Football News LIVE: Liverpool wait on Leoni injury, Ekitike sent off, Nottingham Forest in Europe
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Liverpool and Chelsea were victorious in their Carabao Cup third round ties as they beat Southampton and Lincoln City respectively.
Alexander Isak scored his first Reds goal, but Hugo Ekitike was sent off for a second yellow card after netting the winner.
The third round continues tonight, with the fourth round draw set to be made after Port Vales vs Arsenal, which is live on talkSPORT.
Nottingham Forest will also play their Europa League opener against Real Betis, live on talkSPORT 2.
5 minutes agoBy Robert Calcutt
FIFA reportedly discussed the prospect of expanding the 2030 World Cup into a 64-team tournament.
According to The Athletic, a South American delegation made a formal pitch to the governing body regarding the proposal.
Heads of state from Paraguay and Uruguay, the head of the Argentine FA and CONMEBOL chiefs were involved in the group.
Meetings took place at FIFA's headquarters in New York City.
The increase in teams would mark another significant change to the World Cup.
Past editions of the tournament had 24 or 32 teams, but the 2026 World Cup will see 48 competing sides for the first time.
The top two from each of the 12 groups of four teams will reach the last 32, as a well as the eight best third-placed sides.
A 64-team tournament could see 16 groups of four teams, where the top two would qualify for the last 32.
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40 minutes agoBy Robert Calcutt
Liverpool are awaiting news on the severity of Geovanni Leoni’s knee injury, talkSPORT understands.
The 18-year-old went off injured late on in their 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
Leoni, who made his Liverpool debut after a £26million move from Parma, left the pitch on a stretcher.
Sources in Italy have told talkSPORT there are fears Leoni has picked up an ACL injury.
However, tests are currently ongoing before Liverpool know his exact prognosis, with clarity expected at some point this week.
Liverpool can replace Leoni in their Champions League squad under new UEFA rules.
This could open the door to the inclusion of Federico Chiesa, who is determined to stay at Anfield and force his way into Arne Slot’s plans.
Should Leoni face a long spell on the sidelines, Liverpool will have to assess their centre-back options ahead of the January window.
After missing out on Marc Guehi on deadline day, Liverpool were content with what the club consider to be four elite centre-backs.
Along with Leoni, Slot has captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez at his disposal.
As a result, Liverpool are not inclined to bid for Guehi in January, knowing the Crystal Palace captain is a free transfer next summer.
But Liverpool could now be forced to explore another defender earlier than anticipated, although there is no guarantee they change their position on bidding for Guehi yet.
The first task is to wait on tests establishing how long Leoni will be out for, and then Liverpool’s recruitment team will decide whether another new centre-back is needed in January.
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Today, 13:21By Robert Calcutt
Whilst the Carabao Cup returns tonight, the Europa League league phase commences with nine fixtures.
Nottingham Forest and Celtic will both be in action for their opening fixtures in Europe's second-tier competition.
Forest are at Real Betis, whilst Celtic travel to Crvena zvezda.
Like the Champions League, there are 36 teams in the Europa League, with the top eight advancing into the last 16.
Those who finish from 9th to 24th will have to win a two-legged play-off tie to reach the knockout stages.
Tonight's league phase fixtures are below.
5:45pm kick-offs:
Midtjylland vs Sturm GrazPAOK vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
8pm kick-offs:
Dinamo Zagreb vs FenerbahceFreiburg vs BaselMalmo vs Ludogrets RazgradNice vs RomaReal Betis vs Nottingham ForestCrvena zvezda vs CelticBraga vs FeyenoordCopied
Today, 12:44By Robert Calcutt
Simon Jordan has backed David Moyes and his decision to rest key players during their 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat against Wolves.
Moyes made seven changes to his starting XI following their 2-1 loss at Merseyside rivals Liverpool at the weekend.
Stars including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye started on the bench as Everton crashed out in round three.
However, Jordan believes Moyes could have risked the wrath of Everton fans if one of their regular starters picked up an injury.
"I don't know whether he's right or wrong," he said on White and Jordan.
"But I don't think it's right to catastrophize a decision made by a manager that, A, changed the direction of travel for Everton last year.
"B, is doing mostly better things than Everton have seen in the last two or three years.
"Yes, it's an opportunity missed to progress in the next round.
You always knew he had an unbelievable shot.
"He's working really hard and you can feel the passion he has for the game."
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Today, 10:39By Robert Calcutt
There are four final Carabao Cup third round ties to come tonight.
Each match will see Premier League sides come up against League One opposition.
All kick-off times are 7.45pm, apart from the 8pm kick-off between Port Vale and Arsenal.
Huddersfield Town vs Manchester CityNewcastle United vs Bradford CityTottenham Hotspurs vs Doncaster RoversPort Vale vs Arsenal
The fourth round draw will take place after the late kick-off.
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Today, 10:09By Robert Calcutt
Mikel Arteta cheekily remained hush on whether or not he will play Max Dowman for Arsenal against Port Vale.
The 15-year-old has already made two appearances for the Gunners this season as the latest starlet from their Hale End academy.
Minutes against League One side Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT, will offer even more experience.
However, Arteta was not one to hint at how much game time the teenager could get in their trip to Vale Park.
"I take it he's in the squad?" asked a reporter in his press conference.
Arteta jokingly replied: "It depends, I might put the handbrake on..."
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Today, 09:39By Robert Calcutt
Nottingham Forest make their long-awaited return to European football tonight.
Forest will be competing on the continent for the first time in almost 30 years when they face Real Betis in the Europa League.
Ange Postecoglou's side are in Spain for their opening league phase match against last season's Conference League runners-up, live on talkSPORT 2.
When asked if it's a big moment for the club, Postecoglou said: "Oh absolutely.
Southampton gave it a good effort on the night, but Will Still's side are sent out of the competition.
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23rd Sept 2025, 21:47By Jack Johnson
Chelsea have avoided a major cupset at Lincoln!
They're quick turnaround at the start of the second half gets the job done for the reigning world champions.
Lincoln will certainly be pleased with the effort tonight though.
Elsewhere, Wolves and Fulham have booked their place in the fourth round, along with Brighton who thrashed Barnsley.
Wrexham and Wycombe will be the hat too.
But Premier League Burnley have lost at home to League One Cardiff in the biggest shock of the evening.
Lincoln 1-2 ChelseaBurnley 1-2 CardiffFulham 1-0 CambridgeBarnsley 0-6 BrightonWolves 2-0 EvertonWrexham 2-0 ReadingWigan 0-2 WycombeCopied
23rd Sept 2025, 21:44By Jack Johnson
LIVERPOOL HAVE SCORED LATE ON AGAIN!
It goes from joy to despair for Ekitike, with Liverpool in the lead but now down to ten men for the final stages...
He will miss the Reds' Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday, as his celebration causes a big blow for his side.
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23rd Sept 2025, 21:39By Jack Johnson
This doesn't look good at all for Giovanni Leoni...
The Liverpool centre-back landed awkwardly and instantly looked in a lot of pain, staying in the same position and grimacing.
As the medical team looked at him, Leoni just stayed still and appeared to be looking down at his knee.
Here are the latest scores:
Lincoln 1-0 Chelsea Burnley 0-2 Cardiff Fulham 0-0 Cambridge Barnsley 0-3 Brighton Wolves 1-0 Everton Wrexham 0-0 Reading Wigan 0-1 Wycombe Liverpool 1-0 SouthamptonCopied
23rd Sept 2025, 20:46By Jack Johnson
ALEXANDER ISAK HAS HIS FIRST LIVERPOOL GOAL!