Liverpool are almost back in Premier League action after the international break and Arne Slot will be eager to resume the team’s bid for the title – starting with a huge Merseyside Derby this week
Liverpool fans only have to wait a few more days before the Reds are back in action – and what a game it’s set to be with a Merseyside Derby at Anfield. Arne Slot will be eager to get his side’s Premier League title bid back on track after the international break, with the team currently 15 points clear of Arsenal at the top.
Slot’s men have nine huge games remaining as they aim to secure their first Premier League title since 2020, with big games against Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal also coming up.
First they will look to get the bragging rights over their bitter rivals Everton after a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Toffees in February, which saw James Tarkowski score a last minute equaliser while Slot and two other players were sent off.
Mirror Football has rounded up some of the biggest stories and rumours around Anfield ahead of their Premier League return.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah double down on Liverpool stance amid Trent Alexander-Arnold newsREAD MORE: Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win to impact Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge
Sakho lifts lid on Jurgen Klopp spat
Mamadou Sakho’s time at Liverpool will probably be remembered for the sour end to his time at Anfield, where he infamously fell out with manager Jurgen Klopp in the 2015-16 season.
The Frenchman was signed by Brendan Rodgers in 2013 and had only signed a new deal a month before Klopp’s arrival. But the following summer he was sent home early from the club’s pre-season tour of the United States after reports he was late for the team’s flight and a meal.
He never played for the club again, despite playing 34 times in Klopp’s first season – before joining Crystal Palace.
Sakho has refused to divulge on the reasons for his fall out with Klopp and said he has respect for the German – who would go on to deliver the Premier League and Champions League at Anfield.
“I always respect,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “I like his type of football. But football is football. So a few moments, you need to make some decisions and that’s it. Sometimes few things happen inside. I cannot talk about it, but it’s like this. It’s football.
“Small things are always good to take as an excuse. But the reality wasn’t this. But it’s fine, you know? But seriously, because a player is late to eat, the time’s 7.15 and he comes at 7.18, now he leaves the club? Come on. What I wrote (on Snapchat) was the truth. But the truth always takes the stairs and the lie takes the elevator.
I never talk and I would not speak for the moment because it’s not important. I really enjoy my time in Liverpool. So I don’t like to speak about the inside of football, you know? I will speak about it one day, of course. Of course, one day I will speak.”
Liverpool fans should be ‘happy’ for Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool are still facing the prospect of losing three of their most important players to free transfers this summer – Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Out of the trio, Alexander-Arnold looks the most likely to depart amid rumours Real Madrid are advancing in talks to secure a deal for him ahead of next season. The right-back has been the only player not to comment on his future and appears set to end his 20-year career at Anfield.
Supporters might be disappointed that the club won’t collect any transfer fee for a superstar that came out of the academy, but Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson dismissed the idea that there should be resentment towards the England man.
He said Alexander-Arnold had won everything possible at Liverpool and that fans should be happy for him to join a club like Real Madrid.
“I don’t know why, he’s come through the ranks there. I don’t know what the problem is. He’s come through, been unbelievable, he’s won everything there and he’s going to go on a free. Look at Antony, Man Utd bought him for £80m and he’s out on loan. Nobody says a dickie bird.
“This lad has been absolutely outstanding for Liverpool. He’s not come in as a £60m flop. He’s come through the ranks, been phenomenal. It’s Real Madrid, he’s going to win the Premier League with Liverpool again and I don’t see a problem with it.”
“I don’t know anyone in the world of football who has ever turned Real Madrid down. Fair play to the lad, good luck to him, Liverpool fans should be happy for him. He’s give everything for the club and I think he deserves that move.”
FSG seeking investment in Malaga
Liverpool have been run by Fenway Sports Group since 2010 and the Americans have brought incredible success to the club in the resulting 15 years.
The Premier League – a second one surely set to arrive this summer – the Champions League, the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and the Club World Cup. It hasn’t been a bad job done by FSG after appointing two brilliant managers in Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
Now it seems like they could be turning their attentions to building up another club after reports that they are considering investing in La Liga 2 club Malaga.
Malaga were once seen as a rising force in football after being taken over by Qatari prince Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani – initially making a string of high-profile signings, including Santi Cazorla, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Joaquin.
However, the club soon ran into financial difficulty, with the investment from the Qatari chief slowing down before they were relegated to the second tier in 2018. By 2023 they had gone down to the third tier. They managed to secure promotion back to the second tier last season.
According to the Athletic, FSG are looking to buy Al Thani’s majority stake. He currently controls 51 per cent of the club. It’s believed the club could be bought for as little as £83m – though PSG owners Qatari Sport Investment are also said to be interested.
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