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South Africa came into this match against Australia with a proud record against legspin. Then they ran into a genius

S Sudarshanan25-Oct-2025

Alana King took the best figures in the history of the Women’s World Cup•ICC/Getty Images

You can tell when a legspinner is in rhythm. It’s a sight to behold when they get the ball to rip away from the right-hand batter. Add drift to the mix, and the spectacle reaches another level.Annerie Dercksen found this out the hard way on Saturday, against Alana King. Dercksen was on the front foot, looking like she wanted to drive inside-out. She may even have been in a good position to middle the ball, had it not kept drifting into her and bowled her after beating her inside edge.Related

• How to beat Australia in three easy steps (step 1 – invent a miracle)

• King's majestic seven-for sets up Australia's semi-final with India

• Stats – Seven-star King's all-time high, another low for South Africa

• South Africa take hurt, hope and hard lessons into the semi-finals

It’s hard enough to play a legspinner when you know where the ball will land. When you’re never quite sure… well, that’s what happened to Chloe Tryon off the very next ball. She looked in a pretty good position for a front-foot flick towards mid-on or thereabouts, until King’s in-drift kicked in, forcing her to play around her front pad and chip a catch straight to short midwicket.King was all over South Africa, landing her legbreaks exactly where she desired, laughing at the notion that wristspinners’ wickets tend to come at the cost of runs and control. At the cost of runs? How about figures of 4 for 0 in 2.3 overs?South Africa had come into this Women’s World Cup 2025 match against Australia with one of the best-performing top orders against legspin in recent years. Since the start of 2023, five members of their top seven in this match – Tazmin Brits (80.00), Sune Luus (77.50), Marizanne Kapp (66.33), Laura Wolvaardt (58.33) and Tryon (57.00) – had had 50-plus averages against this style of bowling.3:06

Review: South Africa undone by the ‘King’ of Indore

Those numbers hadn’t fazed Australia in the least. They brought King on as early as the 12th over of South Africa’s innings. She had come on as early against Pakistan too, but before this World Cup, the last time she had bowled this early in an ODI was back in October 2023.And King, right from the start, had the ball on an almost literal string. If her first two wickets, of Luus and Kapp, had come against batters looking to take her on, these two fully showcased her artistry.She took just 21 balls – a record for Women’s ODIs where ball data is available – to complete her five-wicket haul, and by the time she was done she had taken the first seven-wicket haul in a Women’s World Cup game.Six games into this World Cup, King has 13 wickets at 12.92. And an economy rate of 3.57.King’s final wicket showcased the other quality that sets the best legspinners apart: big, ripping turn. Nadine de Klerk knew she could expect in-drift, and seemed to have the threat of lbw in her mind. It meant, however, that her feet were firmly cemented, nowhere near the ball when it ripped across the face of her bat to hit the top of off stump.Masabata Klaas lost her off stump to Alana King•Getty ImagesKing had figures of 7 for 18, the best by an Australia bowler in ODIs, bettering her team-mate Ellyse Perry (7 for 22) and her head coach Shelley Nitschke (7 for 24). All seven of her wickets had come off legbreaks.”I’ve become more consistent with my stock ball and I trust that,” King told the broadcaster. “It has been my go-to ball and has given me my reward.”It wasn’t all that long ago that Georgia Wareham was ahead of King in the pecking order of Australia’s legspinners. That Wareham could lengthen the batting strengthened her case. But King’s bowling has improved leaps and bounds, and she has also demonstrated an ability to hit sixes with great frequency – she hit six of them in just 31 balls in an ODI series in India in 2023-24. She has made herself hard to look past. King has been an ever-present in Australia’s XI during this World Cup, while Wareham has played just the three games, and didn’t even get to bowl against South Africa.”She’s been fantastic,” Nitschke said about King’s growth. “She’s a big-game player and when she’s up and about, she brings a lot of energy to the team. She obviously burst onto the scene a couple of years ago and had a really strong Ashes for us and has continued to perform particularly in this format. So fantastic to see her out there tonight, still performing for us in the middle of a World Cup and a big game.”South Africa headed into this game full of confidence, having won five matches in a row. Then they happened to run into Alana King.

Liverpool haven’t been very good this season. That’s an understatement, too, with Arne Slot’s side having fallen so far below expectations after so dominantly winning the Premier League last year.

Though the Reds have stopped the rot that was spreading after nine losses from 12 fixtures in all competitions, winning at West Ham before drawing against Sunderland at Anfield, there is still so much to be desired from this group, whose mini-revival is presently built atop a house of cards.

Whether the head coach finds the formula that will shift Liverpool back into a winning outfit is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear that performances and results have been so far below the firmly set standard that it beggars belief, and Slot needs to make changes before he finds himself on borrowed time, with potential successors already being touted in the media.

Liverpool looking at Slot replacement

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool chiefs Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are putting serious thought into appointing Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner to replace Slot.

Glasner, 51, has defied the odds at Selhurst Park over the past few years, winning the FA Cup in May and then the Community Shield (against Liverpool) at the start of the current campaign. They are currently fifth in the Premier League.

It’s important to stress that there have not been any talks with Palace or the Austrian’s entourage. FSG remain committed to guiding their Dutch coach through this storm.

However, if it doesn’t abate, sources indicate Glasner is emerging as the preferred candidate to take the Anfield hot seat.

What Oliver Glasner would bring to Liverpool

Glasner has achieved great things with Crystal Palace, and his past Europa League-winning success with Eintracht Frankfurt corroborates the claim that he is a “top-five manager in the world”, as suggested by one English football content creator.

Though appointing Glasner would require something of a tactical transformation on Merseyside, with the Palace boss typically fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation, he is relaxed about the minutiae of his systems, which are interchangeable and open to tweaks. This tactical pliability suggests that he could be an interesting pick from the FSG hierarchy.

Glasner gets it. And, moreover, he speaks with the clarity and intellect to throw down with any top manager in the Premier League, perhaps even having the credentials to wage tactical battle against the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

The ever-outspoken Jamie O’Hara has even gone as far as to suggest that Glasner is “a better manager” than Arteta, with his trophy-winning credentials and the instant level-up he has overseen in south London bearing testament to that claim.

O’Hara’s football allegiances may lend themselves to a dislike of the high-flying Gunners project, but there is something to be said of Glasner’s success in taking over a Palace side that had lost their way under Roy Hodgson and have since achieved superstardom, plying their craft in Europe and enjoying new status as multi-trophy holders.

There is an urgency to Palace’s creative play that does not detract from their grace and elegance. They have created more big chances this season than both Arsenal and Liverpool. In fact, Manchester City are the only outfit with a higher count at this stage.

Man City

35

46

Chelsea

25

41

Brentford

21

41

Crystal Palace

18

41

Arsenal

27

40

Palace’s inherent playmaking prowess under Glasner’s wing suggests that he could be the perfect fit for a Liverpool side chock-full of devastating attacking quality.

Things might have gone stale in Slot’s system, but Glasner would prove the likes of O’Hara right by joining the Anfield side and elevating this Reds side back to illustrious heights.

Glasner could be the project manager Liverpool need to rival Arteta and Arsenal and reclaim their place on their perch, should Slot indeed face the axe in the coming months.

Liverpool ace who's fallen off a cliff looks like "Fabinho in his final year"

Liverpool’s draw against Sunderland illustrated a litany of problems Slot is still dealing with.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 4, 2025

Sunderland have made an incredible start to life back in the Premier League, as they sit 12th, whilst the two teams that finished above them in the Championship are now in the relegation zone.

The Black Cats have had numerous players step up to prove their worth in the top-flight this season, including French centre-forward Wilson Isidor.

He has produced four goals in nine starts in the Premier League for Regis Le Bris, after a return of 12 goals in 43 Championship matches last term, per Sofascore.

Whilst it remains to be seen if he will continue to provide a regular threat in front of goal, the Black Cats are reportedly looking to add another number nine to their ranks.

Sunderland planning bid to sign Serie A striker

With the January transfer window little more than a month away, the Championship play-off winners are already making moves to bolster their squad for the second half of the season.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Sport Mediaset, via Sport Witness, Sunderland are ready to swoop for AC Milan centre-forward Santiago Gimenez to compete with Isidor and Brian Brobbey.

The report claims that the Black Cats have already made contact with the Mexico international’s agent to discuss a potential move to the Stadium of Light in the winter window.

It adds that Sunderland are planning to make an offer of an initial loan deal with an option to buy that becomes permanent if certain conditions, that remain unknown, are met.

Whilst it does not state how much the option or obligation would cost, it has been reported that Milan want to recoup the fee of around £26m that they paid Feyenoord for his services in February.

Why Sunderland should sign Santiago Gimenez

Some supporters may look at his record in Italy, of five goals in 23 Serie A matches in 2025, and question whether he is an upgrade on Isidor that is worth potentially paying £26m for.

However, Gimenez’s form for Feyenoord before his big-money move to Milan suggests that he is capable of far more than he has shown so far during his time with the Italian giants.

The Mexican number nine spent two-and-a-half years with the Dutch side and proved himself to be an incredibly prolific scorer in the Netherlands, particularly in his final 18 months at the club, as shown in the table below.

Appearances

30

11

Goals

23

7

Minutes per goal

104

110

Conversion rate

21%

25%

Big chances created

9

4

Assists

6

1

Gimenez scored 23 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, 26 in the 2023/24 campaign, and 22 for Feyenoord and Milan combined last term, per Sofascore.

The Milan forward, who was previously hailed as “unstoppable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may not have set the world alight in Italy, but his form for Feyenoord in recent years shows that he can score goals at an exceptional rate in the right environment.

Isidor, meanwhile, is one year older than Gimenez and has never scored more than 15 goals in a season, whilst his only season with double figures for goals came in the Championship last term.

The Mexico international has three seasons with more than 20 goals under his belt and has scored goals in the Europa League, the Eredivisie, the Serie A, and the Champions League.

These statistics outline why signing the 24-year-old marksman from Milan could be a brilliant piece of business because he has the potential to be a huge upgrade on Isidor as a goalscorer if Le Bris can extract his Feyenoord form back out of him in the Premier League.

Therefore, as an initial loan deal that could turn into a permanent signing, Gimenez could be a fantastic addition to the squad in the January window.

Le Bris can end £7m star's Sunderland career by signing Guendouzi

This Sunderland leader will surely be shown the exit door if Matteo Guendouzi does join Regis Le Bris’ ranks.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 26, 2025

Granit Xhaka has been linked with a stunning January move to Juventus just six months after joining Sunderland, with Italian reports claiming the midfielder is “back in fashion” for the Serie A giants. His entourage is said to be open to offers, but it has been reported in England that Sunderland have assured the Swiss star is not for sale as he continues to drive the Black Cats’ impressive season.

Juventus reopen Xhaka interest as January move emerges

The Swiss hero Xhaka has surprisingly found himself at the centre of fresh transfer speculation, with Italian outlet reporting that Juventus are ready to revisit the idea of signing the Swiss midfielder in January. The 33-year-old only joined Sunderland in the summer from Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract running until 2028, but his immediate impact in the Premier League has reportedly reignited interest in Italy.

The Turin-based paper claims Xhaka is “back in fashion” as Juve urgently seek midfield reinforcements ahead of a planned shift to a 4-3-3 under Luciano Spalletti. With first-choice targets such as Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand deemed “nearly impossible” to secure mid-season, the Bianconeri are said to be studying alternative solutions, and Xhaka has re-emerged as an option.

Xhaka has played every minute of Sunderland’s Premier League campaign so far, captaining the newly promoted side to fourth place with 19 points after 11 games. He has scored once and provided three assists across 990 minutes, prompting the Italian media outlet to describe him as a proven “leader” whom Regis Le Bris “has never given up on.”

The report also claims the midfielder’s entourage is prepared to “listen to potential offers” from Champions League clubs and that Sunderland “have not closed the door” on negotiations, fuelling speculation of a possible mid-season switch.

AdvertisementWhy Juventus see Xhaka as the solution

The report maintains that Juventus’ interest in Xhaka never disappeared entirely after their summer attempt. At the time, the club hesitated due to concerns over his age, as he had just turned 33 in September and did not fulfil all of their recruitment criteria. However, with the midfield overly reliant on Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, and with limited rotation options, the need for experience has become “urgent.”

The Turin club now view Xhaka as the best value-for-money solution available in January, as per reports. They accept that acquiring him would require more than the €15 million Sunderland paid Leverkusen, but still consider him a realistic target compared to more expensive or unavailable alternatives.

Another factor behind the revived interest is Xhaka’s proven ability to adapt quickly. His rapid integration in England, strengthens Juventus’ belief that he can make an instant Serie A impact.

further claims that Sunderland “will seek a deal that satisfies everyone” should Xhaka push for a departure. Their belief is that the Wearside project, exciting as it is, may not be able to resist pressure from Champions League-level suitors.

Speculation grows as entourage ‘ready to listen’

The most striking detail in the report is the claim that Xhaka’s representatives have utilised Sunderland’s stellar start to gauge interest from top European clubs. The Italian report even suggests that Sunderland aren't against making the move of their captain even after stellar start and that the club would not stand in the way should “Xhaka push for a departure.”

This portrayal paints a picture of opportunity and flexibility, a narrative that gained traction in Italy. However, Keith insists that Xhaka is “very happy” at Sunderland, not exploring a move, and is “not for sale” under any circumstances.

The conflicting versions highlight how quickly transfer noise can escalate once a top European club is involved and how differently speculation can be interpreted across borders.

But, what has intensified the speculation is the scale of Xhaka’s influence at Sunderland in such a short time. Signed for around £13m, he has delivered four goal contributions in 11 games and played a key part in the Black Cats’ rise into the Premier League’s top four, a remarkable position for a newly promoted side.

He scored a penalty in Switzerland’s recent 4-1 victory over Sweden and has been ever-present for Sunderland in the league. His leadership has become central to the team’s unexpected push for European places, with his performances against Chelsea and Arsenal earning widespread praise.

His importance is further underlined by Sunderland’s tactical dependency on his passing range, leadership, and experience. Removing him in January would create a gap almost impossible to fill for a club aiming to establish itself in the top half.

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Getty Images SportFocus shifts to Fulham as speculation swirls

Xhaka and Sunderland return to Premier League duty after the international break with a trip to struggling Fulham, a match that begins an important period in the club’s season. As transfer rumours swirl, the Swiss captain is expected to remain the heartbeat of the side as Le Bris’ men aim to maintain momentum and secure a top-half finish.

Juve, meanwhile, are expected to continue monitoring the situation, especially if their primary midfield targets remain out of reach. While Xhaka’s name may remain linked with a Serie A switch, Sunderland’s internal message is quite mixed as of now.

However, one thing is clear, unless Xhaka personally pushes for the move, the January window is far more likely to bring speculation than action. For now, Sunderland’s ambitions, Xhaka’s importance, and the club’s trajectory all point toward stability rather than departure.

Just like buses, you wait a while for a Rangers win in the Scottish Premiership and then two come along at once.

On Wednesday night, Rangers, donning their new bright orange fourth kit, for once did not look off colour, beating Hibernian 1-0 at Easter Road, thanks to Danilo’s left-footed strike inside four and a half minutes.

So, having won only one of their first eight league matches this season, Danny Röhl has now won both since his appointment, also battling to a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Ibrox last Sunday.

Next up for Röhl is an Old Firm derby in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden on Sunday, facing a Celtic side led by Martin O’Neill, wait, what year is this?

Ahead of that massive Glasgow derby, which Rangers star made himself simply undroppable thanks to his exploits in Leith?

Danilo's Rangers resurgence

Fair to say, in general, since arriving from Feyenoord for £6m over two years ago, Danilo has not lived up to expectations.

His goal in Edinburgh this week was only his 15th in 62 outings for the Light Blues, sitting out a whopping 65 matches due to various injuries.

Now though, having also headed home against Killie on Sunday, the Brazilian has scored in back-to-back Premiership matches for the first time in 11 months.

Speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage, Chris Sutton asserted that Danilo has grabbed his opportunity, while former Rangers striker Kris Boyd would like to see him deployed as the centre-forward on Sunday, given that he has shown more promise than either Youssef Chermiti or Bojan Miovski to date.

Well, Danilo’s father Marcelo Silva, who has been a prominent figure at Rangers matches for a few years now, possibly outshone his son in Leith, very much enjoying his night at Easter Road, dancing away at the very front of the away stand.

Nevertheless, despite Danilo’s sudden scoring spree, he was not the biggest Rangers hero on the night.

Rangers' "best player this season"

Worth highlighting that the only reason Rangers departed the capital with all three points on Wednesday was thanks to the contribution of goalkeeper Jack Butland.

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With five minutes to go, Connor Barron bundled over Junior Hoilett and referee John Beaton pointed to the penalty spot.

Jamie McGrath stepped up, but saw his effort spectacularly saved by Butland, preserving victory for the Gers.

Butland has now, remarkably, now saved six of the last seven penalties he’s faced, excluding shootout, already denying Oh Hyeon-gyu of Genk and Lawrence Shankland of Hearts from 12 yards earlier in the campaign, albeit the latter did convert the rebound.

Nevertheless, this save secured Rangers’ first away clean sheet since a 3-0 victory over Ross County in Dingwall on 8 December 2024, a run of 325 days and 24 matches, the latter an unwanted club record, smashing the previous one of 22 set in 1897 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

For Butland specifically, irrespective of whom the manager has been, he has been a consistent performer so far this season.

Towards the back end of the last campaign, during Barry Ferguson’s interim tenure, Butland found himself on the bench, following a string of errors, with Liam Kelly starting both legs of the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club.

Now though, the England international appears to be back to his best, as the statistics below highlight.

Clean sheets

2

6th

Goals conceded

10

3rd*

Goals conceded per 90

1

4th

Saves

27

7th

Save %

68.8%

10th

Runs out

8

1st

Penalties saved

2

1st

*minimum 600 minutes.

Of course, despite Rangers leakiness at the back, Butland is nowhere near the busiest goalkeeper in the Premiership, with both Scott Bain of Falkirk and Dundee United’s Yevhen Kucherenko facing more than 50 shots apiece to Butland’s 32.

Nevertheless, for the most part, he has made big saves when called upon.

Back when he was at Stoke, then-manager Paul Lambert labelled him the “best goalkeeper in Britain”, while journalist Scott Bradley notes that Butland “was a shell of his former self last season” but has been “Rangers’ best player this season” so far.

Thus, while new manager Röhl is quickly searching for player he can rely on, Butland has certainly proved himself to be one of those, underlining his undroppable status.

If Rangers are going to beat their fiercest rivals at Hampden on Sunday and book their place in December’s League Cup Final, chances are they’ll need their goalkeeper to be at his brilliant best, possibly even in a penalty shootout.

Better than Danilo: Rangers star may have saved his Ibrox career

This Glasgow Rangers star who was even better than Danilo may have saved his career at the club.

ByDan Emery Oct 30, 2025

Imam-Ul-Haq century impresses but Liam Dawson emerges on top with List A career highlight of 142

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay31-Aug-2025Hampshire are through to next month’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup final after a rain-affected semi-final win over Yorkshire at Scarborough, the visitors defending a revised 41-over target of 254 following Liam Dawson’s stunning List A best 142 off 116 balls.Hampshire, winners of this competition in 2018, will face Worcestershire at Trent Bridge on September 20 after the Rapids beat Somerset at home and the visitors won here by 18 runs on Duckworth Lewis Stern.In reply to Hampshire’s 304 for 6, which saw England Test all-rounder Dawson brilliantly recover his side from 78 for 4 inside 20 overs, Pakistani opener Imam-Ul-Haq impressed for 105.And Yorkshire were well placed at 171 for 3 in the 31st over chasing a revised 254-target in 41 overs following rain.But they lost two wickets in a Scott Currie over, including Imam run out, and Hampshire squeezed impressively, with the hosts 235 for 8.Currie, who struck twice with his seam, had earlier contributed his own List A best 61 not out off 40 balls. Dawson’s left-arm spin also accounted for two wickets, and Yorkshire have now lost 19 of their last 22 List A finals.Yorkshire started well, Matt Milnes dominating as Hampshire slipped having been inserted.Seamer Milnes, having claimed a career-best 7 for 38 in last Sunday’s group-stage win over Sussex at Hove, claimed the first three here, including forcing visiting captain Nick Gubbins to play on with his third ball in the day’s second over.He then removed Fletcha Middleton and Ali Orr before George Hill’s seam also forced Ben Brown to play on.Dawson came in at 53 for 3 in the 12th over and offered a sharp return catch to Ben Cliff on six, clearly a key moment.The 35-year-old was the glue which held the innings together before exploding late on.He shared 89 for the fifth wicket with 17-year-old Ben Mayes, whose 37 helped to turn the tide, before sixth-wicket partner Currie pressed the accelerator.Shortly after Dawson reached his fourth List A century off 103 balls, Currie’s maiden List A fifty came in 35 as Hampshire pushed on from 180 for 5 after 40 overs.Dawson finished with seven sixes and hit strongly down the ground and over cover and long-on, while both he and Currie improvised as they shared 136 inside the last 13 overs of the innings – 75 runs coming off the last five overs.Kyle Abbott and Brad Wheal then bowled very tidily with the new ball, restricting Adam Lyth and Imam to 43 for 0 in the 13th over when the rain arrived.A half-hour delay through to 4.25pm was followed by Lyth edging the second ball back behind off Eddie Jack.Imam, leaving for national commitments after this game, then calmly advanced the hosts to 98 for 1 after 20 overs with a 52-ball fifty.Strong off his legs, the left-hander then united with Will Luxton to share 99.Luxton pulled a couple of sixes, including one the first ball back after the second half-hour rain break. But he chopped on to Jack with the second, falling for 30.James Wharton holed out to Currie shortly afterwards before Imam reached his fourth ton of this season’s campaign off 96 balls.But Wharton and Imam fell, alongside Fin Bean, as Yorkshire lost a defining three wickets for 10 inside two overs to slip to 171 for 5 in the 32nd, still needing 83.Imam was run out by a combination of Jack from midwicket and bowler Currie after Bean pulled and non-striker Imam slipped.Yorkshire then lost Hill and Harry Duke in successive balls to Wheal and Dawson and, seven wickets down, needed 47 off 4.5 overs.From there, they subsided, with Dawson striking again.

Barcelona continued to play their role as La Liga’s entertainers as they beat Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday to move within three points of leaders Real Madrid. Celta were a constant threat on the counter, catching out the Blaugrana high line constantly, but the Barca attacking trifecta of Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal proved too strong for Os Celestes.

The game began at a frantic pace with both Celta and Barcelona exchanging attacks, but it was the visitors who struck the first blow. Known for the spectacular, Fermin Lopez fired a hopeful effort from outside the box which struck the outstretched arm of former team-mate Marcos Alonso, earning a penalty after nine minutes. Lewandowski made no mistake from the spot, but Celta would respond immediately as Sergio Carreira raced through from his own half and made no mistake one-on-one with Wojciech Szcesney.

Barca kept coming forwards and, after 37 minutes, Rashford was on hand to provide Lewandowski with his second of the game, the Manchester United loanee’s in-swinging cross meeting the Polish forward’s boot to fire under Ionut Radu in the Celta goal. Again, though, the visitors defence could not hang on to a lead as five minutes later, a long ball over the top allowed Ferran Jutgla to scamper beyond Alejandro Balde, and his cutback to Borja Iglesias on the edge of the area was swept into the top corner.

With the first half heading into injury time, Rashford was handed the ball and fashioned an ounce of space down the left, cut back and, via a deflection from Ilaix Moriba, unintentionally found Yamal at the back post. With his weaker foot, the teenager fired in at the near post to put Barcelona in front once again.

Frenkie de Jong stepped up after the interval to take the sting out of the game, with the Dutchman dictating in the middle of the pitch, and the visitors began to turn the screw before Rashford swung in another cross, this time from a corner, and picked out Lewandowski, who glanced home his third. De Jong did see red after picking up a second booking in stoppage time, but the Catalans otherwise saw out the game with relative ease.

GOAL rates Barca's players from Balaidos…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):

Could not do too much with the Celta goals and had a quiet second period.

Eric Garcia (6/10):

Made some good runs going forwards and performed well in a less natural role at right-back. 

Ronald Araujo (6/10):

Iglesias dominated the Barcelona defence, toying with Araujo and his partner for much of the game. The Uruguayan did improve as the game progressed and was far stronger late in the game.

Pau Cubarsi (5/10):

Completely off the pace for the first Celta goal and allowed the opposition through on countless occasions.

Alejandro Balde (6/10):

Good in attack, but kept Carreira onside for Celta's first goal and was caught up the pitch for the second.

AdvertisementAFPMidfield

Frenkie de Jong (8/10):

On the ball was his usual elegant self and grew into the game in the second half. Perhaps at fault for keeping Jutgla onside for Celta's second before seeing red in stoppage time.

Dani Olmo (5/10):

A late call up to replace Casado and looked out of place in the midfield. Even after improving after the break, nothing truly clicked for the attacking midfielder.

Fermin Lopez (6/10):

Kept the ball and was neat in possession, but did not glow as brightly as he has done recently. Won the first penalty with speculative effort.

AFPAttack

Lamine Yamal (8/10):

Overshadowed by Rashford and Lewandowski in attack, but still got his goal and played particularly well, even with Celta doubling up to mark him.

Robert Lewandowski (10/10):

Made no mistake from 12 yards to put Barcelona ahead and produced a clinical volley to make it 2-1. A lovely guided header capped a top all-round performance from the veteran centre-forward who deserved his hat-trick.

Marcus Rashford (9/10):

The star of the show and has continued to make the left-wing spot his own in the absence of Raphinha. Another two assists take him to the top of the La Liga provider charts, and he was central to much of the Blaugrana's attacking verve.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Andreas Christensen (N/A):

Came on in the final five minutes of the game.

Gerard Martin (N/A):

Handed a late cameo, but the game was already won.

Ferran Torres (N/A):

Another late substitute not given enough time to make an impression.

Marc Bernal (N/A):

On for the final seconds following De Jong's red.

Hansi Flick (6/10):

His high-line tactics cost Barcelona on a few occasions, but will be pleased with the victory. Strangely did not make any changes until late in the game.

Liverpool thought they were back, two goals to the good, but these new habits have seeped into the fabric of Arne Slot’s project, and they are proving tough stains to wipe out.

Still jubilant from their win against Chelsea in midweek, Daniel Farke’s Whites met Liverpool with the expected passion and combativeness, fuelled by a raucous home support, and while the champions weathered that early storm and struck twice through Hugo Ekitike, back in the starting line-up, they succumbed to more defensive disaster, drawing the game 3-3.

The Frenchman has been a shining light throughout a dreary campaign for the Redmen, overshadowing record signing Alexander Isak, but Liverpool’s frontline still lacks balance and connectivity, and that’s why FSG are gearing up for a winter raid on Bournemouth for Antoine Semenyo.

The latest on Semenyo to Liverpool

It has emerged that Semenyo, who has been Bournemouth’s talisman this season, has a £65m release clause in his contract that becomes active during the winter transfer window.

Cue the circling sharks.

Liverpool are joined by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in their vested interest, but the Reds have been reported to be leading the race for a player earmarked as the perfect successor to Luis Diaz, who joined Bayern Munich in August.

A big-game player with so much dynamism, the Ghana international, 26, has been declared the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle, and you would sense that he would only go from strength to strength in a leading role on Merseyside.

Ibrahima Konate’s latest blunder illustrated the desperate need for new defenders, but Slot will feel that Semenyo’s signature is equally important for the Anfield side, whose balance is all wrong in the final third.

And there’s one man in particular who is flattering to deceive.

Liverpool star must be replaced by Semenyo

Liverpool have been in a rut this season, and Cody Gakpo has been carried along in the stream, popping up with some moments in front of goal but lacking the multifacetedness that a winger like Semenyo would bring to the table.

Against Leeds, Gakpo failed with all six of his attempted crosses and lost the ball 13 times. He created only one chance for his teammates (data via Sofascore).

There is a pointed lack of nuance to the Dutchman’s game. Oh, he’s talented, to be sure, and dynamic enough, but Semenyo far outstrips him in such areas, so powerful and athletic and clever with his movements and decisions.

Matches (starts)

14 (12)

14 (14)

Goals

4

6

Assists

3

3

Touches*

42.2

48.9

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (0.4)

2.4 (1.4)

Accurate passes*

19.1 (79%)

19.7 (78%)

Chances created*

1.8

1.3

Dribbles*

1.1

1.6

Recoveries*

2.7

5.0

Tackles + interceptions*

1.1

2.0

Duels won*

4.9

6.5

Gakpo knows where the back of the net is, and he is skilled in playmaking too, but Semenyo is the talk of the town and rightly so, standing out in a Bournemouth team that might have lost their way in regard to three-point hauls, but remain one of the most interesting attacking outfits in the country.

Conversely, Liverpool are a structural mess, and their Netherlands winger is failing to provide the width and energy and solutions that were presented with a regularity that led to the Premier League title last season.

As analyst Josh Williams put it, it was an “annoying” display from Gakpo, and the 26-year-old needs a contrasting profile down the left if Liverpool are to restore their presence as superstars.

Liverpool ace who's fallen off a cliff looks like "Fabinho in his final year"

Liverpool’s draw against Sunderland illustrated a litany of problems Slot is still dealing with.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 4, 2025

Back-up spinner, reserve batter or cover for Ben Stokes, Will Jacks ticks boxes for Australia tour

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Sep-20250:52

What Will Jacks offers the England Ashes squad

It was a selection akin to a movie Easter egg. A nod to preceding works, like a Cornetto or colour-based last names, which in this case was left-field selections.This winter will be three years since Will Jacks’ previous two Test caps, an anniversary he will mark as a member of England’s most optimistic Ashes tour in 15 years. And the thread of selecting a player with just five first-class appearances in the last two summers tethers Jacks to 2024’s selection trilogy of Shoaib Bashir, Josh Hull and Jacob Bethell as unorthodox picks.Much like Jacks, those three were the kind of calls that required a degree of imagination. Squint hard enough at the time and you could see why Bashir was different to other English spinners, that Bethell had the wares to be a world-beater and the value in fast-tracking a tall left-arm quick.That this trio of 21-year-olds will be in Australia this winter – Hull likely to feature on the Lions tour which runs alongside the main group through to Brisbane – speaks of varying degrees of success with hot-housing development through early exposure. Which makes Jacks’ selection that much more intriguing.Related

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Brook named as Ashes vice-captain as Jacks wins recall

He is not really there as England’s second spinner over Rehan Ahmed, even if his knack of coming over and down the ball at six-foot-two carries similarities to Bashir. Nor has he expressly beaten Jordan Cox to the spare batter slot, though he also offers the attacking verve of his international and Oval Invincibles team-mate. Jacks, who turns 27 on the first day of the Ashes, is neither and, yet, both.”I think Jacks goes in as a tactical decision as much as a replacement,” managing director Rob Key said on Wednesday.”You can have a second spinner who’s just there as an out-and-out spinner, who is just going to replace the number one if he goes down. But it’s going to be down to the seamers and batters to get the runs and wickets.”Will Jacks isn’t the finished article as a spinner but he’s someone you might be able to get to hold an end up if we’re thinking spinners aren’t going to be the ones that define the series. It may well be different.”The ability to bat too. We think he’s someone who’s not going to be overawed by the occasion, the extra pace and bounce you get over there. He’s just a really handy option to have for the different conditions we might come up against.”Key’s assertion that Jacks won’t be “overawed” is, ultimately, what got his selection over the line. And it does not just pertain to playing high pace above your waist.Brendon McCullum has been open about “the noise” England should expect in Australia, on and off the field. As much as he will try and insulate them from it, he is all too aware the onus will be on individuals to deal with what pressure comes their way. Jacks, they feel, will not shrink in that environment as others have done.Will Jacks last played a Test in Pakistan three years ago•AFP/Getty ImagesThough Jacks has not been a regular under McCullum, with just two Tests in 2022 against Pakistan and 10 limited-overs matches this year, the 26-year-old has a reputation for fronting up.A sought-after talent on the franchise circuit, he has always been entrusted with key roles at the top of the order and with the ball, particularly with Oval Invincibles and Pretoria Capitals. Still yet to crack the IPL, a century in Ahmedabad for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and all-round consistency for Mumbai Indians in the most recent edition hint at an unflappable character, unperturbed by the bright lights.Of course, fronting up itself is no guarantee of success, and there are examples of that within Jacks’ sporadic international career.During his second Test, in Multan, he batted three in the second innings – albeit only lasting four balls – to allow Ollie Pope to come in lower down the order after keeping. In last year’s T20 World Cup, he took the second over against Australia and conceded 22, lined up to Bridgetown’s short side by Travis Head. His current reinvention as a white-ball finisher has, so far, been modest.His biggest call to arms this winter may not be deputising for Bashir, whether through injury or England deciding against playing an out-and-out spinner if conditions dictate. It may well be as a replacement for Ben Stokes.England’s talismanic captain is said to be well on course to recover from his right shoulder tear and play a full part in the Ashes as an allrounder. But after missing five Tests in the space of 12 months due to three internal injuries, contingency plans have been made.The clearest of those has been Harry Brook’s ascension to vice-captaincy ahead of Pope. “He’s set his style and identity, which is very similar to someone like Ben,” Key noted of Brook’s work since assuming limited-overs captain from Jos Buttler at the start of the summer.Replacing Stokes’ aura and tactical acumen will not be straightforward, though the sense is Brook offers more of both than Pope. Practically, he has often been replaced by a seamer. Even as far back as the 2017-18 Ashes when Steven Finn, and then Tom Curran, were drafted after Stokes was suspended following a fight outside a Bristol nightclub.Should Stokes be unavailable at any point this winter, Jacks offers a neat compromise. Not only could he bat at No. 6, thus allowing Jamie Smith to stay at seven, but it would then mean an extra seamer play instead of Bashir. That way, England would be able to maintain a similar balance of batting depth and bowling options.Essentially, Jacks’ selection can be boiled down, simply, as England’s 16th and final pick. A wildcard for a trip to a country where they have not won a Test since 2011. Someone offering what they might want as much as what they might need.