FOOTBALL

Former Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks dies aged 79

Tom Hicks
December 2025

Former Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has died aged 79 in Dallas, with his family confirming the American businessman passed away on Saturday surrounded by loved ones, prompting condolences from the club he helped buy in 2007 and sold in 2010. In a family statement, Hicks was described as a “guiding force” whose most cherished title was “Dad”, while Liverpool noted his parallel ownership of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars and expressed sympathy to relatives and friends at what they called a difficult time.

Salah blasted for “embarrassing” rant after Leeds benching

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Mohamed Salah’s explosive post-Leeds interview, in which he accused Liverpool of “throwing me under the bus” and claimed someone wants him to take all the blame, has drawn fierce backlash as his form dips and his relationship with Arne Slot visibly frays. Unused in the 3-3 draw at Leeds, Salah insisted he had earned his place and was being unfairly targeted, but Chris Sutton branded the comments “embarrassing” and “disrespectful”, arguing that a player in poor form must accept being benched like anyone else.

De Zerbi slams passive Marseille and blunt Greenwood after limp loss at Lille

Roberto De Zerbi
December 2025

Marseille’s four-game unbeaten run ended with a flat 1-0 defeat at Lille as Ethan Mbappe’s early goal proved decisive. Roberto De Zerbi reacted angrily, blasting his players’ lack of aggression and lamenting that star forward Mason Greenwood managed only one shot on target all night. De Zerbi said Marseille “didn’t string three passes together”, lost every second ball and never showed their usual intensity, branding the display “bad, bad” and “unacceptable” for OM. With the chance to go above PSG wasted, he insisted everyone must take the performance personally.

Injury-hit Delap suffers fresh shoulder blow in Chelsea stalemate

Liam Delap
December 2025

Chelsea striker Liam Delap faces another spell out after suffering a shoulder injury and being forced off after 32 minutes in a goalless draw against Bournemouth, compounding a stop-start beginning to life at Stamford Bridge following a previous two-month hamstring layoff. Bundled over by Marcos Senesi, Delap left the pitch in visible pain as Chelsea’s attack again misfired. Enzo Maresca said it “looks quite bad” and admitted both player and club have been unlucky, stressing Chelsea “need that kind of No.9” while scans in the coming days determine damage.

Furious Salah says Liverpool have “thrown me under the bus” and hints at Anfield goodbye

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Mohamed Salah delivered a shocking post-match interview after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, accusing the club of “throwing me under the bus” and declaring he will say “goodbye” to fans in next weekend’s home match against Brighton, signalling a potential imminent exit. Benched for three straight league games amid a sharp dip from last season’s 29 goals and 18 assists, Salah has been criticised for his silence during Liverpool’s slump. With Slot under pressure and Salah only recently signing a new two-year deal, his public outburst intensifies the crisis.

Konate’s nightmare at Elland Road piles pressure on Liverpool defence

Ibrahima Konate
December 2025

Liverpool twice surrendered the lead in a chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds, with Ibrahima Konate involved in two goals conceded. Hugo Ekitike’s quickfire brace and a late Dominik Szoboszlai strike were not enough to secure three points in a fragile title defence. Konate conceded a penalty by clumsily bringing down Wilfried Gnonto, then backed off Anton Stach for Leeds’ second before ducking under a late corner that Ao Tanaka buried in stoppage time. Arne Slot admitted the centre-back has been “a bit too much at the crime scene” this season.

Slot defends misfiring Isak and says Liverpool must “bring him into threatening situations”

Alexander Isak
December 2025

Arne Slot has moved to calm concern over Alexander Isak’s slow start at Liverpool, arguing that the £125 million striker should not be judged purely on goals after an injury-disrupted first spell and limited service, despite scoring only once in all competitions so far. Slot pointed to the modern reality that elite No.9s rarely get constant clear chances and insisted Liverpool must supply Isak better in key zones. He contrasted Isak with Erling Haaland, saying touches must come at the right moments, and called for collective improvement rather than blaming the forward.

Guardiola admits Rodri is “suffering” as hamstring setback delays full Man City return

Rodri
December 2025

Pep Guardiola says Rodri is “suffering” as a troublesome hamstring injury hampers his comeback following a nine-month layoff with an ACL problem. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has managed just one late substitute appearance since sustaining the latest issue in early October. Guardiola stressed he will resist the temptation to rush Rodri back, citing the risk of another long absence if they push too hard. He highlighted how much City miss their treble-winning midfield anchor, but insisted the club must protect him until his body fully adapts post-ACL.

Haaland reacts to brutal “group of death” World Cup draw with France and Senegal

Erling Haaland
December 2025

Erling Haaland admitted on social media that Norway’s World Cup group with France, Senegal and the FIFA play-off winner looks “tough”, acknowledging the scale of the challenge in what many fans are calling the tournament’s group of death ahead of his first World Cup. Haaland blasted 16 goals in eight qualifiers to drag Norway back to the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe arrives as a champion and near France’s all-time scoring record. Their long-awaited showdown, plus a strong Senegal side, leaves Norway facing an extremely demanding path.

Pochettino admits he “misses” Premier League and still dreams of title

Mauricio Pochettino
December 2025

Mauricio Pochettino says he is happy coaching the USMNT but openly admits he misses the Premier League and wants to return. He still dreams of winning both the Premier League and Champions League after coming “so close” with Tottenham earlier in his career. Pochettino revealed he watches the Premier League constantly and feels it remains the most competitive league. He said he still has energy and motivation to chase major titles, spoke warmly about Daniel Levy, and described pride in making his family and former Spurs “family” proud.