Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was surprised to hear one reporter refer to the Community Shield as a pre-season friendly. Steve Nicol breaks down how the possible absences of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will affect Liverpool early in the season. The FC crew discuss the root causes of Liverpool’s summer struggles and whether
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River Plate are the defending champions. Leicester City’s incredible Premier League triumph in 2015-16 was a freak, an aberration, something that appeared impossible until it happened. However, if Leicester had won the FA Cup instead it would not have inspired anything like the same worldwide reaction. The logic is simple: the shorter the competition, the
Brian McBride explains how playing Liga MX teams mid-season in the Leagues Cup will either help or hurt the four MLS teams involved. MEXICO CITY — Queretaro coach Victor Manuel Vucetich believes signing Guillermo Ochoa to replace the outgoing Agustin Marchesin would be a step down in quality for Club America. A possible return for
Shaka Hislop and Stewart Robson disagree on whether a Romelu Lukaku-Paulo Dybala swap would be good business for Manchester United and Juventus. Arsenal are closing in on Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, but Shaka Hislop wonders if the Gunners could make better use of €80 million elsewhere. Transfer deadline day is one of the highlights of
Arsenal have pulled off one of the coups of the summer so far in signing Nicolas Pepe from Lille. The French-Ivorian winger, 24, was the best player not named Kylian Mbappe in Ligue 1 last season and was coveted by pretty much every top European club this summer. Lille reached agreements with PSG, Napoli, Inter
Steve Nicol explains why Diego Simeone would have to alter his coaching philosophy if Atletico Madrid sign James Rodriguez. Steve Nicol and Stewart Robson explain why they’re convinced Atletico Madrid are set up to have more success than rivals Real Madrid this campaign. The FC crew examine Real Madrid’s current issues as Zinedine Zidane’s side
Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson identifies the obstacles that will stand between Arsenal and a top four finish this season. As Nicolas Pepe inches closer to joining Arsenal, ESPN FC’s Stewart Robson goes to his highlight reel to show what he’ll bring to the Gunners. Moussa Dembele scored a brace to secure Lyon a come-from-behind
Shaka Hislop feels Barcelona’s high asking price for Philippe Coutinho is scaring off potential buyers, given the Brazilian’s erratic from at the Nou Camp. Stewart Robson cites Barcelona’s defeats against Liverpool and Roma in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments that money cannot buy a UCL title. With rumours of Neymar’s return to Barcelona refusing to
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was surprised to hear one reporter refer to the Community Shield as a pre-season friendly. The Toe Poke Daily is here every day to bring you all the weirdest stories, quirkiest viral content and top trolling that the internet has to offer, all in one place. Jump to: Daniel James moonlights
The FC crew examine the public spat going on at Bayern Munich between Karl-Heinz Rumminegge and Niko Kovac surrounding Leroy Sane. The European transfer window is open. Click here to review all the latest transfers and keep up to date with the latest gossip below. Top free agents in 2020 | What do Europe’s elite need?