Everton set for Goodison finale - sad to see them leave?published at 15:58 14 May
15:58 14 May
Image source, Getty Images
Everton's women will relocate to Goodison Park at the start of next season, but it will be the end of an era for Liverpool's nearest neighbours when the men's first team play their final competitive match at the stadium on Sunday.
The proximity of Anfield has always made the Merseyside derby and the relationship between the city's two clubs extra special. But from the start of next season there will be more than just Stanley Park separating the two rivals.
Will you be sad to see them move to pastures new?
Or are you looking forward to creating more memories at their new stadium?
'Difficult' dilemma for Slotpublished at 15:58 14 May
15:58 14 May
Ian Kennedy BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There has only been one story in town this week, and so now we wonder to what extent Trent Alexander-Arnold will be involved in the final two games of the season.
Arne Slot may want to take him out of the spotlight, but by the same token, he is there to win games and pick a squad able to do just that. It's a difficult one for the Reds' head coach.
And Brighton and Crystal Palace might be difficult too. The players will not want the season to end on a low note, having claimed the title early. Champions don't like to lose, so I think they will go to Amex Stadium on Monday determined to get three more points. Slot has made six changes to his team for the past two games, but will he do that again or stick closer to the line-up that played Arsenal?
Brighton are coming off the back of a win at Wolves and have a possible European place to play for. They also pushed Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season and drew the corresponding fixture last season, so Liverpool will need to be near their best.
And that goes for the final game against Palace too.
Transfer Q&A: Who could fill Liverpool's right-back spot?published at 15:41 14 May
15:41 14 May
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport's football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella has been answering your questions on the transfer window.
Michael, Hackney: There's lots of clamour from Liverpool fans to promote Conor Bradley to our first-choice right-back. However, I think a lot of them are saying so to simply tell Trent Alexander-Arnold that we won't miss him! Are there any right-backs out there that you think could be suitable to join Liverpool and provide healthy competition for the spot that Trent is leaving?
Nizaar: As Sami Mokbel reported on Tuesday, I think Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong is the best option for Liverpool. He is maybe more gettable now manager Xabi Alonso seems destined for Real Madrid.
One remarkably good option is Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina, who is available for free at the end of the season. For me, he has arguably been the best right-back in the league.
Fulham's Kenny Tete is also available on a free transfer - but much will depend on whether Liverpool are ready to promote Bradley as their first-choice option.
'It should never happen' - has offside rule been a 'time bomb'?published at 13:14 14 May
13:14 14 May
Image source, Getty Images
For the players and fans, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi getting this injury in a situation where the offside flag should have been raised is so frustrating.
The frustration is when it is clear and obvious. Officials have been overseeing games for many years and they would always flag whether they were right or wrong.
Now technology has come into it, they are very reliant on VAR to make the right decision, the factual decision, about an offside. But, I think when an offside is so clear and obvious, it should be the duty of the assistant referee to put their flag up and stop play from the off.
When it is marginal, I understand we are a bit more hesitant when there are really fine margins, and we have seen those fine margins when goals have been given and it is a toenail to keep them on-side. I would understand it from that point of view, but it was on the halfway-line where the offside happened on Sunday, only for play to be allowed to continue.
It has been a matter of time. It has been a time bomb waiting to go off for somebody to get seriously injured. Awoniyi is the one that has got that injury - that horrific injury - because of it. Some will say it is only the first time it has happened in the duration of this rule, but it should never happen. That is how players will be looking at it, how fans and managers will be looking at it and saying 'it should never happen'. We should not wait for something to happen to reassess rules like this.
I don't like the ruling of it - it is on the halfway-line, it is clear and obviously offside, everybody in the stadium could probably see it. It should be for the assistant referee to make the decision. There are small margins in the box, I understand why they are a bit hesitant, but in open play, if somebody is sprinting, you could cause hamstring, quad, and all types of muscle injuries.
I am totally against this rule of waiting to put up the flag and I think most players and managers are as well. It's disappointing. I think it's a rule that nobody likes, and I'm sure in the summer off the back of this injury, one that will probably be reassessed.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
'Trent will eventually be forgiven by almost every fan'published at 11:48 14 May
11:48 14 May
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
The Trent Alexander-Arnold saga continues. A player who has been at Liverpool since he was eight is leaving, probably for Real Madrid. On the positive side, he has served the club brilliantly and may even have given them the best years of his career.
On the negative, the club will not get a penny for a player worth north of £70m. He may say he is looking for new challenges, but fans will say you could have looked for new challenges without running down a contract and 'costing' the club that money.
Others will believe that it is all about the filthy lucre. Liverpool would have offered him a fine contract but only a fraction of what he can now rake in as a free agent.
I understand why Trent has done this. I understand why some fans are furious. I get that others are thankful for his time, effort and indeed regular brilliance.
I also suspect two other things. He will eventually be forgiven by almost every fan in the fullness of time and his departure will not derail the Reds to any significant degree.
'Excited to see what Frimpong could do'published at 09:25 14 May
09:25 14 May
Image source, Getty Images
With the imminent departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has emerged as a Liverpool target this summer.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Liverpool fan and author Steven Scragg said he believes the 24-year-old could provide healthy competition for Conor Bradley:
"He's one of the names that has been mentioned for some time now," he said, "and I think we will need a new right-back.
"In Bradley, we have a magnificent player but there is a big step up to be made. He's started five or six league games this season so to go from that, to starting 30-plus is a hell of a chasm to bridge and we will need someone in there with him.
"In Frimpong, we are looking at a player who is more similar to Bradley than he is to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He's not going to be spraying passes - he'll be an attacking right-back in a more traditional sense.
"It means Liverpool will be playing in a different manner next season. Somebody will have to plug the gap of being the man to spray those passes around but we do have players that can do that.
"I'm pleased with the player we are looking at. I'm excited to see what he can do should this transfer go through and how Bradley would step up to the competition for the position."
Liverpool fans remind rivals of title successpublished at 09:22 14 May
09:22 14 May
A group of Liverpool fans were keen to remind one of their closest rivals about their Premier League success this season.
On Tuesday, an advertisement on a billboard close to Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, read: "Manchester, just 37 miles to the country's most successful football club."
The billboard message contained the logo of The Anfield Wrap channel, which later posted on social media:, external "A message for Manchester... and we're never gonna stop."
By winning this season's competition, Liverpool are now level with United on 20 league titles.
Gossip: Liverpool close in on Alexander-Arnold replacementpublished at 07:34 14 May
07:34 14 May
Bayer Leverkusen's Netherlands right-back Jeremie Frimpong, 24, is closing in on a £29.5m move to Liverpool. (Mail, external)
Huijsen dreams of joining Real Madrid, but the Premier League's top two, along with Chelsea are prepared to trigger the defender's £50m release clause to get the deal done this month. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Finally, Real Madrid are close to announcing the signing of 26-year-old English right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, who are demanding a compensation fee of £840,000 in order for him to play in the Club World Cup. (ESPN, external)
'It feels like a betrayal'published at 17:41 13 May
17:41 13 May
Ben Ramsdale BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Lifelong Liverpool fan Carl Duffy, 41, was at Sunday's game with his daughter in the main stand, and said both of them booed Trent Alexander-Arnold's introduction.
"The reason we booed comes down to a number of things, some of which in isolation would make this scenario different but combined it was always going to lead to this," Duffy explained.
"Trent claims to be a local lad whose dreams came true, always talking about watching the 2005 Champions League trophy coming home from his house on Queens Drive. His idol was Steven Gerrard. Everything about him screamed 'he's just the same as us'.
"We identified with him, he was living our dream. To us it gets no bigger than Liverpool being on top and being part of that.
"In our minds nothing is bigger than Liverpool, that's how it is here. It feels like a betrayal, a backstab, like everything that was said before wasn't really true, or at least not as true as was portrayed."
Richard Davis, 50, was at the game against Arsenal and also condoned the booing from some supporters.
"Alexander-Arnold is widely known as a local lad that is a Liverpool fan," he said. "I, and most fans, can't even begin to imagine how amazing it would be to be in his place so where's the respect to 'his' club?
"If you genuinely love the club, and care, why would you run your contract down for the last year or so, to make sure that the club gets absolutely nothing to replace you after they have invested for the last 20 years in turning you into the superstar that you've become?
"No-one begrudges any Liverpool player wanting to change their lives and go elsewhere if they want to, but go the right way. Go with respect and some class. Be honest and straight with the club, and don't play this 'will I, won't I?' game that he's been playing with them.
"I am a fan, and this does mean more. Alexander-Arnold would have been a legend of the club had he stayed. He would probably been in most fans' top 10 Liverpool players of all time - but I think that legacy has all gone now and he's really tarnished how he's left so badly."
Walcott 'uncomfortable' after fan reaction towards Alexander-Arnoldpublished at 16:29 13 May
16:29 13 May
Media caption,
Former Premier League forward Theo Walcott, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about how Trent Alexander-Arnold could be affected by the mixed reaction he received from Liverpool supporters at Anfield on Sunday:
"Is Trent OK? Because we normalise this and we don't really know the aftermath of what it's going to do. We talk about mental health, how players and men particularly like to hold things in.
"His team-mate Andy Robertson came out and protected him in the right way, which he should, but this will have damaged him in some way at some point.
"I was a Liverpool fan growing up, I couldn't imagine booing any player, regardless of their situation. I understand why he's moved, he's done everything he can achieve at the club apart from being captain and all these things he's said. But there's no loyalty in football.
"For me, I just found it quite disturbing and really uncomfortable.
"People think they know players because they see them on the pitch, but they really don't."
Transfer Q&A: What strikers could Liverpool realistically target?published at 15:09 13 May
15:09 13 May
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel has been answering your questions on the transfer window.
Chris: Liverpool will probably replace Darwin and Jota this summer. I'm hoping for Lautaro Martinez personally, but I have no idea what fits the club's profile these days. Victor Oshimen is another player I thought would be a fit. What are your thoughts about Liverpool's misfiring number nine position?
Ben: If Isak is off the table for Liverpool, which other forward seems most likely? I really like Sesko but don't see him linked at all...
Sami answered: There aren't many strikers on the market, which is a problem for clubs like Liverpool who actually need one. It also means the prices aren't cheap.
Alexander Isak is the dream target for Liverpool, but that looks virtually impossible this summer owing to cost. Newcastle will likely demand a astronomical figure, way in excess of £120m, for Isak - that sort of fee is unrealistic for any club to meet.
So the other options appear to be Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres. Lautaro Martinez is a wonderful forward, but you'd imagine it would be very difficult to prize him away from Inter Milan at the moment.
We know Liam Delap is available for £30m, but it's hard to foresee a scenario where the Ipswich striker becomes Liverpool's starting centre forward.
There is striking talent out there, but it is a sellers' market which is expensive news for Liverpool.
Mixed feeling towards Alexander-Arnold 'complicated'published at 08:26 13 May
08:26 13 May
Media caption,
The Anfield Wrap’s John Gibbons on Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold's upcoming departure from Liverpool "is complicated," says The Anfield Wrap's John Gibbons, resulting in a mixed reaction and feeling since the announcement that Alexander-Arnold is leaving Anfield.
"There are a lot of false narratives being thrown about," Gibbons said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "There is a lot of talk about him leaving on a free transfer and that didn't help the likes of Raheem Sterling or Philippe Coutinho.
"There are also plenty of Scousers who wish him well as well as those that don't. Some people are just very angry that a player they like, and is from the city, is leaving. But it is the way it goes.
"I was on the Kop and it was a real mix. There wasn't too much booing around me but you could obviously hear it. That made some people get pretty angry.
"It comes from it [booing] not being the right thing to do and people saying you have to support him is whilst he is wearing the Liverpool shirt. It is complicated because then you have the people just stood there and wishing the whole thing wasn't happening! That is probably the majority of fans.
"But standing there awkwardly, as I was, is a hard thing to pick up on as that creates no sound.
"It isn't a perfect split [in ages of fans booing] - there were younger people who didn't boo but my friend's dad did. It is a decent point that, generally, it is younger supporters that are the angriest.
"For them, they can remember the dream of playing for Liverpool and so many of them would give anything to play for the club just once. In their minds, they have got someone who has the potential to win trophies for Liverpool in the future and potentially captain the club. I think there is a feeling that he is throwing away their dreams.
"The worst thing you can be accused of in Liverpool is 'you think you're too good for us, do you?' And I think there is a little bit of that going on with Trent at the moment, especially with the younger generation. "
Gossip: Diaz committed to Reds amid Barcelona linkspublished at 07:12 13 May
07:12 13 May
Colombian winger Luis Diaz, 28, has pledged his future to Liverpool despite having previously been linked with Barcelona. (Express, via Telemundo), external
Real Madrid have not yet made Liverpool a formal offer to sign England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold early, a week after asking the Premier League club if the 26-year-old could play for them in next month's Club World Cup. (Sky Sports), external
Liverpool could look to replace Alexander-Arnold with Bayer Leverkusen and Netherlands right-back Jeremie Frimpong, 24, who has a £29.4m-33.6m (35-40m euros) release clause. (Sky Germany - in German), external
Alexander-Arnold arrival turned Anfield atmosphere 'toxic'published at 16:36 12 May
16:36 12 May
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The whole atmosphere inside Anfield changed the minute Arne Slot decided to bring Trent Alexander-Arnold on against Arsenal.
It was like a pin in a balloon, and all the positivity blew out of the ground. The energy became toxic.
Instead of celebrating the Premier League champions, fans wanted to let Trent know what they thought of his decision to leave on a free transfer.
It is maybe one of Slot's few mistakes of the season. If he wanted to take Conor Bradley off, he should have used Jarrell Quansah or Wataru Endo at right-back instead.
Trent's introduction ruined what should have been a game of celebration and I really hope that is the last we see of Trent in Liverpool colours.
What's the point in using him? We have already won the title and he is leaving. Use the players who want to represent us - not the ones who have turned their back on the club and its fans.
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong is being heavily linked and it would be great to see the Dutchman competing with Bradley for the starting spot. He is a real flier and someone who can put in dangerous deliveries, too.
If Milos Kerkez is also signed at left-back, Liverpool's full-back options could be far more dynamic for next season.
'Think we were right to boo' - fans on Alexander-Arnoldpublished at 13:32 12 May
13:32 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you for your opinion on why Trent Alexander-Arnold received such a reaction and if you participated in the booing.
Here are some of your comments:
Ben: Leaving on a free, to a team that have beaten us in two Champions League finals. Had refused to do media for the last two years and signing Real Madrid shirts last year, plus saying he wants to captain the club then saying he'd prefer to win the Ballon d'Or. Think we were quite right to boo him.
Carl: Fans are right to boo him. Ninety nine per cent of Scouse Liverpool fans "get it", that it means something different being part of the city and the club. All these fans saying it's wrong are generally out of towners who simply can never understand. We are Liverpool - we are different, emotional and passionate. If you don't understand the boos, then it's clear this is not your club - follow your local club not ours. Also fed up of the BBC filtering responses to paint the narrative that we are embarrassed by the boos. We are not. Speak to Scousers whose club this is and you will see that he has burned his bridges for life.
Richard: Why are you only publishing comments condemning the booing of TAA? He's been disloyal to the club. The club made him what he is, and as a local lad, running your contract down so the club gets nothing and TAA gets everything will never go down well within the fan family. Particularly if he is moving to Real of all clubs, and with our history. Local lads who live the dream, need to treat the club with more respect. This means more.
Enea: What twaddle. This has happened every time a player runs down his contract since Bosman. Most of the fans commenting are post-millennial who do not remember Steve McManaman doing exactly the same as Alexander-Arnold and getting booed off for the last game of the season. It didn't affect him being welcomed back later after his career finished. Fans of other teams who are taking the mickey will be best to remember if one of their best players leaves on a free, the whole fanbase are not going to wish him well.
Simon: I can understand the booing and cat-calling by some of the fans. I think it is due to what he said. Went from: "I am a local lad, living my dream" to then turning his back. McManaman and Michael Owen did the same and were treated the same. Leaving on a free to your European rivals is not a good thing. Why leave it to the last minute to tell what everyone knew? Should have cashed in big and bedded a replacement than gone through this debacle. One thing is certain and you can ask Owen - when you turn your back on Liverpool, you never return.
'I cannot believe supporters are doing this'published at 11:24 12 May
11:24 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
The fallout to the boos for Trent Alexander-Arnold continues, with the situation a big talking point on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
There has - no doubt - been negative reaction and feeling towards the right-back since he announced he was leaving last week, but not many people would have predicted the atmosphere he was subjected to at Anfield.
The full-back was booed in the line-up announcement, again when he entered as a substitute in the second-half and it continued when he was on the ball. While some fans chose to applaud him on the ball in retaliation to those booing, there were also chants of "there's only one Conor Bradley" which were undoubtedly used in a manner to drive a point home to the departing Alexander-Arnold.
"I cannot say how fans should be feeling, but I am shocked," said The Telegraph's Luke Edwards. "If he was going to be joining another club in the Premier League then I would understand it more but he looks to be going abroad.
"He has given 20 years to the club. Yes, he has ran down his contract and he is leaving for free but he also cost nothing to sign.
"He's a Liverpool fan with a mural made just for him. I get the feelings of betrayal and anger but it does feel like an overreaction.
"The fact there were so many boos from match-going fans genuinely shocked me. I thought it was more confined to social media but it isn't so he has obviously stirred up a lot of negative emotions."
Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown added: "He has given them everything and they have won the league this season so he couldn't have left them in any better position.
"It is a terrible situation for a wonderful young player to have that. How does he feel?
"I am so disappointed because it is not an easy decision for him to leave. He has an opportunity to go and test himself so I do not get it.
"They have a nice replacement straight away in Conor Bradley but it shouldn't have been about him. Other players have had farewell banners and messages of 'sorry you are leaving.'
"I cannot believe that supporters are doing this."
'Embarrassed by our fans' - reaction to Alexander-Arnold boos published at 09:07 12 May
09:07 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
The big topic of discussion on Monday are the boos faced by Trent Alexander-Arnold from a minority of the crowd at Anfield during the draw against Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Billy: The fans were wrong to boo TAA. It affected some other players and cost us the win. Second half we were poor. Sad that Trent is going, but LFC will just move on. So should some fans!
Kennedy: Disgraceful and embarrassing booing Trent. He's young and wants to try a new chapter. Yes, it could have been handled better but to boo a lad whose done a 20-year shift with the Reds and won two leagues and a Champions league. Shameful response at Anfield. First time I've felt embarrassed of our usual glorious fans. Trent, you'll always be a legend and thanks for all your service.
Dave: Any so-called-supporter booing Trent, their own player, during the game are a disgrace and embarrassment. There's a game to be won, would they have done the same if we needed the points? Supporters should do all they can to help the team when they're on the field of play.
Fay: Horrified by the crowd's reaction to Alexander-Arnold. Are they three-year-olds who've had their toys taken away? Good luck to him. He's given his all to Liverpool for 20 years.
Peter: A great game spoiled by those people who say they are supporters. How on Earth can they ridicule a young man who has given over 20 years to our club and has not flinched once. He is only attempting to get his family into a position of safety and security. The club can do without them.
Finn: As a lifelong Liverpool fan, now well in his 60s, I cannot express strongly enough how disgusted I was that Liverpool fans booed a player who has played over 350 games for them, won everything there is to win, been with them all his life, and now wants a new experience for himself and his family.
Fraser: As for Trent, I totally understand why Liverpool fans are upset with him but can we avoid booing him while he's still with us? Please?
Were you in the crowd on Sunday?
Were you involved in the boos?
We would be very interested to hear why Alexander-Arnold received that reaction and your feelings about him moving forward.
'Fans entitled to own opinion' - Slot on Alexander-Arnold booingpublished at 08:49 12 May
08:49 12 May
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says "fans are entitled to have their own opinion" after some of the Anfield crowd booed substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first appearance since announcing he is leaving the club.
Media caption,
'Fans entitled to own opinion' - Slot on Alexander-Arnold reaction
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:45 12 May
Pete: Good first half, should have been out of sight by half time! Allowed Arsenal too much time second half! Need to still be ruthless in the box.
Paul: Other than a 10 minute spell when we scored both goals, I thought Arsenal were the better team. Not sure if this was because they wanted it more or we have dropped off. Absolutely brilliant to have won the title but there is a lot of work to do in the summer.
Jim: Too casual, not enough concentration on failed passes and gave the ball away far too many times. Allowed Arsenal to have too much possession, and not enough care was taken when Liverpool took the ball off them.
Ken: Margains are so fine at this level and once Liverpool's intensity inexplicably dropped so quickly in the second half, it was difficult to rediscover it and Arsenal probably deserved something after an improved performance. There are so many areas where improvements need to be made in this Liverpool squad and I hope the board back the recruitment team.
Andrew: It must be tough to get up for a game when you've won the title. And it showed in the second half. The main benefit of the game was the proof (if more was needed) that Darwin Nunez must leave. His control is so poor and his ability to find himself repeatedly offside is infuriating.
Image source, Getty Images
