Reds prepare for summer of change

Six points clear of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three games left, Liverpool should secure Champions League football and deserve some credit for that.

But watch them on a weekly basis and it's clear to see this is a team that is struggling and cannot wait for this campaign to finish.

The injuries have been relentless and that was encapsulated with record signing Alexander Isak absent at Old Trafford and third-choice Freddie Woodman and fourth-choice Armin Pecsi as their two goalkeeping options. slot-chickenroad.org

Mohamed Salah, also ruled out with injury, watched on from the directors' box and how Liverpool could have done with the Egyptian, who has scored more times against Manchester United in the Premier League than anyone else.

Despite the absences, Liverpool would have been aware of the task against Michael Carrick's resurgent outfit and had all week to prepare, yet still delivered a woeful first-half performance.

Once again, they went behind first and despite United's best efforts to gift them a way back into the game and drawing level at 2-2, it was another Liverpool error which helped the hosts secure the three points.

Alexis Mac Allister will know he should have cleared his lines before Kobbie Mainoo's 77th-minute winner.

Arne Slot spoke earlier in the week about this summer representing the start of new cycle. At the bare minimum, he and his players need to ensure that includes Champions League football.

"I wouldn't say I'm concerned [about qualifying] but I am completely aware that we need three points and that is why I am so annoyed we did not get them," said the Dutchman.

"If you are 2-2 and have come back from 2-0 down, you should at least come out with a draw."

Deep down, he will know that regardless of Champions League qualification, Liverpool are in for a summer of change.

No. 1 seed Detroit defeated No. 8 seed Orlando, 116-94, on Sunday in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs first round.

The Pistons won the best-of-seven series, 4-3. Game 7 was contested at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Detroit advances to face No. 4 seed Cleveland in the second round. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. EDT at Little Caesars Arena.

Former Vol Tobias Harris started for the Pistons in Game 7 against Orlando and played 36 minutes. He totaled 30 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block. Harris converted 11-of-18 field goal attempts, 5-of-7 three-point attempts and 3-of-3 free throw attempts.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit in scoring with 32 points. Former Vol Chaz Lanier also played one minute for the Pistons in Game 7, scoring two points.

Harris played for the Vols from 2010-11 under head coach Bruce Pearl. In his one season at Tennessee, he averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 assists per game. Harris was a Second-Team All-SEC performer and a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team. He received Second-Team Freshman All-America honors by the USBWA.

The former Vol was selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft (No. 19 overall) by the Bobcats.

In his NBA career, Harris has played for Milwaukee (2011-13), Orlando (2013-16), Detroit (2016-18, 2024-26), the Clippers (2018-19) and Philadelphia (2019-24).

More: Chaz Lanier makes NBA debut with Detroit

More: Former Vol scores 22 points in NBA playoffs Game 6

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Former Vol scores 30 points in Detroit-Orlando NBA playoffs Game 7

Charlton Athletic's season closed with a familiar mix of frustration and clarity at Swansea City - a game that, in truth, probably meant more to Welshman Nathan Jones than it did to most supporters.

The frustration comes from this - when we abandon our pragmatic approach and try to play more expansively, we become easy to exploit.

The 3-1 defeat brings clarity for Jones. The squad needs a major injection of quality for next season.

Swansea, though, offered a glimpse of what a settled Championship side looks like. Along with Norwich City and Sheffield United, they've proved how misleading early-season struggles can be.

Following the sacking of Alan Sheehan in November, there is now a more progressive emphasis under Vitor Matos.

Swansea play with intent - aggressive pressing, forward-thinking football, and a real threat from the flanks and set-pieces. Charlton knew what was coming - and still couldn't cope.

There were positives. We contained them for 75 minutes, which other teams haven't managed.

Miles Leaburn's equalising header and Conor Coady captaining the side felt fitting - perhaps a final contribution in a loan spell that has brought leadership and standards.

You can see why Jones values Coady so highly. The pair feel aligned in mindset, even if a permanent move looks unlikely.

But once the game opened up, the gulf became clear.

Swansea controlled proceedings, carving through Charlton too easily at times. Their third goal, from a set-piece Charlton had been warned about, summed up the afternoon.

Conceding three times in the final 15 minutes exposed a side that, when stretched, lacks the nous and resilience required at this level.

There's a sense Charlton could have ground out a draw had they stayed compact. Instead, once the shackles came off, Swansea sliced through them like a knife through butter. It was uncomfortable viewing, but perhaps necessary.

Because if this match did anything, it sharpened the picture for Jones. Charlton can compete, frustrate, and pick up results, but to control games, to look like a side that expects to win, requires something more.

A ruthless summer now feels inevitable. Often, the team struggles to keep the ball with authority and pass meaningfully, make right decisions and be consistently clinical in front of goal. These are not small fixes.

The bigger question is whether the club can match Jones' ambition. Can Charlton evolve while living within their means? Or does progress demand greater backing?

Either way, by August, this needs to feel like a different side. Because while this defeat stung, it may yet prove useful - a reminder of exactly where Charlton are, and how far they still have to go.

The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone but the offseason rolls on.

The Buffalo Bills made 10 selections during the draft and have yet to sign those players. On top of that, free agency could pop back up again if the Bills are in the market to maybe more additions this offseason.

With all that work to go, how much salary cap space do the Bills have compared to the rest of the NFL?

According to OverTheCap, here is the salary cap space for all 32 NFL teams right now including the Bills:

32. Dolphins: $1.8M31. Panthers $1.9M30. Chiefs: $5.9M29. Bengals: $7.5M28. Cowboys: $8.2M27. Saints: $10.2M26. Bears: $10.8M25. Steelers: $11.1M24. Jaguars: $11.2M23. Bills: $11.922. Buccaneers: $12.8M21. Texans: $13M20. Vikings: $16.1M19. Giants: $17.8M18. Broncos: $18.8M17. Falcons: $19.1M16. Packers: $20.1M15. Browns: $21.1M14. Lions: $22.6M13. Raiders: $25.8M12. Rams: $25.9M11. Colts: $26.6M10. Ravens: $27.7M9. Eagles: $27.9M8. Seahawks: $32.8M7. Patriots: $35.7M6. Jets: $36M5. Cardinals: $40.1M4. 49ers: $45M3. Chargers: $45.8M2. Commanders: $49.5M1. Titans: $63.1M

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: How much salary cap space do the Bills have following 2026 NFL Draft?

Everton and Moyes Send Clear Tyler Dibling Message

Moyes Raises Standards at Everton

David Moyes has challenged Tyler Dibling to turn promise into proof after a difficult first season at Everton. The 20-year-old arrived from Southampton for £42million last summer after a long pursuit, with the fee reflecting both his potential and the scale of faith placed in him.

Yet Dibling has started only four league games and has played just one minute since January. With Jack Grealish ruled out for the season at the start of the year, Everton hoped Dibling would force his way forward. Moyes now wants sharper work, greater intensity and a response that can carry into next season.

Photo IMAGO

‘He’ll have to do better I think,’ said the boss ahead of the Toffees’ home clash against Manchester City on Monday night.

Work Rate Becomes Key Test

Moyes has made the training ground the starting point. Everton need more from a player signed for serious money, especially with competition increasing.

‘He’ll have to do better in his work and in his training. We brought in Tyrique (George, from Chelsea) who is of a similar age and as competition as well to make sure we were covered.

‘I think Tyrique has done well in the moments he’s had in games and shown some bits that we like, so we want Tyler to step up, we really do.’

Dibling’s background offers context. He spent time at Chelsea in 2022 before returning to Southampton after struggling with homesickness, so another major move, this time to Merseyside, was always likely to test him. Everton have not lost belief, although Moyes made clear that patience must lead somewhere.

‘He’s important to us. He’s a player who we put a lot of faith and money into to bring him here so we are looking for a lot more.

‘That’s why we are not panicking about it, because of his age. We want him to step up, we are hoping that he’ll improve and next year will be a big year for him to see if he can do that.’

Barry Also Under Spotlight

Thierno Barry is facing his own challenge. The Everton striker enjoyed a productive festive spell, then scored only once in his next 11 league appearances. Moyes sees confidence, age and adaptation as part of the picture.

Moyes added: ‘I am saying a general thing here and it is that football supporters are not having much patience with many things. You might not get two or three years to become that player.

‘There is a bigger emphasis on, “We need things now, we are looking for that to happen quickly”. It is not just here at Everton. I think all clubs are the same.

‘He is young as well, first year in the country, at the moment we have four games to go and if he scores a couple of goals you might say it has not been the worst return for a young centre forward.

‘There are a lot of clubs who have paid a lot of money for centre forwards and you wouldn’t say that has been worth it.

‘We took a chance on a young, up-and-coming striker, we tried to get him in quickly and early to see how he was going. He has not done bad. I actually think he is improving as he is going along. First season in the Premier League, it is not that easy.’

Armstrong Offers Positive Sign

While Dibling and Barry seek momentum, Harrison Armstrong represents progress. The Everton midfielder is in talks over a new contract after a fine breakout campaign and a January recall from Preston.

For Moyes, the message is simple. Everton will invest in young talent, support it and protect it, yet standards remain non-negotiable. Dibling still has time. Next season will show whether he can meet the demand.