Tag Futebol

Have Liverpool rediscovered how to win football games?

There’s no question that this has been an incredibly difficult start to the season for Arne Slot and his Premier League-winning Liverpool squad, but while the defeats have come in droves in recent months, Saturday’s confident win over Brighton & Hove Albion has rubber-stamped the mini-revival.

The Reds have returned to the top six, with the noise surrounding Mohamed Salah’s recent troubles being silenced for a while, the Egyptian replacing the injured Joe Gomez in the first half and putting in a strong display, whipping in the corner for Hugo Ekitike’s second-half strike.

Ekitike now has four goals from his past two Premier League matches, and he is becoming quite the player for the Merseyside club.

Ekitike's performance vs Brighton

After Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in an initial £69m deal this summer, he found his big move somewhat overshadowed by the Alexander Isak saga that swallowed the transfer discourse.

But it’s the Frenchman, 23, who has better established themselves, with his latest brace taking his tally to ten goals and an assist across 23 appearances in all competitions, and he’s rediscovered his Midas touch in the Premier League.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to argue against Ekitike taking precedence over Isak, England’s record signing at £125m, the Les Bleus star so much sharper, so much more fluent.

While many of FSG’s summer signings have flattered to deceive over the past several months, Ekitike has established himself as one of the most exciting goalscorers in Europe, well worth the pennies paid.

However, another of Liverpool’s summer recruits shone just as brightly against the Seagulls, and he might have even put in his best performance since making the move in June.

Liverpool prospect just put in his best performance

Liverpool have been in a rut this season, and it’s made it difficult for new signings to acclimatise. Florian Wirtz and Isak being two cases in point.

However, Milos Kerkez has arguably suffered the toughest start of the lot, with the Hungarian left-back so far removed from the fluid and fearsome Bournemouth full-back from last season.

Matches (starts)

38 (38)

15 (13)

Goals

2

1

Assists

5

0

Touches*

59.6

49.5

Accurate passes*

28.6 (80%)

26.9 (86%)

Chances created*

1.0

0.7

Dribbles*

0.6

0.3

Recoveries*

4.7

2.5

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

1.8

Clearances*

2.6

2.8

Duels won*

4.0 (54%)

3.9 (60%)

Errors made

4

2

The 21-year-old, who signed after a £40m deal was agreed, has so much more to give, with his bouncy athleticism not best represented as Slot’s tactical vision has struggled to take shape.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher called him a “nervous wreck” earlier in the season, but Kerkez looked more like the 2024/25 PFA Team of the Year inclusion at the Vitality Stadium, with Liverpool World acknowledging his ‘well-utilised aggression’, flawless save for one moment up against the tricky Yankuba Minteh.

It tells much of Kerkez’s combative performance that he won eight duels, energetic as he provided an outlet down the left flank and completing 89% of his passes and creating one chance.

Having endured such a challenging start to life at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, the young and talented Kerkez showed that he has what it takes, and it might even have been his finest showing in a Liverpool shirt.

It’s curious to note that Cody Gakpo was absent on the wing, having earlier this week been ruled out by Slot for the next few weeks. Kerkez’s connection with the inswinging Dutchman has been limited this season, one-dimensional.

Liverpool have taken several confident steps in the right direction, and though there is a long way to go before Slot can say that his system has stabilised and focus can be placed on winning trophies, we are beginning to see the signs that the recruits are worth their price tags, albeit with a few more still to demonstrate sustained improvement.

The new Diaz: Liverpool in talks to sign "the best winger in the country"

Liverpool will need to sign a wide forward if Mohamed Salah leaves the club in January.

2 ByAngus Sinclair 2 days ago

Ichiro Suzuki has still got it. The baseball legend threw out the first pitch at T-Mobile Park for the Seattle Mariners' Opening Day game against the Athletics Thursday and he came to impress.

Although the Mariners will hang his signature No. 51 jersey in the rafters on Aug. 9, he looks like he could still patrol the outfield before then, if needed. Suzuki walked out of the dugout to a standing ovation Thursday. He donned his full uniform, glove and all, as he jogged to the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch to Mariners manager Dan Wilson.

And Suzuki warned Wilson to be ready for a fastball. He proceeded to throw 84-mph heater down the plate, although a smidge high.

Suzuki, 51, headlines the 2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame class, where he'll be inducted on July 27 alongside CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. Unfortunately, Suzuki missed becoming the second-ever unanimous selection by just one vote. Nevertheless, he gets his much-deserved day in Cooperstown, N.Y. this summer, which will be followed by a jersey retirement ceremony in Seattle.

He has a busy summer ahead. But after that first pitch, some MLB teams may be interested in his services.

تحدث محمود حسن تريزيجيه لاعب فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي، عن تفاصيل علاقة لاعبي القلعة الحمراء فيما بينهم، موضحًا رأيه في المقارنة بين ييس توروب المدير الفني الحالي، والإسباني ريبيرو، المدرب السابق.

وقال تريزيجيه في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر2”: “كل اللاعبين في الأهلي يتمنون الخير لبعضهم البعض ويحبون بعضهم بصدق، وأنا شخصيًا لو هناك من يلعب في مركزي أتمنى له النجاح أكثر مني، لأن الهدف هو خدمة النادي”.

وأكمل: “نلتقي بشكل منتظم والأجواء العامة بيننا رائعة، حتى وإن كان هناك من يتعجب من استقرار الكيان، نحن نركز فقط على مصلحة الفريق ولا يوجد أي خلافات بين اللاعبين، فميزة لاعب الأهلي أنه لا ينشغل بما يُقال خارج الملعب، وكلنا أصدقاء”.

وأضاف: “كارلو أنشيلوتي طلب ضمي مرتين، مرة أثناء قيادته لإيفرتون ومرة مع نابولي، لكن تعرضت لإصابة منعت انتقالي لإيفرتون، ولما كنت في قاسم باشا كان يريدني في نابولي، لكن الإدارة رفضت وقالت إنه لاعب في فريق صغير ولا يمكن ضمه حتى يلعب لفريق كبير، كنت أحلم باللعب لريال مدريد”.

وعن فرص الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، قال: “نعم، هدفنا التتويج بالبطولة وهي على شرفنا، وفي الأهلي ليس هناك نجم واحد، الكل فريق متكامل، وتوروب يتفوق على ريبيرو، الأخير لم يكن موفقًا في الأهلي”.

وواصل: “وأرى أن منتخب مصر قادر على تحقيق إنجاز على غرار المغرب في كأس العالم، بالعزيمة والثقة سنفعل ذلك بإذن الله”.

“عايز أعتزل دولي”.. تريزيجيه يكشف كواليس ليلة بكاء محمد صلاح في غرفة ملابس منتخب مصر

وأكد: “توقعت أنني سأهز الشباك في مباراة القمة أمام الزمالك وأخبرت اللاعبين أنني سأحصل على ركلة جزاء، وأوضحت لهم كيف سيتحرك الحارس صبحي، وأتمنى أن يتولى علي ماهر تدريب الأهلي مستقبلًا، ليس لأسباب شخصية بل لـ أدائه”.

واستطرد: “لا أعتبر نفسي نجمًا ولا أكبر من زيزو أو إمام عاشور، كلهم نجوم وكل لاعبي الأهلي كبار، أتبع قلبي ولا أتحايل بالكلام”.

وعن أصعب تجاربه في التعامل مع المدربين، أضاف: “تعرضت للظلم من بعض المدربين خاصة في مرحلة الناشئين، كان هناك من يُقيمني بأنني لا أصلح للعب كرة القدم، وهذا كان مؤلمًا لي كوني ضعيف البنية وأعتمد على المهارات”.

وأتم: “كنت أذهب للمنزل وأبكي، وكان سيتم تجنيسي لمنتخب آخر، حتى جاء علي ماهر وأعطاني الفرصة للعب في الفريق الأول وأنا بعمر 16 ونصف، ومن هنا انطلقت رحلتي”.

Earlier, Pant, batting with a fractured right foot, scored a half-century and helped India cross 350

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-20250:52

Manjrekar: India batted in different bowling conditions from England

Tea England backed up their captain Ben Stokes taking a five-for with an unbroken opening partnership of 77. Those runs came at over five an over, taking a big bite out of India’s 358 all out on the second day in Manchester.It was a disappointing bowling performance from the visitors, particularly in helpful conditions and to follow a display of great bravery from Rishabh Pant who came out to bat on a fractured foot and scored a half-century.England weren’t particularly keen to score so quickly. Zak Crawley needed 13 balls to get off the mark and those runs came with a reminder of the danger the pitch still posed as a Jasprit Bumrah delivery rose up sharply to rap him on the bottom hand. Crawley displayed excellent judgment outside his off stump and ironically only started to look vulnerable once he had runs against his name, the confidence of seeing off the new ball coaxing him to play away from his body and could have been bowled off the inside edge.Ben Duckett didn’t need to be so careful, at any point in his innings. India fed him on his pads and he tucked in with glee. All his seven boundaries came on the leg side and he stands on the cusp of completing a half-century at almost a run a ball. Duckett welcomed Anshul Kamboj with three fours in his first over of Test cricket, the debutant chosen to open the bowling ahead of Mohammed Siraj.India must pick themselves back up again because they showed great heart in getting to an above-par total. Pant put his body on the line – literally because Stokes targeted that broken front foot of his – and had enough in him to hit a 90th six in Test cricket, putting him level with Virender Sehwag for the national record. He also went past Alec Stewart for most runs by a wicketkeeper in a Test series in England. The mere fact that he was able to walk – let alone bat – moved the fans at Old Trafford who gave him a rousing ovation.Stokes found similar approval from the crowd when his tireless and relentless display was rewarded with a first five-for in eight years. He was a threat when he bowled full because he was getting both ways movement – Shardul Thakur found that out when he was caught at gully for 41 – and he was a threat when he went short – which did Washington Sundar in. Stokes has 16 wickets in the series now, a career-best for him going past the 15 he took in the 2013-14 Ashes when he made his debut.

Tottenham Hotspur avoided an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat last night, subsequently claiming a 3-0 victory over League One Doncaster Rovers.

The win keeps Thomas Frank’s hopes of claiming a trophy in his first year as Lilywhites boss alive, with a trip to face current holders Newcastle United awaiting them in round four.

It may have only been against a team two divisions below them, but the Dane will have been impressed with the relentless nature of the performance, which saw the Lilywhites have 55% possession.

Such an outing gave numerous fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a regular role in the starting eleven, with the Dane having some incredible strength in depth currently at his disposal.

However, the victory also allowed one other player to finally get the opportunity he’s craved to feature in his natural position after being forced to operate in an unnatural role as of late.

Xavi Simons’ performance against Doncaster

After joining in a £52m deal from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window, Xavi Simons became a player with huge expectations at Spurs, but he’s so far struggled to reach the levels many hoped for.

He’s mainly operated in a wide left role, but he was handed a start in a more familiar central role against Doncaster last night – taking advantage of the opportunity handed his way.

The Dutchman featured for a little over an hour, but had a huge impact on proceedings – as seen by the underlying stats that he produced in North London.

Simons created seven chances and won four fouls – with both tallies being the most of any player on the pitch – subsequently highlighting the threat he posed to Grant McCann’s side.

He also completed 97% of the passes he attempted, with four of his efforts being into the final third – allowing him to create one big chance in the process.

Whilst he was unable to register a goal or assist last night, the 22-year-old looked a constant nuisance in the number ten role, with Frank needing to stick with him in such a position.

However, one other first-team player managed to impress, now arguably being just as important as the Dutchman, given his own impressive display against Donny last night.

The Spurs star who is becoming as important as Simons

Given the sheer volume of competitions this season, Frank needs to have every Spurs player up to scratch to try and allow for success in various tournaments.

His side have already claimed wins in three separate competitions in 2025/26, with the side already impressing in the Premier League, Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

Simons has started all but one game since making his big-money move to join the Lilywhites, but the Dutchman has rapidly developed into a key player for the Dane as a result of his creativity.

However, he’s not the only summer addition who’s already impressed in North London, with Joao Palhinha immediately exceeding all expectations placed upon him after his loan move to the club.

The Portuguese international joined from Bayern Munich, but to the disappointment of many, with the 30-year-old not seen as the man to improve the first-team squad.

He’s already scored twice despite his deep-lying role, with his latest effort coming against Doncaster last night – producing an incredible acrobatic effort which opened the scoring.

Palhinha also featured out of position at centre-back, but still managed to thrive, producing numerous incredible figures that helped the Lilywhites claim a crucial victory.

The former Fulham star completed 63 passes, at a completion rate of 90%, with the former of the two stats the most of any player who featured during the contest on home soil.

Despite his defensive role, he also managed to complete four passes into the final third, able to provide those ahead of him with the chances to impress in front of goal.

Minutes played

90

Touches

82

Passes completed

63

Pass accuracy

90%

Tackles made

2

Clearances made

6

Interceptions

1

Passes into final third

4

However, Palhinha dominated without the ball, making two tackles, six clearances and one interception – helping the Lilywhites keep their fifth clean sheet of the 2025/26 campaign.

As a result of his showing, the loanee was handed a superb 9/10 match rating by The Standard’s journalist Matt Verri, further showcasing how impressive he was during the victory.

After such a display, Frank simply can’t afford to drop the Portuguese international from his starting eleven, with the experienced talent on a phenomenal run of form in the first team of late.

Should he continue his current impressive form for the Lilywhites, there’s no reason as to why Palhinha can’t be as undroppable as Simons, with the pair able to catapult the side to new heights in the months ahead when operating together.

Fewer touches than Kinsky: Frank must bench 5/10 Spurs star after Doncaster

Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup last night with a win over Doncaster.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 25, 2025

Mitchell Starc does not see the surface at Kensington Oval going the same way as Lord’s did in the World Test Championship final as Australia look to set a big enough run chase to avoid back-to-back defeats to West Indies for the first time since 1999.In the Lord’s final earlier this month, Australia and South Africa traded low first-innings scores before batting became significantly easier on the third day under sunnier skies where, initially, Starc himself was able to make a half-century, and then Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma marshalled South Africa’s historic chase.But though the wickets’ tally on the second day in Barbados dropped to ten compared to 14 on the first, Starc thought it unlikely that batters would suddenly start to dominate over the latter stages of this game. Travis Head and Beau Webster will resume on the third day with a lead of 82.Related

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“I think the wicket at Lord’s was very flat when the sun came out,” Starc said. “I certainly found it easy to bat on. This [one], we’ve seen these two days, there’s so much variable [bounce] there. We saw yesterday on day one the ball shoot low and then the next over it jumped up and created a wicket. I think that’ll probably be the same tomorrow. And some good bowling that creates enough chances.”There was a little bit of a partnership there with Beau and Trav [27 so far] there at the end, so hopefully that can continue in the morning and then push it as far as we can [with] some lower-order runs and then go from there. I think there’s enough chances [being created] as we’ve seen for the last two days, that you’re never quite in and you never know what total is going to be enough.”When West Indies coach Daren Sammy was asked what he thought was chaseable, he joked: “I would love to chase 82. Somebody get a double-hat-trick or something.”It was a moment of levity from a clearly frustrated Sammy, who raised questions about the umpiring and was left exasperated by his team’s catching. They dropped Sam Konstas twice on 0, taking their tally of misses in the match to six, five of which have come off Shamar Joseph. Konstas, however, was only able to make 5 before falling to Joseph for the second time in the game.Australia’s bowlers will come into play in what they hope will be a big chase for West Indies•Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images

“Pretty sure they are going to get a nice bollocking. Not too angry, but for sure, it’s an attitude,” Sammy said. “The same way you practice your batting and your bowling, fielding and catching becomes equally important. Catching at slip is a skill. As somebody who fielded there, it’s a skill we constantly have to work on, putting time in it.”Good teams will make you pay. So far, it’s not been too costly, but this is something that in order for us to improve on the goals that we have for this team, this is going to continue. Our catching efficiency has to go up.”Regardless of the chances they have spurned, though, West Indies – and, in particular, Shamar Joseph – have left a significant early dent on Konstas’ series aspirations after scores of 3 and 5 with the innings on the second day proving especially awkward.”I think he had three chances and still scored five,” Sammy said. “Credit to our boys. The plans that we had against their top order and the areas that the guys bowled at him, they made it very difficult. Kudos to Shamar, [because] before the Test started, he did say he’s ready for Konstas when they asked about him.”

In the past, the checks were carried out inside the dressing room but on Sunday they were being carried out on the field of play

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2025

An unusual series of events took place during the IPL 2025 matches on April 13, in Jaipur and Delhi. The on-field umpires in both games began checking the dimensions of the bats of batters as they came in, a practice not usually seen on the field this season or previous ones.During the afternoon game between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Jaipur, the umpires Nitin Menon and Saidharshan Kumar checked the bats of at least Shimron Hetmyer, Nitish Rana and Phil Salt as they walked into bat, among others.In the evening game between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians in Delhi, Chris Gaffaney and Vinod Seshan checked Hardik Pandya’s bat after he came to the middle. All the bats passed the checks.Related

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The umpires checked the bat using a gauge through which the blade of the bat must pass to be deemed acceptable. In the past, the checks were carried out inside the dressing room but on Sunday it was noticeable that the checks were being carried out on the field of play during the game.According to the rules, the width of the bat face should not exceed 10.79 cm, the thickness of the blade shouldn’t be more than 6.7 cms, and the width of the edge of the bat cannot be more than 4cm. The length of the bat should not exceed 96.4 cm.

An “incredible” manager has now emerged as a contender to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United, it has been revealed.

Potter's future in doubt after yet another defeat

Potter would’ve been hoping that the surprise 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest before the international break could be a turning point, but his side once again came up short over the weekend, this time falling to a 3-0 defeat at home against Tottenham.

Speaking after his side’s third loss in four Premier League games, the West Ham boss said: “I understand because the scoreline is the scoreline and I understand why people are upset,”

“We are a new team and we have to stick together and focus on the things we’ve done well and see where we can improve.”

West Ham make offer for £14m Tottenham ace with January move now possible

The Hammers have made an approach to sign an “outstanding” player, who is keen on a move to a new Premier League club.

ByDominic Lund Sep 14, 2025

However, having been in charge since January and been given the opportunity to bring in his own players in the summer, it remains to be seen how much longer the Englishman can last, considering his record up to this point is extremely poor.

The 50-year-old has averaged just 0.96 points per match, and has the second-worst Premier League win percentage of any West Ham manager at just 27.3%.

As such, the Hammers’ hierarchy are now starting to run the rule over potential replacements, according to reporter Alan Nixon (via GiveMeSport), who states David Sullivan is an admirer of former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno was a huge success at The City Ground, meaning he has now emerged as a contender to replace Potter at West Ham, but they may have to move quickly, given that the 51-year-old is likely to be attracting interest courtesy of the job he did at Forest.

"Incredible" Nuno could be an ideal Potter replacement

At this stage, the Hammers are looking like serious relegation candidates, having lost three of their opening four games, which leaves them 18th in the Premier League table.

Consequently, it would make sense to bring in a manager with a proven track record of being able to transform struggling sides into European contenders, and that is exactly what the former Forest boss managed to do in his last job.

After taking over a Forest side that only narrowly avoided relegation the season prior, the Portuguese coach led them to the Europa League, and he was praised for the “incredible” job he did by Sky Sports’ Sam Obaseki, while also receiving plaudits from Fabrizio Romano.

Nuno could be an excellent appointment for West Ham, given that he is vastly experienced in the Premier League, having also managed Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Sullivan should move swiftly to ensure he wins the race.

Rio Ngumoha is the talk of the town after scoring a last-gasp winner for Liverpool at St. James’ Park on Monday night, thus preserving Arne Slot’s flawless start to the Premier League campaign.

‘Flawless’ perhaps conveys the wrong mood. Liverpool have been pressed against the ropes in each of their opening league fixtures this season, yet they have snatched victory against Bournemouth at Anfield and Newcastle United on Tyneside.

It wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that Slot’s side are tactically imbalanced at the moment, with the thrilling addition of British-record playmaker Florian Wirtz seeming to distort the team’s balance, and the defensive fragility of Ibrahima Konate and much change further providing Slot with food for thought.

And so talks are ongoing for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, with hope that he will sign before deadline day. Perhaps the 25-year-old’s arrival would add depth and another dimension at the rear to launch Liverpool back into a smoother rhythm.

However, there’s another top target who could. Indeed, Alexander Isak’s potential move to Merseyside remains one of the biggest stories as the market winds down.

The latest on Isak to Liverpool

Liverpool’s bid for Newcastle United striker Isak is going down to the wire, with the Magpies still yet to sign one centre-forward this summer – let alone two.

The Sweden international has made it perfectly clear he has no intention of staying at St. James’ Park beyond the transfer window (though how much power he has over that is another matter), but Liverpool will not follow up their rejected £110m offer from the start of August without encouragement from the Toon.

A PIF delegation extended an olive branch to the 25-year-old after Liverpool’s dramatic victory on Monday, but Isak has doubled down on his stance.

The ball, frustratingly, is in Newcastle’s court, for they cannot reasonably cash in on their talisman if they do not find and sign a replacement (or two).

With that in mind, FSG have identified the perfect alternative, and he might even prove to be a better signing for Slot’s side.

Liverpool ready D-day bid for Isak alternative

If Liverpool do fail in their protracted bid to sign Isak, sporting director Richard Hughes won’t turn to an alternative centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

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

That’s according to GIVEMESPORT. The publication have revealed that Liverpool are ready to make a deadline-day swoop for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo in the event that they miss out on Isak.

Rodrygo has been anticipated to leave Real this summer after struggles last season and signs of a diminished role under Xabi Alonso’s wing. Even with the La Liga giants open to the Brazilian’s departure, he has been priced at £76m.

Arsenal and Manchester City have shown interest of their own this summer, but the Gunners have signed Eberechi Eze this week and Pep Guardiola’s outfit look set to bar Savinho’s move to Tottenham Hotspur, thus jeopardising their move for Rodrygo.

What Rodrygo would bring to Liverpool

Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich this summer, but Cody Gakpo has started the season strongly, scoring against Bournemouth and notching two assists at Newcastle. Ngumoha’s incredible emergence eases the need for a wide forward further.

But Rodrygo is a special player, and there’s no doubt that Liverpool could do with a little bit more to complete their frontline.

Given that the 24-year-old, who can play on both wings and as a frontman, managed to score 14 goals and provide 11 assists across all competitions last year, even though in a rut, Liverpool could strike gold in bringing him over.

And considering that he would cost less than Isak, maybe Rodrygo would even prove the better signing to make.

Isak is one of the best strikers in the world, and last year he scored 27 goals across all competitions as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup, with Isak scoring as Newcastle beat Liverpool at Wembley.

But Madrid’s tenacious wide forward has been remarked to be a “world-class superstar” by his former teammate Luka Modric, and boasts a wide-ranging skill set that appears custom-built for a top role in the Premier League.

Rodrygo’s clinical output over the past year has left plenty to be desired, no doubt about it, but there would be confidence that Slot could give rise to the £207k-per-week talent’s prolific side, while harnessing that ever-present underlying energy and application.

Goals

0.32

0.80

Assists

0.20

0.17

Shots taken

2.54

3.14

Shot-creating actions

4.75

3.07

Pass completion

85.8%

75.8%

Touches (att pen)

5.88

6.15

Progressive passes

4.72

3.00

Progressive carries

5.22

2.73

Successful take-ons

2.19

1.43

Isak and Rodrygo, two forwards of varying position and role, aren’t comparable in the strictest sense, but looking at their data when lined against one another underscores the reasoning behind a Liverpool bid for the latter.

To put it simply, Liverpool have hit the jackpot on Hugo Ekitike, whose £79m journey from Eintracht Frankfurt to Anfield has already yielded three goals and an assist from three matches. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher has hailed the Frenchman’s “brilliant start”, and there are those who question the need for a record-breaking move for Isak after such an exciting addition.

Ekitike, 23, looks a real sensation in the making, and though it would be unfair to expect him to maintain his present output across the long and circuitous campaign, who can deny him his potential?

Might Isak inhibit that growth? Might the addition of the Scandinavian superstar threaten to disrupt the progress of a rising talent who has already found a degree of fluency in England that avoids so many foreign hopefuls as they wade in and look to make their name.

Rodrygo, however, could play across the frontline and thus add depth without disrupting the progress being forged at Anfield right now.

Make no mistake, Isak would be an incredible signing for Liverpool, but Rodrygo, cheaper and more positionally dynamic, is a world-class player himself, and he knows how to shape a team aiming for the top.

Bad news for Wirtz: Liverpool "ready to bid" for £120k-per-week "machine"

Liverpool are set to continue their heavy summer spending with a deal that could even hamper Florian Wirtz…

4 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 28, 2025

In a summer full of impressive arrivals, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are now reportedly at risk of losing a player of their own in reluctant fashion amid growing interest.

Arsenal still chasing Eze arrival

Even after splashing out to welcome Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera this summer, Arsenal still have unfinished business in the transfer window. Unlike in past seasons, Arteta is seemingly ready to enjoy a much-needed window of upgrades as he looks to end an increasingly concerning run without a major trophy at The Emirates.

The most important addition on that list of incomings remains Gyokeres. Arsenal’s biggest problem in recent seasons has been their inability to find the back of the net. They desperately needed a serial goalscorer last summer, but chose to invest elsewhere in a decision that Liverpool quickly made them regret.

It is not a mistake that they’ve made twice, however. Making up for lost time, the Gunners have welcomed one of the most clinical goalscorers that European football has to offer in Gyokeres.

The big task that sporting director Andrea Berta has now is finding as many reliable supply points as possible for Gyokeres to thrive. Tee the Swede up and he will score the goals that Arsenal have so desperately craved. It could really be as simply as that. And whilst the likes of Bukayo Saka will undoubtedly do just that, the addition of Eberechi Eze could take things to another level.

In a summer-long chase, the Crystal Palace man is still on Arsenal’s radar despite reports that his £68m release clause has now expired. Whether that forces the Gunners to pay an even greater price for his signature is now the big question.

Of course, if that does prove to be the case, then any potential sales of their own could go a long way towards funding any blockbuster move.

Arsenal deliver Kiwior transfer response

One sale that Arteta is not keen to sanction, however, is Jakub Kiwior’s. According to Fabrizio Romano, Kiwior is now considering an exit amid interest in his signature from a number of European clubs.

That said, those in North London have already rejected offers for their centre-back from Portugal last month and Arteta would prefer to keep hold of his defender this month.

Despite being praised for his “impressive” form by analyst Ben Mattinson when asked to step into the side amid defensive woes last season, Arteta’s stance on Kiwior’s exit comes as a slight surprise.

Arsenal have already signed Mosquera and have cover in the form of Riccardo Calafiori and, if needed, Ben White at the heart of their backline. Just where Kiwior fits into the pecking order as a result is difficult to say and the Gunners would be best to cash in whilst they can this summer.