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Michael Olise stole the show with a brace and three assists while Harry Kane continued his incredible scoring record as Vincent Kompany's men pumped six goals past Freiburg. The French international was simply sensational as he turbocharged Bayern's comeback after the defending champions fell behind by two goals within 17 minutes.

• Olise puts Freiburg to the sword

  Bayern endured a nightmare opening 20 minutes at the Allianz Arena as Freiburg punished their sluggish start with two well-drilled set-piece goals, racing into a 2-0 lead before the champions had even settled. The warning signs were evident from the first corner, and Bayern failed to heed them. Freiburg executed a clearly rehearsed routine in the 12th minute, flicking on a near-post ball that sliced straight through the static Bayern defence. Yuito Suzuki was alive to the pass and pulled the trigger to give the visitors a deserved lead.

  Five minutes later, it got worse for Bayern, and again from a corner. Neuer, usually the most assured presence in his box, mistimed his leap entirely as Johan Manzambi rose above a crowd of bodies to send a looping header dropping into the far corner. Freiburg, organised and relentless, had carved open a shell-shocked Bayern simply by exploiting their frailties at set plays.

  The double setback finally jolted Bayern into life. Olise, who had been their brightest spark from kick-off, took responsibility and dragged his team forward with a moment of individual brilliance. Receiving the ball wide on the right, the French international weaved past three Freiburg defenders and set up Lennart Karl, whose expert first touch created just enough space for him to drive a clinical finish into the bottom corner in the 22nd minute. That goal shifted the tempo entirely. Bayern began playing with far more urgency, pushing Freiburg deeper into their own half as they hunted the equaliser. 

  The pressure eventually told. Deep inside first half stoppage time, Karl repaid the favour, slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Olise, who struck a low, fizzing effort that skidded under Noah Atubolu’s outstretched hand. 

  It was one-way traffic in the second half as Freiburg's resistance was crushed by Bayern's dominance. Olise was once again the star as his inch-perfect delivery from a corner found an unmarked Dayot Upamecano, who made no mistake to score from close range. Five minutes later, Kane joined the party and increased the lead after calmly finding the far bottom corner, following another defensive lapse by the Freiburg backline. 

  The visitors saw their shoulders drop, and Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson got his name on the scoresheet after he was played through by Olise. The evening got further worse for Freiburg as Olise continued to haunt them. This time, he cut inside from the right and, with a swing of his boot, he curled into the far top corner, almost reminiscent of the Dutch legend Arjen Robben. Following this victory, Bayern have opened up an eight-point lead at the top, after 11 matchdays. They have a relentless schedule ahead of them as they will next face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday in north London. 

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  The MVP

  Olise was undoubtedly the star. He finished the match with a brace and three assists as Freiburg surrendered to his brilliance on the right flank. He was impressive before the international break against Union Berlin, and he has carried on with the same rich vein of form. 

• The big loser

  Jordy Makengo had a torrid night as the left-back. Olise ran riot down that flank, especially in the second half, and the defender was no match for the winger, who helped himself to a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Makengo will be having nightmares for weeks. 

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  Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced this week that they will be visiting the White House in celebration of their World Series victory over the New York Yankees last fall. The Dodgers plan to visit on April 7 when they will also be in Washington D.C. for a series against the Washington Nationals.

"In keeping with long-standing baseball tradition, President Trump has invited the 2024 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House when they play in Washington D.C. on April 7," the Dodgers announced in a statement. "The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title."

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the invitation an honor for the team. “It’s certainly a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House." Roberts said, via Jack Harris of . "Allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship."

Roberts previously indicated he could turn down a trip to visit President Trump in the White House back in 2019 if the Dodgers had won the World Series that season. He told that year, “We have to win it first. But one trip to D.C., playing the Nationals, is plenty for me.”

Roberts's comments at that time came after President Trump was critical of Roberts in the 2018 World Series for taking out pitcher Rich Hill against the Boston Red Sox, calling the decision a "big mistake."

After the Red Sox won that World Series, then Red Sox and now Dodgers star Mookie Betts actually skipped the team's trip to the White House. Both Roberts and Betts attended the Dodgers' visit to the White House in 2021 after their 2020 World Series win.

One year should be more than enough time to transmit your ideas to your squad and mould them to your way of playing. But Ruben Amorim's first anniversary as Manchester United coach against Everton felt like being back at square one, his players still no closer to working out how to beat mid-table Premier League opponents, even when playing against 10 men for more than 77 minutes.

Amorim was typically transparent and frank in his post-match assessment, laying out his frustration at his players for not getting up for the game and wanting to take advantage of Liverpool and Manchester City's defeats, ultimately admitting that Everton deserved to win. He was even envious of the Toffees' in-fighting which led to Idrissa Gueye being sent off for confronting Michael Keane as it showed that they cared, in contrast to the apathy his team seemed to embody. "I hope my players when they lose the ball, they fight each other,” he said.

He stopped short of properly criticising the players, stressing it was his responsibility "to explain to the players how to play in every situation of the game". But it was his rigid system that was really to blame for holding the team back when they needed to adapt to the dramatic change in circumstances brought about by Gueye's farcical red card and then Everton taking the lead, giving them license to sit in a low block for the rest of the game.

The game was a picture perfect example of why Amorim is doomed to fail unless he changes course and strays from his fixed 3-4-3 formation.

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  System exposed

  It is one thing to have a fixed formation to work with on a day-to-day basis, and quite another to stick with it when there is a huge shift in dynamic caused by an early red card. United had benefitted from an early sending off for their opponents earlier this season when Robert Sanchez was dismissed in the fifth minute of Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford. The Red Devils responded to that incident by going for the jugular, although they were also helped by Enzo Maresca hauling off three attacking players soon after.

  David Moyes, by contrast, made no changes after the red card, although he had been forced to replace the injured Seamus Coleman with Jake O'Brien a few minutes earlier. And yet despite being a man down in midfield, they managed to stifle United's threat in the middle of the park, with neither Casemiro nor Bruno Fernandes attempting a tackle in the first half. 

  With the midfield blocked off, United tried to cause damage out wide and it was there that the limits of Amorim's system, especially with the personnel he has, were exposed. Patrick Dorgu couldn't create any danger down the left flank while Noussair Mazraoui only made one promising attacking move in the first half.

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  Weak wing backs

  Amorim's solution at half-time was to bring on Mason Mount and take off Mazraoui, who was at least getting forward, so that Amad Diallo could revert to his usual position of right-wing-back and make the most of his blossoming partnership with Bryan Mbeumo. United's left side remained blunt, though, and the coach eventually took off Dorgu. 

  Amorim already had a seasoned attacking left-back on the pitch in Luke Shaw but rather than put the former England international in the position he has played all his life, he brought on the right-footed Diogo Dalot, who was ill-equipped to go round the outside. His only option was to go inside into midfield, where Everton were most comfortable.

  It was a reminder of how United also struggled to break down Nottingham Forest earlier in the month with Dalot on the left flank, leading Jamie Carragher to say the Portuguese "can't beat a man, he's not going to play a clever pass, he's not going to get a cross in". In the end, United's best opportunity in the second half against Everton came when Shaw put a cross in for Joshua Zirkzee, whose header was denied by a fine save from Jordan Pickford.

  Zirkzee's two headers in the second half were United's best efforts but they also smacked of desperation. Everton's defenders James Tarkowski and Keane were happy to deal with crosses all night, and United failed to ask enough questions of them with the ball on the floor. 

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  'Shaw not a centre-back'

  "United were so pedestrian and so negative having gone to 10 men. You've got to flood forward, but they kept this three at the back," said a perplexed Gary Neville on . "Luke Shaw ambled forward. Luke Shaw is not a centre-back, Luke Shaw is a left-back who can go forward, and go forward well, and actually has a good left foot. 

  "So you be the one who dominates and goes forward. He's just playing passes sideways, I thought Shaw was so disappointing. Bringing Dalot on that side and blocking that side off, Dorgu was having a tough night but putting Dalot on meant he was having to turn back on his right foot and play around. Dalot is not a left winger, he's finding himself as a left winger."

  The Shaw situation summed up the problems with Amorim's system in a game like this. Here is a player who used to thrive on bombing forward and when that was what he needed to do, he stayed within the lane Amorim had drawn for him as centre-back.

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  No plan against 10 men

  Shaw wasn't the only one that didn't know what to do. "You have to adapt to the circumstances within the game," added Neville. "It looked like they hadn't planned how to play against 10 men. It's pretty damn obvious isn't it? You shift the ball quicker, you shift it from side to side, you switch play, you stretch the pitch and make it as big as possible, you make sure you literally run the other team ragged."

  United were missing two key forwards in Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, who they signed for a combined £136m ($178m). Amorim refused to use their absences as an excuse and he will have to get more accustomed to key players going missing when the Christmas fixture pile-up begins in December, and when Mazraoui, Amad and Mbeumo go off to the African Nations Cup. Amad and Mbeumo were the only players who could be proud of their performances against Everton and they will be huge losses. 

  Every coach has to cope without key players, but most of them have the flexibility to tweak their system to suit the personnel they have at any given moment. That's where Amorim differs and it's now looking like a case of adapting or falling on his sword. The Portuguese has repeatedly said that he is more prepared to do the latter.

Noni Madueke scored his first Arsenal goal on Wednesday and challenged the Gunners to “keep pushing boundaries” ahead of their weekend showdown against Chelsea.

Arsenal cruise past Bayern as Madueke returns with a bang

Madueke returned from two months out with a knee injury to score the winning goal in what eventually turned into a comfortable 3-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

The 23-year-old, who joined from Chelsea in the summer amid some opposition – and a petition against his signing – from Arsenal fans, replaced the injured Leandro Trossard, as the Gunners continue to struggle to keep all of their forwards fit at once.

Bayern teenager Lennart Karl had cancelled out Jurrien Timber’s opener for the hosts before Madueke tucked in a cross from Mikel Merino after half-time.

Gabriel Martinelli, also back from a spell out, capitalised on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s error to hit the third as the Premier League leaders maintained their 100 per cent record in Europe and hit the top of the Champions League table.

Arteta now has an even better duo than Gabriel & Saliba at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has created an Arsenal team full of incredible partnerships, including one better than Saliba & Gabriel.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 27, 2025

“It was a top night, a great night,” Madueke told Arsenal’s official media channels. “A Champions League night, so it was perfect to get my first goal for the club and for the win on top. It’s a perfect night.

“I had a long injury, it was difficult, but now I’ve made up for it. It’s amazing. I can’t really say much more, just amazing.

“It’s massive, it’s massive what we’re producing at the moment, not just in the Champions League but our domestic form, and we need to continue at this level and just keep it going.

“The level we’re playing at right now is incredible and we need to try and keep adapting, keep pushing it, keep pushing boundaries and that’s the only way we can stay there.”

Madueke "can't wait" to play against Chelsea

The big games keep coming for Arsenal, who face a Premier League trip to second-placed Chelsea on Sunday. Defeat at Stamford Bridge would trim their lead at the top of the table to just three points, with Enzo Maresca’s side looking win their fourth consecutive top flight match.

Madueke is looking forward to the trip to his old stomping ground, having left west London in the summer for a fee of up to £52m.

“You go eight weeks without the thing you love the most in the world,” said the winger, who is now one of Arsenal’s highest earners on £150,000-a-week.

“So you are chomping at the bit to just be on the pitch as much as possible. I can’t wait.”

Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in any competition since a 2-0 victory at the Emirates in August 2021, while each of the last two meetings at Stamford Bridge have ended in score draws.

One week after the Boston Red Sox called up top prospect Roman Anthony, the rookie crushed his first career home run on Monday night vs. the Seattle Mariners.

Anthony hit the homer 391 feet with a 104 mph exit velocity in the first inning of Monday night's game.

Even though Anthony's first home run came at T-Mobile Park instead of at Fenway Park, there were still some cheers from the for the rookie, who's had a lot of eyes on him the last few months before he was called up.

This was also just the second hit of Anthony’s time in the majors. His first hit came last Tuesday, in his second game with the Red Sox, which was an RBI double. He didn't make it home from the hit, so Monday night's homer was his first official score in the majors, too.

Anthony's home run couldn't have come at a better time for the Red Sox. This was the first inning for the Red Sox since the team traded Rafael Devers in a shocking move to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday evening. Red Sox fans were likely nervous for what this trade meant for the team's future, but Anthony quickly calmed those nerves a bit by hitting the homer right off the bat in the first game without Devers.

Arsenal are now seriously keen on signing Murillo, with Mikel Arteta personally an admirer, amid a new update on whether Nottingham Forest would consider a sale.

The Gunners are looking to bring in a new centre-back, with Gabriel set for a relatively lengthy spell on the sidelines, as confirmed by Arteta prior to the North London derby, with the manager saying: “Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with the Brazil national team and he’s going to be out for weeks.”

“It’s clearly a blow because he’s our leader in our backline and, to me, it’s never a positive thing. The good thing is that we have very good options and we need to stand up now and do the job.”

As pointed out by Arteta, the Gunners have some quality back-up options, with Cristhian Mosquera, who has played a part in keeping five clean sheets this season, the natural replacement for the Brazilian at the heart of defence.

However, at 21-years-old, the Spaniard is still relatively inexperienced, and the north Londoners have now expressed an interest in signing a new centre-back ahead of the January transfer window.

Arsenal now seriously keen on signing Murillo

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are now seriously keen on signing Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, with his current club willing to sanction a departure if they receive an offer in the region of €80m – €90m (£70m – £79m).

The Gunners believe the 23-year-old could make an instant impact in defence, despite already having Gabriel and William Saliba on the books, and Arteta is personally a fan of the Forest star’s progressive style of play.

However, there could be major competition for the centre-back’s signature, with London rivals Chelsea also being named as potential suitors, alongside La Liga giants FC Barcelona.

The Brazilian has been a key player for the Tricky Trees so far this season, making 12 appearances in all competitions, with arguably his best performance coming in the 3-0 victory against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners’ chances of winning the Premier League title were further boosted when Forest emerged as shock winners at Anfield, with the one-time Brazil international opening the scoring, while also making a number of other key contributions.

Lauded as “monstrous” by journalist Ryan Taylor, the Sao Paulo-born defender could have what it takes to become one of the best defenders in the world, but it would be very difficult for him to force his way into Arteta’s plans.

Gabriel and Saliba have formed a formidable partnership, with the Gunners maintaining by far the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, and Mosquera has proven himself as a solid back-up.

Arsenal's surprise replacement for Gabriel at centre-back

Not played CB for a year: Arsenal have a surprise £50m Gabriel replacement

The talented Arsenal star could be just the solution Arteta needs ahead of the North London Derby.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 20, 2025

UEFA is facing separate legal battles worth a total of €4.5 billion as Real Madrid and A22, the company behind the European Super League, are suing the governing body in the wake of a court ruling. A22 have also sent a letter to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, demanding the controversial project be given full approval.

• The €4.5bn lawsuit

  According to , the European Super League’s organisers and Madrid are launching separate lawsuits against UEFA, arguing that the organisation's actions caused substantial financial harm to the divisive project. Attempts to block the competition, which aims to challenge the Champions League by pitting the continent's strongest teams against each other, were dashed when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) determined in 2023 that UEFA and FIFA acted unlawfully by blocking the creation of the Super League. Then, in October, the Provincial Court of Madrid dismissed appeals lodged by UEFA, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), upholding the earlier judgment. 

  In a new letter to UEFA, A22 warned of legal consequences should they refuse to adhere to that ruling and grant official approval within two months. 

  "Despite our substantial concessions, no agreement has been reached," it read. "Consequently, we hereby reiterate our request for UEFA's formal acknowledgement of our proposal (amended to reflect the negotiations mentioned above) as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than eight weeks from the date of this letter."

  Meanwhile, Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed at the Annual General Meeting that the club will file their own lawsuit, which will take the entire claims against UEFA to €4.5bn.

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  The new proposed format

  The Super League was originally launched with 12 founding clubs as a closed competition, immediately sparking backlash across Europe. Following intense criticism and negotiations with UEFA, the organisers introduced several major reforms to reshape the project into a more open and competitive model. The revised format proposed expanding the competition to 36 clubs, divided into two groups of 18 in a “Super-Champions” style league, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stages. Governance reforms were also put forward, including a new board composed of participating clubs, UEFA or the European Football Council, and player representatives. Significantly, three player delegates would have voting power on crucial matters such as revenue distribution and competition format. A22 additionally suggested creating a unified digital platform called 'Unify' to stream free football content to fans worldwide. 

  Despite these amendments, UEFA ultimately rejected the proposals, sparking further action from Madrid and A22.

• Madrid left alone in the fight

  The Super League project, launched in 2021 by giants such as Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, collapsed almost immediately under massive fan protests and strong pressure from football authorities. The English clubs withdrew within days, leaving Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus as the project's remaining supporters. Over time, however, Juventus and Barcelona’s stances shifted. With UEFA introducing a new Champions League format that promises higher revenues, improved competitiveness and several structural adjustments, the Italian side pulled out in June 2024, three years before the other teams withdrew, and Barcelona followed in October this year. The Catalan side's exit leaves their Clasico rivals as the last remaining team still publicly advocating for the Super League.

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  Madrid looking to get back to winning ways

  UEFA will look to find common ground with A22 and Madrid before granting official recognition to the revamped Super League. Fans will hope that a solution emerges that serves the broader interests of football. Meanwhile, Madrid are set to host Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Los Blancos aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a loss and two draws in recent games against Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano and Elche.

The Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants agreed to an absolutely shocking blockbuster trade on Sunday, with Rafael Devers being dealt to the Giants in exchange for a package surrounding starting pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks.

The trade, which was first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, came out of left field, as there had been nothing reported about the two teams discussing the groundbreaking deal.

According to Peter Abraham of , the Red Sox's decision to trade Devers stemmed from the positional dispute the team had with him during spring training, and again during the regular season. Devers, who had only ever played third base, wasn't happy when asked to move to designated hitter after Boston signed Alex Bregman. After eventually agreeing to DH, he was once again miffed when he was asked to play first base due to a season-ending injury sustained by Triston Casas.

Devers' unwillingness to step up and help the team out in a moment of need was reportedly a major concern for the organization, who felt that Devers did not live up to the responsibilities that come with the $313.5 million deal he signed in 2023. Instead, they offloaded him and his contract to San Francisco. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Devers did not demand a trade away from the organization.

The Giants will take on the remaining $250 million owed to Devers in his contract, which doesn't expire until after the 2033 season. He'll make $27 million in 2026 and then $28.5 million for the remaining seven seasons.

This is not the finest version of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, but there’s no question that the Magpies have made a measure of headway after a tough summer transfer window and a tough start to the season.

It’s been a strange old season for the Premier League so far. Spoils are there for all, but there is also the threat of sunken expectations for many outfits across the division. We are approaching Christmas, and Newcastle are 12th in the standings, yet trail Crystal Palace in the top four by only four points.

Say what you will about United’s lack of eloquence on the field at times – they toiled through the opening half-hour against Burnley at the weekend, and came under the cosh late on against the ten-man relegation contenders – but there remains a spirit and resourcefulness about this team that few rivals can match.

However, improvements are needed, and no mistake, with Anthony Elanga in particular still yet to repay the faith invested in him this summer.

Elanga's start to life at Newcastle

Elanga enjoyed a bright cameo off the bench during Newcastle’s recent draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, but it was a case of one step forward and two steps back when he flattered to deceive from the opening whistle against Burnley.

The 24-year-old has yet to score for the Toon, having filled a long-running gap on ther right wing at St. James Park this summer when signing from Nottingham Forest for £55m.

Perhaps what’s most frustrating is that Elanga was profiled extensively ahead of the ultimate acquisition; indeed, Newcastle tried and failed to sign the pacy winger in 2024.

He is talented enough and has enough Premier League experience to turn things around, but this is becoming something of a problem for Howe’s side, who need his speed and creativity and fluency down the right flank.

Analyst Raj Chohan said the £100k-per-week talent has been “a massive overpay”, and on the basis of the evidence over the past few months, this may be on the money, as it were.

Sadly, Elanga wasn’t the addition the Magpies seem to have blundered on, with another making the Sweden international shine in comparison.

Newcastle "wasted their bag" on summer signing

Since Howe and PIF changed the narrative on Tyneside, Newcastle have been widely praised for their shrewd and calculated transfer business.

However, that reputation was knocked askew this summer, with Alexander Isak forcing his way over to Liverpool and a multitude of targets rejecting the Toon.

Howe did end up packaging his squad with a range of players, but Jacob Ramsey might be shaping into the worst of the lot, having arrived from Aston Villa for a £40m fee in August.

Like Elanga, Ramsey played from the opening whistle against the Clarets, and though Elanga left something to be desired, the former Villan star struggled to provide even a measure of his quality on an afternoon that demanded a big performance, such is the competitive nature of Howe’s squad.

The aforementioned Chohan remarked that Newcastle “wasted their bag” on the English playmaker this summer, who has already endured a continuation of the injury problems that had plagued him at Aston Villa, limiting him to just two starting appearances, the second of which may lead to a return to the bench, overshadowed by Joe Willock against a Burnley side who were afforded too much time and space.

Chronicle Live were quick to draw attention to Ramsey’s poor performance, branding the 24-year-old with a 5/10 match rating and criticising the needless concession of a late penalty which set up a nervy finish.

He was tidy enough and resilient in defence, notably winning four of five contested duels against Burnley and showcasing his athleticism with eight ball recoveries, but Ramsey was purchased for his flair and initiative on the ball, and it was a fine representation of neither.

While there’s a sense at the club that Joelinton is winding down after a long and tireless career of service, there have been more than a few murmurs pertaining to Howe’s desire to bring Elliot Anderson back home, and a move such as that would only hinder Ramsey in his hopes of nailing down a starting berth, especially given that he is contesting with Willock already for minutes.

While both Elanga and Ramsey have what it takes to raise their level at St. James’ Park, Howe will be determined to kick on after a testing start to the season and match, maybe even eclipse, last season’s trophy-winning success, qualifying for the Champions League too.

The importance of achieving their goals mean that Newcastle can take no prisoners, and must be ruthless in upgrading the squad to a level that sits comfortably alongside the game’s heavyweights both in England and across Europe.

Given that technical director Ross Wilson has suggested that Newcastle have money to burn heading into 2026, should they decide that signings are needed, someone like Ramsey must be a bit concerned for his role in the outfit, having completed a start that has left much to be desired.

He's the next Bruno Guimaraes: Newcastle to launch move for £30m "monster"

Newcastle United could win themselves a future Bruno Guimaraes by making a move for this £30m ace.

By
Kelan Sarson

7 days ago

Liverpool have taken decisive action in the wake of Mohamed Salah’s shock outburst against the club, with the Egyptian superstar set to be left out of the Reds’ Champions League squad for the trip to Inter. The Premier League title holders are due to face Italian opposition at San Siro on Tuesday, and will do so without their leading goal-scorer from the last eight seasons.

• Why has Salah been dropped by Liverpool?

  Salah has been named among the substitutes in Liverpool’s last three fixtures. He stepped off the bench in a home draw with Sunderland, but saw no game time as the Reds headed out on the road to West Ham and Leeds.

  It was in the wake of the trip to Elland Road, which delivered a dramatic 3-3 draw and more points dropped for Arne Slot’s side, that Salah opted to speak out and air his grievances in public. He accused his current employers of throwing him under the bus, believing he has become a scapegoat for the struggles being endured as a collective, and admitted to having no working relationship with his current head coach.

  He said: "I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame." Salah added on his dealings with Slot: "I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club."

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  Who made the decision to exclude Salah from Champions League squad?

  Plenty of criticism has come Salah’s way in the wake of his explosive comments, with many accusing the 33-year-old of allowing ego to get the better of him. He has suggested that past achievements should almost guarantee him a regular role with Liverpool.

  The two-time Premier League champion has, however, seen it made clear to him that everybody – regardless of their standing at Anfield – must earn their place in the team. Salah will be left to reflect on that stance when his team-mates line up against Inter. is reporting that the decision to leave Salah out of the Reds’ travelling party was made “by the board and Arne Slot”.

• Authority undermined: Why Slot had to make an example of Salah

  Dutch tactician Slot was under pressure to make an example of Salah, with it vital that he does not allow his authority to be undermined by one frustrated individual. He has responded to calls for action to be taken.

  The Egypt international did, however, take part in Liverpool’s training session on Monday. The Reds were put through their places ahead of boarding a plane to Italy. Salah will be left watching on from afar as his colleagues seek to deliver a positive response to the surprising 4-1 reversal they suffered at the hands of PSV in the club’s last European outing.

  While Salah is likely to be forced to sit out a crunch clash with Inter, claims that his exclusion is not considered to represent “disciplinary action” by those working behind the scenes on Merseyside.

  Instead the “step is viewed in isolation, rather than having a bearing on Salah’s possible selection going forward – including for Saturday’s Premier League game at home to Brighton & Hove Albion”. A home date with the Seagulls will be Liverpool’s last before Salah heads off on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

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  January transfer: Liverpool's stance on Salah exit talk

  Salah has said, after accusing some of trying to force him out of Anfield, that he intends to bid farewell to Liverpool fans against Brighton. According to , the Reds are expecting him back.

  They are said to “remain fully committed to Salah and his contract, which runs through until 2027, while maintaining that the current situation is temporary and can still be turned around”. Despite future rumours being sparked, Liverpool are “not currently planning for the forward’s exit, nor making plans to use the January transfer window for possible replacements”.