Liverpool

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth continue to battle a lengthy injury list as they prepare to host a Liverpool side who have beaten them in 12 of the past 13 league meetings.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their encounter at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth battling injuries

Bournemouth are slowly beginning to turn a corner after a torrid first half of the season although they next face a Liverpool side against whom they have a wretched record in the Premier League era.

The Cherries have picked up four points in their two most recent league outings, which is as many as they earned in the previous eight.

But Bournemouth have lost 12 of the past 13 meetings with Liverpool, while the south coast side have conceded 52 goals in the 17 Premier League encounters overall – their joint-highest tally against any team in the competition, along with Manchester City.

The biggest issues undermining Andoni Iraola's team, however, are a tendency to concede goals and throw away winning positions.

They have let in a league-high 30 goals since the start of November – a failing exacerbated by Bournemouth's lengthy injury list – and also dropped the most points (18) from winning positions this season.

The Cherries are currently missing eight players – the most of any Premier League team – whilst also continuing to adjust following the sale of star forward Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City earlier this month.

Bournemouth have been boosted by the signing of 20-year-old Ferencvaros midfielder Alex Toth although they have lost Marcus Tavernier to a potentially serious hamstring injury, joining David Brooks, Julio Soler, Enes Unal, Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert and Will Dennis in the treatment room.

"I like to play with the ball at my feet… I'm energetic, I run everywhere," is how Toth describes his style of play and he may yet be joined by more fresh legs, with Bournemouth reportedly closing in on a move for teenage Vasco da Gama striker Rayan.

Iraola, though, had to name four development squad players on the bench at Brighton last weekend and he may well rely on a similar squad to face Liverpool.

Liverpool looking for first league win of 2026

Liverpool continue to manage injury issues of their own, albeit in much lower volume, with Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak sidelined, but they did welcome back forward Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this week.

The Egypt international immediately returned to the starting line-up in the 3-0 Champions League win at Marseille on Wednesday night and the 33-year-old must now surely be under consideration for a first league start since his public spat with Liverpool boss Arne Slot in December.

Whatever the line-up, Slot and Liverpool will be solely focused on earning a first Premier League win of 2026. The Reds are unbeaten in their past 10 league games, the longest current run of any side, although they have drawn all four since the turn of the year.

In top-flight history, only two teams have had a longer run of consecutive draws from the start of a calendar year, while Liverpool have not drawn five league games in a row at any point of the season since 1980.

Following the news Tottenham have opened talks with Liverpool in a bid to sign left-back Andy Robertson, we asked for your views on situation and whether it would be good business.

Here are some of your comments:

Lee: No is the simple answer. After the start we have had, the last thing Liverpool need to do is get rid of a defender. How about adding someone first before we sell one? We need to keep hold of these types of players who have won leagues and Champions Leagues to show the young players what it takes to be a Liverpool player.

Jon: Robertson has been a loyal servant for Liverpool since he arrived at Anfield. However, the World Cup is looming and being the captain of Scotland means he needs the game time, so let him go.

Gordon: Shouldn't even consider letting him go this season. Come the summer, if he wants more game time then we should respect his decision and let him go.

Chris: Robbo is still an important part of the squad, but I understand why he might want to go elsewhere with the World Cup coming up in summer. If he can get a starting berth at Spurs then he goes with my blessing. If he can't, then sitting on the bench at Spurs is definitely worse than sitting on the bench at Anfield.

Gerado: If Robbo does go then Liverpool will be saying goodbye to its finest left back since Alan Kennedy. I can't imagine he will want to sit on Spurs' bench so he must be expecting a place in their line up. It would be hard to imagine that Liverpool haven't got a replacement lined up.

Jane: We need to keep him as a back-up, but most of all he is a great leader and this team needs that.

Rooks: Easy no! Firstly, he's a legend. Secondly, he's still a decent squad player and it's not like he's fallen off a cliff. Thirdly, if we let him go it leaves us with one left back or the option to recall Kostas Tsimikas from Roma - which makes no sense to me. Only way I'd be happy with this is if he personally really wants to leave to play more. Then I'd have no issue because he deserves it for his impeccable service. Whatever happens, he is a Liverpool legend.

Balvinder: Definitely not a good idea! He's still a great left back and can hold his own against Milos Kerkez. Plus, as one of the senior leaders in the team, it would be a huge loss of experience, knowledge and personality.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot expects a similar squad to be available to that which travelled midweek, but they will have to "wait and see" on the fitness of Federico Chiesa.

• He added conversations between him and Ibrahima Konate, whose father died this week, will stay private but it is "very obvious that the player needs time to be there for his family and also time for himself".

• On whether a Premier League return against a team he has a goodscoring record against will be good for Mohamed Salah: "Mo has scored a lot of goals against any team in the Premier League. Mo played 90 minutes and [on Thursday] we had a recovery session, we trained today and knowing Mo he is ready to play tomorrow. But he, like all the others, have a training session to go and then I will decide on the line-up."

• The Reds boss said it is "hard to predict the future" with potential for player injuries, but they are a "very competitive team against any team in the world" and he has the confidence they can secure a top-four spot in the Premier League.

• After another clean sheet this week, Slot feels their defensive improvements are "clear for everyone to see" and added: "Alisson had a great save. Two in the first half and another in the second half [against Marseille]. We know we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world."

• On former Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez: "He is getting stronger and stronger in my opinion. It was a moment to give him that game during the week as well and he did really well in Marseille. If you look at each of our signings, they won't only be better this second half of the season but they'll be better next season and better the season afterwards. That is the way this club is run."

• Asked whether he expects many more incomings or outgoings before the end of the window, Slot responded: "At this moment in time, I expect it to stay mainly the same."

Hear more from Slot on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Bournemouth v Liverpool on Saturday from 17:30 GMT on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham have begun talks with Liverpool in an effort to sign left-back Andy Robertson.

Robertson, 31, is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and said last week that he was undecided on his future.

The Scotland international has started just four times in the Premier League this season and wants regular involvement before the World Cup.

BBC Sport understands Spurs have made an approach but no outcome has been reached at this stage.

What do you make of the situation? Is it good business to sell Robertson now if his contract is up in the summer? Or is he too important to the squad to risk selling?

Get in touch with your views here

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, 33, and Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, 25, will be the two prime transfer targets for the Saudi Pro League this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Salah will leave Liverpool this summer, Saudi Pro League insiders believe. (i Paper - subscription required), external

Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC are interested in England Under-21 international midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chloe Bloxam
Fan contributor

Liverpool fan Chloe Bloxam is seeing a marked improvement in Milos Kerkez.

"At the start of his time at Liverpool, we kind of saw a shell of the Kerkez we expected," she tells BBC Sport.

"He was diving in, showing a lack of experience in being young. He was being beaten far too easily, making the wrong decisions on times. Teams were trying to expose him.

"Right now we're seeing the best of him. He's getting closer to the Bournemouth version."

Hear more from Chloe by hitting play below.

And find more from Chloe at The Redmen TV, external

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Marseille and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: We looked so much better at the back with Joe Gomez in there so when he is fit I would prefer him to Ibrahima Konate on current form.

Jan: Much better watch. Jeremie Frimpong really deserves plaudits. Hugo Ekitike was unlucky but his effort was spot on. The best news though, was that the defence looked like they had a plan and knew their jobs. Milos Kerkez had a good game and he was confident and more controlled. Play like this next week and it's looking good.

Chris: Liverpool look like world beaters against teams that come out to attack, but haven't got a clue against a low block. Arne Slot has to sort this out now.

Peter: Maybe this result and performance will mean some of the doubters will give Slot a chance. Halfway through a major rebuild, it was always going to take time but new players are starting to settle and show why they were signed. There will be some problems with consistency, but I think by the end of February we'll have a settled side and be more attacking and harder to beat.

Victor: Brilliant performance from Liverpool. A kind of display we have missed recently and for the first time in a while we played as a team and defended as a team. In fact, we did everything as a team.

Erik: A great performance. Calm and steady, but with intent and purpose. It felt like it was last season again. For all our woes this season, Slot would have the last laugh if we won the Champions League!

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

From the Premier League's elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, injuries are part and parcel of football - but which top-flight teams have been worst affected so far this season?

With help from injury expert Ben Dinnery, of premierinjuries.com,, external BBC Sport has examined which sides have been hit the hardest, the impact injuries can have on under-fire managers - and whether things are always as bad as they seem.

• Read more detail on how clubs have been affected by injuries here

Liverpool generated more revenue than any other English club during the 2024-25 season, according to the annual Deloitte Money League survey.

In the survey's 29th season, the Reds brought in more than 836m euros (£729.5m). The figure moved the Reds from eighth in 2023-24 to fifth overall, while Manchester City dropped from second to sixth.

Manchester United dropped from fourth to eighth with the club's broadcast revenue falling from €258m (£225m) to €206m (£180m) largely due to a lack of Champions League football.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea each occupy the exact same positions in the Money League as last season, while Aston Villa moved up four spots. Newcastle and West Ham remain in the top 20, despite both dropping in position.

• Read more on the study

Across the study, clubs cumulatively reported record revenues of €12.4bn, an increase of 11% on 2023-24.

A major feature of the study points to clubs generating most of their revenue commercially, with about 43% of income coming from this source. Broadcast revenue and matchday income continue to take up smaller pieces of the revenue pie.

Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said: "This year's Money League showcases the evolving commercial landscape of elite football, with clubs continuing to take greater ownership of their revenue-generating capabilities. It is no coincidence that the clubs in the top half of the ranking are those with the ability to focus on commercial revenue development, particularly as domestic broadcast rights plateau.

"There is a pivotal shift in some club business models with an increased focus on maximising the impact of their brand and their stadium assets. The presence of on-site breweries, hotels and restaurants is now commonplace and illustrates a strategic move to diversify income and create year-round entertainment destinations. This innovative approach is broadening revenue streams significantly, allowing clubs to unlock opportunities far beyond the traditional matchday experience in a drive to secure more sustainable financial futures."

Liverpool are interested in Tottenham and Netherlands centre-back Micky van de Ven, 24, who is yet to sign a new contract with Spurs. (Mail - subscription required), external

Liverpool's 29-year-old Greece full-back Kostas Tsimikas, currently on loan at Roma, among Nottingham Forest's list of targets. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to TNT Sports: "It could have been a tricky place to go and it is because of their fans but also because of their players and manager. We had to be very good today and we were. We should have done better in the counter-attack. We were very positive on the ball. We scored three and everyone will be more positive than when we create five chances but score one.

"In the last 13 games unbeaten, we've only been 54 minutes behind. We had many earlier chances to win it today. Today, we probably deserve what we got. We weren't unlucky like we've been so many times this season.

"I know why we're not consistent and that is mainly to do when a game is open, it is completely different than playing against a low block. You cannot compare that with the game tonight when both teams want to press and play out from the back. If we're inconsistent, it's because we struggle with low blocks."

On potentially avoiding play-offs: "People can see what a squad we have. We have three players out with injuries and we already don't have the size of squad that our competitors have, so it's important we don't play these games."

Captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's always difficult to play against De Zerbi's team because if you're not front-footed, then they can play out pretty easily. They keep on playing and taking a risk. We exploited the space well, and I think the performance is good."

On building momentum: "We always keep saying it after a win or a good result. Fully focus on recovery now, and then we go to Bournemouth, and they're hard to beat. We have to be more than ready. We fly back tomorrow. On to the next."

On rumours he held a meeting after Burnley: "I don't know the ones who put it in the media. There was going to be a meeting, but I didn't say it was from me. I don't know where this misinformation came from."

Did you know?

• Liverpool remain unbeaten in each of their last 13 matches in all competitions, the longest ongoing streak of any team from Europe's big five leagues.

• Mohamed Salah made his 88th appearance in major European competition for Liverpool, moving level with Ian Callaghan; only Jamie Carragher (130) and Steven Gerrard (111) have made more for the Reds.

Listen to Slot on BBC Sounds

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As expected, Mohamed Salah made his first start for Liverpool since November after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, as Arne Slot started a 4-2-2-2 with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai behind Hugo Ekitike and Salah.

From the outset, Liverpool were impressive, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez offering plenty of width.

Slot's side created a few openings in the first half but perhaps lacked that bit of quality in the final third until Szoboszlai broke the deadlock.

As Marseille opened up Liverpool had plenty more chances and should arguably have doubled their lead well before the own goal, with Ekitike hitting the crossbar and Wirtz seeing an effort saved.

Salah missed a glorious opportunity late on and has not scored in his last seven for his club, but his all-round display showed exactly why Slot was so happy to have Liverpool's record Champions League goalscorer back. Now the key is to push on.

For Slot, who has good memories in Marseille, having seen his Feyenoord side qualify for the Europa Conference League final here in 2022, this was a night where the performance was perhaps even more important than the result.

His team were superb and made light work of a Marseille side that have impressed under Roberto De Zerbi this season.

Just like at Inter Milan last month, this was another night to remember for the 3,300-strong travelling support.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

As expected, Mohamed Salah returns to the Liverpool starting eleven. It's his first start for the club since November. In the absence of Ibrahima Konate, who is out due to a personal matter, Joe Gomez comes in at centre-back, alongside Virgil van Dijk who makes his 350th appearance for the club.

Marseille starting XI: Rulli, Medina, Balerdi, Pavard, Murillo, Traore, Kondogbia, Hojbjerg, Weah, Greenwood, Gouiri.

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Salah, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Ekitike.

Follow live

There are nine games in the Champions League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Galatasaray v Atletico Madrid (17:45)

• Qarabag v Eintracht Frankfurt (17:45)

• Atalanta v Athletic Club

• Bayern Munich v Union Saint-Gilloise

• Chelsea v Pafos

• Juventus v Benfica

• Marseille v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v PSV Eindhoven - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Slavia Prague v Barcelona

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Marseille v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v PSV".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool legend Ray Houghton says Arne Slot needs "a little time" to improve things at Anfield after a season of frustration so far.

The Reds have followed their title-winning campaign with a mediocre season, sitting fourth in the Premier League. The form prompted boos from some fans after Saturday's draw with Burnley and widespread criticism of Slot from supporters online.

Asked if Slot was under pressure for his job, Houghton told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'd be surprised. I was at Liverpool in 89-90. They've won two championships since then. One of them was by Arne Slot. There have been plenty of good managers and great players not got over the line. I'd be slightly surprised after last season that there's been so many people talking of moving him on.

"I think you should give him some time, the new players who have come in, then see what he does next season. I get the frustration of fans as you want to be ultra-competitive. Performances have been indifferent but I would just give him a little time.

"It's very unusual when you win the league the season before, you make so many changes. But the manager has done it for the best reasons he thinks can take the team forward."

Houghton thinks new players need to learn "the Liverpool way" and warned against the "immediacy" that is now so often craved in football when judging both those on the field and the manager.

He does however expect great things from Hugo Ekitike, stating: "Ekitike I think has been sensational. I think maybe 2027-28 you'll see the best of this kid. He'll fill out and be stronger. He will become one of the best strikers."

Listen to Houghton on BBC Radio Merseyside

Listen to fan debate on defenders and Marc Guehi

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is unusual to suggest that a manager is under pressure after going 12 games unbeaten, but there is certainly a feeling around Liverpool that the football must improve under Arne Slot.

On Tuesday, the Reds boss was bizarrely asked if Xabi Alonso had been in contact with him after rumours linking the Spaniard with the Anfield job. The Dutchman joked it off.

"I am working here for a little bit more than one and a half years and I really like my work over here," he said. We won the league last season and struggled more in the league this season - that is obvious. What is there left to say?"

The struggles are indeed obvious. Liverpool have drawn their past four Premier League games and - bar a gutsy display at Arsenal, where they held the league leaders - they have dropped points against Leeds United,Fulham and Burnley. On Saturday, the full-time whistle was met with boos from sections of Anfield.

Most of Liverpool's struggles have come against teams setting up with a low block and the positive for Slot is that his side did put in an improved performance against Burnley.

"Maybe I heard a few [boos] but it wasn't as if it was a lot," Slot insisted. "But I also think it's completely normal that if you draw at home to Burnley then no-one is happy about that. But I think the moment the people went home, when emotions calmed down, they probably thought in the one and a half years I have been at Liverpool, we have never created so many chances against a low block as we did in that game. Maybe it was a bit more positive than the result showed - but we are in a results business, and I know that."

Against Marseille, the challenge will be different, though. They are the most prolific side in Ligue 1 and Newcastle United lost away against Roberto de Zerbi's side in November.

If Liverpool leave France with a positive result, Slot's side will be praised in the same way they were hailed after winning at Inter Milan last month.

Lose the game and their unbeaten run, the questions around the manager will only grow.

Image source, Getty Images

Marseille boss Roberto de Zerbi says he is looking forward to a reunion with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister when the two sides meet in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Mac Allister played under De Zerbi at Brighton between 2022 and 2023, in which time he won the World Cup with Argentina and the Seagulls qualified for Europe for the first time.

The form Mac Allister showed under the Italian manager attracted the interest of Liverpool, with the Reds paying £35m to sign the midfielder, who would play a key role in their 2024-25 Premier League-winning side.

"I can meet one of my former players - Alexis Mac Allister," said De Zerbi, speaking to BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague for BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"He was important in my life and in my career.

"Liverpool is another special club. We are fighting to reach a position to qualify in the Champions League. Because of all these things, you can imagine how this game is important for me."

Arne Slot's side know a win will put them in a good position to qualify as part of the top eight in the league phase going into the final matchday, while the visitors still need points to guarantee their place in the play-off round.

"I watched their game [the Reds' weekend draw with Burnley]. I analysed it with my staff. We will now do individual analysis in our head. Then we will put together the strategy."

Hear the full interview later this week on Football Daily