Summary

  1. What's coming up?published at 11:27 British Summer Time

    Before we turn our attention to the FA Cup semi-finals and manager news conferences, we are just going to bring you the best lines of team news from Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler.

    We will then concentrate on the following FA Cup news conferences:

    • 12:30: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
    • 13:30: Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest)
    • 14:00: Unai Emery (Aston Villa)

    As well as that, we will also bring you team news from the Premier League, with news conferences still to be held today by Bournemouth, Wolves, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton.

  2. 'A nice game to look forward to but also a responsibility'published at 11:18 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    For those who want to watch and listen to the highlights from Arne Slot's news conference, just click on the play icon in this video below...

    Media caption,

    To win the title in front of Liverpool fans is a 'big responsibility' - Slot

  3. Here's a recap of what Slot had to saypublished at 11:13 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during a training sessionImage source, Getty Images

    Right, we are going to switch focus from the Premier League to the FA Cup soon.

    We will be hearing from the four managers of the semi-finalists after lunch.

    But before that, let's just sum up the key takeaways from Arne Slot's news conference.

    The Liverpool manager met journalists this morning with his side only needing a point against Tottenham on Sunday to be confirmed Premier League champions.

    Here are the best bits from the Reds manager:

    Liverpool are eyeing their 20th top-flight title in Sunday's 16:30 BST kick-off against a struggling Spurs side.

  4. Howe on 'five-game league'published at 10:59 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on the Premier League table and Newcastle's quest for Champions League football: “I see it being very tight and possibly going right to the end of the season in terms of competition for top five places.

    "I think we've put ourselves in a very strong position [with] what we've done for a consistent period now in the Premier League - our record has been very good for a long time but now we sort of go into a five-game league really where we’re gonna have to be consistent again and try and get results in some really tough games.

    "We are looking forward to the five games ahead of us, starting against Ipswich [on Saturday], which will not be easy."

  5. Newcastle's battle for Champions League footballpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport

    With Eddie Howe returning to duty, Newcastle United have five games remaining to secure Champions League football.

    The top five in the Premier League will qualify for Europe's top-tier competition next season.

    The Magpies are currently in fifth place, occupying the last Champions League qualification spot, but only have a two-point cushion over Chelsea in sixth.

    Let's have a look at Newcastle's remaining fixtures -

    • 26 Apr: Ipswich (H)
    • 04 May: Brighton (A)
    • 11 May: Chelsea (H)
    • 18 May: Arsenal (A)
    • 25 May: Everton (H)

    The league table showcasing Newcastle in fifth spot.Image source, Getty Images
  6. get involved

    Get Involved - your weekend plans?published at 10:46 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Heading to Newcastle to give Eddie Howe a huge welcome back tomorrow and (apologies) hopefully relegate Ipswich while improving our goal difference.

    Mike

  7. Postpublished at 10:43 British Summer Time

    Eddie Howe was taken to hospital late on 11 April.

    Assistant manager Tindall stood in for the Newcastle boss' pre-match news conference earlier that day.

    On 12 April, the club announced he would miss the home game against Manchester United - the first of three matches they would play during his absence.

  8. 'I wasn't myself' for Leicester gamepublished at 10:41 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    More from Eddie Howe, on his worsening health at the time of Newcastle's 3-0 win at Leicester on 7 April: "I have to apologise also to anyone that saw me around the Leicester game because I wasn't myself. If I did see anybody, I was very withdrawn, so I'd like to think I'm in a much better place now."

    Eddie Howe at Leicester, four days before he was admitted to hospitalImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Eddie Howe at Leicester, four days before he was admitted to hospital

  9. 'It could possibly have had a different outcome' - Howe on 'quick intervention' of club doctorpublished at 10:37 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on whether it was a scary time when he was ill: "Well it was, in the respect that I felt really bad but I didn't know how bad. I'm one of those people, probably like most men, that you sort of go through everything, you don't necessarily offer yourself to doctors and people but think 'I'll be ok in a couple of days, I'll fight through it'. I'm very much in the mindset of that.

    "I'll go through anything until you can't, so I was very thankful the doctor here, Paul Catterson, acted quickly because without that quick intervention it could possibly have had a different outcome.

    "I was treated really well in hospital and now thankfully, through the worst of it."

  10. 'You're either all in or all out and I couldn't contribute'published at 10:34 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on the involvement he has had whilst away: “Zero. I made a conscious decision when I didn't feel well enough to focus on the football to give Jason and all the coaches the full responsibility because for me you're either all in or all out and I couldn't contribute.

    "I said to Jason right at the start ‘it's over to you’ and didn't he do well. I thought he was brilliant with Graeme, Simon, Steven, all coaches and players - absolutely magnificent.

    "I was able to watch all the games, the first two I wasn't really there mentally but I was really proud and so lifted by the performances."

    On his return to work: “I came back in and it was normal - normal service resumed - probably minus running around. A lot more reserved physically and I think I'm gonna be that way for a while, but certainly back to normal service."

  11. 'Tindall did brilliantly, I'm lucky to have him'published at 10:28 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on his staff and players: "For those first two games [wins against Manchester United and Crystal Palace], I was watching and involved. I wasn't feeling well enough to probably enjoy the performances, but a big thank you to the players because they gave everything in those two games to get two massive wins for us.

    "The staff behaved and acted absolutely brilliantly so a real tribute to them and now I'm back I hope I can add something to the group as we go into the last five games.

    "I think he [assistant manager Jason Tindall] did absolutely brilliantly and I am very lucky to have him."

    Jason Tindall and Eddie HoweImage source, PA Media
  12. 'I’m very thankful' - Howepublished at 10:25 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on his recovery: "The care I received from the NHS was absolutely first-class. I can't thank them enough, they were absolutely brilliant, the care and the love I felt from them.

    "And, of course, the well wishes and text messages I received from everybody. I‘ve tried to get round to reply to everybody, it does take a while!

    "I really do appreciate it and I’m very thankful."

  13. Postpublished at 10:20 British Summer Time

    Right, let's hear more from Eddie Howe.

    The Newcastle manager has been giving a personal account of his recent health issues, talking about his fears after being admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia and his gratitude to those who cared for him...

  14. 'A point. Just one point'published at 10:15 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    On that note, we will move from Arne Slot to Eddie Howe.

    But before we leave Liverpool, for those who have missed this, a quick recap of their simple title equation.

    The Reds are currently 12 points better off than second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table. They have 15 points left to play for, while the Gunners only have four games remaining so can only match Liverpool's current tally.

    That means Slot's side need just one more point from their final five games, the first of which is against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

    We will leave Liverpool fans with this one comforting stat:

    • Tottenham are without a win at Anfield since 2011 and, on top of that, have lost 18 league games this season

    Time to party? To enjoy more Liverpool content, visit our habit page here.

    Liverpool fans celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  15. More on Nunez's contract clauses - reportspublished at 10:09 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport

    There have been reports that a clause in Darwin Nunez's contract means Liverpool will have to pay 5m euros (£4.27m) to his former club Benfica if the Uruguay forward starts another game for the Reds.

    According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, external, Benfica inserted multiple clauses into the contract when they agreed to sell Nunez to the Merseyside club.

    Achievable clauses within the contract suggest that the 75m euros (£64m) deal had the potential to reach 100m euros (£83.3m).

    Reports suggest Benfica have already received 10m euros (£8.5m) in add-ons - including 5m euros when Nunez made 10 starts in the Premier League and another when he reached 35 starts in the Premier League and Champions League.

    Should Nunez start 60 games in both competitions (he is currently on 59), the reports says it would cost Liverpool another 5m euros, which would take the total Liverpool have paid to 90m euros (£76.8m).

    Nunez has not started a game for Liverpool since February.

    Nunez in action for LiverpoolImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'It's completely new to me' - Slot on reported Nunez clausepublished at 10:06 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    A final word from Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who was asked whether a reported clause in Darwin Nunez's contract is affecting his team selection: "Do you always believe what the journalists say? Not always? Me neither. Sometimes it's true, but sometimes it's better not to believe everything that is written about players. It's completely new to me.

    "I've said many times that I am working at a club where it is really nice to work at. For me, it's very important to have a great working environment and I have that with Richard [Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director].

    "So the last, last, last thing that he will do is tell me if you play him, it will cost us this much. That he will never, never do. I don't know if it's true or not, because we never talk about that. He never interferes with the line-up.

    "It might be true, but if a journalist says it, you have to balance."

  17. Slot provides update on Gomez returnpublished at 09:55 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Joe Gomez of Liverpool looks dejected as he leaves the pitch with a injuryImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot on whether Joe Gomez could return from injury this season: "If his recovery goes well, he might be able to for maybe the last one or two games of the season. He is not training with the team yet, but he is getting closer and closer. He has been out for a long time and we've talked about how long it took Conor Bradley to come back.

    "I think he will be available in the last one or two games if his recovery goes the way as planned."

  18. 'As long as Trent is here difficult for Bradley to take next step'published at 09:51 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Conor Bradley's fitness: "He is getting closer and closer to 90 minutes, but it depends on the upcoming two sessions. It's normal if you played twice for 70 minutes, the chance of you playing 90 is getting closer.

    "We are taking good care of him because he has had two injuries that were similar. Let's wait and see how he does today and tomorrow and see if he is able to play and if he is, whether he will be able to play the full 90.

    "It's going to be very important for him to become a better player than he is now to play many games in a row. Unfortunately for him, there is another full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is world class at this club. That is perhaps the only reason he hasn't played back-to-back games. He definitely has quality to do so and I think his next step is to play every single week and feel that pressure and at a certain moment it doesn't feel as pressure anymore.

    "That is his next step, but as long as Trent is here, it's going to be a difficult step to make as well. But they are both very food full-backs."

    Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor BradleyImage source, Getty Images
  19. 'This has been a real challenge'published at 09:46 British Summer Time

    Newcastle v Ipswich (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on his battle with illness and returning to work: "I’m OK. I'm not 100% in my body but I’d like to think I’m very close to 100% in my mind, which is the most important thing. I’m well enough to face you guys today.

    "Difficult [last few weeks]. I try to take a positive from every experience, I think that's really important, but this has been a real challenge because your health you take for granted - I certainly have.

    "When you don't have the luxury of feeling normal it can be very difficult, so I have certainly been through a range of emotions. Thankfully, I feel like I’m on the road to recovery, which is the most important thing.

    "I am delighted to be here.”

    Eddie HoweImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'Maybe Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal are not so good anymore'published at 09:42 British Summer Time

    Liverpool v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot on claims that Premier League hasn't been strong this season: "Everybody can have their opinion. In the parts of the world we live in, when you have your opinion, you can share it with everyone. That's a very positive thing to have.

    "I've only been here for a year. I think it's never been as exciting for top-four, top-five finish. In all the years before, it was quite clear which clubs will get the first three or four positions. In my opinion, it's a really difficult league. Because from what I've experienced, there's never been an easy game.

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

    "Either the teams are not so good anymore - the Liverpools, the Manchester Citys and the Arsenals - or we are still very good but the other teams have the funds to spend as much or, in some situations, even more."