Premier League
Five Weekend Lessons: Gravenberch’s Return, Sunderland’s Calm and the Value of a Keeper
Gravenberch returns, Sunderland impress, Haaland’s August run continues, goalkeepers proved decisive
Liverpool’s defensive questions were a recurring theme across the weekend, and Ryan Gravenberch’s absence was notable. After missing the Community Shield to attend the birth of his child and then serving a suspension for the Premier League opener, the 23-year-old will be available for a tough trip to Newcastle next Monday night. Gravenberch was a revelation last season. Reinvented in a deep-lying role, he ranked third in the division for interceptions. His return should provide extra protection for Liverpool’s backline as the champions seek balance in a new-look midfield.
Sunderland’s opening-day display offered reassurance to supporters and directors who have invested since promotion. Regis Le Bris has added fresh talent but several promotion heroes showed they can handle the step up. Eliezer Mayenda opened his Premier League account with a brilliant header in the 3-0 win over West Ham, while Dan Ballard was the standout at the Stadium of Light. The centre-back scored the second with a towering header and made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the clean sheet. At 25, Ballard’s place has been questioned following the signing of Omar Alderete from Getafe this week, but he looks unwilling to give up his shirt without a fight.
Erling Haaland continued his August habit, scoring twice as Manchester City won 4-0 at Molineux. The Norwegian has now scored on every opening weekend since his arrival in the Premier League. Incredibly, Haaland has 21 Premier League goals in August from 12 games; only two players have ever scored more in that month, and both have played more than triple the number of games. His pre-season programme needs to be studied.
There were encouraging signs for Manchester United amid the defeat to Arsenal. Ruben Amorim insisted there were positives to take from Manchester United’s opener, despite defeat to Arsenal. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both threatened throughout; Cunha came close to a spectacular solo goal and Mbeumo was a constant menace. With Benjamin Sesko still to be integrated, the new-look forward line offers a potential solution to last season’s scoring issues.
Arsenal’s victory at Old Trafford underlined the value of a goalkeeper. Arsenal’s winner came from a goalkeeping gaffe, with Altay Bayindir’s blunder gifting the Gunners an early goal. The Turkish goalkeeper unconvincingly flapped at a corner under pressure, allowing Riccardo Calafiori the simplest of finishes. At the other end, David Raya made seven saves, more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this weekend, to keep his side’s clean sheet. Manchester United have spent heavily this summer without addressing a glaring issue, with neither Bayindir nor Andre Onana breeding confidence. Few teams succeed without a solid goalkeeper.
Liverpool
Salah Reportedly Set for Trabzonspor Move After Liverpool Chapter Ends
Salah is reportedly heading to Trabzonspor after nine Liverpool seasons and a confirmed Turkish move.
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool spell appears to be drawing to a close, with reports in Türkiye claiming the forward is set for Trabzonspor.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Salah has signed a two-year contract with the Turkish side. If the move is completed, he would link up with former Premier League players André Onana and Stefan Savić under Fatih Tekke.
Trabzonspor have also issued a statement confirming that transfer talks are under way. The club said: “Professional footballer Mohamed Salah, with whom we have begun transfer negotiations, will be at Istanbul Atatürk Airport General Aviation Terminal at 12:00 on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
“The player is scheduled to arrive in Trabzon on the same day in the evening hours. The time and other details regarding the welcome program in Trabzon will be shared with the public through our club’s official communication channels during the day.”
The reported destination marks a significant change for one of the Premier League’s modern greats. Salah signed a contract extension in April 2025 that kept him at Anfield through the 2026-27 campaign, and he had initially expected to still be a Liverpool player next season before confirming in March that he would not see out the deal.
His numbers at Liverpool underline the scale of the move. Salah made 442 appearances and scored 257 goals in red, achievements that now appear set to be followed outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Trabzonspor also offer a very different stage from Liverpool. They finished third last season, which means Salah would not be competing in the Champions League, a tournament he won with Liverpool in 2018-19.
There is, however, still European football on the table. Trabzonspor have qualified for the Europa League, giving Salah the chance to compete for continental silverware rather than stepping away from Europe altogether.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Move Closer to Deal for Zavier Gozo
Crystal Palace are advancing on a deal for Zavier Gozo after the winger’s strong season for Real Salt Lake.
Crystal Palace are said to be moving towards the signing of Zavier Gozo, with talks over the Real Salt Lake winger described as advanced. The 19-year-old American is expected to cost in the region of $15 million, or £11.1 million, as the Premier League club look to secure one of the more sought-after young attackers linked with Europe this summer.
According to the report, Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid were also among the clubs to show interest, but Palace have emerged as the leading contenders for his signature. Gozo’s rise has accelerated quickly since his breakthrough 2025 campaign, when he established himself as a regular starter for Real Salt Lake and finished the season with 31 appearances and seven goal contributions.
He has carried that form into the current season, producing six goals and four assists in only 16 appearances. That output earned him a place in the 2026 MLS All-Star selection and has strengthened the sense that a move away could now be imminent.
If the transfer is completed, Gozo would arrive at a club already familiar with USMNT centre-back Chris Richards. The defender was central to Palace’s Conference League-winning run, though he missed the final through injury, and would offer a useful reference point as Gozo adjusts to English football.
The winger would also be entering a Premier League environment that already includes several Americans, among them Antonee Robinson at Fulham, Tyler Adams at Bournemouth and Brenden Aaronson at Leeds United. The draft also notes that Richards, Robinson and Adams have become permanent fixtures in Pochettino’s XI and featured for the USMNT on home soil this summer.
Palace finished 15th last season and saw Oliver Glasner leave at the end of the campaign. Under Pierre Sage, and with Europa League football ahead in 2026-27, the club are aiming for a stronger year. Gozo, who last represented the U-23 side during the November international break, has not yet made his senior USMNT debut but will be hoping to push into Pochettino’s plans for September and October, when Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada are next on the schedule.
Liverpool
Liverpool weigh midfield options as Jones talks continue
Liverpool are weighing midfield solutions as Curtis Jones nears a possible move to Inter Milan.
Liverpool are still waiting to add to the squad after Andoni Iraola said the club “needs more players” last month, and the uncertainty around Curtis Jones has only sharpened that need.
Even after a major outlay last summer, the roster still looks in need of significant work. The 4-2 defeat to Leeds United in Chicago exposed a lack of defensive cover, while the prospect of Jones joining Inter Milan would leave the midfield looking even thinner.
Inter are still pursuing a deal for the Scouse midfielder, who made 34 Premier League appearances last season. Most supporters may not see his departure as a crisis, but without him Iraola’s options in the centre of the pitch would become rather limited.
That leaves Liverpool with room to consider alternatives before the window closes. Several names have been linked as possible solutions, with Alex Scott among the most intriguing. Liverpool are believed to be interested in the English midfielder after he turned down a contract extension on the south coast, although Bournemouth insist he is not for sale. Scott has already enjoyed a breakout season and combines carrying power with strong work out of possession. He also worked under Iraola at the Vitality Stadium, which would give the move a familiar edge.
Kaishū Sano offers a different profile. The Mainz midfielder impressed at the World Cup, where he played three times for Japan and scored against Brazil, and he has since built a reputation as a tireless holding midfielder. Liverpool already have Wataru Endō on the books, but Sano’s positional discipline and pressing intensity would suit Iraola’s system.
Chema Andrés is another option. The 21-year-old left Real Madrid for Stuttgart and made 39 appearances across all competitions last season. Standing at 6’3”, he has the physical presence and control in possession that could make him a long-term fit in midfield.
Manu Koné also remains in the conversation. The Roma midfielder impressed for France this summer and has shown composure, passing quality and defensive intelligence. Injury concerns may explain the quieter transfer buzz, but Liverpool could still move if Jones departs.
If no deal materialises, Liverpool may simply promote from within. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai look the likeliest opening-day starters, with Trey Nyoni climbing the depth chart.
