'Story of the season' - Westerveld on Chelsea drawpublished at 12:52 BST 11 May
12:52 BST 11 May
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have lost the "perfect balance" that they had last season, says their former goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, as the "story of the season" continued in Saturday's draw against Chelsea.
Arne Slot's side took the lead early in the first half against the out-of-form Blues, but their "passive" approach cost them three points as they failed to confirm Champions League qualification.
"It's the story of this season," Westerveld told BBC Radio Merseyside after the match.
"All the injuries, not fit players and Curtis Jones playing right-back again so it's never really a fit team. They start well and score a great goal but we can't get it over the line. They can't dominate the game or ball possession and Chelsea played very well. They found space too easy and we gave them too much space at the back."
Westerveld added: "Last season, I think what Slot did was get that 100% forward play, that aggressive pressing from Jurgen [Klopp] – he changed it a little bit to dominate the ball and keeping the ball a little bit more and the balance was perfect.
"But this season it seems the balance has gone the other way; too passive, you play the ball around the back for too long to each other, nobody is moving and at the end, even the crowd starts booing.
Ben: Yet again, Liverpool look like the Liverpool from the 90s/2000s: a lot of hope and expectation, but no end product and struggling against teams that others have been knocking seven bells out of. Although it looks like Champions League football should be coming back to Anfield next season, barring a serious problem, it should still be with a different manager at the helm. Slot is not the person to take the club forward, especially given how backwards they have been this season!
Chris: Liverpool's greatest strength is arguably the Anfield crowd, with whom Slot's relationship is hanging by a thread. His job must be too.
Erik: Just flat, devoid of ideas and seeing the season out really. Really hoping for change and some spark next season.
Fuzzy: No pressing, no intensity, no identity, no passion. If Rio was subbed because of an injury, then fine. But if it was another Slot tactical change, it was criminal to take him off, because he was our best player going forward. As for Slot, no ideas!
Chelsea fans
Tristan: Finally, we have found some courage and confidence. Again, conceding early and a disappointing second half but this is a boosting performance. Although we are not going to do it, let's just keep on believing for Champions League football and pray Villa win the Europa League.
Andrea: I thought that we were much improved. We created chances and were on top for some parts of the game. We could have won it during the second part of the first half.
Edmund: Excellent performance by these Chelsea lads. Proved they still can put up a fight. Hopefully, once we sort out our manager's position, we will be back to our usual Chelsea self next season. But the appointment of our manager must be an inspiring and competent one. No more experiments.
Pete: Chelsea are a young team but they are not playing consistently as a team yet. Can somebody teach them to put in a well-managed game, with some flair, and know when to tighten up? Will anyone stay as manager long enough to do that? Everyone who knows football understands multiple managers within a season is a sign the owners do not understand.
Boos 'hurt' but 'it's a reaction to the whole year' - Gomezpublished at 11:03 BST 11 May
11:03 BST 11 May
Image source, Getty Images
Defender Joe Gomez says "it does hurt" to hear the Liverpool crowd voice their frustrations but they are "entitled" to do so after a disappointing campaign.
Not for the first time this season, there were loud boos at full-time at Anfield on Saturday after the Reds' 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
"We've all said on record a few times this year that we know this is not where we want to be and the position we want to be in," said Gomez. "We get it, we understand it.
"I guess it just is a summary of our year and it's a reaction to the whole year, and that's fair enough.
"The fans pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us and they're entitled to show their frustration, in the same way they cheer us."
On whether he finds it hurtful, he added: "We feel it. It's the last thing we want.
"For us older boys who have experienced so many good times here it does hurt. If it didn't, then you shouldn't still be here. We want to make it right."
Saturday's draw means Liverpool have now dropped nine points from winning positions in Premier League home games this season, their most at Anfield in a single campaign since 2015-16 (14).
"The main thing is that we're a team and we understand that in the dressing room we don't come in after a result like that without disappointment," Gomez said.
"There's frustrations and there's been plenty of voices and discussions and meetings from different people – staff and players.
"The black and white thing now is that we need Champions League football. That's the objective.
"Then we dust ourselves off and we go again and go into the [next] year and have a good start."
'I've never heard a crowd get onto a manager so much'published at 09:31 BST 11 May
09:31 BST 11 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison believes there will be "some big question marks" around Arne Slot after fans booed his decision-making in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The Dutch head coach took Liverpool's bright spark Rio Ngumoha during the second half at Anfield, a decision which was widely booed by the crowd.
Morrison said: "Liverpool started off brilliantly and got a goal through Ryan Gravenberch but they just sat back after that, let Chelsea back into the game and made mistakes.
"I've watched Liverpool so much this season and they are so passive. They don't go and press the ball like they did under Jurgen Klopp, they just let teams back into games.
"Then Arne Slot went and took off the one player who was taking the ball on and giving his side a spark in Rio Ngumoha this weekend, all because he wanted to keep the likes of Cody Gakpo on.
"I've never heard a crowd get onto a manager and a group of players as much as I'm currently seeing at Liverpool. It is a club known for having some of the best fans, who always stick with the team and the management.
"So there are going to be some big question marks over Arne Slot."
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards added: "I've got a lot of Liverpool supporting friends and they have turned, they have gone.
"They feel the team and the players have regressed. They aren't sure that the players look like they want to play for the manager anymore. They feel there is no passion or determination. They feel there isn't really an identity there.
"Now that is pretty harsh for any manager, isn't it? It is very hard to win back a fanbase when they are turning inside a stadium."
Gossip: Liverpool speak to Real as they consider Alonso appointmentpublished at 08:17 BST 11 May
08:17 BST 11 May
Liverpool have spoken to Real Madrid about Xabi Alonso's brief tenure with the Spanish club as they consider whether their former midfielder is a future managerial candidate. (AS - in Spanish), external
Italy full-back Andrea Cambiaso has emerged as an option for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United as Juventus could make the 26-year-old available for transfer this summer. (Teamtalk), external
Liverpool 'lack identity' - Rooneypublished at 11:01 BST 10 May
11:01 BST 10 May
Media caption,
Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney says Liverpool have "no identity" and Arne Slot's players look disinterested against Chelsea on Saturday.
"They haven't got an identity in how they play, the players don't look like they're interested in playing for the team and the fans are seeing that now," said Rooney on BBC Match of the Day.
"Liverpool fans usually give their players and manager time, and are patient with them, but I think they are starting to lose their patience."
Ashley Williams added: "They made a lot of changes in the summer and it's taken a long time to integrate them.
"But going forward, I'm not sure which of these players Arne Slot will try and build his team around and who are his core players.
"At the minute, I don't see where they are going."
Analysis: Another missed opportunitypublished at 15:59 BST 9 May
15:59 BST 9 May
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The booing at full-time from the Liverpool crowd told you exactly what the fans made of yet another disappointing display.
When they took the lead in the sixth minute, Chelsea were there for the taking, but this Liverpool side lack intensity and their xG (expected goals) score of 0.51 in the end was their lowest in a Premier League home game since March 2021.
Liverpool have now dropped nine points from winning positions in Premier League home games this season, their most at Anfield in a single campaign since 2015-16 (14).
Arne Slot's decision to take off Rio Ngumoha in the 67th minute will be debated and perhaps the Liverpool boss made it with the best interests of the 17-year-old in mind, but the truth is that his side lacked any major threat once the youngster went off.
And ultimately, this was another missed opportunity for Liverpool against a side who earned their first Premier League point in 66 days.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: What Slot saidpublished at 15:01 BST 9 May
15:01 BST 9 May
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the performance: "We started off really well, scored a goal, went really close to a second with a set piece, and then after that we struggled to control the game. They were able to find their midfielders a lot, they played with a lot of midfielders, so our timing of picking them up wasn't always perfect. After that spell, they were the better team without getting big chances.
"They scored from a set piece which led to 1-1, so in the second half we changed our set-up a little bit in terms of how we wanted to press. That led to them scoring a goal straightaway, which luckily for us was offside. But afterwards we did that much better than in the first half, which meant we could control the ball more, hit the post and hit the bar - but it just didn't go in."
On the supporters' reaction to him taking Rio Ngumoha off: "I can completely understand that they wanted to see him longer. What they probably didn't notice is that three minutes before it he fell to the floor with cramp. I had a contact with him about playing on but he was really doubting it. He gave the signal that he had to come off. I knew it wasn't the most popular decision."
On whether having to wait to qualify for Champions League football is frustrating: "Yes because we wanted to qualify for it weeks ago. It isn't the season we're having though. Sometimes it is really hard to accept these results because we are used to different ones, but we have to keep fighting as we saw in the second half. We have to go on to Villa Park."
Did you know?
Liverpool have dropped nine points from winning positions in Premier League home games this season, their most at Anfield in a single campaign since 2015-16 (14).
Excluding penalties, only Bournemouth (19) have conceded more goals from set pieces than Liverpool (18) in the Premier League this season.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane makes five changes, including giving a first start of the season to Levi Colwill after his return from a serious knee injury.
Goalkeeper Rob Sanchez and teenage forward Jesse Derry are ruled out after sustaining head injuries last week, with Filip Jorgensen in goal and Chelsea switching to a back five to compensate.
Academy attackers Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Mathis Eboue are included in the matchday squad at Anfield.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Colwill, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Joao Pedro
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Bournemouth" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Brentford", for instance.
Liverpool v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:08 BST 8 May
19:08 BST 8 May
Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday (12:30 BST), with both sides looking for a late-season lift.
Reds hope to avoid landmark defeat
Liverpool's place in next season's Champions League could be confirmed this weekend, which would bring some relief in what has been a difficult campaign, one that captain Virgil van Dijk says has been "very disappointing" and "unacceptable".
Last weekend's defeat at Manchester United meant Liverpool's old foes had done the double over the Reds for the first time in a decade. Liverpool finished 42 points clear of United last season but look set to finish behind them in 2025-26.
It also meant Arne Slot's side have suffered 18 defeats in all competitions this season, the most since they lost 19 in 2009-10. Another defeat would be only the fourth time that Liverpool have lost more than 18 games in a campaign since 1962.
But they do now have the chance to bounce back against another big rival in the shape of a woefully out-of-form Chelsea, who have won on just one of their last 10 Premier League visits to Anfield, a 1-0 victory in March 2021.
Arne Slot said recently that the summer represented the start of a new cycle and he has a lot of things to sort out.
They include how to bolster a defence that has conceded two or more goals in 16 different Premier League matches this season, their second-highest such figure.
Chelsea's goal search
Bar an upturn in form and a helping hand from Aston Villa, Chelsea's minimum pre-season target of Champions League football will be missed.
Any hope that FA Cup semi-final success would permeate into their league form was quashed with their lacklustre home defeat by Nottingham Forest on Monday, described by interim boss Calum McFarlane as "massively disappointing".
It's now six league defeats in a row for Chelsea – another at Liverpool means they will equal their worst-ever such run of seven in a row, set in 1952.
The problems have come at both ends. They have scored just once in their last six games - Joao Pedro's injury-time consolation against Forest - which ended a run of 565 minutes without a league goal.
The Brazilian striker is Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions with 20 goals but it is in the league where his 15 goals have been most vital, given the lack of contribution from most of his team-mates, bar Cole Palmer.
Joao Pedro has been directly involved in seven of the Blues' past nine league goals, scoring six and assisting one. He and Palmer have scored 10 of Chelsea's last 11 league goals, with the other coming from an own goal.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Chelsea have conceded in each of their last 13 league games, letting in three goals in four of their past five.
The Blues need to arrest their alarming league form or they are in danger of suffering their worst league finish this century, which was when they were 12th in 2022-23, the first season under current owners BlueCo.
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Chelseapublished at 19:07 BST 8 May
19:07 BST 8 May
Liverpool still look like they will finish in the Champions League places even after their defeat by Manchester United last time out, but that result was the latest disappointment in what has been a poor season by their standards.
Chelsea have bigger problems, however. It is all falling apart for them and, after six straight league defeats, they are down in ninth place and absolutely desperate for a result here.
I just don't see them getting anything at Anfield though. Cole Palmer looks a shadow of the player we know he is and they are struggling defensively too.
Criticism, transition and discontentpublished at 17:20 BST 8 May
17:20 BST 8 May
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It was interesting to hear Arne Slot suggest that even if Liverpool win their last three games with very good performances, that would still not silence the criticism that has come his way.
The Liverpool boss is well aware of the atmosphere surrounding his side at the moment, after a season that has seen them lose 18 times already across all competitions.
And even though Champions League qualification could be secured this weekend, this will always be a season where Liverpool have underperformed and failed to live up to expectations.
Captain Virgil van Dijk used the words "disappointing" and "unacceptable" after their defeat to Manchester United. With Chelsea, who have lost their last six Premier League games, visiting on Saturday, Liverpool simply need to deliver.
And both the players and manager will know the importance of trying to finish the season with a flurry ahead of what Slot described as "a bit of transition" that awaits this summer.
The Dutchman insisted that he is looking forward to the future, rather than worrying. If Liverpool can finish the season with an element of positivity, then perhaps such thoughts will be justified - otherwise the discontent from the fanbase will only grow.
Slot on fitness issues, criticism and mentalitypublished at 14:15 BST 8 May
14:15 BST 8 May
Huzaifah Khan BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Anfield (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news, Slot said Alexander Isak was back in training yesterday and they will see how much he can do today to "see how much we can use him tomorrow".
He added that Alisson and Mohamed Salah haven't trained yet but are "close" to returning and Giorgi Mamardashvili will train today and they will "see how he is going to react".
On the latest on Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate, Slot said: "Ibou had a personal reason not to be there [training on Wednesday] but was yesterday and today again and Florian was a bit unwell but he trained with us yesterday also."
On their current form and performances, the Dutch boss said: "Usually this goes hand in hand, if you have good performance, it usually leads to results. That's why performances are very crucial and important. It is not always like that in football, sometimes you can have a poor performance and still win. Over the long term, it helps if your performance is good."
Did you know? Liverpool have lost 11 Premier League matches this season, their most since the 2014-15 campaign under Brendan Rodgers, when they lost 12.
Slot added: "The first and main aim is to qualify for the Champions League and we have shown this season we need a good performance to get results. The opposite has been true a lot of times, where we've had a good performance, but the result wasn't there. And we've not had many times a poor performance and still had a result. We need to have a good performance to win a game."
Did you know? Liverpool have conceded two or more goals in 16 different Premier League matches this season – only in 2012-13 have they done so more often in a campaign (17 games).
When asked about having a positive end to the season, Slot responded: "This season has gone in a way that even if we have three wins and three positive results, I don't think everyone will still be positive about how the season has been."
Slot added: added: "Three wins won't silence the criticism. Therefore, we need to have a much longer run of results and performances. That is not where we are focused on now, the focus is on three more games. Next season will also be different in terms of personnel."
On mentality, Slot said: "For me, mentality has absolutely nothing to do with age. It's more about the personality of the player. Of course, you can inject it in the transfer market but we have a lot of players who have the right mentality to play for this club."
Can Reds edge to Europe in a 'mediocre season'?published at 09:12 BST 8 May
09:12 BST 8 May
Chloe Bloxam Fan contributor
Media caption,
Liverpool take on Chelsea at Anfield this weekend.
Two very inconsistent teams who will have had higher expectations going into the season and have been really, really poor by their standards.
I'm really hoping that because it's at home, Liverpool can get the job done. I do still think it's going to be tough, though. Chelsea on their day have superstars who can cause Liverpool danger, especially the likes of Joao Pedro, who scored a great goal against Forest in the last couple of minutes.
And as for Liverpool, there are rumours that Ibrahima Konate wasn't in training on Wednesday, nor Florian Wirtz, and we don't know whether Alexander Isak will be back.
We don't know what's happening with the goalkeepers on whether Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili will be back, or if Freddie Woodman's got to play. So it could still be a heavily weakened Liverpool side who have to go into this game.
I'm really hoping that the crowd can get on board and with Liverpool stepping back on the ticket price increases, hopefully it means that the flags and banners can be out on The Kop and we can try and help the Reds get over the line.
Settling for top five is not what we should be doing at Liverpool, but that is all that's left on the table and Liverpool desperately need to get Champions League football next season.
It is vital for the way that we work, our structure and how we buy and sell players. So it's a big, big game.
It's always great to beat Chelsea as well, who are a tough side and one we've had some battles with in the past.
I'm really hoping that Liverpool get the three points and hopefully all the results go our way so we can secure Champions League football in a very poor, mediocre season.
Gossip: Reds eye Barcolapublished at 08:00 BST 8 May
08:00 BST 8 May
France forward Bradley Barcola could leave Paris St-Germain in the summer, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona interested in the 23-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany, external)
James: It does not go far enough. Ticket prices in the Premier League are vastly inflated and does not feel inclusive of the ordinary fan. This is a sport where exuberant prices are paid on transfer fees and wages and, currently, there is no balance or realism to look after the fans.
Mo: Compared to most items, the increase is not bad. We, as supporters, have to decide what we can afford, but the club has to make good business decisions.
Paul: Poor performances do not warrant any price increases. Based on the level of performance this season, I think that the ticket prices should be heavily discounted.
James T: You have to accept it is a business and price rises are inevitable to keep the club competitive. At least there is a dialogue between fans and ownership. Far better than many clubs.
Tony: We need to find a sponsor for Anfield that could generate up to £20m a season and would mean there was no need for ticket price increases. I understand it's an emotive subject, and any solution must include retaining the Anfield name, but we can't ignore this obvious source of significant income.
Rob: I get it (the protests), but this has a real knock-on effect for the club's morale, performances on the pitch and therefore results. If people aren't happy, I'd happily take their ticket for me and my seven-year-old boy, who has never been and asks every month or so when we can go. It is frustrating to see yellow cards being waved at players when, for so many, the wait for a seat goes on!
Eug: Should reduce prices. Clubs make money from TV and sponsors. Not fans.
Richard: Liverpool are losing their way at the moment. Slot needs to go. The club needs to respect fans, the lifeblood of the club. Tickets and season tickets are already too expensive. This is another FSG misstep, like their former European Super League foul-up.
Proposed price rise 'would have been unprecedented'published at 17:58 BST 7 May
17:58 BST 7 May
Media caption,
Liverpool fan Gareth Roberts, from the Spirit of Shankly supporters group, says a "sensible decision" has been made in the end regarding ticket price increases.
Roberts told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It would have been unprecedented among any club that we're aware of, to put prices up locked in for three years.
"That was a real concern of ours in terms of direction of travel and what it said to other football clubs who may then follow suit.
"It is every credit to them that they've listened, they've taken stock and come up with something else. I think there are plenty of club leadership [groups] elsewhere in the league that simply wouldn't do that and have proved that."
Roberts added: "All the time it just seems that clubs and people running clubs are trying to squeeze more and more from match-going fans.
"All supporter groups like ours are trying to do is stem that tide and change the conversation a little bit.
"All we are saying to Liverpool, to the Premier League and to football clubs generally is - can you not come together here and consider what you've got, what is brilliant about English football and what you're potentially killing by just making prices higher and higher every year?"
Image source, Getty Images
