Liverpool

Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday (15:30 BST) in what is the 186th league meeting between England's two most successful clubs.

With four games to go, just three points separate United in third and Liverpool in fourth. A win for Michael Carrick's side will make Champions League football next season a certainty.

Neither side has mounted a serious title challenge, but the Red Devils hierarchy might be wondering what could have been had they appointed Carrick sooner.

Since the Englishman returned to the hotseat in mid-January, United have won nine of their 13 league games (including six out of seven at home) and top the overall form table for that timeframe.

After supplying Benjamin Sesko for United's second against Brentford on Monday, Bruno Fernandes is now just one shy of equalling Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne's record of 20 Premier League assists in a season.

Classy Casemiro will be hard to replace

Fernandes' midfield colleagues, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, also shone against the Bees. Those two players face very different futures, however, with Mainoo signing a new contract this week and Casemiro leaving at the end of the season.

The Brazilian got United's first against Brentford to take his league tally for the season to nine (he was briefly United's joint top scorer until Sesko edged ahead).

Aside from losing his vast experience and leadership qualities, the 34-year-old's aerial ability in the opposition box is unmatched among midfield players. Since making his United debut in August 2022, only centre-forwards Erling Haaland (18), Ollie Watkins (16) and Chris Wood (13) have scored more headers in England's top tier than Casemiro.

Reds chasing Champions League slot

Liverpool make the short trip across the M62 having won three league games on the bounce as they look to secure Champions League qualification for the ninth time in 10 seasons. Five points from their remaining games will guarantee just that.

It is a journey that has been a pleasant one for the Merseyside club in recent seasons - the Reds have won three of their past five league away games at Old Trafford, as many as in their previous 18 visits.

The departing Mohamed Salah has proven to be a constant thorn in United's side over the years, but it looks like a minor muscle injury sustained in the win over Crystal Palace last week will deprive him of one last chance to add to his 13 Premier League goals against Liverpool's bitter rivals – more than any other player in the competition's history.

Looking to life after Salah – with Hugo Ekitike sidelined for several months after rupturing his Achilles tendon – head coach Arne Slot will be hoping Alexander Isak's first Anfield goal, which came against Palace, gives the Sweden striker a timely morale boost.

Isak returned to action this month after breaking his fibula in December and has started just eight games since his British record £125m switch from Newcastle United in September. His next start will be his 100th in England's top flight.

Despite a 2-1 defeat in the reverse meeting in October, Liverpool's recent form against their old foes is generally very good – not since 2015-16 have Sunday's hosts done the league double in this fixture. In fact, the Reds have lost just three of their past 19 league games against United (won seven, drawn nine).

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Arne Slot confirmed on Friday that Mohamed Salah is expected to return to Liverpool action before the end of the season and his departure, after sustaining a minor muscle injury.

However, Liverpool will head to Old Trafford this weekend without the man who has a formidable record against Manchester United.

The Reds will need others to take responsibility - and the focus will intensify on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak when they take on United, Chelsea and Aston Villa over the next fortnight.

Both of the summer signings, who cost a combined £241m, scored against Crystal Palace last time out, but Isak is yet to complete 90 minutes as a Liverpool player and Wirtz is still awaiting a statement performance for the club.

The Germany international is yet to score or provide an assist against any of the Premier League teams currently occupying the European places but, when that was put to Slot on Friday, he insisted it is a "coincidence" and he is "100% sure" Wirtz will start delivering in the bigger games.

His tally of seven goals and 10 assists this season is certainly no room for major concern but Wirtz, who turns 23 on Sunday, would be the first to admit he must do better.

"The development Florian has made in his Liverpool career is so clear and obvious," said Slot.

"In the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace, making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in, and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner - that is something I'm not completely convinced he could do eight months ago.

"His improvement - and he was already an elite player - will only continue. He is only 22, so that makes complete sense. Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25 or 26, but he is already an elite player and he can only become better.

"That is the beauty of the signings we made last summer. All of them are of a certain age where we can only expect them to get better."

Read the full article here

Liverpool boss Arne Slot expects Mohamed Salah to be back for the final part of the season, although the forward has been ruled out of their trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 15:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot said Mo Salah has a "minor injury" and will be back for the final part of the season but not in time for Sunday. He added: "It is a big relief that his injury is minor and he is able to play for us and at the World Cup. If a player deserves a big send off then it is Mo."

• The Liverpool boss said Alisson Becker is "close" to training with the group but has not done so yet. He did say there a difference between an outfield player and goalkeeper in terms of coming back - that "players need to run much more than goalkeepers do" and that [with outfield players] "it's usually that the fitness levels are not at the intensity required for the Premier League".

• Slot believes his team can be "at a much higher level" than they have been in their past three games, which they won. He added: "We've shown already that we can play much better but in many of these games we were very unlucky with the outcome. In the last three games, I wouldn't say we didn't deserve to win but we were more lucky than we've ever been this season."

• He added: "This team is capable of much more but it would be helpful if everyone is available once in a while and that hasn't been the situation throughout the whole season. It's very extreme at the moment the amount of players we have missing."

• The Liverpool boss admitted that converting chances is not something they have done very well this season and said "one of the players that we thought could score a lot of goals for us [Alexander Isak] has hardly been available".

• On the possibility that he will add to his backroom staff this summer, Slot said: "We all know we've lost a member of staff during the season. We parted ways [with Aaron Briggs] so I think it makes complete sense for this club if someone is leaving in a certain department that you are looking at a replacement."

• In the short time Florian Wirtz has been at the club, Slot said the development he has made is "clear" and that he is "already an elite player but he can only become better". He added: "That's the beauty of the signings we made last summer. All of them are at a certain age where we can only expect them to become better as long as they don't get injured."

• On facing Manchester United, Slot said: "We are aware of the fact it's a very big game, not only because we play Manchester United but also to qualify for Champions League and to get the highest possible finish in the league table. We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League for any club but definitely for our club."

• He said United were better than their league position suggested last season and have become "more consistent, especially under Michael Carrick" in their results.

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

Listen to commentary of Manchester United v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:30 BST on Sunday

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James Nelson-Joyce from hit BBC Show This City of Ours joins the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show.

On the change under Arne Slot, Nelson-Joyce said: "I think the thing is for Liverpool fans, for nine years we saw us going into everything 100 per cent, 100 miles an hour and I think even Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines was always up, going for it.

"It has taken some getting used to how we are playing now - it's a bit monotonous.

"We haven't really got a style of play. Slot doesn't really have that thing - this isn't me digging on him - but he hasn't got that thing Klopp had, getting the fans and the crowd going."

Wayne Rooney added: "Klopp was the only Liverpool manager I've looked at and thought 'I'd love to play for him' - obviously not for Liverpool but for him as a manager.

"Slot maybe hasn't got the aura [of Klopp] which could be a good thing or a bad thing."

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The Redmen TV's Ste Plunkett believes it would be the wrong time for Alisson Becker to leave Liverpool, with the goalkeeper linked with a move this summer.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's too many players going out the door. You're losing Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and potentially Alisson.

"There's three of the lads who've been there and done it, got the t-shirt and will always be part of that leadership group they talk about so often.

"To lose all three in a summer, I think would be a real setback.

"I think it's too soon. The only caveat you could put on that is he does struggle to stay fit these days and obviously won't be on little amounts of money."

Click below to hear the full conversation or listen on BBC Sounds

Mohamed Salah could spurn the Saudi Pro League this summer and the Egyptian could instead sign for Turkish side Fenerbahce. (A Spor - in Turkish, external)

Juventus are interested in goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who only has a year left on his contract. (Mail, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Liverpool fan Abigail Rudkin says "it is a massive relief" to know Mohamed Salah is expected to return from injury before the end of the season.

There were concerns that Salah may have played his last game for the club after he was forced off against Crystal Palace on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

However, Liverpool said on Wednesday that the problem is a "minor muscle injury" and that it is "anticipated" the Egypt international will recover in time to feature again before ending a nine-year spell at Anfield.

"You could sense the anxiety among the fanbase," Rudkin told BBC Radio Merseyside. "You didn't know if it was going to be his last game.

"No-one wants to say goodbye to Salah in that way. We all absolutely adore him so the idea that was the last time we'd see him in a Liverpool shirt was really sad.

"It is a massive relief and it means now he can appreciate the games he has left with the fans.

"He probably panicked himself when he went off injured thinking it would be the last time he plays for Liverpool."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on the situation with Alisson, who is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield and is currently out because of injury.

Would this summer be the right time for Liverpool to sell him and, if so, is Giorgi Mamardashvili good enough to step up to number one?

Here are some of your comments:

Graeme: Any club wants to keep its best players and those players are also coveted by big European clubs because they're so good. Alisson is no different - he's a top keeper and has kept the team in so many matches. However, his injuries are frequent and frustrating. With Freddie Woodman making his debut, could this be his moment to become number two, with Giorgi Mamardashvili moving to number one? Whatever happens, Alisson is a legend.

Jimbo: Sell him if we can. Hopefully for big cheese to the Saudi Pro League rather than peanuts to Italy. If he stays, it's simply a downward spiral of absence through injury plus poor kicking when available.

Ian: Mamardashvili is obviously a competent replacement for Alisson or Liverpool wouldn't have bought him, and he has put in some impressive performances in Alisson's absences. If he wants to go then cash in and put the money in the transfer kitty because we definitely need to replace Mohamed Salah and strengthen a weak midfield.

Mark: Should have kept Caoimhin Kelleher - he was great.

Andy: I'd be absolutely gutted if Alisson left this summer - he still has so much to give the team, quite apart from being one of the world's best stoppers. Why would we let him go? We have missed some experience this season and he has bucketloads.

James: I worry about the loss of leadership but other than that we have a very capable number two ready to step up and what looks to be a decent number three who could also step up. There are more pressing issues to resolve than worrying too much about the goalkeeping position.

Neil: Really hope Alisson stays but would completely understand if he wanted a new challenge.

Some of you have been in touch to ask us which Liverpool striker can boast the best goals-per-game figures for the club.

You can ask questions like this via our Ask Me Anything about Liverpool form and we'll try to get answers.

On this occasion, we reached out to our friends at LFChistory.net., external

Their data says the most frequent scorer for the Reds was Gordon Hodgson, averaging 0.639 goals a game.

The brilliant Luis Suarez comes in second on 0.617, with John Aldridge on 0.606.

Hodgson did his work for the Reds between 1925 and 1936, a remarkable spell where he plundered 241 goals.

Mohamed Salah recently surpassed Hodgson's tally and now sits on 257 goals for the club, trailing only Roger Hunt (285) and Ian Rush (346).

So if goals are your marker, Rush is your man. If it's a player who finds the net frequently that is your thing, Hodgson tops the billing.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

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The latest episode of BBC's More Than The Score podcast looks into the rising cost of tickets in top flight football.

Liverpool supporters' have recently conducted protests over a decision to rise admission prices over the next three years.

The club's supporters' union Spirit of Shankly organised the removal of the typical array of flags and banners from The Kop on matchdays and also asked fans in the ground to hold up yellow cards reading 'Caution - Anfield's soul at risk', in the 13th minute during their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Host John Bennett is joined by football finance expert Kieran Maguire and Nils Kern - editor of Real Madrid fanzine, Real Total - to discuss why clubs are becoming increasingly concerned with financial success.

Click play above to hear the full chat or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says "of course" he would "love" goalkeeper Alisson Becker to stay at Liverpool but insists the club will always adapt and evolve when senior players depart.

Earlier this year the Reds exercised the one-year extension option they had on the 33-year-old's contract, which was due to expire in the summer.

However, there has still been speculation linking him with an exit at the end of the season, with reported interest from European giants including Juventus.

"Listen, there is always going to be a day where you – including myself – will go," said Van Dijk.

"But if it's going to happen – and I have no idea about it and I don't think at this point he has an idea about it – then we will, as a club, adapt to that."

Alisson has won eight trophies during his eight years at Anfield but missed 16 games last season through injury and that tally is already at 17 this time around.

"We have been through everything together, positive things and some negative things unfortunately as well, so it would definitely be a big blow and a miss but I don't think, for me, it's a good idea to think ahead about what could or could not happen," Van Dijk added.

"He's very important for me as one of the leaders in the team and I think he is very important on the pitch because I think he is one of the best – in my opinion the best – goalkeeper in the world.

"He's trying to be back as soon as possible to help us for the last four games and that's our main focus.

"Whatever happens after that is not something you should ask me. Would I love him to stay? Of course, there's no doubt about that.

"There are rumours but if there is anything concrete then we will all find out but for me I'm never worried."

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

The future of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been the subject of several questions sent in via our club Ask Me Anything form.

When Arne Slot was asked last week about the possibility of Alisson leaving this summer, the Liverpool head coach did not guarantee he would stay. So there is certainly a chance he moves on.

If the Brazilian, who has been linked with Juventus, was to leave, then it would mean Liverpool losing another experienced campaigner, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson already confirming their exits this summer.

"The people who make these decisions take everything into account," said Slot, when asked about the 33-year-old.

"They try to make the best decisions with the interest of the club. It [experience] is definitely one argument to keep him but there are other arguments. That is a decision the club has to make if that is needed. In the end, he still has one year [on his contract]."

Alisson signed a one-year contract extension in March that would see him through to the end of 2026-27 at Anfield and stop him leaving on a free this summer.

But he missed 16 games last season through injury and that tally is already at 17 this time around.

In Giorgi Mamardashvili, Liverpool have their back-up option ready to step up as a new permanent number one.

So if a reasonable offer was to come in this summer for Alisson, who has played 332 games for Liverpool since joining from Roma in 2018, then there is certainly a possibility that both parties could choose to move on.

What do you think about the situation with Alisson? Would this summer be the right time to sell? And is Mamardashvili good enough to step up to number one?

Get in touch with your views here

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We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

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The Late Challenge podcast's Mo Stewart discussed Liverpool's 3-1 over Crystal Palace at the weekend with BBC Radio Merseyside.

The victory made it three league wins on the bounce for the Reds and one of the biggest takeaways from the game was the performance of third-choice goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman.

He made five saves, his highest total in a single match in the Premier League.

"That Liverpool performance wasn't a million miles away from the ones earlier on in the season," said Stewart.

"On Saturday, those chances came for Crystal Palace but they didn't go in. Chances came for Liverpool and they did.

"The fact Woodman got his name sung on The Kop, not only did they say he should be the new England goalkeeper, but I believe there's merch being made with his name on.

"Liverpool love a cult hero, and I think he's become one over the past two games."

Listen to the full clip here on BBC Sounds

For a third consecutive campaign, Manchester City will not increase ticket prices.

Official Supporters Club representative Kevin Parker told BBC Sport's Manchester City reporter, Shamoon Hafez that "putting prices up in this in the current climate is an absolute no, no".

City have reacted by freezing ticket prices "in recognition of the extraordinary accumulated impact of the current cost of living pressures on fans and their families".

Parker believes other top-flight clubs have "ignored" the current cost of living pressures and that some clubs have "gone way too far" with their ticket price increase.

"Any percentage increase is too far. For City to listen, that is the most important part of this," added Parker.

"Various protests around the stadiums also objected to that [proposed 2.8% increase to Man City tickets], but the club came back and said: 'We have listened and this is what we're going to do'."

City have also introduced a new bracket of adult ticket prices starting at £25 for some midweek Premier League games, acknowledging the difficulties of attending such matches during a working week.

Liverpool fans have already conducted several protests against plans to increase ticket prices before each of the next three seasons.

The move has prompted Supporters' Union Spirit of Shankly to call on fans to work together across the game in order to protect affordable access to matches.

Listen to more Manchester City news on BBC Sounds

Liverpool hope their strong relationship with RB Leipzig will help them land 19-year-old Ivorian attacker Yan Diomande early in the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool are also monitoring Napoli's Sam Beukema, 27, with the Dutch defender a long-term favourite of manager Arne Slot. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gareth Roberts from The Spirit of Shankly supporters' union believes Saturday's ticket price protest sent "an incredibly strong message" to the Liverpool board and wider football clubs.

Fans have become increasingly frustrated with plans to increase ticket prices across each of the next three seasons.

Supporters held up yellow cards in the 13th minute of Liverpool's fixture with Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday that said 'Caution, Anfield's soul at risk' on them.

It is a move that has been orchestrated by Spirit of Shankly.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Roberts said he hopes it won't take people voting with their feet for the club to go back on their plans.

"Spirit of Shankly and other supporter groups are very much open to Liverpool coming back to the table because none of us want to be doing this," he said. "I'd much rather be having a pint with my mates before going in to watch Liverpool but instead I'm spending hours giving out yellow cards.

"In terms of what it might take, 10 years ago there were 10,000 of us that walked out of the ground at the prospect of £77 tickets at Anfield. They subsequently did a u-turn on that idea and we've never had £77 general admission tickets since.

"The majority of Anfield held up the cards - including Palace fans - so that sends an incredibly strong message that lots of people are concerned about the direction it's going in.

"And other clubs should be because if Liverpool get away with putting these prices up then you know that other clubs will follow suit."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds