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Football is fickle, and Liverpool’s brace of draws in the Premier League have provided high-flying Chelsea with an in and changed the narrative about the Reds’ imperiousness.

Of course, Liverpool are still two points clear of Enzo Maresca’s outfit, and with a game in hand at that, but now need a reaction after dropping points against Fulham at Anfield.

Arne Slot has been brilliant since taking Jurgen Klopp’s place in the summer, but some backbiters have claimed that he’s running on the coattails of his predecessor’s dynasty. This is misguided criticism.

You need only dig a little deeper to understand that Liverpool are operating with a completely new tactical identity, and though points were ceded at Anfield after ground was previously slashed at Newcastle United, the ten-man Merseysiders showed title-winning resolve to claw back against Fulham.

The return of Diogo Jota proved to be the difference-maker, with the Portugal star scoring off the bench after missing 11 matches in all competitions, confirming the hard-fought draw.

Diogo Jota's importance to Liverpool

Jota has been a terrific servant for Liverpool since arriving in 2020. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward moved to Anfield in a deal worth £41m and has since established himself as one of the most clinical players in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, there are two sides to this coin and Jota has also earned an unwanted reputation for injury issues, missing big chunks of most of his campaigns in red.

It’s something of a running gag on Merseyside that the 27-year-old’s prolificness is packaged into his time on the field because he endures many stretches in the infirmary.

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11 (9)

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32 (19)

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28 (15)

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55 (39)

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30 (19)

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He’s not just a sharpshooter either, as you can see from Jota’s assist tally. As per FBref, he does rank among the top 6% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90 (0.70), but he also ranks among the top 1% for assists per 90 (0.39), while also ranking well in ball-carrying and defensive areas.

He might not be the flashiest forward in Slot’s squad, not the fastest, but Jota is undoubtedly blessed with an innate attacking sense that allows him to provide repeated relief for Liverpool. That and a brilliant ball-striking ability, of course.

The same can’t really be said for Darwin Nunez, who is perhaps Jota’s inverse in some ways. All prancing and wild energy and havoc-wreaking output, the Uruguay international lacks that fundamental element that makes or breaks a first-class striker: finishing.

It means that Liverpool struggle to provide incision in some moments. It means that Nunez, for all his qualities, his prancing and energy and so on, still languishes below the reputation that his potential suggests he can achieve.

With just three goals from 20 appearances in all competitions this season, things need to improve, and you wouldn’t be surprised to see FSG dip into the market for a number nine in 2025, should things fail to improve.

Jota, after all, is injury-prone. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are possibly the names that would spring to most Liverpool minds, but Dominic Solanke would have been perfect, a counterpoint to Jota’s sharpshooting skill.

Why Dominic Solanke would be perfect for Liverpool

Proper centre-forward. That’s what they’ll tell you down at N17. And they are right. Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been smooth sailing through the 2024/25 campaign but do boast one of the most exciting frontlines in the Premier League, and Solanke is the focal frontman.

Solanke has spent most of the past six years on the south coast with Bournemouth, making gain after gain before being purchased by Spurs for a club-record (in both directions) £65m figure.

Seven goals and four assists across 21 matches isn’t the most awe-inspiring of hauls, but Solanke has been consistent and, importantly, effective in the striking area.

Described as a “pressing monster” by reporter George Sessions, Solanke is a monstrous mass of energy and power and physicality, all wrapped into the mould of a multi-faceted centre-forward who is capable of leading the line at the highest level.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 14% of strikers in the Premier League this season for successful take-ons per 90 (1.10), emphasising that point.

Could certain Liverpool figures regret Solanke’s sale several years ago? Solanke left Liverpool for Bournemouth in January 2019 after a worthwhile but ultimately unsuccessful stint at Anfield during his maiden days as a pro.

The £19m fee that Liverpool recouped for their young forward washed away any kind of sadness. Solanke only scored one goal across 27 senior showings for the Reds.

But even so, given that Jurgen Klopp thought it was the “absolute right” decision for Solanke to go and hone his craft as the main man elsewhere, before rebounding back to European competition, Liverpool can’t feel too hard done by.

It’s just that Solanke is now fully fledged and one of the most interesting strikers in the Premier League, with the physicality and mobility to shine alongside his impressive strike rate. Equally, as per Football Transfers, Solanke’s worth currently stands at around €57m (£47m), while Jota is deemed to be worth ‘just’ €37m (£31m).

​​​​​​In all honesty, it’s hard to argue that Nunez is bringing more to Slot’s table than Solanke right now, ​and even though the England international’s numbers aren’t the very best, Liverpool have Jota to enjoy too – and perhaps just need something a bit more robust and refined than what they’ve typically got at number nine.

Liverpool hit gold selling Klopp's "genius" who’s now worth less than Endo

This has proved to be one of the most important Liverpool sales in modern history.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 12, 2024

Italian top flight experiences unprecedented growth in American market, sees growing appetite for international soccer in U.S.

• 50 percent surge in live TV viewership for Serie A matches
• USMNT stars drive increased interest in the league
• Strategic broadcast partnerships have boosted accessibility

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Serie A says it has has experienced a 50 percent increase in live TV viewership in the United States during the 2024-25 season, marking an unprecedented surge in popularity for Italian soccer in the country. The growth has been attributed to strategic broadcast partnerships and the presence of high-profile American players in the league.

  The reason, the league said, was because every match was aired on CBS with three matches per gameweek also airing on FOX Deportes. The rise came as no shock to Serie A Ambassador Andrea Pirlo, who spent time in the MLS with New York City FC.

  “Having lived and played in New York, I’ve seen first-hand the passion for Italian football here. It’s incredible to see how much it’s grown, with broadcasts and events like this bringing fans even closer to the game," Pirlo said.

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• WHAT EZIO MARIA SIMONELLI SAID

  “This season marks a historic milestone for Serie A in the United States,” said Ezio Maria Simonelli, President of Lega Serie A. “Never before has Italian football been so widely accessible across the country. The upcoming CBS main network broadcast of Juventus vs. Genoa on March 29 is yet another key moment in our mission to bring Serie A to as many fans as possible.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The rise in Serie A's American viewership reflects a growing appetite for international soccer in the U.S. market. The likes of Christian Pulisic Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie, amongst others, doing well this season for AC Milan and Juventus respectively plays a part in that.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The Serie A is among Europe’s top leagues and with three teams currently competing for the league title. Going into Gameweek 28, Inter have only a one point lead over second place Napoli who sit only two points above third place Atalanta BC. Timothy Weah’s Juventus and Lazio are also in the running but are a distant fourth and fifth place respectively.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his team-mates to prove their worth in their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

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Van Dijk motivates team-matesPSG unbeaten in Ligue 1Liverpool face French championsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

A mouth-watering European clash is on the cards as Premier League leaders Liverpool lock horns against Ligue 1 champions PSG in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture on Wednesday in the French capital. Both the Reds and Les Parisiens have a 13-point lead at the top of their respective leagues and are runaway favourites to win the titles. Ahead of the mega clash, Van Dijk has urged his colleagues to step up at the biggest stage in the Champions League.

AdvertisementWHAT VIRGIL VAN DIJK SAID

Speaking to reporters, the Dutch defender said: "It will be a very good game, I expect over there, against a team in form. I think they played very well in their last Champions League game against Brest.

"It will be difficult but these are the games you want to compete in and I am really looking forward to it. Before that we've had some time with our family, a chance to spend some time with the kids and reflect on the last couple of weeks and then we look ahead to what is coming."

AFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Van Dijk added: "Yes, of course, it feels like [the Champions League] goes up a level now. We are in the knockout stages and there is no time for errors or bad games, basically. There are two games to get through and we want to be so good that we deserve to go through.

"But you have to fight for it, you have to do everything in your power to win the game. That is what we are going to try and do, but we are definitely aware of them. We will be aware of them in Paris and then obviously back here [to Anfield]. These are the nights that you want to perform in and you want to show the whole world."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

After their trip to Paris in the midweek, the Merseyside club will be back in action in the Premier League on Saturday as they host Southampton at Anfield.

Cricket Australia has been forced to move one BBL fixture out of Perth due to Western Australia’s Covid border restrictions but has locked in two home games for Perth Scorchers at the start of the season.CA confirmed on Tuesday that the scheduled clash between Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers set for December 11 at Perth Stadium will be moved to Sydney Showgrounds in New South Wales. The match will be played at 9.30pm AEDT, which will be 6.30pm in Perth. There is no curfew on the lights at the Showgrounds, unlike at the SCG, which allows CA to hold the fixture so late as it’s part of a double-header that follows the fourth day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.The reason for the fixture change is that Strikers will be travelling to Victoria on December 7 to face Melbourne Renegades, three days prior to the Scorchers clash and at present, the Western Australian government classifies Victoria as an extreme risk jurisdiction under their Covid protocols and no person is allowed entry into WA if they have been in Victoria over the previous 14 days.New South Wales has previously been an extreme risk jurisdiction but is now categorised as high risk which means people can enter WA but must undergo 14 days of quarantine. Australian Capital Territory is a medium risk jurisdiction that also requires quarantine.Brisbane Heat will be in the ACT and Hobart Hurricanes in NSW prior to their fixtures in Perth on December 8 and 20 respectively but CA confirmed those two matches would go ahead at Perth Stadium with the two teams to enter WA and play under strict biosecure protocols. BBL teams and other sporting teams have managed to play in Perth over the last 18 months under similar protocols with players and staff unable to have any contact with locals during their time in Perth.The remainder of Perth Scorchers’ home games are yet to be confirmed with CA set to wait to see if there are any changes to border restrictions.”We understand Scorchers fans will be disappointed with the need to move the December 11 match out of Perth,” BBL General Manager Alistair Dobson said. “The League is committed to taking as many home Scorchers matches to Optus Stadium as possible and we look forward to providing further positive updates in the coming weeks.”However, the confirmation of two fixtures bodes well for the fifth Ashes Test to be played in Perth on January 14 as Australia and England will be travelling from Sydney, although the fourth Test in Melbourne finishes only 15 days prior to the first day of the fifth Test in Perth meaning the teams may well need to travel the day prior if Victoria is still an extreme risk jurisdiction in January. The Test teams will still likely need to be in a biosecure bubble of some description, the details of which are still being negotiated.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras está cada vez mais próximo de sua estreia na edição 2021 do Mundial de Clubes. Nesta segunda-feira pela manhã, no horário de Brasília, e tarde, no horário local, o elenco foi até oAl Nahyan Stadium, palco da semifinal contra o Al Ahly-EGI, nesta terça, às 13h30, para fazer o reconhecimento do estádio seguindo os protocolos da Fifa. Lá, Abel Ferreira elogiou o gramado.

> GALERIA: Veja 10 armas do Al Ahly para enfrentar o Palmeiras no Mundial de Clubes

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> Veja tabela e simulador do Mundial de Clubes-2021 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

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> Veja a lista de inscritos do Palmeiras para o Mundial de Clubes

Além de terem o primeiro contato com o campo em que farão seu primeiro jogo na competição, os jogadores realizaram o último treino da preparação. O Verdão vinha treinando noZayed Sports City e buscou o contato mais próximo com o novo palco. No entanto, se depender do treinador alviverde, não haverá problema, já que o gramado propiciará intensidade e velocidade ao jogo.

-Esta é a diferença, da intensidade do jogo, da velocidade do jogo, uma delas é o gramado. É fantástico. O estádio também é muito bonito, não é muito grande, é aqui no meio do shopping… É muito bonito – disse Abel à TV do clube.

Depois do reconhecimento do gramado e do treino comandado pelo técnico português, o Palmeiras terá mais um compromisso oficial com a Fifa, que é a coletiva de imprensa pré-jogo, com o próprio Abel Ferreira, e com o capitão da equipe, Gustavo Gómez, que está marcada para começar às 11h45 (de Brasília).

O Verdão estreia no Mundial de Clubes nesta terça-feira, às 13h30 (horário de Brasília), na semifinal do torneio contra o Al Ahly-EGI, noAl Nahyan Stadium, em Abu Dhabi, nos Emirados Árabes Unidos. O vencedor desse duelo enfrenta Chelsea, da Inglaterra, ou Al Hilal, da Árabia Saudita, na decisão da competição.

As primeiras palavras do professor no gramado da semifinal! 🗣🇵🇹#AvantiPalestra #JuntosPeloBi pic.twitter.com/FNDJCqKuWC

— Palmeiras 🏆🏆🏆 (@Palmeiras) February 7, 2022

Celtic suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, and one player has come under fire more than others in the media.

Borussia Dortmund 7-1 Celtic

Brendan Rodgers’ side travelled to Germany looking to maintain their unbeaten run in all competitions but were quickly behind after a penalty from Emre Can. However, the Hoops quickly equalised thanks to Daizen Maeda, following a sublime cross from summer signing Arne Engels.

It looked as if would be an entertaining game after a frantic first 10 minutes, however, the hosts soon took control and ran away with proceedings, with Karim Adeyemi hitting a first-half hat-trick.

Speaking after the game, Rodgers admitted he won’t change his side’s approach going forward: “Will we camp in and just wait? No, we won’t do that. We know it’ll be difficult at times. Tonight, we just gave it away too easy and we got punished.

“We went in high in confidence, we felt we were in a really good place. We had to start much better as we gave away really cheap goals. And we got punished for loose bits of play and passes. They were ruthless in their finishing. It’s very difficult for us to get to that level. It’s a different level, with the greatest respect. We want to be more competitive. My job is to go away and inspire the players again. We need to learn from it or we will get punished at this level.”

Following the final whistle, the Celtic player ratings from both The Daily Record and The Scotsman were shared, and although there weren’t many high scorers, one player was near or at the bottom of the pile.

Celtic defender Greg Taylor slammed for first-half display

Left-back Greg Taylor only lasted 45 minutes before being replaced at the interval by Alex Valle. The Scotsman gave Taylor a 2/10 rating and said: “A torrid evening for the left-back, part of a backline that was brutally exposed. Came off for Alex Valle at the break.”

Meanwhile, The Daily Record gave him a 3/10 and also said he was exposed in Germany. “The left back often has the finger pointed at him at this level and it’s a position many believe an upgrade is require to really compete in the Champions League. Exposed here and hooked at half time.”

The £15,000-a-week left-back was actually Celtic’s worst-rated performer on the evening, as per SofaScore, recording a match rating of 5.6/10. Statistically, Taylor struggled as well, losing possession 11 times in the opening 45 minutes, just under every five minutes. He failed to make a tackle, interception, clearance or block a shot and lost his only ground duel of the night.

Coming up against Adeyemi who bagged a hat-trick in the opening half, it was no surprise to see Taylor taken off so early on, and it’ll be interesting if he keeps his place in the starting line-up against Ross County this weekend.

It promised to be a high-stakes morning. On one side, India’s two most experienced batters, out of form on this series, but who had rediscovered a little of their resilience on day three. That they had blue skies to bat beneath will have put them more at ease, also. On the other, James Anderson and co. running in with a bright red Dukes, on a Headingley surface that never really dies.It was supposed to be a big showdown, but for India, it turned out to be a shambles. They lost their last eight wickets for 63 runs; their last seven for 41. And they didn’t last till lunch, going down by an innings and 76. Ollie Robinson, England’s best bowler in the second innings, claimed 5 for 65 – a second career five-for in just his fourth Test. Craig Overton took two wickets to wipe out the tail and seal the match. Moeen Ali produced a big-spinning beauty to get a wicket of his own, and Anderson was unlucky to wind up with just one dismissal to his name – he’d been all over Virat Kohli in his first spell.It didn’t take long for England to strike. Midway through the fourth over of the day, Pujara – who had largely left judiciously until then – shouldered arms to a Robinson inswinger that struck him low on the pad, just outside off, and which would have gone on to cannon into off stump. England had to use a review to get that decision. Pujara had begun the day nine runs short of what would have been his first Test hundred since January 2019, but did not add to his score.Ollie Robinson walks back in style after his five-for and England’s win•Associated Press

Kohli battled on at the other end, surviving an especially tense Anderson over in which he was required to overturn a caught behind decision, via DRS. Having begun the morning on 45, India’s captain got to fifty in the next over, whipping Robinson through midwicket, then smoking him down the ground, before he edged the last ball of that over to first slip, having prodded at a ball that left him slightly. He was out for 55.Then, the wickets came like a flash flood. Anderson had Ajinkya Rahane nicking off, the ball again seaming away a touch as the batter hung his bat out. Rishabh Pant tried a couple of advancing hoicks, but was caught defending. Mohammed Shami was bowled when a Moeen offbreak ripped from way outside off stump, and through the gate. Robinson then had a leaden-footed Ishant Sharma edge through to the keeper, Ravindra Jadeja had some fun thumping a few boundaries but eventually he succumbed to Overton. On day four, there was little of the resolve that had defined India’s day three performance.India now have four days off before the fourth Test, which in theory, should be played in conditions more to their liking, at The Oval. Following the high of Lord’s though, this Test at Headingley, which has now featured two plunging collapses, is almost certain to have deflated them.

“A person knows when they are welcome, and you know when you are unwelcome”

Firdose Moonda02-Aug-2021A lack of will to engage with South Africa’s segregated past has resulted in continued devaluing of the experiences of players of colour, according to Ashwell Prince. Speaking at Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-Building Hearings, Prince said he felt unwelcome throughout his nine years in the national team, was labelled a “quota player” by his team-mates on several occasions, and experienced racism in the dressing room. He is not convinced the issues have been resolved to this day.Prince last played for South Africa in 2011 and detailed how the national team had an opportunity in that year to discuss their diverse backgrounds but rejected it, something that he feels has repercussions on the team dynamic today. “In 2011, we had a culture camp and they wanted some topics for us to discuss. They wanted us to be open and honest because we were going to be a team, so we needed to be open and honest with each other,” Prince said.Related

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“One player suggested: ‘can we talk about the history of our country? Things like Apartheid, the Group Areas Act (a piece of legislation which stipulated where people from different race groups could live), and forced removals? Can we try and dig into how these things affected our lives and try and establish what impact it had on our parents and on ourselves? This was what one of the non-white players wanted to talk about and it was shut down immediately. The answer was, ‘No, we can’t talk about that. We don’t think that should be discussed in this environment.’ So we didn’t have a discussion. Now, today people don’t want to take a knee. Maybe had we discussed this in 2011, and people had realised the suffering non-white people had in this country, it would be much easier to take the knee. But no, we don’t want to talk about that.”While that incident came towards the end of Prince’s career – he went on to be dropped via email after the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka – he narrated a series of stories from his debut in 2002, which made him feel othered. Prince said he was labelled a “quota player” by the media when he was picked to play against Australia, after scoring 92 for the South Africa A team to push his claim for a place. Once in the squad, he felt immediately isolated.”There was no welcome from the coach. There was no (sense of) let’s make this guy comfortable,” Prince said. “It was a lonely place. A person knows when they are welcome, and you know when you are unwelcome. You can get a sense of whether people want you here or don’t want you here. It would have been nice for people to back you. You saw it happening to other guys your age, your peers. You saw it happening to a new player if he was white but it wasn’t happening if the player wasn’t white.”Despite that, Prince “was on a mission” to prove that “from my background, people were good enough.” Having not been to an elite school and with his formative years in the non-racial South African Council on Sport (SACOS) structures, Prince said he “regarded my career as a war. I would lose small battles in the war but I was going to be there for the duration.”

“Maybe had we discussed this in 2011, and people had realised the suffering non-white people had in this country, it would be much easier to take the knee. But no, we don’t want to talk about that.”Ashwell Prince

However, Prince quickly saw he was in for an almighty fight, not just against perception, but against the people in his own change room. “In the 2006-07 season, we were playing a day-night match in Durban and a fight broke out on the grass banks. Most of the people were Indians,” he said. “Some of the comments in the dressing room astounded me. There were remarks made like, “Typical f****** charous (a derogatory word for South Africans of Indian heritage), can’t behave themselves, drinking cheap liquor and can’t behave.” My wife is Indian. We had one of the greatest managers, who we all respected, in Goolam Rajah, who was Indian. For people to use that terminology in the dressing room and think it was okay astounded me.”A few days later, in a team meeting, Prince took on his team-mates. “I was by no means an established player but I said I had something to say and I said: ‘This is the national team, surely we can’t use this language?’ Everyone was taken aback,” he said.His ODI career did not last much beyond that. He was axed after the 2007 World Cup, where South Africa lost in the semi-finals to Australia, and returned home to infighting that Prince said took on racial tones. “When we returned home, CSA decided to have an inquiry as to what happened,” he said. “We were in a hotel: the players, team management and senior officials from CSA and some younger players. Some questions were asked (about what went wrong) and there was silence in the room. After that one of the players broke out and said: “The problem we have is the quota system.” And one or two others gained confidence and latched on to that so it became that that was the problem in our cricket: the non-white players are the problem. People were talking and five or six players said the same thing.”I had reached a point where I didn’t care if I didn’t play another game, I was going to have my say. I said that we were blown away by a superior team in the semi-finals. If people just said that, we could have left that room and no dramas. Instead, people fell out badly. I said: ‘Guys if I wasn’t supposed to play, then tell me. Look me in the face and say I was not supposed to play. Don’t say the quota system is the problem.’ Nobody was brave enough to say who shouldn’t be there. When things went wrong it was the quota players’ fault. When things went right, the others were the heroes. As long as I played for the national team, that was not a team. We were never one.”Prince and the other players of colour in the squad were so offended by the suggestion that they were responsible for South Africa’s underperformance, “we said if you think the team lost because of quotas, maybe we should scrap the quota system,” he said. “We were firm believers that we deserved to be in the team.”Prince described his county stint with Lancashire as more enjoyable than his time with the national team•PA PhotosTheir assertion was leaked in the national newspaper, which led to Prince resigning as the South African Cricketers’ Association president. “I feel betrayed,” he said. “You were supposed to be living your dream but it was anything but a dream, It was an absolute nightmare. I played cricket by giving every inch for my teammates and I didn’t feel that was happening the other way around.”Though Prince did not play ODI cricket after, he remained part of the Test team until he broke his thumb in Australia and was replaced by JP Duminy. Despite the policy that a recovered incumbent would get their place back, Duminy’s stand-out performances in the 2008-09 series and the team balance at the time meant Prince did not find a way back until he opened the batting in the return series against Australia at home in March 2009, and not everyone was happy to have him back.”There was a franchise match before the third Test match and I was opening the batting. We had four or five Titans come in and try to intimidate me and having lots of words at the end of every over. It soon broke out to three players in particular who had words to say and they called me a quota player,” Prince said. “I told one of them I am really glad we are having this fight today. As players of colour this is what we always assumed you guys think of us. This is what we always assumed you would talk about. Now that we are on opposite teams and it’s kicking off in the middle, I am happy I know who sits next to me in the national team. Now we know where we stand.”Prince went on to score 150, opening the batting, in his comeback Test. “I raised my bat to my parents, then to my wife on the other side of the stadium and then lastly and reluctantly, I raised my bat to my team-mates,” he said. “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have raised my bat to them. We weren’t a team.”He went on to enjoy a successful county career with Lancashire, which he described as more enjoyable than playing for the national team, and to coach the Cobras. Prince still believes there are problems with the way CSA approaches transformation, specifically by having different targets for black African players and other players of colour, and appealed to the administrators to “think of better ways to select cricket teams.”The SJN hearings have been extended to August 6, and could go on beyond that, before the ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, compiles a report for CSA.

A thriller on paper looks a touch less impressive on close inspection, as 716 spectators attest

George Dobell29-Jul-2021

Warwickshire 303 for 6 (Lamb 119*, Yates 72, Brookes 63) beat Leicestershire 296 for 9 (Patel 118, Swindells 69) by 7 runsA few years ago, before Andy Murray, it seemed that if you owned a pair of trainers and a tennis racket, there was a fair chance you’d be ranked in the British top ten and given a wildcard to Wimbledon.It’s probably a bit unfair to suggest the same thing is currently happening in county cricket. But it does seem fair to observe that some young cricketers who, a few weeks ago looked nowhere near their county first teams, are winning opportunities in the Royal London One-Day Cup.Opportunity is a funny word. On the surface, it looks like an unmitigated positive thing. But it sometimes comes in fancy dress: ‘we’d like you to consider opportunities elsewhere’, for example. Or ‘how would you like an opportunity to be single?’; ‘how about you give me your wallet?’ That sort of thing.And it’s true that, in recent days, some young players at Scarborough or Guildford or Taunton (among other places) have taken an opportunity to show what they can do. That has to be celebrated.They’ll have benefited from the chance, too. To see Matt Lamb (the third Warwickshire player to record a maiden List A century in successive games) and Rishi Patel register their first List A centuries was to see talents blossoming. There’s a lot to like about that.But too much ‘opportunity’ can also pose a threat. And as you looked at the team lists from this match, it was hard to avoid the conclusion that this was dangerously close to a second XI match masquerading as first-team cricket. It was hard not to wonder whether spectators will continue to pay; sponsors will continue to invest and even whether List A statistics should still be appropriate. It’s not so long since university cricket lost its first-class status, is it? These things can happen.Related

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Scott Borthwick holds his nerve with bat and ball to deliver tense Durham win

Jack Taylor the hero as Gloucestershire hunt down 336 in thriller

Take Warwickshire’s opening attack, for example: it consisted of Jordan Bulpitt and Karl Carver. Both of whom have been signed by the club for a few weeks to provide cover for a club suffering from a spate of absentees. The rest of the attack included a 17-year-old, a 19-year-old and a 21-year-old playing his third List A game. One member of the playing staff missed this match because he was cramming for his A Levels, which are almost a year away. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. It’s probably very sensible. But it does underline the view that this has become a developmental competition sometimes featuring players who, in other circumstances, might still be playing for their clubs and schools.That’s not meant to sound harsh. Many of those on show here (not least Rehan Ahmed, who is just 16 years of age) are talented youngsters who could have a future in the sport. But it’s entirely possible to hold both views – to celebrate the opportunity provided here but worry for the repercussions – concurrently. This was a fun game. But you do worry what value preparation it will provide for facing Mitchell Starc in a World Cup semi-final. And if the premier domestic 50-over competition isn’t doing that, isn’t it struggling to justify its role?Perhaps this is why only 716 spectators made it to Edgbaston on Thursday. For a ground with a capacity of somewhere around 25,000, it at least ensured few difficulties with social distancing. Maybe there is a lesson here. On smaller grounds, the likes of Guildford, a crowd of 3,000 can provide the feel of a vibrant festival. Perhaps there is a case for looking at hosting such games on outgrounds.As it happened, this game developed into something of a slow-burning classic. Despite seeming to have it won twice, Leicestershire somehow managed to fall short by seven runs. Their head coach, Paul Nixon, described himself as “distraught”; he looked it, too.The short story is this: requiring 87 more for victory, with eight wickets and more than 15 overs in hand, Leicestershire capitulated. Inexperience played its part, no doubt, but from the moment Patel hit a long-hop into the hands of deep midwicket, Leicestershire lost seven wickets for 70 runs. On an outstanding batting track and against an attack greener than the outfield, it felt like a missed opportunity.There were heroes in the Warwickshire side, of course. Will Rhodes, their captain, showed the benefit of his experience with a career-best spell of bowling that at least forced Leicestershire to search for runs, while keeper Michael Burgess, sometimes standing up to even the seamers, ensured they felt the pressure and pulled off a couple of nice catches.But Leicestershire will know that too many of their batters, not least Arron Lilley (batting at No. 6 despite a career-average of 11) and George Rhodes played unnecessarily aggressive strokes when a calm head might have been more appropriate. The wicket of Marcus Harris – run-out after dawdling for the first half of a sharp single – was also completely unnecessary, while Patel, for all his excellence, will know he should have seen his side home. George Garrett picked up two wickets when tailenders tried to scoop him; there had to be an easier way.One of those, Dieter Klein, suffered what appeared to be a significant hamstring injury attempting a sharp run. While he continued with a runner after treatment, he was bowled next ball. For a 32-year-old who is out of contract at the end of the season, it was a worrying setback.”Words fail me,” Nixon said. “They were soft dismissals. We had the game won and we’ve thrown it away. Every middle-order player has had a soft dismissal. It was unprofessional and it was soft. I’m devastated.”The other opportunity Leicestershire had to seal this match came when Warwickshire, despite another impressive contribution from Rob Yates at the top of the order, slipped to 121 for 5 in the 24th over of their innings. Such a precarious foundation forced Lamb and Ethan Brookes to take a cautious approach to the start of their stand but, over time, they prospered to the extent that their sixth-wicket stand of 153 represents a record for Warwickshire in List A cricket. Lamb, in particular, played some impressive shots but Brookes, who took 28 balls over his first 11 runs, also became markedly more fluent and took Warwickshire to a total that might be considered only a little below par.Patel and Harry Swindells appeared to have put Leicestershire will on the road to success with an opening stand of 159 in 25 overs. But when Swindells missed a long-hop and Patel seemed to lose concentration once his century was achieved, nobody else could contribute more than 16. Kids, eh?

Leandro Trossard's feelings have been made clear after Arsenal received an 11th hour bid for one of their stars as Saudi Arabia look to snap up the Gunner before their transfer window closes.

Arsenal's transfer window over

With the Premier League transfer window having closed on August 30th, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta were active right until the end, submitting a "deal sheet" to get a loan move for Chelsea's Raheem Sterling over the line.

The 29-year-old, who had been publicly made into an outcast by Blues boss Enzo Maresca, will spend the season in north London, though there is no option or obligation to buy the England international, and it is believed that the deal has been struck on very favourable terms for the Gunners.

Related "Outstanding" player rejected chance to make Arsenal move on deadline day

He chose to stay put…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2024

Sterling's arrival follows those of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino from Bologna and Real Sociedad respectively, while the club also signed David Raya permanently after he won the golden glove at the Emirates Stadium last season.

Al-Ittihad make bid for Arsenal's Trossard

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Saudi side Al-Ittihad have tabled a bid for Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard, who started the 1-1 draw with Brighton. It is claimed that the offer sits at around 35m euros (£29.5m), and comes in the final hours of the Saudi transfer window, which slams shut on September 2nd.

Al-Ittihad remain on the hunt for a left-winger to complete their high-profile frontline, which includes Karim Benzema and saw them sign Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa this summer.

Trossard, who scored the opening goal against Aston Villa as Arsenal picked up a 2-0 win at Villa Park, is down to the final two years of his £90,000 a week deal at the Emirates Stadium, but has offered no indication that he is keen to leave the club in the immediate future and has featured in all three games so far this season.

In fact, the bid has already been rejected, with CBS journalist James Benge revealing that the Gunners "swiftly dismissed interest", adding that the Belgian international is "not for sale at any price".

Interestingly, it is also claimed that "a source close to the player indicates that he has no desire to leave the Premier League for Saudi Arabia", which could also scupper any potential future move with Trossard down to the final two years of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The 29-year-old joined the Gunners from the Seagulls 18 months ago, and has been a success in north London.

Though often used from the substitutes bench, he is seen as a key squad player, making 46 appearances across all competitions last season and finding the net 17 times.

Leandro Trossard in 2023-24

Appearances

46

Starts

25

Goals

17

Assists

119

Indeed, Mikel Arteta hailed him as a "little magician" towards the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Speaking after a win against Wolves in April, Arteta explained: “He is a little magician. He is a big threat. So composed, so cool.”

Given that Arsenal already considered themselves light in attack before the end of the transfer window, and only succeeded in bringing Sterling to the club and letting Reiss Nelson leave, the bid always seemed extremely unlikely to be accepted by the Gunners since they cannot sign a replacement until their transfer window opens on January 1st.