Xabi Alonso: Trent booing ‘could be expected’
Xabi Alonso says: “Well, it could be expected [the booing]. He was focused and wanted to be part of it. So first time. He has challenges for him – it is new experience. Step by step, but we are happy we have him.”
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 23:30
Alexander-Arnold booing ‘to give their team the edge’, Bellingham says
Bellingham weighs in on the booing of his friend and teammate Alexander-Arnold. He says: “Obviously, it is one of those things in football. The fans booing isn’t a reflection of how they feel about him.
“I think it is more to give their team the edge and throw him off a little bit. I am sure they’re appreciative of what he has done for the club. It is one of those things.”
Asked about a possible England call-up in next week’s squad, he says: “I would love to be, but it’s not my call.”
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 23:20
‘We were a lot worse off last season’ – Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham tells Amazon Prime: “I think the scoreline reflects the game. They slightly edged it in the second half they brought a bit more.
“Second half, their momentum took over and they edged it.
“After they scored, it felt like we wanted to force things a little too much. Things to learn, still really early in the season and still early in the Champions League campaign. We were a lot worse off last season and still managed to get through.”
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 23:10
Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool criticism has been ‘over the top at times’ after triumph over Real Madrid
Virgil van Dijk has responded to criticism by several pundits and ex-players of Liverpool after their mixed start to the season, saying it has been “over the top at times”.
A run of four successive league defeats and six losses in seven games left many wondering whether the reigning Premier League champions were in crisis.
Wayne Rooney was among the critical voices, with the former Manchester United player questioning Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s leadership this season and suggesting their body language had a negative effect on other players.
Van Dijk responded after Liverpool stopped their barren run with a 2-0 league win over Aston Villa at the weekend, saying he could “only say positive things” about Rooney but felt the comment was “lazy criticism”.
The pair discussed the issue in person after the Reds appeared to turn a corner in their 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring his first goal since April from a superb Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick.
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 23:02
‘Football can change over night’ – Virgil van Dijk
More from Virgil: “You can see at the moment Arsenal are flying, and it is down to clean sheets and not conceding chances.
“We have the quality to hurt anyone on the break – it starts with the defending. Today you saw the hard work.
“We have to keep going. Sunday is going to be another difficult one. We all know how football works – it can change over night.”
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 22:52
Criticism ‘over the top at times’ – Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk now responds to some of the criticism, including from the pundits standing next to him.
“It is easy to say now because we won twice in a row – in a world of chaos you have to stay calm and see perspective of things.
“At times the noise was a lot. It’s very important to put things into perspective, get your head down and work.
“I am living with players that might have been affected by it. If you lose a game for Liverpool – four, five games – there is criticism – that is normal in a sense.
“It is over the top at times. I think it’s because we live in the world of so many platforms, so many people can say stuff, and it can be picked up. Ex-players that played at the highest level had difficult moments as well.
“I want to perform for the team, the club and everyone who supports us through thick and thin.”
Wayne Rooney looks suitably chastened by that.
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 22:45
‘We performed our game plan perfectly’ – Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is next to speak to Amazon Prime; he’s pretty pleased but staying measured. “There was a alot of energy and lot of hard work in the performance tonight. They won 14 of the last 15 games, have a lot of quality.
“We know their strengths, how they can punish you, we’ve seen that in the last few weeks. We had to be spot on in everything we do.
“Sometimes you come in a low block and that is something we had to accept. I thought we performed our game plan perfectly.”
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 22:38
Relentless Liverpool banish recent woes with redefining victory over Real Madrid
Arne Slot could be forgiven for thinking this is an annual event in autumn on Merseyside. For the second consecutive year, Real Madrid were beaten on a heady amid an electric Anfield atmosphere. Just like last year, Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring, the World Cup winner serving as the scourge of the European Cup’s most storied club.
The difference – and perhaps the reason why this felt a still greater feat – is that Liverpool had stumbled into a potentially defining week. After six defeats in seven games, they have overcome Aston Villa, winners of one European Cup, and Real, winners of a mere 15. From the worst run of Slot’s managerial career, Liverpool delivered their best performance of the season.
Richard Jolly4 November 2025 22:32
So many great performances tonight. Dominik Szoboszlai was imperious, Florian Wirtz looked to be properly clicking, Alexis Mac Allister scored a brilliant goal, but best of all might have been Conor Bradley, who made Vini Jr look pretty amateur at points and really rose to the occasion.
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 22:25
Alexis Mac Allister: ‘We deserved to win’
A smiley Alexis Mac Allister tells Amazon Prime: “It was a good game against a really good team. Important win but we know it doesn’t mean anything.
“We have the experience of finishing first last season and we went out early. It’s important to build confidence.
“One of the most special goals [I’ve scored here].”
He agrees Courtois seemed unbeatable at times: “It looked like it! He had a few saves, so again I think he is a really good keeper, but today I think we were better and deserved to win.”
Flo Clifford4 November 2025 22:18