed England’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia after sustaining an ankle injury in Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 defeat by Paris St-Germain in March.

Slot says the 26-year-old is only focused on returning from injury.

“His situation is that unfortunately he is injured. Otherwise people probably would have spoken about him having one or two brilliant performances for the England team,” he said.

“But he is injured so for him he is fully focused for his recovery and for us we are trying to help him to be back as early as he can.”

Alexander-Arnold is one of three high-profile Liverpool players out of contract at the end of the season, with captain Virgil van Dijk and forward Mohamed Salah yet to sign new deals at the club.

Salah said in January that an agreement with the club was “far away”, while Van Dijk said in March that he had “no idea” if he would sign an extension.

“It’s a situation that is there for eight or nine months now,” said Slot.

“These three players have performed so well under these circumstances. So no it does not affect me at all.”

Liverpool, who are 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with nine games remaining, face Everton at Anfield on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

Discussions over the protracted transfer are ongoing as the Spanish side look to secure the England international before the start of next season.

Multiple sources close to the negotiations have told BBC Sport that while a deal is still to be fully agreed, work towards completing the transfer is reaching the closing stages – though nothing has been signed yet.

Alexander-Arnold is in the final three months of his contract at Liverpool and is free to discuss a move abroad.

Real have made the 26-year-old a priority target this summer with sources close to the situation saying the Spanish club have been tracking the player for close to two years.

Alexander-Arnold has spent his entire career at Anfield, coming through the academy to make more than 300 appearances for the club.

He has won every major trophy while playing for Liverpool and is the club’s vice-captain.

How did it get to this stage?

Having joined the club at the age of six, Alexander-Arnold progressed through the Liverpool academy and was given his first-team debut by Jurgen Klopp in October 2016.

He has established himself as a key member of a side that won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup in the space of 14 months in 2019 and 2020.

Alexander-Arnold signed a new four-year contract in the summer of 2021 and scored penalties in shootouts of both finals as Liverpool won the League Cup and FA Cup in 2021-22.

The England full-back was named in the PFA team of the season for the third time at the end of that campaign and in July 2023 was named Liverpool vice-captain.

“I’ve never been shy of saying what my ambitions are and that’s always been to captain this club,” Alexander-Arnold said at the time. “This is a pathway and a stepping stone to that.”

By the summer of 2024, he had just a year left on his contract and with no suggestion that a new deal was close to being agreed, the relationship between Liverpool fans and Alexander-Arnold has become more strained.

Alexander-Arnold irritated some Reds supporters in October by saying in an interview with Sky Sports that he would rather win a Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual honour, than another Champions League with Liverpool.

Since then, there has been a belief among some fans that he is more focused on his own achievements.

In December, he celebrated scoring against West Ham with a ‘chat’ gesture, referencing the gossip about his future.

That brought more fan frustration given that by not publicly stating his desire to stay or leave, Alexander-Arnold had done little to quieten speculation over where he will be playing football next season.

Reports that Real had made an offer to bring the Liverpool number 66 to Madrid in January coincided with a tough afternoon for Alexander-Arnold against Manchester United, leading to abuse from some of his own fans inside Anfield.

While the defender has helped put Liverpool in a strong position to win the Premier League title in the months since, it remains to be seen what kind of reception Alexander-Arnold will receive from supporters as he looks increasingly likely to leave his boyhood club for nothing.

‘No doubt Trent would be a superstar in Madrid’

Should Alexander-Arnold join Real, he would emulate Steve McManaman, who moved from Liverpool to Madrid on a free transfer in 1999.

“If he does choose to go to Real Madrid and he does choose to forge a new adventure with a new language and a new lifestyle, all credit to him,” McManaman told BBC Sport.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for him if he does go, and no doubt that he will be a superstar there as well.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and top-scorer Mohamed Salah are also out of contract at the end of the season but McManaman thinks a homegrown player like Alexander-Arnold leaving for free would be viewed differently by supporters.

“It’s unfair [to expect homegrown players to commit to one club for their entire career]. If Van Dijk or Salah leave then it it’s Liverpool’s fault, if Trent were to leave then it’s Trent’s fault,” he added.

While Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley has proven a reliable replacement when called up in the past two seasons, McManaman believes Alexander-Arnold would leave “a considerable hole” at Liverpool.

“[Bradley is] a completely different player to Trent Alexander-Arnold,” the two-time Champions League winner said.

“Trent’s numbers in an attacking sense are absolutely fantastic… but Liverpool fans and everybody will hope that Conor Bradley will be able to fill that void.

“You have a standard level and every year, you try and improve and get better and better.

“We all hope that Conor Bradley achieves that and becomes the superstar that people are talking about when they talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold.”

The Magpies dominated the Premier League leaders from start to finish, taking a 2-0 lead through a thunderous header from Dan Burn and a calm finish from Alexander Isak.

Federico Chiesa’s late goal gave Liverpool hope of an unlikely comeback in stoppage time, but Newcastle held on to win their first trophy since claiming the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.

The Carabao Cup triumph was also their first domestic trophy since they lifted the 1955 FA Cup.

The defeat capped a heartbreaking week for Arne Slot’s side.

They not only missed out on a first major trophy since the Dutchman’s arrival but were also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by PSG.

There is no better place to get your season-long ticket to the best football the world has to offer than DStv!

Liverpool, who are the reigning champions and have won the EFL League Cup a record 10 times, earned their place in the final with victories over West Ham United (5-1), Brighton & Hove Albion (3-2), Southampton (2-1) and Tottenham Hotspur (4-1 on aggregate).

Reds manager Arne Slot is looking forward to leading his team out at the iconic Wembley Stadium – long heralded as the spiritual ‘Home of Football’.

“It is special to go there as I know how iconic that stadium is,” said the Dutchman. ” [But] it’s only special if you can win things. We know how difficult that’s going to be as Newcastle are an impressive team.”

Slot won the Dutch Cup with Feyenoord last season, beating NEC 1-0 in the final. “It’s always nice to play a final,” he noted. “We come in every day, we try to improve the team. The players try so hard to improve themselves, but in the end it’s about reaching finals and winning things.”

Newcastle, meanwhile, are looking to win their first domestic trophy in 70 years (the FA Cup in 1954-55). They have never won the EFL League Cup, though they were runners-up as recently as 2022-23, losing in the final to Manchester United.

“It would mean the world to me to be the person to end the [trophy] wait but it would be not necessarily for me. It would be more, genuinely, for the supporters, for everyone connected with the club to embrace that moment if we were able to do it,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.

“They’ve had a long wait for that moment and I know just from my dealings with people around the city, with people that I see, the love they have for the football club. I’d love to return that love with a trophy.”

The Magpies defeated Nottingham Forest (on penalties after a 1-1 draw), Wimbledon (1-0), Chelsea (2-0), Brentford (3-1) and Arsenal (4-0 on aggregate) to earn their place in the showpiece match at Wembley.

In head-to-head terms, Liverpool and Newcastle have met in 189 matches across all competitions since 1893. The Reds have claimed 94 wins compared to 50 for the Magpies, while 45 games have been drawn.

The teams met as recently as late February in a Premier League clash at Anfield, with Liverpool securing a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

You are entitled to the best football… After all, you’re a DStv subscriber! Get and stay connected to DStv and ensure you don’t miss a single game!

To upgrade or manage your subscription download the MyDStv app on your mobile app store or visit www.dstv.com.

You can also catch all the action while on the move. Stream all matches on the DStv Stream app by downloading it from the app store today!

Broadcast details

Times CAT

Sunday 16 March

18:30: Liverpool v Newcastle United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

The Netherlands centre-back is one of three high-profile players – along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold – who are out of contract in June.

Talks between Liverpool and Van Dijk have been ongoing for some time and the 33-year-old defender has previously indicated he is keen to extend his stay.

However, in the wake of Liverpool’s Champions League defeat by Paris St-Germain on penalties he acknowledged there remains some uncertainty over his future.

“I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely,” said Van Dijk.

“At the moment I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.

“Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes but that is about it.”

Salah, who was in tears after Liverpool’s defeat by PSG, said in January this was his final season at Anfield as he and the club were “far away from any progress” over a new deal.

Alexander-Arnold has been the least vocal on the subject of his future, amid interest from Real Madrid, and said last year his contract negotiations with Liverpool would not be “played out in public”.

The 26-year-old is set to miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle after limping off against the Ligue 1 side on Tuesday.

Liverpool are 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League, have a Wembley final to look forward to and had been challenging in Europe until their last-16 shootout defeat by PSG.

Van Dijk was asked whether discussions over his own future had been paused in order to focus on matters on the pitch.

“It is not on hold. Nothing on hold,” explained the centre-back.

“Listen, there are 10 games to go [in the Premier League] and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself.”

After losing last week’s first leg 1-0 in Paris, the visitors levelled the tie at Anfield on aggregate thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s 12th-minute strike.

Liverpool had plenty of chances to score themselves, but the game went to extra time and was decided on spot-kicks, where PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, before Desire Doue fired home to seal a 4-1 success.

“It was the best game of football I have ever been involved in,” Slot said on Amazon Prime.

“It was an incredible performance, especially if you compare it with last week. Maybe we ran out of luck because the margins were so small.

“We played the perfect game, except for scoring a goal. It was similar to Paris last week, when they played the perfect game and didn’t score. And then in extra time, they were maybe a little bit better.”

Defeat leaves Liverpool with a domestic double to play for.

With a 15-point lead at the top, the Reds are all but certain of winning the Premier League, while they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

“We were pretty good and you want to go as far as possible, but we knew when we drew Paris that it was going to be very difficult,” admitted Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

“In Paris, we struggled but we won. Today we saw a very good Liverpool side, but we’re out of the competition.”

Scotland left-back Andy Robertson said the focus will turn to Newcastle now as he added: “It wasn’t meant to be and we need to dust ourselves down. We always bounce back, there’s a lot of tired legs in there. Cup finals, we enjoy them, and that’s the biggest game.”

PSG boss Luis Enrique felt Liverpool were unlucky as he said: “Both of the teams deserve to go to the next phase.

“They played better than us here, but I think my team at Anfield, in a special stadium showed great personality and character.

“I think it shows clearly the team we are.”

Alexander-Arnold doubtful for final

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is a doubt for Sunday’s final against Newcastle at Wembley.

The England defender was substituted in the second half against PSG after appearing to jar a knee in a challenge with Vitinha.

“He had to come off – that’s never a good sign,” said Slot.

“From what I heard from people that saw the images of how he got injured, it didn’t look very good.

“I would be surprised if he is [available] for Sunday.”

Alexander-Arnold missed last year’s EFL Cup final win over Chelsea.

England manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first squad on Friday for World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania this month.

Alexander-Arnold, who has 33 caps, was expected to be included.