Liverpool FC is gearing up for a major squad overhaul after a frustrating campaign.

Despite investing heavily last summer, the Reds have struggled to meet expectations in the Premier League and now face crucial decisions.

Sporting director Richard Hughes defended the club’s recruitment strategy, stating: “These are players who have already achieved a lot in their individual careers… we also want to try and win right now.” However, results on the pitch have not matched those ambitions.

As a result, several big names are now on the transfer list. According to reports, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez could all leave Anfield this summer. The situation becomes even more delicate with Mohamed Salah already set to depart at the end of his contract, marking the end of an era for the club.

Uncertainty also surrounds several other players, while pressure is mounting on manager Arne Slot. His future could depend on upcoming results, with Xabi Alonso already mentioned as a potential successor. Liverpool appears ready to make tough and possibly unexpected choices to rebuild and return to the top.

President Paul Kagame has described US sanctions as “insults thrown in the face” of Rwanda and said Washington is exerting “heavy pressure” on Kigali but treating the DR Congo “delicately”.

The United States announced sanctions early March against the Rwandan army over its support for the M23 anti-governmental group, which has seized swathes of the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2021.

The DRC and Rwanda signed a peace deal at US President Donald Trump’s urging in December, in the latest attempt to end the conflict but clashes have continued on the front.

“Sanctions and threats are nothing but insults thrown in the face of my country,” Kagame said in an interview with Jeune Afrique news outlet at the end of March and published Friday.

The US government “must not give the impression of exerting heavy pressure on one while treating the other delicately”, he said.

Kagame said that Rwanda was fulfilling “all its obligations under the agreements” signed in Washington, unlike the DRC, which, he said, “only very partially meets them or not at all”.

The M23 made advances in early 2025, capturing the major eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu.

Days after the signing of the US-brokered peace deal, the armed group seized another major city, Uvira on the border with Burundi, provoking an angry response from the United States.

Rwanda has insisted it is only involved in the eastern DRC to help protect against an enemy militia formed from the remnants of those involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide of Tutsis.

“Don’t expect me to lift our defence measures while you are doing nothing to stop what threatens my country,” Kagame said in the interview.

He also called on oil giants Total, Exxon Mobil or Eni to “find a way to finance the security they need” in Mozambique’s oil-rich but restive northern Cabo Delgado province.

Rwanda last month threatened to withdraw its troops fighting Islamist insurgents from Cabo Delgado if financing was not guaranteed by the European Union, which funds the deployment.

Rwandan forces have been deployed to the area since 2021.

The operation has been backed by 40 million euros ($46 million) in EU funding for equipment and strategic airlift, according to Brussels.

AFP

The World Cup 2026 playoffs have delivered their final verdict, and while many nations celebrate qualification, others face bitter disappointment. Among the biggest shocks is Italy’s elimination against Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1, 4-1 on penalties), marking a third consecutive absence from the tournament.

“It’s a devastating blow,” many observers noted, as captain Gianluigi Donnarumma will miss yet another World Cup at 27. The list of absent goalkeepers also includes Jan Oblak, André Onana, and Giorgi Mamardashvili, all denied a place on football’s biggest stage.

Federico Dimarco (Italy)

Several global stars will also be watching from home. Robert Lewandowski headlines the list after Poland’s elimination against Sweden. “Football can be cruel… it hurts because we were so close,” he admitted after the match. Alongside him, names like Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Serhou Guirassy will miss out, as will creative forces such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dominik Szoboszlai. Even promising talents like Rasmus Højlund and Benjamin Sesko failed to secure qualification, highlighting the fierce competition across continents.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Injuries have also played their part in shaping this list of absentees. Rodrygo is expected to miss out despite being in contention, while Neymar Jr. still hopes for a late call-up after a long absence from the national team. Jack Grealish, sidelined with a stress fracture, also faces a race against time. As the tournament approaches, the absence of these major names serves as a reminder of how unforgiving international football can be, even for the game’s biggest stars.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)