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Football transfer rumours: Liverpool join Raphinha race; Arsenal pushing for Neves
Football transfer rumours: Liverpool join Raphinha race; Arsenal pushing for Neves
Sunday's football transfer rumours, with updates on Raphinha, Ruben Neves, Luka Modric, Jean-Clair Todibo & more.
2023-11-19 17:23
Aces look to maintain historic pace in 2nd half, repeat as WNBA champions
Aces look to maintain historic pace in 2nd half, repeat as WNBA champions
The Las Vegas Aces are on a historic pace heading into the second half of the season
2023-07-18 07:56
Football rumours: Tottenham and Newcastle after James Maddison and Harvey Barnes
Football rumours: Tottenham and Newcastle after James Maddison and Harvey Barnes
What the papers say Leicester’s James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, who have both been valued at around £40million, could stay in the Premier League while Leicester move down to the Championship. Tottenham and Newcastle are both reportedly interested in the pair with a bidding battle to ensue over their signatures, The Sun says. Tottenham’s have another competitor in the fight to sign former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique as Serie A Champions Napoli are interested in the 53-year-old, according to the Guardian. The Daily Mail said Juventus were looking the most likely to sign Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic for a reported estimated transfer fee of around £20m. Social media round-up Players to watch Manu Kone: Liverpool are interested in the 22-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder – who is valued at around £34m – German media outlet BILD said. Wilfried Gnonto: Italian media outlet Calciomercato said the 19-year-old Italy forward is being looked at by Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal after Leeds’ relegation was confirmed. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-05-31 14:53
Pragmatism hands Liverpool route to challenge Man City - both for one game and for 38
Pragmatism hands Liverpool route to challenge Man City - both for one game and for 38
The longer a run goes, Jurgen Klopp had said, the more likely it would end. And if it appeared like wishful thinking when he delivered the thought, a day earlier, events – and Trent Alexander-Arnold – made the Liverpool manager sound prophetic 24 hours later. Manchester City had won every game at the Etihad Stadium in 2023, every match since a rather less celebrated manager, Frank Lampard, earned a 1-1 draw with a rather less talented Everton team. Almost 11 months later, Klopp and Liverpool secured the same result, halting City’s winning run on their own turf at 23 matches – one short of the English record set by Sunderland in the 1890s – and keeping the gap between these two teams at one point. There still seems to be a title race whereas, if City had pulled four points clear of their perennial challengers, there was the danger they would disappear into the distance. And if Klopp had further proof of his side’s powers of recovery - the specialists in coming from behind this season got another point after trailing – he reaped a reward of sorts for his own pragmatism, an equaliser coming after Liverpool had looked uncharacteristically timid. This was not heavy-metal football, not the full-throttle gegenpressing that made this rivalry so compelling or which gave Liverpool a unique ability to eviscerate City. Instead, it was a cautious Klopp: perhaps scarred by a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in April, maybe fearful that, lacking a natural defensive midfielder, his team could be exposed if they afforded City space. And so Liverpool came to contain, looking to keep the game tight. The high press was often eschewed in favour of a lower block, the compactness coming from players grouped together in their own half. It meant there was an anomaly in the equaliser. There were times when Liverpool attacked only with their forwards, reluctant to commit players forward. But with the clock ticking down, Mohamed Salah found support from Alexander-Arnold, teed him up and the vice-captain connected with unerring precision, driving a shot in from the edge of the box. If a foray forward represented rare respite for him – the right-back had spent more time preoccupied by his duel with the irrepressible Jeremy Doku – he preserved Klopp’s winning record against Guardiola. After 29 meetings, the score remains 12-11 in the German’s favour. That he has not tasted victory at the Etihad in the Premier League in the Catalan’s reign is a sign of how welcome this result nevertheless was. And if it was a reminder that even great rivalries contain matches that fall some way short of greatness, the sense of anti-climax will be felt by City. They led for 53 minutes, could have doubled their advantage, had a goal disallowed and yet drew; as in their defeat at Arsenal, it indicated the absences of Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, one for half a season, the other permanently, may have deprived them of the extra quality that could make a difference in such defining clashes. They did, however, still have Erling Haaland. Even as City did not set a record, Haaland did. He became the quickest player to 50 Premier League goals, getting there 17 matches earlier than Andy Cole, the previous best; he is the fastest to many a landmark. But with the galaxy of attacking talent on display, there was something illogical that a Nathan Ake solo run would be pivotal to the breakthrough. So was an Alisson error, his second sliced kick of the afternoon; the first found Phil Foden, who shot tamely at the goalkeeper. The second went to Ake, who slalomed between three defenders and found Haaland. Alisson took the sting out of his shot, but it still rolled in. Briefly, City thought they had another goal. Alisson’s awkward afternoon continued when Ruben Dias had a goal disallowed after the goalkeeper fumbled Julian Alvarez’s corner as Manuel Akanji bundled into him. Yet there was redemption of sorts for Alisson. The Brazilian produced a fine save to tip Foden’s low drive wide. He made a brilliant point-blank block from Haaland, a minute before Alexander-Arnold equalised. There could have been a winner for Haaland, flashing a header wide in the 97th minute. But, with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk excelling defensively, Liverpool frustrated City for swathes of the game. There was one irrepressible exception. Doku was the outlet, with a jink and a trick. He was the supplier when Haaland perhaps should have scored a second. Perhaps predictably, it proved a turning point. Until then, only Darwin Nunez, who remains incapable of staying quiet, had posed a threat. Ederson had made a hat-trick of saves from the Uruguayan, clawing a header over, tipping two shots wide. But Alisson saved from Haaland, Alexander-Arnold went forward and, once again, Klopp had frustrated Guardiola. That irritation may have been apparent in a final-whistle altercation with Nunez. But Guardiola has long described Klopp’s Liverpool as his toughest opponent. Even as they changed tack and adopted a more restrained approach, they justified that billing. Read More Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Sheffield United vs Bournemouth LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-11-25 23:20
The no-impact substitute: Kalvin Phillips’ ongoing humiliation gives Man City a problem
The no-impact substitute: Kalvin Phillips’ ongoing humiliation gives Man City a problem
It was a eulogy from Pep Guardiola about a midfielder. He reflected on the excellence he can show when in a deeper role and celebrated his goalscoring exploits. He said how keen he is to keep him and that the club hierarchy know that. He was hailing Ilkay Gundogan, understandably after a tour de force. Just as predictably, Kalvin Phillips was not the object of his affection. The German’s afternoon at Goodison Park brought two goals. The Englishman’s brought two minutes of football. One could be bound for Barcelona on a free transfer in a couple of months. The other still has five years left on his Manchester City contract. Perhaps, when Gundogan plays as majestically as he has against Leeds and Everton, it is unfair to compare anyone to him. Yet in effect, Guardiola had to when Rodri sat out the games against Sheffield United and Leeds; on each occasion, he opted for Gundogan to anchor the midfield. Phillips was supposed to be the specialist defensive midfielder. Instead, he is the specialist substitute. Rodri is the most overworked member of City’s squad, with 4104 minutes under his belt. It is in part because Phillips has been trusted with just 407. Some 55 games into City’s season, Phillips has started just two: against a Bristol City team in the Championship and a Southampton side bound for that division. Guardiola’s side lost at St Mary’s, in their worst performance of the season, in the Carabao Cup. A bit-part role is not explained purely by a shoulder injury in autumn. City have scored 92 league goals, but none with Phillips on the pitch; indeed, they have a negative goal difference during his outings. Leicester scored one, and came close to getting three, after Phillips’ introduction a month ago; the midfielder described his own performance as “a bit of a stinker”. Since then, votes of no confidence have come from Guardiola, with cameos that have begun so late that nothing could go wrong: he came on injury time against West Ham, with a three-goal lead, slightly earlier at Goodison, and with the same scoreline. Scan Phillips’ season and Guardiola often brings him on so late he is destined to be the no-impact substitute: he was also introduced in injury time against Borussia Dortmund. He got one minute against West Ham in August, three against Arsenal in February, four against Chelsea in January, nine at Southampton, 12 against Sevilla, 13 at Wolves. A total of 17 appearances feels deceptive; even then, 161 of his minutes have come in the FA Cup. He may be having the worst treble-winning season ever, remembered in part for Guardiola branding him overweight after the World Cup. And if many could envy the medal collection he may soon have, Phillips in a better state could be the endearing success story – the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ who was transformed by Guardiola’s hero Marcelo Bielsa, integral for England on their run to the final of Euro 2020. Now he seems an afterthought, City’s third-choice defensive midfielder – fourth-choice if John Stones’ reinvention puts him ahead of Phillips – getting token appearances and meaningless minutes. For a while, it was possible to take solace in history. Many a player has flourished in his second season under Guardiola, after belatedly adjusting to his complex demands. Yet, even without being automatic choices, they were not marginalised. Bernardo Silva’s maiden season brought 53 appearances; 35 of them were in the Premier League, where he played 1520 minutes. Thus far, Phillips has played 105. Riyad Mahrez’s debut campaign brought 1338 top-flight minutes, Jack Grealish’s 1917, Rodri’s 2488. Each kicked on thereafter but, seemed with the benefit of hindsight, it was apparent he had a part in the manager’s long-term plans. It seems less likely that Phillips does; 10 days ago, Guardiola refused to confirm he will be at the Etihad Stadium next season and said the £42m man had to earn his confidence. So far, he has not. All of which feels more damning given Guardiola’s playing days and his status as the godfather of the midfielder. Rejection should be more painful. It could provide City with more of a problem, too. With Gundogan likely to go to Barcelona, with the prospect of another summer of interest from the Nou Camp in Silva, Phillips may present an unwanted problem; likely to be pursued elsewhere in the Premier League but adding to City’s need for reinforcements. As players of the calibre of Ronaldinho, Deco and Zlatan Ibrahimovic can testify, Guardiola can be swift to exile even the most distinguished; as Joao Cancelo knows to his cost, he can still be ruthless. Phillips faces a different form of public humiliation, embarrassed by the brevity of his contributions. He could finish the season with more medals than starts but, in a strange way, it would be a sign of how his move has gone wrong. Read More Man City being driven to title by man of the moment – and it’s not Erling Haaland It’s not necessary what he does – Pep Guardiola hits out at Everton’s Yerry Mina Kevin De Bruyne is Man City’s man for the big occasion but has he met his match?
2023-05-15 18:15
Australian track star Bol cleared of doping
Australian track star Bol cleared of doping
A doping investigation into Australian Olympic 800m runner Peter Bol was dropped Tuesday, with the middle-distance star calling it...
2023-08-01 08:54
Celtics' Jayson Tatum ejected for arguing foul call vs. Sixers
Celtics' Jayson Tatum ejected for arguing foul call vs. Sixers
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was ejected from Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers for arguing a call at the end of the third quarter
2023-12-02 11:20
The Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East, as they showed by dominating Miami
The Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East, as they showed by dominating Miami
So much for the offseason narrative of the Buffalo Bills' window to compete starting to close
2023-10-03 06:47
How Man City could line up with Matheus Nunes
How Man City could line up with Matheus Nunes
With Matheus Nunes moving to Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £53m deal, 90min looks at how Pep Guardiola could line up with the Portuguese midfielder.
2023-09-03 21:19
Steelers: 3 2022 free agency mistakes Pittsburgh regrets
Steelers: 3 2022 free agency mistakes Pittsburgh regrets
Relative to expectations, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a magical season in 2022. Narrowly missing the playoffs should be attributed to Mike Tomlin's leadership, while shortcomings should be attributed to offseason mistakes.Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan has led a successful 20...
2023-07-29 05:49
Sandro Tonali potential shirt numbers at Newcastle
Sandro Tonali potential shirt numbers at Newcastle
Assessing the Newcastle shirt number that Sandro Tonali could wear once he completes his £60m transfer from AC Milan.
2023-06-23 05:47
Breeders' Cup contender Practical Move dies after a morning gallop at Santa Anita
Breeders' Cup contender Practical Move dies after a morning gallop at Santa Anita
A horse set to run in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup has died after a workout at Santa Anita
2023-10-31 23:28