Football
Arne Slot makes shock Trent Alexander-Arnold revelation ahead of final Liverpool game
Arne Slot has admitted he was not entirely satisfied with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s efforts during training ahead of what could be the defender’s last match for Liverpool.
The Reds will welcome FA Cup champions Crystal Palace to Anfield on Sunday, a day that will mark the end of their season and be highlighted by Premier League trophy celebrations. But for Alexander-Arnold, it may also signal the end of his time at the club he has represented since his youth.
The England international is expected to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer. While nothing is official yet, widespread reports suggest that Real Madrid are poised to sign the right-back, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong being considered as a possible replacement.
News of Alexander-Arnold’s departure has sparked mixed reactions among fans. During the recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal, some supporters at Anfield voiced their disapproval by booing him.
Slot opted to leave Alexander-Arnold on the bench during Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Brighton on Monday night.
When asked about the player’s involvement in Sunday’s match, the Dutch manager said he had yet to make a decision. He emphasized that the day should be one of celebration, noting that Liverpool fans had waited 35 years for a moment like this.
He recalled the emotional atmosphere during the Spurs match and expressed hope for another memorable day, one that includes Alexander-Arnold, whom he described as an important part of both this season and previous successful campaigns.
Addressing the criticism directed at the player, Slot reminded reporters that Alexander-Arnold, like all athletes, is human. However, the head coach also acknowledged concerns about the defender’s attitude in training.
He revealed that the two have had numerous conversations, including several during pre-season. Slot mentioned that he was not pleased with all of Alexander-Arnold’s efforts on the training pitch and suggested that the player could have done more.
Despite that, he said those talks helped build a unique bond, especially after experiencing success together.
Slot further told the player that although he is often praised for his attacking capabilities, his defensive abilities are frequently overlooked. Slot believes Alexander-Arnold has the tools to be a top-tier defender but needs to show more consistency in his performances.
He stressed the importance of being locked in every match, pointing out that players are judged more on the few games they struggle in than the many in which they perform well.
Although Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the world’s most dynamic offensive full-backs, his defensive positioning has often come under scrutiny.
Pundits, including Jamie Carragher, have previously criticized his form, with some suggesting that the ongoing transfer speculation may be affecting his focus on the pitch.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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