Sports
‘Slot’s Liverpool will evolve, but he can build with Salah & Van Dijk’
Virgil van Dijk is more than just Liverpool’s leader on the pitch. He is also hugely important to the way they play under Arne Slot.
That’s why it’s brilliant news for the club that he has followed Mohamed Salah and signed a new contract to keep him at Anfield for another two years.
The pair of them are already Liverpool legends because of what they have done for the club, but they are going to be a big part of what happens next too.
There are still going to be some changes when Slot shapes his squad at the end of this season but it will mostly be a case of strengthening rather than filling the huge hole he’d have been left with if two such iconic stars had gone.
It is going to be fascinating to see what happens next but, with Van Dijk and Salah staying, Slot can build his team around them instead of having to replace them first.
‘The biggest reason Liverpool can pour forward’
Van Dijk allows Liverpool to play with a high line, and be aggressive in the way they play, because of his speed and strength together with his quality in the air and in one-on-one situations.
The team are less gung-ho under Slot than they were in the last couple of seasons under Jurgen Klopp, and now they tend to only flood players forward when they know they have got a better foundation in behind, if they do lose the ball.
Even so, Van Dijk can still get dragged out of position sometimes when their back four is unbalanced – for example when Alexander-Arnold goes into midfield and Ibrahima Konate has to shift across.
But he always looks comfortable – and it appears almost effortless when he deals with whatever situation he is put in.
He’s the biggest reason Liverpool can attack and pour forward with confidence, knowing they are not leaving the door open behind them.
Van Dijk makes it all look very easy and is extremely consistent too, so when he has a couple of shaky games, or even just difficult moments in games like he had against Everton and Fulham at the beginning of April, you always notice, but I always expect a big response to any mistakes.
When people talk about the best centre-backs of the Premier League era, he is obviously right up there.
If you could genetically engineer the perfect defender then you would build Van Dijk because on top of his physicality he can pass the ball brilliantly to launch attacks, and has this calmness about him too.
We often talk about when a player has composure on the ball, but what is special about Van Dijk is how composed he looks without it, because of his positioning and anticipation.
The barometer of an elite-level centre-back is whether they are in control of the striker they are facing, or vice versa.
It’s very rare that Van Dijk is not in control, in any game, and he gives Liverpool the platform to dominate their opponents.
How Slot’s system gives Salah more space
Salah has thrived under Slot and the way Liverpool play now definitely suits him, and makes him harder to stop.
One of the tweaks Slot made from Liverpool’s playing style under Klopp was to add an extra attacker, and now we see Dominik Szoboszlai playing high up the pitch in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It means more defenders are drawn towards the other players, and that gives Salah more space than he had in Klopp’s 4-3-3 shape.
As a former full-back myself, I know the last thing you want in that position when you are facing him – and Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo on Liverpool’s left – is to be isolated in a one-versus-one situation with them.
When they are narrower, they are running inside into more bodies and have less of an effect on the game, but this season Salah is being asked to stay very high and wide.
That’s partly down to Szoboszlai almost playing like a false striker, because Salah doesn’t want to congest that central space too much, but his incredible numbers this season show how the system works.
He has been quieter of late – his assist for Luis Diaz’s goal against West Ham on Sunday was his first goal or assist, other than penalties, since the end of February – but even during this spell where his form has dipped, you can tell Slot is reluctant to take him off because he knows if something falls for Salah, then more often than not he is going to convert it.
What is going to be interesting is the relationship he has with the right-back next season, whether it is Trent Alexander-Arnold or Conor Bradley.
Whoever plays in that role will know that Salah is not going to track back as much as he once did, which adds to their defensive responsibilities. And if the right-back is still getting forward as well, it means one of the centre midfielders and the right-sided centre-back will have to get across to cover more often.
Alexander-Arnold’s future is still uncertain and his exit would affect the whole team, but it would have implications for Salah, in particular, given the phenomenal dynamic they have down the right.
If he leaves, Salah is going to lose some of his supply line for chances too.
I look back at the first game under Slot, at Ipswich last August, when Alexander-Arnold plays that ball behind the defence for Salah to run on to and set up Diogo Jota. It looks so easy, but it’s not.
Durability is not a fluke
Some people pointed at the run of games in March and April where Salah did not perform well and put it down to his age – he turns 33 in June – but I don’t see that as a factor.
Like Van Dijk, who turns 34 in July, he has started every Premier League game this season, so durability is not an issue.
You can see the condition Salah is in from his social media posts, but you only understand why he is in such fantastic shape when you hear his team-mates speak about his approach to training.
I’ve listened to interviews with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones where they talk about how Salah is always first at the training ground and how hard he works during sessions and in the gym.
So it is not a fluke that he is able to play all these games. He is prepared to put in the work off the pitch.
It is exactly the same with Van Dijk, and it shows their professionalism as well as their hunger for success. They have both won it all with Liverpool but they still want more.
We will probably see both of them rotated more next season, especially Salah, and they will obviously need replacing at some point – but it must be a huge relief to Slot to know that time has not come yet.
What is going to change?
It looks as if Slot is going to win the Premier League in his first season, although until last weekend’s results I actually was not too confident about that, despite Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table.
The team have looked exhausted in recent weeks, with lack of rotation one of the reasons for that.
It felt as if there was far more trust in the squad in the first half of the campaign. Since then, Slot has almost reverted to a certain team and they are starting to look a bit tired, and far more vulnerable.
I am certainly not criticising Slot, because to do what he has done with a team he has inherited is still incredible, but I feel he knows he needs to strengthen and that we will see the difference next season when he has the squad depth he wants.
Even when Liverpool have looked heavy-legged, Slot has hardly given a sniff to Elliott or Federico Chiesa in midfield or up front. He either doesn’t trust them, or feels they are not suited to his system.
It’s the same with Jarell Quansah. He was on the bench against Fulham but, when Konate came off, Ryan Gravenberch dropped back to centre-half instead.
Whatever the reason, it feels almost a case where Slot is getting across the line using this squad this season, and there are going to be wholesale changes in the summer.
It makes what he has done in such a short space of time even more impressive, especially handling the contract issues of three of his biggest stars at the same time too.
Source: BBC Sports
Ex-Ghanaian international Stephen Appiah has been named the new brand ambassador for SIC Insurance Company Limited, a move aimed at strengthening the company’s public engagement and brand visibility.
The former Ghana national football team captain will work with the insurance firm to promote its products and services while helping to deepen its connection with sports fans and the general public.
Appiah, widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most influential footballers, captained the Black Stars during their historic debut at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where the team reached the Round of 16.
He enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs in Europe, including spells at Juventus FC and Fenerbahçe SK.
Antoine Semenyo’s UEFA Champions League debut ended in defeat as Manchester City fell 3-0 to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The Black Stars forward started the game and lasted for 70 minutes before making ways for Rayan Cherki.
Semenyo’s inclusion in the starting lineup marked a significant milestone in his career, becoming the second player to feature in the Champions League, all four divisions of English football, and non-league football, after Steve Finnan achieved the feat in 2005.
Semenyo had been impressive since joining Manchester City in January, scoring seven goals in 12 matches in all competitions.
Real Madrid dominated the match, with Federico Valverde scoring a hat-trick, including two goals in the first 27 minutes.
Manchester City struggled to contain the Spanish giants, and Semenyo’s debut, although promising, wasn’t enough to change the scores of the game.
Semenyo completed 21 of his 26 passes, representing an accuracy rate of 81%.
He registered two shots on target and successfully completed both of his dribbles. Defensively, he produced one block and won half of his ground duels but failed to secure any aerial contest. Performance data platform Flash Score rated his display at 7.2.
Manchester City will look to bounce back in the second leg, which takes place on March 17 at the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo will be hoping to build on his debut experience and contribute to a potential comeback.
The match was a significant test for Semenyo, and while it didn’t go as planned, it provides valuable experience for the young forward.
Manchester City’s focus now shifts to the return leg, where they’ll be looking to turn the tie around.
The second leg promises to be an exciting encounter, with Semenyo likely to play a key role in City’s pursuit of a place in the quarterfinals.
Sports
Iran National Football Team will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the conflict in the Middle East
Iran has officially confirmed that their Senior Soccer National team will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to the ongoing conflict involving host nation the United States as the reason behind the decision.
The announcement was made by Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamal, who explained that the prevailing geopolitical climate makes it impossible for the country to take part in the global tournament. Iran’s involvement in the competition had already been in doubt following a sharp escalation in military tensions last month.
According to reports, the situation intensified after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran. The attacks reportedly led to the death of the country’s supreme leader and prompted retaliatory actions from Tehran against US-allied states in the Gulf region, further deepening the crisis.
When previously asked about the issue, US President Donald Trump told Politico that he was not concerned about Iran’s potential participation in the tournament. However, even before the official withdrawal was confirmed, the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, had hinted that the country’s presence at the World Cup appeared unlikely given the rising political tensions.
Speaking during a televised interview reported by RTÉ, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamal confirmed that Iran would not compete under the current circumstances.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” he said.
“In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed. Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way.”
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran had been drawn in a group alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, with their matches set to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that he had received assurances from President Trump that Iran would be welcomed to compete in the tournament despite the strained relations. Infantino said he had discussed preparations for the competition during a recent meeting with the US leader, reiterating FIFA’s hope that the World Cup would serve as a platform to unite people around the world.
Iran had secured its place at the tournament after finishing top of Group A in the Asian qualifiers, marking what would have been the nation’s fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Plans had also been made for the team to set up a training base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, but those arrangements are now effectively cancelled following the government’s decision to withdraw from the comp
First Atlantic Bank to Hold First AGM as Listed Company on April 7
Fuel Prices Set for Sharp Increase From March 16 as Global Oil Prices Surge
Yonsei University Honors President Mahama with Honorary PhD for Leadership and Ghana–Korea Partnership
-
Entertainment2 weeks agoTHE INSIDE STORY: Why President Mahama Revoked Gideon Nii Aryeequaye’s Appointment as Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency
-
Entertainment6 days ago“Go to Lumba’s house and exhume his body” — Counsellor George Lutterodt incites Ga youth
-
General News1 week agoGhana Marks 69th Independence Day Under Theme ‘Building Prosperity, Inspiring Hope’
-
General News2 weeks agoChristian Council Urges Prophets to Tackle Corruption, Avoid Fear-Inducing Political Prophecies
-
Entertainment4 days agoLegendary musician Sloppy Mike Gyamfi Accuses Kuami Eugene of Song Theft
-
Entertainment4 days agoShatta Wale hints at contesting Ablekuma South seat as independent candidate in 2028
-
General News2 weeks agoPresident Mahama Appoints Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu as Ghana’s High Commissioner-Designate to Nigeria
-
General News2 weeks agoCOCOA FARMERS, MASSES and INVESTORS and Left Behind in Mahama’s February 2026 SONA