Liverpool

Everton took a giant step towards Premier League safety and delivered a huge blow to Liverpool's title aspirations with a thoroughly deserved victory at a raucous Goodison Park.

Jurgen Klopp's side were aiming to go level on points with leaders Arsenal, but another off-key performance now sees them chasing Mikel Arteta's side with four games to go.

Jarrad Branthwaite netted in the first half, squeezing an effort in at the near post and the Toffees doubled their lead in the second period courtesy of Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header.

The Reds looked to get back into the game but could not find a way past an inspired Jordan Pickford, who made crucial saves to deny Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, with the Colombian also rattling the post.

Everton would already be assured of safety had they not been deducted eight points, but Sean Dyche's side lie eight points above the drop zone.

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The news that emerged on Tuesday of Feyenoord boss Arne Slot being the leading candidate to replace outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may have come as a surprise to many Reds fans.

With Liverpool set to open talks with the Eredivisie club on Wednesday, it appears to not just be another name off the rumour mill.

But who is the Dutchman who could be sitting in the Anfield dugout come August?

The 45-year-old may not be a household name but this is not the first time he has been linked with a Premier League job.

He was suggested as a possible Leeds United candidate after they sacked manager Jesse Marsch in February 2023, before also ruling himself out of contention for the Tottenham job last summer.

Slot, who joined Feyenoord in 2020, guided the team to their first league title in six years last season. He has also secured the Dutch Cup this campaign, while the side currently sit second in the table with four games remaining.

It is not just the record of success already in his managerial career that will have caught the eye of the Liverpool hierarchy, but his brand of aggressive, attack-minded football too.

When compared with current boss Klopp and other suggested candidates for the role, Slot stacks up well.

According to Opta, the former AZ Alkmaar coach has the second best win percentage out of the five with 61.8% - behind only Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim - but having managed the least amount of games.

His sides score plenty of goals too and without conceding all that many, averaging 2.19 goals per game for and 0.98 goals against.

When looking at where his side rank among teams in the top 10 leagues across Europe this season alone, it is eye catching.

As shown by Opta, Slot's Feyenoord outrank Klopp's Reds in win percentage, possession, goals, high turnovers and possession won in the final third.

Ranking fourth and third in those final two stats in particular will be pleasing to those of a red persuasion as it highlights the style of play he can bring to a team.

Whoever takes over from Liverpool's German maestro will have a tough task on their hands, but Slot could prove to be a worthwhile gamble.

Image source, Getty Images

In a recent interview with on The Overlap with former Premier League defender Gary Neville,, external Anthony Gordon explained the process of his £40m move to Newcastle in January 2023 from boyhood club Everton.

"The whole process was difficult, it was so hard at the time and that whole process led to me being so mentally tough right now. Liverpool's biggest unity was everyone being together, Scousers taking care of Scousers," he said.

"So, if someone was to leave that environment, not everyone is going to like it and rightly so, but ultimately, I am too ambitious to turn down the opportunity which was presented to me.

“Newcastle United were only going one way and looking from the outside they were flying, I think they were fourth when I was signing, so it’s a no brainer.

“My ambition is to be at the very top of football and I couldn’t do that where I was.”

Soon after Gordon left Everton, the Toffees released a statement about Gordon requesting a transfer., external Asked by Neville, whether it could have ended differently to how it did Gordon said: "It didn’t, that’s the thing.

“A lot of what you see in the media [from Everton] is club-driven and I didn’t care too much to change the perspective, because I’m very comfortable in myself and how it ended up, and ultimately, I got what I wanted. I joined Newcastle.

“I did want to leave, but also, the club did have to sell me.

“The way it played out was that I was desperate to leave and that was never really the case.

“I just wanted to fulfil my ambitions.

“But I was never bothered about wanting to change people’s minds, if they believe what they read, it’s fine by me.”

If you'd have asked 1,000 Liverpool fans who our next manager would be on the day Jurgen Klopp said he was leaving, not one of them would have said Arne Slot.

Supporters wanted Xabi Alonso, were starting to get to grips with the Ruben Amorim idea, but are now mostly perplexed.

Arne Slot...? Who?

But there was no point in giving Michael Edwards the keys to the kingdom if we then did not let him and his spreadsheets do their thing.

Slot is not Klopp. Nobody will be. But it is important to realise no manager on the planet is capable of replicating his personality and exact tactical perspective.

The Dutchman at least provides a decent imitation.

His teams press and win the ball back high. They are used to coming from behind. He speaks very well in the media and he comes across as both composed and intelligent. Slot also has a very good record of developing and improving young players.

His football is more similar to Klopp's than Alonso or Amorim's, according to the metrics.

And he is used to working on a shoestring budget, which will please FSG and infuriate internet-only Reds at the same time.

It is a gamble. Of course it is. He has only managed in his native Netherlands.

But it is important he is not judged too early. Give him a chance. There is a reason those who know way more than we do have chosen him.

Jordan Chamberlain can be found at Empire of the Kop, external

Image source, PA Media

Diogo Jota's absence from the Liverpool team for the next two weeks will be a "big loss" for the Premier League title contenders, former Reds full-back Stephen Warnock has said.

Portugal forward Jota will miss Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Everton because of an injury he sustained at Fulham on Sunday.

"He does things that other Liverpool players can't do; he presses well, he allows the midfield to press behind because of the intensity with which he closes down and his conversion rate is the best out of all their strikers when he's given the opportunity," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Liverpool are just a better team with him in it. It's a big loss for Liverpool and it's probably bigger than people will anticipate."

Liverpool have played a game fewer than Arsenal and will start the match at Goodison Park three points behind the Premier League leaders, following the Gunners' 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea on Tuesday.

Warnock said: "What a statement that was from Arsenal, and Liverpool will now be going into a Merseyside derby feeling that anything other than a victory will be arguably the title disappearing away from them.

"It's such a difficult game, and then they're trying to put pressure on Manchester City who play Brighton on Thursday. It's a huge game."

Image source, PA Media

If Liverpool want to appoint Arne Slot to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager, they will have to negotiate a fee with Feyenoord.

The Dutchman, 45, does not have a release clause for this summer.

There is one in his contract, but it cannot be activated until next year.

We asked for your views on the news that Arne Slot is a leading candidate to become the next Liverpool manager, with the Reds set for talks with his club Feyenoord on Wednesday.

Here are some of your replies:

Jeff: Slot would be amazing at Liverpool! He is used to the big club environment and is one of the world's best coaches. I don’t think there is anyone better suited to lead us after Klopp. I’m sure Slot will sort out the inconsistencies in our forward play.

Jeremy: Liverpool need a manager with imagination, leadership and knowledge of the game - someone who has the respect of the dressing room and whose decisions are not questioned. He looks like a good choice.

Luke: Unless Jurgen makes the most dramatic of U-turns it doesn’t matter who Liverpool appoint as it will always be a massive comedown. Xabi Alonso in a couple of years and maybe we can start to get back to where Jurgen has had us. What Jurgen has done has surpassed anything any other manager has done in that time considering the resources he’s had.

Faris: The simple answer is no-one can replace Klopp. As for his successor, because of the shortage of elite, world-class managers on the market, Slot does seem the best to fit the mould of a modern Liverpool manager. Can work on a modest budget and is a charismatic figure.

Neil: Attributes needed... 1) Knows Premier League. 2) Won at domestic level and competed in latter stages in Europe. 3) Compatible playing style. 4) Shows understanding of Liverpool and fanbase. Slot fails on three of these!

Catherine: I’m sure the fans will get behind him if it happens but going from Alonso to Ruben Amorim to potentially Slot feels underwhelming - coupled with missing out on all the big trophies this year. FSG net spend is very low compared with the other big teams and Klopp has had to work miracles. Surely FSG need to go for a more proven manager like Thomas Tuchel?

Sonny: He plays a similar system to Klopp, has won at Feyenoord many times and is wanted by many top clubs across Europe. The perfect fit, surely? I would still rather have Amorim in the dugout next season. I would love to see a change in personnel next season in some of the older departments, and I think Amorim is the man to do that.

Image source, Getty Images

ESPN's Mark Ogden has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Liverpool's links with Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, who has been tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Ogden said: "Arne Slot is a leading target and Liverpool feel he matches their criteria in terms of his style of play, his personality and his ability to work within their system.

"But I am surprised he's a serious candidate, as Slot turned down Tottenham last summer, which was a surprise.

"Liverpool are a much bigger club than Tottenham and it is a much bigger challenge to replace Klopp as you need a big personality with big credentials to take that job.

"Whether he is ready for that, I do not know."

You can listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this week's matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he takes on actor Zack Morris, star of new thriller film Jericho Ridge.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made a lot of changes for Sunday's win at Fulham, including leaving Mohamed Salah out, but they still won pretty comfortably.

I can see this game going the same way. Everton will give everything of course, but the two goals they scored against Nottingham Forest were both from outside the box and they are not a team that creates too much.

Liverpool have got more quality and they should have plenty of opportunities. If they take them, they will win.

This is the second in a run of three away games in a row for Klopp's side, with a trip to West Ham to come at the weekend. It looked like a tricky run at a crucial stage of the season but at the moment they look capable of getting through it.

Morris' prediction: 0-3

Well, my dad and my brother are both Liverpool fans so we've got a bit of rivalry there. I do think Liverpool are going to walk away with this one though.

You can read the rest of the predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

With Luton losing on the weekend, Everton and Nottingham Forest could decide between themselves who would take advantage.

The points-deducted derby proved to be the slug fest everyone expected but Everton always seemed to have that little more on the day. They had more fight after that 6-0 capitulation at Stamford Bridge on Monday - had a better game plan that was horrible to play against and also had the match officials’ sympathy. Forest could easily have had three penalties.

Amidst the madness one player seemed to grow in stature and composure, Jarrad Branthwaite. This was no easy task at the centre of a back line that looked shell shocked last Monday, but he was coolness personified.

I have likened Cole Palmer to a younger Kevin de Bruyne. I will resist comparing Branthwaite to Virgil van Dijk just yet but, at 21 there are very few around that look to have his abilities as an all-round defender. This is exceptionally unusual at this age for this position.

Top clubs are either keenly watching his meteoric progress or preparing a huge bid. Any decent offer will be almost impossible to turn down by my old cash-strapped club, however much the Evertonians want to say “mind your own business and leave our best player alone”.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold is "world class" and will be a player "people talk about in 40 years".

Klopp, who will leave the Reds at the end of the season, also thinks it will be good for the academy product to have a new managerial influence as he is all Alexander-Arnold knows.

The 25-year-old made his first-team debut in October 2016 and has gone on to make more than 300 appearances for the Reds, winning the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and Super Cup.

"He has been a fantastic player from the first day," said Klopp. "He is an outstanding talent and he has turned into a world-class football player.

"It is rare as a manger you are part of a journey for such a long time. But Trent has never had another manager so it will be good for him to get new influences in the future."

Last week, Alexander-Arnold told The Overlap podcast he "owes everything as a player" to Klopp and how he has encouraged him.

"He can be happy with the steps he has made," added Klopp. "I have nothing bad to say about him and his development.

"He has a story that not many clubs can write."

Liverpool will have to pay Feyenoord £8.59m in compensation if they want to make 45-year-old Dutchman Arne Slot their new manager. (Daily Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's gossip column