“Last month, the Premier League confirmed The Athletic’s reporting that Manchester City had been found guilty on nearly all charges relating to breaches of financial regulations. The decision has shaken football to its core. City have lodged an appeal, arguing the decision contains clear multiple errors and maintaining that they are innocent of the accusations, with a ‘body of irrefutable evidence’. Here’s the full 40-page document released by the independent commission that heard the case — with key passages annotated by The Athletic. Download the original PDF.
NYT/ATH [PDF]
Spectre of ghost football hangs over Manchester City win of unknown significance Jonathan Wilson
“The Cimbri are heading menacingly south, but in Rome life goes on. The asteroid is definitely coming this way, but people go to work, eat, drink, plan as usual. The White Walkers are approaching the Wall, but the squabbles between the great houses go on. Everyone in the Premier League knows the crisis is approaching, thinks – hopes, fears? – it may be apocalyptic, but until it arrives, what can you do but carry on? After any break, there’s always an awkward moment while everybody resets. What was the cliffhanger we left the soap opera on? What new plotline had just been seeded? This is one of the reasons international weeks are so disruptive. …”
Guardian
Why Liverpool against Manchester City will be one of the weirdest games in Premier League history
“For all the talk of how dangerous AI can be, what with the warnings about recursive self-improvement and that there’s a non zero-chance the machines could one day take over and end humanity, not all computers are bad. Let us join hands and give thanks to the Premier League fixture computer, blinking quietly away in the corner, which, in an extraordinary act of prescience, has given us a gift this weekend. It has ensured that Manchester City’s first game after they were found guilty of virtually all charges related to assorted financial chicanery is against Liverpool. Thank you, fixture computer. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)
YouTube: Liverpool v. Manchester City | PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | 10/11/2026
“Premier League football is back after the three-week international break, and it’s time to assess potency. One of the key aspects that could be on the menu this weekend is shooting from long range. Across the first five rounds of the past five league seasons, 2026-27 has seen the largest proportion of shots from outside the penalty area — 36 per cent. Teams have converted just 10.1 per cent of their attempts into goals, the second lowest after the opening five rounds in eight seasons, behind 2021-22 (9.9). Some sides have prioritised quantity, while others have looked to work their way into the box. So, as Premier League action returns, who has created the most xG? …”
“There was a stir when 
“Who is the best player in the Premier League? It’s a simple question with a complicated answer — one that The Athleticwill continue to attempt to answer throughout the 2026-27 season. This is the second instalment of our Premier League Player Rankings, in which we use form, data and the eye tests of Phil Hay and Tim Spiers to assess exactly who the division’s top 50 footballers are. 
“While Thomas Tuchel continues to 
“… Some truths transcend culture. Some myths appear and reappear in every tribe and community across the globe. And in every sport in every nation in every continent, we all share one unchanging tradition: Overreacting way too soon into a season. The sample size is small. The season is long. The teams are still finding that magic we call ‘gelling.’ (Especially this year with a record number of new managers or head coaches in the Premier League.) And yet. We are human beings, and we are entitled to our overreactions! It’s called passion. So, with the season’s first international break upon us and Premier League action halted until October 10, we figured it was time: Welcome to the overreactions and hot takes edition of the Soccer Weekender. …”
“This was a happy homecoming for Andoni Iraola. Liverpool’s head coach did not have to wait long into the new season to return to his former club Bournemouth and he will have taken huge satisfaction in claiming a 1-0 victory, even if the performance was not always convincing. The crucial moment came in the 57th minute as Alexander Isak swept in from close range after Cody Gakpo’s cross deflected into his path. After that it was down to the defence to close out a third consecutive league clean sheet — the first time they have achieved that since the start of the 2024-25 campaign — to secure the points. …”
“THERE are surprise early leaders in the Bundesliga in the form of Freiburg, who won 5-0 against Borussia Mönchengladbach, taking their tally for the season to 10 goals in three games. Freiburg’s Yannik Engelhardt and Igor Matanovic scored two apiece. After the game, Gladbach’s third defeat of the campaign, coach Eugen Polanski became the first Bundesliga coach to be sacked this season. Polanski was appointed a year ago and had a win rate of 29.73% in his 37 games with Gladbach. Borussia Dortmund also maintained their 100% record with a 3-0 win against Paderborn with goals from Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Beier and Marcel Sabitzer. Bayern Munich made hard work of beating newly-promoted Elversberg, who fell to their first defeat since arriving in the top flight. Harry Kane and Lennart Karl scored Bayern’s goals. Augsburg kept pace with the leaders but were denied a 2-1 win by a last-minute goal from Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick. Frankfurt picked up their first win at Mainz with Can Uzun netting twice in a 3-1 win. …”
“Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational strike sealed Liverpool’s progress into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup via a 3-1 home win against Tottenham, with all three goals being particularly impressive. With Spurs searching for a late equaliser, the Hungary international connected sweetly on the half-volley with Cody Gakpo’s pass looped from 25 yards out, giving goalkeeper Martin Dubravka no chance. 
“While London has a host of top-flight clubs and Liverpool have been regular contenders, the story of the 
“The Manchester derby was dominated by two controversial refereeing calls, with the goal from Erling Haaland — finally given after a long VAR check — proving decisive in City’s 1-0 away win. That came after an hour, with the striker looking offside as he slotted home a Josko Gvardiol cross, only for VAR to find him onside due to the position of United defender Patrick Dorgu’s foot as the ball came in. It was also decided that a diving Enzo Fernandez did not interfere with play as he tried to head the cross in before Haaland’s back-post finish. On Sunday evening, 
“A below-par Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Anfield, a result which maintains their unbeaten start to the season but will surely be viewed as a missed opportunity. The visitors had lost their opening three Premier League games and have looked vulnerable defensively under former Liverpool right-back Alvaro Arbeloa, but Andoni Iraola’s side could not take advantage. There was a full league debut for Bradley Barcola but he had a quiet afternoon as the home side failed to follow up their Champions League victory against Atletico Madrid with another win. …”
“Premier League representation is low when it comes to the 16 attacking players on 
“ASK any fan from the north and they will tell you the real passion in the game is found in cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. It is true these locations have long been at the heart of the sport and to some extent, the capital city was an underachieving metropolis for many years. But in terms of seats sold at matches and the number of football clubs – at all levels – London is a major hub in every sense of the word. In fact, according to historian and stadium expert Simon Inglis, only Argentina’s Buenos Aires can boast a greater football presence. …”
Richard Hughes has left Liverpool. Who will replace him?
“Welcome to week three of The Athletic’s Premier League performance table — a ranking system that really does not appreciate tightly-contested matches. In case you missed 
“THE first ‘big six’ clash of the season saw two clubs with a 100% record come face-to-face. Arsenal played host to Chelsea at the Emirates but the hosts received a shock in the first minute when Morgan Rogers netted his second goal since arriving from Aston Villa. Former Chelsea man Kai Havertz scored the equaliser in the 25th minute with a shot that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez should probably have stopped and the game was clinched by Martin Ødegaard in the 50th. Arsenal showed they are out to retain their title and Chelsea suggested they are a better equipped side than last season, but they are still some way from being contenders. Manchester City also have a 100% record after beating Coventry City with a goal from Erling Haaland. Liverpool secured their first win under new manager Andoni Iraola as they beat Ipswich Town at Portman Road (pictured). …”
Torino’s Nikola Vlasic equalises from the spot against Inter Milan in Serie A
“Anfield is a 
“Welcome to week two of The Athletic’s Premier League performance table — the sort of ranking system Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage refuses to take any comfort from. In case you missed 
“Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool twice came back from a goal down to draw 2-2 against Nottingham Forest. With Anfield anticipating the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, it was another of their summer signings, Victor Munoz, who had the stadium bouncing when he scored a brilliant equaliser with eight minutes to play. Liverpool had been facing the prospect of a third successive home defeat to Forest when the 23-year-old Spain international winger spun superbly in the box and smashed in a powerful finish. …”
“First things first, this isn’t the official Premier League table. It’s a performance one that will be updated weekly, which means you can go from top to bottom, and vice versa, in the space of seven days. There’s a clean slate at the start of each gameweek, which will be good news for some clubs — Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at this rate. Results matter, but when deciding where to rank teams from one to 20, we’ll be looking primarily at how well they played last time out, which means dissecting (or, in the case of this weekend, watching) every Premier League game. If nothing else, it will provide you with a snapshot of how each team performed in the 2026-27 Premier League, week by week. And, naturally, you’ll be in full agreement with every summary, given that it’s a totally subjective process. …”
“Over the last couple of seasons, Ryan Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s bellwether player. When the Dutchman has been on form, Liverpool have been on a title-winning level. When Gravenberch has looked tired and struggled to make a positive impact, Liverpool have often been wretched. There’s a chicken-and-egg debate to be had there, but Gravenberch was magnificent in the first half of 2024-25 in 
“There was a period in the early 1990s during Kevin Keegan’s first, electrifying spell as Newcastle United manager when he and assistant Terry McDermott would turn up at St James’ Park at 10.30 on Saturday mornings for 3pm kick-offs. The pair would inspect the pitch, assess the level of watering and chat to the groundsman. St James’ was open then at both ends, vulnerable to the wind and rain blowing down the Tyne Valley. Keegan and McDermott were European Cup winners. Looking around, Keegan said it was ‘more like a bus shelter than a football stadium.’ But, as Keegan’s impact upon Newcastle — the club and the city — rose, the dilapidated ground changed, too. As it shed its old skin, St James’ became a visible focal point on the modern skyline. It still is. …”
“The walk to Plaza Errotatxo takes you past the golden sands and turquoise waters where the three boys at the centre of this story began their football education. If you are not familiar with this part of San Sebastian in northern Spain, it is easy to miss the entrance to Antiguoko KE’s headquarters, tucked behind a row of moped bays in the shadow of an eight-storey apartment block. The sign above the wooden door confirms this is the right place. And behind that door, who can blame them for showing off a little? ‘We now have three Antiguoko coaches in the Premier League,’ says Roberto Montiel, one of their long-standing coaches, with a smile to acknowledge how this small area has delivered the managers or head coaches of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea — surely one of the more implausible statistics of modern football or, indeed, any sport. …”
“‘From the data we have and the metrics we look at, it suggests that we are the biggest Premier League club in the United States. I believe we’re in a unique position in terms of our pulling power.’ Liverpool’s chief commercial officer Ben Latty is talking to The Athleticabout the impressive foothold they have established in the American market and their grand plans for further expansion. According to audience research company GWI (formerly Global Web Index), Liverpool have 26 million supporters in the U.S. and boast the fastest-growing fanbase of any Premier League club in that country. They have 62 official supporters’ clubs spread across 32 states and 12 international football academies based there. The U.S. is Liverpool’s biggest retail market outside the United Kingdom, accounting for 26 per cent of all international sales. …”
Dominik Szoboszlai is among the favourites to become Liverpool vice-captain
“The 2026–27 Premier League will be the 35th season of the 
“Arne Slot has been sacked as Liverpool head coach. The decision has been taken by owner Fenway Sports Group after Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League with just 60 points, their lowest total for a decade. Andoni Iraola is now considered the 
Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – April 25, 2026
“The 2025-26 Premier League season is done and dusted — so what better time than right now to predict who will win it next time? Arsenal were crowned champions, overcoming Manchester City and improving on three consecutive seasons finishing as runners-up, and Mikel Arteta’s team look like they’ll enter 2026-27 with momentum and stability in their favour. City are coming to terms with the new era following the departure of the iconic Pep Guardiola, and they hope to replace him with Enzo Maresca, while Manchester United will continue under the stewardship of Michael Carrick, who succeeded Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford and oversaw their turnaround in the second half of the season. …”
Crystal Palace: love a long throw
“Andy Mitten recently re-completed ‘the 92’ — that is seeing a game at all the current football grounds in England’s top four tiers. Before the final weekend of the season, Andy, who has visited more than 600 stadiums at all levels, tells us his best and worst aspects of each of the Premier League venues. Andy, if you didn’t know, is a Manchester United supporter. … Liverpool – Anfield Like: The way Liverpool have redeveloped and expanded Anfield, bit by bit, pushing the capacity from 44,000 to 61,000. It was needed. Liverpool stalled in the 1990s as their main rivals United aggressively expanded Old Trafford, but they’ve made a smart job of it since with four distinct stands, it doesn’t look like any other stadium. The atmosphere before a big game and You’ll Never Walk Alone impresses, though it always sounds better — to me — with a ‘MANCHESTER!’ retort. Also, the Hillsborough memorial gets the space it deserves, the gates (and gable end murals on nearby housing) for former heroes, the proximity to Stanley Park. Dislike: A new Anfield Road stand means the worst view in football from the last two rows of the away end has gone. It’s much more spacious on the away concourse beneath the stand too, so I’m left not liking the lack of public transport options and that’s about it. Oh, and the fact that Liverpool play in such an impressive home. …”
“Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary Liverpool career is drawing to an end. Since arriving at the club in the summer of 2017, the Egyptian has amassed 257 goals in 441 games — a record only bettered by two players in the club’s history. His time at Liverpool has not been without controversy — 
“This was supposed to be a week of celebration for Mohamed Salah and Liverpool. The announcement in March that this would be the Egyptian’s final season on Merseyside teed up this Sunday’s game against Brentford at Anfield to be a golden goodbye to one of the club’s — and the Premier League’s — greatest ever players. Instead, 
“… After looking at 
“… This was the weekend when 
“Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens. Matchday 35 saw teams across the Premier League score 23 of their 46 big chances. That 50 per cent conversion rate is the third best of the season after Matchday 5 (59 per cent) and 20 (55 per cent). Opta defines a big chance as ‘a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score, usually a one-on-one scenario or a shot from close range with a clear path to goal and low-to-moderate pressure’. So, in this week’s table, we compare how teams fared when it comes to creating and converting big chances across the first 18 games to the last 17, roughly a first half versus second half of the season. …”
“Who remembers the holding midfielder? The no-nonsense anchorman who sat in front of the defence, protected that space, and contributed little in attack? The current trend in the Premier League is for players in that mould to push up, to press, to make runs into attack, and 
“A remarkable match at Old Trafford, and a precious win for Manchester United. This 3-2 triumph not only ensured United claimed a first league double over Liverpool for the first time since the 2015-16 season but sealed qualification for next season’s Champions League, after two campaigns away. First-half goals from Matheus Cunha and, more controversially, Benjamin Sesko put United in control against a depleted Liverpool side who looked timid and disjointed for long spells. …”
“Manchester City are the only team to win the Premier League on goal difference, and this season they might need to repeat the trick. For those uninitiated in the competition’s most storied moment, Sergio Aguero’s last-minute goal for City in a 3-2 final-day victory at home against Queens Park Rangers in May 2012 meant they pipped Manchester United to the title by virtue of their superior goal difference, which was eight better than their crosstown rivals. The margins at the top could be even finer in the current campaign. …”
“Across the sporting institutions with which he is most associated, there was a sense of John W. Henry being everywhere and nowhere last weekend. On Saturday afternoon at Anfield, before 
“Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens. The Premier League title race will likely see plenty more changes at the top before and potentially during the final matchday of the season on May 24. Arsenal are top — as they regularly have been since 2022-23 — but Manchester City hold a game in hand, with goal difference another factor. A couple of spots below them, Aston Villa are fifth, eight points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. It is unlikely another side will break into the top five with just four games left but multiple teams have jumped in and out of those Champions League spots since August. …”
“As Giorgi Mamardashvili disappeared down the tunnel on a stretcher, Everton smelt blood. Liverpool’s narrow lead had been wiped out by Beto, who had 
A poster targeting Trent Alexander-Arnold last season
“Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens. After looking at errors leading to shots and goals last week, we dive into long- and short-passing sequences that result in goals. As usual, the article that follows is long but detailed, so please settle down and enjoy it all — or use the index at the bottom of the page to jump to a specific club. …”
“You may have seen a Premier League stadium up close. You might have seen one on television. But seeing one from a satellite uncovers things that are not obvious from the ground or television cameras. The Athletic tasked its expert writers with analysing their club’s grounds from above to see what they could find out. From the roads, railways and supermarkets that could cause problems for redevelopment to the regeneration of areas, this is what they discovered. …”
“Liverpool were outplayed and outclassed in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. Even if they managed to escape Paris with the tie still alive, they have their work cut out to overturn the 2-0 deficit. Luis Enrique’s reigning European champions are unquestionably one of the best teams in the world — but PSG are not unbeatable. The Athletic explores how other teams have earned positive results against the Ligue 1 side, and how Liverpool can turn this quarter-final around. …”
“There’s nothing like the wonder of a young player showing what he can do to lift the mood, and Rio Ngumoha did just that with a brilliant finish in Liverpool’s win over Fulham. It has been a tough time of late for Arne Slot and Liverpool, but the sight of the 17-year-old Ngumoha bending the ball in from just inside the area and then Mohamad Salah — who has had his own troubles recently — doubling the lead will have brought some much-needed positivity. …”
“It’s the halfway stage of the Champions League quarter-finals, which is the perfect time to pause for breath to reflect. In football parlance, the job is only ‘half done’ for Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, all of whom go into the second leg next week with a lead. As for Real Madrid, Liverpool, Sporting CP and Barcelona, they ‘have it all to do’ to reach the last four. …”
“The whistles got louder and louder. Joe Gomez was standing on the touchline at the Parc des Princes, using a towel to dry the ball before he could take a throw-in, and the locals were not impressed. The Liverpool defender looked uncomfortable, but he kept on drying. Eventually, with the noise reaching a crescendo and the referee hurrying him along, he hurled the ball into the penalty area. Nothing came of it, but at least Gomez had given Paris Saint-Germain something to think about — even if their supporters took it as an affront. …”
“Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ensured Paris Saint-Germain built a convincing first-leg lead against a Liverpool side that struggled to lay a hand on the European champions. Arne Slot’s side will take limited consolation in the knowledge that it could have been worse, were it not for some erratic fishing from the hosts and a couple of important saves from Giorgi Mamardashvili. Liverpool lined up with three at the back, which meant Mohamed Salah was reduced to a place on the substitutes’ bench — where he remained for the duration, despite Liverpool chasing the game. …”
“If you were picking a match to play after losing 4-0 to Manchester City, it would not be a trip to France to face defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Yet that’s the challenge for Arne Slot and his players as they aim to bounce back from this season’s latest low and keep their hopes of winning the Champions League alive. 
Can PSG become the first team other than Real Madrid to retain the European Cup since Milan in 1990?
Michael Owen scored on his Liverpool debut on May 6, 1997
“… Klopp has been mindful to keep his distance since 
