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Tim Southee to take up captaincy duties; Mark Chapman called up as replacement

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2022New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the third T20I against India in Napier because of a pre-arranged medical appointment. He is expected to rejoin the team ahead of the three-ODI series that begins on Friday.Head coach Gary Stead said Tim Southee would lead New Zealand in the third T20I in Williamson’s absence, while Mark Chapman had been called into the squad as cover.Related

• India have series win in sight but still many questions to answer

• Stability or strike rate? Williamson finds himself in the middle of this dilemma

• Williamson wants to continue playing all three formats

• Sunrisers Hyderabad release Kane Williamson ahead of IPL 2023 auction

“Kane’s been trying to get this booked in for a while now, but unfortunately it hasn’t been able to fit into our schedule.” Stead said. “The health and well-being of our players and staff is paramount, and we look forward to seeing him in Auckland.”Stead said Williamson’s medical appointment had nothing to do with his elbow, a pre-existing injury the New Zealand captain has been coping with over the last year. He had missed games for New Zealand and in the IPL because of it.Williamson’s form in the T20 format has come under some scrutiny in recent times. While New Zealand made the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Williamson scored only 178 runs at a strike rate of 116.33. Last week, he was released by his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad after he scored only 216 runs at a strike rate of 93.51 in their eighth-place finish in the 2022 season.After the first T20I in Wellington was washed out, India won the second match in Mount Maunganui by 65 runs, on the back of Suryakumar Yadav century. Though Williamson top-scored for New Zealand in the chase with 61 off 52 balls, he was unable to challenge the target of 192The third and final T20I will take place on Tuesday in Napier, before the teams head to Auckland for the first ODI on November 25. The second and third ODIs are in Hamilton and Christchurch on November 27 and 30.

Former Tottenham star Victor Wanyama hailed Harry Kane's finishing as he included the Bayern Munich striker as one part of his perfect footballer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Wanyama hailed Kane's finishing
• Included forward as a part of his perfect footballer
• Duo played together at Tottenham

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Kenyan midfielder returned to his former club almost five years after leaving as he was in attendance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for last Sunday's Premier League win against Manchester United. The player stepped on the pitch, greeted the fans and then on the sidelines talked with the club's media team.

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• WHAT VICTOR WANYAMA SAID

  Wanyama was asked to build a perfect player using Tottenham stars. When asked about shooting, the midfielder quickly replied: "Harry Kane. His finishing is unbelievable."

  The player's other choices were the left foot of Mousa Dembele, right foot of Christian Eriksen, tackling from Jan Vertonghen and heading from Toby Alderweireld.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wanyama played alongside Kane, Spurs' all-time leading scorer, for four years between 2016 and 2020, forming part of Mauricio Pochettino's sides that challenged for the Premier League and Champions League. He then left for MLS side CF Montreal, while Kane stayed until 2023 before departing for Bayern Munich.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR HARRY KANE?

  Kane will be next seen in action on Tuesday night as Bayern take on Celtic in the second leg of their Champions League knockout play-off.

Head coach also backs new-look top three to step up in the absence of Rohit and Kohli

Hemant Brar07-Jun-20221:39

Dravid on top-three batters: ‘We’re looking for good, positive starts’

Hardik Pandya is likely to be back in the finisher’s role for India despite having a lot of success at No. 3 and 4 for Gujarat Titans at IPL 2022. Hardik was the leading scorer for Titans with 487 runs at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.26, but according to India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, it’s not necessary that he will bat in the position for the national team.”Hardik is a fantastic cricketer with both bat and ball – we have seen that for India in the past obviously,” Dravid said. “He has been very successful in white-ball cricket and has shown some really good form in this IPL as well. So it’s very pleasing to have someone of that quality that we can choose from.Related

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Vikram Solanki: 'Hardik has a poise that is typical of winners'

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Why India should not tinker with Dinesh Karthik's IPL role

How a push down the order made Markram's T20 stocks go up

“Without giving too much away – I’m not going to be telling the batting order before the game starts – but in general, sometimes the role that you play for your franchise matches with the role that you play for India, but sometimes you have to play slightly different roles for different teams.”And it’s not only about Hardik. For all the players, some of the roles they played for their IPL franchises might be slightly different to the roles that we are expecting here based on our team combination.”With little captaincy experience under his belt, Hardik led Titans to the title in their maiden IPL season. From his team-mates to the coaching staff at the franchise, everyone praised his leadership style, especially the freedom he gave his players to express themselves on the field.Dravid was asked if he noticed any difference in Hardik after the IPL. “I just met him a couple of hours ago,” he laughed, “as we had given the guys who played in the IPL final an extra day off at home. So I’m not sure what I can tell you. I just said hello to the guy.”But will he be part of India’s leadership group going forward? Dravid isn’t concerned about that. He is more pleased that Hardik is bowling again. Hardik picked up eight wickets in the IPL, and on Tuesday, he bowled for about 20 minutes on the centre wicket under the supervision of bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.”Obviously his leadership was very impressive right through the IPL,” Dravid said, “but you don’t have to be designated as a leader to be part of any leadership group. At this point of time, it’s a good thing from our perspective that he has started bowling again. We know what that does for us, what kind of depth that brings to the side. So really, for us, it’s about ensuring that we can get the best out of him as a cricketer in terms of his bowling, his batting, and in terms of his overall contribution.”ESPNcricinfo LtdIn Hardik, India will have a familiar face in the finisher’s role, but the top order will bear a new look with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested for the series. Against South Africa, either Ishan Kishan or Ruturaj Gaikwad will open the innings along with KL Rahul.But over the last few years, even in T20 cricket, it has been seen that India’s top three prefer to take their time to settle down instead of attacking right from the start. Irrespective of who bats in the top three, Dravid expects them to be capable of playing all kinds of roles as per the demands of the match situation and the pitch.”We know our top three’s quality. It’s a top-class top three that we play regularly. Obviously, we have a slightly different top three in this particular series, but any top three that plays, what we’re looking for is good positive starts, and playing what the situation and that wicket demands. If it’s a high-scoring game, obviously you want your people to be able to maintain that level of strike rate.”There could be other situations where the wicket might be a bit more challenging, you might lose a few wickets, you need to adapt, so you need to be able to respond to that as well. But in general, in T20 cricket, you want people to play positively and I think these guys have got that quality. Each one of them can play all of the roles as and when required. As I said earlier, their roles at the franchise level might be slightly different but we will certainly be giving them a lot of clarity as to what their roles are for India, and what our expectations are. And I’m pretty confident that anyone we pick in the top three would be able to play all the roles required, depending on the situation of the match and the pitch.”

ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the Group 1 match between England and Sri Lanka

Andrew McGlashan27-Mar-2014The reprieveEngland had made an encouraging start, removing Kusal Perera to a dubious glove down the leg side, and Jade Dernbach was finding some movement in the heavy atmosphere. His first ball to Mahela Jayawardene was a perfect length, squared up the batsman and flew towards point where Michael Lumb held a fine, low catch. Or so it seemed. That wasn’t how the third umpire viewed the pictures after Jayawardene stood his ground. Steve Davis ruled there was doubt, as is so often the case with TV pictures, but on this occasion few who viewed the images could quite fathom the decision.The first boundaryIt was not a classic innings from Tillakaratne Dilshan, who continues to battle for form, but there was the odd classic shot. None more so than his first boundary, a perfectly executed scoop – which, of course, carries his name – when he went down on one knee against Tim Bresnan. He later played another off Dernbach and there was even the odd smile of appreciation from an England player or two.The first dropJayawardene had just top-edged a six off Tim Bresnan and attempting another pull a top edge this time looped towards mid-on where Dernbach found himself. He had oodles of time to steady himself under the ball and prepare for the test of catching a slippery ball. It was one he failed as the ball burst through his hands.The second dropIt was then Dilshan’s turn for a life. This time it was a short ball from Broad which he pulled towards deep square-leg and he could barely have picked out Bresnan better. Perhaps, to Bresnan, it looked like a bar of soap coming his way as it slipped through his grasp.Yes, the third dropBresnan. Again. Jayawardene carved a full toss from Dernbach towards deep cover. This time Bresnan did have to run to his right but should still should have held on. Dernbach, perhaps remembering his earlier error, barely showed a flicker of emotion.The overUnder lights, on a humid evening with dew around, Nuwan Kulasekara was always likely to be a handful and he proved so straight away. After keeping Michael Lumb scoreless for four balls the left-hander charged and missed before Kulasekara took Moeen Ali’s outside edge first ball with a perfect length delivery which nipped away and went to second slip.The over IIAlex Hales and Eoin Morgan had given England’s chase some stability with an excellent century stand, but they still needed some big overs if they were to chase down 190. Hales duly delivered in the 15th of the innings as Ajantha Mendis, who has not had the hold over England of other unorthodox spinners, was taken for 25, which included three sixes. By the end of the over, England really believed.The flutterYet, with such a step chase there was always the risk one over could sway the game. For a moment that appeared to have come for Sri Lanka when Kulasekera returned for the 17th, claiming Morgan and Jos Buttler while conceding just five runs. It left England needing 34 off 18 balls and Lasith Malinga had an over left, but they did not let the game slip away.

Hampshire 410 (Brown 83, Dawson 61, Gubbins 58) and 198 for 8 (Dawson 67, Gubbins 42) beat Yorkshire 428 (Hill 131, Brook 76, Bess 51*, Wheal 4-59) and 178 (Wheal 3-32, Barker 3-48, Abbott 3-50) by two wicketsFor Yorkshire’s Championship challenge to have lasted so long in this troubled season is something of an achievement, but realistically it ended at the Ageas Bowl, shortly before six o’clock on the final day, when Hampshire took a two-wicket win from a gripping final day.Hampshire are a resilient bunch, and deserve better than the dismal Championship crowds often seen at the ground. Their pursuit of 198 in 59 overs was wracked with uncertainty, but Nick Gubbins and Liam Dawson summoned the enterprising innings required to secure their fifth win in seven with more than 18 overs still to bowl.Yorkshire can be forgiven for feeling disorientated this season. A new management team, defined by its necessary commitment to diversity as well as the need to promote cricketing success, must now defend the county against ECB charges of breaching anti-racism rules. They must do so even though they are uncomfortable with defending the indefensible and, in any case, those involved at the time under scrutiny probably won’t want to talk to them anyway. Yorkshire are likely to just point to their plans for a better future and otherwise take the hit.Add to that, David Willey has had a pop about the politics on the day it was confirmed he will return to Northants next season on a four-year contract, quite a gesture of faith at 32. For him to suggest that Yorkshire are putting cricket second to repairing their reputation sounded unfair to the coaching staff who have done much to rebuild morale in difficult times and who entrusted him with the T20 captaincy, even though he didn’t get back to England from the IPL until May 30. Nevertheless, it will find favour in much of the dressing room among many young pros whose priority is simply to play cricket and who prefer others to consider the bigger picture and resolve differences as fast as possible.Somehow, amid all the noises off, Yorkshire have been mounting a Championship challenge that few expected. At least they think they have been, because if they are docked points after the end of the season, once the ECB disciplinary commission determines its verdict, they might actually be fighting against relegation.The Championship contenders are now realistically reduced to three – all of them winners in this round. Hampshire remain within three points of the leaders, Surrey, with Lancashire a further 16 points back in third. Yorkshire drop to fourth.After victory in their opening match of the season, and five successive draws that have revealed the limitations of their bowling attack, Yorkshire finally experienced defeat. Their faith that they could force victory appeared to waver once the off-spinner, Dom Bess, who briefly appeared to be a potential matchwinner, was driven from the attack by Dawson, whose 67 from 68 balls rescued Hampshire from 103 for 6.Dawson might have played on against Steve Patterson on 14, but he took the target below 50 when he drove Bess for six over long-on and, one bounce, into the hotel, then swept him for four next ball. In Bess’ defence, nobody knew better than Dawson that this final-day pitch, as scruffy as it looked, would not easily bestow its favours upon slow bowlers: Dawson himself had been wicketless in Yorkshire’s second innings. This surface produced an excellent match but, just for once, it would be nice to see a surface, somehow, somewhere, break up for the spinners.”I feel like I’ve been in decent form all year without big scores and I’m really happy with that innings,” Dawson said. “I was in a bit of a daze, just watching the ball and reacting to it and luckily it paid off. It’s a brilliant comeback and it shows the character in the group. It is probably one of the best wins I’ve been involved in with Hampshire in four-day cricket.”Yorkshire’s spirit was equally evident as, five-down overnight with a vulnerable lead of 128, they survived the loss of three wickets in the first 20 minutes to stretch their second innings into the afternoon thanks to the defiance of Matthew Revis and Dominic Drakes which burned overs and added runs. A target of 198 left the match perfectly balanced.Considering that Hampshire are pushing so strongly for the Championship, their opening partnership of Felix Organ and Ian Holland fails to convince. Whether you consider their Championship averages this season, or over their career, the mid-20s is as high as it gets. In some ways, they might be representative of the shortage of quality opening batters across the entire professional circuit.In the first innings, they were two-down for 12; on this occasion, two down for 23. Jordan Thompson, who did not set the tone with his first two balls, stiff-limbed efforts which Organ cut to the boundary, perked up to remove them both. Organ edged to third slip and Holland played around his front pad to be lbw.Gubbins, though, has been at a more elevated level since his move from Middlesex. His run-a-ball 42 promised to ease Hampshire’s chase. Revis’ introduction as first change backfired as two overs leaked 18, Gubbins pulling him for six and four in successive balls.Patterson restored order. That’s what Patterson does. You could imagine him calling Give Order like an MC at an old-style working men’s club, his common-sense cutting through the stale cigarette smoke. This season of all seasons, with players understandably unsettled over what the future holds, his attributes have been invaluable.He had Gubbins lbw, striking him low on the thigh as he tried to sweep. James Vince then feathered Bess behind six balls later. Hampshire still 117 runs away from the target. When Lyth plucked out a slip catch above his head as Ben Brown lay back to cut Bess, and Patterson bowled Aneurin Donald through the gate, Yorkshire were favourites.Dawson then cut loose, supported by Keith Barker who looked solid enough apart from on the pull. Two lobbed tauntingly over slips, Patterson and Thompson despairing, before a third pull, against Drakes, gave Harry Duke a catch down the leg side as Barker tried to move his hefty frame inside the line of the ball.With seven down and 27 needed, Dawson was grateful for a couple of Thompson half-volleys. Revis had him caught, hooking, at long leg with the runs required down to eight, but a driven boundary by Kyle Abbott and, lo and behold, a ramp over the slips by James Fuller took Hampshire home.”The difference in the end is the experience in their team,” said Ottis Gibson, Yorkshire’s coach, who is squeezing everything he can out of this Yorkshire attack.Yorkshire were left with a long journey north. A quick update on the politics and then headphones in, trying to block out the noise, the only sensible way to survive the season.

West Indies started the fourth day from a promising position before rain and South Africa’s bowlers combined to trigger yet another batting implosion

Firdose Moonda in Cape Town05-Jan-2015The longest second: waiting for the lift doors to open to escape a stranger’s space. The longest minute: the kettle whistling as the water reaches boiling point. The longest hour: the last on a long-haul flight. The longest session: The 48.2 overs bowled in four hours on the fourth day of the New Year’s Test between South Africa and West Indies.Only the last of those is not an exaggeration. It really was one of the longest sessions, in terms of time and overs.After rain washed out the morning and early afternoon, the umpires were allowed to extend the final session in unprecedented fashion. With the clause limiting the time for a session to no more than two-and-a-half-hours removed and the generous daylight of a Cape Town summer, play could continue past cocktails and almost encroach on dinner-time without any interruptions, in order to “maximise the playing hours”, as an ICC spokesperson put it. Lunch and tea were moved forward so the game could do the same and it would not feel like the longest day.’Just needed one massive effort from us’ – Morkel

With most of the morning and afternoon session lost to rain, South Africa were as much at risk of losing focus as West Indies but Hashim Amla made sure they knew what was expected of them.
“The captain spoke to us quite hard and said we had the whole morning off and as a unit it can be disjointed, so it’s important for us to start well,” Morkel said. “It’s part of the mental battles of Test cricket. We knew if we put in a solid session, we could have an easier day tomorrow. It just needed one massive effort from us, before we go to Bangladesh in six months’ time when we next play Test cricket. So we knew we could go out there and give it everything.”
South Africa were aware that the series they entered as over-riding favourites remained in the balance with two days left and wanted to show their best side in an attempt for success.
“We respect West Indies a lot. We know that most teams have a breaking point and it is important to push a batting team as far as they can go,” Morkel said. “The team who can sustain the pressure at that breaking point will come out on top in the end. For us, it’s to really try to break teams down. That’s key in Test cricket.”

For the first four-and-a-half hours, that’s what it was shaping up to be as rain swept through the stadium, steaming in from both sides of the grandstand in the swirling wind. The teams had seen enough of that in Port Elizabeth and did not want to resort to change-room cricket and idle chat again, so they stayed away until there was a chance of play.Dead time can kill a competitive spirit and West Indies, who would have been holed up in hotel rooms, had to guard against that. They could not.Overnight, they were in a decent position. They had two settled batsmen at the crease, had whittled down the deficit to the point of turning it into a lead and could seriously challenge South Africa for a share of the series spoils. They did not need anything to interrupt that flow, especially not a lengthy rain delay.Grey, gurgling skies over a generous gust encourage lethargy in all its forms. The legs and eyelids grow heavy, the brain foggy and the reflexes slow. The idea of waiting until tomorrow to do anything seems far more tempting than emerging from a semi-slumber to concentrate. And when the ball is coming at you at pace, 140 kmph, you need to concentrate.Everyone except Marlon Samuels and, to a lesser degree, Shivnarine Chanderpaul knew that. The rest, bar Denesh Ramdin, do not have the experience to call on for this kind of situation, which is why it was up to the three stalwarts to build West Indies a lead on which they could look for a victory. Samuels seemed the likeliest to do that.He is the type of player who rubs South Africa up the wrong way. He straddles the line between talent and arrogance a little too tightly and he talks a good game on top of all that. So South Africa did their talking with the ball. Dale Steyn banged it in short, Morne Morkel went full, and induced an edge, and Vernon Philander appealed for a catch which the umpires referred. Samuels’ response at first was to pull, drive and react so dismissively to the prospect of getting out that he almost suffered that fate off the next ball when he flayed loosely.Samuels, however, did not always get to emerge as the cooler cat. He was hit on the back by Steyn, almost on the face by Morkel and consistently tested by Philander. It’s hardly a surprise then, that the one person he felt comfortable against was Simon Harmer, who he eventually played with too much freedom. Samuels was the perfect Shakespearean character – the architect of his own demise – and the opening South Africa needed.With him gone, their longest day ended and West Indies’ began. Again. For the third time in the series, their lower order gave way in spite of a more assured showing from Shivnarine Chanderpaul. If that was his last innings in South Africa, at least he left with a half-century but he did not marshal the lower-order the way senior batsman should. He played a tentative innings and edged the fourth ball he faced to gully, but it dropped just short. He was given out on 10 but reviewed successfully. He was foxed by spin and offered a chance to AB de Villiers when he was on 33.In the middle of that struggle, West Indies lost all the rest. What started out as a day of promise, faded into another day of lost potential. They ended up with a total they may not be able to defend, because South Africa’s attack were not prepared to give their batsmen a long final day. And that is the difference between a No. 1-ranked side and a No. 8 side – one of them knows that even the longest second, the longest minute, the longest hour and the longest session will end and is willing to fight through it.

Glasgow Rangers kick off their Europa League season with a trip away from Ibrox to take on Malmo in the first game of the league phase on Thursday night.

The Light Blues will play eight matches in the new-look format, in an attempt to qualify for the knockout stages, and their first opponents are the Swedish outfit.

Philippe Clement’s side dropped down into this competition after they lost to Dynamo Kyiv on aggregate over two legs in their Champions League qualifiers.

The Belgian head coach will now be eyeing up a strong run in the Europa League, potentially going one step further than Giovanni van Bronckhorst did by winning the tournament.

Rangers come into this game off the back of a 3-0 win over Dundee in the League Cup on Saturday and Clement may look to make some changes to his starting XI from that clash.

With that in mind, here is the predicted Gers line-up to take to the field against Malmo in Sweden on Thursday…

1 GK – Jack Butland

Jack Butland will be between the sticks, barring any late fitness issues, as he is the nailed on number one option for Clement in goal for Rangers.

The English shot-stopper has kept 30 clean sheets in 67 appearances for the club since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, and will be in search of number 31 against Malmo.

2 RB – James Tavernier

James Tavernier will captain the team at right-back and will be hoping to build on his positive performance against Dundee in the League Cup clash.

The English defender scored his first goal of the season, from the penalty spot, and assisted Cyriel Dessers to help Rangers on their way to a 3-0 win.

3 CB – John Souttar

At the heart of the backline, former Hearts colossus John Souttar deserves to maintain his place in the starting XI after helping his side to keep a clean sheet last time out.

The Scotland international has also helped his team to keep three clean sheets in five Scottish Premiership matches this season, and will hopefully provide a strong presence at the back against Malmo.

4 CB – Robin Propper

Alongside Souttar, Robin Propper should be selected once again on the left side of the defence for the Gers, as he is comfortable playing out from the back on either foot.

Rangers have kept shutouts in three of the centre-back’s last four starts in all competitions, which shows that he has been part of a strong defensive unit.

5 LB – Jefte

Ridvan Yilmaz is currently missing through injury and that has left Jefte as the only natural left-back option in the first-team squad, which is why he will keep his place in the team.

The Brazilian full-back recently caught the eye by winning six of his seven ground duels and making two tackles and two interceptions in the win over Dundee United.

6 CM – Connor Barron

At the base of the midfield, the energetic Connor Barron should be selected once again, after an impressive start to life at Ibrox following his move from Aberdeen in the summer transfer window.

The Scotland U21 international has been a combative presence in the middle of the park for the Gers in the Premiership, with 3.0 tackles and interceptions combined and 4.0 ball recoveries per game respectively in the division.

7 CM – Mohamed Diomande

Alongside the Scottish dynamo, Clement should make the first change to the starting XI by bringing Mohammed Diomande into the team to replace Dujon Sterling.

The versatile English ace started the 3-0 win over Dundee but was withdrawn from the action at half-time, Glasgow World subsequently handed him a player rating of 5/10.

Diomande should now be unleashed ahead of the former Chelsea man, due to the creativity quality that he could bring to the team in midfield.

The Ivorian magician has created three ‘big chances’ in four starts in the Premiership this season, which suggests that the left-footed whiz has the ability to unlock the Malmo defence to create quality opportunities for his teammates.

8 RW – Ross McCausland

The second change to the starting XI could come on the right side of the attack, with Ross McCausland unleashed ahead of Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny.

In a European clash away from home, the pace of the academy graduate on the flank could be a useful weapon for Clement to have in his side, as it opens up more possibilities on the counter.

Cerny’s lack of mobility restricts what he can provide when his team is sat deeper, rather than dominating the possession and playing higher up the pitch, and that could make him more useful as a substitute if Rangers are pushing for a goal late on.

Therefore, McCausland, who came on for Cerny in the 68th minute last time out, could be preferred for tactical reasons for this clash with Malmo.

9 AM – Tom Lawrence

Tom Lawrence should keep his place in the starting XI as the number ten for Rangers after a return of two goals and one assist in his last four appearances in all competitions.

The Welsh wizard did not directly contribute to a goal in the 3-0 win over Dundee on Saturday but did provide a brilliant flick to set Nedim Bajrami away for the third goal.

10 LW – Nedim Bajrami

The Light Blues signed the Albania international from Sassuolo on deadline day and he notched his first goal contribution with an assist for Dessers on Saturday.

Bajrami, who crossed from the left for the striker to convert against Dundee, will be looking to provide a creative spark on the flank on Thursday night.

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.

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

Liverpool have reportedly responded to a massive bid from Saudi outfit Al-Hilal for out-of-favour striker Darwin Nunez.

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Liverpool rejected Al-Hilal's verbal offer for NunezHave set a price tag on the strikerAl-Hilal want Nunez to replace NeymarFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per , Al-Hilal have come up with an initial verbal bid worth £70 million ($85m) for Nunez, however, the Reds have rejected it. Last week, it was reported that the Premier League giants have set a massive £85m ($103m) price tag on the Uruguay international. The latest report adds that Liverpool are determined to get at least £75m ($91m) for the Uruguay international.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Nunez has failed to establish himself as a regular starter under Arne Slot in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring just four goals in 26 appearances across all competitions. With Diogo Jota injured, Luis Diaz has taken the Uruguayan's position in the starting lineup at Liverpool as he forms one-third of their attacking trio alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Al-Hilal have identified the Reds star as their top transfer target in the January window as they look to replace Neymar when his contract expires in the summer. Saudi rivals Al-Nassr are also looking for attacking options after Anderson Talisca left them to join Fenerbahce.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The Merseyside club will be back in action in the Premier League on Tuesday night as they take on an in-form Nottingham Forest side in an away fixture, with Nunez likely to feature among the substitutes once again.

Setback for the defending champions as they slump to their second straight loss

Firdose Moonda08-Mar-2022

After their takedown of hosts New Zealand on the opening night, West Indies beat England for the first time at a Women’s World Cup to throw the qualification race wide open. A second straight win, this one almost as late in the script as the previous one, took them to the top of the standings, even as the defending champions suffered their second straight loss.Stafanie Taylor’s side defended 225 on a slow pitch in a see-saw match. For a while, it seemed to have settled with England as their ninth-wicket pair of Sophie Ecclestone and Kate Cross added 61 to take them within nine runs of victory. Then some magic, along with a bit of luck, for Anisa Mohammed turned the game again as West Indies pulled off a sensational win.Tasked with bowling the 48th over, Mohammed was at the receiving end of a ferocious Ecclestone hit. But she stuck out a hand and deflected the ball on to the stumps to run Cross out at the non-striker’s end. Three balls later, Mohammed bowled Anya Shrubsole, who yorked herself as she charged down the track and missed a full ball, to seal the deal.It was heartbreaking for England after Ecclestone and Cross had brought them back from 156 for 8, through a mix of street-smart cricket and calculated aggression.The game was set up, however, by West Indies openers Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, who added 81. Then they lost four wickets for 17 runs to concede the advantage. And then came the bailout courtesy a 123-run fifth-wicket stand between Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation, which took them to 225, which at the halfway point seemed a decent total on a slow pitch.Anisa Mohammed leads the West Indies victory sprint after her sensational last over•Getty Images

It looked even bigger than it was when England were reduced to 94 for 5, before Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley put on 60 for the sixth wicket to keep England in the hunt. But they fell away again by losing three wickets in six balls before Ecclestone and Cross took them close, only to fall short again.Both teams will be disappointed with their efforts on the field. England dropped four chances, and West Indies three. England sent down 23 wides, West Indies 15. Yet, the clincher that started England’s troubles was Dottin’s leaping one-handed stunner at backward point that broke England’s steady opening stand. She was fully airborne as she leapt to her left and put out her non-dominant hand to dismiss Lauren Winfield-Hill. It came on the back of two dropped catches.Three overs later, Heather Knight was out caught behind as she advanced down the pitch to a Matthews delivery that drifted away and held its line. The decision was initially referred for a stumping, but UltraEdge confirmed a thin spike and Knight was given out. Matthews had a second when Nat Sciver top-edged a slog sweep to mid-on. England had slipped to 58 for 3 at that stage.When Amy Jones offered a return catch that was shelled by Aaliyah Alleyne, England had a brief reprieve, but Alleyne had the last laugh when she had Jones driving to Matthews at slip. Tammy Beaumont looked good, but fell to Mohammed when she played all around a full ball. A wobble had turned into a full-blown collapse.Dunkley and Wyatt repaired the innings by ticking the runs sensibly. The pair put on 60 and appeared to have eased the nerves in the England camp when Dunkley mistimed a swat straight to Taylor at short midwicket in the 34th over. Two balls later, Wyatt sliced a lofted hit to mid-off. When Katherine Brunt slapped Shamilia Connell to point, it looked like the writing was on the wall at 156 for 8.Sophie Ecclestone was impressive, and her three-wicket burst gave England a good chance•Getty Images

Earlier, Dottin and Matthews started briskly, scoring at close to six runs an over. It changed after the 11th over. Cross could have had Matthews but for a return catch that went down. She did, however, apply the squeeze with Sciver before Ecclestone forced a slowdown through eight boundary-less overs that led to a collapse.Matthews was the first to go on 45 when she top-edged a heave to short third to break an 81-run opening stand in the 21st over. Three balls later, Dottin was run-out after a mix-up with Kycia Knight, as Wyatt swooped in to under-arm a direct hit at the striker’s end. One ball later, Taylor met a slow Ecclestone delivery with an open-faced bat to defend but got the outside edge and was caught behind for a first-ball duck.West Indies could have lost a fourth shortly after but Campbelle’s lbw decision was overturned by DRS when the impact – she had attempted a sweep off Knight – was found to be outside off. But England only had to wait until the next delivery to get a wicket as Knight drilled Ecclestone straight to short cover.West Indies were 98 for 4 after 27 overs. Only 37 runs came in the next ten overs, with just one boundary, as England continued to apply pressure, but Campbelle and Nation absorbed it. They saw off Ecclestone, who bounced back from none for 77 against Australia to finish with 3 for 20 today, and brought up their 50-run stand in the 40th over.As the innings approached its end, the pair became more aggression. Nation broke a 13-over drought when she drove Sciver square of the wicket for a boundary in the 45th. Then Campbelle swivel-pulled Sciver behind square and flicked her to midwicket to raise a 70-ball half-century. Soon, they also raised the century stand. This proved to be the difference in the end as it gave West Indies a total they managed to defend after a struggle.