Barcelona view Julián Álvarez as their primary target to strengthen the attack for 2026–27, but the club is weighing contingency plans as interest from Atlético Madrid and other suitors complicates any straightforward transfer. The Catalans insist they will be in a position to spend heavily on a striker this summer, yet their economic constraints could again shape the window.

Chelsea’s João Pedro has been linked as a possible target, though the club acknowledge a move would be difficult. ESPN’s report suggests Pedro is considered a “cheaper” option than Álvarez, but Chelsea would still demand a significant fee. Chelsea’s fragile financial outlook and the risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League could force the club to generate income and consider sales.

Hoffenheim’s 23-year-old Fisnik Asllani is on Barcelona’s radar after reaching double-digit goals and registering seven assists in his first full Bundesliga season. The Kosovo international has appeared to show affinity for Barcelona, posting social media images watching their games, and his agent has revealed there is interest from the Catalan club. “I’ve always dreamt of playing for Barcelona,” Asllani said back in October. Asllani would represent a lower-cost, high-potential option.

Another option is Atlético teammate Alexander Sõrloth. The Norwegian has scored seven goals and assisted three more in 15 career games against Barcelona and has proven his quality in La Liga. At 30 years old, he would likely be a more affordable short-term solution, offering similar traits to Robert Lewandowski and serving as a bridge forward while the club stabilises finances.

Free agent Dušan Vlahović, leaving Juventus after four-plus difficult years, appeals because of his cost-free transfer and age, 26, despite a modest return of six goals in 2025–26 and no 20-plus goal season since 2021–22.

Omar Marmoush, struggling for minutes at Man City with only seven Premier League starts and 17 appearances this season following additions to the squad, and Victor Osimhen, who has impressed for Galatasaray in recent Champions League action and remains a potent 27-year-old striker, are further alternatives Barcelona could pursue if Álvarez proves unattainable.

The Premier League issued an explanation after Benjamin Šeško’s goal for Manchester United against Liverpool was allowed to stand, citing a lack of definitive camera evidence. Bruno Fernandes’s header was diverted awkwardly by Liverpool’s third-choice custodian and fell on to Šeško’s body. Enhanced replay suggested the ball may also have skimmed the striker’s fingers.

On-pitch referee Darren England saw no issue with the finish and video assistant referee Stuart Attwell did not recommend a review on the touchline. As the Premier League would subsequently explain on their official Match Centre X account, “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR—with it deemed there was no conclusive evidence that Šeško handled the ball before scoring.”

The matter was treated as one of evidence rather than intent. The FA’s Law 12 is clear that it is a handball offence if a player “scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental.” In situations where the scorer is the suspected offender, the VAR process must identify a clear and conclusive angle to overturn the on-field decision. In this case officials concluded no such angle existed.

Reaction online was immediate. Blown-up images that appeared to show Šeško’s left ring finger make contact prompted calls for the goal to be disallowed. “That definitely looked like it hit Sesko’s left hand and got pushed more towards goal” reflected a commonly held view among commentators. Former Manchester United centre back Rio Ferdinand compared the moment to Diego Maradona’s “hand of god” goal, while Arne Slot pleaded for a handball from the Liverpool dugout and club icon Sir Kenny Dalglish tapped his arm in frustration from the Old Trafford stands. Even some Manchester United supporters accepted the ball may have touched Šeško’s hand. “Sesko aka hand of god! Love to see it” was among the fan responses.

With the VAR process concluded, the decision to allow the goal rested on the absence of conclusive footage rather than a judgment of intent.

Alexander Isak was ruled out of Sunday’s derby against Manchester United with a groin injury, prolonging a difficult debut campaign at Liverpool. Isak had been eased into first-team action during his first three months at the club before suffering a broken fibula against Tottenham Hotspur in December. He did not make another appearance until April and had started to regain form, scoring a well-taken goal against Crystal Palace last weekend, but that momentum was halted.

Arne Slot named a 4-2-3-1 for the trip to Old Trafford: Freddie Woodman; Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz; Cody Gakpo.

Substitutes: Armin Pecsi (GK), Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez, Federico Chiesa, Trey Nyoni, Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Will Wright.

With Hugo Ekitiké and Mohamed Salah also sidelined, Slot again adjusted his selection. Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong are all capable of filling the right-back role for Liverpool, while Szoboszlai and Frimpong have also been used further up the right flank. Cody Gakpo is expected to resume an unloved central striking role, though Slot could deploy Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai in a dual-false-nine setup he used sporadically last season.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson did not overcome his fitness issue for the trip, and with Giorgi Mamardashvili also unavailable, Freddie Woodman started in goal once more.

At this late stage of the season a relatively minor muscle strain can end a campaign, and with a World Cup on the horizon there is added incentive for players and staff to take a cautious approach to rehabilitation and recovery.