Coach Ralph Soccer Connection

11/09/2026

SOCCER SUNDAY FALL 2026, #9 - NECSL 11/08/26
This week, the Boys U10 Blue & the Girls U10 Blue and White teams played their final games of the fall season.

I was with the U10 Girls Blue first. Before the match, I overheard the girls talking about how they had won all their league games this season. They sounded overconfident, and to me, that is a danger sign. A few weeks ago I’d had a similar issue with the U10 Boys White before their only loss of the season to a team they were stronger than. It was similar here, with a substandard performance drawing 1-1 with FC Stars New Hampshire. With Coach Carmen, they struggled to a 4-2 win over an opponent they had hammered earlier in the campaign. The main reason I was disappointed with the team’s performances was that, in practice, the girls were doing things I hadn't expected. Whilst it is not unusual for a team to always be in top form, their play was way below what I’d seen previously. It’s a lesson I will impress on the team when I resume with the Girls in the winter. The team ends the fall with an 8-2-1 record.

The U10 Boys Blue ended the season with two of their better displays. I was not there for the opening match, with Coach Mike taking the reins in a comfortable 5-0 victory over Green Lions FC. Against IFA Greater Lowell, I was delighted to see some of the moves the Boys put together. Levi's goal was a delight, coming from a back-to-front move through the midfield. Quick, sharp passing to feet helped the team progress upfield quickly, culminating in a fine finish from a wide area. This is what I’m aiming for from the team overall. I hope we can maintain this in the new year, as the Boys ended with a 7-3-1 record.

Finally, the U10 Girls ended the fall in fine style with 2 wins on the day. A hard-fought 1-0 win over Southern Maine was their best performance of the season. Courtney netted the winner in the first half, converting an excellent cross from Annie. Courtney then played in goal in the second half, combining with Grace for the shutout. A highlight for me was Courtney’s dives, in instalments, to keep the ball out of the net! At halftime in the second match against NEFC Blackstone Valley, the team were a goal down after constant pressure on the opponent. How we hadn’t scored, I will never know. The dam broke in the second half as the Girls ran out comfortable 6-2 winners. The team has really improved, running out 6-2 victors as the team ended 6-6-0 on the season.

Actually, all three teams improved over the fall. If I seemed a little harsh on the U10 Girls Blue, it was because they were well below the new standards they had set for themselves over the past couple of months. Next Sunday, the Boys U10 Silver White teams play their final games of the fall.
YNWA!

SUNDAY 8th NOV
FC Stars NH Granite vs SFC U10G Blue Drew 1-1
(Gigi)
SFC U10G Blue vs Spirit of Liverpool Won 4-2
(June, Juliette, Clara, Liv)

SFC U10B Blue vs Green Lions Won 5-0
(John 2, Max 2, Arthur)
IFA Greater Lowell vs SFC U10B Blue Won 10-2
(Arthur 6, Levi, Alex, Yaseen, Max)

SFC U10G White vs Southern Maine Won 1-0
(Courtney)
NEFC Blackstone Valley vs SFC U10G White Won 6-2
(Courtney 3, Alana, Amelia, Grace)

PICS/VIDEOS:
A selection from Sunday’s games in Lancaster.

11/06/2026

AMERICAN SCOUSER
Morning Coffee LFC Talk Fridays 10:00 am Eastern Time/3:00 pm UK time (AmericanScouser.com)

Today, Fenerbahçe fallout & looking to the Crystal Palace game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGxqoB0WvVs

☕🔴 Grab your morning coffee (or tea) and join American Scouser as w...

11/04/2026

SOCCER SUNDAY FALL 2026, #8 - NECSL 11/01/26
The Boys U10 White & Silver teams played their third game week this past Sunday.

I didn’t attend the U10 Boys Silver games because I was a sub coach for U9 Boys White later in the day. I’m no longer a spring chicken who can be on the field from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm! From what Coach Mike told me, the team struggled to play cohesively against NEFC. They were leading 2-1 before conceding a last-minute goal. The subsequent match against NE Surf Metrowest was a big improvement. Isiah led the way up front with a hat trick, while Owen in goal saved a penalty. With one week of match play left, the team stands at 5-3-1.

The U10 Boys White also struggled to get going against Best FC. That changed later in the half as we started to find players in more threatening attacking positions. The team's performance carried into the second half as the boys started to string passes together, with hat tricks from Connor and Keanu leading the team to a resounding 8-1 victory. The Boys are now 7-1-2.
Incidentally, the U9 Boys White won both their games, making me the “winningest” coach in my own world.

Next Sunday, the Boys U10 Blue & the Girls U10 Blue and White teams play their final games of the fall season.
YNWA!

SUNDAY 1st NOV
SFC U10B Silver vs NEFC New Hampshire Red Drew 2-2
(George, Eason)
SFC U10B Silver vs New England Surf Metro West Navy Won 5-3
(Isiah 3, Jack, Mihalis)
SFC U10B White vs Best FC United Pre-NAL Won 3-1
(Connor, Keanu, Will)
Seacoast United Bedford Carolina vs SFC U10B White Won 8-1
(Connor 3, Keanu 3, Will, Brooks)

PICS/VIDEOS:
Isiah and Connor both score on their way to hat tricks with their respective teams.

11/04/2026

TIME FOR CHANGE AT THE PGMOL AND VAR - FOOTBALL FANS, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION
Over the years, I’ve argued that Premier League officiating desperately needs reform. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is the official body responsible for refereeing and officiating across English professional football, including the Premier League, the EFL, and the FA. They now call themselves Pro Ref (Professional Game Referees).

Officiating quality in the Premier League has long been under the microscope. Admittedly, refereeing is not always easy, and the pressure of officiating in the world’s most-watched football league deserves consideration. However, a series of controversial calls is driving calls for greater accountability from the PGMOL. Technology was meant to support referees. However, week on week, controversies continue, especially in the big games.

With a couple of exceptions, goal-line technology has worked. It’s a different story when it comes to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). PGMOL/Pro Ref members are responsible for implementing VAR. Since VAR's introduction, refereeing standards appear to keep falling, and fan dissatisfaction with the system continues to rise league-wide. In 2022-23, dissatisfaction led to the formation of the Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI), an independent, five-member panel created by Premier League clubs. Its purpose was to remove responsibility for reviewing major refereeing mistakes entirely from the refereeing body.

How well the KMI works remains debatable. The panel comprises 3 former players or coaches, a Premier League representative and a former PGMOL referee. The positions held are confidential. To many, the panel is little more than a perfunctory exercise. Its verdicts are retroactive, so they cannot alter a match's final score or reverse points dropped. As a result, KMI reports often feel like hollow apologies to aggrieved clubs. The paradox is that, as the Premier League system has evolved with technology and the KMI, everything feels worse.

Ties between the PGMOL and outside influences such as the UAE have not helped officiating credibility. Ultimately, does the PGMOL have too much control over the entire officiating system, with outside input coming only after a controversial incident? Why do similar controversies keep arising time and again with the same referees at the centre? In the final analysis, the PGMOL will always close ranks; should it be held more accountable?

A growing online movement is calling for an independent review of the PGMOL/Pro Ref. Championed by Alex Malone of YNWA Reds, the movement is gaining support amongst clubs across the league. For the past year, Alex has extensively investigated the inconsistencies of the PGMOL, the way it operates and the decisions which are made each week, often appearing to favour some but not others. While we live in an era of conspiracies, Alex has shown a clear recurring pattern.

Please sign the petition here: https://c.org/CBr8WC9LrV

I encourage football fans everywhere to sign and share. You don't have to donate to Change.org, which set up the petition. Signing is free. The Premier League would benefit if referees weren't flying off to the Middle East to officiate. Accountability can only enhance the credibility of the PGMOL/Pro Ref organisation. Fans have lost faith in what they see as a secretive group, with only token efforts to share what they are all about.

For me, VAR is the key; it could be used more effectively. It was supposed to help, not hinder. Whilst I can accept VAR will never be totally perfect, too many major decisions in big games are questionable. The latest came in the weekend’s Liverpool vs Arsenal game, when Liverpool striker Alexander Isak was impeded as he was poised to head a cross in front of goal by Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, who grabbed his shirt. The referee may not have seen the incident clearly, but VAR did, yet waved it away. The backlash from former players has been significant; for me, it highlights one of the system's major issues. Officials may know the rule book, but do they truly know the intricacies and nuances of the professional game? Therefore, in my opinion, former pros should officiate VAR.

There will still be controversy; some decisions rely on subjectivity. Having on-field officials operating separately from VAR officials who, as former players, are more likely to read the game better from a playing perspective feels better than a system where those on and off the field are mates. The two bodies will need to build a relationship, but it has to be different from what we have right now.

Beyond that, opening the doors of the PGMOL/Pro Ref world can only help improve the standard of officiating. Maybe there’s nothing untoward to see. Unless we are allowed to see inside the PGMOL, we will never know.

Demand an independent investigation into the PGMOL

10/28/2026

SOCCER SUNDAY FALL 2026, #7- NECSL 10/25/26
For a change, there was no rain this past Sunday. It turned out to be a beautiful day with my U10 Girls Blue & White and U10 Boys Blue teams in action.

The U10 Boys Blue opened with Boston Bolts Revere and jumped out quickly to a 3-goal lead. I was trying a new system since we have several skilled midfielders. The emphasis was on building from the back. At times, it worked really well as we ended the game with an 8-3 victory. Earlier in the season, we had tied the same team 3-3. Against a very strong NEFC Metrowest team, it didn’t work as well as we fell to a heavy defeat. We'll make adjustments for the next game! The team’s record for the fall is now 5-3-1.

The U10 Girls Blue have made substantial strides from the 25-26 season. Under the watchful eye of Coach Carmen, the team romped to a 9-1 win over Best FC United. The game with FC Stars Northboro was more of a ding-dong affair, with the teams trading goals before we pulled away in the late stages to win 7-5. With 3 key players absent, the results were even more impressive, and the season’s record now stands at 7-2-1.

Finally, it was the turn of the U10 Girls White to take the field. NEFC Metro North were swept aside 9-0 before coming up against a strong FC Stars East. The girls trailed by 4 goals at the interval before really responding in the second half. With Maddy and Cameron anchoring the team at the back the girls put in their best performance of the fall. The only thing missing was a goal, though a perfectly good Alanna effort was called back quite mysteriously. The second-half display was especially encouraging as we look ahead. U10 Girls White now stand at 4-6-0.

Next Sunday, the Boys U10 White & Silver teams are in action at Lancaster.
YNWA!

SUNDAY 25th OCT
SFC U10B Blue vs Boston Bolts Revere Pre-Academy Won 8-3
(Arthur 5, Yaseen 2, Aram 1)
SFC U10B Blue vs NEFC Metrowest Northboro Elite Lost 2-14
(Arthur, Max)

SFC U10G Blue vs Best FC United Won 9-1
(Sienna 3, Clara 2, Brianna 2, Juliet 2)
SFC U10G Blue vs FC Stars Northboro Blue Won 7-5
(Clara 4, Vivian, GG, Juliet)

NEFC Metro North vs SFC U10G White Won 9-0
(Sydney 4, Alayna 2, Cam 2, Nora F 1)
FC Stars East vs SFC U10G White Lost 0-5

PICS/VIDEOS:
Thanks to families for sending so many great photographs!

10/20/2026

SOCCER SUNDAY FALL 2026, #6 - NECSL 10/18/26
It had been nearly a month since my SFC U10 White team's last game; the Silver team was fresh off last weekend’s tournament and was up first.
It may have been 8:00 and a chilly morning, but the Boys came flying out of the blocks to lead 4-0. After that, they lost focus, and the match became more of an end-to-end basketball game. It ended in a high-scoring 9-6 win. The team is strong going forward but less so in defence, where they conceded at least 3 preventable goals.
Select New Hampshire were a much stronger team, and the first half was the best the team has played all season. Krishna gave us the lead after a fabulous move which went from back field through to the attack. Select equalised just before half-time with a goal that had more than an assist from the referee - a college student who unfortunately had problems following the game. It was a different game in the second half, and Select were all over us. I’m not quite sure why the team collapsed so dramatically. A 5-2 loss, but one highlight was a fine strike from George to give us a consolation goal. The team now stands at 4-3-0 for the fall season.
The weather was warming up, and the U10 Boys White were a goal up at the interval against NEFC Blackstone Valley. The second half was very sloppy compared to the first. It may have been a 4-0 win, but the opponent was weak. As we moved to the next field, I overheard the Boys talking about how they hadn’t lost a game this season. Alarm bells rang for me! They may start thinking they are good - they have talent and potential but a long way off being “good”. I like to find out about teams before we play them, and I knew that the Bolts were much better than NEFC Blackstone. So it proved; I warned the Boys. Bolts went straight up from the kickoff to score. We did respond, missing a good chance before equalising. However, it was a repeat dose of medicine as Bolts scored straight from the kick-off. Bolts had two dangerous attackers, and each had scored. This was all in the first few minutes!
After a torrid opening, the team settled and played as well as they have all season. Going into the last 10 minutes, the Boys were in control, leading 5-3, when the game turned in a moment. Two players in front of our goal decided to be indecisive when all they had to do was put their laces through the ball. The opponent couldn’t miss a few feet from the net. Bolts had the momentum, and we were struggling to put anything together as we fell 6-5. It was a tough lesson to learn as the unbeaten run ended. A good opponent, but in truth, it was a game we shouldn’t have lost. The team’s record is now 5-1-2.
Next Sunday, the Boys U10 Blue and both U10 Girls teams are in action at Lancaster!
YNWA!
SUNDAY 18th OCT
SFC U10B Silver vs Seacoast Bedford Caroline Won 9-6
(Krishna 2, Mihalis 2, Isiah 2, Alpha, Jack, Eason)
Select NH vs SFC U10BWhite Lost 2-5
(Krishna, George)
SFC U10B Blue vs NEFC Blackstone Valley Pre-NAL Won 4-0
(Elliott 2, Will, Connor)
FC Boston Bolts Metro North Pre-Academy vs SFC U10B Blue Lost 5-6 (Connor 2, Callum, Max, Graham)
PICS/VIDEOS:
Thanks to families for sending so many great photographs!

10/20/2026

EPL MANAGERS - THE NEXT GENERATION
For the last decade, the Premier League has been defined by the Klopp-Guardiola managerial axis. Now is the time for new men to make their mark and assume the mantle. Looking at the two greats, will their successors exhibit similar traits, or be their own men? Jurgen had passion, was a smart tactician, and surrounded himself with good lieutenants. He also had a “human” side. Pep was influential and innovative. Other times he appeared possessed, even crazy. As I seek successors to the crown these managerial legends wore, I’m kicking off with another Spanish coach with a different set of managerial skills than Pep: Unai Emery.

At Aston Villa, Unai Emery leads a club that stands on the cusp of challenging the Big (Rich) Six. To comply with the rules as they stand, Emery has had to sell his top players to meet financial regulations, to start anew with a club that can't be in transition that aspires to be a contender. Pressure! This season and last, Unai has had to navigate a tough start as he rearranges the hand he's been dealt so Villa can give it their best shot.

In 24-25, Villa started the season with a 5-game run drawing 3 games, scoring 1 goal and being eliminated from the Carabao Cup. It was their worst start to a season in 28 years. They had had to sell players, bringing in £131 million to comply with PSR rules. Fan outrage at poor runs can prompt boards to wield the axe to get a season back on track. It was not necessary with Emery. Villa bounced back, rising to fourth in the table to claim a Champions League spot as well as winning the Europa League. In anyone’s book, that has to be regarded as impressive coaching and management. Logically, that should provide the foundation to build the club to greater heights this season. Actually, no!

Once again, Villa had to sell to comply with EPL financial regulations. Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, Emi Martínez and Lucas Digne, the core of last season’s side, all departed. For Emery, it was back to the drawing board. He had to handle a disastrous opening day collapse: Villa went 4–0 down to Brighton inside the first 31 minutes. Scoreless outings to Arsenal and Hull City followed, as well as a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. Since then, Emery appears to have rearranged his hand: in all competitions, his team has recorded 5 wins and a draw in the last 6 games. That is coaching! Aston Villa is now secure in mid-table, and in the Champions League they boast a 100% record. Can the Spaniard lead his team to even greater heights this season? It won’t be straightforward, but from a distance, Aston Villa FC has a man at the helm who knows what he is doing. He appears to have an ability to get a tune out of whoever is in his squad.

Emery is a veteran manager of 23 seasons, not so Brighton’s 33-year-old manager, Fabian Hürzeler. That said, Hürzeler kicked off his managerial and coaching career at a youthful 23 with FC Pipinsried in the lower levels of German football. He enjoyed great success at FC St Pauli in Hamburg, saving them from relegation in his first season and leading them to promotion to the Bundesliga in his second. At only 31 years old, he was appointed to the most visible football league in the world at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Under former professional gambler and mathematician Tony Bloom, Brighton are not your typical football club. Consequently, the appointment of Hürzeler, a young manager with a resume most would consider modest, came as a surprise. Brighton’s analytical approach is the executive management team continuously maintains a data-validated shortlist of candidates for the club's top positions. It includes the coach, technical directors, scouts, and Brighton’s players. Algorithmic readiness mitigates the damage of sudden departures, ensuring that if a larger club poaches talent, Brighton can execute an instant, pre-planned replacement.

Under these conditions, Hürzeler hit the ground running, winning Manager of the Month in his first month. Brighton finished eighth. They would have qualified for European competition but missed out as rivals Crystal Palace won the FA Cup. In 25-26, they finished eighth again, but the young manager faced heavy fan pressure after a significant mid-season dip. They did, however, qualify for the Europa Conference League.

This season, they stand an impressive 3rd in the EPL at the time of writing. They lead the division in goals scored and have the best defensive record. Their explosive attack is outpaced in scoring rate only by Barcelona and Bayern Munich across Europe. Hürzeler has also had to manage key departures, though not at the same level as Unai Emery. Those on the way out include Carlos Baleba to Manchester United, Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck to Chelsea, Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham and Simon Adingra to Wolfsburg. Young he may be, Hürzeler appears to be a champion of exciting football, with the ability to be resourceful when called upon. A great future lies ahead.

Several Premier League managers deserve a shout for the incredible work they are doing: Keith Andrews at Brentford and Sergej Jakirovic at Hull City. Daniel Farke at Leeds has grown and adapted after the hard lessons he learned after twice bringing Norwich City to the EPL. Veteran David Moyes at Everton is worth mentioning after a transfer window which was very disappointing for their passionate fan base. Enzo Maresca at beleaguered Manchester City is also worth noting. Not because he has his loaded (in every sense) squad at the Premier League squad summit, but because of what he did in the second half of the PSG Champions League tie. After 45 minutes of being played off the park, he made the bold move of taking off the in-form pair of Doku and Cherki, as well as skipper Ruben Dias, and made it a very different match. City may have fallen short, and as much as I have decried how the club has been run for years, I can't deny this was brave coaching and worthy of admiration. My focus is instead on two managers who will be unwittingly paired against each other: Xabi Alonso of Chelsea and Andoni Iraola at Liverpool.

Xabi Alonso is a Liverpool legend, having starred in midfield back in the Rafael Benitez era. When the wheels were coming off Arne Slot’s Liverpool, Alonso was available after a short stint at Real Madrid. He was the guy the Kopites wanted in charge, and yet he ended up in London at Chelsea. Did the powers that be at Anfield not fancy him, or was it he who did not relish the Liverpool project? That we may never know.

If the measure between the two is trophies won, it's Alonso’s 6 to Iraola’s 1. As a club, it's fair to say that Chelsea only came to real prominence under the money of Roman Abramovich. After he sold the club to Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capitol, Chelsea has become a merry-go-round of youthful signings, for big bucks and lengthy contracts. With Boehly gone, Alonso promises more stability. His early matches have highlighted defensive deficiencies compared with their stellar attacking force of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto. He will have to contend with a fanbase that has become notoriously entitled; however, Alonso has shown before he can overcome the odds. His remarkable domestic double in 23-24 with Bayer Leverkusen is the only time the Bayern Munich conglomerate has been undone in recent Bundesliga history. That year Leverkusen set the European record of 51 consecutive matches unbeaten.

A Cypriot Super Cup is Iraola’s only honour to date, paling in comparison to that of his rival. Iraola has built his reputation for overachieving at every club he has managed. After managing lower-level clubs in Cyprus and Spain, he moved to the Premier League and AFC Bournemouth. After a sticky start, he broke the Cherries' record points tally in both seasons at the helm. Last season, the team finished 6th, one place behind Liverpool, and qualified for European competition for the first time in their history. Iraola showed an ability to get the most out of players and resourcefulness when he lost nearly his entire defence after his first season. He is faced with a Liverpool team that unexpectedly fell into transition after spending big in the transfer market. His early games highlighted the team's limitations, but Iraola has quickly moved to fix them. Over the long term, he will need to show whether he can get the Reds playing with the attacking verve he made his name with at Bournemouth.

Alonso and Iraola share a fascinating connection, having grown up playing together on the same childhood beach soccer team in San Sebastián. However, their tactical setups couldn’t be more different. Alonso is possession-oriented, favouring patient build-ups, while Iraola favours aggressive pressing and attacking football. Over the season, Iraola will be challenged by Liverpool fans if the team goes on a bad run, and the former club legend is prospering at Stamford Bridge. It’s an unwitting rivalry for the two childhood friends, and the first chapter is upcoming in the Carabao Cup. On paper, this appears to be the new Klopp vs Guardiola rivalry. Unai Emery and Fabian Hürzeler may have something to say about that.

In the final analysis, who is best prepared to take on the Klopp-Guardiola mantle? Emery, Hürzeler, Alonso or Iraola? A case could be made for each, but as we are constantly told, football is all about the results. Who will score highest in the results department? It’s early days in the 26-27 campaign; who will be top amongst the four when next May rolls around?

10/13/2026

ACCEPTANCE, DENIAL AND CONSPIRACY
Liverpool 0 Manchester City 3. After the last 2 weeks, it’s a result that feels like Al Capone thwarting Eliot Ness; Darth Vader repelling the rebels; the good guys were supposed to win. Hopefully one day that will be, whether it’s Liverpool or another club. Over the last few years, as all and sundry bleated on about Pep Guardiola’s wonderful City team, I countered that it was a team built on cheating. Why overlook something that seemed so obvious: City’s hand was stacked? After Sunday’s match, we’ve had a repeat performance, with most of the mainstream media throwing bouquets to Manchester City for a dominant performance. Was I alone in thinking the only dominant, beautiful, free-flowing football we saw from City was after the Reds were reduced to 10 men? Twenty-four hours later, I think we are left with feelings of acceptance, denial and conspiracy. First though, the football.

Imagine the 114 hadn’t been announced; City would have entered the game as favourites against a rebuilding Liverpool side. City’s hand would be further strengthened by an international break unkind to the Reds, with Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai all out through injury. Yet for an hour there was little to choose between the teams. The game began with Liverpool on the front foot. City defended well; it wasn’t until around 15 minutes that they managed any meaningful possession. It was an engrossing match, but hardly a classic compared with some contests of the past 10 years. Chances were few and far between.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half saw that change as the teams traded blows. Had the pause button been hit at the hour mark, I would have said City had put together a controlled performance, slowing the game down in the first 45 but now looking to threaten. Conversely, the Reds had done remarkably well given their limited player pool and were getting opportunities to counter as City opened up. Then it happened; if ever a match turned on a red card, this was the one. I was dumbfounded when it was issued. Apparently, it was for a second yellow for a tactical foul that prevented a counter-attack. It was deep in City’s half in a wide area! To many, it looked more like a clumsy coming together.

For City, it was the perfect storm: Liverpool going down to 10, the introduction of the dynamic Jeremy Doku and the previously invisible Erling Haaland doing what he does best. There are better footballing strikers in the world, but as an out-and-out striker, Haaland is the best. Right foot, left foot, aerial prowess, a wide range of finishes; he is the ultimate Gerd Muller reincarnate. Liverpool 0 Manchester City 1.

The contest was effectively over when Doku tore up the turf on the left to add a second, and Cherki was suddenly in the game with space in the middle of the park. I’m not blind and can see the quality in all three goals. Like me, the Reds were deflated, and it felt like there was only one team in it. The brilliance I’m hearing about from the media only showed up in the last 30 minutes. It wasn’t there when it was 11vs11. Who knows how the match would have ended if Gravenberch had stayed on the pitch.

From a Liverpool perspective, the Reds did well, but they didn't look dangerous. With their 3 top scorers this season absent, perhaps that was to be expected. Looking at the squad overall, I think the Richard Hughes era was marked by too much energy chasing £100 million players. Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz are the kind of players that resemble the Michael Edwards era. They will bring something going forward. Guardiola was supposedly high on Florian Wirtz, and the irony is that in the days of Jürgen Klopp he probably would have landed the cheaper Rayan Cherki, with Wirtz going to City. I wouldn’t give up on Wirtz, but I feel rotating him in the front 3 might serve everyone better in the short term. My early impression of Barcola is that he is lightweight, and I was never high on Isak at the price paid because he’s too injury-prone. I don’t question the talent of the three; at this point, the amount of money splashed on them is in question. There is no other option but to keep giving them time.

With the dust settled, this is what we have to accept:
1) City have spent heavily over the last couple of years, and they have another strong team. At the start of the season, I wasn't sure who would win the title. Manchester City at this time look like they could win it, but we have to believe what awaits them shouldn’t let that happen.
2) City’s spending at this time was approximately £720 million. It was a revolving door, with talented players being bought and moved on, like Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders and Omar Marmoush. It reflects the financial power the club has built following the period of irregularities they were found to have breached.
3) Liverpool has to rebuild after dismantling the squad Jürgen Klopp too quickly. I sense that a season of difficult periods lies ahead; the fans need to stay patient. My gut feeling is that, at the helm, Andoni Iraola is a good coach, and he will gradually bring the team up to a level where it can compete at the top. It won’t be this season.

In terms of denial:
Manchester City fans need to accept that the ownership has been found guilty. The ownership has no irrefutable evidence, and their tactics with UEFA and the EPL have been non-cooperation and delay. That seems to be what we can expect from them moving forward. They seem less willing to get the matter settled quickly and clear their name. Moreover, I fear politics will intrude, and there will be pressure to reduce the number of charges. Whatever, it is highly unlikely that all 114 charges will be lifted, and it will never be enough for Abu Dhabi. The courts will be next, and the Premier League could be locked into years of further uncertainty. The only solution I see is for the Independent Regulator to intervene. If the country loses investment from Abu Dhabi, it is a path well-trodden after leaving the European Union. It should not be a consideration. This is a football matter, the national game.

And finally, given how the world works in 2026, is there a conspiracy? My view is this:
1) Manchester City have enjoyed a series of controversial calls over the past few years that favour them but not their closest rivals, Liverpool and Arsenal. Alex at YNWA REDS has covered this in great depth for over a year, most recently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHl96CB3LgQ&t=3s
2) He called out the appointment of Chris Kavanagh last week, a referee from Greater Manchester with a history of favouring Man City, most infamously the Rodri handball against Everton at a crucial point in the season, with both teams at opposite ends of the table. Other Kavanagh controversies include the Martin Odegaard handball incident denying the Reds a penalty and disallowing Virgil Van Dijk’s headed goal at the Etihad after a similar incident saw City allowed a goal against Wolves under similar circumstances.
3) On Sunday, he carded Ronald Aarujo early in the game when he asked for a yellow card for a Marc Guehi handball. When he delivered the two harsh yellow cards on Gravenberch, Kavanagh was prompted by Erling Haaland over the second, who ran across the pitch to request a yellow.
4) Overall, there appears to be a level of UAE influence in the PGMOL, with referees moonlighting at games over there. In the past, the Athletic and Paul Joyce at The Times have looked into this relationship. The former was prompted by the controversial Tottenham game when the Reds were reduced to 9 men and a perfectly good goal by Luiz Diaz was disallowed. With all the current UAE controversy rife, more needs to be done. Investigative reporters, where are you?

In the final analysis, it was a convincing win for Manchester City at Anfield, with “a little help from their friends”. My argument is that the ch*****ne football came only after the red card, and the win does not bring redemption for the 114. If we can get past all the ownership delays, that can only come in time. Acceptance, denial, or conspiracy: the football world hopes it will be sooner rather than later.

PHOTOGRAPH

23/24 Liverpool denied a last-minute penalty after Doku put his boot into Mac Allister’s chest. Wasn’t it a foul?

25/26 Chris Kavanagh disallows VVD’s goal as Andy Robertson was in an offside position impeding the goalie - he gave City a last-minute winner at Wolves under similar circumstances. Bernardo Silva was in physical contact with the Wolves keeper!

25/26 Marc Guehi pulls back Mo Salah as he is going to goal. Preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity and surely a red card - no, only a yellow!

26/27 Contrast Gravenberch on Doku last Sunday. It seems more like a coming together in the other half of the field.