Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are both set t start at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are both set t start at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon

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Arne Slot has confirmed that Mo Salah will not be available for Liverpool on Sunday due to injury but says he will return before the end of the season..

Manchester United's clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Super Sunday is of huge significance for opposing managers Michael Carrick and Arne Slot, according to Gary Neville.

Both sides appear on course for a top-five finish this season and with it qualification for the Champions League, with United three points clear of their rivals, while the gap to sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion now stands at 11 and eight points respectively with just four games left to play.

However, while a place in Europe's premier club competition next season now seems assured for both teams - in fact, United would guarantee their place with a win against their arch rivals at the Theatre of Dreams - Sunday's meeting is still of great importance to the two men in charge of each club.

Following victory over Brentford on Monday Night Football, United head coach Carrick has now overseen nine wins in 13 games since taking charge in January until the end of the campaign, with the Sky Sports pundit claiming on the Gary Neville podcast "he is more than likely to be" the club's permanent manager next season.

Meanwhile, despite an underwhelming Premier League title defence, including 10 defeats, Slot has managed to guide Liverpool up to fourth place in the table and now within sight of next season's Champions League.

As a result, the Dutchman is now expected to continue as Liverpool head coach next season, Sky Sports News understands, not that either man can afford a heavy defeat this weekend, according to Neville.

I don't think either of them can afford an embarrassment on Sunday. A win for either would be very big. Sky Sports' Gary Neville on the Gary Neville podcast

"This is a massive game for the fans, first and foremost," said the former United captain on the Gary Neville podcast.

"Manchester United and Liverpool, great rivalry. But I think this is massive for both managers. I think this is massive for Michael Carrick and big for Arne Slot.

"I don't think either of them can afford an embarrassment on Sunday. A win for either would be very big. It would give them both confidence.

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford.

"Question marks of whether both are going to be at their clubs at the start of next season - is Michael going to get the job? Is Arne Slot going to be kept on? Those questions keep sort of appearing for the Liverpool manager.

"The game itself in terms of jeopardy of whether what's at stake, I actually don't think it's that important for either team. I think they'll both get into the Champions League.

"But for both managers, I think it's a serious game, a serious game of basically seeing themselves against a big rival for next season, a big rival in terms of just generally United and Liverpool.

"The Michael Carrick and Arne Slot faceoff is the big thing about Sunday. I think it's a bigger game for both managers than it actually is in terms of what's at stake in terms of the positions in the league."

As for the game itself, Neville has predicted a cagey affair at Old Trafford.

"If [Matheus] Cunha's fit, I think he'll go with Cunha, [Bryan] Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and [Benjamin] Sesko," he added

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Highlights from the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

"I think he'll go for that four potentially. I'm not sure Amad [Diallo] will play.

"But I think you'll see a more cautious, and you'll certainly see a tighter, compact, more defensively focused Manchester United than you saw in that first half tonight [against Brentford].

"I don't think he'll start the five at the back. I don't think he'll go that far, that would be wrong and he won't do that. Let's be clear, he absolutely won't.

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Jamie Carragher admits that 'from the noises he's heard', Arne Slot will remain at Liverpool next season.

"But I think he'll definitely get them a lot more switched on defensively and say you've got to be a lot more compact and tight. And it will be a case of not making mistakes, not giving goals away. Let's go and make Liverpool nervous.

"And Liverpool likewise will not want to basically be opened up, so it could be more of a game of chess on Sunday.

"Not quite as much as it was in the second half [against Brentford], but I just think it could be a bit more of a challenging, sort of a struggle of a game, where both managers are going to be quite cautious in the sense of not necessarily the teams that they pick, but the way in which they instruct them to go out there and be sort of defensively compact and solid."

And with both sides now seemingly set for a top-five finish this season, Neville thinks a win for either manager this weekend could prove massive looking ahead to the following campaign.

"Honestly, I think Liverpool and Manchester United are in there," he said. "I think it would be a massive shock [if they missed out on Champions League qualification].

"United are in there, for me. Liverpool, I'm 95 to 99 per cent certain that they're going to be in the Champions League as well.

The Carrick and Slot faceoff is the big thing about Sunday - this one does feel very important for both of the coaches Sky Sports' Gary Neville on the Gary Neville podcast

"Look, they won't be thinking that, neither managers nor the players will be thinking that, they think they've got to do the job, but to me now, I just don't see the other teams winning the games that they have to win, and Liverpool dropping all the points that they would need to drop.

"It's just a case of, is it a message towards next season, is it a message towards where each club is at? It has been a strange last few months for Liverpool, hasn't it, in terms of where they're at?

"So, if Arne Slot were to come here and win, it would be big for him, it would be very big for him. If Michael Carrick was to go and beat Arne Slot and see Liverpool off here, it would be massive.

Sunday 3rd May 2:30pm Kick off 3:30pm

"Games are never about the managers, of course they're not, they're about the players, they're about the fans, about the rivalry, but this one does feel very important for both of the coaches, and I'm looking forward to it for that.

"I wish there was more on the game, I wish it was a title decider, I wish it was all the other things, that there was some jeopardy involved, but I don't think there will be."

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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

A loss Thursday would be a devasting blow in an already frustrating 2024/25.

As is the case for any (sobs) 14th-place team, Tottenham Hotspur's season hinges on competitions outside the Premier League. A bye into the Europa League Round of 16 keeps that avenue open, and the FA Cup remains a possibility as well, but the most immediate and realistic path to silverware is the League Cup. Yes, the road is brutal, with a trip to Anfield before a final against Newcastle, but only 180 minutes separate Spurs from ending their long-standing trophy drought.

That makes Thursday the biggest match of the season so far. Tottenham impressed in the semifinal's first leg, grinding out a 1-0 win despite ceding possession, absorbing pressure, and deploying a makeshift backline. Now, the battle shifts to Liverpool, where the country's best team will be confident in its ability to overcome a one-goal deficit. Spurs enter as clear underdogs but must find a way to advance.

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Liverpool (0) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1)

Date: Thursday, February 6
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Since the first leg, Liverpool has gone 5-1-1, with the lone defeat coming in a meaningless Champions League contest with a rotated lineup. With a Premier League title in sight and a strong European campaign underway, one might assume this competition sits lower on the priority list. Unfortunately for Spurs, there are no significant matches on Liverpool's immediate horizon, meaning Arne Slot is likely to field a strong XI at Anfield.

Both teams were relatively cautious in North London, though for different reasons. Tottenham's approach was shaped by a defense missing three of its four preferred starters, alongside a newly introduced Antonin Kinsky. Ange Postecoglou now has the opportunity of choosing from options like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, though plenty of important names like Micky van de Ven remain injured.

For Liverpool, the decision to play pragmatically was likely strategic — returning home with just a one-goal deficit seemed an acceptable trade-off. Having made that decision, Slot's side will now bring intensity reminiscent of December's league fixture. Players like Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all absent from the first leg's starting lineup, but may be called upon Thursday with the objective more clear.

A few moments of greatness

Tottenham will not see much of the ball at Anfield. Liverpool will dominate possession, generate the bulk of the chances, and apply relentless pressure in Spurs' defensive third. That is a daunting prospect for cobbled-together squad; the number one priority is minimizing mistakes, especially with a lead to protect.

That said, Spurs must be willing to attack when opportunities arise and will not need much possession to be dangerous. Both Dominic Solanke's narrowly disallowed goal and Lucas Bergvall's successful strike in the first leg came via direct play over the top. Exploiting Liverpool's high press with quick, vertical attacks could be Tottenham's best path to maintaining the advantage.

If Spurs can capitalize on a pressing opponent and snatch an insurance goal, the tie will come down to their ability to weather the inevitable storm. Recent form does not inspire much confidence in their defensive resilience, but Tottenham has produced surprising performances against top teams this season. Postecoglou will need another one to keep his second-season trophy promise alive.

Liverpool fans will have seen the social media stories circling that both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing a new contract, something Arne Slot was asked to comment on.

Speaking (via 90min.com), our head coach said: "We have some contractual situations that you don't probably don't know about.

"But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven't extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

"My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well.

"You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

"The players that don't play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else?

"So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do."

The Dutchman doesn't really like to provide a direct answer on these topics, as it's not something he's directly involved in and prefers to allow time to pass.

However, confirmation that contracts have not been signed is a clear indication of the current situation and does debunk Robbie Fowler's theory.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent have not yet signed a new contract Pictures via @MoSalah on X

John Barnes has stated that if he were in charge of the new deals, he would select our captain as the most important of the trio.

Many fans have their own opinions as to who they would or wouldn't allow to leave the club but it does feel that the overwhelming majority want all three to commit their future to staying on Merseyside.

You would assume the club can afford to do this but whether the financial model allows it is another question.

It's the same situation we've been in all campaign but we can take from this that no deals have yet been signed and it doesn't feel like we're close to them being done either.

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The post Arne Slot directly responds to rumours of Salah and Van Dijk’s new contracts being signed appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool at risk of losing all three of their stars for nothing

Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

The Reds lost the away first leg 1-0 controversially courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's late goal but he really should’ve been sent off earlier.

Newcastle United have reached the final by beating Arsenal in the other semi-final so the winner of this tie will take on the Magpies at Wembley on 16th March.

As per team news, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota have returned to full fitness after recovering from their injury problems but Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained an issue since featuring against the Cherries. So, he has been ruled out.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been playing in the cup competitions but Alisson Becker started in the previous leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Brazilian may continue in goal for the hosts tonight.

Jarell Quansah has started all the Carabao Cup matches thus far this season but considering the importance of the fixture tonight, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be called upon to feature alongside Virgil van Dijk in the CB position.

Conor Bradley would replace injured Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas might get the nod to start in the left-back position ahead of Andy Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to continue in the engine room with Dominik Szoboszlai in the CAM role. Therefore, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones could be among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo has also played all the League Cup games and should continue in his preferred left-wing position, while Mohamed Salah would be on the opposite side.

Luis Diaz may start again in the CF role, therefore, Darwin Nunez and Jota could feature off the bench if needed. Here is how Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham:

The post 4-2-3-1: How Liverpool could line up against Tottenham – Carabao Cup appeared first on Paisley Gates.

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