Liverpool information: Arne Slot sack replace as coach ‘focused for return to Netherlands’
Liverpool take on Manchester United on Sunday as they bid to secure Champions League qualification, with updates emerging on Arne Slot and his future
Liverpool have put together a winning run in the Premier League to restore hope of a top five finish
Liverpool have a golden opportunity to stake their claim for third place on Sunday when they lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Despite it being a bitterly disappointing season for the reigning champions, a convincing win over Crystal Palace at the weekend has sparked hope of the Reds finishing in the top five and even above their arch-rivals United, who are just three points ahead of Arne Slot’s side, under interim manager Michael Carrick.
The 3-1 triumph against Oliver Glasner’s team saw two of Liverpool’s priciest summer recruits shine at Anfield. Alexander Isak netted the Reds’ opening goal, while Florian Wirtz rounded off the win with a spectacular late strike. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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Praise for Wirtz
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is backing Wirtz to be one of the stars of this summer’s World Cup.
The midfielder, who made the switch to the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for £116million last summer, is tipped to play a pivotal role for Germany in the tournament across the USA, Canada and Mexico, reports the Mirror.
Klopp said: “I hope Flo Wirtz will have a fantastic, fantastic World Cup. I think he has everything you need to be a standout player. I don’t want to put any pressure on the boy. I really think he showed already how good he can be in a difficult season.”
Isak and Wirtz’s displays on Saturday have compelled many to stand up and pay attention. The pair have only featured together from the start eight times this campaign, with Liverpool securing victory in five of those encounters.
The duo have also received support from club skipper Virgil van Dijk. “That was always the plan,” said Van Dijk. “These two particular players have been brought to the club to make an impact and it’s not been an easy season for anyone, including those two, but you see the quality they have.
“It is about keeping developing, knowing what it takes to be a Liverpool player not only on the pitch but off it as well, look after yourself and try to be, each and every three or four days, the absolute best of yourself.
“They have to realise that. Keep going, four more games, qualifying for the Champions League is still the main target now, World Cup then we have to be working very hard to make sure next season is not like this season because it is unacceptable.”
Slot’s potential setback
Slot could be compelled to reorganise his coaching team once more following speculation he might lose his assistant coach, Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The Liverpool manager is allegedly being courted by Slot’s former club, Feyenoord. This would represent the second consecutive year that Slot has lost an assistant, after John Heitinga’s exit from the Reds to assume the head coach role at Ajax last summer.
Van Bronckhorst, the former midfielder, was recruited last summer as Heitinga’s replacement. The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star took charge of Feyenoord between 2015 and 2019, and has also enjoyed stints as manager at Guangzhou RandF, Rangers and Besiktas.
Dutch media reports have suggested Van Bronckhorst has become a leading contender for a technical director position at Feyenoord. They claim he would welcome a return to Rotterdam, the club where he progressed through the academy as a youngster.
Nevertheless, Liverpool are yet to field any approach for Van Bronckhorst. The speculation comes amid uncertainty surrounding Slot’s own future this campaign, as the Reds battle for form.
But it’s understood the Dutchman retains the support of Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, to continue in his role next term.
