Liverpool Echo

Former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has revealed that he once rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur prior to signing for the Reds

Arne Slot’s incredible start to life as Liverpool head coach shows no signs of slowing down as the Reds head into the Premier League’s festive period. They currently sit top of the Premier League by two points, and also boast a game in hand.

Chelsea could admittedly overtake them on Sunday prior to Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, courtesy of the Londoners travelling to Everton in the earlier kick-off, but the Reds are in a particularly strong position as they pursue only their second league title since 1990.

Meanwhile, they sit comfortably atop the Champions League league phase table, having won all six of their matches to date and are on the verge of sealing their place in next year’s round-of-16.

Throw in a League Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur to look forward to in the New Year, plus the visit of League Two Accrington Stanley to Anfield in the FA Cup third round, and things are looking rosy for Slot and his side.

Overseeing 20 victories from his 24 matches to date, losing just once, the Dutchman - who rejected taking over at Tottenham last year - has made a mockery of doubters who thought Liverpool would collapse following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

But the former Feyenoord boss is not the first man to thrive after trading De Kuip for Anfield, with both Jerzy Dudek and Dirk Kuyt both previously making the same switch - albeit during their playing careers - and becoming club icons in the process.

Meanwhile, like Slot, Kuyt even turned down a switch to Tottenham a year before making his move to Liverpool too.

The forward joined the Reds in a £10m move from Feyenoord in the summer of 2006, and went on to score 71 goals from 285 appearances during six years at Anfield. But the former Netherlands international could have made the move to England 12 months earlier.

Having just won the Eredivisie Golden Boot with 29 goals in 2004/05 - netting 36 goals from 44 appearances in all competitions - Kuyt attracted interest from Tottenham at the end of the summer transfer window. But he rejected their advances as he did not wish to leave Feyenoord without a striker.

"One year before I left for Liverpool, I was able to go to Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the transfer market,” he recalled on the Kieft Jansen Egmond Gijp podcast last year. “Spurs chairman Daniel Levy called, he wanted me.

“I thought that was a very strange moment to leave Feyenoord behind. Leaving Feyenoord without a striker, albeit with a bag of money. Then [agent] Rob Jansen and I decided together not to do that.”

Why Kuyt would reject Spurs’ advances, the lure of Liverpool proved too big in August 2006 following a 25-goal campaign for Feyenoord. And speaking at the time, the forward admitted that then Netherlands manager Marco van Basten helped him decide to move on after telling him he had grown ‘too big’ for Dutch football.

"Marco van Basten has told me this is a very good move not only for myself but for the Dutch team,” he said. "He thinks I have become too big for football in Holland and I need a move to a bigger club.

“And he thinks Liverpool is a good club for me. It is a dream that a club like Liverpool with their history wanted me.

“The beginning of the week I was just stunned by things, now it is a privilege to play for them. I think my game is suited to England, I think I am a typical type of player for the Premier League.

"I know there is a lot of competition up front, but that is only good for the team. Not everybody can play 50-60 games a season."

A look at the injury and suspension latest ahead of Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday

It's the final Premier League match before Christmas - and what a cracker it promises to be. Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool rarely disappoints, with 32 goals having been scored in the last eight meetings between the teams.

And tomorrow's game, which gets under way at 4.30pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is a big one. It will give Liverpool the chance to regain or extend their lead at the top while for Tottenham, it provides them with another chance of a scalp.

While Ange Postecoglou's side are wildly inconsistent, that has not stopped them from recording emphatic league victories over Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City this season.

Spurs also knocked City and United out of the Carabao Cup on route to setting up a semi-final showdown with their opponents this weekend.

However, Tottenham boss Postecoglou does have major injury concerns for the visit of the Reds, for whom their own problems are beginning to clear up. For now, at least.

Second-choice keeper Fraser Forster will continue in goal for Spurs, despite his blunders in Thursday's 4-3 cup victory over Man United., as No.1 Guglielmo Vicario remains sidelined after underdoing surgery on an ankle injury last month.

"Going well," Postecoglou said on Friday. "Typical Vic as he's pushing every boundary. He's still a fair bit away but he'll make sure he's back as quickly as possible. He's still around the group and invested in what we're doing. He's progressing well."

Also out are first-choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero as well as Ben Davies.

But there is more encouraging news over another defender, Destiny Udogie, and forward Timo Werner, who both missed the midweek quarter-final win.

Postecoglou said on Friday: "Timo was unwell yesterday so we've got 48 hours or so before the game and hopefully he will recover. The plan is Destiny should be okay."

Werner's return, like that of Udogie's, would be timely as Tottenham also have a number of attacking players currently unavailable. Wilson Odobert, Mikey Moore and former Everton hero Richarlison will play no part against Liverpool, who should be able to name a full squad bar from injured defenders Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.

Andy Robertson returns from suspension but two other players will have to tread carefully against Spurs if they want to feature in the Boxing Day home clash with Leicester City.

Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez are both a booking away from a one-match ban. Konate is, too, but there is no chance of him playing on Sunday.

Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt has spoken openly about the club's willingness to bring the striker back to Brazil

It would be fair to say it's been tough going for Richarlison since he left Everton for Tottenham Hotspur in 2022. Now one of his former clubs wants to help reignite his career.

During his time with the Blues, the forward developed into a crucial performer for both club and country. Richarlison was a huge fan favourite at Goodison Park and a consistent source of goals at a time when the team struggled.

Eventually Everton had to sell the Brazilian in order to improve their financial situation and better fall in line with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Spurs landed him for £60 million.

However, injury issues and fluctuations in form have ruined Richarlison's time in the capital so far. After missing two months of the current campaign already due to a groin problem, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou suggested the 27-year-old would now be out for the 'long-term' due to a hamstring problem.

Postecoglou also revealed Spurs will be looking to sign another forward as a result, potentially casting doubts over Richarlison's future at the club.

After links to Saudi Pro League clubs in the summer, reports in Brazil suggested that Fluminense, who sold Richarlison to Watford in 2017, wanted to bring him back to his homeland. Speaking to Globo Esporte (h/t Sport Witness), the club's president Mario Bittencourt confirmed the interest is real.

"Tottenham replied that they are open to offers, but at the moment they have no interest in getting rid of the player," he said. "They are willing to listen. We're also talking to the player to see if he's interested in coming back.

"What is concrete is that we have expressed a formal interest in Richarlison. We know how difficult it is to bring him in. We believe that he may want to be close to the Brazilian national team, to return home to the club where he excelled. I have a close relationship with him. I was vice-president of football when he arrived.

"I brought Richarlison in as vice-president of football. We've created a relationship, not a friendship, but a strong one. We sent a first document to the English club, still without an offer, but asking if they would like to negotiate."

Tottenham appealed the severity of Rodrigo Bentancur's seven-match ban but it has been dismissed following a hearing

Tottenham Hotspur have failed in their appeal against Rodrigo Bentancur's seven-match suspension ahead of their Premier League showdown with Liverpool. Ange Postecoglou's side challenged the severity of the Football Association (FA) sanction after the Uruguayan was hit with the ban, as well as a £100,000 fine for using a racial slur against teammate Son Heung-min.

The 27-year-old has already served five of those matches, and an appeal was lodged, but following a hearing, the appeal was dismissed, which means he will be forced to sit out their upcoming matches against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and Liverpool's trip to North London on December 22.

Bentancur apologised to his club teammate, describing the comments as a "very bad joke”, after an interview this summer where he was asked by a reporter to get hold of a Tottenham shirt.

However, the FA investigated the comments and hit him with a lengthy ban along with a hefty fine. Following the decision from the appeal hearing, the Football Association released a statement which read: "An independent Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.

"An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

"This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the Regulatory Commission. The Appeal Board’s written reasons for its decision will be published in due course."

Liverpool take on Manchester City at Anfield in a huge top of the table clash next weekend

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has warned they are determined to turn things around when they face Liverpool in the Premier League next weekend.

The current champions suffered their fifth consecutive defeat across all competitions, and third in the league, when they were battered 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad on Saturday evening. James Maddison scored twice in the first half before Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson added a further two after the break.

Liverpool have a golden opportunity to move eight points clear of their rivals with a victory over Southampton on Sunday afternoon. Arne Slot's side have suffered just one defeat all season across all competitions as things stand.

Regardless of Liverpool's result against the Saints this weekend, the visit of Manchester City in seven days time is huge in terms of the title race. Walker insists City are hopeful of turning things around and has challenged his teammates to prove themselves between now and next Sunday's clash to prevent a 'walkover'.

but focus must first be on their Champions League clash with Slot's former club, Feyenoord.

"It [a trip to Liverpool] is a great game to turn it around, to take three points off a team that's sat above you," Walker told Sky Sports after City's defeat to Spurs. "But we can't go out and do a performance like that, because we're going to get walked over, so that's down to each and every one of us at the club, from now until next Sunday.

"We've a game midweek in the Champions League [against Feyenoord] to prepare for this massive game on Sunday and make sure we can keep within touching distance of Liverpool."

Injuries have contributed to City's significant dip in form, with Rodri currently sidelined with an ACL injury, but dwindling confidence played a huge part in their sub-par display on Saturday.

"We've lost confidence as a team because we haven't won in a while," Walker continued. "What we've won in the past counts for nothing, and what it's about is winning the Premier League now, and we're making it harder for ourselves because we've got teams around us and one team that's above us that's doing really well.

"We'll keep fighting to turn this around, and hopefully the mojo comes back and you see the normal City that you have done in the last eight seasons."

Trent Alexander-Arnold fires James Maddison message after giving Liverpool 'real' title boost

Latest Liverpool news and rumours as Premier League title rivals Man City lose to Tottenham Hotspur, with comment from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gary Neville following

When Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday against Southampton, they will be playing for the prize of moving eight points clear at the top of the table. That is thanks to Manchester City's latest slip-up in a rapidly-evolving race.

Arne Slot may not have expected his side to take command of the Premier League so quickly after his arrival. The reality of the situation is that the trophy could soon become the Reds' to lose if results continue to go their way.

Tottenham battered Man City into submission on their own turf on Saturday night, marking five consecutive defeats in all competitions for the reigning champions.

If Liverpool beat their opponents this afternoon, their five-point advantage becomes eight. Arsenal had defeated Nottingham Forest earlier on Saturday but the gap to Mikel Arteta's challengers could extend back to nine.

With that said, the ECHO takes a look at some of the latest Liverpool news and gossip that have cropped up alongside these latest on-field events.

The hero for Tottenham in Manchester was James Maddison. Reinstated to the starting line-up after two matches on the bench, the midfielder netted a first-half brace to set the Londoners on the path to victory.

Coincidentally, it was the Spurs man's 28th birthday, so it was a very fine day for him in the end. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold later took to Instagram to wish his England team-mate a happy birthday.

Whilst he refrained to mention the assist Saturday's result gave the Reds in the unfolding title race, the injured full-back will be quietly hoping his club team-mates can do the business and capitalise against Southampton.

If they manage to, Gary Neville has suggested that Liverpool have a 'real, real chance' of breaking Man City's dominant streak as champions of England.

No team has managed to over the previous four seasons though the former Manchester United captain seems worried not even Guardiola can bring his team back from their current lack of confidence and ability.

On commentary duty for Sky Sports, he said: "I'm sure Liverpool's players, coaches, fans will be watching this - and Arsenal's to an extent - thinking 'we have a real, real chance here'. In the past they [Man City] were always up against it, this just feels very, very different."

Liverpool host Premier League title rivals Manchester City at Anfield next weekend, and Gary Neville has explained to Arne Slot the perfect plan to ensure victory

The 2024/25 Premier League campaign seems to be going from good to great for Liverpool as each week passes. Without Arne Slot's men even kicking a ball this weekend, Manchester City have given them something to smile about.

Pep Guardiola's side went into the November international break on a four-game losing streak in all competitions. Two of those were in the Premier League, allowing the Reds to build a five-point advantage at the top.

Slot will have his team zeroed in on their own trip to Southampton on Sunday before listening to any outside noise or looking further down the fixture list, but the result at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening was too outstanding to ignore.

A fifth loss on the bounce at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur left the reigning champions with their tails between their legs. As a result Liverpool have the chance to move eight points in front of their rivals.

And if they are able to do that, next Sunday's clash with Man City at Anfield would have an even greater prize on offer - the chance to move 11 points clear in top spot.

Looking at Man City's latest defeat, they were seemingly lifted by the manager's contract extension and controlled the opening 10 minutes, only to be hit by a double sucker punch from James Maddison.

On commentary duty for Sky Sports, Gary Neville pointed out that their midfield failures had allowed Spurs to gain the advantage.

"The control Man City usually play the game with and the order has gone. They’re still good on the ball, they’re still playing decent football but when they give it away things aren’t the same," the pundit explained.

"It just doesn’t look like the answer - this cocktail of midfield players he has picked today looks quite vulnerable against quick play and innovative play by this Spurs team."

Guardiola is without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri for the season, whilst the man who has been providing cover, Mateo Kovacic, is also a doubt for the Anfield clash. He was using Ilkay Gundogan and Rico Lewis as a makeshift alternative.

Seemingly if Liverpool can win the midfield battle next week, they can beat their great rivals at home for the first time in five years.

Neville also highlighted how Spurs defended after their second goal, which the Reds can also take into consideration.

"What Spurs have done in the last 15 minutes [since 2-0] is they’ve made City go around them rather than allowing them to go through - City were getting through them in those first 10 minutes and now they’re having to sort of recycle it and play across midfield, across the back four," he added.

Pedro Porro added a third and Brennan Johnson a fourth goal for the visitors in the second half, rounding off a miserable night for those in sky blue.

Rodrigo Bentancur was hit with a seven-game ban earlier this week

Rodrigo Bentancur could be available for next month's Premier League clash against Liverpool after Tottenham Hotspur confirmed they appealed the seven-game ban he was hit with for making a racist remark about team-mate Son Heung-min.

The Uruguayan was hit with a lengthy ban by the Football Association earlier this week for comments he made about Son in an interview back in April. As well as being banned for six Premier League games and one League Cup match, Bentancur was hit with a £100,000 fine.

However, Tottenham confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that they have challenged the length of the ban passed down to the 27-year-old rather than the guilty verdict.

"We can confirm that the Club has appealed against the length of Rodrigo Bentancur’s FA suspension, issued earlier this week," a Spurs statement said. "While we accept the guilty finding against Rodrigo by the independent regulatory commission, we believe the subsequent sanction is severe.

"Rodrigo will remain suspended from domestic competitions while the appeal is heard and the Club will make no further comment during this time."

If the North Londoners' appeal is successful, the midfielder would still be in line to serve a six-game suspension after rules introduced by the FA in 2020 proposed a minimum ban for individuals found guilty of racist abuse, meaning Bentancur's return could come when Tottenham host Liverpool in the Premier League on December 22.

Asked about the midfielder's situation in September, manager Ange Postecoglou said that Bentancur will have to face whatever punishment is handed down to him.

"In terms of Sonny and Rodri, they had a discussion about the whole incident. Both players understand and respect each other’s position and Rodri has already apologised for what he said. Sonny has accepted that and accepted the fact that one of his team-mates and a person he is close with has made a mistake," said Postecoglou

"If we are talking about having a society that is understanding and tolerant of everything, we also must show that to people who make mistakes as Rodri has made in his time.

"We know him very well, a lot better than most because we spend every day with him and understand the kind of person he is.

"We understand that even though he is a great guy and a fantastic team-mate, he has made a big error this time and he has got to take the punishment but also we need to give him the opportunity to learn from it and atone from it and hopefully others learn from it as well."

Rodrigo Bentancur will miss seven matches after making racist remarks about Spurs teammate Son Heung-min.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will not be available for next month's Premier League clash with Liverpool after being handed a seven-match ban for using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min. He has also been fined £100,000.

During an interview this summer, the Uruguay international was asked by a native reporter to get hold of a Tottenham shirt. Bentancur replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

The 27-year-old later apologised for his comments, describing them as a "very bad joke”. The Football Association has now handed him a lengthy suspension and ordered him to take part in a mandatory in-person education programme.

The ban will only apply in domestic competitions, meaning Bentancur is allowed to play in Tottenham’s Europa League games. Liverpool’s visit to Spurs on December 22, their last match before Christmas, will be the final fixture he is banned for.

The FA released a statement amidst the sanction. It said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing. Its written reasons for these decisions can be seen below."

Tottenham have the opportunity to appeal the sanction. Bentancur has faced Liverpool three times across his career and has failed to come out on the winning side on each occasion.

He has been a regular in Ange Postecoglou’s team this season, featuring in all but one of the club’s 11 Premier League games so far.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches, which includes Liverpool's visit to North London in December

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow with Rodrigo Bentancur handed a seven-match ban by the Football Association. The midfielder is therefore set to miss Liverpool's away match against Ange Postecoglou's side next month.

Liverpool have several fixtures both domestic and in Europe to attend to before they can consider preparing for their visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. At least now they have been given an early hint as who is unable to line up for their hosts.

The FA have intervened with this lengthy ban after an investigation opened earlier this year. Bentancur was charged with an 'aggravated breach' of the governing body's rules over comments actually made in Spanish on Uruguayan TV about Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min.

His host asked him for a Spurs player's shirt, to which the midfielder replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

This immediately landed him in hot water back in England and the repercussions have just only now been settled. Bentancur is due to be ruled out of his club's next seven domestic matches, therefore including the Reds' next Premier League meeting with Spurs on December 22.

This is actually the last of the seven he will miss, handing Liverpool this advantage by the finest of margins.

Whilst still a fair way from this clash, he becomes the sixth Spurs player simultaneously sidelined at present. Micky van de Ven, Timo Werner, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have all been absent in recent weeks whilst teenager Mikey Moore was recently ill.