Rousing The Kop

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will clash in a Premier League fixture on Saturday.

The Reds are looking to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to six matches, while Spurs are fighting to regain their form.

Arne Slot could produce a new-look line-up for the meeting, with a number of regular starters expected to miss out or be doubts for December 20’s tie.

The biggest decision Arne Slot has to make for Liverpool vs Tottenham is:

Dominik Szoboszlai could miss Tottenham, and has arguably been one of the Premier League champions’ top stars this term.

However, there are a couple more Liverpool stars who have earned high praise going into the weekend.

Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak praised by Tottenham players

Alexander Isak is Micky van de Ven’s toughest opponent in the Premier League, the Dutch centre-back claimed earlier this week.

He called the Swede ‘top class’ and admitted he has a lot of different sides to his game, which make Isak such a good striker.

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At the other end of the pitch, meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk has now been spoken highly of by Dominic Solanke.

Harry Kane conducted an interview with SPORTbible, in which he answered fan questions.

Among the ‘fans’ was Tottenham forward Solanke, who told Kane that Van Dijk is his toughest opponent.

He said: “Hi Harry, Dom here, the best player I’ve played against is Virgil van Dijk, I just wanted to know who is the toughest and best player you’ve played against.”

How do Liverpool get more out of Alexander Isak?

He has a phenomenal record against this weekend's opponents 👀

Dominic Solanke and Richarlison’s record vs Liverpool

During his senior career, the 28-year-old has faced Liverpool more than any other club.

Solanke has been on the winning side against the Reds on just two occasions, losing the remaining nine meetings.

He has, however, despite coming up against Van Dijk, managed to score two and assist three in those games.

The striker is expected to miss this weekend’s match-up due to a long-term injury, with former Everton man Richarlison instead likely to lead the line.

The Brazilian has four goals and three assists in 16 matches against Liverpool.

Liverpool head into Saturday’s clash against Tottenham with the chance to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since September.

Having made it five games unbeaten in all competitions with victory over Brighton last weekend, the Reds finally look to be getting back on track.

Nevertheless, plenty of question marks remain over who exactly makes up Arne Slot‘s best Liverpool XI, and the Dutch coach must find the answers sooner rather than later.

The biggest decision Arne Slot has to make for Liverpool vs Tottenham is:

Part of the complication in Slot being able to pick his best team every time has been that Liverpool’s new signings have struggled to hit the ground running.

Hugo Ekitike aside, doubt has been cast on whether each and every summer addition was a smart one for the Reds. As many of them now begin to settle in properly, Slot could finally help that process by getting them all on the pitch together this Saturday.

Liverpool could play their new signings all together

Clearly, the one caveat to this is that Giovanni Leoni remains injured and will likely miss the entire season. It will be a while until we see him slot back into the Liverpool back line.

However, Slot may have the chance to get all five of his other outfield signings together at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Florian Wirtz and Ekitike are almost certain to start, while it would be a surprise if Alexander Isak was left on the bench again as well.

Milos Kerkez has been in good form recently and deserves to keep his place, while Jeremie Frimpong is expected to be available after missing two months with a hamstring injury.

Frimpong will not start against Tottenham, but the Dutchman may be a candidate to come on. Liverpool’s new diamond formation looks to play to his strengths, and after such a long time spent out of the team, Frimpong will be champing at the bit to return.

It is not only the former Bayer Leverkusen man who should benefit from Slot’s change in approach, though, the new system looks set to get the best out of Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak and Kerkez as well. Finally, after months of questioning exactly what Liverpool were thinking last summer, the plan may begin to look coherent and clear.

Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?

How Liverpool could line up with five new stars

It was always going to be risky for Liverpool to sign so many new players all in one go. Excluding the injured Leoni, the Reds signed half a new team, all of whom had potential to be starters.

In the old 4-3-3 formation, many of those additions made little sense, few more so than the roaming No. 10 Wirtz.

But in Slot’s 4-2-2-2 system, Wirtz is given the freedom to play in between the lines, likely dovetailing with either Dominik Szoboszlai or Alexis Mac Allister against Spurs.

The prospect of Ekitike and Isak leading the line in front of Wirtz is an enticing one, while Kerkez and Frimpong will be given licence to bomb on to provide a threat from wide.

On paper, this looks like a perfect set-up for Liverpool, and fans should be excited to see it in action for the first time. There may be some teething issues, but in Christmas week, Reds supporters could get the early present they’ve been hoping for all season long.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are set to clash in a late Premier League kick-off on Saturday.

Both sides have had difficult starts to the season, but Arne Slot’s men are beginning to turn things around.

Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 last time out, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games and moving to within two points of fourth.

Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?

Tottenham, meanwhile, have won one in five and dropped down to 11th following the latest round of games.

As well as being on a tricky run of form, Micky van de Ven could now come face to face with one of his toughest opponents on Saturday.

Micky van de Ven praises Alexander Isak ahead of Tottenham vs Liverpool

Ahead of the tie, the Spurs centre-back sat down with Gary Neville for an interview with The Overlap.

During the conversation, Neville asked: “Who has been your toughest opponent in the last two years in the Premier League?”

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The Tottenham defender responded by selecting Alexander Isak.

He said: “So the game we played against Newcastle when we lost, the game I slipped as well.

“But this game Isak was different level, so at this point I was like ‘he’s a top class player’.

“I knew he was top class, but this game I was like… He can run in behind, he can come into the ball and technical, he’s also really good with the ball. He’s fast, he has a top finish. So at that point, he was literally just like everywhere.”

But while the Dutchman knows how lethal Liverpool’s record signing can be, he is yet to find his feet as a Red.

Who would be the best Mohamed Salah replacement? 🤔

Alexander Isak’s Liverpool stats compared to Newcastle United

Despite missing pre-season in order to secure a transfer to Anfield, you would have thought that the Swede would be up to speed in a Liverpool shirt by now.

However, supporters are concerned about Isak, who they believe is miles behind his rival, Hugo Ekitike.

In nine Premier League appearances so far this term, he has found the back of the net on just one occasion.

He went on to score a total of 23 league goals for the Magpies, a tally he would now need to score 22 in 22 to reach in 2025/26.

Liverpool have a rare midweek off to rest before travelling to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah has left the club this week to compete for Egypt and will play no part in the remainder of their 2025 fixtures.

Elsewhere, Joe Gomez was injured against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, leaving Liverpool with very few options at right-back.

Who would be the best Mohamed Salah replacement? 🤔

With Conor Bradley suspended, Dominik Szoboszlai was forced to drop into the backline for much of the 2-0 win.

However, Szoboszlai suffered an injury of his own in the fixture, and his potential involvement against Spurs has been cast into doubt.

Dominik Szoboszlai injury timeframe ahead of Tottenham

Thankfully, it doesn’t appear as though the Hungarian will be on the sidelines for too long.

According to a report in his home country, the initial tests did not reveal any serious injury for Szoboszlai.

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Meanwhile, speaking on The Official Liverpool FC Podcast, former player Phil Thompson said he’s quite sure the versatile midfielder will be ready to go by the time the Tottenham clash comes around.

Commenting after the Brighton win, he said: “Dominik, I’d like to think it will be swelling, it will be sore. You get to probably Wednesday and it’ll be going down [with] ice treatment and rest.

“He’ll be ready, I’m quite sure, to go out by next weekend.”

Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?

When is Jeremie Frimpong back from injury?

Gomez could be out for a while, with Slot hinting that he’s going to miss the Tottenham game, as per the Evening Standard.

On the Englishman, Slot said: “If I have a player who goes off with a muscle injury like Joe, that’s normally not a positive thing.

“I would not expect him to be in the squad next week [at Tottenham], but sometimes you get a positive surprise.”

His absence could have left Bradley as the only defender available who is capable of playing at right-back this weekend.

But Slot is expecting Jeremie Frimpong to train with the squad ahead of the trip to North London.

He said: “The good thing is that Conor Bradley comes back from a suspension [next week] and normally Jeremie Frimpong will train with us also.”

The Standard gives him a potential return date of December 20.

Liverpool have lost six of their last seven Premier League matches under Arne Slot.

After a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday, the Reds have slipped down to 12th, 11 points off league leaders Arsenal.

The display was so concerning that supporters have been discussing replacements for Slot in the days since.

RTK have also named a three-man Liverpool managerial shortlist who may be looked at if the Dutchman goes.

Do you want to see Xabi Alonso replace Arne Slot?

Now, an insight into the financial implications of parting ways with Slot has been shared.

The cost of Liverpool sacking Arne Slot

Finance expert Kieran Maguire discussed the cost of removing the Dutchman from his post at Anfield on the latest episode of the Beyond The Back Four podcast.

He revealed it would take a fee somewhere in the region of £10m-15m, which would be offset if Liverpool are able to climb four places under a new boss.

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However, Maguire warned that changing managers doesn’t always work out, using Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest as examples from this season.

He said: “Would cost between £10-15m to sack Slot and coaching staff. From value perspective, danger of missing out on Champions League. With every position in Premier League final table being worth £3.5m then improving by four places under new manager cancels out sacking costs.

“Live in environment of simple solutions to complex problems – sacking managers seen as easy option. Didn’t work at Forest earlier in season, doesn’t look to be working for Tottenham this season too.”

Will Liverpool sack Arne Slot

On the back of the latest league defeat, Graeme Bailey told RTK how Michael Edwards feels about sacking Slot.

He said: “Arne Slot is an Edwards and Hughes guy, whilst not untouchable – who is in football – he has a huge amount of credit in the bank, they believe in him, they believe he is still the man for Liverpool and fully believe he will put this right.

“Everyone at the club insist that at this moment their full focus is on putting things right. They know they are better than what they are showing.”

Next up for Liverpool is a Champions League meeting with PSV on Wednesday evening.

They will then travel to West Ham for a Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.

Both are winnable fixtures on paper, and victories could ease some of the pressure being put on Slot from some sections of the fanbase.

Liverpool may well regret not pushing harder to sign Micky van de Ven before he joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

While injuries have certainly become a feature of the former Wolfsburg defender’s game, he appears to have put that behind him this season and is thriving as a result.

Liverpool, on the other hand, remain in search of their next starting centre-back. Ibrahima Konate looks likely to depart next summer, leaving only Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and young – and injured – Giovanni Leoni.

According to former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz, Van de Ven may be the ideal player to come in and assume leadership duties from his countryman Van Dijk.

“I think he’s the ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, both in the Dutch national team and at Liverpool,” Boulahrouz told ESPN. “The question, of course, is what Virgil will do after the World Cup. Playing in the Premier League for years has taken its toll. You might long for a bit of a break. And Liverpool isn’t crazy: if you’re looking for a world-class left centre-back and you have the money, you’ll quickly end up with Van de Ven.”

There is certainly some credence to the pundit’s comments, but regardless of whether he would be a success or not, is a Liverpool move for Van de Ven even a possibility?

No reason why Liverpool could not sign Micky van de Ven

The one big problem with Van de Ven since his arrival at Spurs has been injuries. When he has been on the pitch he has largely stood out and excelled, but he played only 13 Premier League matches last season.

This term, something seems to have clicked for the pacy Dutchman. He has missed only 10 minutes of action throughout Tottenham’s 11 league fixtures.

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Liverpool were heavily linked with Van de Ven before his move to North London, and the 24-year-old is clearly someone on the Reds’ radar.

As they assess the centre-back market – and potentially prepare to replace Van Dijk in 2027 – Van de Ven could definitely be in their thinking.

Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool?

It is true that Tottenham and Liverpool rarely do business, and Spurs will be reluctant to sell to a club who they will regard as near-enough a direct rival.

However, it is also true that a move to Anfield would be a clear step up for Van de Ven. Liverpool are above Spurs in the footballing food chain no matter what the capital club may think.

Having cost £43m less than three years ago, the Reds would have to pay a big fee to convince Spurs to part with one of their star defenders. But Liverpool have the money, and if they are convinced Van de Ven could really replace Van Dijk effectively, price should not be a huge issue.

Will Liverpool go in for Van de Ven?

Liverpool have plenty to think about when it comes to signing one, two or even three new centre-backs in the coming 18 months.

If they weigh all of that up and decide that Van de Ven is the player they want, then there really is no reason they would not make an approach to Tottenham.

You do not replace a player like Van Dijk with just any old defender. It may be that Liverpool are forced to spend a little more than they’d like in order to get an elite talent.

In Rousing The Kop‘s opinion, Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan may be the ideal player to go for in this respect. But if Van de Ven continues to shine at Tottenham, then he should be considered as well.

Boulahrouz may be slightly underestimating the difficulty of taking over from Van Dijk at Liverpool, but it may be that Van de Ven is ultimately the player handed the keys. The next 12 months will be crucial.

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.”