Liverpool

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Even if Liverpool progress past Galatasaray in the Champions League, there is still uncertainty that Arne Slot will be in charge next season, believes former midfielder Didi Hamann.

The Reds, and under-pressure boss Slot, will have to overturn a one-goal deficit at Anfield on Wednesday night to reach the quarter-finals.

It would keep alive another route into Europe's top club competition as Liverpool struggle to secure their place via the Premier League, less than a year on from winning the title.

"I don't think he [Slot] is handling it too well. He came out with a statement this week that the Liverpool faithful is always very loyal to the managers," Hamann told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Obviously you need results and they probably overachieved last season by a long way by winning the league. But they did win the league, they spent an awful lot of money in the summer and you would expect them to at least challenge for the title now, but it's not even certain they will get in the Champions League next season.

"It is vital they go through tonight, but even if they do so I'm not sure Slot will still be the manager for next season because, you have to say, the form is poor. The fans seem to lose faith in the manager and in the team and I think it is a very toxic situation at the moment."

Listen to the full discussion from 2:23:00 on BBC Sounds here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

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Two 1-0 wins over Liverpool already in this season's competition will give Galatasaray a psychological advantage, if nothing else, going into this second leg.

A night under the lights at Anfield will pose tougher questions of the Turkish side, who have won just one of their five away games in Europe this term.

"We can do better, I'm 100% sure about that," said Liverpool boss Arne Slot after last week's defeat. They will have to.

Did you know?

• The Turkish Super Lig leaders have won only one of their 12 previous European away matches against English teams (D3 L8). They drew 0-0 at Anfield in February 2002 and lost 3-2 there in September 2006.

• Galatasaray are targeting a first Champions League quarter-final appearance since 2012-13.

• Okan Buruk's side have kept just three clean sheets in their past 33 European matches.

Galatasaray player to watch - Victor Osimhen

The joint-fourth top scorer in this season's competition with seven goals and one assist, Osimhen's penalty was the winner when the teams met in September. The 27-year-old initially joined on loan from Napoli in September 2024, having helped Gli Azzurri to a first Serie A title in 33 years. The transfer was made permanent for 75m euros in July. In total, the Nigeria striker has scored 28 goals in 39 games for club and country this season.

Who else?

In a squad containing high-profile ex-Premier League stars such as Leroy Sane, Davinson Sanchez and Champions League winner İlkay Gundogan, it's the ex-Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira who keeps things ticking over. A mainstay of Galatasaray's three title-winning squads this decade, the 30-year-old Uruguay stalwart has scored at Anfield twice before - in August and October 2019, both for Arsenal.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Liverpool once again struggled to look like, well, Liverpool. In the end, they were caught by Tottenham, which is bordering on criminal. The Reds had everything in their favour. A goal ahead, at home, against an injury-ravaged side with no confidence.

The narrative is that Spurs fought back gamely and maybe there was a flicker, but that isn't what I saw.

Igor Tudor's men didn't play particularly well on Sunday, giving the ball away far too easily and looking unlikely to create much as a result of their collective self-belief being shot to pieces over the past few months.

Yet Liverpool still let it slip at Anfield when the battle for the Champions League places should have been enough to rouse a better performance.

With the defeat by Galatasaray still smarting, the visit of the Turkish side for the second leg on Wednesday could well be the most important game of their season so far.

Not good when they were so average against Spurs.

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If Xabi Alonso replaces Arne Slot as Liverpool boss he would target Inter Milan's Italy 26-year-old defender Alessandro Bastoni, Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 22, and Paris St-Germain's France winger Bradley Barcola, 23. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool's Richard Hughes is on a three-strong shortlist to become the new sporting director at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson says they have all been trying to help boss Arne Slot "find the answers" in a difficult season.

The Reds face a crucial last-16 second leg at home to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday where they will need to overturn a one-goal deficit to progress.

It comes amidst pressure on Slot from fans as they show their frustration over disappointing results and performances.

"He's stayed calm and tried to find the answers. We've all tried to help him and we are all pushing in the same direction," Robertson said.

"Obviously the pressure is a bit bigger on all of us at the moment because the results have not been there. You have to perform and get the results and when you don't the scrutiny is bigger. He has obviously faced a lot more scrutiny than last year and so have us as players. It's up to us to stand up to that.

"We are all good enough to be at Liverpool and it's up to us to show that. If we do, I am sure we can turn the tide back towards the way we want it to go."

The defending Premier League champions have failed to back up last season's title-winning form all campaign and Robertson feels they are still struggling to understand why that is.

"It's hard to be able to put your finger on why we have not been able to get that consistency this season," the Scotland defender added.

"It's been a huge frustration for all of us. We've all been trying to put our finger on it and trying to demand it, working towards it, but for whatever reason we've not quite found it yet.

"We can't give up trying. We need to try to fight through it and find that consistency because that is the only way we can try to turn this season around.

"Time is running out, games are running out but we have got a chance tomorrow night to get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League which would be good for us."

Hear more from Robertson below or on BBC Sounds here

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Galatasaray at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot confirmed they will decide on Wednesday whether Joe Gomez will be available for the match as he had "too much issues" after Sunday's game and is now "a doubt" for Galatasaray. Ibrahima Konate is fit to play but the Reds boss also confirmed that striker Alexander Isak is still not fit to return for this match or the weekend.

• More on Isak's fitness, after he trained alone on Tuesday: "The fact you see him on the pitch tells you that he gets closer and closer to joining us again. Not really [any timeframe on his return] but he will not be available for Saturday as well. When you don't train with the team yet you are not ready to play."

• Slot said the sprinting he saw after they conceded late against Tottenham showed "they are willing to fight, which they have done this whole season and as long as I've been here", adding: "There haven't been many games where we haven't been outworked or where we haven't created more chances than the other team have created. So our players will show that mentality again."

• On fans booing and becoming restless with results: "People told me when I came here this club is different to other clubs - they will support a manager for such a long time. If it is true what you are saying [that fans are becoming restless] - I don't feel this at all - then I must have done a lot of things wrong and that's never a nice feeling to have."

• Asked about what the lyrics of You'll Never Walk Alone mean for him in this moment, he responded: "We always feel we have support of fans so we never feel we walk alone. Sometimes you feel this after you lost and walk in, sometimes feel alone. But players, staff, family, always there to support after a game. I've never felt alone since I have been here."

• On comments made by former defender Jamie Carragher about them being a team of individuals: "I should have seen it and haven't and don't know the context as to why he said it. I have agreed with lots of things he has said before this season, but this I don't. After so many disappointments this season, to concede late, we could have given up but didn't. A team that has given up, a team of individuals, doesn't show this resilience."

• On facing Galatasaray with a one-goal deficit to make up: "It's difficult because we have played twice against them and lost twice against them. The good thing for us is that it is the first game we play at home [against them] and we have the support of our fans, which will be supportive again tomorrow night because that is what they have always been and will always be for this club."

Hit play above to hear more from Slot or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Liverpool v Galatasaray on Wednesday from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Tuesday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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After more dopped points over the weekend against a relegation-threated side in Tottenham just a couple of weeks after drawing with bottom-placed Wolves, it led to vocal disgruntlement from fans.

BBC Sport pundit Wayne Rooney believes the club will have to have "conversations" this summer if results don't improve under boss Arne Slot and they miss out on Champions League qualification.

Our Liverpool fan writer suggested on Monday the Dutchman "needs to save his job on Wednesday" against Galatasaray as supporters lose patience with "painfully tepid" displays from the team.

We asked you what you believe the club should do about the current manager, and an overwhelming 82% suggested he should go either now or in the summer. Here is a breakdown of the responses at the time of writing:

• Sack Slot now - 42%

• Sack Slot in the summer - 40%

• Keep Slot - 18%

You can add your selection here

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It is going to be "really difficult" for Liverpool boss Arne Slot to get fans back on side, says former defender Jamie Carragher.

After losing their lead to draw late on with relegation-threatened Tottenham on Sunday, audible boos could be heard around Anfield.

Despite winning the Premier League less than 12 months ago, the Reds' style of play and a string of disappointing results have led to discontent among the fanbase.

"The bigger point is how worrying [the form] is for the manager," Carragher said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football.

"I think there is a difference with most support with what we see online compared with the match-going fans. For a lot of this season when people have turned on Arne Slot, the match-going fans have stuck with him.

"It's not easy for a Liverpool crowd to turn on a manager who has won a title 12 months before, but I felt there was a big shift [on Sunday] in terms of how the crowd felt about their Liverpool team and their manager.

"The booing at the end, that was real booing. That was a proper unhappy and disgruntled fanbase. I think it is going to be really difficult now for Arne Slot to get them back. Once you lose that crowd it is very difficult.

"Something really special could yet happen, like a Champions League, or maybe you win the FA Cup and qualify for the Champions League. But I think a lot of supporters have gone on the back of what has happened in these last couple of weeks especially."

Liverpool are eyeing up a potential deal to sign Real Madrid and France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 23, this summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Arne Slot needs to save his job on Wednesday. If Liverpool don't qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, there is no reason to keep him on for next season.

This is how bad it's got. I have run out of patience with the Premier League-winning manager. I really did not think I'd be in this position, even during the team's worst run back in December and January.

But it's so painfully tepid. The football is slow and boring, and the team isn't creating big chances, despite Slot's claims to the contrary. The mental fragility of a side so prone to defensive lapses is equally painful.

The biggest thing for me, though, is that the fans have lost connection with whatever his team is trying to do. Jurgen Klopp inspired his team and the supporters, but Slot's dull, whingey news conferences - in which he has blamed luck, our opposition and everything in between - have lessened appetites for glory.

While we're still in the Champions League, he has my full support. When we're out, I'm 'Slot out'.

We need something fresh for next season. These players are too good - supposedly - to be serving up this rubbish every week.

Are you 'Slot in' or 'Slot out'? Make your choice here

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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Is Arne Slot under pressure?

Poor performances and a leaky defence make Liverpool look very different to the side that lifted the Premier League trophy 10 months ago.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney believes the club will have to have "conversations" this summer if results don't improve under Slot and they miss out on Champions League qualification.

"As champions, you'd be expected to finish in a Champions League spot," said Rooney on The Wayne Rooney Show. "I'm sure they'll have conversations if he [Slot] doesn't."

Following Sunday's draw with Tottenham, the Reds have now conceded eight Premier League goals in the 90th minute or later this season - their most in a single campaign, surpassing seven in 2010-11.

But more importantly, those eight goals have all cost the Reds points and means they are now fighting for a top four finish with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea.

"There have been times when they've been good and times when they haven't," Rooney added. "They had lots of new signings so they'd be hoping for a Champions League spot."

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

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We asked you about Liverpool's priorities for the rest of the season and where Arne Slot stands.

Here's what you said:

Ben: The only ways for this season not to be regarded as a failure would be either winning a trophy or qualifying for next season's Champions League - or both. We shouldn't have spent the money we did in the summer to end the season with nothing. That would show that we have gone backwards, not forwards, and would seriously ask questions of the management.

Erik: Liverpool winning the CL would make Slot a bit of a sly genius and also secure his position for next season.

Thom: Arne Slot has show an Amorim level of stubbornness when it comes to team selection, tactics and tweaks... take Gakpo as an example. I wasn't a 'Slot out' kind of fan, but since January I've found it difficult not to agree with that stance. However, a cup? Champions League, FA Cup or even both! The FA Cup would be a satisfactory season, Champions League would be a successful, both would be incredible. It wouldn't take away the questions around Slot, but it does buy him time. Get players back from injury, reinforce the squad in the summer and go again next season.

Eddy: It's irrelevant whether we focus on the league or the FA Cup or even the Champions League. If Slot insists on playing the way we are, it's ugly football, with over reliance on players such as Salah and Gakpo, who are just not good enough at the moment. Slot is out of ideas, and before too long probably out of all of these competitions - which is ridiculous.

Keith: Enough is enough, Slot has got to go now! Not at the end of the season, NOW!

Gareth: This was potentially going to be a transition season after the multiple signings made in the summer and so it has transpired. Results have been frustrating, game strategy and squad selection somewhat confusing. Some of the new signings haven't quite bedded in as may have been expected and certain established players have seen a huge drop in their performance levels (no player is TOO BIG to be dropped) which has resulted in inconsistent performances/results. However, Slot is the man for the job going forward and fans should have patience as I'm sure when we have a full strength, fully fit squad then we'll see the best of this team.

Scott: I don't think it's about trophies, but rather getting UCL football next season. Obviously winning the CL would get us that, but the FA Cup only gets Europa League on its own. The goal should be either to win the Champions League or finish in the top four or five, which are both easier said than done.

Stevie: Liverpool will be better next season. Wirtz for me is the new Dalglish, give him time. And we still have something to fight for this season. Fellow fans, be positive!

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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One positive for Liverpool against Tottenham was the performance of 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha on his first Premier League start.

He became the first player to attempt seven or more dribbles in a Premier League game and complete them all since Matheus Cunha for Wolves against Aston Villa in May 2023.

Ngumoha had previously made 11 substitute appearances in the league, and featured in each cup competition this season.

"I think I have said two months ago, he progressed so well as a 16-year-old and now 17 he is progressing well," said boss Arne Slot.

"A performance like today will only help him to get more minutes for this club.

"I have 12 or 13 players that are able to bring good performances. Rio is doing that well it makes sense to play him."

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James said that giving up a win against Tottenham won't matter if the Reds can qualify in the Champions League.

The hosts were on track to claim all three points at Anfield before Richarlison equalised in the 90th minute on Sunday - which James said was something of an inevitability after Liverpool took a slim lead into the second half.

"If you look at Tottenham's results since Igor Tudor has been there, they're not good," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"But if you look at the way the results have panned out, there is a consistency - Spurs lose the first half and generally don't lose the second half.

"I felt that if Liverpool didn't put it to bed early, Tottenham were going to have a chance of getting back into it."

On Wednesday, Liverpool will host Galatasaray for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

Overcoming a 1-0 first-leg deficit to stay on the path to silverware is more important than the Reds' Premier League standing, James says.

"Liverpool would love to qualify in the Champions League position - but they need to win a trophy," he said.

"They need or want to win the trophy more than focusing on finishing fifth.

"Win the Champions League or the FA Cup and I think Liverpool fans will think this is a good season. And I agree.

"There's always frustration because you expect to win the game. Everyone expected Tottenham to roll over and Liverpool to win comfortably. As long as the focus is there for the game against Galatasaray, the Tottenham result won't matter so much.

"The main focus will be trying to win the Champions League. Within the plan, Arne Slot will be OK."

You can catch up on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on BBC Sounds.

Would winning a cup mark a good season for Liverpool? Would it be enough to redeem Slot amid a lacklustre Premier League campaign? Is the Champions League attainable? Let us know your thoughts.

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ben: I think Slot has to go sadly, it's been dire football since being knocked out the Champions League last season. Even before that the football was turgid but the results were good. The slow predictable football has been there since slot took over, winning the league last season was much to do with Man City's deficiencies rather than Liverpool brilliance - much like this season's probable winners.

Jack: I don't know what Slot has done to this team, but they genuinely look cowardly. Terrified to attack, terrified to defend, and even terrified to play a risky pass more than 5 yards away. We made Tottenham look like a Champions League winning team, not a side fighting a relegation battle. If we play like this on Wednesday against Galatasaray we can say goodbye to the Champions League for a couple of years, and probably by to Slot for good.

Paul: I've had enough of this - no drive, no desire and no passion. Slot has ripped the heart and soul of this team. He has to go and needs to be sacked now. Unacceptable.

Alan: Absolutely shocking yet again. This MUST change and change very quickly. Starting to think Slot is not the answer, same answers to same questions and nothing changes. We will not win a trophy this year.

Spurs fans

Pat: Players showed lot of heart and courage, at times though making very basic mistakes. A better Liverpool side would have punished them. Nonetheless, a great point. Have to now stick with Tudor. Keep taking each match at a time, and keep fighting for each other.

Richard: At last a performance of which Spurs fans can feel proud - full of effort and determination, and richly deserving of a point, and heads didn't drop even when going behind. Maybe the team have finally got the meaning of playing for the shirt - more of the same, please!

Dave: A terrific unexpected vital point gained and well deserved. We showed some resilience and everyone put a shift in with no sign of the farcicle unravelling we've seen recently. Particular praise for Richarlison and Tel. Is the Tudor effect kicking in? The attitude shown at Anfield must continue in order to stay up. Same goes for our fans. No eerie atmosphere at home please, the anxiety is palpable and is not helping the team. COYS.

Kevin: Best team performance for ages. Dragusin and Danso don't give you pace or finesse, but they get their heads on everything and put their bodies in the way. Leave Micky Van de Ven and Romero on the bench and play the youngsters. Hope at last?!

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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In over a quarter of their Premier League games this season, Liverpool have conceded either an equaliser or a losing goal after the 90-minute mark.

Five have been winning goals as they were beaten by Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Manchester City and Wolves.

Three have been draws - against Leeds, Fulham and now Tottenham, although that Fulham game had seen the Reds take a 2-1 lead in the fourth minute of injury time themselves before conceding three minutes later.

By comparison, Liverpool have won three matches with last minute or injury-time goals, with two of them coming in the first four games of the season.

Without those late concessions the Reds would be on 60 points and pretty much have a Champions League spot wrapped up.

Instead they are fifth - which will probably be enough for a place in next season's competition - but only one point above Chelsea, who lost at the weekend to Newcastle. Aston Villa, who are two points clear in fourth, were also beaten by third-placed Manchester United on Sunday.

"This is an absolute disaster in terms of Champions League qualification," said ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.

"With Aston Villa and Man Utd playing each other, someone was going to drop points.

"It was coming, I was saying it all second half. They have been sleepwalking. Liverpool were all over the place."

Reds boss Arne Slot admitted: "We have conceded far too many goals to pick up the amount of points that this club and I am used to."

Liverpool are not exactly air-tight in the stages before the 90th minute either.

They have conceded 15 league goals from the 75th minute onwards. No other team in the league have let in more in the final 15 minutes.

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Charlie Adam says his former side Liverpool "looked laboured" against Tottenham and that's why they were ultimately "undone" by a late equaliser by Richarlison.

"It's the dynamism and quality at the top of the pitch that's missing," Adam told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Arne Slot left Mohamed Salah out of the team again and played Jeremie Frimpong on the right-hand-side.

"Yes, he has pace and power but he doesn't have the quality of Salah.

"Everyone felt Liverpool were going to win this game easily but they looked laboured.

"There's no given right to win any football match in the Premier League, but they didn't play to the level they are capable of and that's why they were undone by a Richarlison goal.

"It's two points dropped."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds

• Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham

• Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Scouts from Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona have been closely monitoring 21-year-old England and Newcastle defender Lewis Hall. (Caughtoffside), external

Clubs in England and across Europe have made contact with Liverpool about the availability of 25-year-old Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. (Teamtalk), external

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