Sports
Arne Slot Has Unfairly Treated 5 Other Liverpool Stars
“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Mohamed Salah said after not coming off the bench for Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday 6 December. “That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.” The premise of his argument is that he’s been treated unfairly by Arne Slot.
A vital player for the Reds ever since making the Italy-to-England switch, having signed from AS Roma, in the summer of 2017, Salah is a name etched into Anfield folklore – but his departure is seemingly inevitable and his public assessment of his situation may just speed up that process.
Signing the Egyptian was a risk, of course, given that he failed to establish himself as a regular at Chelsea in the years prior – but Jurgen Klopp, after a bit of convincing that he’d prove to be a better addition than Julian Brandt, turned him into a goal-getting machine.
Salah also fired on all cylinders in Slot’s maiden campaign, which resulted in the club’s second-ever Premier League title with four matches to spare… but he’s no longer one of Slot’s indispensables. Forgetting what has happened to the record-breaking wide man for a second, there are five other Liverpool players who have been treated unfairly by the Liverpool boss. From players being sold too prematurely to Slot purely not giving others their well-deserved flowers, let’s take a closer look at the quintet of curious cases.
Andy Robertson
It was all change in Anfield’s full-back department in the summer: Trent Alexander-Arnold packed his bags and joined Real Madrid, while Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were signed from Bournemouth and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively. The seasoned Andy Robertson – who is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the history of the Premier League – stayed put, but minutes have been hard to come by.
Kerkez’s arrival inevitably caused confusion over Robertson’s spot in the starting line-up but given the Hungarian has not played particularly well at left-back this term, why shouldn’t the former Hull City man be trusted more? Experienced, talented and a natural-born leader, the 31-year-old has put together a compelling case to be ahead of Kerkez in the pecking order right now. At the time of writing, he’s started just 20% of Liverpool’s 2025/26 Premier League matches.
Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. A young lad with heaps of potential, it begs the question of why the 22-year-old didn’t get more of a chance at the heart of defence. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk have struggled to find any semblance of telepathy during the club’s downfall following their initial five-match winning streak and Quansah, a once-capped England international, could’ve been used sporadically to ease the pressure. The fact that he has caught the attention of Thomas Tuchel proves that he is talented enough to push for a starting spot on the red half of Merseyside.
Sell-On Clause and Buyback Decision – What Liverpool Agreed When They Sold Jarell Quansah
Liverpool made a buyback decision when they sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen
Slot, however, was clearly not a fan of the central defender. Back in August, during Slot’s first Premier League match in charge of the Reds against Ipswich Town, Quansah was hooked at half-time and Slot later claimed that his failure to win duels against the Tractor Boys’ forwards was the reason why. Following his half-time humiliation, the academy graduate struggled to get a good run of matches under his belt, with him typically playing in dead rubber fixtures.
Wataru Endo
Alongside Chiesa, it’s fair to say that Wataru Endo is an unsung hero of Liverpool’s. Something of a forgotten figure once Klopp left, the gumshield-wearing midfielder is unfortunate not to be getting more minutes in his legs. Signed from VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2023, Endo was trusted to boss the engine room in Klopp’s final campaign at the helm, but his fortunes were flipped on their head following the arrival of Slot.
The Japanese hero has played just 242 minutes of football across all competitions since Liverpool’s curtain-raiser in August – and it’s not unfair to say that Slot’s men could benefit from having the energetic 32-year-old in the middle. Liverpool are (uncharacteristically) conceding goals at an alarming rate and with no real defensive midfielder in the squad, one would expect him to be playing more than he actually is.
Federico Chiesa
What Liverpool are lacking at the moment are players willing to take games by the scruff of the neck. Federico Chiesa, albeit not a world-beater, is a man who can make stuff happen – but that is not enough for Slot and company to trust him more often. A livewire when he plays, the Italian may have endeared himself to the Anfield faithful with ease, but impressing Slot will surely be at the top of his priority list.
In truth, judging by his 143 minutes in the Premier League, Genoa-born Chiesa has been one of Liverpool’s better players in what has been a rather dismal season, but Slot’s comments after the winger’s last-ditch block against Sunderland painted the picture as clearly as possible. “Yeah, I think that’s what you want a team – or a player – to do in a situation like that,” Slot said.
“To just give everything, even in a situation where you feel you cannot do a lot anymore. Just keep running and that’s what he [Federico Chiesa] did and that’s why he cleared the ball off the line,” the boss finished. Fans believed Chiesa, a player who wears his heart on his sleeve irrespective of his lack of game time, deserves much better treatment.
Harvey Elliott
Born and raised in London, Harvey Elliott – in his pursuit of becoming a star in the Premier League – left the capital to join Liverpool in the summer of 2019. From playing in the club’s academy to winning two top flight titles, it was a dream come true for the 22-year-old to finally earn his Anfield stripes… but it’s somewhat gone downhill since.
The perfect utility player under Klopp’s tenure, Slot couldn’t find much space for him in 2024/25, and he played one minute for Liverpool before his deadline day transfer to Aston Villa on loan in September.
Last season, he picked up just 822 minutes of action – 360 of those coming in the league – as Slot preferred the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai to run the middle of the park. Curtis Jones, too, was ahead of him in the manager’s plans, but Elliott wanted to remain and fight for his place. That was not to be the case in Slot’s eyes, and a temporary move to Villa Park came to fruition and the Dutch tactician recently admitted that he’s barely been in contact with the Englishman.
Sports
Man Utd Set to Complete Signing of Kit Margetson
Manchester United are set to complete the signing of a 6 ft 4 player as they look set to add to their goalkeeping department, according to BBC Sport.
Man United‘s summer recruitment is starting to be questioned by some supporters after Tottenham Hotspur signed two midfielders they have been heavily linked with in a big-money double swoop.
Spurs have spent £185m on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, with the Red Devils making the former their number one midfield target after accepting that a move for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson was dead in the water once the England international decided he preferred a move to rivals Manchester City instead.
United have got Ederson through the door with a move expected to be completed later this month when he returns from representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, but their incoming business has slowed up since, which is causing frustration after Tottenham agreed their sixth signing.
Still, Liverpool have only added one new face too and Arsenal none as of yet, so they aren’t too far behind and the World Cup was always likely to cause delays for certain targets, with Aurelien Tchouameni just one of their targets still going strong in North America for France.
BBC: Man Utd Poised to Sign Kit Margetson
While Senne Lammens has nailed down the number one shirt at Old Trafford following his debut season at the club, a reshuffle of United’s goalkeeping department is expected this summer.
Andre Onana has rejoined Turkish side Trabzonspor on another season-long loan deal, while there have been rumours that Altay Bayindir could also depart.
With Tom Heaton already extending his stay at Old Trafford, an exit for Bayindir would mean United need to sign a new back-up stopper.
They are closing in on signing Swansea youngster Kit Margetson, according to the BBC, but he is unlikely to be thrust straight into the first-team plans should a move be completed.
The Wales Under-21 international is yet to make a first-team appearance for Swansea, but did play regular senior football for Connah’s Quay Nomads last term.
Still, the Championship outfit were keen to tie the 6 ft 4 stopper down to new terms, but he is now set to join United instead for a compensation fee.
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Man United Working on Second Goalkeeper Deal
Man United look to have decided that their ideal goalkeeper signing this summer will be an experienced stopper who has played in the Premier League before.
Two of the most heavily linked players are former Red Devil Sam Johnstone, who could leave recently-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, and Karl Darlow.
Leeds United have been in contract talks with the 35-year-old over staying at Elland Road after his contract expired on June 30, but now Man United are said to have tabled a contract offer to the Wales international to move to Old Trafford instead.
The club will be looking to sort the situation as soon as possible so they have the right support around Lammens from the beginning of pre-season.
Sports
Fulham Enter Race for Man Utd’s Top Winger Target Summerville
Fulham have now entered the race to sign Manchester United’s top target in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Jacob Steinberg.
It’s been a difficult few weeks in the transfer market for United as they miss out on a number of their key targets.
Elliot Anderson has now officially completed a move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest despite heavy interest from United.
Mateus Fernandes was also a target for the Red Devils, but he has now completed a move to Tottenham after they paid £85m to secure his signature.
It’s back to the drawing board in terms of midfield reinforcements for the Red Devils as they look to replace both Casemiro, who has now left the club, and Manuel Ugarte, who could miss a large portion of the season due to injury.
Man Utd Set to Complete Signing of 6 ft 4 Player
He was in contract talks with his club but is now set to move to Old Trafford
Fulham Join Man Utd Race
According to a report from Guardian journalist Steinberg, Fulham have now entered the race to sign West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to move in the summer transfer window.
A host of clubs in the Premier League are keen on the Dutch international, including Manchester United.
Reports have claimed that Manchester United’s ‘top’ target for the winger position this summer is Summerville. The Guardian report, however, claims that a move to a team outside the elite could be the more realistic outcome, such as Fulham.
United have also opened talks to sign Summerville in a potential deal, but it will be interesting to see whether Fulham’s interest changes things.
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Summerville Exit Feels Guaranteed
An exit for Summerville in the summer transfer window feels inevitable.
A host of West Ham’s squad will be searching for moves back to the Premier League after they were relegated to the Championship last season.
Summerville was one of the Hammers’ better players last term, while he’s also produced some strong performances at the World Cup.
With the likes of Fulham and Manchester United interested in the Dutch winger, it’s incredibly unlikely that West Ham are going to be able to keep hold of him.
The London club will have to sell players in order to balance the books as they are set to miss out on large sums of money following relegation.
Sports
8 Tunisia Players Fail Drug Tests As Mexican Food Contamination Suspected
A World Cup nation has been rocked after eight of their players failed doping tests, and the implications could affect England ahead of their Round of 16 tie against Mexico this weekend. The Three Lions already know they will be up against it when they travel to the co-hosts’ capital on Sunday night.
El Tri have won each of their four matches so far without conceding a single goal, becoming the first nation to achieve that incredible feat since Italy in 1990. They also boast a record that has seen them lose just twice across their previous 89 fixtures at the Azteca Stadium, while the altitude, heat and hostile atmosphere – the latter having the potential to keep Thomas Tuchel’s squad up at night – are also expected to play an influential role.
But there is one other factor they must be wary of after one nation was subject to suspected food contamination, resulting in a large portion of their squad failing drugs tests following their premature exit from the tournament.
World Cup Nation Rocked by Suspected Food Contamination in Mexico
Tunisia are already out of the World Cup after finishing bottom of Group F following heavy defeats to Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands. The African minnows also sacked head coach, Sabri Lamouchi, following the team’s 5-1 loss to the former in their opening World Cup game and replaced him with Herve Renard for their remaining two matches.
But that wasn’t the end of their troubles stateside this summer. Every player at the World Cup can be subjected to a random drugs test during the tournament and according to The Times, eight members of Tunisia’s squad had traces of the banned drug clenbuterol in their samples.
Clenbuterol, which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list, is used to treat asthma but can also help an athlete build lean muscle mass and burn body fat. Despite the adverse findings, the eight Tunisian players have not been named or suspended as officials believe the presence of clenbuterol was due to contaminated meat.
Tunisia were based in Monterrey for the World Cup and in Mexico, farmers have a history of including clenbuterol in animal feed because it helps reduce fat and increase lean muscle mass.
What Happens if England Fail Doping Tests For The Same Reason
If England players take clenbuterol in Mexico, the consequences depend entirely on how the substance entered their system. But any traces would lead to a FIFA investigation, alongside one from an anti-doping authority.
If a player tests positive for trace amounts of clenbuterol, but it was ingested via tainted local beef or pork, it is classified as an “atypical finding” rather than a deliberate doping violation.
If corroborated by dietary journals and lack of other performance-enhancing drugs, no bans or suspensions are expected. The player avoids formal punishment, as seen in past cases with other international tournaments held in the country, like when 109 out of 208 players in the 2011 Under-17s World Cup also failed drug tests, according to the Metro.
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