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Mohamed Salah stormed down the tunnel shortly after hearing the final whistle in Liverpool’s Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt, with the Egyptian superstar being accused of throwing a “strop” after being named on the bench. Salah was only introduced 74 minutes into a contest that saw the Reds snap their losing run with an emphatic 5-1 victory on German soil.

• Liverpool return to winning ways in Champions League

  Questions had been asked heading into that game of whether Salah, despite all that he has achieved at Anfield down the years, should be considered a guaranteed starter. On the back of signing a contract extension, the 33-year-old has endured a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign.

  He has just three goals to his name, with the last of those coming in a European victory over Atletico Madrid on September 17. A lacklustre performance was put in as Premier League title holders Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United. Arne Slot had some big selection calls to make against Eintracht.

  One of those saw him name Salah among the substitutes, having also benched his talismanic No.11 for a 1-0 loss at Galatasaray. Slot opted to go with Hugo Ekitike on the right of his attack, with record signing Alexander Isak leading the line as a central striker. Ekitike scored against the club that he severed ties with in the summer transfer window.

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  Salah strop: Why Egyptian superstar was left frustrated

  Salah eventually replaced Ekitike in the 74th minute. He managed three shots, with two of those on target, but was unable to hit the net or provide an assist – with criticism coming his way after opting not to tee up Florian Wirtz for what would have been a glorious opportunity for the German playmaker to open his competitive Liverpool goal account late on.

  Salah cut a frustrated figure at the end of the game, despite Liverpool recovering from going a goal down to snap their sequence of four successive defeats. Daily Mail reporter Lewis Steele said on X, before deleting said post: “Mo Salah straight down the tunnel at FT. Loads and loads of positives to take from tonight for Liverpool but he looked in a strop.”

• Why did Liverpool bench Salah? Slot explains

  Salah did find time to clap Liverpool fans in the away end before making his way off the field. He was, however, clearly disappointed with his night’s work. Slot had told prior to kick off when asked why he had left Salah out and if that was a tough decision to make: “The first answer is always yes. But that is also to do with Mo and all the players I have. Every time I select a team, it's always difficult because I have so many good players. That's also the reason why I use these players.

  “I liked the way we ended the game against United. Mainly the second half. Created a lot of chances. And Ryan [Gravenberch] is out, so that means we have to restructure our midfield a little bit as well – defensively and offensively. So all together with the way Frankfurt usually plays, we decided to start like this. But as always, I have players who start the game and I have players who can impact the game off the bench and that is (the case) today as well.”

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  Liverpool fixtures: Will Salah start against Brentford?

  Reds legend Jamie Carragher, who is among those to have suggested that Salah can no longer expect to start every game, told of the ‘Egyptian King’ being rotated: “It remains to be seen on the game, but I just think when Mo Salah isn't being 'the legendary Mo Salah', he gets treated like one of the other players which is right.

  “And you don't forget his age as well. He's 33 years of age, Liverpool will have three games in six days. So at the moment, if he's not at his absolute best, he shouldn't play six games in three days because there's other options there as well. We know Liverpool have spent a lot of money. Liverpool have got a big game as well on Saturday, so great decision, Arne.”

  Liverpool will take in a Premier League trip to Brentford on Saturday. They will then face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup fourth round next Wednesday. A testing run before the next international break will also see them play host to Aston Villa and Real Madrid before going to Manchester City on November 9.

Everton left it late but secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon thanks to Jack Grealish’s stoppage-time strike.

The win ended Palace’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten run, dating back to April, and kept momentum building under David Moyes.

However, while the result lifted the Toffees into eighth place on 11 points, the performance was far from convincing, with two summer signings failing to impose themselves on the game.

For long stretches, Everton were second best, trailing at the break after Daniel Muñoz’s first-half finish.

David Moyes’ side lacked tempo and fluency in possession, forcing the manager into half-time changes.

The introduction of Carlos Alcaraz and Beto injected fresh energy, but it was Grealish who ultimately delivered the decisive blow, scoring in the 93rd minute to cap off a memorable turnaround.

Everton can take confidence from their resilience, but questions remain over two new faces who were hauled off at the interval.

Barry’s subdued performance against Palace

Much was expected of Thierno Barry following his £27.6m summer move from Villarreal.

The France U21 international had impressed in Spain, scoring 11 goals and supplying four assists last season.

At 6 foot 5, his aerial dominance stood out. Barry’s physical profile drew comparisons to Dušan Vlahović and Ollie Watkins, offering Everton a forward capable of stretching defences and leading the line.

But against Palace, those strengths were nowhere to be seen.

Barry touched the ball just 19 times, completed only four of his eight passes, and failed to register a shot.

His attempts to dribble past opponents – two in total – both ended unsuccessfully, while he surrendered possession ten times.

Substituted at half-time for Beto, it was a sobering reminder that he will need time to adapt to the physicality and tempo of the Premier League.

Moyes himself has acknowledged Barry will require a bedding-in period, but with expectations high and Everton looking to sustain their push for Europe, patience may wear thin if his output doesn’t improve soon.

Everton star was as bad as Barry

While Barry’s struggles were evident, he was not the only Everton player to falter.

Tyler Dibling, the club’s marquee £42m summer signing from Southampton, also endured a frustrating evening.

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

Much was expected of the 19-year-old England U21 international, who arrived after interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.

Everton had pursued him for months, and his signing was viewed as a statement of intent.

Dibling’s pedigree is clear. Last season, he made 33 Premier League appearances for Southampton, scoring twice and assisting once across 1,874 minutes.

His statistical profile stood out – ranking in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn (2.49 per 90), 98th percentile for penalty kicks won (0.10 per 90), and 81st percentile for successful take-ons (2.16 per 90).

He also impressed defensively, sitting in the 88th percentile for tackles in the middle third (0.86 per 90) and 98th percentile for percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

In short, he is a winger capable of carrying the ball and working hard out of possession.

But his Palace display told a different story. Dibling managed only 19 touches and completed six of his seven passes. He attempted three dribbles without success, lost possession eight times, won 30% of his duels and failed to register a single shot.

Withdrawn for Alcaraz at the break, it was a day to forget for a teenager still adjusting to his new surroundings.

Everton’s investment in Dibling reflected a determination to strengthen the right-hand side following the departures of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrøm.

Moyes wants a winger who can combine industry with end product, and Dibling has the tools to be that player.

But against Palace, he struggled to impact the game in either half of the pitch.

With matches against Manchester City and a packed festive schedule looming, Everton will need more from their high-profile recruit or he can expect to find himself dropped to the bench again.

The raw talent is undeniable, but his first few weeks in blue have shown that even the most promising prospects can take time to settle.

Elsewhere, Palace may point to fatigue following their midweek Europa League trip to Dynamo Kyiv, but Everton will be encouraged by their fighting spirit.

Grealish’s winner showed the difference a match-winner can make – a lesson both Barry and Dibling will be eager to learn as they adapt to life under Moyes.

Fewer touches than Pickford: 4/10 Everton dud was saved by Grealish & Ndiaye

Everton ended Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 5, 2025

Niko Kovac held up Manchester City star Phil Foden's 'smooth control and finish' as an example for Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi after yet another disappointing performance on the pitch. Foden starred with a brace, while Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki also found the back of the net as City thrashed the Bundesliga side 4-1 in a Champions League clash on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium.

• Foden regains confidence and form

  After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign in which he struggled both physically and mentally, Foden has regained his form and confidence with consistent performances this season. The English winger already has four goals and three assists across all competitions this season and has also made a comeback in the England national team. The 25-year-old, who has not featured for the Three Lions since March, was recalled to the team by manager Thomas Tuchel alongside Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. 

  After starring against Dortmund in the Champions League, the City star told : "I'm loving it. I just need to play with a smile on my face, which I'm doing. Last year was tough, not just for myself but for everyone. There is a new togetherness this season and you can tell. Today Dortmund caused us some problems, they are a great team, but we stuck to the plan and broke them down with our talent up front. You learn a lot from it when you go through a tough patch. We have great captains in our team and we speak about how we can get back on track. And we've added great players to the squad as well and that's brought real hunger and togetherness. It was just about trying to be the team we used to be and this season we are seeing glimpses of that."

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  Kovac lists Man City star as example for Adeyemi

  While speaking about Adeyemi's poor run of form this season, Kovac held up Foden as an example to inspire the attacker as he said: "I'd like to keep it general: City's passing quality was better than ours. With Phil Foden's goals, you could see how smoothly he controlled the ball and then finished. Karim had a few chances, but he didn't quite make it. He lacked precision and accuracy. But that's something we're working on. We need to find the net; then the chances are higher. But I'm pleased that he even created the opportunity."

  He added: "Karim has his own way of putting it. We're working hard, we've had a lot of games and can't train as regularly as we'd like. Sometimes balls go in that shouldn't, and vice versa. Against City, we conceded three goals from the edge of the penalty area. Karim is 23 years old, he has a lot of potential and needs to improve a few things. But we're working on that."

• Kovac spoke highly of Man City

  Kovac further heaped praise on Pep Guardiola's side in general as he told reporters: "We’re certainly a very good team in the Bundesliga and we reached the Champions League quarter-finals. But you have to say and acknowledge that this is a world-class team. We're not yet at that level, that has to be said. That's not a bad thing, because we have to be honest. We want to get there. To achieve that, we have to improve and work every day.

  "We didn't create the chances we would have liked. Then we were simply too passive, conceding three goals from outside the penalty area. A deserved defeat. You could see the difference. City's passing was much cleaner than ours. Against teams like this, you have to defend better."

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  Liverpool test up next

  After humbling the German opponents in Europe, Guardiola's side will now shift focus on the Premier League as they next face reigning champions Liverpool at home on Sunday. City, who are training league leaders Arsenal by six points, need to win the game at Etihad Stadium to close their gap with the high-flying Gunners, while also extending their lead over the Reds. 

Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have a busy few years ahead of them in the transfer market when it comes to new signings.

There could be even more players moved out in a shake-up to the squad, which may allow the Red Devils to bring in fees for a number of stars. But who is the most expensive departure from Old Trafford?

Here are Man Utd’s most expensive sales in their famous history with the help of news reports and Transfermarkt, as well as a detailed look at the top 10.

Here’s a detailed look at Man Utd’s top 10 sales…

10

Memphis Depay

£21.7m to Lyon, 2017

Memphis Depay arrived at Old Trafford in 2015 to significant fanfare, though he was unable to repay the faith shown in him by compatriot Louis van Gaal as his transfer never worked out.

He was shipped out to Lyon just 18 months later in a deal that worked for all concerned. Man Utd got a deal rising to over £20m by way of a transfer fee, while Depay found his feet in Ligue 1 to reclaim his status as a fine attacker within European football.

9

Morgan Schneiderlin

£24m to Everton, 2017

Man Utd signed midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton in 2015, but the Frenchman struggled to break into Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho’s first-choice lineups.

Schneiderlin made less than 50 appearances for United and was sold 18 months later, with the Red Devils at least receiving a sizeable £24m fee for his services following his departure to Everton.

8

David Beckham

£24.5m to Real Madrid, 2003

After coming through the Carrington academy, David Beckham turned himself into a global superstar during his 11 years as a professional at Old Trafford.

The wide midfielder, known for his crossing and set-piece ability, looked to be heading to Barcelona in 2003 before Real Madrid swooped in and made him a Galactico for £24.5m.

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Some of English football’s biggest names have worn Manchester United’s No 7 shirt. Here are the 10 best as Mason Mount follows in their path.

By
Alex Caple

Jul 14, 2023

7

Dan James

£25m to Leeds, 2021

Speedy winger Dan James moved to Old Trafford from Swansea City in 2019 after impressing in the Championship, and would go on to play more than 50 times for United in all competitions.

Two years later, though, the Red Devils sold the Wales international for a fee of £25m to rivals Leeds United, where he remains on the books.

6

Scott McTominay

£25.7m to Napoli, 2024

After progressing through the academy, versatile midfielder Scott McTominay spent seven years as a professional with Man Utd, winning two trophies and popping up with some important goals.

In 2024, though, the Red Devils cashed in on the Scotland international, with Napoli spending £25.7m – a sum which helped Man Utd comply with FFP.

5

Mason Greenwood

£26.6m to Marseille, 2024

Forward Mason Greenwood came through the Carrington academy and looked as if he would go on to become a Man Utd regular before he was suspended in 2022.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding his football career, the Red Devils loaned Greenwood out to Getafe before selling him permanently to Marseille in 2024 for a fee of £26.6m.

4

Alejandro Garnacho

£40m to Chelsea, 2025

Alejandro Garnacho was Man Utd’s big-money exit in 2025, joining Premier League rivals Chelsea after a period of ups and downs and Old Trafford.

As a homegrown player, the winger’s departure was seen as pure profit, which went towards the Red Devils bolstering their attacking ranks on deals for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

3

Angel Di Maria

£44.3m to PSG, 2015

Big things were expected of Angel Di Maria after Man Utd signed him from Real Madrid for just under £60m in 2014, but the Argentine failed to live up to the hype and his Old Trafford stay lasted just 12 months.

Di Maria would eventually sign for Paris Saint-Germain, where he would spend the next seven seasons following a £44.3m move.

Man Utd's most expensive signings of all time

A number of their additions haven’t lived up to expectations.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

2

Romelu Lukaku

£74m to Inter, 2019

Striker Romelu Lukaku has commanded huge sums in transfer fees during his career, with Man Utd paying Everton a huge £90m with add-ons to sign him in 2017.

The Belgian blew hot and cold at Old Trafford and was on the move again in 2019, but at least the Red Devils received an eye-catching £74m fee from Inter, to not lose too much on a deal.

1

Cristiano Ronaldo

£80m to Real Madrid, 2009

Top of the list as Man Utd’s record sale is iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who got his dream £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009 after six starring years at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo grew into a global superstar under Sir Alex Ferguson and won nine major honours with the Red Devils in what was a golden period for the club.

The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead against the New York Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday night. In the process, Max Muncy made history.

With a walk in the top of the fifth inning, Muncy reached base on his 11th consecutive plate appearance. This set the MLB record for consecutive postseason plate appearances reaching base. Leading up to the at-bat, Muncy was tied with Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz and longtime Cincinnati Red Billy Hatcher.

Here's the moment Muncy made history:

To set the record, Muncy recorded eight walks, two home runs, and a single in 11 straight at-bats. The last time he recorded an out was in Game 2, in the bottom of the second during the Dodgers' 7-3 loss. Since then he's gotten on base every time he's stepped up to the plate.

A truly remarkable achievement for Muncy, no matter how the rest of the postseason unfolds.

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has praised Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany for showing the courage to bench stars Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. The World Cup winner believes Kompany’s rotation policy has not only helped manage the players’ workload but also shown his trust in the entire squad, keeping morale high.

• Bayern stroll to victory without Kane or Olise

  Kompany made seven changes to his starting lineup from the win against Koln as Bayern cruised to a 3-0 Bundesliga victory over Leverkusen on Saturday. The Bayern manager opted to rest key players such as Kane, Diaz and Olise, giving several squad members the opportunity to impress. Nicolas Jackson, Serge Gnabry and Tom Bischoff were among those who came into the starting XI, and all three played crucial roles in Bayern’s dominant performance.

  The changes paid off handsomely as Bayern maintained their perfect start to the season. Gnabry opened the scoring with a composed finish following a swift counter-attack, before Jackson doubled the lead with a well-timed header between two defenders. The victory was sealed when Raphael Guerreiro’s dangerous cross was deflected into his own net by Leverkusen defender Loic Bade. 

  At his post-match press conference, Kompany said he felt the game against Leverkusen was the ideal moment to rotate the squad, given that Bayern face Paris Saint-Germain in a crucial Champions League fixture on Tuesday. “Of course we’re always better when Harry plays and is in top form," he said. "But today it felt like the other guys were also ready – and now we have a rested Harry. Everyone always asks me: When does Harry get a break? When does Lucho [Diaz] get a break? Today just felt like the ideal moment.

  “Many thought something could go wrong today. The opponent probably thought that too. But for me, the important thing was to attack it with fire. It’s sometimes dangerous, but at some point, you have to do it, otherwise you don’t need to build a squad.”

  The courage to make these changes was lauded by former Germany midfielder Matthaus, who applauded Kompany for the bravery he showed.

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  Matthaus praises Kompany's selections

  In his column for , Matthaus praised the courage shown by Kompany to rest his star players and show faith in the rest of the squad to get the job done. He wrote: "Kompany showed courage. Kane, Diaz and Olise might have liked to play from the start, but it's also about the atmosphere in the team and the trust that the manager shows in the other players."

  He added that rotating the squad not only helps with workload management but also boosts team morale, as Kompany chose to play the reserve players against a strong Leverkusen side. "After the exhausting cup match in Koln, the changes to the starting line-up were important, and not just for managing fatigue.

  "He showed his trust in them by playing them against a Leverkusen side that had recently been in good form, rather than against a relegation candidate."

• Recipe for Bayern's success

  Bayern have made a perfect start to the season, winning all 15 matches across the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, and Champions League. Their flawless form has led Koln coach Lukas Kwasniok to label them strong contenders for the treble. Their success can be attributed to manager Kompany, who has introduced a tactical system built on perseverance and sacrifice. The approach has brought the best out of his squad, particularly Kane and Konrad Laimer, who was recently labelled "world-class" by Austria teammate David Alaba.

  Matthaus believes that continuing the winning streak is entirely up to the players themselves, noting that their recipe for success has been hard work, speed, and intensity.

  "It is entirely up to Bayern themselves to extend their winning streak. They are not arrogant, but remain humble. Their work rate is outstanding," he added.

  “Everything is executed by every player in every position at top speed and with maximum intensity.“

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  Bayern face big test against PSG

  Kompany and Bayern will look to make it 16 wins in 16 games when they face PSG in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday. Kompany will hope that the rest given to his three star players will provide them with renewed energy to help Bayern secure a win over PSG.

The Cincinnati Reds missed the postseason in 2024 for the fourth consecutive season and the 10th time in the last 11 years. The team dismissed manager David Bell on Monday as it looks to turn the corner and get back into contention.

It's been a frustrating past decade for the Reds and their fan base, and perhaps no one knows that better than longtime second baseman Jonathan India.

India has been with the franchise since making his MLB debut in 2021, and the former Rookie of the Year winner voiced his exasperation with the lack of improvement the team has made during his tenure. He also expressed his desire for the team to make the necessary adjustments in order to bring postseason baseball back to Cincinnati.

"We're tired of losing,” India said, via . "It's the same thing every year here. We just float around .500 and try to make the push but we just don’t have enough. We need to make a move. I know what it is, but I just want to say it to the media."

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million deal with the Reds to avoid arbitration during the offseason. He's due to be a free agent in 2027, as '26 is his final year of arbitration. Of his future with the organization, he said this upcoming offseason was a critical one, as he's not sure where he'll be after the '25 season.

"It's got to be (a big offseason). Who knows if I'll be here next year. Who knows if [Tyler] Stephenson will be here. We're running out of time. We were the young core. Then, we added Elly [De La Cruz] and so many guys. They need to make moves. I want to win."

India slashed .247/.353/.395 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2024, featuring in 146 games throughout the year.

A “wonderful” midfielder has now made a significant decision regarding a potential move to Manchester United in the January transfer window.

Man Utd need long-term replacement for Bruno

Bruno Fernandes has continued to be a talismanic figure for the Red Devils, captaining impressively and maturing into a more experienced head alongside younger teammates.

The Portuguese is now 31 years of age, however, and while his durability and lack of injury problems means he should be able to go on for plenty more years, United have to make sure they have a plan in place to find a successor eventually.

Bruno now has less than two years remaining on his current Red Devils deal, with Fabrizio Romano providing an update about a potential release clause.

Man Utd target makes big transfer call

According to The Mirror, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham has decided against joining Manchester United in January, having “no interest” in heading to Old Trafford on loan for the time being.

The Englishman only joined the Bundesliga side in a £27m move in the summer window, but he has struggled for playing time, being linked with a move away in the process.

Bellingham is the type of player who United should be viewing as a possible Bruno replacement one day, albeit in a slightly more disciplined midfield role, with the 20-year-old following in the footsteps of his brother Jude by heading to Dortmund in the summer.

He starred for Sunderland last season, playing an important role in them sealing promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, and not only has he been compared to Frank Lampard by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, but he is loved by his teammates.

“Listen, Jobe’s a wonderful player. I’m one of his biggest fans, more than his dad. Don’t tell him that. I think Jobe’s wonderful,” Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien said last season.

“He’s a wonderful addition. He even comes in at half-time to give his perspective. That’s how much he’s grown into the game. Even though he’s not playing, he’s in at half-time. We’re asking for his perspective on the game because he’s a leader in our team.”

Euro club's target: £105k-p/w Man Utd star is "set to move" in January

The Red Devils could be able to cut ties in January.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Oct 27, 2025

Bellingham is still so young that United shouldn’t consider this the end of the saga, and if he manages to get back on track and reaches his potential in the coming years, he needs to be viewed as a fantastic midfield option, bringing the box-to-box quality that Bruno does.

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck is reportedly refusing to extend his contract with the club due to disagreements with coach Niko Kovac. The German centre-back is said to be unhappy with the overly pragmatic and unattractive style of football implemented by Kovac. This situation has alerted several top clubs, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool both showing interest in securing his signature.

• Schlotterbeck's frustrations with Kovac's style of play

  Dortmund defender Schlotterbeck’s contract runs until 2027, but growing tensions with coach Kovac have cast uncertainty over his future, according to . The German centre-back is reportedly unhappy with Kovac’s pragmatic and unattractive style of play, particularly following disappointing results against Bayern, Manchester City and Hamburg.

  Despite the friction, Dortmund are eager to keep Schlotterbeck at the club and are preparing a contract extension until 2030. The proposed deal would see his annual salary rise by around €2.5 million to at least €8m per year, with performance-related bonuses potentially taking the total package beyond €9m.

  Dortmund chief executive Lars Ricken expressed his support for Schlotterbeck’s decision to take his time before committing to a contract renewal. However, he also cautioned that the club would not wait indefinitely, saying: “We will not rush into anything. But of course, we don't want to drag it out indefinitely, everyone is aware of that.”

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• Schlotterbeck's refusal to commit his future

  Schlotterbeck joined Dortmund from Freiburg in 2022 and has since become one of the most important players in the squad. The German defender has made 134 appearances, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists. Known for his versatility, speed and strong one-on-one defending, Schlotterbeck has established himself as one of the top defenders in Europe. His ability to read the game and contribute to both defensive stability and attacking build-up has been crucial for Dortmund. He played a key role in the club’s 2022-23 Bundesliga title challenge, showcasing leadership and consistency throughout the season. 

  Schlotterbeck refused to commit his future to Borussia Dortmund after their 2-1 defeat to Bayern, saying: “I still have over a year and a half left on my contract. I'll sit down with Sebastian [Kehl], work out a plan, and see where it leads.” 

  While the defender insisted that he is happy at the club, he acknowledged the significance of the decision regarding his contract renewal, stating: “I feel very comfortable in Dortmund and have no problem continuing on this path. But it's obviously an important decision for my career.”

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  Bayern, Madrid and Liverpool ready to go after Schlotterbeck

  Bayern have shortlisted Schlotterbeck as a potential replacement if Dayot Upamecano leaves the club on a free transfer, viewing the Dortmund defender as an ideal long-term option. Germany’s World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus has made his stance clear, stating that Bayern cannot afford to hesitate. He believes that Schlotterbeck should be seen as more than just an alternative, describing him instead as the logical successor should Upamecano leave the club. “If things don't work out with Upamecano, then Schlotterbeck would definitely be more than an alternative," he said. "Then bringing him to Munich would almost be a must.”

  Matthaus believes Schlotterbeck’s experience in the Bundesliga would be a major advantage, saying, “Because he’s familiar with the Bundesliga, because he plays alongside [Jonathan] Tah in the national team.”

  Meanwhile, Spanish giants Real Madrid are also monitoring the defender as a potential target if their pursuit of Upamecano fails. Schlotterbeck is viewed as a reliable long-term partner for Dean Huijsen, with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba nearing the later stages of their careers and Eder Militao struggling with recurring injuries.

  Premier League side Liverpool have also shown interest, identifying Schlotterbeck as a possible replacement for the injured Gabriele Leoni, with Ibrahima Konate’s contract set to expire soon.

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  Where will Schlotterbeck go?

  Dortmund will aim to gain clarity on Schlotterbeck’s future by the end of the season, as his continued refusal to extend would leave the club with only a year left on his contract, significantly reducing his market value. Bayern could be in pole position to sign him, although their interest may cool if Upamecano agrees to a contract extension.

  For now, Dortmund and coach Kovac will use the international break to analyse their recent defeats and implement necessary tactical adjustments. Meanwhile, Schlotterbeck remains focused on finishing the season strongly before evaluating his options in the summer.

Are Manchester City starting to build some serious momentum?

On Wednesday night, the Sky Blues demolished Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the Champions League, with Phil Foden bagging a brace, Erling Braut Håland scoring his customary goals and then Rayan Cherki getting in on the act late on.

Back in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s team have won five of their last seven, including four in a row at the Etihad, rediscovering their best form ahead of Liverpool’s trip to the Etihad on Sunday.

If the serial champions are going to defeat the reigning champions in this weekend’s headliner, which “exceptional” star should Guardiola start in his forward line alongside Foden?

Is Phil Foden getting back to his best?

On Friday morning, Thomas Tuchel’s England squad was announced for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia at Wembley and Albania in Tirana, with Phil Foden one of the noteworthy names included.

The 25-year-old has not featured in any of England’s last six matches, seeing just 179 minutes of international action, out of a possible 1,260, that is only 14%, since the Three Lions’ defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

His return to the England squad is an indicator of Foden’s return to form at club level, with his double against Dortmund taking his tally to four goals for the season, having bagged only ten throughout the entirety of the previous campaign, not including the Club World Cup.

Following Wednesday night’s Champions League victory, Guardiola asserted that Foden is back, labelling him a “special player”, while Barney Ronay of the Guardian noted that he was the ‘best player on the pitch’, adding that he was ‘perky and precise all night’.

Thus, Foden’s recent performances mean he is a guaranteed starter against Liverpool, but who should come into the team alongside him, thereby forming part of the Citizens’ attacking quartet in support of Håland?

The exceptional star Pep Guardiola must start against Liverpool

In mid-week, it was Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Jérémy Doku who all started alongside Foden, but Guardiola surely must tinker with his lineup this weekend.

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That’s because, having recovered from a thigh injury, Rayan Cherki is starting to show glimpses of what he is capable of.

The Frenchman came off the bench to score his fourth goal for the Citizens on Wednesday, having previously netted against Al Ain, Wolves and Swansea.

When he arrived from Olympique Lyonnais for £34m in June, big things were expected of the 22-year-old, with Guardiola describing him as “exceptional”, and his statistics in Ligue 1 last season underlining why.

As the table documents, Cherki was one of the outstanding players in France’s top-flight last season, leading Ligue 1 for assists as well as a whole host of other creative metrics, behind only Désiré Doué in terms of goal-creating actions.

This season, despite sitting out eight matches due to injury, Cherki has already started to produce in a Man City shirt, registering three goals and three assists as well as creating four big chances in the Premier League; only seven players have more across the entire division, despite the fact he’s featured in only 163 of a possible 900 minutes to date.

Two of his three assists came against Bournemouth last Sunday, both times setting Håland free to burst in behind to slot the ball beyond Đorđe Petrović.

Thus, this forthcoming Sunday, a similar game plan is surely required.

During their sequence of six defeats from seven games, Liverpool were very susceptible to players running in behind, with Virgil van Dijk not at his dominant best and Ibrahima Konaté largely looking all at sea throughout the entire campaign.

With that in mind, Guardiola will want to pick a team that can exploit this weakness, featuring Håland running in behind and Doku giving right-back Conor Bradley nightmares with his dribbling, pace and trickery.

In order to best supply these other attackers, he must find room for Cherki, who demonstrated against Bournemouth last weekend that he possesses the right skillset to unlock Man City’s other attackers.

In the possible absence of Rodri, Reijnders will be in the team to offer support to Nico González while, as already documented, Foden’s flurry of goals makes him undroppable.

This leaves Savinho, who is still yet to score in the Premier League or Champions League this season, meaning the Brazilian is the most likely candidate to make way for Cherki, who simply has to be included in the starting lineup if Man City are going to become the latest team to defeat Arne Slot’s Reds this season?

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By
Ben Gray

Oct 30, 2025