Premier League
Five Liverpool players could leave club today
The high-profile arrival of Luis Diaz at Liverpool looks set to have a knock-on effect at the club with numbers squad players tipped for moves away on deadline day
Accordng to Mirror Football, it’s been an unexpectedly quiet January transfer window for Liverpool so far, but that has now all changed.
Just when it appeared as though Jurgen Klopp had settled on his squad for the second half of the season, Tottenham’s apparent interest in long-term target Luis Diaz forced the Reds into action.
The highly-rated Porto winger has now signed a 5-year deal after Liverpool upped their efforts to secure his signature, and his arrival is set to have a knock-on effect as we head into deadline day.
The addition of the Colombian is likely to lead to a last-minute reshuffle in attack while a number of defensive options have been continuously linked with moves away from Anfield over the past few weeks.
As the clocks ticks ever closer to Monday night’s deadline, there are a several members of Klopp’s squad who now appear surplus to requirements and set for transfers late in the window.
Courtesy Mirror Football, we bring you the latest on five of those potential leavers…
Divock Origi
Divock Origi’s Liverpool love affair looks to be coming to an end The Belgian striker has secured cult hero status at the club following a number of crucial goals in recent years, but his Liverpool love affair appears to nearing its conclusion as his contract expires in the summer.
Despite talk of a clause being included in his current deal which could see him kept on for another year should he play a certain number of matches, Origi has found game-time limited this season with a recent knee injury only compounding matters.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Italy this month, however the forward is reportedly keen to remain in the Premier League.
Newcastle are among his admirers and could look to add further attacking reinforcement in their bid to beat the drop, while Serie A side Atalanta are also reportedly keen and could push for a move should they lose star striker Duvan Zapata, who himself has attracted interest from the Magpies.
Takumi Minamino
The arrival of Diaz in attack is also likely to impact the immediate future of Takumi Minamino.
The Japanese forward struggled for minutes prior to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ‘s African Cup of Nations commitments and the addition of more competition in attack will surely further hamper his chances of first-team action.
Leeds and Monaco are the two clubs reportedly leading the race for his signature and it is believed Liverpool would be willing to allow the 27-year-old forward to depart should a club meet their valuation of around £20million.
With Marcelo Bielsa’s men in particular having received a setback in their pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brendan Aaronson, a deadline day move for Minamino makes sense for all parties.
The £36m summer arrival of Ibrahima Konate has limited the number of opportunities available to fellow defender Nat Phillips, who provided some much needed cover at the back following several injuries last season.
However, the centre-back has only featured on three occasions so far this term and has openly expressed his desire to seek first-team football elsewhere, amid interest from numerous suitors.
Liverpool reportedly rejected a £7m offer from Watford earlier in the window and turned away an initial loan proposal from Newcastle, one of a number of setbacks the Magpies have received in their pursuit of defensive reinforcements.
West Ham are another Premier League rival reportedly keen to acquire Phillips as cover for the injury-stricken Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna, but the Reds appear determined to hold out for a figure in the region of £15m for the 24-year-old.
Neco Williams
Another defensive option who could well depart before Monday night’s deadline is right-back Neco Williams.
The Wales international is reportedly attracting interest from at least one Premier League club and a number of Championship sides and, according to Liverpool Echo, the Reds will consider offers of a loan with an obligation to buy.
Williams himself is believed to be keen to gain first-team experience elsewhere in order to bolster his international prospects, with Wales involved in crucial World Cup qualifying play-offs come March.
The 20-year-old has only made eight appearances so far this campaign, including a mere seven minutes of Premier League action, and is reportedly valued at around £10m.
Rhys Williams
Like Phillips, Rhys Williams was another who impressed when called upon during Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis of last season and now looks set for a move away.
The centre-back spent the first half of this campaign on loan at Swansea City but was recalled by the Reds after making a mere seven appearances.
A second loan spell in the Championship looks likely with Sheffield United and Reading reportedly interested in his services, though a deal could hinge on the future of the aforementioned Phillips.
The need to provide cover for the potentially outgoing centre-back was another factor behind Williams’ recall and, should a move away materialise, the 20-year-old may well be retained as defensive back-up.
Premier League
Arsenal Paint London Red with Premier League Victory Parade Despite Champions League Heartbreak
Thousands of jubilant Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of north London on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in 22 years, putting aside the disappointment of losing the UEFA Champions League final just 24 hours earlier.
The celebrations came less than a day after Arsenal suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest. Yet the setback did little to dampen the spirits of the club’s faithful, who turned out in huge numbers to honour a historic domestic triumph.
Players and coaching staff paraded through north London aboard an open-top bus, proudly displaying the Premier League trophy that Arsenal had finally reclaimed for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” side lifted it in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal had wrapped up the title before the final round of fixtures after establishing an unassailable lead over defending champions Manchester City, who eventually finished seven points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s side.
The league crown marked Arsenal’s first major trophy since Arteta guided the club to FA Cup success in 2020 during his debut season as manager. It also ended years of frustration after the Gunners had finished runners-up in the Premier League in each of the previous three seasons.
Red flares, fireworks and the sound of vuvuzelas filled the air as supporters celebrated a long-awaited return to the summit of English football.
“We’re not European champions, but we are champions of England, and that’s what matters right now,” said Arsenal supporter Julien Guillenenat. “We’re happy to celebrate with everyone.”
Another fan, 44-year-old Mathieu Garnier, believes the Premier League triumph has finally removed the psychological burden that had weighed heavily on the team.
“Three years in a row we finished second, and now that pressure is gone,” he said. “These players are going to be flying next season. I really believe that.”
Adding to the festivities was Arsenal’s women’s team, who joined the celebrations after their successful FIFA Champions Cup campaign this season.
Midfielder Declan Rice, signed from West Ham United in 2023 for a club-record £105 million, said the title triumph had silenced many of the club’s critics.
“People were pointing and laughing at us before,” Rice told Sky Sports. “What happened? They’re not laughing anymore. I love this team, I love this manager, and to see the joy we’ve brought to the fans is incredible.
“Next season we’re coming back for more.”
Despite the pain of falling short in Europe, many Arsenal supporters remain optimistic that the club will soon challenge again for continental glory.
Twenty-two-year-old fan Theo Grant believes the Champions League disappointment will only strengthen the squad’s resolve.
“Honestly, this loss will give the players even more motivation,” he said. “We’ll be back. I believe we’ll reach the final again next season.”
For Arsenal supporters, however, Sunday was not about what might have been in Europe. It was about celebrating the end of a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
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Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday and still face the risk of relegation from the Premier League in their final game of the season this weekend after goals either side of halftime from the home side’s Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos.
Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot from over 25 metres that Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute, electrifying the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as the home fans revelled in the misery of their North London rivals.
The Argentina midfielder turned provider for Chelsea’s second goal in the 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos, who scored from close range.
Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute, but the defeat means Tottenham remain two points above West Ham United, who currently occupy the last relegation spot.
However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their Premier League survival.
Chelsea, fresh from announcing former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season
The Blues, who lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, are one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who currently occupy the last of the Europa League spots.
Spurs had only themselves to blame for Tuesday’s defeat.
After Mathys Tel hit the post with a header in the 11th minute, they allowed Chelsea to dominate until Richarlison’s goal raised their hopes of rescuing the point they needed.
Substitute James Maddison looked sure to equalise in the 84th, but Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato stretched out a leg to block his angled shot.
The win was Chelsea’s first in the Premier League since March 4, giving their fans something to celebrate after a miserable run that included six consecutive league defeats.
It also means Spurs have only won once at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
-Reuters
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Arsenal F.C. have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City F.C. were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, ending the most dramatic title race of recent seasons and completing a remarkable transformation under manager Mikel Arteta.
The title triumph marks Arsenal’s first league championship since the legendary “Invincibles” side led by Arsène Wenger went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign.
For Arteta, it represents the crowning moment of a rebuilding project that began when he replaced Unai Emery in December 2019. The Spaniard inherited a struggling Arsenal side but gradually rebuilt the club into genuine title contenders, guiding them to second-place finishes in each of the previous three seasons before finally ending Manchester City’s dominance.
Arsenal appeared in danger of suffering another late collapse after surrendering a nine-point lead earlier in the campaign, particularly following City’s crucial victory over them at the Etihad Stadium in April.
However, the momentum shifted again when City stumbled with a draw against Everton, allowing Arsenal to seize control of the race.
The North London club responded impressively, winning four consecutive matches without conceding a goal, including Monday’s tense 1-0 victory over Burnley F.C. that piled pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side heading into their trip to Bournemouth.
City’s failure to secure victory finally confirmed Arsenal as champions, triggering emotional celebrations among supporters gathered around the Emirates Stadium.
Fans watching the decisive match in nearby pubs poured onto the streets at the final whistle, while thousands more marched toward the Emirates within minutes of the title being secured.
Arteta had admitted before the match that he expected it to be difficult watching City’s game because of the enormous stakes involved, but the Spaniard ultimately witnessed the completion of one of the most significant managerial achievements in modern Arsenal history.
The Gunners will officially receive the Premier League trophy after their final game of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Arsenal’s triumph could yet become part of an even greater achievement.
The club now have the opportunity to complete a historic double when they face Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Only five English clubs have previously managed to win both the league title and the European Cup in the same season, with Manchester City the last side to achieve the feat in 2023.
The title success also signals a changing of the guard in English football.
With Guardiola expected to leave Manchester City after a decade in charge, Arteta — once his assistant at City — is poised to become the longest-serving manager across England’s top four divisions, underlining how dramatically his status has risen since arriving at Arsenal less than seven years ago.
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