Liverpool’s start to the season has been far from ideal. The reigning Premier League champions have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions and slipped down the league table to seventh, trailing leaders Arsenal by seven points.
Another 3-0 midweek humbling by Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup once again exposed the Anfield side’s defensive frailties, with Arne Slot’s decision to heavily rotate the squad and hand opportunities to youngsters backfiring.
Following their £415m summer spree, Liverpool have struggled to gel as a cohesive unit. While the new arrivals’ form has been a point of concern, so too have the Reds’ performances at the back, where Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have not been at their best.
The centre-back pairing have conceded 14 goals in nine league games this term, 11 more than their main title rivals Arsenal, and these defensive frailties are raising serious questions about Arne Slot’s tactical approach, particularly whether his current system provides enough stability at the back.
Ruben Amorim’s approach at Manchester United could provide a handy blueprint for Slot to fix his underperforming Liverpool squad.
The Portuguese manager has consistently deployed a 3-4-3 system since arriving at Old Trafford in November last year, and it is now starting to show results, with United winning three Premier League games in a row, including a 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals at Anfield last month.
The Red Devils have been far more defensively stable under the Portuguese manager lately and have also seen summer signings flourish, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko integrating smoothly into the squad.
Liverpool’s summer arrivals, however, have been a stark contrast, with Florian Wirtz yet to register a goal contribution in his nine Premier League appearances and Alexander Isak, the record transfer in British football, scoring just once for the Reds to date.
Adapting to a new formation mid-season is never straightforward, and Amorim experienced this first-hand last term after overseeing United’s worst-ever Premier League finish.
However, tactical innovation could be key for Slot to overturn Liverpool’s dismal start to the season and safeguard their ambitions of retaining the Premier League title.
Improved defensive stability would inject confidence into the Liverpool side and create a platform for their attacking talent to flourish, with both Wirtz and Isak needing a boost after a difficult start to life on Merseyside.
Attacking reinforcements are needed at Liverpool ahead of the 2026/27 season as they look to right the wrongs of the previous campaign.
The favourites to win the Premier League last summer after splashing the cash in the weeks after their title triumph, the Reds endured a dismal year and finished the season in fifth under Arne Slot.
The team’s struggles ultimately resulted in the Dutchman losing his job, with Andoni Iraola the man to come in and replace him following his incredible work at Bournemouth.
Much more will be expected this season of Liverpool, who have so far signed defender Jeremy Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz.
Liverpool have the small matter of trying to replace club legend Mohamed Salah and Reds fans are hoping that another attacking signing arrives ahead of the new term.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are “really, really keen’ on French international Bradley Barcola as they get their plans in place for the new season.
The 23-year-old has made quite a name for himself in the French capital since moving from Lyon in 2023, notably helping Luis Enrique’s side win back-to-back Champions League titles after such a long wait for Europe’s top prize.
Competing with the wealth of attacking options at Enrique’s disposal, Barcola contributed 13 goals in all competitions last season, but there has been some speculation regarding a potential move away from the Parc des Princes, especially with Yan Diomande a potential incoming.
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Speaking on the HereWeGo podcast, Romano opened up on Barcola’s future and mentioned both Liverpool and Arsenal when discussing the youngster, who could command a transfer fee of over £116m.
He said: “I’m not going to say Barcola is not for sale at the end of June because I think there is still the possibility to see some movement, with Liverpool really interested, with Barcola also on Arsenal’s list. But Liverpool are really, really keen on the player.”
Barcola’s 2025/26 season could get even better if France go all the way and win the World Cup final later this month.
Already getting his hands on five trophies this season with his club side, France are the current favourites to lift the famous trophy in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19.
Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in terms of his attack, with Barcola so far rotating with club teammate Desire Doue in France’s fearsome front four.
Barcola has managed to chip in with two goals this tournament, including one last time out against Sweden in the Round of 32, and you wouldn’t bet against him adding to his tally with Les Bleus expected to reach the final.
The former Lyon man would give Liverpool a noticeable upgrade in the left-wing position if he signed, helping the club to finally replace Luis Diaz following his move to Bayern Munich last summer.
As any England fan will tell you, the men’s national team never like to do things the easy way. Sometimes that presents itself as a last-gasp winner. But sometimes that comes in the form of a few disciplinary detours.
Whether it stems from geographical proximity or a controversial chapter in a major tournament, England’s tapestry of fierce rivals is an intriguing one to unpick. But who are the biggest sporting enemies on The Three Lions’ list?
This rivalry goes beyond football. The historical ties from the two World Wars of the 20th century have informed this great feud, with their incredible clashes creating some of the most memorable footballing moments in recent times. Who could forget the drama of England’s 1966 World Cup Final win at the expense of Germany? But the Germans inflicted their own heartbreak at the 1990 World Cup and Euro ’96, eliminating England on penalties at the semifinal stage on both occasions.
More recently, England fans still fondly remember the 1-5 thumping in Munich. But they also wince at the thought of Frank Lampard’s ghost goal in 2010.
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England’s record against Germany |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
35 |
14 |
6 |
15 |
10 Biggest Matches in British Football History [Ranked]
The ten biggest matches in British football history have been named and ranked.
Driven by the Falklands War in 1982, Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup ensured that this rivalry would last.
It would be reignited at the 1998 tournament, with David Beckham controversially being sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone before England crashed out on penalties. Beckham would have his revenge though. His winning penalty in the 2002 World Cup encounter helped to condemn Albiceleste to a shock group stage exit.
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England’s record against Argentina |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
14 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
The oldest international fixture in world football, England and Scotland’s rivalry began on November 30th 1872 with a 0-0 draw. Since then, there have been many memorable episodes.
The rivalry was renewed every year by the annual British Home Championship that took place from 1884 to 1984. There was also the incredible spectacle of Scotland victory at Hampden Park in 1937. Just under 150,000 fans packed into the stadium for the match — an all-time European attendance record that still stands today. And who could forget the 1977 Wembley pitch invasion after Scotland’s 2-1 win? The Tartan Army stormed on, famously snapping the crossbars in celebration.
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England’s record against Scotland |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
116 |
49 |
41 |
26 |
Despite just 18 encounters overall, the England-Ireland rivalry has endured in part thanks to the two nations’ complex social and political relationship.
Ireland made history in 1949 with their 0-2 win at Goodison Park. They became the first non-British team to beat England on home soil. Ireland also won the first major tournament meeting between the two, courtesy of a Ray Houghton winner at Euro ’88. The rivalry is also infamously remembered for the 1995 Lansdowne Road riot that saw a friendly in Dublin abandoned after 27 minutes due to severe rioting by a number of English hooligans.
The rivalry was recently renewed by the debate over dual nationality. Both Declan Rice and Jack Grealish switched eligibility to England, having already represented Ireland. Grealish had played for the U21s six times, whilst Rice made three senior appearances for Ireland. Both players were heavily booed during the 2024 Nations League clash before both ironically scored the game’s only two goals.
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England’s record against Ireland |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
19 |
8 |
8 |
2 |
Not quite a bitter rivalry, but one forged in destiny. England, for some reason, are inexplicably linked to the south-east European side. And whilst the two nations lack historical hatred, their respectful rivalry is marked by several dramatic modern moments.
Chief among them, England’s 2018 World Cup heartbreak. After Kieran Trippier’s opening goal in the semifinal, Croatia fought back to force extra time. Mario Mandzukic’s 109th minute winner was ecstasy for Croatia, but agony for the Three Lions.
Croatia also shockingly knocked ended England’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. With England needing a win to break into the top two in Group E, the excellent Croatian team defeated England 2-3 at Wembley. The enduring image of that night was England manager Steve McLaren shielding himself with an umbrella as European qualification slipped away. He was relieved of his duties the following day.
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England’s record against Croatia |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
12 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
10 Fiercest Rivalries in International Football [Ranked]
Here are 10 match-ups that are guaranteed to deliver fireworks on the pitch nearly every time…
Pubs across the country are set to stay open until the early hours for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico. The World Cup knockout kicks-off at 1am on Monday, July 6, which equates to 6pm in Mexico City, and Keir Starmer is set to introduce an emergency law change so that pubs can remain open until 5am.
The UK Prime Minister is set to leave his position on July 9, but has won back some people’s trust following one of his final decisions in Number 10.
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