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Jamie Carragher remains unconvinced that Liverpool needed to sign two strikers during a summer of historic spending at Anfield. The Reds invested heavily in Hugo Ekitike, before then smashing the British transfer record on £125 million ($164m) superstar Alexander Isak. Arne Slot has to find minutes for both forwards when they are fit, with Carragher admitting that his “mind boggles” when it comes to that selection conundrum.

• Isak vs Ekitike: Goal returns for Liverpool

  Sweden international Isak has taken the No.9 shirt at Liverpool and is expected to be the Reds’ go-to option when clear of injury – with the 26-year-old a proven Premier League performer from his time at Newcastle. He has registered 20-plus goals in the English top-flight across each of the last two campaigns.

  Ekitike has, however, made a promising start to his spell on Merseyside following a £79m ($104m) switch from Eintracht Frankfurt. The France international has found the target on six occasions through 14 appearances in all competitions. Isak, in contrast, has just one Carabao Cup effort to his name.

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  Isak injury: Swedish striker out of action

  Isak has sat out Liverpool’s last three matches with a groin problem and is set to remain sidelined when the Reds take in a glamour Champions League clash with La Liga giants Real Madrid on Tuesday – a game that will see Trent Alexander-Arnold return to Anfield.

  Ekitike will lead the line again, but has only one goal through his last eight appearances for club and country. Carragher believes that the 23-year-old has still done enough to suggest that he should start even when Isak is back – with Slot facing a headache of his own making.

• Who should Liverpool start when everybody is fit?

  Reds legend Carragher told : “I could totally understand it's not easy, and this was always my reservation about buying two strikers for that much money who both play in the same position.

  “It's very difficult to see a Liverpool team get two strikers on the pitch, it's not easy to do that. So I understand trying to get Isak in the team even though Ekitike was doing well – because he's a great player, he's got to get him fit and he's also paid a lot of money for him.

  “My mind boggles going forward how this is going to work, but right now Ekitike's got the shirt, he's playing really well and it will probably do Isak a little bit of good if he's out of the team to build his fitness up in training more.”

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  Slot convinced he can keep everybody happy

  Isak has been playing catch-up on the fitness front after being denied a full pre-season by the protracted transfer saga that saw him push for a move away from St James’ Park. Liverpool have tried to manage his workload carefully, but knocks have still been picked up.

  Slot remains adamant that he can keep two strikers happy, with his team competing on multiple fronts at home and abroad.

  The Dutch tactician said ahead of a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa last time out: “Let me use Alex as an example, he had to do his pre-season inside the season and people can then argue, 'Why do you play him?' But if I don't play him, I don't have him available and we need to have him available, because otherwise I have to play Hugo every single game.

  “And I was just with Owen Hargreaves when he made the comparison between the two of them and he showed that one played 34 games last season, the other one 34 – and we play 60 over here. So, that's why I need to get Alex as soon as I can into playing as many games as he can.”

  It remains to be seen when Isak will come back into contention, with it possible that he will not be seen again until after the next international break. Liverpool have two epic encounters to take in prior to domestic action shutting down, with an eagerly-anticipated meeting with Madrid set to be followed by a trip to old adversaries Manchester City on Sunday.

Shohei Ohtani never ceases to amaze.

Just one day after the Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season thanks to a three-homer, 10-RBI performance against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani was at it again against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Facing Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland with one runner on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Ohtani worked the count full. Freeland then delivered a 92-mph fastball at the letters, a pitch that almost certainly would have been ball four.

But Ohtani had other ideas, as he crushed the pitch 423 feet over the center field wall for his 52nd home run of the year as the Dodger Stadium crowd let out an audible gasp.

There is perhaps only one baseball player on the planet who could have hit a pitch that high in the zone out of the park—and that's Ohtani.

Ohtani made some more history in the Dodgers' 6–4 win, as he homered and stole a base in the same game for the 14th time this season, breaking the previous mark for a single season set by then-New York Yankees outfielder Rickey Henderson in 1986.

Ohtani, the presumptive National League MVP, has posted a .297/.378/.635 slash line with 125 runs scored, 52 homers, 122 RBI and 52 stolen bases in 151 games played this season.

Thomas Frank has enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, only losing three of his first 14 competitive games in charge of the club.

However, many fans still aren’t convinced by the Dane, especially after the defeat against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

The 51-year-old only made four changes to his starting eleven, but one of which proved to be a huge mistake – with Mohammed Kudus dropping down to the substitutes bench.

The Ghanaian has been the Lilywhites’ shining light in 2025/26, as seen by his tally of one goal and four assists within his first nine Premier League outings.

Such creativity was hugely lacking against the Magpies, with the £55m leaving the responsibility down to one of the other big-money names to move to North London this summer.

Xavi Simons’ best game in a Tottenham shirt

After spending £52m on the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, huge excitement was generated within the Spurs fanbase – but it’s safe to say he’s failed to live up to such expectations.

The Dutch international has registered just one assist and failed to score a single goal in any of his 11 outings, further backing up his lack of impact in North London.

However, his showing against Newcastle was arguably one of his best for the club, with Frank finally starting to utilise the 22-year-old in his natural attacking midfield role.

Simons featured for the entirety of the defeat, subsequently creating three chances for his teammates – but none of which resulted in a goal for Frank’s men.

Richarlison was often the man on the end of his chances, but the Brazilian’s wasteful nature was highlighted in his own tally of two big chances missed.

There’s no doubt he’s been unlucky during his opening few months in England, but the manager can certainly solve such an issue during the next couple of matches.

The Spurs player who can finally get Simons firing

In Spurs’ nine Premier League matches throughout 2025/26, the side have already netted 17 goals – subsequently averaging nearly two goals per game in England’s top-flight.

The goals have been spread around the first-team squad, as seen by centre-back Micky Van de Ven’s tally of three goals, which puts him joint-top of the goalscoring charts.

Richarlison has also netted the same number of goals, but has been called into question over the last few weeks for his inability to find the back of the net.

The Brazilian has failed to score in any of his last eight outings for the Lilywhites, often being wasteful within the final third – as seen by his misses against the Magpies.

Dominic Solanke has been unavailable over recent months due to an ankle issue, with Frank needing to hand fellow centre-forward Randal Kolo Muani the chance to impress.

The Frenchman joined on a season-long loan from PSG on deadline day, but has only started one game to date as he builds up match fitness after a stop-start pre-season.

However, despite his minutes off the substitutes bench, the 26-year-old has still demonstrated glimpses of his quality, which could see him handed a needed run of games as a regular starter.

He was even brought on with 25 minutes remaining at St James’ Park earlier this week, making an immediate impact with his direct run through the midfield, halted by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Kolo Muani, who’s been dubbed “phenomenal” by one analyst, may have failed to score for the Lilywhites to date, but his temporary spells elsewhere have showcased his clinical nature.

He scored 10 goals in just 22 appearances with Juventus last campaign, even managing to put 55% of the shots he took on target – highlighting his accuracy in front of goal.

Such numbers would allow Simons to increase his own tallies in North London, with his incredible defence splitting passes falling into the path of a clinical talisman.

Creativity has been the Dutchman’s strong point prior to his move to England, but it’s been massively neglected given Richarlison’s inability to find the back of the net.

However, that could all be about to change if Frank decides to start Kolo Muani, with the pair having the talent to make the 2025/26 campaign one to remember for the Lilywhites.

Forget Kudus: Spurs star is rapidly becoming one of the "best in the world"

Tottenham Hotspur now have a world-class talent on their books under Thomas Frank.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 29, 2025

Joshua Zirkzee has been urged by legendary fellow Dutchman Ruud Gullit to leave Manchester United. The Netherlands international made his way to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, with the Red Devils crying out for attacking inspiration. He has struggled for form in England and been told “everyone that leaves” United “ends up playing well”.

• Supposed Man Utd flops have flourished elsewhere

  That has been the case for several supposedly underperforming forwards at the so-called Theatre of Dreams. Marcus Rashford slipped out of favour under Ruben Amorim, only to rediscover his spark during a loan spell at Aston Villa and ultimately secure himself a move to Barcelona that has allowed further England recognition to be enjoyed.

  Brazilian winger Antony has quickly become a fan favourite at La Liga side Real Betis, after being branded an £85 million ($112m) flop in Manchester, while Scott McTominay is a Serie A title-winning hero at Napoli and now has Rasmus Hojlund scoring goals alongside him in Italy.

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  Why Zirkzee should push for a move away from Man Utd

  Alejandro Garnacho has also impressed of late after making a switch to Chelsea, and it could be that Zirkzee makes his own push for the exits in the January transfer window. The former Bologna star has seen a return to the Italian top-flight mooted – with Roma and AC Milan said to be among his suitors.

  Gullit believes that the 24-year-old should make a fresh start outside of Manchester, telling : “Everybody that leaves Man United ends up playing well. The problem there maybe is actually United. I should advise Zirkzee to go somewhere else and play more. Go back to Italy if you can on loan or whatever. Just play football. He's a good player. But at the moment, it's difficult at Man United. They found a little form in the past couple of weeks and I hope for Man United that they continue that. Because a good Man United is good for the Premier League as well.”

• Can the Netherlands win the 2026 World Cup?

  Zirkzee – who registered just seven goals for United last season and is yet to start a Premier League fixture this term – needs regular game time if he is to earn a place in Ronald Koeman’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

  Quizzed on how the Netherlands could fare at that tournament, 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Gullit said: “We have a very good squad and I have a good feeling about the players. But they concede a lot of goals. We have so many good players. I just don’t know how it is possible that we concede so many easy goals? So we have to figure it out. I think Koeman is doing a great job, but you need a little bit of luck at some moment. I think they can win the World Cup.”

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  Why Gullit will not return to management

  Gullit will be watching that event from afar as he has no desire to get back into competitive football. He has previously spent time as manager of Chelsea, Newcastle, Feyenoord and MLS outfit the LA Galaxy, but has no plans to return to the dugout at 63 years of age.

  The iconic Dutchman said, with the stresses of coaching being highlighted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to Manchester United: “I don't want to be a manager and I never wanted to be a manager. Then it worked out well, I never expected that. You can't enjoy yourself though. Look at these coaches. They're all bald, grey, grumpy. It's a horrible life. I remember Ole Solskjaer when he came to United, he was so happy. He came out afterwards looking like that thing from the Lord of the Rings, Gollum! Look how Jurgen Klopp looks now. He looks a lot happier.”

  Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024, and Solskjaer are both out of management at present. The latter severed ties with Turkish side Besiktas in August. Solskjaer has been cleared to catch more of United in action, with Zirkzee and Co having seen Ruben Amorim’s side come through a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign to sit seventh in the Premier League table.

The New York Mets secured some much needed outfield depth on Tuesday in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Mets acquired veteran outfielder Jose Siri in a one-for-one swap that will send relief pitcher Eric Orze to the Rays, according to SNY's Anthony DiComo.

Siri, 29, featured in 130 games for Tampa Bay last season. He recorded a career-high 1.9 WAR while slashing .187/.255/.366 with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Over his last two seasons, he's clubbed 43 home runs in 231 games while providing quality defense in center field.

Siri was hit with a three-game suspension early into the 2024 season stemming from an altercation with Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe, during which the two sides exchanged punches in a benches-clearing brawl.

As for Orze, the 27-year-old right-handed reliever has only made two appearances in MLB in his career. He owns a 21.60 ERA across just 1 2/3 innings. Orze spent the majority of last season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he had a 2.92 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings.

The Seattle Mariners boast one of baseball's most loaded pitching staffs. Despite that, they fell short of their goals in 2024 by missing the postseason for the second straight season and the 22nd time in 23 years.

One of the main culprits of their disappointing season was the lack of production from their lineup. For all the talent they boast in their starting rotation, Seattle had an extremely underwhelming collection of hitters. They didn't do much to improve on that during the offseason, as their lone signing was veteran infielder Jorge Polanco.

Their lack of spending to improve their lineup is potentially preventing them from being true contenders for the World Series, and it prompted a rather critical review of their offseason from former Mariners infielder Justin Turner, who left the team to sign with the Chicago Cubs in free agency.

Turner couldn't help but question the team's motivation and approach to the offseason, going as far as to rip them over their lack of a significant offensive signing.

"The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn’t go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball just seems absurd to me," Turner told USA TODAY Sports.

"Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there, if I was the only piece they brought back in, I would be saying the same thing: 'What the hell are we doing? Are you trying?'" he said. "There's not going to a better time to go for it. So, I don't know what they're doing. I'm very confused. It's a head-scratcher for me."

Turner went as far as to suggest Seattle's rotation, consisting of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, was potentially the "best five starting pitchers in the history of the game." Yet, despite their abundance of riches on the mound, the team seemingly refuses to acknowledge or address their shortcomings offensively.

Turner made clear he feels the organization is wasting a shot at a World Series, and he couldn't help but express his confusion over the situation. "Big Red" featured in 48 games for the Mariners last year after being acquired in a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, and he saw first-hand just how much potential this team had if they had only had a lineup on par with, or even close to as dependable, as their top-tier pitching staff. The lack of offseason activity to address that left him perplexed.

"I thought [Pete] Alonso was a slam-dunk. How can you not go after him? You kidding me?" Turner asked.

Alonso ended up re-signing with the New York Mets on a short-term deal, and Turner couldn't help but wonder why a team that's set to come in well under the luxury tax wouldn't pursue him more closely.

Over the last couple of years, Manchester United have shifted their focus in the transfer market to landing young talents who can make an immediate and long-term impact at the club.

Such a strategy may prove to be a risky one, but the benefits massively outweigh the negatives, with the huge development and room for profit no doubt a real contributing factor.

Leny Yoro joined the Red Devils in a £52m deal from Lille last summer, with the Frenchman seen as a huge addition for the backline in their attempts for Premier League glory.

At just 20, he’s racked up nearly half a century of appearances at Old Trafford and is likely to remain a key member of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the foreseeable future.

However, with January rapidly on the horizon, the hierarchy look set to make yet more additions, which could see numerous other youngsters take the jump to move to Manchester.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions in January

Elliot Anderson is the player who has mostly been linked with a move to join United this winter, with the 23-year-old seen as the club’s marquee addition for the upcoming window.

However, his potential move to Old Trafford would likely be a club-record one for Amorim’s men, as current employers Nottingham Forest are currently demanding £100m for his signature.

Such a price tag is to be expected given his recent rise, which has seen him cement himself as a regular starter in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in 2025.

However, he’s not the only youngster in their sights, with AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit another talent the hierarchy are considering, according to CaughtOffside.

Their report states that the Red Devils have already reached out to the Dutch outfit over a move for the 19-year-old star, with a £25m price tag currently being mooted for his services.

The article also claims that local rivals Liverpool are also interested in a move for the teenager, but it remains to be seen where the player himself would prefer to move.

How Smit compares to Scott McTominay

United’s academy setup has often produced numerous top-level talents, with midfielder Scott McTominay just one player who has placed himself in that bracket.

The Scottish international rose through the ranks at Old Trafford, before making himself known to the supporters in the first team ranks – subsequently racking up a total of 255 appearances for the club.

However, last summer, the hierarchy decided it was best to move him on and cash in on his services, with the club offloading him to Napoli in a deal worth a reported £25m.

Such a decision has massively backfired, with the midfielder scoring 13 times in all competitions last season, resulting in the 28-year-old winning the Serie A MVP award for 2024/25.

He’s carried his phenomenal form into his international career as of late, even scoring a remarkable bicycle kick against Denmark this week to secure Scotland’s place at the 2026 World Cup.

His move away from Old Trafford has made him an elite-level talent, but the club could be about to land their next version of the star with a move for Smit in the coming months.

The Dutch youngster has also made a name for himself in recent months, as he’s already registered six combined goals and assists in his 19 appearances across all competitions.

He’s become a box-crashing midfielder who likes to pop up with a goal or an assist, something which McTominay has done excellently since his transfer away from his boyhood club.

Smit, who possesses “superstar potential” according to Ben Mattinson, has also completed 88% of the passes he’s attempted – resulting in 2.1 chances created per 90 this campaign.

Other figures, such as 1.2 successful dribbles per 90 and a 50% dribble success rate, further showcase his talent in possession, which makes him a huge threat in attacking areas.

Out of possession, the youngster has also thrived, subsequently making 6.3 recoveries per 90 and 0.9 tackles per 90 in the final third of the pitch – numbers which could add a new dimension to Amorim’s side.

£25m for a youngster with Smit’s quality and potential is an excellent deal, but the Red Devils board will need to act quickly to avoid missing out to Liverpool.

If he can replicate McTominay’s incredible nouse for goals and assists within the final third, it would be a phenomenal piece of business that could take the club to the next level in the years ahead.

Next Carrick: Man Utd want to sign "one of the best CMs in the PL" for £60m

Man United could enhance the quality of their midfield with the signing of another Michael Carrick.

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 19, 2025

Arsenal have an "AI dossier" which is reportedly powering Mikel Arteta's Premier League title pursuit, with the manager being assisted with input on transfers, tactics and even injuries. This quiet revolution is an attempt to build the most technologically advanced operation in English football. They have computer models humming with millions of data points to predict problems before they happen.

• AI takes over Arsenal HQ

  According to the the Gunners have rapidly expanded their data science department, investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Competing with Europe’s elite clubs is no mean task, and Arsenal’s leadership have made it clear that they believe staying competitive requires not just talent on the pitch, but intelligence behind the scenes. A well-timed rotation could stop a key player from breaking down. One scouting insight could produce a bargain where others see no value. Arteta has already hinted, albeit cautiously, that the club’s adoption of AI is already underway.

  "It’s in use already for many things and many processes that can help not just a team but an organisation as well," he said. "It will improve and it will give us good insight, or things at least to think about. I’m not an expert but it’s a valuable tool. We have developed certain things that in our opinion can help us to understand ourselves better and evaluate what we do and what we can improve."

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  Gunners have in-house performance models

  The biggest breakthroughs at the club's London Colney base come through their tailor-made performance models, which are AI-driven programs designed internally by Arsenal's data scientists. Every day, enormous volumes of information are collected, including GPS sprint maps, recovery times, energy outputs, bio-mechanical readings, match actions, and even micro-movements during training drills. Unlike traditional analysis, which often relies on video clips and subjective assessments, these systems digest tens of thousands of data points from each session. The models then learn patterns about fatigue signals, mechanical inefficiencies, and subtle warning signs with a level of granularity no human eye could catch. The shift is profound as Arsenal are now preparing for what is about to happen, and not reacting to what has just happened.

• Profiling every player: A live, evolving human data map

  One major branch of Arsenal’s AI system is individual profiling. Every player, right from academy prospects to first-team starters, has a dynamic profile that logs sprint mechanics, joint stress patterns, muscle fatigue responses and changes under load. This gives Arsenal the ability to personalise training. No two players respond to stress in the same way, and machine learning allows coaches to tailor workloads to match bodies rather than the other way around. These profiles also highlight areas for improvement. Weaknesses can be addressed before they impact performance, which will allow players to train smarter, not harder. 

  The most critical area of Arsenal’s AI application is injury prevention. William Saliba’s back problem derailed Arsenal’s 2022-23 title charge, while last season Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury forced Mikel Merino into an improvised striker role. The models identify clues such as tiny drops in acceleration, altered stride patterns, and minor imbalances that can signal impending muscle injuries. Before a congested fixture, run the system flags players with elevated fatigue risk, which helps Arteta to make an informed decision.

  Arsenal’s analytics tools also parse opposition patterns frame by frame. Machine learning evaluates how full-backs behave under pressure, how midfield shapes morph in transitions, and where passing lanes appear during pressing triggers. This gives Arteta’s staff the opportunity to build game plans not on hunches, but on probability maps.

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  Recruitment rebuilt: Finding players who fit Arteta's blueprint

  AI is also reshaping Arsenal’s transfer strategy. Beyond traditional metrics like goals or tackles, Arsenal’s models study adaptability across roles, physical intensity benchmarks, tactical compatibility with Arteta’s system, and log behavioural data from hundreds of match scenarios. Every role now has a detailed blueprint, such as what the physical output should look like, how quickly a player must transition, how he presses, and how he receives the ball under pressure. This tech-driven approach allows Arsenal to find undervalued players who might not shine in traditional stats but are ideal fits for Arteta’s structure. Arsenal’s technological leap is bold, advanced and path-breaking. However, whether it can end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title remains to be seen.

The Toronto Blue Jays had a game to forget on Tuesday, losing to the Boston Red Sox, 10–2.

But while the result was forgettable, the Blue Jays still delivered one play that fans will remember for quite some time.

In the top of the fourth inning, centerfielder Daulton Varsho turned a potential disaster into a career highlight.

After Red Sox leftfielder Jarren Duran smacked a ball to deep center, Varsho was in hot pursuit. So hot that he totally tripped and over himself while trying to position himself to make the catch.

But rather than be defeated by his own feet, Varsho battled to stick with the play, throwing his glove behind his back to reel in the catch while his face was staring at the wall.

The reactions from players on both sides tell the story of just how wild the grab was.

Fans also had plenty of Varsho’s mid-tumble adjustment.

The debate now begins on whether or not Varsho’s grab can be in contention for Catch of the Year. On one side, that is obviously one of the most unexpected, impressive catches we will see this season. On the other, can you really give yourself extra difficulty points by making the play harder on yourself because it started with a goof?

Opinions may vary, but for now, let’s throw it on the list of contenders just in case.

Ben Jacobs was full of praise for one Manchester United player in their draw with Tottenham Hotspur, comparing him to an Old Trafford treble winner.

Matthijs de Ligt struck deep into stoppage time to rescue Manchester United a 2-2 draw after a dramatic finale at Tottenham. This repeat of the Europa League final in May looked set to go the way of Ruben Amorim’s improving team after Bryan Mbeumo haunted old Brentford boss Thomas Frank with a goal in the 32nd minute.

It sparked boos at half-time from a disgruntled Spurs fanbase which has seen only three home wins in the Premier League in 2025, but the hosts’ turned it around with substitute Mathys Tel able to produce an 84th-minute equaliser.

When Richarlison deflected in a shot by the excellent Wilson Odobert in the first minute of stoppage time, Frank looked set to get the statement home win in the league his five-month tenure had lacked.

Yet wild home celebrations were followed by more late drama as De Ligt powered home a header from a corner in the sixth minute of added time to earn United a 2-2 draw and extended their unbeaten run under Amorim to five matches.

In a dramatic game full of twists and turns, Jacobs picked out one Man United player who enjoyed a display comparable to a former treble winner in the highest praise that he could receive.

Reporter compares Lammens to Schmeichel

Lammens enjoyed an excellent display and was only five minutes away from keeping a clean sheet, only for Spurs to climb back into the game. The two goals didn’t take away from the goalkeeper’s performance, however, with saves from Joao Palhinha and Cristian Romero particularly standing out.

It’s also worth noting that both goals that Lammens conceded suffered deflections, leaving him with no chance in the United net.

Jacobs was one of many to share praise for the summer signing, going as far as to say that he’s Peter Schmeichel “in disguise” following his save from Romero in the second-half.

By the time the full-time whistle sounded, Lammens had made two diving saves and made five recoveries in a solid display. As every game goes by, he’s looking more and more like an excellent signing and the much-needed upgrade on Andre Onana that United have been desperate for.

Amorim’s side are now five games unbeaten in what marks significant improvement on their previous form. Heading into the international break, things are finally looking up for those at Old Trafford. Mbeumo is firing on all cylinders, Lammens is performing and European qualification once again feels like a realistic goal.

Man Utd preparing club-record bid for "world-class" star