Tag Futebol

West Bromwich Albion haven't been blessed with the best luck when it comes to injuries in their squad this season, with significant players for the Baggies spending more time out of the side than in the team owing to various different knocks, scrapes and afflictions.

The likes of Matt Phillips, Daryl Dike and Josh Maja have been major injury casualties for the Championship promotion hopefuls in recent weeks, with Maja now expected to be out for four months with ankle ligament damage.

Carlos Corberan will pray that Jed Wallace isn't out for a similarly lengthy period, the ex-Millwall man leaving the field of play during the 1-0 win over Leeds in some discomfort on the 70th-minute mark after battling valiantly all afternoon.

It would be a major blow for the Baggies if Wallace was ruled out for the game away at Swansea City today, the experienced winger running his socks off against the Whites in another stellar individual display.

Jed Wallace's game vs Leeds United in numbers

The 29-year-old was key throughout West Brom's statement victory over Daniel Farke's flat Leeds side, Wallace causing havoc down the left-hand channel whilst his midfield partner Grady Diangana down the opposite flank was equally as lively.

The Baggies captain was unfortunate not to add another assist to his season tally against the lacklustre visitors from West Yorkshire, managing to make three key passes – as per Sofascore – in the contest.

Wallace also registered four successful crosses in the hard-fought 1-0 victory, wanting to tee up Brandon Thomas-Asante to score again to make the win more convincing and calm any nerves inside the Hawthorns as the game dragged on.

The EFL veteran couldn't quite muster up an audacious strike of his own in the game either akin to his stylish free-kick against Rotherham United, registering just one effort on Karl Darlow's goal that was blocked by a Leeds shirt.

Corberan will just be keeping everything crossed that Wallace can shake off his knock to start again versus the Swans today, the 29-year-old midfielder a key part of the West Brom jigsaw at this moment in time as a cool and composed head.

If Wallace was deemed unfit to start in Wales, the Spanish second-tier manager could resort to giving Adam Reach a start in his place – the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man an adaptable and flexible presence, the perfect utility option to rely upon when injuries begin to pile up.

Adam Reach's game vs Leeds in numbers

Adam Reach did competently fill in for the injury-stricken Wallace as the clock ticked down versus the Whites last match, the 30-year-old coming on with the sole aim of helping his side preserve their clean sheet over creating more openings.

The versatile number 20 won two of his three duels in the game, West Brom holding out in the end for a 1-0 win courtesy of Reach's solid cameo.

The former Owls midfielder also notched up one on-target effort to try and catch out a shaky Darlow late on, Reach certainly impressing off the bench which could see him start versus Swansea.

Birmingham Live journalist Joseph Chapman gave Reach a 7/10 rating for his efforts late on at the Hawthorns in his post-match musings, stating that the substitute was sent on to a 'defensive job' and completed his duties with flying colours.

In the past, Corberan has waxed lyrical about Reach – stating earlier in the season to the Express and Star that the 30-year-old is "perfect" for how he sets his Baggies team up as an expansive wing-back and cursed that he was out with an injury at the time.

Yet, for the clash at the Swansea.com Stadium today, Corberan could utilise his handy number 20 as a left winger with Wallace potentially deemed too vital to the promotion cause to be risked in Wales.

Manchester United just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to injuries, with news of another blow to a "magic" player.

Man Utd injury updates

The Red Devils have had a frustrating season so far, although Erik ten Hag’s side are now one of the form teams in the Premier League. The Dutchman guided United to a 1-0 win over Luton Town prior to the international break, and after the game, which saw United pick up a fourth top-flight win in five games, Ten Hag said:

“We are also stepping up – even with the team we have, we often have to change. We are stepping up, with better football, better performances. In the last five league games, we won four and, as you know, it’s not easy to win games in the Premier League because every one is a battle. I’m pleased with that. It is a signal that we are in the right direction.”

However, United once again had to cope without a number of players due to injury. Defenders Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been out with long-term issues, while Jonny Evans, Casemiro and Amad Diallo were also absent and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the game through illness.

In the win at Old Trafford, both Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund had to be replaced after suffering injuries of their own, and an update has been shared regarding their fitness status.

Relayed by Fabrizio Romano on X, United stated that Eriksen’s is the worse of the two, with his knee problem likely to keep him out of action for a month, whereas Hojlund could return before the end of the month.

“Injuries again at Man United. Club confirms Christian Eriksen is suffering from a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for around a month. Rasmus Hojlund is suffering from a strain as club hopes he will return before the end of November.”

Man Utd’s next fixtures

With so many players sidelined, Ten Hag may be quietly concerned, especially as the games are set to come thick and fast before the New Year. We are about to enter one of the busiest months of the season, and with United still in the Champions League, some important games are coming their way.

Man Utd's upcoming fixtures

Competition

Date

Everton (A)

Premier League

26th November

Galatasaray (A)

Champions League

29th November

Newcastle United (A)

Premier League

2nd December

Chelsea (H)

Premier League

6th December

AFC Bournemouth (H)

Premier League

9th December

Bayern Munich (H)

Champions League

12th December

Liverpool (A)

Premier League

17th December

West Ham (A)

Premier League

23rd December

Aston Villa (H)

Premier League

26th December

Nottingham Forest (A)

Premier League

30th December

As can be seen, United have eight Premier League games as well as two crucial Champions League fixtures against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich. Hopefully, United will be able to call upon Hojlund and others for those games, whereas Eriksen, labelled as “magic” in the media, could miss both in what could be another blow for the Red Devils.

Glasgow Rangers ended a turbulent few weeks by finally replacing Michael Beale as the Ibrox side announced Philippe Clement as their new manager.

The Belgian arrives with a solid reputation having won three league titles in his homeland managing Genk and Club Brugge, while his latest spell saw him spend 18 months at AS Monaco, before being sacked a few months ago.

The Gers need some new ideas, and they need them fast if they have any ambitions of catching Celtic at the top of the Premiership table.

Clement will need to use all his tactical nous to get a tune out of the current crop of players, especially as confidence has hit an all-time low after winning just nine of their opening 16 matches of the 2023/24 campaign.

Beale failed to showcase any ready style of play or tactical identity and his summer signings failed to really hit the ground running, despite spending big money on the likes of Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers.

Clement has worked with some of the brightest young talent in Europe during his spell at Monaco, including Axel Disasi, Aurelien Tchouameni and Benoit Badiashile and this could give some of the academy stars at the Light Blues the confidence boost they need.

Indeed, several youngsters were given a chance by interim manager Steven Davis, most notably Zak Lovelace, Ross McCausland and Bailey Rice and these players could be future stars if they carry on their excellent progress.

It is perhaps another teenager who the Belgian may be most interested in, however, as Leon King remains one of the brightest products to emerge from the Gers youth system in the previous few years.

How much did Leon King cost Rangers?

The 19-year-old cost the club nothing having worked his way through the youth ranks at the Ibrox side, and he signed his first professional contract at the age of 16 back in March 2020.

Then sporting director Ross Wilson lavished praise on the teen, saying: “I am delighted we have an agreement with Leon King.

“Leon has been a priority for us and we are excited about his potential. He has been demonstrating that potential both for Rangers and Scotland and we are excited about his future.”

Head of the academy Craig Mulholland even described King as “one of the UK’s most sought after young talents” once he signed his new deal, and it appeared as though the Gers had a stunning prospect.

How many appearances has Leon King made for Rangers?

Still only 16, King finally made his senior debut for the Gers as Steven Gerrard handed brought him on for James Tavernier with just 20 minutes to go against Falkirk in the League Cup back in November 2020.

His first Premiership appearances came during the end of the same season as the club cruised to their first league title in a decade and he finally made his first start against Dundee United towards the end of the season, while also even making the bench for the Europa League final and Scottish Cup final, claiming a winners medal in the latter competition.

Due to an injury crisis at the start of the 2022/23 season, King was given a chance to impress by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and he featured 19 times until the winter break, gaining a wealth of experience in the process.

The youngster even ranked fourth for clearances per game (1.9) across the whole squad last term while also winning 58% of his total duels and averaging 48.4 touches per game, indicating that his physical presence was impressive, and he was always keen on getting on the ball.

Overall, King has made a grand total of 31 appearances for the Glasgow side and this should rise further this term.

These displays have seen his value skyrocket, and he has yet to turn 20.

How much is Leon King worth?

His impact in the first team last season led King to be valued as high as €4.2m (£3.6m) according to Football Transfers in March this year, and although this has dipped to a current valuation of €2.5m (£2.2m), it still represents a wonderful figure for someone so young.

Having emerged through the academy, thus being developed at the club, the Gers haven’t had to pay a fee for the defender, and he could well secure them a solid profit one day in the future.

Indeed, the centre-back has even been linked to clubs such as Manchester United and Newcastle United in the previous 12 months, with the two Premier League giants even sending scouts to watch him in action for the Light Blues.

This is a further indication of just how talented he is and that if he continues to be patient and work hard, he should soon get further opportunities under Clement, having failed to make an impression under Beale.

The £4k-per-week starlet was hailed by former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton before the start of the 2022/23 season, who said: “I think when I did watch him last season, he was like a big Rolls-Royce, very elegant on the ball. He came out, kept possession and looked very comfortable for someone of such a young age.

“With the likes of [Leon] Balogun leaving, Goldson signing a new contract, we know Souttar’s coming in, you need that competition for places to drive you on.

23

6

2

“So I’d like to see him try and break through, stamp his authority in this team, in his own way. I think he’s got all the potential and he ticks all the boxes for a modern-day centre-back.“

He has certainly faced plenty of competition this season and has yet to make a single first-team appearance so far, but this could all change under Clement.

The former Brugge manager has placed his trust in youth before and will surely do so again, especially with the sheer volume of talent he has to work with at Ibrox.

King has bided his time well this campaign and could well be rewarded sooner rather than later, especially with Clement’s penchant for developing young talent at his previous clubs.

A new report has put Manchester United under the microscope when it comes to contract negotiations with Mary Earps and Alessia Russo's exit.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Problems around Man Utd's women's team revealed
• Includes reasons why club failed to keep Russo
• And Earps' contract limbo as end of deal looms

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Russo left the club last summer, joining Women's Super League rivals Arsenal on a free transfer, and there is a chance that Earps could follow suit in a few months' time as her current deal is set to expire at the end of the season. With Man Utd under-performing on the pitch as well as seeing key players leave, there is growing unrest among fans.

Advertisement

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  These problems have been detailed by , which claims that during January of last year, Man Utd "shook hands" on a new deal with Russo, only to "renege on several conditions", which led to it collapsing. The report also says that, in other contract negotiations, United have been "pushing hard bargains, made disrespectful lowball offers and tried to find ways to save nominal figures here and there".

  Earps is one of several players out of contract at the club this summer, with negotiations for a new one having dragged on for over 18 months. writes: "Poor communication from those in charge regarding budget and strategy for contract renewals, signings and transfer fees are said to have delayed negotiations and led to United missing out on players."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Man Utd drew at West Ham on Sunday, meaning they have now dropped points in eight of their 15 WSL outings this season. It leaves them a distant fourth in the table, nine points off the European spots and 12 behind pacesetters Chelsea with just seven games remaining.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Head coach Marc Skinner is another out of contract at the club this summer and new owners INEOS will need to decide whether he is the man to take the women's team forward.

Punishments handed out to two teams over wayward bowling in protest at umpiring decisions will be reconsidered after appeals to the BCB

Mohammad Isam09-Apr-2018The BCB will review its decision to punish Fear Fighters Club and Lalmatia Club, their players, coach and manager, after they admitted to losing Dhaka Second Division Cricket League games on purpose as a form of protest against alleged biased umpiring. The matches produced two of the most bizarre scorecards ever seen.The need for reassessment came after the punished submitted multiple letters to the BCB requesting a pardon to renew their careers over the last 12 months. In January this year, both Lalmatia and Fear Fighters appealed to play in this year’s Second Division League but were denied.Jalal Yunus, the BCB director who was part of the three-member inquiry committee formed in April 2017, said that the BCB would discuss all these appeals later this month.”We have received appeals from some of the players and clubs,” Yunus told ESPNcricinfo. “I think Lalmatia have put in a request recently too, and one of the captains has also submitted a letter. We are going to sit for a review soon.”Last year, the BCB effectively terminated Fear Fighters and Lalmatia from the league and handed 10-year bans to bowlers Sujon Mahmud and Tasnim Hasan. They also banned captains Faisal Ahmed and Tonumoy Ghosh, Lalmatia coach Asadullah Khan and manager Adnan Rahman for five years each.The BCB delivered the punishments within ten days, without much in the way of clarification or due process, and soon enough flaws emerged in the investigation. The committee didn’t meet all those involved in the incident, and were said to be lenient on umpires Shamsur Rahman and Azizul Bari, the central figures in the entire episode.During both games, umpires Shamsur and Azizul were said to have prevented captains from both Fear Fighters (against Indira Road Krira Chakra) and Lalmatia (against Axiom Crickters) from seeing who actually won the toss. They were also alleged to have bullied players from these clubs during the games, and then went on to give several questionable decisions.In the first of the two games in question, frustrated by what had happened during their batting innings, Fear Fighters’ Tasnim gave away 69 runs in 1.1 overs which included eight wides and six no-balls. Following Tasnim’s example, Lalmatia’s Sujon, having allegedly been treated the same way by umpires Shamsur and Azizul, gave away 92 runs in four deliveries that included 13 wides and three no-balls the next day.The BCB’s inquiry committee said later in their report that umpires Shamsur and Azizul should have stopped Tasnim and Sujon from bowling in this manner. For being unable to control the match, Shamsur and Azizul were handed six-month bans which ended in November last year, and they are now eligible to officiate in league games.Both bowling performances made headlines across the cricket world and while on the surface it appeared to be one of those quirky scorecards, scratching slightly below revealed the tale of Dhaka’s lower leagues.Several umpires, including Shamsur and Azizul, are recognised as problematic, with many clubs putting in written complaints against them in previous seasons. In the Dhaka Premier League, umpiring was a major issue in 2016 but it has since reduced in the following two seasons, including this year when only a few incidents have come up.There have, however, been continued calls for better umpiring in this season’s Dhaka’s Second Division League. There is also fear among many clubs that umpiring could again be an issue in the First Division League, the second tier of the Dhaka league system, which began on April 8.The punished players – Sujon, Tasnim, Faisal and Tonumoy – remain out of action, as Dhaka’s leagues form the pinnacle of Bangladesh’s domestic cricket. Over the last 12 months, they have tried to play in unofficial leagues in small towns, although in some tournaments their BCB bans became an issue. One of them has even dabbled with umpiring.

Heading into this campaign, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City must have felt confident that they could clinch a jaw-dropping fifth Premier League title in a row.

Unfortunately for the Citizens, Arne Slot’s Liverpool would go against this foregone conclusion and romp home as champions themselves, but the sky blue half of Manchester still have the FA Cup final to look forward to in an attempt to lift some form of silverware.

Then, a rebuild of sorts could be on the table at the Etihad, with midfield reinforcements perhaps needed considering Kevin De Bruyne is exiting City when the season is over, on top of an equally ageing Ilkay Gundogan leaving a lot to be desired.

Man City's transfer targets in midfield

A whole host of names have been churned out subsequently, seen in the likes of Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White being linked as statement buys that could enhance Guardiola’s men in the number ten spot.

Another target thrown into the mix recently has been ex-Norwich City man Gabriel Sara, with reports from France even stating that contact has already taken place between City and Sara’s current side, Galatasaray, over a move.

But, the FA Cup finalists might well seek out alternative targets away from solely landing Sara, with The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards now reporting this week that the Premier League giants are interested in striking up a deal with Newcastle United ace Sandro Tonali.

After all, the Magpies number 8 would be seen as an upgrade on Sara if he was to join, especially when you consider Tonali has been classy performer throughout his St James’ Park stay to date.

How Tonali would be an upgrade on Sara

Whilst Sara has tasted English football in the past when on the books of the Canaries, he has never notched up any minutes in the intense Premier League across his career to date.

On the contrary, Tonali has been a top-flight regular for Eddie Howe’s men ever since his bumper £55m move from AC Milan back in 2023.

This season alone, the 24-year-old star has tallied up 32 league appearances for the Toon, with his consistent, classy performances from the middle of the park seeing him described as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by his agent Giuseppe Rossi, having picked up three goals and two assists.

Whilst Sara can boast heftier numbers in terms of output when starring in the Turkish top division this season with eight goal contributions overall next to Tonali’s five, the Galatasaray number 20 does still come up short in certain aspects of their respective midfield games.

Tonali’s league numbers (24/25) vs Sara’s (24/25)
Stat (* = per 90 mins)	Tonali	Sara
Games played	32	27
Goals scored	3	2
Assists	2	6
Touches*	51.5	60.1
Accurate passes*	33.7 (85%)	35.9 (83%)
Ball recoveries*	5.1	4.1
Total duels won*	3.7	3.4
Tackles *	1.4	0.9
Interceptions *	0.9	0.6
Stats by Sofascore

As can be seen looking at the table above, Tonali – who has even be hailed as “world-class” previously by football journalist Carlo Garganese – would be able to give City lots of energy from the middle of the park away from simply chipping in with goals and assists, with more ball recoveries and duels won on the end of the Italian than Sara has managed in the Super Lig.

Forceful in approach on top of stylishly spraying the ball about, the 24-year-old might well be the perfect midfield addition as City go about revamping all over the pitch, with a steady Premier League purchase helping Guardiola’s side to shore up away from a vibrant Omar Marmoush bombing forward.

Reports do suggest that Tonali is happy to stick it out with the Toon, but if an opening presents itself soon to snap up the Italian over Sara, City need to go all in for the Magpies fan favourite.

The new Bernardo: Man City in contact to sign "ridiculously talented" star

With Bernardo Silva potentially set to leave Manchester City this summer, could Pep Guardiola have his eye on a “ridiculously talented” replacement?

By
Ben Gray

Apr 30, 2025

Leeds United looked set to sanction the permanent sale of one of their players who is out on loan, but a fresh report claims he could instead make a shock return to the first-team.

Daniel Farke's Leeds signings

The Whites signed Joe Rodon from Tottenham Hotspur on a temporary basis over the summer, alongside Ethan Ampadu who is also capable of operating as a centre-back, so this allowed Daniel Farke to move on some of his existing players in that same position.

The Elland Road outfit sanctioned the departures of Robin Koch and Maximilian Wober until the end of the season to remove them from the wage bill following relegation to the Championship, but there was another defensive squad member who left the building on loan back in January.

"Relentless" Leeds player wanted permanently by his loan club

The Whites are facing a battle to hold onto one of their loan stars at the end of the season.

By
Chloe Chadwick

Dec 19, 2023

Having first joined Leeds in 2020, Diego Llorente has gone on to make 59 senior appearances to date, but the 30-year-old completed a switch to Serie A side AS Roma at the start of the year, with his deal there set to expire upon the conclusion of the campaign (Transfermarkt – Llorente statistics). However, Spain’s former international does have an obligation to buy included in the agreement that the two parties arranged before heading overseas.

Roma and Leeds change tact over Llorente

Italian outlet Roma Metropolitan Magazine (via Sport Witness) first reported that AS Roma want to retain Llorente beyond next summe, when he "could be redeemed" for a fee close to €5m (£4m).

However, a newer report this week from larger publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via SW) claims Roma do not feel Llorente is worth the obligation fee. And, if their information is correct, the Italian side can avoid the obligation if Llorente does not hit a certain number of games, leading to a shock return to Yorkshire.

When Llorente was still at Leeds for the first half of last season, he ranked as the club’s overall 14th best-performing player out of 29 squad members, showing how middle of the road and average his performances were compared to his peers, so the 49ers group should really be looking to shift him on (WhoScored -Leeds statistics).

Standing at 6 foot 1, Madrid’s native also currently pockets £57k-per-week in Italy (AS Roma salaries), which would make him the fourth-highest earner on the books if he was to return (Leeds salaries), so he needs to be removed from the wage bill where the extra cash could be used to generate funds to put towards new signings.

As previously described by journalist Josh Bunting, Llorente is typically “poor” when it comes to making individual errors and reading the game, so when you consider all of that, alongside the fact that he isn’t getting any younger, it has to be a no-brainer to get rid of him permanently at the end of the season.

Whilst things continue to go well for Newcastle United, their injury list has grown longer and longer as the weeks have gone on. The Magpies have found out the hard way just how difficult it can be to balance both life in the Premier League and the Champions League, with blips along the way in both competitions.

Eddie Howe has faced absences all over the pitch, whether it's been within his backline or a crisis up top due to the injuries of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak. And now, a new problem has emerged for the former Bournemouth boss. The Newcastle manager revealed the extent of one particular injury after his side defeated Manchester United in yet another impressive victory.

Newcastle injury news

Looking back on Newcastle's summer transfer window, they didn't welcome too many reinforcements. In total, only Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento arrived when it came to players ready to make an impact on the first-team. Since then, Tonali has been hit with a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules and Barnes has struggled with injuries, leaving Livramento to carry the torch for impressive summer signings at St James' Park. Admittedly, however, the Magpies could never have expected to suffer absences in almost every position at different points of the campaign so far, with their latest injury summing things up.

Speaking after Newcastle's 1-0 win over United, Howe revealed the extent of Nick Pope's injury, with the goalkeeper forced off in the 86th minute. Howe said via Fabrizio Romano: "It looks like Nick's dislocated his shoulder. His shoulder has come out of his joint… it doesn’t look good for him."

It remains to be seen just how long the goalkeeper is out for, but with a busy period of festive fixtures approaching, a dislocated shoulder is far from good news. It will now likely be up to Martin Dubravka to step up at St James' Park.

Newcastle will miss "phenomenal" Pope

Since making the move to Newcastle in the summer of 2022, Pope has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, playing an impressive part in the Magpies' rise into the top four in the previous campaign. Things have been no different this season, either. The shot-stopper has been one of the best in the division, which begs the question as to how Newcastle will cope without him.

Earning huge praise as a result of his performances, Shay Given had nothing but good things to say about Pope last season, telling Sky Sports via TeamTalk:

“A lot of the saves are saves I’d expect Nick to make. He’s a tall goalkeeper, a big guy so sometimes it’s easier to save with his feet than your hands. This [the Haaland save] for me is the save of the match. Even Jimmy [Floyd Hasselbaink] next to me was like, ‘he didn’t save that’. He saved that [onto the post]. That’s a phenomenal, brilliant save.

Liverpool are currently on a quest for glory once again after struggling last season, with a host of changes giving the feel that this is very much a new chapter in Jurgen Klopp's illustrious reign on Merseyside.

The Premier League side look to have hit the mark regarding summer incomings, while also shifting on much of the deadwood and are back challenging for the division's top spot after failing to qualify for the Champions League last term.

Last summer, Darwin Nunez was signed for a club-record £85m fee, though little else of significance occurred in the market, with esteemed winger Sadio Mane taking his leave; Neco Williams was also sold, and while his funds could have been better utilised in strengthening the midfield, his sale remains a massive win nonetheless.

How much did Liverpool sell Neco Williams for?

Having risen through Liverpool's academy ranks, Williams had started to creep into first-team contention and actually forged 33 appearances for the Reds, registering six assists.

Hailed as "brilliant" by The Athletic's James Pearce during his ascent to the senior set-up, Williams started life at senior level with much promise but after receiving a transfer offer from Nottingham Forest in July 2022, was sold for £17m.

Given that he was very much on the periphery and had been nurtured through the Anfield formative ranks, Williams' sale should be viewed as nothing other than a major success, especially with that particular position in good hands.

How good is Neco Williams?

Williams was always an exciting talent but he was always facing an uphill battle in cementing a spot in Liverpool's team, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dominating the right-back position and Joe Gomez a competent deputy.

Having played 36 matches across all competitions last year, posting one goal and one assist, the £50k-per-week ace registered 2.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game and won 51% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.

However, during the 2021/22 campaign – his last on Merseyside – the 31-cap Wales international was entrusted with just one Premier League appearance before being loaned out to Fulham in the Championship.

Noel Whelan praised the "amazing business" in selling Williams for a pretty penny, who offers supplementation in attack and a growing all-round ability but was indeed unlikely to usurp someone of Alexander-Arnold's ilk.

While he boasts an impressive level of creativity, Williams is also demonstrating a burgeoning defensive skill set with the Tricky Trees, with FBref ranking the Wales star among the top 4% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 6% for interceptions and the top 3% for blocks per 90.

And while he did not quite cut the mustard at Liverpool, Williams remains an exciting talent and one who will play a big role for Forest this season as Steve Cooper's side look to retain their top-flight status – having been remarked to be on a “different level” by reporter Callum Castel.

There's every possibility that he will continue to improve and perhaps even be snapped up by a European contender in the future, but Liverpool will hold no qualms after cashing in lucratively for a player who cost them nothing.

ScorecardIf Kent were under any illusions about the difficulty of their run chase at Bristol, they were shattered within nine balls. Joe Denly, regularly acclaimed with five hundreds bagged across all formats this season, pushed forward to the left-arm spinner Graeme van Buuren, the ball gripped and turned to hit off stump. Their target of 185 seemed a speck on the horizon.To trim that target to six to win from the last ball was a redoubtable effort in an excellent game, but it was to no avail. Kent’s No. 10 Mitch Claydon swung wildly enough for the bat to escape his grasp, but the ball passed by harmlessly and Gloucestershire claimed a five-run win. Kent are fancied in the South Group, Gloucestershire are not, but both counties now have two wins in three.You have to hand it to Gloucestershire. Benny Howell, their great innovator, has a hamstring injury, and Andrew Tye, who was the leading wicket-taker in the IPL, has been held back a while by Cricket Australia for workload reasons, and was limited to talking on the boundary edge about how a secret new delivery was in production.Such talk was once limited to Shane Warne, the great legspinner, who was so full of bluff about his repertoire that he might easily have claimed a new variation that detoured twice through the burger fan while playing the tune of Advance Australia Fair. Now, in T20, quick bowlers claim the same.

Talking T20 Podcast

This week Dan Norcross is joined by David Hopps to debate world records feats in the Vitality Blast from Ed Pollock, Joe Denly and (nearly) Dan Christian and still finds time to discuss carrots with Isabelle Westbury.
Listen on ESPN radio
Subscribe on iTunes

The slow, grippy wicket was succour for Gloucestershire’s unsung medium-pacers against a highly-rated batting line-up. Heino Kuhn held the innings together for 44 from 33 balls until he chipped back Noema-Barnett’s knuckle ball – the first delivery he had bowled, at a man well set. Ryan Higgins cut his pace to 60mph and was obligingly slapped to deep cover; Higgins struck again when Alex Blake chipped weakly to short extra.Carlos Brathwaite, the man who once struck Ben Stokes for three successive sixes in the last over to win a World Twenty20 title, managed two in five balls, bowled as he pushed forward to Matt Taylor with great sobriety.The angriest exit, though, came from Sam Billings, as he seeks to make the transition from dressing room attendant to exhilarating cricketer. He looked attuned to the task, his first 10 balls bringing 24, including three imperious sixes, then Tom Smith, another left-arm spinner, held one back, Billings swung and missed and stalked from the field, swinging his fist in self-admonishment. Kent lacked the decisive innings.Gloucestershire’s victory was just about secured when Higgins – with 30 needed from 14 balls – stopped Sean Dickson’s return drive, swivelled and throw the stumps down at the non-striker’s end. Nineteen were needed off the last over, but Higgins began with a wide then conceded two leg-side boundaries to Adam Milne. Dickson was run out by Jack Taylor’s throw from long on from the penultimate ball, meaning that Claydon – not Dickson, was charged with attempting the last-ball six.Tension for the last ball? Not when half the country had been ridiculously nervous all day over the approaching World Cup semi-final in Moscow. More the sort of day for someone to tell Higgins: “Look, it’s not penalties, mate. Get it won.” And so he did.On an old, ugly surface, Gloucestershire had batted ugly to good effect. Kieran Noema-Barnett (31 from 15 balls) and Jack Taylor (42 not out from 23) are hardly the most stylish batsman in the land, but Noema-Barnett slugged it down the ground, Taylor hauled through midwicket and an innings that might have faltered from 82 for 4 at midway instead came to rest with a challenging total on the board.Denly’s leg spin has also found unparalleled success this season – two more victims as Michael Klinger confidently deposited him to long-on and Ian Cockbain was bowled pulling – but surprisingly Imran Qayyum’s slow left arm was seen for only one over. Kent got a bonus wicket when Gareth Roderick was lbw to Calum Haggett, trying to switch hit a yorker, not the greatest shot selection admittedly, but the ball struck him well outside the line.It was a strange afternoon, the Blast at its least atmospheric (watch out for its detractors using this one as anti-marketing video). It had been brought forward to a 3pm start because of England’s presence in the World Cup semi-final at 7pm and the crowd was sparse at the Brightside Ground – appropriately named for the Gloucestershire treasurer because looking on the bright side was necessary on a day like this.Joe Root, England’s Test captain, had said that he was more nervous about the football than playing cricket, knowing that an entire nation would nod wisely rather than berate him for not concentrating on the task in hand. Gloucestershire’s win was all done and dusted in slightly less than three hours, leaving time not just for the match but the build-up. These days it can take IPL nearer to four. Perhaps the best thing India can do to remember how to quicken their T20 overrate is to improve their football?