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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
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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
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chiesa overwhelmed by fan support despite limited role at Liverpool
Chiesa Thanks Liverpool Fans After Title Parade and Reflects on 'Madness' in the City Football is as much about people as it is points. On a rain-soaked Merseyside afternoon, a Premier League title parade became more than a celebration of silverware. It was a statement of unity, of belonging, and, for one man in particular, of gratitude. Photo: IMAGO Federico Chiesa, standing on the open-top bus as Liverpool's champions rolled through the streets, offered far more than a few quotes. He delivered a heartfelt thank you to the fans, to the club, and to the moment. And in a season where his name featured more on the team sheet's periphery than at its core, it meant everything. Chiesa Moved by Song and Support Chiesa's contribution this season was modest on paper — just one Premier League start under Arne Slot — but the affection he received during the title celebrations was anything but restrained. The Italian, once a marquee signing from Juventus, has endured a difficult debut campaign. Yet the supporters made it abundantly clear: the bond they feel is not based solely on appearances. Advertisement 'The song, I have to thank the fans because I didn't play that much this year but to receive this love back from the fans is just amazing,' he said. 'I have to thank them and the song has a good tune actually!' Photo IMAGO What stood out most wasn't his humility or his humour, though both were present, but his pride. 'I'm so proud of the team, when I first came here they just immediately made me feel part of the team and supported me during the tough times I had this year. I have to thank them all. I'm a teammate, I'm one of the boys, even if I didn't play I tried to give my best in training.' Difficult Start but Immense Character The context matters. Chiesa arrived from Juventus without full match sharpness and slotted into a team undergoing change and facing fierce competition for attacking roles. Opportunities were scarce. But his resolve, evident in training, and his attitude, clear in interviews, earned him something rare and precious: respect from the dressing room and admiration from the terraces. Photo by IMAGO 'Today is unbelievable, to celebrate such a trophy with the fans and stay on this bus with the lads it's just incredible,' he told LFCTV. 'We deserve it, my teammates were incredible this year, thanks to the coach, thanks to the staff it was an amazing achievement and they truly deserve to celebrate with the fans today.' Advertisement As the bus wound its way through a sea of red, his presence, lifted by chants from the Kop faithful, was a reminder that belonging in football is not always measured in minutes on the pitch. Uncertain Future but Lasting Impact Whether Chiesa remains a Liverpool player beyond the summer remains uncertain. Some believe his departure is inevitable, a consequence of limited game time and tactical reshuffles under Slot. Others, however, point to his professionalism, his spirit, and his untouched potential. 'Well actually I never won a championship, so I don't know [how it compares],' he added with a smile when asked to compare celebrations in Liverpool and Italy. 'For the European one it was really, really good but today the city is just crazy, just madness out there, it's unbelievable.' And that word, 'madness', might just be the best way to describe what football still does in this part of the world — and what Chiesa, even in a supporting role, contributed to.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mcindoe: 'We have done something no one said could be done'
Mcindoe: 'We have done something no one said could be done' Liverpool Post Match Reaction After Palace: Triumph, Farewells and the Future Liverpool's final whistle against Palace didn't just signal the end of a game. It was a coronation. On The Gags Tandon Show, Jack Mcindoe, Lewis Aspinall and Tadiwa Chanakira captured the post-match mood perfectly — pride, reflection and an eye to what comes next. 'This is the moment that I will always bring up first,' said Lewis. 'We have done something that every other club and every other fan and every other pundit said will not be done.' It wasn't just a win, it was a statement. Against the backdrop of a transitional season, Liverpool dominated. Reaction to Palace Win Shows Title Meant More Than Points The match itself against Crystal Palace might not go down as a classic, but its symbolic importance cannot be overstated. 'It was all about the celebration,' said Tadiwa. 'Finally getting to celebrate one of these in front of our fans.' Advertisement The crowd got what they came for — not just a performance, but a moment. The image of Van Dijk lifting the trophy with Alan Hansen was, in Lewis' words, 'a passing of the torch.' From one Liverpool era to the next, the legacy rolls on. Jack summed it up crisply: '35 years of waiting ended today… I love you Liverpool.' Slot's Tactical Touch Earns Post Match Praise It wasn't just emotion that carried Liverpool through the season. Arne Slot's arrival could have been the risk that derailed everything. Instead, it proved pivotal. Tadiwa explained it best: 'He didn't tweak a lot… one or two things, but we still saw his identity shine through.' Slot's impact was subtle but decisive, and as Lewis added, 'He rotated Trent and Bradley and gave us a view of what life's going to be like when number 66 leaves.' Advertisement That vision paid dividends. Gakpo, a player often lost in the shuffle, became 'top tier at moments,' according to Lewis. 'He finished as our second highest goal scorer… scored against Manchester City… great in our cup run.' All with a redefined role under Slot. photo IMAGO Trent's Goodbye and Salah's Legacy Dominate Discussion Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit had fans divided, but the podcast reflected on his send-off with surprising clarity. 'I was proven so wrong today,' admitted Lewis, who once didn't want Trent near the squad. 'I cried when he stepped up to get his medal.' Tadiwa added perspective: 'We got the whole discourse out with the boos… today it almost seemed like the crowd said this is a day for Liverpool Football Club to celebrate.' Advertisement Then there's Salah. The man who continues to break the mould. 'Mo Salah without hyperbole is the greatest right winger in Premier League history,' declared Lewis. '29 Premier League goals and 18 assists… ludicrous.' Tadiwa agreed, noting how Salah's studied approach gives him a unique edge: 'He's at the perfect point in his career… the game has slowed down for him.' Photo: IMAGO Eyes Already on the Next Season This wasn't just a post match reflection. It was a rallying cry. 'There's no finishing beneath first now,' said Lewis. 'We're coming for number 21, number seven and number 11.' Liverpool have already started flexing in the transfer market, with names like Frimpong and Wirtz exciting fans. Tadiwa closed with intent: 'You see the scenes at Anfield… what young player wouldn't want to join us?'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Not just Wirtz! Liverpool STILL want £75m winger
© IMAGO Liverpool remain 'keen' on Anthony Gordon According to TBR Football, the English winger has been frustrated with Newcastle throughout the latter part of this season, and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are poised to pounce on a future move. Advertisement The club has previously entertained the idea of bringing the ex-Everton player to the red side of Merseyside, and now that Luis Diaz is set to be on the move, Graeme Bailey thinks it's plausible. At 24 year's old, Gordon would perfectly fit the age profile that Liverpool are hoping for, and his Premier League record since joining the Magpies is impressive with 21 goals and 16 assists. Furthermore, his development at a young age in England under-21 set-up helped his friendship with current Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones blossom. He would not look out of sorts back in Liverpool.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lineker delivers emotional farewell as MOTD era ends at the BBC
Emotional farewell for Gary Lineker as BBC and Match of the Day era ends Lineker's long goodbye and a moment that changed everything There are farewells, and then there are reckonings. Gary Lineker's final appearance on Match of the Day felt like a reluctant blend of both, a parting scripted not just by personal reflection but by political backlash, institutional caution, and the inevitable pressure of public scrutiny. It wasn't supposed to end like this, but then nothing at the BBC quite does anymore. After more than 25 years as the defining voice of the BBC's Premier League coverage, Lineker bid goodbye to his role with a wry quip and a heavy heart. 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' he said, opening his final show. 'But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.' Photo: IMAGO Except, of course, the subtext was about far more than football. It was about tone, timing and a misjudged social media post that collided with the long-brewing culture wars that have increasingly engulfed British public life — and which ultimately cost one of the country's most recognisable broadcasters his seat at the heart of its sporting tradition. End of an era framed by emotion and applause Lineker's last appearance on MOTD was a mix of poignancy and performative farewell. The BBC, in a gesture both generous and polished, rolled out a farewell montage that stitched together highlights from his 26-year tenure. Messages poured in — Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Pep Guardiola, Virgil van Dijk, even Andrea Bocelli — in a tribute that managed to be moving without ever entirely masking the discomfort that preceded it. Photo: IMAGO 'I'd like to wish Gabby, Mark and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair,' Lineker said of his successors — Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates. 'The programme is in the best of hands.' Advertisement Joined by Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker ended with familiar humour and humble appreciation: 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It has been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It has been utterly joyous.' Photo The Times He was handed a MOTD cap, a golden boot and a standing ovation. But beneath the warmth lingered the unmistakable awkwardness of a departure shaped by digital outrage and institutional risk aversion. Apology, amplification and the fine print of online expression It is worth revisiting the moment that prompted this final act. On 13 May, Lineker reposted an Instagram video from a group called Palestine Lobby, captioned 'Zionism explained in two minutes'. It also included a cartoonish image of a rat — a symbol with undeniable antisemitic connotations. Lineker later deleted the post and issued an unreserved apology. Advertisement 'I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic,' he said. 'It goes against everything I believe in.' He added: 'It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.' But the storm had already formed. The Campaign Against Antisemitism called his position 'untenable' and launched a petition for his dismissal. Figures from across the political spectrum weighed in. The BBC — already battered from previous Lineker controversies — quickly moved from planning to retain him for FA Cup and World Cup coverage, to letting him go entirely. As Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, noted: 'Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.' Public broadcaster meets private ideology What remains striking in this whole affair is the BBC's delicate dance between impartiality and integrity, between freedom of expression and the demands of public neutrality. Lineker has long been more than a football presenter. He has been a political voice, a humanitarian commentator, and at times, an avatar for the BBC's internal contradiction — outspoken, popular and uncomfortable. Advertisement His previous run-in with the broadcaster in 2023, when he compared the government's immigration rhetoric to 1930s Germany, had already tested the limits of what was permissible for a public figure on a public salary. Then, he was suspended and reinstated amid backlash. This time, the red lines were crossed more definitively. And yet, as Lineker said: 'Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember — both on the pitch and in the studio.' His affection for the game and its culture never waned. But this latest controversy exposed a deep tension between those personal convictions and a media environment increasingly allergic to ambiguity. Farewell from a figure who reshaped football on TV Lineker's exit should still be noted for what it symbolised. He changed how football was talked about on television — smart, sharp, unafraid to laugh, but also serious when needed. He was a bridge between generations, between dressing rooms and studio lights. At a time when the sport became hyper-commercialised, Lineker's presence retained a kind of levity and sincerity that grounded Match of the Day in something recognisable. Photo IMAGO His departure ends an era, not just of broadcasting, but of how sport sits within culture. MOTD will carry on, but the voice that once linked Shearer's analysis with a joke about zonal marking is gone. And with it, perhaps, a small part of the BBC's soul too. Lineker's final message was one of grace, reflection and, in spite of it all, accountability: 'I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years… Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.'
