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Five days have now passed since 20-year-old Kavan Markwood fell 20 feet onto the field at PNC Park—and it appears his condition continues to improve.

According to a Monday report from AP—which cited Jennifer Phillips, the organizer of a GoFundMe for his recovery—Markwood took his first steps since the injury on Monday.

"Kav took his first steps today! It’s a slow slow process, but seeing him up and moving was a huge win and definitely lifted everyone’s spirits," Phillips wrote. "He still has a long way to go—he’s dealing with a broken neck, clavicle, and back so there are plenty of obstacles ahead."

A GoFundMe benefitting Markwood has raised over $41,000 toward a $45,000 goal.

Markwood, who played college football in the past for Division II Wheeling Jesuit in West Virginia, fell into the outfield during the seventh inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 4–3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. He was transported to Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital and has been treated there in the days since.

Real Madrid have issued an apology after they showed the wrong player in a tribute to Portuguese striker Diogo Jota and brother Andre Silva. The Spanish giants made the mistake during the Ordinary General Assembly of Representative Members as they wished to remember the duo, who both tragically lost their lives in a car accident over the summer.

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  Video showed Elche striker Andre Silva alongside Jota

  The 28-year-old striker and brother Andre Silva were killed in a single car collision in July in an incident that shocked the footballing world to its core. A number of teams have paid tribute to both players in the months since, while Liverpool fans chant his name in the 20th minute of games.

  Real Madrid had sought to pay their own tribute to the pair over the weekend but were forced into an apology as they inadvertently showed the wrong player a video. Alongside Jota wasn't his brother, but rather former RB Leipzig striker, and current Elche player, Andre Silva.

  Incidentally, Real Madrid face Elche at the Martinez Valero in La Liga on Sunday, with Silva expected to start for Eder Sarabia's side. The Spanish powerhouse have since come out and apologised for showing the wrong player, and expressed their "regret" over the incident.

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• Real Madrid apologise to Elche and Silva

  In a statement on their official X account, Real Madrid posted: "Real Madrid C.F. apologises to Elche C.F. and its player André da Silva for having mistakenly included his image in the obituary of an institutional video instead of that of André Silva, the brother of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool player. We regret this incident."

  During his speech following the video, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez, also issued an apology of his own for the oversight.

  After an impressive start to the season, Elche currently find themselves in the midst of a five-game winless run following a 1-1 home draw with Real Sociedad prior to the international break. However, Elche have caught the eye in front of their own fans, and are unbeaten at the Martinez Valero, winning three and drawing three of six matches.

  Likewise, Real Madrid are looking to return to winning ways having failed to win their last away competitive matches, having followed up a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Liverpool with a 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano earlier this month. Sunday's game at Elche is the third of six successive away matches for Xabi Alonso's men after the Bernabeu was used for the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders earlier this month.

  Los Blancos head into Sunday's game in second having been leapfrogged in the La Liga table by defending champions Barcelona. The Blaugrana returned to Spotify Camp Nou for the first time in over 900 days on Saturday and marked the occasion with a 4-0 win over Athletic Club.

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  Liverpool star paid tribute to Jota after Scotland success

  Real Madrid's gaffe comes just days after Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson paid an emotional tribute to Jota. The Scotland international was celebrating Scotland's World Cup qualifying win over Denmark as the Tartan Army booked their spot at the 2026 competition with a 4-2 win over Denmark.

  "I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits. I know the age I'm at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup," Robertson said. "I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he'll be smiling over me today.

  "I'm so glad it's ended up this way. This group of boys, this group of staff – it's the best group I've been involved in. The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable. He went through the big moments we've had. Qualifying for the Euros – he couldn't quite remember – we were in Wunderbar. He said 'let's make it another one'.

  "We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it'll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life. That just sums up this squad. Never say die. We just keep going right to the end and one of the craziest games. We put the country through it, but I'm sure it's worth it. We're going to the World Cup."

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• When do Real Madrid play at the Bernabeu again?

  Real Madrid, meanwhile, follow up today's game at Elche with trips to Olympiacos, Girona and Athletic Club as they continue their run of away games.

  Los Blancos will finally return to the Bernabeu for the welcome of Celta Vigo on December 7, and follow that up with a huge Champions League home tie with Manchester City.

Arne Slot will surely be under more intense pressure in the Liverpool hot seat if he cannot turn around his side’s disastrous Premier League form after the international break concludes.

Last season, the Merseyside giants romped home to the title, with a bumper 25 wins secured, having also only lost a meagre four games all campaign long.

Now, however, it’s a grim five defeats on the menu from 11 outings, with former Reds attacker Peter Crouch even stating that there must be “some serious question marks” as to whether the ex-Feyenoord boss should remain in the Anfield post for the long term, if the losses continue to stack up.

He does have the January transfer window on his side to try and arrest this slide, though, as Liverpool prepares to splash the big bucks again…

Where Liverpool could strengthen in 2026

The disappointing Reds are now eight points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, which has led many pundits to state that the reigning champions are in a crisis at the moment.

Still, uprooting to Anfield will be seen as an attractive next career step for many promising talents around the world.

One target includes AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit, as rumours persist that the £22.5m-rated midfielder is on their agenda.

Alongside Smit, Liverpool are also reportedly still keen on adding Marc Guehi to their ranks in January, after a failed summer move, as Crystal Palace brace for Liverpool to reignite a deal, despite their current bruised status.

Palace are not the only Premier League club that could be on the receiving end of Liverpool attempting to spend big to turn around their dismal fortunes, however, with TEAMtalk revealing – via their sources – that Slot’s men are favourites to land AFC Bournemouth superstar Antoine Semenyo, despite intense interest also popping up from Tottenham Hotspur.

The report goes on to state that a £65m release clause will be activated when the window opens, which has alerted both Liverpool and Thomas Frank’s outfit, with the Reds ready to meet that price to win themselves an explosive, Premier League-proven forward.

Liverpool desperately need some deadly firepower, having been burnt by deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak in the summer, as Slot and Co’s excessive spending – £415m to be exact – looks very rash.

Semenyo could well offer up some much-needed entertainment; therefore, with the Ghanaian also going down as Slot’s new Luis Diaz if a deal is secured, who was a departure in the summer, now overloaded with regret.

How Semenyo compares to Diaz

Diaz leaving Liverpool has certainly hurt the Reds more than they might have initially anticipated.

Of course, the lavish spending in the summer with Isak and Wirtz coming through the door was meant to see in the start of a new-look Liverpool attack, with Diaz discarded to Bayern Munich in the process.

Unfortunately, with the aforementioned pair regularly fluffing their lines and the revitalised Colombian already sitting pretty on 11 goals and five assists from 17 games in Bavaria, it does feel as if Liverpool have dropped a clanger getting rid of an attacker once branded as “unpredictable” and hard to contain at his Premier League best by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman.

Diaz blew hot and cold on English shores, hence his exit and Seaman’s unpredictable assessment, as 29 Premier League goals fell into his lap at Anfield. Semenyo is only three short of that amount right now for the Cherries, as another gung-ho, direct talent emerges that can wreak havoc at the peak of his powers.

Liverpool saw first-hand how blistering their £65m target can be at full pelt right at the start of the season when powering home that high-energy equaliser, with his Cherries teammate in Marcus Tavernier stating that he is “unplayable” when operating at his devastating best.

Thankfully, the goals and assists have followed in abundance, away from just simply bombing forward with pace to burn, with six goals and three assists in Premier League action alone this campaign, even resulting in Chris Waddle’s claiming that he’s currently “the best winger in the country.”

The similarities don’t just stop with their comparable styles, though, with both attacking stars in question also capable of being adaptable and malleable when needed, as seen in Semenyo swapping between left wing and right wing duties regularly for Andoni Iraola’s men.

Diaz would also happily oblige in this regard at Anfield, with eight goals even coming his way from a centre-forward spot for his ex-employers.

Semenyo will, further, hope he can replicate Diaz’s career at Anfield even more closely in lifting a Premier League title down the line, past the current slump in form.

Liverpool star is "the best finisher in the PL" and he's not even a forward

Liverpool must start utilising this midfielder’s dynamic attacking qualities more often.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 19, 2025

After their shocking act in Game 4 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees on Oct. 29, two Yankees fans have formally received their punishment.

MLB has banned Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen from all of its events in perpetuity after they interfered with Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts's attempt to catch a foul ball, it told WCBS-TV in New York Friday afternoon.

"Based on your conduct, Major League Baseball ("MLB") is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities. You are also hereby banned indefinitely from attending any events sponsored by or associated with MLB," the league said in a statement. "Please be advised that if you are discovered at any MLB property or event, you will be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespass."

In the first inning of Game 4, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres fouled a 1-0 Ben Casparius pitch down the right field line. As Betts jumped for the ball, Capobianco and Hansen attempted to jostle it out of his hands; umpires alertly called Torres out. The fans were ejected from the game and later banned from attending Game 5.

New York went on to win the game, but went on to lose the series in five games.

Scott McTominay has urged Napoli boss Antonio Conte to pursue reported interest in Kobbie Mainoo next month. McTominay is one of a number of former Manchester United outcasts currently shining in Naples, with Rasmus Hojlund and Romelu Lukaku also impressing for the defending Serie A champions. The Scottish midfielder has been instrumental for the Italian side since joining last summer.

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  McTominay has thrived since leaving United

  The 28-year-old was named Serie A MVP for his instrumental role in Napoli's title triumph under Conte last season. McTominay has taken to Italian football like a duck to water and he's not the only former Manchester United star that has caught the eye for Conte's side.

  Lukaku, who spent two years with United, was also key for the Partenopei last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists as Napoli pipped Inter to the Scudetto. The Belgian is yet to play for Napoli this season, though this has presented Hojlund with the chance to shine in Italy after the Dane returned to Serie A on a season-long loan.

  And McTominay believes that Napoli should pursue a move for Kobbie Mainoo in the New Year as Conte's side challenge for the title once more. Mainoo has struggled for game time this season, registering just 138 minutes of league action, while his only start came in the EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby back in August.

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• 'He would fit straight in'

  Mainoo, who missed United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday due to injury, had hoped to secure a summer move away from Old Trafford as he looked to garner regular minutes in a World Cup year. The youngster hasn't featured for England since coming on as a substitute against Ireland in the UEFA Nations League last September, however United's failure to bring in a midfielder, despite links with a move for Carlos Baleba, saw the club turn down the 20-year-old's request to leave earlier in the year.

  United are expected to bring in a new midfielder in January, with Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson among those on the club's radar, and a new body in the middle of the park would likely see Mainoo depart. And according to SunSport, a source close to McTominay has told Conte to sign Mainoo in the New Year.

  "Scott has been to see Conte and told him to get Kobbie. He’s told him all about his strengths and what an outstanding player he is. He knows all about him from his time at United and thinks he would be a great addition to the squad, whether it’s on loan or a permanent deal.

  "Kobbie has been brought up the right way at United having been in the academy since he was a little boy. He would fit straight in and give Napoli a boost."

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  De Bruyne injury may force Napoli's hand

  Napoli signed one central midfielder from the Premier League over the summer as Kevin De Bruyne made the move to Italy after his departure from Manchester City. The experienced Belgian has made an immediate impact for Conte's team but is unlikely to play again this year.

  That's because De Bruyne suffered a thigh injury after scoring a penalty in Napoli's 3-1 win over title rivals Inter last month. The 34-year-old has scored four league goals for Napoli following his arrival over the summer.

  De Bruyne's injury is likely to force Napoli into the market in January, with Mainoo already an established target for the Serie A giants.

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• Napoli gunning for top spot

  Napoli will hope to reclaim top spot in Serie A on Sunday afternoon as they take on Bologna at the Renato Dall'Ara. Conte's side dropped to second in Italy's top tier as AC Milan threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 draw with Parma on Saturday night.

  Elsewhere, Roma host Udinese and Inter welcome Lazio to San Siro on Sunday in an incredibly tight Serie A title race. Indeed, just one point separates the top four ahead of the final international break of the year.

Martin O’Neill boasted an imperious record against Rangers when he was first Celtic manager, so can he continue that now that the 73-year-old is back in the Parkhead hot-seat two decades later?

To date, the Northern Irishman has won 16 of his 27 Glasgow derbies, losing only eight, the first of which was certainly the most memorable, a 6-2 victory in 2000, in which both Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson bagged braces.

Now though, having been parachuted back into the role, following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation on Monday, O’Neill is faced with a huge League Cup semi-final on Sunday, coming after Wednesday night’s confidence-boosting 4-0 victory over Falkirk.

If the Hoops are going to prevail at Hampden, thereby setting up a final date with either St Mirren or Motherwell, O’Neill has to make some tough selection decisions, but simply must start one star in place of Celtic’s club-record signing.

Arne Engels' Celtic form

Arne Engels arrived at Celtic on deadline day in the summer of 2024 with sky-high expectations, given that he was replacing Matt O’Riley, one of the best midfielders the club has seen in modern times, as well as the fact that he cost £11m, a club-record fee.

Well, so far, the Belgian international has not flourished in the way many hoped, or indeed expected.

In 68 appearances for the Hoops, Engels has scored ten goals and registered 15 assists, but just two of these goals have come from open play, most recently on target against St Mirren on 1 March, converting a penalty during a 5-2 victory in Paisley.

Prior to starting the last three matches, Engels had not been a regular in the lineup this season, introduced off the bench on nine occasions, with Rodgers favouring summer signing Benjamin Nygren in his position.

Well, the 22-year-old has not grasped these recent opportunities with both hands, considering the Scotsman awarded him a 5/10 rating following last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, a match in which he lost possession on 25 occasions, nine times more than any other Celtic player.

The Celts can ill-afford that level of wastefulness at Hampden on Sunday, so O’Neill should relegate Engels back to the bench and start a midfield alternative.

Who Martin O'Neill should start in place of Arne Engels

O’Neill does have plenty of midfield options.

Callum McGregor is a lock, while Nygren returned to the midfield three on Wednesday, having been deployed further forward for Rodgers’ final two fixtures, with Reo Hatate the obvious candidate to complete the trio.

Since arriving in January 2022, the Japanese international has made 156 appearances in hoops, scoring 28 goals and registering 28 assists.

His only goal of this campaign, to date, was a rocket at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in August, thereby only brought on for the final 13 minutes against Falkirk this week.

Nevertheless, Hatate’s statistics from last season underline his importance to this Celtic side.

As the table highlights, Hatate was a vital figure in Celtic’s team last season; in fact, of the four players who scored more goals than he did, only Daizen Maeda is still at the club, with compatriot Kyōgo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kühn having all departed.

Hatate also led the way in terms of shot and big chances created, while he has previously netted three times against Rangers, on target twice during his Glasgow derby debut in February 2022, one of the most famous nights Parkhead has witnessed in a long time, as well as firing into the bottom corner in vain back in March.

Callum McFadden describes Hatate as “one of the most naturally gifted players” Celtic have had in recent decades, while Martin Crawford of Breaking the Lines asserted that he is ‘the best player in Scotland’, adding that the ‘naturally refined technician’ possesses incredible ‘energy, determination and…. football intellect’.

Arriving from Kawasaki Frontale for just £1.5m, Football Transfers believe the midfielder’s current market value to be around £9.23m, representing one of the best bargain buys in Scottish football history, and there were a few contenders during the Ange Postecoglou-era.

Bringing it back to this Sunday’s derby, Hatate’s on-ball quality and out-of-possession work-rate makes him a must starter for O’Neill.

Danny Röhl is set to deploy Rangers in a 3-4-2-1, giving the midfield pairing of Mohamed Diomandé and Nicolas Raskin a lot of ground to cover, so Celtic need to do everything they can to win this midfield battle.

Chalkboard

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

Unlike Engels, Hatate has proved consistently capable of producing big moments in the biggest matches, so the Japanese international, alongside captain McGregor and Nygren, is surely the way to go, with midfield the real strength of this Celtic team.

Centre-back and centre-forward, given the ongoing injury crisis….. not so much!

O'Neill 2.0: Celtic chasing "one of the best coaches" as Ange alternative

Rather than Ange Postecoglou, should Celtic appoint “one of the best coaches” in the EFL who would repeat Martin O’Neill’s success from 2 decades ago?

By
Ben Gray

Oct 31, 2025

Pete Alonso played the hero on Thursday night as the New York Mets won Game 3 of their Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Alonso's three-run shot was literally historic and caused Mets fans to feel something they haven't felt in October in years—joy.

One particular Mets fan was seated just beyond the fence in right field when Alonso hit his slump-busting shot. Not only was he recording when Alonso went yard, but he also apparelty managed to pick up the ball.

We can't be sure, but there is one fan in the picture of Sal Frelick watching the ball clear the wall who is holding a phone and wearing what appears to be a Mr. Met shirt.

Former Real Madrid striker Ivan Zamorano has sparked controversy by claiming Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal 'doesn’t have the essence or soul' of a Real Madrid player. While dismissing the winger as unfit for Los Blancos, Zamorano showered praise on Pedri, calling him a 'phenomenon' and urging Barcelona to better guide Yamal amid recent off-field distractions.

• Yamal labelled ‘not Real Madrid material’ by Zamorano

  Former Madrid striker Zamorano has launched a strong criticism of Barcelona’s 18-year-old winger Yamal, saying the youngster “isn’t the essence or the soul of what a Real Madrid player should be.”

  The Chilean described Yamal as a talented player lacking the maturity and character expected at the Santiago Bernabeu. His comments arrive amid growing scrutiny of the teenager’s attitude and professionalism after a turbulent few weeks both on and off the pitch.

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  'Pedri has the essence of Madrid' – Zamorano’s contrasting praise

  Speaking to Josep Pedrerol on the ex-Madrid star made his feelings clear when comparing Yamal to Barcelona midfielder Pedri, whom he described as a perfect example of humility and class.

  “I wouldn’t sign Lamine Yamal for Real Madrid. He’s a star, but he doesn’t embody the essence or soul of what a Real Madrid player should be,” Zamorano said. “I would sign Pedri, who is a star and a phenomenon… and without saying a word. He is humble, down-to-earth, and speaks only when necessary. Pedri has the essence, the soul, of Real Madrid.”

  Zamorano, who represented Los Blancos between 1992 and 1996, went on to emphasise that players wearing the white shirt must reflect the club’s “class and culture.” He added: “Real Madrid is a team with class and culture, and the players who play for Madrid have to represent that. I never heard Messi say that Real Madrid steals, and he was the best in the world.”

  His remark was a direct reference to Yamal’s pre-Clasico Twitch stream, where the teenager stirred controversy by quipping: “Yes, of course, they steal, they complain.” The comment reportedly angered several Madrid players and added fuel to the growing criticism surrounding his maturity.

• Barcelona urged to guide Yamal amid growing frustration

  Despite his criticism, Zamorano offered advice for Barca, suggesting that Yamal still has the potential to become a legendary player if properly mentored. “They have to try to guide Lamine Yamal. That way he’ll only become a great player. Players who leave a legacy are made of a different breed,” he said.

  The young winger’s struggles have been evident on and off the field. He has been battling a recurring groin issue, while also dealing with increased media scrutiny following his recent breakup with singer Nicki Nicole. He was also involved in a spat with Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal at the end of the recent Clasico clash between the two sides, which the Bernabeu club won 2-1.

  Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, who continues to back the teenager publicly, addressed Yamal’s fitness concerns after the 3-1 win over Elche. “He has to manage his injury; he’s disciplined. He has to train, undergo treatment… he’s doing it. I can’t say the injury is over; it comes and goes. And he has to manage it,” Flick explained.

  The German manager has privately expressed frustration over the mounting distractions surrounding the winger but remains hopeful that Yamal’s focus will return once his injury stabilises and media pressure eases.

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  Focus turns to Brugge test before international break

  Barcelona’s attention now shifts back to football as they prepare to face Club Brugge in the Champions League. The Catalan giants currently sit ninth in the continental table and will aim for a crucial win to strengthen their qualification hopes before facing Celta Vigo in La Liga.

  Trailing five points behind leaders Real Madrid, Flick’s men are under pressure to close the gap before the international break. With fixtures piling up, the German coach is counting on his young stars including Yamal, who has four goals from nine matches this season, to rediscover their rhythm and help steady the club’s form during a crucial phase of the campaign.

Liverpool fell to a damaging 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, and their star players are taking significant criticism in the wake of their third straight loss in the top flight.

Carragher calls for Salah to be dropped

The Reds have now lost four matches in a row in all competitions, with Sunday’s loss at home to United the nadir in an increasingly concerning season for the champions.

It was another off day for Mohamed Salah, who missed a huge chance after the break and generally struggled to have any kind of positive impact on proceedings, with Jamie Carragher calling for him to be dropped on Sky Sports after the game, having also questioned his form before proceedings began.

“I don’t think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk where it’s like ‘first name on the teamsheet’. Liverpool have got two away games – in the Champions League at Frankfurt and then they go to Brentford. I don’t think Salah should start both of those games.

“He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box and more often than not he scores in those situations today. But I do think in the away games and helping your full-back, I don’t think Salah should be starting every game right now, certainly away from home, with the form he’s in.”

Arne Slot finds himself under genuine pressure as Liverpool’s head coach, but he isn’t being helped out by star players, from Salah to recent signings.

Harry Maguire outscoring Liverpool strikers

Incredibly, Harry Maguire’s winner for United means that he now has scored the same number of goals at Anfield in the league this season as Salah (1), Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak combined, leading to plenty of fans panicking on social media after BBC journalist Statman Dave shed light on Isak in particular.

The latter pair are still waiting to strike for the Reds in the top flight home or away, having arrived as the two most expensive signings in Reds history earlier this year, and the Swede has racked up 1.4 expected goals even in his limited playing time, so really should have found the net by now.

To say that this statistic is damning would be an understatement, with almost nobody expecting Liverpool to make such an unconvincing start to their title defence.

Salah’s form is concerning, with signs that the 33-year-old may have peaked as a footballer, while Wirtz and Isak are taking longer to adjust to life at Anfield that a lot would have hoped.

There are mitigating factors surrounding their struggles, though, with fellow new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez flattering to deceive, and the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister in poor form in too many games.

Worse than Salah: Slot must drop "naive" 3/10 Liverpool flop after Man Utd

Mo Salah is becoming an issue for Liverpool.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 20, 2025

Wirtz and Isak will likely come good, and Salah is too special a footballer not to overcome this enormous slump, but if things don’t improve fast, Liverpool will be out of the Premier League title race by Christmas.

Alessia Russo's late goal kept Arsenal's Women's Super League title hopes alive in a controversy-riddled 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Alyssa Thompson gave the visitors the lead before Stina Blackstenius' strike was ruled out for a questionable handball. Russo then delivered the crucial equaliser before even more late drama, as Frida Maanum had her stoppage-time winner chalked off for offside.

The hosts started sluggishly, and shortly after Johanna Rytting Kaneryd hit the post, Alyssa Thompson gave Chelsea a ninth-minute lead when her curling shot looped into the corner after a piercing run. It was nearly 2-0 when goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar failed to hold Catarina Macario's shot, with the loose ball bouncing off the bar and away to safety. Arsenal finally got going from the 25-minute mark, but when they reached the final third, they were found wanting. 

The game's big talking point came in the 53rd minute when Blackstenius smashed home after a corner wasn't cleared, but the referee, Melissa Burgin, chalked it off for a handball, which appeared inconclusive. Just when it looked like the Gunners' toothless attack would prove their undoing, Russo swept home in the 87th minute for a deserved equaliser. An offside flag denied Maanum a stoppage-time winner but the result means Arsenal stayed within five points of the table-topping Blues, who extended their unbeaten WSL run to 33 games.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players at Emirates Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Daphne van Domselaar (5/10):

  Was rooted to the spot for Chelsea's opener, which she could do nothing about, but was very fortunate not to concede another when Macario's shot nearly went through her, before bouncing off the bar. Had a better second half, though.

  Emily Fox (5/10):

  Was chasing shadows early on but wasn't really tested as the game progressed and Arsenal had the lion's share of the ball.

  Lotte Wubben-Moy (6/10):

  Her positioning was questionable for Chelsea's opener but came up with some important blocks on the flip side.

  Stephanie Catley (5/10):

  Had some uncomfortable moments but didn't do a huge amount wrong on the day.

  Katie McCabe (6/10):

  Had a bit of joy against Lucy Bronze when bombing forward but, equally, was struggling with the attack-minded Kaneryd. Booked for bringing down Bronze and was subbed on the hour mark.

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  Midfield

  Beth Mead (4/10):

  The England international was fairly ineffective in the first half and other than a dangerous corner for their disallowed goal, offered precious little.

  Victoria Pelova (6/10):

  Like her team-mates, didn't do a great deal early on but grew into the contest as it progressed. In the end, was part of a dominant midfield.

  Mariona Caldentey (5/10):

  Struggled to make an impact inside the opening 20 minutes or so, and her usual crisp passing and quality abandoned her for long stretches.

  Caitlin Foord (7/10): 

  Seemed the most likely to provide a bit of magic to unlock Chelsea's defence thanks to her quick feet and directness.

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  Attack

  Alessia Russo (7/10):

  Held up the ball well and brought others into the game but sometimes she wasn't on the same wavelength as her team-mates. After a fairly quiet afternoon, she took her goal well to earn her team a point.

  Stina Blackstenius (6/10):

  Was repeatedly flagged for being offside as she got the timings of her runs all wrong. Seemed to score a perfectly good goal but the referee had other ideas.

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  Subs & Manager

  Taylor Hinds (7/10):

  Her side of the defence looked more solid when she came on as Arsenal dominated.

  Olivia Smith (8/10):

  Arsenal's returning record signing made an instant impact off the bench. It won't be long before she's back in the starting XI, such is her quality.

  Frida Maanum (7/10):

  Looked to have grabbed the winner but her goal was ruled out for offside, in another debatable moment. 

  Chloe Kelly (7/10):

  Her shooting was a bit wayward but posed a threat when introduced.

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (N/A):

  Was brought on late on.

  Renee Slegers (6/10):

  Will have been disappointed that her team didn't wake up until the second part of the first half. When they did emerge from their slumber, they didn't test Hampton nearly enough as their decision-making in Chelsea's box let them down. Her subs made a difference, though.