The inside story of Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool. ⚽️ Telling Slot face to face at Kirkby in March. ⚽️ Talks/opening offer initiated by Hughes last April as LFC tried to convince him to stay. ⚽️ How Real Madrid stepped up their pursuit. ⚽️ Why he ultimately decided to leave.

Inside story of #LFC’s stunning Premier League title triumph. 🧠 How Slot’s innovative sessions and attention to detail won over players 🎵 Why Dire Straits became dressing room soundtrack ☕️ Coffee club fostered sense of unity ⚽️ Key victories that fuelled belief www.nytimes.com/athletic/623...

343 days ago Jurgen Klopp stood in the centre circle at Anfield and said everything would be fine. He was right. Arne Slot has taken the fast-track into the pantheon of Liverpool greats. What a season, what a team, what a remarkable achievement. www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

Diogo Jota hasn’t started a PL game since October. It’s time to put that right at Brentford on Saturday. Jota took 22secs to give #LFC what they had been missing when he came on against Forest. They were a different beast with him leading the line. www.nytimes.com/athletic/606...

FT: #LFC 4 Accrington 0: Liverpool cruise into the fourth round of the FA Cup. The League Two outfit frustrated them for half an hour but then Slot's much changed side took complete control. Jota, Alexander-Arnold, Danns and Chiesa with the goals. A day to cherish for debutant Ngumoha.

HT: #LFC 2 Accrington 0: Goals from Jota and Alexander-Arnold have put Slot's side firmly in control. Some lovely touches from young debutant Ngumoha and Morton has also been really impressive.

Liverpool's flight back from London last night couldn't land at John Lennon due to icy fog. Plane diverted to Birmingham with ground transportation provided for rest of the journey home. Players didn't get back until early hours, training cancelled today. #LFC

Liverpool fired blanks for the first time since Sep as their 24-game unbeaten run was ended. A burning sense of injustice after late controversy, but defensively there are concerns. Too easy to get at with just two clean sheets in past nine matches. #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...

Great reception for Alexander-Arnold. "The Scouser in our team," chant the away end.

Chance but Mac Allister heads straight at the keeper

Endo coming on

Quansah down hurt

Solanke can't turn in Son's low cross. Liverpool second best so far

Applause all around the stadium as Bentancur goes off on a stretcher. Looked like he hit his head on the turf.

Big save from Alisson to deny Dragusin

Four points clear at Christmas with a game in hand. What a position of strength for Arne Slot’s #LFC. And this time they don’t need to worry about Man City. So much to admire about the ruthless demolition of Spurs - another booming statement of intent. www.nytimes.com/athletic/601...

"Yeah, it was definitely for real." Joe Gomez on how close he came to leaving Liverpool last summer and his delight that he ended up staying put. "I know how blessed I am to be here. It will be 10 years next summer. I love this club." #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...

With Diogo Jota sidelined, there was a huge opportunity for Darwin Nunez, but he hasn’t taken it. One goal in his last 10 games and only three in all comps so far this season (one every 346mins). There’s a big decision looming on the horizon for #LFC next summer. www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...

FT: Girona 0 #LFC 1: Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty is enough for Liverpool to make it six wins out of six in the Champions League. Far from their best but got the job done in Spain. Alisson outstanding on his return to the side. Managed the game well in final 25mins.

With six players out injured, Mac Allister suspended and signs of fatigue after such an energy-sapping run, the postponement of the Merseyside derby was something of a blessing in disguise for #LFC. Girona away on Tuesday kicks off a run of six games in 19 days. www.nytimes.com/athletic/597...

Today’s Merseyside derby postponed due to safety concerns. #LFC #EFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/597...

We've upped it to two episodes this week. The latest Walk On podcast ahead of what's likely to be the last Goodison derby is out now. Analysis of a crazy night at St James' Park and what needs to change for the PL leaders against Everton. Includes a special derby quiz. 🏆😎💪 #LFC pod.fo/e/28c4fc

Liverpool remain in a position of strength at the top - but there were some concerning chinks in their armour at Newcastle. From the defensive vulnerability to the lack of legs and control in midfield after an energy-sapping run. #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/597...

#LFC line up v Newcastle: Kelleher; Quansah, Gomez, VVD, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.

The moment that lit the fuse at Anfield. A fearless young Northern Irishman with no regard for big reputations dumped Mbappe on the turf and the roar was deafening. Conor Bradley with the perfect illustration of timing and controlled aggression. #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/595...

FT: #LFC 2 Real Madrid 0: Liverpool's 15-year wait for a victory over the Spanish giants is ended in style. The European champions comprehensively outplayed as the Reds extend their 100% record in the Champions League. Mac Allister and Gakpo with the goals. A big scalp.

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GAKPO 2-0

SALAH FIRES THE PENALTY WIDE

KELLEHER SAVES MBAPPE'S PENALTY

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAC ALLISTER 1-0

HT: #LFC 0 Real Madrid 0: Tight contest so far. Liverpool the better team with Courtois twice denying Nunez. Kelleher hasn't had a save to make with Slot's side keeping Bellingham/Mbappe quiet so far.

Analysis of an eventful few minutes in the company of Mohamed Salah outside St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday. The Egyptian clearly wanted to get something off his chest. What he said, why he said it and what it means…… #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/594...

Breaking: Mohamed Salah insists he has yet to receive a formal contract offer from Liverpool as he admits: “I’m probably more out than in (next summer)." Full story...... #LFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/594...

Post-match podcast from a wet and windy St Mary’s is out now. Reaction and analysis as #LFC go 8pts clear at the top of the PL table. pod.fo/e/286a7f

FT: Saints 2 #LFC 3: Liverpool move 8pts clear at the top of the Premier League. Had to fight hard for that. Salah the hero with a double inside final 25mins to dig Slot's side out of a hole after they found themselves 2-1 down. Szoboszlai opener had been followed by goals from Armstrong/Fernandes

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SALAH 3-2

PENALTY LFC

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SALAH 2-2

Liverpool completely undone on the counter. Dibling to Armstrong to Fernandes. Dreadful defending punished. Mac Allister and Diaz coming on

HT: Saints 1 #LFC 1: Scrappy game in difficult conditions. Slot's side looked to be cruising after Szoboszlai's opener following some dreadful defending, but they gifted the hosts a way back into it. Armstrong scored the rebound after initial penalty saved by Kelleher.

1-1 Armstrong Kelleher so unfortunate. Saved the initial penalty but rebound converted

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SZOBOSZLAI 1-0

#LFC line up v Southampton: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, VVD, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.

It’s a windy day on the south coast #LFC

Given the week #LFC have got coming up, will be interesting to see what team Slot picks today. Wonder if he might leave out Mac Allister/Diaz given all the travel. Maybe Jones deeper alongside Gravenberch with Szoboszlai more advanced. And Gakpo left of front three.

👀

In case you missed it earlier...... all the latest team news ahead of #LFC's return to Premier League action at Southampton on Sunday. www.nytimes.com/athletic/594...

Finally got around to setting up a Bluesky account. Like what I've heard so far about a new platform with less toxicity. Before I got here, someone had already set up a fake account in my name but Bluesky have kindly shut that down and given me this handle back. #LFC