The Marlins beat the Cardinals 6-2 on Wednesday night in front of a sparse 9,300 fans at LoanDepot Park. Those who did attend got to see Miami's Sandy Alcantara have one of his best outings of the season.
Alcantara gave up five hits and one earned run in seven innings while he struck out a season-high nine batters and walked just one. In the process, he earned his seventh win of the season.
The Marlins' pitcher could have had an even better night, but Agustín Ramírez failed to catch strike three as St. Louis catcher Yohel Pozo swung and missed. Pozo reached on the passed ball as Ramírez framed a pitch he never caught.
Bally Sports Florida analyst Tommy Hutton was not impressed.
"What it does, we've seen a couple of instances tonight, it makes Sandy throw more pitches," said Hutton. "See, to me, DON'T TRY TO FRAME THAT PITCH! Catch it before you try to frame it!"
He also added, "It's all you gotta do."
Three batters later, after what would have been the third out was recorded, Pozo scored on a Lars Nootbaar double.
For some reason the Marlins catchers are having a very unique season.
Fortaleza e Botafogo empataram em 1 a 1 neste domingo (12), na Arena Castelão, pela sexta rodada do Brasileirão. Os mandantes abriram o placar com Pochettino, e os visitantes e igualaram o placar com Danilo Barbosa ainda no primeiro tempo. Agora, o Leão do Pici muda o foco para a Sul-Americana e enfrenta o Boca Juniors na quinta-feira (26); o Glorioso tem compromisso pela Libertadores, contra o Universitario, no mesmo dia.
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⚽ COMO FOI A PARTIDA?
O Fortaleza foi melhor na maior parte do primeiro tempo, sobretudo na primeira meia hora de jogo. O gol saiu logo aos dez minutos, após bela jogada de Breno Lopes e chutaço de Pochettino. Os mandantes continuaram criando boas chances, mas não aproveitaram. Aos 40’/1ºT, então, Danilo Barbosa marcou de cabeça e deixou tudo igual antes do intervalo.
No segundo tempo, a partida foi bem equilibrada. As mudanças promovidas por Artur Jorge, como as entradas de Júnior Santos e Savarino, deram mais intensidade ao Botafogo, que controlou a posse e criou boas chances nos minutos finais. Lucero chegou a balançar as redes para o Fortaleza nos acréscimos, mas em impedimento.
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✅ FICHA TÉCNICA FORTALEZA X BOTAFOGO 6ª RODADA – SÉRIE A
Data e horário:domingo,12 de maio de 2024, às16h(de Brasília) Local:Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE) Arbitragem:Wilton Pereira Sampaio (Fifa-GO), auxiliado por Guilherme Dias Camilo (Fifa-GO) e Leone Carvalho Rocha (GO). VAR: Rodrigo D Alonso Ferreira (SC)
⚽ ESCALAÇÕES
FORTALEZA (Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda) João Ricardo; Tinga, Kuscevic, Titi, Felipe Jonatan; Matheus Rosetto, Hércules, Pochettino; Breno Lopes, Marinho e Renato Kayser.
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BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Artur Jorge) John; Mateo Ponte, Bastos, Alexander Barboza, Cuiabano; Gregore, Danilo Barbosa, Tchê Tchê; Óscar Romero, Jeffinho e Luiz Henrique.
MLB announced on Tuesday that Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras will be suspended for six games, and he will be fined an undisclosed amount for his actions against an umpire on Monday.
Contreras has elected to appeal the suspension and will play until the appeal is resolved.
The incident between Contreras and plate umpire Derek Thomas occurred in the seventh inning of Monday night's 7-6 St. Louis win over the Pirates. The first baseman didn't agree with a called third strike during an at-bat, prompting him to look at Thomas. The umpire then ejected Contreras from the game, which sparked a heated reaction from the Cardinals player. As he was pushed back by the Cardinals staff toward the dugout, Contreras tossed his bat toward the field as he continued to yell at Thomas, and the lumber hit one of his own coaches.
The scene didn't end there. Once Contreras returned to the dugout, an entire bucket of Hi-Chew was thrown onto the field, but i's unclear whether Contreras tossed the bucket of candy or not.
As of now, Contreras will compete in Tuesday night's game vs. the Pirates as he's appealing his suspension. Hopefully he can keep his temper under control during this game.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has been backed to manage Liverpool one day but the pundit making the suggestion does not believe Arne Slot's job at Anfield is under threat. The Reds tried to bring the Spaniard to Merseyside after news of Jurgen Klopp's impending exit was announced in 2024. While he stayed at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Madrid this year, an old team-mate of his thinks a Reds return is possible.
Liverpool reunion for Alonso?
Al-Ahli head coach and former Liverpool player Igor Biscan can see Alonso heading to the Premier League side one day. He added that he wouldn't blame the Reds for chasing the ex-midfielder, such is his pedigree.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest Premier League betting, Biscan, who played with the Spaniard at Anfield in 2004-05, said: "Xabi Alonso as Liverpool manager? I think that's always a possibility. If he keeps on doing what he's doing, and to be successful and make a difference. Whenever you watch his teams, they are doing so well, they have a clear structure, and the quality is always there. Who wouldn't want to have a manager like him?"
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Slot's job 'not in danger'
Following Liverpool's humbling 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, question marks have been raised about Slot's future at the club amid a run of six defeats in their last seven games. However, the fact that he led the Reds to the Premier League title means he has enough credit in the bank and the former Feyenoord boss insists the results will turn soon. Moreover, Biscan thinks the Dutchman needs more time to right this ship.
He added: "There is pressure, but for every manager at that level, there is always pressure. I don't think his job is in question. Even if he doesn’t win the league, just by doing what he did last year, after what happened before he arrived and how difficult his job was, it was exceptional. Everybody was saying it would be extremely difficult for him to really continue what Jurgen Klopp had done before him. He is a quality manager, and he deserves a lot of credit and he needs time. There are so many new players, and you need time to make them work together. I'm really sure that they will start winning again very soon."
Liverpool 'not out of title race'
Despite their wretched run, which has left them 11th in the table, Biscan thinks Liverpool can still mount a title challenge. While they are eight points behind league leaders Arsenal, which could stretch to 11 if the Gunners beat Tottenham on Sunday, bigger deficits have been clawed back in the past.
Biscan said: "I won't be too negative because of the many defeats in the last six, seven, or eight games, especially in the league. I think there is still a good chance for Liverpool to compete for the title. Now they will have a run of games which, at least on paper, should be easier. Hopefully, if they can win a few in a row, I think they will be back in the title race."
The former defender also thinks Alexander Isak, who has struggled since his big-money move from Newcastle United, can come good, too.
"Which team would not have wanted to sign Alexander Isak at the beginning of the season? I don't think there is any team, any manager, any set of fans who would say: ‘No, no, we don't like him. We don't believe that he will be good enough for our team'," he said. "He's a special player. He's a top-class centre-forward, like everybody knows. And yeah, he missed pre-season and then the lack of match fitness, sharpness, for sure, takes away a bit of your ability. But it's the same situation like what we said about Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, you know, the quality is there. And there is for sure quality. It's always been there. It's just a matter of time before he starts scoring. It's just a matter of getting into the right rhythm, scoring some goals, and then again, a little bit of this momentum back. And the whole team needs that, and when this happens, then we will see a different story."
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Crunch period for Liverpool
While things are looking bleak for Liverpool right now, fortunes can change very quickly in football, just as Slot's side have shown for the worse in recent weeks. The Reds, who were top of the table earlier on this season, return to Champions League action on Wednesday at home to PSV Eindhoven. A victory there could give them confidence heading into winnable games against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds United.
Only 9.4 overs of play was possible in the T20I series opener between India and Australia
Andrew McGlashan29-Oct-20251:53
‘Baffling’ – Chopra on Arshdeep’s non-selection in the XI
Rain in Canberra ruined the opening T20I of the five-match series between Australia and India, also cutting short an eye-catching display from captain Suryakumar Yadav who was beginning to rekindle the form he had showed at the IPL earlier this year.Suryakumar and Shubman Gill had carried India to a promising 97 for 1 in the 10th over of a contest already reduced to 18 overs per side by an earlier stoppage when heavier rain came through and eventually forced the call-off shortly before 10pm.Moments before the rain returned, Suryakumar had tucked into Nathan Ellis’ second over with two fours and a six. He had been given a life on 18 when Josh Philippe couldn’t hold onto a tough chance running back from mid-on and was able to pass 20 for just the second time in his last 15 T20I innings – a period which, of course, sandwiches the prolific IPL.Mitchell Marsh had continued his impressive run with the coin, and unsurprisingly, opted to bowl as he had done on all 18 previous occasions in T20Is when he has had the choice.India’s intent was clear from the very start when Abhishek Sharma, facing Australia for the first time, charged at Josh Hazlewood’s opening delivery. Abhishek ended the first over by again using his feet and carved Hazlewood through point.Gill survived a close lbw shout against Ellis on 11, when he was beaten by a back-of-the-hand slower ball, which Australia reviewed and the replays showed it was clipping the top of the bails. However, Abhishek’s powerplay was cut short when he drove a catch to Tim David at mid-off to hand Ellis a wicket on his opening over.
The fifth over brought a terrific mini-contest between Suryakumar and Hazlewood, who is only available for the first two matches of this series before turning his focus to Ashes preparation.The first ball, a bouncer, whistled past Suryakumar as he considered a ramp to deep third, the second was unplayable as it nipped away from back of a length to beat an ambitious drive, but then Suryakumar responded with an audacious flick over deep square leg for six. Two dots followed before Suryakumar ended it by working a single.Gill, meanwhile, had played briskly between the stoppages and shortly before the final stoppage had slog-swept Matt Kuhnemann powerfully over deep midwicket.Despite conditions being a world away from Dubai, India retained the three frontline spinners they used in the Asia Cup final with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy all finding spots in the XI. Jasprit Bumrah was set to lead the pace attack which also included Harshit Rana. Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the opening three matches as he recovers from quad and neck problems.From a likely first-choice side, Australia were missing Cameron Green (Shield cricket), Glenn Maxwell (available from game three) and Adam Zampa (personal reasons).
Kane Williamson will return to action for New Zealand in the three-match ODI series against England, which kicks off at Bay Oval, his home ground, on October 26. Williamson, 35, is missing from the ongoing T20I series as he is recovering from an unspecified, ‘minor medical issue’ in the past month.Williamson is among a group of players who have a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). He had earlier made himself unavailable for the three-match T20I series against Australia and missed the Zimbabwe tour to play county cricket and the Hundred as part of his deal with Middlesex. More recently, Williamson was appointed Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) strategic advisor in the IPL.Allrounder Nathan Smith also returned to the New Zealand squad after undergoing rehab for an abdominal injury sustained during the first Test against Zimbabwe in August in Bulawayo. Smith, 27, has not played any competitive cricket since.Related
Williamson joins LSG as strategic advisor
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter welcomed Williamson and Smith back into the set-up. For Williamson, this will be his first appearance for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final in Dubai in March earlier this year. Smith also played in that final, though as a last-minute replacement for Matt Henry, who was injured at the time.”Kane and Nathan have had to work hard to overcome their respective injuries and illness,” Walter said in a statement. “We all know what Kane means to the Blackcaps – to have his skill, experience and leadership back in the group is fantastic.”Nathan’s still relatively new to his international career, but he’s impressed with his all-round skills and ability in the field.”Having undergone rehab, Smith has declared himself fit and ready for the New Zealand summer.”Yeah, always exciting when you get the opportunity to play for New Zealand in any series,” Smith said. “The last period from that [Bulawayo] Test to now has looked like a bit of rest initially. And then after a couple of weeks, you can sort of start to get moving again and strengthen the ab back-ups. Since the start of September, I’ve been ripping into some rehab and building the bowling loads back up. It’s just been a really good period to get some strength in and build some training back up for a busy season.”Mitchell Santner also returned to take charge of the ODI team after leading them to the Champions Trophy final. Having recovered from an abdominal injury, he is currently in action in the T20I series against England.However, Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Ben Sears (hamstring) were all unavailable due to injury.Nathan Smith has recovered from an abdominal injury•AFP/Getty Images
Tom Latham will take the wicketkeeping gloves and will also make his first appearance for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final. Latham had been sidelined from the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe with a shoulder injury. He hasn’t played any competitive cricket since his century for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast in July.Along with Smith, Canterbury seam-bowling allrounder Zak Foulkes has also been picked in the squad. Foulkes has played just two internationals so far and in September, he hit back-to-back fifties for New Zealand A in Benoni in the unofficial ODI series. Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra are the other allrounders in the side.Henry, who is the highest wicket-taker among seamers in ODIs in 2025, with 24 strikes in nine innings at an average of 15.50, will lead the attack.This will be Walter’s first stint with the New Zealand ODI side as their head coach. “The ODI side has been very successful for a long period of time, as the current ICC ranking of number two suggests,” Walter said. “We have an experienced core of players and as a team, are very clear on how we want to play. This is very much the start of our journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2027 and I know the group are excited to get going in this series against a quality England side.”New Zealand’s ODI group will assemble in Tauranga on Friday ahead of Sunday’s opening game. The second ODI will be played in Hamilton on October 29, while England’s tour will conclude with the third ODI in Wellington on November 1.The ODI series will overlap with the men’s Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s premier domestic one-day tournament, which will start on October 25 across various venues. The Ford Trophy will kick off New Zealand’s domestic summer for a second year in a row. The Ford Trophy will start on October 25, followed by the women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HBJ) taking off on November 15.
New Zealand ODI squad
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Jesse Lingard delivered one of his finest performances in Asia as the former Manchester United star produced a stunning brace and an assist in FC Seoul’s 3-1 victory over Shanghai Port in the AFC Champions League Elite. The 32-year-old dazzled on the continental stage once again, driving his side closer to the knockout rounds as his remarkable late-career revival continues.
FC Seoul win thanks to Lingard's brace and assist
FC Seoul earned a crucial AFC Champions League Elite win as Jesse Lingard inspired a superb 3-1 victory away at Chinese champions Shanghai Port, delivering two goals and an assist in a dominant second-half display. Lingard opened the scoring shortly after the break with a precise right-footed strike. Although Shanghai equalised rather quickly through Mateus Vital, Seoul regained control when the former Manchester United star set up Lucas Silva with an excellent cross. The visitors sealed the result when Lingard struck again with a composed first-time finish, capping a commanding performance that lifted Seoul up the eastern standings and brought them a step closer to progression.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Important' AFC Champions League Elite win for FC Seoul
Lingard emphasised the significance of the win and praised the collective execution of FC Seoul’s tactical approach. "It’s important. Any Champions League game, we know it's going to be a big game on the big stage," he said after the match. "We had a different game plan and it worked, the manager stuck to the game plan, the players stuck to the game plan and we got the win in the end."
Lingard enjoying life in South Korea
Lingard’s latest display comes just days after he reached a major personal milestone in FC Seoul colours, scoring his 10th league goal of the K League season in the defeat to Gimcheon Sangmu – the first time in his entire career he has hit double digits in a regular league campaign. His revival in South Korea has been one of the most unexpected career renaissances in recent years, considering he arrived in the K League after nearly eight months without a club and endured a difficult start marked by fitness issues and heavy criticism.
Lingard’s contributions against Shanghai only underline his evolution into Seoul’s heartbeat. Having already scored in the previous league match, he carried that momentum into Asia’s biggest club competition and controlled the game with maturity.
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Getty Images SportLingard's journey from Man Utd to Asia
Lingard's journey is the ultimate unexpected career pivot. He was a golden boy of Manchester United, scoring famous goals and dancing for England, but after leaving Old Trafford in 2022, he entered a brutal period of rejection and stalled ambition. After eight months adrift without a club, he took a leap of faith, signing for FC Seoul in early 2024.
His start was disastrous as he was unfit and criticised publicly by his manager, while he was then sidelined by a meniscus problem. But that injury became his turning point. Lingard returned sharper and fully committed, earning the trust of his teammates and eventually being named temporary captain, which was a rare honour for a foreigner. His presence sparked a frenzy, with attendance and shirt sales skyrocketing.
Australia’s one, two and three smashed quick centuries, the last of them off just 47 balls
Namooh Shah24-Aug-2025276 – Australia’s margin of victory in the third ODI, the biggest defeat for South Africa in ODIs (by runs) going past the 243 runs they lost by in the 2023 World Cup to India. It is also the second-biggest margin of victory for Australia in ODIs, only behind the 309 runs against Netherlands in 2023.It is also the fourth-biggest margin of victory by runs in ODIs among Full Member teams, with the top two spots taken by India followed by New Zealand at three.431 for 2 – Australia’s second-highest total in an ODI, bettered only by the 434 for 4 also against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006.Australia’s total is also the highest in an ODI in Australia and the second-highest against South Africa behind that 434 for 4.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 – Australia’s top three of Head (142), Marsh (100) and Green (118*) scored centuries, making it only the second such instance in ODIs. The first was by South Africa against West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015.250 – Head and Marsh’s opening partnership, the fifth-highest in ODIs for Australia. The last Australia pair to stitch a double-century partnership for any wicket was by Maxwell and Pat Cummins for the eighth wicket in Mumbai in 2023.431 – The runs added by the first three Australian wickets is also the second-highest in an ODI, only behind South Africa’s 439 against West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015.47 – Green took 47 balls to complete his maiden ODI century, the second-fastest by an Australia batter behind Glenn Maxwell’s 40-ball effort against Netherlands in Delhi in the 2023 ODI world cup.Green’s 47-ball century is also the fastest against South Africa, bettering the 66-ball hundred by Matthew Hayden by some way.ESPNcricinfo Ltd12.14 – The scoring rate of the Green-Alex Carey partnership of 164 runs for the third wicket, the highest for Australia (min 150 runs), bettering the record of Maxwell and Shane Watson, who scored 160 at a rate of 11.70 against Sri Lanka in 2015.13.28 – Wiaan Mulder’s economy rate – the second-poorest in ODIs (six or more overs), behind Kevin O’Brien’s 13.57 against South Africa in 2015.22y 2d – Cooper Connolly’s age when he took his maiden five-wicket haul, becoming the youngest Australia bowler to do so, going past Craig McDermott, who took a five-for at 22 years and 204 days against Pakistan in 1987.5/22 – Connolly’s are the best bowling figures for an Australia spinner in an ODI, bettering the figures of Brad Hogg (5 for 32) against West Indies in 2005.
Rangers are now reportedly in ongoing talks to sign David Watson from Kilmarnock as early as the January transfer window, as they look to fend off competition from Scotland and the Championship.
The Gers are slowly but surely turning things around on the pitch, with new manager Danny Rohl aiming to make it four wins from four in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. And that progress must be matched off the pitch when the January transfer window arrives. It’s repeat or redemption for sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who has come under fire for his decisions in his first few months at Ibrox.
The former Everton man recently spoke about the club’s January plans, sharing that Rangers have given Rohl the chance to evaluate the players already at his disposal ahead of the winter window.
A number of names have already emerged as potential targets for the Gers ahead of 2026, too. According to recent reports, the Scottish giants have set their sights on signing Shea Charles from Southampton.
The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder starred previously starred on loan under Rohl and could now reunite with the manager at Rangers. But he’s not the only name on their list of targets. Reports have also name-dropped Watson in recent weeks and it now looks as though Rangers’ move is advancing.
Rangers now in talks to sign Watson
As reported by TeamTalk, Rangers are now in ongoing talks to sign Watson from Kilmarnock in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old is out of contract next summer, but the Gers could fend off competition from the Championship and Scotland by securing his signature for a cut-price this winter.
Rohl is also reportedly a big fan of the young midfielder and believes that his energy, tenacity and technical ability would improve his current Rangers side when 2026 arrives.
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ByDan Emery Nov 19, 2025
The praise that Watson has received during his time at Kilmarnock only backs up the verdict that he’s one of the best young talents that Scottish football has to offer. His teammate, Robbie Deas, told reporters: “Davey’s fantastic, honestly. He’s one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet. He’s absolutely fantastic. You see that today, and he’s putting those tackles in later on.
“Davey’s got all the ability to go to the top, and I’ve no doubt he does, but I’m glad he’s here and he’s playing for us week in, week out, because I would hate to play against him.”
Much of Rangers’ focus was on Championship talent in the summer, but in Watson they would have someone who knows exactly what it takes to thrive in the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers can avoid Gilmour repeat by playing teen who's a "heck of a player"
Those of a Liverpool persuasion are no doubt braced for the imminent return to action, with Arne Slot’s struggling champions hosting Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been anything but plain sailing for the Reds this season, and with only three points gained from their past six outings in the top flight, title-defending aspirations have devolved into fears that the Reds will miss out on Champions League qualification for only the second time in a decade.
Last season was nearly flawless until Slot’s champions eased standards toward the final stretch, save for Forest’s shock win at Anfield early in the campaign.
Liverpool will need to be at their best to ensure Sean Dyche does not heap more misery on his side. Set-pieces and long balls have been among the cruxes of this issue-ridden campaign, after all.
And they will have to make do without the creativity of Florian Wirtz, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury sustained with Germany.
The latest on Florian Wirtz's fitness
Wirtz is ruled out this weekend, having checked in after international action with a muscular problem. Conor Bradley is also sidelined, and for a longer period than the 22-year-old. However, Alisson Becker could make his anticipated return from injury.
Wirtz has been at the epicentre of Liverpool’s struggles this season, routinely hounded for his tough integration period after completing a £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in July. The playmaker has yet to score across 16 matches in all competitions, and he has not registered an assist in the Premier League.
Though he struggled during the defeat at Manchester City two weeks ago, Wirtz has shown signs of progress in recent games, and his creativity will be sorely missed against a resilient Forest backline whose low block and resilience under pressure will prove a tough nut to crack at Anfield – last season bears testament to that.
While Cody Gakpo will fancy a return to the starting line-up in Wirtz’s stead, Slot may want to consider a more dynamic option for this one.
And Slot may have just the solution in Liverpool’s new version of Divock Origi.
Slot must unleash Liverpool's new Origi
Origi has achieved cult status at Liverpool. The Belgian striker only scored 41 goals across 175 appearances for the outfit, but his catalogue of big-game moments is something to behold.
His goal in the 2019 Champions League final over Tottenham Hotspur immortalised him on Merseyside.
Divock Origi scores in the Champions League final
Now, Liverpool find themselves enjoying the skill of a new version in Federico Chiesa, who has been unable to nail down a starting role in Slot’s team since completing a £12.5m transfer from Juventus in 2024.
Chiesa toiled through his first year in England, but he’s played a bigger role since the summer, having notched two goals and three assists across all competitions this season. He has played 12 times, yet only two of those appearances have come from the opening whistle.
Hugo Ekitike
16
6 + 1
Mohamed Salah
16
5 + 3
Cody Gakpo
16
4 + 3
Federico Chiesa
12
2 + 3
Alexander Isak
8
1 + 1
Florian Wirtz
16
0 + 3
Rio Ngumoha
7
1 + 0
In the words of reporter Lewis Oldham, “Chiesa has undoubtedly been a flop for Liverpool”, but he’s simultaneously emerged as a “Divock Origi regen” in that he is a rare trump card off the bench and a popular figure besides.
Because for all the hardship Chiesa has been through since joining Liverpool, he has enjoyed some big moments in red. It was the 28-year-old who bagged a consolation in the Carabao Cup final, and he ensured Slot’s side made it a winning start to the current campaign after restoring Liverpool’s lead over Bournemouth back in August.
Chiesa’s wizardry on the ball and natural striker’s instinct could see him slot right into Wirtz’s berth, playing off the left and drifting centrally to accommodate Liverpool’s tactical flow.
Given that the Italian has also won 55% of his ground duels and averaged 0.8 tackles per Premier League fixture this term in spite of not having started a game, he might even be an apt fit for the physical battle that comes with a clash against the Tricky Trees.
Liverpool cannot afford another slip-up at the moment and must secure three points against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Given that Chiesa has been among the most coherent and dangerous forwards in Liverpool’s squad, surely it is time he earns a rare starting role in the big league?
Liverpool have a "ruthless" 19-year-old striker who could surpass Ekitike
Liverpool may have found the next big thing in their academy system.