Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Salah reached 100 goal contributions for Egypt (65 goals, 35 assists) after scoring in a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast to send Egypt into the AFCON semi-finals. He scored in the 52nd minute, taking him to 100 contributions in 111 games, quicker than Messi (122) and Ronaldo (136), but behind Pelé (77) and Neymar (94).
Conor Bradley
January 2026
Liverpool confirmed Bradley has significant bone and ligament damage in his left knee. ACL fears eased, but he is expected to miss the rest of the 2025-26 domestic season. He was stretchered off at the Emirates, scans showed major structural damage, and Liverpool will send him for surgery followed by rehab at the AXA Training Centre with no return date set.
Mor Talla Ndiaye
January 2026
Liverpool completed a reported £1m signing of teenage centre-back Ndiaye, set to join the Under-21s. The club announced the deal subject to international clearance. Ndiaye has youth international experience, including appearances at the FIFA U17 World Cup, and is expected to develop through the academy pathway.
Gabriel Martinelli
January 2026
Martinelli will not face further FA punishment after a late flashpoint in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, where he pushed Bradley while Bradley was down injured. The referee booked Martinelli during the match and logged it in his report, which normally closes the case for retrospective action. Martinelli later apologised, saying he misread the situation.
Kevin Keegan
January 2026
Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer after being admitted to hospital for ongoing abdominal symptoms, with his family confirming he will undergo treatment and asking for privacy. The update came via a family statement published on Newcastle’s website. Newcastle also posted public support, calling him “King Kev” and wishing him a full recovery as he begins treatment and continued monitoring.
Florian Wirtz
January 2026
Florian Wirtz said he was convinced his goal would be ruled offside after a long VAR check in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Fulham. The match swung late when Harrison Reed scored in stoppage time to deny Liverpool victory. Wirtz did not celebrate because he expected an offside call, while commentary later focused on the Premier League’s tolerance band within semi-automated offside, which can allow marginal decisions to stand. Carragher questioned how the goal was given.
Premier League
January 2026
Multiple Premier League matches are scheduled at unusual times, including several Sunday 3pm kick-offs shown live on TV. The changes are tied to fixture congestion and broadcast selections around the New Year period. The league aims to provide at least 60 hours between matches, forcing several teams who played midweek to be moved from Saturday to Sunday. Sunday also has no UK blackout, allowing multiple 3pm matches to be televised.
Harvey Elliott
January 2026
Harvey Elliott is unlikely to play for Aston Villa again, with Unai Emery indicating the call on his future was made months ago. The Liverpool loanee has barely featured and a permanent move now looks off. Elliott arrived with expectations of meaningful minutes and a potential permanent switch, but Villa have not used him. With the direction already decided internally, his situation now points toward a return to Liverpool and a reassessment of his next step.
Joel Ordonez
January 2026
Liverpool are close to finalising a £43m deal for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez as they look to reinforce a defence that has underperformed this season. The move follows a wider focus on fixing set-piece issues. Liverpool’s form collapsed after a strong start, with defensive problems and set-piece concessions a key theme. The club has already parted ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs, while Virgil van Dijk has pointed to second-phase defending as a major cause of goals conceded.
Arne Slot
January 2026
Arne Slot criticised refereeing after Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Leeds, arguing Hugo Ekitike was denied a penalty because he stayed on his feet. Slot said Liverpool must keep their identity while pointing to what he views as a pattern of softer penalties being given against them. Slot cited multiple incidents this season where Liverpool did not receive spot-kicks after contact, while conceding penalties for minimal contact. He argued this dynamic influences players to stay upright, making it harder for referees and VAR to award penalties.