Liverpool travel to Ballon d’Or ceremony with Mo Salah a contender – Latest LFC News

Liverpool Football Club have packed their bags and made the trip to Paris for one of the most glamorous nights in the world of football, the Ballon d’Or ceremony. It is a night filled with lights, cameras, big names, and dreams of immortality. To be called the best player in the world is the highest honour for any footballer, and this year Liverpool have travelled with not just one name on the list, but several. The excitement in the city of Liverpool and among the fans across the globe is beyond description. This is a night where Anfield’s stars will stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest names in the game, waiting for their names to be called out. For the players, the manager, and the fans, it is not just about winning, but about being recognised among the best in the world.

The reports from James Pearce of the Athletic confirmed that Liverpool’s delegation have already arrived in Paris. The ceremony is scheduled for Monday evening at the famous Theatre du Chatelet, a stage that has seen some of the most iconic football moments. Liverpool are used to big nights under the lights of Anfield, but this is a different kind of magic. The Ballon d’Or is not about three points or a trophy lift on the pitch, it is about legacy, about writing your name in golden letters in football’s history book. Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian King, is Liverpool’s biggest hope, but he is not the only Red being honoured. Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alisson Becker are all part of the story, with manager Arne Slot and the club itself also in contention for awards.

Salah’s journey to this moment is remarkable. Since he arrived at Liverpool, he has been the face of the club’s rise back to the very top of European football. His goals, his skill, his consistency, and his leadership have carried the Reds through countless battles. Yet, despite everything he has achieved, the Ballon d’Or has always eluded him. He has been close, he has been overlooked, he has been unlucky. This year, his name is once again on the list, but the bookies and many journalists believe Ousmane Dembele is the favourite. That does not bother Salah. For him, being in the conversation year after year is proof of his greatness. To be recognised again, especially after leading Liverpool to their 20th league title in May, is a source of pride not just for him but for all of Egypt and all of Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk, the rock at the back, is also in the 30-man shortlist. He has already been revealed to have finished 28th, which many fans feel is lower than he deserves, but his place on the list still shows the respect he commands. Van Dijk has battled injuries, doubters, and age to still perform at the highest level. Alongside him is Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool from Brighton and instantly became the heartbeat of the midfield. His inclusion in the shortlist is a sign that his performances have not gone unnoticed. Then there is Florian Wirtz, the young star signed by Liverpool in the summer who has already finished 29th in the rankings. For such a young player, just being on this list so early in his Liverpool career is a sign of the bright future ahead. Finally, Alisson Becker, the goalkeeper who has saved Liverpool time and again, is nominated for the Lev Yashin Trophy, the award for the best goalkeeper in the world. If anyone deserves it, it is Alisson, the man who makes impossible saves look routine.

The manager Arne Slot is also in the spotlight. He is nominated for Coach of the Year, a huge recognition so early in his time at Anfield. Slot stepped into the biggest shoes after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, and many doubted whether he could handle the pressure. But he has quickly earned the respect of players and fans, guiding Liverpool with calmness and tactical intelligence. For him, just to be nominated alongside some of the most respected coaches in the world is an achievement, but knowing his character, he will see it as just the beginning.

Liverpool as a club are also nominated for Men’s Club of the Year. This is an award that goes beyond individual brilliance and recognises the collective success of a club, its performances, its trophies, its global impact. To be among the top five nominees shows just how strong Liverpool have been across competitions. Their historic 20th league title last season was not just a victory, it was a statement. A reminder to the football world that Liverpool are not just a club of the past, they are a force of the present and the future.

Back at home, the players not travelling to Paris continue their preparations for the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton. Some young names like Rhys Williams, Jayden Danns, Kaide Gordon, Kieran Morrison and Tommy Pilling all trained with the first team. For these academy players, moments like this are priceless, a chance to learn from the senior stars and dream of their own futures in the famous red shirt. Milos Kerkez, the young left-back signed to eventually take over from Andy Robertson, spoke about his relationship with the Scottish defender. He described it as really good, with Robertson guiding him and giving him advice. These little stories show the family bond inside Liverpool, where the seniors help the young ones grow.

Elsewhere, Liverpool Women returned to training after the shocking death of their former manager Matt Beard, who only left the club earlier this year. The players held a minute of silence to remember him, and Arne Slot himself paid tribute, calling him a man who gave so much to the women’s game and to Liverpool. In the academy, Will Wright suffered an MCL sprain, which will keep him out for about eight weeks. The young defender’s injury is a setback, but the hope is that he will return stronger.

The focus still remains on Paris. Fans around the world will be glued to their screens, watching as Liverpool’s stars walk the red carpet. The Theatre du Chatelet will shine with glamour, but behind the smiles and handshakes lies the burning desire of every footballer in that room: to hear their name called out as the winner. Salah has carried Liverpool to glory after glory, and many fans feel he deserves the recognition. For Alisson, Van Dijk, and Mac Allister, being among the best is an honour. For Wirtz, it is the beginning of a journey. For Slot and the club, it is proof that Liverpool are respected not just in England but across the world.

Around football, other stories continue to unfold. Former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson is happy at Fulham and wants to stay if he can agree a deal, according to his manager Marco Silva. Chelsea face Lincoln in the League Cup, with their manager Enzo Maresca admitting he worries about such games because it is easy to slip up. Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has complained that it is unfair Arsenal had more rest before their league clash, pointing to scheduling issues. These are the daily dramas of football, but in Liverpool’s world, all eyes remain on Paris.

On this day, Liverpool fans also remember a special moment from history. September 22, 1993, when Robbie Fowler made his debut for the Reds. Just 18 years old at the time, Fowler stepped onto the pitch against Fulham in a League Cup tie and, true to his nature, scored. It was the start of a legendary career that saw him become one of Liverpool’s greatest ever goal scorers. For many fans, that debut is remembered with joy and nostalgia, a reminder that legends are often born in the most humble of beginnings.

As night falls in Paris, the Ballon d’Or will take centre stage. The cameras will flash, the stars will shine, and the footballing world will hold its breath. Whether Salah wins or not, whether Alisson takes the Yashin Trophy or not, whether Slot or Liverpool are crowned, one thing is clear: Liverpool are back among the very best. They are not just participants, they are contenders. The story of this great club continues to be written, with every game, every goal, every award. And for the fans, there is pride in seeing their heroes standing tall on football’s biggest stage.

This is not just another news update. It is a reminder of where Liverpool stand today. A club built on history but hungry for the future. A team filled with stars but still guided by humility. A fanbase that never stops believing. Tonight in Paris, whether Liverpool’s names are called or not, the world will see that Anfield’s light shines as bright as ever. The journey continues, the dreams live on, and the story of Liverpool, the mighty Reds, grows even bigger.