Liverpool

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BBC sports editor Dan Roan has sat down with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to discuss all things from the Reds' title win to partying in Ibiza.

Watch the extended interview on BBC iPlayer

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

We asked our Liverpool fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.

Mohamed Salah

Most goals, most assists and the most goal contributions in a Premier League season - ever. Salah has been unrivalled among the division's forwards. Liverpool wouldn't have won the title without him - and renewing his contract was absolutely vital to the club's chances of more silverware next term.

Virgil van Dijk

The best centre-back of all time, in my eyes. Who else is stronger? Who else reads the game better? Who else is better in the air? Who can pass the ball into the path of an onrushing attacker so effortlessly? If it wasn't for Salah collecting all the gongs, Van Dijk could well be this season's Premier League player of the year full stop.

Alexis Mac Allister

Effortless in possession and clever out of it. The Argentine goes under the radar but has been exceptional for Liverpool. He links the team and is the one midfielder capable of incisive central passes. He makes up his complete lack of pace by being positionally exceptional. Liverpool arguably need more creativity in midfield next season, but Mac Allister will still be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Ryan Gravenberch

Gravenberch's breakthrough season is likely to have saved Liverpool £100m. After all, we were crying out for a midfield anchor last summer, but Arne Slot chose to use the Dutchman - who was more thought of as a number eight - and was rewarded for his bravery. Gravenberch is unbelievably slick on the half-turn and his first half of the campaign in particular was spectacular. He dropped off post-Christmas, but only because he has been run into the ground.

Pick your 2024-25 Liverpool player of the season from our shortlist here

And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

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There was plenty to get stuck into when it came to Liverpool boss Arne Slot's news conference earlier on as, apart from Trent Alexander-Arnold, he also discussed Luis Diaz and whether the Reds can add to this season's Premier League title.

On Diaz, Slot was asked about Barcelona sporting director Deco saying the Spanish club "like" the Colombia winger.

After double-checking Deco had made those remarks, the Dutchman said: "Every club has its own way of doing things. You are used to the fact that I don't talk about players from other clubs that we haven't signed.

"I understand he is a big admirer of Lucho Diaz - because I am a big admirer of him as well. He is a great player, having a great season.

"He [Deco] admires a few players, which we all do. I admire Lamine Yamal and Raphinha a lot as well!"

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen will present Reds captain Virgil van Dijk with the Premier League trophy after the game against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday.

Hansen won eight league titles, three as captain, with the Anfield club so what does Slot think about his side claiming more top-flight crowns?

"I think we have a lot to compete next season again but what I don't know yet - and that's going to be the interesting one - is if we have this elite mentality, this serial winner mentality of showing up season after season," he said.

"I will get the answer on 8 July when we come back together to see in what shape the players are."

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Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton had to "bide" his time when he joined the club but once he had the shirt on, he was not giving it up easily.

Houghton is now often seen as the final piece of the jigsaw in Kenny Dalglish's historic Liverpool side of the 1987-88 season that steamrollered their way to the First Division title.

"We were very focused that season," he told BBC Radio Merseyside. "The winning mentality is one thing I learned when I came to the club.

"I hadn't won as much as those players already there, but when you're around players who know how to win you get used to it.

"I had to bide my time but when you have that shirt it is up to you to then keep it. Back then, once a manager had found a winning formula, it would take a lot for them to change it.

"One season, I think Liverpool only used 14 players and that just would not happen now. There wasn't the depth that we are so used to seeing now."

Listen to Houghton recall the glory under Daglish on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealed in Friday's news conference that he had a conversation with Trent Alexander-Arnold in pre-season about his work ethic in training.

Slot, who arrived at Anfield last summer, has been guarded in recent months when talking about the right-back. However, but ahead of the final game of the season and Alexander-Arnold's anticipated but unconfirmed switch to Spain, Slot joked: "He is going to leave either way, so why not tell you!"

"Maybe it is already the first gift I can give [prospective Real Madrid boss] Xabi Alonso," Slot laughed. "I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground. In certain moments, he could do a bit more – to say it mildly. That's what we talked about.

"I said to him you're a much better defender than everyone tells you but unfortunately you don't show it all the time. This is why some people say this is part of the game you need to improve.

"If you are focused and concentrated, there are not many players that can go around him because he is fast, agile and has a great mentality. But it is about showing that every single game."

He did, however, go on to say Alexander-Arnold "deserves" to be at Anfield for the title celebrations on Sunday despite the criticism he has received from some sections of the fanbase after announcing his departure.

"For a fan, these players are all professionals, but for me as a manger they are not only a player but a human being," Slot said. "This should be the day everyone is going to enjoy. Liverpool fans have been waiting for this moment.

"He [Alexander-Arnold] definitely deserves to be there as well because he has been part of the incredibly successful years at the club."

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra (7 June) and friendly against Senegal (10 June).

Manchester City's Phil Foden, Newcastle's Tino Livramento and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen all miss out, but Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea duo Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah have been selected.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said "if there was ever the chance" for Mohamed Salah to win the Ballon d'Or "then it would be this season". Slot added Salah "has had very, very good seasons at Liverpool but this one probably stands out in numbers."

• On his feelings ahead of lifting the Premier League trophy: "Proud sums it up the most because after working here for a year I know now had hard it is [to win the league]. It has been 38 games in a period where the league has never been so strong."

• He said he has not decided whether Trent Alexander-Arnold will get game time but the full-back has earned the right to celebrate with his team-mates: "He definitely deserves to be there because he has been a part of the incredibly successful years at the club."

• In response to whether he has spoken to Alexander-Arnold about criticism he has faced for his decision to leave Liverpool this summer: "I speak to the human being every day. Combined with winning something together, it creates a different bond to what the fans may have with him."

• However, Slot did reveal he spoke to Alexander-Arnold in pre-season about his work ethic: "I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground. In certain moments he could do a bit more – to say it mildly. That's what we talked about."

• More on that subject: "I said to him you're a much better defender than everyone tells you, but unfortunately you don't show it all the time. This is why some people say this is part of the game you need to improve."

• Slot is hopeful Joe Gomez "can make some minutes" against Crystal Palace, in what will be his 150th appearance for the club.

• On avoiding closing the season with a defeat after losing at Brighton on Monday: "We need to do a few things better but I think we have still done a lot of good things in the ast three games. Usually we don't concede eight goals in three games. That's not our standard throughout the whole season."

• On his expectations for next season: "We have a lot to compete next season again, but what I don't know yet is if we have this elite serial winner mentality to show up season after season. I will get the answer on 8 July when we come back together. Many teams have won the Premier League once but not for many seasons in a row."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live radio commentary of Liverpool vs Crystal Palace on Sunday from 16:00 on Radio 5 Sports Extra

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot say it is has now "sunk in" that they are Premier League champions.

The Reds wrapped up the title with four games remaining when they beat Tottenham 5-1 on 27 April.

Despite form dropping off since the win, it has still been an impressive debut season for the Dutchman - who only took over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer.

"The moment the referee blew his whistle, we were like: 'Wow, this has really happened', but now, after all the celebrations, it's definitely sunk in," Slot told BBC sports editor Dan Roan.

"It's an achievement that we hoped for, that we worked really hard for. But, to say we expected it, or I expected it, would be a bit too much."

Given the dominance Manchester City had exerted over recent years - having won four Premier Leagues in a row - not many expected Slot to bring such early success.

"Before I came in, before I started to work with the players, I thought similar to the club, that we had to qualify for the Champions League again," he said.

"There are a lot of things you have to find out [when you start]. But that the quality was there to do something special this season? That I knew quite fast. Not only the quality, but definitely also the mentality.

"I didn't have to repair any confidence because a few of [the players] had already won the league, a few had won the Champions League, one of them was a World Cup winner - [Alexis] Mac Allister.

"So the players that play at this level know they can win trophies and one of them is the Premier League."

Hear more from Slot's chat with BBC sports editor Dan Roan

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

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There will be a party atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday and it will not only be the Liverpool fans that are celebrating.

Crystal Palace will be the visitors for the final game of this campaign and the Eagles will also be in joyful mood having won this season's FA Cup to claim the club's first major trophy.

In a dress rehearsal for next season's traditional curtain raiser of the Community Shield, the match might be seen as the starter for the festivities to follow.

From Liverpool's point of view, they will get to lift the Premier League trophy in front of their own fans after the game on Sunday, in contrast to the previous time they won the Premier League in 2020 when the trophy ceremony was at a near-empty Anfield because of the Covid pandemic.

The Reds will then have a bus parade on Monday as they mark winning a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in manager Arne Slot's first season in charge.

Slot will be talking to the media at about 09:00 BST this morning and we will find out how he is feeling before the celebrations and what his thoughts are as the season comes to an end.

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Amid reports linking Luis Diaz with a move to Barcelona, we asked you how you would feel if the Columbia international moved on and whether it makes sense for Liverpool to sell him now?

Here are some of your comments:

Mike: There is a reason why Barcelona are interested - he's a good player! He is aware of the interest, but he has also made it clear he wants to stay. It makes no sense to sell him in my opinion. Liverpool are trying to build a squad of players with sufficient quality to compete on all fronts. For me, Diaz should be part of that.

Michael: Let's not do an Arsenal and sell our forwards when we don't need to. Diaz has been dangerous, hard-working, and able to play in multiple roles. He is a proven player. We always want forwards to be more clinical but 18 goals and assists in the league is a good return. With new signings and the confidence of a title under his belt, I'll bet on more next year. Keep him and see how the team works next season.

Neil: He is a massive impact player who gives 100% for the entire game. Loved by the fans, with the ultimate privilege of having his own song. We have to keep him for at least one more season, then offer a new contract or sell.

Seren: Everything points to it being the correct decision for Liverpool, but I just can't bear to see him leave. Two years left on the contract, just on the back end of a Premier League-winning season, and supposedly is or should be in his prime. The amount of money he could fetch with those conditions is outlandish. However, from every high-intensity press to nutmegging right-backs in the Merseyside derby, this guy embodies never giving up. He's been through too much, especially in Barranquilla and the struggles he faced there. He deserves to go wherever he wants, but I would want him to stay.

Steve: If the money's good (£45m plus) and he wants to go, cash in and put the money in the kitty for a centre forward and/or younger prospect. We have Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah so Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are in the window too.

Harry: Luis Diaz has been a very good player for Liverpool. But, just that. Very good, not world class which every person playing for Liverpool needs to be. I can't see him getting to a world-class status so, although I'll be sorry to see him go, going to Barcelona is the right move. Should hopefully be around £50-80m as he is still quite young.

Andy: I'd be gutted if Diaz was lured to Barca and astonished that the club would permit such a move. He's a vital part of the squad, always energetic, gets things moving and comes up with vital goals. The whole thing is clickbait.

Henry: Diaz is a quality player, whose quick pace and ball skills make him a full-back's nightmare. Both his and Gakpo's stats are much the same but if we could get at least £50m for him, it would be a hard offer to turn down. I would rather he stayed but we all know that most South Americans dream of playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona. I expect a few players to be moving on this summer so we'll have to wait and see.

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Barcelona sporting director Deco says the club "like" Liverpool winger Luis Diaz and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

Reports in Spain this week have linked Colombia international Diaz with a move to the Catalans, while Rashford was holding out for a transfer to the La Liga club in January before joining Aston Villa on loan.

While there is no indication that Liverpool will listen to offers for Diaz, who has two years remaining on his contract, Rashford is available for around £40m.

"We like Luis [Diaz], we like [Marcus] Rashford, and we like other players," Deco told Catalan radio station RAC1, external.

"When we go to the market, there are names that we know and that could improve the team."

Liverpool fans, how would you feel if Diaz moved on? Would it make sense for the club to sell him now? Let us know

Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is expected to choose between a move to Liverpool and Bayern Munich within the next 10 days, with both clubs keen on the 22-year-old Germany international. (Kicker - in German, external)

Barcelona want to sign Liverpool's 28-year-old Colombia winger Luis Diaz, who has two years remaining on his Anfield deal. (ESPN, external)

Liverpool have looked at 20-year-old Lyon and Belgium winger Malick Fofana as a possible option if Diaz ends up leaving the club. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish, external)

Liverpool have offered their highly-rated Spanish centre-back Wellity Lucky, 19, a new four-year deal. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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