Liverpool have taken a clear stance after Mohamed Salah’s recent public complaints and a spell out of the starting lineup. Manager Arne Slot left Salah out of the XI for three consecutive matches, the last of which was the Dec. 6 defeat to Leeds United. That sequence prompted Salah to tell the mixed zone he had been thrown “under the bus,” suggesting he felt scapegoated for the club’s malaise and implying his place should be unquestioned because of past contributions.

Slot then omitted him from the starting team for the Champions League trip to Inter in Milan and kept him among the substitutes for the subsequent victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. The manager’s selections have underlined Liverpool’s unwillingness to alter team selection in response to public pressure. Salah is currently away with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations, pausing the immediate fallout, but the issue is expected to resurface before January and will require a longer term resolution.

David Ornstein discussed the situation on NBC Sports and summarised the club’s position. “Liverpool fully intend to keep Mo Salah,” Ornstein said. “They want him to remain in the January transfer window and beyond—he’s under contract until the summer of 2027.” Ornstein added that the contract Liverpool offered was intended to make their intentions clear and noted that the player had on occasion used mixed zone interactions last season to put pressure on the club.

“That seems to be at the centre of discussion,” Ornstein added. He outlined the choices facing Salah: “If he really does want to go, is he going to come forward with some proposals? We know there will be conversations and there is no shortage of interest. We know Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League like him. Al Hilal are not so keen, but there would be admiration from all over Europe as well.”

For now, Liverpool’s message is firm: the club will not bind itself to personal guarantees and expects clarity on Salah’s intentions ahead of the January window.

The 2025 Best FIFA Football Awards revealed men’s and women’s Teams of the Year that were shaped by last season’s major club achievements. Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League winners featured heavily in the men’s selection, while Barcelona and Spain supplied the bulk of the women’s eleven.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, who may have since moved on to Manchester City, was included after a season in which he was instrumental in PSG’s triumphs. The PSG presence continued with Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho and Nuno Mendes in defence and Vitinha in midfield. The forward line included 2025 Best FIFA Men’s Player Ousmane Dembélé alongside Lamine Yamal, with Pedri also voted into the XI. Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk was recognised for his role in the Reds winning the Premier League title, and English midfielders Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham completed the midfield mix.

The full men’s XI named at the ceremony was: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes; Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Vitinha; Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé.

On the women’s side, Spain and Barcelona dominated the selection, with four players from England’s Lionesses included after retaining their European Championship title. Aitana Bonmatí, voted Best FIFA Women’s Player for the third successive year, led a Barcelona contingent that also included Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Clàudia Pina, Irene Paredes and Ona Batlle.

Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey, who left Barcelona for the Gunners in 2024 and helped steer Arsenal to Champions League glory, was named in the lineup despite debate over individual awards. The women’s XI was completed by Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo.

Both teams reflect the season’s balance of club and international success as recognised by the 2025 awards.

Manchester United have emerged as reported “serious rivals” to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo as his £65 million release clause nears activation next month.

After 16 league rounds Ruben Amorim’s side have scored 30 goals, level with leaders Arsenal and behind only Manchester City, who have 38. That offensive output has reduced the urgency to add attacking firepower compared with last season, but transfer market opportunism is shifting priorities.

United’s lack of depth at the top of the pitch has been underlined by the temporary departures of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively, and by Benjamin Šeško only recently returning from injury. A couple of injuries while players are on international duty could leave the front line short, which is informing interest in Semenyo.

Sky Sports writes United are “firmly in the race” for Semenyo as the Ghana international’s £65 million release clause becomes active next month. Manchester City are “keeping close tabs” and Tottenham remain in the mix, but United feel the release clause is an opportunity they must “genuinely consider,” even if adding another forward was not the original plan.

Semenyo scored against United at Old Trafford in Monday’s pulsating 4-4 draw, and his long-standing profile on United’s radar means interest is not a knee-jerk reaction.

Any approach carries a financial caveat: it must not reduce funds available to recruit a midfielder in the summer. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Conor Gallagher, João Gomes, André, Angelo Stiller and Éderson have all been linked, with reported price ranges from £30–£100 million.

United’s failure to beat Bournemouth despite four goals underlined defensive issues. Conceding two goals in quick succession after half time has been a recurring problem, and 26 goals conceded leaves the club with the sixth worst defensive record this season. “I think we are pressing better, we are controlling games better far from our goal,” he said. “But we need to work a lot in the way we defend the box. ]