Dermot Gallagher has now revealed why one Arsenal star wasn’t sent off in a controversial moment during the 2-1 victory against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Gunners come from behind to win at St. James' Park
Prior to Sunday’s encounter, Newcastle had won four of their previous five matches against the Gunners at St. James’ Park, but Mikel Arteta’s side sent out a statement by ending their hoodoo, picking up all three points in dramatic fashion.
Arteta has received widespread criticism for his decision to persist with Mikel Merino in recent weeks, but the Spaniard rewarded his manager for his faith by bagging a late equaliser, before Gabriel headed home in stoppage time to secure an important victory on the road.
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Speaking after the match, Arteta insisted his side thoroughly deserved the victory, saying: “When you get what you deserve at the end there’s no better feeling. I’m so proud of the team and the way we controlled our emotions and navigated through the different stages of the game. We showed the conviction, the courage the desire and the quality we need to get where we want to be.”
However, things could’ve been very different. Gabriel may not have even been on the pitch to bag the late winner if Nick Woltemade had made more of a bust-up with the Brazilian earlier in the match, where the defender appeared to punch the Newcastle striker away from the ball.
Speaking Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Gallagher said: “I think he’s lucky he didn’t actually strike him properly, because where he’s got lucky is is the referee hasn’t seen it, it’s gone to VAR and the VAR say red card or nothing, and it’s decided it’s not a red card. I don’t think it’s a red card, but I think if the referee sees it he’s certainly going to get a yellow card.”
Gabriel fortunate Woltemade didn't go down
Had the Newcastle striker made more of the incident and gone to ground, the Arsenal centre-back could have been in trouble, given that he clearly makes contact with the German’s face, albeit without a great deal of strength.
That said, the Magpies can also consider themselves fortunate that the decision to award Arsenal a penalty in the first half was overturned, with VAR getting involved after Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot for what he perceived to be a foul on Viktor Gyokeres.
Decisions went against both teams during the match, but Arteta’s side ultimately showed great character to come out on top, moving just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool in the process.
Flags at half mast at Kia Oval after bereavement in family synonymous with Surrey County Cricket Club
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2025
Lynn Stewart, right, with Alec and their children at Buckingham Palace in 2003•AFP
Lynn Stewart, wife of former England and Surrey captain, Alec Stewart, has passed away after a 12-year battle with breast cancer.On Monday, flags were flown at half-mast above the Micky Stewart Members Pavilion at the Kia Oval, as a mark of respect on the final day of Surrey’s Division One County Championship match with Hampshire. Surrey players also wore black armbands in memory of Lynn.Both gestures were acknowledgements of a bereavement within a family that has been an intrinsic part of the club’s history. Micky represented the club between 1954 and 1972, before Alec followed in his father’s footsteps between 1981 and 2003.Alec returned to Surrey in 2013 as director of cricket but made the decision to relinquish the role last year to care for Lynn. “I want to give her, and my family, more of my time over the coming years than this job allows,” he said at the time.Surrey won the 2024 County Championship, registering a third successive title in Alec’s last full season – a fourth of his tenure – before the 62-year old stepped back to a part-time role as High-Performance Cricket Advisor.In a statement released by Surrey, club chair Ollie Slipper said: “The sincere condolences of everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club are with Alec and the whole Stewart family.”Our very best wishes are with the family and we will continue to offer any support to them that we are able to. In the meantime, we ask that people respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
A derrota diante do Corinthians, na semifinal da Copa do Brasil, não abalou os planos do São Paulo no mercado. A diretoria Tricolor encaminhou acordo de dois anos com o meia James Rodríguez, que estava livre no mercado, e pretende usar a mesma estratégia para tentar repatriar Lucas Moura, que está sem clube após não renovar com o Totttenham. No departamento médico, o torcedor recebeu boas notícias envolvendo Calleri, substituído no primeiro tempo do Majestoso. Confira as notícias!
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BAILE DA COLÔMBIA NO MORUMBI
O São Paulo encaminhou a contratação do meia James Rodríguez. As negociações para o Tricoor avançar na contratação do colombiano duraram cerca de 30 dias até que o clube do Morumbi avançasse para um vínculo de dois anos com James, que ainda não assinou o contrato. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)
E O LUCAS MOURA?
O São Paulo espera o encerramento da janela de transferências na Europa para fazer uma investida mais incisiva e tentar repatriar o atacante Lucas Moura. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)
CALLERI NÃO PREOCUPA!
Após ser substituído no primeiro tempo do Majestoso, Jonathan Calleri não teve lesão diagnosticada na coxa direita. Contudo, o centroavante segue tratamento no mas segue no Reffis do São Paulo para tratar dores na região. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)
Rallying after a frustrating 2023/24 campaign, Newcastle United and Eddie Howe marched toward the Carabao Cup title last season, and they qualified for the Champions League too.
The new term is well underway, but the Magpies are still finding their footing after a stormy transfer window.
There is no need to panic. Newcastle have carved out a new future over the past several years, and the shift in ownership and impetus runs deeper than merely the first team. Indeed, the club’s academy is working at a faster and more efficient pace than during the Mike Ashley era, and indeed the years preceding that interminable stretch.
It would be handy to have a homegrown forward burst onto the scene, helping Anthony Gordon and co adapt to this new Alexander Isak-less world.
But that can hardly be a given, and Gordon needs to step back up to the fore.
Anthony Gordon needs to step up
Now that Isak has left for pastures new, it is time for Gordon to set things straight and rekindle the verve that led him to being named Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24, having hit double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League.
Last season yielded less fruitful returns for the England international, who only scored six times in the Premier League and lacked his previous confidence and authority, but he remains an immensely talented Premier League star, coveted by Liverpool last year and priced at £100m.
While that early-season defeat against the Reds in August put a dampener on Gordon’s resurgence, he bounced back with a consolation strike against Barcelona last week, and the 24-year-old will now look to build himself back to his former level.
Anthony Gordon – Premier League Comparison
Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
35 (34)
26 (25)
Goals
11
6
Assists
10
5
Shots (on target)*
2.3 (0.9)
2.1 (0.7)
Big chances missed
9
10
Pass completion
82%
80%
Big chances created
16
6
Key passes*
1.6
1.9
Dribble (success)*
1.5 (49%)
1.3 (45%)
Ball recoveries*
3.6
3.4
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
1.3
Total duels (won)*
5.3 (49%)
4.8 (51%)
Stats via Sofascore
Gordon is a high-class winger, and he’s bolstered by a range of talented Newcastle stars. However, Howe is sure to hope that one of the club’s most promising youngsters quickly breaks the surface, having already been compared with one Lamine Yamal.
Newcastle's own Lamine Yamal
Newcastle can expect academy stars to emulate the likes of Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley in wedging their way into the Toon first team, but they need the first-teamers to maintain a high level so as to ease them into the fray.
That’s why the understated addition of Vakhtang Salia could prove such an excellent piece of business for the Toon, with the Georgia U21 international having completed his move from Dinamo Tbilisi to Newcastle at the end of August, a year after a deal was agreed to sign the teenager.
Said to be “one of the best teenage prospects in the world” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Salia is powerful and agile and endowed with sharp pace when on the ball. His tactical dynamism lends itself to a range of different attacking berths.
Sadly, Howe and co will have to wait to see how the prospect settles into life in England since he has picked up a small hamstring injury before making his bow for the U21s.
It’s frustrating, but those in the know claim that it will be worth the wait, with Salia boasting a skillset that could see him rival the most talented youngsters in the Premier League.
Newcastle United manager EddieHowebefore the match
There’s even a sense that Salia might have a bit of Yamal about him; only a few weeks ahead of his 18th birthday, the tricky forward is settling into his new life on Tyneside and brings a potent attacking threat, having scored eight goals and supplied four assists for Dinamo’s senior side.
Yamal will be dejected and perhaps even a touch aggrieved that his name was not etched onto the plaque, but Ousmane Dembele was a worthy winner after leading Paris Saint-Germain to a historic quadruple, winning their maiden Champions League title.
It is probably worth stressing that we are not advocating Salia’s talent to lie at the same level as Yamal’s, but there are undeniable similarities in the versatile forwards’ respective styles of play.
Salia, silky and dangerous when advancing, has quite naturally been likened to his world-class countryman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but one Barcelona analyst actually believes it is indeed Yamal who is more aptly comparable, remarking that the Georgian is “of a similar profile” to the prodigious Spaniard.
Ballon d’Or runner-up Yamal is one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents since Lionel Messi broke onto the scene way back when. He is that good.
A relentless, oft-unstoppable dribbler with an eye for flair and a natural clinical edge, Yamal has been described as “the best player in the world” by Chelsea’s Cole Palmer earlier in 2025.
To expect Salia to emulate him at St. James’ Park would be foolish indeed, but if Howe can manufacture a player of comparable athleticism and energy and approach play, it would be quite something.
This may feel like overblown praise, but United battled tooth and nail against some of Europe’s biggest hitters to sign this rising star, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich both registering interest of their own before Newcastle secured his signature.
Hailed as an “elite talent” by Hungarian journalist Bence Bocsak, Salia has so much potential, and he’s in the right place to realise those natural qualities. However, for now, we must wait.
Everything suggests it will be worth it for those of a Newcastle persuasion, though.
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تحدث الدولي الإسباني داني كارفاخال، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد عن فوز فريقه أمام برشلونة في كلاسيكو الدوري الإسباني.
وحقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فوزًا مهمًا على حساب نظيره برشلونة، في إطار منافسات “لا ليجا”.
واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة الكلاسيكو بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة، ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.
وتمكن ريال مدريد من حسم نتيجة المباراة بثنائية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم، في تمام السادسة والربع مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.
بتلك النتيجة، تصدر ريال مدريد جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 27 نقطة، فيما تجمد رصيد برشلونة عند 22 نقطة.
وعلق كارفاخال على هذا الفوز المهم في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”: “كان فوزًا مستحقًا اليوم رغم أن النتيجة لا تعبر عن أدائنا الحقيقي، كانت مباراة حاسمة ضد منافسنا المباشر، نغادر بشعور رائع ومعنا 3 نقاط مهمة لنا في ترتيب الدوري”.
اقرأ أيضًا | بعد مشادات الكلاسيكو.. تشابي ألونسو يتجاهل غضب فينيسيوس ويدافع عن تصرفات لاعبيه ضد يامال
وأضاف: “لعبنا بشكل رائع بدون الكرة وفهمنا جيدًا متى يجب علينا الضغط ومتى يجب علينا أن نحتفظ بالكرة، لم يعاني الفريق كثيرًا اليوم ونادرًا ما استقبلنا أي فرص للتسجيل”.
وأردف: “من الرائع أن أكون قائدًا لريال مدريد وأن أفوز على برشلونة هنا على أرضنا، لكننا واقعيون وفوزنا اليوم يعني 3 نقاط فقط، نأمل أن يكون هذا مفتاحًا لنا من أجل الفوز بالدوري الإسباني، علينا مواصلة المشوار”.
وعن دعم جمهور ريال مدريد استطرد: “كان الأمر مذهلًا، أود أن أشكر جميع الجماهير لأنهم حملونا على أكتافهم وساندونا طوال المباراة حتى في أصعب اللحظات”.
وأتم قائد ريال مدريد: “منذ لحظة وصولنا إلى الحافلة، كان الأمر مذهلًا من الجماهير، لقد كانوا رائعين وهذا الفوز من نصيبهم أيضًا”.
يرى المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، آرني سلوت، أنهم لا يستطيعون التتويج بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز حال قيامهم بشيء محدد في المباريات التي يلعبونها.
ويستعد ليفربول لخوض مباراة مهمة مساء يوم الأحد ضد نظيره مانشستر يونايتد، في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.
وقال سلوت، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “أعتقد أن أسلوب اللعب القائم على الكرات الطويلة والتمريرات الثانية ليس أسلوب لعب أي فريق فاز بالدوري في السنوات العشر أو الخمس عشرة أو العشرين الماضية”.
وأضاف: “إذا كنت تريد الفوز بالدوري، فلن تتمكن من ذلك بهذا الأسلوب، من وجهة نظري، لكنه حل عادل جدًا للعب ضد مانشستر سيتي، أو ليفربول، أو آرسنال، أو تشيلسي، أو كل هذه الفرق الكبرى بهذا الأسلوب”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | هازارد يختار لاعب تشيلسي كـ مراوغ أفضل من محمد صلاح
وواصل: “ولكنني لا أرى ذلك الأسلوب في أي فريق أوروبي يفوز بالدوري، ليس بايرن ميونخ، ولا برشلونة، ولا ريال مدريد، ولا ليفربول، ولا مانشستر سيتي، لكنه أسلوب لعب تراه يحدث كثيرًا ضد مانشستر سيتي”.
وأردف: “ترى كرات طويلة، تكتل دفاعي، كرات طويلة أخرى ثم تراجع بعد نجاحهم، هذا ما نراه كثيرًا في الوقت الحالي ضدنا”.
واستمر: “طريقة التفوق على تلك الخطة هي لحظة مميزة، كما حدث كثيرًا في النصف الأول من الموسم الماضي، أو من خلال ركلات ثابتة مثلما حدث في النصف الثاني، لم نحقق كلا الأمرين بالقدر الذي تمنيته، ولكن مع ذلك نحن لا زلنا الفريق الذي صنع أكبر عدد من الأهداف من اللعب المفتوح”.
وشدد: “اللعب المفتوح أمر إيجابي، ولكن ما هو غير إيجابي هو أننا استقبلنا تسعة أهداف، أربعة منها من الكرات الثابتة”.
O preparador físico Sebastian Avellino Vargas, do Universitario, do Peru, foi detido após supostamente ter feito gestos racistas em direção à torcida do Corinthians logo após o apito final da vitória corintiana sobre o time peruano, pela partida de ida dos playoffs das oitavas de final da Sul-Americana
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Os primeiros registros foram feitos por policiais militares que prestavam segurança ao local. Como não havia unidade do Juizado Especial Criminal (Jecrim) instalada na Neo Química Arena, o acusado foi levado ao 65º Distrito Policial, delegacia responsável pelos delitos na região de Itaquera. Além de Avellino, três testemunhas aceitaram ir ao DP e prestaram depoimentos. Dois eram torcedores e um gandula da partida.
Os policiais que conduziram o peruano ao Distrito Policial foram os primeiros ouvidos. Na sequência, as testemunhas. Elas foram liberadas por volta das 2h30 desta quarta-feira (12). Por último, foi ouvido o preparador físico que estava cerca de duas horas na viatura policial e foi levado para o Instituto Médico Legal (IML), que fica ao lado do Departamento Policial, para a realização de exame de corpo de delito. Somente após isso ele foi ouvido.
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O próprio Corinthians solicitou à empresa responsável pelo circuito interno a averiguação das imagens, o que não foi pedido pelas autoridades até o momento. O clube alvinegro enviou o Dr. Ricardo Bianchini para acompanhar a situação. O advogado, no entanto, apenas fez a representação institucional.
Dois funcionários do Universitario foram até a delegacia para acompanhar a situação, mas não quiseram falar com a imprensa. Pouco depois, Armando Monteagudo, cônsul peruano em São Paulo, chegou ao local acompanhado com outro nome do consulado para dar suporte ao membro da comissão técnica dos merengues, a pedido do Universitario.
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Em entrevista coletiva, o técnico do Universitario, Jorge Fossati, saiu em defesa do preparador físico e alegou que Sebastian foi mau interpretado. Contudo, disse que se as imagens comprovarem o ato racista, ele deve ser punido.
+ Timão avança? Veja todos os confrontos dos playoffs da Sul-Americana
– Não vi. Conheço o meu preparador físico há 13 anos, trabalha comigo desde 2010, é um cara muito respeitoso. Segundo ele me falou, interpretaram mais a gesticulação que fez porque estavam cuspindo e xingando ele. Infelizmente, coisas do futebol. Parece que o torcedor pode fazer o que quiser, mas se a gente reage está errado. Estão errados os torcedores do Corinthians, do Universitário, quem for, se não puder entrar no jogo do futebol, que não entre. Como eu digo na hora dos jogos, desde que tenha câmera, acabaram as discussões. Se a câmera mostrar que errou, infelizmente vai ter que pagar. Mas não é um delinquente. Se não errou, vai estar com a gente – disse Fossati.
Corinthians e Universitario voltam a se enfrentar pela Sul-Americana próxima terça-feira (18), no Peru.
Chelsea are now stepping up their efforts to sign a “prolific” striker, who is also being targeted by Premier League rivals Arsenal, according to a report.
Blues still battling Arsenal for Sesko
Both Chelsea and Arsenal should be well-positioned to sign Benjamin Sesko this summer, given that the Slovenian has previously made it clear he would be keen on a move to London, and they continue to battle it out for his services.
Last week, it was revealed the Blues were leading the race for Sesko, despite Andrea Berta already holding direct talks over a deal for the RB Leipzig star, however, the Gunners still remain confident they will be able to get a deal over the line.
The race for the 22-year-old remains open, with the Gunners yet to make a formal bid, but he is not the only striker of interest to both Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca, with the London rivals also both vying to sign FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.
That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which has revealed that Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, are now stepping up their efforts to sign the Porto centre-forward, with the likes of Aston Villa and Arsenal also in the race.
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A deal could be on the expensive side, however, with the Portuguese club looking to receive around €70m – €75m (£59m – £63m), and they are by no means looking to force the Spaniard out the door this summer.
"Prolific" Aghehowa could be ideal Sesko alternative
With Arsenal now feeling positive about securing a deal for Sesko, the Blues may be forced to move on to alternative options, and the Porto star’s exploits in the Liga Portugal last season indicate he could be an exciting signing.
The Spain international reached the 25-goal mark in all competitions, with six of those coming in the Europa League, and at just 21-years-old, the forward is likely to have plenty of room for development.
In light of his stellar goal return last season, football talent scout Jacek Kulig also heaped praise upon the starlet, describing him as “one of Europe’s most prolific players” back in December.
That said, there may be concerns over the fact that Aghehowa is yet to prove himself in a major European league, and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who netted a remarkable 39 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games last season, is available for a similar price.
Premier League bound Burnley are now starting to turn their attention towards the transfer window, and they are keen on signing a Liverpool star who could replace the exit-linked Maxime Esteve in a record deal.
Esteve set for possible Burnley exit this summer
The 23-year-old joined the Clarets on a permanent basis last summer after joining on a loan deal six months before. While the Frenchman was unable to stop Burnley from being relegated to the Championship in the 2023/24 season, he was exceptional in this campaign, playing 46 times in the Championship as Scott Parker’s side won automatic promotion to the top flight.
Burnley's MaximeEstevecelebrates after the match
Esteve started every single league game, during which he impressively made five clearances per outing, and not only was he a key player in Burnley keeping 30 clean sheets but he also boasted a 91 per cent pass accuracy, building play from the back.
He could be Parker's next Cairney: Burnley looking at signing £12m star
Scott Parker could work his magic on this new potential Burnley star in the Premier League.
ByKelan Sarson Jun 3, 2025
His performances throughout the 2024/25 season have not gone unnoticed, as both West Ham and Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for the defender in the last couple of months. Now, a new report from French outlet L’Equipe has revealed that Palace hold a strong interest in Esteve and have made him a priority signing ahead of the new campaign.
However, they face competition from Bayern Munich, who are also interested, as manager Vincent Kompany is the one who brought the defender to Turf Moor.
Burnley keen on signing £25m Liverpool star Gomez
So, as Esteve is heavily linked with a move away from Turf Moor, the Clarets are assessing potential replacements, and according to Empire of the Kop, Burnley are interested in signing Joe Gomez from Liverpool.
The report states that Liverpool are open to letting their defender leave Anfield this summer and wouldn’t stand in his way if he made it clear he wanted to leave. The Premier League champions have set a price tag of £25 million for Gomez, who still has two years left to run on his current contract.
Liverpool’s position on Gomez has now alerted teams from the Premier League, with Burnley among the teams keen on a potential deal. However, the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Leeds United and Sunderland are also informed of his situation.
Joe Gomez’s Premier League record
Apps
149
Goals
0
Assists
5
Burnley, as well as the other teams, believe they can sign Gomez, who has been dubbed “priceless” by former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman, for less than the £25 million quoted. Even still it would likely be a record deal for the Clarets, surpassing the £15m+ they spent on Zeki Amdouni.
Signing a new defender may become a high priority for the Clarets this summer if Esteve does depart, and the bonus of signing a player like Gomez is that not only does he have a wealth of Premier League experience, but he is someone who is very versatile across the back four, capable of playing both full-back positions to a high level.
The one factor that may go against Burnley is that Gomez, who has the same agent as current Burnley player Marcus Edwards, may prioritise a move to Newcastle or Villa, as they can offer European football next season.
On Stick to Football, Roy Keane bemoaned Liverpool for taking their foot off the gas well before the season has been wrapped up, for partying abroad ahead of a Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion, a match they lost.
Well, Liverpool were crowned champions almost one month ago, having been head, shoulders and torso above the rest of the pack since the start of the season.
Arne Slot has achieved something truly special, and after upholding such high and inflexible standards across the lion’s share of the year, can surely be afforded some leeway for loosening his grip with his deserving squad now relishing their new status as Premier League winners.
The truth is, Liverpool can do what they want, so long as they return fresher than ever for pre-season duties. Of course, one man who won’t be taking his foot off the pedal is sporting director Richard Hughes, tasked with making sweeping changes in the transfer market this summer.
Jeremie Frimpong is on the brink of being announced as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, and the man himself, The Athletic’s David Ornstein, has issued an exciting revelation as Liverpool fight for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Bayern Munich and Liverpool have both pushed to sign Wirtz in recent weeks, laying the foundations ahead of the summer transfer window.
But, as Ornstein reveals, Liverpool have taken the lead in the race, with Die Roten swallowing a bitter pill in accepting Anfield looks the likely destination for the playmaker, should he leave Leverkusen this summer.
In fact, the esteemed reporter has gone as far as to suggest the Bundesliga champions believe he will not join them this summer, and actually favours a move to Merseyside.
Manchester City no longer have a vested interest in the German, who is valued at €150m (£126m), and have instead shifted their attention to Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
Wirtz is only 22, but he’s already got a case toward being the best midfield playmaker in the world, having posted 69 goal contributions for Die Werkself across the past two seasons, the first of which he won DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga titles undefeated, picking up the German Player of the Season award.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtzreacts after the match
If Liverpool can get this one over the line, they’d surely be favourites to win the Premier League once again next season. And that’s without even considering a striker.
Darwin Nunez is set to be sold, and FSG have already made contact with their dream replacement.
Liverpool approach new striker
According to RMC Sport, Liverpool have made an initial approach to Eintracht Frankfurt for their star striker Hugo Ekitike, having also held talks with the player. Arsenal and Chelsea have also opened discussions, with the 22-year-old’s club looking for a minimum fee of €80m (£68m) for his sale.
It’s worth noting Chelsea have been singled out as the frontrunners due to their degree of interest, though their hopes of playing Champions League football hang in the balance ahead of Sunday’s final round of fixtures.
And whether any suitor would be willing to meet Frankfurt’s heavy valuation of their player, who is immensely talented but not the finished article, remains to be seen.
Why Liverpool should sign Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool’s dream is to sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but any move for the Sweden star seems unlikely this summer: Eddie Howe views him as untouchable and will be reinforced in his stance should the Magpies qualify for the Champions League.
However, Ekitike would be a stunning alternative, making headway this season as he sharpens his goalscoring sense while also bearing one of the more dynamic striking skill sets on the market right now.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
As per FBref, Ekitike ranks among the top 8% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, emphasising his athleticism and fast pace.
It also shows that Slot would get his hands on a new profile who could solve Liverpool’s number nine conundrum, such as it is, while dynamising the frontline too, adding a player capable of supplementing Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, who both arc inwards to strike on goal in such deadly fashion.
Comparing Ekitike’s Bundesliga campaign with the tired terms of Nunez and Diogo Jota in the Premier League, you begin to see why Slot so desperately wants a fresh profile, one who can enforce a sustained offensive as Liverpool chase down a range of trophies.
Ekitike vs Liverpool Centre-forwards (24/25)
League Stats (* per game)
Ekitike
Nunez
Jota
Matches (starts)
33 (31)
29 (8)
25 (14)
Goals
15
5
6
Assists
8
2
3
Shots (on target)*
3.5 (1.5)
1.1 (0.4)
2.0 (0.5)
Big chances missed
16
7
13
Pass completion
76%
71%
72%
Big chances created
12
3
3
Key passes*
1.3
0.3
0.4
Dribbles*
1.6
0.3
0.4
Duels (won)*
4.2
2.1
2.4
Stats via Sofascore
Wirtz is good, but he’s not superhuman, and if Liverpool don’t address their striking issues the 22-year-old will struggle to find a focal point from which he can channel his playmaking skills, described by Hansi Flick as an “outstanding technician” who is “very creative.”
Furthermore, his sharp transitional ability would combine wonderfully with Wirtz`s ball-playing game. Ekitike has only missed 16 big chances in the league this term, scoring 15 goals, as per Sofascore. He’s been hailed for his “incredible” attacking performances by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.
Meanwhile, FBref record Wirtz to rank among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90.
Adding two new profiles to the team, Slot would be taking Liverpool to another level, maintaining a brilliant sense of creativity in spite of Alexander-Arnold’s departure while solving the centre-forward conundrum that has plagued the club all year long.
Just imagine this Liverpool side with an out-and-out striker providing a prolific touch across the duration of the campaign, and supplied by a ten such as Wirtz at that.
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