The upcoming week could be a defining one in the season of Liverpool and manager Arne Slot.
A win in the Premier League against Fulham on Saturday and the Reds tighten their grip on a European spot while also giving themselves a much-needed boost before Tuesday’s second leg against Paris St-Germain.
Lose and they could be out of that fifth spot by the end of the gameweek.
And then there is the monstrous task of facing the European champions. But not just the European champions, the European champions with a two goal head start.
Slot’s men will need to overhaul that two goal deficit if they are to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Fail to do that and it will confirm that the Reds will end the 2025-26 season trophyless.
Failure to retain a Premier League title can be forgiven. Failure to do so in the manner Liverpool have while crashing out of every other competition along the way, that may prove to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
ICYMI: Robertson to leave Liverpool at end of the seasonpublished at 08:48 BST
Liverpool v Fulham (Sat, 17:30 BST)
It’s seemingly non-stop big news coming out of Liverpool at the moment and Thursday evening was no different with defender Andy Robertson announcing he would leave the club at the end of the season.
In a video announcing his decision, the Scotland captain said: “I think now’s the time for me to move on”.
The defender added: “The nine years I’ll look back on with a big smile on my face.”
Robertson was a target for Tottenham during the January transfer window, with a deal agreed in principle between the clubs.
However, Liverpool decided they were not able to proceed with the move because the club was unable to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma.
The left-back has found it tough to dislodge Milos Kerkez for a starting spot this season and has chosen now as the right time to move on.
Like forward Mohamed Salah, he will bring the curtain down on a decorated career at Anfield and marks the significant end of an era.
Premier League table as it standspublished at 08:44 BST
And here’s a reminder how of how things are looking in the Premier League table as we get ready to return to action.
Despite a recent slump outside of league competition, Arsenal still sit comfortably atop the table though they have played a game more than nearest challengers Manchester City.
The race for Europe is looking tight with every team in the top half realistically having a solid chance of taking that fifth Champions League spot.
Down the bottom and it’s looking bleak for Wolves and Burnley but there is a huge battle for that last relegation place.
Tottenham Hotspur are the team currently sitting just above the bottom three and they travel to Sunderland this weekend in what is new manager Roberto de Zerbi’s first game in charge.
Friday’s news conferencespublished at 08:38 BST
Premier League
We’ve got 11 confirmed Premier League news conferences to bring you today but there may be a few more added to the slate as we go.
Liverpool’s Arne Slot is the focus of the early morning stint and we’ll also have the first news conference as Spurs manager for Roberto de Zerbi this afternoon.
- 09:00 – Fabian Hurzeler
- 09:00 – Arne Slot
- 09:30 – Eddie Howe
- 11:00 – Andoni Iraola
- 12:30 – Pep Guardiola
- 13:30 – Keith Andrews
- 13:30 – Roberto de Zerbi
- 13:30 – Liam Rosenior
- 13:30 – David Moyes
- 13:30 – Regis Le Bris
