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Liverpool fielded something of a patchwork side against Southampton in midweek, and though they had to weather the storm, in both senses of the phrase, Arne Slot’s remarkable campaign moved further forward.

The hard-fought Carabao Cup victory has set up a semi-final tie with Tottenham Hotspur in the new year, and given that Liverpool are atop the Premier League and Champions League tables, things could hardly be going any better.

Well, they could. They always could. The Reds have ceded ground in both of their recent top-flight matches, away at Newcastle and against Fulham at Anfield last weekend, having been reduced to ten men before 20 minutes were on the clock.

The culprit: Andy Robertson. The experienced left-back has been criticised throughout the campaign, and while he’s still a high-class player, there’s a growing sense that FSG will want to replace him sooner rather than later.

Why Liverpool need to replace Andy Robertson

Robertson has been nothing short of a stalwart since joining Liverpool from Hull City in 2017, signing for an astute £10m fee. His energy and dynamism have seen him defy the naysayers and forge a prosperous career at the heart of one of the most successful contemporary English sides.

Along with his alternate full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Robertson’s creativity and ball-playing skills rewrote the job description and saw Jurgen Klopp’s system take a liftoff, with Reds writer Leanne Prescott once even hailing the Scotland skipper as a “Duracell Bunny.”

But he was afflicted by a damaging shoulder injury last term and has struggled to maintain his level under Slot’s wing, ditched for Kostas Tsimikas on several occasions and starting to fumble in big moments, conceding a few penalties and indeed being dismissed against the Cottagers.

Aged 30, Robertson might feel that he has plenty of mileage in the tank, but the tireless work that he has performed over so many years is bound to have reduced the engine’s throttle power.

Liverpool have hardly been scatter-spenders since Slot took to the helm, but there’s little question that when the time comes for action, replacing Robertson will be near the top of the agenda.

Liverpool transfer news

As per German reporter Christian Falk, Liverpool are thick in the battle to sign Alphonso Davies, with the Bayern Munich speedster out of contract at the end of the season.

Obviously, the caveat is that Real Madrid are also interested, but Davies earns a pretty penny at £178k per week and his lofty demands appear to have dissuaded the La Liga giants, as per Spanish sources.

He is set to become a free agent next summer and that is why he could be an attractive target for the Reds, who would not have to splash out a transfer fee to secure his services.

What Alphonso Davies would bring to Liverpool

What would Davies bring to Liverpool? Pace, and plenty of it. The Canada superstar’s electric rapidity is a remarkable thing, with an ever-present fleetness denoting his high technical quality too.

Bayern signed Davies from Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps for a fee rising to £17m in July 2018, which was a record for an MLS player, and a 17-year-old one at that.

Davies has stayed at Bayern throughout the entirety of the intervening period, his evident quality diffusing any notion of a loan spell to help him sharpen his tools.

In fact, the pacy defender has completed 216 appearances for Die Roten, notching 46 goal contributions and notably lifting five Bundesliga titles and the 2019/20 Champions League.

He’s a remarkable player, once described as a “machine” by podcaster Stefan Buczko, and still only 24, the Bayern ace could replace Robertson at Liverpool and serve as Slot’s number one for many years to come.

This all goes to prove that Liverpool would be getting their mitts on a left-back of immense talent, sure, but also one with an elite, title-winning mentality that amazingly has much room for further growth and success.

It will come as no surprise that Davies ranks among the top 2% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries (4.76) and the top 1% for successful take-ons (2.25) per 90, as per FBref, further highlighting the blistering energy that Slot would weave into his thriving side.

Of course, pace isn’t everything, but when assessing the Bavarian star’s metrics compared to Robertson’s across league matches in 2024/25, you can see that Liverpool’s man is lacking across the board, less threatening in attack and far less robust in defensive phases.

Andy Robertson vs Alphonso Davies (2024/25)
Match Stats*	Robertson	Davies
Matches (starts)	11 (10)	13 (12)
Goals	0	1
Assists	0	2
Touches*	69.5	84.2
Pass completion	88%	92%
Key passes*	1.5	1.6
Ball recoveries*	4.0	6.3
Dribbles*	0.2 (40%)	1.8 (51%)
Tackles + interceptions*	1.6	2.1
Ground duels (won)*	1.5 (50%)	4.9 (58%)
Stats via Sofascore

The pertinent question for those of a Liverpool persuasion would be whether Davies would be willing to prioritise Anfield with Real Madrid lurking. Los Blancos have their hesitations, but when a team engages in a transfer tussle with Florentino Perez, there’s rarely any surprise about the one to come out on top.

It’s curious that Robertson has adapted his game to a point where he averages only 0.2 dribbles per Premier League outing, something that is perhaps a by-product of the indefatigable displays across the best part of eight years.

Davies’ wage demands will see him rival the heaviest hitters at Liverpool on the bill, and that might prove to be a stumbling block for Richard Hughes and co. Nonetheless, the chance to sign one of the best left-backs in the world for free is an opportunity that simply can’t be passed up.

Having only signed Federico Chiesa in Slot’s first transfer window for a reduced £12.5m fee, it’s hardly as if FSG don’t have the money to spend on a high-profile superstar, one who could make a marked impact on Slot’s reign over the coming years.

It’s time for action. This would be a signing to show Europe that the Reds mean business, and are keen to turn their fast start to the season into an imperious run over a number of years.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 21, 2024

Jamie Carragher believes Phil Foden has failed to live up to the hype on the international stage after shining for Manchester City.

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Foden failed to impress for England last weekCarragher left unimpressed with his displaysBelieves Man City star hasn't taken his chanceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Carragher has slammed Foden’s performances for England after he failed to impress yet again during last Friday's win over Albania. The Liverpool legend believes that the midfielder has failed to take his opportunity despite being a regular starter under Sir Gareth Southgate, and getting a chance to impress new boss Thomas Tuchel over the last week.

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England fans have had high hopes for Foden, who is regarded as one of the most talented young players in the world. However, the 22-year-old has struggled to make a real impact for his country so far and was widely criticised during the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2024 final. His club form has also dropped off this season, with City enduring a difficult campaign and surrendering their Premier League crown.

WHAT JAMIE CARRAGHER SAID

Carragher, who was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, said: "When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad, which is fine. I don’t think he has got that arrogance for England the same way Jude Bellingham does. That holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed.

"Phil Foden has played every position for England, and he just hasn’t done anything. We all love him and he’s amazing for Manchester City, but he hasn’t done it for England. He’s not a used car and he hasn’t done enough for England. He got picked at a similar time to Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, but those two grabbed their chance and took it. There is no way they’re getting left out!"

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR PHIL FODEN?

Foden, who started England's win over Albania and came off the bench in Monday evening's 3-0 victory against Latvia, has now returned to City as attention turns back to club football. The midfielder will be hoping to earn a start this weekend as Pep Guardiola's side face Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

It’s been a tough season for Arsenal this year.

Mikel Arteta’s side came into the campaign hoping that this would be the year they finally toppled Manchester City in the Premier League, and while they’re six points clear of the Champions, they’re six points behind current leaders Liverpool.

This drop-off is due to several reasons, from suspensions to injuries and a lack of cutting edge in attack, especially from those off the left, like Leandro Trossard, who’s produced just six goal involvements so far.

So, recent reports linking the club with an incredibly exciting left-sided gem should excite the Arsenal faithful, especially as he could get the Belgian firing again.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in Club Brugge’s talented full-back, Maxim De Cuyper.

The report has revealed that the Gunners are currently leading the chase for the 24-year-old, but fellow London sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the exciting player.

The report does not mention a price, but given that Brugge’s most expensive departure of all time was the €36.5m – £30.2m – transfer of Charles De Ketelaere to AC Milan and that the left-back is valued at just €12m – £10m – by Transfermarkt, we can’t see this potential deal costing the North Londoners an arm and a leg.

Overall, it could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given De Cuyper’s ability and potential, it’s one well worth pursuing, especially as he could revive Trossard.

How De Cuyper could revive Trossard

Now, one of the benefits of signing De Cuyper is that he’s shown over the last few years that he’s versatile enough to play on either side of the defence and even further up the pitch.

However, left-back is his preferred position; therefore, it’ll be those out on the left wing, like Trossard, who will be most affected by him.

Fortunately, the Knokke-Heist-born dynamo appears to be an incredibly gifted attacking full-back, and that’s the reason he’d be able to revive his fellow compatriot out on the left.

For example, in just 24 appearances this season, the promising prospect, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “one of the best left-backs” around, has scored one goal and provided four assists, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 4.8 games.

Just imagine how much more effective the Gunners’ Belgian winger could be with the 6 foot full-back hurtling down the pitch, ready to overlap or play a killer pass through the lines for him to get on the end of.

That said, if his raw output from this season isn’t enough to convince you, perhaps his underlying numbers will be.

According to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across the next best 14 competitions, the left-footed star sits in the top 1% of full-backs for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 2% for non-penalty expected goals plus assists, the top 3% for attempted passes and the top 7% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area, all per 90.

Shot-Creating Actions

5.04

Top 1%

Progressive Passes

7.94

Top 1%

Expected Assists

0.29

Top 2%

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.37

Top 2%

Attempted Passes

73.23

Top 3%

Touches in Opposition Penalty Area

2.38

Top 7%

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.09

Top 11%

Total Shots

1.10

Top 14%

Ultimately, Arsenal’s left-hand side has been underwhelming so far this season, and while signing a new forward could help, signing a new attacking full-back to get the most out of their current attackers might be an even better idea.

Therefore, Arteta and Co should do what they can to sign De Cuyper as soon as possible.

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As Ruben Amorim looks to mark his own stamp on the current side, Manchester United are reportedly already in negotiations with a £100m forward over a summer move to Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news

When 2025 arrives, there’s no doubt that Manchester United must once again endure a busy transfer window to put right the several errors they made throughout Erik ten Hag’s tenure. Already, it’s become clear that certain stars are unlikely to suit Amorim’s complex 3-4-2-1 system which features wingbacks instead of wingers and two advanced number 10s.

Among those who could fall victim to such a change in system is Marcus Rashford, with recent reports going as far to suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to part ways with the struggling United forward for as little as £40m in 2025. In what would be a shock departure, Rashford could finally rediscover his best form outside of Old Trafford amid reported interest from La Liga giants Barcelona.

As one forward potentially departs, meanwhile, the Red Devils have seemingly turned their attention towards a player who could finally sharpen a blunt United frontline in 2025.

According to Trivela via Sport Witness, Manchester United are already in negotiations with Joao Pedro over a summer move from Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Brazilian reportedly ready to ditch the Seagulls in 2025.

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An exit won’t come easily, however, given that the Sussex club reportedly value their star man at a hefty £100m. Whether United are in a position to spend such money, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League once again, remains to be seen unless they cash in on several names.

An instant upgrade on Joshua Zirkzee and a player who could play behind the improving Rasmus Hojlund, Pedro would certainly be one of the signings of the summer if United pursued the expensive deal.

"Great" Pedro would suit Amorim's system

Whilst Rashford is a square peg in a round hole under Amorim, Pedro would be the perfect fit under the former Sporting Club boss. With the powerful Hojlund acting as his new Viktor Gyokeres, Pedro can sit next to Bruno Fernandes in one of the more advanced number 10 roles to create quite the attacking trio at Old Trafford and one to finally end the Red Devils’ goalscoring woes.

Premier League stats 24/25 (FBref as of 15 Dec)

Joao Pedro

Rasmus Hojlund

Bruno Fernandes

Minutes

589

607

1,249

Goals

4

2

3

Assists

3

0

5

Expected Goals

2.4

1.8

4.4

A positive sign is that both Pedro and Hojlund have outperformed their expected goals in the current campaign, with both forwards more than capable of converting opportunities when they come their way. And that’s where Fernandes would make his mark. The Manchester United captain already has five assists to his name this season and that number would only increase next to Pedro if the Red Devils secured the Brazilian’s signature.

Dubbed “great” by former manager Roberto de Zerbi last year, Pedro looks destined for the top, which could yet come courtesy of a summer switch to Old Trafford.

Another international break bites the dust – and this time, the wretched thing won’t return until March. For West Ham United, however, it perhaps came at the right time, for Julen Lopetegui needs to manufacture a sharp upswing in form.

West Ham avoided defeat before many players jetted off for their sojourns, though the recent goalless draw against Everton in the Premier League was not an exciting thing, and did little to sate the fanbase’s hunger for improvement.

A cynic would say that it’s kitchen sink time for Lopetegui, and even the most optimistic of Hammers supporters must be forced to accept that things need to improve – and fast.

25/11/24

Newcastle

St. James’ Park

30/11/24

Arsenal

London Stadium

03/12/24

Leicester

King Power Stadium

09/12/24

Wolves

London Stadium

16/12/24

Bournemouth

Vitality Stadium

21/12/24

Brighton

London Stadium

26/12/24

Southampton

St. Mary’s Stadium

29/12/24

Liverpool

London Stadium

There’s a good chance to escape from the sliding rut that has dampened a mood that, only this summer, crackled with nervous excitement after David Moyes departed and £120m was spent on new parts.

A lack of identity and bereftness of confidence have instead ruled with an iron grip. Something needs to change, and Jarrod Bowen will be sure to be at the centre of any hopeful revival.

Jarrod Bowen shows his quality for England

Bowen would be one of the first to admit that he hasn’t been at his best this season, but then it’s hard to operate with full form and fluency when the system whose tactics you adopt fails to roar into life.

Club insiders have refuted claims that CEO David Sullivan and bruised technical director Tim Steidten had been set for crunch talks regarding Lopetegui’s future, but the very fact that such news bobbed up, months into his tenure, makes a telling comment on the conundrum in east London.

Unfortunately, Bowen probably delighted in performing within Lee Carsley’s Three Lions set-up, scoring his first international goal off the bench during the 5-0 rout over the Republic of Ireland.

Let’s look at it from another angle, eh: Bowen’s confidence will have been raised after such an emphatic moment in his career, and he could be ready to tackle the biting winter period, armband girdled on, with fresh life.

West Ham will need his attacking authority; after all, the flow of goals has been more accurately described as a trickle this season, but the dynamic forward tops the charts even so.

1.

Jarrod Bowen

13

4

2.

Mohammed Kudus

10

2

2=

Tomas Soucek

12

2

2=

Lucas Paqueta

13

2

5.

Danny Ings

6

1

5=

Michail Antonio

12

1

5=

Crysencio Summerville

12

1

The lack of goals doesn’t make for great viewing. Bowen and his frontal peers haven’t been at their best, to be sure, but there’s a stark absence of creativity that makes it hard to flourish. The Premier League record that the Hammers have created 17 big chances this season, placing them joint-16th in the division.

More attacking dimensions are required, and getting rid of the likes of Said Benrahma and James Ward-Prowse this summer must rankle a few.

West Ham actually cast out another player since Moyes’ exit who’s actually outperforming most of the current squad in offence, though Thilo Kehrer is probably not the name that you’d expect.

Thilo Kehrer's season in numbers

When Kehrer first alighted in east London, the furore suggested that a great deal had been struck, with The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas even praising his: “speed and eagerness to occupy advanced positions should add an extra dimension.” The defender’s versatility also posited that he could dynamise Moyes’ backline.

Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2022 – for a shrewd £10m – the Germany international had enjoyed success but wanted a more prominent role than he had been afforded in the French capital.

However, his time in the Premier League quickly proved to temper expectations to ground closer to that of the £10m figure, with Kehrer starting the first 14 top-flight fixtures of the season but just 11 thereafter.

He left England just a year and a half after joining West Ham, signing on loan with AS Monaco before the deal became permanent in the summer of 2024. The half-campaign he spent under Moyes’ wing in 2023/24, the German managed only four substitute appearances in the league.

Journalist Stefan Bienkowski had even criticised the 28-year-old for one “horrendous” performance with Germany, with his confidence clearly knocked for six after early struggles with West Ham. Indeed, previously he had been a near-infallible mainstay for his nation under the tutelage of Hansi Flick.

At least he’s enjoying his football again back in France, though it’s somewhat frustrating to see that he’s having some success from an attacking standpoint, posting three goals from 13 matches across all competitions for Monaco this season.

Operating as a centre-back, this is quite the feat, especially when considering that the 6 foot 1 titan has completed 90% of his passes and emerged triumphant in 68% of his duels in Ligue 1 too, as per Sofascore.

Though he didn’t quite make his mark under Moyes’ leadership, Kehrer is clearly a great defender who suffered due to circumstances. West Ham aren’t exactly flourishing right now, but Lopetegui wants more control and perhaps he could have aided the squad in that regard.

The fact that he’s also outscoring every West Ham star bar Bowen also speaks volumes to the struggles of the London club.

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نجح لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، في تسجيل هدف في شباك فالنسيا في منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ويلاقي ريال مدريد نظيره فالنسيا ضمن منافسات الجولة 30 من الدوري الإسباني على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، اليوم السبت.

ويستضيف برشلونة خصمه ريال بيتيس مساءً اليوم السبت، على ملعب “مونتجويك الأولمبي”، في منافسات الجولة ذاتها.

ويتربع روبرت ليفاندوفسكي مهاجم برشلونة على صدارة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني برصيد 25 هدفاً، ويليه كيليان مبابي برصيد 22 هدفاً. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني

1- روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، برشلونة، 25 هدفًا.

2- كيليان مبابي، ريال مدريد، 22 هدفًا.

3- أنتي بوديمير، أوساسونا، 15 هدفًا.

4- رافينها، برشلونة، 13 هدفًا.

5- أويهان سانسيت، أتلتيك بلباو، 13 هدفًا.

6- أيوزي بيريز، فياريال، 12 هدفاً.

7- فينيسيوس جونيور، ريال مدريد، 11 هدفاً.

8- جوليان ألفاريز، أتلتيكو مدريد، 11 هدفًا.

9- سورلوث، أتلتيكو مدريد، 11 هدفًا.

10- لوكيباكيو، إشبيلية، 11 هدفًا.

ويمكنك مطالعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بشكل محدث من هنا

MatériaMais Notícias

Com Enderson Moreira tendo dias contados, o Botafogo trabalha com um nome de forma concreta para assumir como treinador. Luis Castro, atualmente no Al Duhail, do Qatar, é o sonho de consumo de John Textor, que está adquirindo 90% da SAF do Alvinegro.

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Representantes do Botafogo em nome do empresário norte-americano buscaram iniciar as conversas com os empresários de Luis essa semana. Ele tem um responsável por fazer a representação no Brasil, o que pode ajudar para um desfecho positivo.

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O treinador e a comissão técnica dele gostam da ideia de vir ao Brasil, mas tudo também passa pelo Al Duhail. Há uma multa de cerca de 1 milhão de euros (R$ 5,9 milhões, na cotação atual) para tirar o treinador da equipe. Se Luis Castro aceitar a proposta do Alvinegro, o clube tentará uma negociação com o time qatari, mas o pagamento integral da multa não está descartado.

Luis Castro também foi cotado no Atlético-MG, que fechou com Antônio ‘Turco’ Mohammed, e Corinthians, na busca por um técnico desde a saída de Sylvinho. A equipe de John Textor considera que ele é o nome certo para o momento certo de transição do clube por ter trabalhado com elencos recheados de jovens jogadores durante a carreira.

O Al Duhail de Luis Castro soma 12 vitórias, três empates e três derrotas no Campeonato do Qatar nesta temporada, assumindo a 2ª posição no torneio. Além disso, o português também soma passagens por Shakhtar Donestk-UCR, Vitória de Guimarães-POR Rio Ave-POR, Chaves-POR e Porto-POR.

As if Russell Martin wasn’t dealt enough of a blow by Leicester City’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory, Southampton already have an injury concern to deal with ahead of the Manchester City game next weekend.

Southampton injury news

It looked as though the Saints finally kicked into gear to get their Premier League campaign going once and for all when Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo put them into a commanding lead after just 28 minutes. That 2-0 lead is where the problems started for Martin’s side, however, who completely capitulated to allow Leicester back into the game.

Southampton take damning step behind the scenes that's bad news for Martin

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Levelling things up courtesy of Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Vardy in the second-half, summer arrival Jordan Ayew became the hero of the hour when he squeezed his effort beyond Aaron Ramsdale to turn the game on its head in the 98th minute. Beaten and left watching the visitors wheel away in celebration, defeat against Leicester may just be the first nail in the coffin for Martin’s tenure.

The Saints haven’t exactly been handed positive news since that result either, especially on the injury front. As confirmed by Martin, Will Smallbone is an early doubt to face Manchester City next weekend after tweaking his hamstring in his first game back from injury against Leicester. The midfielder came on only to suffer yet another setback.

Martin confirmed the “disappointing” news, telling the Southern Daily Echo: “Will played the last 15 minutes with an injury. It looks like he’s tweaked his hamstring again which is really disappointing for him and for us. He soldiered on and battled through the last 10-15 minutes with that for the team because that’s the kind of guy he is.”

With a trip to face the Premier League champions up next, things couldn’t get much more difficult for a Southampton side desperately in need of a turnaround.

"Gifted" Smallbone adds to Southampton's woes

After missing the last four Premier League games, Smallbone’s return handed Southampton a much-needed boost that they would have been hoping to see play a part in turning a sinking ship around. One game later, however, the midfield is seemingly back on the sidelines to once again add to the woes of those at St Mary’s. As Martin battles for his job, he desperately needs his £25,000-a-week star to make a swift return.

The Saints boss was full of praise for Smallbone after his part in Southampton’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last season, telling reporters, as relayed by the Daily Echo: “He’s a really outstanding footballer and his performances so far have justified why I wanted to sign him at Swansea – so we must have got one right.

“He will play in different roles for us as well. He really is a gifted footballer with some good Championship experience after last season. I hope he enjoyed that tonight because I really enjoyed watching him.”

As things stand though, Southampton look likely to square off against Manchester City – of all sides – without their midfielder.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to make a quicker-than-anticipated return from injury, alleviating Arne Slot's initial concerns.

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Alexander-Arnold picked up thigh injury vs BournemouthReplaced by Conor Bradley in the 70th minuteMedical scans showed that injury is not seriousFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

During the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Alexander-Arnold was substituted in the 70th minute after experiencing discomfort in his thigh. The 26-year-old right-back immediately gestured to the bench, signalling that he could not continue, prompting Conor Bradley to take his place on the pitch. However, according to further medical evaluations have ruled out a major injury, indicating that he may not be sidelined for an extended period. Despite the encouraging prognosis, Liverpool's medical team are unlikely to take any risks with Alexander-Arnold’s fitness ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Tottenham on Thursday.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ARNE SLOT HAD SAID

After the victory against Bournemouth, Liverpool manager Slot offered an update on Alexander-Arnold: "The situation was that he said to me, 'You have to take me off' and he sat on the floor, and we took him off. He felt something, I can't tell you exactly what and how bad it is of course, because we are one hour after the game, but it is never a good sign if a player is asking for a substitution. This is not a fact, but I would be surprised if he plays on Thursday, but let's hope he is back with us as soon as possible."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While Liverpool fans will be relieved by the news of Alexander-Arnold will be back on the pitch sooner than expected, his long-term future at Anfield remains in question. His current contract is set to expire this summer, and Real Madrid have expressed strong interest in securing his signature. Los Blancos were eager to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu during the January transfer window, but Liverpool swiftly rejected their initial approach, making it clear that he was not available for transfer mid-season.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Liverpool are currently preparing for a packed schedule, with crucial fixtures across multiple competitions. After facing Tottenham, the Reds will turn their attention to an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle on Sunday. The highly anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton on February 12 will also be a key test in their Premier League title push.

Injuries have parched him of steady opportunities but he has been able play more consistently since the start of the 2020-21 BBL

Matt Roller05-Aug-2021

Adam Milne has been the standout fast bowler in the group stages of the Hundred to date•Getty Images

Adam Milne, the New Zealand fast bowler, has set his sights on October’s T20 World Cup in the UAE despite injuries limiting him to two T20I appearances since November 2018.Milne played only 12 professional games in a two-year period between November 2018 and December 2020, twice undergoing surgery on his left ankle, but has been able to string games together more consistently since the start of the 2020-21 Big Bash League and has been the standout fast bowler in the group stages of the ongoing Hundred to date, playing for the table-topping Birmingham Phoenix.He won an international recall for New Zealand’s T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year and while he proved expensive in that series, he has been in contact with the selectors in recent weeks to discuss his potential involvement in the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and Pakistan before the World Cup.New Zealand are expected to confirm squads for those tours at the start of next week, though it is unclear at this stage whether Milne and the other players with IPL deals will be part of them. Milne confirmed he is expecting to fly to the UAE to fulfil his contract with the Mumbai Indians where he will link back up with Shane Bond, Mumbai’s assistant coach and his Sydney Thunder head coach and mentor.Related

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“I’d obviously love to play more for New Zealand,” Milne told ESPNcricinfo. “I’ve had a lot of injuries over the last three years which has stopped me playing any cricket at all really, and you can’t play for New Zealand if you’re not playing any domestic cricket.”It’s nice to be playing well over here, and I feel like out of all of the formats, I’ve got a really good record in T20. I know this is slightly different with the 100-ball format, but I’d obviously really like to be part of that World Cup team and there has been a little bit of communication behind the scenes back home.”The hardest thing for a fast bowler is stringing a whole period of cricket together. It’s all been short-format for me, so it’s not as taxing as longer forms, but it’s been nice to be able to play consistently and gain a bit of trust in the body and get a bit of rhythm in my bowling. When you’re coming in and out, you’re not quite getting that rhythm, so it’s been nice to keep that going.”Milne’s preparation for the Hundred was not ideal. He was due to play six games for Kent in the group stages of the Vitality Blast but one was washed out and he was forced to self-isolate for 10 days during the final two as a close contact of a team-mate who had contracted Covid-19.But he has still managed to hit the ground running over the last two weeks. He is the competition’s fourth-highest wicket-taker with seven in his first five appearances, and has the best economy rate (1.02 runs conceded per ball) out of any seamer. He has also hit speeds of 93mph/149kph – only Marchant de Lange has bowled a fast ball in the tournament – and produced one of its first viral moments with an outrageous caught-and-bowled to dismiss Ravi Bopara.