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'I need a change' - Alexander-Arnoldpublished at 10:33 5 May
10:33 5 May
Image source, Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold says he has "given everything I could to the club" after confirming he will leave at the end of his contract.
After joining at the age of six, the full-back has spent 20 years with the Reds, making 352 first-team appearances and scoring 23 goals.
He has lifted eight major honours, including the Champions League and most recently this season's Premier League title.
Speaking to the club website, he said: "I think first and foremost, I want to say it's not an easy decision and there's a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it. I've been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I've ever wanted to here.
"Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I've got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that.
"There's a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you. You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.
"I've felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me. I've loved every single minute of it. I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I've given everything I could to the club."
How do you feel about the news?
Disappointed? Happy that the saga has come to an end?
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpoolpublished at 10:19 5 May
10:19 5 May
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the club at the end of the season.
The announcement brings an end to the season-long questions over his future with the 26-year-old's contract expiring in the summer.
On a post on their social media, external, Liverpool said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.
"Trent will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success."
Richard: Excellent from Chelsea. The chips were down but they came up with a performance. Enzo Fernandez is now more of an attacking threat from midfield, Romeo Lavia's return has added to the team and Cole Palmer is on song again. Very encouraging that our fate is in our own hands with key trips to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest yet to come. Hang on in there!
Jeremy: I've criticised Enzo Maresca multiple times, so it's only right I praise him for the way the team shaped up and played. We completely played the champions off the park, and it arguably could have been more. A massive win for our top-five dreams.
Sam: That's the Chelsea I know. The best performance of the season when we needed it the most. Another three more performances like that in the league and we can look forward to the Champions League.
Liverpool:
Karen: A poor showing from the champions. Folded like a cheap tent in a soft breeze. Chelsea had the intention of winning, gave Liverpool a rough ride and despite having the most possession failed to rise to the occasion. Poor performance, - very poor.
Alex: Honestly who cares, the league is won. Doesn't matter in the slightest what happens in the past few games! Play the second team, get some game time and experience under their belts while they can!
Ian: Proof that Harvey Elliot and Wataru Endo are not good enough and Curtis Jones also struggled. Missed the first team today. When they brought Alexis Mac Allister and and Dominik Szboszlai on, they started bossing the game. Feel sorry for the fans who travelled.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 08:06 5 May
08:06 5 May
Mark Chapman presents highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.
'I did not see a drop for many things'published at 19:00 4 May
19:00 4 May
Image source, Getty Images
Arne Slot spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Liverpool's defeat against Chelsea: "For many things I didn't see a drop off. Today, we could see why we have won this league - we brought the ball out from the back really well.
"We came back after being 2-0 down and we didn't give up, but I have said before margins are small.
"In some moments a few percentages were not there."
"They [Chelsea] were a constant threat on the counter-attack, but they have a very good team. Well organised and so many great individuals.
"It will always be a difficult game to play here, but for us to play the way we did tells me also why we won the league, but it also tells me if you have a small drop off in the final third you can concede or not score.
"A wise man once said to me 'nothing good comes from losing a football game' and that's how we experience it.
"Yes, we slipped twice with a goals conceded, but the amount of times we could play through Chelsea was much more than half a season ago.
"In the final third we were not as aggressive and we missed a few percent to score the goal."
Did you know?published at 18:38 4 May
18:38 4 May
Image source, Getty Images
Only John Terry (19) and Dion Dublin (14) have scored more headed goals from corners in Premier League history than Virgil Van Dijk (13). The Liverpool captain is the top scoring defender in the competition since his first full season with the Reds in 2018-19 (21).
Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool - send us your thoughtspublished at 18:25 4 May
Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Liverpoolpublished at 11:14 4 May
11:14 4 May
I would usually be asking which Chelsea side will turn up, but that applies to Liverpool too this week.
Arne Slot's side could have been out all week celebrating their title win and we don't know how that will affect them.
You often play at your best when you have been on the lash in a scenario like theirs. For example, some of my best games for Celtic came after nights out where we had won something and were allowed to have a couple of beers, but I don't know what to expect here.
Chelsea have nicked a couple of results recently, to stay in the race for the top five, but their performances have not been too convincing and their fans still don't seem to have taken to Enzo Maresca's playing style.
This is not the test for them that it would be if Liverpool were trying to close out the title but I don't think Slot is the type to let anyone take their foot off the gas. He will put out a strong team and even if they play with more freedom, I still think Liverpool will leave with the points.
Chelsea are winless in their past 10 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (drawn seven, lost three). Only once before have they gone longer without a win over the Reds (11 from 1985 to 1990).
Mohamed Salah, 32, has 28 Premier League goals for Liverpool this season and needs one more goal to equal the record for goals by a player aged 30 or older in a campaign, held by Didier Drogba for Chelsea in the 2009-10 season (29).
A 'ghost goal' and a 'mythical lady'published at 08:11 3 May
08:11 3 May
Luke Reddy BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
"We don't know whether it was a goal or not. I'm sure people will talk about it - but we're going to the final. We're going to Istanbul."
Those were the words of captain Steven Gerrard 20 years ago today after Luis Garcia's 'ghost goal' carried Liverpool through the Champions League semi-final, beating Premier League winners Chelsea by a single goal over two legs.
Gerrard was right, people did talk. In the weeks that followed, a myth swept the Merseyside city and it went something like this...
A former Liverpool secretary - an elderly lady now retired - was said to have been sitting directly in line with the goalline. Asked about the moment that carried a generation of Liverpool fans to their first European Cup final, she is said to have answered with a resounding 'yes, it did cross the line'.
Case closed, then. If anyone is going to end doubt, surely it is a gran-like figure, one you would trust with your savings, house keys and matchday ticket?
Or maybe it is just a football myth, one swept from the dust of one of the greatest nights in Anfield history.
It is somehow romantic that a night so vivid in colour and packed with narrative contains such a plot twist.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Liverpool fans found novel ways to watch training in the lead-up to the semi-final
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho spoke pre-game about how his league winners would stand up to the swirl of an Anfield semi-final.
But this semi-final was different.
A generation of supporters who knew what European Cup finals looked like only through VHS video replays could sniff the chance to live one out in its true form.
By lunchtime, Liverpool city centre cut the look of a place where a day's work had been finished early, with bars filling and fans preparing for the night to come.
As 6pm rolled in, flags, banners, songs and expectation filled the streets around Anfield. By shortly before 8pm, Anfield was as alive as it has ever been. It was ferocious.
By 8.04pm, the ferocity paid its first - and most telling - dividend, a 'ghost goal' to send Liverpool to an Istanbul final which they should have lost in every lifetime bar the one we live in.
There was intimidation - each and every time a Chelsea player collected a ball for a throw-in, he did so faced with a cluster of charged home fans doing everything bar sitting on their hands.
There was hope - why should the images of European Cup success live only in the heads of parents and grandparents when just one win sat between a modern-day re-run?
And there was passion - song after song, roar after roar, every 50-50 duel on the pitch treated like a cup final of its own by those in the stands.
There can be little wonder it was decided the ball had crossed the line.
For decades, players - in both red and opposing colours - have talked about the ball being 'sucked' towards goal at The Kop end. It was on this night in telling fashion, prompting an extraordinary outburst of celebration initially, which would then give way to over 90 minutes of nerves and anxiety.
There were tears. Mourinho stood with his arms around his distraught players after the final whistle, while Anfield took on the look of a red-and-white hurricane. Those wearing blue had lost and were lost within it all. A tidal wave of home emotion and a ghost all in one night - it is indeed a lot to deal with.
Garcia's prod, a three-goal fightback in the final and a shootout win. It is like it was all meant to be.
Had VAR existed, such history may never have been written.
But who needs VAR when a mythical lady could see what no-one else could anyway?
Image source, Getty Images
'Anfield will likely never again be so noisy'published at 08:07 3 May
08:07 3 May
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Twenty years since the ghost goal? Twenty years since referee Lubos Michel did Chelsea a massive favour, more like.
If he hadn't given the goal to Luis Garcia, and, in fairness, I have no idea if it crossed the line or not, then he'd have had to send off Petr Cech and award Liverpool a penalty, given the goalkeeper was also the last man and didn't play the ball.
So after five minutes, Liverpool would have got a penalty which Steven Gerrard would surely have scored against Carlo Cudicini [who'd have had to come on for Cech] - and Chelsea would have been down to 10 men for the rest of the game.
In 2005, there was no double jeopardy rule, so a penalty and a red card would have both been awarded.
If anything, Lubos Michel enhanced Chelsea's chances of winning by awarding that goal, although Jose Mourinho and their supporters conveniently forget this. You can't talk about whether it crossed the line or not without discussing the imminent red card and penalty had it not been given.
The atmosphere at Anfield that night was the best the ground has experienced in my entire lifetime. Fervent, manic, brilliant. It was back when fans still wore red unashamedly and touts hadn't sold on many tickets to high-bidding first-time supporters. Anfield will likely never again be so noisy given the change in modern football and the increased hospitality and ticket pricing. This is sad.
The biggest moment of the game, bar the goal, was Eidur Gudjohnsen's miss with the final kick. Somehow, the excellent finisher skewed wide when hitting the target was easier and Liverpool were on the way to Istanbul.
Many consider that Liverpool side a one-man team, but besides Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia formed one of the best central defensive partnerships in Europe at the time. This bedrock was what got Liverpool to the final, but I still don't know how we beat AC Milan from 3-0 down.
'I think the Kop shouted the ball in' - Huth on Garcia 'ghost goal'published at 08:06 3 May
08:06 3 May
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool's 'ghost goal' against Chelsea in the Champions League 20 years ago "sparked the rivalry between the two clubs", says former Blues defender Robert Huth.
It was a memorable moment - for better or for worse - for both sets of fans and two-decades on it is still argued if Luis Garcia's goal, that sent the Reds through to the final at Chelsea's expense, crossed the line.
It proved to be a key moment on the way to Liverpool's comeback win over AC Milan in Istanbul.
Part of the squad for that game, Huth explained to BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club how Blues boss Jose Mourinho reacted to that moment, stating: "He was fuming, off course he would be.
"When the goal went in, nobody really knew what was going on because it wasn't obvious to anyone. It didn't even look that close particularly.
"The lads were deflated, he was fuming, but what can you do? The game is done."
Mourinho created a number of rivalries during his time at Chelsea, but the one between him and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez came to be particularly fierce.
Asked whether it was that game that kick-started it, Huth said: "They both gave as good as they got. They both had a lot to say for each other. But, that game definitely sparked the rivalry between the two clubs.
"This time Liverpool got the better of us, but then we beat them in the next quarter-final a year or two later.
"It is water under the bridge now but it was frustrating. I think The Kop shouted the ball in rather than the ball actually crossing the line."
'I felt privileged to be there' - BBC man on Anfield's title daypublished at 18:36 2 May
18:36 2 May
Ian Dennis Commentator/Senior Football Reporter at BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty Images
I have to say, Anfield was very, very special.
The last time they won the title in front of supporters was 12,783 days ago.
The atmosphere was very, very special. Being at Anfield was probably up there with other memorable games, such as Dortmund in 2016 and Barcelona in 2019.
I felt privileged to be there with all of the supporters.
I deliberately didn't talk over You'll Never Walk Alone before the game. I said to the engineer: "We're not going to talk here - we'll let the atmosphere speak for itself."
There are certain occasions when the magnitude of the game speaks for itself and you make that decision.
Slot on rotation plans and Liverpool 'attraction' for playerspublished at 17:29 2 May
17:29 2 May
Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Reuters
Liverpool's title win has come with four games to spare and, along with the club's celebrations, Reds boss Arne Slot believes it will give him plenty of benefits on the playing front, and also when it comes to transfers.
Speaking to the media before Sunday's game at Chelsea, Slot said he plans to rotate his squad and give chances to some fringe players, with Arsenal,Brighton and Crystal Palace to come after the trip to Stamford Bridge.
"This is a moment to see where they are, also looking towards next season maybe a bit already," said the Dutchman. "But, definitely also because they deserve to play this season."
Attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott and winger Federico Chiesa are two of the players who will be hoping to more playing time.
Slot added: "I don't think these players have to prove the quality players they are, but I think they want to prove for themselves that they are good enough to play for us.
"I already know that they are and, probably, they themselves know this as well. I don't think they have a point to prove, but I do think they would like to play."
Slot did not provide any update on the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who can leave on a free when his contract runs out in the summer, but the Reds boss did speak about how the club's title win and celebrations will help on the transfer front.
"The main advantage of winning the league is that, until now if I spoke to new players that we wanted to bring in, I always told them that our fans are really special, that it's special to play at this club," he said.
"That was maybe not even necessary to tell them in the past but, after Sunday, I don't think I ever have to tell anyone again how special our fans are because that was unbelievable.
"Winning the league and having these fans is a big attraction to every player we want to bring in. It is definitely helpful."
Could Reds strike a Kerkez-Robertson balance?published at 16:50 2 May
16:50 2 May
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool fan and podcaster Lukleiva believes reported target Milos Kerkez will not settle for limited game time if he was to join Liverpool.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the Bournemouth left back, who has featured in all 34 Premier League games for the Cherries so far this season.
Liverpool currently have Andy Robertson at left-back, who has played in 31 of the 34 league games.
Speaking on the potential situation, Lukleiva told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Kerkez wouldn't come in and only play half the games, so that means Liverpool have to look at a different target if that's the plan. That could be Jorrel Hato from Ajax - he was at a few of the games recently.
"But you definitely want Kerkez. He's one of the breakout stars of the Premier League season. He's really young, he's played under Arne Slot at AZ Alkmaar, but he won't share minutes with Andy Robertson.
"Kerkez would start 80% of games and Robertson would play Carabao Cup and the likes of Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.
"Whether that is something Robertson is willing to side with or whether he'd then want to move on, that's something they need to talk about."
Slot on title celebrations, Klopp's message and rotating playerspublished at 09:57 2 May
09:57 2 May
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Slot on the celebrations after being crowned Premier League champions
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Slot described the title celebrations last Sunday as "amazing" and added: "Maybe, for all of the fans it was the best day of their lives and it was the same for me."
He said "seeing how much it meant to the players and the fans was really special to be part of" and that he has been inundated with congratulations messages.
He confirmed Jurgen Klopp was one of those, with the former Reds boss saying to Slot: "Now you know how special of a club it is. You are part of history."
On whether he now feels his connection with the fans is stronger: "If that was still possible? From the first day I got here, I've felt they've supported me and the team. If you win something together it always goes up a notch. It is a game of football but if you win a trophy together it lifts it to a new dimension."
After winning the title with four games to spare, he said he will "mix up" the starting line-ups for the remaining fixtures and "there will be a few players coming in for rotation".
On his reasoning for this: "Some of them have deserved to play earlier this season because they have trained so well and are good enough to play for this club. It is a moment to see where they are and perhaps [I'm] looking forward to next season already."
Right-back Conor Bradley will train today and Slot expects him to be involved in the squad on Sunday.
On opponents Chelsea: "I am surprised by the gap we have with them at the moment because back then [earlier in season] they were the better team on the pitch. But we found a way to win. We had to suffer more in that game than in any other."
He said winning the title and the "incredible" fan celebrations will be a "big attraction to every player that we want to bring in" during the summer transfer window.
On Harvey Elliott's comments that he wants to fight for his place at the club: "It's nice that the players here want to stay. That is a big compliment. He is one player who hasn't had as much playing time as he maybe deserves. He was also injured. We like, and I like, him more now than I did when he first came back form his injury. He is back to his old level again."
Slot back to work: What questions are there now?published at 07:56 2 May
07:56 2 May
Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
It was party time at Liverpool after they secured this season's league title with a win against Tottenham at Anfield last Sunday.
The players and staff revelled in equalling the title tally of arch rivals Manchester United on 20 before putting the celebrations on hold to return to training and prepare for a return to action at Chelsea on Sunday.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be chatting to the media at 09:00 BST today so we'll probably find out about how he's been enjoying winning the Premier League in his first season in charge.
It'll be interesting to hear from the Dutchman and find out what he wants to get from his side's final four games of the season.
Will some of the fringe players, Federico Chiesa in particular, get more of a run out to prove their worth?
Chiesa was Liverpool's only signing for this season but has hardly been used by Slot and it would be interesting to see what he can do if given more game time.
Also, more focus will now shift to the future of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract in the summer, so we'll find out what Slot has to say about that as well.
'He backs his knowledge of the game' - Walkerpublished at 09:20 1 May
09:20 1 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester City and Tottenham defender Kyle Walker believes Virgil van Dijk's ability to defend without making tackles is rare in the modern game.
Discussing Van Dijk on The Kyle Walker podcast, the famous Paolo Maldini line sprang to mind: "If you have to make a tackle, then you've already made a mistake."
Walker said: "I think that's a fair quote. You can understand that statement that he's made and I think, who am I to question Maldini's footballing brain? Because of what he did in football, he is probably one of the greats.
"I understand that he's probably saying that you're probably not in the correct position. If you're making a tackle, you're probably out of position slightly for you to be lunging in or sliding in. I definitely can understand his quote."
When asked if there are many modern defenders that have that ability, Walker immediately pointed to Van Dijk.
"Very rarely do you see him tackle," Walker said. "He backs his speed, he backs his strength and he backs his knowledge of the game. You don't see him flying into challenges. He slows people down, waits for cover to come in, and it's good defending.
"Defending is not just about tackling and smashing people. Sometimes, you have to use your head and I think, especially in the modern day, you hit your peak as a defender at 30 or 31. You're still learning your trade up until then."
'If you want stability, go to Liverpool' - Houghtonpublished at 08:27 1 May
08:27 1 May
Media caption,
The Monday Night Club panel have been discussing whether Liverpool will be the most attractive Premier League destination this summer, after Arne Slot came in and scooped up a Premier League title in his first season at Anfield.
Former England captain Steph Houghton says the club will need to think about their current "culture" before splashing the cash.
"As a footballer you want security and stability - and at this moment in time, out of the top five or top six clubs, Liverpool provide that," she said.
"But next year will be a tough season for Liverpool because once you're at the top, it is so much harder to stay there than trying to climb your way up there.
"At Chelsea, it has been a bit of a car crash at times, when they have been making decisions and buying all of these players, but buying loads of players doesn't necessarily bring success.
"It is obvious that Arne Slot is going to go and buy players, but then it is about how he moulds that culture again."
Image source, Getty Images
