Tag: Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur signed former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson on a free transfer on Friday, ending the Scotland captain’s nine-year spell at Anfield.

Robertson will officially join Spurs on a free transfer on July 1 after his Liverpool contract expires.

The 32-year-old nearly left Anfield for Tottenham in January, but Liverpool eventually halted the deal after they were unable to bring back Kostas Tsimikas from the defender’s loan at Roma.

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi was appointed after that aborted attempt to sign Robertson, but he has given the green light to the left-back’s move to north London.

“Andy is someone I’ve admired for a number of years and he will bring outstanding technical qualities, experience, leadership and mentality to our team,” De Zerbi said.

“He is a proven winner at the highest level over a long period and is someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch.”

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Robertson’s immediate focus will be on captaining Scotland at the World Cup, before he links up with Tottenham ahead of the start of the domestic season in August.

“I’m in America just now preparing for the World Cup, but I just wanted to send you a quick message to say I cannot wait to play for you guys,” Robertson said in a video message from Scotland’s camp.

“I cannot wait to meet you guys, I cannot wait to play in the stadium for the first time in front of you and I’m already looking forward to next season.”

Robertson will compete with Destiny Udogie for the left-back role in De Zerbi’s starting line-up.

“First and foremost he is an outstanding left-back — one of the best of all time in the Premier League, and someone who will improve our squad,” Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange said.

“In addition, his quality, character and leadership have been evident throughout a career in which he has regularly competed for — and won — major honours.

“Andy’s professionalism and commitment will also be invaluable to the development of our squad, and he shares our ambition and determination to bring success back to the club.”

Robertson won the Premier League twice, the League Cup twice and the FA Cup once during his successful spell at Liverpool.

He was part of the Reds’ 2019 Champions League-winning team.

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Liverpool named Andoni Iraola as their new manager on Thursday after sacking Arne Slot following a calamitous Premier League title defence.

Iraola quickly emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, whose two-year reign came to a shock end when he was dismissed last Saturday.

Liverpool gave no indication as to the length of the 43-year-old Spaniard’s contract, but British media have reported that he has signed a two-year deal.

“Really excited, really excited, because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world,” Iraola, who called time on his impressive spell with Bournemouth at the end of this season, said on Liverpool’s official website.

“But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club.

“You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.

“But obviously, the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles.

“I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start.”

After criticism of Liverpool’s lacklustre performances in Slot’s second season at Anfield, Iraola is expected to deliver a more urgent, aggressive style of football, which characterised the team under beloved former manager Jurgen Klopp.

Iraola earned rave reviews for Bournemouth’s sixth-place finish in the Premier League this season, which secured the club’s first qualification for Europe in the Europa League.

He arrived at the South Coast Club from Raya Vallecano in 2023, having previously managed Mirandes and AEK Larnaca in Cyprus.

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Bournemouth improved each year under Iraola, finishing 12th, ninth and sixth.

The former defender was praised for his astute tactics and development of youngsters, including Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott.

Born in Spain’s Basque Country, Iraola played more than 500 games for Athletic Bilbao before a stint in Major League Soccer with New York City, where he teamed up with Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo.

He will arrive on Merseyside with Liverpool at a crossroads after Slot failed to maintain the club’s position at the summit of English football.

Slot had the tough task of replacing Klopp, who left in 2024 after winning the Premier League and Champions League during a golden nine-year spell at Anfield.

The former Feyenoord boss made a strong start, leading Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English league title in his debut season, spearheaded by Salah’s 29 goals.

But Slot was unable to halt Liverpool’s slide in the 2025/26 season as the Reds collapsed from late September, finishing a turbulent season without a trophy.

The death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota in a car crash last July had an immeasurable impact on the squad, while the club’s £450 million ($605 million) splurge on new signings failed to pay off.

Slot’s relationship with Salah also deteriorated, while Liverpool fans turned on the manager due to his team’s lifeless displays and poor results.

The club limped to a fifth-place finish, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, which at least guaranteed qualification for next season’s Champions League.

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Ibrahima Konate’s five-year stay at Liverpool will end when his contract expires next month after failing to agree a new deal, the club confirmed on Sunday.

The France international said last month he was confident of agreeing terms with the Premier League giants. However, no breakthrough in negotiations was found, and he will become the third high-profile player this season to walk away from Anfield on a free transfer.

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson have also departed after a glittering nine years on Merseyside.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Ibrahima Konate is set to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer,” the club said in a statement.

“Konate will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution he made and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future.”

Konate was a major part of the Liverpool side that stormed to the Premier League title in the 2024/25 season.

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He also won two League Cups and the FA Cup during his time at Anfield. But the 27-year-old’s form dipped drastically at the beginning of this season during a difficult campaign for the Reds.

It was also a season marked by tragedy for Konate, whose father died earlier this year, and for the club after the loss of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident.

“Representing this club has been an honour. We’ve shared incredible moments together… highs and lows, trophies, challenges, lifelong friendships, and heartbreaking moments that will stay with us forever, none more painful than losing our brother Diogo,” Konate said in a statement.

“Losing my father this year was one of the hardest periods of my life, but even through hardship, my commitment to this club never changed. During the toughest moments, I gave everything I had for this badge.”

Arne Slot was sacked on Saturday after finishing fifth in the Premier League, 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Paris-born Ibrahima Konate has been linked with a move to European champions Paris Saint-Germain. His departure could force Liverpool into the transfer market for more defensive cover, despite the arrival next season of Jeremy Jacquet in a £60 million ($81 million) move from Rennes.

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An emotional Mohamed Salah said, “We put the club back where it belongs” after playing his final game for Liverpool on Sunday.

A 1-1 draw at home to Brentford on the last day of the Premier League season marked the end of the Egyptian forward’s nine-year spell at Anfield.

Salah, 33, bid farewell alongside Scotland defender Andy Robertson, who also joined Liverpool in 2017.

Salah scored 257 goals for Liverpool, behind only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) in the club’s list of leading goalscorers.

He has also won multiple trophies at the club, including the Champions League and two Premier League titles.

“I think I cried more than in my whole life,” Salah told Sky Sports after the Brentford match. “I’m not really an emotional guy.

“We lived our youth here, sharing everything from the beginning to the end,” said Salah of the time he shared with Robertson at Anfield. “We put this club back where it belongs.”

Robertson, too, made no attempt to hide his feelings, saying he felt “emotionally drained” after playing his final game for Liverpool.

“In years to come, we know we are both welcome back to this football club. This is a big chapter in our book, but it’s not the end.

“First and foremost, we have to switch off and focus on the World Cup. I know this is our family and we’ll be welcomed back.”

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Salah’s departure was announced in March after he told reporters in December his relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot had broken down.

And in a social media post following last week’s defeat at Aston Villa, Salah said he wanted to see a return to “heavy metal football”, referring to the approach under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

But he still started the match against Brentford, with the names of both Salah and Robertson met with a deafening roar when introduced by the stadium announcer.

Banners in the crowd celebrated both players, one saying “Thank you, legends”. Another said: “We Have Gone From Great To Glory. Salah Is Our King”.

“Brilliant as expected,” said Slot of the reception for Salah and Robertson. “Our fans always find a way of doing something special in beautiful moments and in special moments.”

Salah was the Premier League’s top scorer last season, with 29 goals, as Liverpool won the title, but his form dipped dramatically this term, and he managed just seven goals in the league.

The draw with Brentford, allied to Bournemouth’s defeat by Manchester United, ensured Liverpool secured fifth position in the Premier League, guaranteeing the six-time European champions a place in next season’s Champions League.

“It’s tricky to leave Liverpool,” said Salah, adding, “It’s life. I look back and wonder if I would have wanted more than I achieved. Not really.

“We won it all. We see the love from the fans, and this is the most important thing for me.

“I will be far away from here. I will be emotional every time. I hope the team stays in the position, fighting for everything.”

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Virgil van Dijk hit back at Liverpool’s holiday claim after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United dented their Champions League qualification push.

The Reds’ loss against their bitter rivals on Sunday left them in fourth place in the Premier League.

Arne Slot’s side, crowned champions 12 months ago, have mounted a dismal title defence, forcing them to settle for fighting to reach next season’s Champions League.

After their 18th defeat in all competitions this term, Liverpool still need four points from their remaining three games to seal a place in Europe’s elite club competition via a top five finish.

Slot was without star forwards Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, as well as two goalkeepers, through injury against United.

But Liverpool captain Van Dijk conceded fitness issues could not be used as an excuse for such a turbulent campaign.

“I’m not here to make excuses. It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season for us, and it’s tough,” he said.

“We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to work, we have to turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen because it’s not Liverpool.”

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Van Dijk hit back at criticism of Liverpool players’ use of their free time after several were pictured abroad before the United game.

“I’m not sure it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip,” the Dutch defender said.

“But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult.”

Put to him that some critics believes the team has too much time off, Van Dijk said: “Really? I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways.

“You see Pep Guardiola giving (Manchester City) three days off, for example, the last weeks in a row and they are doing pretty well. It is finding the right balance.”

Slot is under fire for failing to keep Liverpool in the title race in a season that will end without silverware.

And Van Dijk, who has won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield, is determined to ensure Liverpool don’t endure a repeat of their frustrating form next season.

“Like anyone else, obviously, personally I want this to be solved. I want us to be what I’ve experienced over my time here. I want to be successful,” he said.

“Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job, in anything you do, but it is the best way to get results and also be successful. That’s what we have to try and find.

“We have to realise that next season we can’t repeat (this). It’s unacceptable.”

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is certain Mohamed Salah will get the send-off his glittering career deserves, even if injury prevents the Egyptian from playing again for the Reds.

Salah, who will leave Anfield after nine years at the end of the season, was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Liverpool are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the problem, but with just four games of the campaign remaining, the 33-year-old may not feature again this season.

“If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in, there are only two more home games left for him. It’s a combination of feelings that go through your mind,” said Van Dijk.

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“He will get the send-off regardless. I don’t think that is the thing at this point; we shouldn’t think too far ahead.

“Knowing Mo, he is a quick healer and with the right people around him, let’s see.”

Mohamed Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.

The winger has been integral to the club’s rise back to the top of English and European football, winning the Champions League and two Premier League titles among a clutch of trophies.

Salah also scooped the players’ player of the year award a record three times and was the Premier League’s top scorer on four occasions.

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Liverpool moved ever closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but will be hoping Mohamed Salah has not played his final game for the club.

Salah limped off in the second half at Anfield, holding his hamstring, with less than a month of his glittering career with the Reds remaining.

“It’s too early to say but we all know Mo and how hard it is for him to leave the pitch,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot. “We have to wait and see how bad it is.”

Two goals in five minutes just before half-time tightened the grip of Slot’s men on a top-five finish.

British transfer record signing Alexander Isak scored his first goal since returning from a leg break as he smartly controlled Alexis Mac Allister’s wayward effort on goal and swivelled on the ball to volley it past Dean Henderson.

Andy Robertson then marked one of his final appearances at Anfield with a fine finish at the end of a lethal Liverpool counter-attack after third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had denied Palace an equaliser.

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Salah went to ground just before the hour mark, holding the back of his left leg, and was given a standing ovation as he made way for Jeremie Frimpong.

Daniel Munoz reduced the Eagles’ arrears in controversial fashion as Liverpool wanted the game stopped with Woodman down injured.

“It was a lot more nervy because of the goal. I don’t think we deserved to concede it in that fashion,” added Slot.

“Is there a game we play where there isn’t a talking point about the referee?”

But Florian Wirtz secured the three points deep into stoppage time with just his fifth Premier League goal since a £100 million ($135 million) move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Victory moves Liverpool up to fourth and opens up an eight-point lead on sixth-placed Brighton with just four games of the season remaining.

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Virgil van Dijk scored a last-gasp winner against Everton on Sunday as Liverpool strengthened their push for a Champions League spot next season ahead of a Premier League summit meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal.

On a pivotal day in the English top division, fourth-placed Aston Villa squandered a two-goal lead against Sunderland but scored in stoppage time to win 4-3.

At the other end of the table, Morgan Gibbs-White netted a hat-trick as struggling Nottingham Forest came from behind against Burnley to win 4-1 and heap the pressure on troubled Tottenham.

Just a few weeks ago, the battle for the top five, which guarantees entry into the Champions League, looked as though it might be tight.

But fifth-placed Liverpool’s 2-1 victory in their first match at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium takes them seven points clear of stumbling Chelsea, in sixth spot.

Captain Van Dijk was the hero for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, heading Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner past a helpless Jordan Pickford in the 100th minute.

“Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

“That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality, and it was important we got the win. I’m glad we did.

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“We’ve got five more games left (some) against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots. Every game is a big one.”

Mohamed Salah had opened the scoring for last season’s champions, slotting home in the first half following a superbly weighted pass from Cody Gakpo.

The goal came just two minutes after Iliman Ndiaye’s effort at the other end was canceled by VAR, with Jake O’Brien ruled offside.

Salah, departing at the end of the season, has equaled Steven Gerrard’s nine goals to become the joint top-scoring player in the Premier League fixture between the two Merseyside teams.

The goal took the wind out of the sails of David Moyes’ team, but they were level through Beto within 10 minutes of the restart.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, on the left of Everton’s attack, fired across goal for Beto to attack, and he poked home ahead of an onrushing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was immediately stretchered off, replaced by Freddie Woodman.

The game looked destined to end as a draw but the officials signalled 11 added minutes but Van Dijk had the last laugh.

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Liverpool followed France in confirming on Thursday that forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the remainder of the Premier League season and the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a serious injury in a Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat by European champions PSG at Anfield on Tuesday and had to be substituted.

A brief statement issued by Premier League champions Liverpool on Thursday said scans had subsequently confirmed a “rupture of the Achilles tendon”.

The statement added: “Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer’s World Cup with France.”

Liverpool gave no timescale for Ekitike’s recovery, saying only “further updates will be provided at the appropriate time, with Hugo receiving the full support of everyone at LFC”.

Liverpool’s statement followed Wednesday’s announcement by France coach Didier Deschamps that Ekitike was out of the World Cup.

“Unfortunately, the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement released by the French football federation.

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“This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team.

“I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff.”

Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield for a fee of £79 million ($105.5 million) last summer from German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Since winning his first France cap in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Ekitike has been a regular, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his eight caps.

“It looks really bad, but difficult for me to say how bad,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after Tuesday’s match.

Injuries have been a major factor in a disastrous season for Liverpool as they sit fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign without silverware.

“Losing a player is something we have had many times this season, but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season,” added Slot.

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Ousmane Dembele guided Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) into the Champions League semi-finals as a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday completed a 4-0 aggregate win for the holders.

To compound the English champions’ woes, Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious-looking injury that could end his season and hinder Liverpool’s chances of being back among Europe’s elite next season.

Arne Slot’s men sit fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign trophyless after being kept at arm’s reach by a PSG side that did not need to be at their brilliant best to reach a third consecutive semi-final.

Defeat means there will be no glorious goodbye for Mohamed Salah after nine memorable years on Merseyside.

Slot showed little sentiment as he dropped the Egyptian to the bench on his final Champions League appearance in red.

Alexander Isak was preferred up front as the most expensive player in Premier League history started for the first time since breaking his leg in December.

However, Salah was forced into action after just half an hour as Ekitike suffered a nasty-looking injury that could ruin his World Cup hopes with France.

The former PSG striker crumpled in a heap, holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles.

Salah nearly made an immediate impact as from his cross, Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Milos Kerkez before Marquinhos produced a remarkable block to deny Virgil van Dijk the opening goal.

PSG had plenty of chances to have put the tie to bed in the Parc des Princes last week and were profligate once more in the first half.

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Giorgi Mamardashvili scrambled back towards his line to punch away Dembele’s attempted chip before the Ballon d’Or winner blazed over from close range with just the Georgian to beat.

Slot admitted before kick-off that Isak could only last for 45 minutes due to a lack of match practice, and the Swede made way for Cody Gakpo at half-time in a further blow to Liverpool’s firepower up front.

Kerkez had the best chance to set up a grandstand finale when he sliced wide another inviting Salah delivery.

Liverpool thought they had been gifted a lifeline when Alexis Mac Allister was awarded a very generous penalty for minimal contact by Willian Pacho, but VAR intervened to instruct referee Maurizio Mariani to reverse his original decision.

But as Liverpool poured forward in desperation, they became a sitting duck for the rapid PSG counter-attack.

Dembele finally killed the tie off 18 minutes from time when he cut onto his left foot and curled into the bottom corner from outside the box.

The French international then inflicted the final blow with a cool finish from Bradley Barcola’s cross in stoppage time.

PSG will face a tougher test against the in-form Bayern Munich or 15-time winners Real Madrid in the last four.

But after ending the Qatari-backed French champions’ long wait to conquer Europe last season, Luis Enrique’s men remain on course to become the only side other than Madrid to retain the competition in the Champions League era.

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