Liverpool

Liverpool are prepared to offer 25-year-old forward Darwin Nunez plus cash in exchange for Newcastle United's £100m-plus rated forward Alexander Isak, who has scored 17 Premier League goals this season. (Football Insider), external

However, Newcastle will not allow their best players to leave if they miss out on qualifying for next season's Champions League. (Daily Mail), external

The Reds are set for a busy summer of transfer activity, with 27-year-old Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong on a list of players the club might bid for. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been speaking to the media about title-race nerves.

The Reds' win over Wolves on Sunday has prompted debate over how they will deal with the mental stresses of the Premier League's last 13 games.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

In a column published on this page earlier on Tuesday, fan writer Jordan Chamberlain said it is "becoming increasingly obvious with every match that Liverpool need a new number nine in the summer".

A "wasteful attack" is also something that has been mentioned by contributors when we have asked for topics that may be going under the radar at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah has clearly been in sensational goalscoring form so far this season and instrumental in the Reds' sustained stay at the top of the Premier League, but what about the supporting cast of forwards?

In the Premier League this season, the quartet of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez have been directly involved in 35 goals between them (26 scored, nine assists).

By comparison, Salah alone has 37 goal contributions (23 scored, 14 assists) - a statistic helped by the fact he has missed only 36 minutes of Liverpool's first 25 league games.

Of all Premier League players to have had at least 10 shots this season, Salah ranks seventh in the division on shot-conversion rate, with 23 of his 94 attempts finding the net (24.47%).

Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood (39.13%) is the only Premier League player with a conversion rate above 30% this season.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who was suggested in our fan writer's column as a potential summer target for the Reds, has scored with 17 of his 65 shots (26.15%) and is fifth on that list.

Gakpo (19.05%) and Diaz (18.75%) are 26th and 27th respectively, with Jota (17.24%) 35th and Nunez (16%) 42nd.

Interestingly, however, only Jota of the five Liverpool players mentioned is underperforming in terms of their expected goals (xG) this term.

*All statistics correct on 18 February, 2025

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have improved under Arne Slot despite their success under Jurgen Klopp, according to Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.

Slot's Premier League leaders are yet to lose away from home this season, while the hosts have been beaten just once at Villa Park in the top flight, losing 2-0 to Arsenal in August.

Liverpool come to Villa Park for the rearranged game - because of their Carabao Cup final against Newcastle next month - on Wednesday knowing victory will extend their lead at the top to 10 points.

Klopp won their first title for 30 years in 2020 while also lifting the Champions League in 2019 - and being a runner-up twice in both - but Emery believes Slot, who replaced Klopp last summer, has raised Liverpool further.

"With Klopp they did fantastic, but with Slot they're doing even better," he said.

"As a coach, it is a big challenge, a challenge to how we can collectively set our gameplan against them. It's the most difficult match we are going to play for the last weeks and months.

"We have to compete because they are going to demand a lot of us, tactically and individually.

"I appreciate them and they have a very high level of performance this year - more than the past two years. They are even doing better."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether Liverpool should be looking to bring in a new centre-forward, after our fan writer suggested the club should "go big on" Newcastle forward Alexander Isak in the summer transfer window.

But is he a realistic target and the right man for Liverpool? Here are some of your thoughts:

Yusuf: I do think that ever since our famous three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah up front, Liverpool haven't had a proper centre-forward. Mane and Salah used to run down the wings, while Firmino would supply the through balls and get into the box. We still have quick wingers - Salah and Cody Gakpo on both sides have been outstanding - but if we want to make it even more fluid then finding the next Firmino is key - and that man has to be Isak.

James: I don't think Newcastle would entertain offers for Isak, possibly Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa or even Matheus Cunha from Wolves could be more likely?

Todor: I would reckon that Isak is out of the question. Joao Pedro from Brighton or one of the Brentford forwards could be more achievable?

Mez: Isak first choice, Liam Delap of Ipswich second choice.

Mohammed: Isak is a realistic signing, why not? He can score goals, assist and also play on the wing. He is scoring loads of goals for Newcastle and the only other option is Victor Osimhen. Arsenal are interested in Marcus Thuram, whose release clause is 85m euros, and we could get Isak with his Premier League experience for that same amount.

Barry: The time has come for Liverpool to make another transformative signing, someone who will have the same sort of impact on the team as Virgil van Dijk or Alisson. Perhaps Newcastle would be interested in a cash plus Darwin Nunez deal. I think Nunez could thrive at St James' Park. He would be more the main man there than at Liverpool and their fans would love him.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes the club's fans will have "learned" from Sunday's edgy win over Wolves.

Defender Andy Robertson admitted to feeling "nervous" during the Reds' narrow 2-1 win.

At one point, Robertson gestured for fans to calm down as a nervous energy built inside Anfield.

Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "In the second half, it got to about 20 minutes or 15 to go and the fans suddenly went, 'they need us here'. There was a reaction from the crowd trying to lift them - but it was almost a bit too late.

"The Liverpool fans will have learned a lot from that at the weekend."

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

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said he would be "completely surprised" if Marcus Rashford does not impress during his loan spell at Aston Villa, as the two sides prepare to meet at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Rashford has scored seven times for Manchester United in matches against the Reds, but only emerged on the winning side four times in 19 meetings.

The 27-year-old will be hoping to start against the league leaders after impressing in the second half of Saturday's draw with Ipswich.

"I know Marcus Rashford as I follow the Premier League," Slot said on Tuesday.

"The first time I faced him was on the USA tour and was really impressed with how fast he is and comfortable on ball. I hope he shows that at Villa - but not tomorrow.

"I'd be completely surprised if a player of that quality isn't going to show that in upcoming months. He is a very good player."

The Reds have an opportunity to go 10 points clear at the top before Arsenal next play, but Slot is not looking beyond the trip the Villa Park with tough matches away to Manchester City and at home to Newcastle to follow.

"I see it as 13 games to be played and the next one is the most important one," the Dutchman added.

"Villa away is like Wolves at home [the 2-1 win on Saturday] - a difficult one. They have a great home record, maybe more when they play in the evening. Last season was 3-3. They have a very good manager who always has a very good gameplan.

"We know it's going to be a challenge but we know we have a quite OK away record this season."

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes certain players in Arne Slot's squad will be "expecting a hiccup" after pulling seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 13 games left.

Warnock sympathised with the players on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, stating: "The players probably feel like they don't want to throw it away because everyone will say, 'it wasn't Manchester City chasing you down, it was Arsenal and they lost their forward three'.

"I do think there is an element of the players expecting a hiccup because it has almost gone so well so far, but they shouldn't do because they are such a good team."

• Not a Liverpool fan? Find and follow your team's page here

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

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Aston Villa (19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot confirmed Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo will both be unavailable for Wednesday's game: "Cody is the closest to coming back but Joe will take quite some time. He is going to be out for a number of weeks because of a hamstring injury."

• More on Gomez's absence: "It's a big blow for Joe and for us. He works really hard to come back and then the first game when he came back, after two or three minutes we saw him making a sprint - and now he is out for weeks again. He will miss a large part of the season but we expect him to be back for the end of the season. He might need surgery but that's something we still have to assess."

• When asked if the experience of winning the league as Feyenoord boss will help in the title run-in, Slot said: "It helps if you've already experienced it. Not just me, but the players. But, it's difficult to take it from there - different players, teams and leagues. Yesterday, [La Liga leaders] Barcelona were close to conceding the 1-1 [in a 1-0 win over Raya Vallecano]. It's the end phase of season when results like this are quite common. It tells you that you have a team that fights to the end. These games you need to win."

• He is happy to have Diogo Jota back regularly: "He has a role like many others. He did so well before his injury and we have missed him for three or four months. We have missed the number nine who played the first seven or eight games in every game. We don't expect him to play 90, 90, 90."

• On the challenge posed by Villa: "They beat Celtic at home in an evening game. When you get the fixture list, you always know Villa away is one of the tougher ones we can face. They have brought in some very good players in the January window and qualified top eight in Champions League. We know we will be facing a tough team."

• On the importance of experience in his squad: "We lean a lot on the players. It helps they are used to playing big games in their career with a lot of pressure. The more experience you have playing big games, the better it is. Some young players maybe don't have experience of big games but make the right decisions because of their quality. We must not overvalue experience but it does help."

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

While 10,000 Everton supporters enjoyed the first test event at their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, there was still an opportunity for a Liverpool fan to have a cheeky dig at their neighbours in the form of a celebration.

Wigan Under-18s' Harrison Rimmer made himself a pub quiz answer for years to come by scoring the first goal - and he made the most of the feat by holding up six fingers, referring to the Reds' six European Cup/Champions League titles.

This was not lost on Liverpool fan accounts, external and former players, including John Aldridge,, external who posted on social media to gently goad their Merseyside rivals.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It is becoming increasingly obvious with every match that Liverpool need a new number nine in the summer.

Luis Diaz finally got a start on the left wing because of Cody Gakpo's injury and scored his first goal for 10 matches.

He is not a centre-forward. He does not make enough runs in behind and is not physical enough to challenge the centre-backs aerially. Diaz is an excellent left-winger, though, and there is no reason to sell - he should just be played in his best position more often.

Darwin Nunez is sadly not a long-term option. He may well have a few big moments from now until the end of the season, but if Saudi money is on the table, Liverpool would be mad not to take it. After all, he has only scored six times this season.

Diogo Jota is a good player but, ultimately, not reliable as a result of his abysmal injury record. He has also only scored eight goals this term - hardly prolific.

Alexander Isak is the best potential option. The Swede is coming into his prime at 25 years old and has been sensational for Newcastle this season.

Liverpool's best hope of securing him would be if the Magpies miss out on Champions League football, as Isak absolutely should be competing at the highest level.

Bar Isak, there are not a lot of elite strikers at clubs who will sell, so it would be wise for the Reds to go big on him this summer.

Is Isak a realistic target and the right man for Liverpool? If not, who is? Or do the Reds not need a new centre-forward at all? Let us know here

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

Image source, Getty Images

Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool are fully focused and not worried about other teams as they look to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to 10 points when they go to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

However, the Reds captain insists the players will not get ahead of themselves, especially those who have the experience of being that far ahead of Manchester City in 2018-19 and falling agonisingly short.

"I don't know how others would think, I can only say what I think and what I tell the boys to do because I've been through this whole situation and come up short," said Van Dijk.

"The only thing you have to do is just focus on us. Let's try to win every game ahead of us - and if we do that then obviously we have success.

"We have to put all our energy in only ourselves and that is hard enough already.

"If you focus on other things or look at others it is only going to backfire so we keep going.

"Certain players in our team might watch other teams but it is not going to help you."

Listen to more from Van Dijk on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has a £50m release clause in his contract, which can be activated from this summer - and Liverpool are among the clubs interested in the 19-year-old Spain Under-21 international. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist

There was a point in the second half of Liverpool's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday when Andy Robertson turned to a nerve-filled Kop and called for calm.

The full-back - like many - could feel the anxiety raining down from all four sides of Anfield in a second half during which Arne Slot's men looked a shadow of what has become expected.

A shadow of themselves technically maybe, but not so much physically.

In the first half, Liverpool covered 52.6km and in the second half 53.1km. There were 66 home sprints in the opening period and 65 after the break.

The intensity of their endeavour didn't drop, though the quality of their output somewhat did. It was 10 Liverpool shots in the opening 45, zero thereafter. The Reds' xG for the second period was an ugly zero.

The league leaders have lost something - though it is hard to pinpoint what. Theories they are tightening under the pressure of a title race carry some weight perhaps. The coming days will fill in some blanks.

The likes of Robertson - one of a handful of starters on Sunday to have won a league title before - will be crucial if Arsenal's chase is to be managed.

The full-back has faced criticism this season and debate as to whether his best years are behind him has become consistent. Links with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez have been frequent, while Robertson's own error and subsequent red card in the 2-2 draw with Fulham did the 30-year-old no favours.

But for a man 'slowing down' his contribution physically - at least on Sunday - was clear. Robertson performed 26 sprints and 308 intensive runs - both figures being the most on the pitch. He reached a top speed of 33.2km/h, according to Opta - a stat which wasn't bettered by any player on the day.

With the ball, his tally of 75 touches was only bettered by Virgil van Dijk and the impressive Matheus Cunha.

There is undoubtedly room for improvement, with Robertson losing possession 18 times - four behind Mohamed Salah's top mark. His duel success of two wins from eight contested also leaves space for an uptick.

There is work to do, but Robertson's endeavour signals he is a player keen and still capable of doing it.

There may never be a better time to settle nerves and never a more apt time for a player under the microscope to show he has plenty left in the tank.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will continue to be on the touchline until the outcome of his FA charge.

The Reds manager has until Wednesday to respond after being charged over his behaviour towards referee Michael Oliver after the 2-2 draw at Everton - with assistant Sipke Hulshoff facing a similar charge.

Liverpool go to Aston Villa on Wednesday meaning Slot is due to be in the dugout at Villa Park.

It is also likely he will be on the touchline for the Premier League leaders' trip to Manchester City on Sunday - unless the process is fast-tracked.

The charge is being treated as "non standard", which means Slot does not have the opportunity to accept a set sanction without a hearing.

There has to be a hearing, which will either determine the punishment or at which Slot to deny the charge. If he denies it, it is then up to a commission to decide whether to uphold the charge and what the level of punishment would be.

After Slot has responded by Wednesday, the FA has three days to go back to the club and a hearing will then take place within 10 days.

Non-standard is for slightly unusual or prolonged incidents when there has been similar behaviour in the past 12 months, in this instance, it could be because of the nature of the behaviour or the comments made.

Slot has already served a touchline ban, in the Carabao Cup quarter final win at Southampton in December, after collecting three yellow cards.

Image source, PA Media

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he can understand why some home fans may have felt a degree of nervousness in the closing stages of Sunday's 2-1 win against Wolves.

The Reds had looked on course for a comfortable victory, but Wolves rallied in the second half and Matheus Cunha's goal for the visitors ensured a tense finale at Anfield.

However, Liverpool were able to hang on to restore their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

"We are all human beings and I totally understand anxiety or nervousness can kick in," said the Netherlands international centre-back.

"I said it weeks ago, we just have to buckle up and enjoy the ride. There will be a lot of twists and turns.

"If you're not ready for it - and we have been there already - it will be a difficult couple of months for you but I feel like we as a team are ready for it.

"We will give it everything we've got and we will see in 13 games if that is enough.

"It is all about game-by-game and not looking at others as we have no influence on other teams or other situations."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have announced that season ticket and general admission prices at Anfield for the 2025-26 campaign will be frozen.

The club has said that as well as adult prices remaining the same for next season, junior tickets will remain at £9 for the 10th season in a row.

A 2% rise for 2024-25 led to protests from sections of home supporters, who refused to display flags in The Kop during the Europa League tie against Atalanta in April 2024.

In November, Liverpool fans joined counterparts from Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United in support of a Football Supporters' Association (FSA) campaign regarding ticket price rises.

The club said on its website:, external "The club held meaningful engagement discussions with its official supporters board on ticket prices and is grateful for its important and significant contribution to those discussions."

"The latest price freeze comes despite significant increases in Anfield matchday operating costs and continued rises in the cost of football operations in general.

"Alongside meaningful engagement with the supporters board, a survey was sent out to 500,000 Liverpool supporters last October, using the club's ticketing database, asking for their views on a number of ticketing-related topics.

"More than 62,000 fans responded and access to tickets and the online purchasing process were highlighted as the primary concerns by the majority of supporters.

"The club will therefore start discussions with its supporters board on developing a range of ticketing policy changes during next season and beyond."

It is a hectic few weeks for Liverpool, with the Reds having league games pretty much every three days until the end of the month.

But things ease considerably in March, when the Reds play just one league game - a home fixture against bottom club Southampton.

That's not to say it is a quiet month, however, with Liverpool having the small matter of the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on 16 March.

On either 4 or 5 March, Liverpool will also have the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, when they will travel to one of Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest. The return leg at Anfield will take place a week later.

Liverpool finish the season with a home game against Crystal Palace - by which point they would hope to have already had the title wrapped up.

They have two tough away games coming up - travelling to Aston Villa and then Manchester City.

They also play rivals Arsenal towards the end of the season but have the advantage of hosting that encounter.

The Gunners, meanwhile, face six sides in the top half of the table in their final 13 games.

As the historical table below shows, only once in Premier League history has a side held a lead of this size after 25 games and not gone on to win the title.

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans:

Steve: Nerves will be the biggest challenge to win the title. Understandable result at David Moyes' Everton, but strange feeling around Anfield on Sunday...

Rich: Ground out a big result after what happened midweek. We can't win playing beautiful football every week. Showed a different side of us - and a good side, in my opinion. We go again against Aston Villa.

George: Good start but second-half performance was well below par. Gave the ball away far too much and didn't offer much attacking threat. Darwin Nunez really didn't get into the game at all and I much prefer Diogo Jota in that role. We lost our flow and couldn't keep possession. Will need to play better than that this week to overcome some stiff opposition. Definitely need Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones available otherwise the bench is a little lightweight. Happy to take the points and there is something in being able to win 'dirty'. We move on - 13 games to go and we remain in control!

Roger: A very unconvincing second half, although 2-0 at half-time was also a bit flattering. Trent Alexander-Arnold looked as if his mind was elsewhere and Ibrahima Konate could easily have been sent off. Both were rightly subbed. Poor attempt by Jota to 'buy' a penalty when he should have just struck it first time. A lot of silly fouls committed but Wolves were very good in the second half and on another day could have easily got something out of the game. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. This was one of those games.

Wolves fans:

Keith: A lot to take heart from. We need that level of performance every game to the end of the season because the margin to stay up or go down is miniscule.

Ant: What a performance by Wolves. If they carry on playing like that they will have no problem staying in the Premier League. Every player played as if their lives depended on it.

Glyn: A good all-round performance from Wolves which they should have got something from. However, I believe our weak link lay between the sticks. Jose Sa's performance is not consistent enough for the Premier League. The first Liverpool goal was a farce and could have been averted had the keeper been braver against Luis Diaz. The second goal was even worse as Diaz was running wide and would not have been unable to finish from that angle.

Mike: Too passive in the first half, but there was a clear foul in the lead-up to the penalty. I thought VAR was supposed to correct these blatant errors by the referee. Simon Hooper had a very poor game giving silly yellow cards for dissent, but only for one team. A much-improved performance from Wolves in the second half and I thought we were well worth at least a point. If we can play a full game as we played the second half we will be well clear of relegation by the end of the season.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 4-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

• Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

• Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd

Newcastle would be willing to let Alexander Isak leave for £83.3m (100m euros) this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona among those keen on the 25-year-old Sweden striker. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool are bracing themselves for the potential departure of captain Virgil van Dijk in the summer and have added Bournemouth's Spain Under-21 defender Dean Huijsen to their shortlist of replacements. (Football Insider), external

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

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