A man has been handed a two year restraining order and sentenced to 18 months of community service for stalking Liverpool midfielder Marie Hobinger.

Mangal Dalal, 42, of Hyde Park Gardens in Westminster, London, sent repeated inappropriate and se*ually explicit messages to the 24 year old Austrian international on Instagram between January 27 and February 16, 2025.

Prosecutor David Burns told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Dalal used two accounts to contact Hobinger. He sent pictures of his underwear and messages including: “Please can you f*** me?”, “I want to have babies with you”, and “Have you touched yourself as a pre match routine?” This is absolutely disgusting behavior that has no place in society.

Dalal Attended Liverpool Match After Harassment

The 42 year old travelled to Liverpool’s 4-0 defeat away at Manchester City on February 16, 2025, where he was spotted by a steward who alerted a safety officer. Dalal admitted to stalking when questioned by police and pleaded guilty in court last month.

His defence argued that Dalal suffers from bipolar disorder and had been experiencing a manic episode with psychotic features during the period. They described how Dalal sent Liverpool a statement apologizing to Hobinger, though this hardly excuses such vile conduct.

Hobinger’s Powerful Statement

In her victim statement read out in court, Hobinger said: “I became anxious in the car park at night and would rush inside. I felt uncomfortable and my thoughts were not on my game as much as they should have been. It makes me sad that women’s football is sexualised and disrespected. No woman, no matter what her job is, should have to put up with this type of behaviour.”

Dalal will undergo 25 days of rehabilitation and owes the court £764. He cannot visit Liverpool’s training ground or home stadiums.

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

Liverpool Women have signed winger Aurélie Csillag from SC Freiburg in the January transfer window as the club confirmed on Monday afternoon.

The Swiss international joins Anna Josendal from Hammarby and Martha Thomas on loan from Tottenham in bolstering Gareth Taylor’s struggling side.

The Reds sit bottom of the WSL table with zero wins and just four points from 12 matches. Liverpool have scored only eight goals this season, the second worst total behind Leicester City’s seven. This is frankly embarrassing for a club of Liverpool’s stature and Csillag must deliver immediately.

Impressive Statistics Offer Hope

FBref’s underlying stats paint a picture of a player capable of injecting attacking threat into this beleaguered side. Csillag ranks in the 86th percentile for non penalty expected goals per 90 with 0.45, the 90th percentile for shots with 3.97, and an incredible 93rd percentile for touches in the opposing penalty box with 9.08.

The left winger spent just half a season with Freiburg before her mid season switch, registering three goals and one assist in 13 Frauen Bundesliga matches at a rate of one goal contribution every 117.75 minutes. Prior to Germany, she amassed 16 goals in 49 games across three seasons with FC Basel.

Versatility Key for Taylor’s System

Csillag has shared her willingness to feature either on the wing or as an out and out striker, both options which will come as desperately needed news to Taylor’s outfit. “I come as a striker, as a winger, so I can score goals, I can go in one v one and I can race my opponents. These are my strengths,” she told liverpoolfc.com.

Liverpool need goals urgently if they are to avoid relegation, making Csillag’s arrival absolutely crucial for their survival hopes.

Also read: Liverpool Women Sign Scotland International on Loan From Tottenham Until End of Season as Winless Side Desperately Seek Firepower

Liverpool Women have signed Scotland international Martha Thomas on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season. The experienced forward has played over 50 times for her country and has more than a century of WSL appearances, including spells with West Ham and Manchester United.

Thomas told Liverpoolfc.com: “It’s a really exciting time for me and I’m really excited to be here. I think it’s the right fit, right now in my career. Even though it’s a short loan, I’m really looking forward to be here and help this team climb the table where they deserve to be.”

Liverpool Need Thomas to Deliver Immediately

The signing comes at a crucial time for Liverpool, who remain winless through 12 WSL matches and sit rooted to the bottom of the table. Manager Gareth Taylor desperately needs attacking reinforcements, and Thomas represents a proven goalscorer at this level who should hit the ground running.

Thomas added: “Results are important and that’s how you get points on the table, but you look at Liverpool’s performances they have put in this season, I feel they have put strong performances in.” This is being kind to Liverpool, whose performances have been nowhere near good enough despite what the manager claims about deserving more.

Experienced Forward Must Make Immediate Impact

With over 100 WSL appearances to her name, Thomas brings the kind of experience Liverpool desperately lack in attack. The Scotland international knows what it takes to survive in this league, having fought relegation battles before during her time at West Ham.

Liverpool face a massive relegation scrap with only one team going down this season. They sit bottom with zero wins and time is running out. Thomas needs to deliver goals immediately if the Reds are to have any chance of survival.

Also read: Renee Slegers Signs New Arsenal Contract Until 2029 After Champions League Glory