Tag Futebol

Just about every contending team will have added a bullpen arm before the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline hits Thursday. Baseball, especially October baseball, is increasingly about bullpenning. Want to know how much differently postseason baseball is played from just a decade ago? Here you go:

The scarcity of starting pitchers who can win a postseason game, not just manage it by facing 18 batters or fewer, is what makes the deadline so fascinating. Swing-and-miss relievers are easy to find. Trading for an impact starter is much harder.

Last season, 11 starting pitchers were traded in the week before the deadline. Only four of them started a postseason game: Alex Cobb, Zach Eflin, Jack Flaherty and Frankie Montas. They combined for nine starts, with their teams going 4–5 in those games. Flaherty was a difference-maker for the world champion Dodgers. They went 3–2 when Flaherty started.

Many teams are looking for the next Flaherty, most likely the Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Astros and Blue Jays. I’ll give them some help in the search.

Below you will find the top starting pitchers most likely to be traded. I include whether the likely price of acquisition is worth the trade and what the acquiring team needs to do to make the deal work .

Seth Lugo is off the board after signing an extension with Kansas City. I don’t believe it’s likely the Twins will trade Joe Ryan, or the Nationals will trade MacKenzie Gore. I am looking only at pitchers likely to start one of the first three games of a playoff series, so while Charlie Morton of the Orioles, Andrew Heaney of the Pirates and Adrian Houser of the White Sox are likely to get moved, I don’t put them in the top tier. Happy shopping.

MORE: MLB Trade Candidate Rankings and Deadline Predictions

Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

Worth it? No.

The Fixes

1. Get the four-seam fastball higher

Alcantara throws his four-seamer about as often as the sinker. The four-seamer is a much bigger problem, especially when compared to his last full season. Like Spencer Strider, another post-surgery power pitcher, he doesn’t have that A+ top-rail heater yet. And when you miss slightly lower in the zone, those heaters get hit.

Alcantara Four-Seam FB

MPH

BAA

Height

Arm Angle

2022

98.0

.233

3.08

32.7°

2025

97.5

.313

2.81

30.6°

It might well be the case that Manchester City look to reinforce in attack over the January transfer window. It was not really an area of focus for the East Mancunian side over the summer transfer window, with Rayan Cherki the only attacking player joining the club.

They’ve added to their attacking depth over the last few transfer windows, bringing the likes of Savinho and Omar Marmoush to the club.

However, they have played just 644 minutes combined in the Premier League, and it seems Pep Guardiola is still looking to add to the depth in forward areas.

Thus, the Citizens have been linked with some big-name attackers.

City’s latest transfer target

It seems like City aren’t afraid to splash the cash as they look to improve the quality of their attack.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

One player who has been linked is Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with Guardiola’s side reportedly considering a £70m move for the Brazilian.

However, another player the Citizens are linked with is RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. According to a report from Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, City are said to be one of the clubs that have the Ivorian winger ‘in their sights’ ahead of a potential transfer.

Yet, this deal will be neither cheap nor straightforward. Several of City’s Premier League rivals are keen on the 19-year-old, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, with other clubs not named.

The fee will be astronomical, too. Leipzig are reportedly set to ask for upwards of £87m, and hold strong negotiating power because there is no release clause in his contract.

Why Diomande would be a good signing

If City were to pay the fee for Diomande, there is certainly evidence to suggest it would be a good piece of business and would strengthen out wide.

Despite being just 19 years of age, the winger is already a “defender’s nightmare” according to football scout Antonio Mango, having also been described as a “generational” talent by journalist Bence Bocsak.

It has been a really strong start to the season for the Ivorain winger. He’s shone for Leipzig, making 11 appearances across all competitions and racking up 11 goals and assists in that time. That includes six goals and three assists in 14 games in the Bundesliga.

One of the benefits of Diomande’s game is the fact that he can play on either flank. It is no secret that Guardiola likes the versatility in his attackers, and that is something the Leipzig number 49 would be able to offer the Catalan coach

Signing Diomande could be a brilliant alternative to Rodrygo for City.

Of course, the Los Blancos winger is one of the most reputable in the world, with over 100 goals and assists in less than 300 games for the Spanish giants.

He ended his 32-game goalless run against the Citizens in the Champions League last week, showing how deadly he can be at his very best.

After the game, Guardiola said he told Rodrygo himself “how good he is” and described him as “a player from another level.”

Naturally, that fuelled conversion surrounding a City move for the Brazilian. However, if that doesn’t materialise, signing Diomande could be an apt alternative.

He is equally as effective when it comes to chance creation and is arguably even more direct.

Indeed, that is something backed up by the numbers on FBref, where the two players are similar. This season, the Ivorian has completed 4.24 successful take-ons and played 1.41 key passes on average per 90 minutes.

In comparison, Rodrygo only averages 2.56 take-ons and plays 1.4 key passes each game.

Diomande vs Rodrygo

Stat (per 90)

Diomande

Rodrygo

Key passes

1.41

1.4

Progressive passes

4.04

3.26

Goal-creating actions

0.81

0.23

Take-ons completed

4.24

2.56

Ball recoveries

5.76

4.42

Stats from FBref

No matter who City sign, they are going to have to pay a large fee, such is the nature of the market and the fact that selling teams can demand a large fee. Yet, £87m may be seen as a real investment for Diomande.

He is a quick, direct winger who loves to take defenders on one-vs-one. It will encourage City that he already has impressive final third output, too.

At just 19 years of age, he is an investment for the present and future.

Related Man City offer Real Madrid shock swap deal to sign "the next De Bruyne"

He’s impressed under Xabi Alonso.

Posts ByTom Cunningham 7 days ago

After 36 years of being banned from baseball, MLB will reinstate Pete Rose as well as "Shoeless" Joe Jackson from the league’s ineligible list, reported first by ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. on Tuesday. This decision comes after Rose's family requested the reinstatement in January following the baseball legend's death in September.

Rose hoped for reinstatement for decades, and now he gets his wish posthumously.

With his reinstatement, Rose is able to be considered for a Hall of Fame ballot that would be voted on in Dec. 2027. But, first, he needs to be nominated by the Hall’s Historical Overview Committee to even have his name be on a ballot.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred met with President Donald Trump weeks ago after Trump expressed his desire to pardon Rose. While Manfred stayed hush on the meeting for weeks, he finally announced his decision. He gave more explanation behind the decision in the MLB's statement, with it mostly coming down to the fact that Rose has since died.

"In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list."

Rose's ban began on August 24, 1989 when Rose voluntarily accepted a lifetime ban from baseball commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti due to accusations that he gambled on games while playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds. He was alleged to have bet on his own team. In 1991, the Baseball Hall of Fame voted to ban everyone on the permanently ineligible list from induction, which barred Rose's selection during his first year of eligibility. Rose admitted in 2004 that he had bet on baseball games, claiming he placed bets with bookies on Reds games as often as five times a week while managing the team in 1987.

"While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner's Office," Manfred wrote. "My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti's expectations of that agreement."

Rose pushed for reinstatement multiple times before his death last year. He first applied in 1997, but commissioner Bud Selig never issued a ruling. Rose then applied again in 2015, but Manfred rejected the reinstatement during his first year as commissioner.

During his playing career, Rose became one of the most accomplished baseball stars in history. Over the course of his 24-year career, he racked up 17 All-Star bids, three batting titles, two Gold Gloves, National League MVP (1973) and three World Series titles with the Reds in 1975 and '76 and with the Philadelphia Phillies in '80. He retired after 1986 as MLB's all-time leader in hits (4,256), singles (3,215), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), and plate appearances (15,890).

One manager who has previously hailed Swansea City supporters is open to the idea of replacing Alan Sheehan in south Wales.

Swansea City managerial latest

The search for a new permanent Swans manager is underway after parting ways with Sheehan on Tuesday following a poor start to the Championship campaign.

A club statement on Tuesday read: “In the wake of a disappointing run, it is felt results and performances do not meet the standards expected at this stage of the season, and we have had to take this difficult decision.

“The process to appoint a new head coach is already under way. We will update supporters on this process once it has been concluded.”

CEO Tom Gorringe and head of recruitment Adam Worth are leading the search for Sheehan’s successor, with Hammarby manager Kim Hellberg the favourite to come in during the international break.

Talks have been held with the 37-year-old who at this stage appears to be one of the frontrunners after initial discussions.

Swedish coach Hellberg isn’t the only name, though, with former managers Russell Martin and Brendan Rodgers out of work at this moment in time, as well as former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.

Russell Martin open to Swansea City return

According to the BBC, Martin is open to the idea of returning to Swansea, more than two years on after leaving for Southampton.

The outlet states that Martin ‘remains a popular figure among players and staff at Swansea’, however, a move back to south Wales for the available manager ‘is unlikely’ despite still having ‘many admirers within the club’.

The Swansea owners are the ones who are seemingly against a return for Martin, who was sacked from Rangers earlier this season following a disastrous short tenure at Ibrox.

The 39-year-old did take Southampton to the Premier League in his first season in charge before being sacked in the top flight by the Saints. Martin has actually taken charge of more games for Swansea than any other club in his managerial career and clearly has a soft spot for Jacks supporters.

Club

Games

Points per game

MK Dons

80

1.38

Swansea

99

1.35

Southampton

73

1.58

Rangers

17

1.24

Following a draw at Huddersfield during his time in charge, Martin was full of praise for the Swansea supporters.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has clarified whether he will be joining the cast of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here contestants in 2025. The ex-England international saw his wife Coleen star on that show last year, with her stock soaring after a runner-up finish, and it has been suggested that Wayne could tread a similar path to the Australian jungle.

• Packed schedule: Why Rooney has never appeared on I'm A Celeb

  Rooney has never previously been in a position to accept an offer from ITV due to his commitments in professional football. After representing the likes of United and Everton as a player, he moved into coaching with Derby when retiring in 2021. He has since spent time in the dugout with D.C. United, Birmingham and Plymouth.

  He was calling the shots at Home Park when Coleen headed Down Under in 2024 – leaving him watching on from afar as she was subjected to Bushtucker Trials. Rooney left that role in December 2024 and has since returned to punditry duty with Match of the Day and Amazon Prime.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Angryginge & Aitch: Rooney would have fun in Australian jungle

  He could now be lured to Oz, having seen what his wife had to go through, with close friends Angryginge and Aitch reported to be among the contestants being lined up for an I’m A Celeb stint in 2025. Rooney is, however, adamant that he will not be heading to New South Wales on this occasion.

  Speaking on , he said of potentially joining YouTube star and passionate United fan Angryginge in the jungle: “I spoke to him last night and he was still in England so I don't know if he is… No, Ginge is a great lad and I've seen who's linked as well, so if he is in there I'm sure he'll be really entertaining. If he's in it and Aitch is in it as well, I'm gutted that I didn't go in because I think the three of us could have been real fun in there.

  “I'd be all right with the food situation, but I get bored and some of the challenges, you know, the snakes and there was one a few years ago with the big ostrich. I wouldn't like that. I love the show and obviously Coleen was in it last year and maybe at some point but not this year, unfortunately.”

• Would Rooney like to appear on I'm A Celeb?

  Rooney has previously said of stepping out of his comfort zone and into the world of reality TV: “Definitely not Strictly! I can’t dance. But, no, (I’m A Celebrity) is something I would never say no to, of course.

  “I think I said on the after show when Coleen was in the jungle, that was the one we’ve always watched and the one we both said if there was anything we’d do it’d be that. So, you never know in the future, but I’ve got other things I’m looking at at the minute.”

  Coleen is benefitting from her time in Australia, having won a new legion of followers, with one of the most famous WAGs in English football now considered to boast greater marketing appeal than her legendary husband.

  Celebrity and PR expert Chad Teixeira has told : “If she continues to play her cards right, the next five years could see her earning up to £40 million across various ventures. She’s no longer just ‘Wayne Rooney’s wife’ – she’s a brand in her own right.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty/GOAL
  

  Punditry & Disney documentary: Rooney's immediate future

  That rise to prominence has allowed the Rooneys to sign a reported £10m ($13m) deal with Disney+ for an ‘At Home With’ documentary series. Wayne will be stepping in front of the cameras there, with an insider telling : “They could be bigger than not just the Beckhams, but the Kardashians. Obviously, Wayne’s work as a manager hasn’t gone as they’d have hoped, but they’re seeing this as a new chapter. There’s been so many rumours and so much drama around them, they’re going to set the record straight on a few things too.”

  With that production still to come, and match coverage duty to contend with during the current Premier League campaign and 2026 World Cup, it looks like being at least 12 months before Wayne considers a bid to better Coleen’s efforts on I’m A Celeb.

Could this finally be Arsenal’s year? Certainly, Mikel Arteta’s side have started the season strongly, imperious in defence and well-oiled across the park.

In the Premier League and out on the continent too, the Gunners are proving their mettle, and with 13 points from 15 possible in recent league clashes, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about what is to come in north London.

Arteta has already earned his flowers as one of Europe’s finest tacticians, and though he is still searching for silverware after winning the FA Cup shortly into his reign five years ago, the Spaniard’s genius cannot be understated, having fashioned the Emirates back into a superpower.

Now, the onus is on crowning this exciting era with silverware. Arsenal, after all, boast one of the finest, most complete squads in the country, and the acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres seems to have filled the long-standing hole at number nine.

He’s had his criticisms, these first few months back in England, but the Sweden international is undoubtedly a top-class striker.

Viktor Gyokeres' start at Arsenal

Long and frustrating was Arsenal’s search for an elite centre-forward. But they have snagged their man, ending the long wait this summer when securing Gyokeres’ signature, signing him from Sporting Lisbon for £63m.

The 27-year-old once failed to cut the mustard at Brighton & Hove Albion, but he was a star for Coventry City in the Championship and he scored 97 goals across 102 matches in two years with Sporting, winning the Liga Portugal title both terms.

He’s been something of a mixed bag for Arsenal so far this term, having gone four matches without a goal in the league after netting three from four to start the campaign off; however, his brace against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week emphasised his ability in the final third, a physical, commanding focal point.

Early on, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville remarked that Gyokeres would be a handful for many Premier League defences this season, but that he might struggle against the cream of the Premier League crop.

Gyokeres is good enough to score goals against any opponent, but there’s a ring of truth to this, for sure. He lacks the technical fluency of, say, Kai Havertz, who in turn does not boast the same kind of goalscoring sharpness as the summer recruit.

Arteta has options up top, but all this has got us thinking of what-could-have-been down at the Emirates, with Arsenal letting one of the finest strikers in world football slip away before he had even come close to breaking through the surface on the professional stage.

The former Arsenal prospect who's now better than Gyokeres

When you think of England captain and striking superstar Harry Kane, you think quite quickly of Tottenham Hotspur. Kane is, after all, Spurs’ club-record goalscorer.

But, the not-quite-so-little-known fact of his days being schooled with Arsenal, having been reared as a youngster among the bottom floors of the Hale End academy before being released and finding a new home with the Lilywhites.

The rest is history. Outscored only by Alan Shearer in the Premier League and miles ahead as the Three Lions’ top scorer in history, Kane is one of the greatest forwards of his generation, now leading the line at Bayern Munich after many years of service in his homeland.

It’s futile to look at all the up-and-coming prospects and keep all within your grasp as a professional football club. Furthermore, it’s easy to use hindsight to criticise the departure of one who grows into a “world-class striker”, as Kane has been hailed by statistician Statman Dave, among many more.

But it’s a rueful one all the same, especially considering who the striker ended up with, where he made his name.

Kane’s is a narrative that tells itself. Long without silverware at Tottenham, he nonetheless forged incredible individual success, scoring so many goals for club and country.

But the move to Bayern Munich has been a fruitful one. Now he has tasted silverware. Now his stock is rising higher still. After a prolific debut campaign in Bavaria, the 32-year-old has taken his game up another notch, and defences across the continent simply can’t cope.

Harry Kane

7

12

Erling Haaland

8

11

Kylian Mbappe

9

10

Joaquin Panichelli

8

7

Antoine Semenyo

8

6

Mason Greenwood

8

6

Julian Alvarez

9

6

Arsenal showed through the summer signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace that they are willing to welcome former Hale End talents back to the club. However, Kane’s connection to Tottenham may preclude him from making that move, should he come back to the Premier League in the next few years.

Should that hypothetical scenario be realised, though, there’s no question that Kane would prove an upgrade on Gyokeres, taking the #14 shirt from the Swede. Not just a deadly, unstoppable goalscorer, the veteran is one of the finest technicians around, able to drop deep and influence play with a wide range of passes.

As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 7% of strikers across Europe for shot-creating actions and the top 6% for progressive passes per 90.

Arteta has yet to realise the crowning achievement that many anticipate is coming, building, toward a crescendo. With Gyokeres completing the attacking set, Arsenal have the tools to get the job done.

But with Kane leading the line, there’s no telling how high Arteta’s side might reach.

Bergkamp 2.0: Arsenal's "magic" star can turn Gyokeres into the new Henry

Could Arsenal’s “magic player” alongside Viktor Gyökeres replicate the club’s best-ever attacking partnership of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp?

ByBen Gray Oct 25, 2025

يستأنف فريق برشلونة الإسباني مشواره في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، مساء اليوم الأربعاء، حين يلاقي خصمه كلوب بروج البلجيكي.

ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا على كلوب بروج، ضمن مباريات الجولة الرابعة لمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا موسم 2025-2026.

وخاض برشلونة ثلاث مباريات في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وحقق الفوز في مواجهتين وتعرض للهزيمة في مباراة واحدة، ويملك ست نقاط.

وكلوب بروج لعب ثلاث مباريات بالبطولة الأوروبية، وحقق الفوز في مباراة واحدة وتعرض للهزيمة في مواجهتين، ويملك ثلاث نقاط.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، متأخرًا بفارق 5 نقاط خلف المتصدر ريال مدريد، ويدخل لقاء اليوم بعد فوزه أمام إلتشي بثلاثية لهدف في الجولة الحادية عشر لليجا. موعد مباراة برشلونة وكلوب بروج 

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الحادية عشر مساءً بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة وكلوب بروج

تذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN sports 1. معلق مباراة برشلونة وكلوب بروج 

خليل البلوشي.

ويمكنك متابعة مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من خلال مركز المباريات من هنا.

Lamine Yamal marked his return with an assist as substitute Ronald Araujo rescued a late win for Barcelona against Girona, sparing a wasteful Marcus Rashford's blushes in the process. In a frantic end to the game, that Barca won at the death 2-1, head coach Hansi Flick was sent off – a costly red card that means he'll be forced to watch next week's Clasico from the stands.

Injury-hit Barca were looking to end a two-game losing run and all without Joan Garcia, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and Raphinha, with Flick forced to name a weakened team as a result. Yamal, who was back in action after injury, did make the starting XI, though, and provided his fourth assist of the season for Pedri early in the first half as the hosts made their dominance count. 

Girona were level in the 20th minute through an acrobatic Axel Witsel effort and could have doubled their advantage had Wojciech Szczesny not made smart stops to deny Vladyslav Vanat and Portu in quick succession. Rashford then smashed a free-kick off the crossbar on the half-hour mark as the Blaugrana aimed to make home advantage count.

Barcelona continued to huff and puff after the break, with Fermin Lopez, who was introduced at half-time, looking lively having struck the woodwork shortly after the restart. Pau Cubarsi then saw a second-half goal ruled out, while Rashford fluffed his lines from close range as Girona came close to securing an unlikely point.

However, the resolve was broken in second-half injury time as Araujo bagged a late winner and Barcelona's superiority paid off at the death.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys…

Villarreal-Barcelona in Miami: Pre-sale Oct. 21

Ticket access

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):

  Could do little to prevent Axel Witsel's sublime equaliser. Made two smart stops to deny Vladyslav Vanat and Portu in quick succession shortly after Witsel's goal. Was rarely tested in the second half.

  Jules Kounde (6/10):

  After a solid first half, the Frenchman was caught ball watching and had to recover quickly to block a Bryan Gil effort behind for a Girona corner minutes after half time. Did well to win possession high up the pitch that almost resulted in a Lamine Yamal goal. 

  Eric Garcia (5/10):

  Needed Szczesny to bail him out having played Portu onside but did just enough to put the Girona forward off his stride. Even so, he struggled with the high defensive line before being moved into midfield.

  Pau Cubarsi (6/10):

  Should have done better to prevent Witsel's first half strike having lost the Belgian. Did get forward with a driving run to force Girona back that almost resulted in a goal. Saw a second half goal ruled out for a foul. 

  Alejandro Balde (7/10):

  Kept Bryan Gil quiet in the opening 45 minutes. Pushed forward effectively and was a tad unfortunate not to register an assist. Came off for Gerard Martin for the final knockings.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Pedri (8/10):

  Bagged his second league goal of the season early on, with his low drive leaving Paulo Gazzaniga rooted to the spot after some nice footwork in the Girona box. Withdrawn midway through the second half. 

  Frenkie de Jong (7/10):

  Drove the home side forward well from the middle of the park and forced Gazzaniga into a first half good save. Pushed forward down the right brilliantly to provide a late assist for Ronald Araujo

  Marc Casado (6/10):

  A solid if unspectacular showing. He kept Barcelona ticking over in the midfield without needing to break into a sweat.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Lamine Yamal (8/10):

  Took just 13 minutes to impact the game upon his return to the starting XI, providing an early assist for Pedri. Forced Gazzaniga into action 10 minutes after the interval before he was taken off on the hour mark. A bright return to action for the 18-year-old.

  Toni Fernandez (3/10):

  A subdued first half, bar a nice touch for De Jong to test Gazzaniga. Was withdrawn at the break for Fermin Lopez.

  Marcus Rashford (6/10):

  Struck the crossbar with a fine free kick on the half-hour mark. Pushed through the middle for the second half but didn't look quite as comfortable as he does out on the left. Fluffed his lines after being picked out brilliantly by Roony Bardghji but almost made amends moments later as he was denied by Gazzaniga at the near post. Even so, the on-loan forward looked lively and was unfortunate not to score.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Fermin Lopez (7/10):

  Replaced Toni Fernandez for the second half. Came close to putting Barca ahead shortly after the restart as he struck Gazzaniga's near post with a low drive. 

  Andreas Christensen (6/10):

  Solid in possession but did little of note after his introduction. 

  Roony Bardghji (6/10):

  Almost made an immediate impact as he found Marcus Rashford with a fine trivela cross.

  Gerard Martin (6/10):

  Wasn't significantly involved in the game after coming on.

  Ronald Araujo (8/10):

  Replaced Marc Casado for the final 10. Barcelona's saviour in second half injury time to secure all the spoils.

  Hansi Flick (7/10):

  Was forced to name a weakened XI due to injuries but watched his side dominate regardless. Second half subs made a difference as Ronald Araujo rescued victory. Sent off in second half injury time meaning he'll be forced to watch El Clasico from the stands.

The external noise around Liverpool’s decision to sign both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak this summer is curious, to say the least.

Already the volume has been cranked up as rivals look to pounce on any slight sense of a puncture to the harmony of Arne Slot’s squad, with both strikers billed as being among the best in the Premier League and indeed across Europe.

Ekitike is the understudy, but the French forward has scored five goals and laid on an assist across his first eight matches in a Liverpool shirt, starting six times.

He arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for a hefty £69m fee, but that figure is minnowed by the record-breaking signing of Isak from Newcastle United, who, pre-season-less, has only started twice so far, scoring his first in the Carabao Cup against Southampton on Tuesday evening.

They are both in contention to take the talismanic berth from Mohamed Salah in the coming years, but then the Egyptian King hasn’t hung up his Liverpool laces just yet, and still wears the crown.

Salah's Liverpool future

In April, Salah extended his Liverpool contract, which now runs until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. In the months leading up to the joyous renewal, many thought he would leave on a free, and Virgil van Dijk too.

But Salah stays, having scored 34 goals and supplied 23 assists across all competitions last season, winning the full gamut of individual accolades and lifting the Premier League title for the second time in a Liverpool shirt.

It’s been a somewhat slow start to the season for the right winger, with his ageing legs being considered by some as a reason behind the ostensible decline.

Decline? Salah has scored three goals and provided three assists across seven matches so far this season, and he now carries less responsibility on his shoulders, with Ekitike and Isak jostling for a place in the starting line-up and thus

Even as he embraces his veteran status, Salah remains a valuable commodity on the transfer front. Indeed, according to Transfermarkt, he is still worth £44m.

Isak and Ekitike, young and rising superstars, dwarf him, but there’s another forward in Liverpool’s squad whose market price has shot up in recent times, and he’s an underrated gem for Slot, no doubt about it.

Liverpool's underrated forward

Liverpool are a team of many parts, with Slot and Richard Hughes clearly focusing on establishing greater strength in depth, so as to not only defend the Premier League title claimed last year but also challenge for the various prizes dotted about other forks in the road.

There has been plenty of talk about Ekitike playing off the left, allowing both him and Isak to work together. The former is a central striker, but his athleticism and pace lend themselves to such a role, should he be required. According to FBref, Ekitike ranks among the top 7% of strikers across Europe for progressive carries and the top 15% for shot-creating actions per 90.

But Liverpool, of course, have another who is more than competent on the left wing. In January 2023, Liverpool signed Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £35m fee.

Gakpo, 26, has chalked up 135 appearances since signing for Liverpool, scoring 42 goals and supplying 19 assists. His first term under Slot’s wing was indisputably his most productive, having posted 18 goals and seven assists across all competitions en route to the title.

And this while flitting in and out of the starting line-up. Gakpo ranked among the top 5% of positional peers in the Premier League last year for goals scored per 90.

He hasn’t started the campaign as prolifically as he might have liked, especially after notching a goal and two assists from his opening two games, blanking thereafter, but the Dutchman remains a real threat, so settled into his left-sided role for Slot.

25/26

5

1 (2)

24/25

35

10 (4)

23/24

35

8 (5)

22/23

21

7 (2)

But the underlying data from his showings thus far says much of his form, creating two chances and winning 7.2 duels per game.

He might not have Salah’s potency, nor the same degree of output as Isak or Ekitike, but Gakpo offers so much to this Liverpool side, with pundit Peter Crouch even remarking last season that he had “gone up a level” since Jurgen Klopp was replaced by Slot.

It’s hardly a surprise that the £35m fee paid now looks an absolute bargain, with Gakpo recorded to boast a market price of £61m.

Whether Liverpool would actually entertain the Netherlands star’s sale for a figure so comparatively low is up for debate, but it’s certain that he would not leave for a lesser figure.

It’s worth noting that Gakpo, praised by Klopp for his “special” qualities, is of an age akin to Salah’s when the experienced superstar first alighted on Merseyside. He still has so much room for growth, and that £61m price tag is hardly a fixed point as he enters his prime.

Liverpool fans are excited for the present, but Liverpool have built a team capable of challenging in the future too. Rio Ngumoha is a testament to that, the teenage winger billed as a prodigy.

However, ousting Gakpo from his berth will take some doing, and the Dutch talent will continue to thrive in a high-flying Liverpool side over the coming years, an unsung hero.

Now worth more than Guehi: Liverpool lost "superstar” for less than Quansah

Liverpool must regret parting ways with this iconic Jurgen Klopp talent.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 26, 2025

“The difference between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill is that Gill will take you right till the end,” Sanjay Manjrekar says

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Feb-20254:30

Manjrekar: There’s an air of dominance around Gill

Shubman Gill is a ” [one for the long haul]” and batting at just 60% is enough for him to score a century like he did in India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh. This is the assessment of Sanjay Manjrekar, who also feels that Gill gives the impression of being someone who will be around for a further 10-15 years while Shreyas Iyer doesn’t.”He [Gill] is batting at the right position to make a huge impact. When he gets a hundred, like today, it seems like there is plenty left in the tank,” Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo Match Day. “It was like 60% of Shubman Gill is enough to get a hundred like this and he stays till the end. That is the difference between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill that Gill will take you right till the end. He is somebody who you think is going to be around for 10-15 years. Shreyas Iyer, despite his obvious talent, doesn’t give you that impression.”Gill finished unbeaten on 101 against Bangladesh and guided India in their chase of 229 in Dubai. He faced 129 balls and hit nine fours and two sixes in his knock and ensured India got home with six wickets and 21 balls to spare. One of his two sixes – a front-foot pull off Tanzim Hasan in the ninth over – went into the second tier of the stands at deep-midwicket.Related

Gill on what makes him and Rohit tick: 'The way we play is quite different to each other'

Kumble: Time for India to start building for 2027 ODI WC

Gill ton helps India ace tricky chase after Shami five-for

Mohammed Shami roars back against injury and age

“Some of the shots he played, the good-length ball he hit and it went into second tier… the big game is at his beck and call,” Manjrekar said. “Can he be better in 50-over cricket as a batter? I don’t think so, what can be better than this?”In the company of Rohit Sharma, Gill started off quickly and raced to 26 off just 23 balls with four fours and a six by the time the first powerplay ended. But he slowed down when Bangladesh employed spin on a slowish track and kept an in-and-out field. He scored his slowest ODI fifty, off 69 balls, and then got to his hundred in 125 balls, the slowest for an India batter in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup. His ability to change gears impressed Manjrekar.”He’s got the class to do it [change gears],” he said. India are blessed with [a top three] who are also Test batters, so they can play different gears. Yashasvi Jaiswal, when he comes in eventually, is also a Test batter. So if the ball is swinging around in overseas conditions, they have the ability to see the new ball through and then handle the various situations. Shubman Gill is that kind of a player, he is not one-dimensional, he has all the gears and we saw him do that today as well. He is a guy at the top of his 50-over-cricket prowess and he does it very calmly. There is an air of dominance and surety with the way he bats and finishes games.”Shubman Gill dug deep for his slowest ODI hundred•AFP / Getty Images

Former India legspinner Anil Kumble was impressed by the restraint Gill showed against spin. Bangladesh had offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and legspinner Rishad Hossain, and Gill scored only 34 off the 56 balls he faces against them, hitting just the one four. But he took 28 singles that helped him tick along.”The other thing that was noticeable today was generally when he sees the offspinner he steps out and launches it over long-on, midwicket,” Kumble said. “He didn’t want to take the risk perhaps because of the pitch. He felt that that was the riskier option. Although Miraz is someone he would take on – we have seen it even in Test match cricket. He was constantly looking to just ease through and ensure he was there till the end. That was very noticeable even when the [required] run rate dropped a little bit.”Manjrekar agreed: “And also the ability to nick off singles, keep that scoreboard ticking. It is not that he plays the sweep shot a lot or the dab. He goes very traditional and loves to keep the bat straight. Even when he is playing the pull shot, the bat comes down very straight. A lot of his singles would be back-foot punches to long-on instead of playing just with soft hands. A guy who can get singles at will, can hit a six at will, has got a reasonably good defence for 50-over cricket, he’s the complete player at the moment.”2:30

Bumrah or Gill – who should be India’s next ODI captain?

There would have been slight jitters in the Indian camp when they slipped from 112 for 1 to 144 for 4 in under eight overs but Gill kept his calm and saw the chase through, which earned plaudits from Kumble.”He’s been brilliant, especially in this format. The elegance and the ease with which he got that hundred on a difficult pitch,” he said. “I don’t think it was a true pitch where the ball was coming on nicely. It was on the slower side and you had to make adjustments, yet he was middling the ball and timing it so well.”The best part about Shubman Gill was he ensured he saw the game through. It was not like he wanted to get going, get runs [and get out], we have seen that before. That is the maturity he has brought into the game. Hope this is the start of a fantastic season for him and India, because when you play the first match in a tournament and you get a hundred not out and you are there till the end, it augurs well.”