Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence on the future of “good friend” Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian superstar continuing to see a move away from Anfield speculated. Interest from the Saudi Pro League refuses to go away, heading towards the summer transfer window, but those on Merseyside are hoping to see a talismanic presence stay put.

Liverpool have been warned that star midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai harbours ambitions of playing for Real Madrid at some point in his career. Szoboszlai's contract runs until 2028 and the reigning Premier League champions want to keep him, with talks over a new deal taking place. However, comments from Hungary manager Marco Rossi could sour the mood at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has offered an update on Ibrahima Konate's future at the club as the defender heads into the final few months of his contract at Anfield. Konate has been linked with a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the 2025-26 season, but Slot has made it clear that he wants the Frenchman to stay and sign a new contract with the Reds.

Ruben Dias would be advised to stick to his day job, with Maya Jama sharing some of the Manchester City defender’s attempts at artwork. The Love Island presenter, who has been filming in South Africa, got to spend Valentine’s Day with her Portuguese partner. They headed out for a romantic meal, with that dining experience including opportunities to put their drawing skills to the test.

Eden Hazard has opened up on some of the 'really bad' clashes with Jose Mourinho during their time together at Chelsea. The Belgian winger moved to Stamford Bridge in 2012 and established himself as a fan favourite during his seven years at Stamford Bridge before he went on to sign for La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2019 having won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League with the Blues.

Patrice Evra has been reflecting on his time at Manchester United, admitting that youngsters of today would consider boot cleaning to be a form of “slavery”. In his era at Old Trafford, the opportunity to make sure that Cristiano Ronaldo graced the field with sparkling footwear was a “reward”. Times have changed quickly, with CR7 now in charge of organising his own scrubbing.

Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.

Another transfer window and another highly-rated prospect is on their way to Chelsea. The club's youth policy has struck again, with the west Londoners landing 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his very limited experience at senior level, the teenager provoked a transfer tug-of-war between three Premier League giants, but it is the Blues who have emerged victorious.

Kazakhstan isn't a nation known for its love of football. That doesn't mean it's non-existent, however, and with a new teenage sensation emerging as one of the country's best players already, the nation sandwiched between Europe and Asia could be on the verge of a golden generation.

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Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Romario moved around the penalty area with the stealthy gait and sly gaze of a panther, ready to suddenly accelerate as soon as the ball came his way, to disorient the opposing defenders with a couple of feints, to pounce on the ball, which inevitably ended up at his feet, as if magnetised, and finish with an unstoppable shot of pure technique or power, or alternatively serve up a perfect assist for one of his team-mates. He was a Hall of Fame striker if ever there was one.

Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.

Anyone that manages to carve out a career for themselves in professional football is ridiculously talented. The standard at the highest level is just so high that it is simply impossible to 'fake it 'til you make it'. However, not everyone is as prodigiously gifted as Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal. Your average player will require some time to get to grips with the rigours of the elite game.