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With the pressure growing on Arne Slot, Xabi Alonso has reportedly made his mind up on taking the Liverpool job if it becomes available at the same time that he potentially leaves Real Madrid.

For the first time in Slot’s Liverpool career, serious questions are being asked about his tenure. Last season’s Premier League title win has provided him with plenty of credit but, as Jamie Carragher pointed out on Monday Night Football, not everyone is still convinced that he’s still the man for the job.

After eight defeats in 11 games, the Dutchman simply has to turn things around. The Reds backed him by breaking their transfer record twice in the summer and spending over £400m, but are yet to see that investment pay off.

The most concerning aspect of Liverpool’s recent run is that nothing has changed. Slot has persisted with the same system, which only provided false dawns against Real Madrid and Aston Villa.

Now, with Alonso also under pressure at Madrid, Liverpool could be presented with a tempting opportunity to make a sensational change.

Xabi Alonso makes Liverpool decision

According to Football365, Alonso is now ready to take the Liverpool job if Real Madrid decide to sack him. The Spaniard has been put under increasing pressure by reports that Vinicius Junior has decided against signing a new deal whilst the manager is in charge.

As Real Madrid are forced to decide between their star man and their new manager, it’s Liverpool who could take full advantage.

For many, the big question has centred around who would replace Slot if Liverpool decided to sack the Dutchman. In Alonso, they’d have the perfect answer.

The Reds were interested in a reunion with the Spaniard before they hired Slot and could now get what they initially wanted over a year later.

Forget Leoni: 19-year-old academy star could end Konate's Liverpool career

Liverpool’s French centre-back has been abject in Slot’s system this season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 24, 2025

Although a lot of pieces will need to fall into place, there’s little doubt that Alonso would be welcomed with open arms at Anfield.

"I'm told" – Romano shares what Slot thinks about his own Liverpool future

Lucia Kendall's fairytale goal helped the Lionesses see off Ghana on Tuesday night, with one of England's most exciting young prospects scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win and doing so at St Mary's Stadium, home of the Southampton side she represented for 10 memorable years. It was with the Saints that Kendall broke into senior football and when she made her international debut in October, she became the club's first ever Lioness, so it was fitting that she would find the back of the net on her return to a special venue.

That strike, created by a great cross from Chloe Kelly before she unfortunately limped off injured, came with just six minutes on the clock, potentially suggesting that England, fresh off the back of an 8-0 win over China at Wembley, were going to deliver yet another goal-fest. However, despite the dominance of Sarina Wiegman's side, and the chances they created with that possession, it wasn't until the final moments that a second came. Some of that was down to poor finishing, with Kelly and Missy Bo Kearns spurning some big chances; some of it was bad luck, as Aggie Beever-Jones and Lucy Bronze hit the woodwork; and some of it was because of strong goalkeeping, with Cynthia Konlan also making some great saves to deny Kearns and Russo.

While England failed to put the game to bed, Ghana, who finished third at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, had some chances to level the scores, too. One of the best fell to Doris Boaduwaa in the first half, but Anna Moorhouse, winning just her second cap, was able to comfortably hold onto a tame shot as her defence recovered well from a Lotte Wubben-Moy slip to apply pressure to Ghana's centre forward. It's fair to say that the Lionesses deserved to win, though, even if the scoreline was closer than many expected when Kendall hit the back of the net early on, and that they did, with Russo converting a late penalty to ensure her side closed out an incredibly memorable 2025, which saw them win a second successive European Championship title, with a victory.

GOAL rates England's players from St Mary's Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Anna Moorhouse (6/10):

  Had more to do here than she did against China and stood up tall when needed, even if she still wasn't tested much.

  Lucy Bronze (8/10):

  Another really effective performance in both halves, with her unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when a great header hit the woodwork.

  Maya Le Tissier (7/10):

  A strong display at centre-back again, as she took another opportunity to show why that is the position she should be playing for England.

  Lotte Wubben-Moy (7/10):

  Hasn't had many chances for England in recent times but took this one well, looking settled on the ball and recovering possession often.

  Taylor Hinds (8/10):

  Arguably the Lionesses' best performer on the night. Delivered plenty of great crosses, from open play and dead ball situations, while also covering ground defensively.

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  Midfield

  Keira Walsh (7/10):

  A quietly impressive display from the Chelsea star. Unlucky not to get an assist when Kelly missed the target after latching onto her sublime cross.

  Lucia Kendall (7/10):

  Showed great awareness in the box to break the deadlock in fairytale fashion. That was the highlight of another really encouraging display for the young midfielder in which she moved the ball well and worked hard off the ball.

  Missy Bo Kearns (6/10):

  Started slowly but grew into the game, getting on the end of a few good chances without being able to put any away. Needless booking.

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  Attack

  Jess Park (6/10):

  Another lively display in which she asked questions of the Ghana defence, albeit without being able to be at her most creative and dangerous.

  Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10):

  Unfortunate not to score when her header hit the woodwork. Created plenty for others and worked hard off the ball.

  Chloe Kelly (N/A):

  Made a lively start to the game, delivering the cross that led to the opening goal, before going off early with an injury.

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  Subs & Manager

  Beth Mead (7/10):

  Picked up the speed of the game impressively fast, settling quickly to be lively from the get-go and create plenty.

  Lauren Hemp (6/10):

  Didn't get involved too much after coming on just past the hour but was exciting when on the ball. Could've scored, too, but sent her header over the bar.

  Grace Clinton (6/10):

  Another sub who couldn't make too much impact in attack but did plenty off the ball, winning six ground duels in her 30-minute cameo.

  Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):

  Was positive and creative when in possession, showing real confidence after a strong start to the season at Man City.

  Alessia Russo (N/A):

  Only on for the final 15 minutes but forced a good save from the goalkeeper, produced the shot that led to England's penalty and then converted from the spot.

  Anouk Denton (N/A):

  Made her senior international debut in the final moments.

  Sarina Wiegman (7/10):

  Gave out plenty of opportunities in England's final game of 2025, before attention turns to qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup. That rotation and experimentation paid dividends, too, as the likes of Kendall and Hinds impressed and put their case forth for more chances in the New Year.

Before the third game of the Subway Series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, former teammates Aaron Judge and Juan Soto shared a moment on the field before the contest, an eventual 8-2 Yankees win on Sunday. Judge and Soto, who spent one season together in the Bronx in 2024, embraced and said a few words to each other before retreating to their respective sides for the game.

Judge later pulled the curtain back for fans as to what he had said to Soto in that conversation.

"Just said hello to him, I hadn't seen him all series," Judge told reporters after the game. "Just kind of wishing him the best, kind of said, 'Hey man, you're the best in the game. Things like this are gonna happen, just keep playing your game.' It was good to see him. But happy we were able to either walk him or not let him do any damage, especially in this series."

Soto, whom the Yankees acquired from the San Diego Padres in December of '24, did plenty of damage alongside Judge in the Bronx, as the two did their best impression of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig en route to New York's first American League pennant since '09. And even though there were no promises that Soto, who was a pending free agent after the '24 season, would be remaining in pinstripes long-term, Yankees fans fell in love with the star slugger and dreamed of Soto batting behind Judge for years to come.

But it was not to be.

Soto became a free agent the moment the Los Angeles Dodgers popped champagne bottles at Yankee Stadium following their World Series win over the Yankees. And Soto cashed in, leaving the Yankees for the crosstown rival Mets on a historic, $765 million contract. And while Judge didn't speak to Soto during the free agency process, he did do his part to attempt to convince Soto to stay during the season, both with his play and the close relationship he developed with Soto.

This weekend's Subway Series represented Soto's return to the Bronx as a Met. Yankees fans rained boos and profane chants down on Soto, who went 1-for-10 with four walks and a pair of runs scored in the three games against his old team.

As for Judge and Soto, Yankees fans—and perhaps Soto himself to a certain extent—will always be left wondering what could have been in the Bronx. But if this weekend's series was any indication, New York baseball fans are in for a real treat watching the Soto-led Mets and Judge-led Yankees duke it out for years to come.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy was left to rue missed chances after his team lost 2-1 to Hearts at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership in his first game in the dugout.

Speaking after the match, in the clip below, the French boss blamed a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and a lack of combination play in the final third after a bright first-half showing.

With the January transfer window just around the corner, the former MLS boss may already be thinking about the areas of his squad that he wants to improve ahead of the second half of the season.

Celtic plotting move to sign Premier League player

In fact, the Scottish Premiership champions are already looking at a possible move for a player who could be a dream first signing for Nancy at Parkhead.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to Football Insider, Celtic are plotting a move to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to be their long-term replacement for Kasper Schmeichel.

The report claims that the Hoops are looking at the £90k-per-week shot-stopper because he could be available with his contract expiring at the end of the season, which could make him an option in January for a cut-price fee or on a free next summer.

It adds that the Scottish giants are in the process of identifying a replacement for Schmeichel because the 38-year-old veteran’s deal is also due to expire next year.

Football Insider states that there are also immediate concerns about the Dane’s current performance levels, which is why Ortega could be a dream first signing for Nancy.

Why Celtic should sign Stefan Ortega in January

Instead of waiting to sign him on a free transfer in the summer, Celtic should push to land the Manchester City outcast on a cut-price deal in January, as he is currently behind both Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford in the pecking order at The Etihad.

As Football Insider outlined, Schmeichel’s performance level has not been particularly high for the Hoops this season. Per FotMob, the experienced stopper has conceded 1.34 more goals than expected in the Premiership and 0.50 more than expected in the Europa League.

This suggests that the Denmark international has not been up to scratch as a shot-stopper in domestic or European action for Celtic, which is why signing the City goalkeeper immediately could be a shrewd move.

Ortega, who once left Guardiola on the floor with a save against Tottenham Hotspur, may only be a third-choice option in England, but he is playing for serial Premier League winners and has proven his quality in the English top-flight in seasons gone by.

Whilst Schmeichel has struggled as a shot-stopper for Celtic this season, the German star has largely been an excellent shot-stopper in the Premier League and the Bundesliga in the past five years.

As you can see in the table above, the 33-year-old has conceded 12.3 fewer goals than expected across his top-flight career to date, which is an exceptional statistic that highlights how impressive his shot-stopping is.

Ortega, who was hailed as an “exceptional goalkeeper”, has shown that he can be a reliable shot-stopper at the top level, whilst journalist Pete O’Rourke noted that he is “very effective” with the ball and would “fit” the style that Nancy wants to implement at Parkhead.

His ability on the ball, which is a prerequisite to playing in goal in a Guardiola side, means that he will suit a team like Celtic, who are expected to dominate possession and play out from the back, making him a good stylistic fit for the club.

Ortega, though, also has, as evidenced by his statistics in Germany and England, the shot-stopping quality on top of that to ensure that the Hoops do not concede cheap goals with the few shots that they do give away.

Worse than Maeda: Nancy must drop Celtic flop who lost the ball 23 times

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy must drop this flop who was even worse than Daizen Maeda against Hearts.

By
Dan Emery

Dec 8, 2025

Therefore, the board must back Nancy by making a move for Ortega in January, instead of the summer, because a player of his quality could immediately improve the team and improve their chances of enjoying a successful end to the 2025/26 campaign, making him a dream first signing.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac witnessed pure drama at the Racecourse Ground as late hero Ollie Rathbone smashed home a spectacular stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw for Wrexham against Watford. The Hollywood owners were left stunned as the midfielder’s long-range strike capped a chaotic Championship contest and reignited the club’s festive momentum.

• Rathbone sends SToK Cae Ras, Reynolds and Max into raptures with equalizer…

  Wrexham’s meeting with Watford unfolded as a dramatic, momentum-swinging Championship fixture that saw Phil Parkinson’s side repeatedly tested before finding a late escape route. The hosts began brightly, buoyed by their Hollywood ownership duo watching from the stands, and their promising start was rewarded when Josh Windass latched onto Matty James’ long ball and clinically fired the opening goal past Egil Selvik. However, a strong start quickly gave way to frustration as two successive Watford goals turned the game on its head before the break.

  The visitors first levelled through Mamadou Doumbia, whose deflected effort arced cruelly over Arthur Okonkwo to stun the home crowd. Momentum then shifted further away from Wrexham when Othmane Maamma converted shortly before half-time, giving Watford a 2-1 advantage despite the hosts creating chances of their own. Parkinson’s men struck the post late in the half, and Lewis O’Brien went close, but clinical finishing deserted them when they needed it most.

  Wrexham pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half but struggled to break through Watford’s disciplined defensive shape, prompting tactical tweaks and changes from the home bench. As the clock ran down, Parkinson introduced Rathbone in a last-ditch attempt to inject energy and precision into midfield. Within moments of entering the pitch, the returning midfielder produced a sensational long-range strike in the 92nd minute to rescue a point, sending the Racecourse Ground and the Hollywood owners into raptures. Reynolds and Mac also posted Rathbone's late equalizer and the celebrations that followed it on their Instagram stories.

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• Rathbone's winner helps Wrexham avoid consecutive defeats

  Rathbone’s late heroics ensured Wrexham avoided what would have been a damaging second straight league defeat following the end of their long unbeaten streak at Hull City earlier in the week. Maintaining momentum during the festive schedule is crucial for Parkinson’s squad, particularly as they remain firmly in the mix near the Championship play-off positions. The dramatic equaliser not only secured a valuable point but also reinforced the resilience that has defined Wrexham’s rapid rise through the divisions.

  The match also showcased how fine the margins can be during a demanding Championship campaign. A first-half lead evaporated quickly, and despite dominant spells, Wrexham found themselves chasing the game until deep into stoppage time. That they avoided defeat highlights both their depth, evident in Rathbone’s impact, and the mental fortitude that has become a hallmark of Parkinson’s side since their ascent under Reynolds and Mac.

  Just as importantly, the owners’ presence once again provided a sense of occasion around the match, and their Instagram reactions to the equaliser reflected the emotional investment they continue to bring to the club’s journey. Before the game, Mac posted a video saying, "Up the town," and after it, he added the face exhaling emoji in a sigh of relief.

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  Rathbone looking to bounce back from difficult season

  For Rathbone, the moment carried layers of personal significance after what has been a difficult season disrupted by injury. The 29-year-old had been sidelined for much of the campaign after suffering an ankle setback during pre-season, delaying his return to Championship football. His equaliser, his first goal of the season and only his second competitive appearance since returning, served as a reminder of his influence, energy, and technical quality in midfield.

  Rathbone’s importance to Wrexham extends beyond the individual result, given the vital role he played in their remarkable promotions in 2024–25. He arrived from Rotherham United for a club-record fee and quickly became a fan favourite through his relentless style and leadership, contributing eight goals and winning the fans’ Player of the Season award. His return to form will be crucial for Wrexham across the winter stretch as they face a congested run of fixtures and seek greater midfield stability.

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  Wrexham head into a crucial period for playoff push

  Wrexham head into the remainder of the festive run knowing that every point could prove decisive in an increasingly competitive Championship race. Parkinson will hope Rathbone’s dramatic return to scoring form signals a turning point both for the team’s attacking sharpness and for the midfielder's reintegration after injury.

  Defensively, the game also highlighted areas requiring improvement, as Wrexham conceded twice in a first half where they had initially looked comfortable. Parkinson will be keen to address those vulnerabilities in training, particularly with stronger opponents looming over the next month.

  As for the broader narrative, the club continues to thrive under the ownership of Reynolds and Mac, who will no doubt expect more emotional twists as the season progresses. With Rathbone’s moment of magic already etched into another chapter of Wrexham’s modern ascent, the Red Dragons will now look to convert late-game drama into consistent, controlled performances as they chase another milestone campaign.

The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs for the second straight time Tuesday night to increase their lead in the NL Central standings to two games.

First baseman Andrew Vaughn broke open the game in the sixth inning when he crushed a grand slam to left-center that gave Milwaukee a commanding 9-2 lead.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell was seen having a priceless reaction to the blast as he immediately jumped on the phone in the dugout to get a new pitcher going in the bullpen.

He barely waited for Vaughn to get out of the batter's box before dialing up some help for his team:

Too funny.

The Cubs will look to avoid being swept by the Brewers when they square off in the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

Tarik Skubal was dealing on Sunday and he joined some lofty company with his outing.

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was on the mound against the Cleveland Guardians and pitched seven innings and allowed no runs on three hits, with no walks and 10 strikeouts. In doing so, the Detroit Tigers lefty reached a milestone only three other southpaw pitchers have.

With that start, Skubal became the fourth lefty in MLB history to have at least three starts in a single season featuring no runs allowed, no walks allowed, and 10 or more strikeouts. The others? Sandy Koufax in 1965, Randy Johnson in 2004, and Clayton Kershaw in 2015. That's some pretty special company. Two are Hall of Famers and Kershaw will undoubtedly be headed there when he retires.

Skubal is having a remarkable season again in 2025. So far, he's 10–2 with a 2.02 ERA, a 0.81 WHIP and 148 strikeouts in 116 innings. He also leads all MLB pitchers with 4.3 fWAR.

He looks like the favorite to win the AL Cy Young again this season.

Manchester City made it five Premier League games unbeaten yesterday, as Pep Guardiola’s men secured a 2-0 triumph over Everton at the Etihad.

The result keeps the Citizens just a couple of points off current leaders Arsenal, even moving ahead of Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

However, it was yet another superb showing in England’s top-flight, with Guardiola’s men limiting the opposition to minimal chances whilst taking advantage of the ones that fell their way.

Stats such as 71% possession with seven shots on target further highlight the dominance in the North West – something which has been extremely common during the manager’s tenure.

He will certainly have one player to thank for the success against the Toffees, with his performance against David Moyes’ men nothing short of breathtaking.

Erling Haaland’s excellence against Everton

When you think of a clinical goalscorer, the first name that springs to mind is Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian taking his career to new heights after joining Man City in 2022.

He’s now featured 155 times for the Citizens, scoring a staggering 136 times – subsequently adding multiple to his tally during the win at the Etihad yesterday.

The 25-year-old netted his two efforts within just five second-half minutes – taking his tally to 11 despite featuring in just eight league outings throughout 2025/26.

He was also the most fouled player on the pitch during the triumph, whilst also registering 38% of his entire touches in the game within the opposition box.

Haaland also won 75% of the ground duels he entered, along with a staggering four shots on target – once again being Guardiola’s most threatening option in attacking areas.

Despite the showing of the centre-forward, one other first-team member showcased his worth and is rapidly becoming as undroppable as the City talisman.

The City star who’s becoming as undroppable as Haaland

After missing out on the Premier League title last season, Guardiola and City dipped into the transfer market to try and bolster numerous key areas of the squad.

The goalkeeping department has had a huge overhaul in recent times, with James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma both making the move to the Etihad, with Ederson moving on to join Galatasaray.

The latter of the new duo has cemented his place within the starting eleven, already keeping three clean sheets within his first five league outings for the Citizens.

However, it wasn’t the only area of the pitch that was bolstered, with the hierarchy spending big money on Tijjani Reijnders from Serie A side AC Milan.

The Dutchman made an immediate impact on his debut, registering a goal and an assist in the 4-0 battering of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

He’s since started every game for the club in the Premier League, with his showing against the Toffees evidence of the quality that he possesses in the middle of the park.

The 27-year-old may have been unable to register a goal or an assist, but his underlying stats from the victory are evidence of the star quality he has in his arsenal.

Reijnders may have only featured for 59 minutes at the Etihad, but he still managed to thrive at both ends of the pitch – undoubtedly playing a key role in the triumph.

He completed 93% of the passes he attempted, whilst also achieving a 100% dribble success rate – highlighting the threat he posed when having the ball at his feet.

However, without the ball, the Dutch star also managed to thrive, as seen by his superb tallies of 100% tackles won, one recovery made and three ground duels won.

Other stats, such as two chances created and 100% long balls completed, further showcase his all-round quality – which is rapidly making him one of the club’s most crucial players.

As a result of his performance, Reijnders was handed an impressive 7/10 match rating by One Football – further highlighting his superb showing at the Etihad.

After such a showing, Guardiola simply can’t drop the midfielder from his starting eleven, with his addition already looking like an excellent one just eight games into the campaign.

There’s little disputing that Haaland is the club’s most important player at present, but there’s no reason why Reijnders can’t join him in such a category in the months or years ahead.

Pep already sold Man City's next Rodri & he's "better" than Declan Rice

Man City could do with this Premier League star in his prime right now.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 18, 2025

When the Blue Jays signed All-Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year, $500 million contract extension in April, the news was met with some mixed responses from the general baseball public.

Here was a homegrown star, a born Canadian who, with just one year left until free agency and after a lengthy and at times testy negotiation process, was pledging to spend the rest of his career in Toronto. For an MVP-caliber player entering his age-26 season, it was the kind of day that organizations dream about.

Except there was a way to view the decision as a desperation move, one made by a gambler who’s barely hanging onto their seat at the table deciding to push a dwindling chip stack all in. The Jays were coming off of a last-place finish that followed three playoff runs in four years, each ending with a wild-card round sweep. To some (including a certain writer), the organization’s contention window was closing, if not already shut. In gambling parlance, this was throwing good money after bad.

Four-plus months into the 2025 season, and it appears that Toronto’s big bet is paying off.

Entering play on Wednesday, the Blue Jays have the best record in the American League. Playoff odds that began at 40% on Opening Day, per FanGraphs, have soared to 98.7%. Barring a horrible collapse, Toronto will be alive and well in October, and has a good chance of earning a spot directly into the division series.

Beyond simply pledging half a billion dollars to Guerrero, the path to where the Blue Jays currently find themselves is paved with even more gambles on in-house talent returning to form and fueling Toronto’s surge.

For years, the Blue Jays have far too often (for their fans’ liking, at least) played the role of bridesmaid rather than bride. Highly publicized free agent chases of Shohei Ohtani (a private plane ride from California to Toronto carrying Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec of fame caused international confusion) and Juan Soto (agent Scott Boras said Toronto impressed the now-Met with a “great offer”) came up empty, as did bids at landing Corbin Burnes and Teoscar Hernández.

Toronto was looking high and low for reinforcements, but the big fish the organization chased weren’t biting.

And the ones that did end up joining the Blue Jays haven’t panned out as hoped. Anthony Santander, who inked a five-year, $92.5 million deal in January, managed a .179 average in 50 games before landing on the injured list. Closer Jeff Hoffman signed for $33 million, and has so far posted a 4.41 ERA with five blown saves. All-Star second baseman Andrés Giménez, acquired in a December trade from the Guardians, has battled injuries amid his worst offensive season (74 OPS+ in 62 games).

Instead of the cavalry coming to save the day, it’s been improvements from players already on the roster that have spurred the Blue Jays’ climb.

Jazz Chisholm took the stage for and put on a show, blasting two home runs and driving in four as the New York Yankees cruised past the Boston Red Sox, 7-2. ESPN's cameras captured an emotional Chisholm returning to his dugout after the first homer, getting extra special congratulations from his teammates.

After the game, the second baseman revealed that he was playing with a heavy heart as he collected his 100th career home run.

"It felt kind of surreal," he said. "I lost my best friend yesterday so today felt like a different type of day, especially with the 100th home run coming today. I’ve been going through a lot in the last 30 hours."

Chisholm opted to keep the details of his friend's passing private while discussing his difficult day with reporters in the clubhouse after the game. A lot of times we see athletes dealing with loss find respite on the playing field and oftentimes play their best amid those struggles.