Slot: Don't underestimate what transfer window can do for Liverpool
Arne Slot has said anyone concerned about Liverpool next season is "underestimating what a window can do" after they were beaten emphatically 4-2 at Aston Villa.
It was Liverpool's 19th defeat of the season in all competitions and yet another damaging result for Slot, whose side will have to wait to seal Champions League qualification.
Liverpool's decline this season has been alarming after their Premier League title triumph a year ago and there is no sign of Slot being able to stop the rot at the moment.
But the Liverpool boss is confident that the upcoming transfer window can be transformative for Liverpool's prospects next season.
"I can understand at this point of time that they don't have a lot of confidence or a feeling that things can be much better next season," Slot said on Friday in his post-match press conference.
"But I think then they are underestimating what a window can do, what a new start can do.
"We know quite well what [we need] to improve."
Liverpool are without a number of key players because of injury, including summer signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, who joined for a combined fee of around 200m.
Slot will be hoping the upcoming window brings more immediate results than the nearly 500m outlay from last summer.
The Liverpool boss puts that down to the absences and the time it has taken the new signings to adapt to playing in the Premier League.
"One of the things we have to improve is also very obvious and I would prefer not to talk about it here, but you're actually almost forcing me to," Slot said after the game.
"If you miss nine players that can start a game of football and almost all of them are starters, then you add what you can improve in a window and add that to players that are playing for the second season in the Premier League.
"We saw that the adaptation to the Premier League for a few of them took some time, but that's now better and better. That will automatically lead to much more because even today that's my opinion, no one has to agree with me for large parts of the game, we were close to a result.
"But then when you are the better team, you need to generate more chances, and if you have the chances, you need to score them and we cannot concede as many set-pieces as we've conceded this season.
"So I don't think the difference is so big. Doing the right thing in a few situations can already have a massive upward possibility."
'Broad agreement between Man Utd and Carrick reached'
A broad agreement has been reached for Michael Carrick to become Manchester United's permanent head coach, according to The Athletic.
The report states both parties are now working to finalise the contracts for Carrick and his backroom staff.
A two-year deal with the option to extend by a further 12 months has been tabled.
Your Site News reported talks had been opened between Carrick and the club and an agreement could be reached before United face Nottingham Forest, live on Your Site this Sunday.
The club's hierarchy, director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, believe he is the right man to continue leading Man Utd after an impressive 15 games, having secured Champions League football and earning wins against Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Forest in talks to extend Pereira's deal
Latest from Your Site News' Anton Toloui:
Nottingham Forest are in talks with Vitor Pereira to extend his contract, with his current deal expiring next summer.
Your Site News understands the club's hierarchy and players have been impressed with his methods, manner and results since he joined the club in February.
It is understood that the clubs' plans for next season are in full swing after securing Premier League safety, and they want Pereira to be at the heart of developing the squad.
Pereira replaced Sean Dyche at the City Ground, with Forest in 17th place and three points above the relegation zone at the time.
Since being appointed, Pereira has taken charge of 18 games with a record of eight wins, five draws and five losses.
He was the club's fourth permanent manager of the season, following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou earlier this season.
Forest's safety in the Premier League was secured courtesy of West Ham's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal last weekend.
Neuer signs new Bayern Munich deal
Manuel Neuer has signed a new deal with Bayern Munich which will see him remain with the Bundesliga champions until 2027.
The veteran goalkeepers extension comes alongside Sven Ulreich who will also remain with Bayern until 2027.
Palace whittle head coach shortlist down to trio
Crystal Palace are believed to have whittled down their head coach shortlist to three viable contenders.
Andoni Iraola is still the preferred option and asYour Site News reported last week Palace will not give up trying to appoint the Spaniard.
However, they currently expect him to join a bigger club when his contract at Bournemouth expires at the end of June, and it means two other options are being worked on.
The identity of those remains unclear, as Palace have admiration for a string of other top coaches from their long list.
One of those is the Lens head coach Pierre Sage. He has been discussed at the South London club, but it is unclear whether he has made the top-three, or how gettable he is due to due to his contract situation at the French club.
Your Site News has already mentioned the likes of Kieran McKenna and Frank Lampard are on the long list but neither option is likely to be pursued at this stage.
'He was perfect fit for Man Utd' | Fernandes regrets Rice's move to Arsenal
Chaplin to leave Ipswich after five years
Conor Chaplin will leave Ipswich when his contract expires this summer after five years at Portman Road, the club have confirmed.
The 29-year-old, who has spent the season on loan at Championship rivals Portsmouth, has played a total of 174 games for the club and scored 55 goals.
Playing for Ipswich Town has been the best period of my life, Chaplin told the club website.
We have achieved so much together, and my dreams have come true while playing for the club.
"I have made friends for life here, my two children were born here, and I will simply never forget my time at Ipswich."
Spurs among 'serious' options for Senesi
Tottenham are one of the options Marcos Senesi is giving serious consideration to as he decides on his next club after confirming he will leave Bournemouth at the end of his contract this summer.
The Cherries had offered the centre-back multiple big money deals to stay over the last 12 months, but he has decided it is time to move on from the Vitality Stadium.
Howe: Discussions next week over Schar future
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe on Fabian Schar's fitness and future:
"There's not much chance he'll make the last two games which is a real shame because he was so close to coming back earlier on.
"Then he suffered the infection he did, and he's back running again and looking fit and healthy but there's a big difference between that and actually playing.
"I don't think he'll be there, which is a real shame.
"Fabian's still got a lot to offer on the pitch, his qualities are still there. He's had a difficult season, picking up a serious injury but he's contributed so much - we'll have discussions with his representatives in the next week."
Howe: No plans to sign a striker as it stands
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe on whether he will look to sign a striker this summer:
"Certainly not at the moment, we have healthy numbers in that position.
"It's been a challenge for us, trying to find the right balance and a way to continually score goals and create the amount of chances we want to.
"We've still got work to do in that area, but Yoane Wissa has had fitness issues, Will Osula has really grown and blossomed as he's gone into the season, Anthony Gordon has played there, Nick Woltemade has played there and did well in the early season.
"The players are there, we just have to bring it altogether and make it work."
