Category Uncategorized

Shreyas Gopal opens up on cricket and life after cathartic quarter-final century

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The Karnataka allrounder on dealing with setbacks, conversations with Brian Lara, and much more

Shashank Kishore01-Feb-2023For most of his career, Shreyas Gopal has occupied a precarious place in the Karnataka side, the allrounder who makes way should the team decide to strengthen its bowling or lengthen its batting. But on Wednesday, that feeling wasn’t there, because Shreyas batted like a dream and brought up a superb century, his first in the Ranji Trophy since the 2017-18 season.It was his fifth overall in first-class cricket, and it helped Karnataka swell their lead to a mammoth 358 at stumps on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Uttarakhand in Bengaluru. Victory, and a berth in the semi-finals, seem a formality now.Related

  • Saurashtra, Bengal, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh enter Ranji Trophy semi-finals

  • Meet M Venkatesh, the shy rookie who lit up a Ranji quarter-final

  • Hanuma Vihari bats left-handed, holds off Avesh Khan & Co despite fractured forearm

“It was good. Felt good,” Shreyas said with a big smile after the day’s play ended. “The nerves were there, I would be lying if I say it wasn’t there. Because I got out on 95 [against Rajasthan] and very weirdly I started panicking a little bit in the 40s because I got out on 48 in the Kerala game. Those nerves were there. I went back and when I was practising, some [age-group cricketers] were there, when I met them, they just told me – [brother], when you’re close to 90, try and push a little bit, [and hit out] (laughs).”For Shreyas, the knock couldn’t have come at a better time, especially because he’s hardly had a role to play with the ball this season. It can get to you as a player, perhaps more so if you’re a veteran of 74 first-class matches. To Shreyas’s credit, he’s kept his chin up and has delivered when called upon.Now 29, Shreyas has encountered every challenge a professional cricketer can face. He’s battled injuries, losses of form and crises of confidence. He has experienced the highs of winning the Ranji Trophy back-to-back, and picking up an IPL hat-trick including the wickets of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli. He’s also endured the lows of missing out on Karnataka’s first XI and, earlier this year, rejection at the IPL auction.All said, it’s not like this season was going to be make or break, but he needed to compile the strong body of work the team management expects from senior players, especially because they’ve spoken about promoting young players and not being swayed by reputations – their decision to drop Karun Nair from the squad altogether this season being a case in point.Shreyas came in to bat on Wednesday with Karnataka 307 for 4, already ahead by 191. And he took the attack to the bowlers right from the outset. Particularly impressive was his use of feet against spin, alternating between imperious drives through the covers and forays out of his crease to hit against the turn through midwicket. His fluency made Manish Pandey, flamboyant at the best of times, look a tad mellow.Shreyas says he spent ‘hours together’ with Brian Lara at Sunrisers Hyderabad last season, trying to pick up insights into building big innings•BCCIAfter he brought up the hundred, it was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Arms aloft, with a smile big enough to hurt his jaw, he walked off a satisfied man. Later, Shreyas didn’t mince words when asked about having to prove himself constantly as an allrounder. He spoke candidly about dealing with rejection and fighting through the low phases.”Sometimes you do feel a little bad when things don’t go your way or you’re not picked or anything on those lines,” he said. ‘You do feel bad, and it is very natural and it’s a human tendency to feel bad, to feel disappointed or to probably burst out. Everyone has their own way of dealing with it. It was hard but I am someone who has always tried to mask it to the best of my ability. I don’t try and show it. I have very selected two-three people who probably see that side a little bit. Other than that, I really try and mask it. That’s how I deal with it.”But when you come to the ground, when you’re with your team-mates and when you’re fighting for a trophy and for victories, that somewhere down the line fades a little bit. It does keep pinching you every now and then, but when you’re really in the moment, it fades away temporarily at least. So you’re really trying to win as many games as possible.”When I come out with the bat, I really want to make a difference. I want to make some hundreds, I want to make 150s, I want to probably score my first double-hundred. I get the ball; I want to take 10 wickets in a game. Why not? You’ve got to keep challenging yourself. You can’t really sulk about those things for too long. Because that’s only going to eat you up a lot more. My thought is, ‘you have to come up, pull your socks up, take it on the chin. Maybe you’re not just good enough at the moment, you need to double those performances, triple those performances, keep coming harder and harder and one day that door will open.’ That’s how I’ve looked at it.”Last year, Shreyas had the opportunity to learn some tricks of the trade from Brian Lara, who was mentor at Sunrisers Hyderabad. He gushes about those memories, but he’s also quick to point out the others who have helped him along the way as a batter.”There are a lot of coaches, to be honest, I’ll be doing a lot of wrong if I miss out on someone’s name,” he said. “I think in the last 7-8 months, I’ve been in touch with Brian Lara a lot. His inputs when I was in SRH were quite different to what some others told me. Obviously because I was in the same team and spent hours together, [I was] trying to eat his 400- and 500-run brain. Just trying to ask him, how he ever did that.”At 100, I am half-cooked and at 400 he still wanted to score a hundred more runs. So small things on how he batted and how he addressed situations. I am trying to add a couple of points here. I have come and discussed with a lot of other coaches on what their views are to that and try to adapt and see if that kind of paves another path in my batting, if I can make some more runs or be more effective as a batsman.”And then with my bowling, coming in and getting a few wickets would help the team and help my cause personally. There are a lot of conversations I’ve been having and there are a lot of batsmen whom I’ve been literally worshipping growing up and I go back to watch their videos. To understand what situation they were batting [in] and how they were handling them. I’ve played a lot of those situations in first-class and not international cricket. But the situation is very similar. So I try to adapt what they did and what these coaches told me.”

Why it's not time to give up on Prithvi Shaw yet

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

We might not understand his methods, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give him chances to succeed or fail before writing him off

Aakash Chopra22-Dec-2020I distinctly remember the conversation I had with one of my fellow commentators about the chances of Prithvi Shaw doing well (or not) on the morning of the India-West Indies Test match held in Rajkot in 2018. Shaw had risen to prominence after a successful India Under-19 campaign, and while there was more talk about his team-mate Shubman Gill’s skills, it was Shaw who got a proper break in the IPL first, for the Delhi franchise. He impressed one and all in his debut IPL season, and now here he was, opening along with KL Rahul for India ahead of Mayank Agarwal, who had scored truckloads of first-class runs. Shaw’s sheer talent and flair had forced the selectors to fast-track him to the highest level of cricket.His batting style was unconventional, for his back leg would move towards square leg as a trigger movement, and his high backlift was coupled with no foot movement. Conventional cricketing wisdom told us that there was a lot that was not right with his technique, and that if he were to succeed, it would make for a compelling outlier story. Shaw did succeed, and how.His century on Test debut was filled with attractive strokeplay, and since there was a lot of Virender Sehwag in his batting style, parallels were immediately drawn between the two. Shaw followed it up with another impressive half century in his second Test. West Indies aren’t the strongest Test bowling unit, and Rajkot and Hyderabad aren’t the hardest pitches to bat on, but the way this young kid, not yet 20, dominated the proceedings left an impression. His partner, Rahul, far more experienced and much more acclaimed for his skills, struggled against the same bowling unit.Related

  • The five days that lifted Prithvi Shaw out of his rut

  • Ricky Ponting reveals Prithvi Shaw doesn't bat in the nets when he's not scoring runs

  • Prithvi Shaw reveals he 'broke down' after being dropped in Australia

  • 'Looks like India have another superstar'

  • Chappell: Three young cricketers I'd like to watch in the Aus-Ind series

It was understood that Shaw’s technique made him susceptible to incoming deliveries for the lbw dismissal, and his outside edge was always threatened because of the lack of foot movement and because of how he used only his hands if the ball left him off the pitch or in the air. Now these are glaring issues but quite remarkably Shaw was hardly beaten outside off in that Test series against West Indies and not more than a small handful of balls struck his legs during the course of it. That’s a staggering amount of control in a Test innings, which even the best seldom manage. Shaw on debut was India’s best batsman across those two Tests, from a team that had Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in it.India’s 2018-19 tour to Australia was right after that series and there was excitement about what Shaw might do on his maiden voyage outside India as a Test opener. Unfortunately he twisted his ankle in a warm-up game and was subsequently ruled out of the tour. He was later embroiled in a doping offence, which, if it had been handled by the book, ought to have ruled him out of the IPL season that followed too. In short, his cricket career saw many twists and turns after that twisted ankle on the boundary rope in Australia.Since he was out of the reckoning for India for a while, Shaw went back to playing domestic cricket and scored heavily again. And it wasn’t just the weight of runs but the manner in which he decimated attacks that left watchers in awe. That he was a cut above the rest was there for everyone to see.

The weaknesses in Shaw’s technical armour were exposed, but let’s not forget, those flaws were present all along, when he scored and when he failed.

An injury to Rohit Sharma opened the doors for Shaw’s next opportunity to play for India, on the tour to New Zealand early this year. Gill was also a part of that Test squad but the team preferred Shaw. His returns of 16, 14, 54 and 14 weren’t significant by any stretch of imagination but one must remember that both Tests were played on overly seamer-friendly pitches and both finished inside four days. It was a Test tour where Rahane and Kohli didn’t score a single fifty between them and the entire Indian batting unit managed a total of four 50-plus scores in four innings.Was that enough proof that Shaw’s technique was faulty and that he would not survive at the top? Definitely not. Was it enough to suggest that he could thrive at the highest level in challenging conditions? Perhaps not.Shaw is a player who is putting fans in an awkward position, for he does not fit our understanding of what a successful Test player ought to be. When people fail to understand a phenomenon and find themselves conflicted, they try to find examples that are closest to the prototype in front of them. Therefore the endless comparisons to Sehwag – but as it happens, just the Sehwag who scored big, not the one who failed often too.Shaw has already scored a fifty in New Zealand (in only two Tests there); Sehwag didn’t score a fifty in five Tests in New Zealand. Sehwag’s average in England and South Africa (two extremely challenging countries for an opener from the subcontinent to play in) is 27 and 25. respectively. Sehwag has stellar numbers in Australia but that’s only one of the four countries that are considered the hardest for a batsman from the subcontinent to succeed in.We conveniently highlight or overlook stats to suit our narratives. And let’s also acknowledge and not downplay the fact that Sehwag was part of India’s strongest batting order ever. Having briefly been a part of it myself, I can tell you that that takes away some of the pressure of failure. This is something a modern Indian opener will know only when he’s playing in the subcontinent, and not in South Africa, New Zealand, England or Australia.3:26

Moody – Prithvi Shaw hasn’t failed, the selectors have

The second thing about the comparisons with Sehwag are that pitches overall were flat in Sehwag’s era. The quality of batting coupled with better pitches globally invariably produced numbers to match. And lest you think that I’m undermining Sehwag’s greatness or effectiveness, I am simply trying to highlight that comparisons between him and Shaw are flawed. Sehwag failed too, and he looked woefully out of sorts on occasion, but the knives were not out against him every time he nicked the ball or got bowled. (Admittedly Sehwag’s front foot moved a lot more than Shaw’s, and he didn’t have a huge gap between bat and pad too.)The other problem with anyone who doesn’t match our profiling is that subconsciously we wait for them to fail, for that vindicates our original belief. Shaw is going through that phase right now. His lack of runs in the IPL this year, and more importantly, the mode of his dismissals (the ball sneaked through his defences quite often) got everyone talking again.Finally, Shaw was proving us right – after all, there were many glaring flaws in his batting style. We didn’t look at his middling IPL numbers as a matter of form but as the result of a glaring technical issue, for that suited our preconceptions more. Admittedly, the weaknesses in Shaw’s technical armour were exposed, but let’s not forget, those flaws were present all along, when he scored and when he failed. What if it’s indeed a form issue with Shaw, like with Joe Burns, who averaged 7 in the ongoing first-class season till he scored a fifty in the second innings of the first Test? Are we willing to even admit that could be a possibility?Have we seen Shaw make any attempts to address his technical issues? Yes, he is now moving back and across instead of backwards towards square leg. This should put him in a slightly better position to get closer to the ball too. But these are early days with his new technical adjustment. Given the quality of this Australian attack, even openers with the tightest techniques are likely to struggle. If there’s indeed a glaring flaw, it will be exposed and exploited.Since Gill fits our profile of a Test batsman better and has scored a little more than Shaw in the warm-up games, are we justified in jumping the gun on him? I’m neither averse to change nor am I convinced by Shaw’s technique but I am willing to give him a chance to prove me right or wrong. If people gave up on Sehwag in his early days, when his results were a mixed bag (with a fair amount of failure outside Asia), Indian cricket would never have seen the full impact of his brilliance.Though it might feel like I’m building a case for Shaw to be picked for the second Test and beyond, I am only saying that we need to give his case a patient hearing. Because you and I don’t understand his methods doesn’t mean that he can’t succeed or shouldn’t be given a shot at least. A century on Test debut and a first-class average of 51, with nine centuries in just 25 games, indicates a prodigy, not a fluke. And even if he were to end up being the latter, allow him to be proved as one in due course.

What Max Scherzer Told John Schneider in Clubhouse After Mound Visit Outburst

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

In vintage Max Scherzer fashion, pitcher Max Scherzer refused to come out of the game during a fifth inning mound visit from Blue Jays manager John Schneider in the team's 8–2 win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. A fired-up Scherzer yelled in Schneider's face, sending his manager back to the dugout, before he picked up a huge strikeout to snuff a potential Mariners rally and end the fifth inning.

By now, many fans have seen the video of that exchange—the mound visit outburst heard 'round the world. But what fans may not have seen or heard is that the conversation was ongoing in the dugout after the fifth inning. Schneider approached Scherzer in the clubhouse following the mound visit and asked the 41-year-old if he was alright to continue pitching in the sixth inning.

Scherzer responded as you might imagine. Here's the exchange, as told to ESPN's Buster Olney and transcribed for your enjoyment.

Schneider: (asks if Scherzer is alright to continue pitching).

Scherzer: "What, are you f—— crazy?"

Schneider: "Ok, go do it."

Scherzer: "I will—Get the f— out of here."

That sounds exactly like how Scherzer would respond to such a question. And indeed, Scherzer—while speaking to reporters after the game—confirmed that a conversation took place between he and Schneider before the sixth inning.

And while it may have looked like Scherzer was fighting to stay in the game, the veteran pitcher told reporters he believed his manager was playing a "mind game."

"I think he wasn't planning—gathering from the bullpen—that he wasn't actually planning on taking me out," Scherzer said. "He just wanted to check on me. So I don't think I actually fought to stay in. I think it was kind of a mind game to kind of get me going."

Mind game or not, Scherzer—like the bulldog he's been throughout his Hall of Fame career—gritted his teeth and got out of the fifth inning. And while his second conversation with Schneider ultimately didn't lead to him getting out of the inning—Scherzer came out of the game with two outs in the sixth inning—it didn't detract from the outstanding outing he gave Toronto in a near-must-win.

So if Schneider was playing mind games with the expressive Scherzer, it sure seems like it worked.

Stats – Asalanka stands tall in old-fashioned low-scoring opening ODI

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

All the numbers that mattered as Sri Lanka defended 214 against Australia in Colombo

Namooh Shah12-Feb-2025214 – The total defended by Sri Lanka in the first ODI is the second-lowest by any team against Australia in men’s ODIs since 2005, only behind the 190 by South Africa in 2016. It is also the lowest score Sri Lanka have defended against Australia in men’s ODIs, their previous best being 221 in the Commonwealth Bank series in Melbourne in 2008.55 – Sri Lanka’s score at the fall of the fifth wicket. It is the third-lowest score at the fall of the fifth wicket that has resulted in a win for Sri Lanka in men’s ODIs.127 – Charith Asalanka’s score is the second-highest for a Sri Lanka batter against Australia in a men’s ODI and the third-highest for a Sri Lankan batter batting at No. 5 or lower. It is also the fourth-highest score by a Sri Lanka captain in men’s ODIs.Related

Asalanka's stunning ton, Theekshana's four wickets turn tables on Australia

3 – Asalanka’s 127 accounted for 59.35% of Sri Lanka’s total, which is the third-highest percentage for them in a completed innings in men’s ODIs.79 – The partnership between Asalanka and Eshan Malinga is the second-highest for the ninth wicket in a men’s ODI in Sri Lanka bettered only by the 119 runs shared between Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie in October last year in Pallekele.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();

97.47 – The percentage of runs scored by Asalanka in the 79-run ninth-wicket stand is the second-highest by a batter in a partnership of fifty or more in men’s ODIs (where ball-by-ball data is available). Daren Sammy tops the list, having scored all 51 runs in the tenth-wicket partnership with Kemar Roach against India in 2013.8 – Number of wickets that fell in the first ten overs across both innings on Wednesday – four each by Australia and Sri Lanka. These are the most number of wickets to fall in the first ten overs of a men’s ODI in Sri Lanka since 2002.

Jac Caglianone Joins Bo Jackson in Royals History With Impressive Achievement

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The Kansas City Royals only recently promoted slugging prospect Jac Caglianone from Triple A, and it hasn't taken him long to make an impact on offense.

Caglianone played his sixth MLB game on Sunday as the Royals squared off against the Chicago White Sox. The team picked up a 7–5 win, thanks in part to Kansas City's prized rookie, who went 4-for-4 at the plate.

In doing so, Calgianone joined Bo Jackson as the only players in Royals history to record a four-hit game within their first six games as a big-leaguer, according to MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old recorded three singles and a double in Sunday's win. After a slow start through his first five games, he was dialed in at the plate against the White Sox.

Jackson achieved the feat on Sept. 11, 1986, when he went 4-for-5 with four singles against the Seattle Mariners. It was the fifth game of his MLB career.

Royals fans are still eagerly awaiting Calgianone's first MLB home run. He had been obliterating pitches in the minor leagues prior to his promotion to Kansas City, hitting 15 home runs across 50 minor league games at Double A and Triple A.

ICONS: From Tepito to the Azteca – the incredible story behind Argentina's 1986 World Cup jerseys

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

When it comes to Argentina’s glorious run at the 1986 World Cup, there are stories that are told over and over again; the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, and Diego Maradona lifting the trophy at the Azteca. They’re so present in the collective memory of Argentines, as well as fans from around the world, that they almost feel like scenes from a movie we’ve all watched too many times.

But there are other stories, quieter ones, that exist on the margins of the great tales. Episodes that seem minor but end up illuminating a tournament, a country, or an entire generation from an unexpected angle.

Mexico ‘86 was full of such moments; the midday heat of Mexico City, the altitude that forced Carlos Bilardo to plan obsessive training sessions, the press conferences where Maradona answered incredulous journalists with sharp, unforgettable lines.

And among those parallel stories is one of the most colorful: that of the ‘fake’ jerseys Argentina wore in their quarter-final win over England – acquired at the very last minute in Tepito, the roughest neighborhood in Mexico City.

Hulton ArchiveUnder suspicion

To understand the magnitude of that anecdote, you have to go back to months earlier. Argentina didn’t arrive at Mexico ‘86 as a favourite. The memory of Spain 1982 still weighed heavily – a World Cup in which the team tried to defend its 1978 title but failed spectacularly. Cesar Luis Menotti’s squad collapsed in the second round, and Maradona, then an up-and-coming 21-year-old, was sent off against Brazil.

The transition to Bilardo’s era was far from smooth. His tactical approach – a 3-5-2 system that prioritised defensive order and discipline – was seen by many as heresy against Menotti’s romantic, attack-minded ideal. The always influential Argentine press openly distrusted Bilardo, calling him defensive and calculating, and even accused him of 'killing the essence' of the national game.

Pre-tournament results were modest, the team didn’t click, and scepticism spread. Some journalists even wrote that the goal should simply be ‘to get through the group stage and save face’. The atmosphere in Buenos Aires was pessimistic, almost hostile. Meanwhile, the country itself was facing its own turbulence. Raul Alfonsin’s young democracy was struggling to consolidate after a military dictatorship amid political and economic tension. Football, as always, served as an escape valve – but also as a symbolic battleground. In that context, the World Cup appeared as a space for catharsis and hope, even if few believed in the team.

AdvertisementUnfinished business

Amid all the doubts, there was one certainty: Diego Armando Maradona. At 25, he arrived in peak physical form and as team captain. In Italy, he was already a god in Naples – though he was still in the process of leading Napoli to the glory that would come later. But in World Cups, Diego still had a debt to settle.

Spain ‘82 had been a bitter blow after the red card against Brazil, the early elimination, and the merciless criticism. For many journalists, Mexico was Maradona’s ‘now or never’. Bilardo knew it and built the entire team around his number 10. There was no Plan B – everything revolved around Diego.

“We’re here to fight. I feel like this is our moment,” Maradona would later recall in interviews. That conviction wasn’t an act – it was a message he sent to his team-mates and to a doubtful nation. Bilardo reinforced it during training sessions: “Diego is the axis; we all play to bring out his best.”

The challenge, however, wasn’t only tactical. There were external factors: the altitude of cities like Toluca and Mexico City, the scorching midday sun, and the logistical hurdles of a World Cup that demanded quick solutions. And it was precisely within that mix of obstacles that the bizarre jersey episode appeared.

The jersey dilemma

On June 22, 1986, Argentina were set to face England at the Estadio Azteca in the quarter-finals. It was a match charged with symbolism. Only four years earlier, the Falklands War had pitted both nations against each other, leaving open wounds and painful memories across Argentine society. Although FIFA insisted it was “just football,” for fans and players alike it was clearly something more.

In that context, FIFA informed Argentina that they had to wear dark jerseys to distinguish themselves from England’s white. A technical detail, seemingly minor, but the problem was that the team didn’t have an appropriate alternative for the heat.

The only available shirts were made of thick cotton – heavy, almost unwearable under the Mexican midday sun. Bilardo immediately noticed that wearing them would pose a physical risk to his players. And in such a demanding match, every detail could make the difference.

Oscar Ruggeri would recall years later: “They went to Tepito because Zelada knew the place – he sent a kitman with a backpack and brought back one thick jersey. They kicked him out, but we had to play… They went to look for other jerseys, and those we liked.”

Fate, mischievous as ever, had placed the team in a ridiculous dilemma: Play in suffocating shirts or go out into the city to find new ones. And that’s where Tepito came into play.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Market of the possible

Tepito is an iconic neighbourhood in Mexico City – popular, vibrant, dangerous, and fascinating all at once. Known as ‘the tough neighbourhood’, it’s famous for its informal commerce, street culture, and endless ability to reproduce, imitate, and reinvent. By the 1980s, it was already notorious for selling pirated goods, from movies to sportswear.

Amid World Cup fever, Tepito’s streets were packed with jerseys from every national team. Many were high-quality imitations, made in local workshops with lighter materials than the official ones. In their desperate search, a group of Argentine kitmen, guided by back-up goalkeeper Héctor Zelada, ventured into the neighbourhood’s alleys.

Maradona would later summarise it in one brief, telling sentence: “I asked for something light… and they found some.”

The negotiation was quick and almost surreal. The vendors couldn’t believe that real members of the Argentina team were buying jerseys they knew were fakes. But necessity ruled. The problem had to be solved – and in that moment, the counterfeit became salvation.

The shirts were ideal: lightweight blue polyester with the Le Coq Sportif logo embroidered, almost identical to the official ones but much fresher. They were, literally, the perfect solution.

Liverpool exploring Jarrod Bowen move as West Ham share sale conditions

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Liverpool are now reportedly exploring a deal to sign Jarrod Bowen after West Ham United shared what it would take for them to sell their star man in 2026.

Those at Anfield have set their sights on another attacking addition with their summer spending yet to come good. Club-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in all competitions and has largely faced fitness issues during his time at Anfield so far. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz – although gradually improving – is yet to find the back of the net.

After Isak: Liverpool's "next Michael Owen" is destined to be the club's #9

Arne Slot has an emerging 17-year-old star at Liverpool who could take Isak’s number nine shirt off him.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 12, 2025

Suddenly, after a major spending spree, the Reds have looked out of ideas going forward at times. On paper, an attacking blend of Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitie and Cody Gakpo should result in endless goals. In reality, however, it’s a combination which simply hasn’t worked so far.

Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville didn’t hold back after Liverpool’s recent 3-0 defeat against Manchester City either, claiming that Wirtz is a “problem” for Arne Slot.

The November international break has handed the Premier League champions some much-needed reprieve and it’s a break that must see Slot come up with a solution for his side’s problems.

As much as Neville has criticised Wirtz, the truth is that the German hasn’t been Liverpool’s greatest problem in recent weeks. No player in the Premier League has created more chances than the former Bayer Leverkusen man in all competitions, yet the numbers show that he’s got just one assist to his name. For the most part in recent weeks, he’s played his part.

Instead, the big problem lies with those ahead of him who have been wasteful. It’s sparked concerns that Salah could be past his best and those at Anfield are already reportedly eyeing his replacement as a result.

Liverpool exploring Jarrod Bowen move

As reported by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool are now exploring a move to sign Bowen ahead of 2026. Whilst West Ham are expected to turn down any advances at this stage, they would reportedly consider selling their captain if an interested party submitted an ‘irresistible’ offer.

Liverpool proved that they’re not afraid to splash the cash in the summer just gone, so the Hammers’ stance should give them a glimmer of hope that they could yet sign Bowen, who shares an agent with Andy Robertson.

As for the forward, himself, if anyone deserves a big move it is him. Bowen has dragged West Ham to European glory, kept them in the Premier League and become an undisputed legend at the London Stadium. Now, if Liverpool come calling, he should grab hold of the opportunity with both hands.

The 28-year-old has already experienced what it’s like to score at Anfield with West Ham, but could yet get the chance to celebrate in front of The Kop week in, week out in 2026.

Jurgen Klopp called Bowen his “favourite player” in 2023 and could watch from afar as the West Ham man completes a move to Merseyside three years later.

Liverpool and Arsenal scouting new right-back who pocketed Gakpo

'I hope he makes the right decision!' – Jonathan Tah offers transfer advice to Nico Schlotterbeck as Bayern Munich target Borussia Dortmund's star defender

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Nico Schlotterbeck’s future at Borussia Dortmund is up in the air. With Bayern Munich and Liverpool both pushing to sign the defender and contract talks at Dortmund stalling, his Germany teammate Jonathan Tah has stepped in, offering advice and support as the 25-year-old weighs a crucial decision about his next move.

Contract tension building at Dortmund

According to a report from , the German centre-back has turned down Dortmund’s latest contract offer and is growing frustrated with the team’s playing style under coach Niko Kovac. His current deal runs until 2027, but reports suggest he is unlikely to sign an extension, increasing speculation about a possible move next summer. The 25-year-old joined Dortmund from Freiburg in 2022 and has since become one of the club’s key players, making 134 appearances in all competitions. Despite his importance, uncertainty around his future continues to grow.

Dortmund are reportedly preparing a new contract proposal that would keep him at the club until 2030 and are even ready to triple his salary. However, the German international has shown no intention of committing to an extension for now, preferring to keep his options open amid growing interest from top European clubs, including Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTah’s advice to Schlotterbeck amid transfer rumours

Speaking during a press conference ahead of Germany's World Cup qualifying match against Luxembourg, Tah had nothing but praise for his national teammate and domestic rival. The Munich defender urged the Dortmund centre-back to think carefully before making his next move.

"This is an exciting situation for Nico," said Tah. "He's an outstanding player who always works on himself, who always wants to improve. It's a crucial point in his career right now, and I simply hope he can make the right decision for himself. Many doors are open to him. I wish him all the best in making his decision."

The German also made it clear that he is there to support his teammate if needed. "If he needs advice or wants to talk to me, he's welcome to do so. I'm here," he added.

Recently, Schlotterbeck himself spoke highly of Tah, calling him 'a better defender' and explaining why the pair work so well together for the national team.

"Jona is very communicative on the pitch and simply important to me. Defensively, he has been a very strong defender for years now and has done extremely well. For me, the ball-playing aspect is perhaps a bit more interesting than for him. He's perhaps a better defender, though. That's why it's a good fit."

Bayern and Liverpool monitoring closely

Dortmund's rival Munich are reportedly keeping a close eye on German's situation as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of next season. With Dayot Upamecano’s contract set to expire next year, Bayern could turn to Schlotterbeck as a younger replacement. Meanwhile, the reigning Premier League champions are also in the race. The Reds are preparing for defensive changes, with Virgil van Dijk reaching the twilight of his career and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s future, whose contract expires this summer amid interest from Los Blancos. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat’s next for Schlotterbeck?

With both Bayern and Liverpool circling, Schlotterbeck faces a career-defining choice. Dortmund want to keep him. Last month, Sporting director Lars Ricken publicly addressed the situation, making it clear that while the club respects Schlotterbeck’s hesitation, they won’t let talks drag on.

“We will not rush into anything. But of course, we don't want to drag it out indefinitely, everyone is aware of that," Ricken told .

For now, the German won’t feature in the national team's upcoming match after withdrawing from the squad due to injury. The defender’s priority would be to recover quickly and help Dortmund get back into the title race. The club currently sits third in the table, behind Bayern and RB Leipzig, with six wins from ten games.

"I hated it" – Steven Gerrard names "egotistical losers" in England's Golden Generation

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

As part of a Golden Generation which proved to be incredibly disappointing, Steven Gerrard has now revealed where his England side went wrong and why he “hated” international duty.

Who was part of England's Golden Generation?

To this day, it beggars belief that a generation involving Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and so much more failed to ever win a trophy. From goal-line controversy in the 2010 World Cup to Rooney’s stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006, there’s far more moments to forget than there are to savour, but how many stars did this generation really have?

England's Golden Generation divided by club rivalries

To put into context just how many talented players England had at their disposal in the 2000s, their starting line-up when they crashed out against Portugal on penalties in 2006 included Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Ashley Cole, John Terry, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Rooney. It couldn’t have got much better than that.

Alas, silverware never arrived and the failure of that generation remains one of England’s greatest regrets. It makes the task of the current generation even greater, too.

Whilst the 2000s featured Gerrard, Rooney, Lampard, Beckham and others, the 2026 World Cup squad is likely to feature Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. Once again, the pressure is on.

Whether the Three Lions have learned from their mistakes at Euro 2024, which saw them lose against Spain in the final late on, or from their mistakes at the 2022 World Cup, where they crashed out in the semi-final against France, is the big question.

The Golden Generation never quite learned and many have had their say as to why that proved to be the case, including Gerrard. The former England captain has now revealed where his side went wrong and why he “hated” international duty.

Gerrard slams "egotistical losers" in England generation

Speaking about England’s failiure to use the Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard trio, Gerrard dubbed the Golden Generation “egotistical losers” and said he “hated” England duty because of the divide in the camp between club rivals.

The former midfielder said: “I hated it. I didn’t enjoy it. Hated the [hotel] rooms. In my early days, I’d have days where I was down, like low down. Like I’m in this room for seven hours, what am I going to do.

“There was no social media, we didn’t have a DVD player or anything. Channel 1 to 5 or whatever it was on TV. I used to get low and down.

“I used to love the games.

The Best 15 Right-Backs in World Football Ranked (2025)

Where does new Real Madrid star Alexander-Arnold rank?

1 ByCharlie Smith Oct 8, 2025

“I used to love playing for England. I was really proud. I used to enjoy the training sessions but it was 90 minutes a day. And then I was just on my own. I didn’t feel part of a team. I didn’t feel connected with my team-mates with England.

“I didn’t feel that with Liverpool. They were the best days of my life. I felt like the staff looked over me, like I felt special. I felt like I couldn’t wait to get there. With England, I just wanted the games and the training sessions and then to be away.”

"Sensational" £25m maestro who's wanted by top clubs now key target for Wolves

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

A “sensational” £25m midfielder has now emerged as a key target for Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a number of Europe’s top clubs in the race for his signature.

Wolves keen on new additions amid slow start

Seven games into the Premier League season, Wolves sit bottom of the table, having put in some very poor performances, with the 3-1 home defeat against newly-promoted Leeds United likely to be particularly concerning for Vitor Pereira.

Usually, a manager without a win in his first seven league games would be under serious pressure, but the board have decided to back Pereira, with the 57-year-old signing a new three-year contract back in September.

New Cunha: Wolves have a "special" 18-year-old who could rival Strand Larsen

Vitor Pereira could now have Wolverhampton Wanderers’ next Matheus Cunha at his disposal, and it’s not Jorgen Strand Larsen.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 13, 2025

Chairman Jeff Shi said: “Now is a time for stability. Vitor needs time to work with the squad, to build a chemistry with new players, and we will do everything to support him and his staff.”

One of the ways in which Shi can back his manager is by strengthening the squad in the January transfer window, and a midfielder has now emerged as a key target for the Old Gold.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Wolves are in the race for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, but there could be stiff competition for his signature, with a number of top clubs in the Serie A and Bundesliga also keen.

Within the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and West Ham United have also expressed an interest in the midfielder, and there is a feeling the Scottish Premiership side could demand £20m – £25m to sanction a departure.

Raskin was open to leaving Ibrox during the summer transfer window, but he ultimately ended up staying put, given a lack of concrete bids. However, amid widespread interest in the Belgian, there may be plenty of options available in 2026.

"Sensational" Raskin could be difference-maker for Wolves

We are still at an early stage of the season, but Wolves will be very keen to avoid being dragged into another relegation battle, so it would make sense to splash the cash on a new midfielder during the January transfer window.

Moreover, there are clear indications the Rangers star could be a real difference-maker, given the impact he’s made at Ibrox ever since arriving, with former teammate Scott Arfield saying: “Nico’s first two training sessions were sensational. You could see he is built to play at a club like Rangers. I can see him playing there for years. He is captain material.”

The Liege-born maestro poses a real threat on the front foot, having chipped in with one goal and four assists in all competitions already this season, while he is also solid defensively, placing in the 98th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year.

Raskin is a very well-rounded midfielder, and the interest from some of Europe’s top clubs speaks volumes, so it would be a real coup if Wolves were able to get a deal done.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus