Liverpool have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain at the quarter-final stage.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in the Parc des Princes, the Reds were improved in the second leg at Anfield, but could not find the comeback to make it through to the semi-finals and eventually were sent down to another 2-0 defeat to lose 4-0 on aggregate, with Ousmane Dembele scoring both goals.
The Reds now have just six games of the 2025/26 season to play – with qualification for next season’s Champions League the sole aim from the end of the Premier League campaign.
Arne Slot’s Role At Liverpool Is Hanging By A Thread
They currently sit fifth in the table – which will be good enough to play in next season’s premier European competition as a result of English teams’ successes in Europe this year – but must hold off the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Brentford, who are all within four points of them in the standings.
Fail to qualify for the top five and Liverpool are likely to make a change in the dugout in the summer, although the hierarchy could do that even if they do qualify for the Champions League, with Arne Slot under increasing pressure at the helm.
Slot was an inspired choice for the manager’s job at Anfield two summers ago, leading Liverpool to an incredible Premier League title-winning campaign in his first season in England.
And then, after splashing out more than £400million on new signings in the summer transfer window, Liverpool were expected to be in the mix for back-to-back titles.
However, that has not worked out and defeat to PSG has only highlighted what was already a damning statistic for the season so far in the north west.
Liverpool Have Lost Too Many Big Games This Season
The Reds have simply not been good enough in the big games this season and that is why they are out of Europe and not in the hunt for the title in the Premier League.
Just three games into the season, Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield to make it three straight victories in the top flight. They would also beat Atletico Madrid in their first Champions League league phase game.
But since then, the only other top six Premier League side they have beaten is Tottenham – who are in the relegation zone this season, so not exactly something to write home about.
They have lost against Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City (twice, three times if you count the Carabao Cup), while drawing with Arsenal in the reverse fixture. They did beat Real Madrid and Inter Milan in the league phase of the Champions League too, but wins in big matches have been too few and far between this season.
Slot has just not been able to rouse his players for the big occasions – as well as the smaller occasions – and that is why the Dutchman should be relieved of his duties come the end of the season, with Xabi Alonso the favourite to come in and replace him.
It makes little sense to sack Slot now, given only six Premier League games are to go and with a little cushion to those chasing them for fifth place, but the summer needs to bring change and that starts in the dugout.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will need to strengthen their squad following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi looking to make quick moves in the window to put together a group he thinks can challenge towards the top of the table, rather than the bottom.
Alex Scott enjoyed a fine season for Bournemouth
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
The 22-year-old was a regular starter under Andoni Iraola, only missing the final game of the season, named in the starting lineup for 34 of the 37 other matches in the Premier League. He scored three goals – with another coming in the FA Cup – and made one assist, picking up the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.
GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said last month: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”
However, as time has moved on, it may be that Scott is now available to complete a move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with a report from the Athletic stating that “an extension is seen as unlikely”.
How much Bournemouth will demand to sell Scott
Alex Scott
The Athletic report goes on to state that United have made inquiries as to the cost of a deal, with Scott having just two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast. It is thought Bournemouth would demand around £60million to even consider selling the midfielder who has been described as “elite” by Nigel Pearson, who was his manager at Bristol City before moving to Bournemouth.
Pearson said: “He’s a unique talent. I’ve heard him compared to lots of players, but Alex is just a top-class young player who has a very level head. He will go on to play for England, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He is destination elite.”
Spurs may hold an advantage over United, should they look to pursue a move, given Scott grew up as a Tottenham fan.
Speaking after scoring against Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today. But growing up as a kid, it was definitely a dream for me [to score against Arsenal]. Bournemouth are my team at the minute but I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so as a kid growing up, I would have been really happy with that.”
Kate Mason is joined by Ben Jacobs for a live edition of Market Madness, breaking down the latest chaos in the transfer market and all the biggest stories from across football.
Journalist, author and host of The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Tony Evans, joins live to discuss a huge summer at Liverpool, including:
– Arne Slot’s departure — the right call or too soon?
– Andoni Iraola’s potential arrival
– Where Liverpool’s season went wrong
– Key areas to strengthen and possible transfer targets
Plus, Ben brings the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag.
We also hear from England legend Jill Scott ahead of her Sport Relief challenge, as she reflects on life after football and gives her thoughts on the Lionesses’ chances at the upcoming World Cup.
It’s widely understood that Spanish giants Real Madrid have agreed a contract with Jose Mourinho to become their next manager. Once this news is officially confirmed, it won’t take long before the Portuguese coach starts pushing for some key transfers.
He is set to return to the Spanish capital for the second time in his career, having left way back in 2013, after three seasons in which he won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Mourinho spent last season at Benfica, where he went unbeaten in the league, but only finished third.
With Madrid, the 63-year-old arrives at a club in chaos after a trophyless season saw Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggle to deal with the big superstars in the dressing room. Mourinho is unlikely to be concerned by the big egos in the squad. However, one of his first key transfer targets isn’t quite the usual Galactico fans might expect.
Mourinho Wants Relegated Premier League Star
One of the defining dramas of the season for Madrid last season was Aurelien Tchouameni’s dramatic clash with Fede Valverde, which saw the Uruguayan hospitalised and both men fined for their antics. If Mourinho wants to calm the dressing room, he could look to offload one.
Indeed, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez, Mourinho ‘has told’ Real Madrid that he would like the club to sign West Ham United ace Mateus Fernandes this summer. The Hammers need to sell their most valuable assets this summer after being relegated, and the midfielder is of interest to a number of clubs.
Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the former Southampton star in the past few weeks, amid talk that any transfer could cost as much as £80m. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Fernandes.
Rodri Also Linked With Madrid Interest
It’s worth noting that even if Tchouameni stays, Dani Ceballos wants to leave and Madrid are willing to let him go. His contract expires in 2027, so an exit this summer makes sense as they could still bring in a fee for the 29-year-old.
As such, Mourinho will likely want a midfield reinforcement regardless. One other name to be linked, beyond Fernandes, is Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spain international, 29, is heading into the final year of his Man City contract, and it remains to be seen if he will hang around or follow Pep Guardiola out of the exit door.
Reports claim that Mourinho is ‘very keen’ on bringing Rodri to Madrid. That said, having seen their manager depart, the Premier League club will be reluctant to lose another experienced head on the pitch, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones also confirming their exits this summer.
