Liverpool

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said Sunday's game is a "big responsibility" because "a job still needs to be done" in order to be crowned Premier League champions.

• On the party feeling: "We need at least one point. That is what we know and, hopefully, what our fans know as well when they come to the stadium that they support us in the best possible way. It's a nice game to look forward to."

• He said becoming the 12th manager - and first Dutchman - to win the title with Liverpool "is the last thing that is on your mind" at this stage and added: "I am not getting carried away."

• On whether he believed he could achieve this in his debut season: "You know the expectations that this club has to win trophies. Most managers worked here for a long time so you get a lot of chances to win something. You are aware of it but that's not the first thing you think about when you walk through the door."

• Conor Bradley could be available to start and play the full 90 minutes if he gets through the final two training sessions with no issues.

• More on Bradley: "We are also taking very good care of him because he's had two similar injuries. It's going to be very important for him to become a better player than he is now to play many games in a row. Unfortunately for him, there is another full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is world class and also at this club."

• On comments that the Premier League has been weaker this season: "It's never been as exciting for a top four or five finish. In the other years it's been quite clear who would finish there. In my opinion it's a really difficult league. That's my experience as there has never been an easy game."

• Defender Joe Gomez is expected to return "for the last game or two if his recovery goes as planned".

• On reports that Liverpool will have to pay Benfica another five million euros for Darwin Nunez if he makes a 10th start: "Do you always believe what journalists say? Sometimes it is better not to believe everything that is written. That is new to me. It might be true but Richard [Hughes] would never interfere with the line up and tell me who I can and cannot play."

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

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Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

A point. Just one point. That's all that Liverpool need to win a 20th top flight title so fans will be primed to get the party started at Anfield on Sunday when the Reds host Tottenham.

And, judging by Spurs' record at Liverpool, there's little evidence that Arne Slot's team will not be confirmed as champions in the Dutchman's first season in charge.

Tottenham are without a win at Anfield since 2011 and, on top of that, come into the game having lost 18 league games this season and with their focus on a Europa League semi-final first-leg tie against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

Liverpool have been beaten just twice in the league this season - once at Anfield - and have the best home record in the top flight having earned 41 points from 16 games.

There were few, if any, that thought Slot would lead the Reds to the title after he arrived from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp last summer.

However, he is on the brink of guiding a team that fell away in the latter stages of last season to a top-flight crown that will draw them level on 20 titles with arch rivals Manchester United.

Slot will chat to the media at about 09:00 BST this morning and we'll see if he is his usual calm and considered self, or if he allows himself to take in what he is so close to achieving.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Barring an absurdity, Liverpool will win the Premier League title at a packed and celebrating Anfield this Sunday afternoon.

After years of missing out narrowly to Pep Guardiola's frustratingly brilliant Manchester City, it is bizarre how easy it all feels.

A Liverpool win against Tottenham will take Arne Slot's Reds 15 points clear with four games to go. It's been a cakewalk, in all honesty. Even a draw will see Liverpool win the title.

Arsenal have drawn 13 games. City used to seemingly win every match from February onwards and Jurgen Klopp's sides would miss out by a point here or there. Liverpool could win the title on 80 points this season, but finished second on 97 and 92 points under the German.

Even last season's Liverpool team were only five points worse off at this stage of the campaign and would have waltzed this title.

It feels unfair that Klopp only won one title with a better, more rounded team than Slot's. But he should take credit for laying the foundations for the Dutchman, who has proved himself an elite tactician, a wonderfully composed orator and the best manager in the league this term.

City falling off a cliff was the catalyst to make Liverpool fans believe, and Arsenal not being able to string wins together helped, too. But let's not blame it on their injuries alone. Before Bukayo Saka's injury, Liverpool were still plenty of points clear of the Gunners.

To think, Slot made no signing of note in the summer - Federico Chiesa has barely had a sniff. Slot has done all of this with Klopp's team. What an extraordinary achievement.

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Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in Bournemouth's 21-year-old left-back Milos Kerkez. (Sky Sports), external

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Liverpool now need only one point to win the Premier League after Arsenal were held 2-2 at home by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Jean Philippe's sublime equaliser in the 83rd minute earned the visitors a deserved point at Emirates Stadium.

Arne Slot's side will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat by Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday (16:30 BST kick-off).

Image source, Getty Images

Following the news of Liverpool's interest in Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, we asked for your views on the potential move.

Here are some of your comments:

Geoff: A two-footed, young defender who can play on either side of defence, but primarily on the left. An affordable release clause. Unknown potential but a seemingly high ceiling... This would be a great signing for Liverpool and would show our commitment to strengthening. Get the deal done early and move on to the next area to strengthen.

Chris: Potentially a brilliant signing for the long term. However, I think he will eventually end up in Spain and I'd like to see Ibrahima Konate stay. But if we could have them both it would be a real statement of intent.

Tez: He would be a good signing for the future. He would also provide quality back-up for Virgil van Dijk, which has been lacking. May be good enough to cover at left-back. But, at £50m, not so certain.

James: Exactly the type of signing we should be making. Hopefully one of our rivals doesn't swoop in like on so many other occasions. We are a very attractive prospect as well. What centre-back wouldn't want to learn from Van Dijk?!

Mark: With the uncertainty over Konate's contract and the longevity of Huijsen as a 20-year-old, it's a no-brainier. The player is just going to get better and better, and playing alongside arguably one of the all time greats in Van Dijk could only help him. £50m may seem a lot at first, but this player could be there for over 10 years. And who knows - he might be sold for more five years down the line to Real Madrid. Get him signed up - a star for the future.

Jan: Prefer Marc Guehi and Tino Livramento.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is attracting genuine interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle heading into the summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel.

Initial reports have indicated Huijsen has a £50m release clause - information that has been confirmed by multiple BBC Sport sources.

It is understood that while regular playing time to ensure his continued development will be a key consideration for Huijsen when he comes to settle on his future, the prospect of Champions League participation will also be a factor.

The Reds' plans may depend on developments with Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract at the end of next season.

The futures of Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah at Anfield could also impact Liverpool's level of interest in Huijsen.

What do you think about a potential move for Huijsen? Is the 20-year-old an exciting target? How do you feel about the £50m release clause? Would he be the right fit for Liverpool or should they be looking elsewhere?

Let us know here

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, PA Media

It is now only a matter of days before Liverpool's coronation as Premier League champions. In fact, it could be only a matter of hours - if Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.

Reaching the summit of what is perceived to be the best league in the world is an honour and nobody at Anfield is getting picky about it.

But Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk have made it clear they expect Arsenal to win, meaning Liverpool can finish the job against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

Given what a potent footballing force they are in front of their own fans, there is something quite satisfying about that.

The performance at Leicester was not of their inspirational best and they had to work hard. But one of the many positive aspects of this Liverpool team is that, like many of their predecessors, they find a way to win.

Talent and ability are only part of chasing silverware. Endeavour, determination and resilience are just as important. This squad have all three by the bucketload.

The fact it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who scored the winner added an element of drama, given he has been criticised by some for not nailing his colours to the mast, contractually, in the way Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have.

Yet of the three players whose deals were expiring, he was always the most likely to consider moving on and trying another football adventure.

We will find his plans out soon, but what an incredible footballer he is, coming on as a sub and conjuring up a left-foot moment of magic from 12 yards to seal three points. Just one of the many fabulous moments from his amazing Anfield career.

Liverpool's future looks really bright with a summer of change expected and great hopes for a squad that will be upgraded with quality additions in all areas.

But we can wait a while for the transfer window. Very soon the cork will pop on another champagne campaign for the club.

In his first season, and following in the footsteps of a football icon, Slot has delivered in a way few thought even remotely possible.

It should be seen as an incredible achievement.

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Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are eyeing Bayer Leverkusen's 21-year-old Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, who is valued at about £103m. (CaughtOffside, external)

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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"Make a difference together."

That is what Liverpool want to be able to do with their supporters when it comes to sustainability.

The impact of climate change is being felt in many different ways and football is not immune to these.

While so much of fans' focus is on what is happening on the pitch, there is an increasing expectation from supporters that clubs should be doing more to reduce their impact off it.

In the second part of our Earth Day chat with Rishi Jain, Liverpool's director of impact highlighted how important the relationship with fans is for the club's The Red Way sustainability programme.

"We want to be able to say to supporters that we're involved in 'x project' and to come and take part," he said. "Come and support it. Lead with us, and then we'll really make a difference together.

"We are tracking ahead in our target for awareness and that is helped through the continued support of LFC Foundation and the work they do through their engagement events."

It is through this work that they have acquired fan support and managed to hit key milestones in the programme.

"It sounds very simple - with supporters putting plastic bottles into the right bins - but we have seen matchday recycling rates increase from 25% in 2021 to nearly 99% now, which is just brilliant," Jain explained.

"That's a really simple thing about asking supporters to change their behaviours. We've been on a journey with them. When we've put the message out, we've talked about the collective achievement. It's not been the club that has done this - it's with the help of our supporters that we've achieved this together.

"It's ultimately allowed us to collect 1,000,000 plastic bottles over a three-year period, which is just a huge number.

"We're all very superstitious, but we know that putting things in the right bin has actually become part of the intrinsic matchday routine and it's a nice thing for us to be able to talk about with them."

Despite the progress made in the four years of The Red Way, Liverpool are determined not to stop.

"Could we do more? Absolutely," Jain added. "It's a big journey for us.

"I'm never going to sit there and just say: 'We've done a great job'. It's always: 'Yes, we've done good work, but this is the next goal'. We have ambitious targets.

"You can't sit there and go into these these rooms [such as COP] and say, 'we feel we're doing really well, but there's more to do' if you're not actually delivering that at home.

"We've got some key focus areas that we're really going to ramp up our efforts for."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have had plenty of success on the field this season, but it is off the pitch where they are also trying to be leaders.

Four years ago, Liverpool introduced their sustainability programme The Red Way. It brings together the club's work in four focus areas - people, planet, communities and strategy.

"The Red Way is Liverpool's commitment to building a better future for our people, our planet and our communities," Liverpool director of impact Rishi Jain told BBC Sport.

"In 2021, we had a key moment when we agreed, as a club, that it was really important for us to bring under one umbrella the multiple programmes that were being delivered. That's how The Red Way was born.

"It allowed us to create a sense of purpose and an almost instant behavioural shift for how we operated as a global club. It just gave us that identity that we really needed.

"We really put ourselves out there, which was new for us. It was a little bit scary, but actually, it's has really helped us since in how we progress."

This year's Earth Day on 22 April sees the release of Liverpool's third annual sustainability report, external.

It highlights the progress made across all areas over the past 12 months, including the reduction of overall carbon emissions by 12.5%, the Anfield pitch now being fully recyclable, the hosting of its first Iftar event during Ramadan and more than 127,000 people receiving support from the LFC Foundation.

Alongside these, Liverpool representatives have attended 24 international sustainability events, including COP28, and received recognition for the work with nine major sustainability awards.

"As a club, we are probably held in a higher regard by our stakeholders and our supporters," Jain said. "You can see that in two ways - either as a burden or as an opportunity.

"We see it as an opportunity to lead, both on and off the pitch. Of course, on the pitch has gone really, really well for us this season, but off the pitch from a Red Way perspective, we can say the same.

"We've had an incredibly successful 12 months or so. When you talk about social and environmental impact - whether it's through our foundation, around diversity, inclusion or surrounded by sustainability - our supporters and stakeholders expect us to do that work.

"That's not the reason why we do it, but it also helps us understand that we can really push on for change and be proactive."

Come back later on Tuesday to read more about Liverpool's sustainability drive

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club panel discussed Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's celebration after scoring the winner at Leicester City and that it potentially means.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

In many ways, the boring 1-0 win away to Leicester City encapsulates Liverpool's season. They just get the job done.

It was not exhilarating, it was not always fluid, but it was a win with a clean sheet, and three more points on the road to the inevitable title.

Liverpool actually played well enough to win this game much more easily, but the finishing was poor. A new striker in the summer is an absolute must.

The idea that Liverpool have only won because the Premier League is a poor one, however, makes no sense.

The Arsenal side who beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate are 13 points behind. Seventh-placed Aston Villa pushed PSG all the way over two legs and have won five on the trot with huge names signed in January. Two teams in the bottom half, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

There are good sides with strong, tactical managers all the way down the table; Liverpool have just been much, much more consistent.

And the idea that Liverpool have not had injuries? Alisson - starting goalkeeper, Trent Alexander-Arnold - starting right-back, and Diogo Jota - starting forward, have all missed months of football.

Arne Slot has just found a way to keep winning, unlike his rivals.

On either Wednesday or Sunday, this title will be done.

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It was Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal celebration, rather than the manner of Liverpool's one-goal victory over Championship-bound Leicester, that hit the headlines on Sunday.

Pundits Glenn Murray and Stephen Warnock had contrasting views on the significance and meaning behind the celebration in the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It seemed like a moment, didn't it," said Murray. "The outpouring of emotion. The way he went right over to the Liverpool fans, even in a moment when he has been getting a little bit of criticism following the other two [contract] signings from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

"I did wonder, is this a sign that he may be putting pen to paper? But I do think he is still walking out of the door, yet that doesn't mean he loves Liverpool any less."

Former Liverpool defender Warnock added: "There has been a lot of talk about Trent [Alexander-Arnold] leaving. I still think he is trying to find his worth at Liverpool.

"When you are a youngster and you come through, you don't get the riches the other players get. What he has shown over the past eight years at the football club is the ability to change games single-handedly.

"I think he knows his worth in his head and I wonder if there is a side of him saying 'I am going to see what Salah and Van Dijk sign for and I want to push up and around those figures because I feel like I am an integral part of that [team]'."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Liverpool beat Leicester City on Sunday to close in on the title:

Here are some of your comments:

Roger: Never looked like losing but made heavy work of getting the win given our domination. Despite Mohamed Salah's great numbers, he is way off it at the moment. He must have had six scoring opportunities and for someone of his class, should certainly have scored three. Trent Alexander-Arnold showed what we are going to miss if he goes. Conor Bradley is a good player but has some rough edges and it was evident in this game. Pleased to see Harvey Elliot get a chance off the bench and I feel he deserves a start next up. Either way, we are now on the brink and all the credit must go to Arne Slot, his staff and the players.

Kenny: Fantastic win - but how did we miss so many chances? Leaves us with a perfect opportunity to beat Spurs next and to celebrate in front of our fans. We owe so much to Virgil van Dijk, Salah and TAA.

Paul: Champions always find a way to win when not at their best. Really pleased for Trent to get the winner and to see what it meant to him.

Les: Another lethargic display but they got the job done. What stood out for me is that Bradley is not the answer to fill the gap if Trent leaves. He's simply not ready - he's still learning.

Chris: Was it the most scintillating display? No. Did it need to be? No. The title is all but sewn up and I have zero problem with taking our foot off of the pedal if it means we can start next season far more refreshed. I loved Jurgen Klopp to bits but the fact that under Slot we've sauntered to the title with an identical team should surely make us ask the unthinkable - did Klopp under-achieve?

Suzy: I'm fed up of us getting criticised for not demolishing teams by four or five goals and supposedly not playing 'entertaining football'. Well, you know what, we've done that and got the 97 points and got the runners-up accolade. You don't have to be the most entertaining to be the best. We've been the best and the most consistent. One win to go. Haters can hate. Come on you. Reds! Bring home number 20!

Image source, Getty Images

After beating Leicester City on Sunday, Liverpool have won six of their past seven league games and have a 13-point lead at the top.

This means they require only three more points to secure the title as that would put them on 82 points. Closest challengers Arsenal are only able to attain 81 points even if they won all their remaining games.

The Reds host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and a win would be enough to clinch their second Premier League title in five years.

However, it could be won as soon as this Wednesday, without even playing if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace.

A Gunners draw would all but seal the title as Liverpool would be 12 points clear and with a vastly superior goal difference.

Mathematically, though, a point for Mikel Arteta's side would delay Liverpool's coronation and leave them needing a point against Spurs.

Image source, Daily Star and Daily Express

Could there be a twist in Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation?

For the romantics, his goal celebration at Leicester may bring new hope that the Liverpool-born right-back will put pen to paper on a new Anfield deal.

Or was it a farewell?

Monday's newspaper back pages focus on the 26-year-old after his goal put Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League title.