Author: Joshua Adeleye

Liverpool welcome Real Madrid to Anfield tonight in what promises to be a blockbuster Champions League clash. The Reds are looking to build momentum after snapping a four-game losing streak with a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrive in red-hot form, boasting a perfect Champions League record and a 13-game winning streak across all competitions. Xabi Alonso’s men have been dominant both domestically and in Europe, and will be eager to extend their run with another big result on English soil.

Team News & Key Updates

Liverpool have been buoyed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return, adding creativity and leadership to the backline. Arne Slot’s men will look to feed off the Anfield crowd and exploit Madrid’s defensive gaps.

Real Madrid, however, will be without key defenders Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rüdiger, both ruled out through injury. Their absence could open the door for Liverpool’s attacking trio to test Madrid’s defensive depth.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitiké

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé

Match Preview

This fixture has all the ingredients of a European classic — history, form, and firepower on both sides. Liverpool’s main task will be containing Real Madrid’s electric front line of Vinícius, Bellingham, and Mbappé, who have combined for 26 goals already this season.

For the Reds, Mohamed Salah remains their biggest threat, while Dominik Szoboszlai’s creativity and Gravenberch’s energy in midfield could be key to unlocking Madrid’s defense.

With both teams eager to make a statement, this clash could come down to composure and moments of brilliance.

Prediction

Anfield on a Champions League night always brings drama, and Liverpool will believe they can rise to the occasion. However, Real Madrid’s form and attacking depth make them slight favorites.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 1–2 Real Madrid

Arsenal eased past Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates, and this one had everything: goals, character, and proof that the people calling out Noni Madueke didn’t know what they were watching. Martin Zubimendi scored a brace (first of his Arsenal career), Viktor Gyökeres netted again from an Eze assist, and Madueke stole the show despite not getting on the scoresheet.

Zubimendi Steps Up Big Time

• Zubi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a thunderous volley from outside the box that clipped a Forest defender and beat Matz Sels. That was his first goal for Arsenal. Reuters+1
• He made it 3-0 in the 79th minute with a well-timed header off a Leandro Trossard cross. That brace showed he can score from distance and in the box. Reuters+1

Gyökeres and Eze Link Up

• Right at the restart, Arsenal doubled their lead. There was a defensive mistake from Forest, and Eberechi Eze seized it — he provided a precise assist to Gyökeres for the tap-in. That’s Gyökeres’ third of the Premier League season. Reuters+1

Madueke: The Silent Thunder

• Even without a goal or assist, Madueke’s performance was loud. He consistently beat his fullback, got into good positions, delivered dangerous crosses, and caused Forest trouble out wide. The Guardian+1
• His dribbling, commitment to pressing, and movement off the ball showed Arteta and decision-makers were right to trust him—even after fan outbursts when his signing was questioned. The impact was visible. The Short Fuse+1

Depth & Dominance With Injuries Too

• Arsenal were missing key players: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba weren’t in the XI. Yet the squad showed its depth. The new signings like Zubimendi, Eze, Mosquera all stepped up. Reuters+1
• David Raya made his 100th appearance for the club and kept a clean sheet. Forest barely threatened — Arsenal limited them to 0.2 expected goals (xG) from about five shots. The Short Fuse

Final Word

Arsenal delivered a statement today: even with injuries, even under pressure, they can still dominate. Zubi’s brace gives them another dimension; Gyökeres keeps delivering; Madueke showed why critics quiet down. If they keep this up, the Gunners are going to be very dangerous.

Arsenal host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates this Saturday in Premier League Gameweek 4. The big story isn’t just the result, it’s the manager: Ange Postecoglou is back in the EPL, leading Forest for the first time, and he’ll want to make a mark immediately.

What We Know So Far

• Forest have a new boss: Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo during the international break. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta has praised his style, saying Forest already show his “fingerprints” in how they want to play. Reuters+2SI+2
• Key injury blow for Forest: Ola Aina, Forest’s left-back, is out for at least three months with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty. Talksport
• Arsenal’s missing men: Bukayo Saka will miss the match due to a hamstring injury; William Saliba also doubtful after his ankle issue. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus still out. On the plus side, Christian Nørgaard is back in training. Arsenal+3Reuters+3ESPN.com+3

Match Stats & Trends to Watch

• Head-to-head: Arsenal have won three of the last five league matches against Forest; Forest won one, and one was a draw. The Gunners have dominated recent home games. Squawka+2SI+2
• Probabilities & predictions: Arsenal are clear favourites, with bookies giving them around a 66-70% chance to win. Opta Analyst+1
• Scoring trends: Over 2.5 goals looks likely — recent matches between these sides and overall form suggest both attack and counter are parts of the plan. Forest under Postecoglou may try to press more than under his predecessor. Squawka+2SI+2

What Postecoglou Brings & What Arsenal Must Do

• Postecoglou is known for intense pressing, attacking full-backs, and quick transitions. With Saka missing, Arsenal’s disruption will be in their forward areas. Eze or Madueke may get more responsibility to run the flanks. The Standard+2SI+2
• Forest will need to compensate for Aina’s absence on the left; his replacement will be under pressure, especially defending crosses and managing Arsenal’s quick wide attacks. Talksport+1
• Arsenal’s defensive depth will be tested too. Saliba being doubtful means Mosquera or others must step up. Keeping a clean sheet will depend on concentration, especially early. The Standard+2Squawka+2

Prediction

I think Arsenal will edge this one. They should dominate possession, create more chances, especially from wide areas and set-pieces. But Forest under Ange might surprise with energy and pressing. I’m going Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest.

Another season, another pile-up of VAR flashpoints. Through just a few weeks of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, we’ve already seen decisions that shaped results, reignited old debates, and reminded everyone that technology still doesn’t erase human judgment.

So what exactly has gone wrong this season? And are things improving—or just getting worse?

2025/26: Controversies Already on the Board

Chelsea vs Fulham (Aug 30, 2025)

Josh King’s goal disallowed
Twenty-one minutes in, Fulham’s teenage forward Josh King thought he had scored his first senior goal. VAR intervened, ruling it out for a supposed “careless challenge” by Rodrigo Muniz on Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah. Fulham boss Marco Silva branded the decision “unbelievable” (The Guardian, TalkSport).

Referees’ chief calls it wrong
Howard Webb, head of refereeing, later admitted VAR’s intervention was a mistake, saying the minimal contact didn’t meet the “clear and obvious” threshold.

VAR official reassigned
VAR referee Michael Salisbury was dropped from his next assignment—a rare show of accountability.

Chelsea awarded a dubious penalty
In the second half, VAR gave Chelsea a penalty for a Ryan Sessegnon handball, which Enzo Fernández converted. Critics pointed out that an earlier João Pedro handball in the same sequence had gone unpunished.

Why fans are furious

• A teenager’s dream debut goal was wiped out.
• Webb’s “clear and obvious” admission undermined confidence in VAR.
• Inconsistent handball decisions fueled claims of double standards.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (Early Season)

A Palace free-kick was chalked off after VAR flagged an attacking player’s positioning in Chelsea’s defensive wall. Technically correct, but it left fans debating rules instead of football—echoing the Chelsea–Fulham narrative.

A Quick Rewind: Signature VAR Errors from Recent Seasons

• Tottenham vs Liverpool (Sept 30, 2023)
  Luis Díaz’s perfectly legal goal was ruled offside due to a VAR communication breakdown. The league later admitted it was a “significant human error.”
• Manchester United vs Wolves (Aug 14, 2023)
  André Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic in stoppage time. No penalty was given, but refereeing chiefs admitted afterward that Wolves should have had one.
• Arsenal vs Brentford (Feb 11, 2023)
  VAR failed to draw the offside lines, allowing Brentford’s equaliser to stand. Arsenal dropped points in a title race where every margin mattered.
• Nottingham Forest vs Everton (Apr 21, 2024)
  Forest had three penalty appeals turned down. A review panel later judged at least one as a clear error.

Why These Keep Happening

Subjective vs objective calls
VAR works best on factual checks like offsides and mistaken identity. It struggles with “soft” decisions—penalties, reds, contact thresholds—where interpretation varies.

Communication & process
Spurs–Liverpool 2023 showed how poor communication can sink the system. The league now releases audio for some incidents, but slow reactions erode trust.

Law vs match feel
Technical infringements (like wall positioning) may be correct on paper, but fans feel robbed of the spectacle. Football risks looking over-officiated.

Is It Getting Better?

To be fair, VAR has corrected plenty of wrong calls. Factual errors trend lower than in the pre-VAR era. But the mistakes that stick—the Díaz offside, King’s disallowed goal—are the ones that swing matches, define seasons, and dominate headlines.

And in 2025/26, we’re again talking more about processes than play.

So, Blessing or Curse?

Right now, it’s both. When VAR supports a clear, consistent process, it’s a safety net. But when thresholds are fuzzy, communication breaks down, or law interpretation trumps match flow, it’s a lightning rod for controversy.

What needs fixing:

• Publish audio and explanations for key incidents faster.
• Refine the “clear and obvious” bar so 50/50s aren’t re-refereed.
• Reassess laws around set-piece walls and handball consistency.
• Train officials in communication and game management, not just tech.

Until then, expect more weekends like Chelsea–Fulham: technically explainable, publicly infuriating, and another reminder that VAR doesn’t remove human error—it only shifts where it lives.

Liverpool edged a tight contest against Arsenal at Anfield thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, earning a vital 1-0 victory that shifts the early title race.

The Numbers Say It All

• Expected Goals: Arsenal edged Liverpool on xG, 0.39 to 0.34, confirming how evenly matched this was. X (formerly Twitter)
• Lowest xG Game: It was the lowest xG match between the sides in the past three Premier League seasons—a slim margin settled by moments, not dominance. X (formerly Twitter)

Decisive Moment

• Szoboszlai’s Free-Kick: In the 83rd minute, he delivered a stunning 25-yard strike, bending it off the post and into the net after a foul on Curtis Jones. ReutersThe Guardian

Player Analysis – Arsenal

• Noni Madueke was the standout—a bright, direct threat offering much-needed energy on the right wing. The Short Fuse
• Gabriel Martinelli just couldn’t get into it. He looked off it throughout, lacking his usual potency. The Short Fuse
• Eberechi Eze showed flashes in his cameo—not sharp, but hints of quality visible. The Short Fuse
• Ethan Dowman, still very much a kid at this stage, held his own defensively. Looked calm, composed—just what Arsenal need more of.

Liverpool’s Defensive Backbone

Liverpool soaked up pressure well, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté rock-solid, while Szoboszlai himself helped break the lines as a makeshift right-back. The midfield was disciplined, and Salah had to wait until the 73rd minute for his first shot—a testament to Arsenal’s structure. The Liverpool OffsideThe GuardianThe Short Fuse

Final Word

Arsenal threatened more than the final score suggests, but at Anfield, it only takes one. Szoboszlai’s strike was that moment of brilliance. The game was tight, tactical, and one piece of magic broke the deadlock.

Match Summary: