Jurgen Klopp has revealed missing out on Tottenham Hotspur skipper Heung-min Son left him feeling like a ‘dumb s***’.
The ex-Liverpool boss has opened up on the two current Premier League stars he regrets not signing from his glittering 23-year managerial career.
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Klopp departed his role as Liverpool’s manager last month after nine successful yearsCredit: Getty
Klopp spent nine years at Anfield between 2015-2024 where he worked alongside some of the world’s best players.
The Reds wouldn’t be where they are today without the German’s signings in Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker just to name a few.
And in 2016, he corrected one of his regrets by securing the services of Sadio Mane from Southampton – a player he missed out on while at the helm of Borussia Dortmund.
Mane at the time was starring in Austria at Red Bull Salzburg – one of the clubs Klopp now oversees in his Global Head of Soccer role at Red Bull.
But two players evaded Klopp at Signal Iduna Park – both who have gone on to become Premier League icons.
Son – now at Spurs – was linked with a move to Dortmund while playing at Hamburg, but he instead ended up at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to north London in 2015.
Meanwhile the other player is none other than Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne – who starred at Wolfsburg between 2013-2015.
He even scored in the DFB-Pokal final victory over Dortmund in 2015, before joining the Citizens a few months.
Speaking at a recent event in Cape Town to celebrate the ten-year anniversary celebration of Hout Bay United Football Community, Klopp commented on the players that got away.
The 57-year-old said: “I could’ve signed Son from Tottenham. At that time, he was at Hamburg.
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Klopp was able to sign Mane at Anfield after missing out on him during his time at DortmundCredit: AFP
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Klopp has revealed missing out on landing Son left him feeling like a ‘dumb s***’Credit: Getty
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De Bruyne could have played under Klopp in Germany – but he instead joined CityCredit: Getty
“I don’t even remember why [I didn’t sign him] and just facing him in the Premier League, I thought ‘My God, you dumb s*** [for not signing him].’ It’s crazy.
“Kevin De Bruyne was that close. Then he smashed us in the cup final with Wolfsburg, so that was a double minus.
“Though I don’t think it generally makes too much sense to regret stuff, but you did the best probably at the time, so deal with it.”
As for now-Al Nassr star Mane, he remarked: “There’s a Dortmund supporter in here so I have to apologise to him. Because I didn’t sign Sadio Mane for Dortmund.
“I could say I was young and naive, but I wasn’t that young and naive.
“I realised it when he came to Liverpool, I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s a lot of money for a guy I could have had three years ago for much less.’”
Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards walk out on live Alisson interview after Liverpool’s win over PSG
An action-packed mid-week slate of mouth-watering Premier League fixtures delivered with Liverpool extending their lead as several other results shook up the top four race.
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Manchester City overcame a wasteful Tottenham 1-0 courtesy of an early goal from Erling Haaland upon his return to the starting line-up, while Arsenal and Nottingham Forest drew as Manchester United overcame some horrific defensive blunders to earn a come-from-behind win against 18th placed Ipswich Town.
LIVERPOOL MARCH ON
Liverpool now sit 13 points clear of Arsenal, with a game in hand, as they overcame Newcastle 2-0 at Anfield despite suspended manager Arne Slot having to watch from the stands.
Dominik Szoboszlai buried an 11th minute goal after being fed through by Luis Diaz to open the scoring, and Alexis Mac Allister rifled home the second in the 63rd minute after a one-two with Mohamed Salah following a Newcastle turnover in midfield.
Liverpool continue to hog the Premier League spotlight as an almost-flawless campaign approaches a memorable climax.
The Reds look certain to win the Premier League for the first time since 2020, which will move them level with Manchester United on a record-equalling 20 English titles.
Having won 2-0 at fading champions City on Sunday 24 hours after Arsenal lost to West Ham, Slot’s men kept their foot on the gas to turn the title race into a procession.
Szoboszlai netted with a clinical finish in the 11th minute and Mac Allister’s fine strike in the 63rd minute made it 20 wins and just one defeat from 28 league games this term.
In his first season after replacing Jurgen Klopp, Slot has made an astonishing impact, which could yet include Champions League and League Cup glory as well.
The Reds play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 first leg next week and face a rematch with Newcastle at Wembley in the League Cup final on March 16.
TOP FOUR RIVALS STALEMATE
Second-placed Arsenal and third-placed Nottingham Forest played out a scoreless draw at the City Ground, allowing Liverpool to extend their lead at the top.
The Gunners had the better of the match, statistically, registering 13 shots to six and having 65% possession as their midfield controlled the match.
But only one of Arsenal’s shots was on target, compared to two from Forest.
The hosts defended resolutely to make it appear as if the game would never break open, and they also never seriously threatened in attack.
A point is enough to keep Forest in third, ahead of defending champions Manchester City.
Arsenal’s title chances have been hampered by injuries suffered by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Midfielder Mikel Merino was retained by Arteta in a centre-forward role despite failing to impress in a shock 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday.
In the absence of fit and in-form attackers, Arsenal have been reliant on defenders coming up with big goals and Riccardo Calafiori nearly obliged.
The Italian international came closest to scoring for the visitors when his first-half effort came back off the inside of the post.
Merino forced Matz Sels into his only serious save with a header from a corner early in the second period.
Arsenal did at least limit Forest to precious little as an attacking threat. Chris Wood had the hosts’ only chance 20 minutes from time but Forest’s talisman fired too close to David Raya.
However, after three defeats in their last four league games, Nuno Espirito Santo may see this as a point gained in his side’s challenge to reach the Champions League for the first time, having last played in the European Cup in 1980.
UNITED SURVIVE DEFENSIVE HORROR SHOW
Meanwhile, Manchester United came from behind to pick up a 3-2 win at Old Trafford against relegation battlers Ipswich Town.
The visitors scored after just four minutes courtesy of a defensive breakdown by the hosts.
United defender Patrick Dorgu ran down a long ball over the top and tried to touch it back to André Onana, but the goalkeeper had come out to collect the ball himself and Dorgu’s touch took the ball behind Onana.
The blunder was a gift for Ipswich’s Jaden Philogene who ran onto the ball and tapped it into an empty net.
United hit back with two goals in the space of just four minutes to take the lead, however.
An own goal off Ipswich captain Sam Morsy’s head from a United free kick levelled the scores before defender Matthijis de Ligt scrambled home a rebound from a corner in the 26th minute.
But then things got chaotic again with Dorgu’s horror night ending via a red card after a dodgy tackle that missed the ball and collected Omari Hutchinson’s shins.
Reduced to ten men, United then conceded an equaliser in added time with Philogene scoring his second to head into the sheds at 2-2.
The script flipped again three minutes after the break, with Harry Maguire heading home United’s third goal, all of which have come from set pieces.
Elsewhere, Brentford drew 1-1 at home to Everton with Yoane Wissa scoring on the stroke of half time for the hosts before Jake O’Brien found an equaliser in the 77th minute.
Title favourite Liverpool rode its ‘luck’ in a touch-and-go win at Bournemouth, while Nottingham Forest has continued its charge towards a Champions League berth in a stunning display.
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REDS RIDE ‘LUCK’ AMID CONTROVERSY
Arne Slot admitted Liverpool rode their luck to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah inspired a controversial 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Sunday (AEDT).
Slot’s side took the lead in the first half when Salah netted with a penalty awarded after Cody Gakpo appeared to trip over his own feet rather than go down from Lewis Cook’s challenge.
Gakpo was barely onside as well, with Bournemouth left outraged after referee Darren England’s on-field decision was upheld by VAR.
Bournemouth’s David Brooks was denied an equaliser by an equally tight offside against Milos Kerkez in the build-up.
Salah added insult to injury for Bournemouth when he struck again late in the second half to extend Liverpool’s lead over second-placed Arsenal.
The Egypt forward has 21 goals from 23 league games this season, reaching the 20-mark for the fifth time in his English top-flight career.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 19 league games, winning 17 of their 23 top-flight matches in a remarkable run since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season.
Pursuing an English record-equalling 20th title and their first in the competition since 2020, Liverpool can sit back and wait to see if old rivals Manchester City do them a favour against Arsenal on Monday morning.
“If you want to win here maybe you need a bit of luck because the margins are so small,” Slot said.
“Our penalty was just not offside, their goal on 1-1 was on the margin offside, they hit the post twice.
“We had our chances as well but it was a close call for us to win this game. We weren’t unlucky, let’s put it this way.” Bournemouth had already beaten Manchester City, Arsenal and high-flying Nottingham Forest at home this season.
Slot acknowledged the Cherries had given Liverpool one of their toughest tests this term, with Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier both hitting the woodwork.
Semenyo was also denied by a superb save from Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker as Bournemouth’s 11-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end.
“I haven’t seen it back but one of my players is on a clear one-v-one with the goalkeeper and he’s fallen down,” Slot said of the Gakpo penalty incident.
“So either he makes a dive or they touch him. If they touch him that for me is a penalty.
“I can come up with three, four, five examples where we didn’t have the luck or the decision we deserved this season.
“That’s always the difficult thing in football, people will always say there’s that luck for Liverpool or for the one that is the one that is number one at the moment.” Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off injured in the second half and Slot said he would be surprised if the defender is fit for Friday’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham.
Quadruple-chasing Liverpool will try to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit when Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side visit Anfield.
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool’s first goal during their Premier League win over AFC Bournemouth. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
FOREST PUTS SEVEN PAST GULLS
Chris Wood netted a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest thrashed Brighton 7-0 to reignite their charge towards next season’s Champions League at the City Ground on Sunday.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams and Jota Silva were also on target after Lewis Dunk’s own goal opened the scoring in an astonishing performance from Nuno Espirito Santo’s men as they bounced back from a 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend.
Victory takes Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal and opens up a seven-point cushion on sixth-placed Chelsea.
Fifth place in the Premier League this season is almost certain to be enough for Champions League qualification due to a strong start by English clubs in European competitions.
Two-time European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980 during the club’s heyday under Brian Clough, Forest last played in Europe back in 1996.
But a run of 10 wins from their last 12 games has put them well on course to end that two-decade wait for continental competition.
Forest became just the second side in Premier League history to respond to losing a game by five or more goals by winning by that margin.
“That is exactly what we wanted after last week, and exactly what the fans wanted,” said Gibbs-White.
“Last week was no way near our standards and we have been working on things to put it right all week in training and the lads were incredible today.
“We completely nullified everything they did and caught them a couple of times on the counter. We were clinical in the final third.” Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler set out with a bold selection that included five forwards in his starting 11.
However, that backfired massively as the Seagulls were wide open and punished by Forest’s frightening pace and precision going forward.
Mohamed Salah says he is motivated to do “something special” in what he believes will be his last year at Liverpool.
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The 32-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been in scintillating form, propelling Arne Slot’s team into a commanding six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Egypt forward has scored 17 goals and provided 13 assists in 18 Premier League games this season ahead of the visit of struggling Manchester United on Sunday.
Reports have suggested Salah is nearing an agreement with Liverpool but he said a deal was still “far away” after last weekend’s 5-0 win at West Ham.
Salah was part of the side that ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait to win a league title in 2020, but celebrations were muted as the players lifted the trophy at an empty Anfield during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city,” Salah told Sky Sports in an interview released on Friday.
Gunners jump to 2nd after win over Bees | 01:07
“We waited for that title for 30 years or so. So, to win it and it was the pandemic at that time, we didn’t really have time to celebrate it in the right way. It’s not a nice thing to do, so hopefully we can do it this year.”
Salah is not the only high-profile Liverpool star out of contract at the end of the season.
Captain Virgil van Dijk and England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold are also now free to discuss terms with foreign clubs for next season.
Together they have helped restore Liverpool to the top of English and European football.
Under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, they won a clean sweep of trophies, including the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.
But the League Cup is the only one they have won more than once and Salah believes his generation of players need a second Premier League title to cement their legacy.
“My motivation this year was to win a trophy and be a big part of winning that trophy, especially the Premier League,” he said.
“I still believe the team needs a trophy. There is still half of the team left like me, Trent, Virgil, Alisson (Becker), Robbo (Andy Robertson).
“It’s necessary for us to win another trophy before we all go.”
Mohamed Salah dropped another hint that his future could lie away from Liverpool as the Egypt star said he would be happy “wherever I am going to end my career” after starring in Sunday’s 6-3 demolition of Tottenham.
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Salah scored twice and provided two assists in the goal-spree in north London as Liverpool moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The 32-year-old is the first Premier League player to bag at least 10 goals and 10 assists before Christmas, while his brace also took him into fourth place on Liverpool’s all-time list of scorers with 229 in all competitions.
“He is, quite frankly, a phenomenon,” The UK Telegraph’s chief football correspondent Jason Burt wrote.
“There is time for another statistic. In terms of overall goal contributions, in all competitions, Salah has an astonishing 33 in this campaign already. The next highest? Bukayo Saka with 22. The Egyptian really is in a league of his own.”
Salah’s immense value to Arne Slot’s team is clear, but Liverpool have been unable to persuade the forward to sign a new contract as speculation mounts about his future.
With Salah’s current deal expiring at the end of this season, he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January.
Salah has been linked with French giants Paris Saint-Germain as well as Saudi Arabian teams, and he has already made several comments earlier this season about this potentially being his last campaign with Liverpool.
Post-match on Sunday, Salah once again made a cryptic reference to his future.
“It’s great to achieve that at such a big club, but the most important thing is that we won the game. Wherever I am going to end my career I am happy about it,” he told Sky Sports.
Salah added that there was “no update” on his contract situation, but Slot will surely be desperate to extend his talisman’s seven-year stay on Merseyside after he took his goal tally to 18 in all competitions this term.
“Salah’s contract situation, with his current deal running out next June, has been well-discussed but the 32-year-old could do well to take a leaf out of Kevin De Bruyne’s playbook when it comes to negotiations,” Burt wrote in the UK Telegraph.
“With his last deal at Manchester City, which also expires at the end of this campaign, De Bruyne brought up the data to reinforce his worth. Salah can simply say to Liverpool: “look at my numbers. Look at the facts”.
With Salah to the fore, Liverpool have won 21 of their 25 games in all competitions since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager.
Slot defends Postecoglou despite loss | 00:59
“I didn’t think about it before the game but I’m glad I have done it, something that makes me proud, I’ll keep working hard,” Salah said of reaching double figures in goals and assists this season.
Salah was less happy with Liverpool’s defending against Tottenham, adding: “We were quite good in front but I think we need to improve defensively as a team.
“Conceding three goals is quite hard. It’s quite good the result and hopefully we just keep going.”
Salah’s teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been linked with a move away from Anfield, with the right back rumoured to be on Real Madrid’s radar.
Several Liverpool people are becoming more resigned to the losing the star duo, as well as a possible exit for star defender Virgil van Dijk whose contract also expires in June.
‘Painful one for us’: Ange dejected | 01:06
Former Reds defender Neil Ruddock believes “you can’t blame them” for looking elsewhere despite sitting top of the Premier League.
“Players come to the end of their contracts but I’m sure they’ve been talking, you don’t leave it until after Christmas, I’m sure there’s a lot going on,” Ruddock told FourFourTwo.
“I’m sure Liverpool are trying their hardest to keep the three of them there, but as a footballer, you can’t blame them if they want to taste playing abroad, playing for Real Madrid – for a young player like Trent, you can’t really blame him.
“For the older lads like Salah, I can also understand. Why would you stay a couple more years if you don’t think you’re going to be the player you were and you lose that hero status?
“There will be a lot of conversations going on between the players, the people who look after them and the club, there’s a lot to weigh up. For all three of them, I hope they stay, but you can also understand it if they go.”
Premier League official David Coote was sacked on Monday after referee chiefs described his position as “untenable” over a video making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
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“Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) has been terminated today with immediate effect,” the PGMOL said in a statement.
“David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.” The video appeared to refer to a match that Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which finished 1-1.
Klopp criticised Coote after the match, saying the referee had been too lenient in his treatment of Burnley challenges.
Coote is also the subject of UEFA disciplinary proceedings after a video emerged of him allegedly snorting a white powder during Euro 2024.
The Football Association is investigating further allegations Coote discussed betting on giving a yellow card with a fan before a match in England’s second-tier Championship.
His final Premier League game was Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa on November 9.
Liverpool have certainly had the upper hand on city rivals Everton during recent years, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been left with some scars.
In fact, two of their trips to Goodison Park have ended in complete disarray, offering a stark warning ahead of this weekend’s clash.
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Slot will have to be careful about things unravelling after a draw against NewcastleCredit: Getty
Arne Slot’s side make the short trip over to enemy territory with an impressive Premier League lead after a record start from the Dutchman.
However, nine points clear was reduced to seven last time out thanks to a 3-3 draw with Newcastle, and the Reds will be wary about what can go wrong at Goodison.
Overall against the Toffees, Klopp had a record of 11 wins, six draws and two defeats in 19 games, yet despite all those points, some of the tougher matches were incredibly damaging.
At Goodison, which is about to host its last every Merseyside derby before Everton move to the 52,000 Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, Liverpool’s record has been far less favourable with two wins, five draws and a defeat, and it was one of those draws that left some damage that was long feared to be irreparable.
On October 17, 2020, reigning champions Liverpool headed to their rival’s empty stadium for a match behind closed doors during the Covid pandemic, and Jordan Pickford ended the match thankful that there wasn’t an away end to abuse him.
Everton entered the game top of the league under Carlo Ancelotti, but went behind to a Sadio Mane goal just three minutes into the match.
Eight minutes later, catastrophe struck for Liverpool when Pickford flew out of his goal to challenge Virgil van Dijk at a corner, and clumsily made contact, pushing the defender’s knee into a painfully unnatural position.
The defender was able to leave the pitch of his own accord, but as it turned out, the incident had torn his anterior cruciate ligament, and he wouldn’t play again that season.
Van Dijk then missed his first major tournament with the Netherlands that summer, and upon his return there were fears he’d never get back to his Ballon d’Or challenging level, although some would argue he’s now at his best once again.
However, in the short term it was bad news for Liverpool. The match also saw Richarlison sent off for a horror challenge on Thiago, and what looked like a late Jordan Henderson match-winner was ruled out for offside.
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Pickford’s challenge took Van Dijk out for a year, and he didn’t get sent offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Richarlison did get a red as the rough and tumble continuedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The game would end 2-2, and it began a season of endless injuries for the Reds who somehow still salvaged fourth place and Champions League football, but their title bid was well and truly over.
Speaking post-match, Jurgen Klopp said: “What can I say? I can’t find the words… I don’t want to say Jordan Pickford wanted to do it… but it is of course not a challenge a goalie can do in the box because there is another player there.”
That match has also taken a turn in recent weeks given that David Coote was in charge of VAR on the day, with Liverpool fans citing his decision not to advise a red card for Pickford amid his comments about the club and then-manager Klopp.
It was understood that Pickford avoided a sending off as the play was offside, something on-pitch referee Michael Oliver later addressed, saying: “We have all, myself included, not thought about the challenge as much as we should have done. We could still have given offside and sent Pickford off.”
The 2020/21 campaign really would go on to become one from hell for Liverpool, but they would regather for a quadruple charge the following season, and then do the same against last time out in 2023/24.
Yet it was once again at Goodison where everything went wrong.
Jamie Carragher does hilarious Mo Salah U-turn as he wildly celebrates Liverpool goals wearing Manchester United shirt
Liverpool started the campaign at an extraordinary pace on all fronts, and took home the Carabao Cup in February to show they were serious.
Out of the Champions League, it looked like the Europa League would be a cakewalk for them, yet things began to crumble in March in dramatic fashion.
First exiting the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage against Manchester United, April then saw another shock as Atalanta dumped them out of Europe also in the final eight.
With just the Premier League left to challenge for in Klopp’s final season, they headed to Goodison with five games left to play level on points at the top of the table with Arsenal.
For Everton, it was a chance to end their season on a high, and they did so by finally getting their first home win against Klopp with a shock 2-0 scoreline.
Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took the three points on the day, and sent Liverpool packing.
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Dyche’s Everton made sure Klopp left Liverpool with just one league titleCredit: Getty
Two more draws followed in their final four games, enough to rule them out of the title race and leave Klopp apologising.
“We were not good enough, we have to admit it,” the German said post-match. “I really apologise for that.
“We need a crisis at Manchester City and Arsenal and we need to win football games because if they start losing games and we do what we did tonight, nothing changes.”
That crisis never came, and Klopp left Merseyside with his final derby experience one to forget, and perhaps a warning for Slot as he gets set for his first.
Everton vs Liverpool is live on talkSPORT at 12:30pm on Saturday 7 December
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Liverpool’s away goals tally will worry Everton ahead of kick off
Arne Slot joked Tuesday that Mohamed Salah must have inside knowledge of Manchester City’s fate over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules after the forward suggested he had played his final game at Anfield against the champions.
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City are facing 115 charges related to the alleged breaches and, if found guilty, could face severe punishment, including the possibility of relegation from the English top flight.
Salah, whose Liverpool contract expires at the end of the season, has been at the centre of feverish speculation over his future.
The Egypt international said Sunday’s 2-0 win against City could have been his last home game against Pep Guardiola’s men, who have won six out of the past seven Premier League titles.
“Probably until now this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool so I was just going to enjoy it,” Salah told Sky Sports after the match at Anfield.
“The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here. Hopefully we just win the league and will see what will happen.” Slot, whose team have won 18 of their 20 matches in all competitions this season, has become an expert in side-stepping questions on the expiring contracts of Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and on this occasion chose to make a joke out of it.
“Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 charges, so he expects them not to be in the Premier League next season,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“I do expect them in the Premier League. No, the boring answer is always the same. This is not the place, for me, to talk about Mo’s contract.
“Maybe I’ve said already too much, that would probably get the headlines. But it was a joke. I repeat, a joke!” City, who have lost six out of their past seven games in all competitions, strongly deny the charges.
Pep urges Man City fans to stick by team | 01:34
– Flying start –
Liverpool, nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, travel to face mid-table Newcastle on Wednesday.
Slot, in his first season at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp, said his men had worked hard for their success.
“If we would have done this by just playing on 50 percent and it’s so easy for us, then they might feel, ‘Ah, we’re just too good for this league’,” he said.
“But that’s definitely not what we feel against every team, no matter if it’s City or Liverpool or it was Wolves or Nottingham Forest.
“We had to work really, really, really hard to get the results, and I think that keeps them with both feet on the ground.” And the Dutchman said his players were not getting carried away with their breathtaking start to the season, with success part of the “culture” of the club.
“This club, this team, these players are used to the fact that they are top of the league or they are competing for every trophy, so then it helps that they have experienced this,” he added.
Mohamed Salah urged Liverpool to deliver a hammer blow to Manchester City’s fading title hopes after inspiring the Premier League leaders’ dramatic 3-2 win against Southampton on Sunday.
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Arne Slot’s side moved eight points clear of second-placed City thanks to Salah’s second half double at St Mary’s.
After taking the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai’s early strike, Liverpool were rocked by Adam Armstrong’s equaliser before Mateus Fernandes put bottom of the table Southampton ahead in the second half.
As he has so often done before, Salah came to Liverpool’s rescue with a typically predatory equaliser and a coolly converted penalty in the closing stages.
Liverpool’s 10th win in 12 league games ensured they capitalised on City’s dismal 4-0 defeat against Tottenham 24 hours earlier.
Chasing a first Premier League crown since 2020, the Reds have a golden opportunity to throttle City’s hopes of a fifth successive title when Pep Guardiola’s team visit Anfield on December 1.
City have lost five in a row in all competitions and Salah said: “Hopefully, we keep going in that direction. We have a game against them so hopefully, we win it and go 11 points clear.
“Man City is Man City. They have a bad time now but they have great players.” Salah now has 12 goals in all competitions this term, including six in his last five league games.
“They were very important, especially after being down 2-1. It’s the most important thing to have won the game,” he said.
“Each game is different. They had a game plan and played very well. We managed to come back and win the game.”
Pep: “We have got to fix something” | 01:14
– ‘Urgency and intensity’ –
Having Salah on form has been crucial to Slot’s dream beginning to life at Anfield.
Slot has made a remarkable start, winning 16 of his first 18 games in all competitions.
The former Feyenoord manager’s deft touch has established Liverpool as title favourites in his maiden season at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp.
Slot conceded Liverpool lacked intensity in the first hour at St Mary’s, but he was pleased with the way his players responded to falling behind.
“In the second half I saw the intensity I was looking for in the first half. Southampton make it really difficult for many teams, including top clubs, and they made it difficult today, though we dominated the game completely in my opinion,” Slot said.
“There was not enough urgency to arrive in the box in the first half, we just kept the ball instead of attacking the box.
“Although we fell behind in the second half we showed more urgency and intensity. That led to numerous chances and eventually two goals.”
Ange reflects on Man City thumping | 01:01
With Salah’s contract due to expire at the end of this season and the forward yet to sign a new deal, Slot was quick to praise the contribution of his talisman.
“If you want to win you need to score goals and we know Mo can score,” he said. “For me his first goal is the most important as we scored out of nowhere, then after that it was just waiting for us to score another.”
Before City’s crucial trip to Anfield next weekend, Liverpool host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday and Slot is relishing the blockbuster clashes.
“They are two teams who have dominated football the last few years. So two big games and that’s why we needed to win today and that is what I am happy about,” he said.
Spurs extend champions horror run | 02:07
– Man Utd held by Ipswich in Amorim’s first match in charge –
Ruben Amorim was given a stark illustration of the size of his task at Manchester United after his uninspiring team were held 1-1 by struggling Ipswich in his first match in charge on Sunday.
The Portuguese — the latest man tasked with restoring the club to the top of English football — spoke before kick-off about the need to be “patient”.
But he had barely settled in his seat at a blustery Portman Road before Marcus Rashford turned in Amad Diallo’s inviting cross, stunning the home crowd.
Ipswich, who started the day in the relegation zone, battled back, earning the equaliser they deserved through Omari Hutchinson just before half-time.
Neither side could find a winner in the second period despite chances at both ends, with the result leaving both managers unsatisfied.
The result leaves United 12th in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, while Ipswich are still in the drop zone.
Before kick-off two Manchester United fans held up a home-made sign saying: “Good luck Ruben Amorim, Make our team great again.”
The former Sporting Lisbon boss, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag, made three changes from the final line-up named by United’s interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy before the international break.
And he changed his formation to play three at the back as widely expected, with England forward Rashford operating as a lone central striker ahead of captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.
United were ahead within two minutes when Diallo surged down the right, shrugging off the attentions of Leif Davis and Jens Cajuste to whip in a cross that Rashford touched home from close range.
Amorim, wearing a black coat and dark trousers, remained impassive in his seat as United’s players celebrated in the corner.
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Christian Eriksen flashed wide from just outside the box in the seventh minute after more incisive work from Diallo.
But Ipswich responded well, creating openings of their own and looking the more dangerous team as the half wore on.
The home side should have been level in the 40th minute but Andre Onana somehow kept out a close-range effort from Liam Delap with a strong right hand before Cajuste flashed over the bar.
Ipswich got the equaliser they deserved just before half-time when Hutchinson hit a stinging shot that skimmed off the head of Noussair Mazraoui and beyond the diving Onana.
The watching Ed Sheeran celebrated wildly in the stands among the 30,000-strong crowd.
Garnacho had a chance to put United back ahead in the opening moments of the second half but Arijanet Muric got down to his left to keep out the shot.
Onana saved well with his foot from a Delap flick from close range before Cajuste produced a perfectly timed challenge at the other end to cut out a Garnacho pass to Rashford after a swift break.
Amorim threw on Luke Shaw and Manuel Ugarte for Jonny Evans and Casemiro about 10 minutes after the restart but United continued to labour against a team with just one Premier League win all season.
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He later introduced forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to add fresh legs to his attack.
Fernandes hit a free-kick just wide of the post from a central area and Onana saved from Conor Chaplin at the other end but neither side found the quality to earn the win.
Amorim is United’s sixth permanent appointment since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after leading to the team to a 20th English title.
At 39, he is the youngest United boss since Wilf McGuinness followed Matt Busby in 1969.
