It was one of those moments that leaves you shaking your head: Emi Martinez making a major error and gifting Liverpool the lead at Anfield.
Aston Villa’s goalkeeper has had a shaky season, and this latest blunder only adds to the questions around his form.
But maybe it’s understandable. Martinez’s summer was mired in uncertainty.
His anticipated move to Manchester United was widely reported, and sources say the Argentine was convinced he would end up at Old Trafford—right up until the final twist when United opted for Senne Lammens instead.
Big clubs often keep multiple options open during transfer windows, and Martinez may have been caught in the middle.
He was telling friends he was heading to United until the moment the deal collapsed.
Meanwhile, United went ahead with Lammens’ £18 million signing on September 1, leaving Martinez to regroup after a dream move fell through.
Van Dijk Still Missing the Mark?
Liverpool, on the other hand, celebrated a well-deserved win after Arne Slot restored his core title-winning squad.
But even in victory, captain Virgil van Dijk couldn’t resist a dig at Wayne Rooney, who had criticised his leadership.
“I didn’t hear him say that last year,” Van Dijk responded.
The point, though, is clear: Rooney’s comments weren’t baseless.
Recent matches, like Liverpool’s loss to Manchester United, have shown finger-pointing and internal criticism.
Van Dijk remains an excellent leader, but even great captains face scrutiny—and sometimes, the spotlight doesn’t let them rest.
Ending the Goalmouth Wrestling
The Premier League’s ongoing set-piece antics continue to frustrate.
Alexis MacAllister and Amadou Onana were tangled up in a ridiculous goal-mouth scuffle, with Onana booked but the skirmishing continuing.
This kind of grappling as teams prepare for corners or free-kicks is a modern plague on football.
The solution? Introduce stricter rules: fouls for any illegal barge, penalties if defenders commit them, even if the ball isn’t in play.
Referees need to take a stand before these antics get completely out of hand.
Shearer’s VAR Take Misses the Point
Alan Shearer stirred debate in the Match of the Day studio with his comments on Nottingham Forest’s ball-out-of-play controversy: “We don’t need VAR for that; we just need officials to stop guessing.”
But guesswork is unavoidable when officials have to judge whether a ball has crossed a tiny line.
Technology is precisely what’s needed here. VAR is essential for these fundamental decisions, while more subjective matters—like foul severity—can still be debated.
Forest were the victims in their draw against Manchester United, and Sean Dyche’s frustration was justified.
Spence and Van de Ven Under Scrutiny
Tottenham players Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven also made headlines for ignoring manager Thomas Frank’s request to acknowledge fans after a poor home defeat to Chelsea.
Spence, in particular, might have jeopardized his budding England career.
The 25-year-old was recently called up to the national squad, with Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands.
Tuchel’s World Cup plans emphasize unity, and Spence’s petulance may not sit well when the next squad is announced on Friday.
England Squad Decisions Loom
Tuchel faces tough choices for upcoming England matches. Jude Bellingham, previously left out, has been in fine form and should return.
Phil Foden impressed centrally for Manchester City.
But what about players currently out of form? Repeat selections can no longer be justified.
Anthony Gordon is a prime example—hooked at half-time at West Ham and yet to register a goal or assist in 19 games. His place looks increasingly under threat.
Rising Stars and Haaland’s Brilliance
Meanwhile, Elliot Anderson is emerging as England’s new poster boy, shining for Nottingham Forest.
Erling Haaland continues to overshadow peers for Manchester City.
Bournemouth’s high line played straight into his hands, and even their captain admitted Haaland is “impossible” to plan for.
While comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo are ambitious, Haaland’s scoring record is staggering: 100 goals with his left foot alone, plus additional tallies from right foot and head.
Managerial Churn Remains Relentless
The weekend also saw more managerial shake-ups, with Wolves’ Vitor Pereira and Southampton’s Will Still losing their jobs.
Contracts now feel symbolic rather than binding, often including predetermined pay-offs rather than guaranteeing tenure.
As seen with Solskjaer at Manchester United, a new deal doesn’t guarantee long-term security.
Arsenal Finally Shines
And finally, some football beauty to celebrate. Arsenal’s second goal against Burnley at Turf Moor was a masterclass, particularly Viktor Gyokeres’ cross-field pass.
Interestingly, the play started from a Burnley long throw—so does it count as a set-piece goal? Either way, it was a moment to enjoy.