Liverpool

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

In many ways, the boring 1-0 win away to Leicester City encapsulates Liverpool's season. They just get the job done.

It was not exhilarating, it was not always fluid, but it was a win with a clean sheet, and three more points on the road to the inevitable title.

Liverpool actually played well enough to win this game much more easily, but the finishing was poor. A new striker in the summer is an absolute must.

The idea that Liverpool have only won because the Premier League is a poor one, however, makes no sense.

The Arsenal side who beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate are 13 points behind. Seventh-placed Aston Villa pushed PSG all the way over two legs and have won five on the trot with huge names signed in January. Two teams in the bottom half, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

There are good sides with strong, tactical managers all the way down the table; Liverpool have just been much, much more consistent.

And the idea that Liverpool have not had injuries? Alisson - starting goalkeeper, Trent Alexander-Arnold - starting right-back, and Diogo Jota - starting forward, have all missed months of football.

Arne Slot has just found a way to keep winning, unlike his rivals.

On either Wednesday or Sunday, this title will be done.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Image source, Getty Images

It was Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal celebration, rather than the manner of Liverpool's one-goal victory over Championship-bound Leicester, that hit the headlines on Sunday.

Pundits Glenn Murray and Stephen Warnock had contrasting views on the significance and meaning behind the celebration in the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It seemed like a moment, didn't it," said Murray. "The outpouring of emotion. The way he went right over to the Liverpool fans, even in a moment when he has been getting a little bit of criticism following the other two [contract] signings from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

"I did wonder, is this a sign that he may be putting pen to paper? But I do think he is still walking out of the door, yet that doesn't mean he loves Liverpool any less."

Former Liverpool defender Warnock added: "There has been a lot of talk about Trent [Alexander-Arnold] leaving. I still think he is trying to find his worth at Liverpool.

"When you are a youngster and you come through, you don't get the riches the other players get. What he has shown over the past eight years at the football club is the ability to change games single-handedly.

"I think he knows his worth in his head and I wonder if there is a side of him saying 'I am going to see what Salah and Van Dijk sign for and I want to push up and around those figures because I feel like I am an integral part of that [team]'."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Liverpool beat Leicester City on Sunday to close in on the title:

Here are some of your comments:

Roger: Never looked like losing but made heavy work of getting the win given our domination. Despite Mohamed Salah's great numbers, he is way off it at the moment. He must have had six scoring opportunities and for someone of his class, should certainly have scored three. Trent Alexander-Arnold showed what we are going to miss if he goes. Conor Bradley is a good player but has some rough edges and it was evident in this game. Pleased to see Harvey Elliot get a chance off the bench and I feel he deserves a start next up. Either way, we are now on the brink and all the credit must go to Arne Slot, his staff and the players.

Kenny: Fantastic win - but how did we miss so many chances? Leaves us with a perfect opportunity to beat Spurs next and to celebrate in front of our fans. We owe so much to Virgil van Dijk, Salah and TAA.

Paul: Champions always find a way to win when not at their best. Really pleased for Trent to get the winner and to see what it meant to him.

Les: Another lethargic display but they got the job done. What stood out for me is that Bradley is not the answer to fill the gap if Trent leaves. He's simply not ready - he's still learning.

Chris: Was it the most scintillating display? No. Did it need to be? No. The title is all but sewn up and I have zero problem with taking our foot off of the pedal if it means we can start next season far more refreshed. I loved Jurgen Klopp to bits but the fact that under Slot we've sauntered to the title with an identical team should surely make us ask the unthinkable - did Klopp under-achieve?

Suzy: I'm fed up of us getting criticised for not demolishing teams by four or five goals and supposedly not playing 'entertaining football'. Well, you know what, we've done that and got the 97 points and got the runners-up accolade. You don't have to be the most entertaining to be the best. We've been the best and the most consistent. One win to go. Haters can hate. Come on you. Reds! Bring home number 20!

Image source, Getty Images

After beating Leicester City on Sunday, Liverpool have won six of their past seven league games and have a 13-point lead at the top.

This means they require only three more points to secure the title as that would put them on 82 points. Closest challengers Arsenal are only able to attain 81 points even if they won all their remaining games.

The Reds host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and a win would be enough to clinch their second Premier League title in five years.

However, it could be won as soon as this Wednesday, without even playing if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace.

A Gunners draw would all but seal the title as Liverpool would be 12 points clear and with a vastly superior goal difference.

Mathematically, though, a point for Mikel Arteta's side would delay Liverpool's coronation and leave them needing a point against Spurs.

Image source, Daily Star and Daily Express

Could there be a twist in Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation?

For the romantics, his goal celebration at Leicester may bring new hope that the Liverpool-born right-back will put pen to paper on a new Anfield deal.

Or was it a farewell?

Monday's newspaper back pages focus on the 26-year-old after his goal put Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League title.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich Town 0-4 Arsenal

• Manchester United 0-1 Wolves

• Leicester City 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs that have been monitoring Netherlands forward Xavi Simons, who has a contract at RB Leipzig until 2027. (Sport Bild - in German), external

Xavi could leave this summer but the German club will want about £70m if they are to sell the 21-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany), external

Liverpool are planning talks to determine the futures of 28-year-old forward Luiz Diaz, 28-year-old striker Diogo Jota and 25-year-old centre-back Ibrahima Konate, as they head into the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Finally, Saudi Arabia's minister of sport - Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal - says Mohamed Salah "fits the identity of playing" in the country's top league, but there were no discussions about signing him prior to the 32-year-old forward extending his contract with Liverpool. (ESPN), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Sport after defeating Leicester City: "Yeah [it was tough] but this is what you can expect when you forget to score your first chances.

"Then the belief will start, the stadium is sold out, of course, the fans were behind the home team when normally at 0-0 they would be more critical."

On chances created: "I think we created two very big chances in the first five minutes, in the first 15-20 minutes of the second half we created chance after chance, in my opinion.

"Since I've been here I don't think we played a game where we've had so many big chances and didn't score one of them. In the end we needed a set piece to score, which wasn't a big chance, but a great finish from Trent."

On Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring with his left foot: "I wonder if he ever did it before? But he has a very good left foot. But because his right foot is so, so, so exceptional, he prefers to hit it with his right.

"An important goal, great for him. Last week it was Virgil [van Dijk], now it is Trent, it's been Mo [Salah] for a long, long, long time - today he missed a few. It's so nice to have players that can step up if we really need it.

"That's what Virgil did last week and Trent did today."

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold was the first defender to come on as a substitute and score the winning goal for Liverpool in a Premier League match since Martin Skrtel in August 2011 v Bolton Wanderers.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, speaking to Sky Sports after scoring the winner against Leicester City: "Sure, it was [one of the best moments in a Liverpool shirt]. I have scored a few goals here at this stadium. We are so close to winning the title now and the first game back from injury as well, it was an important game for me.

"I am pretty sure it is my first left-foot goal. It's taken a few years, but got there in the end. Probably the one type of goal that I was missing, but I was saving it for a right time. We are so close to wining - just one win away now. To do that especially with the fans here is a very, very special moment."

"The fans have been outstanding. They have pushed us every game and they did the same today as well.

"The least they deserve is seeing us giving 100% on the pitch and win the game. It's very special."

On his future: "I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details.

"But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles - they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part."

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Leicester's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Ipswich v Arsenal

• Manchester United v Wolves

• Leicester v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Leicester ended their long losing run with a draw at Brighton last weekend, but I'm afraid another defeat is on its way for the Foxes here.

Liverpool were as limp as anything against West Ham last time out, but they still got over the line. They could be even limper against Leicester, and they will still win to move even closer to the title.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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It is a matter of time before Liverpool are crowned champions, and it could happen as early as Sunday if results go their way.

It is rare in Premier League history for a team to have about 70 points after 32 games and be 10 or more points ahead - but not unprecedented.

While 10 Premier League leaders have had more points at this stage, only one had a bigger lead than Liverpool's 13 points - the Reds themselves in 2019-20 when they had a record 86 points and a 20-point lead.

For those who may use this to argue that Liverpool haven't actually been that great, then the same must surely apply to three previous title-winning sides. These are Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United sides of 1999-2000 (73 pts, 11-pt lead) and 2000-01 (73 pts, 13-pt lead), and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side in 2014-15 (76 pts, 10-pt lead).

I'd love to see someone say that those United sides weren't actually that great to Roy Keane's face!

While it's true that Liverpool's 76 points at this stage wouldn't have guaranteed them the title in the past few seasons, it would have put them in a strong position and matches the pace set by recent table-toppers.

The same cannot be said of the teams chasing them. Arsenal's 63 points is the fewest the second-placed team has had after 32 games since Leicester's miracle season of 2015-16.

It's perhaps because we've had such close title races in the past few seasons – including an incredible three-horse race last season – that the lack of one this year has seemed so stark.

It actually mirrors Manchester City's title-winning campaign in 2020-21, when Pep Guardiola's side had 74 points and an eight-point lead at this stage, as defending champions Liverpool suffered a raft of injuries to key players and were battling just to finish in the top four.

We all know that it takes two to tango in a title race - but is it Liverpool's fault that no-one else has been able to match their moves?

Image source, PA Media

Earlier, we asked you to name the current Liverpool player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Alisson.