Rousing The Kop

Liverpool have already won the transfer window but they could still benefit from deals happening elsewhere.

The Reds have certainly had a summer to remember and the number of top quality signings they have made is nothing short of sensational.

They still have a little way to go yet, however, and a few more arrivals are expected to happen, while departures could still be on the cards should decent offers arrive.

In fact, as we have seen so far this summer, the domino effect can be something all teams benefit from, and Liverpool might perhaps be the next team to feel its effect.

This comes in the case of Eberechi Eze, with the Englishman looking like he might be on his way to Tottenham Hotspur, something that could have implications for one Liverpool player’s future.

Crystal Palace could try and sign Harvey Elliott if they sell Eberechi Eze

Eze is a player who has set the league alight for many seasons now and it is no surprise to see him linked to some top teams, with Liverpool even once interested.

Although that ship has now sailed, the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham are still very keen to sign him, with the latter looking the most likely to land him this summer.

And, if they do, this could have knock-on effects for Harvey Elliott as he very well could be the replacement for Eze at Selhurst Park should he depart.

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The 22-year-old has a similar profile to Palace’s star man and is five years his junior, making him a smart acquisition for the future of their club.

He would also cost a similar amount of money as what Eze would go for, perhaps even less, again another reason why it would be worthwhile.

Elliott is ready to become a star player at another team and the fact Palace have European football, albeit in the Conference League, makes a move even more attractive, suggesting it would be a very good move for both parties.

Tottenham could still make a move for Harvey Elliott

Even though Liverpool are not actively trying to sell Elliott this summer, they find themselves in a very strong position if they think they should offload him due to the number of clubs interested.

And, if Spurs fail to get Eze for whatever reason, there is always still a chance the Reds benefit as they might opt for Elliott instead.

Tottenham need a James Maddison replacement after the Englishman tore his ACL in pre-season, with Elliott again a similar type of player.

The 22-year-old might prefer this move too as he would be able to play Champions League football, suggesting that if they put a good bid in for him, he would very likely join.

Liverpool can secure only their second-ever Premier League title – and Arne Slot’s first – by beating Tottenham Hotspur on what could be a day of unbridled jubilation at Anfield.

Beating Tottenham Hotspur, by the way, is something few teams have had problems with during a traumatic campaign for an increasingly-curmudgeonly Ange Postecoglou.

Ipswich Town and Leicester City may make up two-thirds of the Premier League’s cut-adrift bottom three but both triumphed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Liverpool, meanwhile, scored ten goals in their two victories over the rickety Londoners.

A 6-3 league victory and a 4-0 EFL Cup semi-final trouncing which emphatically wiped out that first-leg defeat.

Gary Neville is predicting another handsome Liverpool win at Anfield. The Manchester United legend believes a 4-1 shellacking could be on the cards from a Reds side fired up by the prospect of securing the title in front of their own supporters.

And, just to lengthen the odds facing the ever-capitulating visitors, Postecoglou used his Friday press conference to confirm that Heung-Min Son will be unavailable for the trop to Merseyside.

Tottenham’s long-serving number seven – Jurgen Klopp wanted Heung-Min Son at Borussia Dortmund back in the day – boasts one of the Premier League’s more impressive records against Liverpool.

In fact, with seven from 19 matches, the South Korean superstar ranks joint-fourth for goals fired past the runaway leaders. Only Andy Cole, Harry Kane, Thierry Henry and Jamie Vardy have scored more.

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And while Son is clearly no longer the same fearsome force of old – his 33rd birthday is rapidly approaching – his absence still robs Spurs of this season’s third-highest goalscorer and their best assist-provider.

“Sonny is improving, which is a positive for us. [But] not for Sunday,” Postecoglou says, . “You just need to give him some rest and some time off it and give him some treatment.

“The main thing is to get him off his feet for a week and allow [the injury] to settle so he can start the process of getting back.”

Postecoglou does confirm that defensive duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Van will be ‘fine’ to feature at Anfield. Both were subbed off at half-time during last week’s 2-1 home defeat by Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest, Ben Davies and Kevin Danso taking their place.

However, those changes were pre-planned on the back of spells on the sidelines for both the Argentine and the once-Liverpool-linked Dutchman.

Arne Slot confirms Conor Bradley can play but Joe Gomez absent

Over in the Reds’ camp, Arne Slot is hopeful Conor Bradley can play 90 minutes for the first time since November. The right-back is looking to ace his audition with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure looming.

There will be no return this time around for the luckless Joe Gomez, however. Though Slot is not giving up on having the England international back at his disposal before the curtain falls.

“If his recovery goes well, he would be able to [play] maybe in the last one or two games of the season,” Slot says. “[Gomez] is still not training with us yet, but he is coming closer and closer to train with the team.

“But then he’s been out for a long time. We were just discussing Conor Bradley – it took him a while before he could even come in or have a long start.

“I think he [Gomez] will be available in the last one, two or three games if his recovery goes the way as planned.”

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday with the chance to crown themselves as Premier League winners.

The Reds would have won the title had Crystal Palace beaten Arsenal on Wednesday, but can now finish the job themselves at Anfield.

Tottenham are favourable opposition for Liverpool, with Ange Postecoglou’s team struggling way down in 16th place in the Premier League table.

With a Europa League semi-final to focus on in midweek, Spurs are unlikely to be going full tilt at Anfield.

It could be a special day for the Reds and a slightly strange one for Postecoglou who grew up as a Liverpool fan.

But while the Spurs manager has links to Liverpool, so Arne Slot has an intertwined past with Tottenham. Had he not taken himself out of the running 2023, Slot could well have ended up in charge of the north Londoners.

What Arne Slot said after rejecting Tottenham job

There is no telling which version of Tottenham will turn up at Anfield on Sunday. They have both beaten and been heavily beaten by Liverpool this season.

Under Postecoglou Spurs have become a parody of themselves as a soft touch who all too often capitulate in the most extreme of ways.

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In many ways they are the opposite of Slot’s Liverpool, which makes the fact they were targeting the Dutch coach in 2023 all the more intriguing.

According to The Athletic, Slot was in ‘pole position’ to join Spurs in May 2023, moving ahead of Postecoglou in the running. There is said to have been an expectation that the then Feyenoord boss would be appointed.

However, with another round of interviews reportedly scheduled, Slot unexpectedly pulled out of the running and signed a new contract with Feyenoord.

“Because of the way we work here, the way I work with my staff, the players we have, the facilities we have,” Slot explained on his decision to stay at De Kuip.

“And the thing is, I think the possibilities we have here in the near future, and the longer-term future, are still challenging for me. We are going to play Champions League, which I have never done before, as a player or as a coach, which I am looking forward to. The club is in a really good place.

“I felt I want to work for longer, based on the project, to see what comes from that. Because you go every time, after one or two successful seasons. But in the end, where and what are you then? Sometimes you also have to cherish what you have.”

How would Slot have managed at Tottenham?

It is impossible to say how Slot would have got on at Spurs, but it’s safe to say that Tottenham’s loss was certainly Liverpool’s gain.

Had the 46-year-old made good on his tag as Daniel Levy’s favourite, he would clearly have been out of the running to succeed Jurgen Klopp one year later.

From a Spurs point of view it can be easy to view Postecoglou’s reign through the eyes of what will likely be a bottom-half league finish. But he guided them to fifth last season and could yet win the Europa League.

So, although we’d wager that Slot would have had Tottenham back in the top four by now, this is perhaps a case of everyone ending up where they should have.

If those Spurs fans and players do watch Liverpool and Slot collect a 20th league title at Anfield on Sunday, however, they could be forgiven for wondering what could have been.

As far as Gary Neville is concerned, it’s ‘pray for Tottenham’ time as Ange Postecoglou’s beleaguered Spurs head to Liverpool on what could be a weekend of pure jubilation for the Premier League champions-elect.

At least, Tottenham will be under no requirement to perform the dreaded ‘guard of honour’.

Should Liverpool secure their second Premier League title on Sunday – and their first under Arne Slot – old rivals Chelsea may be forced into applauding the victorious Reds onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge in early-May.

After Arsenal’s drubbing of Ipswich Town last time out delayed the celebrations, Liverpool’s task is now about getting the job done as soon as possible.

And Gary Neville, an eight-time Premier League champion down the road at Manchester United, has very little doubt about Liverpool’s ability to make very light work of a Spurs side with five defeats in their last seven top-flight games.

At least, as Ange Postecoglou is a boyhood Liverpool fan, another trophy to add to their collection may feel like some form of consolation for the embattled Tottenham boss.

Gary Neville predicts Liverpool 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Now, it’s tempting to wonder what the most ‘Spursy’ sort of move would be.

To find themselves on the end of an Anfield obliteration? A mere footnote in Liverpool’s title story? Or a shock win away from home at the runaway leaders, handing North London neighbours Arsenal the briefest glint of hope.

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Hope that, after Arsenal slipped to a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, barely even registers on the scale anymore.

While former Old Trafford skipper Roy Keane is predicting a comfortable 2-0 Liverpool victory, Neville feels that Tottenham would be lucky to escape the red side of Stanley Park with even a semblance of pride after what he feels will be a beating so brutal it may have the home fans pleading for mercy.

“A procession. It will be barbaric,” Neville says. “I think it will be 4-1. Liverpool will score four. It will be one of those celebratory [afternoons].”

Not quite as emphatic as Chelsea’s 8-0 shellacking of Wigan Athletic on the final day of the 2009/10 season, then, but not far off.

Neville admits he was wrong to doubt Arne Slot

Yet, Arne Slot has been ‘incredible’ stepping Jurgen Klopp’s shoes, building on his predecessors foundations and ensuring that the title can be secured with four games remaining.

“None of us can rewrite history,” the former England right-back said on The Gary Neville Podcast after Trent Alexander-Arnold fired Liverpool past Leicester City on Sunday.

“I don’t think there were many Liverpool fans who thought they could win the league, let alone anybody else.

“I don’t remember any pundit, analyst, journalist or fan saying that Liverpool will win the league. It was Man City or Arsenal. To do what they have done is very special and there’s nothing like being at Anfield, next Sunday, knowing you’ve got a game for the title with ones to spare.

“They’re not going to be pushed at the end, but that’s not their problem. That’s the problem of the others, the problem of City, the problem of Arsenal.

“I think, at the start of the season, I had [Liverpool] in fifth. I thought their would be just a natural fall off as there sometimes is when a Wenger leaves, or a Sir Alex Ferguson leaves. There is just a natural drop.

“That’s why I think the manager and coaches deserve enormous credit.”

Liverpool’s win over Tottenham on Thursday put the Reds in their ninth major cup final since 2015.

The Reds have been transformed over the past decade, with Jurgen Klopp guiding them to victory in four of those finals.

The biggest, of course, was also at the expense of Tottenham. Spurs were the opponents when Liverpool lifted their sixth Champions League title in 2019.

One of the more celebrated players in Mauricio Pochettino’s team that evening in Madrid was forward Son Heung-Min.

Son has been a terrific player for Tottenham since arriving for just £22m in 2015. However, that final six years ago remains the closest he has come to silverware at Spurs.

With another chance at a trophy dashed by at Anfield on Thursday, it was noticeable that several Liverpool players made a point of consoling Son at the final whistle.

Liverpool players make Son Heung-Min feelings clear

Son has become a Tottenham legend over 10 years in North London. But as the sun begins to set on his career as a top level player, it’s clear that he should have won so much more.

Son reportedly wanted to join Liverpool in 2022 and its harder to think of a better fit than the South Korean in the Reds attack.

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Klopp was certainly a fan of Son. The German even admitted that not signing the Spurs man was ‘one of the biggest mistakes’ of his career as a manager.

And judging by the Liverpool player’s reactions to Son on Thursday, they may hold some similar regrets as well.

Son has praised Mohamed Salah plenty of times in the past and the pair do appear to have a connection. Cameras caught the two players sharing a lingering hug at full-time on Thursday.

Virgil van Dijk is another with clear affection for the Korean, a pat on the back and a warm arm around the shoulder showed as much.

Liverpool miss chance with Son

Had Liverpool signed Son when they seemingly had half a chance in 2022, they would still have been getting a player with plenty to offer.

He has scored 41 goals and registered 24 assists in 115 games for Spurs since. Not bad going.

But although Son is still a key man for Ange Postecoglou’s team, Thursday’s game was another indication hat he is no longer the player he once was.

The Korea captain did produce Spurs’ bet moment of the game as he slammed a good effort against the bar late one. But, that aside, he did not threaten at all.

It’s easy to dream of what Son could have been alongside big players like Salah and Van Dijk who clearly rate him enormously. But, unfortunately, it was never meant to be.

Liverpool started well against Tottenham on Thursday, getting themselves the first-half goal they were always going to need.

Having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at Spurs back in January, the Reds needed a fast start to get themselves level.

Inevitably, with Anfield right up for it, Liverpool began the game in quick fashion. However, for the early part, Spurs matched them.

One man who was always going to be up for the fight on Merseyside was former Everton man Richarlison.

The Brazilian has played the pantomime villain many a time during his career in England. And he was at it again during Thursday’s tie.

Richarlison appeared desperate to get into it with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. And after a couple of clashes between the pair, journalist Lewis Steele spotted Van Dijk getting his own back.

Virgil van Dijk mugs off Richarlison

There was a flashpoint just moments into the game when Van Dijk appeared to catch Richarlison on the chin with an elbow.

Despite the protestations of Ally McCoist on commentary for ITV, it was never going to be a red card for the Liverpool centre-back.

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Nevertheless, that wasn’t going to stop Richarlison trying his best to get Van Dijk into trouble.

But Virgil has been around long enough to know when someone is gaming him. And having seen the referee wave away Richarlison’s claims, the big man made sure to leave one on his opponent at the nearest opportunity.

And having brought the Brazil international down, Steele spotted Van Dijk engaging in some ‘playground’ tactics off the ball.

“Virgil van Dijk just offered a hand to Richarlison to help him up off the floor,” says the journalist on X.

“Richarlison reaches towards it but Van Dijk pulls it away. Not seen that one since the primary school playground.”

Anfield gets last laugh on Richarlison

Not long after Richarlison was mugged off by Van Dijk, his night took another turn. Having barely returned from injury, the 27-year-old sat down and punched the Anfield turf in anger. His evening was over.

Again, Steele noted the reaction as Richarlison headed down the tunnel, and it’s safe to say the Anfield crowd enjoyed his misfortune.

“Liverpool fans laughing at Richarlison who is clearly in some discomfort after pulling up injured,” said the reporter.

“Former Everton man is being replaced by new signing Mathys Tel.”

A bad evening for Richarlison, but that’s what happens when you go against the best.

Liverpool are out for revenge in the Carabao Cup on Thursday as they look to make a second final in succession.

The Reds are going to have to come from behind to get there, though, with Tottenham Hotspur taking a 1-0 first-leg lead to Anfield.

Liverpool had a right to be aggrieved with the way they lost the previous meeting in January. And Arne Slot and his players will have to channel that frustration the right way in-front of an expectant home crowd.

As Slot looks to reach his first final with Liverpool at the very first attempt, here’s the XI we think he’ll task with turning this tie around.

Defence

Who plays in goal for Liverpool is not often a big talking point. If he’s fit, Alisson Becker plays, unless it’s the Carabao Cup, then it’s Caoimhin Kelleher.

Slot has blurred those lines this season, though, and just as he did in January, we think Alisson will start this one.

In-front of the Brazilian, Trent Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool’s only injury worry and will be forced to sit out. Conor Bradley has a big chance to make his mark in Trent’s absence.

At centre-back there is no reason for Slot not to go full strength, meaning Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, while we’d imagine Andy Robertson will continue at left-back before being switched out for Sunday’s clash with Plymouth Argyle.

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Midfield

After James McConnell’s terrific performance against PSV Eindhoven last week, there’s a chance Slot would be thinking about the 20-year-old if he wants to rotate here.

Curtis Jones made an impact when coming on against Bournemouth as well and may have his eyes on a start.

However, we think Slot will disappoint them both and simply stick with what he knows works here.

The trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai is arguably the best midfield in Europe right now and they’ll play a big part in Liverpool’s attempt to turn this tie on its head.

Attack

During Jurgen Klopp’s time at the club, Liverpool would rarely field their best players in the Carabao Cup until the final.

However, given the need to get goals, the relative strength of Tottenham and the FA Cup tie coming on Sunday, we think that will change on Thursday.

That will mean that Mohamed Salah makes just his 10th League Cup appearance, while Cody Gakpo – who loves this competition dearly – will also play.

For the third and final spot, we think Slot will opt to let Darwin Nunez have a run out against what could be a makeshift Spurs defence.

Injuries look set to play a big impact on Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night.

The two Premier League clubs will go head-to-head for a place at Wembley, with Spurs leading the tie 1-0 from the first leg after Lucas Bergvall netted the only goal of the game.

Liverpool are expected to turn the tie around, given their current run of form and the fact that the match takes place in front of an Anfield crowd.

Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the game after the right-back left the pitch early with an issue against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Tottenham have been very inconsistent this season and that has been a result of some major injuries at the North London club so Ange Postecoglou knows how Slot is feeling right now.

Micky van de Ven returned to action last week in the Europa League after being out for months with a hamstring injury and the defender is a player Slot wants to know if he will be fit to face his team on Thursday night.

Arne Slot admits Micky van de Ven will be impactful

Van de Ven turned down a move to Liverpool to join Tottenham and has been a key player for Spurs ever since.

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The Dutch talent arrived in North London last summer with the centre-back allowing Postecoglou to play a very high line due to his recovery speed.

However, the 23-year-old seems to be injury-prone and has missed a lot of action over the last two campaigns.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Slot wondered if Van de Ven would be fit for Thursday night’s match as the Liverpool boss admitted that the defender would have a big impact.

“I wonder if Micky van de Ven is ready to play – he, of course, has a big impact on that team,” Slot said. “It might change the quality we face tomorrow compared to the last time but we were already not able to win from the team that played last time. So, it’s going to be a difficult one, which we know.”

Despite not featuring in Tottenham’s win over Brentford at the weekend, Spurs fans were hopeful that Van de Ven would be fit for their trip to Anfield.

Both Slot and Tottenham supporters have got their answers, as Ange Postecoglou has informed the press about the 23-year-old’s availability.

Van de Ven has been a huge miss for Tottenham this season having featured in only 12 games for the North London club before picking up his injury.

Postecoglou has informed the media that Van de Ven will not play against Liverpool on Thursday as the Australian coach takes a cautious approach to his return to full fitness.

‘It’s a bit of everything. He got through the game with no problem but had a look at the stats, Premier League is a whole different beast and after losing Radu, I thought about what we had ahead of us,” the Tottenham boss said via football.london.

‘Don’t get me wrong we have some big games ahead but also afforded ourselves a couple of clear weeks. Hopefully, we’re in the final of the Carabao Cup, hopefully, we’re still in FA Cup and I don’t see the sense of us risking.’

This will be a big boost for Slot as it will allow Liverpool to expose Spurs’ high line with greater effect as the Dutch coach will look to use his front three to create a lot of problems for Postecoglou.

The contest is poised to be a great one under the Anfield lights as both Premier League clubs need to win it for different reasons.

Tottenham have received a big boost ahead of the EFL Cup clash with Liverpool.

The Reds host Ange Postecoglou’s men at Anfield on Thursday night in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with the Merseyside club trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

A Lucas Bergvall goal has left Arne Slot’s men with work to do, and despite Liverpool being without Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Premier League leaders will be viewed as the favourites to advance, given their recent run of form and the unpredictability of Spurs this season.

The January transfer window was a quiet one for the Reds with it being confirmed that Liverpool are the lowest spenders throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

While the Merseyside club had no work to do, the same cannot be said for Tottenham, who needed to address several issues.

The end of the January transfer window was busy for the North London club and ahead of the Liverpool clash on Thursday, Tottenham have received a big boost to their hopes of making it to Wembley.

Tottenham register new signings in time for Liverpool clash

Tottenham have been dealing with massive injury issues this season and with the goalkeeper position being a problem for Postecoglou, Spurs signed Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague very early in the January transfer window.

Their work was not finished there though, as Tottenham brought in both Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel on loan as the deadline drew closer.

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Danso arrived from RC Lens, with Spurs obligated to make it a permanent deal in the summer, which is worth £21m, reports the BBC. Unlike the centre-back, Tottenham have the option to sign Tel permanently, with a clause worth £50m included in the forward’s contract, reports the BBC.

The duo are expected to make an impact in North London and according to the Liverpool Echo, Tottenham have registered the two players in time for their Carabao Cup match with Liverpool.

The cup competition is a big deal for Postecoglou, and this will make his job of reaching Wembley easier as the Australian has already benefited from playing a new star against Liverpool.

Will history repeat itself between Liverpool and Tottenham?

Having arrived from Slavia Prague at the start of January, Kinksy’s debut for Tottenham was against Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

The 21-year-old was outstanding against the Reds, pulling off several saves to earn himself a clean sheet and a man-of-the-match performance, which allowed his team to take an advantage to Anfield this week.

History could repeat itself for Danso and Tel as the duo are players Slot is unlikely to have prepared for. That is a weapon Postecoglou needs to utilise if they are to get a result on Merseyside and the French forward in particular, could be of use.

Tottenham’s new signings are outliers in Thursday night’s match and Postecoglou will be hoping that they can make an instant impact on a very big stage.

Liverpool have gained a lot of plaudits for the way they have conducted business in the transfer market.

The Reds usually take a measured approach when it comes to incomings and have largely refrained from splashing the cash on big signings, unless it’s for certified game-changers like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.

The summer transfer window, however, proved to be a bit of a strange one for Liverpool as Arne Slot signed only Federico Chiesa in August and shut up shop.

Their squad didn’t need major surgery as the Dutchman inherited a fantastic bunch of players from Jurgen Klopp, but the previous transfer window still feels like a missed opportunity despite how the season has panned out so far.

And the Reds well and truly missed the trick with Archie Gray, who has earned rave reviews for his performances since signing for Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool missed out on Archie Gray in the summer

After Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool, the Reds opted against pursuing alternatives, instead opting to use Ryan Gravenberch as a number six.

And it’s safe to say Slot’s decision to do so has already paid dividends, with the Dutch international playing the best football of his professional career and also forcing his way into Ronald Koeman’s squad for the national team.

However, it goes without saying that they could have done with a player like Gray in the squad, who was in the market in the summer after bursting onto the scene at Leeds United.

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Gray was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool – with the Reds scouting him for ages and holding a fantastic relationship with his family – but a move never came to fruition as he eventually signed for Tottenham.

The 18-year-old is capable of playing in central midfield and at right-back and has shown in his brief period in North London that his maturity belies his age.

Additionally, in recent weeks, Gray has been deployed as a central defender due to an ongoing injury crisis at Tottenham.

Much to everyone’s surprise, the young Englishman has held his own at the heart of the backline, producing a memorable display in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Liverpool.

The Reds have made in-game changes and have had to use Gravenberch as a centre-back in a few games this season, while the Dutchman, as good as he’s been, has played way too many minutes for his own good.

If Liverpool had a player like Gray in the squad, he could have been a great rotation option at the very least and would’ve had the chance to play quite a few minutes this season as the Reds are competing on all fronts.

All in all, Liverpool’s failure to sign Gray very much seems like a glorious opportunity they let slip in the summer.

Gray’s stats this season

Gray has been described as a phenomenal player by Jermaine Beckford and is one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League currently.

He has played 25 games across all competitions this season, with 12 of those coming as a central defender and six as a right-back.

At the risk of going overboard, his versatility could be compared to that of James Milner and we’ve seen over the years that players such as Gray have always had a place in great squads.

The Championship has produced some fantastic talents over the years and Gray certainly seems like the next one from their production line.

Liverpool missed out on him, but it would be worth keeping an eye on the Championship in the upcoming transfer window to see if they can nab a player or two.