Berta could sign Arsenal's own Palmer in 'one of the world's best players'

To say Arsenal are in form at the moment would be an understatement.

Mikel Arteta’s side are flying and, following their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, are starting to get the recognition they deserve.

Moreover, while there is still a long way to go before anything is settled, the Gunners could go a long way in cementing their grip on the Premier League title race by beating Chelsea on Sunday.

However, it will be a tough game, and on top of Estevao, Arsenal may have to be on their toes regarding a certain Cole Palmer, who’s previously been compared to another international star the Gunners have been linked with.

Arsenal team news

Arsenal’s recent run of results and performances have been hugely impressive, and are made only more so by the fact that the team have been plagued by injuries.

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For example, the team tore Tottenham Hotspur to pieces without a recognised number nine on the pitch, or bench for that matter, and without Gabriel Mageheles, who has arguably been their player of the season so far.

Fortunately, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are all back in contention again, with all three coming off the bench against Bayern.

Moreover, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed that there is “a potential chance” that Leandro Trossard could be available for the game this weekend.

He was a little less clear when it came to Gabriel Jesus, as he confirmed that the striker took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly, but said “We have to see” when it comes to his availability for Sunday.

Finally, while it seems unlikely, the boss didn’t rule out the possibility of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz making it into the squad, saying, “We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody is tomorrow.”

So, it’s mostly good news on the injury front for the Gunners, but the Blues have also received a big boost, with Enzo Maresca confirming that Palmer is now available to start the game.

The Englishman is a world-class player, and based on reports from earlier this month, Arsenal could potentially sign someone who has been compared to him in the past.

The Palmer-like star Arsenal could sign

Arsenal have already been linked with a host of seriously exciting players over the last month or so, but arguably the most exciting and the one who has been compared to Palmer is Michael Olise.

Now, it should be said that the two internationals, of course, have their differences, but according to FBref, the Englishman was the third-most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Frenchman in the 23/24 Premier League season.

To gain a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached, you can take a look at the underlying numbers in which the pair ranked so closely.

Olise & Palmer

Statistics per 90

Olise

Palmer

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.74

0.76

Key Passes

2.54

2.47

Passes into the Penalty Area

2.39

2.37

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.21

0.17

Live Passes

42.6

44.6

Shot-Creating Actions

5.79

5.57

Goal-Creating Actions

0.99

0.89

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 PL Season

These metrics included things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key and live passes, shot and goal-creating actions, passes into the penalty area and more, all per 90.

In other words, both players were attacking monsters, both from a goalscoring perspective and a creative one.

Now, on top of the undeniable statistical similarities between them, they can also both be described as entertainers; they are players who’ll produce the output, but will also get the fans on their feet with a piece of skill and trickery.

Moreover, the pair of them are quite nonchalant in the way they go about their business on and off the pitch, making the former Crystal Palace star someone who’d probably fit in quite well at the Emirates.

Ultimately, while the comparisons to the Chelsea star are great, the Gunners should be looking to sign the Bayern Munich star regardless, as in just 74 appearances for the German giants, he has already produced 62 goal involvements, which more than justifies Serge Gnabry’s claim that the 23-year-old is “one of the best players in the world.”

The best since Henry & Vieira: Arsenal star is "the best in the world"

The incredible Arteta signing will rank alongside Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 28, 2025

Fluminense tem tabu a quebrar contra o Vasco na Copa do Brasil; relembre os confrontos

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta quinta-feira (11), às 20h, o Fluminense entra em campo contra o Vasco pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil. Esta será a terceira vez que o clássico acontece na competição, com um histórico equilibrado e um tabu para o Tricolor, que nunca venceu o rival.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Fluminense

A primeira vez foi em 2000, nas oitavas de final, e a segunda em 2006, na semi. Além da classificação, a campanha pode ter um gosto especial para Thiago Silva e Marcão, amigos e companheiros de trabalho que estiveram no último confronto e no título de 2007.

Relembre os clássicos pela Copa do BrasilCopa do Brasil de 2006 – Fluminense 1 x 2 Vasco

No último duelo entre Fluminense e Vasco na Copa do Brasil, o Cruz-Maltino levou a melhor. Os dois jogos foram no Maracanã: no primeiro, o time de São Cristóvão venceu com gol de Edílson; no segundo, Valdiram abriu o placar e Petkovic empatou pro Flu.

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Comandado por Oswaldo de Oliveira, o elenco tricolor contava com nomes que escreviam apenas um dos capítulos de uma longa relação com o clube: Thiago Silva, Marcão, Marcelo e Roger Machado. O primeiro, retornou em 2024 para ajudar o time a se livrar do rebaixamento, enquanto o segundo ficou para apagar os incêndios em meio a demissões de treinadores.

No ano seguinte, o clube das Laranjeiras levantou a taça que o levou para a Libertadores de 2008, um título que encerraria com perfeição a passagem do Monstro, com destino encaminhado no Milan, da itália, mas que abriu uma ferida que se fechou somente em 2023.

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De volta ao Tricolor, dessa vez para escrever as últimas páginas dessa história, o zagueiro e capitão, aos 41 anos, terá uma nova oportunidade de fechar o ciclo com chave de ouro – e, de quebra, encerrar um tabu no clásico.

➡️ Polícia frustra planos de organizada do Vasco antes de clássico contra o Fluminense na Copa do Brasil

Copa do Brasil de 2000 – Fluminense 3 x 3 Vasco

O confronto de 2000 valia uma vaga nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Na ida, no Maracanã, os times empataram em 1 a 1, com gol de Régis, para o Flu, e Pedrinho, para o Vasco. Na volta, disputada em São Januário, um novo empate, dessa vez com um jovem Magno Alves, de 23 anos, abrindo o placar e Agnaldo ampliando. Sob os olhares de Romário, fora de jogo, Edmundo marcou duas vezes para deixar tudo igual.

A partida, marcada pela confusão que gerou duas expulsões de cada lado, contou também com grande atuação de Roger Flores, formado na base tricolor. Em entrevista ao Lance!, em 2017, Abel Braga, então comandante vascaíno, destacou o desempenho do meia e revelou um segredo de bastidores.

— Eu lembro que tinham provocado o Fluminense. Falei: ‘Não provoca os caras, deixa eles’. Fomos eliminados ali – revelou o treinador, que foi demitido do clube logo após o resultado negativo.

Na época, o gol fora de casa era critério de desempate, fazendo com que o Tricolor avançasse na Copa do Brasil.

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilFluminenseFutebol Nacional

Simon Jordan reveals Sheffield Wednesday "consortium" as next takeover step shared

Simon Jordan just revealed that he put a “consortium” together in a bid to buy Sheffield Wednesday, revealing his next steps in the takeover race.

Mike Ashley submits offer to buy Sheffield Wednesday

It’s set to be a busy week for Sheffield Wednesday as they close in on their soft deadline of December 5. The Owls have not been short on interest and are now reportedly set to whittle that interest down to serious bidders.

A number of names have been mentioned along the way on that front, including John McEvoy and Ryan Howsam, but it’s Mike Ashley who’s reportedly submitted an opening bid.

The former Newcastle United owner has supposedly tabled an offer worth £20m, only to be turned down by administrators who have had bids in the region of £30m.

With so much interest, Sheffield Wednesday must ensure that they’re not simply accepting the highest bid, however. They’ve already had to tell Sheffield United where to go amid rumours that their American owners were set to propose a shock merger and must take that same stance with any other unacceptable proposals.

That said, if Ashley does return with an offer to match the £30m bid set by others, then he should be someone to consider. The 61-year-old was often criticised at Newcastle, but there’s no denying that he brought financial stability – clearing their debts – and that’s exactly what Sheffield Wednesday need.

Sheffield Wednesday respond to £20m takeover bid as Mike Ashley plots next step

The former Newcastle United owner has made his move.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 27, 2025

Alas, Ashley’s not the only ex-Premier League owner who’s had interest in the club since they’ve entered administration. Former Crystal Palace chief Jordan has now revealed where he stands in the race to buy the club.

Jordan reveals "consortium" to buy Sheffield Wednesday

Speaking to talkSPORT, Jordan revealed that he put together a “consortium” to buy Sheffield Wednesday, before deciding to drop out of the race to complete a takeover amid concerns that he’d be “rewarding” Dejphon Chansiri.

With Jordan out of the race, Sheffield Wednesday have seen their options whittled down even further ahead of the deadline, but there’s no doubt that they’ve still got enough interest.

Whether that means they’ll turn towards Ashley is the big question. He has experience in the world of football, yet he is behind in the bidding war as things stand.

Sheffield-born takeover candidate makes key contact in race to buy Sheffield Wednesday

ميرور: 7 وجهات محتملة لرحيل محمد صلاح عن ليفربول في يناير

يعتقد جيمي ريدناب نجم ليفربول السابق أن مسيرة محمد صلاح قد تنتهي مع الريدز بشكل كارثي خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية القادمة في يناير.

وأكد لاعب ليفربول السابق أن النجم المصري لن يكون راضياً بالجلوس على مقاعد البدلاء في ملعب آنفيلد إذا لم يعثر على النادي المناسب.

ولا يمر محمد صلاح بفترة جيدة هذا الموسم، ويبدو أن رحيله عن صفوف ليفربول قد يكون وارداً خاصة مع ابتعاده عن المشاركة بشكل أساسي في آخر مباراتين بالدوري الإنجليزي.

وقال ريدناب في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية: “إنه لاعب عظيم في الدوري الإنجليزي ولاعب عظيم في ليفربول، ولهذا السبب لا أعتقد أن النهاية ستكون سعيدة”.

ويستعد محمد صلاح للمشاركة مع منتخب مصر في كأس الأمم الإفريقية في ديسمبر ويناير، وحددت الصحيفة 7 أندية يملك النجم المصري فرصة للانتقال إلى أحدهم في بداية العام الجديد.

أقرأ أيضاً.. مدرب ليدز يونايتد قبل مواجهة ليفربول: أتمنى أن تستمر فترة جفاف محمد صلاح التهديفي

ويعد أول هذه الأندية هو الهلال السعودي، كما استفسر أيضاً القادسية عن إمكانية ضمه، وكان صلاح قد سبق ورفض إلى جانب ليفربول عروضاً من أندية الشرق الأوسط ومع ذلك لا تزال قادرة على الإنفاق المالي لإتمام الصفقة.

ويأتي أيضاً سان دييجو الوافد الجديد نسبياً للدوري الأمريكي، والذي أثبت مرونة في جذب النجوم وعلى الرغم من احتمالية صعوبة تمويل الصفقة لكنهم نجحوا في الحصول على خدمات ليونيل ميسي.

ويعد سان دييجو هو الفريق المرشح الأوفر حظاً حيث مالكه مصري وسيمتلك فرصة أكبر من شيكاغو أو ميامي أو لوس أنجلوس إف سي.

وكان ريدناب قد أشار إلى أن صلاح قد يرغب في البقاء في أوروبا، وقد سبق للنجم المصري أن أرتدى قمصان فيورنتينا وروما ومع ذلك ستكون عودته إلى هناك عاطفية.

وارتبط اسم جالطة سراي أيضاً بالتعاقد مع صلاح في يناير، إلى جانب برشلونة الذي سبق له التعاقد مع روبرت ليفاندوفسكي رغم زيادة عمره وقد يخاطر البلوجرانا مع اقتراب عقد البولندي من الانتهاء وعدم اتخاذ قرار بعد بشأن ماركوس راشفورد بالتحرك لضم صلاح إذا كان الفريق الإسباني يملك القدرة على تحمل تكلفته.

'Descontaminado', Zubeldía defende crias do São Paulo

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois da vitória do São Paulo por 2 a 1, contra o Fluminense, Zubeldía saiu na defesa de Patryck e Juan, duas Crias de Cotia bastante contestadas.

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➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América

Segundo o técnico, antes de assumir o cargo de treinador, é preciso se ‘descontaminar’ das opiniões que vieram antes e escalar um time com base no que está sendo visto nos treinamentos e no seu trabalho. Ao falar de Patryck, tomou como exemplo a convocação do lateral para a Seleção Sub-17.

➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

– Um técnico novo, no caso eu, chega livre do conhecimento das críticas com alguns jogadores e tem liberdade para tomar suas decisões com base nos treinos. É preciso tomar decisões não pelo o que dizem e sim pelo que vejo. Se o Patryck jogou pela Seleção Sub-17, por que não pode jogar aqui? – disse durante a coletiva de imprensa.

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– Oscilou, normal para um jovem. Sei de futebol e jovens, terá partidas boas e ruins. Tomara que tenha mais partidas boas, senão ele saberá as consequências- completou.

Quanto a Juan, que tem um pouco mais de experiência no profissional, o colocou logo na sucessão de Calleri, destacando as qualidades do jovem centroavante.

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– O mesmo com Juan. Possivelmente ele é o centroavante mais centroavante do elenco, depois de Calleri. Questionamentos para um centroavante que não está marcando vai ter, mas se a equipe tem gols de outra posição, seu trabalho hoje foi muito bom, gerou situações de gol – concluiu.

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO 2 X 1 FLUMINENSE
6ª RODADA – SÉRIE A DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

🗓️Data e horário: segunda-feira, 13 de maio de 2024, às 20h (de Brasília);
📍Local: Morumbis, em São Paulo (SP);
⚽Gols: Bobadilla e Arboleda (São Paulo); Igor Vinícius (GC – Fluminense)
🟨Árbitro: Anderson Daronco (FIFA-RS);
🚩Assistentes: Lucio Beiersdorf Flor (RS) e Tiago Augusto Kappes Diel (RS);
🖥️VAR: Pablo Ramon Goncalves Pinheiro (FIFA-RN).

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

⚽ ESCALAÇÕES:

SÃO PAULO (Técnico: Luis Zubeldía)
Rafael; Igor Vinícius, Arboleda, Alan Franco e Patryck; Bobadilla, Alisson e Nestor; Luciano, Juan e André Silva.

FLUMINENSE (Técnico: Fernando Diniz)
Fábio; Marquinhos, Antônio Carlos, Manoel e Diogo Barbosa; Martinelli, Lima e Alexsande; Keno, Jhon Arias e Kauã Elias.

Tudo sobre

Luis ZubeldíaSão Paulo

Wolves and Edwards now want to sign £20m set-piece specialist in January

Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking to make a splash in the January transfer market and could sign a Premier League ace who loves playing against the Old Gold.

Wolves’ defensive and attacking problems Edwards needs to fix

The task facing new Wolves manager Rob Edwards is a big one after his return to Molineux involved club chiefs paying Middlesbrough around £3m in compensation.

Edwards, a former Old Gold defender, will need to shore up the Wolves defence, with no other Premier League side conceding more than Wolves so far after 11 games (25).

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Edwards’ new side have also struggled to finish chances.

Still without a win and on two points from a possible 33, Wolves have scored just seven league goals, again a division low, and have failed to find the net in six of their 11 top-flight fixtures.

Fosun are looking to back Edwards in the January transfer market, and it appears as if Wolves are eyeing a new goalkeeper to rival both Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone.

Wolves and Edwards keen to sign "aggressive" £90,000-p/w Premier League flop

He’s cost £1m for every appearance made so far.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 14, 2025

A loan-to-buy bid for Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas is thought to be in the pipeline, whereas an offer is also in for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.

Wolves eyeing move to sign Everton winger Dwight McNeil

Now, according to reports from Football Insider, Wolves are also looking to sign Everton winger Dwight McNeil when the winter market opens.

It is suggested that both loan and permanent offers will be explored for the Toffees ace, whereas Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is another target for Edwards and Wolves chiefs.

McNeil made the move to Everton from Burnley for £20m back in 2022, and during his Premier League career, has enjoyed playing against Wolves for both the Clarets and the Toffees.

McNeil’s record against Wolves

Games

12

Wins

5

Draws

4

Losses

3

Goals

1

Assists

6

The left-footed winger has registered multiple assists against the Old Gold, and his ability from set pieces even saw him compared to Arsenal star Declan Rice by pundit Chris Sutton.

However, McNeil has fallen out of favour on Merseyside under David Moyes this season following the arrival of Jack Grealish, playing just 51 minutes of Premier League football in 2025/26.

Therefore, a move to the Midlands could make sense for all involved, and by the looks of things, it will be one to watch over the coming months.

£55m spent & Hackney signs: Dream Wolves XI Edwards can build in January

São Paulo monitora Alex Sandro, e irmão do atleta faz mistério nas redes sociais

MatériaMais Notícias

Buscando soluções na lateral-esquerda, o São Paulo monitora a situação de Alex Sandro, atleta de 33 anos que está nos últimos meses do seu vínculo com a Juventus, da Itália.

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➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

A torcida do São Paulo ficou empolgada nas redes sociais após o irmão de Alex Sandro compartilhar uma arte indicando que o jogador havia sido contratado pelo clube. No entanto, o Tricolor ainda não abriu negociações com o lateral-esquerdo, segundo o UOL.

➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

Após a saída de Caio Paulista, a diretoria do São Paulo ainda não conseguiu resolver a situação na lateral-esquerda. Wellington se recupera de uma lesão ligamentar no tornozelo direito e está distante de acertar sua renovação contratual com o Tricolor. O atleta formados em Cotia tem contrato até dezembro e poderá deixar a equipe de Luís Zubeldía de graça no meio do ano.

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Após a vitória por 3 a 1 sobre o Vitória, o São Paulo volta a sua atenção para a Libertadores, onde enfrentará o Cobresal, no Chile, na quarta-feira (8).

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos da Libertadores

Tudo sobre

São Paulo

Liam Trevaskis, Chris Wright slice through Northamptonshire top order

Leicestershire close in on victory that would sign off their Division Two title triumph in style

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Sep-2025

Liam Trevaskis celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

Northamptonshire 189 and 120 for 5 (Keogh 42, Trevaskis 3-31) need a further 381 runs to beat Leicestershire 429 and 260 for 5 dec (Patel 76, Cox 51*, Budinger 50)Liam Trevaskis and Chris Wright sliced through Northamptonshire’s top order as Leicestershire closed in on a victory that would sign off their Rothesay County Championship Division Two title triumph in style.The Foxes, already confirmed as champions last week, declared and set Northamptonshire an improbable 501 to win at Wantage Road following Rishi Patel’s 76 and an unbeaten 30-ball half-century by Ben Cox.Left-arm spinner Trevaskis took three wickets, with seamer Wright – playing his final game prior to retirement – capturing the other two to reduce the home side to 120 for 5 before bad light halted play.Northamptonshire’s Rob Keogh top-scored with 42, passing 10,000 runs across all formats in the process, but his side’s slim hopes of staving off defeat largely rest on Saif Zaib, unbeaten on 20 at stumps.Leicestershire resumed with an overall lead of 326 and eight wickets in hand, but they were initially stifled by a tight spell from George Scrimshaw, who found some movement in both directions.However, it was a straight delivery from the seamer that removed Lewis Hill, leg-before for 38 and Patel then took command, punching a series of boundaries and bringing up his half-century with a straight drive off Stuart van der Merwe.Van der Merwe was also slog-swept for six by the Foxes opener, but there was success for his fellow rookie Nirvan Ramesh when Stephen Eskinazi reverse-swept the off-spinner and deflected onto his stumps.Although Patel’s hopes of another century to back up his 114 against Kent last week were dashed shortly before lunch when he nicked Zaib behind, the champions chose to bat on into the afternoon session.Yet Cox’s lightning half-century ensured that the innings continued for only five more overs – enough time for Leicestershire to pile up another 53 runs and extend their advantage to exactly 500.Cox bludgeoned the vast majority of those, scooping Scrimshaw for six and then flicking Ben Whitehouse over square leg and out of the ground before a booming four over the bowler’s head signalled both his 50 and the declaration.Logan van Beek and Wright gave away very little at the start of Northamptonshire’s second innings, with the ball rolling across the boundary rope just once during the first 11 attritional overs.Wright, bringing down the curtain on a 22-year professional career, dismissed both openers as Arush Buchake was caught behind pushing at a ball that left him before Lewis McManus drove straight to gully.Having edged Wright to the third boundary to reach his career landmark, Keogh gained a life soon afterwards when he nudged Josh Hull through the slips for four more, but settled down as he and James Sales steered their side to tea.The partnership progressed to 67, but Keogh’s good fortune ran out soon after the restart as he aimed an ambitious drive at Trevaskis and this time Patel safely pouched the chance at slip.Sales departed in the left-armer’s next over, caught behind off a bottom edge and Trevaskis then trapped Justin Broad lbw in a prolonged spell – partly enforced by the darkening clouds which restricted Leicestershire to slower bowling.Patel came on to deliver a single over of leg-breaks before the deteriorating light brought an end to proceedings, with Leicestershire needing five more wickets to wrap up victory on the final day of the season.

Not Wirtz: Slot's own Firmino proved he can end Gakpo's Liverpool stay

Liverpool aren’t doing so well this season. Last year’s indomitable air is a far cry from the tepid and toothless performances of the new campaign, with five defeats inflicted on Arne Slot’s side from six recent Premier League matches.

There is no way to sugarcoat it: that is so far below Anfield’s expectations that it beggars belief. Slot was so pained last season by that sole home defeat to Nottingham Forest, so frustrated by that stain on his copybook, even against the backdrop of a title-winning campaign.

But so many losses have become the norm for Liverpool this season, whose title defence is in tatters and whose focus is currently on establishing enough form and focus to recover a place in the Premier League’s top four.

Slot has got a lot to chew on before the November international break winds up and Liverpool host Forest in the top flight, a game they simply cannot afford to lose – again.

Aside from the lack of intensity and physicality in key areas and fragilities in defence, Liverpool’s widths have been well out of sorts this season, and this is something that needs fixing quickly.

Liverpool's struggles out wide

Mohamed Salah’s startling drop-off this season has been among the biggest concerns for Liverpool, but the Egyptian King has done it all before, and he will surely recover his potency in front of goal before his £400k-per-week contract expires in 2027.

More concerning, perhaps, is the form of Florian Wirtz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m this summer but has yet to prove FSG have got bang for their buck.

The 22-year-old is clearly an incredible talent, but it hasn’t happened so far, with Liverpool’s wider tactical imbalances making it difficult for the playmaker to find a secure place in Slot’s line-up, flitting between the left flank and a creative berth from the centre.

Likewise, Cody Gakpo has struggled to impress. The left-sided forward has four goals and three assists across all competitions this term, but he’s lacked nuance in his expression.

It’s proving a tough ask for Slot to find a solution that will synergise this struggling frontline and restore Liverpool to their former level.

However, one Redman has enjoyed quite the impressive display for his nation in a World Cup qualifier this week, and in a position which could reshape his role at Liverpool over the coming months.

Slot may have his left wing solution

So much has gone wrong at Liverpool this season, but the form of Hugo Ekitike since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m this summer cannot be counted among the negatives.

Ekitike is a striker, and was signed as such, but he played out on the left wing for France on Thursday evening as Didier Deschamps’ side defeated Ukraine 4-0 in their penultimate World Cup qualifier, with reporter Bence Bocsak praising his “very impressive” effort, having earlier noted that the star’s slickness and skill on the ball “reminds me of Bobby Firmino”.

Could it be that Liverpool have their left wing solution right here? This is hardly revelatory, but the dynamic forward has proved he has what it takes to produce a show-stopping performance from out wide here, and there’s a case to be made that he offers more than Gakpo does when in the role.

Indeed, were Ekitike to play from the left with regularity, it would only impede Gakpo in his hopes of stringing many minutes together across the season and beyond, especially as he will be competing with Wirtz.

But the one-time PSG prospect’s display demonstrated his potential in the position, a menace throughout after coming off the bench in the first half due to an injury to Bradley Barcola.

It was a spectacular goal, the 23-year-old collecting and driving forward from inside his own half, skating past defenders and entering the danger area before playing a neat connection with Kylian Mbappe and then striking true.

Hugo Ekitike’s Performance vs Ukraine

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

67′

Goals

1

Touches

22

Shots (on target)

4 (2)

Accurate passes

6/9 (67%)

Unsuccessful touches

3

Dribbles

2/2

Recoveries

1

Ground duels

4/5

Data via Sofascore

Ekitike might not have enjoyed much success by way of passing, but he demonstrated how effective he can be with limited opportunities in possession. Not only accurate when carrying the ball forward, but he was fierce in the duel and clinical besides.

This economical approach showed something that has been lacking on Merseyside this season: an ability to make chances count even when presented intermittently.

That is, of course, barring one Liverpool forward. Ekitike. The Les Bleus star has scored six goals and posted an assist since joining the club this summer.

Development is never linear for those entering the Premier League from overseas, but the way in which Ekitike has slipped into life in Liverpool is remarkable, given the circumstances around the club right now.

Should Slot take note of the striker’s performance against Ukraine and begin to hand him more chances out wide, it could help Isak settle in after his record-breaking summer move while easing the fears that Isak and Ekitke cannot cohabit in Liverpool’s starting line-up.

Slot has already followed this train of thought, suggesting several weeks ago that Ekitike’s technical and physical qualities make him apt for a prolific role on the flank, and now it can be put into practice, albeit at Gakpo’s expense.

Without question, Liverpool’s head coach will have been attentive to Ekitike’s performance on the world stage, perhaps more inclined forward to trial Ekitike in a wider role going forward, thus opening the door to a partnership with Isak and a new dimension that could help restore the side’s attacking strength.

If this proves an effective and long-term solution, it may well come at the expense of Gakpo’s stay at Liverpool for the long run, but, as the opening months of the campaign have told us, it is crucial that Slot identifies a way of playing that matches the incredible amount of quality teeming across Anfield.

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Higgins four-for helps dominant Middlesex enforce follow-on

Saif Zaib passes 1000 runs for season but Northants wobble again after conceding 364 deficit

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Jul-2025

Ryan Higgins claimed a four-wicket haul•Getty Images

Northamptonshire 261 (Zaib 82, Higgins 4-51) and 64 for 3 trail Middlesex 625 for 8 dec by 300 runsRyan Higgins moved to the top of Middlesex’s wicket-taking chart for the season as his side closed in on a Rothesay County Championship victory over Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors’ School.Higgins finished with 4 for 51, with Noah Cornwell taking 3 for 48 as the visitors were made to follow on 364 behind – and the medium-pacer then grabbed two quick top-order wickets second time around to further improve his season’s tally to 32.Northamptonshire stumbled to 64 for 3 at stumps and their plight would have been deeper but for rain stoppages and Saif Zaib’s first-innings 82, which made him the county’s first player to register 1000 first-class runs in a season since Ben Duckett in 2016.Zaib was almost the fastest to that landmark across the Championship circuit, but the 27-year-old narrowly missed out to Surrey’s Dom Sibley, who got there just 15 minutes earlier at Scarborough.Middlesex rotated their seam quartet when the visitors resumed on 126 for 4, but their spin options were limited after Zafar Gohar, tumbling to deal with George Bartlett’s cover drive, landed awkwardly on his shoulder and had to leave the field.Bartlett, having steered Tom Helm neatly through gully for four, repeated the stroke later in the over and picked out the fielder this time, but Zaib continued to progress steadily as he built a partnership with Rob Keogh.Keogh, who had injured a finger while fielding on day one, did well to withstand a couple of Helm deliveries that rose sharply down the slope and helped Zaib to add 55 before Cornwell had him caught down the leg side.The left-hander went on to pass 50 for the ninth time in this season’s Championship, ushering Northamptonshire’s total beyond 200 before rain arrived to send the players off for an early lunch.Dom Leech provided spirited support, finding the boundary four times in his knock of 22 while Zaib capitalised on successive short balls from Leus du Plooy, pulling the slow left-armer for six and four. Higgins broke the seventh-wicket stand of 64 with two dismissals in as many deliveries, with Leech caught top-edging a hook before Ben Sanderson was lbw without scoring to leave the visitors eight down.A more persistent spell of rain held up play for the next hour and a half – but it took just three balls for Cornwell to wrap up Northamptonshire’s first innings, knocking out Zaib’s off stump with one that seamed back before cleaning up Yuzvendra Chahal with a yorker.After another weather-induced delay, Higgins reclaimed centre stage, winning what looked like a borderline lbw decision against Ricardo Vasconcelos and castling Aadi Sharma next ball to leave the visitors reeling at 10 for 2. James Sales began redressing the balance with a series of positive shots in his knock of 26, but he attempted one too many and lost his middle stump to Toby Roland-Jones.Stand-in skipper Lewis McManus remained defiant, punching Helm off the back foot to the fence to reach 21 not out before the light deteriorated sufficiently for the umpires to bring play to a close.

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