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Who is Mangal Dalal? Millionaire accused of stalking Marie Hobinger forcing her to hire a bodyguard

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Marie Hobinger

Mangal Dalal, a 42-year-old London resident from Hyde Park Gardens in Westminster, pleaded guilty to stalking Liverpool midfielder Marie Hobinger at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorized stalking charges after Dalal sent the 24-year-old Austria international repeated inappropriate and se*ually explicit messages via Instagram between January 27 and February 16, 2025.

Disturbing Pattern of Messages

Dalal bombarded Hobinger with messages that often contained se*ually explicit content, including his mobile number and postcode. He repeatedly asked the midfielder to visit him and hinted he would attend Liverpool matches specifically to see her.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sarah McInerney described Dalal’s conduct as “intense, continual and totally inappropriate,” stating he “targeted her and treated her as an object that he could use to air his fantasies.”

Pitch-Side Confrontation Forces Action

After blocking Dalal and reporting the messages to Liverpool, Hobinger became increasingly concerned for her safety. The club assigned a safety officer to travel with her to matches as a protective measure.

On February 16, Dalal travelled from London to Manchester City’s Joie Stadium, where Liverpool suffered a 4-0 defeat with Hobinger playing the full 90 minutes. He waited pitch-side at the final whistle before a steward spotted him and alerted Liverpool’s safety officer, who identified Dalal as the stalker before police were called.

Mental Health Defense and Sentencing

When questioned by police, Dalal admitted to stalking Hobinger but claimed he was “mentally unwell” at the time of the offenses. He will be sentenced on January 20, 2026 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he faces potential imprisonment for his criminal behavior.

Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor expressed concern that Hobinger was publicly named as the victim, though the CPS justified the decision by explaining her prominent role in professional football was precisely why she was targeted.

Prosecutors hope publicizing the case will deter similar behavior and encourage other victims to come forward. Hobinger currently remains sidelined after suffering an ACL injury in October, just days before teammate Sophie Roman Haug sustained the same devastating injury.

Also read: Less Than 12 Months Since Joining The Club, Arsenal Full-Back’s Exit Looks Inevitable

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Liverpool Women Sign Swedish International Alice Bergstrom From BK Häcken as First January Addition to Aid Relegation Battle

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Alice Bergstrom

Liverpool Women have completed the signing of Alice Bergstrom from BK Häcken for an undisclosed fee, bringing in the 22 year old Swedish international as their first January addition. The versatile right sided player can operate anywhere from full back to winger and helped Häcken win the Damallsvenskan title in November.

Bergstrom made eight assists and scored three goals last season as she lifted the Swedish top division trophy. She also starred in Europe, starting both legs as Häcken beat Internazionale 1-0 on aggregate in the Europa League last 16 in November.

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Speed, Power and One v Ones

The Swedish international outlined her playing style to Liverpoolfc.com after completing her medical at AXA Melwood Training Centre. “A lot of speed and power, I like to do one v ones and make a lot of crosses into the box. I’ve always played like a winger but this year I’ve played more like a full back so I can play both.”

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Bergstrom earned her first senior Sweden call up for the Nations League bronze medal game against France following her title win with Häcken. She was previously a regular with the Under 23 squad before breaking into the senior setup.

Familiar Faces to Aid Settling In

Liverpool’s Swedish contingent of Cornelia Kapocs and top scorer Beata Olsson will help Bergstrom settle on Merseyside. “They talked so well about Liverpool, the city and the club, it made me more excited to come here. The picture I got is that it’s very friendly and everyone gets along so good, and they’re having a really nice time.”

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Bergstrom will wear the number 25 shirt for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign as Gareth Taylor’s side battle relegation from the WSL. Liverpool sit bottom of the table without a win this season.

Also read: Who is Alice Bergstrom? Swedish Winger Set to Join Liverpool as Taylor Battles Relegation Fight

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Ex-Liverpool Women’s Boss Matt Beard Leaves £150k to Family as Probate Details Emerge After Tragic Death

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Matt Beard

Former Liverpool Women manager Matt Beard left an estate worth around £150,000 to his family following his death earlier this year, according to probate documents now released by the High Court.

Beard, who was 47, died in September 2025 in tragic circumstances. The highly respected coach is survived by his wife Debbie and their three children, Scott, Harry and Ellie.

Probate documents confirm estate value

Court records show Beard’s estate was valued at approximately £152,000, which reduced to around £136,000 after taxes and associated costs. He did not leave a will, meaning the money is expected to pass automatically to his immediate family under UK probate rules.

The documents were signed off by the High Court on December 14 and made public on December 29, 2025. Following his passing, a public fundraiser was also set up to support his family, raising more than £50,000.

Beard was found dead at his home in Deeside, Flintshire, on September 20.

A decorated career in women’s football

Matt Beard managed Liverpool Women across two spells and played a major role in the club’s modern history. He led the team to back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014, establishing Liverpool as a dominant force during the early years of the competition.

He returned to the club in 2021, guiding Liverpool back into the WSL and later securing a fourth-place finish in 2024. Over his career, Beard managed more than 350 games and was named FA WSL Manager of the Season in 2013 and again in 2024.


Tributes from Liverpool and former players

Liverpool paid tribute following his death, describing Beard as “an extremely committed and successful manager” and “a person of real integrity and warmth.”

Former England international Fara Williams, who played under Beard at Liverpool, highlighted his personal impact beyond football. She said he supported players through difficult periods, gave people opportunities when others had written them off, and consistently showed care and belief in those around him.

At his memorial service in October, Beard’s brother Mark described him as a “beautiful soul and a one-in-a-million personality,” while the Women’s Super League credited him with playing an instrumental role in the growth of women’s football in England.

Matt Beard’s legacy remains deeply felt across the women’s game, both for his success on the pitch and the compassion he showed away from it.

Also read: Who is Alice Bergstrom? Swedish Winger Set to Join Liverpool as Taylor Battles Relegation Fight

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Who is Alice Bergstrom? Swedish Winger Set to Join Liverpool as Taylor Battles Relegation Fight

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Alice Bergstrom

Liverpool are close to finalizing their first January signing with Swedish winger Alice Bergstrom from BK Hacken.

All parties have agreed to the deal, which could be confirmed within days. The 22-year-old arrives to bolster Gareth Taylor’s crisis squad fighting relegation after bottoming the WSL following the 9-1 Chelsea demolition.

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Who Is Alice Bergstrom?

Bergstrom is a 22-year-old winger equally comfortable in midfield or right-back. She’s been a Hacken regular since December 2023, scoring 14 goals across 69 appearances. Never capped at senior level for Sweden, she’s youth team experienced but unproven at elite level. She wins the ball, runs channels, provides directness.

Exactly what bottomed-out Liverpool need: pace on the wings, unpredictability, someone to stretch defences. Hacken won the Swedish title this year, and Bergstrom was part of that success.

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Liverpool’s Survival Scramble

Taylor admitted post-Chelsea that retaining top-flight status matters more than immediate impact this window. He’s limited by budget and injuries. He joked about wanting Chelsea’s second XI. That’s not happening. Bergstrom is affordable, available, and hungry. She’ll link with teammates Beata Olsson and Cornelia Kapocs: both Swedish, both settling. Familiarity matters when morale’s shot.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t sexy transfer business. Liverpool don’t have Chelsea’s resources. Taylor’s rebuilding on a budget, which means targeting hungry young talent from lesser leagues rather than established names. Bergstrom fits that profile. Tottenham are pushing for Norwegian Julie Blakstad from Hammarby. Arsenal linked with Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg, also from Hammarby. The Scandinavian pipeline is flowing into the WSL.

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Bergstrom won’t flick a switch. Liverpool’s problems run deeper than one winger. But she’s a start. Taylor needs bodies. He gets one. Whether she stays up with them is another story entirely.

Also read: Rebecca Knaak contract extension: How long is the defender set to stay at Manchester City?

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