Liverpool

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Former Liverpool striker Natasha Dowie says Arne Slot has got them playing "attractive football" and the fans at Anfield for Sunday's win over Brentford loved the intricate play.

"What I love about him is that he has already stamped his authority on this team," said Dowie on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Podcast. "Some people were not brave enough to take this job after Jurgen Klopp but he has come in and been intense and been in meeting and after meeting. And it has really worked.

"He has not tried to be Klopp or please the fans by doing the fist pumps post-match. Instead, he has tried to please them by giving them attractive football. We are a lot more patient with our play and defensively a lot tighter. We have had clean sheets too.

"You can feel the fans buzz in the crowd and they are singing his song. That is important because being a Liverpool manager is more than just being a manager because the fans want to know you. It is a lot more intense than other managerial jobs and he has to understand, and I think he does."

Nigel Reo-Coker added: "I like Slot's approach as he is not afraid to make big decisions. When Trent Alexander-Arnold came off Slot went to sit on the bench with him and that shows the sort of character that he is.

"He knows what is at stake, and who he is managing, and he is not shy in showing his personality."

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Liverpool could make a move for Sporting Lisbon's Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio, 22, while Bayer Leverkusen's Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie, 22, is also a target. (Teamtalk), external

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

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a good start. Most importantly, we did not concede much. The only big chance we conceded was a set-piece and that is always so difficult when you play Brentford.

"They can threaten in many ways, but one is certainly set pieces and we controlled that quite well, apart from that one moment. One of their set-pieces also led to our first goal, which was pleasing to see."

"To get a great start like this, you have to work really hard. The boys kept on working really hard without the ball, which saw us get better and better and better throughout the second half. That then led to many good chances. The only thing we didn't do is kill the game earlier."

On the control Liverpool had in the second half: "What I mean when I say control is what we also do when we are without the ball. We work really hard for the other team not to create anything at all.

"With the ball, we tried to get into situations where we want our best players to be in and that worked well in the second half."

"In nine out of 10 games, if you get equal chances to your opponent, it is likely that we will win. We have got one of the best, maybe the best, goalkeeper in the league and we have some very good attackers as well.

"What we do, as staff, is get them in these positions and then the players work hard to make sure the other team doesn't create."

On winning his first two league games: "The players came back after three weeks of holiday and, in most cases, two weeks before the start of the games, but they came back really strong, physically.

"Compliment to the players for how they came back and, like I have said, we haven't changed much compared to the former regime, so it is not so difficult for them to start playing again. That was a very positive thing."

On his first competitive experience at Anfield: "The fans loved to see the team playing really well, but they also loved to see the team working very hard.

"I liked what I saw, so if I like it then mostly the fans will like it. So, it was a very good day for us.

"We won against Ipswich and won against Brentford - two good teams - but I'm not expecting them to be in the top six in the upcoming year, so there still a lot to prove for us in the upcoming weeks and months."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been speaking to Sky Sports: "We all defend together, you see how quick we are to get behind the ball. It is a good start and we have something to build on. We will have to see [what happens]."

On new manager Arne Slot compared to former manager Jurgen Klopp: "The time with Jurgen was amazing and the time with the new boss is a joy. He has a certain way of playing. We work a lot on so many good things and you see a lot, with and without the ball, that gives confidence to the team.

"We have to - I won't say forget about the Jurgen period - but that is in the past. We had an amazing time and now it is a time for the new boss to hopefully be successful.

"That is why we have to focus on that and to not have comparisons and all of this stuff - in my opinion.

"We don't have new players so far but obviously [I have] that extra responsibility because I know the players inside and out. I am here for him [Slot] - I told him that from day one, that I will help the players and the backroom staff.

"I want to be successful and we are in the same boat. There is extra responsibility there [now]."

On his future at the club: "I am very calm. The thing is: I want to play the best season I can. I want to be important and stay important for the club, then we will see. Everything happens for a reason but, for now, there have been no changes in my situation.

"I am very calm about it and there is no reason for me to start thinking about something else. I have a whole season left to play.

"I am proud and [Anfield] is home. It is a special place and, what I said before, whatever happens in the future, Anfield is a special place in my heart. Let's see what the season brings.

"I am not playing football to lose or not become successful. It is not guaranteed, but I want to win. We know how difficult that is but playing for Liverpool, one of, if not the best clubs in the world - there are expectations.

"I'm really enjoying it so far [under Arne Slot] and there is still so much to improve. Let's see what this season brings."

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

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Luis Diaz is playing like he was made for Arne Slot's style of football.

The Colombia forward followed up his impressive performance on the opening weekend at Ipswich with another eye-catching display against Brentford.

Diaz looks a real threat this season and marked his 100th appearance for Liverpool since joining from Porto in January 2022 with his 25th goal for the club.

The 27-year-old is playing with a smile on his face again after the terrible events of last October when his father was kidnapped before being freed the following month.

Against Brentford, Diaz had three attempts - including two on target - and produced four key passes. He also finished the match with a 100% passing accuracy.

Remarkably, he has now scored Liverpool's first Premier League goal at Anfield in each of the last three seasons.

Slot will hope Diaz can continue to make an impression as the season gathers pace.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been speaking to Sky Sports following the win: "We played a fantastic game. The team gave everything from the first minute, which you could see. It was a good game. In possession and without the ball it was good, so we are really pleased."

On his thoughts for the season ahead: "We know there is still room for improvement. In the transition, sometimes we need to be patient but instead we are quite direct.

"But we are in that transition [towards that style]. Everyone is working hard to get into Arne's ideas."

On facing Manchester United in their next game: "We know against Manchester United it is a derby. It is very important for the club and for us. We will prepare during the week and we will do our best to win that game."

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Luis Diaz has scored Liverpool's first Premier League goal at Anfield in each of the last three seasons. In addition, 76% of Diaz's Premier League goals have come at Anfield (13 out of 17) – the highest proportion of any player with 15 or more goals for Liverpool in the competition.

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

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week two, he takes on Make Me A Mixtape hosts Clara Amfo and Jordan Stephens.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Brentford have got a goal in them and Ivan Toney is back in training. There is talk of him going to Saudi Arabia. What a tragedy that would be at his age - he has plenty of time left to do that.

It was a really good win for Arne Slot's Liverpool at Ipswich. They had to work for it and he showed his ruthless side by taking defender Jarell Quansah off at half-time and putting Ibrahima Konate on.

Mo Salah looked good - he is ripped and looks fitter than ever. I think Liverpool's attack will be too strong for the Brentford backline but Brentford have a goal in them and I really like Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.

Amfo's prediction: 2-1

Stephens' prediction: 4-2

I have gone for some goals here - well, I have done that with every game really. I'm hoping for some good games, but there is a good chance that so many of these will be goalless.

Read the full predictions and have your say

This season, English top-flight clubs are trialling a new financial system that limits spending based on the earnings of the bottom side, designed to "protect the competitive balance of the Premier League".

Football finance expert Rob Wilson tells The Football News Show why, if permanently introduced, it could make the top Premier League sides less competitive against their European counterparts.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaks about the exits of youngsters Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Bobby Clark in recent weeks, and the reasons for their departures.

Carvalho and Van den Berg, who have both joined Brentford, could come up against their former club at Anfield on Sunday.

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says is it part of the club's "responsibility" to let young players leave if they want game time.

The Reds have sold Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho to Brentford in this transfer window and Bobby Clark departed for Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday.

"It is always a difficult one because if young players want to develop, they have to play," said Slot.

"It is always a challenge to find the moment to give them minutes. Either you can play or you're still not there - and there is competition for places.

"We have a lot of young players. This club will bring through youngsters all the time. Young players sometimes have to move if Virgil van Dijk is in your position or Mo Salah.

"If they want to play somewhere and are not happy with five or six minutes in the Premier League then you have to let them develop somewhere else. You have a responsibility to the players."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jarell Quansah "picked up a bit of an injury" on Tuesday and missed Wednesday's training session so it will depend on Friday's session as to whether he is available.

• He said Quansah "reacted in the way you would expect" to being substituted at half-time against Ipswich and "maybe the language was a problem" for the misunderstanding in why he was taken off.

• Joe Gomez "has had a good week" as they continue to manage his workload after not playing a lot during Euro 2024.

• On centre-back options: "Virgil van Dijk needs the performances. There are four players in competition for two positions, but it's clear Virgil is playing if he is fit."

• He said he "is looking forward" to his first Premier League game at Anfield and "not nervous at all" because he trusts the work his staff do to prepare the team.

• On how the squad is progressing: "We're on a good track but there is still a lot of work to do."

• He said opponents Brentford "will be a challenge" because "they can change systems within a game".

• On the Bees buying Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho: "They have bought two really talented players. Both left because they played a lot last season and wanted to continue the journey of playing time. Everyone is happy unless they do too well on Sunday."

• He said "at this moment I am expecting everyone to be here" at the end of the transfer window "but you know in football everything can change".

• On his options and making substitutions: "I'm learning every day about the players as individuals and how they play together. I learned last weekend how the players who didn't play on Saturday trained well on Sunday. That will help them and us because we know we’re going to need many of them throughout the season."

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

We asked for your views on 19-year-old Bobby Clark leaving Liverpool to join Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

Here are some of your comments:

Evie: Sad to see him leave. He is such a good young player and had a bright future as a Red. Good luck, Bobby. Wish you well.

Tim: Disappointed to see Clark go. To me, he showed like he belonged here last season and did the basic things really well. If there's no room for him to play, a loan seemed better than a sale. Can't imagine we need to make room in the squad and he was homegrown.

David: This is a bad move by Liverpool. It's a known fact Liverpool have quite a few injury-prone players and these youngsters proved they were needed last season and stepped up when it mattered. Selling young players who still have their best years ahead of them makes no sense. Where is the squad depth considering no new players have been been bought?

Steve: A good move for the boy. All a bit cramped in front of him at the moment. Going to Pep Lijnders is a real bonus. Salzburg always develop young players, have a good relationship with the Reds and the buy-back clause makes this a super deal all round.

Paul: Bit concerned at the rumours that Liverpool are trying to sell a number of youth prospects, given the reputation Arne Slot came with for developing talent in-house. I'd be fine with us not making marquee signings and letting some of them get a chance to prove themselves.

Christof: Great move. Go to a coach who knows you, wants you and will help you at a club that is one of the most efficient at building up talented kids, or stay at Liverpool with a manager more focused on impressing and winning with best 11 then testing the youth? Lovely place to live. No-brainer for me. Liverpool can buy him back if wanted.

Liverpool are set to offer Everton £63m plus £7m in add-ons for their England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22. (Sun, external)

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

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool might still be waiting for the club's first summer signing under new sporting director Richard Hughes but he has certainly added to the coffers at Anfield.

Squad players Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Bobby Clark have been sold for a combined total of around £52.5m and a possible £10m in add-ons. There are also 17.5% sell-on clauses in each deal.

Forward Carvalho and defender Van den Berg did well in pre-season having been on loan last campaign and, after initial offers for both were rejected, have moved to Brentford.

The Reds rejected a £15m offer from Southampton for Carvalho before the 21-year-old was sold to the Bees for an initial £22.5m and a possible £5m in add-ons.

Van den Berg, 22, was the subject of a bid worth around £8.4m from PSV Eindhoven earlier in the summer and he has now completed a move to Brentford for £20m and a possible £5m in add-ons.

Midfielder Clark, 19, has made the switch to RB Salzburg in a deal worth up to £10m.

In each of those deals, Hughes is believed to have delivered Liverpool's valuations of the players involved.

We will now wait and see if any of that money is spent on incomings this summer, with the transfer window closing at 23:00 BST on Friday, 30 August.