Category: Premier League

Arsenal’s corner supremacy and the high-line defensive shift

Arsenal lead the Premier League with 16 goals from corners this season. This total matches the record held by the 2023/24 Arsenal squad. Mikel Arteta uses set-pieces as a primary offensive engine. During the 2-1 win against Chelsea, all three goals resulted from corner-kicks. The team relies on targeted isolation and second-phase pressure to exploit dead-ball situations. In the Saliba opener, Arsenal used William Saliba as a vertical anchor while Gabriel provided decoy runs to create space in the six-yard box. This movement pinned Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez inside his own goal-line. The second goal came after Jurrien Timber exploited the rebound zone. He made an underlapping run to create a 2v1 overload, and his resulting shot led to a corner.

Arsenal’s high defensive line, which maintained an average distance of 44.2 meters from their own goal, allowed David Raya to act as an auxiliary center-back when sweeping up long-ball releases. This aggressive perimeter increased their defensive distance by 12% from the 2025 average. Raya earned an 8/10 rating for his ability to intercept long balls 18.5 meters outside his box. When the ball shifted to Chelsea’s right flank, the far-side fullback tucked inside to create a temporary back three. This pendulum shift neutralized Liam Rosenior’s preferred overloaded transitions. You might see how this high line forces opponents into low-value areas. Arsenal’s defensive flexibility allowed them to maintain a 4-4-2 shape when they reached the defending phase.

Tottenham’s defensive overhaul focuses on stability.

The club signed Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 million. They also brought in Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on a free transfer. These signings follow a season where Tottenham conceded an average of 1.5 goals per match. Roberto De Zerbi can now deploy a back five including Senesi, Van de Ven, and Van Hecke. This flexibility helps the team in games where they expect to see less of the ball. Porro signed a new deal until 2031 to secure the right-back position. The squad includes more options like Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, and Ben Davies.

Tottenham’s interim manager Igor Tudor faced a difficult 1-4 defeat against Arsenal. Spurs used a 3-5-2 shape that shifted into a 5-3-2 defensive block. This shape relied on the midfield three to cover inside channels and funnel the ball wide. However, the physical demand caused their intensity to drop. Arsenal countered this by moving central midfielders away from the middle. This increased the pressing distance for Tottenham’s midfielders. Eberechi Eze scored his first Premier League goals since a hat-trick last November, while Viktor Gyokeres scored his ninth and tenth of the season to boost the Gunners. Arsenal’s winger Bukayo Saka also found space against Micky van de Ven when Jurrien Timber moved high.

The Premier League Big Six continue to use inswinging corners despite new IFAB rules. Pre-season data shows that 73.7% of Big Six corners were inswingers. This differs from the 51.2% of inswingers seen during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. IFAB introduced VAR interventions for attacking fouls on corners before the ball is in play. This rule change aims to reduce the "meat-wall" tactics involving pinning and grappling. International teams, including England, opted to use outswingers as a more prominent feature. In the Premier League, clubs still favour low-risk routines built around inswinging deliveries into a crowded six-yard box.

Chelsea’s defensive struggles center on set-piece transitions. The club conceded 14.05 xG from dead balls this season. This flaw was exposed during their loss to Arsenal. Arsenal’s attackers used a blocker strategy to screen Robert Sanchez’s line of sight. This forced a mistake from the goalkeeper. Liam Rosenior noted that players face significant holding and grappling during deliveries. Chelsea’s failure to defend these moments has left them on a three-game winless run. This weakness in the defensive line was highlighted by the fact that they conceded five goals in three matches against Arsenal.

Spurs struggle at home.

Under Thomas Frank, the team kept seven clean sheets in 21 matches. This was an improvement over the previous season. Frank also utilized a high percentage of long balls. Twelve percent of Tottenham’s passes travelled 35 or more yards. This approach aims to find forwards quickly. Tottenham also ranks bottom of the league for through balls attempted with just 11 in their 21 games. This lack of incisive passing makes it hard to break down low blocks.

Statistic Arsenal (vs Chelsea) Chelsea (vs Arsenal)

xG 1.42 1.68

Goals 2 1

Corner Goals 2 0

Defensive Distance (m) 44.2 N/A

Tottenham and Chelsea met in a penultimate game of the season. Chelsea’s interim manager Calum McFarlane switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Tottenham used Roberto De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez scored from long range. The match ended 2-1 to Chelsea. Tottenham’s defensive organization was poor enough to allow space for Pedro Neto to run into. Arsenal’s momentum in the title race rests on these small margins. They lead the league by five points. Tottenham face relegation concerns. Chelsea face a fight for fourth. Will Chelsea find a way to stop the Arsenal corner onslaught before the season ends?

August 27, 2026

Statistic	Arsenal (vs Chelsea)	Chelsea (vs Arsenal)
xG	1.42	1.68
Goals	2	1
Corner Goals	2	0
Defensive Distance (m)	44.2	N/A

Liverpool’s Anfield Road expansion: myths vs facts about FSG impact

The Anfield Road Stand expansion added 7,000 seats to the stadium. This project increased the total capacity to 61,276. The new seats include 5,200 general admission seats and 1,800 hospitality seats. Liverpool first used the partially complete upper tier in December 2023 against Manchester United. That match saw 57,158 attendees. In February 2024, the stand reopened for a match against Burnley, which drew 59,896 fans. The club then set a record in March 2024 when 59,947 fans attended a match against Manchester City. The project reached final completion in March 2025 after the club finished roof cladding and hospitality upgrades. The club received a General Safety Certificate from Liverpool City Council in March 2025. The expansion of the Anfield Road Stand added 7,000 seats, including 5,200 general admission seats and 1,800 hospitality seats, which brings the total capacity of the stadium to 61,276.

Revenue growth and financial logic

Liverpool generated £101.7 million in matchday revenue during the 2023/24 season. This figure rose 27.44% from the £79.8 million recorded in 2023. The Anfield Road expansion drove this growth. Before the 2016 Main Stand redevelopment, matchday income stayed between £40 million and £65 million. That project cost £110 million and added 8,500 seats. Liverpool now joins Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the £100 million matchday revenue club. Matchday income remains lower than Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the yield per fan sits behind only Arsenal and Chelsea.

Liverpool's Anfield Road expansion: myths vs facts about FSG impact (2)

The club also signed deals worth up to £446.5m in the summer of 2025. They broke the national transfer record twice for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. These funds help the club remain competitive on all fronts. The club is the only English side in the top five of the Deloitte Football Money League.

Demand remains high.

The season ticket struggle

The demand for tickets at Anfield remains high. The season ticket waiting list is closed to new applications. People at the back of the list face an average wait time of 30 years. The club says there are no current plans to reopen the list.

Even though the capacity is now 61,276, the expansion did not eliminate the shortage of seats. The club distributes tickets through loyalty credits, membership tiers, and ballot processes. Supporters who attend more fixtures accumulate more credits. These credits determine priority when matches go on sale. An extra 7,000 seats simply entered this existing structure.

How big can Anfield get before Liverpool struggle to sell out every seat?

Pricing tiers and the atmosphere

The club sets category B prices between £45 and £55. Category A prices range from £55 to £80. You likely know the capacity rose, but the pricing logic remains a point of contention. Fenway Sports Group intends to increase ticket prices by a maximum of five per cent each year for the next three years.

Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert, says the club wants to attract a new clientele of better-paying supporters. He suggests that season ticket holders have, to a large extent, outlived their usefulness. Supporters at the Spirit of Shankly group have protested these increases. They want to protect the soul of Anfield.

The atmosphere can feel sedate during matches against lower-table teams. The club allocates a significant section of the new stand to corporate seating. This section serves as a revenue driver. Some fans notice wide open spaces in these sections when guests are not using the facilities. The mix of local fans and tourists is inevitable. Many visitors arrive from overseas for one-off trips. Ticket resale sites list seats in the Kop for much higher prices than the club charges. For a match against Newcastle, one site listed a seat for £469.

Security and matchday entry

The club searches every supporter as part of heightened security. This follows the UK government’s passing of Martyn’s Law. The club implemented these searches in November 2024. The decision follows the need to keep the public safe.

Queues at Turnstile E and Turnstile W can be long. During a match against Barnsley, fans stood in lines that reached the club shop. This impacts the matchday experience. Tom Baker, a fan from Somerset, missed an early goal because of these queues.

The club works to manage these entry points. Paul Cuttill, the club’s chief operating officer, says the club reviews the deployment of stewards at pinch points. At a match against Nottingham Forest, the wait for a supporter arriving 40 minutes before kick-off was 24 minutes. For matches against PSV and Sunderland, the wait time dropped to 16 minutes.

The road closure dispute

The club wants to keep part of Anfield Road closed to motor traffic. This stretch of road runs between Stanley Park and Walton Breck Road via 97th Avenue. It has been closed to vehicles since the construction of the Anfield Road Stand began. Liverpool City Council deferred a decision on the permanent closure.

Residents and some councillors oppose the move. Councillor Ellie Byrne says the closure forces more traffic onto residential streets. She also notes the impact on disabled and elderly residents who need vehicle access. Ian Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, also criticized the club’s stance.

The club argues that a permanent closure creates a safer, pedestrian-friendly space. They also suggest it reduces the risk of terror attacks. The club owns the road.

Stadium comparison

Matchday revenue and capacity vary across the Premier League. Liverpool is the fourth-largest club stadium in the league. It follows Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the London Stadium.

Club	Capacity	Category A Price	Category B Price
Tottenham Hotspur	62,850	£70 – £115	£52 – £90
Liverpool	61,276	£55 – £80	£45 – £55
Manchester United	74,140	£75 – £95	£55 – £75
Arsenal	60,704	£80 – £105	£65 – £75

Manchester United plans a new stadium that will hold 100,000 people. They secured 25 acres of land near Old Trafford in June 2026. Their Wharfside Masterplan was revealed in July 2026. The project will cost around £2 billion.

Tottenham Hotspur maintains the highest prices for general admission. Their stadium includes an indoor karting facility and dressing rooms larger than those of the home team. They host NFL games and concerts.

Local infrastructure and future plans

The club focuses on the wider footprint around Anfield. Billy Hogan, the Liverpool CEO, says the club wants to improve infrastructure and transport. He says the club wants to create reasons for visitors to use the area on non-matchdays.

Work on the Walton Breck Road highway improvement scheme has started. This project costs £4 million. It aims to create a greener experience for residents and fans. The plan includes wider footpaths and concrete planters. These planters provide a rest area for visitors.

The scheme also includes a mini-roundabout at the junction of Walton Breck Road, Oakfield Road, and Wylva Street. The project should reach completion in spring 2027. Work remains unfinished.

August 27, 2026

The future of Manchester United’s INEOS era after stadium delay

The ownership split

The Glazer family holds 69 percent of the voting shares at Manchester United. This majority prevents Sir Jim Ratcliffe from forcing a total sale of the club. Ratcliffe and INEOS hold 28.9 percent of the stake. INEOS manages football operations including transfers and coaching staff. The Glazers retain financial control. This split defines the current era. You likely know the Glazer takeover caused immense debt in 2005, but the new financial pressures stem from different sources. The Glazers hold power.

Because the Glazer family still holds the majority of the voting shares, they decide whether the club is ever fully sold and Ratcliffe cannot force a sale without their explicit consent or final agreement.

The stadium delay

The New Trafford Stadium project faces a major delay. Negotiating the purchase of land from Freightliner remains the biggest challenge for INEOS. Freightliner might not vacate the land fully until 2031. This timeline falls a year past Ratcliffe’s goal for the 2030/31 season. The project costs £2 billion. A 100,000-seat capacity remains the goal. The design includes three towers and a large canopy. This canopy alone costs £200 million. INEOS may scrap the canopy to save money. The stadium will include the Munich clock.

The project is the pet project of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. He wants the "Wembley of the North." The project is the Old Trafford Regeneration. The area will see 1.8 million visitors annually. The design uses 35-degree angle stands. These are the steepest stands allowed in the UK. The project will create 92,000 jobs. It will also create 17,000 new homes. The construction will use 160 modular components. These parts will travel up the Manchester Ship Canal.

Will the land negotiations reach a conclusion before the next fiscal year?

The transfer revolution

Michael Carrick leads the squad following his appointment in November 2025. He replaced Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the season. Carrick uses a 4-3-3 formation. This system requires a ball-playing goalkeeper and a deep-lying playmaker. The club prioritizes a defensive midfielder and a wide forward from the right side. INEOS set a net-spend discipline for the summer 2026 window. They allocated £180 million for gross spending and target £45 million from player sales. PSR rules limit the budget.

The transfer market remains the focus of the INEOS sporting structure. The recruitment team uses data from platforms like FBref to select players. They prioritize players under 26 with resale value. The club seeks to replace aging players with high wages. The club scored only 62 Premier League goals in the 2025/26 season. This was the lowest total since 2015/16. Passing accuracy improved from 82 percent to 87 percent under Carrick.

The club wants Moises Caicedo from Brighton. They previously failed to sign him. His valuation sits at £75 million. The recruitment team also targets Victor Osimhen. Napoli may negotiate around £85 million. The club wants a left-footed center-back. They submitted a £35 million bid for Leny Yoro. Leny Yoro is 18 years old. The club also watches Noah Sadiki. Sunderland wants at least £45 million for him.

Player	Position	Valuation (£M)	Priority	Probability
Moises Caicedo	CDM	75	High	65%
Victor Osimhen	ST	85	High	45%
Leny Yoro	CB	35	Medium	70%
Noah Sadiki	CDM	45	High	50%
Alexander Sorloth	ST	45	Low	30%

Squad exits and departures

The club must sell players to fund new arrivals. The current strategy focuses on moving high earners out of the squad. Harry Maguire is expected to join Newcastle United for £25 million. This move saves the club £190,000 in weekly wages. Anthony Martial is a free agent after his contract expired in June 2026. His departure saves £250,000 in weekly wages. Jadon Sancho faces an uncertain future with Borussia Dortmund. He could command a fee of £35 million. This would save £300,000 in weekly wages.

Donny van de Beek is moving to Valencia for £18 million. This deal saves £120,000 in weekly wages. The club released Dean Henderson in January 2026. His departure saved £100,000 in weekly wages. The squad is entering a second summer of structural reshaping.

Player	Status	Fee (£M)	Wage Saved (£k)
Harry Maguire	Newcastle	25	190
Anthony Martial	Free	0	250
Jadon Sancho	Dortmund	35	300
Donny van de Beek	Valencia	18	120
Dean Henderson	Released	0	100

Financial obstacles

Manchester United owes £425 million in debt. The club also faces massive interest payments. Existing debts incur annual interest payments of £35 million. The projected wage bill for the 2026/27 season reaches £245 million. PSR rules cap the losses over a three-year cycle. The club must offset spending with income from sales or commercial growth. The stadium project and a full buyout compete for the same cash.

The club holds a significant amount of debt. The Glazer era left the club with hundreds of millions in borrowing. INEOS has reduced this debt to £425 million. The stadium project is expected to cost £2 billion. Financing this without taxpayer money requires significant capital. The club could use naming rights to help pay the bills. Naming rights could bring in £15 million a year. The club is a public company on the NYSE.

The growing fan unrest

The 1958 group organizes protests against the owners. Thousands of fans marched against Ratcliffe and the Glazers before the Fulham match in February. The march included 6,000 supporters. They gathered at Sir Matt Busby Way and the Hotel Football. They target the ownership model. They accuse Ratcliffe of being an incompetent clown. They claim the club is a laughing stock.

Fans staged protests at the Trinity Statue. They also protested at the Lowry Hotel to stop the team coach. The 2021 pitch invasion is a recent memory of fan anger. Supporters broke into Old Trafford to show their fury. They also targeted the home of Ed Woodward. The Glazer family faces continuous demonstrations. The 1958 group says the ownership model leads to false hope. The club owes billions.

Ownership scenarios

Three main scenarios exist for the future. Ratcliffe could buy the Glazers out in stages. The Glazers might tire of holding a minority stake. INEOS could then take full control. This would unify the transfer strategy. This would also set the stadium timeline. A new external buyer might emerge. This buyer would need sovereign or institutional money. A Qatari or Gulf vehicle could return.

The Premier League rules prevent one party from controlling two clubs in the same competition. This creates a barrier for a Qatari bid because of PSG. Saudi Arabia’s PIF owns Newcastle United. This prevents a straight PIF purchase of Manchester United. American money is a possibility. A tech billionaire or an NFL owner could buy the club. The status quo could continue for years. The Glazers have no financial pressure to sell.

The status quo holds for now. The Glazers receive value from the holding. The club trades publicly. Ratcliffe may prefer a gradual transition. Buying control first spreads the cost. The stadium project requires stability. Lenders prefer a predictable ownership picture. The debt burden remains a problem. Every season spent outside the Champions League widens the financial gap.

The collision of goals

The decision to build a new stadium forces a choice between infrastructure and ownership. The club needs capital for both. The stadium project is the biggest expense. The buyout of the Glazers is also expensive. These two goals compete for the same pool of cash. The Glazers will not sell cheaply. They have priced the club high for years. Ratcliffe faces a difficult financial window.

The club’s leadership is currently under pressure. The 1958 group says the ownership model is a boomerang. They claim the club faces mismanagement and financial greed. The stadium decision forces capital questions. The club must decide where to put its money. The Glazer family still controls the exit strategy.

August 26, 2026

The defensive identity that secured Arsenal’s Premier League title

Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League with 85 points. This result ended a 22-year wait for the top flight. The club finished seven points ahead of Manchester City after the Gunners secured victory against Burnley with one game remaining. I believe the trend of defensive concentration at the Emirates decided the race. The team spent 238 days at the top. This is 204 more days than Liverpool. It is 229 more days than Manchester City.

The title belongs to North London.

The Emirates Fortress

The home record at the Emirates provided the foundation for this championship. Arsenal recorded the best home record in the division. They won 15 matches and drew 2. They lost only 2 games at home. The team averaged 2.47 points per game at the Emirates. This stability helped the squad overcome a period of instability in April.

The consistency of the home performances prevented a collapse. Arsenal won eight games by a score of 1-0. These narrow victories show a professional approach to winning. They did not need high scoring margins to control their results. Instead, they used their structure to stifle opponents. The team ran more distance than their opponents in 35 out of 37 league games. This work rate kept opponents from gaining momentum in North London.

The Emirates crowd witnessed a side that dominated spatial control. Arsenal’s xG per match reached 1.77. This output remained consistent even during the difficult month of November. The team averaged 1.3 goals per game during that period. They only lost once despite facing low-block opponents and injuries. The home form stayed strong because the defensive structure remained intact.

David Raya and the Clean Sheet Record

David Raya won the Golden Glove award for the 2025/26 season. He kept 19 clean sheets in 38 matches. This total tied the record for an Arsenal goalkeeper. He outperformed Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who kept 15 clean sheets. Arsenal conceded only 27 goals in the league. This is eight fewer than the 35 goals conceded by Manchester City.

David Raya was incredible.

The goalkeeper provided the stability necessary to turn narrow advantages into points. He kept 19 clean sheets, which was six more than any other team in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, or France. In ten of their seventeen league games, Arsenal allowed chances worth less than 0.5 xG. This level of suppression is rare. The goalkeeper’s ability to claim balls and distribute effectively allowed the team to maintain control.

The defensive returns were decisive. Arsenal conceded 27 goals in 38 games, which is one of the lowest totals in the modern era. Only Manchester City and Liverpool have conceded fewer goals in recent Premier League seasons. This defensive efficiency is the primary reason the title returned to North London.

The Saliba and Gabriel Partnership

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes formed a defensive wall. They started 26 league games together. They won 17 of those games. They kept 15 clean sheets as a pair. They kept a shutout every 1.7 games. This partnership made it difficult for any striker to find space.

The center-back pairing was effective. Arsenal’s defensive numbers were not just systemic but also delivered at the individual level. When Saliba and Gabriel played together, the team displayed a level of organization that was difficult to break. They conceded only 22 goals in 31 Premier League games. This stat shows how much the team relied on their presence.

The defensive block compressed the channels between the center-backs and the midfielders. This structure reduced the number of high-quality chances opponents could create inside the box. Opponents often had to take low-value shots from distance. If an opponent tried to counter-attack, they had to beat Gabriel physically first. If they managed that, Saliba covered the space with his pace.

Set-Piece Efficiency Under Nicolas Jover

Arsenal became set-piece masters this season. They scored 18 goals from corners. This broke the 33-year-old Premier League record. The previous record of 16 goals stood since the 1992/93 season. They scored 29 goals from set-pieces in total. This is four more goals than any other team in the division.

Nicolas Jover works on these routines. The majority of the goals came straight from corners. Arsenal’s tall players and smart routines made them difficult to stop. This tactic created a consistent problem for every defense in the league. The goals were spread across the squad. Most goals came from center-backs and midfielders who arrived late into the box.

The reliance on dead-ball situations provided a way to score when open play was difficult. Arsenal used set pieces to score in 20 different Premier League matches this year. This made them a threat whenever the ball stopped moving. It allowed them to win games where they lacked dominance in possession.

The Gyokeres Influence

Viktor Gyokeres cost £69 million. He scored 14 Premier League goals. He scored 21 goals in all competitions. He is the first player to score 20+ in all competitions in a debut Arsenal season since Alexis Sanchez. He creates space for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

Gyokeres is a physical presence. He wrestles with center-backs and keeps them busy. This movement gives Saka and Odegaard breathing room. He averages fewer than two shots per game. This is below the league average for strikers. He does not miss sitters because he is not in those situations often enough.

He reads the space well. Against Everton, he opened a lane for himself to attack. This created opportunities for teammates. Arsenal are a better attacking team with him on the pitch. They create more chances with him in the lineup. The issue is his connection with teammates rather than his presence.

Midfield Control With Zubimendi and Rice

Martin Zubimendi cost £51 million. He allows Declan Rice to play more freely. Rice has an average match rating of 7.32. He played 4,336 minutes. The arrival of Zubimendi transformed the midfield pivot.

Zubimendi dictates the tempo. He puts his foot on the ball when games become chaotic. He takes care of the dirty work in front of the back four. This allows Rice to drive forward. Rice pops up in the penalty area and bullies midfielders. He is the engine room of the team.

Martin Odegaard ranks fourth in the league for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. He is behind Bruno Fernandes, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki. He beats the first line of pressure and the second line. He recycles possession safely. He finds Saka frequently. He provides a tactical advantage when Arsenal lead.

Arsenal also signed Noni Madueke for £52 million. He provides depth on the wings. The squad depth helps Arsenal close out tight 1-0 victories. Players like Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera provide veteran experience.

Comparing the Defensive Totals

Arsenal’s defensive dominance was clear when compared to their rivals. They conceded 27 goals. Manchester City conceded 35. This eight-goal gap was where the seven-point title margin was built. Arsenal kept 19 clean sheets. Manchester City kept 16.

Manchester City were top scorers. They scored 77 goals. Arsenal scored 71. City’s title challenge failed because of inconsistency at the back. Arsenal’s defense was a brick wall.

Liverpool finished 11th. They conceded 53 goals. They lost 6 of their last 7 matches. Their collapse was comprehensive. They fell from title contenders in September to mid-table in January. They are not the same side they were last year.

Could this defensive blueprint remain effective in the 2026/27 season?

The gap between the top two and the rest of the league was wide. Arsenal finished on 85 points. Manchester City finished on 78. Aston Villa finished on 65. Liverpool finished on 60. The defensive reliability of the Gunners was the defining difference.

The title was built on preventing goals. Arsenal prioritized shot-quality suppression. They forced opponents into low-value attempts. This was more effective than purely focusing on shots per game. The defensive organization was the main driver of success.

August 26, 2026

The Friedkin Group completes Everton takeover

The Friedkin Group acquired a 98.8% stake in Everton.

The takeover of the Merseyside club through Roundhouse Capital Holdings Ltd finished after the Premier League and the Financial Conduct Authority granted regulatory approval. Dan Friedkin, the chairman of the Texas-based group, leads the ownership. Marc Watts, the president of the Friedkin Group, serves as the executive chairman and manages the club. This transaction ends the tenure of Farhad Moshiri, who held a 94.1% stake through Blue Heaven Holdings. TFG also owns the Italian Serie A club Roma and the French side AS Cannes. The group possesses annual revenues of £10 billion.

The deal follows a period of intense negotiation and previous attempts to secure the club. In July, the Friedkin Group withdrew from discussions because of concerns regarding debt and the 777 Partners loan. John Textor, the owner of Crystal Palace, also pursued the club before the Friedkin Group returned to the negotiating table in September. The new owners provided an immediate £200 million to the club. They also took over a £150 million loan from MSP Sports Capital.

Specification	Detail
Name	Hill Dickinson Stadium
Capacity	52,888
Location	Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool
Primary Contractor	Laing O’Rourke
Estimated Cost	£500 million to £750 million
Design Architects	Meis Architects and Pattern Design

Financial restructuring and debt

The Friedkin Group is addressing the significant financial burdens left by the previous regime. Moshiri provided approximately £800 million to the club during his ownership, including £450 million in shareholder loans. The club lost £400 million between 2019 and 2023. Last year, the annual deficit reached £89 million. TFG’s takeover includes the conversion of existing short-term debt into equity and long-term senior debt. This change secures the debt against the new stadium and improves the financial standing of the club.

The club still faces substantial interest obligations. Rights and Media Funding is owed £225 million at an interest rate of 10.25%. TFG also lent £200 million to Moshiri to cover construction costs. A different loan from 777 Partners totals £200 million. The interest on the 777 debt is tied to A-Cap, a New York insurer that holds security on 777’s assets. Leadenhall Capital Partners filed a lawsuit in a New York district court against 777 and A-Cap. The lawsuit alleges fraud and "double-pledging" of assets.

The debt remains.

You already know the drama of the takeover.

The club needs to manage these payments. A-Cap has borrowed money at 18% interest. The club pays RMF an interest rate of five per cent over the base rate.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium

The new home for Everton is the Hill Dickinson Stadium. This stadium sits at Bramley-Moore Dock. The construction of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock required the filling of the dock basin with 480,000 cubic metres of sand dredged from the bottom of the Irish Sea to create a solid base for the foundations. Laing O’Rourke acted as the main contractor. The stadium reached structural completion in February 2024. The contractor handed the facility over in December 2024.

The stadium holds 52,888 spectators. This capacity reflects a slight reduction from the original maximum after reviews of seat configuration and media facility requirements. A 13,000-seater stand sits in the stadium and draws inspiration from the "Yellow Wall" at the Westfalenstadion. The facility uses modern technology to help fans. These tools include Self-Service ‘EBars’ and ‘ThroughPass’ technology from Amazon. The stadium also provides the ‘ALL’ experience, which provides social spaces like pubs, bars, and restaurants.

The club uses a partnership with Seat Unique to sell match-by-match access to lounge seating. This seating includes private TV monitors for replays. The stadium also provides a way for fans to leave a mark via The Dock Lines. This installation contains 36,000 personalised granite stones. Fans buy these stones for between £49 and £499. The installation sits on the Budweiser Fan Plaza.

Moving from Goodison Park

Everton is moving away from Goodison Park. The club occupied Goodison Park for nearly 134 years. The stadium had a capacity of 39,414. In 1990, the Taylor Report forced the stadium to become all-seater, which reduced the capacity from a peak of over 78,000. The club considered moving in 1996, but plans for a 60,000-seater stadium failed. In 2001, the club identified King’s Dock as a site, but funding issues stopped the project. The Kirkby project, which involved a 55,000-seat stadium, received rejection from the central government following a public inquiry.

The club also looked at Stanley Park in 2012, but that plan was cancelled. In 2017, Bill Kenwright named Bramley-Moore Dock as the preferred site. The club agreed to a 200-year lease with Peel Holdings in 2017. This lease allows for a 40-year sub-lease to the club. The development caused UNESCO to remove Liverpool from its list of World Heritage Sites in 2021. UNESCO stated the stadium had a major adverse impact on the authenticity of the site.

The transition is underway.

Matchday experiences and events

The stadium acts as a venue for more than football. In August 26, 2026, the stadium hosts a drive-in cinema event. This event, titled "Movies on the Mersey," screens films like Finding Nemo and Back to the Future. Tickets for the weekend cost £30 per vehicle. The stadium also hosts golf experiences. In July 2026, the club worked with Upper Deck Golf to host an interactive driving range. This event coincided with the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

The venue hosts international rugby too. Fiji Rugby planned a match against England at the stadium in July 2026. The fanzones for this match include traditional Fijian food and music. The stadium also attracts interest from the Women’s World Cup in 2035. The club aims to host various events to generate revenue throughout the year.

The club faces debt.

Footballing results and transfers

The 2025-26 football season concluded with Everton finishing in 13th place in the Premier League. The team earned 49 points. Highlights included a 3-0 home win against Chelsea and away victories against Manchester United and Aston Villa. The club sold Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50 million. The club also sold Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey. The club refused a £45 million offer for Jarrad Branthwaite.

The women’s team played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. They finished 8th in the Women’s Super League with 23 points. They secured a 4-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield. The women’s team also played their first match at the new stadium against Manchester United in October 2025.

Seamus Coleman retired after 17 years at the club. He made 434 appearances for the team. The club continues to invest in its Academy system.

The 777 debt complication

The legal issues surrounding 777 Partners create a difficult environment for the new owners. A-Cap holds control of 777’s assets. Leadenhall Capital Partners is suing both 777 and A-Cap in New York. Leadenhall claims 777 engaged in fraud through "double-pledging" assets. This involves using the same collateral for multiple loans.

The legal battle creates uncertainty for any potential buyer. If the US Department of Justice files criminal charges, it could create a Proceeds of Crime Act issue. TFG discussed indemnity insurance with Moshiri’s lawyers, but Moshiri declined. The interest rates on the debt remain high. A-Cap borrows money at 18% interest. This makes servicing the debt expensive for the club.

Will the club manage the high interest rates?

Historical stadium comparisons

Goodison Park stood in a different environment than the new dockside location. Goodison Park sat next to Victorian terraced housing. The new stadium is a massive steel and glass structure. The capacity at Goodison was limited by its location and construction methods. The new site at Bramley-Moore Dock uses reclaimed sand from the River Mersey to fill the basin.

The stadium design uses a mix of red brick and steel. The upper parts use metal and glass. The lower part uses a brick facade. This design attempts to blend with the industrial character of the area. The club uses the names Hill Dickinson Stadium to identify the venue. The club has now moved.