Liverpool confirm Slot will replace Klopp as manager

Feyenoord coach Arne Slot was Monday confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool by the Premier League club. (Reuters/File)

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Updated 20 May 2024

AFP

May 20, 2024 19:56

Liverpool confirm Slot will replace Klopp as manager

Liverpool said in a statement that the Dutchman, 45, would take up the position of head coach on June 1, subject to a work permit
Slot’s arrival has been an open secret, with Liverpool reportedly agreeing a compensation deal worth up to $12 million

Updated 20 May 2024

AFP

May 20, 2024 19:56

LONDON: Feyenoord coach Arne Slot was Monday confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool by the Premier League club.
Liverpool said in a statement that the Dutchman, 45, would take up the position of head coach on June 1, subject to a work permit.
The club did not specify the length of his contract in their statement but Sky Sports said it understood Slot had signed a three-year deal.
Slot’s arrival has been an open secret, with Liverpool reportedly agreeing a compensation deal worth up to £9.4 million ($12 million).
He confirmed Anfield was his next destination at his final pre-match press conference at the Eredivisie club on Friday.
Klopp announced his departure in January and took charge of his final game on Sunday, a 2-0 win against Wolves.
In his final speech to the Anfield crowd, the German urged fans to throw their full support behind Slot.
“You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me,” he said. “You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team.”
Slot moved to Feyenoord in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar.
He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final at the end of his first season. They narrowly lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Slot then delivered just a second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season before penning a new three-year deal.
“You can see people are genuinely sorry you are leaving,” he said on Friday.
“You can say that with words, but when you see it in people’s faces, it affects me quite a lot.”
Feyenoord have enjoyed a strong season, winning the Dutch Cup and coming second to an all-conquering PSV Eindhoven side.
Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk has hailed Slot’s attacking mindset, saying it would suit the philosophy at Anfield.
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was the favorite to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
However, Alonso has committed to staying at Leverkusen after leading them to a first-ever Bundesliga title.
Liverpool won the League Cup in Klopp’s final season in charge and finished third in the Premier League, qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Topics: Liverpool Arne Slot Jurgen Klopp

Salah scores, Diaz ends goal drought as Liverpool move seven points clear

Updated 2 min 5 sec ago

AFP

February 16, 2025 16:01

Salah scores, Diaz ends goal drought as Liverpool move seven points clear

While Diaz has struggled to find the net, Salah is in red-hot form

Updated 2 min 5 sec ago

AFP

February 16, 2025 16:01

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as Luis Diaz ended his goal drought to spark a tense 2-1 win against struggling Wolves on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side got back on track after an unexpectedly poor week thanks to Diaz’s first goal in 2025 and yet another Mohamed Salah strike.
Diaz opened the scoring early in the first half at Anfield as the Colombian forward finally scored for the 13th time this term after 10 games without a goal.
While Diaz has struggled to find the net, Salah is in red-hot form and his penalty before the interval took the Egypt star to 28 goals in all competitions this season.
Matheus Cunha netted in the second half for fourth-bottom Wolves, but although Liverpool looked tired in a disjointed, nervous, climax, they held on for a valuable victory.
Liverpool had gone two games without a win: an embarrassing FA Cup fourth round loss at second tier Plymouth last weekend and the stormy 2-2 draw at Everton on Wednesday.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester on Saturday had applied a little more pressure on Liverpool.
The Reds responded to Arsenal’s challenge as they moved a step closer to a record-equalling 20th English title.
Liverpool, who last won the Premier League in 2020, will be within touching distance of the crown if they take maximum points from trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City before hosting Newcastle over the course of the next 10 days.
Liverpool boss Slot was in the dug-out despite being charged with abusive behavior after angrily approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch following the Merseyside derby.
Slot was furious that James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equalizer was not disallowed because of a possible push by Toffees striker Beto on Reds defender Ibrahima Konate.
Slot had urged Liverpool to use their “anger” from the painful end to the Everton game as fuel to get back on track against Wolves.
They didn’t have to wait long to light the fuse as Diaz bagged his first league goal at Anfield since September.
In the 15th minute, Diaz picked out Salah and his return pass took a wicked deflection off Toti Gomes.
Diaz stumbled forward to chest the ball past Wolves keeper Jose Sa as it barely trickled over the line.
It was hardly a work of art but Diaz wasn’t complaining about the scruffy nature of the strike.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai nearly netted with a more eye-catching effort, striding forward with purpose before drilling a low shot just wide.
The Reds were rampant and Sa repelled Jota’s drive at the near post after Robertson’s cross caused panic in the Wolves defense.
Wolves couldn’t stem the tide as Liverpool went further ahead in the 37th minute.
Wolves claimed Emmanuel Agbadou was pushed by Diaz before he raced into the area and was tripped by Sa.
But VAR ignored their protests and Salah flicked the penalty down the middle with a flamboyant flourish.
Salah has seven goals in his last six games, underlining his immense value to Liverpool as his contract winds toward its conclusion at the end of the season.
Wolves debutant Marshall Munetsi wasted a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit early in the second half.
Munetsi was sent clean through by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, but Alisson Becker raced off his line to make a fine save.
Jota appeared to have won a penalty when Agbadou’s challenge sent him sprawling, but VAR overturned the decision as replays showed he had dived.
Liverpool had lost their momentum and Cunha took advantage, evading Ryan Gravenberch and curling a superb finish into the far corner in the 67th minute.
That set up a fraught finale for Liverpool, who had to dig deep to secure a fourth win in their last five league games.

Topics: football soccer England Premier league Liverpool Wolverhampton Wanderers Mohamed Salah Luis Diaz

Bayern on track for title after keeping Leverkusen at bay

Updated 15 February 2025

February 15, 2025 23:34

Bayern on track for title after keeping Leverkusen at bay

Bayern barely crossed the half-way line and failed to register a shot on target in the first half for the first time since 1992
Xabi Alonso’s champions were unable to find a way through

Updated 15 February 2025

February 15, 2025 23:34

LEVERKUSEN, Germany: A dogged defensive performance from Bayern Munich kept Bayer Leverkusen at bay in a 0-0 away draw on Saturday to keep their eight-point lead atop the German Bundesliga..
Bayern barely crossed the half-way line and failed to register a shot on target in the first half for the first time since 1992, but Xabi Alonso’s champions were unable to find a way through.
The result, just the fifth time Bayern have dropped points in 22 league games this season, puts them on track to win back the title, with 12 games remaining.
Knowing only a win would realistically keep the title race alive, Leverkusen dominated the opening half but were unable to convert several chances, with Alonso electing to leave both strikers Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface on the bench.
Jeremie Frimpong headed against the bar 21 minutes in after some clever work from Florian Wirtz down the left.
Nathan Tella, scorer of the winner between these two sides in the German Cup in December, blasted against the bar from close range when one-on-one with Manuel Neuer four minutes later.
Neuer was almost caught out on the 33rd-minute mark when he ventured out of the penalty area, but Wirtz’s long-range effort from deep curled just wide.
Leverkusen again dominated the ball in the second half but could not find a way through.
Wirtz had a chance in the final minute to snatch a win, but his close-range effort went centimeters wide of the post.
Earlier on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund’s slide continued with a 2-0 loss at lowly Bochum.
The hosts, who started the game in last place, grabbed control in the first half when winter loan signing Georgios Masouras scored two goals in three minutes.
Masouras tapped a low Philipp Hofmann shot in from close range after 33 minutes and then pounced on a terrible back-pass from Niklas Suele to double the lead two minutes later.
Dortmund have lost five of their past seven and sit 11th.
“We need to turn things around soon,” Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck said.
“It’s becoming a horror season,” he added.
Stuttgart failed to take advantage of fourth-placed Leipzig’s scoreless draw at Augsburg on Friday, giving up a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at home against Wolfsburg.
Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade came off the bench to put the hosts ahead after 72 minutes with a superb solo goal, but Wolfsburg hit back five minutes later when Tiago Tomas tapped in a Mohamed Amoura assist.
With five minutes remaining, Stuttgart’s Josha Vagnoman handled the ball in the box, bringing Amoura to the spot.
The Algerian nervelessly converted to grab all three points and lift the visitors to eighth, keeping alive their hopes of European football for the first time since 2022.
Elsewhere, Freiburg overcame a poor first-half penalty miss from Vincenzo Grifo to win 1-0 at St. Pauli thanks to an own goal from Philipp Treu with two minutes remaining.
Grifo tried a Panenka from the spot in the 45th minute but his limp effort was easily saved. Freiburg have missed all four penalties they have been awarded this season in the league.
In the dying stages, Treu, a former Freiburg player, diverted a shot into his own net. The visitors climbed to fifth on the table.
First half goals from Lukas Ullrich and Tim Kleindienst took Borussia Moenchengladbach to seventh with a win 2-1 at Union Berlin, who pulled one back from the spot in the second half through Andrej Ilic.

Topics: Bayern Munich Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga Vincent Kompany

Real Madrid held by Osasuna with Bellingham sent off

Updated 15 February 2025

AFP

February 15, 2025 21:09

Real Madrid held by Osasuna with Bellingham sent off

The Spanish champions took the lead through Kylian Mbappe
Ante Budimir levelled for hosts Osasuna from the penalty spot

Updated 15 February 2025

AFP

February 15, 2025 21:09

PAMPLONA, Spain: La Liga leaders Real Madrid dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday in which Jude Bellingham was sent off.
The Spanish champions took the lead through Kylian Mbappe before the referee expelled England international Bellingham for dissent toward the end of the first half.
Ante Budimir levelled for hosts Osasuna from the penalty spot after 58 minutes as Carlo Ancelotti’s side endured a third consecutive league match without victory.
Atletico Madrid, second and two points behind the leaders, host Celta Vigo later Saturday, while third-place Barcelona welcome Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Ancelotti said Bellingham should not have been dismissed and had just been expressing his frustration rather than directly insulting the referee.
“I think with Bellingham’s red card (the referee) didn’t understand the English well... I don’t think it’s something offensive,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“I think the red card came out because the referee was nervous... Bellingham did nothing today to have been sent off, absolutely nothing.”
The coach said he was happy with how Madrid played despite dropping points.
“In a footballing sense we started very well, and we finished well despite having one less player,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian made a few rotations with the midweek Champions League play-off second leg clash against Manchester City in mind, with Rodrygo resting and Brahim Diaz given a rare start.
Los Blancos controlled the game from the off, moving the ball around too quickly for Osasuna to get a foothold.
Vinicius appealed for an early penalty when Alejandro Catena slid in to dispossess him and the ball struck the defender’s arm.
The Brazilian winger should have put the champions ahead when Mbappe crossed for him, but misjudged the flight of the ball and headed wide from close range.
Madrid did not have to wait long for their opener and Fede Valverde created it with a low cross for Mbappe, who produced a clinical finish.
It was the in-form French forward’s seventh goal in his last five La Liga matches.
Osasuna threatened just once in the first half, with a low drive from Aimar Oroz, which Thibaut Courtois superbly pushed to safety.
Vinicius spurned another golden opportunity when Mbappe teed him up, before Bellingham was dismissed in the 39th minute.
The England international exchanged words with referee Jose Munuera Montero, who then reached for his red card.
Madrid have complained heavily about Spanish refereeing in recent weeks, labelling it “rigged” and they grew further frustrated with Munuera Montero in the second half.
Osasuna levelled before the hour mark through Budimir from the spot after Eduardo Camavinga was late on the Croatian striker.
Budimir had already shot wide of the post when the French midfielder clattered into the forward, similar to the penalty Aurelien Tchouameni conceded in Madrid’s derby draw with Atletico Madrid last weekend.
Budimir’s penalty was his 13th goal of the season, behind only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Mbappe, on 17, in the standings.
Mbappe came close to scoring a second but fired narrowly over and Vinicius had an effort deflected wide after a dangerous incursion from the left.
Madrid pushed for a winner despite their numerical disadvantage, knowing their title rivals are breathing down their necks.
Mbappe had one last chance in stoppage time but Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera palmed away his effort with a strong hand.
After playing for nearly an hour with 10 men, Manchester City will hope it takes a toll on Madrid on Wednesday when the sides meet at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Topics: real madrid Osasuna La Liga

La Liga launches Arabic TikTok account to connect with millions of Arab football fans

Updated 15 February 2025

Arab News

February 15, 2025 20:44

La Liga launches Arabic TikTok account to connect with millions of Arab football fans

‘It represents the culmination of all the efforts La Liga has made in the MENA region over the past years,’ says managing director
Account will act as a hub for thrilling highlights from La Liga EA Sports matches

Updated 15 February 2025

Arab News

February 15, 2025 20:44

JEDDAH: Spanish football league La Liga on Saturday launched an Arabic account on TikTok in a bid to connect with millions of football fans in the Arab world.
It is part of the league’s efforts to reach and engage with its followers in the Middle East and North Africa region, a media statement said.
“We are thrilled to launch the Arabic TikTok account, as it represents the culmination of all the efforts La Liga has made in the MENA region over the past years,” said Maite Ventura, managing director for MENA.
“We believe that Arab fans deserve high-quality digital content that meets their expectations. This account will bring us closer to them than ever before,” she added.
The initiative marks another step in La Liga’s digital success, as it remains the most-followed football league in the world online, boasting more than 245 million followers across 16 platforms in 20 different languages.
Mohammed Harb, head of partnerships at TikTok MENA, said: “We are delighted to be part of this special step for La Liga.
“Launching a TikTok account in Arabic reinforces the league’s commitment to bringing fans closer to the game they love, providing the TikTok community with a platform that reflects the unique culture and passion of Arab football fans.”
The La Liga Arabic TikTok account will be a hub for all the thrilling highlights from La Liga EA Sports matches, coinciding with the intense competition in the league.
Arab football stars will also receive special attention, as La Liga has hosted more than 80 Arab players throughout its history, from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Syria.
Beyond match highlights, the account will offer a diverse range of visual content, featuring contributions from influencers, players, journalists and fans across the Arab world.

Topics: La Liga Spanish football league TikTok

Marmoush hat-trick lifts Man City into Premier League top four

Updated 15 February 2025

AFP

February 15, 2025 20:33

Marmoush hat-trick lifts Man City into Premier League top four

The Egyptian was in scintillating form as City recovered from their late Champions League collapse to lose to Real Madrid 3-2 at home in midweek
Marmoush’s explosion gives some cause for optimism as Newcastle were blown away inside the opening 33 minutes

Updated 15 February 2025

AFP

February 15, 2025 20:33

MANCHESTER: Omar Marmoush scored his first Manchester City goals with a first-half hat-trick to beat Newcastle 4-0 and fire Pep Guardiola’s men back into the Premier League’s top four on Saturday.
The Egyptian was in scintillating form as City recovered from their late Champions League collapse to lose to Real Madrid 3-2 at home in midweek.
The English champions have a mountain to climb when they visit Madrid on Wednesday if they are to reach the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition for the 12th consecutive season.
But Marmoush’s explosion gives some cause for optimism as Newcastle were blown away inside the opening 33 minutes.

A special performance pic.twitter.com/xeB3KoQ2B0
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 15, 2025

The match had been billed as a clash between the Premier League’s two top strikers as Golden Boot rivals Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak went head-to-head.
However, they were both overshadowed as Marmoush announced his arrival to the English game.
The 26-year-old scored 20 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt this season before making a £59 million ($72.6 million) move to Manchester in January.
City were keen to add more goalscoring threats to support Haaland and the early signs are promising that the Norwegian and Marmoush can dovetail effectively.
Guardiola made six changes to freshen up his side between the Madrid double header with Marmoush one of those to come into the side.
Ederson was at fault for City’s late collapse from 2-1 to 3-2 down against the European champions on Tuesday, but made amends with his third assist of the season.
Kieran Trippier was caught underneath the Brazilian goalkeeper’s booming kick upfield and Marmoush had the simple task to lob the stranded Martin Dubravka.
That goal continued City’s run of scoring in their last 33 Premier League games against the Magpies.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0 when Ilkay Gundogan fed Marmoush inside the area, who cut inside before his deflected effort found the bottom corner.
Savinho’s pace and trickery down the right was another major positive for Guardiola and he created the third by skipping past Lewis Hall and squaring for Marmoush to fire home from close range.
City’s fragility at defending leads this season was never seriously tested as the visitors suffered another damaging defeat to their chances of a return to the Champions League next season.
Either side of reaching next month’s League Cup final, Eddie Howe’s men have lost three of their last four Premier League games to slip to seventh.
City, on the other hand, climb back into pole position for Champions League qualification despite their drastic dip in standards this season that will see an unprecedented run of four consecutive league titles almost certainly come to an end.
James McAtee came off the bench to add the fourth six minutes from time when the midfielder turned in Haaland’s flick on from a Gundogan corner.
But there was a worrying scene for City as Haaland had to be replaced in the closing stages after receiving treatment on a knee injury.

Topics: Omar Marmoush Man City Newcastle United English Premier League (EPL)

Liverpool confirm Slot will replace Klopp as manager

Liverpool confirm Slot will replace Klopp as manager

Slot confirms he will replace Klopp as Liverpool manager

Klopp keeps the drama going to the end as Liverpool beat Spurs 4-2 in his penultimate Anfield match

Salah scores, Diaz ends goal drought as Liverpool move seven points clear

Salah scores, Diaz ends goal drought as Liverpool move seven points clear

Liverpool’s Slot admits ‘emotions got the better of me’, explaining derby red card

Forest tame Wolves to maintain unlikely Premier League title challenge

Bayern on track for title after keeping Leverkusen at bay

Bayern on track for title after keeping Leverkusen at bay

Bayern Munich tie star player Jamal Musiala to contract until 2030

Leverkusen lose ground on Bayern with Wolfsburg stalemate

Real Madrid held by Osasuna with Bellingham sent off

Real Madrid held by Osasuna with Bellingham sent off

Real Madrid close in on Vinicius contract extension amid Saudi interest

Barcelona’s Pedri extends contact to 2030

La Liga launches Arabic TikTok account to connect with millions of Arab football fans

La Liga launches Arabic TikTok account to connect with millions of Arab football fans

Barca shred Valencia to restore La Liga shine

Leganes stun faltering La Liga leaders Barcelona

Marmoush hat-trick lifts Man City into Premier League top four

Marmoush hat-trick lifts Man City into Premier League top four

Marmoush’s Man City move sparks excitement in Egypt

Becoming Man City’s first Egyptian player an ‘honor’ says Marmoush

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Liverpool confirm Slot will replace Klopp as manager

Liverpool confirm Slot will replace Klopp as manager

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