It was the best of times at Liverpool, for that opening month of action under Arne Slot. But the Reds faced a “reality check” against Nottingham Forest last weekend, said Virgil van Dijk, who lamented his team’s “unacceptable” Anfield defeat in the Premier League.

But there were always going to be peaks and valleys throughout the first phase of the new era, and the fanbase seems to have quickly forgotten that Liverpool stormed into a perfect start prior, thrashing Manchester United at Old Trafford before the international break.

Now, it’s Champions League time. It’s a fantastic time. The perfect time to put things right. Slot’s outfit has jetted off to the global hub of fashion and design in Italy’s vibrant city of Milan, though creativity will be reserved for the field against Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan, who won 4-0 at the weekend in Serie A.

The weekend defeat was a blip, yes, but now we will see what Liverpool are made of. Can they bounce back? Will the Reds return to form and prove to supporters that they have what it takes to succeed in this post-Jurgen Klopp world?

Slot, it would seem, needs to rotate his line-up at the least.

Liverpool team news

Harvey Elliott fractured his foot and will miss out once again for Liverpool in Italy. It’s annoying, as the dynamic young playmaker would have featured tonight and indeed throughout the gruelling run of fixtures ahead.

17/09/24

AC Milan (A)

Champions League

21/09/24

Bournemouth (H)

Premier League

25/09/24

West Ham (H)

Carabao Cup

28/09/24

Wolves (A)

Premier League

02/10/24

Bologna (H)

Champions League

05/10/24

Crystal Palace (A)

Premier League

Liverpool have scarcely made any changes to their starting lineup across the opening four fixtures of the Premier League campaign, so it would be wise for Slot to ring the alterations here, with a Premier League bounceback against Bournemouth on Saturday imperative.

Federico Chiesa will be in the matchday squad for the first time since signing from Juventus in August, but the Dutch boss has admitted that “it would be a surprise” for the Italian to receive a starting berth.

He has, however, shed light on Alexis Mac Allister’s likely role, stating that the influential Argentine will start the affair but might not play the full 90 due to minute management.

This is crucial, and though Ryan Gravenberch will be hoping to reprise his role in a deeper-lying midfield position, Dominik Szoboszlai flattered to deceive against the Tricky Trees and should be dropped for this one.

Why Slot must drop Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai fizzled out last season after starting his Liverpool career with aplomb. There’s been a lot to like about him under Slot’s wing but The Athletic’s James Pearce has branded him as “wasteful” in crucial attacking moments and this is a sentiment that would be echoed by the lion’s share of the fanbase.

He just wasn’t at the races last time out. Slot bemoaned his side’s lack of control and Szoboszlai played into the chaos, losing possession 18 times and committing three fouls, as per Sofascore, which inhibited Liverpool in their (unsuccessful) efforts to assert their authority and dominance.

AC Milan will bring a wholly different test to the table, playing a high-pressing game that will seek to overpower Liverpool’s passing passages. Fonseca has had something of an indifferent start to life at the club after joining this summer but he plays expansively and attractively.

Liverpool have to implement Slot’s plans to the perfect level, and in order to achieve this, Szoboszlai needs to be dropped.

The player to replace Szoboszlai

hailed for his “truly special” skill set by one eagle-eyed analyst, Curtis Jones should step in, with the Scouse-born midfielder boasting the perfect skillset for tonight’s clash.

Jones has endured a frustrating 2024 so far. The 23-year-old entered the field for the final stretch against Nottingham Forest in what was his competitive debut under Slot’s guidance, having been set back by injury throughout August.

He’s perfect for the new Reds style though. Jones would offer far more control and fluency in the middle of the park against a raucous San Siro home side.

As per FBref, Jones ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 7% for progressive carries, the top 8% for successful take-ons, the top 10% for blocks and the top 15% for assists per 90.

He’s robust and technically sound, with a passing game that really highlights his skill and intelligence in shipping through the ball and retaining possession when Liverpool need to slow the tempo down. Think of him as a metronome. It’s no wonder Slot admires him so.

Not only is he an uunerring distributor, but Jones is also athletic and enjoyed bombing forward to stretch lines and shift into the attacking line, as evidenced by his progressing carrying and ability to tae on defenders with the ball.

This would be perfect for Mac Allister, who will sit deeper and dictate Liverpool’s play. The former Brighton star has been quietly spectacular so far this term, completing 88% of his passes in the Premier League and winning 2.3 tackles, 5.3 duels and averaging 5.5 ball recoveries per game.

He does the nitty gritty bits so well, and will prove to enable the prospective success of Jones under the European lights tonight.

Liverpool need to start their Champions League campaign on strong footing, and putting Jones into the starting mix could be key to doing exactly that.

Liverpool man sold by Klopp for just £4.3m is currently outperforming Salah

Liverpool fans will be surprised to hear how well this dud is now doing.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 16, 2024

Aymeric Laporte scored to clinch a draw against Al-Taawoun as Al-Nassr's Saudi Pro League title hopes suffered another blow.

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Al-Nassr held to a 1-1 drawFound themselves trailing for over an hourLaporte found the net to salvage a pointFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesTELL ME MORE

Al-Nassr were looking to carry forward their momentum from the 3-1 win over Al-Akhdoud and they were indeed the dominant force in the first quarter of the match. However, as the match progressed, the hosts started to up the ante and increase their influence on the proceedings.

Cristiano Ronaldo was bottled up by the two central defenders and the Portuguese was forced to drop deep frequently to get more touches on the ball. And just at the stroke of half-time, the 39-year-old cut a frustrated figure as Saad Fahad Al Nasser drew first blood with the defensive line caught napping. The left-back went on the overlap and a teasing cross from Fahad Al-Jumayah escaped the entire Al-Nassr defence to land kindly at his feet, and Nasser did the rest.

Stefano Pioli's men turned up the heat in the second half, showing more precision and purpose in the attacking third. Angelo Gabriel was introduced, replacing Abdulrahman Ghareeb, and the substitution proved a game-changer. He proved to be a menace on the right flank with his probing crosses and in the 64th minute, Aymeric Laporte got his head to one of those deliveries to erase the deficit.

In the final quarter, Al-Taawoun started defending with two blocks of five and four in an attempt to shut down Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. Although Al-Nassr continued to enjoy possession in the opposition half, goal scoring opportunities came at a premium as they lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. They are now 11 points behind leaders Al-Hilal and are fourth in the league table, which means they are outside the qualification criteria for the AFC Champions League Elite division.

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Angelo was the only bright spark in a rather lacklustre Al-Nassr side. The 20-year-old tried to make things happen with his skill and confidence on a day when the big guns fell deafeningly silent. It was one peach of an assist for Laporte's goal and if his strikers were a bit more clinical the scoreline could have been different.

GettyTHE BIG LOSER

Al-Nassr's brittle defence was once again exposed by Al-Taawoun. Nawaf Boushal couldn't stop the cross from being delivered, Mohamed Simakan was beaten by his marker, whereas, Sultan Al-Ghannam had little idea that Nasser had been lurking behind him during the opener. Going ahead, Pioli must fix his defensive problems if they are going to challenge for the AFC Champions League with the domestic league title already seeming like a distant dream.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

After this disappointing draw, Al-Nassr will be back in action against Al-Khaleej on Tuesday in their next league encounter.

We've now entered the final week of the summer transfer window, and Liverpool have yet to complete the first senior signing of the Arne Slot era.

Liverpool have recouped over £60m in August through the sales of young fringe players Sepp van den Berg, Fabio Carvalho and Bobby Clark – with further outgoings expected – while veterans Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara left upon the expiry of their contracts in June to free up a combined £300k-per-week of the wage bill.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed on his Here We Go podcast that he expects the Reds to get busy at this late stage, with Joe Gomez potentially moving on. Should that happen, signing a new centre-back would be imperative.

Fans crave the arrival of a deep-sitting midfielder too, but recent rumours actually suggest that FSG are considering an audacious swoop for one of Europe's finest wide forwards.

Liverpool transfer news

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are plotting a late move for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has emerged as one of the most talented wingers in the world over the past few years.

The Georgian dominated Italy as Napoli won the Scudetto in 2022/23, and though the side fell off a proverbial cliff last year, he remained a world-class component.

The Naples giants shudder at the thought of his exit. Any deal would be complicated by his having three years remaining on his contract, and offers below £70m wouldn't be entertained. But then Liverpool do have money to spend, on the right player of course.

A left-sided forward, Kvaratskhelia would not be lined up as Mohamed Salah's replacement. The Egyptian king is out of contract at the end of the campaign but Liverpool appear ready to wait until 2025 before signing the perfect successor on the right flank.

Instead, Kvaratskhelia would bring his qualities to the left, with level of talent that could actually see him eclipse the competition and become one of Slot's most important cogs.

What Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would bring to Liverpool

Kvaratskhelia has that almost ineffable quality of raising the roof with mere movements, shifting and scurrying past his opponents to wreak the most remarkable of devastation, supplying goal machine Victor Osimhen with high-class consistency and finding space to unleash strikes on goal himself.

To think that the Italian team signed the 23-year-old for only €10m (£9m) in 2022, bringing him in from Dinamo Batumi in Georgia following previous spells in Russia.

He has now scored 25 goals and supplied 26 assists across 88 appearances for his current club, indeed winning the 2022/23 Serie A title and being crowned the division's Player of the Year.

Most impressive is his ability to carry that form into Gli Azzurri's title defence, where it all fell apart and the team languished toward a tenth-place finish.

He was hailed for his "unstoppable" attacking ability by talent scout Jacek Kulig while also evidencing the kind of dynamic and athletically robust style of play that would be sure to thrive in the Premier League.

On that point: as per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

He'd be the perfect addition at Liverpool, though it's implausible to imagine he would be signed without a high-profile sale.

An upgrade on Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz's potential move to Barcelona seems to have been in the pipeline for ages, with his father revealing last year that his son is a supporter of the Catalan club and would consider a transfer to Camp Nou his unmatchable dream.

Such rumours have persisted throughout the summer transfer window, though Slot has recently stated that Diaz is at the core of his plans and he does not expect him to depart this month.

Rightly so. Diaz's fleet-footed, electric nature is hard to replicate, and while he's not the most clinical forward in the world, with only eight goals across 37 Premier League games last year, if there was ever a showcase of his skillset, he completed all five dribbles against Ipswich Town last weekend, also winning eight duels and placing three key passes.

League Stats 23/24: Luis Diaz vs Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Statistics (*per game)	Diaz	Kvaratskhelia
Matches (starts)	37 (32)	34 (32)
Goals	8	11
Assists	5	6
Touches*	43.8	55.1
Shots (on target)*	2.5 (0.9)	3.8 (1.3)
Pass completion	85%	86%
Big chances created	5	11
Key passes*	1.8	1.9
Dribbles*	1.8	3.0
Ball recoveries*	3.4	2.9
Total duels won*	4.6	6.9
Stats via Sofascore

But, as you can see above, Kvaratskhelia is more rounded and more deadly in his performances, and four years younger than Liverpool's maverick, he could be the perfect, long-term option for Slot.

His dribbling output and energy in the duel, as well as his tipped favour in creative and ball-playing metrics, speak volumes about the kind of package Liverpool would land.

Barcelona are still in the market for a winger despite closing in on Federico Chiesa from Juventus (right-sided) so Diaz could yet be sold, and Kvaratskhelia must be signed, no one else.

Therefore, this is a deal that FSG need to see cross the line. Next summer, there could be a storm of interest in the Georgia superstar's services, but for now, a golden opportunity to swoop in and land a prodigious talent has opened up, and he must be signed.

Slot's own Ugarte: Liverpool could land dream No.6 in £51m "machine"

Will the Reds sign a No. 6 in the coming week?

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 24, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino online： Após 5 meses de treinamentos com o grupo profissional da Ponte Preta, o zagueiro Douglas Mendes, de 17 anos, se juntou ao elenco da base para ajudar na disputa do Paulistão Sub-20 e voltou a jogar uma partida oficial. No primeiro jogo, vitória por 2 a 1 sobre o Red Bull Bragantino e elogios à atuação segura do jovem, mas experiente defensor, que deve alternar entre o profissional e a categoria.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B

‘Pelo que pude ver nosso grupo está muito qualificado, muito focado e muito fechado. Ao decorrer da competição, nosso time irá criar mais entrosamento e aí sim vai estar 100% para a disputa. Na próxima rodada com certeza vamos com esse mesmo pensamento pela vitória. Quem sonha em ser o primeiro colocado do seu grupo, sempre precisa ter essa mentalidade’, explicou Douglas.

Douglas está no elenco principal desde a metade do ano passado. Em dezembro, ele entrou em campo e fez sua estreia na última rodada da Série B, na vitória por 3 a 2 sobre o Coritiba. Em 2022, ele ainda não atuou, mas recebeu sondagens do Atlético-MG que, por conta da confiança da comissão técnica da Macaca em seu potencial, não evoluíram.

‘Pra mim, é muito importante treinar com os profissionais, porque sinto que tenho muito a aprender com eles e sempre e muito a somar. Uma dividida nunca é fácil, ela se torna fácil por conta de treinamentos e o quão focado você vai pra ganhar o duelo, e treinando com jogadores mais velhos, você percebe que evolui mais rápido’, contou Douglas.

A Ponte Preta volta a campo pelo Paulistão Sub-20 no domingo. O time enfrenta o Itapirense, fora de casa, a partir das 15h.

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Sussex end second day with 176-run lead over Leicestershire and four wickets remaining

David Hopps13-May-2022Sussex 386 for 6 (Clark, 138, Carter 72, Haines 50) lead Leicestershire 210 by 176 runsThe age of optimism is coming to the Uptonsteel County Ground on July 31, but sadly for Leicestershire it is just the title of Paloma Faith’s latest tour. As far as the cricket is concerned, the atmosphere remains one of prolonged struggle and, in the battle between Division Two’s bottom two, it is Sussex who can anticipate a morale-boosting victory.Tom Clark, with a second century of the season, a stylish, career-best 138, and Oliver Carter, a scampish wicketkeeper-batter whose 72 was also a personal best, were Sussex’s chief beneficiaries as they established a 176-run lead by the close of the second day with four wickets remaining. And there was a third PB later for 17-year-old Archie Lenham, who closed the day only four short of a maiden half-century.Clark is 21, Carter a year younger and both suggested that Sussex’s youth policy in four-day cricket is beginning to bear fruit. Last week, they declared at Hove and Middlesex pulled off a sizeable run chase, but they will learn faster that way and it was good to see them go against this season’s trend, with an overly-tempting eight points for a draw, by pursuing victory. This week, they have bounced back with commendable spirit and are poised for ending a run of 17 Championship matches without a win.On this occasion, they have also managed without a sizeable contribution by the India batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, who has made hundreds in his first four Sussex matches, a record unsurpassed in the county’s history. Pujara was lbw to Ben Mike’s first ball, which darted back sharply, and fell for 3, a marginal call perhaps but nothing untoward. Tom Haines’ reputation is also rushing ahead, but his bullish 50 ended before noon when he dragged on a ball from Wiaan Mulder that was far too close to cut.That left Clark and Carter to take charge with a stand of 140 in 40. Clark, an upright left-hander, met the left-arm spin of Callum Parkinson cautiously – he conceded only one of Clark’s 19 boundaries – but he was more assertive against the seamers. Carter, who offered a difficult chance to second slip, off Mike, when only 3, is in the mould of many wicketkeepers of past vintage: lively, diminutive and strong off the back foot. His longish, dyed-blond hair gives him the air of a bit of a free-thinker while Clark cuts a figure of sobriety and sound judgment. That said, it was Clark who almost ran himself out, on 31, but Mike’s throw flew wide with him several yards short of his ground. He saw off the second new ball with elan, but fell shortly before the close, trying to hit Parkinson over the leg-side – no wonder he had resisted it for so long.The thousand-plus spectators who will take advantage of free tickets for this match were given an early lesson in Leicestershire’s grim realities as only five wickets fell in the day. They brought a refreshing change to the narrow demographic for Championship matches with more women, young people and minority ethnic groups sprinkled among the largely elderly, white supporters base whose expectations of success have been weathered by time. More than ever, as afternoon sunshine blazed down, and Sussex’s next generation developed before your eyes, it invited disbelief that anybody would be so wanton as to want to throw this away. To do so in Leicestershire would be a betrayal of multi-ethnic potential just as the mood was changing. To accept that, though, demands trust: we have been this way before.Leicestershire’s offer of free tickets sounds more than tokenism; this time, at long last, it may be the beginning of a cultural shift. They are interviewing for a community director, a senior figure who will be tasked with transforming relationships with minority ethnic communities. Sean Jarvis, their chief executive, said: “We have 56 different nationalities in Leicester according to the last census. Afghans, Pakistanis, Indians, Sri Lankans, a real eclectic mix of cricket nations. A community director is about getting into communities and understanding them. Being in amongst it. They’ve got to be pressing palms and understanding cultures. What we call the South Asian community has many different beliefs and religions and is so fragmented. It’s not an easy job but we are committed to it.”There are influential figures in English cricket, not to mention Kevin Pietersen, who would cull Leicestershire, and possibly Sussex too, at the merest excuse. Talk of a divisional structure next season of 12 in the first division and six in the second is such a blatant attempt to downgrade the six that a five-year-old could see it. It won’t happen, the question is, what will?Unsurprisingly, conversations between Jarvis and his Sussex counterparts have touched on the future structure of the game. Jarvis comes from a football and rugby league background – he once bought Oldham Athletic for £1 – and, as such, his loyalties to cricket tradition are not as deeply embedded. Personally, he would be receptive to three divisions of six (or even an expansion to seven), and a reduction in Championship cricket, but the counties’ vetting group that will give initial feedback on ECB proposals is unlikely to find that a universal view. If they want to influence the future they first need to agree among themselves.The democracy of football, with its extensive pyramid system right down to the lower levels, leaves Jarvis aghast that everybody in cricket does not value the same. Mutterings about the benefits of a reduction in the counties just feels like a cash grab by the Test counties.”It could be an attempt to focus revenue on the elite, but we have to have a feeder system,” he said. “Counties like us have to stand shoulder to shoulder. We both believe in the game, we both want England to succeed, we both think there’s a role for Leicestershire, Sussex, for all those teams outside the Test grounds.”Do I think we can do better? Yes, of course. Do I think we can improve our business model on and off the field? Without question. But in rugby league, nobody responds to an England defeat by saying ‘let’s get rid of Castleford or Huddersfield Giants’. Their value to the game, and to their communities is understood.”As a business, on the field we have had a long barren spell and the club has become disengaged with the business community, and facilities need revamping. We need to be more innovative and creative and give people a reason to come. And we need an alignment of the stars. What’s happened here in the past has been a lot of false dawns. Great pictures then it all fades away. This time I am trying to create a plan we can deliver. But we need friends. I can’t do it by myself.”

Bruno Fernandes says he is "upset" by Manchester United's inconsistency after a spirited 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

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• Man Utd draw 2-2 at Liverpool
• Bruno "upset" at team's results
• Says United have to perform "everywhere"

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils put in one of their best performances of the season as they fought back to claim a point at Anfield on Sunday. Despite this much-improved display, exasperated United captain Fernandes lamented why his side couldn't play this way "every week" and warned that his team-mates need to maintain this "level" going forward.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT BRUNO FERNANDES SAID

  He told Sky Sports: "We have been criticised and fairly. Our position in the table says it all, we have lost too many points. Even today we can't be happy with a point. We need the points and we could've won the game at the end, but it's a fair result. Both teams played good football. I'm pretty upset. If we show this level at Liverpool, first in the league, why can't we do this everywhere? It frustrates me. Also, finally I did a proper performance. We said we need much more from ourselves to get more from this season. Being 2-1 [down] then scoring it's good to get a point but we need more. Now we have an FA Cup tie at Arsenal and it is going to be very tough but we want to get to the final again. We know how tough it is to play against Liverpool. Today we put in a real effort to the game, playing with some passion and heart is what is going to give you something from the game. You have to put in effort and that's why we took something from today. It can't stop here, We have to bring this frustration to the next game to understand this has to be the level. If we can do it an Anfield, we have to do it everywhere. It can't stop here, We have to bring this frustration to the next game to understand this has to be the level. If we can do it an Anfield, we have to do it everywhere."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United are still 13th in the Premier League and they were close to registering a fourth-straight league defeat – something they have not done since 1979. Ruben Amorim's team now need to kick on from this result but if they don't, the new head coach could be under pressure again.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  United take a break from league action next weekend when they travel to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

Nottingham Forest, amid their first victory over Liverpool at Anfield since 1969, were reportedly dealt a frustrating blow in the form of one lengthy injury blow for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nottingham Forest injury news

The Reds have got off to an excellent start after four games, remaining unbeaten with two wins and two draws including that aforementioned Anfield result. Espirito Santo now has his place in Premier League history as the first manager to defeat Arne Slot’s Liverpool side in a game which could prove to be the blueprint for victory over the Reds.

The aim will now be to continue their current form to complete their move into the Premier League’s mid-table and away from their relegation troubles once and for all.

It’s still early days, however, and those at the City Ground will be well aware of all the twists and turns to come in a long campaign, especially without one of their key men for a sustained period of time.

Nottingham Forest now eyeing move to sign "mature" Championship starlet

He’s attracting plenty of interest….

ByTom Cunningham Sep 14, 2024

According to Football Insider, in between Espirito Santo’s celebrated victory, Ibrahim Sangare has been ruled out for the next three months after tearing his hamstring and undergoing surgery as a result.

Having started all three of Forest’s opening three games, Espirito Santo must now find a solution within a reinforced squad up until December. It will have to be a long-term solution too, given that Sangare will miss the next 11 games.

Among the games that he will miss includes Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal at The Emirates and Manchester City at The Etihad in a difficult run of games for the Midlands side. If their current form is anything to go by, however, then those at the City Ground could yet cause further shock results.

Games that "great" Sangare will miss

After a mixed campaign last time out, Sangare emerged to become a key man at the start of this season, starting all three of the opening three games of the campaign, helping his side to remain unbeaten before they then went and defeated Liverpool at Anfield. Now, however, they’ll have no choice but to push on without him.

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It’s an emergence that former PSV and Ajax manager Aad De Moss saw coming, saying via Voetbal 4U: “Ibrahim Sangaré is better on one leg than Leicester’s midfield.

“He is extraordinary; this season, he has been the king of PSV. You only miss Sangeré when he’s not playing. He can easily play at Tottenham and certainly at Arsenal. Sangaré is a great player. I think €35m is a good price. [It’s] a bargain. I think he is a good player who would be first on the board at all those teams.”

Former England Test captain posts 147 with Yorkshire still trailing Lancashire by 210 runs

Paul Edwards14-May-2022

Joe Root scored a century•Getty Images

Should it be announced that by some miracle Len Hutton ‘in his prime’ would be playing at Headingley tomorrow, one imagines Yorkshire’s ground would not be anything like big enough to accommodate the spectators wanting to watch him bat. If it was further disclosed that Hutton would be facing the bowling of Brian Statham, the crowds from Sheffield, Bradford and elsewhere in the kingdom would have to compete with even more folk coming across the M62. So what might we make of the fact that in today’s common sunshine we saw Joe Root make 147 against a Lancashire attack that included James Anderson? This afternoon, such a sight was familiar; we may see it again tomorrow as Yorkshire look to avoid defeat. But in three summers’ time…?Let us be cautious. Hutton and Statham epitomised their county’s best qualities and combined to wonderful effect on a famous Ashes tour. On top of which, there was an essential integrity about the two men that ennobles their posthumous reputations. Not for nothing was Malcolm Lorimer’s collection of tributes to Statham entitled . Root, though, is only 31 and may have five years of first-class cricket ahead of him. And while Anderson will be 40 in July, it seems clear he will play on as long as he retains both his fitness and his private fire. We cannot yet definitively assess the career of either of our current champions.And now let us not be cautious at all. Much of what we said about Hutton and Statham applies to Root and Anderson. Most critics would agree that over the past five years the pair have been their country’s best cricketers (although Ben Stokes would also be in that frame.) They are fit to be ranked with their predecessors and the only truly surprising aspect about Root’s century today was that it followed his six other first-class innings against Lancashire, in which he had managed a total of 58 runs with a best of 22.Everything else was fond and familiar. There was the unobtrusive accumulation of runs as though he did not want the bowlers to cotton on they were being milked. He got off the mark with a single squeezed backward of square on the leg side off Anderson. He leg-glanced his England colleague for his first four and later cover-drove him twice to the Long Room boundary.Related

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Vastly more frequent were the Bank of England defensive strokes, the controlled hooks, the wristy cut past gully or the tuck to either side of square leg. There were two edges through the slips but neither went to hand. Root’s scoring rate appeared the work of a conjurer: his fifty came off 73 balls and his century off 150.He vastly outscored Harry Duke, whose 40 runs came off 202 balls and with whom Root put on 154 before the Yorkshire keeper was bowled when trying to ramp a ball from Matt Parkinson. That was a sad end to Duke’s innings and utterly at variance with nearly four hours of self-denial. He had played not so much second fiddle as fourth triangle to Root but his efforts were plainly vital to Yorkshire’s huge effort to draw this match. And those endeavours must continue tomorrow. Root’s dismissal, caught at slip by Luke Wells when trying to work Parkinson to leg six overs before the close, has left Yorkshire 60 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.By comparison with his former England captain, Anderson sometimes looked a little out of sorts. He roughed up George Hill with short balls early in the morning session and dismissed him when Hill dishclothed a pull to Dane Vilas at midwicket. Otherwise, the man often seen as the finest new-ball bowler in England’s history frequently seemed discontented, either with a streaky shot or with the slow pitch or with life itself. And of course, he has something of an issue with Root at present. The ex-England skipper was at least complicit in the decision to leave Anderson and Stuart Broad out of the party for the recent tour to the West Indies, which perhaps explains why the Lancashire bowler was unwilling to engage in much chat with his friend. Then a reluctant smile would play about that world-weary face. After all, this was only Rooty and, my God, had they played some cricket together?Lancashire’s other bowlers looked rather bland on this Headingley pitch. But Tom Bailey’s accuracy earned him two more wickets today and Parkinson’s undimmed willingness to wheel away on an unresponsive surface was ultimately rewarded with the wickets of Duke and Root. And the leg-spinner’s removal of Harry Brook may have had an even greater effect on this game.For it is difficult to imagine that cricket can be made to seem much simpler than Brook contrived to do during his 48-minute innings this morning. George Balderson, a fine young player and a useful fourth seamer, was humbled to impotence by five boundaries in two overs. But perhaps it all became too easy; perhaps Brook needed a reminder that it was earth beneath his feet. Instead, he looked to work a fine leggie from Parkinson through midwicket but did not get to the pitch of the hard-spun ball. It turned past his bat and hit the middle stump. Brook was thus dismissed for 41, his first score below fifty in seven first-class innings this season. He currently averages 135 but such statistics sometimes play us false; not in Brook’s case, however. The neutrals who have watched him bat are certain that no cricketer in England is in better form.

da dobrowin： Over the past few seasons, Wolverhampton Wanderers have had some iconic players represent the club. A few of these stars helped them win promotion back to the Premier League in 2018, including former club captain Ruben Neves, and attacker Diogo Jota, who now plies his trade at top-flight rivals Liverpool.

da gbg bet： Players who joined the club whilst they were in the Premier League include the likes of Pedro Neto, who now plays at Chelsea, and Matheus Nunes, currently at Manchester City.

There is one former Wolves player who goes slightly under the radar, and it is not well-known that he played for the Old Gold. However, he is now regarded as one of the best in the world in his position.

Emiliano Martinez’s Wolves career

For a brief period of time back in the 2015/16 campaign, Wolves’ goalkeeper was now World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez. A player who has represented several English clubs, including one game for Oxford United, he has now finally settled at Aston Villa and is widely considered one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.

The Argentine international played 15 times for the Old Gold when they were still in the Championship. He made 13 league appearances and two in the League Cup, keeping five clean sheets in total.

Frustratingly, for the Argentine, his consistent run as the Old Gold’s number-one goalkeeper was curtailed after he was struck down by injury – albeit with the player himself admitting recently that Wolves did actually offer £10m to sign him permanently.

He returned to Arsenal that summer, and eventually left the Emirates Stadium for Villa Park, where he soon made himself a household name.

Looking back on it, the move was frustratingly brief, and Wolves may wish things had turned out differently for Martinez, given the career he has gone on to have.

Martinez’s rise to the top

It has been an astronomical rise to the top since joining the Villans from the Gunners in 2020 for £17m. He has gone from strength to strength, keeping 55 clean sheets in 165 games, and conceding 202 goals in total.

Where the Argentine really kicked on was at the 2022 World Cup. He was their number one goalkeeper throughout the tournament in Qatar, making a crucial save in the final throws of the final to stop Randall Kolo Muani from winning the World Cup for France.

The 32-year-old is a large reason why Lionel Messi has a World Cup to his incredible collection of trophies. The Villa number 23 won the Yashin Trophy, the award for the best goalkeeper on the planet, in October 2023, largely thanks to his heroics in Qatar.

Martinez’s 2022 World Cup stats

Stat

Number

Games

7

Minutes

690

Goals conceded

8

Penalties saved in shootouts

4

Clean sheets

3

Yellow cards

1

Stats from Transfermarkt & Sporting News

The former Arsenal shot-stopper is also known for his theatrics on the pitch. He is not one to shy away from a joke or two with the crowd and lives up to that kind of theatre on the pitch.

It is for this reason that football presenter Dougie Critchley described him as “the Eric Cantona of his generation” because he is a “natural-born entertainer”. It is certainly something the goalkeeper thrives off.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

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Nowadays, the 32-year-old goalkeeper is valued at a potential fee of around £50m. That is a value that Villa News reported when speaking to scout Bryan King. He suggested that the World Cup winner, along with Villa’s star striker Ollie Watkins, would “go for big money”, claiming they could land £100m for the pair combined.

Looking back on things, the Old Gold may be disappointed they missed out on any kind of permanent deal for Martinez back in 2015/16.

Whilst he struggled to make the number one spot his own after November due to injury, things could have worked out differently and one of the Premier League’s great entertainers could have been playing at Molienux every week, instead of down the road at their Midlands rivals.

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Posts 1 ByRoss Kilvington Sep 22, 2024

جددت اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية طلبها إلى وزارة الشباب والرياضة للحصول على نسخة من مسودة التعديلات المقترحة على قانون الرياضة رقم 71 لسنة 2017، بهدف مناقشتها والتأكد من توافقها مع بنود الميثاق الأولمبي.

وأرسلت اللجنة خطابًا ثانيًا إلى الوزارة قبل أيام، أعربت فيه عن انتظارها للحصول على المسودة خلال أيام قليلة، مشيرة إلى إمكانية عقد اجتماع عبر تقنية الفيديو كونفرانس إذا استدعى الأمر، لمناقشة التعديلات بشكل مباشر.

وأكد الخطاب أن اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية تلقت ردًا رسميًا من وزارة الشباب والرياضة موقعًا باسم الدكتور أشرف صبحي بصفته وزيرًا للشباب والرياضة، وتضمن الرد عبارات شكر وتقدير للجنة على دعمها المتواصل وحرصها على الالتزام بالميثاق الأولمبي، لكنه لم يتضمن المسودة المطلوبة.

وزارة الرياضة تكشف موقف بند الـ8 سنوات في قانون الرياضة بعد مطالب الأهلي

وكانت اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية قد أرسلت خطابًا أوليًا في 10 أبريل الجاري تطلب فيه الحصول على نسخة من تعديلات القانون، قبل أن تعود لتكرار طلبها رسميًا بعد عدم تلقي أي وثائق مرفقة في الرد المصري.

وفي السياق ذاته صرح المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة الشباب والرياضة محمد الشاذلي، بأن الوزارة  تلقت ردًا رسميًا من اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية يثمن التواصل البناء مع الشباب والرياضة والرد السريع على خطابات الأولمبية الدولية.

وأشار إلى أن الأولمبية الدولية طالبت الوزارة بإرسال نسخة باللغة الإنجليزية فور الانتهاء من صياغتها شكلًا وموضوعاً وكذلك عقد اجتماع عبر الفيديو كونفرانس للتأكيد على التوافق التام بين تصور المقترحات والتعديلات المزمع الانتهاء منها خلال الفترة المقبلة.

الجدير بالذكر، أن الفترة الماضية شهدت توترًا بين النادي الأهلي ووزارة الشباب والرياضة، إذ طالب مسؤولو القلعة الحمراء رسميًا في أكثر من مناسبة الاطلاع على تعديلات القانون الجديد.