Slot gives injury updates after the Reds beat Everton 1-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday night, as Van Dijk hits back at Michael Owen that this season remains ‘special’ depsite Carabao Cup loss
Liverpool kicked off their post-international break campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory over local rivals Everton on Wednesday. Diogo Jota’s strike sealed the deal in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield, keeping the Reds a cool 12 points clear of Arsenal.
The match’s hot topic was VAR’s controversial decision not to show James Tarkowski the red card for his risky tackle on Alexis Mac Allister. PGMOL later admitted their mistake in not suggesting an on-pitch review by ref Sam Barrott, who had opted for a yellow.
Mac Allister walked away with minor injuries, and Liverpool’s dream of clinching the Premier League crown since the 2019/20 season remains intact. Next up, they’re set to face Fulham come Sunday at Craven Cottage.
As the dust settles from the derby triumph, there’s still loads of buzz and analysis to unpack. Stick with Mirror Football as we dive into all the post-match drama.
Post-Everton win, Virgil van Dijk entered a verbal tussle with ex-Liverpool forward Michael Owen. Owen hinted that the Reds’ Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle and their Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain might leave a “bitter taste” affecting their reflection on any title success.
The Liverpool captain hit back, saying: “So you’re suggesting the season is not going to be special any more?”
Owen responded: “It will be, absolutely, it will be special, but I thought it could’ve been building into something very special.”
Van Dijk wasn’t having any of it and retorted: “Well, I think we have to change that narrative a little bit… it’s still looking very special in my eyes. I think what you said, at the start of the season, I think no one expected us to even try to fight on all four fronts, obviously we’re at the stage now where we’re still fighting for the biggest, and that’s the reality. It’s still a possibility that this season will be very, very special.”
Arne Slot has spoken about the latest on the injury front, hinting that Conor Bradley might step in for Curtis Jones as right-back against Fulham.
Bradley, who’s been on the treatment table alongside fellow defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, missed out on the action in the Merseyside Derby.
But now, it looks like he’s in the running for a comeback. Slot said: “Trent and Joe won’t be back for upcoming weeks. Conor we have to wait and see for Sunday. Curtis did well and Jarell [Quansah] did well also.”
Slot was full of praise for Jones’ stint at right-back, commenting: “He has the mentality that if you give him a challenge, he likes to be challenged.”
Meanwhile, Alisson is tipped to make his return between the sticks against Fulham after being sidelined with concussion during the Everton clash.