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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is facing fresh scrutiny over his treatment of Federico Chiesa, with the winger's former mentor branding the Dutchman's selection policy a "mystery." As the Italian international closes in on a sensational return to Juventus this month, questions are being asked about why a player perfectly suited to the Premier League was left in the cold at Anfield.

Manchester United have been urged to consider Carlo Ancelotti when identifying candidates to become the club’s next permanent manager. The Red Devils are back in the market for a new head coach after taking the decision to part with Ruben Amorim. A man who knows all about life at Old Trafford believes that current Brazil boss Ancelotti would return a “winning culture” to Premier League heavyweights.

Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are set for a heavyweight transfer tussle over Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, with the Spanish giants desperate to find a successor for Conor Gallagher. The England international completed his £35 million switch to Tottenham this week, leaving a gaping hole in Diego Simeone’s engine room that the Brazilian ace has been identified to fill.

Enzo Fernandez is reporting “considering his future” at Chelsea following the departure of Enzo Maresca as manager. The Blues took the decision to part with the Italian tactician on New Year’s Day, with Liam Rosenior now calling the shots at Stamford Bridge. It is being suggested that World Cup winner Fernandez could be lured away from west London, with Paris Saint-Germain among his many suitors.

Radu Dragusin has made his intentions crystal clear to Tottenham chiefs, with reports from Italy suggesting the defender is desperate to seal a permanent exit from London this month. The Romanian international has his heart set on a move to Roma and is reportedly willing to snub interest from the Bundesliga to ensure he never has to return to the Premier League club.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL how Jurgen Klopp could make a sensational return to Anfield. The German coach left Merseyside in the summer of 2024, and saw successor Arne Slot savour Premier League title glory in his first season at the helm. A stunning retracing of steps for Klopp has been speculated on, with it impossible to rule anything out.

Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has identified his "dream" January signing, urging the Red Devils to finally secure the services of Barcelona playmaker Frenkie de Jong. The former defender believes the Dutch maestro, who has long been on the club's radar, is the missing piece to transform United's midfield, while also tipping a Brighton star for a move to Old Trafford.

It is reported that Ruben Amorim was ready to resign a matter of days before Manchester United brought his testing 14-month spell as Red Devils boss to a close. Having struggled to make the desired impact at Old Trafford, the Portuguese tactician was prepared to fall on his sword and walk away. With the decision eventually being taken to sack the 40-year-old, he has cost Premier League heavyweights £12 million ($16m) in compensation.

West Ham icon Carlton Cole has issued a stark warning to his former club, admitting they need "the luck of the gods" to survive the drop this season. In a candid assessment of the turmoil at the London Stadium, Cole backed current boss Nuno Espírito Santo but expressed fears that the current squad overhaul might be too little, too late to save the Hammers.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has made the startling admission that he came perilously close to retiring from professional football during his recent injury nightmare. The Argentine star revealed he felt he was "no longer a football player" during the darkest moments of his rehabilitation, confessing that the mental and physical toll of a serious knee injury left him on the brink of walking away from the sport entirely.

Sportico have released their annual highest-paid athletes list, with Cristiano Ronaldo sitting at the top of that chart. The Portuguese GOAT earned double what eternal rival Lionel Messi pulled in over the course of 2025, with the Al-Nassr forward making $260 million (£194m). There are 13 football players in the top 100, with Brazilian icon Neymar tumbling down the standings.

Bayern Munich’s teenage sensation Lennart Karl has left fans baffled and amused after a video surfaced showing him wearing custom shinpads adorned with an image of Lionel Messi. The 17-year-old, who recently sparked controversy by publicly declaring his desire to play for Real Madrid, seems to have forgotten the fierce rivalry between his "dream" club and the Barcelona legend he apparently idolises.

Arne Slot can't catch a break right now. Barnsley at home in the FA Cup should have made for a comfortable Monday evening for the under-pressure Liverpool boss. Dominik Szoboszlai had other ideas, though. Having earlier broken the deadlock with a thumping strike from distance before Jeremie Frimpong netted his first goal at Anfield with an equally emphatic finish, the Hungarian gifted Liverpool's third-tier opponents a goal just before the break with one of the most inexplicable errors you'll ever see on a football field.

While effectively ruling himself out of the running to take over at Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp pointed out that "the coaching market is being reshuffled" right now - because Xabi Alonso isn't the only manager to lose his job at an elite European club since the turn of the year. On January 1, less than six months after lifting the Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca was fired by Chelsea after publicly criticising his employers. Just four days later, Manchester United also got rid of Ruben Amorim for speaking out of turn.

The Super Eagles came into the match hoping to go all the way and make amends for the shortcomings that saw them finish second two years ago in the Ivory Coast. However, they were not going to get it easy playing the Atlas Lions, who have enjoyed massive home support since the start of the biennial competition.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he once “literally sh*t” himself while working through an injury rehabilitation programme, with the legendary Swedish striker enduring an unfortunate toilet mishap while running on a treadmill. The former Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and AC Milan forward considers that story to be another example of how he would never “cheat” when it came to giving his all.

FIFA says it received more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup during its month-long Random Selection Draw application window, highlighting unprecedented global demand for the first-ever 48-team tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The window ran from Dec. 11 through Jan. 13 following December’s World Cup draw and schedule release.

Fans were left puzzled after Arsenal's opening goal against Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final was allowed to stand on Wednesday night, despite Manchester City having a strike disallowed the day before for a similar infraction from Erling Haaland against Newcastle United. Robert Sanchez flapped at a corner which allowed Ben White the simplest of headers, but Viktor Gyokeres appeared to be in an offside position as he tangled with Marc Guiu, who was defending on the line. The Gunners ended up claiming a 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge, handing Mikel Arteta's side a strong advantage as they bid to reach the final at Wembley.

Liverpool will have to wait a little while longer to welcome Mohamed Salah back at Anfield despite Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations exit at the hands of Senegal. The Pharoahs suffered semi-final heartbreak in Morocco on Wednesday night as Salah's former Reds co-star Sadio Mane fired home a clinical late winner to send his country to the final.

Arsenal took a big step towards the Carabao Cup final by edging past Chelsea 3-2 in this dramatic, all-London semi-final first leg, but Mikel Arteta's side will be left feeling they probably should have put the tie to bed having twice seen a two-goal lead pegged back at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi had the Gunners in control throughout this topsy-turvy contest, but a second-half brace from substitute Alejandro Garnacho ensured Chelsea have something still to play for at the Emirates in three weeks' time.

Real Madrid were woeful defensively, and despite goals from Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia, succumbed to second division Albacete in the Copa Del Rey, losing 3-2 on Wednesday to get Alvaro Arbeloa's reign off to a forgettable start. Los Blancos had most of the ball throughout, but created few clear cut chances. The home side, meanwhile, were clinical - and good value for the win.

Chelsea face a tall order to reach the Carabao Cup final after a shocking performance from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez handed Arsenal a 3-2 victory in the first leg of their semi-final. The Spaniard made two avoidable mistakes which allowed Ben White and Viktor Gyokeres to score, though Alejandro Garnacho bagged twice ether side of a Martin Zubimendi effort to ensure the Blues take some hope into the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea have reportedly made inquiries regarding a potential transfer move for Feyenoord star Anis Hadj Moussa. The 23-year-old made a big impression during Algeria's run to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, providing two assists during a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea during the group stage, and has previously caught the eye with a goal against Manchester City in last season's Champions League.

EXCLUSIVE: Yan Diomande tells GOAL how his unlikely American journey - from UPSL fields to RB Leipzig - shaped one of Europe’s fastest-rising stars.

Noah Allen’s rapid rise at Inter Miami has not gone unnoticed. Still just 21, the versatile defender has become a regular in MLS, won the 2025 MLS Cup and established himself with Greece’s U-21s. He is reportedly now being monitored by European clubs such as Gent and Panathinaikos, according to The Athletic.

Antonio Conte has seemingly hit out at Ruben Amorim and Manchester United for their handling of striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is currently enjoying a loan spell with Serie A side Napoli. The Danish striker had a tough second season at Old Trafford and was sent to Italy as Amorim preferred summer signing Benjamin Sesko, who has scored five goals in 19 appearances for the Red Devils so far. Amorim has since been sacked and replaced by Michael Carrick, who will preside over the club for the remainder of the campaign.

Moises Caicedo was a notable absentee from Chelsea's squad for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Wednesday night. The Ecuador international is one of the Blues' most important players in central midfield but new boss Liam Rosenior was forced to deploy Andrey Santos alongside Enzo Fernandez against the Gunners because of his absence. Chelsea have struggled with suspensions so far this season, with five red cards forcing key players to miss out at various stages.

Despite San Diego FC’s sporting director and head coach stating that he no longer fits into the club’s plans - and reported interest from Cruz Azul - Hirving “Chucky” Lozano has no intention of leaving the MLS side. Backed by a long-term contract and a record salary, the Mexican winger reportedly wants to remain with the team and is confident he can earn his place, even as the door appears to be closed.

This is particularly a big blow to Mohamed Salah's individual ambition of winning the international trophy for his country, which has remained an elusive mission in his career so far. For Mane and his teammates, the dream of winning the second AFCON trophy remains very much alive after progressing to the ultimate stage. The win means Senegal have stamped their authority on this fixture, as they have a decent record against the Pharaohs, where they have now won four of their last six games.