Latest news with #post-Klopp
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mo Salah: Arne Slot Promised 'I'll Get the Best Out of You'
Salah's Message to Slot: 'With Me You're Going to Win the Premier League' In an emotional and candid interview following his third FWA Footballer of the Year award, Mo Salah reflected on a season of personal triumph and team success at Liverpool. With manager Arne Slot ushering in a new chapter at Anfield, Salah's words captured the hunger, ambition, and relentless work ethic that have defined his time on Merseyside. Setting Records and Lifting Trophies Winning the award for a third time placed Salah in elite company. 'It means a lot to me to be fair to win it, especially helping the team to win the big trophy,' he said. This season marked a first for Salah, winning the prestigious individual award in a year where Liverpool secured the Premier League title. Advertisement The forward underlined the synergy between personal and team goals: 'If I'm not having that incredible season, it will be tough always to win something.' A season packed with goals and assists, Salah described it as 'way more special' than previous campaigns due to its decisive impact on Liverpool's title triumph. Honest Talks with Arne Slot Salah's bond with new manager Arne Slot was forged early through clear expectations. 'I told him… with me you're going to win the Premier League, but I have to feel really comfortable with the way we play.' Slot, in turn, replied: 'I will get the best out of you… but I need you to provide numbers.' This mutual understanding, rooted in transparency and shared ambition, shaped Liverpool's campaign. Salah praised Slot's detailed, hard-working approach: 'You start to see how smart he is… how much he wanted. You just see how into details he is.' Advertisement Their partnership paid off handsomely. Salah admitted: 'I didn't even dream to have that great season… scoring every game and assist every game and breaking all the records. It's incredible.' Photo: IMAGO Loyalty to Liverpool and the Fans Discussing his contract extension, Salah reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool: 'I always wanted to stay, but I know my value.' He stressed the mutual agreement needed with the club, eventually agreeing to stay for two more years. His love for the club and city was unmistakable: 'Since I came here, I give them everything, every game, every time I step on the field.' The now-iconic selfie with fans was emblematic of that bond. Advertisement Asked about his goals for the future, Salah was concise and determined: 'Just win the Premier League again and the Champions League.' New Era, Same Determination With Liverpool entering a post-Klopp era, Salah views the current phase as an opportunity to reaffirm his legacy: 'I wanted to prove that I'm still doing it now and with a different coach, with different players.' He was also clear about his physical form: 'I feel very fit and always ready to play.' From warm-ups to chess in his downtime, Salah leaves nothing to chance. This season, for Salah, wasn't just about records. It was about relevance. 'I showed everybody that I could do it without any other player or the manager in the past.' It's a reminder that while managers may change, Salah's standards remain constant.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano confirms €100m Liverpool bid for Florian Wirtz
Liverpool submit €100m+ bid for Wirtz as Leverkusen talks intensify Liverpool have made their first official move for Florian Wirtz, submitting a bid worth over €100 million including add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. Negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen have resumed, with both clubs optimistic about reaching an agreement swiftly. Crucially, Wirtz has already made it clear that Liverpool is his preferred destination. The 21-year-old is viewed as a transformative attacking option, and Liverpool's bid signals both ambition and intent under new manager Arne Slot. Photo: IMAGO Discussions are progressing positively, with personal terms not expected to be an issue. If successful, Wirtz would become one of the most expensive signings in the club's history. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis This is the kind of statement signing Liverpool fans have been dreaming about. Florian Wirtz isn't just another promising youngster — he's already one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe, and at 21, he fits perfectly into the club's long-term vision. The fact that he's chosen Liverpool over other elite clubs shows just how attractive the project under Arne Slot has become. Advertisement Wirtz brings flair, intelligence and goals from midfield, something Liverpool have lacked since the prime Coutinho days. His ability to operate in tight spaces, link with the front three and break lines with incisive passes makes him an ideal addition to a squad already full of energy and creativity. There's genuine excitement around the club, and rightly so. This isn't just a signing for next season, it's a statement about the next five. With the right support and a clearly defined role, Wirtz could be the new face of Liverpool's post-Klopp evolution. And let's be honest — having a player who has already told his club he 'only wants Liverpool' is a rare and powerful thing. Anfield is ready.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inside Liverpool's Title Win: Slot's Tactics and Salah's Brilliance
Liverpool are the 2024/25 EPL Champions. And it wasn't close. So how did we get here? How did this happen? This was supposed to be a two-horse race between Arsenal and Manchester City, just as it has been for the last two seasons. There was no reason to suspect any other outcome. Under Klopp, Liverpool's 2023/24 season had spluttered out. Advertisement Much of the credit has to go to Liverpool's sporting director who identified Arne Slot as the right man to lead the club post-Klopp. Said Hughes, "Everything pointed towards a man that could handle that big club mentality, you have to not just manage the team but you have to manage expectations. You have to be calm about managing this club." Liverpool didn't buy a single player of note in the summer. This was supposed to be a transition season, a chance for Slot to assess his squad. And assess his squad he did. And it turned out, with some crucial tweaks along the way – that his squad was simply better than everyone else's in almost every department. If the squad is Klopp's great legacy then getting the best out of them could be the start of Slot's. It's the squad wot won it... Injury in goal? No problem; we have the best reserve goalkeeper in England in Caoimhin Kelleher. Trent gets injured? Fine; we have the exciting prospect Connor Bradley stepping up. And so on. Life becomes easier when your back-ups are Jones, Endo, Elliot, Gakpo, Jota, Quansah, Gomez, Darwin, players who have countless international caps between them. Advertisement Liverpool's deep bench and Slot's masterful substitutions has won them countless games this season. Whether it's been throwing on Endo as 'the closer' to help protect a lead and see out a game. Or bringing on Jota to score a vital goal at just the right time – sometimes even with his first touch. Slot also has a highly flexible midfield with players who can play in many positions. It's allowed him to rotate the engine room brilliantly – mainly perming three out of the irrepressible Alexis Mac Allister, the reinvented Ryan Gravenberch, the vastly improved Dominik Szoboszlaior the tidy and effective Curtis Jones. In particular, Slot's conversion of Gravenberch's role – turning him from an also ran to a vital cog – has to be the tactical move of the season. Likewise he can rotate up front between Diaz, Gakpo, Jota and Núñez, which has a dual purpose of keeping legs fresh and attackers hungry. Diaz and Gakpo's goal contributions have been crucial this season. The Egyptian King And then there's Salah. A player who seemed on a mission from the get-go to show Liverpool how mad they would be not to renew his contract. We've probably all seen the statistics but they are worth repeating. Liverpool have scored 75 goals in the EPL this season. Salah has been involved in 45 of them with 27 goals and 18 assists. There are 5 games left. Three more and he will break the EPL record. Two other players deserve honorable mention. The goalkeeper Alisson and club captain Van Dijk. They are the best in the world and a huge reason Liverpool have won so many of those scrappy 2-1 games, the kind of games that Arsenal have been drawing all season. Advertisement Of course luck plays a part too. Liverpool's leading rivals Manchester City and Arsenal suffered key injuries at just the wrong time – to Rodri and Saka respectively. But overall Liverpool had better depth and were able to rotate better to keep themselves fresher and fitter for the long haul of the EPL while (mostly) maintaining strong performances in Europe and the cups. The exception of course was Slot's over-rotation in the FA Cup, resulting in a shocking defeat against lowly Plymouth. He'll learn from his mistakes. He's clearly a thoughtful guy….but with a ruthless streak. On the very first game of the season away at Ipswich, Liverpool struggled in a goalless first half. Slot had no hesitation in yanking off the young defender Jarell Quansah and replacing him with Ibrahim Konate. It was a brutal message to his team. I'm the boss now. There is a required standard to play for Liverpool Football Club. Meet that standard or else. Liverpool went on to win the game 2-0, and the rest is a record equaling 20th League title for Liverpool. Related: After Klopp, Slot is the real "normal one"
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Richard Hughes made first Trent Alexander-Arnold move before official Liverpool appointment
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes contacted Trent Alexander-Arnold's representatives to engage in contract talks prior to even officially taking up his job at Anfield last year. The contract saga involving Alexander-Arnold is over after the 26-year-old announced on Monday he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2024/25 season when his contract expires. While his move to Real Madrid has not been officially confirmed yet, it is a certainty he will be moving to the Spanish capital to join Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe at the Bernabeu. But while Alexander-Arnold is set to depart the club with Liverpool and Arne Slot's best wishes, there is no doubt they wanted to keep the right-back on Merseyside. READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit and explains reasons for 'hardest decision' READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold message in full as Liverpool defender confirms emotional exit Following Jurgen Klopp's announcement he would be stepping down as Liverpool boss, there was plenty of uncertainty about the direction the Reds were headed. However, the return of Michael Edwards as Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football, alongside the appointment of Hughes from Bournemouth as Liverpool's sporting director in March 2024 set the Reds course for the upcoming post-Klopp era. And it has now emerged that prior to officially starting his role with Liverpool, Hughes contacted Alexander-Arnold's representatives to begin contract talks with the Reds right-back. After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life.I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven't spoken about this… — Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 5, 2025 According to the Athletic, Hughes' first call on the job, before starting the role he officially began in June 2024, was to open talks with Alexander-Arnold and his representatives over a new deal. The Reds made Alexander-Arnold an offer in late April on a new deal, with the 26-year-old said to understand just why it had taken the club so long to engage in talks over a contract extension given the upheaval behind the scenes at Anfield. The Athletic also add Liverpool's contract offer would have made Alexander-Arnold the highest-paid full-back in the Premier League. However, ultimately it seems as though Alexander-Arnold had his heart set on leaving Liverpool, a decision that can not have been easy for the right-back who has won everything there is to win at club level with the Reds. By his own admission, Alexander-Arnold cited he needs a new challenge, both "as a player and as a person." READ MORE: 'I understand Trent Alexander-Arnold decision - but there's one thing he's going to have to accept' READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Chelsea as Harvey Elliott and 3 more struggle And it wasn't just Hughes and Slot who were desperate to keep ahold of Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool owner John W. Henry told the right-back following the Reds second Premier League title win: "You've been an amazing player for this team and I can't thank you enough for what you've given to this club. It's disappointing to see you go, but I wish you well for the future." That then prompted Alexander-Arnold to reply: "Thank you for everything, it's been a pleasure." In confirming the news of his departure, Alexander-Arnold told Liverpool's official club website: "I think first and foremost, I want to say it's not an easy decision and there's a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it," Alexander-Arnold told Liverpool's official club website. "I've been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I've ever wanted to here. "Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I've got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that."
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Journalist Reveals Arne Slot's Transfer Stance on Liverpool Midfielder
Liverpool's Midfield Evolution: Youth, Depth and Endo's Role in Slot's Plans As Liverpool prepare for their title defence under Arne Slot, attention has turned inward rather than outward in midfield planning. James Pearce's recent article for The Athletic outlines how Liverpool's previous concerns over the No 6 position have now eased, thanks in part to the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role. Advertisement 'Gravenberch's impact in the deeper No 6 role means that signing another holding midfielder is no longer a priority,' writes Pearce, reflecting a change in strategy. While Liverpool previously considered Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller after failing to land Martin Zubimendi last summer, they ultimately decided to move forward with existing options. That decision now appears to be paying off. Photo: IMAGO Slot's tactical flexibility and trust in youth has reshaped the narrative. Where once there was urgency to reinforce, now there's a calculated calm—a sign of a club whose planning is aligning with performance. Endo's Utility and Experience Still Valued Wataru Endo may not be making headlines weekly, but his contribution remains appreciated. Though he's only played 157 minutes in the Premier League this season, Endo's role in helping close out games is seen as vital. Advertisement 'Getting sufficient game time before the 2026 World Cup is a consideration for Endo but he is happy and settled at Liverpool,' Pearce notes. The Japan captain's professionalism, versatility and leadership offer intangible benefits that go beyond minutes on the pitch. Photo: IMAGO With his contract running until 2027, Endo is seen more as a specialist tool in Slot's tactical arsenal—trusted to deliver control in high-stakes moments, especially late in matches. Bajcetic's Revival at Las Palmas Signals Hope Another notable update is on 20-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, whose move from Red Bull Salzburg to Las Palmas in January has helped reinvigorate his development. Injuries had previously hindered his momentum, but now he's gaining regular minutes in La Liga. Advertisement 'The plan is to assess young Spanish midfielder Stefan Bajcetic when he returns to Kirkby for pre-season,' says Pearce, and there's a genuine hope he could yet provide a long-term solution in the deeper midfield roles. Slot is known for trusting young players, and Bajcetic, with his calmness in possession and positional intelligence, fits that profile perfectly. Photo: IMAGO Morton's Likely Departure Highlights Academy's Transition Phase While the focus is on retention and integration for some, others are preparing to move on. Tyler Morton, who has recovered from shoulder surgery, is expected to be sold this summer. The 22-year-old, valued at around £20m, has shown promise in loan spells but now faces a crossroads. Advertisement Liverpool's midfield rebuild post-Klopp has been about more than just new signings; it's also about managing transitions, ensuring talents like Morton are given the right environment to flourish—even if that means away from Anfield. Photo: IMAGO Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's a quiet confidence underpinning Liverpool's midfield strategy right now—an almost un-Kloppian calmness in the lack of transfer urgency. Slot, fresh off delivering a Premier League title in his debut season, is clearly backing his current crop, and that speaks volumes. Endo's role remains understated but crucial. He may not be flashy, but in big moments—when games get tight—his composure and tactical awareness are assets. Having a player content with that supporting role, yet capable of influencing results, is a luxury. Advertisement Gravenberch's deeper deployment is perhaps the most intriguing development. Many saw him as a roaming No 8, but his ability to anchor the midfield is giving Liverpool a new dimension. It's a reminder that player development isn't linear and that under the right manager, roles evolve. The Bajcetic story is one fans should get excited about. Las Palmas might not draw headlines, but regular La Liga football has sharpened his instincts and decision-making. Slot's willingness to reintegrate him this summer shows just how valued he is internally. Morton's likely sale is bittersweet. Another Scouser who won't quite make the leap to first-team regular, but his valuation speaks to Liverpool's ability to nurture assets. £20m for a player with limited Premier League exposure is a testament to smart development. This is what sustainable squad management looks like: no panic buys, measured evaluation of youth, and a long-term view. With a Premier League crown already secured, the next chapter under Slot looks to be as well-constructed as it is ambitious.
