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Liverpool are considering a move for PSG star Bradley Barcola as they eye up Mohamed Salah replacements. Salah heavily criticised Reds boss Arne Slot in the wake of Saturday's 3-3 draw at Leeds on Saturday night having been dropped to the bench for the third league game running. Rumours suggest that the Egypt international will now look to leave Anfield next month.

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  Salah claims he's been 'thrown under the bus'

  Salah only signed a two-year contract extension at Anfield earlier in the year after playing a starring role in Liverpool's title triumph. Indeed, the Egyptian forward scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists for the Reds last season, and was duly rewarded with a new deal.

  However, Salah has struggled to match last season's exploits having scored four goals and provided two assists in his opening 13 league outings. And having started the last three games on the bench, the 33-year-old is now tipped to leave the club next month.

  Salah was heavily critical of head coach Arne Slot in the wake of Saturday's 3-3 draw at Leeds having claimed he's been "thrown under the bus" and intends to say farewell to the club's fanbase when Liverpool face Brighton next weekend. "I can’t believe it, I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season," Salah said after the six-goal thriller at Elland Road.

  "Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame."

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• Barcola emerges as a target for Liverpool

  And Liverpool are making contingency plans as they look to replace Salah in the New Year, with Bradley Barcola among those on the club's radar. Barcola has started nine of PSG's 15 league games this season, scoring five times in the process.

  PSG are currently in the midst of handing out contract extensions for a number of first team stars, with the French winger among those to have been offered a new deal. Barcola, though, is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract, with Liverpool waiting in the wings as they consider a swoop for the 23-year-old.

  However, the young France international is yet to commit his future to the Parisian powerhouse, despite offering Barcola a hefty pay rise, which would make him one of the club's highest earners. Indeed, Barcola isn't completely satisfied with his situation at the Parc des Princes with the forward behind the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue in the pecking order under Luis Enrique when every player is available.

• AFP
  

  Arsenal to rival Liverpool for PSG forward

  The impasse over talks has opened the door slightly for the Reds, who are now considering a January move for Barcola. Liverpool, though, wouldn't have a straight shot at Barcola, with Arsenal reportedly keen on the PSG star.

  The Gunners enjoyed a hefty recruitment drive over the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. However, with question marks over Gabriel Martinelli's future at the Emirates, Arsenal may look to Barcola as they consider bolstering their frontline in the New Year.

  Arsenal saw their title push take another hit at the weekend as they fell to a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. Matty Cash had fired the Villans ahead with 10 minutes of the first half remining, but the Gunners were level shortly after the restart through Leandro Trossard. Villa, though, went on to claim all the spoils late on as Emiliano Buendia bagged a last-gasp winner, which means Mikel Arteta's men have now won only two of their last five league matches.

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• Salah to link up with Egypt later this month

  Salah's penultimate game for Liverpool could come in midweek when the Reds face Italian giants Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Liverpool are then in action against Brighton on Saturday, in what could prove to be Salah's final match on Merseyside.

  Salah will join up with the Egypt national team later this month for the Africa Cup of Nations. The competition gets underway in Morocco on Sunday, 21st December and concludes on Sunday, 18th January.

  Egypt are one of the favourites to win a record setting eighth AFCON title in Morocco, which would see Salah miss six games for Slot's side should he still be a Liverpool player by the time the tournament draws to a close. The forward has been linked with a January switch to Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray, while a move to the Saudi Pro League has also been mooted.

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Bem amigos, acabou. A era Endrick no Palmeiras terminou no meio do segundo tempo da partida contra o San Lorenzo, nesta quinta-feira (30), no Allianz Parque. Substituído por Flaco Lopez, a joia, que irá para o Real Madrid em julho, deixou a galera emocionada nas redes. Confira!

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O legado de Endrick

Endrick deixará o Palmeiras com diversos momentos marcantes em seus quase dois anos como profissional e muitos recordes que vão levar um bom tempo para serem ultrapassados no Maior Campeão do Brasil.

O Lance! listou todos os números e recordes do Endrick no Palmeiras pra você, se liga:

Jogador mais jovem a estrear pelo Palmeiras (16 anos, 2 meses e 15 dias)Jogador mais jovem a marcar um gol pelo Palmeiras (16 anos, 3 meses e 4 dias) – Com essa idade, nenhum outro jogador havia sequer estreado pelo clube;Jogador mais jovem a marcar um gol no Brasileirão de pontos corridos (16 anos, 3 meses e 4 dias);Primeiro atleta da história do Palmeiras a ganhar títulos em todas as categorias (Sub-11, Sub-13, Sub-15, Sub-17, Sub-20 e Profissional);Jogador mais jovem a marcar um gol pelo Palmeiras na Libertadores (16 anos, 10 meses e 16 dias);2º jogador com mais gols em uma edição de Campeonato Brasileiro abaixo dos 18 anos (11 gols em 2023);Maior artilheiro da história do Campeonato Brasileiro entre atletas com menos de 18 anos: 14 gols, seguido por Ronaldo Fenômeno, com 12, Neymar, com 10, Jô, com nove, Rodrygo, com oito, e Gabriel Barbosa, com sete;Jogador mais jovem a fazer gol pelo Palmeiras contra o Corinthians: 17 anos, superando Heitor e Mazzola, ambos com 18;Atual maior artilheiro do mundo entre atletas com menos de 18 anos: 23 gols (21 pelo Palmeiras e 2 pela Seleção Brasileira;

Prêmios individuais:

Revelação do Campeonato Brasileiro 2022;
Bola de Prata: gol mais bonito do Campeonato Brasileiro 2023;
Bola de Prata: revelação do Campeonato Brasileiro 2023;
Troféu Mesa Redonda: seleção da temporada 2023;

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Número de jogos no profissional:

81 jogos;
21 gols e 3 assistências;

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While it’s not been smooth sailing this season, Chelsea are looking good at the moment.

Enzo Maresca’s side are third in the Premier League and, despite dealing with numerous injuries, are just six points behind first-place Arsenal.

Moreover, while some of the summer signings are still taking their time to bed in, the more established players have stepped up, with Moises Caicedo once again showing why he’s one of the best in the world.

So, fans should be delighted with reports linking them to another midfield monster who could be another Caicedo-type signing.

Chelsea target another Moises Caicedo

It’s no secret that Chelsea like to spend when it comes to transfers, and they’ve already been linked with a plethora of exciting talents ahead of the winter window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, stories touting Real Madrid’s Rodrygo for a move to Stamford Bridge have resurfaced recently.

Another player from Spain who is reportedly a target for the Blues is former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, who has been exceptional for Atlético Madrid, but as a result, could cost an arm and a leg.

However, while both La Liga stars would improve Marsca’s side, neither one can be described as a Caicedo-type signing, unlike Adam Wharton.

Yes, according to recent reports from Spain, Chelsea have maintained their strong interest in the Crystal Palace star ahead of the winter window.

In fact, the report goes further, claiming that the West Londoners are now leading the race for his signature, a signature that could cost them as much as £100m per other reports from the summer.

It would be a lot to spend on someone so young, but Wharton’s ability alone means it would be worth it, especially as he would be a Cacideo-type signing.

Why Wharton would be another Caicedo

Now, while there are obviously differences between them, there are a few reasons why Wharton could be another Caicedo-esque signing for Chelsea, either in January or the summer.

The first is that, like with the Ecuadorian, it would be another example of the Blues going in and putting a big offer on the table for one of the best midfielders in the Premier League who isn’t at a ‘big six’ side.

That might sound hyperbolic, but since moving to Selhurst Park, the Englishman has been sensational, and his underlying numbers prove as much.

For example, FBref rank the “generational” ace, as dubbed by Matthew Stanger, in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 4% for key passes, the top 5% for through balls, the top10% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Moreover, he’s putting up numbers like that at just 21 years old in a team that’ll likely finish mid-table come May.

Therefore, were he to join Maresca’s side, then he could develop in a similar way to Caicedo and go from an exceptional talent to one of the very best players in the entire league.

Finally, just like Pensioner’s number 25, the former Blackburn Rovers gem is someone who can do the dirty work in defence, but is just as capable of running things in the middle of the park, whether through silky passes or ball-carrying.

Ultimately, it would not be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Wharton as soon as possible, as he could be another Caicedo for them.

Forget Delap: Cobham star who "lives & breathes goals" is Chelsea's future #9

The incredible Cobham gem could be a star for Chelsea but a problem for Delap.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 13, 2025

Wayne Rooney has hailed Granit Xhaka as "probably the signing of the season" after the veteran midfielder's remarkable influence on Sunderland's stunning Premier League return. The 33-year-old Swiss star has been pivotal in the newly promoted side's rise to fourth place, guiding a young squad with leadership, consistency, and class since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

• Xhaka raises the bar at Sunderland

  Xhaka’s move to Sunderland last July raised eyebrows across the football world, but four months into the 2025-26 campaign, the decision is proving to be an inspired one. The former Arsenal midfielder has been central to the Black Cats’ superb start, as the newly promoted side sit fourth in the Premier League table after 11 matches — just one point off the top three. Sunderland’s success has been built around Xhaka’s composure and control in midfield, as he’s started and completed every league game under head coach Regis Le Bris.

  The Swiss international has contributed one goal and three assists, but his impact extends far beyond the statistics. He leads the team in almost every key metric — from assists and chances created to successful passes, duels won, and distance covered — underscoring his indispensable role in the squad. As captain, Xhaka has provided structure and stability for a youthful Sunderland side adapting to the top flight for the first time since 2017.

  His performances have not only silenced the sceptics who questioned whether he could still perform in the Premier League at 33, but also earned him widespread praise from pundits and now, from a Premier League legend in Rooney.

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  Rooney labels Xhaka as the 'signing of the season'

  Manchester United and Premier League legend Rooney was full of admiration for Xhaka's impact, declaring him the standout signing of the season so far. Speaking on BBC's, he said: "Coming back to the Premier League you wonder if he can do it. Obviously, with a promoted team as well coming up, what impact could he have? But he's probably been the signing of the season. He has been brilliant."

  Rooney went on to highlight the midfielder's resilience, referencing his turbulent years at Arsenal: "When he had the situation with Arsenal, when he fell out with the fans it showed his character to go and play for Arsenal again. To get through that and then go and perform for Arsenal, and then at Leverkusen to be part of a team to beat Bayern Munich to the title for the first time in over 10 years has shown what a good player he is."

  He also praised Xhaka's off-field influence, particularly in a youthful Sunderland dressing room: "Sunderland have got a very young squad as well. He'd almost be like a father figure and he'll be a big help for the coach as well to be the in-between man as captain. And they made a lot of signings in the summer, he'll be a massive help for the manager and with them players, for sure, using his experience."

• Xhaka's return to England boosts his Premier League legacy

  Xhaka's story at Sunderland represents one of the most compelling Premier League narratives of the season. Having joined in a reported £17 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen – where he helped secure the club's first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024 – the Swiss international arrived in the North East with both experience and expectation on his shoulders. Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris immediately installed him as captain, recognising the leadership qualities that had defined his later years at Arsenal and Leverkusen.

  Since his debut, Xhaka has personified professionalism and tactical intelligence, seamlessly adapting to Sunderland's fluid 4-3-3 setup. His calmness in possession, positional awareness, and vocal authority have provided a foundation for the team's compact defensive structure and disciplined build-up play. Statistically, his influence is unmatched – ranking first in touches, chances created, and recoveries per game – metrics that underline how deeply integrated he is in every phase of Sunderland's approach.

  The turnaround in Xhaka's career is particularly impressive given the criticism he faced during his time at Arsenal. Once viewed as a divisive figure, he has evolved into one of Europe's most respected midfield generals. His experience at Leverkusen, where he rediscovered his form under Xabi Alonso, has clearly carried over to his new challenge, allowing Sunderland's youthful lineup to flourish around him.

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  Sunderland and Xhaka looking forward to massive tests

  With Sunderland flying high in the Premier League, the focus now turns to maintaining their momentum through the winter months. After the international break, the Black Cats will take on Fulham and Bournemouth, before facing off against true giants in Liverpool and Manchester City. Those two games, similar to their draw against Arsenal, will truly test Le Bris' side as to whether they can maintain their early form and actually challenge for European spots this season.

  Xhaka himself has shown no signs of slowing down, continuing to set the tone both in training and on matchdays. His experience across top European leagues has given Sunderland a competitive edge and an identity built on discipline and confidence, qualities that resonate throughout their squad.

India’s failure to capitalise on their chances sent them tumbling to a 2-0 series defeat against South Africa, according to their stand-in captain Rishabh Pant.”They [South Africa] definitely played better cricket, but at the same time, in cricket you can’t take anything for granted,” Pant said at the post-match presentation. “You can play at home or away, but at the same time, cricket demands that determination and that extra.”There are moments in the game where you need to capitalise [on] it as a team, as a batting unit. But as a team, we didn’t capitalise on those enough for a longer period of time, and that cost us the whole series.”In the second Test in Guwahati, where Pant took over captaincy from the injured Shubman Gill, India let South Africa get away and post 489 after they had the visitors at 246 for 6 at one point.South Africa went on to bat India out of the Test, setting them an improbable 549. On the final day, India’s batters had their chances – both B Sai Sudharsan and nightwatcher Kuldeep Yadav were reprieved – but they eventually folded for 140, suffering a 408-run loss, theirbiggest ever in Test cricket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

This was India’s second series defeat in their previous three home series. Last year, they suffered an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand, which ended a proud run of 17 straight home-series wins over a 12-year period. Pant called on India to stick together and find a way past this rut.”Definitely it’s a little disappointing, but as a team we need to get better,” Pant said. “And you’ve got to give credit to the opposition that they played better cricket than us,” Pant said. “Because, in series like this, which has already been tough, if we dwell too much… you’ve got to take the learning and stick as a team.”

Steven Smith had his first hit against bowlers since the Hundred finished in late August on Tuesday, but declared he was already “ready” for the Ashes after his break in New York.Smith, who is set to captain Australia in the first Test due to Pat Cummins’ back injury, returned to Sydney last week and had three nets against throwdowns before facing the New South Wales attack during training at Cricket Central as he ramps up towards the start of the Ashes.Related

• Australia's top order: What are the selectors' options?

• Boland: 'I've got my own internal motivations'

• Confidence growing that Cummins will play 'major part' in Ashes

• Ashes tracker: Weatherald makes a statement as Boland primes for Perth

He will play two Sheffield Shield matches – against Queensland at the Gabba and Victoria at the SCG before facing England – but believed he was already good to go having in recent times found downtime from the game more profitable than endless training or extra matches.Unlike earlier in the year when he was recovering from a finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship final and left the tour of West Indies, Smith did not hunt out a baseball cage in New York and only picked up a bat on his return home.”Honestly, it takes me two hits to get sorted,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m ready to go now. I feel like I’m moving really nicely. I feel in a good place.”I’ve been training quite hard. I’ve been doing a lot of lifting, trying to get a bit stronger. And I did all my strength tests yesterday and they’re all as good as they’ve ever been. So I feel like I’m going good.”Cummins has yet to be officially ruled out of the opening Test, but time is quickly running out and Smith said on Tuesday that he had still yet to start bowling. “Things can turn around pretty quickly so we’ll see where everything lands with him,” Smith said.”He’s obviously got a few things to tick off and get into his bowling, but he was in good spirits and the team’s obviously better with him in it for sure. Hopefully he can get right and if he plays three Tests or five Tests or two Tests, as many as we can get out of him, it’s the best for the team.”Steven Smith speaks to reporters as he ramps up his Ashes preparation•Getty Images

The duo have worked well as a captain-vice captain combination with Smith standing in on six occasions since Cummins’ promotion, winning five of those Tests. His tactical nous has particularly come to the fore on the subcontinent and, although Smith himself played it down, his head-to-head with Ben Stokes looms as a fascinating aspect of the early Ashes exchanges.Even if unable to play, Cummins is expected to travel with the Australia squad and Smith was confident the change of leadership would prove smooth but added he would do things in his style.”It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Smith said. “I know how the team operates. We’re in a good place. So if it happens, I’ll look forward to it. I think the important thing is doing it my way. I think when I get out on the field, I’ve got a certain style and the way I like to do things and I need to be authentic.”I think it’s worked well when I’ve stood in over the last few years. It’ll just be a seamless sort of transition if that comes around.”Smith has rarely had a problem with the dual responsibilities of captaincy and batting: his average when captain is 68.98 against 49.90 when in the ranks. One of the six Tests where he has filled in was during the 2021-22 Ashes when Cummins was a Covid close contact in Adelaide with Smith making 93 in the first innings.”It’s interesting how the brain works, I suppose,” Smith said when asked whether he’s aware of how the captaincy makes a difference. “I feel like I kind of go to another level and try and set a standard.”I think I’ve chilled out a lot over the last probably four or five years, just a bit more relaxed out in the middle and maybe not as cranky at times. I like to listen to people, get their opinions, and then obviously make a decision when I’m in charge.”In terms of losing Cummins’ bowling, Smith was of little doubt that Scott Boland could fill the breach. “I mean, we’ve got a pretty good replacement in Scott Boland who I think is arguably one of the best bowlers in the world,” he said. “His record in Australia is outrageous, so we’re good there.”Then the other two [Starc and Hazlewood] obviously have done a wonderful job for a long time as well. So I don’t think it disrupts too much.”

He had been part of every age-group team in Karnataka, IPL trials with multiple teams but a senior-team call-up or an IPL contract remained elusive. Till 2024

Shashank Kishore06-Jan-2025At 28, Krishnan Shrijith knew time was running out. He had been part of every age-group team in Karnataka growing up, but a call-up to the senior team remained elusive. When he was finally picked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s in 2020-21, his stay was brief.It has taken four years for the tide to turn. In November 2024, Shrijith earned a maiden Ranji Trophy call up when he least expected it. He responded with a century on a spicy Lucknow surface where Uttar Pradesh had been bowled out for 89.A week later, Shrijith earned a maiden IPL contract when he was signed by Mumbai Indians at the mega auction in Riyadh. Shrijith’s happiness from these two milestones helped momentarily tide over a personal tragedy – the loss of his father only a few weeks prior.Related

Old and new pieces fit perfectly as Karnataka get their jigsaw right

Shrijith's 150* eclipses Iyer's 114* as Karnataka chase down 383

VHT: Agarawal's hot streak continues

“God takes away something to give you something else,” he tells ESPNcricinfo. “Even though I’d earned my T20 and one-day caps when he was there, there was always a sense of pride he attached to being a first-class cricketer. I missed him when I got the Ranji cap. That’s why I dedicated the hundred to him.”Early in his career, Shrijith was branded a white-ball specialist. It took him two years to change that perception – proof of which was amply on display on Ranji debut. “To be very honest, I was not expecting the Ranji call, I’d given up hopes” he says. “I was preparing for T20s one week prior to my Ranji debut. It’s only when I joined the team that I started practicing with the red ball.”When I went in to bat, I didn’t want to dwell too much on changing my game. I just wanted to restrict a few shots and stick to my strengths. It was just one of those days where I just played the ball to its merit and went with a positive intent even though we had lost two wickets. I’ve always played my cricket like that and I will continue to play that way.”It was well-known that Shrijith had the ability to be a robust left-handed middle-order batter capable of shifting gears seamlessly. Over the past few years, his range of strokes and stillness while execution had impressed those who coached him during his younger days. It’s as if they don’t recognise the batter they saw in his teens.Krishnan Shrijith scored a century on Ranji Trophy debut•KSCAIn December, Shrijith took another big step in his evolution as an all-format player when he hit an unbeaten 101-ball 150 as Karnataka chased down a mammoth 383 against Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It was Shrijith’s maiden List-A century.In a tight group where the difference between qualifying for the knockouts and crashing out was one win, Shrijith’s clutch knock made a massive difference with Karnataka pipping Mumbai, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy champions, to the knockouts. Over the coming week, Shrijith will have an opportunity to overcome a mini-slump since that century when Karnataka play the knockouts of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.It was in the aftermath of that century that Shrijith began to get noticed from the wider cricketing circles. However, his performances had already been noticed by those that matter.Shrijith had been in the IPL reckoning even in 2024. When Devon Conway was out of the IPL with a thumb injury, Chennai Super Kings were keen on signing him as a replacement. A few weeks prior to that, Mumbai too were keen on Shrijith when they needed a replacement for the injured Vishnu Vinod. But the interest didn’t translate into a call-up.That is perhaps why when Mumbai’s scouts Vinay Kumar and Rahul Sanghvi rang up Shrijith to ask him for his match video from his first outing at this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he didn’t have his hopes high. Past experiences had taught him to be pragmatic. Shrijith had just hit a 40-ball 72 not out at No. 3 in Karnataka’s chase of 216 against Uttarakhand; they fell six short.Krishnan Shrijith on his maiden IPL contract: ‘My first thought was dad would’ve loved for me to be in MI’•Maharaja T20″I’ve been shortlisted in the IPL auctions since 2020, but for uncapped players you don’t really know when your turn comes,” he says. “A couple of my trials had gone well, but I knew there’s a possibility I won’t be picked. It’s happened before that I’ve done well and felt I’d get picked, only to be disappointed. So I was realistic.”I was watching the auction initially, then switched off the TV because it kept going on and on, I didn’t know if I’d even come up. And then suddenly out of the blue, my name came up and Mumbai raised the paddle. For the first 10-15 seconds I was still in shock. And then my phone started ringing.”My first thought was dad would’ve loved for me to be in MI. He always joked with me that if I ever played in IPL, it should either be MI or RCB. It was also very pleasant to receive a text from Hardik Pandya [MI captain] after that. I didn’t even have his number; I didn’t need to. I thought it was a prank. Next day, we were playing Baroda and that’s when he came up to me, gave me a hug and it all started sinking in.Shrijith will tussle with Ryan Rickleton (overseas) and Robin Minz to find a place in the first XI as a wicketkeeper-batter for Mumbai in IPL 2025. During the trials, he was asked to bat in the top three and given numerous scenarios where he had to be their powerplay enforcer. He was specifically asked to face the new ball. Shrijith pinches himself while replaying some of those shots in his mind.”When batters are batting well, they talk of being in a different zone. I truly understood what this meant when I batted in the trials,” he says. “Growing up watching Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, I only dreamt of playing those shots. To actually execute against some quality bowlers was a different feeling.”Reflecting on the happenings of the past few months, Shrijith knows he’s still got a lot of work to do and doesn’t want to be carried away with all the adulation. “It’s just half the job done to get here,” he says. “Obviously the excitement and the happiness part are a given, like just trying to think of who I’m going to spend the summer with at the IPL. It doesn’t happen often. It’s just about trying to learn and get better each day.”

The longer this goes on, the noisier it will get for Liverpool and their new signings and their recruitment strategy when viewed through a wider lens.

Five defeats from six in the Premier League have snuffed out any hopes of Arne Slot retaining his throne at the top of the division. Arsenal are eight points ahead at the summit, but it is the stark polarity in technical implementation and fluency that is a greater threat to Liverpool’s campaign.

That and the Reds’ startling defensive fragilities. Ibrahima Konate has been at the centre of Liverpool’s problems this term, and Virgil van Dijk is hardly at his best either. A variety of full-back pairings have yet to provide sustainable results, and Alisson Becker’s absence through injury hasn’t helped matters.

But Liverpool are all wrong, and it has at times felt as if Slot it trying to put square pegs into round holes. To solve this crisis of confidence and cohesion, sporting director Richard Hughes appears to be getting ready to add a high-level midfielder to the Anfield ranks.

Liverpool looking to sign a midfielder

Liverpool have got plenty of creativity in their ranks, even if Slot is not wielding his playmakers’ abilities to the max at this moment. But Liverpool need more in the way of build-up play.

Ryan Gravenberch is one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League, and he has excelled since Slot shifted his countryman into a deep-lying central berth.

But Liverpool are embroiled in a pressing conundrum this season, lacking the intensity and physicality and drive to recycle possession. This was painfully clear on Sunday against Manchester City, who outperformed Liverpool across almost every department.

The Merseysiders also look a bit lost, tactically. That’s a disquieting thing to say, and the dichotomy between Slot’s first and second terms at Liverpool are illustrated clearly through this point.

What Liverpool need is a genius midfielder to rival Gravenberch at number six and revive Liverpool’s energy and build-up and pressing. Gravenberch is great, but Fabinho’s presence is missed in the Liverpool midfield, that Brazilian anchor whose composure under pressure and crisp, intelligent distribution paid dividends under Jurgen Klopp.

It is perhaps for this reason that Hughes and FSG have centred their sights on Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the Portugal international ahead of the turn of the year and are willing to offer a staggering €130m (about £114m) fee. Arsenal and Juventus are also understood to be keen on the 25-year-old.

This won’t be an easy one to pull off, of course. Vitinha is contracted to the Parc des Princes until 2029, and he is considered by PSG to be one of their most untouchable players.

What Vitinha would offer Liverpool

Vitinha is rather good at football. It seems obvious that he would raise the level of Liverpool’s midfield, having dominated under Luis Enrique’s wing, winning a historic quadruple last season and continuing to dazzle at the heart of the PSG super-team this term.

Described by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez as being “the best midfielder in the world”, Vitinha has been instrumental in Paris’ golden footballing age, playing 169 times across all competitions for the club since joining from Porto for £34m in 2022.

Here is a midfielder who has played in the Premier League before, featuring 19 times and starting five of those fixtures in 2020/21 while on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

This was a bit-part role for a young and raw player. Vitinha is now levels above that one-time player whose passing and skill have found a maturity befitting a team at the very top of the European pyramid.

It is such a player who could turn things around for Liverpool, perhaps even establishing himself as the Redmen’s finest midfielder since those days of Fabinho in Klopp’s system.

These players do not share that many stylistic similarities, but Fabinho was considered among the finest in the world when tackling his way through the Premier League, and Vitinha, as mentioned already, is believed by some to be the very creme of the world crop, finishing third in the men’s Ballon d’Or rankings this year.

1.

PSG

Ousmane Dembele

2.

Barcelona

Lamine Yamal

3.

PSG

Vitinha

4.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah

5.

Barcelona

Raphinha

This is a midfielder who can do it all. His passing is out of his world, and his is a scholarly footballing mind. As per data-led platform FBref, Vitinha ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe over the past 12 months for pass completion, passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 9% for shot-creating actions and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90.

Moreover, Vitinha has won 60% of his ground duels in Ligue 1 this season, emphasising the underrated combativeness to his game.

Gravenberch is mobile and crisp on the ball and progressive when the right chance presents itself, but he is not as skilled on the ball as Vitinha, and while Klopp’s heavy-metal system demanded an enforcer like Fabinho, Slot’s more centralised build-up patterns demand a profile like Vitinha, especially now Trent Alexander-Arnold has up and left.

This is why Vitinha would be such a credit to the project, very much becoming Slot’s own version of Fabinho without matching the 32-year-old, who now plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, in regard to the deeper analytical dive of his playing style.

The ripple effect of such an acquisition would be astounding. Energy and movement and belonging would give rise to the likes of Konate and Van Dijk’s latent brilliance as a defensive partnership. Vitinha would direct play and orchestrate from the middle. Here you would find Wirtz unlocking his skills once again, and the web of passing patterns would strengthen across the central and attacking thirds.

Liverpool said their farewells to Fabinho a time ago, and success has been had in the years since his sale. But Liverpool miss him still, and while Vitinha is a wildly different profile, his technical skills and ability to navigate his way through intense pressure underscore the importance of getting this one over the line and reviving the Slot machine.

More than Wirtz: £36m Liverpool star is becoming a "serious issue" for Slot

Liverpool were condemned to a fifth defeat in six Premier League matches at the Etihad.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 10, 2025

عزز روني باردجي وفيران توريس تقدم برشلونة بالهدفين الثالث والرابع أمام ريال بيتيس، خلال اللقاء الذي يجمع بين الفريقين ضمن منافسات الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

ويجرى اللقاء بين الفريقين على ملعب لاكارتوخا، ويحتل برشلونة صدارة ترتيب الدوري الاسباني بـ37 نقطة، ويحتل ريال بيتيس المركز الخامس بـ24 نقطة.

ونجح السويدي روني باردجي في استغلال تمريرة بيدري، في الدقيقة 31 ليسدد بقدمه اليمنى في شباك ريال بيتيس.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | في 112 ثانية.. توريس يسجل هدفين ويقلب تأخر برشلونة أمام ريال بيتيس

وفي الدقيقة 40، أحرز فيران توريس الهدف الرابع لبرشلونة والهاتريك له، بعد تسديدة رائعة من خارج منطقة الجزاء.

وكان ريال بيتيس قد تقدم عن طريق أنتوني في الدقيقة 6، وتعادل فيران توريس لبرشلونة في الدقيقة 11، وأضاف الهدف الثاني له في الدقيقة 13.

وكان هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة قد دخل اللقاء بتشكيل مكون من: جارسيا، بالدي، جيرارد مارتن، كوبارسي، كوندي، بيدري، جارسيا، يامال، باردجي، راشفورد، فيران توريس.

Western Australia have lost seven wickets and are still 54 runs behind after the second day’s play

AAP05-Oct-2025Stumps Western Australia opener and Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft might have fallen victim to a bizarre dismissal in the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales.After rain ruined most of day one, 14 wickets fell on Sunday in Perth to put the visitors narrowly in front. Resuming on 35 for 3, New South Wales were dismissed for 170 and then had Western Australia floundering at 116 for 7.Bancroft mirrored New South Wales opener Sam Konstas as Ashes top order hopefuls who did not advance their causes in their first innings at the WACA ground.The Western Australia opener had made 10 when a superb delivery from opening bowler Ryan Hadley appeared to have him caught behind. But replays suggested the noise might not have been an edge, but the ball glancing the off bail on the way through to wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes.The bail wobbled, but stayed put – meaning Bancroft would have been not out had he not nicked the ball.In better news for Test hopefuls, Western Australia allrounder Cameron Green took a wicket in four overs on Sunday – his first bowling at first-class level since his back surgery late last year.Will Salzmann top-scored for New South Wales with 43 and Gilkes made 36 for them, while Ashton Agar took three wickets late in the innings.Agar (18) and Matthew Kelly (20) came together with Western Australia struggling at 84 for 7, surviving to stumps.Hilton Cartwright made 34, while Hadley had taken 3 for 29 from 12 overs.