Premier League news LIVE: Latest press conference updates as Jurgen Klopp responds to Liverpool defeat
Liverpool are in action in the Premier League’s early kick-off following defeat to Everton at Goodison Park in midweek
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Manchester City closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to just one point after strolling to a 4-0 win over Brighton last night, and now Liverpool prepare to head to West Ham United as Jurgen Klopp’s side bid to keep their fading title challenge alive.
The Reds are in action in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday, after Klopp conceded that Liverpool require City and Arsenal to have a “crisis” in order to win the title in his last season in charge following defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
It’s been a busy week off the pitch for Liverpool, too, with Arne Slot confirming that he is interested in the Anfield hotseat after the Reds opened talks with Feyenoord for the Dutchman.
There’s also a North London derby to build up to, as Arsenal travel to Tottenham Hotspur looking to keep their title challenge on track. Anything other than a victory would give the champions the chance to go top, with a game in hand, as Pep Guardiola’s side head to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
We’ll have the Premier League news and updates from today’s pre-match press conferences ahead of the weekend’s fixtures
Wilder on future of Sheffield United:
“We’re not saying everything is great. What we are saying is there is a load of optimism about the future of the football club.
“It’s a poor season, not a poor football club. We’ve been in far more worse positions than this as a football club, certainly over my time as a supporter, player and manager.
“So, we’ll come again if the inevitable happens on the weekend. We’ll try our best, as we did, like we did on Wednesday night at Old Trafford, to get a result for our club and our supporters - who yet again were magnificent.”
Howe on importance of Newcastle’s run-in:
"We must learn and absorb all the lessons from Wednesday.
"Every game is so difficult, it is up to us to firstly go into the game with the right mentality and let our players express themselves in the right way.
“We have to finish the season strongly, we are under no illusions on how important these fixtures are."
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on lessons from this season:
“Through good times, we all in enjoy it and we’re all willing to take that credit when it happens, individually and collectively as a football club, and you have to own and suffer and take responsibility for the times when there’s a little bit of pain.
“But certainly...reflection is massive for me: reflection in terms of a training session, reflection in terms of a game, a part of the season or an overall season from everybody. Are we doing the right things medically? Are we doing the right things on the training ground? Are we doing the right things with recruitment? Things that I can control.
“There are certain things we haven’t got right as a football club this season. As a club, there is humility, a lot of humble people. We’ve had a poor season - that’s there for all to see.
“We’ve had to take the words and the criticism but as I said, it doesn’t last forever; we’ll learn. I’m still learning as a manager, at the ripe old age I am [56], with 1,000 games under my belt.”
Mikel Arteta salutes ‘unbelievable’ Kai Havertz after another impressive display
“It was a big performance, collectively and individually,” said Arteta after Arsenal hammered Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday evening.
“I thought we were really good, against a really good team that was in great form and were going to ask us a lot of questions. I think we responded really well.
“From the start we were really determined, really flowing, playing with a lot of courage and making things happen. Really happy with the result. It’s a big day for our supporters.
“It’s great for us, for the confidence and for the belief that we can do it, we can come to these stages against big teams and win games the way we’ve done it tonight. So enjoy it, then it’s back to work tomorrow because we have a big one on Sunday.”
Kai Havertz struck twice as part of an 18-minute blitz in the second half as Arteta’s team won for the second time in four days, continuing their recovery from successive losses to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich.
“He (Havertz) was unbelievable, in all departments,” said Arteta, “For a nine to score two goals the way he scored, his contribution was great. It’s a question for him but I’m sure he’s very pleased.”
Arteta on challenging for the title
Two wins in a row have sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League but Mikel Arteta isn’t taking anything for granted in such a close title race.
“The margins are so small and sometimes you cannot be better than your opponent on the day, or you don’t have the luck you need in certain moments, but what do you have to do? You have to react and face the moment, and the moment is beautiful,” Arteta said.
“We’ve been working for it for nine months. So you certainly have to face it in the right way, value what we have and especially believe.
“If you are able to do it for nine months, you are able to win it, but you have to believe it first and you have to consistently do what you’ve been doing, nothing else.”
‘Tricky game but pleasing result’ said Sean Dyche
Everton manager Sean Dyche will be over the moon with his team’s victory over Liverpool as, not only is it a massive win against their local rivals, but the three points should keep the Toffees safe from the threat of relegation.
“Tricky game against top opposition, but to give the people that is pleasing for all of us,” Dyche told Match of the Day after the game last night, “They care and we care, we made that clear as a collective.
“A clean sheet and some big saves from Jordan Pickford, but we created enough chances ourselves. But, there was energy and the commitment to the cause.
“I thought the general performance was very good. I don’t understand the depth of this derby as I am not from round here, but I am learning quickly.”
Jurgen Klopp apologises to Liverpool fans after Merseyside derby defeat
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp apologised to fans for the Merseyside derby defeat at Everton on Wednesday night (24 April).
The German’s last visit to Goodison Park ended in his first defeat there, having previously won two and drawn five, after goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin left their chances of overhauling their rivals Arsenal and Manchester City in tatters.
Van Dijk can’t explain Liverpool’s dip in form
Liverpool were eight games away from the title but have faltered in recent weeks, following a 4-3 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
“I wish I had a proper answer,” Van Dijk said when asked what had stopped working for the Reds. “We are in this situation because we have been very consistent throughout the whole season, even with all injuries that we had.
“I think everyone at the start of the season would never have been thinking that we would be competing for the title but I don’t care what everyone says at the start.
“We are here now and we have to do much better, and it starts with the fight, it starts with the will to win you challenges and be confident in scoring goals and that’s what we have been lacking a little bit.”
Newcastle injury updates
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe provided an update on his his squad’s injuries including defender Tino Livramento, goalkeeper Nick Pope and attackers Miguel Almiron and Joelinton.
"Tino came on against Tottenham and had a slight reaction in his ankle after that game. It was minimal,” said Howe, "It is the same story with a few of the players - we are having to look after him and hopefully those few days’ rest will make a big difference. Let’s see how he feels today before making a decision on him tomorrow."
"Callum [Wilson] came through fine, I thought he looked good and worked well with the lads around him. He had a couple of dangerous moments, that was a positive from Wednesday.
"They are getting closer. Nick [Pope] is beginning to start his early training sessions with us. He has started to be with outfield players in shooting drills.
“Joelinton has seen a specialist and is working on his own programme. Miggy [Almiron] is there or thereabouts and could be back next week."
Eddie Howe on Crystal Palace defeat
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking this morning and touched on his side’s 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Wednesday saying:
"We were disappointing, we acknowledge that and hold our hands up to it. We missed those resilient qualities that we need and that has been too often the case away from home. We have to do better."
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