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      Trent Alexander-Arnold should take the risk and move to Real Madrid… but Liverpool have a ready-made replacement

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      I SEE Trent Alexander-Arnold has woken up and smelt the coffee — which is why I see him waving goodbye to Liverpool in the summer and signing for Real Madrid.If it were me and I fancied going out for a coffee or a cuppa after training, then I’d prefer to do so in Spain rather than Liverpool. Most would.Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: PAReal Madrid are long-time admirers of the versatile defenderCredit: GETTYLos Blancos could very well make a move for the England internationalCredit: GETTYHarry Redknapp has urged Alexander-Arnold to take the risk and join RealCredit: GettyNo disrespect as it’s a great club and a lively city but there is just something magical about Madrid. So you can see the pull for a world-class right-back.It is probably Trent’s dream to play for Real Madrid and he’ll have seen pal Jude Bellingham do the same last year.Bellingham could have gone from Borussia Dortmund to any Premier League club he fancied but the magnetism of the Bernabeu is irresistible.My analogy about coffee seems trivial, of course, but there is so much involved in making a big move.READ MORE ON TRENTLiverpool is a special club but you have to remember he cost them nothing, has given them years of service as a former academy player and now is the time to try a new adventure.Sometimes you can go stale and maybe it is time for him to go and play great football at another great club.With his contract up in the summer there is serious money to be made, too.It is similar but not quite the same for Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTrent Alexander-Arnold has kept quiet on his Liverpool futureCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold is 26-years-old, the others in their early 30s. Salah, in particular, might be looking at one last big pay day by going to play in Saudi Arabia.And for a young man like Alexander-Arnold this is the chance to reach for the stars, to play with a team of world-class pros, earn serious cash and win a serious number of trophies.Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Bold £84m Bid for NantesLiverpool is a big draw and Trent is a born-and-bred Scouser — but nothing competes with Madrid.Reds icon Steve McManaman trod the same path many years back and I don’t think he sits around regretting it.The opportunity to become Real Madrid’s next right-back for five or six years is a dream and Trent can absolutely be that player for them.Liverpool have slotted him in to midfield as well as full-back but, while I see a world-class defender in him, he is not a world-class midfielder.Liverpool is a big draw and Trent is a born-and-bred Scouser — but nothing competes with Madrid.Harry RedknappThere should be no debate about where he plays. At the Euros, England tried to switch him into the middle and some of the games passed him by.Midfielders are a different breed, you’ve got to have fantastic awareness to play there.As a right-back you see the whole picture. It’s different. He’s a great passer from there.He should stick to his strengths and be the best right- back in Europe at Real.The Reds have a ready-made replacement in Conor BradleyCredit: REXAnd it’s not as if Liverpool will be left high and dry when he goes as they have an energetic, young replacement waiting in the wings in Conor Bradley, who will fill that void.Another homegrown product, I particularly like Bradley’s pace — and so along comes the next great Liverpool player.We also have to admit that the era of the great one-club man is pretty much dead, too.The opportunity to become Real Madrid’s next right-back for five or six years is a dream and Trent can absolutely be that player for them.Harry RedknappLiverpool have had more than their fair share of loyal players with the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.Go back further and there were even more but the way the game is now — as well as the money that is on offer, the ease of travel and communication and such like — makes it easier to go and play abroad.Cross border transfers and the Bosman Ruling has opened up a whole new world to players and you really cannot begrudge any of them wanting to experience it.Conor Bradley has shown all the making of a stellar defenderCredit: GettyKeep it simpleWHY do all keepers think they are Pele these days?Sorry… I mean why do all managers think their goalkeepers are Pele?And I say this after I watched Spurs squeeze through their Carabao Cup quarter-final with Manchester United on Thursday.My old team played well but what is this obsession with playing the ball out from the back every time? It has gone crazy.Keepers playing out from the back is a load of nonsense, Harry Redknapp believesCredit: GETTYEvery coach wants to be Pep Guardiola — even if they do not have the talent of his Manchester City team.When you watch it, the ball goes from the right-back to the keeper, out to the left-back, back again, then they give the ball away.And teams put themselves under needless pressure when sometimes it suits to just boot it upfield.No disrespect to Spurs keeper Fraser Forster, he’s a good player but he isn’t a footballer — he’s a goalkeeper.As a manager the last thing I wanted was my centre-backs bringing the ball out.Harry RedknappYou have got a big centre- forward there in Dominic Solanke, who is great in the air, and I’d want the ball going up to him to win it.As a manager the last thing I wanted was my centre-backs bringing the ball out. They all had their skills and dribbling just wasn’t one of them.Unfortunately it has gone crazy and it’s so stupid. Our teams just can’t do it. They are not good enough to do it as they give the ball away.Fraser Forster’s gaffe against Manchester United shows how risky playing out from the back isCredit: alamyRIP, Oscar FairsI WAS so sad to read of the young West Ham goalkeeper who sadly died in the past week or so.We all worry about trivial things and then football and a family loses their boy due to cancer when he had the world at his feet.I don’t know Oscar Fairs or his family but I really would like to send them my condolences and love at what must be an awful time.West Ham paid a touching to the late Oscar Fairs this weekCredit: REUTERSA Christmas messageWITH Christmas now just around the corner, at my age it’s hard to know what to ask Santa for.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo all I can tell you is that I have got lots of socks — and probably more than the England kit man!Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year. More

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      ‘He could have done many things’ – Gary Neville reveals gym run-in with Liverpool star after brutal commentary insult

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville revealed he had an awkward run-in with ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius shortly after slamming him with some brutal criticism.Karius, 31, spent six years at Anfield after his arrival from Mainz in 2016 but couldn’t establish himself as Jurgen Klopp’s No1 and that led to loan stints at Besiktas and Union Berlin before his exit.Manchester United legend Gary Neville had an awkward run-in with Loris KariusCredit: Youtube / The OverlapNeville slammed Karius after his performance with Liverpool in the Champions League finalCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe German’s time with the Merseysiders effectively came to an end after the 2018 Champions League final where two major howlers led to goals for Real Madrid who won 3-1 in Kiev.The former Newcastle keeper gave the ball away to Karim Benzema, who opened the scoring, and failed to hold on to a powerful shot by Gareth Bale.However, it was later revealed that the ex-Germany international was playing with a concussion after a collission with Real captain Sergio Ramos moments before Benzema’s opener.Nevertheless, Neville, 49, didn’t hold back on his criticism of Karius as he insisted Klopp’s side would never win the Premier League with him between the sticks – he seemingly didn’t know about the concussion.Read More on FootballA while later, though, the Sky Sports pundit bumped into the German in a gym while visiting Italy and feared an intense confrontation after his fiery assessment of his Champions League final performance.Instead, Karius showed immense class by simply shaking the ex-England international’s hand and greeted him with respect.That left the Man Utd hero with a red face as he immediately felt “guilty” and realised he was too harsh on the keeper.Neville told The Overlap: “Karius, the Liverpool goalkeeper, the young lad – I’ve been quite direct about him for a period of two to three months. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Liverpool were getting closer and better under Jurgen Klopp and I remember saying that they’ll never ever win the league with that guy in the net. “It’s a strong line that to a young goalkeeper. It was probably true in the element of about five months later he made the mistake in the Champions League final.Gary Neville hits out at ‘Moping’ Rashford and Garnacho and has heated argument with Micah Richards live on Sky Sports “I go to Italy to this hotel. I walked into the gym for a session and there was just this big bloke lifting massive weights – it’s Karius! “He could have done many things there and could have had a go at me. It went right through my head on what I said about him, and I know he would’ve known that. “But he shook my hand and said, ‘Nice to see you’ and I felt guilty bumping into someone I’ve given a harsh line to.”Liverpool splashed the cash for a new goalkeeper after the final and bought Alisson for a record £67million fee.The Brazilian helped the Reds win the Champions League in 2019 and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020.Karius is currently a free agent after two uneventful years at Newcastle where he amassed only two appearances. More

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      Southampton 1 Liverpool 2: Arne Slot watches on from stands as much-changed Reds cling on to reach last four

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      ARNE SLOT will have enjoyed the shelter of Southampton’s press box, but he will not have been sitting comfortably.The Liverpool manager, in the stands due to suspension, watched as his much changed side had to hang on to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.Arne Slot watched victory from the standsCredit: ReutersLiverpool are into the semi-finalsCredit: RexSouthampton had looked to be waving the holders through to the last four after a tepid first half.It had not been much better than the performance against Tottenham on Sunday which got Russell Martin sacked.Liverpool took advantage, with Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott giving them a comfortable lead.But changes at the break and a step up from Saints made for a tense second half – sparked by Cameron Archer’s strike.READ MORE IN football Simon Rusk, the Under-21s coach who only arrived in the summer, was given the ‘privilege’ of stepping in as interim following Martin’s sacking.It is not an attractive job for many coaches, but fans will at least take comfort that Rusk got them showing some fight – eventually.The former Brighton, Nottingham Forest and England youth coach named a strong side given there is little need to save players for their doomed Premier League campaign.Slot had left seven first team regulars, including Mohammed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, on Merseyside.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSVan Dijk’s absence and Ibrahima Konate being injured meant midfielder Wataru Endo started at centre-back, while teenager Trey Nyoni was handed a full debut.If Martin was watching from home, he would not have liked that the first action without him in the dugout was a lumped ball forwards from kick-off.While that drew some ironic cheers, there was soon a sign that Southampton’s woes had not all been down to Martin as more mistakes – and the rank weather – combined to give Liverpool the open.Trent Alexander-Arnold, captain on the night, spun away from Matheus Fernandes deep in his own half and looked to thread a left-footed ball through for Nunez.Jan Bednarek swung a leg at the pass and sent the ball looping towards his own goal, dropping in acres of space for the Liverpool striker.Alex McCarthy dropped instead of coming out to engage Nunez and slipped on the greasy surface, making it easy for the Uruguayan to finish before cocking his ear to the home fans – who had been calling him a “s*** Andy Carroll”.The goal saw Southampton drop, in an effort to avoid crumbling like they did against Spurs, and afforded Liverpool control.But this Southampton defence is one of the most obliging in Europe and, despite having one bank of five and another of four ahead, still left gaps.Darwin Nunez opened the scoringCredit: GettyTrent Alexaner-Arnold embraces NunezCredit: PACody Gakpo drifted into one of those, before exchanging passes with Endo and feeding Elliott.The tenacious midfielder controlled well and saw his shot take a slight deflection off Ryan Manning before nestling in the back of the net.Their progress had been so straightforward in the first half that Slot decided to hook Alexander-Arnold, who had been dictating, at the break.Another one resting up, as Federico Chiesa was sent on for some precious minutes while Joe Gomez was also given the second half off.But Southampton hit back, in comical and clinical fashion.The lively Fernandes looked to thump a ball forwards but sent it square into Endo’s face.With the Japanese midfield starry-eyed on the floor the ball fell for Archer, who cut inside Jarrell Quansah and Tyler Morton before lashing into the far post.St. Mary’s was suddenly alive and would have erupted if, two minutes later, Archer had managed to convert a far easier chance.Harvey Elliot scored the deciding goalCredit: RexIt sent the Reds throughCredit: AFPSub Yuki Sugawara bent a cross into the small striker, whose soft touch allowed Kelleher to save before Morton hooked clear. Neither should have been given a chance.Despite being tested, Liverpool continued to hook the experienced figures as Alexis Mac Allister and then Gakpo were replaced.Amidst the wind and rain there was a sense that, despite all their failings, Southampton had a chance here.They were much improved and caused continuous problems.Liverpool had the opportunity to extinguish that hope, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis recovered to block from Chiesa on the line – as he would do in added time.Rusk sent on towering striker Paul Onuachu, who within seconds had pinched the ball from Nyoni but could not take advantage of the break.The striker, dubbed Tall Paul, should have grabbed a leveller when meeting Kamaldeen Sulemana’s cross, but miss-hit and wasted the opportunity.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe hosts rained long throws and corners into their box and had a huge injury time penalty shout waved away as Quansah dragged down Fernandes.Liverpool were now the ones looking ropey, but just about managed to hang on.Cameron Archer pulled one back lateCredit: GettyThere was late hope for the SaintsCredit: Rex More

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      Who is Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, and why was he ineligible for the Champions League?

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      RIO NGUMOHA has been included in Liverpool’s squad for their Carabao Cup quater-final clash with Southampton.But who is the 16-year-old that is currently the talk of the Anfield faithful?England Under-17 international Rio Ngumoha has been included in Liverpool’s squad to face SouthamptonCredit: REXThe 16-year-old recently started training with the Reds’ first-team squadCredit: AFPSunSport is on hand to shed some light on the starlet, who reckons he has the brightest of futures ahead of him.How long has Rio Ngumoha been at Liverpool?The teenager joined the Merseysiders in September from Chelsea in a deal that proved to be the last of Arne Slot’s first transfer window.Liverpool made their move to sign the 16-year-old in April after seeing his goalscoring exploits in Chelsea’s U17 Premier League Cup final win over Wolves.But the west Londoners’ fury at the Reds’ snapping up of Ngumoha meant he wouldn’t be able to play for the Kop club’s Under-18s until September.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe forward has impressed Slot during his brief stint at the club, so much so that he was called up to train with the first team last month.Ngumoha recently travelled with the Reds for their Champions League clash with Girona.But he was ineligible to play in the match as he didn’t meet the List B criteria for Europe’s elite club competition. The only way he could’ve played in the match would have been if he’d taken a place in the 25-man List A squad.Most read in SportLiverpool snapped up Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea in the summerCredit: GETTYWhat position does Rio Ngumoha play?The right-footed starlet can play across the front line but predominately features on the left wing.Arne Slot punished for X-rated blast about Arsenal because fourth official thought he was talking to him Has Rio Ngumoha represented England?Ngumoha has been capped at Under-15 and Under-17 level for the Three Lions, finding the back of the net twice for the former side.What has Rio Ngumoha said?Ngumoha isn’t short of confidence and has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or – despite not having a single first-team appearance to his name.During an appearance on Inside the Academy, he said: “I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.”I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.”The love for football started when I was four or five. Rio Ngumoha has represented England at Under-15 and Under-17 levelsCredit: REXThe starlet has ambitions of one day winning the Ballon d’OrCredit: AFP”I was watching my brother and I wanted to be like him.”I was going to academies from a young age and it was a big thing when so many clubs wanted to sign me.”I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself. READ MORE SUN STORIES”You can have a few bad games but you have to have that belief that you are the best.”For me, if I am in bad form I just put it behind me and work hard.” More

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      Liverpool eyeing EFL transfer raid for prolific wonderkid with eight goals in just seven games this season

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      LIVERPOOL are plotting a raid for Sunderland wonderkid Trey Ogunsunyi, according to reports.The Black Cats have given plenty of game time to youngsters this season.Liverpool are eyeing Trey OgunsunyiCredit: AlamyBut Ogunsunyi has had to remain patient for his chance, despite scoring eight goals in seven games for Sunderland Under-21s.His performances have caught the eye and Liverpool are ready to make a move, according to the Daily Mail.The Reds have looked to poach young talent in recent years, snapping up the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo from Premier League rivals.Ogunsunyi, 17, could also make the switch to Anfield although he is still under contract for another 18 months.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe teenager, who is capable of playing across the front three, is highly regarded at the Stadium of Light with manager Regis Le Bris describing him as a “very interesting player for the future”.Meanwhile Liverpool have hit a major stumbling block in their efforts to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold at the club.Anfield chiefs have offered the England full-back a £70,000 rise on his current £180,000 weekly wage.But Alexander-Arnold is holding out for £350,000 to match another of the Prem leaders’ contract rebels, Mo Salah.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAlexander-Arnold’s contract is up in the summer and he knows Real Madrid are waiting to offer him what he wants.Like Salah and skipper Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold can talk to interested foreign parties next month.Mo Salah drops yet another hint about leaving Liverpool win days after admitting he was ‘more out than in’ Alexander-Arnold’s has told close pals that he would like to stay, especially as he is now settled into a £5million Cheshire mansion. More

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      Liverpool eyeing shock transfer move for Brighton striker Joao Pedro and ‘invite Jeremie Frimpong’s agent to Anfield’

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      LIVERPOOL are interested in launching transfer swoops for Joao Pedro and Jeremie Frimpong, according to reports.The Reds are set to be active in the market following a quiet summer window.Joao Pedro has impressed while playing for BrightonCredit: RexJeremie Frimpong has attracted plenty of interestCredit: GettyArne Slot’s men only recruited Federico Chiesa during the Dutchman’s first transfer window at the helm.The Italian, 27, has since struggled desperately for fitness, playing just 18 minutes in the Premier League.Liverpool are top of the Premier League after 14 games, with Slot having made excellent use of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.And the Reds boss is expected to be handed further reinforcements in the coming windows.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are interested in Brighton star Joao Pedro.He claims that the Reds are “closely monitoring” the Brazilian’s situation.Liverpool would face stiff competition for Pedro’s signature, with several teams interested.Brighton would be unlikely to sell in January, with a summer switch more likely.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Reds are also monitoring Bayer Leverkusen star Frimpong.His contract is said to possess a release clause of around £33million.Brighton unveil £30m signing Joao Pedro as fans demand he is subbed ON with Seagulls 3-0 down to Everton According to Bild’s Christian Falk, Liverpool invited Frimpong’s agent Dirk Hebe to Anfield for a recent match.Wing-back Frimpong may be seen as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.The homegrown star, 26, is set to be out of contract at the end of the season.Alexander-Arnold’s future remains unclear, with Real Madrid having signalled their intention to sign him on a free transfer.The Spanish giants will be allowed to begin negotiating with Alexander-Arnold on January 1.Also set to be out of contract at the end of the season are Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.The former caused a stir last month by claiming that he is “more out than in” at Anfield. More

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      Arne Slot rages at Liverpool stars despite continuing 100% record but amazing stats show why Alisson is still No1

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      ARNE SLOT was furious with his Liverpool players – despite them continuing their perfect Champions League record.Mo Salah’s second half penalty against Girona made it six wins from six for the Reds and means they look certain to finish the top eight and avoid a play-off round in February.Arne Slot was furious with his Liverpool players after they laboured to a 1-0 win over GironaSlot said that Liverpool were ‘outplayed’ in SpainBut Liverpool’s Slot, who welcomed back keeper Alisson from injury, slammed his team for not being “aggressive” enough in Spain.He said: “I’m really pleased with the first five games, but I’m far from pleased about this performance. Especially two things.“If you play against a team that has such a good idea about football and knows how to bring the ball out from the back like some of the teams we’ve played recently, like City or Real Madrid, you need to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them.“But we were so easily outplayed and then this team can cause you a lot of problems. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“They showed this in their games, in all of the Champions League this season, except PSV Eindhoven.“I almost feel sorry for them as they deserve so much more points than the three points they have.“The other part is every time we lost the ball, we were not aggressive enough so every time we lost the ball, they could go almost all the way to our goal and have a shot. “We had hardly any control at all over the game. Maybe the second half was a bit better – I’m trying to be positive.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBrazilian keeper Alisson had been sidelined for over two months with a hamstring injury but made five key saves before Salah struck from the spot after VAR flagged up a foul by Donny van de Beek on Luis Diaz.Slot joked: “We have to thank Alisson that we kept a clean sheet. John O’Shea says teams all over Europe will try to sign Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool“Maybe his team-mates wanted to make sure if he was really fit, to give him a little work.“Of course that was not the idea but he showed today why he is so important for us. I said so many times that he is our first goalkeeper. “That has nothing to do with Caoimhin Kellher, as he did so so well, but Alisson has been so important for this club for so many years and showed why he is one of the best or in my opinion, the best in the world.“Let’s hope he can keep on putting these performances in and even more that he can stay fit.”Caoimhin Kelleher was dropped back to the bench after Alisson was declared fitKelleher, who has made it known he wants to leave Merseyside, was forced to sit on the bench here in northern Spain despite helping his team storm to the top of the table.Despite Kelleher’s fine displays — his only blip was against Newcastle six days earlier — Alisson was always going to be parachuted back into the team. And he now finds himself back in a team who have still lost only once all season.Four points clear in the Premier League and now looking certain to finish in the top eight of the Champions League. This means they will miss the two-legged play-offs in February.Crucially, the second leg of the games will be played before Liverpool’s scheduled Premier League trip to face Manchester City on February 23.While Slot’s team will be able to put their feet up in that week, City — potentially — have a play-off match.Nevertheless, it looks like City are out of the title race and Liverpool are going to take some stopping in all competitions.Slot also has the added bonus that he will be able to rest any players with aches and strains for the remaining league-stage clashes against Lille and PSV Eindhoven in January.Yet the Dutchman will be mildly concerned about his team’s performance. In a crowd of about 10,000 — restricted while the ground is being renovated — there were just 492 Liverpool fans.To qualify with points, supporters had to have been to 27 European away matches including Spartak Moscow in September 2017. Talk about dedication.One player making his 235th Liverpool appearance was Joe Gomez and, remarkably, he is still looking for his first goal.Joe Gomez was booked as he was handed a rare start from centre-backHe was denied the moment he must be dreaming of in the fourth minute when Paulo Gazzaniga, who had stints at Spurs and Southampton among others, showed good reactions to push a header over the bar.Gazzaniga also kept out a well-hit drive from Darwin Nunez, who was then guilty of wasting a couple of other chances in the first half, particularly one before the break.It was exactly the sort of performance from Nunez which makes him such a frustrating player.And Slot admitted that the Uruguayan, is struggling as he made it five games without scoring.He added: “Every striker around the ball has a period where every ball goes in and sometimes he has a period when he tries so hard and it doesn’t go in. “We have other players who can score and Mo did today.“We would love to see Darwin score because every striker needs goals and that is why I kept him in for such a long time but unfortunately he couldn’t score.”The best chance of the game — until the goal — came in Girona’s first attack.Unfortunately for the home team, it fell to Daley Blind — although it will come as no surprise to Manchester United fans he completely missed the ball from six yards.How Liverpool have fared in Europe after edging past Girona in SpainLIVERPOOL maintained their 100 per cent start with victory over Girona. Check out the incredible stats behind their season so far…Twenty of Liverpool’s last 23 goals in all competitions have been scored in the second half — with nine of their 13 in the Champions League coming after the interval.The Reds have won five successive European away matches for the third time in their history, also doing so in runs ending in September 1984 and May 2022.English sides are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Spanish sides in the Champions League (W4 D4) since Real Madrid beat Chelsea 2-0 in their April 2023 clash.Girona are the 13th different Spanish side Liverpool have faced. They have beaten ten of those teams — the exceptions being Sevilla, Valencia and Celta Vigo.Mo Salah scored his sixth penalty for Liverpool in the Champions League — drawing him level with Steven Gerrard for the most for the clubAlisson saved the follow-up from Alejandro Frances and then threw out a desperate arm to avoid being beaten at his near post by Miguel Gutierrez.The Brazilian stopped an effort from an offside-looking Bryan Gil.But his finest moment came before the break when he used both his hands to save a decent strike from former Watford midfielder Yaser Asprilla.Just seconds into the second half, Alisson was at it again, denying Arnaut Danjuma this time.Girona’s defence certainly had few problems dealing with the Liverpool attack, who looked to have run out of ideas when Diaz fell to the ground after tangling with Van de Beek.French referee Benoit Bastien told Diaz to get up as he thought it was a dive. Yet after Andy Robertson’s shot had been saved for a corner, VAR checked over the clash.Bastien was called over to the screen and did not take long before pointing to the spot — and Salah stuck away the penalty by sending the keeper the wrong way.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool avoided any late dramas to record an 18th win in 21 matches for Slot. When he landed on Merseyside, at no stage did he think it would be this easy. More

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      Liverpool have a secret weapon in bid to win Premier League title – and he’s only played 20 minutes this season

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      LIVERPOOL have a secret weapon as they bid to turn their Premier League lead into a title.Arne Slot has a player who is earning a reputation as the ideal man to bring on to close out a game.Wataru Endo is a Liverpool super-sub but was left on the bench for the draw against NewcastleCredit: Rex FeaturesEndo#s game time has been extremely limitedCredit: ReutersBut the Kop boss failed to give Wataru Endo a late cameo against Newcastle.And some Liverpool fans reckon it cost the Reds two points as Fabian Schar grabbed a last-minute equaliser in the 3-3 thriller at St James’ Park last week.Supersubs like David Fairclough and Divock Origi have gone down in Anfield folklore.But bit-part player Endo has made his mark by helping to stop goals rather than score them, despite playing only 20 minutes of top-flight football this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe most popular sport in Endo’s homeland of Japan is baseball.Like a closing pitcher brought in from the bull pen to stop the opposition batters from scoring at the end of a match on the diamond, Endo has proved effective as a substitute at shutting down games and seeing Liverpool over the line.The Reds have conceded only once during the Japan captain’s 15 appearances as a replacement in the Premier League since he arrived from VfB Stuttgart in summer 2023.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat was the stoppage-time own goal by Joel Matip which handed Tottenham a 2-1 victory in September 2023.Most read in FootballThe game was overshadowed by controversy because of a VAR cock-up that led to Luis Diaz’s first-half goal for Liverpool being wrongly disallowed.Gary Neville tells Jamie Carragher to ‘f off’ after Liverpool legend performs incredible U-turn on ‘selfish’ SalahEndo has been brought on 11 times since and the Reds have not let in a single goal.And the only other top-flight match Liverpool have lost after the midfielder’s introduction was the 2-0 defeat at Everton in April, when the Toffees scored both their goals before his arrival.Overall, Endo’s record as a Premier League sub is played 15, won 11, drawn two, lost two, across a total of 149 minutes of football.His only top-flight goal was the 87th-minute equaliser against Fulham in December last year, four minutes after coming on for Ryan Gravenberch.And a minute later Trent Alexander-Arnold scored what turned out to be the winner in a 4-3 victory.Endo, 31, has been on the field for only 20 minutes in the Premier League this season, across six substitute appearances.But Reds fans will wonder whether his energy and combativeness would have allowed them to see out another come-from-behind win at Newcastle in their last Premier League match.Slot has had a brilliant start as Liverpool boss, guiding the team clear at the top of the league in his debut season after replacing Jurgen Klopp.But one area where the Reds are lagging behind is in substitutions changing games.Slot bottom of the leagueIn fact, Slot is bottom of the table of Premier League bosses for making an attacking impact with substitutions.So far the Dutchman has made 56 changes in 14 games, but none of his replacements have scored and only three times has a sub created a goal.At the other end of the table is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, whose 72 substitutes have produced seven goals and 13 assists between them.Slot could quite reasonably argue that Liverpool are sitting top of the league because he gets his starting XI right and makes changes mainly to stop the opposition from coming back into games, rather than to score more goals.Maybe the Kop boss missed a trick by not bringing Endo on against Newcastle.But Liverpool continue to be linked with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, after failing to land the Spain midfielder in the summer.READ MORE SUN STORIESGravenberch has been a revelation in the No 6 role under Slot, which has been a big factor in the lack of opportunities for Endo.If the Japan star is still at the club after January, he may yet have an important role to play as Liverpool try to close out a record-equalling 20th English title win.Arne Slot’s substitutions have failed to make an impactCredit: PA More