Richard Jolly
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Richard Jolly
@richjolly.bsky.social
7K followers 380 following 620 posts
Senior Football Correspondent, the Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/richard-jolly
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richjolly.bsky.social
Andy Robertson is in the last year of his Liverpool contract but says he is "relaxed" about his future:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Robertson ‘relaxed’ over Liverpool contract talks but admits it could be last season
The left-back’s deal at Anfield is set to expire at the end of the season
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Pep Guardiola has got his energy back and a younger, newer Manchester City team have more energy. On Guardiola's City 3.0:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Younger, faster, stronger: How Pep Guardiola reinvented Manchester City again
A summer rebuild has transformed an ageing squad into one capable of challenging for the title again
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
richjolly.bsky.social
Is Liverpool's title race run after 11 games? Because they have lost five and are in eighth. Arne Slot says they can't think about the title right now. And if it is over already, it has been a terrible title defence. On Liverpool so far:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Liverpool can forget about the title – they have bigger issues to solve
Liverpool’s defeat to Man City was their fifth Premier League loss of the season and leaves them eight points adrift of Arsenal
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
richjolly.bsky.social
The perfect way for Pep Guardiola to bring up 1,000 games in management with an emphatic win over his greatest rival, Liverpool, aided by an electric Jeremy Doku. On Man City 3-0 Liverpool:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/doku-man-city-liverpool-score-result-premier-league-b2861780.html
Liverpool’s title defence is hanging by a thread after Man City masterclass
Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool: Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and the sensational Jeremy Doku got the goals as City moved to be only four points behind Arsenal ahead of the international break
www.independent.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Hugo Ekitike on Haaland, Mbappe, Messi, Neymar, Isak and Slot:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Hugo Ekitike looks to Erling Haaland in mission to join attacking elite
Interview: Ekitike has gotten off to a flying start since joining Liverpool in the summer and faces Manchester City frontman Haaland on Sunday
www.independent.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Arne Slot accepts Liverpool may have changed too much, but says he had no choice. On Liverpool & the change this season:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
The champions’ dilemma that left Liverpool and Man City in the same hole
After Man City made the mistake of not changing enough for their 2024 title defence, Arne Slot’s side have fallen into the trap of changing too much
www.independent.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:39 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Guardiola at 1,000: Pep Guardiola on why Liverpool are fitting opponents for his milestone match, on his insane numbers, place in the pantheon and career so far.

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Pep Guardiola analyses his career on the brink of his 1,000th game
Sunday’s visit of Liverpool will mark Guardiola’s 1,000th career game as a manager
www.independent.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Leny Yoro on why he has no regrets about going to Manchester United, despite finishing 15th last season, and on Lenny Kravitz:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why the world’s most expensive 18-year-old chose Man United over Real Madrid
Interview: Now into his second year at Old Trafford, the 19-year-old explains why he never regretted his choice of club despite a rocky start
www.independent.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:04 AM
richjolly.bsky.social
On Gianluigi Donnarumma & his fine start to life at Man City. "It’s much easier when you have a goalkeeper like Gigio," said Josko Gvardiol. Donnarumma's performances suggest as much:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
In Donnarumma and Gvardiol, the future looks bright for Man City’s defence
The giant Italian goalkeeper has made an impressive start to life at Manchester City
www.independent.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:58 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Of course Erling Haaland scored in a reunion with Borussia Dortmund, but Phil Foden ensured this was a night when Manchester City were not over-reliant on his goals. On City 4-1 Dortmund:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Phil Foden provides reminder that Man City don’t just rely on Erling Haaland
Man City 4-1 Borussia Dortmund: Pep Guardiola’s side jumped to fourth in the Champions League table after a brace from Foden
www.independent.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:19 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Liverpool weren't keeping clean sheets. Now they have two in a row and shut out Mbappe and co. On a change in their defensive record:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
The unsustainable problem Liverpool fixed to spark revival
What a difference a week makes. Arne Slot’s crisis-hit Liverpool suddenly look back on track after victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid
www.independent.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Another win against Real Madrid for Slot, another goal against Real for Mac Allister. A miserable return to Anfield for Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool produced their best performance of the season. On Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Relentless Liverpool banish recent woes with redefining victory over Real Madrid
Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: The Reds spoiled Trent Alexander-Arnold’s homecoming with a superb display at Anfield after a poor run of results
www.independent.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:22 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Erling Haaland on breaking records, scoring goals and staying humble:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Haaland’s humility is at the heart of his success: ‘I’m just Erling’
In the midst of another remarkable scoring season, the Manchester City striker is chasing success for club and country
www.independent.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
A year ago, Liverpool beat Real Madrid & Man City in a week & were top of the Premier & Champions Leagues. Now they face Real & City in a week. It will be a barometer of the new-look side:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
One year on from moment of glory, much-changed Liverpool face greatest test of all
Arne Slot’s Reds were triumphant in an almost identical week this time last year, but only a short time later both they and Real Madrid look very different
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Xabi Alonso says he has no doubts Florian Wirtz will become a success at Liverpool:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Xabi Alonso says he has ‘no doubts’ Florian Wirtz can succeed at Liverpool
The Real Madrid manager said Wirtz is ‘probably one of the reasons I’m here now’ as he expressed his gratitude for his former star player
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
On Paris Saint-Germain & Bayern Munich, very different clubs in comparable situations and, unlike last year, two of the early Champions League pacesetters:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why the new Champions League suits surprise rivals PSG and Bayern Munich
The French and German heavyweights meet for a 10th time in eight years this week, with European domination in both their sights
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 12:39 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Arne Slot found a winning formula on Saturday based on last season's team, and Liverpool looked more like their old selves. But it does pose questions about their new signings:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why the solution to Liverpool’s problems could be bad news for Florian Wirtz
Arne Slot appears to have gone back to basics by returning to last season’s midfield and the tried and trusted
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 AM
richjolly.bsky.social
Erling Haaland does the double yet again to end Bournemouth's unbeaten run. Rayan Cherki gets two assists, one with a header from his own half. On Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Erling Haaland took his fearsome dominance of the Premier League to another level
Man City 3-1 Bournemouth: Haaland struck twice at the Etihad for the fourth game in a row as Pep Guardiola’s side went second
www.independent.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
The right sort of history for Liverpool. Their losing run ends as Mohamed Salah scores his 250th Liverpool goal. Aston Villa were both generous & unfortunate opponents on a good night for Slot. On Liverpool 2-0 Villa:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Mohamed Salah’s 250th goal sinks Aston Villa to send Liverpool third
Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Ryan Gravenberch also scored on his return to the side as Arne Slot’s champions picked up their first points since September
www.independent.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 10:23 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Arne Slot says he has the backing of his bosses at Liverpool and believes they share his interpretation of why things have gone wrong:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arne Slot believes Liverpool bosses share his explanation of Premier League slump
Slot says his employers agree with his analysis that injuries are a major reason for Liverpool losing six of their last seven games
www.independent.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
richjolly.bsky.social
On Harvey Elliott, perhaps underused by both Slot and Emery and a talent who has not started many club games since Klopp left:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Harvey Elliott divides opinion but unhappy Aston Villa move leaves no winners
Aston Villa have a conditional obligation to buy the Liverpool loanee after a certain number of appearances, but the 22-year-old has been frozen out by Unai Emery and risks a wasted season after also ...
www.independent.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 8:48 AM
richjolly.bsky.social
Arne Slot felt he was short of players when he picked the kids in the Carabao Cup. After he spent £450m, some may have no sympathy. But it reflects Liverpool's choices, to have a smaller squad, and spend big on two players. Others took a different approach:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why Arne Slot’s excuses deserve no sympathy as Liverpool crisis deepens
The Reds boss claimed Man City and Chelsea have the luxury of squad depth, but Richard Jolly details why the champions’ predicament stems from a series of summer transfer decisions
www.independent.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
A hat-trick of wins over Liverpool for Crystal Palace, a double for Ismaila Sarr but six defeats in seven for Arne Slot as his weakened team were heavily beaten. On Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arne Slot’s gamble fails miserably as Crystal Palace do the three-peat over Liverpool
Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace: Arne Slot made wholesale changes but his side were never at the races as their Carabao Cup journey came to an end
www.independent.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Liverpool's defensive problems this season began against Crystal Palace. They could do with a clean sheet in a rematch but their recruitment makes it harder to see that. And Slot has a host of contradictory selection problems:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Frail Liverpool desperately need a reset but more punishment might be on the way
A £450m summer recruitment drive appears to have left Arne Slot’s side less equipped than before to solve their issues
www.independent.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
richjolly.bsky.social
Seven months with a Tudor for Juventus. Anne of Cleves only lasted six.
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba....
Juventus sack manager Igor Tudor and name interim coach
Tudor failed to win eight matches on the trot before his dismissal
www.independent.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM