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Opener Finlay Bean put a difficult start to the season firmly behind him, compiling a superb maiden double hundred spanning more than nine hours as Yorkshire fought back against Rothesay County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.Replying to the home side’s 487, Yorkshire – with only one win so far after earning promotion to Division One last season – closed on 414 for 6.Bean batted for 564 minutes for his 224, hitting 30 fours and one six before being caught at slip off spinner Farhan Ahmed, having shared partnerships of 130 with Matthew Revis (54 not out) and 101 with skipper Jonny Bairstow (41), left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White taking 3 for 129 from a marathon 52 overs.Unable to make Yorkshire follow on after having them 154 for 3 overnight, Nottinghamshire look likely to have to settle for a draw, which would see their lead over Surrey cut to six points after the champions won at Worcester earlier in the day.Bean, with five career first-class hundreds against Division Two opposition, had found runs much harder to come by against Division One attacks this season, averaging a paltry 13.66 over his first 12 innings of the current campaign, with a top score of just 31.Although he had a flat pitch and the less bowler-friendly Kookaburra ball in his favour here, he nonetheless had the Test-match quality and know-how of veteran Mohammad Abbas to contend with, not to mention the pace of Dillon Pennington and a couple of decent spinners in Liam Patterson-White and Farhan.Yet he came through each challenge impressively, giving away only one genuine chance before his dismissal when a shot travelling at speed was put down on 170, his return to form timely in that Yorkshire’s next fixture, against Essex starting on Sunday, is being hosted by his own club side, York.His innings here – made barely half a mile from the scene of his Second XI record 441 against Nottinghamshire’s second team in 2022 – was an essay in concentration and patience, one of the longest played by a Yorkshire batter in the county’s history.Having been 86 overnight, he was 50 minutes in the 90s before cutting Farhan to third for his 16th four to reach 102 from 236 balls in the morning session. After tea, he had to negotiate more than 40 minutes in the 190s before going to 200 from 450 deliveries, pushing a single into the leg side with 17-year-old Farhan by then in his 34th over.Yorkshire lost only one wicket before lunch as Dan Moriarty, sent in as nightwatcher after Dawid Malan had fallen in the last over of the second day, went to drive Patterson-White but could only edge to Freddie McCann at slip. Moriarty protected one end for almost an hour.The conditions demanded patience of Nottinghamshire, too, as Bairstow then bedded in with Bean on a pitch that was yielding some help for the spinners, but not as much as they had hoped for. Two bursts with the second new ball before and after lunch could not unseat either and it was an hour into the middle session before another breakthrough came.The introduction of the medium pace of Lyndon James almost yielded a dividend for Nottinghamshire as Bean chipped perilously close to short extra-cover on 152, moments before Patterson-White struck Bairstow on the front pad and had his lbw appeal upheld.Swapping James for Abbas at the Radcliffe Road end likewise almost paid off, Bean surviving a hard chance to McCann at midwicket on 170. Unperturbed, the left-hander drove Patterson-White through the off-side to overtake his previous best of 173 versus Glamorgan last year before he and Revis guided Yorkshire to 320 for 5 at tea.His marathon came to an end 15 minutes before the close as Farhan turned one to have him caught at slip trying to work to leg, almost every spectator in the ground then rising to applaud as he walked back to the dressing rooms.

Chelsea transfer chiefs are believed to be making some recruitment plans ahead of 2026, amid reports that Enzo Maresca personally wants to strengthen certain weak areas of his squad.

Chelsea's transfer plans for January amid Enzo Maresca "tension"

Reports in the build up to their dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool last weekend claimed that Maresca is unhappy with his current options at Chelsea, and there’s been some tension between the Italian and Chelsea’s hierarchy.

This has apparently been made worse by Chelsea’s summer window, despite finishing the transfer market as the Premier League’s second-biggest spenders behind English champions Liverpool.

Liverpool

£415,000,000

£187,000,000

£228,000,000

Chelsea

£285,000,000

£288,000,000

-£3,000,000

Arsenal

£255,000,000

£9,000,000

£246,000,000

Newcastle

£250,000,000

£152,000,000

£98,000,000

Man Utd

£216,000,000

£68,000,000

£148,000,000

Nottm Forest

£205,000,000

£107,000,000

£98,000,000

Tottenham

£181,000,000

£36,000,000

£145,000,000

Sunderland

£162,000,000

£44,000,000

£118,000,000

Man City

£152,000,000

£53,000,000

£99,000,000

West Ham

£124,000,000

£55,000,000

£69,000,000

via BBC

Maresca’s alleged discontent could stem from Chelsea’s lack of centre-back signings, which they’ve definitely paid for so far this season, with Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill all forced to miss Liverpool through injury or suspension.

Maresca publicly suggested that he wanted another centre-back at Chelsea before deadline day on September 1, but despite internal talks after Colwill’s ACL problem, and trying for Dean Huijsen in May, they couldn’t get one over the line.

Chelsea now want to sign a new defender as a priority for the January window instead, and some media sources report they could even bring in another striker despite completing deals for Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in the summer.

The latter is viewed more as a 10 than a number nine, while Delap is out injured and will take some time to get back up to speed once he returns from a hamstring problem — which has prompted Chelsea to consider another centre-forward (Simon Phillips).

Any new striker would likely be a cheap option, brought in on loan or a player who’s already owned by BlueCo (Simon Phillips), and you can make a case that Juventus star Dušan Vlahović could fall into the ‘bargain’ category.

Chelsea offered Dušan Vlahović as talks held with representatives

The Serbia international is out of contract at the end of this season, meaning Juve could be tempted into selling him for a cheap fee in January as opposed to losing Vlahovic for nothing next summer.

Vlahovic, who’s bagged four goals in eight appearances so far this season, is already planning for life after Turin, with his representatives speaking to a host of sides ahead of his looming exit.

That is according to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, who report that Chelsea have been offered Vlahovic as the Blues hold talks with his camp.

The 25-year-old, called a “real superstar” by members of the media during his Fiorentina days, earns a whopping £370,000-per-week at Juve, and any Chelsea terms near that amount would shatter their wage structure.

Unless Vlahovic takes a dramatic pay cut, Saudi looks like the best bet for him. That being said, Stamford Bridge could be an excellent move for Vlahovic’s career prospects.

His ability to score with both feet and dominate aerial duels would seriously complement Chelsea, offering a reliable focal point for Maresca’s attack. Additionally, Vlahovic’s top European experience shows he can handle pressure and deliver in big moments, having scored 11 goals across his Europa League and Champions League cameos since 2021/2022.

At Chelsea, he’d have the platform and service to flourish even more — feeding off Maresca’s plethora of creative wingers and midfielders to potentially devastating effect.

When Liverpool signed Luis Suarez from Dutch giants Ajax in January 2011, there was a general acceptance that a deal was possible because Europe’s leading clubs, of which Liverpool were not one in that former phase, were dissuaded by his conduct.

Suarez, now 38 and playing Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, will retire as one of the most decorated and greatest strikers of his generation. He will be remembered by many for his incredible goalscoring record and mesmeric movements and ability to blend with attacking teammates.

But he will also be remembered for his volatile and aggressive nature. Suarez plays with his heart on his sleeve, but not always in a sporting fashion. He is both bark and bite.

Even so, he was a superstar for Liverpool, and many others besides. Trumping him would take some doing at number nine, and for all their success under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, it is something the Reds have not achieved yet.

Well, not until this summer. Now, Liverpool may have not one but two new centre-forwards capable of emulating the Uruguayan’s Premier League legacy.

Liverpool's new strikers

Meet Liverpool’s new strikers. Hugo Ekitike has already familiarised himself with the Anfield crowd, scoring three goals and supplying an assist across his first three matches for the club.

Liverpool won a charged race for his signature, beating off a number of competitors, notably Newcastle United, to sign the French forward in a £69m deal, plus £10m in add-ons.

And he’s repaying the faith. Ekitike looks at home in the Premier League, leading the line. Still only 23, perhaps the most exciting part is that Ekitike has so much potential, and there’s little question that FSG have hit the jackpot, even given his lofty price tag.

Aleander Isak hardly needs an introduction. Liverpool signed Newcastle’s star striker in a British record £125m deal on transfer deadline day, ending a month of speculation that was as contentious as it was compelling.

The Sweden international scored 27 goals across all competitions in 2024/25 and won the Carabao Cup, scoring as Eddie Howe’s side beat Liverpool at Wembley.

Erling Haaland is the only player to have scored at a more clinical rate in the Premier League since Isak left Real Sociedad in Spain and joined Newcastle for £63m. Even Mohamed Salah, in all his brilliance, hasn’t provided the same frequency.

Erling Haaland

101

90 (0.89)

Mohamed Salah

112

68 (0.61)

Alexander Isak

86

54 (0.63)

Ollie Watkins

112

50 (0.45)

Chris Wood

96

39 (0.41)

Bryan Mbeumo

105

39 (0.37)

No doubt, Isak hopes to leave a legacy comparable to that of Suarez, and Ekitike will too. However, Liverpool’s new version of the South American star is actually another member of Slot’s squad.

Liverpool's new version of Suarez

Suarez was a maverick, a game-changer. Rarely has the Premier League seen such boundless quality in one man, and he almost single-handedly dragged Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool to the top-flight title in 2013/14, scoring 31 goals and assisting 13 more as he plied a campaign for the ages.

But he didn’t quite hit the ground running a few years earlier, when he joined from Ajax. Suarez scored off the bench on his Premier League debut, netting against Stoke City in a 2-0 win.

Then the goalscorer would go on to bag just once across his first eight starting appearances in the competition. The circumstances differ, but this curious fact could be applied to contextualise the slow start of Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz, 22, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a record-breaking £116m fee that was swiftly superseded by Isak. The attacking midfielder is one of the most talented footballers in the world and has earned acclaim for his performances in his German homeland.

Fleet feet and a sharp assist for Ekitike in the Community Shield issued a solemn warning to the rest of English football, but four games into the league campaign, the £195k-per-week talent has yet to break his duck.

Journalist Declan Carr conceded that the marquee arrival “has struggled since joining Liverpool”, but there is little reason for concern. As journalist Sam McGuire noted, he is a “statistical unicorn” – a “final third freak”.

Devastating in the Bundesliga and equally as mesmerising across his exploits in the Champions League, Wirtz has proven himself on every stage, and in spite of his relative struggles so far, data from Sofascore reveals that he is averaging two key passes per game for Liverpool, also winning 50% of his ground duels and completing 60% of his dribbles.

In a similar way, Suarez was always going to be a star on Merseyside. Perhaps he outgrew his reputation and potential, becoming one of the best to do it, but still, the forward just needed a bit of time to find his feet.

Suarez might not have made the fastest start in Premier League history, but he played and fought and won like a man possessed once he got going.

And Wirtz carries himself with the air of the footballing elite. You can see it when he takes a deft touch, scans and rolls his way through and into space. There’s a tenacity in his play and an undercurrent which is just waiting to erupt.

Has it been a disappointing start? Perhaps. Wirtz has not been bad, by any stretch, but those who expected him to set the English game aflame from the get-go would be forgiven, as he cost a significant sum, after all.

But Wirtz is young and adapting to a new league; Liverpool, let’s not forget, are adapting to a new system, and have emerged from a summer transfer window characterised by upheaval and change.

It is a matter of when, not if, and if Wirtz keeps on as he has been, he will soon find himself playing with all the gusto of Suarez in his Liverpool prime, and the plaudits will follow.

The new Rooney: Liverpool already sold Salah's heir in "world-class" talent

Liverpool have so much attacking quality but might come to regret selling this star.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O filme se repetiu pelo terceiro ano consecutivo nesta quarta-feira no Allianz Parque e o  Palmeiras entrou para a história da Copa Libertadores ao eliminar o Atlético-MG pela terceira temporada consecutiva, algo inédito na história da competição que é disputada desde 1960.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasSaiba por que a câmera estava tão alta no jogo Palmeiras x Atlético-MG pela LibertadoresPalmeiras10/08/2023PalmeirasOLHAR DO PORCO: O Palmeiras segue muito vivo pelo Tetra da AméricaPalmeiras10/08/2023Fora de CampoPênalti ou não? Carlos Eugênio Simon analisa lance de Palmeiras e Atlético-MG e explica regraFora de Campo10/08/2023

+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui

Até ontem, nenhum clube nunca havia sido eliminado pelo mesmo oponente por três anos seguidos, e o Verdão conseguiu tal feito após empatar com o time de Luiz Felipe Scolari por 0 a 0 e avançar para as quartas de final pelo sexto ano consecutivo.

O próprio Palmeiras esteve envolvido em três situações pela qual clubes eliminaram o mesmo rival por duas temporadas seguidas da Libertadores.

continua após a publicidade

Em 1999 e 2000, o Verdão acabou tirando o Corinthians do torneio nas quartas e na semi, respectivamente.

Já em 2000 e 2001, o Palmeiras caiu para o Boca Juniors de Carlos Bianchi na final e na semifinal.

Em 2005 e 2006 foi a vez do São Paulo eliminar o Verdão nas duas oitavas de final do torneio.

+ Palmeiras iguala feito que só o Boca Juniors tem em Libertadores!

O Atlético-MG vem virando um grande freguês recente do Palmeiras, e o retrospecto entre os clubes em mata-mata comprova isso. Nas seis vezes que se encontratam, o Verdão acabou levando a melhor em cinco delas.

Relembre os times que foram eliminados por dois anos seguidos pelo mesmo oponente na história da Libertadores:

– Olimpia foi eliminado pelo Peñarol na final de 1960 e na semifinal de 1961

– Atlético Nacional foi eliminado pelo Olimpia na semifinal de 1961 e 1962

– Newell’s Old Boys foi eliminado pelo São Paulo na final de 1992 e nas oitavas de final de 1993

– Corinthians foi eliminado pelo Palmeiras nas quartas de final de 2000 e na semifinal de 2001

– Palmeiras foi eliminado pelo Boca Juniors na final de 2000 e na semifinal de 2001

– Palmeiras foi eliminado pelo São Paulo nas oitavas de final de 2005 e 2006

– Boca Juniors foi eliminado pelo River Plate na final de 2018 e na semifinal de 2019

MatériaMais Notícias

O Coritiba está na zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro, mas a diretoria não mede esforços para reforçar a equipe neste segundo semestre.

O centroavante Islam Sliman, ex-Anderlecht-BEL, pode bater o martelo e atuar no time do Couto Pereira.

De acordo com as informações apuradas, o jogador recebeu uma proposta do Coxa, que aguarda a resposta até sexta-feira.

Europa 

Apesar da oferta apresentada pelo Coritiba, o Sliman ainda deseja continuar no futebol europeu e espera uma proposta tentadora na janela de verão do velho continente.

Anderlecht 

Em seu último clube, o centroavante participou de 16 jogos, marcou nove gols e deu uma assistência.

Leeds United’s summer rebuild is gathering pace, and it could soon involve a high-profile departure from one of their Premier League rivals.

It has been reported that Leeds and Daniel Farke are preparing a formal offer for Everton striker Beto, in a deal expected to cost between £20–22m.

The Guinea-Bissau international, who joined the Toffees from Udinese last summer for €25m (£21m), is now set to leave after a behind-the-scenes fallout.

Sources suggest manager David Moyes has been left unimpressed by Beto’s attitude during pre-season.

While Everton will sanction a sale, they will not do so without lining up a replacement.

Beto’s departure would leave a void up front for the Merseyside club, but it could open the door for a fascinating tactical development at Leeds.

Farke already boasts new signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who spurned interest from Sunderland to join the 49ers-owned project, but the club wants a second striker who can both complement and compete with the England international.

And it’s here where a certain Greek international could come into play.

Leeds targeting another striker after Calvert-Lewin

According to BBC Sport, Fotis Ioannidis, the 25-year-old Panathinaikos striker, has emerged as another leading target, with the Yorkshire side closely tracking the player amid their bid to bolster the centre-forward ranks.

The Greek forward stands at 1.87m, slightly shorter than Beto but with a more rounded technical skill set.

He has been capped 17 times by his national team, scoring six goals, and has built a reputation in Greece as a “complete” centre-forward, as per analyst Ben Mattinson.

Over his Panathinaikos career, he has netted 51 goals and registered 15 assists in 188 games, including four strikes in last season’s Europa Conference League.

The player is also attracting interest from Norwich City, Sporting Lisbon, and Porto, underlining his growing reputation.

Why Ioannidis could outshine Beto & thrive with Calvert-Lewin

For all of Beto’s physical attributes – 1.94m tall, 5.81 aerials won per 90, and a 46.9% shot accuracy – his spell in England has been marked by inconsistency.

In 60 league appearances for Everton, he has scored just 11 goals.

While his eight strikes in 30 games last season suggest improvement, his game remains limited when it comes to interplay and creating for others.

Games

30

30

Goals

3

8

Big chances missed

8

12

Goal frequency

324min

193min

Assists

0

0

Big chances created

3

2

Key passes*

0.4

0.4

Total duels won*

44%

44%

Possession lost*

5.3

8.1

Ioannidis, by contrast, offers a more complementary skill set to Calvert-Lewin.

The former Everton man is at his best when receiving service into the box or operating as a focal point for crosses, using his strength and leaping ability to dominate in the air.

To maximise his output, he needs a partner who can stretch defences horizontally, combine in tight spaces, and carry the ball into dangerous areas.

Ioannidis fits that mould.

Where Beto offers aerial dominance (ranking in the 97th percentile for aerials won per 90), Ioannidis brings more intelligent link-up play and positional versatility.

His movement allows him to drop deep, combine with midfield runners, and create space for a partner – attributes that could prove invaluable alongside a target man like Calvert-Lewin.

According to FBref, Beto outshoots Ioannidis (2.87 shots per 90 compared to 2.13), but the Greek forward’s higher involvement in build-up phases and his intelligent off-ball runs suggest he would allow Calvert-Lewin to remain central, rather than drifting wide to link play himself.

That could be the key to Leeds getting the most out of their marquee forward signing. And this isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about the fit.

Leeds’ Championship dominance last season was built on fluid attacking movements, rapid transitions, and a willingness to commit players forward.

In the Premier League, they will face more organised, physically imposing defences, making quick combinations and creative runs even more essential.

Ioannidis’ ability to operate between the lines could be the tactical tweak that helps Farke’s men bridge the gap in quality.

The financial element also plays a role. At a market value of €15m £13m), as per Transfermarkt, Ioannidis would cost significantly less than Beto’s original fee, allowing Leeds to invest in other key areas.

That value could rise sharply if he adapts quickly to English football, making him a potential long-term asset rather than a short-term gamble.

If the move happens, it would also carry symbolic weight.

Leeds’ return to the top flight has already been marked by ambition – the arrival of Calvert-Lewin, the free transfer of Lukas Nmecha, and continued pursuit of talents like Noah Okafor and Manor Solomon signal intent.

With Everton set to visit Elland Road on the opening weekend, there is a subplot in the making.

Beto could be lining up in white rather than blue – or perhaps not at all – while his potential replacement is unveiled as the man to lead the line alongside Calvert-Lewin.

Should the Greek forward adapt as well as Leeds’ recruitment team believes, this could be the start of a formidable partnership.

Calvert-Lewin’s aerial power and hold-up play, paired with Ioannidis’ mobility and link-up ability, would give Leeds a blend of physical presence and tactical intelligence few Premier League sides could match.

For Farke, who has shown a willingness to tweak his system to suit his personnel, it could be the difference between another fight for survival and a push towards mid-table respectability.

And for Leeds fans, who have seen enough false dawns in recent years, it might finally be a strike duo worth getting excited about.

He’s Gnonto 2.0: Leeds exploring move to sign "electric" £13m forward

Leeds are not done signing attackers this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 15, 2025

With the loss Renegades’ chances of making it to the playoffs took a massive beating

AAP14-Jan-2025

Matthew Wade smashed 36 off 23 balls to give Hobart Hurricanes’ chase the impetus•Getty Images

Big hitting from Hobart Hurricanes mainstays Matthew Wade and Tim David has proved to be the difference in a crucial win over Melbourne Renegades in Hobart.The four-wicket home win with two balls left, however, has come at a potentially high cost, with opening bowler Billy Stanlake injuring his shoulder only six days out from the knockouts. The win puts Hurricanes on top of the points table with two games left and almost ends Renegades’ slim playoffs hopes.Sent into bat, Renegades fought hard after another top-order collapse, but their 154 for 7 was not enough. In the chase then, after limping to 66 for 4 at the ten-over mark, Hurricanes steadied through Nikhil Chaudhary’s 36. Wade then belted 36 from 23 balls with five fours and one six, but his dismissal in the 17th over meant another plot twist, with Hurricanes needing eight off the last over.Tom Rogers was unlucky not to trap David leg before with the third ball of the over – the review showed it pitched just outside off stump. Rogers tried a yorker with the next ball and David hoiked the low full toss over deep square leg for a massive six that tied the scores.David’s single then won the game and he hit an unbeaten 24 from 15 balls, including two fours and a six.Jacob Bethell scored a fluent 87 off 50 balls•Getty Images

Jacob Bethell picked two wickets with his left-arm spin after anchoring the Renegades with a 50-ball 87.The Hurricanes won the toss and paid a high price for the first Renegades wicket when Stanlake took a great diving catch off Riley Meredith to dismiss Josh Brown. Stanlake immediately held his right shoulder and briefly left the field. He twice tried to start the next over, but pulled up in his delivery stride and went off the ground again for the rest of the innings.The Renegades’ top order failed again and were in trouble at 23 for 3 and then 69 for 4. Then Bethell combined with Tim Seifert (24) and Sutherland (15) to put the pressure back on the hosts.Bethell was run out in the last over after facing 50 balls, with eight fours and four sixes. Meredith was the pick of the Hurricanes attack, taking 3 for 36 from four overs.Hurricanes brought in Caleb Jewell and Jake Doran for Ben McDermott (hamstring) and Chris Jordan (back), while Renegades’ left-arm wristpinner Callum Stow took a wicket on debut after he replaced Kane Richardson (soreness).

Manchester United have held a meeting with the representatives of an “exceptional” player over a summer move to Old Trafford, according to a fresh transfer claim.

Man Utd eyeing more attackers after Mbeumo

It looks as though the Red Devils are gradually closing in on a move for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, with a third offer of over £70m everything included reportedly accepted.

The Cameroonian will be an excellent signing for United, but Ruben Amorim will know that further attacking reinforcements are needed before the new Premier League season gets underway, in order to improve drastically on last year’s woeful showing in the top flight.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with an upgrade on the struggling Rasmus Hojlund required in the No.9 role, but it remains to be seen if the Blues would even entertain the idea of selling him to a Premier League rival.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has been mentioned as an alternative option to lead the line for United, with the 29-year-old now a hugely experienced and proven player at both club and international level. Now, another attacking player has been backed to come in for the Red Devils this summer.

Man Utd hold talks with "exceptional" ace's agents

According to a new report from Sport [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have had a meeting with Xavi Simons’ representatives over a move to the club before the current window slams shut at the start of September.

Chelsea are also in the same position when it comes to the £67m-rated RB Leipzig attacker, who is desperate to seal a move away from his current club this summer.

Simons is a fantastic option for United, with the 22-year-old already achieving plenty in his career, being hailed by Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund.

“He is a very good player. He had a very good European Championship and a great season with Leipzig. He’s developed really well. I think he’s going to have a really good career at the highest level. He has everything, mentality, character and is just an exceptional player.”

Simons impressed for the Netherlands at Euro 2024, not least scoring a stunning goal in the semi-final defeat to England, and he is adept at shining both as an attacking midfielder and out wide.

Appearances

25

Starts

25

Minutes played

2157

Goals

10

Assists

7

Key passes per game

2.0

Shots per game

2.0

Dribbles per game

1.3

Tackles per game

1.1

The Leipzig ace’s end product is highlighted by an impressive tally of 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga last season, and given his age, there would be so much time for him to mature under Amorim at United.

Change has very much been afoot for Liverpool this summer, and Arne Slot’s managerial capacity will be put to a new kind of test as he prepares to defend the Premier League title he claimed in his first term at the helm.

Jurgen Klopp parted ways with Liverpool in 2024, and many expected his predecessor to fail in his place. When FSG’s new era failed to bring in significant transfer investment with the 2024/25 campaign kicking off, such concerns were magnified.

This hinges on Newcastle United’s ability to sign a replacement. The Magpies are fighting to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but they are fighting against Manchester United, who are pushing to win the race and concurrently strike a blow to Liverpool’s plans.

However, for all the Florian Wirtz’s and Hugo Ekitike’s and maybe Isak’s too, Slot also has command of one of European football’s most exciting up-and-comers.

And Rio Ngumoha is showcasing his potential to become a mainstay in the years to come.

Rio Ngumoha's potential at Liverpool

Ngumoha turned 16 one month ago, and already he’s establishing himself as an important part of Liverpool’s pre-season plans, starring against Preston North End before claiming an assist against AC Milan and scoring against Yokohama FM in Japan.

The silky winger’s performance against Milan, Serie A giants, was particularly striking: as per Sofascore, he complemented his assist with two key passes, three successful dribbles and four won duels.

But perhaps he truly came into his own against Yokohama, making mazy runs the (admittedly inferior) opponents knew not how to handle.

While Luis Diaz’s £65.5m sale to Bayern Munich has polarised the fanbase, there’s little question that Ngumoha has the potential to become a star every bit as bright down the line.

After the event, The Athletic’s James Pearce, who was in attendance, said, “This kid is a joy to watch.”

Liverpool discuss move for Diaz heir

Plenty of rumours have floated about in recent weeks, with speculation rife over Diaz’s future and who could be welcomed to the fold in his place.

But Fabrizio Romano has shed some concrete information on the matter, revealing to GIVEMESPORT that Lyon’s Malick Fofana has been discussed internally, although a bid or indeed talks have not yet started.

Everton have submitted a bid and are hopeful that they will add the 20-year-old Fofana to their ranks, but he is holding out for a club boasting Champions League football. A club like Liverpool.

Furthermore, Newcastle have registered their own interest this summer, with reports claiming it would take a £43m fee for Lyon to part with their prospect.

Why Liverpool want Malick Fofana

Fofana is only young, but he’s already demonstrated his quality. After the 2024/25 campaign, talent scout Jacek Kulig remarked that he’s “still a bit inconsistent, but already showing flashes of his enormous potential.”

And it’s that enormous potential which has charmed the Liverpool data analysts, for Fofana has caused quite the stir across his season-and-a-half with Lyon, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists across 64 matches.

Fofana would be a work in progress, for sure, but you can see why Liverpool fancy him as the successor to Diaz’s place in Slot’s squad. He’s got a goalscoring focus to his game, and he’s versatile too.

Goals scored

0.47

0.48

Assists

0.21

0.15

Shots taken

1.84

2.52

Shot-creating actions

3.38

4.34

Goal-creating actions

0.60

0.53

Touches (att pen)

6.08

6.18

Pass completion

77.1%

83.5%

Progressive passes

2.44

3.95

Progressive carries

6.72

3.98

Successful take-ons

1.41

2.17

Tackles + interceptions

1.84

1.69

However, with Cody Gakpo already on the left flank and with Ekitike’s high-speed running and controlled dribbling sure to be utilised on the left at times if Liverpool sign Isak, should they really be investing in such a player as Fofana when Ngumoha is pushing to make waves on the senior stage?

The English talent may only be young, but he’s got the makings of something special, so powerful and balanced on the ball, carrying the seeds of prolific potential.

Of course, neither player will provide the solution to the loss of Diaz’s experience, but might Fofana end up inhibiting Ngumoha’s development, just when he’s getting ready to take the next step?

Praised for his “electric” style by content creator Dev Bajwa, Fofana could prove a jackpot signing for the Reds, to be sure, with similarities to Diaz’s athletic approach to the game.

And, of course, there’s no reason why Ngumoha won’t have the chance to showcase his quality at some stage next season, even if Fofana were added to the fold, although such an addition would be an obvious obstacle to first-team opportunities.

And it’s clear, too, that the Belgium international has the potential to become something special in the Premier League, and it’s clear that Diaz does need replacing.

This is a nuanced issue, and one that sporting director Richard Hughes will have given a lot of heed to.

Liverpool have emerged as the leading club in England since Slot arrived at Anfield, so those of a Liverpool persuasion should have no problem entrusting their faith in the powers that be, whose judgment and shrewd planning have set the club up for another sustained period of success.

The new Salah: Liverpool agree personal terms to sign "world-class" star

Liverpool are preparing to sign a new forward as Luis Diaz leaves for Bayern Munich.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 30, 2025

Former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden is against the idea of Steven Smith playing as a Test opener. Hayden believes Smith should bat where he has scored most of his runs, suggesting moving him to a “completely different position” is “crazy”. Hayden, Australia’s most prolific opener in Tests before David Warner went past him in December 2023, believes that the top three positions need to be “protected” in Test cricket.”The rationale that [national selector] George Bailey gave was correct in so far as that he was choosing his best top six batsmen,” Hayden said on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, of Australia’s batting plans. “Now, you can’t argue with Steven Smith, he is averaging 65 [57] in Test-match cricket…. 32 Test-match hundreds.”But, the role of an opening batsman compared to a middle-order batsman is very different. And it didn’t take long to discover that when you get into challenging conditions, like they faced in the first series outside of Australia, which was in New Zealand, that opening the batting is very difficult.”Smith played as an opener for the first time in his Test career earlier this year. First, during the two home Tests against West Indies and then in New Zealand for another two games. In those eight innings, he was out for 12 or less on five occasions and scored just one half-century – the unbeaten 91 in Brisbane – at an average of 28.50. In comparison, he averages 67.07 from No. 3 and 61.50 from No. 4.Related

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“I, personally, as I said at the time, was on record saying that I didn’t like changing,” Hayden added. “I think it’s crazy to think that you have the world’s best-in-class batter in a certain position. And then you change to a completely different position. For a few reasons, I think that’s crazy. Firstly, why? Such a gun in that position, such a coveted player.”And then it also is not a great nod to the first-class set-up, which is very much in the Australian culture, been driving great results towards key roles, be that any one of the roles – wicketkeeping, batting, spinners, fast bowlers, opening batters. So the [batting positions of] one, two and three is a category which needs to be protected in my opinion. It sets up play.”If Australia do move Smith back down the order, they will have to look for a new partner for opener Usman Khawaja. Since Warner’s farewell Test at the SCG at the start of this year, Smith and Khawaja have opened in all of Australia’s four Tests, and moving Smith out of the opening slot would mean giving that position to an inexperienced batter. Has that second opening slot been a concern for Australia after Warner’s departure?Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja have been the Australia openers since David Warner’s retirement•Getty Images

“Yes, it is. It is,” Hayden said. “For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure. David Warner gave a great service to Australian cricket. He gave a service that was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I’d created through the 2000s to a new level, strike rates in excess of 80 [70] and gave great momentum to the top order, which otherwise is quite a conservative, very good, but very conservative batting line-up. So I think he’s an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace him.”Clearly, they’ve gone in the direction of Steven Smith and thus far, whether they continue with that strategy, time will tell. And we have guys like [Cameron] Bancroft that are always in the pipeline, Matt Renshaw is in the pipeline.”Bancroft, when you look at his form in England, has been excellent, but that’s domestic cricket. It’s not the Border-Gavaskar-type cricket so a bit of a few things to really prove from that engine room in Australian cricket, which has been challenged right now with David’s absence.”Smith himself has said recently that he has “no idea” about his batting position for the India Tests, and that a decision would be made after Australia’s white-ball tour of the UK starting September 4, where they play a T20I series against Scotland before three T20Is and five ODIs against England. “I’m happy anywhere and I’ll bat wherever for the team,” Smith had said. Both Cummins and Bailey have also recently hinted that Australia are likely to go with the same top six as their last four Tests to begin their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign.