SPECIAL Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai SHOCK & Salah WIN the award

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has praised Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, claiming the 25-year-old must play for England at Euro 2024 this summer.

Alexander-Arnold is one of two Liverpool players named in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad, with Joe Gomez the other Red called up. Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah did not make the cut despite being on the 33-man provisional roster.

Liverpool’s number 66 starred in England’s recent 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring a superb volley, and Rice spoke about what the Liverpool star brings to the team.

“He’s a player that any country would appreciate,” Rice admitted. “He’s a player we have to play, we have to get involved and our forwards should flourish playing someone like Trent because his passing is off the scale.”

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DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI GAVE A SHOCK AWAKENING

Dominik Szoboszlai endured a difficult night for Hungary on Tuesday night as his nation’s 14-match unbeaten run heading into Euro 2024 was snapped by Ireland.

Burnley, England, December 26, 2023. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Image credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No unauthorized use of audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online use during the match is limited to 120 images, without video emulation. Not used in single club/league/player betting, games or publications. SPI-2833-0073

After the Ireland match, coach Marco Rossi was quizzed on the form of Szoboszlai, his 23-year-old captain.

“This time his game was average,” admitted Rossi. “Sallai Roland had a better day this time.

“Of course, he had good solutions, as always, but he also made unexpected mistakes that are uncharacteristic of him – but mistakes happen in every footballer’s life.”

Szoboszlai has struggled with Liverpool in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign and will need to improve in the coming weeks and months.

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MOHAMED SALAH NAMED PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Mohamed Salah has been crowned Liverpool’s Standard Chartered Player of the Season for 2023/24.

Brentford v Liverpool, London, UK – 17th February 2024 Goal celebration for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at GTech Community Stadium, London on 17th February 2024 London GTech Community Stadium London England Copyright : xMicahxCrook/PPAUKx PPA-089862

The Egyptian topped a poll on the club’s official website, beating captain Virgil van Dijk into second and summer recruit Alexis Mac Allister into third – although it was not revealed how convincingly it was his victory in terms of votes.

That means Salah has now won the club’s Player of the Season award for the fourth time in seven seasons, taking the award from 2022/23 winner Alisson.

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LIVERPOOL CHAIRMAN’S UNPOPULAR SUGGESTION

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner risked the wrath of supporters at the game by again suggesting that entire Premier League match days could be played in the United States and even around the world.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Premier League – Anfield Liverpool chairman Tom Werner talks to CEO Billy Hogan ahead of the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Date of photograph: Sunday 14th April 2024. EDITORIAL USE ONLY Not to be used with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online use during the match is limited to 120 images, without video emulation. Not used in single club/league/player betting, games or publications. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xPeterxByrnex 75881353

Werner, a key investor in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), made the suggestion when interviewed by the Financial Times for a profile on Liverpool owner John Henry.

“I am determined that one day there will be a Premier League game in New York City,” Werner said.

“I even have this crazy idea that there will be a day when we play a game in Tokyo, a game a few hours later in Los Angeles, a game a few hours later in Rio, a game a few hours later in Riyadh. and make it a kind of day where football, where the Premier League, is celebrated.”

This is unlikely to go well…

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ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER RELEASE CLAUSE REJECTED

Claims that Alexis Mac Allister has a “secret” release clause in his Liverpool contract have been dismissed.

Liverpool v Sheffield United – Premier League – Anfield Liverpool center Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring their team’s second goal with teammates during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Date taken: Thursday 4th April 2024. EDITORIAL USE ONLY Not to be used with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online use during the match is limited to 120 images, without video emulation. Not used in single club/league/player betting, games or publications. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xPeterxByrnex 75786107

A report from Directvsports in Argentina has claimed that Real Madrid have made moves to sign Mac Allister and that there is a clause in his contract that means interested parties can sign the World Cup winner for €70 million.

However, while Madrid could still covet Mac Allister, there is no such clause available to them, according to Athletic’s James Pearce.

“Liverpool do not allow release clauses in contracts,” wrote Pearce. You can go back to when Emre Can was in talks for a new deal. He wanted a release clause, Liverpool rejected the idea and ended up leaving as a free agent when his contract expired in the summer of 2018.

“Mac Allister isn’t going anywhere.”

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