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Real Madrid have been handed a timely boost ahead of their Club World Cup Round of 16 tie against Juventus, as Brazilian wonderkid Endrick has rejoined the squad in Florida. The 18-year-old striker has recovered from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for over a month and will now continue his reintegration under Xabi Alonso in Palm Beach, Florida.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Endrick rejoins Real Madrid squad after hamstring injury recovery
• Won’t face Juventus but eligible for Club World Cup
• Xabi Alonso assessing youngster's fit ahead of new season

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Endrick has officially joined Real Madrid's training camp in Palm Beach after completing a month-long rehab for a hamstring injury. While it is likely that he won’t feature against Juventus on Tuesday in their Round of 16 clash in the Club World Cup, his return is seen as a major step toward full match readiness.

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• RealMadrid.com
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Endrick was included in the Club World Cup squad before the FIFA deadline; however, he is unlikely to be risked right away. Xabi Alonso is keen to assess the young forward's fitness and his fit within his evolving side ahead of the new season as Los Blancos look to dust off their horror 2024/25 season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Endrick had remained in Madrid working with club physios since the start of the Club World Cup. Gonzalo Garcia has stepped up during the group stage, netting twice in Kylian Mbappe's absence, meaning Endrick will need to impress in training to earn his minutes under the Basque coach.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ENDRICK?

  Endrick will train with the full squad over the coming days as Alonso decides when to ease him back into action. He may not play in the Juventus clash on Tuesday, July 1, but his progress will be closely watched throughout the tournament, and he could even be loaned out this summer.

da bet vitoria： Leeds United are currently preparing for a huge summer transfer window as they look ahead to trying to avoid instant relegation from the Premier League.

da poker： The Whites won the Championship title, with a staggering 100 points, with their win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day, and now have a top-flight season to look forward to.

Daniel Farke and his staff must recruit players who they feel can bolster the squad to improve their chances of survival, and the West Yorkshire outfit are reportedly looking to bring a former star back to Elland Road.

Leeds considering move for Premier League midfielder

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds United are “considering” a deal to sign Manchester City defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

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The reporter claims that the England international would be “ready” to return to West Yorkshire ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, having left the club to join the Cityzens in the summer of 2022.

Bailey’s report on The Boot Room adds that a permanent deal would be difficult for the Whites to do, because the midfielder has three years left on his contract at The Etihad, and that they are currently eyeing up a loan move for their former academy graduate.

Phillips has spent the current season on loan with Ipswich Town, who have already been relegated from the Premier League, but his previous form for Leeds in the top-flight suggests that he could star alongside Ao Tanaka at Elland Road.

Why Kalvin Phillips could thrive with Ao Tanaka

The Japanese midfielder enjoyed a fantastic season in the Championship with the Whites and showed potential to make the step up to the Premier League, with his passing and defensive qualities.

Tanaka ended the 2024/25 campaign with a pass completion rate of 90% and a duel success rate of 55% across 43 appearances, which shows that he was efficient in and out of possession in the middle of the park.

Leeds will need their midfielders to be reliable on the ball and strong off it in the top-flight, as they will be battling against relegation, and that is also why Tanaka could thrive alongside a physical operator like Phillips, who was once dubbed “exceptional” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Stats

Phillips (20/21 Premier League)

Tanaka (24/25 Championship)

Appearances

29

43

Pass accuracy

85%

90%

Tackles per game

2.6

2.2

Interceptions per game

1.6

1.3

Duels won per game

5.3

4.5

Duel success rate

52%

55%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English maestro’s defensive form for Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign was even more impressive than the current Leeds star’s in the second tier this term.

This suggests that the potential is there for them to be a robust midfield pairing who can provide protection in front of the back four, whilst also being reliable with their passing into the front players, which could be needed as they battle it out for vital points.

Of course, there are question marks over whether or not Phillips can get back to that level, having struggled of late in loans with Ipswich and West Ham, losing 57% of his duels in the top-flight for the former and 52% of his battles for the latter.

Perhaps a return to familiar surroundings at Elland Road, where he has been successful at the top level in the past, could help him to return to form.

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Signing him on loan, therefore, could be a worthwhile gamble and one that could pay off for Leeds and Farke as it could result in him and Tanaka forming an impressive midfield partnership.

As PIF get ready to truly flex their financial muscles for the first time since their arrival, Newcastle United are now reportedly in pole position to sign another attacking addition after Antonio Cordero.

Newcastle set to sign Cordero

Already getting what could be a busy summer of business underway, Newcastle are now reportedly set to complete the signing of Cordero from Malaga – fending off interest from both Barcelona and Real Madrid. The talented young winger chose to complete a move to St James’ Park over the two Spanish giants, highlighting just how far the Magpies have come in recent years.

They’re not done there, however, with reports coming thick and fast over further potential reinforcements in the coming months which includes links surrounding Luis Henrique and Facundo Medina.

The former would be a particularly interesting signing after the season that he’s had at Marseille. Whilst Rayan Cherki has stolen the spotlight at times, Henrique has quietly gone about his business and scored nine goals on top of his eight assists in all competitions.

What Newcastle are now doing in busy race to sign 7-goal gem after Cordero

He’s a future star…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 15, 2025

Seemingly doing enough to earn a place on Newcastle’s radar, the Brazilian is certainly one to watch in the coming months. Attack certainly looks to be the focus for those at St James’ Park this summer, given that they’re already set to sign Cordero and links are already emerging with the likes of Henrique.

It’s a focus which has also seen Newcastle turn their attention towards a Premier League rival too, and one who would offer Eddie Howe an instant upgrade within his frontline.

Newcastle leading race to sign Mbuemo

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Newcastle are now in pole position to sign Bryan Mbeumo this summer in a deal worth as much as £50m. The Bees have reportedly accepted the winger’s inevitable exit with a number of sides now lining up to secure what would be one of the most impressive Premier League signings of the summer.

Speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey revealed: “There’s a quiet acceptance at Brentford that he’s the next one out. Do they let Wissa and Mbeumo out? It’s possible this summer.

“I think Brentford have stagnated a bit, to say they’ve had a disappointing season would be a little bit harsh, but they have plateaued and I do expect Mbeumo to go this summer.

“There’s an awful lot of interest in him; are Newcastle furthest ahead in that interest? I think there’s a case they are at this point, but we know Arsenal have looked at him, and I think for Liverpool, if Salah had left, Mbeumo would have been an option there.”

Dubbed “unplayable” by Brentford boss Thomas Frank in December, the interest in Mbeumo should come as no surprise and he’s someone that Newcastle should be going all out for in the coming months.

Liverpool and high-class forwards have long stood in a productive affinity, even before Jurgen Klopp changed Anfield’s direction, previously spiralling out of control under Brendan Rodgers’ wing.

There have been many. Mohamed Salah is the cream of the Premier League’s attacking pool right now, indeed one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history, but Arne Slot’s recognised strikers, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, have been beset with problems this year.

Nunez, in particular, has been a massive let-down. No transfer figure spent in Liverpool’s long history stretches north of the Uruguayan, who joined from Benfica for £85m in 2022 but, now aged 25, is set to depart this summer having failed to ever reach his potential.

He certainly hasn’t succeeded in replacing Bobby Firmino, one of the greatest modern forwards to grace Merseyside.

Why Bobby Firmino was so special

Liverpool signed Firmino from German club Hoffenheim for £29m in 2015, months before Klopp’s appointment changed everything.

Silky and stylish, he was perfect for Klopp’s gegenpressing style of football, an industrious worker, an intelligent technician and a balletic dancer across the frontline.

Distinctive and the connecting axis from which Salah and Sadio Mane swooped and struck from either flank, the Brazilian left at the end of his contract in 2023 with a legacy that most players could only dream of.

His brilliance is all the more sorely missed due to Nunez’s failure to live up to the billing, and Liverpool appear to yearn for that presence at number nine, ramping up their interest in the next version of the South American star.

Liverpool lining up their next Firmino

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are looking to repeat their Firmino trick in signing an up-and-comer from the Bundesliga this summer, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike in FSG’s scope.

Ekitike has been one of the most talked-about forwards of the current campaign, with his performances catching the eyes of numerous high-profile suitors. Liverpool scouts, indeed, were in attendance when he scored against Tottenham in the Europa League one week ago.

And it’s thought that Liverpool are now moving the 22-year-old up to the top of their summer shopping list, though they would be required to fork out €85m (about £73m).

Why Hugo Ekitike would be perfect for Slot

Alexander Isak would be the dream. But dreams aren’t often bedded in reality, and Newcastle United’s £150m demands are sure to act as a strong repellent on FSG.

And that’s completely fair enough, especially when Ekitike – who data-driven site FBref record as one of Isak’s most statistically similar players – is ostensibly available for half the price.

One of the most attractive parts about Isak’s skill set is that he can marry varying parts of the striker’s game, unleashing himself as a truly dynamic and fearsome force.

Ekitike can be that focal point for Liverpool, indeed replicating Firmino in the process.

Ekitike, like Bobby Dazzler, would be signed from Germany as an up-and-coming attacking talent, albeit with a higher stock.

But the likeness doesn’t end there. Ekitike is not just “one of the best strikers out there,” according to analyst Ben Mattinson, but his protean approach mirrors that of Firmino’s, with Frankfurt correspondent Christopher Michel piling on the praise and claiming “his technique is one of the best in Europe and his foot is like glue for the ball.”

Having struggled to get going as a youngster at Paris Saint-Germain moved on loan to Frankfurt for the latter half of the 2023/24 season before signing permanently for a reported €35m (£30m) fee.

The first impression at his new home was one of promise. He struggled to acclimatise as winter turned to spring, though he finished the campaign off on firm footing, firing home in four of Frankfurt’s final five league matches of 2023/24, assisting in the other.

This season, the seeds of success have bloomed, with the France native having posted 21 goals and nine assists across all competitions, showcasing a balance of output that Firmino would be proud of.

Let’s look at how the players compare. Firmino didn’t play all that much during his final season at Liverpool but you can clearly see the similarities between the two silky forwards, with Ekitike actually proving he has a charged athleticism that could outstrip the Brazilian even in his heyday.

Matches (starts)

28 (26)

25 (13)

Goals

14

11

Assists

5

4

Touches*

34.9

31.2

Shots (on target)*

3.6 (1.4)

1.6 (1.0)

Big chances missed

12

6

Pass completion

77%

80%

Big chances created

9

4

Dribbles*

1.6

0.5

Ball recoveries*

3.1

4.7

Tackles + interceptions*

0.8

1.0

Duels won*

4.0

2.0

This energetic and clinical quality would give Liverpool exactly what they need next season, easing Salah’s burden while giving the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz (should he stay put) greater license to strike on goal and raise their scoring numbers.

Ekitike is what Liverpool thought Nunez would be, and while he hasn’t yet step foot on Premier League grass, the talented Frenchman has the perfect skill set to front Slot’s system and the data to back it all up.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 9% for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for all of progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

To put that another, more digestible, way: Ekitike is technically gifted, an able runner who not only drives his way into dangerous positions but maximises his chances of making things happen once arriving at such crucial junctures.

Transfer Focus

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

He’s got Liverpool written all over him, and while £73m or thereabouts would put him among the Anfield side’s most expensive signings in history, the pointers suggest this would be a road worth heading down.

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ByAngus Sinclair Apr 17, 2025

It was a good night for the U.S. as they won their Gold Cup group, but it was a great one for Tillman as he stole the show

ARLINGTON, Texas – The moment the question wrapped up, all Mauricio Pochettino could do was sigh. He was speechless, he admitted. What else could he say about Malik Tillman that the player's game didn't say for all to hear on Sunday night?

One goal in the back of the net, making it three for the tournament as he runs towards the Gold Cup Golden Boot – the first three goals of his his USMNT career. Two more were ruled out somewhat harshly, one partly of Tillman's own doing for not fighting to really claim it. In the 2-1 win over Haiti on Sunday – a game that helped the USMNT finish 3-0 in the group stage – Tillman was unplayable, much as he was in the opener against Trinidad and Tobago.

So what else could Pochettino do but smile as he watches a star playmaker take yet another leap forward?

"Oof," he began. "It's so difficult to define him because what a player he is. What a player."

Tillman was the show-stealer at AT&T Stadium, and he'll likely end this summer with that same status. He was the star, the player who continues to boost his case. But he wasn't the only one. Heading into the match, Pochettino made four changes to his starting XI – this after using the same starting lineup in each of the first two group stage games. While one, Tyler Adams, has little to prove to anyone, the other three were all fighting for more – and each took their chance.

Now, with a week until the knockout rounds, Pochettino will do what he has been focused on all summer: building. The U.S. will play Costa Rica next Sunday in Minneapolis in the quarterfinals. The best news is that he has the 23-year-old Tillman to build around. And this U.S. team will now believe they are better than the one that started this summer.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from AT&T Stadium.

Getty Images SportWINNER: Malik Tillman

Although Pochettino couldn't find the words to describe Tillman as a player, the stats paint the picture.

There was the goal, of course, but that alone doesn't tell the story. He led the match in dribbles (three), tackles (three) and duels won (nine). He created a chance, had four passes into the final third and drew multiple fouls. If Tillman hadn't raised his hand and admitted it, a potential second goal may not have been ruled out for handball. If he had been a half-step closer to the ball, another finish wouldn't have been ruled out for offside.

It was a complete performance from Tillman on both sides of the pitch.

"He is showing in this camp his talent and capacity because he is this type of player with the talent to show this every single game," Pochettino said. "Then, the capacity without the ball, the work ethic in the way that he is really aggressive. He will cover a lot of the pitch. He's always trying to help the team press, chasing back, and playing different positions. He can appear like a No. 10 in training, but he can be between the lines, on the left or right side, dropping in as a No. 8 or a No. 6.

"I see such a talented player, and I'm so pleased with him because he's such a lovely guy."

Tillman is no doubt the USMNT's attacking focal point heading into the quarterfinals and, with him in this sort of form, the U.S. will believe they can achieve their Gold Cup goals.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Matt Freese

Until Sunday, Matt Freese had done everything right in goal. He hadn't conceded in the Gold Cup, and the two he let in against Turkey in a pre-tournament friendly were far from his fault. It had been an ideal audition, one that was putting him into contention for a starting role going forward.

Then it happened.

Minutes after the U.S. went ahead on Tillman's 10th-minute goal, Freese was put under pressure receiving the ball – and his ensuing pass out went straight to Haiti's Don Deedson Louicius. He scrambled to get back, but the damage had been done. Loicius curled his shot right by Freese, making it 1-1.

"I move on very quickly from things as a goalkeeper," Freese said. "You need to be able to do that. You need to be, like they say, like a goldfish and move on quickly. Sulking and being upset with myself in the miidle of the game isn't my nature, so you have to just move on. Thankfully, we all support each other in the bad moments and in the good moments. And I think it was a fantastic showing of togetherness from the team."

Still, it was a rough mistake, one that Freese – who started all three Gold Cup matches ahead of Matt Turner – couldn't afford to make. That's the nature of goalkeeping, unfortunately: the good moments are when you keep things quiet, but the bad moments are always very, very loud.

"You don't need to say anything to him," Pochettino said. "The best way to handle a player is not telling them anything. It's not about saying to be careful or anything; it's about moving on. Remember, the most important action is the next one. If you're stuck on the last one, you're dead.

"This accident happened, and more like it will happen to players in the future. But we are so happy with him and with the quality of our keepers and the way that they all support each other."

It seems Pochettino is committed to Freese, yet we'll have to see if this mistake changes his mind. Another good performance would have left no doubt heading into the knockouts. Now, the questions are back.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Patrick Agyemang

In the first half, there was a moment in which Agyemang broke through. He was in alone on goal, just goalkeeper Johny Placide to beat, and a chance to net his second goal of the tournament. He put his shot right at Placide – and wasted his opportunity. As a striker, you can never count on another one to come.

"I'm a striker, so I want to score goals," Agyemang said. 'When you don't take your opportunities, you obviously just have to keep going, and that's what I did tonight."

Agyemang's chance at redemption came in the 78th minute, just moments after he and John Tolkin discussed the best way to connect. They agreed to try a ball over the top, and Tolkin's landed right in Agyemang's path. He took a touch, rounded Placide and slid it right into the back of the net for the game-winner. Mission accomplished.

"I just try to compose myself as much as possible," Agyemang said, "because you don't get many chances in a game. You have to take advantage of it. I just try and play with a clear mind, and once I rounded the keeper, it was just like, 'Alright, man, do your thing because this is what you do'. I don't put stress on myself. I just do what I know I can."

Agyemang is the only USMNT player to feature in all nine games this year and, with every chance wasted in this tournament – and there were a few – his stock slipped just a bit. Goals mean everything, though, and, having scored yet another one in a USMNT shirt, Agyemang has proven why should be the guy going forward this summer.

Getty Images SportLOSER: The other center-backs

The U.S. rotated players all over the field. The center-back duo, though, remained untouched, which will be tough to take for the three other central defenders in this group.

Chris Richards and Tim Ream retained their places in the starting XI, having now started each of the three Gold Cup games. Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman watched on, having now played a combined 22 minutes in garbage time the three matches.

It's hard to see them getting much of a look going forward. With a week off until the knockouts, the U.S. will head into the quarterfinals fresh. Barring an injury, Richards and Ream are likely starting again, which means McKenzie, Robinson and Zimmerman are unlikely to get an opportunity to boost their stock.

All three are on the fringes, having been unable to convince Pochettino to give them a look.

KKR handed Capitals a thrashing to make it three wins in three and go to the top of the table with a massive net run rate boost

Sidharth Monga03-Apr-20242:21

Moody: ‘Raghuvanshi’s hands, bat path similar to Gill’

Last Wednesday at the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad set the record for the highest IPL score: 277. What should have been a once-in-a-decade effort was very nearly taken down by a marauding Kolkata Knight Riders batting unit tonight in Visakhapatnam. Sunil Narine plundered his personal best in T20s – 85 off 39 – almost home-grown Angkrish Raghuvanshi matched him with 54 off 27, and Andre Russell added the finishing touches with 41 off 19.A searing yorker from Ishant Sharma to get Russell in the last over prevented the record being broken, but the 272 KKR put up was more than enough to register a comfortable win – by 106 runs – and join Rajasthan Royals with three wins from three matches at the top of the table. In taking four wickets in the powerplay, two each for Vaibhav Arora and Mitchell Starc, KKR ticked another box in a season in which they have presented themselves as serious title contenders.Pant fined for slow over-rate again

Rishabh Pant, the Capitals captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate against KKR in their 106-run loss in Visakhapatnam. As it was Capitals’ second offence of the season – in just four matches – Pant was fined INR 24 lakh, while the rest of the members of the playing XII, were each fined either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their respective match fees, whichever is lower.

Narine, Raghuvanshi hammer CapitalsKhaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma set Capitals’ win in the previous match in Vizag with swing early on. Here, though, probably because of Narine’s presence, both of them started slightly short of a length. The one ball that Khaleel pitched up swung to beat Narine.It seems ridiculous now but Narine took six balls to get off the mark. Capitals had managed to keep Narine quiet, but had they missed the small window of swing to try to get him out? Another chance would arrive soon to a short-of-a-length delivery, but neither Ishant Sharma nor Rishabh Pant heard the edge. No appeal, no review.Narine and Phil Salt had got down to work by then, but Capitals could still have got Narine for 24 off 13 had they listened to Mitchell Marsh and reviewed. Then again, reviews were not the only thing they were getting wrong. They kept offering Narine room, when they went short they didn’t get it high enough, and the ball had stopped swinging by now.Sunil Narine smacked seven fours and as many sixes in his 39-ball innings•AFP/Getty Images

Anrich Nortje got rid of Salt in the fifth over, but Raghuvanshi, trained from the age of 11 by KKR’s own Abhishek Nayar, walked out and laced fours off the first two balls he faced. Mukesh Kumar is not express, but his injury has left DC with even less of a pace threat. Narine jumped on Rasikh Salam’s medium-pace in the last over of the powerplay, hitting him for three fours and a six to bring up his half-century in just 21 balls. Their 88 for 1 in the powerplay was the highest by any team so far at IPL 2024.The end of the powerplay brought DC relief only for one over, bowled by Sumit Kumar, but Narine ended any threats of variations in the attack by hitting two sixes off Axar Patel, who wouldn’t bowl again. Raghuvanshi matched him with a reverse-pull over short third for a six. Their 135 for 1 was the third-highest 10-over score in the IPL – all three have come this season.Wickets fail to slow KKR downEventually it was the short ball from Marsh that got the better of Narine, but it wasn’t just one short ball. He kept bowling short and wide outside off with changes of pace. Narine still ended with a boundary every two-and-a-half balls, and the wicket came too late anyway. The 13th over was the right point of entry for Russell, and he punished the samey attack. Capitals didn’t go back to spin despite right-hand batters at the wicket, and Nortje was the only one who presented the batters with an inbuilt challenge.Andre Russell and Rinku Singh smashed 32 runs off 11 balls for the fifth wicket•AFP/Getty Images

Russell was too good for the rest, and when Nortje started the 19th over with one fewer fielder on the fence because of a poor over-rate, Rinku Singh got stuck into him, taking 25 off the over.Ishant then produced a beauty that drew an applause from Russell himself and prevented Capitals from ending up on the wrong side of the record.Arora announces himselfOne of the two tall domestic fast bowlers in the KKR stable, Arora came on as the Impact Player and found inswing immediately. It wasn’t just swing, though. He mixed it up with accurate bouncers. Prithvi Shaw fell to the inswinger before Abhishek Porel top-edged a bouncer.Vaibhav Arora took 3 for 27 in KKR’s clinical win•BCCI

At the other end, Starc took care of his Australia team-mates, Marsh caught trying to square-drive and Warner playing on immediately after slogging him for a six. These were his first wickets this IPL after his eight overs in the first two matches had gone for 100 runs.At 33 for 4 in the fifth over, even batting for net run rate would need heavy hitting and risks. For a while Pant and Tristan Stubbs managed to score quickly. Pant was especially pleasing as he continues his return from a life-threatening accident, but their fifties were never going to be enough to deny KKR a third consecutive win – the first time they have started a season with three wins in three in their history.

Former Pakistan captain’s lawyers set to appeal the sentence at the High Court

Danyal Rasool30-Jan-2024

Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023•AFP/Getty Images

Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister, has been sentenced to ten years in prison by a special court in Pakistan. He stands accused of not returning a diplomatic document after he was removed from the office of Prime Minister in 2022. He has been in prison since August 2023 on a separate charge, and though that sentence was suspended, he was still not released.Imran was charged under the Official Secrets Act, a British era law, with a special court convened to hear his case, as well as that of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a senior figure in Imran’s political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Qureshi also received a ten-year sentence.The PTI’s official Twitter account issued a statement, calling the ruling “a sham trial and a complete mockery and disregard of law”.Imran has consistently alleged that the no-confidence vote to remove him from power was undertaken at the behest of the United States of America, and that the document in question contained proof of American diplomatic pressure to get rid of him. This allegation gained further momentum when the US news organisation published an article after purportedly gaining access to the classified document. The article said the US State Department threatened Pakistani isolation if Imran wasn’t removed, and that if he was indeed removed, “all would be forgiven”.In Pakistan, public discussion of that classified document, known as a cypher, has led to the possibility of being charged with a violation of the Official Secrets Act. The charges of both Imran and Qureshi have had to do with discussing the contents of the document in public.This latest flashpoint comes just nine days before Pakistan goes to the polls. Opinion polling in the lead-up to the elections has been non-existent, but the most recent independent polls have shown Imran to be the most popular politician in the country.When he was arrested by paramilitary security forces in May 2023, violent uprisings took place throughout the country that led to an internet blackout that lasted several days; tens of thousands of his political supporters were also arrested. The party that Imran had led to power in the 2018 elections has been barred from contesting these elections, with Imran personally banned from running for any political office for five years.Imran and Queshi’s lawyers said they would appeal this sentence in the High Court.

da bet7： There could be a huge summer on the cards for Michael Edwards and Arne Slot at Liverpool due to potential player movement in and out of Anfield.

da marjack bet： Firstly, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract at the end of this season, and it remains to be seen if any of them will put pen to paper on extensions on Merseyside.

Losing any of them would be a significant blow for Liverpool, as they are all regular starters, but Salah could be the biggest loss as he has scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in all competitions this season.

Rather than finding a one-for-one replacement, which would be incredibly difficult to do, the Reds could sign players in several positions in hope that they all step up to make up for the goals and assists lost.

For example, Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign Atletico Madrid centre-forward Julian Alvarez, who they reportedly ‘appreciate’ and hold a long-term interest in.

Why Liverpool need to sign a player like Julian Alvarez

Salah has been Liverpool’s main source of goals from a right wing position and that has papered over the cracks in the front three, as Slot has had a problem in the centre-forward position this season.

Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have both had attempts at being the main number nine for the Reds, but they have both failed to provide a reliable presence in front of goal. The former has scored five goals from 7.21 xG and the latter has scored five times from 5.28 xG in the Premier League.

These statistics show that Liverpool do not possess a ruthless number nine who can make the most of the chances that come their way in the box, which is why they need to go out and sign a player like Alvarez.

The former Manchester City man joined Atletico Madrid last summer to bolster Diego Simeone’s squad, and has proven to be a big hit in Spain with his performances at the top end of the pitch.

Julian Alvarez (24/25)

LaLiga

Champions League

Starts

22

10

xG

8.86

2.38

Goals

11

7

Minutes per goal

166

113

Big chances missed

5

1

Assists

2

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Alvarez has outperformed his xG in both LaLiga and the Champions League this term, which shows that he can be ruthless in front of goal.

In fact, the Argentina international has only missed 26 ‘big chances’ in all competitions for Atletico and Man City combined since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Nunez, for comparison, has missed a staggering 81 ‘big chances’ in all competitions for Liverpool in that time, having joined from Benfica in 2022, which illustrates the stark difference in quality between the two centre-forwards.

The Reds, though, are also interested in signing a defender who could be as important of a signing as Alvarez in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have held talks to sign Premier League star

According to journalist Bence Bocsak, Liverpool “have held talks” with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez over a potential move to Anfield next season.

The reporter claims that the club “like” the Hungary international but that a transfer to Merseyside is not advanced at this moment in time, with nothing beyond those initial talks.

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Bocsak’s article for Anfield Watch expands on the news, adding that Liverpool wanted to sign Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023, but the player decided to move to Bournemouth instead to play regular football.

The report reveals that Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the Hungarian dynamo, which suggests that there will be plenty of competition for his services this summer.

Michael Edwards, though, must push to sign the left-back, who is reportedly valued at £40m by the Cherries, because he could be as important of a signing as Alvarez.

Why Liverpool need to sign Milos Kerkez

Liverpool are reportedly in the market to sign a replacement for veteran left-back Andy Robertson this summer, and Kerkez would be a dream signing to take the Scottish star’s place.

The Scotland international has been a terrific servant for the Reds over the years, racking up 66 assists in 336 appearances in all competitions for the club, as a consistent creative threat down the left flank.

However, Robertson’s powers appear to be waning. The 31-year-old star has failed to register a single goal or assist in his 27 appearances in the Premier League this season, along with just one assist in his eight outings in the Champions League.

He is heading towards the latter stage of his career and has not been as influential as in previous seasons, as shown by his lack of production in the final third, and that is why a new long-term left-back option should be a priority this summer.

Kerkez, at the age of 21, is ten years younger than Robertson and could, therefore, be the new left-back for the club for the next decade, if all goes to plan, which is one of the reasons why he would be such an important addition this summer.

The Hungarian star’s performances in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season also suggest that he would come in as an immediate upgrade on the current Liverpool defender.

24/25 Premier League

Milos Kerkez

Andy Robertson

Appearances

29

27

Goals

2

0

Assists

5

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

2.0

Clearances per game

2.7

1.3

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

0.6x

Ground duel success rate

58%

51%

Aerial duel success rate

33%

27%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Kerkez has vastly outperformed Robertson with his play in and out of possession in the top-flight, as he has made a bigger impact at the top end of the pitch whilst being far more active and reliable defensively.

Wingers find it harder to get past the Bournemouth star, as he makes more tackles and interceptions whilst being dribbled past less, and opposition defenders find it harder to deal with him, as he has scored more goals and provided more assists.

Therefore, Kerkez could come in as a big upgrade on Robertson at left-back this summer, which is why Liverpool must push hard to get a deal done for him this summer.

As important as Alvarez and the addition of his finishing quality would be for the Reds, signing a Premier League proven left-back with the potential to be a key player for the next decade is equally as important.

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Leading spinner named for T20Is and one-off Test match as coach Lewis monitors workloads

Andrew Miller10-Nov-20231:23

Jon Lewis optimistic about Sophie Ecclestone injury comeback

Sophie Ecclestone has been named in England’s Test and T20I squads for the tour of India in December, as she continues her return to cricket after dislocating her right shoulder during last summer’s Women’s Hundred.Ecclestone, England’s No. 1-ranked white-ball spinner, sustained the injury while warming up for Manchester Originals’ home fixture against Southern Brave at Old Trafford in August, and underwent surgery in September.She has since returned to bowling, and will step up her workloads during a training camp in Oman next week, ahead of England’s three T20Is in Mumbai between December 6 and 10, and their one-off four-day Test in Navi Mumbai from December 14-17.Jon Lewis, England’s head coach, welcomed the prospect of Ecclestone’s comeback – particularly after a notable home series loss against Sri Lanka in September had exposed a lack of experience among the team’s younger players – but warned that he would not be expecting too much too soon, as she learns to trust her body again after the injury.Related

English players could miss WBBL final for India trip

“She’s the No. 1 bowler in the world across both white-ball formats, she’s an obvious standout talent in women’s cricket,” Lewis said. “She’s a really good competitor, she loves winning. So she’s great to have around our side. For the girls to practice against a bowler like that, and for Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn to pick her brains, and Alice Capsey as well, will be invaluable.”She’s working her way back to fitness. We expect her to be fit to play. However, getting people back to fitness isn’t always a linear experience,” Lewis added. “So we’ll see how she progresses over the next three or four weeks. The medical people are telling me she will be [fit], but my experience tells me that’s not always straightforward. The thing that could be more tricky for her is hitting the ground when she fields.”Ecclestone’s fitness aside, the white-ball leg of England’s tour could be a key indicator of the team’s readiness for next winter’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, as well as an early taste of the conditions that could be prevalent at the next 50-over World Cup in India in 2025.”We haven’t toured India for a number of years,” Lewis said. “We have players who have experienced playing in the Women’s Premier League but many haven’t played international cricket there before. Playing in Indian conditions is great preparation for our next two World Cups in the subcontinent and will be an amazing learning opportunity for both the players and the staff. We respect the Indian team and are really looking forward to the challenge.”Bess Heath, Northern Superchargers’ powerful wicketkeeper-batter, has been named in both squads for the first time, having made a one-off maiden ODI appearance against Sri Lanka last summer, while Mahika Gaur, England’s 17-year-old left-arm seamer, has been picked for the T20Is only as she continues to settle into set-up having made her international bow for the UAE.”It’s an exciting squad,” Lewis said. “We’ve got three teenagers in there still. They’re getting slightly older, slightly more experienced, and there’s a lovely balance between youth and experience in the squad.”It’s a squad that reflects some players that came in against Sri Lanka and did nicely, but also the players that did really well to beat Australia 2-1 in the [white-ball] series in the summer as well.”England’s selectors have also named a 21-player A squad that will prepare in Oman from November 12-25, with a reduced 14-player squad to be named in due course to face India A in three T20Is.Notable inclusions in that set-up include Issy Wong, who endured a torrid home summer as she struggled with her run-up, and Tash Farrant, who is back in contention following surgery for a stress fracture of the lumbar spine in June. Gaur and Lauren Filer, who is in the Test squad following her impressive debut against Australia, have also been named in the training squad.T20I squad: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt.Test squad: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (capt), Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle WyattEngland A squad for Oman training camp: Hollie Armitage, Hannah Baker, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Davis, Charlie Dean, Tash Farrant, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Kirstie Gordon, Liberty Heap, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Kalea Moore, Sophie Munro, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Seren Smale, Rhianna Southby, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong