Liverpool are back in action in the League Cup tonight as they prepare to play host to Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final.

The Reds have had their focus turned to the Premier League and the Champions League in recent weeks and secured a 2-0 win over in-form Bournemouth in the top-flight in their last match.

Mohamed Salah’s double sealed all three points for the league leaders against the Cherries, to help them bounce back from their 3-2 defeat to PSV in Europe last week.

The Reds are currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League, after that win over Bournemouth, but Arne Slot and his team will be eyeing multiple trophies in the second half of the season.

They still have the Premier League, the League Cup, the Champions League, and the FA Cup trophies to compete for in the next four months.

However, they will need to overcome a deficit against Tottenham Hotspur this evening at Anfield, after they lost the first leg of the semi-final

tie in North London.

What happened in the first leg between Liverpool and Spurs

The only goal of the game was scored by Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall in the 86th minute of the match, to seal a 1-0 win for Ange Postecoglou’s side on the night.

Dominic Solanke made a great run in behind the Liverpool defence and displayed great strength to hold off Ibrahima Konate before laying a pass off to Bergvall, who swept the ball into the bottom corner under pressure from Virgil van Dijk.

1-0 to Tottenham was not an entirely fair reflection of how the game went, however, as both teams had plenty of chances to find the back of the net and failed to do so.

Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool

Tottenham

Liverpool

Possession

40%

60%

Shots

9

14

Shots on target

3

6

Big chances

4

3

Free-kicks

10

8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, both sides had ‘big chances’ to score and only Spurs managed to take one of them, as Liverpool failed to score from 14 shots and three ‘big chances’.

These statistics show that it was an open game that was full of opportunities to test both goalkeepers and Slot may hope for a similar match, albeit with more chances for his side, tonight to make sure that his forwards have the ammunition they need to shine.

With this in mind, the Dutch head coach could ruthlessly ditch Alexis Mac Allister from the starting line-up for this clash with Spurs this evening, in order to bolster his attack.

Why Alexis Mac Allister could be dropped

The Argentina international started in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth last time out and struggled in the middle of the park with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch alongside him.

Mac Allister played the opening 61 minutes of the match and failed to register a shot on target or a ‘big chance’ created, which shows that he did not offer much at the top end of the pitch for the Reds.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man also lost four of his five duels, being dribbled past once, and did not make a single tackle, interception, block, or clearance to help the team out of possession.

These statistics show that Mac Allister endured a frustrating afternoon against the Cherries, as he failed to offer much on or off the ball, and that may have been why Slot decided to remove him from the game with 30 minutes left to play.

Alexis Mac Allister (24/25)

Premier League

EFL Cup

Appearances

22

4

Starts

20

2

Goals

1

0

Assists

3

0

Key passes per game

1.4

1.0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the tempo-controlling midfield star has not offered a big threat in the final third throughout the season in the Premier League or the EFL Cup.

The Argentine whiz, who has averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League, is not in the team to provide a constant stream of goals and assists, hence why he has only managed four goal contributions in 22 top-flight games.

Chalkboard

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However, Liverpool are halfway to being knocked out of the League Cup at the semi-final stage and need goals tonight, which is why he should be ruthlessly ditched in favour of Curtis Jones.

Why Curtis Jones should be unleashed

The 24-year-old star should be unleashed from the start alongside Szoboszlai and Gravenberch for this second-leg clash with Spurs because he has the quality on the ball to make things happen in the final third.

Liverpool need goals, given that they are 1-0 down on aggregate, and Jones could use his ability at the top end of the pitch to carry them to Wembley for the final.

Jones has registered an assist in both of his last two appearances for Liverpool, against Lille and Bournemouth, and that means that he heads into tonight’s game in fine form, whilst Mac Allister struggled last time out against the Cherries.

The Liverpool academy graduate replaced the Argentine maestro at the weekend and went on to assist Salah’s second goal of the game, which was just the latest in a growing pile of goal contributions for him this season.

Curtis Jones (24/25)

Premier League

Champions League

EFL Cup

Starts

10

4

3

Goals

3

0

0

Big chances created

0

3

1

Assists

3

2

1

Pass accuracy

95%

92%

95%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the England international has provided an impressive level of production in front of goal in limited starts across all competitions this season.

Jones, who has been described as “extraordinary” by Micah Richards, has been directly involved in nine goals in 17 appearances, including six in ten Premier League games.

These statistics suggest that the Englishman would be far more likely to make a difference in the final third than Mac Allister against Spurs tonight, which is why Slot should bring him into the starting XI to carry the Reds to Wembley.

Related Liverpool eye "phenomenal" £29m star who Slot admires to replace Robertson

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Posts ByDominic Lund Feb 5, 2025

His ability to score and create goals from a midfield position could help Liverpool score the goals that they need to overcome Tottenham’s one-goal advantage.

The wicketkeeper revealed Matt Renshaw’s return to opening was with an eye on Australia’s future needs

AAP09-Oct-2022

Jimmy Peirson will captain Queensland when Usman Khawaja is on Test duty•Getty Images

Chicago’s Bulls had Michael Jordan lifting the standard and Jimmy Peirson says there’s two men doing the same for Queensland’s Bulls.The in-form wicketkeeper has also revealed the strategic shift designed to catapult team-mate Matt Renshaw back into a baggy green as he continues his own push for a Test debut.Peirson powered to a fifth first-class century in the last two years as the Bulls beat Tasmania by an innings and 172 runs on Saturday to open the Sheffield Shield season.His bright innings on the tricky, newly-laid Allan Border Field square followed an unbeaten 128 for Australia A in a successful chase of 367 in Sri Lanka in June. He scored 67 not out in the first innings of that game, only called into the squad as a late replacement.The state’s youngest-ever Sheffield Shield winning captain when Queensland won the competition in 2018, Peirson is enjoying the presence of Test pair Marnus Labuschagne and regular captain Usman Khawaja to begin their season.Related

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“It’s great having Marnie [Labuschagne] around; you see the problem-solving that goes on while he’s batting, [it] is something I’ve learned from,” he said.Peirson reserved high praise for Test opener Khawaja and Australia’s No.3 Labuschagne, who scored 72 and 127 respectively in Brisbane last week.”It just sets good standards, you see how they go about their business and see that’s the level you need to be at to play Test cricket,” he said. “As team-mates we want to be rising to that level. I know when [Michael] Jordan played basketball he spoke about bringing guys along with him, and those guys do that for us.”While Peirson has been piling on the runs Alex Carey has been making the Test spot his own.”There’s a lot of keepers doing the job at the moment in Australia; all you can do is worry about your own backyard,” Peirson said of the fight for higher honours. “Kez [Carey] has done a really good job, especially in the subcontinent. He’s earned his position, but there’s no doubt everyone wants that position.”Peirson isn’t the only Queensland player pushing his case with former Test opener Renshaw and fast bowler Mark Steketee, who had a hat-trick ball dropped in the slips on Saturday, making claims.Khawaja had pushed long-term opener Renshaw into the middle order when the veteran forced his way back into the Test fold. Now cemented at the top of Australia’s order, Khawaja slid himself back down to No. 4 for Queensland’s season opener so Renshaw could face the new ball.”Matty has earned his way back up into the opening role with national selectors hopefully looking at him as a future opener for Australia,” Peirson said of the surprise move. “We’re fortunate [to have top-order depth] and Uz is at the point in his career where he scores runs wherever he bats.”

Lozano last featured for the Mexican national team in March 2024 during the CONCACAF Nations League

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• He has earned 70 caps and scored 18 goals

• Lozano’s emotional connection to Pachuca remains strong

• He played 149 matches, found the net 43 times with Tuzos

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hirving “Chucky” Lozano hasn’t ruled out a potential reunion with Pachuca this summer, as the Mexican side prepares to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. Currently playing for San Diego FC in the MLS, the Mexican winger made it clear that if his club allows it, he’d gladly don the jersey of the team where his professional journey began.

  “For me, the most important thing is to speak with my current club. If they’re supportive, I’d be happy to go,” Lozano said of playing in the CWC. “But if not, I’ll stay focused on my responsibilities here, keep improving, and be ready for the matches we have coming up.”

  The 2025 edition of the Club World Cup marks a historic shift, featuring 32 teams with group stages and knockout rounds. As part of the updated rules, each participating club is allowed to reinforce their squad with up to six additional players. This opens the door for in-form stars such as Lozano, James Rodríguez, and Alexis Vega – whose clubs didn’t qualify – to potentially join competing teams as reinforcements.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lozano’s emotional connection to Pachuca remains strong. It’s where he took his first steps as a professional footballer, and the idea of returning, even temporarily, holds sentimental value.

  “It’s the club that gave me everything,” he’s said in the past.

  Still, despite the allure of returning to his roots, Lozano’s main objective this summer lies with . He hopes to be included in Mexico’s squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament he values.

  “Honestly, either opportunity would be incredible,” he admitted. “But I’ve always dreamed of wearing the national team jersey. If I’m called up to the Gold Cup, I’ll be thrilled. And if not, and Pachuca gives me a shot at the Club World Cup, I’d embrace it with the same passion.”

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  WHAT HIRVING LOZANO SAID

  The San Diego FC forward didn’t hide his disappointment over being left out of Mexico’s squad for the 2024 Copa América, a decision made under current national team manager Jaime Lozano.

  "Honestly, I didn’t like not being called up for the Copa América,” Chucky admitted. “At that time, just a year ago, I had won the league in Italy, then moved to the Netherlands and won the league there too. I’m the only Mexican player to be a champion in different European countries. So, tell me – how could I not be upset about missing that tournament?”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Lozano last featured for the Mexican national team in March 2024 during the CONCACAF Nations League. He came off the bench in the semifinal against Panama and started in the final, playing all 90 minutes in the loss to the United States. Since then, the winger has been absent from El Tri’s setup, missing a total of 11 matches – six international friendlies, all three group stage games of the 2024 Copa América, and the Nations League quarterfinals.

  Despite that recent gap, Lozano remains a key figure in the national team’s recent history. Over the course of his international career, he has earned 70 caps and scored 18 goals.

18.1: Haris Rauf to Hardik, 1 run
Length ball angling into the corridor, sits deep in his crease and flat-bats it along the ground to deep midwicket18.2: Haris Rauf to Kohli, 1 run
Length ball outside off, slapped on the bounce to deep cover point18.3: Haris Rauf to Hardik, no run
Extra bounce. Short outside off, and the ball beats Hardik’s attempted uppercut18.4: Haris Rauf to Hardik, 1 run
Hard length., angling into the body. Can’t pull that, just manages to send it dribbling towards long-on off the sticker of the bat18.5: Haris Rauf to Kohli, SIX runs
Okay, wow. Has Kohli ever played a better shot in T20 cricket? Length ball, finishing around bail-high, and Kohli punches it with an almost straight bat, straight back over the bowler’s head. Swivels through the hip a little as he does so, a la Jos Buttler, and it easily carries over the rope18.6: Haris Rauf to Kohli, SIX runs
Fullish, angling into leg stump, and Kohli has caused the MCG to explode into pure noise. A flick of the wrists, and the ball sails over the boundary to the left of fine leg. Wow!Fifteen off that over. Twelve off those last two balls. And it comes down to 16 off this final over, with Mohammad Nawaz to bowl. What an incredible game this has been. What an innings Virat Kohli has played.Mohammad Rizwan is standing back to the spinner! Deep extra-cover, long-off, long-on, cow corner, deep square leg are back.19.1: Nawaz to Hardik, OUT
Got him, what a strike for Pakistan! Flat, speared into the pads, and Hardik loses his shape completely as he tries to slog this over the leg side. Edges it, and the ball balloons to the fielder at cover pointAnd with the new T20I rules in place, it’ll be Dinesh Karthik on strike and not Kohli, even though the batters crossed over. DK isn’t the greatest of starters against spin, usually…19.2: Nawaz to Karthik, 1 run
Down the track, and he gets a full-toss that’s chest-high when he meets it. Would it have been as high if he was standing in his normal position? Probably not. Swatted down to long-onKohli on strike. Fifteen to win off four balls. Fourteen to tie. Nawaz is basically bowling left-arm medium.19.3: Nawaz to Kohli, 2 runs
They need a boundary every ball, almost, but they only get two here. Very full, almost a wide yorker, and Kohli drags it down to long-on, all along the ground19.4: Nawaz to Kohli, (no ball) SIX runs
Full-toss, full-toss, and it’s gone for six!!!! It’s only just gone for six, but it’s gone for six nonetheless! On off stump, and it’s a fairly high full-toss too – it’s been called no-ball!!! – and Kohli swats it away over the leg side. Deep square leg leaps to his right, gets a hand to the ball to try and flap it back into play, but it still lands beyond the ropeBabar’s having a heated discussion with the umpires. Was that above waist height? Tight call, I would think.Suddenly, India need 6 off 3. Such a massive difference from 13 off 3.19.4: Nawaz to Kohli, 1 wide
Now he bowls a wide! All the pressure is on the poor bowler, and he looks to keep it away from Kohli’s reach, but ends up spearing his wide yorker beyond the off-side tramline19.4: Nawaz to Kohli, 3 byes
Bowled him, but it’s a free hit! And they run three by the time the throw comes in from the third man region!!! Full, angling into off stump, and Kohli misses his attempted sweep. But he knows it’s a free-hit, and he sets off at full pace, as does DK. The ball rolls between the keeper and short third, and they pick up three byesPhew. It’s down to two off two now, with DK on strike. Absolutely incredible scenes at the G. Do Pakistan bring their fielders in to crowd the ring? Nope, just four inside the circle. Keeper comes back up to the stumps.19.5: Nawaz to Karthik, OUT
Got him, a stumping off the pads!!! Goes flat, angling down leg, following DK’s movement to make room. Looks to sweep, and the ball dribbles off the pad behind the wicket. And Rizwan is alert to the fact that DK has stumbled out of his crease. What a moment. Rizwan is well down the leg side when he collects the ball, and he falls to his right to complete the stumpingWhodathunkit. R Ashwin to face the last ball, with two runs needed. One to tie. Still just four inside the circle.19.6: Nawaz to Ashwin, 1 wide
And Nawaz bowls a wide!!!! Expects Ashwin to try and make room, maybe, and sends a flat, quick one well down the leg side. Ashwin just watches it pass him, and the MCG explodes once more!Seven fielders in the circle now.19.6: Nawaz to Ashwin, 1 run
And Ashwin clears one of those infielders!!! What a cool, collected, and elegant finish!!! Full, angling into the stumps, and Ashwin makes a little bit of room and scoops the ball over mid-off. What a finish! What a freaking game!!!Virat Kohli. A few weeks ago, there were people (myself included) asking if he should still be part of India’s T20I line-up. There’s a reason I’m not a coach or a selector. Let’s go back to the seventh over of this innings. India were 31 for 4, and going absolutely nowhere. What followed was a partnership for the ages between Kohli and Hardik Pandya, and when it came down to the finish, when it came down to 28 to win off eight balls, it was Kohli who found the route to the boundary. Two back-to-back sixes off the excellent Haris Rauf, and that put all the pressure on Mohammad Nawaz, whose last over had been held back.

Everton need a new centre-forward. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is injured once again and has hardly been a pillar of strength this season, and Armando Broja’s loan spell is in danger of being severed after the Albanian sustained an ankle injury.

Beto, at least, has found his shooting boots, blasting two shots into the goal as David Moyes recorded his third straight victory in a 4-0 drubbing over Leicester City.

But Beto alone cannot uphold the focal striking role at Goodison Park. Everton are looking to bring someone in before tonight’s transfer deadline, but will The Friedkin Group manage to get the task done?

Everton's search for a striker

Last week, reports surfaced that Nottingham Forest number nine Taiwo Awoniyi is an option for Everton heading into the final stretch of the January transfer window.

We’re now hours away from the window’s closure and the Toffees have still not signed a striker, but time is indeed ticking and Awoniyi could be the man for the job, especially since he’s playing second fiddle in Nuno Espirito Santo’s system.

The 27-year-old has a wealth of Premier League experience and boasts the athletic qualities that Moyes typically covets at centre-forward. A loan deal would surely be put forth but Forest would ideally look to recoup £18m for their forward.

Why Everton want Taiwo Awoniyi

The 33-year-old Chris Wood decided to turn into prime Alan Shearer this season and thus Awoniyi’s playing time at the City Ground has been limited.

Still. He’s an excellent marksman and would bring the physicality and clinical edge that Moyes’ system requires. Having proven his prolific ability in the Premier League, the Nigerian “monster of an athlete” – as he has been described by journalist David Hundeyin – would be the perfect player to jockey with the likes of Beto.

As per FBref, he even ranks among the top 10% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles (1.22) per 90, emphasising a deep-seated tenacity and drive to aid his team across the different phases of a match.

Moyes, to be sure, will relish such a complete and ranged skill set, with such qualities apt to see him take the mantle as Everton’s star striker, surpassing Calvert-Lewin and Beto.

See below Awoniyi’s Premier League metrics since joining Forest from German side Union Berlin for £17.5m in the summer of 2022, enjoying comparative success in front of goal.

Taiwo Awoniyi in the Premier League for NFFC

Season

Apps (starts)

Goals

Assists

24/25

19 (2)

1

0

23/24

20 (12)

6

3

22/23

27 (17)

10

1

Stats via Sofascore

Beto, conversely, has struggled, with his recent two-goal haul against the Foxes raising the previous tally of four from 44 Premier League appearances.

It’s worth noting that Awoniyi has also missed just 16 big chances for the Tricky Trees across his three campaigns, scoring 17 total goals. This is the marker of a high-class goalscorer, converting more than often than squandering his chances.

Transfer Focus

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Last season, Beto only managed to bag three Premier League goals despite missing eight big chances. The Guinea-Bissau international has taken the first steps toward enjoying a purple patch but his Everton history suggests he’s not consistent enough to lead the line over the business months, and Awoniyi could neatly solve the problem.

Related Ndiaye will love him: Everton make late attempt to sign Premier League gem

Everton fans would love for this late signing to happen.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Feb 2, 2025

Celtic bounced back to winning ways on Sunday with a 2-1 win away from Parkhead against Motherwell on the eve of deadline day for the January transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers is looking to bolster his squad before the deadline passes, with Jota the only arrival of the window to date, and another winger is on the agenda.

The Hoops reportedly had an offer of £4.6m rejected for Sarpsborg wide man Sondre Orjasaeter, as his club are looking for a fee closer to £7m for the 21-year-old star.

However, Rodgers should consider spending millions on a different position after another concerning performance from central defender Auston Trusty.

Auston Trusty's performance against Motherwell

Celtic’s left-footed centre-back lined up alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers against Motherwell and made a big error for the equalising goal for the hosts.

The American defender, who had 144 touches in the match, misjudged the flight of the ball and did not adjust his feet in time to make a proper connection with his clearance, which presented Armstrong with a huge chance to score.

Trusty did win three of his three ground duels and five of his seven battles in the air throughout the game, showing great strength against his opponents, but it is hard to ignore another error from the defender.

It is not the first time this season that the former Arsenal and Sheffield United man has let himself down with a mistake at the back, which is why Rodgers must act and dip into the market to improve the competition for places at centre-back.

Why Rodgers should sign another centre-back

Trusty came into the game off the back of the 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday night, a game in which he gave away a penalty for an incredibly clumsy challenge on Ollie Watkins in the second half.

Along with that mistake, and being a part of the 7-0 drubbing by Borussia Dortmund, the American has also made four errors that have directly led to shots or goals for the opposition in just 14 Premiership appearances this season.

For context, Carter-Vickers has only made one such error in 105 Premiership matches for the club to date, which speaks to how much of a liability Trusty has been at times this season and why he could cause more problems in the second half of the campaign if the mistakes continue.

Performance in Numbers

Given that Stephen Welsh has gone out on loan and Rodgers does not appear to trust Maik Nawrocki, who has not made an appearance in the Premiership this season, it could benefit the group to bring in another centre-back who can compete with Carter-Vickers, Trusty, and Liam Scales for a starting spot.

Therefore, with Champions League matches against Bayern Munich to come, Trusty just showed Rodgers that Celtic may need to splash millions on a new central defender on deadline day, which is why the manager must act.

دخل نادي مانشستر سيتي في سباق التعاقد مع أحد أهداف فريق ليفربول السابق، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية القادمة.

وانسحب مانشستر سيتي في وقت سابق من عملية التعاقد مع فلوريان فيرتز لاعب باير ليفركوزن الألماني، نظرًا لتكلفة الصفقة المرتفعة، مع اقتراب اللاعب من الانضمام إلى صفوف ليفربول.

ويسعى المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، إلى إجراء تعزيزات جديدة في الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل، بهدف استعادة المنافسة على لقبي دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في الموسم الجديد.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ريو فيرديناند يختار أفضل 7 لاعبين في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح وعمر مرموش

وأشارت صحيفة “تيليجراف” الإنجليزية إلى أن مانشستر سيتي قد انضم إلى سباق التوقيع مع لاعب ليون، ريان شرقي، في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية القادمة.

وكان شرقي أحد أبرز اهتمامات ليفربول وذلك قبل أن يحرز الريدز خطوات متقدمة حول التعاقد مع الدولي الألماني فلوريان فيرتز.

وتابعت الصحيفة أن ريان شرقي قد أبدى رغبته في الرحيل عن ليون بنهاية الموسم الجاري، والانتقال إلى الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويمتلك الفرنسي ذات الأصول الجزائرية شرطاً جزائياً في عقده مع ليون، بقيمة تتراوح بين 20 إلى 25 مليون جنيه إسترليني.

ويرى بيب جوارديولا أن ريان شرقي، قادر على اللاعب في مركز صانع الألعاب لتعويض رحيل أسطورة الفريق، كيفين دي بروين.

وخاض شرقي هذا العام 44 مباراة مع فريقه ليون في جميع المسابقات، حيث أحرز 12 هدفاً وصنع 20 هدفاً طوال الموسم.

Whilst competing for another yet another promotion, Wrexham have reportedly already turned their attention towards the summer transfer window and one particular forward.

Wrexham transfer news

By this stage, many believed that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney would be long gone after a failed project. Almost four later and two promotions later, however, and the Welsh side are competing for yet another promotion to the Championship and stealing even more headlines on the transfer front.

Using their Hollywood fame once again, Wrexham welcomed their latest impressive recruit in Jay Rodriguez at the end of the January transfer window, with the former Premier League forward swapping Burnley for League One in a shock move.

Speaking to the club website, Rodriguez expressed his delight over the move, saying: “I’m made up to join the Club. I can’t wait to get out on the training pitch and meet everyone.

“I hope I can use my experience to help every single player in the squad and gain something from the group as well. To join the story that has evolved at Wrexham with clear targets is exciting for me.”

Meanwhile, as an experienced forward arrives, a rising star could follow in his footsteps. According to Football Insider, Wrexham are now battling to sign Oliver Lynch who’s enjoyed an impressive season on loan from Luton Town at National League South side Hemel Hempstead.

Scoring four goals in five games, the 19-year-old reportedly attracted the attention of Wrexham’s scouts who were sent to watch him in action alongside the likes of West Bromwich Albion. At 6’5 and in the mood for goals, Lynch is undoubtedly one to watch in the coming months.

"Unbelievable" Lynch could become Mullin heir

As impressive as Wrexham’s arrivals have been in recent years, the likes of Steven Fletcher, Rodriguez and Paul Mullin are not getting any younger. In fact, all are in their 30s – highlighting the need for younger, fresher faces in Wales. And that’s where Lynch could come in.

Following such impressive form at Hemel Hempstead, the teenager has earned deserved praise from manager Lee Allinson, who told Hemel Today after watching his forward score in a recent victory over Farnborough Town: “We do our due diligence on players and Lynchy was one I kept my eye on after I’d faced him with Hendon against Dulwich.

“I like him, he’s a handful and I thought he was immense today and him and Joe [Iaciofano] worked tirelessly to give people a moment’s rest. He also scored an unbelievable goal and could have had another one just before half-time as well.”

Whilst it would be easy to rule a League One side out of the race to sign a young forward who’s attracting interest from the Championship’s top six, Wrexham are no usual League One side and their power to attract players needs no reiterating around the EFL.

Newcastle have been warned star striker Alexander Isak "belongs at a higher level" and should consider moving to Arsenal or Chelsea.

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• Isak playing starring role for Newcastle
• Has been linked with summer exit
• Gus Poyet thinks it's time for Isak to go

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Isak has enjoyed a brilliant season for Newcastle and has lifted his first piece of silverware with the club after helping fire the Magpies to victory in the Carabao Cup. The Swede has also netted 21 goals in 30 Premier League games which has led to speculation he will be targeted by Premier League rivals such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Newcastle are believed to value Isak at around £120 million which would make any summer deal extremely difficult for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. However, Blues star Gus Poyet believes the striker should look for a summer exit as he deserves to be playing at a higher level.

• WHAT POYET SAID

  Poyet told : "With all due respect to Newcastle, Alexander Isak belongs at a higher level. He will be on the radar of every big club in the world, there are many opportunities for him if he wants to leave the club. I love him as a player, as he just gets on with his job and performs week in, week out for Newcastle and that’s why he has the interest of so many big sides. He can go anywhere, you look at a team like Arsenal, they will be on the lookout for a centre forward, he would be a brilliant option for them. I’m biased, of course, but I would love to see at Chelsea. I have known him since his time at Real Sociedad – his characteristics, his movement and his finishing is sublime. He is brilliant and is exactly what the club needs. You could say this about any club in world football though, as he is one of the best around."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ISAK

  Isak's future is likely to make plenty of headlines over the summer, but in the meantime he will be hoping to secure Champions League football for Newcastle next season. The Magpies currently sit in fourth place in the table and take on Ipswich Town next on Saturday.

After a camp in Kandy, Shanaka’s team is reaching Australia well in advance to work on skills and plans specific to the conditions on offer

Madushka Balasuriya01-Oct-2022Roughly around this time last year, Dasun Shanaka was gallantly bigging up his side’s chances at the T20 World Cup – though, in reality, it was a sentiment borne more out of hope than any real confidence. “If our guys perform to their strengths I feel they can go a long way in this tournament,” he had said back then. It didn’t end too well for them.Just a month and a bit ago, Sri Lanka had been soundly beaten by Afghanistan in the 2022 men’s Asia Cup curtain raiser, and were on the verge of elimination. That story ended on a fairy-tale high. Fast forward to the present, and Shanaka’s words have scarcely changed, yet the sense of belief in them could hardly be more different.Related

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“If we make the right decisions on the day and execute our plans, I’m certain we can come out victorious,” he told a packed media room at the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters on Friday, in the final press interaction prior to the team’s departure to Australia for the 2022 T20 World Cup. “The confidence level is definitely higher [than at the last World Cup], but my concern has always been the process. Even at the last World Cup, I felt we had the talent to at least make the semi-finals. The important thing is your ability to play and deliver on the day.”The Sri Lanka squad is heading out to Australia two weeks before their opening World Cup first-round game against Namibia on October 16. They were at a skills-intensive training camp in Kandy in the last week of September. Both point to the level of preparation this Sri Lanka side is undertaking.This extra game time – crucial time – in Australian conditions can only help. Head coach Chris Silverwood, who could hardly have dreamt of a better start to his term in the job after taking charge some six months ago, outlined how he hoped to use this period to work on skills that would be of particular use in Australia.”With the bowling we’re still working on yorkers, to make sure we can be successful on Australian wickets, to make sure we have the skills to back our plans up,” he said. “We have a couple of warm-up games before the Namibia game. We’ll play match scenarios amongst ourselves before that to make sure we can control the environment that we’re training in.

“Both Lahiru [Kumara] and Dushmantha [Chameera] were a part of our camp, and they both managed to complete their bowling quotas without an issue. I think they’re well prepared ahead of the World Cup”Dasun Shanaka

“We’re actually very specific about what we’re trying to train. For example, we did a Super Over up in Kandy, which is all in good fun, but it highlights where it can be a bit chaotic in the Super Over. It happens very quickly, and we have to make sure we keep a level head.”Then the dimensions of the grounds in Australia – they have some big grounds – we’ll have to learn to cope with them. We have to make sure we get the distance right off the boundary to cut the angles down and get the guys used to doing that.”The first step to building on the Asia Cup success is identifying the areas that still need improvement. Much of Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup win was built on a platform of winning the toss and chasing, and despite setting a total and defending it in the final, it’s not quite in their comfort zone.”There’s always going to be areas to improve – I think setting totals, something we did really well in the final [of the Asia Cup] but something we haven’t done a great deal of,” Silverwood said. “So it’s something we’re going to have to think of.”While success leads to self-belief, it also brings expectation. And after a long time, a Sri Lankan team heads to a major tournament backed by genuine excitement and, whisper it quietly, optimism.”I tend to look at it differently. There are expectations obviously back here at home in Sri Lanka. But I think the energy that we’re gaining off the fans is superb, and I think the boys are feeling it. I think we can use that as a real positive,” Silverwood said. “The fact that everybody’s behind us, the nation is behind us, and we’re out there trying to bring a smile back to everybody’s faces, for me it’s a positive. Something we can use as energy, and something we have used as energy in the dressing room already.”For Shanaka, it’s a matter of resetting from the high of the Asia Cup win and refocusing on the fundamentals that got them there.Chris Silverwood couldn’t have hoped for a better start with the Sri Lanka side•SLC”Winning the Asia Cup was good, but it’s just one tournament,” he said. “We’re not thinking about that anymore, that’s in the past. Because if we keep focusing on that then we can’t look forward and perform as we need to.”In the camp [in Kandy] every player put in a good effort. I was worried that there would be some guys who’d be a bit relaxed after winning the Asia Cup, but it wasn’t like that. Everyone practiced with even more intensity than usual, and I’m confident that we can put in good performances at the World Cup.”Among those present in the camp were fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, who along with the young Dilshan Madushanka make up the quickest trio of fast bowlers Sri Lanka have ever had at a major tournament, with each capable of speeds above 140kph. While the fitness of the first two had been of some concern, Shanaka confirmed the pair had come away from the camp in fine fettle.”Both Lahiru and Dushmantha were a part of our camp, and they both managed to complete their bowling quotas without an issue,” he said. “I think they’re well prepared ahead of the World Cup.”On the whole, the mood in the Sri Lankan camp is understandably as high as it’s been in quite some time, with Silverwood particularly pleased by the camaraderie between players, as well as their willingness to “learn, adapt and try new things”. “I hear a lot of people talking about how together the guys are and you can really feel that from the inside as well.”And it’s that feeling that has made this Sri Lanka side heading out to Australia, while far from the finished article, one that seems to be gradually evolving into something more than the one that went to the UAE both last year and last month.