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.”
BBC pundits Katy Daley-Mclean and Maggie Alphonsi choose their starting Red Roses team ahead of their final Pool A match against Australia in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Chris Waddle: They’ve got a great squad. They bought a lot of players last year and it has taken time for them to get the balance right, but you saw things come together when they won the Club World Cup and I am really expecting them to kick on. They won’t walk it, but they are going to create chances and score a lot of goals.
Nedum Onuoha: They’ll be part of the title race for longer this season than the last. Under Enzo Maresca they have a clear way to play and players who are constantly improving. They’ll be a threat to everyone, which is why they’re champions of the world.
Rachel Brown-Finnis: People scoffed and were very cynical about the Club World Cup but winning it has given them some momentum, especially with the young players they have got. They are such a young team and are still learning, so you are going to see more fluctuations in form than with, say, Liverpool, but they will come into the season flying. I’d be shocked if they don’t win at least one trophy, and you cannot dismiss them as title contenders.
Ellen White: Chelsea put players on these massively long contracts and there are always lots of ins and outs but they have been developing the team they wanted, especially what Maresca has wanted, over the past couple of seasons.
Troy Deeney: They are strong in every position but their inexperience and late start to pre-season after winning the Club World Cup will come back to haunt them in later rounds.
Lindsay Johnson: A busy summer will maybe impact them over a long season.
Chris Sutton: I wonder how much the Club World Cup will take out of them, mentally as much as physically. You need rest in that way too.
Pat Nevin: They look sharp and the new buys are just fabulous – Estevao Willian has every chance of being the best in the business. In the past, Chelsea have relied on Cole Palmer, but maybe not anymore. They will hit the ground running but there is a wall up ahead that they might run into, which is December and January. If you hear anyone say the phrase ‘they have started really well, the summer has not affected them’, then shake your head – the problem comes later.
SOME of the world’s biggest clubs are heading Stateside for a MAMMOTH Club World Cup.
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will be showing their skills to packed crowds across the US.
Los Blancos are favourites to lift the trophy in New York but will face stiff competition from around the globe.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tournament…
INFO
LATEST NEWS & FEATURES
There will be 63 matches for fans to sink their teeth into, and 23 of them will be on Channel 5 after they teamed up with American broadcaster Dazn for the coverage rights.
Channel 5 also confirmed it would show highlights of every match across its social accounts and YouTube channel.
And the broadcaster has also announced some of the top talent who will be seen to help viewers digest the action.
Presenters across the games will include Olivia Buzaglo, Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and James Richardson.
The punditry list is far more extensive and includes top former professionals such as Ronaldo, John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Kleberson, Christian Vieri, Mamadou Sakho, Lianne Sanderson and more.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano will also be present during the coverage.
Match commentators will include Conor McNamara, Rich Wolfenden, Dan O’Hagan, Mike Minay, Pete Odgers, Brandon Smith, Joe Speight, Jess Charman.
Meanwhile, co-commentators will be Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green, Danny Higginbotham, Don Hutchison, Jonas Olsson, Anita Asante.
Channel 5’s coverage will see them broadcast two of Chelsea‘s and Manchester City’s group games.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World’s best players decide which club is the greatest
They will then have half of each of the games from the knockout stages; four out of eight Last-16 games, two out of four quarter-finals games and one semi-final game, before the final.
A £775million prize pot is being split between the 32 teams competing in the tournament.
Teams can earn £1.5m for winning a single game during the group stages, while a draw is worth £800,000.
Reaching the knockouts will earn a club £5.8m, with that figure booming to £10.1m for an appearance in the quarters and then £16.2m for the semi-finals.
The winner of the cup will win a colossal £30m, while the runner up gets £23.2, although the winning club could in theory earn up to £97m for their participation.
Inevitably there has to be goals. While it’s hard to see any other outcome beyond Celtic winning against Aberdeen, especially when in Glasgow, there is always a tiny bit of optimism when it comes to fandom!
That said, making it through extra-time and enjoying a couple of goals is the best I could manage.
For a team that knows finding success on cup final day so well, Aberdeen will need to be ready to lay bodies on the line and hope that fortune favours them for any other likely outcome.
Prediction: Celtic win on penalties, 2-2 AET
Leanne Crichton, former Scotland midfielder
I anticipate a fiercely contested Scottish Cup clash between Celtic and Aberdeen, with both sides bringing high intensity and emotion to the occasion.
Aberdeen will no doubt be determined to end their season on a high and I expect them to throw everything at the game in search of a statement victory. However, Celtic’s experience and quality, particularly in big matches under Brendan Rodgers, should ultimately shine through.
With their attacking depth and composure in key moments, I’m backing Celtic to deliver another trademark Hampden performance and lift the trophy once again.
Ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy and former Southampton manager Russell Martin discuss Nicolas Jackson’s sending-off as Chelsea lose 2-0 at Newcastle.
Arne Slot: Liverpool boss criticises pundits who ‘favour other clubs’ for comments over £450m summer spending
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.”
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'England need to manage squad' – BBC pundits pick Red Roses XV v Australia
BBC pundits Katy Daley-Mclean and Maggie Alphonsi choose their starting Red Roses team ahead of their final Pool A match against Australia in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
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Premier League predictions 2025-26: BBC Sport pundits pick their top four
Chris Waddle: They’ve got a great squad. They bought a lot of players last year and it has taken time for them to get the balance right, but you saw things come together when they won the Club World Cup and I am really expecting them to kick on. They won’t walk it, but they are going to create chances and score a lot of goals.
Nedum Onuoha: They’ll be part of the title race for longer this season than the last. Under Enzo Maresca they have a clear way to play and players who are constantly improving. They’ll be a threat to everyone, which is why they’re champions of the world.
Rachel Brown-Finnis: People scoffed and were very cynical about the Club World Cup but winning it has given them some momentum, especially with the young players they have got. They are such a young team and are still learning, so you are going to see more fluctuations in form than with, say, Liverpool, but they will come into the season flying. I’d be shocked if they don’t win at least one trophy, and you cannot dismiss them as title contenders.
Ellen White: Chelsea put players on these massively long contracts and there are always lots of ins and outs but they have been developing the team they wanted, especially what Maresca has wanted, over the past couple of seasons.
Troy Deeney: They are strong in every position but their inexperience and late start to pre-season after winning the Club World Cup will come back to haunt them in later rounds.
Lindsay Johnson: A busy summer will maybe impact them over a long season.
Chris Sutton: I wonder how much the Club World Cup will take out of them, mentally as much as physically. You need rest in that way too.
Pat Nevin: They look sharp and the new buys are just fabulous – Estevao Willian has every chance of being the best in the business. In the past, Chelsea have relied on Cole Palmer, but maybe not anymore. They will hit the ground running but there is a wall up ahead that they might run into, which is December and January. If you hear anyone say the phrase ‘they have started really well, the summer has not affected them’, then shake your head – the problem comes later.
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Channel 5 announces Club World Cup pundits as Ronaldo heads up star-studded line-up with Chelsea legend and England star
CHANNEL 5 have announced their stunning punditry line-up for the Club World Cup.
The new-look tournament will begin on June 14 and run through to July 13.
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Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 live on DAZN
Club World Cup 2025 Guide
SOME of the world’s biggest clubs are heading Stateside for a MAMMOTH Club World Cup.
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will be showing their skills to packed crowds across the US.
Los Blancos are favourites to lift the trophy in New York but will face stiff competition from around the globe.
Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 on DAZN
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tournament…
INFO
LATEST NEWS & FEATURES
There will be 63 matches for fans to sink their teeth into, and 23 of them will be on Channel 5 after they teamed up with American broadcaster Dazn for the coverage rights.
Their first match will be the tournament opener of Inter Miami v Al Ahly at midnight on June 14.
Channel 5 also confirmed it would show highlights of every match across its social accounts and YouTube channel.
And the broadcaster has also announced some of the top talent who will be seen to help viewers digest the action.
Presenters across the games will include Olivia Buzaglo, Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and James Richardson.
The punditry list is far more extensive and includes top former professionals such as Ronaldo, John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Kleberson, Christian Vieri, Mamadou Sakho, Lianne Sanderson and more.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano will also be present during the coverage.
Match commentators will include Conor McNamara, Rich Wolfenden, Dan O’Hagan, Mike Minay, Pete Odgers, Brandon Smith, Joe Speight, Jess Charman.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Meanwhile, co-commentators will be Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green, Danny Higginbotham, Don Hutchison, Jonas Olsson, Anita Asante.
Channel 5’s coverage will see them broadcast two of Chelsea‘s and Manchester City’s group games.
WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN
They will then have half of each of the games from the knockout stages; four out of eight Last-16 games, two out of four quarter-finals games and one semi-final game, before the final.
A £775million prize pot is being split between the 32 teams competing in the tournament.
Teams can earn £1.5m for winning a single game during the group stages, while a draw is worth £800,000.
Reaching the knockouts will earn a club £5.8m, with that figure booming to £10.1m for an appearance in the quarters and then £16.2m for the semi-finals.
The winner of the cup will win a colossal £30m, while the runner up gets £23.2, although the winning club could in theory earn up to £97m for their participation.
7
Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 live on DAZN
7
Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 live on DAZN
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Scottish Cup final: BBC Sport Scotland pundits give their predictions
Rachel Corsie, Scotland captain
Inevitably there has to be goals. While it’s hard to see any other outcome beyond Celtic winning against Aberdeen, especially when in Glasgow, there is always a tiny bit of optimism when it comes to fandom!
That said, making it through extra-time and enjoying a couple of goals is the best I could manage.
For a team that knows finding success on cup final day so well, Aberdeen will need to be ready to lay bodies on the line and hope that fortune favours them for any other likely outcome.
Prediction: Celtic win on penalties, 2-2 AET
Leanne Crichton, former Scotland midfielder
I anticipate a fiercely contested Scottish Cup clash between Celtic and Aberdeen, with both sides bringing high intensity and emotion to the occasion.
Aberdeen will no doubt be determined to end their season on a high and I expect them to throw everything at the game in search of a statement victory. However, Celtic’s experience and quality, particularly in big matches under Brendan Rodgers, should ultimately shine through.
With their attacking depth and composure in key moments, I’m backing Celtic to deliver another trademark Hampden performance and lift the trophy once again.
Prediction: Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic
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Gary Lineker destroys Wayne Rooney’s managerial career live on BBC leaving pundits speechless
GARY LINEKER has roasted Wayne Rooney over his managerial record – live on the BBC.
The Manchester United legend joined Lineker for the Beeb’s coverage of the FA Cup final.
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Rooney, 39, has launched a media career after being sacked by Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Eve.
The ex-England forward’s managerial record is chequered at best, with Argyle bottom of the Championship when he was axed.
Rooney has failed to achieve a win rate of over 30 per cent during stints with DC United, Derby County, Plymouth and Birmingham.
Lineker couldn’t resist sending a brutal dig Rooney’s way during the panel’s half-time analysis of Crystal Palace’s win over Manchester City.
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead into the break at Wembley thanks to Eberechi Eze’s goal.
Micah Richards asked Rooney: “Being a manager and you’re 1-0 up, what do you tell the players at half time?
“Do you change the way you play?”
Quick as a flash, Lineker quipped: “His teams were never 1-0 up.”
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
The panel burst into laughter, with an apologetic Lineker adding: “Sorry Wayne!”
Laughing himself, Rooney hit back: “Let’s just get back to the game.”
The exchange quickly made its way onto social media.
One fan laughed in response: “Gary Lineker has just cooked Wayne Rooney, my God.”
Another said: “Lineker bodying Wayne Rooney is the best bit of the final so far
While a third joked: “Mr Lineker is off the leash today…brutal to Rooney at HT. Rate it.”
Lineker is leaving his role as Match of the Day host at the end of the Premier League season.
The 64-year-old has been in the MOTD hot seat since 1999.
Lineker will make his final appearance on the highlights show on May 25.
But he will continue to front the BBC’s live FA Cup coverage next season and will also lead the coverage of the 2026 World Cup finals.
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'He's gone to nudge him and got it wrong' – pundits on Jackson red card
Ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy and former Southampton manager Russell Martin discuss Nicolas Jackson’s sending-off as Chelsea lose 2-0 at Newcastle.
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