Two English teams are taking part in the Champions League on Tuesday, and we will bring you every moment.
Monaco v Aston Villa - 17:45 GMT - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Liverpool v Lille - 20:00 GMT - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot spoke to the media on Monday before Tuesday's Champions League game against Lille at Anfield.
But before speaking about their perfect record in the competition, he responded to Brentford boss Thomas Frank describing the Reds as the best team in the world.
"His opinion means something to me because he has shown at Brentford how well he has done for so many years without spending crazy amounts of money," Slot said. "But I think it's far too early to say these things."
Slot also said he is not overly concerned by finishing top of the league phase table, stating: "Being on top doesn't tell you you're the best team and it's impossible to say [who is] because of the strange format we have."
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton defender Seamus Coleman says he is keen to take a job in coaching after his playing career ends.
The 36 year-old assisted another club legend Leighton Baines to take charge of Everton's FA Cup third round victory over Peterborough following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
"It was a crazy few hours, for sure," admits the Irish international. "I was due to be on the bench as a player on the night, then, obviously, it all changed very quickly.
"I think we used a mixture of both what he's been doing tactically and me being myself with the group, trying to make the lads understand the importance of it all and what's in store for the Football Club.
"Even just spending that little bit of time with Leighton is probably the first time I've properly planned for a match, albeit it was a very short period of time.
"Being on that side, seeing and feeling how it works and being on the sideline and seeing your team was good, and enjoyable.
"In the future it's definitely something I think I will have a crack at."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on whether Harvey Elliott and other Liverpool players who are seeing their playing time limited should be getting more minutes, and if Elliott was to be played more, where you would like to see him playing.
Here are some of your comments:
Andy: Harvey Elliott should be in both the Liverpool and England teams. He is an amazing talent as he showed in pre-season. Phil McNulty has said before that Elliott will be a future England regular and he needs game time to achieve that. I hope Slot doesn't waste this young and exceptional talent.
Rhona: Last season Harvey really made the engine tick going forward. I was devastated last week when he was linked with a transfer to Borussia Dortmund. He loves Liverpool, he is young and he is a future captain.
Fraser: Arne Slot has done really well so far and I'm really happy with him but if there's one thing that I think he could improve on it is that he needs to start trusting some of his players more. Harvey Elliott was really good for us in the last few seasons and he has shown that he wants to be part of the team. Elliott is a lot better going forward than Curtis Jones is. Jones is good but he's much better playing further back and with possession than he is playing forward. Elliott should be our main back-up to Szoboszlai.
Not just Elliott, it's the same with Federico Chiesa and Endo - Slot needs to trust them and give them minutes to develop. They are good players.
Paul: It's an interesting one. Klopp conceded that he didn't use Harvey enough, and Slot seems even more reluctant. For me, he never has a bad game and is a quality player who should be given more minutes.
Yusuf: Elliott should play more - now that teams know that we attack using Gakpo and Salah on the flanks, using Elliott in the central attacking midfield spot for Szoboszlai and Jones at times will make attacks more fluid, and he can apply that killer pass to the wingers and catch defenders sleeping. Don't forget that he does get the odd goal from outside the box as well.
Sam: 100% agree with Jordan Chamberlain (BBC Sport fan writer) about Harvey Elliott. He changed the game at Brentford with two exquisite passes leading to goals when the game was heading for a potentially-costly stalemate. He deserves more game time as he offers something different to the Liverpool team with his vision and creativity.
Mike Richards
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter Wednesday's narrow defeat to Aston Villa, you wondered whether Everton would have the privilege of a 'new manager bounce'.
Fast forward a few days and the first 77 minutes against Tottenham provided evidence that the new manager's influence is having a desired effect.
David Moyes was eager to point out that limited time with the players before his Goodison Park bow against Aston Villa, didn't help the outcome of that match. Those extra few days leading into Sunday certainly did.
Both a tactical switch-up and change of personnel suggested he learned a great deal from the mid-week defeat.
We haven't seen much 'football' in recent months, but it was obvious that Moyes wants the players to get the ball down and play.
Our second goal against Spurs highlighted that in abundance.
Some 19 passes, patience and a growing confidence led to a fabulous Iliman Ndiaye goal.
So often our standout player in yet another bleak season, Ndiaye is certainly one player who has captured the imagination of all Evertonians.
A player who will look back at Moyes' previous Everton team and will know he can thrive in this version of his Everton side.
Another summer acquisition in Jesper Lindstrom put in a season best performance, playing in a hybrid wing-back/winger role, supported ably by the often overlooked Jake O'Brien.
The message from a manager is something that defines performances. Slight tweaks and offering players the opportunity to impress was the order of the day.
More emphasis on attacking football, while remaining resolute is music to all our ears.
A first three points is a small step, but a hugely welcomed one.
We were all able to sleep a little sounder on Sunday night.
Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool legend Robbie Fowler has revealed an interesting theory over the much-publicised contract negotiations going on at the club.
The Reds face losing captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold for free this summer as all three are set to be out of contract.
The situation has garnered attention in spades given the high-profile nature of each player and their obvious contribution to a club topping the Premier League table.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Fowler said: "I do have a little theory. I don't know if this is so far from the truth. I just think two of them have signed already. Maybe one hasn't. But then the simple fact is the club can't come out and say 'you two have signed' as it makes the other one look worse.
"I think there's a possibility that may have happened. If two sign and the club come out and say, it puts so much pressure on the other one."
Chris Sutton says Darwin Nunez "has nuisance value" after coming off the bench to win the game for Liverpool against Brentford on Saturday and it's Liverpool's strength of substitutes that will help them to win the league.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club Sutton said: "Arne Slot in the week said he wasn't getting the best out of Nunez - so for him to come on and make his mark as he did do.
"It wasn't to do with proving a point, he got his opportunity - he actually had missed an easy opportunity with a header and should have hit the target.
"But he still adds nuisance value."
He added: "Arsenal should never have let it [a two goal lead] slip against Aston Villa. But, there's no doubt Liverpool's strength in depth looks like it'll take them to the title."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Former Premier League Golden Boot winner Chris Sutton hopes Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal against Tottenham will give him confidence, because he thinks the Everton striker has many qualities.
Speaking about the 27-year-old on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "He's really lost his belief. He's been low on numbers and had injury problems - the past few seasons he's barely scored a goal.
"He just isn't playing with any clarity. When you're confident and you're flowing it's seamless, but he still seems to have that doubt.
"Hopefully that goal will do him the world of good for confidence. He has so many brilliant attributes."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Liverpool are not considering accepting an offer for midfielder Harvey Elliott - in January or the summer window - despite his lack of first-team football. (Football Insider), external
Meanwhile, defender Ibrahima Konate is yet to sign a new deal with the club, despite having been offered one. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesDarwin Nunez got the headlines on Saturday, and rightly so, but Harvey Elliott also made a massive impact off the bench.
The 21-year-old was involved in both goals in what was his most telling contribution of the season.
He has not had many chances this term, with Arne Slot preferring Dom Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones at number 10. Elliott got injured early on and has never been able to force his way in, tellingly not even coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest last week.
At Brentford, though, Slot gave him 10 minutes - and Elliott changed the game, proving himself as a creative force.
The midfielder found spaces between the lines and showed an ability to make intricate passes into the penalty area.
Szoboszlai is a better presser and more physical, while Jones is good at retaining possession, but Elliott has superior vision to both.
Hopefully, Slot will now use him more, especially against teams who park the bus, because Elliott has the ability to find attackers in the box instead of just spreading the play wide every time.
Jones has now got himself in the England squad, and if Elliott gets the minutes his talent deserves, he could too by the end of the season.
Do you think Elliott should be getting more game time, Reds fans? Where should Slot be using him? Are there any others who should be getting more minutes? And if so, in what games?
Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop., external
Luke Reddy
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool fans often point to the sight of an overjoyed Sadio Mane running towards a raucous away end at Aston Villa in November of 2019 as the moment they truly ended their long title wait.
The Reds needed months to confirm the honour but for many, the race was won when that glancing header beat Villa at the death. On such moments, momentum becomes an avalanche and titles are clinched.
Saturday's added-time drama at Brentford contained its fair share of delirium, not to mention an eye-catching moment that has fans talking. Was this the Mane header all over again?
When Darwin Nunez applied his finish in the 91st minute, the Uruguayan threw his shirt into the air and led a pack of chasing team-mates to the corner flag, where the Reds' travelling fans were losing their minds.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe footage of the celebrations has become a viral social media hit,, external with Federico Chiesa's eyes-wide joy a prominent feature and Harvey Elliott playing a starring role.
Elliott sprints after Nunez, picks up the striker's tossed shirt from the floor and in a rhythmic, almost poetic manner, boots a pitchside ball high into the bouncing away end.
On a day when 37 shots had been fired at the Brentford goal, at the end of a week when Nunez was discussed at length by pundits expecting his imminent departure, and after a run of days where the word "blip" was used perhaps more than it should have been, Elliott's swipe punched through the January air, as roars poured down at him, his jubilant team-mates and a striker reborn for perhaps the fifth, sixth or seventh time in his Anfield career.
Following Mane's Villa Park header, Liverpool won 16 league games in a row.
Reds fans will hope Nunez's moment and Elliott's big boot prove to be as influential and, one day, as iconic.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate believes the partnership he has formed with captain Virgil van Dijk is the best central defence in Europe this season.
The Reds are six points clear at the top of the Premier league with a game in hand and three points clear at the top of the new League Phase of the Champions League with two games remaining - starting on Tuesday evening against Lille.
Arne Slot's side also have the best defensive record in both competitions, conceding just one goal in their European matches so far and 20 in their 21 domestically.
When asked in the pre-match news conference if his partnership with Van Dijk is the best in Europe, Konate said: "This season, yeah I think so. Everybody knows Virgil, everybody knows his quality. For me he is the best, no-one is better than him in this position.
"I learn a lot from him and from other players like [Joel] Matip, Joe [Gomez] and others who play this position as well.
"I never said it to him [Van Dijk] but I have said in interviews, I just want to be better than him one day!
"That's why I work hard, to reach this level one day."
Konate also confirmed he has been offered a new contract by the club with his current deal expiring in June 2026 but was not drawn into commenting further, adding: "This is another conversation."
Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game at home against French side Lille (20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Slot said both Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez are expected to be back in "weeks not months" with Jota, who he said has overloaded a shoulder muscle, is expected to be back "a bit earlier than Joe".
He believes Darwin Nunez has the potential to kick on after his double against Brentford: "The most difficult thing in football is to find consistency. Only a few players in the world are able to be at the same level every three days in a row. Next step for him is if he can go into the bracket of players who are outstanding every three days. It's a nice challenge for him."
On Bees boss Thomas Frank's comments that the Reds are the best team in the world: "His opinion means something to me because he has shown at Brentford how well he has done for so many years without spending crazy amounts of money. But I think it's far too early to say these things. The Champions League format is different. We have to face a lot of teams."
Slot is not over concerned by finishing top of the League Phase table: "The most important, when we go out there we want to win a game. I'm not thinking at the league table in a way that if you finish number one you get the easiest team because being on top doesn't tell you you're the best team. It's impossible to say because of the strange format we have."
On improving attacking output: "We have scored more in the last eight, nine games. We've conceded a few too so we've needed these goals more than in the beginning of the season. I can't come up with why it has changed but we are working together and know even better what we want with the ball."
On Tuesday's opponents: "I am not surprised but impressed. I was impressed by their manager Bruno Genesio at Rennes, at the way his team played. I've seen many games of them and I'm not surprised. They've deserved every single point."
Follow all of Monday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott says he is ready to fight for his place in Arne Slot's team after returning from injury.
The 21-year-old, who played significantly under Jurgen Klopp, told BBC Radio Merseyside that he knows what he needs to do in order to be in Slot's first team.
"I just need to keep my head down, keep working hard and keep trying to help the team whenever I'm needed," he said. "It is just about waiting for my time.
"I was out with an injury, so I don't expect to be back and playing straight away and I will give it everything I can.
"If you look at the team now with the sprint distance the team is doing and the constant pressing, it is something I can do but I can improve it a little bit more so that it is effective.
"Liverpool is my club and my team and I want to fight for my place and position in the team. It is down to me to put the effort and desire in to make it achievable."
