Após demitir o técnico Tiago Nunes, a diretoria do Ceará resolveu adiar a reapresentação da equipe para a próxima segunda-feira.
– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE A DO BRASILEIRÃO
Com o período sem atividade, a gerência do Vozão espera encontrar um novo treinador para que ele possa iniciar o trabalho com o elenco.
Diferente de outras situações, o Ceará tem pressa para encontrar um novo técnico. O entendimento é que o espaço no calendário sem jogos pode ajudar a nova comissão técnica.
O próximo compromisso do Vozão será apenas no dia 10 de abril, quando encara o Palmeiras, no Allianz Parque.
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West Indies captain adds unbeaten 56 to marathon first-innings 160 as match ends in a draw
Valkerie Baynes20-Mar-2022
Kraigg Brathwaite and Joe Root shake hands on the draw•Getty Images
Kraigg Brathwaite thwarted England’s bid for victory with another resolute batting display as the second Test ended in a draw in Barbados.Brathwaite added an unbeaten 56 to his marathon first-innings 160 as West Indies ended up 136 for 5 in their second innings on a final day which featured greater tension than expected. England fancied their chances before Brathwaite reprised his immovable object routine on his home ground and was well supported by Joshua Da Silva’s 30 not out after England had set West Indies 282 to win in a minimum of 65 overs following a lunch-time declaration.Three wickets in the middle session gave the visitors hope as they sought what had seemed an unlikely result after a couple of attritional days in which Brathwaite batted for nearly 12 hours, putting on 183 runs off 411 balls with Jermaine Blackwood, and where runs and wickets were at a premium. In all, Brathwaite scored 216 runs for the match, facing 673 balls, more than any other West Indies batter in Tests, and spent almost 16 hours at the crease.After Saqib Mahmood and Jack Leach combined to reduce West Indies to 39 for 3 inside the first 13 overs of their second innings, Brathwaite and Blackwood were reunited once more and by tea on the final day, West Indies were 65 for 3, the pair having chewed up 108 balls for an unbroken stand of 26 and leaving England 35 scheduled overs in which to take seven wickets.Two more to Leach, who bowled well all match, stoked England’s ambitions, but with Brathwaite having put a result out of the question, he and Joe Root shook hands with about 15 minutes left in the day and the three-match series locked at 0-0.Leach sent down 69.5 overs for his 3 for 118 in West Indies’ first innings and he added 3 for 36 off 25 overs in the second. He entered the attack in the sixth over and struck with one that spun sharply to remove John Campbell, caught by Alex Lees at short leg, although it took an England review to overturn umpire Joel Wilson’s not-out decision, with replays showing the ball had kissed Campbell’s glove before hitting the pad.Similarly, Mahmood had success with the last ball of his opening over, thanks to a juggled slips catch off Shamarh Brooks, the ball bobbing up towards second slip, where Zak Crawley couldn’t hold on as he went to ground and parried it into the air for Root, running behind him from first slip to collect it in his fingertips. Mahmood then had Nkrumah Bonner out via a much more straightforward catch to Root at slip to leave West Indies looking rattled and England jubilant.But that brought Brathwaite and Blackwood together along with the memories of their earlier stand, and the contest was intricately poised.Then Leach had Blackwood caught by Jonny Bairstow, kneeling at gully, off one that drifted in before bouncing sharply and turning away, finding the outside edge to end their partnership on 50 from 150 deliveries.On his knees in the dirt alongside Root as England crowded the bat, Bairstow couldn’t have looked happier in a fitting vignette for what had been a gritty contest characterised by days of hard toil for batters, bowlers and fielders alike.England’s mood lifted another notch when Jason Holder departed for a 24-ball duck, spearing a rare poor delivery from Leach, short and wide outside off stump, towards short cover, where Dan Lawrence took a sharp catch diving low to his left.But as Brathwaite managed to find the rope through a gap between the close-in fielders on the leg side to bring up his half-century off a sharply rising Lawrence ball, England’s prospects faded.Earlier, fifty partnerships for the first and fifth wickets built England’s lead, with Crawley and Lawrence reaching the 40s. Some enterprising yet unselfish batting interspersed by a couple of rain interruptions gave way to England biding their time before another squall arrived to bring lunch forward by a matter of minutes.Having resumed 136 runs ahead on 40 for 0, the tourists lost three wickets inside the first half hour. In their attempts to raise the tempo, Lees and Root came undone slog-sweeping Veerasammy Permaul to deep midwicket. Alzarri Joseph then had Crawley beautifully caught by Jayden Seales, who ran in from long leg and dived forward to pouch the chance in mid-air.When the players left the field for about 10 minutes as a rain shower swept through, England were 76 for 3, leading by 172 and with hopes of Lawrence and Ben Stokes piling on some quick runs at the resumption. When they returned, Stokes crashed a four through extra cover and lofted the next ball over deep midwicket for six in one Kemar Roach over which went for 17 runs in all. In the next, Lawrence thumped Joseph in the same direction for a maximum before a second shower arrived, this time halting play for around 40 minutes.Stokes fell shortly after the re-start while Roach and Joseph looked to keep a lid on things by targeting a yorker length. But Lawrence and Bairstow picked their moments, the latter bludgeoning consecutive sixes off Joseph over deep backward square and down the ground, then Lawrence smashed Seales’ first ball of the day into the stands at long-on.Bairstow departed shortly after raising their fifty stand, having added 29 runs from just 25 balls, when he sent Seales’ fifth ball to Roach, running in from long-off and stooping low to take the catch. Lawrence also fell trying to heave Seales away and holing out to Joseph at long-on to end with 41 runs from 39 balls.
Former Australia spinner joins after serving coaching apprenticeship with Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire
ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2022
Nathan Hauritz in his playing days with Sydney Thunder•Getty Images
Ireland have announced the appointment Nathan Hauritz, the former Australia spinner, as their spin bowling coach.Hauritz, 40, took 128 wickets for Australia, playing all three formats in a nine-year international career. He retired from the game in 2016, and has been coaching with Brisbane Heat in the BBL and women’s team Queensland Fire since 2020.He is due to join up with Ireland in August, subject to a work permit being issued. As part of the role, he will work with the senior men’s and women’s squads, as well as players in the pathway system.”The opportunity was too good to not even think about,” Hauritz said. “I love discussing spin bowling from all facets, and to be able to do that in an international environment while travelling the world, how could you not want to do it.”My particular interest as a coach is the tactical and mental side of spin bowling. When you play at the top level of cricket your game is generally in a pretty sound space, but more often than not it comes down to how you perform on the day that needs the most work. I believe my career and experience will help me communicate with, and support the development of, our current groups of spinners. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of cricket in Ireland.”Hauritz was one of a number of spinners picked to try and fill the void left by Shane Warne in the Australia Test team, featuring in the 2009 Ashes and taking his maiden five-for against Pakistan later that year. He had a longer run in the ODI team, for whom he played against Ireland in 2010.”I fondly remember playing a tour game for Australia against Ireland at Clontarf back in 2010,” Hauritz said. “We were actually in a spot of bother in that game – we were under the pump early from the Irish openers. I was lucky enough to take a couple wickets and we won the game. But the main thing that sticks in my mind was that it was an amazing atmosphere.”Hauritz represented both Queensland and New South Wales in first-class and List A cricket, as well as featuring for Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash.Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s high performance director, said: “We’re delighted that Nathan will be joining the high performance staff and look forward to getting him over here to start working with our spin groups. Filling this role now completes our elite coaching restructure and provides what we believe is a great coaching and support team around our performance squads.”Not only will Nathan’s skills and experience be invaluable to our spinners in both the men’s and women’s squads, but he will also be looking at the next generation coming through the pathway system.”
Arsenal survived a scare to book their place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup following a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.
The win secures a semi-final tie against Newcastle United with the second leg at St James’s Park, a venue where Arsenal have already lost at this season.
The match was a memorable one for Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, who fired a second-half hat-trick to take his tally to four goals this season, all incidentally in the EFL Cup. The performance has given Mikel Arteta a selection headache ahead of the Premier League trip to Selhurst Park. Does Jesus deserve to start over Kai Havertz, who has been struggling for goals of late?
However, there was one performance in Arsenal’s quarter-final victory that has led to many fans and pundits alike calling for the player to be dropped for the league trip to Palace after putting on a 5/10 show and making a mistake that allowed Jean-Philipe Mateta to open the scoring early on.
The Arsenal star who must now be dropped
Jakub Kiwior came under fire for his performance against Crystal Palace, with Phil Costa on X claiming the Polish international “isn’t good enough” for this Arsenal side.
Kiwior missed a header in the early stages of the game, which led to striker Mateta firing Palace ahead and Arsenal subsequently chasing the game.
Kiwior has made 14 appearances for the Gunners this season across all competitions but has yet to really establish himself as a key player since his arrival from Spezia in January 2023.
Kiwior has only won 52% of his defensive actions so far this campaign and with Arsenal competing for honours on all four fronts, Arteta can ill-afford to have any passengers on their prospective journey to glory.
Jakub Kiwior EFL Cup performance v Crystal Palace 24/25
Stats
Kiwior
Blocked shots
0
Interceptions
0
Tackles
0
Dribbled past
1
Errors leading to goal
1
Ground duels won
50%
Possession lost
3
Stats via Sofascore
The Poland defender did not make a single interception, block or tackle all game and made a glaring error that led to Crystal Palace opening the scoring. On the ball, Kiwior was also below par, having lost possession three times and won only 50% of ground duels during the match.
The performance will certainly have boss Arteta thinking about recalling a stalwart of Arsenal’s defence this season for the next crunch Premier League fixture.
The Arsenal star who should replace Kiwior in the starting lineup
Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been outstanding for Arsenal this season, scoring three goals in 14 appearances and forming a formidable partnership with fellow centre-back William Saliba.
Gabriel recently missed three games with a knee injury but it seems Arsenal are desperate for him to be back to full fitness and back in the starting eleven as he is a significant upgrade on Kiwior in a number of key defensive metrics.
Gabriel Magalhaes v Jakub Kiwior season 24/25
Stats (per 90)
Gabriel
Kiwior
Goals
3
0
Tackles
11
4
Blocks
26
5
Interceptions
7
1
Aerials won
25
5
Pass completion
89.4%
84%
Progressive passes
4.27
2.22
Stats via FBref
Gabriel leads the way over Kiwior in the number of tackles of won, number of blocks made and number of interceptions completed. It is no surprise that Gabriel also has won significantly more aerial duels than his Polish colleague.
Furthermore, Gabriel has shown his threat from set-pieces this season, already powering three goals and has helped to build Arsenal attacks from the back with a higher pass completion and more progressive passes through the lines.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
It is clear to Arteta and Arsenal fans alike that the Gunners can afford no more slip-ups if they are to win their first title in over 20 years – Gabriel returning to the side against Crystal Palace could go a long way to ensuring that doesn’t happen.
Shades of Bergkamp: Arsenal target "magical" Odegaard upgrade in £40m star
The sensational talent would be an incredible addition to the Arsenal squad.
O próximo reforço do Botafogo tem tudo para ser NikoHämäläinen. Não seria loucura dizer que é um nome completamente desconhecido do público brasileiro: é um lateral-esquerdo de 25 anos que nasceu nos Estados Unidos e atua pela seleção da Finlândia.
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+ Sem clima no Internacional, Victor Cuesta pode reencontrar bom futebol em mudança de ares para o Botafogo
Exames médicos separam a assinatura do contrato de empréstimo, que durará inicialmente até julho e poderá ser renovado por mais tempo caso ele agrade. O defensor é esperado no Rio de Janeiro já nesta semana para se apresentar ao Alvinegro. Já há um acordo com o Queens Park Rangers-ING, clube de Hämäläinen.
Mas quem é o lateral? A posição era uma das que o Botafogo mais procurava no mercado e o defensor chega, inicialmente, para suprir essa lacuna. Rich Nelson, jornalista e dono da página “Escape To Suomi”, que acompanha o futebol finlandês desde 2012, contou ao LANCE!sobre o jogador.
–Ele é melhor indo ao ataque, é rápido e gosta de cruza. É melhor atuando como ala, pode ter alguns problemas atuando em linha de quatro defensores. Ele foi chamado de última hora para a Euro 2020. Ele foi bem no empréstimo no Kilmarnock na Escócia, não sei bem como está no momento no QPR mas é um jogador sólido. Ele está atrás do Jere Uronen na seleção. As pessoas ficaram felizes porque ele escolheu a Finlândia ao invés dos Estados Unidos porque ele sempre jogou muito bem na seleção sub-21. Ele precisa de tempo de jogo, tem um jogador muito bom ali que precisa de confiança – analisou.
Se confirmado,Hämäläinen será o primeiro finlandês da história do Botafogo. Não é uma nacionalidade comum em solos tupiniquins, é verdade. O defensor chega para adicionar força no ataque, algo já comum nos laterais que já estão no elenco do Alvinegro.
+ Por procura de ingressos em jogo contra o Corinthians, Botafogo ganha mais de 2000 sócios em três dias
–Me pegou de surpresa. Não é comum ver um finlandês jogar na América do Sul, mas isso pode ter a ver com a passagem dele no LA Galaxy e ter atuado nas categorias de base dos Estados Unidos, além de nunca ter jogado na Finlândia. Desde que foi deixado de lado pelo QPR ele está desesperado por uma mudança e, com 25 anos, é um tempo ruim para estar numa posição como essa. Vai ser uma boa experiência se tudo der certo – completou Rich.
Hämäläinen não entra em campo desde o dia 11 de novembro, quando a Finlândia perdeu de 2 a 0 para a França pelas Eliminatórias. Apesar da derrota, o lateral-esquerdo foi um dos que se “salvou”: mesmo diante de Mbappé e cia, ele não sofreu dribles, contribuiu com uma interceptação, um corte e teve 73% de acerto nos passes. A atuação até foi elogiada por John Textor.
Congratulations to FC Florida’s Niko Hamalainen for his start vs France in today’s WC qualifier…Also a great friend and teammate of our Jacob Montes @jacobm1098 … Let’s go Niko! pic.twitter.com/eH8vbL51VV
— John Textor ★彡 🦅 (@JohnTextor) November 17, 2021
أصدر نادي ريال مدريد بيانًا رسميًا، منذ قليل، فيما يخص أزمة مباراة الكلاسيكو المرتقبة ضد برشلونة، في نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا موسم 2024/25.
ومن المقرر أن يستضيف ملعب “لا كارتوخا” مباراة ريال مدريد وبرشلونة في نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا.
وظهر حكم مباراة برشلونة وريال مدريد، ريكاردو دي بورجوس، رفقة حكم تقنية الفيديو جونزاليس فيورتيس، في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم للحديث عن لقاء الكلاسيكو.
وتحدث الثنائي عن الانتقادات المواجهة ضد التحكيم خاصة تلك الصادرة من قناة ريال مدريد، وظهر دي بورجوس في حالة انفعال لدرجة البكاء.
وطالب ريال مدريد بتغيير طاقم التحكيم المذكور، والتحقيق معهم، قبل أن يقرر عدم خوض أي فعاليات رسمية تخص الاتحاد الإسباني.
اقرأ أيضًا.. الاتحاد الإسباني يصدر بيانًا رسميًا بشأن كلاسيكو ريال مدريد وبرشلونة
وقال ريال مدريد في بيان رسمي منذ قليل: “نعتبر التصريحات العامة التي أدلى بها اليوم الحكام المُعينون لنهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا، المقرر إقامته غدًا، 26 أبريل 2025، غير مقبولة”.
وأضاف: “هذه التصريحات، التي ركزت بشكل مفاجئ على مقاطع فيديو نشرتها جهة إعلامية محمية بحرية التعبير مثل تلفزيون ريال مدريد، عمدًا قبل 24 ساعة ضد أحد المشاركين في النهائي، تُظهر مجددًا العداء الواضح والجلي لهؤلاء الحكام تجاه ريال مدريد”.
وواصل: “إلى جانب تصريحات أكثر إثارة للدهشة، بلهجة تهديدية، تُلمح إلى وحدة الحكام، للإعلان عن إجراءات أو أفعال مزعومة، بعيدة كل البعد عن مبادئ العدالة والموضوعية والنزاهة التي ينبغي أن تسود قبل ساعات قليلة من حدث كروي يجذب انتباه مئات الملايين حول العالم”.
وشدد: “ونظرًا لخطورة ما حدث، يأمل ريال مدريد أن يتخذ المسؤولون عن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم وهيئة التحكيم الإجراءات اللازمة للدفاع عن هيبة المؤسسات التي يمثلونها”.
Após o empate do São Paulopor 2 a 2 contra o Juventude, em partida válida pela terceira fase na Copa do Brasil, o técnico Rogério Ceni analisou a partida e afirmou que a equipe entrou abaixo do que o esperado no primeiro tempo.
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GALERIA >ATUAÇÕES: Com falhas na defesa, São Paulo joga mal, mas garante empate contra o Juventude
Em uma partida complicada e com muitas falhas, o Tricolor começou a partida em desvantagem e conseguiu abrir o placar somente no segundo tempo, com um gol de Arboleda. Nos acréscimos da segunda etapa, Reinaldo foi o responsável pelo empate, após uma cobrança de pênalti.
O treinador avaliou a equipe e afirmou que “a energia não estava boa”. Ceni também comentou sobre o desempenho de Gabriel Sara, Calleri e Luciano.
-Não fizemos absolutamente nada no primeiro tempo. A energia não estava boa como de costume, foi um primeiro tempo minimamente razoável. O Sara voltando de lesão, jogador que vai readquirir a forma, Calleri ficou muito sozinho na frente, Luciano flutuando mais… Não tinha parceiro para o Calleri, aí no segundo tempo fizemos algumas trocas. A maior foi a mudança de arriscar mais. O gol na bola parada dá uma confiança melhor – disse.
TABELA > Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil e simule os próximos jogos
O São Paulo volta a campo no próximo domingo (23) contra o Red Bull Bragantino, às 16h30. A partida será disputada no estádioNabi Abi Chedid.
أدلى لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، فيران توريس، بتصريحات صحفية وذلك عقب فوز فريقه على ريال مدريد في منافسات كأس ملك إسبانيا.
وفاز برشلونة بنتيجة 3/2 أمام نظيره ريال مدريد في نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “لا كارتوخا”.
بهذا الفوز، ينجح برشلونة في تحقيق لقب كأس ملك إسبانيا للمرة الـ32 في تاريخه معززًا رقمه القياسي في التتويج بالبطولة.
اقرأ ايضاً.. رجل مباراة برشلونة وريال مدريد في نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا
وقال فيران توريس في تصريحات صحفية لـ شبكة “TVE”: “الآن تحديدًا أشعر بالتعب، لكن أيضًا بسعادة كبيرة جدًا وأعتقد أن هذا هو الوقت المناسب لنُدخل الفرح على الجماهير، وعلى أنفسنا أيضًا، لنستعد لما هو قادم”.
وأضاف توريس: “الآن علينا أن نستمتع بهذا التتويج، ولكن بدون إفراط، لأنه كما رأيت داخل المباراة، قد تتعادل في اللحظة الأخيرة، وهذه هي البداية فقط”.
وعن أهدافه الـ6 في كأس ملك إسبانيا، أوضح توريس: “أحاول أن أعمل بجد وأن أكون ثابتًا، وفي النهاية لدي الموهبة التي تجعل الأمور تسير على ما يرام”.
واختتم توريس قائلاً: “لا أعلم إن كان هذا الفوز بداية لعصر جديد مع برشلونة أم لا، لكن بالتأكيد هو يمنحنا المزيد من الطاقة والحافز، من أجل مواجهة ما هو قادم”.
Comfortable five-wicket win as Northamptonshire take control at Wantage Road
ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2022
Josh Cobb made a belligerent 70 from 44 balls•Getty Images
Northamptonshire 155 for 5 (cobb 70) beat Derbyshire 151 for 9 (Taylor 4-27) by five wickets Northamptonshire Steelbacks captain Josh Cobb struck 70 from just 44 balls, his highest score of this Vitality Blast season to help his side chase down 152 and earn a five-wicket victory over Derbyshire Falcons with 11 balls to spare.Cobb, deprived of opportunities this season by Chris Lynn’s power-hitting, picked up the mantle after the Australian fell to a rare first-ball duck. Playing a belligerent innings, he struck six fours and three maximums before Rob Keogh took the Steelbacks over the line.Earlier Tom Taylor took three wickets in an over as the Steelbacks’ bowlers restricted Derbyshire Falcons to a modest total. Wayne Masden was the only batter to offer any real resistance with 37.The Falcons were kept to 40 for two at the end of the powerplay. Luis Reece swung one high over deep midwicket in the first over but Taylor and Ben Sanderson applied the brakes, backed up well by some sharp Steelbacks fielding.Reece attempted to up the scoring rate but miscued a big shot against Taylor and offered a steepler of a catch to Neesham at midwicket. Shan Masood fell shortly afterwards to an astonishing running catch by Keogh on the boundary at backward square off Sanderson.Hayden Kerr (29 off 22 balls), promoted to number three, looked assured and put on 39 for the third wicket with Leus du Plooy (19). Any hope of building a big total fell away though when the Falcons lost three wickets for 16 runs in as many balls to stutter to 80 for five at the end of the twelfth over.First du Plooy hit Freddie Heldreich straight to Taylor on the long-off boundary before Kerr holed out at deep midwicket off Jimmy Neesham. Brooke Guest then gave Heldreich his second scalp caught at point.The Falcons went four overs before scoring another boundary as Madsen and Alex Hughes rebuilt. Hughes finally cleared the square leg boundary dispatching the ball into the gardens of the neighbouring terraced houses.Masden survived two dropped catches off Sanderson but Taylor struck back in the next over. First he removed both set batsmen who both fell to catches by Cobb at cover before knocking back Mattie McKiernan’s stumps. With a run-out off the last ball, the Falcons finished on 151 for nine.An expectant Wantage Road crowd were momentarily hushed when Lynn, fresh from his heroics in the previous two Steelbacks home games, edged behind off the first ball of the chase bowled by Kerr.Cobb though started aggressively, clubbing Kerr over mid off and then cutting him for consecutive boundaries.He slog swept George Scrimshaw over deep midwicket for six and hit Watt down the ground for another to take the Steelbacks to 53 for one at the end of the powerplay.He rode his luck at times, offering two sharp chances which the Falcons failed to hold. Later he was caught on the ropes only for the fielder’s boot to touch the rope in the process.He had put on 55 with Ben Curran before his partner fell to a catch behind square off Scrimshaw when Conners took a well-judged catch sliding on his knees to get to the ball. Saif Zaib made only six before he offered a catch behind off an attempted pull shot.Cobb meanwhile advanced to his half century reaching the landmark off 31 balls. He continued in belligerent fashion crunching the ball through the covers and playing some deft cut shots before finally falling off a thick edge to Conners at deep point off Scrimshaw to leave the Steelbacks on 102 for four in the 13th over.Neesham hit 20 before he fell to a catch at long-on but Keogh held his nerve, finishing with an undefeated 28 off 24 deliveries.
Liverpool have reportedly made a £41m bid for the services of a Champions League winner who has been called a “one-man army in midfield” in the past ahead of rivals Manchester City.
Liverpool eyeing midfield reinforcements
The Reds pushed hard to complete the signing of Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window, seeing him as a perfect deep-lying option to add to their midfield. The Spaniard ended up remaining at his current club, however, and no reinforcements arrived in that area of the pitch.
Thankfully for Liverpool, their current midfielders have excelled this season, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister particularly superb as a double pivot. Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have also shone, though, bringing different qualities to the No.10 role.
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch
Despite this, Liverpool continue to be linked with additions in the middle of the park, with Zubimendi still reportedly being looked at, despite potential frustration at him turning them down last year.
VfB Stuttgart star Enzo Millot would be a long-term midfield option for the Reds, with the 22-year-old already becoming a key player for the Bundesliga side, bagging six goal contributions (four goals and two assists) in 12 starts in the league so far this season.
Liverpool make £41m offer for midfield ace
According to a report from Spain, Liverpool have tabled a £41m offer for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, as they look to beat Manchester City to his services.
An initial payment of £29m is mooted in the report, with the remainder of the fee being paid next season, as the Reds look to become even more dominant in the middle of the park.
Real Madrid's AurelienTchouameniin action with Pachuca's Bryan Gonzalez
Tchouameni was constantly linked with a move to Liverpool back in 2022, at a time when the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were ageing figures, but he opted to move from Monaco to Madrid instead.
With the 24-year-old has enjoyed a great period of success at the Santiago Bernabeu, including winning the Champions League last season, he hasn’t always been a key starter under Carlo Ancelotti, and could therefore like the idea of a fresh challenge.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded him during his time at Monaco, hailing him as “one-man army in midfield”, summing up his dominant nature, while Paul Pogba has also heaped praise on him, saying: “It was a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.”
There is an argument to say that Liverpool don’t need reinforcements, given the level of quality on show this season, but an expert in the No.6 position could still be ideal, giving Arne Slot a different type of player to the likes of Gravenberch and Mac Allister, who are perhaps a little more naturally attack-minded.
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To pip City to Tchouameni’s signature would be an added bonus, too, strengthening themselves while thwarting their rivals at the same time.