Liverpool have made a remarkable start to the season, with just one loss so far and leading both the Premier League and Champions League tables . The team has been performing well under the new coach Arne Slot’s guidance. Among the standouts, Luis Díaz has enjoyed a productive season on the pitch. However, discussions about his future are surfacing, with his contract set to expire in 2027, prompting the club to consider their options regarding his long-term role at Anfield.
Luis Díaz has contributed impressively this season with nine goals and three assists, showcasing his talent as one of the Premier League’s best finishers. However, his off-field situation is more complex, as he remains on a relatively modest £55k per week compared to his teammates’ wages. With numerous clubs reportedly interested in the Colombian winger, Liverpool face a pivotal decision to secure his future amid growing interest and his standout performances under Arne Slot.
Luis Díaz, who joined Liverpool in 2022, has become a reliable option in rotation with Darwin Núñez, contributing to 49 goals in 120 appearances. Over the summer, Barcelona expressed significant interest in signing Díaz, but financial constraints prevented any move. Additionally, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain have openly admired the Colombian winger. With his future uncertain, Liverpool may need to prioritise offering him a new contract to ward off interest from these European giants or risk finding a replacement.
Reports from AnfieldWatch suggests that Luis Díaz is seeking a significant wage increase to €150,000 per week, a considerable jump from his current earnings. While it is reasonable for him to aim for an improved contract, such a demand poses challenges for Liverpool. With ongoing negotiations involving key players like Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk, accommodating Díaz’s request could strain the club’s budget. Additionally, a figure of this magnitude is beyond the reach of clubs like AC Milan, which limits alternative destinations.
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Luis Díaz is reportedly drawn to Barcelona’s interest, viewing it as a potential career opportunity. The Colombian is said to be enticed by the allure of the Nou Camp, where the club’s admiration for him has been longstanding. A move to Barcelona could provide Díaz with increased game time, especially as Robert Lewandowski approaches the latter stages of his career, making it a mutually beneficial prospect for both the player and the Spanish giants.
Liverpool will aim to maximise Luis Díaz’s contributions in the short term. However, with his contract expiring in 2027, the club may consider selling him in the summer transfer window to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer in the future. This strategic decision would ensure Liverpool retains control over his departure while potentially securing a significant transfer fee.
More must-reads:
Manchester United supporters woke up to a surreal football soap opera on August 29 2025. Two former United managers lost their jobs in Turkey within hours of each other. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Besiktas after a painful European exit. José Mourinho left Fenerbahçe following a Champions League playoff defeat. Those events sent betting markets and social feeds into overdrive with one recurring question. Could Solskjaer return to Old Trafford if Ruben Amorim continues to struggle? This article sorts the headlines from the real chances and explains why a Solskjaer comeback would be emotionally satisfying yet practically complicated. What Happened in Turkey and Why it Matters to United Fans The avalanche of managerial churn in Turkish football matters to Manchester United because it places two high-profile names squarely back on the market. Solskjaer’s dismissal came immediately after Besiktas were knocked out of European competition. His tenure had moments of optimism, but ultimately collapsed with the same fate as Ole’s. Mourinho’s exit at Fenerbahçe arrived after an equally brutal elimination that left the club and its fans furious. The double headlines are rare yet potent. They revive the debate about whether Manchester United should ever look backwards for stability or push on with a fresh identity under Amorim. Why a Solskjaer Return Would Make Sense Emotionally and Politically Solskjaer is still beloved by a large chunk of the Manchester United base. He embodies a club identity many supporters miss. The narrative is straightforward. Solskjaer was a player-turned-manager who once steadied the ship and delivered memorable wins. That emotional currency buys trust from fans and some players. If Amorim’s results deteriorate in a public way, the board could face enormous pressure to act. Reappointing a figure with instant goodwill seems like a low-friction fix. Bookmakers reacted fast to the Turkish sackings and trimmed odds on familiar names returning to big jobs. That reaction signals how much quick narratives influence decision-making in football. Tactical and Structural Reasons Why the Boycott of History Matters Solskjaer’s strengths lie in man management and restoring confidence. He earned praise for steadying a top job during difficult periods by simplifying the message and giving young players chances. United now sits at a crossroads where tactical clarity and a coherent long-term plan are arguably more important than short-term emotional relief. Amorim offers a distinct footballing blueprint that the club invested in through transfers and a broader recruitment approach. However, with just four Premier League wins in almost 28 games, and failing even to win back-to-back matches, it has raised lots of questions about the Portuguese. Reverting to a man who symbolizes a previous era risks undoing those structural moves. Chief executive and sporting directors rarely want to invite another public reset because continuity, however imperfect, often protects multi year projects. The financial and reputational cost of hiring then firing familiar faces again would be significant. Could Solskjaer Actually be Hired, and What Would That Look Like A reunion would require more than fan chants. Manchester United’s hierarchy would weigh multiple variables. Contractual details matter because Solskjaer is now a free agent. The board would assess whether his coaching staff, tactical staff, and player relationships align with what the club wants next. United would also run scenario planning against other available candidates, including established veterans and innovative young managers. A short-term rescue mission usually costs heavily in the transfer market later on. The club must decide whether immediate results trump a coherent plan. Practicalities aside, Solskjaer himself has repeatedly given mixed signals about chasing high-pressure jobs. He made comments in the past that suggested a willingness to return if asked, but that willingness matters less than the structural fit. The Amorim Factor and Why Impatience Can Be Dangerous Ruben Amorim arrived with a reputation for building disciplined teams. United insiders stress there are no current plans to sack him. Internal anxiety sits alongside public criticism. Players and staff sometimes express confusion about tactical switches and selection policies. Those murmurs grow louder when results do not follow. The club has started the season with no wins in three games, including getting knocked out by a fourth-tier club, Grimsby. With a managerial record now as bad as Garry Neville‘s Valencia, despite decent recruitment, fate could be decided sooner than later. Sacking Amorim would trigger a heavy compensation package for United due to the length and terms of his contract. The club must also consider the message it sends to prospective managers and to the marketplace. Football boards that shift frequently undermine the stability that attracts the top tactical minds, United say they want. A cautious approach remains the safest route to protect long-term ambitions. Final Thoughts A Solskjaer return would satisfy a large part of the fanbase and create headlines that soothe immediate pain. History, sentiment, and short-term optics all favor a reunion in the event Amorim falls. Reality demands a more solemn calculus. United’s project requires coherence in recruitment planning, tactical identity, and long-term financial prudence. The best long-term decision will probably frustrate some fans but protect the club from repeated cycles of hope and disappointment. Expect sharp media narratives. Rumour mills will accelerate whenever United drop another point. The international break looms as a likely drama window. Club statements will be minimal and cautious until a clear direction crystallizes. If results stay poor and the board senses the dressing room fracturing then a managerial change becomes plausible. That path will produce candidate lists, odds shifts, pundit debates and social storms. Every United supporter should remember one truth. Manchester United play Burnley before the international break, and it could be a make-or-break for a long-term decision.
The Cleveland Browns have good reasons for keeping Shedeur Sanders as their third-string quarterback before Week 1 of the regular season. He needs to catch up to speed in the NFL. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic talked to an unnamed NFL head coach who argued that Sanders was late on reads during his two games in the preseason. One NFL coach I spoke to, who watched Sanders this preseason, thought he was consistently late reading what he saw and didn’t always deliver the ball where it was supposed to go, even though his numbers impressed against the Carolina Panthers. “The guy plays on tape delay,” the coach said. Sanders was noticeably tardy throwing the football during the Browns' preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. He took five sacks for -41 yards. The sacks overshadowed his three completions for 14 yards in Cleveland's 19-17 win over the Rams. Sanders looked much better in his preseason debut when he went 12-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Still, the former Colorado Buffaloes signal caller took two sacks. Part of Sanders' regression against the Rams was that he played with a much weaker fourth-string unit. He received starting reps against the Panthers. But second-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel fared much better against opposing defenses with the same protection Sanders had. Sanders showed enough arm talent for the Browns to believe he has a chance to become a starter in the league. But he's just a rookie, and most quarterbacks struggle with holding the ball too long and throwing to the wrong area in the early stages of their career. With practice, Sanders should progress in those areas. There's no shame in starting the season as the QB3 until he's ready to lead the offense.
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns have a troubling development at wide receiver before Arch Manning is set to lead the offense against No. 3 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Texas wide receiver Emmett Mosley is expected to play in a limited capacity against the defending national champion Buckeyes. Manning is set to start without the Longhorns' top three pass catchers from 2024. Matthew Golden, Gunnar Helm and Isaiah Bond are members of the NFL this year. That leaves sophomore Ryan Wingo and junior DeAndre Moore Jr. as the best options against Ohio State. Mosley posted 48 catches for 528 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman last season at Stanford. The Longhorns already had concerns with the offensive line during training camp. The issues with receivers and the offensive line could mean a bumpy start for Manning and the offense against Ohio State. The Longhorns have young talent, but they're going to need to grow up fast if they want to get revenge on the team that knocked them out of the College Football Playoffs in January.
Kyle Schwarber made sure his Philadelphia Phillies bounced back after being swept by the New York Mets earlier this week. Schwarber went 4-for-6 with four home runs and nine RBI in Philadelphia's 19-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. His first home run of the night came in the first inning, a solo shot for his 46th of the season. In the fourth inning, the three-time All-Star blasted his second home run of the night (47), this time a two-run knock. Schwarber’s third long ball came in the following frame, with his 48th being a three-run homer. Finally, in the seventh inning, Schwarber hit his fourth home run (49) of the night to right field to come within one dinger of 50 for the season. The 32-year-old made all kinds of history on Thursday against the Phillies’ division rival. He already surpassed his previous career high for home runs in a single season, but also became just the fourth player in franchise history to have four homers in a game and the first since Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt did so in 1976. Additionally, Schwarber is only the 21st player in MLB history to achieve this feat, and the fifth player all-time with at least four homers and nine RBI in a game. Plus, Schwarber joined the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz and Seattle Mariners’ Eugenio Suarez as the only players to have a four-homer game this season — the first time this has occurred. Clearly, Schwarber and the Phillies were anxious to get out of Queens and return to Philadelphia. The Phillies’ offense scored just eight runs across the three-game set against the Mets. They scored 19 runs off the Braves’ pitching at Citizens Bank Park. Schwarber received “MVP” chants from Phillies fans on Thursday, and rightfully so. He’s on his way to breaking Ryan Howard’s previous franchise record of 58 home runs in a season, which earned him the 2006 National League MVP.
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!