Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid from Liverpool at season’s end is a done deal, according to multiple reports from the United Kingdom and Spain.
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The defender has been tipped to trade Anfield for the Bernabeu on a free transfer at the end of his contract for some time, and it has been reported that the Spanish giants have secured the 26-year-old with a five-year offer worth more than £220,000 a week.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side view the England international as the long-term successor to 33-year-old Dani Carvajal, who is out with an ACL injury sustained in October, and he would join the likes of top English players David Beckham, Steve McManaman, who backed Alexander-Arnold to “be a superstar” in Madrid, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate to represent Los Blancos.
Alexander-Arnold has been free to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January, and his impending move to Real would also reunite him with his friend and England teammate Jude Bellingham.
Real made an approach to Liverpool on New Year’s Eve to try sign Alexander-Arnold during the January transfer window, but the Premier League champions in waiting declined to cash the right-back in for reportedly around £20 million to boost their chances of a league crown.
That move was vindicated as Arne Slot’s side sits 12 points clear atop of the table with nine matches remaining, but will leave them without any profit on Alexander-Arnold as he can join Real for free like French superstar Kylian Mbappe did last year from PSG.
Alexander-Arnold is sidelined at present after injuring his ankle during the Reds’ Champions League exit at the hands of PSG and missing the League Cup final loss to Newcastle as a result.
He is tipped to return next month, in time for the crowning few weeks of the Premier League campaign and what is set to be a fitting farewell to his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold made his first team debut as an 18-year-old in 2016 after joining Liverpool’s academy as a six-year-old.
Many Reds fans on social media have been outraged however, calling for him to not be selected for the remainder of the season
Under esteemed manager Jurgen Kloop, Alexander-Arnold won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.
He is also one of three key Liverpool players out of contract at season’s end, with the futures of golden boot leader Mohamed Salah and star defender Virgil van Dijk still unclear.
Liverpool have declined to comment on the reports.
Aston Villa signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season on Sunday to end the England international’s exile under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
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Once a hero for the United fans, Rashford has not featured for his boyhood club since December 12 and admitted earlier this season he was ready for a “new challenge”.
The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to AC Milan and Barcelona, but the European giants were put off by his reported £300,000-a-week (A$600,000) wages.
According to Sky Sports, Villa will pick up at least 75 percent of that pay packet for the coming months, rising to 90 percent depending on performance-related bonuses and have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £40 million (A$40m).
“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions,” said Rashford in a Villa statement.
“I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”
Villa moved to bolster their attacking options after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday for a reported £64 million.
Unai Emery’s men have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and still have aspirations to qualify for that tournament again next season.
Villa sit eighth in the Premier League, eight points above 13th-placed United. Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since coming through the ranks at Old Trafford and has lifted the Europa League, two FA Cups and two League Cups as a United player.
However, his attitude and work ethic in training has been questioned by Amorim, since he took charge in November.
After last weekend’s 1-0 win at Fulham, the Portuguese coach sensationally claimed he would rather put the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, in the squad than Rashford.
“Our team should be so much better with Rashford, but he has to change,” Amorim said last week.
“If he does change, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Rashford in, and we need it.
“But in this moment I think it’s really clear that we have to set some standards. That’s all.” A temporary switch to Villa allows Rashford a fresh start to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation after his astonishing fall from grace.
He was part of England’s World Cup squad just over two years ago and scored a career-best 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.
But he netted just eight times last season and has seven in 24 appearances so far this campaign.
ANGE HI-JACKS $40M TRANSFER
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign 26-year-old centre back Kevin Danso, who joins initially on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for 25 million euros (£21 million, A$42m).
“It’s great to get Kevin in, we desperately needed a defender,” added Postecoglou.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign Kevin Danso.Source: Getty Images
“Getting him is great because he’s a great fit for us. He’s had a strong career and he’s at an age now (26) where he wants to kick on and he has all the attributes we look for. We’re really pleased and it will be a lift for the whole group.”
Danso is expected to be available for selection by the time Spurs play the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Friday morning.
Postecoglou’s first-choice centre-backs Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have missed a large part of the season, while their backup Radu Dragusin is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Spurs had reportedly held advanced talks with AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori but the England international opted to remain in Italy. It was the second high-profile snub Spurs had suffered in the window after Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel also opted to stay put despite the agreement of a A$100m transfer fee.
Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is also reportedly on the verge of a move across London before Tuesday morning’s (AEDT) transfer deadline.
Brazilian superstar Neymar has left sections of the football world in meltdown with an announcement about his return to boyhood club Santos expected to be made within days.
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Saudi giant Al Hilal on Monday night released a statement to confirm the club had reached a mutual agreement to release the former Barcelona star from his mega-contract.
The Champions League winner shared a message on Tuesday night, saying goodbye to his Saudi Pro League fans.
“To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, Thank you,” he posted on X.
“I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together.
“To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034.
“Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you.”
Al Hilal’s Brazilian forward Neymar warms up. Photo by AFP.Source: AFP
Neymar’s deal was reported to have been worth a staggering $215 million (£129m) per-year, The Sun reports.
And after leaving following 18 months at the club, it meant he earned £193.8m in total.
That breaks down to an outrageous $4.1 million (£2.5m) per-week.
Combined with his transfer fee, Al-Hilal effectively paid $452 million (£271m) for Neymar’s single goal and three assists in seven matches.
Al Hilal’s nightmare isn’t even over yet.
Neymar will still pocket $87 million (£51.9m) of the wages he was owed for the remainder of the season, agreeing to give up just 15 per cent – which works out to $13 million (£8m).
That means by the end of the season, his single goal will have cost over $554 million (£322m), while each appearance will have been worth £46m.
If all that wasn’t enough, Neymar also raked in a cool £136m from commercial income, separate to his wage from Al-Hilal.
The former Paris Saint-Germain winger played just seven times since joining the club in August 2023.
Neymar was the subject of what is still the biggest transfer in football history when he joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 for a fee of 220 million euros.
He followed fellow superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the lucrative Saudi league.
But two months after his arrival in Riyadh, he ruptured a cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in October 2023, which kept him on the sidelines for a year.
He returned for Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured a hamstring and has not played since.
Club’s blunt Neymar statement as boyhood fairy tale nears
Al-Hilal’s statement confirming Neymar’s exit was short and sweet.
“The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” said a club statement posted on social media.
The decision to release Neymar came after boss Jorge Jesus admitted the player was no longer capable of the required physical demands.
He said: “Neymar can no longer perform at the level we are used to.
“Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”
While Neymar had been courted by MLS teams in the United States, reports in Brazil said Santos, the club where Neymar made his name, was in talks for him to return to his homeland.
A return to Brazil would likely be the last chance for a player who is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 matches.
Neymar scores for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
Club president Marcelo Teixeira took to Instagram to deliver the message to Neymar on Tuesday night but did not officially confirm the 32-year-old’s return to the club where he first broke through in 2009.
“The time has come, Neymar. The time has come for you to return to your people. To your home, to our beloved club,” said Teixeira.
“Welcome back, Ney boy!… Come and be happy again in the sacred jersey. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
Earlier in January, Neymar said he was aiming to play the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico.
“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” he told CNN.
At the start of his career he was cast as the heir to Pele.
After scoring 107 goals in 177 appearances for Santos, he joined Barcelona in 2013, becoming the young star of a team that also featured Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, which swept to the Champions League title in 2015 by beating Juventus 3-1 in the final in Berlin.
A year later he scored the winning penalty in a shootout as Brazil won the men’s football gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In 2017, Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain prised him away from Barcelona with what is still a world-record transfer fee of 220 million euros ($230 million).
He won five Ligue 1 titles and he and prolific French forward Kylian Mbappe led PSG to the final of the Champions League in the Covid-blighted 2019-2020, but they lost to Bayern Munich.
PSG reunited Neymar with Messi in the French capital, but the trio with Mbappe failed to gel as personal rivalries got in the way and he was pushed to the exit, and to Saudi Arabia, by the Parisian management in 2023.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs rollercoaster continues to roll on and he has an injury crisis on his hands that will force the North London club to hit the transfer market.
Meanwhile, a United talisman could be on the move, while City’s woes continue on the other side of Manchester.
Read below for all the latest Premier League talking points!
WHY TOTTENHAM MUST HIT THE TRANSFER WINDOW IN JANUARY
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou was scathing in his assessment of Timo Werner, who arrived at the North London club in January 2024.
The German winger is one of Tottenham’s most recent arrivals, and he was intended to provide depth, pace and energy to a depleted attacking line.
Postecoglou pulled Werner from the field at halftime in a draw against Rangers, and was later asked about the player’s response to his comments.
“I’ve got no time for that sort of stuff anymore. We’re in a fight here, collectively we’re in a fight. I’m not going to go around worrying about people’s bruised egos,” he said.
Spurs’ biggest issue is their injury crisis, but his comments serve as a big message to the Tottenham squad.
Postecoglou has been without a host of big-name players that make up their regular starting side.
Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Heung-Min Son, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have all been sidelined.
So the former Celtic boss called upon teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to start against their Scottish rivals.
Ange Postecoglou, manager of Tottenham, looks on before the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I’m pulling kids out of school. I literally am. I’m getting notes from their teachers saying young Lucas (Bergvall) has missed another day of school,” he said.
With Spurs sitting in 10th and disappointing losses coming against Ipswich and Bournemouth in recent weeks, Postecoglou must hit the transfer market in January and it’s almost certain he will bring in defensive reinforcements.
On the attacking front, South Korean winger Min-Hyeok Yang is set to arrive, having already signed a contract in July until 2030.
However, he’s only 18-years-old and could take time to develop before he becomes a candidate to start, potentially getting minutes on the bench.
In defence, according to Spanish outlet AS, Postecoglou is set to recruit Paraguayan defender Omar Alderete from Getafe in the La Liga.
He is predominantly a centre back, but also can ply his trade off the left and he reportedly has a release clause said to be worth around $26 million AUD.
Meanwhile, according to Football Insider, Abdukodir Khusanov, who plays for Lens in the Ligue 1, has also caught Postecoglou’s eye.
He’s reportedly been scouted on multiple occasions by Spurs, and the 20-year-old is reportedly also the subject of interest from rival Premier League clubs, namely Newcastle United.
Epic free kick sees draw for Bournemouth | 00:53
UNITED SUPERSTAR ON THE OUTER IN ARMORIM REVOLUTION
New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim dropped Marcus Rashford ahead of the cross-town derby against Manchester City.
The Red Devils secured a 2-1 win in that clash, and the 27-year-old’s time at the club could be coming to an end.
It’d be a considerable move for Rashford, who made his debut at his boyhood club as an 18-year-old, joining United’s youth system at only seven.
He’s played 287 games for the Red Devils, and now he’s openly admitted he believes it’s the right time to leave Old Trafford.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford said to Henry Winter, a prominent football writer.
“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings.’ You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person.
“When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me. It’s disheartening to be left out of a Derby, but it’s happened, we won the game so let’s move on.
“It’s disappointing, but I’m also someone as I’ve got older I can deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Sit there and cry about it. Or do my best the next time I’m available.”
Rashford has been a heavily criticised figure during his time at United, revealing he believes he is “misunderstood”.
“I’m halfway through my career. I don’t expect my peak to be now. I’ve had nine years so far in the Premier League and that’s taught me a lot, that’s helped me grow as a player and as a person. So I don’t have any regrets from the last nine years,” he said.
“I have my own dreams. I’ve achieved parts of it. But I’m not at where I want to be. But the problem is when you get there, you create another thing.”
The dangerous attacker will likely command a significant transfer fee ahead of a potential January move, but it’s shaping as a disappointing end for a figure once revered as the face of Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United applauds the fans as he looks dejected after defeat to Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
CITY’S WOES CONTINUE
Winning four Premier League titles in-a-row is a staggering feat, and the drop off Manchester City are experienced has been forecast for years.
But Pep Guardiola’s outfit are dropping to new lows in the run to Christmas, winning just one of their last 11 games.
The Spanish super coach has won every trophy under the sun during his time in the sky blue side of Manchester, but as his continue to get beat on the pitch, Guardiola is showing signs of a coach under siege off it.
“They implode on themselves, which is the reason why everybody says they’re fragile. Pep Guardiola’s reaction on the sideline, that all adds to it, and as players, you see everything,” former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said to Optus Sport.
“Everybody is seeing for the very first time a manager in Pep Guardiola being under such intense scrutiny now, questioning his ability to get themselves out of the situation.
“Maybe there’s an element of… players seeing stuff from him that they’re not buying into anymore. Maybe finger pointing is happening.”
Manchester City now sit nine points from the top of the Premier League ladder, and Guardiola himself even went as far as admitting he’s the one to blame for City’s woes after their 2-1 derby loss to United.
“I’m the manager and I’m not good enough, simple as that. I have to find a way to talk to them, to train them in the way we need to play, to press the way we need to press. I’m not good enough. I’m not doing well. That is the truth,” he said.
So what has gone wrong? Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes his transfer decisions have put them in a vulnerable position.
“We all know, it’s the first time and we’re allowed to say it, that we can challenge his decisions in the way of letting Cole Palmer go, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez,” Henry said on Sky Sports.
“Ilkay Gundogan came back and it’s not the same Gundogan who scored 17 goals a season.
“You’re missing those goals. Erling Haaland is scoring the same goals, a few less than in his first season but he’s doing what he does usually.
“I’ve seen him miss sitters in every season but where are the goals of Mahrez, Alvarez or Kevin De Bruyne, Gundogan – where are those goals?”
However, there could be light at the end of the tunnel and the French striker was of the belief if anyone could turn City’s fortunes around, it is Guardiola.
“One thing I will say about this team, it’s the first time it’s happening like this to him in his career. Let’s not kill the guy or this team because of what’s happening,” he said.
Ange’s Spurs strike in under 37 seconds | 01:11
SET PIECES CARRYING ARSENAL’S ATTACKING WOES
Arsenal have scored a league high eight goals of their total 29 from set pieces.
That figure includes two penalties, but it raises a question — are Arsenal too reliant on dead ball situations?
Overall, the Gunners attacking output has been down. They’ve scored 29 goals in 16 appearances in the 2024/25 season, compared to 33 and 40 at the same stage in campaigns.
It’s also been more than three games since Kai Havertz scored Arsenal’s last goal from open play, which came against West Ham.
Nicolas Jover is the man who has been credited with Arsenal’s success from set pieces, but dead ball scenarios alone won’t be able to spark a title resurgence.
As it stands, Chelsea and Liverpool sit four and six points clear in first and second place, and Arsenal dropped crucial points in their last outing against Everton.
For former Arsenal women’s player Karen Carney, Arteta’s side rely too heavily on the impact of Bukayo Saka.
“They’re very right side dominant,” she said on Optus Sport.
“[Teams] set up a game plan to eradicate that, and [apart from] being good from set pieces, then you’re thinking where else you’re going to get goals from.
“The left side isn’t giving us the output that [they] want. And that’s why I’m saying if they don’t go and get someone for the left side, I think they won’t ever kick on to the levels where they want to get to.
Nicolas Jover, Set-piece coach of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Saka and Odegaard are their main guys, and if you block that, there is a problem. I think the rest of the team is built on really good physicality, and they’re a hard team to beat.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry echoed that opinion and labelled Arteta’s attacking style “predictable”, whilst admitting it is a positive sign to be scoring off set pieces.
He compared the Gunners’ attack to that of Liverpool, explaining Saka has limited attacking options at his disposal beyond Martin Odegaard.
“Think about Liverpool, when Mo Salah cuts inside, you have Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, or [Darwin] Nunez running [on the left], or Conor Bradley sometimes on the inside running. Look at what Bukayo Saka has,” Henry said
“But it’s predictable, we all know he’s going to play with [Martin] Odegaard, everyone sees that. Can you beat the line?
“You can pass to Declan Rice and enjoy a quick three vs. two. That’s called creating, playing between the lines, attracting an opponent one way and going the other way to see what you can do.”
While Arteta remained coy when speaking on potential transfers, Arsenal could target another strike option to command the left wing spot over Gabriel Martinelli.
“The amount we generate in the match and how little we concede, I fully trust my players,” he said on Wednesday.
Newcastle ace Alexander Isak has previously been linked with a move to the North London club, while former Premier League defender floated the idea of recruiting Dutch playmaker Xavi Simons.
“For his size, he’s quite physical and he’s very good technically, so I believe he’s the type of player that would thrive in the Premier League,” Johnson said.
“£66 million’s not too bad for a player that’s going to be knocking on the door for a starting place in the team.”
UGLY WOLVES SCENES AS TENSIONS BOIL IN RELEGATION BATTLE
The Wolves are in a relegation battle, and tensions are clearly running high in Wolverhampton.
In their last two Premier League games they’ve been involved in post-match stoushes, with the latest coming after a 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town.
Not only does the loss boost the chances of a relegation rival, it also gave them a three-point buffer from Wolverhampton who now sit in 19th place with only two wins.
Gary O’Neil was sacked following the defeat, and Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira is in talks to replace him.
But the real issue looks to be a lack of emotional control from the playing group.
Rayan Ait-Nouri received a second yellow card after the final whistle, being walked down the tunnel by teammate Craig Dawson after a grapple with Ipswich’s Wes Burns.
Meanwhile, striker Matheus Cunha pushed and shoved with a member of Ipswich’s coaching staff in staggering scenes.
The latest incident came only days after Mario Lemina had the captaincy stripped off him after arguments between he and his teammates and coaching staff broke out.
“We are under a lot of pressure,” O’Neil said.
“I understand the players being emotional but we have to keep control better.”
While O’Nell will no longer have to deal with the turmoil in the Wolves dressing room, it’s going to be a big ask to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Only last season Wolverhampton were playing an entertaining brand of football, finishing in 14 with 13 wins.
Last campaign saw Luton town finish in 18th place with 26 points as the highest-placed team to go down. So can Wolves conjure up 17 points in their remaining 22 games?
The midlands club will likely experience a ‘new manager bounce’ when their next mentor arrives, but it’s a big ask.
Cole Palmer scored four goals to put Chelsea within touching distance of the Premier League’s top six after a 6-0 win over Everton on Tuesday (AEST).
The England international has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Blues and moved level with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s 20 Premier League goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
Palmer killed the game as a contest as he completed his hat-trick inside 30 minutes before Nicolas Jackson also struck before halftime.
A penalty from Palmer and Alfie Gilchrist’s first goal for his boyhood club rounded off the scoring in the second half.
Despite an eight-game unbeaten Premier League run, Chelsea remain in ninth but are now just three points adrift of sixth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand to come.
And they will head into Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against City confident they can end the holders’ quest for a second consecutive treble.
A demoralising defeat leaves Everton still perilously placed just two points above the relegation zone.
The Toffees appealed against a two-point penalty for breaking Premier League sustainability rules on Monday, having also been docked a further six points for another charge this season.
How Everton could do with the boost of recovering some of those lost points as the battle for survival looks set to go down to the wire.
Nottingham Forest visit Goodison Park in a huge relegation six-pointer on Sunday and Sean
Dyche’s men will need to improve at both ends of the field to prolong their 70-year stay in the top flight.
Cole Palmer scored four goals against a hapless Everton side. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
The visitors were dealt a blow before kick-off as Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed out due to a hamstring injury.
His deputy Beto spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring when he somehow turned over Seamus Coleman’s cross from point-blank range.
Palmer was not so forgiving at the other end as he made another case to be crowned as the Premier League’s player of the year.
City must regret letting the 21-year-old leave for what now looks like a bargain £40 million ($50 million) in September.
Palmer nutmegged Jarrad Branthwaite before exchanging a neat one-two with Jackson and curling home from the edge of the box to open the scoring.
With Enzo Fernandez absent due to injury, Mauricio Pochettino flanked Palmer and Jackson with Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk for the first time in his starting line-up.
Everton are perilously close to the relegation zone. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Everton could not live with the sharpness of that front four and Palmer was left with an easy task to head in his second after Jordan Pickford denied Jackson from a Mudryk cross.
The England goalkeeper then had a moment to forget as he gifted possession to Palmer, who nonchalantly chipped his international teammate on his weaker right foot from midway inside the Everton half.
In contrast to Palmer, Jackson has had an inconsistent first season at Chelsea but produced an excellent touch and finish to fire in his 13th goal of the season on the stroke of halftime.
A routine night for Pochettino’s men was still not without drama when they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark.
Both Madueke and Jackson tried to take over penalty duties before they were forcibly removed by captain Conor Gallagher to hand Palmer the ball.
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty was one of several who blasted Madueke and Jackson for their actions.
“Wish Pochettino had taken off Jackson and Madueke right away there,” McNulty wrote on X.
Despite the chaos, Palmer duly made it nine out of nine successful spot-kicks this season to take his tally for the season in both Chelsea and City colours to 25.
Academy graduate Gilchrist had only been on the field a matter of seconds when he blasted in the sixth after Pickford parried Ben Chilwell’s effort.
Atalanta stunned Anfield as Gianluca Scamacca scored twice in a 3-0 win to leave Liverpool with a mountain to climb to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Mario Pasalic added a third seven minutes from time to condemn Liverpool to a first home defeat in all competitions for 14 months.
“Nothing positive to say about the game,” said Jurgen Klopp.
“They [Atalanta] 100 per cent deserved it. It was a really bad game. I didn’t like our tactical discipline. We were everywhere. No counter press. I know the boys can play better football, but not tonight.”
It wasn’t Liverpool’s night. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Source: AFP
The Reds had been favourites to end the Klopp era by completing the German’s set of trophies won as Liverpool boss in his last game in charge in the Dublin final.
With Liverpool locked in a tight three-way battle for the Premier League title alongside Arsenal and Manchester City, Klopp showed that remains his priority as he made six changes to the side that were held 2-2 by Manchester United on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah was one of those left on the bench but he was unable to inspire a response despite being thrust into action right at the start of the second half after a lacklustre first 45 minutes from the home side.
Atalanta had won just two of their previous nine games in all competitions. But the side sitting sixth in Serie A were a threat from the first whistle. Pasalic missed a glorious chance to open the scoring after just three minutes when he fired into Caoimhin Kelleher’s face as the Irish international spread himself.
Atalanta won the match 3-0. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Source: AFP
Harvey Elliott hit the crossbar and Darwin Nunez sliced wide when clean through on goal but those promising Liverpool attacks were few and far between.
Scamacca failed to shine during his one season in the Premier League with West Ham, but he has now scored three times in England for club and country this season.
Atalanta made the breakthrough on 38 minutes when the Italian international fired low through Kelleher’s grasp from Davide Zappacosta’s cross.
Teun Koopmeiners should have made it 2-0 before the break when he failed to beat Kelleher one-on-one.
Klopp reacted at half-time as Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson were sent on in a rescue mission.
However, even the changes failed to muster a response from a jaded looking side in their 50th game of the season.
Scamacca was offered an acre of space to slot home Charles De Ketelaere’s cross on the hour mark.
Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota were then introduced by Klopp but Liverpool continued to create little despite their abundance of attacking talent on the field and left themselves open to the counter-attack.
Ange ‘couldn’t care less’ about top four | 00:42
Atalanta took full advantage to close to within the brink of just their second ever European final.
Scamacca turned provider for the third after Szoboszlai gifted possession away inside his own half.
Ederson’s first effort was saved by Kelleher, but Pasalic thumped home the rebound to the delight of the travelling fans.
Liverpool have a history of thrilling comebacks in the European competition, most notably from 3-0 down at half-time in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan.
But they will need a fightback of that magnitude to keep alive the dream of sending Klopp out with a European trophy.
ADVANTAGE ROMA IN EUROPA LEAGUE DERBY WITH MILAN
Elsewhere, Gianluca Mancini gave Roma a slender advantage in their Europa League quarter-final with AC Milan after netting the only goal in a 1-0 win at the San Siro.
Just as in the weekend’s Rome derby in Serie A, Mancini headed home the winner from a Paulo Dybala corner to earn Roma a precious victory against their fellow Italians.
Mancini has had an eventful few days as he was fined 5,000 euros for waving a flag depicting Lazio supporters as rats in his post-derby celebrations.
The 27-year-old’s sixth goal of the season, in the 17th minute, gave his team a hard-fought victory and a lead to defend at next week’s second leg in Rome, when Roma will continue their bid for a third European final in as many years.
“I’m so happy. I’ve been spoken about a lot in the last few days but to win the derby and come here and win in the way we did, like a proper team, is a huge joy,” said Mancini to public broadcaster Rai.
“It’s a great night for us. I couldn’t have asked for more from this week.”
Gianluca Mancini celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP)Source: AFP
Friday’s win also continued former Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi’s remarkable start as coach of his boyhood club who beat Milan at the San Siro for the first time since October 2017.
De Rossi has completely revitalised Roma since taking over from Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed in January after a league thumping at the hands of Milan.
Roma have only lost twice under his charge, to Italian champions-elect Inter Milan and Brighton in the previous round of the Europa League when that last-16 tie was decided in the first leg.
Milan, who struck the woodwork late on through Oliver Giroud, now face an uphill task to get something from their season as they trail Inter by 14 points in Serie A.
Stefano Pioli’s side, who came into Thursday’s clash on a run of seven straight wins, could even concede the league title to their local rivals in the next derby with Inter on Monday week, making next week’s return a huge fixture for the seven-time European champions.
LEVERKUSEN STRIKE LATE TO BEAT WEST HAM
Meanwhile, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface scored after coming off the bench as Bayer Leverkusen beat West Ham 2-0 at home in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Needing stoppage time winners from Patrick Schick to win both legs of their last 16 tie with Qarabag, Leverkusen were dominant but had failed to break through against the dogged visitors.
With 14 minutes remaining, coach Xabi Alonso brought on Hofmann and Boniface and the move did the trick, the Nigerian linking with the Germany winger for the opener in the 83rd minute.
Boniface then sealed the result in stoppage time, heading in a Hofmann cross for a 2-0 win.
The victory continues what could be a stunning week for Leverkusen, who are 16 points clear of Bayern Munich in Germany and can win their first Bundesliga title by beating Werder Bremen at home on Sunday.
Bayer Leverkusen’s players celebrate after Jonas Hofmann (C) scored. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)Source: AFP
Alonso told reporters “the anticipation is huge — it couldn’t be bigger.”
“We have a chance on Sunday — if we win, we’re champions. We need to step on the gas and it would be something very special to achieve.”
“The fans singing gave me goosebumps,” Hofmann told German TV network RTL.
“It means everything to be able to hold up the shield at the end of the season. It will be a moment where maybe a few tears will fall. We might get overwhelmed, but you need to let your emotions flow.”
West Ham, who fought hard with little in the way of possession or field position, will need to become the first team to beat Alonso’s side this season to return to the semi-finals.
West Ham coach David Moyes praised his opponents.
“We’re playing a Champions League (level) team tonight — and a good one at that,” said Moyes.
It’s been a quiet January transfer window in the Premier League so far, with most teams restricted from splashing too much cash due to a major crackdown on teams breaching financial rules.
Under the PL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), clubs post a maximum loss of £105 million ($134m) over three seasons – on a rolling basis but only if they have secure funding from their owners. Otherwise the three-year limit on losses is just £15m.
The Premier League hit Everton with a 10-point deduction last November due to breaching the rules, and both Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing further punishments after the Premier League released a statement this month saying both clubs admitted going over the limit.
The two sides will argue they had mitigating factors and should be excused.
But all Premier League clubs are now more wary than ever of breaching the rules, knowing that there is a very real threat of significant punishment.
It’s had a major dampening effect on the transfer window, with far fewer big-money deals than 12 months ago, when a staggering £700m-plus was spent – one third of it by Chelsea.
So far this window, only £50m has been spent by Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou has landed two big signings at Spurs in January – but he’s been linked to late moves for a number of other stars.Source: Getty Images
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United have each made no signings this window.
Manchester City signed teenage Argentinian midfielder Claudio Echeverri from River Plate, but he won’t move clubs until the end of the season, while they also added another teen to their academy in Alex Alcala from LA Galaxy’s reserves.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham has been the most active top club so far, signing former Chelsea flop Timo Werner from RB Leipzig on a loan move with an option to buy at the end of the season.
They also landed their top defensive target in 21-year-old centre-back Radu Dragusin.
But the transfer window often ends with a flurry of activity, and this year will surely be no different.
The Premier League transfer window slams shut at 11pm local time (GMT) on February 1. That’s 10am on Saturday morning AEDT.
The transfer window shuts that same day in Germany (5pm GMT), Italy (7pm), France (10pm), and Spain (11pm). And the Saudi Arabia window closed on Wednesday, meaning no players can be offloaded to that country.
But here’s what major deals could still be done before the window shuts in England.
Teenage winger Antonio Nusa was on the brink of signing for Brentford for 25 million pounds, with the Bees to loan him back to Club Brugge for the remainder of the season.
But multiple reports claim complications have potentially stalled the deal, and could open the door to rial clubs.
Tottenham were interested in the player back in the off-season, according to Sky Sports, and were then in talks with Brugge over a deal earlier this month, which also would have seen him stay with his current club until the end of the season.
Chelsea have also been linked to the Norway international, who has already played 28 times this season with four goals and three assists.
Brentford have already signed three players this window, and are one of many clubs like Brighton, Arsenal and Fulham, interested in Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – but the Foxes don’t want to sell their 25-year-old midfield star.
A £30m valuation has been placed on the key player, but Leicester manager Enzo Maresca says he doesn’t want to lose a player who scored the opener in Leicester’s 3-1 win yesterday.
“I don’t want Kiernan to go – ask the club if we need to sell or not,” said Maresca.
“The only way we can do something is to sell players. I don’t think that Kiernan’s future was about this game. Kiernan is a Leicester player, hopefully he can play in the next game.
“Here, he showed once again he is in love with the club, if something will happen now, I don’t know.
“He cares about the club and he has 10 goals this season, probably for the first time in his life, these kind of things, people don’t give the right importance to and it’s not a good thing.”
Speaking of Chelsea, their sky-high spending in the last year has put them something of in a financial bind, requiring the sale of players if they are to sign any fresh faces.
The Blues want a new striker – Callum Wilson (Newcastle)and Jhon Duran (Aston Villa) have been the strongest rumours – but can’t do so unless they can find a buyer for some unneeded players.
Striker Armando Broja is up for sale, and there’s plenty of interest – but not at Chelsea’s asking price of a reported £40m to £50m.
Wolves had a loan bid rejected, with Chelsea likely looking for any loan deal to include a purchase option.
Fulham are also interested, but would probably need to sell a player of their own (like Carlos Vinicius) and even then would probably struggle to afford a lofty fee for the 22-year-old striker who has one goal this season.
But they could be more desperate for a deal after Raul Jimenez went off with a hamstring issue against Everton.
Fulham coach Marco Silva said today: “To be honest with you, if I expect many things before the end of the market – no – I was honest with you at the start of the window.
“If it was possible to do something we should have done it at the beginning of the market with the semi-finals and the FA Cup. The board is trying their best.”
Specifically asked about Broja, he replied: “I won’t talk about rumours and players who aren’t our players.”
Armando Broja is on the Chelsea chopping block.Source: Getty Images
Conor Gallagher, the 23-year-old midfielder who has been a key figure for the Blues this season and has at times even captained the side, is also reportedly up for sale.
The key reason behind the surprise move to offload such a valuable member of the team is that, alongside Broja, he is an academy product – and therefore any sale fee is viewed as pure profit in terms of PSR regulations.
He is also out of contract in less than 18 months, and the Blues are keen to avoid players running down their contracts and leaving for free.
But Gallagher reportedly does not want to leave his boyhood club, especially with the chance to play in the league cup final against Liverpool looming next month.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, in need of midfield reinforcements, have long been interested in the player.
They offered £35m in the off-season, while West Ham reportedly had an offer of £42m including bonuses rejected, both falling short of Chelsea’s £50m valuation.
Conor Gallagher is a Chelsea fan favourite, but the Blues are willing to sell for the right price.Source: AFP
Tottenham are also on a tightrope when it comes to PSR, and would probably need to sell a player – likely Denmark international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – to afford Gallagher.
Gallagher would be an upgrade on Hojbjerg when it comes to fitting in Postecoglou’s style, but the latter reportedly does not want to leave mid-season and has already turned down a move to Lyon.
His lawyer said recently: “The player never asked to leave now.
“He’s very ambitious for Tottenham and Denmark, [and] continuing to keep improving himself, like he did all his career. His only focus is Tottenham to finish the season well and to help as much as possible.”
The Times claims Spurs are preparing to launch an official bid for Gallagher, but it might be too hard to get a deal done in time.
As Ange Postecoglou said of Spurs making any more signings this window: “Unlikely, I’d say. I don’t see any incomings.”
And there is another Chelsea academy graduate up for sale – defender Trevoh Chalobah.
TeamTalk reported recently that, once again, it’s Chelsea’s price that is scaring off approaches from rivals.
Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are all reportedly interested in the 24-year-old, but a deal remains unlikely unless Chelsea lower their £25m demands.
Klopp on VVD and Mo Salah future | 00:53
BENZEMA DEAL OFF BUT OTHER SAUDI STAR COULD LEAVE
Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has been in Saudi Arabia for just half a year and captains Al-Ittihad, but was already reportedly looking to exit the club.
Chelsea and Arsenal were both interested in the former Real Madrid striker, who deleted his Instagram profile recently after copping plenty of criticism over his performances this season – despite 12 goals in 20 appearances for Al-Ittihad.
And another of his former clubs, Lyon, also strongly pursued a deal this month.
But multiple reports have said the 36-year-old will remain at his Saudi Pro League club, where he still has two and a half years remaining on a big-money contract.
Karim Benzema hasn’t enjoyed his six months in Saudi Arabia.Source: AFP
Another star stranded in Saudi Arabia is Jota, who starred at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou.
The 27-year-old Portuguese attacker kept for Al-Ittihad for about £25 million in July, but has endured a torrid time – and has since been cut from the squad since the SPL has a cap on the number of foreign players in a team (eight max).
West Ham are keen to sign him on loan, but there’s a major tax issue complicating the move, centring around Jota’s earnings on his £200k per week deal in Saudi Arabia.
Spurs were interested earlier in the window but a move looks unlikely, while the Hammers are still hopeful that the tax issue can be resolved and a deal can be sealed.
There has been one big player heading to Saudi Arabia – 35-year-old former Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic has done a deal to leave Sevilla for Al Shabab.
But Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron will not be joining him in Al Shabab, after personal terms could not be agreed.
Coach Eddie Howe said today: “Yes, I’m confident that he will stay now. And I’m delighted because he’s such an important player.”
Ivory Coast ERUPT with epic celebration | 01:35
WHAT OTHER BIG DEALS COULD GET DONE?
Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey is in hot demand – but is likely to remain despite plenty of interest. Newcastle United, Tottenham and Bayern Munich are all reported suitors.
Borussia Dortmund and USMNT star Giovanni Reyna is struggling for minutes in Germany, and The Athletic reported that Nottingham Forest are pushing for a loan move for the 21-year-old star.
Manchester United failed to welcome the club’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe to Old Trafford with a win as Tottenham twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw on Monday morning
Ratcliffe was in attendance for the first time since agreeing a deal to take a 25 percent stake of the English giants for $1.3 billion.
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Goals for United forwards in the Premier League have been in short supply at Old Trafford this season but both Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford struck in the first half, either side of Richarlison’s equaliser.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s strike in the first minute of the second half levelled the scores once more.
A point moves Tottenham level with north London rivals Arsenal but leaves them still outside the top four on goal difference.
But they will be the happier with the draw as they remain eight points ahead of United, who edge up to seventh.
Ratcliffe declared before kick-off that taking a share in his boyhood club is the most exciting investment he has been involved in.
But the British billionaire, wo was sat alongside legendary former United manager Alex Ferguson in the directors’ box, got an early introduction to the rollercoaster ride of owning a football club.
Erik ten Hag’s men desperately needed the three points to reel in Spurs in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League.
And the Red Devils could not have wished for a better start. Hojlund took 15 games to score a Premier League goal after his £72 million ($92 million) move from Atalanta.
But the Dane now has two in as many appearances in the English top flight as he blasted a loose ball high past Guglielmo Vicario after just three minutes.
Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, shakes hands with Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur.Source: Getty Images
Tottenham were without captain Son Heung-min, who is off leading South Korea’s bid for glory at the Asian Cup, and Dejan Kulusevski due to illness.
Those absences forced Ange Postecoglou’s hand in throwing new loan signing Timo Werner straight into his starting line-up.
The German struggled during a previous spell in England with Chelsea, but was unfortunate not to have a debut to remember when his goalbound header was flicked to safety by Jonny Evans.
From the resulting corner, Bentancur’s header was cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot.
United, though, did not learn their lesson from Tottenham’s set-piece threat as Richarlison nodded in another wicked delivery from Pedro Porro to equalise.
Spurs then took control of the game, but still found themselves behind by half-time.
Rashford had not scored at Old Trafford since May, but has shown glimpses of finding his form in recent weeks.
The England international exchanged a one-two with Hojlund then coolly slotted into the far corner.
Tottenham Hotspur’s German striker #16 Timo Werner (R) is congratulated by Tottenham Hotspur’s Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou.Source: AFP
Spurs should still have levelled before the break as Werner dragged a good chance on the counter-attack wide before Cristian Romero headed another dangerous corner onto the crossbar.
The visitors had to wait less than a minute after the interval to strike back again as Werner teed up Bentancur to fire past Andre Onana at his near post.
Both sides had chances to win it as Richarlison curled an effort too close to Onana.
At the other end, Scott McTominay missed a glorious chance to snatch all three points when he headed over when unmarked with practically the last touch of the game.
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe already has interests in football, Formula One and cycling. He now owns a slice of his boyhood club, Manchester United.
Ratcliffe and INEOS confirmed their bid for majority ownership of Manchester United in February and went head to head with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who subsequently pulled out of the race.
The group vowed to make the Old Trafford side the “number one club in the world again” after a decade of underachievement.
They also pledged to be “the long-term custodians of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community”.
Ratcliffe has not got quite what he wanted, with the Glazers still the majority shareholders at Old Trafford.
The Americans, who completed a leveraged takeover in 2005, saddling the club with huge debts, have proved deeply unpopular with supporters.
Manchester United’s US co-chairman Avram Glazer (R) watching a match.Source: AFP
Ratcliffe, nevertheless, will feel he can play a part in restoring United to the pinnacle of English and European football after a chastening decline since Alex Ferguson won the last of the club’s 20 Premier League titles in 2013.
He is one of Britain’s wealthiest people — Forbes estimates his net worth at $23 billion USD.
But the glitzy world of international sport is a long way from Ratcliffe’s humble beginnings, growing up in social housing near Manchester in northwest England.
Ratcliffe founded INEOS in 1998 and the company went on to become an industrial juggernaut in Britain.
It operates 194 sites across 29 countries, generates $65 billion USD annually and employs more than 26,000 people.
Ratcliffe built a reputation as a fierce negotiator – including in industrial disputes that once saw him branded with the James Bond villain’s moniker Dr No.
Ratcliffe has continued to diversify INEOS, entering the automotive sector to build the INEOS Grenadier, intended to be a successor to the Land Rover Defender.
Jim Ratcliffe with an Ineos Grenadier prototype.Source: Supplied
Despite his business success, Ratcliffe has remained something of an enigma. The Englishman, who has skied to the North Pole and South Pole and climbed the Matterhorn, is a risk-taker but says he does not take unnecessary chances.
“To give you an example, I won’t and would never jump out of an aeroplane, because you either live or die depending upon how well someone’s packed your parachute,” he told The Times earlier this year.
“I’m quite careful, but you’re only here once so you get more out of life if you challenge yourself a bit more.”
How much of a risk Ratcliffe considers United to be is a matter for conjecture. INEOS says it is in the business of “helping extraordinary athletes achieve extraordinary things”.
Time will tell whether Ratcliffe can help turn around the fortunes of a club desperate to return to former glories.
Ange Postecoglou is finally trimming some of the fat from his squad, with three of his Tottenham Hotspur players headed for the exit door.
Sergio Reguilon, who joined Tottenham in the summer of 2020, is set to link up with Manchester United on a loan deal, per The Athletic.
The Red Devils had hoped to snap up Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, but a deal was deemed to expensive so they have since moved for the Tottenham defender.
Reguilon had featured throughout Tottenham’s pre-season but has had to make do with a backup role so far this season as Destiny Udogie earned the starting role at left back.
Another defender who won’t be at Tottenham for much longer is academy product Japhet Tanganga.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the final member of the departing trio, with the Dane heavily linked with a switch to Fulham.
The Cottagers appear resigned to losing star defensive midfielder Joao Palinha, who looks likely to join Bayern Munich.
But Fulham are wasting no time in finding Palinha’s replacement and have made a £25 million offer for Hojbjerg, per the Daily Mail.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is heavily linked with a move to Fulham. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
SOCCEROO SET FOR SURPRISE REUNION?
Socceroos star Harry Souttar could find himself leaving Leicester City almost as quickly as he arrived.
The towering centre-back has struggled to break into Foxes boss Enzo Maresca’s side this season, with Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard preferred ahead of him.
Whether Souttar would leave on a permanent deal or a loan remains to be seen, but a departure from Leicester looks to be his best chance for regular game time.
Harry Souttar looks likely to leave Leicester in search of regular football. (Photo by Will Palmer/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ENGLAND STAR PENS EMOTIONAL GOODBYE TO RED DEVILS
Dean Henderson has penned an emotional goodbye after securing a permanent move away from Manchester United.
The England international has joined Crystal Palace on a five-year, £20 million deal having struggled for first team football at his boyhood club.
Henderson, who had been with the Red Devils since he was 14, stated his United journey was a “dream come true.”
“Saying goodbye to United is an emotional moment for me,” Henderson said.
“This club has been a part of my life since I was a kid.
“From growing up as a United fan, to joining the academy aged 14, to stepping out on the pitch at Old Trafford!
“The journey has been a dream come true and I feel very blessed and fortunate to have fulfilled that dream.”
The 26-year-old will now contest for the starting goalkeeper role with Sam Johnstone at Palace.
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