Warnock expects Slot to leave Liverpoolpublished at 12:06 GMT 3 March
12:06 GMT 3 March
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock does not believe Arne Slot will be the club's manager next season.
The defending champions are fifth in the Premier League table - and in danger of not qualifying for next season's Champions League.
"No I don't," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast when asked if he thought Slot would start the 2026-27 campaign in charge.
"It's a big ask for them to get a Champions League place. It's going to be very difficult. They're so inconsistent that I don't see them winning every game until the end of the season. It's going to be very difficult for him to stay in charge.
"They're nowhere near where they'd like to be. It's not gone to plan at all."
When asked if he would want former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso to replace Slot, Warnock said: "I'm not too sure whether that's the right decision - that's more of a nostalgia thing where people want that romance.
"At Real Madrid the football wasn't fantastic, but he had a very difficult changing room and tried to change the culture."
Warnock will be the BBC Radio 5 Live co-commentator for Tuesday's match between Wolves and Liverpool (20:15 GMT).
Wolves v Liverpool: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 08:55 GMT 3 March
08:55 GMT 3 March
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Wolves go in search of back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, while victory for Liverpool would send them fourth. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Tuesday's match at Molineux (20:15 GMT).
Better than Derby – but what next for Wolves?
Wolves' second league win of the season came too late to give them a meaningful chance of staying up, but at least it took them past an unwanted milestone. Friday's victory over Aston Villa gave them 13 points, meaning they have eclipsed Derby County's all-time Premier League low of 11 in 2007-08. Manager Rob Edwards admits that record had been "hanging over" the club and that moving beyond it means a lot to supporters.
Despite that win, Wolves are still 14 points from safety with nine games remaining and have a 99.98% chance of being relegated, according to Opta's probability model. So what could be the next target for Edwards?
On only eight occasions has a Premier League club earned fewer than 20 points, so if Wolves want to avoid being in the conversation as one of the top flight's worst sides, that's a mark they will need to surpass. Wanderers' club record in a completed league campaign, meanwhile, is the 25 points they earned when finishing bottom in 2011-12 (once other seasons are adjusted to three points for a win).
More importantly, a strong end to the season could give the club momentum and confidence to carry into the Championship in 2026-27. Edwards called the win over Villa a "special moment in a really difficult season" and is keen to re-establish a "connection" with the Molineux faithful.
Beating Liverpool would certainly help do that, though the omens are not promising. Wolves have been beaten in 83% of their Premier League games against the Merseysiders, the highest loss-rate by any side in any fixture contested at least 20 times in the competition's history. That includes defeats in 17 of the past 18 meetings, including the previous six.
Liverpool were among the biggest beneficiaries of Wolves' victory against Villa and if the Reds can win at Molineux they will replace Unai Emery's side in fourth place – for at least 24 hours.
After hard-fought 1-0 wins at Sunderland and Nottingham Forest in February, Liverpool are vying for a third consecutive Premier League away win. The only time they have managed that under Arne Slot came at the start of the Dutchman's reign, when he won his first four top-flight matches on the road.
The reigning champions beat West Ham 5-2 at Anfield on Saturday, becoming only the second Premier League side to score three first-half goals from corners.
Slot said on Monday that the increased emphasis on set-pieces means most Premier League games are no longer a "joy to watch", adding that "my football heart doesn't like it". But he was also pragmatic enough to acknowledge "that's the new reality" in the English top flight – and it is a reality the Reds are belatedly embracing.
Slot's team scored a league-low three goals from set-pieces in the first five months of the season. They also struggled to defend dead-ball situations, leading to the departure of specialist coach Aaron Briggs on 30 December. But since the turn of the year, it has been a very different story, with the Reds scoring nine set-piece goals – more than any other side.
'Kerkez's energy and dynamic style shouldn't be mistaken for rashness'published at 14:46 GMT 2 March
14:46 GMT 2 March
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
One of the strangest things about Liverpool this season is that, as we approach March, nearly all the multiple expensive signings added to a title-winning squad are performing well, yet the Reds still lie in fifth place.
Hugo Ekitike is brilliant. Jeremie Frimpong is rapid and creative. Florian Wirtz's absence because of injury is so obvious. We cannot yet judge the long-term absentees Alexander Isak and Giovani Leoni.
And the one who's almost impressing me most at the moment is Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian was labelled an Alberto Moreno clone early on. He's a far, far better player.
Yes, he's feisty, but his energy and dynamic style shouldn't be mistaken for rashness. His delivery against West Ham was sublime, as it was in previous weeks too.
What's more, Cody Gakpo has started to see his overlapping runs, which is making us a much better team.
Early on, there was a legitimate argument that Andy Robertson should still start. Not any more.
Liverpool have endured such a strange season. And yet, with the Reds drawn against Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16 and a winnable potential quarter-final versus Chelsea or Paris St-Germain, it could still be brilliant.
The return to form of Ibou Konate and Kerkez finding his Anfield feet have massively helped.
How Liverpool's Morrison is 'shining' as a leaderpublished at 12:06 GMT 2 March
12:06 GMT 2 March
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Kieran Morrison continued his fine run of form with another two goals for Liverpool U21s in a 4-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday. Also on the scoresheet for Rob Page's side were Prince Cisse - son of former Liverpool striker Djibril - and Will Wright.
And Page hailed 19-year-old Morrison, who has now scored 10 goals in his past six Premier League 2 outings and led the side in recent weeks. Liverpool are currently fourth, with three games remaining in the regular season.
"You see him work hard in training and giving him the armband has given him another lift as well. We've given him that responsibility and he's absolutely shining with it," said Page.
Morrison, who made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup this season, primarily operates as a right winger who likes to cut in on his left foot, but can also play in midfield.
The Northern Ireland youth international has been training frequently with Arne Slot's side and been on the bench for the first team on a number of occasions.
And Page said the biggest difference this season has been Morrison's "maturity".
"I saw from day one that he had ability but there were certain things he was doing, not just on the field but off the field too," he added.
"Giving him the armband has made him step up and say: 'Well, I can't be the class clown any more and I have to lead by example.' He's doing that and some, and I'm so proud of him."
With Liverpool's ongoing injury crisis now including uncertainty over Florian Wirtz's back injury, Morrison may feature more in the coming weeks and Page insists he is someone who can "rise to the occasion".
Asked what the conversation was like when he gave him the armband to Morrison, who was with Manchester United until he joined Liverpool when he was 13, Page said: "He wants to please people. It's a great trait to have, so it's nice for us to be able to give him those moments.
"Some players can't handle the pressure but some people rise to the occasion and he's absolutely done that. He relishes it."
Slot on Wirtz, Gakpo's form and VAR inconsistencypublished at 09:50 GMT 2 March
09:50 GMT 2 March
Luke Reddy BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux (kick-off 20:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Slot expects Florian Wirtz to be back from injury next week: "The game tomorrow is probably too soon and maybe the weekend as well."
Slot said he has to wrestle with how to manage the fit-again Jeremie Frimpong to balance his body against the significance of games: "We play three games in seven days. Those things you have to take into account, especially with players back from injuries. But we also know the importance of every game. I prefer to have this problem - managing how many minutes I give him than to see him with the medical staff doing recovery."
On how significant Cody Gakpo's goal was for the forward, whose form has been under scrutiny: "I don't judge them only on the goals they score. Attackers are also judged on if we keep a clean sheet. I know how our attackers think and what they want - to score goals. I was happy - it gave us a more comfortable cushion - but also happy for him to score. I think he needed that goal."
Asked if Gakpo has lost some confidence, Slot replied: "I don't think his confidence has gone. But a few times recently he made different decisions than I am used to. That doesn't mean a lack of confidence but when a player hasn't scored they start to think more. Overthinking is not the best thing you can do. That's different to confidence - they know they can have a spell without scoring."
Asked about comparisons made between a red card for Maxence Lacroix for Crystal Palace at Manchester United and a similar incident when Marc Guehi was allowed to stay on for Manchester City at Anfield, Slot said: "The only difference is Mo Salah is pulled by the shirt by Guehi and Lacroix is a hand on the shoulder. The moment I saw it, knowing what happened with us, VAR is checking if it's a penalty or inside the box, but will never give a red card for this. Surprisingly, it was a red card."
Slot said VAR often cites a lack of mistakes across a season but, in his view, inconsistencies between decisions are like mistakes themselves. He added: "We have to make sure we don't depend on these decisions. We have to play our game and be so good. Sometimes decisions go against you and you have to make sure it doesn't hurt you."
The Liverpool boss was asked about the changing nature of the Premier League, with set-pieces and entertainment value becoming a hot topic: "When I watch other leagues, I don't think there's so much emphasis on set-pieces. Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it. Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not a joy to watch. But it is always interesting as it is so competitive and everyone can beat everyone."
More on this: "As someone who just loves to watch football, to be enjoyed, I think there's a difference now to three or four years ago. Not only the set-pieces, also because teams are so much stronger. If you go to a kids' game, amateur football, I wouldn't be surprised if you saw kids focused on set-pieces. That's the reality. I have my opinion on it, but it doesn't change."
Ian: The time is lonng overdue for Jeremiah Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha to start matches. The team felt more balanced when they were brought on. I cannot understand why tiredness is an issue and why it matters if it was at the beginning or end.
Jon: The result disguises some worrying problems for us defensively. On too many occasions the defence and midfield gave the ball away sloppily. To be 3-0 up and still nervous about them getting one goal to change the game at Anfield is not the Liverpool we have seen in the past. A few sitters missed by some of the team didn't help us and, I must say, what Mohamed Salah has been for us in the past is no more - zero work-rate from him and should have been dragged off the pitch early second half. Take the positives, which are three points and five goals, but against this West Ham team it could have been better.
Rae: A good result, five different goalscorers [one own goal] - which is just as well as Cody Gakpo and Salah are still off form. The main difference, though, is that other players are finding form - Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez. Lots of work still to do.
Ravi: Top performance from the Reds. We were clinical, and to score five (it should've probably been more!) is always a positive thing. Six in seven now - let's keep the momentum going!
West Ham fans
Richard: I hope the 'Moyes Out' crew at West Ham take a long look at themselves in the mirror. While Everton are chasing Europe, we are chasing survival. Some fans seemed to think we still had Bobby Moore at the club when David Moyes was manager, and even winning the Conference League wasn't enough for them. That was the beginning of the rot and, along with David Sullivan and Karren Brady (who wanted to keep Moyes), the fans who wanted him out have played a part in our downfall.
Neil: If we'd played like that in the first half of the season we'd be challenging for Europe right now... why has it taken half a season?
James: The cliche of ‘the season is not going to be defined by this result’ comes to mind. It was always going to be tough, but West Ham must not let this curtail their previous good form.
Chris: Disappointing they let the game get away from them so quickly and from set-pieces, where we had tightened up so much in recent games. Positives were we took two goals and had plenty of other chances. We also didn't give up, despite the scoreline. I don't think it'll change much, but I hope the goals conceded don't cost us dear at the end of the season.
Liverpool 'in a good place' - Gakpopublished at 07:21 GMT 2 March
07:21 GMT 2 March
Media caption,
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo says the team must "look at what's in front" after coming out of a "difficult" period earlier in the season.
The Reds' win over West Ham on Saturday was their third in a row.
"It means a lot," he said. "We are in a good run at the minute.
"We want to continue this run until the end of the season. We are in a good place at the moment. We still have a lot to fight for so we need to stay focused and together and improve.
"We want to finish the season strong."
The Reds are now fifth in the Premier League - which is likely to be enough to secure Champions League qualification - three points above Chelsea and three points behind both Aston Villa and Manchester United.
"It's up to us to put the pressure on them," added Gakpo.
"Obviously, we came from a difficult situation for ourselves, but now we are coming out of that situation and we have to look at what's in front of us. That is where are minds are set."
Gossip: Real Madrid rival Liverpool for Schlotterbeckpublished at 06:51 GMT 2 March
06:51 GMT 2 March
Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck's contract at Borussia Dortmund runs out in 2027 and the 26-year-old, who has been linked with Liverpool, is one of Real Madrid's top targets for the summer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Deadly at dead balls as Liverpool 'go back to normal'published at 12:34 GMT 1 March
12:34 GMT 1 March
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Since the turn of the year, Liverpool have scored more goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) than any other side in the league.
It's a stark contrast to the campaign up to the new year when no one in the Premier League had scored fewer goals than Liverpool from set-pieces.
Seven of Liverpool's most recent nine Premier League goals have come from set-pieces (5 x corner, 1 x direct free-kick, 1 x throw-in), one more than in their first 38 goals of the season. All three of Liverpool's goals in the first half against West Ham came from corners.
"It's very pleasing because firstly that is the reason we have won," said Slot.
"Second of all, people said well played, and in my opinion we have been better when we lost and better when we conceded from set-pieces.
"The first half of the season, almost every set-piece we conceded went in. Now we start scoring from set-pieces and things start looking brighter and better than when you don't."
At the end of 2025, former set-piece coach Aaron Briggs left the club. The existing coaching staff at Anfield have absorbed his duties.
When asked what had changed about his team, Arne Slot said: "Things went back to normal.
"We have created quite a lot of chances in the first half of the season that too many times did not go in. Maybe one or two small details have changed defensively and offensively.
"Our set-up is slightly different, but the biggest reason is that things go back to normal. There was a time when we were 23 goals behind Arsenal, including penalties, and we have closed the gap a bit."
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 10:41 GMT 1 March
10:41 GMT 1 March
Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
Liverpool 5-2 West Ham: What Slot and Mac Allister saidpublished at 19:06 GMT 28 February
19:06 GMT 28 February
Media caption,
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It could have been more than that [goals scored]. Although the goals were not from open play. Big chances, a lot of goals from set pieces were involved. Two for them, three for us and an example of how important set pieces are in football.
"We are a team that gets a lot of corners through the whole season but we struggled a lot in the first half to score from it and we mainly conceded in games. In the last few weeks we are more and more able to score from set pieces and the results look better as well.
"It didn't feel to me like it was a 5-2 game. That is what set pieces can do to a game. I have experienced it so many times the other way. So many times we have been the better team but losing because of set pieces."
On momentum: "We have had momentum but if you have a run of games like we had, so many losses in a row, you fall back a lot. Now for a long time it is very hard to beat us. We are improving, that is obvious. In open play but also set pieces and we are getting more results."
On how much credit Joe Gomez deserves: "Because of how professional he is, but even more because of the person he is. He works so hard to be fit and stay fit and every time he has a setback it is so disappointing for him and for us.
"Playing with a right full-back that can also play as a centre-back also means you have aerial threats in - what I am saying for the 500th time - set pieces."
Liverpool midfielder Alexis MacAllister speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Yes, we could have scored more. They had some chances as well. I prefer to be positive and see the fact we scored five goals which is really good."
On West Ham not being able to reduce the gap to one goal: "That was because in the attacking phase we were really good. We know we need to improve a couple of things, especially defensively because the gaps are too big for us.
"It is what it is, the good thing is that we won. The gap is smaller with Aston Villa and all the teams on top. We a really happy with the result and we need to keep improving."
On scoring four goals in the last month: "I really like it, I really like getting in the box and scoring goals. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. Happy because I can help the team and at the same time I can gain some confidence."
On the team gaining momentum: "Now that we spend some time together, things out easier for us, we understand each other. The last four or five months is when teams show what they can do. That's what we want. We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League for the club and us as a team. The goal is there and we are going to do everything to qualify and be closer to the teams on top."
Virgil van Dijk has scored 28 Premier League goals, as many as Gary Cahill, with only John Terry (41) recording more among central defenders in the competition's history (ex. penalties).
Eight of Hugo Ekitiké's 11 Premier League goals for Liverpool this season have come since the start of December, no player has more in that time
Analysis: Reds far from brilliant - but clinicalpublished at 17:22 GMT 28 February
17:22 GMT 28 February
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Perhaps the most impressive aspect from a Liverpool perspective was the fact they virtually put this game to bed in the first half. That has been a rarity this season.
Though they did make it hard from themselves, losing the ball carelessly on a number of occasions, there can be few complaints when you score five in a game.
Liverpool were far from brilliant - but Arne Slot's men were clinical and, for the first time this season, they scored three goals in the first half of a league game.
Before this game, you had to go back to 13 December for the last time Liverpool scored a goal before the 41st minute in a league game at Anfield.
But they were 2-0 up after 24 minutes on Saturday - and ended up scoring five in a Premier League match for the first time since they beat Tottenham in April to clinch the title last season.
Four of the five goals involved some kind of deflection, but they all count the same.
In terms of goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties), Liverpool were joint-bottom between the start of the season and 31 December.
But in 2026 they are leading the league - with eight set-piece goals so far this year.
Slot will also have been encouraged to see Joe Gomez start at right-back and the return of Jeremie Frimpong from injury, but Mohamed Salah remains without a league goal in his past 10 games.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Everton", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v West Hampublished at 11:18 GMT 28 February
11:18 GMT 28 February
I keep hearing how West Ham have turned a corner, and they have improved recently, but I still thought last week's draw at home to Bournemouth was a poor result.
The Hammers were helped by Nottingham Forest and Tottenham both being beaten, but a win would have been massive for them.
Liverpool were very unconvincing at Forest, but they did nick the win.
Some of their fans are still whinging about Arne Slot and he is always being compared with Jurgen Klopp, but they are actually on a decent run of results and showing a bit of spirit too.
They are right in the mix for the top four but now they need to keep winning - I expect them to do that on Saturday.
Liverpool v West Ham: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:45 GMT 27 February
19:45 GMT 27 February
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Relegation-threatened West Ham travel to Liverpool in search of what would be only their fourth top-flight win at Anfield.
When scrapping in a relegation battle, Anfield is arguably the last ground West Ham would want to visit to try to pick-up some much-needed points.
The Hammers have won just three of their 63 top-flight visits to Liverpool and only one of those – in August 2015 – has come since 1963.
Encompassing home games, their overall record against the Reds is also poor, with a solitary victory in their past 19 encounters.
At least boss Nuno Espirito Santo has a win at Anfield on his CV having masterminded his then Nottingham Forest side to their first win at Liverpool in any competition since 1969 with a 1-0 top-flight victory last season.
However, the eight defeats the Portuguese has suffered in the Premier League against the Reds is his most against any side.
At least the Hammers come into this match in form. The 11 points they have accrued over their past six league games is as many as they had mustered from their previous 18.
They were left extremely frustrated by their goalless draw with Bournemouth last Saturday, during which they had 20 shots and an xG of 3.27 that was comfortably the highest by a Premier League side not to score in a game this season.
They did, though, find comfort at the other end of the pitch as they recorded a second clean sheet in three matches, equalling their tally across their previous 35 league games.
Liverpool increase unbeaten run but not hitting top form
Liverpool extended their run to just two defeats in 20 matches with a victory at Nottingham Forest last weekend, but they were again unconvincing.
The Reds had to rely on a Premier League record-extending 48th winning goal in the 90th minute or later to secure the three points that keeps them in the mix for a Champions League spot.
It was their third injury-time winner this season - the most of any side - and only one short of their record for a Premier League campaign set in 2008-09.
However, given Arne Slot's struggles with the club's injury list, players losing form and an increasingly restless fanbase, a win is a win.
After back-to-back 1-0 victories, they are now targeting three wins without conceding for the first time since Slot's first three games in charge of the club.
Following their Anfield defeat by Forest, who were 19th in the table at the time, in November, the Reds will be desperate to avoid losing two Premier League home games in a season against sides starting the day in the relegation zone for the first time since 1992-93.
One further statistical quirk involving these sides: Liverpool have scored the lowest share of their goals in the opening 45 minutes of top-flight games this season - just 31% (13 of 42) - while West Ham have scored a Premier League high 59% of theirs in the second half of games (19 of 32).
Image source, Getty Images
