The 33-year-old Egyptian winger, who has announced he will leave the reigning Premier League champions at the end of the season, applauded the crowd as he walked off injured in the 60th minute.

Liverpool did not announce any update on Salah’s condition. However, Hassan said the Egyptian talisman has played his last game for the Reds.

“He has suffered a hamstring tear and will require four weeks of treatment,” Hassan told Reuters.

After nine trophy-filled seasons, Salah’s journey with Liverpool reaches its conclusion. His farewell will be marked by words rather than goals, addressing the fans following the season finale against Brentford.

Liverpool have two home fixtures remaining – against Chelsea on May 9 and Brentford on May 24 – and visit Manchester United on May 3, a side Salah has regularly tormented, and play Villa away on May 17.

Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time, Salah has recorded 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season.

Hassan said Salah will be fit for the 2026 World Cup, where Egypt will face Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.

Salah is determined to recover in time for the tournament in North America, which starts on June 11 and avoid a repeat of the injury setback he suffered before the 2018 edition.

He injured his shoulder in a 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League final, and despite scoring twice in two matches, Egypt were eliminated at the group stage in Russia.

Sweden forward Isak has endured a bitterly frustrating spell since completing a British record £125m move from Newcastle.

But he set Liverpool on their way to a third straight top-flight win when his shot into the ground from 12 yards looped over the head of Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and into the net.

Liverpool’s third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman made his first Premier League appearance for the Reds as Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili were both injured.

Woodman made a diving save to keep out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header moments before Liverpool made it 2-0 through Andy Robertson.

The Scotland full-back finished off a fine counter-attack with a precise finish following a lightning attack involving Curtis Jones.

Palace set up a grandstand finish when Daniel Munoz scored from outside the box with Woodman down injured, before Eagles substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen hit the post in the 84th minute.

But the Reds sealed victory through Florian Wirtz’s finish deep into stoppage time, a right-foot finish from inside the box.​​​​​​​

Despite the victory, it was not all good news for Liverpool, as Mohamed Salah was forced off with an injury in the second half.

Salah, who has acquired legendary status at Anfield for his goals, has announced he is leaving the club after nine years’ service at the end of the season.

Liverpool fans will hope that is not the last they will see of Salah.

Palace had started well and Brennan Johnson should have put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute but instead fired over.

Woodman’s save from Mateta – followed by Robertson’s finish at the other end – proved a decisive moment and led to Liverpool fans serenading the former Palace youth goalkeeper with chants of “England’s, England’s number one”.

This win means Liverpool are eight points clear of sixth-placed Brighton in the race for the Champions League, with four games to play. The top five will play in Europe’s most prestigious competition next season.

The France centre-back’s current deal expires this summer, five years after he joined from RB Leipzig for £35m.

Speaking after Liverpool’s Merseyside derby win on Sunday, the 26-year-old insisted his future has never been in doubt, implying that he told sporting director Richard Hughes from the outset of negotiations he did not want to leave.

“There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,” said Konate.

“I think everyone wished for that for as soon as possible but we are in a good way.”

He added: “For sure, there is a big chance that I’m here next season. This is what I’ve always wanted.

“I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard what I said to him in September, November before everyone talked about everything and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.

“When he’s going to reply, you will see. I just wish that.”

Asked why the situation has dragged on until April, Konate referenced the contract situation of team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah last season, saying it was “exactly the same” and “this is maybe how the club want it”.

Konate has made 113 Premier League appearances since joining the Reds, helping them win the league title last season, and FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022.

Liverpool will end this campaign without silverware but look set to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They are currently fifth – seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea.

“It’s been a bad season for the standards of Liverpool. If we finish in the top four, we won’t be happy, for sure,” said Konate.

“For sure with this kind of a season, we have to give our all next season to make something good.

“It’s such an amazing club and amazing family… This club means so much to me.”

Konate has had a challenging campaign personally. His father died in France in January, but the centre-back offered to return early from a period of compassionate leave given Liverpool’s defensive injuries.

“It was a tough year because many things happened and I think if everyone knew exactly what happened to me, they could understand many things, which kind of sacrifices I’ve done for this club,” he said.

“I think it is great and one day I would take the time to think about it. Right now, we focus on the end of the season and make sure we are qualified for the Champions League.

“After, we take the time to talk about the season because it’s going to be a big part of my story and it’s sad in one part, but it’s very nice for my story when I explain that to my future kids and those people who support this club as well.”

Beto had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s strike for Everton before Van Dijk got on the end of Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner in added time.

Just two minutes after Everton had Iliman Ndiaye’s goal disallowed for offside, Salah got on the end of Cody Gakpo’s ball to give Arne Slot’s side the lead against the run of play in the first-half.

David Moyes’ side equalised when Beto got on the end of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s ball, before Van Dijk got the winner in the 248th instalment of this historic rivalry.

Liverpool are seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and in a strong position to secure Champions League football next season.

Everton started strongly and came close, with Giorgi Mamardashvili making important saves to deny Beto and James Garner.

They thought they had taken the lead when Ndiaye’s strike hit the back of the net in the 27th minute and the home fans went wild, but the video assistant referee (VAR) deemed that Jake O’Brien was offside in the build-up and the goal was disallowed.

Two minutes later the majority of the stadium was silenced after Dwight McNeil lost the ball in his own half and Gakpo combined with Salah, who scored his ninth goal in a Merseyside derby. No player in the Premier League era has more.

Everton were gifted a way back into the game as Liverpool were punished for some sloppy defending when Beto got on the end of Dewsbury-Hall’s ball across goal.

To make matters worse for Liverpool, Mamardashvili was injured when Everton equalised and, with Alisson Becker sidelined, on came Freddie Woodman for his first appearance in a Premier League game since 2021, when he played for Newcastle.

The 29-year-old was tested by Ndiaye as both managers made changes in their search for a winner, with Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha blazing over in added time.

In the 10th minute of 11 added on, Van Dijk scored to break Everton hearts.

Liverpool have now scored six 90th-minute winners against Everton in the Premier League – the most for one side against any team in the competition’s history.

Police said the incident happened at about 08:20 local time (07:20 BST) at a level crossing near Salzburg.

Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning the Premier League and FA Cup.

He won 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad that featured at Euro 2008 in his home country.

“Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch,” said Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schottel.

“His professionalism, composure and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.

“His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable.”

Salzburg police said first responders used a defibrillator on Manninger, who was alone in the car, after he was freed from the vehicle, which was dragged along by the train, but could not resuscitate him.

Police also said that the train driver was unharmed.

Manninger began his career with hometown club Red Bull Salzburg and spent time with 14 teams across Europe, including Sienna, Juventus, Udinese and Augsburg.

He signed a short-term deal with Liverpool as a 39-year-old in 2016 but did not play.

During his time at Arsenal, Manninger largely played second fiddle to David Seaman, but deputised for the injured England keeper late in the 1997-98 season.

That season, Manninger helped Arsenal beat West Ham on penalties in the FA Cup sixth round and impressed in a memorable win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Manninger was named Premier League player of the month for March 1998.

‘A man of rare values’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Alex Manninger played for clubs in Austria, Italy, England, Spain and Germany

Arsenal awarded Manninger a league winner’s medal following the 1997-98 season despite him not having played the required number of games ordinarily required.

“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger,” Arsenal posted on X.

“All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.”

Red Bull Salzburg said they “mourn” their former goalkeeper, while Liverpool said they were “deeply saddened” by the news.

Manninger made 42 appearances for Juventus, filling in for injured first-choice stopper Gianluigi Buffon.

“Today is a terribly sad day,” Juventus posted on X.

“He has left us not only as a great athlete, but as a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an extraordinary professional seriousness.

“Juventus expresses its condolences for the passing of Alex Manninger and stands with the family in this moment of grief.”

The France international was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain after appearing to sustain an injury.

Ekitike underwent tests on Wednesday to confirm the exact extent of the damage. France head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Ekitike would miss the World Cup in a statement published by his country’s federation on Wednesday evening and Liverpool have now confirmed the rupture in their own statement, issued on Thursday morning.

That update simply said Ekitike would be “sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer’s World Cup with France” but, given the significant nature of the injury, the 23-year-old’s recovery time is expected to be lengthy, potentially well into next season.

On Thursday morning, Ekitike posted on Instagram: “It’s hard, maybe even unfair… but I’m grateful this is happening to me here, among you. I’m not alone. Your strength and your love will be my driving force. See you again soon, Anfield.”

Ekitike, formerly of PSG, joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and has scored 17 goals across 45 appearances in all competitions for Slot’s side.

He has eight caps for the France national team, and, if fit, would have been expected to be part of Deschamps’ squad at this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Hugo is one of about 10 young players who have made their debuts for the national team in recent months,” Deschamps said in his statement on Wednesday. “He had integrated perfectly into the group, both on and off the pitch. This injury is a huge blow for him, obviously, but also for the French national team.”

‘A massive blow for Liverpool’

If the worst fears are realised then Hugo Ekitike’s long spell on the sidelines will be a massive blow for Liverpool.

The French striker’s impact in his debut season at Anfield has been one of the few positives during a torrid campaign.

He’s been their most potent attacker and the only member of Arne Slot’s squad to reach double figures in terms of Premier League goals.

Ekitike’s eye-catching club form had seen him fight his way into France’s World Cup plans and having that dream dashed will be devastating for him.

Tuesday night was the first time Slot has been able to start Ekitike and record signing Alexander Isak together since December. Hopes of them developing a partnership between now and the end of the season now lie in tatters.

In the short term, Liverpool must find a way to secure Champions League qualification without their 17-goal top scorer in the six remaining Premier League matches. Now they need Isak, who only recently regained fitness after four months out with a broken fibula, to finally start repaying his £125million transfer fee.

The Swedish striker struggled against PSG, having just five touches in the first half before being taken off at the break. Isak has only scored three goals in 19 appearances since arriving from Newcastle United.

In the longer term, if Ekitike’s absence is going to stretch into the first half of next season then it’s bound to have an impact on the club’s summer transfer plans.

With Mohamed Salah leaving and Federico Chiesa expected to follow, Liverpool already required reinforcements in attack. Now their need is even greater.

The France forward left the pitch at Anfield on a stretcher, and Liverpool fear he faces a long absence, and that he may miss the start of next season.

On Wednesday, the 23-year-old went for scans, which are expected to confirm the extent of the damage.

Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last July and has been one of their standout performers this season, with 17 goals and six assists in all competitions.

Speaking post-match about Ekitike, head coach Arne Slot said: “I think we could all see that it didn’t look well and didn’t look good. Let’s wait and see what it will be. But we could all see it didn’t look good.

“In the second half, he went home so I haven’t seen him yet. Losing a game is already very hard, especially in the way we lost it, but again – as it seems to be – losing a player is something we’ve had so many times this season.

“It’s especially very hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially not at this moment of time in the season.”

In January, Ekitike became just the second player after Kenny Dalglish to score in five different competitions during their debut campaign with Liverpool.

He made his France debut in September and was set to be part of Didier Deschamps’ squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Liverpool have suffered a number of setbacks this season, with both Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley out for the rest of the season with injuries.

Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo also remain sidelined, while Alexander Isak returned earlier this month from an ankle injury that he sustained in December.

Ekitike went down off the ball 30 minutes into the quarter-final second leg, which the Reds lost 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate.

He was seen holding his ankle and was visibly in discomfort before being taken off the pitch.

“Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad,” Slot said after the game.

“Let’s see. It doesn’t look good, that is clear. I didn’t see him at half-time and after the game he was already home. I have not spoken to him yet.”

Ekitike is playing his first season at Liverpool after signing last summer from Eintracht Frankfurt and has scored 17 goals in 45 games in all competitions.

A lengthy period of time out for the Frenchman will be a real blow to his hopes of being part of the France squad at this summer’s World Cup in North America.

Ekitike’s club and international team-mate Ibrahima Konate said this moment will be “very hard” for him.

“I think it is bad,” he told Amazon Prime.

“I don’t know, I have heard many things, I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers.”

Ekitike started alongside Alexander Isak in attack, with the latter making his return to the starting XI for the first time since early December after recovering from a broken leg.

Florian Wirtz also started, with Slot lamenting how often his three big signings from last summer have been able to play together this season.

He said: “For 88 minutes until tonight we have played with Florian, Alex and Hugo, we added about 27 to that, and I would be surprised if we add more minutes to that this season.

“The good thing is Alex is back.”

PSG came into the second leg with a two-goal advantage but were made to work at a raucous Anfield until Dembele scored in the 72nd minute with a wonderful left-footed finish. In added time, the Ballon d’Or winner added a second.

Buoyed by the crowd, Liverpool huffed and puffed in their quest to pull off another memorable European comeback, but Arne Slot’s side failed to score against the holders of the Champions League and, for the second season in a row, they have been knocked out by PSG.

After their feeble display in Paris last week, where they lost 2-0, Liverpool were much better against the French side at Anfield and asked questions, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.

Slot opted to give Alexander Isak his first start since December and left Mohamed Salah on the bench again, but Salah was introduced on the half-hour mark after Hugo Ekitike was forced off with what looked like a worrying injury.

It was the visitors who threatened more in the first half, with Giorgi Mamardashvili making saves to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembele.

Dembele wasted a glorious opportunity when he blazed over with only the keeper to beat. At the other end, Marquinhos made a stunning challenge to deny Liverpool a goal.

Slot made a double substitution at the break, taking off Isak for Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong for Joe Gomez, and Liverpool started the second half on the front foot but failed to make it count.

In the 65th minute, they were awarded a penalty when Alexis Mac Allister fell down after a challenge by Willian Pacho, but after the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened, the referee Maurizio Mariani overturned the decision.

Seven minutes later, Kvaratskhelia found Dembele, who beat Mamardashvili with pace and power from 20 yards out to put the tie to bed.

And as Anfield emptied out, Dembele tapped in from close range after he was teed up by Bradley Barcola.

Defeat for Liverpool means they will end the season without silverware and it remains to be seen whether they will qualify for Champions League football next season.

PSG go into the tie at Anfield with a two-goal lead after winning convincingly in Paris last week but Slot was adamant the Reds can pull off what would be a comeback for the ages.

When attempting to overcome a deficit of two or more goals from an away European first leg, Liverpool have only progressed on two of 13 occasions (against Auxerre in 1991 and Barcelona in 2019).

“In the last 50 home games we have played, 36 times we were able to score two goals or more. Yes, we don’t play PSG in all of those home games but the opponents we have had across the Premier League and Champions League are very strong,” said Slot.

“Yes, there is a belief we can do special things but we also need to be very, very, very special because we are playing against the champions of Europe, so that makes the task more complicated but not impossible,” he added.

And Slot called on the Anfield crowd to help inspire his side in the same way they played their part when Liverpool came from behind to emphatically knock Galatasaray out in the previous round.

“They [the fans] will be just as important as our performance,” he said.

“I think we have to be much much better than last week, and their players are experienced and have experienced Anfield a year ago [when they went through on penalties].

“They know what is coming up so I can only hope that our fans find an extra gear compared to last year when the atmosphere was unbelievable.

“But I think our fans are up for it and I think I can trust them [to be] even louder than last season.”

Asked where the belief would come from, given the feeble nature of Liverpool’s display in France last week where they failed to manage a shot on target and Slot admitted they were “lucky” to only lose 2-0, the Dutchman emphasised that his side have shown how much better they can play.

“You want one example, two, 10 or 200? After the first half at the Etihad [in the 4-0 FA Cup defeat against Manchester City] did you expect City to be three goals up after 20 minutes of the second half?” said Slot.

“Against Galatasaray, we could have scored eight or nine at home, so the amount of times that we have shown we can be much better than we were at PSG, that’s clear.

“A goal can change momentum, which happened in a negative way at the Etihad and in a positive way on Saturday [against Fulham] at Anfield.”

‘We want it so bad’

Slot’s belief was echoed by Dominik Szoboszlai, who stressed that he and his team-mates are going to give everything to try to keep Liverpool’s Champions League hopes alive.

“I believe completely because I know what we are able to do, what kind of players we have and what kind of mentality we have,” the Hungarian said.

“We’ve shown it many times, but maybe not every time, and that’s what we need again from the start.

“My message to them [the fans] is that we are going to go all in. We’ll give our best from minute one to minute 90 or maybe for 120, 125 minutes if needed.

“I can speak for all the players – we want it so bad and in one game anything can happen at Anfield.”

PSG’s Ligue One game against Lens at the weekend was postponed to help them prepare for the second leg, and Ibrahima Konate has said the extra rest will benefit the French team.

Szoboszlai agreed, saying: “Of course it is a difference when they can rest between the two games. It gives them two days extra for recovery, analysing the game, getting ready for the game.

“We have to deal with it and we are professional enough to deal with it. That is our job to do.”

Liverpool beat Fulham at the weekend, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha scoring his first Anfield goal, and Slot admitted that the teenager could play a role on Tuesday.

“Yeah I think he can [cope] – first of all because of personality, he doesn’t get distracted,” said Slot.

“Everyone who knows his history, there is expectation around him for years and he has always been able to focus on football and been ready at 16 years of age to score his first goal and at 17 to have multiple starts for Liverpool.

“Secondly, his quality. He has shown he is able to take one-on-ones on and make it difficult for the defenders he is facing.

“He has done a very good job managing what comes to him now but it also helps to have so many good players around him.”

Robertson confirmed last week he is leaving Anfield after nine years at the club when his contract expires this summer.

Spurs have a long-term interest in the 32-year-old left-back and tried to sign him during the January transfer window but Liverpool were not prepared to let him leave.

Tottenham remain committed to signing the Scotland captain and while sources insist a full agreement is yet to be reached, discussions are understood to be at an advanced stage.

Any deal, however, is contingent on Spurs staying in the Premier League.

They are 18th in the table and in the relegation zone, two points adrift of 17th-placed West Ham.

Tottenham want to add experience and leadership to their squad this summer and view Robertson as a key target before manager Roberto de Zerbi’s first full season in charge.

Meanwhile, club captain Cristian Romero is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained in Sunday’s loss to Sunderland.

Romero looked visibly upset as he limped off after a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, and has been ruled out of Tottenham’s final six games.

The injury could also have an impact on the 27-year-old’s involvement in Argentina’s World Cup squad.

Head coach Arne Slot and his players came under increased scrutiny after they were thrashed by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final before producing a cowering performance when losing at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Slot rang the changes, making five ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG at Anfield on Tuesday – and was rewarded with an improved display.

Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah, who was dropped in Paris, were in the starting line-up, and both were on target with similar precise curling finishes inside four minutes in the first half.

Liverpool’s win moves them up to fifth, a position which now qualifies for a place in next season’s Champions League.

The victory came amid protests from Liverpool fans before and during the game, expressing their anger against owners FSG over proposed increases in ticket prices.

Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp when becoming head coach in June 2024, won the Premier League in his first season on Merseyside but now finds himself fighting to secure European football with just seven points separating Liverpool, in fifth, from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

His side have only picked up one point from their past three league matches, most recently losing to Brighton 2-1. Liverpool were also eliminated from the FA Cup with a 4-0 quarter-final mauling at the hands of Manchester City on Saturday before being handed a 16th defeat of the season in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg against Paris St-Germain.

Following the 2-0 defeat in Paris, during which Liverpool had just 26% possession and registered only three shots compared to PSG’s 18, former defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Sport it “feels like confidence is at an all-time low” while French football journalist Julien Laurens is “struggling” to see Slot continuing as Liverpool boss next season.

However, Slot, who is under contract until the end of the 2026-27 campaign, has no immediate concerns about his future and praised the fans for continuing to cheer for his side even in defeat.

“I’m repeating myself a lot, but I feel a lot of support. Not only from the owners but from Richard [Hughes] and Michael [Edwards]. A lot of support from them but as weird as it might sound, I also feel the support from the fans,” said Slot.

“In Paris when the players went out for the warm-up and after the 4-0 loss [against Manchester City] the fans immediately started singing ‘we love Liverpool’.

“I think it’s fair to say we were outplayed for 90 minutes and they were still singing and clapping for us.

“I’ve said it many times, the club knows the period of time we’re in and in the meantime, I feel complete support.”

He added that Wednesday’s defeat to PSG would serve as motivation during this “defining” period of the season, which starts with Fulham’s visit to Anfield on Saturday.

“We faced the champions of Europe and we experienced that we were not on the level we should have been.

“The good thing is we have four or five days to show we can be much more competitive. It also tells us we want to keep improving and playing at that level next season.

“I think if you experience that two days ago, you want to be involved next season to show we can do even better. Therefore, we have to perform in the league as well.”

Robertson ‘won everything and really loves this club’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City in 2017

Slot paid tribute to departing defender Andy Robertson, who announced on Thursday he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

He hailed the Scot’s “intensity” and long service to the club while acknowledging the 32-year-old’s lack of game time was a contributing factor in his departure.

Robertson has made 373 appearances for Liverpool and won a total of nine trophies while playing at Anfield, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

However, he has been restricted to just 19 league appearances this season, including six starts, after falling behind Milos Kerkez in the pecking order.

“He’s had many great seasons here not only as a player but as a great person as well. Every team-mate of his will tell you how funny he is, how great he is,” Slot said.

“What I remember most about him is the intensity he plays with. I can remember Robbo making a press from the left-back position to the right wing a few years ago and I showed it to my players I was working with back then.

“He’s won everything at this club, served his club and really loves this club. [It’s] been a great nine years for him. This season, he didn’t play as much as he was used to and as a result of that, he’s leaving.”

Desire Doue’s deflected strike looped over the head of Giorgi Mamardashvili to give the Ligue 1 leaders the lead, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled their advantage with a moment of brilliance.

It means the Reds, who failed to register an attempt on target, have it all to do to stay in the competition in the quarter-final second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

After suffering a four-goal mauling by Manchester City in their previous game, Liverpool appeared to be on a damage limitation exercise and started with a five-man defence in the French capital.

But PSG took the lead in the 11th minute – and dominated throughout – amid another muddled performance by Arne Slot’s side that raised more questions than answers.

Mamardashvili, standing in for injured first-choice Alisson, was beaten by 20-year-old Doue’s finish from inside just the box which took a wicked deflection off Virgil van Dijk and flew over the keeper into the net.

Mamardashvili recovered to make some key saves and keep Liverpool in the tie, including a fine one-handed stop to deny Georgia team-mate Kvaratskhelia before repelling Doue after the Reds were carved open.

But Liverpool did fall further behind when Kvaratskhelia added PSG’s second with a lovely piece of skill after rounding the keeper from Joao Neves’ defence-splitting pass.

It could have been worse for Liverpool when Warren Zaire-Emery went down after a challenge by Ibrahima Konate – but the penalty decision was overturned after the official watched the incident again on the pitchside monitor.

Konate was then fortunate not to be penalised for shoving Nuno Mendes in the area in stoppage time.

Ousmane Dembele also missed three glorious chances, the first when he shot straight at Mamardashvili, the second when he blazed over the bar and then when he hit the woodwork after a mistake by Jeremie Frimpong late on.

Liverpool sent on Alexander Isak for his first taste of action since December after injury but face an almighty challenge to overturn PSG’s advantage in six days’ time.

The Reds’ hopes of winning silverware this season now rest on Champions League glory following Saturday’s humbling 4-0 quarter-final defeat at Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City demolished Liverpool in an 18-minute period which spanned the half-time break, scoring twice either side of the interval following an evenly matched opening half an hour.

“I can only apologise to the fans for what we have shown, especially the second half,” said Netherlands centre-back Van Dijk, 34.

“Obviously you come out with the right intentions from the dressing room [after half-time], to hopefully score for 2-1 as soon as possible to change the game.

“The opposite happens and to come back from 3-0 is obviously very difficult here – but also you shouldn’t give up and that’s maybe, at a certain point, what happened.

“We let our fans down, we let ourselves down, and the manager.

“The way we played in the second half, especially, must hurt for everyone. It definitely hurts me.”

‘Everyone has to look at themselves’

It was Van Dijk’s foul on Nico O’Reilly which gave Erling Haaland the opportunity to kickstart City’s demolition job from the penalty spot after 39 minutes.

The Norway striker went on to complete a hat-trick in the second half with 57 minutes played, after Antoine Semenyo had added his side’s third.

The result and performance increases the pressure on manager Arne Slot, who led the club to the Premier League title in his first season in charge last year, before the first leg of their crucial Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris St-Germain.

On his manager, Van Dijk said: “It’s a together thing, isn’t it? Obviously he’s responsible as the manager but we are the ones on the pitch that have to do it.

“The matter of fact is now, PSG are waiting for us. I watched them Friday a little bit. It will be so tough again. So we have to be ready mentally as soon as possible.”

Liverpool travel to Paris for the first PSG game on Wednesday (20:00 BST), before hosting the French champions the following Tuesday.

Fifth in the Premier League, they host Fulham between those European matches in another key fixture in their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“If we want to make something out of this season, then we have to try and produce something special the next three games,” Van Dijk said.

“I’m trying to think how we can turn this round. We’ve been going through this almost 75% of the season.

“We fall back into games where we get beaten on intensity or how much you really want to go for it. It’s a difficult one to take and everyone has to look at themselves.”

Mohamed Salah’s failure from the penalty spot added to the woes of Liverpool, whose meltdown at Etihad Stadium will put more heat on under-pressure manager Arne Slot.

Haaland converted a penalty in the 39th minute, headed home a cross from Antoine Semenyo in first-half stoppage time, and then swept in a finish off the crossbar in the 57th to score his first hat trick of the season for City and 12th since he joined the club in 2022.

Semenyo scored the other goal in the 50th for City, which was playing its first match since winning the English League Cup two weeks ago by beating Arsenal in the final at Wembley Stadium. City will be heading back there later this month for the FA Cup semis.

Salah, who announced during the recent international break that he’d be leaving Liverpool after nine trophy-filled seasons, was beginning his long goodbye to the Reds but couldn’t mark it with a goal. The best of the many chances he spurned came from a penalty, which City goalkeeper James Trafford palmed away in the 64th.

It was a record 18th straight home win for City in the FA Cup, dating to 2017. Pep Guardiola’s team shared a record with Clapham Rovers for reaching seven consecutive FA Cup finals, but now holds it outright.

Club record £125m signing Isak has been ruled out since December, having fractured his leg and had ankle surgery.

The 26-year-old Sweden striker managed 16 appearances and scored three goals for the Reds before his injury against Tottenham.

“I think Alex is in a really good place because Sweden qualified for the World Cup and, apart from that, he’s going to train with the group again for the first time tomorrow,” Slot told the club’s website.

“If you’ve worked so hard for three, four months or something like that and then to return to team training, that’s for everyone very nice. So Alex is, in that sense, in a good place.”

Liverpool are preparing to face Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Etihad Stadium on Saturday (12:45 BST).

The Reds signed Isak from Newcastle United for a British record transfer fee in September.

He had surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture, sustained following a challenge by Micky van de Ven as he scored against Spurs in a 2-1 win on 20 December.

The Egypt forward announced this week that he will end his nine-year spell at Anfield at the end of the season.

Klopp, who signed Salah from Roma in 2017 for £34m, managed the winger for his first seven seasons at the club.

The 34-year-old has scored 255 goals for Liverpool, putting him third on the club’s all-time scorer list.

“In the moment when you work with him, it is the same as every other player: ‘You can’t lose the ball here, you have to defend here’, all these kind of things,” Klopp told The Anfield Wrap.

“But with the bigger view, it is just ridiculous. Unmatched numbers – will we be talking in 10 years and someone else has them? [Hugo] Ekitike or whoever. I think it will be really difficult [to surpass Salah].

“I think he is one of the all-time greats.”

‘The best front three in world football’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Sadio Mane (middle) and Roberto Firmino (right) were already at Liverpool when Salah joined in 2017

Under Klopp, Salah won the Champions League, Premier League, three domestic cups, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.

The majority of those trophies came with Salah on the right flank of a front three consisting of Brazilian Roberto Firmino and Senegal’s Sadio Mane.

Together, the trio scored 338 goals in five seasons.

Salah led the way with 156 of those goals – 49 more than Mane and 81 clear of Firmino.

“He [Salah] was part of the best front three in world football for a long time – the one with the most numbers. That says something,” the German added.

“It is not easy to be slightly above the other two guys. They all had their specific skills, but Mo was the one for the final moment. He wanted it more than anybody.

“Sadio was a mix of both – he wanted to score goals but could even play in midfield – Bobby was the genius who didn’t care about anything.

“Mo was the one with a goal always in his mind. You cannot train that or learn it. It is inside him, and he has that. He will have it until the last day of his life.”

Klopp made a shock announcement in January 2024 that he would step down at the end of the 2023-24 season after “running out of energy”.

He received an emotional farewell later that year from the Anfield crowd against Wolves in his final game in charge.

“We [Salah and I] texted last night. I really hope he enjoys the rest of the season. I know Mo will only enjoy it if he is winning football games and scoring,” Klopp said.

“I hope on this last matchday you [Liverpool supporters] all will have a smile on your face and just be happy and thankful that you were part of one of the most incredible careers we will ever be part of.”

The decision has been taken so the defending champions can “prepare in the best conditions” for the tie.

Ligue One leaders PSG were scheduled to visit second-placed Lens on Saturday, 11 April – three days after hosting Liverpool and three days before the second leg at Anfield.

Following PSG’s request to postpone the match, France’s Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) has agreed to move it to 13 May.

RC Strasbourg’s Ligue 1 match at Stade Brestois on 12 April has also been moved to 13 May because of the French club’s Conference League quarter-final tie with Mainz.

The first leg is due to take place at Mainz on 9 April with the second leg at Strasbourg on 16 April.

“At the request of Paris St-Germain and RC Strasbourg in order to prepare in the best conditions for their respective quarter-finals, the board of directors of the LFP has unanimously decided, apart from the clubs concerned, to postpone the matches,” the LFP said.

The LFP added that the decision was in line with its “strategic direction” to “enable France to retain its fifth place in the Uefa coefficient”.

The performances of clubs in European competitions largely determines how many qualification places a league receives for Europe in future seasons, with France currently holding four Champions League spots.

When PSG made the request to postpone the match Lens, who are one point behind the French champions in Ligue One, said they were strongly against the idea and that the French league is in danger of being reduced to “an adjustment variable at the whim of the European imperatives of some”.

On Thursday, once the decision was anounced, Lens said: “While expressing its disagreement with the unanimous decision of the LFP board of directors to postpone the match against Paris St-Germain, RC Lens acknowledges it responsibly and reaffirms its determination to pursue its sporting objectives.”

The LFP has also asked Lens to move their home game against Nantes on 9 May forward by one day if PSG qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Salah’s announcement that he will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season has sparked widespread speculation about his next move, with several leagues now vying for his signature.

Speaking at the SBJ Business of Soccer event in Atlanta, Garber did not rule out the possibility of the Egyptian star joining MLS.

“I couldn’t say that until he announced he was leaving Liverpool,” he said. “But what a great player he would be in MLS. And I think we would provide him with a great platform.”

Garber’s remarks reflect MLS’s long-standing strategy of attracting high-profile global players who can elevate both the league’s sporting and commercial profile.

Few players fit that description better than Salah. Widely regarded as one of the game’s most influential figures, the Egyptian forward boasts an impressive résumé at Liverpool and commands enormous global appeal.

Although no official move has been made, the commissioner’s comments underscore MLS’s intent to position itself as a leading contender for one of the most sought-after free agents on the market, as the league continues to market itself as an attractive destination for elite players entering the next phase of their careers.

Salah’s statistics deliver the evidence – but so much more lies beneath the numbers for the iconic Anfield figure labelled the ‘Egyptian King’ by his adoring followers on the Kop.

He arrived at Liverpool from AS Roma on 23 June 2017 for £34m, a fee now resembling an act of grand larceny when set against what he subsequently achieved.

Salah, like another eventual Premier League great in Kevin de Bruyne, had been at Chelsea but failed to make an impact, scoring two goals in 19 appearances, with only 10 starts.

He turned down Liverpool to join Chelsea when leaving Swiss side Basel in January 2014 – his only Anfield memory before he eventually arrived on Merseyside being a start for Jose Mourinho’s side in a 2-0 win there in the following April. It was an encounter famous for Steven Gerrard’s slip and a result that pushed the title towards Manchester City.

Since then, however, Salah has provided memories to last a lifetime for Liverpool and their global fanbase as he has helped add the Champions League, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, EFL Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup to Anfield’s honours board.

Salah’s career started as something of a slow burner at Basel, with coach Murat Yakin hinting at what he could become after he scored in their 2013 Europa League quarter-final win against Tottenham.

Yakin said: “If Mohamed could score as well, he would not be here any more.”

He did. And he was not.

Salah progressed at such a rapid rate after leaving Chelsea, first on loan at Fiorentina then a superb spell at AS Roma, that by the time he arrived at Anfield he was the finished article – but it is unlikely that even Jurgen Klopp realised what a talent he had signed.

The first goal Salah scored was a scruffy, bundled effort from on the goalline in a 3-3 draw at Watford on the opening day of his first season. From then on he never stopped scoring.

As he prepares to take his leave, Salah has scored 255 goals in 435 games for Liverpool. This puts him third on the club’s all-time list of scorers, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.

In the Premier League, he has made 310 appearances for Liverpool, with 189 goals and 92 assists. This total of 281 goal contributions is the biggest for one club in Premier League history, five more than Wayne Rooney for Manchester United.

Salah possessed the selfish, ruthless streak that is common among all the greats, but the assists figure alone demonstrates he was also a team contributor.

He put down his marker in a stellar first season, scoring 44 goals and contributing 14 assists in 52 appearances. The campaign ended in tears, however, after he injured his shoulder when challenged by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final, lasting only 31 minutes of a 3-1 loss in Kiev.

He only had to wait a year for Champions League final redemption, scoring an early penalty when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid.

Salah formed one part of an attacking trident that was as potent as anything in world football at the time, alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

He raided from the right, Mane patrolled the left, while Firmino could play as a striker or drop deep to add subtle brushstrokes to a fluid, devastating combination.

It was the perfect marriage of pressing, power, skill, pace and threat. Salah and Mane were not always compatible as personalities but on the pitch they were perfectly in tune with each other, aided by the graceful Brazilian Firmino.

Salah’s consistency and fitness was remarkable. His lowest goals total in a full season before this current campaign came in 2019-20 when he ‘only’ scored 23 as Liverpool won the title for the first time in 30 years.

In his Liverpool career, Salah’s win rate from 310 Premier League appearances is 63.9%, while from his total of 435 games it is 62.7% – a reflection of glorious years for club and player.

As the era of greats such as Mane and Firmino came to a close, along with other hugely influential figures such as captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Klopp produced a rebuilt team he labelled ‘Liverpool 2.0’.

One thing that did not change, even in this new Liverpool iteration, was that Salah was still the match-winner.

Salah had his fraught moments with Klopp, as he did latterly with his successor Arne Slot, especially an angry touchline exchange when West Ham United scored as he was waiting to go on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw at London Stadium in April 2024 – but they were made for each other as the German’s all-out attacking approach brought the best out of his main marksman.

And after Klopp left, Salah produced a season to rank alongside his greatest as he embarked on what resembled a personal mission to bring the Premier League, and a 20th title to equal Manchester United’s, back to Anfield.

As on so many occasions before, Salah delivered.

Salah was at the peak of his footballing and physical powers, scoring 34 goals in 50 starts in all competitions. He was an unstoppable force as Liverpool won the title with ease, playing a part in ensuring transition from the iconic, fiercely animated Klopp, to the more measured, strategic Slot was seamless in the Dutch head coach’s first season.

There was rejoicing among Liverpool fans when he signed a new two-year contract in April 2025. The future seemed set fair.

It was, then, a surprise how Salah’s form failed him this season, although – like the rest of the club and its supporters – he was left heartbroken by the death of much-loved team-mate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash in July.

Much of Liverpool’s grief remained private, so the full toll this took is unknown, but Salah showed his emotions in the opening Premier League game of the season against Bournemouth at Anfield.

Salah used Jota’s trademark goal celebration after scoring Liverpool’s final goal in a 4-2 win, then was moved to tears in front of the Kop as he applauded fans following the final whistle when they sang the Portuguese’s song.

The subsequent decline in his form resulted in him being dropped to the bench for three successive games in six days, leading to his incendiary interview after he sat and watched a 3-3 draw against Leeds United on 6 December.

Salah, in one of his rare but usually carefully calculated stops in front of waiting journalists, claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and revealed his relationship with Slot had broken down.

Matters were resolved enough for Salah to subsequently make an early appearance as a substitute against Brighton at Anfield the following weekend, feeling the love from fans as he tapped his heart in front of the Kop after a 2-0 win – before departing for the Africa Cup Of Nations with Egypt.

Salah’s public spat with Slot and his denunciation of the club brought the heaviest criticism of his time at Liverpool, but any tarnishing was surely temporary as he was soon rehabilitated – albeit not as the force he once was.

The legacy will always be untarnished and intact.

When the dust settles, no-one could argue against the simple fact that Mohamed Salah has been one of the greatest players ever to pull on a red shirt.

The 33-year-old Egypt international, who joined Liverpool from Roma in June 2017, confirmed the news in a video message on his social media accounts.

“Unfortunately, the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell,” Salah said.

“I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.”

Salah signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool in April 2025 but will leave on a free transfer after the club said they had “reached an agreement” over his future.

By his own high standards, this has been a difficult campaign for Salah on the pitch.

He has scored 10 goals in 34 games in all competitions so far and is on course to finish with his lowest tally for a season during his time at Anfield.

In December, Salah gave an interview to reporters after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, where he said he was “thrown under the bus” by the club and his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down.

There was speculation Salah could leave in the January transfer window, but he subsequently returned to the side following his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

It is not clear for which club or in which country Salah will play next season after leaving Anfield.

Liverpool said the timing of Salah’s announcement was because he wished to tell supporters “at the earliest possible opportunity” and to “provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them”.

Salah said his time on Merseyside has left a significant mark on his life, having lived through the Covid-19 pandemic and – more recently – the death of team-mate Diogo Jota.

He said: “I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. It’s a passion. It’s a history. It’s a spirit.

“I can’t explain it in words to anyone not part of this club. We celebrated victory. We won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life.

“I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates, past and present.”

Salah has played a key role in reviving Liverpool‘s fortunes on the pitch during the past nine years.

He helped the club to two Premier League titles, the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup, Uefa Super Cup, FA Cup and two EFL Cups, as well as the Community Shield.

Salah’s tally of 255 goals in 435 appearances for the Reds has him third in the pantheon of all-time leading scorers for the club, behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285).

He has won the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions and been named the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year three times – in 2018, 2022 and 2025.

Salah also hailed the support he has received from Liverpool fans who “showed me through the best time of my career” and also “stood by me in the toughest times”.

“It’s something I will never forget and something I will take with me always. Leaving is never easy,” he said.

“You gave me the best time of my life, I will be always one of you. The club will always be my home, to me and to my family. Thank you for everything. Because of all of you I will never walk alone.”

Liverpool said that Salah’s time at Anfield had been a “remarkable nine-year chapter” and plans to show their appreciation will come at a later date.

“With plenty still left to play for this season, Salah is firmly focused on trying to achieve the best possible finish to the campaign for Liverpool,” the club added.

“Therefore, the time to fully celebrate his legacy and achievements will follow later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield.”

Defending champions Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League with seven games remaining.

They will face holders Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals and next play Manchester City in the FA Cup last eight on Saturday, 4 April.

Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson said Salah deserves a send off that reflects his status as “the greatest” player in the club’s history.

The Scot posted on Instagram it “has been a joy to watch and be part of” Salah’s career at Anfield.

PSG are scheduled to visit Lens in a top-of-the-table encounter on Saturday 11 April, with the fixture coming in between both legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.

Arne Slot’s side visit the Parc des Princes on Wednesday 8 April, with the return leg set for Anfield on Tuesday 14 April. Liverpool also have a Premier League match scheduled for 11 April against Fulham at Anfield.

In response to PSG’s request, Lens – who are chasing a first league title since 1998 – issued a statement saying they are strongly against the “troubling sentiment” if the fixture was moved to a later date, adding that their domestic league risks being “gradually relegated to the status of an adjustment variable at the whim of the European imperatives of some”.

“Beyond this specific case, the question raised is a more fundamental one: that of the respect due to the competition itself,” the club’s statement continued.

“For one is entitled to wonder when, on its own soil, the league sometimes seems to be relegated to second place behind other ambitions, however legitimate they may be.”

Lens currently trail PSG by one point in Ligue 1, and head coach Pierre Sage said after their 5-1 victory over Angers on Sunday that his side did not agree with a postponement.

In PSG’s previous Champions League tie against Chelsea, Luis Enrique’s side had the weekend off in between the two legs as their game against Nantes was postponed after a similar request. PSG won 8-2 on aggregate.

Ultimately, the final call is with the LFP, and their stance is that they will look to benefit French clubs that are playing in Europe.

The LFP also confirmed that Strasbourg have requested to have their league game away to Brest on that same weekend postponed as it comes in between their Europa Conference League games against Mainz.

PSG have been approached for comment.

The 35-year-old gave Brighton an early lead and, though Arne Slot’s side levelled through Milos Kerkez, scored again in the second half to make it four wins out of five for Brighton, who moved up to eighth before the remainder of the weekend’s games.

No English player has scored more goals than Welbeck in the top flight this season yet he was overlooked by Thomas Tuchel for his 35-man England squad on Friday.

As for Liverpool, this was their 10th defeat of the Premier League season. The last time they lost that many games was in 2015-16, and defeat means Chelsea could leapfrog them into fifth when they take on Everton (17:30 GMT).

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes at Amex Stadium because of a nearby road accident and when play did eventually start, a frenetic first half was littered with mistakes.

Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike was forced off with a worrying injury early on after clashing with James Milner and minutes later, Brighton took the lead.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, again standing in for the injured Alisson in the Liverpool goal, passed the ball out of play and from the resulting throw-in, Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross found Diego Gomez, who headed the ball across goal and Welbeck was on hand to head past the Liverpool keeper.

It was a Brighton error which led to the equaliser as Lewis Dunk tried to head back a long ball from Mamardashvili to Bart Verbruggen but Kerkez did brilliantly to anticipate it and dink the ball over the Brighton keeper and into the net.

It was Brighton who started the better after the break with Mamardashvili making a good save to deny Kadioglu before Mats Wieffer headed wide from a corner.

And they were rewarded for their endeavour when Yankuba Minteh’s delivery across goal found Jack Hinshelwood, who played the ball into the path of Welbeck to finish.

Brighton could have scored more but Mamardashvili made some crucial saves and at the other end, Liverpool came close through Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, but Slot’s side could not find another leveller.

Despite winning emphatically against Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek, Liverpool have only gained one point from their past three Premier League games.

The France international was involved in a challenge with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen during the first half of Liverpool’s 4-0 Champions League win at Anfield on Wednesday.

Osimhen was subbed off at half-time and it was later revealed by the Turkish side that he had fractured his forearm.

It led to Konate receiving racist abuse online which Liverpool said was “completely unacceptable”.

“It is dehumanising, cowardly and rooted in hate,” the club said on Friday.

“Racism has no place in football, no place in society and no place anywhere – online or offline.

“Our players are not targets. They are human beings. The abuse that continues to be directed at players, often hidden behind anonymous accounts, is a stain on the game and on the platforms that allow it to persist.”

The club said they were offering Konate their “full support” and working with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible.

The Premier League said it joined Liverpool “in strongly condemning the disgusting racist abuse”, warning discrimination “has absolutely no place in football or wider society”.

“Anybody who chooses to abuse others is not welcome in our game and they are not a true fan,” it added.

“It is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue and we will work alongside clubs, football bodies, law enforcement and social media companies to ensure this remains a priority for all.

“Any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution.”

Last month, police confirmed they were investigating after four Premier League players experienced online racial abuse in one weekend.

Osimhen appeared to fall awkwardly following a challenge with Konate in the eighth minute, but he played on until he was replaced by Leroy Sane at the break.

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk complained about referee Pawel Raczkowski’s decision-making following the Nigeria striker’s injury.

“Looking at Osimhen’s position, we saw that Konate was able to commit these fouls very easily, he could easily apply any kind of foul,” Buruk said.

“While we were expecting the best referee in the world, perhaps one of the worst referees officiated the game.”

Liverpool won the last-16 tie 4-1 on aggregate and will face holders Paris St-Germain in next month’s quarter-finals.

The club called on social media companies to “take responsibility and act now” to prevent racist abuse being directed towards players online.

“These platforms have the power, the technology and the resources to prevent this abuse, yet too often they fail to do so,” Liverpool said.

“Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice – and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game.

“The current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It must be confronted, challenged and eradicated – not tomorrow, but now.”

The 33-year-old has not travelled with the Reds squad to face Brighton at Amex Stadium (12:30 GMT), with Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to start in goal.

Liverpool have not revealed the exact nature of Alisson’s injury and boss Arne Slot did not mention any concerns over the Brazilian’s fitness in his pre-match press conference.

Hugo Souza has been called up by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti to replace Alisson for their friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States on 26 and 1 April, respectively.

Alisson missed Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 first leg defeat at Galatasaray on 10 March with what was described as a “minor” issue, with Mamardashvili standing in.

But he returned for Sunday’s draw against Tottenham and the 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in the second leg on Wednesday.

He previously missed eight Liverpool matches across October and November because of a hamstring injury.

Mamardashvili has featured 12 times for Liverpool in all competitions this season.

Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League table, looking to secure Champions League qualification for next season, while Brighton are 12th.

For fans across the continent, both of these blockbuster encounters will be broadcast live on Your World of Champions, SuperSport.

To understand Gravenberch’s impact on these massive occasions, you have to understand the freedom and responsibility he now shoulders alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. 

The rigid days of a static defensive midfielder are gone.

“I think nowadays it’s better for us that we can change positions,” Gravenberch explains, reflecting on the fluidity of Liverpool’s midfield. 

“For example, if I go forward, Macca is there, and the other way around. It’s really nice to have them.”

Yet, despite this freedom, Gravenberch knows his primary duty. He is the anchor. “Mostly I’m just the lock on the door, you know?” he smiles. 

“When I go forward, mostly, I hear Virg [Van Dijk] screaming, ‘Rio! Stay, stay!’ So mostly I’m there. If we have a counter-attack and I’m forward already, then the other guys will stay.”

That nickname, “Rio”—a nod to the legendary Rio Ferdinand—is fitting, given the constant communication required at the highest level. 

Having his national team captain guiding him from central defence has been a cornerstone of Gravenberch’s success this season.

“It’s really important, to be honest. Sometimes I’m too focused on the ball because I want to help,” Gravenberch admits. 

“For example, on the left, Robbo [Robertson] has the ball, then I want to come to the side. But sometimes I have to think defensively. I have to stay more in the middle. Then Virg says to me, ‘Yeah, stay in the middle, stay there.’ But in my head, I’m like, ‘No, no, I want the ball!’ So it’s important that he is there to coach us.”

This transformation into a disciplined ‘six’ wasn’t always written in the stars. 

When Arne Slot took the reins at Anfield, he saw something in Gravenberch that the player hadn’t entirely seen in himself.

“Actually, he called me after the Euros finished and talked about the plans he had for me,” Gravenberch recalls. 

“He said, ‘I see you as an eight, but I want to try you as a six this season.’ Also, Johnny Heitinga—he knows me a lot, I had him as a coach in the Under-19s at Ajax. I spoke with the coach in Philadelphia about the position, and he said, ‘Okay, let’s go. We can do it.’ I’m happy that it went this way.”

It is a role that perfectly suits the evolution of the modern game, where playing out from the back is non-negotiable. 

But to trace the roots of Gravenberch’s technical brilliance, you have to look back to the famous academy of Ajax Amsterdam.

Coming from a footballing family, Gravenberch followed in the footsteps of his older brother. 

The day an eight-year-old Ryan received his acceptance letter to the Ajax academy remains etched in his memory. 

“It was so amazing to have that,” he reflects. “When you come there, all the best players from the country want to go to Ajax.”

It was there he learned that the ball is everything. 

“A lot of players that went through the Ajax academy are really good on the ball because they knew, it’s all about… possession games.”

“When I talk to other guys from other teams, they mostly don’t do it. But I was like, ‘How can you not play possession games?’ That’s the main part of football.”

His rise in Amsterdam was meteoric. 

Making his debut at 16 against PSV—and becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer—Gravenberch was thrust into a golden generation managed by Erik ten Hag. 

Playing alongside the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Dusan Tadic, a young Gravenberch felt the fearlessness of youth. 

“I had that feeling… ‘Okay, you are good. But I’m good too,’” he remembers of his early training sessions. “You need that confidence and the hunger as well.”

But raw talent requires refinement. In his early days, Gravenberch admits to playing “a lot of risky passes”—a habit that Ten Hag, and his own family, quickly stamped out. 

“They’d say sometimes, ‘Wow, you know, this is the big league now. You cannot make these kinds of mistakes anymore.’”

Experience, however, is often bought with adversity. 

After conquering the Netherlands, Gravenberch moved to Bayern Munich, a step he felt ready for, but one that provided a stark reality check. Competing against established superstars, minutes were hard to come by.

“It was a difficult time for me because I played almost nothing there, but it was a learning process,” he says with a mature humility. 

“I didn’t ever have a setback in my life and that was the first one. I’m happy that I learned from it.”

That setback built the resilience required to thrive at Anfield. 

Today, Gravenberch is playing with a joyful instinct reminiscent of the legends he studied as a boy. 

Advised by his father to watch clips of Zinedine Zidane, the Dutchman has incorporated a beautiful, sweeping elegance into his turns and escapes. 

“That’s just instinct. It just happened, you know? You see you can do it, and you do it.”

As Liverpool prepares to walk out onto the pitch this week against Brighton, and later beneath the roaring Kop against Galatasaray, they do so with a midfield general who has finally found his perfect rhythm. 

The boy from Amsterdam who learned the harsh lessons of Munich has become the man pulling the strings on Merseyside. 

Ryan Gravenberch is no longer just a talent of tomorrow; he is the undeniable reality of today.

Catch Ryan Gravenberch and Liverpool Live on SuperSport This Week:

Don’t miss a moment of the action as Ryan Gravenberch and the Reds navigate a season-defining week in both Europe and the Premier League. Tune in to Your World of Champions for the live broadcasts:

Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool

Date: Saturday, 21 March

Time: 12:30pm (GMT)

Venue: Amex Stadium

Channel: SS Premier League

Trailing 1-0 after defeat in Istanbul last week, Arne Slot’s side levelled the tie on aggregate when Dominik Szoboszlai converted a well-worked set-piece.

On the brink of half-time, Mohamed Salah had a penalty saved by Ugurcan Cakir but Liverpool scored three goals in the space of 11 second-half minutes to put the tie to bed.

Hugo Ekitike tapped in from close range after a superb ball from Salah before Ryan Gravenberch finished after Salah’s effort was saved by Cakir.

Wilfried Singo then turned the ball into his own net from Jeremie Frimpong’s cross but Frimpong was offside and minutes later, Salah scored an absolute belter.

From outside the box, it was a trademark curling finish from Salah, who found the top corner and in doing so, became the first African to score 50 Champions League goals.

Liverpool could easily have scored more, with Salah striking the bar and – were it not for Cakir – the final result could have been even uglier for Galatasaray, who had no away fans inside Anfield after they were hit with a Uefa sanction following crowd disturbances during their previous away game at Juventus.

The result means two English sides will be in the last eight of the Champions League, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Barcelona all eliminated. Arsenal will take on Sporting in one of the other quarter-finals.

For Arne Slot, it will be a first Champions League quarter-final and a chance to get one back against Luis Enrique’s side – who knocked Liverpool out of this competition last season.

Liverpool were booed off on Sunday after conceding a 90th-minute equaliser to Tottenham in a 1-1 draw.

Despite winning the Premier League less than 12 months ago, the Reds’ style of play and a string of disappointing results have led to discontent among the fanbase.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said it will be “really difficult” for Slot to win back the support of fans.

Liverpool are fifth in the league and face Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), trailing 1-0 after the first-leg of their last-16 tie.

“It’s never nice they are frustrated because usually fans are not frustrated after you win,” the Dutchman said.

“So first of all, you’re frustrated yourself and disappointed about the fact that we haven’t won,” said Slot.

“People have told me when I came here that this club is different than other clubs, they will support the manager for such, such, such a long time.

“But if you are supposing something, then I must have done a lot of things wrong and that’s never a nice feeling to have, because being in the club that’s always so supportive for the manager, in good and bad times, then if they are not happy with me, then apparently I’ve done so many things wrong, and that’s never a nice feeling to have.”

He added: “But I also know how the football industry works. Winning can change a lot. That’s what we are trying to achieve tomorrow night. And we’re completely ready for that, I can tell you that.”

Carragher claimed that Liverpool are a team of individuals but Slot disagreed.

“I agree with a lot of things Jamie has said throughout this whole season. This particular one, I disagree with him,” said Slot, insisting that his players have never given up.

“A team that has given up, a team of individuals or a team that does not work together, does not show resilience after our 120th setback this season. That is a bit of an exaggeration but we have had many.”

And Slot called on his players to embrace the pressure as Liverpool look to reach their first Champions League quarter-final since 2022.

The Dutchman admitted that it would be a special moment for him too as he is yet to manage at that stage of the competition.

“It’s the most important (game). Because it is the next one. That is a bit too simple. It is always the next one that is the most important one, ” said Slot. “After Galatasaray, another big one is coming up against Brighton with two days rest again. We feel the importance of this game. We are able to reach the quarter final of the Champions League. That would be special for me as it would be my first. It would be special for all of us – we can never take a Champions League quarter-final for granted.”

Robertson: We’re frustrated that we can’t find consistency

Meanwhile, Andy Robertson stressed the need for Liverpool to find consistency. They are fifth in the Premier League, with eight games to go.

“I think we’re all frustrated at the fact that we can’t find consistency because last season that’s probably what set us apart from everyone in the league. That’s why we ended up winning the league pretty comfortably,” the 32-year-old said.

The Liverpool left-back declined to address his own future, stating that full focus should be on a “massive Champions League game” and that there will be a time to talk about his next steps.

Robertson, who has made 371 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Hull for £8m in 2017, is out of contract this summer and came close to joining Tottenham Hotspur in January.

This time to Richarlison in a 1-1 draw against struggling Tottenham that cost them a chance to go fourth in the table.

And don’t the players – who were booed off by their fans at full-time – know it.

“I feel flat,” said Dominik Szoboszlai – who scored the Reds’ 18th-minute opener – on Sky Sports.

“We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League. I don’t know why this is happening, I honestly don’t know.

“In the last minute, again, I don’t know how many times this season already.”

Eight times, that’s how many.

Liverpool have now conceded eight Premier League goals in the 90th minute or later this season – their most in a single campaign, surpassing seven in 2010-11. Every single one has cost them points.

Why is this happening and how much could it cost them at the end of the season?

How many more points could Liverpool have…

In over a quarter of their Premier League games this season, Liverpool have conceded either an equaliser or a losing goal after the 90-minute mark.

Five have been winning goals as they were beaten by Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Manchester City and Wolves.

Three have been draws – against Leeds, Fulham and now Tottenham, although that Fulham game had seen the Reds take a 2-1 lead in the fourth minute of injury time themselves before conceding three minutes later.

By comparison, Liverpool have won three matches with last minute or injury-time goals, with two of them coming in the first four games of the season.

Without those late concessions the Reds would be on 60 points and pretty much have a Champions League spot wrapped up.

Instead they are fifth – which will probably be enough for a place in next season’s competition – but only one point above Chelsea, who lost at the weekend to Newcastle. Aston Villa, who are two points clear in fourth, were also beaten by third-placed Manchester United on Sunday.

“This is an absolute disaster in terms of Champions League qualification,” said ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.

“With Aston Villa and Man Utd playing each other, someone was going to drop points.

“It was coming, I was saying it all second half. They have been sleepwalking. Liverpool were all over the place.”

Reds boss Arne Slot admitted: “We have conceded far too many goals to pick up the amount of points that this club and I am used to.”

Liverpool are not exactly air-tight in the stages before the 90th minute either.

They have conceded 15 league goals from the 75th minute onwards. No other team in the league have let in more in the final 15 minutes.

‘Is it down to the manager or make-up of the squad?’

Who is to blame for these late points dropped – and why so many poor performances after winning last season’s Premier League title?

“Awful performance, considering the opposition. With the incentive of the other results, to put a performance in like that – but it’s been like this all season,” said Carragher.

“The big question is, is that down to the manager or the make-up of the squad? I’m not too sure.”

What is causing it? The problem is, if Liverpool knew, they would have sorted it by now.

In a bid to find a theme, Dutchman Slot pointed out all the goals were not similar.

“Again in the last minute, again after an opportunity to score ourselves and again we leave the pitch with a disappointing result,” he told Sky Sports.

“The way we concede is not always the same in the last minute. You cannot compare the deflected shot against Wolves with the shot today. All of the moments they had came from long balls and second balls and we were not able to clear the ball fast enough.

“As this season is going, it is not a complete surprise we are conceding in the last moments. “

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Slot added: “Every time it happens in the last minute it is an enormous frustration.

“How many times does it need to happen? And it happened again today. This time it didn’t come as a complete surprise – the last 15-20 minutes of the game were the most equal part of the game.”

And the booing from the Anfield faithful?

Both Slot and Szoboszlai said they understood it – but the midfielder added they should “support us in a difficult time”, with a 1-0 deficit to overcome on Wednesday in the Champions League last-16 second-leg tie at home to Galatasaray.

“I’m 100% sure that if they show up on Wednesday that they will be supportive again from the start, but if the team doesn’t perform to the standards that they are used to, I think it is completely normal that they are frustrated,” added Slot.

“Arne Slot has to have a look at himself,” said ex-Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“If Liverpool play like this midweek, then they will be knocked out of the Champions League.”

Ngumoha offers glimmer of hope?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Rio Ngumoha was lively on his first league start

One positive for Liverpool was the performance of 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha on his first Premier League start.

He became the first player to attempt seven or more dribbles in a Premier League game and complete them all since Matheus Cunha for Wolves against Aston Villa in May 2023.

Ngumoha had previously made 11 substitute appearances in the league, and featured in each cup competition this season.

“I think I have said two months ago, he progressed so well as a 16-year-old and now 17 he is progressing well,” said Slot.

“A performance like today will only help him to get more minutes for this club.

“I have 12 or 13 players that are able to bring good performances. Rio is doing that well it makes sense to play him.”

Despite being a poor imitation of the team which won the Premier League last season, Arne Slot’s men looked like they might hang on for the victory courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai’s 25-yard free-kick which somehow eluded goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the centre of his goal on 18 minutes.

But Richarlison, who went close on several occasions for Igor Tudor’s spirited side, had the final say when the home team failed to deal with a long ball from deep, and the Brazilian forward raced onto a pass from Randal Kolo Muani to slot the ball beyond Alisson.

After losing his first four matches, it was a merited point for Tudor and Spurs, who end the day in 16th spot, a point clear of relegation-haunted rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham before they host Forest next Sunday.

But Liverpool, with teenage winger Rio Ngumoha outstanding on his first league start, must reflect upon a dismal performance as they remain fifth, two points behind Aston Villa after blowing the chance to move into fourth in the race for a Champions League spot.

In front of a hostile home crowd in Istanbul, Liverpool’s familiar shortcomings resurfaced as Mario Lemina nodded the seventh-minute winner – the 10th goal Slot’s side have conceded from corners this season.

The former Southampton, Fulham and Wolves midfielder was well placed to head past Giorgi Mamardashvili, making a rare start in the absence of injured first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, from close range after Victor Osimhen’s headed on a Gabriel Sara set-piece.

It was Lemina’s first goal of the season – and five years ago he scored the winner at Liverpool for Fulham in a Premier League game.

Osimhen thought he had made it 2-0 after a calamitous mistake by Ibrahima Konate, but the close-range effort was ruled out after Baris Alper Yilmaz was deemed to be offside in the build-up, even though he didn’t touch the ball.

Liverpool thought they had equalised in the 70th minute after the ball was bundled over the line from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

But that was also ruled out following a lengthy check after the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled the ball hit Konate’s arm twice – firstly from the corner delivery, and then after the ball came off Virgil van Dijk’s heel.

In a frantic match, the Reds should have been ahead before Galatasaray’s early breakthrough, but Florian Wirtz fired narrowly wide after an error by home keeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Even after conceding, they had chances to get themselves back on level terms.

Wirtz forced Cakir into a save before Konate drilled agonisingly over the bar, before Mamardashvili rescued the visitors.

The Georgia keeper produced a fine stop to deny former Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez from doubling his side’s lead.

But the Turkish champions looked hesitant at the back and Cakir stretched out a left hand to make a stunning save to keep out Hugo Ekitike’s chipped finish after a good run by the French forward.

Liverpool thought they had equalised in a goalmouth scramble, only for VAR to intervene and leave Slot’s side with it all to do in the second leg at Anfield on 18 March.

The 33-year-old Brazilian sustained the injury in a training session shortly before Liverpool flew to Turkey for Tuesday’s match at RAMS Park.

Reds boss Arne Slot told a news conference on Monday that Alisson felt minor discomfort and after consultation with the club’s medical staff did not travel to Istanbul with the rest of the squad. Liverpool have not disclosed specifics about the injury.

“Ali, of course, was in the session as many people could see, but unfortunately, he felt something towards the end of the session,” Slot said.

“People looked at it and we decided, and he decided together, that it wasn’t good enough to play tomorrow. And then it’s of no use travelling.”

When asked if Alisson would be fit enough for Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday, Slot was positive.

“There’s definitely a chance, yes, because we don’t expect it to be a big thing,” added the Dutchman.

“But it was too much to be available for tomorrow.”

Brazil international Alisson has missed nine matches this season through injury.

His absence means Giorgi Mamardashvili is poised to make his first appearance for Liverpool since the FA Cup win over Barnsley on 12 January.

The Georgian has featured 11 times for Liverpool in all competitions this season.

Liverpool are also without Italian forward Federico Chiesa, who has not made the trip to Istanbul because of illness.

The loss at Molineux left Liverpool in fifth place, which is almost certain to be enough to qualify for the Champions League.

But the table is tight. And Chelsea’s 4-1 win at fourth-placed Aston Villa on Wednesday meant the Reds dropped to sixth on goal difference.

“Either we get it and we deserve it or we don’t get it and we don’t deserve it,” Van Dijk said.

“If you play for Liverpool, it’s always been like this. It’s down to us, together with our fans, to get the results we need to get into the Champions League.”

Beyond the sporting implications, there are huge finances at stake.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League could be worth as much as £120m, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who also said the Reds were better placed to weather such a drop because they are well run.

‘Extremely well run Liverpool can withstand the revenue drop’ – Maguire

Prize money and commercial opportunities are significantly lower in the other European competitions.

Uefa’s financial report shows that Arne’s Slot’s side earned 98.1m euros (£85.3m) in distribution payments for reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in the 2024-25 season.

When Liverpool were in the Europa League in 2023-24, they got just 26.8m euros (£23.3m) for getting to the quarter-finals.

Winning the tournament would help bridge the funding gap a little more.

Tottenham received 41.4m euros (£36m) after lifting the Europa League last season, but Chelsea were paid just 21.8m euros (£20m) from the Conference League.

Maguire said that the loss of money from Uefa would only be part of the story.

“It also has an impact upon matchday receipts,” Maguire said. “It has an effect on the broadcasting money.

“It will mean lower commercial revenues, because there will be bonuses embedded in contracts with senior sponsors.”

At the high end, Maguire thinks being out of the Champions League could in total “cost Liverpool around £120m”.

Liverpool splashed out more than £400m last summer, signing players such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

It was the biggest spend by a club in a transfer window.

But Maguire says that Liverpool “are extremely well run”. One season outside of the Champions League might not have a huge effect, he said.

Last week, Liverpool announced record revenues of £703m for the club’s most recent financial year through to May 2025. The club returned a profit of £8m.

Even with last year’s signings, Liverpool are only eighth on net transfer spend over the past five years.

“While they did have a significant transfer outlay, you’ve to take a long-term view on their spending,” Maguire said.

“It’s still substantially behind the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea in particular.”

Uefa’s latest benchmarking report says that Chelsea made a pre-tax loss of £355m for 2024-25.

Manchester United’s finances are improving but the club’s debt is now approaching £1.3bn.

Will Liverpool have any problems when it comes to complying with financial rules?

“The simple answer is no,” Maguire added. “They’re very forensic in terms of their financial analysis.”

Being out of the Champions League could of course affect the players they might attract to Anfield.

For Van Dijk and for Liverpool, being in the top competition will remain vital regardless of money.

Premier League transfer spend

Last five years

Source: Footballtransfers.com

European governing body Uefa said supporters of the Turkish club had thrown objects and lit fireworks during the last-16 play-off tie second leg in Turin on 25 February.

Despite losing 3-2 on the night, they progressed 7-5 on aggregate and will host the Merseysiders in Istanbul next Tuesday (17:45 GMT) with the return leg to be staged at Anfield on 18 March (20:00).

However, Uefa has banned the Super Lig leaders from selling tickets to supporters for the away trip and also fined them 40,000 euros (£34,800).

In a statement, Galatasaray said they would appeal against the punishment.

Mohamed Salah looked to have rescued a point for Liverpool after Rodrigo Gomes gave Wolves the lead – but in added time, Andre’s strike took a deflection off Joe Gomez to send Molineux wild.

For the fifth time this season, Arne Slot’s side conceded an injury-time winner.

This was just a third league win of the campaign for Rob Edwards’ side, who look destined to drop to the Championship yet have beaten Liverpool, Aston Villa and drawn against Arsenal in their past three home games.

For Liverpool, victory here could have taken them level with Manchester United and Aston Villa – third and fourth respectively – on 51 points, but they remain fifth. Wolves remain bottom and 11 points from safety.

What’s next for both teams?

These two sides meet again at Molineux on Friday (20:00 GMT) in the FA Cup fifth round.

Of the total scored in the league this season, 27.5% have been non-penalty set-piece goals – the second-highest rate since 2009-10.

Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces has been a key part of their title challenge, with their 16 goals from corners – three more than anyone else – equalling the most in a Premier League season.

All three of Liverpool’s goals in the first half of their 5-2 win against West Ham United on Saturday came from corners.

Set-piece coach Aaron Briggs left Anfield on 30 December and Slot’s side have scored the most goals in the league from set-pieces in 2026, excluding penalties.

“You have to accept it,” said Slot. “I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set-pieces.

“If I watch an Eredivisie game, which I still do, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I think ‘wow, that’s a big difference’. Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says ‘just go on’.

“Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. If you ask me about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday evening you were hoping they would play.

“Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch but it’s always interesting because it’s so competitive.

“That is what makes this league great because there is so much competitiveness. Everyone can win against everyone.”

Slot accepted that set-pieces are the “new reality of the Premier League” and believes it could even become a theme at junior level.

“We aren’t going to change it,” added the Dutchman as he previewed Tuesday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“I just wouldn’t be surprised if you went to watch a Sunday League match now and the 16-year-olds were completely focused on set-pieces.”

Wirtz should return next week

Slot has suggested Florian Wirtz is poised to miss the back-to-back games against Wolves this week because of the back injury he sustained in the warm-up against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

The Germany playmaker missed Liverpool’s win against West Ham and is most likely to return in the Champions League game against Galatasaray on 10 March.

“I don’t have anything different to say to what I said on Saturday,” said Slot.

“The game on Tuesday will probably come too soon, and maybe the game on Friday as well.

“But let’s see how it all ends up. We hope to have him back sometime next week, maybe a bit earlier or a bit later, but that is the timescale.”

The club, who topped Deloitte’s chart as the highest-earning Premier League side, reported a profit of eight million pounds ($10.78 million) after tax with a sharp rise in media, matchday and commercial revenues, while staffing and administrative costs also went up significantly.

Liverpool’s media revenue increased by 60 million pounds to 264 million pounds. They also saw a rise of 14 million pounds in matchday revenue, and a 15 million pound increase in commercial revenue.

But administrative costs went up by 57 million pounds, and staffing costs also rose by 42 million pounds.

“Several other categories of costs have also seen double-digit growth in recent years, impacting the marginal return from core operations such as matchday,” Liverpool said in a statement.

The Argentinian, who moments earlier had had a goal disallowed for handball, bundled the ball into the net from close range in front of thousands of delirious Liverpool fans.

Those supporters then had a second nervy wait but Virgil van Dijk, whose downward header was saved by Stefan Ortega before Mac Allister tucked in the rebound, was ruled onside.

This time his celebrations could continue after his earlier one was cut short when the video assistant referee had intervened.

Ortega had made a great save to deny Hugo Ekitike and as Ola Aina tried to clear the ball, his clearance hit Mac Allister and flew into the net. But the fortuitous goal was chalked off because the ball was deemed to have hit his elbow.

It was a high-octane finish to a match which had been largely devoid of goalmouth action.

Liverpool, who worryingly lost Florian Wirtz in the warm-up, were uninspiring for long periods but the victory moves them to 45 points, lvel with fourth-placed Chelsea and Manchester United in fifth.

Forest, buoyed on from their midweek European win over Fenerbahce, were arguably the better side and under Vitor Pereira, they are already showing encouraging signs.

Pereira kept faith with the starting XI that won in Turkey three days ago and they dominated the first half but failed to take their chances, with Callum Hudson-Odoi denied early on by a great save from Alisson.

Liverpool, who had more than a week to prepare for this game, were woeful in the opening 45 minutes. Arne Slot’s side managed just three touches in the Forest box, while the 12 shots they faced in the first half was the most since their 6-1 defeat at Stoke in 2015.

The visitors did improve after the break with Curtis Jones’ effort kept out by Ortega but until added time, that was Liverpool’s only attempt on target.

Forest came close too in the second half with Nikola Milenkovic heading wide. Pereira changed his entire frontline in the hunt for a winner but it was Liverpool who snatched it late on.

Forest remain 17th, two points clear of West Ham, who are 18th.

Asked about Konate’s contract situation, Van Dijk said: “We are friends, we speak about everything. It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy. We saw with my own situation last year so it’s never that easy that we can just say “let’s get it done”.

Konate, 26, joined Liverpool in 2021 and the France international has made 165 appearances for the club since his move from RB Salzburg for £35m.

Liverpool will have Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet – both are currently injured – available in the summer as centre-back options but it remains to be seen if the club can agree on a new deal with Konate.

“Obviously I want him (Konate) to stay,” said Van Dijk. “He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders. He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back. I can do only so much but it’s in the club’s hands, together with his agents and himself so let’s see what comes out of it but I have no influence otherwise on that.”

The Liverpool captain was speaking after he scored the only goal as Arne Slot’s side became the first team to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool also became just the second team to keep a clean sheet at Sunderland this season and Van Dijk hailed Konate’s display.

“He (Konate) was outstanding,” Van Dijk added.

“He was incredible today. (Brian) Brobbey was with him 90% of the time. Brian Brobbey has made a lot of defender’s lives this season pretty difficult but Ibou did outstanding.”

Earlier in the week, Slot claimed Liverpool will need to be “close to perfection” to qualify for the Champions League next season and Van Dijk agreed with that assessment.

The Reds’ captain added: “If you look at the teams around us, some of them dropped points. I think we’re going to play most of them, so definitely we need some perfection. This game (against Sunderland) was pretty close to perfection, how we defended, the intensity, but also the chances we generated. Maybe we should have scored more but it’s still taking it game by game.

“Unfortunately, we’ve got Wata (Endo) out now (the Japan international was stretchered off). Hopefully it’s not too long but it could be. We’re very thin at the moment. We need everyone available but it’s a combination of being ready, physically and mentally. For example, last game losing in that manner at home (to Man City), you have to be strong to come back from that. That’s why I’m proud of the guys and the shift they put in. It’s an important three points.”

The visitors dominated the first half at Anfield, where they hadn’t won in front of fans since 2003, but could not test Alisson.

Liverpool started the second period better, but it took a moment of magic to break the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining.

Dominik Szoboszlai lined up a free kick 30 yards out and laced it into the top corner in off the post, using world-class technique to swerve the ball away from a hapless Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City looked deflated, but got an equaliser from out of nowhere when Erling Haaland flicked a header through to Bernardo Silva, who coolly slotted the ball through Alisson’s legs, played onside by Szoboszlai.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, City won a penalty when Alisson needlessly took out Matheus Nunes as the midfielder chased a long ball over the top.

Haaland stepped up, and put the spot kick beyond the diving Alisson for his first goal at Anfield.

The hosts threw everything at an equaliser, and nearly got one when Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected volley was clawed away by Donnarumma, destined for the top corner.

Having sent everyone up, including the goalkeeper, for a corner, Rayan Cherki rolled the ball into an empty net from the halfway line as Szoboszlai and Haaland took each other out giving chase.

However, after a VAR review, Craig Pawson deemed the goal could not stand as Haaland had pulled Szoboszlai down, but Szoboszlai got a late red card for his initial tug on the Norwegian, preventing him from tapping into an empty net.

The win means City keep the gap to pacesetters Arsenal at six points, with a favourable run of fixtures coming up before their crunch meeting in April.

Liverpool stay sixth, now four points behind Chelsea in fifth which is likely to be a Champions League spot.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Merseyside for one of the league’s most anticipated fixtures, with Semenyo eager to test himself on one of English football’s biggest stages.

The Ghana international has made an impressive start to life at City, scoring four goals in his first six appearances since joining the champions.

The 26-year-old is no stranger to Anfield either, having already found the net twice at the iconic stadium on the opening day of the season while still with former club Bournemouth.

Reflecting on the occasion, Semenyo admitted the fixture always caught his attention before his move to Manchester.

“As an outsider before joining here, it was always entertaining watching City and Liverpool,” said Semenyo in an interview with the club’s media.

“To be part of it, I’m so grateful, but it’s going to be a challenge.

“We’re prepared for it, and we’ll be fired up for it on the day. I’m looking forward to the game.”

Semenyo’s form this season explains why he was among the most in-demand attackers in the Premier League, having registered 14 goals in 27 appearances for Bournemouth and Manchester City combined.

Just a month into his City career, the forward says he has settled quickly into life at the Etihad, praising both the squad and the club’s culture.

“Everyone has been welcoming,” said Semenyo.

“It’s a great environment to be around. We feel welcome, comfortable and we can just be ourselves. It’s being in a champion environment.

“Playing with the best players in the world and being coached by one of the best coaches in the world – it’s only going to take my game to the next level.”

Semenyo also highlighted the influence of Guardiola, describing the City boss as demanding but deeply supportive.

“He only wants us to get better. He believes in us so much and always reminds us every day that we can win. He’s very insightful, and I’m enjoying it.”

The former Bournemouth attacker acknowledged the expectations that come with playing for City, particularly alongside prolific striker Erling Haaland.

“I have expectations for myself, so coming here I knew there was going to be that pressure of scoring the same goals as Erling [Haaland], but I feel like I’ve given myself those goals at the start of the season to compete with players of his stature.

“Being on the same team as Erling is a blessing. Goalscoring is something that is in my blood, and my DNA and I just want to keep going.”

Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Manchester City kicks off at 16:30 GMT at Anfield.

The 17-year-old left Chelsea’s academy in September 2024 to join the Reds and signed his first professional contract with them a year later.

The Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) tribunal has now decided how much Chelsea are owed for the English forward’s training and development while with the Blues.

The initial £2.8m is non-negotiable, but could rise through add-ons if certain conditions are met.

As first reported by The Athletic, Chelsea will also be owed 20% of the profit if Liverpool sell Ngumoha.

The teenager has made 13 appearances across all competitions for Arne Slot’s side this season and scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner against Newcastle on his Premier League debut in August.

Aged 16 years and 361 days at the time, the goal made Ngumoha the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

He also became the youngest player to start a match for the club – aged 16 years and 135 days old – in a 4-0 win over Accrington in the FA Cup in January 2025.

The England Under-19 international was regarded as the best player in his age group at Chelsea, but moved to Liverpool because he believed there was a better pathway to first-team football.

This was after the Blues made attempted assurances and several significant future contract offers.

Liverpool did not confirm the length of Ngumoha’s first professional contract.

Subject to a medical, the 20-year-old will move to the Reds in the summer after the clubs reached agreement on a £55m fee plus £5m in add-ons.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue with the France Under-21 international.

Chelsea are known to have held talks with Jacquet during the winter window, but it is understood they will not match Liverpool’s bid.

Liverpool are looking to bolster their centre-back options, with France defender Ibrahima Konate’s current contract set to expire at the end of this season.

Arne Slot’s side missed out on Marc Guehi last summer, with the England centre-half then opting to join Manchester City in January.

Jacquet came through the Rennes academy and has played for the club 18 times this season, with a string of standout performances making him a target for some of Europe’s elite sides – and Liverpool see him as a long-term investment.

Lijnders, 43, replaced Juanma Lillo as Guardiola’s number two last summer following six successful years as Klopp’s assistant at Anfield and a short spell as Red Bull Salzburg boss.

The Dutchman left the Reds when German Klopp departed at the end of the 2023-24 season, having helped the side win major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.

Despite the recent rivalry between the two sides – City beat Liverpool to the league title twice by one point in 2018-19 and 2021-22 – Lijnders said Klopp was enthusiastic about the opportunity for him to work under Guardiola.

“When I spoke with Jurgen he was so clear – ‘if you don’t do it, I will take the assistant job’,” he joked.

“You cannot put away 10 years of Liverpool that easily, but I’m really proud to come to a club of this magnitude, so successful over the last 10 years and with a manager that defined football.”

Lijnders initially arrived at Liverpool as a development coach under former boss Brendan Rodgers in 2014, but left in 2018 to manage Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie.

However, he was dismissed at the end of the season so returned to Anfield to become Klopp’s assistant in 2019 following the departure of Zeljko Buvac.

His tenure at Austrian club Salzburg lasted only 29 games, and while his switch to City raised some eyebrows, Lijnders said Guardiola’s offer was too good to turn down.

“Pep’s brilliant, of course. He has a passion and a game-understanding from a different planet, in my opinion,” said Lijnders.

“The moment Pep called, the feeling was straight away really good. It was not a difficult decision.”

City are second in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, and face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (16:30 GMT)

Lijnders then returns to Anfield next weekend as City take on defending champions Liverpool, where he said he will remain professional but his “mindset is to win and to try to beat them”.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: In November, Pep Guardiola (left) said “it is such a pleasure” to work with Lijnders

Guardiola has won 18 trophies since becoming City manager in 2016, and in May 2024 the 55-year-old celebrated guiding the club to a record fourth consecutive top-flight title. Lijnders said the Spaniard’s drive and pursuit of excellence is inspiring.

“The best ones are like that – Tiger Woods, all these guys. They push themselves to limits,” he said.

“He’s constantly searching for that – very professional, very ambitious, wants to make impact every day.

“But I always say his biggest strength is the passion he has for his team, the passion he has for us, his love for his backroom staff, how he treats everyone and that family feeling inside this club.”

Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike in three transfer windows over the course of three and a half years, and how the visitors rued losing out to Liverpool in the race to recruit the lethal striker from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

After scoring in the reverse fixture in August, the Frenchman came back to haunt Eddie Howe’s side once again at a buoyant Anfield with two goals in two minutes before half-time.

Anthony Gordon had initially opened the scoring for Newcastle with a fine finish, but Liverpool quickly showed their powers of recovery to go on and win the game comfortably thanks to a devastating double from Ekitike, a well-taken goal from Florian Wirtz and a close-range finish from an emotional Ibrahima Konate.

It was Wirtz who was the architect behind the first as he danced through a crowd of black and white shirts before cutting the ball across to Ekitike to finish clinically first time at the near post.

Ekitike was not finished yet and he latched on to Milos Kerkez’s pass down the left channel a couple of minutes later before driving into the box and firing past Nick Pope into the bottom corner to put his side in front.

Newcastle, who have not won a league game at Anfield since 1994, understandably looked a little shell-shocked as the players trudged off at half-time – but it soon got worse for the visitors after the break.

Although Alisson had to be alert to parry a powerful effort from Harvey Barnes, who had struck a post when the score was goalless in the first half, it was Liverpool who went on to land the final blows.

Mohamed Salah knocked the ball into Wirtz’s path with a deft lay-off and the German forward swept the ball into the net from inside the box.

A tearful Konate, in his first game since returning from compassionate leave following the death of his father, added a fourth following an error from Pope.

Liverpool ended a five-game winless run in the league as Newcastle slipped to 10th in the table.

After considering an offer worth £5m from Spurs for Robertson, who is out of contract in the summer, the Reds have determined they are not able to proceed.

A deal was agreed in principle between the clubs last week that the move could happen after Liverpool’s final Champions League match on Wednesday.

However, the deal was also dependent on Liverpool being able to recall left-back Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma, which they have not been able to do so far.

Defender Joe Gomez also suffered an injury that forced him off in the first half of Saturday’s Premier League defeat at Bournemouth.

It is understood Robertson was not pushing for a move, although the Scotland captain is keen to play more regularly before this summer’s World Cup.

Liverpool signed him from Hull City for £8m in 2017 during Jurgen Klopp’s reign and he has made 364 appearances for the Reds.

The 31-year-old has won nine trophies during his time at Anfield, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

However, he is no longer the first-choice left-back under Arne Slot, with Milos Kerkez the preferred option.

Robertson came off the bench to replace Kerkez against Bournemouth but he has started just four times in the Premier League this season.

After the match, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he wants Robertson to stay, calling him a “very important” member of the squad.

Defending champions Liverpool are sixth in the league, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, but are in a strong position to reach the Champions League last 16 and will face Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup next month.

The transfer window closes on 2 February.

Earlier this week, Tottenham opened talks with Liverpool in an effort to sign the left-back, who is out of contract in the summer.

“He’s my vice-captain,” said Van Dijk.

“Robbo is a very important member of our team and I want him to stay but whatever happens, let’s see.”

Liverpool signed Robertson from Hull City for £8m in 2017 during Jurgen Klopp’s reign and he has made 364 appearances for the Reds.

The 31-year-old has won nine trophies during his time at the Anfield club, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Robertson is no longer the first-choice left-back at Liverpool but is keen to play regularly again and is considering options that allow him to do that.

The Scotland international came off the bench to replace Milos Kerkez at half-time in Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth but he has started just four times in the Premier League this season.

Pushed on whether he expected Robertson to be at Anfield for Liverpool’s Champions League game against Qarabag on Wednesday, Van Dijk said: “That’s not on me, is it?”

The Liverpool skipper was then asked about his best memories of Robertson but insisted he would only “speak about that” if the move happened.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot refused to discuss the prospect of allowing his vice-captain to leave when he was asked whether he felt Robertson would still be a Liverpool player by the end of January.

“What do you think my answer is going to be? Have I ever said anything about transfers in front of these microphones,” said Slot.

“My answer is always the same and it’s quite boring to always give the same answer – we don’t talk about transfers in public.”

Not in Liverpool’s best interests to let Robertson leave – analysis

In the aftermath of their defeat at Bournemouth, Arne Slot spoke about the tiredness of his players following their midweek win in Marseille.

Joe Gomez went off injured in the first half, while left-back Kerkez was removed at half-time for Robertson and right-back Jeremie Frimpong made way just before the hour mark.

As Liverpool chased the game, they did so with a back four of two midfielders in Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, alongside Van Dijk and Robertson. This is a side that lacks serious depth.

Yes, Robertson is considering his options before the World Cup this summer, but with Liverpool still in the Champions League and now well and truly in the thick of the race to qualify for the Champions League next season, it would be a baffling decision if they did allow one of their most experienced players to leave in January.

For Richard Hughes, the sporting director, the question is whether it is really worth losing one of the most important members in the dressing room for a small fee.

There is a likelihood that Kostas Tsimikas will return from his loan spell at AS Roma if Robertson departed, but that would simply be papering over the cracks.

“I need all my players,” said Slot. Perhaps bringing Robertson on at half-time on Saturday was the biggest indication of that.

Robertson ultimately wants to play football regularly and the understanding is that any decision will be made with the best interests of both club and player.

There will be more midweek games to come with Liverpool still in Europe and the FA Cup, and with that more chances for rotation. The reality right now is that it is not in the best interests of Liverpool to allow Robertson to leave this month.

After a goalmouth scramble, Adli finished in the fifth minute of time added on to send the home fans wild after Liverpool had initially come from two goals down to level.

With 10 minutes to go, Dominik Szoboszlai scored his second free-kick of the week to equalise for Liverpool after Virgil van Dijk had initially pulled a goal back.

A calamitous seven-minute spell for Liverpool saw Arne Slot’s side go two goals down on the south coast.

Evanilson gave the Cherries the lead in the 26th minute after Van Dijk failed to clear the ball and Joe Gomez was injured as he clashed with goalkeeper Alisson while trying to block Evanilson’s strike.

With Gomez off the pitch and Wataru Endo ready to replace him, Liverpool did not kick the ball out and carried on playing with 10 men for seven minutes.

In the 33rd minute, Alex Jimenez got on the end of a through ball from James Hill and finished through Alisson’s legs to double Bournemouth’s lead.

Liverpool then made the change and showed great resilience to come back into the game with Van Dijk heading in Szoboszlai’s corner on the brink of half-time, before Mohamed Salah, from a free-kick, rolled the ball into the path of Szoboszlai who fired into the bottom corner past Djordje Petrovic to level.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time with Alisson tipping Ryan Christie’s effort over before Petrovic pulled off a great stop to deny Florian Wirtz.

Adli’s last-gasp winner brought protests from Liverpool about a foul in the build-up, but the video assistant referee (VAR) did not intervene as they tasted defeat for the first time since November.

Yet to win a Premier League game in 2026, Liverpool remain fourth in the table, while Bournemouth rise to 13th.

Robertson, 31, is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and said last week that he was undecided on his future.

The Scotland international has started just four times in the Premier League this season and wants regular involvement before the World Cup.

BBC Sport understands Spurs have made an approach but no outcome has been reached at this stage.

Liverpool signed Robertson from Hull City for £8m in 2017 during Jurgen Klopp’s reign and he has made 363 appearances for the Reds.

Robertson’s most recent appearance came from the bench in the 1-1 draw against Burnley on 17 January.

Before that game, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said Robertson had been “important” to the club and praised him for the way he has handled losing his starting position to summer signing Milos Kerkez.

Hungary international Kerkez would be the only senior left-back for Slot to call on if Robertson is sold, but Liverpool could look to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma.

Tottenham completed the signing of Brazilian left-back Souza on Thursday and are already well stocked in that area of the field.

Destiny Udogie has been the preferred choice of manager Thomas Frank this season, with Djed Spence also offering cover.

Ben Davies was another option, but the Wales international sustained a broken ankle on Sunday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Spurs’ move for Robertson could be a bid to add experience to a young squad, with 32-year-old Davies the only player over the age of 30.

Robertson has won nine trophies during his time at Liverpool, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.