News

Six Problems Arne Slot Must Fix to Get Liverpool Back on Track Ahead of Chelsea Clash

Liverpool are top of the Premier League but look increasingly disjointed as the season progresses. After a rocky start that saw back-to-back defeats — including a worrying Champions League loss to Galatasaray — pressure is mounting on head coach Arne Slot to turn things around.

Legendary pundit Jamie Carragher has voiced serious concerns about Liverpool’s current style and squad balance, claiming the team “is not playing football at the moment, they are playing basketball,” highlighting the chaotic, end-to-end nature of their performances.

As Liverpool prepare for a tough trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, here are six key problems Slot must address if the Reds are to rediscover their rhythm and avoid a third consecutive defeat:

1. Floundering Florian Wirtz: The £100m Man Under Pressure

Despite a huge summer outlay exceeding £400m, Florian Wirtz remains a big question mark. The German attacking midfielder has yet to score or assist this season, leading to calls — including from Carragher — for him to be benched.

Though Wirtz has created chances at a rate comparable with Jack Grealish, his struggles to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity are evident. The lack of consistent fitness for Alexis Mac Allister, who could ease pressure on Wirtz, hasn’t helped either.

Slot faces a big decision: persist with the creative No.10 who has shown flashes or switch to a more industrious midfielder like Dominik Szoboszlai to shore up the team’s defensive stability.

2. Cody Gakpo’s Dramatic Dip in Form

After a promising start filling the void left by Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo has become painfully predictable, favoring cutting inside onto his right foot, which opposing full-backs have learned to neutralize. This loss of surprise and impact saw him dropped for the Crystal Palace game.

With Hugo Ekitike likely sidelined for the Chelsea game, Gakpo will get another chance to prove himself — a must, given the expectations surrounding his signing and Liverpool’s need for attacking threat on the left.

3. Alexander Isak’s Injury and Limited Involvement

With Ekitike unavailable due to a muscular injury, Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line against Chelsea despite lacking full match fitness. His limited pre-season and lack of sharpness are evident; he has only one goal from five appearances and hasn’t completed a full match.

More worrying is his minimal involvement during games, as seen in the Galatasaray match where he touched the ball only four times in 30 minutes. Slot needs to find ways to get Isak more engaged on the pitch if the Swede is to justify his big-money transfer.

4. Defensive Frailties and Imbalance

Liverpool’s defensive solidity has been compromised this season, with mistakes and lack of cohesion contributing to goals conceded. Carragher notes the team has “lost a lot defensively,” and this imbalance between attack and defense is making it hard for the Reds to control games.

Finding the right blend between offensive flair and defensive discipline will be key to restoring Liverpool’s competitiveness.

5. Squad Rotation and Fitness Woes

Key players like Alexis Mac Allister have been in and out due to injuries, disrupting the flow and chemistry of the team. This instability has made it harder for new signings to settle and the team to maintain consistency.

6. Tactical Adjustments and Managing Expectations

Finally, Slot must refine his tactical approach. Carragher suggested Liverpool were “a workman-like team” last season, but attempts to add stardust with new signings haven’t yet translated into improved performances.

Slot’s challenge is to maintain a solid foundation while integrating attacking talent effectively — a task made harder by injuries and inconsistent form.

What’s Next for Liverpool?

The trip to Stamford Bridge is looming large. Chelsea are no easy opponents, and Liverpool need to demonstrate improvements quickly if they are to maintain their position at the top and avoid a damaging run of defeats.

Arne Slot has the tools — but fixing these six issues will be crucial in getting Liverpool firing on all cylinders again.

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Local News

Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.

How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

David Beckham
Zinedine Zidane
Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.

A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.

Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

Upgraded comfort
Subtle structural refinement
Increased responsiveness
Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.

Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.

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News

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?

Galatasaray players celebrating a goal ahead of their match against Samsunspor.

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor Match Preview

The Turkish Super Lig title race is heating up, and Friday’s clash between Galatasaray and Samsunspor carries huge implications for both ends of the table. Cimbom remain top, but their recent dip in form has opened the door for rivals — and Samsunspor are arriving in Istanbul with confidence and a 14-game unbeaten streak.

This matchup promises intensity, tactics, and a battle of resilience versus home dominance.

Galatasaray Searching For Lost Spark

Galatasaray head into this fixture frustrated after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser in the derby against Fenerbahce — a result that denied them a chance to go four points clear.

Their early-season sharpness has faded:

9 wins in their first 10 games
Only 1 win in their last 4
Three matches without scoring during Victor Osimhen’s absence

The Nigerian striker’s return instantly improves their attack, but Okan Buruk’s side still need to rediscover the fluid, cohesive football that put them top of the table.

Samsunspor’s Incredible Unbeaten Run

Samsunspor enter the match in fantastic form:

Unbeaten in 14 across all competitions (7W, 7D)
10 straight games unbeaten in the league
A habit of rising to big games — drawing against Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor

However, three consecutive draws — including a late 1-1 against Alanyaspor — show they sometimes struggle to finish opponents off.

Thomas Reis’s men sit 5th with 25 points, but defeat could drop them down the table. Still, their discipline and structure make them one of the most difficult teams to break down this season.

Head-to-Head: A Fixture Dominated By Galatasaray

History heavily favours the hosts:

Galatasaray have won the last eight meetings
Samsunspor’s last victory over Cimbom feels like a lifetime ago
Recent games have been high scoring and entertaining

With form and past meetings combined, Galatasaray remain favourites — but Samsunspor’s current resilience cannot be ignored.

Team News

Galatasaray

Out injured:

Ismail Jakobs
Wilfried Singo

Suspended (betting scandal):

Eren Elmali
Metehan Baltaci

Osimhen is fit but still regaining full sharpness.

Samsunspor

Long-term absentees:

Olivier Ntcham
Ebrima Ceesay
Bedirhan Cetin
Tanguy Coulibaly
Afonso Sousa

Also missing:

Lubomir Satka (injured)
Celil Yuksel (betting scandal)
Joe Mendes (red card suspension)

Probable Lineups

Galatasaray:

Cakir; Sanchez, Bardakci, Lemina, Karatas; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Samsunspor:

Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson; Makoumbou; Musaba, Aydin, Holse, Kilinic; Ndiaye

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AFCON 2025

Ben Iroha Says Super Eagles Squad Has Depth And Quality Ahead Of AFCON 2025

Nigeria’s Super Eagles players training ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gabon

Former Super Eagles star Ben Iroha believes Nigeria has the depth, quality, and experience needed to compete for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — as long as the right decisions are made.

Speaking from his base in Texas, the 1994 AFCON champion reacted to the 54-man provisional squad released by Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle, describing it as a strong foundation for a title-winning team.

“The Talent And Quality Are There” — Iroha

Although he emphasized that the real test comes when the list is trimmed to 23 players, Iroha said the current roster reflects Nigeria’s impressive global football presence.

“Nigeria is very rich in talent production. Apart from one or two NPFL players, the rest are in top leagues across Europe. The talent, quality and experience are there,”
Iroha told Completesports.com.

He noted that the squad’s strength lies not just in big names, but in the blend of competition, versatility, and international exposure among the players.

Hard Work And Proper Planning Will Decide Everything

According to Iroha, Nigeria’s path to a fourth AFCON crown depends on more than raw ability.

He stressed the importance of:

Hard work
Organisation
Tactical discipline
Proper preparation

“With proper preparation and the right selection, this team has what it takes to deliver the AFCON title in Morocco.”

Iroha also acknowledged that Nigerian fans will accept nothing less than the trophy, especially after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He believes the renewed energy shown late in the qualifiers is a sign of what the team can achieve if they maintain — or surpass — that level at AFCON.

Nigeria Chasing A Fourth AFCON Title

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, with the final set for 18 January 2026.

Nigeria’s three previous AFCON triumphs came in:

1980
1994
2013

With expectations sky-high and a hungry squad available, Coach Eric Chelle will be aiming to write his name in history by guiding the Super Eagles to AFCON glory once again.

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