Liverpool

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Liverpool have announced left-back Andy Robertson will be leaving the club at the end of the season after nine hugely successful years at Anfield.

After signing from Hull City in 2017, the Scotland captain cemented himself as one of the most consistent full-backs in the Premier League and helped the club win their first league title in 30 years in 2020.

During his time at the club, Robertson has lifted two Premier League titles, the Champions League, an FA Cup, two League Cups, the Fifa Club World Cup, the Uefa Super Cup and a Community Shield.

What do you make of the news? Is it the right time for the club to move on from Robertson? And where does he rank among the Reds' best?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as an Liverpool fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: WWWLDL

The next three league fixtures are: Fulham (h), Everton (a) and Crystal Palace (h)

Let us know how you're feeling here

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We asked for your views on supporter group Spion Kop 1906's decision to not display flags and banners in The Kop at Anfield for the rest of this season in protest against a rise in ticket prices.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Dawn: I don't agree. It's pathetic. The rise is small. We need to be realistic. My energy bills have risen by far more than £1, but nobody is protesting about that. The fact is that costs have risen nationwide. In addition, Spirit of Shankly isn't representative of lots of fans. They are doing this to try to remain relevant. I'm OK with the minimal increase.

Brian: Clubs tend to forget the state of the economy and the amount of money fans can actually afford. Greed is the number-one priority for clubs. They fleece the fans, who are the people that keep the club alive.

Jann: I agree with it. Capitalism is stealing the heart from the stands - the fans who are rooted in the history of clubs and who built clubs.

G: I'm a life-long Red, but beggars belief why these entitled fans think they are exempt from ticket price increases. There was no increase last year and they are still whinging, yet they want more signings and to compete. If you don't agree, let your ticket go. There's plenty in the queue.

Richard: It's totally the wrong decision by the fans. We are there to support the players. This will not harm the decision-makers one little bit.

Andy: I don't agree with the fans. The cost of labour and goods has risen over the years, and Liverpool Football Club is a business that needs to move with the times, as do all supporters. If the club rose costs by 30% then you could ask why, but 3.5% isn't breaking the bank. The extra money that is generated will only go to the employees, who are the people of Liverpool.

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Liverpool's defeat against Paris St-Germain: "Arne Slot is not going to get sacked for losing 2-0 at PSG, one of the best teams in Europe, but the defeats are stacking up, and there's the danger there could be more damage next week.

"It feels like Liverpool's confidence is at an all time low. We've seen some memorable European comebacks at Anfield before now - from 3-0 down against Barcelona in 2019 to win the second leg 4-0, for example - but it feels like they are a million miles away from doing anything like that at the moment.

"Next week's match is going to suit PSG because Liverpool are going to have to have a go and come at them - they can't play like this and sit in at Anfield, when they need goals.

"But what does Slot do? Liverpool's system tonight screams 'you are better than us'. If he opens up, they leave themselves vulnerable and they could get battered."

• Watch Match of the Day

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Liverpool fans will not display flags and banners on The Kop for the remaining games of the 2025-26 season in protest against ticket price rises.

The Anfield club recently announced ticket-price hikes linked to inflation, external for each of the next three seasons. In sharing this information with fans, the club pointed to operating costs for matches rising 85% since 2016-17 and "continued rises in the cost of football operations in general".

Supporters' Union Spirit of Shankly have already encouraged fans not to spend money inside the stadium and have proposed protests in the coming weeks.

Now, supporter group Spion Kop 1906 says flags and banners will disappear from this weekend, with the multi-year nature of the price hikes at the heart of frustrations with the club.

The group said: "All Spion Kop 1906 flags will no longer be present at Anfield at the remaining fixtures.

"We feel we have been left with no other option. Year on year the rising costs are pricing more fans out of football.

"We must take a stand against the rising cost of football, we feel there's a value to being valued.

"We, the fans, are the heartbeat of the football club; the same heartbeat that Liverpool Football Club market for a pound note. We urge FSG to remember that our club should embody the identity of its surrounding community and resonate with the values of the surrounding area.

"What is Anfield without its heartbeat. Do the right thing for the future of our game. Listen to the heartbeat."

The group have said the fixture nearest to the anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster - which is next week's Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain - will be the only one that sees some flags present to mark the occasion.

Fans also withdrew flags from a Europa League fixture against Atalanta in 2024 in protest against a ticket price rise - a game Liverpool lost 3-0 in what proved Jurgen Klopp's final European game as a manager at Anfield.

Do you agree with this move in protest against price rises? Tell us

Chloe Bloxam
Fan contributor

I've just got back to the hotel room in Paris after PSG beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League and it's a strange feeling because it's demoralising to see the way Liverpool played tonight, the way we set out and the fact that you know it felt like we didn't really stand a chance in the game.

Also at the same time I was expecting it and I was probably expecting worse than a two-goal deficit. If PSG would have actually put their big big chances away then that game could have been and probably should have been three, four or maybe even five nil.

Luckily on the night Liverpool set up to try and survive the first 90 minutes to try and take something back to Anfield - some form of positivity to just basically to go back to Anfield and try and hope that the tie is still somewhat alive. I don't know how we've got here and I don't feel positive going into the home leg but Anfield is Anfield and magical things can happen.

You know if we get behind the team we can certainly try and create an atmosphere which hopefully can give encouragement to the players but somehow we're still in this tie in terms of the scoreboard and somehow not out of sight which it felt like it should have been tonight because it felt like absolute torture being in that away end.

We were set up not to do anything in the game, but to try and survive. Mamardashvili really makes some big saves. Joe Gomez is probably one of the better players.

But PSG just come away with only two goals. And I say only two as if Liverpool will overturn that - I don't think they will.

I hope that with Anfield and if we all come together, maybe something, just something can happen next Tuesday night. But yes, a game where we were just battered, they are just so much better than us and we're going to have to hope for an incredibly special night on Tuesday if we want to get past this PSG side. It is very unlikely but at least there is still something to fight for in that return leg.

Find more from Chloe Bloxam at The Redmen TV, external

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French football journalist Julien Laurens says he is "not sure Arne Slot's message is getting through anymore" and that he is "struggling" to see the Liverpool boss still in the job next season.

Liverpool's Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance after a demoralising defeat by reigning European champions Paris St-Germain - their 16th loss of the season.

"PSG will look back at the game and think it should have been four or five easily," Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"The stats make such embarrassing reading if you're Liverpool. It's embarrassing what they didn't produce.

"The issue I have with the back five is Liverpool didn't come to play football. This is not Liverpool.

"I don't care if you're in good form or not, you still have good players who can play better than what we saw. Their expected goals was 0.18, they had no shots on target.

"Three shots from the edge of the box all evening, they just did nothing. You can play the back five as long as you come to play football, not just park the bus.

"Somebody was telling me earlier they haven't even worked on that system in training.

"I have to say I'm struggling to see Slot on the bench there next season. This season has been so disappointing. I know it's not just on him, but I think just too often this season they haven't been good enough.

"They should have been much better than they have been and I understand the fans' frustrations around Slot, especially given the lack of intensity. You can look at the Kvaratskhelia goal - an amazing goal but there's 27 passes in that move and that means for 27 passes there is not a Liverpool player close enough to a PSG player to make an interception or a tackle.

"I'm just not sure that Slot's message is getting through anymore."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Wednesday's defeat against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Norman: So sad to see a Liverpool football team walk out onto a pitch knowing they were beaten before the match started. Not one Liverpool player looked confident. The players didn't have a clue what they were doing. There's no spirit in the team, no leader on the pitch and to put five substitutes on and Salah not be one was downright stupidity. Light-weight team, light-weight manager.

Pete: Another abject performance and 6-0 wouldn't have flattered PSG in all honesty - two penalties we managed to somehow avoid along with the red card that would have followed. Slot has lost the dressing room, the fans and seemingly all confidence in himself at this point.

Jason: Parking the bus is the anti-thesis of the Liverpool way. Honestly, I don't know whether to feel angry, frustrated or ashamed. We were extremely fortunate to escape a trouncing. It's only a matter of time before Slot is shown the exit.

Hibbsy: You can't win a football match if you don't lay a glove on the opposition! Just running around, posing without getting stuck in, not committing any full-blooded tackles. At this level, Liverpool's performance is just not acceptable. It's the quarter-final of the Champions League! If you can't compete given what's at stake maybe you are not fit to wear the shirt.

Jimmy: Pragmatic. Intelligent set up from Slot to limit damage in Paris, but could have been undone by hopeless Konate (again). Brief spells such as the beginning of second half where we showed glimpses of attacking prowess. First time I've seen Mamardashvili show that he might have what it takes. I'm saying 3-1 to the Reds on Tuesday and we go through on pens.

Fran: The team looked like they struggled with the new formation and although we only conceded two we were so, so fortunate. I don't think it was worth making such wholesale changes. And let's not kid ourselves; we aren't coming back from this, Anfield or not.

Peter: Absolutely dire, Some players should be totally embarrassed by their performance. Arne Slot - his substitutions are mind-bogglingly wrong most of the time. Forget this season, it's a total loss.

Mark: No shots on target and 26% possession. Need I say more? Slot to go.

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Jamie Carragher says the gulf between Liverpool and Paris St.Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final was "absolutely startling".

The Reds, who failed to register a shot on target at Parc des Princes, have a two-goal deficit to overturn in next week's second leg.

"In some ways it's actually a great result for Liverpool because it should have been five or six in that game. The gulf between the two teams was absolutely startling," the former Liverpool defender told CBS Sports.

"When you consider last season, yes Liverpool got battered at PSG and they won 1-0, we know that but the second leg at Anfield was a really close game - two top teams.

"Liverpool then go and spend £450m, probably a lot more than PSG spent in the summer and to see the gulf there is worrying, you think how has it got to that, how has it got that bad?"

Reds boss Arne Slot switched to a back five and Carragher says it is the most "uncomfortable" he has seen Virgil van Dijk in a Liverpool shirt.

"At 34 years of age he was having to run in there, run across, he couldn't do it," Carragher added.

"People have criticised Van Dijk this season about his performances and I think it has been harsh because he plays every game, the fella next to him has just been awful all season, he was poor again [against PSG] Ibrahima Konate, he makes a mistake every game so that's not easy to play alongside.

"I still think Van Dijk has been one of Liverpool's better players but in that back three I have never seen him so uncomfortable in a Liverpool shirt in my life and I think he'll be pleading with Arne Slot to never play that system ever again because he found it so tough.

"It's not just the system of Liverpool and getting it wrong tactically, PSG were absolutely out of this world and the biggest compliment I can give them, it was like watching Pep Guardiola's Barcelona."

Did you know?

• Liverpool have lost four consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since between February and April 2012.

Arne Slot spoke to TNT Sports after Liverpool's defeat against Paris St-Germain: "If you reflect on the whole game I think we are lucky with only losing two nil. The first goal felt hard. I think it was very good for us we are still in the tie, we can bring them to Anfield and we know how good Anfield can be for us."

"I watched the game yesterday between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. You need performances like that, you need a hardworking team that do everything against a team like PSG. When we needed Alisson Becker he was there for us. He played a good game today."

On whether they created enough chances: "Yes and no, yes because we want to create much more chances, no because there was not a lot to create for us. We tried many times to get them high, but they were able to play through us when we went man-to-man. I think that happened in the second half as well. There were a few times with players in promising positions."

Virgil van Dijk spoke to TNT Sports: "Tough, tough work. Always expected. I think we defended with a lot of bodies around the box. Unfortunately, the first goal is a deflection. We get some small moments on the break where we could have done better.

"But now it's a quick turnaround, and we have Fulham waiting for us as well."

On playing with a back five: "They always move around everywhere. We have to communicate and follow your man and take risks in that sense. As well and wait for the right moment to win the ball. Hopefully, we can be much better, especially possession at Anfield.

On the second leg: "We have to be absolutely spot on. Hopefully, our fans can play a big part in that. Our fans are the backbone of the club, and hopefully they can be there for us."

Did you know?

• Liverpool have lost three consecutive matches in all competitions for the third time this season. It's the first time they've had three or more runs of three or more consecutive defeats in a campaign since 1953-54, when they were relegated from the top-flight.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Arne Slot sent out the "wrong signal" by playing a back five in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg in Paris.

The only other time Liverpool had previously fielded a back five this season was in their Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat by Crystal Palace in October.

In their 2-0 win on Wednesday, PSG had 74% of the ball and 18 shots to the Reds' three.

"That was the English champions against the French Champions and ours weren't anywhere near theirs," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Liverpool came to the Parc des Princes not in a good run of form, with their confidence very very low, as a team that are creaking.

"That's the reason Slot played a back five but as soon as you play a back five it sends the wrong signals out. That's not playing to Liverpool's strengths, it's defending their weaknesses and defending against what attacking problems that the opposition are going to give you.

"In [Achraf] Hakimi, [Nuno] Mendes, [Kvicha] Kvaratskhelia, [Desire] Doue, Arne Slot knew the problems his team would have in wide areas and they were so submissive just by playing that formation.

"Throughout the whole game you look at the possession stats. From a Liverpool point of view, if they had done a smash and grab and got away with a 0-0 or a 1-0 victory or 1-0 defeat it'd be 'OK, they've come here and done a job'.

"But, there was nothing good about that performance from Liverpool. By the way they have set-up and then played tonight, they have sent out the wrong signal."

Did you know?

• Liverpool failed to have a shot on target in a UEFA Champions League match for the first time since November 2020 against Atalanta.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been outstanding for Paris St-Germain in the Champions League this season. He has seven goals in Europe.

Former Wolves loan signing Vitinha scored a hat--trick against Tottenham in the Champions League earlier this season. He has also scored against Newcastle and Chelsea in the competition this season.

Paris St-Germain XI: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Zaire Emery, Vitinha, Neves, Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Subs: Chevalier, Marin, Lucas Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Goncalo Ramos, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Fernandez, Mbaye.

• Follow the action live

Jeremie Frimpong and Alexis Mac Allister return for Liverpool, replacing Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah, who missed a penalty at Manchester City at the weekend.

Alexander Isak is on the substitutes bench after recovering from injury which has kept him out since December.

Virgil van Dijk has played every minute of every game for Liverpool in the Champions League this season.

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike.

Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Isak, Salah, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha.

Image source, PA Media

Florian Wirtz has said there is still plenty for Liverpool to play for in the closing weeks of this season.

The Reds are battling to qualify for next season's Champions League and exited the FA Cup on Saturday, but remain in Europe's premier club competition and face holders Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday.

"Of course we wanted to have a better season up to now," said Wirtz. "We had some goals this season - the team won the Premier League last season and it was, for sure, the aim for this season as well.

"We are still in the Champions League so there's still something to play for. [There is] also qualification for the Champions League next season so we still have goals we want to achieve.

"We wanted it to be better but there's still something to play for."

Asked about having the team having a chance to end a disappointing campaign with success in Europe, the Germany international added: "It's a very big competition and Champions League games are always special.

"We try to enjoy it, go as far as possible and hopefully get through this round. We know it's difficult because the best teams in the world are playing in the Champions League. It's good to play against these teams and see where you are."

• Listen to the press conference with Wirtz on BBC Sounds

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year.

The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions.

The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight.

Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42).

If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League.

The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place.

If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too.

Liverpool have joined Newcastle in monitoring 21-year-old Italy defender Marco Palestra, who is currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta. (Teamtalk, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Paris St-Germain at Parc des Princes (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Alexander Isak will not start for the Reds in Paris, but could play some part as the 26-year-old striker returns from injury. "He can play a part otherwise I wouldn't have taken him [to Paris]," said Slot. "I decided not to take him to the Etihad [against Manchester City on Saturday] because we felt in talks with the player and the medical staff that we were not able to get a performance out of him yet."

• On captain Virgil van Dijk saying Liverpool "gave up" during the 4-0 FA Cup defeat by City, Slot said he "did not see players giving up" when Liverpool trailed by four goals but added: "I think it is good from a captain that he has a strong and firm reaction like that. Hopefully, it is not only just immediately after the game, but we can, as a team, show a strong and firm reaction tomorrow evening."

• Despite the scoreline, Slot said he can take "confidence" from the opening 35 minutes of the City match. "The first 35 minutes gives me confidence we are able to go toe-to-toe against a team that, along with PSG, is one of the best or the best two teams in open play. They are the hardest teams to play against in open play because of their quality and because of the way they are managed," said Slot.

• On facing Luis Enrique's side: "Paris St-Germain showed last season that they do not give you any second of time to have the ball comfortable at your feet. It is press, press, press every second of the game."

• Slot said "it is nice to get a second chance" after PSG knocked Liverpool out of last year's Champions League on penalties. He said: "A lot can happen in two games. By the way, we deserved to lose here last season 4-0 [in the last-16 first leg, which Liverpool won 1-0] much more than we deserved to lose 4-0 [against Manchester City]. That game, it was only thanks to Alisson that we didn't lose 4-0. At Anfield, it wasn't completely the opposite and it wasn't as if we deserved to win 4-0, but I think we deserved to win that game."

• On how Liverpool can turn things around after an "inconsistent" season: "I think the answer lies in the history of Liverpool. This club has always shown that in tough moments that they stand up again. We have had a lot of tough moments, we've stood up a few times, but then fallen down. This club has shown many times that we can do very special things in difficult circumstances."

Listen to Slot's press conference in full on BBC Sounds

Listen to full commentary of Paris St-Germain v Liverpool on Wednesday at 20:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Got a question about Liverpool? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

There's a legitimate argument that Liverpool were the better team against Manchester City until the first goal went in.

But this argument becomes meaningless when this is the 25th time it's happened this season. The pattern is so painful and boring.

Here's what happens: Liverpool start well but miss chances. Liverpool concede when on top from lazy defending. Liverpool lose belief and stop playing aggressively. Opponents gain confidence and dominate. Arne Slot blames the performance on moments.

Slot is right that it's moments that change the game and set the narrative. But the manner in which Liverpool players basically quit at the Etihad is on him.

Even if his players choosing when to fight isn't his fault, he'll ultimately get the blame. That's just how it works.

Some of the players have been an absolute disgrace, however. I'm not talking about Mo Salah, whose legs and confidence have gone simultaneously. He's still trying, he's just no longer a world-class player. Maybe Virgil van Dijk isn't either. In hindsight, Ryan Gravenberch was never one.

It's PSG or bust for Slot and this bizarre iteration of a Liverpool team who were favourites for the Premier League and Champions League at the start of the season.

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