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In a period that has seen fans and pundits alike become obsessed with ‘winning the transfer window’, Liverpool – intentionally or not – have bucked the trend, having proven that getting the best out of what you already have at your disposal can be just as fruitful.

Indeed, the Premier League champions have made just one senior signing since snapping up Ryan Gravenberch back in the summer of 2023, albeit with that man Federico Chiesa merely something of an afterthought under Arne Slot, having made just five top-flight outings this season – none of which have come from the start.

While the impending exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold – alongside the need for a new striker and centre-back – will likely see the Reds dip into the transfer market this time around, there should be a sense of caution this summer, amid the need to avoid upsetting the applecart.

The pursuit of a certain Martin Zubimendi last summer should be an example to follow, with the Anfield side deciding not to pursue an alternative to the Spaniard, after the Real Sociedad man turned down the chance to move to England.

The aforementioned Gravenberch – who has since started 35 league games in 2024/25 – has proven to be a more than worthy in-house solution for Slot, with Zubimendi’s rejection perhaps a sliding doors moment for the season.

By all accounts, the Euro 2024 winner will belatedly move to the Premier League this summer, but not to Anfield.

The latest on Martin Zubimendi's future

Jurgen Klopp’s final summer had seen a real overhaul in the midfield department, with four new faces brought into the fold in 2023, amid the departures of the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho.

That quartet were seemingly not deemed to be enough as far as Slot was concerned a year later, with the Merseysiders looking hellbent on bringing Zubimendi to the club, in order to replace Wataru Endo as the starting option in the number six role.

Despite having appeared convinced that the Sociedad star would be keen to leave his boyhood club, the midfield maestro ultimately opted against joining Slot’s ranks, having seemingly “changed his mind”, according to Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan.

Fast forward less than 12 months, however, and it would seem that the 25-year-old has again had a change of heart, with the Independent’s Miguel Delaney revealing last week that a deal to take the £51m man to Arsenal has already been “wrapped up”.

That has since been followed by a report from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian journalist outlining that Zubimendi has “verbally agreed to sign a long-term deal” with the Gunners, following in the footsteps of compatriot and former club colleague, Mikel Merino.

Liverpool have missed out, although it should well be Zubimendi left with the tinge of regret. While Slot’s men have claimed title glory, the Basque ace, meanwhile, has been part of a side that are currently 12th in LaLiga, amid a deeply disappointing campaign for La Real.

It would appear that things have worked out for the best as far as those at Anfield are concerned, not least with the club boasting a midfield superstar of their own.

The Liverpool star who's worth far more than Zubimendi

The revelation of the campaign, from a Liverpool perspective at least, has been Gravenberch, with club legend Jamie Carragher hailing the Dutchman as “the biggest surprise” of the season, due to his standout form.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

That said, the man who takes the acclaim as arguably the Premier League’s “outstanding midfielder”, as per Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, is his World Cup-winning teammate, Alexis Mac Allister, with the Argentine having again been simply masterful in 2024/25.

Signed for a minimal fee of just £35m from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2023, the playmaker has proven to be something of a bargain over the last two years, having played a central role in the club’s title success.

Indeed, this season has seen Mac Allister rack up five goals and five assists in the top-flight, with his thumping effort against Tottenham Hotspur sparking jubilant celebrations that even measured at 1.7 on the Richter scale, as Liverpool closed in on the title.

Not only the man who can provide that cutting edge in the final third, the midfield metronome has also averaged 1.3 key passes per game, while averaging 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game. In all, the 26-year-old ranks sixth in the division for tackles made this term, with 95.

Games

35

33

Goals

5

2

Assists

5

1

Big chances created

6

1

Key passes*

1.3

0.5

Pass accuracy*

87%

84%

Tackles*

2.7

2.2

Interceptions*

0.6

1.2

Total duels won*

48%

58%

That ability to thrive both in and out of possession is also showcased by how he stacks up against his peers across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref. For example, the former Seagulls star ranks in the top 7% for non-penalty goals and the top 6% for shot-creating actions, albeit while also ranking in the top 1% for blocks and the top 8% for tackles made per 90.

Unsurprisingly, such form has seen his valuation soar following that £35m move, with Transfermarkt deeming him to now be worth in the region of €90m (£76m). To put that into perspective, the aforementioned Zubimendi is valued at €60m (£51m) – thus matching his reported release clause.

Zubimendi may be a talent and could certainly thrive under Mikel Arteta’s watch next season. That said, even if he does make a smooth transition to life in the Premier League, Liverpool can rest easy knowing that they already have a far more valuable talent of their own.

He may not yet be of the status of an Alisson, a Virgil van Dijk or a Mo Salah, although on the evidence of 2024/25, in particular, Mac Allister is just as important as any of them.

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Arne Slot must drop this Liverpool dud who was worse than Conor Bradley against Arsenal.

3 ByDan Emery May 11, 2025

Liverpool recently confirmed that star attacker Mohamed Salah has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with the club to extend his stay at Anfield beyond the summer.

His old deal was due to expire at the end of the current season, which would have made him a free agent ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but the Reds will have Salah running down the wing again next term.

That should come as a huge relief to the Anfield supporters because he has scored 243 goals for the club to date, including 27 goals in the Premier League so far this term.

The Egypt international consistently carries a big threat at the top end of the pitch, and his decision to extend his contract will come as a big boost for Arne Slot, who will be able to call upon his services on the right flank again next season.

Salah is not the only key Liverpool star who has decided to remain at Anfield, though, as Virgil van Dijk has reportedly agreed a two-year contract extension, although that has yet to be officially confirmed by the club.

Why keeping Virgil van Dijk is a big boost for Liverpool

Keeping the Netherlands international beyond the summer, when his deal is currently due to expire, is set to be a big boost for the club when it is made official.

The former Southampton defender is on the verge of winning his second Premier League title with the Reds, and his first whilst wearing the captain’s armband.

Van Dijk has played every single minute of the current league season for the Reds, starting all 32 of their matches, and has been a rock at the heart of the defence.

Liverpool have kept 13 clean sheets and conceded 31 goals – the second-lowest tally in the division – in that time, thanks to his exceptional performances at centre-back.

Starts

32

Pass accuracy

92%

Clean sheets

13

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

Clearances per game

5.2

Ground duel success rate

61%

Aerial duel success rate

70%

As you can see in the table above, Van Dijk has dominated opposition attackers in duels on the ground and in the air, whilst being incredibly reliable with the ball at his feet.

The Dutch defender, who scored the winning goal in their clash with West Ham United at Anfield last weekend, has been a consistent and brilliant performer at centre-back, playing a pivotal role in their soon-to-be title success.

This is why keeping the defender at the club is set to be a big boost for Liverpool and Klopp, particularly as he is now at an age – 33 – where it is all about his performances, rather than any sell-on value.

At the time of writing (17/04/2025), Transfermarkt have Van Dijk’s market value at roughly £23.9m, which is even less than they reportedly want for one of their young talents this summer.

The latest on Jarell Quansah's Liverpool future

According to CaughtOffside, there are six clubs interested in a deal to sign Jarell Quansah from Liverpool in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that Newcastle United have a long-standing interest in the England U21 international and that they are one of the six clubs eyeing him up.

It states that Everton, Bournemouth, and Brentford are among the other Premier League teams keen on the versatile defender, who can play at right-back or centre-back.

CaughtOffside adds that there is also interest from abroad in the young starlet, as Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen could emerge as suitors for him.

The outlet also reveals that Liverpool would be willing to listen to offers for the academy graduate if any teams come in with bids worth around £30m, but it remains to be seen whether or not any of the aforementioned clubs are prepared to meet their demands.

This latest report shows that the Reds have hit the jackpot on Quansah, who is now worth even more than club captain and leading centre-back Van Dijk.

Why Liverpool should sell Jarrel Quansah

The central defender has been at Liverpool since the age of five, with this year marking 15 years at the club, and this means that they did not have to spend a penny to land the talented youngster.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

He was not an expensive signing at academy or first-team level who has come into the senior set-up with expectations or potential that has to be fulfilled to live up to a price tag.

Quansah, instead, rose through the ranks as a homegrown prospect and enjoyed a loan spell at Bristol Rovers before his emergence in the squad under Jurgen Klopp last term.

As shown in the clips above, the English colossus showcased his qualities in and out of possession in his debut campaign to earn himself a senior England call-up last year.

The 22-year-old ace, who was described as a “monster” by scout Jacek Kulig last term, has failed to kick on after his promising performances in the 2023/24 season, though, as he has struggled for game time under Slot.

Appearances

17

11

Goals

2

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.5

1.4

Clearances per game

2.3

1.3

Ground duel success rate

60%

50%

Aerial duel success rate

67%

39%

As you can see in the table above, Quansah has played fewer matches, completed fewer defensive actions, and been weaker in duels on the floor and in the air in the Premier League this season compared to last.

Instead of developing and improving with age, it appears as though the English defender has regressed, or stagnated at best, under the Dutch head coach.

This suggests that now could be the right time for Liverpool to cash in on the 22-year-old, who is now valued at £30m, as this could be the peak of his value.

The Reds could run the risk of his form continuing to regress, resulting in his value dropping, if they do not decide to make the most of the current interest in his services from teams across Europe, which is why they should move on from him this summer.

Better move than Huijsen: Liverpool closely following £50m "game-changer"

Liverpool are reportedly interested in a Premier League star who would be an even better signing than Dean Huijsen.

ByDan Emery Apr 16, 2025

They have had their moments in most games, but still find themselves at the bottom of the points table

Sruthi Ravindranath25-Oct-2025Almost. It’s the word that has defined Bangladesh’s campaign at the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup. They almost defended 178 against England. They almost beat South Africa but dropped catches under pressure. They almost chased down 203 against Sri Lanka.The what-ifs are many, but for a team playing only its second ODI World Cup, Bangladesh have punched above their weight. Yet, despite the fight, they find themselves at the bottom of the points table – even below winless Pakistan – level on number of wins with New Zealand and Sri Lanka, all three teams having split points because of washouts.The gulf between bat and ball has been evident throughout their campaign, and it surfaced once again against Sri Lanka. After their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 203, Bangladesh’s batters stumbled, dragging the chase deep but falling short in the final over. After that match, captain Nigar Sultana had admitted to her side’s struggles in crunch moments but refused to attribute their narrow losses to luck.Related

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“It’s really heartbreaking, definitely, because we came here to win,” she had said. “This kind of match, I think we played three games against England, South Africa and now Sri Lanka. I think we need to think about it and we have to learn so many things. [In] this kind of situation, [we should learn] how we should calm our nerves and how we should get runs. And definitely, the young players have been playing in the middle at crucial moments. So, I think they should learn.”It’s definitely our mistake. It’s not just one match; this is the third time it’s happened like this. I think we’re failing to finish properly in the final moments. We shouldn’t need to take it to the last over while chasing this kind of target. That’s our fault. Maybe there were some miscalculations, and we couldn’t use some bowlers properly in the middle overs.”Bangladesh’s batting has shown promise in patches – five different players have scored fifties, including Nigar’s fighting 77 against Sri Lanka – but frequent collapses and a glut of dot balls have proved costly. Their dot-ball percentage of 66.6 is the second-highest in the tournament, underlining their struggles.They began their campaign by comfortably chasing down 130 against Pakistan, but fell in a heap against England, New Zealand and Australia to post totals below 200. Against South Africa, Shorna Akter’s 35-ball 51 – the fastest half-century in women’s ODIs for Bangladesh – took them to 235, but they dropped several chances in the end to lose the match. Against England, they got their catching right, but the third umpire’s decision to reprieve Heather Knight proved costly in the end.There have been a few heartbreaks for Bangladesh at this World Cup•ICC/Getty ImagesOne of the factors behind the inconsistency has been their limited preparation. Since early 2024, the only top-ranked side Bangladesh have faced is Australia, back in March last year. Apart from the World Cup qualifiers in April, their build-up featured no international cricket, only domestic training camps. Nigar stressed the need for more exposure against top-ranked opposition. In the current FTP running from 2025-29 though, they are set to face India, Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand across formats.”The more competitive cricket you play, the sharper your skills get,” she said. “In ICC tournaments, we face new situations that we don’t often see in bilateral series, where we play the same opponents again and again. A stronger domestic setup or league system would help a lot. If we get to play more competitive games at home, our chances of losing tight matches will go down for sure.”But there have been other positives too, with their young bowling attack standing out. Fast bowler Marufa Akter, just 20, whose hooping deliveries troubled batters in the powerplay, has impressed many. Their spin department, led by veteran Fahima Khatun, has also shone through the performances of youngsters Rabeya Khan (20) and 18-year-old Shorna, who together have taken more wickets than Khatun. Against Sri Lanka, both youngsters were preferred over Khatun – a call that paid off, as they shared five wickets between them.”Among the eight teams in this World Cup, we’re the only one with three legspinners and all three are different types,” Khatun had said before the Sri Lanka match. “As a senior, I always try to collaborate with them and encourage them. They’re very young and crucial for our team. I often tell them, ‘You’re better than me; I have a lot to learn from you.’ Having three different kinds of legspinners is a big advantage for us.”Shorna Akter have been one of the standout players for Bangladesh in the tournament•ICC/Getty ImagesAt home, Bangladesh’s players feature in two main domestic tournaments, the Women’s Dhaka Premier League and the National Cricket League, both often played on spin-friendly, low-scoring pitches. On the eve of the India game, batter Sobhana Mostary acknowledged that while the level of competition can vary, the domestic structure is slowly improving.”Last ODI World Cup in 2022, only Pinky [Fargana Hoque] scored fifty but in this tournament, you can see around six or seven fifties,” she said. “So, I think that’s an improvement. Scoring a fifty is not easy; I also got my first fifty in this World Cup. If I can keep this consistency, it will help me in the next series. Similarly, [Sharmin Akhter] Supta has been performing well for a long time.”Now our domestic tournament is going good. In [Dhaka] Premier League among ten teams, six teams are good enough but four teams are like 50 – 50. Five years ago, two-three teams were good. But now five to six teams are good. Before, most players came from North Bengal, but now we have players from Chattogram and Sylhet as well. Maybe their parents are also watching the matches now. I think most people in Bangladesh are following this World Cup, which is a great inspiration for us. It motivates us to fight against stronger teams. That’s it, everyone is watching and supporting us, and that means a lot.”Bangladesh are yet to see one of their players feature in either the WBBL or WPL. Mostary hopes that changes soon.”In WPL, every time we send our name, they are not [okay to] pick a Bangladeshi. But we are thinking about this tournament – like Marufa [is] doing very good in Indian conditions. And Rabeya is also very bowling good this tournament. So maybe in the upcoming WPL they are [picked].”Bangladesh will leave the tournament with more heartbreaks than wins, but also with signs of growth. Among bottom-ranked sides, few have shown as much promise, or left as many almosts behind.

Players and support staff members weigh in on the possible solutions to not lose out days of Ranji Trophy games every season

Daya Sagar and Nikhil Sharma20-Jan-2024The winter fog in northern India has once again disrupted the Ranji Trophy, forcing coaches and players to question why the matches are being played in conditions where visibility is low and the outfield often wet.Matches across the first few rounds of the Ranji season, including the ongoing third round – in Delhi, Meerut, Chandigarh, Jammu, Lahli, Kanpur and Mullanpur – were all affected to varying degrees, with overs and even days lost without a ball being bowled. The problem is not new and has persisted over the years with the BCCI unable to figure a viable solution.With vital points being lost, teams have once again listed some possible solutions the Indian board could look at before it makes the schedule next season. Former India spinner Sunil Joshi, who is the Uttar Pradesh head coach, wants north India to be ignored from the fixtures’ list during the peak of winter, and wants the respective teams’ home games to be played in the later stages of the tournament.”Look, in big tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, teams suffer losses if the matches are not completed,” Joshi told ESPNcricinfo. “My advice is that where there is so much fog [smog, in some cases], instead of playing home matches first, north Indian teams should be given home matches in February, by which time the fog reduces. You will see how many matches in the last two rounds have been affected by fog or bad light.”In the latest round, not a single ball could be bowled on the first day in three matches – Uttar Pradesh vs Bihar in Meerut, Punjab vs Tripura in Mohali, and Chandigarh vs Gujarat in Chandigarh – while Services vs Jharkhand in Delhi, at the Palam ground near the airport, started over an hour late.Similarly, in the first two rounds, time was lost during Haryana vs Rajasthan in Lahli, Chandigarh vs Railways in Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir vs Himachal Pradesh in Jammu, Delhi vs Puducherry in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh vs Bengal in Kanpur, Railways vs Punjab in Mullanpur, Jammu & Kashmir vs Delhi in Jammu, and Services vs Rajasthan in Delhi. Matches in Patna and other cities in the eastern part of India were also affected by late starts and early finishes.In two of these matches, Haryana vs Rajasthan and J&K vs Delhi, not a single innings could be completed. Obviously, points were lost, or not won, which will impact the progress of the teams to the next round.Fog has interrupted a number of Ranji Trophy games this season too•NurPhoto via Getty Images”It would have been better if our matches in north India were held after January,” Anshu Jain, coach of Rajasthan, said. Their first game, in Rohtak in Haryana, saw only 42 overs of action. Their second, against Services in Delhi, had 277.1 overs played.”Two of our matches have already been affected by this. Everyone knows that at there is fog in north India this time of the year. If we were playing in our home ground in Jaipur, this would not have been a problem and the players would have got more opportunity to spend time on the field instead of in the pavilion.”I am not saying that Ranji Trophy should start in October. It is very hot then and this will make it difficult for fast bowlers to bowl long spells. January is the right time, but then holding matches in north India in January should be avoided. If north India matches are held after January 25, that would be the best time.”Though weather patterns are continuously changing, it’s generally understood that it starts to clear towards the end of January, making it easier to complete 90 overs each day in north India.”The Ranji Trophy cannot be held earlier as the [T20] Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and [one-day] Vijay Hazare Trophy are now held earlier due to the IPL auctions,” Services captain Rajat Paliwal said. “Yes, if the first three rounds of matches are in south or west India, then it is better. In our last match, we lost 15 to 20 overs every day. Very few overs were played in Jammu and the match in Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium)] was also affected.”Could a tweak in the scheduling of tournaments – moving things around – help?”It is also possible to start the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in October and the Ranji Trophy in November, and end the season with the Vijay Hazare Trophy,” Paliwal said. “I hope this will be considered by those in charge for the next season. If there is a reduction in overs in any match, it affects the result of the game and the points. There is a high possibility that the match will have no result.”Not everyone is in agreement, though. Not to forget, crop burning and the overall levels of pollution make playing cricket close to impossible in parts of north India in the time of the year Paliwal talks about.”The schedule we have is fine,” Jharkhand batting coach Satish Singh said. “This is the best time and season to play first-class cricket in India. Looking at the weather, Ranji Trophy can’t be held too much earlier or much later. You cannot fight with nature. Wherever you play, the weather will affect one or two matches, teams will lose points for no fault of theirs in one or two matches. We have no problem with this schedule as a team.”The concerns of the other teams still remain valid because it is the premier first-class tournament in India, and glory at the Ranji Trophy remains cherished, despite the IPL and everything else. Whether there is a solution or not, no-one likes to lose points without scrapping legitimately for them.

“It’s about going out there, trying to enjoy ourselves, and trying to hit as many sixes as we can and taking as many wickets as we can”

Aadam Patel19-Nov-2021For Liam Livingstone, it has been a breakthrough year, and a year that has also seen him clock up the air miles. From cementing his place as a regular within the England white-ball set-up to plying his trade in franchise leagues around the world, the 28-year-old has represented England, Lancashire, Birmingham Phoenix, Rajasthan Royals, Peshawar Zalmi and Perth Scorchers over the last 12 months.And now his whirlwind year will culminate with his first experience of the T10 format, as captain of Team Abu Dhabi, before heading home for Christmas – he will be with his family for the first time in four years.The Abu Dhabi T10 gets underway on Friday evening, and although it is a new format for Livingstone, it should fit his explosive power-hitting ability to the tee.Related

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“I’ve never played T10, so I don’t really know what to expect,” Livingstone said. “Everybody says it’s a great competition, and as somebody that plays the game the way I do, I think it’s something that’s going to suit my game down to the ground. I’m not somebody that ever puts too much pressure on myself to go out and perform. It’s about going out there, trying to enjoy ourselves, and trying to hit as many sixes as we can and taking as many wickets as we can, and I’ll certainly be encouraging all the other boys to play the game the same way.”After the jam-packed English summer, Livingstone flew out to the UAE for the IPL before joining up with the England squad for the T20 World Cup. It has been a year of constant movement from bubble to bubble and hotel room to hotel room for Livingstone, and he used the few days between England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand and the start of the Abu Dhabi T10 to get away from cricket, and do things many cricketers haven’t been able to recently – seeing his friends and family, and going to restaurants in Dubai.”I’ve played a lot of cricket over the last three or four months. So I don’t really think I needed the prep time that the lads coming in would have needed,” he said. “I think the biggest priority for me was to get away from cricket for a couple of days and refresh my mind more than anything else.”

“If you told me 12 months ago that I’d play every game for England in a World Cup, I wouldn’t have believed you. So yeah, it was disappointing for a night, but I guess it was more the satisfaction of how far I’ve come and how far my game has developed”Livingstone on England’s loss to New Zealand at the T20 World Cup

In fact, Livingstone will only be out of his required quarantine on Friday afternoon, just in time for Abu Dhabi’s first match against Bangla Tigers.That agonising loss to New Zealand was “devastating”, but for Livingstone, it is a matter of recognising how far he has come. “If you told me 12 months ago that I’d play every game for England in a World Cup, I wouldn’t have believed you. So yeah, it was disappointing for a night,” he said. “But I guess it was more the satisfaction of how far I’ve come and how far my game has developed, and I guess how much the hard work that I’ve put in travelling around the world for the last three or four years has probably paid off for me and got me to where I wanted to go.”I fulfilled a childhood dream to represent my country in any sport. For me, the reflections were more about how far I’ve come. And yeah, I guess the opportunities that we’ve got as a team going forward is that we get a chance to redeem ourselves in 12 months’ time [in the T20 World Cup in Australia], and that’s the exciting part for us.”Another exciting prospect for Livingstone is the mantle of responsibility that has been placed upon him as the leader of the Abu Dhabi outfit, and he insisted that he had learnt a great deal from playing under various captains across the world, but that it was still a job he would look to do his own way.”When you play under people like Morgs [Eoin Morgan], you realise that being pretty relaxed and backing your team-mates is probably ultimately the biggest strength you can have as a captain,” Livingstone said. “I’ll certainly do it my own way. It’ll be a little bit different in T10 cricket than in T20, but I’ll keep encouraging the boys to take the game on and to play some entertaining cricket.”Livingstone on opportunities in leagues: “Those experiences and chatting to people, you can’t really buy that time and that knowledge”•BCCIWith the amount of balls in the T10 format halved from that in a T20, looking to attack from ball one is even more crucial, and that is a change that Livingstone must make. “Usually, I’ll have a look at three, four or five balls before we start going. I guess in T10 we’ll have a look at one and then off we go,” he said.He is second only to Glenn Phillips with the most sixes in the world (86) in T20 cricket in 2021, and over a four-month period from November 2019 to March 2020, Livingstone played more T20s than anyone else.”Those experiences and chatting to people, you can’t really buy that time and that knowledge,” he said. “I’ve always said that one of the biggest things of franchise cricket is the time spent with the world’s greats that you usually wouldn’t get. It’s still pretty cool for me and it’s probably even cooler for the younger boys that haven’t played that much cricket.”Team Abu Dhabi is full of players from around the world, including Chris Gayle, and the fact that Livingstone would be leading Gayle is a cause for some excitement for him.”It’s pretty cool. He’s been a hero of mine growing up, and I guess he’s probably changed the way that T20 cricket was played,” Livingstone said of Gayle. “He’s one of the best – if not the best – T20 player that’s ever lived. It’s somebody that I’ve watched so much growing up, and I admire the way he strikes a cricket ball, so it’ll be pretty cool to be out in the middle with him at some point during the tournament.”Gayle holds the record for the fastest hundred in T20 cricket, whilst Livingstone hit England’s fastest century during the home summer this year. There is every chance that one of them could become the first T10 centurion over the next fortnight too.

Those of a Liverpool persuasion are no doubt braced for the imminent return to action, with Arne Slot’s struggling champions hosting Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

It’s been anything but plain sailing for the Reds this season, and with only three points gained from their past six outings in the top flight, title-defending aspirations have devolved into fears that the Reds will miss out on Champions League qualification for only the second time in a decade.

Last season was nearly flawless until Slot’s champions eased standards toward the final stretch, save for Forest’s shock win at Anfield early in the campaign.

Liverpool will need to be at their best to ensure Sean Dyche does not heap more misery on his side. Set-pieces and long balls have been among the cruxes of this issue-ridden campaign, after all.

And they will have to make do without the creativity of Florian Wirtz, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury sustained with Germany.

The latest on Florian Wirtz's fitness

Wirtz is ruled out this weekend, having checked in after international action with a muscular problem. Conor Bradley is also sidelined, and for a longer period than the 22-year-old. However, Alisson Becker could make his anticipated return from injury.

Wirtz has been at the epicentre of Liverpool’s struggles this season, routinely hounded for his tough integration period after completing a £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in July. The playmaker has yet to score across 16 matches in all competitions, and he has not registered an assist in the Premier League.

Though he struggled during the defeat at Manchester City two weeks ago, Wirtz has shown signs of progress in recent games, and his creativity will be sorely missed against a resilient Forest backline whose low block and resilience under pressure will prove a tough nut to crack at Anfield – last season bears testament to that.

While Cody Gakpo will fancy a return to the starting line-up in Wirtz’s stead, Slot may want to consider a more dynamic option for this one.

And Slot may have just the solution in Liverpool’s new version of Divock Origi.

Slot must unleash Liverpool's new Origi

Origi has achieved cult status at Liverpool. The Belgian striker only scored 41 goals across 175 appearances for the outfit, but his catalogue of big-game moments is something to behold.

His goal in the 2019 Champions League final over Tottenham Hotspur immortalised him on Merseyside.

Now, Liverpool find themselves enjoying the skill of a new version in Federico Chiesa, who has been unable to nail down a starting role in Slot’s team since completing a £12.5m transfer from Juventus in 2024.

Chiesa toiled through his first year in England, but he’s played a bigger role since the summer, having notched two goals and three assists across all competitions this season. He has played 12 times, yet only two of those appearances have come from the opening whistle.

Hugo Ekitike

16

6 + 1

Mohamed Salah

16

5 + 3

Cody Gakpo

16

4 + 3

Federico Chiesa

12

2 + 3

Alexander Isak

8

1 + 1

Florian Wirtz

16

0 + 3

Rio Ngumoha

7

1 + 0

In the words of reporter Lewis Oldham, “Chiesa has undoubtedly been a flop for Liverpool”, but he’s simultaneously emerged as a “Divock Origi regen” in that he is a rare trump card off the bench and a popular figure besides.

Because for all the hardship Chiesa has been through since joining Liverpool, he has enjoyed some big moments in red. It was the 28-year-old who bagged a consolation in the Carabao Cup final, and he ensured Slot’s side made it a winning start to the current campaign after restoring Liverpool’s lead over Bournemouth back in August.

Chiesa’s wizardry on the ball and natural striker’s instinct could see him slot right into Wirtz’s berth, playing off the left and drifting centrally to accommodate Liverpool’s tactical flow.

Given that the Italian has also won 55% of his ground duels and averaged 0.8 tackles per Premier League fixture this term in spite of not having started a game, he might even be an apt fit for the physical battle that comes with a clash against the Tricky Trees.

Liverpool cannot afford another slip-up at the moment and must secure three points against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Given that Chiesa has been among the most coherent and dangerous forwards in Liverpool’s squad, surely it is time he earns a rare starting role in the big league?

Liverpool have a "ruthless" 19-year-old striker who could surpass Ekitike

Liverpool may have found the next big thing in their academy system.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 20, 2025

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has expressed his desire to be aggressive at this year's trade deadline in hopes of shoring up whatever roster needs the team has before the second half of the season.

One area that's expected to be addressed is the bullpen, as Yankees relievers have struggled mightily of late. A name that's come up as a potential target for New York, and one who isn't even currently pitching in MLB, is veteran reliever David Robertson, a pitcher with whom the fan base is plenty familiar. Robertson was linked to the Yankees as a possible mid-season acquisition by 's Will Sammon on Tuesday.

Robertson last pitched in 2024 for the Rangers. He made 68 relief appearances and maintained a 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 72 innings. His 2.65 FIP suggests his underlying numbers were even better than what the stats show, yet he remains unsigned through the first four months of the '25 campaign.

Robertson has already spent two separate stints with the Yankees, who drafted him in the 17th round in 2006. His first stint in New York ran from 2008 to '14, and his second was from 2017 to '18. He made a total of 501 appearances for the Yankees and had a 2.75 ERA for the team.

U.S. international Josh Sargent provided a rare bright spot for Norwich City during their 3-2 defeat to Watford, finding the net with an 11th-minute header to temporarily put the Canaries ahead. The American forward's early strike marked a significant personal milestone, ending a frustrating 14-game goalless run in the Championship that had stretched across several months of the 2025 season.

Getty Images SportNorwich City striker finds breakthrough with early goal

The moment of relief came early for Sargent at Vicarage Road when he demonstrated his predatory instincts by stealing in front of Watford defender Marc Bola at the far post. The 25-year-old American international timed his run perfectly to meet Oscar Schwartau's precise left-wing cross, nodding the ball beyond Watford goalkeeper Nathan Baxter to give Norwich a 1-0 lead. His celebration showed visible emotion after finally breaking a scoring drought that had plagued him since mid-season.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCanaries unable to capitalize on Sargent's breakthrough

Despite Sargent's early contribution, Norwich couldn't hold onto their advantage in a thrilling back-and-forth contest. The Hornets equalized through Luca Kjerrumgaard before Oscar Schwartau restored Norwich's lead just before halftime.

However, the second half belonged to Watford, with Kjerrumgaard scoring again and substitute Tom Ince – netting his 100th Championship goal – completing the comeback for a 3-2 Watford victory. The defeat kept Norwich rooted in the Championship relegation zone, overshadowing Sargent's personal achievement.

Back on track

Sargent's goal against Watford continued a remarkable personal trend for the American forward, who has consistently performed well against this side. The striker's header marked his seventh goal in nine appearances against the Hornets and his third at Vicarage Road in 2025 alone.

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Getty Images SportSargent's form gives Norwich hope

As Norwich City continue their fight against relegation, Sargent's return to scoring form could prove crucial for Philippe Clement's struggling side. The Canaries will face Sheffield United next on Dec. 9 on the road before welcoming Southampton to Carrow Road on Dec. 12.

Inter Miami's final stance on potentially bringing in Neymar during the winter transfer window has been revealed. His return to Santos, which was intended as a short-term comeback in the comfort of his home city, has been overshadowed by familiar injury setbacks. After a difficult spell at Al-Hilal that included a torn ACL and a mutual contract termination, he now finds himself battling pain once more while Santos fight for survival in the Brazilian Serie A.

• A reunion that will not happen

  The talk around Inter Miami’s winter business intensified after Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba both announced they will retire at the end of the 2025 season. This raised legitimate questions about how the club would navigate its future under MLS’s Designated Player rules, and whether a marquee signing such as Neymar would be part of their next phase. Supporters imagined a fairy tale scenario with former Barcelona team-mates Messi, Suarez and Neymar dazzling audiences together one last time, this time in pink. However, according to Miami’s leadership has made it unequivocally clear that sentiment will not drive their recruitment policy. While acknowledging the marketing whirlwind Neymar’s arrival would generate, sporting director Chris Henderson and manager Javier Mascherano have chosen to make a pragmatic sporting decision. Defensive reinforcements and a top-tier striker for 2026 have emerged as their primary targets, with interest in Neymar dropped.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Neymar’s painful battle for fitness continues

  Neymar’s second spell at Santos has unfolded very differently from the celebratory homecoming many expected. What began as a six-month plan, allowing him to rebuild confidence and reconnect with his roots, may yet stretch to 18 months if Santos manage to secure safety in the final rounds of the Brasileirao, but concerns over his physical condition remain. Manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda confirmed that Neymar had withdrawn from Santos' 1-1 draw with Internacional due to knee discomfort. Neymar summoned enough strength to play through pain in the following match, helping Santos secure a vital 3-0 win over Sport. That win lifted the club above the relegation line on goal difference, but the meniscus injury might sideline him again for a considerable time. Neymar’s current contract expires at the end of December, leaving him technically free to explore other options. However, according to , the forward appears prepared to remain in Brazil until the 2026 World Cup, provided his body allows him to contribute.

• Neymar's World Cup dream is fading fast

  For Neymar, everything now revolves around one goal, to ensure he is fit enough for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad next summer. But there are no guarantees for the Selecao's all-time record goalscorer. Asked specifically about Neymar’s fitness and the form of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, Ancelotti issued a blunt and demanding standard.

  "He has to be 100%," Ancelotti told . "There are many players who are very good, I need to choose players that are 100%. It's not just Neymar, it could be [Real Madrid forward] Vinícius. If Vinícius is at 90%, I'll call up another player who is at 100%, because it's a team that has a very high level of competence, especially up front. Up front, we have really many good players."

  The Italian coach went on to praise Neymar’s artistry but underlined the central issue holding him back.

  "I think he's a great talent," Ancelotti said. "He's had the bad luck of having injuries. He couldn't be in good physical condition because of the injuries he's had."

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  Limited time and shrinking opportunities

  With the domestic season in Brazil wrapping up in December, competitive fixtures will be scarce before the March international break. The uncertainty has prompted discussions about alternative pathways, including a short-term move back to Europe. Unlike Brazil, European leagues will be mid-season in early 2026, offering Neymar the rhythm and sharpness he desperately needs. However, the big question remains whether he will find any taker for his services. 

USAC’s suspension will not impact USA’s participation in the T20 World Cup starting in February in India and Sri Lanka

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Sep-2025The ICC has finally decided to suspend USA Cricket (USAC), in the process hitting the reset button as it attempts to overhaul the leadership and governance structure of the sport in a key market. The decision was taken by the ICC Board after a virtual meeting on Tuesday. USAC’s suspension will not impact the national team’s participation in the T20 World Cup starting in February in India and Sri Lanka or the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.The suspension comes just over two months after the ICC, at its annual general meeting in July, had granted USAC three months to hold “free and fair elections” and carry out “comprehensive” governance reforms. At the time, the ICC reiterated that USAC would continue to remain “on notice”, as it has been since July 2024. The ICC Board also warned USAC that it reserved the right to take any action it deemed fit based on the progress of reforms.Eventually, on Tuesday evening, the ICC suspended USAC with “immediate effect” and temporarily took over “management and administration of USA national teams.”Related

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“The decision, taken by the ICC Board during its meeting earlier, was based on USA Cricket’s repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as an ICC Member under the ICC’s Constitution,” an ICC press release said. “These include, but are not limited to, the failure to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and significant actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world.”The suspension does not have an immediate impact on cricket being part of the LA 2028 Games. The ICC clarified that USA teams will still be able to participate in ICC events as well as make preparations for the Olympics. Calling it “unfortunate but necessary” the ICC said it was forced to take such extreme action to “protect the long-term interests of the game and the ICC’s top priority remains ensuring that the athletes and the sport itself are not impacted due to the suspension.”During the time USAC had been put on notice, the ICC had been working with it to draw a “roadmap” and facilitate its securing national governing body (NGB) status from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). This is mandatory for all sports that were added to LA28 Games. As hosts, USA are expected to be one of the six teams to contest for medals in both men’s and women’s categories.That roadmap, which comprises six steps, was drawn by the ICC’s Normalisation Committee, headed by chairman Jay Shah. Prior to that, the committee met USAC top brass Venu Pisike (chairman) and Johnathan Atkeison (CEO) twice – first in April virtually and then in person in June. The roadmap called for USAC to start an organisational revamp by bringing in three new independent directors to replace the incumbents on the Board. Following that the USAC Board would step down and prompt fresh elections. At this point USAC would apply for NGB status.Simultaneously, the ICC also said a comprehensive review and reform of the USA Cricket Constitution “shall be undertaken” in close consultation with the Independent Directors and relevant ICC stakeholders. With USAC unable to meet these terms, it was suspended.USAC was being considered for suspension at the ICC’s AGM in July and only managed its three-month reprieve by making “commitments” to the ICC Board to meet the criteria required for membership.”When USAC was notified of the AGM’s decision,” the ICC press release said, “it was specifically advised in writing that, along with fulfilling the commitments it made to the Board and taking immediate steps in that respect, it must (i) not do/omit to do anything that might jeopardise cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics, and (ii) not do anything (by act or omission) that brings cricket or the ICC into disrepute or is contrary to the best interests of cricket or the ICC.”For USAC to lift its suspension, it will need to follow procedure that the Normalisation Committee, in coordination with the ICC management, will outline and which “will include demonstrable and specific changes to USA Cricket’s governance structure, operations and overall status in the Cricket ecosystem. The normalisation committee will also monitor USA Cricket’s progress and provide consultatory support.”The ICC remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in the United States, protect the sporting ecosystem and its constituents, namely the athletes and bolstering its march towards a more significant role on the global stage.”