Daily Archives: October 21, 2025

Alexander Isak: What’s going wrong?

Arne Slot has staggered Isak’s introduction at Liverpool
“Alexander Isak’s Liverpool career has lasted 382 minutes. In that time, he has touched the ball 105 times, had 11 shots (five on target) and scored one goal — the opener of a 2-1 win against Championship club Southampton in round three of the Carabao Cup a month ago. Statistics never tell the whole story but these are not the numbers Liverpool were expecting when they broke the British transfer record to sign him from Newcastle United for £125million ($167.6m at the current rate) on deadline day at the start of September. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

Villarreal-Barcelona match in Miami postponed by organisers due to ‘uncertainty in Spain’

“Villarreal and Barcelona’s La Liga match in Miami has been postponed, with promoters Relevent saying there is ‘insufficient time’ to organise the event. A Relevent statement, first published by The Athletic on Tuesday evening, read: ‘Relevent has informed La Liga of the need to postpone the planned match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona in Miami on December 20. Given the current uncertainty in Spain, there is insufficient time to properly execute an event of this scale. It would also be irresponsible to begin selling tickets without a confirmed match in place.’ …”
NY Times/The Athletic

Ange Postecoglou and Nottingham Forest never made sense. So why did it happen?

“The weirdest aspect of Ange Postecoglou’s 40-day reign at Nottingham Forest was how inevitable it all felt. The only shock was that he was sacked on Saturday, within minutes of a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea, rather than a day or two later. But by then, it was obvious this ill-starred adventure had run its course; perhaps it was kinder to everybody to bring it to an end. Forest, certainly, had to act quickly if they are to make the most of their first European campaign in three decades. …”
Guardian – Jonathan Wilson