Liverpool

Chloe Bloxam
Fan contributor

It is the Merseyside derby this weekend and I'm extremely nervous for this game of football. I get nervous for every derby for obvious reasons but this one feels like there's more importance on it and there is a couple of reasons for that. The main one being that it's the first Merseyside derby at their new home and I just reckon they're going to be so bought into not losing the first derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

I reckon the players will buy into it, the fans certainly will create an incredible atmosphere which will be tough from a Liverpool perspective but the manager will be bought into it as well. And when I look back over recent years going to Goodison Park, I just feel like Liverpool weren't up for the task, they weren't up for the challenge.

At times Liverpool were bullied and you've got to put the hard yards in because you've got to be physical in these games of football when you face Everton and that is a problem for me because Liverpool this season have been so weak physically and mentally at times it feels like they haven't had a real backbone and if anything goes wrong in games of football it feels like they just can't bounce back from it and they cannot let that happen in this game. They cannot let themselves be bullied.

They have to be ready from the first whistle, they can't start slow and they've got to be ready for the physicality of this game and that is another worry for me.

In recent years it just feels like Liverpool have been the more superior side, they've definitely been more superior in terms of where they finished in the league and it feels like for a large majority we've had the better players but right now it's so hard to understand and to predict which Liverpool are going to show up.

Are you going to get the best version of Liverpool who saw off the likes of Real Madrid earlier on this season or are you going to get the Liverpool that shows up against Manchester City in the FA Cup? I just don't know but I'm really hoping that Liverpool show up with a point to prove.

It's been a really poor season by their standards. We're out of every competition, we can't win a trophy this season, we have to get top five and this game is so important for that. We need to start sharp, we need to be strong and we need to play our style of football because if we let Everton play the way that they want to play, they can bully us because that is the way they like to play football.

I think it's going to be a really tough task for Liverpool, I'm worried to see what side does show up and I know that they're going to be up for it. So an incredibly tough task, but my word, if we were to win it, it'd feel even better if we did because of the importance of it all.

To win the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium would be pretty special, but an incredibly tough task, seriously scared for it, but also the rewards of if you do win it will be absolutely incredible.

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Image source, Getty Images

Former Everton and England striker Wayne Rooney says Liverpool's struggles this season are down to them missing forward players who used to "press you aggressively" and make games difficult for opponents.

Liverpool travel to their Merseyside rivals' Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on Sunday, hoping to boost their hopes of securing Champions League football for next season while putting a dent in Everton's charge for Europe.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney said: "I think some of the players they lost, with [Diogo] Jota, it was such a sad loss to everyone," Rooney said. "[Luis] Diaz, even [Darwin] Nunez was a nuisance and he wasn't great. When you go to Anfield, you used to have it with Stevie [Gerrard], with Dirk Kuyt, they used to press you aggressively. I think that's what Nunez and Diaz did. They've lost that a little bit.

"I think Van Dijk needs help as well, where Van Dijk's been the one to help his other centre-backs over his career at Liverpool. It's probably the first time where he's needed help from those around him.

"And then the full-backs changing with Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and [Andy] Robertson not playing. Now all of a sudden he's looking around the whole backline thinking, 'I need some help here'."

Guest on the show, MMA fighter and Liverpool fan Paddy Pimblett was asked how he wants Liverpool to approach the game, he responded: "Go and absolutely slap them. It's Everton, you've got to be up for it."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League Merseyside Derby against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot was asked to react to the news Hugo Ekitike will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup with an Achilles injury: "He hasn't been operated yet. Devastating for him, coming to a new club and playing so well with so much more to come from him in the summer. First thoughts are with him being out for such along time, missing out on so many special moments. But there are so many examples of players who came back even stronger and that's the challenge he has now."

• He also confirmed defender Joe Gomez will not be fit for Sunday.

• On if he is expecting major changes to the squad in the summer: "The second leg against PSG does show the future does look bright. This team has already shown in other moments they can compete with best in Europe. I don't think in numbers [major chnages], I think in areas and of players we already know will leave. We are a trading club so let's see what happens in the summer."

• More on potential incomings and outgoings: "We know we are changing at least two players, but Kostas [Tsimikas] is coming back. First aim is to see how we react in position of Mo Salah, whether we want to replace with a similar player or do that differently. At this moment in time there's not a chance of a lot of players leaving. Of course there's Ibou Konate's contract situation. There might not be a need to change a lot if you don't need to bring a lot of players in."

• Slot was complimentary of the performance in defeat against Paris St-Germain: "They showed a lot of character. Being the better team against PSG is very complicated, let alone in three games in seven days. A lot of my players broke records in terms of physical output, that tells you how strong and ready they are. That won't be any different on Sunday."

• On the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium: "Always a very special game. First one always makes it more special if that's possible. They are in a very good place at the moment. You can add one or two percent to how special it is because it is the first one in a new stadium."

• Asked if Alexander Isak is ready for more responsibility in Ekitike's absence now he has returned from his broken leg, Slot responded: "It is a good thing we signed two number nines. A lot of people were debating why we signed two. Someone told me you couldn't write that on the day Alex started for the first time after four months Hugo got injured. It is a good thing Alex is back even more. It's nice to have Alex back but we know he is not ready to play 90 minutes."

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Liverpool have nine players linked with summer exits, including Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, 27, who is attracting interest from Europe, while England defender Joe Gomez, 28, remains a target for Crystal Palace, Brighton and AC Milan. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

The Reds have knocked back an approach for their sporting director Richard Hughes from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal (Talksport), external

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Champions League Match of the Day pundits Stephen Warnock and Nedum Onuoha feel Arne Slot's Liverpool do not have a definitive starting XI and style of play like other clubs around Europe, following their elimination from the competition at the hands of PSG.

Warnock said: "If I asked you how Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain play, I think you could tell me exactly the style of football they play.

"Slot talks about controlled position, they look anything but controlled in a game at the moment and I think that's a real concern.

"They spent £450m in the summer and look further away from Paris St-Germain than they did last year."

• Watch Match of the Day

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have confirmed Hugo Ekitike has ruptured of his Achilles tendon.

The club say he will miss the rest of the season and World Cup, with "further updates" to come at "an appropriate time"., external

French football journalist Julien Laurens told BBC Sport: "If they go and sign another forward, then when Ekitike comes back they might have a problem with too many options, but they might have to because if he is out for at least nine months - if it is a full rupture - then they will need something else for next season."

Writing on Instagram, Ekitike said: "It's hard, maybe even unfair… but I'm grateful this is happening to me here, among you. I'm not alone. Your strength and your love will be my driving force. See you again soon, Anfield."

We asked how you feel about the news and for your thoughts on whether Liverpool now need to buy a striker as a result.

Here are some of your comments:

Stephen: Shame about Hugo but he's looked spent these past two months and clearly has been overplayed. Injuries follow when that happens. The forward line needed reinforcing as Salah departs, with Rio still developing and Isak being injury prone. FSG won't outlay like they did last summer so we will probably have to make do. That transition season continues into next for LFC fans. Buckle in for the ride.

Mark: Absolutely gutted for him as a player. So young, to be missing out on the World Cup and I'm worried for Liverpool. Very rare they come back to be the same player again after this injury. Sad.

Alfie: I think we may have to sign another striker. Doesn't have to be a world-class striker. Just someone that will do the trick in Ekitike's absence. Isak is touch and go at the minute so we can't rush him back.

James: Ekitike will be a big miss but if it results in Isak hitting some form, or Gakpo playing through the centre, it may mean someone like Rio will get a bit more of a run out so it could benefit the team ultimately.

Sonny: It's going to sound crazy, but bring in Darwin for a six-month loan until January, when Hugo will likely return. He knows the fans and the club, everybody loved him when he was here, and he can chip in with the odd goal. He never gets a game for Al-Hilal, so I'm sure he would be up for it. We cannot go into next season with only an injury prone Alexander Isak.

Tom: I think that Liverpool should buy a striker who is a a bit more low profile and happy to sit on the bench and come on.

Hugo Ekitike will miss the remainder of the season, the World Cup and likely part of the next campaign.

How do you feel about the news? Will Liverpool need to buy a striker as a result, or is there adequate cover?

Get in touch with your views here

Liverpool are leading the race for 28-year-old Bournemouth and Argentina defender Marcos Senesi, who is out of contract this summer. (i paper, external)

Meanwhile the Reds are interested in Newcastle's England winger Anthony Gordon, 25, and Everton and Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye, 26, as they seek to bolster their attacking options for next season. (Teamtalk, external)

Juventus are keeping tabs on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, as they look to to overhaul their squad in the summer. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)

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On the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, players, staff and club officials of Liverpool Football Club have been at Anfield to lay wreaths and pay tribute to the 97 fans who lost their lives.

The club will observe a period of silence at 15:06 BST - the time at which Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989 was stopped.

After the silence, 97 biodegradable balloons will be released from the centre circle at Anfield.

Tributes also took place before Tuesday's Champions League tie against Paris St-Germain, including a period of silence before kick-off, players wearing black armbands and a mosaic formed on the Kop.

Image source, Getty Images

Meanwhile, representatives of the Hillsborough families and officials from both Liverpool and Everton were present as a permanent Hillsborough memorial was unveiled, external at the Toffees' Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Chloe Bloxam
Fan contributor

Paris St-Germain advanced in the Champions League after beating Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield and 4-0 on aggregate.

It was a game in which Liverpool had to go into having some hope. You didn't have to think Liverpool were going to win the game but you certainly had to hope that maybe, just maybe, under the lights at Anfield something special could happen.

It's fair to say for the first 45 minutes Liverpool were just not good enough. Liverpool didn't show up. There were individuals who were getting bullied. PSG are a really good side and they took control of that first half. The Reds had the big chance in it - Virgil van Dijk having one basically cleared off the line by Marquinhos, which, wow, what a block - but aside from that, it was all PSG.

PSG had chances. PSG were finding so much space so easily. And getting in at half-time at 0-0, I wasn't too against it because of the way we showed up. We didn't use the crowd from the off like we should have done. Then in the second half, there was a 20-minute spell where you think and believe 'oh my, if Liverpool put the ball in the back of the net, they are well and truly back in this game of football, they can go on to do what seems the impossible'.

But - same script, different day.

They do not capitalise, they do not punish their opponents. Liverpool can have spells of football where they're quite good and on top, producing some decent football, but they can just never get that goal and it happens once again. The longer that goes on, the more PSG believe that the sucker-punch is coming and it was disappointing.

We didn't test their goalkeeper and their keeper is their weakest link. Rio Ngumoha had one really good chance which produced a good save from their keeper but that is very much it. We had a lot of the ball, we felt like we had a lot of pressure. Joe Gomez was winning the battle with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but, ultimately, if you don't punish the opponents then they're going to have more belief they can go up the other end and score and they certainly did that.

When Dembele's incredible finish went in, you knew it was done. The people in the ground knew it was done, the players knew it was done. The game ends when Dembele puts it in the back of the net and ultimately, over the course of the two legs, it's fair to say they deserved to go through.

It is a trophyless season for Liverpool. It's not a good enough season. I imagine that Arne Slot will stay until the end of the campaign and then I think Liverpool should reassess the situation, I really do. Until then, Liverpool have to get into the Premier League's top five, it's the only thing they can do and they need to do it.

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Liverpool gave it a go, but you always felt PSG were comfortable. A lot has gone against Liverpool this season, but the thing that worries me is the lack of a clear style of play. The players are trying, but it all feels very 'off the cuff' and reactionary, and that ultimately comes down to coaching.

Frank: Disjointed and ineffective performance with an inexplicable choice of formation, choice of players and tactics. Slot is not capable of managing a football team at this level. He will arguably have to leave at the end of the season, just scraping into next year's Champions League by a whisker.

Karen: Played so much better in this match. Unfortunately we were up against a class act side in PSG. We were once, too, but not any more. Liverpool need a total overhaul to get back to being serious competition.

Michael: Slot needs to leave. The spirit of Champions League nights at Anfield is gone. It's now consistent mediocrity all around. No more fighting spirit left in us. Things can't go on like this.

Mark: Better but still couldn't score. Need a top-five finish now otherwise a very bad season.

Shane: Brave battle but knew the outcome would be a defeat. Yet again Slot messes with the line-up when he should have started with the team that beat Fulham. Can't wait to see the back of him.

Paul: We gave it some in the second half, but the game was lost when Slot named his starting line-up. To think we lost on penalties to PSG last year (admittedly they played better than us over two legs) but this year the gulf was enormous between us. Slot is clueless and needs to go - enough is enough.

Miko: Slot's decision to start an out-of-rhythm Isak was baffling at best and diabolical at worst. Still, the gulf in class between us and PSG was undeniable across both legs. Ekitike's serious injury rubbed salt into our wounds. It's maddening - our expensively assembled squad isn't good enough to challenge for trophies, transition season or not. Slot and Hughes must answer for the transfer business that landed us here. We have regressed while our closest rivals have progressed.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes the Reds could have been Premier League title contenders had they performed all season in the same manner as they did in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain.

Arne Slot's side provided a much-improved display and threatened to launch a comeback at Anfield before eventually being picked off on the counter-attack and recording another 2-0 defeat to exit 4-0 on aggregate.

"There was a real desire about the team to try to get a result," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They lifted the crowd and the crowd lifted them as well. They gave the crowd something to get off their seats about, there was an energy about them.

"I don't know where it's been. If they had played like that for most of the season, they would have been competing for the title.

"However, they still fell short in terms of really creating anything major and very clear.

"Paris St-Germain defended well at times, but I still think Liverpool are lacking some energy in wide areas with players who are direct. [Rio] Ngumoha came on but you could see his naivety at times.

"They are missing something at the moment, but [it was] a better performance."

Warnock added: "PSG don't carry men. Liverpool carry players and it's incredible. They carry [Florian] Wirtz, they carry [Mohamed] Salah, they carried [Alexander] Isak in the first half.

"You can't carry players. You watch PSG's attackers back in the full-back areas and you think 'that's a team, that's a performance'.

"Liverpool don't do that at the moment and that's a real concern."

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Did you know?

• Liverpool have failed to score in both legs of a European Cup/Champions League knockout stage tie for the third time, after the 1978-79 first round v Nottingham Forest and the 2005-06 last-16 tie against Benfica.

• The Reds have lost five games in a single Champions League campaign for the first time - the ninth time a Premier League side has done so.

Image source, Getty Images

French football journalist Julien Laurens says Arne Slot's starting line-up in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second-leg defeat by Paris St-Germain was "complete nonsense".

Slot opted to give Alexander Isak his first start since December and left Mohamed Salah on the bench - as he did in the first leg. Salah was introduced on the half-hour mark after Hugo Ekitike was forced off with what looked like a worrying injury.

He then made a double substitution at the break, taking off Isak for Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong for Joe Gomez, and Liverpool started the second half on the front foot but failed to make it count.

"I don't want to blame Arne Slot again like we did last week, but that line-up to start was complete nonsense," Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"That second half should have been exactly how Liverpool started the game to get the crowd going. It should not have been Isak from the start. I don't understand it.

"Slot made errors in the first leg in his line-up and the way they set up. We said before the game that he could not afford to get it wrong again.

"You can't change things at half-time and expect them to turn around this game, he had to get it right from the beginning.

"For me, again, he let the team down, the club down and the fans down.

"Isak could only have played 15 minutes. He made two passes and touched the ball five times. They played with 10 men in the first half. He could not have played 45 minutes. Ten at best at the end if you're pushing and you're 1-0 up maybe, but 45 - never in a million years and certainly not from the start."

Former Reds full-back Stephen Warnock added: "I watched him [Isak] here against Fulham and he was awful.

"He was non-existent [against PSG]. Gakpo did more in five minutes than Isak did in the whole first half. He is nowhere near fit. He's not got one ounce of fitness in him this season and it tells.

"You're thinking you can put him in against PSG in the biggest game of your season, against the best team in Europe, and think you're going to get a performance in 45 minutes - you can't just switch it on and off."

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Did you know?

• Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak all started the same game for Liverpool for just the second time in all competitions, after their 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in October.

• Liverpool had 17 shots in the second half of this match, after having just four in the opening 45 minutes. PSG, on the other hand, had just four attempts after half-time (eight in the first half), scoring with two of them.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is close to agreeing a new contract to stay at Anfield. The 26-year-old was expected to leave this summer but could now sign a four-year extension. (RMC - in French, external)

Meanwhile, the Reds want Hoffenheim and Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure, 20, in the summer. (Teamtalk, external)

Borussia Dortmund and Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, 26, has a release clause of about £43m-£52m which only applies to three clubs - including Liverpool and Real Madrid, but not Bayern Munich. (Bild - in German, external)

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