Liverpool

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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A two-match touchline ban for Liverpool manager Arne Slot is far from ideal. His team have just established a double-digit points lead at the top of the Premier League table and look to be marching towards the title with ruthless efficiency.

With the man who calls the shots being positioned up in the stands at Anfield for tonight's match with Newcastle, touchline responsibilities will handed to another key member of the management team. The coaching staff will have to adapt, but that's unlikely to be a problem.

Liverpool have been adapting since the moment he walked through the door.

Adapting the playing style to be less about demolishing teams with a mixture of power, pace and frenetic energy, and more about exerting authority in possession and taking fewer chances with their build-up play.

Adapting the skillsets of Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo to suit the needs and requirements of this new-look team. Both struggled to hold down regular starting places until this season. They have now become pivotal parts of the team in different areas of the pitch.

And yet it is how they coped with the match circumstances on Sunday and their opponent's strengths that was the real masterclass in adaptability.

Slot used a system that catered for Manchester City's much higher possession count, preventing Pep Guardiola's side capitalising on that because Liverpool's defensive shape without the ball just did not allow them to.

City were smothered by a red tide, absorbing everything they tried to throw at Liverpool, before countering with a stunning simplicity and opening the City defence up with regularity.

This evening, Newcastle fans will come to Anfield sensing that the one that really counts is when the two sides meet in 18 days at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.

But equally for Eddie Howe, Champions League football next season remains a realistic ambition while for Slot there is the knowledge that another win tonight may see them extend their lead at the top.

Whatever happens, Liverpool will adapt.

They always do.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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We all love watching exciting, unpredictable football laced with a dash of that devil-may-care spirit that keeps us on the edge of our seats. Right now, that is exactly what the very top of the Premier League, isn't. This is no indictment of Liverpool or indeed their style, but a question about the also rans. This isn't the best group of teams in recent Premier League history, but it still shouldn't reflect negatively on Liverpool's achievements.

Arne Slot's men seemed to manage Manchester City 2-0, rather than beat them 2-0 at the Etihad. That doesn't mean they aren't capable of being swashbuckling, it is just that they scarcely need to fully exert themselves that often. There is a maturity about their play and their game management is way ahead of anyone else. These are the reasons, along with the incomparable Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk being at another level to anyone else around in their positions, why Liverpool are unlikely to stumble enough to be caught now.

I understand why some Liverpool fans feel praise for their team has been muted, and they have a point, but football fans want that excitement and uncertainty in their league campaign.

Remember that before this season's downfall, many were getting bored with Man City's crushing dominance, mostly because it was based on a predictable, ultra-controlled possession style. It was admired more than loved by the end.

Don't worry about Liverpool however, they will be buckling their swash again by the end of the season, but it may take the latter stages of the Champions League for them to show exactly how exciting they can be. Watch out PSG!

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This fixture has plenty of history behind it - Liverpool's 4-3 win at Anfield in 1996 will always be remembered as a Premier League classic.

Newcastle come into it in good shape after a good win over Nottingham Forest, but the way Liverpool beat Manchester City was extremely impressive.

It was such a mature performance by Arne Slot's side to soak up City's possession and be so clinical in front of goal.

We know by now that Slot's side will be hard to beat, while Newcastle are still quite up and down - they were very poor when they went to Etihad Stadium last week.

They are capable of giving Liverpool a good game but I am going to say that the leaders will take the points and carry on their title charge.

Along with Forest striker Chris 'The Wood Chopper' Wood, Newcastle's Alexander Isak has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, but there is only one candidate to be crowned player of the year.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah's numbers are extraordinary and he looks as hungry as ever. He has been relentless, and he is not done yet.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Arne Slot did something extremely bold against Manchester City - and it worked.

The Dutchman picked neither Diogo Jota nor Darwin Nunez at centre-forward, instead using Curtis Jones and Dom Szoboszlai as false-10s in a 4-2-4 formation.

Luis Diaz went back to the left wing to give the Reds width and while the makeshift forwards pressed City's centre-backs relentlessly, they were creative too.

Both Szoboszlai and Jones were involved in the two goals, but also teamed up to score another one that was ruled out for a narrow offside.

In Slot's first pre-season game of the summer he used the same formation against Real Betis, but we have barely seen it since.

It was a bold move to put so few bodies in central midfield, but Slot trusted the excellent Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister to control tempo and dominate.

That is exactly what they did, and when the best player on planet earth, Mo Salah, is in his current vein of form, Liverpool looked unbeatable.

Slot is proving himself a genius and has helped Salah get to an even higher level.

The Egyptian sprints less but every time he gets the ball on the right he makes a good decision and then executes perfectly. He is completely in control of everything he is doing, and playing with complete composure and focus.

At this rate, provided he stays and signs a new contract, Salah could actually go down as the best Premier League player of all time.

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

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Since losing their first Premier League home game against Newcastle 2-0 in April 1994, Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 28 against the Magpies at Anfield in the competition (W23 D5).

Meanwhile, Newcastle are winless in 16 Premier League games against the Reds, since a 2-0 win in December 2015 under Steve McClaren.

In his latest news conference, Liverpool boss Arne Slot was asked about Mohamed Salah's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

"It's a good thing he is in the discussion because it means he and we are doing well. In general, someone who wins the Ballon d'Or needs to win something as well so it is a great challenge for us," Slot said.

"What I like is that he takes this challenge not only by scoring and assisting, but wanting the team to win with his defensive work-rate. His work-rate in the second half [against Manchester City] was outstanding. That is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something."

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is reluctant to rotate his squad for Wednesday's home game against Newcastle as they continue to lead the Premier League title race.

Right-back Conor Bradley is the latest player to be sidelined, with Slot confirming in Tuesday's pre-match news conference that "it will be weeks" before the 21-year-old will be back in contention.

That is in addition to fellow defender Joe Gomez, who is expected to miss almost all of the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

Slot is optimistic midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will be "OK" for Wednesday's game - as long as he feels fine after Tuesday's training session - and Cody Gakpo's return is a big plus should Slot want to potentially reduce the workload of other forwards, including Mohamed Salah, at any point.

When asked if he may freshen the side against the Magpies, Slot said: "I'm not so sure. It is difficult because these players are trained for this and they are ready for this.

"They are in a certain rhythm and they have shown this season many times that they are able to do it.

"But it was the reason that I changed the line-up so drastically against Plymouth [in the FA Cup] because I don't think you can do this all season.

"You need once every four or five weeks, a normal week - and what I mean by a normal week is two games a week, not three games a week.

"Of course, it hurt us in the FA Cup but it also means that these players are now able to play five games in a row at the highest possible level."

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Conor Bradley will remain sidelined for a "few weeks" with a muscle injury, according to Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

The 21-year-old Northern Ireland defender was forced off during Liverpool's Premier League draw with Aston Villa on 19 February.

Having missed the league leaders' win over Manchester City on Sunday, Slot was unable to provide a timeline for Bradley's return.

"I cannot exactly tell how many [weeks he will miss]," Slot said ahead of Liverpool's game against Newcastle on Wednesday.

"It's clear he went off with a muscle injury and it's going to take a while before he's back."

Bradley's injury raises doubts that he will regain fitness in time for Northern Ireland's friendlies against Switzerland and Sweden on 21 and 25 March.

Bradley has won 23 caps for Northern Ireland and captained the team for the first time in October.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Newcastle (kick-off 20:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot confirmed Conor Bradley "is out for a few weeks" and is unable to give a time frame for his return.

• Alexis Mac Allister is expected "to be OK" but will be assessed after today's training session.

• He said he "doesn't even need to enforce the message" of not losing focus to his side because "they know how tough the competition is."

• On the possibility of rotation to keep his squad fresh after this busy fixture period: "I'm not so sure. It is difficult because these players are trained for this and they are ready for this. They are in a certain rhythm and they have shown this season many times that they are able to do it."

• Following Jamie Carragher's comments about Mohamed Salah being less likely to win the Ballon d'Or because he is an Egypt international, Slot said: "It's mostly about the tekkers, isn't it? It's a good thing that Mo is in the discussion because it means he is doing well and we are doing well. But for him to stay in that discussion he should bring in the same performances as he's done for seven or eight months now."

• More from Slot on Salah: "Mo has had some outstanding seasons here at Liverpool and we hope he can continue this for a longer period of time but first he needs to extend his contract. You guys don't ask me about that any more, so that's a positive!"

• On his contract negotiations becoming harder because of the form he is in: "You can look at that in both ways because the better he does the more expensive he may become. But if he was doing bad, we would be having second thoughts about extending his contract. I think for everyone it is the best that he brings the performances he is now."

• He said saying Newcastle's Alexander Isak is in fine form "is an understatement because he is actually in excellent form," and added: "We have two very good centre-backs though, which is what you need when you face the quality of Isak."

• More on opponents Newcastle: "They score a lot of goals and they have so many offensive threats. Normally they are not a team that concedes many because they show very aggressive defending."

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

The Monday Night Club panel have been discussing Mohamed Salah's Liverpool contract situation as the winger continues towards possibly the greatest individual season in Premier League history.

The Athletic journalist Rory Smith said: "Liverpool's risk is they don't want Salah on £400,000 a week when he's 35 because you don't know what that looks like.

"It looks from this vantage point that he will still be incredible but he might not be and Liverpool don't want to be on the hook for it and that's perfectly reasonable.

"It's surprising they can't find a deal to frontload some of the money for next year because there doesn't seem any imminent signs of decline."

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: "There's a hierarchy in the dressing room wherever you go and the pay level reflects that. If you are paying Mo Salah that then obviously Virgil van Dijk is going to want to be up there or thereabouts.

"Then, you wonder what it will do to the rest of the dressing room - you simply turn around and say 'earn it then'. Look how important those two are to us, if you want that then that's the type of level you have to get to. I do understand it is divisive and disruptive in a dressing room."

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Watch Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Sweden striker Alexander Isak may be allowed to leave Newcastle if they do not qualify for next season's Champions League, with Liverpool and Arsenal interested in the 25-year-old. (Mirror, external)

Real Madrid are not negotiating a deal for 33-year-old Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, whose contract at Liverpool expires this summer. (Marca - in Spanish, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister says Arsenal losing to West Ham on Saturday made "our life easier" before the Reds beat Manchester City on Sunday to open up an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

"Of course you watch the game," he said. "You want them to lose - I think that is pretty normal.

"When I watch, I don't enjoy' I prefer to play them. We have many games ahead which are going to be really difficult and we know they are a really good team who will push us as well."

Liverpool's first league win at Etihad Stadium since 2015 has given them a significant lead over the Gunners, who face Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Chelsea in their next three games.

When asked if it was a significant win, Mac Allister added: "Yeah, it definitely was. When you come to these places and play teams like Manchester City, you always want to win.

"We were really committed to what we wanted. Maybe we didn't play as we wanted - we didn't keep the possession as we wanted, but we had to defend and we had to do it pretty well.

"It is still a long way. We have the 11 points but they have [played] one game fewer, so it is still the same. There are some really difficult games ahead."

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"Hand it over, hand it over, hand it over Manchester."

The travelling Liverpool fans spent the moments around full-time at Manchester City goading followers of the champions.

While they did so, Dominik Szobozslai was the focus of countless social media comments for his decision to lie face down in the turf at the final whistle at a rain-soaked Etihad Stadium.

The Hungarian clocked an impressive 11.5km on the day, a mark only bettered by Phil Foden on 11.7km. Szobozslai's 20 sprints on the day was only topped by Savinho on 23.

It was a day for running after all. Liverpool clocked just 33.9% of possession, their lowest in a Premier League victory on record (since 2003-04).

A look at the average positions players took up on the day points to Manchester City building in Liverpool's half, while the Reds stayed deeper, compact and efficient. Arne Slot's side played 126 passes in Manchester City's half, while their hosts completed 427 in Liverpool territory.

It was an afternoon where stinging the opponent with a couple of razor-sharp attacks won the day. Szobozslai was a key cog, offering coverage of the pitch, finding the net and assisting Mohamed Salah's opener.

Salah, meanwhile, added an assist of his own and - while not running as far as his team-mate - offers grit of a varied nature. The Egyptian - seen primarily as an attacking force - won seven of his 10 duels. If his fight wasn't enough, he created three chances - a Liverpool high - and, perhaps most significantly, offered the game-defining moments that continue to set him apart.

Salah has now completed a goal and assist combination 11 times this season. That tally is the most by a player in any of Europe's big five leagues since Lionel Messi did likewise with 11 in 2014-15. Salah still has almost a third of a season to put daylight between himself and the sublime Argentine before the season ends.

Szobozslai deserved his brief - if somewhat damp lie down. Salah meanwhile, seemingly has no interest in taking a breather.

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Virgil van Dijk has admitted Sunday's win at Manchester City has given Liverpool fans "the belief" they will win the Premier League, but distanced himself from commenting on their title chances.

Reds supporters chanted "we're going to win the league" in the closing stages of the 2-0 win as the leaders moved 11 points clear after Arsenal's defeat by West Ham on Saturday.

"It was a big win but I think a couple of days ago there was noise about other things, and it could go the other way," Van Dijk said.

"It's down to us to just keep focusing on the game ahead of us. That's what we do and that's what I've told the boys as well.

"It's all about recovery now and being ready for Newcastle, which is a big test."

Liverpool host the Magpies, who they will also face in the Carabao Cup final in March, on Wednesday, while Arsenal face a tough test at third-placed Nottingham Forest.

"I don't look at others, as I've mentioned many times before," Van Dijk added. "We shouldn't. It's all about what you do yourself.

"We don't take our wins for granted. We go home, recover and [begin] the preparation for Newcastle. That's the only thing we have to do. Nothing else matters."

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Mohamed Salah is heading for a record-breaking season with Liverpool.

His goal on Sunday against Manchester City was his 30th of the campaign in all competitions, meaning he has now hit the 30 mark on five separate seasons for the club, a record he shares with Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.

Salah also provided the assist for Dominik Szoboszlai to score the second goal against Manchester City, his 21st of the season.

From an assist standpoint, the 32-year-old has already smashed his best season with the Reds out of the park - but he will have goals on his mind now.

His first year at Anfield in 2017-18 remains his best as a goalscorer. He found the net 44 times in all competitions with 32 of those goals coming in the Premier League alone.

He now needs just eight goals from the final 11 league fixtures to surpass his best season in the top flight, while 15 goals across all competitions would see him break that record of 44 goals.

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Liverpool.

The result moved the Reds 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

William: Liverpool's defence was spot on. They were consistently pushing City back and when City did break through them, Liverpool were switched on and stopped them. Then, their attacking was sublime and the goals were well deserved. It was a champions' performance.

Chris: Mohamed Salah understandably gets many of the plaudits, but Dominik Szoboszlai was equally impactful and ran strongly for the whole game. This wasn't the Manchester City of recent years, but they are still worthy opponents, and thus this victory should be celebrated.

Irene: A really solid performance. They all battled, even though my nerves were gone with Jeremy Doku on Trent Alexander-Arnold!

Ryan: Very resilient and professional display. Was impressed with how solid we were defensively and we did well to take advantage of our chances. We all know City are always a tough opponent - don't think we've won at Etihad Stadium for yonks - so a great achievement. Arne Slot deserves immense praise for how he set the team up and managed the game. Thought Ibou Konate and Virgil van Dijk were first class with Szoboszlai very impressive as well. Superb display!

Vinni: Stats are so irrelevant - this performance is maybe my favourite Liverpool display of the season. The Reds simply toyed with City, who looked mid-table at best. Only Doku earned his payslip. Arne Slot's team just gave them the ball, knowing they were inept. Meanwhile, Liverpool simply dangled the carrot of chance, but all the time aware they are (and actually might be) in a different league. The title is won. Vive Les Rouges.

Seevaramen: A great performance. But we still have to be vigilant because the title race is not over. Remember season 2013-14 under Brendan Rogers when we let the championship go against a weak Chelsea team? Liverpool were five points clear with five games to go. Best be on alert.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot says there are still "lots of challenges ahead" this season, even after his side extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points, but former Premier League striker Troy Deeney says supporters are not jumping the gun by chanting "we're going to win the league".

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Deeney said he believes the title race has been done and dusted since Christmas.

"I don't see how Arsenal are going to close the gap without a striker, Manchester City are in disarray and Nottingham Forest are falling away.

"It seems like all the stars have aligned and it is there for Liverpool. Arne Slot knows what it is like to see these things through, so I just think there is no way they are going to lose this.

"They have lost one game all season - how are they going to lose four games now and allow Arsenal to get over the line? I just can't see it."

Two-time Premier League winner Joe Hart added: "He is going to have to balance the squad.

"You need that excitement and enthusiasm, but you also need Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Alisson saying: 'Just relax boys. There is a lot of work to be done and a lot of wins to be had.'

"Slot isn't going to let anything slide. He knows they can win the league if they keep playing like this for the rest of the season, but it isn't easy to play at that level for that long."

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 here

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Andy Robertson believes Liverpool's win at Manchester City on Sunday was "massive" and it was important for the Reds to leave Etihad Stadium with a league victory for the first time since 2015.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside after the game, he said: "It was a massive win for us, coming here is always difficult.

"We've not got a great track record here and we were keen to put that right, get the three points and extend the lead at the top.

"We managed to do that with a very good performance in the first half and a very professional performance in the second. I thought we defended so well - what a time to get the first clean sheet in what seems like a while.

"We've got three points, another tough game out the way and extended our lead at the top. It's been a good weekend for us."

As Liverpool fans inside the Etihad sang about the Reds winning the league, Robertson stressed it is important the players do not become complacent during the run-in.

"If we are allowing our fans to get carried away then we're doing something right. It's important they enjoy it. They have to get carried away, but it's important the players don't. It's important to get that balance," he added.

"There's still 11 games to go. We've got a nice lead but we have to keep winning games, make sure that lead stays where it is and that chant becomes real and not hypothetical.

"It's up to us to keep pushing in the changing room to allow them to sing that at the end of the season."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Mirror and Star

Liverpool are in the form and mood to wrap up a 20th English title after a commanding, ruthless performance to sink the side who have been their closest Premier League rivals for so long.

It was inevitable that Mohamed Salah would spearhead the Reds in this crucial game against Manchester City as he racked up more incredible numbers.

The first goal meant Salah has scored 30 or more goals in five separate seasons for Liverpool, a record he shares with Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.

Liverpool were efficiency personified, demonstrating how they have flourished under Arne Slot this season, while his City counterpart Pep Guardiola faces a huge rebuilding job.

Slot is too composed to call it, but with Liverpool holding an 11-point lead and having only lost one league game so far this season, he can surely sense the finishing line - even with 11 games left.