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• Slot focused on Feyenoord task as Liverpool speculation swirls

  Arne Slot insists his focus remains on Feyenoord but acknowledged his confidence that an expected move to Liverpool will come to fruition.

  Jurgen Klopp will depart the Reds at the end of this season, with widespread reports in the Dutch media suggesting Liverpool have already agreed a compensation deal to bring Slot to Anfield.

  As speculation swirls over the Dutchman's future, Slot was keen to reiterate his commitment to Feyenoord, who are second in the league and face Zwolle in Sunday's Eredivisie fixture.

  "For the 25th time, I really can't answer it," Slot said as questions continue to flow over the Liverpool links.

  "There is nothing official yet and I am sitting here with a Feyenoord emblem on my chest, so the intention is for this press conference to be about Feyenoord, but I think you will try [and ask about Liverpool] anyway."

  Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.

  It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.

  "I still have the confidence that things will turn out well, but I really can't give any further answers," Slot admitted, in his only concession over a move to the Premier League.

  "If this continues, this will be an unpleasant press conference.

  "I just think it's appropriate to give all the answers to these questions at the end of the season, because I'm still busy with Feyenoord here and Liverpool are also still busy with their season."

  Feyenoord finished seven points ahead of second-placed PSV to secure only their second title since the turn of the millennium in the 2022-23 season.

  In doing so, Slot became the third-youngest manager to guide Feyenoord to an Eredivisie title, after Giovanni van Bronckhorst (42) and Thijs Libregts (43).

  Feyenoord won 42 points away from home during that season, the Dutch club’s highest such tally in their history, while they also scored in 31 consecutive Eredivisie games, their longest such streak since 1961 (37).

  Therefore, Liverpool's interest comes as no surprise – but Slot was not keen for praise over the links to the Reds just yet.

  "You can always congratulate me, but it is most appropriate to do so at the end of the season when it is really official," he added.

  "We have made incredible progress. When I started here, we received 5.5 million euros for our striker and we were able to invest just about that amount.

  "Now we are going into the Champions League for the second season in a row and the money is a lot more."

  Slot also rubbished reports he visited England this week.

  "I was in Italy with my daughter, otherwise I wouldn't have such a nice tan," he concluded.

• Kirby hopes 'job done' after leaving Chelsea in 'better place'

  Chelsea and Lionesses star Fran Kirby will say goodbye to Chelsea at the end of the season.

  The forward has enjoyed a nine-year spell at the club, scoring 115 goals in 209 appearances. 

  Kirby will leave Chelsea as their all-time leading goalscorer over a period where she contributed to 15 trophies, including six Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups. 

  Chelsea will now be looking at a period of transition as manager Emma Hayes will also leave for the United States and the Blues will welcome Sonia Bompastor, who will embark on a new era at Stamford Bridge.

  Kirby told the club website: "To leave with the trophies that I have won, with the team-mates I've played with – some of the world's best players – it has been one of the biggest privileges of my life.

  "The support I've had has been unmatched. When I had my illness, my injuries, that's when I made some friends for life.

  "I will never forget that no matter how bad I felt during those moments, I always felt loved and supported.

  "Growing up I never thought I could impact it so much. So I'm really proud I have been able to impact positively and doing that for a club like Chelsea is something I'm really proud of.

  "Hopefully, I leave the club in a better place than when I first came in. For me then, the job is done.

  "To have been there from the beginning at Staines, playing in front of an amazing crowd there and now to Stamford Bridge. We're selling out the Bridge. It's been an incredible journey with all of you.

  "Thank you for embracing me from day one. Helping me overcome some really difficult times and also sharing some amazing times with me. I will never forget how it felt to play in front of all of you.

  "I hope I have left the club and the shirt in a place where you all can be proud of me."

  Kirby became Chelsea's top scorer in December 2020 after scoring twice against Benfica in the Women's Champions League, overtaking Eni Aluko with her 69th and 70th goals for the club, five years after signing.

  She also played an integral role in securing the domestic quadruple in the 2020-21 season, helping Chelsea become the first English women's club to achieve the feat.

  The 70-cap England Women's international leaves behind a remarkable legacy, one befitting of her legendary status at Stamford Bridge.

• Klopp has '500 reasons' for Liverpool revenge against Spurs after VAR controversy

  Jurgen Klopp may be out for a slight revenge on Sunday when Liverpool meet Tottenham at Anfield, having fallen foul of VAR controversy in the reverse Premier League clash.

  Spurs won 2-1 at home in the previous meeting in September thanks to Joel Matip's last-gasp own goal as a nine-man Liverpool were unable to hold on at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

  The Reds also had a first-half goal from Luis Diaz ruled out for offside by the VAR after a miscommunication between the video officials and the assistant referee.

  With third-placed Liverpool winless in two league games after their 2-2 draw with West Ham last time out, Klopp has that controversy on his mind ahead of the second clash at Anfield.

  "It's always a challenge [against Spurs]," the Liverpool manager said at his pre-match press conference.

  "I don't want to make it the biggest subject, but I can't forget the Tottenham game as well, it's just so strange.

  "So, now we play Tottenham and that was obviously not their fault that night, they just played the game, but I would like to win that game for 500 reasons, that we lost there and the way we lost is one of them."

  Tottenham have struggled recently, losing each of their last three after a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea that left them seven points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, who have played a game more.

  Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou was visibly furious in the first half at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, and acknowledged Tottenham have a long way to go to compete with the elite.

  He said: "We need change. Change has to happen. You can’t want to alter your course, and quite dramatically for this club because we went down a certain direction and now we’re pivoting to a whole different direction.

  "To expect the same people are going to be on that… it's just not going to happen.

  "We've had two windows and we've had some development of players but when I say we've still got a long way to go, that's what I'm talking about."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

  Mohamed Salah may have a point to prove against Tottenham, after his disagreement with Klopp before coming on at London Stadium in Liverpool's last outing.

  The Egypt forward has gone four Premier League games without a goal or assist – and now is the time for Salah to step up and deliver for the Reds.

  Tottenham – Son Heung-min

  Son Heung-min has scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances against Liverpool, putting Spurs 1-0 up in the reverse fixture in September.

  The only player to score in five consecutive Premier League games against the Reds is Jamie Vardy (between 2016 and 2017).

  MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN

  Liverpool may not have won in two Premier League games but they are the favourites in this clash, owing to their remarkable head-to-head record with Spurs at Anfield.

  The Reds have lost just one of their last 29 home league matches against Tottenham (W19 D9), a 2-0 defeat way back in May 2011.

  Yet it will be no walkover as Spurs are looking to complete their first league double over Liverpool since the 2010-11 season, beating two different Reds managers that season (Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish).

  Their last league double over the Reds beating the same manager twice was in Dalglish’s first spell in 1986-87, and this one could be filled with more late drama, too.

  Liverpool (3) v Tottenham (3) has provided six 90th-minute winners in the Premier League, the most of any fixture in the competition’s history.

  Indeed, both of the last two league meetings between the two sides have been won courtesy of a 90th-minute winner for the home team – will there be another here?

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Liverpool win – 55.7%

  Tottenham win – 19.5%

  Draw – 24.8%