Why did Liverpool (re)appoint Julian Ward? A look at FSG’s stance on their transfer model, Ward’s credentials, past transfer record, and priorities after taking up the sporting director role again. piped.video/aZoiFcYt3hQ

This week's post for @TheTransferFlow is about Florian Wirtz, and the dilemma Liverpool have on their hands. I wrote about: - The team dynamics that allowed him to shine in Germany - Failing to replicate the same success in the PL - Can he turn it around? thetransferflow.com/p/the-fl…

Many City fans are still fully backing the ownership and that's fair enough. But plenty no longer know exactly what to think about about cherished memories and worry a 132-year-old club may have ita existence theatened. Shame on the owners and board. sportingnews.com/uk/football…

Poor - and biased - response from Andy Burnham on Manchester City being found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules by an Independent Commission. He says “I can’t intervene *more* in the process,” which requires an explanation in itself. Then offers commentary on previous proceedings he felt was unfair, AND states he wouldn’t want to lose the club’s owners who have “been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester. Obviously, the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is.” How was that force built? And on the investment into the city itself, per a 2022 Guardian report: “Nine sites were sold to Sheikh Mansour at a fraction of their value, and well below what other plots nearby fetched. They were on leases lasting 999 years, well beyond the norm. And the fund shifted what had been public assets to companies registered in Jersey. “That walk along the water from New Islington into Ancoats now passes blocks of privatised land owned in an offshore tax haven, which yields millions upon millions for a key member of the wealthy elite running a surveillance state halfway across the globe. One of the greatest cities in the world has sold itself to a senior figure in a brutal autocracy – and not even for a good price.”

Ok mate. But did you, like Mancini, also have a second and secret illicit contract when with City? Thanks in advance for your prompt response.

In 2022, Guardiola said of these accusations/his owners: "I said to them, 'If you lie to me, the day after I am not here. I will be out and I will not be your friend any more.'" Yet he's still backing them in the face of this judgement, so the question now is: what did he know?

Liverpool put another new-look set-piece coaching team in place this summer - so how is it getting on? davidlynchlfc.co.uk/p/no-goa…

The lack of remorse in Man City’s statement is no surprise but it shows why, along with the club receiving the harshest punishments, their owners should be chased from English football through the OADT. The sheer disregard for their competitors, the game and fans is staggering.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City found guilty on virtually all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations. #MCFC expected to appeal against verdict issued by independent commission. Sanctions undecided, process ongoing @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/7049721…

The first international break a good opportunity to see how far along Liverpool are in their attempts to adapt to a new brand of football under Andoni Iraola. Lots of progress but also some distance left to travel. piped.video/1AKLUE-4a6A?is=jncW…

If we accept that Florian Wirtz has yet to live up to expectations at Liverpool, the only question that matters now is if he ever will. Here's a look for signs that more is coming from a player who has, we must remember, only just turned 23. piped.video/watch?v=Z1qONAni…

Andoni Iraola was hired for his front-footed, attacking football, but his first priority has been to make Liverpool hard to beat and he is succeeding. On a defence that can now grind it out and whether a big call on Florian Wirtz and Trey Nyoni is coming. piped.video/watch?v=hQtn4o0m…

On a weekend that saw Chelsea and Arsenal chewed up by Brentford and Brighton, you get a real sense of just how good a three points that is for Liverpool on the road. It was a battle, but the main positive was how they kept Bournemouth from creating anything truly clear cut.

Florian Wirtz putting in the sort of performance that justifies every criticism of him during his time at Liverpool. I'm always an advocate for giving players time but he can't keep throwing in games like this, even if he isn't quite this bad most weeks.

No fresh injury concerns for Liverpool ahead of the trip to Bournemouth.

Iraola on Wirtz: "He should be judged like everyone else. I say how does the team play when you are on the pitch? He understands what we need from him and he is trying to help in every aspect of the game."

Andoni Iraola says we need a new word for Dominik Szoboszlai's goal against Tottenham because it is neither a volley or a half-volley. I'm stood up in the press conference room applauding.

Liverpool have been drawn to face Chelsea at Anfield in the fourth round of the League Cup.