Steven Gerrard has delivered a clear verdict on Arne Slot’s future amid mounting pressure at Liverpool, insisting he wants the Dutch manager to turn things around rather than be replaced at Anfield. However, the Reds legend also made it clear he would return to Anfield in any capacity if asked by the hierarchy, underlining his enduring loyalty to the club.

Ruben Amorim fears Manchester United are going to “struggle” after club captain Bruno Fernandes was added to their list of absentees, but the Portuguese will not be demanding that club bosses make funds available in the January transfer window. Instead, in a bleak warning to supporters, the Red Devils are planning to battle through with what they have.

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City squad that they cannot indulge over Christmas, with the “controlling” Catalan coach vowing to weigh his players on December 25 in a bid to ensure that none of them get “fatty” during the festive period. Premier League title hopefuls City are back in action on Saturday with a trip to Nottingham Forest.

The cost of owning grass graced by Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi has been revealed, with Inter Miami joining the trend of selling turf as they prepare to move into a new stadium. The Herons are bidding farewell to Chase Stadium, having savoured a historic MLS Cup win in that venue, and will be heading to Freedom Park next season. Fans can snap up a piece of the pitch that Messi has trodden since deciding to chase the American dream in 2023.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits the long-running Lionel Messi saga, which started in 2021 when the Argentine GOAT left for Paris Saint-Germain, has made him "sad". He does, however, hope that a crossing of paths will take place at some stage, saying: "Hopefully we meet again." A fitting tribute to Messi, be that an exhibition game or statue, is still being planned.

Selected first overall by D.C. United in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft, the imposing center back joined GOAL Convo to explain why a rebuild doesn’t intimidate him.

GOAL takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from around the world

Mohamed Salah continues to generate transfer talk on the back of a sparking a storm at Liverpool, but Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has refuted any suggestion that the superstar forward is in "crisis". Salah was benched for five consecutive Premier League fixtures prior to linking up with his country for Africa Cup of Nations duty, leading to uncertainty being cast over his future.

Real Madrid’s stance on a sensational transfer swoop for Erling Haaland has been revealed. The Blancos have been heavily linked with the prolific Norwegian for some time, as he is considered to fit the ‘Galactico’ mould at the Bernabeu, but no imminent raid on Manchester City is being lined up as Kylian Mbappe is delivering the goods in Spain.

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has picked up the Coach of the Year award at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony following another Euros success for England. Wiegman finished top of the pile in the voting for the award after guiding England to a second straight European Championship victory in Switzerland last summer. Michelle Agyemang was also celebrating after being named the Young Sports Personality of the Year.

West Ham United Women have parted company with head coach Rehanne Skinner after a difficult run in the Women’s Super League, with just one win from their opening 11 matches of the 2025-26 season. Sitting second from bottom and struggling at both ends of the pitch, the Hammers have opted for a mid-season reset as they search for a new direction in a bid to improve results.

Defending champions Arsenal will face London rivals Chelsea in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals, if they can defeat OH Leuven in the knockout play-offs. The Gunners beat the Belgian minnows 3-0 in the last round of the league phase and will be heavily favoured to do so again, making an all-English quarter-final incredibly likely.