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Arne Slot argued that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is still “not done” and that keeping his Liverpool team together would be a “big summer” for the club.

Due to the summer expiration of Alexander Arnold’s contract, the Reds have signed captain Virgil van Dijk and leading scorer Mohamed Salah on new two-year deals.

According to Slot, “It’s already a big summer.” Can we hold on to them now that it was a big thing? ‘.

Let’s see what the rest of the summer will bring, and by holding on for two more days, it’s already a big summer.

“I’ve said it for a year, so we’re happy with the team we have,” I said, which is strange. If we can even keep that team, it would already be a big summer.

Let’s see what the future holds, said head coach Slot when asked about Alexander-Arnold’s situation.

Real Madrid, who have endured a troubling week, are looking for the England defender.

After only about five weeks with an ankle injury, Alexander-Arnold might miss Liverpool’s league game against Leicester City on Sunday.

Slot defended his position that he would not discuss players’ contractual arrangements, but the Dutchman praised the 26-year-old’s character and attitude.

As long as things aren’t finished yet and they aren’t, “we don’t talk about this thing [contracts],” said Slot. “That’s why we don’t talk about his situation in public,” he said.

When asked if he thought Alexander-Arnold saw his potential with the Reds, Slot replied, “Trent is recovering from an injury and trained with us yesterday. He shows his commitment whenever he participates in our activities.

He has already put in a lot of effort to be back, and when he is on the field, he demonstrates to me how great a football player he is and how committed he is to helping us achieve our goals this year.

He has put in a lot of effort throughout the entire season, and he is now recovering.

Everyone who has watched football for the past five, six, or seven years knows that Liverpool is an incredible full-back, has played an incredible full-back for this club, and we’ll see what the future holds for the club.

If Liverpool beat Leicester, which is 13 points clear of the Premier League, and second-placed Arsenal lose to Ipswich earlier on Sunday, leaving them with a 20th title.

In Slot’s first season since replacing Jurgen Klopp, who had only signed forward Federico Chiesa for the 2024-2005 campaign, they appear to be champions.

As long as the members of the team are performing as best as they can together, “I think the core,” Slot said.

Van Dijk said he had not “worked with a player like him in terms of leadership,” and that he had committed his future to Liverpool after Salah had done so with his Dutch counterpart.

I’m delighted that both have gotten longer. “Virgil has been a great personality and player for us defensively, offensively, and around the dressing room,” Slot said.

I haven’t worked with a player like him in terms of leadership because of the leader he is in and around the training center. He constantly inspires his team, especially the younger ones, and he shows how professional he is in every training session. At this club, he is having a significant impact.

Van Dijk helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, and EFL Cup twice since signing for £75 million from Southampton in January 2018.

When asked how long the 33-year-old Netherlands international might play at the highest level, Slot believes that remaining uninjured will be a factor in that decision.

Harry Maguire, a defender for Manchester United, describes their 5-4 victory over Lyon as his “strangest game” to date.

With a 7-6 aggregate victory, United advanced to the semi-finals of the Europa League with the second of two goals in the 120th minute of extra time.

Lyon, who had gone up 2-0 with Corentin Tolisso, scored four times without reply and was sent off before conceding three more times in seven extra-time minutes.

In the first extra-time game in European history, five goals were scored in extra time, and United became the first team to score twice in a tie lasting 120 minutes.

The winner of such a significant game, in a one of the most intense emotions and the strangest, maddest games I’ve ever played in or witnessed, was an incredible feeling, according to Maguire.

“I’ve been here for six years, and I’ve had good and bad times as well.”

To be honest, “I think that game pretty much sums up my time at this club.

After goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, United had been leading 2-0 heading into half-time.

Tolisso’s header cut the deficit 19 minutes from time, but Nicolas Tagliafico equalized just after the break.

Rayan Cherki gave Lyon the lead on aggregate in extra time before Alexandre Lacazette, a former Arsenal striker, added a fourth penalty kick from the spot.

11 minutes from time, Lyon’s players flocked to Lacazette’s effort by running to the other end of the pitch, where the penalty was awarded.

“I believe they [Lyon] thought they had won it because of how they were celebrating,” Maguire said.

“That gave us more motivation to turn things around.”

We felt like we had lost the game at the time, and I think that’s how we managed to get ourselves into that situation because even with the sending off in extra time, we shouldn’t end up in that situation.

“We have to do much better than that if we want to win this competition,” he said. “We can’t be doing that and leaving it to turn things around.”

Wales vs. Ireland at the Women’s Six Nations

Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, April 20th Kick-off: 5:00 BST

Wales’ penultimate Women’s Six Nations game against Ireland will be played on Sunday under the direction of Alex Callender.

The 24-year-old back row has been one of Wales’ standout players in recent years, but she has not yet played in the campaign due to a foot injury sustained against Harlequins.

As Wales attempt to capture their first victory in 2025 and a first under new head coach Sean Lynn, Callender makes his debut in the top eight-minute slot.

Kelsey Jones is preferred as the starting hooker while Georgia Evans moves to the second row.

Lleucu George, who was unavailable for the defeat in France, is named as one of the replacements, while Kayleigh Powell maintains her position at fly-half.

As Wales attempt to improve their physicality in the middle, Courtney Keight once more partners captain Hannah Jones in the center.

Wales, which has lost to Scotland, England, and France, is currently at the bottom of the Six Nations table, while Ireland, who have won only once, are third.

With a 36-5 victory over Ireland in Cork, the two teams’ final meeting will be decided as favorites for Rodney Parade.

We need to keep improving our performances and focusing on developing our play style and what we want to achieve as a squad, according to Wales head coach Sean Lynn. This is our final game at home in the Guinness Six Nations.

The players have grown to accept the attacking tactic we are using, but we need to work harder for one another and use the pressure points we are putting forth.

Ireland has demonstrated their quality throughout the tournament, and we are aware of what they will bring.

Replacements: Catherine Richards, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, and Carys Phillips.

Ireland TBC

Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)

.

Assistants: Maria Heitor (FPR), Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR), and Maria Heitor (FPR).

Ian Tempest (RFU) TMO

Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson has died at the age of 36.

He was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in April last year, five years after he retired from playing.

Thompson was found to have stage four lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – which had spread to his lungs after twice recovering from the disease during his playing career.

The Bath-born player began and finished his career with Rochdale, and had three spells with the club.

Rochdale said they were “devastated” and that he had passed away peacefully at home on Thursday with his family by his side.

“We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality,” Rochdale said.

“He faced every battle head-on, both on and off the pitch. His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everyone who has been touched by his story.

“Above all of that, Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an incredible father to Thailula and Athena Rae.

Thompson was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and again in 2017.

But, after twice being given the all-clear, he notably went on to score the goal which saw Rochdale avoid relegation from League One in 2018.

Thompson came through Manchester United’s academy from the age of nine before going on to join Dale, where he spent the majority of his 13-year career.

He also played for Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United, Southport and Bury.

He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma while at Tranmere in 2013 and was given the all-clear the following year.

After being diagnosed with cancer again in March 2017 during his third spell with Dale, he was able to return to football during the 2017-18 season after being told he was in “complete remission”.

In his finest moment for Rochdale, Thompson scored against Charlton Athletic to secure their place in League One for another season, describing his goal as “written in the stars, fate, destiny”.

Following the end of his playing career, Thompson worked in the media as a pundit as well as mentoring and as a motivational speaker.

In October 2024, he took part in a 21-mile fundraising walk in order to raise awareness of cancer treatments following his third diagnosis.

Tributes to Thompson poured in following news of his passing.

Manchester United described him as “a man who epitomised our club’s values,” before adding: “We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.

“A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Tranmere said: “The club sends its condolences to his wife Chantelle, children Thailula-Lily and Athena Rae, his family and friends.

“Joe was an inspiration to all those who knew him. The Club asks supporters to join in a minute’s applause starting on seven minutes of today’s home game against Doncaster Rovers.”

A statement from Carlisle said: “Everybody at Carlisle United is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Joe Thompson. Joe was an inspiration to all those who knew him.

Bury said: “We are saddened to hear the passing of former Shaker Joe Thompson. Joe made four appearances for the club during the 2014/15 season. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this sad time. RIP Joe – Once A Shaker Always A Shaker.”

Southport said: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of former player Joe Thompson. We send our deepest condolences to all of Joe’s friends and family at this tough time.”

In 2019, Thompson received The Sir Tom Finney Award at the annual EFL Awards ceremony, an honour presented to a player who has had an outstanding career and contributed an exception amount to The Football League and game in general.

The EFL described Thompson as “an inspiration to so many” and added: “The EFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Thompson. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs at this very difficult time.”