Arne

Slot’s squad selection for Wednesday’s EFL Cup defeat by Crystal Palace sparked huge debate.

He made 10 changes from Liverpool’s last outing, handing out two debuts and naming three teenagers in his starting line-up, plus a further five among his substitutes.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike were all absent as the Reds made a tame exit in a competition they have won twice in the past four seasons.

Liverpool fan Abigail Rudkin told BBC Sport she is disappointed by Slot’s decision-making.

“Walking to the game last night, me and my dad got the team sheet and we were like ‘he’s sacrificed this’,” she said. “I understand we are losing games at the moment but you need to try and get a winning mentality back.

“We are losing patience. I think there are two different sides of the fanbase at the minute.

“There are those on social media that are calling on him to lose his job, and there are the people I see at the ground, like me, who are losing patience going to these games and not enjoying it as much with losing the games, but they also want to stay patient with him because we are very grateful to him for what we’ve had from last season when we thought it would all fall apart without Jurgen Klopp.”

Winning the title in his maiden season is a double-edged sword for Slot according to supporter Richard.

“The problem is Slot won the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp’s team,” he said. “This was amazing. However, now he has spent hundreds of millions of pounds to improve and put his stamp on the team and club, it is all going wrong.

“When you watch him on the touchline, he doesn’t seem to know how to fix things when they go wrong. We have stopped pressing and terrorising opponents. For some reason, we now play at training-game pace, and only really bring the hammer in the last 15 minutes or so when we’re behind and chasing the game. This is not Liverpool at all.”

Fellow fan Ryan said it’s “way too soon” to be talking about getting rid of Slot, but said players need to take responsibility and shoulder some of the blame too.

“We don’t turn into a bad team overnight,” he said. “But Slot doesn’t help himself with some of his decisions – and that is what he can control.

“Liverpool operate differently and I can’t see us cutting Slot and his staff so soon. However, results are what count, ultimately, and if things don’t improve – and quickly – then we all know how the road ends.

“The players have to step up too, by the way – it shouldn’t all be on the manager. Some have been way, way below an acceptable standard for Liverpool.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he has “no regrets” after making 10 changes to his team for their Carabao Cup fixture against Crystal Palace, a match they went on to lose 3-0 at Anfield.

READ MORE: Slot ‘making excuses’ – but should he have rested key players?

Although Liverpool’s starting 11 included 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison, the line-up also included seven full internationals.

Slot opted for three central defenders, with Scotland’s Andy Robertson on the left, England’s Joe Gomez in the middle and Japan’s Wataru Endo on the right.

Both full-backs have also represented their country too, with left-back Milos Kerkez a regular for Hungary, while Calvin Ramsay has played for Scotland.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner felt it was “disrespectful” to suggest Liverpool had fielded a weakened team and believed his side deserved all the credit.

“It was Arne Slot’s decision and we never care what other teams are doing,” said the Eagles boss. “I’ve seen Joe Gomez play for England, win the Champions League, seen Wataru Endo I don’t know how many games for Japan, I’ve seen Alexis Mac Allister, he won the World Cup as a starter, Kerkez moved for £40m, [Federico] Chiesa plays for the [Italy] national team, Ngumoha has shown he can score goals in the Premier League.

“It was still a good team and everyone is a member of the Liverpool squad. I was never good enough to be in the Liverpool squad. Maybe it was not the strongest team, but still a very good Liverpool side.”

For Slot, this match will be forgotten about if they can get positive results against Villa, Real and Manchester City.

“If they beat Villa and Real Madrid, and they start to turn a corner, then yes it will have paid off,” added Warnock. “If it isn’t and things continue, then Liverpool fans will get disgruntled.

“Managers don’t make changes for no reason. But when you need a victory, this was the ideal time to get it.”

As Slot pointed out, Liverpool’s recent poor run was unacceptable and he will be demanding, and hoping, for an immediate improvement in performances and results to relieve the pressure.

“I don’t see where Wirtz gets into the team,” ex-England captain Wayne Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. “I think it was a lot of money. I think Wirtz actually damages the balance of Liverpool and how they play.

“He’s a top player and I’m sure he will get better – but he’s had a slow start and I think there’s no denying that.”

Wirtz’s current struggles are not down to a shortage of endeavour. He attempted more dribbles or shots on goal than anyone else for Liverpool in Istanbul. He will hope his hard work is rewarded soon.

Liverpool statistics also back up the theory they are now easier to get at, needing late goals against Bournemouth, Newcastle , Arsenal, Burnley, Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Southampton in the Carabao Cup. They also conceded two-goal leads against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Atletico.

And, again, you can compare the start of this season to the beginning of last – they have had only two clean sheets in 10 games this season having kept six in their first 10 last season.

“Right now they’re not there yet,” said ex-Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime. “When you look at the way they’re playing right now they’re not the same team as last year. You can see the chemistry is not right at this present moment in this time – but they have plenty of time to get it right. It’s not panic stations.”

Slot, perfectly understandably, delivered measured perspective as he said: “We are not so far off the level shown last season. This is sometimes what the schedule can bring, Galatasaray is not a simple game. We now play Chelsea away, a difficult game.

“The margins are small and they were last season. For the second time in a row we are on the wrong side.

“I saw a lot of things in the first half, but the second half was much less. I don’t think in the second half there was a lot of playing time, their striker was on the floor four or five times. It was difficult to get momentum in the game.”

For all that, however, the sense of calm control and composure that was the hallmark of Liverpool’s title win has been lost – and was missing again the fierce surroundings of Istanbul.

On a night when Liverpool celebrated the goalscoring arrival of their record signing Alexander Isak, a moment of madness has proved costly for their other in-form forward.

Hugo Ekitike scored the winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory against Southampton to progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

But, caught up in the moment of his 85th-minute goal, striker Ekitike removed his shirt and held it up to the Liverpool fans in celebration.

He most likely knew he would get booked for that and was happy it was a price worth paying, but what he had seemingly forgotten is that he had already been shown a yellow card.

The sending-off means he will be suspended for Saturday’s Premier League game at Crystal Palace – not ideal when the player he is potentially in a battle for a starting spot with is returning to full fitness.

Ekitike went on social media on Tuesday night to apologise, saying: “I was so excited to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match.

“The emotion got the better of me. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my team-mates for this victory!”

But, speaking just after the game, his manager Arne Slot was left bemused by the incident.

“It is not [stupid] because it was his second [yellow] – it’s stupid even if you haven’t had a yellow card yet,” he said.

“Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned but I did score a few goals – not at his level but I did – and if I went past three players and put it in the top corner then maybe you can say ‘this is all about me’.

“But if I scored a goal like he did tonight, I would turn to Chiesa and say ‘it’s about you Federico – great assist, great run and I didn’t have to do a lot’. Maybe that’s me being old-school.

“It was stupid, not smart in every sense. The good thing is that his team-mates helped him to get the win over the line, but the thing is he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”

MORE than a few eyebrows were raised at the Emirates when Arsenal’s starting line-up was announced.

In particular the midfield three of Mikel Merino, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.

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It was a defensive-minded decision by Arteta to put pressure on City’s Rodri and limit his influence from deep while keeping things tight until he found the courage to fling on his attacking game-changers at the right moment.

It backfired massively.

Those who criticised Arteta for playing not to lose instead of going for the win at Liverpool last month – eventually losing 1-0 – have even more fuel to chuck on the now-blazing fire.

He had a fully-fit Eze on the bench, and yet kept the handbrake on with a safety-first approach. The question remains: does Arteta have the bravery to win a league title?

The sort of midfield that would have been Jose Mourinho-approved, but one that Arteta must NEVER start again in a title-defining game again if Arsenal are to compete for the Prem.

Can you imagine Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola or even Arne Slot doing the same? No chance.

That trio had no pace, no drive, no attacking intent – and Arsenal have no hope of glory come May should they combine from the off again.

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MARTINELLI MORE THAN JUST A ‘FINISHER’

MIKEL Arteta made it clear after Arsenal’s Champions League opener just how much it pains him to leave Gabriel Martinelli on the bench.

The Brazilian came on away at Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night and after 36 seconds he netted before creating another for Leandro Trossard.

It was not enough for Arteta to reward Martinelli with a first start for nearly a month against Manchester City, revealing that he prefers to call his subs “finishers” to give them more meaning and motivation.

But after yet another late goal to snatch points, there is now a dilemma for Arteta: continue using him as a super-sub – or super-finisher – or recall him to that left-winger spot.

Martinelli would admit himself that he has not been in good form over the last 18 months with just 18 goals in all competitions over the past two seasons.

But he is certainly knocking on the door. Is this the start of his North London renaissance?

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EZE SHINING IN GOOD COMPANY

WITH England boss Thomas Tuchel watching on, Eberechi Eze proved why he is so special and belongs on the biggest of stages.

Eze would have been more than frustrated to be left on the bench for this one, desperate to build some momentum in an Arsenal shirt with next summer’s World Cup looming.

But boy did he deliver when he was thrown on at half-time with Mikel Arteta desperate for some magic after playing it safe for the first 45 minutes.

His beautifully-crafted long ball over the top to put in Gabriel Martinelli for a late, late equaliser is exactly why Arteta snatched him from Crystal Palace, lured from the grasps of rivals Tottenham at the last minute.

Once again for large parts, the Gunners struggled to break down a low block, just like they did last season, but Eze is the player with the key to unlock the most stubborn of defences – if he is given the chance.

It cannot be clearer now – Arteta must start Eze as much as possible between now and the end of the campaign if Arsenal are going to claw the Prem title away from Liverpool.

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Slot felt Liverpool “did great business”, given all eight of their signings are aged 25 or under, and the club “should get praise” for the strategy it has adopted.

“I think it is only a compliment that people tell everyone we have spent so much because that tells you the players we brought in are seen as very good players,” explained the Dutchman.

“Some other teams prefer to bring in 27-year-olds because they are ready, but we think we have brought in players who are 21, 22 [and] who are ready.

“I think all the money we have spent we generated ourselves by selling, and by winning the league after we didn’t buy anyone at all.”

Isak did not feature in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Burnley on Sunday – the first match since he joined the Reds – because he is still short of match fitness.

The 25-year-old trained alone at former club Newcastle, in a bid to force through his switch to Anfield, and needs extra work to get up to speed after missing pre-season.

Isak’s only appearance this season came for Sweden in an 18-minute cameo from the bench in a 2-0 defeat by Kosovo last week.

Slot said he is “100% sure” Isak will not play 90 minutes against Atletico but indicated he will play a part against the La Liga side.

“He [Isak] is part of the squad, so it’s already a Champions League game to look forward to, but if people look forward to his playing time, that could mean that could happen tomorrow as well,” Slot added.

“So the moment he is fit, match fit, [he] can play 90, and then the next step is playing three times in a week 90 minutes.

“And that is what he has to do; scoring goals and doing special things in attack is something he will 100% do. The main challenge he has is to become so fit that he’s first of all ready to do what he did last season.”

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma, Reds manager Arne Slot has revealed.

The centre-half has been a key target for Slot and is now set to move to Anfield in a deal worth in the region of £26m.

The Italy Under-19s international began his career at Padova and had a short spell at Sampdoria before joining Parma last summer.

He enjoyed a breakthrough Serie A campaign last season, making 17 appearances as Parma finished 16th, five points above the relegation zone.

“The clubs have agreed a deal but he has not signed for us yet. The moment he does, I can go into more detail,” Slot said.

The Reds boss refused to comment when asked about a potential move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

“He’s not our player. Unfortunately, he was the captain of the team who we lost to last Sunday. If you want to have any talks about him you should go to Palace and [manager Oliver] Glasner and ask him about it,” Slot said.

FA Cup winners Palace are believed to want £40m for their captain, who only has 12 months left on his contract, but Liverpool want to pay less than that.

Eagles chairman Steve Parish said earlier this week Guehi might be sold to avoid him moving on a free transfer next summer.

If the clubs do agree a deal, the level of playing time he would be afforded at Liverpool will be a crucial consideration for Guehi in a World Cup year.

The Reds have already spent about £270m this summer, though they have recouped about £170m through player sales.

They have also had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle, though sources have told BBC Sport the Swede remains determined to move to the Premier League champions.

Signing Leoni, Guehi and Isak would take Liverpool’s summer spending past £400m.

Defending champions Liverpool begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign in Friday’s curtain-raiser against Bournemouth at Anfield.

Moving into midfield, Wirtz was the outstanding Liverpool player at Wembley. Slot has clearly tweaked the system to suit their record signing – and the early signs are positive.

Wirtz has been given a role freer and further forward than Liverpool had previously from an attacking midfielder – they had nobody to do that role last season.

He almost formed a strike partnership with Ekitike at times, so close together were they. Indeed by the time he was substituted, Wirtz was playing as a false nine with Ekitike already taken off.

This freedom allowed the German to float wide left after four minutes, to pick up the ball and play in Ekitike for the opener.

There were 22 passes in the build-up to Liverpool’s opener, finishing off a move that lasted 66 seconds and involved nine players.

Until being taken off in the 84th minute Wirtz looked perfectly balanced, always in control, never flustered. His influence all over the pitch for Liverpool is already clear.

At the point of his substitution, Wirtz led Liverpool for passes and entries in the final third, crosses and touches in the Palace box. He had the third most touches in total. Everything went through him.

“It has been a really impressive performance for Wirtz,” former Palace striker Glenn Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Very dominant.

“He was tiring by the end of it and that is something he will need to get used to. But he is looking like a very good signing.”

This does put a question on Mohamed Salah’s role in the team. The Egyptian has now not scored in eight Wembley appearances, had only one shot on target and in the shootout blazed his penalty over. But that is a question for another article.

LIVERPOOL have announced the arrival of new striker Hugo Ekitike in a £79million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Frenchman’s arrival comes after months of the Reds courting him and his camp, with an end-of-season meeting with Arne Slot proving crucial in turning his head.

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Eiktike, 23, becomes Liverpool’s latest big-money addition this summer after splashing out on the like of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Florian Wirtz – taking their total spend to just under £300m.

The striker has penned a six-year deal on Merseyside, tying his future down with the champions after his impressive campaign in the Bundesliga last term.

Ekitike scored 15 goals and registered eight assists in his 33 Bundesliga appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, earning himself a spot in the league’s Team of the Season.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool beat a number of their Premier League rivals to Ekitike’s signature.

Chelsea are said to have explored a move, Manchester United considered a late bid and Newcastle were well-known to have had an offer knocked back by Frankfurt.

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FLORIAN WIRTZ reportedly chose Liverpool over Bayern Munich after being given an irresistible promise by Arne Slot.

The highly-rated German star was courted by both clubs but in the end the guarantee of the No10 role tipped the scales in the Reds’ favour.

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According to Caughtoffside, Wirtz revealed that the decision was ultimately made after Slot assured him he would be THE playmaker in his Liverpool team.

While Bayern offered him the prospect of competing in their world-class side, the path to regular first-team football was far from clear.

Jamal Musiala’s rapid rise at the Allianz Arena and the presence of more established players such as Joshua Kimmich meant that Wirtz would have had to fight for his place in the midfield.

But at Liverpool, it is a different story – he would be the main man at Anfield.

The creative hub of the team, controlling the game from midfield and leading Liverpool’s attack.

Slot promised Wirtz full control of the No10 role, a position that would be his alone.

This clear-cut offer of a starring role was a far cry from the uncertainty Bayern offered.

In the end Wirtz made his choice opting for the chance to be Liverpool’s attacking leader.

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The fact that Liverpool have won the Premier League in Slot’s first season is also contributing factor as it has highlighted the manager’s ability to bring the best out of young players.

The Dutch manager has been able to get the best out of both old and new faces with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk enjoying stellar campaign as well as Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo

How close are Liverpool to a deal?

The Premier League champions have submitted a second improved bid for the Germany midfielder.

Liverpool’s latest offer for the 22-year-old is about £109m, including add-ons.

Wirtz is a key target for the Merseyside club and has made his wishes clear about wanting to join Liverpool before next season.

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Arne Slot thanked “the wider football community” for its support following the incident at Liverpool’s title parade as he was named manager of the year and Premier League manager of the year at the League Managers Association (LMA) awards.

About 50 people – including four children – were injured on Monday when a car rammed into crowds in central Liverpool.

Slot was honoured with the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy at the annual LMA ceremony in London – which he did not attend.

After replacing Jurgen Klopp last summer, the 46-year-old only signed one player – forward Federico Chiesa – but still delivered Liverpool’s second Premier League title, winning the league by 10 points from Arsenal.

“I have had to withdraw from the event out of solidarity with all affected,” he said., external

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly but it is one that I feel is absolutely right given the seriousness of the situation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wider football community, including the LMA itself, the Premier League and many clubs for the support we have received over the last 24 hours.

MO SALAH and Arne Slot made the secret pact that took Liverpool to the title and made him Player of the Year.

The campaign began with Anfield shrouded in doubts – especially over whether Salah would sign a new deal and how Slot might handle the strain of being Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

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But Salah revealed how he was certain he could make the Dutchman a Prem champ in exchange for a pledge from the new manager.

Slot kept his word and so did the Kop’s Egyptian king as he reveals how over a series of discussions between the pair he declared: “I was very honest.

“I told him: ‘with me, you are going to win the Premier League but I have to feel really comfortable with the way we play.’

“He was very honest with me, we had a few honest conversations and he said to me: ‘OK, I will get the best out of you. I will put you in a situation where you feel comfortable but I need you to provide the numbers’.”

Provide those numbers Salah, just crowned the Football Writers Association’s player of the year for a third time, certainly did.

In what became a cruise to the crown he has set a new Prem high for a 38 – game season of 28 goals and 18 assists.

He needs two more goal involvements in tomorrow’s last game of the season against Crystal Palace to claim history by overtaking the joint record of 47 held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole set over 42 matches.

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What’s more Salah will spend at least two more seasons with Liverpool having agreed a near – £400,000 a week new deal when he admits that the one pre – season doubt he did have was whether the club would come up with the numbers to make him stay.

Part of his concern was over the fact that owners Fenway Sports Group had always made age a number for older players.

He explained: “There is always a time either now or later when it is going to happen (Salah leaving) but I love this club.

“I always wanted to stay but I know my value and I was waiting for the club to arrive to the right point where me and the club are both going to be happy so that’s why the contracts took so long.

“Based on the club history, because the club treated players of 30 or 31 in different ways I wasn’t clear in my head that I was going to stay 100 percent.”

Salah, who has equalled Thierry Henry’s record of three FWA awards, couldn’t be happier with the way it has all worked out for him – and for the former Feyenoord manager.

His content is based not only on his own personal pride over what he says was a “crazy season, a crazy year” but also on the warm respect he has developed for Slot.

The 32-year-old stresses: “It’s so special, I have a good relationship with him and I am very respectful towards him and his staff because we all work really hard.

“At the beginning, we had that conversation, he asked me for stuff he wanted me to do.

“I asked him and put me in the positions and situations where I can really provide numbers and our relationship is very good and it’s working well.

“And he has improved me, absolutely. Now he will have to deal with me a bit longer!

“I’ve always believed there’s always room to improve and I think he did it very well and you see the numbers this year and I feel very happy about it.

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“I would give him half the credit and the other half to my teammates because they always help me in the situations to give me the ball or be at the right spot so they can pass the ball and I score.”

Salah also speaks warmly of the bond he has always had with the fans, even throughout a campaign of questions over whether he would go, or like skipper Virgil van Dijk, also sign on for another two years.

He says: “My relationship with the fans, I see it as very special.

“They see me as an honest guy and they could see that straight away.

“I think that’s why our relationship is special and that’s why they love me. I don’t hide the stuff, I always share.”

He has improved me, absolutely. Now he will have to deal with me a bit longer!

Mo Salah on Arne Slot

Having picked up the FWA prize at an awards dinner on Thursday night he can now look forward to an even brighter future with Slot – and makes another vow.

He says: “One game to go, I broke the record for 38 games so I am going to go fully focused for the last game and hopefully I can get two goals or assists.

“So I go again next year to break records again!”

There are no doubts for him that he can keep doing so either, even if he turns 33 next month.

The daddy of them all throughout Liverpool’s Prem history insists: “People need to realise that in the last five or ten years players start hitting their peak when they are 30 and upwards.

“When they have more experience and can manage their emotions and can provide big numbers.

“Football has changed now, people take care of themselves, if you try to do everything right you are going to play until you decide it’s time to retire.

“I said the other day I will probably play until I’m 39, 40 … until the kids tell you: ‘It’s OK, you leave football now and you stay with us!”