Arne Slot handed Liverpool transfer advice as Alexander-Arnold explanation given
Liverpool are closing in on the Premier League title after beating Everton on Wednesday but some have seen their attention turn to the Reds’ summer transfer plans
Liverpool’s Premier League lead remains at 12 points, and there are now just eight matches for Arsenal to attempt to reel them in. Mikel Arteta’s side put the pressure on by beating Fulham on Tuesday night, only for Arne Slot’s Reds to respond with a win of their own 24 hours later.
That victory, a 1-0 triumph over Everton, was overshadowed by the debate around a first-half challenge by James Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister. The Everton captain escaped a red card after a VAR check, but PGMOL later admitted the officials got it wrong.
Since that game, abuse has come the way of Tarkowski – prompting Everton to issue a statement. That’s one of the areas of discussion as Mirror Football brings you the latest from around Merseyside.
Liverpool are set to return to action on Sunday, with Fulham their opponents in the Premier League. Unlike their title rivals, the Reds won’t be following that game with European responsibilities, having been eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
There’s also still plenty of talk about transfer ins and outs going into the summer. Slot may have a busier time up ahead, especially if others follow Trent Alexander-Arnold in leaving Anfield.
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Everton’s Tarkowski statement
Everton have condemned the threats and abuse directed at James Tarkowski after Wednesday’s derby. The statement comes after the player’s wife Samantha spoke out about the comments which have come the player’s way.
“Everton is aware of threats made towards James Tarkowski and his family on social media. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in football and society. The club is liaising with James and his wife Samantha, and stands ready to engage with the social media companies and assist the police with any potential investigation.”
In an Instagram story, Samantha had called some of the comments “beyond disgusting”. “He is a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, and most importantly, the father of our two children. He goes out there and does his job and does it very f******* well, yet he’s subjected to so much hate,” she wrote.
Robertson offers Alexander-Arnold theory
Andy Robertson has suggested Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury – rather than his transfer future – is to blame for the right-back’s head being “not great”. Alexander-Arnold was forced off during the Champions League round of 16 exit, and is still some way from a return.
“Trent’s head is not great because he’s injured,” Robertson said. “He hates being injured, none of us like being injured but it hurts Trent a little bit more.
“That’s all he is focused on. It is impossible for me to say we have not seen all the noise and everyone commenting on it but, for us, our focus is for him to get back fit and healthy.
“Once he does that, what will happen, will happen. No one knows that yet. People can talk and speculate but for us we want Trent back very soon.”
Slot told what he needs to do
Jamie Carragher believes Arne Slot needs six new signings just to keep Liverpool competitive at the top. The Reds remain on track to win the Premier League, but other teams are expected to be stronger next term.
“We are watching a very good Liverpool team on the brink of greatness,” Carragher wrote in The Telegraph. “My suspicion is that during the course of his reign, Arne Slot and the recruitment team above him will have constructed a better squad, regardless of whether they match or eclipse this year’s likely success.”
“When a team win the league, you anticipate one or two big signings to keep the juggernaut moving. In all honesty, when looking at Slot’s squad, it feels like he may need as many as six before next summer. That is a statement you would expect to make about an underperforming team, or one requiring an overhaul. Reinforcements are required independent of whether the big three out-of-contract stars stay.”
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