FOOTBALL

Liverpool line up Rodrygo as potential Salah successor

Rodrygo|
December 2025

Liverpool are weighing a January move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo as they prepare for the possibility of Mohamed Salah leaving, identifying the Brazilian as a versatile right sided attacker who could reshape their frontline if a major offer from abroad forces Salah’s exit. Salah has hinted Brighton at Anfield could be his Liverpool farewell before Africa Cup of Nations duty, amid strong interest from Saudi Arabia and Galatasaray, while Rodrygo’s reduced minutes under Xabi Alonso and a reported seventy million euro valuation keep negotiations possible.

Trump details follow up call from Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025

Donald Trump has detailed a recent phone call with Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the Portugal star thanked him for a White House tour and Oval Office visit, the latest public exchange in a high profile relationship between the United States president and the Al Nassr forward. Their ties strengthened during a Washington dinner where Ronaldo met Trump and the president’s son, with the White House pushing out social clips and Trump later gifting Ronaldo a ceremonial key, while online fans debate the optics of two global celebrities aligning.

Atletico join Chelsea in chase for Strasbourg star Barco

Valentin Barco
December 2025

Atletico Madrid have joined Chelsea in the race for Strasbourg full back Valentin Barco, whose revival in Ligue 1 after difficult spells at Brighton and Sevilla has made the versatile Argentine one of the most sought after young left sided players in Europe. Strasbourg plan to resist most offers after turning Barco’s loan into a permanent deal, while Atletico lean on their strong Argentine links and Chelsea revisit long standing interest, setting up a potential bidding war if the French club eventually soften their stance.

Egypt coach backs Salah after explosive Liverpool rant

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Mohamed Salah is under intense scrutiny after accusing Liverpool of throwing him under the bus in a post match rant, but Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has publicly backed his captain, offering a show of support while debate rages over the forward’s Anfield future. Salah’s third straight league match on the bench and Liverpool’s latest collapsed lead at Leeds framed his comments, which many pundits called embarrassing, yet Hassan’s message aims to steady the situation, reassure the player and cool growing tension around club and country.

Reguilon lined up as Alba successor as Inter Miami move into post-MLS Cup era

Jordi Alba
December 2025

Inter Miami are set to replace retiring left-back Jordi Alba with free agent Sergio Reguilon, with the Spaniard spotted in Miami and a deal described in Spain as close after Alba bowed out by lifting the MLS Cup alongside Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. Reguilon has been without a club since leaving Tottenham in 2025, maintaining fitness through individual work ahead of an expected January return, and is seen by Inter Miami as an experienced, possession-friendly full-back who can slot straight into Alba’s role for the 2026 MLS season.

Bradley suspension piles more pressure on Slot after 3-3 Leeds collapse

Conor Bradley
December 2025

Liverpool suffered another setback from their chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds as right-back Conor Bradley collected his fifth yellow card of the season, triggering a one-match ban that rules him out of next weekend’s Premier League trip to Brighton and deepens Arne Slot’s defensive problems. Already missing Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool must now reshuffle again, with Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai possible cover at right-back, as Slot fumed about conceding yet another late set-piece goal and warned such errors explain their lowly league position.

Agent admits Wharton wants Champions League amid Manchester United interest

Adam Wharton
December 2025

Adam Wharton’s agent has admitted the Crystal Palace midfielder ultimately wants Champions League football, acknowledging that a move away from Selhurst Park is likely one day amid growing interest from Manchester United and other elite clubs ahead of the 2026 transfer window. Co-owner Steve Parish stressed Palace will only sell for a huge fee, pointing to Wharton’s long contract, focus on regular minutes and England ambitions, while accepting it is unsurprising major sides admire an “extraordinary talent” who could reach Europe either with Palace or elsewhere.

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.