How the division's smallest club took a risk, backed their talented head coach, recruited smartly and refined their style

An away clash at Bournemouth might not have been underlined as a major obstacle in Liverpool's pursuit of the Premier League title but Saturday's clash on the south coast suddenly looks anything but a relaxed trip to the seaside.

They will want to stay within their own budget, with regards to transfer fees and salaries, but Bournemouth are a lot more competitive than people realise. They have managed to find really good players along the way anyway and it is why they are in the position they are this season.

PSV Eindhoven's Belgian forward Johan Bakayoko (centre) controls the ball in front of Liverpool's Italian forward Federico Chiesa (right) during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 8, football match between PSV Eindhoven (NED) and Liverpool FC (ENG) at the the Philips Stadion, in Eindhoven, on January 29, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

For now, fans should recognise they are living through the best period in Bournemouth's history - and enjoy the ride.

As far Arne Slot is concerned there iss no such thing as a meaningless match and certainly not in the Champions League. In tonight's final game in the opening section of the Champions League, Liverpool could make it eight wins from eight if they can beat PSV Eindhoven.

After another masterful performance at the weekend, Bournemouth's stunning season is discussed on The Totally Football Show

It's easy to forget that Bournemouth were on the verge of going out of business just 17 years ago. They owed over £2m to the bank, they were in the bottom division, and they were given a 17 point deduction.

Inspirational Andoni Iraola has Bournemouth and their fans rightly dreaming of Europe, says BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty

A record 78,742 international transfers were completed across men's and women's football in 2024, FIFA said in a report published on Thursday.

Current and former officials at the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) say staffers were invited to submit requests to exempt certain programmes from the foreign aid freeze, which President Donald Trump imposed on January 20 and the State Department detailed how to execute on January 24.