Bournemouth
Slot explains why Hugo Ekitiké started on the bench in Liverpool’s 3–2 loss at Bournemouth
Slot said he benched Hugo Ekitiké to manage minutes; the striker came on in the 59th minute at 3–2.
Arne Slot defended his choice to leave Hugo Ekitiké among the substitutes as Liverpool fell 3–2 at Bournemouth, saying the decision was driven by squad management rather than form. The Dutch coach described the call as precautionary after the striker had missed time recently and with a congested schedule approaching.
“As you could see in our line-up, I decided not to play Hugo [Ekitike]. That was not because I didn’t like him or he wasn’t good against Marseille , it was simply because I only have one No.9 available for the upcoming weeks and months,” Slot argued in his post-match presser. “He was out two weeks ago and with so many games to play, you have to manage his minutes.”
Ekitiké did enter the game in the 59th minute, replacing Alexis Mac Allister. At that point Bournemouth led 2–1 after early strikes from Evanilson and David Jiménez. Virgil van Dijk had reduced the deficit with a header just before half-time, and Dominik Szoboszlai later rifled home a free-kick to level at 2–2, giving Liverpool hope of turning the match.
The visitors ultimately conceded in stoppage time when a long throw from James Hill sparked a scramble in the penalty area and Amine Adli found a late winner. Slot voiced the immediate frustration: “Frustrating, of course, because conceding a goal is always frustrating but especially if there’s no time left to come back into the game,” Slot bemoaned. “I think it’s safe to say they could have scored the 3-2 also a little bit earlier and what I mean with that is I think after we scored the 2-2, we were still trying but I think it’s safe to say a few players of ours ran out of energy.
“I cannot even criticise them for that because two days ago we had to play an away game in Europe. We are the only team that played [in the] Champions League that has two days between in this time.”
Liverpool now face three important fixtures over the next fortnight and could drop as low as sixth in the Premier League depending on other results, but Slot made clear his selection was aimed at preserving his lone centre forward for the busiest period ahead.
Bournemouth
Michael B. Jordan becomes first Premier League owner to win an Academy Award
Michael B. Jordan, Bournemouth minority owner, became first Premier League owner with Academy Award.
Michael B. Jordan won an Academy Award in Los Angeles on Sunday night, a distinction that makes the 39-year-old actor the first Premier League owner to claim that honour, according to Front Office Sports. Jordan is a minority owner of Bournemouth and his Oscar win created an unusual crossover between film and top-flight football ownership.
Jordan joined Bournemouth’s ownership group in December 2022 via Bill Foley’s Black Knight Football Club, a multi-club consortium whose portfolio includes Ligue 1’s FC Lorient and Portuguese side Moreirense FC. The investment placed the actor inside the ownership structure of the Cherries at a time when multi-club models are becoming more prominent in the game.
Jordan has spoken publicly about his affection for the sport and his reasons for investing. “As a kid, I used to play soccer a lot,” Jordan told sports league TST last March. “Funny enough, I was the goalie because I didn’t like running a lot … I invested in Bournemouth a couple of years ago. When the opportunity presented itself, I just saw a team with a lot of upside, a lot of growth, a lot of potential, and I love their story. I love the team’s history.”
The Cherries took to social media to celebrate their minority owner’s accomplishment. The overlap of a high-profile entertainment accolade and Premier League ownership underlines the increasingly global and cross-industry nature of modern club investment.
Front Office Sports reported the milestone, noting that Jordan’s Academy Award sets a new first for owners connected to the Premier League. For Bournemouth, the association with a well-known figure from outside football has attracted attention on and off the pitch.
Bournemouth
United Add Marcus Tavernier to Left-Wing Shortlist as Summer Recruitment Continues
United have added Marcus Tavernier to a three-man left-wing shortlist ahead of the summer transfer.
Manchester United have reportedly added Bournemouth forward Marcus Tavernier to a short list of left-wing options as they consider reinforcements for next season. The move follows an acknowledged need for natural width on the left, a role that Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount have been asked to fill despite both being primarily central players.
Interim manager Michael Carrick said it is “quite possible” that United will look for a left winger ahead of next season. Reports place Tavernier alongside RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White on the club’s list. Gibbs-White is more of a No. 10 and has only sporadically been used on the left.
Tavernier’s versatility is a key reason he has attracted interest. This season he has started in a variety of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield and on the right. In his two Bournemouth starts against United he has been directly involved in four goals and assists; one appearance in December 2023 saw him as a left winger in a 3–0 Cherries win, while the 4–4 draw at Old Trafford last December saw him line up in central midfield.
The 26-year-old is rated at $53.6 million (£40 million) and has produced 10 goals and assists in 26 appearances across all competitions so far this season. He remains under contract with Bournemouth until 2029, a fact that would allow the south coast club to demand a significant fee should they decide to sell. The Cherries have a recent history of cashing in on players they have developed into stars.
Top-five rivals Aston Villa are also reported to have shown interest, making enquiries during the January transfer window. United are expected to continue monitoring Tavernier before making a final choice at the end of the season, a decision that is likely to be influenced by whether Champions League qualification is achieved.
The club will weigh Tavernier’s adaptability, existing cover and the market before committing to any summer business. Dorgu, who was recruited as a defensive player after a spell as a left back at Lecce prior to a 2025 transfer, flourished higher up the pitch before his current injury layoff, a development described in some quarters as a happy accident.
Al Hilal
January window spenders: who spent big and how the market moved
January window: English clubs led the spending as Saudi and Brazil injected late-market drama. more.
The January window settled into a narrative of concentrated spending and late-market drama. English clubs combined to outspend the rest of the continent, their £390 million ($530 million) outlay dwarfing other top divisions. Meanwhile the Saudi market and Brazil’s strengthened finances injected headline moves.
Lazio were unusually active despite a prior transfer ban. The Romans replaced Taty Castellanos and Mattéo Guendouzi, who moved to West Ham United and Fenerbahçe respectively, by signing Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor for just shy of €17 million ($32 million) and adding young centre forward Petar Rakov. The fees recouped left Lazio with a net spend of -€23 million (-$27 million).
Fenerbahçe’s window pivoted around Guendouzi (€28 million) and the late acquisition of N’Golo Kanté on a free after his return from Saudi Arabia. The club banked on established midfield reinvention to challenge Galatasaray at the top.
Bournemouth again invested in youth, paying €28.5 million ($33.7 million) for Vasco de Gama prospect Rayan and also signing Golden Boy nominee Alex Tóth. Tottenham’s January activity saw Conor Gallagher arrive alongside Brazilian left back João Souza, though many supporters felt more reinforcements were needed. Sporting director Johan Lange asserted after the window that it was important the club remained disciplined amid potential temptations.
West Ham strengthened early, paying a combined €52 million ($61 million) for Castellanos and Gil Vicente’s Pablo to reshape their attack. They also added Adama Traoré for a small fee and brought in Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea.
Atlético Madrid spent late, bringing in Ademola Lookman from Atalanta for €35 million ($41 million) and signing Elche prospect Rodrigo Mendoza as a potential long-term addition after Giacomo Raspadori’s exit.
Flamengo flexed improved finances following a strong Club World Cup showing, reporting club-record revenue of €249 million ($294 million) for the first three quarters of 2025 and setting a Brazilian transfer record by paying €41 million ($48 million) to re-sign Lucas Paquetá from West Ham.
In Saudi Arabia Karim Benzema’s move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal coincided with Al Hilal leading Al Nassr in the title race. Cristiano Ronaldo’s fallout is believed linked to that switch; Ronaldo has gone on strike while Benzema scored a hat-trick on debut. Al Hilal also extended Rúben Neves and added Mohamed Kader Meïté, with the club labelled the “Real Madrid of Asia” by Benzema.
