Liverpool
Van Dijk Rebukes Critics After Liverpool Recover With 2–0 Win
Van Dijk deflected critics after Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Aston Villa and called for calm focus.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk used a postmatch press conference to push back against mounting criticism after a nervy spell for the club. The Dutch defender, who spoke for two minutes and 10 seconds before adding “Sorry for the long answer.,” said the noise around the team had become distracting.
Five consecutive defeats to English opposition for the first time in 72 years had prompted alarm among fans, pundits and some players. A 2–0 victory at home to Aston Villa on Saturday night provided relief and left Van Dijk blunt about media reaction. “Even in good times, you have to still keep going and don’t take our foot off the gas,” the Dutch skipper told TNT Sports. “What I’ve noticed over the last few weeks is that there’s a lot of noise that you have no control over and we have to deal with that as a team. Some of the takes are ridiculous, but you deal with it.”
Van Dijk also acknowledged high-profile criticism can reach the squad, referencing comments such as Jamie Carragher’s warning that it was “crisis time.” “Outside noise can reach certain players,” he admitted, “but we stick together. We are not going out on the pitch to lose games or leave fans disappointed, we want to work our socks off and win games. But it’s not a guarantee, the Premier League is the highest level.
“Now it’s time to start working, never get too high or too low. We live in a world where everyone can have their own opinions on so many platforms and they know better. We have to stay away from that and focus on the hard work we are doing.
“Last season, we did some negative stuff but everything was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere. Now it sounds like we’re going to be in a relegation battle—that’s how it works in the world.”
The win moved Liverpool back up to third in the Premier League table. Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool in front at the end of a dominant first half and Ryan Gravenberch added a second in the 58th minute. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konaté both missed clear chances.
Manager Arne Slot urged caution despite the scoreline. “The margins are small every single game—today after five minutes they hit the post,” the Dutch boss fretted to Match of the Day. “We didn’t concede a set piece, which was helpful, but also we got a bit lucky which hasn’t happened recently. Our second goal was a deflection.” He added: “The good thing about being 1–0 or 2–0 up [is] you can control the game a bit better with more possession, but if you are down you have to chase the game and take risks and get counter-attacked.”
Chelsea
Liverpool Agree Summer Deal for Jérémy Jacquet as Chelsea Hesitate
Liverpool have agreed a €72m deal for Jérémy Jacquet as Chelsea pull back amid squad congestion. Day
Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes in the summer, with a fee reported to be up to €72 million (£62.4 million, $85.4 million). Fabrice Hawkins was first to reveal that the Reds have agreed terms to bring the 20-year-old to Anfield. Jacquet had an early preference for Chelsea but changed his mind and opted for Merseyside instead.
The urgency at Liverpool helps explain the switch. Anfield has been stretched at centre back all season: the club missed out on Marc Guéhi during the summer and lost Giovanni Leoni to a season-ending injury. The need for reinforcements may increase in the summer, with Ibrahima Konaté in the final six months of his contract. If Konaté departs, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and the inexperienced Leoni would be Arne Slot’s only senior centre backs.
Guéhi was available again this winter but Liverpool chose not to compete with Manchester City. According to The Athletic, those in charge at Anfield believe Jacquet offers better long-term value for money. Despite his age, Jacquet has impressed with maturity, the attributes of a modern defender and comfort on the ball. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg even reports Manchester United made a late, unsuccessful approach.
Jacquet’s thinking was also shaped by the contrasting environments at Liverpool and Chelsea. Earlier in the window he was believed to be keen on joining Chelsea, with an agreement over personal terms reached early in negotiations. Sky Sports News report that Jacquet grew concerned about his role in a crowded Chelsea squad. Chelsea currently have four senior centre backs available to manager Liam Rosenior—Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo—with Levi Colwill to return from injury in the summer.
Chelsea have rebuffed interest in 19-year-old Josh Acheampong, insisting the teenager will have a path to the first team, and the impending return of loanee Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg will add further competition. In a system that operates with two starting centre backs, opportunities would be shared and Jacquet is believed to have developed concerns.
At Liverpool, by contrast, he would be immediately in contention for a starting role and, should Konaté leave, would become Virgil van Dijk’s new starting partner. With only hours before the window closes, Chelsea are focused on recalling Sarr. The 20-year-old will be Chelsea’s new “signing” on Deadline Day.
Analytics & Stats
Salah becomes first player with 152 goal contributions at one Premier League stadium
Salah reached 152 goal contributions at one Premier League ground, overtaking Henry and Rooney. 2026
Mohamed Salah set a new Premier League benchmark when he reached 152 goal contributions at a single stadium during Liverpool’s 4–1 thumping of Newcastle United on Saturday. That total places him ahead of the previous record of 151, which was held jointly by Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney at Highbury and Old Trafford respectively.
Salah’s tally at that ground is compiled from 107 goals and 45 assists, producing the 152 figure that now stands alone at the top. Thierry Henry’s total there was 114 goals and 37 assists for 151, while Wayne Rooney recorded 101 goals and 50 assists for the same combined total.
Mohamed Salah
Goals 107
Assists 45
Total 152
Thierry Henry
Goals 114
Assists 37
Total 151
Wayne Rooney
Goals 101
Assists 50
Total 151
Beyond the stadium-specific milestone, Salah remains on course for other career landmarks in the Premier League. He is fourth on the all-time scoring list with 190, 18 behind Wayne Rooney’s 208 and behind Alan Shearer and Harry Kane. Whether he can move up into third depends on form and remaining fixtures: Liverpool have 14 Premier League games left and Salah has scored four goals in 16 outings this season.
Player
Goals
Alan Shearer 260
Harry Kane 213
Wayne Rooney 208
Mohamed Salah 190*
Andrew Cole 187
*stats correct as of Feb. 1, 2026
The past 18 months have been full of broken records for Salah and have strengthened his standing in Premier League history. The clock is ticking for Salah and it is not yet clear how long he has left to rack up the numbers. His current contract says 18 months but his tense relationship with manager Arne Slot may suggest otherwise.
Analytics & Stats
Salah sets unique Premier League record with 152 goal contributions at one ground
Salah reached 152 goal contributions at one ground, surpassing Henry and Rooney’s 151 totals Feb. 1.
Mohamed Salah became the first player to register 152 goal contributions at a single Premier League stadium during Liverpool’s 4–1 thumping of Newcastle United on Saturday. That total moves him past the previous high of 151, a mark held jointly by Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney at Highbury and Old Trafford respectively.
Salah’s landmark is the product of sustained output for Liverpool over several seasons. The numbers at that ground break down as 107 goals and 45 assists, producing a combined total of 152. By comparison, Thierry Henry recorded 114 goals and 37 assists for 151, while Wayne Rooney had 101 goals and 50 assists, also 151.
Salah
Goals
Assists
Total
Mohamed Salah
107
45
152
Thierry Henry
114
37
151
Wayne Rooney
101
50
151
Beyond this stadium-specific record, Salah is also tracking career scoring milestones in the league. He sits fourth on the all-time Premier League scorers list on 190, 18 behind Wayne Rooney’s 208 return and behind Alan Shearer and Harry Kane. Whether he can climb into third remains an open question given Liverpool have 14 Premier League matches left and Salah has scored four goals in 16 appearances this season.
Player
Goals
Alan Shearer
260
Harry Kane
213
Wayne Rooney
208
Mohamed Salah
190*
Andrew Cole
187
*stats correct as of Feb. 1, 2026
The past 18 months have been full of broken records for Salah, reinforcing his standing in Premier League history. The clock is ticking for Salah and it is not yet clear how long he has left to rack up the numbers. His current contract says 18 months but his tense relationship with manager Arne Slot may suggest otherwise.
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