Liverpool boss Arne Slot has explained why captain Virgil van Dijk is not featuring in his side's double-header against Athletic Club.
Liverpool face Athletic Club twiceVan Dijk misses Anfield double-headerSlot explains defender's absenceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Liverpool entertain the Spanish side in two matches on Monday at Anfield but centre-back Van Dijk was a notable absentee from Slot's lineups. Now, the Dutchman has confirmed the ex-Southampton man is ill, while team-mates Alisson, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are also not taking part.
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He told the club's website: "Almost all of them are fit or stayed fit. Unfortunately, Virgil is sick today. We miss out on Alisson. Joe Gomez is not there, Conor Bradley is not there. But until now we have stayed fit as we wanted to be and new signings came in so they got adjusted to what we want. Looking forward first of all to today and then to the next weeks."
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Van Dijk is arguably Liverpool's most important player. Therefore, allowing him to rest and recover ahead of the new season is a smart move. Slot also added that the 34-year-old is likely to be fit for their FA Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace and then their Premier League opener versus Bournemouth later this month.
When asked about the quartet's availability ahead of these two games, he said: "Virgil normally not. Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley, it’s going to be tight. Alisson will be back in time as well."
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Liverpool fans will hope that Netherlands international Van Dijk is indeed available for the encounter against FA Cup holders Palace at Wembley on Sunday, followed by their home clash with Bournemouth on August 15.
Glenn Maxwell’s form and fitness shows promising signs for Australia as the real deal approaches
Andrew McGlashan04-Oct-20232:22
What role will Travis Head play at World Cup for Australia?
Like a number of teams over the last few weeks, Australia have been trying to reach the start line of the World Cup without any further major setbacks. They have had to manage a lengthy injury list but have just about got there.If a reminder was needed of how seriously to take the last couple of warm-up matches, the sight of David Warner sending down two overs of long hops and full tosses against Pakistan (albeit nearly conjuring a wicket which would have given him plenty of social media content) reinforced that it’s dangerous to read too much into the final stretch of preparation.There was a grain of truth when George Bailey, the national selector, joked before the match against Netherlands that if there were any Australians around Kerala they should pop down for game – for some players there has been a risk of too much cricket and it’s been all about getting to Chennai where they face India on October 8.Related
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But while the scoreline against Pakistan was largely irrelevant, there were a few aspects that may not be insignificant over the coming weeks.Form and fitness coming together for Glenn MaxwellGlenn Maxwell is a pivotal player in Australia’s hopes of another title, even more so now that he is effectively the second frontline spinner alongside Adam Zampa. He struck a breezy 77 off 71 balls in Hyderabad, a significant stint in the middle to test the durability of his previously broken leg, then backed that up with a tidy eight overs.”There’s always that weariness I suppose mentally – ‘how’s it gonna go tonight?’ But once I get moving I’m absolutely fine,” Maxwell told reporters.”My warm-up’s probably a little bit more structured these days. Have to do all those little things that I negated early in my career – I used to just run out here and go 100 percent and I was fine. But probably [now] just a little bit more thought around how much time I spend out there in the warm up and certain little drills I have to do.”Then there was the timely half-century for Cameron Green, who has struggled with the bat for much of the year since the IPL. It was his first fifty since the 47-ball hundred he struck for Mumbai Indians in May.The concussion he suffered in South Africa disrupted preparations, but he would appear inked in ahead of Marcus Stoinis who has not appeared in either of the warm-up matches or the last two ODIs against India.Cameron Green spent valuable time in the middle•Getty Images
The fact fellow allrounder Mitchell Marsh has bowled in consecutive matches having not been used at all against South Africa and India is another plus when it comes to balancing the side.Josh Inglis vs Alex Carey?Alex Carey could have done with a substantial innings ahead of the tournament, but he was run out for 11. Aside from the 99 he flayed in a heavy defeat at Centurion, he has been unconvincing with the bat with only one other score over 20 against South Africa, India and in these two warm-ups.It is unlikely Australia will move away from him, at least early in the tournament, partly because he adds a left-handed option in a right-hand dominated batting order. However, Josh Inglis gave a reminder of his versatility with a lively 48 off 30 balls in the closing stages.With preparations now almost complete, and Australia working with 14 fit players for now until Travis Head recovers from his broken hand, it would appear that their XI to face India is taking shape. Marnus Labuschagne has surely done enough to lock himself in at No. 4 behind Warner, Marsh and Steven Smith.Having been heavy on allrounders in the lead-up, there has been shift back towards the big three quicks – captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – lining up together, although Sean Abbott could still be in the frame if they want to lengthen the batting at No. 8. But with nine round-robin matches plus a heavy travel schedule, it’s likely the entire squad will be needed at some point.
O presidente do São Paulo, Julio Casares, participou de reunião na sede da Conmebol, no Paraguai, para tratar da logística da equipe, na decisão da Copa Sul-Americana, às 17h (de Brasília) do dia 1º de outubro (sábado).
Por ter melhor campanha geral na competição, o Tricolor ganhou a ‘vantagem’ de se hospedar em um hotel mais próximo do estádio Mário Kempes, onde será realizado o jogo contra o Independiente del Valle, do Equador
+ Com Sul-Americana, São Paulo amplia recorde de time brasileiro finalista em torneios continentais
Considerado mandante por causa desse critério, o São Paulo também poderá atuar com seu primeiro uniforme. Além disso, escolheu os horários e local para treinamento.
Segundo o LANCE! apurou, o Tricolor decidiu treinar nas instalações do Talleres, maior time da região. Pelo menos nesse quesito, o atacante Nahuel Bustos, revelado pelo clube, estará em casa.
Também ficou definido, agora oficialmente, que a maior parte dos ingressos destinados ao Del Valle vai, de fato, para a torcida são-paulina.
+ LANCE! transmite ao vivo e de graça jogos da Bundesliga. Confira todas as informações sobre o torneio e transmissão
Ao todo, 26.500 dos 28 mil ingressos de categoria 3, atrás dos gols, serão do Tricolor, já que a equipe equatoriana só pediu 1,5 mil dos 14 mil bilhetes a que tinha direito.
Os outros ingressos de categoria 2 (de frente pro campo, plateia Gasparini) são de torcida mista e locais, mas já é esperado que os tricolores lotem o setor.
Ficou acertado também que a delegação são-paulina viajará para a Argentina na próxima quarta-feira (28). O horário ainda não está definido. O Tricolor embarca não necessariamente em um voo fretado, mas sim disponibilizado por uma das patrocinadoras da Conmebol e da competição.
> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22 > Confira todos os jogos da Copa Sul-Americana-22 > Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
A half-century from Luke Wells, followed by two wickets in the first two balls of the innings for Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi set Welsh Fire on their way to a first Hundred victory since 2021.With just 40 balls per side, Manchester Originals fell nine runs short of Fire’s total of 94, despite Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 37 off 18, and Max Holden’s 37 off 18.Afridi set the tone at the top, while fellow Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf went for just 15 in the middle overs to put Originals behind the run rate.Fire’s total was built around a superb 57 off 23 by opener Wells, allowing celebrations at Sophia Gardens as the team started with a win after losing every game last season.
The match was reduced to a planned 40 balls per side in an hour of cricket, with a 10-ball powerplay, following on from the abandonment of the women’s game – which had been the first time a Welsh Fire match had been totally abandoned.Originals won the toss and unsurprisingly chose to bowl first. However, Fire opener Wells raced away against the pace of Josh Tongue, fresh from the Ashes, and then went after Josh Little.He took the early strike, but when Joe Clarke did get a chance, he hit Little straight to point for the first wicket to fall. However, Fire had already made 25 off 10 balls.Wells continued to dominate and find the gaps in the field, though Pakistan legspinner Usama Mir temporarily put the brakes on the scoring. However, he too went for big runs at the end, his last four balls going for 17.Wells would eventually depart for 57 off 23 balls, caught on the boundary by Jamie Overton off Little as he went for another six.Big-hitting David Willey was promoted up the order, while New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips took the initiative with 19 off 12.Fire would have wanted to top three figures, but had to settle with 94 off their 40 balls, Tom Hartley’s last five balls of the innings only going for seven runs and fetching the the wicket of Phillips.Related
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A lot was going to depend on the openers Phil Salt and Buttler to counter the threat of Afridi, but the Pakistan seamer made an immediate impact, his first ball swinging in to trap Salt lbw, his second a carbon copy to get rid of Laurie Evans. Holden, however, found the swing easier to cope with as Afridi bowled 10 balls straight, conceding 24.Buttler started quietly before suddenly announcing himself with 10 runs off two balls from David Payne. He then smashed another huge six off Rauf. Despite that, Rauf only went for 15 off his 10 balls, leaving Originals needing 36 off the last 10 balls.Holden was well caught at deep point by Phillips off the bowling of Willey, but Paul Walter announced his arrival with a huge six over midwicket before departing next ball. It meant Buttler’s late assault was too little too late for Originals.
Trinbago Knight Riders have appointed former West Indies coach Phil Simmons as their new head coach. He replaces Abhishek Nayar, who is currently the assistant coach for Kolkata Knight Riders.Knight Riders, the most successful team in the history of the Caribbean Premier League with four titles, had finished bottom of the league stage last year and failed to make the playoffs for the first time.Simmons has previous coaching experience in the CPL as well, and in his most recent stint, he won the title with Barbados Royals, who were then known as Barbados Tridents.Simmons has had two stints as head coach of West Indies, with his most recent one ending with their tour of Australia in December last year. He then went on to coach Dubai Capitals in the inaugural season of the International League T20, leading them to the playoffs.”As captain, I’m very excited to have coach Phil with us. We have a great chemistry working together as a pair,” Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard said. “We’ve done it in the international scene, and it’s great that we are getting the opportunity to work for TKR. Hopefully, this combination will bring smiles and some exciting results back to TKR.”Apart from West Indies, Simmons has also coached Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan.CPL 2023 gets underway on August 16, with Knight Riders playing their first game on August 19 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
Manchester United could earn a bonus of £100m if they beat Spurs in the Europa League final but will wave goodbye to the funds almost immediately.
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Red Devils up against Tottenham in Bilbao
Huge game for both clubs after poor domestic campaigns
Yet funds will disappear immediately for United
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils are aiming to earn a poor season in style on Wednesday by beating Spurs to win the Europa League and secure a place in next season's Champions League. Such a situation would earn the winning team a tidy bonus of £100m (€118m/$133m) but United would have to "kiss it goodbye" almost immediately, according to the .
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United are currently on course to lose £100m this financial year, meaning any Europa League jackpot will vanish straightaway. Wall Street analysts are forecasting the club will announce a third-quarter loss of £40m shortly and estimate their current debts sit at an eye-watering £1bn.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously claimed Manchester United could have "gone by bust by Christmas," although those comments have been described as "very disingenuous" by football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD
Wednesday's Europa League final has been billed as a game that neither Manchester United nor Tottenham can afford to lose. Both teams have endured disastrous Premier League seasons but know victory will provide a trophy and a lucrative place in the 2025-26 Champions League.
The South Florida side was crushed on Wednesday as they squandered another trophy chance
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's run in the CONCACAF Champions Cup has come to an end after an embarrassing 3-1 defeat (5-1 aggregate) to the Vancouver Whitecaps at home.
Inter Miami actually off to an inspired start. Down 2-0 from that first leg, Miami scored first through Jordi Alba, seemingly putting some doubt into the Canadian side. Going into halftime with a 1-0 advantage, it was all to play for in the final 45. Yet, there was a moment in the second half, somewhere between the 55th and 60th minute, where Inter Miami seemingly accepted their fate. Even as the Vancouver Whitecaps continued to run circles around them, had all but given up. They weren't tracking back anymore. They weren't fighting or brawling. There was time on the clock, but there was no doubt remaining: their CONCACAF Champions Cup hopes were over.
Miami's Champions Cup ambitions didn't end in Vancouver last week, when they fell 2-0 to the Whitecaps in the opening leg. No, run ended with a 10-minute second half blitz in Leg 2. Brian White, who has terrorized everyone in his path all season long, scored in the 51st minute to all but bury Miami due to the away goals rule. Pedro Vite's deflected finish two minutes later made the comeback impossible. Sebastian Berhalter then added a third in the 71st minute to put an exclamation point on this thing, sending a message to all who were watching that the Whitecaps were playing a different sort of game than the team opposite them.
While Inter Miami were expected to make the final prior to the semifinal matchup, the Whitecaps move on as the unquestioned better team. This wasn't luck, this was a shellacking.
Onto the final they go, while Miami will be left looking at another missed opportunity with a trophy on the line. This is a flawed team, one that is still nowhere near where it needs to be under new coach Javier Mascherano. Defensively, this group still has so many frailties, and the attack is still missing that certain something that showed up for large stretches of last season.
With the Club World Cup looming, have work to do.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium…
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Goalkeeper & Defense
Oscar Ustari (5/10):
Was nowhere near White's opener and was caught out on the Vite deflection. Fine in the first half, but couldn't do anything to prevent the mess that opened the second.
Jordi Alba (7/10):
Provided one heck of a finish and helped set a physical tone throughout. Typical game from him, exactly what he has done for the last decade.
Noah Allen (6/10):
Pretty good on the ball and also had a goal-saving tackle in the first half to bail Miami out. Definitely the better of the two central defenders.
Maximiliano Falcon (4/10):
Got cooked a few times in the first half, which is how he earned a yellow card for a foul on White. Was taken off early in the second half, partly due to that yellow and partly due to his inability to prevent the Whitecaps flurry.
Marcelo Weigandt (4/10):
Targeted on all three of the Whitecaps goals, which is never good for a player's rating. His inability to clear on the Whitecaps' second, in particular, was damning for Miami.
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Midfield
Sergio Busquets (5/10):
Generally did what he does best, but it wasn't even close to enough as the young Whitecaps midfield ran circles around their Inter Miami counterparts.
Federico Redondo (6/10):
Picked up a yellow card just before the half that essentially sealed his fate. He was clean on the ball, but was part of the mess for those first two Whitecaps goals before being taken out of the match.
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Attack
Telasco Segovia (5/10):
Good on the ball, but didn't offer nearly enough off of it as the Whitecaps were never really threatened down his side.
Tadeo Allende (6/10):
Hit the woodwork, which was a bit unlucky. Overall, offered some good things on that right-hand side, even if Miami struggled to make much of anything with it.
Lionel Messi (5/10):
By his standards, this is about as quiet as it gets. Created just one chance and didn't ever threaten the goal himself. Credit to the Whitecaps for silencing the Argentinian icon.
Luis Suarez (7/10):
Was credited with the assist on Alba's goal. Went on to do all of the little things needed to lead the line, completing all but two passes while leading the match in fouls drawn. He didn't offer much in terms of being dangerous in front of goal, though.
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Subs & Manager
Gonzalo Lujan (6/10):
Came on to replace Falcon and was almost certainly an upgrade in that position, but that's not saying much
Benja Cremaschi (6/10):
With the midfield needing more legs, Miami turned to Cremaschi early in the second half. By that point, though, it was too late.
Allen Obando (4/10):
Was just about anonymous, failing to do much of anything during his 30-ish minutes.
Hector Martinez (N/A):
Chucked on in defense late with the game totally out of hand.
Yannick Bright (N/A):
Same as above, although he was able to do significantly more than Obando did in less than half the time.
Javier Mascherano (5/10):
A tale of two halves, for sure, but Mascherano will get some criticism for personnel decisions here. The midfield and defense featured some calls that were certainly up for debate. A lesson for the first-year manager, who was second best on the day in his spot with both his tactics and lineup choices.
In a repeat of their deal to welcome Claudio Echeverri, Manchester City are now reportedly battling to sign another South American gem ahead of rivals Manchester United this summer.
Man City transfer news
The Citizens have their focus set on the future and have done since the January transfer window, splashing out to welcome the likes of Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Juma Bah to commence their defensive rebuild. With three future stars in their backline, City could look to pick up where they left off when the summer transfer window arrives.
Pep Guardiola’s side could certainly do with a rebuild too. The Spaniard has lost more games in a single season than he has ever done before, with his Manchester City side ravaged by injuries and simply overpowered week in, week out in what still takes some getting used to when watching a side managed by the Spaniard.
Against Real Madrid in midweek, the Premier League champions were simply a class or two below their opponents and as Liverpool prepare to arrive at The Etihad, Manchester City must hope to avoid a repeat of Wednesday’s defeat.
That said, whilst their suffering continues on the pitch, the Citizens are at least reportedly preparing to unveil the light at the end of the tunnel in the form of further reinforcements.
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Man City are among the European clubs chasing the signature of a rising star.
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According to InterLive, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City are now battling to sign Franco Mastantuono ahead of rivals Manchester United this summer. The River Plate youngster reportedly has a release clause worth €40m (£33m) and has also attracted the interest of Inter Milan to create quite the race for his signature.
"Gifted" Mastuantono is one to watch
The influence of South American talents in the Premier League is there for all to see and does not look likely to come to an end any time soon. The next generation of Argentina’s best looks particularly like one to watch and Mastuantono – alongside Echeverri – is one of the rising stars at the forefront of that.
At just 17 years old, the attacking midfielder was described as “gifted” and dubbed “Argentina’s best talent” by analyst Ben Mattinson last month.
Although things are at their bleakest under Guardiola right now, Manchester City’s slumber may not last long. When the summer arrives and they once again have the chance to rebuild, a dominant side could be awoken and seek instant vengeance. Whether the likes of Mastuantono play a part in that remains to be seen, however.
The next few months will be crucial and Daniel Farke and Leeds United as they look to end their two-year stay in the Championship and return to the Premier League.
The Whites came within touching distance of returning to the top flight at the first attempt, but a play-off final defeat against Southampton confined them to another season in the second tier.
However, the German has managed to conduct a superb job in picking up the pieces of last season, building a side that has the club right in the thick of a promotion battle once again.
The ongoing transfer window presents the boss with another opportunity to improve his already impressive squad at Elland Road, handing them an added boost in their efforts.
As of yet, no incomings have been completed in West Yorkshire, but that’s not to say that numerous names have been constantly touted with a move to the club this month.
Leeds United’s transfer business in January
Ollie Tanner is the latest name to pop up on the Leeds shortlist, with the 22-year-old touted with a move to Elland Road over the last couple of days after his impressive form with Cardiff City.
The forward also has admirers from Southampton, Leicester City and Burnley ahead of the transfer deadline, with a real battle on between the sides to secure a move for the sought-after talent.
Tanner isn’t the only attacker linked with a move to join Farke’s men, with Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia constantly touted for a return to feature under his former boss.
The Argentine won promotion under the German during their time together at Norwich City, with Buendia undoubtedly playing the best football of his career in 2020/21, registering 31 combined goals and assists.
However, he’s since moved to Villa, with a knee injury halting his progress, ultimately leading to him dropping down the pecking order – opening the door to a potential loan move to Leeds this month.
There’s little denying that he would be a superb option, but, the club already have themselves a potent attacker, with the current Whites star matching Buendia’s market value as of January 2025.
Former Norwich midfielder Emi Buendia.
The Leeds player who is currently worth as much as Buendia
Despite dropping to the second tier ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, Leeds have managed to keep and recruit a superb squad, one that has every right to be challenging for the title as they currently are.
A combination of clever investments such as Ao Tanaka and Jayden Bogle along with the ability to keep hold of the likes of Dan James and Pascal Struijk have undoubtedly contributed to their recent success.
However, another player has also impressed with the drop-down to England’s second tier, with winger Wilfried Gnonto allowed to excel and star on a consistent basis.
The Italian would’ve been high on many supporters’ list to depart the Whites after his performances in the relegation campaign, but fast-forward two years, he still remains a member of the squad and playing a key role in their push for promotion.
Gnonto, who’s previously been dubbed a “monster” by one analyst, has registered 21 goals or assists in the last two seasons, often coming up with the goods when Farke and the supporters need him most.
His rapid rise has been all the more remarkable, especially when considering the 21-year-old only cost the hierarchy £3.8m upon his move to join the Whites back in August 2022.
1. Wilfried Gnonto
£15m
2. Dan James
£13.4m
= Ethan Ampadu
£13.4m
= Pascal Struijk
£13.4m
= Illan Meslier
£13.4m
3. Joel Piroe
£11.8m
4. Brendon Aaronson
£10m
The Italian’s subsequent form has seen a huge jump in his market value, with Transfermarkt valuing the attacker at €18m (£15m), a jump of around 300% on the figure forked out for his services just over two years ago.
Such a value is also the same Transfermarkt value as current transfer target Buendia, who’s seen a huge drop since his £33m transfer in the summer of 2021, with injuries playing a massive role in his decline in value.
As a result of his recent injury troubles, it would be a huge risk for Farke to spend some of the wage budget on the Argentine, potentially not being at the level of fitness required to make an immediate impact.
Given Gnonto’s rise, a potential move for the Villa man could further hinder the Italian’s game time, preventing him from progressing, with the former FC Zurich man potentially having a huge role to play between now and the end of May.
Worse than Aaronson: Farke must drop Leeds man who lost 80% duels
The Leeds United forward failed to make much of an impact in the win over Norwich.