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...
Manchester City have confirmed that WSL record goal scorer Vivianne Miedema has had surgery on her left knee.
The Dutch international, who joined City from Arsenal this summer when her contract expired, will now "begin a period of rehabilitation at the City Football Academy, working closely with the Club's medical team," according to a club statement. The type and degree of the injuries have yet to be reported.Miedema had made an impressive start to life in Manchester, scoring twice, including in City's 2-2 opening day tie with Arsenal, and assisting once in five outings. "Everyone at City would like to wish Viv a full and speedy recovery," the statement read.
The attacker has missed City's previous three games due to a "slight niggle," according to manager Gareth Taylor, and she has been left out of the Netherlands' international squad.
Miedema missed the 2023 World Cup after injuring her ACL in Arsenal's Champions League loss to Lyon in December 2022, a month after her partner, Beth Mead, sustained the same injury.
The 28-year-old Miedema returned to action 10 months later, in Arsenal's WSL victory against Bristol City. The path to complete recovery has not been easy, with the forward having minor knee surgery in March that kept her out for many weeks.

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