Liverpool
Alisson Becker Set to Return for Liverpool Against Girona, Confirms Arne Slot

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is poised to make his comeback from injury in the Champions League clash against Girona, having traveled with the squad to Spain.
Alisson, who has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace in early October, has resumed training and appears ready to start. Manager Arne Slot confirmed the Brazilian’s availability during his pre-match press conference.
“It’s a huge boost to have Alisson back. He has been phenomenal for Liverpool over the years and equally outstanding for the Brazilian national team,” Slot remarked. “Having him available again is fantastic. However, Caoimhin [Kelleher] has performed exceptionally well in his absence, so the competition between the two is very healthy for the team.”
Slot expressed confidence in Alisson returning to form quickly, saying, “Alisson has set such high standards for this club, and we expect him to maintain that level in the months ahead.”
Minimal Changes Expected Despite Strong Squad Position
Following the postponement of Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, Liverpool had a rare weekend off. This has left the squad well-rested, and Slot hinted at maintaining continuity in his starting lineup for Tuesday’s game.
“We might have stuck with the same lineup even if the Everton match had gone ahead,” Slot explained. “But skipping that game allowed everyone to remain fresh and ready. There’s little reason to rotate heavily for this match, though there may be considerations for future fixtures.”
One forced change will see Alexis Mac Allister miss out due to suspension. However, Alisson’s return in goal is expected to be the most notable adjustment, while other positions are likely to remain consistent with last week’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle.
Slot also touched on the postponed Everton game, noting, “It was the right decision to prioritize safety. A derby like that deserves to be played under proper conditions, and now we have a fully fit squad heading into this crucial Champions League tie.”
Liverpool, already in a commanding position to secure a place in the tournament’s last 16, will aim to solidify their dominance against Girona with a strong and rested lineup.
Liverpool
Why Liverpool’s Press Conference Was Cancelled After Arne Slot’s Derby Dismissal

Controversial Premier League Rule Silences Reds Boss After Fiery Goodison Park Clash
Liverpool opted out of their usual post-match press conference following Wednesday’s chaotic Merseyside derby against Everton after head coach Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were both sent off in the aftermath of a dramatic encounter.
The intense showdown at Goodison Park ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Mohamed Salah seemingly securing victory for Liverpool before James Tarkowski’s last-minute equaliser sparked wild celebrations and a pitch invasion by some home fans. The heated climax to the match led to a mass altercation, with Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure at the heart of a post-match scuffle after the Liverpool midfielder reacted to Doucoure’s exuberant celebration in front of the away supporters.
As tensions boiled over, referee Michael Oliver handed out multiple red cards, including second yellows for Jones and Doucoure. Slot and Hulshoff were then shown straight red cards for their heated protests over the controversial VAR decision that allowed Tarkowski’s goal to stand. Liverpool strongly believed the goal should have been disallowed due to Everton striker Beto’s challenge on Ibrahima Konate.
Due to their dismissals, Slot and Hulshoff were barred from attending the post-match press conference, as per Premier League regulations introduced at the start of the 2023/24 season. These rules prevent managers who receive red cards from participating in media duties, including interviews with TNT Sports and the BBC.
Under normal circumstances, Hulshoff would have taken Slot’s place for the press conference, but his own sending-off made that impossible. As a result, Liverpool were left without representation in the media room following the game.
Looking ahead, both Slot and Hulshoff are expected to serve a one-match touchline ban when Liverpool take on Wolves at Anfield this Sunday. This will likely see assistant coach and former Everton player John Heitinga assume a leading role on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Jones will also miss the Wolves fixture due to suspension, while Everton’s Doucoure is set to be sidelined for their upcoming clash against Crystal Palace. The Toffees also face an additional setback with in-form forward Iliman Ndiaye joining their growing injury list after limping off in tears during the first half of the derby.
Liverpool
Arne Slot Praises Liverpool’s League Cup Journey Ahead of Final Clash

Arne Slot firmly believes that Liverpool’s participation in the League Cup has contributed positively to their overall success this season, rather than being a distraction.
Liverpool secured their place in the final at Wembley next month against Newcastle United after convincingly defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on aggregate. The Reds delivered a stellar performance at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo leveling the aggregate score late in the first half before Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk sealed an emphatic victory.
Following the match, Slot addressed whether Liverpool’s League Cup campaign, which began in September, had been challenging to balance alongside their ambitions in the Premier League and Champions League. However, the Dutchman highlighted the competition’s role in maintaining squad depth and match sharpness.
“There’s no doubt that this tournament has been beneficial for us,” Slot said when discussing the importance of the League Cup. “It has provided valuable game time for players who haven’t featured as frequently in the league. Whenever we have needed them, they’ve been ready to step up.
“When you come to England, you quickly understand the history of both the FA Cup and the League Cup. While the FA Cup is generally regarded as more prestigious, every trophy matters. Since we lifted the League Cup last season, it’s only right that we embrace the challenge of defending it.”
Reflecting on Liverpool’s performance, Slot added: “I’m very pleased with what we showed today. But if you know me, you’ll know my focus is already on Sunday rather than thinking too much about the final just yet. Still, reaching a final should always be special, even for a club like Liverpool, where success is expected.
“Our players work tirelessly every day to improve, and this is why we compete for trophies. We know how tough the final against Newcastle will be, as they were extremely impressive in their last match. However, we have several important games before that, and our immediate focus has to remain on them.”
Liverpool
Arne Slot Explains Liverpool Squad Selection and Plans for 12 Players Left Behind

Liverpool have already secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages, prompting manager Arne Slot to rest several senior players for their upcoming clash against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
Slot Defends Squad Rotation Ahead of PSV Clash
Arne Slot has dismissed the notion that his second-string squad must prove themselves in their Champions League outing against PSV Eindhoven. With Liverpool already assured of a top-two finish in their group, the manager opted to leave 12 key players behind as a youthful 21-man squad traveled to the Netherlands for their final group-stage match.
Liverpool’s place in the round of 16 is confirmed, and a draw against PSV would secure the top spot ahead of Barcelona. Consequently, first-team regulars such as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah have all been given a rest. Joe Gomez, who recently returned to training following a month-long absence, was not considered, while Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones remain unavailable due to injury.
Opportunity for Young Players to Shine
With several stars missing, the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton, Wataru Endo, and Harvey Elliott are expected to feature. Additionally, forward Federico Chiesa is set to make his first start since September. However, Slot insists that the match is not a test for the younger players but rather a strategic move to manage the workload of his regular starters.
“The players don’t need to prove themselves,” said Slot. “We are aware of their abilities, but we have an incredibly busy schedule, and those who stayed behind could have played. However, we must think long-term. Throughout the season, we’ve ensured that key players get a break every few weeks, especially during League Cup or FA Cup games, to maintain their freshness.”
Slot on Champions League Format and Liverpool’s Approach
Slot also weighed in on the revamped Champions League format, emphasizing that Liverpool’s final group-stage position has little bearing on their knockout stage fate. While PSV still needs to secure their play-off spot, Liverpool’s standing in the competition remains unaffected.
“I took some time to understand this new Champions League format, but I’m now completely sure that finishing first or second doesn’t really matter,” Slot explained. “We’re guaranteed to face one of the teams ranked 15th to 18th in the round of 16, and from there, it all depends on the draw. We can’t drop to third place, so the league standings won’t change. That said, we will be going out to win because, as a wise man once told me, nothing good ever comes from losing a game.”
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