Our Everton writers pick their teams for tonight's Merseyside derby with Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League

Our Liverpool FC writers select their line-ups for tonight's Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield in the Premier League

Our Liverpool FC writers select their line-ups for tonight's Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield in the Premier League

The Merseyside Derby takes place at Anfield this week as Liverpool look to maintain their impressive lead at the top of the Premier League table while Everton will be looking to frustrate their neighbours for a second time this season

The Merseyside Derby takes place at Anfield this week as Liverpool look to maintain their impressive lead at the top of the Premier League table while Everton will be looking to frustrate their neighbours for a second time this season

Merseyside Derby Returns to Centre Stage at Anfield The international break fades into the rear-view mirror as Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield for yet another emotionally charged Merseyside derby. It’s a fixture drenched in history, intensity and, more often than not, controversy – and tonight’s showdown promises no less. This meeting arrives at a crossroads […]

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Liverpool have nine fixtures to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title starting with Everton on Wednesday night

Liverpool have nine fixtures to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title starting with Everton on Wednesday night

Arsenal may have done its bit to keep the Premier League title race alive on Tuesday, but Mikel Arteta is counting the cost after losing yet more players to injury.

The Gunners are still hanging on in the race to be crowned champion, having narrowed the gap to Liverpool to nine points with a 2-1 win over Fulham. Arne Slot’s side can restore their 12-point lead on Wednesday though when they host Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Arteta will be hoping for a favor from his former side as Arsenal looks to stage an unlikely comeback in the title race, although its hopes of clawing back Liverpool look to have taken another major hit.

The Gunners were only 15 minutes into their return from the international break when defender Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off injured. He wasn’t the only defender to give Arteta a scare either, with Jurrien Timber having to come off during the second half.

Already without Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White, Arteta’s options at the back are now looking pretty scarce, which will not help in their efforts to catch Liverpool, nor will it improve their chances of overcoming Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“We don’t know how they are going to be,” Arteta said when discussing Gabriel and Timber’s injuries after the game. “We will be assessing them tomorrow and understand better how we are with those two.

Gabriel of Arsenal looks dejected as he leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during clash with Fulham (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“If there are two players in this team who never want to come off, it’s those two probably. Gabi felt something in his hamstring, we don’t know how big that is.

“And with Jurrien as well. He already was struggling very early in the game. He managed to continue and at some point he couldn’t. That’s the downside. Jurrien was a knee [injury].

“You can imagine, we've lost four players in the defensive line in one week - Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien and Gabi Magalhaes. We have still another four, that are so willing that they will do their job.

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“There have been some big, big players in very, very critical positions and affecting the whole line. But we have a lot of good news as well. Look at Mikel [Merino], look at Ethan [Nwaneri], look at other players doing other stuff. So that's it.”

Despite its problems at the back, Arsenal was boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka, who scored what turned out to be the winner against Fulham. With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz out for the remainder of the season, the England international’s comeback couldn’t have come at a much better time for the Gunners.

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Arne Slot has some big decisions to make ahead of Liverpool's Merseyside derby clash with Everton at Anfield this evening

Arne Slot has some big decisions to make ahead of Liverpool's Merseyside derby clash with Everton at Anfield this evening

Liverpool has been warned it's staring at the brutal reality of losing all three key players this summer. Paul Merson predicts a less than ideal scenario where Liverpool could face the loss of their out-of-contract trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

As Arsenal, Merson's old stomping ground, narrowed Liverpool's cushion to a mere nine points following a 2-1 victory against Fulham, concerns rise over the Reds' long-term squad stability, in spite of them still spearheading the table ahead of the highly-anticipated Merseyside derby. Against Everton on Wednesday, Arne Slot's men step into the derby spotlight with a steely gaze on the prize; needing just 16 more points from the remaining 27 to clinch their 20th English crown, a feat that would etch Slot's inaugural season into the annals of history.

Yet, despite the ongoing success, the unresolved futures of stalwart defender and skipper Van Dijk, right-back maestro Alexander-Arnold, and goal machine Salah loom like dark clouds. With contracts expiring on June 30, Liverpool risks seeing this illustrious trio exit for free the following day.

Alexander-Arnold's whispers of a transfer to Real Madrid persist, while Van Dijk and Salah have signalled intentions to stay. Time is running thin, and as Merson contemplates, the potential collective departure by July is nothing short of "criminal."

The Arsenal icon made a bold statement in his Sky Sports column, writing: "I've been saying it for the last eight or nine months - I don't see any of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk signing at Liverpool," and added, "Because I just don't know why you wouldn't have signed already. Why would you keep on losing £80,000 a week, every week for the last 18 months?".

He voiced his surprise: "I'd be quite shocked if all three stayed from here. Unless Liverpool are prepared to give them £30m, £40m in their bank account."

Discussing Liverpool's potential strategy, he noted: "If Liverpool want to keep on being successful and go again next year, they've got to keep Van Dijk and Salah, assuming Alexander-Arnold has already gone." Highlighting the value of the players, he mentioned: "I think Van Dijk and Salah are the best in the business in their positions. If I could buy anybody, I'd buy them two."

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to become a free agent at the end of the season (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)

On the consequences of losing key players, he stressed: "If you lose Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, you've lost half of the back four. And if you lose Salah, you're losing 30 to 40 goals a season. Good luck finding them anywhere else."

Reflecting on contract management, he said: "When you get down to that much talent and they're that good, you should never have less than two years, or two and a half years left on your contract before they're sitting down and saying: 'We want to go again'."

And he condemned poor planning: "And the only time their contracts should be running out is when they're 33, 34, when-no one wants them." Finally, he stated emphatically: "In football terms, it's criminal. It's criminal that you can let three of the top players in the world of football have their contracts run down, and they could leave for absolutely nothing, go anywhere they want."

Paul Merson believes Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah will also leave Liverpool (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

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Why Liverpool’s Owners FSG Are Targeting Malaga – A Strategic Move with Huge Potential Malaga’s Fall from Grace Meets FSG’s Rise in Football Investment In the sun-drenched streets of Malaga, where football once danced on the grandest European stage, there’s a stirring sense of potential. Just over a decade ago, Malaga CF came within seconds […]

The post Why FSG’s Interest in Malaga Could Reshape Liverpool’s Future appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Malaga’s Fall from Grace Meets FSG’s Rise in Football Investment

In the sun-drenched streets of Malaga, where football once danced on the grandest European stage, there’s a stirring sense of potential. Just over a decade ago, Malaga CF came within seconds of the Champions League semi-finals, undone only by two last-gasp goals from Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund. That 2012-13 squad, glittered with names like Isco, Roque Santa Cruz, Javier Saviola, Julio Baptista and Joaquin, carved out a golden chapter in the club’s history.

Fast forward to the present, and the Andalusian club sits mid-table in Spain’s Segunda División, a shell of its former self. Years of financial mismanagement and judicial intervention have left the club adrift — but not forgotten. Enter Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the American owners of Liverpool FC, who are now eyeing Malaga as their next football venture, as revealed by The Athletic.

While Arne Slot begins his own journey at Anfield in the post-Klopp era, his employers are scanning the Iberian Peninsula for expansion. For FSG, Malaga represents more than just a distressed asset. It’s a strategic gateway into Spanish football, a foothold in a vibrant market, and a project rich in upside — for both sporting and business returns.

Malaga’s Identity: History, Heartbreak and Hidden Value

Malaga CF are no strangers to turbulence. The club has oscillated between Spain’s top two divisions for much of its existence. Their peak came in the 2011-12 La Liga season with a fourth-place finish, paving the way to their historic Champions League run. But behind the scenes, financial foundations were crumbling.

Since their relegation to the Segunda in 2018 and a brief stint in Spain’s third tier in 2023-24, Malaga have been a cautionary tale. Yet the bones of a sleeping giant remain: a loyal fanbase, a 30,000-capacity stadium in Estadio La Rosaleda, and the distinction of being the only professional club in Spain’s sixth-largest city.

The club’s infrastructure has further value. La Rosaleda has been shortlisted by the Spanish federation to host games at the 2030 World Cup. While that would require substantial redevelopment — with an estimated €230 million budget — there is belief that public funding could help share the burden. For FSG, that’s an attractive proposition. A refurbished stadium without fully footing the bill? That’s smart business.

Ownership Turmoil and Legal Limbo: What FSG Would Be Inheriting

The ownership of Malaga is mired in complexity. Since Qatari Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani became club president in 2010, over €200 million was spent on talent like Isco, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Enzo Maresca and Santi Cazorla. But the spending spree masked severe financial issues.

Al Thani’s grandiose marina and hotel complex in Marbella never materialised. As debts mounted, BlueBay Hotels entered as investors, only to clash with Al Thani in court. In 2020, judge Maria de los Angeles Ruiz removed Al Thani from club control and appointed lawyer Jose Maria Munoz to run operations — trimming costs across the board, particularly after the club’s drop to the third tier.

A Spanish Supreme Court ruling in January 2024 gave BlueBay Hotels a 49% stake in NAS Spain 2000, Al Thani’s holding company. That means Al Thani still holds ‘direct or indirect’ control of just over 50% of the club’s shares, with BlueBay at 47%. The rest is divided among small shareholders and fans.

If FSG buys out Al Thani’s stake, they’ll likely become co-owners with BlueBay, helmed by Spanish businessman Jamal Satli Iglesias. That dynamic could complicate matters — or prove beneficial, depending on alignment of interests.

Why FSG Sees Malaga as a Football Goldmine

There are several compelling reasons behind FSG’s interest in Malaga.

First, the city itself. With a population of around 600,000, and a wider region popular with tourists and wealthy expats, there’s clear commercial potential. Even during their time in the third tier, Malaga averaged over 20,000 fans per match at La Rosaleda. That’s testament to the fanbase’s enduring loyalty, something FSG knows all about from their stewardship of Liverpool.

Second, the football economics. Compared to the Premier League, operating in Spain’s second division is relatively cheap. Malaga’s recent annual losses totalled €17.7m across four years — significant locally, but manageable for a sporting group valued by Forbes at $12.95 billion. In fact, FSG spent £127.3m funding Liverpool last season alone.

And then there’s promotion potential. Clubs who’ve ascended to La Liga in recent years typically spent between €14m and €30m on staff wages. With Malaga’s 2022-23 wage budget at just €6m, FSG could invest modestly by Premier League standards and still compete for promotion — especially given Malaga’s local support and infrastructure.

“Malaga at the moment is a tempting sweet, ripe for the picking,” Munoz said recently. “But it’s not up to me — someday, someone will come with the document and say they have bought the club.”

Rival Bidders and a Tangled Takeover Landscape

FSG are not the only ones to see Malaga’s potential. In 2023, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi revealed that Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), owners of PSG, were also exploring a deal.

“QSI is exploring a range of investment opportunities across Europe and America currently,” a spokesperson told The Athletic last week, confirming their interest.

There was also a local consortium led by former NBA player Jose Manuel Calderon, yet none of these groups have navigated the legal maze surrounding Malaga’s shareholding structure. The situation is further complicated by ongoing judicial investigations into alleged misappropriation of funds during Al Thani’s tenure. He has denied all wrongdoing and continues to post defiantly on social media, suggesting that developments are imminent.

Fan Sentiment and the Hope for Stability

Malaga fans have experienced it all in recent years — financial chaos, legal disputes, relegation, and a revolving door of management. Trust is fragile. Al Thani’s popularity plummeted, with fans staging protests against his leadership. Yet judicial administrator Munoz has also come under fire for staff layoffs and youth player sales.

Still, there’s cautious optimism among supporters about a new era.

“People are craving stability and any owner will be better than Al Thani,” one supporter told The Athletic. “So fans will be open to a new and serious owner coming into the club.”

“Speaking as a fan, not as coach, but as a ‘malaguista’, we need what is best for the club,” said current manager Sergio Pellicer. “Whatever strengthens the club is welcome.”

FSG would be walking into a passionate, expectant environment — but one that’s ready to rally behind competent leadership.

How This Could Impact Liverpool

For Liverpool fans, the natural question is: what does FSG’s interest in Malaga mean for Anfield?

There’s no immediate threat to Liverpool’s status as FSG’s crown jewel. On the contrary, a multi-club ownership model could enhance Liverpool’s global operations. While player movement between clubs remains rare across multi-club groups, the real advantages lie off the pitch — scouting, warm-weather training bases, shared staff and facilities, and cross-market commercial leverage.

Having a club in southern Spain offers Liverpool warm-weather logistics and easier access to Iberian and North African talent pools. It also enables FSG to test strategies and investments in a more forgiving financial environment — something they’ve been known to favour.

Yet those hoping this signals a shift away from Liverpool’s self-sustaining model might be disappointed. Investing in Malaga could actually reinforce FSG’s sustainability principles — spreading costs, expanding influence, and developing players without inflating budgets.

Can FSG Afford It?

Absolutely. FSG’s group is immensely valuable. A recent investment in the PGA Tour totalling between $1.5bn and $3bn proves their appetite and ability to fund major projects. While cash injections at Liverpool have been minimal compared to some Premier League rivals, the group has kept the club profitable, and its football operations alone are now valued at over £4bn — nearly 20 times what they paid in 2010.

It’s also worth noting that RedBird Capital, owners of AC Milan and former FSG investors, once held a small stake in Malaga’s independent shares. Though they’ve since returned those shares, the very idea of RedBird exploring Malaga shows the club’s long-term value is not lost on institutional investors.

What La Liga Thinks of Multi-Club Ownership

La Liga and the Spanish FA are relatively relaxed about multi-club ownership, provided financial regulations are followed. Girona have thrived under the City Football Group umbrella, while Leganes are owned by Blue Crow, a group with investments in clubs across Mexico, the Czech Republic and Dubai.

La Liga president Javier Tebas was clear in 2023: “I’d have no problem if they buy the club, once they follow our financial controls.”

That gives FSG a regulatory green light to proceed — if they can untangle the Al Thani-BlueBay stalemate.

Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble with Huge Upside

FSG have never been football romantics. Their success with Liverpool has been built on rigour, analytics, and strategy — not sentiment. But in Malaga, they may see something unique: an underachieving club in a desirable location, with a storied past, loyal fanbase, and untapped commercial potential.

It’s a classic FSG play — buy low, rebuild methodically, and unlock value. And while there are hurdles to clear — legally, politically, financially — the reward could be enormous.

If they do succeed in acquiring Malaga, Liverpool’s owners won’t just be buying a football club. They’ll be restoring hope to a community, reigniting a once-glorious institution, and possibly rewriting the rules of multi-club success.

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Graeme Souness has set out his next task to help fundraise for the Epidemolysis Bullosa (EB) charity DEBRA

Graeme Souness has set out his next task to help fundraise for the Epidemolysis Bullosa (EB) charity DEBRA

The former Liverpool midfielder faced serious criticism after his side crashed out of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday

The former Liverpool midfielder faced serious criticism after his side crashed of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday

Everton are mulling over the idea of retaining Goodison Park as a football stadium by relocating their women's team to the iconic venue. The club's new American owners, The Friedkin Group, have initiated a feasibility study to explore this possibility.

The men's senior team is poised to bid farewell to the Grand Old Lady at the end of this season, making a move to their new 52,888-capacity home at Bramley Moore Dock. Previously, Everton had envisioned a legacy project for Goodison Park that encompassed a mixed-use scheme, including housing, offices, and community facilities.

This could still be incorporated into any plan to maintain Goodison Park as a football stadium. The club first moved into the ground in 1892. It is understood that numerous options remain on the table. Everton's executive chairman Marc Watts addressed staff on Tuesday, affirming the owners' commitment to securing the best home for the women's side, reports the Mirror.

Brian Sorensen's team currently ply their trade at nearby Walton Hall Park. However, it appears that this venue may not meet future WSL requirements due to its size, necessitating a new home unless the current site can be developed.

Currently sitting 8th in the WSL after 18 games, Everton women are looking to expand further in the coming years. While they could potentially play some larger matches at the new stadium, the club is keen to establish a permanent home for the women's team to facilitate their growth.

David Moyes has openly expressed his eagerness to shake off his dismal track record at Anfield. The Everton manager, who has never clinched a win in the manager's role at Liverpool's ground, spoke candidly about wanting to break his streak: "Yeah. I don't want it, I want to win and I want to make sure I get rid of it if I can."

He added, "Am I sick of it? I would be lying if I said I look forward to going to it all the time because it has been such a hard place to get results. It's nothing to do with the surrounds, nothing to do with the pitch, nothing to do with anything else, it is to do with them always producing good teams."

Everton FC could keep Goodison Park alive - for the women's team (Image: Getty Images)

Reflecting on the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, Moyes remarked: "I think every team in the Premier League, when they go to Anfield, has a game on their hands. We might be further away from Liverpool than we have ever been at the moment."

He also noted how the competitiveness has waned since his last tenure: "By the time I had left here maybe 10 years ago we were much closer to Liverpool, we were competitive, competing around the same areas of the league at the time. I think at the moment it is the biggest gulf between the two clubs."

Underlining the significance of a victory against Liverpool, Moyes declared: "It would be huge for us as a club to get that because it is not something the club have done particularly often."

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Arne Slot’s Bizarre Kick-Off Idea: A Tactical Blunder or a Glimpse of Genius? Early Experiments from a Footballing Mind There’s something endearing – and enlightening – about a tale from the footballing archives that showcases not just the tactical nous of a future Premier League manager, but the raw, unfiltered risks he once took on […]

The post The Tactical Misfire That Shaped Arne Slot’s Managerial Philosophy appeared first on anfieldindex.com.