'I'm available!' - Gary Lineker opens door to playing for Liverpool after Arne Slot gifts signed Reds shirt to Match Of The Day host

Lineker has been BBC Match of the Day's host since 1999 and announced late last year that he would be stepping down from the post after 25 seasons. The England legend will continue his work with the BBC until the end of the 2026 World Cup and will also remain the host for their FA Cup campaign for the 2025-26 season.

Lineker recently interviewed Liverpool boss Slot for BBC's 'Arne Slot: The Big Interview' which will be telecasted on BBC iPlayer as the two played a game of padel. After the match, the Dutch coach offered the England legend a Liverpool shirt signed by the Reds players, which prompted Lineker to joke about being open to playing for the Merseyside club. Additionally, the jersey held the number 25 to commemorate the number of years Lineker spent as MOTD's host.

As Slot presented Lineker with the jersey, he said: "There was a lot of positives, everybody was like 'Oh, he's coming in! Okay, I want to meet him, I want to meet him'. So every player signed, the jersey."

Lineker responded: "Oh, that is so sweet! Thank you."

Slot added: "The reason why we took the 25, obviously it is 2025 and [also] the number of seasons of Match of the Day."

Lineker then joked: "I'm available [to play]."

Lineker then took a photo with the jersey as Slot joked: "Let's take a photo with the jersey so people know you are a Liverpool fan in the end."

The 64-year-old is yet to announce whether he will be taking up another gig after completing his current, however, he will likely continue to focus on his own uber-successful production company Goalhanger Films and Podcast.