Andre Adams had previously hit a 20-ball fifty for Auckland against Otago back in 1997-98

Deivarayan Muthu31-Mar-2025Northern Districts’ Scott Kuggeleijn has broken the record for the fastest (known) fifty, in terms of balls, in New Zealand first-class cricket with his 19-ball effort against Otago in the final round of the 2024-25 Plunket Shield in Dunedin. Former New Zealand allrounder Andre Adams had previously hit a 20-ball half-century for Auckland on his first-class debut against Otago back in 1997-98.Promoted to open the batting alongside captain Jeet Raval – this was the first time that Kuggeleijn was batting above No.4 in first-class cricket – Kuggeleijn led ND’s push for victory, and the Plunket Shield title, with 71 off 26 balls at a strike rate of 273.07.Kuggeleijn whipped the fourth ball he had faced from Matthew Bacon for six and in the seamer’s next over, Kuggeleijn hit full tilt, taking him for two sixes and as many fours. ND headed to lunch on the third day on 38 for 3 in three overs, with a lead of 304. Upon resumption, Kuggeleijn lined up left-arm fast bowler Andrew Hazeldine, swatting him for a brace of boundaries.Kuggeleijn then charged to a sub-20-ball fifty when he launched Hazeldine for another six in the sixth over. ND were 70 for 0 at that point, with Raval on 14 off 16 balls at the other end. This was Kuggeleijn’s second half-century in the game, having already scored an unbeaten 53 off 32 balls in ND’s first-innings 411 for 7 declared.Otago made the opening breakthrough when Jarrod McKay had Raval holing out. ND then bumped Neil Wagner, who was playing his last domestic fixture in New Zealand, up to No.3 and gave him the license to have a free hit. Wagner joined the fun, cracking three sixes during his unbeaten 27 off 11 balls.Kuggeleijn had looked good for his fifth first-class hundred until Toby Hart intervened. The debutant bounced Kuggeleijn out from round the wicket, but by then ND’s lead had already crossed 350.Wagner dragged it past 400 with his blows in the company of Bharat Popli, who made an unbeaten 21 off 13 balls. Otago used four bowlers with each of them having economy rates of ten or more.ND tightened the screws on Otago when they were reduced to 103 for 3; Otago were 120 at 3 at stumps on the third day in their pursuit of 407. In his last innings in New Zealand domestic cricket, Wagner had Dale Phillips, the brother of New Zealand international Glenn, caught in the cordon with a back-of-a-length delivery that reared up and left him in the channel.Raval then bowled both opener Jacob Cumming and No.3 Luke Georgeson with his part-time legspin. Fourteen of his 40 first-class wickets have come in the last two rounds of the Plunket Shield. Midway through the 37th over, Kuggeleijn pulled up with a potential injury, with Raval calling up part-timer Robert ‘Donnell to complete the over. Thanks to Kuggeleijn’s record-breaking knock with the ball, though, ND are still ahead in the race to the Plunket title.ND have a chance to send Wagner off with the Plunket title on Tuesday. Wagner, though, will continue to remain active as a player in county cricket in England, having re-signed with Durham.Ahead of the 2024-25 domestic season, Kuggeleijn had opted for a casual contract with ND to make himself available for franchise cricket outside of New Zealand. As a result, he missed the Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, and instead turned out for Dubai Capitals in the UAE’s ILT20 and won the title with them. Prior to that, he represented Sudur Paschim Royals in the Nepal Premier League.After having completed his franchise commitments, Kuggeleijn linked up with ND for the one-day Ford Trophy and four-day Plunket Shield.

Big picture: Rematch of the IPL 2024 finalThe last time Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) met, it was in the IPL 2024 final. But three games into IPL 2025, they are at the wrong end of the points table. SRH are eighth and KKR tenth, and the only team either of them have beaten is Rajasthan Royals, sandwiched in between at ninth.For defending champions KKR, their whole batting line-up has been fragile. Last season, their opening partnership set games up by averaging 43.9 at a strike-rate of 207. This season they are averaging 15.3 and striking at 100. The batters between Nos. 4 to 8 – which includes the retained quartet of Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell and Ramandeep Singh – are averaging 17.22 and striking at 117.3. They appear to have picked up a vulnerability to the short ball too. Nine of the 12 KKR dismissals to fast bowling this season are to balls pitched between the 8 and 10 metre mark or shorter.SRH have had poor powerplays with both bat and ball. The shots off Abhishek Sharma’s bat have sounded sweet but he has scored only 31 runs in three innings. Against Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, their batters kept attacking even as wickets tumbled to finish with totals that turned out to be below-par. Their fast bowling was supposed to be an upgrade but they’ve not made an impact in the first six overs. Their powerplay economy (11.4) is the poorest among all teams this year, and even with the quality of Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel, the economy rate (11.7) of their pace attack is in the doldrums. Only RR’s quicks (11.8) have fared worse.Although both teams are facing similar issues, their approaches remain different. Cummins said after the last defeat that SRH will not change their batting plan, while KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo said on match-eve their batters will have to move beyond being aggressive and be crafty. Thursday will show which philosophy succeeds.3:12

Cricinformed: Are Sunrisers selling themselves short?

Form guide

Kolkata Knight Riders LWL
Sunrisers Hyderabad LLW

Team news: No major injury concerns

SRH are expected to back their primary XII, but the type of pitch (more on that later) could dictate whether they play Adam Zampa, Wiaan Mulder, seamer Simarjeet Singh or spinner Zeeshan Ansari. Anrich Nortje, KKR’s fastest bowler, is still not match ready.Kolkata Knight Riders: (probable) 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4 Venkatesh Iyer, 5 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Spencer Johnson, 11 Varun Chakravarthy, 12 Vaibhav AroraSunrisers Hyderabad: (probable) 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Aniket Verma, 6 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7 Abhinav Manohar, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Wiaan Mulder/Adam Zampa, 10 Harshal Patel, 11 Mohammed Shami, 12 Simarjeet Singh/Zeeshan Ansari

Big question

Adam Zampa made a return to the IPL on the back of great performances since 2024. In that period, his 50 appearances have brought 76 wickets at a strike rate of 14.3 and economy of 7.7. He is especially useful between overs 7-16 since 2024, where he has bowled 80% of all his overs. Is it time for him to be a permanent fixture in SRH’s line-up?

In the spotlight: Aniket Verma and Andre RussellNitish Kumar Reddy was SRH’s standout domestic player in 2024 and the team has found another exciting talent in Aniket Verma this season. Even with wickets tumbling, Aniket, bought for INR 30 lakh, has found a way to smash bowlers. His 13-ball 36 against LSG was a trailer of what would follow as he went on to hammer a 41-ball 74 against DC. Aniket has been among the most destructive players of spin in IPL 2025, hitting them for a boundary once every three balls, at a strike rate of 238. His 11 sixes against spin is second only to Nicholas Pooran’s 12. With KKR possessing Narine and Varun Chakravarthy in their bowling XI, will Aniket continue his dominance?2:47

Bangar: Don’t see any change in SRH’s approach

Since the end of IPL 2024, Andre Russell has scored only 586 runs in 41 T20 games at an average of 18.9. He also has just nine runs in two innings this IPL. Last season, Russell had given KKR power at the death, averaging 31.20 with a strike-rate of 185. His highest score in IPL 2024 of 64 not out came against SRH at Eden Gardens.

Pitch and conditions: Turn on the cards?

The surface at Eden Gardens has been in focus over the last week. The pitch that was used in the season opener against RCB backfired on KKR, with the captain Rahane asking for something slower that would suit the team’s spinners. Two pitches have been prepared for this fixture, both having very little grass, which suggests the team’s demand may well have been met.

Key Stats: SRH’s dependency on their openers

• KKR won all three games against SRH in IPL 2024: one league game, the first qualifier and the final. KKR have also won eight of the last ten matches against SRH.
• KKR have the second-lowest powerplay run-rate (7.8) this season, ahead of only CSK’s 7.4. They also have the joint worst powerplay bowling strike-rate of 54.
• Travis Head has the second highest strike-rate against fast bowling (206) since IPL 2024 (min. 100 balls faced). Abhishek Sharma has the best IPL strike-rate of 206 for the first ten deliveries of an innings (min. 75 balls)
• Heinrich Klaasen has never been dismissed by Sunil Narine in five IPL innings, scoring 34 runs off 22 balls. Against Varun Chakravarthy, Klaasen has scored 35 runs off 20 balls, but has been dismissed once.
• SRH have an 80% win record when both Head and Abhishek survive the powerplay. It drops to 71% when one of them is dismissed and dips to 17% when both are out.

Quotes

“The bowlers have an attacking plan, but also have a defensive plan. When we are under pressure, you will see our bowlers go to a defensive plan. But when we are also picking up wickets, we will continue to try and pick up more.”
“Our team is suited to play an aggressive style, but we don’t speak about 300 as an expectation that are put on us by other people. We try to play a positive brand of cricket. It’s a strength of ours and we try to double down on our strengths.”

أعلن تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، تشكيل مباراة خيتافي، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه النادي الإسباني نظيره خيتافي، مساء اليوم الأحد، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا ثقيلًا على خيتافي، في إطار منافسات الجولة التاسعة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا” للموسم الجديد 2025/2026.

اقرأ أيضًا | “العميل السري”.. نيكو باز يبعثر أوراق يوفنتوس قبل صدام ريال مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا

ويتصدر رجال ألونسو جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا” برصيد 21 نقطة بفارق نقطتين عن برشلونة، الذي يحتل المركز الثاني برصيد 19 نقطة.

ويغيب المدافع الإسباني دين هويسن، عن ريال مدريد بسبب الإصابة التي تعرض لها رفقة المنتخب خلال فترة التوقف المنقضية. تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام خيتافي في الدوري الإسباني

في حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا.

خط الدفاع: فيدريكو فالفيردي – إيدير ميلتاو – ديفيد ألابا – ألفارو كاريراس.

خط الوسط: تشواميني – جود بيلينجهام – كامافينجا.

خط الهجوم: فرانكو ماستانتونو – كيليان مبابي – رودريجو.

The last 12 months have certainly been tumultuous for Tottenham Hotspur, whether that be on the field under various managers or even off the field and in the boardroom.

Ange Postecoglou ended the Lilywhites’ 17-year wait for a trophy, but it wasn’t enough to maintain his position at the helm after finishing 17th in the Premier League.

Thomas Frank was brought into the club during the summer, starting a new era to try and build on the Europa League success endured at the back end of the previous campaign.

However, another new era looks set to commence off the field, after chairman Daniel Levy stepped down in recent days after spending 25 years in the role.

Many of his decisions during his time in North London have been questionable to say the least, but his move to land Djed Spence now looks to be a fantastic piece of business.

Djed Spence’s rise to stardom at Spurs

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs completed the £20m signing of right-back Spence from Championship outfit Middlesbrough – in a move that didn’t go down well with manager Antonio Conte.

The Italian was unhappy with the addition, even stating that he didn’t want to sign the player and subsequently excluding him from his plans for the 2022/23 campaign.

After just six first-team outings that year, he left to join Rennes on loan, before also spending the entirety of the following season on loan at Leeds United and Genoa respectively.

However, the injury setbacks endured during Postecoglou’s reign last season gave the 25-year-old an opportunity to showcase his talents – something which he grabbed with both hands.

Spence ended up making 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, even scoring his first Premier League goal in the win over Ipswich Town back in February.

Such a turnaround has been remarkable, especially considering he nearly left during Conte’s time at the club – with Frank now reaping the rewards of the hierarchy’s faith in the full-back.

The defender subsequently made his first England appearance in the triumph against Serbia on Tuesday night – further showcasing the sensational rise he’s endured in North London over recent months.

The player who could be Frank’s new Spence

After taking the reins during the summer, Frank will need time to implement his system that saw him take Brentford from the depths of the Championship to a consistent Premier League outfit.

However, glimpses of his tactical ability have already been evident, even beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad in just the second game of his tenure in North London.

He’s not been afraid to make big calls in recent weeks, even putting faith in striker Richarlison to make an impact after the Brazilian was hugely touted with a move away from the Lilywhites.

The 28-year-old already has two goals and an assist in his first three league games of 2025/26 – subsequently keeping summer addition Mathys Tel out of the starting eleven.

The Frenchman moved to the Lilywhites permanently during the off-season after spending the second half of last campaign on loan under Postecoglou – scoring three times in his 20 appearances.

However, it’s not been all plain sailing for the 20-year-old since his return to the club, failing to make a single start and being restricted to just 19 minutes of first-team action to date.

Tel’s misery has been further compounded in recent weeks, after being left out of the 25-man Champions League squad – a decision that has undoubtedly been a shock to the fanbase.

He gained a reputation for being a talented youngster at Bayern Munich, leading to one analyst claiming he can become “one of the world’s best”.

His recent snub from Frank’s side will certainly put his future at the club into huge doubt – suffering the same fate as Spence during the early months of his own spell in North London.

Mathys Tel – Spurs career so far

Statistics

Tally

Games played

21

Minutes played

1287

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Yellow cards

3

Red cards

0

Average rating

6.75

Stats via FotMob

However, the right-back is evidence that players can still succeed even if they fail to make the best first impression, with Tel needing time to fulfil the potential he arrived with.

Offloading the Frenchman in the near future would be a huge mistake, potentially turning into a world beater with regular minutes away from the Lilywhites.

Competition for places isn’t a bad scenario for Frank to have, but it’s crucial he doesn’t neglect Tel’s talents, subsequently needing to manage his talents if the player is to follow in Spence’s footsteps.

Related Frank rates him very highly: Spurs must regret selling their answer to Rice

Tottenham Hotspur may regret offloading a star whom Thomas Frank has previously praised.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 9, 2025

The summer transfer window has been a turbulent one for Newcastle United.

Having worked tirelessly to strengthen multiple areas of the squad, the Magpies remain under pressure to solve their most glaring issue: the centre-forward position.

After a protracted saga with Alexander Isak, Newcastle have found themselves scrambling for solutions.

The opening two fixtures highlighted the depth of this crisis. Despite playing well against Aston Villa and Liverpool, Newcastle lacked a clinical edge.

The situation was made worse when makeshift striker Anthony Gordon was sent off against the Reds, leaving 22-year-old William Osula as the only recognised forward.

For a club intent on challenging at the top end of the Premier League, such frailty up front was unsustainable. That urgency forced Newcastle’s hand.

Out of nowhere, a £69m deal was struck with Stuttgart for Nick Woltemade, the towering 23-year-old who had impressed in the Bundesliga and at the European U21 Championships.

Bayern Munich had bids rejected for the forward earlier in the summer, but conversations with Eddie Howe convinced him that his future lay on Tyneside.

Now in a race against time to complete his medical and join the squad for Saturday’s clash with Leeds, Woltemade has the potential to be transformative.

Yet Newcastle’s ambitions do not stop with the German international.

Reports in Italy suggest the club tested the waters for one of Europe’s most decorated strikers – though the answer was swift and emphatic.

Newcastle make move for top-level striker

According to Calcio Mercato, Newcastle made an audacious approach to the camp of Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan’s talismanic striker.

The response, however, was one of firm rejection. Alejandro Camaño, the Argentine’s agent, did not return the Magpies’ call – a clear indication that Martínez’s focus remains solely on the Nerazzurri.

The refusal is hardly surprising.

Transfer Focus

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

Martínez is not only Inter’s captain but also he is a player adored by supporters and widely considered indispensable.

Podcaster Angelo Valdes recently described him as “the best No. 9 in the world,” a sentiment shared by many who have watched his rise since arriving in Serie A.

The timing of Newcastle’s approach is also telling.

Inter are still recovering from a bruising campaign in which they lost the Serie A title to Antonio Conte’s Napoli on the final day and fell to a humbling 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Letting go of their most consistent goal threat was never a realistic proposition, particularly given his contract security and market value of around €95 (£90m) million.

Strong interest remains in Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, though both clubs have shut the door firmly this summer.

In that context, the dream of pairing Woltemade with Martínez might have seemed appealing – but in reality, it was always a step too far.

Why Woltemade would have thrived with Lautaro

While the Argentine international may be out of reach, Newcastle’s recruitment of Woltemade still provides intriguing possibilities.

Standing at 1.98m, the German forward offers a physical presence that contrasts with Martínez’s dynamism and low centre of gravity.

Both, however, are effective in their own right, and a comparison of their output last season reveals the distinct qualities they could bring to a top-level side.

Martínez’s pedigree is undisputed. At 28, he boasts 70 international caps for Argentina, with a World Cup winner’s medal from Qatar 2022.

Across 336 appearances for Inter Milan, he has delivered 154 goals and 51 assists – a record that speaks volumes about his consistency.

Statistically, Martínez excels in areas beyond pure goalscoring.

He averaged 2.39 progressive passes per 90 and 2.70 shot-creating actions, while his defensive contribution – 1.05 tackles per 90 – illustrates his work rate out of possession.

He is not the archetypal penalty-box poacher but a complete forward capable of linking play and setting the tone with his pressing. By contrast, Woltemade is still carving out his identity.

His 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart last season marked a breakthrough, and his performances at the U21 European Championships confirmed him as one of Germany’s most promising attacking talents.

His statistical profile highlights his potential versatility: 1.72 progressive carries per 90, 2.89 progressive passes, and an eye-catching 4.38 shot-creating actions.

His 50% shot-on-target rate was also superior to Martínez’s, suggesting efficiency when chances came his way. The differences extend to physicality and style.

Where Martínez relies on sharp movement and explosive bursts in the box, Woltemade thrives on aerial duels, hold-up play, and the ability to bring others into the game.

At nearly two metres tall, he offers a target-man option that Newcastle have lacked, particularly useful when matches become attritional.

His weakness, however, lies in defensive contribution – registering just 0.56 tackles per 90 compared to Martínez’s 1.05.

For Howe, this presents both challenges and opportunities.

Integrating a young striker into the Premier League is no easy task, but Woltemade’s profile complements Newcastle’s existing attacking talent.

Should Isak depart – as appears inevitable – a partnership between Woltemade and another dynamic forward could provide the balance required to keep Newcastle competitive domestically and in Europe.

What this episode ultimately reveals is Newcastle’s growing ambition. Contacting the representative of one of the world’s premier strikers may have ended in rejection, but it signals intent.

Coupled with the acquisition of Woltemade, alongside earlier arrivals such as Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale, and Anthony Elanga, the Magpies are determined to push forward despite setbacks.

Bruno will love him: Newcastle open talks to sign "£100m-plus footballer"

Newcastle could make an ambitious late move, much to the benefit of Bruno Guimaraes.

By
Will Miller

Aug 29, 2025

Celtic have agreed a deal to sell a Champions League player following their qualifier defeat to Kairat Almaty.

Rodgers frustrated as Celtic miss out on Champions League football

The Hoops missed out on a fourth consecutive Champions League campaign after being stunned by Kairat Almaty on Tuesday evening. After 210 minutes of goalless action, Celtic lost on penalties, with Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda all having their spotkicks saved by Kairat’s 21-year-old second-choice goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov.

Talking after the defeat in Kazakhstan, Rodgers described the defeat as a “huge blow”. “It’s very frustrating. We showed a glimpse of what we can do at this level but we haven’t been able to show that over the course of these two games.

“It’s bitterly disappointing, because we were on the right track last season and working really well and playing really good football, so to not be in there this season is a huge blow for us. We missed a massive opportunity over these two games.

“I thought overall it was a poor game. The pitch made it awful. We were defensively OK but couldn’t quite make the breakthrough. We had good chances, especially in the second half and extra-time, and when it goes to penalties anything can happen.

“We just have to reflect on opportunities that we didn’t take and we have to settle for the Europa League.”

There is still time for Celtic to bring in further signings before Monday’s transfer deadline, and former Hoops star Stiliyan Petrov thinks Rodgers is short of “four or five classy players”.

“I think they’re short probably four or five classy players with good quality. Celtic has always paid attention to developing players, giving them time, but they have those players. Now they need quality. They need players who can make a difference.”

Celtic agree deal to sell Mitchel Frame

According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, following the Hoops’ defeat to Kairat Almaty, Celtic have now agreed to sell teenager Mitchel Frame to Aberdeen.

Those at Parkhead have included a “significant sell-on clause”, with the full-back into the final 12 months of his current Glasgow deal.

Frame actually made his Celtic debut in the Champions League against Feyenoord back in 2023, but since then, hasn’t featured under Rodgers.

Medical now booked: Celtic have agreed deal to sign their next Izaguirre

Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to sign a star who could be their next Emilio Izaguirre.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 26, 2025

A regular for Celtic B in last season’s Lowland League, Frame will now be looking for more senior game time at Pittodrie.

Liverpool might have ‘won’ the transfer window, but so often Premier League sides have flattered to deceive after spending liberally across the summer months.

In fairness, Liverpool lost the Community Shield against Crystal Palace last month and looked shaky in defence across their opening couple of fixtures. Florian Wirtz, £116m signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has yet to come alive.

That’s one way of looking at it. There’s also the fact that the top-flight champions have claimed nine points from nine to head into the international break at the summit, with Hugo Ekitike having scored three goals and supplied an assist across his first four appearances in Red.

Liverpool ended their incredible summer window with the record-breaking signing of Alexander Isak, who joins from Newcastle United on a £125m deal. However, some might feel that Ekitike might have already nailed down a starting berth, with three goals and an assist from four appearances.

He’s not the finished article, but Liverpool saw a chance to sign the burgeoning French forward and acted, with the view that he could soon become one of the very best in the business.

Why Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike

After playing so confidently as Eintracht Frankfurt’s senior striker last season, talent scout Jacek Kulig remarked that Ekitike “could definitely reach world-class striker levels”.

Many feel that the jump from a division like the Bundesliga to the Premier League can be a step too far for some talented young players, but Ekitike is not part of that crowd and has indeed been one of Liverpool’s best players so far this season, scoring three goals and supplying one assist across his first four matches.

His fast start shouldn’t detract from the fact that the 23-year-old Ekitike is a work in progress, with his performance against Arsenal last weekend leaving much to be desired, failing to take a shot, blowing both attempted dribbles, completing two passes and losing six of eight contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Still, Isak’s going to have his work cut out on Merseyside this season, battling for a starting spot with this rising France striker.

Players like Isak and Wirtz are almost outliers in Liverpool’s transfer strategy, both having arrived on record-breaking deals this summer. There lies the truth of Liverpool’s new position of strength at the top of the food chain.

But Ekitike, though arriving for a hefty figure, has several years of development to undertake before he reaches the refined level of someone like Isak.

Liverpool saw an opportunity and they snatched at it. As is FSG’s way. Just look at the transformational signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion two years ago.

Liverpool struck gold with Alexis Mac Allister

Admittedly, Liverpool forked out a far prettier penny for Ekitike, wowing the Premier League when landing World Cup hero Mac Allister from Brighton for just £35m.

Jurgen Klopp oversaw the move, shipping off some of Liverpool’s long-standing midfielders in a clearout which sparked this new wave of success, Slot taking the wheel.

And while Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo have all played roles of differing, yet noteworthy, importance, none have exuded Mac Allister’s control, composure and quality across the full span of their time on Merseyside.

The Argentina international’s first Premier League term with the Reds, he stabilised the ship. Then, after a change in management, the £150k-per-week talent played a talismanic part in winning the top-flight title, so authoritative and dynamic in the middle of the park.

Matches (starts)

33 (31)

35 (30)

Goals

5

5

Assists

5

5

Touches*

74.2

55.8

Pass completion

88%

87%

Big chances created

3

6

Key passes*

1.4

1.3

Dribbles*

0.5

0.5

Ball recoveries*

5.9

4.2

Tackles + interceptions*

4.1

3.3

Ground duels (won)*

5.0 (50%)

4.3 (50%)

Shifting between midfield berths was never going to pose a problem for the South American, whose technical qualities and athleticism lend themselves to different roles. Pundit Joe Cole took note of this, remarking that the “superstar” is adept enough to “play anywhere” he is tasked to perform.

He might not be positionally comparable to Mac Allister, but Ekitike might be required to occupy various positions in a similar way, jockeying for a place with Isak at the front of the Liverpool ship.

However, his early foray into life in Red certainly suggests that Ekitike has both the talent levels and the adaptability to thrive under Slot’s leadership, as has been the case for Mac Allister over his two differing years at the club.

Renowned for his shooting ability and maestro-like vision in the middle of the pitch, Mac Allister has also been one of the division’s consistent tacklers over his time at Liverpool, finishing sixth with 94 won last season and sixth with 98 during the 2023/24 season.

Is it any surprise that the former Seagull’s market value will have risen exponentially over these past few years? Indeed, according to Football Transfers, the 26-year-old is worth a jaw-dropping £116m fee right now, bearing testament to his progress across the past several seasons.

In fact, not only is Mac Allister worth a lot more than Ekitike, who might be hoped to follow a similar path, but the difference in value between Mac Allister’s £35m signing and his current worth exceeds the entire sum Liverpool paid Frankfurt for their Les Bleus forward just over one month ago.

That goes to show that Mac Allister made the right decision in furthering his career at Liverpool, and that Ekitike too could find himself falling into a similar ballpark, especially after his promising start to life in Red.

For now, though, Mac Allister is the man with the shiny price tag, having quietly put himself alongside the cream of Liverpool’s crop, those such as Isak and Wirtz.

Forget Leoni: Liverpool have a homegrown Guehi in 18-year-old "Rolls-Royce"

Liverpool may have to look inwards after missing out on signing Marc Guehi on deadline day.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 2, 2025

Manuel Neuer was left helpless as Mislav Orsic fired a spectacular strike past him during Bayern Munich’s 5-1 Champions League win over Pafos. The veteran goalkeeper later offered a cheeky explanation in a lively exchange with a reporter, insisting there was little he could do to stop the goal, while, Bayern’s stars Harry Kane and Michael Olise shone once again in a dominant performance.

• Orsic stunner beats Neuer

  Bayern eased to a commanding 5-1 win over Pafos in the Champions League, but the Cypriot side still found their moment of glory. Croatian forward Orsic unleashed a thunderous strike from more than 20 metres, sending the ball into the top-right corner past a rooted superstar German goalkeeper Neuer. It was Pafos’ only breakthrough of the evening as Bayern’s class ultimately proved too strong.

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  Neuer explains himself with cheeky lesson

  After the game, Neuer was asked if the strike was unstoppable. He initially answered with a firm “Yes,” but when pressed further, he gave a more detailed explanation with a cheeky jab at the reporter. 

  “Is that why you reacted a little late?” asked the journalist. Neuer shot back: “No. Have you ever been in goal before?” When the reporter admitted he had not, Neuer quipped: “That’s a shame.”

  He then explained: “[Orsic] takes a swing and lets the ball slide over his instep. The shot should have gone in my direction, but because it slides over his instep, you only see late that it goes off to the right.” Turning to the wider press group, he joked: “You’ve played football before, so you know what I’m talking about. So that’s the short answer to the question.”

• Kane, Olise and Kimmich dominate in Champions League win

  While Neuer’s exchange grabbed attention, Bayern’s outfield stars ensured the win was beyond doubt. German star midfielder Joshua Kimmich controlled the midfield with precision passing and sharp interceptions, keeping the tempo high alongside Aleksander Pavlovic. English hero Kane produced another masterclass with two clinical finish, underlining why he remains Bayern’s talisman. While, Olise was arguably the standout performer, directly contributing to four of Bayern’s goals with two assists and one super strike of his own. Nicolas Jackson also got on the scoresheet, marking his first goal for the club since joining from Chelsea.

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  Bundesliga run to face the real challenge next

  For Neuer, the evening was largely uneventful aside from Orsic’s stunner. Bayern’s second straight Champions League win leaves them top of the group with an 8-2 goal difference after two games. Attention now shifts back to the Bundesliga, where Vincent Kompany’s men face a tough test against Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. In Europe, their next fixture sees them take on Club Bruges as the Bavarians look to extend their perfect start.

MatériaMais Notícias

O desafio do Fluminense por encaixar uma formação ideal passa por traçar a rota do meio de campo. O técnico Fernando Diniz tem testado variações de olho no confronto com o Coritiba, que acontecerá nesta segunda-feira (24), pela décima-sexta rodada do Brasileirão. Lima e Martinelli disputam a vaga entre os titulares.

Em uma rodada na qual o Tricolor das Laranjeiras pode saltar na classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro, quem ficar com a vaga terá a missão de distribuir passes com agilidade e dar fôlego para o quarteto Ganso, Arias, Keno e Lelê. Para isso, a dupla tenta se desdobrar nos treinos.

Martinelli tem se mostrado combativo na marcação sempre que é necessário. Além disso, ajuda a dar passes com perigo para a frente, sem deixar de ajudar a manter a equipe consistente. O atleta também foi improvisado na lateral esquerda nesta temporada.

Lima, por sua vez, tem se desdobrado como volante, armador e ponta. O camisa 45 também chama atenção por suas finalizações de fora da área.

Em um momento no qual o Fluminense encara um Coritiba que é traiçoeiro, Fernando Diniz luta para achar a melhor forma de levar os tricolores ao caminho da rede. E isso passa pela consistência do meio de campo.

Somerset batter records fifth-highest score in Championship history

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Apr-2025Worcestershire 154 and 280 for 5 (Hose 81, D’Oliveira 71*) trail Somerset 670 for 7 dec (Banton 371, Rew 152, Abell 52) by 236 runsSomerset’s Tom Banton registered the fifth-highest score in County Championship history when finally dismissed for 371 on the third day of the match with Worcestershire at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.Unbeaten on 344 overnight, the 26-year-old England white-ball international, extended his boundary count to 56 fours and two sixes, facing 403 balls before his wicket saw Somerset declare their first innings on 670 for 7, with a lead of 516. Only Brian Lara (501 not out), Archie MacLaren (424), Sam Northeast (410 not out) and Graeme Hick (405) have produced bigger innings in Championship cricket.In the face of such a daunting deficit, Worcestershire slipped to 116 for 4 in their second innings before a spirited recovery to 280 for 5, still 236 behind. Former Somerset player Adam Hose led the fightback with 82, while Brett D’Oliveira made 71 not out and Kashif Ali 51. Jack Leach claimed 3 for 69.Day three of this Rothesay County Championship opener began under cloudless skies, with the home side electing to extend their imposing first innings score of 637 for 6 and lead of 483, giving Banton the chance to build on what was already the highest individual score by a Somerset player.He rode his luck with a couple of skyers that fell safe and moved to 350 with a single off Tom Hinley, having faced 392 balls. Lewis Gregory, unbeaten on 30 overnight, was dropped at long-off, as he and Banton extended their seventh-wicket stand beyond the century mark.Banton smacked Hinley for only the second six of his marathon innings, which had spanned eight hours and 42 minutes by the time he was caught behind off the same bowler attempting a cut shot. Every Worcestershire player shook his hand as he left the pitch with the 21st highest score ever in first-class matches to his name.There were a minimum of 88 overs left in the day and Worcestershire were soon in trouble as, with their total on 16, Gareth Roderick was pinned lbw by Craig Overton. Despite that wicket falling to seam, Leach’s left-arm spin was introduced as early as the eighth over, clearly viewed as Somerset’s chief threat on a dry pitch.He didn’t disappoint, striking with the second ball of his sixth over with the score on 40, which squeezed past the inside edge of Jake Libby’s bat to hit his back pad and led to another successful leg-before appeal.It was 58 for 2 at lunch, with Kashif Ali and Ethan Brookes at the crease. Both batted positively and were looking well set when making elementary errors in the afternoon session.First Brookes, on 35, top-edged a sweep shot off Leach and presented a straightforward catch to Sean Dickson at deep backward square to make it 95 for 3. Then Kashif, untroubled in reaching an 85-ball half-century with eight fours, advanced down the pitch to the England spinner and drove in the air straight to Overton at mid-off.Kashif stood transfixed, aghast at surrendering his wicket for 51 on such a placid pitch. But if Somerset’s bowlers thought the hard work was done, Hose and D’Oliveira soon proved them wrong.By tea, they had taken the total to 191 for 4, Hose having marked his return to Taunton with a fluent fifty off 68 balls, including eight fours and a six. D’Oliveira was unbeaten on 27 and the stand worth 75.Hose, who ended a promising Somerset career by electing to join Warwickshire in 2017, continued in the same fashion after the interval, while D’Oliveira looked equally confident in moving to a half-century off 93 balls, with six fours.Keeping the ball on the ground, the pair had hardly played a false stroke when the second new ball became due with the score 257 for 4 after 80 overs and their partnership extended to 141. It accounted for Hose, lbw to a Kasey Aldridge yorker having faced 151 balls and hit 12 fours and a six.