π'BOND THAT GOES BEYOND FOOTBALL' π
Today's @LivEchonews front page as Arne Slot pens an open letter reflecting on his time at Anfield π΄
Read the full letter here π https://t.co/Hgkaub0MXq
Best of luck Arne.
You gave us so much joy with number 20 and dealt with the tragedy we faced last year with such class and humanity.
Good luck on your future endeavours and forever a champion manager with our great clubπ
Beyond the identity of the new head coach - Andoni Iraola is expected to be appointed and intensity is his identity, but his European experience is severely lacking and it is unknown how heβll cope with increased pressure and a greater schedule - Liverpool need to spell out their long-term strategy and shed light on the futures of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
These are the men ultimately directing the club and making the big decisions, so clarity is paramount.
On the face in the dugout, Luis Enrique is probably the only name that would arrive without question marks were he available, but he would expect proper control. Are Liverpool too attached to their desire for a head coach moving forward?
I think itβs important if you want supporters to buy into and be immersed in a journey, for them to know what the plan is.
π₯| @JamesPearceLFC and @greggevans40: "So much rested on the shoulders of Van Dijk and thereβs huge admiration internally for how he handled that responsibility.
"Week after week, he tried to lift those around him and repeatedly fronted up to the media but eventually it took a toll. In recent weeks, heβs looked drained."
I captured this moment as Van Dijk sat alone on the Anfield pitch β¦ just watching Mo Salah say goodbye to the fans.
No words. No cameras in his face. Just a captain silently watching his brother leave. β€οΈ
Two legends who gave Liverpool everything. This one hurts. π₯Ί
πππ πππππππππ πππ πππ πππππππ πππ ππππππππππ ππ ππ πππππππ π€―
Is he the greatest manager of all time? π€
Simon Mignolet officially confirmed his retirement on Sunday, doing so in perfect fashion by winning the Belgian Pro League title with Club Brugge in his final match, a dominant 5-0 victory over Gent.
In Belgiumβs playoff format, the top clubs carry points from the regular season into a championship round, facing each other home and away to decide the title. Bruggeβs emphatic win on the final day sealed top spot and ensured Mignolet signed off as a champion.
After the game, the 36βyearβold delivered a heartfelt message on Instagram to confirm he was hanging up his gloves:
βNo words to describe what Iβm feelingβ¦ Forever grateful. For everyone who supported me, for everyone who believed in me. Itβs an honor to finish my career at this beautiful club, together with the fans, everyone at the club and all my loved ones. Simon, out.β
Mignolet enjoyed a six-year spell at Liverpool, making 204 appearances and keeping 65 clean sheets. He joined from Sunderland in 2013.
And suddenly there's no more opening week goals, no more golden boot runs, no more goals every week, no more Ballon D'OR shouts, Goodbye Salah thank you for changing our lives
At 34 years & 320 days old, Virgil van Dijk is the oldest player in the competitionβs history to play every minute of a Premier League season.Β
John Terryβs record from 2014/15 has been broken. π