Sports
Why Liverpool Are Right to Back Slot Over Salah
Mohamed Salah started what could become a war of words with Liverpool and manager Arne Slot with some explosive comments in the aftermath of the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.
For the second time in three matches the Egyptian failed to make it onto the pitch, as Liverpool were pegged back by a 96th minute Leeds equaliser.
The result left Liverpool languishing in ninth place in the Premier League table, ten points off the top in their defence of their crown.
Salah has come in for criticism this season, with five goals and three assists to his name in 18 matches in all competitions. And he was not going to shy away from speaking his mind after being an unused substitute on Saturday.
No holding back
In a fiery interview with reporters in the mixed zone, Salah said: “I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. 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.
“That’s how I feel it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.
“I used to have a good relationship [with Slot]. Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. Seems like someone does not want me in the club. I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game.”
Salah has been left out of the squad to travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with Slot and goalkeeper Alisson on duty for the press conference that is sure to be dominated by questions about the forward’s future.
So what next for Salah and Liverpool?
Who’s right and who’s wrong?
There was plenty of speculation earlier this year over Salah’s future at Anfield, as he was in the last year of his contact with the club. Would he stay or would he go?
Eventually, in April, he put pen to paper on a new two-year deal, to run until 2027, but was that now a mistake, if not on the club’s part then the player’s?
For Liverpool, getting the Egyptian to sign a new contract means they can now get a transfer fee for him, should he depart the club following this animosity. Salah, however, may find things a bit more difficult.
He has suitors, of course, there are plenty of them, with speculation already rife that he could make the move to Saudi Arabia or MLS in America.
But any interested parties will now have to negotiate a fee to sign him.
After signing that mega money deal to stay at Anfield, Liverpool hold all the cards now, which is probably where Salah’s comments on “the club promised me a lot” stems from.
In an era when player power is rife, Liverpool have shown courage and conviction in backing their manager of this Salah furore, particularly when Slot himself is under huge pressure. GIVEMESPORT understands that the Dutchman retains the backing of the board in this situation, but he will know he is under pressure to produce results.
Slot delivered the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield and while the second season has taken a major downturn, he has changed plenty on the playing side, which takes time to get things right. Liverpool spent big in the summer and were expected to kick on, the reality has been something different, but if these signings and this new-look team are to be successful, they have to stick with it.
The end is nigh
At 33, Salah is coming towards the end of his career at the highest level and backing him, over the manager would be foolish.
Liverpool have invested hugely in Salah, with his new contract reportedly worth £500,000 per week. But insodoing the Reds have covered themselves when it comes to allowing him to leave.
Salah can leave, but only on Liverpool’s terms and at an age of diminishing value, Liverpool are doing the right thing by standing by their manager and Salah must accept his fate.
Sports
Tottenham Agree £50m Deal for Luka Vuskovic to Join Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £50m deal to sell Luka Vuskovic to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs have had a very busy transfer window so far, completing deals for Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Martin Dubravka, while a move for Mateus Fernandes is on the verge of being completed for a club-record fee of £85m.
But the club are now working on outgoings alongside those incoming deals, and a deal with Brighton for young defender Vuskovic has now been finalised by all parties,
Tottenham and Brighton Agree Vuskovic Deal
Vuskovic, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a sensational season on loan at Hamburg in the 2025/26 season and had initially been expected to return to north London to compete for a starting place.
But the defender asked to leave to further his development elsewhere with more regular playing time, and after having a number of bids rejected, Brighton have now agreed to pay £46m plus £4m in bonuses to get a deal done for the Croatia international.
Spurs have agreed a deal that will see them continue to hold a 20% sell-on clause over his future, while they will also have matching rights if he moves on, allowing them to retain control over his future somewhat.
Romano adds that Tottenham are now ready to go ‘all in’ for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali with the new incoming funds, which could see the Italian join in a deal that would exceed the fee that is to be paid for Fernandes to West Ham, meaning the club would be breaking their transfer record twice in one window.
Vuskovic Deal Could Be Shrewd Business
While Vuskovic is considered to be one of the top young defenders in world football, Spurs need players for right now.
The club have Micky Van de Ven in their back line already alongside Kevin Danso, while Van Hecke and Senesi’s arrival means there is plenty of depth and competition. It’s also worth noting that as of this writing, Cristian Romero is still at the club.
That would likely make Vuskovic sixth-choice, and he’s of no use to anyone there. Selling him for a big fee, and retaining some control of his future, is excellent business, and Spurs can now focus on strengthening the squad even further as a result to get back to being competitive.
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Sports
The Bold England 11 Thomas Tuchel Needs to Name vs Mexico
Thomas Tuchel has plenty of decisions to make after England avoided a giant-killing to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup against Mexico.
A Harry Kane brace saw the Three Lions come from behind to beat a tough DR Congo side who led for 75 minutes. While Tuchel’s men dug deep to turn the game around, their German coach won’t have liked the overall performance.
Several players disappointed and might be at risk of the chop ahead of a massive showdown with Mexico on Monday. Here is how Tuchel must set his side up for a dreaded trip to the Azteca.
Goalkeeper and Defence
England started slowly against the Congolese and were made to pay after Brian Cipenga gave the Africans an early shock. That largely came due to poor defending, and Jordan Pickford was easily beaten at his near post.
Pickford will undoubtedly remain Tuchel’s number one for the Mexico game, but the unconvincing Djed Spence cannot continue at right-back. Most of DR Congo’s threat came through Cipenga, who constantly gave Spence problems.
Once Tuchel decided to bring Spence off for Eberechi Eze and move Declan Rice into a makeshift right-back role, the Three Lions improved. In fact, that tactical switch led to both of Kane’s goals, with each move starting out on the right.
A lack of right-back options is a real issue for Tuchel and the solution may well be to start Rice in the position at the Azteca. His versatility allows him to still control games in a similar fashion to how Philipp Lahm did at right-back throughout his career with Germany.
Ezri Konsa looked nervy, and perhaps turning to John Stones for experience is the way forward. The Manchester City centre-back should partner Marc Guehi, while Nico O’Reilly deserves to keep his place at left-back.
Bringing Rice into the back four also gives the backline a leader who can ensure his teammates stay focused against a tricky Mexican attack. It’s a risky move but one that could pay off given the massive headache Tuchel has.
Midfield
Moving Rice means a slot opens up in midfield and that should go to Kobbie Mainoo, who earned a starting role during the knockout stages of Euro 2024. We were so open in midfield, and the Manchester United midfielder has the technical ability to help Elliot Anderson dominate proceedings in the middle of the park.
Jude Bellingham has silenced his critics and been one of England’s standout performers. The Real Madrid man will keep his place in the number 10 role where he is thriving.
While Tuchel could opt to use Bellingham as an eight and start Morgan Rogers in the 10, the Aston Villa man didn’t impress in the 2-0 win over Panama. Mainoo’s profile will suit the type of game expected against co-hosts Mexico, and he’s fresh having been given little game time.
Attack
Kane is undroppable, and if Tuchel’s men are going to win the tournament, he’ll be the one to fire them to glory. The main issue has been out on the wing with the manager constantly chopping and changing.
Noni Madueke endured a frustrating outing against DR Congo, and Bukayo Saka needs to start if he is fit enough. Another dilemma is on the left wing, as Marcus Rashford has performed better as an impact sub, but Anthony Gordon stepped up after coming off the bench in the win over DR Congo, providing both assists for Kane.
The England XI Tuchel Must Pick vs Mexico: Pickford; Rice, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Mainoo, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon
Sports
Tottenham Agree £100m Deal to Sign Newcastle Star Sandro Tonali

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal worth £100m with Newcastle United to sign Sandro Tonali, according to David Ornstein.
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