Liverpool information: Arne Slot makes transfer to signal £20m ex-star as dressing room rift emerges
Arne Slot is yet to confirm Champions League football for next season as the pressure piles on the shoulders of the Dutchman amid a dressing room rift emerging
Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool remains at risk
Just 12 months after claiming the Premier League crown, Liverpool face the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification entirely. Friday’s defeat at Aston Villa means the Reds could enter the final day of the campaign requiring victory against Brentford simply to secure a top-five finish.
All of this has heaped pressure on boss Arne Slot despite him guiding the Reds to the 2024/25 title triumph. One of the leading candidates to succeed him – former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso – has assumed control at Chelsea.
Despite splashing out considerable sums last summer, there remains a sense that Liverpool may require further additions. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are both poised to leave, creating substantial voids in terms of top-level experience. A move for Jeremy Jacquet has already been secured but additional new faces could follow. The Daily Star Sport has examined some transfer speculation as well as behind-the-scenes issues as we deliver the latest updates from around Anfield.
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Timber open to Premier League move
Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber is prepared to make the leap to the Premier League, according to L’Equipe.
The 24-year-old featured under Arne Slot at Feyenoord and has previously been touted for a Liverpool switch, though other English sides could also enter the running.
Timber, the twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien, only moved to Marseille in January. However, the French side are anticipated to consider bids for several squad members after failing to secure Champions League qualification.
The Provence-based club finished second last season under Roberto De Zerbi but parted company with the Italian manager in February. His successor, Habib Beye, has the team sitting in sixth place with just one match left to play.
Timber missed large parts of the 2024–25 season at Feyenoord with knee problems and underwent surgery for a ligament injury. In January he openly criticised head coach Robin van Persie, leading to a bargain £4m switch to Marseille, as his contract with the Netherlands side was set to expire in the summer.
The 5ft 10in midfielder can play as a defensive midfielder or further forward as a box-to-box midfielder and is now valued at around £20m.
Dressing room starting to turn
Liverpool supporters have interpreted social media posts from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones as indications that the Reds’ dressing room is beginning to lose faith in Slot.
“Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve,” Salah penned as part of an extensive Instagram post.
He added: “Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good.
“It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it. Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.”
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Jones’ social media comment was more succinct, stating: “Thank you for your continued support in a disappointing season. It’s way off the standards expected at this football club.”
A number of fans sided with the players. “Don’t usually agree with questioning the coach in public but this is an exception,” wrote one, while others interpreted Salah’s reference to “heavy metal football” as backing for former manager Jurgen Klopp if not a direct swipe at Slot.
Ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson also weighed in, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “I mean, the relationship with the manager has been fragmented for a long time since he was left out of the side.
“And I think he’s just echoing the voices of the Liverpool supporters that have watched their team and they’ve watched their team in a slow demise, really, this season in their style of play.”
