After eight matchdays and a ridiculous 144 games, the Champions League's controversial new league phase wrapped up on Wednesday, with Liverpool finishing top of the table and Manchester City scraping into the play-off places.

Liverpool will give some star players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk a rest for the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

In a wide-ranging interview with Gary Lineker, Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he was "surprised" by the quality of Virgil van Dijk's passing and discusses the Reds' season so far.

Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk has won some plaudits from a Premier League rival. Surprisingly, a cult figure from Anfield's past came in for praise too.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk rested as Liverpool take second string to PSV - Seven successive wins mean progress is already secured for the Champions League leaders.

No player has won more matches than van Dijk after reaching 300 appearances in all competitions in the club's history.

The 4-1 win against Ipswich was a milestone fixture for Van Dijk, whose form makes waving goodbye in May unthinkable

Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk wasted no time when naming who he believes is the greatest soccer player of all time. Regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history, Virgil Van Dijk made headlines when he became the most expensive defender ever in English soccer with his move from Southampton to Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk had praise for some of his Liverpool teammates after captaining the side to a 4-1 win over Ipswich in the Premier League, including Ryan Gravenberch.

The biggest target elsewhere is Mathys Tel, who appeared to bid goodbye to Bayern Munich fans on teh pitch last night and is the subject of a bidding war involving Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and, potentially Arsenal. Spurs have also been linked with Yoane Wissa, Noah Okafor, Tyler Dibling and Angel Gomes.

Liverpool fell to PSV on the final day of the Champions League league phase with a number of key starters absent from the matchday squad. Manager Arne Slot opted to heavily rotate his squad on the final day,