Seven wickets fall in 26 overs at Canterbury as hosts take early command
ECB Reporters Network06-Apr-2023
Grant Stewart got stuck into the Northamptonshire batting between the showers•Getty Images
Northamptonshire 89 for 7 (Stewart 3-6) vs KentKent reduced Northamptonshire to 89 for seven on a rain-affected first day in the LV= Insurance County Championship at Canterbury.Grant Stewart took three for six and Michael Hogan two for 36 as the Spitfires exploited damp and dark conditions to leave the visitors deep in the mire at the end of a truncated evening session.Ricardo Vasconcelos was Northamptonshire’s top scorer with 39, but he fell in the only over bowled after tea before play was abandoned due to bad light.Heavy overnight rain at the St. Lawrence wiped out the morning session, but the home side were clearly the happier after winning the toss and rattling through Northamptonshire’s top order during the 26 overs that were possible.When play finally got underway at 2.15pm the visitors initially scored rapidly. Vasconcelos drove the first ball of the day, from Matt Quinn, for four and they cantered to 26 without loss, until Hogan trapped Hassan Azad lbw for seven in the sixth over.In the next over Quinn sent Sam Whiteman’s middle stump flying for just a single and both first-change bowlers then took wickets with their first deliveries.Joey Evison struck with the first ball of the 12th over, getting Luke Procter caught by Ben Compton at square leg for eight and Stewart then had Rob Keogh caught behind for three at the start of the 16th.Stewart subsequently took a superb return catch to dismiss Josh Cobb for seven, clinging onto a violent drive at ankle height, before he had Lewis McManus caught behind for five.Tea was originally scheduled for 4.10pm but with light deteriorating the session was curtailed three minutes early.Vasconcelos fell lbw to Hogan to the fourth ball after an extended interval, leaving James Sales and Gareth Berg as the out batters on five and three respectively when play was abandoned for the day.
Nepal knocked out, even as Max O’Dowd fell for 90 in the 168 chase to miss out on his first ODI hundred
Ekanth24-Jun-2023
Logan van Beek finished with career-best figures•ICC/Getty Images
Netherlands progressed to the Super Sixes by bouncing Nepal’s batters, and later belting their bowlers in Harare. The loss knocks Nepal out of the World Cup Qualifiers, and also confirms West Indies and Zimbabwe’s progress into the next stage. Put in to bat in bowler-friendly conditions, Nepal folded for 167, unable to navigate a middle-overs crisis caused by Vikramjit Singh and furthered by Logan van Beek.Van Beek found movement in the air and off the seam early on. He had Aasif Sheikh chop on in the third over of Nepal’s innings, which brought Kushal Bhurtel and Bhim Sharki together and they fought their way through even if they didn’t always look in control. They miscued a lot of their horizontal bat shots.Bhurtel welcomed Vikramjit with a cut that went through cover for four and a punch through mid-on for three. But Vikramjit found his lengths to firstly dry up the runs, and then dismiss Bhurtel and Aarif Sheikh in the 15th and the 17th over, respectively. That started Nepal’s slump from 46 for 1 to 91 for 5, and they could not recover thereafter.Extra bounce and seam movement from Vikramjit accounted for Bhurtel (caught behind) and Aarif (caught at gully). Sharki, who saw out the new ball, started aiming for the boundary after Bhurtel’s wicket. He mistimed a hook, and almost cut Bas de Leede to the fielder. His luck ran out when he sliced Clayton Floyd’s first ball to point.Kushal Malla’s characteristic positivity led to the first six of the game when he slog swept Floyd over midwicket in the 21st over. But his aggression didn’t work against Aryan Dutt, who bowled back-to-back maidens and then got Malla to mistime a slog to long-off.Nepal captain Rohit Paudel pounced on Aryan in the 29th over, taking him for a six and a four. That led to van Beek’s return, and the full-fledged deployment of the short-ball tactic. Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee were out to the pull in the space of two overs.Despite Sandeep Lamichhane impulsively making room to open up gaps and Gulsan Jha working the ball around to build a steady 32-run stand for the eighth wicket and thus give Nepal some respectability, it was only a matter of time till the bouncers fetched Netherlands wickets. This time it was de Leede, who got Jha and Karan KC in the 42nd over. Lamichhane got a couple of streaky boundaries before also succumbing to the pull. He was the last man out; Nepal’s innings closed out with 33 balls to spare.Max O’Dowd started the modest chase with a clear plan: get across the line and hit the spinners to the leg side. He swept and pulled Lalit Rajbanshi, Lamichhane, and Airee to end the first powerplay with Netherlands up to 58 without loss.Vikramjit offered steady support at the other end, and by the time Lamichhane trapped him lbw in the 13th over, Netherlands had already broken the back of the chase with an 86-run opening stand.Two overs later, Lamichhane having Wesley Barresi out reverse sweeping to short third led to a minor slowdown. But new batter de Leede settled in thereafter, and combined with O’Dowd to rotate strike and find regular boundaries to take Netherlands close.With ten runs left to win, O’Dowd was knocked over for 90 by Jha. Despite O’Dowd missing out on what would have been a match-winning first ODI century, Netherlands had no trouble powering through to a seven-wicket win with as many as 137 balls remaining.
The pair combined for a brisk 140-run sixth-wicket partnership to inch Australia closer to victory
Tristan Lavalette11-Mar-2024
Alex Carey and Pat Cummins embrace after Australia got the winning runs•Getty Images
Alex Carey produced a brilliant knock under pressure to crush New Zealand’s bid for a famous victory as Australia ran down a tough 279 runs in a nerve-jangling chase at Hagley Oval.Australia’s bid to win the second Test and seal the series 2-0 appeared in major trouble at 80 for 5 after the early wicket of Travis Head on day four. But Carey and Mitchell Marsh, who made 80 after being dropped on 28, combined for a brisk 140-run sixth-wicket partnership to inch Australia within 59 runs.Debutant Ben Sears, bowling in the mid-140 kph, flipped the match on its head with the wickets of Marsh and Mitchell Starc on consecutive deliveries to revive New Zealand’s hopes. Carey, however, was unperturbed and finished Australia’s hero with an unbeaten 98.He found calm support through Pat Cummins, who again helped Australia over the line much like he memorably did at Edgbaston in last year’s Ashes. Cummins made 32 and hit the winning boundary at an increasingly gloomy Hagley Oval as the batters embraced mid-pitch.Australia had only run down 279 or more in the fourth innings on 13 previous occasions and only twice since 2006. Only three teams in Test history had scored more runs after the fall of the fifth wicket in a successful fourth-innings chase.The victory capped a hectic period of Test cricket for Australia, who have played 22 Tests in the last 15 months. But they will have a long breather from the format with their next assignment not until next summer against India in a five-Test blockbuster.It was a satisfying triumph for Australia, who before this had only one won series away from home since their last Test tour of New Zealand in 2016.But New Zealand were left bitterly disappointed as their misery against Australia continued having only beaten them once in the past three decades. With their next series against Australia not due until 2026-27, several senior players in the team might never again have a chance to beat their neighbours.After a stirring fightback ever since being bowled out for 162 in their first innings, New Zealand had been in the box seat heading into the fourth day’s play, which was delayed by an hour due to rain.Resuming at 77 for 4 and needing a further 202 runs, Australia’s hopes seemingly rested with Marsh and Head who had combined for 43 runs late on day three after a top-order collapse.In overcast conditions, Marsh went for broke off Tim Southee’s first ball when he hit a bullet to backward point only for Rachin Ravindra to drop a chance.But New Zealand’s agony was short-lived when on the next delivery Head replicated Marsh’s full-blooded stroke and Will Young made no mistake at point. It completed a tough season for Head, who scored just 150 runs in 11 Test innings outside of his match-winning century against West Indies in Adelaide.With Josh Inglis breathing down his neck, Carey’s place in the team had been in the spotlight having only made two half-centuries in his previous 18 innings. Buoyed by a record-equalling 10 dismissals by an Australian wicketkeeper, Carey looked solid as he quickly moved to 19 until he was given out lbw after being trapped on the knee roll by Matt Henry bowling from around the wicket.But Carey was saved by the DRS with ball tracking deeming the ball to be sliding down the leg side. He calmly resumed his innings and kept the runs trickling along, but did have an anxious moment on 37 when Scott Kuggeleijn loudly appealed for caught behind. New Zealand unsuccessfully reviewed as their nerves heightened.Entering the innings on the back of consecutive ducks, Marsh rediscovered his form from the Australian summer as he and Carey notched their half-centuries and Australia reached lunch needing a further 105 runs.A single from Marsh after the interval notched the pair’s century partnership and reduced Australia’s deficit to under a hundred, with batting becoming easier against the older ball. New Zealand’s fading hopes seemingly rested with Henry, who was also seeking a 10-wicket haul, but Marsh continued to counterattack and whacked his bouncer for six.Southee desperately turned to Sears and it proved a masterstroke as he trapped Marsh lbw after hitting him in front of middle and leg. Marsh reviewed in the hope that the ball was sliding down the leg side, but it was upheld in an umpire’s call to spark New Zealand.It was bedlam at a near-capacity Hagley Oval when on his next delivery Sears had Starc hitting straight to square leg. Sears almost completed his hat-trick when Cummins nervously edged in front of second slip.But Sears was then thwarted by inventive batting from Carey and an unruffled Cummins, who continued his knack for ice-cool batting in run chases. Both batters endured some anxious moments as Southee reverted to Henry for one last push but it was in vain. Carey fell short of a deserved century as Cummins sealed victory with a punch through point and he let out a roar in celebration.
Her 3 for 18 proves too much as visitors are bundled out for 87 in rain-hit match
ECB Reporters Network27-Apr-2024
Mady Villiers made an impact for Sunrisers•Getty Images
Mady Villiers’ beguiling spin proved too much for an under-strength and out of form The Blaze as Sunrisers raced to a seven-wicket win in a rain-shortened encounter at Chelmsford.The former England white-ball international returned 3 for 18 from nine overs as the visitors, missing the likes of Tammy Beaumont, Bryce siblings Kathryn and Sarah and the injured Georgie Boyce were routed for 87 in a game reduced to 42 overs a-side.England U19 Jodi Grewcock wheeled away at the opposite end from Villiers to take 1 for 7 from eight overs, meaning the Blaze lost four wickets for four runs, collapsing from 48 for 2 to 52 for 6 before Australian seamer Nicola Hancock mopped up the tail with 3 for 20.Sunrisers suffered a couple of early setbacks, but skipper Grace Scrivens’ unbeaten 46 saw Sunrisers home in the 21st over, Villiers fittingly making the winning runs.Overnight and morning rain delayed the start until noon and under leaden skies and on a pitch with a generous covering of grass it was no surprise when Scrivens invited The Blaze, a side dismissed for 135 and 126 in their opening two defeats to bat first.Marie Kelly, out for a duck last time was given an early life when Cordelia Griffith spilt a regulation catch at slip, Hancock the unlucky bowler. Kelly, though, wouldn’t make the most of the reprieve, bowled in Hancock’s next over by one which came back through the gate.Fellow opener Teresa Graves was similarly castled by Kate Coppack eight balls later to leave The Blaze 18 for 2.Daisy Mullan and Nadine de Klerk briefly threatened a fightback, the former driving Hancock straight for four before striking another boundary over the top of mid-off.However, the introduction of spinners Villiers and Grewcock proved decisive. Villiers trapped de Klerk in front before bowling Mullan who had become frustrated, the runs having completely dried up.Grewcock chipped in by piercing wicketkeeper-batter Ella Claridge’s defences and Villiers took her figures to 3 for 3 when fellow England spinner Sarah Glenn tickled one into the gloves of Amara Carr.There would be no recovery from 52 for 6 as Hancock and Coppack returned to clean up the tail, Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon their only other player to reach double figures.Sunrisers, themselves bowled out for 150 in a heavy defeat to Thunder three days earlier, initially made hard work of the chase.Ariana Dowse was undone by one from Grace Ballinger which kept low, but their next wound was self-inflicted, Griffith setting off for a run which was never there and being run out having been sent back by her skipper.Scrivens and Grewcock calmed any nerves with an increasingly belligerent stand of 40 and though the latter departed before the end Sunrisers romped home.
Arsenal returned to Premier League action with a bang last night.
Mikel Arteta’s side were not perfect by any means, but aside from a nervous last few minutes, they were comfortably the better team against Fulham and fully deserving of all three points.
Moreover, the game marked the long-awaited return of Bukayo Saka, who hadn’t played a minute of football since his hamstring injury against Crystal Palace back in December.
Unsurprisingly, the Hale Ender, who received a rapturous reception, was as effective as he’s ever been, scoring the North Londoners’ second goal just seven minutes after coming on.
However, while his return is excellent news for the team overall, it probably means a certain player won’t start another game this season.
Arsenal's frontline options
So, with the sensational Saka already looking like his old self, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him start the game against Everton on the weekend.
Saka’s 24/25
Competition
EPL
UCL
EFL Cup
Appearances
17
5
3
Minutes
1300′
433′
119′
Goals
6
4
0
Assists
11
2
1
Goal Involvements per Match
1.00
1.2
0.33
Minutes per Goal Involvement
76.47′
72.16′
119′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
After all, his 24 goal involvements in 25 games make him the team’s most productive player this season, and with the tie against Real Madrid coming next week, Arteta will want him as sharp as possible.
So, who’s likely to start down the middle for most of the rest of the campaign, then? Well, there are a few options, like Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard or even Ethan Nwaneri, but after last night, it seems almost set in stone that it’ll be Mikel Merino.
The former Real Sociedad star might be a central midfielder by trade, but since moving up top against Leicester City almost two months ago, he has been surprisingly effective. He has scored five goals and provided one assist in eight appearances as a centre-forward, which equates to a goal involvement every 1.33 games.
Now, nobody is under the illusion that he’s the answer long-term, but the 28-year-old has stepped up when his team has needed him, and that’s goals in back-to-back league games now.
Based on last night’s game, the player to the left of the Spaniard for the next few games should be Martinelli.
The Brazilian has not been particularly impressive this season, but against Fulham, he looked like the player who took the league by storm in the 22/23 campaign and was a constant threat throughout the 90 minutes.
He had Timothy Castagne beat from the very first attack, and while he didn’t get a goal, he did provide an assist for Saka through an utterly ridiculous backheel.
While that will likely be Arteta’s starting attack for the next few games, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Trossard and Nwaneri continue to be heavily involved until the end of the season, which is not something we can say for another attacker.
The Arsenal star who won't start again
With almost all of Arsenal’s fit attacking players already mentioned above, it’ll likely come as no surprise that the player in question is none other than Raheem Sterling.
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The Chelsea loanee joined the club on deadline day in the summer, and while he told the fans that they were going to “see the best” of him, they’ve seen anything but.
The Englishman has scored just one goal and provided four assists in 23 appearances for the North Londoners.
Worse yet, in his 12 Premier League appearances, the 30-year-old winger has provided just a single assist and hasn’t created a single big chance.
Moreover, since he was hooked away to Leicester almost two months ago, the Kingston-born ace has played just 22 minutes of league football in the four games he’s been eligible to play in.
Sterling’s Arsenal record
Competition
EPL
UCL
FA Cup
EFL Cup
Appearances
12
6
1
4
Minutes
307′
297′
80′
270′
Goals
0
0
0
1
Assists
1
2
0
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.08
0.33
0.00
0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement
307′
148.5′
N/A
135′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Now, if he was earning a pittance, then this probably wouldn’t be such an issue, but the Gunners are paying him around £162k-per-week to sit on the bench and offer next to nothing when he comes off of it.
That certainly lends credence to Connor Humm’s assertion that his loan move has been an “absolute waste of time and money.”
Ultimately, it would be hard to describe Sterling’s loan to Arsenal as anything other than a failure. Furthermore, with Saka back in the side and Merino and Martinelli looking good, we can’t see a world where he starts another game this season.
Better than Saka: 8/10 Arsenal star just dropped his best game in years
Bukayo Saka returned to the Arsenal team as they beat Fulham 2-1.
Football’s back for those of a Liverpool persuasion, and it’s a big one at that.
Having sat out last weekend due to an early exit from the FA Cup, Arne Slot’s Liverpool return to action in the Premier League as they host resurgent Everton.
The international break is typically a gruelling thing, stunting progress and halting anticipation as teams fight for their respective goals. Liverpool, however, may have found the sojourn to have been a blessing, falling in the Champions League before losing the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Ah well, there’s always next season – for those honours, anyway. Liverpool are still hunting down the Premier League title, 12 points clear of second-place Arsenal with nine matches to play.
Everton have been reborn under David Moyes’ wing, the Scotsman replacing Sean Dyche in January and crafting a nine-match unbeaten run after losing his league opener to Aston Villa at Goodison Park.
Liverpool – Recent PL Record vs Everton
Season
Venue
Result
24/25
Goodison Park
2-2 draw
23/24
Goodison Park
2-0 loss
23/24
Anfield
2-0 win
22/23
Anfield
2-0 win
22/23
Goodison Park
0-0 draw
Data via Transfermarkt
Everton’s patch of Merseyside was left giddy, exalted, after James Tarkowski hit parity in the dying embers last month, but Slot will hope for a different outcome here as his side look to end their dip in form across recent matches.
Liverpool team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who looks set to join Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer, is still sidelined after injuring his ankle against Paris Saint-Germain.
Compounding the issue, Conor Bradley is not quite ready to return to the starting line-up after his period of convalescence; with Joe Gomez also out, Slot is likely to pick Jarell Quansah to deputise at right-back once again.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson Becker, however, are both expected to be fit following respective scares for their nations over the past two weeks.
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch
This is all well and good, but Liverpool’s recent issues derive from a dried-up pool of attacking fluency. Indeed, Liverpool have been a day late and a dollar short of late, and fans online have been murmuring about freshening things up with a tactical tweak to the frontline.
However, Federico Chiesa may not be the answer for this one, not in Slot’s mind.
Slot must unleash Liverpool's "special" forward
Liverpool struggled to get going at Wembley, but it was substitute Chiesa who latched onto Harvey Elliott’s tidy through ball in stoppage time to spark fleeting hopes of a comeback.
But Liverpool failed to stage the desired response; time had been exhausted. Chiesa, however, did show off a glimpse of the quality that prompted the Anfield side to pay Juventus for him back in August, a quality that is illuminated given the ongoing profligacy of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
Federico Chiesa scores for Liverpool
The international break will hopefully have served as a reset button for the wasteful bunch, but it more importantly means a fully-fit Cody Gakpo is ready to return from Netherlands duty brim-full, having only just returned from injury before the break and indeed last starting a Premier League fixture in mid-February.
It’s been a big blow for the Merseysiders, for Gakpo has been in fine fettle this season, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists across all competitions. The 25-year-old is currently level with last term’s haul, but he’s matched it in over 800 fewer minutes across all fronts.
Gakpo has to start against Everton, his clinical shooting giving rise to the success of his frontal peers. Diaz’s makeshift dynamism in a central striking role, for example, is heightened by the Dutchman’s presence, easing the goalscoring burden on Salah.
Top Scorers at Anfield this Season (all comps)
#
Player
Goals
1.
Mohamed Salah
15
2.
Cody Gakpo
12
3.
Luis Diaz
7
4.
Diogo Jota
4
5.
Darwin Nunez
3
5=
Dominik Szoboszlai
3
5=
Alexis Mac Allister
3
Data via Statmuse
The table above makes for somewhat grim reading, with Liverpool’s lopsided frontline clear through the shooting success clinched on home turf.
However, it does highlight Gakpo’s confidence on home soil, scoring three-quarters of his strikes this year at Anfield. Indeed, the Netherlands star has actually bagged in each of his past eight starts at Liverpool’s home ground.
His quality has been streamlined by Slot’s decision to field him in a more structured role off the left flank, as opposed to Jurgen Klopp’s choice of deploying across myriad points of the pitch.
This, of course, has meant Diaz’s qualities have been required in a more central position, but since Gakpo is now fit and ready to fire once more, would it really be wise to unleash Chiesa from the outset in an important derby fixture?
The stakes are high. With Arsenal narrowing the gap after beating Fulham, Liverpool cannot afford to fumble at this stage. The need for Chiesa’s finishing is effectively neutered by Gakpo’s return as he restores the balance and balance of potency up top.
The £120k-per-week Gakpo, after all, ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this term for goals scored per 90 (0.51), as per FBref. It’s no wonder he’s been praised by Fabrizio Romano for “flying for Liverpool this season.”
Conversely, Chiesa has struggled to buy a game. Though he’s posted two goals and two assists apiece across 11 matches in all competitions – just three starts – Slot has thus far been unwilling to hand him any starting roles in the Premier League, and that’s not going to change in an important league fixture against heated rivals Everton, who are in hot form at that.
While we’d all like to see Liverpool’s nifty Italian earn some more action, it doesn’t feel probable that he will play from the opening bell in this one.
That said, if Gakpo can work toward establishing a healthy lead for Slot’s team, Chiesa could surely enter the fray in the second half – and with a point to prove.
Better than Kerkez: Liverpool will have £40m bid accepted for "insane" star
Liverpool are ready to sign a new left-back this summer.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta privately believes that another highly-rated star would be “perfect” for the Gunners, with new sporting director Andrea Berta potentially set to attempt his signing this summer.
Berta set for significant summer of Arsenal spending
Arteta has already confirmed that Arsenal are set for a “big” first transfer window under their newly-appointed transfer chief, who was officially announced as Edu Gaspar’s replacement late last month.
Arsenal: Berta set to table bid for "top player" after £202m transfer boost
The Italian will have a big warchest to reinvest into Arsenal’s squad.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 11, 2025
Since then, reports have emerged claiming Arsenal could spend up to £300 million on seven major signings across the board (GiveMeSport), prior to the start of next season and a potentially more fruitful Premier League title challenge.
The north Londoners are said to be in the market for a new second-choice keeper, full-back, two midfielders, a left-winger, right-winger and striker (GMS), while Portuguese media sources state £202m of their transfer warchest could be spent on three big-name acquisitions.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
A Bola reported this week that the £202m spend could be invested into completing deals for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and the heavily-linked Nico Williams.
Williams, who played a starring role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, is set to be one of the biggest transfer stories of this summer, with Arsenal firmly in the race for his signature.
The 22-year-old is expected to push for an exit from Athletic Bilbao as Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona circle (The Guardian).
Williams’ contract also includes a £48 million release clause, meaning Berta could bypass negotiations with Bilbao in a fairly straightforward fashion and head straight to the winger for discussions over personal terms.
However, Williams is said to be demanding £250,000-per-week to leave Bilbao (GiveMeSport), so this could still end up being expensive in terms of salary. His current wages stand at around £170,000-per-week, according to The Times, so the Spaniard’s on the hunt for a hefty rise.
Mikel Arteta thinks Nico Williams is "perfect" for Arsenal
Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Fabrizio Romano has shared more details on this potential move, and mainly what Arteta is thinking about the Basque starlet right now.
Arteta believes that Williams would be a “perfect” signing for Arsenal, following reports that Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is another “dream” signing of his, and it would appear the 43-year-old is drawing up his wishlist behind the scenes.
“Arsenal will sign a striker, but they will also sign a winger, and Nico Williams is considered the perfect player by Mikel Arteta,” said Romano.
“Chelsea also appreciate the player. There are several clubs interested in Nico, it will be a big race, Arsenal will be there for sure, but not only them.”
The exciting forward has been compared to the likes of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, Man City’s Jeremy Doku and Bayern Munich star Michael Olise in terms of playing style (Football Transfers).
Williams is fast earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising direct wingers with real unpredictability, leaving little wonder he’s turned Arteta’s head, especially after he racked up 19 assists in all competitions last season.
Liverpool are close to being crowned Premier League champions and could start the summer with aplomb if they can land one of England’s top offensive talents, per reports.
Liverpool on the verge of sealing Premier League crown
Arne Slot has become a hero among Liverpool supporters and will soon deliver the reality of becoming the first Reds team in the modern day to claim the title in front of their own supporters at Anfield. With the Premier League title race a forgone conclusion, only a point is required at home to Tottenham Hotspur this weekend to ensure fans are sent into scenes of jubilation on Merseyside.
Liverpool Manager ArneSlotcelebrates at the end of the match
Celebrations will be in order after what feels like weeks of Liverpool having to store their champagne in cold storage, but what happens when the novelty wears off and the defending champions turn their attention to next term?
Presumably, an exciting summer window will be in store, and reports suggest the Reds are already eyeing a double swoop for Bournemouth pair Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez to kick things off. Looking to pull off some ambitious deals, Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong is another Liverpool target as they plan for all scenarios, including a potential move for Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Man City and Liverpool eyeing £165m Chelsea "superstar" with approach made
They are “sniffing around” him
4 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 24, 2025
Title victories can often embolden managers to stick with the options they have to compete for further silverware later down the line. However, football is constantly evolving, so there can be no expense spared in the hunt for greatness.
Keeping that in mind, Liverpool could now sign one of the Premier League’s most renowned attacking threats for a discount, per recent developments.
Liverpool could land Mohammed Kudus for discounted price
According to Football Insider, Liverpool could land West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus for a discount as they look for upgrades on their current attacking ranks. Despite retaining an £80 million release clause involving domestic clubs, the Ghana international could be allowed to leave the London Stadium for a fee in the region of £70 million, and the report claims the Reds are “definite” he would be an upgrade on their current forward options.
Mohammed Kudus at West Ham since joining
Appearances
75
Goals
17
Assists
12
Labelled “brilliant” by Alan Shearer, Kudus has been a mainstay either on the flank or through the middle this term, registering three goals and three assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. The Hammers have endured a disappointing campaign to say the least, though the 24-year-old has also created 30 chances on league duty as his side stand on the verge of beating the drop.
Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz could be cashed in on by Liverpool to create room for Kudus, who has become one of their top targets to fill any void left by sales this summer. Undoubtedly, the former Ajax man is in need of a new challenge and Merseyside could be the best environment possible for him to continue thriving in the English top-flight.
Given the high standards he’s set for himself in 2024/25, Liverpool boss Arne Slot has a huge job on his hands this summer to continue the process made in recent months.
The Dutchman took the reins from Jürgen Klopp last summer, offering a seamless transition and leading the side to Premier League glory at the very first attempt.
He managed to achieve such a feat with multiple games to spare, winning 25 matches out of a possible 35 to date, losing on just three occasions, with one coming on home soil.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
However, the Dutchman faces a huge task on his hands next time around to maintain such a success and hand the club an opportunity to make it back-to-back titles.
If such an achievement is to happen at the same point in 12 months time, this summer transfer window will be crucial, with the hierarchy needing to hand Slot the funds to make the additions he needs.
An update on Liverpool’s pursuit of new signings this summer
With the transfer window just around the corner, numerous names have been mentioned over a potential move to join Liverpool, including Bournemouth’s left-back Milos Kerkez.
The Hungarian has been on their shopping list for many months now, with the Reds still in the hunt for his signature, leading to a potential saga throughout the off-season.
However, the opposite side of the pitch could also be in line for investment, with Slot’s men closely monitoring a move for Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, according to reports in Spain.
They state that the Reds are to submit an offer in the region of £34m for the 24-year-old star, who’s made 47 appearances across all competitions for the German outfit this campaign.
It also claims that the Dutchman is the manager’s key target for the upcoming window, with Frimpong having the tools to come into the side and soften the blow of one player’s pending departure.
Why Liverpool’s £34m target is the dream TAA replacement
Over the last couple of days, Liverpool fans have been left dismayed after right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he would be ending his 20-year stint with his boyhood club.
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldwalks off the pitch
The 26-year-old has racked up over 350 appearances after making his first-team debut back in the summer of 2016, winning a staggering six major trophies – including two Premier League titles.
However, after such an impressive stint at Anfield, it’s going to be tricky to replace such a talent, which could subsequently have an impact on their ambitions of going back-to-back in the Premier League next campaign.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool Career by Competition
Competition
Apps
Goals
Assists
Premier League
257
18
67
Champions League
60
2
13
FA Cup
13
1
3
Carabao Cup
10
0
6
Europa League
5
0
2
Club World Cup
2
0
1
CL Qualifying
2
0
1
Community Shield
2
1
0
UEFA Super Cup
1
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
It’s a positive sign that the hierarchy have already wasted little to no time in targeting a replacement, with Frimpong having the tools to do just that – or even provide an upgrade on the Englishman.
When comparing the pair’s respective stats from 2024/25, the Leverkusen star has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas – with the fee touted potentially being a bargain for the Reds.
The Dutchman, who’s been labelled “one of the best wing-backs in Europe” by scout Jacek Kulig, has managed to complete more progressive carries per 90 this campaign – handing Slot an added attacking threat from full-back.
He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, but whilst also attempting more take-ons – highlighting the threat he poses with the ball at his feet.
Defensively, he’s been just as impressive, winning more tackles against players attempting to dribble past him – with Frimpong able to offer added stability, something which Trent often struggled with at Anfield.
£34m for a player of his calibre in today’s market is an absolute steal, allowing the club to land a player who can fill the role for many years, given his tender age.
Jeremie Frimpong for Bayer Leverkusen
Whilst losing Trent will be a huge disappointment to many, the Leverkusen star has the chance to allow supporters to forget about his departure and play a key role in any success endured under Slot in the years to come.
Better signing than Sesko: Liverpool plot move for "world-class" £64m ace
Liverpool appear to be making a huge move to land a new striker for Arne Slot this summer.
Work is already underway to improve Celtic’s squad in the upcoming summer transfer window as they go in search of a fifth successive Scottish Premiership title next term.
The Hoops secured their fourth league title in as many seasons with a 5-0 win over Dundee United at the end of last month, whilst they also have a chance to complete a domestic treble with an SFA Cup final clash with Aberdeen.
Brendan Rodgers has already sealed one new signing for the summer in the form of Kieran Tierney, who will officially return to Celtic when his contract at Arsenal expires at the end of June.
Kieran Tierney's current market value
At the time of writing (11/05/2025), the Scotland international is valued at a whopping £8.5m by Transfermarkt, which suggests that the Hoops have landed a bargain by signing him on a free transfer.
As you can see in the graphic above, Tierney was sold for a staggering £25m after his terrific first spell at Parkhead after coming through the academy, as he joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019.
This shows that the Scottish giants have played a blinder with the experienced left-back because they sold him for a huge transfer fee and are now signing him back for nothing, whilst he is still valuable, albeit not as valuable as he once was.
Market Movers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?
Celtic, though, have developed their own full-back who is now worth just as much as Tierney, after they signed him for a fee of just £3.5m back in 2023, in the form of Alistair Johnston.
Alistair Johnston's soaring market value
The Hoops swooped to sign the defender from CF Montreal for a fee of £3.5m in the January transfer window at the start of 2023 to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s options at right-back.
Johnston has been a regular starter at right-back when fit and available for Celtic since his move, and has proven himself to be an excellent performer at Premiership level by combining solid defensive work with outstanding attacking contributions.
The Canada international has the strength and positioning to win the majority of his physical duels to stop opposition wingers, whilst also having the drive and stamina to constantly bomb down the flank to deliver high-quality balls into the box.
Alistair Johnston (Premiership)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
32
30
Goals
1
4
Big chances created
11
15
Assists
5
9
Duel success rate
58%
56%
Clean sheets
11
12
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Johnston has been a star for the Hoops in his two full Premiership seasons in Glasgow, creating 26 ‘big chances’ in 62 matches.
This has helped his market value to soar way above the £3.5m that the club initially paid for his services at the start of 2023. At the time of writing, the Celtic sensation is valued at £8.5m by Transfermarkt, which means that his value has soared by £5m in a little over two years at Parkhead.
Johnston, whose work ethic was dubbed “phenomenal” by Rodgers, is now worth as much as Tierney, who was once sold for £25m, and is a highly-valuable asset for the club, thanks to the brilliant performances that he has put in on the pitch.
Celtic could sign a perfect £7m Jota replacement this summer
Celtic may be in the market for a new winger after they lost Jota to a long-term injury.
ByDan Emery May 5, 2025
Therefore, Celtic have hit the jackpot with the Canadian defender because he is an excellent player and a star who could be sold for a profit in the future, given that his value has soared during his time in Scotland so far.