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Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has revealed how close Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk came to leaving Anfield as free agents in the summer of 2025. Two talismanic figures on Merseyside entered the final year of their respective contracts before eventually agreeing fresh terms. The Reds were prepared to walk away from discussions there if the numbers did not make sense.

Exit fear: Van Dijk & Salah entered final year of deals

Van Dijk has been an on-field leader throughout his time with Liverpool and now fills the captain’s armband. He hoisted the Premier League title aloft last season and has passed 330 appearances for the Reds having joined them from Southampton for £75 million ($98m) in January 2018. He is now tied to a deal through to 2027.

Salah’s contract has been extended to the same point, with the Egyptian superstar being talked into a prolonged stay with the Reds. After being heavily linked with teams in the Saudi Pro League, the prolific forward is looking to complete a decade of service at Anfield. He has plundered 250 goals through 417 appearances.

There was the threat at one stage of both Van Dijk and Salah moving on, leaving Liverpool with sizeable holes to fill in their squad. Protracted discussions ultimately delivered agreements that everybody is happy with.

AdvertisementGettyContract talks: How Liverpool get Salah & Van Dijk to stay

Discussing that process, Werner has told of how sporting director Richard Hughes helped to avoid any drama on the exit front for John W Henry and Fenway Sports Group: "My impatience is balanced by his patience. I'd call him frequently and say, ‘Richard, how are things going with Mo Salah and his contract?’, and he would say, ‘Tom, it will all be good in the end’. I think all the agents who deal with him would say that he conducts business in a very respectful way. He has a plan and he executes it.

"We were delighted that the new contracts for Mo and Virgil were sorted. But you know what? If Richard had called and said, ‘The chasm is too big’, I would have respected that too. John, Mike and I try to find people who are excellent at their jobs and let them do their jobs. We don't meddle, we just provide support and advice from our point of view. There's a lot of trust. I can't say enough wonderful things about Richard."

Could Salah leave? Transfer admission

While Liverpool fans were delighted to see Van Dijk and Salah stay, both have seen their performances in 2025-26 called into question. Wayne Rooney is among those to have demanded more from the Reds’ skipper when it comes to maintaining high standards.

It has been suggested that Salah may yet be moved on, while Liverpool can demand a fee, with ex-Reds goalkeeper David James telling GOAL recently: "You could envisage a situation where Mo's numbers aren't what Liverpool need. And if there were a potential suitor somewhere else, then I'm sure with conversation, because Mo does have a say in it, that Liverpool would be willing to let him go.

"Under contract, I don't think I could see a situation where Mo's going to hang around just to get paid. I think there would be a situation where, through conversation because I know the dialogue with Liverpool is always really good, that the two parties would sit down and discuss the future.

"However, if Mo starts doing what Liverpool would like him to do and Mo I'm sure would like to do and starts scoring loads of goals, then their hand could be forced by a potential suitor, because whatever club is interested, Saudi logically as they're the ones with the money, they may make an offer that Liverpool can't refuse."

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Getty Images SportLiverpool fixtures: Next up for the Reds

Defending Premier League champions Liverpool, who have slipped to eighth in the table through 11 games this season – suffering five defeats and conceding 17 goals – will be back in action after the November international break on Saturday when playing host to Nottingham Forest, who sit inside the relegation zone.

The top-order batter, looking to return to the Test line-up for the Ashes, produced some flowing stroke play against Victoria

AAP17-Sep-2025Marnus Labuschagne’s quest to return to the Test side for the Ashes series gained momentum with a century for Queensland, before Glenn Maxwell responded as only he can.Queensland skipper Labuschagne struck a classy 130 from 118 deliveries in the 55-run win over Victoria in the One-Day Cup clash at Allan Border Field on Wednesday.Related

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Maxwell, who retired from ODI cricket in June, then did Maxwell things in the run chase. It was not enough to win, but his 107 off 82 balls included eight huge sixes and entertained to the max.Runs are the currency for Labuschagne to get back in the Test side, and he has been prolific in the past month. Against Tasmania in practice games he scored 67 in a one-dayer and followed that up with 67 retired in a two-day match. A 57-ball century in T20 Max was another stunner.His innings against Victoria was another step in the right direction.”I just trusted my game today and it was nice to be playing at my best and trusting my instincts,” Labuschagne said. “I think it always happens at some stage in your career where you are searching … and you get a little muddled and not as clear.”The last two months I’ve played lots of games and I’m getting that feel of the game back after three months of not playing, from the [World] Test Championship until now. Nothing else matters but runs. The format doesn’t matter. I know if I am playing my best I will find my way in the team.”My goal is to be there for the first Test. The only way you can do that is with performances on the board.”While Labuschagne has made his mark as a No. 3 batter, he is also open to partnering Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.”I don’t care where I bat, if I have to open or bat three,” he said. “The fact of the matter is that when you are not in the team you don’t have the luxury of choosing where you bat.”Before Wednesday’s match Labuschagne said he was keen to find the “see ball, hit ball” form that rocketed him to the top of the ICC Test batter rankings, a modus operandi adopted to perfection by India maestro Virender Sehwag.”Obviously Sehwag’s method was taking the ball on and just playing it. That’s an element for me,” Labuschagne said. “That is where I want to get to by the start of the summer, where I am so clear and confident with my technique that there is nothing else I am thinking about apart from seeing the ball, hitting it and trusting my game and everything falling into place.”Everything did fall into place on Wednesday for Labuschangne, who drove the ball with precision. His shots down the ground were majestic, including an on-drive off Will Sutherland that brought up his half-century.Queensland accelerated at the end of their innings, with Jack Wildermuth (54 not out off 30) the most effective in a total of 310 for 5.Paceman Michael Neser reminded Australian selectors of his class with a masterful exhibition of swing and seam bowling to have the visitors 16 for 3 including Matt Short and Marcus Harris with consecutive deliveries.Peter Handscomb steadied the ship, before Maxwell took over but Victoria were eventually all out for 255.

Imam-ul-Haq notches fifty as Yorkshire wrap up comfortable win in Scarborough

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Aug-2025Ben Cliff’s maiden five-wicket haul in first-team cricket – a superb 5 for 46 from 8.3 overs – set Yorkshire up for an opening day Metro Bank One-Day Cup win over last year’s semi-finalists Warwickshire at Scarborough, by five wickets chasing 138.New-ball quick Cliff, aged 22, was playing his first first-team game since the summer’s opening week following a side injury, and he was the chief tormenter as the Bears were bowled out for 137 inside 37 overs at the start of Group B.Cliff struck four times in a devastating opening spell, with Warwickshire slipping to 38 for 7 before Vaansh Jani’s brilliant 82 off 92 balls. It was the 20-year-old’s maiden first-team fifty in his second game.Yorkshire, for whom Adam Lyth took four catches in the slips – equalling a club record for outfield catches in a List A innings – didn’t chase with ease on a tricky pitch. But Pakistani international opener Imam-ul-Haq held things together with 55 off 83 balls.Cliff struck twice in three balls in his opening over and four times in all as the Bears crumbled to 24 for 5 in the 10th having been inserted. He had both Rob Yates and Zen Malik caught at cover by James Wharton in the second over, the former via a leading edge as he looked to play to leg and the latter off a miscued drive.Cliff’s new-ball partner Jack White clipped Warwickshire captain Ed Barnard’s off bail with a beauty before Cliff struck again to get a driving Hamza Shaikh caught at second slip by Lyth. And when extra bounce forced Kai Smith to loop a catch to backward point, the Bears were five down and in serious strife.Things got worse before getting better. Alex Davies fell to Matthew Revis’s first ball for 15, the seam-bowling allrounder getting him and Jake Lintott caught by Lyth at slip. When Lintott fell to the third ball of the 14th over, Warwickshire were 38 for 7.Batting at No. 7, Jani’s first of six boundaries was a lovely on-drive against George Hill as Warwickshire strove for respectability.Hill’s seam accounted for Michael Booth caught at slip by Lyth – 63 for 8 in the 21st. Hill added a second wicket when Ethan Bamber drilled to mid-off, though Jani counterattacked.He hoisted Hill over long-on and scooped White over fine-leg for his first two of five sixes, reaching a 67-ball fifty, by which time the visitors were 101 for 9 in the 31st over.Right-handed Jani smashed Revis out of the ground over long-on before miscuing Cliff to mid-on to end the innings.Jani and Oliver Hannon-Dalby added 64, a Warwickshire List A record stand for the 10th wicket and comfortably the best of the innings. Last man Hannon-Dalby contributed one run.Yorkshire were cautious in reply. They lost Lyth and Will Luxton, the latter for 25, to the seam of Hannon-Dalby and Bamber – 47 for 2 in the 14th over.Booth’s pace then accounted for James Wharton and Revis in successive deliveries, caught behind off the inside-edge and caught low down at second slip, as the score fell to 72 for four in the 21st.But left-handed Imam anchored things. His first five scoring shots were boundaries, strong on the pull and drive, and he shared a calming fifth-wicket stand of 56 with Hill, 20 not out. Imam fell caught at deep square-leg with 10 to win, but it was a consolatory third wicket for Booth. Yorkshire won with 17.1 overs remaining.

In stark contrast to last season, Arsenal cannot stop winning at the moment.

Mikel Arteta’s side’s win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday night was their tenth on the bounce in all competitions.

Additionally, it marked their eighth consecutive clean sheet, a feat the club have not achieved in 122 years.

As things stand, Arsenal are far and away the best team in the Premier League, and a somewhat underappreciated star should be in serious contention for the Player of the Season Award.

The Arsenal players on track for the Team of the Season

It is still early on in the season, but as things stand, there are a handful of Arsenal players who feel like a shoo-in for the Team of the Season come May.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, while he was once seen as something of a liability, Gabriel Magahelse has transformed into one of the best centre-backs in world football, and on form, the best in the league.

On top of being a “colossus” at the back, as dubbed by Adam Keys, the Brazilian is a force of nature in the opposition’s penalty area and, in the league alone, has already amassed a tally of two assists and one goal in ten appearances.

Another defender who stands a good chance of featuring in the team, so long as he remains fit, is Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italian international has added an element of the unpredictable to the Gunners’ team, and his ability to pop up all over the pitch has seen journalist James Benge label him “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment.”

While not quite shoo-ins, William Saliba and Martin Zubimendi also stand a great chance of making it.

Finally, someone who should be the first name in the midfield is Declan Rice.

The former West Ham United captain has been utterly sensational for the Gunners this term.

On top of breaking up opposition attacks with ease, the Englishman’s passing has been world-class, and it is hard to think of a better dead-ball specialist in European football, let alone the Premier League.

However, with all that said, there is another Arsenal star who not only should be in the Team of the Season but also in contention for Player of the Season.

The Arsenal star in line for Player of the Season

Now, you could make the argument for several Arsenal stars here, but as things stand, Jurrien Timber has arguably been the team’s best player this season.

The Dutchman had an impressive personal campaign last season, cementing himself as one of the best lockdown full-backs in the league, but has, in the words of Arteta, reached a “different dimension” entirely this year.

On top of being a brick wall at the back, notably delivering a “monster” performance in the words of Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley against Madrid last season, the former Ajax star has become a seriously dangerous attacking outlet.

For example, in the league alone, he has already scored two goals and provided two assists in just ten appearances.

However, his influence cannot be measured purely in terms of output, as he’s become far more accomplished at overlapping with Bukayo Saka on the right.

More than that, though, he’s also starting to take on opposition defenders in central areas, with him going on a couple of mazy runs against Slavia Prague on Tuesday night.

However, if you are still unconvinced, you only need to take a look under the hood at his underlying numbers.

Through Balls

0.91

Top 1%

Goals

0.23

Top 4%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.23

Top 4%

Tackles

3.52

Top 4%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.25

Top 4%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.80

Top 4%

xG: Expected Goals

0.23

Top 7%

Progressive Passes

6.02

Top 7%

Shots on Target

0.57

Top 7%

Passes into Penalty Area

1.59

Top 7%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.18

Top 7%

Touches (Att Pen)

3.64

Top 7%

Goals + Assists

0.34

Top 9%

Shots Total

1.25

Top 9%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of full-backs in the league for through balls, the top 4% for non-penalty goals, tackles, and penalties won, the top 7% for progressive passes, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while it’s still early in the season, Timber has not only been Arsenal’s best player, but arguably the best in the league.

Therefore, he should be the leading candidate for the Player of the Season.

He's like Saka & Odegaard: Arsenal star is one of the "best in the world"

The incredible international is starting to perform like Saka & Odegaard for Arteta & Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 5, 2025

Atletico Madrid have officially confirmed the sale of a majority stake in the club to global sports investment company Apollo Sports Capital (ASC). The landmark deal will see ASC become the majority shareholder, injecting new capital to bolster the club's financial stability, sporting competitiveness and ambitious infrastructure projects, including the development of the City of Sport.

Atletico announce majority stake sale

Atletico have officially announced a significant change in ownership, with ASC acquiring a majority stake in the club. This crucial move, confirmed via a statement on the club's website, sees the current major shareholders reduce their stakes to facilitate the investment. While ASC will become the majority owner, the club confirmed that Miguel Angel Gil and Enrique Cerezo remain in their roles as CEO and chairman respectively, and will remain as shareholders.

The artnership aims to strengthen Atletico Madrid's position among football's elite and support long-term success for its millions of fans worldwide. The investment is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

AdvertisementAFPNew capital injection for sporting and infrastructure development

The investment from ASC is set to provide substantial new capital for Atletico's ambitious long-term plans. A key focus will be further investment in all of Atletico Madrid's teams, encompassing the men's, women's and academy sides, to enhance their sporting competitiveness.

One of the most significant aspects of this investment is the funding for major infrastructure projects, notably the "development of the City of Sport." This ambitious project envisions a new sports and entertainment centre adjacent to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. The club stated: "The aim of this project is to become a world-class destination for sport, leisure, culture, and community activity." With Apollo's extensive experience in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors, ASC aspires to create a "dynamic, transformative, and multidisciplinary urban center for the people of Madrid."

Angel Gil, Atletico's CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. "We are very proud to welcome a new partner committed to the club. Apollo Sports Capital is a great ally that respects the history, traditions, and identity of Atletico de Madrid and its fans, while bringing additional resources and enthusiasm to help maintain our growth and competitiveness," he said.

Continuity in leadership and a strong financial foundation

Robert Givone, partner at Apollo and co-manager of ASC, underscored the importance of this continuity. "Atletico de Madrid is one of Europe’s great sporting institutions, and it is an honour for Apollo Sports Capital to invest in this historic club and its legacy of over 120 years. Miguel Angel has done an extraordinary job transforming Atletico, and it was essential for us to invest in support of the continuity of his leadership, as well as investing in the team and the local community," Givone stated.

The new partnership aims to reinforce the club's financial stability. Gil acknowledged the contributions of previous partners, saying, "Atletico would not be where it is today without the support of Wanda Group, Quantum Pacific, and Ares, whose backing has strengthened us at crucial moments." This collaboration with ASC is designed to build on that foundation, driving "solid and sustainable growth" for the club.

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Apollo Sports Capital's broader investment strategy

ASC is a global sports investment company and a subsidiary of Apollo. Its investment strategy focuses on the sports and live events sector, primarily through credit and hybrid investment opportunities. Atletico will serve as the flagship investment for ASC, with the firm explicitly stating that it is "not part of a multi-ownership strategy to control clubs."

This clarifies that ASC's interest is specific to Atletico and the club's potential, rather than building a portfolio of clubs under common ownership. Other recent investments by Apollo Sports Capital include stakes in the Mutua Madrid Open and Miami Open tennis tournaments, in partnership with MARI, and a new company formed by Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro. ASC is led by CEO Al Tylis, co-managers Givone and Lee Solomon, and Chief Strategy Officer Sam Porter.

Atletico Madrid currently sit in fourth place in La Liga, with 25 points from 12 matches, including seven wins, four draws, and one loss. They are four points behind league leaders Real Madrid and three points behind second-placed Barcelona. Their recent form has been strong, with four wins and one draw in their last five league matches, including a convincing 3-1 victory over Levante in their most recent fixture, where Antoine Griezmann scored twice.

The club also confirmed that the investment extends to its affiliated clubs, Atletico de San Luis and Atletico Ottawa, which will also become majority-owned by Apollo Sports Capital. The current shareholders – Angel Gil, Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group and funds managed by Ares Management – will retain minority stakes across these entities.