The Game

Liverpool left it late again, is it a winning habit or a worrying trend? Or to quote Gregor, can both things be true? With Isak making his debut after his record-breaking transfer Liverpool now have a array or attacking options but with Wirtz, Ekitike, Salah and Gakpo all wanting to start could they have problems ahead?Harry Kane scored two against Chelsea, is he the best striker in Europe? For Arsenal, another impressive display away to Bilboa. While Liverpool are top and might have the best starting eleven, do Arsenal have the best squad in the league? If they do, then its time they won something thinks Martin Samuel.Finally, what’s wrong at Aston Villa?  Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino, Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson.

Manchester City won the derby. Ruben Amorim took the blame. Is he really the right man for the job. Manchester reporter Paul Hirst thinks he looks like he wants to be as far away from it as possible. If Amorim doesn’t change his football philosophy will he still have the job by Christmas. For City it was a return to form for Foden and Rodri.As the Champions League returns which of the English teams are best placed to succeed?Arsenal have attacking options in abundance and a solid defence, Spurs are pragmatic under Frank and Liverpool and Chelsea have invested heavily…so who could win it?Plus, old school football is making a comeback and Gregor loves it. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and The Times Manchester football reporter Paul Hirst.

Thomas Tuchel knew what he was doing all along...didn't he?After an impressive five nil away win without many of his 'big names' will the England manager have the nerve to keep playing the likes of Rogers, Madueke and Gordon in place of stars like Bellingham, Saka and Foden? With Reece James playing so well at right back is Trent now in reserve?The Premier League returns this weekend and so does Ange Postecoglou - taking over at Nottingham Forest. Will he change his style or play the same football that created so many problems for him at Spurs? Plus, who’ll be in goal for the Manchester derby..?Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Jonny Northcroft and Martin Samuel

Have England gone backwards under Thomas Tuchel, does he know his best starting XI?The team pick their best teams if the World Cup was starting tomorrow…is there a case for no Kane or no Bellingham…?After the break could football be facing a doping problem. In a special report The Times Chief Sports correspondent Matt Lawton joins the pod to discuss if football’s drug testing systems are fit for purpose. He calls football's current commitment to anti-doping pathetic.

With the window shut what difference will it all make? Who has done the best business, who has done panicked business. Martin doesn’t think Arsenal can win it from the back this season, they’ll need to score more goals. But with Isak still to come who can outscore Liverpool? Did Villa panic on deadline day? Have Chelsea had a lucky or a good start?With player power in the spot light Gregor has sympathy as players turn the tables on clubs. After the break - as Ederson leaves who have been the Premier Leagues best keepers?

It was a high spending end to the transfer window in the Championship with Southampton, Ipswich, Birmingham and Middlesborough all spending big. Wrexham finally flexed their financial muscle with a net outlay at nearly thirty million pounds.  On the pitch Rob Edwards has his new Middlesborough side top and looking very strong, Frank Lampard has a free scoring Coventry team with a home to call their own and what’s going wrong at Sheffield United?In League One who saw did Cardiff being this good and tough times at Plymouth.And hats off to and Truro City fans making the long trip to Carlisle this weekend.

Liverpool edged past Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash, thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick - but will Mikel Arteta ever win at Anfield? Plus, we break down the biggest transfer news as Liverpool finally land Alexander Isak in a British-record £125m deal - can Arne Slot’s team be stopped now? Elsewhere, we analyse Manchester City’s defeat to a fearless Brighton, as 39-year-old James Milner scored a record-setting penalty before a late winner sealed the upset.Gregor Robertson is joined by Alyson Rudd, James Gheerbrant and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to round up a dramatic weekend in the Premier League.

Manchester United suffer one of their most humiliating defeats in years, crashing out of the Carabao Cup on penalties to League Two Grimsby Town - but what does it mean for Ruben Amorim’s future? We also head to St James’ Park with The Times’ Northern sports correspondent Martin Hardy, to unpack Liverpool’s dramatic 3–2 win at Newcastle, and the latest on the Isak saga. Plus, we analyse West Ham’s miserable start under Graham Potter, and what’s going wrong at the London Stadium. Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel break down a chaotic week in English football.

North London’s on top - but can Tottenham’s fast start under Thomas Frank last? Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds showcased their squad depth and a 15-year-old wonderkid, but with this firepower, surely there can be no excuses for Mikel Arteta this season... We also look at Jack Grealish’s dazzling debut in Everton's new home, Chelsea’s mauling of West Ham, and Gregor takes us inside one of the Premier League's newest rivalries dubbed the “El Casico." Alyson Rudd and Peter Rutzler join Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.