Having seen their Champions League aspirations extinguished by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Liverpool are now steeling themselves for a crunch Merseyside derby at the weekend. A defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium could heap further pressure on manager Arne Slot, who won the league title last season but has found things far tougher this term.
Slot's side sit fifth in the Premier League ahead of their short trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Chelsea four points adrift and Brentford and Everton a further point behind. Five English clubs will earn places in next season's Champions League through their league standing but the Reds won't be relaxing and thinking the job is already done.
One day after Liverpool's European exit, former Reds defender Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered the same fate with Real Madrid. The Spanish side gave themselves a genuine chance of overturning a first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich but were ultimately undone by two late strikes and lost 6-4 on aggregate.
We have a pointed reaction from the right-back's brother, along with a fresh assessment of Slot's future at the club. Here are our latest updates from around Anfield.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane reckons Liverpool cannot dismiss Arne Slot so quickly, pointing to last season's Premier League triumph in his defence of the Dutchman. Speaking on Stick to Football, Keane expressed confidence that the Merseyside outfit will still conclude the campaign in the Champions League spots.
"Yeah, you can't be sacking the manager a year after winning the league," the Irishman said. "They're [the fans] restless. Of course, but aren't most fans?
"It's about how they finish the season. They've got United in a couple of weeks. So, they're big games emotionally for the fans, aren't they? But I'll think they'll be fine for top five."
Trent Alexander-Arnold's brother Marcel hit back at Liverpool supporters during a live stream as Real Madrid crashed out of Europe. He brought up the Reds' European exit after one fan called him out for seemingly supporting Liverpool one night and Madrid the next.
"I am a Liverpool fan but the hate that comes in here comes purely from Liverpool fans. So I will stand on business," Marcel replied. "Listen, I am a Real Madrid fan but when Liverpool win, I'm happy to see them win. But I care more about my brother than I care about Liverpool. Simple as that.
"So if someone is hating on my brother, I will roast whatever team you support. If it's Liverpool, then so be it. Your team got cooked yesterday. Relax."
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