Mohamed Salah says he will definitely be back for the final game of the season and probably before then.

The Egyptian is currently sidelined with a small hamstring issue that will keep him out of Sunday’s trip to face Man United.

But there are three games after the visit to Old Trafford, at home to Chelsea, away to Aston Villa and then Brentford at home on the final day.

In a sneak peak of an interview filmed with Steven Gerrard for TNT Sport, Salah has said that he will “for sure” be back for that Brentford game and “probably before that.”

The 33-year-old, who will leave the club on a free transfer in the summer after nine incredible seasons, also posted a series of photos on social media showing him back running on the training pitches at the AXA Training Centre on Friday.

“For sure [I will be back for the final game],” Salah told Gerrard. “The injury is fine.

“Yeah, definitely, I will probably be [back] before that.”

The preview also shows Salah speaking about his love for the club and what it meant to win the Premier League title last season, saying: “Winning the Premier League with this club is completely different than any other club.”

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Salah underwent a series of media interviews on Friday, including with Gerrard for TNT, with Sky Sports, and international media including Australia’s Stan Sport.

Salah’s interview with Sky Sports includes messages from Liverpool legends, including Jurgen Klopp and Ian Rush. It will be aired across the weekend in the build up to Sunday’s match at Old Trafford.

Salah has made 440 appearances for Liverpool so far, scoring 257 goals. He’ll be hoping to add to that before he departs in what will be an emotional farewell on May 24.

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A Bradley Barcola transfer has been “assessed” by Liverpool, according to a reliable Merseyside reporter, and Arne Slot has given three injury updates in his press conference.

With Mo Salah departing in the summer and Hugo Ekitike likely to miss the rest of 2026 as a minimum, Liverpool are in the market for attacking wingers this summer.

The most high profile link has been to RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, whom the Times‘ Paul Joyce has now said “is among a number of wide players that have been assessed.”

Last summer, Leipzig offered £20 million for Harvey Elliott, a meagre sum for a player of his quality, so Liverpool declined.

However, Joyce has now added that “should talks on Diomande formally progress in the future, it would be no surprise if Elliott was mentioned as a means of bringing down the Ivorian’s £85m price tag.”

In addition, the Merseyside journalist said “the list is likely to include Paris Saint-Germain’s Barcola also.”

The mention of Barcola is interesting as he is someone whose links to the Reds have died down of late.

Last summer, the Frenchman was “offered” to Liverpool, according to the Mail‘s Lewis Steele, but the club had already spent a big sum in the window in other areas.

Liverpool also briefed that they didn’t want to block Rio Ngumoha‘s pathway, which Barcola may have done as a fellow right-footed left winger.

Joyce mentioning him now, though, is a hint that the Reds’ interest could resurface as they look to bolster their attack this summer.

• Slot revealed in his press conference that Alisson is yet to train this week but “he’s very close” to a return, though they “don’t want to take any risk”

• Milos Kerkez returned to training on Friday after Slot admitted the left-back suffered “some niggles” earlier in the week

• The head coach confirmed Salah won’t be available against Man United but does think he will be able to play before the end of the season, saying: “Usually he’s earlier fit than other players after a minor injury”

• Following reports that Liverpool could move for Feyenoord assistant Etienne Reijnen, Slot commented that Liverpool “always look around to see where we can strengthen the club”

If you have ever been on the Kop, you will have likely taken part in the Anfield tradition of clapping the opposition goalkeeper as they walk to their net, usually at the beginning of the second half.

Joanna Durkan writes about the custom and looks back at how it started:

“Irrespective of the name on the back of the shirt, the Kop will clap and show their respect to not only the Reds ‘keeper, but also the opponents’, with jeers in return if they do not recognise the gesture.

“It is a unique custom at Anfield and one that has stood the test of time, with it passed on from one generation to the next. Its origins, though, are not entirely clear.”

• Roberto de Zerbi has urged Tottenham to “silence the voice inside of us” as they fight relegation – they’re two points from safety with four games left

• Eddie Howe has insisted that the commitment of Newcastle‘s Saudi Arabian owners remains “unchanged” after meeting for talks in the north east

• England Women captain Leah Williamson, who is 29 years old, has signed a new two-year contract at Arsenal (BBC Sport)

Having lost the final in 1914 and 1950, Liverpool finally got their hands on the FA Cup for the first time on May 1, 1965.

As one of the most momentous days in the club’s history, this was arguably Bill Shankly‘s crowning glory as Reds boss.

Against a great Leeds team, left-back Gerry Byrne played most of the match with a broken collarbone as the game went to extra time following a goalless 90 minutes.

Roger Hunt, who would also win the World Cup at Wembley a year later, scored the opener in extra time, but Billy Bremner equalised.

Only five minutes were left when striker Ian St John headed home the winner to make himself a Liverpool legend.

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Milos Kerkez was among Liverpool’s training contingent on Friday after pulling out of a session earlier in the week, but there was still no sign of Alisson.

Arne Slot already knows he will be without Giorgi Mamardashvili, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah for the trip to Old Trafford.

All but Endo and Ekitike were spotted at the AXA Training Centre on Friday, leaving only Kerkez and Alisson as doubts for the Premier League fixture.

The Brazilian was also in the building but was not pictured by the club’s cameras on the outdoor pitches during training, leaving only Saturday’s session to prove his fitness.

“I have to hear today from [the] medical staff if he’s able to train today, tomorrow or otherwise the start of next week,” Slot told reporters of his No. 1 on Friday morning.

“He’s very close, but we, of course, also don’t want to take any risk, because that’s never what you do with a player, and that’s also what we do now.”

While Slot admitted Alisson will not need as long as an outfielder to return to the starting lineup after seven games out, his apparent absence suggests Freddie Woodman is in line to start.

Armin Pecsi would, therefore, retain his place on the bench after Slot’s rare appraisal following his summer switch.

Kerkez, meanwhile, appears to have overcome “some niggles” that forced his early exit from training on Wednesday, with the left-back pictured alongside his teammates two days out from the match.

Goalkeepers: Woodman, Pecsi

Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Robertson, Kerkez, Frimpong, Ndiaye, Nallo

Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones, Nyoni, McConnell

Forwards: Isak, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ngumoha, Chiesa, Wright, Morrison

He was expected to replace Andy Robertson after playing just seven minutes across the last two games, but his minor fitness issue could cause a re-think for Slot over the weekend.

Liverpool, thankfully, did not have any other surprise absentees during training, though the squad was bolstered by several academy players.

Mor Talla Ndiaye, 18, was involved in the session, as was Amara Nallo, James McConnell, Kieran Morrison and striker Will Wright, with a place on the bench likely for at least one youngster.

As for Man United, they are hopeful Matheus Cunha will return after missing the win over Brentford, as well as Luke Shaw. Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are both still sidelined.

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Head coach Arne Slot expects the improving form of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to drive Liverpool forward in the future after seeing significant contributions recently.

The two most expensive signings in the club’s history – costing a combined £241million – have had largely underwhelming first seasons due to Isak’s ongoing injury problems and Wirtz’s struggles adapting to the physicality of the Premier League.

But the pair both scored in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and look set to start their fourth successive match together at Manchester United on Sunday, which is their longest run of the campaign.

Slot accepts the new arrivals have had their difficulties, not helped by an underperforming team around them, but in the last month has seen glimpses that both are finally starting to find their feet.

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“Converting chances into goals is something we haven’t done very well throughout this whole season but one of the players (Isak) we always thought could score goals for us was hardly available,” said Slot.

“Last week you could see it was a chance but it wasn’t the biggest chance we’ve had this season and he finished that one off really well by scoring the 1-0 and scoring a goal which is vital in football as it sets you in the right direction.

“Happy to have Alex back. I think there are some other players that haven’t scored the amount of goals that I think they are able to, or they have shown in the past they are able to, and that will go back to normal in a certain moment and the sooner the better.”

Wirtz would come into that category with seven goals and 10 assists – none of which have come against Premier League opposition currently occupying European places – representing a lower-than-expected return for a £116m player hailed as a generational talent when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen.

“For me the development Florian has made throughout his Liverpool career, which has only been 10 months, is so clear and obvious,” added Slot.

“In the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner – that is something I am not completely convinced he could do the same eight months ago.

“That improvement will only continue as he is only 22. Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25, 26 but he is already an elite player now and he can only become better.”

As part of the improvements for next season there are plans afoot to bolster the backroom staff with the club being linked with Etienne Reijnen, with whom Slot worked at Feyenoord and would have followed him to Anfield had there not been work permit issues which have now been resolved.

“We are always keeping our eyes open to improve the club and that means it could be a player but also a staff. We always look around to see how we can strengthen,” added Slot, who lost Aaron Briggs from his coaching team in December after he paid the price for poor set-piece performances.

Slot also said it was “a big relief” the departing Mohamed Salah’s hamstring injury was only minor and he was likely to play again this season, while admitting goalkeeper Alisson Becker remained a doubt for Old Trafford as he had not yet trained after seven matches out injured.

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RB Leipzig’s previous interest in Harvey Elliott could serve Liverpool in any pursuit of £85 million-rated Yan Diomande this summer.

• Failed Loan: Harvey Elliott returns to Anfield this summer after a season to forget at Aston Villa, where he failed to trigger a permanent £35m transfer.
• Salah Successor: 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande is the club’s “top transfer target” to eventually succeed Mo Salah, but carries a massive £85 million price tag.
• Strategic Makeweight: Paul Joyce suggests Elliott could be used as a “means” to lower the cash outlay for the Leipzig star, who was already a target for the Bundesliga side last year.
• Concrete Interest: Reports from Sky Germany and The Times confirm that internal discussions are progressing as Liverpool look to refresh their attacking dynamism.

It has been a season to forget for Elliott, playing only 277 minutes across nine appearances for Aston Villa after Unai Emery quickly cast him aside.

With his loan conditions not being met, playing 10 Premier League games, he will return to Liverpool at the end of the season, seeing the club miss out on an agreed £35 million transfer fee.

While there is certainly merit in retaining his services, Liverpool are expected to listen to offers, or could even offer him up throughout transfer discussions.

This is where Leipzig and Diomande enter the picture. As noted by the Times‘ Paul Joyce, Leipzig did table an offer for Elliott last summer, albeit around a lowly £20 million.

But Liverpool’s known interest in Diomande could cause a re-evaluation as they seek out Mo Salah‘s successor.

Joyce rightly explains that, “should talks on Diomande formally progress in the future, it would be no surprise if Elliott was mentioned as a means of bringing down the Ivorian’s £85million price tag.”

The 19-year-old winger has been described as the Reds’ “top transfer target,” and it was even claimed by Sky Germany that “concrete talks” have taken place with Diomande’s representatives.

Leipzig are looking to renegotiate Diomande’s contract with a pay rise and extended terms, but Liverpool including Elliott as part of their talks could hold weight.

Of course, this would require Elliott to green light a move to Germany, which could now prove more alluring having seen Jarell Quansah‘s success at Bayer Leverkusen and Tyler Morton‘s development in France.

With only one 90-minute outing across the entire season, Elliott needs a club that will show faith and offer consistent game time, which Leipzig have a track record in with young players.

As for Liverpool, the versatility of Diomande will be attractive, as will the 19-year-old’s pace and dynamism, traits which have been lacking in Liverpool’s attack this season.

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Armin Pecsi has largely flown under the radar since arriving at Liverpool last summer, but Arne Slot has now offered a rare assessment of the 21-year-old.

Pecsi arrived in the summer having played 70 times for Puskas Akademia, and found himself drifting between Liverpool’s academy ranks and the first team.

Earlier this season, he went nearly four months without featuring at any level for the club, but went on to play 17 times for Rob Pages U21s as they closed out their season last week.

The Hungarian has been called up to train with the first team throughout the season, making the bench against Crystal Palace (League Cup and Premier League), Aston Villa, and Everton.

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But any insight from Slot on the young goalkeeper’s development has been rare, though he did make an exception while discussing his Hungarian contingent in his pre-Man United press conference.

“Armin is in a very good place,” Slot told reporters after disclosing Milos Kerkez‘s fitness issues.

“His teammates are sometimes annoyed by how well he brings the ball out from the back when they want to press him, so he’s in a very good place.”

With modern goalkeepers needing to show poise and composure on the ball, and the ability to distribute, Slot’s verdict is a promising indication of Pecsi’s development – even if it does annoy his teammates!

With Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson sidelined, the 21-year-old was just named in successive senior matchday squads for the second time, and could be set for a third.

On his chances of being named among the substitutes at Man United, Slot explained, “That depends, of course, on Allison.”

The Brazilian has to prove his fitness in training if he is to mark his return after seven games out. If not, Freddie Woodman will start and Pecsi will act as his deputy.

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