WHAT VIRGIL VAN DIJK, ANDY ROBINSON AND ARNE SLOT SAID ABOUT MOHAMED SALAH 'APOLOGY' IN MILAN

Liverpool's manager, captain and vice-captain were all asked about the absent Salah after the Reds won 1-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday

Virgil van Dijk spoke about Mohamed Salah's situation(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah wasn't in Milan in person, but that didn't stop him being a topic of conversation after Liverpool pulled off an excellent 1-0 win over Inter Milan courtesy of a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.

The Hungarian's spot kick - controversially awarded after a tug of Florian Wirtz's shirt - restored a feelgood factor to Liverpool after Salah's extraordinary outburst following Saturday's 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road which has placed his future at he club in serious doubt.

Broadcasters Amazon Prime Video were keen to get the views of Liverpool's captain, vice-captain and head coach following the victory, specifically around whether or not Salah had apologised to the club and his team-mates, and here's what all of them said:

Dominik Szoboszlai fired home the only goal(Image: Getty Images)

Ian Doyle

Mohamed Salah sees one Liverpool role filled already as Arne Slot gets message he was waiting for

Liverpool FC

Arne Slot guided Liverpool to a 1-0 win at Inter Milan(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Paul Gosrt

Arne Slot yet to answer £200m Liverpool question as Reds boss sends Ibrahima Konate message

 Liverpool FC

 "Obviously it's difficult but its a collective difficult situation we're all in. Obviously between Mo and the club things are going on and the consequences means he is not here today. That is the reality but nothing changes for our motivation to get results for the club."An apology? I don't think I am the one who has to speak about if someone has to apologise. It's him airing his feelings, and that is something the club has to deal with and me as well. Nothing has really changed, we've have our responsibility. So the focus was there. Nothing has changed and he trained as well by the way.""The reality is Mo is also going to Africa at the weekend, I have known Mo for such a long time, been through a lot, highs and lows, we're a big part of this at LFC, so we speak and those types of things will stay indoors as they should. And we as a team of players we raise ourselves and be against the outside noise and I encourage the players to listen."

Vice-captain Andy Robertson

"A tough situation obviously. We are talking about, for me, one of the greatest players to ever play for the club.

"Whatever happens happens internally now and we are all together and that's the main thing in the changing room and I think you can see that today.

"(Will it be resolved?) That will be up to other people, it's not up to me. I love playing with Mo Salah and hope to continue to play with him."

And head coach Arne Slot told the broadcaster, including pundit Clarence Seedorf who had asked about a potential apology from Salah:

"I think tonight it should be all about a team like this tonight, against a team like this who are winning and a stadium like this. The focus should be on that tonight. I can fully understand if I go into the press conference on Friday and all the questions are on Mo but I think these players deserve for it to be about them tonight."You say everyone makes mistakes in life but then it should be does the player think he has made a mistake as well? And then the next question is does this come from me or him?"

Slot was later asked about Salah again at his post match-press conference, and brought up Seedorf's words:

"I am happy that you asked that," he said. "Clarence said that in his opinion [Mo and I should speak] and I said that is his opinion and I didn’t say anything about who should make the first step or whatever.

"It was his opinion and I am happy I can clarify that so the headline tomorrow is not what I have said. It was [Seedorf's] opinion. Where I stand on that is that tonight it should be all about the players that are here.

"In the rich history of Liverpool, they have had many of these evenings, but after the season we are in, if you have an away win in this stadium against this team then it should be about the midfield or about Ibou (Konate) or the players who are here. They deserve all the credit.

"I can understand on Friday I will get a lot of questions about other things but tonight it is about the ones who are here."

- Paul Gorst & Mark Jones

LIVERPOOL FUME OVER MAN CITY 'DOUBLE STANDARDS' AS SKY SPORTS PUNDIT SHARES VAR THEORY

Liverpool were angered that Virgil van Dijk had his equaliser chalked off for offside at Man City, with Arne Slot referencing a similar goal scored by Pep Guardiola's side that led to suggestions of subconscious bias

Virgil van Dijk had his equaliser ruled out for offside - leaving Liverpool fuming(Image: Getty Images)
 

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left fuming that Virgil van Dijk had a goal disallowed at Manchester City - and claimed their opponents had a goal given in a similar scenario last season at Wolves.

On that occasion their goal stood with then Wolves boss Gary O'Neil hinting at "something in the subconscious around decision-making" when it came to giving goals for the Premier League's biggest sides.

Van Dijk thought he'd headed home an equaliser for the Reds at the Etihad in the first-half on Sunday. The Dutchman reeled away before a VAR checked began, with his goal subsequently chalked off after Andy Robertson was deemed to be in an offside position.

The Liverpool left-back was stood beyond the last City defender, leading VAR to determine that he had interfered with Gianluigi Donnarumma. City, though, were on the right end of a similar decision last season when John Stones scored deep into stoppage time, despite Bernardo Silva being close to goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Slot was quick to bring that up as he bemoaned the referee's decision. He said: "Immediately after the game, someone showed me the goal, that what the same referee allowed City against Wolves last season. So it took the linesman 13 seconds to raise his flag to say it’s offside. So there was clearly communication."

On that occasion VAR, who awarded the 95th minute goal, claimed that "Bernardo Silva wasn't in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper". O'Neil, though, wasn't sold and questioned whether the side nearer the bottom had again been on the wrong end of the decision.

He said last season: "Without even knowing it, are you more likely to give it to Manchester City than Wolves? If I had to upset someone in a street and there was a little guy and a big guy, I'd upset the little guy. Nothing against little guys, but you know what I mean? Like, there is something in there and they definitely don't do it on purpose.

Man City had a goal given last term at Wolves despite Bernardo Silva being in an offside position(Image: Sky Sports)
 

"I know they're 100 per cent honest and they're doing the best job they can and I respect them fully. But maybe, maybe there's something that just edges in in that direction when it's really tight."

Van Dijk's disallowed goal on Sunday came shortly before Nico Gonzalez doubled City's lead - his shot deflecting in off the Liverpool defender. Gary Neville was among those stunned that the Dutchman had his effort chalked off by VAR.

He said on co-commentary: “I think he is outside the eyeline of the goalkeeper. I think [Arne] Slot is right to be fuming. The goalkeeper is not getting anywhere near that. He had a clear line of sight.”"

- Samuel Meade

DIOGO JOTA'S HEARTBROKEN WIFE RUTE CARDOSO MAKES EMOTIONAL VISIT TO LIVERPOOL TRIBUTE

Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso visited the mountain of flowers that have been laid outside Anfield to pay tribute to the late Liverpool forward, whose number has now been retired

Rute Cardoso visited the tribute at Anfield (Image: getty)

The football world is in mourning as Rute Cardoso, the widow of the late Portuguese star Diogo Jota, visited a sea of floral tributes at Anfield on Friday. The heartfelt memorial has grown significantly since Jota, aged 28, and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car crash in Spain last week.

In a touching gesture, Liverpool players, alongside head coach Arne Slot, paid their respects by each laying a single rose amid the tributes.

Liverpool's key players, including Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo, joined manager Arne Slot in laying tributes outside Anfield, where fans have been gathering to honour the memory of the beloved player.

In a historic move for the club, it was announced on Friday that Jota's number 20 shirt will be retired by the Premier League champions, marking the first time such an honour has been granted in Liverpool's history.

Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football, released a statement saying: "As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way," confirming the decision to retire Jota's shirt number was made with the full involvement of his wife Rute and his family.

Edwards added: "I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club's history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person."

The club announced: "By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20."

Liverpool players view tributes to Diogo Jota at Anfield (Image: gettyy)

Jota, aged 28, and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident as Jota was returning to Merseyside for pre-season training.

The retirement of the shirt number will extend across all levels of the club, including the men's senior team, women's team, U21s, and academy teams, following discussions with Jota's wife, Rute, and their family.

The family and the club believe that this heartfelt tribute is an appropriate way to commemorate not only Jota's contributions on the pitch but also the profound effect he had on his colleagues, the staff, and fans alike.

Despite the sombre mood, Liverpool's fixture against Preston North End will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, with coverage on ITV 1, as confirmed by Liverpool on Friday. This match will mark the first since Jota's untimely death.

In remembrance, the Reds have detailed plans for the upcoming game: "Ahead of the 3pm BST kick-off, there will be a rendition of LFC anthem You'll Never Walk Alone and the home club will lay a wreath alongside the away supporters."

A minute's silence will be held in honour of Diogo and Andre, with digital tributes to be displayed on screens and pitchside LEDs at the match. Players from both teams will don black armbands as a mark of respect, and Preston has produced a special edition of their matchday programme featuring written tributes to the brothers.

The Liverpool ace and his younger sibling were returning from Portugal after Jota tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart. The Anfield star was unable to travel by air due to a minor lung surgery.

Following the heartbreaking event, the brothers were laid to rest in Gondomar, Portugal, on Saturday morning. A wave of tributes has been placed at Anfield and Molineux, reflecting on Jota's time at Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2017 to 2020.

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan, along with the club's executive team, visited the memorial site to pay their respects to Jota, hailed as an "incredible footballer and really good person".

In a heartfelt interview with LFC TV, Hogan expressed: "First, I would just say that obviously we're here today – and so many people have been here before – to just offer condolences and thoughts and prayers for Diogo and for Andre, and most importantly for their family."

He continued, "It has only been a couple of days but, as we all know, it has been just absolutely devastating. We're a club in mourning. We have all been completely shocked by the situation and, again, can only think of what this has meant to their family."

The football world is in mourning as tributes pour in for the late Jota, with an emotional scene unfolding where fans have left heartfelt messages and tributes. The anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' has taken on a poignant significance, as one insider reflected: "What we see behind us and the overwhelming outpouring of support and emotion and grief and love – having a chance to walk down the row here and read the cards and read the messages, our anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, it does mean something."

"In this case, I think everybody just feels so passionately about making sure that we remember the two boys but also that we support their family, and we're going to work through this together."

Andy Robertson, a former teammate of Jota, shared his own personal grief on social media, saying: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.

"For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together... however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.

"I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.

"Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish... I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.

"We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had.

"The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.

"I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."

- Chris McKenna, Anders Anglesey

LIVERPOOL AND ARNE SLOT LEFT FUMING OVER 5 MICHAEL OLIVER DECISIONS AGAINST EVERTON

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was sent off in the wake of the final whistle against Everton. That came after Michael Oliver caused frustration with multiple decisions.

Michael Oliver during Everton vs Liverpool. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool won't want to hide behind excuses for the draw against Everton. Arne Slot will not be pleased with how his side got sucked into the madness, not for the first time in this fixture — but there's little doubt that refeee Michael Oliver complicated the task for the Reds.

From the first whistle, everything seemed to be going against Liverpool. Bitty fouls were called against the visitor and allowed to slide for the host: Slot's side were hauled up for a foul every 59.7 seconds that Everton had the ball in play.

But as well as this general complaint of poor match control, Oliver incurred the wrath of the Liverpool faithful in several specific incidents. The most high-profile came late on, when Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were both denied VAR reprieves on the Everton equalizer, but there were flashpoints throughout the game.

Foul by Alexis Mac Allister on Iliman Ndiaye

Everton took the lead in the 11th minute, catching Liverpool out with a well-worked free kick that was finished off neatly by Beto. There was a check for offside, but replays showed that the striker was narrowly onside.

So what's the problem? Well, the free kick quite clearly should not have been awarded in the first place.

This is beyond VAR's remit, so it is up to Oliver to get it right on the pitch. Unfortunately, he completely fell for Iliman Ndiaye's dive.

For that is what it was. This wasn't a case of going down easily or manufacturing contact — Ndiaye simply cheated, throwing himself to the ground to hoodwink Oliver into believing Alexis Mac Allister made any kind of contact.

Oliver bought it. An understandable mistake, but particularly jarring in a game where he steadfastly refused to give anything soft to Liverpool.

In normal circumstances, I'd be calling for the lesser-spotted retrospective diving ban to be applied against Ndiaye; this is a rare case where the officials were successfully deceived by a deliberate act, and the consequences were massive. But judging by the way he departed the pitch 10 minutes later, we might not be seeing him for a long time anyway.

Yellow card for Andy Robertson

In fairness, plenty of Liverpool fans were more annoyed at Andy Robertson than Oliver for this one. But it was deeply frustrating when the Scot saw yellow early on for kicking the ball away.

It's the kind of incident that often goes unpunished. Robertson could just about argue that he was already committed to playing the ball before the whistle blew — if I'm being honest, he definitely had time to pull out of it, but there's typically a degree of leeway.

Oliver chose not to apply that approach, leaving Robertson with a long time to handle his booking. As with so many complaints against referees, it boils down to consistency.

Later in the contest, for instance, Beto punched the ball away after play had been stopped. Unlike Robertson, he could not even make a case that he was intending to play the ball legitimately, and yet a card was not produced.

Idrissa Gueye avoids second yellow card

Nobody wants to brandish a red card in the derby (except after the final whistle, apparently, when you can look like you're being authoritative with zero consequences for the match). But it was Oliver's job to referee the football match, not the occasion.

As such, he had no right to ignore Idrissa Gueye's brazen pull-back on Mohamed Salah as Liverpool sought to break away. Oliver signaled the advantage, using that to explain his decision amid protests from those in red, but Slot would undoubtedly have preferred to see the opponent reduced to 10 men.

Idrissa Gueye is put under pressure by Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

It was, after all, a textbook yellow card. Gueye made no attempt for the ball, dragging Salah back in order to stop the attack — had he not been on a yellow already, there would have been no question about it.

Everton will say that Conor Bradley benefited from similar lenience later on. But the Northern Irishman's second foul was far less of a nailed-on bookable offense.

Carlos Alcaraz not penalized for foul on Mohamed Salah

Despite playing into these headwinds, Liverpool had managed to take the lead. It was holding onto its advantage as the match entered five minutes of stoppage time.

The goal, of course, was to take the sting out of the game, and keep the ball up at Everton's end of the field. Salah sought to do just that, jinking past two Everton players before being hacked down by substitute Carlos Alcaraz near the edge of the area.

Of all the incidents Oliver allowed to slide, this was perhaps the most brazen. It's just inexplicable how he decided it was not a foul.

And the consequences proved to be dire. Rather than getting the chance to run down the clock a little more and perhaps work the free kick into the corner, Liverpool was forced onto the back foot, and Everton ultimately equalized.

There was not enough of a causal link for VAR to get involved. But it seems near-certain that Liverpool would have won the match if Oliver had not got this easy decision horribly wrong.

Everton's equalizer

I'll bundle the complaints about the equalizing goal into one section, but there was plenty to aggrieve Liverpool. For one thing, it came more than two minutes beyond the amount of time added on.

Of course, the referee has the power to extend play beyond the indicated "minimum", and Oliver was right to do so. A clash of heads between two Everton players did delay the contest.

But it's rare for match officials to genuinely reflect all additional stoppages when extending the amount of added time. Oliver certainly gave Everton every possible chance to find a second goal.

Then there was the offside check. It was very tight, resulting in a single green line being shown to viewers — that means that the decision fell within the Premier League's "tolerance", in which case the advantage goes to the attacker.

In other words, Abdoulaye Doucoure may well have been beyond Van Dijk. Unfortunately, the technology is not up to scratch.

Finally, there was a foul on Konate by Beto. Again, bear in mind that Oliver had been penalizing Liverpool for the smallest of infringements (and non-existent fouls) all game.

Yet despite looking right at it, Oliver did not see fit to punish Beto, even though he clearly impeded Konate. VAR left it alone as well.

Disallowing the goal would have caused absolute pandemonium at Goodison Park. You'd hope that didn't come into the thinking of Oliver and the VAR team — but this was a fitting end to a match where the officials did not appear fit to cope with the demands of the fixture.

- James Martin

LIVERPOOL GALLERY PHOTOS: JAROS, ROBERTSON AND SZOBOSZLAI REPORT FOR PRE-SEASON AT AXA TRAINING CENTRE

Vitezslav Jaros, Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai reported to the AXA Training Centre to begin preparations for the new season on Tuesday morning.

The Liverpool trio have returned to the club following their participation at Euro 2024 and will now begin working under Arne Slot and his staff ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Scroll through our behind-the-scenes photos as Jaros, Robertson and Szoboszlai were.

Photos by Nikki Dyer

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | SECOND LEG | PASSES COMPLETED

 

LIVERPOOL'S DEPTH MAKES THEM FA CUP AND PREMIER LEAGUE FAVES

It was truly a team effort in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup as manager Jurgen Klopp was missing several preferred starters, but the players available stepped up. Julian Finney/Getty Images

 LONDON -- Liverpool's 2-0 win at Arsenal to advance deeper into the FA Cup was impressive enough, but if you consider the rollcall of players who weren't involved at the Emirates, it gives an indication of just why the Reds are serious contenders in four competitions this season.

The irreplaceable Mohamed Salah had already departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt prior to this third-round FA Cup tie, and midfielder Wataru Endo has also signed off for at least a month to join Japan's attempt to win the Asian Cup. But Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was also without Virgil van Dijk, Joël Matip, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara, Dominik Szoboszlai and Stefan Bajcetic due to injury or illness.

Yet, despite that list of absentees, Liverpool were still able to book their place into the fourth round because of the sheer depth of Klopp's squad.

Managers only tend to talk about injuries and the impact they have on a team when their sides lose -- it's a useful excuse to suggest that prospects of winning are diminished when key players aren't available. But that kind of deflection tactic doesn't really work when a side like Liverpool can travel to Arsenal -- the FA Cup's most successful-ever club -- and win without so many crucial players.

This was a big test for Klopp and his players, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta making only limited changes to his first-choice team, but they came through it.

And with a growing fixture list ahead -- which includes the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League, as well as the challenge of fending off the threat of champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League -- Liverpool showed that they can ride out the storm of injury, illness and international tournaments to keep their foot on the pedal in all four competitions.