Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Liverpool Open Transfer Talks for Florian Wirtz with Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool have entered negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over the potential signing of star midfielder Florian Wirtz, in what could become a record-breaking transfer for both club and country.
Discussions between the two sides began following an agreement for Liverpool to sign right-back Jeremie Frimpong. The pursuit of Wirtz, however, would mark an even more significant move, potentially making the 22-year-old the most expensive German player of all time.
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that Bayern Munich had dropped out of the race, believing Wirtz was poised for a move to Anfield. Liverpool have maintained long-standing interest and have already made contact with the player’s representatives.
Although Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said in April that Wirtz had a "very high chance" of staying, the landscape appears to have shifted, with multiple sources indicating the Premier League champions are now leading the chase.
Wirtz signed a contract extension with Leverkusen in 2022, committing his future to the club until 2027. But after guiding Xabi Alonso’s side to their first-ever Bundesliga title in an unbeaten 2023–24 season—scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists—his profile skyrocketed.
In the 2024–25 campaign, he added another 16 goals and 15 assists, and played a pivotal role in Leverkusen's strong finish. Internationally, Wirtz has 29 caps for Germany and netted two goals at Euro 2024.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated in May, Wirtz admitted he was “definitely keen to experience something new” after six seasons at Leverkusen.
The young playmaker could be one of several key exits this summer, with Frimpong close to finalizing a five-year deal at Liverpool. Frimpong’s arrival is expected to follow Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has announced he will leave at season’s end. Alonso is considered Real Madrid’s top candidate to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who will become Brazil’s national team manager on May 26.
Liverpool recently wrapped up the Premier League title with four games to spare following a 5-1 win over Tottenham, equaling Manchester United’s all-time record of 20 top-flight titles.
Monday, May 26, 2025
Dozens Injured After Car Drives Into Liverpool Crowd
A tragic incident marred Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on Monday evening when a car drove into a crowd on Water Street in central Liverpool.
Nearly 50 people were injured, including four children
27 people were taken to hospital, two seriously hurt – one of them a child
A 53-year-old white British man has been arrested and is believed to be the driver
Authorities confirm the event is not being treated as terrorism
Latest Developments
The incident took place shortly after the Liverpool team’s parade bus passed through Water Street.
27 hospitalized, including one seriously injured child
A paramedic on a bike was struck but is not seriously injured
Police confirmed the suspect is a 53-year-old local man; motive unknown
Liverpool MP: 'Heartbroken'
MP Ian Byrne and rival club Manchester United expressed solidarity with the city.
‘Horror at the Parade’ Headlines UK Papers
The shocking scenes dominated front pages across the UK:
The Telegraph: “Liverpool Glory Turns to Horror”
The Mirror: “Elation Then Horror”
Daily Mail: “Carnage at the Parade”
Eyewitness Accounts & Emergency Response
Fire Chief: Four Trapped Beneath Car
Crews worked swiftly to rescue trapped victims, including a child, according to Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle.
Silent Return at Lime Street
Hamzah Abbas reports a quiet train station, with fans offering help online: lifts, spare rooms, and more.
PM Starmer: 'Whole Country Stands with Liverpool'
The prime minister praised emergency workers and expressed grief over the attack.
From the News Conference
53-year-old man arrested
27 taken to hospitals
Four trapped under car – now rescued
Incident not considered terrorism
City Council: Help the Police, Avoid Speculation
Officials urged the public not to share graphic videos and to report helpful information.
Saturday, May 24, 2025
UEFA Women's Champions League – Final
⚽ Latest Soccer Scores
UEFA Women's Champions League – Final
Arsenal 1 - 0 Barcelona (FT)
Stina Blackstenius (74')
🏆 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final Recap
Arsenal 1 - 0 Barcelona
Lisbon, Portugal – Estádio José Alvalade
Attendance: 38,356
Referee: Ivana Martincic
Broadcast: DAZN
Red-and-white streamers rained down as Arsenal stunned defending champions Barcelona 1-0, claiming their second UEFA Women’s Champions League title – their first in 18 years.
Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal in the 74th minute, assisted by Beth Mead, both coming on as substitutes. Arsenal’s dogged defense held firm, frustrating Barcelona’s star-studded attack led by Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.
Arsenal’s win marked a remarkable turnaround following a rocky season that saw Jonas Eidevall step down and assistant Renée Seglers take charge. Seglers masterminded a tactical triumph, guiding the London club past Real Madrid, Lyon, and now Barcelona.
Captain Kim Little:
“We had to be perfect to beat Barcelona. The impact from our substitutes was incredible.”
Barcelona, favorites to win a fourth title in five years, dominated early second-half possession but failed to break through. Their best chance came when Clàudia Pina hit the crossbar.
Arsenal’s intense pressing and disciplined defending—spearheaded by Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo—neutralized the tournament's highest-scoring team.
Renée Seglers:
“We used every possible tool to disrupt their rhythm while staying true to our identity. We focused on breaking their midfield flow.”
Despite the majority of the crowd backing Barcelona, the Spanish giants couldn’t respond to Arsenal’s resilience.
Aitana Bonmatí:
“I feel sadness for our fans who traveled here in thousands. We’ll be back.”
Friday, May 23, 2025
Scott McTominay: From Man Utd Departure to Napoli Legend
Scott McTominay’s leap of faith has turned into a fairytale. After leaving Manchester United last summer, he’s not only become a star at Napoli—he’s now a club legend.
The Scottish midfielder sealed Napoli’s Serie A title with a stunning 12th goal of the season against Cagliari. As he dropped to his knees in tears at the final whistle, fans roared—and the league named him Serie A’s Most Valuable Player for 2024-25.
“I’m lost for words,” said McTominay. “This is a dream. The fans have been behind us since day one.”
💼 The Man Utd Exit That Changed Everything
After over 20 years at United, McTominay left Old Trafford for Naples in a £25.7m move. With United needing to meet Premier League profit rules, the sale made sense—on paper.
Now? It looks like one of the bargains of the decade.
“How you can sell Scott is beyond me,” said ex-United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
While United struggle through their worst season since the 1970s, McTominay is thriving in Italy—outshining expectations and outscoring past versions of himself.
🔥 Conte's Tactical Masterstroke
Under Antonio Conte, McTominay plays a more advanced central role, far from the defensive duties he carried at United and Scotland. The result? He's Serie A's top-scoring midfielder.
“Conte changed the system to suit him,” explained journalist Vincenzo Credendino. “He’s not a builder—he’s a raider.”
McTominay now rivals past Conte greats like Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal. His relentless energy, leadership, and late-game goals have made him indispensable.
🙌 Napoli’s New Hero
From murals in the city to tattoos on fans, McTominay fever has gripped Naples. Nicknames like "McFratm" (Neapolitan for "McBro") and “McTerminator” fill fan forums.
"Napoli fans love players who embrace the city," said Ciro Sartore, co-owner of San Ciro’s restaurant in Edinburgh, proudly flying a flag that reads: "Napoli. McTominay. Pizza. In that order."
A shrine even popped up this month at San Nicola a Nilo featuring his image—just one more sign of his cultural impact.
And yes, he's learning both Italian and Neapolitan—and publicly praising the local tomatoes.
“I never ate tomatoes back home,” he told The Athletic. “Here, they’re incredible. I eat them as a snack.”
👬 A Historic Season for Scots in Italy
McTominay isn't alone—fellow Scot Billy Gilmour joined Napoli from Brighton and played a key role in their success. Over at Bologna, Lewis Ferguson captained his side to a Coppa Italia win.
Before this season, no Scot had ever won Serie A. Now there are two.
🏆 Legacy in the Making
McTominay may never reach the mythical status of Maradona in Naples—but he’s carved out his own chapter in the city’s football folklore. From overlooked at Old Trafford to MVP in Italy, his journey is a testament to belief, bold choices, and the power of the right fit.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Manchester United Back Amorim Despite Europa League Final Loss
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Manchester United remain fully supportive of manager Rúben Amorim and plan to retain him for next season despite the team’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday.
The defeat ended Amorim’s first season without silverware and confirmed that United will miss out on European football next season — only the second time in 35 years.
Board Still Confident in Amorim
Sources have told ESPN that Amorim’s position was never dependent on the Europa League final result. United’s leadership continues to believe that the 40-year-old Portuguese manager is the right long-term choice, despite a poor domestic run that includes 14 defeats in 26 Premier League games since his appointment last November.
Plans to reinforce the squad this summer are already underway. However, failure to qualify for the Champions League is expected to significantly limit the club’s transfer market flexibility. United are set to miss out on up to £100 million ($134m) in potential revenue.
“We have two plans for the market,” Amorim said post-match. “It’s tough for a club like ours not to be in the Champions League. But we’ll use this time to focus on the Premier League and work more during the week.”
He also reiterated that he would leave without compensation if the board decided to part ways.
No Public Vote of Confidence Needed
Despite the setback, United’s board has no intention of issuing a public statement of support. Internally, their stance on Amorim remains firm. The club even plans to proceed with a celebratory BBQ for players, staff, friends, and family — originally intended to mark a Europa League victory — as a show of unity.
The final Premier League match of the season against Aston Villa at Old Trafford is expected to serve as a litmus test of fan support for Amorim.
Financial Implications of the Loss
Champions League absence results in an immediate revenue drop of at least €80m ($90m), with potential losses reaching €150m ($169m) if a deep run had occurred.
United also forfeit the €4m ($4.5m) Super Cup appearance fee awarded to Spurs, who will face either Inter Milan or PSG on August 13.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Spurs Edge Man United in Chaotic Europa League Final to End Trophy Drought
Tottenham Hotspur claimed their first major silverware since 2008 — and their first European title in four decades — with a chaotic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final at San Mamés. The performance wasn’t pretty, but for Spurs, the result was all that mattered.
Ange Postecoglou, known for his attacking philosophy, abandoned flair in favor of sheer pragmatism — a tactical shift that evoked the Mourinho era more than his own high-pressing legacy. It paid off, as Tottenham battled through a scrappy, disjointed match to lift the trophy.
The match itself was frenetic and messy, with both teams playing like underdogs in disbelief at their place in a European final. Neither side found rhythm, and Tottenham completed just 115 passes — with a staggering 61% pass completion rate. But Spurs stayed compact and committed, grinding out the win in classic cup-final fashion.
The decisive moment came in the second half, when Richarlison’s clever reverse pass unlocked the United defense. Rodrigo Bentancur fed Pape Sarr, whose inswinging cross led to a clumsy own goal as Luke Shaw inadvertently knocked the ball past his own goalkeeper, André Onana, under pressure from Brennan Johnson.
It was a fittingly chaotic goal for a disorganized game, but it marked sweet redemption for Johnson. The winger had been a target of fan frustration earlier in the season, even deactivating his social media after online abuse. Now credited with the winning goal — his 18th of the season — he celebrated a personal triumph amid team glory.
Despite some nervy moments, including a goal-line clearance from Micky van de Ven after a Guglielmo Vicario error, Spurs held firm. The final whistle unleashed unfiltered joy: players in white dancing, fans roaring, and Postecoglou beaming as his “second-season trophy” trend continued.
For now, Spurs won’t care how they won. But looking ahead, a bigger question looms: will Postecoglou’s Tottenham lean into this newfound grit, or return to the expansive football that defined his rise?
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Ange Postecoglou: "I’m Not a Clown" – Spurs Boss Hits Back Ahead of Europa League Final
On the eve of Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League final against Manchester United, manager Ange Postecoglou delivered a fiery and emotional press conference, fiercely rejecting criticism that branded him a “clown.”
The remark came in reference to a Standard article suggesting Postecoglou’s legacy was "teetering between hero and clown" depending on the outcome in Bilbao. Clearly affected, the Australian head coach defended his career and personal journey.
“Regardless of tomorrow, I’m not a clown – and never will be,” he said.
“You really disappointed me using such terminology. I’ve spent 26 years working my way here without favours – and now I’m leading a team into a European final.”
Spurs at a Crossroads
Wednesday’s match at San Mames Stadium is pivotal: Tottenham could either claim their first trophy in 17 years or cap off a disappointing domestic season with more silverware heartbreak. The club hasn’t endured a campaign this poor since returning to the top flight in 1978.
Postecoglou, whose tenure has seen 46 wins and 38 losses in 99 games, acknowledged the weight of the occasion, but maintained focus on long-term progress:
“There’s growth in this team I’d like to see through – whether I get the chance or not, I don’t know.”
A Career Built from the Ground Up
Postecoglou’s path to elite European management began in Athens, before emigrating to Australia at the age of five. After a modest playing career, he rose through coaching with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, then led the Australia national team. His success continued in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos and at Celtic, before joining Spurs in 2023.
“My parents gave up everything for me,” he said, his voice cracking. “I was raised Greek, grew up Australian, and learned in sport to take on anyone – no matter how big they are.”
Future Uncertain, But Not Unsettled
Although Postecoglou has fielded months of questions about his future, he offered a calm and confident perspective:
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve left jobs after big wins before – I won with Australia and left, won with Celtic and left, won with Brisbane and left.
My future is assured. I have a great family and a great life. As long as I’m healthy, that’s what matters.”
Son Set to Return for Final
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, who missed a month with a foot injury, is expected to start. During the open training session, he featured in a front three alongside Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert, playing behind striker Dominic Solanke.
James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall are all ruled out due to injury, and Richarlison may start on the bench if Postecoglou maintains this formation.
Son, one of the few remaining players from the 2019 Champions League final loss to Liverpool, said the pain of that match still lingers:
“I still don’t think it was a penalty,” he said, referencing the controversial handball decision against Moussa Sissoko.
