سلوت يعلن خبرًا سارًا لجماهير ليفربول.. ويصرّح: سنكرر أداء مباراة ريال مدريد أمام مانشستر سيتي في حالة واحدة

عقد آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول مؤتمراً صحفياً للحديث عن آخر استعدادات فريقه لمواجهة مانشستر سيتي يوم الأحد القادم في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتحدث سلوت في تصريحات نشرتها “ليفربول إيكو” عن مانشستر سيتي: “أركز فقط على أنفسنا، تركيزنا الرئيسي منصب على الثبات، خسرنا بعض المباريات، أكثر بكثير مما نخسره عادة، الآن فزنا بمباراتين، نحن نركز على تحسين أدائنا وتجهيز اللاعبين، وسنرى إلى أين سيقودنا ذلك”.

وأضاف عن الفوز ضد ريال مدريد: “وصلنا لهذا المستوى من الأداء في مباريات أخرى عندما يكون أسلوب لعب الخصم مشابه لهم، نعلم دائماً أننا قادرون على ذلك ويمكننا أن نكرر ما فعلناه ضد ريال مدريد عندما يكون أسلوب اللعب كذلك، كان من المفيد أن يقوم الفريق الآخر بما توقعناه منه، في معظم المباريات الأخرى يكون الأمر مختلفاً تماماً عن المعتاد، لا يزال أمام اللاعبين الكثير من العمل لتقديم أداء كهذا، يمكننا أن نتوقع من مانشستر سيتي أسلوب نراه عادة، لكن التحدي يتمثل أنهم بارعون جداً في ذلك”.

وسُئل سلوت عن روبرتسون وفيرتز: “بدأ روبرتسون في ثلاث مباريات خلال سبعة أيام، اضطررت لاستبداله وشعرت أنه كان متعباً لكننا سننتظر لنرى حالته اليوم، فيرتز يستطيع اللعب في أكثر من مركز وقادر على اللعب على الجهة اليسرى وهو ما فعله غالباً تحت قيادة ألونسو في ليفركوزن في خطة 3-4-3، وقبل ذلك كلاعب رقم 10، الأمر يتعلق بلعب فيرتز في مراكز يجيدها، نود أن يكون في وحول منطقة الجزاء، وفي مركز الوسط أو على الأطراف ليتمكن من خلق الفرص”.

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وأكمل سلوت عن إيزاك: “سيعود إيزاك للتدريب مع الفريق بعد غياب استمر ثلاث أسابيع، قضاء ثلاث أسابيع في برنامج إعادة التأهيل لا يعيده لمستواه السابق مع أن برنامج إعادة التأهيل لدينا قد قام بعمل رائع، ولكن يجب أن أمنحه بعض الوقت”.

وقال سلوت عن الاستمرارية والثبات: “نحن ثابتين جداً لكننا كنا نخسر باستمرار، فكرتنا هي الاستمرار في تقديم أداء جيد، مواجهة سيتي خارج ملعبنا يُعد من أصعب تحدياتنا هذا الموسم، كل مباراة خارج ملعبنا صعبة وقد شعر السيتي بذلك، لأنهم خسروا مباراتين خارج ملعبهم، آرسنال هو الاستثناء الوحيد هذا الموسم، مباراة سيتي مثيرة للاهتمام وأتطلع لها”.

واعترف: “عندما كنت في هولندا كنت أهتم بمباراة ليفربول وسيتي وأتابعها بشغف تام أمام التلفاز، المشاهدة تستحق دائماً، هناك العديد من اللاعبين الرائعين، هذه الفرق تقدم لك ما تتوقعه في تسع من عشر مرات، ما يعجبني في فريق جوارديولا أنك تحصل على ما تتمنى، مباراة رائعة بلا إضاعة للوقت وقليل من الأمور التي بدأت أكرهها في كرة القدم”.

وسُئل سلوت عن اللعب بثلاث لاعبين في خط الوسط لتحسينه كالمعتاد: “لا أعتقد أن التركيز يجب أن يكون على لاعبي خط الوسط الثلاثة، لم نستطع إشراكهم معاً طوال الوقت بسبب الإصابات وأسباب أخرى، من المفيد أن يلعب الفريق معاً أكثر فأكثر، لدي جميع أنواع الحجج التي تؤدي لهذا الأداء لكن هذا ممل وسيقول الناس إنني استخدم حجج للهزائم، أعجبني أداؤنا ضد يونايتد أكثر من أمام أستون فيلا لكن النتيجة أعجبتني أكثر ضد فيلا، صنعنا فرص اكثر من اللعب المفتوح”.

وسُئل سلوت عن أداء سوبوسلاي المتميز هذا الموسم: “يتمتع بالعديد من الصفات، منها عمله مع الكرة وهذا يعجبني في كل مباراة، لكن أدائه في المباراتين الأخيرتين كان أعلى من توقعاته على الأرجح”.

وعاد سلوت للحديث عن روبرتسون والإشادة به مرة أخرى: “لقد قدم أداءً رائعاً في آخر ثلاث مباريات، كنت سعيد جداً برؤيته يلعب ما يقارب 90 دقيقة في مباراته الأخيرة، من الصعب لعب ثلاث مباريات في سبعة أيام، من المفيد جداً لكل لاعب أن يلعب الفريق بأفضل حالاته وهو ما أعتقد أننا فعلناه في الأيام القليلة الماضية، لقد كان هادئاً مع الكرة وقام بعمله الدفاعي على أكمل وجه، لا يعني شيئاً أنه فوق الثلاثين من عمره وإذا نظرت لكل من فيرجيل وصلاح وروبرتسون، الثلاثي فاز بالدوري الموسم الماضي ولعبوا دوراً كبيراً، إذا لم يلعب لاعب يبلغ 23 من عمره فلا أحد يتحدث عن العمر ولكن إذا لعب لاعب يبلغ 32 عاماً فهو كذلك، لا أعتقد أن 32 عاماً عمر كبير للاعب كرة قدم في رأيي”.

وأتم سلوت عن عودة أليسون وفريمبونج بعد فترة التوقف الدولي: “أتوقع عودة أليسون، لكنني لا أتوقع أن يكون فريمبونج جاهز لمواجهة فورست”.

واختتم عن فارق الكرات الثابتة في أوروبا: “القوة البدنية في البريميرليج مختلفة، نرى لاعبين أقوياء البنية، لا يوجد دوري آخر يركز على الكرات الثابتة بهذا القدر، ربما يتمثل الفارق بالنسبة لنا في سوء حظنا في الدوري الإنجليزي وحظنا الأكبر في دوري أبطال أوروبا، حظينا بنفس الفرص في الدوري وقد أهدرنا بعض منها، لو كان لدينا نفس التوازن في الكرات الثابتة مثل دوري الأبطال لما كنا نتأخر عن آرسنال بسبع نقاط حالياً، استقبلنا خمس أهداف بتلك الطريقة ولم نسجل أي هدف من خلالها، بغض النظر عن هدف سوبوسلاي”.

"Sealed and signed" – Man Utd agree $1m deal and personal terms with 17 y/o

Manchester United is a club currently surrounded by question marks. Almost a year of poor performances in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim has led to speculation about his job security and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’s capability to turn the club around.

Amorim is yet to record back-to-back wins in the Premier League, and with fixtures like Liverpool and Tottenham coming up, it seems unlikely that he will win two in a row before the next international break.

While their managerial recruitment is in question, the new minority owners’ on-field recruitment has been a source of praise. In the senior team, players like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have added a spark to United’s attack that hasn’t been seen in recent years, and youngsters like Sekou Kone and of course the more experienced Amad Diallo give fans hope for the future.

Despite the transfer window not being open for several months, United are looking to continue their impressive recent recruitment and have already agreed a deal to bring in their next young talent.

United agree deal for Orozco

Earlier in the week, it was revealed that Manchester United were putting in early plans to bring in “very technical” 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco. On Thursday morning, Fabrizio Romano revealed that contracts have been “sealed and signed”, and he concluded his X post with his “here we go” confirmation.

“Manchester United have now sealed and signed deal to bring in 17 year old Colombian talent Cristian Orozco,” the journalist said. “$1m transfer fee from Fortaleza in deal valid from summer 2026. MUFC lawyers approved all the contracts, deal coordinated by lead scout Antonaccio. Here we go.”

The Colombian League runs on a different schedule to the Premier League, played from January to December. This means that Orozco will leave halfway through their 2026 campaign to join United ahead of the Premier League’s 2026/27 season.

The defensive midfielder has impressed in both his club and National Youth setups. His first Colombia under-17 appearance came in January, and he has represented the side on nine occasions since then. This move is still a gamble for United as the youngster still hasn’t made his senior debut for Fortaleza, but their willingness to take the risk with Orozco is down to their faith in a United figure whose recent recruitment has been impressive.

INEOS putting faith in South America scouts

In his post, Romano specifically highlighted United lead scout​​ Giuseppe Antonaccio as a crucial player in the deal. Antonaccio has been at the club since 2016 and focuses on scouting the South American market.

And his importance in recruiting young talent seems to be increasing. Along with the Orozco deal, he was also cited as being an important figure in bringing in United’s newest left back, Diego Leon. Leon has already made an impression at United and was kept with the first team despite initial plans to loan him out.

United have a history of being linked with talented youngsters from South America, but they have missed some major opportunities in recent years. The most notable of these was Moises Caicedo, who they reportedly could have signed for £5 million. Caicedo was eventually signed by Brighton and later moved to Chelsea for a then British transfer record of £115 million.

While it’s unlikely that Orozco, Leon or any other young talent they look to sign will surpass the £100 million mark, they could still provide some major benefits for the club. If they develop well, they could turn into important first-team players, and if we don’t hit the standards that United want, then their cheap price will make it easy for the club to sell them on for a profit at a time when they desperately need cash.

Lynn Stewart, wife of Alec, dies after 12-year cancer battle

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.”

Preparador físico do Universitario é detido por racismo em jogo contra o Corinthians

MatériaMais Notícias

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

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores exaltam Renato Augusto em vitória do Corinthians na Sul-AmericanaFora de Campo11/07/2023CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Felipe Augusto aproveita chance e decide na estreia do Corinthians na Sul-AmericanaCorinthians11/07/2023CorinthiansAugustos decidem, e Corinthians larga na frente do Universitario pela Sul-Americana; resultado coloca o Timão em vantagemCorinthians11/07/2023

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.

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موقف رافينها من مباراة برشلونة وريال مدريد في الدوري الإسباني

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية تطورات جديدة بشأن رافينها لاعب برشلونة، بعد إصابة تعرض لها في أوتار الركبة اليمنى ضد ريال أوفييدو في الدوري الإسباني.

وكان من المتوقع أن يغيب رافينها عن برشلونة لمدة ثلاث أسابيع بعد تعرضه للإصابة، وتنتهي هذه المدة غدًا الجمعة، ولم يعد البرازيلي لتدريبات البلوجرانا بعد، مما يعني أن هناك تباطؤ في عملية تعافيه ولن يكون متاحًا لمواجهة جيرونا.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية فإن رافينها قد خضع لفحص التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي اليوم الخميس، وهناك تفاؤل وأنباء إيجابية تتعلق بلحاقه بمواجهة ريال مدريد في الكلاسيكو يوم 26 أكتوبر.

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وقد يستدعى رافينها لقائمة برشلونة ضد أولمبياكوس يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، في الجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، ويرغب البارسا بالحذر وعدم التسرع في الدفع بالنجم البرازيلي.

ويخطط برشلونة للاحتفاظ بالنجم البرازيلي رافينها ليكون جاهزاً لمواجهة ريال مدريد، وقد يجلس على دكة البدلاء ليكون متاحاً لهانز فليك في الشوط الثاني.

The message Yoane Wissa has sent to Brentford as Bees reject Newcastle bid

Newcastle United have submitted a new bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa worth £40 million. The offer is said to be comprised of a £35 million transfer fee and £5 million in “difficult to achieve” add-ons.

Brentford brought Wissa to the Premier League from FC Lorient in 2021 for £8.5 million, meaning that the current bid would more than quadruple their initial investment. However, David Ornstein has since reported that this bid has been rejected.

Ornstein writes that sources close to Brentford do not know the club’s current valuation of Wissa, as they have not shared that information with any of the striker’s suitors at this point.

Whilst the Magpies move has been shut down for now, there is positive news for Newcastle in that both Fabrizio Romano and Ornstein are reporting that Wissa wants the deal to happen, with Romano posting that Wissa “hopes for green light to join NUFC project” and has sent a clear message on Wednesday.

Over the last few weeks, a number of clubs have been embroiled in transfer sagas that undoubtedly seemed connected. Newcastle’s need to bring in a player like Wissa has only been added to by the seemingly impending exit of Alexander Isak, who is pushing for a move more than ever.

Newcastle were previously reported to be waiting until Brentford signed Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara to make an offer, as he is seen as potentially being a replacement for Wissa. Now that Brentford have their man, they may be willing to allow Wissa to move to Newcastle if a satisfactory bid is received, especially given Wissa’s desire to see the deal happen.

Once Wissa joins Newcastle, the club may be more willing to entertain bids from Liverpool for Isak, as they, too, will have their replacement striker. Liverpool have already spent heavily this window; they have moved on a number of players for big fees, and players like Harvey Elliott could also be exiting soon, allowing them to have the finances to place a bid that matches Newcastle’s valuation of Isak.

Wissa has big shoes to fill

If Wissa is indeed to be the replacement for Isak, then he has big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, he can. Last season, Isak registered 23 goals and 6 assists, whereas Wissa registered 19 goals and 4 assists, only marginally behind the Swedish striker.

One positive way in which the two strikers are similar is that they both outperformed their expected goals last season. This means in the same way that Isak was scoring goals that most strikers wouldn’t, Wissa will be able to join the side and impress in the same way.

While Isak had better numbers, he was doing it in a better team, a team that managed to qualify for the Champions League, whereas Brentford only finished in 10th place. With the addition of Anthony Elanga to the squad and pre-existing players like Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy supporting him, Wissa will likely boost his numbers once he makes a move to the North East.

PCB says Gillespie will remain head coach for South Africa Tests

The board, however, has not confirmed him for any engagements beyond that tour

Danyal Rasool17-Nov-2024The PCB has said there will be no change of Test match coach for one more series, with Jason Gillespie taking charge of the upcoming two Tests against South Africa. The board has not confirmed him for any engagements beyond that tour, though he does have a contract with the PCB that runs till 2026.Over the past few days, multiple local reports indicated that Gillespie’s time with Pakistan cricket was limited, with Aaqib Javed lined up as replacement. Earlier today, ESPNcricinfo also reported that Aaqib was likely to take over as all-format coach. The white-ball coaching role remains vacant after Gary Kirsten resigned last month, and Aaqib remains the frontrunner to be replace him, with Pakistan’s T20I and ODI tour of Zimbabwe starting next Sunday.The PCB, though, has denied that Gillespie’s job is under immediate threat. “As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa,” a statement from the PCB on X said.Related

Gillespie's future in further doubt as PCB ditches Nielsen

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The PCB have not confirmed whether Gillespie will be the head coach for any series beyond those two Tests. Pakistan have a two-Test home series against West Indies immediately following the Tests in South Africa.ESPNcricinfo has reached out to the PCB to confirm if their statement locks Gillespie for any engagements beyond the two-Test series of South Africa, and await a response.Earlier this week, the PCB sounded Gillespie out on the prospect of taking over as white-ball coach until the conclusion of the Champions Trophy. However, the increased responsibility did not come with a commensurate increase in his financial compensation, which is understood to be the reason Gillespie turned them down. Consequently, the PCB turned their attention to replacing Kirsten with a local appointment.They initially considered the possibility of either elevating Azhar Mahmood, or appointing Saqlain Mushtaq, who served as coach in 2021-22. Neither, though, appeared to draw enough support from within the PCB’s advisory circle, which led to Aaqib being offered the position. It is understood he will be asked to take on the role until the end of the Champions Trophy, following which the PCB will reevaluate.Gillespie’s next immediate engagement is the third T20I against Australia, a series he took over as interim coach for. Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa, the only other engagement he has yet been formally confirmed by the PCB for, begins on December 26.While Gillespie appears to have kept his job in the immediate term, the relationship between the coach and the board has been anything but smooth. Three Tests into his tenure, Aaqib was hired by the PCB as part of a revamped selection committee, with Gillespie’s powers significantly reduced. He was removed from the selection committee, and no longer had a say in which players were selected for a match or series.He was left thoroughly unimpressed by the changes, admitting in a press conference during the home series against England that he was “just a matchday strategist”. In another interview with broadcaster Sky the following day, he said that it “was not what he signed up for.””For me, when I came on board with Pakistan cricket, I was told there was a long-term plan, and we need to make sure our communication’s spot on,” he said at the time. “I made that a real focus and so you can get frustrated if those things aren’t done how you would like. It wasn’t what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest.”

جدو: توقعنا الفوز على الأهلي السعودي.. وهذا اللاعب فضله عظيم

تحدث محمد ناجي جدو، المدرب العام في نادي بيراميدز، عن أداء الفريق والفوز على الأهلي السعودي في بطولة كأس القارات “إنتركونتيننتال”.

وقال جدو، عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “أتمنى أن نستمر على هذا الأداء في الفترة المقبلة، كانت مباراة جيدة جدًا من جميع اللاعبين، وأشكرهم على أدائهم وروحهم، خاصة أننا نلعب وسط جماهير أهلي جدة”.

وتابع: “طموحنا كبير في الوصول إلى أبعد مرحلة في البطولة، وسنتجاوز هذه المرحلة الحالية لنركز على الدوري العام”.

طالع.. الأهلي السعودي يُبرر الهزيمة القاسية أمام بيراميدز في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

وواصل: “من البداية كنا نتوقع أن نقدم مباراة كبيرة، درسنا فريق أهلي جدة جيدًا، ووضعنا خطة واضحة للضغط على المدافعين”.

واستمر: “كنا مركزين في هذه المباراة، وكنا نعلم أنها ستكون مواجهة صعبة”.

وأتم: “منذ الموسم الماضي، أحمد الشناوي كان له فضل كبير جدًا في تتويج بيراميدز بالبطولات، فلكي تحصد بطولة يجب أن تمتلك حارس مرمى كبيرًا يتصدى للكرات الصعبة”.

Shades of Coutinho: Liverpool make contact to sign "complete" £30m star

Despite the heavy spending Liverpool have completed this summer, Arne Slot’s backline looks rather light.

Aside from the 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the latter of whom is being courted by Real Madrid, the Reds are short on centre-backs, having sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m in June.

But the Premier League champions are in fantastic shape after adding genuine firepower to their ranks. And that’s without even addressing the potential arrival of Alexander Isak.

But. The fact remains. Liverpool’s defensive line is rather light. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have both signed and are terrific talents, but centre-backs they are not.

And with Joe Gomez forced into leaving Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia due to injury, the need for more defensive depth has been accentuated.

Liverpool lining up Gomez replacement

In Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving first-team player, Slot has an invaluable asset. He is fiercely versatile, remarkably so, having won the 2019/20 Premier League title as Van Dijk’s central partner, having played plenty at right-back and sometimes on the left too.

Joe Gomez – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-back

117

2

Right-back

102

6

Left-back

33

2

Defensive midfield

2

Stats via Transfermarkt

But the 28-year-old has picked up a minor Achilles injury, meaning he might not be fit for the start of the season, having last featured for Liverpool in December due to sustaining a hamstring twinge.

Given that Gomez has been linked with a transfer away on several occasions over the past year too, it might not be unwise to push ahead and try and sign a long-term replacement.

Liverpool have been touted with a move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is out of contract at the end of the 2025/26 season, but there are no guarantees that they will get that one over the line, especially with Tottenham Hotspur showing a vested interest of their own.

As such, FSG have drawn up an alternative pick, and that man is Giovanni Leoni.

As per InterNews, the Parma centre-half, who is only 18, has been the subject of enquiries from Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham, though Inter Milan remain in the driving seat after their sustained efforts to sign him.

The talented defender may yet attract further suitors, so the time to act is now, and the Reds are said to be readying their bid. It’s mooted that he would cost something in the region of €35m (£30m).

Why Liverpool should sign Giovanni Leoni

It wouldn’t be the first time Liverpool have signed a young prospect from Serie A and nurtured them into a superstar. Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah are both defining features of this illustrious era on Merseyside, although both arrived as refined players.

Philippe Coutinho, however, was but a hatchling on the senior stage. Liverpool signed the Brazilian midfielder from Inter Milan for just £8.5m in January 2013, and he went on to score 54 goals and provide 44 assists across 201 matches before signing for Barcelona in an obscene £142m package in January 2018.

So began the glory days. You know how it goes.

Former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho was a one-of-a-kind playmaker, so silky and special, but when he was first welcomed to Anfield as a 20-year-old, the promise was scattered and hazy. He required a hefty amount of fine-tuning.

Don’t worry, we haven’t lost our marbles. This is not advocacy of Leoni slotting into that number ten role, placing surgical passes through to the forwards with the finesse of a maestro in their pomp. This, instead, shines a light on Liverpool’s success in identifying and signing up-and-coming talents from the Italian game.

Napoli's Romelu Lukaku in action with Parma's GiovanniLeoni

And with sporting director Richard Hughes boasting a connection with the Italian scene, fluent in the language and well versed in the footballing culture, having begun his days as a professional with Atalanta in Serie A and spent time as an Italian football analyst, he’s likely on the money when drawing a conclusion that Leoni is a talent worth chasing.

And anyway, he’s not alone in his admiration. The suitors are piling up, and talent scout Jacek Kulig has said that he is “one of the most complete teenage centre-backs in Europe.”

His breakout season in the Serie A attests to that.

League Stats 24/25 – Marc Guehi vs Giovanni Leoni

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

17 (14)

Goals

1

Assists

0

Touches*

46.9

Pass completion

89%

Key passes*

0.1

Ball recoveries*

2.0

Dribbles*

0.2

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

Clearances*

3.6

Duels (won)*

2.5 (61%)

Errors made

1

Data via Sofascore

Leoni can, yes, be defined already by his all-encompassing grasp of the defensive game, as well as his dominance in defensive situations. The fact that he won 61% of his duels in the league last season suggests as such.

It’s a rather promising base, in any case. The scope for improvement is vast and exciting.

Just look at Coutinho. Liverpool remember him as a shining light through testing times, a magician who played a fundamental role in his golden era at Anfield.

But he was only a prospect when he first alighted in Liverpool, having scored once and started thrice in Italy across the half-season that preceded his transfer.

He soon found his footing. And Leoni could too. The young Italian defender would serve as Van Dijk and Konate’s understudy, and Gomez’s too, should the English star bounce back from his present injury.

It’s clear that Liverpool need to sign a centre-back, and in Leoni, they might just land themselves a star in the making.

As exciting as Isak: Liverpool chasing "one of the best LWs in Europe"

Liverpool could sign another big-money forward before the window closes.

ByMatt Dawson Jul 28, 2025

Jonny Bairstow, George Hill pile on the runs before Middlesex dig in

Sam Robson leads response but Yorkshire have weight of runs in their favour

ECB Reporters Network30-Aug-2024

George Hill stands tall to cut•Getty Images

Jonny Bairstow completed an excellent 160, and was usurped by George Hill’s career-best 169 not out, on day two at Headingley as Yorkshire topped 600 in their first innings before Middlesex responded encouragingly.Yorkshire have the advantage at the halfway stage of this Vitality County Championship promotion battle having posted 601 for six declared during the second half of the afternoon. But, given a benign pitch, Middlesex should be confident of claiming a draw having closed on 141 for one from 50 overs.Bairstow, with a point to prove after being dropped from all England squads this summer, advanced from 107 overnight. The 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batter shared a record-breaking 238 for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Hill, who posted a first hundred of the season.Leg-spinner Luke Hollman was Middlesex’s standout bowler with four for 194 from 47 overs before Sam Robson, on the ground where he scored his only Test century for England – against Sri Lanka in 2014, led the way in their reply with a measured 65 not out.The Bairstow-Hill partnership, which started during the early stages of the first evening, marks Yorkshire’s highest sixth-wicket stand in first-class matches against Middlesex, and their innings total was joint ninth highest ever on this ground in first-class cricket.It would be no great surprise to see second-placed Middlesex go close to matching that in a battle with a Yorkshire team who started this 11th fixture of 14 three points adrift in third place in Division Two.This was not the rampaging Bairstow Yorkshire and England fans have come to expect in recent years. While he was still positive, he was extremely responsible.That was in part due to the fact that when he united with Hill, Yorkshire were 242 for five and by no means certain of an imposing total. This is also not a pitch with oodles of pace. Timing the ball doesn’t look to be entirely straightforwards.And, of course, he has a point to prove to the England selectors.Hill, who survived a missed-stumping on 64 before lunch off Hollman, has struggled with the bat this season. The ex-England Under 19 last scored a century in June of last year, for example, and this one came off 169 balls before lunch.He was also calm and controlled, though did loft Hollman over long-on for six before lunch, where Yorkshire reached at 485 for six having started the day on 372 for five.The hosts secured four batting bonus points, narrowly missing out on the maximum of five. But they did gain the second prize of limiting Middlesex to only one bowling point for taking five wickets inside the 110-over cut off.With the gap between the two counties only three points coming into this game, that indicates that every point could be crucial in the promotion race.Bairstow, who is not keeping wicket in this game, was bowled off an under-edge as he attempted to pull Hollman – the only Yorkshire wicket to fall on day two.Hill and Dom Bess then shared an unbroken 121 for the seventh wicket, the latter contributing an unbeaten 60 in the sunshine.Yorkshire’s innings lasted 144 overs, and it was clear their first priority was not to lose the game, knowing a defeat would hand Middlesex a potentially defining result in the promotion race.While Middlesex picked Hollman as their only frontline spinner, Yorkshire picked two in off-spinner Bess and left-armer Dan Moriarty.After a short burst from new ball seamers Ben Coad and Jordan Thompson, they got to work and wheeled away through the majority of the evening.Bess claimed the only wicket to fall when Mark Stoneman edged to slip for 27, leaving Middlesex 61 for one in the 19th over.But Stoneman’s opening partner Robson calmly saw his side through to close without further alarm, reaching his fifty off 105 balls.He shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 80 with Max Holden, who has 39 not out.

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