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“I think the skill has failed us when it has been really important,” Sri Lanka head coach Ratnayake said after defeat to India

Firdose Moonda10-Oct-20242:59

‘The timing of Harmanpreet’s knock makes it special’

Sri Lanka’s head coach Rumesh Ratnayake has described his team’s performance at the T20 World Cup as “not acceptable”, and a consequence of skill “failing us” after they were knocked out of semi-final contention by India. Sri Lanka have lost all of their three matches so far in the World Cup, and cannot advance out of the group after coming into the event with the expectation they could go after an impressive last 20 months.Since the last T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have won series in England and South Africa, cruised through the World Cup Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi undefeated, and beaten Pakistan and India on their way to becoming Asia Cup champions. But Sri Lanka lost to both those oppositions and defending champions Australia in the first week of the tournament, which Ratnayake put down to overall underperformance.”It was bad playing through and through this tournament,” he said after Sri Lanka lost to India by 82 runs. “They’ve been doing poor cricket, and that is not acceptable. We’ve been talking about it, we’ve tried to come out of it and we’ve tried various things, we’ve been fearlessly doing things, freely doing things, and I think the skill has failed us when it has been really important.”Related

• Pakistan to 'move on and bring new faces' in batting unit after group-stage exit

• Harmanpreet, bowlers demolish Sri Lanka to hand India big NRR boost

• Scenarios: How can India make it to the semi-finals?

• Harmanpreet serves up a reminder of Harmonster

Though he did not specifically say it, Ratnayake must have been talking about Sri Lanka’s batting. They have not crossed 100 in any of their three innings, whether batting first or chasing, and their collective form has directly mirrored their captain’s. Chamari Athapaththu has been dismissed in single figures in each innings for a total of ten runs at the tournament thus far. It is her worst return at a World Cup, and stands in stark contrast to the last two editions, in South Africa and Australia, where she scored over 100 runs in each event.The singular focus on Athapaththu can be traced back – probably much further, but for our purposes – to the start of Sri Lanka’s current bad patch, which started on their tour of Ireland in August. Athapaththu missed the two T20Is as she was playing in the Hundred, and though Sri Lanka started well in the first T20I and chased down 146 inside 17 overs to win comfortably, they could not reach a target of 174 in the next match. On Athapaththu’s return, for the ODIs, she notched up 0 and 22 as Sri Lanka went 2-0 down, before managing 48 when they claimed a consolation win.”From the second match up to the fifth match [in Ireland], there were situations where we were on top and we faltered,” Ratnayake said.One such situation was in the second T20I, where Sri Lanka were 101 for 2 in the 13th over but then lost 5 for 56 in five overs to lose by seven runs. Still, Ratnayake was happy with the work they did back in Sri Lanka.”Our preparation was really good back home,” he said. “We played on various types of wickets. We simulated some of those similar situations, but winning those moments, winning those appropriate situations, decision-making along with the skill hasn’t been backed up. The skill did not come through as it did as you said in the finals of the Asia Cup. So that’s something which we need to work on, rethink and come back.”Sri Lanka’s form in the World Cup has reflected that of their captain Chamari Athapaththu•Getty Images

In the Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka successfully chased 166, and though Athapaththu scored a half-century, they also had runs in the form of an unbeaten 69 from Harshitha Samarawickrama, and a 16-ball 30 from Kavisha Dilhari. Both of those are players Athapaththu herself has identified as being key to the future of Sri Lanka cricket. Ratnayake also believed Sri Lanka are “almost closing the gap”, between Athapaththu and other batters with potential, and he continues to have faith in their development initiatives.”In the past 22 months, we’ve worked hard on creating an environment which is conducive for learning,” he said. “So we are not only building up in confidence but building up in confidence so that we would back ourselves with the skill as well.”But has that confidence spilled over into overconfidence, given Sri Lanka’s fighting talk before the series? Athapaththu spoke realistically of their chances of making the semi-finals at this tournament despite being in the tougher of the two groups, and Ratnayake backed that up when he said Sri Lanka “are here to win the World Cup,” and not just participate.”Overconfidence is a thing which is verbally not accepted in our environment, so I don’t think it’s overconfidence, but they are confident enough,” he said. “That is what we thrive on and that is what we emphasise on. It’s just that when needed, we haven’t won the moments.”Now, they also have no hope of winning the World Cup but Ratnayake continues to believe in the group of players he is working with. “This has happened and we will never give up, so that’s a very heartening and a very satisfying thing for a coach to see,” he said. “As much as I’ve created an environment, I’m quite privileged and honoured to be here because they are a super lot. I know we will come through this sooner rather than later.”Sri Lanka have two days before their final match, against New Zealand on Saturday, and Ratnayake has described it as a “prime objective” to “salvage ourselves” and win that game. They will be up against a New Zealand side who will feel the same way, after their chastening defeat to Australia, and with the match a must-win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. For Ratnayake, nothing less than an almighty fight will be acceptable.

Tottenham Hotspur and their transfer plans for the summer window are underway, starting with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel for £30 million, but they’re by no means finished with the Frenchman.

Spurs are poised for a crucial 2025/2026 campaign back in the Champions League, and new manager Thomas Frank is tasked with building off his predecessor’s Europa League triumph in Bilbao last month.

"Special" Tottenham forward spotted at another club amid talks to leave

Spurs are in negotiations over his exit.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 17, 2025

Ange Postecoglou brought an end to the club’s 17-year wait for major silverware with their 1-0 victory over Man United, which subsequently confirmed Tottenham’s spot in Europe’s most prestigious competition for next season.

The significant financial windfall awarded to them thanks to Spurs’ Champions League qualification is set to play a “huge” role in their summer recruitment drive, and they no longer have to operate under a ‘sell to buy’ policy (Michael Bridge).

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Nevertheless, a rebuild is still anticipated, with Atlético Madrid eyeing up a move for star defender Cristian Romero and club legend Son Heung-min attracting serious interest from Saudi Arabia, amid credible reports 2024/2025 could have been his last at Tottenham.

There have been suggestions in the last few months that Tottenham could even sell Pedro Porro this summer, even if these claims were before their Europa League win, with the resurgence of Djed Spence playing a role here too.

Interestingly, football.london’s Alasdair Gold has recently revealed that Spence has a long-time admirer in new head coach Frank. Brentford held a long-standing interest in the Englishman, with bids even made for him in previous summers, so Spence could be a member of the squad who stands to seriously benefit from the Dane’s arrival.

If Spurs decide they can afford to sell Porro for a substantial fee after all, despite his excellent performances towards the back end of last season, they’ll still need a new right-back to come in and rotate with Spence, especially with their hectic European fixture calendar.

Tottenham willing to "invest heavily" on Vanderson signing

According to a report from UOL, Monaco defender Vanderson is firmly on the Lilywhites’ transfer shortlist.

The Brazil international is currently being chased by Barcelona, though, who’ve intensified talks with the Ligue 1 side, and progress has been made in negotiations to lure Vanderson to the Camp Nou.

They’re counting on the 23-year-old’s preference to join the Spanish champions, with Monaco seeking a fee north of £30 million to part company with their highly-rated wing-back. However, Frank’s side could pose a real threat and hijack their deal.

UOL state that Tottenham are still in the running to sign Vanderson, whilst willing to “invest heavily” in his signing. Monaco also have a major incentive to sell to Spurs instead. Spanish taxes mean Monaco would lose around 15 per cent of their final sale value, but a transfer to England would mean they take a far less substantial loss in that regard.

Taking this into account, the “perfectionist” defender could be one to watch at N17.

Vanderson is a well-balanced modern full-back who has established himself as a reliable defender at Monaco since his move there three years ago. According to The Mail, Brentford actually held talks over a deal for Vanderson in 2021, so he’s a player who Frank has admired for quite a while.

It’s set to be a very busy summer at Rangers. With 49ers Enterprises, spearheaded by Paraag Marathe, close to finalising their 51% takeover of the Ibrox side, they’ve got plenty of work to do before Champions League qualifying commences early on 22/23 July.

Rangers need a new manager and, after a trophyless campaign, the squad requires major surgery too, but could they land a “very talented” midfielder, who would suit the style of play of one of the front-runners to become the new boss?

The latest on Davide Ancelotti to Rangers

As reported by Spanish outlet AS, Carlo Ancelotti’s son, Davide Ancelotti, is one of the front-runners to become the new Rangers manager, claiming that the 35-year-old is excited by the ‘project’.

Mark Atkinson of the Scotsman notes that Ancelotti previously worked with Rangers’ new sporting director Kevin Thelwell at Everton, while Guillem Balague and Chris McLaughlin of BBC Sport are reporting that an official approach has now been made.

Ancelotti has been his father assistant at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid, but has never been a head coach in his own right, so it is difficult to forecast what a Davide team looks like, but one can only assume it would be similar to a Carlo side.

With that in mind, perhaps their latest transfer target might be perfect.

The first signing of the Ancelotti era?

According to a report by TEAMtalk earlier this week, Rangers are ‘plotting’ a move to sign midfielder Metinho, who they claim is valued at £4m.

Transfer Focus

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

Born in DR Congo, Abemly Meto Silu and his father Abel fled when he was just one-year-old, moving to Rio de Janeiro, earning the nickname Metinho during his time in Fluminense’s academy.

After turning pro, he was picked up by the City Football Group, officially attached to Troyes, although he’s never made a senior appearance for the Ligue 2 side, loaned out to Lommel in Belgium, another CFG-owned club, as well as Sparta Rotterdam and then, most-recently FC Basel.

The table below illustrates his globe-trotting career so far.

Fluminense

Campeonato Carioca

1

Troyes B

Championnat National 3

8

Lommel

Challenger Pro League

27

Sparta Rotterdam

Eredivisie

41

Jong Sparta Rotterdam

Tweede Divisie

1

FC Basel

Swiss Super League

11

Since leaving Brazil, he has played in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland, so could Scotland be next on this list?

This weekend Basel were crowned Swiss champions for the first time since 2017 and, while Metinho has only made 11 appearances for the RotBlau, he’s quickly established himself as a key figure, dubbed ‘the Brazilian Paul Pogba’ due to their stylistic similarities.

So, where would the 22-year-old fit in at Ibrox, and could he be the perfect first signing for an Ancelotti-led Rangers side?

Where Metinho would fit in at Rangers

Samuel Bannister of Team Talk notes that Metinho is ‘known for his versatility and composure’, adding that ‘he stands out for his ability at taking on opponents… but he’s also good at stopping opponents getting past him’.

​​​​​Meanwhile, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes the 22-year-old as “very talented”, while adding in a separate player profile that the Brazilian is a ‘defensive midfielder…. best suited’ to playing at the base of a 4-3-3.

So, could this make him the perfect signing for Rangers’ player of the season Nicolas Raskin who, as noted by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, has been ‘one of few silver linings’ in an otherwise miserable campaign for the Gers?

Scott Bradley of Breaking the Lines believes the now Belgian international ‘has the potential to be something special’, with Brandon Liss of Total Football Analysis describing him as a ‘deep-lying playmaker’ who likes to ‘spray passes​​​​​​​’ and ‘roam vertically from touchline to touchline’, suggesting Metinho’s tactical discipline could certainly help to get the best out of him.

Thus, Raskin and Metinho’s skill sets appear to perfectly complement one another, and one can totally envisage the duo operating in a Real Madrid-esque 4-3-3, should Ancelotti arrive at Ibrox.

Of course, neither are quite as good as Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde or Luka Modrić, which is a pretty high bar in fairness, but, as a pair, they could form the building blocks as Rangers look to rebuild a competitive team.

Perhaps in this situation, Raskin would act as the Modric-like midfielder while Mettinho would be more of a Tchouameni, sitting deeper and protecting the defence while the Belgian goes about creating play.

As referenced earlier, with Metinho valued at just £4m, this is exactly the sort of high-potential, low-cost transfer Rangers need to be targeting and need to get right, if they’re going to be able to compete with Celtic at the top of the table.

He's the next Gerrard: Rangers close in on "big name" appointment at Ibrox

Rangers could go left field with their new manager

ByRoss Kilvington May 13, 2025

Hayley Matthews ended her dream tour of Pakistan as she started it, with yet another commanding performance as West Indies coasted to an eight-wicket win in Karachi. Smashing 78 in 59 balls, the West Indies captain made light work of Pakistan’s first innings total of 134, with the visitors getting there with ten balls to spare. West Indies won the series 4-1.West Indies demonstrated Thursday’s indifferent performance was an aberration, and were right on it from the moment they won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat. Pakistan started brightly with a 38-run opening partnership in five overs, and after Qiana Joseph cleaned up Ayesha Zafar following a 16-ball 22, Sidra Ameen and Muneeba Ali went about rebuilding effectively. By the 12th over, the hosts sat pretty at 84 for 1, ostensibly set up for a big finish.But, led by legspinner Afy Fletcher, West Indies engineered an almighty Pakistan collapse. Only Rameen Shamim, whose late unbeaten 11-ball 16 got Pakistan past 130, managed double figures after the top three. Pakistan lost seven wickets for 37 runs as Fletcher, Joseph and Matthews all cashed in, strangling the innings until Shamim’s final-over flourish. Sidra top-scored for Pakistan with a 52-ball 48.But West Indies had the momentum, and never truly ceded it. Matthews started cautiously once more, allowing Rashada Williams to inflict the early jabs. Sadia Iqbal got rid of her in the fifth over, but that brought out Shemaine Campbelle, who, together with Matthews put together a 103-run partnership, terminally ending any Pakistan hopes of another consolation win. Towards the second half of that innings, Matthews seemed to be finding boundaries at will, 11 of them sprinkled throughout her innings as she surpassed 50 and helped her side hurtle towards what suddenly looked like an inadequate target. Campbelle, meanwhile eased along for an unbeaten 33 off 35, happy to play second fiddle at a master in full flow.Pakistan did manage to get Matthews out one final time in the series, Nashra Sandhu knocking her stumps back. But by then, West Indies needed just seven to win, and Matthews’ work was done.

A few months of his leadership appear, against all expectation, to have steadied the national team

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Aug-2019The selectors are making strange picks, the board is trying to sack another coach, the sports minister is making serious overreaches, the XI changes from series to series, but from amid this chaos, which to many has seemed like the wreckage of a once-was cricketing power, Dimuth Karunaratne has eked out a small but significant patch of stability.He came to the captaincy at a time of extreme vulnerability. The team was at the start of a third leg of a Southern Hemisphere tour in which they had not won a single match after two-and-a-half months on the road. He also had a vastly inexperienced attack to call on, and a couple of key senior players were missing. Before his first series at the helm he seemed like a farmer who had inherited an operation where the crops had been burned, the barn was on fire, and whose fences had been torn apart, and yet somehow he managed to strap all his livestock to the same plough and had them pulling in the same direction. Sri Lanka became only the third team ever to beat South Africa in their own backyard. And they did it 2-0. This is the craziest result of the year. Of any year. Months later, you’re still expecting to wake up from the dream.A middling World Cup as ODI captain followed, and unless you’re the kind of hyper-optimistic fan who goes to sleep in a Sri Lanka shirt and craps blue and yellow, a middling World Cup was the best that could have been hoped for. Through the course of it, Lasith Malinga was shooting verbal bazookas in every direction, and cardboard cutouts of some middle order batsmen might have scored more runs than the batsmen themselves, and yet, the team did not look anywhere near as directionless as they could have done. That Karunaratne was the fourth one-day captain in nine months was practically forgotten.This has been an era of farcical and unprecedented turnover in Sri Lanka cricket, for coaches and captains, yes, but also for boards and sports ministers, but a few months of Karunaratne’s leadership appears, against all expectation, to have steadied the national team. In the ongoing Galle Test, a second-day middle-order collapse aside, Sri Lanka have done all the things expected of a determined Test-match outfit. They’ve hounded out the New Zealand batsmen who have looked uncomfortable. Those batting well, they’ve tied down and forced into corners. And where normally, New Zealand outfield Sri Lanka by such an extent that they may as well be playing different sports, Sri Lanka have arguably made more of the chances that have come their way, in this Test.Now, for the first time in seven Test innings, Karunaratne has himself hit a half-century. It is far from one of his best. He was dropped once at least, and could have been stumped. He played the cut like it was an addiction, and missed probably half the time. But making tough runs such as these in the fourth innings of a Galle Test, is a vital pillar in any captaincy. Although his team won in South Africa, there was no substantial contribution from Karunaratne himself. His unbeaten 133-run stand with Lahiru Thirimanne has not only moved Sri Lanka almost halfway to their target, it is also their best-ever opening stand in the fourth innings of a Test.”Both those knocks are invaluable,” said acting coach Rumesh Ratnayake at stumps. “We saw how well they bowled and how hard we fought to get this 133 runs. It wasn’t all from the middle of the bat. It’s just that they had something called ‘wanting to be there and wanting to stay there’. That was the talk from what Dimuth said before as well. Dimuth brings a lot of calmness to the team.”If Sri Lanka go on to win this match – and there is no guarantee that they will, on what is still a surface that can throw up several wickets at once – Karunaratne’s 73 not out will have provided an excellent platform. It would be their third consecutive impressive chase, with both South Africa Tests having been won batting last as well. But Test chases are infamously treacherous, and a century of convention says there is no such thing as a reliable fourth-innings outfit. But then Sri Lanka have been finding consistency in strange places lately.

MatériaMais Notícias

da betobet： Durante um evento realizado na sede da CBF na tarde desta quarta-feira, ficou decidido que Botafogo e Ypiranga se enfrentarão na terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. André Mazzuco marcou presença no evento e concedeu uma entrevista aos repórteres doLANCE!. O diretor de futebol do clube alvinegro fez uma projeção do jogo e comentou sobre as obras do estádio Nilton Santos. Assista ao vídeo acima.

+Ao L!, Luis Henrique revela motivo de retorno ao Botafogo, fala sobre adaptação e elogia trabalho da SAF

– Vamos decidir em casa. Acho que isso é um fator muito relevante para nós. Vai ser importante encontrar nossa torcida em casa. É uma coisa que está nos fazendo falta e acho que isso é um benefício para nós. Vai ser um jogo duríssimo. Temos que nos preparar bem. A prioridade dos clubes é ganhar sempre, independentemente do momento do time. Nosso pensamento é ganhar sempre – declarou Mazzuco.

+Um ano de Luís Castro no Botafogo: relembre os desafios, promessas e dificuldades do treinador

– Os shows (Coldplay) marcaram a finalização do gramado. É lógico que tem uma parte burocrática, mas nossa intenção é preparar o estádio rapidamente. Se possível, queremos contar com ele (Nilton Santos) na final da Taça Rio sim. É o que queremos. Estamos trabalhando nisso – completou.

Ao contrários das últimas fases, Botafogo e Ypiranga se enfrentarão em dois jogos. O duelo de ida será no Olímpico Colosso da Lagoa. O confronto de volta ocorrerá no Nilton Santos. As datas ainda serão divulgadas pela CBF.

RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo se aproxima da contratação de filho do Loco AbreuBotafogo29/03/2023BotafogoLateral do Botafogo recebe propostas de clubes brasileiros, mas decide ficar; entendaBotafogo28/03/2023BotafogoBotafogo x Audax: confira datas e horários das finais da Taça RioBotafogo28/03/2023

Anfield’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, will have already completed a comprehensive audit of Liverpool’s accounts and how the transfer kitty can be distributed this summer.

How indeed. Audit or not, several crunch variables are at play which could shape, dissemble and remould the summer strategy. Namely, three certain players are into the eleventh hour of their bumper contracts, and while Liverpool want to tie them down, the devil’s in the details and the details do matter.

1.

Mohamed Salah

2025

£350k-per-week

2.

Virgil van Dijk

2025

£220k-per-week

3.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

2025

£180k-per-week

4.

Andy Robertson

2026

£160k-per-week

5.

Alexis Mac Allister

2028

£150k-per-week

5=

Alisson Becker

2027

£150k-per-week

5=

Ryan Gravenberch

2028

£150k-per-week

5=

Federico Chiesa

2028

£150k-per-week

We reckon there are easier jobs out there. Hughes and Michael Edwards need to work with Arne Slot to strengthen Liverpool’s squad, retain the superstars and prepare for a title-charge campaign in 2025/26 – all within FSG’s stringent parameters.

It means not everyone linked with a move away will be sold this summer. Darwin Nunez’s departure feels set in stone, but Luis Diaz’s future is more uncertain.

Would there be a benefit in keeping the Colombian on Merseyside?

Luis Diaz's season in numbers

Diaz’s future has been a point of discussion for some time. Last summer, Liverpool were curious about Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, and while it didn’t come to fruition, there were rumours that Barcelona or the like would take Diaz off Slot’s hands to facilitate a deal.

The 28-year-old is one of the more dangerous wingers in world football and has been a regular presence in Slot’s starting 11 this season as Liverpool march toward the Premier League title, 12 points clear as they are.

As it is, Diaz has posted 13 goals and five assists across 42 matches in all competitions, equating to about 2,785 minutes. Last term, he chalked up identical numbers, albeit having played around 700 minutes more with all said and done.

He’s fleet-footed and dizzying on the ball, but Diaz lacks an instinctive touch in the final third that precludes a true world-class reputation. Indeed, he’s only scored one goal so far in 2025, and it was bundled in at that.

With the likes of Barcelona retaining their interest, Liverpool may well consider cashing in for the right price, but with so much anticipated to occur at Anfield this summer, it may be a development that rocks the boat too hard.

Liverpool closing on first summer signing

As per The i Paper, Liverpool are ‘closing in’ on Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has enjoyed a barnstorming season in the Premier League.

Transfer Focus

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

Valued at around £40m by the Cherries, Kerkez has been earmarked as the optimum target to upgrade on Andy Robertson, who is deteriorating at 31 and approaching the final year of his contract.

It’s stated that talks have begun with the player’s agent while ­Liverpool have also made initial contact with Bournemouth. That said, no official bid has gone in just yet.

A host of top outfits including Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid are interested, but Kerkez’s preference is to move to Anfield. This feels like one which really could happen.

Why Milos Kerkez is perfect for Liverpool

Kerkez’s athleticism and avidity down the left channel would give Liverpool something missing, pumping energy that may even reboot Diaz, should the South American remain on Merseyside.

Diaz was hailed by reporter Lewis Steele for his “deadly” efforts in the early knockings of the campaign, but he’s fizzled out. Kerkez could restore that devastating quality that currently lies dormant.

That said, Diaz has scored nine Premier League goals this season, missing just eight big chances. If he could be supplied with greater creative support from behind, there may yet be a resurgence on the cards.

When comparing Kerkez’s metrics this year with Robertson’s, you begin to see why.

Matches (starts)

29 (29)

27 (24)

Goals

2

0

Assists

5

0

Touches*

57.8

65.3

Pass completion

81%

89%

Big chances created

6

6

Ball recoveries*

4.6

3.2

Dribble (success)*

0.6 (55%)

0.1 (33%)

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

2.0

Clearances

2.7

1.3

Ground duels (won)*

3.1 (58%)

1.6 (51%)

Clearly, Bournemouth’s man boasts athletic superiority over Liverpool’s veteran. And that’s okay. Robbo, you’ve done a great job, a modern legend at this gold-mine-rich point in the club’s sweeping history.

But at 31 years old, the Scotland skipper’s been run to the ground. His dribble average of 0.1 per game epitomises this. He’s not incapable of energetic bursts, but he’s way more reliant on his ball-playing game and the electric presence of those such as Diaz and Cody Gakpo ahead of him.

Kerkez isn’t the most relentless vessel, but he’s far more accurate when deciding to move forward. He’s at the heart of much of Bournemouth’s attacking play, Andoni Iraola often opting to funnel the ball into his patch to spark progression.

Hailed for his “incredible work rate and physicality” by Cherries reporter Alex Oakhill, Kerkez is exactly what Liverpool need, giving Robertson a breather and recharging the left flank.

Diaz’s struggles are a product of his own tameness in the final third, sure, but this isn’t helped by Robertson’s decreased attacking output. Indeed, the Tartan general has yet to register a single goal involvement in the Premier League this year. Should that statistic remain, it would be a career first, across stints both at Liverpool and Hull City.

Kerkez, meanwhile, is feasting at the Vitality Stadium, showcasing an eye for goal and a delicious range of passing that bears a certain semblance to Robertson in his pomp.

It’s going to boost Liverpool and then some, giving Slot a tenacious and hungry young star to make this talented team even better.

Sky Sports pundit Izzy Christensen said this: “He’s been a machine this season and the frightening thing is he’s not even at his peak yet.”

It may even be the perfect move for Diaz, capturing that purple-patch form that he’s capable of crafting. But sustaining it, enlivening it and imbuing it with a supply line that won’t cease in its production.

Slot can axe Jota for Liverpool teen who's a "better finisher than Nunez"

Liverpool are planning for significant changes in the transfer market this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 19, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet7k： A gangorra da diretoria do São Paulo pendeu novamente para o lado do técnico Rogério Ceni. Uma nova reunião foi marcada na tarde desta quinta-feira (16) no CT da Barra Funda com a presença do treinador, do atacante Marcos Paulo e de líderes do elenco. Foram avisados da manutenção do ex-goleiro no cargo e o planejamento estabelecido após a eliminação precoce nas quartas de final do Campeonato Paulista.

Situação semelhante à que ficará Marcos Paulo. Após supostamente ter discutido forte com Ceni nós trabalhos de quarta-feira (15), o atacante ganhou ‘carta-branca’ para deixar o Morumbi.

RelacionadasSão PauloEm nova crise no São Paulo, Ceni acumula polêmicas em Flamengo, Cruzeiro e FortalezaSão Paulo16/03/2023São PauloEm única manifestação pós-vexame, presidente do São Paulo comenta declaração sobre ídolo barrado no CTSão Paulo16/03/2023São PauloSão Paulo pagará por cadeiras quebradas e remoção de pichações em estádio do PalmeirasSão Paulo16/03/2023

da pixbet： Queda para o Água Santa no Paulistão é 14º vexame do São Paulo em mata-mata nos últimos dez anos

Veja tabela do Campeonato Paulista e simule os próximos jogos

A situação é idêntica a que ocorreu com o ponta Patrick no ano passado. O jogador também acabou se desentendendo com Ceni após uma derrota para o Fluminense, no Maracanã, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. E na ocasião também se colocou ‘panos quentes’ no fato, por técnico e diretoria, mas com a promessa de negociar o ‘Pantera Negra’ caso surgisse proposta. Apareceu, do Atlético-MG. E o ex-camisa 88 tricolor se foi.

Marcos Paulo está emprestado pelo Atlético de Madrid, da Espanha, ao São Paulo até o final do ano. O entendimento é que esse acordo seria repassado ao novo destino do meia-atacante, sob pagamento de uma compensação. O estafe do jogador aponta que há interessados, como o Santos, que nega as informações.

Mesmo com o ocorrido, Marcos Paulo treinou normalmente com o restante do elenco nas atividades desta tarde, na Barra Funda.

O CASO

Após a eliminação do São Paulo para o Água Santa, Marcos Paulo, que não vem atuando com Rogério Ceni, curtiu postagens com críticas ao treinador e publicou foto com a frase: ‘hipocrisia e simpatia é uma junção venenosa’, trecho de uma música de funk dos MCs Kevin e Hariel.

O jogador passou por pelo menos três reuniões para tratar do fato durante a quarta, na reapresentação do grupo. Duas delas com dirigentes. A informação vazou e na terceira, com Ceni, houve cobrança por parte do atleta sobre o acesso de jornalistas ao ocorrido. Foi quando o treinador elevou o tom e cobrou de forma ríspida.

Outros jogadores do plantel se colocaram em defesa de Marcos Paulo, mas só piorou.

O LANCE! apurou que o episódio, como no caso Patrick, rachou o vestiário. Parte dos atletas entende que Ceni foi exagerado. Outros, mais veteranos, avaliam como normal o fato após um resultado tão decepcionante.

À reportagem, fontes do futebol tricolor avaliam que Ceni mudou o tom nesta quinta. Pediu desculpas ao jogador e colocou que não tinha problemas em continuar trabalhando com ele. Novamente, mesma postura adotada no caso Patrick.

Por conta disso, Marcos Paulo seguirá trabalhando normalmente no cotidiano são-paulino.

O Tricolor só volta a campo no início de abril, pela primeira fase da Copa Sul-Americana. O adversário será conhecido no sorteio feito pela Conmebol neste mês ainda.

A estreia no Brasileirão acontece no final de semana do dia 15 do próximo mês, ante o Botafogo, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ). A tabela da competição ainda não foi desmembrada pela CBF.

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam did not hold back on the criticism of his players following the team’s eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan.Babar said he was particularly disappointed by his bowlers’ inability to pick up wickets in the middle overs, and his fielders not being focused and proactive.Batting first, Pakistan posted 282 for 7 – a total Afghanistan chased down with ease, with an over to spare. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave them a positive start of 130, before Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi took Afghanistan home with an unbroken 96-run stand. It was the first time Pakistan failed to defend a 275-plus target at the World Cup.”Yes, the defeat has hurt us a lot,” Babar said after the game. “We wanted to put up a total of around 280-290. After we achieved that, we were not up to the mark with our bowling and fielding. The spinners didn’t bowl the way we wanted them to in the middle overs.Related

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“We started well in the middle overs, but we needed wickets. The pitch was helping the spinners even in the second innings. But we, especially our spinners, didn’t hit our lengths. Every over we conceded a boundary, so there was no pressure on their batsmen.”On a Chennai pitch where the Afghanistan spin quartet of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad picked up 4 for 176 from their combined 38 overs, Pakistan’s spinners – Shadab Khan, Usama Mir and Iftikhar Ahmed – returned none for 131 from 21.According to Babar, the Pakistan bowlers had their plans in place but failed in execution and, therefore, could not create pressure. He also said the team was lacking in the fielding department.”We are not able to click in all departments at the same time,” Babar said. “When we do well in bowling, we don’t do well in batting. When we do well in batting, we don’t do as well in fielding.”Fielding is all about attitude. And I don’t see any attitude from the team. You need to put in extra effort and be fit. You should focus on the ball, not on other thoughts and when the ball comes to you, you have to be proactive as a fielder. I think we are lacking that a little bit as a fielding unit.Babar admitted that his bowlers have not been able to execute their plans properly•ICC/Getty Images

“In the bowling, we have not been able to execute our plans. When you are not able to hit the length you want to and end up conceding boundaries, your focus shifts to stopping runs. In that, you keep making mistakes, and that puts you under pressure.”Here, the margin of error for bowlers is very low. If you bowl a little bit away from the stumps, you get hit. So, we are lacking there a little bit. We are not able to bowl within the stumps.”The same goes for the spinners. We bowl four good balls and then there are two balls that go for boundaries or runs, because the margin is very small. If you bowl consistently at one place, then there will be pressure. So that thing is missing.”Even though Babar scored 74 on Monday, his form with the bat in the World Cup hasn’t been great. In five innings, he has 157 runs at an average of 31.40, which pales in comparison to his career average of 56.79. When asked if captaincy was affecting his batting, Babar said that wasn’t the case.”As far as captaincy is concerned, there is not much pressure on me or on my batting. I always try to give my best, my 100% during batting. During fielding, I think about captaincy and during batting I just think about the batting. How I should score runs for the team.”

An unlikely saviour rescued Lionel Messi from a "ridiculous" red card as the Inter Miami superstar raged at match officials after a MLS draw.

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Herons held to a point in six-goal thrillerArgentine icon took issue with match refereeFormer USMNT coach had to step inFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was in a foul mood after the final whistle blew on an entertaining contest in San Jose. Inter Miami were held to a point after playing out a six-goal thriller with the home field Earthquakes.

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The Herons led that contest inside the opening 60 seconds, but ended up having to battle back on a couple of occasions to claim a share of the spoils. Messi did not enjoy his most productive evening in California.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Argentine icon took issue with a tackle just outside the penalty area in stoppage-time, before continuing with his complaints as players made their way off the pitch. He was shown a yellow card for remonstrating with head referee Joe Dickerson – who advised him to "walk away now".

Getty Images SportWHAT BRUCE ARENA SAID

It was at that point former USMNT coach Bruce Arena, who is now in charge of the Earthquakes, stepped in and kept Messi out of trouble. He told reporters afterwards: "He was obviously not happy, and I wanted to make sure he wasn't going to get a red card.

"I just tried to move him out of the way, because for him to get a red card at the end of the game would have been ridiculous. I just wanted to make sure we get him out of there and he's ready to play the next game for Miami."