Liverpool have continued to show support to Arne Slot over his position as head coach, according to The Times, despite growing pressure surrounding his job in the dugout at Anfield.
The 47-year-old oversaw a successful first campaign with the Reds, guiding them to an unexpected Premier League title triumph, but this season has been disappointing in comparison.
While loud calls of dissent come from the crowd, the latest comments from players within the Liverpool squad may only crank up the pressure on a manager who is facing a key week ahead.
Liverpool stand with Arne Slot move
As pressure ramps up on Slot, the report from The Times claims that Liverpool have continued to stand behind him, and are planning a pivotal summer with him in mind.
The Dutch coach hasn’t been the only person in the firing line, as sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG CEO Michael Edwards have been criticised for last season’s transfer window that turned out to be far from ideal.
Both are also going ahead with planning for the summer, with the expectation that several limitations within the squad will be addressed with transfer arrivals.
The self-sustaining business model set out by the owners can only be done with Champions League qualification in mind, however, so it remains to be seen whether failure to finish in the top-five of the Premier League could change that outlook.
The mood in the dressing room may suggest that something needs to change soon, however, following a brutal dig from Mohamed Salah aimed at Slot on social media.
One snippet of the wider statement reads: “I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies.
“That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.
“Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.”
Given how Slot prefers a more patient style to his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, there are questions over just how much of that statement may have been a coded message aimed at the manager.
For now, though, Liverpool can only look towards the end of the season before it becomes clear which direction will be the right one.
Xabi Alonso situation increases pressure
Liverpool have made their decision over Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot – it’s a huge call
When Klopp announced his exit from Liverpool, Xabi Alonso was often seen as the obvious choice for both his connection to the club and his success with Bayer Leverkusen.
While Slot has ultimately had success since, Alonso’s availability for most of this season has been the figure that looms large in the background of every failure the Reds have suffered.
That, in itself, has only ramped up the pressure on the current head coach as the obvious favourite and clear replacement option is there and one who is popular with the supporters.
Instead, it seems as though Alonso will be Chelsea’s next manager, something that will only increase the scrutiny on the Liverpool board for inaction, while all eyes turn to Slot’s position.
If he does survive the summer, then a quick start will be needed to get the fans back on side once again.
Former FIFA referee Darren Cann has cast a strong verdict on the decision that saw Enzo Fernandez given his marching orders for a second yellow card during the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday night.
Just moments after the Argentina star had been shown a first caution for a heavy tackle on his Spain opponent, the Chelsea midfielder then received a second for showing dissent.
It is unconfirmed that was the case for why the second booking was issued, but commentary seemed to believe so, despite the tackle itself being described by Wayne Rooney as ‘silly’ as well.
Former Referee Casts Verdict on Enzo Fernandez Dismissal in World Cup Final
Maria Lysaker /IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Cann, who himself has managed the high-pressure situation of officiating a World Cup final, said while live on duty for the BBC’s coverage:
“Correct, no argument guys, it’s a clear second yellow card for Enzo [Fernandez], and the red card is absolutely correct in my opinion. I do not expect the VAR to intervene.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was always going to be massive, with the introduction of more teams and more games across three nations. However, long before a ball had even been kicked, the main talking point for fans was the ticket pricing.
Tickets were originally being sold for a normal cost, but thanks to resellers and FIFA’s new dynamic ticket pricing model, ordinary group stage matches were costing fans thousands to attend. Tickets for the final had been selling for hundreds of thousands; however, the most expensive of all were the VIP tickets, which were being sold for $1million.
What Does a World Cup Final VIP Seat Look Like?
New York/New Jersey Stadium via Reuters
Whilst there was an array of VIP experiences available to fans throughout the tournament, the hospitality provider at MetLife Stadium took it to another level.
Tickets were labelled as ‘on-the-pitch seating’, with 12 luxury seats positioned at eye level with the pitch on the halfway line. The images also appeared to show fans given hats to deal with the fun.
Sports Knightsbridge Circle, a luxury concierge firm, also offered a $4 million hospitality package for those wanting to splash the cash in New Jersey. They sold six front-row seats on the halfway line, with fans given access to the pitch during the trophy ceremony.
The images above show how extreme FIFA have gone with their hospitality packages. Whilst the tickets do allow the fans to get up close to some of the game’s biggest stars, $1 million for a 90-minute, potentially 120-minute, game of football doesn’t seem like a good sign of things to come in the finances of football.
Fan Reaction to $1 Million VIP Seats
New York/New Jersey Stadium via Reuters
After seeing images of the seats posted to VIP seats, fans were quick to reply with their thoughts on the most expensive tickets in football history.
One fan wrote: “Probably the worst view for a football game. It might work for the NBA or NFL.”
A second wrote: “All that to sit on a polyester Amazon Couch…”
Another wrote: “Stupid people who think basketball courtside seats are best applies to football too. These are s****y seats. But hey, f*** you all if you are willing to pay a million bucks for a football match seat.
A fifth said: “Worst seats and view, but let’s be real, anyone buying those tickets are not there for the football.”
You scored
out of 20
Clearly, to the average fan, these VIP tickets aren’t worth the price just to sit up close to the pitch, even it is the biggest game in international football. Whichever side of the debate you may be, the numbers from this tournament paint a horrid picture. For a game that was once for the fans and built around accessibility, it has now became a game based on revenue and tickets that are worth four times the price. FIFA will argue the model is fair and has worked, with high attendances to most games, but the debate around ticket pricing has almost become more talked about than the 90 minutes on the pitch itself.
Leeds have opened talks to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the middle of the park.
Reports have claimed that Leeds remain confident that they will sign the Northern Ireland international, with a deal close to reaching a positive conclusion.
Whether Leeds are in the market for another midfielder after that remains to be seen, but they have opened talks to secure another signing.
Leeds have completed two new additions in the summer transfer window so far, signing Harry Wilson on a free and Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
It remains to be seen whether Musah is being eyed as an alternative to Charles in case they fail to get a deal over the line, or whether they are looking to sign both this summer.
AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim wants to evaluate the American international in pre-season after he spent the previous campaign on loan at Atalanta.
The Italian club could be willing to let Musah leave on loan once again, while Leeds face competition from the likes of Lazio for his signature.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Musah deal could raise doubts over other targets
Daniele Mascolo-REUTERS
Leeds’ potential pursuit of Musah could raise doubts over whether they are going to get a deal over the line for other targets.
Signing both Charles and Brandt, followed by Musah, feels unlikely, so they may be simply preparing for the worst in case the likes of Charles or Brandt don’t arrive.
Either way, it certainly feels like a move to sign a midfielder is their next priority after securing deals for both Wilson and Muharemovic earlier in the window.
