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Jejum, estádio acanhado, derrota recente na bagagem… O Flamengo encontrará uma série de fatores que podem atrapalhar os seus planos a partir das 19h (de Brasília) desta quinta-feira, no Estádio San Carlos Apoquindo, quando visita o Universidad Católica pela terceira rodada do Grupo H da Libertadores. Um trunfo importante de Paulo Sousa para encaminhar vaga é a volta do quarteto ofensivo composto por Everton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique e Gabigol.

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Bruno Henrique não atua desde o jogo contra o Talleres-ARG, no Maracanã e pela segunda rodada do torneio. O camisa 27 tem vivido com problemas físicos, tanto que o mais recente (tendinopatia constatada por exame no joelho direito) foi o oitavo em menos de um ano. Agora, de volta à lista de relacionados, podeultrapassar até a marca de Zico pelo Fla em Libertadores.

Atualmente, BH está igualado a Galinho em relação aos maiores artilheiros do clube na competição, com 16 gols marcados. O líder é Gabigol, com 21 tentos e que voltará a reeditar a parceria de glórias memoráveis nesta noite.

>Flamengo defende invencibilidade histórica como visitante na Libertadores

Quanto ao quarteto, desde o confronto diante dos argentinos, são três jogos consecutivos sem que o Mister possa escalá-lo (contra São Paulo, Palmeiras e Athletico, todos pelo Brasileiro).

Com Everton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique e Gabigol iniciando uma partida, o Fla sempre viu gol de um dos integrantes e ainda não perdeu com Paulo Sousa, que terá outra oportunidade, seja para iniciar ou no decorrer do duelo em Santiago, para entrosar os principais talentos rubro-negros na fase ofensiva do time.O retrospecto é o seguinte:

– Atlético-MG 2(8)x(7)2 Flamengo (Supercopa do Brasil)
Gols: Gabigol e Bruno Henrique

– Flamengo 2×1 Vasco (10ª rodada do Carioca)
Gols: Filipe Luís e Willian Arão

– Vasco 0x1 Flamengo (Ida da semifinal do Carioca)
Gol: Gabigol

PARA FINDAR O JEJUM E ENCAMINHAR VAGA

O Flamengo terá que superar o Estádio San Carlos de Apoquindo se quiser alcançar um feito inédito: vencer o time chileno no palco localizado em Las Condes.Por lá, jogou quatro vezes. Só venceu no estádio uma única vez, porém, curiosamente, o rival não era a Universidad Católica, mas, sim, o Palestino – pela Sul-Americana de 2017.

Os três jogos contra a Católica noSan Carlos de Apoquindo, cuja capacidade é de 18 mil torcedores, terminaram com derrota para o Flamengo (veja aqui). E Arão, que estava no último revés (2017), citou as dificuldades que o Rubro-Negro irá se deparar:

– Obviamente, são dois times e momentos completamente diferentes. Dá para lembrar que é um caldeirão, muito difícil jogar lá, historicamente. Que eu me lembre, fizemos uma boa partida, mas levamos um gol de bola parada, marcado pelo Santiago Silva (1×0). O que a gente espera é mais uma partida difícil e dura de Libertadores, mas temos condições de apresentar um bom futebol lá e sair vencedor – disse o camisa 5.

> Veja a tabela da Libertadores

Caso o Flamengo vença, chegará a nove pontos, se isolará na liderança do Grupo H e, de quebra, pode repetir 2021 e encaminhar vaga nas oitavas antes mesmo de iniciar o returno:

-Mais um jogo difícil, importantíssimo, três pontos já encaminham e nos dão uma tranquilidade muito grande para a sequência da Libertadores. A gente pôde treinar, corrigir algumas coisas e esperamos apresentar um bom futebol, além de fazer os três pontos para encaminhar classificação – completou Arão.

Liverpool have reportedly made a £41m bid for the services of a Champions League winner who has been called a “one-man army in midfield” in the past ahead of rivals Manchester City.

Liverpool eyeing midfield reinforcements

The Reds pushed hard to complete the signing of Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window, seeing him as a perfect deep-lying option to add to their midfield. The Spaniard ended up remaining at his current club, however, and no reinforcements arrived in that area of the pitch.

Thankfully for Liverpool, their current midfielders have excelled this season, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister particularly superb as a double pivot. Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have also shone, though, bringing different qualities to the No.10 role.

Despite this, Liverpool continue to be linked with additions in the middle of the park, with Zubimendi still reportedly being looked at, despite potential frustration at him turning them down last year.

VfB Stuttgart star Enzo Millot would be a long-term midfield option for the Reds, with the 22-year-old already becoming a key player for the Bundesliga side, bagging six goal contributions (four goals and two assists) in 12 starts in the league so far this season.

Liverpool make £41m offer for midfield ace

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool have tabled a £41m offer for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, as they look to beat Manchester City to his services.

An initial payment of £29m is mooted in the report, with the remainder of the fee being paid next season, as the Reds look to become even more dominant in the middle of the park.

Tchouameni was constantly linked with a move to Liverpool back in 2022, at a time when the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were ageing figures, but he opted to move from Monaco to Madrid instead.

With the 24-year-old has enjoyed a great period of success at the Santiago Bernabeu, including winning the Champions League last season, he hasn’t always been a key starter under Carlo Ancelotti, and could therefore like the idea of a fresh challenge.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded him during his time at Monaco, hailing him as “one-man army in midfield”, summing up his dominant nature, while Paul Pogba has also heaped praise on him, saying: “It was a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.”

There is an argument to say that Liverpool don’t need reinforcements, given the level of quality on show this season, but an expert in the No.6 position could still be ideal, giving Arne Slot a different type of player to the likes of Gravenberch and Mac Allister, who are perhaps a little more naturally attack-minded.

As bad as Alexander-Arnold: Slot must axe 5/10 Liverpool dud after Man Utd

Arne Slot’s Liverpool dropped points against Manchester United, with numerous players failing to impress.

ByEthan Lamb Jan 5, 2025

To pip City to Tchouameni’s signature would be an added bonus, too, strengthening themselves while thwarting their rivals at the same time.

Unbeaten 37 helps side to 177-run lead over Worcestershire

ECB Reporters Network12-Jul-2022Middlesex 188 and 180 for 6 (Hollman 37*, Pennington 3-37) lead Worcestershire 191 (Barnard 69, Roland-Jones 4-60) by 177 runsLuke Hollman’s unbeaten knock of 37 tilted a see-saw contest fractionally in Middlesex’s favour as they built a 177-run advantage against Worcestershire in their LV= Insurance County Championship match at Merchant Taylors’ School.Hollman – who top-scored with 62 in the first innings – shored up the lower order after Dillon Pennington’s three wickets had reduced his side to 139 for 6 second time around, extending that total by a further 41 at stumps.It sets up the prospect of an enticing finish on day three after Worcestershire had posted 191 to secure a wafer-thin three-run lead in their first innings, built around Ed Barnard’s undefeated 69.Toby Roland-Jones, who finished with figures of 4 for 60, then played a valuable role with the bat, keeping Hollman company at the crease until bad light brought play to a close.Resuming 88 behind, Worcestershire’s sixth-wicket pair progressed steadily through the opening half-hour and extended the partnership to 71 before a diving catch by Sam Robson in the slips accounted for Gareth Roderick (30).When Tim Murtagh had Joe Leach caught behind in the next over, the visitors still faced a deficit of 61 – but that was all but wiped out by Josh Baker, who dispatched Murtagh for consecutive cover boundaries and continued to go for his shots.Baker’s knock of 36 included six fours, with Roland-Jones also taking some punishment before he eventually had his man caught at midwicket by Jack Davies.Davies darted in to take a far trickier catch and remove Charlie Morris in Roland-Jones’ next over as the seamer quickly mopped up the Worcestershire tail by taking out Pennington’s off stump.Mark Stoneman restored Middlesex’s lead with the first ball of their second innings, nudging Leach to the boundary but his opening partnership with Sam Robson developed into a gritty one either side of lunch.Robson cut Barnard for four to lift the stand past 50, but Pennington immediately pegged Middlesex back with a double strike as Stoneman (27) top-edged a hook to long leg and Davies, fending one off to point, departed for a second-ball duck.Robson (35) eventually fell to a stunning return catch by Leach, flinging himself to his left to pull off a one-handed grab, while Baker removed Max Holden just before tea with a delivery that turned sharply to hit off stump.John Simpson announced his arrival at the crease by smashing Baker to the fence twice in succession, but the spinner returned after tea to trap Robbie White – who had battled hard for his 37 – leg before.Pennington prised out Simpson, taken low in the slips for a belligerent 26, before Hollman and Roland-Jones dug in to maintain Middlesex’s hopes of setting their opponents a tricky target in excess of 200.

India will keep a close eye on the bowling workload of Hardik Pandya, who is set to play his first ODI in nearly a year

Ashish Pant11-Jul-20223:14

Giles: ‘Teams need to start thinking about the 50-over World Cup’

Big pictureIf the three T20Is were any indication, the ODI series promises to be a thrill-a-minute ride. England have built a reputation of going hard from the get-go in both white-ball formats, and India, who have traditionally been known to build their innings methodically before going big in the death overs, also took the all-out aggressive route in the T20I series. Whether or not they continue with this approach in the ODIs remains to be seen, but conditions should assist quick run-getting, with surfaces at The Oval usually among the flatter ones in England.Both sides head into the series on the back of excellent ODI track records. England have lost just one of their last 10 ODIs and are fresh from amassing the highest ODI total in history against Netherlands. India, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 games in the format, which includes a 3-0 sweep of West Indies at home earlier this year.The last time India came to The Oval, they took a 2-1 lead in the Test series last year with Rohit Sharma scoring 127 in the second innings. Rohit will hope to create more happy memories here, as will his likely opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, who in five ODIs at this venue has scored 443 runs at an average of 110.75, with three centuries and a fifty. In a squad that is otherwise full of young up-and-comers who have also been in and around the T20 set-up, Dhawan is an established name who remains an important cog in India’s 50-overs plans.Jos Buttler’s T20I captaincy debut did not quite go as planned, but with Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root back, England’s batting line-up will be at full strength in the ODIs. But the bowling looks a little thin, particularly in the spin department. Matt Parkinson wasn’t at his best in the T20I series, nor was Moeen Ali, and Livingstone’s mix of offspin and legspin was carted for 74 runs in his five overs across the three games. If the ongoing heatwave in the UK causes the pitches to dry out, spin could play a significant role in the series – as could cutters and changes of pace from the quicker bowlers.Form guide England WWWWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
India WWWLLIn the spotlight Hardik Pandya last played an ODI nearly a year ago, and India will keep a close eye on how he manages his workload in the format. Injuries had minimised his bowling output for a significant length of time, but he seems to have turned a corner in the last few months, bowling regularly both in the IPL and in his T20I appearances. Most recently, he played a crucial role in the first T20I against England, taking four wickets and scoring a 33-ball 51. But while he’s shown he can pull of his dual role with aplomb in T20 cricket, can he consistently bowl a full 10-over quota in ODIs?With scores of 0, 4 and 18, Jos Buttler had a T20I series to forget. But the England captain is coming off a superb run in the ODI series against Netherlands, where he made 162* in 70 balls and 86* off 64 balls in his two innings. The moving ball troubled him considerably during the T20I series, but it’s unlikely to be a factor when he resumes his middle-order role in the ODIs.Jos Buttler struggled during the T20Is, but he was in terrific form during England’s most recent ODI series against Netherlands•Getty Images

Team News Suryakumar Yadav’s sensational century in the third T20I could get him the nod over Shreyas Iyer, if India opt for four frontline bowlers and two allrounders. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are likely to lead the pace unit, with a toss-up between Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj for the third seamer’s role. The former is likely to get the nod after a breakthrough series against the West Indies earlier this year. Yuzvendra Chahal will, in all probability, be the lone specialist spinner, with either Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja taking the spin-bowling allrounder’s mantle.India had an optional net session on the eve of the game, with only Ishan Kishan and Shikhar Dhawan as the specialist batters. Kishan had a long net session. Shardul Thakur, Siraj and Shami were the bowlers in attendance.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Prasidh Krishna, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal.England’s batting is set to be at full strength with Bairstow, Root and Stokes back in the white-ball mix. The composition of the seam attack will be an interesting question, with three left-arm quicks in contention in Sam Curran, David Willey and Reece Topley, with Brydon Carse’s extra pace also in the mix.England (probable): 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Joe Root, 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Jos Buttler (capt & wk), 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 David Willey, 10 Brydon Carse/Reece Topley, 11 Matt Parkinson.Pitch and conditions There was a greenish tinge to the surface at The Oval on the eve of the match, but that might not translate to a lot of help for the seamers given the heatwave that’s going around. The temperature is expected to touch the 30-degree mark on the Celsius scale, but batting – and running between the wickets – might become easier later in the evening, under lights. There could be some assistance for the spinners too.Stats and Trivia David Willey and Sam Curran shared nine wickets in the last ODI played at The Oval, against Sri Lanka last year. Joe Root has the most runs at the Oval among active cricketers. He has scored 548 runs in 10 innings here, at an average of 68.50 with five fifties and a ton. Rohit Sharma has seven centuries in 24 ODI innings in England, the most by any visiting batter. He has scored 1335 runs at an average of 66.75 in the country.

حقق نجم فريق مانشستر سيتي، كيفين دي بروين، إنجازًا رائعًا بعدما سجل هدف الفوز في مباراة الأمس ضد ولفرهامبتون في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في خضم منافسات الجولة الخامسة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

ونجح مانشستر سيتي في الفوز على ولفرهامبتون بهدف دون رد، بفضل الذهبي كيفين دي بروين.

وحسبما ذكرت شبكة “سكواكا” العالمية، فإن دي بروين أول لاعب ينجح في الوصول إلى المساهمة رقم 250 تحت قيادة بيب جوارديولا، منذ النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يحبط جماهير مانشستر سيتي بعد الفوز على ولفرهامبتون

وسجل كيفين دي بروين 92 هدفًا وصنع 158 بقميص مانشستر سيتي تحت قيادة بيب جوارديولا في النادي الإنجليزي.

وانضم البلجيكي إلى مانشستر سيتي عام 2015، حيث سجل 16 هدفًا وصنع 13 في موسمه الأول في “الاتحاد” قبل انضمام جوارديولا إلى السكاي بلو.

ويستعد كيفين دي بروين لمغادرة صفوف مانشستر سيتي نهاية الموسم الحالي، بمجرد انتهاء عقده.

Liverpool have four players who are out of contract in the next 12 months, but how many of them will be leaving the club instead of staying on?

The Reds are flying high in the Premier League this season, building a healthy lead at the top of the table after a great first year under Arne Slot so far.

Related Liverpool's most expensive sales of all time

Some great players have departed Anfield for huge money.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Oct 9, 2025

While there is so much for Liverpool supporters to be positive about, there is concern surrounding the futures of a number of players whose contracts expire in the next 12 months.

Here’s who they are…

1 Trent Alexander-Arnold Contract expires: 30th June 2025

Now rightly seen as one of the finest full-backs of his generation, Trent Alexander-Arnold has already achieved so much at the age of just 26.

A Champions League and Premier League winner, Liverpool’s vice-captain has produced extraordinary quality from right-back, racking up 85 assists in the process.

However, his current Reds deal runs out at the end of this season, and it is common knowledge that Real Madrid see him as a perfect long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal.

There is concern from Liverpool supporters that Alexander-Arnold hasn’t openly said he wants to remain at his boyhood club, meaning he naturally feels the most likely of those out of contract in the summer to move on this summer.

To lose him at this point in his career would be a massive blow for the Reds, and he has a huge decision to make in his career, not least in terms of his legacy at Anfield.

If he stays, he will likely be the future captain and be one of the all-time great players in the club’s history, but if he leaves, his reputation will forever be tarnished.

It is easy to see why both outcomes appeal to Alexander-Arnold given how big the lure of Madrid is to many, but a host of Liverpool players have left during this era and quickly fallen away, whether that be Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane or Jordan Henderson, among others. That should act as a warning to him.

Related 5 potential replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold will wave his goodbyes to Liverpool in the summer.

Posts ByBarney Lane Oct 20, 2024 2 Vitezslav Jaros Contract expires: 30th June 2025

The least high-profile of the four Liverpool players who can leave Anfield in 2025 is young goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who has made two appearances this season.

The Czech was thrown on late in the day in the Premier League clash at Crystal Palace in October following an injury to Alisson, doing a solid job.

It is clear that Jaros’ pathway is extremely limited when it comes to getting minutes, not only because Alisson remains arguably the world’s best ‘keeper, but also due to Caoimhin Kelleher being a great backup option.

Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia last summer, and while he has remained on loan there for the 2024/25 campaign, the likelihood is that he will be part of the first team in some form later this year.

This all means that Jaros leaving on a free transfer when his deal expires makes complete sense, allowing him to join a club where he is more likely to feature regularly. It is hard to see him even becoming second-choice any time soon, which is surely not ideal for him.

3 Mohamed Salah Contract expires: 30th June 2025

There arguably hasn’t been a better player in the world this season than Mohamed Salah, who continues to find freakish levels of attacking brilliance.

The Egyptian has been vocal about his Liverpool future in interviews and on social media, continually suggesting that this is his final season at the club.

That said, he has made it clear that he is happy at Anfield, instead hinting that the club haven’t spoken to him enough or offered him the terms that he wants in an extension.

While no player is bigger than the club, Salah has shown this season why he is such an indispensable figure, and there is no reason why he should slow up over the next few years.

He keeps himself in incredible shape, is a true professional and is the type of driven character who will want to be breaking records for many more years to come.

At this point, it would still be a surprise if Salah didn’t sign a new contract, despite his comments, but that’s not to say that it’s a given. Far from it.

Related 5 potential replacements for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool

Mohamed Salah has been linked with a move away from Liverpool, but who could be in line to succeed him at Anfield?

Posts ByBarney Lane Oct 19, 2024 4 Virgil van Dijk Contract expires: 30th June 2025

Virgil van Dijk completes the trio of Liverpool legends whose contracts have dominated the headlines in recent months, as the Dutchman continues to outline his status as one of the best centre-backs of all time.

The 33-year-old has been as good as ever this season, performing at a colossal level and securing the Reds’ defence when they’ve started to creak at the back during games. For all of Salah’s magic, he is the most important player for Slot, and will be moving forward.

Like his Egyptian teammate, Van Dijk isn’t getting any younger, but age is only a number and the Liverpool captain has made it perfectly clear that he still has plenty of years still left in him at the top level.

Out of himself, Alexander-Arnold and Salah, the Netherlands international feels the most likely to sign on without too many issues, even though it is frustrating how late in the day the club have left it. Seeing him depart would be an enormous shock, not to mention a body blow for the Reds.

Liverpool supporters will be split when it comes to who the most important player to tie down is, but it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Van Dijk got the most votes, following seven remarkable years at Anfield. A contract extension is an absolute no-brainer.

Tottenham Hotspur have now held internal talks over a move for a “skilful” English player, according to a report.

Ange Postecoglou facing injury crisis

Tottenham’s squad is depleted as we enter the January transfer window, with Radu Dragusin the only partially fit centre-back available to Ange Postecoglou, who has since said he was forced to play the Romanian in the draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers: “Well we had no choice, if Radu doesn’t play, I don’t know who plays.

“He wasn’t 100%, but he felt he could get through with his ankle. We’ve got no choice unless I throw another 18 or 17-year-old out there. That’s the only fit players we have.”

To make matters worse, Spurs’ injury crisis comes at a time when there is some tricky games on the horizon, so Postecoglou may be forced to enter the market for a new defender in the January transfer window.

Tottenham’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Newcastle United (h)

January 4th

Liverpool (h)

January 8th

Tamworth (a)

January 12th

Arsenal (a)

January 15th

Everton (a)

January 19th

Several players have been linked with moves to N17, but there is now a new target entering the frame, with The Boot Room reporting that AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomari is attracting interest for a move this January.

A number of Premier League clubs are said to be looking at the defender, with Tomori’s name being circled to several different teams as he begins to consider his future at San Siro. Tottenham are said to have discussed a move for the Englishman in the past few weeks, as he has fallen down the pecking order considerably at AC Milan.

The defender has featured for just 11 minutes since October 19th, and he is beginning to become unhappy with his game time, which could potentially lead to a move elsewhere. However, the 27-year-old’s situation could change in the near future, as new manager Sergio Conceicao may decide to reintroduce him to the starting XI.

Tottenham open talks over move for "excellent" £25m defender this month

Ange Postecoglou is keen to bolster his backline.

ByDominic Lund Jan 1, 2025 Tomori could be a solid addition for Spurs

Although the former Chelsea man has struggled for game time this season, he has enjoyed a successful spell with MIlan, making a minimum of 25 Serie A appearances in each of his last three seasons. Milan legend Franco Baresi clearly rates the Canada-born defender very highly, having described him as “skilful” in the past, while also praising him for his “great physical attributes.”

Previous reports have stated that Milan would be willing to sanction the £72k-per-week centre-back’s departure for a fee in the region of £21m this month, potentially making him an affordable option for Tottenham, should they decide to pursue a deal.

It is clear that Spurs will need to bring in a new centre-back in the near future, given the ongoing injury crisis at the club which risks derailing their season even further, and Tomori could be a solid addition to the squad.

Liverpool were supposed to collapse when Jurgen Klopp left. Like a house of cards. Rivals wanted the Reds cast back into the depths of mediocrity after their prosperous period. Liverpool had had their heyday, and it was time for some new blood to challenge indomitable Manchester City.

How wrong they were. To be fair, Liverpool’s own fanbase has been flummoxed by the ridiculous football being played under Arne Slot’s management. Four points clear at the pole of the Premier League at Christmas – and with a game in hand too.

Tottenham Hotspur have been hailed for their entertaining football. Ange Postecoglou knows how to raise the volume from the dugout. The problem for those of a Spurs persuasion is he doesn’t really control which area of the crowd that noise will come from.

Liverpool pounced on Tottenham’s chaos and won 6-3 on Sunday afternoon. It was beautiful, beguiling, brilliant. The forwards were in full swing.

Mohamed Salah was the main man – no surprises there – but Luis Diaz returned to Premier League form brilliantly with a two-goal performance down N17.

Luis Diaz's striking success

Diaz, 27, assumed the centre-forward spot at Tottenham with Diogo Jota being managed after a long injury and Darwin Nunez’s inconsistency convincing Slot that he needed to be benched.

Diaz isn’t a natural striker but his movements and trickiness make him a slippery customer with Cody Gakpo and Salah flanking. If you can only say one thing for Slot, you’d have to praise his tactical brilliance.

As per Sofascore, Diaz complemented his two-goal return with two key passes and success in his one attempted dribble. He’s dynamic and difficult to defend against, but not the solution at number nine in the long run.

Liverpool eyeing new forward

Liverpool will need to consider a new striker in several months, for Nunez has only scored four goals across 22 outings in 2024/25 and Jota, as stated, cannot be trusted on the fitness front.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per Football Insider, FSG have found their dream solution in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro. The 23-year-old has been excellent since arriving on the south coast in 2023 and is also catching Arsenal’s eye.

Liverpool’s recruitment team are understood to have discussed Joao Pedro in recent transfer conversations, and it may well be that he is right at the top of the shopping list, with a bid now being plotted.

However, the Seagulls are no pushovers and will look to collect £60m for their talisman’s departure, but on the basis of the evidence, his arrival would be worth the financial blow.

Why Joao Pedro could be better than Luis Diaz

Diaz is wonderfully electric, but the problem with his energy is that it can’t be channelled into something fluent and even. Instead, it’s bumpy and slanted, leaving Liverpool with a world-class talent prone to lapses.

Before his north London brace, the Colombian had gone three months – ten fixtures – since a top-flight goal, but then with 11 strikes from 23 matches across all competitions, he’s hardly flattering to deceive.

Even so, Brighton’s South American star has the quality to take his place when the time comes. Indeed, Diaz’s tentative contract discussions with Liverpool over a new contract have reportedly provided no fruit so far, with the respective parties believed to have ‘disagreements’.

Barcelona are long-time admirers and it feels like next summer could be the perfect time to cash in while the 27-year-old’s stock is high.

Joao Pedro must be his replacement, already a potent force. As per FBref, Joao Pedro ranks among the top 11% of Premier League forwards this season for goals scored, the top 16% for assists and the top 12% for aerial battles won per 90, emphasising not only his potency but his physicality too.

He’s scored four goals and assisted three more from just 11 Premier League games (nine starts). Last season, he notched 20 strikes from 44 matches across all competitions, impressing after his £30m transfer from Watford.

Diaz is a showman, one of the league’s great entertainers, but Pedro also carries that special something that raises roofs. He has recently been described as a “really magical” player by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard.

The fact is that Pedro is already producing performances that carry underlying data that outdoes that of Diaz. Liverpool’s winger slash forward doesn’t actually produce the highest output concerning his ball-carrying and ball-playing, hitting a similar vein of creativity and failing to match Brighton’s man in terms of combativeness and defensive strength.

Let’s not forget that the Brighton attacker is only 23, and while he would cost a pretty penny to bring to Anfield, Liverpool would be investing in a talent capable of hitting stratospheric heights across the seasons to come.

Ultimately, Liverpool are going to need to address their problem at number nine, with Nunez unable to prove his composure and clinical edge thus far and Diaz probably not the long-term solution.

Diaz is a first-rate player, but he’s prone to blips and is most naturally effective as a left winger anyway.

In Pedro, Liverpool would secure an upgrade in the striker’s seat while bolstering their left flank too, given that the Brazilian has played ample football on the wing.

Slot has taken Klopp’s gifted group of players and sharpened them to a fine attacking point. Brighton’s main man would only go from strength to strength on Merseyside, and FSG need to make it happen.

Liverpool lining up "monster" £178k-p/w Robertson upgrade

Arne Slot’s high-flying Liverpool side will need to make some repairs in 2025.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 21, 2024

This season was supposed to be a campaign in which Ange Postecoglou ironed out the mistakes of his swashbuckling Tottenham Hotspur side and led them to a trophy of some kind.

Instead, the Australian has seen his team maintain their entertaining style of play, but if anything, become even more inconsistent and, thanks to a swathe of injuries combined with poor form, they find themselves in the second half of the Premier League table and desperately searching for their next win.

In the manager’s defence, there is still a chance for them to win some silverware this year, but based on their performances over the last few months, that feels like a distinctly distant prospect.

Moreover, one of the team’s best players this season, who has been genuinely brilliant at times, is now supposedly a target for a Champions League giant, and could leave in a move akin to Gareth Bale’s departure in 2013.

Gareth Bale's Spurs departure

Now, when it comes to the best Spurs players of the last 15 to 20 years, most fans might name stars like Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Luka Modrić, but for us, Bale stands above the rest.

The utterly sensational Welshman endured a torrid start to life in North London that included a severe ankle injury and a brutal winless run that saw Sir Alex Ferguson tell Harry Redknapp to drop him, but after a few years and a shift from full-back to winger, he exploded.

Over his first stint with the club, the Cardiff-born superstar made 203 appearances, in which he scored 55 goals and provided 50 assists, but it was in the 12/13 campaign, his final one with the club before moving to Real Madrid, that he cemented himself as a world-class attacker.

In just 44 appearances that year, the Welsh legend scored 26 goals and provided ten assists for the Lilywhites, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.22 games.

Such a rate of return saw Los Blancos spend a world record £85m on him that summer, and he went on to win everything there is to win at club level in Spain.

While fans didn’t begrudge Bale for his decision to leave them for such a giant of the game, it was a move that left them looking for a suitable replacement, which it could be said they never found, and now, based on reports, they could be set to lose another of their best players to a European giant.

The Spurs star who could leave

So, to get straight to the point, the Spurs star who could leave as soon as this month is none other than Dejan Kulusevski.

According to a report from the Italian publication MilanLive, the Swedish international has been in contact with his fellow countryman Zlatan Ibrahimović, who is a senior advisor to the UCL giants and is intent on bringing the 24-year-old to the San Siro this year.

The report has even more bad news for the Tottenham faithful, as it claims that the former Juventus ace is keen on the move as Postecoglou’s side continue to struggle this season.

The Rossoneri are supposedly keen to sign the dynamic attacker on a short-term loan this month before paying a fee in the summer, although Spurs are set to demand at least €50m, which is about £41m.

Now, akin to Bale’s move to Real over a decade ago, this would be a severe blow to the club’s attacking options as the “world-class” international, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has thrived in both midfield and on the wings this season.

Across all competitions this year, the Stockholm-born maestro has made 28 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists, meaning he’s currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.86 games.

Ultimately, if this report is accurate, then this transfer could be just as damaging to the team as Bale’s was in 2013, as while Kulusevski is not quite on the same level as him, he’s arguably just as important to this current Spurs team.

Therefore, Daniel Levy and Co must do what they can to ensure this is a deal that does not happen.

Move over Moore: Spurs chasing £29m ace who will be one of the world's best

The “special” talent could develop into a world-beater with Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 2, 2025

For England, a potential bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games seemed a consolation prize. For New Zealand, it’s “something really special” and the beginning of a “really exciting time” for their women’s team.Sophie Devine shared her delight as her side stunned hosts England to claim the bronze medal at Birmingham 2022, saying that they had defied expectations to win a spot on the podium.Related

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“I think a lot of people probably wouldn’t have expected us to make the semis,” Devine said, “so to be able to take away bronze medal, it probably hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”In cricket it’s usually just first and second and you don’t even play a third-fourth playoff. So it’s a bit unique to be able to take away a bit of, not quite silverware, but jewellery. It’s really special for this group.”New Zealand had lost heavily to England in their last group-stage match on Thursday night before defeat against Australia in the semi-final barely 12 hours before the start of the bronze medal match. Suzie Bates had suggested after the semi-final loss that the lack of turnaround time could benefit New Zealand, with little time to dwell on their disappointment before playing again for a medal. Devine joked at the toss today that she had slept in the changing rooms at Edgbaston overnight.New Zealand picked themselves up and bested the host country in all departments. Nat Sciver, England’s stand-in captain, said: “The way that we played today we probably didn’t deserve to get a medal.” Devine, on the other hand, couldn’t be more proud of how her side rebounded at Edgbaston on Sunday.”I think that shows the resilience in this group to be able to bounce back,” Devine said. “We were disappointed to lose to Australia last night and to be able to turn around in less than 12 hours and come out and put out a performance like that is something I’m really proud of this in group and shows that we’ve got a bit of ticker about us, which I think we can keep growing.”Success in Birmingham has at least partially healed the wounds of New Zealand’s disappointing ODI World Cup campaign on home soil earlier this year, where they finished sixth in the group stage and failed to progress to the knockouts.”We were pining over that World Cup at home. They don’t come around very often at all, potentially once in your lifetime, career-wise,” Devine said. “We were really gutted about that, but I think to be able to come here and represent New Zealand and to be able to take away a medal, that was certainly our aim.”While the experienced heads of Devine and Bates played a huge part in New Zealand’s success at the Games – they sat first and third on the run-scorers chart ahead of the final – this was a youthful New Zealand side that has clinched a spot on the podium. Four players made their T20I debuts in the tournament – Izzy Gaze, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas and Georgia Plimmer.Only two other sides had debutants at the tournament – India (one) and Barbados (six) – and head coach Ben Sawyer praised their impact on the campaign.”The roles that the girls have played – Fran, for her to bowl the first over in every match and to bowl to Danni Wyatt and Alyssa Healy and some of the greats and she had to bowl a big over to Chloe [Tryon] against South Africa, that’s put her under a bit of pressure and she’s responded really well,” Sawyer said.Sophie Devine celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

“Georgia to run at Darcie Brown the other day and Izzy to keep wicket, the three debutantes we’ve had just haven’t made up the numbers, they’ve played really big roles. That’s going to put us in really good shape.”For 18-year-old Jonas, who bowled an excellent spell of 2 for 22 in the bronze-medal match, the overall experience was “unreal”.”I can’t really fathom that we’ve just won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, it’s super exciting,” she said.”It’s been such a good opportunity and a really good experience just to develop my bowling.”The support we had last night in our game [the semi-final] was unreal and just the roar when there are boundaries and stuff, it’s really, really cool. Surreal.”New Zealand will get their moment on the podium alongside India and Australia following the final, but the celebrations had begun swiftly after their victory against England, with group photos, beers on the outfield and a singalong to New Zealand’s own pop superstar Lorde on the balcony.Devine, who is 32 years old and whose international career has spanned almost exactly half her lifetime, assumed the role of “mother hen”.”I think I have to keep an eye on the young ones, because they can be rowdy, and be the old mother hen,” she said. “We’ll certainly celebrate accordingly and spend some real quality time together because we’ve been over here for close to a month now and, amazingly, we’re not sick of each other. It’s just special to be able to spend some time and just reflect on what’s been a pretty awesome couple of weeks.”With a new generation of players coming through and now a medal win, Devine was confident of a bright future for New Zealand.”The really exciting thing is this group is only going to go up,” she said. “They’re obviously bloody young and they remind me about it too. But yeah, it’s a really exciting time for New Zealand cricket and a fantastic result here, but we know that there’s a lot more hard work and hopefully a lot more silverware to come.”As women’s cricket gains more exposure through the Commonwealth Games, along with hopes of its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics and growing professionalism around the world, it’s an exciting time for young female cricketers.”I sort of wish I was Amelia Kerr or Fran Jonas’ age to be able to come through on this but, it’s a hell of lot of hard work that goes with it too,” Devine said. “It’s been built on years and years of female players doing the hard yards, working full-time jobs, and we wouldn’t be where we are today, reaping the rewards, without those females laying the platform and the foundation for us to be here.”So it’s a really proud moment, but we need to acknowledge where we’ve come through. We’ve also got a really long way to go as well. But I think hopefully everyone that’s watched the last couple of weeks sees the value in women’s sport and women’s cricket and I’m really excited to see where women’s cricket can go.”