I was initially tempted to make last week’s disconsolate column feel like the Dalai Lama’s positive thinking app in comparison with this one.

Is Ligue 1 becoming fashionable again? France Football asked its readers in an internet poll last week.

French football packs up for its two-week winter break tomorrow with its flagship clubs in a mini-crisis. The super-rich are no longer having things entirely their own way.

Three-time champions Inter Milan face a battle to get through Europa League Group K after a second successive defeat.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists Mamadou Sakho does not have to regain his trust after a difficult four months but may have a tough time finding his way back into the team.

Zinedine Zidane has hinted that Real Madrid are still interested in signing the Manchester United target Paul Pogba, insisting “anything can happen”.

How much will Ireland’s historic victory affect the way Italy approach their showdown with Spain on Monday?

Every great tournament has its rising stars. Here are ten who could really shine

AC Milan just about managed to avoid a humiliating home defeat to Serie A strugglers FROSINONE yesterday but nevertheless lost their grip on sixth place.

Mario Balotelli has admitted he was never happy at Liverpool and does not want to go back.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reiterated his insistence he is in charge of transfers after predecessor Brendan Rodgers claimed players were forced upon him.

Liverpool may be experiencing something of a crisis in front of goal but manager Jurgen Klopp will not be taking any short cuts to solve it.

Liverpool may be experiencing something of a crisis in front of goal but manager Jurgen Klopp will not be taking any short cuts to solve it.

Manchester City may be the Premier League leaders but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not interested in who is the best in the league – unless it is his own side

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Zlatan! Ronaldo! Messi!

Mario Balotelli watched on as goals from fellow forwards Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano earned AC Milan their first win of the new Serie A season – 2-1 against Empoli.

New Liverpool vice-captain James Milner has had a huge influence on the rest of the squad in the short time since his arrival from Manchester City, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Correct us if we’re wrong here, but isn’t football’s silly season supposed to peter out once the season actually starts? Not so, it seems. Here we are with three games gone in the Premier League and the fluff is still overshadowing the important stuff. It’s almost as if a media that had to rely on the mad and mundane for the off-season finds itself unable to kick the habit.

Mario Balotelli claims manager Brendan Rodgers’ tactics contributed to his woeful spell at Liverpool.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

During the summer transfer window of 2013, Luis Suarez dominated relations between Liverpool and Arsenal as the two clubs fought out a public spat over the player’s future. Two years on, the shadow of the striker still hangs over the Premier League rivals despite having long since moved to Barcelona.

Liverpool 1 Bournemouth 0: Christian Benteke has a long way to go before he seals his place in the pantheon of Liverpool’s legendary strikers but winning the affection of the Kop may come a little easier.

“The first weekend. Everyone’s back with big hopes. Big expectations. You go again. So dream big.”

Emre Can, Liverpool’s utility man last season, is determined to nail down a place in midfield for the coming campaign.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers last night finally captured his number one summer transfer target after striker Christian Benteke completed his £32.5 million (€46.5m) transfer from Aston Villa.

Mario Balotelli risked the wrath of Liverpool fans by tweeting a supportive message to former team-mate Raheem Sterling after his debut goal for Manchester City.

Liverpool are set to trigger Christian Benteke’s £32.5 million (€46.6m) release clause after changing their valuation of the Aston Villa striker.

Raheem Sterling has been included in Liverpool’s 30-man squad for their pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia.

Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool defender Jim Beglin believes Raheem Sterling is doing the team a favour by missing training.

Former Liverpool striker Kevin Keegan believes Brendan Rodgers was misguided in thinking youngster Raheem Sterling could help fill the void left by Luis Suarez.

Ronnie Whelan found himself deep in west Cork yesterday ready to debate the futures of Raheem Sterling and Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool. Topics that seemed pressing until word filtered through of Bill O’Herlihy’s sudden and untimely passing.

After a week in which the general election was the only topic of conversation in England, the red flag is still flying at half-mast for Liverpool despite a hard-earned point against the blues of Chelsea who have already won the Premier League by a huge majority.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is unsure if striker Daniel Sturridge will be fit enough to play again this season.

Boss Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool must win their last five games to reach the Champions League.

ASTON VILLA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: While destiny had apparently pointed to Steven Gerrard seeing out his Liverpool career with an appearance in the FA Cup final, reality intervened and delivered a very different narrative.

Hundreds gather in Glasgow for a vigil, hours after Alexander Pacteau was charged with the murder of Cork student Karen Buckley, University Hospital Galway to open more beds to deal with overcrowding and Ronan O’Gara tips Leinster to beat Toulon. Some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this evening.

Mario Balotelli’s antics tend to land him in the centre of attention. And no one loves dogpiling on those in the limelight more than social media users. Some, however, go too far.

Everton 1 Southampton 0: Everton finally removed any lingering doubt that they will still be competing in the Premier League next season but the talk afterwards was as much about those not playing as the players who secured a third successive league win for the first time in a year.

What's on telly? This stuff.