Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has slammed the alleged racist abuse Vinicius Jr suffered after Real Madrid's Champions League game against Benfica was suspended

James Findlater Content Editor

22:56, 17 Feb 2026Updated 23:00, 17 Feb 2026

Trent Alexander-Arnold slammed the alleged racist abuse Vinicius Jr received(Image: Amazon Prime Video)

Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes Vinicius Jr will get “justice” after Real Madrid’s game against Benfica was halted after the Brazilian was allegedly racially abused.

Vinicius scored the only goal in Lisbon as Real claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg of its Champions League play-off encounter, putting it a step closer to place in the last-16 of the competition.

The game though was overshadowed by the aftermath of the goal, with the game suspended for around 10 minutes after Vinicius reported a comment made to him, leading the referee to initiate UEFA’s anti-racism protocol as chaos ensued between both sides.

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Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni had been spotted on camera covering his mouth with his shirt as he spoke with Vinicius before the report was made to the referee.

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho attempted to speak to the Real winger in the aftermath, with Vinicius clearly left incensed with what he had heard, and his teammate has now backed him up.

“I can’t comment too much on it because it’s probably an ongoing investigation at this point,” former Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold told Amazon Prime Video.

Vinicius Jr speaks to Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid's game against Benfica is halted(Image: Getty Images)

“But I think what’s happened tonight is a disgrace to football. It’s overshadowed a performance, especially after such an amazing goal.

“Vini’s been subjected to this a few times throughout his career, and for it to happen tonight and ruin a night for us as a team is a disgrace.

“Like I said, it’s a disgrace to football. There’s no place in football or society, it’s disgusting.”

He added: “Obviously, it’s upsetting. We as people, we come here to do a job, we enjoy what we do, and when something like that happens, it ruins it, it takes the fun out of the game, and it ruins the night for all of us.

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“We stick together as a team, as you saw out there tonight. We dug deep, we got the win, most of all I think we’re all proud of the way we handled it in a hostile environment, the way the environment acted to it as well.

“It didn’t effect us, and we dug deep, kept the clean sheet and got the win.”

Asked about Vinicius’ response, Alexander-Arnold added: “He wanted to carry on. He’s got a very, very strong mentality, like I said he’s been subjected to this a few times throughout his career and he’s handled it excellently.

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“But for it to carry on and for it to happen tonight, like I said it’s a disgrace to football.

“Hopefully there’s justice involved in what happened. There’s no place for it in football or society.”

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Trent Alexander-Arnold could be in line for a return to Liverpool later this season after a controversial night in the Champions League which saw Real Madrid's game against Benfica halted

James Findlater Content Editor

22:03, 17 Feb 2026

Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to Liverpool in the Champions League later this season(Image: Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold moved a step closer to a potential return to Liverpool later this season after a controversial night in the Champions League.

The Reds are already through to the last-16 in Europe after finishing in the top-eight of the league phase, meaning Arne Slot’s side can sit back and watch this month’s play-offs unfold before resuming their quest for a seventh European crown next in March.

The first round of play-off games got underway on Tuesday, with Liverpool moving a step closer to knowing it’s last-16 opponent after Galatasaray beat Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their encounter, and the picture moving further into the competition has become a little clearer.

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Real Madrid faced a replay of its thrilling final league phase game against Benfica, with the Spanish giants getting the better of their Portuguese opponents on this occasion, although the contest was completed under a cloud.

Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of the game in Lisbon, ensuring Real will take a 1-0 lead back to the Bernabeu for next week’s second leg.

The game had to be halted for around 10 minutes after the goal though after Vinicius seemingly alleged he had been targeted by racist abuse. The Brazilian reported a comment made to him, which led referee Francois Letexier to initiate UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.

Vinicius Jr speaks to Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid's game against Benfica is halted(Image: Getty Images)

Chaos ensued as a member of one of the teams’ backroom staff was sent off, while Jose Mourinho attempted to speak to a clearly furious Vinicius. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni had been spotted on camera covering his mouth with his shirt as he spoke with Vinicius before the report was made to the referee.

The game did eventually resume, with Real holding on to its lead as Mourinho was later sent off. The result means Alvaro Arbeloa’s side is now a step closer to securing a place in the last-16, and another potential return to Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold later on in the competition.

The two sides have already met this season, with the Reds recording a 1-0 win at Anfield during the league phase, and they could face each other again in the semi-finals should they both make it that far.

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Liverpool will find out which side of the draw it will be placed in on February 27, when it will be paired with one of Galatasaray or Juventus, or one of Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid. The former option would put it on a path for a potential meeting with Real and Alexander-Arnold.

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Elsewhere in the competition, Paris Saint-Germain came from 2-0 down to beat fellow French side Monaco 3-2, with the defending European champions set to have home advantage in the second leg next week. PSG could be a potential quarter-final opponent for Liverpool in a possible replay of last-season’s last-16 encounter.

Borussia Dortmund also won, beating Atalanta 2-0 in the first leg of their tie in Germany, with those two sides potential semi-final opponents for the Reds.

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Manchester City is reportedly eyeing up Xabi Alonso as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, but the Etihad club has been told its plans could be foiled by Liverpool

Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist and James Findlater Content Editor

20:58, 17 Feb 2026

Xabi Alonso has been earmarked as a potential successor for Pep Guardiola(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit reckons Xabi Alonso would opt for Liverpool ahead of taking over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Alonso is currently without a club after being dismissed by Real Madrid last month.

The Spaniard has been touted as a possible replacement for Guardiola, should the Catalan decide to leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires in 2027 or earlier. Recent reports suggested there is an "extremely strong chance" of Guardiola leaving this year, despite his contract running beyond that date.

In that scenario, City could approach Alonso, considering his previous associations with the Etihad hotseat. Meanwhile, with Arne Slot also experiencing a troubled Premier League title defense at Liverpool, the Spaniard has been mentioned as a potential candidate for Anfield.

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Should both Liverpool and City compete for Alonso's services, Petit is convinced Alonso would head back to the club where he lifted the Champions League trophy.

Speaking to Ignition Casino, Petit said: "If Xabi Alonso has the chance to come back to Liverpool, even if the door is open at Man City, I'm pretty sure he would join Liverpool.

"He has a connection to Liverpool. He's been a player over there and he won trophies over there. He failed at Real Madrid but that has been the case for many managers over there.

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"I think if he has the chance to join the Premier League, Liverpool would be the perfect club for him. It's like Mikel Arteta's connection to Arsenal, it would mean he wouldn't consider joining Manchester City even when Pep Guardiola leaves."

The Times has reported that rival Premier League managers and executives believe Guardiola is in his final season at Manchester. The City boss has repeatedly dismissed such speculation.

When questioned about his future in January, he stated: "I have a contract. I said a thousand million times. It's 10 years here. I will leave one day, but I have a contract."

Guardiola has insisted he wants to see out his contract at City, which expires in 2027(Image: 2026 James Gill - Danehouse)

He offered a comparable response to another enquiry regarding his tenure at City, saying: "I have one more year on my contract.

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"The question of that is [the same as] one or two months ago, but I will tell you again that it is the same answer."

The Times has also suggested Alonso would welcome a switch to the Premier League, though he's content to delay any decision until the summer.

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Chris Kavanagh won't referee a Premier League match this weekend after controversial decisions in the FA Cup tie between Newcastle and Aston Villa, including a missed penalty for handball

Nathan Ridley

13:49, 17 Feb 2026

Gary Beswick was involved in the recent FA Cup game between Aston Villa and Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)

Chris Kavanagh has been omitted from Premier League duty this weekend following a string of questionable calls during Saturday's FA Cup encounter between Newcastle and Aston Villa.

His assistant, Nick Greenhalgh, has similarly been left out of the selections. But his other assistant, Gary Beswick, will serve as an assistant referee for Sunday's clash between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool. Kavanagh, alongside Greenhalgh and Beswick, oversaw the fourth-round FA Cup fixture at Villa Park without VAR assistance.

Despite Newcastle securing a comfortable 3-1 victory to progress, the Magpies had legitimate grievances over several decisions. The officials initially failed to spot Tammy Abraham in an offside position before the forward put Villa ahead.

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Subsequently, Lucas Digne avoided dismissal for a dangerous, shin-high challenge on Newcastle's Jacob Murphy.

The most glaring error saw Kavanagh awarding a free-kick rather than a penalty when Digne handled a cross inside his own area. Wayne Rooney branded it "one of the worst decisions he's ever seen."

For this weekend's league fixtures, both Kavanagh and Greenhalgh have been stood down. But Beswick will be on duty when Arne Slot's Liverpool players take to the field at the City Ground on Sunday.

There were several refereeing mistakes during the FA Cup game between Aston Villa and Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)

Widely considered amongst England's finest officials, Kavanagh regularly oversees marquee fixtures. The 40-year-old's credentials were further enhanced in January when, having officiated numerous Champions League matches, he earned promotion to UEFA's elite roster of referees alongside Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.

However, officials are held accountable by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Their performances are evaluated by an independent Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel.

On punditry duty at Villa Park, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was livid, suggesting that the officials were "petrified" to make a decision without VAR as backup.

"There is perhaps a small excuse for the referee to not see this, and I'm being kind to him," Shearer began.

"But there is no excuse whatsoever for the assistant (Greenhalgh) is, who is 10 or 15 yards away and has had an absolute nightmare today. He cost for the offside free-kick (Abraham's goal) and he's 15 yards away from that.

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"Goodness me! If you ever needed any evidence of the damage VAR has done to the referees, I think today is a great example of that, because these guys, I think, look petrified to make a decision today because they didn't have a comfort blanket.

"And that's the damage it's done to the officials. For me, they're actually getting worse because I really don't think that is a difficult decision at all, in fact it's easy and at this standard, that has to be given.

"There's no excuse for the assistant not to tell his referee that he's got that totally wrong."

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Manchester United is targeting Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister in what could be the first direct transfer between the rivals in over 60 years, but Gabriel Heinze's regret offers a cautionary tale

Tom Sunderland Sports Writer

13:47, 17 Feb 2026

Gabriel Heinze was once interested in leaving Manchester United for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United is pursuing Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister in what would become the first direct transfer between the clubs in over 60 years.

However, one of his Argentinian compatriots may be able to provide some valuable insight on the proposition. That's because Gabriel Heinze expressed regret over his behavior when he requested to depart Old Trafford for Anfield.

The now-retired left-back was approaching the pinnacle of his career, but he found himself competing with Patrice Evra for a starting berth in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad. Consequently, Heinze pushed for a switch to bitter rivals Liverpool; the Reds allegedly saw an offer turned down for the star.

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The last player to transfer directly between the two adversaries was Phil Chisnall in 1964, and Ferguson was a particularly vocal advocate of the unwritten rule that the pair shouldn't engage in business.

That likely applied doubly in Heinze's situation after the defender insisted on such a transfer. Speaking about his circumstances at the time, however, he didn't appear to fully comprehend the seriousness of his actions.

"My fight is for the freedom to negotiate with any club," Heinze told the Daily Mail in 2007. "United never wanted me to leave for one of the big clubs, but this anti-Liverpool clause is incredible."

Alexis Mac Allister is being linked with Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

However, his position evidently mellowed with time. The Argentine subsequently acknowledged he regretted his conduct and the manner in which his Old Trafford departure unfolded.

"I don't have many regrets from my career as a footballer, but that episode with Ferguson [has] to be one of them," he reflected years later while expressing his remorse. "I'm impulsive and strong-willed, and this has got me into trouble at times, which was the case when I left United.

"I spent three years in Manchester and had some great moments and I regret [leaving the club] a lot. There are a lot of things I regret from the last months, but I am a strong personality, Sir Alex is a strong personality. I took the decision and, looking back, I regret it because it meant leaving a great club and their supporters.

"I was aware of the rivalry [with Liverpool], I knew the risk of going from Manchester to Liverpool and what it means. I hope it doesn't tarnish the way they [the supporters] see me and they will remember the three years I had in the team."

Ultimately, Heinze joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2007, spending two seasons in Spain before transferring to Marseille. The South American has transitioned into coaching and currently serves as a first-team coach under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

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If World Cup-winner Mac Allister can draw any lessons from Heinze's experience, it may be to avoid pursuing a transfer across the Manchester divide. However, that seems improbable even amid Liverpool's downturn in form this season.

United may soon seek a high-profile midfield acquisition if Bruno Fernandes departs Old Trafford later this year.

Mac Allister, who has flourished in a central role or in a more attacking No. 10 position, could be the ideal solution from a tactical perspective, though the practicalities of sanctioning such a transfer could still prove too challenging to surmount.

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Manchester United is weighing up a summer move for Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister as part of an ambitious midfield overhaul, with three other Premier League talents also on the club's radar

Ben Crawford GAU Writer

13:37, 17 Feb 2026Updated 13:37, 17 Feb 2026

Alexis Mac Allister is being linked with Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

It's believed that Manchester United is considering a surprising move for Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.

However, the club is also said to have its eyes on three other midfield targets. United's midfield has been the subject of transfer rumors for quite some time. With Casemiro set to leave at the end of this season, it appears inevitable that the Red Devils will bring in one or two new faces in the center of the park.

As reported on Monday, United could attempt to lure Mac Allister away from rivals Liverpool. The Argentine would be deemed untouchable by some, but he has struggled to match the performances of previous seasons this term and will soon turn 28 on a contract that runs until 2028.

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Nevertheless, Mac Allister is far from the only name United have been associated with. Liverpool.com assesses four players who have been most strongly linked with a transfer to Old Trafford in the summer.

Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister joined the Reds in 2023 and last season was undoubtedly his best in a Liverpool shirt. He was a key figure in Arne Slot's Premier League-winning squad and earned PFA Team of the Year recognition.

But this campaign has told a different story. Liverpool has found it challenging to defend its title, and Mac Allister's role has changed. With the arrival of Florian Wirtz, Mac Allister has been relegated to more of a facilitator role, and his form has slightly dipped.

However, if United were to secure him, it would be a significant coup. Mac Allister fits perfectly into United's current setup, serving as a deep-lying playmaker who excels at delivering line-breaking passes to wide players. The catch is that any player joining in the summer may not be under the guidance of current interim boss Michael Carrick.

United is considering making a bid for him, and at 27, he might not be too costly. But persuading Liverpool to let go of a key player to a Premier League rival, especially a bitter one, seems an insurmountable task, regardless of how well-suited Mac Allister would be.

Elliot Anderson

Since departing Newcastle for Nottingham Forest, Elliot Anderson has become one of the Premier League's most coveted midfielders. Now a semi-regular starter for England and just 23, he has many years at the top ahead of him.

The same report suggests Anderson is on United's radar, and he would bring something quite different to the table than Mac Allister. Anderson's strength lies in retaining possession. He tops the Premier League charts for total touches and ball recoveries this season, qualities United will require once Casemiro moves on. Add to that his versatility as a dependable box-to-box midfielder operating from a deeper No. 6 position.

Beyond all this, he qualifies as a homegrown player. Satisfying UEFA's requirements, should United secure European qualification, is crucial, and Anderson would contribute toward this. But his estimated transfer valuation of $130 million or more could present a significant obstacle.

Adam Wharton

Another homegrown midfielder on United's radar is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton. Similar to Anderson, some impressive displays have earned him recognition in the England set-up.

United has been associated with the 22-year-old for some time, and the reasoning is clear. He would offer the ideal equilibrium in midfield following Casemiro's departure, with his excellent defensive awareness and league-leading interception statistics.

Adam Wharton is one of the Premier League's best young midfielders(Image: Getty Images)

Wharton can also orchestrate play from a deeper role with impressive passing accuracy and a willingness to attempt ambitious line-breaking balls. His positioning at the base of United's midfield would additionally permit Kobbie Mainoo to continue flourishing in more advanced areas.

The sole potential concern with Wharton might be his physical stature, as he doesn't possess the imposing frame of someone like Casemiro. However, he is adaptable, meets homegrown criteria, and represents one of the Premier League's outstanding young prospects who would certainly fit the current United approach. But, like Anderson, he won't come cheap. Some reports suggest Palace will demand more than $100 million for Wharton.

Carlos Baleba

Brighton's Carlos Baleba was on United's radar last summer, but a transfer didn't come to fruition. Despite not having the best of seasons, he remains firmly in United's sights. Unlike both Anderson and Wharton, Baleba is a much more formidable midfielder, and it could be argued that his inclination to carry the ball rather than pass short doesn't quite fit with United's current style of play.

However, Baleba would likely afford Mainoo the most freedom of any potential midfield partner, even if his tendency to lose possession or wander contradicts Carrick's preference for his holding player to maintain formation.

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Following a season that was subpar by his standards, perhaps a bargain deal could be struck for Baleba, who, despite seeming like a tactical mismatch on paper, would undoubtedly be a savvy signing. Recent reports suggest £60 million ($81.5 million) might be sufficient to secure his services.

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