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Tag: Liverpool

Can Liverpool Stop Erling Haaland? City Striker in Messi-Like Form Faces Van Dijk Test

Fola Badmus04 mins

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will face Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in one of the Premier League’s most anticipated fixtures of the season. Haaland, who has scored 27 goals in 17 games for club and country, is in devastating form — and even Pep Guardiola has compared his impact to that of Lionel Messi. The Norwegian striker has averaged nearly two goals per 90 minutes this season, with 13 goals in the Premier League alone — accounting for 65% of City’s total. Guardiola admitted City’s reliance on Haaland is a concern but praised his evolution, saying the 24-year-old is now “performing at Messi and Ronaldo levels.” However, Liverpool may have reason for optimism. Haaland has scored just three times in eight meetings against the Reds, and only once in four Premier League games. Van Dijk, who has often neutralized the striker in past encounters, will once again be tasked with leading the defensive line against one of football’s most lethal forwards. Liverpool’s strategy could take inspiration from Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory over City earlier this season, where Unai Emery’s men limited Haaland to minimal touches and denied him space in the box. Ezri Konsa’s tight marking and Villa’s compact defensive structure forced Haaland into one of his least effective games of the campaign. Van Dijk emphasized after a previous win over City that stopping Haaland requires collective effort rather than individual battles. “It’s all about doing it together and stopping the service,” he said. That service has evolved — with Phil Foden now supplying Haaland most frequently, and Rayan Cherki adding creativity in midfield since Kevin De Bruyne’s departure. Still, few defenders in world football command the same presence as Van Dijk, whose recent form has silenced critics after helping Liverpool secure back-to-back clean sheets. As Jamie Carragher noted, Haaland remains Liverpool’s biggest threat, but Van Dijk could be the key to containing him. Manchester City vs Liverpool kicks off at 4:30 PM (UK) at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, November 9, in a clash that could have major implications for the Premier League title race.

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Mac Allister Header Gives Liverpool 1-0 Win Over Real Madrid In Champions League Clash

Wale busari02 mins

Liverpool earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Real Madrid in a thrilling Champions League clash at Anfield. The decisive moment came in the 61st minute when Alexis Mac Allister found space inside the box to head in Dominik Szoboszlai’s pinpoint cross, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance. Courtois had been Madrid’s standout performer before the goal, producing a string of top-class saves to deny Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah. But his efforts weren’t enough to prevent Liverpool from breaking through. Real Madrid’s defense struggled to cope with the Reds’ relentless pressing and quick transitions, while their attacking play lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble Alisson Becker. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s highly anticipated return to Anfield, now in Real Madrid colors, drew boos from the home supporters. The former Liverpool star came on in the 82nd minute but couldn’t make a difference against his old club. Madrid boss Xabi Alonso introduced Rodrygo and pushed Fede Valverde further forward in search of an equalizer, but Liverpool’s organization and counter-attacking threat saw them comfortably see out the win on Matchday 4 of the 2025 Champions League.

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Alexander-Arnold Says He Will Always Love Liverpool No Matter the Reception

Fola Badmus04 mins

Trent Alexander-Arnold says he will always love Liverpool regardless of how he is received at Anfield when Real Madrid face his former club in the Champions League on Tuesday. The 27-year-old defender is expected to be included in Real Madrid’s squad for the clash after recovering from a hamstring injury. Speaking to Prime Video Sport ahead of the match, Alexander-Arnold said: “When the draw was announced, I think everyone kind of knew it was going to happen — it was destined for that fixture to come. Obviously, they’re a top team, so I knew at some point I’d end up going back there or playing against Liverpool. It’s happening so soon. Mixed emotions. I think it’ll be a very, very difficult game but one that I’m excited for.” Alexander-Arnold said he will not celebrate if he scores and addressed the reception he expects from Liverpool fans, adding: “Whatever way I’m received is the decision of the fans. I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together – they’ll live with me forever. No matter what, my feelings won’t change towards Liverpool. I’ve got memories there that will last me a lifetime and, no matter how I’m received, that won’t change.” The right-back’s move to Madrid reunited him with England team-mate Jude Bellingham, who he admitted played a key role in convincing him to join the Spanish giants. “There was a lot of speculation, the ‘agent Jude’ stuff,” Alexander-Arnold said. “It was more so in his first season (at Real), we’d meet up at England camps and everyone would want to know what it was like behind the scenes. “He said it was incredible, and he’d never seen anything like it. The drive from the whole club to win and the expectation to win. He talked so highly of the club, and I’d made my mind up at the end of the day, I needed a change for me. I wanted a new challenge on and off the pitch.”

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Liverpool End Losing Streak as Van Dijk Slams Ridiculous Takes, Outside Noise After Win Over Aston Villa

Fola Badmus03 mins

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has criticised what he called “absolutely ridiculous takes” and negative “outside noise” following the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield — a win that ended their four-game Premier League losing streak. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Van Dijk admitted the recent run of poor form had been difficult but praised his teammates for sticking together amid intense public and media criticism. “There is a lot of noise that you have no control over,” Van Dijk said. “Some of those takes are absolutely ridiculous. It’s about sticking together. We’re not going out there to lose games or disappoint fans — we work our socks off to win. But there’s no guarantee in this league. You have to stay calm and keep working.” The Dutch defender also reflected on how quickly the narrative around the team has shifted compared to last season. “Last season everything was sunshine and rainbows. Now, from the outside world, it sounds like we’re in a relegation battle — that’s how it works in football,” he added. Liverpool manager Arne Slot also acknowledged the crucial role played by the home fans, saying their backing lifted the players during a difficult spell. “The support means a lot, especially when things are tough,” Slot said. “It shows what makes this club special — the fans stand by the team even when we’re struggling.” The win provides much-needed relief for Liverpool after a run of six defeats in seven games across all competitions, restoring confidence as they aim to climb back up the Premier League table.

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Carabao Cup Fourth Round: Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in Action

Kamal Yalwa02 mins

Football fans are in for a midweek treat as the Carabao Cup fourth round kicks off this week, with some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs — including Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur — all set to feature. The matches take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, promising plenty of drama, upsets, and memorable moments. On Tuesday, Grimsby Town continue their fairytale run as they host Brentford after knocking out Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in the earlier rounds. Fulham travel to League One side Wycombe Wanderers, while Welsh rivals Wrexham and Cardiff City meet in an all-Wales clash that’s sure to ignite passions. Wednesday’s fixtures see Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates, while Liverpool face Crystal Palace at Anfield for the third time this season. Palace have beaten the Reds twice already — once on penalties in the Community Shield and again in the Premier League. Elsewhere, Swansea City take on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, Wolves host Chelsea at Molineux, and defending Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United face Tottenham in one of the round’s standout ties. The draw for the fifth round will follow the conclusion of the Newcastle vs Tottenham clash on Wednesday night. Every match of the Carabao Cup fourth round promises high stakes, fierce competition, and the chance for lower-league sides to make history against top-flight opposition.

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Liverpool in Crisis as Arne Slot’s Side Suffers Four Consecutive Premier League Defeats

Liverpool in Crisis as Arne Slot’s Side Suffers Four Consecutive Premier League Defeats

Kamal Yalwa05 mins

Liverpool’s Premier League title defence is in tatters after a fourth straight league defeat left the reigning champions seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal and languishing in seventh place. Arne Slot’s men were beaten 3-2 by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, in a result that has intensified scrutiny on the Dutchman’s tactics and team balance. The loss means Liverpool have now suffered as many league defeats as they did across their entire title-winning campaign. Long-ball vulnerability Slot has publicly admitted that Liverpool struggle against long-ball tactics — an admission Brentford ruthlessly exploited. The hosts launched 64 direct passes, including a 40-yard assist from Mikkel Damsgaard for Kevin Schade’s goal, as Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were repeatedly caught out. “Too many duels were lost, too many second balls weren’t won,” Slot later conceded. Fragile defensive structure Under former manager Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool were known for their relentless pressing. Under Slot, however, the system appears fractured. The midfield trio has struggled to shield the back line, leaving the Reds vulnerable to fast breaks — they currently have the Premier League’s fourth-highest expected goals (xG) conceded from counter-attacks. Brentford registered 17 shots and created seven big chances, the most Liverpool have faced this season. Lack of physicality Injury to Ryan Gravenberch has exposed Liverpool’s physical shortcomings. Slot’s midfield, built around technicians like Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones, often loses aerial duels and second balls. Dominik Szoboszlai, who won 11 duels against Brentford, has been forced to carry an unsustainable workload. Integration issues Liverpool’s summer overhaul — including high-profile attacking signings — has yet to gel. The departures of Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez, combined with the emotional toll of Diogo Jota’s passing, have left the team unbalanced. Defensive depth remains thin, and key signings like Wirtz have struggled to adapt to Slot’s system. Slow starts, poor finishes Liverpool have conceded first in six consecutive matches, shipping at least two goals in each of their last four league games. Their defensive frailty has turned every match into a recovery mission, and they now share an identical points tally to newly promoted Sunderland since last season’s title triumph — despite playing four games more. Title defence in jeopardy Opta’s projections now place Liverpool third by season’s end, with Arsenal predicted to lift the title. Yet, given their current form, even that outcome seems optimistic. Only Nottingham Forest and West Ham have conceded more goals from set-pieces this season. Liverpool’s immediate focus turns to the Carabao Cup, where they face Crystal Palace on Wednesday at Selhurst Park — the same venue where their losing streak began. With Aston Villa awaiting at the weekend, Slot faces a critical week to stop the slide and salvage the Reds’ season.

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Brentford Stun Liverpool 3–2 as Reds Suffer Fourth Straight League Defeat

Kamal Yalwa03 mins

Brentford earned a famous 3–2 victory over Liverpool on Saturday evening, condemning Arne Slot’s side to their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat — matching their total number of losses from the entirety of last season. In a pulsating contest at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Bees dominated much of the match, showing energy and precision that left the visitors repeatedly exposed. Liverpool’s defensive frailties were on full display as they conceded 17 shots, their highest tally of the season. Brentford took control early, and despite a late Liverpool fightback deep into added time, the hosts held firm to secure a well-deserved win. The result sparked jubilant celebrations among home supporters, who rose to their feet for a standing ovation as “Hey Jude” echoed around the ground. Sky Sports reporter Patrick Rowe described the atmosphere as “electric,” adding that the home side were “fantastic from start to finish.” He praised manager Keith Andrews, suggesting that something “special” might be building at Brentford after back-to-back wins over Liverpool and West Ham. Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to struggle under Slot’s leadership. Analyst Zinny Boswell called the performance “remarkable in its decline,” saying: “They just weren’t at the races today. The changes over the summer haven’t worked yet — this doesn’t look like the same team as last season.” In one of the more puzzling tactical moves of the evening, Slot substituted £100 million signing Florian Wirtz for defender Joe Gomez while trailing 3–1, a change that drew criticism from fans and pundits alike. Referee Simon Hooper was replaced at half-time due to an injury, adding to the drama of the evening, but it did little to disrupt Brentford’s momentum. Free match highlights of the game will be available shortly on Sky Sports’ platforms, covering every key moment from one of the most thrilling Premier League fixtures of the season so far.

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Eintracht Frankfurt 1–5 Liverpool: Slot’s Men End Losing Streak With Dominant Champions League Win

Kamal Yalwa04 mins

Liverpool snapped their four-game losing streak in emphatic style with a 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, despite manager Arne Slot benching star forward Mohamed Salah for a second consecutive European match. The Reds endured a shaky start when former Leeds defender Rasmus Kristensen opened the scoring for Frankfurt in the 26th minute. However, Liverpool responded in devastating fashion, scoring three goals in nine minutes before halftime to turn the game on its head. Hugo Ekitike — playing against his former club — levelled in the 35th minute after a swift counter-attack, calmly slotting past the goalkeeper. Captain Virgil van Dijk (39’) and Ibrahima Konate (44’) both scored headers from corners to give Liverpool a 3–1 lead at the break. Liverpool continued their dominance in the second half despite losing Alexander Isak to a groin injury at halftime. Florian Wirtz set up Cody Gakpo (66’) for Liverpool’s fourth, before Dominik Szoboszlai (70’) sealed the win with a stunning long-range strike. It was a night of redemption for Arne Slot’s side, who had struggled in recent weeks. The Liverpool boss told TNT Sports: “We needed a win. More importantly, we needed a performance where we create chances and get the reward. That’s what happened. The main difference today was that we scored from set pieces instead of conceding from them.” Mohamed Salah came off the bench with 15 minutes left but couldn’t end his six-game goal drought, while Ekitike — named Man of the Match — impressed again, scoring his first Champions League goal for Liverpool. Slot confirmed post-match that Isak’s substitution was due to injury: “Alexander had to go off at half-time because he felt his groin a little bit. Let’s hope for the best, but it’s not an easy balance when a player has been out for so long.” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praised the team’s response after a difficult run. “I don’t know if it’s a statement, but it’s a win and something to build on,” he said. “We’ve been disappointed with losing games, but the only way forward is to stick together, block out the noise, and keep working.” With the victory, Liverpool remain firmly in contention in their Champions League group, and attention now turns to their Premier League clash with Brentford this weekend — where Slot’s rejuvenated side will aim to maintain their newfound momentum.

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