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On Sunday at Anfield, Liverpool lost to Manchester City for the second time this season. Arne Slot insisted after the 2-1 defeat that "the improvement" in his side since their demoralising 3-0 drubbing at the Etihad in November was "visible for everyone to see" and there were certainly some positive signs in the second half - but they still suffered a now almost-customary collapse in the closing stages.

There is no shortage of ways to describe Bernardo Silva. A daring dribbler; a sleek passer; a relentless presser; the engine of Manchester City’s field, as well as its brain. But Erling Haaland managed to sum up the City captain's attitude in brilliantly simple terms after master-minding their stunning comeback win against Liverpool: 'Let’s have it!'

Manchester United simply had to act in the January transfer window. The Red Devils had enjoyed a wonderful start to the 2025-26 season, most notably qualifying for the Women's Champions League proper for the first time and then going one further by putting themselves in this month's knockout rounds. But if they wanted to be competitive against Europe's best, and at the sharp end of domestic competitions, they needed more in the squad - and that's the approach United took.

Thomas Frank insists he is '1,000 per cent' the right man for the Tottenham job despite a toxic atmosphere in north London. Spurs fans openly called for the return of Mauricio Pochettino as their side slumped to a miserable 2-1 defeat against Newcastle on Tuesday, leaving the crisis-hit club hovering dangerously above the relegation zone ahead of the derby match against local rivals Arsenal.

Manchester United fan Frank Ilett, also known as The United Strand, has spoken out after seeing his dreams of a long-awaited haircut ended by Tuesday's 1-1 draw with West Ham United. Ilett vowed in October 2024 not to cut his hair until Manchester United won five games in a row and was on the brink of a trip to the barbers until the struggling Hammers ended the Red Devils' four-match winning streak.

Weston McKennie has shone in recent weeks with Juventus, earning the club’s Player of the Month award. Despite uncertainty surrounding his future with his contract set to expire after the World Cup, Juventus director Marco Ottolini confirmed the club is already working to keep the USMNT midfielder in Turin for the long term.

Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are the two players Manchester United should be targeting to replace Casemiro in the summer, according to a Champions League-winning former Red Devils' star. Casemiro has overcome fierce criticism to play a crucial role in United's unbeaten start under Michael Carrick, although his resurgent displays have not been enough to earn him a new contract.

Liverpool are holding off from making a transfer move for RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande due to contractual complications. The Reds are thought to be keen on the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, who has scored seven Bundesliga goals so far this season, but the Merseysiders will wait to make their play due to some uncertainty over his personal situation. RB Leipzig reportedly value Diomande at €100 million (£87.15m/$118m), with the German side not looking to sell him unless a truly lucrative offer arrives.

The president of Flamengo has revealed his club's stance on re-signing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior as speculation continues to surround the future of the Brazil international. The forward's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires next year and he looked unlikely to pen an extension during Xabi Alonso's brief spell in charge of Los Blancos. Now, Luiz Eduardo Baptista has admitted his side can't commit to a deal with Vinicius any time soon.

Michael Carrick's perfect start as Manchester United boss skidded to a halt with a 1-1 draw at West Ham but a 96th minute equaliser from Benjamin Sesko ensured his unbeaten run continued. United met their match against Carrick's boyhood club as Nuno Espirito Santo produced a tactical plan which stifled the visitors and Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers the lead in the second half.

Neymar and Santos have sent signed No.10 shirts to Lionel Messi and his sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, highlighting the two stars' favoured shirt number. The duo starred together at Barcelona and later linked up again at French giants Paris Saint-Germain and they have remained good friends ever since. A social post from Santos praised both Messi and Neymar alongside all-time Brazil great Pele.

Chelsea failed to win a Premier League match under Liam Rosenior for the first time as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds United on Tuesday. The Blues were comfortably the better team for much of the contest and even led by two goals in the second half, but a series of defensive errors saw them throw away a victory which would have massively boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Spain's preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup have been dealt a significant blow following a serious injury to striker Samu Aghehowa. The Porto star has scored 20 times in all competitions already this season and looked a safe bet to be included in Luis de la Fuente's squad for the summer tournament. However, a dreaded ACL tear has put paid to his hopes.

Harry Maguire is "increasingly likely" to sign a new contract with Manchester United after resurrecting his career under interim manager Michael Carrick. The England international's contract is due to expire in the summer but he has impressed in recent weeks, forming an effective centre-back partnership with Lisandro Martinez in the Red Devils defence. The 32-year-old has been given a route back into the United team due the recent injury suffered by Matthijs de Ligt.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will not undergo surgery on a niggling knee problem after all, despite the injury scuppering his January transfer to AC Milan. The Frenchman seemed on course to join the Italian giants in a £30 million ($41m) deadline day move, but the deal was called off after the issue with his knee was flagged in his medical examinations.

The young defender is staying grounded as he approaches what is certainly the biggest moment of his young career

Bayern Munich are said to be "convinced" England captain Harry Kane will sign a new contract with them despite rumours of a potential transfer to the Premier League or Saudi Pro League. The striker left Tottenham in 2023 to join the Bavarian giants and has been a big hit in Germany, scoring 123 goals for Bayern in less than three seasons. However, his current contract is due to expire in 2027 and is said to contain a clause which could see Kane leave this summer for just £57 million ($78m).

Mohamed Salah is reportedly in talks with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad over a potential move in the summer transfer window. The Egyptian has been a long-term target for Saudi Arabian clubs since the Public Investment Fund (PIF) first started pouring cash into the country's top league and Salah, who has endured a tetchy and difficult season at Liverpool, is wanted as their next marquee signing this year.

Inter Miami are now Major League Soccer’s most valuable club, valued at a league-high $1.45 billion, according to Sportico’s latest MLS valuations. The club leads five teams worth more than $1B, ahead of LAFC ($1.4B), as total MLS franchise value climbs to $23B across 30 teams, reflecting continued growth across the league.

The United Strand has set the record straight on how much money he has earned since beginning his viral hair-growing stunt. Manchester United are on the cusp of notching their fifth win in a row, which would see the social media sensation cut his hair for the first time in more than 15 months.

The public war of words between Eni Aluko and Laura Woods has continued, with the former England international hitting back at the ITV and TNT Sports presenter. Aluko has recently said her path towards punditry roles in the women's game has been blocked by England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright, leading to Woods quipping that "caps don't win automatic work". Now, Aluko has claimed Woods' comments have left her feeling "gaslit".

MLS returns with a packed schedule and familiar chaos. From stars like Messi, Rodriguez, and Son Heung-Min to the teams you can avoid, here’s who’s actually worth your weekend watch.

Michael Owen has delivered a bold “one or two years” title prediction for Manchester United, with the former Red Devils striker telling GOAL how a top-flight crown can be returned to Old Trafford. That has not happened since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, but signs of life are being shown under Michael Carrick and there is the promise of more transfer business to come.

Lionel Messi had to “score all the time” at Barcelona or he “wasn’t happy”, a former team-mate of the Argentine GOAT has revealed. World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti worked with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at Camp Nou and got to witness up close the relentless drive that carries the very best in the business to the top of the global game.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly targeting a "dream" deal for Barcelona midfielder Pedri in a potential repeat of the Luis Figo transfer saga that rocked European football in 2000. Pedri has emerged as one of Barca's brightest stars since joining the club from Las Palmas in 2020, and Perez is said to be keen on luring him away from Real's arch-rivals.

Manchester United are capable of luring Vinicius Junior away from Real Madrid, claims Luis Saha, with Michael Carrick restoring positivity and optimism to Old Trafford. It remains to be seen who will be calling the shots when another transfer window swings open, but the Red Devils are expected to enjoy a busy summer in 2026 and may line up a raid on Santiago Bernabeu.

Memphis Depay slipped and missed a penalty in Corinthians' derby clash with Palmeiras in the Paulista A1 on Sunday, after an act of sabotage from his ex-Manchester United team-mate Andreas Pereira. Depay blew the chance to open the scoring from the spot in the first half, and Corinthians ended up losing 1-0, with Jose Manuel Lopez scoring the winner for Palmeiras in the 84th minute.

Barcelona superstar Raphinha has taken aim at the “unfair” Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best snubs that he endured in 2025. The Brazil international starred for the Blaugrana last year as they landed the Liga title. He posted more than 60 goal involvements over the course of the campaign, but still missed out on the most prestigious of individual honours at glittering award ceremonies.

Ryan Reynolds has spoken passionately about his five-year partnership with Rob Mac at Wrexham, with the Hollywood duo reaching a notable milestone in North Wales. They have overseen a meteoric rise from the Red Dragons, overcoming plenty of challenges, and remain as committed as ever to guiding the club towards the Premier League.