ARNE SLOT SWEATS OVER ALEXANDER ISAK FITNESS BEFORE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SHOWDOWN
Alexander Isak's absence for Liverpool's clash with Real Madrid is a major blow. The record signing missed training, leaving a void up front for this crucial Champions League tie at Anfield, hurting the Reds' chances against the Spanish giants.
Isak Doubt Emerges Before Real Madrid Visit - Credit: DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Alexander Isak skipping training before the match at Anfield has hurt Liverpool's prospects of defeating Real Madrid in Tuesday night's crucial Champions League match.
This season, Liverpool has won two of their Champions League games and lost one. They have defeated Galatasaray but triumphed against Eintracht Frankfurt and Atletico Madrid.
When former midfielder Xabi Alonso leads his team to Merseyside, they will be hoping for double Spanish capital joy on home turf after having already hosted and defeated Real Madrid's rivals, Atletico.
However, Alexander Isak, a record signing, will not be present at Kylian Mbappe and company's visit because he did not participate in training on Monday morning.
Alexander Isak will not play as Liverpool gets ready for their matchup with Real Madrid.
Alexander Isak's time at Liverpool has not started well. There have been no goal involvements from two Champions League starts or a cameo versus Galatasaray.
This week, it will still be the case. According to a report by Paul Joyce of The Times, Hugo Ekitike will normally be trusted up front to lead the line because Isak is not in training before Real Madrid's arrival.
The return of Curtis Jones to the training group is a small silver lining, since the indigenous talent is dominating the La Liga leaders in minutes.
This season, Isak played in just four Premier League games. The striker wanted to push a trade to Liverpool; therefore, he did not show up for Newcastle's preseason friendly. His single bright spot in the Premier League has been an assist against Chelsea in a 2-1 loss; he has since developed adductor issues, which he is still dealing with.
Isak's goal against Southampton, a struggling Championship team, in the Carabao Cup is insufficient justification for Newcastle to have paid £125 million for him in September.
Despite his obvious talent, Isak will miss Liverpool's most difficult Champions League match yet.
HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE PLANNED FOR ASTON VILLA VS MACCABI TEL AVIV
A massive police operation with over 700 officers, drones, and a no-fly zone is planned for Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv. The high-security measures come amid protests and a ban on away fans for the Europa League tie.
More than 700 officers to police Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv match - COURTESY/PHOTO
During Aston Villa's highly anticipated Europa League matchup against Maccabi Tel Aviv, almost 700 police officers will be on duty as part of a massive operation.
At a game where away fans are prohibited, West Midlands Police will also use drones, dogs, horses, and "protest liaison officers." Additionally, Villa Park will have a no-fly zone.
Given that there will formally be no visiting team fans present, the magnitude of the operation for Thursday night's match is unparalleled.
Nonetheless, the police remain vigilant about the possibility of protests in and near Villa Park and Birmingham, as well as the possibility that supporters of the Israeli team will be able to get tickets.
After advising a Safety Advisory Group, which issues a safety license to host the game, that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters should be prevented from attending due to security concerns, West Midlands Police faced backlash.
The Prime Minister became involved after the action caused a worldwide reaction and called for a reconsideration. Amid worries that the match would be hijacked for individuals looking to make political statements, the club itself then declared it would not take any tickets.
When Aston Villa plays Maccabi Tel Aviv, around 700 police officers will be on duty.
Due to security concerns, Villa was urged by West Midlands Police to prevent Israeli club supporters from attending the game.
Tommy Robinson's choice to wear one of the banned Maccabi fans' shirts in support of them was the "final straw" for the club in the anti-Semitism controversy, according to a Daily Mail Sport report last week.
A no-fly zone will be implemented within a mile of the stadium on game day between 2 and 11.59 p.m. as part of several safeguards. Anyone caught operating a drone at that moment faces arrest.
Chief Supt. Tom Joyce, the chief of Birmingham Police, stated: "We want to let everyone know that we have heard you and will keep talking to you."
We are still dedicated to upholding the city's standing as a friendly and safe destination for all.
"Those who violate the law and those who foment hatred will face direct consequences."
As we implement our major policing operation, we have been collaborating closely with partners such as Birmingham City Council, Aston Villa Football Club, and our colleagues in other emergency services.
"More policemen in uniform, together with police horses, police dogs, our drone unit, road policing unit, protest liaison officers, and others, will be visible to the public."
While the force would make every effort to "keep the King's peace," Chief Supt. Joyce cautioned individuals in the vicinity to anticipate "major disruption to the highways" and asked anyone who could to stay away.
The force is vigilant about the possibility of protests at and near Villa Park, as well as the possibility that supporters of the Israeli team will be able to get tickets.
The Prime Minister became involved in the outcry over the decision to ban supporters of the Israeli club and called for a reconsideration.
"We have measures in place that balance the freedom to protest with our duty to protect all communities in Birmingham," he said, acknowledging that many organisations would be demonstrating on the day.
We have a lot of expertise in policing well-known football games and protests, and for several weeks now, we have been collaborating closely with various religious and neighbourhood organisations to hear their opinions.
As we continue to keep everyone in Birmingham safe, support nonviolent protest, and uphold the King's peace, we want to make sure that everyone can enjoy the football game.
A group known as the 'Palestine Solidarity Campaign' has organised a demonstration at the game.
They are requesting that supporters meet at Trinity Road's Aston Pavilion on Thursday at 6 p.m.
They accuse Israel of "genocide" in a statement on their website, claiming that permitting the nation's clubs to compete in international competitions "normalises its atrocities, and conveys the signal that there are no consequences for them."
According to them, "it enables Israel to portray itself as a normal nation, disguising the truth about its mistreatment of Palestinians."
ERIK TEN HAG EMERGES AS CANDIDATE FOR STUNNING PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN
Wolves are considering ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as a potential replacement for the sacked Vítor Pereira. The Dutchman is a free agent after his brief stint at Bayer Leverkusen and is now in the frame for the Molineux job.
Erik ten Hag could make a surprise return to management after Bayer Leverkusen axe - COURTESY/PHOTO
Erik ten Hag, a former manager of Manchester United, has apparently been considered by Wolverhampton Wanderers as a possible successor to Vítor Pereira, who was recently fired.
One day following Wolves' 3–0 loss to Fulham, the 57-year-old manager was fired on Sunday. The team is currently at the bottom of the Premier League standings after failing to win any of their first ten league games in 2025–2026.
According to The Athletic, Ten Hag is also being "considered" as a possible replacement for Pereira, even though Wolves are reportedly considering a reunion with former manager Gary O'Neil.
After leading the Bundesliga team for just two league games, the Dutchman was fired by Bayer Leverkusen in September, leaving him a free agent.
The prospect of reintroducing Ten Hag to the Premier League has been "considered internally" by Wolves. After nearly two and a half years as manager of Manchester United, the 55-year-old was fired in October, capping a turbulent tenure with the 20-time English champions.
Ten Hag led United to the FA Cup in 2024 and the Carabao Cup in 2023, but his tenure in Manchester was tainted by poor defence, patchy results, and a well-known altercation with superstar veteran Cristiano Ronaldo.
For 850 days, the Dutchman managed 128 games in all competitions while leading the Red Devils.
During his time at Old Trafford, Ten Hag guided United to 70 victories, 23 draws, and 35 losses. The Red Devils lost 27 of the 85 Premier League games he oversaw.
In the end, the former Ajax manager was fired after the team finished 2024–25 with just 11 points from its first nine games. After finishing in eighth place the previous season—at the time, the club's worst finish in the Premier League era—the bad start followed.
If Ten Hag gets hired again in the English Premier League, he will have a fresh task: leading a Wolves team that has only two points from ten games.