Liverpool

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Sport after defeating Leicester City: "Yeah [it was tough] but this is what you can expect when you forget to score your first chances.

"Then the belief will start, the stadium is sold out, of course, the fans were behind the home team when normally at 0-0 they would be more critical."

On chances created: "I think we created two very big chances in the first five minutes, in the first 15-20 minutes of the second half we created chance after chance, in my opinion.

"Since I've been here I don't think we played a game where we've had so many big chances and didn't score one of them. In the end we needed a set piece to score, which wasn't a big chance, but a great finish from Trent."

On Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring with his left foot: "I wonder if he ever did it before? But he has a very good left foot. But because his right foot is so, so, so exceptional, he prefers to hit it with his right.

"An important goal, great for him. Last week it was Virgil [van Dijk], now it is Trent, it's been Mo [Salah] for a long, long, long time - today he missed a few. It's so nice to have players that can step up if we really need it.

"That's what Virgil did last week and Trent did today."

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Trent Alexander-Arnold was the first defender to come on as a substitute and score the winning goal for Liverpool in a Premier League match since Martin Skrtel in August 2011 v Bolton Wanderers.

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Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, speaking to Sky Sports after scoring the winner against Leicester City: "Sure, it was [one of the best moments in a Liverpool shirt]. I have scored a few goals here at this stadium. We are so close to winning the title now and the first game back from injury as well, it was an important game for me.

"I am pretty sure it is my first left-foot goal. It's taken a few years, but got there in the end. Probably the one type of goal that I was missing, but I was saving it for a right time. We are so close to wining - just one win away now. To do that especially with the fans here is a very, very special moment."

"The fans have been outstanding. They have pushed us every game and they did the same today as well.

"The least they deserve is seeing us giving 100% on the pitch and win the game. It's very special."

On his future: "I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details.

"But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles - they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part."

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Leicester's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Ipswich v Arsenal

• Manchester United v Wolves

• Leicester v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Leicester ended their long losing run with a draw at Brighton last weekend, but I'm afraid another defeat is on its way for the Foxes here.

Liverpool were as limp as anything against West Ham last time out, but they still got over the line. They could be even limper against Leicester, and they will still win to move even closer to the title.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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It is a matter of time before Liverpool are crowned champions, and it could happen as early as Sunday if results go their way.

It is rare in Premier League history for a team to have about 70 points after 32 games and be 10 or more points ahead - but not unprecedented.

While 10 Premier League leaders have had more points at this stage, only one had a bigger lead than Liverpool's 13 points - the Reds themselves in 2019-20 when they had a record 86 points and a 20-point lead.

For those who may use this to argue that Liverpool haven't actually been that great, then the same must surely apply to three previous title-winning sides. These are Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United sides of 1999-2000 (73 pts, 11-pt lead) and 2000-01 (73 pts, 13-pt lead), and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side in 2014-15 (76 pts, 10-pt lead).

I'd love to see someone say that those United sides weren't actually that great to Roy Keane's face!

While it's true that Liverpool's 76 points at this stage wouldn't have guaranteed them the title in the past few seasons, it would have put them in a strong position and matches the pace set by recent table-toppers.

The same cannot be said of the teams chasing them. Arsenal's 63 points is the fewest the second-placed team has had after 32 games since Leicester's miracle season of 2015-16.

It's perhaps because we've had such close title races in the past few seasons – including an incredible three-horse race last season – that the lack of one this year has seemed so stark.

It actually mirrors Manchester City's title-winning campaign in 2020-21, when Pep Guardiola's side had 74 points and an eight-point lead at this stage, as defending champions Liverpool suffered a raft of injuries to key players and were battling just to finish in the top four.

We all know that it takes two to tango in a title race - but is it Liverpool's fault that no-one else has been able to match their moves?

Image source, PA Media

Earlier, we asked you to name the current Liverpool player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Alisson.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Leicester (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On captain Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, six days after Mohamed Salah extended his stay at Anfield: "It tells you that we want to keep our best players - the players who have played great seasons for so many years in a row."

• Slot continued: "Virgil has been so important for us - defensively, offensively, around the dressing room. He's a great personality and a great football player."

• Asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold's future: "We don't talk about these things as long as things are not done yet - and they aren't, so that's why we don't talk in public about that situation."

• He added: "Every time he trains or plays with us, he shows his commitment. The moment he's on the pitch, he shows me what a great player he is and how much he's involved in us trying to achieve our goals this season. Everyone who has watched football over the past six or seven years knows he is an incredible full-back. Let's see what the future brings."

• Alexander-Arnold returned to training earlier this week and, although he will not be fit to start, he could be on the bench if he comes through training with no adverse reaction to his injury before Sunday's game.

• Liverpool will be confirmed as Premier League champions if they win and Arsenal lose to Ipswich on Sunday. "My thoughts aren't on that at all. As always, my thoughts are on Leicester and our team - how to improve and what we can do better," Slot said.

• He continued: "My whole life, I've lived in the moment. I don't look backwards a lot and I don't look forwards a lot. It's the type of person I am. It's difficult in football - people tell you to try to enjoy the journey, but the only thing you think of as a manager is the game coming up. Maybe because I've been in football so long, you get used to living day by day and trying to influence day by day."

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

Listen to commentary of Leicester v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Live from 16:30 on Sunday

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Leicester City have won just two of their past 13 Premier League games against Liverpool (D1 L10), with those coming consecutively at home in 2021 (3-1 in February and 1-0 in December).

The Foxes are looking to avoid becoming the first side in top-flight history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring a goal. In Football League history, only Mansfield Town in the third tier between August and December 1971 (9) and Wolves in the second tier between December 1984 and April 1985 (10) have achieved this unwanted feat.

Mohamed Salah has scored in all five of Liverpool's Premier League games against newly promoted sides this season (seven goals). No player in the competition's history has scored in six separate matches against promoted clubs in one campaign.

Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing Lyon's 21-year-old French forward Rayan Cherki this summer. (Mail - subscription required), external

The Reds are considering a move for Eintracht Frankfurt's 22-year-old French striker Hugo Ekitike this summer. (Caught Offside), external

Arsenal and and Chelsea are leading the race to sign Real Betis' 19-year-old Spain Under-21 winger Jesus Rodriguez. (Caught Offside), external

Chelsea explored the idea of signing Virgil van Dijk this summer, before the defender signed a new contract with Liverpool. (Mail - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Guess the current Liverpool player from these three clues:

• I became the world's most expensive player in my position when Liverpool signed me.

• I was part of the 2019-20 Premier League title-winning squad.

• My only Premier League goal was scored against West Bromwich Albion.

Come back to this page later for the answer

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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First Mohamed Salah, now Virgil van Dijk.

It is big news for the club and the Premier League that one of the division's most iconic players is staying put.

For so long, there has been huge uncertainty over the futures of Salah and Van Dijk at Liverpool, given their previous contracts were set to expire at the end of the season.

The perspective is far rosier now, although the future of remaining out-of-contract star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has held talks with Real Madrid, remains hugely uncertain.

In the end, the numbers made sense for Liverpool. Replacing Salah and Van Dijk like for like would probably cost towards £200m in transfer fees, let alone wages. Identifying those players would have been a risky task.

Both players are in their mid-30s, but neither has shown signs of slowing down, so keeping them - on similar salaries to what they were on previously - appears the most economical decision, particularly when you look at their performances this season.

Van Dijk staying will lessen the necessity for Liverpool to sign a new central defender this summer, although strengthening in that area of the field is likely to depend on how talks develop with Ibrahima Konate over a new deal.

The France international is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is yet to reach an agreement over an extension.

Among the centre-backs Liverpool have watched are Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.

If an agreement with Konate is not reached, then Liverpool may have to make a decision over his future this summer in order to avoid the prospect of the central defender leaving on a free transfer in 2026.

Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Here are some more of your comments about the news that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is staying at Anfield:

Lynne: If we had let either Mo or Virgil go, we'd have been utter idiots! Great news that both these incredible players are here for another two years at least. As for Trent, if he decides to join Real Madrid I wish him all the very best. I just hope that he doesn't regret it as many others have, including some who are playing for them now.

Philip: This contract is only good if we sign his replacement in the summer, if we don't, then things like competing at the highest level can quickly change. We need to look to replace Van Dijk and have him working alongside someone for the next two years. Dean Huijsen has the same qualities and is a must this summer, alongside a left-back and a centre forward.

Sean: The purchases of Van Dijk and Alisson transformed the club from a big club to a great club that wins trophies. Amazing player, captain, human. Whatever happens over the next two seasons, Virgil and Mo both signing is massive for Liverpool.

David: Unfortunately he is a shadow of the player he was. Far too many mistakes of late. Hope he is able to recharge his battery in the summer break.

Fraser: Was never in doubt. So glad Virgil has chosen to stay. He's arguably been our most important player in the past seven years and it was vital that we keep him for as long as we can. We can build our defence around him while we look for his replacement and bring him to a similar standard. Looking forward to the next two years with Virgil and Salah. Let's make the most of it!

Stephen Warnock
BBC Sport pundit

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk makes it all look very easy and is extremely consistent, so when he has a couple of shaky games, or even just difficult moments in games like he had against Everton and Fulham at the beginning of April, you always notice, but I always expect a big response to any mistakes.

When people talk about the best centre-backs of the Premier League era, he is obviously right up there.

If you could genetically engineer the perfect defender then you would build Van Dijk because on top of his physicality he can pass the ball brilliantly to launch attacks, and has this calmness about him too.

We often talk about when a player has composure on the ball, but what is special about Van Dijk is how composed he looks without it, because of his positioning and anticipation.

The barometer of an elite-level centre-back is whether they are in control of the striker they are facing, or vice versa.

It is very rare that Van Dijk is not in control, in any game, and he gives Liverpool the platform to dominate their opponents.

Van Dijk, who turns 34 in July, has also started every Premier League game this season, so his durability is not an issue, and the reason why Liverpool have given him a new two-year contract.

Read more here

Image source, Liverpool FC via Getty Images

We asked for your views on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract with the Premier League leaders.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Hopefully another trophy-winning season. Virgil is an inspirational captain, a cool, calm defender who emits an aura of control that enables the rest of the team playing to fulfil their potentials. Two of our greatest players showing a loyalty that fans respect to a great club. Hopefully more successful seasons to follow in the near future. Thank you Virgil and Mo for staying with us.

Yusuf: We need him, he has been the best centre-back this club has seen since Ron Yeats. And particularly as this will be a big summer, hopefully with the new signings he can help their development and continue to help Quansah and Konate to develop. If we want to win the Premier League and Champions League, he is the one person who will lead us to them.

Will: Absolutely over the moon with this new deal. The contract extensions of Salah and Van Dijk have provided the team with a degree of certainty for the upcoming season, and takes some of the pressure off of the upcoming transfer window.

Graham: An absolute bargain and clever business, we'd have had to pay in excess of £100m to get a centre-back of his quality!

Dax: There was never really any doubt. Anyone who's been out and about around Liverpool will know that Van Dijk and his family belong in Liverpool just as much as Salah and his family. The culture at the club doesn't just embrace you as a player but also embraces you as a human being and there is no more welcoming place than at an organisation like Liverpool Football Club to make you feel worthy. I'm sure at some point in the next few days Van Dijk will say that it's more than just a footballing decision.

Ryan: Brilliant news. Will soften the blow of losing Trent and his leadership and his experience cannot be underestimated. He's respected in the game by fans, fellow players, and he can hopefully help pave the way for Ibou and maybe another centre-back to pick up the amazing foundations he's helped build. His dominance at the back is so assuring for the rest of the team - mistakes he makes are magnified because of the colossus that he is. He's a true legend, a giant of a man and exactly what you want from a Liverpool captain. Great news!

Liverpool fan Josh Williams spoke about van Dijk earlier this week to BBC Radio Merseyside, listen to his thoughts here.