Setting the Stage: Liverpool’s 2025/26 Season Context Before dissecting the match itself, it is essential to understand the backdrop. Liverpool entered the season as reigning Premier League champions, a title they captured under the stewardship of Arne Slot, whose tactical acuity and team-building had won widespread acclaim. However, the 2025/26 season swiftly turned challenging as the Reds’ form nosedived dramatically. Consistent losses to mid-table and lower-ranked teams, including a thrashing by Crystal Palace, raised alarm bells. Financially, Liverpool had invested massively — over £450 million on new signings — aiming to compensate for the aging core and ensure competitiveness. Yet, these investments have not translated into on-field success, revealing deeper systemic issues related to player integration, tactical coherence, and perhaps leadership within the squad. The clash with Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s side celebrating his 1000th game, crystallized these concerns in a ha...
Real Madrid's unbeaten streak of 42 LaLiga games came to an end on Saturday, with Barcelona winning El Clásico 4-0 in Madrid.
Real Madrid should have opened the scoring in the first half, but they were the architects of their own defeat. Seven offside calls were made against the hosts in the first 45 minutes, six of which were against Kylian Mbappé.
Looking for his first Clásico goal, the superstar summer signing was often thwarted by Barcelona's strong defensive line. Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham took up the offensive burden in the absence of the injured Rodrygo, although neither performed to their full potential.
Meanwhile, in a second half of full Blaugrana dominance, Hansi Flick's men kept their cool and won this Hollywood fixture.
Barcelona, who can now consider themselves the offside-trip kings of Europe, kept composed and knew their opportunity would come. Then two did it in less than two minutes to startle Madrid.
Madrid, who were dull and disoriented for the final half hour, lost a third and fourth after Mbappé's potential score was called offside once more.
Lamine Yamal broke Ansu Fati's record for the youngest goal scorer in Clásico history when he rifled home at the near post for 3-0. An in-form Raphinha then guaranteed Barcelona walked away laughing when he dinked Lunin, while Lucas Vázquez's attempt to clear the ball resulted in him colliding with the netting.
As a result, Flick's side now leads the reigning champions by six points in the rankings.

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