حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، الفوز أمام نظيره المصري، بثلاثية نظيفة، خلال المباراة التي جرت بينهما اليوم ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
والتقى الزمالك مع المصري، على أرضية ملعب برج العرب، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري.
طالع |فيديو | عمر جابر يسجل هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام المصري
وأحرز عدي الدباغ هدف الزمالك الأول، في الدقيقة 30 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، فيما جاء الهدف الثاني عن طريق عمر جابر في الدقيقة 64، فيما سجل الهدف الثالث عبد الله السعيد في الدقيقة 90 من ركلة جزاء.
بتلك النتيجة، يحتل الزمالك المركز الأول في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 13 نقطة، بينما يأتي المصري بالمركز الثاني، ولديه 11 نقطة.
ومن المقرر أن يلعب الزمالك مباراته القادمة أمام الإسماعيلي، ضمن مواجهات الجولة السابعة لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة أمام الإسماعيلي في الدوري
تُقام المباراة يوم الخميس الموافق 18 سبتمبر القادم، في تمام الساعة الخامسة عصرا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.
He posted on social media that he would be “open” to next year’s tournament in Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-2024
David Warner last ODI was when Australia won the 2023 World Cup•AFP/Getty Images
David Warner has again left the door ajar to appear in next year’s Champions Trophy despite announcing his international retirement over the last 12 months.Warner retired from Test cricket in January when he also announced that last year’s ODI World Cup was his final outing in the 50-over format, but talked of being available for the Champions Trophy if he was needed. Last month his international career ended with Australia’s exit from the T20 World Cup.Related
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However, in an Instagram post reflecting on his career, Warner made another reference to the Champions Trophy which will be staged in Pakistan next February and March.”I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for [Australia] in the Champions Trophy if selected,” he posted.It is a highly unlikely scenario given Warner will not be available for any of Australia’s matches in the lead-up to the tournament. They tour England in September for ODIs then face Pakistan in November when Jake Fraser-McGurk, who Warner has endorsed as his successor, will be one of the frontrunners to come in at the top of the order. Back in January, Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins responded to the prospect of Warner making a one-off return for the Champions Trophy.”I think it’s probably time to give some others a crack [in ODIs], but knowing that he’s going to still be playing cricket,” he said. “So it might be more of a kind of break glass in an emergency option. But, you know, David is going to be scoring runs somewhere in the world. So you never quite know that this is [the end].”Warner finished his ODI career with 6932 runs at 45.30 with 22 hundreds, a tally second to only Ricky Ponting.”Chapter closed!! It’s been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period,” Warner began his Instagram post. “Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level. It’s been an honour to be able to do this. 100+ games in all formats is my highlight.”I want to say thanks to everyone out there who has made this possible. My wife and my girls, who sacrificed so much, thank you for all your support. No person will ever know what we’ve been through. For all the cricket fans out there, I truly hope I have entertained you and changed cricket, especially tests, in a way where we scored a bit faster than others. We cannot do what we love without the fans, so thanks.”Warner will be in action in Canada’s GT20 and a T10 tournament in the Cayman Islands over the coming months while Sydney Thunder remain confident of seeing him return for the BBL although he also has a deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 which overlaps and commentary commitments.
Will Chelsea be crowned champions of the world this week?
Last Friday night, the Blues beat Palmeiras 2-1 in the Club World Cup quarter-finals in Philly.
Enzo Maresca’s men then took on another Brazilian side in Fluminense in Tuesday’s semi-final at MetLife Stadium, reaching the final after Joao Pedro delivered a stunning individual performance, scoring twice in a 2-0 win. Now, they will take on either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid in East Rutherford on Sunday.
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Estêvão Willian captured many of the headlines at the weekend, scoring for the Verdãoagainst his future employers last week, but could Chelsea now sign an even bigger Brazilian talent?
Chelsea looking at £78m superstar after Gittens move
Already this summer, including pre-agreed deals, Chelsea have signed eight players, costing in excess of £222m.
Chelsea’s 2025 summer signings
Players
Selling club
Fee
Penders
Genk
£17m
Delap
Ipswich Town
£30m
Sarr
Strasbourg
£12m
Essugo
Sporting CP
£18.5m
Páez
Independiente del Valle
£17.3m
Estêvão
Palmeiras
£29m
Pedro
Brighton & Hove Albion
£50m
Gittens
Borussia Dortmund
£48.5m
Total outlay:
£222.3m
All information courtesy of Transfermarkt
Straight off his sunbed, João Pedro made his debut as a substitute against Palmeiras in Pennsylvania, while Jamie Gittens’ debut will have to wait, ineligible to feature, having played 13 minutes for Borussia Dortmund earlier in the tournament.
Palmeiras' Weverton reacts as Chelsea'sJoaoPedrolooks on
Oliver Kay of the Athletic outlines how the Blues are ‘stockpiling’ young talent, forecasting that they’re not likely to stop any time soon.
Well, supporting this assertion is the fact that, as reported by Graeme Bailey of TBR Football, Chelsea have been in talks with the representatives of Brazilian Rodrygo from Real Madrid.
The Blues are not the only side to have held initial contacts with Manchester City, Liverpool, PSG and Bayern kept abreast of the situation.
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The winger has been linked with a move away from los Blancos this summer, having seen a miserly 27 minutes on the field across their last four Club World Cup fixtures, an unused substitute against both Pachuca and Juventus.
Arsenal have been most strongly linked with signing the 24-year-old, who reports believe could be sold for €90m (£78m).
How Rodrygo compares to Estevao
Now, could he end up in West London, rather than the north side of the capital? Well, the Blues surely wouldn’t complain if that was the case.
Chelsea do have plenty of wide-attacking options on their books, but the quality of Rodrygo could make him the best of the lot
Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Jamie Gittens, Kendry Páez, Estêvão Willian, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Tyrique George and Omari Kellyman, we could go on, could all be deployed there, but the Brazilian is simply sensational and would make for an upgrade on all of them, perhaps besides Palmer.
Indeed, teammate Jude Bellingham believes the Brazilian to be the “most gifted player” in Real Madrid’s squad while Luka Modric has already said that he is a “superstar”.
Praised for his ‘versatility’ and willingness ‘to be selfless for the team’ by Mario Cortegana of the Athletic, despite his outstanding performances for Real Madrid, the best is surely yet to come.
Coincidentally, Rodrygo arrived in the Spanish capital from Santos, the club of Pelé and Neymar, in 2019, so let’s see how his time in the Brasileirão compares to that of Estêvão, as well as his exploits in Madrid since.
Rodrygo vs Estêvão
Stats
Rodrygo – Santos
Rodrygo – Madrid
Estêvão – Palmeiras
Games
80
270
83
Minss
5,363
16,152
5,611
Goals
17
68
27
Assists
8
51
15
Brazil caps
0
33
5
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt
As the table outlines, while Estêvão’s statistics in Brazil are slightly more impressive than those of Rodrygo, the latter has very much since proven himself at an elite level in Europe.
He’s won an enormous 13 major honours, including the Champions League twice, while scoring 19 goals for Madrid during the 2022/23 campaign.
So, while Estêvão could be a superstar, there is certainly an element of the unknown; he could be the new Luis Guilherme, Anderson or Kleberson. Unlike Rodrygo, he’s not yet proven himself in the big leagues either.
Thus, if Chelsea want to get back to winning the Premier League and Champions League, which is their stated objective, then Rodrygo would all but guarantee taking them to the next level.
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He will also stand down as an assistant coach of UP Warriorz in the WPL
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2024
Ashley Noffke chats to Georgia Redmayne•Getty Images
Ashley Noffke will leave Queensland’s WNCL set-up and Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, while also stepping down as an assistant with UP Warriorz in the WPL, to take up a new coaching role with the Otago men’s team in New Zealand.It continues a winter of significant coaching changes within Queensland cricket after Wade Seccombe departed the men’s position with the state and Heat despite claiming the BBL title. Noffke was strongly linked with those roles before Johan Botha was handed the jobs.Mark Sorell, the former coach of the Australia women’s team from 2005-2007, has been named as Noffke’s replacement for both Queensland and Heat on a one-season contract.”This is a fantastic opportunity for me in my coaching journey,” Noffke said of his move. “The Volts and Otago Cricket are on the cusp of something special, and I’m keen to be part of that”.Noffke took on the Heat and Queensland coaching roles in 2019-20, winning a WBBL title in his first season and guiding Queensland to its inaugural WNCL title in 2020-21.”It’s bittersweet to be leaving the Fire and the Heat,” he added in a Queensland Cricket statement. “I’m excited about what lies ahead, especially working in a new program, but there are a lot of good memories from my time in Queensland.”I’m thankful for the guidance and support from the senior players, especially Jess Jonassen and Georgia Redmayne, and Mark as the assistant coach who is also a good mate. I wish the players, coaches and staff every success this year and look forward to watching the Heat and Fire teams flourish in the summers ahead.”Noffke, who starts with Otago later this month, will continue as coach of London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred this season before resuming the pre-season back in New Zealand.Queensland and Heat captain Jess Jonassen conceded there had been some upheaval during the off season but was confident the teams were well placed to handle it.”We’ve undergone some change throughout the off season and to have ‘Motsa’ [Sorrell] commit to the head coach position is a great way to provide our group with some stability moving forward,” she said. “He is extremely experienced and brings a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm to the role. I’m excited to see him dive in and continue to challenge the group.”
Glasgow Rangers could soon get the chance to bring a Champions League striker to Ibrox, with the forward in question open to the idea of a potential Gers move.
Rangers forwards Dessers and Igamane linked with Ibrox exits
Russell Martin is the man tasked by the 49ers Enterprises with bringing Scottish Premiership glory back to Ibrox, and the Gers are also looking to qualify for the Champions League, starting with next months qualifier against Greek side Panathinaikos.
However, Martin could be without some star attackers for the two-legged European clash at the end of July, with Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane both mooted to leave Glasgow this summer.
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Dessers could end up moving to Greece with AEK Athens after agreeing a £30,000-a-week contract, however, the two clubs are yet to shake hands on a fee with the Gers rejecting a £4.5m offer.
Meanwhile, Igamane has agreed personal terms with Ligue 1 side Lille over a Rangers exit, and like Dessers, there is still work to be done over reaching an agreement on a fee.
Should both depart, then reinforcements will be required in the final third ahead of the 2025/26 season, and by the looks of things, one man is keen on the idea of joining Lyall Cameron and Max Aarons through the Ibrox door.
Luuk de Jong “open” to Rangers move
According to reports from the Netherlands, relayed by The Daily Record, experienced striker Luuk de Jong would be “open” to a move to Rangers this summer.
The 34-year-old is on course to become a free agent when his PSV Eindhoven contract expires at the end of the month, and there is hesitation over new terms, with Ricardo Pepi set to be first-choice striker next season.
After three years with PSV, De Jong captained the Dutch side throughout the 24/25 season, including in the Champions League.
A Netherlands international, De Jong’s future is up in the air and Rangers are ‘touted as an interested party’, something he could be open to as he reaches the twilight years of his career.
De Jong’s goalscoring career
Games
Goals
PSV Eindhoven
338
186
FC Twente
121
59
Sevilla
94
19
Borussia Monchengladbach
45
8
Barcelona
29
7
The Doetinchem District Council
19
3
Newcastle United
12
0
Netherlands
39
8
As can be seen, De Jong, who stands at 6 foot 2, has scored goals in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany during his career, so he could be a shrewd addition who would provide plenty of experience for Martin.
Former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman even labelled De Jong as “more dangerous than Neymar” for his threat in the air, and during his career, the striker has scored 113 headed goals.
“When there’s a cross coming in, Luuk is more dangerous than Neymar. He’s a different kind of forward to what we have, and I think all teams should have one like him.”
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is now upon us, with the new-look format scheduled to get underway on June 14 and end on July 13.
There are 32 teams battling it out to win the first edition of the newly expanded competition, which will take place in the United States of America.
12 stadiums across 11 states will host games, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham some of the top superstars fighting for a place in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand here What is the new FIFA Club World Cup?
Previously, the Club World Cup would take place mid-season and only be formed of up to seven sides, with Manchester City winning the most recent iteration at the end of 2023.
However, 32 teams have qualified in the new format, and the competition will only take place every four years, similar to the international FIFA World Cup.
In total, there will be 63 games over 29 days and there promises to be incredible match-ups, unmissable clashes and must watch football at the highest level.
Where can I watch the 2025 Club World Cup?
One of the main questions fans will want to know is where to watch the 2025 Club World Cup. Well, you can watch the unmissable 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free on DAZN – the global home of football.
DAZN has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and will broadcast all of the matches live, available worldwide in 14 languages. Whether it be on a Smart TV, mobile, streaming stick, or games console, the DAZN app will provide the ultimate viewing experience.
Already a DAZN subscriber? Great, the Club World Cup will already be included as part of your membership. However, new customers can sign up for free using an email address, and will then be able to watch all the action.
FIFA Club World Cup Current Champions Manchester CityFounded 2000Most Championships Real Madrid (5)
DAZN
Watch all FIFA Club World Cup games free on DAZN. The biggest clubs and the best players in the world compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Watch Every Game Live on DAZN List of qualified teams for 2025 Club World Cup
32 of the best club teams around the world have qualified for the tournament. Europe have the most clubs with 12, spaces which were allocated based on Champions League performances since 2020/21.
There are six teams from South America, four clubs each from Asia, Africa and North America, one from Oceania and Inter Miami representing the USA as host nation.
Europe Manchester City Real Madrid Chelsea Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain Inter Milan FC Porto Benfica Borussia Dortmund Juventus Red Bull Salzburg Atletico Madrid Africa Al Ahly Wydad Esperance de Tunis Mamelodi Sundowns Asia Al Hilal Urawa Red Diamonds Al Ain Ulsan HD North America Monterrey Seattle Sounders Pachuca Inter Miami Los Angeles FC Oceania Auckland City South America Palmeiras Flamengo Fluminense River Plate Boca Juniors Botafogo Club World Cup groups and format
In total, there are eight groups of four teams in the Club World Cup, with each team playing three group games.
The top two teams in each group will qualify to the last 16, where the tournament will enter the knockout rounds. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final will follow, but there is no third/fourth play-off game at the Club World Cup.
The quarter-finals will take place across July 4 and 5 with the two semi-finals on July 8 and 9. The tournament will end with a spectacular showpiece final on Sunday July 13, featuring a half-time show by J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems.
FIFA Club World Cup Groups
Group
Teams
A
Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
B
Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
C
Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
D
Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis, Chelsea, Los Angeles FC
E
River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
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.
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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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A “quality” Liverpool player’s agents have reportedly held multiple discussions with the sporting director of a huge European club over a move there this summer.
Liverpool players who could leave this summer
The Reds’ attack is in need of being bolstered in the summer transfer window, with an elite-level No.9 required to come in and make the Premier League champions even more formidable ahead of next season.
Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota don’t represent the long-term solution leading the line for Liverpool, while Luis Diaz isn’t a natural in a central role, even though he has performed well there at times in 2024/25, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.
The Reds need to sign a striker who is strong in terms of both end product and availability, with Nunez lacking in the former and Jota a constant issue in the latter, taking them to the next level and easing some of the pressure on Mohamed Salah, who has carried the attack at times.
The likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko have all been mentioned as options – in fact, journalist Ben Jacobs has only recently talked up the Merseysiders’ chances of signing RB Leipzig ace Sesko, saying he has “become high” in Liverpool’s thinking.
Napoli sporting director in touch with "quality" Liverpool ace
According to Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo [via Sport Witness], Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has spoken to Nunez’s representatives about a summer move to the club.
It is claimed that he has had “more than one contact” with the Uruguayan’s agents, seeing him as a backup option to Lille star Jonathan David, who they are finding it hard to sign. The report also states that Nunez has decided he wants to leave Anfield this summer.
Darwin Nunez warming up for Liverpool
An exit for the 25-year-old feels like the ideal outcome for all parties in the coming weeks and months, with Liverpool’s No.9 simply not at the level required.
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The £140,000-a-week Nunez may be a popular figure among the fanbase, due to his personality, but patience has now worn thin with many, even though Jurgen Klopp said of him last year: “He had absolutely more than an OK first season but he had to adapt, that’s done, and he is settled in the middle of the team.
“He loves to play for this team together with these boys and has quality coming out of his ears, to be honest. Is he at his absolute peak in general? Not now for us. But can he develop? Yes. Is he a threat all the time? Yes.”
Darwin Nunez’s 2024/25 Premier League stats
Total
Appearances
29
Starts
8
Minutes played
1094
Goals
5
Assists
2
Key passes per game
0.3
Dribbles per game
0.3
Pass completion rate
70.9%
Ultimately, Nunez’s Liverpool career has been disappointing, considering the expectations of him when he arrived in 2022, with his finishing far too unpredictable and his all-round game lacking intelligence and subtlely. A summer farewell is a no-brainer, with a big upgrade on him required.